US3775939A

US3775939A - Roll banding machine

Info

Publication number: US3775939A
Application number: US00216012A
Authority: US
Inventors: B Elsner; F Elsner
Original assignee: Elsner Engineering Works Inc
Current assignee: Elsner Engineering Works Inc
Priority date: 1972-01-07
Filing date: 1972-01-07
Publication date: 1973-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-04

Abstract

A machine to apply bands of heat-shrinkable, fusible material around coiled rolls of sheet material by feeding said rolls intermittently along a path to provide stationary intervals during which one of a pair of clamping and sealing jaws moves between successive rolls to form at least one band of material around said rolls successively. Additional conveyor means move said banded rolls along heating means, while rotated continuously, to effect shrinking of said bands closely around said rolls.

Description

Elsner et al.

[ Dec. 4, 1973 1 1 ROLL BANDING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Bertram F. Elslier; Frank Elsner,

Jr., both of Hanover, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Elsner Engineering Works, Inc.,

Hanover, Pa.

[22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1972 I [21] Appl. N0.: 216,012

[52] US. Cl. 53/198 R, 53/182 [51] Int. Cl. B65b 27/06, 1365b 13/02 [58] Field of Search 53/182, 184, 198 R 5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1970 West et a1 53/229 X 12/1964 Monaghan 3,236,024 2/1966 Bradley et a1 53/198 R 2,741,885 4/1956 Allison 53/198 R 3,490,194

1/1970 Monaghan 53/182 X Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-John Sipos Attorney-C. Hercus Just [5 7 1 ABSTRACT A machine to apply bands of heat-shrinkable, fusible material around coiled rolls of sheet material by feed ing said rolls intermittently along a path to provide stationary intervals during which one of a pair of clamping and sealing jaws moves between successive rolls to form at least one band of material around said rolls successively. Additional conveyor means move said banded rolls along heating means, while rotated continuously, to effect shrinking of said bands closely around said rolls. M

3,577,866 5/1971 Ehrenfried 53/184 2,880,560 4/1959 Gibson 53/ 198 R 28 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 1T UU'U'C ,26 .'E 11Qs6e* :;1-1@ 5 28 46 We a PAIENTED 41975 3.775.939

SIIIEI 3 OF 7 RECEIVING END FIG. 3

DISCHARGE END FIG4 PATENTED 4 SHHI 5 (ll 7 BLT/5.939

PATENTED DEC 41973 SHEET 8 1F 7 PATENTED HEB M973 SHEET 7 BF 7 ROLL BANDING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Domestic wrapping materials and other forms of sim ilar sheet material usually are manufactured in strips of indefinite length which are coiled into large rolls completely unsuitable for use especially for domestic and many types of commercial purposes. Accordingly, it is common practice to utilize rewinding machines which accommodate large supply rolls of said sheet material and automatically wind upon inexpensive tubes of suitable length usable shorter lengths of said material, or coreless coiled lengths thereof, whereby a large supply roll thereof is capable of forming a large number of such smaller rolls of material. When the smaller rolls of material are formed however, preventing unwinding of the material frequently presentsproblems unless the material is immediately disposed within cartons such as those having a serrated tearing strip along one edge as are commonly used in connection with merchandising many forms of domestic wrapping material including metal foil, waxed paper, synthetic resin wrapping material, and the like.

There are other types of wrapping material however which do not readily lend themselves to being'merchandised in boxes or cartons, such as rolls of gift wrapping material, including Christmas wrapping paper or laminated foil which frequently are of relatively short lengths, as little as or 12 feet or even less. Heretofore, it has been common practice to utilize small dots of adhesive between the inner surface of the outer end of such coils and the next convolution, or utilizing small pieces of strips of pressure sensitive adhesive tape of common type which is disposed against the inner surface or which extends across the outer surface of the end of the coil of sheet material and is adhered to the adjacent surface of the next convolution. In particular however, these adhesive types of arrangements for preventing the uncoiling of rolls ofsheet material have not been satisfactory, especially under circumstances where the adhesive has a tendency to bleed through or into the sheet material in a manner to discolor the same being coiled, either a single band is applied centrally between opposite ends of a coil of relatively narrow material, while two or even three bands of such securingmaterial are applied to coils of wider material, such as adjacent opposite ends and/or in the middle of the rolls between said ends. One very suitable type of banding material comprises heat-shrinkable synthetic resin such as polyvinylchloride and other resins having similar characteristics. Such material has been used for some period of time to effect a seal between the neck of a jar or a bottle and a cap connected thereto by screw threads. In utilizing such heat-shrinkable material for application in the-form of bands around coiled rolls of sheet material of the type referred to however,

2. very thin strips of heat-shrinkable material may be employed. While this material has been known as being available however, applying bands thereof to rolls of coiled sheet material, fusing the ends of such bands to gether, and subsequently shrinking the same by subjection to heat has presented a number of difficult problems, especially when it is considered that the diameters and widths of such rolls of material vary widely and it is of course preferable that any machine for applying such bands to rolls of said material should be capable of being adjusted to accommodate rolls of a reasonably wide range of diameters and widths.

Attempts to apply bands of securing material to coiled rolls of sheet material comprises the subject matter of several prior patents; US. Pat. No. 3,325,966 dated June 20, 1967, in the names of Bruce et al., and US. Pat. No. 3,523,402, dated Aug. 11, 1970, in the names of West et a]. These machines are relatively complex, due primarily to the fact that they are'predicated upon the principle of moving the banding unit of each machine with the coiled rolls of material as the same move along a path while disposed upon different kinds of conveyors. The rolls of material are rotated in the direction of the coil of the sheet material in order to prevent the same from unrolling while moving along said path incident to the securing bands being applied to said rolls.

It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a banding machine operable upon different principles from those employed in said prior patents, especially for purposes of simplifying the conveying means for the rolls of material and dispensing with anything resembling a rectilinear movement of the band-applying unit as employed in said patented structures referred to above. These objectives are achieved by employing the following general principles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the present machine to feed coiled rolls of sheet material by means of a conveyor which effects intermittent feeding of the coiled roll, interspersed with short stationary periods to provide an opportunity for one of a pair of relatively movable anvil and clamping jaws to extend between a pair of rolls of said material which are spaced longitudinally apart along the path of movement thereof and thereby simplify the successive positioning of said rolls with respect to the banding unit of the machine as well as permit the utilization of relatively simple additional means to effect accommodation of rolls of material of various diameters and thereby under the machine reasonably universal in character.

It is another object of the invention to provide relatively simple heat-shrinking means which are traversed by the rolls after bands of securing material have been loosely formed therearound, the conveyor by which such traversing movement is effected being adapted to continuously rotate the rolls and the loose bands thereon to assure even heating for all sections of the band to effect desired uniform shrinking thereof around said roll.

it is a further object of the invention to provide support and operating means for disposing bandsof said securing material around said rolls of coiled material at desired longitudinal locations along said roll, the means by which said bands are disposed around said rolls being transversely adjustable relative to the conveyor,

said band-applying mechanism including a pair of relatively movable anvils and oneof the same preferably being stationary but vertically adjustable toward and from the conveyor in order to adapt the same to satisfactory functioning upon rolls of a substantial range of different diameters, it being understood that when the machine is initially set up to accommodate a run of coiled rolls of material, all of said rolls are of uniform diameter for any given run thereof.

It is still another object of the invention to provide means to vertically adjust the receiving end of the conveyor relative to the exit or delivery end, for example,

of a machine in which said rolls of material are formed, such as by being coiled around inexpensive, disposable tubes or forming coreless rolls.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide power type drive-means to effect continuous drive of the conveyor which moves the loosely banded rolls past the heat-shrinking means, while the unbanded rolls are moved intermittently by another conveyor to deliver the rolls sequentially to the banding unit.

