Apparatus and method for splicing at least two-layer materials webs

Abstract

A splicing apparatus for splicing two material webs comprising: a splicing station for connecting two material webs; two spaced web feeders upstream of the splicing station. The splicing station and the web feeders are movable relative to each other so that the splicing station is aligned with one of the two web feeders in a first or second alignment position. The splicing apparatus is used to convey a material web through the splicing station by means of one of the web feeders until this material web is coming to an end; to cut this material web to length by means of a cutting apparatus; to move the splicing station relative to the web feeder so that the splicing station is aligned with the other web feeder; for conveying the other material web through the web feeder into the splicing station so that a beginning of the other material web is located near the cut end of the material web coming to an end; and for pressing a first or second connecting strip from a top or bottom of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web.

Description

[0001] Apparatus and method for splicing at least two-laver material webs

[0002] Description

[0003] Disclosed here are a method and an apparatus for splicing at least two-layer material webs in the form of, for example, very thin (in the range of approx. 1 pm to approx. 500 pm) paper webs or plastic film arrangements, in particular for fuel, accumulator or battery cells, or parts for their manufacture. Splicing here means joining or connecting the paper webs or plastic film arrangements with adhesive tapes applied to one or both sides. Thermal splicing, i. e. laminating a strip of material on one or both sides to the end of one and the beginning of the other paper web or plastic film arrangement to be permanently joined together, is also understood here as splicing. These material webs can comprise electrode layers which are designed as anode or cathode layers, as separating layers or as protective layers. Details on this are defined in the claims; however, the description also contains relevant information on the structure and mode of operation as well as on variants of the process and the apparatus components.

[0004] Background

[0005] Material webs that can be processed using the apparatuses and methods disclosed herein comprise, for example, continuous copper-containing or aluminum-containing metal foils with a layer of material that is anodically or cathodically active on their top and / or bottom side. In one variant, the material layer is provided with at least one lateral area in the longitudinal direction of the metal foil. In one variant, this lateral area is uncoated and serves to form a connection lug. In one variant, the variant of an anodically active material layer has, for example, an anode active material comprising, for example, carbonaceous materials, silicon, silicon suboxide, silicon alloys, aluminum alloys, indium, indium alloys, tin, tin alloys, cobalt alloys and mixtures thereof. In particular, the anode active material may comprise synthetic graphite, natural graphite, graphene, mesocarbon, doped carbon, hard carbon, soft carbon, fullerene, silicon-carbon composite, silicon, surface-coated silicon, silicon suboxide, silicon alloys, lithium, aluminum alloys, indium, tin alloys, cobalt alloys, and mixtures thereof.

[0006] If the material web comprises a separating layer, for example between the metal foils, this can be designed to be electrically insulating and, for example, permeable to lithium ions in one variant. The separating layer can also be referred to as a separator foil.

[0007] If the material web comprises a protective layer covering a free surface of the metal foils, this can be designed in one variant as a polymer layer, for example polyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin, in particular polyethylene and / or polypropylene, polyamide, polyimide, or the like. Automatic splicers with butt-to-butt splicing are known from the applicant's operational practice. The splicing unit is equipped with a cutting unit. A butt-to-butt splicing unit cuts the "old" web, brings the "new" web up to butt and applies the splicing tape to the splice. The contact pressure of the upper slitting element supports the splice. The splice accuracy in the machine direction is + / - a few millimeters. This does not ensure that the ends to be spliced do not overlap each other, thus doubling the material thickness.

[0008] US 9,469,494 B2 relates to an apparatus and method for producing a butt splice for joining a first material web to a second material web. The first material web is cut or trimmed to form a first edge. The second material web is cut or trimmed to form a second edge, and the second edge is positioned with respect to and aligned with the first edge to define a gap therebetween. A curable liquid adhesive curable liquid adhesive, such as an ultraviolet (UV) curing liquid adhesive, is introduced or applied into the gap, and the liquid adhesive is cured to form the butt joint that joins the first material web to the second material web to the second material web.

[0009] The documents DE 11 2007 002 590 T5 and DE 42 19 910 Al describe splicing apparatuses for splicing two material webs.

[0010] DE 11 2007 002 590 T5 relates to a method in an unwinding unit with endless operation for a fiber web, wherein in the unwinding unit a machine roll is unwound in a primary station and in a secondary station, and wherein a new machine roll brought to the unwinding unit is connected at full speed by means of a splice roller of a splicing apparatus to a web of an emptying machine roll, wherein in the method the old machine roll and the new machine roll are moved horizontally. The new machine roll and the old machine roll are moved by means of two pairs of linearly movable carrier carriages. Unwinding begins on a pair of carrier carriages, which have a primary brake generator associated with the primary station for controlling the web tension, whereby the acceleration of the new machine roll to unwinding speed is carried out while the carrier carriage moves in the direction of the primary winding station.

[0011] DE 42 19 910 Al relates to an apparatus for automatically joining the ends of two strips of material without interrupting the strip take-off, whereby the rear end of the first strip and the front end of the second strip project beyond the opposite shearing edges of two strip carriers. Vertically moving shear blades remove the short overlap sections and the carriers move together with the two strips horizontally to form a butt joint. At contact, the two strip ends are joined by adhesive tape applied over the joint by a vertically moving carrier. A material strip feed clamp behind the strip carriers responds to a sensor that detects the end of the first strip and quickly builds up a storage loop of excess material. The excess material can be continuously removed while both strip ends stop momentarily for the shearing and joining process. The apparatus joins the two ends of successive rolls of material strips, e. g. packaging strips, and avoids to interrupt the strip take-off during strip end joining.

[0012] Technical problem

[0013] For a continuous manufacturing process of fuel, accumulator or battery cells, two or more layers of material webs must be joined together by connecting the material web from a roll that is coming to an end with a material web from a new, full roll. The material web should be available for production continuously and without interruption.

