Device for precise connection for a machine for continuous unwinding

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for precise connection for a continuous unrolling machine, comprising at least a means ( 3 ) for unrolling two spools, a strip accumulator ( 4 ) and a device for connecting ending strips ( 1 ) and new strips ( 2 ). Device characterized in that the connection device is essentially constituted by adjoining an indexing station ( 5 ) for the strips ( 1 and 2 ) and by at least one means ( 6, 37 ) for precise control of the speed of movement of the strip through the joining and indexing station ( 5 ). The invention is more particularly applicable to the field of machines for continuously unrolling strip material, from spools, to supply continuously printing machines, forwarding machines or the like.

1 . Precision connection device for a continuous unrolling machine, comprising at least one means ( 3 ) for unrolling two spools, a strip accumulator ( 4 ) and a device for connecting an ending strip ( 1 ) and a new strip ( 2 ), characterized in that the connection device is essentially constituted by adjoining an indexing station for the strips ( 1  and  2 ) and by at least one means ( 6 ,  37 ) for precise control of the speed of movement of the strip through the joining and indexing station ( 5 ).  
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the joining and indexing station ( 5 ) for the strips ( 1  and  2 ) is constituted by two symmetrical assemblies ( 8 ) for preparing and cutting the ending strip ( 1 ) and the new strip ( 2 ) and by a median bearing crosspiece ( 9 ) for cutting the ending strip ( 1 ).  
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that each assembly ( 8 ) for preparing and cutting the ending strip ( 1 ) and new strip ( 2 ) is constituted by a junction block ( 10 ) pivotable between a preparatory position and a connecting position, by an indexing device ( 11 ) for the new strip ( 2 ) and by means ( 12 ) for preparatory cutting of said new strip ( 2 ).  
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that each pivotable junction block ( 10 ) is in the form of a casing which, on the one hand, is connected to a pivoting lever ( 13 ) actuated by a jack ( 14 ) articulated by its cylinder on the body of the machine and, on the other hand, is provided with suction means ( 15 ) and with a transverse bearing strip ( 16 ) for the new strip ( 2 ) during preparatory cutting and for application of an adhesive strip on the end, after said cutting.  
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that each pivotable junction block ( 10 ) is provided with a knife ( 24 ) for cutting the ending strip ( 1 ), guided in a slot ( 25 ) and driven by a jack.  
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that each pivotable junction block ( 10 ) is mounted on the body of the machine for movement by means of a sliding bearing actuated by a jack for movement in direction of the median bearing crosspiece ( 9 ).  
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the suction means ( 15 ) consist in holes provided in a surface adjacent to the transverse bearing strip ( 16 ) of the new strip ( 2 ), these holes being arranged in groups symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis of the new strip ( 2 ) with suction chambers controlled pairwise.  
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the preparatory cutting means ( 12 ) for the new strip ( 2 ) is constituted by a transverse support ( 17 ), mounted with the possibility of retractable pivoting in bearings ( 18  and  19 ) on the body of the machine and having a guide glideway ( 20 ) for a slider ( 21 ) bearing a knife ( 22 ) loaded by a spring ( 23 ).  
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the cutting means ( 12 ) is provided, at the free end of the transverse support ( 17 ), with a hook or the like for holding it in retracted position.  
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the device ( 11 ) for indexing the new strip ( 2 ) is in the form of a return roller ( 26 ) and a gripping roller ( 27 ), adapted to exert traction on the new strip ( 2 ), and by an indexing means ( 28 ), such as a magnifying glass or the like, mounted movably transversely to the strip ( 2 ) on a support ( 29 ) removably fixed in a bearing ( 19 ) of the body of the machine.  
     
