A device for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a material tape in transit and method thereof

Abstract

A device (1) for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit along a production line comprising an internally hollow rotating idler roller (2) and kinematic connection means to allow said rotating idler roller (2) to perform, in addition to a first rotation (Ri) around its axis (X- X), a second rotation (R2) by a limited angle (a), around a transverse axis (Z-Z) orthogonal to a plane P passing through said central axis (Y-Y), said kinematic connection means being advantageously housed inside the cavity (7) of said rotating idler roller (2) so as to be interposed between said support element (6) and said rotating idler roller (2).

Description

[0001] “A device for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a material tape in transit and method thereof’

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention refers to a device for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit, for example along a production line .

[0005] According to a further aspect, the present invention also refers to a production line comprising the said device.

[0006] Within the scope of the present invention, the terms "tape” or "tape of material” are used, in a generic way, to distinguish any material, such as for example paper, cardboard, polymeric material, aluminium, a fabric and / or a non-woven fabric, shaped so as to present a substantially two- dimensional development with reduced thickness with respect to a predetermined transverse width and a continuous longitudinal development of several meters, by way of example and not exhaustively, they are used to refer to a continuous tape or sheet to be wound in reels or wound in reels.

[0007] In the following, for simplicity of exposition, the present description is made, by way of non-limiting example, with particular reference to a continuous tape of labelling material to be used in a production line that provides for having to carry out printing applications and / or label applications.

[0008] Background of the invention

[0009] As part of a line intended for processing a continuous cardboard tape, the paper has a substantially two-dimensional shape, in the sense that the thickness size is almost negligible with respect to the transverse width and longitudinal length of the paper tape.

[0010] As part of the label printing and / or labelling lines, the material to be printed, or eventually already printed, is in the form of a continuous tape that is drawn and advanced along a tape path identified by motorised traction rollers or by idler rollers.

[0011] The operation of printing a label, as well as the operation of applying a label to a flat cardboard surface or to the curved surface of ajar, requires that the tape be correctly guided and positioned.

[0012] In view of the fact that the thickness of a label tape is substantially negligible and that the longitudinal development of the tape is continuous, it follows that during the advancement of the tape it is necessary, if necessary, to adjust the correct transverse positioning of the tape with respect to the envisaged printing or application point.

[0013] The incorrect transverse positioning of the tape is a direct consequence of the fact that the tape is drawn along the advancement line identified by the rollers, and a greater or lesser tensioning of the tape is sufficient, as well as a not perfectly transverse positioning of a rotating idler roller, to determine a transverse displacement of the tape with respect to the transverse positioning initially envisaged during the set-up phase of the production line.

[0014] The need to be met is therefore to be able to adjust the transverse positioning of the tape during its advancement along a tape path identified by a series of rollers, so as to be able to make / determine displacements (offsets) by a few millimetres that are useful for the tape in transit so that it assumes the correct transverse positioning / centring at the point of printing or application of a label.

[0015] Nowadays, this need is met by using devices for adjusting the transverse alignment of a tape and its longitudinal edges that provide two idler rollers spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the direction of advancement of the tape. These rollers are then supported by a framework identified by a tilting frame rotating with respect to the frame of the production line capable of allowing a limited rotation / inclination, i.e. an orientation of such rollers, with respect to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the tape in transit.

[0016] With regard to these known devices, it should be pointed out that the support frame and the relative rotating tilt involve encumbrances that make it difficult to implement it in a production line during the design and development phase and that, certainly, does not make them suitable to be applied in an existing production line in consideration of the significant changes required during the installation phase.

[0017] In fact, the tape paths identified by the various traction or idler rollers of a production line are rather congested by the presence of the various rollers and supports, to the point that the space required for the installation of a frame with a rotating tilt is not available.

[0018] Furthermore, devices are known for adjusting the transverse alignment of a tape and its longitudinal edges equipped with a single roller supported in rotation by a tilting frame rotating with respect to the frame of the production line. These devices that provide for the presence of a single roller have a smaller encumbrance than the devices with two rollers but are not exempt from the problem of also necessarily having to provide for the presence and encumbrance of a rotating bascule frame, thus presenting the same drawbacks referred to above.

[0019] In view of the above, it is therefore evident that today there is a great need to be able to adjust the transverse alignment of a tape and its longitudinal edges by means of devices that, in addition to being simple and reliable, are also very compact, so that they can be easily positioned in one or more points along a tape path of a production line, possibly also of a production line already in use, therefore as a retrofitting device.

[0020] Summary of the invention

[0021] The problem underlying the present invention is to devise a device for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit, for example along a production line, which has structural and functional characteristics such as to meet the above identified needs, while obviating the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0022] This problem is solved by a device in accordance with claim 1 for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit, for example in a production line .

[0023] According to a further aspect, this problem is also solved by a production line in accordance with claim 21 and / or by a method for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit in accordance with claim 24.

[0024] Brief description of the figures

[0025] Further features and advantages of the present invention will result from the description below of some preferred examples of embodiments thereof, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0026] - figure 1 represents a perspective view of a device according to the invention which for supporting in rotation a rotating idler roller comprises a spider joint supported by an axis supported at both ends;

[0027] - figure 2 represents a perspective view of the device of figure 1 supported by a support frame;

[0028] - figure 3 represents a side view of figure 2;

[0029] - figure 4 represents a partial cut-away perspective view of the device of figure 1 in a configuration with the rotating idler roller aligned to the axis of its support;

[0030] - figure 5 represents a front flat view of figure 2;

[0031] - figure 6 represents a section flat view according to the section line VI- VI of figure 5;

[0032] - figure 7 represents a perspective view of the device of figure 4 rotated by 90°;

[0033] - figure 8 represents a front flat view of figure 7 ;

[0034] - figure 9 represents a section plan view according to section line D-D of figure 8;

[0035] - figure 10 represents a perspective view of the inner spider joint of the device of figure 1;

[0036] - figure 11 represents a longitudinal sectional side view of the spider joint of figure 10;

[0037] - figure 12 represents a front plan view of the spider joint of figure 10;

[0038] - figure 13 represents a top plan view of the spider joint of figure 10;

[0039] - figures 14 and 15 represent two separate sectional views of figure 6 with the axis of the idler roller shown rotated by a predetermined angle in two respective opposite directions with respect to the axis of its support;

[0040] - figures 16 and 17 represent two separate sectional views of a device in accordance with the invention in accordance with a second embodiment that provides a rotating idler roller supported by a spider joint supported in a cantilevered manner, with the axis of the idler roller shown rotated by a predetermined angle in two respective opposite directions with respect to the axis of its support;

[0041] - figure 18 represents a longitudinal sectional view of a device in accordance with the invention in accordance with a third embodiment which provides for supporting in rotation a rotating idler roller by means of a ball joint supported by an axis supported at both ends;

[0042] - figures 19 and 20 represent two separate sectional views of figure 18 with the axis of the idler roller shown rotated by a predetermined angle in two respective opposite directions with respect to the axis of its support;