[0014] Solution

[0015] A method or apparatus according to the independent claims serves to solve this problem. A splicing apparatus for splicing two two-layer or multi-layer material webs is provided with: a splicing station for connecting two material webs; two web feeders spaced apart from each other upstream of the splicing station. The splicing station and the web feeders are movable relative to each other so that the splicing station is aligned with one of the two web feeders in a first or second alignment position. The splicing apparatus is used for conveying a material web by means of one of the web feeders through the splicing station in one of the two alignment positions until this material web is coming to an end; for cutting this material web to length by means of a cutting apparatus; for moving the splicing station relative to the web feeder so that the splicing station is aligned with the other web feeder in the other of the two alignment positions; for conveying the other material web through the web feeder into the splicing station so that a beginning of the other material web is located near the cut end of the material web that is coming to an end; and for pressing a first and / or second connecting strip from an upper side and / or lower side of the end of the one and the beginning of the other material web.

[0016] This procedure / apparatus allows the two- or multi-layer material webs to be fed continuously and without interruption to a downstream processing station. For this purpose, the same material is provided from two separate material rolls with both web feeders. The changeover from an empty material roll to a full material roll can then take place fully automatically. This enables automatic splicing of two or more layers of material webs from above and / or below, without the start of one material web and the end of the other material web having to overlap.

[0017] In one variant, the individual layers of the two- or multi-layer material adhere to each other or are bonded to each other (glued or welded together in points, lines or areas). In another variant, the individual layers of the two- or multi-layer material lie loosely on top of each other; they do not adhere to each other.

[0018] This apparatus and procedure allows splicing in particular of two- or multi-layer material webs where a particularly low stress in the longitudinal or conveying direction of the material webs is important. This applies in particular if the layers of the two- or multi-layer material webs have different material properties (extensibility, elasticity, etc.), as in this case one layer no longer fits securely to the other layer after the material web has been subjected to tensile stress. This effect can be achieved by the relative movement of the splicing station to the web feeders, whereby the splicing station aligns with one of the two web feeders in the first or second alignment position.

[0019] This procedure / apparatus is very gentle on the material; during processing, tension peaks in the conveying direction of the material web can be avoided. The material web from the end of the roll can also be securely joined to the material web of the new, full roll without their individual layers slipping against each other. In the case of layers of two or more layers of material that are glued or welded together in points, lines or areas, folds or bulges between the individual layers can be avoided.

[0020] The usual prior art procedure of stopping the machine completely in order to manually connect the start of the following material web with the end of the material web that is coming to an end is avoided with the variants disclosed here.

[0021] In particular, the variants disclosed here with their stamp-counter-stamp arrangements allow an efficient and time-saving procedure for two- or multi-layer material webs by simultaneously applying and pressing a connecting strip on the upper side of the successive material webs and a connecting strip on the underside of the successive material webs. The two web feeders and the components of the splicing station with very precise positioning and guidance of the material webs make it possible to achieve a gap-free connection of the material webs without distorting or shifting the individual layers of the material webs relative to each other.

[0022] At least: one of the two web feeders feeds the other material web into the splicing station so that the start of the other material web is located close to the cut end of the material web that is coming to an end; and pressing a first or second connecting strip from an upper side and / or lower side of the end of one material web and the beginning of the other material web by means of an upper stamp / lower stamp arrangement are not known from DE 11 2007 002 590 T5. At least: a relative movability of the splicing station and the web feeder relative to each other so that the splicing station is aligned with one of the two web feeders in a first or second alignment position; and a movement of the splicing station relative to the web feeder such that the splicing station is aligned with the other of the two web feeders; are not known from DE 42 19 910 Al.

[0023] With the variants disclosed here, the first connecting strip can be very easily attached and pressed onto the upper side of the two material webs to be joined using the upper stamp and the second connecting strip can be attached and pressed onto the underside of the two material webs to be joined using the lower stamp.

[0024] A variant disclosed herein comprises a splicing apparatus for splicing two at least two-layer material webs with a splicing station, provided and arranged for connecting an end of a material web coming to an end to a beginning of a new material web.

[0025] In a variant disclosed here, it has a first web feeder on the upstream side to the splicing station.

[0026] In a variant disclosed here, it has a second web feeder on the upstream side to the splicing station.

[0027] In a variant disclosed herein, the first web feeder and the second web feeder are arranged laterally or obliquely side by side or one above the other.

[0028] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing station and the first web feeder and the second web feeder are provided and adapted to be movable relative to each other such that the splicing station is selectively aligned with the first web feeder or the second web feeder in a first or in a second alignment position.

[0029] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus is provided and arranged to move or hold the splicing station relative to the first web feeder or the second web feeder by means of a controlled first actuator such that the splicing station is selectively aligned with the first web feeder or the second web feeder in the first or in the second alignment position.

[0030] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus is provided and arranged for conveying the first or the second material web from the first or the second web feeder, respectively, through the splicing station by means of a first or a controlled second drive and / or a controlled third drive, respectively, until this material web is coming to an end.

[0031] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus is provided and set up for cutting to length the material web that is coming to an end by means of a controlled movable cutting apparatus, which in particular prepares a transverse edge of the material web that is coming to an end for connection to the start of the new material web.

[0032] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus is provided and arranged to move the splicing station relative to the first web feeder and the second web feeder by means of the controlled first actuator such that the splicing station is aligned with the first web feeder or the second web feeder in the other of the two alignment positions.

[0033] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus is provided and arranged for conveying the second or the first material web on the second or the first web feeder to the splicing station so that a beginning of the second or the first material web is located near the spliced end of the material web coming to an end.

[0034] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus is provided and arranged for pressing a first and / or second connecting strip at least partially overlapping a width of the second or the first material web from an upper side and / or a lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web by means of an upper stamp and / or lower stamp in order to connect the beginning of the second or the first material web to the end of the material web coming to an end.

