DEVICE AND METHOD FOR JOINING TWO MATERIAL STRIPS

Description

[0001] The innovation presented here concerns the technical field of applying (placing, gluing) sections of a material strip (material web) to individual paper or cardboard blanks (blanks) or another material web, in particular blanks for packaging.

[0002] The material strip, for example silicone paper, is continuously fed to a respective process, for example a production process for manufacturing packaging material, and is separated into sections there. The material strip is drawn off from a roll or similar for feeding to the respective process. When the material on the roll runs out, a new roll must be switched to. This also requires the material strip from the previously used roll to be joined to a material strip from the new roll. This means that two material strips must be joined, and the innovation presented here relates to a device and, furthermore, also to a method for joining two material strips in such a situation.

[0003] Devices for joining two strips of material are generally known per se. DE 697 07 920 T2 discloses a device for the continuous bonding of tapes. It is used to bond a running tape and a tape held in standby. The bonding elements are located in two modules that can move in opposite directions. Each module has movable adhesive carriers and a knife for cutting the tapes. The tapes are cut to size in an intermediate position, then the modules are moved to their end positions to apply the adhesive strips to the ends of the tapes and bond them. The modules are then returned to the intermediate position, and the offcuts are removed. Another device for joining two strips of material is known from US 2 987 108 A.

[0004] One object of the innovation presented here is to provide a further embodiment of a device for connecting two strips of material and, furthermore, to provide a method for operating such a device, thus a method for connecting two strips of material.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention with regard to the device by means of a device, referred to below as a splicer in accordance with the usual technical terminology, having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The device – the splicer – is designed and configured to join two strips of material, which will be referred to below as the first or old strip of material and the second or new strip of material. During joining, the new strip of material is connected to the old strip of material.

[0007] The splicer comprises a support surface over which the old material strip runs. The support surface includes an adhesive area. The two material strips are joined in the adhesive area. The splicer also comprises a clamping or holding finger on each side of the adhesive area—namely, on both sides of the adhesive area in the direction of runoff of the old material strip—that can be lowered onto the support surface. These two clamping or holding fingers are referred to as the roll-side clamping finger and the outlet-side clamping finger.

[0008] When the inactive, but activatable splicer is in operation, the old material strip runs under both then raised clamping fingers, namely between the support surface and the clamping fingers. As long as there is still a sufficient supply of the old material strip on a reel or similar containing the material from the old material strip to continue drawing off the old material strip to supply a process located downstream (relative to the direction of flow of the old material strip) of the splicer, the splicer is not activated, meaning no automatic measures are taken to join a new material strip to the old material strip, and the old material strip runs through the splicer toward the respective process.

[0009] To connect the new material strip to the old one, the new material strip is guided under the roller-side clamping finger and over the outfeed-side clamping finger. This guiding of the new material strip, sometimes referred to as threading, can be performed by an operator. The new material strip is then threaded manually. A threaded new material strip is a prerequisite for connecting the new material strip to the old one.

[0010] The old material strip runs underneath the threaded new material strip. The two material strips are in the same or at least essentially the same axial alignment in the bonding area, i.e. with parallel or at least essentially parallel edges, in parallel or at least essentially parallel planes. The two material strips are also located directly or at least essentially directly above one another in their respective planes in the bonding area, so that when the new material strip in the upper plane is lowered onto the old material strip in the lower plane, the new material strip covers the old material strip or at least essentially covers it.

[0011] When the splicer is operating and the new material strip is being spliced ​​to the old one, the feed of the old material strip is stopped (i.e., the old material strip is stationary) and both material strips are secured by the clamping fingers. The old material strip is secured by both clamping fingers, and the new material strip is secured by the roller-side clamping finger.

[0012] To join the new material strip to the old material strip, the splicer includes a first and a second stamping device, each of which includes a stamp that can be lowered onto the support surface. These two stamps are referred to as the first stamp and the second stamp for differentiation.

[0013] When operating the splicer and joining the two material strips, the first stamp, which is located in a position above the material strip and above the bonding area, can be lowered onto the fixed material strips and both material strips can be severed in the bonding area using a blade on the first stamp.

[0014] In other words: When the splicer is in operation, to join the two material strips, the first punch, positioned above the material strip and above the bonding area, is first lowered onto the fixed material strips, and both material strips are severed in the bonding area using the blade on the first punch. Separating the two material strips using the blade on the first punch results in the separation points being butt-to-butt. The end of the old material strip is later joined to the new material strip in this position. The resulting joint of the two material strips is a butt-to-butt joint.

[0015] The second punch can be moved into the position previously occupied by the first punch over the material strip and over the bonding area, and is moved into this position after the two material strips have been severed. Then, when the splicer is operating and the two material strips are joined, the second punch can be lowered onto the severed material strips. Using the second punch, an adhesive strip guided along the underside of the second punch can be pressed onto the sections of the material strip located in the bonding area. Finally, when the second punch is lowered further, the adhesive strip on both sides of the material strip can be severed using two blades on the second punch.In other words: When the splicer is in operation, in order to join the two material strips, after the two material strips have been severed using the first punch, the second punch is moved into the position previously occupied by the first punch above the adhesive area and the second punch positioned in this way is lowered onto the severed material strips and by means of the second punch, an adhesive strip guided along the underside of the second punch is first pressed onto the sections of the material strips located in the adhesive area and finally, by means of the second punch, the adhesive strip is severed on both sides of the material strips using two blades on the second punch as the second punch is lowered further.

[0016] Now the new material strip is connected to the old material strip, namely by means of the adhesive strip, and the section of the adhesive strip connecting the two material strips is cut off at the sides so that the cut edges of the adhesive strip are aligned or at least substantially aligned with the edge lines of the material strips.

[0017] The main advantage of the splicer proposed here is that the process of joining the two material strips can be automated. Another advantage is that the two material strips are joined end-to-end, creating a butt-to-end connection. This ensures that the spliced ​​joint cannot interfere with the subsequent use of the material strip on its way to further units, such as a lay-up head, and with the exception of a specific product. This prevents, for example, snagging or jamming of the spliced ​​joint.

[0018] In a method for operating such a device - such a splicer - i.e. a splicer with at least the features mentioned above, the following is provided for connecting a new material strip to an old material strip: The old material strip runs (at least initially) under both clamping fingers and below the threaded new material strip. Even when stopped later, the old material strip is located below both clamping fingers, i.e. between the support surface and the clamping fingers. The new material strip is guided under the roll-side clamping finger and above the outfeed-side clamping finger. To connect the two material strips, the flow of the old material strip is stopped and both material strips are held in place by the clamping fingers, the old material strip by both clamping fingers and the new material strip by the roll-side clamping finger. To secure the material strips in place by the clamping fingers, the clamping fingers are lowered onto the support surface.During the lowering process, the new material strip (at least in sections) is pressed down from its plane above the old material strip and pressed onto the old material strip. To join the two material strips, the first punch, positioned above the material strip and above the bonding area, is lowered onto the fixed material strips, and both material strips are severed in the bonding area using a blade on the first punch. After the two material strips have been severed, the second punch is moved into the position previously occupied by the first punch, above the material strip and above the bonding area.To join the two material strips, the second stamp, now positioned above the adhesive area and there above the material strip, is lowered onto the severed material strips and, using the second stamp, an adhesive strip guided along the underside of the second stamp is first pressed onto the sections of the material strips located in the adhesive area and finally, using the second stamp, the adhesive strip is severed on both sides of the material strips using two blades on the second stamp as the second stamp is lowered further.

