THREE DRUM WINDER

• US 3,869,095 A
• Filed: 10/23/1973
• Issued: 03/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jack L. Diltz
• Original Assignee: Jack L. Diltz
• Inventors: Diltz, Jack L.
• Primary Examiner(s): McCarthy, Edward J.
• Application Number:
  US05/408,537
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 242/56R,66,65,67.1R,74
• US Class Current: 242/531
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/2246 and the roll being supported on two rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4148 slitting
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/414866 on bed rollers

Abstract

A winder for a web of sheet material which operates continuously without the start-stop winding operations characteristically associated with the prior art. The winder uses three revolvably driven drums which drive a pair of spaced, parallel core shafts. A web of sheet material is fed over a portion of the center drum and is continuously wound alternately upon first one core shaft until a roll is formed thereon and then the other core shaft.

Claims

1. In a winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operation the subcombination comprising A. three axially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generally aligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterally outermost drums being displaced one from the other with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions, B. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by the other of said outermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaft members, C. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially located within but adjacent said cylindrical side wall portions of said third drum, each of said vacuum box means being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one of said vacuum box means terminating at a position longitudinally across the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position longitudinally where a different one of said core shaft members, when such is positioned in said means for axially revolvably mounting such, contacts said third roll initially, each one of said vacuum box members being adapted to exert a reduced gas pressure through said third drum, and D. a pair of stationary pressurized box means circumferentially located within but adjacent said cylindrical side wall portions of said third drum, each of said pressurized box means being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one of said pressurized box means commencing at a position longitudinally across the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position longitudinally wherE a different one of said core shaft members, when such is positioned in said means for axially revolvably mounting such, contacts said third roll initially, each one of said pressurized box means being adapted to exert a superatmospheric gas pressure through said third drum.

2. A winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operation comprising A. Three axially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generally aligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterally outermost drums being displaced one from the other with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions, B. drive means adapted to drive revolvably said third drum at a substantially constant speed and in one direction of rotation, C. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by the other of said outermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaft members, D. first extensible support means for each of said revolvable mounting means adapted to raise said revolvable mounting means upwardly away from said drums with the axis of each of said core shaft members remaining equally distant from both said third drum and the nearest one of said outermost drums, E. a pair of axially revolvably mounted rider rolls including mounting means therefor, one such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of one of said core shaft members, the other such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of the other of said core shaft members, F. second extensible support means for each of said rider rolls and adapted to raise said rider rolls upwardly away from said drums but with the axis of each of such rider rolls moving along respective paths increasingly inclined with respect to the paths followed by said core shaft members, axes with increasing distance from said drums, G. an axially revolvably mounted pusher roll means including mounting means therefor and support means therefor positioned above in coaxially spaced relationship to said drums, said pusher roll means being adapted to function as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members and being further adapted to function as a wound roll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members, H. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially located behind but adjacent said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof terminating at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a reduced, pressure through said third drum, I. a pair of pressurized box means circumferentially located behind said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof commencing at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a superatmospheric pressure through said third drum, and J. cuttiNg means adapted to sever a web of sheet material being fed over said web quide means to said third drum.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including:

A. means for vacuumizing each of said core shaft members and said vacuum box means, B. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means, and C. web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet material to said third drum.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including:

A. a pair of rail means outwardly positioned adjacent each one of said outermost drums and adapted to receive and support opposed end regions of each of said core shaft members after such has been wound with a web of sheet material and has been shifted from said drums by said pusher roll means, and B. control means for operating cooperatively, functionally, and sequentially each one of said first and second extensible support means, said vacuum box means, said pressurized box means, said means for vacuumizing, said means for pressurizing, said cutting means, said pusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt a said winder to wind a web of sheet material continuously on first one, then the other of said core shaft members.

