Device for providing an endless material conveyor and connecting station

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for providing an endless web of material (C) containing metal, usable for uninterrupted production, comprising a connecting station (14) for joining two webs of material (A, B) containing metal, each unwinding from a bobbin (B1, B2) of finite length, to form the endless web of material (C), namely a trailing end (E1) of one of the two webs of material (A, B) of finite length with a leading end (E2) of the other of the two webs of material (B, A) of finite length, and means for providing the first bobbin (B1) with the first web of material (A) of finite length and the second bobbin (B2) with the second web of material (B) of finite length.Conveying means (12) for conveying the first material web (A) of finite length in the conveying direction (T1) and the second material web (B) of finite length in the conveying direction (T2) to the connecting station (14), and conveying means (13) for conveying the endless material web (C) formed in the connecting station (14) in the conveying direction (T3) to provide it for a downstream processing station. The device (10) according to the invention is further developed in that the connecting station (14) is designed and configured for joining the two ends (E1, E2) of the material webs (A, B) of finite length while both ends (E1, E2) are stationary, and the device (10) additionally comprises a buffer storage (17) for the endless material web (C) formed in the connecting station (14), wherein the connecting station (14) has a first positioning device (15) for positioning the end (E1, E2) to be joined.E2) of the first material web (A) of finite length and a second positioning device (16) for positioning the end (E2, E1) of the second material web (B) of finite length to be joined. The invention also relates to a corresponding connection station (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for providing a metal-containing, endless web of material suitable for uninterrupted production, comprising a connecting station for joining two metal-containing webs of finite length, each unwinding from a bobbin, to form the endless web of material, namely a trailing end of one of the two webs of finite length with a leading end of the other of the two webs of finite length, and means for providing the first bobbin with the first web of finite length and the second bobbin (B2) with the second web of finite length.Conveyor for conveying the first material web of finite length in the conveying direction and the second material web of finite length in the conveying direction to the connecting station, and conveyor for conveying the endless material web formed in the connecting station in the conveying direction to provide it for a downstream processing station.

[0002] The invention further relates to a connecting station for connecting two metal-containing material webs of finite length, namely a trailing end of one of the two material webs of finite length with a leading end of the other of the two material webs of finite length.

[0003] Such devices and splicing stations are used in all industrial sectors where two webs of material are joined together to form a single, continuous web for subsequent processing in a continuous production process. One exemplary and preferred application for splicing, also known as joining, is in the tobacco processing industry. For the uninterrupted production of continuous webs, strands, and the like, webs of finite length, e.g., made of paper, tobacco, or foil, especially so-called recon foil, are wound onto bobbins. The webs can also be made entirely or at least partially of metal, or contain metal components.Before a first reel containing a first web of material of finite length is completely unwound or spooled out in the production process, i.e., before it runs dry, a second, full reel is provided. The second web of finite length from the full reel is then conveyed in the direction of travel and positioned at the junction station with the first web. The webs can be conveyed to the junction station simultaneously or sequentially. At the junction station, the two webs lie opposite each other, spaced apart, and are thus brought into contact and joined.

[0004] The first web of material of finite length is conveyed towards the next or each subsequent processing station. The first web is guided through the splicing station. A trailing end of the first web can be created by unwinding the web from the first reel and / or by cutting / slicing the web, thus forming a trailing section. The trailing end of the first web is only created once the portion of the first web that will form the trailing end, and thus the section to be spliced, is already in the splicing station. Maintaining the connection between the first web and the first reel until the trailing end is created is necessary to keep the first web under tension and guided for positioning and creating the trailing end in the splicing station. The second web of finite length is initially only provided.For this process, the leading end, or pre-lead, is guided into or through the splicing station and positioned relative to the trailing end of the first web of material located in the splicing station. After splicing, the second web of material becomes the first web, thus creating a new second web of material. The pre-lead is the leading end of the second web. The last portion of the pre-lead that protrudes from the endless web after splicing is called the leading remnant. The trailing end is the trailing end of the first web of material. After splicing, the detached trailing remnant remains on the reel and must be disposed of. The last portion of the trailing remnant that protrudes from the endless web after splicing and after detaching from the trailing remnant is called the trailing remnant.The continuous material web conveyed from the connecting station is sometimes formed by the first material web and sometimes by the second. The crucial point is that a continuous, so-called endless, material web is conveyed from the connecting station towards a downstream processing station.

