Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
This is a division of Canadian application Serial Number 350,038
filed April 16, 1980.
B~CKGROUND OF_~ ~ INV~NTION
I. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to roll product Einishing
machines and, more particularly, to machines which hand]e a roll of
sheet-like material having a loose tail end so that the loose tail end
may be glued upon the bocly of the roll.
II. Description of the Prior Art
In roll product finishing operations, such as those used by
the ~aper converting industry, cants of w~und sheet-like material are
formed from a large parent supply roll on winding machines and proceed,
typically in assembly-line fashion, to machines which glue the loose
tail ends upon the cants and which then eject the cants toward wrappi.ng
machines.
One problem caused by such an operation is that glue might
not be consistently applied upon the loose tail encl at a proper distance
from the terminal edge the tall. Thus/ excess paper might project
outwardly from the ~lue seam and interfere with the operation of the
wrapping machines. Also, the presence of excess paper forms an
unattractive commerclal product.
~n associated problem arises when the cant is delivered
to the machine having a loose tail end which is partially s-tuck to the
bcdy of the roll, or torn and uneven, or otherwise defective. Such a
eant is not in condition for gluing and should be ejected from the
machine without the applic~ation of adhesive.
Yet another problem is oecasioned by the high spee~d, assembly-
line nature of ~le operation itself, which den~lds that the ~luing
operation b~? performed as
. . . . .
., : .
: ~ : . . ~ .: .
~ ~ ' , .. .
.
: ~ ` . ` ' ' :
q~ickly as possiblc and that the cant bcing glued is
ejected in advance of the next cant's arrival. This
avoics ja~ming and the resul~ant loss of production
tiMe.
S Attcntion is directed to the following U.S. Pa-
tents which are specifically concerned with roll fin-
ishing apparatus:
Ghisoni 3,044,532 July 17, 1962
Henson, et al 3,162,560 December 22, 1964
Tellier 3,393,105 ~uly 16, 1968
Janik 3,553,055 January 5, 1971
Of the four cited patents, Tellier direct~y addresses
the problem of excess paper projecting beyond the glue
seam (col. 1, lines 49 through 72), which he describes as
"universal in the paper i.ndustry". Tellier thereater
describes the use of a sin~le, continuously actuated
; photocell unit 162 ,164 to sense the location oE the
tail end and thereafter energi~.e the cam-actuated
I gluing tines 89 and 90 to displace the tail end against
~, 20 the adhesive application rollers 124. A principal
feature of Tellier's device is that, during the entire .
;' gluing cycle, the cant is being continuously rotated on
,
~` the drive rollers 27 and 28.
WhiIe Henson does not directly address the prob-
lem of e~cess paper, the reference describes the ~lse of
a single, continuously actuated photocell unit 29a, 29b
~; to stop rotation of the drive rollers 10,11 when the
tail end has arrived at a predetermined location for
gluinz. Hcnson also discloses the use of a pair of
glue guns 30 located on reciprocative trolley carriage
mcmbers 50 and 70 which are movably mounted on trolley
i lead screws 51 and 71.
-3-
i .
: ' ~ , . -' " :
~ ' - ' ' ' .
Nci~her Ghisoni nor Janik are concerne~ with the
e~cess papcr problcm, and use singlc, continuously
actuated photosensors 19 and 91, respectively, to
stop rotation of the cant, and glue is thereaftcr
deposited on the body of ~he cant itself. The position
of the glue seam in Janik's device is adjustable,
inasmuch as the enti.re glue carriage support frame 117
can be vertically shifted relative to the cant.
Mone of the above cited references, alone or in
combination, teachcs or suggests the use of two sensors,
one of which is continuously actuated and the other of
which is selectively actuated in response to a signal
from the first, to insure that the glue seam is invari-
ably properly placed on the tail. None teaches or
suggests a means for detecting a cant which is not in
condition for gluing. None teaches or suggests the use
of a pneumatic, high speed reciprocatin~ glue gun
mech2nism to substantially reduce the ti~e it takes to
glue the tail end. Finally, none teaches or suggests a
means for insuring that the cant is ejected from the
machine in a timely fashion and in advance of the
.
arrival of another cant. In short, none of the ref-
, .
~ erences teaches or suggests a device which is appli
: cable for use in a high production, asse~.lbly-line
operation.
Attention is also directed to the ~ollowing U.S.
Patents which, while not disclosing roll finishing
apparatus, may be considered relevant with regard to
ccrtain feat~rcs of the invention:
Gan~inotti 3,318,262 May 9, 1967
Boxmeyer 3,521,551 J~ly 21, 1970
.
j . Martin 3,875,865 April 8, 1975
--4--
,
3 - ~ i~
- ,
~. ` ~ , .
C~n~ino~i disclose.s a fluid propulsion devic~
utili:~ing a pne~lmatic conduit 9 having a ccntral core
10 an~ surroun~cd by a frame assembly 5, 6; 11, 12, so
that.excessive deformation and deterioration of the
pneum~tic conduit 9 is eliminated. Ganzinotti also-
discloses the use of prelocated "actuating zones" for
driving, braking and stopping the carriage 37 on the
- rail 35. Gan~inotti does not teach or suggest a means
for eliminating excessive deformation and deterioration
of a pneumatic conduit without the attendant creation
of friction which impedes rapid acceleration and move~ent
of the carriage. Nor does Ganæinotti teach or suggest
a strictly pneumatically controlled acceleration and
deceleration system not dependent upon fixed, nonadjust-
able "actuating zones".
Boxmeyer discloses the use of two sensors 17 ancl
19, both of which are continuously actuated and conneeted
in series so that their respective outputs are 180 out
of phase. Displacement of a roller member 97 moves
core 95 and unbalances the eombined output, heretofore
balanced, thus creating a voltage output. Box~eyer
neither teaches nor suggests an arrangement whe~eby one
continuously actuated sensor selectively activates ;
another sensor.
Lastly, ~artin discloses a trolley carriage which
is operatively eonnected with ~ continuous cabLe for
movement. Nothing in Martin teaches or suggests the
use of the trolley carriage in a fluid propulsion
deviFe.
:
.
~5-
. ~ ' ' I . - .
,~: ' . ' . , : - ' '' :
.
: .~: . : ,, .
:., : , .
SUM~RY OF llE INV~rION
. . _ .
~e invention provides a machine which is oper~tive for
handli~g a roll of wo~ld, sheet-like material having a loose tail end.
l'he maclllne includes means for rotat.ing the roll in a direction tending
to wind the loose tail end upon the roll, means for unwinding the loose
tail end off the roll during rotation, and a delivery table upon which the
unw~und loose tail settles for the application of glue. In accorda~ce with
the invention, there is provided a machine operative for handling a roll
of w~und sheet-like material having a loose tail end, the loose tail end
having oppositely spaced first and second corner edges, the machine
includes means for rotating the roll in a direction tending to wind the
loose tail end upon the roll, means for unwinding the ioose tail end off
the roll during rotation, and a delivery table upon which the loose tail
end settles after being unwound off the roll, the improvement comprises
first corner edge sensing means for detec-ting the location of the first
corner edge of the tail end at the predetermined position on the delivery
table, second corner edge sensing means for detecting the location of
~ the second corner edge of the tail end at a predetermined position on
;~ the delivery table, circuit means interconnecting the first corner
edge sensing means and the second corner edge sensing means with the roll
rotation means cmd operative for terminating operation of the roll
rotation means in response to the simultaneous detection by the first
and second corner edge sensing means of the location of the respective
first and second corner edges at their respective predetermined
positions on the delivery tabl2.