[0035] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus is provided and arranged for retracting the cut-to-length material web that is coming to an end by means of the first or the second web feeder.

[0036] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus has an upper stamp and / or a lower stamp, at least one of which is movable. In a variant disclosed herein, the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp are provided and adapted to apply and press the first and / or the second connecting strip onto the upper side and / or the lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web.

[0037] In a variant of the splicing apparatus disclosed herein, a first feeding apparatus is provided and adapted to apply the first connecting strip to the upper stamp.

[0038] In a variant of the splicing apparatus disclosed herein, a second feeding apparatus is provided and is arranged to apply the second connecting strip to the lower stamp.

[0039] In a variant of the splicing apparatus disclosed here, the cutting apparatus has at least one support for the material web to be cut to length and a blade that can be moved in a controlled manner relative to the support in order to cut the material web to length.

[0040] In a variant of the splicing apparatus disclosed herein, the support is designed, at least in sections, as a support movable by a support drive.

[0041] In a variant of the splicing apparatus disclosed herein, the support is connected, at least in sections, to a controlled source of negative pressure which supplies negative pressure to channels in the support which are open towards the material web.

[0042] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed herein, the support cooperates at least in sections with at least one controlled web clamp.

[0043] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed herein, the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp are provided and arranged to apply and press the first and / or the second connecting strip onto the upper side and / or the lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web by means of a first and / or second stamp drive.

[0044] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed herein, the first and / or the second stamp drive are provided and arranged to move the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp out of a range of movement of the movable blade and / or the movable support.

[0045] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed herein, the support drive and / or a blade drive are provided and arranged to move the support and / or the movable blade out of a range of movement of the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp.

[0046] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed herein, a position and / or orientation sensor arrangement is provided and arranged to detect the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web that is coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web and to output any correction signals in order to control the first and / or second and / or third drives to correct the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web that is coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web.

[0047] In a variant of the splicing apparatus disclosed here, the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp and / or web rollers arranged downstream of these can be heated in a controlled manner, for example electrically. This serves to heat thermoplastic connecting strips for bonding the end of the material web that is coming to an end to the beginning of the new material web.

[0048] In a variant of the splicing apparatus disclosed here, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the upper stamp, the lower stamp and / or the web rollers is assigned to these.

[0049] In a variant of the splicing apparatus disclosed here, the splicing station and / or the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp are arranged in an assembly and can be brought together into the respective one of the two alignment positions by means of the first actuator.

[0050] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed herein, the first web feeder has a non-driven or a driven first web roller whose position relative to a first counter-support can be changed in a controlled manner.

[0051] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed herein, the first web roller and the first counter-support of the first web feeder are provided and adapted to receive the first material web therebetween.

[0052] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus has in the first web feeder a non-driven or driven second web roller and a non-driven or driven third web roller, wherein the second web roller and the third web roller are provided and arranged to receive the first material web therebetween.

[0053] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed here, the first web roller and / or the first counter-support in the first web feeder can be moved perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the first material web by means of a second positioning drive.

[0054] In a variant of the splicing apparatus disclosed herein, the second web roller and the third web roller in the first web feeder are movable perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the first material web by means of a third positioning drive.

[0055] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed herein, the second web roller and the third web roller in the first web feeder are movable relative to the first web roller and / or the first counter support along the conveying direction of the first material web by means of a fourth positioning drive.

[0056] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant disclosed herein, the second web feeder has a nondriven or a driven first web roller whose position relative to a first counter-support can be changed in a controlled manner, wherein the first web roller and the first counter-support are provided and arranged to receive the second material web between them.

[0057] In a variant of the second web feeder disclosed herein, the splicing apparatus has a nondriven or a driven second web roller and a non-driven or a driven third web roller, wherein the second web roller and the third web roller are provided and arranged to receive the second material web therebetween.

[0058] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant of the second web feeder disclosed herein, the first web roller and / or the first counter support are movable perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the second material web by means of a second positioning drive.

[0059] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant of the second web feeder disclosed herein, the second web roller and the third web roller are movable perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the second material web by means of a third positioning drive.

[0060] In the splicing apparatus, in a variant of the second web feeder disclosed herein, the second web roller and the third web roller are movable relative to the first web roller and / or the first counter-support along the conveying direction of the second material web by means of a fourth positioning drive. A variant of a method for splicing two at least two-layer material webs is also disclosed here.

[0061] In one embodiment disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises providing a splicing station for connecting an end of a material web that is coming to an end to a beginning of a new material web.

[0062] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises providing a first web feeder upstream to the splicing station.

[0063] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises providing a second web feeder upstream of the splicing station. In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method provides for arranging the first web feeder and the second web feeder next to each other or on top of each other.

[0064] In one embodiment disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving or holding the splicing station relative to the first web feeder or the second web feeder such that the splicing station is aligned with the first web feeder or the second web feeder in either the first alignment position or the second alignment position.

[0065] In one embodiment disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises conveying the first or second material web from the first or second web feeder through the splicing station until the material web is coming to an end.

[0066] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises cutting the material web that is coming to an end to length, in particular in order to prepare a transverse edge of the material web that is coming to an end for connection to the beginning of the new material web.

[0067] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises retracting the cut-to-length material web that is coming to an end by means of the first or the second web feeder.

[0068] In one embodiment disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving the splicing station relative to the first web feeder and the second web feeder such that the splicing station is aligned with the first web feeder or the second web feeder in the other of the two alignment positions.

[0069] In one embodiment disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises conveying the second or first material web on the second or first web feeder to the splicing station such that a beginning of the second or first material web is located near the cut end of the material web that is coming to an end.

[0070] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises pressing a connecting strip at least partially spanning a width of the second or the first material web from an upper side and / or a lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web to join the two material webs together.

