Apparatus and method for manufacturing a paper truncated cone-shaped barrel body

Abstract

This invention provides an improved apparatus for manufacturing a truncated cone-shaped barrel body made of cardboard. [Solution] An apparatus 1 for manufacturing a frustoconical barrel body 6 made of paper, the apparatus 1 comprising: a supply station 4 equipped with a pull assembly for unwinding paper 50 at a preset unwinding speed; a frustoconical drum 10 that is rotatable and operable around a rotation axis X; an upstream fly-cutting device 2 of the drum 10 suitable for cutting the paper 50 into sheets 5 without reducing or stopping the preset unwinding speed; and a conveyor device 3 that allows the sheets 5 to slide from the supply station 4 toward the drum 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing, for example, a frustoconical barrel made of paper, preferably kraft fiber, for industrial storage.

[0002]

[0002] As is well known, several types of containers are currently commercially available, which are composed of a plurality of kraft fiber sheets that are overlapped and adhered to each other to form a barrel body that is lightweight and has a robust structure. Such containers or barrels, which are widely used in many industrial applications, exist in various shapes, mainly cylindrical or frustoconical.

[0003]

[0003] Some known apparatuses for manufacturing these containers require a significant amount of manual work to correctly arrange the paper sheets on a forming drum.

[0004]

[0004] The most widespread equipment enables the production of the barrel body by winding two strips of decreasing width around a frustoconical mandrel along the development of two helical configurations, arranged side by side in accordance with a cylindrical helix such that the two strips are partially overlapped. This process, as is clear, requires a large amount of material due to the relatively high overlap of the paper strips to achieve a sufficient mechanical connection of the container.

[0005]

[0005] Furthermore, the barrels thus obtained by such equipment will surely have an aesthetically poor finish since the cardboard helix appears on the surface unless they are subsequently coated.

[0006]

[0006] Document EP0340178B1 describes a machine for manufacturing a fibrous barrel body having a frustoconical shape, which enables the realization of a frustoconical barrel body from a series of overlapping pre-cut cardboard sheets, one side of which is coated with an adhesive film, and then these sheets are sequentially overlapped and continuously rotated around a frustoconical mandrel.

[0007]

[0007] Unfortunately, such machines have a number of limitations, although they offer advantages compared to versions that provide spiral winding of cardboard.

[0008]

[0008] Disadvantageously, such machines actually tolerate low productivity because the cutting step and the subsequent step of transporting the cut sheets toward the mandrel require slow processing and downtime for the feeding step, i.e., the processing is not continuous.

[0009]

[0009] Furthermore, according to further drawbacks, the machine described in the above-mentioned literature requires continuous operator assistance for the step of placing the first cardboard sheet onto the mandrel, and for the disposal of waste following the final removal of the piece and the final trimming of both ends of the barrel.

[0010]

[0010] Therefore, the handling of such barrels is further slowed down by such manual operation, which obviously also negatively impacts the safety of the operator themselves who must be in continuous contact with the machine.

[0011]

[0011] Other known solutions involve the use of an intermediate buffer between the reel unwinding station and the cutting station, which allows the paper forward to be slowed down or stopped during the cutting phase while maintaining continuous unwinding of the reel at the supply station.

[0012]

[0012] Therefore, these systems also require slowing down or stopping the paper forward feed, and at the same time require intermediate buffer elements, at the expense of machine complexity and productivity. [Overview of the project]

[0013]

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014]

[0014] Therefore, there is a strong need to provide an improved apparatus for manufacturing a cardboard frustoconical barrel body that can overcome the typical drawbacks of the prior art.

[0015]

[0015] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that enables higher productivity, reduced operator intervention, and higher quality of finished pieces.

[0016]

[0016] Such needs are met by the apparatus described in independent claim 1 and by the method described in independent claim 14. Dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the present invention, with further advantageous aspects.

