Apparatus for continuously winding lengths of material
United States Patent [1 1 Reiser APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY WINDING LENGTHS OF MATERIAL [76] Inventor: Lulz Reiser, Ortsstrasse Zl, D-6l22 Erbach im Odenwald, Germany [22] Filed: May 23, 1973 [Zl] Appl. No.: 363,251  
 [ Apr. 29, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus adapted to continuously wind up lengths of material onto take-up drums has a unit which is pivotable 0r movable between two positions. The unit 30 F A l&#39; P 1 orugnj pp canon Horny Dam 73 15 provided with two material guide surfaces, the re- June Gflmany spective output or delivery ends thereof being directed or aligned with slots of two respective take-up drums 2? 525 2 or spools. Each take-up drum is movable with the unit 5 g R so as to always be aligned with its associated guide 1 0 can surface in every position of the unit. Each guiding surface is adapted to receive, in another position of the [56] References cued unit, a length of material which is to be wound on a UNITED STATES PATENTS respective or associated take-up drum. In this manner, 1.658372 211928 Dc Maas 242/612 it is possible for a length of material to be wound on 2.202.883 6/1940 Yoder 242/67.I R one of the take-up drums. while a previously wound (W962 Weber 242/67-1 R roll is removed off another take-up drum, without any interruption in the winding process.  
 11 Claims. I Drawing Figure CONTROL 7 COUNTER r 10 n 4 13 T 1, 3  
 Lit ll PmENiEnmzsizs mmhZDOu ma ma APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY WINDING LENGTHS OF MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to an appara tus for winding lengths of material. and more particularly to an apparatus for continuously winding lengths of material such as roofing paper on winding drums or take-up spools.  
  Machinery for manufacturing various lengths of material. such as rooting paper. and machines for winding the same onto rolls are well known in the art. For example. a machine is known which winds rooting paper as it comes out of the roofing paper manufacturing machine onto a take-up spool or winding drum. The takeup drums or winding spools which are utilized in this connection are each generally provided with an elongated slot which is adapted to receive the leading edge of the length of material at the commencement of the winding process. When a predetermined length of the roofing paper has been wound on a take-up drum. the paper is generally cut with suitable cutting apparatus. With this known machine. the started roll is wound to the end and it is then removed from the take-up drum. However, a major disadvantage of this known apparatus is that during the period of removal of the wound roll of roofing paper. the winding operation or process must be interrupted. The take-up drum is not ready to receive a new length of material or start winding a new roll until after the finished roll of roofing paper is removed. The winding rolls in this manner. which so requires the interruption of the winding process. is very time consuming and inefficient.  
 SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON Accordingly. it is an object of the present invention to provide a winding apparatus which is not possessed of the above described disadvantages inherent in the present or known apparatus.  
  lt is another object of the present invention to provide a winding apparatus of the type above described which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.  
  It is still another object of the present invention to provide a winding apparatus which is efficient and which substantially reduces the effective time that it takes to wind a length of material on a take up drum.  
  It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a winding apparatus of the type under discussion which effectively eliminates or minimizes the interruption time between the winding of two successive rolls.  
  in order to achieve the above objects. as well as oth ers which will become hereafter, the apparatus for winding lengths of material in accordance with the present invention comprises a pivotally mounted unit movable between at least two positions. Each unit is adapted to selectively guide the leading edge of a length of material to one ofa number of take-up drums in each of the positions of said unit.  
  More basically. the apparatus comprises at least two spaced take-up drums each adapted to have lengths of material wound thereabout. Guide means are provided for receiving each length of material and selectively guiding the same towards one of said take-up drums. At least one of said guide means and said take-up drums being reciprocally displaceable in position. In this manner. lengths of material can alternately be guided to wards one of said respective take-up drums in each of the relative positions of said guide means and said takeup drums.  
  ln accordance with the one presently preferred embodiment. said guide means comprises a pivotally mounted unit movable between two positions and having a guide surface adapted to guide a length of mate rial. One take-up drum is positioned adjacently to said guide surface in each position of said unit. In this manner. said unit is adapted to alternately guide a length of material toward each of said respective take up drums as said unit moves between said two positions.  
  According to another presently preferred embodiment. said guide means comprises a unit provided with two guide surfaces each adapted to guide a length of material. One take-up drum is associated with and always positioned adjacently to another one of said respective guide surfaces in each position of said unit. Said guide unit is pivotally mounted and movable between two positions. In this manner. each guide surface is adapted to guide a length of material towards its respective take-up drum in each position of said unit.  
