WO2001019704A1

WO2001019704A1 - Reel support capable of being superposed

Info

Publication number: WO2001019704A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/008796
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Malukow
Original assignee: Eurofoil S.A.
Priority date: 1999-09-10
Filing date: 2000-09-08
Publication date: 2001-03-22
Also published as: LU90438B1; AU7651800A

Abstract

The invention concerns a support (10) capable of being superposed for reel provided with a mandrel. The support (10) comprises a base (14), two lateral elements (12) substantially perpendicular to the base (14) and having a height greater than the diameter of the reel, and support means (18) for the mandrel. The lateral elements (12) are securely fixed to the base (14) and placed opposite each other, and the support means (18) arranged between the lateral elements (12). Each lateral element (12) comprising a lower part (20) securely fixed to the base (14) and an upper part (22) removable from the top of the lower part (20).

Description

Stackable support for reel

Introduction

The present invention relates to a stackable support for a coil with a mandrel.

State of the art

The production of sheets and films of metals, such as steel or aluminum, is done by rolling In the production of aluminum films, the aluminum film from the rolling mill is wound on a mandrel Once the length of desired aluminum was wound on the mandrel, the coil thus obtained is placed on an annealing support to be annealed in an oven After annealing, the coil is allowed to cool and then it is removed from its annealing support It is then checked then wrapped in a protective plastic film, and is then placed in a shipping support a removable wooden crate First, the side panels are fixed to the bottom of the wooden crate Then, the coil is placed on the bottom , and the top of the box is put in place

During storage and transport, such wooden boxes can be stacked. The use of a removable wooden box is advantageous when returning the box "empty" to the factory, because the side panels and the above are stored on the bottom of the box, thus saving space in height However, the step of preparing the coil support is relatively laborious and slow, since an operator must assemble the side panels with the bottom of the box , then carefully guide the spool between the side panels to place it on the bottom, then set up the top The complexity of using this shipping medium with high assembly time slows down the production rate of the laminating factories Object of the invention (Problem to be solved by the invention)

The object of the present invention is to provide a support for a coil of simpler use. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a stackable support for a coil according to claim 1.

General description of the claimed invention with its main advantages.

The stackable support for a coil with a mandrel according to the invention comprises a base, two lateral elements substantially perpendicular to the base and of height greater than the diameter of the coil, and support means for the mandrel. The side elements are securely attached to the base and placed one opposite the other. The support means are arranged between the lateral elements. It will be appreciated that each side element includes a lower part securely attached to the base and an upper part which can be removed from above the lower part.

Such a coil holder with mandrel is very simple to use; its use is particularly simpler than that of a removable wooden case. In fact, each lateral element comprises an upper part and a lower part, the upper part being able to be removed from above the lower part. By removing the upper parts, the height of the support is reduced, which saves space in stacking height when the supports are empty, for example when returning empty supports to the factory after the delivery of the reels. The height of the support can be modified by simply adding or removing the upper parts of the side elements, it is not necessary to assemble or disassemble side panels and a top as in the case of removable wooden boxes. The simplicity of use of the support according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the preparation time of the reel support, and results in an increase in productivity. Another advantage of this support is that it is stackable. Indeed, thanks to its lateral elements which have a height greater than the diameter of the coil supported in the support, it is possible to rest another support on these side elements. Whether in the factory or for shipping, the supports can be stacked, which saves space on the ground.

As the support has only two side elements, it is easier to see the spool than in a closed wooden case. We can thus identify the type of material wound around the mandrel, check the state of the coil, and note any damage.

