EP3747810A1 - Method for joining strips, strip joining device, processing system and use of same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tape connecting device (1) and a method for connecting a first tape to a second tape to provide a tape strand. In the belt connecting device (1) according to the invention, when the first belt is conveyed without interruption, an end section of the first belt is connected to the beginning section of the second belt via an adhesive connection using a liquid, in particular water, arranged in a connecting section. The invention also relates to a method for connecting two tapes, a processing system and a use of a method. The tape connecting device (1) according to the invention and the method can in particular be used for the uninterrupted provision of a security tape for a security document such as a bank note.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Can tapes, for example as a result of the manufacturing process used or as a result of being provided via a reel, only be provided in a limited length and it is desired in a processing process for the tape that this processing process is carried out with a tape strand that is longer than the length that can be provided Band, it is necessary that an end section of a first band is connected to a starting section of a second band, with which a longer band strand formed from both bands is produced. It is quite possible that a large number of bands are connected to one another in this way, with the result that the length of the band can be further increased. It may also be necessary to use a method for connecting an end section of a first belt to an initial section of a second belt if a tear or severing occurs in a conveyor and / or processing process of a belt, so that this belt is in the vicinity of the Severing or the tear forms an end portion of a first (partial) band and an initial portion of a second (partial) band.

The invention relates to a method that can be used in this context for connecting an end section of a first band to an initial section of a second band. The invention also relates to a ribbon splicer, a processing system, and a new use.

A possible field of application of the method and the tape connecting device, which does not limit the invention, includes tapes in the form of strip-shaped security tapes for security documents such as bank notes or entry tickets. Such security tapes are intended to make forgery of the security document difficult or impossible as copies of the security tape are difficult to imitate, making an unauthorized copy easily recognizable as such. In the security documents, the security tape can be embedded in a carrier material, in particular paper. The security tape can be a plastic tape which is equipped with security features such as holograms. The security tape is provided on a reel, unrolled from this and fed to the processing process, which here consists of the production of the security document. In the manufacturing process, the security tape is embedded in the carrier material. Successive production of a large number of security documents can take place without interruption, which means that the security tape must be fed in without interruption. If the end of the security tape is reached on a first reel via which the security tape is provided, a new security tape must be introduced into the processing process from a second reel. This is expediently done before the security tape is completely unwound from the first reel and by connecting the end section of the security tape of the first reel to the start section of the security tape of the second reel. However, this requires an interruption in the feeding of the security tape and thus in the processing process. After the connection has been established and the feed (the connection section of the old security tape and the new security tape and then only the new security tape) and the processing process, the connection section of the two security tapes must then be used in the further processing process (possibly together with the security document in which this connecting section is then arranged) are discarded.

STATE OF THE ART

DE 35 40 324 A1 shows a method for connecting two textile threads by means of compressed air. Here, two textile threads consisting of many individual twisted fibers are initially twisted at the ends. The two ends are then spliced together by twisting. After splicing, the two textile threads are held together due to the frictional force between the individual fibers and the self-locking that occurs under tensile load.

EP 1 209 115 A2 proposes for a splicing connection of a winding material in connection with the production of a cross winding to heat the winding material in the area of a splice head, the heating being said to be advantageous for the splicing connection of different types of yarn.

In DE 33 36 202 A1 it is described as known to join two ribbons formed by filament yarns via machines with automatic knotters, air splicers or mechanical splicers, the disadvantage being described here that the known joining methods require the ribbons to rest during the production of the joint, which involves stopping and Restarting the processing process to which the filament yarn is fed is conditional. With this in mind, suggests DE 33 36 202 A1 suggests feeding a first yarn thread from a first bobbin via a thread eyelet, a slotted thread guide and a first splice chamber with a downstream thread guide eyelet to a testing device. In a vertical plane below the first thread of thread, a stationary second thread of thread, which has been taken from a second bobbin, extends. The loose end section of the second yarn thread is held by a clamping point below the first yarn thread and in front of the first splice chamber. When the end section of the first yarn thread is reached, a carriage is moved vertically upwards. The carriage carries an electrically operated cutting device, a pull-down device and a second splicing chamber arranged between two slit thread guides. With the upward movement of the carriage, the second yarn thread enters the slotted thread guide carried by the carriage and the upwardly open second splice chamber from above. When the upper end position of the slide is reached, the second splice chamber is pressed against a frame-mounted counter plate that is not moved with the slide, with the result that the splice chamber is closed at the top. In the upper end position of the carriage, the first, continuously conveyed yarn thread and the second, still resting yarn thread extend parallel to one another at a small distance in the second splice chamber. The second yarn thread is then released by loosening the clamping point and the second splice chamber is acted upon pneumatically, with which the two yarn threads are swirled and spliced together. After the splice has been made, the first thread can take the second thread with it. When the movement of the second thread is taken up, the not yet spliced free end region of the second thread with the first thread also enters the first splice chamber, which means that this end region of the second thread can be entangled with the first thread.

DE 2 119 410 A1 discloses a connection of ends of glass fiber multifilaments by sewing the overlapping ends with an elastic thread which presses the two ends together, with which they are frictionally connected to one another.

JP S 60-61452 A discloses the interlocking connection of two ends of strips. A rectangular through recess is made in a first end of a first band. A second end of the second band is provided with groove-like recesses such that the cross section of the second end remaining in the area of the recesses corresponds to the cross section of the rectangular through recess of the first end. For the form-fitting connection, the second end is guided through the through recess of the first end in such a way that the second end is received in the region of its recesses in a form-fitting manner in the through recess of the first end. The document discloses a pair of pliers that can be used to produce the connection.

It is also known to connect ends of tapes to one another by means of an additional adhesive tape, according to FIG EP 0 001 465 A1 an adhesive tape covers abutting end regions of tapes to connect them.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

• einer Automatisierung und/oder
• einer Wechselwirkung mit dem Verarbeitungsprozesses für den Bandstrang und/oder
• einer Reduzierung einer Einbringung von unerwünschten Zusatzstoffen in den Verarbeitungsprozess und/oder
• einer Erweiterung der Einsatzmöglichkeiten auch für Bänder, welche nicht als Garnfädenstrang oder Multifilament ausgebildet sind und/oder
• einer schonenden Behandlung der Bänder und/oder
• einer Vereinfachung des Wechsel von einer Bereitstellung eines ersten Bandes von einer ersten Spule zu einer Bereitstellung eines zweiten Bandes von einer zweiten Spule und/oder
• einer Erhöhung der Prozesssicherheit

verbessert ist. Des Weiteren liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine entsprechend verbesserte Bänderverbindungseinrichtung sowie eine Verarbeitungseinrichtung mit einer derartigen Bänderverbindungseinrichtung vorzuschlagen. Schließlich liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine neue Verwendung vorzuschlagen.The invention is based on the object of proposing a method for connecting an end section of a first strip to an initial section of a second strip for the production of a strip of strip, which in particular with regard to

• an automation and / or
• an interaction with the processing process for the ribbon strand and / or
• a reduction in the introduction of undesired additives into the manufacturing process and / or
• an expansion of the possible uses for tapes that are not designed as a strand of yarn or multifilament and / or
• gentle treatment of the ligaments and / or
• a simplification of the change from providing a first tape from a first reel to providing a second tape from a second reel and / or
• an increase in process reliability

is improved. Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of proposing a correspondingly improved ribbon connecting device and a processing device with such a ribbon connecting device. Finally, the invention is based on the object of proposing a new use.

SOLUTION

The object of the invention is achieved according to the invention with the features of the independent claims. Further preferred embodiments according to the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method with which an end section of a first (in particular elongated) band can be connected to an initial section of a second (in particular elongated) band. In this way, a ribbon strand is created that has at least the first ribbon and the second ribbon and the length of which is the sum of the lengths of the first ribbon and the second ribbon (minus the length of the connecting section of the same or minus the sum of the lengths of the starting section of the second belt and the end portion of the first band). Here, an "elongated band" refers in particular to a band whose length corresponds to at least 1,000 times, 10,000 times, 100,000 times or 1,000,000 times the greatest transverse extension of the band and / or which is at least 100 m long , 1 km or 10 km.

