Device and Method for Generating a Negative Pressure in a Film Machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (10) for the generation of a negative pressure for stabilizing a melt strip (200) in the area of a transport device (120) of a film machine (100) particularly with a production process of a plastic film (230) comprising: at least one main chamber (20) for generating a first negative pressure in a first influence area (310) at least one auxiliary chamber (30) for generating a second negative pressure in a second influence area (320), wherein

the first influence area (310) is assignable to at least one main area (210) of the melt strip (200) and the second influence area (320) is assignable to at least one edge area (220) of the melt strip (200) adjacent to the main area (210), and wherein the first negative pressure differs from the second negative pressure in order to effect a stabilization of the melt strip (200).

Claims

1-30. (canceled)

31. A device for the generation of a negative pressure for stabilizing a melt strip in the area of a transport device of a film machine comprising: at least one main chamber for generating a first negative pressure in a first influence area at least one auxiliary chamber for generating a second negative pressure in a second influence area, wherein the first influence area is assignable to at least one main area of the melt strip and the second influence area is assignable to at least one edge area of the melt strip adjacent to the main area, and wherein the first negative pressure differs from the second negative pressure in order to effect a stabilization of the melt strip.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein the main chamber is separated fluidically from the auxiliary chamber.

33. The device according to claim 31, wherein at least the main chamber or the auxiliary chamber are configured and arrangeable to the transport device of the film machine such that the melt strip is suckable to the transport device of the film machine.

34. The device according to claim 31, wherein the auxiliary chamber is configured and arrangeable to the transport device of the film machine such that the stabilization of the edge area is performable.

35. The device according to claim 31, wherein the device comprises a width extension in width direction which is, wherein the main chamber and the at least one auxiliary chamber are adjacently arranged in width direction.

36. The device according to claim 31, wherein an adjusting mechanism is provided wherein the main chamber and the auxiliary chamber are variably adjustable in their size in width direction.

37. The device according to claim 31, wherein at least a sealing element or a wall are configured adjustably for the separation of the main chamber from the auxiliary chamber.

38. The device according to claim 31, wherein at least two auxiliary chambers are provided which are wherein between the auxiliary chambers the main chamber is arranged.

39. The device according to claim 31, wherein the extensions of the at least one auxiliary chamber in width direction are configured in such a way that the second influence area of the auxiliary chamber amounts to between 2% to 10% of the whole influence area of the device or of the first influence area of the main chamber.

40. The device according to claim 37, wherein at least one sealing element is configured continuously or stepwise adjustable in width direction in order to variably separate the respective influence areas between the main chamber and the auxiliary chamber.

41. The device according to claim 37, wherein the sealing element comprises a defined distance to the transport device.

42. The device according to claim 37, wherein the sealing element is configured adjustably such that a distance is variable between the sealing element and the transport device.

43. The device according to claim 37, wherein the sealing element comprises a curved form at the side facing the melt strip adjustable to the transport device.

44. The device according to claim 37, wherein the sealing element is configured at least flexible or elastically deformable in order to adjust to the transport device.

45. The device according to claim 37, wherein the sealing element contacts to the transport device.

46. The device according to claim 31, wherein at least one flow device is provided for the negative pressure generation at least in the first influence area or in the second influence are.

47. The device according to claim 31, wherein at least one first air-conveying duct element for the flow connection with a first flow device is arranged at a main chamber passage and at least a second air-conveying duct element for the flow connection with a second flow device is arranged at an auxiliary chamber passage spaced apart from the main chamber passage.

48. The device according to claim 46, wherein at least one pressure setting means is provided for the alteration of negative pressure for at least the main area or the edge area, wherein preferably only one flow device is provided for the generation of negative pressure in the first influence area and in the second influence area.

49. The device according to claim 31, wherein at least one sensor device is provided at least within the main chamber or auxiliary chamber in order to detect the pressure for the main area or edge area.

50. The device according to claim 31, wherein a further second main chamber is provided.

51. A device according to claim 50, wherein the second main chamber is arrangeable in relation to the main chamber more spaced apart to the melt strip in order to remove air at the transport device.

52. The device according to claim 46, wherein at least one flow device for the controlled variation of the first and/or second negative pressure is electrically or wirelessly connected to a control device.

53. A method for the production of a film, wherein the film material is guided out of an outlet device in form of a melt strip through a transport device, and by at least one main chamber a first negative pressure is generated in a first influence area and by at least one auxiliary chamber a second negative pressure is generated in a second influence area, wherein the first influence area is assigned to at least one main area of the melt strip and the second influence area to at least one edge area of the melt strip adjacent to the main area and wherein the first negative pressure differs from the second negative pressure, whereby a stabilization of the melt strip is effected.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein a dimension of the auxiliary chamber in width direction is continuously or stepwise adjustably adapted to the outlet device of the film machine.

