EP3212549B1 - Method and device for handling flat and/or film material wound onto rollers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for handling flat and / or film material wound on rolls.

When articles such as beverage containers or the like are grouped and compiled, these are often held together in practice by shrink film in order to be able to prevent slipping or loosening from the compilation during transport. For example, containers that comprise four, six or more containers are known from the prior art. Such containers are still one of the most common variants of sales units for beverage containers or bottles made of PET plastic. It is therefore desirable to put together such containers as quickly as possible without interrupting individual process steps in order to be able to achieve a high throughput.

In order to make the packaging material or shrink film available for containers, devices and methods are already known which unwind the material from one or more rolls. Following this, the individual containers or the respective articles which are intended for the container are then enveloped with the packaging material. The unwinding of the packaging material from the roll can be done by machine. For example, devices are known which pull the packaging material off the roll via rollers, the respective roller being moved in a rotating manner. If the supply of packaging material for a roll is exhausted, the respective roll must be exchanged or replaced with a new roll. This is associated with an undesirable interruption in the process of putting together the containers.

A method and a device by means of which new rolls can be delivered and used rolls can be exchanged are, for example, from DE 40 40 545 A1 known. The device known from the DE patent application has several supply rolls with strip material which are arranged next to one another. The core of each roller is placed on a common pin. A beginning of the strip material is previously connected to a roller which pulls the strip material off the respective roll and guides it in a downward direction away from the device. In devices according to DE patent application, the roles manually placed on a common pin. In practice, devices and methods would be desirable by means of which flat and / or film material can be made available without interruption, the devices or methods also having a high degree of automation.

A device with a film splicing station, in which the film web is fed to a roll newly inserted in a packaging machine with the support of a holding device of a welding device, is from the DE 10 2004 026 312 A1 known. The holding device can in particular be designed as a manually manageable terminal strip, with the help of which the beginning of the film is withdrawn from a new roll and made available to a transfer device that can ensure that the beginning of the film is fed to a welding device, by means of which the beginning of the film with an already in the Packaging machine located film web is welded. The terminal strip is referred to there as an aid that is easy to handle manually and with which the film web can be brought into a suitable position. However, the terminal strip is loose, ie not connected to the machine or the welding device.

The DE 42 21 052 A1 discloses a device for handling bobbins made of wound webs of material which are to be used primarily as packaging material in packaging machines. Here, the bobbins are picked up by a bobbin conveyor which can be moved above a processing machine and each has a bobbin holder that grips one bobbin, transported and set down on the packaging machine. The reel holder should be variably adjustable with respect to the reel conveyor, so that reels can be brought into any position and deposited.

In view of the known devices and methods, it can be seen as a primary aim of the present invention to provide an improved device and a correspondingly improved method for handling flat and / or film material wound on rolls, by means of which with only short interruptions or in the ideal case, flat and / or film material can be provided at least approximately without interruption, and which device and which method also enable a high degree of automation.

The above objects are achieved by a device and a method which comprise the features in claims 1 and 12. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the respective dependent claims.

The invention relates to a method for handling flat and / or film material wound on rolls and used as packaging material for piece goods, bundles or similar article combinations. The flat and / or film material can therefore be designed, for example, as a shrink film or from another film or flat web material. The rollers can have a core, the geometric shape of which corresponds to a hollow cylinder and which can consist at least partially of cellulose-containing material. In this way, the respective new roll can advantageously be placed on a pin of the packaging machine that corresponds to the core and can rotate on the pin when the packaging material is pulled off or removed from the roll.

As part of the process, at least partially unwound and / or used up rolls are removed from at least one installation position of a packaging machine to maintain a packaging operation, and a new roll with flat and / or film material is then inserted into the respective installation position. As already mentioned above, each installation position can have a pin on which the new roll is placed and on which the respective roll rotates for unwinding its respective flat and / or film material. In particular, the rollers can be fixed in a clamping manner on the journal in their respective installation position. The pin can be driven to rotate and transmit a torque to the respective seated roller, so that the roller is moved in a rotating manner for unwinding its flat and / or film material via its pin. Each pin can be assigned a drive via which the respective pin is rotated. The drives can be connected to a control unit, which is described in more detail below, or can be controlled via a control unit, which is described in more detail below, for rotating the pins. Before removing a roll with at least partially unwound and / or used up packaging material from its respective installation position, the clamping connection between the pin and the roll can be released so that the roll is then no longer firmly connected to the pin and can be removed from the pin . The rotating movement of the pin can be interrupted until a new roller has been placed on the pin or inserted into the corresponding installation position.

Typically, as part of the process, the at least partially unwound and / or used up rolls can be alternately removed from at least two different installation positions of the packaging machine in order to maintain an approximately continuous packaging operation, and a new roll with flat and / or film material can then be inserted into the respective installation position. As previously mentioned, each of the at least two installation positions can have a pin on which the new roll is placed and on which the respective roll rotates for unwinding its respective flat and / or film material. The packaging operation can be interrupted during the roll change or, if necessary, also continue uninterrupted. However, the above-mentioned variant with only one installation position for a roll only enables uninterrupted packaging operation during a roll change if an additional storage device for flat and / or film material is provided, from which this material is conveyed out during the roll change and made available to the packaging company can be.

The method basically enables uninterrupted handling of flat and / or film material wound on rolls and used as packaging material for piece goods, bundles or similar article combinations, so that a continuously running packaging operation can be maintained. For this purpose, however, at least two different installation positions are required for a roll with flat and / or film material, so that the roll in one installation position can be continuously unwound, while the other installation position is used for a roll change and for the provision of new flat and / or or film material is available, so that depending on the design of the changing and connecting, gluing or welding process when changing rolls, a continuous or a quasi-continuous packaging operation can be maintained. The method according to the invention relates equally to such uninterrupted handling as well as briefly interrupted handling of flat and / or film material wound on rolls within a packaging process. Since the method also relates to a handling method using only one installation position within the packaging machine, it becomes clear that a continuous or uninterrupted packaging operation is only possible with the aid of a buffer or some other auxiliary measure is because the conveying process of film or flat material must be interrupted at least during the roll change.

