A turret winder, and method

Abstract

The winder comprises a turret winder rotatable around a horizontal axis, on which two rotation members are supported to engage and rotate winding spindles on which reels of web material are formed. The winder further comprises, for each rotation member, a respective support roller that is maintained in contact with the reel or reels being wound on the respective rotation member (25, 27), so as to transfer at least part of the weight of the reel and to reduce the vibrations of the winding spindle.

Description

A TURRET WINDER, AND METHODDESCRIPTIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of machines for winding web materials in reels. Embodiments described herein relate to improvements to turret winders.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In many industrial sectors there is the need to wind one or more strips of web material, coming from a production or converting line, into reels. Typically, in the field of nonwoven production, the use is known of continuous machines that produce, continuously and at high speed, a nonwoven web, which must be wound in reels for subsequent use in converting lines, for example for the production of sanitary towels, nappies or other articles utilizing nonwoven in reels as semi-finished product.

[0003] To roll up, i.e., to wind, one or more strips of web material into reels turret winders are used in some cases, which allow high speed winding of reels of web material, without interruptions and at a substantially constant linear speed, where linear speed is meant as the feed speed of the web material. Normally, these winders comprise a revolving unit that supports two pairs of motorized tailstocks, adapted to support and rotate respective winding spindles. A winding motor for each pair of motorized tailstocks imparts the rotation and winding motion to respective spindles supported by the motorized tailstocks. While a reel or a series of axially aligned reels is wound on a spindle engaged with a first pair of tailstocks in a winding position, the other pair of tailstocks is located in an unloading position to unload the reel, or the series of reels, wound in the preceding cycle. A peripheral winding roller usually presses against the reel being formed in the winding position.

[0004] When the reel or series of reels is complete, the revolving unit, or turret, rotates around its horizontal rotation axis and exchanges the position of the two pairs of tailstocks, to carry a new spindle into the winding position and the reel or the series of reels previously formed into the position for unloading the reels and loading new spindles.

[0005] An example of a turret winder of the type indicated above is disclosed in US2005 / 0127231. This winder is designed in particular for winding plastic film. It is provided with a turret that carries two winding assemblies for winding reels of film in sequence. Each winding assembly comprises a guide roller of the film to be wound. The guide roller has the function of maintaining the necessary tension of the plastic film, to prevent air from being trapped between adj acent turns of the plastic film during winding. In particular, according to the description provided in the introductory part of US2005 / 0127231, in winders of this type the tension of the film is insufficient to prevent air from being trapped between superimposed turns of the reel of film being formed. To prevent this problem, which is typical of plastic film winding machines, US2005 / 0127231 proposes equipping the winder with a guide roller for each winding assembly. The guide roller is placed in contact with the winding core, or at a slight distance from the winding core at the start of winding, and subsequently in contact with the outer surface of the reel during winding, or at a slight distance therefrom. In this way, the tension of the film being wound is controlled and this prevents air from being trapped between winding core and film, and between consecutive turns of plastic film wound on the reel.

[0006] In general, and above all if the winder is enslaved to a continuous production machine, which feeds a web material at a substantially constant speed, the winding spindle on which the reel or the series of aligned reels must start to wind must be accelerated to a very high rotation speed, above the first critical speed of the spindle. This causes strong vibrations in the winding spindle, above all when its rotation speed passes through the critical speed, both during acceleration and during deceleration, i.e., when the rotation speed of the spindle during winding must decrease to maintain the linear winding speed constant, while the diameter of the reel being formed gradually increases.

[0007] The weight of the reel or of the series of reels being formed around the spindle in winding position, or which is transferred from the winding position to the unloading position by means of rotation of the revolving unit, can reach high values, due to the amount of wound material. This weight tends to deform the winding spindle and can cause serious problems and irregularities in the operation of the winder.

[0008] These two mechanical phenomena lead to defects in the finished product andcan result in faults in the winder, caused by deformations, wear or breakages of mechanical members.

[0009] Therefore, in the field of turret winders it would be useful to have a winder that completely or partially overcomes the drawbacks of winders of the prior art, referred to briefly above.SUMMARY

[0010] To overcome or reduce the drawbacks of prior art winders, there is provided a turret winder comprising a unit revolving around a horizontal rotation axis and on which two rotation members are supported to engage and rotate winding spindles for winding reels of web material; wherein the revolving unit comprises, for each rotation member, a respective support roller configured to be maintained in contact with reels being wound on the respective rotation member, so as to transfer at least part of the weight of the reel being wound and to reduce the vibrations of the winding spindle.

[0011] Each support roller is associated with a respective supporting device that modifies the position of the respective support roller with respect to the revolving unit during a winding cycle, so that each support roller is maintained below the reel being formed to support the weight thereof and at a variable distance with respect to the winding axis to maintain the contact between the support roller and the reel being formed as the diameter of the reel being wound increases.

[0012] As the function of the support roller is to support a part of the weight of the reel being wound, the position of the roller “under” the reel and “under” the respective rotation member indicates a position that allows at least a percentage of the weight of the reel being wound to be transferred to support roller.

[0013] As will be apparent from exemplary embodiments described below, the position of the support roller is not necessarily on the vertical passing through the axis of the respective reel. On the contrary, the axis of the support roller and the winding axis of the respective reel can be offset and not necessarily lie on a common vertical plane. What is important is that the support roller is at a lower height with respect to the winding axis of the reel, so that the force exchanged between support roller and reel allows at least part of the weight of the reel to be transferred to the support roller,reducing the load on the rotation member.

[0014] More in particular, described herein is a turret winder comprising a revolving unit, adapted to rotate around a horizontal rotation axis; wherein the following are arranged on the revolving unit: a first rotation member, adapted to support and rotate a first spindle around a first winding axis parallel to the rotation axis of the revolving unit; and a second rotation member, adapted to support and rotate a second spindle around a second winding axis parallel to the rotation axis of the revolving unit; wherein by means of rotation of the revolving unit the first rotation member and the second rotation member can be sequentially and alternatively positioned in a winding position and in an unloading position. Characteristically, the winder further comprises a first support roller, combined with the first rotation member. The first support roller is arranged with an axis thereof parallel to the rotation axis of the revolving unit. The winder further comprises a second support roller, combined with the second rotation member. The second support roller is arranged with an axis thereof parallel to the rotation axis of the revolving unit. The support rollers support the reel or reels being wound, reducing the stresses on the members that support the winding spindle.

[0015] Contrary to what is disclosed in US2005 / 0127231, the support roller associated with each rotation member is configured and controlled to support a part of the weight of the reel being formed, preferably for the whole winding cycle, and to reduce the vibrations caused by passing through the critical rotation speed of the winding spindle during angular acceleration.

