EP2213475B1 - Embossing device and method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for embossing a transfer layer of a strip-shaped embossing film on opposite corners of a plate element.

Panel elements made of medium-density wood fiber boards, so-called MDF boards (Medium Density Fiberboard), or high-density fiberboard, so-called HDF boards (High Density Fiberboard), require edge protection at least in the field of view, either for the purpose of sealing the open edge of the wood fiber board against the ingress of moisture and / or for the purpose of decorating the wood fiber board edge, which is usually made with a decorative film. This decorative film is provided as a transfer layer of a stamping foil.

A device for embossing a transfer layer of a strip-shaped embossing foil on the narrow side of the plate element delimiting a plate element is known for example from US Pat DE 102 16 139 C1 known. With this known embossing device, it is possible with high cycle speeds, ie high cycle numbers, to characterize plate elements on their narrow sides with the transfer layer of a strip-shaped embossing foil. However, if the respective plate element is formed with rounded corners having a small radius, additional steps are required in order to to fix the transfer layer sections at the said corners. This reduces the clock speed.

For stamping rounded corners of plate elements, it is also possible, for example, to use a lift embossing, as can be carried out, for example, with an embossing machine of the type PE500 / KTF "Touchwood". With such an embossing machine, however, corners of a panel element having a small radius can only be stamped with moderate clock speeds.

In view of these circumstances, the invention has for its object to provide an embossing device of the type mentioned, with which it with high productivity, d. H. With a large embossing speed and high cycle rates, it is possible to characterize possibly a small radius owning corners of a plate element with a transfer layer of a strip-shaped embossing foil.

1. A) dass stromabwärts hinter einer Vorratsrolle für die Prägefolie eine Folieneinzugsvorrichtung angeordnet ist,
2. B) dass stromabwärts hinter der Folieneinzugsvorrichtung eine Geradenprägevorrichtung angeordnet ist,
3. C) dass stromabwärts hinter der Geradenprägevorrichtung eine Eckenprägevorrichtung angeordnet ist, und
4. D) dass stromabwärts hinter der Eckenprägevorrichtung eine Restfolienabzugsvorrichtung angeordnet ist.

According to the invention this object is achieved with an embossing device according to claim 1, ie with an embossing device for embossing a transfer layer of a strip-shaped embossing foil on end faces of several on a conveyor belt behind the other with spaced flat plate elements, each plate member has on its sides two connected by a straight line corner sections .
being provided

1. A) that downstream of a supply roll for the stamping foil a film feeding device is arranged,
2. B) that a straight line embossing device is arranged downstream of the film drawing device,
3. C) that downstream of the straight line embossing device a corner embossing device is arranged, and
4. D) that downstream of the corner embossing device, a residual film removal device is arranged.

1. a) dass eine stromabwärts hinter einer Vorratsrolle für die Prägefolie angeordnete Folieneinzugsvorrichtung die Prägefolie in einen zwischen zwei hintereinander angeordneten benachbarten Plattenelementen ausgebildeten Abstandsraum einzieht und eine Prägefolienschlaufe ausbildet,
2. b) dass stromabwärts hinter der Folieneinzugsvorrichtung mittels einer Geradenprägevorrichtung der Geradenabschnitt des Plattenelements beprägt wird,
3. c) dass stromabwärts hinter der Geradenprägevorrichtung mittels einer Eckenprägevorrichtung der zweite Eckabschnitt des Plattenelements beprägt wird, und
4. d) dass stromabwärts hinter der Eckenprägevorrichtung eine Restfolie mittels einer Restfolienabzugsvorrichtung abgezogen wird.

The object is further achieved by a method according to claim 10, ie with a method for embossing a transfer layer of a strip-shaped embossing foil on end faces of several consecutive stored on a conveyor belt flat plate elements, each plate member seen at its end faces in the transport direction one behind the other a first corner portion, a straight Section and a second corner portion, wherein it is provided

1. a) that a film feeding device arranged downstream of a supply roll for the stamping foil pulls the stamping film into a spacing space formed between two adjacent plate elements arranged one behind the other and forms an embossing film loop,
2. b) that downstream of the film feed device by means of a straight line embossing device the straight line section of the plate element is embossed,
3. c) that downstream of the straight line embossing device by means of a corner embossing device, the second corner portion of the plate member is embossed, and
4. d) that downstream of the corner embossing device a residual film is removed by means of a residual film removal device.

