Automatic device for the strapping and labelling of rolls of metallic wire

Abstract: Automatic device for the strapping of rolls of metallic wire, the device advantageously, but not only, being suitable to cooperate with automated systems of the type of IT-83323-A/90 for the packaging of reels and with reels of the type of IT-83321-A/90, the automated system comprising a strapping station with means (22-24-124) to feed a strap and with strapping head means (25), the strapping station including means (16-17-18-19) for the circumferential positioning of the reels (11), means (26-27-28) to convey the strap being comprised in cooperation with, and solidly fixed to, the strapping head means (25) and having a first position to receive and convey the strap, a second position to release and free the strap and a third advanced position to tension, shear and tie the strap.

Description: This invention relates to an automatic strapping and labelling device for rolls of metallic wire, as set forth in the preamble of the main claim. To be more exact, the invention concerns a device suitable to automatically strap rolls of metallic wire wound on reels by means of the application of at least one segment of a metallic strap about the roll of wire and by means of the successive joining of the ends of that segment of a metallic strap. The strapping device is advantageously installed at a specific station for the strapping of the rolls, for instance in an automatic system for coiling, packaging and discharge of rolls of metallic wire. The strapping device according to the invention is adapted for the application of an identification plate, which bears the characteristic data of the roll of metallic wire and is retained by the strap. A means to weigh the roll thus coiled is included in the strapping station according to the invention. Such automatic devices for coiling and packaging of metallic wire are usually positioned downstream of drawing or rolling plants. The invention can also be employed for the strapping of other materials packaged also in the form of bundles, packs, etc. The state of the art as disclosed, for instance, in IT-83320-A/90, IT-83322-A/90 and IT-83323-A/90 covers fully automated systems for the packaging and discharge of rolls of metallic wire wound on reels. These systems, which are advantageously arranged downstream of a metallic wire drawing or rolling plant, are coupled to an automatic coiling machine which carries out all the operations of winding, packaging and discharge of a roll of wire wound on a reel. In the example disclosed the automatic coiling machine cooperates advantageously with a three-positional turntable, the first position being that of coiling the wire on a reel, whereas the second position is that of strapping the wire on the reel and the third position is that of discharge of the reel. The reel packaged in the first position passes to the second position, where the roll of wire is fully strapped, and thence to the third position, whence the roll can be discharged by an appropriate apparatus. In the case of reels of the type described in IT-83321-A/90, the strapping of the roll is carried out by passing, by hand for instance, strapping means around the roll through suitable channels made in the reel and by then securing the strapping means around the roll. Strapping a roll of wire by hand entails a great loss of time, possible operating mistakes, a not always efficient application of the binding strap and still other shortcomings. Moreover, in normal practice there is the problem of fixing in a stable manner a plate or sheet bearing the data for identification of the roll to each completed roll of metallic wire ready for despatch. These identification data may include, for instance, the type of material, the date of preparation, the weight of the roll and any other information which is to be given to the consignee. The weight of the roll in particular is a detail which can only be provided when the roll of wire has been packaged. In most cases these identification plates or sheets are affixed at present by being directly applied with an adhesive or by means of auxiliary elements, such as adhesive paper, staples, pins or other means, to the outside of the roll of metallic wire. The plates or sheets thus applied have a rather unstable fixture, particularly during transport and handling of the rolls, especially if the rolls undergo the action of bad weather or other disturbing factors. EP-A-0099606 on which the preamble of claim 1 is based shows a device for the packaging of rolls of metallic wire with the application of an identification plate on the outside of the reel itself. This document discloses an articulated arm having at the end gripping means to pick up the labels stacked one on top of the other inside a container. The identification plates have holes through which the binding strap which attaches them to the outside of the reel can pass. This document discloses an initial positioning phase of the identification plates which is both long and laborious. The insertion of the strap into the identification plate, and the welding of the ends, is also a complex and difficult operation. Moreover, the document does not disclose that the stage when the identification plates are prepared and printed is substantially directly associated with the stage when the identification plates are picked up and affixed to the reels. The applicant has therefore set himself the problem of embodying an automatic device for the strapping of a roll of metallic wire wound on a reel, whereby the device also renders the automatic application of a plate which identifies the roll and is retained