Apparatus and method for processing a paperboard reel

Abstract

The present application relates to a device and a method for processing paperboard reels for feeding to a tube forming machine, the device comprising: a station (P) for picking up the reels, configured to receive a stack of stacked paperboard reels (1); a station (U) for unwinding the reels; and a handling device (D) for moving the reels (1) along a predetermined path. The device (D) for moving the reels comprises: a pneumatic device for pressurizing a space (S) inside the stack of reels, wherein said space comprises the interface between the uppermost reel of the stack and the reel below; and a gripping device configured and controlled to grip and respectively release the uppermost reel of the stack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing paperboard rolls.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to processing a paper roll fed to a machine for producing paper tubes, the paper tubes being particularly used to manufacture paper rolls having an internal tubular core. Background Technology

[0003] It is known that the production of rolls of paper material—from which toilet paper rolls or kitchen paper rolls can be obtained—involves feeding a paper web formed of one or more stacked layers along a predetermined path, performing various operations along this predetermined path before roll formation. These operations include transverse pre-cutting of the web to form pre-cut lines that divide the web into torn sheets. Roll formation typically involves the use of a cardboard tube, commonly referred to as a "core," on which a predetermined amount of adhesive is distributed, allowing the paper web to be glued to the core, which is then gradually introduced into a roll-producing machine, commonly referred to as a "rewinder."

[0004] After a predetermined number of sheets are wound onto the core, the last sheet of the completed roll is separated from the first sheet of the subsequent roll, for example by means of compressed air jetting towards the corresponding pre-cut line. At this point, the roll is unloaded from the rewinder. Patent EP1700805 describes a rewinding machine operating according to the above-described procedure. The rolls thus produced are then conveyed to a storage unit that provides one or more cutting machines to laterally cut the rolls to obtain rolls of the desired specifications.

[0005] Tubular cores are produced using a machine commonly referred to as a "tube forming machine," which is configured to wind one or more paperboard webs around a mandrel to form a spiral winding. Examples of tube mills configured in this manner are provided in EP3099481 and EP3212391B.

[0006] The reels for unwinding the paperboard web are loaded onto a dedicated unwinding unit by an operator-controlled lifting device, which supports the reels themselves during tube production. For this purpose, these reels are arranged stacked on pallets in a storage station, and must be picked up one at a time from the storage station to be conveyed to the unwinding unit of the tube forming machine. For feeding to the tube forming machine, there remains a strong need to automate as many operations as possible related to handling the paperboard reels. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main objective of this invention is to meet the above requirements.

[0008] According to the present invention, this result is achieved by employing the device and method described in this application.

[0009] This invention automates most of the operations related to handling the paper rolls fed to the tube mill, offering both economic and technical advantages. From an economic perspective, the main advantages stem from more efficient management of personnel assigned to handle the paper rolls and higher production efficiency. From a technical perspective, the main advantages arise not only from automation but also from higher operational precision and safety during the paper roll handling phase, thereby avoiding dangerous human intervention by the operator. Attached Figure Description

[0010] These and other advantages and features of the invention will be well understood by each person skilled in the art from the following description and accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of example but should not be considered limiting, wherein:

[0011] - Figure 1A and Figure 2A These are two perspective views of the device according to the present invention;

[0012] - Figure 1B and Figure 2B They are Figure 1A and Figure 2A Two magnified details;

[0013] - Figure 2C yes Figure 2A Details, of which some are not shown to highlight possible configurations of the movement system for the reel support platform;

[0014] - Figure 2D This is an illustration relating to a possible implementation of a device for controlling the initial position of a support platform for a reel;

[0015] - Figure 2E This is a simplified block diagram relating to possible embodiments of the control system of the device according to the invention;

[0016] - Figure 2F yes Figure 2A Another detail, in which parts are not shown to better highlight the other parts;

[0017] - Figure 2G and Figure 2H yes Figure 2A Other details, some of which are not shown to better highlight the others;

[0018] - Figure 3 This is a schematic plan view of the device according to the invention, in which a forklift is shown for loading cardboard rolls onto a platform PP of a roll storage station;

[0019] - Figures 4A to 11A This is a schematic side view of the device according to the invention in a continuous operation phase, wherein some parts are not shown to better highlight other parts;

[0020] - Figures 4B to 11B This is a schematic plan view of the device in the continuous operation phase according to the present invention, wherein some parts are not shown in order to better highlight other parts;

[0021] - Figure 12A and Figure 12B These are two perspective views of the carousel (rotary conveyor belt, disc conveyor belt, turntable) of the unwinding unit;

[0022] - Figure 12C yes Figure 12A and Figure 12B The top view of the transmitter shown;

[0023] - Figure 12D It is along Figure 12C A cross-sectional view of line HH;

[0024] - Figure 12E It is along Figure 12C A cross-sectional view of line KK;

[0025] - Figure 13A and Figure 13B These are two perspective views of a movable support in a possible operational configuration, which supports a device for connecting a reel and other components designed to facilitate the exchange between a reel in its depletion phase and a new reel for replacing the depletion phase reel.

[0026] - Figure 14A and Figure 14B It is in another operational configuration Figure 13A and Figure 13B Two perspective views of the movable support component;

[0027] - Figures 15A to 15L A series of steps relating to the positional exchange of the support 403 in the unwinding station, including the unwinding unit, of the device according to the invention are shown;

[0028] - Figures 16A to 16N A series of steps relating to the positional exchange of support 403 in an unwinding station comprising two unwinding units in the device according to the invention are shown;

[0029] - Figure 17 Figure 26B shows structural details related to a possible implementation of the device D for picking up a reel from station P;

[0030] - Figures 27 to 34 This is a perspective view of the various parts of the device according to the present invention;

[0031] - Figures 35 to 41 Further examples of embodiments of the device according to the invention are shown;

[0032] - Figure 42 It shows Figure 35 Details;

[0033] - Figure 43 It shows Figure 39 Details;

[0034] - Figure 44 It shows Figure 39 Another detail;

[0035] - Figure 45 It shows Figure 40 Details;

[0036] - Figure 46 A tube forming machine served by the device according to the invention is illustrated schematically;

[0037] - Figure 47 The diagram schematically illustrates two tube-forming machines served by the device according to the invention;

[0038] - Figure 48 A tube manufacturing machine is schematically shown, served by two unwinding units of the device according to the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Reduced to its basic structure and referring to the figures in the accompanying drawings, the device according to the invention comprises:

[0040] Loading station P, in which platform PP is arranged to support multiple paper web reels 1, which are stacked to form stack 2 and used to feed to at least one tube forming machine 3.

[0041] Unwinding station U, which includes means for controlling the unwinding of each reel 1;

[0042] The processing device D includes a control arm 200 arranged and operating between a loading station P and a dewinding station U. The control arm 200 is connected to a guide mechanism MG configured to guide the control arm along a predetermined path extending between the loading station P and the dewinding station U.

[0043] Figure 46 The illustration shows an arrangement for providing a single pipe forming machine 3 served by the device according to the invention, while Figure 47 The illustration shows an arrangement of two pipe forming machines 3 served by the device according to the invention. Figure 46 and Figure 47 The diagram also schematically shows the cardboard tubes T3 produced by each tube forming machine 3, and the arrow "TF" indicates that the tubes T3 leave the corresponding tube forming machine 3. Figure 48 The following arrangement is illustrated: This arrangement provides a tube forming machine 3 that receives cardboard strips fed by two unwinding units to produce tubes formed by stacking two strips instead of a single cardboard strip.

[0044] The roll 1 is formed from a predetermined number of paperboard webs wrapped around the central tubular core 1C. The stack 2 is formed from a predetermined number of stacked rolls 1.

[0045] The tube forming machine 3 is a machine known in itself, such as the type described in the literature cited above.

[0046] The processing device D is configured to operate on a single reel 1 of the stack 2 constructed in the loading station P to feed to one or more tube forming machines 3, which use the reel 1 to produce cardboard tubes.

[0047] Preferably, the processing device D is configured and constructed to facilitate the separation of each spool 1 of the stack 2 from the spool below.