It can be provided that each plate element seen opposite one another at its end faces in the transport direction one behind the other a first corner portion, a straight portion and a Having second corner portion and the plate elements are rotated after a pass through 90 ° and the process steps a) to d) are repeated until all corner sections and straight sections are embossed. In this embodiment, the proposed embossing device may have a particularly simple structure.

The embossing device according to the invention and the method according to the invention can be used for applying a primer layer for subsequent wet painting as well as for the subsequent application of the end decoration. But it is also possible to apply the final decoration immediately. Hot stamping foils consisting of a transfer layer arranged on a carrier film are preferably used, in particular for the application of a primer layer, which is generally applied directly to the wood surface. It is achieved in comparison to wet paint in an advantageous manner that much less paint material is needed, as compared to the wet, deeply penetrating and absorbed by the wood paint a dry hot stamping film lacquer layer is glued only on the wood surface, covering them over the entire surface and practical does not penetrate deeper into the wood fibers. It is advantageous if no overlap region between the corner portion and the straight line section of the plate element is formed, and thus practically the hot stamping foil lacquer layer is uniformly present everywhere only in a simple thickness. In the case of the plate elements processed with the device according to the invention and according to the method according to the invention, there is no overlap between the continuously embossed straight line sections and the directly adjoining corner sections. However, there may be an overlap between these inventively embossed corner portions and the before or after separately embossed, rectangular come to arranged other two edges of the plate member,
wherein the hot stamping foil paint layers of both separate embossing operations preferably overlap only a few millimeters.

It may be provided that feature c) provides downstream of the line embossing device, by means of the corner embossing device, the second corner portion of the plate member and the first corner portion of the downstream adjacent plate member and then the first corner portion of the plate member and the second corner portion of the upstream adjacent plate member are embossed ,

If the corner embossing follows directly on the line embossing and simultaneously two corners are embossed, the cycle time for coating the plate elements is significantly reduced. Like the line embossing, the corner embossing is integrated into a machine production line, ie there is an inline embossing of the various edge sections. The embossing process can be highly automated and continuous on all end-side edge surfaces of the plate elements guided in the production line, preferably without additional separate individual edge coating with separate film feed. The mentioned individual stations of the production line, ie the film feed device, the straight line embossing device, the corner embossing device and the residual film removal device can, but need not be used directly one behind the other. There may also be other stations in between. For example, depending on the length of the plate elements on the side to be processed and / or on the transport speed, one or more collection devices and / or one or more corner embossing devices may be provided if the processing or transport speed is so high that and / or retracting the collection device and / or the corner embossing device within the time available is no longer possible without problems.

The forehead - i. Edge surfaces may each be formed at right angles to the top or at an angle to the top of the plate member and optionally also be chamfered or stepped or rounded or curved. The end faces can be configured constant over their length or else varied.

It can further be provided that the straight line embossing device and / or the corner embossing device can be heated. But it is also possible to use cold glue, such as a radiation-activated adhesive. It may be, for example, a UV-curable adhesive.

It can be provided that the corner embossing device has at least one embossing punch, which can be moved from a starting position into a working position, in which it engages in the space between two adjacent plate elements. It is therefore possible that two corners are embossed simultaneously with an embossing stamp. But it is also possible to provide an embossing die which is displaceable parallel to the transport path, and first stamps the one corner and then the other corner. Further, two embossing dies can be provided, each stamping one of the corners in parallel.

It can further be provided that the corner embossing device has at least one embossing punch that is adjustable in width. As a result, even slight tolerances in the part intervals can be compensated for example, if the embossing stamp is resilient, ie elastically adjustable in width.

The embossing area of the embossing stamp may have silicone rubber at least on its surface. Also, by the elasticity of the silicone rubber or other material with similar properties, in particular with regard to the elasticity and the thermal conductivity, slight tolerances in the part intervals can be compensated.

But it is also possible that the die is made of silicone rubber.

