EP2671714A1 - Device for embossing and/or perforating sheets for tobacco goods - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an embossing rollers comprising tooth for perforating films (1). A die roller (14) comprises recesses assigned to teeth on the embossing rollers, where geometrical dimensions of the teeth and recesses are different from each other. Two embossing rollers are arranged in a perforation device (5). The device is designed to operate directly or indirectly in an online in a tobacco goods manufacturing machine. A control unit is designed to control an accurate location, dimensions and arrangement of perforations in dependent upon a quality of films to be processed.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for embossing and / or perforating films for tobacco products, comprising a pair of embossing rollers, wherein one of the embossing rollers has teeth for perforating the film, according to claim 1. The term "film" here comprises a cigarette enveloping one Foil, eg made of paper that may be preprinted or embossed, which may have so-called LIP (Low Ignition Propensity) zones or stripes or is entirely covered by a fire-retardant substance, and the tipping paper, the so-called tipping paper wrapped around the cigarette filter becomes.

Prior art embossing devices with rollers are primarily used for embossing packaging films, e.g. for the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry and in particular for the tobacco industry. In the tobacco industry, devices with embossing rollers have been used for over 30 years for embossing packaging films, in particular so-called innerliners, these innerliners being provided not only with decorative effects but also with authentication features. In this case, the paper content is stabilized such that the film can be processed without difficulty in the subsequent packaging system.

However, not only packaging films are processed or embossed in the tobacco industry, but also the paper and the mouthpiece, also called tipping, for wrapping the individual cigarette. In the processing of cigarette paper and the mouthpiece is in addition to the decoration effect especially sought after, in the Cigarette paper or mouthpiece targeted perforations to increase the air flow when smoking.

Contrary to the increased air flow rate of a cigarette when pulling are in various states, including the EU, statutory provisions adopted or in preparation that bring the cigarette when not smoking after a certain time interval itself to extinction. This is achieved by means of a fire retardant substance initially applied in the LIP zones, e.g. may consist of a coating inside the cigarette paper to reduce the porosity. Recently, it has been found that this zonal coating is too expensive for mass production, and therefore, the trend has been to provide the entire cigarette paper with the fire-retardant substance before processing. As a result, perforations become necessary to achieve the required air flow. However, the perforations can not indiscriminately extend the length of the cigarette but must be located at certain locations.

Most currently known devices for the production of perforations in cigarette paper are performed by means of a laser system, since in principle the hole size and hole size can be adjusted well with it. However, such laser systems for producing relatively large holes are very expensive and can not be used online in a cigarette making machine.

In the context of the present invention, the term tobacco product manufacturing machine is understood to mean a device for wrapping individual pieces of tobacco products such as cigarettes, this machine being referred to in this application as "maker". The embossed film can be direct or indirectly via a robot to the maker. Both methods are referred to as online methods. From there, the cigarettes get into a tobacco packaging machine, also called "packer" for short, in which a number of cigarettes are packed. In the present application, only the maker following the perforation is interested.

When using porous cigarette paper to increase traction when smoking, the area in which the cigarette paper is porous can be embossed such that the cigarette paper is corrugated at this point, so that when wrapping this cigarette paper with the tipping paper additional air-conducting areas arise increase the amount of air when pulling. Examples of such Perforationsanlagen be in the US 3,596,663 . EP0 536 407 A1 and GB 2 133 269 A disclosed.

It is also known, for example from the WO 2011/131529 A1 To attach perforations by means of embossing rollers, the perforations can be attached only in certain places, eg. B. outside the LIP zones, which cause the extinction of the cigarette after a certain time. In this WO application, emphasis is placed on the fact that the film is not weakened in such a way by the perforations that a tearing of the same can be caused on further processing. For the perforations, the long-known teeth are used in Pinup constellation, the teeth are disclosed as pyramidal. The Wo application also discloses a control unit which inspects the film after embossing to determine various properties of the embossed film and to control the mutual pressure of the embossing rolls and thus the penetration depth of the teeth into the paper in terms of tear strength.