Advantageously, for each lateral element, fixing means make it possible to hold the upper part rigidly above the lower part. These are for example locks, the movable element ensuring the closure is a rod. When a lock is arranged so that it closes by moving the rod horizontally, this is called a horizontal rod lock. When a lock is arranged so that it closes by moving the rod vertically, we speak of a vertical rod lock. Thanks to these fixing means which hold an upper part on a lower part, the support has great rigidity and several supports can be superimposed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lower and upper parts have, for each lateral element, substantially the same height. It is also possible to provide articulations between the lower and upper parts of each lateral element in order to fold the upper part downwards, from a position in which the upper part surmounts the lower part. So just open the locks and fold the top down. Since the upper and lower parts have the same height, the upper part can be tilted against the lower part. We can therefore reduce the height of the support very easily and quickly. Likewise, to replace an upper part, simply bring it up, and close the latches. This manipulation of about thirty seconds for the two side elements is extremely faster than the assembly of a removable wooden case which requires fifteen minutes. Preferably, the support means comprise for each lateral element a first housing fixed on the lower part. This first accommodation has a support surface in the form of a cylinder portion whose concavity is turned upwards and which extends towards the other lower part. The support surface has a radius of curvature slightly greater than the radius of a mandrel to be supported. Each end of the mandrel will therefore rest on the support surface of the first housing of each lateral element. Since the radius of curvature of the support surface is slightly greater than the radius of a mandrel to be supported, the play is reduced.

The first housing can be fixed in the lower part of each lateral element at a height such that the axis of the mandrel supported by the latter passes through approximately half the height of the lateral element. It is a way of minimizing the height of the support.

An adapter can be fitted in the first housing intended to support a mandrel with a diameter smaller than the mandrel supported by the support surface of the first housing. For this purpose, the adapter has a support surface in the form of a cylinder portion. The support surface has a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the support surface of the first housing. The adapter therefore makes it possible to support, without play, a small diameter mandrel.

Advantageously, the support means comprise a second housing fixed on the lower part and having a support surface similar to that of the first housing. The second housing is arranged at a height such that a mandrel supported by the support surface thereof does not protrude above an upper edge of the lower part. When the upper parts are removed, a single mandrel deposited in the first housings protrudes above an edge of the lower part. The second housing therefore allows a mandrel to be supported alone without it protruding. By providing a lateral offset of the second housing relative to the first housing, it facilitates access from above the support.

Preferably, a tenon projects on an upper edge of the upper part of each lateral element. A recess is also arranged in a lower edge of the lower part or the base, the position of the recess being obtained by vertical projection of the post when the upper part surmounts the lower part. In a stack, the pins of the support below fit into the recesses of the support above. They allow regular stacking and prevent the top support from sliding. To facilitate the positioning of the supports, the pins are advantageously arranged diagonally opposite. Indeed, to stack a support on diagonally opposite tenons it is not necessary to orient the support, unlike tenons placed on the same side of the lateral elements. The tenons are therefore placed along a diagonal of the imaginary parallelogram formed by the upper edges of the upper parts and the imaginary straight lines connecting the ends of the upper edges of the upper parts of the two opposite lateral elements.

It is also possible to provide a stud projecting from the upper edge of the lower part; the position of the post being obtained by vertical projection of the post located on the upper edge of the upper part when it surmounts the lower part. This post is useful for stacking supports from which the upper parts have been removed. This pin of the lower part preferably corresponds to an orifice in a lower edge of the upper part, orifice into which this pin penetrates when the upper part surmounts the lower part.

According to a preferred embodiment, the base comprises four sections fixed so as to form a substantially rectangular frame and the lateral elements are fixed to the sections which form the width of the frame. This arrangement of the base and the side elements provides easy support to stack. Advantageously, the support is made of metal, in particular steel. This gives it excellent rigidity, a much longer lifespan than wood, for example, and good resistance to moderate temperatures like those in aluminum annealing ovens. While in normal practice a coil passes through different supports, in particular annealing and shipping supports, the support according to the invention is versatile. It is no longer necessary to change the support coil from the end of rolling until it arrives at a customer. In fact, the coil is placed in this support as soon as the rolling is finished and it remains there during the annealing, cooling, checking and packaging steps, as well as during storage and shipping.