.
,
;~ , . .
- 6 - . .
''. ':
'
,~ ' ' . . - '
. ~
4~
A further embodiment provides a machine which has,
in addition to the heretofore described roll rotation means,
tail unwinding means, and delivery table, gluing means for
applying glue to the loose tail end which is situated on the
delivery table, as well as means for ejecting the roll off the
roll ro-tation means. In this embodiment, primary ejection
circuit means triggers operation of the roll e~ection means
subsequent to the operation of the gluing meansO Roll sensor
means is provided to detect the presence of the xoll on the
roll rotation means, and secondary eiection circuit means
is included to operate the roll ejection means independently
of the primary ejection circuit means at a predetermined
tlme after the roll sensor means detects the initial
presence of the roll on the roll rotation means.
Timely ejection of the roll prior to the arrival of another
, roll is thus achieved.
In yet another embodiment, the gluing means includes
a fluid propulsion device ~comprising tube means having
;~ ~ opposite ends and operative for conducting a pressurized fluid,
supply conduit means for conducting a pressurized fluid from
a source to each of the opposite ends, and vent means
selectively operative for venting each of the opposite ends
; with the atmosphere. The glue gun is mounted on carriage means
which is operatively connected with the tube means for
.
:
.
-- 7 --
.. .
.
,
movement between the opposite ends in response to the
condllc-tion of pressurized fluid by the tube means.
Acceleration control means communicates with the supply
condult means and with the vent means for conducting
pressurized fluid through the supply conduit means to a
selected one of the opposite ends and for venting the end
opposite to the selected end through the vent means. By
virtue of this agreement, accelerated movement is imparted
to the carriage means from the selected end toward the
opposite end. Deceleration control means communicates with
the vent means for restricting the venting of the opposite
end, which rapidly decelerates the carriage means.
Other objects and advantages will be pointed out
in, or be apparent from the specification and claims, as
will obvious modi.fications of the embodimenks shown in the
drawings.
Certain fea-tures and embodiments referred to
herelnabove are disclosed and claimed in Canadian application
Serial Number 350,Q38 as well as other divisional
applications based thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partially broken
away, showing a machine which is operative for handling a
roll of wound sheet-like material having a loose tail end
and which embodies the features of the invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one embodiment of a
movable glue gun carria~e which is incorporated in the
machine shown in Fig. l;
, .
8 -
.
6 ~4~ ~`
Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of an alternative
embodiment of a movablc glu~ gun carriage suitable for
usc ~ith the mnchine shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the glue gun
carriage taken generally along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of an alternative
embodiment of the operative interface between the
pneumatic hose and pinch rollers which may be incorporated
in the glue gun carriage sho~n in either Figs. l and 2
or Figs. 3 and 4;
Fig. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram o~ a
control circuit applicable for use with the machine
shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the elec-
trical control circuit involved in the Tail Positioni~gStage of the machine sho~n in Fig. l;
Fig. 8 is an enlarged and partially broke~ away
side ~iew of a portion of the machine sho~n in Fig. l;
Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the components o
20 the pneumatic control circuit~involved in powering the ~ -
glue gun carriage sho~n alternatively in Figs. 1 and 2
, . :
~ ~ and Figs. 3 and 4;
,~ .
Fig. lO is a schematic vie~ of the pressurized air
supp]y~ system associated ~ith the control circuit shown
in Flgs. 6 and 9; and
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top view of the machine
sho~m in~Figs.~l and 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRFFERRED EMmODI~ENT
.
A device 32 ie sho~in in Fig. l which is operative
to receive a roll 30 of ~ound sheet-Like material
`, . '
_9_
~' :
,. . .
:1 . .: -
-'~ : :
having a loose tail cnd 31 and sequcntially glue the
loos~ tail cnd 31 up~n th~ body of thc roll 30 and then
ejec~ the.roll 30. ~hilc the device 32 is broadly
applicable for use with rolled cloth, plastic and metal
products, the device 32 finds wide application in
connectio~ with the finishing of rolled paper products,
: such AS cants of toilet tiss~le, and will hereafter.be
: discussed in that environment.
Structurally, the device 32 includes a support
fra~e 1 having a feed table 2 and a delivery table 12.
Roller means 34 is mounted on the support frame 1
between the eed table 2 and delivery table 12 for
rotating the paper product roll 30 or ca~t about its
longitudinal axis in a direction tending to ~ind the
loose tail end 31 onto the cant 30.
: Whil~ various constructions are possib1e, in t:he
illustrated embodiment ~see Fig. 1), a first drive
roller 3 ls rotatably attached or journaled to the
,
support:frame 1. A roller drive motor 4 dr;ves the
first roller 3 by means of a suitable chain or bel~
- transmission 5.: A second drive roller 6 is located
: parallel to the~ first roller 3 intermediate the first
roller 3 and the~feed table 2. The second roller 6 is
rotatably attached or journaled bet~Jeen a pair of
25 ~ support arms i which lS attached to a shaft 8 which is
::itself rotatably journaled to the support frame 1. The
: ' second roller 6 is.operatively connected with the motor
4 by a chain or belt transmission 10 which includes a
.
~ ` chain syrocket 36 rotatable about the shaft 8 and an
. . . .
: 30 additional belt 11 extending be~ween the s~afc 8 and
: ' ' ~
.
:~ : . .
: ' ':: ' . , . ' .
10- ~ ~
s~cc,nd rollcr 6. Opcration of thc ~.otor 4 thus co~only
drivcs thc first rollcl 3 and the.second roller 6 in a
counterclockwise direction, and a c~nt 30 located on
`: the rollcrs 3 and 6 is thereby rotated in the clock-
wise, or "rcwinding", direction (as indicated by the
arrow in FiC,. 1).
Blower means 14 is provided for unwinding the
loose tail end 31 off the cant 30 during rotation of
the cant 30 on the rollers 3 and 6. As is shown in
Fig. 1, one or more blowing noz~les 14 are spaced
longitudinally along the feed table 2. Referring now
to Fig. 10, pressurized air is delivered to the blowing
noz~les 14 fro~ an external source (as is shown diagram-
. matically in Fig. 10) through an air supply conduit 42
~:. 15 and a normally closed air valve 44. The air valve 44
is movable to an open position by means of a solenoid
46 or the like to direct pressurized air from the
source to the blowing nozzles 14.
hen pressurized air is directed out of the
:~ 20 blowi.ng nozzles 14 during rotation of the cant 30, the
loose tail end 31 is lifted off the cant 30 by the
pressuri~ed air flow ~as is shown in phanto~ lines in
: . Fig. 1). The tail end 31 is consequently un~ound off
: the body:of the cant 30 and will eventually settle back
. .
