EP1600412A1 - Film splicing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has first and second unrolling devices (4,5) for film rolls (6,7), a splicer (13,14) for splicing films (2,3) from the first and second unrolling devices at a splicing position, a movable transfer device (10) for transferring a film from an unrolling device to the splicing position and a holding device (11,12a,12b) for holding the film that can be transferred by the transfer device in a fixed position. An independent claim is also included for a packaging machine for packaging with film.

Description

The invention relates to a film splicing station.

When packaging with film is usually a slide of a supply roll unrolled. When this slide comes to an end, It is connected to the film of a new role, ie Spliced, so the beginning of the new slide through the end the leaking foil is taken. This has a Film splice station usually a first and a second Unwinding direction for each one roll of film.

Such a film splice station, for example, in Packaging of beverage containers with shrink film used. Here, the film splicing station below the Conveyor line for the containers arranged to be a compact To get packaging machine. However, this leads to that the film splice station is not easily accessible.

From EP 0 464 003 a method for connecting a first web of weldable film material to a second web known. This will be the beginning of a rolled up film a movable element with a welding rail laid around and then pivoted to a position in which the two film webs can be welded together. This shows the beginning of the film at the weld in Direction to the previously unrolled role, so that each the roll center facing sides of the films together be welded.

The disadvantage here is that the welding rail in a Range must be pivotable, in which the operating personnel has easy access. This leads to a risk of injury, because the welding rail can be hot. Furthermore, that can Continued concerns of the film on the welding rail to a Sticking and thus lead to unwanted disturbances. Unfavorable is also the expansive movement of Welding rail and moving the film rolls after the Splicing from a first position to a second position.

EP 0 749 924 discloses a method for welding two each coming from a supply roll film webs in a packaging machine, as well as a device for Implementation of the method known. This must be before the Welding the foil beginning of the new roll between a cylindrical rail and two Andrückschienen durchgefädelt and then between the cylindrical Rail and a terminal block are performed. Then can the beginning of the film between the terminal block and the clamped cylindrical rail. This must be in done close to the running foil. One Such threading is very cumbersome, so here much time is needed and in safety Considerable when he is running the film web must be done.

Furthermore, the beginning of the film is a wegbewegbaren rod led, which serves the welded films of two Remove heating strips, so as to cool the weld to allow through the ambient air. This creates a Traction even at that weld of the film web, the for further processing. This can be easy too Cause malfunctions if removing from the heating bar leads to damage (tearing) of the weld.

From GB 1 184 591 a device for feeding of Packaging material of thermoplastic synthetic Plastic revealed. This is the beginning of a new one Film roll beaten around a welding head 6, the two Has application pages. The handled end will be between two Rails held. Again, the threading of the Foil beginning at the welding head over very cumbersome and associated with risks for the operating personnel, since the Welding head can also be hot here and the expiring Film web is in motion. Furthermore, the film during the Thread around the welding head if damaged still hot.

Object of the present invention is therefore, a Film splice station to improve.

This task is solved by a film splicing station Claim 1, a method according to claim 11, a Film splicing station according to claim 12 and a Packaging machine according to claim 13.

In the film splicing station is a holding device for fixed holding the film provided. In addition to the fixed Holding device is a movable transfer device provided, with which the film is guided in the splicing position can be.

With such a device, it is possible, the film by the operator with the holding device in their Position to fix and from another operable Transfer device in the region of the splicing device, So to bring a danger area.

It is not a complicated "threading" necessary.

The holding device may consist of a clamping bar, the at a suitable point of the film beginning the film clamps. This clamping bar can hereby loose, d. H. Not be firmly connected to the film splicing station. This facilitates handling when clamping the film in the clamping bar. The clamping bar with the clamped in it Foil in turn can be in a suitable holder or Storage be inserted so as to the film in relation to the Foil splice station well defined to arrange.

The splicing device is advantageously a Welding station, which is a welding with heat, ultrasound or the like. It is an advantage when the foil is welded between a welding element and a repository, the repository preferably formed by the transfer device itself becomes. The welding element may be a heating element.