[0048] Reference Figures 17 to 27 The example shown, according to the invention, includes two coaxial conduits 4 and 5, each having an upper and lower portion, connected to corresponding inlets 40 and 50 for introducing compressed air. These inlets 40 and 50 are arranged on a distributor 6 positioned on the upper portion of the conduits 40 and 50. Each of the inlets 40 and 50 is controlled by a corresponding solenoid valve 41 and 51, which in turn is operated by a programmable control unit 7, as further described below.

[0049] exist Figures 17 to 27In the exemplary drawings, pipe 4 is located inside pipe 5. A distributor 6 is mounted on the upper part of the outer pipe 5 by means of a bolt 65, which is screwed into the upper part of the pipe. Inlets 40 and 50 in the distributor 6 are radially oriented relative to the coaxial pipes 4 and 5 and spaced apart by a predetermined value h, thus forming an upper inlet 40 and a lower inlet 50 for compressed air. The upper inlet 50 communicates with the inner pipe 4, while the lower inlet 50 communicates with the outer pipe 5.

[0050] The lower base 60 of the dispenser 6 is integral with the upper base 80 of the box-shaped body 8, through which tubular pipes 4 and 5 pass and which has a lower base shaped as a flange 81. The box-shaped body 8 is integral with the control portion 800, which can be moved toward or away from the stack 2 by means of a movable arm 200, as further described below. Figure 3 In the example shown in Figure 5, the operating part 800 is formed by a plurality of vertical rods 801, which connect the upper flange 802 and the flanged lower base 81 of the body 8 to accommodate the body 8 and the dispenser 6 inside the vertical rods 801.

[0051] Two plates 91 and 92 are mounted on the lower side of the rod 45 formed by coaxial pipes 4 and 5. The two plates 91 are placed at a predetermined distance from each other, thereby forming an upper plate 91 and a lower plate 92. The upper plate 91 includes: a fixed upper flange 911, which is keyed to the rod 45; a movable lower flange 912, which is slidable on the rod 45 itself; and an elastic pad 913, which is positioned coaxially with the rod 45 between the fixed upper flange 911 and the movable lower flange 912. Similarly, the lower plate 92 includes: a fixed lower flange 921 integral with the lower end of the rod 45; a movable upper flange 922 slidable on the rod 45; and an elastic pad 923 positioned coaxially with the rod 45 between the fixed lower flange 921 and the movable upper flange 922. For example, the fixed lower flange 921 is blocked on the lower end of the rod 45 by means of a bolt 95. The outlet 42 of the internal conduit 4 is located between the movable flanges 912 and 922 of the plates 91 and 92. The figures also show two conduits 420 that pneumatically connect the movable flanges 912 and 922 to the outlet 42 of the conduit 4. In practice, by introducing compressed air from inlet 40, the movable flanges 912 and 922 move along the direction of the corresponding fixed flanges 912 and 922, and each movable flange 912 and 922 compresses the corresponding elastic pads 913 and 923, thereby forcing the corresponding elastic pads 913 and 923 to expand radially outward.

[0052] For example, gaskets 913 and 923 are made of silicone rubber or para rubber, which is a type of rubber with a hardness between 20 Shore A and 40 Shore A.

[0053] Preferably, the fixed lower flange 920 has a lower tapered surface 924, which facilitates insertion of the fixed lower flange 920 into the core 1C of the stacked spool 1. Preferably, the tapered surface is a peripheral surface that defines an internal concave cavity 925, the function of which will be described below.

[0054] In practice, when compressed air is introduced into the internal pipe 4, plates 91 and 92 have portions that can expand elastically in the radial direction (i.e. portions formed by the corresponding gaskets in the above example).

[0055] The outlet 52 of the external conduit 5 corresponds to the space S between the movable flanges 912 and 922 of the plates 91 and 92. In practice, the external conduit 5 is used to pressurize the space S between the plates 91 and 92.

[0056] Figures 17 to 27 The device D, illustrated by way of example, also includes a mechanism adapted to engage with the inner surface of the core 1C of the spool 1. For example, this mechanism includes a plurality of jaws 100, each jaw consisting of an inverted "L"-shaped lever having: a toothed front portion 101; a rear portion 102 constrained to a bushing 104 slidable on the surface of the outer conduit 5; and an intermediate portion pivotally connected to a pin 103 oriented perpendicular to the surface of a housing 880 extending below a flanged portion 81. The housing has a suitable opening 881 to allow the jaws 100 to extend out. Therefore, by sliding the bushing 104 along the pipe 5, the lever 100 is rotated about the pin 103; this rotation causes the toothed side 101 to move away from the bushing 104 when the bushing 104 is pushed upward, and vice versa, the rotation causes the toothed side 101 to move closer to the bushing 104 when the bushing 104 is pushed downward. In other words, the rotation causes the jaw 100 to move radially away from the longitudinal axis A9 of the device and radially toward the longitudinal axis A9 of the device. The upper portion of the bushing 104 has a flange 105, which defines a receiving portion for the elastic element 106 by cooperating with the cup-shaped lower attachment 82 of the lower base 81 of the box-shaped body 8, the elastic element 106 being coaxially fitted onto the bushing 104. A flange 105 disposed on the upper portion of the bushing 104 is integral with a piston 107, which is positioned between the flange 105 and the upper base 80 of the box-shaped body 8. The upper base 80 of the box-shaped body 8 has an inlet 83 for introducing compressed air into the box-shaped body 8. Therefore, by introducing compressed air into the box-shaped body 8 via inlet 83, the piston 107 descends, overcoming the resistance of the elastic element 106 and causing the bushing 104 to descend, i.e., the toothed side of the lever 100 moves closer to the bushing 104. Conversely, when the introduction of compressed air through inlet 83 of the box-shaped body 8 is interrupted, the bushing 104 is pushed upward by the elastic element 106, which removes the toothed side of the lever 100 from the bushing 104. Inlet 83 is also controlled by a solenoid valve 830 operated by the control unit 7. The accompanying drawings also show two conduits 420 that pneumatically connect movable flanges 912, 922 to the outlet 42 of conduit 4. In the following text, the entire portion of device D below the flanged portion 81 will also be referred to as the “joint portion” ED of device D.

[0057] The aforementioned device D can be mounted on a processing arm 200, which allows the device D to move toward or away from the stack 2 constructed in the storage station P of the reel 1, such as... Figure 4A The axis of the spool 1 is indicated by a double arrow "M". Reference numeral "AC" indicates the axis of the spool 1. The arm 200 is provided with a support member 201, which slides on the columnar member 202. The support member 201 is connected to an electric motor 203 via a screw-nut connection W, which is arranged on the columnar member 202. The electric motor 203 controls the movement of the arm 200 toward or away from the stacked member 2. The length of the arm 200 is selected such that the device D moves along the aforementioned axis AC toward and away from the stacked member 2. The columnar member 202 is mounted on a rotating base 206, the rotation of which is controlled by a corresponding electric motor 207. Reference numeral "A6" indicates the axis of rotation of the rotating base 206. Therefore, the arm 200 can be moved in the direction indicated by the double arrow "M", that is, in a direction parallel to the column 202, and the arm 200 can be rotated about the axis A6 of the rotating base 206. Thus, by coordinating these movements, the arm 200 can travel along a predetermined trajectory, especially along the transport trajectory of the reel from the loading point P to the unwinding station U.