[0071] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises cutting the material web to be cut to length by means of a cutting apparatus comprising at least one support and a blade movable in a controlled manner relative to the support.

[0072] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving at least a portion of the support by a support drive.

[0073] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises the support holding the material web to the support at least in sections with a controlled vacuum.

[0074] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises the support holding the material web to the support at least in sections with at least one controlled web clamp.

[0075] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises that an upper stamp and / or a lower stamp apply the respective connecting strip to the end of one and the beginning of the other material web, and after the application of the respective connecting strip to the end of one and the beginning of the other material web, are moved out of a range of movement of the movable blade and / or the movable support.

[0076] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving the support at least partially and / or the movable blade out of a movement range of the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp after cutting the material web to length.

[0077] In one embodiment disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises detecting the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web that is coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web and outputting any correction signals to correct the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web that is coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web. In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving the controlled movable blade of the cutting apparatus and the support and / or the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp in an assembly together into the respective one of the two alignment positions.

[0078] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises applying the first connecting strip to the upper stamp and / or applying the second connecting strip to the lower stamp.

[0079] In one embodiment disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp to apply and press the first and / or the second connecting strip onto the upper surface and / or the lower surface of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web.

[0080] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises heating the upper stamp and / or the lower stamp and / or web rollers arranged downstream of these in a controlled manner, and / or wherein the temperature of the upper stamp, the lower stamp and / or the web rollers is detected.

[0081] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises, in the first web feeder, receiving the first material web between a non-driven or a driven first web roller whose position relative to a first counter-support is changed in a controlled manner.

[0082] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises, in the first web feeder, a nondriven or a driven second web roller and a non-driven or a driven third web roller receiving the first material web between them.

[0083] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving the first web roller and / or the first counter-support perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the first material web in the first web feeder.

[0084] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving the second web roller and the third web roller in the first web feeder perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the first material web.

[0085] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises, in the first web feeder, moving the second web roller and the third web roller relative to the first web roller and / or the first counter support along the conveying direction of the first material web.

[0086] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises, in the second web feeder, a non-driven or a driven first web roller, the position of which is changed in a controlled manner relative to a first counter-support, receiving the second material web between them. In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises, in the second web feeder, a non-driven or a driven second web roller and a non-driven or a driven third web roller receiving the second material web between them.

[0087] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving the first web roller and / or the first counter support perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the second material web.

[0088] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving the second web roller and the third web roller perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the second material web

[0089] In a variant disclosed herein, the splicing method comprises moving the second web roller and the third web roller relative to the first web roller and / or the first counter-support along the conveying direction of the second material web.

[0090] In a variant disclosed here with thermal splicing, one and / or both sides of a respective material strip are laminated onto the end of one and the beginning of the other papermaterial web or plastic-film-material web to be permanently joined together by means of a controlled heatable upper stamp and / or a controlled heatable lower stamp.

[0091] Brief description of the drawing

[0092] Further objectives, features, advantages and possible applications are shown in the following description of non-limiting examples of embodiments and the associated drawings. All the features described and / or illustrated, either individually or in any combination, form the object disclosed here, irrespective of their grouping in the claims or their interrelationships. Possible variations will also become clear to a person skilled in the art from the following description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawing. The figures schematically show variants of the apparatus and methods discussed here.

[0093] Figs. 1 to 6 schematically illustrate variants of a splicing apparatus for splicing two at least two-layer material webs as well as embodiments of a method for splicing two at least two- layer material webs. Components shown identically have at least comparable functions and structures, even if they are not provided with reference signs in all Figs, for the sake of clarity.

[0094] Detailed description of the drawing

[0095] Fig. 1 shows a splicing apparatus for splicing two at least two-layer material webs. This splicing apparatus comprises a splicing station SS, which serves to connect an end of a material web MB1; MB2 that is coming to an end to a beginning of a new material web MB2; MB1. A first web feeder BZ1 and a second web feeder BZ2 are arranged on the upstream side of the splicing station SS.

[0096] In the variant illustrated here, the first web feeder BZ1 is arranged above the second web feeder BZ2. However, the solution disclosed here can also be realized in variants in which the first web feeder BZ1 and the second web feeder BZ2 are arranged laterally or diagonally next to each other.

[0097] In the variant illustrated here, the first web feeder BZ1 and the second web feeder BZ2 have the same structure and are stationary relative to the movable splicing station SS.

[0098] In the variant illustrated here, each of the two web feeders BZ1; BZ2 has a non-driven or a (rotationally) driven first web roller BW1; BW1' whose position relative to a respective counter support GA; GA' can be changed in the Z direction in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU. The web roller BW1; BW1' and the counter support GAI; GAI' take up the respective material web MB1; MB2 between them. The web roller BW1; BW1' and the counter support GAI; GAI' can be moved back and forth in and against the conveying direction of the respective material web MB1; MB2 by an electronic control unit ECU controlling an actuator SA4; SA4', which is not illustrated further. In this way, the respective material web MB1; MB2 can be inserted between the web rollers described below in the conveying direction or pulled out of them against the conveying direction.

[0099] In the variant illustrated here, each of the two web feeders BZ1; BZ2 has a non-driven or driven second web roller BW2; BW2' and a non-driven or driven third web roller BW2; BW2'. The second web roller BW2; BW2' and the third web roller BW3; BW3' receive the respective material web MB1; MB2 between them after the respective material web MB1; MB2 has been fed to them by the web roller BW1; BW1' and the counter support GAI; GAI'.

[0100] In a variant not shown in detail here, instead of one or both web rollers BW1; BW1' of the two web feeders BZ1; BZ2, stamps are provided which, together with the respective countersupport GAI; GAI', receive the respective material web MB1; MB2 between them. These stamps can be moved in a controlled manner relative to the respective counter-support GAI; GAI' in order to fix or release the respective material web MB1; MB2.

