Device and method for removing a section from a web and system for processing a web

Abstract

A device (10) for removing a section from a web, in particular a film web, comprising at least one separating device (12', 12'', 12''') for separating the section from the web, and a guide device, wherein the guide device (11) movably guides the separating device (12', 12'', 12''') in the direction of movement (34) of the web. Furthermore, the invention comprises a system for processing a web and a method for removing a section from a web.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for removing a section from a web and to a system for processing a web.Within the scope of the processing of web-shaped materials, in particular film webs, such as, for example, in the production of transdermal patches, a possible process step consists in the removal of a section, in particular a sample, such as a sample, from a web. The removal of sections has hitherto generally been effected manually by manually separating the section from the web.On the one hand, the conveying movement of the web must be stopped for this purpose, so that a secure and / or precise severing of the section can take place. Stopping the web results in production failures and / or problems in the operation.On the other hand, it is possible to remove the sections while the web is running. This leads to numerous problems. For example, there is the risk of injury to the operator, damage to the remaining track area, and / or inaccurate severing of the section. As a result of the inaccurate separation, for example, a separation of sections of different sizes and / or a separation at different points can occur, so that a systematic, repeatable sampling is not provided.The object of the invention is to improve, in particular systematize, the removal of sections from a web.US 8 471 175 B2 shows: A laser cutting system for cutting material comprises a first row of conveyor tracks comprising a plurality of support conveyors arranged parallel and generally spaced apart from each other. A second row of conveyor tracks is downstream of the first row. The second row includes a plurality of support conveyors disposed parallel to each other and generally spaced apart from each other. The laser cutting system according to U.S. Pat. No. 8,471,175 B2 also comprises a multiaxial gantry system. The multi-axis portal includes a movable transverse axis component supported by and movable along a longitudinal axis component located adjacent a longitudinal edge of the first and second rows. A movable laser head is supported by the transverse axis component. A controller controls the movements of each of the first and second row conveyors, the cross axis component, and the laser head as the feedstock is switched downstream and supported by the system.Further prior art relating to the invention is described in US 2017 / 0 028 579 A1 and US 2012 / 0 137 849 A1.The object is achieved according to the invention by a device for removing a section from a web according to claim 1, a system for processing a web according to claim 14, and a method for removing a section from a web according to claim 15.The device according to the invention for removing a section, preferably a sample, particularly preferably a sample from a web, is in particular a device for removing from a film web. The apparatus comprises at least one separating device for separating the section from the web. Furthermore, the device has a guide device. The guide device guides the separating device movably in a direction of movement of the web. The direction of movement corresponds in particular to a longitudinal direction of the web. It is preferred that the guide device guides the separating device parallel and / or linear to the direction of movement of the web.In a preferred embodiment, the guide device is configured to accelerate the separating device in the direction of movement of the web. In particular, the guide device has at least one actuator, preferably a motor, for accelerated movement of the separating device. It is preferred that the guide device moves the separating device in a stroke movement, i.e. in particular back and forth. The stroke length corresponds in particular to a travel length of the separating device with the web. In particular, the stroke length corresponds to 50-5000 mm, preferably 100-1000 mm, particularly preferably 300-800 mm.In a preferred embodiment, the guide device is configured to move the separating device at a speed synchronized to the web speed, in particular at an identical speed. It is thus preferred that the separating device is moved at a speed which corresponds to the speed of the web. In particular, the separating device is moved in a moving manner relative to the web, so that the separating device is moved parallel to the web and / or at the same speed as the web. The separating device is preferably moved at a speed of 1-100 m / min, preferably of 3-50 m / min, particularly preferably of 4.5-32 m / min. It is preferred that the separating device is accelerated to the speed of the web within the stroke length and particularly preferably maintains the speed during a further part of the stroke length. It is preferred that the separating device is moved parallel to the web at a constant speed over a period of 0.1 s to 2 s, particularly preferably of 0.2 s to 1 s.In a preferred embodiment, the separating device is configured to separate out the section upon reaching the web speed and / or during a movement of the separating device at web speed. During the separating process, the separating device is moved in particular at a constant speed. It is preferred that the separating device is moved back into the initial position after the separating, in particular is moved to the outlet of the stroke.In a preferred embodiment, the device has at least one sensor for detecting the web speed. The sensor is in particular a contactless or a contact-type sensor, so that the sensor is contactless to the track or that the sensor is in contact with the track. It is preferred that the guide device has the sensor, in particular is connected thereto. The sensor is in particular a mechanical and / or optical and / or magnetic sensor. Preferably, the guide device moves the separating device at the detected speed.In a preferred embodiment, the sensor has a rotary encoder, in particular a rotary encoder with contact, it being preferred for the sensor to consist of the rotary encoder. The rotary encoder has, for example, at least one wheel which comes into contact with the web, in particular runs on one or both sides of the web on the web. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor can comprise an ultrasonic sensor or a laser sensor.In a preferred embodiment, the device has a controller. The controller has, in particular, a processor, preferably a computer. The controller is configured to synchronize the speed of the separating device with the web speed and / or to trigger the severing of the section from the web in the presence of a speed of the separating device synchronized with the web speed. The synchronized speed is in particular a speed which corresponds to the web speed, is preferably identical. It is preferred that the guide device has the controller, in particular is connected thereto. Alternatively or additionally to the sensor, it is possible, for example, for the controller to record, in particular to receive, in a data-transmitting manner, the web speed from a web control unit controlling the web speed. It is then possible for the separating device to be moved at web speed on the basis of this detected speed.In a preferred embodiment, the separating device is movable, in particular adjustable, transversely to the path. In particular, the separating device is movable manually or actuated, for example, by a motor. The adjustable separating device is in particular designed to be fixable, so that a releasable fixing can take place in the transverse direction. It is possible in particular for the device to have displaceable and fixed separating devices. Due to the feasibility, it is possible in particular advantageously that sections can be removed at different locations in the transverse direction or that removability of sections at different web widths is variably possible.In a preferred embodiment, the separating device has at least one cutting device. The cutting device is preferably a circular cutter, in particular a rotating circular cutter. The circular cutter has at least one, preferably at least two, particularly preferably four cutting edges. On the other hand, it is also possible for the circular cutter to have six or eight cutting edges. The cutting edge is in particular a knife. The cutting device is designed in particular for puncturing the web and subsequent rotation for cutting out. On the other hand, it is preferably possible for the cutting device to be initially accelerated, in particular rotated, and subsequently introduced, in particular inserted, into the web. It is preferable that the cutting device rotates depending on the number of the cutters. In particular, the cutting device rotates by at least 90°, or at least 180°, or at least 360°. It is also possible for the cutting device to be rotated by at least 45° or at least 60°. Instead of or in addition to the circular cutter, it is preferably possible for the separating device to have a punch as a cutting device for cutting out the sections. It is preferred that the separating device has a counterpressure device, in particular a counterpressure plate, for example with a cutout for the cutting device, opposite the web with respect to the cutting device. It is possible in particular for the separating device to have a pushing-out device, which is movable, for example, relative to the cutting device, for pushing out the section cut out from the web. It is preferred that the separating device has a motor for actuating the cutting device and / or the counterpressure device.In a preferred embodiment, the cutting device and / or the counter-pressure device and / or the ejection device of the separating device is configured to be movable perpendicular to the web. Preferably, the cutting device and the counter-pressure device are movable towards each other. The separating device, in particular the cutting device and / or the counter-pressure device and / or the ejection device, is preferably actuated pneumatically and / or hydraulically, wherein it is preferred that at least the vertical movability relative to the web is actuated pneumatically and / or hydraulically. Preferably, the separating device comprises a pneumatically controlled cylinder. On the other hand, it is possible in particular for the separating device, in particular the cutting device and / or the counterpressure device and / or the ejection device, to be electrically actuated, for example by means of an electric cylinder.In a preferred embodiment, the device has at least one collecting device for collecting the separated sections. In particular, the device has a separate collecting device for each separating device. The collecting device has, in particular, an extendable drawer for removing the collected sections. The collecting device is in particular connected to the guide device, preferably fastened thereto. It is preferred that the catcher is arranged such that the cut-out portions fall into the catcher due to gravity and / or acceleration by the separator. It is preferred that the device, for example the guide device, has a sensor which detects a position of the drawer of the collection device. The device, in particular the controller of the device, is in particular configured such that the separating device is blocked from being separated, provided that the sensor detects an extended position of the drawer.In a preferred embodiment, the device has a plurality of separating devices for separating out a plurality of sections which are arranged next to one another in particular transversely to the web. If the device has a plurality of separating devices, it is preferably possible for one, a plurality or all of the separating devices to be adjustable transversely with respect to the web. It is furthermore preferred that when the device has a plurality of separating devices, one, a plurality or all of the separating devices are arranged transversely to the web in a fixed, in particular non-adjustable, position. It is preferred that the device comprises three separating devices which are arranged next to one another transversely to the web, wherein it is particularly preferred that one or both outer separating devices are adjustable transversely to the web.In a preferred embodiment, the guide device is designed as a portal system which guides the separating device on one or both sides of the web. The portal system guides the separating device in particular in the longitudinal direction of the web and relatively movable relative to the web. Preferably, a cutting device of the separating device is guided on one side of the web and a counter-pressure device of the separating device is guided on the other side of the web. The portal system has in particular a portal, wherein the at least one separating device is preferably connected to the portal.In a preferred embodiment, the guide device has a linear module, in particular having a