WO2002083358A2

WO2002083358A2 - Positioning device for multiple transversely spaced operating units

Info

Publication number: WO2002083358A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/011603
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin A. Shea; Curtis L. Carter
Original assignee: H.B. Fuller Licensing & Financing, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-04-12
Filing date: 2002-04-12
Publication date: 2002-10-24
Also published as: WO2002083358A3

Abstract

An apparatus is supported transversely or substantially transversely of a web path on a rail of a web handling machine, and the apparatus supports a plurality of operating units spaced transversely or substantially transversely of the path of the web material and are adjustable along the path by separate, parallel or substantially parallel driven threaded lead screws by separate servomotors where each lead screw is attached to an operating unit by a threaded nut, and the web is tracked along an edge to maintain said operating units is the desired position in relationship to the web.

Description

POSITIONING DEVICE FOR MULTIPLE TRANSVERSELY SPACED

OPERATING UNITS

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a machine for positioning spaced operating units along a frame extending transversely or substantially transversely of a web path of a web handling machine for performing a machine function to place a tape on said web at transversely or substantially transversely spaced locations across the web. The frame is supported transversely or substantially transversely of a web path on a rail of the web handling machine, and in one aspect the invention relates to a novel operating unit positioning apparatus wherein a plurality of operating units are spaced transversely or substantially transversely of the path of the web material and are adjustable along the path by separate, parallel or substantially parallel driven lead screws by separate servomotors. Independent tape dispensing arms can be adjustably supported between paper webs to apply a tape, i.e. ribbon, web or string between the webs. From a web tracking device, the tape dispensing arms, are adjusted simultaneously, if the web moves from its normal path.

Background of the Invention Laminating machines that change the position of guide arms to vary the position of tapes in relationship to the web exist. One such machine is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,452,837, (Clausen, et al.), wherein a plurality of ribbons are fed through a guide member onto a sheet-like web. The guide is a reciprocating bar having eyelets for receiving a plurality of ribbons which bar places the ribbons onto the web in a serpentine pattern to provide continuous reinforcement of the substrate in both the machine direction and transversely or substantially transversely. The machine used a ribbon precoated with a "hot melt" type of adhesive for providing improved reinforcement of a sheet-like substrate. Tapes disclosed for reinforcing or to provide tear strips have been sold under assignee's trade name "Sesame" and "Open Sesame." Another U.S. Patent No. 5,759,339, (Hartman), discloses a machine for adjusting the position of tape dispensing arms between the webs of a laminating machine using a reciprocating belt to change the position of the dispensing arms and a transducer to identify the position of each dispensing arm.

Further, U.S. Patent No. 4,995,937, (Persson), (or PCT application, No. WO 88/04272) (Persson), discloses an arrangement for applying longitudinally extending tapes to a moving web having a plurality of tape holders and a plurality of tape applicators for guiding the tape into contact with web. The tape applicators are carried by and are capable of being positioned along mutually separate beams of a beam structure, which extends transversely or substantially transversely to the direction of web travel. The applicators can be adjusted positionally in relation to an applicator-setting beam, which extends transversely or substantially transversely to the direction of web movement, and can be locked to this beam in selected positions therealong. The applicator-setting beam is, in turn, carried for longitudinal movement by a stationary carrier beam, which extends parallel or substantially parallel with the applicator-setting beam. The applicator-setting beam can also have graduations provided along the length thereof to show the position of the applicators. The applicator-setting beam is moved in relation to the fixed carrier beam 14 by the tape applicators carried thereby, the carriages of the tape applicators being provided to this end with rotatably journalled wheels which support the applicator-setting beam. Longitudinal movement of the applicator-setting beam is effected by means of a threaded spindle which engages a screw-threaded bore in a nut rigidly connected to the applicator-setting beam. The spindle is journalled but is locked against axial movement in a stationary frame part. The single threaded spindle moves the applicator-setting beam and the tape applicators.