55. The method according to claim 53, wherein a dimension of the auxiliary chamber at least in width direction or the intensity of the second negative pressure are automatically adjusted to process parameters.

56. The method according to claim 53, wherein at least the second negative pressure or the first negative pressure are independently from one another adjusted to process parameters.

57. The method according to claim 53, wherein the film generated by the method comprises a thickness of maximum 15 m, preferably maximum 12 m.

58. The method according to claim 53, wherein at least the first negative pressure or the second negative pressure are at least automatically or controllably varied, preferably independently from one another.

59. The method according to claim 53, wherein a device is operated according to claim 31.

60. A film machine for the production of a plastic film, wherein the film machine comprises a transport device for transport of film material and an outlet device, wherein the film material is guidable out of the outlet device in form of a melt strip through the transport device wherein at least one main chamber is provided for the generation of a first negative pressure in a first influence area and at least one auxiliary chamber for the generation of a second negative pressure in a second influence area wherein the first influence area is assignable to at least one main area of the melt strip and the second influence area to at least one edge area of the melt strip adjacent to the main area and wherein the first negative pressure differs from the second negative pressure in order to effect a stabilization of the melt strip.

61. The film machine according to claim 60, wherein a device is provided for the generation of a negative pressure for stabilizing a melt strip in the area of a transport device of the film machine, the device comprising: at least one main chamber for generating a first negative pressure in a first influence area at least one auxiliary chamber for generating a second negative pressure in a second influence area, wherein the first influence area is assignable to at least one main area of the melt strip and the second influence area is assignable to at least one edge area of the melt strip adjacent to the main area, and wherein the first negative pressure differs from the second negative pressure in order to effect a stabilization of the melt strip.

Description

[0041] Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the subsequent description in which embodiments of the invention are described in detail in relation to the drawings. Thereby, the features described in the claims and in the description can be essential for the invention each single by themselves or in any combination. It is shown:

[0042] FIG. 1 a schematic lateral view of a device according to the invention and a film machine according to the invention,

[0043] FIG. 2 a schematic front view of a device according to the invention,

[0044] FIG. 3 a schematic front view of a device according to the invention,

[0045] FIG. 4 a further schematic front view of a device according to the invention,

[0046] FIG. 5 a schematic lateral view of a device according to the invention,

[0047] FIG. 6 a schematic rear view of a device according to the invention,

[0048] FIG. 7 a further schematic rear view of a device according to the invention,

[0049] FIG. 8 a further schematic rear view of a device according to the invention,

[0050] FIG. 9 a schematic representation for visualizing a method according to the invention.

[0051] In the subsequent figures for the same technical features even in different embodiments the same reference signs are used.

[0052] In FIG. 1 a device 10 according to the invention is shown in schematic lateral view. The device 10 according to the invention is hereby integrated into a film machine 100 according to the invention, wherein in FIG. 1 only parts of this film machine 100 are schematically shown. The film machine 100 according to the invention, for example a cast film machine, comprises a transport device 120. The transport device 120 is for example a chill roll 120. Via an outlet device 110 which is for example located upstream of one or multiple extruder devices a flowable film material 231 is arranged in form of a melt strip 200 above the outlet gap 111 particularly a nozzle 111 on the surface of the transport device 120. The transport device 120 can herefore be for example configured cooled in order to effect a cooling or solidifying of the film material 231 at or before the transport device 120. For the transport of the film material 231 the transport device 120 rotates about an axis of rotation R in direction of the dotted arrows shown in FIG. 1. The film material 231 is further transported into the direction of the dotted arrows after the acceptance by the transport device 120 at a receiving location 123. Moreover, at the transport device 120 further rolls 112, 113 are arranged which can be for example configured as detaching rollers and/or cleaning rollers. The film material 231 leaves the film machine 100 according to the invention as a film 230. The arrangement shown in FIG. 1, particularly the outlet device 110 and/or the device 10 according to the invention at the transport device 120, is thereby exemplary and can further vary. Thus, the outlet device 110 can be arranged offset with a device 10 according to the invention for example further in a depth direction T in the direction of the roller 113 like shown in FIG. 5.

[0053] In the area of the outlet device 110 according to FIG. 1 further the device 10 according to the invention is arranged for the generation of a negative pressure for the melt strip 200. The device 10 comprises for example a housing 11 and is releasably or detachably connected with the outlet device 110. Alternatively, it is possible that the device 10 according to the invention is configured independently as a separate component possibly spaced apart to the outlet device 110 possibly arranged at the transport device 120.

