Bundles of rolls and method for production thereof

European).

71P20842PL00

Roll packages and how to produce them

The invention relates to a packet of rolls made of an insulating tape of a fibrous article having an initial density, comprising

- several of those rolls, each of which has an axis, a peripheral surface and first and second ends and arranged next to each other with their parallel axes, in several superimposed rows,

- a packaging film that covers at least said peripheral surface of each roll of insulating tape which, when wound on it, has a density greater than said initial density, and

- a wrapping film that wraps each row of several rolls in a compressed state of rolls one next to the other in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of the rolls and which covers at least part of the peripheral surface of the rolls of row.

These packages are especially designed for stacking, then putting a cover on them, for storage and transporting on various vehicles.

The fibrous product of rolls can for example be glass wool or mineral wool. These are low density products that take up a large volume in the state in which they are to be used, which is a problem in storage and transport.

Packages that have been described for a long time have been known ^pgovernment^kebabla^d in EP-B^{-0 220} 98^{0 and} EP-B^{-0 524 062}.

These known packages, however, have the disadvantage that the rows of rolls have the shape of a cart because the compression action is concentrated in the center of the rolls. After placing the packages in a vertical position, they should have a larger storage space. In addition, when stacking packages, strapping stacked packages should be carried out, which is applied to the wrapping film already applied to each package, the tape used for this purpose overlaps partly during wrapping, which causes excessive consumption of packaging material.

At the end of the roll, after rolling the tape of fibrous material on themselves, they have a density value depending on the diameter of the roll, and the type of wool, which should correspond to certain physical properties after rolling the roll. After the package is made, assuming the creation of empty spaces between the rolls arranged in rows in piles, the overall density of the package has a significant loss in relation to the density of the product that was obtained when the roll was rolled. To obtain a package with a standard volume for transport and storage, the parameter represented by the diameter of rolls cannot be used, as it should be determined.

Furthermore, cylindrical roll packets are known which are packaged in this form. The density of the basic materials of these articles, such as paper, canvas, etc., cannot be modified during the creation of packages and the cylindrical shape of the articles is maintained throughout the process (see, for example, US-5,129,211 and US-A-6. 021.890).

The object of the invention is to address the above-mentioned problems and to make a packet of rolls formed from a fiber insulating tape that would be mechanically strong, have stable and standardized dimensions, and have a simple and inexpensive method of making such packages.

To this end, according to the invention, a roll packet is provided, identical to that discussed at the beginning, which further comprises a mantle that wraps rows of wrapped rolls, superimposed, in compressed state one rows pressed against each other in a perpendicular to the axis of the rolls and said first direction and the first and second ends of the packet rolls and at least part of the peripheral surface of the upper row and lower row rolls of said superimposed rows of the packet, the packet thus made has a final density of at least equal to, preferably 95%, said upper initial density.

A very special advantage of this packet is that the rolls are wrapped, not only circumferentially, but also in a second direction perpendicular to which they cover

<td>all of them</td><td>lengths in</td><td>such</td><td>way,</td><td>that theirs</td><td>the ends are</td>

<td>retained</td><td>squeezed</td><td>by</td><td>coat</td><td>and that</td><td>rolls no</td>

<td>take</td><td>shape</td><td>truck,</td><td>which</td><td>requires</td><td>more</td>

the surface of the pallet, and thus storage and transport.

The rolls are more durable in the length direction and the packaging is even better and shapely when the wrapper and coat are properly crossed.

Two subsequent compressions in two perpendicular directions are designed to maintain the density obtained in the packaged product when rolled up.

By two consecutive compressions, the rolls obtain a square cross-section at the corners, which reduces the spacing between the rolls to a strict minimum.

Rolls are arranged side by side on almost the entire surface of their circumferences deformed by compression.

So although indeed by stacking the rows of rolls, the packet made loses a large part of its density by creating voids between the stacked rolls, the packet according to the invention squeezed in two directions perpendicular to each other and kept in this compressed state recovers this loss of density. The resulting packages have a standard volume, approximately regardless of the diameter of the rolls, and thus the length of the rolled tape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coat extends over the entirety of the first and second ends of all rollers of the packet.

