Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Bag machine having a spindle
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the art of bag machines. More
specifically, it relates to a bag machines with winders, or to a winder for a
bag machine.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION_
There are many types of bag machines that form bags from film or process
already formed bags. These machines may use a variety of processing or forming
techniques. Bag making machine, as used herein, includes a machine that
converts film
into bags, or receives bags and further processes them, such as perforating,
separating,
winding, etc.
Some machines include a winder, wherein bags are fed to a winder and
wound into a roll. Some prior art winders include a turret with spindles
mounted on the
turret. The turret rotates a metal spindle to a position where the film
initially contacts the
spindle, and the roll is started to be wound. After the film has been wound
sufficient to start
the roll the turret can be moved so that the spindle is in a winding position.
Also, a second
spindle on the turret is now in the starting position. When the roll is
completely wound, the
film is directed to the spindle that is now in the starting position. The
process then repeats,
winding the new roll, and moving the next spindle into the starting position.
Also, the
wound rolls are pushed off the spindle. US Patents 4,667,890 and 6,186,436 are
examples of
prior art winders.
The prior art encounters problems such as difficulty in removing wound
rolls, and wear of the spindle where it meets the inner surface of the rolls.
The problem of
removal has been addressed at length by tapering the spindle, and/or including
counter sunk
air holes in the spindle. Air blown through the holes helps make it easier to
push the rolls off
the spindle. However, the inner bag can stick to the counter sunk holes, and
be damaged
when the roll is pushed off. Also, spindles have been coated with high-release
materials, to
lessen friction between the inner bag and the spindle. However, this
exacerbates the wear
problem.
The high speed operation of bag machines causes the spindle to wear. The
wear can be faster for a coated spindle than a metal surface spindle, but wear
can occur in
any event. It can be difficult and time consuming to change remove and replace
a spindles,
particularly when they are connected to an air supply. Of course, the down
time when the
spindle is being replaced is costly in that no bags are produced while the
spindle is being
replaced.
Accordingly, a winder that has a spindle with a surface that may be easily
replaced is desirable. Preferably the surface will be non-stick, and will not
damage the
inner bag.
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SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a bag making
machine comprising:
an input stage;
a processing stage disposed to receive film from the input stage;
a winder, disposed to receive bags from the processing stage, wherein
the winder comprises a turret having a plurality of spindles mounted thereon,
wherein
each spindle includes a sleeve threadedly mounted on a respective one of the
plurality
of spindles.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method
of making and winding bags comprising:
receiving a film;
converting the film into a plurality of successive bags;
winding the bags about a sleeve mounted on a spindle to form a roll of
bags;
threadedly attaching the sleeve to the spindle;
blowing air through the sleeve; and
removing the bags from the sleeve.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bag
making machine comprising:
an input stage;
means for processing film received from the input stage into bags;
means for winding the bags into a roll, wherein the means for winding
includes sleeve means for contacting an inner surface of the roll, wherein the
sleeve
means is threadedly attached to a spindle.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an
apparatus for making and winding bags comprising:
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means for receiving a film;
means for converting the film into a plurality of successive bags,
connected to receive film from the means for receiving;
means for winding the bags into a roll, including a sleeve means for
making contact with an inner surface of the roll, wherein the sleeve means is
threadedly attached to a spindle; and
means for removing the bags from the sleeve.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
winding
assembly for bags made from film, comprising:
a turret;
a plurality of spindles mounted on the turret;
a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve is threadedly mounted on a
respective one of the plurality of spindles.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method
of winding rolls of bags comprising:
receiving fonned bags;
winding the bags about a sleeve mounted on a spindle to form a roll of
bags, wherein the turret is mounted on a rotatable turret;
threadedly attaching the sleeve to the spindle;
blowing air through the sleeve;
removing the bags from the sleeve; and
rotating the turret to move a second spindle with a second sleeve
mounted thereon into a position for receiving bags.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sleeve
for use on a winding assembly of a bag machine comprising an outer surface and
a hollow
interior, wherein the sleeve is threadedly mountable on a spindle on turret in
the winding
assembly.
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In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method
of repairing a winding assembly on a bag machine, comprising:
removing a sleeve threadedly attached to a spindle from the spindle;
leaving the spindle attached to the turret; and
threadedly attaching a second sleeve over the spindle.