It is still another object of the invention to employ sequentially operable clutch and brake means which are interconnected to electric motor power means to effect such intermittent feeding movement of the rolls of material to the banding unit.

One further object of the invention is to provide an additional electric motor power unit for driving cam means by which a clamping jaw is moved toward and from the anviljaw and one of said jaws having electrical resistance heating means which is-energized only momentarily to effect the sealing of a band of securing material around each roll ofcoiled material and, simultaneously, connect the ends of two strips of said banding material which have been severed by said heating means from the loose coil applied around said roll while said severed ends of the supply strip of banding material are fused together to reestablish a continuous band applicable around the next successive roll of material.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising apart thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS trated in FIG.. I but from which certain details of the machine have been omitted in order to simplify the view and clearly illustrate certain adjustable mechanism of said machine.

FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively are vertical elevations showing the inlet and discharge ends of the machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but from which views of certain details of the driving mechanism have been omitted in order to simplify the illustrations.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation of an intermediate portion of the machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to illustrate details of the banding unit thereof.

FIG. 6 is another enlarged, fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating details of part of the driving mechanism, including the portion which drives the banding unit.'

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the machine shown in FIG. 1 and illustrated in a slightly larger scale than utilized in FIG. 1, a number of the details of the machine being omitted in FIG. 7 for purposes of primarily illustrating, somewhat in diagramatic form, the basic principles of the drive mechanism of the machine, said view being partly foreshortened to accommodate the same to the sheet.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 from which many of the details of the machine have been omitted to simplify the illustration and said view primarily showing the supporting and adjusting means for the guide rails associated with the conveyors of the machine, said view also being foreshortened intermediately of its end to accommodate the same to the sheet.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary layout view of the control panel which is otherwise illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of an exemplary roll of coiled material with securing bands attached thereto as applied by the machine comprising the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of a detail of the mechanism which effects precise positioning of the rolls relative to the banding unit of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1 in particular, it will be seen that the banding machine comprising the present invention is shown in association with a rewinding machine 10 of an industrial type, which does not comprise part of the present invention and therefore is illustrated in phantom. Primarily the machine 10 illustrates an exemplary path of movement of cylindrical tubes or cores upon which predetermined lengths of sheet material have been coiled to form rolls 12 of such coiled material, or coreless rolls of such material. The rolls 12 are delivered sequentially, in a timed sequence, to the receiving end 14 of the banding machine 16 which embodies the principles of the present invention. The rolls 12 are delivered in substantially evenly spaced sequential position from rhe rewinding machine 10, the spacing illustrated in FIG. 1 being substantially exemplary and of a practical nature.

The banding machine 16 comprises a plurality of frames which are identified herein as a base frame 18 which is provided with a pluralityof legs 20, the lower ends of which rest upon a suitable supporting surface such as a floor 22. Conventional leveling means are provided in the ends of the legs 20 to permit the machine to be set in level condition upon the floor in accordance with customary practice.

Another frame, which for purposes of identity if termed main frame 24, extends longitudinally along the machine between opposite ends thereof in spaced relationship above the upper members of the base frame 18. The principal purpose of the main frame is to support an endless conveyor 26 which extends from the receiving end 14 of the banding machine toward the exit end 28 thereof, passing through the banding unit 30 and terminating a short distance there beyond.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the endless conveyor 26 comprises a pair of transversely spaced endless belts 32 which extend around idler pulleys 34, supported by frame 24, adjacent the receiving end 14 of the banding machine, and the opposite ends of said I endless belts extend around drive pulleys 36, details of which are best shown in FIG. 6 but are also somewhat diagramatically shown in FIG. 2. The drive pulleys 36 are mounted upon and fixed to a drive shaft 38 upon which a pair of idler pulleys 40 are rotatably mounted which support one end of endless belts of an additional conveyor 42 comprising a pair of such endless flexible belts 44 which extend around additional idler pulleys 46 mounted upon a shaft 48 which is supported by the main frame 24 adjacent the exit end 28 of the banding machine. From FIG. 2, it will be seen that the belts 44 are displaced inwardly toward each other from the main frame 24. Belts 44 also extend around a pair of drive pulleys 50 which are connected to a drive shaft 52, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and especially FIG. 7. The drive shaft 52 is driven by power means described hereinafter.

The banding machine 16 also includes a third frame which, for purposes of identity, is termed an auxiliary frame 54 which primarily comprises a pair of guide rails 56 which areparallel to and vertically spaced above the upper courses of the endless belts 32 which are supported by the main frame 24. For purposes of distinguishing the relative locations, at least in a vertical direction, of the base frame 18, main frame 24, and auxiliary frame 54, attention is directed to FIG. 8 wherein it will be seen that the guide rails 56 are continuous between the receiving and exit ends of the machine. To accommodate incidental limited variations in the diameters of rolls 12 produced by the rewinding machine 10, and also to provide suitable friction, the lower surfaces of rails 56 preferably are provided with strips 57 of compressible material such as foam rubber or equivalent media such as foam resins and the like. These strips may be cemented or otherwise affixed to said rails.

FIG. 8 illustrates in simplified manner the means by which, the various frames are supported in relationship to each other. In said view, it will be seen that the upper horizontal beams 58 of the main frame 18 have a supporting channel extending transversely between the beams 58 and the ends of the channel are secured by welding or otherwise thereto. The channel 60 supports a U-shaped frame 62 having opposite parallel vertical side plates 64 which are provided in the upper ends thereof with anti-friction bearing 66 which support the drive shaft 38. Said shaft is driven by a sprocket gear 68 which is fixed to one end thereof and the sprocket gear 68 is driven by a powered sprocket gear 70 by means of a sprocket chain 72. Sprocket gear 70 is mounted upon a drive shaft 74 which extends from a gear reduction unit 76 shownin FIG. 7. The input shaft of the unit 76 is driven through a clutch-brake unit 78 which is driven by power means comprising an electric motor 80 through pulley 81 as also shown in FIG. 7. Details of the function of the clutch-brake unit 78 are described hereinafter.

The main frame 24 extends substantially continuously from the receiving end 14 to the exit end 28 of the banding machine, as best shown in FIG. 8. As indicated above, the principal function thereof is to support the endless conveyor 26 which terminates at its inner end at the axis of drive shaft 38, and the additional conveyor 42 continues from the axis of drive shaft 38 to the exit end 28 of the machine. These conveyors are not illustrated in. FIG. 8 but are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The main frame comprises a pair of paraliel side plates 82 which, in cross sectiommay either be angle irons, channels, or tubes so as to impart rigidity to the frame. The side plates 82 are coincident with the endless conveyor 26 comprising the endless belts 32 and extend vertically between the upper and lower courses of said belts. Intermediately of the ends thereof, the side plates 82 are provided with antifriction bearings 84, see FIG. 2, through which the drive shaft 38 extends, said shaft being supported by U shaped frame 62 and bearings 66 thereon. lncidently, the main frame 24 is adapted for limited pivotal movement about the axis of the transverse shaft 146 in order to adjust, in particular, the receiving end 14 of the andless conveyor 26 with respect to the discharge means of the rewinding machine 10. Vertical adjustment of the receiving end of the main frame 24 is effected by a plurality of screw jacks 86, see FIGS. 1 and 2. Said jacks include rotary adjusting nuts 88 which have sprocket gears thereon surrounded by sprocket chain 90 which also extends around a driving sprocket 92 operable by a ratchet handle 94 readily accessible at one side of the machine, as shown best in FIG. 2.

