WO2000056475A1

WO2000056475A1 - Embossing device for two-dimensionally expanded material

Info

Publication number: WO2000056475A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/002398
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles Boegli; Bernard Wist
Original assignee: Boegli-Gravures S.A.
Priority date: 1999-03-22
Filing date: 2000-03-17
Publication date: 2000-09-28
Also published as: EP1163061B1; EP1048369A1; ZA200107352B; JP2002539966A; DE50001966D1; JP2012153144A; CN1126656C; JP5000806B2; CA2367423A1; CN1267595A; PT1163061E; EP1163061A1; DK1163061T3; KR100768680B1; CA2367423C; RU2250829C2; ES2195880T3; AU3430200A; AU772818B2; KR20010108348A

Abstract

The embossing rolls (1, 4) of embossing devices (14) that are used for processing two-dimensionally expanded material, especially in the packaging industry, can be exchangeably configured if they are mounted in suitable exchanger units (2). An exchanger unit can be configured, for example, as a tube (2) with terminal locating surfaces (8, 9). The stand (13) of an embossing device (14) has corresponding seats (11, 12) that are adapted to the respective exchanger unit (2) with high precision. The embossing roll (1, 4) that is received in an exchanger unit (2) is thus in its working position once it is inserted and the locating surfaces (8, 9) of the fixing elements are received by the pertaining seats (11, 12) and no further adjustment needs to be carried out. Especially the driven embossing roll (1) of such an embossing device (14) can be exchanged with substantially less effort, which makes it possible to quickly perform maintenance work and rearrange the production.

Description

Embossing device for extensive material

The present invention relates to an embossing device for extensive material, in particular in the form of sheets or strips, according to the preamble of claim 1 and preferably for the packaging of tobacco products.

Such embossing devices are u. a. used in the packaging industry for satinizing packaging material, preferably also at the same time

Lettering, etc. are stamped. Here, satinizing means to provide the surface with a fine grid in the millimeter and submillimeter range. Such sheet-like packaging material is used for. B. for the packaging of tobacco products (cigarettes), food, chocolate, chewing gum etc. used. An embossing device for this purpose is described in the same applicant's US-A-0 686 782.

The requirements for such embossing devices, such as high running speed (e.g. 1.8 m / s), a fine, absolutely uniform grid and an otherwise error-free embossing during long, uninterrupted operating times, require high precision in the design and installation of such embossing devices . In the known designs, therefore, the entire so-called embossing head, that is, a frame with embossing rollers and u. a. an adjustment device attached to the embossing machines as an external device. These embossing heads sometimes weigh more than 50 kg.

However, since the rollers are subject to predictable wear, the embossing heads must be regularly serviced. In particular, the rollers must be replaced from time to time. But also the change, among other things to a different surface structure, a different logo or a different format requires a roller change. With the known Prague heads, it is necessary to remove the entire Prague head, to bring it to a workshop, to carry out the necessary work there, to reassemble the Prague head and, due to the inevitable loss of adjustment that may occur, to carry out a time-consuming readjustment. Such a process can take several hours, and when removing and attaching the prehead to the packaging machine, it is generally necessary for at least two people or additional lifting tools because of the heavy weight.

For a faster change, it makes sense to keep a second Prague head in stock. On the one hand, this solution is financially very complex and, on the other hand, it does not avoid the need to precisely adjust the newly attached stamping head to the material running of the packaging machine.

US-A-5 590 557 discloses a roll stand for a pair of rolls which is arranged in a cassette, whereby these rolls can be easily replaced. The cassette contains spindles in order to be able to precisely match the two rollers, as is the case with such

Setup is a problem, but does not matter with the present device.

Starting from this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an embossing device of the type mentioned which permits easier replacement of embossing rollers without pre-adjustment.

Such a device is specified in claim 1. The other claims indicate preferred embodiments. The basis of the invention is the knowledge that it is not absolutely necessary to hold the stamping rollers directly in the frame of the stamping device. The driven stamping roller is coupled to the drive of the packaging machine and must be set up exactly in the direction of the material to be stamped.

