System for supporting a reel of stamping foil, an unwinder module, a stamping machine, and a method for positioning a reel

Abstract

A system for supporting a reel of stamping foil (2) that is mounted rotatably, includes: two flanges (9, 9) connected to the shaft of the reel (2, 2) that is positioned between the flanges, each flange having a rotary shaft extending outward of the reel; two end walls (7, 7) mounted spaced apart on a guide surface (3), each wall end having at least one upwardly oriented notch (10, 10) arranged to receive the shaft of each flange (9, 9); and a brake (13) which cooperates with and slows the rotation of the reel (2).

Claims

1. A system for supporting a reel of stamping foil in an unwinder module, in which the reel is mounted rotatably, the system comprising: two flanges connected to and spaced apart to receive and hold the reel between the flanges, each flange having a respective rotary shaft extending outward of the reel; an unwinder configured to unwind the reel of stamping foil; two ends mounted on guides, each end having an upwardly oriented notch located and arranged to receive the shaft of a respective one of the flanges so that the rotary shaft may rotate along with the flange, while the shaft is in the notch; and a braking device, separate from the unwinder, and configured to cooperate with and to brake rotation of the reel, wherein the braking device includes a disk brake including at least one brake caliper configured to act on the brake disk connected to one of the flanges.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a respective foot attached to each end, and each foot is mounted slidingly on the guide.

3. A system according to claim 1, further comprising each end has a respective upper edge with an upwardly oriented stop located toward one side of the upper edge and the one side is opposite a second side of the upper edge with the notch formed in the upper edge toward the second side.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein each flange comprises at least one expanding hub to which the reel is attached, thereby holding each reel to rotate.

5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a respective catch connected to and movable with respect to each flange for closing or opening the notch.

6. An unwinder module for at least one reel of stamping foil for a stamping machine, and the unwinder module is fitted with at least one support system according to claim 1.

7. A module according to claim 6, including several stages arranged sequentially on top of one another, wherein each stage includes at least one guide surface on which at least one of the support systems is mounted.

8. A machine for stamping motifs on a sheet element, fitted with a module according to claim 6.

9. A machine for stamping motifs on a sheet element including at least one support system according to claim 1.

10. A method for positioning a reel of stamping foil in an unwinder module for at least one reel of stamping foil in a stamping machine, including a support system according to claim 1, and the method comprising: placing the support system on the guide; installing the reel between the two side flanges; positioning the reel on the two ends using the rotary shaft of each flange for the positioning; rolling the reel on the two ends, to respective ones of notches formed in the ends; inserting the rotary shaft of each of the side flanges into the respective and corresponding notches in the ends; and causing the braking device to cooperate with the reel for braking the reel.

11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an inwardly extending hub on each flange to position the reel.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein each flange includes a hub extending inward toward the other flange, and the hub is configured to support each reel placed for operation of the system on the reel.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the braking device includes: the brake disk attached to the flange; and a selective device configured to selectively engage and brake rotation of the flange and thereby of the reel.

14. A system for supporting a reel of stamping foil in an unwinder module, in which the reel is mounted rotatably, the system comprising: two flanges connected to and spaced apart to receive and hold the reel between the flanges, each flange having a respective rotary shaft extending outward of the reel; an unwinder configured to unwind the reel of stamping foil; two ends mounted on guides, each end having an upwardly oriented notch located and arranged to receive the shaft of a respective one of the flanges so that the rotary shaft may rotate along with the flange, while the shaft is in the notch; and a braking device, separate from the unwinder, and configured to cooperate with and to brake rotation of the reel, wherein the braking device includes an electromagnetic brake including a gear train.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic brake includes: the gear train at one of the flanges, an axial gear connected to the at least one of the flanges, at least one of the gears of the gear train engaging the axial gear, and another of the gears in the gear train cooperating with an electromagnetic element of the brake.