  The above described embodiments are particularly suitable for winding lengths of roofing material onto winding spools or take-up drums. The resulting method is continuous in that very little or no interruption need take place between the winding of two successive rolls. In this manner. it is possible for a length of roofing paper to be wound on one take-up drum. while a previously wound roll is removed or taken off another takeup drum or winding spool without the necessity of interrupting the winding process. Also. it is possible to replace the finished roll. during the winding process. with another take-up drum or winding spool. it is also possible at this time to perform other handling opcrations. for example. packing. in connection with the take-up drum which is not at the time operative or being utilized to wind a length of material.  
  An important feature of the present invention is that the leading edge of a length of material is always directed or guided to a respective take-up drum irrespective of the position of the pivotable unit or guide surface relative to any specific take-up drumv In this manner. it is possible to utilize the advantages of the present invention with relatively simple and inexpensive machinery. Substantial savings in machinery expenses can be realized when no further handling or operational steps are anticipated or are to be undertaken in connection with the wound rolls aside for the removal of the finished rolls off the take-up drums. The take-up drum or winding spool is advantageously pivotable or swingable with the unit or console so that the take-up drum. which carries a fully wound roll. can always he pivotted or swung to the same position which was previously occupied by a removal or previously finished roll.  
  Advantageously. it is possible to provide an ejector in the region or area of the take-up drums which shoves or slides the finished rolls off the take-up drums once the latter have moved away from the winding positions.  
  Another advantageous feature of the present invention is the provision of a control circuit which automatically activates or controls the oscillation or pivotal movement of the unit console during the winding process. According to the preferred embodiment. the control circuit also actuates the ejector after the unit has moved to a new position so as to eject a roll which has been wound upon the take-up spool not in operation. In this manner. the apparatus in accordance with the present invention is adapted to operate continuously and automatically. To efect such automatic operation. the control circuit is advantageously actuated by a counter associated with a measuring roller which measures lengths of material. The control functions of the counter is set or reset after a respective length of mate rial is wound on one of the take-up drums.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objects and advantages in view. as will hereinafter appear. this invention comprises the devices combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:  
  The single FIGURE is a schematic representation of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. shown in side elevational view and showing a pivotable mounted unit in accordance with the present invention positioned in one of its two positions.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with a machine which manufactures lengths of material. such as a roofing paper manufacturing machine. or may be utilized in conjunction with feed or delivery rollers which supply continuous lengths of the material to be wound onto winding spools or take-up drums.  
  In the schematic representation shown in the FIG- URE. lengths ofmaterial. to be described as roofing paper. can be advanced towards the apparatus. according with the present invention. between a measuring roller l and a pair offeed or delivery rollers 2. which together form a feed or delivery assembly or unit.  
  In the presently preferred embodiment. the measure roller I has associated therewith a counter which is adapted to actuate or initiate the operation of a control circuit upon detection by the measuring roller of passage of a predetermined length of material therethrough. The means of measuring lengths of material as well as control circuits utilized in apparatus of the type is purely conventional and do not form critical parts of the invention. except as these devices cooperate with the subject apparatus.  
  Roofing paper moves from the feed roller unit or assembly through a cross or transverse knife 3. which is conventional in the art and which is utilized to cut the continuous length of material taken from the feed rollers 2 into predetermined lengths. The lengths of material are then passed through a heating or conditioning knife assembly 4. wherein the lengths of material are treated or conditioned to make the same suitable for winding about takeup drums. as to be described,  
  The cross or transverse knife 3 as well as the beating or conditioning knife unit 4 are well known and conventional in the art. and do not form an important feature of the present invention. except insofar as they co operate with the apparatus to be described.  
  The lengths of material are transmitted or directed from the conditioning knife assembly 4 onto a guide surface forming a part of a guide channel 5 which is provided with an output or delivery end 6 positioned adjacently and aligned with and disposed directly in front of the take-up drum or winding spool 7.  
  The take-up drum is in the form of a pipe or tubeshaped spool which is provided with an elongated slot 8 which is adapted to receive a leading edge of a length of material at the commencement of the winding pro cess.  
