PROTECTIVE FILM RECOVERY UNIT FOR A MACHINE FOR THE ENNOBLING OF LEATHER AND FLEXIBLE LAMINAR MATERIALS IN GENERAL

Description

TITLE PROTECTIVE FILM RECOVERY UNIT FOR APPLIANCE FOR THE ENNOBILIZATION OF LEATHER AND FLEXIBLE LAMINAR MATERIALS IN TYPE 5 DESCRIPTION Technical sector of the invention The present invention relates to the sector of treatment lines or plants or processing of flexible laminar elements. Flexible laminar elements include natural leathers, synthetic leathers, 10 fabrics, non-woven fabrics, flexible plastic materials and related or similar materials, in which the extension of the thickness is much smaller than that of the other two dimensions (length and width). In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention is adapted to be used in the tanning industry, having as its object a film recovery unit 15 protective for a finishing equipment of flexible laminar elements such as precisely leather. Background of the invention Leather finishing systems have had a significant impact in recent years development through alternative solutions to those involving the use of paper 20 release. Systems using the latter are developed to apply a layer having a surface that reproduces the printing effect (finishing) on ​​the noble surface (grain side) of the leather. Among the alternative solutions mentioned, in particular, there is a system according to which, instead, in a single station, the grain side is engraved by printing directly on the leather, after applying a protective film on the leather itself. 25 The equipment designed to implement this latter system they therefore comprise a lamination unit or station 1 in which the film is applied protective on the leather, obtaining a laminar multilayer. The equipment includes also a printing unit or station 2 where the multilayer is subjected to a pressure of engraving, through an engraving roller with an external surface in relief (according to the 30 patterns to be printed) against a contrast roller, so as to print the relief in negative on the leather through the protective film. Downstream of the printing unit there is the problem of separating the protective film from the leather in order to be able to rewind the film into a reel and make it available for a possible reuse or simply to be able to accumulate and dispose of it correctly. separation between film and leather poses several problems, mainly due to the fact that, 5 as you can easily imagine, the two layers tend to remain in solidarity and that each forced or incorrectly operated detachment can cause wrinkles or creases on the multilayer and generally a loss of tension of the same. These defects have a strong impact on the quality of the print and therefore it is essential that the detachment between the film and the leather is obtained in a controlled way, without generating the problems 10 above. The applicant is not aware of any solutions currently on the market that meet these needs. In fact, at the moment to allow the film to be removed downstream of the printing operation, intervention is carried out exclusively manually. The present invention therefore fits into this scenario, offering a 15 solution capable of obtaining the recovery of the protective film in a controlled manner, without interfere with the print quality and giving the finishing machine that Install this solution for increased performance and surprising quality. Summary of the invention The essential characteristics of the recovery unit of a protective film and 20 of the equipment for the finishing of leather and flexible laminar materials in general which installs it according to the present invention are defined by the claims independent annexes. Other accessory features are the subject of the claims secondary. Brief description of the drawings 25 The features and advantages of the recovery unit of a protective film and of the equipment for the finishing of leather and flexible laminar materials in general which incorporates it according to the present invention will result more clearly from the the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of example and not limiting, with reference to the attached drawings in which: 30 - Figure 1 represents a schematic representation of a whole equipment for the finishing of leather and flexible laminar materials in general incorporating a protective film recovery unit according to the invention; - figure 2 shows an enlargement of the apparatus of figure 1 and in detail of the recovery unit; - Figures 3a and 3b show in isolation means of deviation of the unit of 5 recovery of the protective film, respectively in a side view and in a top view partial; and - figure 4 shows a variant of the recovery unit according to the invention with means of detaching the flexible laminar element. Detailed description of the invention 10 With reference to the above figures, the object of the invention is a recovery unit 3 configured to separate, starting from a multilayer M, a flexible laminar element M1 from a protective film M2 previously applied on it. The multilayer M enters the recovery unit 3 according to the feed direction X. At the recovery unit 3 at least a portion of the multilayer M 15 is arranged on an XY plane. In a preferred solution, the XY plane is horizontal, parallel to the ground. However, construction variants cannot be excluded in which this plane XY is not horizontal. Again, according to an aspect of the invention, the recovery unit 3 comprises means of deviation 30 configured to separate the film M2 from the flexible sheet material M1 20 along a separation line arranged on the XY work plane. In a preferred embodiment, this separation line has a development prevailing in a Y' direction. In a preferred embodiment such Y' direction is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel X, coinciding with the Y-axis perpendicular to X (see the example in figure 3b). 