Automatic web material connecting apparatus

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6244321
  • Patent Number
    6,244,321
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, April 7, 1994
    30 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 12, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
An automatic paper web connecting apparatus includes a pair of blocks arranged so as to be able to move relatively and be pressed against each other in the direction to cross a feed path for one paper web and a feed path for the other paper web, retaining mechanism for retaining the two paper webs on the respective opposite faces of their corresponding blocks by suction, a cutting mechanism for cutting a desired one of the paper webs, and a drive mechanism for relatively moving the blocks. The cutting mechanism includes a rotating body rockable between the two paper web feed paths on the upper-course side of the blocks, first and second knives fixed individually to the blocks, and a third knife fixed to the rotating body. The rotating body is rotated between a first rotational position in which the third knife faces the first knife and a second rotational position in which the third knife faces the second knife. The desired one paper web is cut by means of the third knife and one of the first and second knives, which is selected depending on the rotational position of the rotating body, while the blocks are moving relatively to each other.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to an automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatus.




In tobacco binding operation of a cigarette manufacturing machine, for example, a paper web should be supplied without a break. To attain this, a number of reels each wound with a paper web are provided so that a reel with a new or virgin paper web can be set in position before the remainder of a paper web on a reel in service is reduced to zero, that is, before the in-service reel is emptied. In this case, the leading end of the virgin web is connected to the in-service web by means of a paper web connecting unit, and the in-service web is cut off. Thus, the used and virgin paper webs are connected. Generally, a paper web feeding apparatus can be fitted with two reels so that when the remainder of a paper web on one reel becomes insufficient, a virgin paper web can be fed from the other reel. After connecting the virgin web to the in-service web, the paper web connecting unit cuts off the latter. When the remainder of the new paper web becomes insufficient after the replacement, another virgin paper web is supplied from another reel which is set in place of the empty reel in the feeding apparatus. The new virgin web is connected to the in-service web by means of the connecting unit, and the in-service web is then cut off. This operation is repeatedly performed so that the paper web can be continuously supplied to a winder. Packaging materials are connected in like manner in a packaging material feeding apparatus which is used to feed packaging materials, such as paper, to a packaging machine, in a cigarette manufacturing machine.




In connecting and cutting the paper webs or other belt-shaped materials alternately supplied from the two systems as described above, the one paper web is fed through its corresponding feed path, an the other paper web through another feed path. Each feed path is defined by upper-course feed rollers, guide roller, feed belt, and lower-course feed rollers. Each paper web is cut by means of a cutter which is formed of a stationary knife and a rotating knife, arranged between the upper-course feed rollers and the guide roller.




In connecting the virgin paper web to the paper web in service, the leading end of the virgin web is delivered to the lower-course feed rollers in a manner such that it is retained on the feed belt by suction, while the in-service web is cut, by means of the cutter, in a position where its trailing end overlaps the leading end of the virgin web. Thereupon, the leading end of the virgin paper web is connected to the in-service paper web between the lower-course feed rollers. Paper web cutting mechanisms of this type are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,898,900 and 3,847,046 (corresponding to Japanese Provisional Patent Publication Nos. 49-77280 and 49-77282, respectively).




In these conventional cutting mechanisms, however, the paper web feed paths are provided individually with the cutters. Accordingly, these mechanisms are subject to drawbacks including complicated construction and increased components, as well as low operating efficiency.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention has been contrived in consideration of these circumstances, and its object is to provide an automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatus which enjoys high operating efficiency and compact construction.




An automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a pair of blocks arranged so as to be able to move relatively and be pressed against each other in the direction to cross a feed path for a first belt-shaped material and a feed path for a second belt-shaped material, retaining means for retaining the first and second belt-shaped materials on the respective opposite faces of the pair of blocks, cutting means, associated with the pair of blocks, for cutting a desired one of the first and second belt-shaped materials, and driving means for relatively moving the pair of blocks, whereby the desired one belt-shaped material is cut by means of the cutting means while the blocks are moving relatively to each other.




Preferably, the automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatus further includes first and second guide rollers, spaced at a distance from each other, and a third guide roller for defining the feed path for the first belt-shaped material in conjunction with the first guide roller and defining the feed path for the second belt-shaped material in conjunction with the second guide roller.




Preferably, moreover, each of the pair of blocks is movable.




Preferably, moreover, the driving means includes a pair of connecting rods, each having one end connected to a corresponding one of the pair of blocks, and a cylinder actuator having a rod connected with the respective other ends of the connecting rods. Furthermore, the cutting means includes a rotating body rockable between the feed paths for the first and second belt-shaped materials on the upper-course side of the pair of blocks, first and second knives fixed individually to the pair of blocks, a third knife fixed to the rotating body, and actuator means for rotating the rotating body between a first rotational position in which the third knife faces the first knife and a second rotational position in which the third knife faces the second knife. The desired one belt-shaped material is cut by means of the third knife and one of the first and second knives selected depending on the rotational position of the rotating body.




An advantage of the present invention is that one of the two belt-shaped materials supplied separately from two systems can be selectively cut by means of a single cutter mechanism, so that the operating efficiency for cutting the materials can be improved, and the components of the apparatus can be reduced in number. Moreover, a belt-shaped material in service can be cut, and at the same time, the leading end of a virgin belt-shaped material can be connected to the trailing end of the in-service material, by only moving the pair of blocks relatively to each other. Thus, the connecting operation can be speeded up, and the connecting apparatus can be made compact.




These and other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from an understanding of the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the following drawing figures.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description herein below with reference to the accompanying figures, given by way of illustration only and not intended to limit the present invention in which:





FIG. 1

is a schematic view showing a conventional paper web cutting/connecting mechanism;





FIG. 2

is a schematic front view showing a paper web feeding apparatus furnished with an automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a sectional view showing a reel mounting shaft of the feeding apparatus of FIG.


2


and its peripheral elements;





FIG. 4

is a fragmentary enlarged view showing the reel mounting shaft of FIG.