[0043] - figures 21 and 22 represent two separate sectional views of a device in accordance with the invention, in accordance with a fourth embodiment, comprising a rotating idler roller supported by a ball joint supported in a cantilevered manner, and with the axis of the idler roller shown rotated by a predetermined angle in two respective opposite directions with respect to the axis of its support;

[0044] - figure 23 represents a perspective view of a device in accordance with the invention, in accordance with a fifth embodiment, which provides for the presence of a drive actuator positioned inside the device itself;

[0045] - figure 24 represents a schematic partial cut-away perspective view of the device of figure 23; figure 25 represents a plan view of the device of figure 23; figure 26 represents a schematic view in longitudinal section according to section line XXVI-XXVI of figure 25; figure 27 represents a schematic view in longitudinal section of the device of figure 25 according to a section plane rotated by 90° with respect to the section line XXVI-XXVI of figure 25; figures 28 and 29 represent two schematic sectional views of the device of figure 26 with an inner actuator driven to determine two opposite inclinations of the rotating outer part of the device with respect to the central support element; figure 30 represents a schematic partial cut-away perspective view of the device of figure 23 which is rotated to show a connection spider joint present in the device; figure 31 represents a plan view in section of a detail of the connection spider joint present in the device; figure 32 represents a schematic plan view in longitudinal section of the inner structure of the device of figure 23 only; figure 33 represents a schematic perspective view of an actuator device housed within the device of figure 23; figures 34 and 35 represent schematic plan views, respectively lateral and in plan, of the actuator device of figure 33; figure 36 represents a schematic perspective view of the inner part of a device in accordance with the invention in accordance with a sixth embodiment which provides for the presence of a drive actuator positioned inside the device itself and an inner system with curvilinear guide and slider to achieve an inclination of the rotating external part of the device with respect to the central support element; figure 37 represents a schematic perspective view of only the inner part of the central support element of the device of figure 36; figure 38 represents a schematic perspective view of the device of figure 37 partially exploded to better illustrate the structure of the inner system with curvilinear guide; figure 39 represents a schematic partial cut-away perspective view of the device of figure 36; figure 40 represents a cross-section of the median point of the device of figure 39; figure 41 represents a schematic plan view in longitudinal section of the device of figure 39 and figures 42 and 43 represent views of the device of figure 41 with two opposite inclinations of the rotating outer part of the device with respect to the central support element.

[0046] Detailed description of the invention

[0047] With reference to the accompanying figures, 1 globally indicates a device according to the invention for performing the guiding and adjustment of the alignment of a tape of material in transit, in particular a device 1 inserted along a path of a tape of material in transit identified by a plurality of rollers in a production line intended for printing and / or applying labels.

[0048] The detailed description of some different embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention is provided below, with the specification that structurally or functionally corresponding parts will be numbered with the same reference numbers and will not be described again from time to time for each of the different embodiments.

[0049] As set forth at the beginning of this description, the terms "tape” or "tape of material” are used, in a generic way, to refer to any material, such as for example paper, cardboard, polymeric material, aluminium, a fabric and / or a non-woven fabric, shaped so as to present a substantially two- dimensional development with reduced thickness with respect to a predetermined transverse width and a continuous longitudinal development of several meters, by way of example and not exhaustively, they are used to refer to a continuous tape or sheet to be wound in reels or wound in reels.

[0050] Furthermore, the reference to a production line intended for printing and / or the application of labels is intended as a non-limiting example.

[0051] The above identified production line comprises idler rollers used to guide the tape of material along a predetermined tape path along which the tape of material advances to be processed.

[0052] At least one device 1 according to the invention is also positioned along said tape path of the production line, it being however possible to provide for the presence of several devices 1 positioned along successive sections of the tape path if this is required or useful for specific needs, for example a first device 1 upstream of a material tape printing station and a second device 1 further downstream before a label application station.

[0053] Furthermore, in order to meet specific needs, it is also possible to provide for the presence of two devices 1 positioned in succession along the same section of said tape path.

[0054] It should be pointed out that the above identified production line is intended to process the continuous tape of material while it advances along said tape path with a predetermined advancement speed and with a predetermined tension, therefore without the need to stop the advancement of the tape of material in transit to correct or vary the alignment and the transverse positioning of said tape of material in transit.

[0055] It is worth pointing out that some alternative embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention will be described below, with the specification that structurally or functionally corresponding parts will be numbered with the same reference numbers and will not be described from time to time for each of the different embodiments.

[0056] According to the invention, the device 1 for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit comprises:

[0057] - a rotating idler roller 2 of predetermined axis X-X extended in a predetermined axial direction, said rotating idler roller 2 comprising a cylindrical side wall 2a extending axially between a first head end 3 and an opposed second head end 4, said cylindrical side wall 2a being supported by a support structure 24 and being intended to externally come into contact with a tape of material in transit to contact and guide said tape during advancement, more specifically, said tape of material contacts said surface wrapping around it for a predetermined circumference arc;

[0058] - support means fixed to a support frame 5 to support said rotating idler roller 2 with respect to said support frame 5 so as to be able to perform a first rotation Ri around its axis X-X, specifically a rotary revolution movement of said rotating idler roller 2 around its own axis X-X, said support means identifying a central axis Y-Y passing through said first head end 3 and through said second head end 4 of said rotating idler roller 2;

[0059] - kinematic connection means to allow said rotating idler roller 2 to perform a second rotation R2, by a limited angle a, around a transverse axis Z-Z orthogonal to a plane P passing through said central axis Y-Y, so as to allow to make an angular orientation with respect to said central axis Y-Y of said rotating idler roller 2 in said plane P following a limited rotation around said transverse axis Z-Z.

[0060] Regarding the external surface of the cylindrical side wall 2a of the rotating idler roller 2, it should be specified that it can be coated with a high-friction material, such as for example cork or a natural or polymeric rubber, in order to maximize friction in the contact between the roller and the material in transit. It is worth pointing out that an angular positioning of the axis X-X of said rotating idler roller 2 in said plane P different from 90° with respect to the infeed direction of a tape of material in said device 1 determines a corresponding transverse deviation of said tape of material in said device 1.

[0061] In other words, if the axis X-X of said rotating idler roller 2 is inclined with respect to the direction of advancement of the tape of material by an angle different from 90°, i.e. when said rotating idler roller 2 is not perpendicular to the tape of material partially wound on it, it follows that said tape of material, when crossing said device 1, undergoes a deviation in the transverse direction with respect to the direction of entry into said device 1 depending on the entity and the direction of said inclination. Advantageously:

[0062] - said rotating idler roller 2 is a hollow rotating idler roller, in said rotating idler roller 2 a through cavity 7 extending between said first head end 3 and said opposed second head end 4 being identified;

[0063] - said support means comprise a support element 6 extending parallel to said central axis Y-Y and inserted in said cavity 7 of said rotating idler roller 2 starting from said first head end 3 and

[0064] - said kinematic connection means are housed inside said rotating idler roller 2 in said cavity 7 to be interposed between said support element 6 of said support means and said rotating idler roller 2, thus allowing said rotating idler roller 2:

[0065] - to perform said first rotation Ri around the axis X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 and

[0066] - to perform said second rotation R2, by a limited angle a, around said transverse axis Z-Z and allow to make an angular orientation in said plane P of said rotating idler roller 2 with respect to said central axis Y-Y.

