Method for stopping and starting an automatic machine for collectively wrapping products, especially rolls of toilet or kitchen paper

• US 6,688,082 B1
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TMC Corporation
• Original Assignee: TMC Corporation
• Inventors: Loperfido, Gianfranco, Castaldini, Giampaolo
• Primary Examiner(s): Gerrity, Stephen F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESAI, HEMANT
• Application Number:
  US10/371,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20040016213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: 534/61, 534/66, 53/55, 53/64, 53/67, 532/28, 533/891, 533/892, 242/558, 242/559, 242/559.1, 242/560, 242/560.1, 242/563
• US Class Current: 53/461
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 11/22 and then to form closing folds of similar form at opposite ends of the tube
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/146 packaging rolled-up articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 59/001 Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the product to be packaged
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 59/003 Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the packaging material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/1852 taking place at a distance from the replacement roll
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/46013 and maintaining register of spliced webs
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2513/20 Acceleration or deceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/1944 Wrapping or packing material

Abstract

A method for stopping and restarting an automatic machine (1) for wrapping products (2), in particular rolls of toilet or kitchen paper, in a collective pack (3) using a packaging film (4a) unwound from a first reel (31a). The method comprises the following automatic sequence of steps: reducing the speed of the machine (1); and stopping the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the processing of the products (2). The method subsequently comprising the steps of: substituting the first reel (31a) of the film (4a) with a second reel (31b); loading the film (4b) on the second reel into feed means (33, 10 34). Restarting the machine (1) at reduced speed and thereby automatically activating the following sequence of steps: unwinding and positionally centering the film (4b); and restarting the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the products.

Claims

1. A method for stopping and restarting an automatic machine (1) for wrapping products (2), in particular rolls of toilet or kitchen paper, in a collective pack using a wrapping film (4a;

4b) unwound from a reel (31a;

31b), the method comprising the following automatic sequence of steps, triggered by the activation of a control for stopping the machine (1);

reducing speed of the machine (1) to a speed (V2) suitably lower than the working speed (V1);

stopping infeed of the products (2) to the machine (1);

stopping infeed of a first wrapping film (4a) to the machine (1) with a delay of at least four steps after stopping the infeed of the products (2);

stopping the machine (1) after the products (2) inside the machine (1) have moved at least three steps forward;

the method further comprising the steps of;

substituting the second first reel (31a) of the first wrapping film (4a) with a second reel (31b) of a second film (4b);

loading the film (4b) of the second reel (31b) into the related film feed means (33, 34);

restarting the machine (1) and thereby automatically activating a sequence of steps including;

restarting the second wrappng film (4b) unwinding from the second reel (31b);

positionally centering the wrapping film (4b);

restarting the machine (1) at a reduced speed (V2), lower than the working speed (V1);

restarting the product (2) infeed;

restarting infeed of sheets (18) of the second wrapping film to the machine with a delay of at least four steps after restarting the product (2) infeed.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of substituting the first reel (31a) with a second reel (31b) and loading the film (4b) from the latter into the film feed means (33, 34) are performed manually.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the steps of substituting the second reel (31b) and loading the film (4b) into the film feed means (33;

34) are performed when at least the size of the wrapping film sheets (18) is varied.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of substituting the second reel (31b) and loading the film (4b) from the latter into the film feed means (33, 34) are performed by an automatic apparatus (6) which is activated by a signal relating to the state of the film (4a) on the first reel (31a).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of substituting the second reel (31b) and loading the film (4b) into the film feed means (33;

34) are performed when at least the size of the wrapping film sheets (18) is varied.

6. The method according to claim 5, comprising a step of checking the current position of the splicing line (65) relative to a predetermined reference system, where the splicing line (65), upon reaching a predetermined position in the feed direction (78), causes a signal to be issued in order to activate suitable actuating means used to automatically adjust the distance between means (33, 34, 55, 56) for guiding the film (4a;

4b) towards the machine (1).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the signal stops the feeding of the film (4a;

4b) in the feed direction (78) to restart at a later stage when the distance between the guide means (33, 34;

55, 56) has been suitably adjusted.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the actuating means comprise at least one drive motor (63;

75) for feeding the film (4a;

4b) and equipped with means enabling engagement and disengagement of film (4a;

4b) feed.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the steps of substituting the first reel (31a) with a second reel (31b) and loading the film (4b) from the latter into the film feed means (33;

34) comprise a splicing step in which the film (4a) from the first reel (31a) and the second film (4b) from the second reel (31b) are joined along a splicing line (65) and proceed together lengthways in a direction (78) in which the films (4a;

4b) are fed.