3


and its peripheral elements;





FIG. 5

is a fragmentary enlarged view showing the principal part of the reel mounting shaft of

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 6

is a partly cutaway front view of a bobbin shown in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 7

is a fragmentary enlarged view showing the principal part of the bobbin of

FIG. 6

;





FIG. 8

is a rear view of elements shown in

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 9

is a front view of an automatic paper web connecting unit shown in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 10

is a sectional view taken along line X—X of

FIG. 9

;





FIG. 11

is a rear view of the automatic paper web connecting unit shown in

FIG. 9

;





FIG. 12

is a fragmentary enlarged view showing the principal part of a cutter mechanism shown in

FIG. 10

;





FIG. 13

is a front view of a shaft of the cutter mechanism shown in

FIG. 12

;





FIG. 14

is a plan view of the shaft shown in

FIG. 13

;





FIG. 15

is a bottom view of a holder of the cutter mechanism shown in

FIG. 10

;





FIG. 16

is a sectional view taken along line XVI—XVI of

FIG. 15

;





FIG. 17

is a partly cutaway front view of a front knife of the cutter mechanism shown in

FIG. 10

;





FIG. 18

is a bottom view of the front knife shown in

FIG. 17

;





FIG. 19

is a view showing a state in which paper web connection is started with the starting end of a virgin paper web held against the end face of a press block, in the paper web connecting unit shown in

FIG. 9

;





FIG. 20

is a view showing the way a paper web in service is cut in the paper web connecting unit;





FIG. 21

is a view showing the way the virgin paper web is connected to the paper web in service;





FIG. 22

is a view showing a completion of the paper web connection;





FIG. 23

is a diagram showing the timing for the paper web connection in the paper web feeding apparatus shown in

FIG. 2

; and





FIG. 24

is a schematic block diagram schematically showing a control unit of the paper web connecting unit along with its peripheral elements.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




Referring to

FIG. 1

, there is shown a conventional mechanism for connecting and cutting paper webs which are alternately supplied from two systems. In this mechanism, one paper web


1


is transported past a pair of feed rollers


2


, guide roller


4


, feed belt


5


, and feed rollers


6


and


6


′, while the other paper web


1


′ is transported past a pair of feed rollers


3


, guide roller


4


′, feed belt


5


′, and feed rollers


6


and


6


′. Cutters


7


and


7


′, each formed of a stationary knife and a rotating knife, are arranged between the feed roller pair


2


and the guide roller


4


and between the feed roller pair


3


and the guide roller


4


′, respectively. In this arrangement, the paper webs


1


and


1


′ are cut separately.




In connecting the virgin paper web


1


′ to the paper web


1


in service, a leading end


1





a


of the web


1


′ is delivered to the feed rollers


6


and


6


′ in a manner such that it is retained on the feed belt


5


′ by suction, while the in-service web


1


is cut, by means of the cutter


7


, in a position where its trailing end overlaps the leading end


1





a


of the web


1


′. Thereupon, the leading end


1





a


of the paper web


1


′ is connected to the paper web


1


between the feed rollers


6


and


6


′. The connection between the trailing end of the web


1


and the leading end


1





a


of the web


1


′ is achieved by, for example, previously pasting a double-coated tape on the leading end


1





a


of the web


1


′ and then bonding this web end to the trailing end of the web


1


with the aid of the feed rollers


6


,


6


′. Likewise, in connecting the paper web


1


to the paper web


1


′, the web


1


′ is cut by means of the cutter


7


′. Cutting mechanisms of this type for paper webs or other belt-shaped material are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,898,900 and 3,847,046.




In these conventional cutting mechanisms, however, feed paths for the paper webs


1


and


1


′ are provided, respectively, with the cutters


7


and


7


′ for cutting the trailing ends of the webs. Accordingly, these mechanisms are subject to drawbacks including complicated construction and increased components, as well as low operating efficiency.




The following is a description of a paper web feeding apparatus furnished with an automatic paper web connecting apparatus as an automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.




The paper web feeding apparatus, which constitutes part of a cigarette manufacturing machine, serves to feed a paper web to a winder of the machine.




General Configuration




Referring to

FIG. 2

, the paper web feeding apparatus


10


comprises two bobbins


12


and


12


′ fitted with reels


17


and


17


′ which are wound with paper webs


1


and


1


′, respectively. The paper web from one of the reels is fed to the winder (not shown) through a reservoir box


16


and a printing section (not shown) by rotating a pulling roller


15


by means of a servomotor (designated by numeral


250


in

FIG. 24

) for use as roller driving means in a manner such that the web is held between the roller


15


and a pinch roller


15




a


. The pinch roller


15




a


, in conjunction with the pulling roller


15


, constitutes roller means for delivering the paper web.




The paper web feeding apparatus


10


further comprises a mechanism for applying tension to the paper web traveling from the apparatus


10


toward the winder and a mechanism for adjusting the traveling position of the paper web, whereby the travel of the paper web can be stabilized.




Furthermore, the paper web feeding apparatus


10


comprises an automatic paper web connecting unit


14


and a reel mounting unit. The connecting unit


14


connects the paper web on one reel to the paper web on the other reel when the remainder of the web on the first reel is reduced to a critical degree. The reel mounting unit is used to set the reels in the paper web feeding apparatus


10


so that the reels are removable. Thus, the paper web can be continuously fed to the winder, and manual operations for the paper web connection and reel attachment and detachment can be reduced considerably.




In the paper web feeding apparatus


10


according to the present embodiment, the reel mounting unit, tensioning mechanism, and paper web traveling position adjusting mechanism are arranged in and around two rotating shafts


24


and


24


′ for use as reel mounting shafts on which the reels


17


and


17


′ are mounted by means of the bobbins


12


and


12


′, respectively. Thus, the feeding apparatus


10


enjoys a compact design.




The following is a detailed description of various parts of the paper web feeding apparatus


10


.




Rotating Shaft (Reel Mounting Shaft)




Referring to

FIGS. 3 and 4

, an outer cylinder


20


is fixed to a front wall


11


, which constitutes part of the body of the paper web feeding apparatus


10


, by means of bolts. An inner cylinder


21


is fitted in the outer cylinder


20


so as to be slidable and nonrotatable with respect to the cylinder


20


. The hollow rotating shaft


24


is rotatably supported in the inner cylinder


21


by means of bearings


25




a


and


25




b


. Thus, the shaft


24


is supported for rotation in the paper web feeding apparatus body. The other rotating shaft


24


′ is also supported for rotation in the apparatus body.




More specifically, the front end of the outer cylinder


20


is fitted in a large hole


11




a


which is bored through the front wall


11


. A flange, which is formed substantially on the middle portion of the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder


20


, is fixed to the front wall


11


by means of the bolts. A key way


20




a


is formed extending axially on the inner surface of the outer cylinder


20


, while an annular groove


20




b


is formed extending circumferentially on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the cylinder


20


. A mating key


21




a


for the key way


20




a


is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder


21


, whereby the cylinder


21


is fitted in the outer cylinder


20


so as to be slidable in the axial direction and nonrotatable.