In this way, when placing the packet in such a way that the rolls will be stacked vertically to stack several packets, the rolls should not come into contact with the ground, especially soil or the outside atmosphere on their upper side. So they don't risk damaging the wool by contact with dirt or moisture.

In an improved embodiment of the invention, the packaging, wrapping and / or sheath are of non-stretchable plastic. Compression of the rows of rolls and the packet can therefore be obtained and maintained by one wrapping foil and one coat, respectively. Preferably, for example, high density polyethylene will be used.

The invention relates not only to the roll package according to the invention, but also to stacking such packages, usually in a stack of two, sometimes more.

The invention also relates to a method for producing such a packet or stack of packets.

To this end, according to the invention, a method for producing roll packages according to the invention is provided which it comprises

- rolling the insulating tape of a fibrous product having an initial density in such a way as to form rolls having a density greater than said initial density,

- the first wrapping of each roll with a packaging film that covers at least their peripheral surfaces,

- arranging the rows of several mentioned rolls side by side with their parallel axes,

- first compression of the rolls next to each row in the first direction perpendicular to the axis of the rolls, in the second direction and perpendicular to

- a second wrapping with a wrapping foil for each row of several rolls, in a compressed state resulting from the first compression, in such a way as to cover at least part of the peripheral surface of the rolls,

- superimposing several rows of rolls wrapped in this way, and

- a second compression of the rows of wrapped superimposed rolls, perpendicular to the axis of the rolls of said first direction, this method further comprising

- a third mantle wrapped row of superimposed wrapped rolls, in a compressed state resulting from the second compression, in such a way as to cover the two ends of the packet rolls and at least part of the peripheral surface of the upper row and lower row rolls of said superimposed rows of the packet, the package so made a final density at least equal to 90%, preferably 95%, of said upper initial density.

Other embodiments of packages and stacks of packages according to the invention as well as other embodiments of the method according to the invention are set out in the appended claims.

Other details and characteristics of the invention will result from the description given below by way of example, without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 to 4 show a perspective view of the steps of the method for producing the packet according to the invention, up to stacking the rows of rolls.

Figure 5 shows a simplified side view of compression and packaging through the mantle of stacked rows of rolls.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of stacked rows of rolls in a compressed state.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a completed roll package according to the invention.

Figures 8 to 10 are perspective views of the steps of stacking packets according to the invention, stacking them, and applying a cover to stacked packets.

In different drawings, identical or analogous elements are identified by the same reference signs.

Figure 1 shows in a simplified way the known roll 1 made of an insulating tape (24) of a fibrous, compressible product, such as glass wool or mineral wool. This roll has an axis 2, a circumferential surface and two end surfaces 4 and 5. The fiber material undergoes compression during rolling of the roll determined as a function of physical properties which wool should have in its unrolled state. Its circumferential surface 3 is then wrapped in a manner known per se with packaging film (25). The roll formed thus has the first specific density and surface diameter d at the given end. In the example shown, said diameter d can for example vary from 380 to 500 mm and the rolls have a width I for example 1,200 nmi.

This width can of course vary as a function of needs.

Rolls 1 so made are arranged side by side with parallel axes in such a way as to form a row of rolls 6 (see figure 2). In the example shown, the length L1 of the row is, for example, from 1.400 to 2.000 mm.

It is of course that as a function of the diameter of the end surfaces 4 and 5 of rolls 1, any suitable number of rolls can be arranged, preferably three or four, as shown.

This row 6 of rolls 1 is as shown in the figure

3, wrapped in a wrapping foil 7, after which the rolls were squeezed next to each other in the direction shown by the arrows F1, which is perpendicular to the axis of 2 rolls.

The rolls have a compression force of, for example, 1.5 tonnes, the oval cross-section and the length L2 of the compressed row obtained, in the example shown, 1.330 mm. The wrapping film 7 is preferably made of a non-extensible plastic web, e.g. high density polyethylene, so that the wrapping film keeps the rolls of row 6 in a compressed state. Very preferably, the film 7 runs from one end to the other of the rolls on a part of their peripheral surface 3, leaving the end surfaces 4 and 5 of the rolls free.

