Abstract:
Roll of paperband usable in paper web cutting and turn-up systems or in baling includes an elongate multi-ply board having a center portion and side portions, each having an inside and outside edge portions and the inside edge portion being defined by a longitudinal first groove. Each side portion is folded to dispose same in contact with center portion. The paperband includes upper and lower transverse undulations to enable the board to be formed into a roll of paperband without materially affecting its tensile strength. The side edge portions may be located closely adjacent each other without any overlap therebetween so that a longitudinal line of weakness is formed therebetween or may overlap and render weakened edge portions. An adhesive coats the outer surface thereof when the paperband is used for baling.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is related to an application entitled “ROLL OF PAPERBAND” Ser. No. 10/617,418, filed Jul. 11, 2003; and an application entitled “ROLL OF PAPERBAND” Ser. No. 10/878,727, filed Jun. 28, 2004. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Technical Field  
         [0005]     This invention relates to a roll of paperband wherein the paperband includes longitudinal indentations and transverse undulations to create a corrugated structure to control stiffness and flexibility of the band as desired.  
         [0006]     2. Prior Art  
         [0007]     It is a common practice in the papermaking and packaging industries to employ a paperband or strap that is loaded into a channel of a track assembly and then removed rapidly out of the channel and employed to cut and spool a web of paper onto an empty spool or to be used to wrap around and secure a load, container or a bundle of material. Because the paperband should be stiff enough to be pushed into the channel from one end thereof, the band may twist or otherwise be distorted or separated during upward movment that is accomplished by a “stripping” action during removal from the paperband track assembly. This becomes a very important consideration in those applications where the width of the channel opening is made less than the width of the band or tape and the lower tape-carrying guide way of the channel in order to cover and carry the tape. An improved paperband is disclosed herein that greatly reduces the distortion and crimping common to prior art paperbands, reduces the wear on the guide way channel and its cover, and also reduces the separation of layers in some bands made from multiple layers.  
         [0008]     Examples of the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,526, which discloses multi-ply folded strip held together by adhesive. U.S. Pat. No. 3,126,312 discloses a plurality of elongate members aligned in a plane and held together by adhesive. U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,258 discloses a woven ribbon made of flat strips and weft filaments, which are held in place by adhesive.  
         [0009]     U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0131825 A1 (Jul. 8, 2004) discloses a strap constructed of a double layer of elongated paper elements secured with adhesive on at least a portion of the strap.  
         [0010]     None of the above-described paper devices is satisfactory for use in a paperband track assembly beneath wide paper machines for the reason that they do not have the required stiffness for such use.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a roll of paperband adaptable for use in paper web cutting and turn-up systems or for use in baling, the paperband comprising an elongate multi-ply board having upper and lower surfaces, and a center portion and spaced reduced side portions, each side portion having an inside edge portion and an outside edge portion, each inside edge portion being defined by an elongate longitudinal first groove between the center portion and respective side portion. Each side portion is folded about the respective groove to dispose each side portion in contact with an adjacent portion of the center portion. The side edge portions are located generally medially of the center portion. The paperband includes transverse undulations to enable the multi-ply board to be formed into a roll of paperband without materially affecting its tensile strength. The side edge portions are located closely adjacent each other without any overlap therebetween so that a longitudinal line of weakness is formed therebetween. An adhesive layer is located between each side edge portion and the center portion. An adhesive coating may be located on one surface or both surfaces of the paperband when the paperband is used for baling, depending on the type of adhesive. The undulation parameters are defined by and chosen to increase or decrease stiffness and stretchability. The undulations are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the paperband. The adhesive layer is water-soluble. The side edge portions are in abutment with each other when said paperband is used for baling.  
         [0012]     In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a roll of paperband adaptable for use in paper web cutting and turn-up systems or for use in baling, the paperband including an elongate multi-ply board having upper and lower surfaces, and a center portion and spaced reduced side portions, each side portion having an inside edge portion and an outside edge portion, each inside edge portion being defined by an elongate longitudinal first groove between the center portion and respective side portion, each side portion being folded about respective groove to dispose each side portion in contact with an adjacent portion of the center portion. The side edge portions are located generally medially of the center portion to be located closely adjacent each other without any overlap therebetween so that a longitudinal line of weakness is formed therebetween to provide for longitudinal bending of the paperband about the line of weakness when the paperband is pulled from a track assembly. The paperband includes transverse undulations to enable the multi-ply board to be formed into a roll of paperband without materially affecting its tensile strength. There is also a coating of adhesive for securing the folded side portions to the center portion. The board includes several plies formed of cellulose fibers. The side edge portions preferably are in abutment with each other when the paperband is used for baling. The corrugations are formed to shorten the length of the paperband to provide a shock-absorbing function to minimize tearing of the paperband when tensile force is applied to the paperband.  