[0017]

[0017] The features and advantages of the apparatus and method will in any case become apparent from the description below of several preferred embodiments, which are given as examples rather than limitations, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an apparatus for manufacturing a frustoconical barrel body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which several parts of the external casing have been removed to allow viewing of the internal mechanism of the machine. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of Figure 2 in a conveyor device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a front view on the drum side of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for manufacturing a frustum-shaped barrel body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for manufacturing a frustum-shaped barrel body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023] Upstream of the drum 10, the apparatus 1 preferably comprises a conveyor device 3 formed by a plurality of circular cross-section elements 300 suitable for forming a sliding inclined plane, as shown in FIG. 3 for example. Such a conveyor device 3 is suitable for enabling the sliding of the sheet 5 towards the drum 10 from a supply station 4 arranged upstream of the apparatus.

[0025]

[0024] Preferably, the conveyor device 3 is arranged downstream of the supply station 4 and upstream of the drum 10, along a sheet supply direction Y which is preferably incident, preferably substantially orthogonal, with respect to the axis of rotation X.

[0026]

[0025] In one embodiment, the supply station 4 comprises a reel 40 around which the paper 50 is wound to form a roll. <好ましくは、コンベヤデバイス3は、回転軸Xに対して、好ましくは入射する(incident)、好ましくは実質的に直交するシート供給方向Yに沿って、供給ステーション4の下流且つドラム10の上流に配置されている。

[0027]

[0028]

[0026] The supply station 4 further comprises a tension assembly 8 suitable for unwinding the paper 50 at a preset unwinding speed vs.

[0029]

[0027] In one embodiment, the tension assembly 8 comprises a first roller 80 suitable for unwinding the paper 50 from the reel 40 in the sheet supply direction Y.

[0030]

[0028] In one embodiment, the tension assembly 8 further comprises a plurality of traction rollers 82 suitable for accompanying the paper unwound from the first roller 80 towards the conveyor device 3 along the sheet feeding direction Y.

[0031]

[0030] In one embodiment, the gluing system 85 is interposed between the supply station 4 and the conveyor device 3, preferably between the reel 40 and the conveyor device 3.

[0032]

[0031] In one embodiment, the adhesive application system 85 includes an adhesive application roller 855 suitable for being wetted with adhesive by an adhesive supply device, for example, a tank 850 or an adhesive dispensing device 851.

[0033]

[0032] The adhesive roller 855 described above is suitable for coating the paper 50 that is dragged by the adhesive roller 855, or the upper surface 500 of the sheet 5 after the paper 50 has been cut into sheets 5, with adhesive material.

[0034]

[0033] In one embodiment, the adhesive application system 85 comprises an adhesive application roller 855 in communication with a tank 850 containing an adhesive material, preferably a liquid. The adhesive application roller 855 is suitable for rotating by drawing the adhesive material from the tank 850, and in its rotation about an axis of the roller 855 itself which is parallel to the axis of rotation X, it transfers the adhesive material onto the upper surface 500 of the unwound paper 50 sliding over it.

[0035]

[0034] In one embodiment, the adhesive application system 85 includes an adhesive distribution device, such as a dripping system or a spraying device, suitable for actively wetting the adhesive application roller 855 by distributing adhesive. The adhesive application roller 855 is either directly wetted by the adhesive distribution device or indirectly wetted by contact with a distribution roller 851 interposed between the adhesive distribution device and the adhesive application roller 85.

[0036]

[0035] According to the present invention, the apparatus 1 includes a fly cutting device 2 downstream of the supply station 4 and upstream of the drum 10, preferably upstream of the conveyor device 3.

[0037]

[0036] The fly cutting device 2 is preferably suitable for cutting the paper 50 into a continuous sheet 5 while the paper 50 is sliding along the sheet supply direction Y, i.e., while the paper 50 is moving along the sheet supply direction Y, without reducing or stopping the preset unwinding speed vs.

[0038]

[0037] In other words, cutting is performed on paper that is not slowing down or interrupted relative to the unwinding speed vs. This means that not only is the reel continuing to unwind, but the paper is also moving at the cutting station, i.e., in the fly-cutting device.

[0039]

[0038] Advantageously, the fly-cutting device 2, known in English as a "fly-cutting knife," allows the paper 50 to be cut in motion without interrupting the manufacturing process, i.e., without requiring the machine to slow down or stop in order to enable cutting. Advantageously, this makes it possible to optimize the productivity of the device and reduce the downtime and slowdowns that are generally required in production with conventional machines.