The rotating shafts


24


and


24


′ are located in positions such that they do not interfere with the reels


17


and


17


′ with their maximum web roll diameters when the reels are mounted on their corresponding shafts.




Reel Mounting Unit




The reel mounting unit (bobbin clamping mechanism) is provided with the bobbins


12


and


12


′ as holder means for removably mounting the reels


17


and


17


′ on the rotating shafts


24


and


24


′. Since bobbins


12


and


12


′ have the same construction, only the bobbin


12


will be described below.




The bobbin


12


has a variable-diameter holder with a variable outside diameter which is mounted on the rotating shaft


24


. The holder includes movable holder elements


37


, e.g., four in number, which are supported on the shaft


24


for movement in the radial direction of the shaft


24


. Each holder element


37


is movable between a reel mounting position, in which its outer peripheral surface is pressed against a shaft hole defining surface of the reel, and a reel removing position, in which its outer peripheral surface is separated inward from the shaft hole defining surface of the reel with respect to the radial direction of the rotating shaft. More generally, the variable-diameter holder is designed so that its outside diameter is variable between a first diameter such that the holder can be pressed into a shaft hole of the reel


17


and a second diameter such that the holder can be disengaged from the reel shaft hole. The outside diameter of the variable-diameter holder is the diameter of an imaginary circle which is touched by the respective outer peripheral surfaces of the movable holder elements


37


.




The reel mounting unit further comprises a holder drive mechanism for changing the outside diameter of the holder. The holder drive mechanism associated with the bobbin


12


includes a driving shaft


27


arranged for axial reciprocation in the hollow of the rotating shaft


24


, and a cylinder actuator for reciprocating the shaft


27


. The cylinder actuator is formed of, e.g., a sprung single-acting air cylinder


51


, whose cylinder chamber is selectively communicated with a compressed air source


210


or the atmosphere by means of a three-way solenoid valve


211


, which operates under the control of a control unit


200


, as shown in FIG.


24


.




When the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder


51


is stopped, a rod


54


is advanced by the agency of a spring


55


, whereupon the outside diameter of the holder of the bobbin


12


increases to the level of the first diameter, so that the reel


17


is unremovably supported by means of the bobbin


12


. As the compressed air is supplied, on the other hand, the rod


54


is retreated to reduce the outside diameter of the holder to the level of the second diameter, so that the reel


17


is allowed to be removed from the bobbin


12


.




Preferably, a robot


220


is used to transport the reel between a reel storage space and the paper web feeding apparatus, and signals are transferred between the control unit


200


and a robot control unit


230


for controlling the operation of the robot, as shown in FIG.


24


. In this arrangement, the control units


200


and


230


cooperate to control the operation of the robot


220


for the reel transportation and the operation of the reel mounting unit for the reel attachment and detachment. In this case, the attachment and detachment of the reel to and from the paper web feeding apparatus are automated. In

FIG. 24

, numeral


240


designates various sensors for detecting the robot operation.




The following is a further description of the reel mounting unit constructed in this manner.




As shown in

FIG. 3

, the air cylinder


51


is fixed to a support plate


46


on another support plate


45


, which is fixed to a large-diameter flange


21




c


on the rear end of the inner cylinder


21


across a given space. The rod


54


(

FIG. 4

) of the cylinder


51


is loosely fitted in the rotating shaft


24


, and its distal end is connected to the rear end of the shaft


27


. A return spring


55


(

FIG. 4

) is interposed compressed between a flange on the distal end of the rod


54


and the support plate


46


.




A thick large-diameter flange


24




a


is formed on the front end of the rotating shaft


24


. Holes


24




b


, e.g., four in number, are bored through the peripheral wall of the flange


24




a


so as to be arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange. Each hole


24




b


extends in the radial direction of the shaft


24


. The shaft


27


is fitted in the hollow of the shaft


24


by means of a bearing for relative rotation and axial sliding motion. A taper cam


28


is rotatably mounted on the front end of the shaft


27


by means of a thrust bearing


29


and a bearing


30


. The rear half portion of the cam


28


is in the form of a cylinder having a uniform diameter, and the front portion thereof forms a taper surface tapered toward the front end. In other words, the front portion of the cam


28


is in the form of a truncated cone.




As shown in

FIG. 5

, a shaft


31


is slidably fitted in each hole


24




b


of the flange


24




a


, and a slit


31




a


is formed in the outer peripheral surface of shaft


31


so as to extend along the axis of the shaft


31


. The proximal end of the shaft


31


is loosely fitted in a hole of a spring shoe


32


, and faces the taper cam


28


across a narrow gap. A roller


33


is rotatably mounted on the proximal end of the shaft


31


by means of a shaft bolt


34


and a nut


35


(FIG.


7


). As shown in

FIG. 7

, a spring


36


is interposed compressed between the spring shoe


32


and the respective peripheral surfaces of the head of the bolt


34


and the nut


35


. The spring


36


causes the shaft


31


to withdraw, and presses the roller


33


against the taper cam


28


for rolling motion.




As shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

, the middle portion of each movable holder element


37


, substantially in the form of a quadrant, is fixed to the distal end of the shaft


31


by means of a bolt


38


. One end of a pin


39


, the other end of which is fitted in a hole


24




c


bored in the end face of the flange


24




a


, is slidably fitted in the slit


31




a


of shaft


31


. Thus, the shaft


31


is slidable, though nonrotatable, toward and away from the rotating shaft


24


in its corresponding hole


24




b


of the flange


24




a


. As the taper cam


28


reciprocates in the axial direction, the shaft


31


slides toward or away from the rotating shaft


24


in the hole


24




c


of the flange


24




a


with the roller


33


rolling, whereby variable-diameter holder, formed of the four holder elements


37


, expands or contracts in diameter.




Paper Web Traveling Position Adjusting Mechanism




The paper web traveling position adjusting mechanism moves the bobbins


12


and


12


′ back and forth, thereby adjusting the travel of the paper webs


1


and


1


′. An arrangement of this mechanism on the side of the bobbin


12


is identical with that on the side of the bobbin


12


′. The following is a description of the arrangement on the side of the bobbin


12


only.




The traveling position adjusting mechanism includes a traveling position adjusting knob


13


(FIG.


