A METHOD OF FASHIONING A PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE AROUND REELS UTILIZING PLASTIC FILM, AND THE RESULTING PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE

Abstract: In a method of fashioning a protective structure (1) for reels of cable, wire etc., a continuous plastic film (2) is decoiled from a roll (6), bunched into a stout cord (7) and wrapped around the reel (3), supported with its axis (3a) horizontally disposed, in such a way as to form a succession of staves (11) covering the surface of revolution (8) of the reel and a succession of bands interconnecting the staves on opposite sides of the circumference; the bands extend across the flanges (9) of the reel coinciding with chords (12) that are distanced from the axis (3a) so as to leave the central area (22) of the flanges (9) uncovered, thereby exposing the holes (4) from which the reel is lifted and carried, and the identification labels (5).

Description: Description A METHOD OF FASHIONING A PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE AROUND REELS UTILIZING PLASTIC FILM, AND THE RESULTING PRO¬ TECTIVE STRUCTURE. Technical Field The present invention relates to a method of fashio¬ ning a protective structure around reels, in parti¬ cular for cable, strands, rope and the like, utili- zing plastic film. Reels of the type in question provide a support com¬ posed generally of a wooden drum onto which the ca¬ ble is coiled, and a pair of flanges, likewise in wood, affording lateral restraint. Such reels are stored in the open, arranged one alongside another with axes horizontally disposed: in this situation there is the risk that the flanges of one reel can strike against and damage the cable coiled onto ot¬ her reels lying adjacent. To avoid such an occurren- ce, the flanges of each reel are joined one to anot¬ her typically by means of timber staves secured in a variety of ways to the flanges and disposed parallel to the axis of the reel. The staves preferably are spaced apart slightly one from another so that the reel will remain ventilated and rainwater can drain off, thereby avoiding any accumulation of dampness and condensation within the enclosure. Background Art Whilst the protection afforded by a structure fashioned with staves may be considered satisfactory from a mechanical standpoint, there are drawbacks deriving from the nature of the staves. Timber is infact markedly sensitive to varying climatic condi¬ tions, and will seldom remain structurally and di- mensionally stable over time. This means that the staves may become detached when the reels are depo¬ sited on site in the open air as will sometimes be the case, and thus directly exposed to the elements, especially the rain and the sun, by which the pro- perties of wood are affected in totally opposite ways. Indeed when exposed to rain or at least to damp, the staves become impregnated with moisture, tending to swell and even to rot ultimately, whereas the effect of exposure to the sun is that the staves will dry out and tend to contract. It is generally the case that such protective structures are applied by hand, and that the staves employed are then dealt with, at the moment when the reels come to be utilized, in such a way that any further use is impossible. Disclosure of Invention The applicant perceives that the operation of fashioning a protective structure around reels could be automated, to significant advantage in industrial and economic terms, by dispensing with the use of ready-made staves and instead adopting a method such as will allow the use of a totally recyclable pla¬ stic film supplied from at least one roll that can either remain stationary while the reel of cable (rope, strands,etc. ) is invested with movement or can itself be set in motion around the reel, at all events in such a way that the film, secured initial¬ ly to the reel, will be subjected to a pulling ac- tion and thus made to decoil automatically. Accordingly, the object of the present inven¬ tion is to disclose a method of fashioning a protec¬ tive structure around a reel lying with its axis ho¬ rizontally disposed, whereby a continuous strip of plastic film is drawn from a roll, caused to assume the aspect of a stout cord and passed repeatedly a- round the reel in a quadrilateral loop so as to ge- nerate a plurality of windings or turns such as will form a succession of staves by which the surface of revolution of the reel is covered in its entirety, and a succession of interconnecting bands each ex- tending between two almost diametrally opposed sta¬ ves and coinciding with a