In order that a pathway of even vertical height will be provided between the lower surfaces of the guide rails 56 and the upper courses of the

feed belts

32 and 44, the auxiliary frame 54 which supports the guide rails 56 is interconnected to the main frame 24 by means of a plurality of transverse bars 96 which extend through appropriate openings in the side plates 82 or appropriatebrackets connected thereto. As will be seen especially from FIG. 2, the bars 96 project laterally in opposite direction from the auxiliary frame 54 substantial amounts so that the outer ends thereof are approximately in vertical alignment with the upper horizontal beam 58 of the base frame 18. Triangular shaped brackets 98 project upwardly from the outer ends of the pairs of bars 96 and terminate in bearings 100 through which the opposite ends of actuating shafts I02 extend.

The shafts 102 support short crank arms I84 intermediately of the ends thereof and the outer ends of said crank arms are pivotally connected to brackets 1.06 which are fixed to and extending upwardly from the guide rails 56 comprising auxiliary frame 54.

For purposes of vertically adjusting the guide rails 56 toward and from the upper courses of the

endless belts

32 and 44 of the feed conveyors on main frame, 24, the opposite outer ends of the actuating shafts 102 have depending crank arms 108 affixed thereto, as best shown in FIG. 8, but also are illustrated somewhat diagramati cally in FIG. 2. The lower end of the crank arms 108 have crank pins 110 thereon between which elongated connecting rods I12 extend. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, it will be seen that adjacent one side of the main frame 24, an adjusting shaft 114 is suitably supported by a bearing on one of the brackets 98. A hand wheel 116 is affixed to the outer end thereof and the opposite end is threaded through a block 118 which is pivotally connected to one of the depending crank arms 108. The shaft 114 is prevented from axial movement by the bearing and collar unit 120 on said bracket 98. Accordingly, upon rotation of the hand wheel 1 16, the depending crank arms 108 are all moved simultaneously in the said direction for purposes of either raising or lowering the auxiliary frame 54 toward and from the conveyors on the main frame 24.

The foregoing description pertains to the principal frame structure and the conveyors of the banding machine 16. The mechanism thus described is operable by power means to be described in detail hereinafter for purposes of feeding coiled rolls 12 of coiled sheet material from the receiving end 14 of the machine to the exit end 28 thereof. Intermediately of said path of movement, securing bands of preferably heat-shrinkable, fusible type are applied to the rolls 12, either one or a plurality of bands being applied thereto, depending upon the width of the coiled rolls of material and the degree of closure desired for such rolls. The mechanism by which such bands are applied to the rolls is described as follows.

BANDING UNIT 1 The banding unit 30 has been broadly referred to in the description of FIG. 1. Details thereof are best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, but particularly in FIG. 5. Referring to said figures, it will be seen that especially in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, coiled rolls 122 of banding material 124 of suitable width are supported respectively at opposite sides of the auxiliary frame 54, particularly for purposes of encircling the rolls 12 of coiled sheet material with a pair of bands 126, shown specifically in FIG. 5. It is to be understood however that, especially if relatively narrow rolls of material are to be banded, a single pair of such coils 122 are utilized and the same would be mounted intermediately of the guide rails 56, as viewed in FIG. 2 in particular, the same being mounted upon the shafts 128 which extend outwardly from uprights on bar 130 to support the upper rolls of each pair of coiled rolls 122, while additional short shafts 132, on upright members 134, which are adjustably supported by a transverse bar 136 provided in base frame 18, as seen in FIG. 3, support the lower rolls 122.

, Referring to FIG. 5, the bands 126 of banding material which come from the upper roll 122 of each pair are identified as band 124, while the band 124 of materialwhich leads from the lower roll 122 of each pair is identified as 124". By means to be described hereinafter, the ends of said bands are fused together at a joint 138 shown in FIG. 5. As the rolls 12 of coiled material roll along in a rotary direction which maintains the coiled material in coiled condition, as distinguished from uncoiling direction, it will be seen that roll A which moves in the direction of the arrow shown thereon, is approaching the transversely extending, continuous strip of banding material 124. By means to be described hereinafter, the feed belts 32 move the rolls 12 intermittently in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5. The periods of intermittent movement are interspersed by a stationary period, and during these periods, the banding process is effected. Details of the same are described hereinafter.

It will be assumed that, as viewed in FIG. 5, the roll A is advancing in the direction of the arrow. When it engages the bands or strips 124 of connected banding material, continued rotation of roll A toward the left, as viewed in FIG. 5, will cause the band or bands 124 of material to be moved toward the left in said figure until roll A is disposed in the position shown with respect to roll B. At this location in the path of movement of the rolls, roll B will be stationary as a result of periodic stopping of the supporting conveyor belts 32. During such stopped condition of roll B, it will be seen that the connected band or bands 124 of the banding material will be extended around roll B, the portion 124 thereof being in engagement with the lower surface of a stationary upper anvil jaw 140. Upon the roll B reaching the position shown in FIG. 5, mechanism, to be described, will be activated to cause transverse bar 142, which is supported adjacent opposite ends by a pair of arms 144,-which are connected at one end to transverse shaft 146, see FIGS. 1 and 6, is caused to move upwardly about the axis of shaft 146 for purposes of carrying clamping jaw 148 into abutting engagementwith stationary anvil jaw 140. The initial, inoperative position of clamping jaw 148 is shown in phantom in FIG. 5, while the clamping position thereof is shown in full lines in said figure.

Incident to the movement of the band strips 124' and 124" from the initial position thereof, to the position in which the same encircle the roll B, the banding strips are guided respectively such as by the strip 124 being guided through a pair of guides 150 and the strip l24 being guided through a single guide 152 carried by the clamping jaw 148.

As soon as the continuous strip'of banding material 124 has been formed in encircling condition around the roll B, for example, it will be seen that one of the jaws, and preferably the upper anvil jaw 140 is provided with electrical resistance heating means in the form of a resistance wire 154, current to which is controlled by means to be described hereinafter. As soon as the clamping jaw 148 has been brought into clamping engagement with the operative face of anvil jaw 140, the resistance wire 154 is fired, to initially heat the same instantaneously to a temperature which is adequate to both sever and re-fuse the abutting strips of securing or banding material 124' and 124" into sealed connection at the side of the roll B which is oppositethe initial joint 138 between said strips, thereby forming a new joint 138 and, simultaneously, fusing the ends of the strips 124' and 124" together to form a subsequent continuous strip 124 with respect to each pair of coils 122 of such banding material wherever they are disposed with respect to' the path of movement of the rolls l2.

Immediately upon the firing of the fusing means 154 of the banding unit, the clamping jaw 148 is retracted to the phantom position thereof shown in FIG. 5, thereby carrying the connected band 124 of banding material to the irregular broken line position thereof shown in FIG. 5 which is the initial, starting position of said band, which then is in position, for example, to be engaged by the roll A during its advancing movement toward its banding position B shown in FIG. 5. Meanwhile, the banded roll B moves to the left, for traverse through a heat-Shrinking area of the machine, details of which are described hereinafter.

In the preferred. construction of the machine comprising the invention, and with reference to FIG. 1, the base frame 18 is provided with a pair of upright plates 156 which respectively extend upwardly from he opposite ends of the horizontal beam 58 of the base frame 18. As shown in FIG. 5, a support in the form of an angle bar 158 extends transversely between the plates 156 adjacent the upper ends thereof. One web of the angle bar 158 slides upon the angular forward faces 160 of the plates 156 and it will be seen from FIG. 2

that the other web of the angle bar 158 is provided with a plurality of slots 162. Said slots are for purposes of receiving respectively individual upper anvil jaws 140 for each of the strips 124 of banding material. Correspondingly, the transverse bar 212, which is arcuately mov able, is similarly provided with individual clamping shown in FIG. 6, likewise is provided with slots corresponding to the slots 162 of angle bar 158, whereby clamping bolts 164, shown in FIG. 6, secure the blocks 142 and clamping jaws 148 to the transverse bar 212 in opposition to the individual anvil jaws 140 on bar 158. The individual clamping jaws 140 are secured to bar 158 by means of readily engageable, threaded clamping members 166.