After inserting a new roll in its respective installation position, an outer layer of the respective new roll near or in the area of its free end is pulled off and connected to a section of a material web of another roll in the packaging machine to form an uninterrupted material web.

In particularly preferred embodiments, it can be that the outer layer of the respective new roll used is removed by means of a gripping and / or handling device that operates with pneumatic suction pressure, mechanically clamping and / or electrostatically adhering, and which extends back and forth between the at least two installation positions moved here. Thus, the gripping and / or handling device can alternately pull out layers of the new rolls from the at least two installation positions. In practice, embodiments have proven successful in which the gripping and / or handling device temporarily fixes the respective outer position of a new roll by means of negative pressure.

Furthermore, a welding rod can be provided, which is moved in a downward direction and in this case welds the outer layer of the respective new roll to the material web guided in the packaging machine. The respective outer layer can be moved into a working area of the welding rod via the gripping and / or handling device. The temperature-controlled welding rod can thus move the outer layer of the respective new roll in a clamping manner against the material web guided in the packaging machine. In particular, embodiments have proven to be useful in which the welding rod is moved vertically up and down for this purpose and, during a vertical lowering movement, the respective outer layer of a new roll is welded to a material web guided in the packaging machine.

Preferably, the flat and / or film material of the further roll is not completely used up during the insertion of a new roll and during the connection, so that flat and / or film material can be removed from at least one roll of the at least one installation position without interruption for continuous packaging operation. which is handled in two installation positions. Advantageously, the new role can therefore be used while the other role in the Packaging machine flat and / or film material is unwound. Even when an at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up roll is removed from the packaging machine, flat and / or film material can be unwound from another roll of the packaging machine, so that flat and / or film material from at least one is positioned continuously and without interruption in the packaging machine Role is unwound. It should be emphasized again at this point, however, that the uninterrupted or continuous packaging operation represents a special case, while the method according to the invention equally relates to the case of the packaging operation which is briefly interrupted for the roll change.

Furthermore, within the scope of the method according to the invention, at least approximately completely unwound and / or applied rolls of the at least two installation positions are preferably detected by sensors and replaced by new rolls with flat and / or film material by means of a handling device. Sensory detection can take place, for example, with the aid of optical detectors or an optical detection system, which can be arranged in the area of the installation positions. The optical detection system or the optical detector and the handling device can be connected to a control unit. A sensory detection can optionally also with the help of tactile detectors or a tactile, i.e. contacting detection system take place, which can be arranged in the area of the at least one installation position. The detection system or the tactile or touching detector and the handling device can be connected to a control unit. Furthermore, sensory detection can also take place with the aid of ultrasonic detectors or an ultrasonic detection system, which can be arranged in the area of the installation positions for the rolls with flat and / or film material wound thereon. The detection system or the ultrasonic detector and the handling device can in turn be connected to the mentioned control unit.

In addition, its direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation can be determined and / or checked during or after the insertion of the new roller. In practice, embodiments have proven particularly useful in which the determination and / or checking of the direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation by means of optical, tactile or ultrasound-supported detection, possibly also in other ways. However, the invention is not limited to such embodiments limited, so that, for example, haptic, tactile and / or further mechanisms can also be provided in order to check the direction of rotation and / or the orientation of the respective new role that conforms to the direction of rotation.

If the recognized direction of rotation and / or direction-conforming orientation is appropriate or corresponds to a predetermined target orientation and / or target direction of rotation, the respective new roller can be inserted into its assigned installation position or remain in its respective assigned installation position. If an incorrect direction of rotation and / or incorrect positioning conforming to the direction of rotation is determined, the respective new roller can be adjusted or another new roller with a suitable direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation can be selected for insertion and inserted into the respective installation position.

For example, it can be the case that a direction of rotation and / or a positioning that conforms to the direction of rotation of a new roller that has already been inserted in its respective installation position is checked and / or determined. If a wrong direction of rotation and / or a wrong position conforming to the direction of rotation has been determined, the respective new roll can be removed from the packaging machine, oriented or aligned in accordance with the direction of rotation or with the appropriate direction of rotation and then reinserted in its respective installation position. The orientation conforming to the direction of rotation or the orientation with the appropriate direction of rotation as well as the reinsertion of the roll in its respective installation position can then take place before connecting or welding its outer layer to the material web still remaining in the packaging machine. During the alignment of the new roll in conformance with the direction of rotation, flat and / or packaging material can be continuously unwound from a further roll arranged in the packaging machine or in one of the at least two installation positions.

As an alternative to this, however, an additional deflection roller can also be used, which makes it possible to leave rollers that would normally have to be turned in their place and to guide the flat and / or film material unwound therefrom over this optionally insertable deflection roller to guide the flat web to be adapted to the required processing direction in the packaging machine. If, on the other hand, the roll with the flat and / or film material wound on it was used in the appropriate direction of rotation, this additional deflection roll is not required so that it can be moved or deactivated or removed from its place by machine.

It is also conceivable that a rotational direction and / or rotational direction-conforming positioning of a new roller is checked and / or ascertained before it is inserted into its respective installation position. If an incorrect direction of rotation and / or incorrect positioning that conforms to the direction of rotation was then determined or checked, it is possible to check or determine the direction of rotation and / or to position another roller that conforms to the direction of rotation and insert this into the installation position if the direction of rotation and / or the direction of rotation is correct . Alternatively, the new roller can be brought into a suitable direction of rotation conforming orientation or suitable direction of rotation and then inserted into the respective installation position.

It can also be that the handling device has at least one detector, in particular an optical detector and preferably a camera system, which is moved into the area of the new rollers via the handling device, the direction of rotation and / or the direction of rotation conforming by means of the detector or the optical detector Orientation of the new roles is checked. Other detector principles, for example ultrasonic detectors or tactile detectors, are also suitable for the required application.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the handling device already described above can be in operative connection with the detector or with the optical detector for receiving new rolls with a suitable direction of rotation or suitable orientation conforming to the direction of rotation. The receipt of a new roll with an orientation that conforms to the direction of rotation or a suitable direction of rotation via the handling device and the subsequent insertion into its respective installation position can thus be carried out fully automatically. For example, the handling device can be coupled to the detector or the optical detector via a control unit.