[0005] In known devices and methods, the joining of the two ends takes place while the material is moving. In other words, the material webs, and especially their ends to be joined, are moved in and through the splicing station during the splicing process. The two material webs have the same or different conveying speeds. One disadvantage is that, due to the very short time available for splicing because of the moving material webs, only an inadequate connection is formed. For example, only a single weld or adhesive point can be created due to the short splicing time. As a result, only connections that can withstand tensile forces of less than 4 N can be achieved. Another disadvantage of the known splicing method and the corresponding devices is the retention of long residual strips on the reel.Because the section of the first web to be spliced ​​is fed into the splicing station first, and the trailing end is only created there, the entire remaining strip extending from the splicing station to the reel remains unused in each splicing process. In other words, the empty reel is not fully unwound, leaving a residual strip between the reel and the splicing station that cannot be used. In addition to a long trailing section, the leading section is also long. This results in further unused material from the web, which must be disposed of. Due to the known splicing method, several meters of web are lost in each splicing operation. Since several hundred reels can be changed per day in an ongoing production process, the amount of unusable web waste accumulates significantly. Rising material costs exacerbate this problem.Furthermore, with the known methods and devices, cutting the pre-tension and post-tension results in a large pre-tension or post-tension residue that remains on the formed endless material web and sometimes disrupts the further processing process.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a device that ensures a secure connection of the two material webs of finite length to form an endless material web with reduced residual material, without interrupting the production process.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention in a device for providing a continuous web of material containing metal, suitable for uninterrupted production, with the features mentioned above, by the fact that the joining station for joining the two ends of the material webs of finite length is designed and configured while both ends are at rest, and the device additionally includes a buffer storage for the continuous web of material formed in the joining station, wherein the joining station comprises a first positioning device for positioning the end to be joined of the first material web of finite length and a second positioning device for positioning the end to be joined of the second material web of finite length. The standstill refers to the two material webs of finite length, or rather the two ends to be joined, in the joining station.The continuous conveyance of the material webs of finite length is stopped, at least in the area of ​​the joining station for the joining process. Joining the two ends while stationary allows more time for the connection to form, resulting in a stronger and more secure joint. For example, multiple weld points can be applied to make the connection stronger and more stable.

[0008] The positioning devices can be part of the joining station, for example, as an integral component. Alternatively, the positioning devices can also be assigned to the joining station separately. Positioning the two ends to be joined relative to each other is more precise when the system is stationary, resulting in shorter lead and trailing lengths. Furthermore, separating the lead and trailing sections from the respective material webs of finite length is cleaner when the webs are stationary. This allows the lead length to be reduced to less than 300 mm and the trailing section to less than 4 m.

[0009] The buffer storage ensures compensation for the standstill of the finite-length material webs and, in particular, enables the continuous supply of the endless material web even during the splicing process, so that a subsequent processing station can continue production without interruption. For this purpose, during the splicing process, in which the finite-length material webs are joined together in the area of ​​the splicing station, the material web stored in the buffer storage can be released, so that the downstream processing station can always be supplied with the endless material web, regardless of the splicing process. As long as no splicing process is taking place, the buffer storage can be filled. The invention thus ensures the advantages of a reliable connection on the one hand and a continuous supply of a material web to the processing station on the other.

[0010] The processing station is specifically designed and configured for processing the provided continuous web of material. Within the scope of the invention, it can be independent, a component of the device according to the invention, or a component of another system, machine, installation, or device. Therefore, the invention also specifically includes an arrangement with a device according to the invention for providing a continuous web of material containing metal, suitable for uninterrupted production, and with a machine, particularly for the tobacco processing industry, comprising a processing station designed and configured for processing the continuous web of material. For example, the machine is a stranding machine for forming a continuous strand for the tobacco processing industry, and the processing station is a loading station for inserting the supplied continuous web of material into the continuous strand.

[0011] Advantageously, the first positioning device and the second positioning device work together to connect the ends of the two material webs of finite length.

[0012] For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if the first positioning device and / or the second positioning device each comprise means for joining the two metal-containing material webs of finite length. The joining means include, for example, means for electric welding and / or punching and / or folding and / or clinching and / or gluing. Electric welding means are particularly preferred for metal-containing material webs, as they allow for the creation of multiple weld spots while stationary, resulting in a strong and durable connection. Electric welding means are especially suitable as part of the joining station for producing a joint designed and configured to withstand a tensile force of at least 4 N. Other joining techniques with the corresponding means and components are also suitable. Electric welding means preferably include spot welding electrodes.

[0013] Preferably, the first positioning device and the second positioning device are positioned relative to each other to suitably position the ends of the material webs of finite length to be joined within the joining station and, in particular, relative to each other. Movement transverse to the material webs of finite length is especially advantageous. Thus, the invention enables not only a secure and firm connection but also easy handling of the material webs of finite length.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if each of the positioning devices can be moved into a waiting position in which the respective positioning device is without engagement with the material webs, into an engagement position in which the respective positioning device has the trailing end of one of the material webs of finite length in engagement, into a loading position for loading the respective positioning device with a leading end of one of the material webs of finite length from one of the bobbins, and into a connecting position for joining the two material webs of finite length.

[0015] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first positioning device and / or the second positioning device comprises clamping means and / or magnets and / or other holding means for holding one of the ends of each of the material webs of finite length. This design provides a simple and compact construction that ensures precise positioning and secure holding of the free ends relative to each other. Magnets as holding means are particularly suitable for material webs in which the contained metal is ferromagnetic.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the first positioning device and / or the second positioning device comprises guide means for laterally guiding the respective material web of finite length. This improves the positional accuracy of the material webs both when stationary and during deceleration to a standstill. In this context, the term lateral guidance refers in particular to guidance against the material web breaking away in a direction transverse to the conveying direction.

[0017] Preferably, the guide means of the first positioning device and / or the guide means of the second positioning device are designed to be compatible in shape, enabling the first and second positioning devices to approach each other to join material webs of finite length while simultaneously guiding the material webs of finite length laterally. For this purpose, the guide means are, for example, shaped so that they interlock when the positioning devices approach each other. However, within the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable that the guide means are spring-mounted and have suitable contact surfaces for bearing against the respective other positioning device, so that even if the spring-mounted bearing yields, lateral guidance by the adjacent positioning device is still ensured.