~`~ : . 25 upon:the delivery table 12 ~as shown in phan~om lines
in Fig. 8).
Contlnued~rotation of the rollers 3 and 6 will
: cause the tail end 31 which is situated~on the deliverytable 12 to be rewound again upon the cant 30 (see Fig.
:` 30 8). ~lo~ever, in order that a glue sea~ may be properly
`'~ '
;' ~ ' `. " ' .
: l .
.. 1``, :.; - . ~ . ,.
~,:
-i : : - : : . ,.
- . . :
? ~L 4 ~
~pplicd upon the tail end 31, rotation of the rollers 3
and 6 is stoppcd wllcn the tail end 31 reaches a desired
location on the dclive-y table 12, and gluing means 40
is providcd for depositing gl~le upon the now stationary
tail end 31. In the illustrated embodiment the gluing
means l~0 includes a glue gun 15 which is mounted on
movable carriage means l~8 for travel over the delivery
table 12.
The glue g~m 15 (see Fig. 10) cornmunicates with
the pressuri~ed air supply conduit 42 through a nor-
mally closed air valve 50 which, like valve 44, is
selectively movable to an open position by means of a
solenoid 52 or the like. The glue gun 15 also commu~i-
cates with an external source of glue (shown diagram-
matically in Fig. 10) such that ? when the ~alve 50 isin its open position, glue is pne~atically expelled
:~ .
from the gun 15 and applied upon the tail end 31.
~ Depending ~Ipon the specific glue noæzles selected, the
;~ glue can be either sprayed or a glue seam extruded upon
; 20 the tail end 31.
In the embodi~ent shown in Figs. 1 and Z, the
;~ carriage means 48 includes a parallel pair of beams 22
and 23 which lS attached to the support frame 1 above
the delivery table l2 and which extends parallel to the
rotational axes of the first and second drive rollers 3
and 6. A carriage chassis 17 is movably attached to
the beams 22 and 23 by means of two sets of freely
rolatable rollers or runners, respectively, 18, 19 and
20, 21. As can bes~ be seen in Fig. 2, the rotational
30 axes of each set of runners 18? 19 and 20, 21 are
' ' .
12-
. ; ~ . '- ' :
~ . - - . - . . ..
o r
disposed a~ ri~ht angles to each other. By virtue of
this constr:uction, ~he carriage chassis 17 is fi~ed
against vertical and transverse displacement relative
to the longitudinal e~tcnsion of che beams 22 and 23.
}lo~ever, the carriage chassis 17 can readily travel
along the beams 22 and 23 back and orth over the
delivery table 12, and thus bac~ and forth over the
tail end 31 positioned on the delivery table 12. As is
seen in Fig. l, the glue gun 15 is attached to the
underbody o the carriage chassis 17 by ~eans of a
bracket 16.
: Since high speed travel of the carriage chassis 17
:~` is desirable, the carriage chassis 17 is pneumatically
propelled along the beams 22 and 23. Generally, tube
means 24 (see Fig. 2) is mounted on the fra~e 1 inter-
mediate the beams 22 and 23. Each end of the tube
means 24 (shown schematically in Fig. lO) com~unicates
independently wi~h the source of pressurized air through
the air supply conduit 42 and nor~ally closed inlet
valve means 54, and vent means 56 li~ewise independently
: ~ .
vents each end o the tube means 24 with the atmosphere
through normally closed ventino valve means 58. The
~10w o air into and out o either end of the tube
means 24 can thus be controlled.-
In the illustrated embodiment (see Fig. 2), the
tube means 24 takes the form of an airtight hose made
of resilient material, such as rubber, and the carriage
chassis 17 includes a closely spaced pair of rollers 2$
and 26 which pinch a portion of the hose 24, thereby
30 blocking the passage of pressurized air through that
;, : ,
~ . . ,
:
~ ~ 13
.~ . .
~ j . , :
L~ ~
` portion. By virtue of this construc~ion, when pressurized
air is supplied through the-inlet valve means S4 to one
end of the airtight hose 24, the carriage chassis 17
will be accclerated away from that end by the c~pansion
S of the hose 24. At the same time, the rate at which
the opposite or unpressurized end oE the hose 24 is
vented through the vent means 56 with the atmosphere is
regulated. By suddenly restricting the venting of this
end with the atmosphere, backpressure is created, and
the accelerated movement of the carriage chassis 17
toward that end can be quic~ly impeded. Thus, the
movernent of the carriage chassis 17 rapidly back and
forth upon the beams 22 and 23 is effectively controlled.
An alternate structural embodiment of the carriage
means 48 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this embodi-
ment, instead of using horiæontally spaced bearns 22 and
23, the carriage chassis 17 is movably mounted between
vertically space~ upper support beam 62 and lower
support beam 63, which includes an in~egrally attached
guide bar 64. The hose 24 passes intermediate the
~, upper beam 62 and lower guide bar 64, and, like the
embodi~ent shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a pair of rollers 25
and 26 pinches the hose 24. Acceleration and decelera-
tion of the carriage chassis 17 along the upper and
lower support beams 62 and 53 is pneumatically controlled
,: . . . ~
as heretofore described.
In either ernbodiment, a core member 66 (see Fig.
5) may be located within the entire longitudinal length
of the hose 24. The core member 66 includes upper and
lower cnds 68 and 70 between which the hose 24 is
~' ' , ' '. . ' ' ' ":
,
' ` ' '
~ 14-
''
~1 . , ' .
: ' ,
resili~ntly strctcll~d. The core member 66 also includes
sym.~,etric.ll, inwardly bowed; or concave, sidewalls 72.
Correspondingly, thc o-lter contours of the pinch rollers
25 and 26 a~e outwardly bowed, or convex, and mate with
~ 5 the inwardly bowed sidewalls 72 to form the a;rtight
; "pinch'` in the hose 24. The core member 66 may be of
solid construction, such as plastic or aluminu~.
Alternately, it may be resiliently constructed, such as
a preformed sac~ illed with a compressible fluid or
air.
The core member 56 minimizes the extent to which
the hose 24 is deformed or pinched by the rollers 25
and 26. Also, since the operative interface between
the pinch rollers 25 and 26 and the hose 24 is confined
to the middle portion of the hose 24, the outer ends 68
and 70 of the hose 24, which extend outwardly beyond
the "pinched" area, are not deformed or pinched. Thus,
a relatively frictionless operativa interface between
the pinch rollers 25 and 26 and the hose 24 is pro-
vided,;and deterioration of the hose 24 occasioned byits being deformed between the pinch rollers 25 and 26,
particularly at the ends 68 and 70 of the hose 24, is
,
greatly mlnimized.