For purposes of varying the position of the anvil jaws 140 and the resistance wire 154 thereon relative to guide rail 56, particularly in a substantially vertical direction, the flange 168 of angle bar 158 has projections 170 extending rearward, adjacent opposite ends thereof, for engagement by threaded adjusting screws 172 which are manipulated by hand crank wheels 174, shown in FIG. 5, to effect such adjustment.

HEAT-SHRINKING UNIT Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that when the encircling band or bands 124 are disposed around the coiled rolls of sheet material 12, identified as roll B, said bands are not taut. Preferably, the banding material 122 is of a heat-shrinkable type of synthetic resin. One appropriate resin composition comprises polypropylene. Other types of plastics having similar heatshrinkable material may be used. The specific type of material is not essential to the present invention, as long as it is capable of being shrunk during a relatively short period of time and by the use of reasonable ranges of heat.

One form of heating means to effect such shrinking of the encircling bands of securing material 124 are electrical resistance bars or coils 176 which are supplied with current by conventional means. Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that an exemplary pair of such resistance means 176 are shown, the same being in longitudinal alignment withthe coils of banding material 122 and, correspondingly, with the encircling bands 124 of such material as shown in FIG. 5. After the encircled rolls B, for example, leave the banding unit 311, they continue to move intermittently by the propelling movement of the endless conveyors 32 until they reach the end thereof adjacent transverse shaft 38 shown in FIG. 2. At that point, the belts 44 continue propelling the coiled rolls l2 of material with the loosely encircling bands of securing material 124 there around, such movement causing the rolls 12 and the bands 124 to be moved over the upper surface of the heat-shrinking members 176, in suitably spaced relatioship thereto, for purposes of shrinking the bands 124 of securing material in taut condition around the olls 12. The resistance, and correspondingly, the current, which is furnished to the heat-shrinking means 176 is adequate to effect such shrinking of the bands of securing material by the time the bands reach theouter ends of the heatshrinking means as viewed in FIG. 2. It is to be noted that the belts 4d which effect the movement of the rolls 12 relative to the heat-shrinking elements 176 are driven at a constant, uninterrupted speed, as distinguished from the intermittent feed of the belts 32 of the endless conveyor 26. Such feed is effected by means of a drive sprocket or a pulley 178 which extends outwardly from gear reduction unit. 180 which is connected to and driven by electric motor 80. An endless sprocket chain or belt 182,,see FIG. 7, extends around drive sprocket or pulley 184 which is fixed to drive shaft 52 upon which drive pulleys 50 are mounted which respectively engage the feed belts 44. of the additional conveyor 42, all of which is shown in FIG. 7.

The purpose of continuously rotating the banded rolls 12 while traversing the heat-shrinking area, wich is subtended longitudinally by the heating units 176, is to permit the loosely encircling bands of securing material 124 to be subjected evenly throughout the entire circumference thereof to he heat generated by the heating means 176 and, in addition, to prevent any one portion thereof from being heated more extensively than any other portion which, if permitted to occur, conceivably could damage the bands and possibly even sever the same by melting the material. By the time the rolls 12 reach the exit end 28 of the machine, the one or more bands 124 which have been secured there around are taut and effectively prevent uncoiling. the sheet material comprising said rolls.

The heater bars 176 which are specifically illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 are supported by exemplary means comprising a pair of transverse bars or rods 177 which extend between heads in the upper end of vertically adjustable screw jacks 177' which are supported by suitable brackets on the upper members of base frame 18, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. By adjusting the screw jacks 177 vertically in the directions required, the amount of heat directed against the securing bands which have been applied to rolls of coiled material 12 may be regulated so as, correspondingly, to control the shrinking of said bands. Such arrangement, if desired, also permits the leading or trailing ends of the heater bars 176 to be disposed at different vertical levels relative to the path of movement of the rolls 12. In addition, the heater bars 176 also may be adjusted in transverse'direction relative to the path of the rolls 12, longitudinally of rods 177, such as in regard to varying the positions at which the securing bands 126 have been applied to the rolls 12, as shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 10. Suitable rheostat or equivalent temperature control means, not shown, also may be employed.

DRIVE MECHANISM The drive mechanism for the machine is best shown in overall condition in FIGS. ll and 7, while certain details thereof are illustrated to better advantage in FIG. 6. Further, P16. 4 also affords a different view of some of the drive mechanism from that provided by the aforementioned figures. Essentially, in addition to the electric motor 811, the drive means for the machine preferably includes a second electric motor 186 which is driven intermittently by control :means which are described in detail hereinafter. Motor 186 drives a gear reduction unit 188 which is provided with an output sprocket gear or pulley 190. A sprocket chain or belt 192 extendsaround the gear or pulley and an additional sprocket gear or pulley 194' which is connected to shaft 196. 7

Base frame 18 also includes a pair of parallel lower beams 198 respectively adjacent opposite sides of the machine. Extending between the lower beams 198 is a transverse channel member 200, see FIG. 6, the opposite ends of which are welded to the beams 198. Intermediately of the ends of the channel member 200 is a bracket which has an angularly extending arm 202 which, at its outer ends, pivotally supports a camfollowing arm 204, the outermost portion of which is provided with an arcuate slot 206. Adjustably mounted in slot 206 is a pivot bolt 208 which connects one end of a connecting rod 210 pivotally to the transverse bar 212 which supports blocks 142 for the clamping jaw 148, for purposes of actuating the arms 144 which support said transverse bar 212.

Radially spaced from the pivot 214 for arm 204 is a pin 216 to which one end ofa tension spring 218 is connected, the opposite end of the spring extending around another connecting pin 220 carried by bracket 222 which is connected to one side of channel 60 as shown in FIG. 6. The spring 218 is relatively powerful in view of the leverage involved relative to pivot 214 for purposes of moving the connecting rod 210 upwardly to effect engagement of the clamping jaws 148 on transverse bar 212 with the anvil jaws 140.

Movement of the arm 204 is effected by means of a cam224 which has a lobe 226 thereon. The cam is fixed to the shaft 196 which is driven by gear or pulley 194. Such movement is controlled so that the shaft 196 makes one complete revolution only each time the same is actuated by motor 186. Such movement is controlled by mechanism described in detail hereinafter. Intermediately of the ends of the arm 204 is a camfollower roll 228 which is best shown in FIG. 6. Said follower roll engages the periphery of the cam 224 and also is engaged momentarily by the lobe 226 during each single excursion thereof for one revolution. When the lobe 226 engages the follower 228, the outer end of arm 204 is moved downwardly and, correspondingly, the arms 144 which support the bar 212 upon which the clamping jaws 148 are mounted likewise move downwardly below the level of the upper course of the endless belts 32, thereby permitting a roll 12 to move against the strip or strips 124 of handing material which extend across the path of movement of said rolls as viewed in FIG. 5.

Immediately after the oncoming roll 12, identified as roll A in FIG. 5, has moved to the position shown by roll B, where the movement of the roll is stopped, the rotation of shaft 196 will cause lobe 226 to disengage the follower roll 228 and thereby permit the bar 212 upon which the clamping jaws 148 are mounted to effect engagement thereof with the anvil jaws 140. The normal idle position of lobe 226 between each single rotation thereof, is in engagement with the follower roll 228, whereby the clamping jaws 148 do not obstruct the passage of rolls 12 during movement to the position of roll B shown in FIG. 5.

