Reel support assembly for web material processing machine and hot foil stamping machine

Abstract

A reel support assembly (14) for a web material processing machine is described. The reel support assembly (14) comprises a support frame (16) and at least a first support arm unit (34a) having at least one retaining stub (40) for mounting a reel (12) thereon. Furthermore, the reel support assembly (14) comprises a lifting unit (24) having a support element (26) on which the reel (12) can be placed. The support element (26) is supported in a vertically movable manner on the support frame (16). Furthermore, a hot foil stamping machine (10) comprising such a reel support assembly (14) is presented. The reel support assembly (14) is arranged at an upstream end of the hot foil stamping machine (10) with respect to the web travel direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reel support assembly for a web material processing machine, in particular a hot foil stamping machine, the reel support assembly comprising a support frame and at least a first support arm unit having at least one retaining stub for mounting a reel thereon, the first support arm unit being supported directly on the support frame.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a hot foil stamping machine equipped with such a reel support assembly. [Background technology]

[0003] A reel support assembly and a hot foil stamping machine including the same are known. In this regard, the reel typically comprises a reel core around which a web, e.g., a foil, to be processed in the hot foil stamping machine is wound.

[0004] The first support arm unit is used to support a reel, for example a foil, so that the reeled web can be processed in a hot foil stamping machine.

[0005] Due to the finite amount of web that typically fits on a reel, the reel must be replaced from time to time during operation of the reel support assembly and corresponding hot foil stamping machine.

[0006] Reels are often so heavy that they cannot be handled manually.

[0007] For this reason, it is known to use a hoist, winch or a carriage with lifting means to bring the reel into cooperation with the retaining stub, i.e. to load the reel onto the reel support assembly, as well as to remove the reel from the reel support assembly.

[0008] GB 1313855 A1 discloses a reel mounting system having a support that can raise a reel to align it with a carrier device that has two stubs for gripping the reel. The reel is then transported by a horizontal transport tube with a cantilever arm assembly. This assembly is held on one side by a vertical tube that travels on three rails. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] British Publication No. 1313855 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to further improve known reel support assemblies, in particular to facilitate the replacement of reels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The above-mentioned problems are solved by a reel support assembly of the above-mentioned type, which comprises a lifting unit having a support element on which a reel can be positioned, the support element being supported on a support frame in a vertically movable manner. The lifting unit is integrated into the reel support assembly, since the support element of the lifting unit is supported on the frame of the reel support assembly. Thus, a reel mounted on a first support arm unit can be supplied at a height relatively close to the factory floor. The reel can then be raised to a position where it can be mounted on the support stub of the first support arm unit. The reel support assembly thus positions the reel to be replaced in an easily accessible position. This is particularly true when comparing the reel support assembly according to the present invention with known reel support assemblies. As a result, the reel can be replaced with relatively little effort and in a relatively short time. Furthermore, there is no need to use means external to the reel support assembly to lift or lower the reel. In particular, there is no need to use a winch, hoist, or a dolly with a lifting means. This further facilitates the installation and removal of the reel.

[0012] The support element may be adapted to be selectively in a loaded state, such that the support element is positioned at ground level or adjacent a lower half of the support frame. Alternatively or additionally, the support element may be adapted to be in an aligned state, such that the support element is positioned such that a reel supported on the support element is centered relative to a retaining stub of at least the first support arm unit. Alternatively or additionally, the support element may be adapted to be in a stored position, such that the support element is positioned above the aligned state and outside the range of motion of at least the first support arm unit.

[0013] In certain applications, a platform, gate, fence, and / or handrail may be provided in close proximity to the reel support assembly. In such cases, one or more of these installations may be adapted to be retracted so as not to interfere with the support elements of the lifting unit. For example, one or more of these installations may be adapted to be selectively folded or rotated out of the way. This is particularly true for support elements in a mounted position.

[0014] The reel support assembly can include a second support arm unit having at least one retaining stub for mounting the reel thereon, the second support arm unit being supported on the support frame. Preferably, the second support arm unit is supported directly on the support frame, i.e., without any intermediate structure. Furthermore, the second support arm unit is positioned opposite the first support arm unit so that the reel can be supported between the first and second support arm units. Therefore, the reel can be supported in a very reliable and stable manner. Preferably, the second support arm unit is movable synchronously with the first support arm unit. Therefore, the first support arm unit and the second support arm unit are always in corresponding positions.