It can further be provided that the embossing die is heated. In this case, heating from the interior of the embossing stamp forth or from the outside via radiant heat is possible.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the die can be connected to a drive device. The drive device can serve to extend and extend the embossing die transversely to the transport direction. This or an additional drive device can also serve to carry, d. H. in order to move the embossing punch relative to it during the continuous transport of the plate elements so that it is possible to move the embossing punch into and out of the space between two plate elements at a relative speed to the clearance space of almost or equal to zero.

The drive device may advantageously be a linear drive device. It may be, for example, a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric drive device.

It can further be provided that the embossing device is designed as a turret. In this case, the turret can be equipped with different embossing dies and / or be provided to always provide an embossing die with set temperature. As embossing device, any embossing device may be provided which is formed with a movable die, which advantageously has two embossing surfaces which are formed complementary to the two opposite embossing corners of the plate member.

It may further be provided that the film feeding device has a catchment element, which can be moved from a starting position into a working position, in which it engages in the spacing space between two adjacent plate elements.

Further, the device components A) to D) may be provided in a double number arranged opposite to each other. Thus, the production time for the coating of the end faces of the plate elements can be further reduced because opposite end side sections can now be coated or embossed simultaneously.

It has been proven that the length of the film loop is at least as large as the sum of twice the side length of the two opposite corners of the adjacent plate elements and the distance between the two opposite end faces of said plate elements. As a precaution, a safety allowance in the range of 5 to 15% should be provided to accommodate pitch distance tolerances and positional tolerances of the plate elements compensate.

In a further advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the pitch of the plate elements on the conveyor belt and / or the distance between the embossing devices or between the corner embossing device and the residual film removal device is selected so that the embossing film is cooled to the extent before performing a subsequent processing step, that a minimum adhesion strength of the transfer layer of the stamping foil is achieved on the embossed edge region of the plate element.

In the region of the film loop, in contrast to the other regions of the embossing film, the transfer layer is not or only partially detached or embossed from the carrier film and thus a different mechanical behavior of the embossing film is to be expected in particular on the residual film removal device. For example, a sudden change in the withdrawal behavior of the remaining film may occur, for which a compensation mechanism can be provided on the residual film removal device, which compensates for these jerky changes and thus a uniform removal of the remaining film can be achieved.

In preferred embodiments, it is provided that the plate elements are arranged with a constant pitch, possibly with only small tolerances. In versions with varying pitch, preferably corresponding compensation devices are used.

It can further be provided that a plurality of stacked plate elements form a stack and the stacks are stored at a constant pitch on the conveyor belt. That way is a further reduction of the effective cycle time possible, with only higher dies for processing a stamping foil whose width corresponds to the height of the stack, are provided.

It is possible to continuously move the conveyor belt when the cycle time at the individual processing stations, i. H. in particular the cycle time at the submerged in the distance space between the plate elements stations, such as the Folieneinzugsvorrichtung and the corner embossing device is sufficiently low, or designed in the distance space between the plate elements game for the submerged stations is sufficiently large. But it is also possible to move the conveyor belt stepwise or, for example, the corner embossing device when embossing the conveyor belt nachzuführen so that when embossing the relative speed between the corner embossing device and the conveyor belt is almost or equal to zero. The tracking can be realized by appropriate elastic mounting of the corner embossing device and / or elastic design of the embossing tools themselves. The same applies to the film feeding device.

In particularly preferred embodiments, it is provided that the film feeding device and / or the corner embossing device are moved out of a starting position out synchronously with the transport speed of the conveyor belt and then return to the starting position.

Fig. 1a und 1b

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Prägevorrichtung in schematischer Draufsicht;

Fig. 2

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Eckenprägevorrichtung in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel der Eckenprägevorrichtung in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel der Eckenprägevorrichtung in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

ein fünftes Ausführungsbeispiel der Eckenprägevorrichtung in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Prägevorrichtung;

Fig. 7

ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel der Prägevorrichtung.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments. Show it

Fig. 1a and 1b

a first embodiment of an embossing device according to the invention in a schematic plan view;

Fig. 2

a second embodiment of the corner embossing device in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a third embodiment of the corner embossing device in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

a fourth embodiment of the corner embossing device in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5

a fifth embodiment of the corner embossing device in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6

a second embodiment of the embossing device;

Fig. 7

A third embodiment of the embossing device.

