Method for the unpacking of cylindrical bodies interconnected groupwise by bands, and device for the performance thereof

Claim 2

Method for unpacking a plurality of bodies which are arranged close together in a row, with the axes of the bodies being parallel, wherein the bodies are held together by a pair of strips which together circumferentially surround each body and pass along the row of bodies, and which strips are welded together by a weld on both the leading and trailing sides of each body, comprising the steps of: tensioning the strips at a weld by pushing apart the neighboring bodies on both sides of the weld; severing one of the tensioned strips between neighboring bodies, behind the leading body of the neighboring bodies and before the weld between the neighboring bodies, which thereby frees the leading body; rolling the leading body off the remaining unsevered strip.

Claim 3

Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the strips are removed by suction.

Claim 4

Device for unpacking a plurality of bodies which are arranged close together in a row, with the axes of the bodies being parallel, wherein the bodies are held together by a pair of strips which together circumferentially surround each body and pass along the row of bodies, and which strips are welded together by a weld on both the leading and trailing sides of each body; said device comprising: a conveyor for feeding bodies which are held together by the strips; a slide movable between neighboring bodies and shaped and positioned to contact them, said slide being shaped to move the neighboring bodies apart when it is moved between them, thereby to tension the strips between the neighboring bodies; means for severing one of the tensioned strips; deflecting means for engaging each body after a strip holding it has been severed and for then rolling the freed body from the other unsevered strip.

Claim 5

Device for unpacking a plurality of bodies which are arranged close together in a row, with the axes of the bodies being parallel, wherein the bodies are held together by a pair of strips which together circumferentially surround each body and pass along the row of bodies, and which strips are welded together by a weld on both the leading and trailing sides of each body; said device comprising: a conveyor for feeding bodies which are held together by the strips; a slide movable between neighboring bodies and shaped and positioned to contact them, said slide being shaped to move the neighboring bodies apart when it is moved between them, thereby to tension the strips between the neighboring bodies; means for severing one of the tensioned strips; deflecting means for engaging each body after a strip holding it has been severed and for then rolling the freed body from the other unsevered strip.

Claim 6

Device according to claim 3, wherein said severing means comprises a heatable wire.

Claim 7

Device according to claim 3, wherein said severing means is so positioned as to sever a strip behind the leading body of the neighboring bodies and before the weld between the neighboring bodies, which thereby frees the leading body.

Claim 8

Device according to claim 3, wherein said deflecting means comprises a conveyor belt positioned to engage the periphery of a body after a strip holding that body is severed, and means for rotating said conveyor belt to rotate that body and roll it from the unsevered other strip.

Claim 9

Device according to claim 3, further comprising a suction station having suction apertures over which the body is rolled after the strip is severed; said suction station including means for drawing off the removed severed strip from which the body is being rolled.