Abstract:
An active code carrier is located inside a spare paper roll that includes a tube or core. The code carrier interacts with either a reading head, or a writing head. This enables roll-specific data to be read or updated at any time. This is particularly useful for automated roll transport and roll handling systems.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a spare paper roll such as a paper web roll. The roll is wound on a winding core or tube. A core carrier, that has a data memory is provided in the spare web roll or in the tube. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     It is generally known to provide spare paper web rolls with a 16-digit bar code identification on their outer packaging, for example in accordance with a recommendation of the IFRA Newsprint Committee, for example. This numerical code includes, for example, number of the the roll, the weight of the roll, the type of packaging, the basis weight, the quality, as well as the manufacturer&#39;s code. As a rule, this bar code identification is scanned by means of a laser scanner. 
     In connection with this coding, the lack of legibility because of damage to the code support is disadvantageous, for example. This can result in the loss of information or to incorrect information. 
     DE 91 15 827 U1, EP 0 597 184 A1, DE 38 16 800 A1, DE 85 13 8. U1 and DE 44 21 485 A1 disclose roll supports, in whose vicinity a code carrier is arranged. A bar code is applied to these code supports. 
     It is disadvantageous in this connection that it is not possible to record on these code carriers again, or respectively to record additional data on them. 
     WO 94/28531 shows a spare web roll with an information carrier. The spare web roll has a winding core or a tube. 
     DE 39 12 488 A1 describes a method for transmitting product information regarding a textile bobbin by means of an electronic memory chip which can be read and erased. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     WO 98/28213 shows a spare web roll with a tube. An active code carrier is arranged in the tube. 
     DE 39 12 488 A1 describes a method for transmitting product information regarding a textile bobbin by providing either the winding core or the tube for the spare web roll, or the spare web roll itself with a core carrier which can be activated and which has a data memory. memory chip which can be read and erased. 
     The object of the invention is based on providing a spare web roll with an information carrier. 
     The advantages which can be achieved by means of the present invention reside, in particular, in that the code carrier is arranged independently of the outer packaging, or respectively the outer layer of the web, so that the code carrier can be interrogated at any time. It is furthermore possible to provide the code carrier with new, or respectively supplemental data, and to store these. Such data could be, for example, information regarding a new destination, length of the remaining paper, particulars of the quality—for example, a “beating” roll—and the like. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows. Shown in the drawings are in: 
     FIG. 1, a longitudinal section I—I in accordance with FIG. 2 through a portion of a spare paper web roll with a code carrier arranged in the end area of the tube; 
     FIG. 2, a plan view A in accordance with FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3, a longitudinal section through an end of a tube with several code carriers, which are alternatively arranged on the tube end; and in 
     FIG. 4, a data flow chart for the flow of information between a code carrier and read/record and evaluation units. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A spare web roll, for example a spare paper web roll  1  for a web-fed rotary printing press, has a continuous tube  3  in the area of its axis of rotation  2 , on whose tube body a web  4  of material has been wound, all as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. A star-shaped, for example three-armed holder  7  is arranged in the end area of the tube, and in particular in the area of the interior diameter, or respectively interior  6  of the tube  3 , whose arms  8 ,  9 ,  10  rest resiliently against the interior circumference  6 . For example, the holder  7  supports a cylinder-shaped or disk-shaped code carrier  12 , which can be activated, i.e. can be coded and decoded, coaxially with the axis of rotation  2 . The code carrier  12  is an electronic component, which can be coded by inductive means. 
     The holder  7  can be inserted, for example into the end area of the tube  3  of a spare paper web  1  roll, i.e. into the interior  6  of the tube  3 , in such a way that it remains in a temporary first position B, i.e. close to the lateral edges  13  of the web of material  4  as—represented in dashed lines in FIG  1 . Only when the spare paper web  1  roll is placed on the shaft, is the holder  7  pushed into a second position C by means of a clamping cone, not represented. The holder  7  will now be in the position shown in solid lines in FIG.  1 . 
     After the roll is used up, for example, the holder  7  can again be taken out of the tube  3  by removing it. For this purpose the arms  8 ,  9 ,  10  can have bores  14 ,  16 ,  17 , for example, behind which a suitable tool can reach. 
     A number of code carriers  18 ,  21 ,  23 ,  26  are represented in respectively different fastening positions in FIG.  3 . However, only one of which is used. 
     A code carrier  18  is arranged in the front face  19  of the tube  3 , i.e. in the tube body, and may for example be pressed into a bore. 
     A code carrier  21  is fastened to the inner surface  22  of the tube  3 , i.e. in the interior  6  of the tube  3 , for example by gluing. 