In particular, it can be provided that the rollers for unwinding the packaging material are each moved in rotation with the same direction of rotation in the installation position. If the rollers are positioned alternately in two installation positions, it can also be provided that the rollers for unwinding the Packaging material are moved in rotation in all of the at least two installation positions with the same direction of rotation.

It is also conceivable that at least one optical marking and in particular at least one reflective marking are applied to a portion of the new rolls in the region of their free ends. It can be the case here that the optical detector determines and / or checks the direction of rotation and / or the orientation of the new roller in conformity with the direction of rotation by means of the optical identification. The optical marking can be designed as an adhesive marking and glued to the portion of the new rolls in the area of their free ends or attached by means of surface adhesion. In particular, at least two optical markings or reflective markings can be provided for each free end of a new roll. If other than optical detection systems are used, it can make sense to attach identifiable identifications to the rollers, for example identifications that can be detected by means of ultrasound detection devices or that can be detected by means of tactile detection devices.

It is also conceivable that the handling device inserts the new rollers into their respective installation position or that the new rollers are aligned in their respective installation position before the respective outer layer is removed in such a way that the optical markings point in the direction of a respective opposite installation position. The new rollers can be aligned in their respective installation position, for example, by rotating a pin by less than 360 °, on which the respective new roller is seated in its installation position. The optical detector and the rotating pin can be connected to a control unit which controls a rotation of the respective pin by less than 360 ° in order to align the new rollers, taking into account a respective position of the optical marking determined by the optical detector.

It can also be that the at least one marking or optical marking is applied to the respective new roll before it is inserted into its respective installation position in such a way that the free end of the respective new roll is at least largely immovably fixed to the respective new roll by means of the identification . Since the free end is fixed immovably on the respective new roller, its outer position near or in the area of its free end can simply be removed after the new roller has been inserted. As already mentioned, the pulling off can, for example, via a gripping and / or handling device take place, which preferably mechanically fixes or grips the outer layer of the new role in the area of its free end and then moves away from the new role in order to pull the outer layer from the respective new role.

Furthermore, the optical detector can be moved into the area of the respective new roll via the handling device and there recognize its respective optical identification for checking and / or determining the direction of rotation and / or positioning the new roll in conformity with the direction of rotation. In particular, the optical detector can be designed as a camera system which is connected to a control unit. If other sensors or sensor principles are used, the detector used in each case can be moved into the area of the respective new roll via the handling device and recognize its respective detectable identification there to check and / or determine the direction of rotation and / or position the new roll in conformity with the direction of rotation. In particular, the detector can be designed as an ultrasonic detection system or as a tactile detection system which is connected to a control unit.

In addition, in the case of conceivable embodiments, the handling device can have a holding mandrel which dips into the front side of the new roller designed as a hollow body, enlarges its maximum cross-sectional diameter and thereby fixes the respective new roller to the handling device in a clamping manner. The optical detection system can be arranged in the area of the holding mandrel, so that a check or a determination of the direction of rotation and / or the correct positioning of a respective new roller can be carried out in immediately successive steps and then the respective new roller with a suitable direction of rotation and / or rotational direction-conforming positioning via the holding mandrel of the handling device by enlarging its maximum cross-sectional diameter.

The longitudinal extension of the holding mandrel can be made smaller than a longitudinal extension of the hollow core of the new rollers, so that the respective new roller can be pushed onto a pin assigned to the respective installation position of the packaging machine with the holding mandrel engaging in the core. The cross-sectional diameter of the holding mandrel can then be reduced in time so that the clamping connection between the holding mandrel and the respective new roller is released. The handling device or the holding mandrel of the handling device can then be guided in the direction of another new roller while the new roller inserted into the respective installation position via the handling device sits non-rotatably on the pin assigned to the respective installation position. For the rotationally fixed connection between the pin and the respective roller seated on the pin, there is also the possibility of increasing the cross-sectional diameter of the pin.

Furthermore, the new rollers can be inserted into their respective installation position in such a way that, after insertion, their free ends are oriented in the direction of one of the at least two installation positions opposite one another. For example, it can be provided for this that the at least one optical identification, which was applied to a portion of the new rolls in the area of their free ends, is recognized by the optical detector or the optical detection system, information about this is transmitted to a control unit and the Control unit controls the handling device in such a way that, after insertion, the free ends of the new rollers are oriented in the direction of one of the at least two installation positions that are opposite each other. Optionally, it can also be provided that the at least one identification, which was applied to a portion of the new rolls in the area of their free ends, is recognized by the detector or the detection system, information about this is transmitted to a control unit and the control unit the handling device controls in such a way that after insertion, the free ends of the new rollers are oriented in the direction of a respective opposite of the at least two installation positions.

In further embodiments it is conceivable that the detector or the optical detector or the optical detection system is arranged in the area of the at least two installation positions and recognizes an orientation of the at least one optical identifier after inserting a respective new roller and transmits information about this to the control unit. The control unit can also cause the pins on which the new rollers are seated to rotate in such a way that, after rotation, the free ends or the sensor-detectable labels or the optical labels of the new rollers point in the direction of the opposite of the at least two installation positions.

In addition, the new rolls can be moved into the area of the handling device via a horizontal conveyor device, made available to the handling device and removed directly from the horizontal conveyor device by means of the handling device. The horizontal conveyor can be designed as a revolving endless conveyor belt. A manipulator can be positioned at the beginning or to the side of a section of the horizontal conveyor, with the aid of which new rollers are placed, preferably upright, on the horizontal conveyor. The manipulator can also have a holding mandrel, which is inserted on the front side into new roles or into a core of the new roles and grips the new roles by increasing its cross-sectional diameter. In particular, it can be provided that the manipulator can be operated manually and that new roles are set up by means of the manipulator via a user.

It is also conceivable that a control unit is connected to the handling device and the horizontal conveyor device and, taking into account the removal of new rolls from the horizontal conveyor device by means of the handling device, specifies a clocked operation of the horizontal conveyor device. As a result, the handling device can immediately access new roles when required and without personnel support, whereby the degree of automation can be increased further.

