Apparatus and method for metering a spool

Abstract

An apparatus and method for weighing a roll of continuous web material on a spool at a weighing station is described that has fewer mechanical parts and is safer to use than conventional apparatus and methods. The apparatus is positioned adjacent to at least one of a pair of guide rails and includes a damper and a load cell. The load cell is integrated into at least one of the guide rails.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for weighing a roll on a spool at a weighing station in a continuous process. The apparatus is preferably located next to at least one of a pair of guide rails and comprises a damper and a load cell. The apparatus and method can be used, for example, in systems for producing a continuous web material, in particular a paper material. [Background technology]

[0002] In the process of winding material onto spools, the spools need to be weighed at one or more stages in the process. Various types of weighing stations have been used over the years and are still used today to perform the metering step.

[0003] Various types of scales are employed to perform the weighing step, some of which are entirely mechanical in nature, while others employ hydraulic systems that may be connected to an electric motor that pumps hydraulic fluid.

[0004] The problem with mechanical scales is that such scales contain many moving parts and therefore require constant maintenance. Additionally, all mechanical scales are subject to wear and therefore need to be periodically recalibrated. This can cause the weigh station to become unusable.

[0005] Hydraulic systems with electric fluid pumps also require a relatively high level of maintenance as well as regular readjustment. US4137977A describes a system for weighing spools of paper, where the weight is measured using a hydraulic system. A hydraulic cylinder is provided with a retractable piston which may have a force responsive device such as a load cell. The problem with this system is that it is designed such that the spool must be removed from the rail before the weight can be recorded.

[0006] US4137977A, like other prior art systems, requires that the spool be removed from the processing line for weighing. Having the spool removed and moved to another location, or even simply moved upwards, so that it does not contact the rails, is a safety hazard. If the spool is removed in any way, it is not safe for an operator to be near the line during weighing.

[0007] Regardless of the type of system used, prior art in this field typically has multiple moving parts and each operation requires a certain amount of time to perform. In systems that require spools to be diverted from the processing line, the metering step slows down the manufacturing process. The metering process is time-critical and if not performed efficiently, the next processing step will be delayed.

[0008] US3190382 describes a weighing device and system for rapidly weighing a paper roll without removing it from the track leading from the winder. The roll rides on the support pads of the weighing system, is automatically stopped in a generally centered relationship to these pads by using hydraulic jacks, and is weighed by depressing a push rod extending from the pads. The problem with this type of system is that, as mentioned above, there are many parts, all of which must operate to enable the system. The accuracy of the weighing is dependent on multiple mechanical tolerances and a series of interconnected components. The large number of components reduces accuracy and introduces errors.

[0009] CN110823350A describes a roller weighing device for fabrics, where the roll is moved upwards to a platform and rolled down to a claw located above the weighing device. The claw is retracted during weighing, but is subsequently used to move the roll upwards to the next platform. As with the other prior art mentioned above, this system also contains many moving parts. Furthermore, it is not suitable for heavy rolls, as they may damage the claw and / or significantly affect the mechanism of the arm when falling onto the claw.

[0010] Thus, there is a need for devices and systems that are safe for an operator to use, require fewer mechanical parts, and are efficient, accurate, and repeatable. Summary of the Invention

[0011] A safe, efficient and highly accurate solution is a weighing device in which the actual weighing device is integrated into the rail and does not need to be removed.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for weighing a roll of continuous web material on a spool at a weighing station in a continuous process, the apparatus being positioned adjacent at least one of a pair of guide rails and comprising a damper and a load cell, the load cell being integrated into at least one of the guide rails.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, the device is further provided with a braking device.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the device is further provided with a kick device.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the damper also functions as a kick device.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the load cell is a load cell with a lateral recess, preferably a V-shaped recess.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the V-shaped recess is oriented perpendicular to the guide rail.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the apparatus is further provided with a position sensor next to the damper capable of indicating when the spool has entered the weighing station.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, the load cell comprises a metallic body having at least one strain gauge.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for metering a roll of continuous web material on a spool, said system comprising two laterally spaced inclined guide rails, one on each side of the spool, and two devices according to any of those described above, one located next to each guide rail.