3


). The knob


13


extends through a hole


11




b


in the front wall


11


, and is fixed to a shaft which is rotatably supported on the wall


11


by means of a bearing


57


. A toothed pulley


58


is fixed to the rear end of the shaft of the knob


13


. A toothed belt


59


is passed around and between the pulley


58


and a toothed pulley


22


which is screwed on the inner cylinder


21


of the bobbin


12


.




As shown in

FIG. 4

, the toothed pulley


22


is in the form of a large ring, and a thread formed on its inner peripheral surface is engagedly fitted on a thread


21




b


of the inner cylinder


21


. A ring-shaped flange


22




a


protrudes axially from the front end face of the pulley


22


, covering the whole outer peripheral edge of the end face. A plurality of pins


23


are screwed in the flange


22




a


so as to be arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange. The respective tip ends of the pins


23


are slidably fitted in the annular groove


20




b


of the outer cylinder


20


. Thus, the pulley


22


is supported on the outer cylinder


20


so as to be rotatable with respect to the cylinder


20


and axially immovable.




By rotating the knob


13


, the toothed pulley


22


is rotated by means of the toothed belt


59


which is in engagement with the toothed pulley


58


of the knob


13


, and the inner cylinder


21


is axially moved with respect to the outer cylinder


20


to move the bobbin


12


back and forth, whereby the travel of the paper web is adjusted. Meanwhile, the paper web traveling position adjustment is performed such that an edge of the paper web is aligned with reference lines (not shown) formed on guide plates


62


,


62


′ (mentioned later).




Tensioning Mechanism




The tensioning mechanism applies braking force to the rotating shafts


24


and


24


′, thereby tensioning the paper webs


1


and


1


′ delivered from the reels


17


and


17


′. An arrangement of this mechanism on the side of the web


1


is identical with that on the side of the web


1


′. The following is a description of the arrangement on the side of the paper web


1


only.




The tensioning mechanism is composed of a powder brake


50


for use as an electrical brake, a rotary encoder


52


for generating a predetermined number of pulses with every revolution of the reel


17


, a timing sensor (designated by numeral


260


in

FIG. 24

) for generating a pulse with every revolution of the pulling roller


15


, and the control unit


200


. The control unit


200


determines the diameter of the roll of the paper web


1


on the reel


17


in accordance with pulse outputs from the encoder


52


and the sensor


260


, and controls the operation of the powder brake


50


in accordance with the roll diameter so that the braking force applied to the rotating shaft


24


has an optimum value. The web roll diameter of the reel


17


is equal to the product of the diameter of the pulling roller


15


and the number of revolutions of the roller


15


for each revolution of the reel


17


. Thus, the roll diameter can be calculated on the basis of the pulse outputs from the rotary encoder


52


and the sensor


260


and the roller diameter. The optimum braking force is previously set so that the braking force decreases in a curve of second degree, for example, as the roll diameter is reduced.




As shown in

FIG. 3

, the powder brake


50


and the rotary encoder


52


are supported by means of the support plate


45


which is fixed to the flange


21




c


of the inner cylinder


21


. The powder brake


50


has its input shaft


50




a


fixed to the support plate


46


by means of a bracket


47


and its output shaft


50




b


fixedly fitted with a gear


53


, which is in mesh with a gear


26


on the rotating shaft


24


. Also, the brake


50


includes an input-side element (driving member) and an output-side element (driven member), arranged for relative rotation across a powder gap, and an exciting coil


50




c


(

FIG. 24

) disposed around the brake


50


so that magnetic flux can be passed through high-permeability powder (magnetic iron powder) which fills the powder gap. The coil


50




c


is connected to the control unit


200


.




When the input-side element is rotating with the exciting coil de-energized, the powder in the powder brake


50


is pressed against the operating surface of the input-side element by centrifugal force. Thus, the input- and output-side elements are not connected at all, so that no torque is transmitted from the input-side element to the output-side element. When the exciting coil is energized, the particles of the powder are coupled in a chain, and torque is transmitted from the input-side element to the output-side element by coupling force between the powder particles and frictional force between the powder and the operating surface. The transmitted torque can be controlled by adjusting the exciting power of the exciting coil, that is, exciting current.




The input side of the powder brake


50


is fixed in the aforesaid manner, and the output side engages the gear


26


of the rotating shaft


24


through the medium of the gear


53


. Accordingly, the output-side torque or braking force applied to the shaft


24


can be freely controlled by adjusting the exciting current. Thus, the braking force can be set with higher accuracy for the powder brake


50


than for the mechanical brake, so that an optimum tension can be applied to the paper web with stability. Moreover, the brake


50


enjoy high wear resistance, and its maintenance and inspection are easy.




A gear


56


, which is fixed to the shaft of the rotary encoder


52


, is in mesh with the gear


26


(

FIG. 3

) of the rotating shaft


24


. The encoder


52


is connected electrically to the control unit


200


.




Automatic Paper Web Connecting Unit




The automatic paper web connecting unit, which is designated by numeral


14


in

FIG. 2

, connects the used and virgin paper webs and cuts the used web by simply moving and pressing a pair of press blocks


70


and


70


′ against each other. As shown in

FIGS. 9

to


11


, the connecting unit comprises a clamp mechanism


65


for pressing the press blocks


70


and


70


′ against each other and a cutter mechanism


66


for cutting the paper web.




The clamp mechanism


65


is provided with the press blocks


70


and


70


′ which are arranged for relative movement in the direction to cross feed paths for the paper webs


1


and


1


′ so that they can be pressed against each other. Thus, the webs


1


and


1


′ can be retained on the respective opposite faces of the blocks by suction under negative pressure. The cutter mechanism


66


includes a rotating shaft


80


rotatable between the feed paths for the paper webs


1


and


1


′, on the upper-course side of the blocks


70


and


70


′, first and second knives


86


and


86


′ fixed to the blocks


70


and


70


′, respectively, a third knife


81


fixed to the shaft


80


, and a rotary cylinder


82


. The cylinder


82


serves to rotate the rotating shaft


80


between a first rotational position, in which the third knife


81


faces the first knife


86


, and a second rotational position in which the third knife


81


faces the second knife


86


′. As the blocks


70


and


70


′ move toward each other, the used paper web is cut by means of the third knife


81


and the first or second knife


86


or


86


′, depending on the rotational position of the shaft


80


.