[0067] The above identified support means also comprise a first fixing head 19 supported by said frame 5, while said support element 6 identifies an extended pin along said central axis Y-Y.

[0068] In particular, said support element 6 extends parallel to said central axis Y-Y and is inserted in said cavity 7 of said rotating idler roller 2 starting from said first head end 3 of said roller.

[0069] In accordance with a first embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 15, the support element 6 extends until it overhangs said opposed second head end 4 of the cylindrical side wall 2a of said rotating idler roller 2 to be supported by a second fixing head 22 of said support means supported by said frame 5.

[0070] Therefore, in accordance with this first embodiment, said support element 6, in the example of the figure identified by a pin extended along said central axis Y-Y, is supported at both its ends, being integrally fixed by the frame 5, by means of said first fixing head 19 and said second fixing head 22, at its opposed distal ends. This configuration is particularly suitable for optimally supporting in rotation also rotating idler rollers having a considerable axial extension. In accordance with different embodiments, said support element 6 can be supported integrally with the frame 5 only at one end thereof, thus resulting in an element supported in a cantilevered manner. This embodiment solution is suitable for supporting in rotation rotating idler rollers having a reduced axial extension.

[0071] In particular, figures 16 and 17 illustrate a second embodiment of the device 1 that differs from that previously described in that said support element 6 is supported in a cantilevered manner by the frame 5 only at one end thereof, thus resulting in an element supported in a cantilevered manner by the first fixing head 19. In this case, as shown in figures 16 and 17, the support element 6 does not necessarily have to overhang the opposed second head end 4 of the cylindrical side wall 2a of the rotating idler roller 2.

[0072] It is worth pointing out that the solution of supporting the cantilevered support element 6, i.e. at only one end thereof, is simpler and less problematic to realise and / or implement and in order to carry out any maintenance works on the device 1. For example, it is pointed out that it is possible to remove and reassemble the rotating idler roller 2 from the cantilevered support 6 despite the presence of the tape of material and without interfering with it.

[0073] The solution of providing a cantilevered support of the support element 6 generally lends itself to being implemented only where the tapes of material to be treated have a reduced transverse width and, consequently, said rotating idler roller 2 extends axially for a limited section, while for rollers of greater axial length it is preferable to adopt a support element 6 supported by the frame 5 at both its opposed head ends.

[0074] In accordance with the first embodiment (see figures 1 to 15) and with the second embodiment (see figures 16 and 17), preferably, the above identified kinematic connection means comprise a spider joint 8 entirely housed within said cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2.

[0075] Figures 10 to 13 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the spider joint 8 which can be conveniently employed in the device 1 in accordance with the first embodiment (see figures 4, 6, 7, 14 and 15) or in accordance with the second embodiment (see figures 16 and 17) of the device 1 in accordance with the invention.

[0076] Said spider joint 8 comprises:

[0077] - a tubular cylindrical body 9 axially retained by said cylindrical side wall 2a of said rotating idler roller 2 by interposing first bearings 10, preferably rolling bearings, concentric to said rotating idler roller 2, so as to allow said rotating idler roller 2 to perform said first rotation Ri around its axis X-X without dragging said spider joint 8 in rotation and

[0078] - a rotation pin 11 extending perpendicularly inside said tubular cylindrical body 9 along said transverse direction Z-Z and supported by said cylindrical body 9 by interposing second bearings 14, preferably rolling bearings, concentric to said rotation pin 11, wherein said rotation pin 11 engages said support element 6 so as to be integral with it in rotation around said transverse axis Z-Z, so that a relative rotation around said transverse axis Z-Z between said tubular cylindrical body 9 of said spider joint 8 and said rotation pin 11 determines said second rotation R2 of said rotating idler roller 2 with respect to said support element 6.

[0079] Said pin 11 is integral in rotation with the support element 6, thus preventing the spider joint from rotating around the central axis Y-Y, leaving the rotation of the spider joint 8 around the transverse axis Z-Z of the tubular cylindrical body 9 free.

[0080] Preferably, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment,

[0081] - said rotation pin 11 is integral with a cylindrical sleeve 12 provided with an extended axial passage along said central axis Y-Y and

[0082] - said support element 6 is inserted in said axial passage of said cylindrical sleeve 12.

[0083] More preferably, said support element 6 is inserted in said axial passage of said cylindrical sleeve 12 so as to be integral even in translation with said cylindrical sleeve 12.

[0084] Preferably, the device 1 according to the invention also comprises a gripping element 13 intended to be actuated by an actuator 15, for example a pneumatic, hydraulic, motorized mechanical or other actuator type. If necessary, a stepper motor, a servomotor or other structurally and / or functionally equivalent systems can also be used as an actuator.

[0085] Said gripping element 13 is supported by said rotating idler roller 2 so as to result:

[0086] - integral in translation with said rotating idler roller 2 and

[0087] - free in rotation with respect to said rotating idler roller 2 by interposing third bearings 16, preferably rolling bearings.

[0088] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, said gripping element comprises a tube 17 which is coupled integrally in translation, but not in rotation, with said rotating idler roller 2 by interposing said third bearings 16.

[0089] Said tube 17 can be:

[0090] - inserted inside said cavity 7 of said rotating idler roller 2 starting from said first head end 3 by interposing said third bearings 16;

[0091] - engaged on the outside of said first head end of said rotating idler roller by interposing bearings or

[0092] - coupled with head engagement by interposing bearings with said first head end of said rotating idler roller.

[0093] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the implemented solution is to have said tube 17 inserted inside said cavity 7 of said rotating idler roller 2 starting from said first head end 3 by interposing said third bearings 16. This embodiment is the preferred one because, in the face of a good support between the tube 17 and said rotating idler roller 2, the outer surface of the cylindrical side wall 2a of the rotating idler roller 2 is completely free for contact with the tape of material.

[0094] As previously described, the support element 6 is supported by the frame 5 by interposing said first fixing head 19 and, in the case of said first embodiment, also by said second fixing head 22, said fixing heads 19 and 22 being also able to be made in one piece with said support element 6, thus identifying fixing flanges for said support element 6.

[0095] Preferably:

[0096] - said first fixing head 19 comprises a guide portion 20 that identifies a sliding guide in said plane P passing through said central axis Y-Y or parallel to said plane P and

[0097] - said gripping element 13 comprises an engagement portion 21 coupled in sliding engagement with said guide portions 20 of said first fixing head 19, wherein between said engagement portion 21 of said gripping element 13 and said guide portion 20 of said first fixing head 19 a coupling with "slider and guide" type engagement is identified to guide and support the movement of said gripping element 13 and said first end 3 of said rotating idler roller 2 along said plane P passing through said central axis Y-Y or parallel to said plane P. Preferably, said device 1 comprises at least one actuator 15 operatively connected with said device 1 for acting on said gripping element 13, preferably for engaging an eyelet 18 integral with said tube 17, and determining a displacement in said plane P along said guide portion 20 of said gripping element 13 and of the first end 3 of said rotating idler roller 2.