[0040]

[0039] In one embodiment, the fly cutting device 2 comprises a movable blade 200, and the device 1 comprises an electronic control unit configured to synchronize the movement of the movable blade 200 with a preset unwinding speed vs.

[0041]

[0040] Advantageously, such control allows the movable blade to operate in cutting the unwound paper while avoiding undesirable jams upstream or downstream of the fly-cutting device 2.

[0042]

[0041] In one embodiment, the movable blade 200 is a rotating blade, that is, a blade mounted on a shaft that rotates at high speed. The shape of the rotating blade may vary depending on the type of cutting and the type of paper to be processed (circular, spiral, or segmented).

[0043]

[0042] In one embodiment, the fly cutting device 2 includes a synchronization system configured to synchronize the rotation speed of the blade with a preset unwinding speed vs, so that the paper cutting is performed without interrupting the production flow.

[0044]

[0043] In one embodiment, the fly cutting device 2 comprises an electric motor or a hydraulic motor suitable for providing the power required for rotation. The fly cutting device 2 may further comprise a transmission system comprising a belt, gear, or chain system for transmitting motion to a movable blade.

[0045]

[0044] The tension assembly is suitable for keeping the paper 50 in place and ensuring that the paper 50 is properly aligned with the blade.

[0046]

[0045] In one embodiment, the fly cutting device 2 is operably connected to a control unit and a position sensor and a speed sensor, the position sensor and speed sensor being configured to monitor the movement of the paper and the movable blade and to send data to the control unit to adjust the synchronization and ensure that the cut is accurate and uniform.

[0047]

[0046] The operation of the fly cutting device is described herein in one embodiment. The supply station 4 continuously unwinds the paper 50 toward the cutting device 2 at an unwinding speed vs. The paper 50 reaches the cutting device 2, where the rotating blade is already synchronized with the unwinding speed vs by sensors and a control unit. When the paper 50 reaches the cutting point, the control unit activates a rapidly rotating movable blade 200 to cut the paper on the fly without stopping the process. After cutting, the blade continues to rotate until the next cutting cycle.

[0048]

[0047] Advantageously, the fly cutting device is equipped with a control unit that ensures accurate and uniform cutting.

[0049]

[0048] Advantageously, the fly cutting device 2 having a rotating blade enables precise cutting of material in continuous motion, improving efficiency and reducing downtime on the production line.

[0050]

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, the movable blade 200 is translatable along the sheet supply direction Y in synchronization with the unwinding of the paper, i.e., at the same preset unwinding speed vs.

[0051]

[0050] In one embodiment, the movable blade 200 is further translational toward the paper 50 in a transverse direction (preferably transverse with respect to the sheet supply direction Y) in order to perform cutting. When it is time to cut, in response to a command sent by the electronic control unit, the movable blade 200 approaches the paper 50, allowing contact between the movable blade 200 and the paper 50, and as a result, allowing the paper 50 to be cut.

[0052]

[0051] As the movable blade 200 and the paper 50 move along the sheet supply direction Y at substantially the same preset unwinding speed vs, the movable blade 200 translates vertically and performs cutting.

[0053]

[0052] Advantageously, thanks to this synchronized movement, cutting is performed without interrupting the supply, ensuring continuous and smooth operation.

[0054]

[0053] After cutting, the movable blade 200 retracts in the transverse direction and parallel to the sheet feeding direction Y, preparing for the next cutting cycle. This retraction is performed quickly so that it is immediately available for use in the next cutting interval.

[0055]

[0054] Advantageously, equipping the apparatus 1 with the fly-cutting device 2 allows for the maintenance of manufacturing continuity, thus increasing efficiency and reducing downtime, which is currently of great interest in apparatus for manufacturing frustoconical barrel bodies, as mentioned in the first section of this discussion.

[0056]

[0055] In one embodiment, the fly cutting device 2 is located downstream of the adhesive application system 85 and upstream of the conveyor device 3. Thus, in such an embodiment, cutting to the sheet 5 is performed on paper 50 that has already been coated with adhesive.

[0057]

[0056] In one embodiment, for example, as shown in the schematic example of Figure 7, the fly cutting device 2 is located upstream of the adhesive application system 85 and downstream of the supply station 4, preferably downstream of the reel 40. That is, in such an advantageous modification, the fly cutting device 2 is located upstream of the adhesive application system 85, i.e., cutting to the sheet 5 is performed on dry paper 50.