     A code carrier  23  is arranged in the tube body  3 . In this case, the tube wall  24  can have a bore into which the code carrier  23  is pressed. 
     It is also possible to arrange a code carrier  26  in the webs of material  4  which are close to the tube  3 , i.e. the inner or lower ones, i.e. to introduce it from the direction of the lateral edges  13  of the webs of material  4  into an area close to the edge, for example to press it in. Therefore the code carrier  26  is outside of and in the vicinity of the tube  3 . 
     The code carriers  12 ,  18 ,  21 ,  23 ,  26  arranged in the interior of the tube  3  or in the vicinity of the tube  3 , for example the code carrier  18  located in the front face  19  of the tube  3 , are connected with one of the recording and reading heads  27 ,  28 ,  29 . Such recording and reading heads  27 ,  28 ,  29  are, as shown in FIG. 4, stationed along a conveyance path for movable spare paper web transport carriages, for example the recording and reading head  27  in the vicinity of a storage facility for spare paper web rolls  1 , the recording and reading head  28  is locked in the vicinity of a preparation station for spare paper web, and the recording and reading head  29  is located in the vicinity of a roll changer. 
     Each recording and reading head  27  to  29  consists of an electronic component, which transmits energy  37  and information  38  in a contactless manner to the code carrier  18 . On the other end, all recording and reading heads  27  to  29  are connected with each other via a data bus  39 , as well as with an evaluation unit  41  and a control device  42 , as well as a master computer  43 , all as shown in FIG  4 . The master computer  43  has an input station  46 . 
     The code carrier  18 , as well as the other code carriers  12 ,  21 ,  23 ,  26 , are essentially embodied as data memory devices, and respectively consist of an electronic component with a memory and logical control device. The above mentioned code carriers are, for example, designed as EEPROM versions, and can be written on and read out, for example, with up to eight Kilobytes. 
     If, for example, a spare paper web roll  1  is moved out of the storage facility—the transport carriages are, for example, pulled by means of under-floor or driverless transport systems—the code carrier  18  located in the tube  3  of the spare paper web roll  1  passes by the recording/reading head  27 . As soon as the code carrier  18  comes into the active area of the recording/reading head  27 , the energy  37  required for data transmission is built up and the data  38  are transmitted by the recording/reading head  27  to the code carrier  18 , and the data  44  are transmitted by the code carrier  18  to the recording/reading head  27 , each in a frequency range of, for example, 70 Kilohertz. Such data can be, besides the data entered by the manufacturer: new destination, for example the spare paper web preparation station, remaining length of paper, particularities of the paper, for example a “beating” roll. 
     The data, which are inductively coupled in by the code carrier  18 , are converted into a digital energy signal and conducted to the evaluation unit  41 . The evaluation unit  41  manages the data transfer  37 ,  44  between the recording/reading head  28  and the code carrier  18  and is used as an intermediate memory. The evaluation unit  41  is the connecting member between the master computer  43 , or respectively the control device  42 , and the code carrier  18 . Data can be erased or new data can be added, such as for example, a new destination, the gluing preparation station and the type of the glue tip. Following the gluing preparation of the spare paper web roll  1 , it is possible to enter a further destination, for example a roll changer, by means of the recording/reading head  28 . After a portion of the spare paper web roll  1  has been used, another entry to the roll data takes place by means of the recording/reading head  29 , as well as a new destination, for example a storage facility. 
     It is also possible to arrange only stationary reading devices for the purpose of reading out the destination at appropriate positions on the transport path, for example at switches. 
     In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the recording/reading head  29  can be arranged in the roll changer, i.e. for example in a roll cone of a support arm of the roll changer, so that a data exchange can take place between the recording/reading head  29  and a code carrier  18  while the spare paper web roll  1  is still on the shaft. Alternatively it is also possible to fasten the recording/reading head  29  on the end of the support arm of the roll changer. 
     The data exchange preferably takes place during the run-out of the spare paper web roll  1 , i.e. while the spare paper web roll  1  turns slowly. 
     It is also possible to utilize a code carrier  12  arranged in the area of the imagined axis of rotation  2  of the spare paper web roll  1  in the interior  6  of the tube  3 . In this case the recording/reading head  12  is arranged in the direction of an extended axis of rotation  2  on the exterior of a support arm of the roll changer. Here, the clamping cone is designed to be hollow. 
     While preferred embodiments of a spare paper roll in accordance with the present invention have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that a number of changes in, for example, the material used to construct the tube, the type of press with which the spare paper roll will be used, and the like may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the following claims.