EP0113323A2 - Automatic machine for continuously winding flexible tubing into tidy coils tied with tapes - Google Patents

Abstract

Flexible tubing is wound onto spools by a machine which automatically removes a full spool and brings an empty spool into position. The spool (3) is fed with the tubing (T) along its upper periphery and is rotated anticlockwise in order to wind up the tubing. The spool (3) is mounted at one end of a pivoted arm (2) with an empty spool at the other end. When the spool (3) is full the arm rotates through 180 deg. to bring the empty spool into position. After securing on the empty spool, the tubing is cut and the full spool is removed. The new spool then rotates clockwise to wind up the tubing.

Description

The present patent application relates to a machine for the automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, of the desired length, linked by several strips.

The prerogative and the main characteristic of the invented machine consists in requiring no intervention on the part of the operator at the start of winding a new crown.

In the machines currently produced, in fact, after having finished winding a crown on the first available reel, the tube is cut and its end is blocked manually in a second reel, momentarily empty, on which one then begins the winding of a new crown.

In the invented machine, the tube is cut automatically after having been hooked automatically into the second available reel, this is why there is no interruption of the operating cycle or any manual external intervention.

Another characteristic of the invented machine is to be accompanied by a device capable of binding the crowns with several strips at regular intervals, or not, this is why the crown not discharged by the machine in question is finished and ready to be wrapped or stacked.

Other additional features of the invention will emerge from the detailed description below, given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• - les figures de 1 à 6 sont une vue frontale de la machine, reproduisant une séquence de phases opératives pendant le cycle de travail;
• - le figures 7 et 8 sont une vue latérale de l'enrouleur, respectivement dans la configuration qu'il prend pendant l'enroulement de la couronne et pendant la phase de décharge de la couronne;
• - les figures 9 et 10 sont une vue latérale du dispositif pour l'accro chement et la coupure du tube, respectivement en position de repos et en action;
• - la figure 11 est une vue d'en haut du dispositif pour la ligature auto matique des couronnes;
• - les figures de 12 à 17 représentent schématiquement la séquence des phases opératives du cycle de ligature.

Of course, the drawings and the description are only given as an indicative and non-limiting example:

• - Figures 1 to 6 are a front view of the machine, showing a sequence of operating phases during the work cycle;
• - Figures 7 and 8 are a side view of the winder, respectively in the configuration it takes during the winding of the crown and during the crown discharge phase;
• - Figures 9 and 10 are a side view of the device for hooking and cutting the tube, respectively in the rest position and in action;
• - Figure 11 is a top view of the device for the automatic ligature of crowns;
• - Figures 12 to 17 schematically represent the sequence of the operational phases of the ligation cycle.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the machine comprises a base (1), on its front side can pivot, with alternating oscillations of 180 °, a horizontal arm (2), entablé in the middle, at the ends of which are entablés two identical reels (3) and (4), to axis ₇ hori- Ontal, each operated by its own electric motor, with contrary rota tion.

By the letter (7) we marked the flexible tube which must be rolled up, which before joining the reel through a window (5), provided on the front wall of the base (1) and which contains a valve horizontal.

In fig. 1, it has been assumed that on the reel (3) the winding phase is completed and that the reel (4) has already discharged the previously formed crown.

The realization of the desired length of the tube for each crown is raised by a normal counter device, which gives the command to advance to the aforementioned valve, which pushes the tube laterally in the window (5), until crushing it against the base (1), and simultaneously gives the command for the actuation of the rack which returns use the arm (2) by 180 °, in the direction of clockwise rotation, in the case considered.

Referring to fig. 3, following this reversal, the tube (T), not yet cut, will be under the reel (4) empty at that time, inside the lowest fork of the reel and attached to the inner branch of the aforesaid fork, thanks to the combined action of the aforementioned valve and a horn projecting from the arm (2) and shaped so as to push the tube (1) towards the base (1) .

This displacement of the tube towards the base (1) during the reversal is completely necessary and essential since the notch in "U", in which the tube must be hung, is placed at the base of the inner branch of a reel fork.

After the reversal carried out according to the above-mentioned modes, a limit switch advantageously placed along the above-mentioned rack gives the command for the actuation of an operator doll attached to the attachment of the tube (T) to the reel (4 ) and when it is cut off in correspondence of a cross section immediately downstream of the embedding section.

While the reel (4) is winding a new tube, on the reel (3) at the same time the ligature of the crown is carried out with several strips at regular intervals or not.

A suitable mechanism makes it so that, once the last tying is finished, the reel is definitively stopped in such a position that the fork or the notch in "U" shape for the attachment of the tube can be found very close to the above operator doll, anchored on the arm (2).

When the ligature is finished on the retractor (3), the latter ensures that, thanks to one of its joints which will be described next, it expels the tied crown.

In fig. 4 it was assumed that on the reel (4) is completed the winding of the new crown and that the reel (3) is unloaded.