[0019] It should be noted here that the splicer comprises three fundamentally independent functional units: means for securing the two material strips to the support surface, means for severing the material strips secured to the support surface, and finally means for pressing an adhesive strip onto the severed material strips, which optionally also results in the adhesive strip being cut laterally. In the innovation proposed here, the clamping fingers act as the means for securing the two material strips to the support surface. The clamping fingers and the or each means for their intended movement constitute a fixing functional unit. In the innovation proposed here, the first punch and the blade thereon act as the means for severing the material strips secured to the support surface.The first punch and its blade, as well as the or each means for the intended movement of the first punch, constitute a cutting functional unit. In the innovation proposed here, the second punch or the second punch and its blades act as the means for pressing the adhesive strip onto the severed material strips and, optionally, also for cutting the adhesive strip laterally. The second punch or the second punch and its blades, as well as the or each means for the intended movement of the second punch, constitute an adhesive functional unit. In principle, all of these functional units—fixing functional unit, cutting functional unit, and adhesive functional unit—are independent of one another. This meansIn a splicer, each of these functional units can be designed as described here and below and function as described here and below when connecting two strips of material, while one of the other functional units or both of the other functional units are designed differently than described here and below and function differently accordingly. Accordingly, based on the description of the innovation presented here, the definition of the splicer proposed here can also be limited to exactly one of the functional units mentioned or two of the functional units mentioned, without departing from the disclosure content of the description presented.In the following, it should therefore always be understood that a splicer necessarily comprises only exactly one of the functional units as described here and below, optionally comprises exactly two of the functional units as described here and below, and particularly preferably comprises all three functional units as described here and below.

[0020] To avoid unnecessary repetition, the following description states that features and details described in connection with the splicer (device) and any possible embodiments naturally also apply in connection with and for a method for operating such a splicer, and vice versa. Accordingly, the method can also be developed using individual or multiple method features that relate to method steps performed or executable by the splicer or by means of the splicer. Likewise, the splicer can be developed using physical means that are intended and / or configured / prepared to perform method steps provided within the framework of the method.

[0021] Advantageous embodiments of the innovation presented here are the subject matter of the subclaims. References used therein indicate the further development of the subject matter of the respective independent claim referred to in accordance with the features of the respective subclaim. They are not to be understood as a waiver of independent, objective protection for the feature combinations of the referenced subclaims. Furthermore, with regard to the interpretation of the claims, if a feature is further specified in a subordinate claim, it must be assumed that no such limitation exists in the respective preceding claims.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the splicer, a hold-down device is provided that can be lowered towards the support surface. The hold-down device is preferably a finger-like device similar to the clamping fingers and is aligned parallel to the clamping fingers. The hold-down device is located between the adhesive area and the outgoing-side clamping finger, as seen in the unwinding direction of the old material strip. The hold-down device serves to even better guide the new material strip over the adhesive area. If such a hold-down device is present, the new material strip is threaded / guided under the roll-side clamping finger, between the hold-down device and the outgoing-side clamping finger, and over the outgoing-side clamping finger. The new material strip therefore runs under the hold-down device and over the outgoing-side clamping finger.By means of the hold-down device, the threaded new material strip is guided over the bonding area parallel or at least essentially parallel to the old material strip located at a lower level. When the roller-side clamping finger and the hold-down device are lowered, the new material strip is pressed down onto the section of the old material strip in essentially the entire area between the roller-side clamping finger and the hold-down device. However, while the roller-side clamping finger is lowered completely onto the support surface, the hold-down device is not lowered completely onto the support surface, so that a section of the new material strip located between the hold-down device and the support surface is still movable (can still be pulled out between the hold-down device and the old material strip pressed onto the support surface by the outlet-side clamping finger).Nevertheless, pressing down the new material strip using the roller-side clamping finger on the one hand and the hold-down device on the other hand results in the gripped section of the new material strip resting partly on the old material strip and partly running closely over the new material strip. When the first punch is lowered, the blade there comes into contact with a new material strip that runs essentially horizontally, resulting in a clean cut at a defined location.

[0023] Preferably, the hold-down device can be lowered together with the downstream clamping finger and is lowered together when the downstream clamping finger is lowered. Particularly preferably, the hold-down device is connected to the downstream clamping finger, so that the downstream clamping finger and the hold-down device can be lowered together and are lowered together when the splicer is operating.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the splicer, it has a pulling device, and the free end of the new material strip, which is guided under the roller-side clamping finger and over the outlet-side clamping finger, can be fixed to the pulling device. By means of the pulling device, the end of the new material strip, which is guided under the roller-side clamping finger and over the outlet-side clamping finger, is pulled out of the area between the two clamping fingers after the two material strips (and thus also the new material strip) have been severed in the adhesive area. The pulling action ensures that only the ends of the material strips secured by the clamping fingers remain in the adhesive area, and that the adhesive strip can therefore be pressed onto the ends of the new material strip and the old material strip that are to be joined.

[0025] In one embodiment of a splicer with such a removal device, the removal device is movable along a guide, in particular a linear guide. Preferably, the removal device is spring-loaded and movable along the guide or linear guide. Particularly preferably, the guide, in particular in the form of a linear guide, is attached to the outer surface of the splicer. This means that the guide or linear guide extends along the outer surface of a housing or housing part of the splicer or along another surface of the splicer.

[0026] With a spring-loaded pull-off device, the free end of the new material strip is secured to the pull-off device against the spring force of a corresponding spring element, and the new material strip is tensioned between the roller-side clamping finger and the pull-off device due to the effect of the spring force. When the new material strip is severed, the pull-off device pulls it out of the area between the two clamping fingers under the effect of the spring force. To secure the end of the new material strip to the pull-off device, the device has a clamping device similar to a crocodile clip or similar.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the splicer, one side surface of the outfeed-side clamping finger, namely the side surface facing the roll-side clamping finger, is inclined in the outfeed direction. This inclination of the side surface ensures smooth removal of the severed end of the new material strip after the two material strips have been severed by the blade on the first punch. This is especially true when the severed end of the new material strip is removed using a spring-loaded removal device.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the splicer, the stamping devices, which comprise the stamps for severing the material webs and for pressing on the adhesive strip, are movable together, in particular along a corresponding guide, for example along a linear guide. The joint mobility of both stamping devices means that only one drive is required, thus simplifying the splicer's design. Particularly preferably, two linear drives arranged axially one behind the other act as the drive for the joint mobility of both stamping devices, in particular two pneumatic cylinders arranged axially one behind the other and acting as linear drives. Two linear drives arranged axially one behind the other have the advantage that no sensors are required to detect the position of the stamping devices during their movement.Using the two linear drives and the controlled maximum extension or retraction of one or both linear drives, at least three defined positions are achieved. Each of these positions can be reached as needed by controlling the respective linear drive(s) accordingly during splicing.