[0018] A further development is characterized by the fact that the joining station includes means for cutting a leading and / or trailing edge of the material webs of finite length to be joined. The cutting means can be part of the joining station, even as an integral component, or it can be assigned to the joining station separately. The cutting means can be designed and configured for the simultaneous or staggered cutting of the leading and / or trailing edge of one or both material webs.

[0019] For example, the cutting means comprise at least two separate blades by means of which the pre-tension and post-tension can be separated separately and independently from the material webs of finite length to be joined or joined in the joining station, or from the endless material web formed in the joining station. Other separating or cutting means may be used instead of the separate blades. Alternatively or additionally to the cutting means, means for weakening the material webs may also be provided.

[0020] Advantageously, the blades are designed and configured for local separation of the pre-tension and / or post-tension near the joint, such that the remaining pre-tension and / or post-tension residues on the formed material web in the area of ​​the joint are less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, and particularly preferably less than 2 mm. An endless material web with such short pre-tension and post-tension residues can be processed more easily and without problems.

[0021] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the first positioning device and / or the second positioning device each comprise means for cutting a leading edge and / or a trailing edge of the respective material web of finite length to be joined. This makes it possible to minimize both leading edge and trailing edge remnants on the formed endless material web as well as the leading edge and trailing edge that need to be disposed of. If one of the positioning devices comprises means for cutting both a leading edge and a trailing edge, this positioning device is advantageously suitable for both a trailing end and a leading end, and thus for both of the material webs of finite length.

[0022] Advantageously, the first positioning device and / or the second positioning device includes detection means for detecting the position of the respective end of the respective material web of finite length. This allows for further material savings, since the lengths of the lead and trailing sections on the one hand, and of the lead and trailing sections on the other, can be further reduced due to more precise positioning.

[0023] The invention makes it possible, in particular, for the first positioning device and the second positioning device to be essentially identical in construction. Within the scope of the invention, a mirror-image configuration is also understood to be included. However, it is especially advantageous if the two positioning devices are identical parts or consist of identical parts. This reduces, for example, the effort involved in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a specific device according to the invention.

[0024] It is also advantageous within the scope of the invention if, in the conveying direction upstream of the joining station, retraction means are arranged for retracting the first material web of finite length against the conveying direction and / or for retracting the second material web of finite length against the conveying direction. This makes it possible to selectively retract the leading end of one of the material webs of finite length, particularly after it has been predefined with suitable cutting means, in the corresponding positioning device, especially using suitable detection means, and thus to minimize the residual preload that this end forms after the two material webs of finite length have been joined.

[0025] It is also advantageous within the scope of the invention if, in the conveying direction upstream of the connecting station, a compensating means is arranged to compensate for an oblique unwinding direction of the material webs of finite length from the bobbins relative to a bobbin axis. This is based on the consideration that, particularly for material webs that are narrower than the bobbin from which they unwind, the absolute distance between the bobbin and the connecting station depends on where the material web is currently unwinding relative to the axial width of the bobbin. The compensating means thus ensure the most uniform possible path of the material webs.

[0026] Within the scope of the invention, it is particularly conceivable that retraction means are designed as compensating means or compensating means as retraction means.

[0027] The bobbins can be provided separately or integrated into the device itself. For example, the means for providing the bobbins include a turntable with at least two receiving mandrels for the bobbins. This design provides the two bobbins with their material webs required for the joining process in a compact manner and facilitates quick bobbin changes.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the means for providing the bobbins comprise a first receiving mandrel for the first bobbin of finite length and a second receiving mandrel for the second bobbin of finite length, wherein preferably the first receiving mandrel is always assigned to the first positioning device and the second receiving mandrel is always assigned to the second positioning device. This means, in particular, that after the two material webs of finite length have been joined, i.e., when one of the bobbins has run out of material and is replaced by a new bobbin with another material web of finite length, the assignment of the receiving mandrels and bobbins to the positioning devices is maintained. This allows the receiving mandrels to be arranged in a stationary position, thereby eliminating the need for complex rotary tables and the like.

[0029] It is also advantageous if a guide device is arranged downstream of the connecting station in the conveying direction, by means of which a path for the endless material web can be defined in the area of ​​the connecting station, particularly when the first positioning device and / or the second positioning device are each in their waiting or loading position. This ensures, in particular, controlled path guidance of the material webs through the connecting station when the connecting station is not currently required and advantageously does not temporarily affect the path of the endless material web and / or material webs of finite length.

[0030] The buffer storage unit within the scope of the invention is designed and configured in such a way that the endless web of material formed in the joining station can be conveyed into and out of the buffer storage unit. A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the buffer storage unit comprises at least one storage section and an intermediate drive for controlling the buffer storage unit. The size of the loop storage unit can be changed by means of the intermediate drive, namely for filling or emptying. In this context, filling means that the endless web of material formed in the joining station is conveyed exclusively into the loop storage unit or is conveyed into it faster than it is conveyed out of it, thus creating a reservoir that can be emptied during downtimes of the joining process.In this context, emptying means that the stored material web is either completely removed from the loop buffer or removed faster than it is fed in, in order to maintain the continuous operation of the subsequent processing process. The buffer buffer can also comprise more than one storage section.