The Fig. 1a and 1b show in a schematic representation of an embossing device 1 for embossing the edge surfaces or end faces of sheet-like plate elements 12 with a strip-shaped stamping foil 14. The end faces to be embossed are formed on the circumferential end faces of the sheet-like plate elements 12 straight sections 12g and corner sections 12e. The embossing film is preferably formed as a hot stamping foil, which consists essentially of a carrier foil and a transfer layer arranged thereon, wherein the transfer layer is coated on its outside with a hot melt adhesive and preferably a release layer is arranged between the carrier foil and the transfer layer. Another possibility is the use of a cold adhesive on the outside of the transfer layer of the stamping foil 14, which is curable or activatable by means of radiation, preferably UV radiation. The Transfer layer may form, for example, a primer layer or a decorative layer on the edge surfaces of the plate member 12. The width of the stamping foil is approximately between 2 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 40 mm.

The plate elements 12 are in the in Fig. 1a and 1b shown example stored at a constant distance on a conveyor belt 11, with the aid of which they are passed to processing stations of the embossing device 1. The plate elements 12 can by Fig. 1 A and 1b clamping devices, not shown, be fixed on the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may be, for example, a chain belt with detents. The plate elements 12 may be, for example, panels made of wood or wood molding materials, the z. B. are coated on their upper side with decorative film. Preferably, medium-density wood fiber boards, so-called MDF boards (English: Medium Density Fiberboard), or high-density fiberboard, so-called HDF boards (English: High Density Fiberboard). But other materials are conceivable, such as plastic or other, preferably pressed from natural fibers.

In the embossing apparatus 1, the end faces of the straight portion 12g of the plate member 12 and the end faces of the corner portions 12e of the plate member 12 adjacent to the straight portion 12g are provided with the transfer layer. These end surfaces to be embossed can each be formed at right angles to the top or at an angle to the top of the plate element 12 and, if appropriate, also be chamfered or stepped or rounded or arched. You can be formed constant but also varying over their longitudinal extent.

The stamping foil 14 is, as in FIG. 1 a recognizable, supplied from a supply roll 13 via a guide roller 15 of a first processing stations. In Fig. 1 a and in the other figures, the transport direction is indicated by an arrow S.

The first processing station is a film feed device 16. The film feed device 16 has in the in Fig. 1a / 1b illustrated embodiment, a trained as a roller feeder element 16e and 16e ', which is perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveyor belt 11 from a starting position (feeder element 16e') in a working position (feeder element 16) movable and in the working position in between the end faces of two adjacent plate elements 12 engages trained spacing space. In the working position, the draw-in element 16e pulls the embossing foil 14 in a loop shape into the spacing space, wherein the loop length is at least as large as the sum of twice the arc length of the two opposite corners of the adjacent plate elements 12 and the distance of the two opposite end faces of said plate elements. After forming the loop of the embossing foil 14, the feeder element 16e returns to its initial position (feeder element 16e '). The film loop remains loose.

During the passing of the plate members 12 on the conveyor belt 11 at a certain speed must be carried along the same time as pulling the stamping foil 14 by the feeder 16 at the same speed as the moving plate members 12 so that the collection device 16, the stamping foil 14 always at the same Relative position in the distance space between two plate elements 12 can move.

A second processing station, which is located downstream (arrow S) behind the first processing station, is formed as a straight line embossing device 17 in which the embossing film 14 is pressed with the hot-adhesive-coated side of the transfer layer under heat on the end face of the straight section 12g of the plate member 12. As a result of the heat and pressure, the hot melt adhesive melts and the transfer layer of the stamping foil 14 with the end face of the straight section 12 g of the plate member 12 is permanently connected. The adhesion of the hot melt adhesive on the end face of the straight portion 12g of the plate member 12 after cooling is higher than the adhesion of the transfer layer on the carrier film of the embossing film 14. The straight line embossing device 17 consists of a conventional triangular configuration of an embossing belt circulating around two support rollers and a guide roller. The entrainment of the collection device 16 at the same speed as the moving plate elements 12 must be carried out until the embossing foil 14 is permanently connected to the plate element 12 by means of the straight line embossing device 17 on the straight line section 12g.