Starting from this known prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for embossing and / or perforating films for tobacco products, with which it is possible to perforate these films for further processing in a tobacco goods manufacturing machine online at specific locations, wherein the perforations can also serve as decoration and given standards regarding tensile and extinguishing quality of the cigarette are met.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1.

Fig. 1

zeigt ein Ablaufschema einer Prägevorrichtung für Zigarettenpapier im Onlinebetrieb;

Fig. 1A

zeigt eine verarbeitete Folie mit LIP- und Perforations-Zonen,

Fig. 1B

zeigt eine umhüllte Zigarette mit LIP- und Perforations-Zonen,

Fig. 2

zeigt im Detail den Qualitätsprüfer aus dem Ablaufschema von Fig. 1;

Figuren 3 - 16

zeigen verschiedene Prägewalzenpaare in Patrizen-Matrizenprägewalzenanordnungen;

Figuren 17 - 19

zeigen, schematisch und stark vergrössert mögliche Anordnungen von Perforationszähnen und zugeordneten Vertiefungen;

Figuren 20A-20D

zeigen verschiedene Lochmuster, erzeugt mit den Prägewalzen 17 - 19;

Figuren 21 - 36

zeigen schematisch und stark vergrössert, Variationen von Zähnen und zugeordneten Vertiefungen und mögliche Anordnungen der Prägewalzenpaare;

Fig. 37

zeigt eine Ausführung eines Prägekopfes mit Prägewalzen gemäss Fig. 37A und

Figuren 38 und 38A

zeigen eine Ausführungsvariante zum Prägekopf gemäss Fig. 37 und 37A.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings of exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

shows a flow chart of an embossing device for cigarette paper online;

Fig. 1A

shows a processed film with LIP and perforation zones,

Fig. 1B

shows a wrapped cigarette with LIP and perforation zones,

Fig. 2

shows in detail the quality inspector from the flowchart of Fig. 1 ;

FIGS. 3 to 16

show various embossing roller pairs in male-female embossing roller assemblies;

FIGS. 17-19

show, schematically and greatly enlarged possible arrangements of perforation teeth and associated recesses;

Figures 20A-20D

show various hole patterns produced with the embossing rollers 17-19;

FIGS. 21-36

show schematically and greatly enlarged, variations of teeth and associated recesses and possible arrangements of the embossing roller pairs;

Fig. 37

shows an embodiment of an embossing head with embossing rollers according to Fig. 37A and

Figures 38 and 38A

show a variant of the embossing head according to Figs. 37 and 37A ,

Fig. 1 shows a possible flow chart for the embossing and perforation of cigarette wrapping films, currently mainly made of paper or so-called Tippingfolien, hereinafter called "film".

If the film already has applied LIP zones, any embossing or printing patterns as well as the hole patterns must be placed in local dependency on these LIP zones. But even if the entire film is already completely treated with a fire-retardant substance, the possible embossing or printing patterns and the hole pattern must be generated at certain points. In this case, suitable marking, so-called "eye marks", may already be present or be applied continuously. These zones, print patterns or other markings are detected by a position sensor. The various markings, patterns and zones on the film, if applicable, are summarized by the term "texture".

According to FIG. 1 the film to be processed 1 first passes through a first position sensor 4, then optionally a known embossing unit 2 with here three embossing rollers 2A, 2B and 2C, then a synchronization unit 3 for detecting the relative position of the power stroke A1 of the embossing unit 2 with respect to the process cycle P. the maker. Subsequently, the film passes through a first buffer unit 7, a second position sensor 4A for detecting embossing and printing structures, a perforation device 5 and then a quality tester 6 for detecting the perforated pattern with pressure-regulating sensor 18, then via a second buffer unit 7A either directly or via a robot to get to the Maker not shown. The embossing unit 2 may be a printer before, after or instead of switched, the control is analogous to the control of the embossing unit is formed.

