HK1085445B - Bundles of rolls and method for production thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a package of rolls consisting of an insulating strip in a fibrous product, having an initial density, including several rolls, each having one axis, a peripheral surface and the first and second ends, and arranged side by side with their parallel axes, in several rows superimposed,a wrapping film covering at least the peripheral surface of each roll of the insulating strip, which, when rolled up on itself, has a density greater than the initial density, and a wrapping film covering each row of several rolls, in a compressed state of the rolls against each other in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the first rolls, and covering at least part of the peripheral surface of the rolls in the row.

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

Such packages have been known for a long time, and are described, for example, in EP-B-0 220 980 and EP-B-0 524 062.

The disadvantage of these known packages is that the rows of rolls have a diabolo shape, as the compression effect is concentrated in the middle of the rolls. After the rolls are straightened upright, they must therefore have a larger storage area. Furthermore, when stacking packages, the stacked packages must be banded over the wrapping film already applied to each package, the band used for this purpose partially covering itself during the banding process, which involves excessive use of packaging material.

Finally, the rolls, after the fibre strip has been wrapped on itself, have a density value determined by the diameter of the roll and the quality of the wool which must meet certain physical properties after rolling. After the packaging has been made, given the formation of gaps between the rolls arranged in stacked rows, the overall density of the packaging has a noticeable loss in relation to the density of the product which had been acquired when the roll was wrapped.

The density of the material at the base of these articles, such as paper, fabric, etc., does not have to be changed during the formation of the packages and the cylindrical shape of the articles is maintained throughout the process (see for example US-A-5.129.211 and US-A-6.021.890).

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to develop a roll package of an insulating strip into a fibrous product which is mechanically strong, of stable and standardized dimensions, and a simple and inexpensive manufacturing process enabling such packages to be made.

For this purpose, a roll package as described above is provided, which also includes a sleeve that encloses the rows of rollers wrapped, superimposed, in a compressed state of the rows against each other in a second direction perpendicular to the axes of the rollers and perpendicular to the first direction, and covers the first and second ends of the rolls of the package and at least part of the peripheral surface of the rolls of an upper and a lower row of the said superimposed rows of the package, the package thus formed having a final density at least 90% and preferably 95% higher than the initial density.

The very particular advantage of this package is that the rolls are packed, not only peripherally, but also along their entire length so that their ends are kept compressed by the sleeve and that the rolls do not take on a diabolo shape, which requires a larger pallet surface, and therefore storage and transport.

The effect of the two successive compression in two perpendicular directions is to maintain the density acquired during roll rolling in the packed product.

The two successive compression operations give the rollers a square section which is advantageously rounded at the corners, thus reducing the intervals between rollers to a minimum.

Whereas at present, by stacking rows of rolls, the packaging produced loses a large part of its density by creating empty spaces between the stacked rolls, the package according to the invention compressed in two mutually perpendicular directions and kept in this compressed state recovers this density loss.

Following an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sleeve extends over the entire first and second ends of all rolls of the package.

In this way, when the pack is straightened so that the rolls are arranged vertically for stacking several packages, the rolls cannot come into contact with a substrate, such as soil, or with the outer atmosphere on their upper side, so that there is no longer a risk of damage to the wool from contact with dirt or moisture.

The packing film, wrapping film and/or sleeve are made of a non-extractable plastic material, according to an improved embodiment of the invention. The compression of the rolls and the package can be achieved and maintained by a single wrapping film and a single sleeve respectively.

The present invention relates not only to a package of rolls as described in the invention, but also to a stack of such packages, usually two, sometimes more.

The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing such a package, or stacking packages.

For this purpose, a manufacturing process for rolls conforming to the invention has been devised, which includes: a rolling of an insulating strip into a fibrous product, having an initial density, so as to form rolls which will then have a density higher than that initial density,a first wrapping of each roll with a wrapping film covering at least the above peripheral surface,an arrangement in rows of several rolls supported side by side with their parallel axes,a first compression of the rolls in each row against each other following a first direction perpendicular to the axes of the rolls,a second wrapping of several rows of rolls with a wrapping film,a compressed state resulting from the first compression, so as to cover at least part of the peripheral surface of the roller in the row,a superposition of several rows of rolls thus coated,and a second compression of rows of coated rollers, superimposed, against each other, following a second direction perpendicular to the axes of the rollers and perpendicular to the first direction, This process also includes a third sleeve wrapping of the rows of rollers wrapped, superimposed, in a compressed state resulting from the second compression, so as to cover both ends of the rolls of the package and at least part of the peripheral surface of the rolls of the top and bottom row of those superimposed rows of the package,the resulting package having a final density at least 90% and preferably 95% of the initial density.