  The rotation of the takeup drum 7 and. consequently. the winding process. is initiated in accordance with a manner to be described hereafter. The roofing paper is thereby wound onto one of the take-up drums. namely take-up drum 7 when the latter drum is in position I. In this position. the length of material is passed through the guide channel 5 onto the take up drum 7. The paper is. on one hand. pulled or drawn by the take up drum 7, while on the other hand. it is shoved or pushed by the feed or delivery rollers l. 2.  
  An important feature of the present invention is that after the winding process has commenced. a unit 9. which is pivotally mounted and defines the guide chan ne] 5. rotates or pivots about a pivot point ll in re sponse to actuation or initiation by the measuring roller 1. as to be described hereafter. The unit 9 swings to the position shown in dashed outline. so that a winding drum It) moves to the position previously occupied by the winding drum 7. Thus. the winding drum 10 moves from position II to position I. while the winding drum or take&#39;up drum 7 moves from position I towards position Ill.  
  While the take-up drum 7 is still being wound. a com pleted roll of rooting paper which had been previously wound on the take-up drum [0 may be slid off to the side or otherwise removed by an ejector I2. Such removal may be effected without a need to interrupt the winding process. As soon as the complete roll has been removed to the take-up drum 10. the latter is in a standby mode or is ready for the winding of a subsequent roll.  
  As soon as the cutting apparatus 3. 4 of the roofing paper cuts or separates the paper at a predetermined length. movement or motion of the cutting apparatus 3. 4 as well as the counter of the measure roller 1 actuates the operation of the take-up drum l0.  
  Practically. the counter of the measure roller 1 is reset by the motion or movement of the cutting apparatus 3, 4. When further advancement of the roofing paper is achieved to the extent of a distance between the cutting apparatus 3. 4 and the take-up drums. the drive of the take-up drum is activated or initiated. The end of the cut length of material continues to move over the inclined or sloped guide surfaces of the guide channel 5 towards the take-up drum 7 and is wound on the started roller. At this time. the leadng edge of the next following length of rooting paper material is directed over the guide surface 13 into the elongated slot 15 of the take-up drum It).  
  The above described operation alternates between the take-up drum 7 and 10 as a result of the swinging or oscillation of the unit 9 and the exchange of functions of each of the take-up drums.  
  As described above. the presently preferred embodiment includes a pivotally mounted unit 9 pivotted around a pivot point II and movable between the positions shown in solid and in dashed outline. In this em bodiment. the take-up drums 7 and 11 move along with and remain in alignment with associated guide surfaces or guide channels 5 and 13 respectively. Consequently.  
 when a length of material passes through the guide channel 5. the leading edge thereof is received in the elongate slot 8 and the take-up drum 7 commences to rotate about its axis to thereby wind the length ofmate rial about itself. During this time. the take-up drum 10 is inactive and is in a position where a previously wound roll may be removed therefrom.  
  When a successive length of material approaches the unit 9. the unit moves in a counter-clockwise direction. as viewed in the FIGURE. whereby the take-up drum 7 moves from position I to position III while the take-up drum [0 moves from position ll to position I. Accordingly. the successive lengths of material enter into guideway 13 and the leading edge thereof is received in elongate slot 15.  
  The embodiment shown in the FIGURE and described above comprises one mode of accomplishing the basic principle or concept ofthe present invention. An alternate approach may comprise the utilization of a unit 9 which is. however. only provided with one guide surface or guideway. With this variation. the take-up drums 7. 10 are advantageously stationary the guideway moving between two positions to thereby bring the output or delivery end of the single guideway or guide surface in alignment with the elongate slot of the two takeup drums in an alternating or reciprocating fashion. With this variation. the leading edge is directed into one or the other of the elongate slots of the take-up drums. and while one of the take-up drums hegins to wind the length of material about itself. the unit 9 may be pivotted or moved into alignment with the other take-up drum for the purpose of directing the successive length of material into the respective slot thereof.  
 A still further embodiment which utilizes the basic concept of the present invention involves the utilization of a stationary unit 9 which is provided with a guide surface or guideway havng an output or delivery end. Under this third variation. the take-up drums are spaced from each other and are movable relative to the stationary unit 9. Here. in one position. the elongate slot of one drum is aligned or disposed adjacently to the output or delivery end of the guide surface while the other take-up drum is in inoperative mode. Once a length of material is wound about the take-up drum disposed adjacently to the output or delivery end, the two drurns simultaneously move to bring the originally inoperative drum opposite the output or delivery end of the guide surface. Now. the successive length of material has its leading edge directed into the elongate slot of the originally inoperative drum while the drum which has a length of material wound thereabout moves to an inoperative mode wherein the wound roll supported thereby may be removed.  
