Method for unwinding and splicing reels of articles made of flexible material, and module for implementing the method

Abstract

A method, and a module ( 1 ) for its implementation, is provided for unwinding and splicing reels ( 2 ) of flexible material articles. The method includes unwinding a full reel ( 2 ) from an unwinding station ( 4 ), the reel being positioned on a rotating assembly ( 3 ); and, during the unwinding of the reel, positioning a new full reel ( 2 ) from a reloading station ( 5 ) onto the rotating assembly ( 3 ). When the unwound reel is empty, the method includes rotating the rotating assembly ( 3 ) to move the empty reel to the reloading station ( 5 ) and, simultaneously, the full reel to the unwinding station ( 4 ) The method includes splicing the initial end of the article from the full reel with the final end of the article from the empty reel, and unwind the full reel from the unwinding station ( 4 ); and From the reloading station ( 5 ), removing the empty reel and position a new full reel. The process from step C) may be repeated as many times as necessary.

1 . A method for unwinding and splicing reels of flexible material articles, said method comprising the following steps:
 A) Unwinding a full reel from an unwinding station, the reel being positioned on a rotating assembly;   B) During the unwinding of the reel, positioning a new full reel from a reloading station onto the rotating assembly;   C) When the unwound reel is empty, rotating the rotating assembly to move the empty reel to the reloading station and simultaneously move the full reel to the unwinding station;   D) Splicing the initial end of the article from the full reel with the final end of the article from the empty reel, and unwind the full reel from the unwinding station;   E) From the reloading station, removing the empty reel and position a new full reel; and   Repeating the process from step C) as many times as necessary.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the rotating assembly around a vertical axis. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein automatically cutting the article transversely when the unwound reel is empty to detach it from the empty reel. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein automatically splicing the initial end of the article from the full reel with the final end of the article from the empty reel using an automatic splicing device. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the splicing device using adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . A module for unwinding and splicing reels of flexible material articles, said module comprising a rotating assembly positioned between an unwinding station and a reloading station, the rotating assembly including means for holding at least two reels, with the ability to rotate the reels around their axis, and the rotating assembly being able to pivot to successively move the reels to the unwinding station for unwinding a full reel and to the reloading station for removing an empty reel and positioning a new full reel. 
     
     
         7 . The module according to  claim 6 , wherein the rotating assembly being in the form of a platform. 
     
     
         8 . The module for splicing according to  claim 6 , wherein the unwinding station comprising a transverse cutting device. 
     
     
         9 . The module for splicing according to  claim 6 , wherein the unwinding station comprising an automatic splicing device, using adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The module for splicing according to  claim 6 , wherein the rotating assembly including means for holding secondary reels positioned above or below the primary reels to allow the simultaneous unwinding of a secondary article overlaid on the main article.