Process and apparatus for wrapping paper rolls

An apparatus to wrap paper rolls, each paper roll having a roll surface extending between two opposing roll ends, and an axis extending through the ends, the apparatus comprising:

• a roller to support a paper roll and rotate the paper roll about the axis;
• a header applicator positioned proximal to the roller to position and hold a roll header against a roll end so the header will rotate with the paper roll;
• a header positioned proximal to the header applicator, the header having an inner portion that corresponds to the roll ends, having an outer portion that extends radially outward from the inner portion, and having an inside surface, the outer portion being notched to define an array of tabs that extend radially outward from the inner portion, and a layer of heat activatable adhesive disposed on the inside surface of the tabs;
• a hot air heater positioned proximal to the roller to heat activate the adhesive;
• and
• a V-roller positioned proximal to the roller to sequentially fold and press the tabs against the roll surface when the roll is rotated.

A method to wrap a paper roll with a wrapper and a header, the roll having a roll surface and two opposing roll ends, the wrapper having a width that is sized to extend between the roll ends, the header having an inner portion that corresponds to the roll ends, having an outer portion that extends radially outward from the inner portion, and having an inside surface, the outer portion being notched to define an array of tabs that extend radially outward from the inner portion, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a layer of heat activatable adhesive that is disposed on the inside surface of the tabs of the header;
• providing a hot air heater to heat activate the adhesive, the heater being positioned relative to the roll to sequentially heat the tabs when the header is positioned against a roll end and the roll is rotated, the heater being adapted to blow hot air onto the tabs;
• providing a V-roller, the V-roller being positioned relative to the roll to sequentially fold the tabs and press the tabs against the roll surface when a header is positioned against a roll end and the roll is rotated;
• wrapping the roll surface with the wrapper, the wrapper extending between the roll ends;
• then positioning a roll header against a roll end after the roll surface is wrapped;
• then rotating the roll after a roll header is positioned against a roll end;
• then sequentially heat activating the adhesive on the tabs, by blowing hot air from the heater onto the tabs, when the roll is rotated;
• and
• then sequentially folding and pressing the tabs against the wrapper, with the V-roller, after the adhesive is heat activated.