         [0013]     In a further aspect of the present invention a roll of paperband adaptable for use in paper web cutting and turn-up systems or for use in baling, the paperband being formed of an elongate multi-ply board having upper and lower surfaces, and a center portion and spaced reduced side portions, each side portion having an outside edge portion, each side portion being folded to dispose each side portion in contact with an adjacent portion of the center portion, the outside edge portions being located generally medially of the center portion. The paperband includes transverse undulations to enable the multi-ply board to be formed into a roll of paperband without materially affecting its tensile strength. The outside side edge portions are located closely adjacent each other without any overlap therebetween so that a longitudinal line of weakness is formed therebetween. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0014]     The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an end diagrammatic exploded view of a first embodiment of the paperband in accord with the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the paperband of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged side diagrammatic view of the paperband of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art track assembly usable with the paperband of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side diagrammatic view of a roll of paperband in accord with the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is an end diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of a paperband in accord with the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is an end diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of a paperband in accord with the present invention illustrating the generally S-shaped folding; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a greatly enlarged view of one end of the paperband of  FIG. 7  after being pressed into final form.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0000]     Introduction  
         [0023]     The paperband disclosed herein is formed of a multi-ply board made by a multi-ply board machine with a chemical composition, weight and thickness selected for a particular application. As a general proposition however, the high degree of stiffness of a multi-ply board does not allow of a tun-up paperband cutting tape.  
         [0024]     The present paperband includes a series of staggered transverse indentations, undulations or formations that result in a “corrugated” profile and provide the desired flexibility without a significant sacrifice of overall strength.  
         [0025]     The lengthwise extent of the transverse indentations or undulations provides for a level of shock-absorbing capability because a slight stretching of the paperband can occur when high tensile forces are applied during rapid removal of the band from a turn-up track assembly or in strapping applications such as baling.  
         [0026]     As understood in the papermaking art, paper and paperband can be made in a manner to provide greater strength in the longitudinal direction represented by the direction of the paper through the papermaking machine. The present paperband employs board of 8 to 30 points and is stronger in the machine direction lengthwise than cross-machine direction by about 5:1. Preferably, the board is made of several plies formed of cellulose fibers bonded together and is manufactured on a multi-ply board machine.  
         [0027]     The paperband in a first embodiment is formed form a length of board by feeding the board through rollers to provide two spaced longitudinal scores or creases along the length of the board. Adhesive is applied to the upper surface between the scores or creases. The board is then folded by a forming die at the creases so that the side edges are folded inwardly and are closely adjacent each other or even in an abutting relationship over the medial line which may be scored longitudinally at the same time as the creases are formed and pressed to fix the adhesive. Then the board is fed through rollers to corrugate the board transversely. The joint between the outside edges—which may be a small gap—provides for the desired bending medially when the paperband is pulled from a track assembly and such bending may be enhanced by a score line therealong. In a second embodiment, the adhesive may be applied to the entire upper surface (see  FIG. 6 ) or in a third embodiment to opposed surfaces of the foldable edge portions beyond the creases (see  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0000]     Construction  
         [0028]     With respect now to the drawings, the paperband includes multi-ply board  11  folded to form gap  12 . Spaced pair of side grooves or creases  15  and a medial longitudinal line or narrow area of weakness  16  is formed by spaced side portions  13  and parallel medial portions  14  forming gap  12 . An interior surface  17  has an interior adhesive coating  19  thereon which holds the paperband together. An exterior surface  18  may have a heat or water-activated adhesive coating  20  if the paperband  10  is used for baling. If PVA is used for sealing the band, then the entire exterior surface  18  is preferably coated with adhesive coating  20  (as shown by dotted line  20 A in  FIG. 1 ). See, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,689. The dimensions of the paperband  10  are exaggerated for purposes of illustration.  
         [0029]     Transverse undulations or corrugations  21  are created to provide the desired flexibility and may be a wave-like or “sine wave” or any other form that may be appropriate depending upon the use to be made of the paperband  10 . Preferably, the roll  29  ( FIG. 5 ) is carried in a closed “loop box” (not shown) and may stow a large quantity of paperband  10  or  31 , each of which have transverse corrugations. The confined space of the box would severely limit the amount of paperband that can be carried if the paperband did not have the flexibility that results from the transverse corrugations  21  that are created.  
         [0030]     Preferably, corrugations  21  are created as shown in  FIG. 2  after the band  10  has been folded as shown in  FIG. 1 . The corrugations  21  allow for a slight elongation of the band  10  when under tension and provide a “shock absorber” function. Transverse score lines likely would weaken the tensile strength of the band  10  and thus is not encompassed by this invention.  
         [0031]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are views of the paperband having transverse undulations or corrugations  21  to create respective ridges or hills  22  and grooves or valleys  23  to create a corrugated structure of the band  10 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates a prior art track assembly  24  having a paperband carrier  25  formed with a channel  28 , two side guide shoulders  27  in grooves  26 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a side diagrammatic view of paperband  10 ,  31  or  38  wound in a roll  29  around center core  30 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates a second embodiment of the paperband  31  having partially overlapping side portions  32 ,  33  defined by longitudinal score lines  34 ,  35  and edges  37 . The section of the paperband  31  between the side portions  32 A,  33 A do not overlap, form longitudinal lines or narrow areas of weakness  36  since the edge portions are two layers of the multi-ply material which the center portion has three layers of the material and permit bending along  36  of the paperband  31  during turn-up or other uses.  