[0016] Advantageously, the winder further comprises a supporting device for each of said first and second support roller. The supporting devices are adapted to modify the position of the respective support roller with respect to the revolving unit and with respect to the related first and second rotation member. In this way, the support roller always remains in contact with the reel being formed for at least a part of the winding cycle and in the position such as to support, at least in part, the weight of the reel being formed.

[0017] Further advantageous features and embodiments of the winder are described below and defined in the appended claims, which form an integral part of the present description.

[0018] Also describe herein is a method for winding a web material with a winder of the type defined above.

[0019] In the description and in the appended claims the term “vertical” is meant as a direction parallel to the direction of the force of gravity and the term “horizontal” is meant as a direction orthogonal to the direction of the force of gravity. The terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “over”, “under”, “upper”, “lower” and the like are referred to the position of the winder in operating conditions.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention will now be understood by following the description and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention. More in particular, in the drawing:Fig.l shows an axonometric view of a winder in a embodiment;Fig.2 shows the winder of Fig.l with parts removed;Fig.3 shows an axonometric view according to a different observation point of the winder of Figs. 1 and 2, with parts removed as in Fig.2;Fig.4 shows a side view of the winder of Figs.1 to 3;Fig.5 shows a section according to a vertical median plane of the winder of Figs. 1 to 4;Figs.6 and 7 show sections according to a vertical plane of the winder and of the winding and cutting head of the web material, in two different operating conditions, and more in particular respectively at the start and at the end of winding a reel or series of reels on a same winding spindle;Fig.8 shows a schematic side view of a winder in another embodiment;Figs.9(A)-9(C) shows a schematic side view of a winder in yet another embodiment in an operating sequence;Figs.10 and 11 show two axonometric views, according to two different angles, of a winder in a further embodiment;Figs. l2A-12B show two opposite side sections according to vertical planes of the winder of Figs. 10 and 11; andFigs. 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B show the same views as Figs. 12A, 12B in different angular positions of the revolving unit of the winder of Figs. 10 and 11.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] An embodiment of a winder 1 according to the present disclosure is shown in Figs. 1 to 7. The winder 1 comprises a fixed supporting structure 3 on which a revolving unit, also called turret, indicated as a whole with 5, is supported. The revolving unit 5 comprises a first side wall 5A and a second side wall 5B. The side walls 5A, 5B are connected to each other by substantially horizontal beams 7.

[0022] The revolving unit or turret 5 is supported on the fixed supporting structure 3 so as to be able to rotate around a horizontal rotation axis A-A. For reasons that will be apparent below, the revolving unit 5 is not supported by a central shaft, but peripherally. For this purpose, each of the two side walls 5A, 5B is disk shaped and is supported by pairs of rollers 9. The rollers 9 are carried by side panels 3A, 3B of the fixed supporting structure 3. The side wall 5 A is rotatably supported on the side panel 3 A, while the side wall 5B is rotatably supported on the side panel 3B.

[0023] To rotate the revolving unit 5 around the axis A-A a peripheral rotation system is provided, which comprises a belt, chain of other endless flexible member 11 on each side of the winder 1. The belts 11 are guided around gears (not shown in the drawing) keyed onto a drive shaft 13, the rotation of which is driven by a main motor 15 placed on one side of the revolving unit 5 (more precisely the side on which the side wall 5A is located, in the example). Each belt is also guided around a sprocket integral with the respective side wall 5 A, 5B of the revolving unit 5. The two sprockets are labeled 17.

[0024] In other embodiments, the side walls 5A, 5B may not be disk shaped, but in any case be provided with a circular guide that engages the rollers 9 and with a sprocket coaxial to the circular guide around which the respective belt or other endless flexible member 11 is guided.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the revolving unit or turret 5 supports a first guide roller 21 and a second guide roller 23 with axes parallel to the rotation axis A-A of the revolving unit 5 and preferably mounted idle on the respective axes. The two guide rollers 21, 23 are diametrically opposite each other, i.e., offset by 180° around the rotation axis A-A of the revolving unit 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide rollers 21, 23 are supported by the beams 7 that connect the two side walls 5 A, 5B of the turret or revolving unit 5 to each other and are positioned radially outside withrespect to the beams 7.

[0026] Rotating members are arranged between the first side wall 5A and the second side wall 5B, for example each constituted by a pair of motorized tailstocks, to support and rotate winding spindles around which reels of web material are formed, as described hereunder. The winding spindles can be expansible spindles on which one or more winding cores, for example made of cardboard, can be arranged.

[0027] More specifically, a first pair of tailstocks 25, which constitute a first rotation member (again labeled as a whole 25), support a first winding spindle, labeled Al, while a second pair of tailstocks 27, which constitute a second rotation member (again indicated as a whole with 27), support a second winding spindle A2. The winding spindles Al, A2 are interchangeable, in the sense that at each winding cycle a new winding spindle for forming one or more reels of wound web material is mounted and the spindle that supports the reel or reels formed in the preceding cycle is removed together with these reels. Winding cores Cl and C2, mounted and torsionally coupled to the winding spindles Al, A2, are also schematically shown.

[0028] The first rotation member 25 is driven into rotation around a first winding axis B 1 , parallel to the rotation axis A-A of the revolving unit 5 by a first motor 29, mounted on the side of the winder 1, on which the side wall 5B of the revolving unit 5 and the side panel 3B are placed. The second rotation member 27 is driven into rotation around a second winding axis B2, parallel to the rotation axis A-A of the revolving unit 5 by a second motor 33, mounted on the side of the winder 1, on which the side wall 5 A of the revolving unit 5 and the side panel 3 A are placed. The motion is transmitted by the first motor 29 to the first rotation member 25 (and more precisely to the tailstock of this rotation member 25 which is supported on the side wall 5B) by a belt 31 guided around a pulley 32 keyed onto the tailstock. Similarly, the motion is transmitted by the second motor 33 to the second rotation member 27 (and more precisely to the tailstock of this rotation member 27 which is supported on the side wall 5 A) by a belt 35 guided around a pulley 36 keyed onto the tailstock.

[0029] The two motors 29 and 33 are supported by uprights belonging to the fixed supporting structure, of which only the upright supporting the motor 33, labeled 3D, is shown.

[0030] As specified below, the winder 1 carries out winding cycles in sequence using the first rotation member 25 and the second rotation member 27, successively and repeatedly. For this purpose, while one of the two rotation members 25, 27 is in a winding position, the other of said rotation members is in an unloading position, where a reel or series of reels previously formed around a winding spindle is unloaded from the winder 1.