[0058] Preferably, the arm 200 carries a vertical guide G2 on its side opposite to the side attached to the carrier 201, and a second carrier 204 slides on the vertical guide G2. The second carrier 204 is operated by a corresponding pneumatic actuator 205, which is in turn constrained to the guide 2. In this embodiment, the device D for moving the core is supported by the second carrier 204: the first carrier 201 moves the arm 200 towards the stack 2 by a predetermined length, and then the second carrier 204, operated by the actuator 205, intervenes and moves the device D until it contacts the highest reel of the stack 2. The contact between the device D and the highest reel of the stack 2 is detected by a proximity sensor SD mounted on the bottom of the device D. Preferably, a canister T1 is mounted on the arm 200, storing compressed air for supplying the pneumatic actuator 205 and ensuring that compressed air for pressurizing the aforementioned space S is always readily available. Furthermore, preferably, the device D for moving the reel is connected to the second support member 204 by means of a bracket S8, which is connected to the flange 802 of the device D by means of a spherical connector J1. In this way, the device D is connected to the second support member 204 and the first support member 201, thus allowing the device D to move vertically in the direction indicated by the double arrow "M," but the device D can swing freely around the connector J1. This swing occurs if the reel of the lower stack is not precisely centered relative to the device D, so that when the device D is lowered toward the stack 2, the lower portion of the device D does not immediately enter the core 1C of the upper reel of the stack and can be detected by a suitable swing detection mechanism. For example, the oscillation detection mechanism of device D may include a pin PD and two phototubes FX and FY. The pin PD protrudes centrally from the upper flange 802 of device D. The two phototubes FX and FY are oriented with their respective optical axes orthogonal to each other and are supported by a bracket BD, which is fixed to a second support member at a predetermined distance from flange 802. The pin PD is connected to flange 802 by means of two rods GP, which are fixed to the upper side of flange 802. The optical axes of phototubes FX and FY intersect with the pin PD. In practice, if device D is perfectly vertical, phototubes FX and FY each detect a predetermined reference distance from the pin PD, while if device D is tilted, the phototubes detect a change in reference distance. This change is considered to indicate that device D is tilted relative to the vertical direction. The detection of phototubes FX and FY—that is, the detection of the mechanism for detecting the tilt of device D relative to the vertical—can be used to control the position of platform PP, as described separately below.

[0059] The surface bonding mechanism of the core 1C can be omitted.

[0060] Figure 27 Another embodiment of the invention is shown, in which the device D is equipped with a suction cup 300 for engaging with the upper surface 10 of the upper reel of the stack 2, rather than with the core 1C of the reel as in the previous example. The suction cup 300 is formed from a disc-shaped extension of the body 8, which is equipped with a sealing gasket 301 formed on the lower side of the extension. A suction device 302 is mounted on the upper side of the suction cup 300 to create a vacuum in the space formed between the reel 1 and the suction cup 300.

[0061] If the above-described device further includes a coupling mechanism for the core 1C, the device can be used in the following manner.

[0062] With the aid of arm 200, the box-shaped body 8 contacts the upper base of the reel 1, which is higher than the stacked member 2, with its lower base portion 8. In this case, the upper plate 91 is located inside the core 1C of the reel 1 that contacts the base 81, while the plate 92 is located inside the core 1C of the lower reel. In fact, the distance k between plates 91 and 92 is such that when the base 81 is positioned to abut against the upper surface of the reel 1, which is higher than the stacked member 2, one plate is located inside the reel 1 and the other is located inside the lower reel. At this stage, compressed air is introduced through inlet 83, thus causing the lever 100 to move backward, i.e., to move the lever 100 closer to the bushing 104. At this time, compressed air is blown in through the internal pipe 4. This allows the movable lower flange 912 of plate 91 to move toward the corresponding fixed flange 911, and simultaneously, the movable upper flange 922 of plate 92 to move toward the corresponding fixed flange 921. Therefore, the gaskets 913 and 923 are compressed and expanded to attach to the inner surface of the core 1C of the highest reel of the stack 2 and the inner surface of the core 1C of the reel below the highest reel. In this way, a substantially air-impermeable space S is formed between the plates 91 and 92. Then, compressed air is introduced through the external pipe 5, flowing into the space S and escaping at the mating portion between the lower base of the reel where the plate 91 is inserted and the upper base of the reel where the plate 92 is inserted. Thus, pressure is generated in the space S between the plates 91 and 92, which achieves the separation of the upper reel from the lower reel. Subsequently, the injection of compressed air into the internal pipe 4, the external pipe 5, and through the inlet 83 is interrupted. With the interruption of compressed air in the pipe 4, the movable flanges of the plates 91 and 92 return to their initial positions, and the gaskets 913 and 923 also return to their initial state where the gaskets 913 and 923 are not in contact with the core 1C. At this stage, it is no longer necessary to supply compressed air to pipe 5 because the reel has been separated due to the pressurization of space S in the previous operation. The interruption of the compressed air supply through inlet 83 arranged on the box-shaped body 8 causes bushing 104 to be pushed upward by elastic element 106, thereby causing lever 100 to rotate about pin 103, thus moving the toothed portion 101 of lever 100 away from bushing 104 and engaging with the inner surface of core 1C of upper reel of stack 2. In this state, top reel 1 of stack 2 is engaged by arm 800 via engagement mechanism, which in the above example includes lever 100. Arm 200 is then guided to unwinder 30 with reel 1 hooked to it. Release of the reel is achieved by introducing new compressed air through inlet 83, which brings lever 100 closer to bushing 104 and thus disengages the toothed portion of lever from the inner surface of the associated core 1C.

[0063] Reference Figure 27 In the example of the embodiment shown, instead of a mechanism for engaging with the core 1C, a suction cup 300 is arranged, and the aforementioned pressurization phase of space S and separation of the upper and lower reels of the stack occur as previously described. In this case, the upper reel is picked up by the action of the suction cup 300, i.e., the upper reel is removed from the stack 2. The suction cup 300 engages the reel itself with the device D by acting on the upper side of the reel instead of on the corresponding core 1C as in the previous example, and thus engages the reel itself with the arm 200.

[0064] In the attached diagram, arrow "U2" indicates the lifting of arm 200, while arrow "D2" indicates the lowering of the arm.

[0065] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform PP is a horizontal platform configured to move parallel to itself, i.e., to move in two mutually orthogonal directions x and y within the plane of the platform. The platform PP is connected to corresponding processing devices PMX and PMY, which allow the platform PP to move along the x and y directions to center the reel 1 relative to the operating arm 200. The devices PMX and PMY for moving the platform PP include, for example, two geared motors. These geared motors can be connected to the lower surface of the platform PP by means of corresponding lever mechanisms LX and LY, which are fixed to the lower surface of the platform PP by connecting flanges CX and CY. Preferably, the platform PP rests on four columnar members CP, which hold the platform PP at a distance from the base BS of the system. A spherical member SF is present between each columnar member CP and the platform PP, which facilitates movement of the platform along the x and y directions on the columnar members CP.

[0066] Preferably, two beams BP are mounted on the upper surface of the platform PP on which the stacked member 2 is placed, such that there is a space of predetermined height between the stacked member itself and the upper surface of the platform PP. Preferably, the beams BP are arranged parallel to each other.

[0067] If the stacked component 2 arranged on the platform PP is not centered relative to the reel processing device D, for example, after detecting that the tilt of the device D exceeds a predetermined limit, the platform PP can be moved along the x and / or y directions until the stacked component 2 is accurately centered relative to the device D. For this purpose, preferably, the gear motors PMX and PMY are controlled by a programmable control unit CU, which receives signals from the phototubes FX and FY and operates the gear motors according to the signals emitted by the phototubes, thereby controlling the movement of the platform PP in the plane defined by the x and y directions as described above. That is, by adjusting the position of the platform PP to achieve accurate centering of the stacked component 2 relative to the device D, the movement of the platform PP in the plane defined by the x and y directions as described above is controlled.

[0068] Preferably, a movable arm 240 is mounted on the second support member 204. This movable arm 240 is controlled by a corresponding pneumatic actuator 241, which is constrained to the support member 204. The arm 240 is connected to one side of the second support member 204 by means of a vertical axis hinge 242, and the arm 240 has a fork 243 on the opposite side. The fork 243 is formed by two horizontal plates spaced apart by a corresponding value at the height of each spool 1. The actuator 241 controls the rotation of the arm 240 about the axis of the hinge 242. When the spool 1 has been engaged by the moving device D and separated from the lower spool in the manner described above, the arm 240 is rotated from the spaced-apart position toward the spool engaged by the moving control device D, such that one plate of the fork 243 is below the spool and the other plate is above the spool. In this way, the risk of the reel 1 falling due to movement of the processing device D is reduced. In other words, the arm 240 constitutes a safety device that holds the reel 1 in place when it is moved. After the reel 1 is positioned in the unwinding station U, the arm 240 returns to its initial position away from the device D by disengaging from the reel 1. Preferably, a resilient attachment 244 is mounted on the front portion of each plate of the fork 243, which forms a guide for the reel 1 to enter between the plates when the arm 240 approaches the device D.

