Web feed method and web feed apparatus

• US 6,978,963 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2002
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Printing & Packaging Machinery Company Limited (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• Inventors: Suzuki, Masayoshi, Matsuka, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US10/166,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20020190153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• Field of Search: 242/554.3, 242/555.5, 242/555.6, 242/555.7
• US Class Current: 242/554.3
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/1821 the replacement web being accelerated or running prior to splicing contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/1836 the replacement web being accelerated or running prior to splicing contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/1868 The roll support being of the turret type
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/46172 cutting expiring web only

Abstract

Continuous web feed is provided by using an apparatus for unwinding a web on a continuous basis by means of an automatic web splicing apparatus. An arm supporting a web roll is rocked when unwinding of the web is switched between web rolls. When the web is switched from one of web rolls (roll A) to the other (roll B), the remaining core of the web roll is removed subsequent to switching. Then the web roll installation position is shifted to the side reverse to the front and back of the web being unwound from the other web roll (roll B). After that, a new web roll is mounted in position. When the web is switched from the other web roll (roll B) to the web roll (roll A), the remaining core of the web roll is removed subsequent to switching. The web roll installation position is arranged in such a way that a new web roll is then mounted on the same side as the front and back of the web being unwound from the web roll.

Claims

1. A web feed method in which an apparatus for holding two web rolls and unwinding a web continuously by means of an automatic web splicing apparatus is used, said method comprising the steps of:

switching unwinding of the web from one web roll to the other web roll;

rocking an arm supporting said one web roll to a position in which a remaining core is removed;

removing the remaining core from the arm supporting said one web roll;

moving an installation position of said one web roll to an opposite or reverse side with respect to the front and back sides of the web which is being unwound from the other web roll;

switching the unwinding of the web from said other web roll to said one web roll;

removing the remaining core of said other web roll subsequent to switching;

mounting a new web roll on a same side with respect to the front and back side of the web which is being unwound from said one web roll in an installation position of said other web roll.

2. A web feed apparatus comprising:

an automatic web splicing apparatus;

a roll rocking apparatus, including a one roll rocking apparatus and an other roll rocking apparatus, for rocking two mounted web rolls;

a rock driving apparatus for rocking an arm of the roll rocking apparatus; and

a control apparatus which provides control in such a way that, when a web that is being fed from one web roll that is mounted on said roll rocking apparatus has been switched by the automatic web splicing apparatus so as to come from the other web roll, a new web roll is mounted on the roll rocking apparatus after the roll rocking apparatus is shifted to a side opposite with respect to a running web, subsequent to removal of the remaining core of said one roll rocking apparatus; and

when a web that is being fed from the other web roll has been switched by the automatic web splicing apparatus so as to come from said one web roll, the new web roll is mounted on the same side with respect to the running web, subsequent to removal of the remaining core of said other roll rocking apparatus.

3. The web feed apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the roll rocking apparatus comprises:

arms for supporting two web rolls wherein the arms are installed on opposite sides across the width of the web roll,

beams for securing the arms together,

a support shaft provided at a position for rocking two web rolls on the arms so as to allow alternate use of the web rolls,

an arm side guide installed on a web roll support of the arms so that the arm side guide moves in a direction of each web roll axis, and

a roll support apparatus which moves as engaged with the arm side guide for mounting, dismounting and positioning the web roll.

4. The web feed apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the roll rocking apparatus comprises:

arms for supporting two web rolls installed on opposite sides across the width of a web roll,

a beam for securing the arms together,

a support shaft provided at a position for rocking two web rolls on the arms so as to allow alternate use of the web rolls,

traveling arms capable of moving in an axial direction of web rolls guided by the beam, wherein said traveling arms are mounted on opposite sides across the width of the web roll,

an arm traveling mechanism arranged to move the traveling arms in the axial direction with respect to said beam,

a traveling arm side guide installed on the web roll support of the arms so as to allow movement in the axial direction of each web roll, and

a roll support apparatus which can move in engagement with the traveling arm side guide for mounting, dismounting and positioning the web roll.

5. The web feed apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the roll rocking apparatus comprises two pairs of arms for supporting one web roll, wherein the arms are installed on opposite sides across a width of the web roll, and a support shaft which serves as a rocking center provided at a position at which two arms among the two pairs of arms make it possible to use web rolls alternately.