Also mounted upon and fixed to drive shaft 196 are a pair of

cam discs

230 and 232 which are adjacent to each other in side by side relationship and respectively are provided with peripheral

face cam grooves

234 and 236 which are of uniform depth for the peripheral extent thereof. These grooves are shown in FIG. 6. In the actual preferred construction, the

cam discs

230 and 232 are of equal diameter but for purposes of illustration, to distinguish the same apart, disc 232 has been illustrated as being of a slightly smaller diameter than disc 230.

Cooperating with the cam groove 234 is a cam follower 238 mounted on the end of an actuating arm for electric switch 240. Cam groove 236 coacts with cam follower 242 which is connected to and actuates electric switch 244.

An idler sprocket gear 246 is suitably supported by the main frame 18 in the same vertical plane as powered sprocket gear 70. A sprocket chain 248 extends around the sprocket gear and 246. Said sprocket chain is provided with a plurality of laterally extending

lugs

250 and 252 which are clearly shown in FIG. 6. These lugs successively engage follower roll 254 on switch 256 and follower roll 258 on switch 260.

The

switches

256 and 260 are connected suitably in a circuit, not shown, with the electrical means which actuate the magnetically operated clutch mechanism of the clutch-brake unit 78 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. As indicated above, when the operation of the machine is initiated, by means to be described, the motor 80 is energized and operates continuously. The same continuously drives the belts 44 to move the rolls past the heatshrinking means 176 of the machine. The clutch-brake unit 78 however effects intermittent movement of the driving sprocket gear 70 on gear reduction unit 76. As a consequence, sprocket chain 248 is moved intermittently, as is also the sprocket chain 72 which passes around drive pulley 36 on shaft 38 which actuates the feed belts 32 which move the rolls 12 to the banding unit 30. Sprocket chain 72 also passes around idler sprocket 262, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The motor 186 has an electric clutch unit 264 connected thereto. Said motor operates continuously, but, because of the functioning of the electric clutch unit 264, the sprocket gear 190 on gear reduction unit 188 sequentially operates one revolution at a time in order to drive the shaft 196 for cam 224 only a single revolution at a time for purposes of moving the clamping jaws 148 into engagement with the anvil jaws 140.

Referring to FIG. 1, adjacent the right hand end thereof, there is an initiating switch 266 which is engaged successively by the rolls 12 as they are discharged from the rewinding unit 10. Said switch has an appropriate actuating arm thereon which may be of a relatively sensitive nature and may be engaged by the rolls 12 as delivered to the receiving end 14 of the banding machine 16 or actuated cyclically by the rewinding machine 10. For purposes of describing the overall operation of the machine as controlled by the operations is set forth.

ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM It is not believed that a detailed wiring diagram is necessary in order to illustrate the functioning of the electrical control system. Referring to FIG. 9 the control panel 268 is shown with appropriate legends indicated thereon. Said panel includes a master switch 270 which controls the entire'electrical circuit. Start and Stop buttons of switch 272 connect or disconnect the bander unit 30 into the system. Similar start and stop buttons of switch 274 are mounted upon the panel 268 for controlling the operation of the conveyor mechanisms. The heat-shrinking units are controlled by a further switch 276. In addition, a signal light 278 indicates if the heat-shrinking members 176 are functioning. Similarly, an additional signal light 280 is connected in circuit with the resistance wire 154 which fuses the banding strips in the manner described above.

At the completion of banding a run of rolls 12 from the rewinder 10, it will be seen that after the last roll fromthe rewinder has entered the band-ing machine and has actuated switch 266, re-cycling means in the rewinding machine will cause the banding machine to function so as to clear it of banded rolls. However, the controlpanel 268includes a switch directly behind push button 282 which can be repeatedly closed, if necessary, by pressing the button and thereby simulate the action of switch 266 for purposes of clearing the banding machine if the rewinding machine has been stopped. Likewise, theswitch or button 282 may be used to manually cycle the banding machine, such as for hand feeding of rolls 12 to said machine.

The cycle of operation of the banding machine 16 starts by closing switch 270 and also pushing the start buttons of 272 and 274, as well as closing switch 276 for the heater unit. Upon the switch 266 being engaged by 'a roll 12 delivered from the rewinder for example, the clutch of unit '78 is engaged to initiate operation of sprocket gear 70 which drives the switchactuating chain 248 and also chain 72 to cause the belts 32 to advance. This operation initiates driving movement of the feed belts 32 and after the rolls 12 have been advanced thereby a short distance, the lug 252 on chain 248 engages switch 260 to declutch unit 78 and apply the brake thereof which causes the feed belts 32 to stop. Meanwhile, lug 250 on chain 248 has actuated switch 256 which is connected in circuit with the clutch unit 264 of motor 186 and thereby causes the same to drive sprocket gear 190 sufficiently to effect a single rotation of cam 224 which results in the spring 218 elevating'the connecting rods 210 to move the clamping jaws 148 against the stationary anvil 140.

During the rotation of cam 224, the

cam discs

230 and 232 have been rotated during the single revolution of cam 224. The

cam grooves

234 and 236 in said cam discs sequentially operate

switches

238 and 240, one of which is connected in circuit with and controls the firing" of resistance wire 154 on each of the anvil jaws 140. The current as well as the resistance of said wires is such that the wires instantly heat to fusing temperatures inorder to simultaneously seal portions of the encircling band or bands 124 around the roll 10 as well as fuse the ends of the two strips of band together to form a joint 138 therein and thereby disposed the connected band 124 in position to be engaged by the next oncoming roll 12 as viewed in FIG. 5. The current being furnished to the resistance wire 154 is controlled by a cam groove and lobe sequence which actuates a control switch in a commercial thermal impulse unit, not shown, which regulates this firing" duration. The other cam groove operates the other switch of the

pair

240 and 244 to open the clutch unit 264 at the completion of a single revolution of the cam 224, while the motor 186 continues to operate. All the while, the motor 80 has been operating continuously to correspondingly move the belts 44 of additional conveyor 42 by which the banded rolls 12 are moved through the band-shrinking cycle which is effected by the heating members 176. At the completion of such cycle of operation of the various switches, the operation of the feed belts 32 and the banding unit 30 momentarily stops until the next roll discharged from the rewind machine 10, for example, actuates switch 266, whereupon the above-described cycle is repeated.

For purposes of precisely controlling and re-orienting the position of the rolls 12 as they are presented to the banding unit 30, attention is directed to FIG. 1 where it will be seen that a transverse shaft 284 extends through and is supported by the'side plates 82 of the main frame 24. A pair of L-sh aped arms 286 are supported in longitudinally spaced relationship upon shaft 284, the upstanding portions of said arms being arcuate. A short lever 288 extends downwardly from shaft 284 and is suitably interconnected by a link 290 to transverse bar 212 which supports the clamping jaws 148. The arcuate movement of bar 212 which is cfjaws 140, thenext oncoming roll 12 will be engaged by said upstanding arcuate portions of the levers 288 and accurately position the same by camming the said roll slightly forward and thereby precisely determine the position thereof so that upon the next intermittent advancing movement of the belts 321, said roll will be disposed precisely as desired with respect to the stationary anvil jaws and the clamping jaws 148, such as approximately into position of the roll 12 which is illus trated as being banded in FIG. 5.

An exemplary illustration of how such precise posi tioning is effected by arms 286 is illustrated in FIG. 11, wherein an inter-mediate position of the upstanding camming portioniof the arms is shown in phantom, while the final position of the roll 12 and such camming portions of arms286 are shown in full lines. It will be understood that a pair of such arms 286, levers 288, and links 290 are utilized at positions spaced longitudinally of shaft 284 to insure even movement of the roll 12 to maintain the same perpendicular to the path of movement thereof through the machine. 1

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as illustrated and described.

