Supply roll with functional marker, method for handling flat material and/or strip material wound onto supply rolls, as well as system for handling flat material and/or strip material

Abstract

The disclosed supply roll (5) comprises a roll core (6); flat material and/or strip material (8) being carried on the roll core (6) in a multitude of windings; and at least one functional marker (2). The at least one functional marker (2) is placed in a specified relative position at an externally arranged free end section (7) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) such that information about the relative position of the free end section (7) is optically identifiable by way of the at least one functional marker (2).

Claims

1. A method for handling flat material and/or strip material (8) wound onto a supply roll (5), comprising: applying at least one adhesive marker (3) in a position onto an externally arranged free end section (7) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) on a supply roll (5), wherein the at least one adhesive marker (3) comprises a transparent window (24) through which an end edge (18) of the externally arranged free end section (7) is visible; positioning the supply roll (5) on a retaining mandrel (15); optically identifying the position of the at least one functional marker (2); aligning the free end section (7) based on the optical identification step; and extracting the free end section (7) from the supply roll (5).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the supply roll (5)comprises: a roll core (6) and flat material and/or strip material (8) being carried on the roll core (6) in a multitude of windings; wherein the at least one adhesive marker (3) is placed in a position at an externally arranged free end section (7) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) such that information about the position of the free end section (7) is optically identifiable by way of the at least one adhesive marker (3).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one adhesive marker (3) comprises a plurality of adhesive markers (3).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one adhesive marker (3) further comprises at least one second mark (20), which aligns the at least one adhesive marker (3) to a center position with regard to the longitudinal extension of the supply roll (5).

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the at least one second mark (20) is comprised by the transparent window (24).

6. The method of claim 1, comprising an RFID transponder (25).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the RFID transponder (25) is a component of the at least one adhesive marker (3).

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the aligning step comprises rotating the supply roll (5) on the retaining mandrel (15).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the applying step comprises applying the at least one adhesive marker (3) onto the externally arranged free end section (7) at least approximately centrally on the end edge (18).

10. The method of 9, with wherein the at least one adhesive marker (3) is attached to the free end section (7) and to a layer (11) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) adjacent to the free end section (7), such that the at least one adhesive marker (3) fastens the free end section (7) to the adjacent layer (11).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a first adhesive bond between the free end section (7) and the adhesive marker (3) is stronger than a second adhesive bond between the adjacent layer (11) and the adhesive marker (3).

12. An apparatus (100) for handling flat material and/or strip material (8) wound onto supply rolls (5), the apparatus comprising: a device (50) to apply at least one functional marker (2) in a position onto an externally arranged free end section (7) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) on a supply roll (5), wherein the at least one functional market (2) comprises a transparent window (24) through which an end edge (18) of the externally arranged free end section (7) is visible; at least one installation position (EB) for the rotating reception of supply rolls (5) of flat material and/or film material (8); a handling device (10) for mounting the particular supply roll (5) into the at least one installation position (EB); an optical detection device (30) for identifying a position of the at least one functional marker (2); and one or more devices for aligning the free end section (7) of a particular supply roll (5) based on the optical detection such that the free end section (7) of a particular supply roll (5) in the installation position (EB) has a predefined position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the device (50) comprising at least one printing station (52) for printing at least one functional marker (2) in a position onto the externally arranged free end section (7) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) on a particular supply roll (5).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In the following passages, the attached figures further illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages. The size ratios of the individual elements in the figures do not necessarily reflect the real size ratios. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in relation to other elements to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a supply roll according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the functional marker of the supply roll of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a further functional marker such as can be used for various embodiments of a supply roll according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a further functional marker such as can be used for various embodiments of a supply roll according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a supply roll according to the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; and

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates steps such as can be part of the implementation of the method according to the invention and shows a plurality of devices or, as the case may be, stations such as can be designed as part of various embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The same or equivalent elements of the invention are designated by identical reference characters. Furthermore and for the sake of clarity, only the reference characters relevant for describing the individual figures are provided. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

(10) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a supply roll 5 according to the invention. The supply roll 5 has a roll core 6 that can be made of cellulose or plastic, for example, and that is designed as a hollow cylinder. By way of the hollow cylindrical design, the supply roll 5 or, as the case may be, the roll core 6 can be positioned on a retaining mandrel 15 or, as the case may be, can be picked up by a handling device 10 and positioned on a retaining mandrel 15 (cf. FIG. 5).

(11) Flat material and/or strip material 8 in a multitude of windings is carried on the roll core 6. The flat material and/or strip material 8 is shrink film 9.

(12) The supply roll 5 furthermore comprises a functional marker 2, in the present instance designed as adhesive marker 3, which is attached in specified relative position to an externally arranged free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, of the shrink film 9. If the position of the functional marker 2 is known or, as the case may be, if the position of the functional marker 2 has been identified, it is hereby possible to draw conclusions as to the relative position of the free end section 7.

