Device for coating a carrier substrate with a powdery material

Abstract

Device (100; 100*) for coating a carrier substrate (006) with a powdery material (004), with at least one first application unit (101) which comprises a first roller (102) and a second roller (103) which form a first gap (104) serving for film formation between their lateral surfaces in the nip, with a gap width (b104), through which a powdery material (004) can be conveyed in order to form a first dry film (003), and with a first counter-pressure roller (103';106), which forms a second gap (107) with the second roller (103), through which a substrate path for a carrier substrate (006) to be coated leads in order to apply the dry film (003) formed in the first gap (104) to a carrier substrate (006) guided on the substrate path through the second gap (107) on a first side, wherein a gap width (b104) of the first gap (104) is adjustable via an actuator (109), and wherein a sensor system (172) with a sensor (172.1) for determining a layer thickness (d003) of the first dry film (003) is directed onto a circumferential section of the second roller (103), over which the first dry film (003) is guided or can be guided during operation, and wherein the sensor (172.1) is designed as a capacitive and / or inductive sensor (172.1), characterized in that the sensor (172.1) is designed as a component of a control circuit (R; d ; R' d ; R'' d) for controlling the layer thickness (d003) is in signal connection to a control and / or regulating device (156) which is designed to vary a circumferential speed V(102) of the relevant first roller (102) relative to the circumferential speed V(103; 103') of the adjacent second roller (103; 103') as a function of the determined layer thickness (d003).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for coating a carrier substrate with a powdery material according to claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2017 208 220 A1 discloses a device and method for coating a carrier substrate. A dry film is formed in a gap between a first and a second roller and, in one embodiment, is transferred to the carrier substrate in a gap with another roller. The rollers are operated at a differential speed to form fibrils.

[0003] US 2015 / 0224529 A1 discloses a device for coating an object to be coated with a coating material, wherein the coating material contains, among other things, 20 to 65 vol.% water. The layer is formed between a first and a second roller, wherein the first roller has improved transfer properties, e.g., a rougher surface, for better application, and the rollers can be operated at different speeds. It is also advantageous to adjust a gap width or a relative speed between the first and second rollers to achieve a specific basis weight of the material mixture of the electrode.

[0004] In WO 2020 / 150254 A1, a film is produced by calendering a powder mixture and wound onto a roll to be fed as such to a further process, in which it can be laminated to a collector. In one embodiment, the powder mixture is applied to a belt and guided into the nip between two rollers.

[0005] JP 57 72 427 B2 relates to a powder rolling device for producing an electrode material from powder. In one embodiment, powder is conveyed into the middle area of ​​a feed hopper by a central vibrating conveyor and into the peripheral areas by two outer vibrating conveyors. In another embodiment, the feed hopper comprises five sections.

[0006] WO 01 / 32312 A1 discloses a roller mill for grinding granular materials, in particular grain, comprising a feed device with an opening through which the grain can be discharged into a grinding mechanism formed by two rollers. The feed device comprises a vibration drive for generating a vibratory movement of the feed device.

[0007] KR 102 359 521 B1 discloses a device for dry coating a current collector web with an active material layer, wherein a first and a second roller are provided on each side of the web, between which an active material layer is formed, and wherein the respective active material layer is applied to the current collector web in a nip between the two second rollers. A first and a second device for adjusting the roller spacing are provided, by means of which the distances between the first and second rollers can be adjusted. The first and second devices comprise a mechanical cylinder driven by a servomotor. Furthermore, a third device is provided for adjusting the roller gap formed between the second rollers. This allows the thickness of the electrode to be easily controlled via the gap width.In one embodiment, an air cylinder may further be provided between the second rollers, by means of which the distance is kept constant.

[0008] US 11,040,368 B2 discloses a method and apparatus for producing a collector foil coated with pasty material. A first gap is formed between a first and second roller, through which the pasty material is passed to form a film, and the second roller forms a gap with a third roller, through which the collector foil is passed to coat it with the film. Sensors can determine the film thickness formed after the first gap using a sensor directed at the second roller, and the coating thickness resulting after the second gap can be determined by comparative measurements on the third roller at a point before and a point after application. A temperature-related change in the gap width is counteracted by a corresponding variation of the radial position of the first or second roller using respective mechanisms acting on the roller.

[0009] In WO 2012 / 141137 A1, two rollers in a gap act together as application rollers, between which a substrate web can be passed and coated on both sides with a powder film. The powder is applied to an upper region of the respective roller shell, pressed by a pressure roller attached to the roller shell as the rollers rotate, and conveyed into the gap, where the powder layer is applied to the substrate web. The force exerted on the pressure rollers to press the powder material against the roller shell of the application rollers is kept constant at a desired value by hydraulic cylinders. This is intended to avoid stresses that could result, for example, from larger particles passing through the roller gap.

[0010] CN 115621408 A discloses a machine for producing an electrode strip. In one embodiment, a collector web is unwound from a roll unwinder, then coated in an application gap of a coating device by roller trains provided on both sides, each comprising four rollers, with a powder film formed from the supplied powder by the respective roller arrangement, and then wound up into a roll again at the output side. In this embodiment, a detection device for detecting the material strip quality is provided between the coating device and the winder. This detection device can optionally also measure the weight of the electrode strip using beta radiation, its thickness using a laser, or its width using a corresponding measuring device. It can also be configured to mark a section of poor quality using an appropriate mechanism.

[0011] The invention is based on the object of creating a device for coating a carrier substrate with a powdery material.

[0012] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0013] The advantages achievable with the invention are, in particular, that a dry film with an active material layer that corresponds to the specifications and / or is as uniform as possible, in particular with regard to the dry film thickness, can be reliably produced.

[0014] A preferred device for coating a carrier substrate with a powdered material has at least one first application unit, which comprises a first roller and a second roller, which form a first gap serving for film formation between their lateral surfaces, with a gap width through which a powdered material can be conveyed in order to form a first dry film, and with a first counter-pressure roller, which forms a second gap with the second roller or with a further roller arranged between the first counter-pressure roller and the second roller, through which a carrier substrate to be coated can be guided and can be acted upon on a first side by the dry film formed in the first gap, wherein a gap width of the first gap can be adjusted via an actuator,and wherein a sensor system with a sensor for determining a layer thickness of the first dry film is provided on a peripheral portion of the second roller or of the further roller arranged between the first counter-pressure roller and the second roller, over which the first dry film is guided or can be guided during operation.

[0015] According to the invention, the sensor is designed as a capacitively and / or inductively operating sensor, in a particularly preferred embodiment as a combined capacitively and inductively operating sensor.

[0016] Preferably, the first gap between the first and second rollers of the application unit is adjustable on the basis of a position-based actuator, e.g., positionable with respect to the gap width, controllable via, e.g., a control chain or controllable via, e.g., a control loop, i.e., adjustable to a constant and / or defined gap width, e.g., controllable or adjustable.

[0017] The second gap between the counter-pressure roller and the second or an intermediate further roller of the first application unit is preferably adjustable on the basis of a force-based actuator, e.g. with regard to the actuating force via, for example, a pressure control valve or, for example, a control path comprising such a pressure control valve, or, for example, controllable via, for example, a control path comprising such a pressure control valve, ie adjustable to a constant and / or defined actuating or line force, in particular controllable or regulatable.

[0018] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0019] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a product to be manufactured; Fig. 2 a schematic diagram of the production and application of a dry film; Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a machine for producing a multi-layer product with a dry film applied to a carrier substrate, with an application stage according to an embodiment of a first group of embodiments; Fig. 4 an enlarged view of the order stage of first execution Fig. 3; Fig. 5 an alternative embodiment of an embodiment of the first group of embodiments; Fig. 6 shows a further alternative embodiment of the embodiment of a first group of embodiments; Fig. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of the embodiment of a first group of embodiments; Fig. 8 a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a second group of embodiments; Fig. 9 a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of a second group of embodiments; Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of a machine for producing a multi-layer product with a dry film applied to a carrier substrate, with an application stage according to an embodiment of the second group of embodiments; Fig. 11 an enlarged view of the order stage Fig. 10 with pairwise coupling of two rollers in a first embodiment; Fig. 12 an enlarged view of the order stage Fig. 10 with pairwise coupling of two rollers in a second embodiment; Fig. 13 a view from below with removal devices; Fig. 14 an oblique view of a product section with slight lateral primer overhang; Fig. 15 shows a further embodiment of a machine for producing a multi-layer product with a dry film applied to a carrier substrate, with an application stage according to an embodiment of the second group of embodiments; Fig. 16 shows a further embodiment of a machine for producing a multi-layer product with a dry film applied to a carrier substrate, with an application stage according to an embodiment of the second group of embodiments; Fig. 17 shows a further embodiment of a machine for producing a multi-layer product with a dry film applied to a carrier substrate, with an application stage according to an embodiment of the second group of embodiments; Fig. 18 a perspective view of an embodiment of an applicator, in particular a double applicator, with a multi-part frame; Fig. 19 a sectional view of an embodiment of a coating according to Fig. 18, in particular double application unit, with multi-part frame; Fig. 20 a sectional view through a partial frame of a multi-part frame; Fig. 21 a schematic sectional view through a storage area of ​​a sub-frame; Fig. 22 a sectional view through a partial frame with stop means for limiting the adjustment movement; Fig. 23 a schematic diagram of two rollers with rotation axes inclined to each other; Fig. 24 a front view of a partial frame with a pivoting bearing; Fig. 25 a sectional view of an alternative design for an applicator, in particular a double applicator, with a multi-part frame; Fig. 26 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control circuit regulating the gap width of the film formation gap a) in side view and b) in plan view of a part of the application unit; Fig. 27 a schematic representation of an applicator with a control circuit for controlling the gap width; Fig. 28 a schematic representation of an applicator with a control loop for control based on the layer thickness; Fig. 29 a schematic representation of an applicator with an alternative control loop for control based on the layer thickness; Fig. 30 a schematic representation of an applicator with a further alternative control circuit for control based on the layer thickness; Fig. 31 a schematic representation of an applicator with a control circuit for control based on the basis of the basis weight; Fig. 32 a schematic representation of an applicator with an alternative control circuit for control based on the basis of the basis weight; Fig. 33 a schematically illustrated application unit with a first embodiment of a device for feeding powdery material into the roller gap; Fig. 34 a schematically illustrated application unit with a sensor system provided in the fall path in a first embodiment; Fig. 35 a schematically illustrated application unit with a sensor system provided in the fall path in a second embodiment; Fig. 36 a) a schematically illustrated application unit with a further advantageous embodiment of the device for feeding powdery material into the roller gap in an oblique view and b) in a detailed view from a); Fig. 37 a schematic sectional view of an applicator with a further advantageous embodiment of the device for feeding powdery material into the roller gap; Fig. 38 is a schematic oblique view of an applicator with a further advantageous embodiment of the device for feeding powdery material into the roller gap; Fig. 39 shows a schematic oblique view of an applicator with a further advantageous embodiment of the device for feeding powdery material into the roller gap; Fig. 40 a schematically illustrated application unit with a further advantageous embodiment of the device for feeding powdery material into the roller gap a) in a side view and b) from above; Fig. 41 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device for determining the density of a material layer conveyed on a lateral surface of a roller.

[0020] The devices and machines described below are used for the production of electrode units 001 of electrochemical storage devices, as they are used in particular in batteries or accumulators, such as lithium-sulfur, sodium-ion or in particular lithium-ion batteries, as well as in solid-state batteries.

[0021] A product 001; 002 to be manufactured by a machine mentioned below can, for example, be formed by a web-shaped intermediate product 002 that is still to be cut, e.g. a product strand 002 formed as an electrode strand 002, or by arc-shaped end products 001 that have already been cut in the machine, e.g. product sections 001 formed as electrode units 001, or electrodes 001 for short.

[0022] For the production of such products 001; 002 with a material layer 003; 003', in particular active material layer 003; 003', applied on one or both sides of a carrier substrate 006, preferably a carrier substrate web 006, e.g. a current collector substrate 006 formed by, for example, a current collector foil 006, a device 100; 100* for coating, in short coating device 100; 100*, in particular for dry coating, of a carrier substrate 006, in particular in web form, e.g. the above-mentionedA material layer 003; 003', preferably a dry film 003; 003', in particular a powder composite film 003, is provided, which comprises at least one first application unit 101, by means of which powdery, preferably dry, material 004; 004', in particular a preferably solvent-free and / or dry powder mixture 004; 004', can first be processed into a dry film 003, in particular by pressing and / or applying a pressing force, and subsequently this dry film 003; 003' can be applied to a first side of the carrier substrate 006, in particular by pressing and / or applying a pressing force. A dry film 003; 003 to be applied 003' should, for example, have a thickness of 20 µm to 240 µm, preferably 40 µm to 100 µm, after application and pressing.

[0023] An above-mentioned powder mixture 004; 004', in particular in the form of a dry powder, comprises - in particular for the production of electrode units 001 for lithium-ion batteries or accumulators - for example, more than ninety percent by weight of an active material such as one or more of the lithium compounds lithium iron phosphate, lithium manganese oxide, nickel-rich lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium manganese nickel oxide and / or lithium titanate, a few, for example three percent by weight of a conductive additive, for example graphite or so-called CNTs, i.e. multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and a few, for example two percent by weight of a plastic which acts as a binder in the subsequent powder composite, for example polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0024] The carrier substrate 006, for example, simultaneously represents the current-conducting layer of the electrode unit 001 and is formed, for example, by an electrically conductive material in the form of a foil, fleece, or fabric, e.g., a metal. It is formed, for example—in particular for the production of electrode units 001 for lithium-ion batteries or accumulators—from aluminum or copper and / or has, for example, a thickness d006 of 5 to 16 µm. In the case of the production of an anode, it is made, in particular, from copper with, for example, a thickness d006 of, for example, in the range of 5 to 13 µm, and in the case of the production of a cathode, it is made, in particular, from aluminum with, for example, a thickness d006 in the range of 7 to 16 µm.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the carrier substrate 006 has, at least in the surface area to be coated with the dry film 003; 003', a surface coating with a bond-supporting or bond-inducing agent 007; 007', e.g., a binder 007; 007', a primer 007; 007', or an adhesive 007; 007'. Such an agent 007; 007' can be formed by a thermoplastic or reactive binder or primer and, for example, comprise a thermoplastic component and / or have a thickness d007 of only a few µm, e.g., at most 5 µm, in particular at most 3 µm.

[0026] A thickness d003; d003' of the active material layer 003; 003' of the product 001; 002, ie of the electrode unit 001 or the electrode strand 002, is, for example, at most 240 µm, in particular at most 150 µm, preferably at most 100 µm and / or is, for example, at least 20 µm, in particular at least 30 µm, preferably at least 40 µm.

[0027] The total thickness of the product 001; 002, coated on both sides, amounts to - if necessary after passing through a calendering process following the application or coating of the carrier substrate 006 with the dry film 003, 003' inline or in a further machine - e.g. up to 500 µm, in particular up to 320 µm, preferably up to 220 µm and / or at least 50 µm, in particular at least 70 µm, preferably at least 90 µm. In this case, a density ρ of the applied material 004, 004 is, for example, greater than 3000 kg / m 3 , preferably at least 3500 kg / m 3 . An intermediate product 002 leaving the machine for pure coating, ie without subsequent calendering, here also referred to as a pre-product, may possibly have a lower density ρ, but e.g. of at least 2000 kg / m 3 , preferably at least 2500 kg / m 2 , in particular of at least 2900 kg / m 3. With only one-sided coating, the total thickness of the finished product 001; 002, optionally further compacted by at least one calendering process, amounts to, for example, up to 255 µm, in particular up to 165 µm, preferably up to 65 µm and / or at least 30 µm, in particular at least 40 µm, preferably at least 50 µm.

[0028] If sufficiently large forces are available during the coating process or simultaneously with the application of the dry film 003, 003' or if such forces can be applied in the lamination gap, the above values ​​for the total thickness and / or the density ρ of the final product 001 or of the intermediate product 002, which, for example, only needs to be cut crosswise, can also be represented without subsequent calendering following the coating process.

[0029] In order to ensure an effective manufacturing process, web-shaped carrier material 006 is preferably processed into the above-mentioned end or intermediate product, which, for example, has a width b006 of at least 300 mm, advantageously at least 500 mm, in particular at least 550 mm, or even 600 mm and more, in an advantageous embodiment even up to 1,200 mm. In this case, the carrier material 006 is not coated with the dry film 003; 003' over its entire width, for example, but only up to a free edge region in which the surface of the metallically conductive carrier material 006 remains free and accessible - e.g. for connecting cables. Such a width b003 of the coating amounts to, for example, at least 200 mm, advantageously at least 230 mm, or even 300 mm and more.

[0030] For the above-mentioned production of a dry film 003, a first roller 102, in particular a metering roller 102, and a second roller 103, in particular a laminating roller 103 of the first application unit 101 are provided in such a way that they form a first gap 104, in particular a first film-forming gap 104, in the nip between their lateral surfaces, through which the powder mixture 004, which is conveyed into the nip, for example by a device for supplying powdery material 700, in short powder supply device 700, can be conveyed to form the dry film 003 (see e.g. Fig. 2). A clear width of the first gap 104 at its narrowest point determines the thickness of the dry film 003—which may be even greater than the thickness in the subsequent product 001; 002—before it passes an application site where it is applied—in particular under pressure—to the carrier substrate 006.

[0031] The application point is preferably formed here directly by a nip of the second roller 103, which in this case acts as a laminating roller 103, with a roller 106; 103 acting as a counter-pressure roller 106; 103', or by a roller which interacts directly with the second roller or indirectly via one or more further rollers and acts as a laminating roller, with a roller 106; 103 acting as a counter-pressure roller 106; 103' (not shown here). The second or further roller acting as a laminating roller 003 and the roller 106; 103 acting as a counter-pressure roller 106; 103 form a second gap 107, in particular an application gap 107, hereinafter referred to as e.g. B. also referred to as laminating gap 107, through which the carrier substrate 006 can be guided and, in particular on the side facing away from the counter-pressure roller 106; 103, with the film formed via the first film forming gap 104, e.g. at least 40 µm thick, e.g.between 50 µm to 200 µm, in particular 60 to 120 µm thick dry film 003 can be applied.

[0032] The application stage 100; 100* comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a second application unit 101' (see e.g. Fig. 3 to Fig. 13), by means of which a powder mixture 004', in particular a solvent-free and / or dry powder mixture, conveyed into the nip, e.g. by a second device for supplying powdery material 700', in short powder supply device 700', can first be processed, in particular by pressing and / or applying a pressing force, into a second dry film 003'; 003, and subsequently this second dry film 003'; 003 can be applied to the other, second side of the carrier substrate 006, in particular by pressing and / or applying a pressing force. In principle, this can be the same powder mixture 004' as or a different powder mixture from the first powder mixture 004'.

[0033] Also in the second application unit 101', a first roller 102', in particular metering roller 102', and a second roller 103', in particular laminating roller 103', are preferably provided in such a way that they form a first gap 104', in particular second film-forming gap 104', between their outer surfaces, through which the powder mixture 004' can be conveyed to form the second dry film 003'.

[0034] Here too, the second roller 003' of the second application unit 101' can form a gap 107'; gap 107 between its outer surfaces in the nip, either directly or indirectly with the second roller 103' or via one or more further rollers and acting as a laminating roller (not shown here), with a roller 106'; 103 acting as a counter-pressure roller 106'; 103, through which the carrier substrate 006 can be guided and, in particular on the second side facing away from the second counter-pressure roller 106'; 103, can be subjected to the second dry film 003' formed via the second film-forming gap 104'; 104.

[0035] In a first group of embodiments for the coating device 100 (see e.g. Fig. 3 to Fig. 7) a second gap 107' is formed by a second application gap 107' which is different from the first application or laminating gap 107', e.g. laminating gap 107', with a second roller 106', in particular a second counter-pressure roller 106' which acts as a counter-pressure roller 106 and is different from the first counter-pressure roller 106 and / or from the laminating roller 103 of the first application unit 101, through which roller the carrier substrate 006 can be guided and, in particular on the second side facing away from the second counter-pressure roller 106', can be subjected to the second dry film 003' formed via the second film-forming gap 104'. In this embodiment, two independent application units 101; 101' are provided for the two sides of the carrier substrate 106. It is therefore possible in the relevant laminating gap 107; 107' to independently set different conditions for each job. For example, a different pressing or line force and / or, if necessary,Temperature adjustable.

[0036] For such an embodiment - e.g. with regard to a large wrap - in the respective applicator 101; 101', the metering roller 102; 102, the laminating roller 103; 103' and the counter-pressure roller 106; 106' forming the laminating gap 107; 107' with the latter can be arranged relative to one another in a first embodiment such that the planes connecting the rotation axes R102; R103; R106; R102'; R103' of the respectively adjacent rollers 102; 103; 106; 102'; 103'; 106' intersect at an angle α which is, for example, between 40° and 130°, in particular between 70° and 110°, preferably between 80° and 100°. A large wrap can result in better heat transfer from a possibly temperature-controlled counter-pressure roller 106; 106' and / or improved - e.g. flutter-free - running up and down (see e.g. Fig. 3 to Fig. 5).

[0037] For example, the respective counterpressure roller 106; 106' can be arranged below the laminating roller 103; 103' in such a way that the plane connecting the rotation axes R103; R106; R103' of the two rollers 103; 103'; 106; 106' deviates from the vertical by a maximum of ± 30°, in particular a maximum of ± 15°. In this case, the pressing force in the laminating gap and gravity act predominantly in the same direction.

[0038] In a second embodiment variant, which is advantageous, for example, with regard to the effective forces and load directions, the metering roller 102; 102, the laminating roller 103; 103' and the counter-pressure roller 106; 106' forming the laminating gap 107; 107' with the latter are arranged in relation to one another in the respective application unit 101; 101', for example, in such a way that the planes connecting the axes of rotation R102; R103; R106; R102'; R103' of the pairs of adjacent rollers 102; 103; 106; 102'; 103'; 106' intersect at most at an acute angle α, which is a maximum of 20°, in particular 0°, so that the axes of rotation R102; R103; R106; R102'; R103' of the three rollers 102; 103; 106; 102'; 103'; 106' of the same application unit 101; 101' lie in the same plane. This makes the arrangement very rigid, since the forces and counterforces are at least predominantly opposite to each other.

[0039] The two application units 101; 101' with their laminating rollers 103; 103' are located on different sides of the substrate path and can be arranged one above the other such that the two laminating gaps 107; 107' are located vertically directly above one another in one embodiment (see e.g. Fig. 6) or in another embodiment are offset horizontally, in particular by at least half and at most one and a half laminating roller diameters (see e.g. Fig. 7). Based on Fig. In Figure 7, for example, a substrate guide that can be transferred to other designs is indicated by a dashed line, allowing a larger wrap angle and thus better heat transfer and / or more stable run-up. For this purpose, the substrate path is deflected by an additional substrate guide element 121 such that the transport direction Ts runs at an angle of at least 45° to the transport direction Ts of the outgoing substrate 006 when running onto the following roller 106; 106'.

[0040] In addition to the metering roller 102; 102', the second roller 103; 103' or a roller that interacts directly with the second roller or indirectly via one or more further rollers and acts as a laminating roller, in an advantageous further development a further roller 118; 118' (see, for example, as an example for all embodiments of the first group in Fig. 5) which can be set in a circumferential section between the metering gap 104; 104' and the laminating gap 107; 107' of the laminating roller 103; 103' in the manner of a calender roller 118; 118' on a dry film 003; 003' fed or guided on the laminating roller 103; 103' during operation, ie during production operation, which is arranged.

[0041] For the above-mentioned designs, variants and forms, in a first configuration for the roller bearing, the laminating roller 103; 103' of the respective application unit 101; 101' with its rotation axis R103; R103' can be mounted in an operationally stationary manner, although its position can be adjusted if necessary, and the metering roller 102; 102' and the counter-pressure roller 106; 106' can be mounted via respective actuators 109; 109'; 111; 111' so that they can each be adjusted in one direction with at least one movement component towards and / or away from the associated laminating roller 103; 103'.Here and in the following, the term actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' is to be understood as the entirety of the means that effect and / or enable the direct or indirect positioning of a roller 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106', which are also referred to below as positioning means 109; 109'; 111; 111' and comprise at least one positioning mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113' that guides the roller 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106' along an positioning movement, as well as one or more drive means 132; 132'; 133; 133' that effect the positioning.

[0042] For positioning the respective dosing roller 102; 102' to the second roller 103; 103', a position-based actuator 109; 109' or actuating means 109; 109' for position-based positioning is provided in a first embodiment, ie an actuator 109; 109' or actuating means 109; 109', via which a defined position for the component to be positioned can be approached.

[0043] Such a position-based actuator 109; 109' can, for example, be realized in that a drive means 132; 133, e.g. drive motor, can itself assume a defined and predeterminable position, as is possible for example for a position-controllable servo drive or motor (see, for example, an embodiment of the drive means 132 presented below as a hydraulically actuated cylinder-piston system 132 that is controllable and / or adjustable with respect to the piston position), or in that an actuating path is limited at least to the relevant side by, for example, stop means 119 that can be adjusted via actuating and / or drive means 146, e.g. an adjustable stop 119, which defines the end position and against which the component to be adjusted with respect to the position is or can be adjusted by means of, for example, a force-based or non-position-accurate drive means (see, for example, embodiments of Fig. 19 or Fig. 22). The roller 102; 102' is mounted, for example, in or on an adjusting mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113', which is formed by a bearing mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113' that implements the adjustment path, for example, with precise positioning. Such a mechanism is advantageously provided, for example, by a bearing 113; 113' comprising an eccentric, e.g., a three-ring bearing 113; 113'. However, with regard to, for example, a position parallel to the adjustment direction and therefore more direct with respect to the adjustment path, a linear bearing 112; 112' running in the adjustment direction can also be advantageous instead.

[0044] For the adjustment of the respective counter-pressure roller 103'; 106; 106', a force-based actuator 111; 111 or adjustment means 111; 111' for force-based adjustment is provided in this first, advantageous embodiment, ie an actuator 111; 111' or adjustment means 111, via which adjustment with a defined force to the abutment can be realized.

[0045] Such a force-based actuator 111; 111' - in particular provided at least on one side - can be realized, for example, in that a drive means 132, e.g. a drive motor 132, can itself apply a defined and predeterminable force, as is possible, for example, for a torque-regulatable or controllable, in particular torque-regulatable or controllable servo drive or motor, or in that the roller to be adjusted can be adjusted against the other roller 103; 103' with an adjusting force towards the relevant side by a drive means actuated by means of a pressure medium, e.g. by a pneumatically or hydraulically actuated cylinder-piston system 132; 133, wherein the pressure of the drive means 132; 133 is preferably adjustable. The counter-pressure roller 106; 106' is here, for example, in or on an adjusting mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113', which is supported by a force-based actuating force, ieA bearing mechanism 112; 112' converting the travel, i.e., without additional mechanical limitation of the travel, is formed. As such, it can advantageously be formed, for example—at least on one side, but preferably on both sides—by a bearing mechanism 112; 112' designed as a linear bearing 112; 112'.

