Lamination system and method for laminating planar elements with a web material

Abstract

A lamination system has a conveyor which is configured to convey a web material with a plurality of planar elements arranged thereon, and has a laminating device. The laminating device has a first pair of laminating rollers and a second pair of laminating rollers, each of which is designed to laminate the planar elements arranged on the web material with the web material. The first pair of laminating rollers is designed to exert, in cooperation, a contact pressure on the web material and on a first planar element arranged thereon during a first time period and to release the contact pressure exerted during the first time period during a second time period. The second pair of laminating rollers is designed to exert, in cooperation, a contact pressure on the web material and on a second planar element arranged thereon during the first time period and to release the contact pressure exerted during the first time period during the second time period.

Description

[0001] Lamination system and method for lamination of benefits with a web material

[0002] Here, a lamination system and a method for laminating benefits with a web material are described.

[0003] For example, in the manufacture of fuel cells or RFID assemblies, it is common practice to provide components of the device to be manufactured as continuous web material, process them, and then separate them into individual component sections. For example, gas diffusion layers (GDL), catalyst-coated membranes (CCM), or carrier webs with multiple support frames for membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells can be provided as continuous web material, processed, and then divided into individual component sections.

[0004] One possible processing step is the lamination of the provided web material with components arranged on it, that is, with planar components arranged on the web material, in particular with sheet- or film-shaped components arranged on the web material. The components can be, for example, sections of a component also provided as web material for the production of fuel cells or RFID assemblies, such as sections of a GDL or a CCM. Furthermore, the components arranged on the web material can already be separated or singulated from one another.

[0005] Lamination of the continuously supplied web material with the components mounted on it can be achieved, in particular, using position-controlled lamination rollers. For this purpose, the web material is pressed between two lamination rollers, each of which exerts a contact force on the web material and the components mounted on it. However, if the web material is fed by a similarly position-controlled conveying device, for example, a vacuum conveyor belt, material tension can easily develop in the continuously supplied and / or conveyed web material. This material tension can develop, in particular, between the lamination rollers and the conveying device. This material tension can cause damage to the web material, such as unwanted stretching or tearing.

[0006] In other words, during lamination, the web material can be conveyed through the lamination rollers by two independent, yet positionally controlled, mechanisms: the conveying device that feeds the web material and the lamination rollers, which exert a pressure on the web material positioned between them during lamination. For example, if the conveying speed of the feeding device and the rotational speed of the lamination rollers are not perfectly coordinated, the continuous web material can be subjected to a stress, particularly a steadily increasing one, during production, which can damage or at least negatively affect the web material.

[0007] Conversely, insufficient tension in the incoming web material can also occur if the feed rate of the conveying device and the rotational speed of the lamination rollers are not perfectly synchronized, especially if the lamination rollers convey the web material at a slightly lower speed than the feeder. In this case, the incoming web material can back up in front of the lamination device, which can also lead to damage or at least a negative impact on the web material being processed. This backlog of web material in front of the lamination device can, for example, cause sagging, folding, or other distortion of the web material upstream of the lamination device.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an improved lamination system and an improved process for lamination of benefits with a web material, which in particular reduce material stress acting on the web material to be laminated during production and / or counteract unintentional jamming of the web material during production.

[0009] This problem is solved by a device and a method according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined by the further claims.

[0010] A lamination system comprises a conveying device configured to transport a web material with multiple panels arranged on it. The conveying device can transport the web material, particularly continuously, in one conveying direction. Furthermore, the lamination system includes a lamination unit with a first pair of lamination rollers and a second pair of lamination rollers, each configured to laminate the panels arranged on the web material to the web material. The lamination rollers of the first pair can be rotated in opposite directions for this purpose. The lamination rollers of the second pair can also be rotated in opposite directions.The first pair of lamination rollers is designed to exert a pressure on the web material and on a first benefit placed on it during a first period of time, and to release the pressure exerted during the first period of time during a second period of time.

[0011] The second pair of lamination rollers is designed to exert a pressure on the web material and on a second utility placed on it during the first time period, and to release the pressure exerted during the first time period during the second time period.

[0012] The first utility differs from the second utility; that is, the first utility is not identical to the second utility. However, the first utility and the second utility can be identical in form or structure.