If the embossing unit 2 is used, the process cycle P can be defined, for example, by a length section of the film 1 to be fed per unit time of the maker, to which the working cycle A1 of the embossing unit 2 must be coordinated during the pretreatment of the film 1. This corresponds to a positionally accurate arrangement of the impressed by the embossing unit surface structure on the respectively to be supplied longitudinal portion of the film. For example, the surface structures may be one or more logos created by removing or changing teeth on a roll or on multiple rolls. It can also be printed patterns. The embossing unit 2 may also include a male-female embossing roller pair.

The synchronization unit 3 contains a determination device 8, this for example, a continuous optical detection of the position of the surface structure may have been imprinted in the embossing unit 2 on the film 1. The detection takes place on the transport path between the embossing unit 2 and the perforation device 5. The determined working cycle 1 is adjusted in a positioning device 9 to the process cycle P. For this purpose, a manual and / or automated adjustment method is conceivable. For example, the embossing roller of embossing unit 2 can be temporarily decoupled from the drive so as to extend the transport path of the film 1 by a desired amount, which is then in line with the process cycle P. The need for extension of the transport path of the film is collected by a buffer unit 7, which is arranged behind the embossing unit 2.

In order to determine and control the working cycle A2 of the perforation device 5, the device additionally comprises a control unit 10. This includes a comparison device 11, by means of which a quantitative deviation between the working cycles A1 and A2 of the embossing unit and the perforation device is detected. This can e.g. continuously carried out optically by means of a lamp which is formed in the manner of a stroboscope at regular time spaced light incidents on the film. The irradiation frequency preferably corresponds to the process cycle P. Thus, an optical recognition of the relative position between the patterns applied in the embossing unit 2 and the perforation structures formed in the perforation unit 5 takes place on the film 1 or 1E.

In addition to the optical synchronization, other means are conceivable, for example a visual detection or a manual adjustment of the positioning device, by which the working clock A1 of the synchronization unit 3 with the Working cycle A2 of the control unit 10 is synchronized. Instead of optical synchronizing signals, electronic synchronizing signals or also mechanical synchronizing means may be used, such as a plurality of toothed wheels and / or belts, which may be equipped with an angle and / or position adjustment mechanism.

Instead of a synchronization of the control unit 10 via synchronization unit 3 and the reverse process of an adaptation of the working cycle of the control unit 3 controlled embossing unit 2 by the control unit 10 is conceivable, thereby achieving a uniform integration into the process cycle P. In both types of synchronization, a two-stage synchronization takes place in series in order to detect the ev. Deviations of the working cycle of both embossing units both from the process cycle P and each other, whereby a finer balance is achieved.

The information thus determined is further used in a positioning device 12 in order to adapt the working cycle A2 to the working cycle A1 such that the formed perforation patterns 25 have the desired relative position on the film 1E. For example, the positioning device 12 may be configured to manually and / or automatically adjust the circumferential relative position of the driven perforation roller 13 with respect to the film 1. For this purpose, the markings 40 can serve on the embossing rollers. For this purpose, a coupling for uncoupling the perforation roller 13 of the roller drive 15 is conceivable. This additionally allows a change in the relative position of the perforation pattern 25 on the film 1 as required or depending on the process.

Furthermore, the comparison device 11 can also be used to detect the relative deviation of the working cycle A2 from the process cycle P, for a renewed check of the synchronization with the subsequent enveloping process. Furthermore, indirect conclusions can be obtained in this way on an unwanted deviation of the power stroke A2 with respect to the power stroke A1, since the power stroke A1 is already synchronized by means of the synchronization unit 3 with the process cycle P. The second buffer unit 7A is provided for changing the transport path of the film 1 according to need when the positioning device 12 engages after the perforation unit 5.

As will be explained in greater detail below, both the spacing of the two perforation rollers 13 and 14 and the pressure of one roller on the other roller are controlled to produce the desired perforation patterns. The suitable pressure transducer 16 is controlled by a control unit 17. From the scheme of Fig. 1 shows that the control unit 17 from the process cycle P and a signal from the one or both sensors 4, 4A is applied to control the pressure transducer 16.

In a simplified device, it is possible to allow embossed film 1E to reach the maker after the perforating device, but it is advantageous and indispensable for many applications to control the hole pattern after being processed by the perforating rollers and possibly to engage the control loop. For this purpose, a quality tester 6 with pressure control sensor 18 is arranged after the pair of perforated rollers and before the second buffer unit 7A.