[0098] In accordance with this first illustrated embodiment, the actuator 15 is supported by the frame 5 (see figures 2 and 3) externally to the rotating idler roller 2.

[0099] In view of the fact that:

[0100] - said rotating idler roller 2 is integral in rotation with said spider joint 8 and

[0101] - said tubular cylindrical body 9 of said spider joint is pivoted around said rotation pin 11 integral in rotation with said support element, said displacement in said plane P along said guide portion 20 of said gripping element 13 and of the first end 3 of said rotating idler roller 2 involves said second rotation R2, by a limited angle a, around said transverse axis Z-Z of said rotating idler roller 2, with respect to said central axis Y-Y and to said support element.

[0102] Said second rotation R2 therefore allows to achieve an angular orientation in the plane P of the rotating idler roller 2 with respect to the central axis Y-Y and to the support element 6 and therefore with respect to the direction of the tape of material entering the device, thus being able to determine the desired transverse displacement of said tape of material exiting in the device 1 by the desired amount.

[0103] Figures 4, 6, 7 and 9 illustrate a condition in which the axis X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 is perfectly aligned with the central axis Y-Y of the support element 6, in this condition of the device 1 the rotating idler roller 2 is orthogonal to the direction of a conveyor belt entering the device 1, thus behaving as a common idler roller of said roller path and does not determine any transverse displacement in the tape of material.

[0104] Differently, figure 14 illustrates a condition in which the axis X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 is rotated by a predetermined angle a counterclockwise with respect to the central axis Y-Y of the support 6, while figure 15 illustrates the same condition as figure 14 but with the axis X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 rotated by a predetermined angle a clockwise with respect to the central axis Y-Y of the support 6. In these two different configurations of the device 1 (see figures 14 and 15), the rotating idler roller 2 is arranged transversely, with a non-orthogonal angle, to the direction of the conveyor belt entering the device 1, this determines a transverse displacement in a first direction of the tape of material exiting from the device 1.

[0105] It is worth pointing out that the above transverse displacement induced in the tape of material in transit in the device 1 is:

[0106] - the greater the greater the above angle a and

[0107] - occurs in one direction or the other of said transverse direction depending on whether said angle a is rotated in one direction or in the opposite direction.

[0108] Preferably, the above kinematic connection means, in particular the spider joint 8 are housed inside said cavity 7 of said rotating idler roller 2 in a median position of said rotating idler roller 2. It is worth pointing out that the two sectional views represented in figures 16 and 17 refer to the second embodiment of the device 1 while the axis X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 is rotated by a predetermined angle a, counterclockwise and clockwise respectively, with respect to the central axis Y-Y of the support 6 supported in a cantilevered manner by the first fixing head 19 supported by the frame 5.

[0109] Preferably, the device 1 also comprises a load cell 23 for determining the tensioning value of the tape of material in transit on said rotating idler roller 2.

[0110] In the case of the first embodiment described above, said load cell 23 can be conveniently housed in said second fixing head 22 of said support means 6.

[0111] Alternatively, the load cell can be advantageously positioned associated with the first fixing head 19 supported by the frame 5, which solution is suitable for the device 1 in accordance with the second embodiment which is devoid of the second fixing head 22 of said support means 6 supported in a cantilevered manner.

[0112] Alternatively, for both the above identified embodiments, as well as for those considered below, the above load cell can be advantageously housed inside the rotating idler roller 2, so as not to generate encumbrance outside the rotating idler roller. In a further alternative, it is possible to apply the strain gauges of a load cell directly on said support means 6, preferably at any cross section of the support element 6.

[0113] Preferably, said load cell 23 is positioned to detect the load on the support element 6, for example at one end thereof (see figures 1 and 4 to 9).

[0114] Preferably, said production line comprises:

[0115] - means for detecting, preferably instantly, the position of the longitudinal edges of a tape advancing along said material tape path in said device 1, preferably said means for detecting are integrated and / or housed in the device 1;

[0116] - means for comparing, preferably instantly, the position of the longitudinal edges of an advancing tape detected by said means for detecting with a correct positioning value that the edges of the advancing tape should have with respect to theoretical values established during the design phase, preferably said means for comparing are integrated and / or associated with the device 1 and

[0117] - first feedback control means for acting on said device 1 by varying said angular orientation angle in said plane P of said rotating idler roller 2 with respect to said central axis Y-Y, in order to determine a transverse displacement of the tape of material advancing in said device 1 and return the longitudinal edges of said tape of material to the correct position envisaged in the design phase. Preferably, the above identified production line comprises:

[0118] - said load cell 23 for instantly detecting the tension of the advancing tape of material detected in said device 1;

[0119] - means for instantly comparing the tensioning value of the tape of material in transit through said device 1 with tensioning values that said tape of material should have according to theoretical values established during the design phase and

[0120] - second feedback control means for acting on said production line and varying the tensioning value of said tape of material in transit in said device 1 to bring it in accordance with theoretical values established during the design phase.

[0121] Advantageously, this allows to avoid having to position a specific load cell on multiple rollers as in the tilting devices in accordance with the prior art.

[0122] According to the invention, the method for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit comprising the steps of:

[0123] - providing a production line as described above comprising a device 1 as described above;

[0124] - advancing said tape of material along said tape path of said production line by towing said tape with a predetermined tensioning value and

[0125] - acting on said device 1 to achieve a predetermined transverse displacement of said tape of material between the section of tape upstream of said device 1 and the section of tape downstream of said device 1 so as to position said tape of material transversely in accordance with theoretical values established during the design phase.

[0126] In general, said method comprises the steps of:

[0127] - instantly detecting the position of the longitudinal edges of a tape advancing along said path of a tape in said device 1;

[0128] - instantly comparing the position of the longitudinal edges of an advancing tape detected in said device 1 with a correct positioning value that said edges of the advancing tape should have according to theoretical values established during the design phase and

[0129] - acting by means of first feedback control means on said device 1, by means of said actuator 15, to vary said angular orientation angle in said plane P of said rotating idler roller 2 with respect to said central axis Y-Y in order to determine a transverse displacement of the tape of material advancing in said device 1 and return the longitudinal edges of said tape of material to the correct position envisaged in the design phase.

[0130] In general, said method comprises the steps of:

[0131] - instantly detecting the tension of the advancing tape of material detected in said device 1 by said load cell 23;

[0132] - instantly comparing the tensioning value of the tape of material in transit through said device 1 with the tensioning value that said tape of material should have according to theoretical values established during the design phase and

[0133] - acting by means of said second feedback control means on said production line so as to vary the tensioning value of said tape of material in transit in said device 1 to theoretical values established during the design phase.

[0134] As an alternative to the two embodiments described above, said kinematic connection means can also be different from the previously described spider joint 8, being able to use other functionally equivalent means such as for example a ball joint, a sleeve system and many others.