toothed belt axis, for the linear guidance of the separating device relative to the web. The linear module guides the portal of the portal system in particular in a movable manner. The linear module is preferably designed for linear movement in the longitudinal direction of the web. The linear module has, in particular, a linear mounting, for example with a rail. The guide device, in particular the linear module, preferably has a drive, such as a motor, in particular with a toothed belt axle, for moving the separating device. It is preferred that the guide device has two linear modules, in particular on both sides of the web in the transverse direction.The device has a web feeder connected to the guide device for arranging the web relative to the separating device. The web intake is connected in particular to the portal. It is preferred that the web feeder comprises at least one guide roller. The at least one guide roller is situated in particular on the side of the web opposite the cutting device. The web infeed preferably has two guide rollers, in particular on both sides of the portal in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the web feeder fixes the web, preferably in the vertical direction, particularly preferably against a lifting movement of the cutting device.The system according to the invention for processing a web is in particular a system for processing a film web. The system has a web conveying device for conveying the web and the device according to the invention for removing a section from a web. The device for removing a section from the web is arranged in such a way, in particular relative to the web, that a removal of the section from the web can take place. The web conveying device has in particular at least two rollers for conveying the web. At least one of the rollers is driven in particular. Preferably, the system further comprises a web, in particular a film web, conveyed by the web conveying device.The method according to the invention for removing a section, preferably sample, particularly preferably sample, from a web is in particular a method for removing a section from a film web. The method has the step of moving a separating device, in particular in the direction of movement of the web, at a speed synchronized to the web speed, in particular at an identical speed. The speed of movement of the separating device thus corresponds in particular to the speed of movement of the web. The separating device is moved in particular parallel to the web, preferably above the web. In other words, it is preferred that the separating device is moved in such a way that the separating device travels along with the web. A further step of the method consists in separating the section from the web. The severing takes place in particular when the web speed is reached by the severing device and / or during a movement of the severing device at web speed. The movement of the separating device is effected in particular with a guide device which corresponds to the guide device of the device according to the invention. The separating device corresponds in particular to the separating device of the device according to the invention.The web of the device, system and / or method is in particular a film web, preferably for the production of transdermal patches and / or oral films. The film web preferably has a plurality of layers. For example, the film web has at least one film, preferably a plurality of films, an adhesive, preferably an adhesive layer and / or an active substance, preferably an active substance layer. The adhesive and the active substance, in particular the adhesive layer and the active substance layer, can preferably be present as a combination layer. The web is preferably an endless web. In particular, the web has a width of 300-3000 mm, preferably of 500-2000 mm, particularly preferably of 960-1600 mm. The web is in particular in motion in the longitudinal direction at a web speed. The web preferably has a speed of 1-100 m / min, preferably of 3-50 m / min, particularly preferably of 4.5-32 m / min.The method according to the invention is carried out with an apparatus according to the invention or a system according to the invention. The device according to the invention or the system according to the invention for removing a section from a web is designed in particular for carrying out a method having at least one feature of the method according to the invention.It is preferred that one or more of the articles according to the invention, i.e. the device and / or the system and / or the method, each have one or more features of the other articles according to the invention.The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached drawing.The figure shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention for removing a section from a web.The embodiment shown in the figure is a device 10 for removing a section in the form of a sample 101 from a film web (the film web is hidden or not shown in the figure).The device 10 has a guide device 11 in the form of a portal system. The guide device 11 has a portal 22, which is guided movably in a direction of movement (represented by arrow 34) by two linear modules 24. The linear modules 24 have, in particular, a drive device, preferably having a toothed belt axis, for moving the portal 22.Two guide rollers 26, 28 of a web feeder 25 are connected to the portal 22 on both sides of the portal 22.By means of the web infeed 25, in particular the guide rollers 26, 28, the web, in particular the film web, can be guided within the portal 22.The web runs in a direction of movement (represented by arrow 32), also referred to as longitudinal direction, at a web speed. The movement directions of the web and of the portal are in particular coaxial.The device 10 has a sensor (not shown), preferably connected to the portal 22, for detecting the web speed. For this purpose, it is preferred that the sensor has a rotary encoder which detects the speed of the web in contact with the web. For this purpose, the sensor preferably has a measuring wheel which runs on the web. It is further preferred that a counter-pressure wheel be provided which abuts on the opposite side of the web.The drive device accelerates the portal 22, wherein in particular such an acceleration takes place that the portal 22 has a speed which is synchronized with the web speed determined in particular by means of the sensor. It is particularly preferred that the portal 22 is moved at a speed which corresponds to the web speed, so that in other words, the portal 22 travels along with the web. The portal 22 moves parallel to the path.When the portal 22 has reached the speed