Method and device for positioning strips and rolls in order to connect same to an unwinding machine

Abstract

A method and device for positioning strips and rolls in order to connect same to an unwinding machine. The method is characterised in that it consists in physically representing the position at which the side of the roll ( 3 ) must be positioned in relation to the longitudinal axis of the machine, on the outside diameter of the roll with the aid of a light beam emitter ( 6 ) that emits light that is visible to the operator and without the use of an active receiver. The invention is especially suitable for machines used for the continuous unwinding of strips of material and, in particular, for machines used to unwind rolls of paper or card in order to feed a downstream machine.

1 . Process for positioning webs and spools for purposes of connection on an unrolling machine, characterized in that it consists in marking, at the level of the outside diameter of a spool ( 3 ), by means of an emitter ( 6 ) of a light beam of light visible to an operator and without using an active receiver, the position to which the side of said spool ( 3 ) must be positioned relative to the longitudinal axis of the unrolling machine. 
   
   
       2 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein it consists in loading a spool ( 3 ) onto the free spindle of a spool-holder means ( 2 ) to reach a corresponding reference ( 9 ), then optionally to laterally position the emitter ( 6 ) relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine, working with a passive indexing means ( 7 ,  71 ) provided on a group ( 5 ) for preparation of a new web to be connected and for joining this web to a web that is ending, without using an active receiver, on a corresponding reference provided on said passive indexing means ( 7 ,  71 ) in order to align the light beam that is projected by the emitter ( 6 ) relative to this passive indexing means ( 7 ,  71 ), to then emit, by means of said emitter ( 6 ), a light beam of light visible to an operator on the new spool ( 3 ) that has been placed on the corresponding spindle of the spool-holder means ( 2 ) so as to allow the operator to move the spool-holder means ( 2 ) laterally in order to match the side of the outside diameter of the spool ( 3 ) with the light beam projected by the light source ( 6 ) and to align and to prepare the start of the new web. 
   
   
       3 . Process, according to  claim 2 , wherein the light beam emitted by the emitter ( 6 ) has the form of a linear light beam or light plane, or two intersecting light planes. 
   
   
       4 . Process, according to  claim 2 , wherein part of the light beam is directed onto the periphery of the spool ( 3 ) and the other part is directed to the zone for holding the start of the web in the group ( 5 ) for preparation of a new web to be connected and for joining this web to a web that is ending, passing onto a graduated scale ( 7  or  700 ) located in this holding zone and forming the passive indexing means ( 7 ) or a scale ( 700 ) for verifying the position of the new web. 
   
   
       5 . Device for implementing the process according to  claim 1  in a machine for unrolling paper or cardboard spools for purposes of feeding a machine placed downstream such as a printing machine or the like, this machine being essentially composed of a chassis ( 1 ) that supports means ( 2 ) of the spool-holder ( 3 ) that can move transversely to the longitudinal axis of the machine, and optionally of a device ( 4 ) for storing the web and by a group ( 5 ) for preparation of a new web to be connected and for joining this web to a web that is ending, wherein it is composed essentially of at least one emitter ( 6 ) of a light beam in the form of at least one linear beam or at least one light plane of light that is visible to an operator, said emitter ( 6 ) working with a passive indexing means ( 7 ,  71 ), without using an active receiver. 
   
   
       6 . Device, according to  claim 5 , wherein the passive indexing means ( 7 ) is composed of a graduated scale mounted on the group ( 5 ) for preparation of a new web to be connected and for joining this web to a web that is ending. 
   
   
       7 . Device, according to  claim 5 , wherein the passive indexing means ( 71 ) has the form of a mounting support of the emitter ( 6 ), this support being provided with positioning references ( 71 ′) corresponding to references ( 700 ′) of a scale ( 700 ) for verifying the position of the new web of the group ( 5 ) for preparation of a new web to be connected and for joining this web to a web that is ending. 
   
   
       8 . Device, according to  claim 7 , wherein the support that forms the passive indexing means ( 71 ) is implemented in the form of a guide provided with positioning references by marks or again in the form of a guide provided with a means for digital display of the position. 
   
   
       9 . Device according to  claim 5 , wherein the emitter ( 6 ) is provided with a prism or mirrors for division of its light beam. 
   
   
       10 . Device according to  claim 5 , wherein it comprises two emitters, one pointed toward the spool ( 3 ) and the other toward the holding zone of the group ( 5 ) for preparation of a new web to be connected and for joining this web to a web that is ending, these emitters being integral with one another. 
   
   
       11 . Device according to  claim 5 , wherein there is a single emitter ( 6 ) that has one beam that has an aperture angle such that it forms a light plane encompassing simultaneously the spool ( 3 ) and the preparation zone of the group ( 5 ) for preparation of a new web to be connected and for joining this web to a web that is ending. 
   
   
       12 . Device according to  claim 5 , wherein the emitter ( 6 ) is preferably selected from among the family of laser diodes. 
   
   
       13 . Device according to  claim 5 , wherein the emitter ( 6 ) is of the highly convergent beam type. 
   
   
       14 . Device according to  claim 5 , wherein a lateral guide device ( 8 ) is added to it. 
   
   
       15 . Device according to  claim 14 , wherein the lateral guide device ( 8 ) is located downstream from the connecting zone of the group ( 5 ) for preparation of a new web to be connected and for joining this web to a web that is ending and controls the lateral position of the web in the course of unwinding relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine. 
   
   
       16 . Device according to  claim 14 , wherein the lateral guide device ( 8 ) has the form of a means for controlling the lateral position of the web relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine that notifies a central unit of the lateral position of the web and that is composed of a group of two optical cells ( 8 ′,  8 ″) located next to one another near one edge of the web and slightly spaced laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine. 
   
   
       17 . Device according to  claim 15 , wherein the lateral guide device ( 8 ) has the form of a means for controlling the lateral position of the web relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine that notifies a central unit of the lateral position of the web and that is composed of a group of two optical cells ( 8 ′,  8 ″) located next to one another near one edge of the web and slightly spaced laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine. 
   
   
       18 . Device according to  claim 6 , wherein the emitter ( 6 ) is preferably selected from among the family of laser diodes. 
   
   
       19 . Device according to  claim 6 , wherein the emitter ( 6 ) is of the highly convergent beam type. 
   
   
       20 . Device according to  claim 6 , wherein a lateral guide device ( 8 ) is added to it.