16. A system for supporting a reel of stamping foil in an unwinder module, in which the reel is mounted rotatably, the system comprising: two flanges connected to and spaced apart to receive and hold the reel between the flanges, each flange having a respective rotary shaft extending outward of the reel; an unwinder configured to unwind the reel of stamping foil; two ends mounted on guides, each end having an upwardly oriented notch located and arranged to receive the shaft of a respective one of the flanges so that the rotary shaft may rotate along with the flange, while the shaft is in the notch; and a braking device, separate from the unwinder, and configured to cooperate with and to brake rotation of the reel, wherein the braking devices is located and configured to brake the flange rotation, wherein the braking device includes a brake disk attached to the flange and a device for selectively engaging and braking rotation of the flange and thereby of the reel.

17. A system for supporting a reel of stamping foil in an unwinder module, in which the reel is mounted rotatable, the system comprising: two flanges connected to and spaced apart to receive and hold the reel between the flanges, each flange having a respective rotary shaft extending outward of the reel; an unwinder configured to unwind the reel of stamping foil; two ends mounted on guides, each end having an upwardly oriented notch located and arranged to receive the shaft of a respective one of the flanges so that the rotary shaft may rotate along with the flange, while the shaft is in the notch; and a braking device, separate from the unwinder, and configured to cooperate with and to brake rotation of the reel, wherein the braking device is a magnetic braking device including a gear train and a magnetic element configured to cooperate and to act on a last gear of the gear train so as to adjust a speed of the last gear.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention and the different advantages and features of same are further explained in the following example, non-limiting description of an embodiment provided below with reference to the schematic drawings attached, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an unwinder module of at least one reel of stamping foil;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a system for supporting a reel according to a first embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the support system in FIG. 2, without a reel;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the system for supporting a reel according to a second embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the support system in FIG. 4, without a reel; and

(7) FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the support system in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reel-carrier/unwinder module 1 in which the reels 2 and 2 are installed. Each reel 2 and 2 is mounted on a cross member or guide surface 3, 3 and 3 that is attached to the side walls 4 and 4 of the module 1. Each cross member 3, 3, 3 carries at least one reel support system. The support system includes a pair of adjustable side supports 5 and 5. The reels 2 and 2 are held on each cross member 3 and 3 between the two side supports 5 and 5.

(9) The reels 2 and 2 are in this case of several different sizes, as a function of the stamping to be performed. Several reels 2 and 2 can also be arranged on each cross member 3, 3 and 3, for example two or more, to the extent that the size of each reel 2 and 2 enables such a side-by-side arrangement. The decision to use one or more reels 2 and 2 per cross member 3, 3 and 3 may be determined by the stamping to be carried out.

(10) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the system for supporting a reel in the module 1, on a cross member 3. More specifically, the support system includes two supports 5 and 5 each provided with a foot 6 and 6 that is mounted on the cross member 3. Each foot 6 and 6 is locked in a given position, for example using a screw clamping system. When loose, the supports 5 and 5 can be moved laterally on the cross member 3 to adjust to the size of the reel 2.

(11) The supports 5 and 5 also include a wall or end 7 and 7 that is mounted on the feet 6 and 6, for example by screwing or welding or any other equivalent means. Each wall 7 and 7 has an elongate upper edge 8 and 8.

(12) To carry a reel 2, a pair of flanges 9 and 9 each have a shaft 17 extending outwardly on one side (the outside) that each cooperate with a respective notch 10 and 10 formed in the respective upper edge 8 and 8 in the end wall 7 and 7. On the other side inwardly extending side (inside) of the flanges 9 and 9, a respective expanding hub 11 and 11 rigidly connects and locks each flange 9 and 9 to the shaft of the reel 2. Thus, each of a pair of flanges 9 and 9 is mounted on a respective reel 2 and 2 and is locked to the reel using the expanding hub 11 and 11.

(13) Once this assembly has been made and when the supports 5 and 5 have been attached to the cross member 3, 3 and 3, the operator can place the reel 2 and 2 with the flanges 9 and 9 on the edge 8 and 8 and roll the reel 2 and 2 towards the inside of the module 1 until the shafts 17 of the flanges 9 and 9 enter the notches 10 and 10 (as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6).