[0013] The first pair of lamination rollers can be configured to never exert a pressure on the second panel and / or to allow pressure-free conveyance of the second panel, arranged on the web material, between the first pair of lamination rollers. The second pair of lamination rollers can be configured to never exert a pressure on the first panel and / or to allow pressure-free conveyance of the first panel, arranged on the web material, between the second pair of lamination rollers.

[0014] In other words, the panels on which pressure is applied by the first pair of lamination rollers and by the second pair of lamination rollers can each be different, the lamination device being configured to apply pressure only once to each panel arranged on the conveyed web material.

[0015] Furthermore, the lamination device can be designed to exert no pressure on the web material and / or on the benefits arranged on the web material during the second time period and / or to allow pressure-free conveying of the web material during the second time period.

[0016] The second time interval can follow the first immediately. Furthermore, for example during the continuous lamination of a continuously fed web material with multiple panels arranged on it, several first time intervals and several second time intervals can follow each other alternately. Even with an alternating sequence of first and second time intervals, the first and second time intervals can follow each other immediately, without any time delay.

[0017] One advantage of this method is that the web material fed to the lamination device, particularly continuously, can be conveyed through the lamination system during regularly recurring intervals, specifically during the second time periods, without any pressure exerted on the web material by the lamination rollers. During these regularly recurring intervals or time periods, any material tension that may have previously built up in the web material can be reduced or equalized without being affected by a pressure force exerted by the lamination rollers. This prevents any tension that may have built up in the web material from increasing further until the material is damaged or negatively affected by the rising tension.

[0018] Alternatively, during the regularly recurring intervals, any build-up of web material that may have occurred during lamination can be reduced or compensated for in front of the lamination device.

[0019] Optionally, no further panel or an even number of further panels may be arranged on the web material between the first and second panels. Furthermore, if the width of the panels arranged on the web material is equal to P, and if the distance between any two panels on the web material is equal to K, and if the number of panels arranged between the first and second panels is equal to n, then a shortest distance between the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers may be at least substantially equal to (2 * n - 1) * (P + K).

[0020] One advantage of this is that it ensures the first pair of lamination rollers always laminates the first layer with the web material, while the second pair of lamination rollers laminates the second layer with the web material. However, this is not necessary in all embodiments.

[0021] The conveying device can be a position-controlled or torque- or force-controlled conveying device, which in particular comprises a pair of conveying rollers configured to exert a contact pressure on the web material and / or on at least one component arranged on the web material in concert. Optionally, the conveying device can also include a vacuum conveyor belt and / or a vacuum drum. The conveying device can in particular be arranged downstream of the lamination device in the conveying direction of the web material.

[0022] One advantage of the moment- or force-controlled conveying device is that any previously built-up material stresses within the web material, i.e., stresses acting on the web material, can be efficiently balanced and / or regulated during the second time period.

[0023] In one variant, a second conveying device, in particular a vacuum conveyor belt with position control, can be provided and configured to convey the web material with the several components arranged on it. The second

[0024] The conveying device can be configured, in particular, to feed the web material to the lamination device, that is, to convey the web material to the first pair of lamination rollers and / or to the second pair of lamination rollers. This conveying, which is especially position-controlled, can be continuous or intermittent.

[0025] Alternatively, the second conveying device can also be a torque- or force-controlled conveying device. In this case, the first conveying device is preferably position-controlled. In other words, at least one of the conveying devices, i.e., the first or the second conveying device, can be a torque- or force-controlled conveying device, while the other conveying device can be a position-controlled conveying device.

[0026] In one variant, the lamination system can have a sensor device, in particular an optical sensor, which is designed to detect the position of the panels arranged on the conveyed web material, in particular relative to the web material and / or relative to other panels arranged on the web material.

[0027] Furthermore, the lamination system can include a control device configured to control or regulate the rotational speed of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the rotational speed of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers based on the conveying speed of the web material, in particular based on the conveying speed of the web material through the second conveying device and / or based on a reading from the sensor device. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can also include a simulated trigger and regulate or control the rotational speed of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the rotational speed of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers based on the simulated trigger.

[0028] One advantage here is that, in particular, the position control of the second conveying device and the position control of the lamination roller pairs can be further improved and / or coordinated, so that material stress, which in particular must be compensated for or reduced during the second time period by the force- or torque-controlled conveying device, is already reduced during the first time period.