[0015] Preferably, the first support arm unit and / or the second support arm unit are pivotally and / or translatably supported on the support frame. Therefore, when loading or unloading a reel, the first support arm unit and / or the second support arm unit can pivot and / or translate to a loading position configured to receive a reel attached to a holding stub. In this position, the first support arm unit and / or the second support arm unit and the corresponding holding stub are accessible from outside the reel support assembly and the hot foil stamping machine. When a reel is attached to the corresponding supporting stub, the first support arm unit and / or the second support arm unit pivot and / or translate to an operable position in which the holding stub and the reel attached thereto are positioned to process a web, e.g., foil, wound on the reel. In this regard, when the first support arm unit and / or the second support arm unit are in the operable position, the reel attached to the holding stub is not accessible for loading or unloading from outside the reel support assembly. The reel can be removed and removed from the reel support assembly in a similar manner. In summary, the retention stub is easily accessible when the first support arm unit and / or the second support arm unit are in the loading position. This makes loading and unloading of the reel even easier.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each support arm unit comprises a first arm element rotatably supported on the support frame and a second arm element slidably supported on the first arm element. Therefore, the support arm units are structurally simple. In particular, the separation of the sliding mechanism and the pivoting mechanism ensures reliable operation of the support arm assembly. Additionally, the support arm assembly can be manufactured and assembled with relatively little effort.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each support arm unit comprises a slide rail and one or more arm elements slidably supported on the support frame by the slide rail. When multiple arm elements are used, each arm element is slidably supported on an adjacent arm element. The support arm unit is therefore structurally simple. In addition, the support arm assembly can be manufactured and assembled with relatively little effort. According to a variant, the arm elements are connected to the support frame via two substantially parallel slide rails. Such a configuration is particularly suitable for supporting high loads.

[0018] Preferably, the first arm element and the second arm element are connected via a slide rail oriented along the direction of the slidable support of each support arm unit. The slide rail is structurally simple and operationally reliable. The slide rail is particularly suitable for supporting high loads.

[0019] According to a variant, the first and second arm elements are connected via two substantially parallel sliding rails, such an arrangement being particularly suitable for supporting high loads.

[0020] According to one embodiment, each support arm unit can include at least two holding stubs for respectively attaching a reel to the support arm unit. This means that each support arm unit is suitable for supporting at least two reels. When a first support arm unit and a second support arm unit are used, the first support arm unit and the second support arm unit can support two reels between them. As a result, the reel support assembly can be used to supply reels to processes that require two different types of reels, for example, where the types of web wound on the reels are different. When the support arm units are in the extended position, the reels attached to both holding stubs are easily accessible.

[0021] In a variant, the holding stub is movable in a direction substantially corresponding to its intermediate axis, and the holding stub can be selectively extended to cooperate with a reel to be attached to and detached from the respective support arm unit. The reel can thus be quickly and easily attached to the holding stub. The same applies to the detachment of the reel from the holding stub.

[0022] The holding stubs can be supported on the respective support arm units via rails extending substantially parallel to the intermediate axis of each holding stub. Again, the rails are a simple and reliable structure for supporting the holding stubs. The rails are particularly suitable for supporting heavy loads, i.e., heavy reels. Fixing on the rails allows reels of different widths to be attached. The rails also allow narrow reels made of foil to be positioned along a direction parallel to the rail (i.e., along the width of the machine) to align the reel with the position where the foil needs to be stamped on the support. By having multiple stubs movable in a direction substantially corresponding to the intermediate axis, multiple (narrow) reels can also be attached along the same rail. It should be noted that lightweight, narrow reels can be attached using one stub, while wide, heavy reels require stubs on each of their sides.

[0023] In variations in which the reel support assembly comprises a first support arm unit and a second support arm unit, the rail on which the retention stubs are supported may extend from the first support arm unit to the second support arm unit, and the retention stubs associated with the first support arm unit may be supported at an associated end of the rail, and the retention stubs associated with the second support arm unit may be supported at an opposite end associated with the second support arm unit.

[0024] In one embodiment, the reel support assembly includes at least one protection bar that selectively occupies the space where an incorrectly mounted stub for supporting the reel may be located or moved. This ensures that the reel, including the support stub, will not collide with other objects when the reel support assembly is moved from the mounted position to the operational position or vice versa. In a preferred embodiment, the operator has the possibility to slightly adjust the position of the reel along its axis when the reel is in the operational position, and therefore a set of protection bars is present near the operational position to ensure that the reel does not displace out of bounds before moving back to the mounted position. This allows the reel to move reliably within the reel support assembly.