chord of the relative flange; more exactly, the bands are distanced from the axis of the reel sufficiently to leave the cen- tral area of the flange uncovered, in such a way that the coupling holes by which the reel is lifted and transported will remain exposed to view, as also will the identification labels affixed to the reel. By controlling the relative motion generated between the reel and the roll of film according to the method disclosed, the staves can be laid paral¬ lel with or skew in relation to the axis of the reel, and even overlaid at dissimilar angles. The concept of parallel staves is therefore superseded and it becomes possible to create a protective structure in the form of a lattice, which affords advantages from the standpoint of mechanical strength. The method disclosed also affords the possibi¬ lity, where appropriate, of fashioning staves that comprise more than one layer of the corded film; a- gain, by controlling the relative motion generated between the reel and the roll of film, the distance between the staves can be varied according to the type of protective structure required. Another facility afforded by the method accor¬ ding to the present invention is that of overwrap- ping the staves with the same continuous film, de- coiled either from the same roll or from an auxilia¬ ry roll, in such a way that the protective structure is tensioned further and rendered more resistant still to shock and impact. The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: - fig 1 illustrates a reel, viewed schematical¬ ly and in perspective, and a protective structure in the process of being fashioned around the reel by the method according to the present invention; - fig 2 illustrates a reel, viewed schematical¬ ly and in perspective, and a protective structure fashioned around the reel by the method according to the present invention; - fig 3 illustrates the reel of fig 2, viewed schematically from one side, at the commencement of a possible subsequent step in which staves of the completed protective structure are overwrapped; - figs 4 and 5 are perspective views of the reel shown in figs 1 to 3, illustrating configura¬ tions subsequent to that of fig 3; - fig 6 illustrates four positions on a circum¬ ferential path, viewed in plan, through which a roll of film is caused to pass in fashioning a protective structure around a reel; fig 7 illustrates a reel protected by staves arranged in two overlapping sets disposed skew one in relation to the other and both in relation to the axis of the reel; - figs 8a to 10 illustrate the initial steps in fashioning a protective structure around a reel by the method according to the present invention. With reference to the accompanying drawings, the method disclosed is applicable principally to reels 3 delimited peripherally by a virtual surface of revolution 8 compassed between two flanges 9 fur¬ nished near to their common axis 3a with coupling e- lementε 4 from which the reel as a whole can be li- fted or rotated, also with means of identification 5. Whilst reference has been made exclusively throu¬ ghout the following specification and in the accom- panying drawings, purely by way of example, to reels of cable, rope, strands and the like, it is obvious that the reels 3 might carry any other given type of material. The reel 3 further comprises a drum, natu- rally of smaller diameter than the two flanges 9, a- round which the cable or other material will be coi¬ led to a diameter no greater than that of the flan¬ ges. According to the invention, use is made of a plastic film 2, preferably extendible and prestret- ched, decoiled from a supply roll 6 of which the a- xis 6a is disposed horizontally and parallel to the axis 3a of the reel 3. With the roll 6 positioned in this manner it becomes possible, to the end of fa- shioning staves around a reel 3 by the method di¬ sclosed, for the film 2 to be bunched automatically in the transverse direction and constrained thus to assume the appearance of a stout cord 7 as it is wrapped around the reel 3. A first step consists in laying the cord 7 a- cross the surface of revolution 8 and over the flan¬ ges 9 of the reel 3, in such a way as to describe a first quadrilateral loop 15 completed with one full turn that corresponds to a rotation of the reel 3 or of the roll 6 through 360°, either one in relation to the other, about a vertical axis (see figs 8a - d and 9). Two sides of the first quadrilateral loop 15 coincide with generators of the surface of revolu¬ tion 8 in such a way as to function as staves 11, consisting in lengths of film 2 