A third processing station (see Fig. 1 b) located downstream of the second processing station is formed as a corner embossing device 18. The corner embossing device 18 is in the in Fig. 1b illustrated embodiment as a heated die 18p or 18p 'formed perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveyor belt 11 from a starting position (die 18p') in a working position (Embossing stamp 18p) is movable and engages in the working position in the formed between the end faces of two adjacent plate members 12 distance space. The embossing punch 18p has two arc-shaped embossing sections which are opposite one another and which are designed as flutes which are congruent with the circular-arc-shaped corner sections of the plate elements 12 to be embossed. If the two corner sections of the plate element 12 to be embossed are of identical design, the embossing stamp 18p is formed symmetrically, as in FIG Fig. 1b shown. However, it can also be provided that the embossing stamp is formed asymmetrically in order to emboss plate elements with differently shaped corner sections. The embossing stamp 18p must also be carried along with the plate elements 12 at the same speed as the moving plate elements 12, so that the embossing stamp 18p always remains at the same relative position to the plate elements 12 in its working position (embossing stamp 18p ) can characterize the two corner sections to be embossed. The entrainment of the embossing punch 18p at the same speed as the moving plate elements 12 must be carried out until the embossing process is completed. The embossing process generally takes between 0.25 and 2 seconds.

Downstream of the corner embossing device 18, as in FIG FIG. 1b recognizable, arranged a film removal device 19 with a film release roller 19a, which also serves as a deflection roller. A residual film 14r remaining after the stamping of the plate element 12 is drawn off from the transfer layer impressed on the plate element 12 and wound onto a take-up roll 20. At the same time remaining portions of the transfer layer are removed with the remaining carrier film, which have not been stamped and are therefore not detached from the carrier film.

The distances between the embossing devices 17 and 18 or between the corner embossing device 18 and the film release device 19 are selected so that the hot melt is cooled to the extent that the transfer layer firmly adheres to the end face of the plate member 12 before performing the following processing step. The cooling of the hot melt adhesive is generally sufficient after a very short time, especially after a few seconds.

The Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the corner embossing device 18. The corner embossing device 18 has an embossing stamp 18p with a circular cross-section, which is formed of an elastic material, for example of an elastomer, such as silicone rubber. As in Fig. 2 The surface of the embossing punch 18p adapts to the corner geometry of the plate element 12 due to its elasticity. As mentioned earlier in Fig. 1 described, the die 18p is formed as a heated die 18p or 18p ', which is perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveyor belt 11 from a starting position (die 18p') in a working position (punch 18p) movable and in the working position in between the Front sides of two adjacent plate elements 12 formed spaced space engages. It can also be provided to form the embossing stamp 18p as a roll, so that a possible permanent deformation of the surface of the embossing stamp 18p is avoided by rotation of the embossing stamp 18p. In addition to the above-described entrainment of the embossing punch 18p with the moving plate members 12, it may be advantageous, depending on the diameter of the circular-shaped embossing punch 18p shown, when this embossing punch 18p extends beyond the surface of the one corner portion 12e in FIG Spacer space rolls in between two plate elements 12 and rolls over the surface of the adjacent corner portion 12e again out of the distance space. As a result, for example, tolerances in the spacing of the plate elements 12 can be compensated.

Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the corner embossing device 18. While in the embodiments described above ( Fig. 1 and 2 ) have the corner portions 12 e of the plate elements 12 an arcuate course, have the in Fig. 3 shown plate elements 12 rectilinear beveled corner portions 12e, wherein the edges of the corner portions may have a small radius of curvature, for example in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Accordingly, the die 18p is as in Fig. 1b formed further above stamping die, with the difference that its two embossing surfaces are formed as a flat punch surfaces which are arranged congruent to the corner portions 12e of two adjacent plate elements 12. As mentioned earlier in Fig. 1 described, the die 18p is formed as a heated die 18p or 18p ', which is perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveyor belt 11 from a starting position (die 18p') in a working position (punch 18p) movable and in the working position in between the Front sides of two adjacent plate elements 12 formed spaced space engages.

The 4 and 5 show embodiments in which the distance between adjacent plate elements 12 is greater than in the in Fig. 1 to 3 illustrated embodiments is.

