Core reduction apparatus

• US 20070012150A1
• Filed: 09/20/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Essity Operations Wausau LLC
• Original Assignee: Bay West Corporation
• Inventors: Blume, Joseph, Holzem, James, Jansen, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,389,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/102
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 3/161 for obtaining more than one product at a time
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 3/164 characterised by means for supporting the tube from the inside
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/32 for conveying or stacking cut product means for removing cut-out material or waste B26D7/18
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 18/106 for several juxtaposed strips
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4148 slitting
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/41493 integrated core cutter
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/41818 mandrels circulating (cycling) in machine or system
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/02 from or with longitudinal slitters or perforators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0467 By separating products from each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0596 Cutting wall of hollow work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/2074 Including means to divert one portion of product from another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/2183 Product mover including gripper means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6489 Slitter station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/659 Tools axially shiftable on support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6667 Work carrier rotates about axis fixed relative to tool station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/739 Positively confines or otherwise determines path of work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8821 With simple rectilinear reciprocating motion only

Abstract

Apparatus and processes for producing paper roll products with spaced core sections. A core substrate is arranged on a mandrel, and then divided into a plurality of core sections. The core sections are then separated from each other on the mandrel to form gaps between the core sections. Paper web material can then be wound onto the separated core sections to form a log of rolls. The log is then cut into final paper roll products.

Claims

1. An apparatus for forming paper roll products, comprising:

a mandrel having a longitudinal axis; and

a slitter mechanism having a cutting disc and a gripper mechanism, the slitter mechanism mounted to be moveable between a non-cutting position wherein the cutting disc and gripper mechanism are away from the mandrel, and a cutting position wherein the cutting disc is positioned to cut a core substrate disposed on the mandrel into at least two core sections and the gripper mechanism is engaged on an outer surface of one of the core sections, and the gripper mechanism maintain engagement with the outer surface of the core section to longitudinally space apart the at least two core sections on the mandrel.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to move the slitter mechanism relative to the mandrel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripper mechanism comprises a plate that is fixed to the slitter mechanism adjacent to the cutting disc.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slitter mechanism is configured to cut the core substrate and to space apart the core sections prior to a webbing material being mounted to the core sections.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slitter mechanism is further moveable between the cutting position and a gripper engagement position wherein the gripper mechanism engages and disengages from the core section independent of movement of the cutting disc.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plate comprises a flexible material.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plate extends distally beyond a distal end of the cutting disc.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripper mechanism includes friction enhancing members on a surface of the gripper mechanism that engages the core section.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripper mechanism is configured to hold the core section in the spaced apart orientation.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising another slitter mechanism having a cutting disc and a gripper mechanism.

11. An apparatus for forming paper roll products, comprising:

a core slitter assembly having a plurality of slitter mechanisms, each slitter mechanism including a cutting disc and a gripper mechanism, and the slitter mechanisms are mounted to be moveable between a non-cutting position wherein the slitter mechanisms are away from a core substrate, a cutting position wherein the slitter mechanisms are positioned to cut the core substrate into a plurality of core sections, and a gripper engagement position wherein the gripper mechanisms engage the core sections, the plurality of slitter mechanisms are mounted to be moveable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the core substrate to space apart the core sections along the longitudinal axis.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to move the slitter mechanisms relative to the mandrel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the gripper mechanisms comprise a plate that is fixed to the slitter mechanism adjacent to the cutting disc.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the slitter mechanisms are configured to cut the core substrate and to space apart the core sections prior to a webbing material being mounted to the core sections.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the plate comprises a flexible material.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the plate extends distally beyond a distal end of the cutting disc.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the gripper mechanisms include friction enhancing members on a surface of the gripper mechanisms that engages the core section.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the gripper mechanisms are configured to hold the core sections in the spaced apart orientation.

19. An apparatus for forming paper roll products, comprising:

a mandrel having a longitudinal axis; and

a core slitter assembly having a plurality of slitter mechanisms, each slitter mechanism including a cutting disc and a gripper mechanism, the cutting discs and gripper mechanisms being independently moveable relative to each other, the cutting discs moveable between a non-cutting position spaced apart from a core substrate positioned on the mandrel, a cutting position positioned to cut the core substrate into a plurality of core sections, and the gripper mechanisms moveable between a removed position spaced apart from the core substrate and a gripper engagement position in engagement with the core sections, the gripper mechanisms further moveable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis to space apart the core sections along the longitudinal axis.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to move the slitter mechanisms relative to the mandrel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.