[0101] In the variant illustrated here, the first web roller BW1; BW1' or the first counter-support GAI; GAI' can be moved perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the material web MB1; MB2 by means of a second actuator SA2; SA2'. In this way, the material web MB1; MB2 can be locked between them in a controlled manner by an electronic control unit ECU.

[0102] In the variant illustrated here, the second web roller BW2; BW2' and the third web roller BW3; BW3' can be moved together perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the material web MB1; MB2 by means of a third positioning drive SA3; SA3'. In this way, the web tension of the respective material web MB1; MB2 can be adjusted in a controlled manner by an electronic control unit ECU.

[0103] In the variant illustrated here, the splicing station SS is movable relative to the first web feeder BZ1 and the second web feeder. Thus, the splicing station SS is optionally aligned with the first web feeder BZ1 or the second web feeder BZ2 in a first or in a second alignment position API; AP2. In each of the two alignment positions API; AP2, the respective material webs MB1; MB2 can be fed to the splicing station SS by means of the first web feeder BZ1 or the second web feeder BZ2. For this purpose, the splicing station SS is moved or held relative to the first web feeder BZ1 or the second web feeder BZ2 by means of a first (linear) actuator SAI controlled by an electronic control unit ECU, not further illustrated, in such a way that the splicing station SS is aligned with the first web feeder BZ1 or the second web feeder BZ2 optionally in the first or in the second alignment position API; AP2. In other variants, the splicing station SS is stationary and the first web feeder BZ1 and / or the second web feeder BZ2 are moved relative to the splicing station SS.

[0104] As long as sufficient first or second web material MB1; MB2 is available in the respective supply, the first or second web material MB1; MB2 is transported by two cooperating web roller arrangements of the first or second web feeder BZ1; BZ2 by means of a first or controlled second drive DAI, DAI' in the respective web feeder BZ1; BZ2 and / or a controlled third drive DA3 downstream of the splicing station SS through the splicing station SS. DAI, DAI' in the respective web feeder BZ1; BZ2 and / or a controlled third drive DA3 downstream of the splicing station SS through the splicing station SS until this material web MB1; MB2 runs low. This coming to an end of the material web MB1; MB2 is signaled to the electronic control unit ECU by sensors, not further illustrated, at the respective supply rolls of the first and second material web MB1; MB2.

[0105] In response to the signal that the material web MB1; MB2 is coming to an end, the material web MB1; MB2 that is coming to an end is cut to length by means of a cutting apparatus SV that can be moved in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU.

[0106] Fig. 2 shows how, in a variant illustrated here, the cutting apparatus SV has a support A, via which the material web MB2; MB1 to be cut to length is conveyed through the splicing station SS. Furthermore, in the variant illustrated here, a blade K controlled by the electronic control unit ECU and movable relative to the support A is provided in order to cut the material web MB2; MB1 to length. In the variant illustrated here, the blade K can be brought into or out of engagement with the material web MB2; MB1 to be cut by moving it in the Z direction by a blade drive KAZ, which is not illustrated further. On the other hand, in the variant illustrated here, the blade K can be moved transversely to the material web to be cut MB2; MB1 after being brought into engagement with the material web to be cut MB2; MB1 by being moved here in the Y direction by a blade drive KAY, which is not illustrated further. In this way, the material web MB2; MB1 that is coming to an end is cut in a controlled manner and the material web MB1; MB2 that is coming to an end is prepared for joining with the start of the new material web MB2; MB1. Instead of a blade K, which cuts transversely through the material web MB2; MB1 that is coming to an end, a type of impact shear is provided in another variant. In this case, the material web MB2; MB1 to be cut lies on the flat support A and is clamped in the cutting position on the support A by a hold-down device. A lower blade is mounted flush with the support A, while an upper blade moves straight down.

[0107] In the variant illustrated here, the flat support A has two fixed supports Al and two movable supports A2. The two movable supports A2 have a support drive AA, which is not illustrated further, in order to be moved, in this case pivoted, into an X-Y plane with the two fixed supports in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU. The two movable supports A2 form a gap between their free edges along the Y-direction, into which the blade K can plunge in order to cut through the material web MB2; MB1 to be cut off. In another position of the two movable supports Al; A2, these are pivoted essentially vertically downwards in a Z-Y plane.

[0108] In the variant illustrated here, the support Al; A2 is connected in sections to a negative pressure source p- controlled by the electronic control unit ECU, which supplies negative pressure to channels in the support that are open towards the material web MB2; MB1. In this way, the material web can be held securely on the support while the blade K cuts the material web MB2; MB1 to length.

[0109] In the variant illustrated here, the support Al; A2 also interacts with a web clamp BK controlled by the electronic control unit ECU. Here, the web clamp BK is designed as a stamp that presses the material web MB2; MB1 onto the support A on the downstream side of the blade K. This additionally prevents the material web MB2; MB1 from slipping downstream of the blade K.

[0110] Fig. 3 shows how, in the variant illustrated here, the first or second web feeder BZ1; BZ2 is used to withdraw the material web MB1; MB2, that is coming to an end, from the splicing station SS after it has been cut to length. In the variant illustrated here, the material web MB1; MB2 is guided between a web roller BW1; BW1' and a counter support GA; GA'. To retract the material web MB1; MB2, that is coming to an end, the web roller BW1; BW1' presses the material web MB1; MB2, that is coming to an end, against the counter support GA; GA'. Subsequently, the web roller BW1; BW1', which is locked for this purpose, is moved together with the respective counter support GA; GA' together with the material web MB1; MB2, that is coming to an end, by a linear drive, which is not illustrated further, by the electronic control unit ECU in a controlled manner against the conveying direction of the material web in order to pull it out of the splicing station SS. In order to achieve this retraction safely and quickly, in one variant the two interacting web rollers BW2; BW3; BW2'; BW3' of the first and second web feeder BZ1; BZ2 support the movement of the material web by means of their first and controlled second drive DAI, DAI'.

