AU3430200A

AU3430200A - Embossing device for two-dimensionally expanded material

Info

Publication number: AU3430200A
Application number: AU34302/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Charles Boegli; Bernard Wist
Original assignee: Boegli Gravures SA
Current assignee: Boegli Gravures SA
Priority date: 1999-03-22
Filing date: 2000-03-17
Publication date: 2000-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-17
Also published as: PT1163061E; ZA200107352B; ATE238851T1; HK1031358A1; AU772818B2; DK1163061T3; EP1163061A1; EP1048369A1; DE50001966D1; WO2000056475A1; ES2195880T3; EP1163061B1; CA2367423C; JP5000806B2; CA2367423A1; BR0009191A; JP2012153144A; KR20010108348A; RU2250829C2; CN1126656C

Abstract

The embossing rolls (1, 4) of embossing devices (14) that are used for processing two-dimensionally expanded material, especially in the packaging industry, can be exchangeably configured if they are mounted in suitable exchanger units (2). An exchanger unit can be configured, for example, as a tube (2) with terminal locating surfaces (8, 9). The stand (13) of an embossing device (14) has corresponding seats (11, 12) that are adapted to the respective exchanger unit (2) with high precision. The embossing roll (1, 4) that is received in an exchanger unit (2) is thus in its working position once it is inserted and the locating surfaces (8, 9) of the fixing elements are received by the pertaining seats (11, 12) and no further adjustment needs to be carried out. Especially the driven embossing roll (1) of such an embossing device (14) can be exchanged with substantially less effort, which makes it possible to quickly perform maintenance work and rearrange the production.

Description

(F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) EMBOSSING DEVICE FOR PLANAR MATERIALS The present invention refers to an embossing device for planar materials, more particularly in the form of strips or 5 bands, according to the preamble of claim 1, which is preferably used for the packaging of tobacco products. Embossing devices of this kind are e.g. used in the packaging industry for the purpose of embossing packing 10 materials while seals, devices, etc. are preferably stamped at the same time. In this context, the term embossing means providing the surface with a fine pattern in the millimeter and the submillimeter range. Sheet packing materials of this kind are e.g. used for the packaging of tobacco 15 products (cigarettes), foods, chocolates, chewing gums, etc. An embossing device for this purpose is described in EP-A-0 686 782 of the same applicant. The requirements with respect to such embossing devices, 20 such as high operating speeds (e.g. 1.8 m/s), a fine, absolutely regular pattern, as well as an otherwise faultless embossing over prolonged, continuous periods of operation require a high precision in the construction and the installation of such embossing machines. Therefore, in 25 the embodiments of the prior art, the entire so-called embossing head, i.e. a mount in which the embossing rolls are supported and which includes an adjusting device, inter alia, is attached to the embossing machine as an external component. These embossing heads may weigh more than 50 kg 30 in some cases. However, since the rolls are exposed to a calculable wear, regular servicing of the embossing heads is necessary. In particular, the rolls have to be exchanged from time to 35 time. But the conversion e.g. to a different surface (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 2 structure, a different seal or a different format also requires an exchange of the rolls. With the embossing heads of the prior art, this implies removing the entire embossing head, bringing it to a workshop where the necessary work is 5 done, remounting the embossing head, and possibly effecting an additional, time-consuming readjustment on account of the inevitable loss of the adjustment involved in the process. Such an operation may take several hours, and due to the heavy weight, at least two people or additional lifting 10 equipment are required in order to remove the embossing head and to remount it to the packaging machine. For a quicker changeover, it is convenient to have a second embossing head ready. However, on one hand, this solution 15 is very expensive financially, and on the other hand, it does not eliminate the need of precisely adjusting the newly mounted embossing head to the material feed in the packaging machine. 20 U.S. Patent No. 5,590,557 discloses a roll stand for a pair of rolls which is arranged in a cassette, thus allowing an easy exchange of the rolls. The cassette comprises spindles in order to allow a precise mutual adjustment of the rolls, which is a problem in installations of that kind, but of no 25 importance in the present device. On the background of this prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide an embossing device of the mentioned kind that allows an easier exchange of embossing 30 rolls without requiring a pre-adjustment. Such a device is indicated in claim 1. The further claims indicate preferred embodiments.