[0069] Preferably, the gear motors PMX and PMY can also be controlled by a programmable control unit CU through a device for controlling the initial position of the platform PP, so as to ensure that the axis AC of the spool 1 forming the stack 2 is aligned with the central axis A9 of the processing device D arranged in the position for picking up the spool.

[0070] For example, referring to the accompanying drawings, the device for controlling the initial position of the platform PP is an optical control device arranged in fixed positions on two sides of the platform. For instance, these optical control devices are formed by a first pair of phototubes CFX and a second pair of phototubes. The first pair of phototubes CFX is mounted on a first horizontal rod HFX at a predetermined height from the system base BS, and the second pair of phototubes CFY is mounted on a second horizontal rod HFY at the same height as the first pair of phototubes relative to the system base BS. The first horizontal rod HFX is oriented parallel to the aforementioned direction x, and the second horizontal rod HFY is oriented parallel to the aforementioned direction y, such that the corresponding optical axes of the first pair of phototubes CFX are orthogonal to the optical axes of the second pair of phototubes CFY. The rods HFX and HFY are mounted on corresponding fixed support columns SX and SY, each support column SX and SY being positioned at a predetermined distance from the platform PP. Preferably, the distance between the first pair of phototubes CFX is equal to the distance between the second pair of phototubes CFY. like Figure 2D As shown in the diagram, when axis AC is aligned with axis A9, the distances a and b between phototube CFX and stack 2, and the distances c and d between phototube CFY and the stack are equal: a = b and c = d. On the other hand, if axis AC is not aligned with axis A9, and the spatial position of axis A9 is known, the gear motors PMX and PMY are operated until the conditions for the above-mentioned distances a, b and c, d to be equal are met.

[0071] It is understood that the device for controlling the initial position of the platform PP can be constructed and positioned in a manner different from that exemplified above, thereby cooperating with the control unit CU to control the initial position of the platform PP by moving the platform PP so that axis AC is aligned with axis A9.

[0072] In the previous stage, the stack 2 of reel 1 is positioned on platform PP by means of a forklift MU operated by an operator. Reel 1 is typically stacked on pallet P2, which can be loaded onto the forks FM of the forklift.

[0073] When positioning the tray on the platform PP, the operator can be assisted by phototubes CFX and CFY. In fact, the measurements taken by these phototubes can be used to send signals to the display MC, which is designed to display appropriate graphic indicators GM in response to the measurements taken by the phototubes CFX and CFY. These graphic indicators GM guide the operator when positioning the tray on the platform PP.

[0074] In practice, when the operator places the pallet on the platform PP, phototubes CFX and CFY detect the position of the stacked reels on the pallet relative to the platform and send the detection signal to the control unit CU. The CU then drives the display MC. Graphical indications appear on the display MC, such as red or green circles aligned in two mutually orthogonal directions, suggesting to the operator how to maneuver the forklift to center the pallet on the platform PP, although not with perfect precision. Figure 22 and Figure 34 The diagram shows a display MC positioned at a height relative to the base of the system, a height suitable for allowing the operator of the forklift to view the display MC. The diagram also shows the graphic indicator GM displayed on the display MC. With the stack 2 already placed on the beam BP of the platform PP, the operator lowers and moves the forklift's forks.

[0075] Alternatively, the positioning of the stack 2 on the platform PP can be performed by means of a self-propelled trolley with an autoguide of a known type.

[0076] At least one unwinding unit UU is arranged in the unwinding station U. According to the example shown in the attached figures, two unwinding units UU are arranged side-by-side in the unwinding station U, that is, the two unwinding units UU are positioned at a predetermined distance from each other. For simplicity, Figure 3 as well as Figures 4B to 11B It shows only one unwinding unit UU.

[0077] Each unwinding unit UU includes a transmitter structure G having a horizontal beam 400 controlled by a gear motor 401, which controls the rotation of the beam 400 about a corresponding central vertical axis AU. The gear motor 401 is mounted on a corresponding base 402 to hold the beam 400 at a predetermined height relative to the system base BS. Two supports 403 are arranged on the beam 400 in diametrically opposed positions relative to the axis AU. For example, the supports 403 include horizontal plates, each having a central through-hole. Below each support member 403, there is a pin 404 with a vertical axis, which is operated by a corresponding pneumatic actuator 405 with a vertical axis and is arranged in a central position relative to the corresponding support member 403. The pin 404 can freely pass through a central hole in the support member and can have an extended position (in which the pin 404 protrudes above the support member 403) and a retracted position (in which the pin 404 is located below the support member 403). Figures 12A to 12E In the middle, both 404 sales were withdrawn.

[0078] Preferably, pin 404 has a convex upper surface to facilitate contact between pin 404 and the concave surface 925 of the pickup and handling device D when the reel 1 is positioned on the support 403 as described further below. The actuator 405 of each pin 404 is constrained to the lower surface of beam 400 by means of a horizontal plate 406 connected to the lower surface of beam 400 by a plurality of vertical rods 407, which hold the plate 406 at a predetermined distance from beam 400. The ends of the rods 407 are screwed to the plate 406 on one side and to beam 400 on the other side. The actuator 405 is constrained to the lower surface of plate 406. Above plate 406 is a disc-shaped member 408 provided with an insert 409 for friction material. The disc-shaped member 406 is provided with a hole through which the rods 407 pass. A coaxial brake disc D40 is mounted on the central axis M40 of the support. Two pneumatic actuators 410 with vertical axes are mounted on the upper surface of the plate 406. The rods of these pneumatic actuators 410 act on the lower surface of the disc-shaped member 408, allowing the disc-shaped member 408 to move away from and toward the corresponding support member 403 along the direction of the rod 407, and subsequently toward and away from the brake disc D40, so that the insert 409 can contact the brake disc D40 during braking. In this way, a brake is provided that acts on each support member 403 according to the unwinding phase of the spool mounted on the support member 403, as described separately below. In practice, each plate 406 is integral with the lower surface of the beam 400. The plate 406 is connected to the beam 400 by means of a rod 407, which also serves as a guide for guiding the movement of a disc-shaped member 408 controlled by an actuator 410 mounted on the upper surface of the plate 406. The support member 403 can rotate freely about its corresponding central axis A4. Figure 12E A support 411 coaxial with pin 404 is shown, allowing support 403 to rotate freely around the pin, the longitudinal axis of which coincides with the central axis A4 of the support. A wheel 413 with a vertical axis is mounted on attachment 412 of base 402, operated by a corresponding electric actuator 414, for rewinding the cardboard strip after cutting. As can be seen in Figure 12, flange 415 fixed to the body of gear motor 401 supports beam 400 by inserting support 416. As further described below, rotation of beam 400 about axis AU allows support 403 to be alternately positioned in: an unwinding position, in which web is fed by spool 1 arranged on the support; a waiting position, or a position where the support can receive a new spool without interrupting the web unwinding from the spool present on the support in the unwinding position. In other words, rotation of beam 400 about axis AU allows support 403 to exchange positions. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the attached figure, reference numeral "W" indicates the first position of the support member 403 of the transmitter G in the waiting and initial unwinding phase, that is, the position closest to station P, while reference numeral "Y" indicates the second position of the unwinding and exhaustion phase of the other support member of the transmitter.

[0079] As further described below, the arrangement of the multiple supports 403 on the conveyor G ensures the continuity of the process of feeding strips unwound from the reel 1 to the tube forming machine, even during the reel exchange phase between used and unused reels. In practice, when the reel 1 present on the support 403 at the first position Y is depleted (a state detected by the detection mechanism 523 described below), the conveyor G is rotated about axis AU, causing the support to move away from the first position Y, and another support 403 takes its place. In other words, the arrangement of multiple supports 403 on the conveyor G ensures that the positions of the supports themselves can be exchanged, which achieves a corresponding exchange of positions of the reel 1 used to feed the cardboard strips to the tube forming machine to manufacture cardboard tubes.