• ein Sicherheitsband, beispielsweise mit einem Hologramm, für ein Sicherheitsdokument wie eine Banknote und/oder
• ein Band aus PES oder PE, unbeschichtet oder aluminisiert und/oder
• ein Band, dessen Breite im Bereich von 16 bis 120 (oder 30 bis 100) mal größer ist die Dicke (bspw. ein Band mit einer Breite im Bereich von 1 mm bis 12 mm und einer Dicke von 10 µm bis 60 µm) und/oder
• kein Garnfadenbündel oder Multifilament, sondern ein einstückiges Band und/oder
• ein Band aus Kunststoff oder ein beschichtetes Band aus Kunststoff und/oder
• ein Band mit einem geschlossenen Querschnitt, der eine Abflachung aufweisen kann und/oder rechteckig sein kann (unter Umständen auch mit abgerundeten Ecken).

The strip processed by the method according to the invention is in particular

• a security tape, for example with a hologram, for a security document such as a bank note and / or
• a tape made of PES or PE, uncoated or aluminized and / or
• a tape with a width in the range from 16 to 120 (or 30 to 100) times greater than the thickness (e.g. a tape with a width in the range from 1 mm to 12 mm and a thickness from 10 µm to 60 µm) and / or
• not a thread bundle or multifilament, but a one-piece tape and / or
• a tape made of plastic or a coated tape made of plastic and / or
• a band with a closed cross-section, which can have a flattening and / or can be rectangular (possibly also with rounded corners).

In the method according to the invention, the ribbon strand is fed to a processing process in which an end product having at least one further component is produced with the ribbon strand and / or the ribbon strand is processed. For the example of the formation of the tape as a security tape for a security document such as a bank note, the tape strand is fed to a processing process in which the security tape is embedded in the base material of the bank note, in particular an aqueous suspension or mash of the paper or cotton paper of the bank note.

In the method according to the invention, the end section of the first band is connected to the starting section of the second band via a liquid arranged in between. In a connecting section, the liquid connects the end section of the first band and the starting section of the second band via an adhesion, thus forming a band strand comprising the first band and the second band.

• Bei der Flüssigkeit kann es sich um eine rückstandsfrei flüchtige Flüssigkeit handeln und/oder
• die Flüssigkeit geht keine chemische Bindung mit den Oberflächen und dem Material der Bänder ein und/oder
• bei der Flüssigkeit handelt es sich um eine nicht-aushärtende und/oder nicht-trocknende Flüssigkeit und/oder
• es handelt sich um eine reine Flüssigkeit mit einer einzigen chemischen Komponente und/oder
• die Flüssigkeit verfügt über keine Zusätze oder Komponenten zur Beeinflussung oder Einstellung der Klebewirkung und/oder
• bei der Flüssigkeit handelt es sich nicht um einen "Klebstoff" im klassischen Sinne und/oder
• die Flüssigkeit hat eine Viskosität, die kleiner ist als 10 m PA s oder kleiner ist als 5 m PA s oder kleiner ist als 2 m PA s und größer ist als 0,1 m PA s oder größer ist als 0,5 m PA s;
• die Flüssigkeit haftet über eine Dipol-Wirkung an den Bändern an und/oder
• die Flüssigkeit haftet über die Oberflächenspannung an den Bändern an und/oder
• die Flüssigkeit verfügt über eine geringe Grenzflächenspannung zu den Bändern, wobei der Kontaktwinkel Theta oder der Rand- oder Benetzungswinkel, der den Winkel bezeichnet, den ein Flüssigkeitstropfen auf der Oberfläche eines Feststoffs zu dieser Oberfläche bildet, kleiner als 15° oder kleiner als 10° oder kleiner als 5° ist, und/oder
• die Flüssigkeit entspricht einer im folgenden Verarbeitungsprozess verwendeten Flüssigkeit und/oder
• bei der Flüssigkeit handelt es sich um Wasser, wobei bspw. destilliertes Wasser oder einem üblichen städtischen Leitungsnetz entnommenes Wasser Einsatz finden kann.

According to the invention, there is thus no splicing of filament yarn tapes and no connection via an adhesive strip or a conventional adhesive, as is done according to the prior art. Rather, a liquid is used which alternatively or cumulatively fulfills the following conditions:

• The liquid can be a residue-free, volatile liquid and / or
• the liquid does not form a chemical bond with the surfaces and the material of the belts and / or
• the liquid is a non-hardening and / or non-drying liquid and / or
• it is a pure liquid with a single chemical component and / or
• the liquid has no additives or components to influence or adjust the adhesive effect and / or
• the liquid is not an "adhesive" in the classic sense and / or
• the liquid has a viscosity that is less than 10 m PA s or less than 5 m PA s or less than 2 m PA s and greater than 0.1 m PA s or greater than 0.5 m PA s ;
• the liquid adheres to and / or the ligaments via a dipole effect
• the liquid adheres to and / or the tapes via surface tension
• the liquid has a low interfacial tension to the bands, the contact angle theta or the edge or wetting angle, which denotes the angle that a drop of liquid on the surface of a solid forms to this surface, less than 15 ° or less than 10 ° or is less than 5 °, and / or
• the liquid corresponds to a liquid used in the following processing process and / or
• the liquid is water, in which case, for example, distilled water or water taken from a customary urban pipe network can be used.

In the case of a security band for the production of a bank note, water can be used as the liquid, with water also being used as a liquid in the pulp of the paper or cotton paper.

• ein zusätzliches Verbindungselement wie ein elastischer Faden zum Umnähen der überlappenden Enden gemäß DE 21 19 410 A1 ,
• ein formschlüssiges Verbinden der Bänder gemäß JP S60-61452 A ,
• ein zusätzliches Klebeband gemäß EP 0 001 465 A1 oder
• ein Verspleißen mehrerer Filamente eines Garns gemäß DE 35 40 324 A1 , EP 1 209 115 A2 , DE 33 36 202 A1

erforderlich ist. Vielmehr hat die Erfindung überraschend erkannt, dass eine Verbindung der beiden Bänder über eine Flüssigkeit mittels einer Adhäsion erfolgen kann. Dies vereinfacht die Herstellung der Verbindung, da kein Umnähen und kein Einsatz eines Zusatzelements wie eines Klebebandes erforderlich ist. Auch die unerwünschte Wechselwirkung eines klassischen Klebstoffs mit dem Verarbeitungsprozess und die damit einhergehende Einbringung unerwünschte Komponenten in den Verarbeitungsprozess kann erfindungsgemäß vermieden werden.The present invention thus overcomes the prejudice of the person skilled in the art that for the production of a connection between the first band and the second band

• an additional connecting element such as an elastic thread for sewing around the overlapping ends according to FIG DE 21 19 410 A1 ,
• a positive connection of the bands according to JP S60-61452 A ,
• an additional adhesive tape according to EP 0 001 465 A1 or
• splicing several filaments of a yarn according to DE 35 40 324 A1 , EP 1 209 115 A2 , DE 33 36 202 A1

is required. Rather, the invention has surprisingly recognized that the two bands can be connected via a liquid by means of an adhesion. This simplifies the production of the connection, since no sewing around and no use of an additional element such as an adhesive tape is required. The undesired interaction of a classic adhesive with the manufacturing process and the associated introduction of undesired components into the manufacturing process can also be avoided according to the invention.

• sowohl eine Zuführung ohne Stopp, also mit konstanter oder veränderlicher Geschwindigkeit größer als Null,
• als auch eine taktweise Zuführung, bei welcher jeweils nach einem Stopp nach einer vorgegebenen Taktdauer ein Vorschub erfolgt oder die Zuführung intermittierend mit einem regelmäßigen Muster erfolgt,

After the connection and the resulting ribbon strand have been produced, the ribbon strand is fed to the processing process without interruption within the scope of the method according to the invention. In the context of the invention, an "uninterrupted" feed is in particular

• both a feed without stop, i.e. with constant or variable speed greater than zero,
• as well as intermittent feed, in which a feed takes place after a stop after a predetermined cycle duration or the feed takes place intermittently with a regular pattern,

Understood. In the context of the invention, the feed should not change during the change from the first belt to the second belt (apart from the fact that the overlapping two belts are fed to the processing process in the connecting section of the two belts).

For a proposal of the invention, in the method the first band is conveyed at a distance from the starting section of the second band, with the second band preferably not being moved or not being conveyed in its longitudinal direction. A wetting from the aforementioned liquid is applied to the end section of the first tape. Alternatively or additionally, the wetting can be applied from the liquid to the starting section of the second band. The starting section of the second band and / or the end section of the first band is moved via a combining device in such a way that the distance between them is reduced. Here, the invention encompasses both embodiments in which the combining device actively moves a band and embodiments in which the combining device merely releases the band, with which it can be moved and for example, by its own weight in the direction of the other belt as a result of its own weight can "fall down". The starting section of the second band and the end section of the first band come to rest against one another in a connecting section, which can also be done with the generation of a pressing force. As a result of the wetting with the liquid and the resultant arrangement of the liquid in the connecting section between the first band and the second band, an adhesive connection is produced between the bands. With or after the adhesive connection is established, the first band and the second band move together to the processing process.