[0029] In one variant, the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers can each have at least one first cylinder sector with a first cylinder radius and at least one second cylinder sector with a second cylinder radius, wherein the first cylinder radius is larger than the second cylinder radius.

[0030] In other words, the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers can each have areas with a first cylinder radius or cylinder diameter that project or protrude relative to other areas of the same cylinder rollers that have a second cylinder radius or cylinder diameter. The areas with the second cylinder radius or cylinder diameter can be recessed relative to the areas with the first cylinder radius or cylinder diameter, or they can form depressions relative to these areas.

[0031] The lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers can each be designed to exert a pressure on a web material with a utility arranged on it, with the cylinder sectors or areas that have the first cylinder radius or first cylinder diameter, that is, with the cylinder sectors or areas that project or extend beyond the cylinder sectors or areas with the second cylinder radius or cylinder diameter.Furthermore, the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers can each be designed to allow, with the cylinder sectors or areas that have the second cylinder radius or second cylinder diameter, that is to say, with the cylinder sectors or areas that form recesses or are set back from the cylinder sectors or areas with the first cylinder radius or cylinder diameter, a pressure-free conveying of the web material with the utility arranged on it that passes between them.In other words, the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the second pair of lamination rollers can be configured to exert pressure on the web material and on a first component placed on it with their respective first cylinder sectors, and to exert no pressure on the web material or on a first component placed on it with their respective second cylinder sectors. The rotating lamination rollers can thus exert pressure during the first time period and release it during the second time period.

[0032] Furthermore, the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers can each be configured to move towards the web material, particularly simultaneously, and / or to move away from the web material, particularly simultaneously. The movement of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers towards the web material or away from it, and / or the movement of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers towards the web material or away from it, can each occur during the second time interval.

[0033] In particular, the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers can each be arranged to be in a first roller position during the first time period and to be moved from the first roller position to a second roller position during the second time period, wherein the distance between the axes of rotation of the two lamination rollers of a pair of lamination rollers in the first roller position can be less than in the second roller position.

[0034] In other words, the axes of rotation of the two lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers may be closer together in the first roller position and / or during the first time interval than during the second time interval. Furthermore, the axes of rotation of the two lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers may be closer together in the first roller position and / or during the first time interval than during the second time interval.

[0035] The first pair of lamination rollers and / or the second pair of lamination rollers can each be configured to exert a pressure on a web material with attached components being fed between them while they are in the first roller position. Furthermore, the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the second pair of lamination rollers can each be configured to allow the web material with attached components being fed between them without applying a pressure while they are in the second roller position and / or while they are moving towards the web material and / or while they are moving away from the web material.

[0036] In one variant, the shortest distance between the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers can be varied, particularly during the conveying of the web material with the panels mounted on it. In other words, the distance between the first pair of rotating rollers and the second pair of rotating rollers—that is, the shortest distance between one of the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the first pair and one of the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers in the conveying direction of the web material—can be variable.

[0037] In particular, the shortest distance between the rotation axes of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and the rotation axes of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers can be controlled based on a detection by the sensor device.

[0038] Advantages of being able to adjust or regulate the distance between the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers, i.e., the distance between the lamination rollers of the different pairs of rollers in the conveying direction of the web material, include improved manufacturing accuracy of the lamination system and improved usability of the lamination system, for example, for laminating web material using different formats.

[0039] To move the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or to move the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers, the lamination device may have one or more electrically, mechanically, and / or pneumatically driven actuators. The actuator(s) may each be configured to move at least one of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers or at least one of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers parallel to the conveying direction of the web material or transversely to the conveying direction of the web material, in particular orthogonally to the conveying direction of the web material.

[0040] A process for laminating panels with a web material comprises the steps of: - conveying, with a conveying device, a web material and several panels arranged on the web material in a conveying direction;

[0041] - Laminating, with a lamination device, the utility arranged on the web material with the web material, wherein the lamination device comprises a first pair of lamination rollers and a second pair of lamination rollers, and wherein the first pair of lamination rollers is configured to exert a contact pressure on the web material and on a first utility arranged thereon during a first time period and to release the contact pressure exerted during the first time period during a second time period, and wherein the second pair of lamination rollers is configured to exert a contact pressure on the web material and on a second utility arranged thereon during the first time period and to release the contact pressure exerted during the first time period during the second time period.