[0080] A mechanism DS is located on the side of the conveyor G. This mechanism DS is configured to guide the cardboard strip unwound from the reel 1 present on the support 403, to temporarily modify the path of the cardboard strip during the position exchange phase of the support, and the mechanism DS is also configured to perform functions further described below. (Refer to...) Figures 13A to 14B As illustrated by way of example, the mechanism DS includes an arm 500, which is mounted on a columnar member 501 by means of a vertical axis hinge V5 and is controlled by a pneumatic actuator 502, which controls the rotation of the arm 500 about the axis V5. The actuator 502 is fixed to the columnar member 501. The columnar member 501 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the corresponding transmitter G in a position relative to the rear of the corresponding transmitter G. Figure 1A and Figure 2AIn this configuration, the columnar member 501 is positioned on the corresponding lateral attachment LA of the base BS. The arm 500 has a front side F5 and a rear side R5 constrained to the columnar member 501 as described above, and the arm 500 is preferably made of two horizontal plates 503, 504 spaced apart by a predetermined value to form an intermediate space HS. In the intermediate space HS, starting from the rear side of the arm 500, are arranged: a idling pressure roller 505 with a vertical axis, which is mounted on a lever 506 controlled by a pneumatic actuator 507 arranged in the space HS such that the roller 505 can be extended from or re-entered into the space HS by controlling the rotation of the lever 506 via the actuator 507; and a drive roller with a vertical axis A8. 508, the drive roller 508, idles about its own axis but can be connected (e.g., by means of an electromagnetic clutch, not shown in the figures) to a corresponding gear motor 509, which is constrained to the lower surface of the lower plate 504 of the arm 500; the vertical blade 510 is controlled by a pneumatic actuator 511, which is mounted on the upper side of the upper plate 503 of the arm 500, so that the blade can be extended from the front side F5 and retracted accordingly by means of the actuator 511. An idler roller 512 with a vertical axis is also provided on the front side F5 of the arm 500, which cooperates with the blade 510 and a convex strip guide surface 513, which is positioned on the opposite side of the roller 512 relative to the blade 510. A pneumatic actuator 514 along the vertical axis is constrained to the lower surface of the lower plate 504 of the arm 500 by means of a corresponding bracket 515. The bracket 515 has a vertical portion integral with the lower surface of the plate 504 and a horizontal portion on which the actuator 514 is fixed. A rod of the actuator 514 passes through a hole formed in the horizontal portion of the bracket 515, and a horizontal plate 516 is fixed to the rod. Therefore, the horizontal plate 516 can be placed in a raised position (in which the horizontal plate 516 is at the same height as the lower plate 504 of the arm 500) and a lowered position (in which the horizontal plate 516 is at a lower height than the plate 504). In other words, the actuator 514 controls the lowering and raising of the plate 515. The plate 515 is constrained to a vertical guide 520, which is integral with the lower surface of the lower plate 504 of the arm 500. An arm 518 and a free-spinning rolling element 517 with a vertical axis are mounted on the upper surface of the plate 515. A phototube 519 is mounted on the arm 518, and the function of the phototube 519 will be described below.Arm 518 is constrained to the upper surface of plate 515 by means of a pin having a vertical axis, and arm 518 can rotate about this axis controlled by a corresponding actuator 522, which is supported by plate 515. In this way, the assembly formed by the idler roller 517 and arm 518 is also controlled by actuator 514. Figures 13A to 13B In the first position, plate 516 is raised, while in Figures 13C to 13D, plate 516 is in a lowered position. Preferably, two horizontal wheels 521 are mounted near the free end of arm 518.

[0081] A phototube 523 is installed on one side of the aforementioned position Y, and the phototube 523 is configured to optically detect the diameter of the spool mounted on the support 403 occupying the aforementioned position.

[0082] The phototube 523 is mounted on a corresponding columnar member 524, which supports the phototube 523 at a suitable height for the detection by means of a bracket 525. A plate 526 is mounted on the bracket 525, which is spaced from the phototube 523 by a predetermined value. The columnar member 524 is positioned downstream of the transmitter G in the rotational direction RG at position Y.

[0083] In the attached figure, reference numeral "CV" indicates a hollow cylindrical member through which the power cables and compressed air pipes connected to the various actuators described above pass.

[0084] The following description uses a reel 1 to illustrate a method that can be performed using the apparatus according to the invention, on which a double-sided adhesive tape BA is applied in a manner known per se to the lateral surface of the reel 1. Preferably, the double-sided adhesive tape BA is applied near the initial edge of the reel itself, thereby also performing the function of keeping that edge bonded to the material below the reel until the reel must be used to supply the tube forming machine or until the connection phase described below.

[0085] Centering of stacked component 2

[0086] After the stack 2 is positioned on the platform PP, phototubes CFX and CFY detect the actual position of the stack by detecting the distances a, b, c, and d, and the control unit CU commands actuators PMX and PMY to move the platform PP so that the actual position of the stack is a=b and c=d. Subsequently, when picking up the highest spool 1 of the stack 2, the device D is lowered so that the tapered portion 924 of the device D enters the core 1C of the spool. If the axis AC of the spool 1 is not aligned with the axis A9 of the device D, the tilt detection mechanism D will detect this situation. In this case, the device D will swing on the connecting part J1, and the platform PP will move along the directions x and y by means of actuators PMX and PMY according to the readings of phototubes FX and FY until the axes AC and A9 are aligned, that is, until the alignment condition that allows the engaging part PD of the device D to be inserted into the core of the lower spool is achieved between these axes.

[0087] Initial pull-in phase of the bar

[0088] In the initial setup phase of the equipment, a strip fed by a reel 1 located on a support 403 in the "W" position is manually inserted between rollers 517, surface member 513, and rollers 508, and passes through a series of guide rollers RR arranged along a predetermined path extending between each unwinding unit and a tube fed by the unwinding unit itself. The guide rollers RR are constrained to a fixed structure RS, which is specifically arranged on one side of the unwinding station. This initial pull-in phase is performed with plate 516 in a lowered position by actuator 514 and arm 500 positioned spaced apart from the corresponding conveyor G. Undoubtedly, this pull-in operation is performed during the initial setup phase of the equipment.

[0089] Intervention of the pickup and processing device D

[0090] When the lower portion of the pickup and processing device D is inserted through the core 1C of the highest reel and the core 1C of the lower reel of the stack, compressed air is introduced to activate the reel separation mechanism, which facilitates the separation of these reels by pressurizing the space S between the plates 91 and 92 of the device D. The removal of the upper reel of the stack 2 is achieved by the intervention of the jaw 100, which engages with the inner surface of the corresponding core 1C, or alternatively, by the removal of the upper reel of the stack 2 by a suction cup 300, which pneumatically engages with the upper surface of the removed reel.

[0091] Subsequently, by moving the arm 200, the device D is raised to a predetermined height, and the arm 240 is rotated by the actuator 241, and the surfaces 243, 244 come into contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the spool engaged by the device D.

[0092] Subsequently, the columnar member 202 is rotated about axis A6 to bring the arm 200 to the unwinding station U above the unwinding machine, where the reel 1, which must be received from the stack 2, is located. After the empty support is placed in the aforementioned receiving position W and the corresponding pin 404 is raised, the arm 200 is then lowered to position the reel 1 on the support. After the reel 1 is positioned on the support 403, the jaw member 100—or suction cup 300—releases the reel, and the arm 240 is rotated in the opposite direction by the actuator 241, thereby finally conveying the reel 1 to the support 403 to which it is intended. Then, by a movement opposite to the previous movement, the device D is returned to station P.

[0093] Figures 4A to 11B The steps of picking up the reel and positioning it on the support 403 of the unwinding station U are illustrated schematically.

[0094] As previously stated, preferably, the lifting and lowering strokes of the arm 200—that is, the lifting and lowering strokes of the device D—are each divided into two stages executed by the sequential movement of the carriers 201 and 204.

[0095] Removing the spool 1 from the stack 2 involves a vertical movement of each spool in a horizontal position that is parallel to itself, i.e., a vertical movement in a direction that coincides with the axis of the spool to be removed.

[0096] Similarly, placing the reel on the support 403 indicates the vertical travel of the arm 200.