[0031] At the end of each winding cycle, the turret or revolving unit 5 rotates through 180°, always in the same direction, to transfer the rotation members on which the reel, or the series of reels, has just been formed from the winding position to the unloading position, and simultaneously transfer the rotation members from which the reel or series of reels previously formed has been unloaded and on which a new winding spindle has been mounted from the unloading position to the winding position.

[0032] A first support roller 41, arranged between the two side walls 5 A, 5B and having an axis parallel to the rotation axis A-A of the revolving unit or turret 5, is combined with the first rotation member 25. Similarly, a second support roller 43, arranged between the two side walls 5A, 5B and having an axis parallel to the rotation axis A-A of the revolving unit or turret 5, is combined with the second rotation member 25. In Fig.1 the two support rollers 41, 43 are partially covered by chutes 42, 44, which have been removed in Figs. 2 and 3 to better illustrate the members positioned under the chutes 42, 44.

[0033] The first support roller 41 is supported by a first supporting device configured to maintain the first support roller 41 in a lower position with respect to the corresponding pair of tailstocks forming the first rotation member 25 and hence below the winding spindle Al engaged with this first pair of tailstocks and below the first winding axis Bl.

[0034] In practice, the first supporting device rotates with respect to the revolving unit 5 when the latter rotates around the rotation axis A-A, so that the axis of the first support roller 41 always remains below the axis of the first rotation member 25. As will be clear from the description below, the supporting device preferably rotates in the direction opposite to the turret or revolving unit 5, so as to carry out a translation movement when the revolving unit 5 rotates around the axis A-A.

[0035] In practice, the first support roller 41 is supported by the first supporting device so that the first winding axis Bl, defined by the first rotation member 25, and the axis of the first support roller 41 are always maintained on a vertical plane, in any angular position of the revolving unit or turret 5. However, although this condition is preferred, it is not mandatory, as to obtain the desired effect of the support roller 41 lateral movements of the first support roller 41, which move the axis thereof outside the vertical plane containing the first winding axis Bl defined by the first rotation member 25, can also be tolerated. An embodiment in which the axis of the support rollers does not always remain vertically aligned with the respective winding axis Bl, B2 will be described below.

[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, to maintain the desired position of the first support roller 41 below the first rotation member 25, the first support roller 41 is supported at the ends thereof on a pair of first slides 45, each associated with one of the two side walls 5A, 5B of the revolving unit or turret 5 and placed inside them. Each of said first slides 45 is slidably engaged with a respective guide of a pair of first guides 47, one for each side wall 5 A, 5B of the revolving unit or turret 5. The slides 45 and the guide 47 form part of the first supporting device of the first support roller 41. The first supporting device is indicated as a whole with 40 (Figs.5, 6, 7).

[0037] As clarified below, each guide 47 is mounted on the respective side wall 5A, 5B so as to be able to rotate, with respect to the revolving unit 5, around the winding axis Bl defined by the first rotation member 25. Each guide 47 extends vertically downward and, as a result of the particular assembly described below, is maintained in a vertical position during rotation of the revolving unit 5, in any angular position thereof. In this way, the first support roller 41 is always maintained below the first winding axis Bl.

[0038] A synchronous movement of the pair of first slides 45 along the pair of first guides 47, obtained as described below, allows adjustment of the center distance between the first rotation member 25 and the first support roller 41. This adjustment can be obtained with autonomous actuators for the two slides 45. In the illustrated embodiment, the movement of the slides 45 along the guide 47 is instead obtained with a single actuator that, in the illustrated example, comprises a first motor 49 (Fig.2) placed in an intermediate position along the axial extension of the revolving unit 5,between the two side walls 5 A, 5B. In the illustrated example, the motor 49 is mounted on a cross member 50 integral with the guides 47, which in addition to supporting the motor 49, also serves to connect the guides 47 to each other, so that they rotate synchronously around the axis B 1 with respect to the revolving unit 5, to be maintained oriented vertically during rotation of the revolving unit 5.

[0039] By cardan shafts 51 (see again Fig.2), the motor 49 operates two jacks 53 associated with the two slides 45. By means of the jacks 53 the slides 45 with the related first support roller 41 can be translated in a controlled manner along the vertical guides 47, to vary the distance between the support roller 41 and the first winding axis Bl defined by the first rotation members 25, for the purposes explained below.

[0040] An analogous mechanical arrangement forming a second supporting device of the second support roller 43, configured to maintain the second support roller 43 in a lower position with respect to the corresponding pair of tailstocks forming the second rotation member 27, is associated with the second rotation members 27. Similarly to the first supporting device, also the second supporting device rotates with respect to the revolving unit 5 when this rotates around the rotation axis A-A, so that the axis of the second support roller 43 always remains below the axis of the second rotation member 27.

[0041] For this purpose, the second support roller 43 is supported at the ends thereof on a pair of second slides 55, associated with the two side walls 5 A, 5B of the revolving unit or turret 5 and placed inside them. Each of said second slides 55 is slidably engaged with a respective guide of a pair of second guides 57, one for each side wall 5 A, 5B of the revolving unit or turret 5. Each second guide 57 is mounted on the respective side wall 5 A, 5B so as to be able to rotate, with respect to the revolving unit 5, around the second winding axis B2 defined by the second rotation member 27. Each guide 57 extends vertically downward and is maintained in vertical position during rotation of the revolving unit 5, in any angular position thereof. In this way the second support roller 43 is always maintained below the second winding axis B2. The slides 55 and the guide 57 form part of the second supporting device of the second support roller 43. The second supporting device is indicated as a whole with 52 (Figs. 5, 6, 7).

[0042] The synchronous movement of the pair of second slides 55 along the pair ofsecond guides 57 allows adjustment of the center distance between the second rotation member 27 and the second support roller 43. In the illustrated example, this adjustment is obtained with the same mechanical arrangement described with reference to the first support roller 41, with a second motor 59 (Fig.2) supported by a beam 60 integral with the guides 57 in an intermediate position of the axial extension of the revolving unit 5, between the two side walls 5A, 5B.

[0043] By cardan shafts 61 (see again Fig.2) the motion of the motor 59 is transmitted to two jacks 63 associated with the slides 55. By the jacks 63 the slides 55 with the related first support roller 43 can be translated in a controlled manner along the second guides 57, to vary the distance between the support roller 43 and the second winding axis B2 defined by the second rotation members 27.

[0044] In practice, the pair of guides 47, the slides 45 and the motor 49 are part of a first mechanical member, rotating around the first winding axis Bl (with respect to the revolving unit 5) and which supports the first support roller 41. Similarly, the pair of guides 57, the slides 55 and the motor 59 form part of a second mechanical member, rotating around the second winding axis B2 (with respect to the revolving unit 5) and which supports the second support roller 43.

