Feed Pull Roll System with Detachable Elastomeric Feed-Roll Covers and Process for Cover Replacement

An improved elastomer covered feed roll assembly 32R for use in a feed/pull roll set combination (36) in a sheet finishing machine (12), comprising:

• a roll core (50) having a cylindrical surface (60) having multiple longitudinally spaced and circumferentially offset elongated keyways (80, 82, 84, 86) each configured as a locking slot;
• multiple replaceable flexible feed cover sections (52, 54, 56) each incorporating a flexible backing or substrate (120) and an elastomeric layer or coating (122);
• and
• first and second locking components (74, 76) on opposite ends (70, 72) of each of said replaceable flexible feed cover section flexible backing or substrates, the locking components of each replaceable flexible feed cover section engaging a locking slot (80, 82, 84, 86) corresponding to the replaceable flexible feed cover section to mount and removably secure each replaceable flexible feed cover section on the surface of the roll core, each of said keyways drawing together the opposite ends (70, 72) of its corresponding replaceable flexible cover section to form an end joint (96), the keyways being spaced (90) along the length of said roll core to mount said replaceable flexible feed cover sections in side-by-side abutting relationship on the roll core and being circumferentially offset (92) to space said end joints around the circumference of the roll core.

A method for refurbishing a feed/pull roll set (36) in a finishing machine (12) incorporating a feed roll (32) having a roll core (50) covered with an elastomer coating, comprising:

• (a) removing the feed roll (32) from the machine;
• (b) stripping the elastomer coating from the roll core;
• (c) cleaning the roll core;
• (d) forming a plurality of longitudinally-extending, circumferentially offset locking keyways (80, 82, 84, 86) on the roll core;
• (e) providing a plurality of replaceable flexible feed cover sections (52, 54, 56) having a flexible backing (120) and a elastomer coating or layer (122), and including a locking mechanism (74, 76) at respective ends (70, 72) of each cover;
• (f) installing said replaceable flexible feed cover sections on said roll core, with the locking mechanisms for each cover engaging corresponding keyways to detachably secure said feed covers in abutting side-by-side relationship on said roll cover;
• and
• (g) replacing the refurbished feed roll having said feed covers in said machine, whereby future refurbishment of the feed roll is accomplished by replacement of selected detachable replaceable flexible feed cover sections to provide a substantially continuous improved or refurbished “like new” elastomer gripping surface defined by the contiguous replaceable flexible feed cover sections.

A replaceable flexible feed cover section (52) configured for releasable attachment to an improved elastomer covered feed roll assembly (32R), comprising:

• (a) a flexible backing or substrate (120) carrying an elastomeric coating or layer (122) defining an elastomer gripping surface;
• (b) first and second locking components (74, 76) affixed on opposite ends (70, 72) of the flexible backing or substrate, each configured to be releasably affixed to and engage a corresponding locking slot to mount and removably secure the replaceable flexible feed cover section (52) on a cylindrical surface (60) of a roll core (50);
• and
• (c) wherein said elastomer gripping surface incorporates multiple feed grooves (130) extending between the ends (70, 72) and along the length of the feed cover section and encircling the roll core (50) when said replaceable flexible feed cover section is mounted on and releasably affixed to the roll core (50) to provide an improved elastomer covered feed roll assembly 32R.