Other forms of packaging and packaging stacking according to the invention, as well as other methods of process production according to the invention, are given in the claims annexed.

Other details and particulars of the invention will be described below, but not limited to, by reference to the attached drawings.

Figures 1 to 4 show a perspective view of the steps of a packaging process according to the invention, up to the stacking of the rows of rolls.

Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of the compression and packaging by a sleeve of the stacking of rows of rolls.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the stacking of the rows of rolls in the compressed state.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a rolling stock following the finished invention.

Figures 8 to 10 show a perspective view of the steps of straightening packages following the invention, stacking and housing stacked packages.

The same or similar elements shall be indicated by the same references in the different drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematically known roll 1 formed from an insulation strip (24) in a compressible, fibrous product such as glass wool or mineral wool. This roll has an axis 2, a peripheral surface 3 and two end surfaces 4 and 5. The fibrous material underwent during the roll winding a compression determined by the physical properties that the wool must have in the unrolled state. Its peripheral surface 3 was then wrapped in a way that is known in itself by a packaging film (25). The formed roll thus has a first determined density and a diameter of a given end surface. In the example above the diameter of the roll can vary widely, for example from 380 mm to 500 mm and the width of the roll can vary according to the needs.

The rollers 1 thus formed are arranged side by side with their parallel axes to form a row of 6 rollers (see Figure 2). In the example shown, the length L1 of the row is, for example, 1,400 to 2,000 mm. It is understood that, depending on the diameter of the end surfaces 4 and 5 of the rollers 1, any appropriate number of rollers, preferably three or four, as shown, may be arranged.

This row 6 of rolls 1 is, as shown in Figure 3, wrapped in wrapping film 7 after the rolls have been compressed against each other in a direction illustrated by the F1 arrows, which is perpendicular to the axes 2 of the rolls. The rolls have, as a result of a compression force e.g. of the order of 1.5 tonnes, an oval-shaped section and the L2 length of the compressed row, in the illustrated example, becomes very free of 1.330 mm. The wrapping film 7 is preferably made of a ribbon made of a non-extensible plastic material, e.g. high-density polyethylene, so that the wrapping film feels the rolls of row 6 in their perfectly compressed state.

In a package according to the invention, several rows of rolls as shown in Figure 3 are then stacked as shown in Figure 4. An appropriate number of rows of rolls, compressed and wrapped, may be stacked, e.g. three rows, as shown. This results in 12 rolls in package 8 shown, and for example 9 rolls if each row has only 3 rolls.

All the steps of manufacture up to the formation of the package shown in Figure 4 are known in a very general way in the previous state of the art. For example, one may refer in particular to EP-B-0 220 980.

It should be noted at this stage that, by the presence of gaps 9 between the rolls and the rows of rolls in the package, the package has a density loss of up to 30% and sometimes more compared to the density of a roll which has just been rolled.

It should also be noted that in the case of packages according to the previous state of the art where no vertical compression takes place, the diameter of the rolls must always be fixed at the beginning, if a package with approximately the same volume is to be obtained.

The package according to the invention, as shown in Figure 6, has rows of rollers stacked in a compressed state of rows against each other in a direction illustrated by the arrow F2. A compression force of about 2 tonnes can thus be applied. The direction F2 is not only perpendicular to the axis 2 of the rollers 1, but also to the direction of the first compression illustrated by the arrows F1 in Figure 3. This second compression has the effect of removing the ovalisation of the rollers, but also to remove to a large extent the empty spaces 9, giving the rollers a square section rounded at the corners (see Figure 6).