[0045] To maintain each guide 47, 57 in vertical position during rotation of the revolving unit or turret 5, so that these guides 47, 57 translate remaining parallel to each other during rotation of the revolving unit 5, various mechanisms can be used.

[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, a four-bar linkage mechanism, and more precisely a double four-bar linkage mechanism, is provided for each support roller 41, 43 and related mechanical member for controlling the position of the support roller during rotation of the revolving unit or turret 5. Specifically, each mechanism comprises a double four-bar linkage.

[0047] A first four-bar linkage mechanism is associated with the side wall 5A of the revolving unit 5 and is indicated with 71. A second four-bar linkage mechanism is associated with the side wall 5B of the revolving unit and is indicated with 73. The two four-bar linkage mechanisms 71, 73 are symmetrical and therefore only one will be described, in particular the four-bar linkage mechanism 71, with specific reference to Fig.4.

[0048] The four-bar linkage mechanism 71 comprises a double articulated parallelogram, i.e., a first four-bar linkage 75 and a second four-bar linkage 77 which have one side in common.

[0049] The first four-bar linkage 75 comprises a fixed side 75 A, integral with the supporting structure 3, to which two rocker arms 75B and 75C, respectively, are hinged. The first four-bar linkage 75 is completed by a fourth side, constituted by a first connecting rod 75D. This also constitutes the first element of the second four-bar linkage 77, which further comprises two rocker arms 77A, 77B and a second connecting rod 77C.

[0050] The connecting rod 77C is rigidly connected to the guide 57 carried by the side wall 5A. In practice, the connecting rod 77C of the second four-bar linkage 77 passes through the side wall 5A of the revolving unit 5 so as to be hinged to the upper ends of the two rocker arms 77A, 77B that are located outside the side wall 5A and to be rigidly connected to the corresponding guide 57 inside the side wall 5A. For this purpose, the connecting rod 77C comprises a tubular body 77D coaxial with the winding axis B2 and passing through the side wall 5A, and which can be supported by a slewing ring bearing (not visible) interposed between the tubular body 77D and a seat formed in the side wall 5A. On the inside of the side wall 5A, a gear 79 coaxial with the winding axis B2 can be integral with the tubular body 77D, for the purposes described below. The gear 79 is thus integral with the guide 57 that is located on the side of the side wall 5 A.

[0051] Guides 76 for the passage of electrical cables, data cables, and / or ducts for working fluid to supply components installed on the revolving unit 5 and transmit data, such as electrical signals from transducers installed on the revolving unit or turret 5, are integral with the four-bar linkage mechanism 77. This arrangement is particularly advantageous, as it eliminates the need for slip rings.

[0052] A four-bar linkage mechanism 73 symmetrical to the four-bar linkage mechanism 71 described above, and having the same components and similar functions, is associated with the side wall 5B. The connecting rod 77C of the second four-bar linkage 77 of the second four-bar linkage mechanism 73 is integral with the guide 47 and with a gear, indicated with 81 (Fig.1) coaxial to the winding axis Bl.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, a gear 82, coaxial to the winding axis B2, is integral with the guide 57 on the side of the side wall 5B, while a gear 84 is integral on the side of the side wall 5 A.

[0054] The gear 81 is the end gear of a gear train comprising an idler gear 91, interposed between the gear 81 and a central gear 93, mounted idle on the side wall 5B, and coaxial to the rotation axis A-A of the revolving unit 5, see in particular Figs. 1, 2, 4. The gear 82 is the end gear of a gear train comprising, in addition to the gear 82, an idler gear 95 and said gear 93. The idler gears 91 and 95 are supported idle on shafts integral with the side wall 5B.

[0055] An arrangement of gears symmetrical to the one described above and to which the gear 79 and the gear 84 belong, is provided on the inside of the side wall 5A.

[0056] The gear trains described contribute to maintaining the guides 47 and 57 in vertical position and ensuring they translate parallel to themselves during rotation of the revolving unit or turret 5.

[0057] Operation of the winder 1 described above can be understood with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, where the winder 1 is shown in combination with a supply head 100 supplying a web material N to be wound. The head 100 can translate according to the double arrow fl 00 along fixed guides 103 to allow reels being wound on the winder 1 to increase in size. The head 100 comprises a device 105, not described in detail, which carries members known per se to cut the web material transversely and start winding the leading edge of the web material N, generated by the transverse cut, on a new winding spindle placed in the winding position, while a spindle on which one or more reels have been wound is in the unloading position.

[0058] The head 100 comprises a series of disk blades 107 positionable in a transverse direction, i.e., orthogonally to the plane of Figs. 6 and 7, to cut the web material N into several strips of web material of the desired width. Each strip of web material is wound on a respective winding core mounted and blocked on the winding spindle Al, A2 that is torsionally constrained to the tailstocks of the rotation members 25, 27. In this way, a wide web material can be divided into single strips of web material each having the width selected in advance by the operator, which are wound on the winding cores axially aligned along the winding spindle supported by the winder 1.

[0059] In Fig.6 a reel (BA) or a series of reels aligned on the winding spindle Al is in the unloading position. Unloading is facilitated by the chute 42 and is carried out by opening the tailstocks 25, i.e., spacing them apart and releasing them from the winding spindle Al.

[0060] In Fig.6 the reel BA has been transferred from the winding position to the unloading position by means of a rotation through 180° (arrow f5) of the revolving unit or turret 5. The guide roller 21 guides the section of web material between the reel BA and the winding position (in which the spindle A2 has been positioned), preventing it from interfering with the mechanical members of the winder 1.

[0061] As can be observed in Fig.6, the first support roller 41 is in a position translated toward the lower end of the guides 47, as a result of the increased diameter of the reel BA. The first support roller 41 completely or partly supports the weight of the reel BA or of the series of reels BA, which has been formed around the winding spindle Al . In this way, the weight supported by the winding spindle Al is lower than the total weight of the reel BA or of the series of reels BA, or even null, and this reduces or eliminates the bending deformation of the winding spindle.

[0062] The winding spindle A2, engaged with the tailstocks that form the second rotation member 27, is in the winding position. By lowering the device 105 the transverse cut of the web material is carried out (i.e., of the strips into which the blades 107 have divided the web material, generating a trailing edge of web material which finishes winding around the reel BA, and a leading edge of web material which is wound around the spindle A2. For this purpose, electrostatic systems carried by the device 105 can be used.

