GB2053848A - A bead roll structure, and a supporting device for winding and unwinding the roll - Google Patents

Abstract

A roll structure for a bead of solid state adhesive or other hot melt material is held together by tying means 4 and/or an adhesive. A tubular core 3 and/or side flanges can be included, and the weight of either can be reduced by apertures or cut-outs. The tying means 4 can comprise separate straps looped through the central opening of the roll, or a single strap helically wound round the roll. A supporting device 6 for supporting such a roll structure on the spindle of a winding machine or an apparatus from which the bead is unwound for use comprises a pair of flanges 7 with collar-like portions 9 for securement to the spindle 13. A two-part core can be included. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A bead roll structure, and a supporting device for winding and unwinding the roll Description This invention relates to a roll structure of a bead of solid state adhesive or other hot melt material, and to a supporting device for winding and unwinding such a roll structure.

Adhesive bead rolls coiled around a supporting device consisting of a cylindrical core with parallel side flanges are known per se, in different sizes and configurations. Such supporting devices for added sive beads can either have the form of a moulded plastics body or they can comprise a cardboard core and side flanges. End cap elements, in general formed from sheet metal, can then be additionally provided to clamp the cardboard core from its ends, so as to lockingly engage the same by means of die-cut tab projections, and to correctly position the side flanges through rims formed around their outer circular edges.

Conventional bead rolls, obtained by extruding a solid state adhesive continuously, are marketed as individual packages comprising an adhesive bead which is pre-wound around its own supporting body. The latter is obviously a disposable body, the supporting or holding capabilites of which are used first, after its installation onto a conventional winding machine, to form a supporting body for the coiled roll, and then, for unwinding the roll on the machine which uses it, after being installed thereon.

Thus, such roll supporting bodies serve in practice the dual function of supporting or storing the coils of the roll and of preventing the same from collapsing or coming loose.

It will be appreciated that the construction effort expended in producing coil supporting bodies is considerable. If they are formed from a plastics material, expensive moulds with movable parts must be provided, and if they are made up of several cardboard parts, the sheet metal end caps mentioned above have to be added, thus involving assembly procedures which are quite expensive.

This invention is thus concerned with the provision of an adhesive bead coiled roll structure which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

The invention accordingly provides a roll structure of coiled bead of solid state adhesive or other hot melt material, the structure being rendered substantially self-supporting by tying means and/or adhesive.

The invention also provides a supporting device for such a structure, the supporting device comprising two detachable halves for removable association with the spindle of a winding machine or an unwinding apparatus.

The invention is further described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a first self-supporting coiled roll structure embodying the invention; Figure2 is a vertical sectional view through the structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cylindrical core for the structure of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second coiled roll structure embodying the invention; Figure 5 is a partial vertical section view taken through the structure of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side elevational view of one of two identical flanges of the coil of Figure 4; Figures 7 and 8 each show a respective modified side flange; Figure 9 is a perspective view of third coiled roll structure embodying the invention; Figure 10 is a side view, half of which is shown in vertical section, of a first supporting device for forming, or using, a roll structure embodying the invention; Figure 11 is a side view of a second supporting device for a coiled roll structure embodying this invention; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of a support locking element for locking the supports to the spindle of the winding machine or of the unwinding apparatus.

The illustrated self-supporting coiled roll structures embodying this invention are indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The structures comprise bodies 2 of several closely packed coils of an adhesive or the like bead. The reference numeral 4 designates tying means, which are effective to prevent the coils of the bodies 2 from coming loose.

These tying means 2 advantageously comprise individual straps, preferably of a self-adhesive material, or heat weldable straps, or the like.

In the structure of Figures 1 to 3, the straps constituting the tying means 4 are led completely through the inside bore of a tubular cardboard core 3 around which the coils of the body 2 are wound.

Since, however, the material of the straps can be adhesive, the straps could instead be other than continuous through the core and could be terminated at the ends of the core 3. It would also be possible to provide, instead of discrete straps, a single continuous strap extending helically, as a toroid coil, around the circumference of the body 2.

The core 3 supporting the coil may be formed equally well from materials other than cardboard, for example, plastics or other suitable material. The core constitutes the only truly "disposable" element of the self-supporting adhesive bead coiled roll shown in Figures 1 to 3.

In the self-supporting coiled roll structure of Figures 4 to 6, parts, similar to parts to the structure of Figures 1 to 3 are designated with the same reference numerals. The numeral 5 designates side flanges. Since this structure is particularly suitable for coiled rolls of large diameter and small depth or thickness, the straps or other tying means 4 are conveniently lead through the central aperture of the body 2 or of the core if provided.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8 respectively, modified side flanges 5, with notches or cut-outs for the purpose of-reducing the weight, may be provided.

In the still further simplified structure of Figure 9, both the core 3 and the side flanges 5 are omitted, the coiled roll structure 1 comprising in this instance only the coil body 2 formed by the bead wound around itself, and the straps or other typing means 4.

The latter, as in the previously described embodiments, may be either heat weldable straps, or made of a self- adhesive material, or they may be constituted by metal brackets or the like.

In a further structure embodying the invention, a coil body is provided which is not strictly selfsupporting, or in which the self-supporting capability of the coil body is increased, by the application of a thin layer of a glue, which may for example be sprayed, between the roll coiled layers.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that by the self-supporting coiled roll structures embodying this invention, both the manufacturing and material costs, involved in construction of conventional flanged supports or reels for coiled material, are drastically cut down. Thus, economies are secured, which are considerable when related in percentage terms to the actual cost of an adhesive bead coiled roll.

