METHOD FOR CUTTING AND CONNECTING TWO BANDS END TO END, AN UNROLLING MACHINE AND A CUTTING AND CONNECTING DEVICE

• US 20170341894A1
• Filed: 05/24/2017
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monomatic SA (NSC Groupe SA)
• Original Assignee: Monomatic SA (NSC Groupe SA)
• Inventors: Muller, Bernard
• Granted Patent: US 10,486,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/102 Preparing the leading end of the replacement web before splicing operation; Adhesive arrangements on leading end of replacement web; Tabs and adhesive tapes for splicing
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/107 Processing the trailing end of the replaced web after splicing operation, e.g. rewinding it
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/14 Accumulating surplus web for advancing to machine while changing the web roll
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/1852 taking place at a distance from the replacement roll
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/1873 with two stationary roll supports carrying alternately the replacement and the expiring roll
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/20 Cutting-off the expiring web
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/46176 cutting both spliced webs simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/46178 cutting by transversally moving element
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4622 Abutting article or web portions, i.e. edge to edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/46222 involving double butt splice, i.e. adhesive tape applied on both sides of the article or web portions
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4625 Slanted
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/46314 Pieces of adhesive tape, e.g. labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4641 by pivoting element
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2801/21 Industrial-size printers, e.g. rotary printing press

Abstract

A method for cutting and connecting two bands end to end and which are at a stop, namely a first band ensuring the feed, and a second replacement band, in an unrolling machine including a cutting and connecting device including two connection assemblies arranged symmetrically with respect to a cutting and connection plane is provided. Utilizing the unrolling machine the method includes preparation of the second band, then immobilization of the bands in the plane, of simultaneous and transverse cutting of the latter, of disengagement of the cut portions not to be connected, and of end-to-end connecting of the cut portions thereof to be connected. A cutting and connecting device and a machine enabling the implementation of the method is also provided.

Claims

1. Method for cutting and connecting two bands end to end and which are at a stop in an unrolling machine including

a cutting and connecting device;

and

two spool carrier elements, one of the spool carrier elements supporting a spool (3a) capable of unrolling a first band (2a) ensuring the feeding of the band to the machine and the other spool carrier element supporting a spool (3b) capable of unrolling a second band (2b) forming a replacement band, each band (2a, 2b) having two opposite longitudinal edges and two opposite sides, said cutting and connecting device including two connection assemblies (1a, 1b) arranged symmetrically with respect to a cutting and connection plane (P) and being capable of simultaneously and transversely cutting the two bands (2a, 2b) in said plane in a cutting direction and along a cutting line successively passing through the two longitudinal edges of each band, perpendicularly or at an angle with respect to the latter, each connection assembly including a mobile application support (50a, 50b),

method which is characterized in that it consists in carrying out, by means of said cutting and connecting device and said machine to which the band is fed by said spools, the following steps according to the two phases A/ and B/;

A/ during the unrolling of the first band (2a);

a/ engaging the second band (2b) between the connection assemblies (1a, 1b) in order to place it and maintain it in a preparation position in which said second band extends on both sides upstream and downstream of the cutting line,

b/ placing, outside of the connection assemblies, a piece of adhesive tape or the like on at least one of the application supports (50a, 50b) shifted to the outside for this purpose,

c/ immobilizing the second band in the cutting and connection plane,

B/ with the stopping of the unrolling of the first band (2a) at least in the downstream portion thereof;

if applicable, carrying out step b/ and/or step c/ in the case in which they are not carried out in phase A/,

d/ immobilizing the first band (2a) in the connection plane (P),

e/ simultaneously and transversely cutting the two bands (2a, 2b) in the direction and along the cutting line, which has the effect of separating each band into two band portions, namely, on the one hand, a cut downstream band portion (20a, 20b) located downstream of the cutting line, and, on the other hand, a cut upstream band portion (21a, 21b) located upstream of the cutting line and connected to the spool of said band (3a, 3b),

f/ maintaining the immobilization, in said plane, of the cut upstream band portion (21b) of the second band (2b) and of the cut downstream band portion (20a) of the first band (2a),

g/ disengaging, by displacement or rolling of the band, the downstream band portion (20b) of the second band (2b) and the upstream band portion (21a) of the first band (2a) in order to free the connection zone including the end of the downstream band portion of the first band (2a) and the end of the upstream band portion of the second band (2b) to be connected together,

h/ transferring, in the connection zone, the piece or the two pieces of adhesive tape (6a, 6b), simultaneously or successively, by applying it to one of the sides, or by applying them each on one side, of the respective ends of the cut upstream and downstream band portions (20a, 21b) to be connected in order to carry out the connection of the two bands together using the one or the two piece(s) of adhesive tape, in order to form a new feed band.

2. The cutting and connecting method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in step h/, the or each piece of adhesive tape (6a, 6b) is transferred in the connection zone in a single translation or rotation movement, from a waiting position located in the corresponding connection assembly corresponding to a connection position located in the connection zone in the cutting and connection plane (P).

3. The cutting and connecting method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in step g/, the disengagement of the cut downstream band portion (20b) of the second band (2b) is carried out by a downstream or lateral movement of said cut downstream band portion (20b).

