Patent Grant
10696004
The invention relates to machines for paper converting, particularly but not exclusively for converting tissue paper for the production of toilet paper, kitchen towels and similar products. More specifically, the invention relates to embossing devices and embossing methods.
In the industry of manufacturing continuous sheets, such as webs of tissue paper or similar, for example to produce rolls of toilet paper, paper napkins, rolls of kitchen towels and similar, machines are used to emboss the cellulose web material, by means of which the originally smooth material is subjected to a permanent deformation resulting in the formation of embossed protrusions. Two or more plies of web material are usually embossed separately from one another and then bonded, using glue, with different mutual arrangements of the protrusions produced by embossing on the two or more plies. Generally speaking, the embossed plies are bonded using so-called tip-to-tip technology, or using a so-called nested technology, or using variants of these two base technologies.
In tip-to-tip technology, two embossed plies are bonded by bringing the protrusions of one ply into contact with the protrusions of the other ply. The two plies are glued by means of glue applied to the protrusion heads.
With nested technology, on the other hand, protrusions formed on one ply nest in the free spaces between the protrusions produced on the other ply. Glue is applied to the protrusions of one of the two plies to bond the two plies together.
In some cases more than two plies are bonded together, for example two outer embossed plies and one intermediate ply, which may be smooth or embossed as well.
To produce embossed plies bonded using tip-to-tip technology or nested technology, different machine and/or embossing rollers need to be used, specifically designed to allow bonding using one technique or the other.
For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,223 discloses an embossing device comprising a first embossing roller, a second embossing roller and a third embossing roller. Said embossing rollers co-act with respective first pressure roller, second pressure roller and third pressure roller. The arrangement is configured to manufacture a three-ply web, namely two external plies and in intermediate, internal ply. The two external plies are arranged and bonded to one another in a tip-to-tip configuration, while the intermediate ply is bonded in a nested configuration with one of the two external plies.
EP-A-2095935 discloses an embossing device comprising a double tip-to-tip embossing arrangement. Four embossing rollers and four pressure rollers are combined such as to emboss and laminate four plies to one another. This known embossing device is not suitable to manufacture nested plies.
Paper converting industries often require flexible machines, i.e. machines that can switch from the production of embossed plies using tip-to-tip technology, to the production of embossed plies using nested technology, and vice-versa, with the possibility of switching from one type of operation to the other quickly so as to meet constantly changing market needs, even for small batches.
There is therefore a need to provide embossing devices that are capable of producing multi-ply web material using one or other of the production techniques, and that can switch quickly and with a high degree of flexibility, by means of simple, easily-automated operations, from the production of one type of embossed material to the production of another type of embossed material.
According to one aspect, in order to fully or partially overcome one or more of the drawbacks of prior art machines, an embossing machine is proposed for producing a multi-ply web material, having at least two embossed plies bonded by gluing, comprising:
The first embossing roller, the second embossing roller, the respective first pressure roller and second pressure roller, together with the lamination roller, are configured and arranged so as to be able to produce a multi-ply material, for example with two plies, using a nested technique, DESL (Double Embossing Single Lamination), or DERL (Double Embossing Random Lamination). Each of the two plies is embossed separately from the other (whence the definition “double embossing”), in the two embossing nips formed by the first and second embossing roller and the respective first and second pressure roller. The two separately embossed plies are then laminated between one of the embossing rollers and the lamination roller. The first and second embossing roller can be easily removed and replaced in order to switch from a nested, DERL or DESL product, to another nested, DERL or DESL product, changing the pattern of one or both of the first embossing roller and the second embossing roller. The presence of the third embossing roller, which can be placed in a tip-to-tip position with the first embossing roller, makes it possible to produce a tip-to-tip type multi-ply material, without the need for any special mechanical intervention, by putting out of operation the second embossing roller. If necessary, the first embossing roller can be replaced to change the pattern of the tip-to-tip product. Alternatively, the embossing device disclosed herein can also produce a complex product with three plies, two of which are bonded by the nesting, DESL, or DERL technique while the third is bonded in a tip-to-tip manner with the first two.
A plurality of configurations of the embossing device intended to produce various types of material are shown by way of non-limiting example in detail below, with reference to the drawings for a better understanding of the multiple benefits of the embossing device according to the invention.
In some embodiments, the first embossing roller is supported in first seats of the embossing device. In practice, there are provided two seats for the two ends of the embossing roller, associate with the two opposing sides of the embossing device. Advantageously, each first seat has a movable portion, configured for taking, with respect to a fixed portion of the respective seat, a retention position of the first embossing roller and an open position, in which the first embossing roller can be removed from the first seats. The first embossing roller has two supporting journals, to which supporting bearings are fixed, which engage with the above-mentioned opening seats. Similarly, it is also possible that the second embossing roller is supported in second seats of the embossing device, in which support bearings are engaged fixed to the supporting journals of the second embossing roller.