Prior art exists concerning the use of web sensors to move a web such that it is guided to maintain web alignment by stealing guide rollers. The sensors used respond to receivers on the opposite side of the web from the sensors. Such sensors that provide optical edge guiding systems are available from Banner Engineering Corp., 9714 106 Ave. No., Minneapolis, MN 55441.

Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape dispensing apparatus adapted to fit in a small crowded environment, the apparatus having a plurality of tape dispensing arms positioned along the frame of the apparatus. The apparatus has a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel lead screws or threaded rods extending parallel or substantially parallel to each other and to the frame, which extends transversely or substantially transversely across the directional path of a web or substrate to which the tape is to be applied. Each lead screw is connected to one of the tape dispensing arms and each lead screw is driven by a servomotor. The servomotors are controlled by a computer such that the position of each tape dispensing arm is known and recorded and if there is a need to change the position of the arms to build a particular product, the operator enters the desired information into the computer at the computer interface. Once allof the tape positions have been entered, the operator will press a button on the operator interface to execute the move. The computer knows these values and transmits the values to the motors and the motors drive the threaded rods or lead screws causing the dispensing arms to move. This operation happens to all of the dispensing arms simultaneously. A web tracking system is used to monitor the movement of the web during tape application. If the web moves off the normal path of travel, the web tracking unit will provide signals indicating the amount of movement and the direction to adjust the position of the sensors and then the position of the operating units such that they continue the dispensing and placement of the tape onto the web at the predetermined location. This adjustment is made to adjust all the operating units simultaneously as determined by the new location of the web sensors.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of the apparatus frame, with the top plate removed to show the interior parts in greater detail;

Figure 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the apparatus showing the beam on the support beam of the web handling machine and of the apparatus with a dispensing arm; Figure 3 is a detailed longitudinal sectional view of the tape dispensing apparatus; and Figure 4 is a further longitudinal sectional view showing the drive connection of the apparatus;

Figure 5 is a side view of the web traveling through the machine and past the web tracking system and toward the tape dispensing unit, Figure 6 is a detail view of the sensors and support structure, with an enlarged view of the sensors, and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the sensors tracking the edge of the web.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention will be described in detail and relates to an improved apparatus for remotely positioning spaced operating units transversely or substantially transversely of the web path of a web handling machine and act upon the web at predetermined positions on the web. The operating units can be web slitting knives, strip coating units or tape applicators for applying continuous lengths of tape to a web as well as other tape or web handling process devices. The web can be a tape, a film, a paper product for making corrugated webs, or a carton stock. The tape, may be a ribbon, web or string and is generally one coated with an adhesive, such as a hot melt adhesive, a hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesive, a hot melt remoistenable adhesive, a water dispersible hot melt adhesive, a biodegradable hot melt adhesive or a repulpable hot melt adhesive. Examples of these adhesives are any typical hot melt adhesives such as an ethylene- vinyl acetate copolymer (ENA-based) hot melt adhesive, EMA-based hot melt adhesive (ethylene methylacrylate), EnBA-based hot melt adhesive (ethylene n-butyl acrylate); hot melt adhesives based on polyethylene and polypropylene homopolymers, copolymers and interpolymers, or rubbery block copolymer hot melt adhesives. The tape can be a transfer tape without a substrate or it can comprise a substrate and an adhesive. The substrate can include paper, film, plurality of reinforcing fibers, woven or non- woven web material and so on.