Description using Figures

Other features and characteristics of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of an advantageous embodiment presented below, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

Fig.1: front view of a stackable support for coil;

Fig.2: longitudinal C-C section view of the stackable support for coil of Fig.1; Fig.3: sectional view A-A and partial section B-B of the rear face of the stackable support for coil of Fig.1;

Fig.4: top view of Fig.1;

Fig. 5: view of a horizontal rod lock system

Fig. 6: view of an adapter. In the figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

Figs. 1 to 4 make it possible to clearly represent in space a preferred embodiment of a stackable support 10 for coil. Fig.2 shows a longitudinal sectional view CC of the support 10. Two lateral elements 12 (substantially identical) placed one opposite the other are perpendicular to a base 14 to which they are securely fixed. As can be understood with the aid of FIGS. 1 and 4, the base 14 comprises four sections 16 fixed together so as to form a rectangular frame, and the lateral elements 12 rise above the sections 16 forming the width of the frame rectangular. In order to be able to support a coil with a mandrel, support means 18 are arranged between the lateral elements 12, see Fig. 2. The length of the base 14 is greater than or equal to that of the mandrel of the coil to be supported and the height of the lateral elements 12 is greater than its diameter. Since the height of the side elements 12 is greater than the diameter of the coil, the supports 10 are stackable. The width of the lateral elements 12 and of the base 14 is also chosen so that it is greater than or equal to the diameter of the supported coil. Thus, a coil supported in the support 10 does not protrude from the latter.

It will be noted in FIG. 1 that each lateral element 12 comprises a lower part 20, firmly fixed to the base 14, and an upper part 22. The upper part 22 can be removed from above the lower part 20, which makes it possible to reduce the height of the support 10. In general, the upper part 22 is kept above the lower part 20 when a coil is present in the support 10. It is removed from the top of the lower part 20 during loading and unloading. 'a coil, as well as when the support 10 is empty.

The structure of a lateral element 12 is easily identifiable with the aid of FIG. 1. The lower part 20 comprises two external uprights 24 and two internal uprights 26, the upper end of each external upright 24 being connected by a half-cross member 28 to the upper end of the neighboring internal upright 26. The upper part 22 is also formed of two external uprights 32 and two internal uprights 34, arranged in the extension of the external uprights 24, resp. interior 26, of the lower part 20, and the upper ends of which are connected by half-crosspieces 36. The two half-crosspieces 36 are connected by a connecting plate 38, in order to join them together.

Still in FIG. 1, hinges 40 fixed on the outer uprights 32, respectively inner 34, of the upper part 22, and on the half-cross members 28 of the lower part 20 facilitate the fitting and removal of the part upper 22. It therefore suffices simply to fold down the upper part 22 to reduce the height of the support 10. In view of the position of the hinges 40, the upper part 22 can be folded outwards, that is to say in the direction opposite to that of the other lateral element 12. Preferably, the lower parts 20 and upper 22 have substantially the same height; we can then fold the upper part 22 against the lower part 20. It is 8

It is clear that it suffices to perform the reverse movement to bring the upper part 22 back to the position above the lower part 20.

Fig.3 shows a sectional view A-A and partial section B-B of the support 10, which essentially represents the rear face of the lateral element 12 of Fig.1. The support means 18 comprise a first housing 42 fixed on the lower part 20. It has a support surface 44 in the form of a half cylinder whose concavity is turned upwards and which extends towards the other lower part. This half cylinder has a radius of curvature slightly greater than the radius of the mandrel of a coil to be supported. When a coil is placed in the support 10, it is supported by the ends of its mandrel which rest on the support surfaces 44. As can be seen, the upper edges of the support surface 44 are flush with the upper edge of the half sleepers 28. Since the support surface 44 has a radius of curvature slightly greater than the radius of the mandrel to be supported, the axis of the mandrel passes at the upper edge of the lower part 20. The lower parts 20 and upper 22 having substantially the same height, the axis of the mandrel passes through half the height of the lateral element 12.