As shown in Figure 7, a sleeve 10 encloses the rows of rollers wrapped, superimposed, in the compressed state thus obtained. This sleeve covers the end surfaces 4 and 5 of the rollers, preferably extending over all of these surfaces. This sleeve, advantageously made of a non-extendable plastic material such as high-density polyethylene, keeps the rollers in their compression state obtained after the second compression. In the example of embodiment illustrated, the package following the invention as shown in Figure 7 has a width of 1,200 mm, a length of L2 of 1,330 mm and a height of 1,200 mm. The volume of the package obtained after the standard rolls is equal to or greater than the same diameter of the rolls normally used, and therefore the rolls can be obtained in a band of 5 mm. The length of the rolls is not equal to or greater than the same diameter.

The advantage is that the width of the strip can be varied without requiring modification of the invention process, since the sleeve is applied over the length of the rolls.

To make a package as described in Figure 5 from a known package as shown in Figure 4, various appropriate means, known to the average person, can be used.

As an example, a device for this purpose is provided, which is shown schematically in Figure 5. The roller package shown in Figure 4 is inserted between two conveyors 11 and 12. Conveyor 11 consists of a rotating band around a chassis that can be moved up and down following the double arrow F3 by means of a controller 13 of the type of motor-rack, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, etc. The package is inserted, while the conveyor 11 is in the high position indicated in the desired lines. The 2 axes of the rollers are arranged parallel to the high forward movement shown by the arrow F4. Once the top of the package is completely between the two conveyors 11 and 12, the package is compressed in this way until the desired value of the displacement is reached, the object is moved to the lower axis.

In the illustrated embodiment, two strips of packaging material 13 and 14 are extended in front of the exit of conveyors 11 and 12 welded end to end at 21°. The still bare end surfaces on one side of the rollers are applied to these strips 13 and 14 and drawn from the outlets 15 and 16 in the forward direction F4. Meanwhile the package moves between two new conveyors 17 and 18 which are spaced the same distance as conveyors 11 and 12 when conveyor 11 is in the low position.At this time, 19 and 20 moving jaws, going back and forth in the direction indicated by the double arrows F5 and F6, pinch strips 13 and 14 against each other. In the illustrated example, these jaws in a tight position allow two horizontal welds, close and parallel, to be made to ensure the sleeve closes, while both strips 13 and 14 are welded end to end for the next package.The sleeve retains the effects of the second compression even when it leaves conveyors 17 and 18.

It is understandable to a professional that other suitable means of compressing and packaging could be used, for example, one can only use one opening and one strip, other welding methods for the 13th and 14th strips, and the direction of the packaging could be oblique or even vertical.

It may also be considered to move the strip forward in relation to the package, to obtain the packaging shown in Figure 7.

The package according to the invention is then, in a way that is known to itself, straightened so that the two axes of the rollers are arranged vertically.

The stacking 22 thus formed is very strong and is protected on all sides from weather and dirt. Finally, a cover 23 can be provided to cover the whole, as shown in Figure 10.

Tests were carried out using various rolls.

In the examples of inventions 1 to 8, the rolls are arranged in rows, each row being compressed, wrapped and then stacked, and the stacked rows are further compressed and wrapped in a sleeve, as described above.

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

This table shows, on the one hand, the very high flexibility of the band length to be wrapped for packages according to the invention and, on the other hand, the absence of density loss, while the package dimensions remain perfectly standard.

It is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments and that many modifications can be made to it without going beyond the scope of the attached claims.

Claims (17)

1. A bundle (8) of rolls (1) formed of an insulation strip (24) made of a fibrous product having an initial density, said bundle comprising

   - several aforementioned rolls (1), each having an axis (2), a peripheral surface (3) and first and second ends (4, 5), and being arranged one next to the other with their axes parallel, in a number of superposed rows (6),

   - a packaging film (25) which covers at least said peripheral surface (3) of each roll of the insulation strip which, when wound up on itself, has a density which is greater than said initial density, and