[0058]

[0057] Advantageously, in such embodiments, problems caused by contact between the movable blade and the adhesive-soaked paper, such as wear on the blade and the formation of dried adhesive residue, which can affect the quality of the cut and the overall precision of the cutting device, are avoided with each cycle.

[0059]

[0058] In one embodiment, between the cutting device 2 and the adhesive application system 85, the apparatus 1 includes a series of auxiliary accompanying rollers 800 suitable for accompanying each cut sheet toward the adhesive application roller 855.

[0060]

[0059] Preferably, the adhesive application system 85 is located near the conveyor device 3 so that the already cut and adhesive coated sheets 5 are placed directly on the conveyor device 3 so that they are transported toward the drum 10.

[0061]

[0060] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to prevent the deposition of adhesive by the adhesive bonding system 85 onto the last sheet 5 of each manufacturing cycle of each barrel 6, i.e., onto the sheet 5 that will make up the outer surface of the barrel 6.

[0062]

[0061] For example, the control unit is configured to interpose a shielding device between the last sheet 5 and the adhesive application roller 855 so that the adhesive does not reach the last sheet.

[0063]

[0062] In another example, the control unit is configured to change the relative position between the adhesive roller 85 and the auxiliary accompanying roller 800 as the last sheet passes, so that the last sheet does not come into contact with the adhesive roller 855.

[0064]

[0063] Such embodiments are advantageous for the manufacture of barrels, as they do not provide the application of any labels to the sides of the barrels.

[0065]

[0064] Advantageously, such embodiments make it possible to limit the waste of adhesive.

[0066]

[0065] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1 includes a label supply device 95 suitable for providing labels to be affixed to the last sheet 5 of each barrel 6, preferably in a conveyor device 3, before such sheets reach the drum 10.

[0067]

[0066] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to operate the label supply device 95 so as to supply labels toward the sheet 5 on the conveyor device 3 in a manner synchronized with the transport of the sheet 5 toward the drum 10, without stopping the unwinding of the paper 50. Preferably, the label supply device 95 includes a chute 950 suitable for accompanying each label toward the conveyor device in a manner synchronized with the unwinding speed vs.

[0068]

[0067] As described above, the drum 10 extends along and around the rotation axis X between the right end 101 and the left end 102.

[0069]

[0068] In one embodiment, at each of the right end 101 and left end 102 of the drum 10, the device 1 is provided with cutting devices 21, 22, preferably disc blades, which are suitable for trimming the barrel body 6, which has been wound around the drum 10 and formed once, in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X at both ends thereof.

[0070]

[0069] In one embodiment, the cutting devices 21 and 22 generate right waste 61 and left waste 62 in the form of two paper rings at both ends of the trimmed barrel body 6.

[0071]

[0070] In an alternative embodiment, the cutting devices 21 and 22 are laser cutters suitable for trimming the barrel body 6, which is wound around the drum 10, at both ends in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X.

[0072]

[0071] Preferably, the drum 10 is tapered from the right end 101 to the left end 102.

[0073]

[0072] In one embodiment, the drum 10 is provided with grooves 110 and 120 on its side surface near the right end 101 and the left end 102.

[0074]

[0073] In one embodiment, the cutting device, preferably the disc blades 21, 22, is suitable to contact the drum 10 in the grooves 110, 120 such that the trimming of the barrel body 6 is further guided, i.e., guided generation of right waste 61 and left waste 62.

[0075]

[0074] Preferably, the grooves 110 and 120 function as guides for trimming, but at the same time are of a very small thickness to prevent paper from getting stuck inside them during trimming.

[0076]

[0075] In one embodiment, the device comprises one or more pressing rollers 14 that are suitable to move in a rotating and / or translating manner so as to contact the side surface 100 of the drum 10, thereby guiding a controlled winding of the paper sheets 5 in sequence to press against the side surface and form a frustoconical barrel body 6.

[0077]

[0076] Preferably, one or more of the pressing rollers 14 are rotatable about their own axes of rotation, which are parallel to the axis of rotation X of the drum. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the pressing rollers are similarly frustoconical but tapered in the opposite direction to the drum 10, so that the sides of the pressing rollers remain parallel to the sides 100 of the drum 10 at all times.