Particularly advantageous is a heating element with two Heating surfaces which are spaced. These two on one Side of the foils arranged heating surfaces lead to heating the film in two zones. The one heated zone can do this be used, the separated film residues of the spliced film web to separate, whereas the other heated zone can serve to weld between the end of the expiring and the beginning of the beginning To form film web.

A further advantage is a sensor for detecting to provide a pattern on the outgoing film, so that the Pattern of the expiring film in a predetermined position with respect to the splicing device during splicing. If the film is printed, it is for example advantageous if the welding at an unprinted place takes place because the imprint when welding foil can be a hindrance.

In the process, the beginning of a slide in one Holding device for stationary holding the film fixed. Then, the film with a transfer device in the Splice position transferred to there to the end of a to be spliced out leaking foil. The splice position is defined by the position at which the splicing is through the device can take place.

Fig. 1 bis 3, 5 und 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer Folienspleißstation in verschiedenen Verfahrenszuständen, und

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittzeichnung eines Schweißelements.

In the following, an embodiment of the splicing station and the method will be explained with reference to the attached figures. Showing:

Fig. 1 to 3, 5 and 6

a schematic representation of a film splicing station in different process states, and

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view of a welding element.

FIG. 1 shows a film splicing station with two Abrolleinrichtungen 4, 5 on each of which a roll of film 6, 7 is arranged. In the state shown in Figure 1 is the film roll 6 is almost unrolled, so that the film of the full Film roll 7 is to be spliced. The Film splice station 1 has pulleys 8, 9 on the the films of the unwinding 4, 5 respectively deflected can be. One at the bottom of the Foil splice station arranged roller 17 serves to deflect the respective expiring film web.

Both the unwinding device 4 and the unwinding device 5 can each with a suitable drive, as well with be equipped with a suitable brake. The brake is used in addition, a certain film tension in the film splicing station to enable. A drive is used, not too high Create tensions in the film.

Between the pulleys 8, 9 and the guide roller 17 are on the right side, a welding head 13 and a slider 15th arranged. The welding head 13 and the slider 15 are transverse movably arranged for the film travel path. The welding head can in the welding position (see Fig. 3) are moved. Of the Slider 15 can be moved in the path of the expiring film 2 become.

A terminal block 11, either in the holder 12 a or 12 b can be fixed or stored, is in Figure 1 in represented a state in which the film 3 of the roller 7 in the terminal block 11 is clamped.

The film 2 of the roller 6 is through the pulleys 8 and 17th diverted and runs towards 18 off to the Film consumers off. This can be for example a Packaging machine with a film wrapping station.

A transfer device 10, which is a solid rod or else a moveable suspended role is above the Deflection rollers 8, 9 and the brackets 12 a, 12 b positioned.

This transfer device 10 can between the guide roller. 8 and the holder 12 a on one side and the deflection roller 9 and the holder 12 b on the other side down be moved through.

On the left side opposite to the welding head 13 is a similar welding head 14 arranged mirror-symmetrically. The welding head 14 may be on the left side of Transfer device 10 in the lowered position (see FIG. 3) are moved. This corresponds to the splice position, if is welded to the welding head 14. Likewise is opposite the slide 15 mirror-symmetrically a slide 16th arranged. The slider 16 may be in the path of a film. 3 are inserted, which runs over the rollers 9 and 17.

In the guide roller 17 is another slide 24th arranged, which cooperate with the guide roller 17 so can, that the film between the guide roller 17 and the Slider 24 is clamped and thus held.

The operation of the film splicing station 1 is based on the Figures are explained.

FIG. 1 shows the state in which a new film 3 a new film roll 7 is unrolled so far that they are in the terminal block 11 could be clamped and the Terminal block 11 has been placed in the holder 12 a. The foil 3 is slightly tense here. The film 3 could also Slightly sag and also have contact with the roller 9.

The film 2 of the old film roll 6 is in the direction of 18 on the pulleys 8 and 17 transported away.

The transport can be intermittent as well as continuous be.