[0063] As can be observed in Fig.6, the support roller 43 is located in the upper area of the guides 57, in contact with the spindle A2.

[0064] In this step, if feed of the web material (arrow fN) cannot be interrupted, the transverse cut of the web material takes place while it advances at high speed. Rotation of the spindle Al is maintained by means of the support roller 41, which in this embodiment is motorized, and the motor 29 that rotates the tailstocks 25. Before carrying out the transverse cut of the web material N, the winding spindle A2 must be taken to a rotation speed such that the peripheral speed thereof is substantially the sameas the feed speed (linear speed) of the web material N. This rotation speed of the spindle A2 is normally higher than the first critical speed of the spindle A2. As the second support roller 43 is in contact with the outer surface of the spindle A2 (or more precisely with the outer surface of the winding cores C2 mounted thereon), the vibrations of the spindle A2, caused by the angular velocity passing through the critical speed during acceleration, are reduced or eliminated.

[0065] Control of the vibrations of the spindle A2 is further improved in this step by the presence of a winding roller 109, with which the head 100 is equipped. The winding roller 109 is supported by pivoting arms 111 which can pivot around a transverse axis 113 to move toward and away from the winding axis B 1, B2 of the spindle Al, A2 that is in the winding position (rod A2 and winding axis B2 in the layout of Fig.6).

[0066] When the spindle A2 has reached the necessary angular velocity, the transverse cut of the web material is carried out and winding of the web material on the second spindle A2 starts.

[0067] During this step, the first spindle Al with the reel BA or series of reels wound thereon can be unloaded, for example toward a shuttle (not shown).

[0068] In this initial step, in practice, the winding spindle A2 is angularly accelerated through the combined effect of the rotation of the second support roller 43 (which transmits motion to the winding spindle A2 through friction), and of the tailstocks. Contact with the second support roller 43 reduces the vibrations to which the winding spindle A2 is subjected, in particular when it passes through the first critical speed, while it accelerates from zero speed to a peripheral speed corresponding to the feed speed of the web material.

[0069] When the peripheral speed of the winding spindle A2 has reached the speed of the web material (which in this step continues to be wound on the reel formed around the spindle Al), the exchange operation is carried out; this includes transverse cutting of the web material, forming a trailing edge that is wound on the reel BA and a leading edge that starts to be wound around the winding spindle A2. In this step the winding roller 109 is brought into contact with the spindle A2. Consequently, winding starts with the winding spindle A2 in contact with the second support roller 43 and the winding roller 109 and is thus located in a winding cradle. Winding is more regularand the vibrations of the spindle A2 are reduced, in particular when the angular velocity is gradually reduced and the spindle A2 once again passes through the critical speed.

[0070] During winding, the diameter of the reel BB being formed increases. As the linear speed of the web material is constant, this increase of the diameter of the reel or series of reels BB causes a gradual angular deceleration of the winding spindle A2, which once again passes through the critical speed. Contact with the support roller 43 reduces the vibrations also in this step.

[0071] To allow the increase in the diameter of the reel BB during winding, the second support roller 43 is gradually lowered and the winding roller 109 moves away through the pivoting movement of the arms 111 and / or the translation movement of the head 100 along the guides 103 (arrow fl 00).

[0072] During most of the winding cycle of a reel BB or of a series of reels BB on the spindle A2, the revolving unit or turret 5 preferably remains in a fixed angular position. However, at least the final part of each winding is completed when the turret or revolving unit 5 rotates to exchange the position of the two rotation members. In fact, as indicated above, winding on a new spindle (in the illustrated example the winding spindle A2) starts when this spindle is already in the winding position adjacent to the winding roller 109, but after it has been accelerated to the peripheral speed corresponding to the linear speed of the web material N. Until reaching the required angular velocity of the spindle A2, the web material N continues to be wound on the preceding reel (reel BA in Fig.6). In general, rotation through 180° of the revolving unit or turret 5 to carry out the exchange of position of the rotation members 25, 27 can start even well in advance of completion of the reel BA.

[0073] The lowering movement of the support roller 43 can be controlled by means of a control unit schematically indicated with 120 only in Fig.6, which receives in input signals from transducers schematically indicated with 122 and 123. In actual fact, the transducers 122, 123 are mounted, for example, on the bearings of the support rollers 41, 43 and / or on the tailstocks of the rotation members 25, 27. The transducers 122, 123 generate signals that can be indicative of the force exchanged between the reel BA, BB and the respective support roller 41, 43 and / or of the weight of the reel or reelsbeing wound that weighs on the spindles Al, A2. The transducers can comprise respective load cells operating as force sensors.

[0074] The weight supported by the winding spindle Al, A2 is given by the difference between the weight of the wound material and the thrust received from the respective support roller 41, 43. The downward movement of the support rollers 41, 43 can be controlled by the control unit 120 by means of the actuators (motors 49, 59), using the signals of the afore-mentioned transducers, based on a suitable control criterion, for example so as to maintain the weight that weighs on the winding spindle Al, A2 constant, or in any case within certain maximum limits.

[0075] During winding, each support roller 41, 43 can also perform a further function of controlling winding compactness. In fact, in this embodiment the support rollers 41, 43 are motorized. Their peripheral speed can be controlled so as to be the same as the peripheral speed of the winding roller 109 and as the linear feed speed of the web material N, as well as the peripheral speed of the reel being formed. However, if necessary or useful, the peripheral speed of the support roller that is in contact with the reel being formed can be varied (for example by a few percentage points) with respect to the linear feed speed of the web material N and / or to the peripheral speed of the winding roller 109, to vary the winding density of the reel and hence its compactness, as a function of the desired characteristics to be obtained on the finished reel. The peripheral speed of the support rollers can also be controlled so as to obtain a compactness variable as a function of the diameter of the reel, i.e., a different compactness in different points of the reel.

[0076] Fig.7 shows the final step of the winding cycle of the reel or of the series of reels BB on the winding spindle A2 supported by the second rotation member 27. A further winding spindle A3 has been installed on the first rotation member 25.

[0077] From the position of Fig.7, with a rotation of 180° in counter-clockwise direction (in the example), the positions of the winding spindles A2 and A3 are exchanged, taking the first rotation member 25 with the third spindle A3 into the winding position and the second rotation member 27 with the second spindle A2 and the reel or reels BB into the unloading position. The cycle described above is repeated with inverted positions of the rotation members 25, 27 and related winding spindles.