(F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) -3 The invention is based upon the discovery that it is not absolutely necessary to support the embossing rolls directly in the mount of the embossing device. The driven embossing roll is coupled to the driving unit of the packaging 5 machine, and it has to be precisely adjusted to the feeding direction of the embossed material. The invention shall be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to drawings of exemplary embodiments. 10 FIG. 1 shows a spatial view of a first embodiment; FIG. 2 shows a top view of the first embodiment with a partial section of a removable embossing roll; 15 FIGs. 3 to 7 show spatial views of embodiments two to six; FIG. 8 shows a spatial view of a seventh embodiment having non-connected retaining means for the 20 embossing roll; FIG. 9 shows a representation in analogy to FIG. 2 of the seventh embodiment; 25 FIG. 10 shows a spatial view of an eighth embodiment where a bearing for the embossing roll is provided in the mount; FIG. 11 shows a top view in analogy to FIG. 2 of the 30 eighth embodiment; FIG. 12 shows a spatial view of a ninth embodiment where the embossing rolls are synchronized within the interchangeable unit; 35 (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) -4 FIG. 13 shows a top view in analogy to FIG. 2 of the ninth embodiment; FIG. 14 shows a spatial view of a tenth embodiment having 5 a turning knob allowing to turn an embossing roll; FIG. 15 shows a top view in analogy to FIG. 2 of the tenth embodiment; and 10 FIG. 16 shows a spatial view of another embodiment having a sleeve comprising two mating rolls. Corresponding parts in the different figures are designated by the same reference numerals. 15 FIGs. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the invention where driven embossing roll 1 is rotatably supported in a generally cylindrical sleeve 2. Sleeve 2 comprises a cutout 3 across the working length of embossing roll 1, thus 20 allowing to apply mating roll 4 to embossing roll 1 (see FIG. 2). The driven, first embossing roll 1 is rotatably supported in sleeve 2 with precision by means of rolling bearings 6. 25 Both ends of the sleeve are provided with respective fitting surfaces 8 and 9 which are precisely adapted to openings 11 and 12 of mount 13 of embossing device 14. Sleeve 2 can thus be introduced into mount 13 in the direction of arrow 15 until end plate 16 abuts to mount 13, simultaneously 30 providing a precise radial positioning of driven embossing roll 1 in mount 13 by means of drive 21. By inserting locking screws 18 into sleeve 2, the latter is fixed in a predetermined, optimal rotational position and also kept from being shaken out, for example. A shaft 21 of external 35 drive unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 engages in opening 11.

(F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 5 As sleeve 2 is inserted, drive end 22 is coupled to driven end 23 of embossing roll 1. The coupling may be obtained in different ways which are known in the art and depend on the local situation, e.g. by drivers or toothings. The coupling 5 operation may require rotating embossing roll 1 to a determined position, which may be effected either by acting upon embossing roll 1 through cutout 3 or else by rotating second shaft end 24 of driven embossing roll 1, which in this case would be designed such as to be accessible through 10 end plate 16, for example. As schematically indicated in FIG. 1, mating roll 4 is upwardly removable (arrow 26) after releasing its attachment to a conventional retaining device, which preferably also 15 allows to move the embossing rolls away from each other, e.g. according to the cited European Patent of the applicant. The construction of the retaining device of mating roll 4 is therefore not further illustrated in the figures and need not be explained in more detail. 20 In contrast to the schematic representation of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 clearly shows that fitting surface 8 has a smaller diameter than embossing roll 1, so that it is sufficient to lift off mating roll 4 from embossing roll 1 by releasing 25 the tensioning device in order to be able to pull the latter out of mount 13. As this embodiment shows, it is thereby possible to exchange only the embossing rolls without the need of removing the mount along with all the additional apparatus such as driving devices as well. Also, the mount 30 can be realized as a fixed component of a packaging machine. The easy interchangeability of the parts which are mainly exposed to wear (embossing rolls, bearings) also allows a more ecological maintenance since less parts are required.