[0046] In a second embodiment, however, the metering roller 102; 102' can be adjusted in a force-based manner and the counterpressure roller 106; 106 can be adjusted in a position-based manner. For this purpose, the above-mentioned provisions must be transferred and applied accordingly.

[0047] In a third embodiment, however, both rollers 102; 102'; 106; 106 can be force-based, and in a fourth embodiment, both rollers 102; 102'; 106; 106 can be position-based. For this purpose, the above-mentioned provisions must be transferred and applied accordingly.

[0048] In a particularly advantageous fifth embodiment, a combined actuating mechanism 112; 113; 112'; 113' and / or a combined actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' or combined actuating means 109; 109'; 111; 111' is provided for the actuation of at least the metering roller 102; 102' and / or at least for the actuation of the counter-pressure roller 106; 106', which optionally allows a position-based actuation of the respective roller 102; 102'; 106; 106' or a force-based actuation.

[0049] Such a combined actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' is formed, for example, by an actuator 109, 111; 109', 111' or actuating means 109, 111; 109', 111' with an actuating mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113', in whose actuating path a stop, which can be positioned, for example, via drive and / or actuating means, can be optionally introduced to limit the position. Alternatively, an actuator 109, 111; 109', 111' can also be advantageous which, as drive means 132, 133; 132', 133', has a motor 132; 132'; 133; that can be operated either in a position-controlled or torque-controlled manner. 133', in particular servo motor.

[0050] In a second configuration for the roller bearing, the counter-pressure roller 106; 106' of the respective application unit 101; 101' with its rotation axis R106; R106' can be operationally stationary, although adjustable if necessary, and the laminating rollers 103; 103' with each associated metering roller 102; 102' can be mounted in pairs via respective common bearing mechanisms 112; 112' and / or actuators 111; 111' in one direction with at least one movement component towards and / or away from the associated counter-pressure roller 106; 106', and in addition to this, the respective metering rollers 102; 102' can be mounted via bearing mechanisms 112; 112'; 113; 113' and / or actuators 109; 109'; 111; 111' can be mounted in a direction with at least one movement component towards and / or away from the respectively associated laminating roller 103; 103'.

[0051] In a first, advantageous embodiment, a position-based actuator 109; 109' in the above sense can be provided for positioning the respective metering roller 102; 102', e.g., a bearing mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113' formed on one or both sides by a three-ring bearing 113; 113' or by a linear bearing 112; 112'; 113; 113'. A force-based actuator 111; 111 can be provided in the above sense for positioning the laminating rollers 103; 103', each with its associated metering roller 102; 102'.

[0052] In a second embodiment, however, the metering roller 102; 102' can be adjusted force-based and the roller pair 103, 102; 103', 102 can be adjusted position-based. For this purpose, the above-mentioned provisions must be transferred and applied accordingly.

[0053] In a third embodiment, however, the metering roller 102; 102' and the roller pair 103, 102; 103', 102 can be force-based, and in a fourth embodiment, the metering roller 102; 102' and the roller pair 103, 102; 103', 102 can be position-based. For this purpose, the above-mentioned provisions must be transferred and applied accordingly.

[0054] In a particularly advantageous fifth embodiment, a combined adjusting mechanism 112; 113; 112, 113 is provided for adjusting at least the metering roller 102; 102' and / or at least for adjusting the roller pair 103, 102; 103', 102 in the above sense and / or in the above embodiment, which allows optionally a position-based or force-based adjustment of the pair towards the counter-pressure roller 106; 106'; 103'; 103.

[0055] In a second group of embodiments for the coating device 100* (shown as an example, for example, in Fig. 8 to Fig. 12, Fig. 15 to Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 19 and Fig. 25 7 and Fig. 38) the second roller 003' of the second application unit 101' or a roller of the second application unit 101' that interacts directly with the second roller 103' or indirectly via one or more further rollers, forms a common gap 107 acting as a two-sided laminating gap 107 with the second or further roller 103 of the first application unit 101 acting as a laminating roller 103 in a nip between their lateral surfaces, wherein the two laminating rollers 103; 103' forming the gap 107 between them act mutually as counterpressure rollers 103'; 103. The carrier substrate 006 can be guided through between the latter and, in particular on both sides, can be subjected to the dry films 003', 003' formed via the first and second film-forming gaps 104; 104'. Such an arrangement of two application units 101; 101' cooperating for simultaneous application on both sides is also referred to below as a double application unit 101, 101'.

[0056] In this case, the planes formed by the rotation axes R102; R103; R102'; R103' of the metering roller 102; 102' and the laminating roller 103; 103' in the respective applicator unit 101; 101' intersect, for example, at most at an acute angle α, which is, for example, a maximum of 20°, advantageously a maximum of 5°, in particular 0°, so that in the latter case the rotation axes R102; R103; R106; R102'; R103' of the rollers 102; 103; 106; 102'; 103'; 106' of the two applicators 101; 101' interacting in a two-sided laminating gap 107 lie in the same plane or run parallel but vertically offset from one another.

[0057] In a first embodiment, the two levels run in a common horizontal plane or horizontally but vertically offset from each other (see e.g. Fig. 8).

[0058] In a second embodiment, which is advantageous, for example, with regard to a small wrap, the two planes run in a common plane inclined relative to the horizontal or in two planes inclined relative to the horizontal but vertically offset from each other. The common plane or the two offset planes are inclined relative to the horizontal by an acute angle β of 2° to 15°, in particular 3° to 10° (see, for example, Fig. 9).

[0059] In addition to the respective metering roller 102; 102' and the second roller 103; 103', in an advantageous further development, a further roller 118; 118' in the above-mentioned type of a calender roller 118; 118' can also be provided here (see, for example, exemplary for all versions of the second group shown in dashed lines in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9).

[0060] For the above-mentioned embodiments and forms, in a first configuration for the roller bearing, a first of the two laminating rollers 103 or a further roller of a first of the two application units 101 acting as a laminating roller can be mounted with its rotation axis R103 in a stationary manner, although possiblyadjustable, while the second of the laminating rollers 103' or a further roller acting as a second laminating roller with the associated metering roller 102; 102' via a common bearing mechanism 112; 112' and / or a common actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' in pairs in one direction with at least one movement component towards and / or away from the associated counter-pressure roller 106; 106', and in addition to this, the respective metering rollers 102; 102' via bearing mechanisms 112; 112'; 113; 113' and / or actuators 109; 109'; 111; 111' in one direction with at least one movement component towards the respectively associated laminating roller 103; 103' or another roller are mounted so that they can be adjusted towards and / or away from it. In the case of one or more additional rollers between the metering roller 102; 102' and the roller acting as a laminating roller, for example,These can also be adjusted jointly in one direction with at least one movement component towards and / or away from the associated counter-pressure roller 106; 106' via the common bearing mechanism 112; 112' and / or the common actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111'.

[0061] In a first advantageous embodiment, a position-based actuator 109; 109' is provided in the above sense and / or in an aforementioned embodiment for adjusting the respective metering roller 102; 102'. For adjusting the second laminating roller 103' with the associated metering roller 102' in pairs, a force-based actuator 111; 111 can be provided for force-based adjustment in the above sense and / or in an aforementioned embodiment.

[0062] In a second embodiment, however, the metering roller 102; 102' can be adjusted force-based and the roller pair 103, 102; 103', 102 can be adjusted position-based. The above-mentioned provisions apply accordingly.

[0063] In a third embodiment, however, both rollers 102; 102'; 106; 106 can be force-based, and in a fourth embodiment, both rollers 102; 102'; 106; 106 can be position-based. For this purpose, the above-mentioned provisions must be transferred and applied accordingly.

[0064] In an advantageous fifth embodiment, a combined adjusting mechanism 112; 113; 112'; 113' is provided for adjusting at least the metering roller 102; 102' and / or at least for adjusting the roller pair 103, 102; 103', 102 in the above sense and / or in the above embodiment, which optionally allows a position-based adjusting of the pair against the laminating roller 103'; 103 acting as counter-pressure roller 103'; 103 via a position-based actuator 109; 109' and a force-based adjusting via a force-based actuator 111; 111'.

[0065] In an advantageous sixth embodiment, described in more detail below, for example, a position-based actuator 109; 109' in the above sense and / or in an above-mentioned embodiment is provided for adjusting the respective metering roller 102; 102' and a force-based actuator 111; 111 for force-based adjustment in the above sense is provided for adjusting the second gap or the counter-pressure roller 103', wherein the two metering rollers 102; 102' and the counter-pressure roller 103; 103' to be adjusted are each adjustable individually, ie without pairwise coupling. In a particularly advantageous further development of this embodiment, a combined adjusting mechanism 112; 113; 112'; 113' in the above sense and / or in the above embodiment.

[0066] For all versions of the two groups of embodiments with jointly adjustable rollers 103'; 102'; 103; 102, these can be mounted on both sides in supports 122'; 122, in particular in side parts of a base frame, which in turn are mounted in a frame receiving the application units 101; 101' via bearing mechanisms 112'; 112; 113'; 113 formed by linear bearings 112'; 112; 113'; 113.

[0067] Alternatively, the two jointly adjustable rollers 102; 103; 102; 102' can be mounted on both sides in supports, in particular in side parts of a base frame, which in turn are pivotally mounted about a pivot axis parallel to the rotation axis of the first, stationary laminating roller 103; 103' (see e.g. Fig. 12).

[0068] As already mentioned, in a respective application unit 101; 101', at least one further roller acting as a laminating roller and forming the laminating gap 107; 107' with the counter-pressure roller 106; 103' can be provided between the second roller 103; 103' and the nip point to the counter-pressure roller 106; 103'.

[0069] For all versions of the two groups of embodiments, in a particularly advantageous development, a removal device 114; 114', in particular a cleaning blade 114; 114', is provided in the respective application unit 101; 101', which is comprised, for example, of a material removal device 127; 127' and can be selectively moved to and from the outer surface of the first roller 102; 102' for cleaning purposes. This device extends, for example, at least over the width of the roller outer surface effective for film formation.

[0070] Instead of this, or advantageously in addition to this, the material removal 127; 127' in the respective application unit 101; 101' comprises, viewed axially parallel to the second roller 103; 103', two removal devices 116; 116', in particular side edge doctor blades 116; 116', which can be adjusted axially parallel and are positioned or adjustable against the second roller 103; 103' and are spaced apart from one another. These removal devices can be adjusted axially parallel and are positioned or adjustable against the second roller 103; 103', by means of which a dry film 003; 003' conveyed over the second roller 103; 103' can be removed in the region of its side edges and, for example, deposited into a collecting device 117; 117'. This removal serves, for example, as so-called edge trimming to obtain a straight edge and / or a desired width b003; b003' of the dry film 003; 003. The collected amount can, for example, B. be returned to the powder mixture supply 004; 004'. Such a removal device 116; 116' can also be used to remove an edge strip 008; 008', which e.g.in the determination of a density ρ of the material layer 003; 003', as described below in connection with, for example, the . Fig. 36.

[0071] For cleaning purposes, a removal device 129; 129', in particular a cleaning blade 129; 129', which can be adjusted to and from the outer surface of the second roller 103; 103', can advantageously also be provided, which extends, for example, at least over the width of the roller outer surface effective for film formation, and optionally a suction or collecting device (not shown).

[0072] For the supply or introduction of the powder mixture 004; 004' into the first gap 004; 004, an above-mentioned powder supply device 700; 700' for supplying a powdery material is provided, wherein in the region of the gusset above the gap 104; 104' between the first and second rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103', a filling and / or supply space 126 with a width extending in the axial direction of the second roller 103; 103' is preferably formed and / or provided.

[0073] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, in the applicator 101; 101' above the first gap 104; 104' there are provided two limits 124, in particular side plates 124, which are spaced apart from one another in an axially parallel manner to the first roller 102; 102' and can be adjusted in the axially parallel direction, which limits 124 each seal off an area of ​​the upper gusset formed between the lateral surfaces of the first and second rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103' towards both end faces of the applicator 101; 101' and thereby form an intermediate filling and / or storage space 126, preferably variable in width, for receiving the powder mixture 004; 004'. Depending on the desired width and / or position of the dry film 003; 003', the filling and / or storage space 126 can thereby be varied or be variable on at least one, preferably on both sides in the position of its lateral boundary 124.As an alternative to a filling and / or storage space 126 directly delimited in the lower region by the lateral surfaces, a filling and / or storage space 126 in the form of a filling or storage funnel, e.g. comparable to an insertion aid mentioned below, could in principle also be provided directly in or above the gusset - at least where not contradictory to other design features of the applicator 101; 101' or the powder feed 700; 700'.

[0074] For all of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments or refinements, the bearing mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113' and / or the actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' of the first roller 102; 102 is preferably designed such that a gap width b104 for the first gap 104; 104' can be operationally set to a variable clear width at the narrowest point of at least 15 µm, advantageously of at least 30 µm, in particular of at least 50 µm, and / or that the gap width b104 of the first gap 104; 104' can be adjusted at least via the above-mentioned position-based drive means 132; 132' and / or via at least one-sided stop means 119 which limit a setting position in the direction of the nip point and are adjustable in their position, ie for example an above-mentioned, in particular adjustable or positionable stop 119.

[0075] Alternatively or additionally, the bearing mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113' and / or the actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' are advantageously designed to set and / or apply a line force of, for example, at least 500 N / mm, advantageously at least 700 N / mm, preferably a line force between 500 N / mm and 3000 N / mm, in the first gap 104; 104', at least in the region of its width contributing to film formation, between the rollers 102; 102'; 102; 103' forming the first gap 104; 104'.

[0076] As mentioned above, for positioning the metering roller 102; 102' to the second roller 103; 103' - e.g. in an above embodiment and / or in the above sense - a combined positioning mechanism 112; 113; 112; 113 can be provided, which optionally allows - e.g. in one operating mode - a position-based positioning via a position-based actuator 109; 109' and - e.g. in a second operating mode - a force-based positioning via a force-based actuator 111; 111'.

[0077] For all the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments or configurations and, for example, independently of the above-mentioned implementation of the coating device 100; 100* with individual application units 101; 101' with respective counter-pressure rollers 106; 106 or with combined application units 101; 101' with mutually effective counter-pressure rollers 103'; 103, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the metering gap 104; 104' between the first and second rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103' is adjustable on the basis of a position-based actuator 109; 109' that is positionable in the above sense, e.g., positionable with respect to a predetermined position or position-controlled or position-regulated, e.g., positionable with respect to the gap width b104, via, for example, a control chain S b ; S d ; S'' d ; S F controllable or via e.g. a control circuit R b ; R d ; R'' d ; R Fadjustable, i.e. for example adjustable to a constant and / or defined gap width b104; 104', e.g. positionable, controllable or adjustable, wherein the position-based setting is directed to a defined and constant relative position or gap width 104 of the two rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103' in their working position, and / or the laminating gap 107; 107' between the second roller 103; 103' and the counter-pressure roller 106; 106'; 103'; 103 in the above sense on the basis of a force-based, e.g. force-controlled or force-regulated, actuator 111; 111', e.g. with regard to the actuating force via, for example, a pressure control valve or e.g. B. a control path comprising, for example, such a pressure control valve can be controlled or, for example, regulated via a control path comprising such a pressure control valve, i.e., for example, adjustable to a constant and / or defined actuating or line force, e.g.controllable or adjustable, wherein the force-based adjustment is directed in particular at a defined and / or constant setting or line force between the two rollers 106; 106'; 103'; 103 involved in the second gap 107; 107' in their working position. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the line or setting force effective between the two rollers 106; 106'; 103'; 103 involved in the second gap 107; 107' is not applied directly, but via the material guided through the gap, in the case of the film formation gap 104; 104' for example via the powdered material 004; 004' and in the case of the laminating gap 107; 107' over the product strand 002 having the dry film 007 on one or both sides.

[0078] Without limiting the above-mentioned specific embodiments, in principle any of the two rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106' involved in the relevant gap 104; 104'; 107; 107' can be adjusted by the corresponding actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' and / or mounted on corresponding adjusting mechanisms 112; 112'; 113; 113' in the above sense. This also applies to embodiments wherein one of the rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106' involved in the relevant gap 104; 104'; 107; 107' can be adjusted together with another roller 104; 104'; 107; 107' non-participating roller 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106' is mounted together in such a way that it can be adjusted.

[0079] Likewise, for example, independently of the above-mentioned implementation of the coating device 100; 100* with individual application units 101; 101' with respective counter-pressure rollers 106; 106 or with combined application units 101; 101' with mutually acting counter-pressure rollers 103'; 103, in an embodiment that is particularly advantageous with regard to optimal adjustability, the metering gap 104; 104' between the first and second rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103' of the same application unit 101; 101' and / or the laminating gap 107; 107' between the second roller 103; 103' and the cooperating counter-pressure roller 106; 106; 103'; 103 - for example, not only position- or force-based, but - based on a combined actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' optionally - in particular in the above sense - position-based adjustable, e.g., positionable with respect to the gap width b104, via e.g., a control chain S b ; S d ; S'' d ; S Fcontrollable or via e.g. a control circuit R b ; R d ; R'' d ; R Fadjustable, i.e. in e.g. one operating mode, adjustable to a constant and / or defined relative position of the two rollers and / or a constant and / or defined gap width b104; b107, e.g. positionable or controllable or adjustable, or in e.g. another operating mode, force-based adjustable, e.g. with regard to the actuating force via e.g. a pressure control valve or e.g. a control section comprising such a pressure control valve, or e.g. controllable via e.g. a control section comprising such a pressure control valve, i.e. in e.g. another operating mode, adjustable to a defined and / or constant actuating or line force, e.g.controllable or regulatable. In particular, one of the rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106' involved in the relevant gap 104; 104'; 107; 107' is mounted in a combined adjusting mechanism 112; 113; 112; 113 so as to be adjustable either in a position-based or force-based manner and / or the relevant gap 104; 104'; 107; 107' is optionally adjustable to a constant and / or defined gap width or to a constant and / or defined setting or line force in the above sense, in particular controllable or regulatable in the above sense. Here too, without limiting the above-mentioned specific embodiments, in principle any of the two rollers involved in the relevant gap 104; 104'; 107; 107' involved rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106' by the corresponding combined actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' and / or mounted accordingly on corresponding combined adjusting mechanisms 112; 112'; 113; 113' in the above sense.This also applies to designs in which one of the rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106' involved in the respective gap 104; 104'; 107; 107' is mounted in such a way that it can be adjusted together with another roller 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106' not involved in this gap 104; 104'; 107; 107'.

[0080] In an advantageous embodiment, the combined actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' is formed by a force-based, in particular force-controllable or force-regulatable, actuator 111; 111' with an actuating mechanism 113; 113'; 112; 112', into whose actuating path a stop 119, which can be positioned, for example, via drive and / or actuating means 145; 146, can be optionally introduced to limit the position. A cylinder-piston system 133 actuated by pressure medium, in particular hydraulically, is preferably provided as the drive means 133.

[0081] For positioning, the first roller 102; 102' can be mounted via a bearing mechanism 113; 113'; 112; 112' and / or a position-based or force-based or optionally position- or force-based actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111', for example, in a direction with at least one movement component towards and / or away from the respectively assigned second roller 103; 103'. Additionally or instead, the counter-pressure roller 106; 106'; 103'; 103 can be mounted via a bearing mechanism 113; 113'; 112; 112' and / or a position-based or force-based or optionally position- or force-based actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' can be mounted so as to be adjustable in a direction with at least one movement component towards and / or away from the second or an intermediate further roller 103; 103'.

[0082] Alternatively, the first roller 103; 103' with the associated second roller 102; 102' can be mounted in pairs so as to be movable towards and / or away from the associated counter-pressure roller 106; 106' via a common bearing mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113' and / or a common, for example, position-based or force-based or optionally position- or force-based actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111', and in addition to this, the respective first roller 102; 102' can be mounted via a bearing mechanism 113; 113'; 112; 112' and / or a, for example, position-based or force-based or optionally position- or force-based actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' is mounted in a direction with at least one movement component towards and / or away from the respectively associated second roller 103; 103'.

[0083] For all of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments or refinements, the first roller 102; 102' and the second roller 103; 103' forming the first gap 104; 104' with it are rotatably driven or driven mechanically independently of one another in opposite directions and at different circumferential speeds and / or by different drive means 148; 149, e.g. drive motors 148; 149, in particular at least speed-adjustable or controllable servo motors.

[0084] The first roller 102; 102' is operated at a lower speed, wherein the first roller 102; 102', in particular metering roller 102; 102', and the associated second roller 103; 103', in particular laminating roller 103; 103', are operable or operated, for example, in a ratio V102(102') : V103(103') of their peripheral speed of the first to the second roller 102, 102'; 103; 103', which lies in a range between 1:5 and 3:5, in particular 1:4.

[0085] The rollers 103; 106; 103; 103' forming the second gap 107; 107' together are preferably driven or can be driven mechanically independently of one another at the same peripheral speed by a common drive motor 148, in particular a servo motor, or preferably by different drive motors 148, in particular servo motors 148.

[0086] In an advantageous embodiment, the mechanically independent drive motors 148; 149 can be operated by a drive control via an electronic, in particular virtual, master axis.

[0087] Of particular advantage is a further development in which the first roller 102; 102' has, in the region of its lateral surface contributing to film formation, a surface which is more material-repellent with respect to the powder mixture and / or has a less strongly adhesively effective lateral surface than the second roller 103; 103' in the region of its lateral surface contributing to film formation.

[0088] At least the second roller 102; 102'; 103; 103' can have a polished and / or chrome-coated or ceramic-coated surface, at least in the region of its outer surface that contributes to film formation. The first roller 102; 102' can have a structured or material-repellent surface, at least in the region of its outer surface that contributes to film formation.

[0089] For all of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments, or refinements, the first and / or second roller 102; 102; 103; 103' can be tempered, in particular heated, preferably such that its outer surface - e.g. at an ambient temperature of 25°C - can be heated to at least 80°C, advantageously to at least 100°C, preferably to at least 120°C.

[0090] Instead of this, or preferably in addition to this, the roller 106; 106' of the first group of embodiments, which only acts as a counter-pressure roller 106; 106'; 103; 103, can also be tempered, in particular heated, preferably in such a way that its outer surface - e.g. at an ambient temperature of 25°C - can be heated to at least 80°C, advantageously to at least 100°C, preferably to at least 120°C.

[0091] The temperature control or heating can in principle be carried out electrically, but in an advantageous embodiment, it is realized here by passing a temperature control or heating fluid through the roller 102; 102'; 103, 103'; 106; 106' to be temperature controlled. The temperature control fluid, e.g., appropriately tempered water, is supplied to and discharged from the respective roller 102; 102'; 103, 103'; 106; 106' to be temperature controlled via a temperature control fluid line 134 and, e.g., a rotary union.

[0092] For all of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments, or configurations, the two applicators 101; 101', together with one or more substrate guide elements 121, possibly arranged directly before, after, or between them, are mounted in a common or possibly multi-part frame 128, e.g., two end-face frame walls 131 of a same or possibly multi-part frame 128. In the case of a common frame 128 with one-piece frame walls 131, a particularly rigid arrangement of the applicators 101; 101' can be provided in a laminating unit 100; 100* designed as an aggregate 100; 100*, e.g., a laminating aggregate 100; 100*.

[0093] In the event that a calendering unit 600; 600*, described below, also referred to as a calender 600; 600*, is provided in the substrate path - e.g., directly - downstream of the laminating unit 100; 100*, rollers 601; 601'; 602; 602* included in the calendering unit 600; 600* can, in an advantageous development, also be mounted in this frame 603 or, in an advantageous variant, e.g., as a separate unit 600; 600*, e.g., calendering unit 600; 600*, in side walls of a separate frame 603 arranged directly on and / or above the frame 128 carrying the application units 101; 101'.

[0094] In a e.g. Fig. 15 and Fig. In the embodiment of the machine shown in Figure 16, which may be somewhat longer, but in which, for example, the risk of vibration transmission between the units 100; 100*; 600; 600*, in particular at least the laminating unit 100; 100* and the calendering unit 600; 600*, is reduced, the laminating unit 100; 100* and the calendering unit 600 provided there are arranged horizontally next to each other, preferably even in separate frames 128; 603, which are separated from each other, for example, by vibration. The calendering unit 600; 600* can, in a variant not shown, be Fig. 15 and / or Fig. 16 are also omitted. An advantageous design of such a machine without an additional calendering unit in the substrate path is shown, for example, in Fig. 17 and described in more detail below.

[0095] For example, in Fig. 15 and Fig. However, the calendering unit 600; 600* shown in Figure 16 or an additional calendering downstream of the application of the dry film 003; 003* is not mandatory and can be omitted entirely in a different version of the coating machine. In the latter case, calendering can then be omitted entirely or can be carried out or implemented in a separate process and / or a separate, e.g., second machine. The second machine comprises, for example, a substrate unwinder on the input side, from which the web-shaped intermediate product 002 can be unwound and guided along a substrate path through at least one calendering unit 600 to a roll winder on the output side or via a cross-cutting device to a delivery.

[0096] Basically independent of, but advantageously in conjunction with one of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments or configurations of the application units 101; 101' and / or coating devices 100; 100* and / or machine configurations, the frame 128 of the device for coating device 100; 100* is designed in a particularly advantageous embodiment in several parts (see e.g. Fig. 18, Fig. 19, Fig. 20, Fig. 21, Fig. 22, Fig. 25 and Fig. 26). Here, at least two adjacent rollers 102; 103; 103; 103'; 106 of the application unit 101; 101', in an advantageous embodiment at least the two rollers 103; 103'; 106 forming the laminating gap 107; 107' with each other and / or acting as counter-pressure rollers 103; 103'; 106, are mounted on both sides in - in particular rigidly connected - frame walls 131.1; 131.2; 131.3; 131.4 of two different sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, which in their relative position along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R102; R103; R102'; R103'; R106; R106' of at least one of the two adjacent rollers 102; 103; 103; 103'; 106 are positionally variable relative to one another in such a way that a distance between their rotational axis R102; R103; R102'; R103'; R106; R106' and / or a distance between the lateral surfaces of the two adjacent rollers 102; 103; 103; 103'; 106 - e.g. via a force applied to at least one side orcoated carrier substrate 006 or via the powdered material 004; 004' - effective positioning force can be varied or adjusted. In a preferred variant, one of the two sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 can be arranged in a spatially fixed manner - e.g. on a base of the coating device 100; 100* or in or on a higher-level frame structure 145 or base plate 145 - and the other of the at least two sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 can be adjusted via a bearing mechanism 112; 113 within at least one adjustment range along the relevant adjustment direction, and in another variant, both one and the other of the adjacent sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 can be adjusted along the adjustment direction. The sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 each comprise two frame walls 131.1; 131.2; 131.3; 131.4, which are connected via one or more cross connections, e.g.One or more cross members 136; 137 are rigidly, although possibly detachably, connected to one another. A partial frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 adjustable in the above manner can thus be moved as a whole, including the roller 102; 103; 103; 103'; 106 or rollers 102; 103; 103; 103'; 106 supported by it.