Since it is possible, as explained above, that the first belt is moved at its conveying speed while the connection is being established, while the second belt is initially not subjected to any conveying movement (apart from the movement to approach the first belt), for the joint movement of the first belt and the second belt to the processing process, the second belt can be accelerated to the conveying speed of the first belt. It is possible here that the connection provided by the adhesion is already sufficient to ensure a force to accelerate the second belt, so that the second belt is moved along with the first belt (which in some circumstances also results in increasingly decreasing slip in the adhesively connected connecting section can be done). However, it is also possible that the adhesive connection only provides a portion of the force required to accelerate the second band via the liquid, this portion for example less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20% or even less than 10% of the total force acting to accelerate the second belt can be.

For a special proposal of the invention, the force to accelerate the second belt to produce the common movement of the first belt and the second belt is partly caused by a drive, that is, not only by the force that is generated in the area of the adhesive connection. It is possible, for example, for a conveyor roller to be driven via a separate drive, the separate drive being set in motion by the uniting device before or when the second belt is pressed against the first belt. Such a drive can be arranged in the working area of the combining device or in front of or behind the same and, for example, drive the belt which at least partially wraps around the conveyor roller via friction with the driven conveyor roller.

For a special development of this idea, the starting section of the second belt lies against a first conveyor roller. If the starting section of the second belt is then moved by the uniting device in such a way that the distance between the two belts is reduced until they come into contact with one another, the first conveyor roller, which can be part of the uniting device, will move in the direction of the (preferably uninterrupted conveyor) ) first volume. At the end of this movement, the first conveyor roller then interacts with a second conveyor roller, the jacket surface of the first conveyor roller preferably forming frictional contact with the jacket surface of the second conveyor roller. The second conveyor roller rotates in accordance with the movement of the uninterrupted first belt. The second conveyor roller can be designed as a motor-driven conveyor roller via which the uninterrupted conveyance of the first belt is caused or supported. However, it is also possible that the second conveyor roller is wrapped around by the first belt and, as a result of the conveying movement of the first belt, the belt sets the second conveyor roller in rotation. As a result of the interaction between the two conveyor rollers, an acceleration force is exerted on the first conveyor roller which, as a result of the second belt wrapping around the first conveyor roller, leads to a drive force. This driving force accelerates the starting section of the second band for the common movement of the end section of the first band and the starting section of the second band after the adhesive connection has been established. In this case, on the one hand, the two bands are connected via the adhesive connection, which means that part of the accelerating force or only that the two bands are held together can be ensured. At least part of the force for the acceleration of the second belt is thus taken from the conveying movement of the first belt or an associated conveying roller.

Another aspect of the method according to the invention is dedicated to the requirement that the first belt must be guided by at least one stationary guide device with regard to the position, the conveying direction and the alignment of the belt around its longitudinal axis. Two slide rods or guide rollers can be used as possible stationary guide devices. The two slide rods or guide rollers can extend parallel to one another. It is possible that a gap is formed between the slide rods or guide rollers through which the first band can pass, whereby horizontal guidance can be ensured when the slide rods or guide rollers are oriented vertically. It is also possible, however, for the first band to be deflected in opposite directions on the outer surfaces of the slide rods or guide rollers. Alternatively or it is additionally possible that an alignment roller is used as a guide device, via which the alignment of the cross section of the first strip around its longitudinal axis can be changed. Alternatively or additionally it is possible that at least one deflecting roller is used as the stationary guide device, via which a change in the conveying direction of the first belt is possible in accordance with the wrap angle of the deflecting roller. Finally, it is also possible that the guide device is an exit guide, via which the location and the orientation with which and at which the tape strand leaves the tape connecting device used can be specified. It is also possible to use a merging guide in which the first belt and the second belt are simultaneously guided, possibly even before they are connected, and via which the movement of the two belts towards one another as a result of the merging device being changed from the inactive operating position is performed in the active operating position. For example, the merging guide can be designed as a plate with a slot in which the two belts are arranged and guided one above the other and in which the two belts are laterally guided so that the belts lie on top of one another when the merging device moves into the active operating position becomes. The aforementioned guide devices can have an adjusting device by means of which their position and orientation can be adjusted.

It is possible for the components required to carry out the method to be actuated exclusively manually. However, partial or complete automation of the process is also possible. To this end, the invention proposes that an electronic control unit be used in the method. The components involved can be controlled by means of the electronic control unit (and an associated control logic), with a "control" also being intended to include regulation within the scope of the invention. In this case, a holding device can be actuated via the control by the control unit, via which an end of the second band can be held and fixed. As an alternative or in addition, it is possible for the control of the control unit to actuate a wetting device by means of which the first band and / or the second band are wetted with the liquid. Alternatively or additionally it is possible for the control of the control unit to activate the combining device. Finally, it is also possible that the control unit controls a cutting device. Any control philosophy can be used here.

For a proposal of the invention, in an operating position not energetically charged by the control unit, the holding device and / or the clamping device is in a position holding or clamping the second band (in particular as a result of the action of a spring), while the holding device or the clamping device is released energetic loading of the same by the control unit takes place (in particular against the effect of the aforementioned spring).

Any directly or indirectly electronically controlled actuators can be used as the actuator controlled by the control unit. For example, an electric servomotor or stepper motor can be used. For a special proposal of the invention, the control unit controls a pneumatic actuator, in particular a pneumatic adjusting cylinder, via a valve, the pneumatic actuator then actuating the holding device, the clamping device, the wetting device, the combining device or the cutting device. It is possible that several pneumatic actuators are used for the aforementioned devices. It is also possible, however, for a pneumatic actuator to be used in a multifunctional manner, in that it actuates both the clamping device and the cutting device. Here, for example, in a first partial stroke of the pneumatic actuator, the clamping device can be transferred from the clamping position to a release position that releases the second band, in which the second band can be moved in its longitudinal direction, but is guided transversely to the longitudinal direction by the clamping device at a distance from the first band is. In a second partial stroke of the pneumatic actuator, the cutting device is actuated to sever the first tape, with the clamping device being opened further in the second partial stroke shortly before severing, simultaneously with severing or shortly after severing, so that the second tape moves in the direction of of the first tape can move. Alternatively or cumulatively, it is possible for a valve to be used multifunctionally by simultaneously controlling, for example, the transfer of the uniting device to the active operating position and the transfer of the clamping device to the non-clamping operating position.

The operating options can be expanded in the method according to the invention if the holding device and / or the clamping device can be operated both electronically and manually via the control unit. Here, for example, manual actuation can be used to grip or hold one end of the second tape from a reel with the holding device and then the holding device on the tape connecting device to attach. The holding device is operated manually here. The holding device preferably fixes the end of the second band with a spring, so that the insertion of the end of the second band into the holding device requires manual actuation against the spring, but the end of the second band is held and fixed in the holding device without manually applied forces . Correspondingly, the second band can be inserted in a non-clamping operating position with manual actuation of the clamping device, while the spring can then close the clamping device, whereby the second band is clamped in the clamping device without manual application of forces.

1. a) Es erfolgt ein Halten eines Endes des zweiten Bandes mittels einer Halteeinrichtung. Das zweite Band wird in eine Klemmeinrichtung eingelegt und es erfolgt ein Klemmen des zweiten Bandes durch die Klemmeinrichtung. Das zweite Band wird auch in einen Arbeitsbereich einer Vereinigungseinrichtung eingelegt, der sich zwischen der Halteeinrichtung und der Klemmeinrichtung befindet. Für die vorgenannten Verfahrensschritte ist die Reihenfolge beliebig. Insbesondere in dem Fall, dass das zweite Band von der Abrollvorrichtung (bspw. sogenannte Bitensoren, die auch begrenzt aufrollen) unter Spannung gehalten wird, ist die bevorzugte Reihenfolge: Einlegen in die Halteeinrichtung, Einlegen in die Vereinigungseinrichtung und Einlegen in die Klemmeinrichtung.
2. b) Hieran anschließend erfolgt eine Betätigung einer Benetzungseinrichtung. Infolge dieser Betätigung erfolgt das Aufbringen der Benetzung aus der Flüssigkeit auf den Endabschnitt des ersten Bandes und/oder auf den Anfangsabschnitt des zweiten Bandes.
3. c) Hieran anschließend erfolgt die Betätigung der Vereinigungseinrichtung. Diese Betätigung führt dazu, dass der Anfangsabschnitt des zweiten Bandes derart bewegt wird, dass sich der Abstand des Anfangsabschnitts des zweiten Bandes von dem geförderten ersten Band so verringert, dass diese aneinander zur Anlage kommen und die adhäsive Verbindung zwischen dem Anfangsabschnitt des zweiten Bandes und dem Endabschnitt des ersten Bandes infolge der Benetzung in dem Verbindungsabschnitt hergestellt wird.

