Embossing Equipment

Abstract

An embossing device comprising a fixed structure (1), a movable structure (2) movable relative to the fixed structure (1), a first embossing assembly (LA), a second embossing assembly (UA) and a gluing assembly (GA), the first embossing assembly (LA) comprising a first steel engraved roller (3) and a respective rubber counter roller (4), the second embossing assembly (UA) comprising a second steel engraved roller (5) and a respective rubber counter roller (6), the gluing assembly (GA) being mounted on the movable structure (2). The engraved rollers (5) of the first embossing assembly (LA) and the second embossing assembly (UA) are mounted on the fixed structure (1), while the rubber counter roller (6) of the second embossing assembly (UA) is mounted on the movable structure above the gluing assembly (GA).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an embossing device.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus of the type commonly known as an embossing-gluing machine, in which two assemblies each comprising a steel engraved roller and a rubber counter roller provide embossing of two paper plies between which a glue is distributed by a suitable gluing device integrated into the embossing machine. This type of apparatus is commonly used in so-called paper converting plants, in which articles such as rolls of toilet paper, rolls of kitchen paper, and more generally products resulting from the conversion of paper are produced. [Background technology]

[0003] A typical drawback of known types of embossing-gluing devices is that when the engraving roller has to be replaced, the continuity of the paper ply must be interrupted and the paper passing belt must be disconnected. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to simplify the replacement of engraved rollers in embossing machines that use a gluing device to bond embossed plies together with a glue. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the present invention, this effect has been achieved by adopting the idea of ​​producing an embossing device having the features set out in claim 1. Other features of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The invention makes it possible to simplify the operations for replacing the engraved rollers, in particular the upper engraved rollers, without interrupting the continuity of the paper ply and disconnecting the respective paper passing belt. Furthermore, the invention can be implemented without introducing any complexities of a structural, mechanical or functional nature.

[0007] These and further advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by anyone skilled in the art from the following description and accompanying drawings, which are given as examples and should not be considered in a limiting sense. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of an embossing device according to the invention in an operational state; [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing the embossing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a configuration prior to removal of the engraved roller of the second embossing assembly. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a configuration in which the engraved roller of the second, upper embossing assembly has been extracted; FIG. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are schematic side views illustrating an embossing device according to a further embodiment of the present invention in operation; [Figure 5] 5 is a diagram showing the embossing apparatus of FIG. 4 in a configuration prior to removal of the engraved roller of the second embossing assembly. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing the apparatus of FIGS. 4 and 5 in a configuration in which the engraved roller of the second upper embossing assembly has been extracted. [Figure 7] 3 is a schematic side view of an embossing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The embossing device (EA) according to the present invention has the following features, which are modified in their essential structure and which are shown in the accompanying drawings: a fixed structure (1) on which the first embossing assembly (LA) and the engraved roller of the second embossing assembly (UA) are arranged; a movable structure (2) on which the rubber counter roller of the second embossing assembly (UA) and the gluing assembly (GA) are arranged; An actuating means for moving the movable structure (2) toward or away from the fixed structure (1).

[0010] Referring to the example shown in Figures 1-3, the first embossing assembly is a lower embossing device, and the second embossing assembly is an upper embossing device. The lower embossing device (LA) comprises a lower steel engraved roller (3) horizontally arranged between two opposing walls of the stationary structure (1) and a respective lower rubber counter roller (4). The steel engraved roller (5) of the upper embossing device (UA) is arranged above the lower engraved roller (3) and is also oriented horizontally between the two opposing walls of the stationary structure (1). The rollers (3, 4, 5) are removably attached to the stationary structure (1) by removable connecting members known per se. For example, the rollers (3, 4, 5) can be connected to the stationary structure (1) by removable collar members acting on the ends of the rollers. The rubber counter roller (6) of the upper embossing device (UA) is mounted between two opposing walls of the movable structure (2) and is oriented horizontally, as are the other rollers (3, 4, 5). The drawing also shows a bonding roll (M) constrained to the fixed structure (1) in front of the engraved roller (5) of the upper embossing device (UA), i.e., on the opposite side with respect to the gluing assembly (GA). For example, the lower part of the movable structure (2) is mounted on a linear guide formed on an attachment (10) of the fixed structure (1) and is controlled by an electric motor (21) that allows it to move toward and away from the fixed structure (1). Arrow "F2" indicates the translation of the movable structure (2).

[0011] The gluing assembly (GA) comprises a tank (7) containing the sizing agent and a first horizontal roller (8) which takes the sizing agent from the tank (7) and transfers it by contact to a second horizontal roller (9) which then distributes the sizing agent onto the paper ply (V2) as will be described below. In a manner known per se, the rollers (8, 9) rotate at a predetermined speed about their respective axes, controlled by corresponding electric motors (not shown), in order to take the sizing agent from the tank (7) and distribute it onto the ply (V2).