Each second seat may advantageously have a movable portion, configured for taking, with respect to a fixed portion of the respective seat, a retention position of the second embossing roller and an open position, in which the second embossing roller can be removed from the second seats. To simplify the structure of the embossing device and make replacing one or the other of said first and second embossing roller faster, according to some embodiments the movable portions of the first seats and the movable portions of the second seats may be supported by a common movable unit, for simultaneously opening and closing the first seats and the second seats by means of a displacement of said movable unit.
The movable unit may in turn support the glue dispenser. In this way, a single movement (requiring a single actuator) can perform a threefold operation: distancing the glue dispenser from the first embossing roller; opening the first seats, to provide access to and remove the first embossing roller; opening the second seats to provide access to and remove the second embossing roller.
The two portions of each of the first seats and second seats may be configured so that when the seats are opened: the first embossing roller remains engaged with the fixed portions of the respective seats, solidly connected to the sides of the embossing device; the second embossing roller remains engaged with the movable portions of the respective second seats and is thereby distanced from the sides of the embossing device. This provides easier access to both the first and the second embossing roller for a transfer device, which can remove and replace the first embossing roller, or the second embossing roller, or both the first embossing roller and the second embossing roller.
According to advantageous embodiments, in order to simplify replacement of the first embossing roller, it may be provided that the first embossing roller is driven into rotation by a first flexible endless member, guided along a closed path and having an inner surface facing the interior of the closed path and an outer surface facing the exterior of the closed path. The outer surface of the first flexible member (preferably provided with teeth) may be in motion transmission contact with a first, preferably toothed driving wheel, torsionally coupled to the first embossing roller. In this way, the embossing roller may approach or move away from the flexible endless member. When the roller needs to be inserted in its working position, the driving wheel rests against the outer surface of the flexible endless member which, while the embossing roller is inserted into its support seat, partly wraps around the driving wheel. In the case of a toothed flexible member and a toothed driving wheel, the respective teeth engage with each other. When the embossing roller needs to be removed, the driving wheel is moved away from the outer surface of the flexible endless member. In both cases, it is not necessary to act on the transmission members, which on the contrary adapt by accompanying the mutual movement.
A similar arrangement may be provided for the second embossing roller.
The above-mentioned configuration of openable seats, in which the support bearings for the first and the second embossing roller are engaged, and their arrangement with respect to the glue dispenser, can also be adopted in an embossing device with only two embossing rollers and without a third embossing roller.
Therefore, according to a further aspect, an object of the invention is also an embossing device for producing a multi-ply web material, having at least two embossed plies bonded by gluing, comprising: a first embossing roller provided with first embossing protuberances; a first pressure roller forming with the first embossing roller a first embossing nip configured for receiving and embossing a first ply with first embossed protrusions of a first embossing pattern defined by the first embossing protuberances; a glue dispenser co-acting with the first embossing roller, for applying glue to embossed protrusions of the first ply when the first ply is in contact with the first embossing roller; a second embossing roller provided with second embossing protuberances; a second pressure roller, forming with the second embossing roller a second embossing nip configured for receiving and embossing a second ply with second embossed protrusions of a second embossing pattern defined by the second embossing protuberances; wherein the first embossing roller and the second embossing roller form a first transfer nip for the embossed plies. The embossing device may also comprise a lamination roller co-acting with the first embossing roller and configured for laminating the first ply and the second ply between the lamination roller and the first embossing protuberances of the first embossing roller. The embossing device is also provided with first seats for supporting the first embossing roller, each of which has a movable portion, configured for taking, with respect to a respective fixed portion, a retention position of the first embossing roller and an open position, in which the first embossing roller can be removed from the first seats. Furthermore, the embossing device has second seats for supporting the second embossing roller, each of which second seats has a movable portion, configured for taking, with respect to a corresponding portion, a retention position of the second embossing roller and an open position, in which the second embossing roller can be removed from the second seats. Furthermore, the movable portions of the first seats and the second seats are solidly connected to the glue dispenser, so as to move with it, the distancing movement of the glue dispenser causing the opening of the first seats and the second seats to support the first embossing roller and the second embossing roller. Furthermore, the first seats are configured so that the respective fixed portions, solidly connected to the sides of the embossing device, hold within them the first embossing roller, while the movable portions move away from the fixed portions. Vice-versa, the second seats are configured so that the respective movable portions, bound to the glue dispenser, hold within them the second embossing roller and translate it, moving it away from the first embossing roller, when the glue dispenser moves away from the first embossing roller.