[0111] Fig. 4 shows how, in the variant illustrated here, the splicing station SS is moved relative to the first web feeder BZ1 and the second web feeder BZ2 by means of the controlled first actuator SAI. In the process, the splicing station SS is moved from the upper of the two alignment positions API; AP2, in which it is aligned with the first web feeder BZ1, to the lower of the two alignment positions API; AP2, in which it is aligned with the second web feeder BZ2.

[0112] Now, in the variant illustrated here, the second of the material webs MB2; MB1 is conveyed on the second web feeder BZ2 to the splicing station SS, so that a start of the second material web MB2 is located near the cut end of the material web MB1 that is coming to an end. For this purpose, in the variant illustrated here, the second material web MB2 is locked between the web roller BW1' and the counter support GA' by moving the web roller BW1' in the direction of the second material web MB2 against the counter support GA' in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU.

[0113] Subsequently, the locked web roller BW1' and the counter support GA' together with the new material web MB2 are transported by a linear drive SA4', not further illustrated, in the conveying direction to the two cooperating web rollers BW2'; BW3' of the second web feeder BZ2 and inserted between the web rollers BW2'; BW3'. After releasing the locked web roller, the web rollers convey the beginning of the new material web MB2 into the splicing station SS onto the support A up to the end of the material web already in the splicing station SS by means of their controlled second drive DAI'.

[0114] Fig. 5 shows a pressing on of a first and a second connecting strip KS1; KS2 overlapping a width of the second and the first material web MB2; MB1 in the Y-direction from an upper side and a lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web MB2; MB1. An upper stamp OS and a lower stamp US, which each carry one of the two connecting strips KS1; KS2 and, in the variant illustrated here, are pivoted against the material webs in order to connect the beginning of the second material web MB2 to the end of the first material web MB1; MB2, that is coming to an end, are used for this purpose. For this purpose, the upper stamp OS and the lower stamp US are pivotably movable and provided with respective stamp drives STA1; STA2 in order to apply and press the first and second connecting strips KS1; KS2 onto the upper side and the lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web MB2; MB1, respectively, in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU.

[0115] Fig. 6 shows how, after the two connecting strips KS1; KS2 have been pressed together, the upper stamp OS and the lower stamp US in the variant illustrated here are swung away from the now connected material webs MB1; MB2 in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU. In addition, the stamp web clamp BK is raised again in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU so that the material web can be conveyed freely. Furthermore, the two movable supports Al; A2 are swiveled back into the horizontal X-Y plane in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU.

[0116] In the variant illustrated here, the splicing station SS, the upper stamp OS and the lower stamp US are arranged in a common assembly and can be brought together into the respective one of the two alignment positions API; AP2 by means of the first actuator SAI. This assembly has a web roller arrangement BW4; BW5 on the downstream side of the support A, through which the material web MB2; MB1 is transported out of the splicing station SS. On the downstream side of the splicing station SS, which can be moved vertically in the Z direction here, a web roller arrangement BW6; BW7 is provided, which is arranged in a fixed position at least in the Z direction, in order to guide the material web MB2; MB1 out of the splicing station SS at the same height in the Z direction for subsequent processing (for example, a dancer roller arrangement for buffering the material web MB2; MB1 during splicing).

[0117] In the variant not illustrated in more detail here, a first feeding apparatus is provided and is set up to apply the first connecting strip KS1 to the upper stamp OS in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU before the latter is pivoted from above against the material webs. A second feeding apparatus is provided and is set up to apply the second connecting strip KS2 to the lower stamp US in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU before the latter is pivoted against the material webs from below.

[0118] The first and / or the second stamp drive STA1; STA2 also serve to move the upper stamp OS and the lower stamp US out of a range of movement of the movable blade K or the movable support Al; A2 in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU. Similarly, the support drive and the blade drive KA in the Z direction also serve to move the pivoting sections of the support A and the movable blade K out of the range of movement of the upper stamp OS and the lower stamp US in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU.

[0119] In the variant illustrated here, a position and / or alignment sensor arrangement PAS serves to detect the position and / or the alignment of the end of the material web coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web. This sensor arrangement PAS signals its detected signals to the electronic control unit ECU in order to output any correction signals from there to the first and / or second and / or third drives DAI; DA2; DA3; DAI'; DA2'; DA3' ... . This serves to correct the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web that is coming to an end relative to the start of the new material web.

[0120] In the variant illustrated here, the upper stamp OS and the lower stamp US as well as web rollers arranged downstream of these can be heated in a controlled manner by the electronic control unit ECU. Assigned temperature sensors TS are used to detect the temperature of the upper stamp OS, the lower stamp US and the web roller.

[0121] The operation of the apparatus is explained above starting from a position of the splicing station in which the splicing station is aligned with the first upper web feeder BZ1 in the first upper alignment position API. It should be understood that operation can also start from a position of the splicing station in which the splicing station is aligned with the second, lower web feeder BZ2 in the second, lower alignment position AP2.

[0122] The variants of the apparatus described above, as well as their construction and operating aspects, are only intended to provide a better understanding of the structure, mode of operation and properties; they do not limit the disclosure to the embodiments. The figures are partly schematic, whereby essential properties and effects are in part shown clearly enlarged in order to clarify the functions, operating principles, technical configurations and features. Each mode of operation, each principle, each technical embodiment and each feature disclosed in the Fig. or in the text can be freely and arbitrarily combined with all claims, each feature in the text and in the other Fig., other modes of operation, principles, technical embodiments and features contained in this disclosure or resulting therefrom, so that all conceivable combinations can be assigned to the procedure described. This also includes combinations between all individual embodiments in the text, i.e. in each section of the description, in the claims and also combinations between different variants in the text, in the claims and in the Figs. Nor do the claims limit the disclosure and thus the possible combinations of all the features disclosed. All disclosed features are also explicitly disclosed here individually and in combination with all other features.