(13) The supply roll 5 rests on a holding block 12, which limits the freedom of movement of the supply roll 5 on the holding block 12 by way of two lateral stops 14. It is conceivable, for example, that the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 is applied onto the supply roll 5 or, as the case may be, onto the free end section 7 of the supply roll 5 while the supply roll 5 rests on the holding block 12. It is also possible that the supply roll 5 is placed onto the holding block 12 and at that point already has a functional marker 2, and that said supply roll 5 is mounted into an installation position EB (cf. FIG. 6) of a packaging machine from the holding block 12.

(14) The FIGS. 1 and 2 in conjunction illustrate the relative position of the functional marker 2 at the free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, of the shrink film 9. The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 has a first mark 22, which is designed as transparent window 24 and runs in a straight line. The adhesive marker 3 is attached to the free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, of the shrink film 9 such that an end edge 18 of the free end section 7 extends completely along the mark 22 or, as the case may be, along the transparent window 24. Since the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 itself is designed as sticker or, as the case may be, itself forms an adhesive application on its broadside surface facing toward the flat material and/or strip material 8, it is possible to glue the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 manually onto the free end section 7 such that the end edge 18 is identifiable through the transparent window 24. After attaching the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 to the free end section 7, the transparent window 24 allows a verification with regard to a correct position of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of the adhesive marker 3. If the end edge 18 cannot be identified in the transparent window 24, the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 is removed and again attached to the free end section 7, as required.

(15) About halfway into the longitudinal extension of the supply roll 5, a marking 16 is applied along the path of a winding onto the supply roll 5 or, as the case may be, onto the flat material and/or strip material 8. The FIGS. 1 and 2 in conjunction furthermore illustrate a specific positioning of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of the adhesive marker 3 in relation to the marking 16. The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 thus has a further, second mark 20 running about vertically or perpendicularly to the mark 22 and likewise being designed as transparent window 24. Both marks 20 and 22 form a T shape. The mark 20 or, as the case may be, the mark 20 designed as transparent window 24 also runs in a straight line. The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 is applied onto the free end section 7 or, as the case may be, is linked to the free end section 7 in such a manner that the marking 16 extends along the mark 20 or, as the case may be, along the transparent window 24 of the mark 20. The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 is hereby placed about centrally with regard to the longitudinal extension of the supply roll 5 onto the free end section 7 of the supply roll 5. The mark 20 or, as the case may be, the mark 20 designed as transparent window 24 also allows a verification of the correct position of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of the adhesive marker 3 after being attached to the free end section 7. If the marking 16 cannot be identified in the transparent window 24, the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 can be removed from the end section 7 and repositioned on the free end section 7 such that the marking 16 extends along the mark 20 or, as the case may be, along the transparent window 24.

(16) If the position of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 is identified, it is hereby possible to draw conclusions as to the position of the free end section 7 and also as to the position or, as the case may be, the dimensions of the supply roll 5. After the optical identification of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of the adhesive marker 3, it is then possible for the free end section 7 to be taken hold of and for the free end section 7 to be extracted from the supply roll 5 without difficulties.

(17) FIG. 1 moreover shows that the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 fastens the free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 to an externally arranged layer 11 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 that is adjacent to the free end section 7. The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 is thus glued both onto the free end section 7 and onto the externally arranged layer 11 such that the free end section 7 or, as the case may be, the flat material and/or strip material 8 cannot be unintentionally unwound. By way of the triangular design of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of the adhesive marker 3, the adhesive force formed between the free end section 7 and the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 is greater than an adhesive force formed between the externally arranged layer 11 and the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3. The free end section 7 can thus simply be extracted, with the adhesive bond between the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 and the externally arranged layer 11 being undone, whereas the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 remains attached to the free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a further functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, adhesive marker 3 such as can be used for various embodiments of a supply roll 5 according to the invention (cf. FIG. 1). The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 2 also has a mark 22, which assigns to the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, to the adhesive marker 3 a specific rotary position with regard to the end edge 18 (cf. FIG. 1) of the externally arranged free end section 7. Just like the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 2, the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 in FIG. 3 also has a mark 20, which assigns to the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, to the adhesive marker 3 a center position with regard to the longitudinal extension of the supply roll 5. By way of the mark 20 and with the help of the marking 16 (cf. FIG. 1), the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 can be centrally aligned. The marks 20 and 22 are again each designed as transparent windows 24.

(19) The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 3 in addition has an RFID transponder 25 fixedly linked to the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, to the adhesive marker 3. The RFID transponder 25 can have information stored on it about the particular supply roll 5, onto which the adhesive marker 3 is glued. In this instance it is conceivable that information, for example, on the number of windings, on the type of the particular flat material and/or strip material 8, on the amount of the longitudinal extension of the supply roll 5 and/or other information is stored on the RFID transponder 25. It is then possible to read the information from the RFID transponder 25 with an RFID reader, which is not illustrated in the figures of the present patent application, and which can be disposed in the area of an installation position EB (cf. FIG. 6), for example.