[0078]

[0077] In one embodiment, the one or more pressing rollers 14 include a primary pressing roller 141 suitable for pressing onto each adhesive-coated sheet 5, and a secondary pressing roller 142 suitable for pressing onto each sheet or possible label without adhesive.

[0079]

[0078] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit is suitable for operating the primary pressing roller 141 or the secondary pressing roller 142 depending on whether the sheet to be pressed onto the drum 10 is adhesive or not. That is, the electronic control unit is configured to receive an adhesive-free signal generated by a sensor and to operate the secondary pressing roller 142 in accordance with the signal.

[0080]

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 1 includes a discharge device 7 located near the drum 10, which is parallel to the surface of the drum 10 and movable along a direction perpendicular to the sheet supply direction Y, and is suitable for discharging the barrel body 6 manufactured at the end of the process.

[0081]

[0080] In one embodiment, the discharge device 7 includes a thrust arm 70 that slides along a linear guide 72. The thrust arm 70 contacts the drum 10 near the right end 101 of the drum 10 and generates thrust feedback to the barrel body 6, preferably to the associated right waste 61, and is suitable for discharging the barrel body 6 by pushing the right waste 61, the trimmed barrel body 6, and the left waste 62 along the axis of rotation toward the left end 102 of the drum.

[0082]

[0081] Preferably, the device 1 is located near the drum 10, preferably near the left end 102, and includes a barrel body 6 and a collection tray 9 suitable for receiving the right waste 61 and left waste 62 that have been removed by the discharge device 7, optionally.

[0083]

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the drum 10 includes a collapsing portion that is suitable for retracting toward the rotation axis X in order to facilitate the removal of the barrel body 6 from the side of the drum 10 and enable its discharge.

[0084]

[0083] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1 includes a position sensor configured to detect the alignment of the paper sheet on the drum 10 to a predetermined optimal position, send a misalignment signal to an electronic control unit to notify the operator of any misalignment of the sheet from the optimal position, and, if necessary, interrupt the process to enable correct positioning of the paper.

[0085]

[0084] If the sensor does not detect any misalignment, the process continues in an automated manner.

[0086]

[0085] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1 includes a positioning device, such as a suction cup, suitable for moving the sheet 5 to reach an optimal position in response to a misalignment signal generated by a sensor.

[0087]

[0086] In one embodiment, the drum is provided with chamfered edges near its right end 101 and left end 102.

[0088]

[0087] In one embodiment, the device 1 provides transverse supply of paper 50 from the supply station 4 with respect to the sheet supply direction Y, preferably transverse unwinding of the reel 40 with respect to the sheet supply direction Y.

[0089]

[0088] According to such an embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the reel 40 is positioned perpendicular to the sheet supply direction Y and unwinds paper along a starting direction Z that is substantially perpendicular to the sheet supply direction Y and preferably parallel to the rotation axis X.

[0090]

[0089] In one embodiment, the apparatus 1 is suitable for cutting a sheet that already has a final shape suitable for manufacturing a barrel body, so as not to generate waste.

[0091]

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, the fly cutting device 2 is equipped with a shaping blade 200' suitable for cutting the paper 50 so that, once wound onto the drum 10, it will have a sheet 5 having a suitable shape in order to produce a barrel body 6 while avoiding the generation of waste.

[0092]

[0091] In one embodiment, the fly cutting device 2 is suitable for creating a type of "paper pattern" for the barrel body 6.

[0093]

[0092] In one embodiment, the fly cutting device 2 cuts the sheet 5 perpendicular to the starting direction Z, that is, the fly cutting device 2 cuts the sheet along the portion that will later form the edges of the upper and lower bottom surfaces of the barrel body when wound, and these edges will later receive the lid and bottom of the frustoconical barrel.

[0094]

[0093] In one embodiment, the forming blade 200' has a curved shape and, in particular, has a circular arc generatrix with a radius of 4 to 8 meters, preferably between 5 to 7 meters, and more preferably about 6 meters.

[0095]

[0094] Next, the operation of the apparatus 1 for forming the frustoconical barrel body 6 in one embodiment of the apparatus 1 will be described.