According to another aspect, an object of the invention is a method for converting an embossing device from a first configuration to a second configuration, comprising the following steps:
According to another aspect, there is provided a method for converting an embossing device from a first configuration to a second configuration, comprising the following steps:
A further aspect of the invention disclosed herein concerns an embossing device with at least a first embossing roller, a second embossing roller, a first pressure roller co-acting with the first embossing roller and a second pressure roller co-acting with the second embossing roller, which system further comprises a substantially vertical storage unit, in which spare embossing rollers can be stored, for replacing one or the other of the working embossing rollers. The storage unit comprises a plurality of seats for embossing rollers, substantially mutually vertically superposed.
The term ‘substantially vertical’, in reference to the development of the embossing roller storage unit, in this context refers to a storage unit in which the various seats for the embossing rollers are located at different levels, i.e. at different heights from a base, for example from the base of the embossing device. In this sense, the seats do not have to be exactly superposed one above the other in a vertical line, but can be superposed, e.g. at different heights, but staggered horizontally, for example with a step-like arrangement.
The storage unit may be at a distance from the embossing area, where the embossing rollers temporarily in use are installed. For example, the storage unit may be placed upstream of the embossing area with respect to the direction in which the plies are fed to the embossing device. In advantageous embodiments, between the storage unit and the sides supporting the working embossing rollers, there is a passage for machine equipment or personnel.
In advantageous embodiments, this embossing device may be fitted with a transfer device that, on request and according to the various production needs, based on the configuration that the embossing device has to take, transfers the required embossing rollers to the machine and the unused rollers to the storage unit, and vice-versa. The transfer device may be movable along crossbeams arranged at a height higher than the embossing area where the working embossing rollers and the respective pressure rollers are located, together with the other members defining the ply path.
The transfer device may be movable along translation axes, for example a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. Advantageously, in some embodiments, movement along the two axes can be numerically controlled by means of suitable servo motors.
The transfer device may comprise a pair of arms ending with engagement hooks for engaging the embossing rollers. The engagement hooks may co-act with annular grooves idly mounted on supporting and rotating journals for the embossing rollers, to facilitate manipulation of the rollers. For example, at the two ends of the support and rotation journals of each embossing roller there may be mounted respective sleeves, idly supported on the respective journal of the embossing roller, said sleeves being provided with respective annular grooves, which may be provided with bevels to facilitate engagement by the hooks of the transfer device.
An example of an embodiment of an embossing device and its various possible modes of use will be described in greater detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
With initial reference to
Embossing rollers and pressure rollers are arranged between the two opposing sides 3C, 3D. The number of embossing rollers associated with an embossing device 1 may vary, so as to be able to set up the embossing device 1 in different ways, using a sub-set of available embossing rollers, for example in order to produce embossed web material with a different structure and configuration.
In general, in some embodiments of the embossing device disclosed herein, it is possible to change quickly the paths of the plies processed by the embossing device, for example to switch from the production of a tip-to-tip-type web material to a material bonded using the nested technique, or so-called DESL (Double Embossing Single Lamination), or even a so-called DERL (Double Embossing Random Lamination) product. In a product manufactured according to tip-to-tip bonding, two or more plies are embossed separately from one another and then bonded between two embossing rollers by pressing therebetween embossing protuberances belonging to the two embossing rollers. In a product made using the nested, DESL or DERL technique, the two plies are embossed separately and then bonded between one of the embossing rollers and a lamination roller. Depending on the mutual position between the embossed protrusions of the two plies, a distinction is made between nested, DESL and DERL. In general, in every case one of the two plies is removed from the embossing roller that embossed it and is placed on the other of the two embossing rollers on top of the other ply. In this way, both plies pass through an embossing nip formed between one of the two embossing rollers and the lamination roller.
As will become clear from the following description, a first advantage of the embodiment of an embossing device according to the present disclosure, is that it can facilitate the change of configuration from a configuration for the production for example of an embossed and tip-to-tip laminated multi-ply material, to an embossed multi-ply product laminated using the nested, DERL or DESL technique. The operations to be performed on the embossing device described below, which involve a change to the path of the plies as they pass through the embossing device, are substantially simpler and quicker than those required in prior art machines, which as known require not only roller replacement but also structural changes and the addition of other parts to the machine such as rubber-coated rollers, “bowed” rollers, arms for embossing rollers, etc. Another type of configuration change is associated with the type of pattern on the surface of the rollers, without needing to change the path of the plies inside the machine. This happens, for example, when one wants to switch from a DESL or nested embossing to a different type of DESL or nested embossing, changing the embossing pattern, but not the path of the plies in the embossing device. The embossing device disclosed herein facilitates this type of change.