In a method according to the invention, the following method steps are carried out:

1. a) One end of the second strip is held by means of a holding device. The second band is placed in a clamping device and the second band is clamped by the clamping device. The second band is also placed in a working area of a combining device which is located between the holding device and the clamping device. The sequence for the aforementioned process steps is arbitrary. In particular in the event that the second tape is kept under tension by the unwinding device (e.g. so-called bit sensors, which also roll up to a limited extent), the preferred sequence is: insertion into the holding device, insertion into the combining device and insertion into the clamping device.
2. b) This is followed by actuation of a wetting device. As a result of this actuation, the wetting is applied from the liquid to the end section of the first band and / or to the starting section of the second band.
3. c) This is followed by the actuation of the union device. This actuation causes the initial section of the second belt to be moved in such a way that the distance between the initial section of the second belt and the conveyed first belt is reduced so that they come into contact with one another and the adhesive bond between the initial section of the second belt and the End portion of the first tape is produced as a result of the wetting in the connecting portion.

Here, further steps can be carried out before, during and / or after the steps mentioned. Thus, the second strip 6 is preferably released by the holding device 15, the release of the second belt 6 by the clamping device 13 and the merging of the second path 5 with the conveying path 3.

During process steps a), b) and c), the first belt is conveyed without interruption, while the second belt is at rest (apart from the movement to reduce the distance between the two belts). With or after method step c), the first belt and the second belt are moved together to the processing process.

In the context of the invention, the method can only be used for one strand of tape. However, it is entirely possible for several strands of tape to be processed in parallel in at least one processing device, so that the strands of tape run through the at least one processing device on parallel processing paths. If the connections between the tapes of the individual tape strands are made here in a non-coordinated and possibly manual manner, the connecting sections of the two tapes in the respective tape strands pass through the at least one processing device with a time offset. If products manufactured in the processing facility are not allowed to contain the connecting section of the belts, since this does not meet the quality requirements, these products must be sorted out as scrap. For a non-coordinated and possibly manual connection, the products for which the connecting section has been processed in one of the belt strands must be sorted out, but with this also products of another belt strand must be sorted out in which there is no connecting section of the other belt strand, or the The effort for sorting out must be increased. A method according to the invention takes this problem into account in that, in the method, several pairs of first and second tapes are connected to one another in parallel to form a tape strand, which is fed to the same processing device or different processing devices in parallel. According to the invention, a control unit is used by means of which an actuation of the devices required for the respective establishment of the connection is controlled and in particular synchronized. For example, the synchronization can take place in such a way that the connecting sections generated in the individual strands of tape are fed to the at least one processing device at the same time, so that products that are produced at the same time and which contain the connecting section can be sorted out for all processing strands The effort for sorting out and possibly also the scrap can be reduced.

• In der inaktiven Betriebsstellung sind der erste Förderpfad für das erste Band und der zweite Pfad für das zweite Band in einem Arbeitsbereich der Vereinigungseinrichtung beabstandet voneinander angeordnet.
• Hingegen sind in der aktiven Betriebsstellung der erste Förderpfad für das erste Band und der zweite Pfad für das zweite Band in einem Arbeitsbereich der Vereinigungseinrichtung miteinander so vereinigt, dass ein Anfangsabschnitt des zweiten Bandes und ein Endabschnitt des ersten Bandes in dem Verbindungsabschnitt aneinander zur Anlage kommen. Auf diese Weise wird eine adhäsive Verbindung zwischen dem Anfangsabschnitt des zweiten Bandes und dem Endabschnitt des ersten Bandes infolge der Benetzung in dem Verbindungsabschnitt mit der Flüssigkeit hergestellt.

A further solution to the object on which the invention is based is provided by a strap connecting device with which, in particular, a method as described above can be carried out. In the belt connecting device, in particular via the aforementioned guide devices, a first conveying path for a first belt is provided, along which the first belt is conveyed. Furthermore, a second path for a second band is specified, likewise via the components described above, along which the second band extends (initially at rest). The ribbon connecting device also has a wetting device. By means of the wetting device, the first band and / or the second band can be wetted with a liquid in a connecting section. The ribbon connector also has a union. The first conveying path and / or the second path can be influenced via this. The merging device has an inactive operating position and an active operating position:

• In the inactive operating position, the first conveying path for the first belt and the second path for the second belt are arranged at a distance from one another in a working area of the combining device.
• In contrast, in the active operating position, the first conveying path for the first belt and the second path for the second belt are combined with one another in a working area of the combining device so that an initial section of the second belt and an end section of the first belt come into contact with one another in the connecting section. In this way, an adhesive connection is produced between the beginning section of the second band and the end section of the first band as a result of the wetting in the connection section with the liquid.

In the context of the invention, the strap connecting device can have a holding device, a clamping device and / or a cutting device.

A control unit with control logic is preferably present, via which the holding device, the clamping device, the wetting device, the combining device and / or the cutting device can be actuated.

It is also possible that the strap connecting device has a pneumatic actuator for the holding device, the clamping device, the wetting device, the combining device or the cutting device.

In the strap connection device, the holding device and / or the clamping device can be actuated both electronically and manually via the control unit.

If a control unit is mentioned in the context of the present invention, it can be a single local control unit. However, it is also possible that there are several control units that communicate with one another or are networked with one another.

A further solution to the problem on which the invention is based is a processing system in which a number of strands of tape are processed. The ribbon strands each have pairs of first and second ribbons. The pairs of the first and second bands are each adhesively connected to one another in a connecting section via a liquid in an end section of the first band and a starting section of the second band (as has also been described above). At least one electronic control unit is present in the processing system according to the invention. The electronic control unit has control logic with which an actuation of the devices required for the respective establishment of the connection in the connection sections can be controlled, this control preferably being carried out in a synchronized manner. The synchronization can, for example, as explained above, ensure that the connection sections are simultaneously fed to the processing process in the processing system.

• eines Verfahrens, wie dieses zuvor erläutert worden ist,
• einer Bänderverbindungseinrichtung, wie diese zuvor erläutert worden ist, oder
• eines Verarbeitungssystems, wie dieses zuvor erläutert worden ist,

für ein als Sicherheitsband für ein Sicherheitsdokument ausgebildetes erstes Band und zweites Band dar.Another solution to the problem on which the invention is based is a use

• a method as explained above,
• a ribbon connecting device, as has been explained above, or
• a processing system as explained above,

for a first band and a second band designed as a security band for a security document.

Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the patent claims, the description and the drawings. The advantages of features mentioned in the description and combinations of several features are only exemplary and can come into effect alternatively or cumulatively, without the advantages necessarily having to be achieved by embodiments according to the invention. Without changing the subject matter of the attached claims, the following applies to the disclosure content of the original application documents and the patent: Further features can be found in the drawings - in particular the illustrated geometries and the relative dimensions of several components to one another and their relative arrangement and operative connection. The combination of features of different embodiments of the invention or of features of different patent claims is also possible, deviating from the selected back-references of the patent claims, and is hereby suggested. This also applies to features that are shown in separate drawings or mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features of different patent claims. Features listed in the claims for further embodiments of the invention can also be omitted.

The number of features mentioned in the claims and the description are to be understood in such a way that precisely this number or a greater number than the stated number is present without the need for the explicit use of the adverb "at least". For example, when an element is mentioned, it is to be understood that there is exactly one element, two elements or more elements. These characteristics can be supplemented by other characteristics or be the only characteristics that make up the product in question.

The reference signs contained in the claims do not represent a restriction of the scope of the subject matter protected by the claims. They only serve the purpose of making the claims easier to understand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1

zeigt in einer räumlichen Darstellung eine Bänderverbindungseinrichtung.

Fig. 2

zeigt in einer räumlichen Ansicht eine Klemm- und Schneideinrichtung einer Bänderverbindungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1.

Fig. 3

zeigt in einer räumlichen Ansicht eine Förderrolle einer Vereinigungseinrichtung einer Bänderverbindungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1.

Fig. 4

zeigt in einer räumlichen Ansicht eine Halteeinrichtung einer Bänderverbindungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1.