[0135] With particular reference to the figures, it is worth pointing out that:

[0136] - figures 18, 19 and 20 refer to a third embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention corresponding to the first embodiment described above, with the difference in that the spider joint 8 has been replaced by a joint with a ball joint 25, while

[0137] - figures 21 and 22 refer to a fourth embodiment corresponding to the device of said third embodiment but with the support element 6 supported in a cantilevered manner by the frame 5 only at one end thereof, thus resulting in an element supported in a cantilevered manner by the first fixing head 19, therefore, this fourth embodiment corresponds to the device 1 of the second embodiment (see figures 16 and 17) with the difference in that the spider joint 8 has been replaced by a joint 25 with a ball joint 26.

[0138] The joint 25 with ball joint 26 of the third and fourth embodiments is the same, is advantageously housed inside the cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2.

[0139] Preferably, said joint 25 with ball joint 26 comprises a tubular cylindrical body 9 axially retained by said cylindrical side wall 2a of said rotating idler roller 2 by interposing first bearings 10 concentric to said rotating idler roller 2, so as to allow said rotating idler roller 2 to perform said first rotation Ri around its axis X-X without dragging in rotation said joint 25 with ball joint 26, wherein:

[0140] - complementary coupled parts of said ball joint 26 identifying a rotation pin 11 in said joint 25 with ball joint 26 and

[0141] - said ball joint 26 engages said support element 6 integrally in rotation around said transverse axis Z-Z, so that a relative rotation around said transverse axis Z-Z of said joint 25 with ball joint 26 determines said second rotation R2 of said rotating idler roller 2 with respect to said support element 6.

[0142] In accordance with all the four embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures, the rotating idler roller 2 comprises a cylindrical side wall 2a formed by the union of several parts integrally constrained to each other.

[0143] In particular, in accordance with the illustrated embodiments, there is a central portion at which there are positioned said kinematic connection means and two peripheral portions coupled by means of coupling of complementary male and female ends, inserted into each other, kept constrained to each other by radial fixing screws, obviously all ensuring the coplanarity of the cylindrical outer side wall 2a.

[0144] Alternatively, a different number of circular cylindrical portions may be provided and / or different ways of connecting such circular cylindrical portions may be provided. For example, it is possible to provide interference couplings between complementary portions, or a screw-nut screw between threaded end portions.

[0145] The modularity of the rotating idler roller 2, that is, the characteristic of this rotating idler roller 2 of being formed by several tubular cylindrical pieces combined and coupled together, allows the axial length of the entire roller to be varied very quickly to adapt this axial length to specific changed production needs.

[0146] In accordance with a fifth embodiment, exemplarily illustrated in figures 23 to 32, the device 1 differs from the device 1 in accordance with the second embodiment (see figures 15 and 16) in that said kinematic connection means are housed in the cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2 and allow said rotating idler roller 2 to perform:

[0147] - said first revolution rotation Ri around its axis X-X and

[0148] - said second rotation R2, by a limited angle a, around said transverse axis Z-Z so as to allow an angular orientation in said plane P of said rotating idler roller 2 with respect to said central axis Y-Y, are driven by actuator means 31 which, advantageously, are directly housed inside the cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2, for example to be at least partly integral with the support element 6.

[0149] In accordance with what is illustrated for this fifth embodiment, (for example see figures 24 and 26), the actuator means 31 are entirely housed in the cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2 without protruding from said roller.

[0150] In particular, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, also in the case of this fifth embodiment, said kinematic connection means housed in the cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2 comprise a spider joint 8 (see figures 30 and 31) which is entirely housed inside the cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2 and which comprises:

[0151] - a tubular cylindrical body 9 axially retained by the cylindrical side wall 2a of the rotating idler roller 2 by interposing first bearings 10, preferably rolling bearings, concentric to said rotating idler roller 2, so as to allow said rotating idler roller 2 to perform said first rotation Ri around its axis X-X without dragging in rotation said spider joint 8 and

[0152] - a rotation pin 11 extending perpendicularly inside the tubular cylindrical body 9 along said transverse direction Z-Z and supported by the cylindrical body 9 by interposing second bearings 14, preferably rolling bearings, concentric to said rotation pin 11, wherein said rotation pin 11 engages the support element 6 so as to be integral with it in rotation around said transverse axis Z-Z, so that a relative rotation around said transverse axis Z-Z between said tubular cylindrical body 9 of said spider joint 8 and said rotation pin 11 determines said second rotation R2 of said rotating idler roller 2 with respect to said support element 6. Therefore, also in this case, said pin 11 is integral with the support element 6, so as to prevent the spider joint 8 from rotating around the central axis Y-Y, but leaving the rotation of the spider joint 8 around the transverse axis Z-Z of the tubular cylindrical body 9 free.

[0153] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment (see figures 30 and 31):

[0154] - said rotation pin 11 is integral with a cylindrical sleeve 12 provided with an extended axial passage along said central axis Y-Y and

[0155] - said support element 6 is inserted in said axial passage of said cylindrical sleeve 12. More preferably, said support element 6 is inserted in said axial passage of said cylindrical sleeve 12 so as to be integral even in translation with said cylindrical sleeve 12.

[0156] As an alternative to the above, also in the case of this fifth embodiment, said kinematic connection means housed in the cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2, may also comprise other embodiments structurally and / or functionally equivalent to said spider joint 8. Thus, for example, in accordance with an embodiment not illustrated, instead of the spider joint 8 it is possible to provide for the presence of a spherical node, substantially in accordance with what is provided for the third embodiment (see figures 18, 19 and 20) and for the fourth embodiment (see figures 21 and 22) of the device 1.

[0157] Said kinematic connection means housed in the cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2 may also comprise a system with curvilinear guide and slider in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the device 1 illustrated in figures 36 to 43.

[0158] In particular, it should be specified that this sixth embodiment of the device 1 (see figures 36 to 43) differs from the fifth embodiment of the device 1 (see figures 23 to 32) of the device 1 in that the spider joint 8 has been replaced by a system comprising a curvilinear guide 41 and a relative slider 42 engaged on said curvilinear guide 41.

[0159] In particular, the engagement that is made between the slider 42 and the relative curvilinear guide 41 is a sliding skid-like engagement of a non-detachable type that ensures that the slider 42 remains firmly constrained to the curvilinear guide 41 while being able to move along said curvilinear guide.

[0160] This can conveniently be achieved by a sliding coupling between complementary portions of the curvilinear guide 41 and of the slider 42, for example complementary dovetail profiles or other complementary profiles with undercut profile portions.

[0161] In accordance with a preferred embodiment (see figures 38 and 40), the slider 42 is a U-shaped component and positioned astride on a complementary profile of a track that identifies the curvilinear guide 41, opposed inwardly projecting portions of the U profile being then provided to engage corresponding axial recesses present near the base of said track.

[0162] It is worth pointing out that:

[0163] - said curvilinear guide 41 is arranged with mainly longitudinal course along said support element 6 to which it is fixed in an unreleasable manner, while

[0164] - the slider 42 is fixed to the support structure 24 of the rotating idler roller 2, so that a displacement of said slider 42 from the median portion of the curvilinear guide 41 towards one end of the curvilinear guide 41, or towards the opposite end determines the desired inclination by a predetermined limited angle a of the axis X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 with respect to the central axis Y-Y of the support element 6.