The invention also relates to a device for handling flat and / or film material that is wound on rolls and used as packaging material for packaging piece goods, bundles or similar article combinations. In this regard, it should be pointed out that various features which were mentioned above for embodiments of the method according to the invention can also be provided in conceivable embodiments of the device according to the invention. Furthermore, features which are mentioned below for conceivable embodiments of the device according to the invention can be provided in various embodiments of the method according to the invention.

The device is provided for handling flat and / or film material that is wound up on rolls and used as packaging material for packaging piece goods, bundles or similar article combinations. The device has a packaging machine with at least one installation position, possibly with at least two different installation positions, each of which is provided for the rotating reception of rolls with flat and / or film material. Another component of the packaging machine is one or more coupling means that are used to align and connect free end areas of flat and / or film material of the new rolls used in the at least two installation positions with one material web that is already running in the packaging machine is formed by a further roll which is already located in the packaging machine when it is inserted. Thus, flat and / or film material can be unwound continuously from at least one in the packaging machine or from at least one roll of the at least two installation positions, whereby a continuous packaging operation can be ensured.

In addition, it should be mentioned that the at least one installation position for the rolls with flat and / or film material wound thereon or the typically two installation positions with their rotatable holding means for the rolls with flat and / or film material can be designed to be adjustable in height for example, to be able to adapt to different roll diameters and / or to correct the conveying paths when the material supply of an unwound and therefore gradually reduced in diameter roll is gradually used up.

Part of the one or more coupling means can for example be a welding rod and a gripping and / or handling device, as already described above, so that for this reason their function and design are not mentioned again below.

The device according to the invention also has at least one sensor system by means of which at least approximately completely unwound and / or used rolls of the at least two installation positions can be recognized. The sensor system can be designed, for example, as an optical detection system or as an optical detector, optionally also as an ultrasound detection system or as a tactile detection system. A detection area of the sensor system can extend over the at least two installation positions.

The device according to the invention also has a control unit coupled to the sensor system, via which control unit, when the roll is at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up, the handling device can be controlled to independently replace the at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up roll with a new one.

In conceivable embodiments, the device can have an optical detector or an optical detection system which is designed to check and / or determine a direction of rotation and / or an orientation conforming to the direction of rotation of respective new rollers provided for the at least two installation positions. The The optical detection system or the optical detector can comprise at least one camera system.

It is conceivable, for example, that the optical detector or the optical detection system is operatively connected to the handling device via the control unit, and a respective direction of rotation and / or orientation of new rollers that conforms to the direction of rotation can be checked and / or determined via the optical detector or the optical detection system the new rollers can be used by means of the handling device with the appropriate direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation and / or can be aligned by means of the handling device with the appropriate direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation.

It is conceivable, for example, that the device has an optical display unit coupled to the control unit, such as a display or the like, via which information on the direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation is displayed. For example, if the direction of rotation is incorrect or the orientation of new rollers is incorrect, the optical display unit outputs a message to a user. It is also conceivable that information on the direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation is output as an acoustic signal.

An initiation can take place with an operative connection of the control unit with a handling device or the handling device can be controlled with a suitable direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation of new rollers to insert a respective new roller with a suitable direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation. For example, it can be provided that the handling device picks up the respective new roller and moves it in the direction of one of the at least two installation positions if the direction of rotation is appropriately determined and / or checked or the orientation conforms to the direction of rotation.

Optionally, an additional deflection roller can also be used, which makes it possible to leave rollers that would normally have to be turned in their place and to guide the flat and / or film material unwound therefrom over this optionally usable deflection roller in order to bring the flat web guide to the to adapt the processing direction required in the packaging machine. If the roll with the flat and / or film material wound on it is in the appropriate one Direction of rotation has been used, this additional pulley is not required, so that it can be moved or deactivated or mechanically removed from its place.

In particular, it can be that the control unit is connected to a handling device by means of which rollers with at least partially unwound and / or used rollers can be independently removed from the respective installation position and new rollers with a suitable direction of rotation and / or a suitable orientation conforming to the direction of rotation can be moved into the at least two installation positions can be used. In this case, an algorithm can be stored on the control unit, whereby a certain control of the handling device is effected via the algorithm, taking into account the direction of rotation determined by the optical detector and / or the orientation of the respective new roll that is in conformity with the direction of rotation.

In addition, the handling device for the clamping fixation of the new rollers designed as hollow bodies can comprise a preferably cylindrical holding mandrel with an adjustable maximum cross-sectional diameter. The adjustment of the cross-section diameter can take place via the control unit or be specified by the control unit. The handling device can have a movable gripping arm, the holding mandrel being arranged at the free end of the gripping arm.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the handling device can be preceded by a horizontal conveyor device designed to transport new rolls, which extends into a work area of the handling device and which can be controlled via the control unit, taking into account the removal of new rolls by the handling device with clocked operation. In further embodiments, it is conceivable that the handling device is provided with new rolls on pallets or the like. There is also the possibility of placing new roles in a container or the like, which is located in the work area of the handling area and via which the handling device is provided with new roles. The new rollers can be placed in the container in a disordered manner or with any desired orientation, with the direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation being able to be checked and / or ascertained by means of the optical detector.

The detector or the optical detector can also be mechanically coupled to the handling device and can be moved via the handling device in the direction of the respective new rollers provided for the at least two installation positions. The optical detector or the optical detection system can be arranged in the area of a free end of a gripping arm of the handling device. Furthermore, the holding mandrel already described can be arranged in the region of a free end of a gripping arm of the handling device. The optical detection system or the optical detector and the holding mandrel can thus be moved together by the handling device to the respective new roll. The optical detector or the optical detection system can also be designed as a camera system in conceivable embodiments of the device according to the invention.