In the packet according to the invention, several rows of rolls such as those shown in figure 3 are thus stacked as shown in figure 4. It is possible to stack any suitable number of rows of rolls 6, squeezed and wrapped, for example three rows, as shown. So 12 rolls are obtained in the package 8 shown, and for example 9 rolls if each row contains only 3 rolls. In the condition shown in figure 4, the packet has, in the example shown, a width 1,200 mm, a length L2 1,330 mm and a height hl 1,600 mm.

All manufacturing steps up to the formation of the packet shown in figure 4 are known in a very general way in the art. By way of example, reference may be made in particular to EP-B-0 220 980. Other ways of producing such a package could, of course, be considered, for example by pushing stacked rows piled into the holes of a previously formed housing.

It should be noted at this stage that due to the empty spaces between the rolls and rows of rolls in the packet, it has, in relation to the density of the roll that was just being rolled, a loss of density, which can reach up to 30% and sometimes more.

It should also be noted that, in prior art packages where there is no vertical compression, the diameter of the rolls should always be set at the beginning if one wants to obtain a package having always approximately the same volume. This presents an unfavorable limitation when it is necessary to respond to different user requirements, for example in terms of the length of the tape in each roll.

The packet according to the invention has, as shown in the figure

6, rows of rolls stacked in a compressed state, rows next to each other in the direction of the arrow

F2. A compressive force of 2 tonnes can be used. Direction

F2 is not only perpendicular to the axis 2 of rolls 1, but also to the direction of the first compression shown by the arrows F1 in figure 3. This second compression is intended to remove ovalization of the rolls, but also to remove a large part of the empty spaces 9, giving the rolls a square cross-section at the corners (see figure

6).

Thus, as shown in figure 7, the mantle 10 wraps the superimposed rows of wrapped rolls in the thus obtained compressed state. This mantle covers the end surfaces of 4 and 5 rolls, preferably running over all of these surfaces. This jacket, preferably made of non-stretch plastic, like high-density polyethylene, keeps the rolls in the compressed state obtained after the second compression. In the embodiment shown, the packet according to the invention shown in the figure has a width I 1.200 mm, a length L2 1.330 mm and a height h2 1.200 mm. The resulting package volume is standard even if the diameter of the rolls used is variable, and thus the length of the tape in the roll. The packet according to the invention also again has a density equivalent to that obtained after rolling the rolls. The density loss generally does not exceed 5% and it can even be equal to or greater than the loss obtained after rolling the rolls.

Preferably, the width of the tape 1 can be changed without having to modify the method according to the invention, since the coat is applied over the length of the rolls.

To carry out the packet according to the invention shown in figure 5, from a known packet as shown in figure 4, various suitable means known to those skilled in the art can be used.

By way of example, apparatus suitable for this purpose is provided, which is shown in a simplified manner in figure 5. The roll package shown in figure 4 is inserted between two conveyors 11 and 12. The conveyor is formed of a belt rotating around a frame moving up and down. according to the double arrow F3 by means of a control member 13 of the type gear motor, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, etc. The packet is introduced when the conveyor 11 is in the upper position shown by dashed lines. The axes of the 2 rolls are parallel to the direction of travel shown by the arrow F4. When the packet is completely between two conveyors 11 and 12, the top conveyor 11 is moved down so as to compress the packet until the desired packet height is obtained.

In the embodiment shown, before leaving the conveyors 11 and 12, two strips of packaging material 13 and 14 run butt welded in 21. The end surfaces, not yet exposed on one side of the rollers, rest on these strips 13 and 14 and pull them from the spools and 16, in the direction of movement F4. During this time, the packet moves between the two new conveyors 17 and 18, which are spaced the same distance as the conveyors 11 and 12, while the conveyor 11 is in the down position. Then the packet 8 is completely between two conveyors 17 and 18 as shown in broken lines. At this point, jaws 19 and 20 moving back and forth in the direction shown by the double arrows F5 and F6 press the straps 13 and 14 together. In the embodiment shown, these jaws in the clamped position can perform two horizontal, close and parallel welds in such a way as to ensure closure of the jacket while welding two tapes 13 and 14 per contact for the next packet. These jaws also have, between the two welding elements, an element that can cut the elastic material between the two welds and detach the packet, for example an electrically heated wire or a knife that moves transversely.