(F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) -6 Due to the simplicity of the changeover, it is also possible with corresponding adaptations, e.g. the replacement of the locking screws with pins or the like, to perform the exchange of the embossing rollers semi- or entirely 5 automatically. Also, in this context, means might be provided in order to monitor the wear of the embossing rolls by corresponding sensors, either on the product or directly on the embossing rolls. The sensors or any other measuring devices might also be able to read a code provided on the 10 embossing rolls, thus allowing an automatic recognition of the inserted embossing rolls. One possibility of an automatic wear control consists in providing a polished, smooth zone which surrounds one end of the roll. The relative position of the surface of this measuring zone with 15 respect to the mount can be detected highly precisely e.g. by means of an optical sensor. The necessary sensor arrays for this purpose are known per se. The wear of the surfaces of the embossing rolls provided with the embossing pattern, which is e.g. formed of pyramids in the range of micrometers 20 up to a few millimeters, results in a movement of the embossing rolls with respect to the mount, thus generating a corresponding signal of the sensors. In usual embossing rolls, the travel of a roll amounts to e.g. 150 pm when the surface is totally worn. If the signal exceeds a certain 25 threshold, i.e. when the wear has reached a certain limit, an exchange of the embossing rolls may be requested, either through a corresponding signal for the operators or through activation of a semi- or fully automatic exchanging system. 30 According to the European patent application mentioned in the introduction or according to EP-A-925 911 of the same applicant, the mating roll is free-wheeling and, as disclosed in the cited references, self-synchronizing if the axle is correspondingly journalled. 35 (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) -7 By a modification of sleeve 2 in such a manner that in addition to the driven roll, it also accommodates the mating roll, it is possible to precisely synchronize the two embossing rolls in their relative rotational position as 5 well. In this case, the frame does not necessarily have to be undivided, but it may also comprise a plurality of independent portions, one of which contains the driven roll in the manner of the sleeve while a second one receives the mating roll. Preferably, the frame is assembled and its 10 components are mutually fixed only when they are inserted in the corresponding seats of mount 13. An example thereof is mentioned hereinafter in the ninth embodiment (FIGs. 12, 13). 15 It is also conceivable to use the construction of the invention for multiple roll systems, e.g. as described in previously unpublished Swiss Patent Application No. 1999 09929/99, see FIG. 16. Multiple roll systems are devices where a plurality, particularly more than two rolls are 20 involved in the embossing and/or transport process. The exemplary embodiments described hereinafter illustrate a number of alternatives: 25 In FIG. 3, mount 13 comprises essentially rectangular seats 30 in which the corresponding sleeve, now provided with rectangular fitting surfaces 31, is inserted resp. removed from above. 30 FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment where both the driven embossing roll 1 and mating roll 4 are contained in sleeves 2 resp. 35. In this case, mating roll 4 is disposed eccentrically in sleeve 35 in such a manner that it projects sufficiently from the front side of cutout 36 to be able to 35 be pressed against the surface of driven embossing roll 1.

