Apparatus and method for the automated and simultaneous preparation and changing of at least two rolls of paper webs or the like for a downstream garniture cutter

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus for the automated and simultaneous preparation and changing of at least two rolls of paper webs or the like for a downstream garniture cutter, including at least two roll stations arranged one behind the other, wherein each roll station has two carriers with two carrying arms movable up and down and movable horizontally with elements for receiving a full roll, holding the roll which is in production and discharging the residual roll, wherein all the roll stations have a common transfer track which is arranged above the roll stations and by means of which the unrolled paper webs can be delivered one above the other in the direction of transport to the downstream garniture cutter, which is distinguished by the fact that a common transport element is provided a) for delivery of full rolls to the roll stations and b) for discharge of residual rolls from the roll stations, the transport element being constructed in such a way that the full rolls and residual rolls are moved transversely to their longitudinal axis during changing. Furthermore, the invention concerns a corresponding method.

1 . Apparatus for the automated and simultaneous preparation and changing of at least two rolls of paper webs or the like for a downstream garniture cutter, including at least two roll stations arranged one behind the other, wherein each roll station has two carriers with two carrying arms movable up and down and movable horizontally with elements for receiving a full roll, holding the roll which is in production and discharging the residual roll, wherein all the roll stations have a common transfer track which is arranged above the roll stations and by means of which the unrolled paper webs can be delivered one above the other in the direction of transport to the downstream garniture cutter, characterized 
 in that a common transport element is provided for a) delivery of full rolls to the roll stations and b) for discharge of residual rolls from the roll stations, the transport element being constructed in such a way that the full rolls and residual rolls are moved transversely to their longitudinal axis during changing.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the transport element includes a guide rail which extends from a preparation zone outside the roll stations, in front of the roll stations in the direction of transport of the paper webs, into the changing zone of the last of the roll stations arranged one behind the other.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that several transport receptacles are guided on or in the guide rail and movable in and opposite the direction of transport of the paper webs, wherein the number of transport receptacles preferably corresponds to the number of roll stations.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , characterized in that each transport receptacle is designed to receive a full roll.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , characterized in that each transport receptacle can be controlled and/or driven separately.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that in addition elements are provided for discharging the residual rolls from their deposited position in the roll stations into waiting zones inside the roll stations.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the elements forming an “inclined plane” are arranged on both sides of the guide rail so as to be movable out of a rest position below the plane of the guide rail into a working position above the guide rail.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that on or in the guide rail are guided at least one additional transport element for receiving and discharging the residual rolls from the roll stations.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one sensor element is provided for control of the transport receptacles.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the sensor element is designed to be adjustable in height.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the sensor element includes a transmitting and receiving unit and a reflector, the unit and the reflector being arranged on opposite sides of the apparatus.  
   
   
       12 . Method for the automated and simultaneous preparation and changing of at least two rolls of paper webs or the like for a downstream garniture cutter, including the steps of: 
 delivering full rolls to several roll stations arranged one behind the other,    receiving the full rolls and unrolling the rolls which are thus then in production,    separating the paper webs from the rolls,    discharging the residual rolls from the roll stations,    characterized in that    a) delivery of the full rolls and b) discharge of the residual rolls take place with or on a common transport element, the rolls and residual rolls being moved transversely to their longitudinal extent throughout the changing operation.    
   
   
       13 . Method according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the rolls and residual rolls are transported in or opposite the direction of transport of the paper webs.  
   
   
       14 . Method according to  claim 12 , characterized in that filling the roll stations with full rolls and emptying the roll stations of residual rolls takes place from behind and/or from the front.  
   
   
       15 . Method according to  claim 12 , characterized in that all roll changes take place simultaneously in the roll stations.  
   
   
       16 . Method according to  claim 12 , characterized in that during production, that is, during unrolling of the rolls, new full rolls are prepared for production.  
   
   
       17 . Method according to  claim 16 , characterized in that a sensor element detects when the rolls are unwound and/or moved upwards so far that the new full rolls can be moved without colliding into a waiting position inside the roll stations.  
   
   
       18 . Method according to  claim 17 , characterized in that the new rolls are moved into the waiting position as soon as the sensor unit signals the necessary freedom of space.  
   
   
       19 . Method according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the paper webs are automatically separated from the rolls and the residual rolls are then deposited.  
   
   
       20 . Method according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the residual rolls inside the roll stations are moved into a waiting position, so that the new rolls can be moved into a receiving position inside the roll stations.  
   
   
       21 . Method according to  claim 20 , characterized in that the new rolls are joined to the free ends of the rolls which were previously in production.  
   
   
       22 . Method according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the residual rolls are lifted slightly in the waiting position, so that transport receptacles are moved out of the roll stations for the preparation of further new full rolls.  
   
   
       23 . Method according to  claim 22 , characterized in that a sensor element detects when the rolls which are currently in production are unwound and/or moved upwards so far that the residual rolls can be moved without colliding out of the roll stations.