Method and apparatus for automatically winding scrap metallic strip material
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to metallic slitting and edge trimming apparatuses and, more particularly, to an apparatus for automatically winding edge trim scrap metallic sheet material. 
     Slitting and edge trimming of strip sheet metal is accomplished by slitting devices which include pairs of cooperating upper and lower circular cutting knives between which sheet metal is passed. A coiled strip of metallic sheet may be edge trimmed continuously in this fashion to a desired width by passing the strip between two pairs of knives, known as side trimmers, positioned adjacent the lateral edges of the strip. Thus, the sheet is reduced in width by removing continuous ribbons of metal from the longitudinal edges of the sheet. 
     The ribbons of metal which are removed from the strip sheet come away from the side trimmers either flat or corkscrewed, and sometimes come away from the trimmers in segments if the incoming strip has edge cracks. These edge trimmings, known as scrap, must be removed from the side trimmer work station. The efficient handling and removal of this scrap has become problematic. 
     A previous method of handling sheet metal scrap is to wind the scrap into a compact ball which is later reclaimed to make strip. The ribbons of scrap are fed into a holding area behind the side trimmer and at the operator&#39;s discretion are drug out of the holding area by a rotating mandrel of a scrap baller and compressed into a compact ball with the aid of a heavy ironing roll. 
     When the scrap ball reaches a predetermined size, the rotation of the scrap baller mandrel is stopped and the operator cuts the incoming strands. This scrap ball is then stripped off the mandrel by a traversing housing and the scrap ball is ejected out of the ballet by an eject device. 
     When the scrap stream is discontinuous or when the ball is ejected, the operator must carry the scrap strands from the holding area to the scrap baller mandrel for starting a new ball. This method of winding scrap strands is time-consuming because the scrap baller cannot be operated continuously, but rather must be stopped to cut the incoming strands, strip the scrap ball, and feed the strands to start a new ball. Therefore, a need exists for an improved apparatus and method for the winding of metallic scrap strip that eliminates the problems associated with previous scrap handling techniques, eliminates human intervention in the handling process, and provides for an automated system for winding the material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus for automatically winding ribbons of metallic edge trim scrap into a compact ball without manual assistance. The apparatus includes a scrap hood to deflect scrap ribbons coming away from the side trimmer knives, and a scrap enclosure located in a pit behind the side trimmer that collects the scrap material. The invention includes an inclined conveyor, located in the scrap enclosure, which conveys scrap upwardly from the pit and includes drag hooks. 
     The invention also includes an endless conveyor, located on the floor of the pit, having drag hooks which move to convey scrap to the inclined conveyor. This drag hook traverse system continuously traverses the pit at a speed somewhat slower than the strip speed through the side trimmers. The drag hooks feed the scrap ribbons onto the rotating mandrel of the scrap baller and the ribbons are wound into a ball. The scrap ribbons are compressed into a compact ball by an ironing roll located on the scrap baller. 
     At the completion of the scrap ball, the drag hook traverse system is stopped, the ironing roll is retracted, and a parting shear severs the scrap ribbons over the scrap baller. A trailing door on the scrap baller behind the shear blade simultaneously closes the opening over the scrap baller. The scrap ball is then stripped off the mandrel by a traversing housing and ejected out of the baller by an eject device. 
     Once the scrap ball is removed, the emptied traverse housing is returned to a closed position. The scrap baller mandrel begins rotation, and the shear blade trailing door is opened. The scrap hook traverse system once again begins moving scrap towards the baller, and the scrap is automatically started around the rotating mandrel. The entire scrap removal operation can be automated so that the scrap ball ejection takes place when the scrap ball is wound to the optimum size. Human intervention is eliminated and cameras can be utilized to allow the operator to monitor the operation remotely. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automated method for winding ribbons of edge trim metallic scrap; a method for winding ribbons of edge trim metallic scrap into a compact ball without operator assistance; and a method for winding metallic scrap which eliminates the hazards accompanied by operator proximity to ribbons and tangles of ribbons of side trim metallic scrap. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a scrap handling system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the scrap handling system taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the scrap handling system of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A scrap ribbon winding device, generally designated 10 of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1-3, and includes a side trimming machine 12, a scrap enclosure 14 and a scrap balling machine 16. 
     A coiled roll of metallic strip 18 is continuously cut by the side trimming machine 12 to the required width by passing incoming strip 20 between two pairs of mating, rotating side trimmer knives 22, 24 such that the outgoing strip 26 has continuous ribbons of metal 28, 30 removed from each edge of the strip 18. 
     A scrap hood 32 is placed behind trimming knives 22, 24 to direct ribbons 28, 30 downwardly into a second scrap hood 34 which further directs ribbons 28, 30 into the scrap enclosure 14. 
     The scrap enclosure 14 is in a pit 36 below floor level located behind the side trimming machine 12. Located in the floor of the scrap enclosure 14 is a sheave 38 and cable 48 system containing a plurality of spring loaded drag hooks 42 which grabs ribbon 28, 30 collected in the scrap enclosure 14 and translate ribbons 28, 30, known as scrap 44, towards the scrap balling machine 16. A chain system, belt system, or other type system could be substituted for the sheave and cable system. 
     A second sheave 46 and cable 48 system similarly containing a plurality of spring loaded drag hooks 50, extends out of the pit 36 at an incline up to the top of the scrap balling machine 16. Sheave 46 and cable 48 system translate the scrap 44 out of the pit 36 and into the scrap balling machine 16. A three-sided shield 52 is placed over sheave 46 and cable 48 system to prevent any scrap 44 from falling off of the system. Both sheave and cable systems are driven by a single driver 54. 
     Once scrap 44 makes it to the top of the incline sheave and cable system, it is dumped into the scrap balling machine 16 through an opening 56 in the top of the machine. Once inside the scrap balling machine 16, the scrap 44 is wound around a tapered mandrel 58 into a scrap ball 60. Scrap ball 60 is compressed by an ironing roll 62, which is urged against the scrap ball by a pneumatic cylinder 64. At the completion of the scrap ball 60, the sheave and cable systems are stopped, and the ironing roll is retracted. A parting shear 66 located on the end of a trailing door 68 located at the opening 56 of the scrap balling machine 16 severs the scrap ribbons as the trailing door 68 simultaneously closes the opening 56 over the scrap balling machine 16. 
     The completed scrap ball 60 is removed from the scrap balling machine by withdrawing the tapered mandrel 58 from the scrap ball 60. The scrap ball is then ejected from the balling machine sidewardly by means of a panel 70 which is pivoted by a hydraulic cylinder 72 and the scrap ball exits the scrap balling machine through housing 74 which opens into a scrapped ball eject pit 76. 
     Once the scrap ball has been ejected, housing 74 returns to a closed position, the tapered mandrel 58 begins to rotate, the trailing door 68 opens, and the sheave and cable systems are activated to move scrap 44 towards the balling machine 16. Scrap 44 is fed into the balling machine and automatically started around the tapered mandrel 58. 
     The preceding description has been presented with reference to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings. Workers skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structure can be practiced without departing from the spirit, principals and scope of this invention.