[0165] In particular:

[0166] - figure 41 illustrates a situation in which said slider 42 is in a median position of the curvilinear guide 41 and the axes X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 and the central axis Y-Y of the support element 6 coincide, while

[0167] - figures 42 and 43 illustrate two opposite and distinct situations in which said slider 42 is moved towards a first end of the curvilinear guide 41 (in figure 42 the right end) or towards the other end of the curvilinear guide 41 (in figure 43 the left end) and, consequently:

[0168] - the axis X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 and the central axis Y-Y of the support element 6 are inclined to each other according to opposite angles and

[0169] - the rotating idler roller 2 is likewise inclined in two opposite ways with respect to the support element 6.

[0170] It is evident that, as an alternative to what has been described, the dual solution of the one described and illustrated above would also be suitable for the purpose, thus providing a fixed slider with respect to the support element and a respective sliding guide supported integrally by the support structure of the rotating idler roller .

[0171] It is worth pointing out that said structure with curvilinear guide 41 and slider 42 determines not only a rotation / inclination of the roller 2 with respect to the central support 6 but also a translation thereof, said translation being however contained / negligible in view of the fact that the inclination angle a necessary to achieve a correction of the transverse position of the advancing continuous tape of material is only by a few degrees, so that said translation component does not entail particular problems in the structure of the device 1.

[0172] The fifth embodiment (see figures 23 to 32) and the sixth embodiment (see figures 36 to 43) of the device 1 according to the invention share the characteristic of being driven by actuator means 31 advantageously housed inside the cavity 7 of the rotating idler roller 2. Preferably such actuator means 31 comprise: a linear actuator which comprises a body 32 and a movable stem 33 controllable between a retracted position and an advanced position in which said movable stem 33 is more retracted and, respectively, more projecting from said body 32 and mechanical articulation means for transforming the linear movement of the stem into a relative rotary, or roto-translational, movement of the rotating idler roller 2 with respect to the support element 6.

[0173] Preferably, said body 32 of the linear actuator is integrally fixed to the support element 6, while the free end of the movable stem 33 is connected through said mechanical articulation means to the support structure 24 of the rotating idler roller 2, so that a movement of the movable stem 33 with respect to the body 32 of the actuator means 31 determines a variation of the relative inclination of the support structure 24 and of the rotating idler roller 2 with respect to the support element 6 thanks to the presence of said kinematic connection means, whether they are identified by a spider joint 8, by a ball joint 26, by a curvilinear guide coupling 41 and slider 42 or by another functionally or structurally equivalent structure.

[0174] With regard to the actuator means 31, it is worth pointing out that these actuator means 31 have been schematically represented as a body 32 from which a movable stem 33 projects, without going into detail of the inner conformation and operation of these actuator means, any type of actuator can be used whose stem is precisely controllable to control the length of the stem section projecting from the body. For example, a linear actuator moved by an electric stepper motor or other known type of actuator may be employed.

[0175] In accordance with said fifth embodiment, in particular with what is illustrated in figures 33 to 35, said mechanical articulation means connected to the movable stem 32 of the actuator means 31 comprise: a rocker 34, a connecting rod 35 and a connection bar 36, wherein:

[0176] - said rocker 34 is pivoted around a first pin 37;

[0177] - said rocker 34 comprises a first arm connected to the free end of the movable stem 33 by means of a second pin 38;

[0178] - said rocker 34 comprises a second arm connected to a first end of the connecting rod 35 by means of a third pin 39;

[0179] - a second end of said connecting rod 35 is connected to a first end of said connection bar 36 by means of a fourth pin 40;

[0180] - a second end of said connection bar 36 is fixed to the support structure 24 of the rotating idler roller 2 (for example see figures 24, 26 and figures 38, 39) and

[0181] - said first pin 37, said second pin 38, said third pin 39 and said fourth pin 40 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the central axis Y-Y of the support element 6.

[0182] In view of what has been described, it is evident that starting from a neutral initial condition (see figure 26) of the actuator means 31 in which the axis X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 and the central axis Y-Y of the central support 6 are aligned, a smaller or greater extension of the movable stem 33 from the body 32 of the actuator means 31 determines a relative rotation / inclination in one direction (see figure 28) or in the opposite direction (see figure 29) of the rotating idler roller 2 with respect to the central axis Y-Y of the central support 6.

[0183] Similarly, this result is also achieved even when the kinematic connection means are identified by the curvilinear guide 41 and by the relative slider 42 in place of a spider joint. In particular, figure 41 illustrates a neutral initial condition of the actuator means 31 in which the axis X-X of the rotating idler roller 2 and the central axis Y-Y of the central support 6 are aligned, while the subsequent figures 42 and 43 show the conditions in which a relative rotation occurred between the rotating idler roller 2 and the central support 6 according to opposite angles.

[0184] In accordance with said sixth embodiment (see figures 36 to 43), said mechanical articulation means connected to the movable stem 32 of the actuator means 31 comprise: a connecting rod 44 connected by means of a first pin 45 to the free end of the movable stem 33 and by means of a further pin 46 to a portion 43 integral in translation and rotation to the slider 42. Alternatively, it is possible that said portion 43 and the slider 42 can be made as a unitary piece, since the division into two parts to be connected in an integral manner is dependent on reasons aimed at simplifying the production process of the various components of the device 1. Also in the case of the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment described above, the rotating idler roller 2 can comprise a cylindrical side wall 2a formed by the union of several parts integrally constrained to each other as described in relation to the other embodiments, for example by the union of a central portion at which there are positioned said kinematic connection means and two peripheral portions coupled by coupling complementary male and female ends, inserted into each other, kept constrained to each other by radial fixing screws, ensuring the coplanarity of the cylindrical outer side wall 2a.

[0185] With reference to the device according to the invention, it is worth pointing out that the description of the various embodiments that it can assume has been limited, for the sake of brevity of description, to the structural and functional characteristics of the device, without describing and illustrating electrical wiring and the like present, for example for powering the actuators or for connection to the load cells, as these are conventional wiring per se.

[0186] As can be appreciated from what has been described, the device according to the present invention for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit, as well as the production line according to the invention and the method according to the invention allow to meet said needs and at the same time overcome the drawbacks referred to in the introductory part of the present description with reference to the known art.

[0187] In particular, the device according to the invention is configured and structured so as to house inside the rotating idler roller the necessary means to achieve said second rotation R2 of the rotating idler roller with respect to said central axis Y-Y, so that externally to said rotating idler roller it is sufficient to provide, in a spaced position or internally housed, an actuator suitable to act on the eyelet 18 of the tube 17, so as to reduce the encumbrance of the device 1 to the encumbrance of a common rotating idler roller.

[0188] Advantageously, the device according to the invention allows it to be easily implemented in a production line without particular difficulties, thus allowing it to be used as a retrofitting device, thanks to the fact that it comprises all the necessary components included within a rotating idler roller or applied to said roller, allowing easy installation even in the absence of specially provided spaces of a production line or as a replacement of a common rotating idler roller already present in a production line.

[0189] Moreover, in the device according to the invention a load cell is easily implementable or houseable, so as to be able to easily and instantly establish the tension of the tape in a production line in which said device is housed.