In the in Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment, the die 18p of the embossing tool 18 is now as an elastic body, for example as elastic Roll formed and movably mounted in two mutually perpendicular directions, so that it is perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveyor belt 11 from a starting position (stamp 18p ') in a working position (stamp 18p) and the other parallel to the transport direction of the conveyor belt 11 of a first Working position (embossing stamp 18) in a second working position (stamping 18 ") is movable, as already above in Fig. 1 described, the die 18p is formed as a heated die, which engages in the working position in the formed between the end faces of two adjacent plate members 12 distance space. The corner portions 12e of the plate member 12 are as in Figs Fig. 1a / 1b and 2 illustrated embodiments designed as rounded corner sections.

In the in Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment, two embossing devices 18 are provided, each one perpendicular to the surface of the straight bevelled corner of a plate member 12 from a starting position (die 18p ') in a working position (die 18p) are movably mounted. As mentioned earlier in Fig. 1 described, the die 18p is formed as a heated punch, which engages in the working position in the formed between the end faces of two adjacent plate members 12 distance space.

In the embodiments described above, the plate members 12 are shown for simplicity only with two to be embossed corner portions 12e. In practical operation, however, it may preferably be plate elements with four to be embossed corner portions 12e, which are preferably rectangular in shape. It may further be provided, rectangular plate elements 12 so on the Store conveyor belt 11, that it is not in the straight section 12g between two to be embossed corner sections as in the Fig. 1 to 5 is the longer side, but the shorter side of the rectangle, so that the processing time is minimized taking into account the required cooling time.

Particularly preferred is the simultaneous processing of the two opposite straight line sections 12g of a plate element 12 with two mirror-symmetrically arranged, identical devices according to the invention, each according to the inventive method. In Fig. 6 is a corner embossing devices 18 exhibiting portion of such an embodiment of the embossing device 1 according to the invention. The corner embossing devices 18 correspond to those in FIG Fig. 5 illustrated corner embossing devices, with the difference that instead of two four corner embossing devices 18 are now provided.

The straight line sections 12f arranged at right angles to the straight line sections 12g can be coated with embossing foil before or after carrying out the method according to the invention by means of one or more additional straight line embossing devices or devices 17. As a result, overlaps may occur between these stamping foil and the embossed foil 14 imprinted on the corner sections 12e in the past or later. It can also be provided to coat the plate elements 12 as a whole in the embossing device according to the invention in several passes, wherein they are rotated by 90 ° after the first pass and then, for example, only the straight line sections 12f or the straight line sections 12f and an adjacent corner section 12e are coated ,

In Fig. 7 a portion of the corner embossing device 18 exhibiting portion of a third embodiment of the embossing device 1 according to the invention is shown. The corner embossing device 18 corresponds to the in Fig. 5 illustrated corner embossing devices, with the difference that only one instead of two corner embossing devices 18 is provided. As a result, a particularly inexpensive embossing device 1 is provided, but now four passes of the plate member 12 are required for processing all four end faces of the plate member, and wherein after each pass, the plate member 12 is rotated by 90 °: In this way, in a single passage each Straight line section 12f and 12g and a corner portion 12e coated.
In the embodiments described above, in each case only one plate element 12 is deposited on the conveyor belt 11 on the same conveyor belt position. However, it is also possible to superimpose a plurality of plate elements 12, which form a stack, and to stamp the plate elements of a stack together.

The embossing dies 18p shown in the aforementioned embodiments may be formed, for example, as an embossing stamp on a turret. The turret can be provided in order to provide, by continuous change, in each case an embossing stamp which has been heated to the desired temperature and / or to provide differently shaped embossing dies. It can also be provided in width adjustable dies, which are adjustable using different Wirkprinzipe, for example, hydraulically, pneumatically or with electromagnetic control elements. In the representations in the Fig. 1 to 5 However, these are highly abstract representations of principles, such Details do not take into account.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

embosser

11

conveyor belt

12

panel member

12e

Corner portion of the plate element

12f

Straight section of the plate element

12g

Straight section of the plate element

13

supply roll

14

stamping foil

14r

residual foil

15

idler pulley

16

Sheet feeder device

16e

Retractable element in working position

16e '

Retraction element in starting position

17

Just embosser

18

Corner embossing device

18p

Embossing stamp in working position

18p '

Embossing stamp in starting position

18p "

Embossing stamp in second working position

19

Rest film takeaway

19a

Film peeling roller

20

up roll

Claims (15)