[0021] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for metering a roll of continuous web material on a spool conveyed along a pair of guide rails at a metering device located adjacent at least one of the pair of guide rails, the method comprising: i. slowing down the conveying speed of the spool along the guide rail to 0 m / s using a damper; ii. weighing the spool on a load cell; iv. ejecting the spool from the metering device; Equipped with Due to the damper returning to its initial position after step i, no parts other than the load cell come into direct contact with the spool during the weighing step ii.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a braking step, using a braking device to slow down the rotation of the spool about its axis, after which the brake returns to its initial position, such that no parts other than the load cell directly contact the spool during the weighing step.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of positioning the spool on the load cell prior to the weighing step.

[0024] According to some embodiments, a kicking device is used to eject the spool from the weighing station. According to some embodiments, the damper is used as the kicking device to eject the spool from the weighing station.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the load cell has a V-shaped recess perpendicular to the direction of the guide rail.

[0026] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A shows an overall perspective view of a system for producing a continuous roll of web on a spool. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B shows an enlarged perspective view of the end of the spool on the guide rail. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C shows a top view of a continuous processing system equipped with a metering station. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a weighing device on a guide rail. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a weighing device on a guide rail. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a metering device. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B shows a side view of a further embodiment of a metering device. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A shows the placement of a metering device in a method for metering spools in a continuous process. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B shows another arrangement of the metering device in a method for metering spools in a continuous process. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C illustrates an alternative arrangement of the metering device in a method for metering spools in a continuous process. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D shows another arrangement of the metering device in a method for metering spools in a continuous process. [Figure 4E] FIG. 4E illustrates another arrangement of the metering device in a method for metering spools in a continuous process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The present invention describes an apparatus for metering a roll of continuous web material on a spool at a metering station of a continuous process, the apparatus being disposed adjacent to at least one of a pair of guide rails.

[0029] Continuous processes can be used in many applications and can include various types of stations along the guide rails. A roll of continuous web material is placed on a spool. The spool is in direct contact with the rails. The roll of continuous web material does not contact the rails or any other parts of the system. Figure 1A shows an overall view of such a system. A spool 2 is arranged to be transported along a pair of guide rails 3, 3'.

[0030] Figure IB shows an enlarged view of one end of the spool 2 on one of the guide rails 3. Also shown is a type of load cell 5. The type of load cell used can vary as will be explained in more detail below. This view is presented to show that it is only the spool that is in contact with the rails 3 and the load cell.

[0031] Although the process described herein is for producing paper material, the apparatus and method can be used in any system used to produce rolls of continuous web material on a spool.

[0032] In a typical continuous process, a roll is wound onto a reel, where a continuous web material is wound onto a core shaft or reel spool. When the roll reaches a set diameter, the spool is removed from the winding area and transported to the first station of the reel on a guide rail at a set transport speed. The guide rail preferably has a slight incline so that the spool advances without any external force. The slope of the rail causes the spool to move in a rolling motion along the guide rail until it reaches a brake, stop, etc. Preferably, the winding of the material is performed in a counterclockwise direction, with the spool rotating in the opposite direction on the rail.

[0033] The number of stations along the reel, as well as the order of the stations, can vary depending on the process, and the examples herein are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0034] When the spool reaches the weigh station, its weight is determined by a weighing device, after which the spool is ejected and continues to the next station, or, if the weigh station is the last station, the spool is removed from the rail and transported or stored until use.

[0035] In the system shown in Figure 1C, a spool 2 has been transported along rails to a weighing station with one end of the spool 2 resting on each of two guide rails 3, 3'. A first device 1 for weighing the spool is located on one of the guide rails 3 and a second weighing device 1' is located on the other guide rail 3'.

[0036] Although the system shown in FIG. 1C is shown with two metering devices, one on each guide rail, a system having one metering device on one of the two guide rails is also possible.