[0097] In an above-mentioned embodiment of an application unit 101 for only one-sided application, i.e. with a first roller 102, e.g. the metering roller 102, a second roller 103, e.g. the laminating roller 103, and a pure counter-pressure roller 106, in a first embodiment variant not shown, for example the first and the second roller 102; 103 can be mounted together in or on frame walls 131.1 of a first sub-frame 128.1 and the counter-pressure roller 106 in or on frame walls 131.2 of a second sub-frame 128.2. For this purpose, for example the first roller 102 is force-based in or on the first sub-frame 128.1 via the above-mentioned adjusting means 109; 111, e.g. B. force-defined, force-controlled or force-regulated and / or position-based, e.g.positionable, position-controlled or position-regulated, mounted so that its distance from the second roller 103 can be adjusted (where the "and" variant in the and / or expression here stands for a combined actuator that can be adjusted either force-based or position-based). In an alternative variant, for example, the second roller 102; 103 and the counter-pressure roller 106 are mounted in or on frame walls 131.1 of a first sub-frame 128.1 and the first roller 102, e.g. metering roller 102, is mounted on frame walls 131.3 of a separate sub-frame 128.3. For this purpose, for example, the counter-pressure roller 106 is force-based in or on the first sub-frame 128.1 via the above-mentioned adjusting means 109; 111, e.g. force-defined, force-controlled or force-regulated and / or position-based, e.g. B. positionable, position-controlled or position-regulated, mounted so as to be adjustable at a distance from the second roller 103.

[0098] In a preferred variant of the above-mentioned embodiment of an application unit 101 for only one-sided application, the first, second and counter-pressure rollers 102; 103; 106 are mounted in or on frame walls 131.1; 131.2; 131.3 of a respective sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3. For example, one of the sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3, preferably the sub-frame 128.2 carrying the second roller 103, is arranged in a fixed position, and the two other sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3 are mounted so as to be movable relative to it along the adjustment direction. Fig. 19 For this embodiment, for example, the right sub-frame 128.4 with a frame wall 131.4 and the roller 102' can be omitted, whereby the roller 103' is then designed as a pure counter-pressure roller 106.

[0099] In preferred and e.g. in the Fig. 8 to 12 and Fig. 15, Fig. 16 and the figures Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 as a double application unit 101; 101' for simultaneous double-sided application, in a first variant not shown, the two roller pairs consisting of dosing and laminating rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103' can be mounted in pairs in a sub-frame 128.1; 128.2, wherein the two sub-frames 128.1; 128.2 can be adjusted in relation to one another in the above-mentioned manner such that a distance between the rotation axes R103; R103' of the two rollers 103; 103' forming the laminating gap 107 and / or a contact force acting directly or indirectly between the lateral surfaces can be varied. 128.2 be mounted in a fixed position and the other movable in the direction of adjustment. The metering rollers 102; 102' are, for example, in the respective sub-frame 128.1; 128.2 via the above-mentioned adjusting means 109; 111 force-based, e.g. force-defined, force-controlled or force-regulated and / or position-based, e.g.positionable, position-controlled or position-regulated, mounted so as to be adjustable at a distance from the adjacent laminating roller 103. In an alternative variant, also not shown, the pair of rollers 103, 103' forming the laminating gap 107; 107' can be mounted in a first, common sub-frame 128.1 and the two metering rollers 102; 102' can each be mounted in their own sub-frame 128.3; 128.4, wherein the first sub-frame 128.2 is, for example, spatially fixed and the two other sub-frames 128.3; 128.4 are movable relative to the first sub-frame 128.1 such that a distance between the rotation axes R102; 103; 102; 103' is, in the above-mentioned manner, respectively, between the first and second rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103' and / or a directly or indirectly effective adjusting force between the lateral surfaces is variable. One of the laminating rollers 103; 103' can be adjusted via the above-mentioned adjusting means 109; 111 in a force-based and / or, e.g., force-defined, force-controlled or force-regulated manner and / or position-based, e.g.positionable, position-controlled or position-regulated, adjustable at a distance from the other laminating roller 103.

[0100] In a preferred variant of the design of the application unit 101; 101' as a double application unit 101; 101' for simultaneous double-sided application, however, all four or - in the case of, for example, further intermediate rollers, all - rollers 102; 103, 102'; 103' are mounted in frame walls 131.1; 131.2; 131.3; 131.4 of separate sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4. In this case, for example, one of the sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, preferably a sub-frame 128.1 carrying a second or laminating roller 103, is arranged in a spatially fixed manner and the remaining sub-frames 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 is mounted so as to be adjustable along an adjustment direction preferably perpendicular to a rotation axis R103; 103' of a laminating roller 103; 103', in particular of the spatially fixed laminating roller 103.

[0101] Preferably, at least the roller 103 of the first application unit 101 which is involved in forming the second gap 107; 107' and which follows upstream in relation to the material flow and / or the first roller 102 of the first discharge unit 101 is mounted in or on a third sub-frame 128.3 which is displaceable along an adjustment direction which runs perpendicular to the rotation axis R102; R103; R102'; R103'; R106; R106' of at least the roller 103 of the first application unit 101 which is involved in forming the second gap 107. In the case of the double application unit 101; 101', in an advantageous embodiment the roller 103 which is involved in forming the second gap 107; 107' involved laminating roller 103' of the second application unit 101' following upstream with respect to the material flow, in particular the first roller 102 of the second discharge unit 101' in or on a fourth sub-frame 128.4, which is displaceable along an adjustment direction that runs perpendicular at least to the rotation axis R103 of the roller 103 mounted in or on the stationary sub-frame 128.1.

[0102] For all of the above-mentioned designs with movable sub-frames 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, these are preferably movable on linear guides 112; 112', wherein separate guide sections 138, e.g., rail pieces 138, can be provided for each of the movable sub-frames 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, or continuous guides 138 or rails 138 can be provided for two or more displaceable adjacent sub-frames 128.2; 128.4. The sub-frames 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 can have support feet 139 on the bottom side that are designed to correspond to the guide sections 138 or guides 138 and comprise, for example, sliding or rolling elements.

[0103] The rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106 can in principle be mounted on a respective axis which is non-rotatably mounted in the frame walls 131.1; 131.2; 131.3; 131.4 of the respective sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 via corresponding bearings 151 or advantageously - as shown for example in the figures Fig. 18 to Fig. 22 - with end-face roll necks rotatably mounted in bearings 151, in particular radial bearings 151, which in turn are arranged in or on the respective frame walls 131.1; 131.2; 131.3; 131.4.

[0104] The adjacent and relatively movable sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 can be moved towards one another in the adjusting direction, in particular tensioned, and moved away from one another again or at least released again, in a preferred embodiment here, by at least one drive means 132; 132'; 133; 133' on each frame side, in particular by at least one adjusting device 141; 165 comprising a drive means 132; 132'; 133; 133' and optionally via further means transmitting the adjusting movement or force, on each frame side, preferably by two or at least two adjusting devices 141; 165, e.g. pulling or tensioning devices 141; 165, on each frame side. The mutually facing sides of the adjacent and relatively movable sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 are designed to correspond to one another, for example, so that the sections formed by the sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 supported adjacent rollers 102; 103; 103; 103'; 106 - e.g. with appropriately positioned stop means 134; 134' - can be brought with their effective lateral surfaces into a relative position desired for operation with, if necessary, a desired gap width b104; b104'; b107; b17' or a gap width b104; b104'; b107; b17' adjusted by the load.

[0105] In an advantageous embodiment of such an applicator 101; 101' with a multi-part frame 128, at least one actuator 109; 109', which effects the setting, e.g., the variation and / or the setting force between the first and second rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103' and comprises a drive means 132; 133, is designed to be position-based, e.g., positionable, position-controlled, or position-regulated, or - in a particularly advantageous embodiment - can be operated optionally in a position-based manner, e.g., force-defined, force-controlled, or force-regulated, or in a position-based manner, e.g., positionable, position-controlled, or position-regulated.

[0106] In a first embodiment (see e.g. Fig. 18 to Fig. 22) e.g. as drive means 133 a drive means 133, in particular a cylinder-piston system 133 which can be acted upon by pressurised fluid, in particular hydraulically, is provided, and at least one drive means 133 which acts on the sub-frame 128.3; 128.4 carrying the first roller 102; 102' and on the sub-frame 128.1; 128.2 carrying the second roller 103; 103'; 106 and is operable or operated in a force-based manner, in particular operable or operated in a force-controlled or force-regulated manner, and at least one drive means 133 which is effective between the sub-frame 128.3; 128.4 carrying the first roller 102; 102' and the sub-frame 128.1; 128.2 carrying the second roller 103; 103'; 106 and is - e.g. A stop means 119 is provided, which can be adjusted, for example, via actuating and / or driving means 146 and / or by a servomotor 155 and, if necessary, can be controlled or regulated in its stop effect, for example, and which can be inserted into the actuating path selectively and / or to a greater or lesser extent in a way that limits the travel.In principle, any desired, preferably adjustable, stop means 119 can be provided as the stop means 119, by means of which an adjusting movement between the two respective sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 can be limited and preferably adjustable with respect to the end position. This can be, for example, one or more stops 119 based on a respective screw thread, which can be moved, in particular rotated, into a desired position manually or via a remotely operable actuating and / or drive means 146 - possibly via a gear and / or by a servo motor 155. In a preferred embodiment here, stop means 119 based on a wedge gear are provided as the stop means 119, for example, opposing wedge-shaped strips, e.g., as stops 119, which interact in pairs with opposite sides and have a strength that varies in opposite directions.For positioning, it is sufficient if, for example, one of the wedge-shaped strips is displaced or can be displaced relative to the other in the longitudinal direction of the pair of strips by a suitable actuating and / or driving means 146, e.g., a motor-driven actuator 146, for example, formed by a screw drive, or a motor-driven rack. Such stop means 119 allow a very sensitive variation of the end position defined by the stop means 119 with a large length of the interacting sides and a small gradient in strength.

[0107] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one actuator 109; 109', which effects the variation and / or the setting force between the two rollers 103; 103'; 106; 106' forming the second nip 107; 107' between them and comprises a drive means 132; 133, is designed to be force-based or - in a particularly advantageous embodiment - can be operated either force-based or position-based. In this case, for example, the drive means 133 is a drive element mounted on the two sub-frames 128.1, 128.2, which support the rollers 103; 103'; 106; 106' forming the second nip 107; 107' between them. 105', a drive means 133, in particular a cylinder-piston system 133 which can be pressurised with pressurised fluid, preferably hydraulically, is provided, as well as at least one drive means 133 which can be acted upon directly or indirectly and is operable or operated in a force-based manner, in particular a drive means which can be operated or operated in a force-controlled or force-regulated manner, and at least one drive means 133 which can be acted upon by pressurised fluid, preferably hydraulically, is provided between these two sub-frames 128.1, 128.2 effective and adjustable lifting means 119 via adjusting means 146. The lifting means 119 can be designed in a manner as described above or deviating therefrom, but at least adjustable in its lifting effect, e.g. controllable or adjustable.

[0108] The drive means 133 can act directly or indirectly on the two adjacent sub-frames 128.1, 128.2; 128.3, 128.4 in question, in that one active end of the drive means 132; 133, e.g., the piston 142 of a cylinder-piston system 132; 133 that can be operated or operated in a force-controlled or position-controlled manner, on the one hand, and / or one end of the cylinder 166, on the other hand, is directly connected to the respective sub-frame 128.1, 128.2; 128.3, 128.4. However, a connection can also be made indirectly via further means transmitting the actuating movement and / or actuating force, e.g. B. a one- or multi-part tensile and / or compressive transmission element extending or continuing the piston 167 or the piston rod 142 on the one hand or, if applicable, the cylinder 166 on the other hand, e.g. in the form of a pull and / or push rod. The respective connection of the actuating device 141 comprising the drive means 133 or directly of the drive means 133, e.g.via pressure and / or tension plates 143; 144, thereby determining in the present sense an attack surface for the action of the drive means 132; 133.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, at least one adjusting device 141 comprising a drive means 132; 133 and causing a relative adjusting movement and / or tensile force between the two sub-frames 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 acts on the sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 in such a way that it engages the two rollers 102; 103; 103'; 103' or the adjacent sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 with a drive means 132; 133 between the sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 directed force into a gap width b104 sollin question relative position and - if necessary against a force opposing the direction of adjustment by the powdered material 004 - keep this relative position constant until a different specification is made. This means that a tensile force is introduced between the sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 by the position-based or controllable drive means 132, which determines the gap width b104 - if necessary against the opposing forces caused by the material 004 - at the specified gap width b104 sollIn contrast to the application of a pure thrust force to one of the two rollers 102; 103; 103'; 103' or sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 from an outside, this has the advantage that the setting force only acts on the relevant roller gap 104; 104'; 107; 107', and does not - e.g. by simultaneously pressing the second roller 103 against another roller 103'; 106 - additionally and uncontrolledly apply a force to another, adjacent gap viewed in the setting direction, e.g. second gap 107; 107'.

[0110] In the embodiments according to the figures Fig. 18 to Fig. 22, a force-based drive means 133, in particular a force-controlled or force-regulated drive means 133, is preferably provided for adjusting both the first and second gaps 104; 104'; 107; 107', in particular a cylinder-piston system 133 that can be pressurized with pressurized fluid, in particular hydraulically. Such a cylinder-piston system 133—provided, for example, once or multiple times per roll gap 104; 104'; 107; 107'—is preferably designed or configured such that a force of at least 20 kN, preferably at least 50 kN, can be applied by it. Preferably, at least two such cylinder-piston systems 133 are provided on each frame side, acting between two adjacent sub-frames, by means of which the above-mentioned force or line force can be applied, for example.

[0111] The rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106 can in principle be mounted on a respective axis which is non-rotatably mounted in the frame walls 131.1; 131.2; 131.3; 131.4 of the respective sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3, 128.4 via corresponding bearings 151, or advantageously - as shown for example in the figures Fig. 18 to Fig. 22 - with end-face roll necks rotatably mounted in bearings 151 designed as radial bearings 151, wherein the bearings 151 are in turn provided or arranged in or on the respective frame walls 131.1; 131.2; 131.3; 131.4. In both cases, the rolls 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106 or their roll necks or axes, viewed in the axial direction, are effectively radially supported on a width b151 of the bearing 151, which is determined by one or more rows of bearing elements supporting the roll necks or axes against the respective sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3, 128.4. In the case of the rotation-enabling radial bearing 151, this can be one or more circumferentially arranged rows of rolling elements or sliding surfaces. The effective support width b151 results from the distance between the two outer edges of the single row of bearing elements or the two outer rows of bearing elements.

[0112] In a particularly advantageous embodiment - e.g. with regard to the smallest possible deformation - an adjusting device 141 with its two acting ends, which can be varied in distance from one another, acts on two or each two of the adjacent sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, the distance between which can be varied and / or the adjusting force can be varied, in such a way that a same roller 102; 103; 102'; 103'; 106; mounted on the two adjacent sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, perpendicular to the rotation axis R102; R103, R102'; R103', at least one of the rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103'; 106; 106', in particular extending within the frame wall width, plane G at least the respective effective support width b151, viewed in the axial direction, of the rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103'; 106; 106' mounted in the two sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 as well as a plane in the area of ​​the acting ends with the respective sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, for example, the cross-section of a pressure and / or tension plate 143; 144 supported on the end of the adjusting device 141 or fastened to the relevant sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, in particular even a working cross-section, i.e. the effective piston or cylinder internal cross-sectional area, in the cylinder 166 of the drive means 133 formed, for example, by a cylinder-piston system 133. This ensures that the tensile stress acts in the alignment of the support and tilting in the bearing 151 caused by the tensile stress is avoided.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, for all designs of the application units 101; 101' or double application units 101, 101' presented in connection with the sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, the rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103, 103'; 106 are arranged relative to one another, at least in the operating position, such that their rotation axes R102; R103, R102'; R103' intersect the same connecting line in at least one radial alignment.

[0114] For the force-based drive means 133 or actuators 133, the force applied by the drive means 133 is preferably adjustable, in particular controllable or regulatable. In the case of cylinder-piston systems 133 operable with pressurized fluid, e.g., with compressed air or preferably with a pressurized fluid (e.g., pressurized oil), the pressure of the pressurized fluid provided by a pressure source is, in particular, adjustable, in particular controllable or regulatable, at least within a control range required for operation, e.g., via a pressure control valve or a pump that is controllable or regulatable with respect to the pressure to be provided on the output side.

[0115] Basically independent of, but advantageously in conjunction with one of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments or configurations of the application units 101; 101' and / or coating devices 100; 100* and / or machine configurations and / or frames 128, in a particularly advantageous embodiment at least the first and the second roller 102; 103; 102; 103' with their R102; R103, R102'; R103' - generally or in at least one operating situation - are inclined to each other, ie not mounted or mountable in parallel (see e.g. principle from Fig. 23). However, these preferably run in two parallel planes.

[0116] If such a bearing arrangement is to be implemented generally and without the possibility of variation, the inclined arrangement can already be taken into account in the arrangement of the bearings 151 in a single-part or multi-part frame; 128.1, 128.2, 128.3, 128.4.

[0117] Preferably, however, the axes of rotation R102; R103, R102'; R103' are tiltable relative to one another, i.e. tiltable from a parallel position into a position relative to one another or to different angles of inclination α. ​​In this case, for example, one of the rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103', in particular the second roller 103, 103', is operationally fixed in space during the alignment of its R102; R102', R103; R103', although possibly movable parallel in space without changing the inclination, and the other of the rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103', in particular the first roller 102; 102', with its axis of rotation R102; 102' relative to the alignment of the R102; R102', R103; R103' and / or mounted so as to be tiltable relative to the course of the rotation axis R102; R102', R103; R103' of the other roller 103; 103'; 102; 102', in particular second rollers 103; 103'.The pivoting preferably takes place about an actual or imaginary pivot axis which lies in a plane comprising the rotation axes R102; R102', R103; R103' of the two rollers 102; 103; 102; 103' and / or runs perpendicular to the rotation axes R102; R103; R102; R103' of both the first and the second roller 102; 103; 102; 103' and / or intersects their rotation axes R102; R103; R102; R103'.

[0118] Such inclination can, in principle, be realized directly via a special design of the bearing accommodating the inclinable roller 102; 102'; 103; 103' in the frame 128. For example, a bearing 151, e.g., comprising an eccentric, can be provided on at least one side, preferably on both sides, by means of which a radial position of the respective rotational axis R102; R103, R102'; R103' can be varied in the bearing 151. Alternatively, a radially movable bearing can be provided on one or preferably on both sides of the frame 128, the movement of which allows the respective bearing position to be radially varied.

[0119] Preferably, the first and second rollers 102; 103; 102; 103' of a same application unit 101; 101', e.g. on the first and / or second application unit 101; 101', corresponding, for example, to an embodiment of the multi-part frame 128 described above or below, are mounted in or on mutually different sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, wherein one of the two sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, preferably the sub-frame 128.3; 128.4, in total, ie including the associated frame walls 131.1, 131.2, 131.3, 131.4, one or more cross members 136; 137 and the roller 102; 103; 102; 103' mounted therein, can be pivoted about a pivot axis S running perpendicular to its rotational axis R102; R103, R102'; R103' and intersecting it at least over the maximum effective width of the roller 102; 103; 102; 103' (see e.g. Fig. 23 and Fig. 24 exemplary for the statements according to Fig. 18 to 22 and Fig. 25 and Fig. 26).

[0120] In an advantageous embodiment, the pivotable sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 is mounted on at least two bearing points 153 spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the pivot axis S, wherein they lie at a radius RS on a circular arc K running around the pivot axis S and / or determining the position of the pivot axis S (see e.g. Fig. 24). The bearing points 153 are formed, for example, by sliding or preferably rolling elements 153, e.g. rollers, which are arranged in two spaced-apart bearing blocks 147. The rollers are rotatable about an axis parallel to the pivot axis S. The radius R SThe arc K is, for example, greater than half, in particular greater than the entire maximum usable width of the roller 102; 103; 102; 103' pivoted with the subframe 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4. This allows a large adjustment range to be realized for the smallest changes in inclination.

[0121] The bearing blocks 147 are mounted, for example, on guides 138 running perpendicular to the rotation axes R102; R103, R102'; R103' of the roller 102; 103; 102; 103' carried by the pivotable sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 and can be displaced on these guides together with the sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 mounted thereon in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R102; R103, R102'; R103'.

[0122] In a preferred embodiment, the bearing points 153 for supporting the pivotable sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 cooperate with bearing surfaces 154 facing the bearing points 153, which are arranged in a lower region of the sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, in particular in the region of the lower end of the two respective frame walls 131.1, 131.2, 131.3, 131.4 and / or - at least within an adjustment range for the pivoting movement in the circumferential direction of the circular arc K - have a surface supported on at least one bearing point 153 with a circular arc-shaped curved profile, at least within an adjustment range. The radius of curvature preferably corresponds to the above-mentioned radius R S .

[0123] In principle, pivoting can be effected manually, but a drive means, particularly one that can be operated remotely, is preferred, by means of which the respective sub-frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 can be pivoted.

[0124] The pivoting or inclination angle α, for example, involves angles between 0.1° and 2.0°, in particular between 0.5° and 1.5°, preferably 1.0°. The adjustment range for the pivoting can then be, for example, a range from 0° to at least 1°, advantageously from 0° to at least 1.5°, or even from 0° to 2.0° or more.

[0125] The above description of the partial frame 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 which can be pivoted about the pivot axis S is to be transferred to all of the above-described designs for the split frame 128; 128.1, 128.2, 128.3, 128.4 with the proviso that the partial frame 128.1; 128.3 of the first or second roller 102; 103, in particular the first roller 102 of a simple application unit 101, ie one intended for one-sided application, or the partial frame 128.1; 128.3; 128.2; 128.4 of the first or second roller 102; 103, in particular the first roller 102 of both application units 101; 101' of a double application unit 101, 101' is pivotable in the above-mentioned manner and is advantageously designed with the above-mentioned means.

[0126] Regardless of the pivoting of the roller 102; 103; 102; 103' together with or without the sub-frame 128.1, 128.2, 128.3, 128.4, the pivot axis S preferably lies in a plane comprising the rotation axes R102; R103; R102; R103' of the two adjacent rollers 102; 103; 102; 103' and / or runs perpendicular to the rotation axes R102; R103; R102; R103' of both the first and the second roller 102; 103; 102; 103' and / or intersects their rotation axes R102; R103; R102; R103'. Advantageously, the pivot axis S of the pivotable roller 102; 102'; 103; 103' whose rotation axis R102; R103, R102'; R103', in particular at the height of the center of the maximum usable roller width.

[0127] In an alternative embodiment of an actuator 109; 109', by means of which the rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103' or roller gaps 104; 104'; 107; 107' to be adjusted, in particular of the relevant or respective first roller 102; 102', and / or the gap width b104; b104' between the first and second rollers 102; 103; 102*'; 103' can be adjusted in a position-based manner, e.g. operated or operable in a position-controlled or position-regulated manner, the actuator 109; 109' which adjusts the first and second rollers 102; 103 relative to one another or their adjusting means comprises one or more drive means 132 which are operated or operable in a position-controlled or position-regulated manner, which drive means 132 can be adjusted, for example, B. can assume a defined and predeterminable position itself or through appropriate control or regulation.

[0128] In a particularly advantageous embodiment shown here, the position-controlled or regulated drive means 132 is formed by a drive means 132 that is controlled and / or regulated or controllable and / or adjustable by pressure medium, in particular hydraulically actuated, with respect to a position of its output means, e.g. a rotor or piston, in particular a hydraulically actuated drive means 132, in particular a hydraulically actuated drive means 132 that is controlled and / or regulated or controllable and / or adjustable with respect to the position of the piston 167, in short the piston position (see e.g. Fig. 25 and Fig. 26). The piston 167 of the cylinder-piston system 132, viewed in the direction of actuation, is controlled and / or regulated in a defined manner with respect to its position and can be maintained in the position assumed by the variation - in particular within the working range, regardless of any varying force acting on the piston in its direction of movement during the variation - until, for example, a further variation is deliberately initiated on the input side. Although the piston 167 can, but does not have to, be controlled or regulated with respect to its absolute position, it must, however, be positionable in a defined manner by an associated control and / or regulating device 156, at least in its position, and it must be able to be held in this position by appropriate control or regulation.

[0129] In this case, the hydraulically actuated cylinder-piston system 132, which is controlled and / or regulated with respect to the piston position, can be used as part of a timing chain S with regard to a predetermined or predeterminable gap width b104 or a variable representing the gap width b104. b to a target gap width b104 soll be controlled or controllable or - for example by integration into a control loop R comprising sensors 157 b - with regard to a specified or specifiable gap width b104 or a value representing the gap width b104 to a target gap width b104 soll be regulated or adjustable. (see e.g. Fig. 26 and Fig. 27).

[0130] In the case of control, a control signal can be sent to the drive means 132, for example via control means of a control chain S bA predefined piston position or a defined variation of the assumed piston position can be made possible, for example, by providing an integrated position sensor in the cylinder-piston system 132 itself.

[0131] In the case of a hydraulically operated cylinder-piston system 132 which is controlled or regulated with respect to the piston position in relation to another, for example external, size, e.g. gap width b104, layer thickness d003 or basis weight FG, this is integrated into a corresponding control chain S b ; S F ; S d ; S'' d or in a corresponding control circuit R b ; R F ; R d ; R'' d integrated with a corresponding external sensor system 156; 172; 413.1, 413.2 or measuring system 413.

[0132] The position-controlled or position-regulated drive means 132 is formed by a hydraulically actuated or actuated cylinder-piston system 132 with at least one cylinder 166, in which a piston 167 movable within the cylinder 166 fluidically separates at least two chambers 168; 169 from each other. The piston 167 acts on a piston rod 142 extending from the end face of the cylinder 166 via a suitable seal. The piston rod can be formed in one piece or extended in a tension- and compression-resistant manner by one or more tension and / or compression rods.

[0133] In the preferred embodiment of a hydraulically actuated drive means 132, in particular a cylinder-piston system 132, which is controlled and / or regulated with respect to a piston position, the chambers 168; 169 can be pressurised with more or less pressurised fluid, in particular in a metered and / or defined manner, from an actuating means 164 via a pressure medium line 158; 159, so that the piston position or orientation can be displaced in a defined manner in the cylinder 166 depending on the inflow and outflow in the chambers 168; 169, and with this the piston rod 142 protruding from the cylinder 166 or its - possibly extended - effective end, wherein the cylinder 166 is directly or indirectly connected to one of the rollers 102; 103 forming the first gap 104, e.g. B. on the first roller 102, and the piston rod 142 - possibly via an extension - acts on the other roller 103; 102, e.g. on the second roller 103.

[0134] If required, i.e. in the event of a required adjustment, the respective chamber 168; 169 can be optionally pressurized with additional pressure fluid via an actuating means 164, whereby pressure fluid is withdrawn from the other chamber 169; 168 or discharged by displacement in accordance with the volume to be released.

[0135] In a first embodiment, the actuating means 164 can be formed by a switchable multi-way valve 164, by means of which, depending on the switching state, none of the chambers 168; 169 or one or the other chamber 168; 169 is pressurized with additional pressure fluid from a connected pressure fluid source, while at the same time the other chamber 169; 168 is correspondingly relieved.