[0042] Further features, properties, advantages, and possible variations will become clear to a person skilled in the art from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings. All features described and / or illustrated, individually or in any combination, depict the object disclosed herein. The dimensions and proportions of the devices and components shown in the figures are not to scale.

[0043] Figs. 1 and 2 schematically show examples of a lamination system comprising a lamination device with two pairs of lamination rollers, each having cylinder sectors with different cylinder radii.

[0044] Fig. 3 schematically shows a lamination roll with several cylinder sectors, wherein the cylinder sectors have either a first or a second cylinder sector.

[0045] Figures 4 and 5 schematically show examples of a lamination system comprising a lamination device with two pairs of lamination rollers, wherein the lamination rollers can each be moved in the direction of the web material and in a direction away from the web material.

[0046] Comparable or identical components and features with the same effect are identified by the same reference symbols in the figures. For clarity, reference symbols for individual features and components have sometimes been omitted in the figures, although these features and components are already identified by reference symbols in other figures. Components and features not described again in relation to the other figures are similar in form and function to the corresponding components and features shown in the other figures.

[0047] Figures 1 and 2 show a continuous web material 10 being conveyed in a conveying direction F through a lamination device 200. The web material 10 is continuously fed to the lamination device 200 by a position-controlled conveying device (not shown).

[0048] In the conveying direction F downstream of the lamination device 200, a torque- or force-controlled conveying device 300 is arranged, which in the example shown has the conveying rollers 310 and 320. In other embodiments not shown, the conveying device 300 can alternatively or additionally also include vacuum conveyor belts or vacuum drums.

[0049] The first panels A and the second panels B are arranged on the conveyed web material 10. The first panels A and the second panels B are each different from each other but identical in design. The first panels A and the second panels B are each sheet- or film-shaped components that are to be laminated to the web material 10 by the lamination device 200. The panels A and B can be, for example, components for the production of fuel cells or RFID assemblies, such as sections of a GDL, a CCM, or a carrier web.

[0050] The first panels A and the second panels B are arranged alternately on the web material 10. Furthermore, panels A and B are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other on the web material 10. However, this is not necessary in all embodiments. Alternatively, the panels can also be arranged directly adjacent to each other on the web material.

[0051] The lamination device 200 is configured to laminate the web material 10 with the first panel A and the second panel B. For this purpose, the lamination device 200 has a first pair of lamination rollers and a second pair of lamination rollers. The first pair of lamination rollers comprises lamination rollers 210 and 220. The second pair of lamination rollers comprises lamination rollers 230 and 240. The lamination rollers of the first pair and the lamination rollers of the second pair are identical. However, this is not necessary in all embodiments. Alternatively, a lamination device can also have differently designed lamination rollers or differently designed pairs of lamination rollers.

[0052] The lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair of lamination rollers are designed to be rotated in opposite directions, so that the web material 10 passed between them is laminated with the first utility A arranged on it by a pressure exerted by the lamination rollers 210 and 220.

[0053] Furthermore, the lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair of lamination rollers are also designed to be rotated in opposite directions, so that the web material 10 passed between them is laminated with the second use B arranged on it by a pressure exerted by the lamination rollers 230 and 240.

[0054] Laminating rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair of lamination rollers and lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair of lamination rollers each have sections or cylinder sectors with different cylinder diameters or different cylinder radii. Laminating roller 210 has sections or cylinder sectors 212 and 214, which have a larger cylinder diameter or cylinder radius than the other sections or cylinder sectors of lamination roller 210. Laminating roller 220 has sections or cylinder sectors 222 and 224, which have a larger cylinder diameter or cylinder radius than the other sections or cylinder sectors of lamination roller 220. Laminating roller 230 has sections or cylinder sectors 232 and 234, which have a larger cylinder diameter or cylinder radius than the other sections or cylinder sectors of lamination roller 230.The lamination roller 240 has the areas or cylinder sectors 242 and 244 which have a larger cylinder diameter or cylinder radius than the other areas or cylinder sectors of the lamination roller 240.

