Apparatus for Debanding Coiled Strip

The present invention relates to apparatus for automatically removing a band from a coil of strip, such as metallic strip, preparatory to the leading end thereof being fed into a coil processing apparatus.

In the processing of metallic coils of strip, say for example, in a cold reduction mill, it is customary to band the coils of metal strip after initial processing so that they are self contained for the necessary storage and handling prior to further processing. The coils are thus brought into the mill with a band tightly secured around their outer peripheries, which must be removed before the coil can be uncoiled. In the past, band removal for subsequent processing has generally been assigned as a manual operation for a person to perform before the coil is unwrapped. In some instances, attempts have been made to automate this operation, as may be seen for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,377,687 issued on Apr. 16, 1968 to R. C. DeChellis for Debanding Device for Rolled Coils. However, automatic debanders in general have not been reliable, as they do not have reliable methods of automatically locating the band on the coil, means for always insuring that the band has been cut, and a reliable means of feeding the band into a scrap band chopper.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a coil band cutter, removal and disposal apparatus and method which is completely reliable and completely automated, and is further devoid of the problems encountered in the prior art. The method and apparatus of the present invention automates the band removal operation and provides a positive method of finding, cutting, gripping and feeding the band into a scrap chopper for a convenient method of disposal.

The automatic apparatus of the present invention for removing tightly encircling bands from the peripheries of coils of material generally comprises a support for supporting a banded coil, a frame having a first pinch roll transversely engageable with a band on the coil, a band severing device adjacent one side of the pinch roll which includes a cutting instrument for severing the band, and another pinch means or device on the same frame which is movable into engagement with the aforesaid first pinch roll from the side thereof where the band was severed to pinch the severed band end between this pinch means and the first pinch roll. The pinch roll is then rotatably driven such that the band pinched between the pinch roll and the pinch means is fed outwardly away from the coil. Generally, the band is fed into a scrap chopper to chop the band up into segments.

Prior to driving the pinch roll to feed the pinched band into a chopper, the frame may be first displaced away from the coil pulling the pinched end of the band with it.

In the most convenient form, the pinch means which engages the first pinch roll will generally be provided in the form of a second pinch roll, which is rolled over the banded coil into engagement with the first pinch roll after the band has been severed, the point of sever being initially intermediate the two pinch rolls. The second pinch roll may also be provided with a guide ramp for guiding a severed end of the band up between the first and second pinch rolls for pinching therebetween when the second pinch roll is being driven into engagement with the first pinch roll.

The band severing means includes a frame having a band shear which is movable along a track that runs transverse to the band on the banded coil. The band shear further has a sharp leading edge for transversely wedging under the band on the banded coil. Motor means is provided on the frame to position the shear on the peripheral surface of the coil, and then the shear is driven along the track to lodge the sharp leading edge of the shear under the band and the shear is then actuated to sever the band. The shear is thereafter automatically retracted from between the pinch rolls and the aforedescribed end pinching operation of the band is carried out.

Other objects and advantages appear in the following description and claims.

The accompanying drawings show, for the purpose of exemplification without limiting the invention or the claims thereto, certain practical embodiments illustrating the principles of this invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the automatic coil band cutter, removal and disposal apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation illustrating the band cutter and removal portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical cross section of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 and as seen along section line III--III.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pinch roll and pinch roll drive assembly portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 as seen along section line IV--IV.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the other pinch roll or snub roll illustrated in the apparatus of FIG. 2 as seen along section line V--V.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in side elevation illustrating the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 with the band cutter retracted and the pinch rolls snubbed together with a severed band end pinched therebetween preparatory to feeding the band into a scrap chopper.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention for automatically cutting, removing and disposing of a band 10 tightly encircling the peripheries of metallic rolled strip in the form of coil 11 is illustrated. Coiled strip 11 is conveyed by conventional conveyor means into the coil preparation station indicated generally by reference numeral 12, which is a four-legged steel frame structure for preparation of the coil prior to entry of the lead end of the coil strip into a cold reduction mill or some other strip processing arrangement.