[0190] Obviously, an expert skilled in the art, for the purpose of meeting specific, contingent needs, can make numerous modifications to the variants of the device and the production line described above, all contained within the scope of protection, as defined by the following claims. Thus, for example, where the interposition of bearings, such as for example rolling bearings, has been described, it is possible to provide different types of embodiments, such as sliding bearings or the use of low-friction material, such as PTFE.

[0191] Furthermore, said support element may not coincide with said central axis Y-Y, being limited to being parallel to it, for example a tubular element, or otherwise shaped, may be used instead of a pin.

[0192] It should be specified that the embodiments in which the actuator is advantageously positioned in the cavity of the rotating idler roller and / or the kinematic connection means are identified by a curvilinear guide and by a relative slider in place of the spider joint may provide for a rotating idler roller supported in a cantilevered manner (as illustrated) as well as a rotating idler roller supported at both ends depending on the specific needs to be met.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device (1) for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit comprising:- a rotating idler roller (2) having an axis (X-X) extending in a predetermined axial direction, said rotating idler roller (2) comprising a cylindrical side wall (2a) extending axially between a first head end (3) and an opposed second head end (4), said cylindrical side wall (2a) being intended to externally come into contact with a tape of material in transit to contact and guide said tape during advancement;- support means fixed to a support frame (5) to support said rotating idler roller (2) with respect to said support frame (5) so as to be able to perform a first rotation (Ri) around its axis (X-X), said support means identifying a central axis (Y-Y) passing through said first head end (3) and said second head end (4) of said rotating idler roller (2);- kinematic connection means to allow said rotating idler roller (2) to perform a second rotation (R2), by a limited angle (a), around a transverse axis (Z-Z) orthogonal to a plane (P) passing through said central axis (Y-Y), so as to allow to make an angular orientation with respect to said central axis (Y-Y) of said rotating idler roller (2) in said plane (P) following a limited rotation around said transverse axis (Z-Z), wherein, in said plane (P), an angular positioning of the axis (X-X) of said rotating idler roller (2) different from 90° with respect to the infeed direction of a tape of material in said device (1) determines a corresponding transverse deviation of said tape of material in said device (1); characterized in that:- said rotating idler roller (2) is a hollow rotating idler roller, in said rotating idler roller (2) a through cavity (7) extending between said first head end (3) and said opposed second head end (4) being identified;- said support means comprise a support element (6) extending parallel to said central axis (Y-Y) and inserted in said cavity (7) of said rotating idler roller (2) starting from said first head end (3) and- said kinematic connection means are housed inside said rotating idler roller (2) in said cavity (7) to be interposed between said support element (6) and said rotating idler roller (2) and allow said rotating idler roller (2):- to perform said first revolution rotation (Ri) around said axis (X-X) of said rotating idler roller (2) and- to perform said second rotation (R2), by a limited angle (a), around said transverse axis (Z- Z) and allow to make an angular orientation in said plane (P) of said rotating idler roller (2) with respect to said central axis (Y-Y).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, comprising actuator means (31) housed inside said cavity (7) of said rotating idler roller (2) to actuate said kinematic connection means, preferably said actuator means (31) are entirely housed in said cavity (7) of said rotating idler roller (2) without protruding from said roller.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said actuator means (31) comprise: a linear actuator which comprises a body (32) and a movable stem (33) controllable from a retracted position to an advanced position more projecting from said body (32) and mechanical articulation means for transforming the linear movement of the stem into a relative rotary, or roto-translational, movement of the rotating idler roller (2) with respect to said support element (6).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein said body (32) of said linear actuator is integrally fixed to said support element (6) and the free end of said movable stem (33) is connected through said mechanical articulation means to a support structure (24) of said rotating idler roller (2), so that a movement of the movable stem (33) with respect to the body (32) of said actuator means (31) determines a variation of the relative inclination of said support structure (24) and of said rotating idler roller (2) with respect to said support element (6) thanks to the presence of said kinematic connection means.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said mechanical articulation means of said actuator means (31) comprise:- a rocker (34), a connecting rod (35) and a connection bar (36), wherein:• said rocker (34) is pivoted around a first pin (37);• said rocker (34) comprises a first arm connected to the free end of the movable stem (33) by means of a second pin (38);• said rocker (34) comprises a second arm connected to a first end of the connecting rod(35) by means of a third pin (39);• a second end of said connecting rod (35) is connected to a first end of said connection bar(36) by means of a fourth pin (40);• a second end of said connection bar (36) is fixed to the support structure (24) of said rotating idler roller (2) and• said first pin (37), said second pin (38), said third pin (39) and said fourth pin (40) are parallel to each other and perpendicular to said central axis (Y-Y) of said support element (6).

6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said kinematic connection means comprise:- a curvilinear guide (41) integral with an element between said support element (6) andsaid rotating idler roller (2) and- a relative slider (42) engaged on said curvilinear guide (41) and integral with the other element between said support element (6) and said rotating idler roller (2).

7. Device (1) according to claim 6, wherein:- said curvilinear guide (41) is arranged with mainly longitudinal course along said support element (6) to which it is fixed in an unreleasable manner and- the slider (42) is fixed to a support structure (24) of said rotating idler roller (2), so that a displacement of said slider (42) from the median portion of the curvilinear guide (41) towards one end of the curvilinear guide (41) or towards the opposite end determines the desired inclination by a predetermined limited angle (a), in one direction or in the opposite direction, of said axis (X-X) of said rotating idler roller (2) with respect to the central axis (Y-Y) of said support element (6).

8. Device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the engagement that is made between said slider (42) and said curvilinear guide (41) is a sliding skid-like engagement of a non-detachable type to ensure that said slider (42) remains firmly constrained to said curvilinear guide (41) while being able to translate along said curvilinear guide, preferably said slider (42) is a U-shaped component and positioned astride on a complementary profile of a track that identifies said curvilinear guide (41), opposed inwardly projecting portions of said U profile being provided to engage corresponding axial recesses present near the base of said track.

9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said body (32) of said linear actuator is integrally fixed to said support element (6) and the free end of the movable stem (33) is connected through said mechanical articulation means to a movable element chosen between said slider (42) and said curvilinear guide (41), preferably said mechanical articulation means comprise a connecting rod (44) connected by means of a first pin (45) to the free end of said movable stem (33) and by means of a further pin (46) to a portion (43) integral in translation and rotation to said movable element chosen between said slider (42) and said curvilinear guide (41).

10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said kinematic connection means comprise a spider joint (8) housed within said cavity (7) of said rotating idler roller (2).

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, wherein said spider joint (8) comprises:- a tubular cylindrical body (9) axially retained by said cylindrical side wall (2a) of said rotating idler roller (2) by interposing first bearings (10) concentric to said rotating idler roller (2), so as to allow said rotating idler roller (2) to perform said first rotation (Ri) around its axis (X-X) without dragging said spider joint (8) in rotation;- a rotation pin (11) extending perpendicularly inside said tubular cylindrical body (9) alongsaid transverse direction (Z-Z) and supported by said cylindrical body (9) by interposing second bearings (14) concentric to said rotation pin (11), wherein said rotation pin (11) engages said support element (6) integrally in rotation about said transverse axis (Z-Z), so that a relative rotation about said transverse axis (Z-Z) between said tubular cylindrical body (9) of said spider joint (8) and said rotation pin (11) determines said second rotation (R2) of said rotating idler roller (2) with respect to said support element (6).

