Automatic sleeving splicer

• US 9,637,340 B1
• Filed: 03/26/2015
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Butler Automatic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Butler Automatic, Inc.
• Inventors: Butler, Andrew P., Greenwood, Jeffrey A., Mavilia, Robert A., Mucci, Michael A., Wilson, Christopher D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Osele, Mark A
• Application Number:
  US14/669,257
• Time in Patent Office: 768 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 19/1852 taking place at a distance from the replacement roll
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4607 by adhesive tape
• 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 2301/46314 Pieces of adhesive tape, e.g. labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4641 by pivoting element
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2406/351 facing the surface of the handled material

Abstract

A system and method for automatic splicing of rolls of sleeve material used in various packaging markets is provided. The system will automatically splice the prepared end of a new roll onto the expiring end of the prior roll. The system performs an automatic cut and splice operation resulting in a butt splice of the two rolls with tape applied to both sides of the splice joint. The splice can be done in-registration to provide a consistent product repeat length between expiring and new rolls.

Claims

1. A sleeve splicer comprising:

a frame operatively connected to a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame, the first and second sub-frames located on opposite sides of the frame, the first sub-frame having a first vertical path for sleeve material originating on a first roll, the second sub-frame having a second vertical path for sleeve material originating on a second roll;

the first sub-frame having a first moving nip bar and a second moving nip bar, the first moving nip bar configured to use vacuum to hold an end of a first new roll and apply force, the second moving nip bar configured to use vacuum to hold a first tape to be applied and apply force;

a first fixed preparation bar operatively connected to the first sub-frame, the first preparation bar configured with vacuum to hold the end of the first new roll in place in conjunction with the second moving nip bar and further configured with a set of measurement scales to align the end of the first new roll with a running web.

2. The sleeve splicer of claim 1 wherein the first sub-frame further comprises a first idler roll.

3. The sleeve splicer of claim 1 wherein the second sub-frame comprises a third moving nip bar and a fourth moving nip bar, the third moving nip bar configured to use vacuum to hold an end of a second new roll and apply force, the fourth moving nip bar configured to use vacuum to hold a second tape to be applied and apply force.

4. The sleeve splicer of claim 3 further comprising a second fixed preparation bar operatively connected to the second sub-frame, the second preparation bar configured with vacuum to hold the end of a second new roll in place in conjunction with the third moving nip bar and further configured with a second set of measurement scales to align the end of the second new roll with the running web.

5. The sleeve splicer of claim 1 further comprising a first idler roll on the first sub-frame and a second idler roll on the second sub-frame.

6. The sleeve splicer of claim 1 further comprising a guide mechanism, the guide mechanism further comprising:

a dual thread ball screw operatively connected to a plurality of guide arms having tapered plates for centering a web; and

a pair of offset guide rods that pass through the plurality of guide arms to provide a space for web material to pass through.

7. The sleeve splicer of claim 6 further comprising a knob configured to rotate the dual thread ball screw wherein rotation of the dual thread ball screw adjusts the plurality of guide arms.

8. The sleeve splicer of claim 7 wherein the adjusting of the plurality of guide arms comprises simultaneously centering the plurality of guide arms.