[0025] The support elements can be connected to the support frame via a chain or belt drive, so that the movement of raising and lowering the support elements is generated by the chain or belt drive, and the support elements can be moved reliably and accurately.

[0026] Preferably, the support element is horizontally movable. This type of mobility can be used to align a reel supported thereon with at least one holding stub of the support arm unit. Furthermore, this type of mobility can be used to pass by a reel already placed on the reel support assembly. Thus, a reel mounted on the support element can be quickly and easily attached to and detached from the holding stub.

[0027] In a variant, the lifting unit is provided with a brake unit, which is normally closed and the support element is only movable when the brake unit is activated. Preferably, two brake units are provided, one on each side of the lifting unit. The lifting unit of the reel support assembly can thus be operated in a particularly safe manner. The lifting unit can only be moved when the brake unit is specifically activated. In all other cases, the lifting unit is immobilized by the brake unit.

[0028] The above problems are further solved by a hot foil stamping machine of the above type that includes a reel support assembly according to the present invention, the reel support assembly being arranged at the upstream end of the hot foil stamping machine relative to the web travel direction. With such a hot foil stamping machine, the reel with the web to be processed wound thereon can be quickly and easily inserted into and removed from the hot foil stamping machine. As a result, the hot foil stamping machine can operate efficiently with reduced changeover times.

[0029] According to a variant, the back side of the reel support assembly, i.e., the side of the reel support assembly opposite the side facing the rest of the hot foil stamping machine, can be equipped with a winding shutter, a door, or a sliding window. The winding shutter, door, or sliding window can selectively close / protect the back side of the reel support assembly. As a result, the components of the reel support assembly can be isolated from the environment as needed. When necessary, the winding shutter can be opened to access the interior of the reel support assembly or to change the reel.

[0030] Preferably, the support frame of the hot foil stamping machine functions as the support frame for the reel support assembly, and thus the support frame is shared, resulting in a hot foil stamping machine that is structurally simple and has a relatively small footprint on the factory floor.

[0031] The present invention will now be described with reference to various embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 shows a part of a hot foil stamping machine according to the invention with a reel support assembly according to the invention, the support elements of the lifting unit of the reel support assembly being in the retracted position; [Figure 2]2 shows a portion of the hot foil stamping machine of FIG. 1 with the support elements of the lifting unit of the reel support assembly in alignment. [Figure 3] 3 shows a portion of the hot foil stamping machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the support elements of the lifting unit of the reel support assembly in a mounted state; [Figure 4] 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the hot foil stamping machine of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a detail of the reel support assembly of FIGS. 1 to 4, with the first support arm unit of the reel support assembly in an operable position; [Figure 6] Detail of Figure 5 shows the first support arm unit of the reel support assembly in the intermediate position. [Figure 7] 5 and 6, showing the first support arm unit of the reel support assembly in the extended position. [Figure 8] 5 to 7, showing the details of the two protective bars in two different positions; [Figure 9] 5 shows another view of the lifting unit of the reel support assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 shows the lifting unit of FIG. 9 viewed along direction X. [Figure 11] 5 shows details of the reel support assembly of FIGS. 1 to 4 with respect to the attachment of a reel to the reel support assembly, with the retention stub engaging the reel. [Figure 12] Detail of FIG. 11, with the retention stub removed from the reel. [Figure 13] 11 and 12, the reel has been removed from the reel support assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an end 10 a of a hot foil stamping machine 10 .

[0034] From the viewpoint of the direction of travel of the web in the hot stamping process performed by the hot foil stamping machine 10, the end 10a corresponds to the upstream end of the hot foil stamping machine 10.

[0035] This means that at this end 10a the reel 12 to be processed is provided, while at the opposite end, ie the downstream end, the product produced by the hot foil stamping machine 10 is provided.

[0036] In this regard, the reel 12 typically comprises a reel core around which the web, e.g., foil, being processed in the hot foil stamping machine 10 is wound.

[0037] Depending on the hot stamping process being performed, one or more reels 12 may be supported in the hot foil stamping machine 10 by a reel support assembly 14 .