[0055] The lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair of lamination rollers are configured to laminate the first panels A, arranged on the web material 10, to the web material during their rotation. For this purpose, lamination roller 210 contacts one of the first panels A and exerts a contact force in the direction of lamination roller 220, while lamination roller 220 contacts the web material 10 and exerts a contact force in the direction of lamination roller 210. Lamination roller 210 contacts the first panel A with one of the areas or cylinder sectors 212 and 214, each of which has a larger cylinder radius or cylinder diameter than the other areas or cylinder sectors of lamination roller 210. Lamination roller 210 contacts the first panels A with the cylindrical surfaces of areas or cylinder sectors 212 and 214.The length or extent of the cylindrical surfaces of areas or cylinder sectors 212 and 214 in the circumferential direction of the lamination roller 210 corresponds at least substantially to the length or extent of the first shares A in the conveying direction F of the web material 10. Simultaneously, the lamination roller 220 contacts the web material 10 with one of the areas or cylinder sectors 222 and 224, which each have a larger cylinder radius or cylinder diameter than the other areas or cylinder sectors of the lamination roller 220. The lamination roller 220 contacts the web material 10 with the cylindrical surfaces of areas or cylinder sectors 222 and 224. The length or extent of the cylindrical surfaces of areas or cylinder sectors 222 and 224 in the circumferential direction of the lamination roller 220 corresponds at least substantially to the length or extent of the first shares A in the conveying direction F of the web material 10.

[0056] The lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair of lamination rollers are configured to laminate the second panels B, arranged on the web material 10, to the web material 10 during their rotation. For this purpose, lamination roller 230 contacts one of the second panels B and exerts a contact force in the direction of lamination roller 240, while lamination roller 240 contacts the web material 10 and exerts a contact force in the direction of lamination roller 230. Lamination roller 230 contacts the second panel B with one of the areas or cylinder sectors 232 and 234, which each have a larger cylinder radius or cylinder diameter than the other areas or cylinder sectors of lamination roller 230. Lamination roller 230 contacts the second panels B with the cylindrical surfaces of the areas or cylinder sectors 232 and 234.The length or extent of the cylindrical surfaces of areas or cylinder sectors 232 and 234 in the circumferential direction of the lamination roller 230 corresponds at least substantially to the length or extent of the second panels B in the conveying direction F of the web material 10. Simultaneously, the lamination roller 240 contacts the web material 10 with one of the areas or cylinder sectors 242 and 244, which each have a larger cylinder radius or cylinder diameter than the other areas or cylinder sectors of the lamination roller 240. The lamination roller 240 contacts the web material 10 with the cylindrical surfaces of areas or cylinder sectors 242 and 244, respectively. The length or extent of the cylindrical surfaces of areas or cylinder sectors 242 and 244 in the circumferential direction of the lamination roller 240 corresponds at least substantially to the length or extent of the second panels B in the conveying direction F of the web material 10.The first pair of lamination rollers laminates the first panels A, while the second pair of lamination rollers laminates the second panels B. After lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair have laminated a first panel A, and lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair have laminated a second panel B, the first and second panels are each conveyed further in the conveying direction F. The panels immediately following those laminated with web material 10 are not laminated by the lamination rollers of the first and second pairs, respectively.In other words, the lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair of lamination rollers each exert no pressure on those panels that immediately follow panels previously laminated with web material 10 by the lamination rollers 210 and 220, and the lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair of lamination rollers each exert no pressure on those panels that immediately follow panels previously laminated with web material 10 by the lamination rollers 230 and 240.

[0057] The first pair of lamination rollers and the second pair of lamination rollers exert no contact pressure on the web material 10 and the panels arranged on it with the cylindrical surfaces of those areas or cylinder sectors that have a smaller cylinder radius than the other areas or cylinder sectors of the respective lamination rollers. Thus, during a second time period following a first time period in which several panels are laminated simultaneously with the web material 10, the web material 10 and the panels arranged on it are conveyed through the lamination device 200 in the conveying direction F without contact pressure.