At this time, the above-mentioned device gives the command for the actuation of the window valve (5) and simultaneously of the rack which causes the arm (2) to overturn again, with a reverse rotation of the needles. of a watch, contrary to the sense of the previous rotation.

Following this last reversal, the empty reel (3) and the enrgi charged them (4) naturally reverse their position relative to the axis of rotation of the arm (2). (see fig. 6).

The tube (T) is now, not below, but on the reel (3), in the highest fork of the reel, in a position above the notch in "U "where it must be embedded and below the operator doll assembled with the reel (3).

A limit switch advantageously arranged on the above rack above gives the command for the actuation of the above-mentioned headstock, which ensures that the tube is fitted and cut into a section immediately downstream of the mounting section .

The cycle is thus practically finished and will resume according to the same methods indicated above.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 we will now examine the structural configuration of each reel.

It is constituted by a central collar (7), from which radiate in a star, at regular intervals, six forked arms (8), each having a branch (8a), directed outwards and perfectly orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the collar (7), and a drooping branch (8b) directed inwards in an oblique direction, converge towards the longitudinal axis of the collar (7).

At the base of each branch (8a) is set up a bracket (9), in "L", placed so as to form with the branch (8a) a fork in "U".

The brackets (9) with lug (9a) can be reversed simultaneously by approximately 90 °, since each lug (9a) stapled to the end of as many connecting rods (10), converging in a star and set on a small central collar (6), coaxial with the collar (7) and actuated by a pneumatic piston (11) rolling inside the shaft (12) on which the collar (7) is fixed.

The brackets (9) are naturally put off at the end of the ligature of the crown on the reel, the crown then falls to the ground by sliding on the drooping branches (8b) of the arms (8).

Referring to figs. 9 and 10 we will now examine the structural configuration of the headstock cut to cut the tube (T) after having embedded it in the reel which has remained empty.

This operator doll comprises a pallet (13), with a "V" cut (13a), entablature at the base relative to a horizontal axis.

Pushed forward, the pallet turns until it staples with its notch (13a) the tube (T), which is then pushed and embedded in the notch in "U" provided on the edge of a partition (14) made in a reel fork, at the base of the lower branch (8a) of the fork.

The doll further comprises a cutter constituted by a blade (15), which can advance hori ₇ ontalement, pushed by a pneumatic piston (16).

As we have already indicated, for each reel there is an operator doll anchored at the end of the arm (2).

The blade (15), when it withdraws, at the end of the stroke gives control to the two motors of the reels, this is why the empty reel starts to wind the tube (T), while the reel responsible for the crown which has just been finished is worn in a well-fixed prefixed position, from which the ligature operation begins.

This setting in motion must always start from the same position of the reel, because the final arrest of the latter, in the position where the last strip is applied, the partition (14), present only in one of the forks of the reel, must be located immediately below the pallet (13) of the operating operator doll tied to the reel itself.

Referring to FIG. 11 we will now examine the structural configuration of the device responsible for ligating the crown with several strips.

It is a carriage (17), pneumatically pushed, on the upper part of which two pincer jaws (18a) and (18b) have been set up, which are opened and closed by two respective connecting rods (19a) and (19b), stapled to the jaws (18a) and (18b) and to the periphery of a disc (20), mounted above the carriage (17) between the two jaws (18a) and (18b), which protrude front of the carriage.

The partial rotation of the aforementioned disc (20) is obtained by means of a pneumatic lv cv (21), set in place on the carriage (17) and the rod (21a) of which results in turn set up along the edge of the aforementioned disc (20) .

At the front end of the jaws (18a) and (18b) there are provided two outer heads (22a) and (22b), electrically heated, between which the strip is welded.

Still at the front end of the jaws (18a) and (18b), two small levers (23a) and (23b) are inserted in the middle, capable of pinching the strip (N) and each actuated by its pneumatic cylinder (24a) and (24b), stapled laterally and externally to each jaw (18a) and (18b).

The strip (N) only externally runs along the jaw (18a), passes under the relative lever (23a) and slightly protrudes from the jaw itself.

Referring to figs. from 12 to 17 we will now examine the sequence of the different operational phases of a ligation cycle. The letter (M) indicates the cross section of the crown to be tied.

The carriage (17) advances until the crown (M) is between the jaws (18a) and (18b), which are recalled and pressed against each other by the effect of the rotation of the disc. (20), actuated by the cylinder (21).

When the jaws (18a) and (18b) are closed, the end tab (N1) of the band (N) is caught by the lever (23b) of the jaw (18b), this is why when the jaws open. jaws the band (N) is unwound and relaxed between the jaws themselves, since in the meantime the lever (23a) has been raised, which pressed on the ban of (N) until an instant before the jaws opened ( 18a) and (18b),

When the carriage moves back, the band (N) stretched between the jaws ( ₁ 8a) and (18b) partially wraps the crown (M) which comes out of the closed area between the jaws.

These are again closed and pressed against each other so that the winding of the crown is complete and total.

The two heads (22a) and (22b) take care of welding the strip (N) clamped between them.