Fig. 5

zeigt schematisch die Wechselwirkung einer Steuereinheit mit Aktuatoren einer Bänderverbindungseinrichtung.

Fig. 6 bis 9

zeigen in einer Vorderansicht die Bänderverbindungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten während der Ausführung eines Verfahrens zum Verbinden von zwei Bändern.

Fig. 10

zeigt schematisiert einen Verfahrensablauf eines Verfahrens zum Verbinden von zwei Bändern.

In the following, the invention is further explained and described with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

Fig. 1

shows a ribbon connecting device in a spatial representation.

Fig. 2

shows a three-dimensional view of a clamping and cutting device of a band connecting device according to FIG Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

shows a three-dimensional view of a conveyor roller of a combining device of a belt connecting device according to FIG Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

shows a three-dimensional view of a holding device of a strap connecting device according to FIG Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

shows schematically the interaction of a control unit with actuators of a strap connecting device.

Figures 6 to 9

show in a front view the tape connecting device according to FIG Fig. 1 at different times during the execution of a method of joining two ribbons.

Fig. 10

shows schematically a method sequence of a method for connecting two strips.

FIGURE DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a strap connecting device 1. The strap connecting device 1 has a plate-like support structure 2. The support structure 2 is arranged between a supply station for straps and a processing device in which the strand is processed into a product (not shown here). . The support structure 2 is arranged to be stationary or movable. For example, the support structure 2 can be attached to the z. B. in Fig. 1 The visible handle can be swiveled downwards / forwards to make it easier to insert the straps. In normal operation that is not pivoted downwards, the supporting structure 2 can be located above head height, for example. The provision device can be a first reel for the provision of a first tape and a second reel for the provision of the second tape (possibly with a plurality of further reels with further tapes). It is also possible, however, for the supply station to be a production device which produces a first band on the one hand and a second band on the other. It is also possible that with Using the tape connecting device 1, a change between two different types of tape, e.g. B. with different holograms is made possible. The processing device is, for example, a production device for a security document such as a bank note, in which the ribbon strand formed with the ribbons is a security ribbon which is embedded in the base material of the bank note.

A conveying path 3 for a first belt 4 is formed in the belt connecting device 1. The first belt 4 is conveyed without interruption along the conveying path 3, which can take place at a constant speed, with a changing speed greater than 0 or intermittently with a regular pattern. Furthermore, a path 5 for a second band 6 is formed in the band connecting device 1. In the path 5 there is initially no conveying movement of the second belt 6 before the connection of the belts 4, 6. However, an approaching or merging movement of the path 5 in the direction of the conveying path 3 takes place.

The belt connecting device 1 has a guide device 7, a wetting device 8, a cutting device 9, a guide device 10, a guide device 11 and a guide device 12, which in this direction in the conveying direction of the first belt 4 in the conveying path 3 interacts with the first belt 4 to step.

The strap connecting device 1 has the guide device 7, a clamping device 13, a combining device 14, the guide device 12 and a holding device 15, which are arranged in this order along the path 5 of the second band 6.

The guide device 7 arranged at the beginning of the strap connecting device 1 consists of two cylindrical guide rollers 16, 17 which have a stepped widening at the free end areas and whose axis of rotation is oriented vertically here. The outer surface of the guide rollers 16, 17 with the smaller diameter interact with the belts 4, 6, so that the longitudinal extension of this sub-area of the guide rollers 16, 17 is dimensioned such that this area extends in the conveying path 3 and the path 5. The guide rollers 16, 17 are rotatably held on a carrier 18. The carrier 18 is in turn held on the support structure 2 by means of a support element 19 designed here as an L-angle plate. In this case, a fine adjustment of the guide device 7 can take place by rotating the carrier 18 with respect to the carrier element 19 about an adjustment axis oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the guide rollers 16, 17. Form the first belt 4 when looking in the conveying direction the guide rollers 16, 17 have a vertical gap, the gap width of which can be adjusted by means of the adjustment explained. The guide device 7 serves to guide the belt 4 in a horizontal plane and transversely to the conveying direction of the same.

The wetting device 8 has a connection via which the wetting device 8 is supplied with the liquid that is to be applied as wetting 20 to the first strip 4. Furthermore, the wetting device 8 has an outlet-side nozzle 21, via which the discharge behavior of the liquid from the wetting device 8 is specified. The wetting device 8 also has an electronically controlled valve 86 and an electronic control connection for activating the valve 86 via an electronic control unit 59. The wetting device 8 can be activated by means of the valve 86 if the bands 4, 6 are to be connected and this can be deactivated if the bands 4, 6 are not connected.

For the illustrated embodiment of the strap connecting device 1, the cutting device 9 and the clamping device 13 form a combined clamping and cutting device 22, which is shown in FIG Fig. 2 is shown. The clamping and cutting device 22 is held on the support structure 2 via a support element 23, here U-shaped. The clamping device 13 has a clamping plate 24 fixed to the support element 23 and a clamping jaw 25 pivotably mounted on the support element 23. The clamping jaw 25 is urged in the direction of the clamping plate 24 into a clamping position in which the The second band 6 inserted between the clamping plate 24 and the clamping jaw 25 is clamped in the path 5 and thus held and fixed. Via a pneumatic actuator 27 and a plunger or any gear connection that connects the pneumatic actuator 27 to the pivotable clamping jaw 25, an opening force acting on the clamping jaw 25 can be generated, with which the clamping jaw 25 can counter the force of the spring 26 in the in Fig. 2 effective open position can be transferred in which the clamped in the clamping position second tape 6 is released. Without pneumatic actuation of the pneumatic actuator 27, the clamping device 13 assumes the clamping position, while for bringing about the opening position of the clamping device 13 according to FIG Fig. 2 the pneumatic application of the pneumatic actuator 27 is required. The pneumatic actuator 27 is also activated by an electronic control unit 59 via an electronically controlled valve 87.

The pneumatic actuator 27 of the clamping and cutting device 22 is also coupled via a plunger or a geared connection to the cutting device 9 for actuating the same, whereby the same geared connection or coupling rod can also be used here as for coupling the pneumatic actuator 27 to the clamping device 13. The cutting device 9 has a cutting knife 28 which is mounted so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis 29 with respect to the support element 23. The cutting knife 28 forms a two-part lever in which one lever part forms a cutting edge, while the geared connection or coupling rod 30 via which the cutting knife 28 is coupled to the pneumatic actuator 27 is articulated on the other lever part.

The pneumatic actuator 27 is designed and controlled in such a way that it has a first partial stroke and a second partial stroke. In the first partial stroke, the clamping jaw 25 can be opened from the clamping position into the opening position according to FIG Fig. 2 respectively. In this open position, the second belt 6 can be moved in its longitudinal direction. On the other hand, in the open position, the second band 6 is guided in the vertical direction between the clamping jaw 25 and the clamping plate 24, whereby the distance between the first band 4 and the second band 6 is maintained in the open position in the area of the clamping device 13. In the first partial stroke, the cutting knife 28 is also pivoted without, however, reaching a cutting position. The first partial stroke is therefore used exclusively for releasing the second band 6 clamped in the clamping device, while guidance continues in the vertical direction. In contrast, the clamping jaw 25 is opened further in the second partial stroke, so that the lower guide of the second belt 6 is omitted and the second belt 6 can move downwards until it extends along the conveying path 5. Since the cutting device 9 is used to sever the first strip 4 at the same time, the process can then be continued with the second strip 6.

In the second partial stroke, the swivel knife 28 is moved into the closed position or cutting position, in which it can interact with the first band 4, it being possible that in the cutting position a cutting edge of the cutting knife 28 against a mating surface held on the support element 23 is pressed.

The pneumatic actuator 27 is thus used multifunctionally in that it actuates both the cutting device 9 and the clamping device 13.

In addition to the actuation of the clamping and cutting device 22 via the pneumatic actuator 27 as a result of the electronic control by an electronic control unit 59, manual actuation of the same can also take place: an operating lever 31 is pivotably mounted on the support element 23. The operating lever 31 is coupled to the clamping jaw 25 (and the cutting knife 28) via a coupling rod or a geared connection 32. If the operating lever 31 is pressed down manually (in particular to enable the second tape 6 to be inserted), the manual actuating force generated on the operating lever 31 and transmitted via the coupling rod or geared connection 32 can move the clamping jaw 25 into the open position according to FIG Fig. 2 be transferred, for which purpose the closing force of the spring 26 must be overcome with the manual actuation force.