Claims

Patent claims1. A splicing apparatus for splicing two two-layer or multi-layer material webs is equipped with a splicing station (SS) for connecting two material webs (MB1; MB2); two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) spaced apart from each other upstream of the splicing station (SS); wherein the splicing station (SS) and the web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) are movable relative to each other so that the splicing station (SS) is aligned with one of the two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) in a first or second alignment position (API; AP2); wherein the splicing apparatus the splicing apparatus is provided and set up to- convey one of the two material webs (MB1; MB2) by means of one of the two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) through the splicing station (SS) until this material web (MB1; MB2) is coming to an end;- cut this material web (MB1; MB2) to length by means of a cutting apparatus (SV); moving the splicing station (SS) relative to the web feeder (BZ1; BZ2) in such a way that the splicing station (SS) is aligned with the other of the two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2);- convey the other material web (MB1; MB2) through the other of the two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) into the splicing station (SS) so that a beginning of the other material web (MB1; MB2) is near the cut end of the material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end; and- press a first an / or second connecting strip from an upper side and / or lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web (MB1; MB2) by means of an upperstamp (OS)-lower-stamp (US) arrangement.

2. A splicing apparatus for splicing two at least two-layer material webs according to claim 1, comprising:- a splicing station (SS), provided and set up for connecting an end of a material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end to a beginning of a new material web (MB2; MB1);- a first web feeder (BZ1) on the upstream side to the splicing station (SS);- a second web feeder (BZ2) upstream to the splicing station (SS); wherein- the first web feeder (BZ1) and the second web feeder (BZ2) are arranged laterally or obliquely next to or above one another, and- the splicing station (SS) and the first web feeder (BZ1) and the second web feeder (BZ2) are provided and arranged to be movable relative to each other such that the splicing station (SS) is selectively aligned with the first web feeder (BZ1) or the second web feeder (BZ2) in a first or in a second alignment position (API; AP2); wherein the splicing apparatus is provided and set up to- move or hold the splicing station (SS) relative to the first web feeder (BZ1) or the second web feeder (BZ2) by means of a controlled first actuator (SAI) such that the splicing station(SS) is aligned with the first web feeder (BZ1) or the second web feeder (BZ2) either in the first or in the second alignment position (API; AP2);- convey the first or the second material web (MB1; MB2) from the first or the second web feeder (BZ1; BZ2) by means of a first or a controlled second drive (DAI, DAI') and / or a controlled third drive (DA3) through the splicing station (SS) until this material web (MB1; MB2) is coming to an end;- cut to length the material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end by means of a controlled movable cutting apparatus (SV) which prepares the material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end for joining with the start of the new material web (MB2; MB1);- move the splicing station (SS) relative to the first web feeder (BZ1) and the second web feeder (BZ2) by means of the controlled first actuator (SAI) in such a way that the splicing station (SS) is aligned with the first web feeder (BZ1) or the second web feeder (BZ2) in the other of the two alignment positions (API; AP2);- convey the second or first material web (MB2; MB1) on the second or first web feeder (BZ2) to the splicing station (SS) so that a beginning of the second or first material web (MB2; MB1) is located near the cut end of the material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end; and- press a first and / or second connecting strip (KS1; KS2) at least partially overlapping a width of the second or the first material web (MB2; MB1) from an upper side and / or a lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web (MB2; MB1) by means of an upper stamp and / or lower stamp (OS, US) in order to connect the beginning of the second or the first material web (MB2; MB1) to the end of the material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end.

3. The splicing apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein- the first or the second web feeder (BZ1; BZ2) are provided and arranged to withdraw the cut-to-length material web (MB1; MB2) coming to an end from the splicing station (SS);- a first feeding apparatus (ZE1) is provided and adapted to apply the first connecting strip (KS1) to the upper stamp (OS), and a second feeding apparatus (ZE1) is provided and adapted to apply the second connecting strip (KS2) to the lower stamp (OS); and / or- the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (US) are movable and are provided and arranged to apply and press the first and / or the second connecting strip (KS1; KS2) onto the upper side and / or the lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web (MB2; MB1).

4. The splicing apparatus according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein- the cutting apparatus (SV) comprises at least one support (A) for the material web (MB2; MB1) to be cut to length and a blade (K) movable in a controlled manner relative to the support (A) in order to cut the material web (MB2; MB1) to length; and / or wherein- the support (A) is designed at least in sections as a support (Al; A2) movable by a support drive (AA); and / or wherein- the support (A) is connected at least in sections to a controlled vacuum source (p--) which feeds channels in the support which are open towards the material web (MB2; MB1) with negative pressure; and / or wherein- the support (A) cooperates at least in sections with at least one controlled web clamp (BK1; BK2).

5. The splicing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein- the first and / or the second stamp drive (STA1; STA2) are provided and arranged to move the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (OS) out of a range of movement of the movable blade (K) and / or the movable support (Al; A2); and / or wherein- the support drive (AA) and / or a blade drive (KA) are provided and arranged to move the support (A) at least partially and / or the movable blade (K) out of a range of movement of the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (OS); and / or wherein- a position and / or orientation sensor arrangement (PAS) is provided and arranged to detect the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web and to output any correction signals in order to control the first and / or second and / or third drives (DAI; DA2; DA3) to correct the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web.

6. The splicing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein- the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (US) and / or web rollers (BW4; BW5) arranged downstream of these can be heated in a controlled manner, and / or wherein a temperature sensor (TS) for detecting the temperature of the upper stamp (OS), the lower stamp (US) and / or the web rollers is assigned to these; and / or wherein- a position and / or orientation sensor arrangement (PSA) is provided and arranged to detect the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web and to output any correction signals in order to control the first and / or second and / or third drives (DAI; DA2; DA3) to correct the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web.