The six embossing rollers may be variously combined with one another depending upon the various production needs, as will become clearer from the following description. There will be identified below a first embossing roller, a second embossing roller and a third embossing roller inside the embossing device 1, between the sides 3C and 3D. These first, second and third embossing rollers can change from one setup (or configuration) to another setup of the embossing device 1, in the sense that they can be replaced with other embossing rollers temporarily waiting in a storage unit for interchangeable rollers. Therefore, depending upon how many rollers are mounted on the embossing device 1, the first embossing roller, the second embossing roller or the third embossing roller may be different and variable as a function of the configuration and setup of the embossing device 1.
With particular reference to
Each embossing roller 5, 7, 9 is provided with embossing protuberances, schematically shown in the detailed enlargements shown in
During operation of the embossing device 1, the first embossing roller 5 provided with the first embossing protuberances 5P rotates around a rotation axis 5A and co-acts with a first pressure roller 11, rotating around a rotation axis 11A substantially parallel with the rotation axis 5A. The pressure roller 11 may be coated with a layer of elastically yielding material, schematically indicated by reference number 11B. The elastically yielding layer 11B may be made of rubber, synthetic rubber, or any other yielding material, preferably an elastically yielding material.
Between the first embossing roller 5 and the first pressure roller 11 a first embossing nip 13 is formed, through which the path of a first ply V1, for example a ply of cellulose fiber, such as a ply of tissue paper, extends. The ply V1 is embossed in the first embossing nip 13 due to the effect of the mutual pressure exerted between the first embossing roller 5 and the first pressure roller 11. As a result of said pressure, the protuberances 5P of the first embossing roller 5 penetrate into the thickness of the elastically yielding coating 11B covering the cylindrical surface of the first pressure roller 11.
Similarly, the second embossing roller 7, which rotates about a rotation axis 7A, substantially parallel to rotation axis 5A of the first embossing roller 5, co-acts with a second pressure roller 15 which, like the first pressure roller 11, may be coated with a layer of elastically yielding material 15B, for example rubber. The second pressure roller 15 rotates about a rotation axis 15A substantially parallel to rotation axis 7A of the second embossing roller 7. Between the second embossing roller 7 and the second pressure roller 15 a second embossing nip 17 is formed. A path for a second ply of cellulose material V2 may extend through the second embossing nip 17.
As will become clear from the following description, in some operating modes, both plies V1 and V2 are not necessarily present in the embossing device 1. For example, in some operating modes, the ply V2 may be omitted.
Furthermore, with reference to the above and to the description below, it must be understood that the plies may in turn be formed from two or more layers and may be delivered from a single reel or by several reels of cellulose material.
When present, the ply V2 is embossed, in other words it is permanently deformed in the embossing nip 17 due to the mutual pressure exerted between the second embossing roller 7 and the second pressure roller 15, said pressure causing penetration of the embossing protuberances 7P of the second embossing roller 7 into the elastically yielding material forming the coating 15B of the second embossing roller 15.
The third embossing roller 9 co-acts with a third pressure roller 19, rotating about a rotation axis 19A substantially parallel to a rotation axis 9A, about which the third embossing roller 9 rotates, and to the rotation axes 11A, 5A, 7A and 15A mentioned above.
The third pressure roller 19 may be coated with an elastically yielding material which forms a coating 19B, similar to coating 11B and coating 15B of the first pressure roller 11 and the second pressure roller 15. Reference number 21 designates a third embossing nip, formed between the third embossing roller 9 and the third pressure roller 19. A third ply of web material V3 may be fed along a third feed path through the third embossing nip 21 where the third ply V3 can be embossed, in other words permanently deformed due to the mutual pressure exerted between the third pressure roller 19 and the third embossing roller 9, said pressure causing penetration of the embossing protuberances 9P of the third embossing roller 9 into the elastically yielding material 19B of the third pressure roller 19.
A glue dispenser 23 co-acts with the first embossing roller 5, by applying glue to the embossed ply V1, when it comes into contact with the cylindrical surface of the first embossing roller 5. The glue is applied to the surface portions of the embossed ply V1 corresponding with some or all of the head surfaces of the embossing protuberances 5P of the first embossing roller 5. In some embodiments the glue dispenser 23 may comprise an anilox roller 25 and an applicator roller 27. The anilox roller 25 may draw the glue from a glue storage tank 29 and transfer it to the applicator roller 27. The latter transfers the glue received from the anilox roller 25 to the embossed ply V1.