[0054] For the generation of a first and second negative pressure the device 10 according to the invention is connected with a flow device 60, wherein the flow device 60 can be configured separately from the device 10 or can be integrated into the device 10. The flow device 60 is for example configured as a frequency regulated blower 60 and is controlled and/or regulated preferably by a control device 95. Hereby, for example the rotations per minute of the flow device 60 and therewith the intensity of the generated negative pressure can be adjusted. Further, preferably a sensor device 90 is arranged at the device 10 according to the invention in order to measure the generated negative pressure by the flow device 60. The measured values can for example be at least cached in a data storage unit 96 of the control device 95. The comparison of the measured values of the generated negative pressure (actual value) with the desired value of the negative pressure intensity (target value) by the control device 95 therewith enables that a control circuit can be provided consisting of at least the control device 95 and the sensor device 90 for controlling the flow device 60.

[0055] In order to generate a first negative pressure separately from a second negative pressure a corresponding first influence area 310 has to be fluidically separated from a second influence area 320. Herefore, at least one sealing element 40 serves which is arranged in the area of the first influence area 310 and/or the second influence area 320.

[0056] In FIG. 2 a front view of a device 10 according to the invention is shown. Thereby, it can be recognized that the device 10 comprises different chambers adjacently adjoiningly in width direction B, meaning at least one main chamber 20 and at least one auxiliary chamber 30 for different influence areas 310, 320. The auxiliary chambers 30, particularly a first auxiliary chamber 30a and a second auxiliary chamber 30b, thereby generate a second negative pressure or different second negative pressures in the respective second influence area 320 respectively. The first auxiliary chamber 30a is thereby assigned to particularly a left sided second influence area 320a and the second auxiliary chamber 30b to a right sided second influence area 320b. The influence area thereby determines in which area the film 230 or the melt strip 200 the corresponding negative pressure is applied. Thus, a first negative pressure in the first influence area 310 is applied for a main area 210 of the melt strip 200 or the film 230. A second negative pressure is applied in a second influence area 320 for an edge region 220 of the melt strip 200 or the film 230. Thereby, preferably in a left-sided second influence area 320 the second negative pressure for a first edge area 220a is generated and in the right-sided second influence area 320b the second negative pressure for a second edge area 220b of the melt strip 200 or the film 230 is generated. The respective second negative pressures can thereby be identical or differ from one another. For the generation of the negative pressure the main chamber 20 comprises preferably a main chamber opening 21 directed to the transport device 120 and/or the melt strip 200 and the auxiliary chamber 30 comprises an auxiliary chamber opening 31 directed to the transport device 120 and/or melt strip 200. The main chamber opening 21 and/or the auxiliary chamber opening 31 are preferably arrangeable behind the melt strip 200, particularly underneath the corresponding outlet device 110 or the outlet gap 111 like shown in FIG. 2.

[0057] In order to separate the first and second influence area 310, 320 from one another at least one sealing element 40 is provided. The sealing element 40 is arranged spaced apart to the transport device 120 with a distance A shown in FIG. 1 in order to prevent a contact with the surface of the transport device 120. Alternatively, it is possible that the sealing element 40 is configured flexible and/or elastically such that a contact with the surface of the transport device 120 is possible without causing a damage. For the lateral separation of the second influence areas 320 or auxiliary chambers 30 to the outer environment of the device 10 according to the invention further end seals 42 are provided. In contrast to the end seals 42 all sealing elements 40 are arranged preferably between the main chamber 20 and one of the auxiliary chambers 30 or between the first influence area 310 and at least one of the second influence areas 320.

[0058] In FIGS. 3 and 4 further frontal views of a device 10 according to the invention are schematically shown. Thereby, the device 10 according to the invention can comprise one or multiple second main chambers 25 beneath a (first) main chamber 20. Thereby, the second main chamber 25 can extend underneath the first main chamber 20 (which is closer in the direction of the transport device 120). Further, the second main chamber 25 can be arranged offset from the first main chamber 20 for example in direction of the depth direction T shown by an arrow in FIG. 5 (in opposing direction to the melt strip 200 or the outlet device 110). Therewith the interaction of the first and second main chamber 20, 25 enables that the melt strip 200 can be optimally sucked and at the same time the introduced air can be reduced.

[0059] For the adjustment an alteration of the first and second influence areas 310, 320 the at least one sealing element 40 can be configured adjustable like shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by dotted arrows. Herefore, for example an adjusting mechanism 45 is provided which for example comprises a moveable bearing of the sealing elements 40 at the device 10 according to the invention. Further, the adjusting mechanism 45 can comprise an acceptance of the device 10 according to the invention particularly of a housing 11 of the device 10, which enables a removable arrangement of the at least one sealing element 40 at the device 10. Thereby, multiple of such acceptances can be provided along the width direction B of the device 10 in order to arrange the sealing element 40 in different positions in width direction B at the device 10. Therewith, the extension of the first influence area 310 and/or the second influence area 320 in width direction B can be varied. Thereby, it is possible that the sealing element 40 according to FIG. 3 extends or is connected only in the area of the (first) main chamber 20 or according to FIG. 4 likewise in the second main chamber 25. Therewith, according to FIG. 4 further second influence areas 320 or auxiliary chambers 30 can be configured for the second main chamber 25. In comparison to the second main chamber 25 according to FIG. 3 does not comprise adjacent auxiliary chambers 30 and therewith also no adjacent first influence areas 310.