of the web, sections, in particular samples 101, are cut out of the web. For this purpose, three separating devices 12', 12, 12"' are shown connected to the portal 22. Each separating device 12', 12", 12"' has a cutting device 14, preferably having a circular cutter (not shown), and a counter-pressure device 16. The cutting device 14 is movable perpendicular to the web, so that at least one cutting edge (not shown) of the cutting device 14 enters the web and preferably separates a sample 101 from the web by a rotating cutting movement of the circular cutter. In this case, the counter-pressure device 16 arranged on the opposite side of the web produces a counter-pressure for severing. The counter-pressure device 16 is preferably movable perpendicularly to the web towards the cutting device 14. For separating the sample 101, it is preferable that the separating means 12', 12", 12"' comprise a pushing-out means (not shown) for pushing the cut sample 101 out of the web.The separated sample 101 falls into a collecting device 30', 30", 30"', preferably comprising a drawer. By means of the drawer of the collecting device 30', 30'', 30''', simple removal of the samples 101 is possible.The sample 101 is thus separated from the web in particular in a state in which the separating device moves in synchronization with the web. This results in optimum severing, in particular without cuts into further web regions and / or clean severing.The portal 22 is moved by the drive device in the linear modules 24 in a lifting movement along the movement direction 34. In this case, the portal 22 is initially located in a starting position in the linear modules 24, which starting position is opposite to the arrow direction 32. As soon as a sample 101 is to be separated out, the portal 22 is accelerated by the drive device in the direction of the arrow 32. When the portal 22 has reached the speed of the web, the sample 101 is cut out by means of separating devices 12', 12", 12"', wherein the portal 22 continues to be moved at a speed corresponding to the web speed until the completion of the separating operation. As soon as the severing is complete, the portal has moved in particular by a stroke length in the linear modules 24 in the direction of the arrow 32 and is in a deflected position. Subsequently, the portal 22 is moved back into the starting position again.The outer separating devices 12', 12"' are movable transversely to the web direction by means of a linear bearing 20. In particular, the separating devices 12', 12"' can be releasably fixed in various positions. Due to the transverse movability of the separating devices 12', 12"', it is possible in particular advantageously to remove samples from edge regions of webs with different web widths.The central separator 12" is laterally immovable.The control of the device 10, in particular for controlling the linear modules 24 and / or for controlling the separating devices 12', 12", 12"' and / or for evaluating the web speed detected by the sensor, is preferably carried out by a controller (not shown).

Claims

Device (10) for removing a section from a web, in particular a film web, having at least one separating device (12', 12", 12"') for separating the section from the web, and a guide device, wherein the guide device (11) guides the separating device (12', 12", 12"') movably in the direction of movement (34) of the web, characterized a web feeder (25) connected to the guide device (11) and having in particular at least one guide roller (26, 28) for arranging the web relative to the separating device (12', 12", 12"').Device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the guide device (11) is configured to accelerate the separating device (12', 12", 12"') in the direction of movement (34) of the web.Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the guide device (11) is configured to move the separating device (12', 12", 12"') at a speed synchronised with the web speed, in particular at an identical speed.Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the separating device (12', 12", 12"') is configured to separate out the section at web speed when the web speed is reached and / or during a movement of the separating device (12', 12", 12"').Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized bya sensor for detecting the web speed.Device (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that the sensor has a rotary encoder, in particular a rotary encoder with contact.The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterized bya controller, wherein the controller is configured to synchronize the speed of the separating device (12', 12", 12"') with the web speed, and / or to trigger the severing of the section from the web in the presence of a speed of the separating device (12', 12", 12"') synchronized with the web speed.Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the separating device (12', 12", 12"') is displaceable, in particular adjustable, transversely with respect to the path.Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the separating device (12', 12", 12"') has an, in particular rotating, circular cutter.Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 - 9, characterized in that a cutting device (14) and / or a counterpressure device (16) of the separating device (12', 12", 12"') is designed to be movable perpendicularly to the web.Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 - 10, characterized bya collecting device (30', 30'', 30'''), in particular having a drawer, for the separated sections.Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 - 11, characterized in that the device has a plurality of severing devices (12', 12", 12"') for severing a plurality of sections which are arranged next to one another in particular transversely with respect to the web.Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 - 12, characterized in that the guide device (11) has a linear module (24), in particular having a toothed belt axis, for the linear guidance of the separating device (12', 12", 12"') relative to the web.System for processing a web, in particular a film web, having - a web conveying device, in particular having the web, and - a device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the device is arranged for removing a section from the web.Method for removing a section from a web, with an apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 13, with the steps: - moving a separating apparatus (12', 12", 12"') at a speed synchronised with the web speed, in particular at an identical speed, and - separating the section from the web.

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