Method and Apparatus For Banding Rolls With Paper
A method and apparatus for banding rolls of bags is disclosed. It can include a bag machine and/or a winder as the source of rolls. The bander includes multiple banding stations. The source of rolls provides rolls at a faster rate than any banding station can apply bands. By selectively using each banding station the bander can have the same throughput as the source of rolls of bags.
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The present disclosure relates generally to the art of machines that process rolls of bags. More specifically, it relates to a bander.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONRolls of bags (such as tall kitchen bags) made from film are common in the industry. Bags may be made using various machines such as a rotary overlap machine (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,929, Gietman et al., hereby incorporated by reference, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,029,428, Selle et al, hereby incorporated by reference). Some machines include a winder, and other machines are used with separate winders. High speed winders are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,578,779 and US 2009-0019817 A1, both Selle, et al., and hereby incorporated by reference. The speed of some bag making machines and winders can be 600 feet per minute, which makes about 240 bags per minute, for 30 inch tall kitchen bags.
After being wound into a roll bags are packaged. Rolls in boxes are preferred in some markets, but in other markets less packaging is preferred. Providing a paper or plastic band around the roll to hold the roll in place uses little packaging, reducing waste and cost of materials. Also, it provides a location (the band) for the manufacturer to advertise. Paper bands typically have glue, which is wetted and then wrapped around the roll. A quick setting glue dries quickly, allowing the roll to moved and made ready for shipping.
However, wetting and placing the band on a roll can be difficult, and it is difficult to do so at speeds commensurate with the speeds bags are produced. Rolls of bags can be produced in 1.5 seconds (or 40/minute). The banding has been performed by hand. This can be slow, costly and unreliable. Automatic banders have also been used, but are limited in speed to 10 rolls per minute. Thus, the bander is often the speed limiting step for the bag machine and winder.
Accordingly, and automated bander that can effectively band rolls of bags at the speed the bags are produced is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONAccording to a first aspect of the disclosure a machine applies bands to rolls of bags. The machine includes two or more banding stations and a roll diverter. A roll path includes a source of the rolls of bags, followed by the roll diverter, followed by the banding stations. Each banding station includes a cradle that receives a roll, and includes a band applicator. The band applicator receives bands and applies the band to the roll in the cradle. The roll diverter receives the rolls of bags from the source, and selectively directs each rolls of bags into one of the banding stations such that any particular roll is diverted into only one of the stations, and such that some of the rolls are diverted into each banding station.
According to a second aspect of the disclosure a method for banding rolls of bags includes receiving a plurality of rolls of bags, and directing some of them into a first of a plurality of banding stations. Additional rolls of bags are directed into additional banding stations. The directing is done sequentially such that each banding station receives one of the plurality of roll of bags before any given banding stations receives a second. In each banding station a roll of bags is cradled, and a band applied thereto.
The winding includes a bag machine and/or winder in various embodiments.
There are two, three, or more banding stations in various embodiments.
Each band applicator includes a liquid applicator that extends in the cross direction and applies liquid to only part of the band in the cross direction, and does not apply liquid the rest of the band in the cross direction in another alternative.
Each band applicator includes a vacuum conveyor that conveys the bands in one embodiment.
Each banding station includes at least one mandrel disposed to hold the roll in one alternative.
The banding stations includes a source of air that directs the first band in another alternative.
The band applicators includes flexible fingers that guide the bands in one alternative.
The source provides the plurality of rolls of bags at a first given rate, and banding stations operate at a second given rate, and the ratio of the first given rate to the second given rate is less than the number of banding stations in one embodiment.
The machine includes two winding stations in one alternative.
The two winding stations each wind in a different direction, and the rolls are directed to a banding station based at least partially on which direction the roll was wound in another alternative.
Other principal features and advantages of will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description and the appended claims.
Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSWhile the present disclosure will be illustrated with reference to particular banders used with particular bag machines and winders, it should be understood at the outset that the bander, bag machine and winder can also be implemented with other designs, and the bander can be implemented without the bag machine or winder.
Generally, the bander described herein in includes multiple banding stations. That allows each bander to operate at a lower speed than the over all production rate of the bander. If there are four banding stations, the speed of the bander will be four times the speed of one station, for example. This allows the bander to keep pace with the upstream source of rolls, even if the source is a high speed bag machine and winder, such as a 600 fpm bag machine and a winder with two 300 fpm winding stations.