The quality checker unit 6 is connected to the control unit 17, via the pressure transducer 16 the To control perforation roller pair. In addition, this unit 6 is connected to an evaluation unit 19. The quality control unit further includes a template 20 (template), which is present here in electronic form.

In Fig. 1A For example, a film 1E with perforation zones 72 is shown, leaving the LIP areas between and adjacent thereto. In this case, "LIP" stands for "low ignition propensity", with fire-retardant material being applied to the inner side of the film. They may also be LIP zones that have been applied before embossing. There are no LIP areas before perforating Tipping paper, but there may be embossed or printed areas.

In Fig. 1B a cigarette 70 enveloped by a foil 1E is shown, on which the perforation zones 72 and the LIP regions 71 lying between them as well as the mouthpiece 73 and the filter 74 can be seen.

The quality inspector 6 is in Fig. 2 explained in detail. Bottom right, two of the possible hole patterns of films 1A and 1B, patterns 25A and 25D, are seen. A signal from the control unit 17 passes to a laser beam 21 and from there to an imaging optics 22 and to a measuring mask 23. The measuring beam 22M transilluminates the film and there the pattern 25A or 25D of the embossed film 1E, its image to a high-speed image sensor 24th passes and there to a memory 26, where it is stored. The correlation detector 27 receives the image of the hole pattern 25A or 25D and the corresponding pattern of the original 20, from where it passes to an evaluation unit 28 with Auswertealgorismus, which also includes a computer. From there, the result is transmitted to the evaluation unit 19. The computer unit 28 is connected to the control unit 17.

The template 20 serves both as a template for the production of Perforationsorgane on the embossing rollers and to control the embossed hole pattern on the film. As a result, a reliable and easy-to-check authentication of the enveloped by such films cigarettes or other tobacco products are made.

With the flow control described above, it is possible to accurately position both the LIP zones and the decorative patterns on the foil to create the rows of holes at the desired locations. The control unit 17 is equipped to regulate the procedure if the different zones change, with different parameters being able to influence it.

In the FIGS. 3 to 16 For example, various shapes of the punch roller 13 and the die roller 14 are shown. In this case, each one of the rollers is driven by a belt drive 29 and this drive is transmitted via the gears 30 and 31 to the other roller. Both the drive 19 and the synchronization gear 30, 31 can be replaced by suitable electronic means. The patrone roller 13A has pyramidal teeth 33 with a square outline, wherein the schematically drawn teeth are arranged here in each case three rows. The distance D of the rows depends on the desired permeability, which depends inter alia on the number and size of the holes.

In order to obtain a better embossing quality, which depends inter alia on the fluctuating paper thickness, it is expedient to provide the area of the rolls with a smaller diameter, where the embossing elements are arranged.

The length L of this zone 32 is slightly larger than the width of the film 1. The lowering S can be arranged on one or both embossing rollers, in which case the total lowering is the same.

The stencil roller 14A has recesses 34 associated with the perforation teeth 33 on the stamper roller 13A. The recesses 34 are not necessarily inwardly congruent with the teeth 33 and may have shapes and geometric dimensions other than the teeth, as is apparent from the description of FIG Fig. 17 will emerge.

The Patrizenwalze 13 B in Fig. 4 has tapered teeth 35 while the die roller 14B has associated recesses 36. The rest of the configuration of this pair of rollers is the same as the pair of rolls of Fig. 3 ,

The roller pair 13C and 14C according to Fig. 5 has the same conical teeth and recesses 35 and 36 as shown Fig. 4 with the difference being that both rolls each have a lowered zone 32 and 32M, wherein the reductions S2, S3 need not be the same as in the preceding examples.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the rollers 13D and 14D have no lowering.

The roller pair 13E and 14E of Fig. 7 has teeth, or recesses 37 and 38, which are pyramid-shaped and have a triangular outline. The Patrizenwalze 13E has a depression S1.