In the illustrated embodiment the operating units are illustrated as tape dispensing arms and used for applying tape to the webs in a corrugating machine as described in U.S.Patent No. 5,759,339, (Hartman), assigned to the assignee of this application, Linear Products, Inc. which patent is incorporated herein by reference. In the illustrated embodiment, like parts are identified by like reference numerals in the several views. Figure 1 shows the general structure of the apparatus frame, with the top cover plate removed, for use with operating units that are tape dispensing arms. The main beam 10 of the apparatus is an extruded part, which can be metal or a composite, preferably made of aluminum, and supported therefrom are six (6) tape dispensing arms 11 as the operating units for dispensing tape 40 to a web 13, for reinforcing the web 13, which forms a part of a corrugated board for forming boxes. Extending parallel or substantially parallel to the beam 10 is a bearing rail 12 to support the dispensing arms 11, as will be further described. There is an end plate 14 and a bearing plate 15 that supports the ends of a plurality of threaded lead screws 16, and at the other end of the beam 10 is a bearing mount plate 18 and a motor mount plate 19. A further end plate 20 is positioned on the right end of the beam 10 as shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is a clearer illustration of the apparatus 8 and its structure. In Figures 2 and 3 the top plate 21 is shown, disposed in attachment to the main beam 10 but spaced therefrom by a spacer plate 22. Secured to the top plate 21 is the bearing rail 12. The main beam 10 supports track roller brackets 24 which supports the apparatus on a track 25 which is supported by the frame of the web handling machine. In Figures 1 and 2, the tape dispensing arm 1 1 is illustrated and comprises an exterior final guide plate 28 connected to a bearing mount plate 29 by a mounting plate structure 30. A bearing mounting assembly 31 supported by the bearing mount plate 29, supports the tape dispensing arm 11 from the bearing rail 12. Supported by the bearing mount plate 29, opposite the bearing mounting assembly 31, is the support plate 34 through which extend the threaded rods 16 provided with a series of holes having support bushings 36 for the multiple threaded rods 16. In one of the holes in the support plate 34 is a threaded nut 38 mounted on the support plate 34 by a mounting flange 39 such that rotation of the threaded rod 16 engaging the threaded nut 38 will move the threaded rod support plate 34. This movement moves the support plate 34 along the rail 12 and the tape dispensing arm 11 along the main beam 10.

The tape dispensing arm 11 includes the series of rollers for directing the tape 40, including the entry pulley assembly 42 and an exit pulley assembly 43, the latter including a spacer plate 44, and pulleys 45 and 46 directing the tape 40 toward the web path.

The threaded rods 16 have ACME threads and are rotatable in opposite directions to move the tape dispenser units to the desired positions. The ends of the rods 16 terminate in self-aligning bearing blocks 48 and the bearings 49. Also, the plate 15 supports the thrust bearing 50. The rods 16 have a castellated nut 51, a washer 52, which is preferably a rubber washer, and a washer 53 on the reduced end of the rods 16, as shown, secured by a cotter pin 54.

Figure 2 also discloses a front cover 56, in section, positioned over a portion of ^' the apparatus.

Referring now to Figure 4, the drive means for the threaded rods 16 is illustrated. The ACME threaded rods 16, are journalled in plate 18 by a single ball bearing 58, mounted in a bearing block 59, which also supports a double row ball bearing assemble 60. Connected at the drive end of the rods 16, is a shaft end stop 61 and a flexible coupling 62. The flexible coupling 62 connects the threaded rods 16 to the drive means, which is a series of motors, such as servomotors 65, with attached gear heads, having the drive shafts joined to the flexible couplings 62. There is a servomotor 65 for each threaded rod, and in the illustrated apparatus, this would be six (6) motors 65. The apparatus could have more or fewer than six rods and/or motors, depending on the number of operating units used. All the lead screws, or threaded rods 16, are positioned in a parallel or substantially parallel relationship. More motors than rods could be present for backup purposes.