More specifically, the automatic paper web connecting unit


14


comprises guide rollers


60


and


60


′ arranged side by side on the upper portion of the front face of the front wall


11


of the paper web feeding apparatus, guide rollers


61


and


61


′ arranged side by side substantially in the center of the front face of the wall


11


, and guide plates


62


and


62


′ located directly under the rollers


60


and


60


′, respectively, as shown in FIG.


9


. The guide rollers


60


,


61


and


61


′ and the guide plate


62


define the feed path (indicated by two-dot chain line in

FIG. 9

) for the paper web


1


, while the guide rollers


60


′,


61


and


61


′ and the guide plate


62


′ define the feed path (indicated by two-dot chain line in

FIG. 9

) for the paper web


1


′. The feed paths for the paper webs


1


and


1


′ join each other on the lower-course side of the guide roller


62


.




The clamp mechanism


65


and the cutter mechanism


66


are arranged between the guide plates


62


and


62


′ and the guide rollers


61


and


61


′, and a speed controller


67


is disposed under the mechanisms


65


and


66


.




The clamp mechanism


65


is composed of the left- and right-hand press blocks


70


and


70


′, sliders


71


and


71


′ (

FIGS. 10 and 11

) coupled to the blocks


70


and


70


′, respectively, and an air cylinder


72


as an actuator for driving the sliders. The blocks


70


and


70


′ are slidably placed on their corresponding rails


76


, which are horizontally fixed to the front face of the front wall


11


of the paper web feeding apparatus. The front end portion of the block


70


which faces the block


70


′ is formed of a somewhat elastic material, e.g., a hard rubber member, so as to absorb an impact force acting on the paper webs


1


,


1


′ when the blocks


70


,


70


′ are brought into urged contact with each other through the paper webs, thereby preventing the paper webs from being cut by the impact force. As shown in

FIG. 10

, moreover, a number of small holes


70




a


are bored in an end face of the block


70


. The holes


70




a


communicate with a vacuum unit (not shown) by means of a hollow portion (not shown) in the press block


70


and an air pipe


74


, one end of which is connected to the rear face of the block


70


. As the vacuum unit is operated, the paper web


1


is attracted to and held on the end face of the block


70


by means of negative pressure produced in those openings of the small holes which are directed to the block end face. The air pipe


74


is provided with, for example, a manual on-off valve (not shown). The press block


70


′ is constructed in the same manner as the press block


70


.




A support base


75


(

FIGS. 10 and 11

) is fixed substantially to the center of the rear face of the front wall


11


, and the two rails


76


are fixed to the top surface of the base


75


. These rails horizontally extend parallel to each other at a predetermined distance. The sliders


71


and


71


′ are arranged on the rails


76


and


76


′, respectively, so as to be slidable without a possibility of their slipping off the rails. The sliders


71


and


71


′ penetrate their corresponding slots


11




c


and


11




c


′ bored through the front wall


11


, and are fixed to the press blocks


70


and


70


′, respectively. Thus, the blocks


70


and


70


′ are movable in unison with their corresponding sliders


71


and


71


′.




Drive means for moving the press blocks


70


and


70


′ toward and away from each other includes the air cylinder


72


and connecting rods


79


and


79


′ for connecting a rod


77


of the cylinder


72


to the blocks


70


and


70


′, respectively. The upper end of the main body of the air cylinder


72


is fixed to the center of the lower portion of the support base


75


. The rod


77


of the cylinder


72


extends vertically, and a bracket


78


is fixed to the distal end of the rod


77


. One end of each of the connecting rods


79


and


79


′ is coupled to the bracket


78


, and the other ends of the rods


79


and


79


′ are connected to the sliders


71


and


71


′, respectively.




The air cylinder


72


is of a double-acting type, and each of two cylinder chambers thereof is allowed to be selectively communicated with a compressed air source (not shown) or the atmosphere through a three-way valve (not shown). The three-way valve is connected electrically to the control unit


200


(FIG.


24


). When the paper web feeding apparatus is not in a predetermined operating state such that the drive of the pulling roller


15


is stopped, manual operation of the three-way valve is prohibited under the control of the control unit


200


. When the feeding apparatus is In the predetermined operating state, the manual operation of the valve is permitted. When compressed air is supplied to one cylinder chamber of the air cylinder


72


, the rod


77


of the cylinder


72


. advances to separate the sliders


71


and


71


′ from each other, as shown in

FIGS. 9 and 11

. When the compressed air is supplied to the other cylinder chamber to retreat the rod


77


, on the other hand, the respective opposite faces of the sliders


71


and


71


′ are pressed against each other.




As shown in

FIGS. 9

to


12


, the cutter mechanism


66


is composed of the rotating shaft


80


, the front knife


81


, the rotary cylinder


82


as an actuator, gears


83


,


84


and


85


, the rear knives


86


and


86


′, etc.




As shown in

FIGS. 13 and 14

, a tapped hole


80




b


is bored in the end face of a rear portion


80




a


of the rotating shaft


80


, and a slit


80




d


is formed in a front portion


80




c


of the shaft


80


, extending along the axis of the shaft


80


and diametrically penetrating the shaft


80


. A thread is formed on the distal end of the front portion


80




c


of the shaft


80


. The rotating shaft


80


extends penetrating a hole lid (FIG.


12


), which is bored through that portion of the front wall


11


just over the middle position between the press blocks


70


and


70


′, and is rotatably supported in the wall


11


by means of a support member


90


and a bearing


91


. The gear


83


is fixed to the rear end of the shaft


80


by means of a bolt


92


, which is screwed in the tapped hole


80




b.






A cylindrical holder


93


is fitted on the front portion


80




c


of the rotating shaft


80


. As shown in

FIGS. 15 and 16

, a slit


93




a


is formed on one side of the peripheral wall of the holder


93


, corresponding to the slit


80




d


of the shaft


80


, and a pair of tapped holes


93




b


and a pair of bolt holes


93




c


are formed on the other side. Two aligned pin holes


93




d


are bored diametrically through the distal end of the holder


93


. The front knife


81


can be inserted in the respective slits


80




d


and


93




a


of the shaft


80


and the holder


93


. As shown in

FIGS. 17 and 18

, an edge


81




a


is formed on the lower portion of the knife


81


, and a pair of tapped holes


81




c


are bored individually through the opposite ends of an upper portion


81




b


of the knife


81


.