1. Embossing device for embossing a transfer position of a strip-shaped embossing film (14) on front faces of laminar panel elements (12),
   wherein provision is made for several laminar panel elements (12) to be able to be arranged at a distance from one another in succession on a conveyor belt (11), wherein each panel element (12) has two corner sections connected to its front faces by a straight section, characterised in that,

   A) a film entry device (16) for the embossing film (14) is arranged downstream of a supply roll (13 ), which feeds this embossing film into a gap spaceformed between two adjacent panel elements arranged in succession,

   B) a straight embossing device (17) is arranged downstream of the film entry device (16),

   C) a corner embossing device (18) is arranged downstream of the straight embossing device (17),

   D) a device for removing residual film (19) is arranged downstream of the corner embossing device (18).
2. Embossing device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that,
   the panel elements (12) can be arranged at a constant distance of separation from one another.
3. Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that,
   the corner embossing device (18) has at least one embossing stamp (18p) that can be moved from a starting position (18p') into a working position, wherein it engages with the gap space between two adjacent panel elements (12).
4. Embossing device according to claim 3,
   characterised in that,
   The embossing stamp (18p) can have its width adjusted.
5. Embossing device according to one of claims 3 or 4,
   characterised in that,
   the embossing region of the embossing stamp (18p) has silicone gum at least on its surface.
6. Embossing device according to one of claims 3, 4 or 5,
   characterised in that,
   the embossing stamp (18p) is connected to a drive device.
7. Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that,
   the corner embossing device (18) is formed as a revolver head.
8. Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that,
   the film entry device (16) has an entry element (16e), which can be moved from a starting position (16e') into a working position, wherein it engages with the gap space between two adjacent panel elements (12).
9. Embossing device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that,
   the device components A) to D) are provided in double the number and are indeed arranged opposite each other on the conveyor belt.
10. Embossing method for embossing a transfer position of a strip-shaped embossing film (14) on front faces of several laminar panel elements (12) lying in succession on a conveyor belt (11), wherein each panel element (12) has a first corner section, a straight section and a second corner section on its front faces seen in succession in the direction of conveyance,
    characterised in that,

    a) a film entry device (16) for the embossing film arranged downstream of a supply roll (13) feeds the embossing film (14) into a gap space formed between two adjacent panel elements (12) which are arranged in succession, and forms an embossing foil strap,

    b)the straight section of the panel element (12) is embossed using a straight embossing device (17) downstream of the film entry device (16),

    c) at least the second corner section of the panel element (12) is embossed using a corner embossing device (18) downstream of the straight embossing device (17), and

    d) residual film (14r) is removed using a device for removing residual film (19) downstream of the corner embossing device (18).
11. Embossing method according to claim 10,
    characterised in that,
    each panel element (12) has a first corner section, a straight section and a second corner section opposite to one another on its front faces seen in succession in the direction of conveyance, and the panel elements (12) are rotated 90° after one cycle and the method steps a) to d) are repeated until all corner sections and straight sections are embossed.
12. Embossing method according to claim 10 or 11,
    characterised in that,
    feature c) makes provision for the second corner section of the panel element (12) and the first corner section of the downstream adjacent panel element (12), and thereafter the first corner section of the panel element (12) and the second corner section of the downstream adjacent panel element (12), are embossed using the corner embossing device (18) downstream of the straight embossing device (17).
13. Embossing method according to one of claims 10 to 12,
    characterised in that,
    the film entry device (16) and/or the corner embossing device (18) are moved synchronously with the speed of conveyance of the conveyor belt (11) when its operating stages are carried out from a starting position, and thereafter returned to the starting position.
14. Embossing method according to one of claims 10 to 13,
    characterised in that,
    the length of the film strap is as least as large as the sum of the doubled-up side lengths of both corner sections opposite the adjacent panel elements (12) and of the distance of both front faces opposite said panel elements (12).
15. Embossing method according to one of claims 10 to 14,
    characterised in that,
    the distance of separation of the panel elements (12) on the conveyor belt (11) and/or the distance between the embossing devices (17, 18) and between the corner embossing device (18) and the device for removing residual film (19) is selected in such a way that the embossing film (14) is cooled before carrying out a following processing step to such an extent that a minimum adhesion level of the transfer position of the embossing film (14) is reached on the embossed edge region of the panel element (12).

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