A suitable sensor may be the impending exhaustion of Recognize film roll 6. This can be for example a sensor for measuring the diameter of the roller 6, as well as a Sensor detects certain marks on the film 2, indicating the upcoming end of the film 2.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the film 3 is not to for example, laying a welding head or the like or been guided around, making a complicated threading or adjusting the foil is not necessary. Only in the easy to handle terminal strip 11, the film 3 at a suitable position, e.g. suitable for a printed image clamped and then inserted into the holder 12 a become. Any kind of threading the film in a predetermined narrow space is not necessary here, so that the preparation of the film 3 takes little time. The introduction of the film 3 in the one shown in Figure 1 Position is also considerably through the terminal block 11th facilitated, independent of the film splice station, d. H. loose, is. In that the beginning of the form unstable Slide 3 is fixed by the fixed terminal block 11, which is Handling of the film 3 much easier. So can the Terminal strip 11 to the film 3 outside the Foil splice station to be attached without the rollers or the like are a hindrance. The in the terminal block 11th clamped film 3 can then quite easily by inserting the Klemmleite 11 are positioned in the holder 12a.

The terminal block 11 does not have as in Figure 1 on the immediate Be arranged at the beginning of the film web 3. If the film 3 for example, has a pattern or the immediate Start of the slides 3 damaged by transport or the like is, the terminal block can also be at one of the immediate Beginning slightly spaced initial position of the film. 3 to be ordered.

If the film 3, for example, a printed pattern carries, the terminal block 11 must be at a predetermined Position can be arranged with respect to this pattern, so the film then during welding at a predetermined Spot can be welded. This point is preferred a place without imprint.

Starting from the hand-prepared state of the film 3, As shown in Figure 1, the film 3 with the Transfer device 10 is guided in the welding position. This happens by a machine lowering the Transfer device 10. Lowering the transfer device 10 can be electric, pneumatic, with hand crank or similar happened. The transfer device 10 moves here between the guide roller 9 and the terminal block 11 in the Holder 12 a through and takes the film 3 with. The Film 3 is unrolled slightly further from the roller 7. The transfer device 10 pulls the film 3 so far, to the transfer device 10 opposite the welding head 13, ie before the active part of the welding head 13, is arranged. The film web 2 can meanwhile undisturbed be further promoted.

In Figure 2, the state is shown, in which the film 3 now completely prepared for splicing. The Transfer device threads through the passage the clamping bar 11 and the guide roller 9, the film in well-defined way into the splice position without it this requires a positioning of the film by hand.

If the film 3 is spliced to the film 2, so goes first, the slider 24 off to the expiring film web. 2 to fix with the guide roller 17. Then he drives Welding head 13 and pushes the films 2 and 3 together against the transfer device 10 (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail of the welding head 13.

At the front end of the welding head 13 is a heated Sill band 19 arranged. The bead band 19 has a bead 23 on. The bead 23 may be hollow or filled.

The bead band 19 is by external heaters heatable or by the fact that it itself an electric Resistance sufficient, the bead band 19 through to heat electricity.

The bead band 19 has two flat portions 20, 21 which in the direction transverse to the film web on the films 2, 3rd can lay. As a repository serves the transfer device 10th

By the bead band 19, the films 2, 3 in the Heated areas 20, 21; in the area of the bead 23 are the Foils do not or not so much heated.

In the state shown in Figure 4, the state in 3 corresponds, the bead band 19 is fixed to the films 2, 3 pressed. Also, a part of the welding head 13 can press the foils 2, 3 for fixation, even if this is in FIG. 4 is not shown. In the in FIG. 3, 4 shown state, while the films 2, 3 by the Sealing band 19 and the welding head 13 are held, the Slide 15 extended (see Figure 5). By the Insertion of the slider 15 in the web of the films 2, 3 is increases the film tension. This happens on the one Side of the welding head 15, on which the pieces of film are arranged, which are not used, but remain in the film splice station after splicing and be removed in other ways.

By increasing the foil tension with the slider 15 tear the films 2, 3 at the through the area 20 of the Sickenbands 19 resulting heated place of the after bottom outgoing film parts of the films 2, 3 from. Of the Area 20 of the bead band 19 thus serves to the film for Separate to heat while the area 21 of the Sickenbandes 19 serves to the welding of the films guarantee. For this it is advantageous if the films 2, 3 between the bead band 19 and the slider 15 is not about be held by the slider 13.

