Apparatus and method for moving logs within cutting-off machines

An apparatus for moving logs within cutting-off machines, the apparatus comprising:

• a cutting means for cutting uncut logs and subdividing each uncut log into a plurality of cut rolls, each of the uncut logs comprising web material wound around a support core, each of said cut rolls having an axial length and a radial length, said axial length being greater than said radial length;
• a horizontal platform defining a plurality of horizontal longitudinal channels for receiving uncut logs;
• a log pusher element extending in a direction transverse to said plurality of horizontal longitudinal channels, said log pusher element comprising a planar uncut logs engaging surface extending continuously, without interruption from one side of said log pusher element to another side of said log pusher element, said planar uncut logs engaging surface being perpendicular to said longitudinal channels, said planar uncut logs engaging surface comprising a first planar log engaging surface and a second planar log engaging surface, said log pusher element engaging the uncut logs and pushing each uncut log along one of said plurality of longitudinal channels, wherein said log pusher element and each of the uncut logs move relative to said platform, said log pusher element having a length greater than a width of said plurality of longitudinal channels, said cutting means being located downstream of said log pusher element, said log pusher element being movably connected to said platform such that said log pusher element reciprocates in an exclusively linear and horizontal direction between an initial position and an end position;
• a clamping means for clamping the uncut logs received from said plurality of horizontal longitudinal channels of said platform via said log pusher element and for driving the uncut logs to said cutting means, said clamping means not being provided between said horizontal longitudinal channels of said platform, said first planar log engaging surface portion engaging a back end of one of the uncut logs and pushing the one of the uncut log along one of said plurality of longitudinal channels toward said clamping means, said second planar log engaging surface portion engaging another back end of another one of the uncut logs and pushing the another one of the uncut logs along another one of said plurality of longitudinal channels toward said clamping means, said first planar log engaging surface portion being located adjacent to said one of said plurality of longitudinal channels, said second planar log engaging surface portion being located adjacent to said another one of said plurality of longitudinal channels, said clamping means being disposed between said log pusher element and said cutting means, said clamping means comprising a first endless belt and a second endless belt, said first endless belt being located at a position above the uncut logs, said second endless belt being located at a position below the uncut logs, said first endless belt being disposed opposite said second endless belt, with respect to a plane on which the uncut logs arrive sliding on said platform, such that each of said first endless belt and said second endless belt has a belt portion horizontal and parallel to the plane, said belt portion of said first endless belt and said belt portion of said second endless belt defining a log receiving space, said log receiving space being substantially equal to an outer diameter of one of said uncut logs such that said one uncut log is received between said belt portion of said first endless belt and said belt portion of said second endless belt, said length of said log pusher element being greater than the outer diameter of said uncut logs, said log pusher element moving from said end position to said initial position immediately upon said clamping means clamping the uncut logs, wherein said platform is in a stationary position relative to said log pusher element and said clamping means;
• an output conveying means downstream of the cutting means, the output conveying means comprising a horizontal conveyor belt such that the cut rolls are prevented to rotate downstream of the cutting means, wherein movement of said first endless belt and said second endless belt is synchronized with movement of said cutting means such that said first endless belt and said second endless belt move the uncut logs when said cutting means is not actuated and said cutting means cuts the uncut logs when said first endless belt and said second endless belt do not move the uncut logs, said uncut logs being arranged in a single platform plane, said first endless belt and said second endless belt receiving said uncut logs in a single endless belt plane, said output conveying means receiving said cut rolls in a single output conveying means plane, each of said single output conveying means plane, said single endless belt plane and said single platform plane being aligned with one another to define a single uncut logs and cut rolls plane, wherein the uncut logs and the cut rolls are moved exclusively in a horizontal direction in said single uncut logs and cut rolls plane;
• a carriage;
• and
• a motor, said log pusher element being connected to said carriage and said motor, said log pusher element comprising a bar, said bar moving exclusively between said initial position and said end position via said carriage and said motor, said bar moving the uncut logs in said exclusively linear and horizontal direction of said clamping means when said bar means moves from said initial position to said end position via said carriage and said motor, said bar moving from said end position to said initial position in an exclusively linear and horizontal direction opposite said clamping means immediately upon said clamping means receiving the uncut logs, said bar comprising said uncut log engaging surface for engaging the uncut logs, said uncut log engaging surface being substantially perpendicular to each of said longitudinal channels and a longitudinal axis of said platform, said first endless belt and said second endless belt being associated with one of said longitudinal channels, said clamping means comprising a third endless belt and a fourth endless belt, wherein said third endless belt and said fourth endless belt are associated with another one of said longitudinal channels, said belt portion comprising a planar uncut log contacting surface, said planar uncut log contacting surface engaging each of the uncut logs without damaging the uncut logs, said clamping means being in direct contact with a top area and a bottom area of each of said uncut logs.