(F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 8 This movement towards the driven embossing roll 1 is ensured by retainers 39 which are displaceable in slots 38. Retainers 39 are connected to a non-represented adjusting and contact pressure device according to the prior art. 5 The necessary alignment with respect to the rotational position of sleeves 2 and 35 is ensured by end plates 16 and 40, respectively, which only allow embossing rolls 1 and 4 to be sufficiently approached for operation in the allowable 10 position. In the example, this is obtained by the fact that they comprise a straight section 41 each. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment which essentially corresponds to that of FIG. 3 as far as driven embossing roll 1 is 15 concerned. In this case, however, mating roll 4 is also supported in a U-shaped holder 42. Holder 42 is inserted in recesses 43 comprising respective guide rails 44 at the bottom, the guide rails being received, when the holder is inserted, by grooves (not shown) which are provided at the 20 bottom of end pieces 46. The grooves are precisely adjusted to rails 44, whereby a precise axial positioning of the mating roll is obtained. Holder 42 with mating roll 4 is displaceable towards driven embossing roll 1 along rails 44. This movement, as well as the defined contact pressure on 25 first embossing roll 1, may again be provided by an adjusting and contact pressure device according to the prior art. An illustration is therefore omitted. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment where driven roll 1 and mating 30 roll 4 are contained in an interchangeable frame 48. The bottom of interchangeable frame 48 comprises T-shaped grooves 49 which allow its fitting, lateral insertion into mount 13 on rails 50 in the direction of arrow 51. During the inserting procedure, the exemplary push pieces 52 of the 35 adjusting and contact pressure device for mating roll 4 are (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) -9 retracted, and as soon as interchangeable frame 48 is inserted, they are advanced to their working position in order to supply a defined contact pressure of second embossing roll 4 on first embossing roll 1. Since the 5 active position of push pieces 52 is defined, no new adjustment is required for this purpose either, but it is sufficient to bring the adjusting device from the rest position, which allows the insertion, to the predefined working position. 10 FIG. 7 shows an embodiment which is similar to that of FIG. 6 but where interchangeable frame 48 and rails 50 are designed in such a manner that interchangeable frame 48 with embossing rolls 1, 4 can be inserted into mount 13 from 15 above according to arrow 53. FIGs. 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment where the center portion of sleeve 2 is omitted, i.e. embossing roll 1 is accessible on its entire circumference. Both sides of 20 embossing roll 1 are provided with fitting portions 55 (drive side) and 56, respectively, which contain the bearings 6 of embossing roll 1 and comprise peripheral fitting surfaces 8 and 9, respectively. In its application, the embodiment is similar to that of FIGs. 1 and 2, 25 particularly with respect to the inserting procedure. In this case, however, it is preferably secured by screws 57 which are inserted in mount 13 in the axial direction of embossing roll 1 through the rim 58 of end plate 16. 30 FIGs. 10 and 11 show an embodiment where bearing 60 on the drive side is arranged in mount 13 and receives journal 62. End portion 61 now only comprises an annular support 65 for embossing roll 1 in order to hold the latter in a certain position (preferably approximately centrally) for changeover 35 and storage such that end portion 22 of embossing roll 1, (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 10 which comprises an inner cone, can be slipped on and coupled to complementary, conically shaped journal 62. End portion 22 of the embossing roll may be in the form of an axle, as illustrated, or integrated in the roll body. 5 FIGs. 12 and 13 show an embodiment similar to that of FIGs. 1 and 2 but where the two embossing rolls 1 and 4 comprise respective gear rims 70, 71. In the operative condition (FIG. 13), the gear rims are in engagement with each other 10 and embossing rolls 1, 4 are positively synchronized. FIGs. 14 and 15 show an embodiment similar to that of FIGs. 1 and 2 comprising a turning knob 24 allowing to rotate embossing roll 1 to a suitable position e.g. for coupling it 15 to shaft end 22 by a coarse toothing. The turning knob is connected to shaft end 76 of embossing roll 1 by means of a free-wheel or a drag clutch 75 so that knob 24 is not compulsorily rotated in operation. 20 FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment where driven embossing roll 1 is arranged in mount 13 individually and two mating rolls 4 and 4A are arranged in sleeve 77, the latter comprising the previously described fitting surface 8 and end plate 40. Such an arrangement of more than one 25 mating roll may e.g. be used for so-called shadow or double embossing techniques where the two mating rolls are arranged according to a determined mutual alignment. From the preceding description, modifications of the 30 represented embodiments are accessible to those skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. More particularly, the embossing device may be arranged in any spatial orientation. Also, the indicated alternatives, more particularly with respect to the coupling of the embossing (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 11. rolls and the manual rotation by means of the turning knob, can be combined with each other. The sides resp. the end plates of the cassette portions, of 5 mount 13, or of fitting portions 55, 56 may e.g. comprise synchronizing means such as toothed gears or belt drives in order to synchronize the rotation of the embossing rolls. Consequently, a synchronization of some or of all embossing rolls 1, 4 by corresponding gears is possible, the coupling 10 of the gear elements possibly being effected only in the course of the insertion of rolls 1, 4 in mount 13. Also, one or several ones of the following modifications are possible: 15 - The rotation symmetrical interchangeable units, i.e. sleeve 2 or fitting portions 55, 56 as well as the corresponding seats in the mount 13, are provided with rotational locking elements such as pairs of tongues and grooves, in order to allow an insertion in a determined 20 rotational position only, or with shapes which are different from the radial symmetrical one, e.g. elliptical shapes. - Retaining means are provided which engage an end of the embossing rolls directly, so that the ends of the embossing rolls serve as axles and distinct axles can be omitted. 25 - The embossing rolls are generally driven, preferably by a motor or another drive. Instead of being coupled to the drive of the packaging machine, they may e.g. be driven by a dedicated motor, which is preferably synchronized with that of the connected machine, particularly of the packaging 30 machine, however. - Magnetic locking means for the interchangeable unit. - Insertion of the interchangeable unit by a combination of radial and axial movements of the interchangeable unit, e.g. insertion from the top until the embossing roll is aligned (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 12 with a-driving journal, and subsequent axial movement to slip it onto the journal. - Use of one or several interchangeable units for mating rolls 4 exclusively. 5 Numerous further advantages follow from the preceding description. According to the prior art, the mating roll was connected to the corresponding adjusting and/or contact pressure device by relatively easily accessible screws and 10 was therefore less complicated to exchange by itself in the embossing heads of the prior art already. However, the resulting benefit was limited since in order to change an embossed emblem, both rolls have to be exchanged as the embossing rolls adapt to each other in operation and 15 disturbances and increased wear may result if only one of the two rolls is exchanged. Also, it is possible to keep respective pairs of embossing rolls for different embossing tasks without requiring intolerable investments. 20 Even if only the mating rolls are provided with retaining means while the driven embossing rolls are held in the mount conventionally, there is still an improvement in service friendliness since the exchange of a conventionally supported mating roll is indeed simpler than that of a 25 driven embossing roll, but nevertheless a time-consuming operation which is substantially simplified with the present invention. In this context, the invention gains additional significance due to a recent trend to use several mating rolls, which might make it possible to restrict the wear, 30 particularly of the surface provided with the embossing pattern, to the mating roll(s) essentially. It further follows from the description that the embossing device of the invention is suitable both for idle embossing 35 rolls where each tooth of one roll engages between four (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 13 adjacent teeth of the mating roll, according to previously unpublished European Patent Application No. 925 911 of the same applicant, and for positively synchronized rolls where each tooth of one roll engages in a corresponding recess of 5 the mating roll, as well as for mixed systems if more than two rolls are present. All in all, the described embodiments of the invention further offer one or several ones of the following 10 advantages: 1) An embossing head equipped with the quick change system of the invention may be fixedly mounted to a packaging machine, i.e. form a fixed component thereof. 15 2) An operation by a single person is possible since the invention results in a substantial weight reduction of the component parts which have to be handled in the case of a conversion or maintenance, i.e., in 20 particular, essentially only the embossing rolls themselves. Consequently, lower manufacturing costs are another result. 3) The costs of acquisition are lower since in the case of 25 new embossing requirements for an existing embossing head, only the corresponding embossing rolls of the quick change system have to be acquired. 4) Maintenance and assembly/disassembly of the embossing 30 rolls are substantially simplified. 5) The manufacturing technique is more ecological since less mechanical parts are required. 35 - - - - -