The glue dispenser 23 may be mounted on a trolley, slide or other movable unit 31, sliding in the direction of the double arrow f31 on guides 33 constrained to the base 3B of the load-bearing structure 3 of the embossing device 1. This makes it possible to move the glue dispenser 23 towards and away from the first embossing roller 5 for reasons that will be made clear below.
Still with reference to
The first embossing roller 5, together with the glue dispenser 23 and the first pressure roller 11, co-act with a lamination roller 41, which rotates about a rotation axis 41A substantially parallel with the rotation axis of the remaining rollers described above. The lamination roller 41 may be coated with an elastically yielding material, forming a coating layer 41B, or may be provided with a surface made of steel or another rigid material. The reference number 43 indicates an actuator configured for pushing the lamination roller 41 against the side cylindrical surface of the first embossing roller 5. Between the first embossing roller 5 and the lamination roller 41, a lamination nip 45 is formed, through which a web material can pass, formed for example by the pair of plies V1 and V2, superposed and guided around the first embossing roller 5.
Between the first embossing roller 5 and the third embossing roller 9, a nip 47 is formed for the passage of the embossed plies. A multi-ply product can pass through the nip 47, in the configuration shown in
The assembly of pressure rollers, embossing rollers, glue dispenser 23, and lamination roller 41 together constitute an embossing system.
The embossing device 1 may comprise a storage unit 51 which may contain a plurality of embossing rollers ready to be used to replace the embossing rollers 5, 7 and 9 temporarily mounted on the embossing device 1 between the sides 3C, 3D for processing the plies V1, V2 and V3. In the embodiment shown, the storage unit 51 is integrated into the embossing device 1, inasmuch as it is supported on the same base 3B that supports the sides 3C, 3D.
In other embodiments, not shown, the storage unit 51 may be separate from the actual embossing device 1 and may be placed at a distance therefrom.
The storage unit 51 may also be used in embossing devices other than the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, for example in traditional tip-to-tip or nested type embossing units, or in embossing-gluing units, convertible embossing units, and in general any time it might be useful to have a store of interchangeable embossing rollers. Therefore, the features and embodiments shown herein of the storage unit 51 are independent from the specific characteristics of the embossing device.
The storage unit 51 may comprise a plurality of seats 53 specifically shaped to receive embossing rollers 55, 57, 59 that can be used to replace the embossing rollers supported by the sides 3C, 3D. As will be made clearer below, in practice the rollers in the storage unit 51 are provided to replace, preferably automatically, the embossing rollers 5 and 7, while the third embossing roller 9 may be fixed, i.e. not interchangeable, or interchangeable only by means of more complex, less frequent maneuvers.
In the embodiment shown, four seats are provided to support interchangeable embossing rollers, but it must be understood that the number of embossing rollers that can be housed in the storage unit 51 may be different, by providing a greater or lower number of seats 53. One of the seats of the storage unit 51 remains empty to allow replacement of the embossing rollers 5, 7.
Advantageously, in the example shown, the seats 53 of the storage unit 51 are vertically superposed, i.e. the storage unit 51 develops substantially in height, in other words it develops vertically. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the storage unit 51 is integrated into the embossing device, in the sense that it can be connected to the same load-bearing structure, typically the same base 3B.
Preferably, the storage unit 51 is at a distance from the embossing rollers that are in the working position (i.e. those temporarily supported between the sides 3C, 3D). In this way it is possible to avoid or reduce contamination of the embossing rollers in the storage unit by dust, splashes of glue or other contaminants that may be present in the embossing area, i.e. near the sides 3C, 3D. Furthermore, between the storage unit 51 and the sides 3C, 3D supporting the working rollers, a passage may be provided offering access to the storage unit 51 by an operator, or by a transfer device 65, described in greater detail below.
In some embodiments, as shown in
By means of the cross members 63 and the movement along them by the transfer device in the direction of the arrow f65, the storage unit 51 can be placed at a certain distance from the embossing area (between the sides 3C, 3D), upstream thereof with respect to the direction of advancement of the plies V1, V2, V3, i.e. towards the unwinder (not shown) where the parent reels wherefrom the plies are located. The structure thus defined, comprising the cross members 63 suitably supported by the sides 3C, 3D, and the advantageously vertically extending storage unit 51, may in some cases also serve as a structural support element for guide rollers for the plies fed to the embossing device 1. Contrary to other known solutions, wherein the embossing rollers are held by a revolver transfer device, with an architecture of the type described, operation of the embossing device 1 is possible even if the transfer device 65 is broken down.
Placing the storage unit 51 upstream of the embossing area and at a certain distance therefrom allows for better access to the actual embossing device 1, contrary to what happens in known systems, where the embossing roller storage unit and the embossing area are superposed one above the other.