After a~seam of glue has been applied upon the
25~ tail~end 31,~rotatlon is again imparted to the flrst
~ and second drive~rollers 3 and 6, thereby rewinding the
; now glued tail end 31 upon the cant 30, and means ~ is
provided for ejecting the cant 30 from the device 32
after rewinding has occurred.
:
,~: ` :
~ r ~
4~ ~
i ; I~'hile variou~ cons~ructions of th~ ejecting means
9 arc possiblc, in the illustrated embodiment (see Fig.
1), the support arms 7 upon which the second drive
roller 6 is journaled are operatively connected to one
or more pneumatic setting cylinders 9. The setting
cylinders 9 (see Fig. 10) com~unicate ~ith the pres-
surized air supply conduit 42 through a normally closed
valve 74 which, like the heretofore discussed blow
noz~le and glue gun valves, respectively, 44 and 50, is
movable to an open position by means of a solenoid 76
or the like.
When the valve 74 is moved to its open position,
the setting cylinders 9 are actuated and the support
arms 7 are thereby rotated in a clockwise directlon
about the shaft 8 and out of the position sho~n in Fig.
1. As is apparent in Fig. 1, the second roller 6 will
be pivoted relative to the first roller 3, and the cant
30 will be eventually pushed or ejected off both of the
~ rollers 3 and 6 and onto the delivery table l2. Move
;; 20 ment of the valve 74 back to its normally closed posi-
tion returns the setting cylinder 9 and thus the second
roller 6 back to the positions sho~n in Fig. l.
~ : , . .
~ ~ OPERATION
,: , : ,
The mechanical and pneumatic components of the
device 32 as heretofore descri~ed are operated in
response to an electrical control circuit (sho~n in
Figs. 6 and 7~ through three general functional stages.
The first operational stage, hereaEter re~crred to
as ~.he Tail Positioning Stage j begins as the cant 30 is
delivered from a winding machine or the like (no~
;::: :
. ;~ , .
-16-
::
: : : :
. , ~ : ,
I sho~n) to th~ feed tablc 2 and rolls into positlon upon
the first and sccond rollers 3 and 6 The cant 30 is
rotated and the blo~ noz~les 14 dir~ct pressuri~ed air
so as to lift the loose tail end 31 o~f the cant 30 to
settle bacX upon the delivery table 12. When the tail
end 31 is properly situated on the delivery table 12,
power to the motor 4 is interrupted and rotation of the
cant 30 terminates.
~` At this ti~e, the second operational stage, here-
after referred to a~ the Tail Gluing Stage, com~ences,
and the carriage-mounted glue gun 15 is pneumatically
sent across the delivery table 12, applying glue upon
the now stationary tail end 31.
' ' .
The third operational stage, hereafter referred to
as the Tail Rewinding and Cant Ejection Stage, closely
follo~s, and rotation of the cant 30 recommences to
wind the glued tail end 31 back upon the cant 30, after
which the setting cylinders 9 are actuated to eject ~he
cant 30 from the rollers 3 and 6.
': ~
~ ~ 20 A. The Tail Positionin~ Stage
~, -
Reference is first made to lines 1 through 10 of
Fig 6 which illustrate one embodiment o the control
circult involved~in properly positioning the loose tail
; end 31 upon the delivery table 12 prior to the appli-
catlon~of~glue.
When the~power-on button is pushed, master control
relay MCR is energi~ed, and electrical power is sup-
plied to the entire controL circuit In particular,
power is supplied to the roller drive ~otor 4 (see line
7 of Fig. 6) through the serics combination of three
normally closed contacts R3a, R5a, and R7a.
' ' .
-17-
.:
.
:
Po~cr is also s~lpplied to ~hrce sensor means 13~,
13b, and 13c (sce also Fig. 1), which are in the form
- of photoclcctric cclls or the like. The photocells are
of conventional construction (not shown), and include
an internal liEht source which projects a beam of light
from thc unit and a photocell which detects the reflec-
tion of the li&ht beam of a nearby object.
Photocell 13a comprises a single photocell unit,
hereafter designated PCl, which is located intermediate
10 the two drive rollers 3 and 6 (see Figs. 1, 8 and 11)
and which is thereby in position to detect the presence
of the cant 30 upon the rollers 3 and 6. PhotocelL PCl
operates contact X6 (see line 2 of Fig. 6) such that,
when photocell PCl is uncovered (i.e. the beam of l;ght
is not being reflected off a nearby object), contact X6
is open, and, conversely, when PCl is covered (i.e. t:he
~` light beam is being reflected off a nearby object),
contact X6 is closed.
Photocell 13b also co~prises a single photocell
unit, hereafter designated PC4, which is located sub-
stantially perpendicularly above the drive rollers 3
and 6 (see Fig. 1) so that, as the tail end 31 is blown
`~ of the cant 30 and travels toward the delivery table
12, photocell PC4 is sequentiaLly covered and uncovered.
Photocell PC4 operates contact X4 (see line 4 of Fig.
6~ such that, when photocell PC4 is uncovered, contact
X4 is open, and, conversely, when photocell PC4 is
covered, contact X4 is closed.
In the embodiment sho~n in Fig. 1, photocell 13c
comprises a single photocell unit, hereafter designated
.
, ' . '
-18-
:;' :
. - .
7~
.. - .. . . ~ . .
': ~ ~ :` .. -: : .
: . :
: , . : : . : ~
PC5, which is locatcd slightly beneath thc surface of
the dcliv~ry table 12 (see also Fig. 8) and is thereby
in position to detect the presence of the tail end 31
upon the dclivery table 12. Photocell PC5 operates
contact PC5 (see linc 5 of Fig. 6). Unlike the normally
open contacts X6 and X4 which are associated with,
respectively, photocells PCl and PC4, contact PC5 is
normally located in a closed position. Contact PC5 is
moved to the open position only when photocell PC5 is
simultaneously placed in an acti~ated condition and is
covered by a nearby object.
The flow of power through the circuit shown in
lines 1 through 10 of Fig. 6 can be traced by first
assuming that the cant 30 has just arrived upon the
drive rollers, as is shown in phanto~ lines in Fig. 1.
Photocell PCl is thus covered and contact X6
closed. This permits relay Y0 to be energ;~ed through
now closed contact X6 and the normally closed contacts
R14 and R9a. When thus energized, relay Y0 closes
contact Y0. Solenoid 46 is also actuated by virtue of
the same closed circuit.
; As heretofore described and as is seen in Fig. 10,
. the actuation of solenoid 46 ~oves the valve 44 from
its normally closed position to its open position to
permit pressurized air to flow to the blow nozzles 14.
The loose tail end 31 is consequently blo~n off the
cant 30 shortly after the arrival of the cant 30 upon
the rollers 3 and 6.
i Durin~ the passa~e of the tail end 31 toward the
:~ 30 dolivery table l2, it t~ill momentarily cover photocell
,
~ ' . ' ,
-19- ~
. ~ ~" ~ .