Claims

1. Embossing device for planar materials, more particularly in the form of strips or bands, including at 5 least two embossing rolls (1, 4), a first, driven roll (1) and a mating roll (4), which are arranged in parallel to each other in a mount (13) and capable of being aligned in a position of defined mutual contact, characterized in that at least one of the embossing rolls (1, 4, 4A) is contained in 10 an interchangeable unit (2; 2, 35; 42; 48; 55, 56; 77), in that the interchangeable unit comprises retaining means (8, 9; 31; 49), and in that the mount comprises seats (11, 12; 30; 50) whose shape is essentially complementary to the retaining means, so that the interchangeable unit is 15 insertable in a predetermined position in the mount by inserting the retaining means in the associated seats.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the embossing rolls (1, 4,4A) contained in an 20 interchangeable unit (2; 2, 35; 42; 48; 55, 56; 77) is a first roll (1) which is driven to rotate.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one mating roll (4) is disposed in an interchangeable 25 unit (35; 42; 48), more particularly one or a plurality of such second roll(s) (4, 4A) whose associated first roll (1) is disposed in an interchangeable unit of its own, or in a common interchangeable unit (48) together with one or a plurality of second roll(s). 30

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the rolls (1, 4) disposed in an interchangeable unit (2; 2, 35; 42; 48; 55, 56; 77) comprises manual operating means (24) which allow the roll to be rotated to a 35 certain rotational position, more particularly to a position (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 15 in which it is possible to couple the roll to the drive (20) as it is inserted in the mount (13).

