GB2044713A

GB2044713A - Method of, and Apparatus for, Packaging Rolls

Info

Publication number: GB2044713A
Application number: GB8004684A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Wartsila Oy AB
Current assignee: Wartsila Oy AB
Priority date: 1979-02-13
Filing date: 1980-02-12
Publication date: 1980-10-22
Also published as: FR2449035B1; SE442390B; SE8001028L; JPS55107616A; DE3004501A1; FI57561B; NO800380L; CA1156962A; FR2449035A1; GB2044713B

Abstract

A method of packaging rolls of sheet material, especially large paper rolls of different sizes, is based on the use of a roll packaging line with a plurality of separate roll handling stations and a roll moving arrangement for moving the rolls from one handling station to another. The method includes the steps of moving the rolls in their axial direction into and away from at least a majority of the handling stations whilst avoiding rolling of the rolls. Preferably, the rolls are also moved in their axial direction between the handling stations, so that the rolls will have a linear movement throughout the entire packaging line.

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of, and Apparatus for, Packaging Rolls This invention relates to a method of packaging rolls of sheet material, especially large paper rolls of different sizes, in a roll packaging line which comprises a plurality of separate roll handling stations each with a respective roll handling device, for instance, for wrapping the rolls, for folding the ends of the wrappers and for fixing end headers to the rolls, the packaging line further comprising a roll moving arrangement for moving the rolls from one handling station to another. The invention also relates to a roll packaging line in which the method may be performed.

Roll packaging lines are known, in which the rolls to be packed are carried to roll handling stations for applying different package parts.

These known packaging lines involve quite a lot of transverse movements of the rolls, in particular by rolling. Often the final movement of the roll into a handling station and its initial movement away from a handling station are carried- out in this way.

Such a rolling of the rolls is generally harmful to the roll structure, because the roll, which may weigh as much as 4000 kg, will be subject to an extensive line pressure, and as a consequence, there will be a deformation, which "rotates" around the roll several turns, Furthermore, transverse movements of the rolls by rolling require firm moving devices as far as large rolls are concerned, and correspondingly, the pushing and stopping operations may damage the roll. As a result of all this, there will be complexities in the roll handling causing additional expense, contingent roll size restrictions, contingent roll damage and industrial safety risks due to rolling rolls.

The present invention aims to provide a roll packaging method, which makes it possible to increase the degree of automation in packaging the rolls, which reduces the risks of roll damage, which is as suitable for both large and small rolls, and which can be flexibly reduced to practice in different manufacturing plants.

According to one aspect of the invention, a- method of packaging rolls of sheet material in a roll packaging line which comprises a plurality of separate roll handling stations each with a respective roll handling device, the packaging line further comprising a roll moving arrangement for moving the rolls from one handling station to another, is characterised in that the rolls to be packed are moved in their axial direction into and away from at least a majority of the handling stations of the packaging line whilst avoiding rolling of the rolls.

When using the method in accordance with the invention, the packaging line will be as uncomplicated and simple as possible, but nevertheless, flexible with respect to the handling of the rolls. It is also possible substantially to reduce the risk of roll damage occurring during the packaging of rolls, because no rolling of the rolls and no contingent pushing and stopping operations are needed. For the same reason the safety of the working conditions is improved, because, during the entire transport, the rolls will be completely under control.

In regard to the roll transport and to the function of the handling devices it is useful to arrange said handling devices to work basically horizontally, perpendicularly to the moving direction of the rolls. As a result, only one working level is needed, which facilitates, for instance, supervision and maintenance of the devices. By the expression "basically horizontally" we mean that the handling devices are not located at substantially different levels, for instance, on different floors.

If the roll to be packed is moved not only into and away from the handling stations but also from one handling station to another in the axial direction of the roll, the entire packaging of the roll may be carried out as one continuous process, following the axial direction of the roll, which from a technical point of view is a very favourable solution. It is then also possible to reduce the total length of the line by shortening the distance between the handling stations. In this way a more compact and simple line construction is obtained.

According to another aspect of the invention, a roll packaging line for carrying out the method in accordance with the invention comprises means for moving the rolls in an axial direction into and away from at least a majority of the handling stations and for preventing rolling of the rolls during such movement.

Preferably, Ihe roll handling devices of the packaging line are arranged to work in the same basically horizontal level, perpendicularly to the moving direction of the rolls. Then the roll handling devices may have a working position and a separate idle position allowing free axial movement of the rolls, so that the rolls can be moved through the handling stations. However, all handling stations, due to the character of their operations, do not necessarily require such an arrangement.