[0058] The conveying of the web material 10 in the conveying direction F is effected during the second time period by the position-controlled conveying device, which feeds the web material 10 to the lamination device 200, and the torque- or force-controlled conveying device 300, which is arranged downstream of the lamination device 200 in the conveying direction F.Since the web material 10 is conveyed through the lamination device 200 without contact pressure during the second time period, the torque- or force-controlled conveying device 300 can counteract any material stress in the web material 10 by adjusting the conveying speed, particularly temporarily. This stress builds up during the preceding first time period in a region of the web material 10 between the position-controlled feeding conveying device and the lamination rollers 210, 220, 230, and 240, which press the web material 10 and the panels arranged thereon against each other. Between the first panels A laminated by the lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair of lamination rollers and the second panels B laminated by the lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair of lamination rollers, two further panels, more precisely one further first panel A and one further second panel B, are arranged.In other words, the first pair of lamination rollers and the second pair of lamination rollers are arranged at such a distance from each other that two further panels are arranged between each pair of panels laminated by the lamination roller pairs. This ensures that each panel arranged on the web material 10 is laminated by the lamination device 200, whereby the web material 10 with the panels arranged on it is temporarily conveyed through the lamination device 200 without pressure after the parallel lamination of two panels at a time.

[0059] In other embodiments not shown, the lamination device may also have more than two pairs of lamination rollers. Furthermore, other embodiments not shown may laminate more than two panels simultaneously with a web material. The spacing of the lamination roller pairs and / or the number of additional panels arranged between the simultaneously laminated panels may differ accordingly from the examples shown in the figures.

[0060] Figures 1 and 2 further show the camera sensor 100. The camera sensor 100 is configured to detect the position of the panels arranged on the conveyed web material 10 relative to the web material 10 and relative to the respective other panels. In the example shown, the camera sensor 100 is arranged upstream of the lamination device 200 in the conveying direction F; however, this is not necessary in all embodiments. In other embodiments not shown, the camera sensor 100 or another sensor, in particular an optical sensor, can also be integrated into the lamination device 200 or arranged downstream of the lamination device 200 in the conveying direction F.

[0061] Based on the detection by the camera sensor 100, the rotational speed of the lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair of lamination rollers and / or the rotational speed of the lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair of lamination rollers can be controlled. Alternatively or additionally, the positioning of the lamination rollers and / or pairs of lamination rollers can also be controlled based on the detection by the camera sensor 100. In particular, the distance between the lamination rollers and / or pairs of lamination rollers, that is, the distance between the lamination rollers and / or pairs of lamination rollers in the conveying direction F, can be adjusted or controlled based on the detection by the camera sensor 100. Fig. 3 schematically shows the lamination roller 210 with the cylinder sectors 212 and 214 in a cross-sectional view. The lamination rollers 220, 230, and 240, which are not shown in Fig. 3, can each be configured similarly to the one shown in Fig.The lamination roller 210 shown in section 3 should be designed accordingly.

[0062] Figure 3 schematically illustrates that the lamination roller 210 can have several different cylinder sectors or areas, wherein the schematically shown cylinder sectors and areas 212 and 214 each have a cylinder radius RI that is larger than the cylinder radius R2 that other cylinder sectors or areas of the lamination roller 210 have. The extents or lengths of the lateral surfaces of the cylinder sectors or areas 212 and 214 in the circumferential direction of the lamination roller 210, that is, along the outer circumference of the lamination roller 210, correspond at least substantially to the extents or lengths of the blanks arranged on the web material in the conveying direction of the web material.

[0063] Figures 4 and 5 show another example of a continuous web material 10 being conveyed in a conveying direction F through a lamination device 200. In the example shown in Figures 4 and 5, the web material 10 is also continuously fed to the lamination device 200 by a position-controlled conveying device (not shown).

[0064] Furthermore, the torque- or force-controlled conveying device 300 shown in Figures 4 and 5, as well as the camera sensor 100, correspond in their design and function to the device components shown in Figures 1 and 2, which are designated with the same reference numerals. The arrangement of the first unit A and the second unit B on the web material 10 also corresponds to the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0065] The lamination device 200 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 has a first pair of lamination rollers with the lamination rollers 210 and 220 and a second pair of lamination rollers with the lamination rollers 230 and 240.

[0066] The lamination rollers 210, 220, 230, and 240 can be moved, particularly simultaneously, toward the web material 10 with the panels arranged on it and away from the web material 10 and the panels arranged on it in a (counter-)direction. The lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair of lamination rollers are configured to laminate the first panels A arranged on the web material 10 to the web material. For this purpose, the lamination roller 210 is moved into a rolling position in which it contacts one of the first panels A and exerts a contact force in the direction of the lamination roller 220, while the lamination roller 220 contacts the web material 10 and exerts a contact force in the direction of the lamination roller 210.At the same time, the lamination roller 220 is moved into a rolling position in which it contacts the web material 10 and exerts a pressing force in the direction of the lamination roller 210, while the lamination roller 210 contacts the first panel A and exerts a pressing force in the direction of the lamination roller 220.