1 : ' .
.:
PC~. Contact Xl~ is ~hus closcd, and rclay YP is ener-
~izcd throu~ll normally clo.sed contact R9a and now
clos~d cont.acts YO and X4. I~en relay YP is thus
ener~i~ed, contact YP is cl.o.sed, which activates photo-
cell PC5. By this time, the ~ail end 31 ~ill havesettled upon t?he delivery table 12.
Since photocell PCS is now in an activated condi-
tion and is covered by the tail end 31, normally closed
contact PC5 is moved open. The drive rollers 3 and 6
10 continue to rotate the cant 30 in the "rewinding"
direction, and the tail end 31 is dra~n across the
delivery table 12 toward the cant 30. Eventually, the
advancing tail end 31 will uncover photocelL PC5, at
which time contact PC5 returns to its nor~ally closed
15 position. Relay CR3 is thus energized through closed
contacts YP and PC5.
~ .
~en relay CR3 is thus energized, normally closed
contact R3a is caused to open and normally open contact
R3b is caused to close. Po~rer to the ~otor 4 is inter-
20 rupted by the opening of contact R3a (line 7 of Fig.6),
and rotation of the cant 30 by the drive rollers 3 and
: 6 ceases.
By virtue o~ the above described control circuit,
and in particular, the circuit interconnecting photo-
25 cell PC4 with PC5, any unintended interference with
photocell PC5 by.nearby ob.iects prior to the arrival of
the tall end 31 upon the delivery table 12 will not
operate contact PC5, and thus ultimately terminate cant
rotation, since photocell PC5 is normally in a deacti-
30 vated condition and is placed in an actlvated condition
. ?
` ' . . ~
-20~
. ,, : ,, . , :
.. .
,?~ : ' . .
~ ~ ; : ,. ~ : :
; in time to scns~ only ~he prcsence of thc loose tail
end 31 on the dclivery table 12. Thus, the chance of
unintentional or inadvertent opcration of photocell
PC5, and thus undesired cessation of cant rotation, is
eliminated.
Howevcr, it is possible that arrival of the tail
end 31 from the cant 30 to the delivery table 12 ~ay be
delayed, in which case the activation of photocel} PC5
by relay YP can preccde the arrival of the loose tail
end 31 on the delivery table 12. I~hen this occurs,
the as yet normally closed contact PC5 and in series
with closed contact YP, ~7ill energize relay CR3 and
pre~aturely terminate po-~er to the roller drive ~otor
4. As a result, cant rotation will be terminated,
lS notwithstanding the fact ~hat the loose tail end 31 is
not in the desired position on the delivery table 12.
In order that photocell PC5 is not activated
;~ before the tail end 31 settles upon thè delivery table
12, timer unit TD5 (sho~-n in phantoM lines in line 4 of
Fig. 6)~is placed in .series with p-notocell PC4, such
` that relay YP is energized a predetermined time period
after the passage of the tail end 31 past photocell
:~ ~
PC4. The time delay thus interjected assures that
photocell PC5~is not activated prior to the arrival of
the tail end 31 upon the delivery table 12.
Fig. 7~illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
control circuit associated with the Tail Positioning
Stage, and components ~Jhich are common with the just
described embodiment are assigned the same reference
numerals.
~ '. , '' '
~ 21-
.~ . .
: :
In this e~nboc?iment, like the first ~escribe~
cn~bodiment, photoccll 13a comprises the ~ingle photocell
- unit PCl which is located between thc drive rollcrs 3
and 6. However, unlike the first described embodiment,
photocell 13b is eliminated, and photocell 13c comprises
two photocells PC2 and PC3 which are located slightly
beneath L-he surface of the delivery table 12 at opposite
ends of the delivery table 12 ~see Fig. 11) and are
thereby in position to jointly detect the presence of
the outer edges 31a and 31b of the tail end 31 upon the
delivery table 12.
Each photocell PC2 and PC3 operates a pair of
contacts (see line 4a of Fig. 7), which ar?e, respec?~ively,
X7a and X7b for PC2 and X8a and X8b ~or PC3. When PC2
or PC3 is uncovered, the respective contacts X7a or X8a
are open and the respective contacts X7b or X8b are
closed. When PC2 or PC3 are covered, the contacts re-
~erse themselves, and contacts X7a and X8a close and
contacts X7b and X8b open.
The flow of power through the alternative circuit
embodiment can be traced by assuming that the tail end
31 has been blown off the cant 30 and has settled upon
- the delivery table 12. Photocells PC2 and PC3 will be
thus covered (see Fig. 11) and contacts X7a and X8a are
thereby caused to close, and contacts X7b and X8b are
thereby caused to open. Relay CR2 is thus energized
thro~lgh now closed contacts X7a, X8a, and YO and through
normally closed contact R9a (line 4a of Fig. 7). Ii?hen
relay CR2 is thus energ;zed, contact R2 is closed,
which permits relay CR15 to be energizcd tline 8 o~
,'
.
. . .
-22-
~s ~, ?
1' ' ~ . ,
t~
. . . - .
Fig. 7). By virtue of energizing relay CR15, contact
R15 is closed.
Meanwhile, the drive rollers 3 and 6 continue to
impart rotation to the cant 30 in the "rewinding" direction,
and the tail end 31 is drawn across the delivery table 12
toward the cant 30. Eventually, the advancing tail end
31 will uncover photocells PC2 and PC3, and the associated
contacts X7a, X7b and X8a, X8b will reverse their previous
dispositions, contacts X7a and X8a now being caused to
open and contacts X7b and XBb now being caused to close.
This permits relay CR3 to be energized through
now closed contacts X7b, X8b, Y0, and R15 and through nor-
mally closed contact R9a (line 4a of Fig. 7). As before
described, by the activatlon of relay CR3, normally closed
contact R3a is caused to open and normally open contact
R3b is caused to closa, and power to the motor 4 is inter-
rupted ~line 7 of Fi~- 7)
:
s should now be apparent, photocells PC2 and
PC3 are connected such that contacts X7a and X8a and con-
tacts X7b and X8b are in series relationship with each
other. By virtue of this arrangement, it is necessary that
PC2 and PC3 be simultaneously covered, then uncovered, by
the adjacent outer tail edge 31a and 31b in order to com-
plete the electrical sequence of the circuit just des-
.
cribed and shown in line 4a of Fig, 7. Should the outer
ed~es 31a and 31b of the tail end 31 be torn or otherwise
uneven (as shown in phantom lines in Fig. 11), and as a
result none or only one of the photocells PC2 and PC3
is covered, the control circuit which
~ ' . ' .
:, - . . .
- 23 -
' : . `
:: ,, ~ : . . ~
~;
.
: , .
; .
. , .
r
.
~llti~nately terminates cant rota~.ion will not be acti~ated.
Thus, photocclls PC2 and PC3 arc operative to sense a
cant 30 having a deEective tail end 31 which is not in
condition to be glued.