7. The splicing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein- the splicing station (SS), and / or the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (US) are arranged in an assembly (BG1) and can be brought jointly into the respective one of the two alignment positions (API; AP2) by means of the first actuator (SAI).

8. The splicing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first web feeder (BZ1) and / or the second web feeder (BZ2)- have a non-driven or a driven first web roller or a stamp, the position of which can be changed in a controlled manner relative to a first counter-support, the first web roller and the first counter-support being provided and set up to receive the material web between them; and / or- a non-driven or driven second web roller and a non-driven or driven third web roller, wherein the second web roller and the third web roller are provided and arranged to receive the material web therebetween; and / or wherein- the first web roller or the stamp and / or the first counter-support can be moved perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the material web by means of a second positioning drive; and / or wherein- the second web roller and the third web roller are movable perpendicularly or transversely to the conveying direction of the first material web by means of a third positioning drive; and / or wherein- the second web roller and the third web roller can be moved back and forth relative to the first web roller and / or the first counter-support along the conveying direction of the first material web by means of a fourth positioning drive.

9. A method of splicing two webs of at least two layers of material comprises the following steps: providing a splicing station (SS) for connecting two two-layer or multilayer material webs (MB1; MB2); providing two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) spaced apart from each other upstream of the splicing station (SS); wherein the splicing station (SS) and the web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) are movable relative to each other so that the splicing station (SS) is aligned with one of the two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) in a first or second alignment position (API; AP2);- conveying one of the two material webs (MB1; MB2) by means of one of the two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) through the splicing station (SS) until this material web (MB1; MB2) is coming to an end;- cutting this material web (MB1; MB2) to length by means of a cutting apparatus (SV); moving the splicing station (SS) relative to the web feeder (BZ1; BZ2) in such a way that the splicing station (SS) is aligned with the other of the two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2);- conveying the other material web (MB1; MB2) through the other of the two web feeders (BZ1; BZ2) into the splicing station (SS) so that a beginning of the other material web (MB1; MB2) is near the cut end of the material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end; and- pressing a first or second connecting strip from an upper side and / or lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web (MB1; MB2) by means of an upperstamp (OS)-lower-stamp (US) arrangement.

10. The method for splicing two at least two-layer material webs according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps: a) providing a splicing station (SS) for splicing an end of a material web that is coming to an end (MB1; MB2) to a beginning of a new material web (MB2; MB1); b) providing a first path feeder (BZ1) on the upstream side to the splicing station (SS); c) providing a second web feeder (BZ2) upstream to the splicing station (SS), wherein cl) the first path feeder (BZ1) and the second path feeder (BZ2) are arranged next to or on top of each other; d) moving or holding the splicing station (SS) relative to the first web feeder (BZ1) or the second web feeder (BZ2) such that the splicing station (SS) is aligned with the first web feeder (BZ1) or the second web feeder (BZ2) either in the first or in the second alignment position (API; AP2); e) conveying the first or second material web (MB1; MB2) from the first or second web feeder (BZ1; BZ2) through the splicing station (SS) until the material web (MB1; MB2) is coming to an end; f) cutting to length the material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end in order to prepare the material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end for connection to the start of the new material web (MB2; MB1); g) retracting the cut-to-length material web (MB1; MB2) that is coming to an end by means of the first or second web feeder (BZ1; BZ2); h) moving the splicing station (SS) relative to the first web feeder (BZ1) and the second web feeder (BZ2) in such a way that the splicing station (SS) is aligned with the first web feeder (BZ1) or the second web feeder (BZ2) in the other of the two alignment positions (API;AP2); i) conveying the second or first material web (MB2; MB1) on the second or first web feeder (BZ2) to the splicing station (SS) so that a beginning of the second or first material web (MB2; MB1) is near the cut end of the material web that is coming to an end (MB1; MB2); and j) pressing a connecting strip (KS1; KF2) at least partially overlapping a width of the second or the first material web (MB2; MB1) from an upper side and / or a lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web (MB2; MB1) in order to connect the two material webs (MB2; MB1) to one another.

11. The method according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the material web (MB2; MB1) to be cut to length is cut to length by means of a cutting apparatus (SV) comprising at least one support (A) and a blade (K) movable in a controlled manner relative to the support (A); and / or wherein at least one section of the support (A) is moved by a support drive (AA); and / or whereinthe support (A) holds the material web (MB2; MB1) on the support (A) at least in sections with a controlled vacuum (p--); and / or wherein the support (A) holds the material web (MB2; MB1) on the support (A) at least in sections with at least one controlled web clamp (BK1; BK2); and / or wherein the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (OS) are moved out of a range of movement of the movable blade (K) and / or the movable support (Al; A2) after the respective connecting strip (KS1; KS2) has been applied to the end of one and the beginning of the other material web (MB2; MB1); and / or wherein the support (A) is moved at least partially and / or the movable blade (K) is moved out of a movement range of the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (OS) after the material web (MB2; MB1) that is coming to an end has been cut to length.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web that is coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web is detected and any correction signals are output to correct the position and / or orientation of the end of the material web that is coming to an end relative to the beginning of the new material web.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the controlled movable blade (K) of the cutting apparatus (SV) and the support (A) and / or the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (US) are moved together in an assembly (BG1) to the respective one of the two alignment positions (API; AP2).

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the first connecting strip (KS1) is applied to the upper stamp (OS), and / or the second connecting strip (KS2) is applied to the lower stamp (OS); and / or the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (US) are moved in order to apply and press the first and / or the second connecting strip (KS1; KS2) onto the upper side and / or the lower side of the end of one and the beginning of the other material web (MB2; MB1).

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the upper stamp (OS) and / or the lower stamp (US) and / or web rollers arranged downstream of these are heated in a controlled manner, and / or the temperature of the upper stamp (OS), the lower stamp (US) and / or the web rollers is detected.

Images