[0029] One aspect of the innovation proposed here is also a control device for controlling the splicer and for controlling the drives included in the splicer, wherein the control device operates according to the method as described here and below and, for this purpose, comprises means for implementing the method. The control device functions as a means for executing the method for operating the splicer as well as any possible embodiments of the method.

[0030] The method for operating the splicer and any possible embodiments are preferably implemented in the form of a control program (computer program) for automatic execution. A further aspect of the innovation proposed here is thus also a computer program with program code instructions executable by a computer, in particular a control device, with an implementation of the method proposed here and, if applicable,individual embodiments and a storage medium with such a control program (computer program), i.e. a computer program product with program code means, and finally also a control device, into the memory of which such a control program (computer program) can be loaded as a means for carrying out the method and its embodiments and can be executed by means of the control device and is loaded into this memory at least during operation of the splicer and is executed by means of the control device during operation of the splicer.

[0031] When process steps or process step sequences are described below ("moved," "lowered," "cut," "pressed," etc.), this refers to actions that occur during automatic execution of the respective process step under the control or due to the functionality of the control device, in particular due to the control program or under the control of the control program. Furthermore, any reference to an automatic process means that it is carried out under the control or due to the functionality of the control device, in particular due to the control program or under the control of the control program.

[0032] Instead of a control program with individual program code instructions, the method described here and below can also be implemented wholly or partially in the form of firmware or hardware. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that instead of implementing a method in software, it is always also possible to implement it wholly or partially in firmware, or in firmware and software, or in firmware and hardware. Therefore, for the description presented here, the terms control program and computer program should also include other implementation options, namely, in particular, an implementation at least partially in firmware and / or at least partially in firmware and software, or at least partially in firmware and hardware.

[0033] An exemplary embodiment of the innovation presented here is explained in more detail below using the drawing. Corresponding objects or elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0034] The exemplary embodiment is not to be understood as a limitation of the presented innovation. Rather, within the scope of the present disclosure, variations and modifications are also possible, which, for example, can be derived by combining or modifying individual features and method steps described in the general or specific description and contained in the claims and / or the drawings with regard to solving the problem by a person skilled in the art, and which, through combinable features, lead to a new subject matter or to new method steps or method step sequences.

[0035] It shows Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 show an embodiment of a device (splicer) intended for joining two material strips, Figure 5 shows a schematically simplified representation of the material strips to be joined and the adhesive strip provided for their connection, and Figure 6 shows a structogram with a schematically simplified representation of the process steps taking place when operating the splicer to join two material strips.

[0036] The representations in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 show an embodiment of the device 10 proposed here in different views, namely isometric ( Figure 1 , Figure 2 ) and in a first side view ( Figure 3 ) and a second side view ( Figure 4 ).

[0037] The device 10 is referred to below as a splicer 10 according to its function. The term "splicer" is commonly used in technical terminology. A German equivalent of this term is, for example, "Klebepresse" (glue press).

[0038] The splicer 10 comprises various movable components, which will be discussed first below before the description turns further to the function of the splicer 10. Each movable component is moved by means of at least one linear drive. Linear drives can be, in particular—but not exclusively—hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, linear motors, or threaded rod drives (generally: feed assemblies). Components of the Splicer 10

[0039] The splicer 10 comprises two punches 20, 22, which—merely for the sake of distinction—are referred to as the first or inner punch 20 and the second or outer punch 22. The two punches 20, 22 can be lowered and raised by means of a drive 24, 26, namely a drive 24, 26 in the form of a linear drive, i.e., they can be moved translationally in the vertical direction.

[0040] The drives 24, 26 are shown in the diagrams in a highly simplified schematic form, depicting only cuboid-shaped units and block arrows indicating the possible directions of movement. Suitable drives 24, 26 are known per se. This also applies to all other drives mentioned below.

[0041] The punches 20, 22—each punch 20, 22 individually—can be lowered toward a support surface 28 encompassed by the splicer 10 or associated with the splicer 10 (can be lowered toward the support surface 28) and can be raised in the opposite direction (can be raised in the opposite direction). Lowering toward the support surface 28 is achieved, for example, by means of a forward stroke of the linear drive, and raising in the opposite direction is achieved by means of a return stroke of the linear drive.

[0042] Each punch 20, 22, together with the linear drive 24, 26 provided for its vertical movement, forms a punching device. The two punching devices are referred to—also purely for the purpose of differentiation—as the first or inner punching device and the second or outer punching device.

[0043] The two stamping devices are also movable – individually or jointly – in the horizontal direction (specifically, transversely to the direction of movement of the stamps 20, 22). In this respect, the description continues on the basis of the exemplary embodiment shown. There, the two stamping devices are movable jointly in the horizontal direction. For this purpose, the splicer 10 comprises a guide 30 and a carrier 32 movable along the guide 30, wherein the two stamping devices are mounted on the carrier 32 and are themselves moved horizontally upon a horizontal movement of the carrier 32. A plate movable along the guide 30 functions as the carrier 32, for example. A drive 34 in the form of a linear drive is provided for moving the carrier 32 along the guide 30.

[0044] In an advantageous embodiment (not shown), the drive 34 comprises at least two individual linear drives arranged one behind the other in the axial direction (linear drives arranged one after the other in the axial direction). Such a drive 34 preferably comprises exactly two linear drives, in particular pneumatic cylinders (or hydraulic cylinders). As explained in the general description, at least three defined positions (horizontal positions) can be specifically approached by maximally extending or retracting the linear drives (forward or return stroke) without any other position sensors; three defined positions with the same stroke of the two linear drives, four defined positions with different strokes.

[0045] The splicer 10 further comprises two clamping fingers 40, 42. These are each translationally movable up and down, i.e., in the vertical direction, by means of a drive 41, 43 (clamping finger drive 41, 43) in the form of a linear drive or, alternatively, by means of a common drive in the form of a linear drive. This means that the clamping fingers 40, 42 can be lowered to the level of the support surface 28 or raised to a position above the level of the support surface 28 and at a distance from the support surface 28. The clamping fingers 40, 42, with their drive 41, 43 or their common drive, form a clamping finger device. Raising to a position above the level of the support surface 28 takes place, for example, by means of a forward stroke of the linear drive, and lowering to the level of the support surface 28 correspondingly by means of a return stroke of the linear drive.