[0038] In this embodiment, the hot foil stamping machine 10 and the reel support assembly 14 use a common support frame 16 , i.e., the support frame of the hot foil stamping machine 10 serves as the support frame for the reel support assembly 14 .

[0039] Additionally, the hot foil stamping machine 10 of this embodiment is partially enclosed by an operator's platform 18 defined by handrails 20 and a gate 22 .

[0040] Near end 10a, platform 18 includes a pivotable walkway 23 that can be selectively pivoted out of the way, as best seen by comparing FIGS.

[0041] The reel support assembly 14 comprises a lifting unit 24 having a support element 26 on which the reel 12 can be placed.

[0042] The support element 26 is supported on the support frame 16 in a vertically movable manner.

[0043] For this purpose, the support element 26 is connected to a chain drive 28 comprising a chain 30 and a drive motor 32 for actuating the chain 30 (see Figures 9 and 10).

[0044] 1, the support element 26 can be moved to a retracted position using the chain drive 28. This position substantially corresponds to the uppermost position that can be reached by using the chain drive 28.

[0045] The support elements 26 are preferably placed in a storage position when the hot foil stamping machine 10 is loaded with the required reels 12 and is using those reels 12 to perform the hot stamping process.

[0046] Alternatively, the support element 26 is placed in a stowed position when the hot foil stamping machine 10 is not operational or when the lift is not in use to maintain some free space to allow an operator to manually handle light reels and bypass the lifting unit 24.

[0047] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, the support element 26 can be moved to an alignment state in which the support element 26 is positioned at a predetermined height such that a reel 12 placed on or received on the support element 26 is aligned with a corresponding support arm unit 34a, 34b of the reel support assembly 14, as described in more detail below.

[0048] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the support element 26 can assume a mounted state.

[0049] In this state, the support element 26 is positioned close to the floor so that the reel 12 placed thereon can be easily removed from the support element 26. Obviously, a reel 12 can also be placed on an empty support element 26 in the loaded state.

[0050] In this regard, the support element 26 is also movable horizontally along the direction indicated by the arrow 36 in FIG.

[0051] This allows the first reel 12 to be first mounted on the lower stub 40 of the arm unit 34a, 34b, and then the second reel to be mounted on the upper stub 40 of the arm unit 34a, 34b.

[0052] The first reel 12 is mounted on the arm units 34a and 34b, and the arm units 34a and 34b are set to the intermediate position (see FIG. 6).

[0053] The second reel 12 is then loaded near the floor, i.e., in the loading position, on the support element 26. The support element 26 must be raised and moved away from the end 10a in the direction indicated by arrow 36 to pass adjacent to the first reel 12.

[0054] In order to load the second reel 12 onto the arm units 34a, 34b, once the support element 26 has reached the alignment height, the support element 26 must be moved back towards the end 10a in the direction indicated by the arrow 36.

[0055] In other words, the second reel 12 can be moved around the first reel 12.

[0056] It should be noted that in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the walkway 23 can be folded up and the support element 26 can be positioned close to the floor, ie in a mounted state (see in particular Figure 3).

[0057] Furthermore, the gate 22 is adapted to be opened so that the support element 26 can be accessed to remove the reel 12 therefrom or to place the reel 12 thereon.

[0058] For safety reasons, the lifting unit 24 is also provided with a braking unit 33, preferably two braking units, one of which can be integrated into the drive motor 32 (see FIG. 9).

[0059] These braking units 33 are used to selectively obstruct the chain 30 .

[0060] The brake unit 33 and the brake unit integrated in the drive motor 32 are normally closed. The support element 26 can therefore only be moved if the brake unit is in an activated state. In other words, when it is not activated, for example when there is no required power, the brake unit closes and prevents the support element 26 from moving.

[0061] As mentioned above, the reel support assembly 14 includes the first support arm unit 34a and the second support arm unit 34b (see FIG. 2).

[0062] The second support arm unit 34b is disposed opposite the first support arm unit 34a, and the reel 12 can be supported between the first support arm unit 34a and the second support arm unit 34b.

[0063] Furthermore, the first support arm unit 34a and the second support arm unit 34b are adapted to move in synchronization.