[0096]

[0095] For the formation of the frustoconical barrel body 6, the unwinding roller 80 causes the paper 50 to be unwound from the reel 40, and the multiple pull rollers 82 accompany the unwinding of the paper 50 in the sheet supply direction Y toward the drum 10.

[0097]

[0096] The adhesive roller 855 releases adhesive material onto the surface 500 of the unwound paper 50.

[0098]

[0097] The fly cutting device 2 cuts the paper 50 unwound by the pull assembly 8 into a series of continuous sheets 5 with the adhesive-coated surface 500 facing upwards, without interruption or deceleration, during the continuous supply from the supply station 4.

[0099]

[0098] The paper sheets 5 are supplied to the conveyor device 3 along the sheet supply direction Y and are carried toward the drum 10 by the conveyor device 3.

[0100]

[0099] A predetermined number, preferably 7 or 8 consecutive sheets of paper 5, are carried to the drum 10. The first sheet of paper 5 reaches the drum 10 at the suction hole and is positioned on the surface of the drum 10 as the drum 10 rotates around the rotation axis X.

[0101]

[0100] After the first sheet 5, subsequent sheets 5 are wrapped around the barrel body 6 until a predetermined number is reached, and they are stacked in order until the barrel body 6 is completely wrapped around it.

[0102]

[0101] Preferably, the last sheet is covered with a label provided by the label supply device 95, or the distribution of adhesive onto it is prevented.

[0103]

[0102] At the end of this operation sequence, the disc blades 21 and 22 trim the barrel body 6 at both ends of the drum 10, separating the barrel body 6 from the left and right waste, and trimming the edges of the barrel body 6, which will be processed later to become the upper bottom edge (opening edge) and lower bottom edge (bottom edge) of the completed frustoconical barrel.

[0104]

[0103] Finally, the discharge device 7 is operated along a direction parallel to the surface of the drum 10 and perpendicular to the sheet supply direction Y in order to discharge the barrel body 6 toward the collection tray 9 located near the apparatus.

[0105]

[0104] Furthermore, forming the subject of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a paper barrel body 6, preferably starting from paper 50 wound on a roll, and this method is

[0105] a) The step of providing the apparatus 1 according to the present invention,

[0106] b) The pulling assembly 8 unwinds the paper 50 from the supply station 4 toward the drum 10 at an unwinding speed vs,

[0107] c) The step of cutting the paper 50 unwound by the pull assembly 8 into continuous sheets 5 by the fly cutting device 2 without slowing down or interrupting the unwinding speed vs, during continuous feeding of the paper,

[0108] d) The conveyor device 3 transports a certain number of consecutive sheets 5 to a drum 10 that rotates around a rotation axis X, and the sheets are stacked and wound in sequence until the barrel body 6 is formed. It is equipped with.

[0106]

[0109] In one embodiment,

[0110] Step c) is

[0111] c1) A substep in which the operation of the fly cutting device 2 is synchronized with a preset speed by an electronic control unit,

[0112] c2) A substep in which the paper is cut while unwinding the paper 50 at a preset speed without interrupting the unwinding or reducing the preset speed, It is equipped with.

[0107]

[0113] In one embodiment, the device 1 is - Cutting devices 21 and 22 positioned at the right end 101 and left end 102 of the drum 10, - A discharge device 7 located near the drum 10 is movable along a direction parallel to the surface of the drum 10, The method involves the following finishing and discharge steps after step d), namely,

[0114] - The cutting devices 21 and 22 trim the barrel body 6, which is wrapped around the drum 10, in the circumferential direction at both ends.

[0115] - The discharge device 7 discharges the barrel body 6 at the end of the process and pushes the barrel body toward the collection tray 9, It is equipped with.

[0108]

[0116] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises an adhesive application step before or after the step of cutting into sheets, as described above.

[0109]

[0117] Innovatively, the present invention solves the shortcomings of apparatuses for manufacturing typical frustoconical barrels in known technologies.

[0110]

[0118] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the present invention ensures a significant reduction in manufacturing time and, as a result, a significant increase in manufacturing speed.