The coiled strip 11 is initially conveyed from the side into station 12 and it is raised by coil cradle lift 13 into position for reception or mounting on expandable mandrel 14. After coil 11 has been mounted on mandrel 14, the diameter thereof is detected and the strip end of the coil is detected by an apparatus generally indicated at 15, and the leading end of the coil is properly positioned for entry into the next processing step for the coiled strip. At this point in coil preparation, the coil 11 is stationary on mandrel 14 and the band 10 tightly encircling the peripheries of coil 11 is ready for cutting, removal and disposal by the automatic debanding apparatus of the present invention. The automatic debanding apparatus of the present invention is supported by frame 16 which pivots about axis 17. Frame 16 in FIG. 1 as illustrated in full line is indicated in the ready position to sever and remove band 10 from coiled strip 11. Frame 16 together with the band severing and removal apparatus is also illustrated in its retracted position in chain outline, after being pivoted clockwise about pivot 17, having severed and removed band 10 from coil 11 to feed the severed band 10 into a conventional scrap chopper indicated at 18, which cuts the band 10 up into small segments and disposes them thereunder into scrap bucket 19. Band or scrap chopper 18 is a conventional machine readily found on the market, such as is sold by Jeddeloh Brothers Sweed Mills, Inc.

Frame 16 is provided with substantially parallel first and second pinch rolls 20 and 21 respectively, which are spaced from each other and transversely engage band 10 which encircles banded coil 11. Pinch rolls 20 and 21 are maintained in engagement under pressure with band 10 against coil 11 by means of hydraulic cylinder 29 which pivotally advances and retracts frame 16 about pivot 17.

In FIG. 1, the solid outline of the band severing and removal apparatus supported by frame 16 illustrates the apparatus in position ready for band severing. In this position, band severing assembly 22 is lowered by pneumatic cylinder 23 to engage the outer surface of coil 11 intermediate or between pinch rolls 20 and 21. An enlargement of this configuration is shown in FIG. 2.

After the band cutter or severing assembly 22 has been lowered to the down position to contact coil 11, the band cutter 24 is actuated to engage the band and sever it. Band severing means or assembly 22 generally includes a framework having a band cutter or shear 24 movable along track 25 which runs transversely of band 10. In this regard, reference is to FIG. 3. Band shear 24 is provided with a sharp leading edge 26 for transversely wedging under band 10.

Hydraulic cylinder 27 is operable to drive shear 24 transversely along track 25 to lodge the sharp leading edge 26 under band 10. This accurately locates band 10 and properly positions shear 24 for shearing band 10 anywhere within the maximum travel distance 28 of shear 24. Once shear 24 has engaged band 10 and the leading edge 26 is lodged thereunder, cylinder 30 is actuated thereby operating shear 24 and thus causing the top cutter blade of shear 24 to come down and shear band 10. Thereafter, the entire band severing assembly 22 is raised away from coil 11 by actuation of pneumatic cylinder 23.

As the band 10 is cut, band tension is released. However, the band is held tightly against the coil outside diameter by pinch rolls 20 and 21, and particularly pinch roll 20, through the pressure applied by hydraulic cylinder 29, to prevent the band from flying wildly.

After the band cutter assembly 22 has been raised, as shown in the enlargement in FIG. 6, hydraulic cylinder 31 is actuated, thereby causing pinch roll 21 to roll over the surface of coil 11 under pressure toward pinch roll 20 until pinch roll 21 engages pinch roll 20 with the cut band end 32 pinched therebetween.

As top pinch roll 21 advances toward bottom pinch roll 20, the sharp edge piece or guide ramp 33 (see FIG. 5 also) attached to the framework for pinch roll 21, moves under the severed end 32 of the band and the band is captured between the top and bottom pinch rolls 21 and 20, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, such that the band end 32 is directed toward the funnel chute 35. At this point in the operation, pivot arm or frame 16 together with the captured lead end 32 of band 10 is rotated away from coil 11 about pivot 17 by hydraulic cylinder 29 to the park position illustrated by chain outline in FIG. 1. In this position, funnel chute 35 is properly aligned with the mouth 36 of chopper 18 in order to feed band 10 therein.

In this park position as illustrated by chain outline in FIG. 1, the bottom pinch roll 20 is driven by drive motor 37 (see also FIG. 4) to feed the cut end 32 of band 10 into chute 35 and thence into chopper 18, wherein band 10 is severed into small segments which are deposited thereunder in scrap bucket 19.