The structures provided by the invention have the added advantage that the roll bulk is reduced, which results in lesser storage cost and problems. At the same time, the self-supporting packages of this invention have a lower weight, and this results, in combination with the advantage just mentioned, in apprediable economies of packaging and shipping.

Also apparent is the advantage afforded in relation to environmental protection, of the elimination directly at the origin, of amounts of "disposable" material, and plastics in particular.

It is possible to use a differenttype of supporting core from the core shown, for example, a longitudinally slit core, or one formed with windows of any geometry, for reducing weight, in structures embodying the invention.

The dimensions and geometrical configurations of the coiled roll structures according to this invention, as well as the materials selected for its construction, may be of any suitable kind.

It is similarly possible to replace the typing straps with elastic clamps or the like, depending on the dimensions, weight and geometry of each individual roll.

Reference is now made to Figures 10 to 12, in which supporting devices embodying this invention, intended for winding the coiled roll on a winding machine, as well as for unwinding the selfsupporting coiled roll on a machine which uses it, are indicated generally by the reference numeral 6.

In Figure 10, the illustrated supporting device 6 comprises a first half 7 and a second half 8. Both halves are provided, as shown, with outwardly protruding collars 9, 10, through which holes, not shown, are formed for accommodating fasteners, illustrated as bolts 11, 12, inserted through corresponding holes, also not shown, provided in a spindle 13 of a winding machine, or unwinding apparatus, at desired spacings. Advantageously, the spindle 13 tapers slightly towards its free end 13a, to facilitate the withdrawal of a formed coiled roll structure 1 from the winding machine, or the application of a coiled roll structure 1 to an unwinding apparatus.

In Figure 10, there is indicated by chain-dotted lines a core 3 for forming cored coiled rolls 1, and, in dotted lines, side flanges 5, for example, of-cardboard, for forming coiled roll structures 1 having side flanges only, as explained above.

The embodiment of Figure 11 differs from that of Figure 10 in that it includes a core 14 made of two halves 14a, 14b, which are jointed to each other. The numeral 15 designates a locating and locking ele mentor positioning and securing the flanges 5 on the spindle 13.

The flanges 5 shown in Figure 10 are provided with radial slots 16 through which the straps or tying means 4 are passed. To facilitate the application of such straps, it is possible to provide, even for the other coiled roll types, slots through the flanges of the supporting device halves 7, 8, as well as in the spindle 13, as will be observed in Figures 10 and 11.

Both to withdraw a completed roll structure 1 from a winding machine, and to install a self-supporting coiled roll onto a machine tool, it is necessaryto remove one support half 6,7 or 15 of the roll supporting device 6.

Figure 12 shows an alternative form which each half of the roll supporting device 6 can take. A coilar-like portion is again provided with holes for accommodating bolts or other fastening means for securementto the spindle 13, and with cut-outs at the end which is adjacent the side flange 5, or the roll itself if no side flange 5 is employed, for passage of tying means through the grooves in the spindle.

Extending outwardly from this collar-like portion are tabs, which can take for example a cross-shaped configuration as shown, and which engage the associated side flange 5 or the side of the roll structure.

Although, for the sake of simplicity, reference has been made above to a solid state adhesive bead coiled roll, the invention is also applicable to other bead or cord materials of the hot-melt type.

In practising the invention, individual components may be replaced with other technically and operationally equivalent ones. The dimensions and materials, as well as the configuration and geometrical sizing of the individual parts may also be selected as desired.

Claims (20)

1. A roll stucture of coiled bead of solid state adhesive or other hot melt material, the structure being rendered substantially self-supporting by tying means and/or adhesive.

2. A roll structure as claimed in claim 1 having a tubular supporting core.

3. A roll structure as claimed in claim 2 having the tying means, the ends of the tying means being secured to or within the core.

4. A roll structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2 having the tying means, the tying means extending through the central opening of the structure.

5. A roll structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein the tying means comprises an elongate element wound helically around at least a major part of the coiled bead.

6. A roll structure as claimed in claim 4wherein the tying means comprises a plurality of loops of elongate material around the coiled bead.

7. A roll structure as claimed in claim 3,4,5 or6 wherein the tying means comprise straps of an adhesive or hot-melt type material.

8. A roll structure as claimed in claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon wherein the tubular core is apertured.

9. A roll structure as claimed in any preceding claim having two side flanges.

10. A roll structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein the side flanges are apertured.

11. A roll structure as claimed in any preceding claim having the adhesive, the adhesive having been applied by spraying.

12. A roll structure substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figures 4 to 6, Figures 4 to 6 as modified by Figure 7 or Figure 8, or Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.

13. Asupporting devicefora coiled roll structure as claimed in any preceding claim, the supporting device comprising two detachable halves for removable association with the spindle of a winding machine or an unwinding apparatus.

14. A supporting device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the two support halves each have a flange provided with a collar portion, the collar portion being formed with a hole or holes for accommodating fastening members for securement of the device to the spindle.

15. A supporting device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the flanges have radial slots for passage of the tying means.

16. A supporting device as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15 having a cylindrical core comprising two core portions with mating profiles.

17. A supporting device as claimed in claim 14, 15 or 16 having ring or collar shaped locking elements, each with tabs for engaging a respective one of the flanges, and with holes for accommodating fastening members for securement to the spindle.

18. Asupporting device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the tabs have the form of a cross.

19. A supporting device substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 10, Figure 11 or Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 19 in association with a winding spindle, the spindle having longitudinal slots or grooves for passage of the tying means.