In addition, the packaging machine can have at least one fixed detection system or a fixed detector in the area of the at least one installation position, in particular in the area of the two installation positions, the direction of rotation and / or the orientation conforming to the direction of rotation of the respective in the at least two via the detection system or the fixed detector Installation positions used new roles can be determined and / or checked. The fixed detection system or the fixed detector can also be designed as a camera system. It is conceivable here that the device has at least one stationary detection system or one stationary detector in the area of the at least two installation positions and also has a detector mechanically coupled to the handling device or a detection system coupled to the handling device. In further embodiments, the device can only have a fixed detection system or a fixed detector or a detection system mechanically coupled to the handling device or a detector mechanically coupled to the handling device.

In particular, the coupling means can have at least one gripping and / or handling device that can be moved back and forth between the at least two installation positions, by means of which the free end areas of flat and / or film material of new rolls can be temporarily gripped with pneumatic suction pressure, mechanically clamping and / or electrostatically adhesive are.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung. Zudem verdeutlicht Fig. 1 eine denkbare Umsetzung einer Ausführungsform für das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren;
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung. Zudem verdeutlicht Fig. 2 eine weitere denkbare Umsetzung einer Ausführungsform für das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren;
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht zweier Einbaupositionen, wie sie für eine Vorrichtung gemäß den Ausführungsbeispielen aus Figuren 1 und 2 vorgesehen sein können;
• Fig. 4 zeigt die Einbaupositionen der Fig. 3 mit eingesetzter neuer Rolle für die zweite Einbauposition;
• Fig. 5 zeigt die Einbaupositionen der Figuren 3 und 4 mit abgezogener äußerer Lage der in die zweite Einbauposition eingesetzten neuen Rolle;
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Handhabungseinrichtung, wie sie für denkbare Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und zur Umsetzung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens vorgesehen sein kann;
• Fig. 7 zeigt die Handhabungseinrichtung aus Fig. 6 nach Entgegennahme einer neuen Rolle mit drehrichtungskonformer Orientierung von einer Palette.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are intended to explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real proportions, since some forms are simplified and other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention. Also made clear Fig. 1 a conceivable implementation of an embodiment for the method according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention. Also made clear Fig. 2 another conceivable implementation of an embodiment for the method according to the invention;
• Fig. 3 FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of two installation positions, as they are for a device according to the exemplary embodiments Figures 1 and 2 can be provided;
• Fig. 4 shows the installation positions of the Fig. 3 with inserted new roller for the second installation position;
• Fig. 5 shows the installation positions of the Figures 3 and 4th with the outer layer of the new roller inserted in the second installation position removed;
• Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a handling device as it can be provided for conceivable embodiments of the device according to the invention and for implementing the method according to the invention;
• Fig. 7 shows the handling device Fig. 6 after receiving a new roll with an orientation conforming to the direction of rotation from a pallet.

Identical reference symbols are used for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be designed and do not represent a final limitation.

The Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention Fig. 1 a conceivable implementation of an embodiment for the method according to the invention.

The device 1 is used to handle packaging material or shrink film that is wound onto rolls 5. Can be seen in Fig. 1 a packaging machine 3 to which new rolls 5 are fed via a handling device 7. The handling device 7 uses the respective new rollers 5 in two different installation positions EB1 and EB2, which are shown in FIG Fig. 1 can only be seen rudimentary and in the detailed view of the Fig. 3 be exemplified.

It should be emphasized at this point, however, that the packaging machine 3 can optionally also have only one installation position EB1 or EB2, so that a roll change almost necessarily results in an interruption of the packaging operation.

Like a synopsis of the Figures 3 to 5 With Fig. 1 shows, a new roll 5 is inserted into one of the two installation positions EB1 or EB2 via the handling device 7, while in the further installation position EB1 or EB2 there is still a roll 5 of which a material web MB is inserted during the insertion of the new roll 5 is handled. During the further unwinding of the material web MB from the almost applied roll 5, the outer layer 15 is welded (cf. Fig. 5 ) the new roll 5 with the material web MB, so that the device 1 can thereby be operated continuously without having to interrupt the process for replacing an applied roll 5.

The new rolls 5 are composed of packaging material or shrink film and a core 6 on which the packaging material or shrink film is wound. In order to receive a new roll 5 from the horizontal conveyor device 13, the handling device 7 dips into a core 6 of the new roll 5 at the end via a holding mandrel 17. A gripping arm 8 of the handling device 7 can for this purpose about an axis of rotation 16, as they Fig. 6 present patent application shows an example, are moved in rotation. After the holding mandrel 17 has dipped into the core 6, the cross-sectional diameter of the holding mandrel 17 is increased so that the new roller 5, as also in FIG Fig. 7 shown, is fixed by clamping on the holding mandrel 17. The core 6 is designed as a hollow cylinder, the shape of the retaining mandrel 17 corresponding thereto, so that the retaining mandrel 17 is to be clamped in place new roller 5 is connected via its outer circumference with an inner circumferential surface of the core 6.

Via the horizontal conveyor device 13, the handling device 7 is provided with new rolls 5 in such a way that when a new roll 5 is removed from the horizontal conveyor device 13, another new roll 5 is moved further in the direction of the handling device 7 or moves up in the direction of the handling device 7. The horizontal conveyor device 13 can thus be cycled or operated continuously at a constant speed. Their operation is specified by the control unit S.

A manipulator 12 positioned in the area of the horizontal conveyor device 13 can also be seen, which is operated by a user 30 and over which new rollers 5 are placed standing on the horizontal conveyor device 13. The new rolls 5 stand on a pallet 9, from which the user 30 receives them by means of the manipulator 12 and places them on the horizontal conveyor device 13. A working area of the manipulator 12 therefore extends over the pallet 9 and a section of the horizontal conveyor device 13.

A container 20 is also shown, which is located in the working area of the handling device 7. If the supply of packaging material or shrink film of a roll 5 placed in the packaging machine 3 is exhausted, the cellulose or plastic core 6 of an empty roll 5 is removed from the packaging machine 3 by the handling device 7 and stored in the container 20. Only after the core 6 has been removed can a new roll 5 be inserted into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2 of the packaging machine 3, so that the handling device 7 first removes the core 6 and subsequently a new roll 5 is inserted into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2. EB2 starts.