The roller pair 13F and 14F of Fig. 8 has the tapered teeth, or recesses 35 and 36, wherein none of the rollers has a depression. When Training variant, however, are the points 39, at which the teeth are arranged at the die roller 13F, raised. This increase corresponds approximately to the thickness of the film. The remaining parts of the roller pair are similar to the roller pair 13B and 14B configured.

The roller pair 13G and 14G according to Fig. 9 is the same as the roller pair according to Fig. 4 with the exception of the position mark 40 on both rollers in order to be able to synchronize the rollers with the process cycle P and the work cycles.

The difference between the roller pair 13G and 14G according to Fig. 9 and 13H and 14H according to Fig. 10 is that the positioning mark 40 according to the pair of rollers Fig. 10 after every row of teeth.

With the pair of toothed rollers according to Fig. 11 For example, the patrone roller 13B is the same as that Fig. 4 while the die roller 14J has recesses 41 associated with the teeth 35 which are less deep than the associated teeth 35.

The roller pair 13K and 14K according to Fig. 12 differs from the one according to Fig. 3 in that the teeth 42 have a rectangular and not a square plan. Accordingly, the floor plan of the associated recesses 43 is also rectangular.

While the rectangles in the device according Fig. 12 are directed with their larger dimensions along the longitudinal axis, the rectangular teeth 44 and the associated recesses 45 are according to Fig. 13 aligned in their longer extension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The flanks of both the rectangular and the square teeth may also be arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis, the for example, may be between 10 ° and 80 °. The remaining parts of the two rollers 13L and 14L are the same as above.

The roller pair 13M and 14M according to Fig. 14 differs from the roller pair 13F and 14F according to Fig. 8 in that the male roll 13M has both the raised zone 39 and a sink S4.

In the roller pair according to Fig. 15 For example, the stencil roller 14A is the same as the pair according to FIG Fig. 3 and the teeth 33 are also the same as on the punch roller 13A. Between the rows of teeth, however, the male roller 13N has contact strips 46, which have the task of tensioning the film. The arrangement is vivid on average Fig. 16 shown.

The FIGS. 17 to 36 show schematized and greatly enlarged in a radial section, the cooperating structures of the male and female rollers. It follows that the recesses corresponding to the raised structures of the male roll are not strictly inversely congruent with the die roll, but may include deviations to a certain extent. In order to better characterize the dimensions and their deviations, are in Fig. 17 some angles and measures indicated. These teeth may be teeth with a square or rectangular outline or tapered teeth or teeth with another, for example triangular, floor plan.

In Fig. 17 Both rolls have depressions and a tooth 33, or 35 is drawn on the male roll 13P1, the opposite flanks of which enclose an angle α. The tooth 33 or 35 corresponds to the Recess 34 or 36 in the die roller 13 M1, wherein the opposite edges of the recess enclose an angle β, where α is smaller than β. The difference between the two angles is B, the tooth height is DT and the depth of the depression in the matrix is G. The distance between the tooth surface and the base of the depression is E, the reduction in the circumference of the male and female rolls is S1 and S2.

Exemplary dimensions are: tooth height greater than 0.05 mm, typically 0.2 to 0.4 mm, pitch, greater than 0.1 mm, typically 0.1 to 4 mm, Angle α β 10 ° to 90 °, Difference β - α 0 to 80 ° Reduction S of the circumference, 0.02 to 2 mm wherein the pitch is defined as the distance between two adjacent teeth.

This information is exemplary as written above and should not be construed as a limitation. Depending on the application, larger, possibly also smaller dimensions can be selected.

In the FIGS. 18 and 19 is highly schematic and enlarges the film 1E shown after embossing and it can be seen that the film is slightly compressed at the edges where no perforating teeth or recesses are present while the film within the rows of teeth is the normal thickness of 20-50 microns having. The tipping paper may have a slightly greater thickness. In Fig. 18 is the male 13P2 below and 13M2 above. Out Fig. 18 a variant is shown in which the film was perforated by the teeth 35, while the smaller teeth 35 S only deform the film but not perforate. These deformations also serve better ventilation, since there the film is not tight and thus air permeable. Also in the example of Fig. 18 Both rolls each have a depression S1, S2.