It should be apparent that, by virtue of the two
alternate embodiments of the circuit sho~n in Figs. 6
and 7, the loose tail end 31 will always be located in
a predetermined position upon the delivery table 12
when cant rotation is terminated. This insures th2t
the glue seam will invariably be applied at the same
predetermined distance from the edge of the tail end
31.
:
B. The Tail Gluin~ Stage
' Reference is now made to lines ll through 18 of
Fig. 6, which illustrate the control circuit involved
in applying glue upon the tail end 31, and also to
Figs. 9 and 10, which illustrate the associated pneu-
~atic control mechanism responsible for propelling the
; glue gun carriage chassis 17 back and forth along the
- ;20 beams 22 and 23 ~the embodiment sho~n in Figs. 1 a~d 2)
, .
~:~ or beams 62 and 63 (the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and
Simultaneously with the activation of relay CR3 in
the first circuit embodiment (line 5 of ~ig. 6), relay
CR2 is energized. In the second embodiment (line 4a of
, ~
Fig. 7j, relay CR2 is energized when the tail end 31
arrives upon the delivery table 12 and covers~photo-
: . ~
cells PC2 and PC3. In both embodiments, the energiza-
tion of relay CR2 closes contact R2 ~hich ener~iæes
30 relay CR15 (see line 8 of Figs. 6 and 7). t~len relay
CRl5 is energized, concact R15 is closed.
.
~ . -24-
.
r~l, .
The closin~ of contact R15 energizes solenoid 52
(line 11 of l:ig. 6). ~s hereto~o~e described an~ as is
seen in Fi~ 10, the actuation of solenoid 52 moves the
valve 50 from its normally closed position to its open
position to permit pressurized air to flo~ to the glue
gun 14 to pneumatically expel glue therefrom.
Simultaneously, the carriage chassis 17 is pneu-
matically propelled over the delivery t~ble 12, so that
glue being pneumatically expelled from the gun 14 is
la applied along the longitudinal length oE the stationary
tail end 31.
More particularly, and referring first to Fig. 10,
the air inlet valve 54 is operatively movable between
three positions. The first, or center, position blocks
15 the flo~ of pressurized air to both ends of the hose -
~4, hereafter re~erred to, respectively, as the left
; and right ends. The second, or right, position directs
pressurized air through a right supply conduit 78,
unseating a normally closed check valve 80 comLIunicating
therewith, to enter the right end of the bose 24. In
like`fashion, the third, or left, position directs
pressurized air through a left supply conduit 82,
unseating another normally closed check valve 84, to
enter the left end of the hose 24.
The venting valve means 58 includes outlet valve
means ~or independently venting the right and left ends
of the hose with the atmosphere~ ile various construc-
tions are possible, in the illustrated embodiment (Fig.
10), the right cnd and left end of the hose are inde-
pendant1y vented eo the atmosphere through sep~rate
'
-25-
'
: ~ . - .
.~ . . ..
L'~O
.
outlet conduits, respectively, 86 anct 88, each having
its o~ outlet valve, respectively, 87 and 89. Each
outlet valve 87 and 89 is operatively movable between a
normally fully vent~d position, in which the respective
end of the hose 24 freely communicates with the atmos-
phere (shown in Fig. lO), and a partially vented posi-
tion, in which the respective end of the hose 24 is
vented to the atmosphere through a restricted orifi.ce
90 or the like.
A normally closed check valve, respectively, 91
and 92 is interposed between each end of the hose 24
and its associated outlet valve 87 and 89 so that
neither the left nor the right ends of the hose are
; normally vented to the atmosphere. Each check valve 91
15 and 92 is unseated to vent the respective end with the
atmosphere in response to the passage of air through a
secondary outlet conduit, respectively, 93 and 94. Air
flows through the respective conduit 93 and 94 as air
` confined in the adjacent hose end is e~pelled in response
; 20 to the approaeh of the carriage chassis 17 toward that
end.
. . .
In context of the partieular arrangement of compo-
nents just described, acceleration solenoids 96 and 98
are operatively eonnected with the inlet valve 54 and
25 with the eIectrical control eircuit (see lines 15 and 16
of Fig. 6) for imparting aecelerated movement to the
carriage chassis 17, respectively, toward the left and
toward the right. Correspondingly, deceleration sole-
noicls 97 and 99 are operatively connected, respectively,
30 ~ith the right outlet valve 87 and che left outlet
-26-
. '''1: 1
~ ' ':
~ , , , , - . .
4~ ~ ~
valvc 89 and with thc elcctric.ll control circuit ~see
lincs L7 and 18 oE Fig. 6) for sclcctively controlling
thc vcnting oE thc rcspective hose end with the atmos-
pherc to impede the accelcratcd movcment of the carriage
chassis 17 imparted by cither accelcration solenoid 96
~ or 98.
More particularly, and referring Eirst to Fig 9,
four conventional proximity switches, hereafter referred
to as PSl, PS2, PS4 and PS5, are generally spaced adja-
ccnt to the hose 24 along the travel path of the carriagechassis 17. Proximity swltches PSl and PS~ are located,
respectively, at the far right and far left ends of the
hose 24. Proximity switch PS4 is located adjacent to
PS2 on the left end of the hose 24, and proximity
switch PS5 is located adjacent to PSl on the right end
of the hose 24. The proximity switches PSl, PS2, PS4
and PS5 are each connected to an associated electrical
contact which is interposed in the electrical control
circuit, respectively, X9, X10, X12 and X13 (see also
.
20 lines 12 through 18 of Fig. 6). The contacts X~, X10,
X12 and X13 are disposed in normally open positions,
and the location of the carriage chassis 17 adjacent to
the~associated proximity switch will cause the respective
contact to close.
The flow of power through the control circuit
shown in lines 11 through 18 o Fig. 6 can now be
traced by first assuming that the carriage chassis 17
is ~located at the far right end of the hose 24 and,
thus, adjacent to proximity switch PSl. Contact X9 is
thcrcby closed, and this permits relay CR5 to be
.
-27-
.
: ~1 ' . : , ,`
: t~
, .. . . . . .
. - ` .
.
. .
4(~ r j.
.. , 1. ~
ener~ ,e~ (see line 13 of Fig. 6) through now closed
con~act X9, closed contact R3b ~-.hich is.closed because
r~lay CX3 was energize~ during the Tail Positioning
Stage~, and normally closed contact R9a. I~hen relay
CR5 i5 thus energi~.ed, nor~all~ closed contact R5a is
caused to open and normally open associated contact R5b
i6 caused to close.
I~en contact R5a opens, relay CR3 is deenergi~ed
(see line 6 of Fig. 6), thereby returning contact R3a
to its normally closed position-and contact R3b to its
normally open position. However, po~er remains inter-
rupted to ~he roller drive motor ~ (line 7 of Fig. 6),
notwithstanding the closing of contact R3a, because
contact R5a is no~ disposed in the open position.