5. A winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operation comprising A. three axially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generally horizontally aligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterally outermost drums being horizontally displaced one from the other with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions, B. drive means adapted to drive revolvably said third drum at a substantially constant speed and in one direction of rotation, C. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by the other of said outermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaft members, D. first extensible support means for each of said revolvable mounting means adapted to raise said revolvable mounting means upwardly away from said drums with the axis of each of said core shaft members remaining equally distant from both said third drum and the nearest one of said outermost drums, E. a pair of axially revolvably mounted rider rolls including mounting means therefor, one such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of one of said core shaft members, the other such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of the other of said core shaft members, F. second extensible support means for each of said rider rolls and adapted to raise said rider rolls upwardly away from said drums but with the axis of each of such rider rolls moving along respective paths increasingly inclined with respect to the paths followed by said core shaft members, axes with increasing distance from said drums, G. an axially revolvably mounted pusher roll means including mounting means therefor and support means therefor positioned above in coaxially spaced relationship to said drums, said pusher roll means being adapted to function as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members and being further adapted to function as a wound roll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members, H. a pAir of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially located behind but adjacent said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof terminating at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a reduced, pressure through said third drum, I. a pair of pressurized box means circumferentially located behind said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof commencing at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a superatmospheric presssure through said third drum, J. means for vacuumizing each of said core shaft members and said vacuum box means, K. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means, L. web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet material to said third drum, M. cutting means adapted to sever a web of sheet material being fed over said web guide means to said third drum, N. a pair of rail means outwardly positioned adjacent each one of said outermost drums and adapted to receive and support opposed end regions of each of said core shaft members after such has been wound with a web of sheet material and has been shifted from said drums by said pusher roll means, and O. control means for operating cooperatively, functionally, and sequentially each one of said first and second extensible support means, said vacuum box means, said pressurized box means, said means for vacuumizing, said means for pressurizing, said cutting means, said pusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt a said winder to wind a web of sheet material continuously on first one, then the other of said core shaft members.

6. The winder of claim 2 wherein said drums have their axes horizontally aligned and substantially coplanar.

7. The winder of claim 2 wherein said drums have their axes horizontally aligned and wherein said two laterally outermost drums are oriented spatially lower than said third drum.

8. The winder of claim 5 further including deceleration means for braking rotation of a wound roll comprised of a web of sheet material after such wound roll is lifted away from said centrally disposed drum by said pusher roll means during operation of said winder.

9. The winder of claim 5 wherein each of said laterally outermost drums is equipped with deceleration means for braking rotation thereof to a full stop when desired during operation of said winder.

10. The winder of claim 2 further including web guide means adapted to feed a said web to circumferential surface portions of said third drum.

11. The winder of claim 10 wherein said web is under-fed thereto by said web guide means.

12. The winder of claim 10 wherein said web is overhead fed thereto by said web guide means.

13. A drum assembly adapted for use in a three-drum winder comprising A. a cylindrical member having a circumferential wall and a pair of opposed end walls, said circumferential wall having a plurality of apertures defined therein, B. a pair of hollow opposed stub shafts, each one interconnected with a different one of said end walls and, together with associated journal means, being adapted to axially revolve said cylindrical member, C. a power head, including power transfer means, adapted to rotatably drive said cylindrical member, D. a pair of boxes whose respective interiors are adapted to be maintained at subatmospheric pressures, each such box being positioned inside said cylindrical member in circumferentially spaced relationship to the other thereof, each box having an apertured face in adjacent, generally spaced rElationship to a different interior portion of said circumferential wall each such interior portion having a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel to the axis of said cylindrical member and further having a pair of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending borders parallel to said end walls, E. a pair of stationary rod members each one extending through a different one of said stub shafts said rod members including engagement means mounting said rod members of said pair of boxes and adapting said boxes to be stationary during revolutions of said cylindrical member, F. conduit means interconnected with each one of said pair of boxes and adapted to join the interior of each one of said pair of boxes with a source of subatmospheric pressure positioned exeriorly of said cylindrical member, each said conduit means extending longitudinally through the interior of at least one of said stub shafts whereby during operation of said drum assembly subatmospheric pressures are maintainable in each one of said pair of boxes as desired so that the exterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of said interior portions are vacuumizable.