As shown in

FIG. 12

, the holder


93


is fitted on the front portion


80




c


of the shaft


80


in a manner such that its slit


93




a


is located under the slit


80




d


of the shaft


80


so as to be in alignment therewith. The upper portion


81




b


of the front knife


81


is inserted in the slit


93




a


. A support plate


94


is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the holder


93


by means of a pair of bolts


95


which are screwed individually in the tapped holes


93




b


. Bolt holes are bored through the plate


94


so as to be in alignment with the bolt holes


93




c


of the holder


93


.




The bolts


96


penetrate their corresponding bolt holes of the support plate


94


and the bolt holes


93




c


of the holder


93


, and are screwed individually in the tapped holes


81




c


of the front knife


81


, thereby supporting the knife


81


so that its height can be adjusted. The front knife


81


is fixed to the holder


93


by means of a pair of fixing nuts


97


which are screwed individually on the bolts


96


. A pin


98


extends through the slit


80




d


of the rotating shaft


80


so that its ends are fitted individually in the pin holes


93




d


of the holder


93


, whereby the holder


93


is nonrotatably anchored to the shaft


80


. A cap


99


is screwed on the distal end of the shaft


80


.




Referring again to

FIG. 10

, the rotary cylinder


82


is horizontally attached to the rear face of the front wall


11


of the paper web feeding apparatus by means of a support base


100


above the rotating shaft


80


. A gear


85


is fixed to the front end of a rotating shaft of the cylinder


82


. The gear


85


is in mesh with an idle gear


84


which is in engagement with the gear


83


on the rotating shaft


80


. As shown in

FIG. 12

, the idle gear


84


is rotatably supported by means of the support member


90


. As shown in

FIG. 11

, the proximal end of an arm


101


is fixed to the rear end of the shaft of the cylinder


82


, and an adjusting bolt


102


is threadedly fixed to the distal end of the arm


101


.




A stopper


103


is fixed to the support base


100


such that it can retain the adjusting bolt


102


. When the rotating shaft of the rotary cylinder


82


is in a predetermined rotational position (rotation end position), a head


102




a


of the bolt


102


is caused to abut against the stopper


103


, thereby holding the cylinder shaft in position. The rotary cylinder


82


includes, for example, a vane


82




a


, which is rotatable in unison with the shaft of the cylinder


82


, and two cylinder chambers


82




b


,


82




c


divided by the vane, as shown in FIG.


24


. Each cylinder chamber is selectively communicated with the compressed air source


210


or the atmosphere by means of a three-way valve


82




d


or


82




e


which is operated under the control of the control unit


200


. The rotating shaft of the air cylinder


82


is rotated for approximately 90° by supplying compressed air to one of the cylinder chambers of the cylinder


82


.




The rear knives


86


and


86


′ are arranged on the upper surfaces of the press blocks


70


and


70


′, respectively, of the clamp mechanism


65


(

FIG. 9

) so as to face the edge


81


of the front knife


81


on the rotating shaft


80


. As the blocks


70


and


70


′ slide, the rear knives


86


and


86


′, in conjunction with the front knife


81


, cut the paper web


1


or


1


′.




General Operation




The following is a description of the operation of the paper web feeding apparatus constructed in this manner.




When air is supplied to the air cylinder


51


of the clamp mechanism for the bobbin


12


shown in

FIGS. 3

and


4


, in order to mount the reel


17


, wound with the paper web


1


, on the right-hand bobbin


12


(as in FIG.


2


), the rod


54


is drawn into the body of the cylinder


51


to move the shaft


27


to the right of

FIGS. 3 and 4

. As a result, the taper cam


28


retreats toward the body of the paper web feeding apparatus. As the cam


28


retreats in this manner, the shafts


31


attached to the rotating shaft


24


are drawn radially inward by the agency of the urging force of the spring


36


(FIG.


7


), so that the variable-diameter holder, formed of the four movable holder elements


37


(FIG.


6


), contracts to the second diameter. Thereupon, the reel


17


is allowed to be mounted on the bobbin


12


.




Then, the reel


17


wound with the paper web


1


is mounted on the holder, and air is supplied to the air cylinder


51


. When this is done, the rod


54


of the cylinder


51


is forced out, so that the shaft


27


moves to the left of

FIGS. 3 and 4

, whereupon the taper cam


28


is pushed out forward. When the cam


28


is pushed out in this manner, the shafts


31


are pushed radially outward against the urging force of the spring


36


, so that the holder is expanded to the first diameter to fix or clamp the reel


17


. Thereupon, mounting the reel


17


on the bobbin


12


is finished.




The bobbin


12


is of a stationary type such that it is continually fixed to the body of the paper web feeding apparatus. The outside diameter of the bobbin


12


is variable between a first diameter such that the reel can be mounted on the bobbin and a second diameter such that the reel


17


can be removed from the bobbin. Thus, the attachment and detachment the reel


17


to and from the bobbin


12


can be easily automated.




The reel


17


′, wound with the paper web


1


′, is mounted on the left-hand bobbin


12


′ (

FIG. 2

) in the same manner as the reel


17


on the bobbin


12


.




Here let it be supposed that the paper web


1


on the reel


17


mounted on the right-hand bobbin


12


of

FIG. 2

is being delivered through the automatic paper web connecting unit


14


by means of the pulling roller


15


, to be fed to the winder (not shown) via the reservoir box


16


. In this situation, the rod


77


of the air cylinder


72


in the connecting unit


14


is extended, so that the press blocks


70


and


70


′ are separated from each other, as shown in

FIGS. 9 and 11

. At the same time, the shaft


80


of the cutter mechanism


66


is locked to the rotational position shown in

FIG. 9

, so that the front knife


81


faces the rear knife


86


which is fixed to the left-hand press block


70


.




The paper web


1


passes the guide roller


60


and the guide plate


62


, and is then guided to the guide roller


61


through a narrow gap between the press block


70


and the front knife


81


, and further to the pulling roller


15


(

FIG. 2

) via the guide roller


61


′. The pulling roller


15


is driven by means of the servomotor


250


(

FIG. 24

) through the medium of a transmission mechanism such as gear means. At this time, the rotational speed of the output shaft of the servomotor is controlled by means of the control unit


200


, and the paper web


1


is delivered at a speed matched to the cigarette rod forming speed of the winder.




When the paper web


1


is delivered in this manner, the bobbin


12


rotates in unison with the rotating shaft


24


. Thereupon, the powder brake


50


Is rotated by means of the gear


26


fixed to the shaft


24


through the medium of the gear


53


, and the shaft of the rotary encoder


52


is rotated by means of the gear


56


(FIG.