[0067] The lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair of lamination rollers are configured to laminate the second panels B, arranged on the web material 10, to the web material. For this purpose, lamination roller 230 is moved into a rolling position in which it contacts one of the second panels B and exerts a contact force towards lamination roller 240, while lamination roller 240 contacts the web material 10 and exerts a contact force towards lamination roller 230. Simultaneously, lamination roller 240 is moved into a rolling position in which it contacts the web material and exerts a contact force towards lamination roller 230, while lamination roller 230 contacts the second panel B and exerts a contact force towards lamination roller 230.

[0068] The first pair of lamination rollers laminates the first panels A, while the second pair of lamination rollers laminates the second panels B. After the lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair have laminated a first panel A, and the lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair have laminated a second panel B, the first and second panels are each conveyed further in the conveying direction F. Simultaneously, the lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair and the lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair are moved away from the web material 10 and the panels arranged on it. The panels immediately following those laminated to the web material 10 are therefore not laminated by the lamination rollers of the first and second pairs.In other words, the lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair of lamination rollers each exert no contact force on those panels that immediately follow panels previously laminated with the web material 10 by the lamination rollers 210 and 220, and the lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair of lamination rollers each exert no contact force on those panels that immediately follow panels previously laminated with the web material 10 by the lamination rollers 230 and 240. Thus, the first pair of lamination rollers and the second pair of lamination rollers each exert a contact pressure on the web material 10 and on a panel arranged thereon with their cylindrical surfaces during a first time interval, so that the panels pressed against the web material 10 are laminated with the web material 10 (shown in Fig. 5).Furthermore, during a second time interval following the first time interval, the first pair of lamination rollers and the second pair of lamination rollers exert no contact pressure on the web material 10 and the pre-printed components arranged on it. Thus, during the second time interval following the first time interval, the web material 10 and the pre-printed components arranged on it are conveyed through the lamination device 200 in the conveying direction F without any contact pressure (shown in Fig. 4).

[0069] The conveying of the web material 10 in the conveying direction F is effected during the second time period by the position-controlled conveying device, which feeds the web material 10 to the lamination device 200, and the torque- or force-controlled conveying device 300, which is arranged downstream of the lamination device 200 in the conveying direction F.Since the web material 10 is conveyed through the lamination device 200 without contact pressure during the second time period, the torque- or force-controlled conveying device 300 can counteract, in particular temporarily, any material stress in the web material 10 that has built up, in particular during the preceding first time period, in an area of ​​the web material 10 between the position-controlled feeding conveying device and the lamination rollers 210, 220, 230 and 240 that press the web material 10 and the panels arranged on it together.

[0070] The movement of the lamination rollers 210, 220, 230, and 240 towards the web material 10 and the movement of the lamination rollers 210, 220, 230, and 240 away from the web material 10 can be repeated cyclically, such that the lamination rollers 210, 220, 230, and 240 exert a contact pressure on the web material 10 and / or on elements arranged on it during a first time interval, then exert no contact pressure on the web material and / or elements arranged on it during a second time interval, and then exert contact pressure on the web material and elements arranged on it again. In other words, the first and second time intervals can alternate. The lamination rollers can, in particular, be moved during the second time interval and be arranged in a rolling position during the first time interval in which they exert a contact force.Between the first panel A laminated by the lamination rollers 210 and 220 of the first pair of lamination rollers and the second panel B laminated by the lamination rollers 230 and 240 of the second pair of lamination rollers, two further panels are arranged, more precisely, another first panel A and another second panel B. In other words, the first pair of lamination rollers and the second pair of lamination rollers are arranged at such a distance from each other that two further panels are arranged between each pair of panels laminated by the lamination roller pairs. This ensures that each panel arranged on the web material 10 is laminated by the lamination device 200, whereby the web material 10 with the panels arranged on it is temporarily conveyed through the lamination device 200 without pressure after the parallel lamination of two panels at a time.

[0071] In other embodiments not shown, the lamination device may also have more than two pairs of lamination rollers. Furthermore, other embodiments not shown may laminate more than two panels simultaneously with a web material. The spacing of the lamination roller pairs and / or the number of additional panels arranged between the simultaneously laminated panels may differ accordingly from the examples shown in the figures.