[0046] A material strip 50 runs through the splicer 10. This material strip is drawn off from a roll (not shown in the figures) in a manner known per se. The material strip 50 is consumed over time, and before the end of the material strip 50 from its roll runs out, it must be joined to a new material strip 52 running off another roll (new roll), also not shown. The material strips 50, 52 are, for example, silicone paper.

[0047] Joining two material strips 50, 52 is also referred to as splicing in technical terminology. The device 10 proposed here—the splicer 10—creates such a connection during operation and is accordingly referred to as a splicer 10. The result of joining two material strips 50, 52 is a continuous material strip 50, 52, which at least temporarily encompasses both material strips 50, 52, namely a section of the old material strip 50 and an adjoining section of the new material strip 52.

[0048] To distinguish them, they are sometimes referred to as an old material strip 50 and a new material strip 52. When it comes to the position of the material strips 50, 52 when connecting them together (during splicing), they are sometimes referred to as a lower material strip 50 and an upper material strip 52.

[0049] The lower material strip 50 is the old material strip 50, i.e. the currently running material strip 50. The upper material strip 52 is the new material strip 52, i.e. the material strip 52 not yet used in the respective process.

[0050] However, it should be noted that this designation refers to the description of the situation during exactly one splicing process. After a splicing process, the new material strip 52 becomes the currently running material strip, and when this runs out and re-splicing is therefore necessary, this currently running material strip becomes the old material strip during the re-splicing process, to which a new material strip is connected. The use of the reference numbers within the scope of the description presented here therefore refers to exactly one splicing process. Furthermore, from the perspective of the respective process, the currently running material strip is a continuous material strip, and this can be - depending on the point in time - the old material strip 50 (before the splicing process) or the new material strip 52 (after the splicing process).For a certain period of time, the running-off material strip (after the splicing process) even comprises material from the old material strip 50 as well as material from the new material strip 52. This is taken into account in the description presented here by using both reference numbers (50, 52) when the material strip 50, 52 used in the respective process is designated and it is not important whether it is the old or the new material strip 50, 52.

[0051] It has been explained above that each stamp 20, 22 is movable in the vertical direction, the stamping devices are connected to each other in the horizontal direction (along the z-axis of the Figure 1shown coordinate system) and the clamping fingers 40, 42 are also movable in the vertical direction. It should be noted that these directions refer to the embodiment shown and its orientation shown there. However, the splicer 10 does not necessarily have to be installed in the orientation shown. The splicer 10 can, for example, be rotated about the y-axis shown in Figure 1. For example, rotated by 90°, so that the movement of the stamps 20, 22 described above as vertical actually takes place along the horizontal. The joint movement of the stamping devices then takes place accordingly in the vertical direction.This relativity of the directional information - and corresponding information such as "below", "above" or the like - must always be read along and accordingly the directional information used so far and also used below for a better understanding of the splicer 10 and its function according to the embodiment shown and its orientation should never be interpreted in a restrictive manner.

[0052] Joining two material strips 50, 52 is regularly necessary when a continuous material strip 50, 52 is required in a process and, as it is consumed, the remaining quantity of the currently used material strip 50 falls below a threshold value, i.e., when the currently used material strip 50 runs out. A new material strip 52 is then attached to the currently used material strip 50 (joining process, splicing)—usually glued—and in the process, the new material strip 52 replaces the previously used material strip 50. The new material strip 52 then becomes the currently used material strip, and when this runs out, another splicing process occurs, and so on.Splicing is therefore the joining of a currently used material strip 50 (a currently expiring material strip 50) with a new material strip 52, which after splicing becomes the currently used (expiring) material strip.

[0053] The representation in Figure 5 shows this schematically simplified. The material strips 50, 52 and a section of the adhesive strip 54 intended to connect them are shown transversely to the surface of the respective strips 50, 52, 54, so that they appear only as lines. Figure 4 The conditions shown correspond approximately to the course of strips 50, 52, 54, as shown in the illustrations in Figure 1 and Figure 3 - there, however, with the details of the splicer 10 - is shown.

[0054] To understand the joining process (splicing), it is also useful to distinguish between directions, namely an incoming or roll-side direction 56 on the one hand and an outgoing direction 58 on the other. When initially considered without the splicing process, the material strip 50 arrives from the direction in which its roll (spool, drum) is located (roll-side direction 56) and runs off in the opposite direction (outgoing direction 58). The material strip 50 runs off, for example, in the direction of a laying head or the like for placing, for example, sections of the material strip 50 onto blanks provided for this purpose. When considered including the splicing process, the location at which the two material strips 50, 52 are joined by means of the adhesive strip 54 also comes into play. This location is referred to as the connection point 60.Upstream of the connection point 60, the material strip 50 arrives from the roll-side direction 56. Downstream of the connection point 60, the material strip 50 runs off in the downstream direction 58. The splicing process

[0055] The joining of a running material strip 50 with a new material strip 52 is carried out - roughly speaking - by placing the beginning of the new material strip 52, i.e. the beginning of the material strip 52 that is then on top, on the running old material strip 50, which is on the bottom during splicing, and the two material strips 50, 52 are joined together in the region of the beginning of the upper material strip 52. The joining is carried out by means of an adhesive strip 54, which overlaps, transversely or at least substantially transversely to the running direction of the two material strips 50, 52, on the one hand, the beginning of the upper material strip 52 and, on the other hand, a part of the lower material strip 50. At the latest during or after the joining of the two material strips 50, 52, the lower material strip 50 is severed at the joining point 60 or upstream of the joining point 60.Immediately after the two material strips 50, 52 have been joined and the underlying material strip 50 has been severed, a continuous material strip 50, 52 is formed, which comprises the old material strip 50 downstream of the connection point 60 and the new material strip 52 upstream of the connection point 60.

[0056] By means of the device 10 proposed here - by means of the splicer 10 proposed here - the splicing process is automated.

[0057] The material strip 50, 52 runs over the support surface 28 and a new material strip 52 is joined to an old material strip 50 on the support surface 28. The joining takes place in an adhesive area 62 enclosed by the support surface 28.

[0058] The clamping fingers 40, 42 are located along the support surface 28 on both sides of the adhesive area 62. They are preferably oriented transversely or at least substantially transversely to the direction of the respective unwinding material strip 50 (at least oriented such that they can cover a material strip 50, 52 in its entire width or at least substantially in its entire width) and serve, among other things, to fix the respective unwinding material strip 50 during splicing.