[0097] When the diameter of the spool 1 on the support 403 in the corresponding position "Y" of the transmitter G reaches the first value of the preset control 1 on the support 403 in the corresponding position "W" of the transmitter G, the spool picking and processing cycle executed by the device D can be activated.

[0098] The connecting strip is fed by the reels located on the two supports of the conveyor.

[0099] In the following description, for clarity, the scrolls present on the support 403 that initially occupies the “Y” position will be identified by the reference numeral “1Y”, while the scrolls present on the support that initially occupies the “W” position will be identified by the reference numeral “1W”.

[0100] When the reel 1 removed from the stack 2 is conveyed to the support 403 in the "W" position, the arm 500 is brought closer to the conveyor G by rotating itself about its axis V5. Preferably, the operating speed of the corresponding tube forming machine is reduced at this stage, so that the strip joining step is performed at a reduced speed without interrupting the feeding of the tube forming machine. Simultaneously, the connecting clutch of the roller 508 is activated, and the gear motor 509 is activated, causing the roller 508 to rotate about its corresponding axis A8. The roller 508, in contact with the reel 1W mounted on the support 403 in the "W" position and rotating about its own axis A8, achieves the rotation of the reel around the pin 404. Additionally, the control unit CU activates the actuator 522, which rotates the arm 518 to bring the phototube 519 closer to the reel.

[0101] When the reel, which is being fed to the support 403 in the "W" position, rotates around the corresponding pin 404 via the roller 508, the phototube 519 detects the passage of the double-sided tape BA arranged on the outer side of the reel. Since the aforementioned rotation of the arm 500 brings the strip SY from the reel 1Y closer to the reel 1W, and ensuring the continuity of tube feeding is necessary for the strip SY to engage with the reel 1W, it is sufficient to extend the pressure roller 505 by activating the corresponding actuator 507. Therefore, the strip SY of the reel 1Y, in its depletion phase, adheres to the lateral surface of the reel 1W. Subsequently, the blade 510 extends to cut the strip SY of the reel 1Y, and the double-sided tape BA remains attached to the tail of the cut strip SY. After the strip SY is cut, the surface member 516 is lowered. At this time, the rolling element 508 is disconnected from the gear motor 509, which is then deactivated, allowing the rolling element 508 to freely rotate around its own axis A8 again. As a result, the normal speed operation of the tube forming machine, which is fed by the strip SW from the reel 1W, is restored, and the arm 500 returns to its starting position.

[0102] Transmitter G rotates

[0103] When the diameter of the spool 1W reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 600 mm), the control unit CU activates actuator 502, which enables the transmission G to rotate about axis AU. The control unit CU commands the rotation of the transmission G by receiving a control signal emitted by phototube 527 mounted on arm 500, which detects the diameter on the spool 1W. During the rotation of the transmission G, the spool 1W continues to be fed to a tube forming machine using strips SW from the spool. The rotation of the transmission G involves the transmission passing near a drive wheel 413, which is set to rotate during this phase: when the transmission G is in this position, the contact between wheel 413 and support member 403 from the “Y” position enables the rotation of the support member itself, particularly due to the contact between wheel 413 and the disc-shaped member D40 of the support member itself. This rotation of support 403 indicates that the tail TY of the cut strip of reel 1Y is wound around the reel itself. Then, pin 404 of support 403, occupying the "Y" position, is lowered, so that reel 1Y is no longer constrained to the conveyor. During the rotation of conveyor G, reel 1Y, no longer constrained to conveyor G, is intercepted by plate 526 and falls into container RC below, from which reel 1Y can then be retrieved for recycling. Subsequently, as conveyor G continues to rotate, arm 500 is temporarily brought towards conveyor G, so that the strip of material unwound from reel 1Y contacts surface member 513, and surface member 516 is raised together with rolling member 517. Afterward, arm 500 returns to its initial position spaced apart from the conveyor. Therefore, the web path generated from the reel to the "Y" position does not interfere with the positioning of another reel on another support of the conveyor. The conveyor continues to rotate until the support previously occupying the "Y" position reaches the "W" position to prepare to receive another reel. Finally, at the end of the rotation of the conveyor G—that is, the 180° rotation in the example shown in the attached figure—the positions Y and W of the support 403 are exchanged, such that there is an empty support in the "W" position, ready to receive a new reel taken from the stack 2, while there is another support with a reel in the "Y" position, which continues to be fed to the tube forming machine. Figures 15A to 15L The described order is shown.

[0104] The rotation of the two conveyors G arranged in the unwinding station

[0105] If two conveyors G, both served by device D, are arranged in the unwinding station, a preferred arrangement includes a right-side conveyor and a left-side conveyor relative to the device for picking up spools from a stack arranged on platform PP, such as... Figures 16A to 16N As shown in the diagram. In this case, the two turntables are controlled independently. The transmitter on the left follows the above reference. Figure 15AIt operates and is controlled as described in the example shown in 15N. The right-hand conveyor operates in the same manner, but during the phase of conveying the empty support 403 toward the "W" position ( Figure 16M In this process, a vertically oriented rolling element 421 intervenes, widening the track of the web unwound from a reel on another support. The rolling element 421 is a vertically oriented element mounted on a corresponding pin in a free-spinning manner. This pin is mounted on an arm 422 controlled by an electric actuator 423, which controls the rolling element 421 to operate in the activated position (…). Figure 16M ) and decommissioning location ( Figures 16A to 16L Positioning within ) . In Figures 16A to 16N In the diagram, arrows "1T" and "2T" indicate the direction of the web, which is produced from a reel supported by two turntables and is used to feed the corresponding tube mill.