[0111]

[0119] A further advantage is that, in particularly efficient embodiments, the fly-cutting and discharge devices synergistically contribute to optimizing the manufacturing process, making the entire machine cycle more effective and efficient. In fact, the applicant has verified that the application of such devices allows the barrel body to be manufactured with one sheet winding per drum rotation. This has proven to be extremely advantageous compared to current practices where machines require multiple drum rotations for each sheet winding.

[0112]

[0120] Therefore, advantageously, the apparatus according to the present invention also makes it possible to save considerable energy for the electrical operation of the drum itself.

[0113]

[0121] According to further advantages, position sensors can accelerate the manufacturing time of equipment while simultaneously optimizing the quality of the finished product.

[0114]

[0122] Advantageously, a drum with chamfered edges is more ergonomic and avoids undesirable encumbrances to other components, such as the discharge device.

[0115]

[0123] According to further advantages, in addition to saving manufacturing time, the apparatus of the present invention also optimizes the positioning and feeding of the sheets to be wound onto the drum, thereby also benefiting from savings on excess paper.

[0116]

[0124] Advantageously, in embodiments that provide a starting direction perpendicular to the sheet supply direction and pre-cutting of the sheet to already have a final shape suitable for producing a barrel without waste, the elimination of final waste is achieved, i.e., the need to trim the barrel body is avoided, and at the same time, the time required for such processing is saved, thus further optimizing the process.

[0117]

[0125] In other words, such embodiments allow the process to be absorbed into a single cutting operation upstream of the winding, and the final trimming is no longer necessary.

[0118]

[0126] The applicant emphasizes that, in evaluating the innovations introduced by the present invention, it is incorrect to consider an apparatus for manufacturing cylindrical barrel bodies. This is because methods for manufacturing frustoconical barrel bodies, even with very slight conicity, face practical process obstacles, such as the need to separate the paper unwinding into a series of approximately 5-10 continuous sheets to handle the sides of the barrel body, which are still soft due to the presence of adhesive, which do not occur in the manufacture of cylindrical barrel bodies; processing on surfaces not aligned with the rotation axis of the drum; or cutting manufacturing waste.

[0119]

[0127] Such process failures are clearly seen as an obstacle to machine innovation, and with current technology, there has been no way to confront and overcome these shortcomings while simultaneously bringing about a major transformation in existing machinery.

[0120]

[0128] This invention is the result of extensive process analysis and research aimed at minimizing machine downtime and increasing productivity.

[0121]

[0129] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus described above, or that elements can be replaced with other functionally equivalent ones, in order to meet specific needs.

[0122]

[0130] Such modifications are also included within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims. Furthermore, each modification described as belonging to a possible embodiment is feasible independently of the other modifications described.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for manufacturing a paper truncated cone-shaped barrel body (6), wherein the apparatus (1) is - A supply station (4) equipped with a pull assembly (8) suitable for unwinding paper (50) at a preset unwinding speed (vs), - A substantially frustoconical drum (10) that extends around a rotation axis (X) and is capable of rotational movement around the rotation axis (X), - A conveyor device (3) is located downstream of the supply station (4) and upstream of the drum (10), wherein the conveyor device (3) is suitable for enabling the paper sheets (5) to slide from the supply station (4) toward the drum (10), Equipped with, The apparatus (1) is characterized in that it comprises a fly-cutting device (2) upstream of the drum (10) and downstream of the supply station (4), and the fly-cutting device (2) is suitable for cutting paper (50) into continuous sheets (5) without reducing or stopping the preset unwinding speed (vs).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fly cutting device (2) comprises a movable blade (200), and the apparatus (1) comprises an electronic control unit configured to synchronize the movement of the movable blade (200) with a preset unwinding speed (vs).

3. The tension assembly (8) unwinds the paper (50) from the supply station (4) toward the drum (10) along the sheet supply direction (Y), The movable blade (200) is movable in synchronization with the paper (50), that is, along the sheet supply direction (Y) at the same preset unwinding speed. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the movable blade (200) is translatable transversely to the sheet supply direction (Y) toward the unwinding of the paper (50) in response to a command generated by the electronic control unit for cutting the paper (50) into a continuous sheet (5).