(20) If information about the number of windings on the supply roll 5 is stored on the RFID transponder 25, it can be provided that a packaging machine is controlled in consideration of the stored information after reading it from the RFID transponder 25. In the instance of the number of windings having been stored, the packaging machine can indicate a necessary replacement of the supply roll 5, if applicable, or it can initiate a replacement of the almost completely depleted supply roll 5 or, as the case may be, it can carry out an automated replacement.

(21) The embodiment from FIG. 3 with an RFID transponder 25 is to be understood by way of example. It can thus be provided that the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 provides information via encodings about the supply roll 5 instead of the RFID transponder 25 or in addition to the RFID transponder 25. The encodings can be formed, for example, as QR code, barcode, and/or other encodings.

(22) It is also conceivable that the supply roll 5 forms a pocket in the free end section 7, in which pocket an RFID transponder 25 can be accommodated and fastened to the free end section 7. In these conceivable embodiments, the RFID transponder is not a component of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of the adhesive marker 3. FIG. 4 shows a further functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, adhesive marker 3 such as can be used for various embodiments of a supply roll 5 according to the invention. The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 is designed to be almost completely transparent and furthermore has marks 20 and 22 where a specified relative position of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of the adhesive marker 3 at the free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 is indicated. In the embodiment of a functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of an adhesive marker 3 according to FIG. 4, the marks 20 and 22 are designed as arrow-based illustrations 26. Other symbols or, as the case may be, other designs can alternatively also be provided for the marks 20 and 22 in order to indicate the corresponding relative position for the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 at the free end section 7 and, as required, its center alignment to the supply roll 5.

(23) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a supply roll 5 according to the invention. Just like the supply roll 5 from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the supply roll 5 of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 5 also forms a free end section 7 with end edge 18. The flat material and/or strip material 8 of the supply roll 5 is shrink film 9. The flat material and/or strip material 8 is carried on a roll core 6, which is positioned on a retaining mandrel 15 of an installation position EB (cf. FIG. 6).

(24) The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 of FIG. 5 furthermore has a mark 20 extending along an end edge 18 of the free end section 7 or, as the case may be, of the flat material and/or strip material 8. The mark 20, the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 can simply be applied or, as the case may be, glued in specified relative position onto the free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the free end section 7 is also fastened to an adjacent layer of the flat material and/or strip material 8 by way of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, by way of the adhesive marker 3, such that the free end section 7 is held substantially immovable to the supply roll 5 by way of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, by way of the adhesive marker 3. In contrast to the functional markers 2 or, as the case may be, to the adhesive markers 3 from the FIGS. 1 to 4, the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 here has a plurality of triangular marks 27 positioned along the end edge 18 of the free end section 7. In conceivable further embodiments, the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 can also extend with its triangular marks 27 over or, as the case may be, along the entire end edge 18.

(25) Even with an inaccurate axial positioning of the supply roll 5 on the retaining mandrel 15 or, as the case may be, with an inaccurate axial alignment of the supply roll 5 in relation to the detection device 30, can the optical detection device 30 identify a particular position of the free end section 7 by way of the plurality of triangular marks 27. In the present instance, the triangular marks 27 are to be understood merely as an example, so that in various other embodiments it is also possible for other marks or, as the case may be, other symbols to be provided, so that the supply roll 5 or, as the case may be, the free end section 7 can be aligned with the help of the optical detection device 30.

(26) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus or system 100 according to the invention. The apparatus 100 is provided for handling flat material and/or strip material 8 wound onto supply rolls 5.

(27) The apparatus 100 comprises a device 50 (cf. FIG. 7), which is not illustrated in FIG. 5, and so that the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 can be applied in specified relative position onto the externally arranged free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, of the shrink film 9. The functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 in FIG. 5 is already linked to or, as the case may be, applied onto the externally arranged free end section 7.

(28) Further discernible in FIG. 6 is an installation position EB for the rotating reception of the supply roll 5. For this purpose, a retaining mandrel 15, which can be splayed for clampingly holding the supply roll 5, is disposed in the installation position EB. The supply roll 5 is slid onto the retaining mandrel 15 by way of the handling device 10. The handling device 10 can take hold of the supply roll 5 by way of an own mandrel 28 and place the supply roll 5 on the retaining mandrel 15. The retaining mandrel 15 is linked to an actuator 40 or, as the case may be, the retaining mandrel 15 can be rotatingly moved by way of the actuator 40.

