Apparatus and method for splicing the trailing end of an expiring web to the leading end of a new web

• US 3,915,399 A
• Filed: 04/01/1974
• Issued: 10/28/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Martin W. Kron, Victor I. Polz
• Original Assignee: Martin W. Kron, Victor I. Polz
• Inventors: Kron, Martin W., Polz, Victor I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huckert, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jillions, John M.
• Application Number:
  US05/456,484
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 242/58.1-58.5,56R,56A 156/502,504
• US Class Current: 242/555.6
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/04 by fluid pressure
• 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 19/181 taking place on the replacement roll
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/20 Cutting-off the expiring web
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/01 indicating an entity as a function of which control, adjustment or change is performed, i.e. input
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/02 indicating an entity which is controlled, adjusted or changed by a control process, i.e. output
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/03 indicating an entity which is measured, estimated, evaluated, calculated or determined but which does not constitute an entity which is adjusted or changed by the control process per se
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4607 by adhesive tape
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2511/23 Coordinates, e.g. three dimensional coordinates

Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed for splicing the trailing end of an expiring web of an old stock roll to the leading web end of a new stock roll. The new stock roll is provided with a splicing tape for initially releasably attaching the leading end of the new stock roll to its outer web convolution. A plurality of sensors are provided for positioning the new stock roll and splicing tape in a precise presplicing position prior to the splicing operation. During the splicing operation, a web guiding and severing mechanism guides the expiring web into engagement with the new stock roll, severs the expiring web, and splices the trailing end of the expiring web to the splicing tape on the leading end of the new stock roll.

Claims

1. In a device for automatically splicing the trailing end of an expiring web to the leading end of a new web roll, the combination comprising:

splicing tape on the leading end of a new web roll having an adhesive on its inner surface for adhering said leading end to an outer web convolution of said web roll, said tape further having an adhesive on its outer surface for adhering said leading end to an expiring web;

first sensing means responsive to said splicing tape for positioning said leading end in a stationary presplicing position;

means for moving said new web roll and said expiring web relative to one another for urging the moving expiring web into engagement with the periphery of said new web roll in advance of said splicing tape causing said new web roll to rotate; and

means for severing said expiring web whereby said moving and urging means presses the trailing end of said expiring web into pressure engagement with the adhesive on said outer surface of said splicing tape for splicing said trailing and leading web ends together.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said splicing tape comprises a base sheet having adhesive on said inner and outer surfaces, a removable first cover sheet on said outer surface and a second cover sheet on said inner surface having perforations exposing said adhesive.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said second cover sheet is formed of metallic foil, and said sensing means responds to said leading edge of said foil.

4. The invention according to claim 1 and further comprising second sensing means for sensing and positioning the periphery of said new web roll in said presplicing position.

5. The invention according to claim 4 and further comprising third sensiNg means for sensing and positioning said new web roll with the end thereof in alignment with an edge of said expiring web.

6. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said moving and urging means comprises a roller.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said moving and urging means comprises a pair of spaced rollers which guide said expiring web in an S-loop, said rollers having shafts, and said severing means comprises a pair of knives rotatably mounted on said shafts of said rollers and adapted when moved together to sever the web portion between said rollers.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said moving and urging means comprises a support plate, and said rollers are cantilevered from said support plate and movable as a unit from a retracted position in which said rollers are free of said expiring web to an extended position in which said rollers straddle said expiring web, said support plate and said rollers then being movable as a unit through an angle while in said extended position to form said S-loop in said expiring web.

9. In a device for splicing the trailing end of an expiring web to the leading end of a new web roll, the combination comprising:

an old web roll having an expiring web;

a new web roll having an adhesive on the outer surface of the leading end of the web;

guiding means comprising a pair of spaced members movable between a first position in which said members straddle said expiring web and a second position in which said members engage and guide said expiring web into an S-loop with a reach of said expiring web extending between said members;

means supported by said guiding means for severing said reach of said expiring web at substantially the mid-point of said Sloop; and

means including one of said members for urging the trailing end of said expiring web into engagement with the periphery of said new web roll and said adhesive as said new web roll rotates whereby said trailing end of said expiring web is spliced to said leading end of said new web roll.

10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said members comprise rollers.

11. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said members comprise rollers having shafts, and said severing means comprises a pair of knives rotatably mounted on said shafts of said rollers and adapted when moved together to sever the web portion between said rollers.

12. The invention according to claim 11 wherein said guiding means comprises a support plate and said rollers are parallel and cantilevered from said support plate, and further comprising means for moving said support plate and rollers as a unit from a retracted position in which said rollers are free of said expiring web to an extended position with said rollers in said first position, said support plate and rollers then being movable as a unit by said moving means through an angle while in said extended position to said second position to form said S-loop in said expiring web.

13. A method for automatically splicing the trailing end of an expiring web to the leading end of a new web roll, comprising the steps of:

positioning a new web roll having a leading end thereof provided with an adhesive on the outer surface thereof in a stationary presplicing position;

straddling a moving expiring web with a pair of spaced guide members cantilevered from a common support plate;

rotating said guide members through an angle for engaging and guiding said web into a curved web path spaced from the periphery of said new web roll;

moving said new web roll and said guide members relative to one another for urging at least one of said guide members and said expiring web into pressure engagement with the periphery of said new web roll causing said new web roll to rotate; and

severing said expiring web between said spaced guide members whereby said one of said guide members presses the trailing end of said expiring web into pressure engagement with said adhesive for sPlicing said leading and trailing web ends together.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein said expiring web moving over said guide members forms an S-shaped web loop.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein said guide members are guide rollers, and said expiring web moving over said guide rollers forms an S-shaped web loop.

16. The method according to claim 13 wherein said positioning step includes the steps of:

imparting lateral movement to said new web roll; and

sensing the periphery of said new web roll and stopping lateral movement thereof when said new web roll reaches said presplicing position.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said positioning step further includes the steps of:

imparting axial movement to said new web roll; and

sensing the end surface of said new web roll and stopping axial movement thereof when said end surface is in alignment with an edge of said expiring web.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said positioning step further includes the steps of:

imparting rotational movement to said new web roll; and

sensing said leading end of said new web roll and stopping rotational movement thereof when said new web roll is in said stationary presplicing position.