[0136] In a preferred embodiment, however, the actuating means 164 is a pump 164 driven by a motor, in particular a servomotor - in particular reversibly - and controllable and / or regulatable in particular with regard to a defined - in particular volume-related - delivery rate, by which the pressurized fluid is pumped into one or the other chamber 168; 169 or out of the respective other chamber 169; 168. Depending on the design of the cylinder-piston system 132, additional elements such as expansion tanks and / or valves can be provided in the fluid circuit. The cylinder-piston system 132, together with the servomotor-driven pump 164 and optionally the other components, e.g., forms a so-called servo-hydraulic actuator 132, 164.

[0137] In the case of a hydraulically operated drive means 132 controlled with respect to the gap width b104, the actuating means 164 is connected, for example, on the input side directly to a corresponding drive means 132 which determines the desired gap width b104. soll representing the control command.

[0138] In the preferred embodiment of a hydraulically actuated drive means 132 controlled with respect to the gap width b104, the actuating means 164 is supplied with an actuating command from a controller 171 on the input side, which compares a determined gap width b104 with a desired or predetermined gap width b104 soll , e.g. target gap width b104 soll and depending on the deviation, a corresponding control command to increase or decrease the gap width b104 soll to the adjusting means 164. For the gap widths to be compared b104; b104 soll Here and in the following, the respective gap width b104; b104 sollrepresentative quantities must be included.

[0139] The controller 171 receives the determined gap width b104 directly or indirectly from the sensor system 157 providing the gap width b104 or a measure of the gap width 104, if necessary via evaluation means 161 specifically configured for the sensor system 157 used. The sensor system 157 used and preferred here comprises two sensors 157.1; 157.2, e.g. capacitive sensors 157.1; 157.2, which are directed on a line of the shortest distance between the two rollers 102, 103, each onto the cylindrical roller surface of one of the two rollers 102; 103 or onto a cylindrical measuring surface, e.g. a so-called measuring collar, which rotates rotationally symmetrically with the respective roller 102, 103 about its rotation axis R102; R103. The sensors 157.1; 157.2 shall output as a measured value a distance or a quantity representing the distance, the sum of which is relative to a reference value determined in a calibration measurement, e.g. with a gap width of zero or a small calibration thickness - e.g.after appropriate evaluation in the evaluation means 161 - provides the actual gap width b104 or the value of the quantity representing it.

[0140] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the above-mentioned hydraulically actuated drive means 132 acts directly or indirectly between the first and second rollers 102, 103 on each frame side, but preferably two or possibly even more such drive means 132 per frame side,

[0141] In principle, the design of the actuator 109; 109' in the second embodiment, i.e., with one or more hydraulically actuated drive means 132 controlled and / or regulated with respect to the piston position, is applicable to an arrangement of the rollers 102, 103; 102; 103' in a single- or multi-part frame 128 and / or to engagement with respective bearings or bearing blocks supporting the roller 102 to be adjusted. Preferably, however, it is provided in conjunction with the above-mentioned multi-part frame 128 with several sub-frames 128.1, 128.2, 128.3, 128.4, wherein the above applies to the design of the sub-frames 128.1, 128.2, 128.3, 128.4 and / or for configuring the single or double application unit and / or for the pivotability of one of the rollers 102, 103, in particular the first roller 102, and / or the engagement in the plane G and / or for forming the force-based actuator 111; 111' for the second roller gap 107 is to be applied accordingly, according to which for setting the second gap 107 between a roller 103'; 107 acting as a counter-pressure roller 103'; 107 and the first roller 102 or a further roller located therebetween, preferably in the manner described above for the first embodiment, a force-based or combined actuator 111 with at least one force-based operable or operated, in particular force-controlled or force-regulated operable or operated drive means 133, e.g. B. one or preferably several cylinder-piston systems 133, and optionally an adjustable stop 119 is provided.

[0142] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one drive means 132 or the adjusting device 165 comprising the drive means 132 also acts with its or its two active sides or active ends on the first and second rollers 102; 103; 103'; 103' or on their sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, as explained above for the first embodiment, on the rollers 102; 103; 103'; 103' or sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, in particular in such a way that it serves to adjust the gap 104; 104' between the first and second rollers 102; 103; 103'; 103' apply a force directed towards each other to these or their sub-frames 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, ie introduce a tensile force between the sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, which causes the above-mentionedThe advantage is that the force resulting from position-based adjustment only acts on the relevant first roll gap 104; 104', and not additionally on the second gap 104; 104' - as can happen, for example, when an outer roll 102; 102' is subjected to a force from the outside. In the solution proposed here, the drive means 132 or the drive means 132 adjusting device 165 each engage with one active end on one of the two rolls 102; 103; 103'; 103' or on their sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 and with the other active end on the other of the rolls 102; 103; 103'; 103' or on their sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4 and thus determine the relative position and the contact force applied between the rollers 102; 103; 103'; 103'.

[0143] In an alternative, the hydraulically actuated cylinder-piston system 132, which is controlled and / or regulated with respect to the piston position, can be operated as part of a control chain S with regard to a predetermined or predeterminable layer thickness d003 or a variable representing the layer thickness d003 d controlled or - e.g. by integration into a control loop R d with a sensor 172 provided in the substrate path for determining the layer thickness d003 - with respect to a predetermined or predeterminable layer thickness d003 or a value representing the layer thickness d003. (see e.g. Fig. 28 and Fig. 29). Such a sensor system 172 for determining the layer thickness d003 can, for example, have at least one sensor 172.1 - e.g. capacitive or inductive, preferably a combined inductive and capacitive operating sensor - and / or is provided, for example, for determining the layer thickness d003 of the dry film 003 formed on the second roller or a roller provided between the second and counter-pressure roller 103; 103'; 106 and / or is directed to a peripheral region of the respective roller 103 between the formation or receiving and the discharge of the dry film 003. In this case, as in Fig. 28 as an example - the measured layer thickness d003 is fed directly into the control device 156 and the hydraulically operated cylinder-piston system 132 is controlled based on a comparison between a target thickness d003 soll and the measured layer thickness d003 can be varied via the adjusting means 164 in case of deviation.

[0144] Or it can - as in Fig. 29 shown as an example - the measured layer thickness d003 in an external control loop R'' d by a controller 174 initially with the target thickness d003 soll compared and in case of deviation - e.g. based on a defined relationship, initially a varied value for the target gap width b104 soll generated, which corresponds to the control circuit R described above b to control the gap width b104 as an inner control circuit R b to implement the new target gap width b104 soll is added and / or used as a basis.

[0145] In a further alternative to the control or regulation of the hydraulically actuated cylinder-piston system 132, which is controlled and / or regulated with respect to the piston position, directed at the gap width b104, the hydraulically actuated cylinder-piston system 132, which is controlled and / or regulated with respect to the piston position, can be controlled with respect to a predetermined or predeterminable basis weight FG or a variable representing the basis weight FG, for example by integration into a control circuit R FG , with a sensor system 413.1; 413.2 provided in the substrate path for determining the basis weight FG with respect to a predetermined or predeterminable basis weight FG or a variable representing the basis weight FG. (see e.g. Fig. 31 and Fig. 32). For the version with or without the underlying inner control loop R b To regulate the gap width b104, the above also applies and is to be applied accordingly.

[0146] Even if in the above and in the associated figures the embodiment with hydraulically actuated drive means 132 is specifically explained and illustrated only for a pair of first and second rollers 102; 103 in conjunction with a roller 103'; 107 acting as a counter-pressure roller 103'; 107, this is of course also applicable in the case of a double application unit 101; 101' to the second pair with a first and second roller 102'; 103'.

[0147] The above mentioned timing chains S b ; S d S'' d ; S F or control loops R b ; R d R'' d ; R F are to be applied to the first embodiment of the actuator 109; 109' with the proviso that the respective timing chain S b ; S d S'' d ; S F or the relevant control loop R b ; R d R'' d ; R Finstead of acting on the hydraulically actuated cylinder-piston system 132, which is controlled and / or regulated with respect to the piston position, on the actuating means 146, in particular on the actuating motor 155 included in the actuating means 146 for adjusting the stop means 119, in particular the stop 119. These variants are shown in the figures Fig. 27 to Fig. 29 and Fig. 31 is identified by the reference numeral 146 in brackets for the adjusting means 146.

[0148] In a preferred embodiment, for all designs of the application units 101; 101' or double application units 101, 101' presented in connection with the sub-frames 128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4, the rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103, 103'; 106 are arranged relative to one another, at least in the operating position, such that their axes of rotation R102; R103, R102'; R103'; R106 intersect the same, here in particular horizontally running, connecting line in at least one radial alignment along the axes of rotation R102; R103, R102'; R103'; R106. In the case of one or more inclined rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103, 103'; 106, this connecting line coincides, for example, with the respective pivot axis S. Without an inclined roller 102; 103; 102'; 103, 103'; 106, the rotation axes R102; R103, R102'; R103'; R106 are advantageously parallel - as already explained, for example, in a variant embodiment described above - and even lie in the same, here in particular horizontal, plane.

[0149] For all of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments or refinements, the actuator 109; 109'; 111; 111' and / or the bearing mechanism 112; 112'; 113; 113' comprised thereby of at least the rollers 103; 103'; 106; 106' forming the second gap 107; 107' are preferably designed to operationally form a gap width b107 of at least 15 µm, advantageously of at least 30 µm, in particular of at least 50 µm at the narrowest point and / or, in particular at least within the limits defining the maximum adjustment path, a gap extending between the two rollers 103; 106; 103; 103' over a product strand 002; 002' to be formed and / or by at least one adjusting mechanism 112; 112' and / or at least one actuator 109; 109', and / or in the second gap 107; 107' at least in the area of ​​its width contributing to film formation, a line force of e.g.at least 500 N / mm, advantageously at least 700 N / mm, preferably a line force between 500 N / mm and 3000 N / mm, between the rollers 103; 103'; 106; 106' forming the second gap 107; 107' and / or to enable a desired line force to be kept constant even with fluctuating dry film thickness by - e.g. automatic or controlled - adjustment of at least one of the two rollers 103; 106; 103; 103'. In contrast to adjustment controlled by a control loop, automatic adjustment is, for example, adjustment which is carried out by the drive means itself - preferably force-based adjustable, in particular force-controlled or force-adjustable - and without adjustment via an additional control loop.

[0150] For all of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments or refinements, in a particularly advantageous further development, an extraction system 123; 123' is provided above the respective application unit 101; 101' or the application units 101; 101', through which any escaping gases or vapors that may arise can be extracted.

[0151] The rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106' of the above-mentioned applicators 101; 101' are preferably designed with a width in the range of 400 mm to 800 mm, in particular 500 mm to 700 mm, which can be used for film formation and / or application.

[0152] Although in principle any device of any design can be provided for feeding powdery material 700; 700', through which powder mixture 004 can be fed to the application unit 101; 101' into the first gap 104; 104' formed between the first and second rollers, a feed 700; 700' is particularly preferably provided through which a defined and / or controllable stream of powder mixture 004 can be fed evenly over the entire discharge width to the gap 104; 104' directly or indirectly, or via an introduction aid 711 provided above the roller gap 104; 104', e.g. in the form of a hopper trough 711.For this purpose, particularly advantageous embodiments or embodiment variants for the device for supplying powdered material 700; 700' are set forth below in various respects. These embodiments can be provided individually or advantageously in conjunction with any embodiment or configuration of the applicators 101; 101' and / or coating devices 100; 100* and / or machine configurations presented. The devices for supplying powdered material 700; 700' shown in the figures for the embodiments of the applicators 101; 101' and / or coating devices 100; 100* and / or machine configurations can be understood merely as schematic and can be formed by one of the following embodiments.

[0153] In a preferred embodiment, the device for supplying the powdered material 700; 700' can have at least one dispensing device 701 that controls and / or defines the dispensed quantity, which dispensing device is designed, for example, in the manner of a metering device 701 or at least comprises a metering device 704; 721. A dispensing device 701 designed as a metering device 701 or comprising a metering device 704; 721 can, in principle, be designed in a variety of ways such that a controlled stream of material 004; 004' can be dispensed in the manner described above. In a preferred embodiment, the stream of powdered material 004; 004' can be dispensed by means of the dispensing device 701 to a downstream conveying device 702, e.g., a linear conveyor 702 preferably designed as a conveyor belt 702. Through this conveyor device 702, the powdery material 004; 004' - e.g.on a direction transverse to the conveying direction T. P extending conveying width - in the manner of a powder bed or layer downstream and on the output side preferably directly or indirectly, e.g. via one or more further conveying devices, directly to the nip 104; 104' or the possibly provided insertion aid 711 on a transverse to the conveying direction T P extending feed width. The conveying device 702, in particular a roller 705 wrapped around by the conveyor belt 702, e.g., deflection roller 705, in particular drive roller 705, is preferably variable with respect to the conveying speed and can be driven, for example, by a drive means 712 variable with respect to the speed, e.g., a drive motor 712, in particular a servo motor 712. To facilitate transport, the surface of a conveying device 702 designed as a conveyor belt 702 can preferably be rough and / or can have a Phave a sloping inclination. The feed width here corresponds exactly or at least approximately, i.e. with, for example, a maximum deviation of ± 10%, to a feed width of a filling and / or feed chamber 123 which is limited in width on both sides and receives the material 004; 004' directly in the roller gap 104; 104' or in an insertion aid provided above it, if applicable.

[0154] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, e.g. with regard to a defined and / or uniform introduction into the conveying path of the powder feed device 700; 700', the powder feed device 700; 700' comprises a dispensing device 701, 701' designed in the manner of a dosing device 701; 701', which dispensing device comprises a linear conveyor 704 as a dosing device 704, particularly relating to the conveying speed, which is preferably designed as a vibration conveyor 704 - in particular one that is operated or can be operated electromagnetically - and by means of which powdery material 004, 004' can be dispensed in metered quantities to a downstream conveying device 702, e.g. a linear conveyor 702, in particular a downstream conveyor belt 702. The dispensing to orIn this case, feeding onto the conveyor belt 702 does not occur merely at a specific point at a narrowly defined location, but rather in sections or continuously over a delivery width which - at least in the operating position - preferably corresponds exactly or at least approximately, i.e. with, for example, a maximum deviation of ± 10%, to the feed width ultimately relevant for feeding into the nip 104; 104'. Preferably - e.g., for adaptation to different product formats or for correction purposes - the delivery width for the delivery of the material 004; 004' by the dosing device 701 or feeding onto the conveyor belt 704 is transverse to the conveying direction T. P viewed in width and / or lateral position, e.g., manually or advantageously remotely controlled by drive means. In addition, e.g., on the vibration table 706 - for example, manually or, in a further automatable form, remotely controlled by drive means, transverse to the conveying direction T PMovable lateral limits 717, e.g., lateral guides 717, are provided. This eliminates the need for a significant change in the flow width on the downstream conveyor 702, which could otherwise potentially have a disruptive influence on the height profile running across the width.

[0155] In an advantageous further development, the conveying width on the conveyor belt can also be adjusted in width and / or lateral position - e.g., for the reasons mentioned above. For this purpose, for example, manually or, in a further automatable form, remotely operated by drive means, transverse to the conveying direction T PDisplaceable lateral limits 716, e.g., lateral guides 716, are provided, which can be varied in their lateral position via a corresponding mechanism, e.g., a respective threaded spindle or threaded spindle sections. The discharge width corresponds—at least in the operating position—for example, preferably exactly or at least approximately, i.e., with, e.g., a maximum deviation of ± 5%, to the ultimately relevant and desired feed width for feeding into the nip 104; 104'. The discharge and conveying widths can be adjustable mechanically independently of one another, mechanically coupled, or coupled by control technology.

[0156] The dispensing device 701 designed or effective as a dosing device 701 or the at least one dosing device 704; 721 is preferably so finely adjustable in the powder flow that in the relevant range for the specific, ie width-related, dispensing rate, a constant and / or, in particular with an accuracy in the dispensing quantity of a maximum of 3%, in particular a maximum of 2% deviation from the target dispensing quantity, controllable flow of powder mixture 004 can be dispensed to a or the downstream following conveyor device 702, in particular the conveyor belt 702, which can be operated in particular at a constant and / or controlled speed.

[0157] In a e.g. Fig. 33, which is particularly advantageous, for example with regard to defined and / or equalizing transport in at least a first part of the conveying path of the powder feed device 700; 700', the first or only metering device 704 is provided in the form of an above-mentioned, preferably electromagnetic, linear conveyor 704, in particular designed as a vibration conveyor 704. This extends in the width running in the axial direction of the rollers 102, 103; 102'; 103', for example over a discharge width which, for example, preferably corresponds exactly or at least approximately, i.e. with a maximum deviation of ± 5%, to the desired feed width ultimately relevant for the feed into the nip 104; 104'. The discharge width is preferably adjustable. Above this vibration conveyor 704, an outlet of a provision device 703, for example, extends sectionally or continuously over an outlet width. B. a supply line 703 or, as in Fig. 33, a supply container 703, via which powdered material can be delivered to the linear conveyor 704. A supply device 703 designed as a supply container 703 can, for example, be located in at least the lower part of a funnel-shaped container, e.g., in the manner of a supply funnel 703, and can be filled, for example, manually or via a line system. It can advantageously comprise a fluidizing device, such as, for example, a device for blowing in a gaseous medium, in particular air. In the illustrated and advantageous embodiment, the dosing device 701 comprises the vibration conveyor 704 and a supply device 703 that holds at least a certain amount of material 004; 004', and can be referred to here, for example, as a dosing device with vibration drive 701 or, for short, as a dosing vibrator 701, and, for example,form a unit that represents an assembly and can be obtained as such, which can be refilled, for example, manually or via a supply line from a supply.

[0158] The vibration conveyor 704 comprises, for example, a vibration table 706 and a drive means 707 driving the same, in particular a vibration or shaking drive 707 driving the same, in particular an electromagnetically excited vibration or shaking drive 707, wherein the terms vibration or shaking drive 707 are understood here to be synonymous with one another as a drive device 707 driving a shaking or vibration device. In this case, the vibration or shaking drive 707 or a control controlling this vibration drive 707 is preferably variable in vibration frequency and / or amplitude and / or the vibration table 706 with regard to its in the conveying direction T P considered gradient manually or by means of a drive means 715, e.g. actuator 715.

[0159] In addition to the above-mentioned metering device 704 formed by a vibrating conveyor 704, a metering device 721 can be provided which varies the discharge flow at the outlet and thus the feed flow to the conveyor device 702, for example, with regard to a particularly well-defined feed flow and / or for example for pre-metering. Such a metering device can be provided, for example, by a Fig. 33 only schematically indicated adjusting mechanism 721 can be provided, by means of which by means of associated drive means 722, e.g. by one or more servo motors 722; 722.x, in conjunction with a metering device 721 relating to the feed level on the conveyor device 702, e.g. a distance between the outlet and the top side of the linear conveyor 704 and / or in conjunction with a metering device 721 relating to the discharge flow at the outlet, e.g. a free flow cross-section from or in the supply device 703 can be varied.

[0160] As a metering device 721 relating to the discharge flow at the outlet, a controllable actuating mechanism 721 which varies the outlet cross-section via one or more associated drive means 722; 722.x, e.g. one or more servomotors 722, can be arranged in front of or in front of the outlet of the supply device 703. Such a device can be Fig. 33 exemplary and merely symbolically indicated adjusting element 723 comprises a flap 723 or a slide 723 extending over the outlet width and actuated by the drive means 722, or by several adjusting elements 723.x arranged next to one another over the outlet width and independently adjustable by several drive means 722.x, such as flap or slide segments 723.x (see e.g. exemplary in Fig. 34 and Fig. 35). In the case of several actuating elements 723.x adjustable by drive means 722.x, the flow cross-section or discharge flow can, for example, be varied across the discharge width and / or individually corrected.

[0161] As a metering device 721 relating to the feed level on the conveyor device 702, provided in addition to or instead of this, one or more associated drive means 722; 722.x, e.g., one or more servomotors 722, can be provided, which, via a corresponding adjusting mechanism 723, e.g., a gear, vary the distance between the outlet of the supply device 703 and the top of the linear conveyor 704, in particular raising or lowering the supply device 703 or the part comprising the outlet.

[0162] Basically independent of the design of the dispensing device 701 with a metering device 704 designed as a vibrating conveyor 704 and of the presence and / or design of an above-mentioned further metering device 721, but preferably in conjunction with a metering device 704 designed as a vibrating conveyor 704 and / or e.g. at least one above-mentioned further metering device 721, in a particularly advantageous design of the powder feed device 700; 700', e.g. with regard to a uniform material flow, above the or a linear conveyor 702 arranged downstream of the dispensing device 701 in the conveying direction T PBetween the point of material feed onto the linear conveyor 702 and a delivery point to the roller gap 104; 104' or the optionally provided insertion aid 711 or optionally to a further downstream conveyor device, a removal device 708 is provided which extends horizontally over at least the conveyor width and is adjustable in distance from the top side of the linear conveyor 704.

[0163] By means of such a removal device 708 - assuming parallelism between the underside of the removal device 708 and the top side of the linear conveyor 704 over at least the effective length - a desired and uniform layer height of the material 004; 004' to be conveyed on the linear conveyor 702 or conveyor belt 702 can be determined or achieved across the conveying width. If material 004; 004' is applied across the entire conveying width upstream of the removal device 708 with a thickness that corresponds at least to the distance between the removal device 708 and the top side of the linear conveyor 704, a material flow with a uniform layer thickness of the powdery material 004; 004' defined by the position of the removal device 708 is ensured downstream of the removal device 708.

[0164] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the removal device 708 is designed as - preferably transverse to the conveying direction T Poscillating - removal doctor blade 708 is formed, which during operation, for example, performs an oscillating or iridescent back and forth movement. For this purpose, the removal doctor blade 708 is mounted, for example, so as to be axially movable and is driven in an oscillating or iridescent manner by a drive means 709, for example a drive motor 709. This drive motor 709 can be designed directly as a linear motor or as a rotary motor driving the removal doctor blade 708 via an oscillating gear. In an advantageous further development, the removal device 708 is driven by a - for example in Fig. 33 only schematically indicated drive means 719, e.g. an actuator 719, for example remotely controlled via a signal connection S6, adjustable in distance to the conveyor device 702.

[0165] In an alternative embodiment, the removal device 708 can be a PA rotatable or rotating roller, in particular a so-called roller doctor, may be provided. In a further development, this roller may additionally be adjustable in the above manner via appropriate drive means and a corresponding bearing.

[0166] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a powder feed device 700; 700', which is applicable, for example, to all embodiments, configurations and variants of the powder feed device 700; 700' presented here, at least one sensor system with a preferably contactless sensor 713; 714 is provided, which, for example, provides information on a vertical position of a powder layer surface and / or which, for example, is based on a contactless measuring principle, e.g.using sound waves or electromagnetic radiation and / or which, together with a control and / or regulating device 724 connected via a signal connection S1; S3, in particular with a control logic or electronic control circuit comprised by the control and / or regulating device 724, and with a drive means 712, 722; 707 assigned to the or a dosing or conveying device 702; 704; 721 for varying the dispensing or conveying rate, forms a control circuit R11; R14; R15; R17; R34; R35; R37 via a respective signal connection S2; S4; S5; S7.

[0167] In a particularly advantageous embodiment applicable to all embodiments, configurations, and variants of the powder feed device 700; 700' presented here, a sensor system, in particular a fill level sensor system, is provided as a sensor system providing information about the height of a powder layer, comprising a sensor 713, in short fill level sensor 713, which provides information about the fill level in the roller gap 104; 104' or in the insertion aid 711 and which is directed - in particular from above - into the gusset of the roller gap 104; 104' or into the interior of an insertion aid 711 possibly provided above the roller gap 104; 104' onto the powder layer, in particular the powder layer surface, and thereby provides information corresponding to a fill level in the roller gap 104; 104 or in the insertion aid 711 - at least at the location under consideration.

[0168] An advantageously provided control circuit R11; R14; R15; R17 comprises the above-mentioned fill level sensor system with the sensor 713 for detecting information representing a fill level of powdery material 004; 004' in the roller gap 104; 104 or in the insertion aid 711. In such a control circuit R1; R1', for example, the sensor 713 supplying the information on the fill level in the roller gap 104; 104' or in the insertion aid 711 is signal-connected to a control logic or circuit comprised of an above-mentioned control and / or regulating device 724, which in turn is signal-connected S2; S4; S5; S7 to the control means of one or more drive means 712; 722; 715; 707 of one or more of the above-mentioned conveying and / or dosing devices 702; 704; 721 for varying the conveying and / or discharge or feed rate of powdery material 004, 004'.

[0169] In one embodiment, which is particularly advantageous for phases of changing machine speeds, such as a start-up phase, a control circuit R12 relating to the conveying speed of the conveying device 702 is provided, in which control circuit the fill level sensor system is in signal communication with a drive means 712 driving the conveying device 702, here, for example, the discharge device 701 driving the conveyor belt 702, via the control and / or regulating device 724 or a control logic or circuit comprised therein and configured accordingly to form a control circuit R12 relating to the conveying rate. For this purpose, the conveying speed is controlled by the drive means 712 in question, for example, depending on the fill level, for example in such a way that the conveying speed increases when a defined lower limit for the fill level is undershot and decreases when a defined upper limit is exceeded.

[0170] Instead of the fill-level-dependent variation, or in addition thereto, the drive of the conveyor device 702 can be subjected to a control system that correlates with a variable V representing the machine speed via a stored relationship, by which the conveyor device 702 is operated, for example, faster when the machine speed increases and slower when the machine speed decreases. The above-mentioned fill-level-dependent control can be used as a basis for this control system.

[0171] Instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned control circuit R12 relating to the conveying rate and / or the machine speed-dependent control of the conveying device 702, in an advantageous embodiment, a control circuit R15; R14; R17 relating to the dispensing device 701, in particular the dispensing rate of the dispensing device 701 to the conveying device 702, can be provided, in which the fill level sensor system is in signal connection S4; S5; S7 via the control and / or regulating device 724 or a control logic or circuit comprised by this and configured accordingly with one or more drive means 722; 722.x; 707; 715 comprised by the dispensing device 701 for dosing purposes, e.g. in a control circuit R15 relating to the dispensing device 701 with a drive means 722; 722.x of the adjusting mechanism 721 upstream of or assigned to the outlet and / or in another control circuit R14 relating to the dispensing device 701, the vibration drive 707 and / or in another control circuit R117 relating to the dispensing device 701, the actuator 715 for the table inclination. The aforementioned control circuits R15; R14; R17 relating to the dispensing device 701 can be provided individually, in pairs, or all together, whereby in the case of several such control circuits R15; R14; R17, cascading or prioritizing of individual control algorithms is preferably provided.

[0172] For this purpose, a control of the dispensing device 701, in particular of the control circuit(s) R15; R14; R17 or control circuits R15; R14; R17 relating to the dispensing rate of the dispensing device 701 onto the conveyor device 702, by the respective drive means 722; 722.x; 707; 715, based on the fill level sensor system, is carried out, for example, in a fill level-dependent manner, for example in such a way that the dispensing rate is increased when a defined lower limit for the fill level is undershot and decreased when a defined upper limit is exceeded.