[0060] In FIG. 5 a further lateral view to a device 10 according to the invention is shown, wherein a wall 50 is shown in the area of the main chamber 20 and/or the auxiliary chamber 30. The wall 50 thereby configures preferably at least a part of the housing 11. The wall 50 can thereby be particularly be arranged aligned towards the sealing element 40 in order to along with the sealing element 40 separate the first influence area 310 from the second influence area 320 particularly fluidically. Likewise, it is possible that the wall 50 and the sealing element 40 are configured adjustably and/or displaceably and/or exchangeably by the adjusting mechanism 45. Further, it is shown in FIG. 5 that the sealing element 40 comprises a curve 41 in order to be adjusted to the form of the surface of the transport device 120. The main chamber 20 or the auxiliary chamber 30 further comprise a corresponding main chamber passage 22 or auxiliary chamber passage 32 in order to connect the main chamber 20 or the auxiliary chamber 30 with the flow device 60.

[0061] In FIGS. 6 to 8 the connection of the main chamber 20 and the at least one auxiliary chamber 30 is shown with corresponding flow devices 60. Since the flow device 60, for example as a blower 60, generates the negative pressure in the main chamber 20 and/or the auxiliary chamber 30 of the device 10 according to the invention the chambers need to be connected by duct elements 70 with the flow device 60. The duct elements 70, which can for example be configured as air-guiding tubes 70, can hereby for example be arranged at a main chamber passage 22 of the main chamber 20 or an auxiliary chamber passage 32 of the auxiliary chamber 30. For the improved air conduction for example a sealing in the area of the main chamber passage 22 and/or the auxiliary chamber passage 32 is provided.

[0062] In FIG. 6 it is shown that each main chamber 20 and each auxiliary chamber 30 can be connected with different flow devices 60 respectively in order to generate different negative pressures in the respective influence area. Thus, a first flow device 61 can generate a first negative pressure for the main chamber 20, a second flow device 62 a second negative pressure for a first auxiliary chamber 30a and a third flow device 63 a further second negative pressure for a second auxiliary chamber 30b. Alternatively, it is possible that according to FIG. 7 only one second flow device 62 generates a second negative pressure for the first auxiliary chamber 30a and also for the second auxiliary chamber 30b. According to FIG. 8 a single flow device 60 can be provided for all chambers, meaning for the main chamber 20 and for the auxiliary chambers 30. In this case a different negative pressure can be generated for example by a pressure setting means 80, like for example throttles.

[0063] In FIG. 9 a method 400 according to the invention is schematically visualized. Thereby, according to a first method step 401 by at least one main chamber 20 a first negative pressure and a first influence area 310 is generated. According to a second method step 402 by at least one auxiliary chamber 30 a second negative pressure is generated in a second influence area 320.

[0064] The previous description of the embodiments describes the present invention only within the scope of examples. Single features of the embodiments, as far as technically meaningful, can naturally be freely combined with another without leaving the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE List

[0065] 10 device [0066] 11 housing [0067] 20 main chamber [0068] 21 main chamber opening [0069] 22 main chamber passage [0070] 25 second main chamber [0071] 30 auxiliary chamber [0072] 30a first auxiliary chamber [0073] 30b second auxiliary chamber [0074] 31 auxiliary chamber opening [0075] 32 auxiliary chamber passage [0076] 40 sealing element [0077] 41 curve [0078] 42 end seal [0079] 45 adjusting mechanism [0080] 50 wall [0081] 60 flow device [0082] 61 first flow device [0083] 62 second flow device [0084] 63 third flow device [0085] 70 duct element [0086] 80 pressure setting means [0087] 90 sensor device [0088] 95 control device [0089] 96 data storage unit [0090] 100 film machine [0091] 110 outlet device [0092] 111 outlet gap/nozzle [0093] 112 roller/cleaning roller [0094] 113 roller/detaching roller [0095] 120 transport device [0096] 123 receiving location [0097] 200 melt strip [0098] 210 main area [0099] 220a first edge area [0100] 220b second edge area [0101] 230 plastic film [0102] 231 film material [0103] 310 first influence area [0104] 320 second influence area [0105] 320a left-sided second influence area [0106] 320b right-sided second influence area [0107] 400 method [0108] 401 first method step [0109] 402 second method step [0110] B width direction [0111] T depth direction [0112] A distance [0113] R axis