We claim:

ll. A banding machine to apply one or more bands around a sheet of material coiled aboutan axis to form a roll thereof, said machine comprising in combination, conveying means adapted to receive coiled rolls of said material in randomly spaced relationship and feed the same into said machine while maintained in coiled condition, power means to drive said conveyor unidirectionally, and control means for said power means operable to drive said conveyor intermittently for substantially even intervals of time to effect stopping of said rolls between periods of movement thereof; a bandapplying unit arranged to receive said coiled rolls from said conveying means and comprising an anvil jaw and a clamping jaw, means to support said jaws for relative movement toward and from engagement with each other between two of said rolls upon said conveying means, and means to support at least one coil of banding material of fusible and heatshrinl able type adjacent said band-applying unit, one of said jaws having heating means operable to fuse together strips of said banding material when extended around said coiled rolls to form endless bands therearound, said intermittent operation of said conveyor resulting in interrupting movement of said rolls at said banding unit when such relative movement of said jaws as aforesaid is effected and thereby permit at least one of said jaws to move between a pair of successive rolls to effect banding thereof; heated band-shrinking means, and means to move banded coiled rolls of material relative to said band-shrinking means while maintained in coiled condition to shrink bands contiguous to said rolls prior to discharge from said machine.

2. The banding machine according to claim 1 in which said machine further includes means to drive said conveying means intermittently to effect successive movements of said rolls in feeding direction between short periods of non-movement of said rolls by said conveying means, and said application of bands around said rolls occurring while said rolls are stopped between said movements thereof in feeding direction.

3. The banding machine according to claim l in which said conveying means comprises an endless conveyor driven intermittently to support rolls of said material, and said machine including elongated, stationary members parallel to said conveyor and spaced therefrom to define a feeding space within which said rolls of material engage the surfaces defining said space and thereby are caused to rotate during movements of said conveyor in a direction to maintain the material on said rolls coiled.

4. The banding machine according to claim 1 in which said means to move said rolls relative to said band-shrinking means comprises a conveyor and a parallel stationary member spaced thereform adequately to receive said rollstherebetween and engage the same, and means to drive said conveyor continuously in a direction to cause said rolls to rotate continuously in a direction to maintain the same in coiled condition.

5. The banding machine according to claim 1 in which said conveying means comprises an endless conveyor driven intermittently and said means to move said rolls relative to said band-shrinking means comprises a constantly driven endless conveyor, and said machine also including elongated stationary means parallel to said conveyors and spaced therefrom sufficiently to receive said rolls therebetween to effect rotation of said rolls relative to said stationary means by said conveyors in directions to maintain the rolls in coiled condition.

6. The banding machine according to claim 1 further including a transverse supporting bar extending across said machine above said conveying means and having means thereon to support said anvil jaw stationarily relative to said conveying means and adjustable longitudinally of said transverse supporting bar, and an additional transverse supporting bar extending across said machine below said conveying means and movable toward and from the same, said clamping jaw being carried by said additional transverse supporting bar for movement therewith toward and from said stationary anvil jaw 7. The banding machine according to claim 6 further including means to adjust said stationary anvil jaws substantially vertically upon said transverse supporting bar therefore to adapt the machine to accommodate coiled rolls of material of different diameters at the initiation of a run of rolls of said material of uniform diameter through said machine. I

8. The banding machine according to claim 1 further including a stationary frame in which said anvil jaw is supported stationarily by said frame in operative position above said conveying means and said machine including a movable arm positioned below said conveying means and supporting said clamping jaw for movement toward and from said stationary anvil jaw, cam means interengageable with said movable arm to oscillate it, and power means interconnected to said cam means to actuate the same.

9. The banding machine according to claim 8 further including an actuating lever pivotally supported by said stationary frame of said machine, said cam means operable by said power means being engageable with said actuating lever to move one end thereof through'an arc, and said machine including a connecting rod extending between said lever and movable arm for said clamping jaw.

10. The banding machine according to claim 9 in which said actuating lever is provided with a slot at one end of said connecting rod being adjustably and pivotally interconnected to said lever along said slot and adjustable relative to the slot to vary the length of the oscillatory path of movement of said movable arrn and clamping jaw thereon.

11. The banding machine according to claim 1 in which said conveying means comprises a pair of parallel endless belts supported upon rollers supported by a main stationary frame, said belts being spaced transversely a predetermined distance adequate to support coiled rolls of material without tilting, said machine also including an auxiliary frame adjustably supported above said main stationary frame, a pair of parallel guide rails supported by said auxiliary frame in vertically spaced relationship to one course of said belts and in vertical alignment therewith, and pairs of bell cranks supported by said main stationary frame and interconnected to said auxiliary frame at spaced location, and operable to vary the height of the vertical space be tween said belts and the guide rails within which coiled rolls of material are moved along a path parallel to said belts and rails.

12. The banding machine according to claim 11 further including pairs of said bell cranks pivotally supported by said upwardly extending supports on said main frame and one end of said bell cranks being pivotally connected to said auxiliary frame, a pair of said auxiliary supports and bell cranks respectively being mounted adjacent opposite sides of said main frame, a shaft extending transversely across said auxiliary frame in alignment with the pivotal connections for said bell cranks and fixedly connected to said pivotal connections for simultaneous actuation of transversely aligned pairs of said bell cranks, and a rod extending along one side of said machine between said bell cranks on said one side thereof and operable to simultaneously actuate all of said bell cranks in unison to effect vertical ad justment of said auxiliary frame and guide rails supported thereby relative to said endless belts upon said main frame of said machine.

13. The banding machine according to claim 11 in which said machine includes a base frame adapted to be supported above a floor surface and said main frame extends longitudinally along and above said base frame,

and said machine including pivot means supported by said base frame and interconnected to said main frame intermediately of the ends thereof, and vertically adjustable positioning means supported by said. base frame and connected to the main frame adjacent the receiving end of said conveying means thereon to ad: just the height of said receiving end of the conveying means relative to supply means for feeding coiled rolls of material to said conveyor.

14; A banding machine to apply one or more bands around a coiled sheet of material to form a coiled roll thereof and prevent uncoiling thereof, said machine comprising in combination, a conveyor adapted to receive coiled rolls of said material and rotate said rolls in the direction in which the material is coiled thereon to prevent uncoiling thereof while moving along a path in said machine, means adapted to apply at least one band of heat-shrinkable fusible material around said rolls at a predetermined position located in said path, means to move said conveyor intermittently between successive short periods of non-movement of said rolls to permit attachment of at least one of said bands loosely around each of said rolls, while stationary between movements thereof heating means downstream in said path for said rolls and extending longitudinally therealong a sufficient distance to shrink said band closely around each roll, additional conveyor means supporting said rolls for movement along said heating means and adjacent thereto to effect such shrinking of said bands around said rolls, and means to effect continuous rotation of said rolls as moved by saidadditional conveyor along said path in proximity to said heating means. i V

15. The banding machine according to claim 14 in which said heating means are elongated and positioned beneath said additional conveyor means, and said machine further including means interconnected to and operable to adjust said heaters vertically toward and from said additional conveyor to assist in controlling the shrinking of said bands of banding material.

16. The bandingmachine according to claim 14 in which said band-applying means for said heatshrinkable material comprises a stationary anvil mounted above said first-mentioned conveyor and a movable clamping jaw supported for movement from below said first-mentioned conveyor toward and from said stationary anvil to form bands around said coiled rolls of material, said bands being fused therearound while said rolls are momentarily supported stationarily by said first-mentioned conveyor.

