Embossing device and embossing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for thermally treating, in particular embossing, a single-layer or multiple-layer product web (2) moving in a web running direction (3), wherein the product web (2) is heated by means of a product web heater (7) and is then deformed thermally, in particular embossed, by means of a suction device (8). The suction device (8) comprises a suction means (29) and a rotating hollow-cylindrical suction drum (28) with a circumferential-side perforation (38), wherein the moving product web (2) bears on the outer side against an open wrap-around region (41) of the suction drum (28), and the suction drum (28) is covered by at least one drum cover (43) of the suction device (8) subsequently in the web running direction (3) upstream and / or downstream of the wrap-around region (41).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Embossing device and embossing process

[0003] The invention relates to an embossing device and an embossing method together with a treatment system and use with the features in the preamble of the independent claims.

[0004] From DE 102007 043 543 A1 a method and a device for producing a structured nonwoven web are known, wherein the nonwoven web rests on the outside of a structural sleeve in a wrapping area and in the middle of which a nozzle bar is exposed to hot steam jets which press the web material into recesses in the structural sleeve.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to demonstrate an embossing technique which is improved in its efficiency and in its possible applications.

[0006] The invention solves this problem with the features in the independent claims.

[0007] The claimed embossing technology, ie the embossing device, the embossing process, the treatment plant and the uses have various advantages.

[0008] The embossing device is designed for a single-layer or multi-layer web of material that is moved in one web travel direction. The embossing device comprises a web heating system and a suction device for the moving web of material. The suction device can comprise a suction means and a rotating, hollow-cylindrical suction drum acted upon by the suction means, with a circumferential perforation and an exposed wrapping area for the moving web of material lying on the outside. The exposed wrapping area and the web of material lying thereon are preferably not covered on the outside and can be accessible from the outside, in particular to ambient air.

[0009] In one aspect of the invention, the suction device can have at least one drum cover on the suction drum upstream and / or downstream of the wrapping area in the web travel direction. Preferably, a drum cover is arranged upstream and downstream of the wrapping area. The at least one drum cover can be tightly connected to the periphery of the suction drum and, at its overlapping areas with the suction drum, can prevent ambient air from entering the periphery and the hollow interior of the suction drum. The flow and pressure conditions in the suction drum can thus be adjusted and controlled, or if necessary, regulated, in a particularly and efficiently manner.

[0010] The at least one drum cover is preferably arranged on the outside of the suction drum. It can also be arranged on the inside of the suction drum. The at least one drum cover is preferably arranged stationary. It can be adjustable as needed. The at least one drum cover can also have a heat-insulating effect. The at least one drum cover can be arranged on the suction drum areas between the wrapping area and the suction area.

[0011] The web heating and its components, as well as the suction device and its components, can be open-loop or closed-loop controllable and can be actuated by a control system of the embossing device. Furthermore, sensors can be present to detect the respective reference variables for control purposes. The interaction of the web heating and the suction device has a beneficial effect on the embossing process and ensures high efficiency of the embossing technology. The embossing device and the embossing process can be used not only for embossing a single-layer or multi-layer web, but also for laminating and / or thermoforming melt-resistant web materials and / or for coating a web moving in a web travel direction, as well as for other purposes. Furthermore, thermoforming can be used to intimately bond melt-resistant and meltable web materials of a multi-layer web.This can be achieved more intensively in the perforation areas through the interaction of web heating and applied suction pressure.

[0012] The material web can comprise a uniform material or different materials, in particular a material mixture. The material web can comprise a material that is elastically and / or plastically deformable under heat. In particular, it can be a meltable material. A multi-layer material web can contain material web layers made of the same or different materials. The material web can comprise, for example, a fibrous material, in particular a nonwoven web, and / or a film-like material, in particular made of plastic and / or metal. The fibrous material can comprise, for example, plastically deformable, in particular meltable, synthetic fibers and / or elastically deformable natural fibers. The fiber or film form is not mandatory. The material web can also comprise an artificial and / or natural material in another form, which is, for example, dissociated or bound. An artificial and / or natural material can also be used as an extract, e.g.Plant extract, may be present. The material web can have a different consistency. It can be air-permeable or airtight. The material density can vary. The material web can contain a loose or possibly pre-consolidated nonwoven fiber material. The fiber material can also be woven, knitted, or otherwise structured and possibly consolidated. A film-like material can be dense or perforated. The material web or a layer of the material web can also comprise a granulated and / or powdered and / or pasty and / or liquid material, for example.

[0013] There are various advantageous options for the design of the web heating and suction device, as well as the associated processes. These represent independent aspects of the invention. They can be combined in various ways. The claimed designs enable a compact and powerful design of the embossing device.

[0014] In a first further independent aspect of the invention, the web heating system can be designed to heat the web locally in a limited heating area with a heating medium, in particular a hot gas.

[0015] The embossing device for a single-layer or multi-layer web moving in a web travel direction can have a web heating system and a suction system for the moving web, wherein the suction system comprises a suction means and a rotating hollow-cylindrical suction drum acted upon by the suction means, having a circumferential perforation and an open wrapping area for the moving web lying on the outside here. The web heating system can be designed to heat the web locally in a limited heating area with a heating medium, in particular hot gas, wherein the heating area is arranged in the web travel direction at the beginning of the wrapping area, in particular in the first third of the wrapping area, preferably at a distance behind a first contact point between the web and the suction drum.

[0016] The heating medium can also be designed differently and can also comprise multiple components. The heating area can be the impact and effective area of ​​the heating medium emitted individually or multiple times by the web heating system on the web.

[0017] The heating zone can be located at the beginning of the wrapping zone in the direction of web travel. This allows the web to be brought to a desired process temperature quickly and precisely. The hot gas can be dry hot air, for example. The hot gas temperature can reach 500°C or more, preferably 600°C or more. The web and process temperatures can be within this range.

[0018] The local heating of the web at the beginning of the wrapping area has the advantage that the suction pressure acting on the moving web at the perforation in the heating area and in the subsequent part of the wrapping area has a strong deforming or embossing effect. This suction pressure can draw the web material, which is particularly easily deformable due to the heating, into the perforation and its openings and form it into the desired shape. Depending on the material of the web, the deformation can be elastic and / or plastic.

[0019] The suction pressure can also ensure a close bond between different web layers of a multi-layered web. This can, for example, involve a fusion bond between meltable and melt-resistant web layers. The heating area can be arranged in the aforementioned first third of the wrapping area. The heating area is preferably located a short distance behind a first contact point between the externally fed, moving web and the suction drum. Alternatively, the heating area can also begin at the aforementioned contact point.

[0020] The heating in the first third of the wrapping area is highly effective and interacts with the suction pressure applied to the perforation from within the hollow cylindrical suction drum. The locally limited heating area leaves sufficient space in the remaining wrapping area for the suction pressure to continue acting on the heated web under different ambient conditions. The spacing of the heating area from the first contact point has advantages in terms of the particularly good and releasable attachment of the web to the periphery of the suction drum. Depending on the web material, sticking of the web to the suction drum can be prevented.

[0021] The web fed from the outside of the suction drum may already be at a higher temperature than the ambient temperature. It can be fed from a thermobonding oven, for example. Web heating can bring the web to the preferred high web and process temperature. This can be done locally and within a small angular range of the wrapping area. Web heating can also quickly and efficiently heat lower-temperature webs. The heating area can be correspondingly larger for this purpose.

[0022] Highly efficient web heating, especially with hot gas, has advantages for the efficiency of a treatment system, which may include additional treatment devices in addition to an integrated embossing device. Efficient web heating enables high web speeds, which can reach up to 100 m / min and more. Other components of the treatment system, such as upstream and / or downstream treatment devices, can operate at correspondingly high web speeds, thus ensuring particularly high system performance and efficiency.