[0059] To distinguish them according to their position along the unwinding material strip 50, the two clamping fingers 40, 42 are referred to as the roll-side clamping finger 40 and the downstream clamping finger 42. The roll-side clamping finger 40 is located in front of (upstream of) the adhesive area 62 with respect to the unwinding direction of the material strips 50, 52, and the downstream clamping finger 42 is located behind (downstream of) the adhesive area 62 with respect to the same unwinding direction. In the embodiment shown, a hold-down device 64 is located laterally on the downstream clamping finger 42 (on the side of the clamping finger 42 and along the clamping finger 42; on the side facing the roll-side clamping finger 40).The clamping fingers 40, 42 are referred to as clamping fingers 40, 42 because they have an elongated (finger-like) shape and protrude beyond the support surface 28 and thus beyond the area—similar to the boom of a crane over a construction site—in which the material strips 50, 52 run. The clamping fingers 40, 42, or at least one underside of the clamping fingers 40, 42, are parallel to the surface of the support surface 28.

[0060] At the beginning of the splicing process, i.e. while the running-off material strip 50 is still in use and there is still sufficient material on its roll for the further withdrawal of the material strip 50, the two punches 20, 22 are raised and the two clamping fingers 40, 42 are also raised so that the running-off material strip 50 runs under the clamping fingers 40, 42.

[0061] For splicing, a new material strip 52 is guided over the unwinding material strip 50 (old material strip 50) and parallel to the old material strip 50 along the support surface 28. The new material strip 52 is guided from its roll under the roll-side clamping finger 40. At the unwinding-side clamping finger 42, the material strip 52 is guided under the hold-down device 64 on the unwinding-side clamping finger 42 and over the unwinding-side clamping finger 42. The free end of the new material strip 52 is fixed to the splicer 10. This is referred to as the threaded new material strip 52. The fixing to the splicer 10 is described further below.

[0062] The raised punches 20, 22, the equally raised clamping fingers 40, 42, the material strip 50 running under the clamping fingers 40, 42 and the threaded new material strip 52 formed the initial state for the splicing.

[0063] For splicing, the unwinding material strip 50 is stopped. For this purpose, for example, the rotation of its drum is stopped. Optionally, a certain amount of the unwinding material strip 50 is stored in a buffer or the like downstream of the splicer 10 so that the respective process can continue even during splicing.

[0064] During splicing, the running material strip 50 is fixed on the support surface 28 by means of the two clamping fingers 40, 42 (the clamping fingers 40, 42 are lowered and press the material strip 50 onto the support surface 28 and the material strip 50 is clamped between the support surface 28 and each clamping finger 40, 42). When the running-off material strip 50 is fixed by means of the clamping fingers 40, 42, the new material strip 52 is also fixed on the support surface 28 by means of the roller-side clamping finger 40 (the lowered roller-side clamping finger 40 presses the new material strip 52 onto the support surface 28 and the new material strip 52 is clamped between the support surface 28 and the roller-side clamping finger 40 - more precisely: clamped between the support surface 28 and the running-off material strip 50 resting thereon and the roller-side clamping finger 40).Furthermore, when the downstream clamping finger 42 is lowered, the new material strip 52 is lowered toward the support surface 28 by means of the hold-down device 64 on the downstream clamping finger 42. However, the new material strip 52 is not fixed to the support surface 28 by means of the hold-down device 64 (the lower edge of the hold-down device 64 is higher than the lower edge of the downstream clamping finger 42).

[0065] Now the outgoing material strip 50—the old material strip 50—and the new material strip 52 are fixed to the support surface 28. The old material strip 50 is fixed by both clamping fingers 40, 42. The new material strip 52 is fixed only by the roll-side clamping finger 40. In other words: Both material strips 50, 52 are fixed by the roll-side clamping finger 40, and the old material strip 50 is also fixed by the outgoing-side clamping finger 42.

[0066] In this configuration (both material strips 50, 52 are fixed in the area of ​​the support surface 28), the actual joining of the material strips 50, 52 can begin. Up to now, the two material strips 50, 52 have overlapped in the area between the two clamping fingers 40, 42, i.e. in the adhesive area 62. Before joining the two material strips 50, 52, a piece must be cut off at least at the free end of the new material strip 52 so that one end of the new material strip 52 is directly in the adhesive area 62. This is done using one of the two punches 20, 22. The punch 20 that is effective in this respect is referred to below as the first punch 20 for the sake of distinction and can also be referred to as the cutting punch 20. For cutting, the first punch 20 is positioned over the adhesive area 62 by means of the drive 34 and is then lowered onto the adhesive area 62 by means of its own drive 24.The adhesive area 62 is a section of the support surface 28 and preferably contains an elastically compressible material, for example, an elastically compressible plastic. When the first punch 20 is lowered onto the adhesive area 62, a blade 70 located on the underside of the cutting punch 20 first comes into contact with the new material strip 52, presses it onto the old material strip 50, and presses both material strips 50, 52 onto the adhesive area 62, severing both material strips 50, 52—particularly upon further pressing into the elastically compressible material there. The first punch 20 is then raised back to its starting position (by means of its drive 24).

[0067] Two ends of each material strip 50, 52 are now located, at least temporarily, between the two clamping fingers 40, 42 and thus in the bonding area 62. These ends are designated as follows: The free end of the new material strip 52 guided between the hold-down device 64 and the outfeed-side clamping finger 42 is the outfeed-side end of the new material strip 52. The end of the new material strip 52 fixed between the roll-side clamping finger 40 and the support surface 28 is the roll-side end of the new material strip 52. The end of the old material strip 50 fixed between the outfeed-side clamping finger 42 and the support surface 28 is the outfeed-side end of the old material strip 50, and the end of the old material strip 52 fixed between the roll-side clamping finger 40 and the support surface 28 is the roll-side end of the old material strip 50.

[0068] The free end of the new material strip 52 on the outflow side is pulled out of the adhesive area 62 immediately after being severed. The roll-side end of the new material strip 52, on the other hand, is still fixed by means of the roll-side clamping finger 40 and thus remains on the old material strip 50 and in the adhesive area 62. The roll-side end of the old material strip 50 is also still fixed by means of the roll-side clamping finger 40 and thus also remains in the adhesive area 62. The outflow-side end of the old material strip 50 is also still fixed, namely by means of the outflow-side clamping finger 42 and thus also remains in the adhesive area 62. After the removal of the outflow-side end of the new material strip 52, three ends of the material strips 50, 52 are still located between the clamping fingers 40, 42 and are fixed by means of the clamping fingers 40, 42.The roll-side end of the old material strip 50 is located below the roll-side end of the new material strip 52 (in other words: the roll-side end of the new material strip 52 covers the roll-side end of the old material strip 50). All three ends of the material strips 50, 52 are abutted in the adhesive area 62 and, by resting directly or indirectly on the support surface 28, are essentially in the same plane.

[0069] Now, the roll-side end of the new material strip 52 can be connected to the outlet-side end of the old material strip 50. The adhesive strip 54 provided for this purpose is guided along the underside of the second stamp 22, and the second stamp 22 can accordingly also be referred to as an adhesive stamp. The free end of the adhesive strip 54 is fixed to the second stamp 22 by means of a clamping device (adhesive strip clamping device 72) in the form of a crocodile clip or the like, which is attached to the side of the second stamp 22.