by the strap possible. The applicant has designed, tested and embodied this invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to achieve further advantages. This invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the subject-matter according to the main claim. One object of this invention is to make fully automatic the process of strapping a roll of metallic wire wound on a reel by means of the application of one or more binding straps around the roll. Another object of the invention is to enable an identification plate to be affixed to the roll and to be held in position by at least one of the binding straps. A further object of the invention is to automate the process of readying, printing or imprinting the plate. Yet another object of the invention is to pre-arrange a device to weigh the roll, this device being associated advantageously with the strapping station and cooperating directly with the assembly which imprints the plate. Thus the details of the weight of the roll, which are available only when the roll has been made ready, can be imprinted on the identification plate immediately before that plate is fed to the the strapping device for fixture to the roll. Moreover, the invention includes means to automate the process of feeding the identification plate to the strapping head of the strapping device. The strapping device according to the invention is positioned at the specific strapping station of the automatic coiling machine. The reel on which the roll of wire is wound and which is prepared in the winding station reaches the strapping station by being traversed or by the rotation of a turntable on which the reel is supported. The reel is positioned in the strapping station on a suitable weighing device appropriately equipped for establishing the tare of the reel and for subtracting that tare. This weighing device provides the data of the net weight of the roll of metallic wire. The automatic strapping device according to the invention is caused to act at this position. This strapping device arranges to arrange straight segments of a binding strap, or strip, around the roll and to make these segments pass through hollows in the reel and then joins together the ends of the segments by traversing the strapping head towards the reel and at the same time drawing the binding strap. During this step the reel cooperates advantageously with a rotary support so that the strap elements which strap the roll of wire can be inserted into the reel at several areas determined at an angle with respect to each other along the circumference of the reel and advantageously separated from each other symmetrically. The strapping device according to the invention can be pre-arranged advantageously to fix an identification plate to at least one of the binding straps. This plate advantageously has the form of a substantially flat element consisting of a metal, a plastic or another substantially rigid analogous material with protruding fins, which contain opposed through holes. The identification plate is prepared by a suitable forming, printing and imprinting assembly included advantageously in the vicinity of the strapping device or can be already ready in an appropriate feeder. The data to identify the roll of wire can be printed or imprinted on the outer face of the plate. In this case the printing and imprinting assembly may advantageously be connected directly to the weighing device so as to make the process of imprinting the weight of the roll automatic. According to an embodiment, an adhesive sheet bearing the above data, which may possibly be supplied also by the weighing device, is attached with an adhesive to the outer face of the plate, possibly after the plate has been fitted to the roll of wire. According to the invention, the plate cooperates with an automatic engagement and positioning device, which engages the plate and positions it on the strapping head. The strapping head contains a seating arranged to receive and lodge the plate. The strapping head includes also retaining means to keep the plate in position during the step of strapping the roll. At least one end of the strap is passed from one end of the plate to the other end through the holes; the strap is then drawn, and an end of the strap is then joined to the portion of the strap being fed. The strap is cut and the reel is discharged from the strapping station. The attached figures are given as a non-restrictive example and show some preferred embodiments of the invention as follows:- Fig.1 is a side view of the strapping device according to the invention; Figs.2a and 2b are three-dimensional drawings of two working steps of the strapping head of the device of Fig.1; Fig.3 shows in an enlarged scale a lengthwise section of a detail of the strapping head of Fig.2; Fig.4a is a plan view of a possible embodiment of the identification plate; Fig.4b is a view of the identification plate of Fig.4a according to the arrow A; Fig.5 shows a diagram of a possible automatic process to feed and apply the identification plate by means of the strapping device. The reference number 10 in the attached figures denotes an automatic device to strap rolls of metallic wire wound on reels 11. A reel 11 fed from a turntable 13 or a roller conveyor arrives at a strapping station, which consists substantially of a means 12 to lift the reel 11, this lifting means 12 being associated with a weighing means 14 comprising three loads cells 15 for instance, and consists also of an engagement and rotation means 16. This engagement and rotation means 16 includes a gearbox 17 bearing terminally a spindle 18 and a drawing means 19. When the reel 11 reaches the