The support means comprise a second housing 46 with a support surface 48 similar to that of the first housing 42, also fixed on the lower part 20. The second housing 46 is arranged at a height such that when a single mandrel rests on its support surface 48, the mandrel does not protrude above the upper edge of the half crosspieces 28. In fact, once the metal film of the coil has been used, the mandrel alone is replaced in the support 10. In this case , the upper parts 22 are generally folded down and a mandrel deposited in the first housings 42 would protrude above the upper edges of the half-crosspieces 28. It is therefore preferable to place the mandrel in the second housings 46, so that it does not protrude not of the support 10. To facilitate handling, the second housings 46 are offset laterally with respect to the first housings 42. An empty mandrel is therefore very easily removable by the top, in the second housings 46 of the support 10. Two bolt systems are used in this preferred embodiment to rigidly hold the upper part 22 above the lower part 20. They are distinguished by the direction of manipulation of their movable closure element which is a cylindrical rod. When closing takes place by moving the rod in a horizontal direction, we speak of a horizontal rod lock. When closing takes place by moving the rod in a vertical direction, we speak of a vertical rod lock.

The vertical rod lock systems are two in number per side element 12 and are each arranged in the angle formed between an internal upright 34 of the upper part 22 and a half-cross member 28 of the lower part 20. When the part upper 22 surmounts the lower part 20, as in FIG. 1, a rod guide 50 fixed to an internal upright 34 and comprising a vertical channel 52 is located above each half-cross member 28. The half-cross members 28 are also provided with a channel 54 which is aligned, in this position of the upper part 22, with the channel 52 of the rod guide 50. A rod (not shown) is inserted vertically through the two channels 52 and 54 so as to close the lock. The upper part 22 is therefore held in its position above the lower part 20.

A horizontal rod lock system is shown in Fig. 5. Installed on the inner side, that is to say opposite the hinges 40, it includes a U-shaped profile 56 fixed on an external upright 32 and a rod guide 58 fixed to a half-cross member 28 of the lower part 20. The guide rod 58 is provided with a horizontal channel 60. The U-shaped profile 56 has been pierced on its lateral parts with two orifices 62 aligned along a transverse axis. When the upper part 22 surmounts the lower part 20, the U-shaped section 56 covers the rod guide 58, and the orifices 62 are aligned with the channel 60. A rod 64 is then introduced horizontally through the channel 62 and the orifices 56 in order to close the bolt, and therefore to keep the upper part 22, without play, above the lower part 20. A single bolt system with horizontal rod per lateral element 12 is sufficient to guarantee excellent rigidity in the support 10. Security consists in using a bent rod 62 and in fixing a stop plate 66 perpendicular to the half-cross member 28 at a distance from the rod guide 58 approximately equal to the diameter of the rod 62. Once the bent rod 62 inserted in the orifices 62 and the channel 60, the rod 62 bent is pressed against the half-cross member 28 and the stop plate 66 retains it in this position.

In order to allow the regular stacking and without sliding of the supports 10, a pin 68, shown in FIG. 1, projects on an upper edge of the upper part 22 of each lateral element 12. This pin 68 engages in a recess 69 arranged in a lower edge of an external upright 24 of the lower part 20, the position of which is obtained by vertical projection of the pin 68. A pin 70 is also provided on the upper edge of the lower part 20, for the 'regular stacking and without sliding of the supports, when the upper part 22 has been removed. Its position is obtained by vertical projection of the pin 68 of the upper part 22. Obviously, an orifice (not shown) into which the pin 70 can fit is provided in a lower edge of the upper part 22. As can be seen on Fig. 4, tenons 68, resp. 70, are placed in a horizontal plane and diagonally opposite with respect to the imaginary rectangle formed by the lateral elements 12 and the imaginary lines connecting the ends of the upper edges of the upper parts 22 of the two lateral elements 12. The supports 10 can therefore be superimposed without any particular orientation. In addition, the stack on two tenons 68, resp. 70, is easier than on four, for the worker in charge of the operation.

Two oblique longitudinal members 72 disposed inside the base 14 and three cross members 74 spaced regularly along the base 14 are fixed to the profiles 16 of the base 14, to reinforce it. A protection plate 76 fixed under the oblique longitudinal members 72 partially covers the underside of the base 14 in order to protect the coil.

On each lateral element 12, two lifting lugs 78 each fixed in the middle of each half-cross member 28 of the lower part 20 allow the support 10 to be displaced using a lifting bridge. Corners 80, 82, fixed centrally under the base 14 and oriented longitudinally, resp. transversely, are used to guide the forks of forklifts and for stable transport.