   - a wrapping film (7) which wraps each row (6) of several rolls, in a compressed state of the rolls against one another in a first direction (F1) perpendicular to the axes (2) of the rolls, and which covers at least part of the peripheral surface (3) of the rolls of the row,

   characterized in that said bundle furthermore comprises

   - a sleeve (10) which encloses the wrapped and superposed rows (6) of rolls (1), in a compressed state of the rows against one another in a second direction (F2) perpendicular to the axes (2) of the rolls and perpendicular to said first direction (F1), and which covers the first and second ends (4, 5) of the rolls of the bundle and at least part of the peripheral surface (3) of the rolls of a top row and of a bottom row of said superposed rows of the bundle (8),

   the bundle thus formed having a final density which is at least equal to 90%, preferably 95%, of said density which is greater than the initial density.
2. The bundle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the final density of the bundle is greater than or equal to said density which is greater than the initial density.
3. The bundle as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, in the bundle, the rolls have a square cross section which is rounded at the corners.
4. The bundle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wrapping film (7) extends, on said at least part of the peripheral surface of the rolls which it covers, from the first end (4) of the rolls to the second end (5).
5. The bundle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sleeve (10) extends over all of the first and second ends (4, 5) of all of the rolls (1) of the bundle.
6. The bundle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the packaging film (25), the wrapping film (7) and/or the sleeve (10) are made of a non-extensible plastics material.
7. A stack (21) of at least two bundles (8) of rolls (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The stack as claimed in claim 7, in which the rolls (1) of each bundle (8) are arranged with their axes (2) in the vertical position and the stack has a bottom surface and a top surface which are covered by an aforementioned sleeve (10).
9. The stack as claimed in either one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it comprises a cover (22) which surrounds said at least two stacked bundles.
10. A method for producing a bundle of rolls as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising

    - a winding-up of an insulation strip made of a fibrous product, having an initial density, so as to form rolls (1) having then a density which is greater than said initial density,

    - a first wrapping of each roll (1) with a packaging film which covers at least their aforementioned peripheral surface,

    - an arrangement of several aforementioned rolls one next to the other with their axes parallel to form rows,

    - a first compression one against the other of the rolls of each row (6) in a first direction perpendicular to the axes of the rolls,

    - a second wrapping with a wrapping film of each row (6) of several rolls, in a compressed state resulting from the first compression, so as to cover at least part of the peripheral surface of the rolls of the row,

    - a superposition of several rows of rolls thus wrapped, and

    - a second compression one against the other of wrapped and superposed rows of rolls in a second direction perpendicular to the axes of the rolls and perpendicular to said first direction,

    characterized in that said method furthermore comprises

    - a third wrapping with a sleeve (10) of the wrapped and superposed rows of rolls, in a compressed state resulting from the second compression, so as to cover the two ends of the rolls of the bundle and at least part of the peripheral surface of the rolls of a top row and of a bottom row of said superposed rows of the bundle (8),

    the bundle (8) thus formed having a final density which is at least equal to 90%, preferably 95%, of said density which is greater than the initial density.
11. The production method as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the third wrapping comprises advancing the wrapped and superposed rows (6) of rolls in a direction of advance which is parallel to the axes of the rolls.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that

    - during this advance, a pressing of one of the ends of the rolls of the superposed rows (6) against two strips of packaging material which are sealed end to end, and a covering with these strips of said one of the ends of the rolls and then of at least part of the peripheral surfaces of the rolls of said top and bottom rows,

    - a joining of the two strips by applying them along the other of the ends of the rolls of the superposed rows, with the strips being sealed together, and

    - a cutting of the sealed strips so as thus to form, on the one hand, a sleeve (10) which covers the superposed rows of rolls and, on the other hand, once again two strips of packaging material which are sealed end to end.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the third wrapping comprises advancing a strip of packaging material around the bundle (8) of rolls, in a direction of advance which is parallel to the axes of the rolls, so as to form said sleeve (10).
14. The method as claimed in one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the aforementioned direction of advance is horizontal and in that the method furthermore comprises, after said third wrapping, setting the bundle (8) upright so that the axes of the rolls are arranged vertically, and so that each bundle has a bottom surface and a top surface which are covered by the aforementioned sleeve (10).
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a stacking of at least two bundles (8) of rolls so as to form a stack having a bottom surface and a top surface which are covered by an aforementioned sleeve.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a covering of the stack of bundles (8) of rolls.
17. The method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, during the second compression, the rolls (1) acquire a square cross section which is rounded at the corners.