[0078] During the 180° rotation of the revolving unit 5 at the end of each winding cycle, the vertical guides 47, 57 of the support rollers 41, 43 are prevented from rotating with respect to the fixed structure 3 due to the double four-bar linkage mechanisms 71, 73. In fact, the two four-bar linkages that form each double four-bar linkage mechanism are deformed following the rotation movement of the revolving unit 5, so that the distal connecting rod 77C, i.e., the element of the kinematic chain farthest from the fixed component 75A of each double four-bar linkage mechanism 71, 73 moves with a translatory movement parallel to itself. This forces the guides 47, 57 (which are integral with the connecting rods 77C) to remain parallel to themselves. In substance, with respect to a fixed reference system integral with the supporting structure 3, the guides 47, 57 do not rotate, while they rotate around the axes Bl and B2 with respect to a reference system integral with the revolving unit 5.

[0079] A different embodiment of the winder is schematically illustrated in Fig.8. The same numbers indicate the same or equivalent parts to those described with reference to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 7 and which will not be described again. Fig.8 illustrates how each support roller 41, 43 can be made to translate parallel to itself along the guides 47, 57 by means of autonomous actuators 130, such as mechanical jacks with respective motors, mounted on the two side walls 5A, 5B of the revolving unit 5.

[0080] A further embodiment of the winder is schematically represented in the sequence of Figs. 9(A)-9(F), in which the turret or revolving unit 5 is illustrated schematically and limited to its main members, in order to understand the operation thereof and the differences with respect to the previously embodiment described, in combination with the winding head. The sequence of Figs. 9(A)-9(F) schematically shows the rotation movement of 180° of the revolving unit 5 at the end of a winding cycle. The same numbers indicate the same or equivalent parts to those described previously.

[0081] In this embodiment, the number 1 indicates the winder, shown schematically and limited to the revolving unit or turret 5, with two rotation members 25, 27. The number 109 indicates the motorized winding roller of the winding head, omitted for simplicity of representation and of which only the disk blades 107 are illustrated.

[0082] The revolving unit 5 comprises a first support roller 41 associated with the first rotation member 25, and a second support roller 43 associated with the second rotation member 27. The function of the support rollers 41, 43 is the same as already described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. The supporting devices of the two support rollers are different from those of the previous embodiments, and are described below.

[0083] In the embodiment of Figs. 9(A)-9(F), the first supporting device is indicated as a whole with 40 and the second supporting device is indicated as a whole with 52. The first supporting device 40 comprises, on each of the two revolving side walls 5A, 5B of the revolving unit or turret 5, a first articulated arm 201, hinged to the respective side wall around the first winding axis Bl. The distal end of the first articulated arm 201 is hinged in 202 to a second articulated arm 203. The distal ends of the two articulated arms 203 support the first support roller 41.

[0084] Similarly, the second supporting device 52 comprises, on each of the two side walls 5 A, 5B of the revolving unit or turret 5, a first articulated arm 205, hinged to the respective side wall around the second winding axis B2. The distal end of the first articulated arm 205 is hinged in 206 to a second articulated arm 207. The distal ends of the two articulated arms 207 support the second support roller 43.

[0085] The articulated arms 201, 203 and 205, 207 replace the system of guides and slides 45, 47, 55, 57 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7.

[0086] A first actuator 210 is supported on at least one of the arms 201 by means of a hinge 211. In the embodiment illustrated, the actuator 210 is a piston-cylinder actuator. The end of the spindle 212 of the piston-cylinder actuator 210 is hinged in an intermediate point of the arm 203. Therefore, by means of the actuator 210 the angle formed between the two arms 201, 203 can be varied. A single actuator 210 can suffice to move both the pairs of arms 201, 203 on the two side walls of the revolving unit 5, as the arms 203 are connected to each other, as described below.

[0087] The extending movement of the actuator 210 causes the support roller 41 to move gradually away from the respective reel being formed to allow the diameter of the reel to increase. An identical arrangement is provided for the pairs of arms 205, 207 of the supporting device 52. The actuator is indicated with 216, the hinge with 217 and the spindle with 218.

[0088] To ensure parallelism between the arms of the two opposed pairs of arms on the two side walls, torsion bars extending from one to the other of the two side walls of the winder 1 are provided at the hinge axes 202 and 206.

[0089] In the embodiment illustrated schematically in Figs. 9(A)-9(F), a motor 221, which rotates the support roller 41, is supported on one of the two opposed arms 203, while a motor 223 to rotate the support roller 43 is supported on one of the two opposed arms 207.

[0090] The sequence of Figs. 9(A) - 9(F) shows how, during rotation of the revolving unit 5 to exchange the position of a completed reel BA with a spindle on which to start winding a subsequent reel, the two support rollers 41, 43 are always maintained respectively below the first rotation member constituted by the tailstocks 25 and below the second rotation member constituted by the tailstocks 27. Moreover, during size increase of the reel being formed, the axis of the respective support roller moves gradually away from the axis of the reel being formed (axis of the tailstocks 25, 27) to allow the diameter of the reel to increase maintaining contact therewith.

[0091] In this embodiment the position of each support roller 41, 43 is not always perfectly on the vertical of the respective winding axis Bl, B2, i.e., the plane on which the first winding axis Bl and the axis of the first support roller 41 lie and the plane on which the second winding axis B2 and the axis of the second support roller 43 lie are not maintained perfectly vertical during the various operating steps of the winder. Nonetheless, the axes of the support rollers 41, 43 are always under, i.e., at a lower height than, the winding axes, so as to be able to perform their dual function of reducing the vibration of the winding spindle in the first steps of formation of each reel or series of reels BA, BB and of supporting the weight of the reels.

[0092] In particular, the position of the support rollers below of the winding axes Bl, B2 is such that at least a part of the weight of the reels being formed can be transferred to the support rollers.

[0093] A further embodiment of the winder 1 according to the invention is represented in Figs. 10 to 15B. The general structure of the winder 1 in this embodiment is shown in Figs. lO and 11. Figs. 12A to 15B illustrate a rotation sequence of the revolving unit 5. In Figs. 10 to 15B the same numbers indicate parts which are the same as, orcorrespond to, those illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, and which will not be described again.

[0094] In these figures, the gears 81 to 95 described with reference to the preceding figures are housed in respective casings 231, 232, which have been partly removed to show the gears.

[0095] The embodiment of Figs. 10 to 15B does not have a four-bar linkage mechanism to maintain the guides 47, 57 on which the slides 45, 55 that carry the support rollers 41, 43 slide, in vertical position. This function is instead performed by the gear trains 81-95. For this purpose, a mechanism is provided to hold the central gears 93 angularly stationary while the side walls 5A, 5B rotate around the axis A-A. This mechanism comprises two blocking members on each side of the winder 1.