tensioned between the flanges 9 (see figs 8b and 8d) . Each of the two remaining sides, denoted 12, coincides with a chord of the relative flange 9 that lies externally of the coupling element 4 and the means of identification 5 in relation to the axis 3a of the reel (see figs 8c and 9 ) . Likewise in this initial step, the first loop 15 may be overlaid with further loops to the end of securing the cord 7 of film 2 to the reel 3, whereu¬ pon the reel 3 will be set in rotation (e.g. slowly) about its own axis 3a, continuously or intermitten- tly, and enveloped thus in a succession of helical turns 10 (see fig 1) to the point where the virtual surface of revolution 8 of the reel 3 is covered in its entirety with a succession of staves 11 (see fig 2).- The relative rotation of the reel 3 and the roll 6 about a vertical axis can be produced, as in¬ dicated in fig 1, by means of a turntable 23 rotata¬ ble about a vertical axis and equipped with a pair of horizontally disposed and parallel cylindrical rollers 16, by which the reel 3 is supported resting on its flanges 9. At least one of the rollers 16 is power driven and capable thus of setting the suppor¬ ted reel 3 in rotation about its axis 3a. The roll 6 on the other hand can be supported by a respective carriage 17 which will also support means of conven¬ tional embodiment by which to tension the film 2, for example comprising power driven cylindrical rol¬ lers 18 set in rotation at an angular velocity dif¬ ferent to that of the turntable 23 but correlated thereto in such a way, applying familiar techniques, that the film 2 is made to decoil from the roll 6 principally as a result of the pulling force genera¬ ted by the rotating reel 3. In another solution, the relative rotation of the reel 3 and the roll 6 about a vertical axis can be brought about by causing the roll 6 to orbit a- round the reel 3, as indicated in fig 6. The reel a- gain rests on two rollers 16 of which at least one is power driven, though in this instance these can be mounted to a fixed frame (not indicated). Likewi¬ se in this instance the roll 6 is supported by a carriage 17 together with a set of power driven ten- sioning rollers 18 that will be operated applying the same relative velocities criteria as described above with reference to fig 1. In either case, the roll 6 is positioned with its axis 6a horizontally disposed, and the web of film 2 passing from the tensioning rollers to the reel occupies a horizontal plane. It follows in any event that the web will oc¬ cupy a plane lying perpendicular to the axis of re¬ lative rotational movement between the reel 3 and the roll 6 in such a way that when intercepted by the reel 3, the film 2 is gathered automatically and takes on the aspect of a stout cord 7 as required. Equally, however, use might be made of means (not illustrated) that will gather the film 2 before it enters into contact with the reel 3. The speed at which the reel 3 rotates on its own axis 3a can be varied by regulating the angular velocity of the power driven roller 16. By setting the reel 3 in continuous rotation at a given speed about its own axis 3a, and irrespecti¬ ve of whether the relative rotational movement about a vertical axis is brought about by slewing the reel 3 on a turntable as in fig 1 or causing the roll 6 to orbit around the reel 3 as in fig 6, the staves 11 can also be laid skew, inclined at a greater or lesser angle in relation to the generators of the surface of revolution 8: the slower the speed of ro¬ tation, the nearer the staves 11 will tend to run parallel to the generators. This same speed of con- tinuous rotation also determines the distance, or pitch, at which the staves 11 are spaced apart: the faster the speed, the greater the distance. The ex¬ pedient of laying the staves 11 skew is advantageous in the context of another particular step of the method disclosed, whereby with the reel 3 enveloped in a first set of staves, further protection can be afforded by laying a second set of staves 11a over the first, likewise disposed skew in relation to the generators of the surface of revolution 8. More e- xactly, the second staves 11a are laid over the first staves 11 in such a manner that the two combi- ne to create a lattice arrangement, as illustrated in fig 7, by which the resulting protective structu¬ re 1 is invested with notable mechanical strength. The effect in question is obtainable in diffe¬ rent ways, a first being simply to rotate the reel 3 about its axis 3a at different speeds during the ap¬ plication respectively of the first and of the se¬ cond set of