# US 2017/0240367 A1 · Unwinder for paper converting

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- Number: US 2017/0240367 A1
- Document ID: US20170240367A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/512,702
- Filed: 2015-09-17
- Published: 2017-08-24
- Earliest claimed: 2014-09-23
- Assignees: Futura S.P.A.
- Applicants: Futura S.P.A.
- Inventors: Fabio PERINI
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170240367A1

## CPC

- B65H 16/028: {on its outer circumference (B65H16/08 takes precedence)}
- B65H 16/106: {in which power is applied to web roll}
- B65H 2301/41384: arranged in non-stationary manner, i.e. changing according to actual roll diameter
- B65H 2301/41501: Special features of unwinding process
- B65H 2404/2692: Arrangement of belts in pressure contact with a roll of material
- B65H 2404/2693: Arrangement of belts on movable frame
- B65H 2511/14: Diameter, e.g. of roll or package
- B65H 2511/21: Angle
- B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES

## Abstract

Unwinder for paper converting, comprising a support (1) adapted to support a reel (B) from which a web of paper material is unwound and comprising dragging means acting by contact on said reel (B) and adapted to impose a rotation of the reel coil about the respective longitudinal axis (x) with a predetermined speed, the diameter of the reel (B) varying while the latter rotates. The dragging means have a variable configuration. The unwinder comprises reconfiguration means adapted to vary the configuration of the dragging means on the basis of the instantaneous diameter of the reel (B) and control means (5; EU) adapted to control said reconfiguration means such that the contact between the reel (B) and control the dragging means takes place on a contact area (200) having an angular extension (a) substantially constant while the diameter of the reel (B) varies.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An unwinder for paper converting, the unwinder comprising:
a support adapted to support a reel from which a web of paper material is unwound;
a dragging means acting by contact on said reel for imposing a rotation of the reel about a respective longitudinal axis of the reel with a predetermined speed, a diameter of the reel varying while the reel rotates, said dragging means having a variable configuration, and said dragging means comprising a reconfiguration means for varying the variable configuration of said dragging means based on an instantaneous diameter of the reel; and
a control means for controlling said reconfiguration means such that contact between the reel and the dragging means takes place on a contact area having an angular extension substantially constant while the diameter of the reel varies.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An unwinder according to claim 1, wherein said dragging means is moved radially toward the longitudinal axis of the reel while the diameter of the it reel decreases.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

An unwinder according to claim 2, wherein said dragging means is constrained to carriages that slide along corresponding guides oriented radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the reel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An unwinder according to claim 1, wherein said dragging means is placed below said support.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An unwinder according to claim 1, wherein said dragging means comprises belts.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

An unwinder according to claim 5, wherein said belts are wound on a plurality of pulleys the plurality of pulleys comprising a driving pulley and two movable pulleys, the two movable pulleys being located at a distance from an outer surface of the reel, wherein the distance is constant.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

An unwinder according to claim 6, wherein said two movable pulleys are applied on carriages.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An unwinder according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises an optical means for detecting a distance between a point where the optical means is mounted and the reel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

An unwinder according to claims 8, wherein said optical means is a photocell means.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

An unwinder according to claim 8, wherein said optical means is mechanically associated with said dragging means.

### Claim 11 (depends on 3)

An unwinder according to claim 3, wherein said optical means is associated with one of said carriages.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

An unwinder according to claim 8, wherein said optical means is associated with one of a plurality of carriages.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

An unwinder according to claim 10, wherein said optical means is associated with one of a plurality of carriages.