3


). As the reel


17


on the bobbin


12


rotates, the encoder


52


delivers its pulse output. As the pulling roller


15


rotates, on the other hand, the timing sensor


260


delivers its pulse output. In response to the pulse outputs from the encoder


52


and the sensor


260


, the control unit


200


calculates the web roll diameter of the reel


17


, adjusts the braking force of the powder brake


50


to the optimum braking force in accordance with the roll diameter, and applies the optimum tension to the paper web


1


. Thus, the tension applied to the web


1


is stabilized.




The braking force of the powder brake


50


is controlled in three stages, e.g., heavy (for outside diameter of 550 to 400φ), medium (for 400 to 300φ), and light (for 300 to 190φ), depending on the roll diameter of the paper web


1


. In this braking force control, the braking force is controlled so as to decrease in a curve of second degree as the web roll diameter is reduced. Thus, the braking force is controlled so as to decrease at a higher rate in a larger-diameter region as the roll is reduced, to decrease at a medium rate in a medium-diameter region, and to decrease at a lower rate in a lower-diameter region.




Preferably, the braking force is controlled depending on the operation mode of the paper web feeding apparatus, as well as that of the winder. There are operation modes which include, for example, a low-speed mode, high-speed mode, stopping mode, and suspension mode. In the high-speed mode for high-speed travel of the paper web, the braking force control is effected so that a smaller braking force than that for the lower-speed mode is applied to the paper web. In the stopping mode during which the operations of the winder and the paper web feeding apparatus are stopped following their steady operating state, the rotational speed of the pulling roller


15


is gradually reduced, and finally, the roller


15


ceases to rotate. In the braking force control in the stopping mode, therefore, the delivery of the paper web from the reel can be stopped without causing the web to slacken or break. In the braking force control in the suspension mode during which the pulling roller


15


is kept in suspension after the termination of the stopping mode, moreover, the braking force is applied to the paper web according to the web roll diameter lest the reel rotate unexpectedly.




Since the powder brake


50


is controlled by means of electromagnetic force, it wears little, and its maintenance and inspection are easy.




When the remainder of the paper web


1


in service is reduced below a predetermined level (e.g., 176 to 178φ in terms of reserve diameter), the web


1


is delivered at a higher speed (e.g., 20% higher than usual) than the speed of consumption under the control of the control unit


200


(FIG.


23


), and is stored in the reservoir box


16


(FIG.


2


). Then, the reel


17


′ wound with the virgin paper web


1


′ is mounted on the left-hand bobbin


12


′. In mounting the reel


17


′ on the bobbin


12


′, the reel


17


′ is automatically transported by means of the robot or the like. As shown in

FIG. 19

, a double-coated tape


110


is pasted on one side of the starting end


1





a


of the web


1


′. When the manual on-off valves (not shown) attached to the air pipes


74


and


74


′ are opened, air is sucked from the inside of the press blocks


70


and


70


′ through the pipes by means of the vacuum unit, while the outside air is sucked in through the small holes


70




a


in the respective end faces of the blocks. Thus, a negative pressure is produced on the block end faces such that the starting end


1





a


of the web


1


′ can be attracted to the end faces. In this state, the operator prepares for the connection of the paper webs by causing that side of the starting end


1





a


opposite to the side pasted with the double-coated tape


110


to be retained on the end face of the press block


70


′ by suction (FIG.


19


).




Then, the paper web supply from the reel


17


is restarted. When the remainder of the paper web


1


on the reel


17


is further reduced, the drive of the pulling roller


15


is stopped under the control of the control unit


200


(FIG.


23


), and the delivery of the web


1


from the reel


17


is suspended. When the roller


15


is stopped, the three-way valve for allowing or preventing the compressed air supply to the air cylinder


72


(

FIG. 11

) is allowed to be operated manually. In order to connect the paper web


1


and the virgin paper web


1


′, therefore, the operator manually operates the three-way valve associated with the rod retreating cylinder chamber so that the compressed air is supplied to this chamber. Thereupon, the rod


77


of the cylinder


72


retreats, so that the press blocks


70


and


70


′ move toward each other in the directions of arrows A and A′ of FIG.


20


. Accordingly, the rear knife


86


fixed to the block


70


, in conjunction with the front knife


81


, cuts the paper web


1


slidingly. The moment the web


1


is cut, its terminal end


1




a


is attracted to the end face of the press block


70


by sucking force.




Further, the press blocks


70


and


70


′ move toward each other in a manner such that the terminal end la of the paper web


1


and the starting end


1





a


of the paper web


1


′ retained individually on them by suction. When the opposite faces of the blocks are pressed against each other, as shown in

FIG. 21

, the respective ends


1




a


and


1





a


of the webs


1


and


1


′ are bonded by means of the double-coated tape


110


under pressure. Subsequently, the three-way valve associated with the rod advancing cylinder chamber of the air cylinder


72


is manually operated so that the compressed air is supplied to this chamber. Thereupon, the rod


77


of the cylinder


72


advances, so that the press blocks


70


and


70


′ move away from each other in the directions of arrows B and B′ of

FIG. 22

, thereby releasing the paper webs


1


and


1


′. Then, the blocks


70


and


70


′ return to their respective original positions.




Furthermore, when it is detected by a sensor


270


that the press blocks


70


,


70


′ pressed against each other are separated, a corresponding one of valves


82




d


,


82




e


associated with the rotary cylinder


82


of the cutter mechanism


66


(

FIG. 9

) is operated under the control of the control unit


200


which responds to a detection output of the sensor


270


, so that the rotating shaft of the cylinder


82


rotates. As a result, the shaft


80


rotates in the direction of arrow C of

FIG. 22

, whereby the rotational position of the front knife


81


is shifted so that the knife


81


faces the rear knife


86


′, which is fixed to the press block


70


′, to be ready for the paper web connection in the next stage (FIG.


23


).




When connecting the paper webs


1


and


1


′ is finished, the pulling roller


15


is rotated (

FIG. 23

) to deliver the virgin paper web


1


′. The position of the Joint or doubled web portion at which the terminal end


1




a


of the web


1


and the starting end


1





a


of the web


1


′ are lapped and connected is detected by means of the paper web Joint sensor (not shown), and a plurality of cigarettes (e.g., five in number) are automatically removed from a double-web inspection/cutting drum section (not shown).