(29) Furthermore, an optical detection device 30, for example possibly designed as camera system 32, is disposed in the area of the installation position EB. By way of the optical detection device 30, it is possible to identify a position of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of the adhesive marker 3. The handling device 10, the actuator 40, and the optical detection device 30 or, as the case may be, the camera system 32 are linked to a control device S. When the position of the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, of the adhesive marker 3 has been identified by the optical detection device 30 or, as the case may be, by the camera system 32, the control device S controls a rotating movement of the retaining mandrel 15, as the case may be, by way of the actuator 40 such that the functional marker 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive marker 3 is hereby brought into a predefined desired position. A suction device and/or gripping device or, as the case may be, a suction rod, which is not illustrated in the Figures of the present patent application, can then take hold of and extract the free end section 7 of the supply roll 5. The flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, the shrink film 9 of the supply roll 5 can subsequently be heat-sealed to a flat material and/or strip material or, as the case may be, to a shrink film of a further supply roll.

(30) As shown in FIG. 3, the supply roll 5 or, as the case may be, the functional marker 2 can have an RFID transponder 25. At least one reader for the RFID transponder 25 can then be disposed in the area of the installation position EB and/or can be carried by the handling device 10.

(31) FIG. 7 illustrates steps such as can be part of the implementation of the method according to the invention and shows a plurality of devices or, as the case may be, stations such as can be designed as part of various embodiments of the apparatus 100 according to the invention.

(32) Number 60 thus indicates an extruder with a plurality of rollers 70 and 80 disposed downstream in conveying direction from the extruder. Formed between the rollers 70 and 80 in conveying direction is a specific space, by way of which space the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, the shrink film 9 can be stretched in conveying direction. Number 85 indicates a contact roller, with an extending of the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, of the shrink film 9 being carried out in transverse direction between the contact roller 85 and the roller 80 that is last in conveying direction. After having passed the contact roller 85, the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, the shrink film 9 is guided further on to one of the winding rollers 91 to 93 by way of which the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, the shrink film 9 can be arranged on a roll core 6.

(33) When the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, the shrink film 9 has been completely arranged on the roll core 6, a severing of the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, of the shrink film 9 is performed via the cutting device 90. The cutting device 90 can be, for example, a cutting knife, and it can emit a laser beam for the purpose of the particular severing process. The winding rollers 91 to 93 can in each case be exchanged by way of the rewind turret 95 such that the winding rollers 91 to 93 can be selectively staged in order to arrange flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, shrink film 9 on a roll core 6 by one of the winding rollers 91 to 93.

(34) The winding rollers 91 to 93 and the rewind turret 95 together form the winding apparatus 98. A device 50 is disposed in the area of the winding apparatus 98, where the device 50 can apply a functional marker 2 (cf. FIGS. 1 to 6) or, as the case may be, an adhesive marker 3 onto the free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, of the shrink film 9. The device 50 is designed as printing station 52. In this context, a predefined relative position for the device 50 or, as the case may be, for the printing station 52 is provided in relation to the cutting device 90 and/or in relation to a contact element (not discernible in FIG. 7) for the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, for the shrink film 9 so that the functional marker 2 can be applied in specified relative position onto the free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, of the shrink film 9. By way of the predefined relative position of the device 50 or, as the case may be, of the printing station 52 in relation to the cutting device 90 or, as the case may be, in relation to the winding apparatus 98, it is possible, even in the instance of a plurality of consecutive supply rolls 5, to apply the particular functional marker 2 onto the particular free end section 7 of the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, of the shrink film 9 with high precision and in a reproducible manner. Embodiments have proved particularly successful in which the device 50 or, as the case may be, the printing station 52 applies a particular functional marker 2 onto the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, onto the shrink film 9 temporally immediately prior to a severing process being effected by the cutting device 90 on the flat material and/or strip material 8 or, as the case may be, on the shrink film 9.

(35) It should be additionally noted that the functional markers 2 or, as the case may be, the adhesive markers 3 can be equipped and used for transmitting and/or providing information and/or data about the film rolls 5 to a packaging machine and/or to a handling device 10. Other information carriers to be suitably used can be printed optical encodings or the mentioned RFID transponders 25.

(36) The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(37) 2 Functional marker 3 Adhesive marker 5 Supply roll 6 Roll core 7 Free end section 8 Flat material and/or strip material 9 Shrink film 10 Handling device 11 Externally arranged layer or adjacent layer 12 Holding block 14 Stop 15 Retaining mandrel 16 Marking 18 End edge 20 Second mark 22 First mark 24 Transparent window 25 RFID transponder 26 Arrow-based illustration 27 Triangular mark 28 Mandrel 30 Optical detection device 32 Camera system 40 Actuator 50 Device 52 Printing station 60 Extruder 70 Roller 80 Roller 85 Contact roller 90 Cutting device 91 Winding roller 92 Winding roller 93 Winding roller 95 Rewind turret 98 Winding apparatus 100 Apparatus EB Installation position S Control device