The architecture described makes it possible, for example, to access the embossing area and replace the embossing rollers using equipment other than the transfer device 65, if the transfer device is broken down, for example. The distance between the storage unit 51 and the embossing area makes it possible, if necessary, to access the embossing rollers located between the sides 3C, 3D by means of a bridge crane or other equipment external to the embossing device.
The seats 53 of the storage unit 51 are shaped with a curved lower portion so as to be able to hold end journals of the embossing rollers 55-59, 5, 7.
Some of the seats 53 of the storage unit 51 may be configured for receiving interchangeable cliché rollers 27. The transfer device 65 can be controlled and positioned to replace the temporarily operational cliché roller 27 with another cliché roller waiting in the storage unit 51. This is possible thanks to the way in which the transfer device 65 is mounted and moved with respect to the rest of the machine. In substance, there is obtained a system for the automatic replacement of cliché rollers, which may be useful, for example, when the embossing device 1 has to process plies V1-V3 of different widths, i.e. when there is a change of format. In this case, the cliché roller is replaced so that the axial length of the cylindrical working surface of the cliché roller is always roughly equal (or slightly less) than the width of the plies being processed.
Replacement of the cliché roller may also be useful when said roller does not have a continuous surface, but rather is designed to distribute glue according to a predetermined pattern. Automatic replacement of the cliché roller with the transfer device 65 allows for an easy change of the pattern according to which the glue is applied.
To enable easy replacement of the embossing rollers 5 and 7, they are supported in seats that can be easily opened and closed. More specifically, as can be seen in
In the embodiment shown, to simplify replacement thereof the second embossing roller 7 is supported by means of supporting bearings 73, in respective seats 75 formed by two portions 75A, 75B, similar to the portions 71A, 71B of the seat 71 that supports each supporting bearing 69 of the first embossing roller 5. In the embodiment shown, each seat of the second embossing roller 7 comprises a portion 75A solidly connected to the respective side 3C or 3D and a second portion 75B solidly connected to the movable unit 31. In this embodiment the portion 75B of each seat 75 of the supporting bearing 73 of the second embossing roller 7 has an angular extension greater than portion 75A and supports the respective supporting bearing 73 from below, so that when the movable unit 31 is moved away from the sides 3C, 3D of the load-bearing structure 3, taking the position shown in
Advantageously, to facilitate this movement, the second pressure roller 15 can be lowered by the actuator 37, thus moving the cylindrical surfaces of the second pressure roller 15 and the second embossing roller 7 mutually away from one another. A similar movement can be imparted to the first pressure roller 11 to facilitate removal of the first embossing roller 5 from the seat portion 71A.
When the movable unit 31 is in the position shown in
To that end, the transfer device 65 may comprise a pair of arms 81 vertically sliding along a numerically controlled vertical axis Z. This vertical movement may be guided along suitable guides 83 of the transfer device 65, in the direction of the double arrow f85. The arms 81 may end in hooks 81A that can engage the journals of the embossing rollers 5, 7, 55, 57, 59. A threaded bar 84 driven by a gear motor 85 can be used to move the arms 81 in the direction of the double arrow f85 for picking up and releasing the embossing rollers from the seats of the storage unit 51 and of the embossing device 1.
To facilitate engagement of the embossing rollers by the transfer device 65, the hooks 81A can interact with end support elements, mounted on the embossing roller journals.
The end support element 121 may also have an external sleeve 125, coaxial with the internal sleeve 122. The external sleeve 125 may be swivelingly supported on the internal sleeve 122, for example by means of rolling bearings 126, 127. The internal sleeve 122 and the external sleeve 125 are mounted so as to be free to rotate with respect to one another, but are axially blocked to one another.
In the embodiment shown, the external sleeve 125 is provided with an annular groove 128 with large bevels for engaging the hook 81A with which each arm 81 of the transfer device 65 ends. The lower part of the arm 81 and associated hook 81A are shown in a side view in the enlargement shown in
The end support element 121 allows precise centering of the hook 81A of the transfer device 65 in both a transversal and longitudinal direction, thanks to the bevels of the annular groove 128. Furthermore, the end support element 121 allows free rotation of the embossing roller on which the element is fitted, with respect to the hook 81A of the transfer device 65. This facilitates introduction of the embossing roller into the embossing device, and engagement between the teeth of a toothed wheel fitted onto the embossing roller (described below) and the respective transmission belt (also described below), or with a toothed wheel driving the embossing device.
In simplified embodiments, the internal sleeve 122 may be omitted and the external sleeve 125, on which the annular groove 128 is provided, may be mounted directly on the journal of the embossing roller with interposed bearings 126, 127, to allow rotation of the sleeve and the groove 128 with respect to the embossing roller journal.