[0031] Preferably, the buffer storage is designed as a loop storage system. The material web is guided in loops, particularly over deflection rollers, which form the storage section. The storage section can be changed by moving the deflection rollers and thereby increasing or decreasing the length of the loops.

[0032] Advantageously, at least one dancer is provided, which is designed and configured to control the drives of the bobbins or bobbin mandrels. This dancer is preferably arranged in the conveying direction upstream of the splicing station or between the splicing station and the buffer storage. A dancer or dancer assembly in this context can, for example, comprise a preferably single-lane guide roller and preferably several single- or multi-lane rollers for deflecting the material web guided in the dancer assembly. The dancer assembly is constructed like a pulley system. This allows the tension of the material webs to be changed and / or controlled to ensure optimal web guidance and a reliable splicing process.

[0033] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that a dancer is arranged downstream of the connecting station, preferably downstream of the loop storage unit, in the conveying direction. This dancer is designed and configured to regulate the material tension of the endless web of material exiting the loop storage unit. This dancer, or dancer arrangement, can, for example, comprise a preferably single-lane guide roller and preferably several single- or multi-lane rollers for deflecting the web of material guided in the dancer arrangement. The dancer arrangement is constructed in the manner of a pulley system.

[0034] Embodiments of the invention may include none, one, or both of the described dancers.

[0035] Advantageously, the device includes a slack winder for picking up and disposing of the slack from the core of the empty bobbin, which has been separated from the endless material web. Picking up and disposing of the slack simplifies the bobbin changing process and ensures that the slack does not become entangled in the area of ​​the connecting station.

[0036] The device preferably includes a control unit for controlling and / or regulating the connection station and the buffer storage. The control unit can also be designed and configured to control and / or regulate other components of the device for trouble-free and continuous operation. The control unit can be an integral part of the device or a separate component.

[0037] The problem underlying the invention is also solved by a connecting station for joining two metal-containing material webs of finite length, namely a trailing end of one of the two material webs of finite length with a leading end of the other of the two material webs of finite length, wherein the connecting device according to the invention is further developed in that the connecting station for joining the two ends of the material webs of finite length is designed and set up when the two ends are at rest and that the connecting station comprises a first positioning device for positioning the end to be joined of the first material web of finite length and a second positioning device for positioning the end to be joined of the second material web of finite length.

[0038] The connecting station according to the invention is particularly suitable for a device according to the invention for providing an endless web of material containing metal, usable for uninterrupted production.

[0039] The connecting device according to the invention can be further developed with independent inventive content by the previously described features of the connecting station and / or the positioning devices of a device according to the invention.

[0040] A method for joining two metal-containing material webs of finite length, each running from a bobbin, to form an endless material web suitable for uninterrupted production also possesses independent inventive content, and is implemented in particular by a device according to the invention and / or serves to operate it.

[0041] The corresponding method for joining two material webs of finite length, each unwinding from a bobbin and containing metal, to form an endless material web suitable for uninterrupted production comprises the following steps: Providing the first bobbin with the first unwinding material web of finite length and the second bobbin with the second unwinding material web of finite length; generating a trailing end of the first material web of finite length, in particular conveying the generated trailing end of the first material web of finite length in the conveying direction into a joining station; generating and / or conveying a leading end of the second material web of finite length in the conveying direction into the joining station; positioning the ends to be joined of the two material webs of finite length within the joining station.and joining the trailing end of the first material web of finite length with the leading end of the second material web of finite length by means of the joining station to form an endless material web usable for uninterrupted production, forming an overlap area, wherein the method is further developed in that the joining of the two ends of the metal-containing material webs of finite length takes place while both ends are stationary, wherein the process time for joining the two material webs of finite length while stationary is compensated by a loop buffer that stores the endless material web. Process time is stationary time. During the stationary time of the ends to be joined in the joining station, the formed endless material web is drawn from the loop buffer.to supply the subsequent process or downstream processing station with the material web. The loop buffer is filled during normal operation when the first material web unwinds from the first reel and is conveyed through the splicing station to the downstream processing station. The splicing process is initiated when the first reel runs empty or shortly before it does. During the splicing process, i.e., when at least the ends of both material webs to be joined are stationary, the loop buffer is emptied by supplying the downstream processing station with the continuous material web from the loop buffer. The loop buffer allows for the compensation of different transport speeds. In particular, the loop buffer serves to temporarily stop the overlap area, e.g., for the splicing operation.without affecting the overall operating speed of the downstream processing station(s).

[0042] Preferably, the ends to be joined are held in the joining station with their overlap area and joined together by electric welding and / or punching and / or folding and / or clinching and / or gluing. Particularly preferably, the free ends of the two metal-bearing material webs are firmly joined together in the overlap area at several connection points by means of electric welding.

[0043] Preferably, the continuous web of material formed in the splicing station is conveyed into the loop storage and, while the webs are stationary in the overlap area, conveyed from the loop storage to a downstream processing station. The downstream processing station is thus completely independent of the splicing process, ensuring both optimal conditions for the splicing process and a continuous supply of the continuous web of material to the downstream processing station.