[0037] In the present invention, the metering device never touches the material on the spool. It only touches the shaft end of the core shaft or the reel spool (hereafter referred to as the "spool"). This is advantageous because there are no parts of the device that can affect the metering. For example, in a system where a damper touches the spool during metering, the damper may change the weight recorded by the metering device.

[0038] A first embodiment of the weighing device is shown in Fig. 2A. The weighing device 1 of Fig. 2A comprises a damper 4 and a load cell 5. The load cell is integrated into at least one of the guide rails 3.

[0039] As the spool enters the weighing station, the damper 4 slows down the transport speed of the spool along the guide rail until the spool comes to a complete stop. The damper is positioned so that the complete stop occurs when the spool is in position on the load cell. The damper then returns to its original position, i.e. retracts. This allows the weighing to be performed without any other parts touching the spool during the weighing process.

[0040] The spool is then held in a waiting state for the system to eject the spool to the next station.

[0041] The type of load cell used in the weighing system can vary depending on the type of spool to be weighed. Load cells have the ability to convert energy from one form to another. The load cells used in this application convert the kinetic energy of compression or pressure into a measurable electrical signal. The strength of the signal varies proportionally to the weight of the spool. The weight of the spool without the web material is known and the weight of the web material can be calculated from the signal from the load cell and displayed on a display, control unit, etc.

[0042] The use of load cells integrated into the guide rail results in a system with fewer moving parts compared to those currently used in continuous process weighing systems. Fewer moving parts means less maintenance and greater reliability. This results in better weighing accuracy.

[0043] All other parts of the metering device according to this embodiment are as described in any of the embodiments previously described with reference to Figures 1A to 1C.

[0044] A second embodiment of the weighing device is shown in Fig. 2B. The weighing device 101 of Fig. 2B comprises a damper 104 and a load cell 105. The load cell 105 has a lateral recess 108, preferably a V-shaped recess. The load cell 105 is integrated into a guide rail 103. The weighing device 101 is arranged next to and connected to the guide rail 103.

[0045] The load cell preferably has a recess in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail, which allows the spool to remain in place when it is in position on the load cell without any other parts touching the spool.

[0046] Another type of load cell that can be used in any of the embodiments described herein comprises a metallic, preferably steel, body and has at least one strain gauge. When a load is applied, the body of the load cell deforms slightly, but always returns to its original shape unless overloaded. As the shape of the body changes, the strain gauge also changes shape. This causes a change in the electrical resistance of the strain gauge, which can be measured as a voltage change. This change in output is proportional to the amount of weight applied, so the weight of the spool with the web material can be determined from the pressure change. The signal from the load cell can be corrected to the weight of the spool by the machine control system.

[0047] All other parts of the metering device according to this embodiment are as described in any of the embodiments previously described with reference to Figures 1A-1C and 2A.

[0048] The system may further include a braking device that slows and stops the rotational motion of the spool. The braking device may be a stand-alone braking device or may be part of the metering device. The braking device may be used in any of the embodiments described herein.

[0049] 3A shows a further embodiment of a weighing device 201 connected to a guide rail 203. The weighing device 201 comprises a brake device 206 for stopping the movement of the spool along the guide rail 203, a damper 204, a load cell 205 integrated in said guide rail 203, the load cell 205 having a lateral recess 208, and a kick device 207 for ejecting the spool after the weighing is completed.

[0050] As described with reference to other embodiments above, when the spool (not shown in FIG. 3A) moves and approaches the load cell, the damper 204 device slows down the conveying speed of the spool so that the spool stops. The damper 204 then returns or retracts to its original position. This allows the weighing to be performed without any other parts touching the spool during the weighing process.

[0051] The brake 206 then presses the spool 202 against the damper 204, helping to stop the spool from rotating about its axis. The brake 206 then returns to its original position, i.e., retracts from the spool so that no parts other than the load cell directly contact the spool while it is being weighed. When using a load cell 205 with a lateral recess 208, the spool will slowly retract towards the other load cell due to the shape of the load cell. If necessary, the brake can be used to accurately position the spool on the load cell.