[0064] The first support arm unit 34a and the second support arm unit 34b are described in detail below with reference to Figures 5 to 7, although strictly speaking these Figures only show the first support arm unit 34a. However, the second support arm unit 34b is identical to the first support arm unit 34a except that it is mirror-inverted, and the reference numerals associated with the second support arm unit 34b are used.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, both support arm units 34a, 34b have two retaining stubs 40 on which the reel 12 is mounted. One of the stubs 40 is designated as the upper stub and the other of the stubs 40 is designated as the lower stub.

[0066] Each support arm unit 34a, 34b includes a respective first arm element 42a, 42b rotatably supported on the support frame 16 and a second arm element 44a, 44b slidably supported on the first arm element 42a, 42b.

[0067] Thus, the first support arm unit 34a and the second support arm unit 34b are pivotally supported on the support frame 16 via their respective first arm elements 42a, 42b.

[0068] Additionally, the first and second support arm units 34a, 34b are translationally supported on the support frame 16, with the second arm elements 44a, 44b being slidably supported on the respective first arm elements 42a, 42b.

[0069] For this purpose, each first arm element 42a, 42b is connected to each second arm element 44a, 44b via a sliding rail 48a, 48b oriented along the translational extension direction of each support arm unit 34a, 34b.

[0070] Using the mobility and extensibility provided by the pivotal support on the support frame 16, the first support arm unit 34a and the second support arm unit 34b can be brought to a predetermined operable position in which the support arm units 34a, 34b are in a first pivoted position and in a non-extended state relative to the support frame 16 (see Figure 5).

[0071] In this position, the web wound on reel 12 can be unwound therefrom for processing in hot foil stamping machine 10. The different paths of the web unwound from reel 12 are generally indicated by the reference numeral 50.

[0072] Also, the first support arm unit 34a and the second support arm unit 34b can reach an intermediate position (see FIG. 6) in which the support arm units 34a, 34b are in a second pivot position and unextended. Thus, compared to the operable position of FIG. 6, the support arm units 34a, 34b and the reels mounted thereon are indeed pivoting.

[0073] A possible path for the web unwound from the reel 12 is similarly indicated by the reference numeral 50 .

[0074] Additionally, the first and second support arm units 34a, 34b can be brought to an extended position in which the support arm units 34a, 34b are in a second pivoted position relative to the support frame and are extended (see FIG. 7).

[0075] As shown in FIG. 8, the support arm units 34a, 34b have not pivoted further compared to the intermediate position and are just extended.

[0076] In the extended position, the reel 12 is delivered from the retaining stub 40 of each of the support arm units 34a, 34b to the support element 26 of the lifting unit 24, and vice versa.

[0077] For this purpose, the retaining stubs 40 and the corresponding retaining elements 54 are supported on the respective support arm units 34 a , 34 b via rails 56 which extend substantially parallel to the intermediate axis 40 a of the respective retaining stub 40 .

[0078] It should also be understood that multiple parallel rails may be used for the same purpose.

[0079] Thus, the retaining stubs 40 are movable in a direction substantially corresponding to their intermediate axes 40a, and the stubs 40 can be selectively extended to cooperate with the reels 12 attached to the respective support arm units (see FIG. 11).

[0080] When the reel 12 is to be removed from the support arm units 34a, 34b, the retaining stub 40 can be pulled out from the core of the reel 12 by moving it along the rail 56 (see FIG. 12).

[0081] In this state, the reel is separated from the holding arm units 34a, 34b and can be removed (see FIG. 13).

[0082] This can be done by utilizing the support element 26 .

[0083] Multiple sets of arms 34a, 34b can be used on a single rail 56 to position multiple reels along a single axis 40a. Note that a single arm 34a can be used to hold a narrow reel, while two arms 34a, 34b are required to hold a wide, heavy reel.

[0084] FIG. 8 shows a variant in which two protection bars 52 are arranged on the support frame 16 to selectively occupy the space in which the retaining stubs 40 may be located if not properly adjusted.

[0085] This space can be occupied by the retention stub 40 when it is not properly or fully inserted into the reel 12. The protection bar temporarily moves from the retracted position to the extended position. When the space is occupied by the retention stub 40, the protection bar 52 is prevented from extending, and therefore the safety system of the reel support assembly 14 can prevent any pivoting of the support arm unit 34 until the problem is resolved.

[0086] Thus, the hot foil stamping machine 10 can operate as follows.

[0087] For ease of explanation, we will start with the hot foil stamping machine 10 without the reel 12 present.