25 The recovery unit 3 also comprises towing means 31 placed in position set back from the separation line. The towing means 31 tow the film M2 outgoing from the means of deviation 30 according to an exit direction U incident on the XY plane. In more detail, the exit direction U is incident on the XY plane forming with it an angle less than 90°. This angle is considered to be the one facing the line of 30 separation. Preferably, the angle between U and the XY plane is between 2 and 50°. The towing means 31 may comprise a single towing element or a group of towing elements. For example, the only towing element may be a roller motorized winder. In a further example, the group of towing elements can be composed of at least two rollers, of which at least one is a neutral return 310 and one motorized winder 311 on which the recovered M2 film is wound. In this 5 configuration at least the idle return roller 310 is arranged in a rearward position with respect to at the dividing line. Going into more detail now, the means of diversion 30 comprise at least one fixed frame 300 that supports a separation element 301. The 300 fixed frame is configured to be connected to the fixed frame of a machine 10 for the finishing of leather and flexible materials in general. The fixed frame 300 is connected to the machine in the position downstream of the printing unit 2 according to the direction of progress of work of the M. multilayer. Alternatively the fixed frame 300 can be stand-alone if the drive unit recovery 3 is structurally independent from the other rolling units and 15 machine printing, or is used in a different machine. In the preferred solution, the separation element 301 defines at least one flat face 301a arranged according to the XY plane and such as to face the multimaterial M. The latter, sliding against the flat face 301a, is arranged according to the XY plane. The flat face therefore directs the material and places it in the position 20 desired within the means of diversion. Preferably the separating element 301 is sheet-shaped and defines two faces opposite planes 301a, 301b. The plate-like element 301 then defines, between the two opposite flat faces, at least a 301c edge facing the material exit. This edge defines the aforementioned 25 separation line. According to a preferred solution, the separation line has a curved development on the XY plane. The apical point of the separation line is at its center in the Y' direction. In the example shown, the 301c edge may therefore have some curvature. 30 For example, such a curvature is such that the difference defined along the X direction between the the most advanced part of the edge and its ends is between 1 and 2 mm. Preferably but not limited to, this difference is 1.5 mm. The fact that the separation line is curved is particularly advantageous because it allows you to exert a certain tension on the output material, contributing to reduce unwanted skin sagging and crease formation. 5 However, solutions in which the separating edge is cannot be excluded completely straight. Again, in alternative solutions, the separation element is a roller. In this case the separation line will be defined by the line or zone of tangency between the roller and the film separate. 10 The recovery unit 3 may include means of temperature control acting on the separation element that keeps it at a predefined temperature value. This temperature value is chosen based on the material being processed and the type of film. used. In fact, also depending on the film material, the gap between the film itself and flexible material may be easier to stretch at certain temperatures. 15 Temperature control means can heat and / or cool the element of separation 301. Furthermore, the recovery unit 3 may provide means 32 for detaching the element flexible laminar systems placed operationally downstream of the separation line. Such means of detachment, which act on the flexible layer (such as leather) have the 20 function to facilitate the detachment of the layer from the film and are particularly useful in case of flexible layer is particularly thin and therefore the adhesion strength between it and the film is high. Such detachment means may include, for example, a blade or a roller. grooved leather remover 32 as shown for example in figure 4. 25 Coming to the operation of the described recovery unit, the multimaterial M in input is arranged according to the XY plane and output from the separation element; due to the pulling effect carried out on the film by the pulling means 31, a tension is imposed on the film change of direction with respect to the X direction, which occurs along the line of separation. This change in direction has the effect of detaching the film from the skin. 30 attached to it. This separation of the skin is facilitated either by a simple fall of the same by gravity downwards or by engagement with further recovery means such as at least one winding roller, conveyor belt, etc. The invention therefore achieves the recovery of the protective film used and consequently it guarantees a high benefit in terms of sustainability of the entire manufacturing process, as well as reducing overall costs, considered precisely 5 the possibility of being able to reuse part of the processing material. In any case, the recovery of the protective film is also useful for the simple purpose of its accumulation, for example for subsequent correct disposal. Thanks to the features described above, the recovery unit achieves separation between film and flexible laminar material by applying correct tension 10 multilayer, thus avoiding the formation of creases, wrinkles or on the contrary sagging that could affect the quality of the upstream printing work. The film recovery is also quick and easy, excluding manual intervention and automating the entire leather processing. Thanks to the possible presence of temperature control devices 15 of the separation element, the detachment between film and laminar flexible material layer It's even easier, further contributing to the separation without affecting negatively affects the tensioning of the upstream plywood. The present invention has been described so far with reference to its embodiments. preferred embodiments. It is understood that other embodiments may exist. 20 which relate to the same inventive core, all falling within the scope of protection of the claims reported below.