The horizontal conveyor device 13, the handling device 7 and the packaging machine 3 are connected to a control unit S. In the present case, the control unit S specifies the clocked operation of the horizontal conveyor device 13, initiates the insertion and removal of rolls 5 by the handling device 7 from the two installation positions EB1 and EB2 and, as will be described in more detail below, controls the unrolling of packaging material or shrink film of the rollers 5 used in the packaging machine 7.

The control unit S has or is also connected to a display, not shown, via which information on the direction of rotation or the orientation of new rollers 5 conforming to the direction of rotation is displayed visibly for a user 30. The direction of rotation or the direction of rotation conforming orientation of the new rollers 5 is, as follows for the Figures 3 to 7 described, detected and / or checked by a camera 19 or 21, which is connected to the control unit S. Since the handling device 7 can remove the respective core 6 of an empty roll 5 from the packaging machine 7 and, with the aid of the cameras 19 or 21, automatically insert new rolls 5 with a suitable direction of rotation or with an orientation that conforms to the direction of rotation in the packaging machine 3, the device 1 can at least from the beginning of the receipt of new rolls 5 from the horizontal conveyor 13 are operated completely automatically.

The Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention Fig. 2 another conceivable implementation of an embodiment for the method according to the invention.

Compared to the embodiment of the device 1 from Fig. 1 are off in the exemplary embodiment Fig. 2 no manipulator 12 and no horizontal conveyor 13 are provided. The handling device 7 and the packaging machine 3 have an identical structure to the exemplary embodiment Fig. 1 . There is also a control unit S which is connected to the handling device 7 and the packaging machine 3.

The direct receipt of the new rolls 5 from the respective pallet 9 also takes place in Fig. 2 by engagement of the holding mandrel 17 in the hollow cylindrical core 6 of the respective new roll 5. The respective core 6 of used rolls 5 is also placed in a container 20.

Furthermore shows the Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of two installation positions EB1 and EB2, as shown for a device 1 or a packaging machine 3 according to the exemplary embodiments Figures 1 and 2 can be provided. Each of the installation positions EB1 and EB2 has its own pin 27, on which pin 27 new rollers 5 via the handling device 7 (cf. Figures 1 and 2 ) are attached and fixed by increasing the diameter of the pin 27 on the respective pin 27 by clamping.

A welding bar 25 is also shown, which is used to connect an outer layer 15 (cf. Fig. 5 ) the new roller 5 inserted in the respective installation position EB1 or EB2 (cf. Fig. 4 ) is provided with the material web MB remaining in the packaging machine 3 and is lowered vertically for this purpose. After connecting the outer layer 15 (cf. Fig. 4 ) With the material web MB remaining in the packaging machine 3, the temperature-controlled sealing bar 25 is raised vertically and inserted into the in Fig. 3 position shown.

In Fig. 3 In the first installation position EB1, a roller 5 sits on the pin 27 of the first installation position EB1 and is moved in a rotating manner by the pin 27. In this case, the packaging material or the shrink film of the roller 5 seated on the pin 27 of the first installation position EB1 is unwound. In the second installation position EB2, a roll 5 has already been completely unwound and the core 6 (cf. Fig. 1 and 2 ) via the handling device 7 (cf. Fig. 1 and 2 ) removed so that the second installation position EB2 or the pin 27 of the second installation position EB2 is ready for receiving a new roll 5 with packaging material.

Each of the installation positions EB1 and EB2 is assigned its own sensor system or a camera 19, by means of which at least approximately completely unwound and / or used rolls 5 can be optically recognized. If a roll 5 is at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up, the respective camera 19 sends information about the respective at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up roll 5 to the control unit S. The control unit S then controls the handling device 7 (cf. Figures 1 and 2 ) to remove the respective at least approximately completely unwound and / or applied roll 5 or to remove the core 6 from the respective at least approximately completely unwound and / or used roll 5. So that the at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up roll 5 can be removed from its respective installation position EB1 or EB2, a clamping connection formed between the respective roll 5 and the pin 27 is released beforehand. In the present case, this takes place with a reduction in the cross-sectional diameter of the respective pin 27. The release of the clamping connection or the reduction in the cross-sectional diameter of the pin 27 is still specified by the control unit S.

To remove the at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up roll 5 from its respective installation position EB1 or EB2, the handling device 7 plunges over its holding mandrel 15 (cf. Fig. 7 ) into the core 6 of the at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up roll 5. By increasing the cross-sectional diameter of the holding mandrel 15, the respective at least approximately completely unwound and / or used roll 5 is then fixed on the holding mandrel 15 of the handling device 7. An increase in the cross-sectional diameter of the holding mandrel 15 is specified via the control unit S.

After the at least approximately completely unwound and / or applied roller 5 has been fixed on the holding mandrel 15, the at least approximately fully unwound and / or used up roller 5 is moved via the handling device 7 and as specified by the control unit S in the direction of the container 20 (cf. Figures 1 and 2 ) moved and stored there by reducing the cross-sectional diameter of the holding mandrel 15 in the container 20.

After the at least approximately completely unwound and / or applied roll 5 or core 6 has been deposited in the container 20 (cf. Figures 1 and 2 ) the handling device 7 is controlled via the control unit S for inserting a new roller 5 in the respective installation position EB1 or EB2. Prior to this, the direction of rotation or the orientation of the respective new roller 5, which conforms to the direction of rotation, can be checked, as already described above. The device 1 can thus be operated in an automated manner.

Embodiment according to Fig. 3 is only to be understood as an example, so that further embodiments are conceivable in which only one camera 19 is assigned to the two installation positions EB1 and EB2, the detection range of which extends over the two installation positions EB1 and EB2.

There is also the possibility of using the cameras 19 to check a direction of rotation or an orientation that conforms to the direction of rotation of new rollers 5 inserted in the installation positions EB1 and EB2. If a wrong direction of rotation or an orientation conforming to the direction of rotation of new rollers 5 in one of the two installation positions EB1 or EB2 has been determined, the control unit S can initiate an alignment correction of the respective new roller 5 via the handling device 7. This can then the respective new role 5 from their respective Remove installation position EB1 or EB2, align with the appropriate direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation and then reinsert it in their respective installation position EB1 or EB2 with the appropriate direction of rotation and / or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation.