The invention will be explained below with reference to drawings of exemplary embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a spatial view of a first embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a top view of the first

Embodiment with partial cut through a removable prague roller;

FIGS. 3 to 7 show spatial views of the embodiments two to six;

Figure 8 shows a spatial view of a seventh embodiment with non-connected holding means for the prague roller;

FIG. 9 shows an illustration analogous to FIG. 2 of a seventh embodiment;

Figure 10 shows a spatial view of an eighth embodiment with a bearing arranged in the frame for the prague roller;

FIG. 11 shows a top view analogous to FIG. 2 of the eighth embodiment; FIG. 12 shows a spatial view of a ninth embodiment with synchronization of the prague rollers in the alternation;

FIG. 13 shows a top view analogous to FIG. 2 of the ninth embodiment;

Figure 14 shows a spatial view of a tenth

Embodiment with rotary knob for turning a stamping roller;

FIG. 15 shows a top view analogous to FIG. 2 of the tenth embodiment, and

Figure 16 shows a spatial view of another

Embodiment with a sleeve with two counter rollers.

Parts that correspond in different figures are provided with the same reference symbols.

Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the invention, in which the driven prague roller 1 m of a generally cylindrical sleeve 2 is rotatably mounted. The sleeve 2 has a cutout 3 over the working length of the stamping roller 1, so that the counter roller 4 can be placed against the stamping roller 1 (see FIG. 2).

The driven, first stamping roller 1 is precisely rotatably supported with roller bearings 6 in the sleeve 2. The sleeve has a mating surface 8 and 9 at each of the two ends, which are exactly adapted to the openings 11 and 12 in the frame 13 of the embossing device 14. The sleeve 2 can thus be inserted into the frame 13 in the direction of the arrow 15 m until the end plate 16 strikes the frame 13, and at the same time produces an exact radial positioning of the driven stamping roller 1 in the frame 13 by means of the drive 21. By turning the locking screws 18 m, the sleeve 2 is fixed in a predetermined, optimal rotational position and also z. B. secured against shaking out. From the external drive 20 indicated in FIG. 1, a shaft 21 m projects into the opening 11. The drive end 22 is coupled to the drive end 23 of the stamping roller 1 when the sleeve 2 is inserted. This coupling can take place in various ways, which are known in the art and depend on the local conditions, for example drivers or gears. For the coupling process, it may be necessary to rotate the stamping roller 1 m a certain position, which can be done on the one hand by engaging the stamping roller 1 in the cutout 3 or by rotating the second shaft 24 of the driven stamping roller 1, which can then, for. B. is accessible through the end plate 16.

The counter roller 4, as indicated schematically in FIG. 1, after loosening its attachment to a conventional holding device, which preferably also allows the prizing rollers to move apart, e.g. B. according to the European patent application mentioned by the applicant, upwards (arrow 26). The execution of the holder of the counter roller 4 is therefore not shown in the figures and need not be explained further.

As FIG. 2 clearly shows in comparison with the schematic representation in FIG. 1, the mating surface 8 is equipped with a smaller diameter than the stamping roller 1, so that it is sufficient to lift the counter roller 4 by loosening the pretensioning device from the stamping roller 1 in order to remove the latter to be able to pull out the frame 13. As in this exemplary embodiment recognizable, it is thus possible to only replace the stamping rollers without having to also remove the frame with all the additional devices attached to it, such as drive precautions. It is also possible to design the frame as an integral part of a packaging machine. With the simple interchangeability of the parts that are predominantly subject to wear (stamping rollers, bearings), maintenance is now also possible with fewer parts and thus more environmentally friendly.

Due to the simplicity of the change process, it is also conceivable, after appropriate adjustment, for. B. Replacement of the locking screws with pins or the like, the changing of the prague rollers semi or fully automatically. In this context it can also be provided that

Check the wear of the stamping rollers using appropriate sensors, be it on the product or directly on the stamping rollers. The sensors or any other measuring arrangement could also be able to read a code present on the stamping rollers and thus to automatically recognize the stamping rollers used. One way of automatic wear control is to provide a polished, smooth zone around the roller at one end. The position of the surface of this measuring zone can be determined very precisely by means of e.g. B. an optical sensor can be detected relative to the frame. The sensor arrangements required for this are known per se. If the surface of the Prague rollers provided with the Prague pattern is worn, which e.g. B. from pyramids in the range of micrometers to a few millimeters, the prague rollers move relative to the frame and thus generate a corresponding signal at the sensors. With conventional stamping rollers, the distance of a roller to total wear of the surface is z. B. 150 μrα. If the signal exceeds one Certain threshold, ie if the wear has reached a certain limit value, a change of the stamping rollers can be requested, either by a corresponding signal for the operators, or by activating a semi or fully automatic change system.

According to the US patent mentioned at the beginning or according to EP-A-925 911 by the same applicant, the counter-roller is arranged in a free-running manner and, as disclosed there, synchronizes itself when the axle is appropriately supported.