Each motor 65 is provided with a flexible coupling 66, which connects the motor 65 to an operating computer and power source 70 although a wireless connection could be used instead. The computer 70 can be a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a suitable model is the Allen-Bradley Model SLC 5/04 PLC with suitable power supply, Allen Bradley 1746-BAS basic module, Allen Bradley Panel View 600 Color/Touchscreen operator interface, all available from Rockwell Automation, 1 Allen- Bradley Drive, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124-6118, U.S.A., and Quicksilver Control QCI-23H-5 servomotors, available from Quicksilver Controls, Inc., 712 Arrow Grand Circle, Covina, CA 91722, U.S.A., as indicated schematically in Figure 4. The computer 70 serves to carry information to the motors, resulting in the movement of the tape dispensing arms 11. The operator determines the desired tape position on the web. The operator will then put these values into the operator interfaceand a suitable one is an Allen-Bradley Panel Niew unit. Once all of the tape positions have been entered, the operator will press a button on the operator interface to execute the move. The computer 70 calculates the move distance and transmits these values to the motors 65 simultaneously to cause the motors 65 to be activated at a given rate and/or for a given duration. The threaded rods 16 start spinning, causing the dispensing arms to move. This operation happens to all of the tape dispensing arms 11 simultaneously. When the dispensing arms 11 reach their predetermined location the individual motors stop.

In some instances, the computer may transmit zero move distance to one or more of the rods, while transmits actual move distances to others. In these instances, the rod or rods receiving a "no move" or "zero distance" signal will not move at all.

The frame of the apparatus 8 is supported transversely or substantially transversely of a web path on a rail 25 of a web handling machine, and the operating unit positioning apparatus 8 supports a plurality of operating units 11 spaced transversely or substantially transversely of the path of the web material 13 and are adjustable along the path by separate, parallel or substantially parallel driven lead screws by separate servomotors. To maintain the position of the tape 40 from the dispensers in relationship to the web 13, a web tracking unit 75 is used to track the position of the web as it may move right or left from the normal web path or home position. This tracking unit is placed up stream from the positioning unit 8 on a beam 76 of the frame of the web handling machine as illustrated in Figure 5. The web handling machine supports spaced web guiding rollers 78, 79 and 80. As the web 13 passes the roller 79, the tracking unit 75 looks at the position of the web 13. The web tracking unit 75, as illustrated in Figure 6, comprises a linear slide 82, supporting an arm 84 which arm supports a pair of sensors 85 and 86 which are spaced transversely or substantially transversely of the normal web path and which are spaced in the direction of movement of the web 13. The arm 84 is moved along the linear slide 82 by a servomotor 88. The linear slide 82 is supported from the beam 76, which beam also supports a guide arm 89 which supports the electrical cables, not shown. The servomotor 88 is coupled to a threaded rod 87, see Figure 5, in the linear slide 82 and the threaded rod is connected to the arm 84. As formed, one spin of the threaded rod, clockwise or counterclockwise, moves the arm 84 10 millimeters and the encoder of the servomotor makes 4000 counts per revolution to precisely tell the position of the arm 84. .

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the sensors 85 and 86 are formed of optical fibers. A laser light travels through each fiber and exits toward the web 13 on one side thereof. Light is reflected from the web 13 back to the fiber and is received by power receivers and sensor amplifiers 90 and 91 respectfully. The sensors 85 and 86 have a built in alternating light source to avoid interference, or avoid one fiber from receiving reflected light from the other fiber. Again, each fiber is an emitter and receiver. The amplifiers 90 and 91 generate signals to the PLC of the positioning apparatus 8, which sends signals to the servomotor 88 to move the sensors, and then move the tape applicating arms 88. Referring now to Figure 7, which diagrammatically illustrates the operation of the sensors, the illustration A indicates the sensors 85 and 86 tracking the web 13 in the "home position." Sensor 86 will get reflection and output a "1" and sensor 85 will output a "0." This '" 1" and "0" will provide an indication the web is in the home position or deadband range. If the web 13 moves to the position illustrated at B, the sensor 86 will output a "1" and sensor 85 will output a "1" as well. In this position, the tracking device will sense the web has moved to the left. Under this condition the arm 84 will be moved to the left to recenter the sensors to achieve the position shown in A above. If the web 13 moves to the right, the condition shown in illustration "C" may exist. In this position, sensor 86 will output a "0" and sensor 85 will output a "0". Under this condition, the PLC will know the web has moved to the right and it will start a move to recenter the sensors by moving the sensors to the right to achieve the condition illustrated at A above. Movement of the sensor arm 84 will be measured to also cause the PLC to signal the motors 65 to move all the tape dispensing arms 11 to the left or to the right simultaneously, an equivalent amount to maintain the position of the tapes on the web in the desired position. The linear slide 82 was obtained from NSK Corporation, of

