WO1994027812A1

WO1994027812A1 - Winding machine

Info

Publication number: WO1994027812A1
Application number: PCT/GB1994/001147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy Corben Morley
Original assignee: Aston Packaging Ltd
Current assignee: Aston Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 1993-05-28
Filing date: 1994-05-26
Publication date: 1994-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 1995-11-28
Also published as: AU6801394A; GB9311072D0

Abstract

This invention relates to a winding machine, and in particular to a winding machine for corrugated paper, and to packaging pieces produced by the machine. There is provided a winding machine for corrugated paper which includes a mandrel (30) having a rotation axis and an ejector (50) movable substantially parallel to the said rotation axis characterised in that the ejector has an ejector arm (52), and in that means are provided to move the ejector arm (52) along a first path in one direction and along a second path spaced from the first path in the opposite direction. There is also provided a method of preparing a corrugated paper roll ready for pressing into a packaging piece which includes the steps of rotating a mandrel (30) about an axis, guiding corrugated paper (10) to be wound around the mandrel into a roll, stopping the mandrel rotation, moving an ejector arm (52) along a first axial path in one direction to remove the wound roll from the mandrel, and moving the ejector arm along a second axial path spaced from the first path in the opposite direction concurrent with the guiding of fresh corrugated paper for winding about the mandrel.

Description

WINDING MACHINE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a winding machine, and in particular to a winding machine for corrugated paper, and to packaging pieces produced by the machine.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Product packaging pieces are used to protect the exposed outer surfaces of articles, particularly the sides and corners of rectangular products, both in the warehouse and during transit.

Such packaging pieces have a relatively short commercial life. Suitably therefore they should be of a material which is easily disposable after use. Desirably they should be made from renewable or recycled materials to limit the consumption of natural resources.

Corrugated paper is often made from recycled waste paper. Since users are increasingly demanding materials which meet the requirements mentioned above, the more widespread use of formed corrugated paper in preference to other packaging materials, for instance the oil-based packaging materials such as polystyrene, is expected.

In addition, formed corrugated paper such as angled corrugated paper of "L" section, is valued for its exceptional cushioning against repeated impacts, as well as its resistance to longitudinal crushing such as might occur if heavy articles with angled corner protection are stacked one upon another.

Often it is not necessary to provide cushioning protection other than for the exposed corners and edges of an article, so that packaging pieces are used; typically these are of extended length (perhaps with a linearly extending fold line) for an edge protector, but may also be mitred to provide a corner protector.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PRIOR ART

A packaging piece such as an edge protector can be made by winding corrugated paper on a rotatable mandrel to form a roll, removing the roll from the mandrel, and pressing the roll to the desired configuration. The tips of the corrugations are typically painted with cold-setting adhesive prior to winding, and the roll is retained in the press until the adhesive has set whereby to provide a stable configuration.

One such process and winding machine for corrugated paper is disclosed in our British Patent 2,097,325. Whilst suitable for winding corrugated paper into rolls of pre-determined size, the machine output of wound rolls is restricted, in part by the design of the ejector mechanism for the formed roll.

Following the winding of the corrugated paper into a roll of the required number of turns and thus of the required size, the roll has to be removed promptly from the mandrel, both to free the mandrel for another winding operation and to ensure that the roll can be transferred to the press before the adhesive has set.

One disadvantage of the ejector mechanism of our British patent 2,097,325 is that it is in the form of an annulus axially slidable along and around the mandrel (and thus also around the mandrel shaft) , the annulus lying within the projected area of the wound roll whereby to engage and then remove axially the roll to one side of the machine, perhaps ejecting the roll from the machine.

Despite the prompt removal of a wound roll (in one direction parallel to the mandrel axis) by the ejector therein disclosed, the mandrel cannot be re-used (to wind another roll) until the ejector has completed or nearly completed its return stroke to the start condition, i.e. in the opposed direction to the ejection direction, to or towards the other side of the machine.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

We now propose a machine which avoids or reduces this disadvantage, and permits a greater output of wound rolls ready for pressing, and thus greater machine productivity.

Thus according to one feature of our invention we provide a winding machine for corrugated paper which includes a mandrel having a rotation axis and an ejector movable substantially parallel to the said rotation axis characterised in that the ejector has an ejector arm, and in that means are provided to move the ejector arm along a first path in one direction and along a second path spaced from the first path in the opposite direction. Preferably the corrugated paper is single-faced with the corrugations painted with adhesive.