In the pair of rolls the Fig. 19 the male 13P3 is at the top and the male 14M3 at the bottom. The Patrizenwalze 13P3 has a relatively large reduction S3, so that the film is not compressed outside of the teeth. The teeth 35VS of the male are relatively small with respect to the other teeth, as are the corresponding recesses 36VS in the female die which serve to deform. As already said, it concerns with the FIGS. 18 and 19 around heavily schematized drawings.

In the FIGS. 20A to 20D 4 are given different possible examples of rows of holes, wherein the rows of holes 25A obliquely, the rows of holes 25B rhombus-shaped, the rows of holes 25C perpendicular to the cigarette axis but not of equal length and the rows of holes 25D are also arranged perpendicular to the cigarette longitudinal central axis but equal lengths. Between the rows of holes there are LIP zones.

In the FIGS. 21 to 36 are shown schematically each only a Patricitahn and a Matrizenvertiefung, in each case alternately a Patrizen-Matrizenpaar with the male above and the lower die, or vice versa are shown. Since the supplied film is not homogeneous, but structured in thickness and may optionally each have a different surface, one each different structure arise whether the male roller is arranged above or below.

Fig. 21 shows a Patrizen-Matrizenpaar with a male 13.21 and a female 14.21. Both the tooth 35.21 and the recess 36.21 have an opening angle α, β, which are 60 ° in the present example. Both rollers have a reduction S1, S2, so that a regular embossing is possible. The arrow 1 indicates the surface of the cigarette paper. The sum of both reductions is 0.02 mm in the present example. In FIG. 22 the patrix is arranged at the bottom and the die at the top, whereby the effect of the patronage on the paper is reversed, ie from below.

In the male-female pair according to FIG. 23 For example, the male P13.23 and the female M14.23 have the same tooth 35.21 and the same recess 36.21 as in the previous example, but only the male has a depression of 0.02 mm here while the female is not lowered. In FIG. 24 The male and female are reversible. In the embodiments according to the FIGS. 21-24 the paper foil is clamped during the punching process.

In the embodiments according to the FIGS. 25-28 The paper is not pinched during the punching process. In this case, the sum of the reductions, either distributed on both rolls or only on one roll, is 0.14 mm. The male part P13.25 has a tooth 35.25 and a recess 36.25, whose opening angle α, β is also 60 °. Due to the relatively large reduction of the hole diameter for the same teeth and depressions is smaller than in the previous example. It can be seen that with the size of the reduction at otherwise constant Dimensions of the teeth of the hole diameter can be changed. The difference between the FIGS. 25 and 26 and 27 and 28 lies in that the lowering S4, S5, S6 takes place once on both rolls and in the second example only on the Patrizenwalze.

In the embodiments according to the FIGS. 29-32 the paper is clamped again, because the total reduction, whether distributed on both rollers or only on one roller is 0.02 mm. The male P13.29 has teeth 35.29, which enclose an angle α2 of 45 °. The opening angle of the associated recess is β = 60 °. While the reductions in the embodiments according to FIGS. 29 and 30 are distributed to both rollers, in the embodiments according to the FIGS. 31 and 32 only the punching roller P13.31 has a countersink, while the matrix roller M14.31 has no countersinking.

In the following embodiments 33-36, which analogously to the embodiments according to the FIGS. 25-28 the relatively large reduction of 0.14 mm, the paper is not clamped. In the embodiments according to the FIGS. 33 and 34 has the male P13.33 teeth 35.33, the flanks of which may include an angle between 40 ° and 90 °, while the associated recesses 36.33 have the same opening angle β of 60 °. Also in these examples are in the examples according to the FIGS. 33 and 34 distributed the reductions on both rolls, while in the examples according to FIGS. 35 and 36 the reduction is only present on the male roller. The remaining dimensions are the same.

Due to the very complex technique in the production of a male-female roll pair by mechanical tools or with the etching technique is their application for very limited for industrial purposes. In general, such systems are used for one-off or special purpose. In addition, a conventional male-female system with inversely congruent structures has, among other things, the serious disadvantage that the film, in particular after embossing of row structures, has a transverse distortion which makes further processing in a maker very difficult.