[0044] The leading end of the second, endlessly long material web is advantageously positioned and held relative to the first, endlessly long material web and its trailing end by clamping and / or magnetism. Optionally, both ends or only one end, preferably the leading end of the second material web, can be positioned and held.

[0045] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that, after joining, the post-tensioning of the first continuous material web and / or the pre-tensioning of the second continuous material web are cut off from the formed continuous material web closely at the joint point of the overlap area, such that a pre-tension remnant and / or a post-tension remnant of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, and particularly preferably less than 2 mm, remains on the continuous material web. It is particularly advantageous that a joint with one or more connection points is created in the overlap area, which withstands a tensile force of at least 4 N.

[0046] Preferably, the drives of the bobbins and / or the material tension of the endless material web exiting the loop storage are controlled to ensure a trouble-free and precise joining process on the one hand and continuous processing on the other.

[0047] Preferably, the method is carried out with a device according to one or more of claims 1 to 16. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the device, and therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the relevant passages.

[0048] Further expedient and / or advantageous features and developments of the device and the method are described in the dependent claims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a detailed view of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a positioning device according to the invention for the apparatus according to Fig. 1, and Fig. 4a-f schematically show excerpts of various operating states of the device according to Fig. 1.

[0049] The in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The device shown in Figure 2 serves to provide an endless web of metal suitable for uninterrupted production, and to join two metal webs of finite length to form this endless web. The device can, of course, also be used to join two finite webs of other materials and material combinations.

[0050] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a device 10 designed and configured for joining two material webs A, B of finite length, each unwinding from a bobbin B1, B2, to form an endless material web C suitable for uninterrupted production. The device 10 comprises means 11 for supplying the first bobbin B1 with the first material web A of finite length and for supplying the second bobbin B2 with the second material web B of finite length, conveying means 12 for conveying the material webs A, B of finite length in conveying direction T1 and T2, respectively, into a joining station 14, and conveying means 13 for conveying the endless material web C formed therein in conveying direction T3 to a downstream processing station. In the present embodiment of the invention, the processing station is not part of the device (10) according to the invention and is therefore not explicitly shown in the drawings.

[0051] The device 10 further comprises the connecting station 14 for connecting the material webs A and B of finite length to form the endless material web C, namely a trailing end E1 of one of the two material webs A, B with a leading end E2 of the other of the two material webs B, A. In particular, the connecting station 14 according to the invention, shown by way of example, is designed and configured to connect both a trailing end E1 of the first material web A of finite length, which runs from the first bobbin B1, with a leading end E2 of the second material web B of finite length, which runs from the second bobbin B2, and also a trailing end E1 of the second material web B of finite length, which runs from the second bobbin B2, with a leading end E2 of the first material web A of finite length, which runs from the first bobbin B1.

[0052] This exemplary device 10 is characterized according to the invention in that the connecting station 14 with the positioning device 16 for connecting the two ends E1, E2 of the metal-containing material webs A, B is designed and equipped when the two ends E1, E2 are at rest and additionally a buffer storage unit designed as a loop storage unit 17 is provided, into which and from which the endless material web C formed in the connecting station 14 can be conveyed.

[0053] The features and further developments described below represent preferred embodiments, either individually or in combination. It is expressly pointed out that features summarized in the claims and / or the description and / or the figures, or described in a common embodiment, can also functionally and independently further develop the device 10 described above.

[0054] The means 11 for providing the bobbins B1 and B2 comprise two receiving mandrels 19, 20 for the bobbins B1, B2. The receiving mandrels 19, 20 are designed and configured for the detachable receiving of the bobbins B1, B2. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving mandrels 19, 20 are rotatably driven and are driven by means of a drive (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the two receiving mandrels 19, 20 are arranged stationary on a frame 21 of the device 10 according to the invention.

[0055] The two material webs A, B of finite length can be fed directly to the connecting station 14, for which suitable conveying means 12 are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the conveying means 12 are duplicated, namely one for the first material web A of finite length, which runs from the first bobbin B1 to the first receiving mandrel 19, and one for the second material web B of finite length, which runs from the second bobbin B2 to the receiving mandrel 20. The guide means 11 each have, in particular, compensating means for compensating, for example, the oscillatingly wound material webs A, B. The compensating means are designed as compensating rollers 25, which are directed in the direction of the Fig. The arrows shown in the diagram are movable, thus allowing the effective distance between receiving mandrels 19, 20, or more generally, between the means 11 for providing the bobbins and the connecting station 14, to be varied. In addition, infeed rollers 22 are provided to guide the material webs A, B, which run across the entire width of the bobbins B1, B2, onto a defined, predetermined plane parallel to the plane of representation. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Furthermore, guide rollers 22 are provided immediately in front of the connecting station 14 in order to always guide the material webs A, B into the connecting station 14 in the same and controlled manner, regardless of the current position of the compensating rollers 27.

[0056] In a modification of the illustrated example of a device 10 according to the invention, it is also conceivable to arrange the receiving mandrels on a rotary table and / or to design the conveying means 11 with a compensating element comprising a swivel plate. A corresponding embodiment for this, which in particular can replace the path guidance up to the connecting station 14 within the scope of the invention, is described in the German patent application with the official file number 10 2023 107 801.1 in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown and described on page 11, last paragraph, and page 12, last paragraph. The aforementioned modification of the invention may then include one or more features from the specified text passages.