(14) The support system 5 and 5 also has a braking device. The braking device include a disk 12 attached to the shaft 17 of the flange 9, and a disk brake 13 on which a caliper 14 and pads act. The pads of the brake can for example be actuated using hydraulic pressure, or other equivalent means.

(15) A stop 15 and 15 is provided toward or at the edge 8 and 8 of the wall 7 and 7, toward or at the end of the wall on the opposite the end from the notch 10 and 10. As described above, attachment means 16 lock the support 5 and 5 on the cross member 3, 3, 3. The stop 15 and 15 prevents the reel 2 from coming back or returning and falling out of the support system 5 and 5.

(16) FIG. 4 shows a support in another embodiment of the support system 25 and 25 of the present invention. The principles set out above also apply to this embodiment, and the main difference lies in the braking devices used. Magnetic brakes 30 are used.

(17) More specifically, a support 25 notably shares the following elements with the first embodiment: a foot 6, an attachment device 16, an end wall 7, an edge 8 and a notch 10, which may be closed by a pivoting catch 29 and 29 (arrow R in FIG. 5). The cross member is not shown.

(18) The magnetic braking device 30 include notably a gear train 31, 32, 33 and 34 and a magnetic element 35 that cooperates with and acts on the last gear 34 to adjust its speed, thereby acting as a brake to slow the rotation of the reel 2 and 2. The magnetic braking device 30 includes the magnetic element 35 used to slow the gear 34, which is driven by the gear 42 on the flange 9.

(19) The flanges 9 and 9 include respective expanding hubs 11 and 11. The flange 9 on the left-hand side of the figure also has an axial gear 42 mounted on the shaft 43 of same. The axial gear 42 meshes with the first gear 31 of the braking means 30. In consideration of this meshing, it is preferable to use the catch 29 and 29 to prevent the flange 9 and therefore the reel 2 and 2 from moving during braking.

(20) Overall, both embodiments work in the same way except for the braking device. The method for positioning the reel of stamping foil 2 in an unwinder module 1 for at least one reel of stamping foil for a stamping machine includes several stages.

(21) A first stage involves placing the support system 5 and 5 or 25 and 25 on the guide surface 3.

(22) A second stage involves installing the side flanges 9 and 9 of the two sides of the reel 2.

(23) A third stage involves positioning the reel 2 on the two ends 7 and 7 using the rotary shaft of each of the side flanges 9 and 9. A reel 2 and 2 with flanges 9 and 9 is brought into the module 1 and the shafts 9 and 9 are placed on the edge 8.

(24) A fourth stage involves rolling the reel 2 on the two ends 7 and 7, and more specifically on the edge 8 and 8 of the two ends 7 and 7, as far as the notches 10 in the two ends 7 and 7. The flanges 9 and 9 are moved, for example by rotation, until the shafts of same have entered the notches 10.

(25) A fifth stage involves inserting the rotary shaft of each of the side flanges 9 and 9 into each of the notches 10 and 10. The shaft can then be locked in the notch 10 using the catch 29 and 29. This catch 29 and 29 is required in this embodiment on account of the braking device 30 used.

(26) A sixth stage involves causing the braking device 13 and 30 to cooperate with the reel 2. In the first embodiment, the disk 12 of the support system 5 and 5 is inserted into the caliper 14 of the braking device 13. In the second embodiment, the axial gear 42 of the braking device 30 of the support system 25 and 25 is meshed with the first gear 31 of the braking means 30.

(27) Other types of braking devices could be used, such as a rim brake applied to one of the flanges 9. The reels of stamping foil 2 and 2 can be positioned using the support systems according to the invention by being mounted one on top of another, as with the unwinder module, or by being placed horizontally directly into the stamping machine, or by being placed diagonally.

(28) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated. Numerous modifications can be made without thereby moving outside the scope of the claims.