According to a first aspect of the invention a bag making machine includes an
input stage, a processing stage that receives film from the input stage, and a
winder that
receives bags from the processing stage. The winder has a turret with
spindles. Each
spindle has a sleeve over it.
According to a second aspect of the invention a method of making and
winding bags includes receiving a film and converting the film into a
plurality of
successive bags. The bags are wound about a sleeve mounted on a spindle to
form a roll of
bags. Air is blown through the sleeve and the bags are removed from the
sleeve.
According to a third aspect of the invention a winding assembly for bags
made from film includes a turret with spindles mounted thereon. Sleeves are
placed over the
spindles.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention a method of winding rolls of
bags includes receiving formed bags, winding the bags about a sleeve mounted
on a
spindle to form a roll of bags. Blowing air through the sleeve, and removing
the bags from
the sleeve. The turret is rotated to move a second spindle with a second
sleeve mounted
thereon into a position for receiving bags.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a sleeve for a winding
assembly of a bag machine includes an outer surface and a hollow interior. The
sleeve is
mountable on a spindle on turret in the winding assembly.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention a method of repairing a
winding assembly on a bag machine includes removing a sleeve from a spindle,
leaving
the spindle attached to the turret and placing a second sleeve over the
spindle.
The sleeves are comprised completely of non-stick material in one
alternative, and have a non-stick outer surface in another embodiment. The
sleeves can
have an inner portion comprised of metal or other material.
The non-stick material is polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon, or UHMW-PE in
other embodiments.
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Each sleeve is removable without removing the spindle it is over in
another embodiment.
Each sleeve has holes for air flow therethrough in another embodiment.
The holes may be spaced radially and axially about each sleeve. Also, the
spindles may be
hollow, and have inner holes, and be connected to a source of air, so that air
flows
through each spindle and out the holes.
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The sleeves may be generally cylindrically shaped in another embodiment.
The spindles may have a threaded receptacle to receive a bolt that extends
through the
sleeve to the spindle and attaches the sleeve to the spindle.
The sleeves may be tapered so that the outer end is narrower than the inner
end in various embodiments.
The sleeves can be is affixed over the spindles so the sleeves cannot rotate
with respect to the spindles.
The sleeves may be replaced without replacing the spindle.
Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings,
the detailed
description and the appended claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is prior art bag machine;
Figure 2 is sleeve in accordance with the preferred embodiment;
Figure 3 is the sleeve of Figure 2, rotated 90 degrees;
Figure 4 is spindle in accordance with the preferred embodiment; and
Figure 5 is the spindle of Figure 2, rotated 90 degrees.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 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.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While the present invention will be illustrated with reference to a
particular machine and in a bag making environment, it should be understood at
the
outset that the invention can be implemented on other bag machines and in
other
environments, and with other sleeve designs.
Generally, the invention provides that a winder for a bag machine include a
sleeve over each spindle. Sleeve, as used herein, includes a structure that is
placed over a
spindle, and about which a roll of bags is wound. The sleeve contacts the
inner surface of
the roll of bags. The sleeve can have an outer surface of (or be made entirely
of) a material
that is non stick, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon, UHMW-PE, is
tapered, and
includes air holes to make removing wound rolls easier. Also the sleeve
preferably is attached
to the spindle such that it cannot rotate. In the preferred embodiment the
sleeve is a threaded
bolt serves as an end cap to the sleeve, and threads into a receptacle in the
spindle, thus
holding the sleeve to the spindle. The sleeve also includes a hole near the
axial end closest
to the turret. A screw passes through the hole, and into the turret, to
prevent the sleeve from
rotating with respect to the turret. Thus, the sleeve is easily removed and
replaced, when the
sleeve wears, and helps make it easier to remove rolls.
Non-stick surface, as used herein, includes a surface that film or bags
adhere to less than surfaces traditionally used in bag machines, such as metal
or rubber.
Examples of non-stick surfaces include polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon, UHMW-PE
(ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) and some other polymeric materials.
The invention may be implemented on known bag machines and winders,
such as those shown in US Patents 4,667,890; 6,186,436; and 5,390,875, or
commercially
available winders such as the CMD 40146, the CMD RO 4213 , or the CMD
0305G0WO. Also, the invention may be retrofitted to existing machines quite
easily.
Winder, as used herein, includes a device for winding bags, either separated
or attached, and
often includes a turret, spindles, and can include other components such as a
rotary overlap
stage.
The preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the known
bag machine of 5,390,875, as shown in Figure 1. A winder or bag machine 100
may be
operated in either a continuous or interleaving mode, and includes a dancer
assembly 101, a
haul-in assembly 102, a tumbler assembly 103 and a winding assembly 104. In
operation a
strip of film 105, suitably made of plastic or another pliable material (which
may be
provided either directly from a bag making machine or from a premade roll of
bags)
passes through dancer assembly 101 to haul-in assembly 102. From haul-in
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assembly 102 film 105 is provided to tumbler assembly 103 and then to winding
assembly 104. Machine 100 may be operated as known in the prior art.
Specifically,
winding assembly 104 operates in a manner similar to that of the prior art.
The bags are
counted, to determine when an air horn is activated and when the turret should
rotate.
Dancer assembly 101, haul-in assembly 102, and tumbler assembly 103
are called processing stages. Dancer assembly 101 is also called an input
stage.
Processing stage, as used herein, includes a part of the bag machine that
process fihn or
bags, such as knifes, winders, rotary overlappers, sealers, etc. Input stage,
as used herein,
includes the part of a bag machine that receives film from a fihn source, or
formed bags
from a source of bags.
The invention provides for a sleeve to be placed over some or all of the
spindles one the turret of winder 104. Figures 2 and 3 shows a sleeve 200 in
accordance
with the preferred embodiment, wherein the view of Figure 3 is the view of
Figure 2, with
sleeve 200 rotated 90 degrees. A plurality of holes 201 are spaced axially
along sleeve
200, as well as spaced radially around sleeve 200 to allow for air flow to be
used to make
removal of the roll easier. Holes 200 are preferably not counter sunk. The
spacing is
shown to be equal axially (for example every two inches), and at every 90
degrees
radially, but can be other patterns or unequal spacing in other embodiments.
Spaced
radially or axially, as used herein, includes holes at regular or irregular
radial or axial
locations on the sleeve such that all holes are not in a single cross section.
Sleeve 200 is preferably made of solid polytetrafluoroethylene. Other
embodiments provide for it to be made of nylon, UHMW-PE (ultra-high molecular
weight polyethylene), other polymeric materials, or other non-stick materials.
Other
embodiments provide for the surface to be a non-stick coating over another
material
(metal, e.g.).
As shown in Figures 2 and 3, sleeve 200 has a generally cylindrical shape.
It has a slight taper toward an outer axial end (the left on Figures 2 and 3),
of about 0.062
inch/foot in the preferred embodiment. Generally cylindrically shaped, as used
herein,
includes shapes close to cylindrical, such as being axially tapered, have a
varying cross
section, or the axial ends can be uneven or at a varying distance from one
another. Outer
axial end, as used herein, refers to the end of the sleeve or spindle away
from the structure
that supports the spindle, such as the turret.
Sleeve 200 is provided with pair of holes 207 at the inner axial end and an
end cap 203 at the outer axial end. End cap 203 includes a threaded portion
and holds
sleeve 200 on its respective spindle. A screw inserted through holes 207 into
the spindle
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prevents sleeve 200 from rotating on its respective spindle. Respective
spindle, as used
herein, refers to the spindle on which a particular sleeve is mounted.
Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, a spindle 400 includes a plurality of
holes 401. Also, spindle 400 has a hollow inner end 402 that receives air
foini an air
source. Thus, the air flow path is from end 402, though holes 401, and out
holes 301.
Holes 401 are preferably spaced radially and axially, but can have other
arrangement.
They can either be aligned with, or not aligned with, holes 301.
Spindle 400 includes a pair of threaded holes 404 which receive a screw that
passes through holes 207, to stop sleeve 200 from rotating with respect to
spindle 400.
Spindle 400 also has a threaded receptacle 406 to receive end cap 203, thus
holding sleeve
200 to spindle 400.
Sleeve 200 may be easily replaced by removing the screws from holes 207
and removing end cap 203, taking off the sleeve, placing the new sleeve on the
spindle, and
replacing the screws and end cap. A sleeve is removable without removing the
spindles, as
used herein, when the sleeve may be replaced without removing the spindle from
the turret.
Numerous modifications may be made to the present invention which still
fall within the intended scope hereof. Thus, it should be apparent that there
has been
provided in accordance with the present invention that fully satisfies the
objectives and
advantages set forth above. Although the invention has been described in
conjunction with
specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,
modifications and
variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