[0173] Instead of the fill level-dependent variation of the dispensing rate, or preferably in addition thereto, the dosing by the dosing device 701 can be subject to a control correlated to a variable V representing the machine speed, by which the dosing device 701 or one or more dosing devices 704; 721 comprised thereof, for example, increases the dispensing rate by the dosing device 701 or one or more dosing devices comprised by the dosing device 701 via appropriate control of one or more of the above-mentioned drive means 722; 722.x; 707; 715 when the machine speed increases and decreases it when the machine speed decreases. This control can be correlated with the above-mentioned machine speed-dependent control of the conveyor device 702 and / or be subordinate to the above-mentioned fill level-dependent control of the dispensing device 701 as a basis.

[0174] In a further development of the embodiment comprising the removal device 708, the feed rate can additionally also be varied, e.g. preset, by manually or remotely actuating it via a signal connection S6 or, if necessary, by varying the distance of the removal device 708 via an associated drive means 719 using a control circuit (R16) not explicitly shown here.

[0175] Fundamentally independent of, but advantageously in conjunction with an above-mentioned fill level sensor and / or one or more of the above-mentioned control circuits R12; R14; R15; R17 (R16) based on the fill level, in one advantageous embodiment, in particular comprising a linear conveyor 702, as an alternative or further sensor providing information on the vertical position of a powder layer surface, a sensor providing information on the vertical level of the powder layer surface on the conveyor device 702, in short layer level sensor, is provided. This comprises a preferably contactless sensor 714, e.g. level sensor 714, which provides information on the layer height or at least on the level of the powder layer surface on the conveyor device 702 and which, for example,as an optical or ultrasonic sensor - is directed from one side onto the profile of the powder layer and provides at least information on the vertical position of at least one highest elevation of the powder layer across the conveying width transverse to the conveying direction T. P With the conveyor device 702 in a stable vertical position during operation, the level of the powder layer surface represents the resulting powder layer thickness.

[0176] In a simple case, for example, sensor 714 merely monitors whether a certain level of a highest elevation is exceeded or undershot, and the result is used, for example, for control purposes. Monitoring only a certain height for exceedance or undershoot can be achieved, for example, using a single-beam light barrier or a linear ultrasonic sensor. In a more complex version, which may, however, lead to more information, the sensor technology can also provide information on the vertical position of a highest elevation currently present across the conveyor width - at least within a certain bandwidth. In this case, a sensor technology extending vertically over a certain height, such as a light grid or an ultrasonic sensor with vertical resolution, can be used, for example.

[0177] Basically independent of, but advantageously in conjunction with one or more of the above-mentioned control circuits R12; R15; R14 or R17 based on the fill level and / or an above-mentioned speed-dependent control, in an advantageous embodiment of a device comprising the removal device 708, for example, a control circuit R35; R34; R37 is provided, which connects an above-mentioned layer level sensor with an above-mentioned

[0178] Layer level sensor 714 is included. This is connected in such a control circuit R35; R34; R37 in terms of signals to a control logic or circuit included in an above-mentioned control and / or regulating device 724, which in turn is in signal connection with the control means of one or more drive means 707; 722; 715 of one or more above-mentioned dosing devices 704; 721 for varying the dispensing rate of the dosing device 701. A control of the dosing device 701 with regard to the dispensing rate or of a dosing device 704; 721 included therein by the respective drive means 707; 722; 715 is carried out, for example, in a level-dependent manner, i.e. depending on the information supplied by the layer level sensor, for example in such a way that if a defined lower limit for the level of the surface or a target value is undershot, e.g.by more than a permissible tolerance, an increase and, if a defined upper limit or the target value is exceeded, e.g., by more than a permissible tolerance, a reduction in the dispensing rate dispensed by the dispensing device 701 or applied to the conveyor device 702 takes place by at least one control circuit R35; R34; R37 comprising the layer level sensor 714.

[0179] Instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned control circuit R12 relating to the conveying rate and / or the machine speed-dependent control of the conveying device 702 and / or a control circuit R15; R14; R17 relating to the dispensing device 701, in particular the dispensing rate of the dispensing device 701 to the conveying device 702 as a function of the fill level, in an advantageous embodiment a control circuit R35; R34; R37 relating to the dispensing device 701, in particular the dispensing rate of the dispensing device 701 to the conveying device 702 as a function of the layer level can be provided, in which the layer level sensor system is in signal communication with one or more drive means 722; 722.x; 707; 715 comprising the dispensing device 701 for dosing purposes via the control and / or regulating device 724 or a control logic or circuit comprised thereof and configured accordingly, e.g.in a control circuit R35 relating to the dispensing device 701 with a drive means 722; 722.x of the actuating mechanism 721 upstream of or assigned to the outlet, and / or in another control circuit R34 relating to the dispensing device 701 with the vibration drive 707, and / or in a further control circuit R37 relating to the dispensing device 701 with the actuator 715 for the table inclination. The aforementioned control circuits R35; R34; R37 relating to the dispensing device 701 can be provided individually, in pairs, or all together, wherein in the case of several such control circuits R35; R34; R37, cascading or prioritizing of individual control algorithms is preferably provided.

[0180] A powder feed device 700; 700 with a dosing device 701, in particular a dosing device 701 with a dosing device with a vibration drive 702, and a downstream conveyor device 702, in particular a linear conveyor 702, is advantageously operated as follows:The dispensing device 701, which is particularly designed as a dosing device 701, is initially and during operation as required filled with powdered material 004; 004' to be processed, and the material from the dosing device 701 is dispensed in doses to the conveying device 702, in particular by shaking. In a particularly advantageous development using an above-mentioned removal device 708, slightly, for example up to 10%, preferably only up to 5%, more material 004; 004' is dispensed to the conveying device 702 than is actually removed, which is then removed or retained to a specific, in particular adjustable, height with the preferably changing removal device in order to provide a uniform material layer thickness. The delivery rate of the dispensing device 701 to the conveying device 702 can be controlled, for example, via an above-mentioned control circuit R35; R34; R37 comprising the level sensor 14 on the conveying device 702, e.g.such that the detected level always corresponds at least to the set distance to the conveyor device 702, and is advantageously even higher.

[0181] The powdery material 004; 004' conveyed on the conveyor device 702, preferably guided under the removal device 708 in the above-mentioned manner, is conveyed by the conveyor device 702 directly or, if necessary, via a further conveyor device into the gap 104; 104' or an insertion aid 711 provided above it, if necessary.

[0182] In an advantageous embodiment, the conveyor device 702 and, if applicable, a further conveyor device connected thereto can be controlled in a manner described above via an above-mentioned control circuit R12 with a fill level sensor 713, which monitors the fill level in the gap 004; 004' or in the insertion aid 711.

[0183] In an advantageous further development, for a format change in the product 001; 002 to be manufactured, the delivery width of the delivery device 701 and / or the conveying width of the conveying device 702 is adjusted manually or preferably remotely via corresponding drive means.

[0184] In order, for example, to vary a maximum material feed beyond dosing by the dispensing device 701 or alternatively to this, the removal device 708 can be varied in its distance from the conveying device 702 in an advantageous embodiment.

[0185] For the above-mentioned designs and variants of the powder feed device 700 (e.g. in conjunction with Fig. 33) and in particular for deviating from this, e.g. in connection with Fig. 34 and Fig. 35, for the design of the dispensing or dosing device 701, is - fundamentally independent of the above-mentioned sensor systems, sensors 713; 714 or control circuits R12; R14; R15; R17; R34; R35; R37, but advantageously in conjunction with one or more of the above-mentioned sensor systems, sensors 713; 714 or control circuits R12; R14; R15; R17; R34; R35; R37 - a powder stream emerging from the powder feed device 700 and fed into the roller gap 104, 104' or into the insertion aid 711 possibly arranged above it - in particular in a drop section between the or a last conveyor device 702 encompassed by the powder feed device 700; 700' and the roller gap 104; 104'' or a possibly provided insertion aid 711 - at least one point or preferably across the entire width, in particular the fall width, continuously or at several points, point-wise or section-wise directed sensors 726; 731, e.g.Powder flow sensor system 726; 731, with e.g. a sensor 728; 733, is provided, by means of which information about the powder flow, in particular about the size and / or homogeneity, can be provided. Such a sensor system 726; 731 or information obtained therefrom can, in the first embodiment, provide an integral variable I; F, e.g. measured variable I; F, obtained over the considered width, e.g. the entire width or a width continuous over a section or interrupted in sections, in particular the fall width of the powder flow, or in the second embodiment can preferably provide a spatially resolved value of such a variable Ix; Fx, individual in the width.

[0186] In the first embodiment, information about the powder flow in the observed area can be obtained via an integral value of the variable I; F. If the entire width is not detected, this information can be used as a first approximation as a measure of the entire flow. This can be used, for example, to guide a powder flow in a control loop R82; R85, explained below, for example, or to keep it constant, or - for example, if there are empirically determined relationships between the determined variable I; F and the throughput - to control or regulate the powder flow with regard to its throughput.

[0187] In an advantageous embodiment of this first embodiment, a control circuit R82; R85 is provided which comprises an above-mentioned integral powder flow sensor system 726; 731 with an above-mentioned sensor 728; 733. This is connected in such a control circuit R82; R85 via a signal connection S8 to a control logic or circuit comprised by an above-mentioned control and / or regulating device 724, which in turn is connected via a signal connection S2; S5; S7 to the control means of one or more drive means 712; 707; 722; 715 of one or more of the above-mentioned conveying or dosing devices 704; 721 for varying the conveying rate of the conveying device and / or the dispensing rate of the dosing device 701. The control logic or circuit in question is available, for example, B. in a control circuit R82 relating to the conveying rate via the drive means 712 driving the conveying device 702 and / or in a control circuit R85 relating to the dispensing device 701 with a drive means 722; 722.x of the actuating mechanism 721 upstream of or assigned to the outlet in signal connection S2; S5. For a variant with a dispensing device with the aforementioned vibration conveyor 704, a control logic or circuit of the control and / or regulating device 724, which is signal-connected to a sensor 728; 733 of the powder flow sensor system 726; 731, can be connected to the vibration drive 707 in another control circuit relating to the dispensing device 701 (not shown), and / or to the actuator 715 for the table inclination in another control circuit relating to the dispensing device 701 (not shown). The aforementioned control circuits R82; R85 relating to the dispensing device 701 and / or conveyor device 702 can be provided individually, in groups, or all together, wherein in the case of several such control circuits R82; R85, cascading or prioritization of individual control algorithms is preferably provided.

[0188] In a second embodiment with sensors 726; 731 provided at multiple locations, either point-by-point or in sections, information about the powder flow in the relevant section or at the relevant measuring location can be obtained across the width by means of individual, spatially resolved values ​​of an above-mentioned variable Ix; Px for each individual section or measuring location, which information each represents a measure of the powder flow in the relevant section or at the relevant measuring location. This can be used to control a total powder flow, e.g., keep it constant, in a control loop R82; R85 as explained above, for example, after summation or averaging, or to control or regulate the powder flow with regard to its throughput, for example if there are empirically determined relationships between the determined variable I; F and the throughput.Instead of or in addition to this integral evaluation and a control based thereon, however, for several or all sections or measuring locations in respective control circuits R82; R85, a powder partial flow can be controlled or regulated at least relative to powder partial flows in other sections or at other measuring locations or - for example, if there are empirically determined relationships between the determined variable Ix; Fx and the size of the throughput - the powder flow in question, in particular the powder partial flow, can be controlled or regulated with regard to the throughput.

[0189] In an advantageous embodiment of this second embodiment, a control circuit R82; R85 is provided for several or all sections or measuring locations, each with its own aforementioned sensor 728.x; 733.x. This sensor 728.x; 733.x is signal-connected in such a control circuit R82; R85 to a control logic or circuit comprised of an aforementioned control and / or regulating device 724, which in turn is signal-connected to control means of several drive means 722.x of a dosing device 721, the width of which can be adjusted in sections or segments, for section-by-section variation of the discharge rate from the dosing device 701. Sections or measuring locations with their own sensors 728.x; 733.x correspond to sections or segments, in particular actuating element segments 723.x, of a section-by-section adjustable dosing device 721, e.g. B. with the above-mentioned and actuating element segments 723.x driven by drive means 722.x, e.g. flap or slide segments 723.x.The individual control elements 723.x or control element segments 723.x are controlled, for example, in such a way that, for example, a powder flow of the same size is detected by the sensors 726; 731 in all sections under consideration. If necessary, the control can also be directed towards a desired profile, i.e., with powder flows that vary across the width in the sections under consideration.

[0190] In an advantageous embodiment (see e.g. Fig. 34 and Fig. 35) comprises the powder feed device 700; 700' as already described above Fig. 33 shows a conveyor device 702, through which powdered material 004, 004' is conveyed across a conveyor width and from there is fed to an underlying roller gap 104; 104 or a possibly provided feed aid 711. The feed itself is effected in particular by the powder stream falling down after reaching the end of the or a last conveyor device 702 via a drop path and into the roller gap 104; 104' or the insertion aid 711.

[0191] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a powder feed device 700; 700' in one of the embodiments or variants set out above or below, the above-mentioned powder flow sensor system 726; 731 is provided in the region of the drop path between the only or downstream last conveyor device 701 of the powder feed device 700; 700' and the roller gap 104; 104' or the insertion aid 711 provided if applicable.

[0192] Such a powder flow sensor 726; 731 is, for example, in connection with an advantageous embodiment for the dispensing device 701 according to Fig. 34 and Fig. 35, whereby for functionally comparable or identical parts the same reference numerals are used as before in Fig. 33 are used. In contrast to the Fig. 33, the dispensing device 701 is here without a vibrating conveyor 704, but with a, for example, in Fig. 33, the metering device 721, which is only schematically indicated and relates to the discharge flow at the outlet of the supply device 703, is shown, with which, for example, the free flow cross-section in the supply device 703 or out of it can be varied. However, what has been explained regarding the powder flow sensor system 726; 731 can also be applied to a design with a vibration conveyor 704 as described above, or to any other embodiment in which the powder flow is or can be fed from a conveyor device 702 via a drop section to the roller gap 104; 104' or to an insertion aid 711 possibly provided above it.

[0193] In conjunction with the above-explained control loop R85 comprising the powder flow sensors 726; 731 based on an integral value for the variable I; F, the dosing device 721 can be designed with a continuous or segmented actuating element 723; 723.x across the width, wherein for the latter, when controlled via a single integral value of the variable I; F, for example, the actuating elements 723.x are adjusted equally. If, based on the information provided via the variable I; F, an insufficient powder flow or an undesirable decrease in the powder flow is detected, the continuous actuating element 723 or the actuating element segments 723.x are opened further for a larger material passage, and vice versa. If the above-mentioned relationship exists, control can also be carried out to a specific throughput.

[0194] Alternatively or additionally, the speed of the conveyor device can also be controlled in a control loop R82 on the basis of the integral value for the quantity I; F by appropriately controlling the drive means 712.

[0195] In conjunction with the above-explained control loop R85 comprising the powder flow sensors 726; 731 for controlling in individual sections based on individual values ​​for such a variable Ix; Px, the dosing device 721 comprises control elements 723.x formed in sections by control element segments 723.x. The control element segments 723.x or their actuators 722.x are adjusted, for example, via respective control loops R82; R85, in accordance with the specified control task based on individual values ​​for the variable Ix; Px at the relevant sections or measuring locations. In this case, control can be achieved, for example, to a profile that is uniform across the width or, if necessary, to a specified profile with powder flows that vary across the width. If the above-mentioned relationship exists, control can also be achieved to a profile with a uniform or varying throughput across the width.One or more additional circuit elements 729, such as a dead time element 729, can be provided in the respective control circuit R82; R85.

[0196] In a first advantageous embodiment of the powder flow sensor 726 (see e.g. Fig. 34), this is based on a measurement using electromagnetic radiation, in particular light in the UV, IR, or visible wavelength range, in particular in the form of a light barrier 726. For this purpose, a radiation source 727, e.g., a light source 727, is provided on one side of the drop path, and a sensor 728; 728.x, in particular, a radiation receiver 728; 728.x, is provided on the other side. A radiation intensity I; Ix registered at the sensor 728 is used here as the quantity I; Ix providing information about the powder flow. In the case of an integral determination and evaluation in the above sense using only one value for the quantity I, a single radiation source 727, e.g., in particular, a directed light source 727, and / or a single radiation receiver 728, e.g., a photodiode 728 or a phototransistor 728, can be provided.For the second case, which allows control in individual sections based on individual values ​​for such a quantity Ix; Px, an extended radiation or light source 727.x, e.g., in the manner of a light grid 726, a plurality of individual light sources 727.x or a light bar 727.x, and a plurality of radiation receivers 728.x, an extended, particularly spatially resolving radiation receiver 728.x, or radiation receiver segments 728.x, such as a radiation receiver array 728.x, a photodiode array 728.x, or a line scan camera 728.x, can be provided. By detecting the radiation intensity I; Ix, the constancy of a mass flow can be checked; if, for example, an empirically determined relationship exists, the powder flow can even be controlled or regulated with regard to its throughput—section by section or integrally, depending on the design.

[0197] In a second advantageous embodiment of the powder flow sensor 731 (see e.g. Fig. 35), this is based on the application of a force measurement, in particular on a measurement of the force acting on a sensor 733; 733.x designed as a force transducer 733; 733.x due to the momentum of the falling powder particles. A value for a force F; Fx registered at the sensor 733; 733.x is used here as the quantity F; Fx providing information about the powder flow. For the case of an integral determination and evaluation in the above sense using a value for the quantity I, a single force transducer 733 can be provided, on which the powder flow of the entire width or a partial section representative of the width acts. For the second case of control in individual sections based on individual values ​​for such a quantity Fx, a plurality of individual force transducers 733.x can be provided, e.g., as a force transducer array 733.x—for example, one operating piezoelectrically.

[0198] The effect on the force transducer(s) 733; 733.x can in principle be implemented in any way such that an impulse of the material 004; 004' falling across the width or a partial section in the powder stream is transmitted to the relevant force transducer 733; 733.x. In the advantageous embodiment shown here, an impact element 732; 732.x, e.g. an impact plate 732; 732.x, is provided for the or each section to be considered, i.e. over the entire width, a representative partial section or several individual partial sections, which is located in the fall path of the section to be considered and is operatively connected to an associated force transducer 733; 733.x. The impact plate 732; 732.x can in this case be in the form of a deflection plate 732; 732.x can be designed so that a pulse can be transmitted, but the material 004, 004' continues to flow to the roller gap 104; 104' or an insertion aid 711 provided above it. The impact element 732; 732.x, can be pivotably or elastically mounted and / or supported against the force transducer 733; 733.x, so that, for example, as the load from the powder flow increases, the force F; Fx registered by the force transducer 733; 733.x increases. The measuring principle is based on an impact with a change in direction, whereby a resulting force F is based on the physical relationship F = m × a (force = mass × acceleration) and the change in direction upon impact. By measuring the force F, the constancy of a mass flow can be checked; if, for example, an empirically determined relationship exists, the powder flow can even be controlled or regulated with regard to its throughput.

[0199] In a further embodiment of a powder supply device 700; 700', which is advantageous, for example, with regard to a uniform supply above the dosing gap 104; 104' and / or in the filling and / or supply chamber 126, the powdery material 004, 004' can be provided via a dispensing device 701, e.g. designed as a dosing device 701, in particular a dosing device 701 with a vibration drive 707 such as a dosing vibrator 701, and can be dispensed or fed into the roller gap 104; 104' or into the filling and / or supply chamber 126 provided above it - preferably directly at the downstream end of the dosing vibrator 701 or the vibrating table encompassed by the latter or optionally indirectly via one or more further downstream conveying devices 701. The discharge quantity of the dosing vibrator 701 is preferably adjustable - e.g. in a manner described above - via a fill level sensor and / or the discharge or feed width can be adjusted to a desired format width.

[0200] In this embodiment, a distribution device 744 is provided above the roller gap 104; 104', by means of which, for example, a filling level in the filling and / or supply chamber 126 - which is preferably adjustable with respect to the width and / or axial position - can be equalized across its width in the axial direction of the rollers 102; 103; 102'; 103' (see, for example, Fig. 36a and Fig. 36b). For this purpose, the distribution device 744 preferably comprises a cross member 746 extending, for example, axially over at least the maximum clear width of the filling and / or storage chamber 126 - e.g., a single- or multi-part cross member 746, on or in which a distribution tool 747, e.g., a single- or multi-part distribution finger 747, projects into the filling and / or storage chamber 126 and is oscillatable back and forth between an end or near-end region, i.e., a maximum of 10% of the width of the filling and / or storage chamber 126, on a first end side delimiting the filling and / or storage chamber 126 and the end or near-end region of the opposite second end side - for example, by means of a correspondingly configured drive device - or moves back and forth in an oscillating manner during operation. In this case, the distribution tool 747 can in principle be moved along any desired movement path with at least one, in particular predominantly (iecompared to other directions), the movement component can be moved back and forth between the end positions in the direction of the width of the filling and / or storage space 126. Preferably, it can be moved back and forth along a movement path running parallel to the gap 104; 104'.

[0201] The drive device can comprise, for example, an electric drive motor as drive means 749, by which a belt of a belt drive carrying the distribution tool 747 or a thread of a screw drive conveying the distribution tool 747 can be reversibly driven or driven. Alternatively, the drive means can comprise a pneumatic drive means 749, for example, a piston that can be pressurized with compressed air on both sides, which is alternately pressurized on the sides and carries the distribution tool 747.

[0202] The distribution finger 747 can basically be designed in any way so that at least part of it extends into the powder reservoir and, as it moves back and forth, displaces a part of the powdery material 004; 004' located in the movement path. In an advantageous embodiment, the distribution finger 747 is designed with a recess 748, for example a spoon- or groove-like profile, e.g., in the manner of a half-shell with, for example, a vertically extending groove 748, on at least part of its height extending into the powder reservoir on a side facing in the direction of movement. A further development can be advantageous in which the distribution finger 747 is mounted and / or positively driven in such a way that it is forcibly rotated by 180° at the respective turning point of the oscillating movement, so that the side having the recess again points in the direction of movement.This can counteract the accumulation of powdered material 004; 004' in the end regions. Alternatively, a distribution finger 747 with a passage can be provided, which, for example, allows excess material 004; 004' to flow back during movement.

[0203] In an advantageous development, the fill level of the powdery material 004; 004', which has been made uniform by the distribution device 744 or the oscillating distribution tool 747, can be adjustable or regulated in the filling and / or storage chamber 126. For this purpose, for example, at least one fill level sensor 713, as already mentioned above, is provided, which is directed at a location in the filling and / or storage chamber 126 onto the upper side of the powder supply present in the filling and / or storage chamber 126. Preferably, viewed across the width of the filling and / or storage chamber 126, several such fill level sensors 713 directed onto the powder supply are provided, e.g., at least three, advantageously at least five, in particular, e.g., nine. Alternatively, a differently designed sensor system that detects the supply and / or fill level can be provided. The level sensor(s) 713 or one or more sensors of an alternative level sensor system is or areare connected in the above-mentioned manner, e.g. via corresponding signal connections S1; S3; S2; S4 and an above-mentioned control and / or regulating device 724, in particular a control logic or electronic control circuit comprised by the control and / or regulating device 724, e.g. by forming a corresponding control circuit R12; R14; R15; R17; R34; R35; R37, to a drive means 722; 707 (712) assigned to the or a dosing or conveying device 702; 704; 721 for varying the dispensing or conveying rate. This makes it possible to provide a desired fill level, defined, for example, via a setpoint value and uniformed across the width.

[0204] Preferably, the discharge width of the metering device 701 or the feed width into the roller gap 104; 104' or the filling and / or supply space 126 - e.g. in the manner already described above Fig. 33 - can be varied. In addition or instead, the width of the filling and / or supply chamber 126 and / or the stroke, ie the width and / or position of the movement path for the distribution tool 747 and / or the vertical position of the part effective for distribution to be assumed during operation and / or its oscillation frequency can be adjusted in the above-mentioned manner.

[0205] The powder feed device 700; 700' may preferably comprise only a dosing device 701, at the output of which the powdery material 104; 104' is discharged or fed into the roller gap 104; 104' or the filling and / or storage space 126. Such a dosing device 701 may advantageously be designed in a version of the dosing vibrator 701, as is part of the powder feed device 700; 700' in Fig. 33, Fig. 34 or Fig. 35. In a variant, according to the powder feed device 700; 700' in Fig. 33 at least one further conveyor device 702 is provided, via which the powdered material 004; 004' is delivered or fed into the roller gap 104; 104' or the filling and / or supply chamber 126. To the dosing device 701 and / or to the supply device 703 and / or to the dosing device 704 and / or to any additionally provided conveyor device 702, in an advantageous embodiment, the device described in conjunction with the embodiment of e.g. Fig. 33 shall apply.

[0206] Alternatively, the powder feed device 700; 700', such as in connection with Fig. 34 or Fig. 35, comprise an above-mentioned conveying device 702 in the form of a linear conveyor 702, which receives the powdered material 004; 004' directly from a storage container 703, ie without the interposition of a dosing vibrator 701, and - if necessary via a further conveying device - delivers or feeds it into the roller gap 104; 104' or the filling and / or storage space 126.

[0207] In an alternative embodiment of a powder feed device 700; 700', which is advantageous, for example, with regard to a uniform fill level in the reservoir above the dosing gap 104; 104' and / or in the filling and / or reservoir space 126, the powdery material 004; 004' can be provided via a dispensing device 701, in particular a dispensing device 701 with a container 751, e.g. referred to here as a vibrating trough 751, which is to be set into vibration by a drive device 707, e.g. a vibration or shaking drive 707, and - preferably via one or more openings 752 in the bottom 753 of the container 751 directly (see e.g. Fig. 37) or, if necessary, indirectly via a further conveyor device 702 arranged below, e.g., a linear conveyor 702, into the roller gap 104; 104' or into the filling and / or storage space 126 provided above it. The terms vibration drive or shaking drive 707 are used here without distinction as synonymous for a drive device 707 by which the shaking container 751 can be operated in its function as such.

[0208] The vibrating trough 751 comprises a circumferential wall. The fill level in the vibrating trough 751 can be monitored, for example, by a fill level sensor 754—e.g., across a continuous range or to a minimum and / or maximum fill level—and can be regulated, for example, via a two-point or three-point control, to a specific level or to remain within at least one permitted range. This can be achieved, for example, by varying the supply from the storage container 703 mentioned below.

[0209] In principle, the powdered material 104; 104' can be discharged directly from the at least one bottom-side opening 752 into the filling and / or storage chamber 126 in the gusset above the roller gap 104; 104'. Preferably, the respective opening 752 is adjoined by a feed channel 756, e.g., also referred to as a filler neck 756 or filler shaft 756, which, on the downstream side, preferably extends into the gusset or filling and / or storage chamber 126 formed above the roller gap 104; 104' with an outlet. The feed channel 756 or filler neck 756 or filler shaft 756 can basically have any cross-section and / or a cross-sectional profile that varies in height, but in an advantageous embodiment is formed by a - in particular vertically extending - pipe 756 with, for example, a round or rectangular cross-section - in particular with a constant cross-section at least over the maximum filling height provided during operation.

[0210] In one embodiment, an opening 752 extending across the feed width and / or a filler neck 756 extending across the feed width may be provided. In an advantageous embodiment, viewed in the direction of the roller gap 104; 104', several openings 752 and / or associated feed channels 756 are provided next to one another, e.g., in the aforementioned design with, for example, a round or rectangular shape.