staves. This will produce a lattice (not illustrated) in which both the first staves 11 and the second staves 11a are placed skew in relation to the generators of the surface of revolution 8, simi¬ larly oriented but at dissimilar angles. Alternatively, the height of the roll 6 might be varied by a given amount with each rotation of or orbit around the reel 3, during the application of the second set of staves. This can be achieved by a- dopting an arrangement as indicated in fig 7, where the relative carriage 17 is shown supported by and capable of movement along vertical guides 19. Again, the reel 3 could be driven in rotation about its axis 3a at a given selected speed, though turning in opposite directions during the applica¬ tion respectively of the first and of the second set of staves. This particular solution is not illustra¬ ted since it requires only that the rotation of the power driven roller 16 should be reversible. Yet another effect obtainable according to the present invention, achieved by controlling the speed at which the reel 3 rotates about its own axis 3a in such a way as to produce intermittent or disconti- nuous or indexed movements, is that of fashioning staves lib formed from a plurality of single staves 11 laid one over another (shown schematically in fig 10). The "multi-ply" staves lib produced in this way are decidedly more rigid and mechanically stronger than the "single-ply" type. This step of the method disclosed can be imple- mented by suspending the rotational movement of the reel 3 about its own axis 3a for an interval long e- nough to accumulate the requisite number of overlaid turns 10, while maintaining the rotation of the reel 3 or the roll 6 about a vertical axis. Once the in- terval has elapsed, the reel 3 will be indexed about its own axis 3a through a step "p" corresponding to the selected angular distance between centres of the multi-ply staves 11 with which the entire surface of revolution 8 will ultimately be covered. Where it is desirable that the protective structure 1 fashioned with the staves should be ten- sioned further, and the staves covered in such a manner as to enclose the surface of revolution 8 of the reel 3 in its entirety, the method disclosed al- lows for the additional step of overwrapping the reel 3 by binding the surface of revolution 8 with continuous film 2 laid flat as illustrated in fig 4. This further step is implemented after the opera¬ tions described thus far have been completed (one or two sets of staves) and having suspended the rota¬ tional movement of the reel 3 or the roll 6 about the vertical axis at a moment when the reel 3 and the roll 6 are disposed with axes parallel and the cord 7 is substantially in alignment with one of the two flanges 9; thereupon, the reel 3 is set in rota¬ tion about the one axis 3a while causing the roll 6 to translate along the other axis 6a. One possible variation on the method according to the present invention is that the overwrapping step might be implemented employing a second plastic film 2, decoiled from a respective roll (not illu¬ strated) disposed parallel to the roll 6 utilized in fashioning the staves. To advantage, the method disclosed allows the use of a single roll 6, as already intimated and as illustrated in the drawings, by virtue of the fact that it provides also for an intermediate step bet¬ ween the completion of the staves and commencement of the overwrap, in which the roll 6 is moved axial- ly from a configuration of alignment with one flange 9 to a configuration of alignment with the opposite flange 9 while the reel 3 rotates on its axis 3a (see figs 3 and 4). In this way, the film 2 is cau¬ sed to describe a wide coil 20 around the surface of revolution 8 (see fig 4), spreading transversely by degrees to the point of perfectly flat by the time the axial travel of the roll 6 is completed. Thereafter, maintaining the reel 3 in rotation about its axis 3a and causing the roll 6 to transla¬ te along its own axis 6a back toward the opposite flange, the web of film 2 will be transferred in a plane tangential to the surface of revolution 8 and made to envelop the staves 11 by generating a plura¬ lity of tighter coils 21 disposed coaxially with the surface of revolution 8 and covering the full length of the staves 11. The roll 6 might be traversed just once along its axis 6a or perhaps more than once in one direction then in the other, applying a layer of film 2 with each successive pass, according to re¬ quirements. Exploiting a further possibility afforded by the present invention, the traversing movement of