[0070] To connect the two aforementioned ends of the material strips 50, 52, the second punch 22 is positioned over the adhesive area 62 by means of the drive 34 and lowered onto the adhesive area 62 by means of its own drive 26. During lowering, the section of the adhesive strip 54 located below the second punch 22 is pressed onto the material strips 50, 52, namely partly onto the roll-side end of the new material strip 52 and partly onto the outlet-side end of the old material strip 50, thereby connecting the ends of the material strips 50, 52. The overlap of the ends of the two material strips 50, 52 is preferably such that the section of the adhesive strip 54 covers approximately half of the roll-side end of the new material strip 52 and also approximately half of the outlet-side end of the old material strip 50, thus connecting the two ends.

[0071] After the section of adhesive strip 54 located under the second punch 22 has been placed onto the two ends of the material strips 50, 52, the second punch 22 is lowered further (by means of its drive 26) and the section of adhesive strip 54 is pressed firmly onto the ends of the material strips 50, 52. The second punch 22 is then lowered even further. Two parallel blades 74 located on the underside of the second punch 20 on both sides of the material strips 50, 52 come into contact with the adhesive strip 54, press it onto the adhesive area 62, and sever the adhesive strip 54 as it is lowered further—particularly as it is pressed into the elastically compressible material there. The roll-side end of the new material strip 52 and the outlet-side end of the old material strip 50 are now connected to one another with a short section of adhesive strip 54.The second punch 22 is then raised back to its starting position (by means of its drive 26). The distance between the two parallel blades 74 on the underside of the second punch 20 preferably corresponds to the width of the material strips.

[0072] After lifting the second punch 22 and lifting the clamping fingers 40, 42 (simultaneously or sequentially), the connection between the two material strips 50, 52 is released again and can be pulled through the splicer 10 according to the respective process. The new material strip 52 unwinds from its roll and becomes the unwinding material strip. A new roll is provided in place of the roll of the old material strip 50, so that during the next splicing process, the material from this new roll forms the new material strip, and so on.

[0073] A pull-off device 80 is provided to secure the threaded new material strip 52 to the splicer 10, and the threaded new material strip 52 is / is secured to the splicer 10 by means of the pull-off device 80. The pull-off device 80 is provided to secure the free end of the new material strip 52, which is guided under the roll-side clamping finger 40 and over the outfeed-side clamping finger 42, in the threaded state. Furthermore, the pull-off device 80 is provided to pull the end of the new material strip 52, which is guided under the roll-side clamping finger 40 and over the outfeed-side clamping finger 42, from the area between the two clamping fingers 40, 42 after the two material strips 50, 52 have been severed.This removal ensures that only the ends of the material strips 50, 52 secured by the clamping fingers 40, 42 remain in the adhesive area 62, and that the adhesive strip 54 can thus be pressed onto the ends of the new material strip 52 and the old material strip 50 to be joined. To secure the end of the new material strip 52 to the removal device 80, the latter has a clamping device (material strip clamping device 82) in the manner of a crocodile clip or the like.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment of the splicer 10, the pull-off device 80 is spring-loaded and movable along a linear guide (pulling device linear guide 84) in a manner not shown in detail, and the linear guide 84 is attached to the outer surface of the splicer 10. The free end of the new material strip 52 is fixed to the pull-off device 80 against the spring force of a corresponding spring element (coil tension spring, elastic band, rubber band, or the like), and the new material strip 52 is tensioned between the roller-side clamping finger 40 and the pull-off device 80 due to the effect of the spring force. When the new material strip 52 is severed, the pull-off device 80 pulls it out of the area between the two clamping fingers 40, 42 under the effect of the spring force.

[0075] To ensure the smoothest possible removal of the free end of the new material strip 52 after severing, in the illustrated embodiment of the splicer 10, one side surface of the outfeed-side clamping finger 42, namely the side surface facing the roll-side clamping finger 40, is inclined in the direction of removal. Further advantageously, in the illustrated embodiment (seen in the direction of the end of the new material strip 52 before severing), a deflection 86 is provided between the outfeed-side clamping finger 42 and the pull-off device 80, for example, at a lower end of the pull-off device linear guide 84, by means of which deflection the threaded end of the new material strip 52 is deflected from a horizontal or approximately horizontal direction into a vertical direction parallel to the orientation of the pull-off device linear guide 84. Control program 100

[0076] The representation in Figure 6shows, in the form of a schematically simplified structure diagram, the splicing process using the device 10 proposed here. The structure diagram is a simplified representation of a control program 100 with an implementation of a method for operating the splicer 10. The structure diagram represents the method in the form of a sequence of a plurality of method steps. Each method step or a systematically related group of method steps is shown in the form of a block: In an initial state 102, a new material strip 52 is threaded into the splicer 10 and the adhesive strip 54 is applied under the second punch 22. In the initial state 102 or to maintain the initial state 102, the punches 20, 22 and the clamping fingers 40, 42 (the outgoing-side clamping finger 42 together with the hold-down device 64) are or are raised - initial position of the punches 20, 22; Starting position of the clamping fingers 40, 42. In addition, orthe stamping devices are positioned so that the first stamp 20 is located above the material strips 50, 52 - starting position of the stamping devices.

[0077] A respective process, for example, a manufacturing process for packaging material, is in operation downstream of the splicer 10. The outgoing material strip 50 (active material strip 50) is drawn through the splicer 10 for this process, and a roll containing the material of the active material strip 50 is active (the roll is driven, for example, in particular by means of a motor).

[0078] The active material strip 50 runs in the splicer 10 under the two clamping fingers 40, 42 and under the hold-down device 64 along the downstream clamping finger 42. This is the lower material strip 50 or the material strip 50 in the lower level. A new material strip 52 is already threaded into the splicer 10, but is not pulled off in the process and is therefore the currently still passive material strip 52. This is guided in the splicer 10 under the roll-side clamping finger 42 and between the hold-down device 64 and the downstream clamping finger 42, and its free end is held in the pull-off device 80 by means of the material strip clamping device 82 there.

[0079] At the start 104 of the splicing process, the feed of the lower (active) material strip 50 is stopped. As soon as the lower material strip 50 no longer moves, for example because a motor driving its roll has stopped, the material strips 50, 52 are automatically fixed by means of the clamping fingers 40, 42 and in the area of ​​the support surface 28. The active (lower, no longer feed) material strip 50 is fixed by means of both clamping fingers 40, 42. The new (upper, passive) material strip 52 is fixed by means of the roll-side clamping finger 42 and lowered towards the support surface 28 by means of the hold-down device 64.

[0080] To cut 106 the fixed material strips 50, 52, the first punch 20 is lowered from its starting position toward the support surface 28, and the blade 70 attached to the underside of the punch 20 severs both material strips 50, 52. The discharge-side end of the new (upper, passive) material strip 52 that is released in the process is pulled out of the adhesive area 62 of the support surface 28 by means of the pull-off device 80. The first punch 20 then returns to its starting position.

[0081] In preparation 108 for joining the two material strips 50, 52, the two stamping devices are moved until the second stamp 22 is located above the material strips 50, 52. The adhesive strip 54 runs along the underside of the second stamp 22, transversely or at least substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the material strips 50, 52.

[0082] To connect 110 the two material strips 50, 52, the second punch 22 is lowered from its starting position toward the support surface 28 and onto the material strips 50, 52. The adhesive underside of the adhesive strip 54 comes into contact with the surface of the material strips 50, 52, namely the roll-side end of the new (upper, passive) material strip 52 and the outlet-side end of the old (lower, active) material strip 50 not covered by the new material strip 52, and thus connects them. As the second punch 22 is lowered even further, blades 74 attached to the underside of the second punch 22 come into contact with the adhesive strip 54 on both sides of the material strips 50, 52 and sever it as the second punch 22 is lowered even further. The second punch 22 then moves back to its starting position.

[0083] To release 112 the material strip 50, 52 resulting after the material strips 50, 52 have been joined, the clamping fingers 40, 42 are raised back to their original position. The old material strip 50 and the new material strip 52 are then no longer secured, and the resulting material strip 50, 52, which at least initially still comprises a portion of the old (previously active) material strip 50 and the adjoining new (previously passive) material strip 52, can be pulled through the splicer 10 and under the clamping fingers 40, 42 from the roll containing the material of the new material strip 52. The previous new material strip 52 is now the active material strip. The new active material strip can now be fed back into the respective process downstream of the splicer 10.

[0084] After a final setup 114 of the splicer 10, it is ready for a new splicing process when the currently active material strip is nearing its end. Setup 114 of the splicer 10 includes changing the roll, threading the new material strip 52, and applying the adhesive strip 54 under the second die 22.

[0085] To change the roll (replacing the roll containing the material of the old material strip 50 with a new roll), the remainder of the old material strip 50 on the roll side is removed from the area of ​​the splicer 10 (if necessary by manual intervention), and the roll from which the old material strip 50 was previously removed is replaced with a new roll. A material strip (manually) removed from this new roll is threaded into the splicer 10 above the unwinding material strip 50, 52. This is the new passive material strip. Similarly, the adhesive strip 54 under the stamp 22 is renewed by (manually) peeling it off the roll containing the material of the adhesive strip 54. Completion of these setup actions is confirmed by actuating a designated control element (e.g., by pressing a button). Upon this confirmation, the process begins again from the beginning, and the splicer 10 is returned to the initial state 102.When the material of the currently active material strip runs out, a new splice process is possible and optionally a new splice process is carried out automatically.

[0086] The individual process steps preferably run sequentially, starting from the initial state 102, and any substeps within a process step preferably also run sequentially—in the order described above. Deviating from a truly sequential process, individual temporal overlaps and thus a partially parallel process are possible. For example, the lowering of the second punch 22 during the joining 110 of the material strips 50, 52 can already begin while the punch devices are still being moved to prepare the joining of the two material strips 50, 52.

[0087] The control program 100 comprises program code instructions for implementing the method steps described above, is loaded into a memory 120 of a control device 122 for automatic operation of the splicer 10, and is executed by the control device 122 in a manner known per se during automatic operation of the splicer 10.

[0088] By controlling (activating or activating together with a direction specification) the corresponding drives 24, 26, 34, 41, 43, the control program 100 causes the raising and lowering of the stamps 20, 22, the positioning of one stamp 20, 22 over the bonding area 62, and the raising and lowering of the clamping fingers 40, 42. The control program 100 also determines the respective time of each such control. As a result, the control program 100 causes the splicing process to proceed automatically by means of the splicer 10.

[0089] Individual aspects of the description submitted here that are in the foreground can thus be briefly summarized as follows: A device 10 - splicer 10 - is specified for connecting a new material strip 52 to an old material strip 50. The splicer 10 comprises a support surface 28 over which the old material strip 50 runs, and this comprises an adhesive area 62.

[0090] In general, the splicer 10 proposed here comprises means for securing the two material strips 50, 52 to the support surface 28 or a securing functional unit, means for severing the material strips 50, 52 secured to the support surface 28 or a cutting functional unit, as well as means for pressing an adhesive strip 54 onto the severed material strips 50, 52 (and optionally for laterally cutting the adhesive strip 54) or an adhesive functional unit. In the described embodiment, the clamping fingers 40, 42 on both sides of the adhesive area 62 function as the means for securing the two material strips 50, 52 to the support surface 28 and as the securing functional unit. In the described embodiment, the first punch 20 and the blade 70 thereon function as the means for severing the material strips 50, 52 secured to the support surface 28 and as the cutting functional unit.In the described embodiment, the second stamp 22 and the blades 74 therein function as a means for pressing the adhesive strip 54 onto the severed material strips 50, 52 and for optionally cutting the adhesive strip 54 laterally and as an adhesive functional unit.

[0091] To join the two material strips 50, 52, the new material strip 52 is guided under the roll-side clamping finger 40 and over the outflow-side clamping finger 42, and the old material strip 50 is guided under both clamping fingers 40, 42 and below the new material strip 52, where it initially runs toward a process located downstream of the splicer 10. To join the two material strips 50, 52, the outflow of the old material strip 50 is stopped, and both material strips 50, 52 are fixed by means of the clamping fingers 40, 42 (in general: both material strips 50, 52 are fixed by means of the fixing function unit).

[0092] When connecting the two fixed material strips 50, 52, the first punch 20, which is located in a position above the material strips 50, 52 and above the adhesive area 62, is first lowered onto the fixed material strips 50, 52 and both material strips 50, 52 are severed in the adhesive area 62 by means of a blade 70 on the first punch 20 (in general: the fixed material strips 50, 52 are severed by means of the cutting function unit).

[0093] After the two material strips 50, 52 have been severed, the second punch 22 is moved into the position previously assumed by the first punch 20 over the material strips 50, 52 and over the adhesive area 62 to connect them, the second punch 22 is then lowered onto the severed material strips 50, 52 and, by means of the second punch 22, an adhesive strip 54 guided along the underside of the second punch 22 is first pressed onto the sections of the material strips 50, 52 located in the adhesive area 62 and, by means of the second punch 22, the adhesive strip 54 is finally severed on both sides of the material strips 50, 52 by means of two blades 74 on the second punch 22 as the second punch 22 is lowered further (in general: the fixed material strips 50, 52 are connected to one another by means of the adhesive function unit).