[0023] The suction drum, perforated around its circumference, can be designed to emboss the previously heated web by suctioning or sucking in and deforming the hot web material at the perforation in the wrapping area. The wrapping area can be open and can also be accessible to cooler ambient air, which has a lower temperature than the web and the hot gas. The preferably cooler ambient air can assist in the suction and deformation of the hot web material and can also flow through the web material if necessary. The ambient air can cool the deformed web material and can thereby fix the deformation.

[0024] Cooler ambient air also allows for control and limitation of heating of the suction drum and its perforated drum shell. Constructing the drum shell from a material with low heat conductivity, such as stainless steel, is advantageous in this regard. Overheating of the suction drum and sticking of the fabric to the drum shell can be avoided.

[0025] The exposed wrapping area of ​​the web at the periphery of the suction drum can preferably have a wrap angle (OC) of 90° or less. This is beneficial for the efficiency of the embossing technology and also for high web speeds. The web heating and the suction device can be arranged in a preferably open machine frame of the embossing device. This has advantages for the access of cool ambient air to the part of the wrapping area adjacent to the heating area.

[0026] The web heating system can comprise a blowing unit and a hot gas source connected thereto, e.g. a hot gas generator. The hot gas generator can, for example, generate a dry hot gas from ambient air. The hot gas generator can comprise a compressed gas generator, a downstream, preferably controllable or regulatable, heating device and a downstream hot gas line that can be connected to the blowing unit. The heating device can comprise one or more heating stages. In an advantageous embodiment, the heating device is designed as an electric heater. The heating device, in particular an electric heater, can bring the gas blown through under pressure by the compressed gas generator to the desired and aforementioned heating temperature. The compressed gas generator can be controllable or regulatable and can, for example, be designed as a fan. It can suck in ambient air and blow it through the heating device.The hot gas source can also be an upstream thermobonding oven or another hot gas source.

[0027] The blowing unit can be arranged on the suction drum. The blowing unit can comprise at least one blowing nozzle, which extends, for example, across the entire width or a partial width of the web and which emits a hot gas flow from its nozzle opening onto the outside of the web. This occurs in the aforementioned heating zone at the beginning of the wrapping zone. The at least one blowing nozzle can emit the hot gas flow, preferably radially or obliquely with an inclination in the web travel direction, onto the outside of the web and the suction drum. This is advantageous for the efficient heating of the moving web, particularly when it is moved at a high web travel speed of, for example, up to 100 m / min or more.

[0028] The at least one blowing nozzle can have a slot-like nozzle opening for the hot gas outlet. This can be designed as a continuous nozzle slot along its length. The nozzle slot can also be interrupted or segmented at certain points along its length. The length of the slot-like nozzle opening can be significantly greater than its width.

[0029] The nozzle opening is preferably oriented longitudinally perpendicular to the web extension or web travel direction. It can be oriented perpendicularly or diagonally to the web extension or web travel direction. In the heating area, the web can be exposed to the hot gas flow across its entire width or part of its width, either continuously or in specific locations. The length of the nozzle opening can be adapted to the web width.

[0030] The nozzle opening can have an adjustable nozzle width. The nozzle width essentially extends along the web length or web travel direction. The nozzle width can be adjusted, for example, to suit the conditions of the embossing process. By increasing the nozzle width, the width and volume of the emitted hot gas flow, and thus the amount of heat introduced into the web, can be increased as needed, particularly in response to increases in web travel speed.

[0031] By changing the nozzle width, the flow velocity of the hot gas stream can also be influenced. By reducing the nozzle width, a particularly fast and narrow hot gas stream can be created, similar to a continuous or partially interrupted jet stream. This can be used, for example, to perforate or punch holes in the material web in the exposed deformation area at the perforation of the suction drum. The blowing unit can also comprise several blowing nozzles, each of which can be set to different nozzle widths.

[0032] The length of the nozzle opening or its segments, for example, can also be changed. The volume and flow velocity of the hot gas flow can also be influenced.

[0033] The nozzle opening of the at least one blow nozzle can be arranged on the suction device, in particular on the suction drum, in the web travel direction at the beginning of the wrapping area, in particular in the first third of the wrapping area. This correlates with the aforementioned heating area. The nozzle opening can be arranged, for example, in a position angle range (ß) of 5° to 30° behind a first contact point between the web and the suction drum. In a multiple arrangement of blow nozzles, the plurality of nozzle openings are preferably arranged in this first third of the wrapping area.

[0034] The blow nozzle can be designed in different ways. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one blow nozzle comprises a preferably tubular distribution chamber and a transversely projecting nozzle head connected to the circumference. The nozzle head can have a narrowed nozzle channel, preferably adjustable in width. The nozzle head can be narrower than the width of the distribution chamber. It can, for example, be designed as a nozzle beak angled towards the web at the end. This allows the at least one blow nozzle to have a shape that tapers towards the nozzle opening arranged at the front of the nozzle channel. This is advantageous for arranging several blow nozzles on the suction drum in a confined space, if necessary. It also offers advantages for the desired orientation of the emitted hot gas flow onto the suction drum and the web of material lying there in the wrapping area.

[0035] The at least one blowing nozzle can be thermally insulated. This prevents heat loss and cooling of the hot gas flow. It also prevents or at least reduces the heating of the ambient air.

[0036] The blow-molding unit can comprise a nozzle support with an adjusting device designed to adjustably position and align the at least one blow-molding nozzle on the suction device, in particular on the suction drum. The position and alignment can be adapted to different process requirements and, if necessary, also to different web speeds. Furthermore, the distance of the nozzle opening of the at least one blow-molding nozzle from the web can be adjusted and adjusted as needed. Preferably, the nozzle opening is positioned at a minimum distance of 1-10 mm, particularly preferably 1-5 mm, from the web. Depending on the web material, contact between the nozzle opening and the web is also possible.

[0037] In a further aspect of the invention, the suction device can comprise the perforated and hollow cylindrical suction drum and a connected suction means which generates the suction pressure in the hollow suction drum.

[0038] The suction means can be connected to the suction drum in various ways. In a particularly advantageous and independently inventive embodiment, the suction means is connected to the suction drum along its circumference. A suction area is arranged on the casing of the suction drum. Alternatively, the suction means can be connected to the suction drum in another way, e.g., axially. The rotating suction drum can be driven in a controllable or adjustable manner. The suction means can also be designed to be controllable or adjustable.

[0039] The circumferential connection of the suction medium and the resulting jacketed suction system offer the advantage that the desired suction pressure in the hollow interior of the suction drum can be adjusted more effectively, precisely, and efficiently. The circumferential suction area can cover a larger area than an axial suction system. This has several advantages.

[0040] The suction drum can be designed more delicately and lightweight. The circumferential suction zone also offers advantages for cooling the drum shell and can complement the aforementioned advantage of the open wrap zone. The circumferential suction zone also enables a suction flow with a large volume and reduced flow velocities.

[0041] The circumferential suction zone can be positioned diametrically opposite the wrap zone with respect to the central axis of the suction drum. This is beneficial for generating a particularly effective and even suction pressure or negative pressure at the perforation of the suction drum in the wrap zone. The deformation effect at the perforation of the suction drum is particularly good.

[0042] The suction device can have a housing that encloses the suction drum on its circumference, except for the exposed wrapping area and the suction area. The suction means can have at least one vacuum generator and a suction shaft adjoining the suction area on the outside. The suction shaft can be formed in the housing. The suction means can be arranged laterally offset from the suction drum. The suction shaft can be aligned diagonally to the suction drum and designed at an angle. This is beneficial for the efficiency of the suction. The effective suction cross-sections of the suction shaft and the vacuum generator(s) can be optimized. A filter can be arranged in the suction shaft. This can retain particles sucked out of the web material and protect the one or more vacuum generators from contamination. The filter is easily accessible in the suction shaft and can be cleaned or replaced as needed.

[0043] At least one drum cover can be incorporated into the housing of the suction device. This is advantageous for structural reasons and also for possible thermal insulation. Another drum cover can be arranged, if necessary, in the heating area between several blowing nozzles. This prevents the ingress of ambient air and the cooling of the web.

[0044] At least one drum cover can be arranged so that it can be removed from the suction drum. This allows the housing to be opened at this area. This allows access to the suction drum and also allows its removal from the suction device. This can be used for maintenance purposes or for replacing the suction drum as needed, e.g., when changing the web material.

[0045] The cylindrical suction drum can comprise end walls, a hollow interior, and a drum shell with perforation. The perforation can comprise one or more radially continuous shell openings or shell perforations with a selectable edge contour. The drum shell can be single-layered, with the perforation and its shell openings formed in the shell material. This is particularly efficient and cost-effective. Alternatively, the drum shell can be multi-layered. It can, for example, comprise a perforated support shell and a structural shell arranged on the outside thereof and provided with the shaping perforation and its shell openings.

[0046] The suction device can include a controllable drum drive. This can be detachably connected to the suction drum via a coupling. The open coupling allows the suction drum to be removed and replaced at the suction device. Part of the drum bearing can also be located on the coupling.

[0047] The drum shell of the suction drum can be designed to be replaceable. The drum shell can comprise a flexible shell sheet which, in the operating position, is supported and held circumferentially by its longitudinal edges on the end walls of the suction drum. The shell sheet can be made of stainless steel, for example. A support ring made of another material, e.g. light metal, can be arranged on the longitudinal edges. The transverse edges of the shell sheet extending in the axial direction of the suction drum can be separably connected to one another at their joint by a detachable edge connection. This design is particularly suitable for a single-layer drum shell. The design has advantages for a lightweight and filigree design of the suction drum. This is beneficial for the kinematics and for the controllability or adjustability of the suction drum and its drum drive.

[0048] The suction device can comprise a support with an adjusting means, with which the suction device can be arranged in a machine frame of the embossing device in an adjustable, in particular height-adjustable manner. The suction device with the suction drum and the suction means can thus be adapted in its position, in particular its height, to different operating requirements.

[0049] The embossing device can have a preferably plate-like covering means for the moving web of material supplied from the outside, e.g., via a conveyor belt. The covering means can have a heat-insulating effect and can protect the web of material from undesirable flow influences. The covering means can be arranged upstream of the suction device, in particular the suction drum, in the direction of web travel.

[0050] The embossing device can have a sensor system for the web of material located upstream of the suction device in the web travel direction. The sensor system can, for example, include a temperature sensor that records the current temperature of the incoming web of material and reports it to a control system of the embossing device. This temperature can be used to control or regulate the web heating. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor system can include one or more other sensors.

[0051] The peripheral speed of the suction drum can be the same as or lower than the feed speed of the moving web. For a normal embossing process, it can be advantageous for the peripheral speed and feed speed to be equal. If the feed speed is lower than the peripheral speed, the web material can be accumulated at the first contact point and possibly, depending on the web material, even compressed. This can deliberately create transverse folds in the web. If the web comprises a largely loose and unconsolidated fiber material, this can be compressed during accumulation. This can sometimes result in at least a partial deflection of fibers aligned lengthwise into a transverse orientation.

[0052] The embossing device can have one or more deflection devices that can be arranged downstream of the suction drum. These can be, for example, rotating deflection rollers. This allows the web of material to be guided and, if necessary, driven within the machine frame. Several suction devices and blowing units can also be arranged within a machine frame. These can be supplied by a common or separate heating device.

[0053] The embossing device can comprise a feed device for the web of material that is arranged upstream of the suction devices in the web travel direction. The feed device can be formed, for example, by an endlessly rotating and controllably motor-driven feed belt. The fed web of material can rest on the upper run of this belt. Alternatively, the feed device can also be part of a pretreatment device arranged upstream of the embossing device. This can be, for example, a thermobonding oven or a web forming device. With a web forming device, a multi-layer web of material can be formed from several layers of material. The web forming device can, for example, comprise a coating device that is designed to apply an additional material to a layer of material of the web. The web forming device can comprise one or more layer dispensers, preferably for one layer of material each. A layer dispenser can, for example, be designed as a rotatable and controlled-driven reel.

[0054] The embossing device can have a rotating counter body with a perforation on the body shell. The perforation can be arranged between a blowing nozzle of the blowing unit and the suction drum. The web is located between the suction drum and the counter body. The hole pattern distributions of the perforation of the suction roller and the perforation of the counter body can correspond and can be aligned such that the hot gas flow emitted by the blowing nozzle penetrates the perforation and the perforation.

[0055] The through-holes of the counter-body perforation can be smaller in area than the outer perforations of the suction roll. This allows the hot air flow blown through the counter-body perforation to be narrowed like a nozzle, forming one or more sharp jets. These can be used, for example, to perforate the web material sucked in by the suction drum. The counter-body can be designed in various ways, e.g., as a rotating perforated belt or as a rotating cylindrical and perforated drum.

[0056] The claimed treatment system for treating a moving web of material can have the said embossing device in a single or multiple arrangement. It is possible to arrange several embossing devices one after the other in the direction of travel of the preferably common web of material. They can, for example, be connected in a row. They can be directly connected to one another or separated by intermediate station(s). Furthermore, it is possible to operate two or more embossing devices in parallel. A web of material can, for example, be divided into two or more parallel web strands, which are then fed to the parallel embossing devices.

[0057] The treatment system may further comprise one or more treatment devices upstream and / or downstream of the at least one embossing device. An upstream treatment device may be, for example, a thermobonding oven, a pre-consolidation device for the web, or the like. A downstream treatment device may comprise a cutting device, a winding device, or the like for the web.

[0058] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0059] The described and claimed device features of the embossing device and the treatment system can be advantageously used in the claimed embossing process. Conversely, the described and claimed process features can also be advantageously used in the claimed device(s).

[0060] The embossing technology according to the invention, ie the embossing device, the embossing method and the treatment system, can have the following further independent embodiments, which can be used individually or in combination.

[0061] The embossing device for a single-layer or multi-layer web of material moved in a web travel direction can have a web heating device and a suction device for the moving web of material, wherein the suction device comprises a suction means and a rotating hollow-cylindrical suction drum acted upon by the suction means, with a circumferential perforation and with an open wrapping area for the moving web of material lying on the outside here, and wherein the web heating device is designed to heat the web of material locally in a limited heating area with a heating medium, in particular hot gas, wherein the heating area is arranged in the web travel direction at the beginning of the wrapping area, in particular in the first third of the wrapping area, preferably at a distance behind a first contact point between the web of material and the suction drum.

[0062] The embossing device for a single-layer or multi-layer web of material moved in a web running direction can have a web heating device and a suction device for the moving web of material, wherein the suction device comprises a suction means and a rotating hollow-cylindrical suction drum acted upon thereby, with a circumferential perforation and with an open wrapping area for the moving web of material lying on the outside here, wherein the suction means is connected circumferentially to the suction drum and wherein a suction area is arranged on the jacket of the suction drum.

[0063] The treatment system for treating a web of material can comprise at least one or both of the aforementioned embossing devices for a web of material moving in a web running direction and one or more further treatment devices upstream and / or downstream of the embossing device.

[0064] The invention is illustrated schematically and by way of example in the drawings. In detail:

[0065] Figure 1: A perspective view of a

[0066] Embossing device with a machine frame, a web heating system and a suction device for a web not shown,

[0067] Figures 2 and 3: A front view and a top view of the embossing device of Figure 1 according to arrows II and III

[0068] Figure 4: A cutaway side view of the

[0069] Embossing device of Figure 1 according to arrow IV

[0070] Figure 5: An oblique bottom view of the

[0071] Embossing device according to arrow V of Figure 4,

[0072] Figure 6: A broken and enlarged

[0073] Section through the suction device and a blowing unit of the web heating,

[0074] Figure 7: A perspective view of the

[0075] Web heating and its components,

[0076] Figure 8: A perspective and sectioned

[0077] Side view of the blowing unit of Figure 4,

[0078] Figure 9: A perspective bottom view of the

[0079] Suction device from Figure 1 to 4,

[0080] Figure 10: A cutaway perspective

[0081] Side view of the suction device from Figures 1 to 4, Figure 11: A front view of the embossing device according to Figure 2, cut in the area of ​​the suction drum,

[0082] Figure 12: A side view of the suction drum,

[0083] Figure 13: A cutaway perspective

[0084] View of the suction drum in the installed position on the machine frame,

[0085] Figure 14: An exploded view of the

[0086] suction drum,

[0087] Figure 15: A perspective view of the

[0088] Machine frame of the embossing device,

[0089] Figure 16: A variant of the blowing unit on the

[0090] Figure 6 in a cutaway side view,

[0091] Figure 17: A broken and enlarged

[0092] Detailed view of the drum shell of the web and its deformations at the perforation of the suction drum,

[0093] Figure 18: A schematic representation of a

[0094] Treatment plant with at least one embossing device and further treatment devices and

[0095] Figure 19: A schematic representation of a variant of the

[0096] Embossing device with an upstream web-forming device for a multi-layer web. The invention relates to an embossing device (1) and an embossing method for a single-layer or multi-layer moving web, as well as to a treatment system equipped with the embossing device and other uses of the embossing device and the embossing method.

[0097] Figures 1 to 3 show the embossing device (1) in various views. Figure 4 shows a sectional side view.

[0098] The embossing device (1) is used to deform or emboss a single-layer or multi-layer web (2) under the influence of heat and suction pressure. The web (2) is moved in a web travel direction (3) as shown in Figure 4 and is fed to the embossing device (1) from the outside.

[0099] For this purpose, the embossing device (1) can have a feed device (4) shown in Figure 4. This comprises a feed frame (6) and a circulating and controlled-drive conveyor belt (5), on whose upper run the web of material (2) rests. The feed device (4) can be a component of the embossing device (1). In the embodiment shown, the feed device (4) is a component of a treatment device (60) arranged upstream in the web travel direction and designed, for example, as a thermobonding oven. The conveyor belt (5) can be the exiting oven belt.

[0100] The embossing device (1) comprises a web heater (7) and a suction device (8) for the moving web (2). In the illustrated embodiment, the web heater (7) and the suction device (8) are arranged in an open, frame-like machine base (9).

[0101] The suction device comprises a suction means (29) and a rotating, hollow-cylindrical suction drum (28) acted upon by the suction means, said suction drum having a circumferential perforation (38). The suction drum (28) has an open wrapping area (41) on its outer circumference for the moving web of material (2) lying on the outside. The web heating system (7) is designed to heat the web of material (2) locally in a limited heating area (26) using a heating medium, in particular hot gas.

[0102] As Figure 4 illustrates, the heating region (26) is arranged at the beginning of the wrapping region (41) in the web travel direction (3). The heating region (26) is shown in more detail in Figure 6. It is preferably arranged in the first third of the wrapping region (41). In the embodiment shown, it is located at a distance behind a first contact point (42) of the web (2) on the suction drum (28). The wrapping region (41) ends at a second contact point (42) at which the web (2) leaves the suction drum (28) and is removed. The machine frame (9) contains several downstream deflection means (56), in particular rotatable and optionally driven deflection rollers, over which the web (2) is then guided and optionally leaves the embossing device (1).

[0103] The suction drum (28), which is provided with the perforation (38) on its circumference, is designed to emboss and, if necessary, fix the web (2) resting in the wrapping area (41) and initially heated to a desired process temperature by suction or suction in and elastically and / or plastically deforming the hot web material at the perforation (38). In this case, ambient air, which has a lower temperature than the web (2) and the heating medium, can act on the outside of the wrapping area (41) and downstream of the heating area. The cooler ambient air can cool and fix the plastic embossed deformations (40) formed. Figure 17 illustrates the formation of elastic or plastic deformations, in particular embossed deformations (40), on the suction drum (28). Elastic deformations can be at least partially reversible.

[0104] The suction drum (28), for example, has a single-layer drum shell (36) as shown, which has a plurality of continuous shell openings (39) or shell perforations with a selectable shape of the opening edge. The shell openings (39) together form the perforation (38). In the hollow interior (34) of the rotating suction drum (28), a negative pressure or vacuum is created, which sucks the web of material (2) into the shell openings (39) and, in the process, deforms it into a bead with the outer contour predetermined by the opening edge. The deformation (40) under suction pressure can be assisted in the heating area (26) by the heating medium acting from the outside, in particular a hot gas flow (14). The ambient air can act in the other parts of the wrapping area (41). In the case of an air-permeable web material, the web (2) can be flowed through by the hot gas flow (14) and by the sucked-in ambient air.

[0105] Figure 7 illustrates the web heating (7) and its components.

[0106] The web heating system (7) has a hot gas source, which comprises, for example, a hot gas generator (11) and a blowing unit (10) connected thereto, which, according to Figures 4 and 6, directs the hot gas flow (14) onto the suction drum (28) and the web of material (2) lying thereon.

[0107] The hot gas generator (11) comprises a preferably controllable or regulatable compressed gas generator (23), a preferably controllable or regulatable heating device (24) arranged downstream in the direction of flow, and a subsequent hot gas line (27) for connection to the blowing unit (10). The compressed gas generator (23) is designed, for example, as a fan which draws in ambient air and blows it at increased pressure through the heating device (24). The heating device (24) is designed, for example, as an electric heater for the flowing compressed gas. It can comprise one or more heating stages, e.g. the two heating stages (25, 25') shown. The heating device (24) can be arranged on the upper side of the machine frame (9), with the downwardly directed hot gas line (27) being connected at the front to the blowing unit (10), which is preferably located on the bottom.

[0108] The heating device (24) is preferably controllable or adjustable. It can heat the supplied compressed gas, in particular the ambient air, to a high temperature of, for example, 500°C or more, in particular 600°C or more. Depending on the type of web (2) and process conditions, e.g., web travel speed, the hot gas temperature can also be lower.

[0109] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the design of the blowing unit (10). In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 15, this comprises a single blowing nozzle (12). Figure 16 shows a variant with a multiple arrangement of, for example, two blowing nozzles (12). The number of blowing nozzles (12) can also be higher.

[0110] The at least one blow nozzle (12) extends transversely across the width of the moving web (2). It can extend across the entire width or across part of the width. The blow nozzle (12) emits the hot gas flow (14) at its nozzle opening (13) and directs it externally onto the web (2) and the heating area (26). The flow can be aligned radially to the suction drum (28) as shown in Figures 4 and 6. It can also be aligned obliquely with an inclination in the direction of web travel (3).

[0111] In the preferred embodiment, the at least one blowing nozzle (12) comprises a tubular, e.g. hollow-cylindrical, distribution chamber (15), into which the hot gas is preferably fed axially from the hot gas line (27). Connected to the distribution chamber (15) on the circumference is a transversely projecting nozzle head (16), which has an internal, narrowed nozzle channel (17) that is preferably adjustable in width. The nozzle opening (13) is arranged at the end of the nozzle head. The nozzle head (16) is narrower than the width of the distribution chamber (15). The nozzle head (16) can be designed, for example, as a slender nozzle beak. This can preferably be angled at the free end towards the web of material (2). Figures 6 and 8 show this nozzle design. The blowing nozzle (12) therefore tapers from the distribution chamber (15) to the end nozzle opening (13).

[0112] The blowing nozzle (12) can have thermal insulation (18). This can be formed by several insulating means (19). On the one hand, the distribution chamber (15) can be surrounded circumferentially by a rounded insulating means (19), if necessary at a distance. Plate-like insulating means (19) can be connected to this, extending to the front end of the nozzle head (16) and leaving the nozzle opening (13) free.

[0113] In the illustrated embodiments, the nozzle opening (13) is designed as a continuous nozzle slot. In another embodiment not shown, local interruptions can be arranged in the nozzle opening (13), forming a segmented nozzle slot. With a continuous nozzle slot, the material web (2) is continuously exposed to the air flow across its exposed width. With a segmented nozzle opening (13), the air flow is applied to specific areas, with the material web (2) receiving no air flow or receiving less air flow in the area of ​​the interruptions and thus being heated to a correspondingly lower degree.

[0114] The blowing unit (10) comprises, according to Figure 8, a nozzle support (20) with an adjusting device (21). With the adjustable nozzle support (20), the at least one blowing nozzle (12) can be positioned and aligned on the suction drum (28) in the desired manner. The adjusting device (21) can comprise a carriage (22) which has an upright arm, at the upper free end of which the at least one blowing nozzle (12) is arranged in an adjustable, in particular pivotable, manner. The carriage (22) can in turn be mounted on a guide track of the

[0115] The adjusting device (21) can be arranged so as to be adjustable on the machine frame (9) or another guide. The adjusting device (21) can comprise manually operable or driven or controllable adjusting means.

[0116] The nozzle support (20) allows the at least one blowing nozzle (12) with its nozzle opening (14) to be brought closer to the suction drum (28) and the supporting web (2) in a translational manner and to be aligned rotationally. The nozzle opening (13) can preferably be positioned at a minimal distance from the web (2), e.g., 1-10 mm, preferably 1-5 mm. With sufficiently robust web materials, the nozzle opening can also be positioned with contact with the web (2).

[0117] As Figure 6 illustrates, the nozzle opening (13) on the suction drum (28) can be arranged and positioned at the beginning and preferably in the first third of the wrapping area (41) in the web travel direction (3). The positioning can be carried out at a distance from the first contact point (42) in the web travel direction (3). The nozzle opening (13) is preferably arranged in a position angle range (ß) of 5° to 30° behind the first contact point (42).

[0118] In the embodiment shown, the web of material (2) is fed along the underside of the suction drum (28) and, for example, horizontally. The first contact point (42) is located vertically below the central drum axis (30). The small arc angle of, for example, 5° shown in Figure 6 determines the said distance. The hot gas flow (14) emitted by the at least one blowing nozzle (12) acts on the web of material (2) within the position angle range (ß). Compared to the position shown in Figure 6, the nozzle opening (13) and the hot gas flow (14) can be changed within the position angle range (ß). The heating region (26) acted upon by the hot gas flow (14) is also located within this position angle range (ß).

[0119] Figure 6 also illustrates the wrap area (41) between the contact points (42). The wrap angle (0°) or the arc angle between the contact points (42) is preferably 90° or less.

[0120] The suction device (8) is shown in more detail in Figures 4, 6, 9 and 10. It comprises the circumferentially perforated suction drum (28) and a suction means (29) connected to it, which generates the suction pressure in the hollow interior (34) of the suction drum (28). The suction means (29) is circumferentially connected to the suction drum (28), with a suction area (45) being arranged on the casing of the suction drum (28). The suction device (8) comprises a housing (44) which preferably tightly encloses the suction drum (28) on the circumference except for the respectively exposed wrapping area (41) and the suction area (45). The circumferential suction area (45) and the wrapping area (41) are located diametrically opposite one another with respect to the central drum axis (30). The suction means comprises one or more vacuum generators (48) and a suction shaft (46) which is jointly acted upon by these and which is connected to the outside of the suction area (45).The vacuum generators (48) generate an extraction flow, indicated by arrows, at the extraction area (45) and in the suction shaft (46). The suction shaft (46) is formed in the housing (44). The extraction area (45) and the suction shaft opening located there can cover an arc angle of approximately 90° on the suction drum (28). A replaceable filter (47) can be installed in the suction shaft (46) perpendicular to the shaft extension.

[0121] As Figures 4 and 9 illustrate, the suction shaft (46) is arranged at an angle and opens into the one or more vacuum generators (48). These are arranged, for example, laterally offset next to the suction drum (28) on the housing (44). In the embodiment shown, with a web of material (2) fed in from the underside of the drum, the suction shaft (46) extends diagonally upward, and the laterally offset one or more vacuum generators (48) are vertically aligned. The one or more vacuum generators (48) are preferably controllable or adjustable.

[0122] The suction device (8) comprises at least one preferably external and stationary drum cover (43) on the suction drum (48). The at least one drum cover (43) can be adjustable. In the embodiment shown, two drum covers (43) are provided, which are arranged on the suction drum regions between the wrapping region (41) and the suction region (45). The drum covers (43) have a wall that is preferably curved concentrically to the drum axis (30), is arranged close to the suction drum casing and, in their overlapping region, prevents the access of ambient air to the suction drum (28) and its interior (34). The drum covers (43) each extend to adjacent contact points (42) or end a slight distance in front of them.

[0123] At least one drum cover (43) can be arranged and / or configured to be adjustable. It can, in particular, be formed in the housing (44). As illustrated in Figure 6 in dashed lines, the upper drum cover (43), for example, can be arranged with its housing portion pivotably on the remaining stationary part of the housing (44). It can be opened and removed from the suction drum (28). The suction drum (28) is thus freely accessible from the side and can be serviced or removed.

[0124] In the embodiment of Figure 16, the blowing unit (10) comprises, for example, two blowing nozzles (12) arranged at the beginning of the wrapping area (41). A further drum cover (43') can be arranged between their nozzle openings (13). This can, for example, have a closed wall and thermal insulation. This prevents external ambient air from entering the web (2) in this area and prevents cooling of the web in this area.

[0125] The design with multiple blowing nozzles (12) enables increased introduction of heat energy through multiple hot gas streams (14) into the web (2) in the heating area (26). This can be used to heat a relatively cool web (2) to the desired process temperature.

[0126] On the other hand, the multiple arrangement of blow nozzles (12) is also advantageous in order to introduce sufficient heat energy into a web (2) with a high web speed. As Figures 4 to 6 illustrate, the suction device

[0127] (8) A cover (43) may be arranged upstream in the web travel direction (3), which covers the supplied web of material (2), e.g., from above, and may have a heat-insulating design. The web of material (2) may be located on the said conveyor belt (5).

[0128] A sensor system (54) can be connected upstream of the suction device (8), in particular the suction drum (28), in the web travel direction (3). This sensor system can be located between the cover (53) and the housing (44) or the lower drum cover (43). The sensor system (54) can, for example, comprise one or more sensors. One or more of these sensors can be designed as temperature sensors. They can record the current temperature of the moving web (2). The embossing device (1) and its components, in particular the web heating system (7), can be controlled and, if necessary, regulated according to this current temperature.

[0129] The suction device (28) can be rigidly mounted on the machine frame

[0130] (9). Figures 1 to 5 show an adjustable arrangement. The suction device (8) with the suction drum (28) and the suction means (29) is accommodated in a support (49) which can be adjusted uniaxially or multiaxially, e.g., uniaxially in height.

[0131] The support (49) comprises, for example, a support frame (51) to which the housing (44) and the suction means (29), as well as the cover (53), are fastened. The rotating suction drum (28) is also rotatably mounted on the support frame (51) via drum bearings (33). The position of the support frame (51) can be adjusted by means of an adjusting means (50). The adjusting means (50) comprises, for example, a controllable actuator on the upper side of the machine frame (9) and lifting spindles acted upon by the latter, which are connected to the support frame (51) and adjust the height of the latter, together with the suction device (8), relative to the machine frame (9). The support frame (51) can be guided on the machine frame (9) by means of, for example, slide-like guides.

[0132] The suction drum (28) can be designed in different ways.

[0133] Figures 9 to 14 show a preferred embodiment. The hollow-cylindrical suction drum (28) comprises end walls (35), a hollow interior (34), and a preferably single-layer drum shell (36) with the aforementioned perforation (38). Furthermore, the suction drum (28) can comprise a central drum axis (30). This axis can be rod-like or tubular and can connect and support the end walls (35). The suction drum (28) also has drum bearings (33) at both ends.

[0134] The suction device (8) preferably has a controllable drum drive (31). This can be connected directly, fixedly, or preferably detachably, to the suction drum (28) by means of a coupling (32). The drum drive (31) comprises a controllable or adjustable drive motor and, if appropriate, a downstream gear. The drum drive (31) is connected to the coupling (32), which is designed, for example, as a claw coupling. The coupling (32) can also be connected to one of the drum bearings (33). The drum drive (31) is mounted on the machine frame (9) or on the adjustable support (49).

[0135] By manually or remotely opening the clutch (32), the drive connection to the suction drum (28) can be released. The suction drum (28) can then be removed and replaced if necessary. A plug-in design of the drum bearing(s) (33) facilitates disassembly and assembly. The upper drum cover (43) is opened as described above.

[0136] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate a preferred design of the suction drum (28) and its preferably single-layer drum shell (36). This design facilitates quick and easy replacement of the drum shell (36).

[0137] The drum shell (36) comprises a flexible shell sheet (36') which, in the operating position shown in Figure 13, is supported and held circumferentially by its longitudinal edges or circumferential edges on the end walls (35) of the suction drum (28). The transverse edges of the shell sheet (36), which run in the axial direction, are connected to one another at their abutment point by a detachable edge connection (37), e.g., an adhesive bond, which can be separated if necessary. The shell sheet (36') can be made of a material with low heat conductivity, e.g., stainless steel. The perforation (38) described above is arranged in the shell sheet (36').

[0138] The sheath blade (36') may have a circular support ring (36") on its longitudinal edges. This may be made of light metal, for example. The support ring (36") may be used to fasten it to the end walls (35).

[0139] Figure 15 illustrates the above-described machine frame (9) in a separate view, with the support (49) for the suction device (8) and the covering means (53), as well as the sensor system (54). The open machine frame (9), for example, can comprise a portal frame (54). This can be supported on the optionally inserted feed frame (6).

[0140] The embossing device (1) can be present individually or in multiple units. As shown in Figure 18, it can be part of a treatment system (69), which can comprise further treatment devices for the web of material (2) upstream and / or downstream of the embossing device(s) (1). A pretreatment device (60) upstream in the web travel direction (3) can be, for example, the aforementioned thermobonding oven. Another upstream treatment device can also be a web forming device (62) explained below. A downstream treatment device (68) can, for example, be a further treatment device in the form of a cutting device, a winding device, or a further processing device for the web of material (2). The web of material (2) can, for example, be used for the production of an absorbent diaper material and can be combined with other diaper components in the further processing device.

[0141] It is also possible, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 18, to arrange several embossing devices (1) one after the other in the web travel direction (3). The embossing devices (1) can act on the passing web (2) all together or only partially, and, for example, selectively. This is advantageous, for example, for the stepwise formation of a complex web (2) with a large number of web layers and / or with very different web layers.

[0142] Figure 19 shows an example of a web forming device (62) with which a web (2) can be formed from several, e.g. three, web layers (63, 64, 65). The web layers (63, 64, 65) are fed, for example, from a layer dispenser (66), e.g. a web reel driven in a controlled, rotating manner. The web layers (63, 64, 65) can be brought together before or at the embossing device (1). This can take place, for example, at the first contact point (42) or in the web travel direction before this contact point (42). The web layers (63, 64, 65) can consist of the same or different materials. They can also consist of a carrier tape with an applied coating, e.g. a fiber layer of meltblown fibers or spunbond fibers and possibly other components. Figure 19 shows, by way of example, the arrangement of a coating device (67) on a web layer (64) for applying such additional material to a carrier belt.

[0143] The web layers (63, 64, 65) can comprise the different materials mentioned above, which are, for example, elastically or plastically deformable and, if necessary, meltable. A web layer made of, for example, only elastically deformable material can be joined on the top and / or bottom side with another web layer made of a plastically deformable, in particular meltable, material and can be formed by the embossing device.

[0144] (1) are firmly connected under heat and suction pressure.

[0145] In another embodiment, a different coating material, which consists, for example, of a melt powder or a functional powder, can be applied to a web layer (63, 64, 65). A melt powder can be melted, for example, during embossing and heating and can then intimately bond the web layers to one another, for example by means of melt bonding. In this case, web layers made of meltable or at least plastically deformable synthetic fibers, in particular made of polyester or other plastics, can be bonded to another web layer made of natural fibers. Such natural fibers can comprise textile fibers, such as cotton or the like, and also lignin fibers, e.g. wood fibers or cellulose fibers.The perforation (38) of the suction drum (28) and the interaction of a heating medium, in particular a hot gas flow, and an internal negative pressure or suction pressure of the suction drum (28) applied to the perforation can promote a point-by-point connection of the web layers.

[0146] Figure 19 also illustrates further possible variations of the embossing device (1), which can be used individually or in combination with each other or with or without the web forming device (62).

[0147] The embossing device (1) can, for example, have a preferably rotating, moving and, for example, controlled-driven counter-body (57) with a flow-permeable perforation (58) on the body shell. The counter-body (57) can be arranged opposite the suction drum (28) in the heating area. The counter-body (57) can contact the web of material (2) lying against the suction drum (28) in the looping area (41) or can be slightly spaced from it. The flow-permeable perforation (58) of the counter-body (57) can be arranged between at least one blow nozzle (12) of the blow unit (10) and the suction drum (28).

[0148] The hole pattern distributions of the perforation (38) and the perforation (58) can correspond to one another. They can be aligned such that the hot gas flow (14) emitted by the at least one blowing nozzle (12) penetrates the perforation (58) and preferably also the perforation (38) and the material web (2). The rotating suction drum (28) and the counter-body (57) can be moved synchronously and with a coordinated hole pattern distribution. The counter-body (57) can, for example, be designed as a rotating counter-roller (57') in the embodiment shown. In another variant, the counter body (57) can be designed as a circumferential counter belt (57") indicated in Figure 19. The through openings of the perforation (58) of the counter body (57) and the jacket openings (39) of the perforation (38) of the suction roller (28) can be coordinated with one another in different ways. For example, they can have the same outline shape and the same size.In another embodiment, the through-openings of the perforation (58) can be smaller than the shell openings (39). This is advantageous for perforating the embossed deformation (40) with a hot air jet tightly focused by the small hole size. The hot air jet can penetrate the embossed deformation (40) at the bottom and possibly melt it, thereby forming a permanent through-opening or perforation.

[0149] Figure 19 also shows the arrangement of a pressure roller (59) at the end of the wrapping area (41) in the web travel direction (3). Such a pressure roller (59) can be positioned with pressure against the suction roller (28) and the moving web (2). The counter roller (59) can, for example, support the lamination of several web layers (63, 64, 65).

[0150] The embossing device can have a controller (not shown), to which the aforementioned controllable components can be connected for their control and, if necessary, regulation. The controller can be designed independently. It can also be integrated into a higher-level system control, e.g., as a software and / or hardware module. For control purposes, the controller can be connected to sensor technology for detecting the respective reference variables. These can be, for example, pressure, speed and temperature of the hot gas flow (14) and / or the suction flow, rotational or peripheral speed of the suction drum (28), web travel speed, etc. The embossing device (1) can also be used for other processes. In the case of full or partial lamination, for example, a film-like web layer and a fiber-containing web layer, e.g., a nonwoven fiber fleece, can be firmly bonded to one another.The embossing device (1) can also be used to deform and, if necessary, join different web materials, one of which is, for example, meltable and another melt-resistant. A melt-resistant material can, for example, be a cellulose-containing web layer. This can be changed in shape by embossing and subsequent further treatment. Such a cellulose-containing web layer can, for example, be provided with embossed deformations or so-called bubbles, with other materials subsequently being applied to the embossed deformations or bubbles. The embossed deformations or bubbles can serve as supports and contact points and can, if necessary, also be used to form point connections.

[0151] Various modifications to the previously described embodiments and variants are possible. The moving web (2) can be fed from the top or another location on the suction drum, and optionally at a different angle. The web heating (7) can be combined with another suction device (8), e.g., a suction drum (28) with axial suction. The aforementioned components of the web heating (7) and / or the suction device (8) can be present individually or in multiples.

[0152] Furthermore, within the scope of the claims, the embodiments and variants can be combined with one another in various ways and, if necessary, interchanged.

[0153] 1 embossing device

[0154] 2 Material web

[0155] 3 Web running direction

[0156] 4 Feeding device

[0157] 5 Conveyor belt

[0158] 6 Feed frame

[0159] 7 Web heating

[0160] 8 Suction device

[0161] 9 Machine frame

[0162] 10 Blowing unit

[0163] 11 hot gas generators

[0164] 12 Blow nozzle

[0165] 13 Nozzle opening

[0166] 14 Hot gas flow

[0167] 15 Distribution chamber

[0168] 16 Nozzle head, nozzle beak

[0169] 17 nozzle channel

[0170] 18 Thermal insulation

[0171] 19 Insulating agents

[0172] 20 nozzle support

[0173] 21 Adjusting device

[0174] 22 sleds

[0175] 23 blowers

[0176] 24 Heating device

[0177] 25 heating levels

[0178] 25' heating level

[0179] 26 Heating area

[0180] 27 Hot gas line

[0181] 28 suction drum

[0182] 29 Absorbents

[0183] 30 Drum axle

[0184] 31 Drum drive

[0185] 32 Clutch

[0186] 33 drum bearings

[0187] 34 Interior 35 Front wall

[0188] 36 Drum shell

[0189] 36' cover sheet

[0190] 36" support ring

[0191] 37 Edge connection

[0192] 38 Perforation

[0193] 39 Jacket opening

[0194] 40 Embossing deformation

[0195] 41 Wrapping area

[0196] 42 Contact point

[0197] 43 Drum cover

[0198] 43' drum cover

[0199] 44 housings

[0200] 45 Extraction area

[0201] 46 Suction shaft

[0202] 47 filters

[0203] 48 vacuum generators

[0204] 49 Support

[0205] 50 setting agents

[0206] 51 supporting frames

[0207] 52 leadership

[0208] 53 covering agents

[0209] 54 Sensor technology

[0210] 55 portal frames

[0211] 56 Deflection devices, pulleys

[0212] 57 Counter bodies

[0213] 57' Counter roll

[0214] 57" counter belt

[0215] 58 holes

[0216] 59 Pressure roller

[0217] 60 Pretreatment facility

[0218] 61 Oven

[0219] 62 Railway Training Facility

[0220] 63 Web position

[0221] 64 Web position

[0222] 65 Web position

[0223] 66 Layer dispenser 67 Coating device

[0224] 68 Further treatment facility

[0225] 69 Treatment system α Wrap angle β Position angle range

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1.) Embossing device (1) for a A single-layer or multi-layer material web (2) moved in the web running direction (3), characterized in that the embossing device (1) has a material web heating device (7) and a suction device (8) for the moving material web (2), wherein the suction device (8) comprises a suction means (29) and a rotating hollow-cylindrical suction drum (28) acted upon thereby, with a circumferential perforation (38) and with an open wrapping area (41) for the moving material web (2) lying on the outside here, wherein the suction device (8) has at least one preferably external drum cover (43) on the suction drum (28) in front of and / or behind the wrapping area (41) in the web running direction (3). 2.) Embossing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drum cover (43) adjoins tightly to the periphery of the suction drum (28) and is designed to prevent, at its overlapping areas with the suction drum (28), access of ambient air to the periphery and into a hollow interior (34) of the suction drum (28). 3.) Embossing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the preferably heat-insulating drum cover (43) is arranged stationary and, if necessary, adjustable on the suction drum (28). 4.) Embossing device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the web heating (7) is designed to heat the web (2) locally in a limited heating area (26) with a heating medium, in particular hot gas, wherein the heating area (26) is arranged in the web running direction (3) at the beginning of the wrapping area (41). 5.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the heating region (26) is arranged on the first third of the wrapping region (41), preferably at a distance behind a first contact point (42) of the web (2) and the suction drum (28). 6.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the perforated (38) suction drum (28) is designed to emboss and, if necessary, fix the previously heated web (2) lying thereon by sucking in and deforming the hot web material at the perforation (38) in the wrapping area (41) under the external influence of cooler ambient air. 7.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating medium is designed as a hot gas, preferably dry and preferably heated to 500°C or more, in particular 600°C or more. 8.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the embossing device (1) is designed for web running speeds of the web (2) of approximately 100 m / min or more. 9.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the wrap region (41) comprises a wrap angle (OC) of 90° or less. 10.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the web heating (7) and the suction device (8) are arranged in a preferably open machine frame (9) of the embossing device (1). (UA8) 11.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the web heating (7) comprises a blowing unit (10) and a hot gas source connected thereto, in particular a hot gas generator (11). 12.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hot gas generator (11) comprises a compressed gas generator (23), a downstream, preferably controllable or regulatable, heating device (24) with at least one, preferably two, heating stages (25, 25') and a downstream hot gas line (27) connected to the blowing unit (10). 13.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compressed gas generator (23) is designed as a blower that sucks in ambient air and blows it through the heating device (24). 14.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device (24) preferably comprises an electric heater and is designed to be able to heat the blown-through gas, in particular air, to 500°C or more, in particular 600°C or more, if required. 15.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the blowing unit (10) comprises at least one blowing nozzle (12) which preferably extends transversely across the width of the web (2) and emits a hot gas flow (14) onto the outside of the web (2) at its nozzle opening (13). 16.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one blowing nozzle (12) emits a hot gas flow (14) radially or obliquely with an inclination in the web running direction (3) onto the outside of the web (2) at its nozzle opening (13). 17.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one blowing nozzle (12) has a slot-like nozzle opening (13) with a preferably adjustable nozzle width. 18.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle opening (13) on the suction device (8), in particular on the suction drum (28), is arranged in the web running direction (3) at the beginning, preferably in the first third, of the wrapping area (41). 19.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle opening (13) is arranged in a position angle range (β) of 5o to 30° behind a first contact point (42) of the web (2) and the suction drum (28). 20.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one blowing nozzle (12) has a preferably tubular distribution chamber (15) and a transversely projecting nozzle head (16) connected to the circumference thereof and having a narrowed nozzle channel (17) which is preferably adjustable in width. 21.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle head (16) is narrower than the width of the distribution chamber (15) and is designed as a nozzle beak which is preferably angled towards the end of the web (2). 22.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one blowing nozzle (12) has a thermal insulation (18). 23.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blowing unit (10) comprises a nozzle support (20) with an adjusting device (21) which is designed to adjustably position and align the at least one blowing nozzle (12) on the suction device (8), in particular on the suction drum (28). 24.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one blowing nozzle (12) with its nozzle opening (13) is positioned with contact or with a minimal distance, preferably of 1 - 10 mm, particularly preferably of 1 to 5 mm, on the web of material (2). 25.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the suction device (8) comprises the suction drum (28) and a connected suction means (29) which generates the suction pressure in the hollow suction drum (28). 26.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the suction means (29) is connected circumferentially to the suction drum (28), wherein a suction area (45) is arranged on the casing of the suction drum (28). 27.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the suction device (8) has a housing (44) which encloses the suction drum (28) on the circumference except for the respectively open wrapping area (41) and the suction area (45). 28.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the circumferential suction area (45) is diametrically opposite the wrapping area (41). 29.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the suction means (29) comprises at least one vacuum generator (48) and one at the suction area (45) has a suction shaft (46) adjoining the outside, which is preferably formed in the housing (44). 30.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the suction means (29) is arranged laterally offset to the suction drum (28) and the suction shaft (46) is aligned obliquely to the suction drum (28) and is angled. 31.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a filter (47) is arranged in the suction shaft (46). 32.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one drum cover (43) is arranged on the suction drum areas between the wrapping area (41) and the suction area (45). 33.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one drum cover (43) is formed in the housing (44). 34.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that at least a part of the drum cover (43) is arranged to be movable in such a way that the housing (44) can be opened and the suction drum (28) can be removed if necessary. 35.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow cylindrical suction drum (28) has end walls (35), a hollow interior (34) and a drum shell (36) with the perforation (38). 36.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the perforation (38) comprises one or more radially continuous jacket openings (39) with a selectable edge contour. 37.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the suction device (8) comprises a controllable drum drive (31) which is detachably connected to the suction drum (28) by means of a coupling (32). 38.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the drum shell (36) of the suction drum (28) is designed to be exchangeable and comprises a flexible shell sheet (36') which, in the operating position, is supported and held circumferentially by its longitudinal edges on end walls (35) of the suction drum (28), wherein its transverse edges are separably connected to one another at their abutment point by a detachable edge connection (37). 39.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the sheathing sheet (36') is made of a material with low heat conductivity, in particular stainless steel. 40.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the suction device (8) comprises a support (49) with an adjusting means (50) with which the suction device (8) in a machine frame (9) the embossing device (1) is arranged to be adjustable, in particular height-adjustable. 41.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the embossing device (1) has a preferably plate-like covering means (53) for the supplied web of material (2) arranged upstream of the suction device (8) in the web running direction (3). 42.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the embossing device (1) has a sensor system (54) for the web (2) arranged upstream of the suction device (8) in the web running direction (3), in particular a temperature sensor for controlling or regulating the web heating (7). 43.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the peripheral speed of the suction drum (28) is equal to or less than the feed speed of the web (2). 44.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the embossing device (1) comprises a feeding device (4) for the web (2) arranged upstream of the suction device (8) in the web running direction (3). 45.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the embossing device (1) has one or more deflection means (56), in particular rotatable deflection rollers, for the web of material (2), which are arranged downstream of the suction drum (28). 46.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the embossing device (1) has a circumferentially moving counter-body (57) with a perforation (58) on the body jacket, which is arranged between a blowing nozzle (12) of the blowing unit (10) and the suction drum (28). 47.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the hole pattern distributions of the perforation (38) of the suction roller (28) and the perforation (58) of the counter-body (57) correspond and are brought into alignment in such a way that the hot gas flow (14) emitted by the blowing nozzle (12) penetrates the perforation (38) and the perforation (58). 48.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that through openings of the perforation (58) of the counter body (57) in the opening area are preferably smaller than the jacket openings (39) of the perforation (38) of the suction roller (28). 49.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the counter body (57) is designed as a rotating counter roller (57') or as a rotating counter belt (57"). 50.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the embossing device (1) is connectable to a pretreatment device (60) arranged upstream in the web running direction (3), in particular a thermobonding oven (61) or a web forming device (62), or is connected. 51.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web forming device (62) is designed to form the web (2) from one or more web layers (63, 64, 65). 52.) Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web forming device (62) comprises a coating device (67) which is Application of an additional material to a web layer (63,64,65). 53.) Treatment system for treating a web of material (2), wherein the treatment system (68) comprises an embossing device (1) for a web of material (2) moved in a web running direction (3) and one or more further treatment devices upstream and / or downstream of the embossing device (1), characterized in that the embossing device (1) is designed according to at least one of claims 1 to 52. 54.) Treatment plant according to claim 53, characterized in that a pretreatment device (60), in particular a thermobonding oven (61) or a web forming device (62), is connected upstream of the embossing device (1). 55.) Treatment plant according to claim 53 or 54, characterized in that the treatment plant (69) comprises several embossing devices (1) arranged one after the other in the web running direction (3). includes . 56.) Method for the thermal treatment, in particular embossing, of a single-layer or multi-layered web (2) moved in a web running direction (3), characterized in that the web (2) is heated by means of a web heating system (7) and then thermally deformed, in particular embossed, by means of a suction device (8) comprising a suction means (29) and a rotating hollow-cylindrical suction drum (28) with a circumferential perforation (38), wherein the moving web (2) bears on the outside against an open wrapping area (41) of the suction drum (28), wherein the suction drum (28) in the web running direction (3) is subsequently in front of and / or behind the Wrapping area (41) is covered by at least one drum cover (43) of the suction device (8). 57.) Method according to claim 56, characterized in that the drum cover (43), which is preferably designed to be heat-insulating and is preferably arranged stationary and optionally adjustable on the suction drum (28), adjoins tightly to the periphery of the suction drum (28) and prevents, in its overlapping areas with the suction drum (28), access of ambient air to the periphery and into a hollow interior (34) of the suction drum (28). 58.) Method according to claim 56 or 57, characterized in that the web heating (7) heats the web (2) locally in a limited heating area (26) with a heating medium, in particular hot gas, wherein the heating area (26) in the web running direction (3) is beginning of the wrapping area (41). 59.) Method according to claim 56, 57 or 58, characterized in that the perforated suction drum (28) presses the previously heated web of material (2) lying thereon by sucking and deforming the hot web material at the perforation (38) in the Wrapping area (41) is deformed, in particular embossed, and if necessary fixed under the external influence of cooler ambient air. 60.) Method according to one of claims 56 to 59, characterized in that the web of material (2) comprises a material which is elastically and / or plastically deformable under heat, in particular a meltable material. 61.) Method according to one of claims 56 to 60, characterized in that the web (2) comprises a fibrous material, in particular a nonwoven fleece, and / or a film-like material, in particular made of plastic and / or metal. 62.) Method according to one of claims 56 to 61, characterized in that the material web (2) has a material mixture which comprises a material which is plastically deformable under heat, in particular meltable, and optionally an elastically deformable material, in particular made of natural fibers or other natural substances. 63.) Use of an embossing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 52 for laminating and / or thermoforming melt-resistant web materials and / or for coating a Web (2) moving in the direction of web travel (3).

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