~ 15 When contact RSb closes, aceeleration solenoid 96
(
~; is energized through now closed contact R5b and normally
closed contact RlQ (line 15 of Fig. 6). The inlet
valve 54 is consequently moved from its center position
to its right position, and pressurized air is directed
~to the right~end of the hose 24 through conduit 78 and
unseated check ~alve 80. Inas~uch as the carriage
chassis 17 is located at the right end of the hose 24,
accelerated movement of the carri2ge chassis 17 from
the right end to~lard the left end will result as pres-
surized air occupies and expancls the right end of thehose 24.
It should be noted that, by virtue of closed con-
' tact~R5b, relay CRIS remains energi~ed (see line 9 of
Fig. 6), thus assuri.ng contact RlS remains closed to
enorgize solcnoi~ 52 to expel glue from ~he gluc gun 15
during the travel of the carriage chassis 17.
, .
-28-
`;
~ s tll~ carri.lgc ch~ssis 1/ accel~rates towa~d the
lcft hand 9i~C oE thc hose ~'I, it will eventually
actuatc pro~imity s~itch PS!~ (see ri~. 9), thus closing
contact .Y12. As seen in line 17 of Fig. 6, this per-
mits deceleration solenoid 99 to be energized through
- now closed contact X12 and nor~ally closed contact R7a.
This also permits relay CR10 to be energized, which
causes normally closed contact ~10 to open.
The actuation of deceleration solenoid 99 shi~ts
the left outlet valve 89 froa its nor~ally fully vented
position to its partially ~ented position~ The e~pul-
sion of air into the at~osphere througn conduit 94,
unseated left check valve 92, and the left outlet valve
89j heretofore unrestricted, is suddenly restrlcted by
orifice 90, and backpressure, or a pneu~atic "cushion",
` is subsequently created in the let end of the hose 24.
At the same time that the "cushion" is being
.~
created by operation of the deceleration solenoid 99,
the opening o~ normally closed contact R10 interrupts
the flow of power to acceleration solenoid 96 (see line
15 o Fig. 6), and the inlet valve 54 consequently
returns from its right position back to its nor~ally
centered posi~ion~ The flow o~ pressurized air t~ the
rlght end~of the~hose 24 is ter~inated.
~ I ~ Thus,;jast as ba~ckpressure is building to impede
accelcration ôf;the carriage chassis 17 toward the left
hand side of~;the hose ~4, the flow o pressuri ed air
to the right hand side;of the hose 24, ~hich occasioned
::
the accelerated movement in tne first place, is termi-
nated The carriage chassis 17 rapidly decelerates. A
2g-
conven~ional shock absorber (not sho-~n) may be locaced
at the lo~t end of the hose 24 to cushion wha~ever
imyact may occur.
The carriage chassis 17, now located at the left
.5 hand side of the hose 24, actuates proxi~ity switch PS2
(see Fi~. 9), thereby closing contact X10. This
deactuates relay CR5 ~see line 12 of Fig. 6), which
causes contact R5a to close and contact R5b to open.
Relay CR15, in turn, is deenergized (].ine ~ of Fig. 6~,
opening contact R15 to deactuate solenoid 52 to prevent
i further eY.pulsion of glue from the gun 15
Since the actuation of relay CR5 will immediately
lead to the deactua~ion of relay CR3 (line 6 of Fig.
6), and thus the opening of contact R3b, the electrical
; 15 sequence sho~n in line 13 of Fig. 6, in ~hich the
position of the carriage chassis 17 at one end of the
hose 24 is first sensed and the carriage chassis 17
then accelerated toward the opposite end, will occur
only once during the Tail Gluing Stagè. Thus, the
carriage chassis 17 makes only a single pass over the
loose tail end 31 during each Tail Gluing Stage.
The travel of the carriage chassis 17 from the
left~hand side to the rig~t hand side o the hose 24
follows the same electrical sequence as just described,
25 ~ although different relays are involved. Generally,
~ when the carriage chassis 17 is located at the left
: ~ .
hand side of the hose 24, proY.imity s~Jitch PS2 is
actuatcd, closing contact X10 and permitting relay CR7
to be energLzed (see line 13 of Fig. 6). ~len relay
, 30 CR7 is thus energiY.ed, normally closed contac~ R7a is
,
, ~ ~
30-
~ .
il ' I '
~,. . .
opened and normally open contact R7b is closed. The
- closing of contact R7b actuates acceleration solenoid 98
(see line 16 of Fig. 6), moving the inlet valve 54 from
its center position ~o its left position (see Fig. 10), and
pressurized air thus enters the left end of the hose to
propel the carriage chassis 17 toward the right.
As the carriage accelerates toward the right,
proximi-ty switch PS5 will be actuated (see Fig. 9), closing
contact X13 and permitting deceleration solenoid 97 and
relay CRll to be energized (see line 18 of Fig. 6). The
right outlet valve 87 is thereby shifted to its partially
vented position simultaneously with the interruption of
power to acceleration solenoid 98O Thus, the carriage chas-
sis 17 is rapidiy decelerated, and a shock absorber (not
shown~ may be located at the right hand side of the hose to
cushion whatever impact may occur.
By virtue of the above described circuit, a line
.
of glue has been quickly applied to the tail end shortly
after the positioning of the tail end 31 upon the delivery
table 12.
C. Tail Rewinding a~d Cant Ejection Stage
I Reference is now made to lines 19 through 26 of
; Fig. 6, which illustrate the control circuit involved in
first rewinding the glued tail end 31 upon the cant 30
which is then followed by the ejection of the cant 30 ~rom
the rollers 3 and 6.
The energization o either relay CR5 or CR7 at
the be~inning of the Tail Glui~g Sta~e tline 13 o Fig. 6),
: ~ .
, .
~ ; - 31 -
ithereby closing associatcd contacL R5b or R7b as here-
to~ore describcd, causes relay CR9 to become energized
(lines 20 and 21 of Fig. 6). I~hen relay CR9 is thu5
ener~i~cd, normally closed concact R9a is caused to
S open and normally open contact R9b is caused to close.
The opening of contact R9a deactuates solenoid 46
(line 2 of Fig. 6~, and the valve 44 is returned to its
normally closed position to block the flow of pres-
s~lri~ed air to the blow nozzles 14. At this operational
stage, the tail end 31 has already been lifted off the
cant 30 and is located on the delivery table 12, and it
should be apparent that further operation o the blow
nozzles 14 is not necessary.
The closing of contact R9b energi~es timer TD2
.
(line 23 of Fig. 6). Timer TD2 interposes a time delay
:
of predeter~ined length and thereafter actuates sole-
noid 76 as well as relay CR4.
During the time delay interposed by timer TD2, and
thus prior to actuation of solenoid 76 and relay CR4,
~20 the glue gun carriage chassis 17 is being sequentially
;~accelerated and stopped at its des~ination at the let
or right end of the hose 24 under the influence oE the
pneumatic control circuit as heretofore described. As
has also been heretofore described,-either acceleration
relay CR5 or acceleration relay CR7 become deenergi~ed
upon the arrival of~the carriage chassis 17 at its
~respectlve destination at the end of the Tail Gluing
Stage, closing either associated contact R5a or R7a.