Each banding station is preferably identical (except for roll winding orientation) and includes a cradle for holding the roll, and a band applicator for applying the band. The banding station preferably includes at least one mandrel that holds the roll, and the applicator preferably includes flexible fingers that wrap the band about the roll. The band is preferably conveyed using vacuum conveyors that helps wrap the band about the roll and preferably include a source of air directed to the band that forces the band into the cradle before the roll enters the cradle. The band preferably includes glue that is activated when wetted. A liquid applicator applies water to the band to activate the glue. The liquid is preferably applied intermittently in the cross direction (relative to the movement of the band), so that the dry portions help provide stability for conveying the band.
After the rolls 108 are formed they are received by bander 103. Bander 103 includes a conveyor 110, and a plurality of banding stations 112-114, each preferably 6-24 inches apart. There are eight banding stations shown, although this embodiment includes using only four banding stations. Either stations 112 are used (and provided), or stations 114 are used (and provided), depending on the direction each roll is wound. The number of stations shown is merely exemplary. Alternatives provide more or fewer banding stations. The formed rolls 108 are provided to conveyor 110. Alternatives provide that a source of rolls other than a winder and/or a bag machine are used. For example, the rolls could be wound on one machine, and the banded on another, and the rolls can be made at a nearby or distant location.
As rolls 108 move along conveyor 110 they are selectively directed to one of the banding stations. A roll diverter (shown in
Diverting rolls in the selected direction reduces the likelihood that the roll will roll unwind as its being diverted into a banding station. Also, the diverter would preferably divert rolls using a pattern such as 112a, 112c, 112d, 112b (and repeat) to make sure that each banding station 112-114 has sufficient time to complete the banding operation. The diverter includes mandrels to hold the rolls, and/or paddles or ramps to direct the rolls in various embodiments. One embodiment provides that rolls of bags can be produced in 1.5 seconds (or 40/minute), and that banding stations 122-114 can each operate at up to 10 rolls per minute. Thus, the ratio of the winding speed (40/minute) to banding station speed (10/minute) is 4. By providing 4 banding stations the bander can keep pace with the winder (because the bander has four stations at 10/minute and can collectively band 40/minute). Generally, it is desirable to have at least as many banding stations as the ratio of winder to banding station speed, so that the bander can keep pace with the source of rolls.
Banding stations 112-114 and winding stations 104-105 are vertically stacked, and/ or horizontally separated in various embodiments.
Vacuum conveyors 407 of
Liquid applicators 405 (
Alternatives are shown in
The tail straightening shown in
Numerous modifications may be made to the present disclosure which still fall within the intended scope hereof. Thus, it should be apparent that there has been provided a method and apparatus for banding rolls of bags that fully satisfies the objectives and advantages set forth above. Although the disclosure has been described specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A bander for rolls of bags comprising:
- a source of a plurality of rolls of bags;
- a first banding station including a first cradle and a first band applicator disposed to receive a first source of bands and apply a first band to a first roll in the first cradle;
- a second banding station including a second cradle and a second band applicator disposed to receive a second source of bands and apply a second band to a second roll in the second cradle; and
- a roll diverter positioned to receive the plurality of rolls of bags from the source of rolls of bags, and to selectively direct the plurality of rolls of bags into the first banding station and the second banding station, wherein any particular roll is diverted into only one of the first banding station and the second banding station, and wherein the plurality of rolls of bags includes a first group of bags diverted into the first banding station and the plurality of rolls of bags includes a second group of bags diverted into the second banding station;
- wherein a roll path includes a source of rolls of bags, followed by the roll diverter, followed by the first banding station and the second banding station.
2. The bander of claim 1, wherein the bander includes a plurality of additional banding stations, each additional banding station including an additional cradle and an additional band applicator disposed to receive an additional source of bands and apply an additional band to an additional roll in the additional cradle, and wherein the roll diverter is further positioned to direct the plurality of rolls of bags into the plurality of additional banding stations, and wherein the roll path further includes the plurality of additional banding stations.
3. The bander of claim 1:
- wherein the first band applicator includes a first liquid applicator that extends in the cross direction a portion of the first band, disposed to apply liquid to only a first part of the first band in the cross direction, and to not apply liquid to a second part of the first band in the cross direction; and
- wherein the second band applicator includes a second liquid applicator that extends in the cross direction a portion of the second band, disposed to apply liquid to only a third part of the second band in the cross direction, and to not apply liquid to a fourth part of the second band in the cross direction.
4. The bander of claim 1, wherein the first band applicator includes a first vacuum conveyor disposed to convey the first band and wherein the second band applicator includes a second vacuum conveyor disposed to convey the second band.
5. The bander of claim 4, wherein the first and second banding stations each include at least one mandrel disposed to hold the at least one of the plurality of rolls.
