Abstract:
A configurable paper transport having a frame having at least one station for securing a non-driven paper web process device. The configurable paper transport defines a paper web path through the non-driven paper web process device, or devices. The configurable paper transport also contains a driver that moves a paper web along the paper web path. In a preferred configuration, the stations and associated non-driven paper web process devices have a universal receptacle permitting any non-driven paper process device, selected from a plurality of non-driven paper process devices, to be located in any station.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/703,136 entitled “Paper Web Inspection and Processing Unit” filed on Oct. 31, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for processing of a paper web, and more specifically is directed to a configurable paper transport.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In a process referred to as paper web finishing, a paper web is converted into a product. Paper web finishing can vary from one product to another. For example, some products may be printed and folded and others may simply be printed. While some products are manufactured in quantities that justify a dedicated assembly line, many products are not. As a result, the assembly line associated with a particular paper web-finishing requirement must be configured when needed.  
           [0004]    Traditionally, the assembly line for paper web finishing has been characterized by relatively inflexible assembly line design. When a product was ordered, the processing requirements and the associated process equipment would be identified and a fixed assembly line would be designed and arranged.  
           [0005]    A significant challenge in creating an assembly line from these disparate pieces of process equipment is assuring that the speed of the paper web through any given piece of process equipment is the speed required for that process. As a result, the assembly line had to include storage mechanisms to assure that the paper web could be processed continuously. The relatively inflexible design and the integration difficulties of the process equipment made paper web finishing expensive.  
           [0006]    In order to reduce the costs associated with assembly line setup, individual process modules were developed. These individual process modules are standalone units performing a dedicated process. The individual modules are on wheels and can be rolled into position and held in position to create an assembly line. The use of positional individual modules increased productivity and thus lowered cost. Each module, however, is by design a standalone machine. As a result, each is optimized for its process and each has a drive system for moving the paper web through the module designed in isolation from the drive systems of other individual process modules. Thus when the modules were configured into an assembly line, differing drive speeds still had to be considered.  
           [0007]    Eventually, the drive units of each process module were integrated. In essence, a master drive was created, mechanically or electrically, and the individual drive units were considered slaves to the master drive unit. This however, added considerable control complexity to the assembly line.  
           [0008]    Based on the foregoing, it is the general object of the present invention to overcome or improve upon the problems and drawbacks of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The invention is a configurable paper transport. The configurable paper transport has a frame with a paper web path through the frame. A driver on the frame engages a paper web such that the paper web is moved alone the paper web path. The frame defines at least one station, each station being designed to removably secure a non-driven paper web process device, selected from a plurality of non-driven paper process devices, to the frame. When in operation, positioned in least one station is a non-driven paper web process device.  
           [0010]    Preferably, the station is a universal station and the non-driven paper web process device is a universal device, such that any non-driven paper web process device can be used in any station. The frame can have any number of stations. Depending upon the number of stations, the stations can be positioned one to the other in numerous configurations. For example, the stations might be linear, orthogonal, or both. The stations might be all in the same plane or stacked. These multiple configurations make it possible to establish paper web paths that are liner or turn. In certain configurations, the turns may even permit a paper web path to enter and exit from the same side of the frame, or a paper web path that splits within the frame.  
           [0011]    The frame provides a structure capable of rapid and cost effective reconfiguration, thereby eliminating securing requirements associated with individual modules. The reconfiguration is also simplified, as the drive aspects associated with the movement of the paper web are integral to the frame and not the individual pieces of process equipment. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a side view of configurable paper transport having non-driven paper web process devices positioned therein.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is top view of the configurable paper transport depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 3 a - f  is a side view of several configurable paper transports.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a top view of a four station configurable transport having non-driven paper web process devices positioned therein.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a top view of a six station configurable transport having non-driven paper web process devices positioned therein.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a side view of another four station configurable transport having non-driven paper web devices positioned therein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the configurable paper transport, generally referred to by the reference number  10 , includes a frame  12  having coupled thereto a plurality of rollers  14  and an IPU input loop  16  that define a paper web path  18  which is followed by a paper web  20 . Attached to the frame  12  is a driver  22 , which may be reversible, that engages the paper web  20  causing the paper web to travel through the frame  12 .  
         [0019]    Guide wheels  24  also define the paper web path  18 . The guide wheels  24 , which are mounted on a roller  14 , provide lateral confinement of the paper web  20 . It is, however, understood that the guide wheels  24  do not necessarily have to be mounted on a roller  14 .  