The structure described enables easy replacement of the embossing rollers 5 and 7, while the third embossing roller 9 can be substantially immovable or in any case may be replaced by means of more complex operations, since its replacement may only be necessary from time to time.
To facilitate removal of the embossing rollers 5 and 7 and their replacement with one or other of the embossing rollers 55-59 present in the storage unit 51, according to advantageous embodiments a specific system for transmitting movement to the embossing rollers 5 and 7 is provided. Movement transmission is shown in detail in
Each embossing roller is provided with a toothed wheel fitted onto one of the journals. The wheel remains mounted on the embossing roller when it is transferred from the storage unit 51 to the working area and vice-versa. In
In particular, the toothed belt 91 is entrained around idle toothed wheels 95, 97 and around a driving toothed wheel, not shown, which is driven by a motor 99. Similarly, the toothed belt 93 is entrained around idle toothed wheels 101 and 103 and around a driving toothed wheel, not shown, that takes its movement from a second motor 105. The third embossing roller 9 may be rotated by a third motor 106. In this way, the three embossing rollers 5, 7, 9 are each provided with their own independent motor. The pressure rollers 11, 15, 19 and the lamination roller 41 can be rotated through contact with the respective embossing rollers.
Each of the two toothed belts 91 and 93 forms a closed path, and is configured so that the toothed wheels 5D and 7D fitted on the embossing rollers 5 and 7 can be moved away from the toothed belts 91 and 93 without the need to take off the belts, due to the fact that the engagement contact between the toothed wheels 5D and 7D and the toothed belts 91 and 93 takes place on the outer surface of the toothed belts, i.e. on the surfaces of the toothed belts 91 and 93 facing the outside of the respective closed paths formed by the toothed belts. As will be understood by comparing
This makes it very easy to replace the first embossing roller 5 and the second embossing roller 7 with any one of the embossing rollers 55-59 present in the storage unit 51. Clearly, it is also possible to switch the position of roller 5 with roller 7 or vice-versa. As seen above with reference to
Having described the general structure of the embossing device 1, with reference to
The second ply V2 is embossed by the second embossing roller 7 and by the second pressure roller 15 in the second embossing nip 17, and is then transferred from the second embossing roller 7 to the first embossing roller 5 in the first transfer nip 6 for the embossed plies V1 and V2.
Downstream of the first transfer nip 6 for the embossed plies, the two plies V1 and V2 are guided along the cylindrical surface of the first embossing roller 5 and through the lamination nip 45, where the first embossed ply V1 and the second embossed ply V2 are laminated between the first embossing roller 5 and the lamination roller 41, which is pressed against the embossing protuberances 5P of the first embossing roller 5. The plies V1 and V2 are thereby pressed against one another and caused to adhere to one another by the glue applied by the glue dispenser 23.
The third ply V3 is embossed between the third embossing roller 9 and the third pressure roller 19 in the third embossing nip 21 and is laminated or bonded to the first embossed ply V1 and to the second embossed ply V2 in the second transfer nip 47 for the embossed plies, formed between the first embossing roller 5 and the third embossing roller 9. The embossing protuberances 5P of the first embossing roller and the protuberances 9P of the third embossing roller can be configured and arranged so that in the transfer nip 47 at least some of the protuberances 5P of the first embossing roller 5 and at least some of the embossing protuberances 9P of the third embossing roller 9 are in a tip-to-tip configuration, i.e. pressed against one another. The pressure causes the glue applied by the glue dispenser 23 to bond the three plies V1, V2, V3 by seeping through the cellulose fibers that form them.
While the embossing rollers 5 and 9 may be configured so that the embossing protuberances 5P and 9P are in a tip-to-tip configuration in the second transfer nip 47 for the embossed plies, the embossing protuberances 5P of the first embossing roller and the embossing protuberances 7P of the second embossing roller 7 may be configured and arranged so that the embossed plies V1 and V2 are bonded in a nested configuration. In practice, the protrusions embossed by the second embossing roller 7 on the second ply V2 nest between the protrusions embossed by the first embossing roller 5 on the first ply V1.
The ply V1 is embossed between the first embossing roller 5 and the first pressure roller 11 in the first embossing nip 13 and receives the glue applied by the glue dispenser 23 on the head surfaces of the protrusions S1 formed on the ply V1. The ply V3 is embossed between the third embossing roller 9 and the third pressure roller 19 in the third embossing nip 21. In the second transfer nip 47 for the embossed plies, at least some of the protuberances 5P and 9P of the first embossing roller 5 and third embossing roller 9 are in a tip-to-tip arrangement similar to that described with reference to
While in
Using an embossing roller 9 provided with a micro-embossing engraving to obtain protrusions S3 of the type shown in
The web material N thus obtained is shown schematically in
The embossing rollers that are used as second embossing rollers 7 may be provided with embossing protuberances 7P of a height substantially less than the embossing protuberances 5P of the first embossing roller and with much greater density, thereby forming a base micro-embossing. The embossed protrusions S2 formed on the second embossed ply V2 may in this case not penetrate between the embossed protrusions S1 formed on the first embossed ply V1, as shown schematically in
A third ply V3 may also be applied in a tip-to-tip arrangement to a web material N thus formed, as shown in
While
In each of the
In the setup shown in
In
The embossing roller C, corresponding to the third embossing roller described above, is not operational.
