Apparatus for the non-compression transportation of convolutely wound web material parent rolls

Abstract

An apparatus for the non-compression transportation of a convolutely wound web material parent roll is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a motivator and an end effector operably, cooperatively, and pivotably engaged to the motivator. The end effector provides a pair of opposed core plugs capable of cooperative and penetrating engagement with a core of the parent roll when the first core plug is disposed proximate to a first portion of the core of the parent roll and the second core plug is disposed proximate to a second portion of the core of the parent roll disposed distal therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for the non-compression transportation of a convolutely wound web material parent roll, the apparatus comprising:
 a motivator;   an end effector operably, cooperatively, and pivotably engaged to said motivator;   wherein said end effector comprises:
 a frame; 
 a first radial member operably connected to said frame, said first radial member having a first longitudinal member operably connected thereto and extending therefrom; 
 a second radial member operably connected to said frame, said second radial member having a second longitudinal member operably connected thereto and extending therefrom said first radial member and said second radial member being rotatable about an axis of rotation; 
 a first core plug operably connected to said first longitudinal member, said first core plug being extensible from a first position to a second position relative to said first longitudinal member; 
 a second core plug operably connected to said second longitudinal member, said second core plug being extensible from a first position to a second position relative to said second longitudinal member, said first and second core plugs being capable of cooperative and penetrating engagement with a core of said parent roll when said first core plug is disposed proximate to a first portion of said core of said parent roll and said second core plug is disposed proximate to a second portion of said core of said parent roll disposed distal from said first portion of said core of said parent roll; 
 wherein when said first and second core plugs are cooperatively engagable with said first and second portions of said core of said parent roll respectively, said end effector being capable of changing an orientation of said core and said parent roll from a first position to a second position by rotating said parent roll about said axis of rotation. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a platform operably connected to and in complementary engagement with said second longitudinal member and said second core plug, said second core plug being extendable through said platform. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said platform further comprises at least one conveyor, said conveyor orbiting about a periphery of said platform, said parent roll being conveyable from a position external to said platform to a position upon said platform in cooperative alignment with said first and second core plugs. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said platform further comprises a pallet. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said platform is disassociatively disengageable from said end effector. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said second core plug remains in operable engagement with said platform and is disengageable from said second longitudinal member when said platform is disassociatively disengaged from said end effector. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said platform is cooperatively engageable with said end effector. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said motivator is an automatic guided vehicle (AGV). 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an RFID system in cooperative engagement with said motivator. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said end effector rotates radially about an axis of rotation relative to said motivator. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first radial member is extensible relative to said axis of rotation, wherein said extensible first radial member provides said first longitudinal member with an adjustable displacement, H, relative to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said adjustable displacement, H, is provided by a device selected from the group consisting of linear actuators, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, mechanical actuators, chain drives, gear drives, rack-and-pinion drives, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first longitudinal member is provided with a length, said length being at least about equal to a diameter of said parent roll, said first longitudinal member preventing the slidable translation of a first layer of said parent roll relative to a succeeding layer of said parent roll. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein when said first and second core plugs are cooperatively engagable with said core when said core and said parent roll are disposed horizontally. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein when said first and second core plugs are cooperatively engagable with said core when said core and said parent roll are disposed vertically. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second core plugs are cooperatively engageable with a parent roll conveyor, said parent roll conveyor conveying said parent roll from a first position relative to a papermaking process to a second position relative to said papermaking process, said first position being disposed proximate to a papermaking process reel-up section and said first and second core plugs cooperatively engaging said core at said second position. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second core plug is provided with a profile, said profile providing said second core plug with a first position flush with a surface of said second longitudinal member and a second position wherein said second core plug is extended relative said surface of said second longitudinal member. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said end effector is fixably engaged to said motivator. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said motivator moves said parent roll cooperatively engaged thereto from a first position proximate to a papermaking process to a second position proximate to a parent roll converting operation. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19  wherein said motivator moves said parent roll cooperatively engaged thereto from said a first position proximate to said papermaking process to said second position proximate to said parent roll converting operation via a programmed preset choice of routes.