[0052] The weighing device 201 is further provided with a kicking device 207 for kicking the spool out of the load cell so that the spool can be further transported along the guide rail, for example to another subsequent station. The kicking device may be used in any of the embodiments described herein.

[0053] The kicker device may be a stand-alone kick device or may be part of a braking device as described below.

[0054] All other parts of the metering device according to this embodiment are as described in any of the embodiments previously described with reference to Figures 1A-1C and 2A-2B.

[0055] Figure 3B is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the weighing device 201. This device comprises a damper 204 that slows down the conveying speed of the spool (not shown in Figure 3B) along the guide rail 203 to 0 m / s, and a brake 206 that stops the rotation of the spool about its axis as described with reference to Figure 3A. In the position shown in Figure 3B, the damper 204 is in an active position that slows down the spool. The brake then stops the rotation of the spool about its axis by pressing it against the damper. Once the spool has stopped, the load cell 205 records the weight of the spool. Once weighing is complete, the other end of the damper acts as a kicking device 207 that kicks the spool out of its position on the load cell and the weighing device. This causes the spool to start moving again along the guide rail.

[0056] The kick device is preferably controlled by a peller which commands the system to eject the spool from the station, after which the tissue spool continues to move by gravity (on an inclined rail) to the next station.

[0057] In this particular embodiment, an example of a hydraulic system for moving the brake, damper, and kicker is shown. The brake 206 is connected to a brake arm 2061 that is used to apply the brake to the spool to stop the rotational movement of the spool. A hydraulic cylinder 2062 is used to rotate and move the brake arm 2061 upwards. The damper 204 is a hydraulic damper that includes a hydraulic cylinder 2041 and a spring 2042. This hydraulic damper slows down the movement of the spool so that it stops smoothly on the load cell. Once the spool is on the load cell, the damper returns to its original position by the spring. The kicker device 207 is connected to a kicker arm 2071. The kicker arm 2071 is connected to a hydraulic cylinder 2072 to kick the device out of the weighing station once the weighing step is completed. Using the hydraulic cylinder 2072, the kick arm 2071 is pushed to the right in the drawing. The hydraulic cylinder 2072 pulls down the damper 204 together with the kick arm 2071, allowing the spool to rotate freely on the rails again. The trailing edge of the damper is used as a kicking device to accelerate the spindle. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of brake, damper and kicker arrangements / devices can be used and that the scope of the device is not intended to be limited to this example.

[0058] All other parts of the metering device according to this embodiment are as described in any of the embodiments previously described with reference to Figures 1A-1C and 2A-2B.

[0059] The weighing device may further be provided with a position sensor 9;209 next to the damper 4;104;204. The position sensor 9;209 has the ability to indicate when the spool has entered the weighing station. This improves the system's ability to know when the spool has arrived at the weighing station and that the damper of the weighing device should be started. It is also possible to add multiple position sensors to the system to know, for example, when the weighing is complete and when the spool has exited the weighing device. Position sensors may be used in any of the embodiments described herein.

[0060] A system for weighing a roll of continuous web material on a spool comprises two laterally spaced inclined guide rails 3;103;203;3';103';203', one on either side of the spool 2;102;202. In some systems it may be advantageous to have two weighing devices 1;101;201;1';101';201', one next to each guide rail. The weight of the spool is thus weighed by load cells at each end of the spool and the values ​​from both load cells are transmitted to the machine control system.

[0061] All the above mentioned features can be combined with each other in the various embodiments described.

[0062] The present invention is also directed to a method of metering a roll of continuous web material on a spool using the apparatus described according to any of the above embodiments.

[0063] 4A-4E show different arrangements of the spool, guide rails, load cells, dampers and kickers in a method of weighing a spool of continuous web material according to the present invention.