[0106] Refer to the attached diagram. Figures 35 to 43 In the unwinding station, the support for the reel is formed on a vertical conveyor, i.e., on a conveyor with a horizontal axis of rotation. In this case, the orientation of the arm 500 is also modified; the arm 500 is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis. Furthermore, in this case, the device D for picking up and moving the reel 1 is configured to: force the reel to rotate 90° after it has been removed from the stack 2 to change its orientation from horizontal to vertical; and guide its descent toward the corresponding vertical turntable. More specifically, the arm 200 is rotatably mounted on the carrier 201 by means of a horizontal axis interlocked with the rotary actuator 220. Figures 35 to 43In the example shown, device D is equipped with a suction cup 300 to engage with reel 1. Reel 1 is in a horizontal position when removed from stack 2, as shown in the example above. After the reels are picked up from stack 2, each reel is rotated 90° by means of the rotation of arm 200 controlled by actuator 220, thereby changing the orientation of the reel from horizontal to vertical. This change in orientation of reel 1 can be made when the reel 1 engaged by device D is above stack 2, i.e., when the reel 1 is still in station P, and when the reel 1 engaged by device D is in unwinding station U after the aforementioned rotation of platform 206 controlled by actuator 207. When the reel 1 is above the conveyor G to which it is to be received, device D is lowered toward the conveyor itself to position the reel at a height that facilitates its placement on the conveyor, which is then positioned appropriately to receive the reel. The beam 400 of the conveyor G is mounted on a corresponding support 600, allowing the beam 400 to rotate about its horizontal central axis. The rotation of the beam 400 is controlled by a geared motor MR4. In this way, similar to the example described above, the support for the reel can be arranged in position W for initial loading and unwinding of the reel, and in position Y for unwinding and depleting the reel. However, in this case, the support for the reel includes pins 404, each of which can be arranged in an extended position and a corresponding retracted position by means of an actuator (not shown in the figures) disposed on the rear face of the beam 400. Furthermore, in this configuration, a movable support 500 is provided, on which a device for engaging the reel is mounted. The movable support 500 is configured and controlled to approach and move away from the reel loading position W, and is activated when it approaches the position W for loading the reel. In this configuration, the movable support 500 rotates about a horizontal axis A5 by means of a pneumatic actuator A50, which is constrained on one side to a support A51 that also supports the arm 500, and on the opposite side to the rear portion of the arm. The arm 500 is also equipped with a pressure roller 505, which is positioned at an intermediate position between the rotation axis A5 and the free end of the arm. For example, a pressure roller 505 is mounted on a lever L5 in an idle manner. The lever L5 is controlled by a pneumatic actuator A52 and pivots on the arm 500 about a horizontal axis, allowing the pressure roller 505 to be positioned in an extended position and a corresponding retracted position relative to the inside of the arm 500, depending on whether the actuator A52 is activated or deactivated. The axis of rotation of the pressure roller 505 is parallel to the axis of rotation A5 of the arm 500. A drive roller 508, controlled by a corresponding geared motor 509, is mounted on the free end of the arm 500.During the reel-changing step, the gear motor 509 is activated to control the rotation of the drive roller 508, as described separately below. The axis of rotation of the drive roller 508 is parallel to the axis of rotation A5 of the arm 500. A blade 510 is also mounted on the free end of the arm 500. The arm 500 is mounted on a lever L10, which pivots on the arm 500 about a horizontal axis, and the lever L10 is controlled by a corresponding pneumatic actuator A10 on the opposite side of the blade 500 relative to the axis of rotation of the lever L10. The axis of rotation of the lever L10 is parallel to the axis of rotation A5 of the arm 500. Figures 35 to 41 The sequence of operational steps that can be performed using a system constructed in this way is shown. Figure 35 In the process, the reel 1, located in the unwinding position, is supported by the beam 400 via the corresponding pin 404, and a strip of cardboard CS1 is supplied to the corresponding tube mill. The arm 500 is spaced apart from the conveyor G, and the device for picking up and moving the reel has picked up the reel 1 from the stack 2 and placed the 90° rotated reel 1 in the station U. Figure 36 In this process, the device for picking up and moving the reel has positioned the reel 1 corresponding to another pin 404 of the conveyor G, which then extends to ultimately transport the reel to the conveyor. Figure 37 In this configuration, the device for picking up and moving the reel has been brought back above the stack 2, and the arm 400 is positioned vertically, while the reel from which the web CS1 is unwound continues to feed the web itself. Figure 38 In the middle, the spools supplying 1 ton of fabric unwound from that location were almost completely used up. Figure 39 In this configuration, beam 400 has been rotated clockwise by a predetermined angle, and arm 500 is raised, i.e., brought closer to conveyor G. In this position, drive roller 508 contacts the new reel. Thus, rotation of the drive roller achieves rotation of the new reel on the corresponding pin 404. During this stage, the exhausted reel continues to supply strip CS1. Drive roller 508 also functions as a pressure device to achieve the bonding of the cardboard strips of the two reels by means of double-sided tape, similar to that described with reference to the previous example. The passage of double-sided tape applied to the outer side of the new reel is detected by phototube FB, which is mounted on a related movable support (not visible in the figures) that allows the phototube to be placed in a position in which it does not interfere with the handling of the described element when not in use. Figure 40 In the middle, the blade 410 has been positioned in the cutting position of the cardboard strip supplied by the reel, which is in the depletion stage. Figure 41In this process, a new roll is supplied with a strip of cardboard CS2 to the corresponding tube mill, while the exhausted roll rests on the corresponding pin 404. These stages are repeated cyclically. Furthermore, according to this alternative embodiment, the unwinding unit UU includes multiple supports (pins 404 in this example) mounted on a structure G, which is controlled and moved to cyclically arrange the supports corresponding to multiple positions, including a predetermined position W for loading the roll and different predetermined positions Y for exhausting the roll. Additionally, according to an example of this embodiment, the exhausting position Y of the roll is also an intermediate unwinding position, i.e., the position where the roll is unwound until it is exhausted. In this example, unlike the previous example, the roll loading position is not also the initial unwinding position.

[0107] In practice, according to the invention, a continuous cyclic process controlled by an automatic control device can be performed, in which, while a reel is positioned on an associated support, another reel can be positioned on another support, and the supports for the reels are cyclically moved by corresponding mechanical handling devices to occupy at least a predetermined loading position and at least different predetermined exhaustion positions, wherein the loading position can also be an initial unwinding position, and the exhaustion position is also an intermediate unwinding position, in which the reel is unwound until it is exhausted, and in this process, the device is configured to combine the end portion of the reel in the exhaustion stage with the initial portion of a new reel arranged in the loading position. This combination simultaneously ensures the continuity of the power supply to the tube mill and the continuity of the web material realized by the reels, as well as the possibility of loading the reels into the predetermined loading positions using an automatic loading device.

[0108] Preferably, the position Z for automatically unloading the exhausted reel is formed between the exhausted position and the loading position.

[0109] Preferably, the continuous cycle achievable by means of the system according to the invention can be achieved by using an automatic loading device to form a fully automatic cycle of loading the unwinding station and continuously feeding the tube mill.

[0110] Furthermore, preferably and according to the above description, the device that combines the web from the reel in the depletion stage with the web from the new reel arranged in the loading position is configured to perform the above combination without interrupting the power supply to the tube mill, that is, a device configured to perform "on the fly" combination while the reel in question is rotating around its axis.

[0111] Preferably, the joining device is mounted on a movable support (arm 500 in the above example), which is configured and controlled to approach and move away from the support structure of the reel in the unwinding station. Preferably, the joining device is activated when the movable support approaches the support structure of the reel in the unwinding station, such that the web is joined in a manner corresponding to the loading position of a new reel, or in a manner corresponding to a position different from the depletion position of the reel.

[0112] Preferably, the bonding device includes a pressure roller adapted to apply pressure to the portion to be bonded when a portion of the adhesive material disposed on a new spool is detected passing through. This detection is performed by a detection device mounted on the movable support. Preferably, the adhesive material is a double-sided strip of fabric.

[0113] According to the description already provided, preferably, prior to the step of loading the reels by the automatic loading device, there is a step of preparing the reel stack on a movable platform. The position of the movable platform relative to the automatic loading device is controlled and, if possible, modified in the horizontal planes x and y by means of a device for detecting the initial position of the platform and, preferably also by means of a device for detecting the instantaneous position of the automatic loading device relative to the position of the stack arranged on the platform. Preferably, the position of the platform in the planes x and y is controlled by detecting the position of the central axis AC of the reel stack relative to the axis A9 of the automatic loading device. Preferably, the platform is connected to two electric motors PMX and PMY, which are configured and controlled to move the platform in two mutually orthogonal directions along the planes x and y.

[0114] As described above, the automatic device for loading reels is preferably configured to provide an integrated unit comprising: a pneumatic device for pressurizing a space S inside the reel stack, wherein the space includes a mating portion between reels above and below the stack; and a mechanical or pneumatic gripping device configured and controlled to grip and release the highest reel in the stack.

[0115] Preferably, the integrated unit is a unit attached to an arm 200 that is movable along a predetermined path between a station for placing a reel stack on the platform and a station for unwinding the reel.

[0116] As described above, an automated device for loading a reel can be configured and controlled to perform the following operations: removing the reel from a stack arranged on a platform; moving the reel along the path; and positioning the reel in an unwinding station; always keeping the reel in a horizontal position, i.e., the central axis of the reel is always oriented vertically. Alternatively, an automated device for loading a reel can be configured and controlled to perform the following operations in a manner that keeps the reel in a horizontal position, i.e., with the central axis of the reel initially oriented vertically along the path and the orientation of the reel rotated 90° at the end of the initial portion of the path: removing the reel from the stack arranged on the platform; moving the reel along the path; and positioning the reel in an unwinding station. More generally and according to the described example, in the initial stage of removing the reel 1 from the stack 2, the reel's own orientation is maintained. In practice, during the initial stage of picking up the reel from the stack, it is preferable to maintain the orientation of the reel as presented when positioning the stack in the reel pickup station P.

[0117] As described above, the automatic device for loading the reel may be equipped with an additional device for reversibly connecting the reel to the automatic loading device to prevent any separation of the reel in the event of a malfunction of the mechanical or pneumatic gripping device.

[0118] As described above, the path can be configured to include a first vertical stroke for raising the spool, a second horizontal stroke along an arc, and a third vertical stroke for lowering the spool.

