Device for applying at least one surface section of a transfer layer of a transfer film to a web of material and the use thereof

• US 7,900,678 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leonhard Kurz GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Leonhard KURZ Stiftung & Company KG
• Inventors: Gwosdz-Kaupmann, Michael, Mitsam, Reinwald
• Primary Examiner(s): Tucker; Philip C
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCLELLAND, KIMBERLY KEIL
• Application Number:
  US11/570,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20070181260A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,097 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 156/541
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/04 using rollers or endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 19/062 Presses of the rotary type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1705 Lamina transferred to base from adhered flexible web or sheet type carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1707 Discrete spaced laminae on adhered carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/171 Means serially presenting discrete base articles or separate portions of a single article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1712 Indefinite or running length work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1741 Progressive continuous bonding press [e.g., roll couples]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1768 Means simultaneously conveying plural articles from a single source and serially presenting them to an assembly station

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus for applying at least one surface portion of a transfer layer of a transfer film to a web of material, wherein the apparatus has at least one support roller and at least one pressure roller for pressing the web of material and the transfer firm against the at least one support roller, wherein the at least one pressure roller is pneumatically or hydraulically resiliently supported by means of at least one resilient arrangement in the form of a diaphragm spring and wherein the apparatus has at least one adjusting device for varying a spring rate of the at least one resilient arrangement and thus for varying a pressure contact force of the at least one pressure roller against the at least one support roller, and the use of such an apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying at least one surface portion of a transfer layer of a transfer film to a web of material, comprising:

at least one support roller and at least one pressure roller for pressing the web of material and the transfer film against the at least one support roller, wherein the at least one pressure roller is resiliently supported by at least one resilient arrangement and wherein the apparatus has at least one adjusting device for varying a spring rate of the at least one resilient arrangement and thus for varying a pressure contact force of the at least one pressure roller against the at least one support roller, wherein the at least one pressure roller is pneumatically or hydraulically resiliently supported and wherein the at least one resilient arrangement is formed by a diaphragm spring, wherein the diaphragm spring has a diaphragm chamber the diaphragm chamber divided by a diaphragm into a primary side and a secondary side and a piston rigidly connected to the diaphragm on the secondary side transmitting a spring force to the at least one pressure roller, wherein the diaphragm spring on the secondary side has a sealing arrangement which protects the diaphragm spring from the ingress of dust and corrosive media.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one adjusting device includes at least one control unit for adjusting a spring rate by way of at least one regulating valve and at least one supply line, and wherein at least one of the supply lines is connected to the at least one resilient arrangement for supplying same with an adjusting medium which is formed by compressed air or a hydraulic fluid.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the at least one resilient arrangement is remotely controllable by the at least one control unit.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the control unit is suitable for the processing of digital setting values.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sealing arrangement is formed from a seal and a seal cover, wherein at its side remote from the diaphragm the piston is guided through the seal.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one pressure roller is arranged on at least one carriage which is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one support roller.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the at least one carriage is movable at least by the length of the at least one support roller in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one support roller.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one pressure roller shaft of the respective pressure roller is mounted in a bearing arrangement which is of a U-shaped cross-section viewed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the pressure roller shaft.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the bearing arrangement is connected to a base plate by way of a bearing arrangement shaft, and wherein the bearing arrangement shaft is arranged in parallel relationship with the pressure roller shaft.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the bearing arrangement has a travel pickup which bears loosely against the piston in such a way that the pressure roller shaft is movable on a circular path about the bearing arrangement shaft upon a change in the position of the piston.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the bearing arrangement is hingedly connected to the piston in such a way that the pressure roller shaft is movable on a circular path about the bearing arrangement shaft upon a change in the position of the piston.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein a spacer is arranged at least one of at the bearing arrangement and at the base plate, which prevents direct contact between the bearing arrangement and the base plate.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least two pressure rollers are arranged in mutually parallel relationship along the longitudinal axis of the at least one support roller.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein the resilient arrangements of the at least two parallel pressure rollers are each connected to a respective separate supply line for the adjusting medium.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein the resilient arrangements of the at least two parallel pressure rollers are connected to a common supply line for the adjusting medium.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein the at least two parallel pressure rollers are arranged on a first carriage.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least two pressure rollers are arranged in a row along a support roller diameter.

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein the resilient arrangements of the at least two pressure rollers arranged in a row are each connected to a respective separate supply line for the adjusting medium.

19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein two pressure rollers are arranged on the base plate in a row along a support roller diameter as a pair of support rollers.

20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the at least one resilient arrangement of the two pressure rollers arranged in a row is integrated into the base plate.

21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein a common resilient arrangement is provided for the two pressure rollers.

22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein a respective separate resilient arrangement is provided for each of the two pressure rollers.

23. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one support roller is heated.