Cerritos, CA, U.S.A. as part number MCM08O70H10-000A and the fiber optic sensors and amplifiers were acquired from SICK, Inc., of Minneapolis, MN. The part number for the fiber optic cable is LL3-DB01 and the amplifier is part No. WLL170T-F420 and with the alternate frequency light model, WLL170T-F430.

The illustrated web tracking unit does not cause any movement of the web, and does not rely on receivers or cooperating sensors or receivers on the side of the web opposite the top side. The signals from the receivers and amplifiers, indicate movement of the web from the home position, and the sensors are then moved to obtain the deadband position for the sensors, one on each side of the web edge. Thus, the web tracking unit is novel from other web sensors and web steering devices of the prior art. The resulting function is novel from other known tracking devices.

Having described the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, it is to be understood that changes in the structure and elements of the apparatus may be changed without departure from the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the control means could include a computer other than a PLC, such ' as a PC (personal computer) based industrial computer system.

Also, the previously described embodiments of the apparatus could form a system in conjunction with the tape or other consumable with which the apparatus is used. The tape may be designed to function specifically with the apparatus or particularly well with the apparatus. That is, the tape may have one or more particular properties that are suitable for the apparatus including tensile strength, elasticity, adhesion or tackiness, frictional coefficient, backsizing, tearability, and other properties.

Claims

Claims:

1. An apparatus for the positioning of operating units adapted to perform operations on a web moving along a predetermined path, said apparatus comprising: a frame including a main beam extending substantially transversely to the path of the web; a plurality of lead screws extending substantially parallel to each other and to said beam; independent drive means for rotating each of said lead screws in opposite directions of rotation; an operating unit supported on each of said lead screws for movement along said frame to desired spaced relationship to each other; and control means for operating the drive means for driving the lead screws to move the operating units to predetermined positions along the length of said frame.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said beam is formed to be supported on a fixed rail, and said frame includes a bearing rail for supporting the operating units for movement along the beam.

3. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein said operating units are supported from said frame by a bearing rail, and each operating unit comprises a support plate having a series of holes to receive said lead screws therethrough and a threaded nut fixed in one of said holes to engage a predetermined one of said lead screws for moving said support plate upon rotation of said one of said lead screws.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising means for adjusting said operating units in response to movement of the web out of a said predetermined path.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said operating units comprise support plates, said support plates have a plurality of holes receiving said lead screws, one hole of said plurality of holes in each support plate has a threaded nut fixed in said one of said holes and receiving therein one of said threaded lead screws for moving the support plate upon rotation of said lead screw.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said independent drive means comprise a plurality of servomotors.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, comprising web tracking means for operating said independent drive means simultaneously to adjust said operating units in relationship to movement of said web from said predetermined path.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each servomotor is connected to a computer which knows the position of each dispensing arm with relationship to the web path and calculates the distance and direction of movement of each operating unit for repositioning the same.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said computer moves all operating units simultaneously.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said computer actuates all servomotors simultaneously to rotate the lead screws and move said operating units.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said operating units are provided with a bearing assembly including rollers engaging a bearing rail on said frame extending substantially parallel to said main beam and said lead screws, said operating units further comprising support plates connected to said bearing assemblies, each support plate having holes through which the plurality of lead screws pass, and a threaded nut fixed in each of said support plates in one of said holes whereby one of said threaded nuts engage one of said lead screws for moving said support plate upon rotation of said one of said lead screws, and said drive means comprise a servomotor connected to each of said lead screws.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein a computer is used to position said operating units along the frame and actuate the servomotors to vary the position of said operation units in relationship to said frame and bearing rail.