the roll 6 along its own axis 6a can be interrupted momentarily when in alignment with the flanges 9 in such a way as to cover the outermost annular edge of each flange 9 as illustrated in fig 5. The aforementioned coil 20 is readily obtained thanks to the high coefficient of friction existing between the film 2 and the staves underneath and to - li ¬ the fact that the effect produced by the axial move¬ ment of the roll 6, when distanced from the flange 9 with which the cord 7 lies substantially in ali¬ gnment following the formation of the staves, is to favour the pulling action applied to the film 2 by the reel 3 as it rotates about its own axis 3a. Yet another facility afforded by the method ac¬ cording to the invention is that, once enveloped in the full protective structure 1 formed with staves, the reel 3 can be overwrapped with the film 2, not in this instance spread flat but rather still bun¬ ched into a cord 7. In this way it becomes possible to generate a lattice structure composed of the o- verwrapping coils 21 and the staves 11 beneath. The step in question will require the inclusion of means (not illustrated) by which to gather the film 2 into a cord 7. Whilst the roll 6 has been described thus far as having a horizontally disposed axis 6a, the sta- ves might be created equally well with the roll 6 disposed upright and the film 2 gathered in the transverse direction by suitable means (not illu¬ strated) to the end of preparing the cord 7 before the operation of enveloping the reel 3 is effective- ly commenced. If in this instance, i.e. with the a- xis 6a of the roll 6 vertically disposed, it is wi¬ shed to overwrap the staves with a cord 7, then the¬ re will be no need to make use of means by which to gather the film 2 during the operation inasmuch as the process occurs automatically when the film en¬ ters into contact with the reel 3, as already inti¬ mated with reference to the example of figs 8a-10. Whichever of the operational solutions descri¬ bed above may ultimately be implemented, the protec- tive structure 1 produced by the method disclosed will appear as a plurality of turns 10 fashioned from a stout cord 7 of film 2 arranged in such a way as to envelop essential portions of a reel 3, namely the virtual surface of revolution 8 and the outer¬ most annular areas of the flanges 9. In particular, the turns 10 are generated as quadrilateral loops of which two sides are fashioned into staves 11 drawn taut between the flanges 9. The structure thus crea¬ ted can be completed by overwrapping the staves with the selfsame film 2, applied with no break in conti¬ nuity and without altering the directional aspect of the roll 6, so that the one roll furnishes the film from which the entire structure 1 is generated. Fi¬ nally, the completed protective structure 1 does not cover the central area 22 of either flange 9, so that the coupling elements 4 utilized for supporting and driving or rotating the reel 3 are accessible from the exterior and the identification labels 5 affixed to the reel 3 remain exposed to view. In addition to the advantages already mentio¬ ned, the resulting protective structure 1 is such that any evidence of tampering or damage can readily be observed, allowing persons with responsibility to carry out checks and apply prescribed remedies wit¬ hout delay.

Claims: Claims 1. A method of fashioning a protective structu¬ re (1) from continuous plastic film (2) around an essentially cylindrical reel (3) positioned with its axis (3a) horizontally disposed and delimited perip- herally by a virtual surface of revolution (8) com¬ passed between two flanges (9), of which the flanges are furnished at points close to the axis (3a) with coupling elements (4) such as will accommodate means of supporting or driving or rotating the reel (3), also with means (5) of identification, comprising the steps of: - decoiling a plastic film (2) from a relative roll (6) in such a way that the film (2) is con¬ strained to assume the aspect of a stout cord (7) ; - inducing relative motion in the reel (3) and the roll (6) about a vertical axis, in such a way that the cord (7) of plastic film is passed around the surface of revolution (8) and the flanges (9) of the reel (3) in a quadrilateral loop of which two sides serve to establish respective staves (11) drawn taut between the flanges (9) and the remaining two sides coincide with chords (12) of the relative flanges (9) located externally both of the coupling elements (4) and of the means of identification (5) in relation to the axis (3a) of the reel (3); - continuing to pass the cord (7) of film a- round the reel (3) while causing the reel to rotate about its own axis (3a) in such a way as to generate a succession of helical turns (10), and proceeding thus until the surface of revolution (8) of the reel (3) is covered in its entirety with a succession of staves (11) disposed one alongside another. 