Both the first and second paths will be outside the mandrel outer diameter; the first path will be within the projected area of a wound roll and the second path will be outside that projected area. Alternatively stated, at least when the arm is adjacent the mandrel both paths will be at a distance from the mandrel axis greater than the mandrel radius. Thus in operation the first path will be aligned with a part of the annulus between the mandrel outer diameter and the outer diameter of the wound roll whereby the ejector arm will engage a part of the roll and strip it from the mandrel during movement along the first path; the second path will be clear both of the mandrel and of the paper guiding and/or supporting means.

Preferably the ejector has two arms, passing respectively in use to opposite sides of the mandrel; the arms are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the mandrel. Preferably the arms are part of a circle which in the ejection position of the ejector has its centre on the mandrel rotation axis. Usefully the ejector is pivotally mounted for movement between a first position in which the arms are adapted to embrace the mandrel and a second position spaced from the mandrel, and if so the ejector will be in the first (ejection) position for roll ejection from the mandrel and in the second (clearance) position during return movement.

In an alternative arrangement the ejector arm (or in another alternative embodiment both opposed ejector arms) are mounted on a carrier arm, the carrier arm following a single for-and-aft path during respective ejection and return strokes of the ejector arm, the ejector arm having a first position relative to the carrier arm and a second position relative to the carrier arm. Thus the ejector arm adopts the first position during roll ejection movement (from the carrier arm start position), and the second position during return movement to the start position. Usefully the ejector arm is pivotally mounted to the carrier arm and has driving means to move it between the first and second positions; preferably there is a timing means controlling operation of the driving means in timed relation with the ejection and return strokes of the ejector arm(s).

In a further alternative embodiment the ejector has a part annular arm, and is slidably mounted upon a support bar, the support bar being pivotable so that the annular arm may be carried along a first path to eject the wound roll, and be carried along a second path during return movement to the start position.

Preferably, the ejector arm carries an embracing plate, to engage part of a wound roll and prevent its unwinding during roll ejection.

We also propose a method of preparing a corrugated paper roll ready for pressing into a packaging piece which includes the steps of rotating a mandrel about an axis, guiding corrugated paper to be wound around the mandrel into a roll, stopping the mandrel rotation, moving an ejector arm along a first axial path in one direction to remove the wound roll from the mandrel, and moving the ejector arm along a second axial path spaced from the first path in the opposite direction concurrent with the guiding of fresh corrugated paper for winding about the mandrel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig.l is a perspective view of part of a winding machine according to the invention;

Fig.2 is an end view of the ejector of Fig.l;

Fig.3 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of ejector mechanism according to the invention;

Fig.4 is a front view of a winding machine having the ejector mechanism of Fig.3.; and

Fig.5 is a side view of part of a further alternative embodiment of ejector mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The corrugated paper 10 to be wound is single faced, with one layer 11 of plain paper bonded to a second layer 12 which is corrugated. As indicated in Fig.3, the spaces between the corrugations are engaged by teeth 20 of feed roller 21, which can be rotated about axle 22 in order that the web of paper is fed to the left as viewed in Fig.3, to be wound with second corrugated layer inwardly.

Typically the paper 10 will have been presented from a supply roll (not shown) , having been withdrawn therefrom between a pair of nip rollers, one of which paints the corrugation tips with a cold-setting adhesive; in one embodiment the length of paper to form the wound roll will be cut from the supply only after it has been wound on the mandrel, and with the mandrel stationary to ensure a straight line cut parallel to the mandrel rotation axis, but in an alternative embodiment the paper lengths can be pre- cut from the supply, perhaps even before being painted with adhesive, and fed to the winding machine in sheet form.

The paper is moved by feed roller 21 (Fig.3) towards the mandrel 30, the size of mandrel 30 in a preferred embodiment being selected in accordance with the internal diameter and length of the roll of corrugated paper to be produced. The mandrel has openings through which blades 32 can be projected in order to engage between corrugations whereby to help pull the paper around the mandrel. In the preferred embodiment the thickness of the paper roll is determined by the number of rotations of the mandrel (before the mandrel rotation is stopped, to permit the paper to be cut from the supply) , and so it is important also to use the blades to prevent or limit slippage between the paper and the mandrel.