[0211] The vibrating trough 751 receives the powdered material 004; 004' from a storage container 703, e.g., in the manner of a storage funnel 703, which has an outlet 757 with one or more openings in the region of its lower end. The outlet 757 is located at a height above the bottom 753 so that material 004; 004' can exit into the vibrating trough 751, but preferably below the level of the maximum possible fill level determined by the wall of the vibrating trough 751. The surrounding wall of the vibrating trough 751 thus has a correspondingly large height, e.g., more than 10 mm, in particular at least 50 mm, so that sufficient material 104; 104' can slide out of the storage container 703 and be stored in the vibrating trough 751 at a sufficiently large fill level. Preferably, the outlet 757 is immersed in the powder layer stored in the vibrating trough 751 during operation, ieis at a level below the current fill level.

[0212] The fill level in the storage container 703 can be monitored, for example, by a fill level sensor 759 – e.g., over a continuous range or, for example, via a two-point or three-point control – for a minimum and / or maximum fill level. This allows, for example, a fill level and thus the pressure acting on the outlet 757 to be maintained within a desired range.

[0213] The storage container 703 or its outlet 757 is preferably arranged at a distance from the opening 752 or a plurality of openings 752, viewed in the horizontal direction. This ensures a cross-flow of material 004; 004' stored within the container 751. The storage container 703 or its outlet 757 is preferably spaced from the opening 752 or a plurality of openings 752 in a direction that is horizontal and perpendicular to the course of the roller gap 104; 104'. This forms a horizontal transport path on which the material 004; 004' sliding down from the storage container 703 can be evened out in terms of fill level by means of vibration. In a further development, guides 758, indicated only by dashed lines, e.g. B. Longitudinal edges 758 may be provided, which extend, for example, in a direction from the outlet 757 to the opening 752 or a plurality of openings 752. This serves, for example,avoiding or reducing the mutual influence of possibly different mass flows through several openings 752 or sections of a continuous opening 752.

[0214] In order to be able to influence the filling level in the vibrating trough 751, a drive mechanism (not shown) is provided, for example, by means of which the storage container 703 or the outlet 757 enclosed by the storage container 703 can be varied in distance from the bottom 753 of the vibrating trough 751.

[0215] When the vibrating trough 751 is active or the vibration or shaking drive 707 is activated, the vibrating trough 751 and, downstream via one or more openings 752, one or more filler necks 756, which in turn fill the roller gap 104; 104' or the filling and / or storage space 126 formed in the gusset. If the fill level in the roller gap 104; 104' reaches the level of the outlet opening or outlet openings of the filler neck(s) 756, a backflow occurs - e.g. due to the limited flowability and / or friction present in the material layer - so that the roller gap 104; 104' or the filling and / or storage space 126 formed in the gusset is not overfilled. The vibrating trough 751 also backs up until - e.g. B. due to the limited flowability and / or friction present in the material layer - there is no longer any refilling from the storage container 703, even if the vibrating trough 751 is operated continuously.If the fill level in the roller gap 104; 104' or in the filling and / or supply chamber 126 drops due to material consumption, powdered material 004; 004' slides in. This also occurs when material consumption varies across the width, whereby the level in a continuous filler neck 756 then adjusts itself by sliding in, and with multiple filler necks 756 across the width, the used powdered material 004; 004' slides in individually.

[0216] In further alternative advantageous embodiments of a powder feed device 700; 700' (see e.g. Fig. 38 and Fig. 39), the powdery material 004; 004', viewed in a direction parallel to the roller gap 104; 104', can be fed in sections - e.g. separately from one another - via a group of several adjacently arranged feed channels 756, e.g. also referred to as filler necks 756 or filler shafts 756, into the roller gap 104; 104' or the filling and / or storage space 126 formed in the nip. As a result, a fill level and thus the pressure in the individual feed channels 756 can be adjusted to a certain extent independently of one another and / or from the material consumption in the other sections, in particular can be controlled or regulated to the same level. The feed channels 756 or filler necks 756 or filler shafts 756 can basically have any cross-section and / or a height that varies, e.g.funnel-shaped, cross-sectional profile or be formed by a shaft which is divided into individual feed channels 756 by corresponding partition walls. In an advantageous embodiment, however, they are formed by - in particular vertically running - pipes 756 with, for example, a round or rectangular cross-section - in particular with a constant cross-section at least over the maximum filling height intended during operation. The feed channels 756 receive the powdery material 004; 004' directly or indirectly from a supply device 703. Preferably, such feed channels 756 or downwardly open outlets of the feed channels 756 are arranged next to one another over a width which corresponds approximately, ie with a maximum deviation of ±5%, to the current clear width of the filling and / or storage space 126 formed in the gusset.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the feed channels 756 are assigned a sensor system with at least one sensor 761, by means of which a respective fill level in the feed channels 756 can be monitored, e.g., with respect to at least one lower and / or upper limit value, or can be detected, e.g., in at least one range for the fill level. The fill level considered here relates in particular to the column of material formed or accumulated above the downstream outlet of the feed channel 756 in question or in the lower channel section 756.1, i.e., downstream of an actuator possibly provided in the feed channel 756. A result of the monitoring or detection can preferably be fed to a control and / or regulating device, e.g., an electronic control and / or regulating circuit or a control and / or regulating routine implemented in a data processing device, via a wired or wireless signal connection, which, e.g.,which in turn acts on one or more actuators used to vary the fill level. The sensor technology can, in principle, be based on any mode of operation that meets the above-mentioned minimum requirements, for example, it can include optical sensors, sensors that evaluate magnetic or electrical fields, or sensors that detect mechanical forces.

[0217] In an advantageous embodiment, the feed channels 756 are transparent or at least translucent, e.g., see-through, for electromagnetic waves of a specific wavelength range, e.g., a range in the visible wavelength spectrum, at least on a preferably identical side, e.g., perpendicular to the extension of the roller gap 104; 104', so that a fill level can be monitored or detected through the wall or at least a transparent or translucent section of the respective feed channel 756 by means of a sensor 761 operating in the respective wavelength range and / or sensitive in the above sense. In this case, one of the number of feed channels 756 can be provided, corresponding to the number of feed channels 756, or a sensor 761 common to the feed channels 756, which is preferably designed as a camera 761, in particular as a line scan camera 761.If the wavelength range in question is not sufficiently present in the spectrum provided by the ambient lighting, a corresponding source for the wavelength range in question can be provided for application in the incident light or, if necessary, transmitted light method.

[0218] Preferably, the sensor 761 is designed as a camera 761 operating in the visible wavelength spectrum, wherein the supply channels 756 are formed on at least the side viewed by the camera 761 and in at least the section viewed by the camera 761 or entirely from a transparent or at least translucent material, in particular from glass, from Plexiglas or from a transparent or at least translucent plastic.

[0219] In a first advantageous embodiment of such a powder supply device 700; 700' in the version supplying the filling and / or storage chamber 126 in sections, the feed channels 756, which are provided next to one another - e.g. directly or at a distance - are in line connection with at least one supply device 703 and can be filled with powdery material 004; 004' on the inlet side or from above (see e.g. Fig. 38).

[0220] In an embodiment that is advantageous, for example, in terms of cost, several or all of the feed channels 756 provided next to one another are connected to a same supply device 703 and can be filled with powdered material 004; 004' simultaneously on the inlet side or from above.

[0221] A material supply into the feed channels 756 via individual conveyor belts, vibrators or the like can be omitted for the preferred case here, wherein a supply device 703 jointly assigned to the one or more feed channels 756 to be supplied is or is provided - e.g. at a level above the entrance to the feed channels 756 - and the powdery material 004; 004' can be fed into or flowed out of the respective feed channels 756 - in particular solely by the effect of gravity.

[0222] Outlets of the feed channels 756 on the output side preferably extend into the gusset or filling and / or storage space 126 formed above the roller gap 104; 104'. A storage container 703, e.g., in the form of a storage hopper 703, can preferably be provided as the supply device 703, which, in a lower region, is connected via one or more corresponding openings to the feed channels 756 for conveying the powdered material 004; 004'.

[0223] In order to be able to fill the feed channels 756 individually and independently of one another, for example in the event of a material consumption that fluctuates across the width, i.e. across the group of feed channels 756, or for other reasons, actuating elements 762, e.g. valves 762, in particular ball or flat slide valves 762, are provided as actuating elements and are assigned to the respective feed channels 756, by means of which an inlet-side entry of powdery material 004; 004' into the feed channels 756 or a flow of powdery material 004; 004' in the feed channels 756 into a respective downstream channel section 756.1 can be changed via an actuator 763, i.e. for example to be selectively opened or closed or, in an advantageous further development, to be adjusted in the degree of opening or a flow rate over an actuating range.By means of the adjusting elements 762, the fill levels in the individual feed channels 756, in particular in a respective channel section 756.1 arranged downstream of the adjusting element 762, can be individually adjusted and, in conjunction with the above-mentioned sensors which monitor and / or detect the fill level, can be individually controlled or regulated via the control and / or regulating device. For example, the above-mentioned adjusting elements 762, e.g. designed as valves 762, in an embodiment with a correspondingly configured sensor system, i.e. one or more of the above-mentioned sensors 761, in particular in conjunction with a sensor 761 designed as a camera 761, are or can be set or adjusted in the open / closed function in a control loop, for example on the basis of a 2- or 3-point controller. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, valves 762 whose degree of opening or flow can be varied, for example pinch valves 762 with, for example,respective actuators 763, designed in particular as proportional drives 763, are provided, which in conjunction with a sensor 761 detecting the fill level, e.g. a camera 761, enable a controlled feed and thus a constant fill level in the respective feed channel 756.

[0224] The supply channels 756 can be multi-part and interrupted, for example, by the respective adjusting element 762. A channel section 756.1 of the channel 756 located below the adjusting element 762 can also be made of a rigid material, e.g., plastic, glass, or Plexiglas, while a channel section 756.2 located above or upstream of the adjusting element 762 can be flexible, e.g., in the manner of a hose. Downstream of the adjusting element 762, a lateral opening 764 can be provided in the supply channel 756 for aerating and / or venting the interior of the channel. This opening can be located, for example, at the end of a branch pointing at least slightly upwards. Instead of the adjusting element 762 located in the downstream path of the respective channel 756, the latter can also be provided on the inlet side of the channel 756.

[0225] In a further advantageous embodiment of such a powder feed device 700; 700' (see e.g. Fig. 39) In the embodiment which supplies the filling and / or storage space 126 in sections, powdery material 004; 004' can be fed to the or at least several of the feed channels 756 provided next to one another, e.g. directly or possibly at a distance from one another, from at least one supply device 703 individually via a same conveyor device 702 one after the other or via several conveyor devices 702 which can be operated separately and independently of one another. In this case, the conveyor device 702 which supplies different feed channels 756 one after the other can be a conveyor device 702 which is movable with its output end or outlet along the group of feed channels 756, e.g. in the embodiment of a conveyor belt 702 or a screw conveyor or a linear conveyor system 702, in particular a conveyor belt system 702, with several coupled linear conveyors 702.1; 702.2, e.g. B. in the design of several or in particular two conveyor belts 702.1; 702.2, vibratory conveyors or screw conveyors, may be provided. An example is, for example, in conjunction with . Fig. 40 for a subsequent embodiment using a transversely movable conveyor belt 702 or, in particular, conveyor belt system 702. In the embodiment with separate conveyor devices 702, respective linear conveyors 702; 704 can be assigned to the feed channels 756, which can be designed, for example, as conveyor belts 702, as vibratory conveyors 704, or as screw conveyors.

[0226] The output-side outlets of the feed channels 756 also dip into the gusset or filling and / or supply space 126 formed above the roller gap 104; 104' during operation.

[0227] The respective feed channel 756, e.g., as a filler neck 756 or filler shaft 756, can also have any cross-section and / or a cross-sectional profile that varies in height in this embodiment. In the advantageous embodiment shown here, the feed channels 756 are formed by rectangular filler shafts 756, which are formed, e.g., by individual rectangular tubes 756 or, e.g., by rectangular sections of a shaft 766 divided by partition walls 767. A funnel-shaped extension can be provided in an upper part of the feed shaft 766, which facilitates the targeted feeding of the powdered material 004; 004'.

[0228] As in the above embodiment for section-by-section feeding, in an advantageous embodiment, a sensor system with at least one sensor 761 operating and / or sensitive in a wavelength range of electromagnetic waves is provided on one side of the feed channels 756, in particular on a side lying the same and / or laterally to the alignment of the feed channels 756, which sensor is directed from the side onto at least a section of one or more feed channels 756 in order to determine a fill level, wherein the feed channels 756 are transparent or at least translucent on at least the section observed by the sensor 761 in at least the wavelength range relevant for the sensor 761, ie the sensitive or working wavelength range.In this case, a sensor 761 operating in the relevant wavelength range corresponding to the number of feed channels 756 can be provided, or advantageously a sensor 761 jointly assigned to the one or more feed channels 756, which is preferably designed as a camera 761, in particular as a line scan camera 761.

[0229] As soon as the roller gap 104; 104' or the filling and / or storage chamber 126 is filled to the lower end of the tube—e.g., at the start of production—the powdered material 004; 004' is backed up in the respective feed channel 756 because it cannot flow completely—e.g., due to limited flowability and / or friction. The sensors monitor and / or detect the fill level in the feed channels 756 in the manner described above.

[0230] Instead of controlling or regulating the fill level via assigned control elements 762, the fill level is controlled or regulated via the material feed into the individual feed channels 756, in particular via a corresponding control of a traversing drive and / or a conveying rate of the common conveying device 702 or via the conveying rate of the respective separate conveying devices 702. Thus, in the first variant, the sensor system, i.e. the sensor(s) 761, in particular the sensor 761 designed as a camera 761, can be controlled via the control and / or regulating device or an electronic control and / or regulating circuit comprised thereof or a control and / or regulating routine implemented in a data processing device together with a movement which traverses, i.e. in the direction of the width of the rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103' or of the filling and / or supply space 126 (e.g. in Fig. 39 indicated by a double arrow) and / or with a drive means determining the conveying rate of the common conveying device 702 form a control circuit which keeps the fill level in the feed channels 756 above a minimum level or target level or within a permitted range. For this purpose, for example, the outlet of the common conveying device 702 is constantly oscillated back and forth across the width of all feed channels 756 lying in the working width and, as required, when a deficient feed channel 756 is passed over, ie one with a fill level below a limit value, a material discharge is effected by correspondingly controlling the drive means relating to the conveying rate. Alternatively, the conveying device 702 can be controlled by controlling the traversion orThe drive means causing transverse movement is moved with its outlet in a targeted manner over a deficient feed channel 756 and a material discharge can be effected by appropriate control of the drive means affecting the feed rate.

[0231] In a further advantageous embodiment of a powder feed device 700; 700', by means of which powdery material 004; 004' can be fed into a filling and / or storage chamber 126 formed in the region of the gusset above the gap 104; 104' between the first roller 102; 102', powdery material 004; 004' can be fed from a dispensing device 701 via an outlet or a downstream end of a conveyor device 702 into the filling and / or storage chamber 126.

[0232] However, the outlet or the downstream end of the conveyor device 702 extends over a width that corresponds only to a part, e.g. less than a quarter, of the width of the filling and / or storage space 126 to be supplied (see e.g. Fig. 40). However, in order to nevertheless be able to supply the filling and / or storage chamber 126 across its width with the powdery material 004; 004', the conveyor device 702, which is arranged directly upstream of the filling and / or storage chamber 126 and, at least in the region of its downstream end or outlet, is only partially wide compared to the width of the filling and / or storage chamber 126, is movable at least with its output-side end or outlet over a width or partial width of the filling and / or storage chamber 126 in both directions, which is also referred to here as traversable. Although the movement in the direction of the width of the filling and / or storage chamber 126 can also be provided along an arcuate, otherwise curved or along a straight line inclined against the course of the gap 104; 104', the end orAn outlet of the partial width conveyor device 702 is movable along a direction parallel to the course of the roller gap 104; 104' and preferably horizontally, and / or approximately, ie, on each side with, for example, a maximum deviation of ± 5%, over the entire currently set or existing width of the filling and / or supply space 126.

[0233] The powdered material 004; 004' is supplied to the conveying device 702 from or via, for example, a dosing device 701; 701' that controls the dispensed quantity, e.g., an outlet cooperating with a vibration drive, a controllable conveyor screw, or a controllable dispensing valve.

[0234] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the powder feed device 700; 700' comprises a dosing device 701; 701' in the form of a dosing vibrator 701; 701', by means of which a constant and / or, in particular with an accuracy in the dispensed quantity of a maximum of 3%, in particular a maximum of 2% deviation from the target dispensed quantity, controllable flow of powder mixture 004; 004' is fed to the conveying device 702, 702.1, 702.2, which can be operated in particular with a defined and / or predeterminable, in particular variable speed. The conveying device 702, 702.1, 702.2 is preferably designed as a conveyor belt system 702 with at least one first linear conveyor 702.1, in particular conveyor belt 702.1, and at least one further or second, e.g. B. compared to the first linear conveyor 702.1 longer, linear conveyor 702.2, in particular conveyor belt 702.2, to which or which the first linear conveyor 702.1 or conveyor belt 702.1 incoming material 004; 004' can be delivered. The linear conveyor 702 or.

[0235] Linear conveyor system 702.1, 702.2 and / or at least its downstream end is, preferably with an overall constant conveyor length, traversable by a drive device, in particular a linear drive, over the filling and / or supply space 126, in particular axially parallel to the course of the roller gap 104; 104', over a feed width relevant for the powder feed, ie movable back and forth to both sides.

[0236] The conveying device 702 is preferably formed as a linear conveying system 702.1, 702.2, in particular a conveyor belt system 702.1, 702.2 with a plurality of, e.g. two, coupled linear conveyors 702.1; 702.2, in particular conveyor belts 702.1; 702.2, which can be operated in particular at a constant and / or predeterminable speed, wherein this is coupled in the region of its downstream end to the drive device, e.g. a traversing drive, in particular a linear drive 768, 769, 771, which preferably runs in an axially parallel direction at a height above the first gap 104; 104' and is moved by this, in particular in an axially parallel direction at a defined and / or predeterminable, in particular variable speed, between two lateral end positions determining the feed width above the first gap 104; 104' is movable back and forth. The linear drive 768, 769, 771 includes, for example,a linear guide on or along which a driven carriage 768 runs, a transversely extending and driven belt to which the downstream end is coupled, or in particular a threaded spindle 769, which carries a carriage 768 coupled to an end region of the linear conveyor 702; 702.1; 702.2, e.g., spindle carriage 768. A drive means 771 driving the threaded spindle 769 or a belt is designed, for example, as a motor 771, in particular as a servomotor 771, which can be operated, for example, alternately in clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.

[0237] For the preferred embodiment of a linear conveyor system 702.1, 702.2, in particular conveyor belt system 702.1, 702.2 with several, e.g. two, coupled linear conveyors 702.1; 702.2, in particular conveyor belts 702.1; 702.2, these can in principle be coupled and driven via a common drive means 712. In an advantageous embodiment, however, for each linear conveyor 702.1; 702.2 or each conveyor belt 702.1; 702.2 of the linear conveyor system 702.1; 702.2 or conveyor belt system 702.1, 702.2, a separate drive means 712.1, 712.2, e.g. a respective drive motor 712.1; 712.2, in particular servo motor 712.1; 712.2.

[0238] The downstream end of the further upstream, e.g., first, linear conveyor 702.1, in particular conveyor belt 702.1, of the linear conveyor system 702.1, 702.2, in particular conveyor belt system 702.1, 702.2, is articulated to the upstream end of the downstream, second or last linear conveyor 702.2, in particular conveyor belt 702.2, via a coupling 772, e.g., an axle 722, such that they can be pivoted relative to one another about a common, e.g., vertically extending axis of rotation. The axle 722 or coupling 722 can be supported, for example, via a support 773, e.g., a holder 773 that is fixed to the frame but pivotable about a rotation axis running parallel to the axle 722.

[0239] In the region of the downstream end of the linear conveyor 702 or linear conveyor system 702.1, 702.2 or on the carriage 768, a sensor 713, e.g., a fill level sensor 713, preferably in the form of an ultrasonic sensor 713, is provided or arranged such that it is carried along with the moving end or carriage 768 and is directed from above onto the powdery material 004; 004' present in the filling and / or storage chamber 126 for detecting or monitoring the fill level. Alternatively, a sensor system with at least one sensor 761, e.g., in the manner of the lateral sensor 761 described above, can be provided, by which a fill level can be determined continuously or at intervals across the width of the filling and / or storage chamber 126. A spatially resolved result can then be fed to the control and / or regulation device to form a control loop described below.

[0240] A control or regulation of the fill level takes place here, for example, similar to an embodiment described above for section-by-section supply via a material supply at points where the fill level is too low, in particular via a corresponding control of the traversing drive and / or a conveying rate of the partial width conveyor device 702, 702.1, 702.2. Thus, in the first variant, the sensor in question 713; 761 together with the control and / or regulating device or an electronic control and / or regulating circuit comprised thereby or a control and / or regulating routine implemented in a data processing device together with the drive means 771 which effects the traversing movement, i.e. in the direction of the width of the roller 102; 102'; 103; 103' or the filling and / or supply space 126, and / or the drive means or a drive which determines the conveying rate of the partial width conveyor device 702, 702.1,; 702.2 determining drive means 712; 712.1; 712.2 form a control loop which maintains the fill level in the filling and / or storage chamber 126 across the entire monitored width above a minimum height or at a target height or within a permitted range. For this purpose, for example, the downstream end or an outlet of the partial-width conveyor device 702 is continuously oscillated back and forth across the monitored width and, as required, upon passing over a deficient area, i.e. area where the fill level is below a limit value, material is discharged by appropriately controlling the drive means 712; 712.1; 712.2 relating to the conveying rate. In a variant with lateral sensors, an alternative to this can be a corresponding control loop for moving the end or outlet over a section identified as deficient and for material 004; 004' to be specifically supplied there via the partial-width conveyor device 702, 702.1, 702.2.

[0241] The powder feed devices 700; 700' in the above-mentioned embodiments are preferably applicable in all of the above-mentioned configurations for the coating device 100; 100*, wherein in the case of the embodiment with simultaneous application on both sides or the embodiment with application units 101; 101' offset on the substrate path, an above-mentioned powder feed device 700; 700' is preferably also provided on the other application unit 101'; 101.

[0242] The above-mentioned embodiments of the powder feed device 700; 700' are also applicable to the feed into application units 101; 102', in which, in addition to the first and second rollers 102; 102; 103; 103', a further, e.g. third, roller is provided downstream of the second roller 103; 103'. The second roller 103; 103' has a gap for transferring the dry film, which takes over the previously formed dry film 003; 003' via a gap with the second roller 103; 103' and, in a further gap with a further roller 103'; 106, releases the dry film 003; 003' to this further roller or to a carrier substrate 006 to be guided through the further gap. In the latter case, the further gap forms the laminating gap 107; 107', which is formed on the other side by a roller 103'; 106 acting as a counter-pressure roller 103'; 106.

[0243] Basically independent of, but particularly advantageous in conjunction with one of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments or configurations of the coating device 100; 100* and / or one of the above-mentioned designs or variants for the powder feed device 700; 700* and / or one of the equipment and / or configurations for the machine explained in more detail below, a Fig. 41, the measuring arrangement 801 or device for determining the density ρ of a material layer 003; 003' conveyed on a lateral surface of one of the rollers 103; 103' of the discharge device 101; 101' is provided. In conjunction with an above-mentioned coating device 100; 100* and / or an above-mentioned powder feed device 700; 700*, such a measuring arrangement 801 would be conceptually supplemented.

[0244] The measuring arrangement 801 or device comprises a or the aforementioned removal device 114; 114'; 116; 116', which can be or is adjusted to the shell surface during rotation in order to remove at least a part of the material layer 003; 003' at a point on the circumference of the roller 103; 103' over at least a part of a usable working width, e.g. the width of the roller shell surface effective for film formation, of the roller 103; 103'. The removal of at least that part of the material layer 003; 003' relevant for determining the density ρ is carried out by the removal device 114; 114'; 116; 116' during the rotation of the roller 103; 103' over an angular range Δφ, e.g. B. also angular interval Δφ, between a first and a second angular position φ1; φ2, whereby if more than one revolution is to be completed, the second angular position φ2 is to be taken into account with a value greater than 360° in accordance with the angular difference covered.The part of the material layer 003; 003' relevant for determining the density ρ can result from the removal during one, more than one, or part of a full rotation. In the following, where the reference to the angular position φ or the angular range Δφ in question is not mandatory or a direct reference to the time t is explicitly excluded, the reference to an angular range Δφ relevant for the removal also means a time interval Δt with a first time t1 for the start of the removal at, for example, a first angular position φ1 and a second time t2 for the end of the removal at, for example, a second angular position φ2.

[0245] In principle, the material layer 003; 003' can be removed or removed for sampling by a removal device 114; 114' extending, for example, across the entire width of the roll shell surface effective for film formation, over a specific length or a specific angular range Δφ. This is particularly the case, for example, in the case of an application device 101; 101', by which a material layer 003; 003' interrupted by free sections is applied to the carrier substrate 006.

[0246] In an exemplary embodiment mentioned above and advantageous in which, for example, a material layer 003; 003' which is uninterrupted over several or a large number of revolutions of the above-mentioned laminating roller 103; 103' is applied to the carrier substrate 006, a removal device 116; 116' is provided which, for the removal of only a part 008; 008' of the material layer 003; 003', in particular a material strip 008; 008' which is formed by an edge strip 008; 008' in the edge region, i.e. an area lying at one end of the material layer 003; 003' viewed in the axial direction, can be or is positioned against the outer surface at a point on the circumference of the roller 103; 103' over only a part of a usable working width. The material strip 008 is cut along a cutting line s running in the circumferential direction and lifted off the lateral surface.The edge strip 008; 008' may be a use of the edge trimming described above to obtain a straight edge.

[0247] The measuring arrangement 801 or device further comprises a weighing device 802, on which a removed, in particular defined and / or detectable, part 008; 008' of the material layer 003; 003' previously conveyed on the roller 103; 103' can be or is collected. For this purpose, the removed part of the material layer 003; 003', which serves at least to determine the density ρ, is collected, for example, in a weighing container 803 mounted on a scale 809, e.g., a weighing pan 803, and its mass m is determined therefrom. For example, a dead time can be or is taken into account, which takes into account the path of the removed part of the material layer 003; 003', which serves to determine the density ρ, from the point of peeling to the weighing device 802.

[0248] In principle, an embodiment is conceivable in which, during operation of the coating device 100; 100*, an edge strip 008; 008' is continuously removed and collected on the weighing device 803 or in the correspondingly dimensioned weighing container 803, wherein the mass m of the part 008; 008' of the material layer 003; 003' removed over the angular range Δφ relevant for determining the density ρ is determined by forming a difference between the mass m registered by the weighing device 802 at time t2 of the end and at time t1 of the start of the determination process.