By modifying the sleeve 2 such that it also receives the counter roller in addition to the driven stamping roller, it is possible to exactly synchronize the two stamping rollers in their rotational position relative to one another. This frame does not necessarily have to be in one piece, but can also comprise several parts which are loose per se, one of which carries the driven stamping roller in the manner of the casing and a second part accommodates the counter roller. This frame is then preferably only assembled by inserting the parts m into the corresponding receptacles in the frame 13 and fixed relative to one another. An example of this is given below as the ninth exemplary embodiment (FIGS. 12, 13).

It is also conceivable to use the construction according to the invention for multi-roll systems, e.g. as described in the previously unpublished Swiss Application No. 1999 09929/99, see FIG. 16. Multi-roller systems are devices in which several, in particular more than two, rollers are involved in the embossing and / or transport process.

The exemplary embodiments described below illustrate some variants: In Fig. 3, the frame 13 has essentially rectangular receptacles 30, m the sleeve 2, which now has the corresponding rectangular mating surfaces 31, can be inserted from above or removed again upwards.

Fig. 4 shows a variant in which both the driven stamping roller 1 and the counter roller 4 m sleeves 2 and 35 are included. It is provided that the counter roller 4 is arranged eccentrically in the sleeve 35 in such a way that it protrudes sufficiently far forward from the cutout 36 that it can be pressed onto the surface of the driven stamping roller 1. This movement towards the driven stamping roller 1 is ensured by m slots 38 movably arranged receiving pieces 39. The

Receiving pieces 39 are connected to an adjusting and pressing device (not shown) according to the prior art.

The necessary alignment with respect to the rotational position of the sleeves 2 and 35 is carried out by the end disks 16 and 40, which only allow the approximation of the prizing rollers 1 and 4 necessary for operation in the permissible position. In the example, this is done in that they each have a straight section 41.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment which essentially corresponds to FIG. 3 with regard to the driven stamping roller 1. Here, however, the counter roller 4 m is mounted in a U-shaped holder 42. The holder 42 is inserted into the recesses 43, each of which has a guide rail 44 on the bottom, which are received by invisible grooves when the holder is inserted, which are provided below the end parts 46. The grooves are precisely adapted to the rails 44, which means a precise axial Positioning of the counter roller results. The holder 42 with the counter roller 4 can be moved along the rails 44 onto the driven stamping roller 1. This movement and the provision of a defined contact pressure on the first stamping roller 1 can again be carried out by an adjustment and pressure device according to the prior art. A presentation is therefore omitted.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which driven

Roller 1 and counter roller 4 m are an interchangeable frame 48. The interchangeable frame 48 has T-shaped grooves 49 on the bottom, by means of which it can be inserted into the frame 13 from the side with a precise fit on the rails 50 m in the direction of the arrow 51 m. During the insertion process, the pressure stamps 52 of the adjusting and pressing device for the counter-roller 4, which are given, for example, are withdrawn and, after the change frame has been inserted, the working position is advanced 48 m in order to press the second stamping roller 4 onto the first stamping roller 1 in a defined manner. Since the working position of the stamp 52 is defined, no readjustment is necessary here, but it is sufficient to bring the adjusting device out of the rest position, which enables the insertion, to bring the preset working position.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment similar to that of Fig. 6, but in which the interchangeable frame 48 and the rails 50 are designed so that the interchangeable frame 48 with the stamping rollers 1, 4 from above according to arrow 53 m, the frame 13 can be used .

8 and 9 show a variant in which the middle piece of the sleeve 2 has been omitted, that is to say the entire length of the stamping roller 1 is accessible. To the Both ends of the stamping roller 1 are fitting pieces 55 (drive side) and 56, respectively, which accommodate the bearings 6 for the stamping roller 1 and are equipped with the fitting surfaces 8 and 9, respectively. The application is otherwise the same as that of FIGS. 1 and 2, in particular with regard to the insertion process. Securing here, however, is preferably carried out by means of screws 57, which are screwed into the frame 13 in the axial direction to the platen roller 1 through the brim 58 of the end plate 16 m.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an embodiment in which the anti-auxiliary bearing 60 is arranged in the frame 13 and receives the bearing pin 62. The end 61 only has an annular support web 65 for the prague roller 1, in order to keep this during the change and during storage

To keep position (preferably approximately in the middle), m the end 22 of the prover roller 1, which has an inner cone, on which - also complementarily conical - drive pin 62 can be slid on and coupled therewith. The Prague roller end 22 can u. a. as shown formed as an axis or integrated into the roller body.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an embodiment similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but the two stamping rolls 1 and 4 each have a ring gear 70, 71. In the operational state (Fig. 13), the ring gear is engaged and the prague rollers 1, 4 are synchronized.