         [0035]     In  FIG. 7 , a third embodiment of a paperband  38  includes side portions  39  and  40  and a medial or center portion  45  folded to form a generally S-shape. The side portion  39  is folded about longitudinal score line  43  forming a “soft bend”  41 . The other side portion  40  is similarly folded about longitudinal score line  44  to form a “soft bend”  42 . Areas of weakness or flexible joints  48  and  49  are created during the transition from three layers to two layers. Adhesive layers  46  and  47  are shown on opposed surfaces of the paperband  38 , i.e., an upper surface of side portion  39  and a lower surface of side portion  40 . Alternately, the adhesive  46 ,  47  may be applied simultaneously to both surfaces of center portion  45 . This method may be accomplished by feeding the unfolded paperband board vertically to permit the adhesive  46 ,  47  to be sprayed on or otherwise applied to center portion  45  by any appropriate technology.  
         [0036]     The performance of paperband  38  is similar to that of paperbands  10 ,  31  in track pullout by way of flexing at joints  48  and  49 . After pressing to fix the adhesive  46 ,  47 , the desired transverse undulations are formed as in the other embodiments previously described. The soft bends  41  and  42  are formed in the manner described to provide the paperband  38  with substantially planar outer surfaces as the ends  50 ,  51  transition more smoothly with adjacent portions of soft bends  41 ,  42  to create relatively flat sides for the paperband  38  ( FIG. 8 ). In other words, the three-layer center portion of the multi-ply board are compressed by uniformly spaced apart rollers and the two-layer edge portions are compressed at the same time but only to the thickness determined by the three-layer center portion. In addition, the soft bends  41 ,  42  also increase tear resistance in the transverse or crosswise direction of the paperband.  
         [0037]     The preferred paperbands  31  and  38  provide for the use of thinner multi-ply board (for the same bulk) than other embodiments. This derives from the higher strength/density of the thinner board. The horizontal and vertical symmetry of the completed band is also preferred. The folded edge portions provide for the “flexing” or bending during turn-up and also provide for high resistance to cross-wise tearing of the band and reduced fiber damage during compression-forming of the band. The thinner board also allows for more footage at the same diameter thus providing for fewer splices of the band.  
         [0038]     The undulating or wave-like formations of the paperbands are defined in terms of parameters including height, width and number per unit elongate length and are the result of the use of rollers or any other appropriate apparatus. The creation of the corrugations or undulations  21  causes a selectable shortening of the paperband  10  that provides a shock absorbing capability when tensile force is applied to the paperband  10  when it is stripped out of track assembly  24  during turn-up or when being pulled tightly during a baling operation.  
         [0039]     In baling pulp it is common for the bale to “grow” or become enlarged as it absorbs moisture from its surroundings. An additional benefit of the corrugations of the band is that it allows for growing of the bale without considerably affecting the overall strength of the band under the circumstances. The size, shape and number of the corrugations can be varied to adjust the stretchability and/or stiffness of the band as desired in a specific application.  
         [0040]     The preferred methodology of forming the paperband  10  is as follows:  
         [0041]     A. The score or crease lines  15  are formed.  
         [0042]     B. Adhesive is applied to the center portion  14  between the scores  15  (not preferred adhesive applied to side portions  13 ).  
         [0043]     C. The side portions  13  are folded over by a forming die.  
         [0044]     D. The side portions  13  are then pressed onto the medial portions  14  to fix the adhesive.  
         [0045]     E. Transverse corrugations  21  are formed in the paperband.  
         [0046]     The specific type of formations  22 ,  23  and how they are formed varies in the circumstances. It is important, however, to avoid scores or cuts or similar formations that result in a reduction of the tensile strength of the paperband as such result would be counterproductive. Transverse indentations which do not materially affect the strength of the paperbands in accord with the present invention may be employed to create undulations where dictated by the specific application.  
         [0047]     As the undulations are more pronounced by pressure of the rollers, the height of the undulations are increased and/or may be less pronounced by decrease in roller pressure. Alternately, the width of undulations and/or the number per lineal distance may be varied to increase or decrease the stiffness and/or stretchability of the paperband. In addition, the folded edges of the paperbands  10 ,  31 ,  38  minimize cross tearing of the paperbands  10 ,  31 ,  38 . Preferably, all plies are made of cellulose fibers although other material may be used if necessary. Also, all adhesive, which may include PVA, is water-soluble to aid in repulping of the paperband particularly in baling applications. Preferably, if PVA is used, the adhesive is applied to both sides of the paperband because the adhesive sticks best to itself. The use of PVA on only one side results in inadequate adhesion in many circumstances.  
         [0048]     While the application has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.