When the welding and cutting of the strip have been carried out by means of the two heads (22a) and (22b), the lever (23b) lifts and drops the tongue (NI) previously caught, while the lever (23a) drop again on the strip (N) whose ends, which have just been cut, remain protruding at the end of the jaw (18a) so as to have a new end tab (N1) which can be caught during the next ligation cycle.

The ligature cycle is thus finished and it will be repeated with the same modalities after the reel which carries the crown has rotated by a preset angle and adjustable at will.

Of course, the invention is not limited only to the embodiments described and shown, but on the contrary embraces all variants.

The changes, especially in the construction details, can be made by technicians in the sector, without departing from the framework of the invented principle, as just described and illustrated.

The arm rotations (2), for example, according to another form of reality sation of the machine which would result from it all the same more complex and more expensive from the constructive point of view, could occur, rather than in alternate directions, always in the same direction; one must then consider rotations of equivalent direction for the two reels.

Claims (10)

1) Machine for the automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, comprising a base on the front of which can pivot a horizontal arm, set in the middle, at the ends of which are set up, on a pivot horizontal parallel to the axis of rotation of the above-mentioned arm, two winders, characterized in that this above-mentioned arm makes alternating reversals of 180 °, when the crown is finished, since provision has been made for the two winders with directions of rotation and therefore opposite winding directions, and since there is provided for each reel an electric motor, with belt transmission, clutched. 2) Machine for the automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, joined to the desired length of tube for each ring, a counter gives the command for the actuation of the rack which causes the above-mentioned arm to be inverted by 180 ° and simultaneously gives the command for the advancement of a horizontal van, acting inside a window placed on the front of the base upstream of the reel and traversed by the tube to be wound, so that the tube itself is pushed and stopped against the base during the above inversion phase- 3) Machine for the automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, during the above inversion phase, the empty reel remains blocked while the he reel which contains the new crown, which has just been completed, is free to pivot on its pivot. 4) Machine for the automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the reversal has arrived, the tube is alternately between the fork on the top or between the lower fork of the empty reel, at the base of the fork leg directed towards the base, thanks to the intervention of the aforementioned valve and thanks to the action of a horn projecting frontally from the arm carrying the reels and shaped so as to push the tube towards the base. 5) Machine for the automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, inside a single fork of each reel, provision has been made, at the base of the branch of the fork directed towards the base, a small partition on the edge of which there is provided a notch in "U" in which one pushes and one inserts the tube before cutting it- 6) Machine for the automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, at the two ends of the rewinder arm, two operator dolls have been fixed, one for each reel, which each include a vertical pallet, entablé at the base, which, at the most appropriate moment, turns forward until catching the tube, by forcing it in the aforementioned "U" notch, followed immediately by a blade, in the horizontal arrangement, which transversely cuts the tube in a section immediately downstream of the embedding section. 7) Machine for automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, characterized in that, after the discharge of the ring, the empty winder is stopped definitively in a very precise and prefixed position, in correspondence of which the fork, which incorporates the partition with the notch in "U" for the attachment of the tube, is on the action plan of the operator doll assembled with the reel. 8) Machine for the automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, according to claim 1), characterized in that each reel is constituted by a central radiating collar, in a star, at regular intervals, six forked arms, each having a branch directed outwards and perfectly orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the collar, and a branch, directed inwards in an oblique direction, converging towards the longitudinal axis of the collar, since the provision has been made, at the base of each branch facing outwards, for the entablature of an "L" bracket, placed so as to form with this latter branch a "U" fork; the aforementioned brackets can be reversed simultaneously by approximately 90 °, since each bracket has a lug stapled at the end of as many connecting rods, which converge in a star and entablature on a central collar, coaxial with the above-mentioned collar and actuated by a pneumatic piston, rolling in the shaft where the collar of the roller is fixed. 9) Machine for the automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, according to claim 1), characterized in that it is accompanied by a device for the automatic ligation of the rings by strips , which includes a carriage, pneumatically pushed, on the upper face of which two pincers jaws have been set in, which project out frontally from the abovementioned carriage, and these are opened and closed by their respective rods, stapled to the jaws and to the periphery of a disc, mounted on the abovementioned carriage between the jaws indicated and dragged in alternating rotation by a pneumatic cylinder set up on the carriage and the rod of which results in turn entangled along the edge of this disc, as provision has been made, at the front ends of these jaws, two electrically heated outer heads, between which the band is welded after it has been completely wrapped around the crowns still at the front end of these jaws, two levers are provided, set in the middle, capable of pinching the strip and both actuated by an own pneumatic cylinder, stapled laterally and externally to each jaw. 10) Machine for automatic and continuous winding of flexible tubes into ordered rings, linked by strips, according to claim 1) and according to another preferred embodiment with an equivalent design, characterized in that the successive reversals of the rewinder arms, instead of occurring with alternate directions of rotation, always occur in the same way, in the same direction, but in this case provision must be made for rotations of the same direction for the two reels .

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