[0119] Similarly, as already described, at least one conveyor structure G is arranged in the reel unwinding station. This conveyor structure G is equipped with a plurality of supports 403, each adapted to support a corresponding reel. The conveyor structure G is controlled and moved to cyclically arrange the supports corresponding to a plurality of operating positions, including at least one predetermined loading position and at least one different predetermined exhaustion position. Preferably, the loading position is also the initial unwinding position, and the exhaustion position is also an intermediate unwinding position. For example, there may be two conveyors G for feeding two different tube mills. In cases where the system is used to drive only one tube mill, only one conveyor G may be provided. More generally, the number of conveyors G or the number of unwinding units UU is equal to the number of strips of paperboard used by the tube mill served by the equipment.

[0120] Preferably, in order to reduce the overall size of the unwinding station, each transmitter G includes two supports 403, which are diametrically opposed to the central axis of rotation of the transmitter.

[0121] The transmitter G can be a transmitter with a vertical axis or a transmitter with a horizontal axis.

[0122] In practice, the details of implementation for the various elements described and illustrated may be changed in any case in an equivalent manner without departing from the concept of the solution adopted, and thus remain within the scope of protection conferred by this patent under the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing a paper roll for feeding to a tube forming machine, the apparatus comprising: A reel pickup station (P) configured to receive the stack (2) of a reel (1) of stacked cardboard; an unwinding station (U) for unwinding the reel (1), the unwinding station (U) comprising at least one unwinding unit (UU) adapted to support the reel to be unwound in a position favorable for unwinding the reel, and the unwinding station (U) further comprising a coupling device configured to hold the exhausted reel (1) The tail portion (TY) of the reel (1) engages with a new reel (1W) to continuously unwind the reel arranged progressively in the unwinding station (U); and a processing device (D) for moving the reel (1) along a path between the reel pickup station (P) and the unwinding station (U), characterized in that the device includes a programmable control unit (CU) configured and programmed to perform continuous unwinding of the processing device and the at least one unwinding reel according to a continuous cycle. The unit and the engagement device are controlled, wherein, when the reel is unwound on the relevant support of the at least one unwinding unit, another reel is positioned on another support in the at least one unwinding unit, and the support is moved cyclically by a corresponding mechanical moving device to occupy at least one predetermined loading position (W) and at least one different predetermined depletion position (Y), and wherein, the engagement device cyclically engages the end portion of the reel in the depletion stage with the initial portion of another reel arranged in the predetermined loading position, and wherein, the processing device (D) for processing the reel includes: a pneumatic device adapted to pressurize the space (S) inside the stack of the reel, wherein the space includes a mating portion between the highest reel and the lower reel of the stack; and a mechanical or pneumatic gripping device configured and controlled to grip and release the highest reel of the stack accordingly.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one unwinding unit (UU) includes a plurality of supports mounted on a structure (G) that is controlled and moved to cyclically arrange the supports in relation to a plurality of operating positions, including a predetermined loading position (W) for loading the roll and different predetermined depletion positions (Y) of the roll, wherein the roll pick-up station (P) is configured to receive a stack (2) of the stacked rolls (1) of the cardboard, and wherein the processing device (D) for processing the rolls is configured and controlled to pick up one roll at a time from the stack (2) and move the roll from the roll pick-up station (P) to the support of the at least one unwinding unit (UU) arranged in the predetermined loading position (W).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The predetermined loading position (W) is also the initial unwinding position, in which the unwinding of the spool begins, and / or the predetermined exhaustion position (Y) is also the intermediate unwinding position, in which the unwinding of the spool continues until the spool is exhausted.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Between the predetermined depletion position (Y) and the predetermined loading position (W), there are different positions (Z) for unloading the depleted reel.

5. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The structure (G) is a transmitter structure.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transmitter structure is a transmitter with a vertical axis.

7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transmitter structure is a transmitter with a horizontal axis.

8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, Each transmitter includes two supports that are diametrically opposed to the central axis of rotation (AU) of the transmitter.

9. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The engagement device is mounted on a movable support (500), which is configured and controlled to approach the structure (G) and move away from the structure accordingly, and the engagement device is activated when the movable support approaches the structure (G).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The movable support (500) is a support that is rotatably mounted on the corresponding rotation axis (V5; A5).

11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The joining device includes a pressure roller (505) mounted on the movable support (500), and the pressure roller (505) is adapted to apply pressure to the portion to be joined when a portion of the adhesive material (BA) arranged on the new reel is detected to pass through, the detection being performed by a detection device (519) configured to detect the passage of the portion of the adhesive material (BA).

12. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The device includes a blade (510) mounted on the movable support (500), the blade (510) being configured and controlled to cut a strip of cardboard (SY) unwound from a reel in a depletion phase, the blade being activated by a detection device (519) configured to detect the passage of a portion of the adhesive material (BA) arranged on the new reel.

13. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A movable platform (PP) is present in the reel pickup station (P), the position of which relative to the processing device (D) is controlled in the horizontal plane (x, y) by detecting the position of the central axis (AC) of the stack of the reel relative to the axis (A9) of the processing device. The platform (PP) is configured to receive the stack (2) of the reel (1) of the stacked cardboard during the positioning of the stack (2) in the reel pickup station (P).

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The platform (PP) is connected to two electric actuators (PMX, PMY), which are configured and controlled to move the platform in two mutually orthogonal directions along the horizontal plane (x, y).

15. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing device (D) for processing the reel is connected to an arm (200) that is movable along the path.

16. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing device is configured and controlled to perform the following steps in such a way that the reel is held in a horizontal position at least during the step of picking up the reel from the stack (2): picking up the reel from the stack in the reel pickup station (P); moving the reel along the path; and positioning the reel in the unwinding station.

17. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing device (D) for processing the spool is provided with a mechanical device for reversibly hooking the spool to the processing device.

18. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The path includes a first vertical stroke for raising the spool, a second horizontal stroke extending along an arc, and a third vertical downward stroke for lowering the spool.

19. A method for processing a paperboard roll for feeding to a tube forming machine, the method comprising arranging: a roll pickup station (P) configured to receive a stack of rolls (1) of stacked paperboard; an unwinding station (U) for unwinding the roll (1), the unwinding station (U) comprising at least one unwinding unit (UU) adapted to support the roll to be unwound in a position favorable for unwinding the roll, the unwinding station (U) further comprising an engagement device configured to engage the tail portion (TY) of a roll (1Y) in a depletion stage with a new roll (1W) for continuous unwinding of the rolls arranged progressively in the unwinding station (U); and a processing device (D) for moving the roll (1) along a predetermined path between the roll pickup station (P) and the unwinding station (U), characterized in that, The processing device for picking up the reel, the at least one unwinding unit, and the engagement device are controlled to perform continuous cycles, wherein, while the reel is unwound on a corresponding support of the at least one unwinding unit, an additional reel is positioned on another support in the at least one unwinding unit, and the support is cyclically moved by a corresponding mechanical moving device to occupy at least one predetermined loading position (W) and at least one different predetermined depletion position (Y), and wherein the engagement device cyclically engages the end portion of the reel in the depletion stage with the initial portion of another reel arranged in the predetermined loading position, and wherein the processing device (D) for processing the reel includes: a pneumatic device adapted to pressurize a space (S) inside the stack of the reel, wherein the space includes a mating portion between the highest reel and the lower reel of the stack; and a mechanical or pneumatic gripping device configured and controlled to grip and release the highest reel of the stack accordingly.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The at least one unwinding unit (UU) includes a plurality of supports mounted on a structure (G) that is controlled and moved to cyclically arrange the supports in relation to a plurality of operating positions, including a predetermined loading position (W) for loading the reel and different predetermined depletion positions (Y) of the reel, wherein the reel pickup station (P) is configured to receive a stack (2) of the stacked reels (1) of the cardboard, and wherein the processing device (D) for processing the reels is configured and controlled to pick up one reel at a time from the stack (2) and move the reel from the reel pickup station (P) to the support of the at least one unwinding unit (UU) arranged in the predetermined loading position (W).

21. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The predetermined loading position (W) is also the initial unwinding position, in which the unwinding of the spool begins, and / or the predetermined exhaustion position (Y) is also the intermediate unwinding position, in which the unwinding of the spool continues until the spool is exhausted.

22. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, Between the predetermined depletion position (Y) and the predetermined loading position (W), there are different positions (Z) for unloading the depleted reel.

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