Based on the above description, the surface structures of the rolls, in particular the die rolls, are required in a greater variety, as well as more rationally and, more particularly, more precisely for a substantial improvement of the embossing possibilities and quality and, above all, for use in online processes can be produced. While the accuracy of the prior art could be ensured by etching or by mechanical processing with great effort, this does not apply to the rational and thus faster production of the male-die rollers in a wide variety of Perforationsorgane.

Furthermore, there is a requirement that measures be taken in order to reduce the transverse stresses in the embossed foil, which increase in ingrated congruent structures, in such a way that they are no longer disturbing for further processing.

One solution is to form the surface structures of the rollers of a set independently of each other, ie, that not first the patrone roller and physically dependent on the die roller must be formed. At present, this is conceivable for the required precision and production time preferably when using a suitable laser system, which allows not only Patrizenwalzen but also to produce die rolls rationally, precisely and, above all, very in many different ways and independently of each other.

An exemplary laser system may include a laser including a deflection unit with a beam splitter and acousto-optic or electro-optic modulators or polygon mirrors. The deflection unit and focusing optics and deflecting mirror form a engraving unit which can be linearly displaced in the X-axis. But it can also be provided to move the entire laser device in the X-axis. The rotating workpiece is driven by a drive. By combining the linear displacement of the engraving unit and rotation of the workpiece creates a constant helical line, which allows a uniform machining.

The use of a deflection unit, which may include, for example, one or more beam splitters and electro-optic or acousto-optic modulators or one or more polygon mirrors, enables the splitting of the original laser beam into two or more laser beams impinging simultaneously on two or more tracks, but have such a distance from each other that they do not interfere with each other. In addition, the time interval between the impact of the individual pulses can be chosen so large that a thermal overload does not occur.

By using short pulse lasers with laser pulses of between 10 femtoseconds and 100 picoseconds, the energy is applied in a very short period of time, allowing for so-called "cold ablation" where the material vaporizes rapidly without unacceptable heating of the adjacent material becomes. The undesirable fluid state of the material, the crater edges and Generated splashes can be virtually completely avoided. The desired structures are created on a computer that controls the laser system so that it does not matter if a surface structure is created for a punch roll or a die roll. For the rollers, or their surface, for example, a suitable steel, carbide or ceramic is used.

In the Figures 37 and 38 Two different housing for receiving a pair of embossing rollers are shown. In FIG. 37 a housing 50 is shown in which the male roller 13K and the female roller 14K are received. The embossing rollers 13K and 14K have the teeth 42 and depressions 43, respectively FIG. 12 on, like this Figure 37A is apparent. In this example, both rolls have a reduction. The housing 50 has two longitudinal sides 51 and two broad sides 52A and 52B, the longitudinal sides each having a window 53. The lower embossing roller, in the present case the die roller 14K, is pushed in or out for attachment and removal through a corresponding opening in the transverse side 52A and the axle end is rotatably mounted in the other transverse side 52B. The storage by needle and ball bearings is known per se.

The male roller 13 is inserted from the rear invisible opening 53 and fixed in an accurate position. In FIG. 37 this attachment is symbolically represented by a screw 54. Since it is a pair of male and female rollers, whose teeth or depressions are associated with each other, the two rollers must be mounted in a very precise relationship to each other in the housing.

One of the adjusting means in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rollers is to produce two precisely aligned adjusting rings 55 on one of the rollers, here the die roller, and on the counter roller an exact central ring 56 which comes to rest between the two rings 55. Thus, a very accurate alignment of both rolls in the longitudinal direction can be achieved. An adjustment possibility in the radial direction consists in the accurate production of the gears 31 and 32, which allow a very accurate radial positioning.

On the housing is a pneumatic block 59, which is controlled to precisely adjust the pressure and, derived therefrom, the distance between the two rollers. The non-driven roller - here the upper roller - is mounted on its axes in such a way that it is possible to avoid the axes in all three coordinates. This makes it possible to precisely synchronize the teeth and recesses. Furthermore, in the drawing, the connecting flange 58 of the axis of the lower roller is visible, on which the lower roller is driven.