6. The bander of claim 5, wherein the first banding station includes a first source of air disposed to direct the first band and wherein the second banding station includes a second source of air disposed to direct the second band.
7. The bander of claim 6, wherein the first band applicator includes a first plurality of flexible fingers disposed to guide the first band, and wherein the second band applicator includes a second plurality of flexible fingers disposed to guide the second band.
8. The bander of claim 1, wherein the source provides the plurality of rolls of bags at a first given rate, and wherein the bander includes a plurality of additional banding stations, each additional banding station including an additional cradle and an additional band applicator disposed to receive an additional source of bands and apply an additional band to an additional roll in the additional cradle, and wherein the roll diverter is further positioned to direct the plurality of rolls of bags into the plurality of additional banding stations, and wherein the roll path further includes the plurality of additional banding stations, and wherein each of the first, second and plurality of additional banding stations operates at a second given rate, and wherein the ratio of the first given rate to the second given rate is less than the number of banding stations.
9. A machine for winding and banding rolls of bags comprising:
- source of a plurality of bags;
- a winder, disposed to receive the bags and wind them into a plurality of rolls of bags;
- a plurality of banding stations, each including a cradle disposed to receive at least one roll of the plurality of rolls of bags, and including a band applicator, disposed to receive a plurality bands and apply one of the plurality of bands to the at least one roll in the cradle;
- a roll diverter positioned to receive the plurality of rolls of bags from the winder, and to selectively direct the plurality of rolls of bags into a one of the plurality of banding stations, and wherein the plurality of rolls of bags includes a first group of bags diverted into a first one of the plurality of banding stations and the plurality of rolls of bags includes a second group of bags diverted into a second one of the plurality of banding stations;
- wherein a roll path includes the source of the plurality of bags, followed by the winder, followed by the roll diverter, followed by the first banding station and the second banding station.
10. The machine of claim 9, wherein the source of the plurality of bags is a bag making machine.
11. The machine of claim 10, wherein the plurality of banding stations each includes a liquid applicator disposed to apply liquid to part of the one of the plurality of bands.
12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the plurality of banding stations each includes a vacuum conveyor disposed to convey the one of the plurality of bands to the cradle.
13. The machine of claim 12, wherein each banding stations includes at least one mandrel disposed to hold the at least one roll.
14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the plurality of banding stations includes a source of air disposed to direct the one of the plurality bands into the cradle.
15. The machine of claim 13, wherein the band applicator includes a plurality of flexible fingers disposed to guide the one of the plurality bands about the at least one roll in the cradle.
16. The machine of claim 13, wherein the winder winds the plurality of rolls of bags at a first given rate, and wherein the a plurality of banding stations operate at a second given rate, and wherein the ratio of the first given rate to the second given rate is less than the number of banding stations.
17. The machine of claim 13, wherein the winder includes two winding stations.
18. A method for banding rolls of bags comprising:
- receiving a plurality of rolls of bags;
- selectively directing a first group of the plurality of rolls of bags into a first of a plurality of banding stations;
- selectively directing additional groups of the plurality of rolls of bags into additional banding stations of the plurality of banding stations, wherein the directing is done sequentially so that each banding station receives a one of the plurality of roll of bags before any given banding stations receives a second of the plurality of roll of bags;
- cradling each roll of bags from each group of rolls of bags in the respective banding station, and applying a band to each roll.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving a plurality of bags, and wherein receiving a plurality of rolls of bags includes winding rolls of bags from the plurality of bags.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein winding rolls of bags includes first directing a portion of the plurality of bags to a first winder, then directing a portion of the plurality of bags to a second winder, and repeating, and further includes winding the bags in a first direction using the first winder, and winding the bags in a second direction using the second winder, and wherein selectively directing includes directing at least partially based on whether a given roll was wound in the first direction or the second direction.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving a plurality of bags includes forming bags from film.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein winding rolls of bags from the plurality of bags is performed at a first given rate, and wherein each of the a plurality of banding stations operate at a second given rate, and wherein the ratio of the first given rate to the second given rate is less than the number of banding stations.
23. The method of claim 18, wherein applying a band includes applying liquid to the band.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein applying a band further includes applying suction to the band to convey the band.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein applying a band further includes directing air to the band.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 20, 2017
Publication Date: Sep 21, 2017
Applicant: CMD Corporation (Appleton, WI)
Inventors: Paul A. Selle (Appleton, WI), Christopher L. White (Little Suamico, WI), Thomas C. Jansen (Appleton, WI), Gregory J. Prellwitz (Black Creek, WI), Gregory Johnson (Greenville, WI)
Application Number: 15/464,280