[0057] The connecting station 14, like all other components, is arranged on the frame 21 and comprises a positioning device 15 for the first material web A and a second positioning device 16 for the second material web B. The positioning devices 15 and 16 are shown in the diagram by arrows. Fig. The positioning devices 15, 16 are movable in the direction shown and are designed as identical assemblies, i.e., as identical parts. One of the positioning devices 15, 16 is in Fig. 3 shown in detail.

[0058] The positioning devices 15, 16 serve individually to position the respective material web A, B of finite length and work together to connect the material webs A, B or their ends E1, E2 to be joined.

[0059] The positioning devices 15, 16 have guide means 166, between which a Fig. The target position 165 shown in 3 dashed lines results for the respective material web A, B.

[0060] Between the guide elements 166, the positioning devices 15, 16 each have magnets 161 to hold a material web A, B in the target position 165. The material web A, B, held by the magnets 161, can be moved along the target position 165 until the respective end E1, E2 is at a desired position in the positioning device 15, 16. For this purpose, for example, a compensating roller 27 or a reverse-running drive for a bobbin B1, B2 can be used. In this case, the corresponding components are also designed as retraction means within the meaning of the invention. Furthermore, one or more detection means designed as sensors 162 are provided to detect the end E1, E2 of the material web A, B.

[0061] After the material webs A, B have been correctly aligned in the respective positioning devices 15, 16, these can be assembled to position the material webs A, B of finite length suitable for joining. The guide elements 166 are designed to be form-compatible, ensuring that they interlock without collision when the positioning devices 15, 16 are brought close and aligned.

[0062] Furthermore, the positioning devices 15, 16 each have clamping means 163 to clamp the material webs A, B between the assembled positioning devices 15, 16 and thereby fix them in a positionally stable manner relative to each other.

[0063] To join the two metal-containing material webs, the positioning devices each have means 164 for electric welding, which in the example shown are designed as electrodes for spot welding. The means 164 for electric welding are designed and configured to create at least one weld spot, but preferably several, for example two, three, four, or five weld spots. For this purpose, a corresponding number of electrodes can be provided in the desired arrangement relative to each other. However, it is also conceivable to achieve the desired number and arrangement of weld spots with only one or a few electrodes by temporarily releasing the clamping means 163 and appropriately rearranging or aligning the material webs A, B within the positioning devices 15, 16 and thus relative to the electrodes 164.The welding points can be arranged side by side, one behind the other, or in preferably geometric patterns, in particular in triangles, squares, or pentagons. This results in the joining station 14 being designed and configured to produce a joint that can withstand a tensile force of at least 4 N.

[0064] Such a strong connection, capable of withstanding a tensile force of 4 N or more, can also be achieved using methods such as punching, folding, crimping, gluing, or the like. In variations of the invention not explicitly shown, such methods are, for example, also incorporated as components of the positioning devices 15, 16 or associated with the positioning devices 15, 16.

[0065] In addition to the positioning device 16, the joining station 14 comprises means 24 for cutting a pre-tension and / or means 25 for cutting a post-tension of the material webs A, B to be joined. The cutting means 24, 25 comprise at least two separate blades by means of which the pre-tension or the post-tension can be separated separately and independently of one another from the material webs A, B joined in the joining station 14 or from the material web C formed in the joining station 14. The blades are designed and configured for local separation of the pre-tension and / or the post-tension near the joining point, such that the remaining pre-tension and / or post-tension residues on the formed material web C in the area of ​​the joining point are less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, and particularly preferably less than 2 mm.

[0066] The cutting means 24, 25 can be arranged in the conveying direction immediately before or after the positioning devices 15, 16, as shown in the figures. However, it is also conceivable to arrange the cutting means 24, 25 directly on the positioning devices 15, 16, or to design the positioning devices 15, 16 with the cutting means 24, 25.

[0067] The endless material conveyor C formed in the connecting station 14 is guided after the connecting station 14 via a transfer roller 28 and then necessarily through the loop storage 17.

[0068] The transfer roller 28 is located along the in Fig. The 2nd direction indicated by arrows is movable perpendicular to the endless material track C. This allows the guidance of the endless material track C through and out of the connecting station 14 to be adjusted depending on whether the endless material track C is currently continuing the material track A of finite length from the bobbin B1 to the receiving mandrel 19 or continuing the material track B of finite length from the bobbin B2 to the receiving mandrel 20.

[0069] The depicted loop storage unit comprises a storage section 31 for receiving a finite quantity of the endless material web C. For this purpose, the endless material web C is wound around several guide rollers 33, some of which are movable up and down, in order to shorten or lengthen the storage section 31 of the endless material web C. Different transport speeds can be compensated for using the loop storage unit 17. In particular, however, the loop storage unit 17 serves to temporarily stop the two material webs A, B of finite lengths, or more precisely their ends E1 and E2, for the joining process, without affecting the overall process speed of the downstream processing station.