The guide device 10 is a guide roller 34 on which the underside of the first band 4 rolls and which ensures the correct alignment of the cross section of the first band 4. In particular, the guide roller 34 ensures that the belt 4 is oriented with a flattening upwards, so that the flattening can be provided with the wetting 20 by the wetting device 8 and, as will be explained below, the second belt 6 from above onto the Flattening of the first band 4 can be placed in order to produce the desired adhesive connection in the area of the flattening. If the bands 4, 6 are bands with a rectangular cross-section, the guide roller 34 ensures, for example, that a longer side of the rectangular cross-section of the first band 4 is oriented horizontally, whereby a corresponding orientation of the cross-section of the second band 6 is also ensured .

The guide device 11 is designed as a deflection roller 35. The first band 4 rests against the deflection roller 35 at a circumferential angle (for the exemplary embodiment shown in the range of, for example, 20 ° to 60 °). According to the circumferential angle, there is a change in the conveying direction and extension of the first belt 4, with which the first belt 4 leaves the belt connecting device and this is fed to the processing device.

Optionally, the further guide device 12 can be arranged behind the guide device 11, which can be designed as a plate 36 with a vertical slot 37 for the illustrated embodiment. The first band 4 extends through the slot 37, with which it is guided horizontally. It is also possible that the guide device 12 has two spaced guide rollers which are oriented transversely to the slot 37 and specify a maximum upper position and a maximum lower position of the first band 4 (and the second band 6, see below) in the slot 37.

The union device 14 has a union roller 40 and a guide roller 33. The guide rollers 33, 34 ensure that the strips 4, 6 are oriented horizontally and are guided one above the other at a small vertical distance from one another. The guide roller 33 and the union roller 40 can be moved by an here pneumatic actuator 41 electronically controlled by the control unit 59 via a valve 88 so that the path 5 of the second belt 6 can be combined with the conveying path 3 of the first belt 4 and a contact force can be brought about between the first band 4 and the second band 6. For the illustrated embodiment, the guide roller 33 and the union roller 40 are mounted on a pivot lever 42. The pivot lever 42 is in turn mounted pivotably on the support structure 2. The pneumatic actuator 41 engages the pivot lever 42 away from its pivot axis via a coupling rod or geared connection, so that the pivoting of the pivot lever 42 can be brought about when the pneumatic actuator 41 is actuated. The pivot lever 42 is preferably in an initial position without pneumatic actuation of the pneumatic actuator 41, which is also referred to below as the inactive operating position and in which the path 5 of the second belt 6 is arranged at a distance from the conveying path 3 of the first belt 4. With pneumatic actuation of the pneumatic actuator 41, the uniting position of the pivot lever 42 and the uniting roller 40 is assumed, which is also referred to as the active operating position and in which the belts 4, 6 come to rest against one another and may even be pressed against one another.

Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a possible configuration of a union roller 40. The union roller 40 has a basically cylindrical tape guide surface 43 which is delimited at the axial ends by a step with a cross-sectional enlargement, which friction rings 44, 45 form. It is possible that the tape guide surface 43 with a coating, roughening and. Ä. Is provided in order to influence the contact conditions between the combining roller 40 and the belts 4, 6. It is possible that the union roller 40, parts of the union roller 40 or only the friction rings 44, 45 are elastic.

Fig. 4 shows a possible embodiment of a holding device 15 in a three-dimensional view. The holding device 15 has a clamping device 46 with which the front free end of the second band 6 can be clamped. For the illustrated embodiment, the clamping device 46 has two clamping jaws 47, 48, which are urged into their clamping or closed position by a clamping spring 49, in which the clamping surfaces 50, 51 arranged in the end region of the clamping jaws 47, 48 the front free end of the second band Pinch 6.

The clamping device 46 can be attached to or fastened to a slide 53 via a releasable connection 52. The releasable connection 52 can, for example, be designed as any plug-in, latching or locking connection. For the exemplary embodiment shown, the releasable connection has pins 54, 55 which can be inserted into the slide 53 in the horizontal direction. The carriage 53 is guided displaceably via a linear guide 56 with a translational degree of freedom. The translational degree of freedom is preferably oriented exactly or approximately in the direction of or parallel to the conveying path 3 or the path 5.

The slide 53 can be moved with the clamping device 46 held thereon by means of a pneumatic actuator 57 shown here. With this movement of the carriage 53, a movement-controlled lever part of the clamping jaw 47, which is not the lever part with the clamping surface 51, comes into contact with an actuating surface 58 in a movement-controlled manner is inclined with respect to the translational direction of movement, this leads to a pivoting of the clamping jaw 47, with which the clamping surfaces 50, 51 move apart and the clamping jaws 47, 48 are opened against the action of the clamping spring 49, whereby the end of the second band 6 is released can. For the illustrated embodiment, the slide 53 with the clamping device 46 is moved along the linear guide 56 with accompanying movement control via the stationary actuating surface 58. However, it is also entirely possible that the clamping device 46 is not moved to bring about the opening movement and is stationary on the linear guide 56 is held or there is no linear guide at all, while in this case the pneumatic actuator 57 moves the actuating surface 58. Here, too, the pneumatic actuator 57 is activated by an electronic control unit 59 via a suitable electronically controlled valve 89. The advantage of the linear movement shown is that the clamping jaw 51 is moved horizontally away from the second belt 6. The second band 6 can therefore not remain on the clamping jaw 51, but this reliably falls down.

Fig. 5 shows the coordinated activation of the wetting device 8, the clamping and cutting device 22, the combining device 14 and the holding device 15 by a control unit 59. In this case, the control unit 59 preferably controls electronic valves 86, 87, 88, 89 that control the pneumatic actuators 27, 41 , 57 or the wetting device 8 are assigned to. However, different actuators can also be used, in which, for example, an electrical control signal is directly converted into a force and a movement (for example an electrical stepper motor or electrical drive).

In the Figures 6 to 9 the process for connecting the straps 4, 6 that can be carried out with the strap connecting device 1 is shown in different process stages, this process also using the process sequence according to FIG Fig. 10 is explained:
In a method step 60, for which the strap connecting device 1 in Fig. 6 is shown, the first belt 4 is transported along the conveying path 3 with a conveying movement 61 through the belt connecting device 1 and fed to the downstream processing device.

In a method step 62, the second band 6 is introduced into the band connecting device 1. The method step 62 can be carried out before the start of the conveyor operation for the first belt 4, so that on the one hand the first tape 4 is inserted into the tape connecting device 1 and on the other hand the second tape 6 is inserted into the belt connecting device 1 and already before the conveyor operation for the first band 4 is taken care of for a later change from the conveyance of the first band 4 to the second band 6. However, it is also possible for the second band 6 to be inserted when the first band 4 has been conveyed for a predetermined time a predetermined and possibly measured length of the first belt 4 has been conveyed or an end section 78 of the first belt 4 is approached or reached.

In method step 62, in method step 63, the clamping device 46 is first removed from the holding device 15 and a free end of the starting section 64 of the second band 6 is clamped between the clamping surfaces 50, 51. This can take place, for example, in the area of a reel on which the second tape 6 is wound. The clamping device 46 is opened manually, the end inserted between the clamping surfaces 50, 51 and the clamping device 46 arrives with the elimination of the manual operating forces as a result of the Effect of the clamping spring 49 in the clamping position. Subsequently, the starting section 64 of the second band 6 is introduced into the band connecting device 1. For this purpose, the starting section 64 is introduced into the guide device 7 in a method step 65. In a method step 66, the clamping device 13 is opened by manual actuation of the operating lever 31 and the starting section 64 is placed between the clamping plate 24 and the clamping jaw 25. If the manual actuation force is removed from the operating lever 31, the spring 26 closes the clamping jaw 25, whereby the starting section 64 is clamped by the clamping device 13. In this case, the cutting device 9 is not actuated to an extent which leads to the severing of the first strip 4. In method step 67, the initial section 64 is placed on the guide roller 33, the wrap angle of the guide roller 33 being only a few degrees (in particular 1 ° to 10 ° or 2 ° to 6 °), and guided along the union roller 40. In method step 68, the initial section 64 is guided through the guide device 12. Finally, in a method step 69, the clamping device 46 is fastened or attached to the slide 53 of the holding device 15. In the inserted state in this way, the conveying path 3 is at a distance from the path 5, so that there is an intermediate space between the two belts 4, 6 everywhere. The combining device 14 is in the inactive operating position, so that there is still a small gap between the belts 4, 6 in a working area 70 of the combining device 14. During the entire process steps mentioned, the uninterrupted conveyance of the strip 4 continues with the conveying movement 61, while the second strip 6 is not conveyed. Here, a rotation of the guide roller 34 and / or the deflection roller 35 is caused by the friction between the first belt 4 and the latter. It is also possible, however, for the deflection roller 35, for example, to be driven by a drive, not shown here.