[0088] Furthermore, at this starting point, the support element 26 is in the retracted position and the support arm units 34a, 34b are in the operable position (see FIG. 1).

[0089] When the reel 12 needs to be loaded onto the hot foil stamping machine 10, the support element 26 is lowered to a loading position (see FIG. 3) and the reel 12 is placed thereon.

[0090] The support arm units 34a, 34b are then in the extended position (see FIG. 7).

[0091] The retaining stubs 40 are in the position shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 to provide sufficient space for the reel 12 to be placed therebetween.

[0092] The support elements 26 are then brought into alignment, so that the reel 12 is positioned so that the retaining stubs 40 can enter the center of its core (see FIG. 11).

[0093] The support element 26 then descends so that it no longer supports the reel 12 and in particular does not hinder its horizontal movement.

[0094] The holding arm units 34a, 34b can then be moved from the extended position (see FIG. 7) to the intermediate position (see FIG. 6) and from there to the operable position (see FIG. 5).

[0095] At this point, the web on reel 12 is ready for use in the hot stamping process.

[0096] When it is necessary to remove the reel 12 from the hot foil stamping machine 10, the steps of the above process are simply performed in reverse order.

Claims

1. A reel support assembly (14) for a web material processing machine, particularly a hot foil stamping machine (10), comprising: a support frame (16); at least a first support arm unit (34a) having at least one retention stub (40) for mounting a reel (12) on said first support arm unit (34a), said first support arm unit (34a) being supported directly on said support frame (16); a lifting unit (24) having a support element (26) on which the reel (12) can be placed, the support element (26) being supported in a vertically movable manner on the support frame (16); Equipped with The first support arm unit (34a) is supported on the support frame (16) so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the reel (12) to which it is attached and so as to be translatable along a radial direction from the axis of rotation, a reel support assembly (14).

2. 2. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 1, further comprising a second support arm unit (34b) having at least one retaining stub (40) for mounting a reel (12) on the second support arm unit (34b), the second support arm unit (34b) being supported on the support frame (16), the second support arm unit (34b) being positioned opposite the first support arm unit (34a), and the reel (12) being capable of being supported between the first support arm unit (34a) and the second support arm unit (34b).

3. 3. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 2, wherein the retaining stub (40) is movable in a direction substantially corresponding to the intermediate axis (40a), and the retaining stub (40) can be selectively extended to cooperate with a reel (12) mounted on and removed from each of the support arm units (34a, 34b).

4. 4. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 3, wherein the retaining stubs (40) are supported on each of the support arm units via rails (56) extending substantially parallel to the intermediate axes (40a) of each of the retaining stubs (40).

5. 2. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 1, wherein the support element (26) is connected to the support frame (16) via a chain drive (28) or a belt drive.

6. 2. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 1, wherein the lifting unit (24) comprises a brake unit (33), the brake unit (33) is normally closed, and the support element (26) is movable only when the brake unit (33) is in an activated state.

7. 3. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 2, wherein the second support arm unit (34b) is pivotally and / or translatably supported on the support frame (16).

8. 2. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 1, wherein each of the support arm units (34a, 34b) comprises a first arm element (42a, 42b) rotatably supported on the support frame (16) and a second arm element (44a, 44b) slidably supported on the first arm element (42a, 42b).

9. 9. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 8, wherein the first arm element (42a, 42b) and the second arm element (44a, 44b) are connected via slide rails (48a, 48b) oriented along a direction of slidable support of each of the support arm units (34a, 34b).

10. 10. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 9, wherein the first arm element (42a, 42b) and the second arm element (44a, 44b) are connected via two substantially parallel slide rails (48a, 48b).

11. 2. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 1, wherein each of the support arm units (34a, 34b) comprises at least two retention stubs (40) that respectively attach a reel (12) to the support arm unit (34a, 34b).

12. 2. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 1, including at least one protection bar (52) that selectively occupies an excluded space where a stub (40) supporting the reel (12) should not move.

13. 2. The reel support assembly (14) of claim 1, wherein said support element (26) is horizontally movable.

14. 14. A hot foil stamping machine (10) comprising a reel support assembly (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the reel support assembly (14) is arranged at an upstream end of the hot foil stamping machine relative to the direction of web travel.

15. 15. The hot foil stamping machine (10) of claim 14, wherein the support frame (16) of the hot foil stamping machine serves as the support frame (16) of the reel support assembly (14).

Images