strapping station, the lifting means 12 is actuated and cooperates with a lower flange 20 of the reel 11 and lifts the reel 11 and aligns it with the spindle 18 borne on the gearbox 17. When the reel 11 has been positioned between the spindle 18 and the lifting means 12, the drawing means 19 is secured to one of the spokes of the upper flange 21 of the reel 11 so as to rotate the reel 11. This rotation is carried out so that the strapping elements can be introduced into the reel 11 in several different strapping zones separated along the circumference of the reel 11. The engagement and rotation means 16 brings these strapping zones in succession in correspondence with the strapping device 10. In this example the strapping device 10 cooperates with an assembly 22 that feeds a binding strap or strip 23. The feeding assembly 22 unwinds the strap 23 from a wheel 24 which provides a supply of strap, and around a transmission roller 124 according to the traction exerted by a strapping head 25 of the strapping device 10. The strapping device 10 is positioned in relation to the reel 11 in such a way that it includes suitable facing guide elements, namely an upper guide element 27a and lower guide element 27b, arranged in direct cooperation with insertion channels, namely an upper insertion channel 29a and a lower insertion channel 29b, contained in the reel 11 for insertion of the strap 23. The strapping device 10 comprises also curved elements 26a and 26b to connect the path of the strap 23, a substantially vertical path along the strapping head 25 in this case, to the substantially horizontal path along the guide elements 27a-27b. The guide elements 27a-27b can move by themselves or are constrained by respective movable elements, for instance an upper guide arm 28a and a lower guide arm 28b, to take up a first working position and a second inactive position of not feeding the reel 11. The first working position (shown with continuous lines in fig.1) is taken up when the strap 23 is fed into the reel 11, from above for instance, through the upper elements 27a and 29a and emerges from the reel 11 from below through the lower elements 27b and 29b. Thereafter, after the upper 28a and lower 28b guide arms have been placed in their position of non-contact (shown with lines of dashes in Fig.1), the strapping head 25 is traversed forwards towards the reel 11 by means of a carriage 30 driven by a jack 31 in this case. During this movement the strapping head 25 at the same time recovers the strap 23 so as to apply an action of traction strong enough to ensure the effectiveness of the strapping. The strapping head 25 is brought to the position partly shown with lines of dashes in Fig.1 in the vicinity of the reel 11 so as to carry out the operations of uniting the ends of, and cutting, the strap 23 in a substantially known manner. The strapping head 25 is then distanced from the reel 11, the guide arms 28a-28b are brought towards each other to their working position, the reel 11 is rotated by the rotation and engagement means 16 and a new strapping cycle is carried out. The strapping device 10 in this example is pre-arranged to enable an identification plate 32 to be inserted in cooperation with at least one of the segments of the binding strap 23. A possible conformation of the identification plate 32 is shown in Figs.4. This plate 32 has a substantially flat central body 32a, on which are impressed by printing or imprinting the characteristic data of the roll of wire to which the plate 32 is fixed. Bent fins in defining apertures 42 are made for insertion of a strap are provided at the ends of the plate 32. When the plate 32 has been positioned on the strapping head 25, these apertures 42 lie on the vertical path of the binding strap 23. This enables the strap 23 to pass from one end of the identification plate 32 to the other end thereof. The conformation of the plate 32 shown in Figs.4 enables it to be produced with one single moulding step and also makes possible the prevention of problems of stable retention of the plate 32 when the latter 32 has been applied to the corresponding roll of wire. The strapping head 25 includes a seating 41 to lodge the plate 32 along the vertical tract 33 that guides the strap 23. This seating 41 is produced by making along the vertical guide tract an axial recess and enlargement having dimensions such as will enable the plate 32 to be correctly positioned. This correct positioning is achieved by making the apertures 42 in the plate 32 lie axially on the path of the strap 23, so that the strap 23 can be passed from one end of the plate 32 to the other end when the plate has been positioned. This positioning of the plate 32 is maintained, where the plate 32 is metallic, by placing a retaining element, such as a magnet 43, within the inner side of the seating 41 (see Fig.3). According to the embodiment shown in Figs.2, the seating 41 is produced by fitting suitable inserts 44 conformed in such a way as to restrict the vertical guide tract 33 in the segments where that tract does not lodge the plate 32. An abutment element 45 is comprised to ensure a more correct orientation of the strap 23 and forms part of the strapping head 25, being characterized by a non-contact position (Fig.2a) and a working position (Fig.2b). This abutment element 45 is brought to its non-contact position during positioning of the plate 32. Thereafter it is brought to its working position to cooperate with the vertical guide tract 33 in providing a correct orientation of the strap 23. The abutment element 45 has one shaped end 45a to act as a lead-in for the strap 23. Moreover, so as to contain the fins 34 of