14. The drum assembly of claim 13 further including A. a second pair of boxes whose respective interiors are adapted to be maintained at superatmospheric pressures, each such box being positioned inside said cylindrical member in circumferentially spaced relationship to the other thereof, each box having an apertured face in adjacent, generally spaced relationship to a different second interior portion of said circumferential wall, each such second interior portion having a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel to the axis of said cylindrical member and further having a pair of longitudinally spaced circumferentially extending borders parallel to said end walls, each one of said second pair of boxes being adjacent the trailing longitudinal border, relative to the direction of rotation of said cylindrical member, of a different one of said pair of boxes, B. said second pair of boxes being mounted to said pair of stationary rod members, C. second conduit means interconnected with each one of said second pair of boxes and adapted to join the interior of each one of said second pair of boxes with a source of superatmospheric pressure positioned exteriorly of said cylindrical member, each of said conduit means extending longitudinally through the interior of at least one of said stub shafts whereby during operation of said drum assembly superatmospheric pressures are maintainable in each one of said second pair of boxes as desired so that the exterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of said second interior portions are pressurizable.

15. The drum assembly of claim 14 further including a source of subatmospheric pressure and a source of superatmospheric pressure.

16. A winder for a web of sheet material comprising:

a frame;

a drive drum mounted for rotation in said frame, said drum having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of apertures and having means for selectively creating a vacuum at a first and second surface area of the cylindrical wall, said areas being circumferentially spaced from each other;

means for rotating the drum at a constant speed;

a pair of cylindrical support drums rotatably mounted in the frame on opposite sides of the drive drum with their axes parallel to the axis of the drive drum;

a pair of core shafts;

means for rotatably mounting one of the pair of core shaft on the frame for movement between a position engaging both the surface of the drive drum adjacent said first surface area and a surface of one of the pair of support drums to transfer movement therebetween and a second position withdrawn therefrom; and

means for rotatably mounting the other of the pair of core shafts on the frame for movement between a position engaging both the surfacE of the drive drum adjacent the second surface area and a surface of the other of the pair of support drums to transfer movement therebetween and a second position withdrawn therefrom, so that selectively creating a vacuum at the first and second area selectively threads the web on one of the pair of core shafts for winding and shifting the vacuum between the two areas causes transfer of the web to the other of the pair of core shaft.

17. A winder according to claim 16, which includes means for cutting the web.

18. A winder according to claim 16, wherein the axes of the drive drum and support drums are horizontally aligned and substantially co-planar.

19. A winder according to claim 16, wherein the axes of the drive drum and support drums are horizontally algined and the axis of the drive drum is oriented above the axis of the support drums.

20. A winder according to claim 16, which includes a pair of rider rolls, each roll being axially rotatably mounted and adapted to have a portion of its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of one of said core shaft members and also a portion of a web material being wound thereon during operation of the winder.

21. A winder according to claim 20, which further includes axially revolvably mounted pusher roll means adapted to function as guide means for a roll of a web material being wound during operation of said winder and further adapted to function as a shift means for a wound roll of the web material.

22. A winder according to claim 16, which includes shiftable means mounted on the frame above the drive drum for engaging a roll wound on a core shaft and moving the roll out of engagement with the drive drum.

23. A process for continuously winding a web of sheet material comprising the steps of:

providing a device having a rotatable drum having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of apertures therein, said drum having means for selectively creating a vacuum at first and second surface areas which are circumferentially spaced on the cylindrical walls, said device having means for positioning a core shaft in engagement with circumferential wall adjacent the first and second areas to rotate with said drum;

rotating the drum at a constant speed to rotate the core shaft with a circumference speed of the cylindrical wall;

continuously advancing a web of sheet material to the drum at a speed corresponding to the cylindrical surface speed of the drum;

creating a vacuum at said first area to thread the end of the web between the drum and a first core shaft positioned adjacent to the first area and onto the core shaft;

winding the advancing web upon the first core shaft while maintaining the circumferential surface portions of the resulting developing roll in engagement with the drum until the developing roll reaches a desired size;

cutting the advancing web;

shifting the vacuum to the second area of the drum to then transfer the end of the advancing web between the drum and the second core shaft engaging the surface of the drum adjacent the second area and onto the second core shaft; and

winding the advancing web upon the second core shaft while maintaining the circumferential surface portions of the resulting developing roll in engagement with the drum until the developing roll reaches a desired size.

24. A process according to claim 23, wherein the step of shifting the vacuum includes moving the first core shaft and its developed roll out of engagement with the drum surface.

25. A process according to claim 24, which includes braking the rotational movement of the first core after movement from engagement until the drum surface, removing the first core shaft and roll, and placing a third core shaft in the means for positioning so that as the second roll is being wound, the third core is in position to start winding a third roll upon completion of the winding of the second roll.