The representation of the Fig. 4 shows the installation positions EB1 and EB2 of the Fig. 3 with inserted new roller 5 for the second installation position EB2. Starting from Fig. 3 was in view of Fig. 4 by means of the handling device 7 (cf. Figures 1 and 2 ) a new roller 5 is pushed onto the pin 27 of the second installation position EB2. Furthermore, the packaging material or shrink film is unwound from the roll 5 of the first installation position EB1, so that the packaging machine 3 (cf. Figures 1 and 2 ) can continue to be operated even if the roller 5 is replaced from the second installation position EB2. If a new roll 5 is inserted into the first installation position EB1, packaging material or shrink film can continue to be unwound from the roll 5 of the second installation position EB2, thereby enabling the packaging machine 3 to operate continuously and without interruption.

The new role 5 from the second installation position EB2 Fig. 4 has a reflective adhesive marking 22 which is applied to the outer layer 15 of the new roll 5 in the region of its free end. The camera 19 assigned to the second installation position EB2 is now able to use the adhesive marking 22 to check whether the new roller 5 has been pushed onto the pin 27 with the appropriate direction of rotation or with an orientation that conforms to the direction of rotation. A synopsis of the Figures 4 and 5 It is clear that with a new roller 5 of the second installation position EB2, the outer layer 15 is guided from above over the roller 5 and dips downwards. If the roller 5 were placed on the pin 27 of the second installation position EB2 with the wrong direction of rotation or incorrect orientation conforming to the direction of rotation, the outer layer 15 would point away from the roller 5 in the downward direction and would therefore be difficult or impossible to grip. Alignment below the welding bar 25 would therefore not be possible. Positioning of new rolls 5 in conformity with the direction of rotation or inserting new rolls 5 in the respective installation position EB1 or EB2 with a suitable direction of rotation is therefore essential to ensure trouble-free operation of the device 1 or the packaging machine 3.

If the adhesive marking 22 was recognized by the respective camera 19, the pin 27 is moved in a rotating manner until the adhesive marking 22 points in the direction of the opposite installation position EB1 or EB2. Only after this alignment the adhesive marking 22 can only be in Fig. 5 The gripping and / or handling device 14 shown grip the outer layer 15 of the new roll 5 and position it below the welding bar 25.

Furthermore, embodiments are conceivable in which the new rolls 5 have no reflective adhesive marking 22 and in which the cameras 19 recognize an external layer 15 of new rolls 5 or the free end areas of new rolls 5 without additional optical identification of the new rolls 5.

The installation positions EB1 and EB2 of the Figures 3 and 4th with the outer layer 15 peeled off of the new roller 5 inserted in the second installation position EB2, FIG Fig. 5 . It can again be seen very clearly here that the outer layer 15 of the roller 5 positioned in the second installation position EB2 descends from above in the downward direction, while the outer layer or material web MB of the roller 5 inserted into the first installation position EB1 from is down coming. Both rollers 5 rotate on their respective associated pin 27 with the same direction of rotation or counterclockwise. It is necessary to insert the new rollers 5 in the direction of rotation in order to ensure trouble-free and functioning operation of the device 1 or packaging machine 3 (cf. Figures 1 and 2 ) to be able to guarantee.

There is thus both the possibility of using the cameras 19 to determine a direction of rotation or an orientation that conforms to the direction of rotation, and also of using the cameras 19 to identify at least approximately completely unwound and / or applied rolls 5. Information on the direction of rotation or orientation conforming to the direction of rotation of new rolls 5 as well as information on at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up rolls 5 are passed on by the cameras 19 to the control unit S, which corrects the alignment of new rolls 5 and replaces at least approximately unwound and / or or used rolls 5 can be given by new rolls 5.

In addition, with reference to the Figures 3 , 4th and 5 mentions that the two installation positions EB1 and EB2 for the rollers 5 with flat and / or film material wound thereon or at least one of the installation positions EB1 and / or EB2 with their rotatable holding means in the form of the rotatable pins 27 for the rollers 5 with flat and / or film material can be designed to be adjustable in height, for example in order to adapt to different roll diameters and / or to correct the conveying paths when the material supply is gradually used up in a developed and therefore to be able to gradually reduce the diameter of the role 5. For this purpose, in particular the frames on which the horizontally arranged pins 27 are rotatably held and mounted can have suitable means for adjusting the height of the rotatable pins 27.

The Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a handling device 7 as it can be provided for conceivable embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention and for implementing the method according to the invention.

The gripping arm 8 of the handling device 7 can be pivoted about the horizontally oriented axis 16 so that the holding mandrel 17 of the handling device 7 can be aligned with its longitudinal axis vertically oriented for dipping into the core 6 of the respective new roll 5. If the respective new roll 5 has been grasped by the handling device 7 or by means of the holding mandrel 17, the new roll 5 can be rotated about the axis 16 by a renewed pivoting movement of the gripping arm 8 and then moved to its respective associated installation position EB1 or EB2 (cf. . Figures 3 to 5 ) can be used.

Also shows Fig. 6 a camera 21. The camera 21 is permanently mechanically coupled to the gripping arm 8, so that it is guided together with the gripping arm 8 when the gripping arm 8 moves. If the gripping arm 8 is pivoted about the axis 16, a direction of rotation or an orientation that conforms to the direction of rotation of one or more new rollers 5 can be determined by means of the camera 21. The camera 21 is connected to the control unit S, which causes a new roll 5, which has a suitable direction of rotation or an orientation that conforms to the direction of rotation, to be received from the pallet 9 by means of the handling device 7.

Finally shows Fig. 7 the handling device 7 Fig. 6 upon receipt of a new roll 5 with orientation conforming to the direction of rotation from a pallet 9 (cf. Fig. 6 ). As in Fig. 7 to be seen, the gripping arm 8 was based on the position Fig. 6 about the axis 16, which in Fig. 7 runs in the direction of the image plane, pivoted. The new roller 5 now has an at least approximately horizontal orientation and can be used in its respective associated installation position EB1 or EB2.