  As should be clear from the above description. there are numerous ways of accomplishing the objects of the present invention in accordance with the principles described herein. Generally. the invention comprises providing at least two spaced take-up drums each adapted to have lengths of material wound thereabout. Guide means adapted to receive and guide lengths of material are provided for receiving each length of material and selectively guiding the same towards one of the take-up drums. An important feature of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus having at least guide means or guide surfaces and/or the take-up drums reciprocally displaceable in position with each successive length of material to be wound. In this manner. lengths of material can alternately be guided towards one of the respective take up drums in each of the relative positions of the guide means and take-up drums. As should be clear. either the guide means. the take up drums. or the two simultaneously can move or be pivotted to effect the results of the present invention. If either the take-up drums or the unit 9 remain stationary. only one guide surface or guide means is required in the unit 9. With such an arrangement. the guide surface is alternately aligned with one of the two take-up drums.  
  When the take-up drums move together with the pivotally mounted unit 9, the number of guide surfaces or guide means are made equal to the number of take-up drums being utilized, each being disposed at the output or delivery ends of associated ones of said guide sur faces or guide means.  
  Although the present invention has been described in reference to an apparatus for winding two take-up drums. it should be clear to one skilled in the art that any number of take-up drums may be utilized. The operation would remain the same irrespective of the number of take-up drums. However. it may be necessary for the unit 9. in that event. to be movable or pivotable between more than two angular positions. Advantageously. the number of positions in which the unit 9 must be pivotable must equal the number of take-up spools which are to be wound.  
  Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However. it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and is not to be construed as limitation of the invention.  
 What is claimed is:  
  1. Apparatus for winding lengths of material comprising at least two spaced take-up drums each adapted to have lengths of material wound thereabout; and guide means disposable proximate to said take-up drums for receiving each length of material and selectively guid ing the same towards one of said take-up drums. at least one of said guide means and said take-up drums being reciprocally displaceable in position. whereby lengths of material can alternately be guided towards one of said respective take-up drums in each of the relative positions of said guide means and take-up drums.  
  2. Apparatus as defined in claim I. wherein said guide means comprises a pivotally mounted unit movable between two positions and having a guide surface adapted to guide a length of material. one take-up drum being positioned adjacently to said guide surface in each position of said unit. whereby said unit is adapted to alternately guide a length of material towards each of said respective take-up drums as said unit moves between said two positions.  
  3. Apparatus as defined in claim I. wherein said guide means comprises a unit provided with two guide surfaces each adapted to guide a length of material. one take-up drum being associated with and always positioned adjacently to another one of said respective guide surfaces in each position of said unit. said unit being pivotably mounted and movable between two positions. whereby each guide surface is adapted to guide a length of material towards its respective take-up drum in each position of said unit.  
  4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3. wherein each guide surface has a delivery end. and wherein each take&#39;up drum is provided with an elongate slot alignable with the delivery end of an associated guide surface.  
  5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3. wherein said takeup drums are movable together with said respective associated guide surfaces. whereby each of said take-up drums are always disposed adjacentl v to an associated guide surface.  
  6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1. wherein only one of said take-up drums is positioned to receive a length of material in each of said relative positions of said guide means and take-up drums. and further comprising ejector means for ejecting wound rolls of lengths of material from the other of said take-up drums 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6. further comprisirtg control means for controlling the operation of said ejector means upon the changing of relative positions of said guide means and take-up drums 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1. further comprising control means for controlling the relative movements of said guide means and take-up drums. said relative movements being controlled by the lengths of material wound upon said take-up drums.  
  9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8. further comprising a measure roller and counter means associated with said measure roller for measuring the lengths of the material. said control means being activated by said counter means upon measurement of a predetermined length of material.  
  10. Apparatus for winding lengths of material. particularly roofing paper. onto spaced take-up drums comprising a pivotally mounted unit movable between at least two positions. said unit being adapted to selectively guide the leading edge of a length of material to one of the take-up drums in each of the positions of said unit.  
  ll. Apparatus as defined in claim l, wherein said guide means and take-up drums are mounted for reciprocation in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis