HOT MARKING ROLL

Abstract

Hot stamping roller, the roller being adapted to cooperate with an object to be decorated, the roller comprising at least a first and a second roller part, each roller part being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the roller, the rotation of the first roller part being independent of the rotation of the second roller part. [Fig 3]

Description

Title of the invention: HOT MARKING ROLLER Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a hot stamping roller. In particular, the invention relates to a hot stamping roller intended to decorate an object having a variable diameter along its length. Context

[0002] Hot stamping using silicone or metal rollers is a well-known technique for decorating an object, for example by embossing and / or transferring a print or inks onto a surface. Typical applications of hot stamping are packaging, in the cosmetics industry for example, or the marking of glass such as bottles and the like.

[0003] Hot stamping rollers may consist of a support core and a silicone surface wrapped around and attached to the support core. The support core may be made of metal, for example. The hot stamping roller is generally rotated about an axis of rotation extending longitudinally of the roller and at the center of the support core.

[0004] During the hot stamping process, the silicone surface of the roller is initially heated by a heat source, such as an infrared tile, or other heat source, before being moved toward the object to be decorated. Typically, a film of transfer material extends between the silicone roller and the object. For example, the film is brought into contact with the object to be decorated by "applicator" guides. Then, the heat and pressure applied by the silicone roller to the film and the object below transfers a portion of the film onto the object.

[0005] When the object to be decorated is conical or, if the object has different diameters along its length, for example in a method of decorating a conical glass object, as the axis of rotation of the object has the same rotation speed along its length, the tangential speed at the surface of the object is not the same if the object is not cylindrical.

[0006] When the object to be decorated is conical or, if the object has different diameters along its length, for example, with a small base of radius rl and a large base of radius r2, the tangential speed Vr2 is greater than Vrl.

[0007] As a result, when the cylindrical hot stamping roller is driven around its axis of rotation, when it is brought into contact with the object, a slip is created between the object and the roller, which creates folds in the film. The hot stamping process can tolerate a small difference in tangential speed (of the order of a few percent). Beyond this, the folding of the film can cause problems in the transfer process.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to alleviate the drawbacks described above. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention provides a roller for hot stamping, the roller being adapted to cooperate with an object to be decorated, the roller comprising at least a first and a second roller part, each roller part being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the roller, the rotation of the first roller part being independent of the rotation of the second roller part.

[0010] In some embodiments, the object to be decorated is intended to be rotated. In other embodiments, a specific marking mode implements a longitudinal axis which describes a horizontal movement (for example a rolling movement) relative to the object to be decorated. It can for example roll on a flat or curved face of the object to be decorated. Thus, the hot stamping roller according to the present invention can also be used to decorate two distinct sections of the object to be decorated.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second portions of the roller is cylindrical. In some embodiments, each of the first and second portions of the roller is cylindrical. In other embodiments, at least one of the first and second portions of the roller is tapered. In some embodiments, each of the first and second portions of the roller is tapered.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first and second portions of the roller are cylindrical and have different diameters. Thus, a section of the first portion of the roller is different from a section of the second portion of the roller. It is preferable that the diameter of each portion of the roller is chosen so as to ensure that the tangential speeds of the surfaces of the roller at the points of contact with the surface of the object to be decorated are substantially the same over the entire length of the relevant section of the object to be decorated.

[0013] In some embodiments, the roller portions each include a support core.

[0014] Advantageously, the support core comprises a cylindrical body having a central bore.

[0015] The support core of each roller portion includes a longitudinal axis about which the roller portion rotates when in motion. The longitudinal axis of each support core corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the roller. More specifically, the longitudinal axis of the roller is the central longitudinal axis of each support core.

[0016] In some embodiments, each portion of the roller comprises a core of support and a surface part.

[0017] In some embodiments, the surface portion is integrally formed with the support core.

[0018] In some embodiments, the surface portion is bonded, joined, or otherwise secured to the support core.

[0019] In some embodiments, the roller comprises an axle. In these embodiments, advantageously, the first and second portions of the roller are mounted on the axle. More specifically, the first and second portions of the roller receive the axle through their respective central bores. In such embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the roller and the axle is the same longitudinal axis.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first and / or second roller portion comprises a plain bearing. The plain bearing allows rotational movement between the one or more roller portions and the longitudinal axis of the roller. In some embodiments, the roller comprises an axle and the first and / or second roller portion comprises a plain bearing, the bearing allows rotational movement between the one or more roller portions and the axle.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first and / or second roller portion comprises a ball bearing. In some embodiments, the first and / or second roller portion comprises any other system that allows each roller portion to have an independent speed.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first and / or second roller portion fit onto the roller shaft, allowing relative movement between the first and / or second roller portion and the shaft, independent of each other. In such embodiments, it is preferable that the first roller portion, the second roller portion, the plain bearing, and the shaft are coaxial with each other.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first portion of the roller may be fixed relative to the axle. More specifically, the first portion of the roller and the axle rotate together.

[0024] In some embodiments, the roller comprises a first roller portion that rotates with the longitudinal axis of the roller and a second roller portion that rotates freely relative to the longitudinal axis of the roller by means of a plain bearing. Advantageously, the plain bearing is located between the support core of the second roller portion and the axis. In this way, the second roller portion is free to rotate about the axis.

[0025] In some embodiments, the rotational speed of the first roller portion is equal to the rotational speed of the longitudinal axis. In these embodiments, the rotational speed of the second roller portion is independent of the rotational speed of the first roller portion and the longitudinal axis. In this way, the rotation speed of the second part of the roller can be substantially equal to the rotation speed of the adjacent part of the object to be decorated.

[0026] In certain embodiments, when the longitudinal axis is not in contact with the object to be decorated, due to friction between the roller parts and / or with the longitudinal axis, the free rotating part(s) can be synchronized with the speed of the longitudinal axis. This advantageously makes it possible to drive (by friction) the free part(s) in a heating phase for example.

[0027] In some embodiments, the roller is a multi-part roller comprising more than two roller parts.

[0028] In some embodiments, a first roller portion rotates with the longitudinal axis of the roller and two or more roller portions are configured to rotate freely relative to the longitudinal axis of the roller. In such embodiments, the two or more roller portions rotate independently of the first roller portion. In such embodiments, the two or more roller portions may rotate independently of each other.

[0029] In some embodiments, each roller portion is configured to rotate freely relative to the longitudinal axis of the roller. More specifically, each portion of the roller may be configured to rotate independently of any other portion of the roller.

[0030] In some embodiments, each roller portion includes a support core and a surface portion.

[0031] In some embodiments, each roller portion, in contact with the object to be decorated, is adaptable to the tangential speed of the object to be decorated at the point of contact between the object to be decorated and the or each roller portion section.

[0032] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second portions of the roller is cylindrical. In some embodiments, each of the first and second portions of the roller is cylindrical. In other embodiments, at least one of the first and second portions of the roller is tapered. In some embodiments, each of the first and second portions of the roller is tapered.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first and second roller portions are cylindrical and the first roller portion has a different diameter than the second roller portion.

[0034] In some embodiments, each roller portion has a different diameter. This arrangement is particularly suitable for a conical object to be decorated, for example.

[0035] In some embodiments, the roller portions abut each other along the roller axis.

[0036] In some embodiments, the roller portions are spaced apart from each other. others longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the roller. More specifically, the roller may include spacers between parts of the roller.

[0037] In some embodiments, each roller portion includes a silicone surface portion.

[0038] In some embodiments, each roller portion includes a support core and a silicone layer covering the support core.

[0039] In some embodiments, the support core is metallic.

[0040] In some embodiments, at least the second portion of the roller is free to adapt its rotation speed to the tangential speed of the object to be decorated at the point of contact between them.

[0041] In some embodiments, the roller is rotated.

[0042] In some embodiments, the roller is rotated by an axle drive shaft that extends along the longitudinal axis of the roller. In some embodiments, the drive shaft may be driven by a motor.

[0043] In some embodiments, the roller axis forms the drive axis and is rotated.

[0044] In some embodiments, the object to be decorated is rotated. More specifically, the object to be decorated is rotated by a drive device such as a motor. In these embodiments, the roller may be rotated by friction between the object to be decorated, which is rotated by a drive device such as a motor, and the roller.

[0045] The invention also provides a hot stamping machine comprising a roller according to the present invention.

[0046] The invention also provides a hot stamping machine comprising a hot stamping roller, the roller being adapted to cooperate with an object to be decorated, the roller comprising at least a first and a second roller portion, each roller portion being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the roller, the rotation of the first roller portion being independent of the rotation of the second roller portion.

[0047] In some embodiments, the hot stamping machine further comprises a device for driving rotation of at least the first roller portion or the second roller portion.

[0048] In some embodiments, the hot stamping machine further comprises a device for driving the rotation of the object to be decorated.

[0049] In some embodiments, the hot stamping machine includes a first and a second film supply system. In some embodiments, each film supply system includes at least one supply roll and one rewind roll. In this manner, each system Film feeder can be used to wind the film between the feed roller and the rewind roller. The roller and the object to be decorated are positioned between the feed roller and the rewind roller so that the film passes between the roller and the object to be decorated when the film feeder system is in operation.

[0050] In this way, the film passing over each part of the roll is independent of another film passing over another part of the roll. Multiple film feed systems each feeding a single portion of the roll prevent wrinkling of the films.

[0051] In some embodiments, the hot stamping machine includes a heat source operable to increase the temperature of the surface of the roller. It is preferable that the surface of each roller portion be continuously rotated to avoid overheating any portion of the roller surface.

[0052] In some embodiments, the heat source may be an infrared heat source.

[0053] In some embodiments, the hot stamping machine includes a heat sensor operable to monitor the temperature of the surface of the portion(s) of the roller.

[0054] The hot stamping machine and roller according to the invention are applicable in the decoration of glass, for example. Other applications include, but are not limited to, objects to be decorated made of plastic and metal.

[0055] For the avoidance of doubt, all features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

[0056] Within the scope of the present application, it is expressly provided that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. In other words, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any way, unless such features are incompatible.

[0057] For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and / or", "for example", "e.g." and any other similar terms used herein are to be interpreted as non-limiting, such that any feature so described need not necessarily be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not expressly claimed. Applicant reserves the right to modify any originally filed claim or to file any new claim in consequence thereof, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend upon and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim not originally claimed in that manner. Brief description of the figures

[0058] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0059] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] shows a schematic view of a part of a machine of hot stamping according to an example of the invention;

[0060] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a sectional view of a roller having two freely rotating roller parts;

[0061] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows the roller of [Fig.2] in perspective view;

[0062] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a hot stamping roller and an object to be decorated therewith shouldered linden; and

[0063] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows the first and second parts of the roller of another embodiment. Detailed description of the figures

[0064] Various aspects of various embodiments according to the invention are described in more detail below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 5.

[0065] In all the drawings, similar features are represented by the same reference numeral. In other embodiments, the reference numerals of similar features are increased by a factor of 10. Unless otherwise indicated, features of one embodiment may be used in any other embodiment.

[0066] [Fig.l] shows a schematic view of a part of a hot stamping machine 1. The machine comprises an object to be decorated 15 and a hot stamping roller 2. The hot stamping roller 2 comprises a metal support core 9 and a silicone surface 11 attached to the metal support core 9. The metal support core 9 has a central bore and is mounted via the central bore on a roller shaft 10. The longitudinal axis 7 of the hot stamping roller 2 extends into the page perpendicular to the plane of the page. A heater 17 extends over a part of the silicone surface 11 to increase the temperature of the surface 11. A film supply system comprises a supply roller 19 and a rewind roller 21, configured to distribute the film 23 between them and between the hot stamping roller 2 and the object 15.

[0067] In operation, the object 15 and / or the axis of the roller 10 are driven in rotation. The roller 2 rotates about the longitudinal axis 7 so that the heated silicone surface 11 is brought into contact with the film 23 and a portion of the film is transferred onto the object under the effect of the pressure and temperature applied to the film between the roller 2 and the object 15.

[0068] [Fig.2] shows a sectional view of one embodiment of a hot stamping roller 20 having two rotatable roller portions 30 and 50. Each roller portion 30, 50 has a silicone surface portion 110 supported by and secured to a roller support core 90.

[0069] The roller 20 includes an axle 100. The first 30 and second 50 roller parts are mounted on the axle 100 by passing the axle 100 through the central bore of each roller part 30, 50. The first 30 and second 50 roller parts are held in place on the axle 100 by nuts 25 and spaced apart from each other by spacers 27. Further end spacers 27a and 27b are located between the nuts 25 and the adjacent roller part 30, 50 respectively.

[0070] The first roller portion 30 and the second roller portion 50 include a central bore for receiving the axle 100. In such embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the roller and the longitudinal axis of the axle are the same axis 70.

[0071] Plain bearings 13 located between the support core of each roller part 30, 50 and the axle 100 ensure that each roller part is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis 70 of the roller. The rotation of each roller part 30, 50 about the axis 70 is independent of the rotation of the other roller part 30, 50.

[0072] The axis of the axle 100 is driven in rotation around the axis 70 in the direction of the arrow A by a motor (not shown).

[0073] [Fig. 3] shows the roller of [Fig. 2] in perspective view. The first roller portion 30 and the second roller portion 50 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis 70 and the axle 100 of the roller 20.

[0074] In the alternative embodiment shown in the illustrative [Fig. 4], the cylindrical object 1500 has different diameters along its length. In such an embodiment, the first roller portion 300 and the second roller portion 500 comprise different diameters. The first roller portion 300 has a smaller diameter than the second roller portion 500 to correspond to the T-shaped cylindrical object 1500 comprising a first section of large diameter and a second section of smaller diameter. The object 1500 has a shoulder section of larger diameter than the body section extending longitudinally from the shoulder of the object 1500. The first roller portion 300 is configured to rotate with the axis 700 while the second roller portion 500 is configured to rotate freely about the axis 700.In this way, the rotation speeds of the first and second portions can vary to match the speed of the object portion. 1500 in contact with the respective roller portion 300, 500.

[0075] [Fig. 5] shows the first and second roller portions of the silicone hot stamping roller 200 shown in [Fig. 4]. The roller portions 300, 500 have different diameters and a third roller portion 250 having a conical shape is positioned between the first and second roller portions 300, 500. The third roller portion provides a conical surface between the first roller portion and the second roller portion. The third roller portion is free to rotate about the axis 70 and independently of the first 300 and second 500 roller portions.

[0076] In another alternative embodiment, a hot stamping roller may be provided for decorating a conical object. In such an embodiment, a silicone roller for hot stamping conical objects comprises a first roller portion and a second roller portion having different diameters. The first roller portion and the second roller portion each have a common longitudinal axis. The first roller portion rotates with the longitudinal axis and the second roller portion rotates freely relative to the longitudinal axis by means of a plain bearing.

[0077] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that several variants of the aforementioned embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0078] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", and are not intended to (and do not exclude) other parts, additives, components, wholes or steps.

[0079] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood as being applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, unless inconsistent therewith. Any features disclosed in this specification (including the claims, abstract and accompanying drawings), and / or any steps of a method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of these features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of all the preceding embodiments.The invention extends to any new feature, or any new combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including the claims, abstract and accompanying drawings), or to any new feature, or any new combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. List of features

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[0097] Hot stamping machine 1 Roller 2, 20, 200 First part of the roller 3, 30, 300 Second part of the roller 5, 50, 500 Longitudinal axis of the roller 7, 70 Support axis of the roller part 9, 90 Axle 10, 100 Silicone Surface part 11, 110 Slide bearings 13 Object to be decorated 15, 1500 Rotation axis of the object 16 Heating device 17 Feed roller 19 Rewind Roller 21 Film 23 Nut 25 Spacer 27 End Spacers 27a, 27b

Claims

Claims

1. A roller for hot stamping, the roller being adapted to cooperate with an object to be decorated, the roller comprising at least a first and a second roller part, each roller part being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the roller, the rotation of the first roller part being independent of the rotation of the second roller part.

2. A hot stamping roller according to claim 1, wherein the first and second roller portions are cylindrical and have different diameters.

3. A hot stamping roller according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the roller comprises a support core.

4. A hot stamping roller according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each roller portion comprises a support core and a surface portion.

5. A hot stamping roller according to claim 4, wherein the surface portion of at least the first roller portion is integrally formed with the support core of the roller.

6. A hot stamping roller according to any preceding claim, further comprising an axle, wherein the first and second roller portions are mounted on the axle.

7. A hot stamping roller according to any preceding claim, wherein at least the second roller portion comprises a plain bearing allowing the second roller portion to rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the roller.

8. A hot stamping roller according to claim 7, wherein the first and second roller portions comprise a plain bearing allowing the first and second roller portions to rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the roller independently of each other.

9. A hot stamping roller according to claim 7, comprising a first roller portion which rotates with the longitudinal axis of the roller and the second roller portion which rotates freely relative to the longitudinal axis of the roller.

10. A hot stamping machine comprising a hot stamping roller, the roller being adapted to cooperate with an object to be decorated, the roller comprising at least a first and a second portion of roller, each roller portion being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the roller, the rotation of the first roller portion being independent of the rotation of the second roller portion.

11. A hot stamping machine according to claim 10, comprising first and second film supply systems.

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