4. The drum (10) extends along and around the rotation axis (X) between its right end (101) and left end (102), and at the right end (101) and left end (102) of the drum (10), the device (1) is equipped with cutting devices (21, 22), such as a disc blade or a laser cutter, which are suitable for trimming the barrel body (6) wrapped around the drum (10) at both ends in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (X). The drum (10) is provided with grooves (110, 120) on its side surface near the right end (101) and the left end (102), The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cutting device (21, 22) is a disc blade suitable for cutting relative to the drum (10) in the groove (110, 120) so that the trimming of the barrel body (6) is further guided.

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the grooves (110, 120) are of a minute thickness to prevent the paper from getting stuck therein during trimming.

6. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a discharge device (7) located near the drum (10) that is movable along a direction parallel to the surface of the drum (10) and suitable for discharging the barrel body (6) at the end of processing.

7. The discharge device (7) comprises a thrust arm (70) that slides along a linear guide portion (72), the thrust arm (70) contacting the drum (10) near the right end (101) of the drum (10), generating thrust feedback to the barrel body (6), and pushing the barrel body (6) toward the left end (102) of the drum (10), making it suitable for discharging the barrel body (6), according to claim 6 (1).

8. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a position sensor configured to detect the alignment of the sheet (5) on the drum (10) to an optimal position, send a position misalignment signal to an electronic control unit to notify the operator of any misalignment of the sheet to the optimal position, and arbitrarily stop processing to enable the paper to be moved to the optimal position.

9. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8, further comprising a positioning device, such as a suction cup, suitable for moving the sheet (5) to the optimal position in response to a positional displacement signal generated by the sensor.

10. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising an adhesive application system (85) interposed between the supply station (4) and the conveyor device (3), wherein the fly cutting device (2) is located upstream of the adhesive application system (85) and downstream of the supply station (4).

11. A label supply device (95) is provided, preferably in the conveyor device (3), which is suitable for providing the labels to be affixed to the last sheet (5) of each barrel (6) before such sheets reach the drum (10), The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising an electronic control unit configured to operate the label supply device (95) to supply labels toward the sheet (5) on the conveyor device (3) in a manner synchronized with the transport of the sheet (5) toward the drum (10) without stopping the unwinding of the paper (50).

12. The fly cutting device (2) comprises a preferably curved shaping blade (200') suitable for cutting paper (50) to obtain a sheet (5) having a suitable shape once it has been wound onto the drum (10) in order to produce the barrel body (6) while avoiding the formation of waste, and the fly cutting device (2) cuts the sheet (5) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (X), the apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The apparatus (1) according to claim 12, wherein the forming blade (200') is curved in shape and in particular has a circular arc generatrix with a radius between 4 and 8 meters, preferably between 5 and 7 meters, and more preferably between about 6 meters.

14. For example, a method for manufacturing a paper barrel body (6) starting from paper (50) wound on a roll, wherein the method is a) The step of providing the apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, b) The pulling assembly (8) unwinds the paper (50) from the supply station (4) toward the drum (10) at an unwinding speed (vs), c) The step of cutting the paper (50) unwound by the tension assembly (8) into a continuous sheet (5) by the fly cutting device (2) while continuously supplying the paper without slowing down or interrupting the unwinding speed (vs), d) The conveyor device (3) transports a certain number of consecutive sheets (5) to the drum (10) which rotates around the rotation axis (X), and the sheets are wound around each other in order until a barrel body (6) is formed. A method that includes [a certain feature].

15. The apparatus includes an electronic control unit configured to move the fly-cutting device (2) according to the preset speed, Step c) is c1) A substep in which the operation of the fly cutting device (2) is synchronized with the preset speed by the electronic control unit, c2) A substep of cutting the paper while unwinding the paper (50) at the preset speed without interrupting the unwinding or reducing the preset speed, The method according to claim 14, comprising:

16. The aforementioned device (1) is - Cutting devices (21, 22) positioned at the right end (101) and left end (102) of the drum (10), - A discharge device (7) located near the drum (10) is movable along a direction parallel to the surface of the drum (10), The above method includes the following finishing step and discharge step after step d), i.e., - A step of trimming the barrel body (6) wrapped around the drum (10) in the circumferential direction at both ends using the cutting devices (21, 22), - The discharge device (7) discharges the barrel body (6) at the end of the process and pushes it toward the collection tray (9), The method according to claim 14 or 15, comprising:

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