the plate 32 which protrude from the edge 35 of the strapping head 25, the abutment element 45 includes two grooves 46a and 46b respectively having a shape and size suitable for the purpose. The first groove 46a in the direction of arrival of the strap 23, namely the groove positioned nearer to the lead-in end 45a of the abutment element 45 , includes a bevelled edge 36 acting as a lead-in for the passage of the strap 23. The strap 23 which is fed by the feeding assembly 22 to the strapping head 25, is oriented and guided along the vertical guide tract 33 by the abutment element 45 and is brought into the reel 11. Lastly, the abutment element 45 is brought to its non-contact position and the strapping head 25 is moved forwards with the methods and purposes described hereinbefore. According to a first embodiment, the plate 32 bearing the identification data of the roll of wire is prepared by an appropriate forming and punching assembly and is collected in an appropriate container. The plates 32 are taken one by one from the container, by a suitable withdrawal means for instance, and are positioned in cooperation with an engagement assembly, such as the engagement assembly 37 shown in Fig.5, for instance. The container may include advantageously lateral guides which assist withdrawal of one plate 32 at a time. According to the embodiment of Fig.5 a continuous strip 47 is unwound in a substantially downward direction and is brought into cooperation with a shearing and imprinting assembly 48. The continuous strip 47 still does not bear the specific identification data of the roll, such as weight, date of manufacture, type of material, etc. The shearing and imprinting assembly 48 in cooperation with an underlying abutment surface 38 shears a single plate 32 from the continuous strip 47 and imprints thereon the data relating to the weight of the roll and any other identification data pre-set by the machine operator by means of a keyboard. The single plate 32 thus made ready is taken by gravity, between lateral guides (not shown here) for instance, to the engagement assembly 37. The engagement assembly 37 comprises an arm 39, which bears a terminal engagement element 40 equipped, for instance, at its front with an electromagnet, if the plates 32 are metallic, or with an aspiration means if the plates 32 are plastic. The engagement assembly 37 engages the plate 32 and places it on the strapping head 25 in the seating 41. So as to automate the process, the shearing and imprinting assembly 48 is advantageously governed directly by at least the weighing means 14 on which the reel 11 is positioned.

Claims: Automatic strapping and labelling device for rolls of metallic wire, the device being adapted to be coupled to automatic wire reel systems, said systems comprising at least one station for winding the wire onto a reel, a reel strapping station and an identification plate marking station, the identification plate having apertures (42) through which the strap (23) passes, the device having a reeling station including channels through which the strap is guided to form a closed loop, feeding means (22, 24, 124) to feed the strap (23) through said channel, a strapping head (25), a reel positioning means (16, 17, 18, 19) circumferentially positioning the reel with respect to said strapping head, and identification plate transfer means to position the plate with respect to the strapping head, characterised in that the strapping head (25) has a flat seating (41) to receive and to position the identification plate (32), said flat seating (41) being positioned to interfere with the strap path in a substantially parallel direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the reel, the identification plate (32) comprising longitudinally aligned fins (34) bent with respect to the flat plate surface to define said plate apertures (42) to enable threading of the strap (23) into said apertures, and in that there is provided an abutment head means (45) cooperating with said flat seating (41) to guide the strap (23) a first extension in which the plate (32) does not interfere with the flat seating (41), and a second extension facing and substantially in contact with said flat seating (41), the abutment head means (45) having grooves (46a, 46b) to receive said fins (34) of the identification plate (32). Automatic device as in Claim 1, in which the flat seating (41) (32) comprises magnetic means (43) to position and hold the identification plate. Automatic device as in any claim hereinbefore, in which the abutment head means (45) has at its lower side a strap threading surface (45a). Automatic device as in claim 1, comprising a plate imprinting station, said imprinting station having at least one shearing and hemming unit (48) for to produce single imprinted plates from a continuous strap. Automatic device as in claims 1 and 4, in which the identification plate transfer means includes a pick up unit (37) which has a first pick up position cooperating with the shearing and hemming unit (48) to shear and hem the plate from a continuous strip, and a second delivery position cooperating with the seating (41) of the strapping head (25). Automatic device as in claim 5, in which the pick up unit (37) has a pick up arm (39) with gripping means (40) at the end. Automatic strapping device as in any claim hereinbefore, in which the strapping station has weighing means (14) associated with the identification plate marking station.

Inventors: GRAZIUTTI GIUSEPPE, SARO GIANCARLO, GRAZIUTTI, GIUSEPPE, SARO, GIANCARLO
Applicants: IMPIANTI INDUSTRIALI SPA
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B65B27
IPC codes: B65B27, B65B13