[0096] An upper block 251 and a lower block 253 (Fig.l2B) are provided on the side 3 A. In the illustrated embodiment, each blocking member comprises a piston-cylinder actuator. The actuators are integral with the fixed supporting structure 3. For this purpose, a frame 255, which supports the actuator 251 at the top, can be provided. The rods 251 A, 253 A of the two piston-cylinder actuators 251, 253 have an extending and retracting movement (arrows f251 and f253 in Fig. l2B) to be inserted into holes formed in a plate 261, integral with the respective central gear 93. When at least one of the rods 251 A, 253 A is in the extracted position (Fig.l2B), the rotation of the plate 261, and hence of the gear 93 integral therewith, around the axis A-A is blocked. As will be explained below, at each instant of the winding cycle and of the exchange in position of the tailstocks to pass from winding on one of the two pairs of tailstocks 25, 27 to winding on the other pair of tailstocks, the rotation of the plate 261 is blocked by at least one of the rods 251 A, 253 A, so that the respective gear 93 remains stationary and the gears meshing therewith roll around the gear 93 during rotation of the revolving unit or turret 5 around the axis A-A.

[0097] On the opposite side of the winder (see in particular Figs. 11, 12A), a symmetrical arrangement is provided to block rotation of the respective gear 93 on the side wall 5B.

[0098] An upper block 271 and a lower block 273 (Fig.l2B) are arranged on the side 3B. In the illustrated embodiment, each blocking member comprises a piston-cylinder actuator. The actuators are engaged with a frame 275 that supports the actuator 271 atthe top and the actuator 273 at the bottom. The rods 271A, 273A of the two pistoncylinder actuators 271, 273 have an extending and retracting movement (arrows f271 and f273 in Fig.12A) to be inserted into two holes formed in a plate 281, integral with the respective central gear (not visible) 93. When at least one of the rods 271A, 273A is in the extracted position (Fig.l2A) rotation of the plate 281, and hence of the gear 93 integral therewith, around the axis A-A is blocked.

[0099] The arrangement of the two pairs of actuators 251, 253; 271, 273 allows the two side walls 5A, 5B to rotate through 360° without obstructions, however maintaining the pair of gears 93 stationary. The sequence of Figs. 12A, 13A; 14A and 15A show the rotation movement through 360° of the side wall 5B, which is consented by release and blocking movements of the actuators 271, 273 so that one of the rods 271A, 271B always holds the plate 281 engaged with the fixed structure (frame 275), while the alternated retraction of one or other of the two rods allows continuous rotation around the axis A-A of the mechanism for transmitting motion to the axis B2 (belt 31, pulley 32 and shaft of the tailstock 27). Similarly, the sequence of Figs. 12B, 13B; 14B and 15B shows the rotation movement of 360° of the side wall 5A, which is allowed by the release and blocking movements of the actuators 251, 253 so that one of the rods 251 A, 25 IB always holds the plate 261 engaged with the fixed structure (frame 255), while the alternated retraction of one or other of the two rods allows continuous rotation around the axis A-A of the mechanism for transmitting motion to the axis Bl (belt 35, pulley 36 and shaft of the tailstock 25).

[0100] The embodiment of Figs. 10 to 15B is a possible example of a configuration in which the vertical position of the guide 47, 57 is maintained through the use of nonrotating gears 93, i.e., gears rigidly connected to a stationary structure. Other mechanisms can be used for this purpose. For example, the motors 29, 33, which supply motion to the tailstocks 25, 27 constituting the first rotation member and the second rotation member, can comprise hollow rotors, passing through which are fixed pins (for example integral with the structure 3, 3 A, 3B), which are in turn integral with the gears 93. For example, the gears 93 can be keyed onto the pins, or coupled therewith by means of keys, tabs or grooved profiles. In this way, the two side walls 5 A, 5B are free to rotate by a complete angle (360°) around the axis A-A, while the gears 93 are held angularly stationary with respect to the structure 3.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A turret winder comprising a revolving unit, adapted to rotate around a horizontal rotation axis; wherein the following are arranged on the revolving unit: a first rotation member, adapted to support and rotate a first spindle around a first winding axis parallel to the rotation axis of the revolving unit; and a second rotation member, adapted to support and rotate a second spindle around a second winding axis parallel to the rotation axis of the revolving unit; wherein by rotation of the revolving unit the first rotation member and the second rotation member are sequentially and sequentially positionable in a winding position and in an unloading position; a first support roller, combined with the first rotation member; wherein the first support roller is arranged with an axis thereof parallel to the rotation axis of the revolving unit; a second support roller, combined with the second rotation member; wherein the second support roller is arranged with an axis thereof parallel to the rotation axis of the revolving unit; a first supporting device of the first support roller, adapted to modify the position of the first support roller with respect to the revolving unit and with respect to the first rotation member; a second supporting device of the second support roller, adapted to modify the position of the second support roller with respect to the revolving unit and with respect to the second rotation member.

2. The winder of claim 1, wherein the first support roller, the first supporting device, the second support roller, and the second supporting device are configured to maintain the first support roller and the second support roller in contact with reels being wound on the first rotation member and on the second rotate member, to transfer at least part of the weight of the reel being wound on the respective support roller.

3. The winder of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first support roller, the first supporting device, the second support roller, and the second supporting device are configured to maintain the first support roller and the second support roller in contactwith reels being wound on the first rotation member and on the second rotate member, to reduce the vibrations of the respective winding spindle.

4. The winder of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first supporting device is adapted to maintain the first support roller below the first rotation member, in any angular position of the revolving unit, and to modify the distance between the axis of the first support roller and the winding axis of the first rotation member as a function of the diameter of a reel being wound; and wherein the second supporting device is adapted to maintain the second support roller below the second rotation member, in any angular position of the revolving unit, and to modify the distance between the axis of the second support roller and the winding axis of the second rotation member as a function of the diameter of a reel being wound.

5. The winder of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first support roller and the second support roller are motorized to rotate around the respective axes.

6. The winder of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first supporting device comprises a first mechanical member rotating, with respect to the revolving unit, around the first winding axis and to which the first support roller is supported; wherein the second supporting device comprises a second mechanical member rotating, with respect to the revolving unit, around the second winding axis and to which the second support roller is supported; and wherein the first mechanical member and the second mechanical member are connected to mechanisms that cause a rotation of the first mechanical member and of the second mechanical member with respect to the revolving unit as a function of the angular position of the revolving unit, so as to maintain the first support roller below the first rotation member and the second support roller below the second rotation member in any angular position of the revolving unit.

7. The winder of claim 6, wherein the first mechanical member is adapted to modify the distance between the axis of the first support roller and the first winding axis; and the second mechanical member is adapted to modify the distance between the axis of the second support roller and the second winding axis.