Claims

1. A recovery unit (3) of a protective film from a laminar multilayer (M) composed of a layer of such film (M2) and a layer of a flexible laminar material (M1) such as leather, said multilayer (M) entering said recovery unit according to an advance direction X, said recovery unit further comprising: - deviation means (30) configured to separate said film (M2) from said flexible laminar material (M1) along a separation line, said multilayer entering said deviation means according to said advance direction X and being positioned on a working plane XY, wherein said separation line is arranged on said working plane XY; - towing means (31) arranged in a rearward position with respect to said separation line which tow the film (M2) exiting the deviation means (30) according to an exit direction U of said film incident on the XY plane.

2. Recovery unit according to claim 1 wherein the angle of incidence between the output direction U and the XY plane is less than 90°.

3. Recovery unit according to claim 2, wherein said angle of incidence is between 2° and 50°.

4. Recovery unit according to claim 1 wherein said separation line has a prevalent development along a direction Y' perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction X.

5. Recovery unit according to claim 4 wherein said separation line has a curved development on the XY plane.

6. Recovery unit according to claim 5 wherein the apical point of the separation line is at its center on the Y' direction.

7. Recovery unit according to any of the preceding claims wherein said diversion means (30) comprises a separation element (301) defining said separation line.

8. Recovery unit according to claim 7 wherein said separation element (301) defines at least one flat face (301a) arranged according to the XY plane and such as to encounter the multimaterial M.

9. Recovery unit according to claim 8 wherein said separation element (301) is sheet-like and has two opposite flat faces, between which is defined an edge (301c) facing the outlet of the separation element itself, wherein said edge 301c defines said separation line.

10. A recovery unit according to claim 8 or 9 further comprising temperature control means acting on said separation element to maintain it at a predefined temperature value.

11. Recovery unit according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said separation element is supported by a fixed frame (300).

12. Recovery unit according to any of the preceding claims wherein said towing means comprise a group of rollers of which at least one is an idle return roller 310 and a motorised winder (311) on which the recovered film M2 is wound, wherein at least one idle return roller (310) is placed in a rearward position with respect to the separation line.

13. An apparatus for imprinting a raised design onto a leather or similar flexible laminar material, the apparatus comprising a laminating unit (1) configured to couple said leather to a protective film, and a printing unit (2) configured to imprint said design onto the leather through the protective film, said apparatus further comprising operatively downstream of said printing unit (2) a recovery unit for said protective film according to any of the preceding claims.

14. A process for recovering a protective film at the end of a process for embossing a design onto a multilayer composed of a leather or similar flexible laminar material and a protective film, the process comprising the steps of: - introducing said multilayer into deflection means (30) according to an advance direction X and arranging said multilayer within said deflection means according to an XY plane; towing through towing means (31) the film M2 exiting from the deflection means (30) according to an exit direction U of said film incident on the XY plane; separating said film M2 from said flexible laminar material along a separation line defined by said deflection means and arranged on the XY plane, by the effect of the pulling of said towing means arranged in a rearward position with respect to said separation line.