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that 5 locking means (18; 57) are further provided, preferably clamps, locking screws, and/or other non-mechanical locking means, whose actuation allows to lock the retaining means (8, 9; 31; 49) in the mount (13) in a determined position such that the removal and reinsertion can be effected 10 without losing the adjustment in the operational condition.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the parts of the interchangeable unit are connected to each other in order to form an undivided envelope, more 15 particularly an interchangeable frame (48; 2, 42) or a sleeve (2; 35; 77) containing a single roll (1; 4; 4A) or a plurality of rolls (1, 4, 4A).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the 20 interchangeable frame (48) surrounds a first roll (1) and a mating roll (4), thus allowing the roll pair to be removed and reinserted as a unit.

8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the 25 first roll (1) and the mating roll(s) (4, 4A) are positively connected by synchronizing means (70, 71) which are disposed in the interchangeable unit, so that the mutual rotational position of the rolls in the operational condition, and preferably also when removed from the mount, is defined. 30

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mount (13) comprises seats for the retaining means (8, 9; 31; 49) whose walls (11, 12) are disposed axially or radially with respect to the roll (1, 4, 4A) in the inserted 35 condition, and/or guides (50), and in that the retaining (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 16 means of the corresponding interchangeable unit (2; 2, 35; 48; 55, 56; 77) are essentially complementary thereto, so that the removal from and the reinsertion of the interchangeable unit in the mount (13) can be effected in 5 parallel or perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the roll essentially, or through a succession of such movements.

10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining means (8, 9) comprise rotational locking means and 10 the seats for the retaining means in the mount (13) comprise locking means which are complementary thereto, so that the retaining means are only insertable in the seats in determined rotational positions with respect to the mount. 15

11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that measuring means allowing to measure the wear of at least one embossing roll are provided, more particularly sensors allowing to determine the position of a mating roll (4, 4A) in order to be able to generate a signal when a 20 predetermined threshold of wear is exceeded, preferably in conjunction with an installation for the exchange of embossing rolls (1, 4, 4A), so that an automatic exchange can be performed on demand of the sensors. 25

12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the retaining means (8, 9; 55, 56) for an embossing roll (1, 4, 4A) and preferably all of the retaining means for all embossing rolls (1, 4, 4A) disposed in interchangeable units (2; 2, 35; 42; 48; 55, 56; 77) 30 comprise a bearing (6) for rotatably supporting the embossing roll.

13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the retaining means (61) for an embossing roll 35 (1, 4, 4A), more particularly the one provided at the (F:\TT\SE\BOEGLI\26266NPE.DOC Prt: 30.08.2001 SE) - 17 coupling between a first, driven embossing roll (1) and the drive (21), is in the form of a rest (65) for the embossing roll (1) while the rotatable bearing (60) for its operation is arranged in the mount (13). 5

14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that an interchangeable unit (77) contains at least two embossing rolls (4, 4A). 10 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the driven embossing roll (1) is arranged in the mount (13) individually and drives the embossing rolls (4, 4A) arranged in the interchangeable unit.

15

16. Packaging machine comprising the device according to claim 1.

17. Packaging machine according to claim 16, characterized in that the mount (13) of the embossing device (14) is 20 undetachably connected to the packaging machine.

18. Application of the device according to claim 1 or of the packaging machine according to claim 17 for embossing superficial structures in planar materials, more 25 particularly in the form of strips or bands, which are being passed between at least one first roll (1) and one or a plurality of second roll(s) (4, 4A), the materials being coated, preferably on one side, with a metal, more particularly with aluminum, and further preferably 30 comprising a support of a fibrous material, more particularly of paper.

19. Application of the device of claim 15 for the production of shadow or double embossings on packages for 35 tobacco products.