Method and Apparatus for Winding Up Tubes in Spool Form and for Wrapping the Spool Formed

Abstract

Method for winding up tubes ( 1 ) in spool form by means of an apparatus for winding and wrapping the spool formed with a film ( 2 ), the apparatus comprising a structure ( 10 ) translationally movable and carrying a reel ( 20 ) rotating about a longitudinal axis of rotation (X-X), a feeder device ( 40 ) feeding a tube ( 1 ) to the reel ( 20 ), a feeder device ( 50 ) feeding a wrapping film ( 2 ), and a pair of coaxial discs ( 30 a ,30 b ;130 a ,130 b ) which are respectively distal ( 30 a ;130 a ) and proximal ( 30 b ;130 b ) and arranged opposite each other for containing the sides of the spool in the longitudinal direction (X-X).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for winding up tubes ( 1 ) in spool form by means of an apparatus for winding and wrapping the spool formed with a film ( 2 ), the apparatus comprising a structure ( 10 ) translationally movable and carrying a reel ( 20 ) rotating about a longitudinal axis of rotation (X-X), a feeder device ( 40 ) feeding a tube ( 1 ) to the reel ( 20 ), a feeder device ( 50 ) feeding a wrapping film ( 2 ), and a pair of coaxial discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) which are respectively distal ( 30   a ; 130   a ) and proximal ( 30   b ; 130   b ) and arranged opposite each other for containing the sides of the spool in the longitudinal direction (X-X), the method comprising the following steps:
 arrangement of the structure ( 10 ) carrying the reel ( 20 ) in a longitudinal position removed from the distal disc ( 30   a ; 130   a );   axial displacement of the structure ( 10 ) into a position where the reel ( 20 ) is coaxially close to the distal disc ( 30   a ; 130   a );   operating the feeder device ( 40 ) feeding the tube ( 1 ) and starting the winding process;   starting the feeder device ( 50 ) feeding the wrapping film ( 2 ) and fastening said film onto the reel ( 20 );   cutting the tube ( 2 ) when the programmed winding diameter of the spool is reached;   starting the process for winding the film ( 2 ) onto the spool formed so as to cover the front surface thereof;   synchronized displacement of the feeder device ( 50 ) for the film ( 2 ) in both senses of the longitudinal direction (X-X) from one end position to the other relative to the spool during winding, wherein the discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) for containing the wound spool and the wrapping film ( 2 ) are rotationally fixed with respect to the reel ( 20 ) and wherein the surface of said fixed containing discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) has at least one gap ( 32 ) in the zone where the film ( 2 ) enters inside the said discs.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of fastening the film ( 2 ) in order to start wrapping is performed prior to stoppage and cutting of the tube ( 1 ) when the programmed winding diameter of the spool is reached. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of fastening the film ( 2 ) in order to start wrapping is performed after stoppage and cutting of the tube ( 1 ) when the programmed winding diameter of the spool is reached. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the centre angle of the circle segment forming the gap ( 32 ) in the surface of the discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) is between 30° and 120°. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the centre angle of the circle segment forming the gap ( 32 ) in the surface of the discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) is preferably between 40° and 90°. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for winding up tubes ( 1 ) in spool form and wrapping the spool formed by means of a film ( 2 ), comprising:
 a structure ( 10 ) translationally movable and carrying a rotating reel ( 20 ), a feeder device ( 40 ) feeding a tube ( 1 ) to the reel ( 20 ), a feeder device ( 50 ) feeding a wrapping film ( 2 ) to the reel ( 20 ), and a pair of coaxial discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) for containing the sides of the spool in the longitudinal direction (X-X), which are respectively distal ( 30   a , 130   a ) and proximal ( 30   b ; 130   b ) and provided with a respective central opening ( 31 );   wherein the said discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) for containing the wound spool and the wrapping film ( 2 ) are rotationally fixed with respect to the rotating reel ( 20 ),   wherein the surface of the said fixed containing discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) has at least one gap ( 32 ), in the zone where film ( 2 ) enters inside the said discs and   wherein the carrying structure ( 10 ) is movable in both senses of the longitudinal direction (X-X) from a position where the reel ( 20 ) is removed from the distal disc ( 30   a , 130   a ) into a position where the reel is close to the said distal disc ( 30   a ; 130   a ).   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said containing discs ( 30   a , 30   b ) are translationally fixed. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one ( 30   b ; 130   b ) of said containing discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) is translationally movable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the translationally movable disc is the proximal disc ( 30   b ; 130   b ). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the containing discs ( 30   a , 30   b ) are connected together in the longitudinal direction (X-X) by screw/female thread tie-members ( 36 ). 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a cross-piece ( 60 ) for containing the spool during winding thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said cross-piece is displaceable from a winding position, close to the spool, into a wrapping position, removed from the spool and not interfering with the proximal disc ( 130   b ). 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the proximal disc ( 130   b ) is mounted on a respective arm ( 135 ) integral with the rod ( 136   a ) of a cylinder ( 136 ) for performing translation of the disc ( 130   b ) in both senses of the longitudinal direction (X-X) from a removed position, where it does not interfere with the cross-piece ( 60 ), into a position close to the spool, for containing the spool and the film ( 2 ) during wrapping. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said gap ( 32 ) of the containing discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) is equivalent to a circle segment. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said circle segment has a centre angle of between 30° and 120°. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said circle segment has a centre angle of between 40° and 95°. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the inner surface ( 30   c ) of each disc ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) is lined with anti-friction material. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the inner surface ( 30   c ) of each disc ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) has spheres ( 33 ) lined with anti-friction material. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said feeder device ( 50 ) feeding the film ( 2 ) is movable in the longitudinal direction (X-X) between two opposite end positions such to cause the film ( 2 ) to project partially in the longitudinal direction (X-X) from the sides of the spool. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the said displacement of the feeder ( 50 ) is synchronized with the gaps ( 32 ) in the two containing discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ). 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the distance (D 1 ) between the discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ) which are rotationally fixed is slightly greater than the desired width of the spool being wound. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the total travel stroke of the feeder device ( 50 ) in the longitudinal direction (X-X) between the two end positions is greater than the distance (D 1 ) between the containing discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ). 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the disc ( 130   b ), which is proximal with respect to the reel ( 20 ), is designed in the form of petals ( 131   b ) supported by corresponding arms ( 135 ). 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said cross-piece ( 60 ) allows expansion of the outer diameter of the reel beyond the inner diameter of the central opening ( 31 ) of the discs ( 30   a , 30   b ; 130   a , 130   b ).