,~ - .
Inasmuch as contacts R3a, R5a, and R7a are now all
~" .
, . :
,
~ ~32-
.
,1`, ' : . . : ,,
i common~y ~i5po9cd in their normally closed positions,
po~er is ressorcd to thc roller drive motor 4 (see linc
7 of Fig. 6), and rewindin~ of the glucd tail end 31 upon
the cant 30 commences.
~he length of the time dclay interposed by timer
TD2 is calculated to encompass not only this carriage
traYel time, and it thereafter encompasses an additional
period of time to permit the now activated rollers 3 and
6 to rewind the tail end 31 upon the cant 30 before
actuation of solenoid 76 occurs. Generally, a carriage
- travel time oE less than one second is to be expected,
: therefore a timer TD2 delay of two seconds will permit
a rew1nd time of over one second (the difference between
the total time delay and the carriage travel time)
which is usualIy sufficient.
; Upon the end of the ti.me delay period, solenoid 76
:~
is energiæed, which opens air valve 74 to permit the
flow of pressurized air to the setting cylinders 9.
:.; The cant 30 is caused to be ejected from the drive
. 20 rollers 3 and 6.
An additional proximity switch PS3 (see Fig. 8) is
located on the frame l in the path of movement of the
second roIler 6 occasioned by operation of the setting
cylinders 9. In particular, the proximity switch PS3
is located to detect the position o~ the second roller
: 6 at~its uppermost pivotal position during the Cant .
. Ejection Stage~ Proximity switch PS3 is electrically ~ :
connected to normally closed contact X14 (see lines 22
and 24 of Fig. 6) such that the location of the second
rollcr 6 adjaccnt.to proximity switch PS3 causes no~mally
closed contact X14 to open~
-33-
~: :
,
:-1 ~ . , , . . ~ . .
The opening of contact Xll. resets timer TD~ ~line
2l~ of Fi~. 6i. At the same time the openin~ of contact
Xl~ dcenergi~cs relay CR9 (see line 22 of Fig. 6),
thercby causing contact R9a to close and contact R9b to
open. Solenoid 76 is dcactuated by the opening of
contact R9b (line 23 of Fig. 6), and the valve 74 is
thereby returned to its normally closed position to
b~ock the conduction of pressurized air to the se~ting
cylinders 9. The second roller 6 thus returns to its
normal side-by-side position with the first roller 3.
As can be seen in Fig. 1, the pivoting of the
second roller 6 relative to the ~irst roller 3 ~ill
cause the second roller 6 to momentarily pass in front
of photocell 13a. I~Lis will close conta¢t XG (line 2
of Fig. 6) to actuate the blow nozzle solenoid 46
~ ~ before it is operationally desirable to do so. To
`~ prevent the premature actuation of the blow nozzl~
solenoid 46, a third ti~er unit TD3 is provided (line
25 of Fig. 6). More particularly, si~ultaneously with
actuating solenoid 76 to eiect the cant from the rollers,
timer TD2 actuates relay CR4 which opens normally
closed cOntLCt R4 and actuates ti~er TD3.
:
When timer TD3 is thus actuated, relay CRl4 is
energiæed for a predeterm.ined period of time. During
the time~in ~7hich relay CRl4 is energiæed, normally
closed contact R14 is caused to open. When contact R14
is opened (line 2 of Fig. 6), power to the blow noæzle
solenoid~46 is~interrupted, not~ithstanding the cl~sing
o~ photocell contact X6 as the second roller 6 pass~d
in front of photocell 13a.
:
~ 34-
!~ I . : - :
,
, :: : : .
o r
.
; T~l~ lcn~th of ti~ interjectcd b~ til~er TD3 is
pr~clctcrmined so as to corrc~pond with the ti~e it
tal;cs the second roller 6 to move from its side-by-side
. . position with the first roller 3 to its uppermost
pivotal position adjacent proximity swicch PS3 and
rcturn. After this period of time, ti~ler TD3 becomes
deactua~cd and relay CR14 is deenergized, returning
contact R14 to its normally closed position, a~ter
which the closing of photoceLl contact X6 occasioned by
the arri.val of a new cant 30 upon the rollers 3 and 6
will again actuate blow noz~le solenoid 46.
D. Secondary Cant Eiection Control
Typically, cants are delivered to the drive
rollers 3 and 6 in assembly-line fashion at closely
spaced intervals, such as by a conveyor belt or the
like (not shown~. To insure that one cant has been
ejected from ~he device prior ~o the arrival. of a
subsequent cant, a secondary ejection control circuit
is provided which will eject the cant after it spends a
predetermined period of time on the drive rolLers 3 and
6, regardless of whether or not the three operational
- sequences just described have been co~pleted. For
example, should the tail end 31 be stuck to the body of
; the cant 30, actuation of the control circuit sho~n in
lines 1 through 10 of Fig. 6 will not take place,
inas~uch as photocells PC4 and PC5 ~ill not be covered
by the;stuck tail end 31. Further, should the tail end
31 be stuck or uneven (as shot~n in Fig. Il), actuation
of ~he altcrnate con~rol circuit (shown in Fig. 7) will
not take place, inasmuch as photocells PC2 and PC3 will
. .
~ -35-
, . .
~'~ '' ' ! . ,
i' ~ ~ . . : , .
`1 . . =~ .
not be concur~cntly opcrated by thc stuck or uncven
tail en~ 31. l`hus, the sccond~ry ejection control
circuit is neccssary to ejcct this defective cant prior
- to arrival of`the subsequent cant and thereby avoid
cant collision and mechanical jamming.
More particularly, ~nd referring first to line 2
of Figs~ 6 and 7, the closing of contact X6 occasioned
by thc detection by photocell PCl of the cant on the
drive rollers 3 and 6 actuates timer TDl (sho~ in
phantom lines in Figs. 6 and 7). After a predetermined
time delay, timer TDl energizes relay CRl, and associ-
ated contact Rl is closed. This permits relay CR9 to
become energized to initiate the cant ejection sequence
(line 19 of Fig. 6). The even~ual energization of
relay CR4 during the cant ejection cycle opens contact
R4 and resets timer TDl (line 3 of Figs. 6 and 7).
Thus, in either circuit embodiment, should relayc;
CR5 or CP~7 fail to become energized within a predeter-
; mined period of time to energize the cant ejection
20 relay CR9 (lines 20 and 21 of Fig. 6), relay CRl
become energized to do so.
It sht3uld now be apparent that the device 32 as
above described provides for efficient, high speed
: . .
~ finishlng oE the rolled product.
:
: :
;~ , '
,1 :
,~ ~ . ' ` . . .
~ ,
36
t , . . .
. ij . , ~ : :.
~ . , , , . , .: . . :
: . .. .