12. Device (1) according to claim 11, wherein:- said rotation pin (11) is integral with a cylindrical sleeve (12) provided with an extended axial passage along said central axis (Y-Y) and- said support element (6) is inserted in said axial passage of said cylindrical sleeve (12), preferably said support element (6) is inserted in said axial passage of said cylindrical sleeve (12) integrally in translation.

13. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said kinematic connection means comprise a joint (25) with ball joint (26) housed inside said cavity (7) of said rotating idler roller (2).

14. Device (1) according to claim 13, wherein said joint (25) with said ball joint (26) comprises a tubular cylindrical body (9) axially retained by said cylindrical side wall (2a) of said rotating idler roller (2) by interposing first bearings (10) concentric to said rotating idler roller (2), so as to allow said rotating idler roller (2) to perform said first rotation (Ri) around its axis (X-X) without dragging in rotation said joint (25) with ball joint (26), wherein:- complementary coupled parts of said ball joint (26) identify a rotation pin (11) in said joint (25) with ball joint (26) and- said ball joint (26) engages said support element (6) integrally in rotation around said transverse axis (Z-Z), so that a relative rotation around said transverse axis (Z-Z) of said joint (25) with ball joint (26) determines said second rotation (R2) of said rotating idler roller (2) with respect to said support element (6).

15. Device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a gripping element (13) intended to be actuated by an actuator (15), said gripping element being supported by said rotating idler roller (2) so as to result:- integral in translation with said rotating idler roller (2) and- free in rotation with respect to said rotating idler roller (2) by interposing third bearings (16), wherein preferably said gripping element comprises a tube (17) coupled integrally in translation with said rotating idler roller (2) by interposing said third bearings (16), said tube (17) being:- inserted inside said cavity (7) of said rotating idler roller (2) starting from said first head end (3) by interposing said third bearings (16);- engaged on the outside of said first head end of said rotating idler roller by interposing bearings or- coupled with head engagement by interposing bearings with said first head end of said rotating idler roller.

16. Device (1) according to claim 15, wherein:- said support means comprise a first fixing head (19) from which said support element (6) extends parallel to said central axis (Y-Y) and- said first fixing head (19) comprises a guide portion (20) that identifies a sliding guide in said plane (P) passing through said central axis (Y-Y) or parallel to said plane (P);- said gripping element (13) comprises an engagement portion (21) coupled in sliding engagement with said guide portions (20) of said first fixing head (19), between said engagement portion (21) of said gripping element (13) and said guide portion (20) of said first fixing head (19) a coupling with "slider and guide" type engagement being identified to guide and support the movement of said gripping element (13) and of said first end (3) of said rotating idler roller (2) along said plane (P) passing through said central axis (Y-Y) or parallel to said plane (P).

17. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said support element (6) extended parallel to said central axis (Y-Y) and inserted in said cavity (7) of said rotating idler roller (2) starting from said first head end (3) overhangs said opposed second head end (4) of said cylindrical side wall (2a) of said rotating idler roller (2) to be supported by a second fixing head (22) of said support means, said support element (6) being supported by said support frame (5) at each of its opposed ends.

18. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising an actuator (15) supported integral with said frame (5), said actuator being operatively connected with said device (1) to determine a displacement in said plane (P) of said gripping element (13) and of the first end (3) of said rotating idler roller (2), determining said second rotation (R2), by a limited angle (a), around said transverse axis (Z-Z) of said rotating idler roller (2),19. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said kinematic connection means housed within said cavity (7) of said rotating idler roller (2) are positioned at a median portion of said rotating idler roller (2).

20. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising a load cell (23) for determining the tensioning value of the tape of material in transit on said rotating idler roller, preferably said load cell (23) is positioned to detect the load on said support element (6), morepreferably said load cell (23) is positioned to detect the load on said support element (6) at one end thereof.

21. A production line comprising a plurality of rollers, traction and / or return ones, used to guide a tape of material according to a predetermined tape path along which said tape of material advances to be processed, characterized in that it comprises at least one device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 positioned along said tape path.

22. Production line according to claim 21, comprising:- means for instantly detecting the position of the longitudinal edges of a tape advancing along said path of a tape of material in said device (1);- means for instantly comparing the position of the longitudinal edges of an advancing tape detected by said means for detecting with a correct positioning value that the edges of the advancing tape should have with respect to theoretical values established at the design phase and- first feedback control means for acting on said device (1) by varying said angular orientation angle in said plane (P) of said rotating idler roller (2) with respect to said central axis (Y-Y) in order to determine a transverse displacement of the tape of material advancing in said device (1) and return the longitudinal edges of said tape of material to the correct position envisaged in the design phase.

23. Production line according to claim 21 or 22, comprising:- a device (1) according to claim 20 comprising said load cell (23) for instantly detecting the tension of the tape of material advancing in said device (1);- means for instantly comparing the tensioning value of the tape of material in transit through said device (1) with tensioning values that said tape of material should have according to theoretical values established during the design phase and- second feedback control means for acting on said production line and varying the tensioning value of said tape of material in transit in said device (1) to bring it to values in accordance with theoretical values established during the design phase.

24. A method for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit comprising the steps of:- providing a production line according to any one of claims 21 to 23, comprising a device (1) for guiding and adjusting the alignment of a tape of material in transit according to any one of claims 1 to 20;- advancing said tape of material along said tape path by towing said tape with a predetermined tensioning value and- acting on said device (1) to achieve a predetermined transverse displacement of said tape of material between the section of tape upstream of said device (1) and the section of tape downstream of said device (1) and return the longitudinal edges of said tape of material to the correct positionenvisaged in the design phase.

25. Method according to claim 24, wherein said production line is a production line according to claim 22 and said method comprises the steps of:- detecting, preferably instantly, the position of the longitudinal edges of a tape advancing along said path of a tape in said device (1);- comparing, preferably instantly, the position of the longitudinal edges of an advancing tape detected in said device (1) with a correct positioning value that said edges of the advancing tape should have according to theoretical values established during the design phase and- acting by means of said first feedback control means on said device (1) to vary said angular orientation angle in said plane (P) of said rotating idler roller (2) with respect to said central axis (Y- Y) in order to determine a transverse displacement of the tape of material advancing in said device (1) and return the longitudinal edges of said tape of material to the correct position envisaged in the design phase.

26. Method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein said production line is according to claim 22 and said method comprises the steps of:- instantly detecting the tension of the advancing tape of material by means of said load cell (23) of the device (1) in accordance with claim 20;- instantly comparing the tensioning value of the tape of material in transit through said device (1) with the tensioning value that said tape of material should have according to theoretical values established during the design phase and- acting by means of said second feedback control means on said production line so as to vary the tensioning value of said tape of material in transit in said device (1) to theoretical values established during the design phase.

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