4. The cutting and connecting method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in step g/, the disengagement of the cut upstream band portion (21a) of the first band (2a) is carried out by a rolling of the latter around the spool (3a) thereof and/or by gravity and/or by blowing and/or by any other suitable disengagement means.

5. The cutting and connecting method according to claim 1, characterized in that, using a cutting and connecting device, each connection assembly (1a, 1b) of which includes, in addition, a band curvature straightening system (11a,11b) comprising a straightening contact element (110a, 110b), in step h/ and in the case in which the first band (2a) and/or the second band (2b) are curved with one of the opposite sides thereof having a convex curvature, it consists in successively transferring, in the connection zone, the two pieces of adhesive tape (6a, 6b), namely, in a first step, along the orientation of the convexity of the curvature, the piece of adhesive tape (6a, 6b) supported by the application support (50a, 50b) located on the side of the convex curvature, and in straightening the curvature of the first band (2a) and/or of the second band (2b), to make the latter as flat as possible by coming in contact with pressure on the opposite side of the cut band portions 20a and 21b of the first and second bands (2a, 2b) to be connected, by means of the other opposite straightening contact element (110a, 110b), then, optionally, in a second step, the other adhesive tape (6a, 6b) in order to finalize the connection.

6. A device for cutting and connecting two bands end to end and which are at a stop, for an unrolling machine, making it possible to carry out the method according to claim 1, said machine including

said cutting and connecting device and;

two spool carrier elements each capable of supporting a spool (3a, 3b) capable of unrolling a first band (2a) ensuring the feeding of the band to the machine, or a second band (2b) forming a replacement band, said cutting and connecting device including two connection assemblies (1a, 1b) arranged symmetrically with respect to a cutting and connection plane (P),

cutting and connecting device which is characterized in that it includes a transverse cutting system (4) including a cutting device (40) and displacement means (41) capable of displacing said cutting device in said cutting direction and along a transverse cutting line, substantially perpendicular or at an angle with respect to the longitudinal edges, having the effect of simultaneously cutting the two bands (2a, 2b), kept in the immobilized state in said plane, by successively through the respective longitudinal edges thereof, and in that each connection assembly (1a, 1b), dedicated to either of the two bands (2a, 2b), includes an adhesive application system (5a, 5b) including an application support (50a, 50b) capable of holding a piece of adhesive tape (6a, 6b) or the like, and displacement means for the application (51a, 52a, 51b, 52b), capable of displacing the corresponding application support (50a, 50b) from a waiting position located in the corresponding connection assembly to a position of application of said piece of adhesive tape, located in said plane, and vice versa, a first immobilization system (7a, 7b ;

8, 10a, 10b, 10c) capable of immobilizing the first band (2a) in said plane, and a second immobilization system (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 10c) capable of maintaining the second band (2b) in a preparation position and immobilizing the latter in said plane, and a disengagement system (3a, 12a, 12b) making it possible to disengage, after the cutting, by displacement or rolling up of the band, the cut band portions (21a, 20b) not intended to be connected, in order to enable, as desired, the application of one or two piece(s) of adhesive tape by the movement of the two opposite application supports.

7. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the displacement means for the application (51a, 52a, 51b, 52b) are capable of displacing the corresponding application support (50a, 50b) in a single translation or rotation movement, from the waiting position thereof toward the application position thereof.

8. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 7, characterized in that displacement means for the application (51a, 52a, 51b, 52b) are capable of displacing the corresponding application support (50a, 50b) in a single rotation movement, and in that said displacement means for the application consist of a lever system including, on the one hand, a drive rod (51a, 51b) to which the corresponding application support (50a, 50b) is fastened, which is capable of pivoting around a first pivot (510a, 510b) parallel to the cutting and connection plane (P), and, on the other hand, an actuator (52a, 52b) capable of acting on said connecting rod in order to bring about the pivoting thereof, if applicable, said actuator consisting of a jack comprising a rod (520a, 520b) hinged at the end thereof to said connecting rod around a second pivot (521a, 521b), while the body (522a, 522b) of the jack is pivotably mounted around a third pivot (523a, 523b) parallel to said first and second pivots.

9. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that each adhesive application system (5a, 5b) includes, in addition, displacement means for the preparation (53a, 54a, 53b, 54b) capable of displacing the corresponding application support (50a, 50b) from a preparation position located outside of said cutting and connecting device and provided so as to receive a piece of adhesive tape (6a, 6b) into the waiting position located in the corresponding connection assembly (1a, 1b), and vice versa.

10. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 9, characterized in that the displacement means for the preparation (53a, 54a, 53b, 54b) are capable of displacing the corresponding application support (50a, 50b) in a translation movement parallel to the cutting and connection plane (P), and in that said displacement means for the preparation (53a, 54a, 53b, 54b) consist of a sliding system including a slide (53a, 53b) fastened to the displacement means for the application (51a, 52a, 51b, 52b), extending parallel to the cutting and connection plane (P), and a mobile portion (54a, 54b) forming a slider, fastened to the corresponding application support (50a, 50b), the slide (53a, 53b) being fastened to the drive rod (51a, 51b), if applicable.

11. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first immobilization system (7a, 7b, 8, 10a, 10b, 10c) of each assembly includes first downstream immobilization means (7a, 7b) capable of generating a holding pressure, preferably a holding pressure by squeezing, on the downstream portion of the first band (2a) located downstream of the cutting line, and, if applicable, upstream immobilization means 10a, 10b, 10c) capable of generating a holding pressure, preferably a holding pressure by squeezing, on the upstream portion of the first band (2a) located upstream of the cutting line.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the downstream immobilization means (7a, 7b) form first downstream immobilization means, and in that it includes, in addition, second downstream immobilization means (8) capable of generating a supplemental holding pressure on the first band (2a) downstream of said first downstream immobilization means.

13. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second immobilization system (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 10c) includes, on the one hand, downstream immobilization means (9a, 9b) capable of generating a holding pressure, preferably a holding pressure by squeezing, on the downstream band portion (20b) of the second band (2b), preferably at the free end thereof, in order to maintain the latter in the preparation position, and, on the other hand, upstream immobilization means (10a, 10b, 10c) capable of generating a holding pressure, preferably a holding pressure by squeezing, on the upstream band portion (21b) of the second band (2b) located upstream of the cutting line in order to immobilize said second band (2b) in the cutting and connection plane (P) and in order to maintain the cut upstream band portion (21b) thereof in said plane, said upstream immobilization means for the second band (2b) also forming the upstream immobilization means for the first band (2a), if applicable.

14. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 13, characterized in that the upstream immobilization means (10a, 10b, 10c) of the second immobilization system (9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 10c) are capable of generating a holding pressure by squeezing, and include, for this purpose, on the one hand, a mobile lateral holding plate (100a, 100b) comprising a lateral holding surface (101a, 101b) parallel to the cutting and connection plane (P) and an actuator (102a, 102b) capable of acting on said lateral holding plate in order to displace it in translation in a direction perpendicular to said cutting and connection plane (P), and, on the other hand, a central holding plate (10c) common to the two connection assembles (1a, 1b) and including two opposite central holding surfaces (100c, 101c), each arranged facing one of the lateral holding surfaces (101a, 101b) of one of the lateral holding plates (100a, 100b), respectively.

15. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that each connection assembly includes, in addition, a band curvature straightening system (11a, 11b) including a band curvature straightening element (110a, 110b) comprising a contact surface (111a, 111b), preferably with a smooth surface, and an actuator (112a, 112b) capable of acting on the latter so as to displace it from a rest position to a work position, substantially in the cutting and connection plane (P), with the contact surface thereof extending, preferably symmetrically, on both sides of the cutting line, in which it is capable of coming in contact with pressure on one of the sides of the cut portions (20a, 21b) to be connected of the first and second band (2a, 2b).

16. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 15, characterized in that the band curvature straightening element (11a, 11b) forms, in addition, a cutting counter-part, and in that it includes a slot forming a passage for the cutting device (40).

17. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting device (40) consists of a blade having a cutting edge extending transversely to the cutting and connection plane (P), preferably perpendicularly to the latter, or a rotating blade or a Laser beam or a high-pressure jet.

18. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the disengagement system (3a, 12a, 12b) includes, on the one hand, downstream disengagement means (12a, 12b) for the cut downstream band portion (20b) of the second band (2b) not intended to be connected, said downstream disengagement means being capable of disengaging said downstream band portion (20b) of the second band (2b) by an effect of bringing about a displacement of the latter in the downstream direction, and, on the other hand, upstream disengagement means (3a) for the upstream band portion (21a) of the first band (2a) not intended to be connected, said upstream disengagement means consisting of the spool (3a) which is capable of unrolling the cut upstream band portion (21a) of the first band (2a) and/or consisting of gravity and/or of a blowing means and/or of any other means of capable of disengaging the upstream band portion (21a) of the first band (2a) from the connection zone.

19. The cutting and connecting device according to claim 18, characterized in that the downstream disengagement means (12a, 12b) of each disengagement system (3a, 12a, 12b) include a plate for bringing about displacement (120a, 120b), preferably a metal sheet, preferably oriented substantially perpendicularly to the cutting and connection plane (P), having two opposite sides, namely a downstream side and an upstream side, means for guiding of a displacement (123a, 123b), preferably of a translation or of a pivoting from upstream to downstream and vice versa, and actuation means (121a, 122a or 121b, 122b) capable of acting on said plate in order to displace it downstream, preferably with a translation and/or pivoting movement.

20. An unrolling machine including a cutting and connecting device and two spool carrier elements each capable of supporting a spool (3a) capable of unrolling a first band (2a) ensuring the feeding of the band to the machine or a spool (3b) capable of unrolling a second band (2b) forming a replacement band, characterized in that said cutting and connecting device consists of a cutting and connecting device according to claim 1, in that it includes a band accumulator located downstream of the cutting and connecting device and which is capable of being filled with a given length of first band (2a), before the stopping and the immobilization of the latter in the cutting and connecting device, and of ensuring the continuity of the downstream feed during the connection and the immobilization of the first band (2a) in said device.