[0249] In an advantageous and e.g. in Fig. 41 exemplary embodiment, in which, for example, during operation of the coating device 100; 100* an edge strip 008; 008' can also be continuously removed and, if necessary, is picked up by a collecting device 117; 117' and, if necessary, can be removed via this, a separation device 808 actuated, for example, by a drive means 818 is provided, by means of which - for example, over a defined time interval Δt and / or a time interval correlating to the removal in the relevant angular range Δφ, for example, over a dead time - the part or a part 008; 008' of the material layer 003; 003' of the weighing device 802 provided specifically for this purpose, in particular the weighing container 803. The separation device 808 can be designed as a diverting device 808 in the form of a switch 808 with, for example,by a drive means 818 actuated switch tongue 817 or in the manner of a diverter 808 with a slide 817 or base 817 actuated, for example, by the drive means 818. In a modification with, for example, a material layer 003; 003' interrupted by free sections, for example a number of material layer sections to be used for the determination, an edge region 008 can be separated by such a separation device 808 in the above-mentioned manner, with, for example, other edge regions 008 being received in a collecting device 117; 117' if necessary. The sample material of the removed material layer 003; 003' received on or in the weighing container 803 can, for example, after a determination cycle, be conveyed via a drive means 814, e.g. a tilt drive 814, into a B. larger material receptacle 816, for example a container 816, can be emptied, in particular tilted.

[0250] Furthermore, a measuring device 806 is provided, via which a thickness d, e.g., layer thickness d, of the material layer 003; 003' conveyed on the roller 103; 103' can be determined. As such, to a first approximation, the thickness d003, e.g., layer thickness d003, can in principle be entered anywhere at a location along the width b003; b003' of the material layer 003; 003' and / or at a time of stationary operation of a device comprising the roller, but preferably a thickness d008 or layer thickness d008 of the material layer 003; 003' in the material strip 008; 008' to be removed. Such a measuring device 806 is preferably based on a non-contact measurement and is designed, for example, as an ultrasound-based, inductive, or capacitive measuring device 806 with a corresponding measuring head.

[0251] The determination of the density ρ is carried out - e.g. in data processing means 811 provided for this purpose and, for example, in a control device 807 controlling the process for determining the density ρ - e.g. according to: ρ = m / V = ​​m / (A · d).

[0252] In the simplest case with, for example, a sufficiently straight side edge of the material layer 003; 003' conveyed on the roller 103; 103' and a width 008 of the material strip 008; 008' to be removed or removed, which is known via the axial position of the removal device 116; 116', using information on an angular range Δφ swept over during the sampling of the part 008; 008' of the material layer 003; 003' relevant for determining the density ρ and a radius r of the roller 103; 003', a measure of the area A and, together with the layer thickness, a measure of the volume V of the part 008; 008' of the material layer 003; 003' relevant for determining the density ρ and removed can be determined directly. In determining the density ρ, the known width b008 can be used as width b and, to a good approximation, the radius of the roller 103; 103' in the area of ​​the usable surface area itself can be used as radius r or a - e.g.slightly, for example, by the mean layer thickness d008 - upwardly corrected radius. If the width b is known, the area A for the above relationship is determined, for example, as follows: A = b · 2 r π · Δφ / 360°.

[0253] In the event, for example, that there is no sufficiently straight side edge of the material layer 003; 003' conveyed on the roller 103; 103' and / or a width b008 of the material strip 008 to be removed is unknown, a sensor system 804, e.g. an optically operating sensor 804, can be provided, by means of which the width b; b008 of the edge strip 008; 008' to be removed or a profile of the width b; b008 or of the side edge can be determined over the angular range Δφ to be considered and, for example, an average width can be determined therefrom, wherein in the latter case the average width acts as the width b in the above relationship.

[0254] In an advantageous alternative for the case of an unknown and / or varying width b008 of the material strip 008, a sensor system 804 with corresponding evaluation means can be provided, by which, with a known position of the cutting line s, taking into account the rotational movement over the angular range Δφ or a corresponding time interval Δt as well as an above-mentioned radius r, the area A is determined directly, e.g. integrated over the course of the rotational movement.

[0255] The sensor system 804 or the optically operating sensor 804 can be formed, for example, by a camera 804, in particular a line camera 804.

[0256] Information representing the current angular position φ of the roller 103; 103' or the information relating to an angular range Δφ swept over during the sampling of the part 008; 008' of the material layer 003; 003' relevant for determining the density ρ can be supplied to the data processing means 811, for example, via a signal connection from an angular position sensor 813 which is, for example, directly or indirectly coupled to the roller rotation axis, or via a signal connection from a drive control which directly or indirectly specifies the angular position of the roller 103; 103'.

[0257] The determination of the density ρ of a material layer 003; 003' conveyed on a lateral surface of an above-mentioned roller 103; 103' is thus carried out by rotating the roller 103; 103' carrying the material layer 003; 003' on its lateral surface about its rotation axis R103; R103', at a point on the circumference between a receiving and a downstream discharge of the material layer 003; 003' to another roller 103; 103' or to, for example, an above-mentionedCarrier substrate 006, the material layer 003; 003' is removed from the outer surface over the entirety or a part 008; 008' of its width b003; b008 during rotation by a removal device 114; 114'; 116; 116' over an angular range Δφ, the mass m of the part 008 of the material layer 003; 003' removed over the angular range Δφ is determined by weighing, a layer thickness d; d003; d008 of the material layer 003; 003', preferably in the area to be removed, is determined by a measuring device 806 before removal, an area A of the material layer 003; 003' removed or to be removed in the angular range Δφ on the roller to e.g. B. is determined in one of the above-mentioned ways, and finally a value for the density of the material layer 003; 003' conveyed on the roller 103; 103' is obtained from the area A, the mass m and the layer thickness.

[0258] The determined value for the density ρ can be displayed, for example, via a display device 812, e.g., a display 812, and / or can be used in a control device controlling the coating device 100; 100*.

[0259] By means of an above-mentioned device for determining the density ρ or a corresponding method, the density ρ and thus the quality of the material layer 003; 003' formed, for example, in the above manner as a powder composite film 003; 003' and / or active material layer 003; 003, for example in the manner of a dry film 003; 003', can be checked during production - inline or in a specially provided run - and, if necessary, countermeasures can be taken in the event of a deviation from a target value or permitted target range. These countermeasures can, for example, be an increase in pressure, e.g. above the above-mentioned line force, or a reduction in the gap width 104b in the above-mentioned roll gap 104; 104' if the density is too high, for example a reduction in pressure, e.g. above the above-mentioned line force, or an increase in the gap width b104 in a roll gap 104; 104' e.g. if the density ρ is too low, a slit width can be reduced.Instead or in addition to this, a modification of the powder composition and / or a temperature on, for example, one of the rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103' involved in the material layer formation and / or a modification of an above-mentioned speed difference between the rollers 102; 102'; 103; 103' involved in the material layer formation is also possible.

[0260] Fundamentally independent of, but particularly advantageous in conjunction with one of the above-mentioned designs, variants, configurations, embodiments or configurations of the coating device 100; 100* and / or one of the above-mentioned designs or variants for the powder feed device 700; 700* and / or an above-mentioned measuring arrangement 801 or device for determining the density ρ and / or one of the equipment and / or configurations for the machine explained in more detail below, a subsequent procedure for forming the dry film, in particular for a subsequent application to a carrier substrate 006 in, for example, an above-mentioned application unit 101; 101, in particular in conjunction with an above-mentioned multi-part design and / or the design of the actuators 109; 109'; 111; 111', is of very particular advantage.

[0261] In this case - as already described above - in order to form or produce the dry film 003; 003' from a powdery material 004, for example as described above, with the first roller 102; 102' and the second roller 103; 103', which forms a roller gap 104; 104' between its outer surfaces with the first roller 102; 102', powdery material 004; 004' is fed to the roller gap 104; 104' via the region of the gusset above the roller gap 104; 104' and this is conveyed through the roller gap 104; 104' in order to form a dry film 003; 003' which is to be conveyed further on the outer surface of the second roller 103; 103' as it passes through the roller gap 104; 104'. The first roller 102; 102' is driven or can be driven at a first circumferential speed V(102; 102') in the area of ​​its outer surface, and the second roller 103; 103' is driven or can be driven at a second circumferential speed V103; 103' in the area of ​​its outer surface. A basis weight FG, iea mass related to a unit area of ​​the dry film 003; 003', e.g. in milligrams per square centimeter (mg / cm. 2 ), of the dry film 003; 003' formed by the roll gap 104; 104' is changed, ie for example deliberately set, by deliberately bringing about a variation in a ratio V(102; 102') : V(103; 103') between the peripheral speed V(102; 102') of the first roll (102; 102') in the region of its outer surface and the peripheral speed V(103; 103') of the second roll (103; 103') in the region of its outer surface.

[0262] The ratio V(102;102') : V(103;103') is varied, for example, within a range of 1:3 to 1:6, advantageously at least within a range of 1:4 to 1:5. V(102;102') : V(103;103') can be varied here by varying the differential speed and vice versa, so that the above-mentioned variation of the ratio V(102;102') : V(103;103') can equally be regarded as varying the differential speed and vice versa.

[0263] It is particularly advantageous to provide a control circuit, e.g. a so-called closed loop, whereby during operation, depending on a determined measured value for a dimension representing the basis weight FG, the basis weight FG or a dimension representing the basis weight FG is controlled to a setpoint FG sollor towards a value within a permissible range by varying the ratio between the peripheral speeds V(102;102'; 103; 103') (see e.g. Equation 32).

[0264] The variation of the ratio between the peripheral speeds V(102;102';103;103') is advantageously carried out with a fixed, yet adjustable gap width b104. This can, for example, be adjustable in a position-based manner and / or to an extent specified above.

[0265] Preferably, the ratio between the peripheral speeds V(102;102'; 103; 103') is varied by varying the peripheral speed V(102;102') of the first roller 102;102', while the second roller 103;103' continues to be operated, for example, at the present, in particular stationary, machine speed.

[0266] A variation in the peripheral speed V(102; 102') of the first roller 102; 102 occurs, for example, by applying a control and / or regulating means 173 that controls and / or regulates the rotary drive, in particular the drive means 148, of the first roller 102, with an actuating signal that causes a variation in the relative speed. In the preferred case of a first roller 102 driven by a single motor, the control and / or regulating means 146 is implemented by a drive controller 173 that controls and / or regulates the drive motor 147, and the actuating signal is, for example, a changed value for a gear ratio. In the case of a drive of the first roller 102 that is mechanically coupled via a gear, the control and / or regulating means 173 can be implemented by an actuator of a gear stage that can be adjusted with regard to the gear ratio, and the actuating signal can be, for example, an actuating signal for adjusting the gear ratio.

[0267] The variation occurs, for example, along a, in particular linear, decreasing relationship between a differential speed at the lateral surfaces or a variable characterizing the differential speed on the one hand and the basis weight or the measure representing the basis weight on the other. In this case, at least in the applied adjustment range, a particularly negative gradient is advantageous, for example, where a variation in the differential speed by 1% results in a value in the range of, for example, 1.0 to 1.5 mg / cm 2 , especially 1.1 to 1.3 mg / cm 2 , resulting in a change in the basis weight.

[0268] The measure for a current basis weight can be taken by a measurement at a point downstream of the roller gap 104; 104' in the transport path of the dry film 003; 003' on the dry film 003; 003' that has not yet been applied, e.g., on the second roller 103; 103', or on the dry film 003; 003' that has already been applied to a carrier substrate 006, e.g., on the product strand 002. This can be done, for example, in conjunction with or based on the above-mentioned density measurement method, whereby a value for the basis weight is also obtained, or preferably via a measuring device 413, for example, mentioned below, or sensors 413.1, 413.2, and preferably an ultrasound-based measurement, which, for example, obtains a measure for the basis weight FG by comparison with results from a reference measurement or reference measurements.

[0269] With such a procedure, small fluctuations in the basis weight can be corrected without having to adjust rollers 102, 102'; 103; 103'; 106; 106 or sub-frames 128.1, 128.2, 128.3, 128.4.

[0270] The procedure is to be applied to the setting or control of a volume-related density by varying the ratio between the peripheral speeds V(102;102'; 103; 103') of the corresponding ones.

[0271] The drive or drive motor 147 of the first roller forms together with the control and / or regulating means 173 and the measuring device 413 or the sensors 413.1, 413.2 a control circuit R' FG to control the ratio between the peripheral speeds V(102;102'; 103; 103') depending on a - especially inline- determined basis weight FG (see e.g. Fig. 32).

[0272] In an alternative to the described control of the ratio between the peripheral speeds V(102;102';103;103') depending on a determined basis weight FG, the layer thickness d003 determined by the above-mentioned sensor system 172 can also be used on the input side instead of the determined basis weight. In this case, the drive or drive motor 147 of the first roller 102, together with the control and / or regulating means 173 and the sensor system 172 for determining the layer thickness d003, forms a control loop R' d for controlling the ratio between the peripheral speeds V(102;102'; 103; 103') depending on a - in particular inline- determined layer thickness d003 of the formed dry film 003 (see e.g. Fig. 30).

[0273] A machine for manufacturing, especially in an inline process, a multi-layer product (see e.g. Fig. 3, Fig. 10, Fig. 15, Fig. 16 or Fig. 17), which has on at least one side of a carrier substrate 006 the above-mentioned dry film 003; 003' formed from a powder mixture, preferably comprises a substrate feed 200, through which the carrier material 006 can be fed to the machine on the input side, a first substrate path section 300, via which the carrier substrate 006 can be fed to an application stage 100; 100* for applying the dry film 003; 003' to at least one side of the carrier substrate 006 and a second substrate path section 400, via which the carrier material 006 provided with the dry film 003 on at least one side can be fed to a product holder 500, by means of which the product can be combined to form product bundles, e.g. into rolls or stacks.

[0274] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the application stage 100; 100* is designed in one of the above-mentioned designs, configurations, embodiments or variants for the device 100; 100* described above. Instead of the exemplary Fig. 3, all designs, configurations, embodiments of the first group of embodiments can occur and instead of the exemplary in Fig. 10, Fig. 15 or Fig. 16 shown order level 100* all of the second group. In the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 illustrated embodiments of the machine, designs, configurations, embodiments or variants of the first group for the application stage 100, ie with separate application devices 101; 101', can also be used as variants.

[0275] In an advantageous embodiment, the substrate feed 200 is formed by a substrate unwinder 200, in particular a roll changer 200, preferably by a roll changer 200 comprising multiple roll positions and / or capable of non-stop roll changing. It can advantageously comprise a substrate guide element 202 configured as a motor-driven roller 202, in particular a tension roller 202, and / or a substrate guide element 203 in the form of a dancer roller 203, e.g., spring-loaded on a lever or a guide transversely to the substrate path.

[0276] At the substrate unwinder 200, the carrier substrate web 006 is unwound and fed to the substrate path leading through the machine at the unwinding location on the input side.

[0277] In the case of a pulling roller 202 encompassed by the substrate unwinder and structurally assigned to it (see, for example, in Fig. 3 or Fig. 10), this can be comprised of a pulling mechanism 207, in particular an infeed mechanism 207, which, for example, in addition to the pulling roller 202, has a drive means that drives the pulling roller 202 - in particular independently of other pulling rollers - and whose speed can be regulated and / or controlled, in particular a drive motor, e.g. in the form of a servo output motor, and / or pressure rollers that can be engaged with the pulling roller 202 to increase the friction. The roller 202 or the drive means - depending on the web tension conditions and / or web tension requirements present upstream and downstream of the roller 202 - can also be operated or can be operated as a generator or in a way that inhibits the advance of the carrier substrate web 006, for example in order toto build up or maintain a specific and / or desired web tension in a substrate path section 300 extending up to a next clamping or web pulling point or in a part of the substrate path section 300 formed by a subsequent substrate path section.

[0278] For example, a substrate guide element 208; 307 can be used in the substrate path as a measuring roller 208, e.g., web tension measuring roller 208; 307 (exemplary for all designs, e.g., in Fig. 16), by means of which, for example, the web tension or at least a variable representing the web tension can be determined in order to use this, for example, to regulate the web tension, for example via the conveying speed of individual units 100; 100*; 600 or one or more, in particular motor-driven, web guide elements 202; 308; 401; 502.

[0279] The substrate feed 200 designed as a roll changer 200 advantageously comprises a roll drive that is mechanically independent of the rest of the machine and / or driven by a single motor and / or a lifting device to support a roll loading and / or roll unloading process.

[0280] In an advantageous embodiment, a device for lateral web edge control 204 (exemplary for all embodiments, e.g. in Fig. 15), in particular a sensor system detecting a web edge and an actuator causing a lateral offset of the carrier substrate, e.g., a pair of turning bars pivotable about an axis running perpendicular to the transport direction Ts, may be provided. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the web edge control 204 is combined with a gluing device 206, e.g., a gluing table 206.

[0281] Instead or additionally, in an advantageous embodiment, a spreading device, in particular a single- or multi-element web guide element with a convex outer surface, is provided in the substrate path section of the substrate feed 200 and / or in the first substrate path 300.

[0282] In an advantageous development, a single- or multi-part pretreatment station 302, in particular a cleaning and / or deionization station 302, is provided in the first substrate path 300, by means of which the carrier substrate 006 is or can be freed from surface contaminants, e.g. dust or cutting residues, and / or electrical charge carriers on one or both sides in a contactless or contacting process.

[0283] In the first substrate path 300, in particular downstream of any cleaning step provided, a measuring station 303, in particular with a sound- or radiation-based measuring device 303, is advantageously provided, by means of which the material thickness of the carrier material 006 can be checked for its thickness and / or homogeneity in the thickness and / or for contamination and, for example, in the event of inadmissible deviations from a target specification, an optical and / or acoustic warning signal and / or an error signal is transmitted to a machine control system and / or a control station.

[0284] For all versions of the machine, in an advantageous embodiment, a substrate guide element 208; 307 can be used as a measuring roller 307 (exemplary for all versions, e.g. in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16) by means of which, for example, the web tension can be determined in order to use this, for example, to regulate the web tension, for example via the conveying speed of individual units 100; 100*; 600 or one or more, in particular, motor-driven, web guide elements 202; 308; 401; 502. In this case, only one of the two measuring rollers 208; 307 or, advantageously, both measuring rollers 208; 307 can be provided, wherein in the latter case, for example, the downstream measuring roller 307 is used for the determination and / or the regulation mentioned below of the substrate path section upstream of the web tension in the first or only application point.

[0285] In an advantageous development, a pretreatment station 304, designed as an application station 304, is provided in the first substrate path 300, for example, through which the carrier material 006 can be coated on one or both sides with a binder and / or a primer. In this case, a dryer (not shown), e.g., a hot air or radiation dryer, can preferably be provided directly downstream of the application station 304.

[0286] In a particularly preferred embodiment, considered in principle on its own, but advantageous in conjunction with one or more of the other machine variants, a thermal pretreatment station 306, in particular a temperature control station 306, e.g., an infrared radiation source 306, is provided in the substrate path immediately upstream of the application stage 100; 100*, i.e., for example, downstream of the last substrate guide element 301; 307 interacting with the carrier substrate web 006, by means of which the carrier material 006 can be heated above ambient temperature, in particular to above 60°C, preferably to at least 80°C. This can, for example, be particularly advantageous for activating a bond-supporting or bond-inducing agent 007; 007' provided or applied to the carrier substrate 006.Fundamentally independent of this, but advantageously in conjunction with such a temperature control station 306, a sensor 311 for determining the temperature of the carrier substrate web 006, e.g., a temperature sensor 311, in particular a contactless and / or radiation-based temperature sensor 311, can be provided. The sensor 311, e.g., as a temperature sensor 311, can be part of a control circuit for regulating the temperature of the carrier substrate web 006 with the optionally provided temperature control station 306.

[0287] Instead of a pull roller 202 or a pull mechanism 207 assigned to the substrate unwinder 200, or possibly in addition thereto, a pull roller 308 or a pull mechanism 309 can be provided in the substrate path section 300 adjoining the substrate unwinder 200 and / or leading to the point of the first or only dry film application, i.e. to the first or only laminating nip 107; 107'. In the case of only one pull roller 202; 308 or only one pull mechanism 207; 309 in the substrate path between the unwinding from the roll 201 and the entry into the first or only laminating nip 107; 107', such a pull roller 202; 308 orSuch a pulling mechanism 207; 309 can basically be structurally assigned to the substrate unwinder 200, to a substrate path section 300 extending between the substrate unwinder 200, in particular from the unwinder, and the application stage 100; 100*, in particular the first or only application point, or can just as easily be structurally assigned to the application stage 100; 100* on the input side. What is essential here is that such a pulling roller 202; 308 or such a pulling mechanism 207; 309 is arranged upstream of the first application point, i.e., the first or only laminating gap 107; 107', in the substrate path, in order to build up or maintain a specific and / or desired web tension, for example, in the adjoining substrate path section or in a part of the substrate path section formed by a adjoining substrate path section. The traction mechanism has - in accordance with the traction mechanism 207 already described above - e.g.In addition to the pull roller 308, a drive means, e.g. in the form of a servo drive motor, which drives the pull roller 308 - in particular independently of other pull rollers - and whose speed can be regulated and / or controlled, and / or pressure rollers which can be engaged with the pull roller 308 to increase the friction. Depending on the web tension conditions and / or web tension requirements present upstream and downstream of the roller 308, the roller 308 or the drive means can also be operated or operated in a generator-like manner or to inhibit the advance of the carrier substrate web 006, for example in order to build up or maintain a specific and / or desired web tension in the subsequent substrate path section, which extends, for example, to a next clamping or web pulling point, or in a part of the substrate path section formed by a subsequent substrate path section.

[0288] In an advantageous embodiment, an above-mentioned calender 600 or an above-mentioned calendering unit 600 with two rollers 601; 602, in particular calendering rollers 601; 602, forming a gap between them, e.g., a calendering gap, is provided in the second substrate path 400, in particular in the substrate path immediately after the application stage 100; 100*. This has the advantage, for example, that if the desired density ρ is not achieved during the dry film application, a final product 001 or merely an intermediate product 002 still to be cut can still be produced with the desired density ρ in the active material layer 003; 003'.

[0289] In an alternative embodiment, already mentioned above but not illustrated here, the advantage of which lies, for example, in the independence of the processes and their optimization and thus in the quality and / or lower susceptibility to failure, a first aforementioned machine is provided - e.g. in a plant or a system with several machines - for coating a carrier substrate 006, in particular an aforementioned carrier substrate web 006, with a dry film 003; 003' formed from a powdered material 004; 004', which preferably comprises a coating device 100; 100* in one of the above-mentioned advantageous embodiments in the substrate path, and a separate, second machine for compacting the dry film 003; 003' by means of at least one calendering unit 600; 600* provided in the substrate path of the second machine. Although these machines can in principle be provided at different locations, they are preferably - e.g.in the same plant building - in a plant or machine arrangement for producing a multi-layer product 001 with a dry film applied to a carrier substrate, in particular for producing an electrode strand 002 or electrode units 001. In this case, a product strand 002, referred to here as a preliminary product, which has not yet been further compressed, is combined, for example, on the output side of the coating machine in the product holder 500 designed in particular as a product winder 500, to form a roll 501 of preliminary product, and this roll 501 is subsequently or at a later point in time fed to the input side of the second machine, in particular to a roll unwinder provided on the input side of this machine.The product strand 002 from the precursor product is unwound there, guided through a calendering unit 600; 600' arranged in the substrate path, and wound on the output side as a fully compacted product strand 001 into a product roll 501 or laid out after a cross-cutting operation possibly provided downstream of the calendering unit 600.

[0290] Regardless of whether the above-mentioned calendering process takes place inline in the same machine in which the dry film 003; 003' is applied to the carrier substrate 006, or whether calendering takes place separately from the application in a second machine, e.g. a calendering unit 600; 600*, the calendering unit 600; 600* comprises two rollers 601; 601*; 602; 602*, e.g. calender rollers 601; 601*; 602; 602*, of which e.g. at least one, preferably both, is or are heatable, in particular heatable in such a way that its outer surface - e.g. B. at an ambient temperature of 25°C - to at least 80°C, advantageously to at least 100°C, preferably to at least 120 and / or between which a pressure with a preferably adjustable line force of at least 500 N / mm, advantageously at least 700 N / mm, in particular at least 1000 N / mm, preferably up to at least 2000 N / mm, orin particular a line force of between 500 N / mm and 3000 N / mm can be applied. The product strand 002, which is coated on at least one side, can be passed through the calendering gap for the purpose of further densifying the dry film 003; 003' using pressure and / or a temperature higher than the ambient temperature. The calendering rolls 601; 601*; 602; 602* have, for example, a diameter of at least 400 mm, in particular at least 500 mm, preferably at least 550 mm, and / or, for example, a usable width of, for example, at least 400 mm, in particular at least 500 mm, preferably at least 550 mm. To produce the said products 001; 002, a concentricity of each roll 601; 601*; 602; 602* with a maximum deviation of ± 2 m, preferably of ± 1 mm, is particularly advantageous.

[0291] Fundamentally independent of, but advantageously in conjunction with one or more of the other design variants of the machine, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, a cooling device 402, e.g. with one or more partially wrapped, temperature-controlled cooling rollers 402.1; 402.2, is provided in the second substrate path 400 after the application stage 100; 100*, in the case of a possibly provided calendering unit 600 downstream of this, by which a product strand 002 passed through can be cooled, e.g. by at least 20°C, in particular by at least 50°C.

[0292] Fundamentally independent of, but advantageously in conjunction with one or more of the other embodiments of the machine, an inspection device 403; 403.1; 403.2, based in particular on an optical and / or acoustic measurement, is provided in an advantageous further development in the second substrate path 400, e.g. with a sensor 403.1 directed to one side and a sensor 403.2 directed to the other side, by means of which the product surface can be checked for defects or imperfections, e.g. for completeness in the area and / or thickness of the applied dry film 003; 003'. The inspection device 403; 403.1; 403.2 can - as in Fig. 15 - in the substrate path downstream of the calendering unit 600 or - as shown in Fig. 16 - in the substrate path downstream of the application stage 100; 100' but upstream of the calendering unit 600. In the former case, defects caused by calendering can be detected; in the latter case, however, any defects caused in the application stage 100; 100' can be detected as early as possible. The inspection device 403 can preferably comprise a camera, e.g., a line scan camera, as sensors 403.1; 403.2 on each side, by which the respective surface is recorded or optically scanned and evaluated for defective or missing areas via a downstream evaluation device.

[0293] Fundamentally independent of, but also advantageously together with other embodiments of the machine, but in particular in conjunction with an inspection device 403; 403.1; 403.2 provided on the substrate path, a device for defect marking 412 is provided in an advantageous further development, which can be formed, for example, by a printing device, e.g., an inkjet print head, or an insertion device, wherein the latter can, for example, insert or apply a physical marking agent, e.g., a so-called marking flag or marking label, onto the carrier substrate web 006.