[0094] The splicer 10 thus comprises a fixing functional unit, a cutting functional unit and an adhesive functional unit, wherein, in order to connect the two material strips 50, 52, these can be fixed / fixed by means of the fixing functional unit, can be severed / severed by means of the cutting functional unit and can be connected / connected to one another by means of the adhesive functional unit. List of reference symbols

[0095] 10Device, Splicer 12-18(free) 20(first, inner) punch 22(second, outer) punch 24Drive (of punch 20) 26Drive (of punch 22) 28Support surface 30Guide (for carrier 32) 32Carrier (for punches 12, 14 and respective drives 24, 26) 34Drive (for moving carrier 32) 36, 38(free) 40Clamping finger, roll-side clamping finger 41Clamping finger drive; drive of roll-side clamping finger 40 42Clamping finger, pay-off-side clamping finger 43Clamping finger drive; Drive of the downstream clamping finger 42 44-48(free) 50Material strip, old material strip, active material strip, lower material strip 52Material strip, new material strip, passive material strip, upper material strip 54Adhesive strip 56Roll-side direction 58Outstream direction 60Connection point 62Adhesive area 64Holder 66, 68(free) 70Blade (on the first punch 20) 72Adhesive strip clamping device 74Blade (on the second punch 22) 76,78 (free) 80 Stripping device 82 Material strip clamping device 84 Guide, stripping device linear guide 86 Deflection 100 Control program 102 Initial state (process step or process step sequence) 104 Start (process step or process step sequence) 106 Cutting (process step or process step sequence) 108 Preparation (process step or process step sequence) 110 Connecting (process step or process step sequence) 112 Release (process step or process step sequence) 114 Setup (process step or process step sequence) 120 Memory 122 Control device,

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for connecting a new material strip (52) to an old material strip (50), wherein the apparatus (10) includes a support surface (28) across which the old material strip (50) runs, wherein the support surface (28) includes an adhesive bonding area (62), wherein on both sides of the adhesive bonding area (62) the apparatus (10) includes in each case a clamping finger (40, 42) that is lowerable onto the support surface (28), namely, a clamping finger (40) on the roller side and a clamping finger (42) on the discharge side, wherein to connect the new material strip (52) to the old material strip (50), the new material strip (52) is guided along below the clamping finger (40) on the roller side and above the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side, wherein during operation of the apparatus (10), the old material strip (50) runs off below both clamping fingers (40, 42) and below the new material strip (52), wherein during operation of the apparatus (10) and connection of the new material strip (52) to the old material strip (50), the discharge of the old material strip (50) is stopped and both material strips (50, 52) are fixed by means of the clamping fingers (40, 42), the old material strip (50) being fixed by means of both clamping fingers (40, 42), and the new material strip (52) being fixed by means of the clamping finger (40) on the roller side, wherein the apparatus (10) includes a first stamping device and a second stamping device (20, 24; 22, 26) which in each case include a stamp (20, 22) namely, a first stamp (20) and a second stamp (22), that is lowerable onto the support surface (28), wherein during operation of the apparatus (10) and connection of the two material strips (50, 52), the first stamp (20), which is in a position above the material strips (50, 52) and above the adhesive bonding area (62), is initially lowerable onto the fixed material strips (50, 52), and both material strips (50, 52) in the adhesive bonding area (62) are severable by means of a blade (70) at the first stamp (20), and wherein during operation of the apparatus (10) and connection of the two material strips (50, 52), after the two material strips (50, 52) are severed the second stamp (22) is movable into the position previously occupied by the first stamp (20), above the material strips (50, 52) and above the adhesive bonding area (62), the second stamp (22) is then lowerable onto the severed material strips (50, 52), and by means of the second stamp (22), an adhesive strip (54) that is guided along the bottom side of the second stamp (22) is initially pressable onto the sections of the material strips (50, 52) situated in the adhesive bonding area (62), and lastly, by means of the second stamp (22), upon further lowering of the second stamp (22) the adhesive strip (54) is severable on both sides of the material strips (50, 52) by means of two blades (74) at the second stamp (22).

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, including a hold-down element (64), between the adhesive bonding area (62) and the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side, that is lowerable toward the support surface (28), wherein to connect the new material strip (52) to the old material strip (50), the new material strip (52) is guided along below the clamping finger (40) on the roller side, between the hold-down element (64) and the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side, and above the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side.

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the hold-down element (64) is lowerable together with the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side.

4. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the hold-down element (64) is connected to the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side.

5. The apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, including a pull-off device (80), wherein the free end of the new material strip (52) that is guided along below the clamping finger (40) on the roller side and above the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side is fixable to the pull-off device (80).

6. The apparatus (10) according to claim 5, including a pull-off device (80) that is movable along a guide (84) with spring loading.

7. The apparatus (10) according to claim 6, including a guide (84) for the pull-off device (80) that is mounted on the outer surface of the apparatus (10).

8. The apparatus (10) according to claim 6, wherein a linear guide functions as the guide (84).

9. The apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, including a side face on the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side, which is inclined in the discharge direction.

10. The apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with stamping devices (20, 24; 22, 26) that are movable together.

11. The apparatus (10) according to claim 10, wherein the stamping devices (20, 24; 22, 26) are movable together along a linear guide, and wherein two linear drives situated axially one behind the other function as a drive for the shared movability of the two stamping devices (20, 24; 22, 26).

12. A method for operating an apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: to connect the new material strip (52) to the old material strip (50), the new material strip (52) is guided along below the clamping finger (40) on the roller side and above the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side, and the old material strip (50) runs off below both clamping fingers (40, 42) and below the new material strip (52), to connect the new material strip (52) to the old material strip (50), the discharge of the old material strip (50) is stopped and both material strips (50, 52) are fixed by means of the clamping fingers (40, 42), the old material strip (50) being fixed by means of both clamping fingers (40, 42), and the new material strip (52) being fixed by means of the clamping finger (40) on the roller side, to connect the two material strips (50, 52), the first stamp (20), which is in a position above the material strips (50, 52) and above the adhesive bonding area (62), is initially lowered onto the fixed material strips (50, 52), and both material strips (50, 52) are severed in the adhesive bonding area (62) by means of a blade (70) at the first stamp (20), and to connect the two material strips (50, 52), after the two material strips (50, 52) are severed the second stamp (22) is moved into the position previously occupied by the first stamp (20), above the material strips (50, 52) and above the adhesive bonding area (62), the second stamp (22) is then lowered onto the severed material strips (50, 52), and by means of the second stamp (22), an adhesive strip (54) that is guided along the bottom side of the second stamp (22) is initially pressed onto the sections of the material strips (50, 52) situated in the adhesive bonding area (62), and lastly, by means of the second stamp (22), upon further lowering of the second stamp (22) the adhesive strip (54) is severed on both sides of the material strips (50, 52) by means of two blades (74) at the second stamp (22).

13. The method according to claim 12 for operating an apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein to connect the new material strip (52) to the old material strip (50), the new material strip (52) is guided along below the clamping finger (40) on the roller side, between the hold-down element (64) and the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side, and above the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side.

14. The method according to claim 13 for operating an apparatus (10) according to claim 3, wherein the hold-down element (64) is lowered together with the clamping finger (42) on the discharge side.