2) A method as in claim 1, wherein the reel (3) is caused to rotate about its own axis (3a) at an angular velocity such that the staves (11) will lie substantially parallel to a generator of the surface of revolution (8). 3) A method as in claim 1, wherein the reel (3) is caused to rotate about its own axis (3a) at an angular velocity such that the staves (11) will lie skew in relation to a generator of the surface of revolution (8) . 4) A method as in claim 1, wherein a reel (3) of which the surface of revolution (8) has been co¬ vered with a first set of staves is covered thereu¬ pon with a second set of staves by the steps of: - continuing to decoil the plastic film (2) from the roll (6) in such a way that the film (2) is constrained to assume the aspect of a stout cord (7); - continuing to induce relative motion in the reel (3) and the roll (6) in such a manner that the 0 cord (7) of plastic film is passed around the surfa¬ ce of revolution (8) and the flanges (9) of the reel (3) in a quadrilateral loop of which two sides esta¬ blish corresponding second staves (11a) drawn taut between the flanges (9), while causing the reel (3) 5 to rotate about its own axis (3a), and proceeding thus until the entire surface of revolution (8) is covered with a succession of second staves (11a); - translating the roll (6) of film (2) verti¬ cally in one direction and the other with each pas- 0 sage around the surface of revolution (8) and the flanges (9) of the reel (3), in such a way that the second staves (11a) will lie skew in relation to the first staves (11) when placed thereover. b 5) A method as in claim 1, wherein.a reel (3) of which the surface of revolution (8) has been co¬ vered with a first set of staves is covered thereu- pon with a second set of staves by the steps of: continuing to decoil the plastic film (2) from the roll (6) in such a way that the film (2) is constrained to assume the aspect of a stout cord C ) ; continuing to induce relative motion in the reel (3) and the roll (6) in such a manner that the cord (7) of plastic film is passed around the surfa¬ ce of revolution (8) and the flanges (9) of the reel (3) in a quadrilateral loop of which two sides esta¬ blish corresponding second staves (11a) drawn taut between the flanges (9), while causing the reel (3) to rotate about its own axis (3a), and proceeding thus until the entire surface of revolution (8) is covered with a succession of second staves (11a); - causing the reel (3) to rotate about its axis (3a) at an angular velocity such that the second staves (11a) will lie skew in relation to the first staves (11) when placed thereover. 6) A method as in claim 1, wherein a reel (3) of which the surface of revolution (8) has been co¬ vered with a first set of staves is covered thereu¬ pon with a second set of staves by the steps of: - continuing to decoil the plastic film (2) from the roll (6) in such a way that the film (2) is constrained to assume the aspect of a stout cord (7); - continuing to induce relative motion in the reel (3) and the roll (6) in such a manner that the cord (7) of plastic film is passed around the surfa¬ ce of revolution (8) and the flanges (9) of the reel (3) in a quadrilateral loop of which two sides esta¬ blish corresponding second staves (11a) drawn taut between the flanges (9), while causing the reel (3) to rotate about its own axis (3a), and proceeding thus until the entire surface of revolution (8) is covered with a succession of second staves (11a); - causing the reel (3) to rotate about its axis (3a) at an angular velocity greater than that gene¬ rated in fashioning the first staves, and such that the second staves (11a) will lie skew in relation to the first staves (11) when placed thereover. 