Fig.6 shows an adapter 84 of diameter recessed in a first housing 42, for the support of a coil having a mandrel of a diameter less than that which can be supported by the first housing 42. It has a support surface 86 in the shape of a half cylinder. The support surface 86 has a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the support surface 44 of the first housing 42. This support surface 86 is extended by two planar surfaces 87 vertical. When the adapter 84 is embedded in the support, the support surface has its concavity turned upwards and the axis of the half cylinder is directed towards the other lower part. In addition, a vertical stop 88 placed under the adapter 84 rests on the support surface 44 of the first housing 42. Two horizontal bars 89 and two retaining plates 90 allow the adapter 84 to slide between the internal uprights 34 of the upper parts. The lower horizontal bar 89 rests on a stop plate 30 placed just under the two half-crosspieces 28 and fixed to the two interior uprights 26.

Claims

claims

1. Support (10) superimposable for a coil with mandrel, said support (10) comprising a base (14), two lateral elements (12) substantially perpendicular to the base (14) and of height greater than the diameter of the coil, and support means (18) for the mandrel, the lateral elements (12) being firmly fixed to the base (14) and placed one opposite the other, and the support means (18) being arranged between the side elements (12); each side element (12) comprising a lower part (20) securely fixed to the base (14) and an upper part (22) which can be removed from above the lower part (20).

2. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that for each lateral element (12), the lower (20) and upper (22) parts have substantially the same height.

3. Support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for each lateral element (12), fixing means (18) make it possible to maintain the upper part (22) rigidly above the lower part

(20).

4. Support according to claim 3, characterized in that, for each lateral element (12), the fixing means (18) comprise a bolt system with horizontal rod.

5. Support according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, for each lateral element (12), the fixing means comprise a latch system with vertical rod.

6. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one articulation (40) between the lower (20) and upper (22) parts of each lateral element (12), said articulation (40) making it possible to fold the upper part (22) downwards, from a position in which the upper part (22) surmounts the lower part (20).

. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support means (18) comprise for each lateral element (12) a first housing (42) fixed on the lower part (20), the first housing having a surface support (44) in the form of a cylinder portion whose concavity faces upwards and which extends towards the other lower part (20), said support surface (44) having a radius of curvature slightly greater than the radius of a mandrel to support.

8. Support according to claim 7, characterized in that the first housing (42) is fixed on the lower part (20) at a height such that the axis of a mandrel supported by the first housing (42) passes approximately through half the height of the side element (12).

9. Support according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by an adapter (84) recessed in the first housing (42), said adapter (84) having a support surface (86) in the form of a cylinder portion, said support surface (86) having a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the support surface (44) of the first housing (42).

10. Support according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the support means (18) comprise a second housing (46) fixed on the lower part (20) and having a similar support surface (48) to that of the first housing (42), said second housing (46) being arranged at a height such that a mandrel supported by the support surface (48) of said second housing (46) does not protrude above an upper edge of the lower part (20).

11. Support according to claim 10, characterized in that the second housing (46) is offset laterally relative to the first housing (42).

12. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a tenon (68) projecting from an upper edge of the upper part (22) of each lateral element (12); and by a recess (69) arranged in a lower edge of the lower part (20) or of the base (14), the position of the recess (69) being obtained by vertical projection of the stud (68) when the upper part (22) surmounts the lower part (20).

13. Support according to claim 12, characterized in that the tenons (68) of the lateral elements (12) are arranged diagonally opposite.

14. Support according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by a tenon (70) projecting from an upper edge of the lower part (20) of each lateral element (12); the position of the post (70) being obtained by vertical projection of the post (68) located on an upper edge of the upper part

(22) when it surmounts the lower part (20).

15. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (14) comprises four sections (16) fixed so as to form a substantially rectangular frame; and in that the lateral elements (12) are fixed to the profiles (16) which form the width of the chassis.

16. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of metal, in particular steel.

17. Use of the support according to any one of claims 1 to 16 as a coil support in an annealing furnace.

18. Use of the reel support according to any one of claims 1 to 16 as a reel support during transport of the reel.