17. The banding machine according to claim 16 further. including guide rails extending longitudinally along said machine substantially continuously between the opposite ends thereof and above said firstmentioned and additional conveyors for cooperation therewith to effect rotation of coiled rolls of material as moved through said machine by said conveyors, said rolls of material engaging the lower surfaces of said guide rail.

18. The banding machine according to claim 16 further including power means interconnected to and operable to drive said additional conveyor continuously, and clutch and brake means connected to said power means and interconnected to said first-mentioned conveyor to operate the same inter-mittently, and cam means operable during'each cycle of operation of said band-applying and sealing means to effect sequential operation of said clutch and brake means to cause said v 18 intermittent movement of said first-mentioned conveyor.

19. The banding machine according to claim 16 in which said banding material also is fusible and said ma chine also includingheat sealing means supported on one of said jaws and comprising electrical resistance means, switch means controlling the supply of current to said sealing means, and cam means operable by power means to control the actuation of said switch means.

, 20. The banding machine according to claim 19 in which said power means is operable jointly to drive said conveyors as aforesaid and also drive said cam means.

21. The banding machine according to claim 20 further including clutch and brake means driven by said power means and interconnected to said cam means to effect sequential operation thereof.

22. A banding machine to apply one or more securing bands around a coiled sheet of material in the form of a roll to prevent the same from uncoiling, said maching comprising in combination, conveyor means operable to receive and advance such coiled rolls in spaced relationship to each other, band-applying means positioned relative to said conveyor to apply at least one securing band around the leading roll of a series thereof when advanced to said band-applying means by said conveyor, means to drive said conveyor at a predetermined rate and manner, and re-orienting cam means positioned in advance of said band-applying means relative said conveyor and operable to engage said rolls sequentially adjacent said band-applying means and prior to being banded thereby to position said rolls in precise relationship to said band-applying means, thereby to insure relatively uniform application of Se curing bands to said rolls as successively engaged by said applying means.

23. The banding machine. according to claim 22 in which said drive meansfor said conveyor is operable to move the same intermittently and said re-orienting cam means comprising a cam element mounted for move menttransverse to the path or movement of said rolls by said conveyor and into engagement with the trailing surface of said rolls prior to saidrolls being banded.

2d. The banding machine according to claim 22 in which a pair of said cam elements are mounted in transversely spaced relationship relative to the path of movement of said rolls for engagement with longitudinally spaced portions of said rolls to prevent cocked engagement of saidrolls by said banding means.

25. The banding machine according to claim 23 in which said securing bands are composed of fusible material, said banding means comprise a pair of relatively movable anvil and clamping jaws, and said machine also including heating means on one of said jaws to fuse said bands around said rolls when said jaws are moved into engagement between adjacent rolls when said rolls are not being advanced by said conveyor, and means to move said jaws relative to each other as aforesaid.

26. The banding machine according to claim 25 further including actuating means connected to said cam element to move the same toward and from camming engagement with said rolls, and means connecting saidactuating means to said means to move said jaws to provide coincident movement of said cam element and clamping of said securing bands by said jaws to fuse the same.

27. The banding machine according to claim 26 in which said anvil jaw is stationary and positioned immediately above said path of movement of said rolls and said clamping anvil is moved toward and from engagement therewith to effect said fusing of said securing bands by passing between adjacent rolls on said conveyor which are precisely spaced by the action of said cam element.

28. A banding machine to apply one or more bands around a sheet of material coiled about an axis to form a roll thereof, said machine comprising in combination, roll receiving means, a banding unit, a heat-shrinking unit, and control means; said receiving means including a conveyor for sequentially receiving rolls to be banded and operable to rotate said rolls to maintain the material thereon coiled, and deliver said coiled rolls to said banding unit; said banding unit including means for supporting a width of heat-shrinkable material in intercepting relationship with the rolls conveyed thereto by said receiving means, and a heated anvil and clamping jaw combination operative in cyclic movement be tween an opened position to permit passage of said rolls through said banding unit and a closed position to dispose a section of said heat-shrinkable material around the periphery of an intercepted roll and also sever and seal the same, thereby forming an endless band around said roll and reconstituting the width of heat-shrinkable material for interception by the next sequential roll; said heat-shrinking unit including conveyor means operable to move said banded roll from said banding unit to discharge while rotating said rolls to continue to maintain the material thereon coiled, and heating means mounted in proximity to the band on said roll for shrinking said band contiguous to said roll; said control means cyclically operating said anvil and clamping jaw between said open and closed positions wherein said anvil and jaw are maintained in said closed position for a fixed period of time, and further including means for interrupting movement of said roll at said banding station'during said fixed period of time, whereby said rolls are moved sequentially from said receiving means to said banding unit and into intercepting relation with a width of said heat-shrinkable material and are maintained stationary for a fixed period of time in said banding unit during which time a band of the heatshrinkable material is formed around said roll and severed from a supply roll thereof and sealed to form simultaneously a band and a reconstituted width of heatshrink material, said banded rolls then being moved from the banding unit to the heat-shrinking unit to effect said shrinking of the bands contiguous to the periphery of the roll of sheet material.

Claims

1. A banding machine to apply one or more bands around a sheet of material coiled about an axis to form a roll thereof, said machine comprising in combination, conveying means adapted to receive coiled rolls of said material in randomly spaced relationship and feed the same into said machine while maintained in coiled condition, power means to drive said conveyor unidirectionally, and control means for said power means operable to drive said conveyor intermittently for substantially even intervals of time to effect stopping of said rolls between periods of movement thereof; a band-applying unit arranged to receive said coiled rolls from said conveying means and comprising an anvil jaw and a clamping jaw, means to support said jaws for relative movement toward and from engagement with each other between two of said rolls upon said conveying means, and means to support at least one coil of banding material of fusible and heat-shrinkable type adjacent said band-applying unit, one of said jaws having heating means operable to fuse together strips of said banding material when extended around said coiled rolls to form endless bands therearound, said intermittent operation of said conveyor resulting in interrupting movement of said rolls at said banding unit when such relative movement of said jaws as aforesaid is effected and thereby permit at least one of said jaws to move between a pair of successive rolls to effect banding thereof; heated band-shrinking means, and means to move banded coiled rolls of material relative to said band-shrinking means while maintained in coiled condition to shrink bands contiguous to said rolls prior to discharge from said machine.

3. The banding machine according to claim 1 in which said conveying means comprises an endless conveyor driven intermittently to support rolls of said material, and said machine including elongated, stationary members parallel to said conveyor and spaced therefrom to define a feeding space within which said rolls of material engage the surfaces defining said space and thereby are caused to rotate during movements of said conveyor in a direction to maintain the material on said rolls coiled.

4. The banding machine according to claim 1 in which said means to move said rolls relative to said band-shrinking means comprises a conveyor and a parallel stationary member spaced thereform adequately to receive said rolls therebetween and engage the same, and means to drive said conveyor continuously in a direction to cause said rolls to rotate continuously in a direction to maintain the same in coiled condition.

6. The banding machine according to claim 1 further including a transverse supporting bar extending across said machine above said conveying means and having means thereon to support said anvil jaw stationarily relative to said conveying means and adjustable longitudinally of said transverse supporting bar, and an additional transverse supporting bar extending across said machine below said conveying means and movable toward and from the same, said clamping jaw being carried by said additional transverse supporting bar for movement therewith toward and from said stationary anvil jaw.

7. The banding machine according to claim 6 further including means to adjust said stationary anvil jaws substantially vertically upon said transverse supporting bar therefore to adapt the machine to accommodate coiled rolls of material of different diameters at the initiation of a run of rolls of said material of uniform diameter through said machine.

9. The banding machine according to claim 8 further including an actuating lever pivotally supported by said stationary frame of said machine, said cam means operable by said power means being engageable with said actuating lever to move one end thereof through an arc, and said machine including a connecting rod extending between said lever and movable arm for said clamping jaw.