[0012] In operation, the movable structure (2) approaches the fixed structure (1), as shown in Figure 1, so that the lower and upper embossing assemblies are positioned with their respective rollers (3, 4; 5, 6) arranged relative to one another in an embossing configuration for the plies (V1, V2). In this configuration, a paper ply (V1) passes between the rollers (3, 4) of the lower embossing device (LA), and another ply (V2) passes between the rollers (5, 6) of the upper embossing device (UA). Furthermore, the ply (V2) comes into contact with the roller (9) acting as a distributor of the gluing assembly (GA), and the plies (V1) and (V2) pass between the engraved rollers (4, 5). In this way, an operating arrangement is achieved in which the plies (V1, V2) are embossed and glued together to produce a paper web (W) formed by the embossed and glued plies (V1, V2), which exits the nip formed by the engraved roller (5) and the combining roll (M).

[0013] As shown schematically in Figure 3, when the movable structure (2) moves to separate from the fixed structure (1), the rubber roller (6) of the upper embossing device also moves to separate because it is constrained by the movable structure (2).

[0014] Thus, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3, a space (S) is created through which the engraved roller (5) of the upper embossing device can be removed for replacement, as indicated diagrammatically by the arrow "R5." Since the rubber roller (6) of the upper embossing device follows the movement of the movable structure (2), in this configuration, the ply (V2) rests on the rubber roller (6) of the upper embossing device and on the engraved roller (4) of the lower embossing assembly, freeing up space above the engraved roller of the upper embossing assembly. Therefore, replacing the engraved roller (5) of the upper embossing device does not require cutting the ply (V2), and the continuity of the ply is maintained. Furthermore, there is no need to remove the paper-passing belt of the upper ply (not shown), which normally follows the same path as the ply.

[0015] In practice, the rubber roller (6) of the upper embossing assembly (UA) is mounted on a movable support constituted by the movable structure (2) of the gluing assembly (GA).

[0016] In the above example, the movable structure (2) translates as it moves away from the fixed structure (1), as indicated by the arrow (F2). Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, before moving the movable structure (2) away from the fixed structure (1), the combining roll (M) and the gluing assembly (GA) are detached from the engraved roller (5) of the upper embossing assembly in a manner known per se. In this regard, the combining roll (M) is mounted on a support by means of the movable arm (B), which is only diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of simplicity, and which secures the combining roll to the side of the fixed structure (1) that allows it to move toward and away from the engraved roller (5). Similarly, the gluing assembly (GA) is mounted on a respective support by means of a slide (S), which is only diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of simplicity, and which allows the gluing assembly (GA) to move toward and away from the engraved roller (5).

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the movable structure (2) is hinged to the lower part of the fixed structure (1) by a horizontal axis (A2). The rotation (R2) of the movable structure (2) around the axis (A2) is controlled by a respective actuator (22). Again, the movable structure (2) is configured to move towards the fixed structure (1), as shown schematically in FIG. 4, or move away from the fixed structure (1), as shown schematically in FIG. 6. Again, the rubber roller (6) is attached to the movable structure (2) above the gluing assembly, achieving the advantages described with reference to the previous example. Furthermore, again, preferably, before moving the movable structure (2) away from the fixed structure (1), the combining roll (M) and the gluing assembly (GA) are detached from the engraved roller (5) of the upper embossing assembly, as shown schematically in FIG. 5.

[0018] The embossing device shown in Figures 1-6 is configured for nested embossing.

[0019] The embossing apparatus, as shown schematically in Figure 7, is configured for tip-to-tip embossing. In this case, the engraved roller of the first embossing assembly is arranged in place of the bonding roll described in the previous example. In this example, the embossing apparatus (EA) of the present invention comprises a fixed structure (1) on which the first embossing assembly (LA) and the engraved roller of the second embossing assembly (UA) are arranged, a movable structure (2) on which the rubber counter roller of the second embossing assembly (UA) and the gluing assembly (GA) are arranged, and actuator means for moving the movable structure (2) towards and away from the fixed structure (1).

[0020] In fact, details of implementation may be modified in an equivalent manner with respect to the individual elements described and illustrated, in each case without departing from the idea of ​​the adopted solution and therefore remaining within the scope of protection granted by this patent in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims

1. a fixed structure (1) and a movable structure (2) configured to move toward and away from the fixed structure (1); a first embossing assembly (LA); a second embossing assembly (UA); a gluing assembly (GA); An embossing device comprising: The first embossing assembly (LA) comprises a first steel engraved roller (3) and a first rubber counter roller (4); said second embossing assembly (UA) comprising a second steel engraved roller (5) and a second rubber counter roller (6); The gluing assembly (GA) is placed on the movable structure (2), the first embossing assembly (LA) and the second steel engraved roller (5) are placed on the fixed structure (1); The second rubber counter roller (6) is placed on the movable structure above the gluing assembly (GA), embossing device.

2. 2. The embossing device according to claim 1, wherein the movable structure (2) is mounted on a linear guide (20) and connected to an actuator (21) that controls the movement of the movable structure (2) towards and away from the fixed structure (1).

3. 2. The embossing device according to claim 1, wherein the movable structure (2) is hinged to the lower part of the fixed structure (1) by a horizontal axis (A2) and is connected to an actuator (22) that controls the rotation of the movable structure (2) away from and towards the fixed structure (1).

4. 2. An embossing device according to claim 1, wherein the gluing assembly (GA) comprises a tank (7) containing a gluing agent, a first horizontal roller (8) for removing the gluing agent from the tank (7), and a second horizontal roller (9) for receiving the gluing agent from the first horizontal roller (8) and acting as a glue distributor.

Images