In the various roller replacements described above, in order to find the correct synchronization between embossing rollers, it is sufficient to refer to the toothed wheels solidly fitted onto the roller rotation journals. References may be provided on the toothed wheels enabling the embossing rollers co-acting with one another to be correctly synchronized (for example tip-to-tip or nested).
In other possible configurations, the first embossing roller 5 and the second embossing roller 7 may be arranged in a “random” manner, instead of being nested.
The above description specifically concerns features of the embossing device aimed at providing enhanced flexibility, specifically with reference to the setting-up of the embossing device and switching thereof from one mode of operation to another.
However, some of the improving features disclosed herein can also be embodied in embossing devices having a different layout, for instance a different number and arrangement of the embossing rollers.
More specifically, according to a further aspect, the present disclosure concerns an embossing device 1 for producing a multi-ply web material N having at least two embossed plies V1, V2, comprising:
According to preferred embodiments, said embossing device further includes a glue dispenser 23 co-acting with the first embossing roller 5 for applying glue C to embossed protrusions S1 of the first ply V1 when the first ply V1 is in contact with the first embossing roller 5.
The first embossing roller 5 is supported in first seats 71 of the embossing device 1. Each first seat has a movable portion 71B, configured for taking, with respect to a fixed portion 71A of the respective seat 71, a retention position of the first embossing roller 5 and an open position, in which the first embossing roller 5 can be removed from the first seats 71. Moreover, the second embossing roller 7 can in turn be supported in second seats 75 of the embossing device 1. Each second seat can have a movable portion 75B, configured for taking, with respect to a fixed portion 75A of the respective seat 75, a retention position of the second embossing roller 7 and an open position, in which the second embossing roller 7 can be removed from the second seats 75. In this arrangement, according to some embodiments, the movable portions 71B of the first seats 71 and the movable portions 75B of the second seats 75 are supported by a common movable unit 31, for simultaneously opening and closing the first seats 71 an the second seats 75 by means of a displacement of said movable unit 31. As disclosed herein, the movable unit can in turn support the glue dispenser 23.
According to further embodiments, the movable portions 71B of the first seats 71 are mounted on a movable unit 31, which supports the glue dispenser 23, so that a displacement of the movable unit 31 causes a distancing or approaching movement of the glue dispenser 23 with respect to the first embossing roller 5 and simultaneous opening or closing movement of the first seats 71.
If the second seats 75 supporting the second embossing roller 7 are provided with movable and stationary seat portions as set forth above, according to yet further embodiments, the movable portions 75B of the second seats 75 are mounted on a movable unit 31, which supports the glue dispenser 23, so that a displacement of the movable unit 31 causes a distancing or approaching movement of the glue dispenser 23 with respect to the first embossing roller 5 and simultaneous opening or closing movement of the second seats 75.
The movable portions of the second seats can be arranged on the movable unit supporting the gluing dispenser 23 along with the movable portions of the first seats. In other embodiments, only the movable portions of the second seats can be mounted on the movable unit supporting the glue dispenser 23 and the movable portions of the first seats can be mounted on a separate movable unit.
According to some embodiments, the fixed portion 71A of each first seat 71 is configured for retaining therein the first embossing roller 5 when the respective movable portion 71B is moved away from the fixed portion 71A of the first seat 71.
Moreover, embodiments may be provided, wherein the movable portion 75B of each second seat 75 is configured for retaining therein the second embossing roller 7 when the movable portion 75B is moved away from the fixed portion 75A of the second seat 75, moving the second embossing roller 7 along with the movable portion 75B of the second seat 75.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102016086446 | Aug 2016 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/069847 | 8/4/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2018/036791 | 3/1/2018 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5736223 | Laurent | Apr 1998 | A |
| 7282108 | Mansson | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 8915283 | Gelli | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 20100000687 | Gelli et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2 095 935 | Sep 2009 | EP |
| 2015150452 | Oct 2015 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Search Report and Written Opinion of the ISR (EP), PCT/EP2017/069847, 10 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190193367 A1 | Jun 2019 | US |