10. The banding machine according to claim 9 in which said actuating lever is provided with a slot at one end of said connecting rod being adjustably and pivotally interconnected to said lever along said slot and adjustable relative to the slot to vary the length of the oscillatory path of movement of said movable arm and clamping jaw thereon.

11. The banding machine according to claim 1 in which said conveying means comprises a pair of parallel endless belts supported upon rollers supported by a main stationary frame, said belts being spaced transversely a predetermined distance adequate to support coiled rolls of material without tilting, said machine also including an auxiliary frame adjustably supported above said main stationary frame, a pair of parallel guide rails supported by said auxiliary frame in vertically spaced relationship to one course of said belts and in vertical alignment therewith, and pairs of bell cranks supported by said main stationary frame and interconnected to said auxiliary frame at spaced location, and operable to vary the height of the vertical space between said belts and the guide rails within which coiled rolls of material are moved along a path parallel to said belts and rails.

12. The banding machine according to claim 11 further including pairs of said bell cranks pivotally supported by said upwardly extending supports on said main frame and one end of said bell cranks being pivotally connected to said auxiliary frame, a pair of said auxiliary supports and bell cranks respectively being mounted adjacent opposite sides of said main frame, a shaft extending transversely across said auxiliary frame in alignment with the pivotal connections for said bell cranks and fixedly connected to said pivotal connections for simultaneous actuation of transversely aligned pairs of said bell cranks, and a rod extending along one side of said machine between said bell cranks on said onE side thereof and operable to simultaneously actuate all of said bell cranks in unison to effect vertical adjustment of said auxiliary frame and guide rails supported thereby relative to said endless belts upon said main frame of said machine.

13. The banding machine according to claim 11 in which said machine includes a base frame adapted to be supported above a floor surface and said main frame extends longitudinally along and above said base frame, and said machine including pivot means supported by said base frame and interconnected to said main frame intermediately of the ends thereof, and vertically adjustable positioning means supported by said base frame and connected to the main frame adjacent the receiving end of said conveying means thereon to adjust the height of said receiving end of the conveying means relative to supply means for feeding coiled rolls of material to said conveyor.

14. A banding machine to apply one or more bands around a coiled sheet of material to form a coiled roll thereof and prevent uncoiling thereof, said machine comprising in combination, a conveyor adapted to receive coiled rolls of said material and rotate said rolls in the direction in which the material is coiled thereon to prevent uncoiling thereof while moving along a path in said machine, means adapted to apply at least one band of heat-shrinkable fusible material around said rolls at a predetermined position located in said path, means to move said conveyor intermittently between successive short periods of non-movement of said rolls to permit attachment of at least one of said bands loosely around each of said rolls, while stationary between movements thereof heating means downstream in said path for said rolls and extending longitudinally therealong a sufficient distance to shrink said band closely around each roll, additional conveyor means supporting said rolls for movement along said heating means and adjacent thereto to effect such shrinking of said bands around said rolls, and means to effect continuous rotation of said rolls as moved by said additional conveyor along said path in proximity to said heating means.

16. The banding machine according to claim 14 in which said band-applying means for said heat-shrinkable material comprises a stationary anvil mounted above said first-mentioned conveyor and a movable clamping jaw supported for movement from below said first-mentioned conveyor toward and from said stationary anvil to form bands around said coiled rolls of material, said bands being fused therearound while said rolls are momentarily supported stationarily by said first-mentioned conveyor.

17. The banding machine according to claim 16 further including guide rails extending longitudinally along said machine substantially continuously between the opposite ends thereof and above said first-mentioned and additional conveyors for cooperation therewith to effect rotation of coiled rolls of material as moved through said machine by said conveyors, said rolls of material engaging the lower surfaces of said guide rail.

18. The banding machine according to claim 16 further including power means interconnected to and operable to drive said additional conveyor continuously, and clutch and brake means connected to said power means and interconnected to said first-mentioned conveyor to operate the same inter-mittently, and cam means operable during each cycle of operation of said band-applying and sealing means to effect sequential operation of said clutch and brake means to cause said intermittent movement of said first-mentioned conveyor.

19. The banding machine according to claim 16 in which said banding Material also is fusible and said machine also including heat sealing means supported on one of said jaws and comprising electrical resistance means, switch means controlling the supply of current to said sealing means, and cam means operable by power means to control the actuation of said switch means.

20. The banding machine according to claim 19 in which said power means is operable jointly to drive said conveyors as aforesaid and also drive said cam means.

22. A banding machine to apply one or more securing bands around a coiled sheet of material in the form of a roll to prevent the same from uncoiling, said maching comprising in combination, conveyor means operable to receive and advance such coiled rolls in spaced relationship to each other, band-applying means positioned relative to said conveyor to apply at least one securing band around the leading roll of a series thereof when advanced to said band-applying means by said conveyor, means to drive said conveyor at a predetermined rate and manner, and re-orienting cam means positioned in advance of said band-applying means relative said conveyor and operable to engage said rolls sequentially adjacent said band-applying means and prior to being banded thereby to position said rolls in precise relationship to said band-applying means, thereby to insure relatively uniform application of securing bands to said rolls as successively engaged by said applying means.

23. The banding machine according to claim 22 in which said drive means for said conveyor is operable to move the same intermittently and said re-orienting cam means comprising a cam element mounted for movement transverse to the path or movement of said rolls by said conveyor and into engagement with the trailing surface of said rolls prior to said rolls being banded.

24. The banding machine according to claim 22 in which a pair of said cam elements are mounted in transversely spaced relationship relative to the path of movement of said rolls for engagement with longitudinally spaced portions of said rolls to prevent cocked engagement of said rolls by said banding means.

26. The banding machine according to claim 25 further including actuating means connected to said cam element to move the same toward and from camming engagement with said rolls, and means connecting said actuating means to said means to move said jaws to provide coincident movement of said cam element and clamping of said securing bands by said jaws to fuse the same.

28. A banding machine to apply one or more bands around a sheet of material coiled about an axis to form a roll thereof, said machine comprising in combination, roll receiving means, a banding unit, a heat-shrinking unit, and control means; said receiving means including a conveyor for sequentially receiving rolls to be banded and operable to rotate said rolls to maintain the material thereon coiled, and deliver said coiled rolls to said banding unit; said banding unit inclUding means for supporting a width of heat-shrinkable material in intercepting relationship with the rolls conveyed thereto by said receiving means, and a heated anvil and clamping jaw combination operative in cyclic movement between an opened position to permit passage of said rolls through said banding unit and a closed position to dispose a section of said heat-shrinkable material around the periphery of an intercepted roll and also sever and seal the same, thereby forming an endless band around said roll and reconstituting the width of heat-shrinkable material for interception by the next sequential roll; said heat-shrinking unit including conveyor means operable to move said banded roll from said banding unit to discharge while rotating said rolls to continue to maintain the material thereon coiled, and heating means mounted in proximity to the band on said roll for shrinking said band contiguous to said roll; said control means cyclically operating said anvil and clamping jaw between said open and closed positions wherein said anvil and jaw are maintained in said closed position for a fixed period of time, and further including means for interrupting movement of said roll at said banding station during said fixed period of time, whereby said rolls are moved sequentially from said receiving means to said banding unit and into intercepting relation with a width of said heat-shrinkable material and are maintained stationary for a fixed period of time in said banding unit during which time a band of the heat-shrinkable material is formed around said roll and severed from a supply roll thereof and sealed to form simultaneously a band and a reconstituted width of heat-shrink material, said banded rolls then being moved from the banding unit to the heat-shrinking unit to effect said shrinking of the bands contiguous to the periphery of the roll of sheet material.