The mandrel 30 has an length parallel to its rotational axis substantially less than that of the width of the machine and therefore also of the width of the paper roll to be formed, or which can be formed. The mandrel 30 is mounted on mandrel shaft 34 which can be rotated by conventional means. Inside shaft 34 is a known operating mechanism (not shown) for the mandrel blades whereby the blades can be moved outwardly and inwardly of the mandrel openings.

Partially surrounding the mandrel 30 are axially spaced upper and lower guides 40,42 for the paper web. In the embodiment of Fig.l the guides 40 which are uppermost as viewed are movable linearly (in this embodiment vertically) towards and away from the mandrel 30, whilst the guides 42 are pivotable by motor 44 and drive bar 46 about pivots 48 towards and away from the mandrel, though in an alternative embodiment the guides 42 are pivotable by a pneumatic cylinder, and in another alternative embodiment are movable away from the mandrel under their own weight. The guides 40,42 are moved to a position adjacent the mandrel during winding of the paper, to assist in the paper guidance, but are withdrawn from that position whilst the "finished" wound roll is removed by ejector mechanism 50 (i.e. towards the left-hand side of the machine as viewed in Fig.l). As better seen in Fig.2, the ejector mechanism 50 comprises a part annulus 52 defining an ejector arm located around part of a mandrel and engageable with an end part of a wound roll, and a bent embracing plate 54.

Support bar 60 for ejector mechanism 50 is parallel to the rotation axis of the mandrel. When ejecting a wound roll, the ejector 50 is moved by conventional means (not shown) along support bar 60, towards the wound roll until the roll is engaged and moved by the part annulus 52. The plate 54 partially embraces one end of the roll, which is pinched slightly between the plate 54 and the trays 62 when these are raised upon completion of the winding process. Thus the plate 54 and trays 62 support the free tail of the paper web, and maintain it in engagement with the wound roll, whilst the roll is ejected; the plate 54, and the trays 62, ensure that the wound roll does not become unrolled prior to the adhesive setting. The part annulus 52, which has an internal diameter which is larger than the mandrel but within the projected area of the roll, engages the end of the roll and so pushes the roll off the mandrel, and in this embodiment into jaws 56.

Jaws 56 retain the wound roll preparatory to its placement in the subsequent pressing machine (not shown).

When the ejector 50 has removed the wound roll from the mandrel, the cycle can be recommenced with the next piece of corrugated paper being urged towards the mandrel. Concurrent with this, the support bar 60 is partially- rotated about pivots 64 by pneumatic cylinder 66, so that the ejector is moved away from the axis of the mandrel (clockwise as viewed in Fig.l), and in a preferred embodiment out of projected area of a finished or wound roll, so that the ejector may return to its rest position (as seen in Fig.l) without fouling paper 10 or hindering the winding of the subsequent roll.

In this embodiment, pneumatic cylinder 66 is pivotted at its engagement 68 with the support bar, and also pivotted to the machine base at 70 so that the non-linear motion of the pivot 68 may be accomodated. In other embodiments, different methods for moving the support bar 60 may be usefully employed.

In Fig.3, an alternative ejector mechanism 150 is shown. In this embodiment also, the paper guides 140,142 are of differing design, but operate to fulfil the same function as the guides 40,42 of Fig.l.

The ejector 150 of Fig.3 comprises two interconnected arms or jaws 180,182, each part circular and together substantially of horseshoe shape. Arms 180,182 are carried by a leg 184 mounted upon pivot bar 186. Pivot bar 186 runs parallel to the rotation axis of the mandrel 30 (see Fig.4). Pivoting movement (clockwise as viewed) of leg 184 away from the inoperative position of Fig.3 to a position in which the jaws or a part thereof are adjacent to wound roll 90 is effected by rack 192 which, under the control of motor 194, drives the pinion 196 attached to the leg 184; movement in the angular direction towards the mandrel is restricted by engagement of leg 184 with adjustable abutment 198. The spacing between arms 180,182 is less than the roll 90 finished diameter, but greater than the mandrel 30 diameter, so that when in the ejection position and moved parallel to the mandrel axis the arms engage the roll 90 but remain spaced from the mandrel 30.

Before the ejector commences its stroke from its rest or start position (as seen in Fig.4) to remove the roll, mandrel rotation is stopped, and the guides 140,142 are moved away from the mandrel. Thus there is no impediment in the axial path of roll 90 or ejector arms 180,182 as the ejector is moved (to the right as viewed in Fig.4).