Subsequently, the welding head 13, the slider 15 and the slider 24 in any order or at the same time moved back to their respective starting position. Of the Film removal in direction 18 can then continue. Here, the film 3 is now unrolled from the new roll 7.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, at the weld 25 no tab or loose remnant of other film available. Rather, the so-welded film without further action be used directly in the further packaging process.

As well as the splicing of a new film 3 to a film. 2 has been explained with the welding head 14 and the slider 16 are moved in a mirror-symmetric manner. It will spliced a right-hand new foil to a foil, which comes from a roll which is located on the left and itself exhausted. The foil beginning of the new roll becomes quite according to the terminal block 11 in the holder 12b fixed.

If slides are used that have a pattern, For example, by a periodic imprint, it can be desired, the films 2 and 3 at predetermined locations connect to. The film 3 can thereby with a be placed in the splice position predetermined point that the holding device at a certain position of Slide 3 is attached so that when transferring the film to the splice position this with the desired position is arranged.

For the expiring film 2, a sensor 22 may be provided be the pattern or characteristic parts of the pattern or other corresponding to the periodicity of the pattern Marks that detects film. This makes it possible for the Foil with a desired location to the splice position too bring. The sensor 22 may, for example, a camera or to be a light barrier. Advantageously, the sensor 22 is provided downstream of the splice position, so independent of which unwinding device a film unrolled is, a detection with one and the same sensor 22 possible is. In principle, however, it is also possible for the sensor 22 Provide upstream of the splice position, so that for each slide a sensor is used.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if in addition to the sensor 22 a displacement measuring system is provided with which it is possible the length of the film, after detection of a particular Position of the film has passed through the sensor 22, too determine. This sensor can, for example, in the Deflection roller 17 may be provided, from the rotation of the Roll 17 the transported length of the film through for example, integration of the signal of a Yaw rate sensor determined. By interaction of the sensor 22 with the displacement measuring system, the expiring film can then any position with respect to the pattern on the Splice position can be arranged.

Claims (13)

Film splicing station having first and second unwinding means for each one film roll, splicing means for splicing films of the first and second unwinding means at a splicing position, movable transfer means for transferring a film of unwinding means to the splicing position, characterized by holding means (11, 12a, 12b) for fixedly holding the film (3) which can be transferred by the transfer means (10). Film splicing station according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device (11, 12a, 12b) is suitable for holding the film beginning. Film splicing station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the splicing device comprises a welding device (13, 14). Film splicing station according to Claim 3, characterized in that the transfer device (10) is designed as a return bearing for welding with the welding device (13, 14). Film splicing station according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the welding device comprises a welding head (13, 14) which carries a heating element (19) and is preferably movable. Film splicing station according to claim 5, characterized in that the heating element (19) has two heating surfaces (20, 21), which are spaced apart and can extend transversely to the film transport direction over the entire film width. Film splicing station according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a device (15) for increasing the film tension is provided, which is preferably arranged on the side of the splicing position on which the film remaining during splicing lies. Film splicing station according to claim 7, characterized in that the film tensioning device comprises a slider (15) which can be moved into the web of a film. Film splicing station according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a sensor (22) is provided for the detection of a film pattern. Film splicing station according to claim 9, characterized in that a displacement measuring system is provided for measuring the length of conveyed foil. Method for splicing a film of a first Abrolleinrichtung and a second sheet of a second Unwinding device with the steps: stationary holding a Film of a unwinding with a Holding device, transferring the film to a Splice position, with the film in a different location is held stationary and splicing the first and second Foil at the splice position. Film splicing station with a first and a second Unwinding device for one film roll, one Welding device with two adjacent and spaced Welding zones for welding films of the first and second unrolling means and means for raising the film tension, so that the film on one of the one Welding zone corresponding point due to the increased voltage is separated and where the slides on the other Welding zone corresponding spot can be welded. Packaging machine for packaging with film characterized by a film splicing station according to one of claims 1 to 10 or 12.

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