[0070] The illustrated device 10 comprises several dancer assemblies. Two first dancer assemblies 34 are arranged in the conveying direction upstream of the connecting station 14 and are designed and configured for controlling the drives of the bobbins. A further dancer 36, or further dancer assembly, is arranged downstream of the connecting station 14 in the conveying direction, preferably downstream of the loop accumulator 17, wherein the further dancer 36 is designed and configured for controlling the material tension of the material web C exiting the loop accumulator 17. This dancer 36 comprises several guide, deflection, and / or drive rollers 37 around which the endless material web C is guided. Additionally, a (not explicitly shown) tension winder is provided for picking up and disposing of the tension separated from the material web C from a bobbin core of the empty bobbin B1.

[0071] In a modified version not shown, the drives of the bobbins are controlled by a single dancer located between the connecting station 14 and the loop storage unit 17. Such a dancer is designed, for example, like the dancer 36 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0072] Preferably, the device 10 comprises a control unit (not explicitly shown) for controlling and / or regulating at least the connecting station 14 and the loop storage unit 17, and preferably also other components of the device 10. For this purpose, individual components of the device 10, and preferably all controllable components, are connected to the control unit. Preferably, the conveying means 12 for the material webs A, B, including the drives for the bobbins B1, B2 and the compensating rollers 27, the connecting station 14 with the positioning devices 15, 16, the means 161 for electric welding, and the detection means 162, as well as the loop storage unit 17 with the intermediate drive 32, are connected to the control unit via cables and / or wirelessly. The cutting means 24, 25 and the dancers 34, 36 are also connected to the control unit.

[0073] The following explains the intended functioning of the device 10 and the connecting station 14 according to the invention when joining the two material webs A and B of finite length. For this purpose, the following are described: Fig. Sections 4a to 4f each depict different stages of the intended joining process. These sections illustrate... Fig. 4a to 4f each the one in Fig. 2 The area of ​​the device 10 according to the invention is shown with a dashed outline.

[0074] At the beginning, as depicted in Fig. 4a, the endless material web C, for example, continues from the first bobbin B1 at the receiving mandrel 19, following the material web A. The transfer roller 28 is positioned accordingly for this purpose. The moving material web is indicated by arrows for the conveying direction T3 of the endless material web C and the conveying direction T1 of the material web A.

[0075] Positioning device 15 is in a waiting position next to the unwinding material web A, C and thus does not affect the unwinding material web A, C. The other positioning device 16 is located a considerable distance from the material web A, C in a loading position and is ready to receive a new material web B.

[0076] Before the material web A on the first reel B1 is exhausted, a second reel B2 with the second material web B is provided at the receiving mandrel 20, the material web B is guided to the positioning device 16, and the positioning device 16 is loaded with the material web B. This can be done manually by an operator or fully or partially automatically using suitable automation equipment.

[0077] In the positioning device 16, the material web B is held in the target position 165 between the lateral guide means 166, in particular by means of the magnets 161. Subsequently, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4b, a leading edge of the material web B is cut off by means of the means 25 for cutting a leading edge, thereby forming a well-defined leading end E2 of the material web B of finite length. Meanwhile, the endless material web C continues to unwind from the first bobbin B1 in continuation of the material web A, as shown in Figure 4b. Fig. 4b is shown.

[0078] When material web A on reel B1 is exhausted, the conveyance of material webs A and C is stopped by connecting station 14, and the endless material web C is temporarily withdrawn from loop storage 17. The trailing end E1 of material web A remains connected to reel B1 for the time being to keep material web A under controlled tension and thus in a controlled position.

[0079] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4c, the positioning device 16, with the leading end E2 of the material web B, is moved by the second bobbin B2 on the receiving mandrel 20 towards the positioning device 15, as indicated by the arrow in the illustration. The distance between bobbin B2 and the positioning device 16 increases, so that the leading end E2 of the material web B is retracted along the target position 165 in the positioning device 16. Furthermore, precise alignment of the end E2 of the material web B, supported by the sensors 162 of the positioning device 16, is possible by moving the compensating roller 27 in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0080] Next, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4d, the positioning devices 15 and 16 are fully assembled, and in this joining position, the material webs A and B of finite length are joined together. For this purpose, for example, the welding electrodes 164 of one or both positioning devices 15 and 16 are used. Subsequently, the excess tension of the material web A of finite length is cut or removed by means of the cutter 24. It is conceivable to retract the joined material webs slightly using a bobbin drive or one of the compensating rollers 27 to minimize the residual tension remaining on the endless material web C.

[0081] After the material webs A and B of finite length are joined, the positioning devices 15 and 16 are moved apart again, with at least the positioning device 16 being moved in the direction of the arrow shown. The conveying of the endless material web C through the joining station 14 can now be resumed, with the endless material web C now continuing from the second reel B2 to the receiving mandrel 20, following the path of material web B.

[0082] It remains, as in Fig. Figure 4e shows how to dispose of the detached tail of the first material web A. For this purpose, the tail is wound, for example, by reversing the corresponding bobbin drive onto the first bobbin B1 or otherwise disposed of from the device 10 according to the invention. In addition, the transfer roller 28 is moved so that the unwinding endless material web C is clearly guided by the positioning device 15.

[0083] The device 10 is now located, as shown in Fig. 4f, again in a way that Fig. 4a equivalent status, except that now the receiving mandrel 20 is occupied with the second bobbin B2 and the receiving mandrel 19 is ready for a new first bobbin B1 with a new material web A of finite length.