[0064] There is provided a method for metering a roll of continuous web material on a spool 2 conveyed along a pair of guide rails 3, 3', the method comprising: i. slowing down the conveying speed of the spool 2 along the guide rail to 0 m / s using the damper 4; ii. weighing the spool on a load cell 5; iii. ejecting the spool from the metering device; At least Due to the damper 4 returning to its initial position after step i, no parts other than the load cell 5 come into direct contact with the spool 2 during the weighing step ii.

[0065] The method further comprises slowing down the rotation of the spool about its axis using said braking device 106, the method comprising: i. slowing down the conveying speed of the spool 2;102;202 along the guide rail to 0 m / s using a damper 4;104;204; ii. slowing down the rotation of said spool about its axis using a braking device 6;106;206; iii. weighing the spool on a load cell 5;105;205; iv. ejecting said spool 2;102;202 from said metering device 1;101;202; in this order, After step i, the damper 4 returns to its initial position and the brake 6;106;206 returns to its initial position so that in the weighing step iii, no parts other than the load cell 5;105;205 come into direct contact with the spool 2;102;202.

[0066] The method may further comprise the step of positioning the spool 2;102;202 on the load cell 5;105;205 prior to the weighing step. After the brake slows down the rotation of the spool, it returns to its initial position, i.e. is retracted. When using a load cell with a lateral recess 208, the shape of the load cell causes the spool to slowly retreat towards the load cell. A damper arm may be used to initiate this movement, and a brake arm may be used to guide the spool into or onto the load cell.

[0067] If the load cell is a V-shaped load cell with orthogonal recesses, the brake guides the spool into the central recess of the load cell. The method by which this works is: i. slowing down the conveying speed of the spool 2;102;202 along the guide rail to 0 m / s using a damper 4;104;204; ii. slowing down the rotation of said spool about its axis using a braking device 6;106;206; iii. positioning said spool 2;102;202 on a load cell 5;105;205; iv. weighing said spool 2;102;202 on a load cell 5;105;205; v. ejecting said spool 2;102;202 from said metering device 1;101;202; in this order, After step i, the damper 4 returns to its initial position and the brake 6;106;206 returns to its initial position so that in the weighing step iv, no parts other than the load cell 5;105;205 come into direct contact with the spool 2;102;202.

[0068] The step of ejecting the spool 2;102;202 from the metering device by any of the methods described above may be performed using a kick device 7;107;207. The damper 4;104;204 may be used as a kick device.

[0069] The method may further comprise an optional step of indicating that spool 2; 102; 202 has entered the station. A position sensor 9 (shown in FIG. 4B) located on the damper indicates that the spool has entered the station and may therefore be implemented in combination with step i. in the method described above. Position sensors may be used in any of the embodiments described herein.

[0070] The steps of the above-mentioned method are illustrated in Figures 4A-4E.

[0071] In the drawings, the method is shown with reference to a first embodiment with parts numbered 1 to 9, but is also applicable to other embodiments with corresponding parts 10X and 20X. The metering device is shown as 1 but could be 101 or 201. The spool is shown as 2 but could be 102 or 202. The guide rail is shown as 3 but could be 103 or 303, similarly for the remaining numbered parts.

[0072] Figure 4A shows the spool 2 on its way to the weighing device 1 along the guide rail 3 towards the damper 4. The damper 4 is in its active position waiting for the spool to come into position. The spool is moving along the guide rail in the direction of the arrow in the figure. As mentioned above, the spool is rotating in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) about its own axis.

[0073] Figure 4B shows the position of the various means in the device in step i. of the above-mentioned method. The drawing is an enlargement of the device, using the damper 4 to slow down the conveying speed of the spool 2 along the guide rails 3, 3' to 0 m / s. The damper in this drawing is in direct contact with the spool, so that the speed can be reduced.

[0074] 4C shows the location of the various means within the device in the optional step of slowing down the rotation of the spool about its axis using a braking device 6. In this figure, the brake 6 is in direct contact with the spool 2, so that the rotation of the spool can be slowed down until it stops.