In the embodiment according to Figure 38 the housing, the embossing rollers and the pneumatic block are the same, and the storage of the lower roller, the die roller, is the same. The difference between the two embodiments lies in the storage of the upper, here the Patrizenwalze 13, this storage is shown very schematically. The two ends of the axis 57, the upper roller 13 are inserted and secured in corresponding recesses 60 of two brackets 61, of the rear in the drawing. The brackets can be moved in their length to adjust the distance between the two rollers from each other. This is symbolically indicated by the adjusting screws 62. Again, the upper roller may be stored such that their Axis is movable in the three dimensions. As already indicated, the two rollers can be reversed, ie the male roller below and driven and the die roller above. This reversal of the position of the rollers also corresponds to the representations of FIGS. 21-36 ,

Claims (15)

A device for embossing and / or perforating films for tobacco products, comprising a pair of embossing rollers, one of the embossing rollers having teeth for perforating the film, characterized in that the counter-roller to the embossing roller (13) with the teeth (33, 35, 37, 42, 44) for perforating a stencil roll (14), which has the teeth on the male roll (13) associated recesses (34, 36, 38, 41, 43, 45) and both embossing rollers are arranged in a perforation (5) and the apparatus is adapted to be operated directly or indirectly on-line in a tobacco-making machine, the apparatus comprising a control unit (17) adapted to determine the exact location, size and shape of the sheet (1) to be processed Control arrangement of perforations. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (17) is acted upon by at least one sensor (4, 4A, 6) for detecting the condition of the film (1), the exact position of LIP zones or embossing or printing patterns and to control and to control the perforation unit (5) such that the perforations (25A-25D) are made precisely at the desired locations. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (10) with a positioning device (12) for adjusting the circumferential relative position of the embossing rollers to the film (1, 1E), wherein the embossing rollers have synchronization marks (40). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the perforation device (5) is preceded by a printer and / or an embossing unit (2) having at least two embossing rollers (2A, 2B, 2C). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (10) comprises a comparison device (11) for detecting a quantitative deviation between the power strokes (A1, A2) of the embossing unit (2) and the perforation device (5). Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a quality checker (6) connected downstream of the perforation device (5) and adapted to test the hole patterns (25A-25D) on the perforated foil (1E) with a Template (20) to compare and control the perforation device. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the quality checker (6) comprises a correlation detector (27) which is adapted to compare the images of the perforated pattern with the corresponding template and to pass the result to an evaluation unit (28) which cooperates with the control unit (27) is connected. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the perforation teeth (33, 35, 37, 42, 44) of the male roll (13) taper towards the tip and have a square, rectangular, triangular or round cross section and the associated Depressions (34, 36, 38, 43, 45) of the die roll (14) are shaped accordingly, wherein the rectangular teeth (42, 44) and depressions (43, 45) may be arranged longitudinally or transversely or at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the embossing rolls. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the shapes and / or opening angle (β) of the recesses correspond to the shapes and / or flank angles (α) of the teeth. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the shapes and / or opening angles (β) of the depressions are different from the shapes and / or flank angles (α2) of the teeth. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the geometric dimensions of the teeth and the associated recesses are different from each other. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the embossing rollers synchronization means (30, 31) and one of the embossing rollers two Justierringe (55) and the other embossing roller to be interposed adjusting ring (56) for determining the axial position of the embossing rollers exhibit. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that both cooperating embossing rollers over a length (L) which is slightly larger than the width of the film (1), have a reduced circumference, wherein these Reduction (S1 - S6) can be distributed on both embossing rolls or only on one embossing roll. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the surface of the embossing rollers were made with the structures by means of a femto or picosecond laser system. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the embossing rollers (13K, 14K) in a housing (50) are arranged so that they can be replaced individually and independently, wherein the driven embossing roller through an opening in the transverse wall (52A) of the housing is inserted and the second embossing roller is inserted above the first through an opening (53) in the longitudinal wall (51).

Images