Abstract:
A device and a method is disclosed to maintain plate and anilox mandrel position stability in print decks of a flexographic printing press. In one aspect, the mandrel bearings associated with at least one of the plate roll and the anilox roll are preloaded for the purpose of eliminating backlash and increasing the positional stiffness of the bearings, and thus the mandrel. In another aspect, the roll drive motor control system is enabled to provide a torque additive command the torque profile to maintain rotational consistency and otherwise overcome torque transients experienced by the motor during print bounce. Accordingly, the problem commonly referred to as print bounce and or print banding is alleviated.
Abstract:
A converting line includes a rewinding machine for winding web material into a log. For time points during a time period of the log wind cycle, predictive information representative of a log to be wound is generated and stored in a memory of a control of the rewinding machine. An image capture device is enabled to capture a plurality of images of the log being wound in the winding nest at the plurality of corresponding time points during the time period. Log image capture information is generated based upon the plurality of captured images and corresponding time points during the time period. The log image capture information is compared with the generated predictive log image information to determine a difference in log image. Revised predictive log image information is generated based at least in part upon a difference in the log image capture information relative to predictive log image information.
Abstract:
A control system for a converting line has a sensor configured to sense a distance between the sensor and a surface of a roll of web material as the roll of web material is unwound from an unwinder and directed to the converting line. The controller is configured to: (i) determine a diameter measurement of the roll as the roll rotates based upon the sensor signals; (ii) store a plurality of data structures in a memory of a controller of a control system wherein the data structures comprise a plurality of data items associated together as the diameter measurements of the roll of the web material; (iii) process by a statistical regression analysis the data structures associated with the diameter; and (iv) generate signals for controlling the converting line based upon the processed diameter measurements.
Abstract:
A core end engagement assembly is provided for a rewinding machine. The core end engagement assembly is configured to engage an end of the core and transmit rotational movement to the core during winding of the web material about the core. The assembly may include a drive housing. A chuck may project from a first end of the drive housing and may be configured to engage the end of the core. A first actuator may reciprocate the drive housing along a central axis of the core between an engagement and disengagement position of the chuck relative to the core. A second actuator may be mounted on the drive housing. The second actuator may be configured and adapted to move the chuck between release and hold positions. A flexible drive shaft operatively connects with and rotationally drives the chuck.
Abstract:
An overwrap feed station wraps a product with an overwrap material by drawing the overwrap material around the product to form a tube around the product as the product moves through the feed station. The feed station is configurable in one of first and second configurations based upon a desired location of a longitudinal seal to be formed on the tube around the product. A first former is configured to guide the overwrap material through the entrance of the feed station so that longitudinal edges of the overwrap material overlap on a first side of the tube during wrapping of the product. The second former is configured to guide the overwrap material through the entrance of the feed station so that longitudinal edges of the overwrap material overlap on a second side of the tube during wrapping of the product. The second side is transverse to the first side.
Abstract:
A method of forming a roll of convolutely wound web material. The method includes applying adhesive to an elongated mandrel, winding web material around the mandrel to form a roll of convolutely wound web material, rotating the mandrel relative to the roll to smear the adhesive, and removing the mandrel from the roll. The smearing can be in a circumferential direction. The adhesive can be applied longitudinally along the mandrel. The adhesive preferably has a viscosity within the range of 3000 to 18,000 cps. Preferably, the method includes pulling the mandrel longitudinally before the step of removing the mandrel from the roll. The pulling can reduce the mandrel diameter and/or can increase its length. The rotating can be conducted before the pulling, during the pulling or during the winding. The rotating can be conducted before or during the removing. The web material can be bathroom tissue or kitchen towel.
Abstract:
The mandrel is formed from flexible and elastic material, and after the roll is wound, the mandrel is pulled longitudinally and withdrawn from the roll of paper to form a coreless roll.
Abstract:
A plurality of curved plates which are adapted to be mounted on an embossing roll are identically engraved with an embossing pattern that matches the plate dimensions, permitting them to be interchanged or replaced without disrupting pattern discontinuity. In one embodiment, the pattern is created to match a given plate by laying out a skew grid matching plate corners, and using grid parallelograms as pattern unit cells. In another embodiment, an existing doubly periodic pattern is minimally distorted to match the plate geometry.
Abstract:
An apparatus for advancing cut products from a saw to a wrapper includes a plurality of product supports for supporting multiple rows of cut products. A first or buffer portion of the apparatus includes an entry portion of the product supports and includes a first conveyor and a pair of flight bars mounted on the first conveyor. A second or pusher portion of the apparatus includes an exit portion of the product supports and includes a second conveyor for each of the product supports and a pair of pushers mounted on each of the second conveyors. A first drive motor advances the first conveyor and the flight bars thereon for pushing cut products on the product supports from the entry portion toward the second conveyors. A second drive motor is drivingly connected to at least one of the second conveyors, and a third drive motor is drivingly connected to at least another of the second conveyors whereby the pushers mounted thereon can be driven independently of each other for pushing cut products toward the exit portions of the product supports. Upper and lower speed-up belts may be mounted adjacent the exit portions of the product supports for advancing and separating the cut products.
Abstract:
An adhesive applicator for a core-making machine is provided with an applicator plate for applying adhesive to a web. The applicator plate has upstream and downstream faces and a bottom surface which extends from the upstream face beyond the downstream face. The bottom surface is adapted to spread adhesive on a moving web below the bottom surface. The bottom surface forms a narrow wedge-shaped portion with an upper surface which extends away from the downstream face.