         [0020]    The frame  12  contains two stations  26 . Each station  26  is configured to removably secure a non-driven paper web device  28 , such as a printer or an inspection unit. For maximum flexibility and to minimize setup time, it is preferred that all stations  26  and non-driven paper web devices  28  have a universal receptacle, which permits one of a plurality of non-driven paper web devices to be secured within any station.  
         [0021]    Each non-driven paper web device  28  is a non-driven device and can be of any type including but not limited to an inspector, a printer, an encoder, a slitter blade, a perforator, an image thermal transferor, a label applicator, a card affixer, a hole puncher, a die cutter, an adhesive applicator, a web conditioner, a dryer, a paper web turner, or turner. It is an important aspect of the invention that the non-driven paper web process device  28  be non-driven. Non-driven as used herein means that the non-driven paper web process device  28  does not propel the paper web  20  through the frame  12 . As each non-driven paper web process device  28  is non-driven, there is no need to link and control the drive mechanisms of various paper web process devices.  
         [0022]    For ease of movement, the frame  12  has attached thereto roller wheels  30  that permit the configurable paper transport  10  to be easily relocated on a shop floor  32 . It is a desired feature of the configurable paper transport  10  that it can be easy relocated on a shop floor  32  to quickly configure or reconfigure an assembly line. For example, it may be necessary to position the configurable paper transport  10  proximate another configurable paper transport, or another process device or devices (not shown), such as a printer, that is/are simply too large to be incorporated into a station  26 . It may also be desirable to co-locate the configurable paper transport  10  with for example the paper web  20  that is on a pallet.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 3 a - f  depicts multiple potential paper web paths, these paths are merely exemplary, thus the invention should not be considered limited to the paper web paths disclosed. As many features of the frames depicted in FIGS. 3 a - f  are similar to the previously discussed frame, similar elements will be given the same reference number preceded by the number  1 . In FIG. 3 a,  the paper web  120  is pulled along the paper web path  118 , in a direction indicated by the arrow labeled A, by a driver  122  that includes a drive roller  34  and a driven roller  36  that create a nip  38  through which the paper web  120  is pulled. The drive roller  34  may be rotated by any suitable means such as a belt around the axis thereof (not shown). Tension is induced into the paper web  120  by a brake roller  40 . Positioned between the brake roller  40  and the driver  122  are additional rollers  114  that position the paper web  120  for passage through installed non-driven paper web process devices (not shown).  
         [0024]    As shown in FIG. 3 b,  the driver  122  can be only the driven roller  34 . This type of driven roller  34  is particularly suited to a sprocket that engages complementary holes in the paper web  120 . Also illustrated are different positions for rollers  114  that define the paper web path  118 . FIG. 3 c  is yet another paper web path  118  configuration.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 d  depicts yet another paper web path  118 . This paper web path  118  is different from the previous as the IPU loop  116  is spatially downstream of the driver  122 , where downstream is based on movement of the paper web  120  along the paper web path denoted by arrow A. FIGS. 3 e  and  3   f  depict additional paper web paths  118 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 depicts another arrangement of the configurable frame transport. As this transport is similar in many respects to those previously discussed, the same reference number preceded by the number  2  will be used for like elements. The frame  212  has four stations  226  positioned in a square that is planar. As a result, non-driven paper web process devices  228  may be positioned orthogonal one to the other. The paper web  220  is turned within the frame  212  by a non-driven paper web process device  228  containing turning bars  44 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 depicts another arrangement of the configurable frame transport. As this transport is similar in many respects to those previously discussed, the same reference number preceded by the number  3  will be used for like elements. The frame  312  has six stations  326  positioned in a rectangle. In this case, the non-driven paper web process devices  328  are positioned such that the paper web  320  enters and exits on the same side of the frame  312 . The paper web  320  is turned within the frame  312  by a non-driven paper web process device  228  containing turning bars  344 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 depicts another arrangement of the configurable frame transport. As this transport is similar in many respects to those previously discussed, the same reference number preceded by the number  4  will be used for like elements. The frame  412  has four stations  426  that are vertically stacked to create a square. Similarly to the arrangement depicted in FIG. 5, the paper web  420  can both enter and exit the frame  412  from the same side.  
         [0029]    While the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible, particularly versions incorporating other roller configurations for defining the paper web path, and controlling and advancing a paper web along the paper web path. In addition, while a single paper web path has been depicted entering, exiting and within the frame, multiple web paths are possible and considered within the scope of the invention. Where multiple web paths are used, multiple drivers might be required. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.