Method and Apparatus for Winding Webbed Material with Mandrel Position Control

Abstract

A method and apparatus for winding a moving web upon a mandrel is disclosed. A moving web with a leading edge is conveyed towards a mandrel. The mandrel is adapted to allow the moving web to adhere to the mandrel at a specific circumferential location on the mandrel. To enable control of the location of the mandrel, the mandrel further includes a reference input to identify the specific circumferential location. A position sensor is used to determine the position of the reference input. The position of the specific circumferential location of the mandrel is controlled with a position drive control that controls the rotational speed of the mandrel. The position drive control sets the rotational speed of the mandrel to allow transfer of the leading edge of the moving web near the specific circumferential location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of winding a moving web upon a mandrel comprising:
 conveying a moving web having a leading edge;   providing a mandrel, the mandrel being adapted to adhere the moving web at a specific circumferential location on the mandrel, the mandrel further including a reference input to identify the specific circumferential location;   engaging the mandrel with a position drive control to control the rotational speed of the mandrel;   determining the position of the reference input with a position sensor;   setting the rotational speed of the mandrel to allow transfer of the leading edge of the moving web near the specific circumferential location;   transferring the moving web to the mandrel near the specific circumferential location; and   winding the moving web.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mandrel is a coreless mandrel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the specific circumferential location on the mandrel is a line of vacuum openings. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the specific circumferential location on the mandrel is a line of engagement fingers. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising loading a core onto the mandrel, and wherein the specific circumferential location on the mandrel is a strip of adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein transfer of the moving web to the mandrel near the specific circumferential location occurs within plus or minus 15 degrees of rotation of the specific circumferential location. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein transfer of the moving web to the mandrel near the specific circumferential location occurs within plus or minus 10 degrees of rotation of the specific circumferential location. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a registration system including an imaging system, wherein the imaging system senses a position of the leading edge of the moving web, compares the position of the leading edge of the moving web to the specific circumferential location, and then alters the position of the leading edge of the moving web or the specific circumferential location to correct for a position mismatch. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for winding a moving web upon a mandrel comprising;
 a conveying surface for conveying a moving web;   a mandrel, the mandrel being adapted to receive the moving web at a specific circumferential location on the mandrel, the mandrel further including a reference input to identify the specific circumferential location;   a position sensor to determine the position of the reference input; and   a position drive control to control the rotational speed of the mandrel.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the mandrel is a coreless mandrel. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the specific circumferential location on the mandrel is a line of vacuum openings. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the specific circumferential location on the mandrel is a line of engagement fingers. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising loading a core onto the mandrel, and wherein the specific circumferential location on the mandrel is a strip of adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein transfer of the moving web to the mandrel near the specific circumferential location occurs within plus or minus 15 degrees of rotation of the specific circumferential location. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein transfer of the moving web to the mandrel near the specific circumferential location occurs within plus or minus 10 degrees of rotation of the specific circumferential location. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a registration system including an imaging system, wherein the imaging system senses a position of the leading edge of the moving web, compares the position of the leading edge of the moving web to the specific circumferential location, and then alters the position of the leading edge of the moving web or the specific circumferential location to correct for a position mismatch. 
     
     
         17 . A process for producing a rolled product comprising:
 conveying a moving web having a leading edge;   providing a mandrel, the mandrel being adapted to adhere the moving web at a specific circumferential location on the mandrel;   engaging the mandrel with a position drive control to control the rotational speed of the mandrel;   setting the rotational speed of the mandrel to allow transfer of the leading edge of the moving web near the specific circumferential location;   transferring the moving web to the mandrel near the specific circumferential location;   winding the moving web on the mandrel into a rolled product;   cutting the moving web to complete the rolled product; and   stripping the rolled product from the mandrel.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  wherein the mandrel is a coreless mandrel. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18  wherein the specific circumferential location on the mandrel is a line of vacuum openings. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 18  wherein the specific circumferential location on the mandrel is a line of engagement fingers. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 17  further comprising loading a core onto the mandrel, and wherein the specific circumferential location on the mandrel is a strip of adhesive. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 17  wherein transfer of the moving web to the mandrel near the specific circumferential location occurs within plus or minus 15 degrees of rotation of the specific circumferential location. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 17  wherein transfer of the moving web to the mandrel near the specific circumferential location occurs within plus or minus 10 degrees of rotation of the specific circumferential location. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 17  further comprising a registration system including an imaging system, wherein the imaging system senses a position of the leading edge of the moving web, compares the position of the leading edge of the moving web to the specific circumferential location, and then alters the position of the leading edge of the moving web or the specific circumferential location to correct for a position mismatch.