The mantle thus maintains the effects of the second compression even when it exits the conveyors 17 and 18.

It is understood by those skilled in the art that other suitable means allow this compression and packaging to be carried out. For example, only one spool and one tape may be provided. Other ways of welding tapes 13 and 14 could be envisaged. The direction of packet shifting could be diagonal or even vertical.

It might also be considered to move the tape rather than the packet to obtain the packaging shown in figure 7.

The packet according to the invention is then placed in a known manner in such a way that the axes of the 2 rolls are arranged vertically. As can be seen in Figure 8, neither the bottom and top end surfaces of the rolls are in direct contact with the soil ^ ΣΤοο the surrounding environment, which gives a clear improvement in the protection of the rollers against dirt and moisture.

Figure 9 shows the known stacking of two packages 8. The stacking 22 thus formed is very durable and protected on all its surfaces against bad weather and dirt. Finally, a cover 23 can also be provided which covers the whole as shown in figure 10.

The tests were carried out with the help of various rolls.

In examples according to the invention 1 to 8, the rolls are arranged in rows, each row is compressed, wrapped, then stacked and the rows stacked are subjected to additional compression and wrapping in a mantle, as described previously.

The results of the tests are presented in the table below.

<td rowspan="2">pr</td><td colspan="3">Tape</td><td colspan="3">Roll</td><td colspan="6">Package</td>

<td>Thickness</td><td>Length</td><td>Width</td><td>Diameter</td><td>Density before curling</td><td>Rolled density</td><td>Rolls in a row</td><td>Rolls in the package</td><td>Length</td><td>Height</td><td>Width</td><td>Density</td>

<td> 1</td><td> 200</td><td> 5000</td><td> 1200</td><td> 424</td><td> 11,5</td><td> 81.34</td><td> 4</td><td> 3</td><td> 1330</td><td> 1200</td><td> 1200</td><td> 86.47</td>

<td> 2</td><td> 200</td><td> 6500</td><td> 1200</td><td> 484</td><td> 11.5</td><td> 81.34</td><td> 3</td><td> 3</td><td> 1330</td><td> 1200</td><td> 1200</td><td> 84.30</td>

<td> 3</td><td> 180</td><td> 4500</td><td> 1200</td><td> 472</td><td> 21</td><td> 97.22</td><td> 3</td><td> 3</td><td> 1330</td><td> 1200</td><td> 1200</td><td> 95,92</td>

<td> 4</td><td> 180</td><td> 3500</td><td> 1200</td><td> 416</td><td> 21</td><td> 97,22</td><td> 4</td><td> 3</td><td> 1330</td><td> 1200</td><td> 1200</td><td> 99.47</td>

<td> 5</td><td> 140</td><td> 5500</td><td> 1200</td><td> 467</td><td> 15</td><td> 67,51</td><td> 3</td><td> 3</td><td> 1330</td><td> 1200</td><td> 1200</td><td> 65.13</td>

<td> 6</td><td> 140</td><td> 4250</td><td> 1200</td><td> 410</td><td> 15</td><td> 67,51</td><td> 4</td><td> 3</td><td> 1330</td><td> 1200</td><td> 1200</td><td> 67,11</td>

<td> 7</td><td> 100</td><td> 12500</td><td> 1200</td><td> 474</td><td> 10,5</td><td> 74,27</td><td> 3</td><td> 3</td><td> 1330</td><td> 1200</td><td> 1200</td><td> 74.01</td>

<td> 8</td><td> 100</td><td> 9500</td><td> 1200</td><td> 414</td><td> 10.5</td><td> 74.27</td><td> 4</td><td> 3</td><td> 1330</td><td> 1200</td><td> 1200</td><td> 75.00</td>

This table shows, on the one hand, a very high elasticity of the length of the strip to be rolled into packets according to the invention, and on the other hand, no loss of density, so that the packet dimensions remain perfectly standard.

It is understood that the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments set forth above and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

KNAUF INSULATION SA

Proxy:

71P20842PL00