13. An apparatus for positioning tape dispensing arms for dispensing tape on a web moving along a predetermined path, said apparatus comprising: a frame including a main beam extending substantially transversely to the path of the web; a plurality of threaded rods extending substantially parallel to each other and to said beam; independent drive means for rotating each of said threaded rods in opposite directions of rotation; a tape dispensing arm supported on each of said threaded rods for movement along said frame and extending substantially transversely to said frame; and control means for operating the drive means for driving said threaded rods to move the tape dispensing arms to predetermined positions along the length of said frame.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said beam is formed to be supported on a fixed rail of a web handling machine, and includes a bearing rail for supporting the tape dispensing arms for movement along the beam.

15. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein said tape dispensing arms are supported from said frame by a bearing rail, and each operating unit comprises a support plate having a series of holes to receive said threaded rods therethrough and a threaded nut fixed in one of said holes to engage a predetermined one of said threaded rods for moving said support plate upon rotation of said one of said lead screws.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said tape dispensing arms comprise support plates, said support plates have a plurality of holes receiving said threaded rods, one hole of said plurality of holes in each support plate has a threaded nut fixed in said one of said holes and receiving therein one of said threaded rods for moving the support plate upon rotation of said threaded rod.

17. An apparatus according to claim any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein said independent drive means comprise a plurality of servomotors.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each servomotor is connected to a computer which knows the position of each tape dispensing arm with relationship to the web path and calculates the distance and direction of movement of each tape dispensing arm.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said computer causes simultaneous movement of said tape dispensing arms upon movement of said web from said predetermined path, and means for tracking said web and providing signals to said computer upon movement of a said web from said predetermined path.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said computer moves all tape dispensing arms simultaneously an equal distance in the same direction.

21. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said computer actuates all servo motors simultaneously to rotate the lead screws and move said tape dispensing arms.

22. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said tape dispensing arms are provided with a bearing assembly including rollers engaging a bearing rail extending substantially parallel to said main beam and said threaded rods, said tape dispensing arms further comprising support plates connected to said bearing assemblies, each support plate having holes through which the plurality of threaded rods pass, and a threaded nut fixed in each of said support plates in one of said holes in a said plate whereby one of said threaded nuts engage one of said threaded rods for moving said support plate upon rotation of said one of said threaded rods, and said drive means comprise a servo motor connected to each of said threaded rods.

23. An apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein a computer is used to position said tape dispensing arms along the frame and actuate the servo motors to vary the position of said tape dispensing arms in relationship to said frame and bearing rail.

24. An apparatus for positioning tape dispensing arms for dispensing tape on a paper web for forming corrugated boxes, said web moving along a predetermined path, and said tape comprising a hot melt adhesive coated tape, said apparatus comprising the apparatus of claim 13, wherein said main beam of said frame extends substantially transversely to the path of the paper web and in advance of a laminating station and said tape dispensing arm further comprises a tape applicating pulley for placing the tape upon the paper web in the direction of the web movement.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said tape is a tape having a hot melt remoistenable adhesive for use with a paper laminating machine having a water based starch dispenser for laminating the paper webs.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said control means comprises a programmable logic controller.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said drive means comprises at least one motor.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a computer, and said drive means comprises a motor.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said computer moves all of said tape dispensing arms to their desired position simultaneously.

30. A web tracking unit comprising a pair of spaced optical sensors for directing toward and receiving light from a web, said optical sensors comprising optical fibers through which laser light is directed from an alternating source and reflected light is received by said fiber and directed to a power sensor and signal amplifying member for signaling a motor to move said sensors until a desired signal is received from said sensors.

31. A web tracking unit according to claim 30, wherein the desired signal from a pair of sensors is a "1 " and a "0" and the "0" is not a reflection from a web, and wherein said motor moves said sensors when the signal from said sensors is the same.