[0294] For all versions of the machine, in an advantageous embodiment, at least one substrate guide element 409 in the second substrate path 400 can be designed as a measuring roller 409, by means of which, for example, the web tension can be determined in order to use this, for example, to regulate the web tension, e.g. via the relative conveying speed of individual units 100; 100*; 600 or one or more, in particular, motor-driven web guide elements 202; 308; 401; 502. Preferably, at least in the application stage 100; 100*, in particular the location of the last or only application, and a possibly provided calendering unit 600, in particular the location of a possiblyAt least one substrate guide element 409 is designed as a measuring roller 409 in the substrate path section of the second substrate path section 400 arranged upstream of the calendering process taking place, but particularly preferably both in said substrate path section and in the substrate path section arranged downstream of the calendering unit 600 provided in an advantageous embodiment. Instead of this, or in addition to this, a substrate guide element 507 structurally associated with the product winder 500 can be designed as a measuring roller 507 arranged downstream of the calendering unit 600 in the substrate path.

[0295] In order to ensure optimal substrate flow through the application stage 100; 100*, in an advantageous embodiment, a substrate guide element 401 designed as a motor-driven pull roller 401 is provided in the second substrate path 400, preferably immediately behind the application stage 100; 100*, but upstream of any calendering unit 600 provided. This can be comprised of a pull mechanism 411, which, for example, in addition to the pull roller 401 itself, has a drive means, e.g., in the form of a servo drive motor, that drives the pull roller 401—in particular independently of other pull rollers—and whose speed is adjustable and / or controllable, and / or pressure rollers that can be engaged with the pull roller 401 to increase friction. In this case, the roller 401 or the drive means - depending on the web tension conditions and / or web tension requirements present before and after the roller 401 - can in principle also be operated in a generator-like manner orbe operable or operated to inhibit the advance of the carrier substrate web 006, but here is motorized to build up and / or maintain a web tension on the upstream substrate path section, ie conveying the carrier substrate web 006 in the transport direction Ts or operated or operable with an advance compared to, for example, the speed at an upstream next pull roller 202; 301 and / or the peripheral speed of the last or only laminating roller 107; 107' or the pair of laminating rollers 107; 107'.

[0296] Alternatively or additionally, in a preferred embodiment, a web tension compensation and / or control device 406 (e.g. in Fig. 15 shown as an example for all designs), with e.g. a dancer roller 407 - e.g. spring-loaded on a lever or a guide transversely to the substrate path - by means of which, for example, fluctuations in the web tension can be compensated and / or the conveying speed of an upstream or downstream unit 100; 100*; 600 or one or more, in particular motor-driven, web guide elements 202; 308; 401; 502 - in particular via the deflection of the dancer roller 407 - can be regulated.

[0297] An example in Fig. The machine shown in Figure 17, which is designed, for example, without a calendering unit 600 arranged downstream of the application stage 100, 100* in the substrate path, can - except for the calendering unit 600 - optionally be equipped with several or all of the Fig. 15 or Fig. 16 and / or substrate guide elements 202; 203; 208; 307; 308; 401; 404; 409; 502; 503 may be provided. For example, in the first substrate path section 300, an above-mentioned dancer roller 203 and / or at least one above-mentioned pull roller 308 and / or at least one above-mentioned web tension measuring roller 307 and / or an above-mentioned tempering station 306 is provided, and in the second substrate path section 400, an above-mentioned web tension measuring roller 409 and / or a cooling device 402, in particular with at least one cooling roller 402.1; 402.2, at least one above-mentioned pulling roller 401 and / or at least one above-mentioned inspection device 403 for defect and / or flaw detection and / or a measuring station 408 for determining the product strand thickness and / or a defect marking device 412 and / or at least one dancer roller 503 are provided. Furthermore, in the second substrate path section 400, a - in Fig. 17, for example, a cleaning station 414 for removing loose particles and residues from the surface and / or a cleaning station 414 for cleaning the surface of loose particles and residues and / or a cleaning station 414 for cleaning the surface of the Fig. 18 For example, a measuring device 413 for determining the basis weight F can be provided, which can also be advantageously provided as an example for the other embodiments.

[0298] The measuring device 413 for determining the basis weight FG is preferably based on an ultrasound-based measuring system 413.1, 413.2 or sensors 413.1, 413.2. An ultrasound transmitter 413.1 is preferably provided on the substrate path on a first strand side, by means of which the product strand 002 can be subjected to ultrasonic waves, and a receiver 413.2 is provided on the same or preferably the other side of the substrate path, by means of which reflected ultrasonic waves can be detected in the case of the same side and transmitted ultrasonic waves can be detected in the case of the other side. In both cases, a quantity correlating with the basis weight and - with appropriate calibration - a value for the basis weight can be determined via the transmission and / or reflection behavior. In an advantageous embodiment, the sensors 413.1; 413.2 are designed to be arranged across the width, i.e. transversely to the substrate path, in the width direction over a length which, for example,corresponds to at least half the substrate strand width and is located, for example, symmetrically to the substrate path center, to determine a value for the basis weight continuously or at several points. For example, viewed transversely to the transport direction - e.g. over a width that corresponds at least to the length of half the strand width of the product strand 002 - a plurality of individual ultrasonic transmitters 413.1 and / or receivers 413.2 are provided next to one another, or an extended ultrasonic transmitter 413.1 and / or receiver 413.2 - designed with a corresponding width. In an advantageous development, a deflection roller around which the product strand 002 is at least slightly wrapped is provided in the substrate path before and after the measuring point acted upon by the ultrasonic transmitter 413.1. In order to obtain defined conditions, the distance in the substrate path between the measuring point and the respective deflection roller corresponds, for example,at most twice the strand width, preferably at most the strand width.

[0299] The measuring device 413 or the measuring system 413.1, 413.2 it comprises can, as explained above, be used as part of the above-mentioned control circuit R' FG for controlling the basis weight FG by varying the ratio of the peripheral speeds V(102;102'; 103; 103') or the above-mentioned control loop R FG to control the basis weight FG by varying the gap width, provide the measured value for the basis weight.

[0300] For all designs and variants of the machine mentioned here, an embodiment is particularly advantageous in which in the substrate path downstream of the application stage 100; 100* - in the case of a calendering unit 600; 600 provided in the substrate path downstream of a single or last calendering unit 600; 600 - a measuring station 408 for determining the product strand thickness, in particular the total thickness, is provided in the product holder before the product bundle 501 is combined (e.g. in Fig. 15, Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 is shown as an example for all versions).

[0301] Instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned cooling device 402 in the second substrate path section 400, such a cooling device or a further cooling device 402; 504 can also be provided in the substrate path section associated with the product holder 500 or on its frame. Such a cooling device 504 can be formed, for example, by a substrate guide element 504 designed as a cooling roller 504. Alternatively, such a cooling device 504—associated with the second substrate path section 400 or structurally associated with the product holder 500—can also be formed by one or more successively partially wrapped, temperature-controlled cooling rollers 504.1; 504.2.

[0302] In a further development, a sensor 508 for determining the temperature of the product 002, in particular of the product strand 002, can be arranged in the substrate path downstream of the calendering unit 600, which may be provided, but at the latest before the delivery, e.g. before winding in the product winder 500 - e.g. downstream of the cooling device 504, which may be provided - but at the latest before the delivery, e.g. before winding in the product winder 500. The sensor 508, e.g. as a temperature sensor 508, is in particular designed as a contactless and / or radiation-based temperature sensor 311, and / or can be part of a control circuit for controlling the temperature with the cooling device 504, which may be provided.

[0303] In an advantageous embodiment, the product holder 500 is designed as a product winder 500, in particular in the form of a roll changer 500.

[0304] Preferably, the product winder 500 is qualified for a non-stop roll change and / or comprises an above-mentioned substrate guide element 502 designed as a motor-driven pull roller 502 and / or a substrate guide element 503 in the form of a dancer roller 503 that is spring-loaded, e.g., on a lever or a guide transversely to the substrate path.

[0305] In order to ensure optimal substrate travel between the optionally provided calendering unit 600 and the winding on the product winder 500, in an advantageous embodiment, a substrate guide element 401; 502 designed as a motor-driven pull roller 401; 502 can be provided in the second substrate path 400 or in a substrate path section attributable to the product winder 500. This can be comprised of a pull mechanism 411; 506, which, for example, in addition to the pull roller 401; 502, has a drive means, e.g., in the form of a servo drive motor, that drives the pull roller 401; 502—in particular independently of other pull rollers—and whose speed is adjustable and / or controllable, and / or pressure rollers that can be engaged with the pull roller 401; 502 to increase friction.

[0306] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a machine comprising, for example, a calendering unit 600, which is particularly advantageous for stable and trouble-free inline continuous operation, both in a first substrate path section located between the point of unwinding from the substrate roll 201 in the substrate unwinder 200 up to the entry into the single or first laminating nip 107; 107' of the application stage 100; 100*, and in a second substrate path section located between the point of exit of the carrier substrate web, which is then provided at least on one side with the dry film 003; 003', from the single or downstream last laminating nip 107; 107' of the application stage 100; 100* and - for the embodiment with calendering unit 600; 600* - the entry into the calendering nip between the two calendering rollers 601; 602 located substrate path section, at least one positively driven pull roller 202; 308; 401; 502 and / or at least one measuring roller 208; 307; 409 is provided for determining a web tension.In an advantageous further development for the embodiment with calendering unit 600; 600*, a positively driven pull roller 502 and / or a measuring roller 409; 507 for determining a web tension is also provided in a third substrate path section located between the location of the exit of the carrier substrate web 006, which is provided at least on one side with the dry film 003; 003', from the calendering nip and the location of winding onto the product roll 501 in the product winder 500.

[0307] Preferably, a web tension control device (not shown here) is provided, which is connected on the input side to the measuring roller 208; 307; 409 provided in the first and the second substrate path sections mentioned above, and on the output side to a drive control of the roller drives of the tension roller 202; 308; 401 provided in the first and the second substrate path sections mentioned above, and which in particular has data processing and / or electronic switching means that are designed to build up and / or maintain a predetermined web tension and / or a predetermined web tension difference for the two substrate path sections by appropriately controlling the drive control of the drive of one or more of the tension rollers 202; 308; 401 in each of the two substrate path sections.In a further development, the web tension control device can additionally be connected on the input side to the measuring roller 409; 507 provided in the third above-mentioned substrate path section and on the output side to a drive control of the respective pull roller 502 provided in the third above-mentioned substrate path section and can, for example, also be controllable by these with respect to a predetermined web tension and / or a predetermined web tension difference with respect to the upstream substrate path section.

[0308] In general, and in particular also for a design of the machine without a calendering unit downstream of the application stage 100; 100*, what has been explained above regarding the draw rollers 202; 308; 401; 502 and measuring rollers 208; 307; 409, the signal connections and the web tension control device is to be transferred or applied to a design with at least one measuring and / or at least one draw roller 208; 307; 202; 308 in the first substrate path section between the unwinding and the point of the first application by the application stage 100; 100* and at least one measuring and / or at least one draw roller 409; 507; 401; 502 in a substrate path section between leaving the only or last point of the dry film application by the application stage 100; 100* and the winding in the roll winder 500.

[0309] By means of an above-mentioned dancer roller 203; 407; 503 and a control circuit comprising the same - and for example integrated into an above-mentioned web tension control device - fluctuations in the web tension can be compensated for or regulated, for example, and / or a conveying speed of an upstream or downstream unit 100; 100*; 600 or one or more, in particular, motor-driven web guide elements 202; 308; 401; 502, such as the drive of an upstream substrate unwinder 200 or downstream substrate winder 500 or an upstream or downstream pull roller 202; 308; 401; 502, can be regulated, in particular via the deflection of the dancer roller 407. It is - e.g. B. on a guide or on a lever - spring-loaded transversely to the substrate path, in particular against the effective direction of the web tension of the substrate web 006 (or the product strand 002) looping around the roller with a force pneumatically or elastically pretensioned.

[0310] An above-mentioned pulling roller 203; 308; 401; 502 comprises, for example, a drive motor, in particular a servo motor, whose speed can be regulated and / or controlled, and / or interacts with one or more pressure elements, e.g. pressure rollers, for example to improve the conveying behavior and / or is, depending on the position in the substrate path, operable as a motor - for example to generate or maintain an upstream web tension or - for example to generate or maintain a downstream web tension - as a generator, i.e. with a braking effect, and / or is included in a control circuit that regulates the web tension - and is, for example, integrated into an above-mentioned web tension control device - e.g. as an actuator.

[0311] As an alternative to the machine design with a product holder 500 configured as a roll winder 500, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, a cross-cutting device can be provided in the second substrate path 400 or at the entrance to the product holder 500, by means of which a product strand 002 produced in the machine can already be cut crosswise into product sections 001. The product holder 500 is designed, for example, as a stack delivery device, in particular as a multiple stack delivery device that delivers several stacks one behind the other.

[0312] In a machine and / or device 100; 100* described above, for example, a web-shaped carrier substrate 006 is continuously and preferably provided on both sides with a dry film 003; 003' having a width smaller than the carrier substrate width, so that an uncoated edge of the carrier substrate remains on both sides. List of reference symbols 001 product, end product, product section, electrode unit, electrode 002 Product, intermediate product, product strand, electrode strand 003 Active material layer, material layer, dry film, powder composite film (especially solvent-free) 003' Active material layer, material layer, dry film, powder composite film (especially solvent-free) 004 Material, powdery, powder mixture (especially dry) 004' Material, powdery, powder mixture (especially dry) 005 - 006 Carrier substrate, carrier substrate web, current collector substrate, current collector foil, web-shaped 007 Bonding agent, primer, binder, adhesive 007' Bonding agent, primer, binder, adhesive 008 Part, material strip, edge strip 100 Coating device, coating device, application stage, aggregate, laminating aggregate, laminating unit 100* Coating device, coating device, application stage, aggregate, laminating aggregate, laminating unit 101 Commissioned work, first 101' Commissioned work, second 102 Roller, first, dosing roller 102' roller, first, metering roller 103 Roller, second, laminating roller, counterpressure roller 103' Roller, second, laminating roller, counterpressure roller 104 gap, first, film forming gap, metering gap, roll gap, nip 104' gap, first, film forming gap, metering gap, roll gap, nip 105 - 106 roller, counterpressure roller 106' roller, counterpressure roller 107 Gap, second, application gap, laminating gap 107' gap, second, application gap, laminating gap 108 - 109 Actuator, actuating device, position-based 109' Actuator, actuating device, position-based 110 - 111 Actuator, force based 111' actuator, power based 112 Adjustment mechanism, bearing mechanism, linear bearing 112' adjusting mechanism, bearing mechanism, linear bearing 113 Adjusting mechanism, bearing mechanism, three-ring bearing 113' adjusting mechanism, bearing mechanism, three-ring bearing 114 Removal device, squeegee, cleaning squeegee 114' removal device, squeegee, cleaning squeegee 115 - 116 Removal device, doctor blade, side edge doctor blade 116' removal device, doctor blade, side edge doctor blade 117 collecting device, collecting tray 117' collecting device, collecting tray 118 Roller, further, calender roller 118' roll, further, calender roll 119 Lifting gear, wedge stop 120 - 121 Substrate guide element, guide roller, deflection roller 122 supports, side parts (base frame) 122' carrier, side parts (subframe) 123 Extraction 123' extraction 124 Limit, side sign 125 - 126 Filling and / or storage room 127 Material acceptance 127' material acceptance 128 frame (order level) 128.1 Partial frame, first 128.2 Partial frame, second 128.3 Subframe, further or third 128.4 Partial frame, fourth 129 Removal device, squeegee, cleaning squeegee 129' removal device, doctor blade, cleaning blade 130 - 131 frame wall 131.1 Frame wall 131.2 Frame wall 131.3 Frame wall 131.4 Frame wall 132 Drive means, displacement-based, motor, position-controlled and / or adjustable, position-controlled cylinder-piston system 132' Drive means, displacement-based, motor, position-controlled and / or adjustable, position-controlled cylinder-piston system 133 Drive means, force-based, cylinder-piston system, engine, torque-controlled and / or adjustable 133' Drive means, force-based, cylinder-piston system, engine, torque-controllable and / or adjustable 134 Tempering fluid line 135 - 136 Traverse, base plate 137 Traverse, cross member 138 guide section, rail section, guide, rail 139 Supporting foot 140 - 141 Adjusting device, pulling device, tensioning device 142 piston rods 143 Pressure and / or tension plate 144 Pressure and / or tension plate 145 frame construction, base plate 146 Actuating and / or driving means, actuator 147 bearing block 148 Drive means, rotary, drive motor, speed-adjustable or controllable, servo motor 149 Drive means, rotary, drive motor, speed-adjustable or controllable, servo motor 150 - 151 bearings, radial bearings 153 Bearing point, rolling element, sliding element, 154 storage space 155 Actuator, electric, hydraulic 156 Control and / or regulating device 157 Sensors (gap width) 157.1 Sensor 157.2 Sensor 158 Pressure medium line 159 Pressure medium line 159 Valve 160 - 161 evaluation tools 162 Part, Roll Neck (102) 163 roll necks (103) 164 Actuator, multi-way valve (switchable), pump (reversible) 165 Adjusting device, pulling device, tensioning device 166 cylinders 167 pistons 168 Chamber 169 Chamber 170 - 171 controllers 172 Sensors, measuring device (layer thickness) 172.1 Sensor 173 Control and / or regulating devices, drive controllers 174 controllers 200 substrate feed, substrate unwinder, roll changer 201 roll, substrate roll 202 Substrate guide element, roller, pull roller, positively driven 203 Substrate guide element, dancer roller 204 Web edge control 205 - 206 gluing device, gluing table 207 traction mechanism, intake mechanism 208 Substrate guide element, measuring roller, web tension measuring roller 300 Substrate path section, conveyor section, first, upstream, feed side 301 substrate guide element, roller, guide roller, deflection roller 302 Pretreatment station, cleaning station, deionization station 303 Measuring station (carrier substrate thickness) 304 Pretreatment station, application station 305 - 306 Pretreatment station, thermal, tempering station, infrared radiation source 307 Substrate guide element, measuring roller, web tension measuring roller 308 Substrate guide element, roller, pull roller, positively driven 309 traction mechanism 310 - 311 Sensor, temperature sensor 400 Substrate path section, conveyor line, second, downstream, discharge side 401 Substrate guide element, roller, pull roller, positively driven 402 Cooling device 402* Cooling device (alternative or additional) 403 Inspection device (defects / faults) 404 Substrate guide element, roller, guide roller, deflection roller 405 - 406 Web tension compensation and / or control device 407 dancer roller 408 Measuring station (product strand thickness) 409 Substrate guide element, measuring roller, web tension measuring roller 410 - 411 traction mechanism 412 Defect marking 413 Measuring device (basis weight determination) 413.1 Ultrasonic transmitter 413.2 Recipient 414 Cleaning station 500 product holder, product winder, roll changer 501 product container, roll, product roll 502 Substrate guide element, pull roller, positively driven 503 dancer roller 504 Cooling device, substrate guide element, roller, cooling roller 504.1 Cooling roller 504.2 Cooling roller 505 - 506 traction mechanism 507 Substrate guide element, measuring roller, web tension measuring roller 508 Sensor, temperature sensor 600 calendering unit, unit, calendering unit 600* Calendering unit (alternative or additional), unit, calendering unit 601 Roll, calender roll, first, heated 601* Roll, calender roll, first (alternatively or additionally) 602 Roll, calender roll, second, heated 602* Roll, calender roll, second (alternative or additional) 603 frame (calendering machine) 700 Device for feeding powdered material, powder feeding device 700' Device for feeding powdered material, powder feeding device 701 Dispensing device, dosing device, dosing device with vibration drive, dosing shaker 702 conveyor system, linear conveyor, linear conveyor system, conveyor belt, conveyor belt system 702.1 Linear conveyor, first, conveyor belt, first 702.2 Linear conveyor, second, conveyor belt, second 703 Provisioning device, supply line, storage container, storage hopper 704 Dosing device, linear conveyor, vibrating conveyor 705 roller, deflection roller, drive roller 706 Vibration table 707 drive means, drive device, vibration drive, shaking drive 708 Removal device, removal doctor blade 709 Drive means, drive motor 710 - 711 Insertion aid, funnel tray 712 Drive means, drive motor, servo motor 712.1 Drive means, drive motor, servo motor 712.1 Drive means, drive motor, servo motor 713 Sensor, level sensor, ultrasonic sensor 714 Sensor, level sensor, layer level sensor 715 Drive means, actuator 716 Limitation, lateral, side guide 717 Limitation, lateral, lateral guidance 718 - 719 Drive means, actuator 720 - 721 Dosing device, adjusting mechanism 722 Drive means, servo motor 722.x Drive means, servo motor 723 Control element, flap, slide 723.x Actuator, flap segment, slide segment, actuator segment 724 Control and / or regulating device 725 - 726 Sensors, powder flow sensors, light barriers, light grids 727 radiation source, light source 727.x radiation source, light source, extended, light bar 728 sensor, radiation receiver, photodiode, phototransistor 728.x sensor, radiation receiver, extended, radiation receiver segments, radiation receiver array, photodiode array, line scan camera 729 circuit elements, dead time element 730 - 731 Sensor technology, powder flow sensor technology 731.x Sensors, powder flow sensors 732 impact element, impact plate, deflection plate 732.x Impact element, impact plate, deflection plate 733 Sensor, force transducer 733.x Sensor, force transducer, extended, force transducer array 744 Distribution device 745 - 746 Traverse 747 Distribution tool, distribution finger 748 depression, groove 749 Propulsion equipment 750 - 751 Container, vibrating tank 752 Opening 753 floor 754 Level sensor 755 - 756 feed channel, filler neck, filler shaft, pipe 756.1 Canal section 756.2 Canal section 757 Outlet 758 Guide, longitudinal board 759 Level sensor 760 - 761 Sensor, Camera, Line Scan Camera 762 Control element, valve, ball or flat slide valve, pinch valve 763 Actuator, proportional drive 764 Opening 765 - 766 Shaft 767 Partition wall 768 Slide, spindle slide 769 threaded spindle 770 - 771 Drive means, motor, servo motor (reversible) 772 coupling, axle 773 support, bracket 801 Measuring arrangement for determining a density 802 Weighing device, scale 803 Weighing container, weighing pan 804 Sensor technology, sensor, optical, camera, line scan camera 805 - 806 Measuring device, ultrasonic based, inductive, capacitive 807 Control device 808 Separation device, diverter, switch, diverter 809 Libra 810 - 811 Data processing equipment 812 display device 813 Angular position sensor 814 Drive means, tilt drive 815 - 816 Material intake, container 817 Switch tongue, slider, floor 818 Drive means, cylinder-piston system b width b151 support width d thickness, layer thickness b003 Width (003; 003') b006 Width (006) b008 Width (008) b104 Gap width, first gap (104, 104') d003 Strength, layer thickness (003) d003' thickness, layer thickness (003') d003 soll Target thickness d006 Starch (006) d008 Strength, layer thickness (008) F Measured quantity, force FG Basis weight FG soll Basis weight, target value Fx measured quantity, force G Level I Measured quantity, radiation intensity Ix measured quantity, radiation intensity K Circular line α angle, inclination angle φ angular position ρ density r radius m mass R12 control loop R14 control loop R15 control loop R17 control loop R34 control loop R35 control loop R37 control loop R82 control loop R85 control loop R102 rotation axis R102' rotation axis R103 Rotation axis R103' rotation axis R b Control loop (gap width) R d Control loop (layer thickness) R' d Control loop (layer thickness) R'' d Control loop (layer thickness) R F Control loop (basis weight) R' F Control loop (basis weight) S b Timing chain (gap width) S d Timing chain (layer thickness) R S Radius (swinging movement) S1 signal connection, sensor signal S2 signal connection, control signal S3 signal connection, sensor signal S4 signal connection, control signal S5 signal connection, control signal S6 Signal connection, control signal S7 signal connection, control signal S8 signal connection, sensor signal s cutting line t time t1 time, first t2 time point, second S swivel axis T STransport direction (carrier substrate 006) T P Conveying direction (powdery material 004) V Machine speed representing quantity

Claims

[1] Device (100; 100*) for coating a carrier substrate (006) with a powdery material (004), with at least one first application unit (101) which comprises a first roller (102) and a second roller (103) which form a first gap (104) serving for film formation between their lateral surfaces in the nip, with a gap width (b104), through which a powdery material (004) can be conveyed in order to form a first dry film (003), and with a first counter-pressure roller (103';106), which forms a second gap (107) with the second roller (103), through which a substrate path for a carrier substrate (006) to be coated leads in order to apply the dry film (003) formed in the first gap (104) to a carrier substrate (006) guided on the substrate path through the second gap (107) on a first side, wherein a gap width (b104) of the first gap (104) is adjustable via an actuator (109), and wherein a sensor system (172) with a sensor (172.1) for determining a layer thickness (d003) of the first dry film (003) is directed onto a circumferential section of the second roller (103), over which the first dry film (003) is guided or can be guided during operation, and wherein the sensor (172.1) is designed as a capacitive and / or inductive sensor (172.1) is formed, ; characterized by , the sensor (172.1) as part of a control loop (R d ; R' d ; R'' d) for controlling the layer thickness (d003) is in signal connection to a control and / or regulating device (156) which is designed to vary a circumferential speed V(102) of the relevant first roller (102) relative to the circumferential speed V(103; 103') of the adjacent second roller (103; 103') as a function of the determined layer thickness (d003). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized bythat a second applicator (101') is provided, likewise with a first and a second roller (102'; 103') for forming a second dry film (003'), wherein the second roller (103) of the first applicator (101) forms the second gap (107) with the second or a further roller (103') of the second applicator (101') and through which the carrier substrate (006) can simultaneously be subjected to the second dry film on its second side, and that a second, capacitively and / or inductively operating sensor (101') for determining a layer thickness (d003') of the second dry film (103') is provided on a circumferential section of the second roller (103') or the further roller (103'; 106') of the second applicator (101'). [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized by that the second sensor (172.1) is part of a second control circuit (R d ; R' d ; R'' d) for regulating the layer thickness (d003') of the second dry film (103') is in signal connection to a second control and / or regulating device (156), which is designed to vary a peripheral speed V(102') of the relevant first roller (102') of the second applicator (101') relative to the peripheral speed V(103') of the adjacent second roller (103') of the second applicator (101') as a function of the determined layer thickness (d003') of the second dry film (103'). [4] Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by that the or the respective control and / or regulating device (156) is in signal connection to a control and / or regulating means (173) of a drive means (148) that drives the or the respective first roller (102; 102') in rotation, wherein the control and / or regulating means (173) is designed to regulate the layer thickness (d003, d003') to a predetermined layer thickness (d003 soll) to vary a peripheral speed V(102; 102') of the respective first roller (102; 102') in relation to the peripheral speed V(103; 103') of the adjacent second roller (103; 103'). [5] Device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized bythat the first and the adjacent second roller (102; 102'; 103; 103', 106) are mounted on both sides in frame walls (131.1; 131.2; 131.3; 131.4) of two different sub-frames (128.1; 128.3), which are mounted in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation (R102; R102'; R103; R103') of at least one of the two adjacent rollers (102; 102'; 103; 103', 106) by a cylinder-piston system (132) that is controllable or adjustable with respect to the position of the piston (167) in such a way that a distance between the axes of rotation (R102; R102'; R103; R103'; R106) of the adjacent rollers (102; 102'; 103; 103') carried by the two sub-frames (128.1; 128.2; 128.3; 128.4) and thus their gap width (b104; b104') can be varied.

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