Winding method and apparatus

Abstract

A running web of sheet material ( 2 ) is wound onto a roll ( 8 ). An empty core ( 30 ) is arranged at a transfer position to receive the web when the roll ( 8 ) is completed. A wrap roller ( 20 ) is moved so as to draw the web upstream of the core ( 30 ) around a portion of the circumference of the core. A head assembly ( 40 ) of a cross-cut mechanism then advances, wrapping the web upstream of the core ( 30 ) around the core. A spring loaded blade ( 52 ) is then advanced so as to cut the web and to force the end of the web into the inrunning nip between the wrap roller and the core. The head assembly and the wrap roller are then withdrawn to their standby positions and the core ( 30 ) moved from the transfer position to a running position while the completed roll ( 8 ) is unloaded.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for winding a sheet material, comprising: 
 deflecting the path of a running web of the material to run between a wrap roller and a reel onto which the web is to be wound, and then around a portion of the circumference of the reel;    cutting the running web at a point downstream from the reel; and    inserting the cut end of the web between the reel and the wrap roller.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the web is cut by a blade advancing at a speed matching that of the running web and in which the advancing blade carries the cut end of the web into an inrunning nip between the reel and the wrap roller.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  in which, before it is cut, the web is positioned near the inrunning nip by a guide element, such as a nose plate, and the blade cuts the web substantially adjacent to the guide element and before the web reaches the guide element.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the web is deflected so that it runs in the shape of an “S” around the wrap roller and the reel.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the web is deflected by the step of; 
 moving the wrap roller relative to the reel to wrap the running web around at least 180° and preferably more than 270° of the circumference of the reel.  
 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising after the cut end of the web has been inserted between the wrap roller and the reel, withdrawing the wrap roller out of contact with the web and winding the web onto the reel.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the cut end of the web is inserted between the reel and the guide roller such that the web is in contact with the reel around the entire circumference of the reel.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for winding a sheet material, comprising: 
 a reel onto which a web of the sheet material is to be wound;    a wrap roller which is movable relative to the reel to deflect a running web to run between the wrap roller and the reel and then around a portion of the circumference of the reel; and    a cutter for cutting the running web at a point downstream from the reel and inserting the cut end of the web between the reel and the guide roller.    
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8  in which the web is cut by a blade advancing at a speed matching that of the running web and in which the advancing blade carries the cut end of the web into an inrunning nip between the reel and the wrap roller.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  in which, before it is cut, the web is positioned near the inrunning nip by a guide element, such as a nose plate, and the blade cuts the web substantially adjacent to the guide element and before the web reaches the guide element.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 8  in which the wrap roller can be withdrawn after the cut end of the web has been inserted between the wrap roller and the reel, while the web is wound onto the reel.  
     
     
         12 . A roll of sheet material wound using the method defined in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         13 . A roll of sheet material wound using the apparatus defined in  claim 8.