7) A method as in claim 3, wherein a reel (3) of which the surface of revolution (8) has been co- vered with a first set of staves is covered thereu¬ pon with a second set of staves by the steps of: continuing to decoil the plastic film (2) from theroll (6) in such a way that the film (2) is constrained to assume the aspect of a stout cord (7); - continuing to induce relative motion in the reel (3) and the roll (6) in such a manner that the cord (7) of plastic film is passed around the surfa¬ ce of revolution (8) and the flanges (9) of the reel (3) in a quadrilateral loop of which two sides esta¬ blish corresponding second staves (11a) drawn taut between the flanges (9), while causing the reel (3) to rotate about its own axis (3a), and proceeding thus until the entire surface of revolution (8) is covered with a succession of second staves (11a); - causing the reel (3) to rotate about its axis (3a) in the direction opposite to that generated in fashioning the first staves, in such a way that the second staves (11a) will lie skew in relation to the first staves (11) when placed thereover. 8) A method as in claim 1, wherein the reel (3) is caused to rotate about its axis (3a) intermitten¬ tly and in such a way that movement will be induced each time the reel (3) and the roll (6), invested with relative motion whereby the cord (7) of film is made to pass around the surface of revolution (8) and the flanges (9) of the reel (3), have completed one full turn resulting in the formation of staves (11) drawn taut between the flanges (9) and consi¬ sting in a single layer of the cord (7). 9) A method as in claim 1, wherein the reel (3) is caused to rotate about its axis (3a) intermitten¬ tly and in such a way that movement will be induced each time the reel (3) and the roll (6), invested with relative motion whereby the cord (7) of film is made to pass around the surface of revolution (8) and the flanges (9) of the reel (3), have completed a number of full turns resulting in the formation of staves (11) drawn taut between the flanges (9) and consisting in a plurality of layers of the cord (7) corresponding in number to the number of full turns. 10) A method as in claim 1, wherein the film (2) is decoiled from a roll (6) of which the axis (6a) remains horizontally disposed, in such a way that the decoiling film (2) occupies a plane lying perpendicular to the axis about which relative mo¬ tion is induced in the reel (3) and the roll (6), and in such a way also that the film (2) is con- strained to assume the aspect of a stout cord (7) during the relative motion as the result of being intercepted by the reel (3). 11) A method as in claim 1, wherein the film (2) is decoiled from a roll (6) of which the axis (6a) remains vertically disposed, and constrained to assume the aspect of a stout cord (7) before ente¬ ring into contact with the reel (3). 12) A method as in preceding claims, wherein the operation of covering the entire surface of re¬ volution (8) of a reel (3) with staves is followed by an operation of overwrapping the surface of revo¬ lution (8), comprising the steps of: - inducing relative motion between the roll (6) of film and the reel (3), and decoiling the roll (6) in such a way that the film (2) advances toward the reel (3) disposed flat and tangential to the surface of revolution (8); - setting the roll (6) in motion parallel with the axis (3a) of the reel (3) while causing the reel to rotate about its own axis (3a), and coordinating the resulting linear and angular movements in such a way that the staves (11) drawn taut between the flanges (9) are enveloped in their entirety by the flat film (2) decoiling from the roll (6). 13) A method as in claim 12, wherein the move¬ ment parallel with the axis (3a) of the reel (3) is suspended temporarily on arrival of the roll (6) in alignment with the flanges (9), in such a way that the film (2) is made to project laterally beyond the surface of revolution (8) and cover the outermost annular portion of each flange (9). 14) A method as in claim 12, wherein the film (2) is decoiled from a roll (6) of which the axis (6a) remains horizontally disposed, in such a way that the decoiling film (2) occupies a plane lying perpendicular to the axis about which relative mo¬ tion is induced in the reel (3) and the roll (6) du- ring the operation of fashioning the staves and is constrained to assume the aspect of a stout cord (7) during the relative motion as the result of being intercepted by the reel (3), and in such a way that when the relative motion between the reel (3) and the roll (6) is suspended thereafter during the sub¬ sequent overwrapping operation in a configuration whereby the respective axes (3a, 6a) are disposed parallel and the cord (7) of film is substantially in alignment with one of the flanges (9), the flat decoiling film occupies a plane tangential to the surface of revolution (8) of the reel (3). 15) A method as in claim 14, wherein the film (2) decoils without being cut from a single roll (6) that is maintained in a stationary position with its axis (6a) horizontally disposed during the operation of fashioning the staves and thereafter set in mo¬ tion along its own axis (6a) during the overwrapping operation between two positions of substantial ali¬ gnment with the flanges (9) of the reel (3). 