Figures 14 and 15 show an embodiment similar to Figures 1 and 2 with a rotary knob 24, by means of which the prague roller 1 z. B. for coupling to the shaft end 22 via a coarse toothing, m a position that can be engaged can be rotated. The rotary knob is connected to the shaft end 76 of the prague roller 1 via a freewheel or a drag clutch 75 connected so that button 24 does not necessarily rotate during operation.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment variant in which the driven stamping roller 1 is arranged individually in the frame 13 and there are two mating rollers 4 and 4A in the sleeve 77, the sleeve 77 having the fitting surface 8 described above and the end plate 40. Such an arrangement with more than one counter roller can be used, for example, for so-called shadow or double embossing, the two counter rollers being arranged in a certain orientation with respect to one another.

From the preceding illustration, changes to the illustrated embodiments are accessible to the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the stamping device can be arranged and aligned in any spatial position. The specified variants can also be combined with one another, in particular for coupling the prague rollers and for manual turning using a rotary knob.

In the sides or end plates of the cassette parts, the frame 13 or the pass pieces 55, 56 z. B. synchronization means such as gear or belt transmission to synchronize the rotation of the prague rollers. It is therefore possible to synchronize some or all of the stamping rollers 1, 4 via corresponding gears, the coupling of the Getπebeteile also only in the course of the insertion of the rollers 1, 4 m can happen the frame 13.

One or more of the following modifications are also conceivable:

The rotationally symmetrical change units, ie the sleeve 2 or the pass pieces 55, 56 and the Corresponding receptacles in the frame 13 are equipped with rotary locking elements, such as tongue and groove pairs, to allow the insertion only in a certain rotational position, or to give these alternations a shape deviating from the radial symmetry, such as, for. B. elliptical. Retaining means are provided which act directly on one end of the prague rollers, so that these ends of the prague roller serve as an axis and actual axes can be dispensed with.

The Prague rollers are generally driven, preferably by a motor or other drive, e.g. B. also instead of a clutch with the drive of the packaging machine with its own motor, which must, however, preferably be synchronized with that of the connected machine, in particular the packaging machine.

Magnetic locking device for change. Insert the change unit by combining radial and axial movement of the change unit, e.g. B. Inserting from above until the embossing roller is aligned with the drive pin, then axially pushing onto the pin. Arranging only counter rolls (4) in one or more exchange units.

Numerous other advantages result from the above description. In the prior art, the counter-roller was connected to the corresponding adjusting and / or pressing device by relatively easily accessible screws and could therefore already be replaced with less effort in the known stamping heads. The benefit from this was limited, however, because e.g. B. when changing a lettering to be embossed, both rollers have to be exchanged, since the stamping rollers are in contact with one another during operation adjust and the replacement of only one of the two rollers can lead to malfunctions and higher wear. At the same time, it is possible to have one pair of stamping rollers in stock for different stamping specifications, without the need for intolerably high investments.

Equipping all of the counter-rollers with holding means with driven prague rollers held in the frame at the same time in a conventional manner means progress in terms of ease of maintenance, since changing a conventionally held counter-roller is easier than compared to driven prague rollers, but it is time-consuming present invention is significantly reduced. The invention also gains importance in this area in that there is a trend towards several counter-rollers and it appears possible to essentially limit the wear, in particular of the surface provided with the stamping pattern, to the counter-roller (s).

The description also shows that the embossing device according to the invention is suitable for free-running stamping rollers, in which one tooth of a roller engages between four adjacent teeth of the cooperating roller, in accordance with the unpublished EP-A-925 911 by the same applicant and for forcibly synchronized stamping rollers , in which each tooth of a roller engages a corresponding recess in the cooperating roller, and also for mixed systems with more than two rollers.

Overall, the invention with the embodiments described also offers one or more of the following advantages: A stamping head equipped with the quick-change system according to the invention can be permanently mounted on a packaging machine, that is to say it forms an integral part of the same.

2) Operation by one person is possible, since the invention brings about a substantial reduction in the weight of the parts which have to be handled during a changeover or maintenance, in particular essentially only the stamping rollers themselves. As a consequence, lower production costs also result.

3) The procurement costs are lower, since for an existing stamping head for new stamping requirements only the corresponding stamping rollers have to be purchased in the quick-change system.

4) The maintenance and assembly / disassembly of the stamping rollers is considerably simplified.

The production technology is more environmentally friendly since fewer mechanical parts are required.