In process step 71, the actual production of the adhesive connection of the two bands 4, 6 (cf. Fig. 8 ):
To this end, in a method step 71 (in particular by the control unit 59 via the valve 86), the wetting device 8 is activated in such a way that it applies the liquid 73, whereby a wetting 20 is generated on the first belt 4 on the side facing the second belt 6 .

When the section of the first belt 4 equipped with the moistening 20 reaches the working area 70 of the combining device 14, the combining device 14 is actuated in a method step 74 (in particular by the control unit 59 via the valve 88), with the result that the pivot lever 42 is pivoted in the pivoting direction 75. This has the consequence that the union roller 40 with the friction rings 44, 45 comes to rest against the outer surface of the deflection roller 35. As a result of the frictional contact formed in this way, the union roller 40 is set in rotation. The height of the friction rings 44, 45 and the elasticity are designed so that the second band 6 is placed on the first band 4 equipped with the wetting 20 between the jacket surface of the tape guide surface 43 and the jacket surface of the deflection roller 35 and is pressed against it. The prerequisite for the movement of the second band 6 in the longitudinal direction is the release by the holding device 46 and the clamping device 13. As a result of the adhesion ensured by the wetting 20, the second band 6 is carried along by the first band 4, which can take place immediately or a gradual acceleration of the second belt 6 takes place with a decreasing slip. Initially, only a tensile force is exerted by the first band 4. When the second band 6 is set in motion, the guide roller 33 is also rotated as a result of the pressure or wrapping.

Shortly before, at the same time or shortly after this combination, the actuator 57 is actuated in a process step (in particular via the control unit 59 and the valve 89) in such a way that the clamping device 46 is transferred into the non-clamping position, with the result that the free end of the second band 6 is released and can fall down on the first tape 4 due to its own weight. In order to avoid that the second band 6 comes to lie horizontally next to the first band 4, the second band 6 can be guided horizontally by the guide device 12.

Before, with or shortly after the merging, the clamping device 13 is also transferred to the release position (in particular via the activation of the valve 87 by the control unit 59), for which purpose the actuator 27 performs the first partial stroke. Even in the released position of the clamping device 13, it continues to hold the second band 6 above at a distance from the first band 4, so that the bands 4, 6 are only combined in the working area 70 of the combining device 14. After this connection has been established, the processing device downstream of the tape connecting device 1 becomes a connecting section for as short a period of time as possible and for a short length of the section of the ribbon strand of the tape strand, in which the starting section 64 of the second tape 6 rests on the end portion 78 of the first tape 4 and these are adhesively connected to one another via the wetting 20 until the free end of the end portion 78 of the first tape 4 is reached. However, it is advantageous if the connecting section in which the strips 4, 6 overlap is kept as short as possible.

In an optional method step 80, a remaining end 81 of the first strip 4 that is no longer required can be cut off via the cutting device 9 downstream of the connecting section, the length of which is dimensioned such that a sufficient adhesive effect is achieved. In this case, the actuator 27 of the clamping and cutting device 22 is activated via the control unit 59 to also execute the second partial stroke, with the end of which the cutting knife 28 cuts through the first strip 4.

Finally, in a method step 82, the second belt 6 is released by the clamping device 13 in such a way that it corresponds to the position of the first belt 4 in the normal conveying operation Fig. 6 can occupy, with which the second belt 6 is moved along the conveying path 3 and the second belt 6, viewed on a possible subsequent joining process with a further belt, becomes the first belt 4. At the same time or in the same time as this, the control unit 59 controls the combining device 14 back into the inactive operating position in which there is no frictional contact between the combining roller 40 and the deflecting roller 35.

It is possible for a first band 4 to be connected to a second band 6 only once. It is also possible, however, for this process to be carried out each time an end of a tape is reached, so that a tape strand 79 is produced, the length of which corresponds to a multiple of the length of a tape 4, 6.

With the method according to the invention, the tapes 4, 6 can in particular be connected without the use of non-process aids, for example an adhesive strip, an adhesive or a sewing thread. Rather, water, for example, can be used for the liquid 73, which is used in the processing process anyway or which is volatile without residue. Furthermore, the method according to the invention should make it possible, under coordination by the control unit 59 or several networked with one another or communicating control units to connect pairs of ribbons to each other in parallel at the same time.

It is possible that the wetting device 8 has an atomizer for the liquid 73, which can be formed with the nozzle 21 or in some other way.

The wetting 20 of the first band 4 can be designed in such a way and the pressing of the bands 4, 6 in the area of the joining device 14 can take place such that nothing other than the liquid and in particular no air is arranged between the bands 4, 6.

It is possible that the union roller 40 and / or the deflection roller 35 are elastic.

In addition to the explained operating positions of the combining device 14, the combining device 14 can be moved (via the control unit 59 or, under certain circumstances, also manually) into an extended open position in which the insertion of the second tape is simplified.

It is possible that the deflection roller 35 is made of a material with high density or with rotating additional masses and thus has a greater mass inertia than the union roller 40 (for example at least 1.5 times larger, at least 2 times larger, at least 3 times larger or at least 5 Times larger), so that with the great inertia of the deflection roller 35, the acceleration of the union roller 40 can be brought about. It is also possible for any of the rollers 33, 34, 35, 40 to be driven via an additional drive in order to support the conveying movement.

Optionally, in a method step 84, for example a color identification by applying a color to the connecting section 83, so that after the connecting section 83 has been fed to the processing process, the products that are produced with the processing process and in which the connecting section 83 is located can later be sorted out, can be simplified.

In the event that the actuator 22 is of pneumatic design, the two partial strokes can be distinguished by different pressure levels when the pneumatic actuator 27 is actuated, so that a corresponding pressure regulating device can be used.

With the acceleration of the second belt 6, it takes up a conveying movement 85, which approaches the speed of the conveying movement 61 as the slip decreases.

The narrow cylindrical outer surfaces of the friction rings 44, 45 form driver surfaces that can be taken along by the outer surface of the deflection roller 35.

The radial dimensions of the friction rings 44, 45 form a gap between the outer surface of the deflecting roller 35 and the outer surface of the tape guide surface 43, which reduces the holding force of the second tape 6 on the union roller 40. A normal force acting on the belts 4, 6 between the deflection roller 35 and the union roller 40 can be structurally predetermined by the elasticity of the union roller 40, the friction rings 44, 45 and / or the deflection roller 35 as well as the radial dimensions of the friction rings 44, 45 will.

In the description and the claims, reference is also made to a parallel operation of several tape connecting devices 1a, 1b, ... for the simultaneous provision of several tape strands 79a, 79b, ... for a common processing process or several parallel processing processes. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same components of the different parallel devices, the corresponding devices operated in parallel then being distinguished from one another by a supplementary letter a, b, ....

The width of the bands 4, 6 is preferably in the range from 0.5 mm to 20 mm or in the range from 1 mm to 12 mm, the thickness of the bands 4, 6 being in the range from 5 μm to 80 μm or for both of the specified ranges can range from 10 µm to 60 µm.

As an alternative to the embodiment described above, it is possible that the same (then multifunctional) valve is used for controlling the pneumatic actuator 27 for the clamping device 13 and for controlling the pneumatic actuator 41 for controlling the combining device 14. In this case, the pneumatic design is such that the same pneumatic pressure controlled by the multifunctional valve is sufficient to switch the combining device 14 from the inactive operating position to the active operating position and, at the same time, the clamping device 13 to the non-clamping operating position to be transferred without opening the clamping device 13 into the more open operating position and thus also actuating the cutting device 9. In this case, the cutting of the excess end region of the first tape 4 can be brought about by manual actuation of the operating lever 31 after the adhesive connection has been established.

The second tape 6 is added by hand during the running process if the first tape 4 is not yet over. The manufacturing process of the paper is not interrupted. The areas in which the bands 4, 6 are doubled are marked and later sorted out.