[0075] 4D shows an enlarged view of the position of the various means in the device during weighing, in particular the brake 6 and the damper 4. In this figure it is clearly shown that neither the damper nor the brake are in direct contact with the spool 2 and that the weighing can be carried out by using the load cell 5, as explained with reference to the device 1.

[0076] FIG. 4E shows the position of the various means in the device in the optional step of pushing the spool 2 out of the weighing station with the weighing device 1 using a kicking device 7. In this figure, the damper 4 also functions as a kicking device using its other end (the end opposite to the end used to slow down the conveying mass). As shown in FIG. 4B, the kicking device 7 directly contacts the spool to kick / push it out of the load cell 5. The position sensor 9 is optional and functions as described above.

[0077] The spool 2 may be ejected from the metering device using any suitable device, however, it is preferred to use a kick device 7 .

[0078] The apparatus and method according to the present invention provide a safer and more time-efficient weighing procedure of spools with continuous web material. There is no need to remove the spool at any step of the weighing procedure. This not only naturally provides a safer environment for the operator, but also reduces the duration of the weighing procedure, thereby improving efficiency.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1; 101; 201) for metering a roll of continuous web material on a spool (2; 102; 202) at a metering station in a continuous process, said apparatus being arranged next to at least one of a pair of guide rails (3; 103; 203, 3') and comprising: Damper (4; 104; 204), Load cell (5; 105; 205); Equipped with The load cell is mounted on at least one of the guide rails. An apparatus comprising:

2. Further comprising a braking device (106; 206), 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. Further comprising a kick device (207); 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

4. The damper (4; 104; 204) also functions as the kick device.

4. The apparatus of claim 3.

5. the load cell being a load cell with a lateral recess (108; 208), preferably a V-shaped recess; 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

6. The V-shaped recess is in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail.

6. The apparatus of claim 5.

7. further comprising a position sensor (9; 209) adjacent said damper (4; 104; 204) capable of indicating when said spool (2; 102; 202) has entered said weighing station; 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

8. The load cell comprises a metallic body having at least one strain gauge.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

9. A system for metering a roll of continuous web material on a spool, comprising two laterally spaced inclined guide rails (3, 3'), one on each side of the spool (2), and two devices (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 8, one next to each guide rail.

10. A method for metering a roll of continuous web material on a spool (2) conveyed along a pair of guide rails (3; 3') in a metering device (1) arranged next to at least one of said pair of guide rails (3; 3'), said method comprising the steps of: i. slowing down the conveying speed of the spool (2) along the guide rail to 0 m / s using a damper (4); ii. Weighing the spool (2) on a load cell (5) integrated into the guide rail; iii. ejecting the spool from the metering device (1); Equipped with the damper (4) returns to its initial position after step i, so that in the weighing step ii, no parts other than the load cell (5) come into direct contact with the spool; A method comprising:

11. A method for metering a roll of continuous web material on a spool (102) conveyed along a pair of guide rails (103, 103') in a metering device (101) arranged next to at least one of said pair of guide rails (103; 103'), said method comprising the steps of: i. slowing down the conveying speed of the spool (102) along the guide rail to 0 m / s using a damper (104); ii. slowing down the rotation of said spool about its axis using a braking device (106); iii. Weighing the spool on a load cell (105); iv. ejecting the spool from the metering device (101); Equipped with the damper (104) returns to its initial position after step i, and the brake (106) returns to its initial position after step ii, so that in the weighing step iii, no parts other than the load cell mounted on the guide rail come into direct contact with the spool. A method comprising:

12. Prior to the weighing step, further comprising the step of positioning the spool on the load cell (5).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11.

13. ejecting the spool from the weighing station using a kick device (207); 12. The method according to claim 10 or 11.

14. ejecting the spool from the weighing station by using the damper (4; 104; 204) as the kick device (207); The method of claim 13.

15. The load cell has a V-shaped recess perpendicular to the direction of the guide rail.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11.

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