     
         11 . Device according to any one of claims  1  and  10 , characterized in that the body of the unrolling machine is provided respectively at each device ( 11 ) for indexing the new strip ( 2 ) and in line with the transverse bearing strip ( 16 ) of the new strip ( 2 ), in the cutting position of this strip ( 2 ), with bearings ( 18  and  19 ) for mounting the transverse support ( 17 ) constituting the preparatory cutting means ( 12 ) for the new strip ( 2 ) and of the indexing means ( 28 ).  
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the return roller ( 26 ) is mounted in a sliding bearing ( 30 ) of the body of the machine and is movable in the direction or opposite direction of the corresponding gripping roller ( 27 ) by means of a mechanical or electrical control, such as a jack, a motor reducer assembly or the like.  
     
     
         13 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the median bearing crosspiece ( 9 ) for cutting the ending strip ( 1 ) is present in the form of an anvil disposed between the pivotable junction blocks ( 10 ) of each assembly ( 8 ) for preparation and cutting of the ending strips ( 1 ) and new strips ( 2 ) and is provided with two opposite transverse grooves ( 9 ′) adapted to coact with the knife ( 24 ) of each pivotable junction block ( 10 ).  
     
     
         14 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that each assembly ( 8 ) for preparation and cutting of the ending strips ( 1 ) and new strips ( 2 ) is completed by a punching device ( 31 ), mounted on the body of the machine perpendicular to the anvil forming the median bearing crosspiece ( 9 ) and coacting with a matrix ( 32 ) provided on said anvil.  
     
     
         15 . Device according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the punching device ( 31 ) is constituted by a punch properly so-called mounted at the end of a piston rod ( 33 ), in a guide chamber ( 34 ) and provided with means ( 35 ) for application of the device against the anvil during the punching operation.  
     
     
         16 . Device according to  claim 15 , characterized in that the means ( 35 ) for application of the device against the anvil is constituted by a sleeve movable by the control jack of the punch and provided with a resilient means ( 36 ) for compensating the final displacement of the punch, in the form of a spring or the like.  
     
     
         17 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the precise control means for the speed of movement of the strip through the joining and indexing station is constituted by a traction assembly ( 37 ) for the ending strip ( 1 ) of variable speed, provided between the strip accumulator ( 4 ) and the connecting device.  
     
     
         18 . Device according to  claim 17 , characterized in that the traction assembly ( 37 ) of the ending strip ( 1 ) of variable speed is constituted by a return cylinder ( 38 ), over which passes the strip ( 1 ), which is pressed against this cylinder ( 38 ) by means of a pulley drive device ( 39 ).  
     
     
         19 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a precise control means for the speed of movement of the strip through the joining and indexing station is constituted by a secondary accumulation means ( 6 ) for the ending strip ( 1 ) disposed upstream of the joining and indexing station ( 5 ).  
     
     
         20 . Device according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the secondary accumulation means ( 6 ) for the ending strip ( 1 ) disposed upstream of the joining and indexing station ( 5 ) is present in the form of two pairs of fixed return cylinders ( 40 ) disposed symmetrically relative to the median bearing crosspiece ( 9 ), below the assemblies ( 8 ) for preparation and cutting the ending strips ( 1 ) and new strips ( 2 ), and two corresponding movable cylinders ( 41 ) guided in movement relative to the fixed return cylinders ( 40 ) by means of slideways ( 42 ) and jacks ( 43 ).  
     
     
         21 . Device according to any one of claims  1 ,  17  and  19 , characterized in that the means ( 37  and  6 ) for precise control of the speed of movement of the strip through the joining and indexing station are combined by arrangement of these latter immediately adjacent said joining and indexing station.  
     
     
         22 . Device according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that between the strip accumulator ( 4 ) and the joining and indexing station ( 5 ) is provided an assembly ( 44 ) for detecting reference marks ( 7 ) on the ending strip ( 1 ), which is disposed at a distance from the knife ( 24 ) of the pivotable junction block ( 10 ) and transverse opposed grooves ( 9 ′) of the median bearing crosspiece ( 9 ) corresponding to a whole number of sections between reference marks ( 7 ).  
     
     
         23 . Device according to  claim 22 , characterized in that the detection assembly ( 44 ) is constituted by a pair of photoelectric cells or the like.