When the remainder of the paper web


1


′ on the bobbin


12


′ becomes insufficient, a virgin paper web is set anew on the bobbin


12


in the same manner as aforesaid, the starting end of the new web is connected to the paper web


1


′ in service, and the web


1


′ is cut. In this manner, virgin paper webs are set alternately on the bobbins


12


and


12


′ to ensure continuous paper web supply. Mounting the reels on the bobbins


12


and


12


′, starting reservation, connecting the paper webs, etc. are controlled by means of the control unit


200


which operates in response to signals from a timing disk on the back of the pulling roller


15


and the rotary encoders (only one of which is designated by numeral


52


) attached individually to the bobbins


12


and


12


′. Thus, the supply of the paper webs to the bobbins


12


and


12


′ and the paper web connection can be automatically executed after making only simple arrangements.




It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.




According to the above-described embodiment, for example, the present invention is applied to automatic paper web connecting apparatus used in the paper web feeding apparatus of the cigarette manufacturing machine. The invention may, however, be also applied to any other automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatuses used in, for example, a packaging material feeding apparatus for the cigarette manufacturing machine.




In the foregoing embodiment, moreover, the compressed air supply to the air cylinder


72


and the negative pressure supply to the press blocks


70


and


70


′ are controlled by means of the manual valves. Alternatively, however, the compressed air supply and the negative pressure supply may be controlled by using solenoid valves which operate, for example, under the control of the control unit


200


.




According to the embodiment described herein, furthermore, the solenoid valve


211


which operates under the control of the control unit


200


is used to supply the compressed air to the air cylinder


51


for driving the variable-diameter holder, and the solenoid valves


82




d


and


82




e


are used to supply compressed air to the rotating cylinder


82


. Alternatively, however, manual valves may be used for these purposes.




From the above-described embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that the present invention may be modified as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention which should be defined solely by the appended claims. All such modifications as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art should not be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and should be included within the scope of the invention as defined solely by the appended claims.




From the above-described embodiment of the present invention, it is apparent that the present invention may be modified as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention which should be defined solely by the appended claims. All such modifications as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art should not be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and should be included within the scope of the invention as defined solely by the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. An automatic web material connecting apparatus comprising:a pair of blocks arranged so as to be able to move relatively and be pressed against each other in a direction to cross a feed path for a first web material and a feed path for a second web material; retaining means for retaining the first and second web materials on respective opposite faces of said pair of blocks; cutting means, associated with said pair of blocks, for cutting a desired one of the first and second web materials; and driving means for relatively moving said pair of blocks, whereby the desired web material is cut by said cutting means while said pair of blocks are moving relative to each other; wherein said cutting means essentially consists of: a rotating body rockable between the feed paths for the first and second web materials on an upper-course side of said pair of blocks, first and second knives fixed individually to said pair of blocks, a single third knife fixed to said rotating body, and actuator means for rotating said rotating body between a first rotational position in which said third knife faces said first knife and a second rotational position in which said third knife faces said second knife, said third knife having a cutting edge which is directed to different radial directions as said rotating body rotates between the first and second rotational positions, wherein the desired web material is cut by said third knife and one of said first and second knives selected depending on the rotational position of said rotating body.
  • 2. The automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatus according to claim 1, further including:first and second guide rollers, spaced at a distance from each other; and a third guide roller for defining the feed path for the first web material in conjunction with said first guide roller and defining the feed path for the second web material in conjunction with said second guide roller.
  • 3. The automatic web material connecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said pair of blocks is movable.
  • 4. The automatic web material connecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said driving means includes a linear rail on which said pair of blocks are slidably placed, a pair of connecting rods, each having one end connected to a corresponding one of said pair of blocks, and a single cylinder actuator having a rod connected with respective other ends of said connecting rods, whereby said pair of blocks are linearly moved along said linear rail as said rod of said cylinder actuator moves.
  • 5. The automatic web material connecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means produces a negative pressure to attract the first and second web materials to the opposite faces of said pair of blocks.
  • 6. The automatic web material connecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the opposite faces of said pair of blocks is formed of an elastic material.
  • 7. An automatic web material connecting apparatus comprising:a pair of blocks arranged so as to be able to move relatively and be pressed against each other in a direction to cross a feed path for a first web material and a feed path for a second web material; retaining means for retaining the first and second web materials on respective opposite faces of said pair of blocks; cutting means, associated with said pair of blocks, for cutting a desired one of the first and second web materials; and driving means for relatively moving said pair of blocks, whereby the desired web material is cut by said cutting means while said pair of blocks are moving relative to each other; wherein said cutting means includes, a rotating body rockable between the feed paths for the first and second web materials on an upper-course side of said pair of blocks, first and second knives fixed individually to said pair of blocks, a single third knife fixed to said rotating body, and actuator means for rotating said rotating body between a first rotational position in which said third knife faces said first knife and a second rotational position in which said third knife faces said second knife, said third knife having a cutting edge which is directed to different radial directions as said rotating body rotates between the first and second rotational positions, wherein the desired web material is cut by said third knife and one of said first and second knives selected depending on the rotational position of said rotating body.
  • 8. The automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatus according to claim 7, further including:first and second guide rollers, spaced at a distance from each other; and a third guide roller for defining the feed path for the first web material in conjunction with said first guide roller and defining the feed path for the second web material in conjunction with said second guide roller.
  • 9. The automatic web material connecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of said pair of blocks is movable.
  • 10. An automatic belt-shaped material connecting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said driving means includes a linear rail on which said pair of blocks are slidably placed, a pair of connecting rods, each having one end connected to a corresponding one of said pair of blocks, and a single cylinder actuator having a rod connected with respective other ends of said connecting rods, whereby said pair of blocks are linearly moved along said linear rail as said rod of said cylinder actuator moves.
  • 11. The automatic web material connecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said retaining means produces a negative pressure to attract the first and second web materials to the opposite faces of said pair of blocks.
  • 12. The automatic web material connecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the opposite faces of said pair of blocks is formed of an elastic material.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
5-081679 Apr 1993 JP
US Referenced Citations (8)
Number Name Date Kind
3847046 Schmermund Nov 1974
3898900 Schmermund Aug 1975
4010911 Heitmann Mar 1977
4157934 Ryan et al. Jun 1979
4492138 Breuers et al. Jan 1985
4720320 Niemi Jan 1988
4995936 Cohn Feb 1991
5064488 Dickey Nov 1991
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number Date Country
1141848 Dec 1962 DE
2628577 Jan 1977 DE
0167917 Jan 1986 EP
0179243 Apr 1986 EP
775111 Jun 1954 GB