REFERENCE LIST

1

Ribbon splicer

2

Support structure

3

Funding path

4th

first volume

5

path

6th

second volume

7th

Guide device

8th

Wetting device

9

Cutting device

10

Guide device

11

Guide device

12

Guide device

13th

Clamping device

14th

Association facility

15th

Holding device

16

Leadership role

17th

Leadership role

18th

carrier

19th

Support element

20th

Wetting

21st

jet

22nd

Clamping and cutting device

23

Support element

24

Clamping plate

25th

Jaw

26th

feather

27

pneumatic actuator

28

Cutting knife

29

Swivel axis

30th

geared connection, coupling rod

31

Control lever

32

Coupling rod, gear connection

33

Leadership role

34

Leadership role

35

Pulley

36

plate

37

slot

38

Leadership role

39

Leadership role

40

Unification role

41

pneumatic actuator

42

Swivel lever

43

Tape guide surface

44

Friction ring

45

Friction ring

46

Clamping device

47

Jaw

48

Jaw

49

Clamp spring

50

Clamping surface

51

Clamping surface

52

Detachable connection

53

Sledge

54

pen

55

pen

56

Linear guide

57

pneumatic actuator

58

Operating area

59

Control unit

60

Process step

61

Conveying movement

62

Process step

63

Process step

64

Initial section

65

Process step

66

Process step

67

Process step

68

Process step

69

Process step

70

Workspace

71

Process step

72

Process step

73

liquid

74

Process step

75

Swivel direction

76

Process step

77

Process step

78

End section

79

Ribbon

80

Process step

81

Remainder

82

Process step

83

Connection section

84

Process step

85

Conveying movement

86

Valve

87

Valve

88

Valve

89

Valve

Claims (17)

Method for connecting an end section (78) of a first band (4) to a starting section (64) of a second band (6) for producing a band strand (79) having at least the first band (4) and the second band (6), the is fed to a processing process, with the following process steps: a) connecting the end section (78) of the first band (4) to the starting section (64) of the second band (6) via an adhesion between the end section (78) of the first band (4) and the starting section (64) of the second Liquid (73) arranged on the tape, with which a tape strand (79) having the first tape (4) and the second tape (6) is formed, and b) uninterrupted feeding of the strip of tape (79) to the processing process. Method according to claim 1 with the following method steps: a) conveying the first belt (4) at a distance from the starting section (64) of the second belt (6), b) applying a wetting (20) from the liquid (73) to the end section (78) of the first belt (4) and / or to the starting section (64) of the second belt (6), c) Movement of the starting section (64) of the second belt (6) and / or the end section (78) of the first belt (4) over a combining device (14) in such a way that the distance between the starting section (64) of the second belt ( 6) and the end section (78) of the first belt (4) so that the beginning section (64) of the second belt (6) and the end section (78) of the first belt (4) in a connecting section (83) to rest against each other come, whereby an adhesive connection between the beginning section (64) of the second band (6) and the end section (78) of the first band (4) is produced as a result of the wetting (20) in the connecting section (83),
and d) joint movement of the first belt (4) and the second belt (6) with and / or after the production of the adhesive connection in the connecting section (83) to the processing process. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the force to accelerate the second belt (6) to produce the common movement of the first belt (4) and the second belt (6) is partly caused by a drive. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that a) the starting section (64) of the second belt (6) rests against a union roller (40), b) with the movement of the beginning section (64) of the second belt (6) and / or the end section (78) of the first belt (4) in such a way that the distance between the beginning section (64) of the second belt (6) and the first Band (4) reduced, a movement of the union roller (40) in the direction of the first band (4) is generated and c) with the movement of the uniting roller (40) in the direction of the first belt (4), the uniting roller (40) interacts with a conveyor roller or deflection roller (35), which rotates according to the movement of the first belt (4), creating a force to accelerate the initial section (64) of the second belt (6) for the common movement of the end section (78) of the first belt (4) and the initial section (64) of the second belt (6) with or after the production of the adhesive connection. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first belt (4) is guided by at least one stationary guide device, in particular a) between two slide rods or guide rollers (16, 17) and / or b) at least one alignment roller for changing the alignment of the cross section of the first strip (4) about its longitudinal axis, c) at least one deflection roller (35) for changing the conveying direction of the first belt (4) as a function of an angle of wrap and / or d) an exit guide and / or merge guide (guide device 12). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control unit (59) controls an actuation a) a holding device (15) for one end of the second belt (6) and / or b) a clip filing (13) for the second band (6) and / or c) a wetting device (8) for wetting the first band (4) and / or the second band (6) with the liquid (73) and / or d) the combining device (14) and / or e) a cutting device (9) he follows. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the control unit controls a pneumatic actuator (27; 41; 57) via a valve (86, 87, 88, 89) which a) the holding device (15) or b) the clamping device (13) or c) the wetting device (8) or d) the association device (14) or e) the cutting device (9) actuated. Method according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the holding device (15) and / or the clamping device (13) can be actuated both via the control unit (59) and manually. Process according to one of Claims 2 to 8, characterized by the following process steps: a) holding a second tape (6) by means of a holding device (15), inserting the second tape (6) in a clamping device (13) and in a working area (70) arranged between the holding device (15) and the clamping device (13) Unification device (14), b) actuation of a wetting device (8), whereby the application of the wetting (20) from the liquid (73) to the end section (78) of the first belt (4) and / or to the beginning section (64) of the second belt (6) he follows, c) actuation of the combining device (14), whereby the movement of the starting section (64) of the second belt (6) takes place in such a way that the distance between the starting section (64) of the second belt (6) and the conveyed first belt (4) is as follows reduces the fact that the starting section (64) of the second band (6) and the end section (78) of the first band (4) come into contact with one another in the connecting section (83) and an adhesive connection between the starting section (64) of the second band ( 6) and the end section (78) of the first band (4) is produced as a result of the wetting (20) in the connecting section (83), process steps a), b) and c) are carried out in this order and during these process steps a), b) and c) an uninterrupted conveyance of the first belt (4) takes place and with or after process step c) a common movement of the first tape (4) and the second tape (6) in a tape strand (79) for the processing. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) several pairs of first and second tapes (4a, 6a; 4b, 6b; ...) are connected to each other in parallel to form a tape strand (79a, 79b, ...), which are fed in parallel to the same processing device or to different processing devices, and b) actuation of the devices (8, 9, 13, 14, 15) required for the respective establishment of the connection is controlled via at least one or the control unit (59). Tape connecting device (1), in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, with a) a first conveying path (3) for a first belt (4) and b) a second path (5) for a second belt (6), c) a wetting device (8) by means of which the first band (4) and / or the second band (6) can be wetted with a liquid (73) in a connecting section (83) d) a combining device (14) influencing the first conveying path (3) and / or the second path (5), which da) has an inactive operating position in which the first conveying path (3) for the first belt (4) and the second path (5) for the second belt (6) are arranged at a distance from one another in a working area (70) of the combining device (14) are and db) has an active operating position in which the first conveying path (3) for the first belt (4) and the second path (5) for the second belt (6) are combined with one another in a working area (70) of the combining device (14) , so that an initial section (64) of the second belt (6) and an end section (78) of the first belt (4) in the connecting section (83) to one another Come abutment, whereby an adhesive connection between the initial section (64) of the second belt (6) and the end section (78) of the first belt (4) as a result of the wetting with the liquid (73) in the connecting section (83) is established. Tape connecting device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that a) a holding device (15) and / or b) a clamping device (13) and / or c) a cutting device (9) are / is present. Tape connecting device (1) according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at least one electronic control unit (59) is present which has control logic for controlling an actuation a) one or the holding device (15) for one end of the second band (6) and / or b) one or the clamp filing (13) for the second band (6) and / or c) the wetting device (8) of the first belt (4) and / or d) the combining device (14) and / or e) one or the cutting device (9) of the first strip (4). Belt connecting device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that a pneumatic actuator (27; 41; 57) is present which a) the holding device (15) or b) the clamping device (13) or c) the wetting device (8) or d) the association device (14) or e) the cutting device (9) actuated. Band connecting device (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a) the holding device (15) and / or b) the clamping device (13) can be actuated both via the control unit (59) and manually. Processing system for several strands of tape (79a, 79b, ...), each of which has pairs of first and second tapes (4a, 6a; 4b, 6b; ...), each in a connecting section (83a; 83b; ...). .) Adhesively via a liquid (73) in an end section (78a; 78b; ...) of the first band (4a; 4b; ...) and an initial section (64a; 64b; ...) of the second band (6a.) ; 6b; ...) are connected to one another, with at least one electronic control unit which has / have control logic by means of which an actuation of the devices ( 8a, 9a, 13a, 14a, 15a; 8b, 9b, 13b, 14b, 15b; ...) is controlled. Use of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a tape joining device (1) according to one of claims 11 to 15 or a processing system according to claim 16 for a) as a security tape for a security document and / or b) a PES tape or aluminized PE tape formed first band (4) and second band (6).

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