Claims

claims

1. Device for embossing extensive material, in particular m in the form of webs or bands, with at least two embossing rollers (1, 4), a first, driven roller (1) and a counter roller (4), which m a frame (13) are arranged to be aligned parallel to one another and adjoining one another, characterized in that at least one of the prague rollers (1, 4, 4A) is contained in an alternating unit (2; 2, 35; 42; 48; 55, 56; 77), the alternating unit Has holding means (8, 9; 31; 49), and the frame has receptacles (11, 12; 30; 50) shaped essentially complementary to the holding means, so that the alternation with insertion of the holding means m the associated receptacles m in a predetermined position the frame can be used.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the stamping rollers (1, 4, 4A) containing an alternating unit (2; 2, 35; 42; 48; 55, 56; 77) is a first roller (1) that driven to a rotary motion

3. Device according to claims 1, characterized in that at least one counter roll (4) m an exchange unit

(35; 42; 48) is arranged, in particular one or more such second roller (s) (4, 4A), the associated first roller (1) m of its own alternation or together with one or more of the second roller (s) m a common change unit (48) is arranged.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on at least one of the m a change unit (2; 2, 35; 42; 48; 55, 56; 77) arranged rollers (1, 4) manual control means (24) are present, so that the roller m a certain rotational position can be rotated, in particular m such a position that m the coupling with the drive (20) when inserting m the frame (13) is possible.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that there are also locking means (18; 57), preferably clamps, locking screws and / or other non-mechanical locking means, by their actuation the holding means (8, 9; 31; 49) in the frame (13 ) can be locked in a predetermined position so that removal and reinsertion can be carried out without loss of adjustment in the operational state.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the parts of the interchangeable unit are connected to one another to form a one-piece envelope, in particular an interchangeable frame (48; 2, 42) or a sleeve (2; 35; 77) a single roller (1; 4; 4A), or a plurality of rollers (1, 4, 4A) contains.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the interchangeable frame (48) surrounds a first roller (1) and a counter roller (4) so that the pair of rollers can be removed and reinserted as a unit.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first roller (1) and the counter-roller (s) (4, 4A) are in operative connection with one another via m the exchange unit arranged synchronization means (70, 71), so that the rotational position of the rollers m ready for operation, preferably also in the state removed from the frame, is defined to one another.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (13) receptacles for the holding means (8, 9; 31; 49) with walls (11, 12) and / or guides (50) arranged axially or radially to the roller (1, 4, 4A) in the inserted state and the holding means of the corresponding alternation (2; 2, 35; 48; 55, 56; 77) is essentially complementary to it, so that the removal and reinsertion of the change unit m can be carried out essentially parallel or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller or by a sequence of such movements.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means (8, 9) rotary locking means and the receptacles for the holding means in the frame (13) complementary locking means, so that the holding means can be inserted only m predetermined rotational positions to the frame .

11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that measuring means for measuring the wear of at least one stamping roller are present, in particular sensors for

Determination of the position of a counter roller (4, 4A) in order to be able to generate a signal when a predetermined wear threshold is exceeded, preferably in connection with a device for changing stamping rollers (1,4, 4A), so that an automatic change can be initiated by the sensors is.

12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the holding means (8, 9; 55, 56) for a prague roller (1, 4, 4A), preferably all holding means for all in alternation (2; 2, 35; 42 ; 48; 55, 56; 77) arranged stamping rollers (1, 4, 4A), a bearing (6) for rotatably supporting the stamping roller.

13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the holding means (61) for a stamping roller (1, 4, 4A), in particular that at the coupling point of a first, driven pressing roller (1) for driving (21), is designed as a support (65) for the stamping roller (1) and the rotatable mounting (60) is arranged for operation in the frame (13).

14. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that an exchange unit (77) has at least two stamping rollers

(4, 4A) contains.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the driven stamping roller (1) is arranged individually in the frame (13) and drives the stamping rollers (4, 4A) arranged in the exchange unit.

16. Packaging machine with a device according to claim 1.

17. Packaging machine according to claim 16, characterized in that the frame (13) of the embossing device (14) is permanently connected to the packaging machine.

18. Use of a device according to claim 1 or a packaging machine according to claim 17 for embossing superficial structures in extensively expanded material, in particular in the form of webs or bands, between at least a first roller (1) and one or more second roller (s) (4, 4A), the material is preferably coated on one side with a metal, in particular aluminum, and more preferably has a fibrous material, in particular paper, as a carrier.

19. Use of the device according to claim 15 for producing shadow or double embossing on tobacco product packaging.