8. The winder of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a winding roller with a movable axis, arranged in the winding position; and wherein in an initial step of each winding cycle, the support roller in the winding position and the winding roller form a cradle in which a respective spindle engaged by the rotation member located in the winding position is positioned.

9. The winder of claim 8, wherein the winding roller is motorized.

10. The winder of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the revolving unit comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, between which the first rotation member, the second rotation member, the first support roller and the second support roller are arranged.

11. The winder of claim 10, wherein: the first supporting device comprises a pair of first guides, one of said first guides being mounted on the first side wall and the other of said first guides being mounted on the second side wall; the second supporting device comprises a pair of second guides, one of said second guides being mounted on the first side wall and the other of said second guides being mounted on the second side wall; the first support roller is supported by a pair of first slides, slidably engaged with said first guides; and the second support roller is supported by a pair of second slides, slidably engaged with said second guides.

12. The winder of claim 11, comprising a first motor for controlling the movement of the pair of first slides along the first guides and a second motor for controlling the movement of the pair of second slides along the second guides; wherein the first motor and the second motor are each connected to a respective pair of reducers for controlling the movement of the first slides and of the second slides along the pair of first guides and the pair of second guides, respectively.

13. The winder of claim 11, wherein each slide is associated with arespective actuator adapted to translate the respective slide along the guide on which the slide is slidably engaged.

14. The winder of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the first supporting device comprises a first mechanism adapted to rotate the pair of first guides around the first winding axis, with respect to the revolving unit, as a function of the rotation angle of the revolving unit, so as to maintain the pair of first guides below the first winding axis and preferably in a vertical position; and wherein the second supporting device comprises a second mechanism adapted to rotate the pair of second guides around the second winding axis, with respect to the revolving unit as a function of the rotation angle of the revolving unit, so as to maintain the pair of second guides below the second winding axis and preferably in a vertical position.

15. The winder of claim 14, wherein the first mechanism comprises a first four-bar linkage mechanism, with a fixed element integral with a supporting structure of the revolving unit and a movable component integral with at least one of said first guides; and wherein the second mechanism comprises a second four-bar linkage mechanism, with a fixed element integral with the supporting structure of the revolving unit and a movable component integral with at least one of said second guides.

16. The winder of claim 15, wherein each of said first four-bar linkage mechanism and second four-bar linkage mechanism comprises a four-bar linkage.

17. The winder of claim 15 or 16, wherein the first four-bar linkage mechanism is placed on a first side of the winder, outside the first side wall, and the second four-bar linkage mechanism is placed on a second side of the winder, outside the second side wall.

18. The winder of one or more of claims 15 to 17, wherein the first four-bar linkage mechanism and the second four-bar linkage mechanism support respective cable guides, housing cables and / or pipes for supplying the actuators supported on the revolving unit and which rotate therewith around the rotation axis ofthe revolving unit.

19. The winder of claim 14, wherein: the first mechanism adapted to rotate the pair of first guides around the first winding axis, with respect to the revolving unit, comprises a first gear train, comprising a fixed central gear, coaxial to the rotation axis of the revolving unit; at least one intermediate idler gear; and a peripheral gear, keyed onto a first support coaxial to the first winding axis and integral with at least one of said first guides; the second mechanism adapted to rotate the pair of second guides around the second winding axis, with respect to the revolving unit, comprises a second gear train, comprising a fixed central gear, coaxial to the rotation axis of the revolving unit; at least one intermediate idler gear; and a peripheral gear, keyed onto a second support coaxial to the second winding axis and integral with at least one of said second guides.

20. The winder of claim 10, wherein: the first supporting device comprises a pair of first articulated arms, mounted on the first side wall and a pair of second articulated arms, mounted on the second side wall; the second supporting device comprises a pair of third articulated arms, mounted on the first side wall and a pair of fourth articulated arms, mounted on the second side wall; the first support roller is supported at distal ends of the pair of first articulated arms and of the pair of second articulated arms; the second support roller is supported at distal ends of the pair of third articulated arms and of the pair of fourth articulated arms; and the first pair of articulated arms, the second pair of articulated arms, the third pair of articulated arms and the fourth pair of articulated arms are associated with actuators that control a pivoting movement of the articulated arms such as to control the mutual distance between the first support roller and the first winding axis and between the second support roller and the second winding axis, and such as to maintain the first support roller below the first winding axis and the second support roller below the second winding axis in any angular position of the revolving unit.

21. The winder of claim 18, comprising a respective actuator for controlling each of said first pair of articulated arms, second pair of articulated arms, third pair of articulated arms, and fourth pair of articulated arms.

22. The winder of one or more of the preceding claims, comprising: transducers adapted to generate a signal that is a function of at least one of the following parameters: the weight of one or more reels being wound, the force exchanged between one or more reels being wound and the respective support roller; a central control unit connected to the transducers and adapted to control the first supporting device and the second supporting device as a function of the signals of the transducers.

23. A turret winder comprising a unit revolving around a horizontal rotation axis and on which two rotation members are supported to engage and rotate winding spindles for winding reels of web material; wherein the revolving unit comprises, for each rotation member, a respective support roller configured to be maintained in contact with reels being wound on the respective rotation member, so as to transfer at least part of the weight of the reel being wound and to reduce the vibrations of the winding spindle, preferably in any angular position of the revolving unit.

24. A method for producing reels of web material wound in reels with a winder according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: positioning a first winding spindle, engaged with the first rotation member, in the winding position, with the first support roller in contact with the first winding spindle; winding at least a first reel of web material around the first winding spindle, maintaining the first support roller in contact with the first reel being wound; at the end of winding the first reel, rotating the revolving unit to transfer the first reel into the unloading position and simultaneously position a second winding spindle, engaged with the second rotation member, in the windingposition with the second support roller in contact with the second winding spindle; unloading the first spindle and the first reel engaged therewith from the first rotation member; winding a second reel of web material around the second winding spindle, maintaining the second support roller in contact with the second reel; at the end of winding the second reel, rotating the revolving unit to transfer the second reel into the unloading position and simultaneously position a further winding spindle, engaged with the first rotation member, in the winding position with the first support roller in contact with the further winding spindle; unloading the second spindle and the second reel engaged therewith from the second rotation member.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein during winding of the first reel and of the second reel, at least part of the weight of the reel being wound is transferred to the respective first support roller and second support roller.

26. The method of claim 24 or 25, wherein during winding of the first reel and of the second reel, the first support roller and the second support roller are maintained in contact with the first reel and the second reel such as to reduce vibration of the first winding spindle and of the second winding spindle, respectively.

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