[0072] It is understood that the exemplary embodiments described above are not exhaustive and do not limit the subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, it is evident to the person skilled in the art that they can combine the described features in any way they wish and / or omit various features without deviating from the subject matter disclosed herein.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A lamination system with a conveying device (300) configured to convey a web material (10) with several utility units (A, B) arranged on it;a lamination device (200) comprising a first pair of lamination rollers (210, 220) and a second pair of lamination rollers (230, 240), each configured to laminate the utility arranged on the web material to the web material, wherein the first pair of lamination rollers is configured to exert a contact pressure on the web material and on a first utility (A) arranged thereon during a first time period and to release the contact pressure exerted during the first time period during a second time period, and the second pair of lamination rollers is configured to exert a contact pressure on the web material and on a second utility (B) arranged thereon during the first time period and to release the contact pressure exerted during the first time period during the second time period.

2. The lamination system according to claim 1, wherein no further panel or an even number of further panels are arranged on the web material between the first panel and the second panel.

3. The lamination system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the width of the panels (A, B) arranged on the web material (10) is equal to P, and if a distance between any two panels on the web material is equal to K, and if the number of panels arranged between the first panel (A) and the second panel (B) is equal to n, a shortest distance between the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers (210, 220) and the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers (230, 240) of the second pair of lamination rollers is at least substantially equal to (2 * n - 1) * (P + K).

4. The lamination system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second, in particular position-controlled, conveying device, which in particular is a vacuum conveyor belt, wherein the second conveying device is configured to convey the web material (10) with the several utility units (A, B) arranged thereon and / or to supply the web material (10) to the lamination device (200).

5. The lamination system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (300) is a position-controlled or force-controlled conveying device, which in particular has a pair of conveying rollers (310, 320) which are arranged to exert a contact pressure on the web material (10) and / or on at least one benefit (A, B) arranged on the web material.

6. The lamination system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor device (100), in particular an optical sensor device, which is configured to detect a position of the utility items (10) arranged on the conveyed web material, in particular relative to the web material and / or relative to further utility items.

7. The lamination system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control device configured to control a rotational speed of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers (210, 220) and / or a rotational speed of the lamination rollers of the second pair of lamination rollers (230, 240) based on a conveying speed of the web material (10) and / or based on a detection by the sensor device (100).

8. The lamination system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers (210, 220) and / or the lamination rollers (230, 240) of the second pair of lamination rollers each have at least one first cylinder sector (212, 214, 222, 224, 232, 234, 242, 244) with a first cylinder radius (RI) and at least one second cylinder sector with a second cylinder radius (R2), wherein the first cylinder radius is larger than the second cylinder radius.

9. The lamination system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers (210, 220) and / or the lamination rollers (230, 240) of the second pair of lamination rollers are each configured to are to be moved towards the web material and / or to be moved away from the web material in one direction each, wherein the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers (210, 220) and / or the lamination rollers (230, 240) of the second pair of lamination rollers are in particular arranged to be moved simultaneously each.

10. The lamination system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shortest distance between the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers (210, 220) and the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers (230, 240) of the second pair of lamination rollers is variable, particularly during the conveying of the web material (10) with the utility items (A, B) arranged thereon, and / or the shortest distance between the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers of the first pair of lamination rollers (210, 220) and the axes of rotation of the lamination rollers (230, 240) of the second pair of lamination rollers is controllable based on a detection by the sensor device (100).

11. A process for laminating a panel (A, B) with a web material (10) comprises the following steps: - Conveying, with a conveying device (300), a web material (10) and several payloads (A, B) arranged on the web material in a conveying direction (F); - Laminating, with a lamination device (200), the utility arranged on the web material with the web material, wherein the lamination device comprises a first pair of lamination rollers (210, 220) and a second pair of lamination rollers (230, 240), wherein the first pair of lamination rollers is configured to exert a contact pressure on the web material and on a first utility (A) arranged thereon during a first time period and to release the contact pressure exerted during the first time period during a second time period, and the second pair of lamination rollers is configured to exert a contact pressure on the web material and on a second utility (B) arranged thereon during the first time period and to release the contact pressure exerted during the first time period during the second time period.

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