16) A method as in claims 1 to 11, wherein the operation of covering the entire surface of revolu¬ tion (8) of a reel (3) with staves is followed by an operation of overwrapping the surface of revolution (8), comprising the steps of: - inducing relative motion between the reel (3) and a second roll (6) of film (2) disposed parallel with the reel, and decoiling the second roll (6) in such a way that the film (2) advances toward the reel (3) disposed flat and tangential to the surface of revolution (8); - setting the roll (6) in motion parallel with the axis (3a) of the reel (3) while causing the reel to rotate about its own axis (3a), and coordinating the resulting linear and angular movements in such a way that the staves (11) drawn taut between the flanges (9) are enveloped in their entirety by the flat second film (2) decoiling from the roll (6). 17) A method as in claims 1 to 11, wherein the operation of covering the entire surface of revolu¬ tion (8) of a reel (3) with staves is followed by an operation of overwrapping the surface of revolution (8), comprising the steps of: - inducing relative motion between the roll (6) of film and the reel (3), and decoiling the film (2) from the roll; - setting the roll (6) in motion parallel with the axis (3a) of the reel (3) while causing the reel to rotate about its own axis (3a), and coordinating the resulting linear and angular movements in such a way that the cord (7) of film is wound over the sta- ves (11) drawn taut between the flanges (9) and com¬ bines therewith to generate a lattice occupying the entire surface of revolution (8). 18) A protective structure of plastic film (2) for reels (3), obtained by implementation of a met¬ hod as in claims 1 to 15, consisting in a plurality of helical turns (10) wound from a film (2) gathered in the transverse direction so as to assume the a- spect of a stout cord (7) and passed around the vir- tual surface of revolution (8) and the flanges (9) of the reel (3) in such a way that each turn descri¬ bes a quadrilateral loop of which two sides esta¬ blish corresponding staves(ll) drawn taut between the flanges (9) and the remaining sides coincide each with a chord (12) of a respective flange (9) located externally both of the coupling elements (4) and of the means of identification (5) in relation to the axis (3a) of the reel (3), wherein the staves (11) are disposed one adjacent to another, occupying the entire surface of revolution (8), and the sides of the helical turns (10) coinciding with the chords (12) are arranged so as to cover the entire expanse of each flange with the exception of the central a- rea (22), in such a way that the coupling elements (14) and the means of identification (5) are left uncovered. 19) A protective structure as in claim 18, whe¬ rein the staves (11) are disposed parallel with a generator of the surface of revolution (8) of the reel (3) . 20) A protective structure as in claim 18, whe¬ rein the staves (11) are disposed skew in relation to a generator of the surface of revolution (8) of the reel(3) . 21) A protective structure as in claim 18, con¬ sisting in a first set of turns (10) directly enve¬ loping the reel (3) and enveloped in turn by a se¬ cond set of turns(lθ) each likewise describing a quadrilateral loop of which two sides establish cor¬ responding staves (11a) drawn taut between the flan¬ ges (9) of the reel and the remaining sides coincide with chords (12) of the relative flanges (9) located externally both of the coupling elements (4) and of the means of identification (5) in relation to the axis (3a) of the reel (3), wherein the staves (11) generated by the turns (10) of the first set and the staves (11a) generated by the turns (10) of the se¬ cond set are disposed mutually skew and in such a a Y as to create a lattice affording protection to the reel (3) . 22) A protective structure as in claim 18, whe¬ rein the turns (10) of film are enveloped by an o- verwrapping composed of a plurality of coils of film (2) drawn from the roll (6) and applied flat.

Inventors: CERE MAURO, GEMMANI GIOVANNI, RUSSO VITALIANO, CERE', MAURO, GEMMANI, GIOVANNI, RUSSO, VITALIANO
Applicants: CERE MAURO, GEMMANI GIOVANNI, ROBOPAC SISTEMI SRL, RUSSO VITALIANO, CERE', MAURO, GEMMANI, GIOVANNI, ROBOPAC SISTEMI S.R.L., RUSSO, VITALIANO
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65B11
IPC codes: B65B11, B65D85, B65H54, B65H75