The at least approximately completely unwound and / or used up roll 5 is also removed from the respective installation position EB1 or EB2 with a horizontal orientation.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

3

Packing machine

5

role

6th

core

7th

Handling device

8th

Gripper arm

9

palette

11

Retaining mandrel

12

manipulator

13

Horizontal conveyor

14th

Guide rod, coupling device, coupling means

15th

outer layer, outer layer

16

Axis of rotation, horizontal axis

17th

Retaining mandrel

19th

Camera, sensors, optical detector

20th

Container

21st

Camera, optical detector

22nd

Reflective adhesive marking, optical marking

25th

Welding bar, coupling device, coupling means

27

Cones

30th

User, operator

EB1

Installation position

EB2

Installation position

MB

Material web

S.

Control unit

Claims (9)

1. A method for the handling of flat material and/or film material that is wound onto rolls (5) and serves as packaging material for the packaging of piece goods, bundles, or the like article sets, in which method rolls (5), which are at least approximately completely unwound and/or depleted, are removed from at least one installation position (EB1; EB2) of a packaging machine (3), and in each instance a new roll (5) of flat material and/or film material is hereupon mounted in the particular installation position (EB1; EB2) for the purpose of maintaining a packaging operation, wherein, after each mounting, an externally arranged layer (15) is extracted from the particular new roll (5) near or in the area of the roll's (5) free end and, for the purpose of forming an uninterrupted material web, is connected to a section of a material web (MB) of a further roll (5), which material web (MB) is being guided in the packaging machine (3), and wherein,

   - while a new roll (5) is being mounted and while the material web is being connected, the flat material and/or film material of the further roll (5) is not yet completely depleted, such that flat material and/or film material is unwound approximately interruption-free from at least one roll (5) of the at least one installation position (EB1, EB2) for the continuous packaging operation, and

   - rolls (5) of the at least one installation position (EB1, EB2), which rolls (5) are at least approximately completely unwound and/or depleted, are preferably sensor-detected and autonomously replaced by means of a handling device (7) with new rolls (5) of flat material and/or film material, the method being characterised in that

   - the direction of rotation and/or the rotation-direction-conforming orientation of the new roll (5) is determined and/or verified before, while, or after the new roll (5) is mounted, and, according to the determined direction of rotation of the roll (5), the flat material and/or film material, which is being unwound from this roll (5), is guided over an additional pulley, if required.
2. The method according to claim 1, in which the handling device (7) has at least one detector, in particular an optical detector, and preferably a camera system, which is moved by way of the handling device into the area of the new rolls (5), and by means of which detector, in particular optical detector, the direction of rotation and/or the rotation-direction-conforming orientation of the new rolls (5) is verified.
3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which in each instance at least one marker (22), in particular an optical marker (22), is applied onto a section of the new rolls (5) in the area of the rolls' free ends, and the new rolls (5) are mounted in their particular installation position (EB1, EB2) or are aligned in their particular installation position (EB1, EB2) by means of the handling device (7) before the particular outer layer (15) is extracted in such a manner that the markers (22) face toward an in each instance oppositely located installation position (EB1, EB2).
4. The method according to claim 3, in which the at least one optical marker (22) is applied onto the particular new roll (5) before the new roll (5) is mounted in its particular installation position (EB1, EB2) in such a manner that the free end of each of the particular new rolls (5) is at least largely immovably fastened to the particular new roll (5) by means of the marker (22).
5. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, in which new rolls (5) are moved by way of a horizontal conveying device (13) into the area of the handling device (7) and are directly removed from the horizontal conveying device (13) by means of the handling device (7), and in which a control unit (S) is in communication with the handling device (7) and with the horizontal conveying device (13) and forces a cyclic operation of the horizontal conveying device (13) in consideration of a particular removal of new rolls (5) from the horizontal conveying device (13) carried out by means of the handling device (7).
6. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, in which the externally arranged layer (15) of the particular mounted new roll (5) is extracted by means of a gripping device and/or handling device operating with pneumatic suction pressure, in a mechanically clamping manner, and/or by electrostatic adhesion, which gripping device and/or handling device moves back and forth between the at least two installation positions (EB1, EB2).
7. An apparatus (1) for the handling of flat material and/or film material that is wound onto rolls (5) and serves as packaging material for the packaging of piece goods, bundles, or the like article sets, the apparatus (1) having

   - a packaging machine (3) with at least one installation position (EB1; EB2), which installation positions (EB1; EB2) are in each instance provided for the rotating reception of rolls (5) of flat material and/or film material, and with

   - one or more coupling means (14, 25), which are designed for aligning and connecting free end sections of flat material and/or film material of in each instance mounted new rolls (5) to a moving material web (MB) of a further roll (5) that is already located in the packaging machine (3) at the time of mounting, as well as having

   - at least one sensor system (19), by way of which rolls (5) of the at least one installation position (EB1, EB2) are detectable, which rolls (5) are at least approximately completely unwound and/or depleted, and with

   - a control unit(S) coupled to the sensor system (19) and a handling device (7), the handling device (7) being actuable by said control unit (S) when the roll (5) is at least approximately completely unwound and/or depleted, for the purpose of the autonomous replacement of the at least approximately completely unwound and/or depleted roll (5) with a new roll (5), the apparatus (1) being characterised by at least one detector, in particular at least one optical detector (19, 21), which is in operative connection with the handling device (7) by way of the control unit (S), wherein a particular direction of rotation and/or a rotation-direction-conforming orientation of new rolls (5) is verifiable and/or determinable by way of the at least one detector (19, 21), and, if required, an additional pulley is assigned to the installation position (EB1; EB2) of the new roll (5) for the purpose of guiding the flat material and/or film material, which is being unwound from the roll (5), over this additional pulley.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, in which the handling device (7) comprises a preferably cylindrically formed retaining mandrel (17) with an adjustable maximum cross-sectional diameter for the purpose of the clamping fixation of the new rolls (5), which are formed as hollow bodies.
9. The apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 8, in which a horizontal conveying device (13), which is designed for the transport of new rolls (5), is arranged upstream from the handling device (7), which horizontal conveying device (13) extends into an operating range of the handling device (7), and which is actuable in cyclic operation by way of the control unit (S) in consideration of a removal of new rolls (5) by the handling device (7).

Images