Upon completion of the ejector stroke, the leg 184 is pivotally withdrawn to the position seen in Fig.3. Even if the guides 140,142 have not been moved towards the mandrel from the position shown, the guides are positioned so that the arms 180,182 can still pass thereby during their return (axial) movement to the other side of the machine, back to the start position of Figs.3,4. Thus the ejector can be moved along a first path during roll transfer movement, and along a second path, spaced further from the mandrel axis, during ejector return movement.

Fig.5 shows part of a further alternative ejector mechanism 250. In this embodiment, the roll engaging arms 200,202 are separately and pivotably mounted to a bracket 204. The bracket 204 is secured to a hollow shaft 206. Within hollow shaft 206 is mounted operating rod 210, which is coupled via connecting rods 212 to the arms 200,202. The coupling is such that axial movement of the operating rod 210 along the shaft 206 by known means (not shown) will cause the arms to move (pivot) respectively together and apart. It will be understood that with the arms "together" they will be within the projected area of a wound roll so that a wound roll can be ejected from the machine, whilst with the arms "apart" they will be outside that projected area so that the subsequent winding cycle can commence as the ejector mechanism returns to its start or rest position.

In other alternative embodiments of the design, the ejector may be repositioned at the extremes of its lateral (axial) movement by engagement with ramps or other passive means whereby to cause the ejector to adopt either its first path or its second path, under the influence of gravity for example. It will be understood that alternative designs of ejector are possible, such as an ejector having a single pivotting ejector arm, provided that the arm is shaped so as to engage a wound roll sufficiently to ensure its axial removal.

Also, an ejector can be used wherein movement out of the projected area of the roll is effected by pivotting about an axis other than an axis parallel to the mandrel axis (usually horizontal), such as pivotting about a vertical axis.

One sequence of operations for a winding machine according to the invention is:

(1) paper web fed towards the mandrel; (2) guides close towards mandrel; mandrel commences rotation;

(3) when the paper web covers between one half and two thirds of the circumference of the mandrel the blades of the mandrel are urged outwardly of the mandrel, to engage in the flutes of the paper;

(4) guides withdraw as mandrel continues to rotate;

(5) after a predetermined number of rotations the mandrel stops rotating;

{6} the paper web is cut; (7) the support trays rise to engage the lower surface of the wound roll; {8} the mandrel completes another partial rotation so that the free tail of the web is held by the support trays in engagement with the wound roll; {9} the blades of the mandrel are withdrawn; {10} an ejector part moves from its rest position, on its first path, axially to remove the wound roll from the mandrel; {11} the ejector part moves to its second path and returns to its rest position concurrent with the commencement of a subsequent sequence of operations.

Claims

1. A winding machine for corrugated paper (10) which includes a mandrel (30) having a rotation axis and an ejector(50,150,250) movable substantially parallel to the said rotation axis characterised in that the ejector has an ejector arm (52; 180,182; 200,202), and in that means (60,66; 192,196,194; 204,210,212) are provided to move the ejector arm along a first path in one direction and along a second path spaced from the first path in the opposite direction.

2. A machine according to claim 1 characterised in that the ejector arm is part of a circle.

3. A machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the ejector arm is mounted on a pivot (64; 186).

4. A machine according to claim 3 characterised in that the pivot is parallel to the rotation axis of the mandrel.

5. A machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the ejector arm is mounted on a carrier (206).

6. A machine according to claim 5 characterised in that driving means (210) are provided to move the ejector arm relative to the carrier (206), and in that timing means are provided to control the operation of the driving means in timed relation with the movement of the ejector arm along the said first and second paths.

7. A machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the ejector is mounted upon a support bar (60), and in that the support bar is pivotally mounted to the machine.

8. A machine according to any of claims 1-7 characterised in that the ejector arm carries an embracing plate (54).

9. A machine according to any of claims 1-8 characterised in that the ejector has two ejector arms.

10. A method of preparing a corrugated paper roll ready for pressing into a packaging piece which includes the steps of rotating a mandrel (30) about an axis, guiding corrugated paper (10) to be wound around the mandrel into a roll, stopping the mandrel rotation, moving an ejector arm (52; 180,182; 200,202) along a first axial path in one direction to remove the wound roll from the mandrel, and moving the ejector arm along a second axial path spaced from the first path in the opposite direction concurrent with the guiding of fresh corrugated paper for winding about the mandrel.