For the automation of the packaging line it is useful to provide the line with a roll identifying unit, which measures, for instance, the length, the diameter and the weight of the rolls, and which on the basis of measuring information can be arranged to control the function of the roll handling devices in accordance with the actual roll size. Furthermore, it is advantageous to synchronise the function of the roll moving arrangement with the roll handling devices, whereby it is possible to reduce the total handling time of the rolls.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic plan of a roll packaging line in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a side view of the packaging line of Figure 1.

In the packaging line shown in the drawings, the rolls (not shown) proceed along the line through roll handling stations 1-5.

Station 1 is a roll identifying station, in which each roll is identified, weighed and has its length and diameter measured. This information is forwarded to at least some of the other handling stations 2-5. It is also possible, if preferred, to carry out inside stamping of the rolls at station 1.

Station 2 is a roll wrapping station. This station may be constructed in the same way as the roll wrapping means described in our co-pending Patent Application No. 80 filed on the same day as the present application. Station 2 may also comprise means for applying inner end headers to the rolls prior to their wrapping, for which purpose station 2 may be provided with the roll packaging arrangement described and claimed in our copending Patent Application No. 7937992 (Serial No. 2038759).

At station 3 folding of the wrapper ends takes place and, if desired, edge tapes may be applied to the rolls.

At station 4 outer end headers are secured to the roll ends for instance by glueing. This station may be constructed in the same way as the roll packaging arrangement described in the aforesaid Application No. 7937992 (Serial No. 2038759) At station 5 the rolls are labelled atid/or stamped.

Preferabiy, the stations 1-5 are aligned with one another so that the rolls follow a substantially rectilinear path as they travel from end to end of the packaging line.

Any convenient means can be used for moving the rolls into and out of the various stations and such means have only been shown schematically in the drawings. For example waisted rollers such as the transfer rollers 2 shown in Figures 1-4 of the drawings accompanying the aforesaid Application 80... .. can be used, such waisted rollers permitting movement of a roll in its axial direction whilst substantially preventing rolling of the roll.

In the drawings, the storage and supply unit of the wrapper rolls is not shown in detail, because it may, within the scope of the invention, be constructed in many different ways, for instance, by employing already known solutions. The same applies in principle also for the other handling devices.

Some of the handling operations may also be done in an order differing from that disclosed above and handling operations may be performed separately or as combined operations according to the need and the resources. The application of inner end headers, for instance, may take place in a separate unit prior to entering the wrapper ends folding station. If the paper grade in question, is inclined to take up plenty of moisture, so-called bandaging of the rolls can be carried out before wrapping in order to prevent possible sweiling of the rolls.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of packaging rolls of sheet material in a roll packaging line which comprises a plurality of separate roll handling stations each with a respective roll handling device, the packaging line further comprising a roll moving arrangement for moving the rolls from one handling station to another, characterised in that the rolls to be packed are moved in their axial direction into and away from at least a majority of the handling stations of the packaging line whilst avoiding rolling of the rolls.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the handling devices of the rolls are arranged to work basically horizontally perpendicularly to the moving direction of the rolls.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the rolls to be packed are moved between the handling stations in the axial direction of the roll.

4. A roll packaging line for packaging rolls of sheet material, comprising a plurality of separate roll handling stations each with a respective roll handling device, a roll moving arrangement for moving the rolls from one handling station to another, and means for moving the rolls in an axial direction into and away from at least a majority of the handling stations and for preventing rolling of the rolls during such movement.

5. A roll packaging line according to claim 4, in which said handling devices are arranged to work basically horizontally. perpendicularly to the moving direction of the rolls.

6. A roll packaging line according to claim 4 or 5, in which said handling devices have a working position and a separate idle position allowing free axial moving of the rolls.

7. A roll packaging line according to any of claims 4 to 6, in which the moving of the rolls to be packed from one roll handling station to another takes part in the axial direction of the roll.

8. A roll packaging line according to any of claims 4 to 7, comprising a roll identifying unit arranged to control the function of the roll handling devices in accordance with the roll size in question.

9. A roll packaging line according to any of claims 4 to 8, in which the function of the roll moving arrangement is synchronized with the function of the roll handling devices.

10. A roll packaging line constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

New Claims or Amendments to Claims filed on 4 July 1980.

Superseded Claim 1.

New or Amended Claims:

1. A method of packaging rolls of web material, especially large paper rolls of different sizes, in a roll packaging line which comprises a plurality of separate roll handling stations each with a respective roll handling device, the packaging line further comprising a roll moving arrangement for moving the rolls from one handling station to another, characterised in that the rolls to be packed are moved in their axial direction into and away from at least a majority of the handling stations of the packaging line whilst avoiding rolling of the rolls.