Claims

[1] Device (10) for providing an endless web of material (C) containing metal, usable for uninterrupted production, comprising a connecting station (14) for connecting two material webs (A, B) of finite length, each containing metal and running from a bobbin (B1, B2), to the endless material web (C), namely a trailing end (E1) of one of the two material webs (A, B) of finite length with a leading end (E2) of the other of the two material webs (B, A) of finite length, Means for providing the first bobbin (B1) with the first material web (A) of finite length and the second bobbin (B2) with the second material web (B) of finite length, Conveyor (12) for conveying the first material web (A) of finite length in the conveying direction (T1) and the second material web (B) of finite length in the conveying direction (T2) to the connecting station (14) and conveyor (13) for conveying the endless material web (C) formed in the connecting station (14) in the conveying direction (T3) to provide for a downstream processing station, characterized by , that the connecting station (14) for connecting the two ends (E1, E2) of the material webs (A, B) of finite length is designed and set up when the two ends (E1, E2) are at rest and the device (10) additionally includes a buffer storage (17) for the endless material web (C) formed in the connecting station (14), wherein the connecting station (14) comprises a first positioning device (15) for positioning the end to be joined (E1, E2) of the first material web (A) of finite length and a second positioning device (16) for positioning the end to be joined (E2, E1) of the second material web (B) of finite length. [2] Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first positioning device (15) and the second positioning device (16) cooperate to join the ends (E1, E2) of the two material webs (A, B) of finite length, wherein in particular the first positioning device (15) and / or the second positioning device (16) each comprise means for joining the two metal-containing material webs (A, B) of finite length, in particular means (24) for electric welding and / or punching and / or folding and / or clinching and / or gluing. [3] Device (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by, that the first positioning device (15) and the second positioning device (16) are movable relative to each other, in particular transversely to the material webs (A, B) of finite length, wherein in particular each of the positioning devices (15, 16) is movable into a waiting position in which the respective positioning device (15, 16) is without engagement with the material webs (A, B, C), into an engagement position in which the respective positioning device (15, 16) has the trailing end (E1) of one of the material webs (A, B) of finite length engaged, into a loading position for loading the respective positioning device (15, 16) with a leading end (E2) of one of the material webs (A, B) of finite length from one of the bobbins (B1, B2) and into a connecting position for connecting the two material webs (A, B) of finite length. [4] Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the first positioning device (15) and / or the second positioning device (16) comprises clamping means and / or magnets and / or other holding means for holding one of the ends (E1, E2) of one of the material webs (A, B) of finite length. [5] Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the first positioning device (15) and / or the second positioning device (16) comprises guide means for laterally guiding the respective material web (A, B) of finite length, wherein in particular the guide means of the first positioning device (15) and / or the guide means of the second positioning device (16) are designed to be form-compatible in such a way that an approach of the first positioning device (15) and the second positioning device (16) for joining the material webs (A, B) of finite length is made possible while simultaneously guiding the material webs (A, B) of finite length laterally. [6] Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the first positioning device (15) and / or the second positioning device (16) each comprise means for cutting a pre-tension and / or a post-tension of the respective material web (A, B) to be joined of finite length. [7] Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the first positioning device (15) and / or the second positioning device (16) comprises detection means for detecting the position of the respective end (E1, E2) of the respective material web (A, B) of finite length. [8] Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the first positioning device (15) and the second positioning device (16) are essentially identical in construction, in particular identical parts. [9] Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, that in the conveying direction (T1, T2) upstream of the connecting station, retraction means are arranged for the retraction of the first material web (A) of finite length against the conveying direction (T1) and / or for the retraction of the second material web (B) of finite length against the conveying direction (T2). [10] Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that in the conveying direction (T1, T2) in front of the connecting station (14) a compensating means (25) is arranged to compensate for an oblique discharge direction of the material webs (A, B) of finite length from the bobbins (B1, B2) to a bobbin axis. [11] Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized by, that the means for providing the bobbins comprise a first receiving mandrel (19) for the first bobbin (A) of finite length and a second receiving mandrel (20) for the second bobbin (B) of finite length, wherein in particular the first receiving mandrel (19) is always assigned to the first positioning device (15) and the second receiving mandrel (20) is always assigned to the second positioning device (16). [12] Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that in the conveying direction (T3) after the connecting station (14) a guide device is arranged by means of which a path guidance for the endless material web (C) in the area of ​​the connecting station (14) can be specified, in particular when the first positioning device (15) and / or the second positioning device (16) are each in their waiting position or their loading position. [13] Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized by, that the device (10) comprises a control device for controlling and / or regulating the connection station (14) and the buffer storage (17). [14] Connecting station (14), in particular for a device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, for connecting two metal-containing material webs (A, B) of finite length, namely a trailing end (E1) of one of the two material webs (A, B) of finite length with a leading end (E2) of the other of the two material webs (B, A) of finite length, characterized by, that the connecting station (14) is designed and set up for connecting the two ends (E1, E2) of the material webs (A, B) of finite length when the two ends (E1, E2) are stationary, and that the connecting station (14) comprises a first positioning device (15) for positioning the end (E1, E2) of the first material web (A) of finite length to be joined, and a second positioning device (16) for positioning the end (E2, E1) of the second material web (B) of finite length to be joined. [15] Interconnect station (14) according to claim 14, characterized by , that the connecting station (14) is further developed by the characterizing features of one or more of claims 2 to 8.

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