Method and device for depositing a flexible material web

Abstract

A method and a device are specified for depositing a flexible material web, wherein the material web (2) is supplied by means of a supply means and deposited in a zigzag shape at a depositing location (2) by means of a laying means, wherein the material web (2) after exiting from the supply means is contacted by at least two engagement elements (5, 6), which can be moved at least in opposite laying directions (A, B), of the laying means and is guided to the depositing location (2). The engagement elements (5, 6) change their position during the contact with the material web (1) between an engagement position (E) and a release position (F), the quality of the deposited material web remaining largely unaffected, because each engagement element (5, 6) has a contact section (7, 8), which can be brought into a contact position (K) in the engagement position (E) and into an idle position (L) in the release position (F), wherein the movement direction (C, D) of the contact section (7, 8) is oriented at a downward angle to the laying direction (A, B).

Claims

1. A method for depositing a flexible material web, comprising: supplying a material web by means of a supply means and depositing the material web in a zigzag shape by means of a laying means at a depositing location, wherein the material web, after at least two engagement elements that can be moved in at least opposite laying directions have exited from the supply means, the laying means is contacted and guided to the depositing location, the position of the engagement elements changing during the contact with the material web between an engagement position and a release position, wherein each engagement element has a contact section that is brought into a contact position in the engagement position and into an idle position in the release position, the direction of motion of the contact section is oriented orthogonally to the laying direction, wherein the contact position or the idle position of the contact section is reached through the movement of the contact section itself on the engagement element.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the engagement position is provided in the region of the material web exiting from the supply means.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein, when an engagement element working in one laying direction reaches the release position, another engagement element working in the other laying direction is brought into the engagement position.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein a change in laying direction occurs when an engagement element working in one laying direction has reached the release position and the other engagement element working in the other laying direction begins contacting and entraining the material web in the engagement position.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein several engagement elements are provided and wherein, before the release position is reached in one laying direction of one engagement element, at least one other engagement element works in the other laying direction and at least one other engagement element then works in the one laying direction, whereby the material web is guided in a zigzag-shaped manner before the depositing location is reached.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the engagement elements rotate about a rotational axis and the length dimension of the engagement elements is changed to first realize fractions of the desired laying length and, during depositing, the desired laying length at the depositing location, and in order to produce as little torque as possible during the movement between release position and engagement position.

7. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the engagement elements run around on a guideway, and wherein the engagement elements are adjustable in terms of distance to the depositing location.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the guideway is a guide rail.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the depositing location, the supply means and the laying means can be moved relative to each other.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the supply means and the laying means can be moved relative to each other as a function of the stack height.

11. A device for depositing a flexible material web, comprising: a supply means for supplying the material web, and a laying means for zigzag-shaped deposition of the material web at a depositing location, wherein the laying means comprises at least two moveably supported engagement elements that can be moved at least in opposite laying directions, and wherein the engagement elements are in contact with the material web during the change in position between an engagement position and a release position, wherein each engagement element has a contact section that is brought into a contact position in the engagement position and into an idle position in the release position, the direction of motion of the contact section is oriented orthogonally to the laying direction, wherein the contact position or the idle position of the contact section is reached through the movement of the contact section itself on the engagement element.

12. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the laying means with the engagement elements is arranged at least approximately in the region of the exiting of the material web from the supply means.

13. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the laying means comprises two carriers spaced apart from each other in the laying direction and/or in the direction of motion of the contact sections, and that at least one engagement element is associated with each carrier.

14. The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein the engagement elements are movable on the carriers in order to undergo a revolving movement.

15. The device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the carrier comprises a guide rail, on which at least one carriage is displaceably arranged, and that the engagement element is arranged on the carriage.

16. The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the guide rail is continuous.

17. The device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the carriage cooperates magnetically with coils of a motor module of the carrier by means of magnets.

18. The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein the engagement elements can be moved together with the carrier in order to undergo a revolving movement.

19. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the engagement element is additionally driven separately in order to adjust the distance to the depositing location.

20. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the engagement elements are attached to variable-length support arms.

21. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the contact section of the engagement element can be brought into the contact position and into the idle position through the movement of the contact section itself, and that an electric motor is provided to produce the movement of the contact sections.

22. The device as set forth in claim 21, wherein the movement of the contact sections is translational.

23. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the contact section of the engagement element can be brought into the contact position and into the idle position through the movement of the carrier, the movement of the carrier being a swiveling movement in a swivel direction.

24. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the contact section of the engagement element contacts the underside of the material web between engagement position and release position, and that the contact section of the engagement element working in the opposite direction contacts the upper side of the material web between engagement position and release position.

25. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein a hold-down device is provided on the engagement element.

26. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein a hold-down device is provided on the engagement element.

27. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein a hold-down device with at least two separately driven arms rotating in a common direction of rotation is provided on the carrier on each of the free ends of which arms a gripper jaw is arranged.

28. The device as set forth in claim 27, wherein the gripper jaw of the arm of the hold-down device rotating away from the depositing location is open, and that the gripper jaw of the of the arm rotating toward the depositing location is closed while engaging around a loop of the material web.

29. The device as set forth in claim 28, wherein the gripper jaw, at the moment of the engagement around the loop at the height level of the lowermost reversal region of the material web, is arranged on the carrier, the gripper jaw being laterally open so that the initially also encompassed engagement element can be moved out of the loop in the release position.

30. The device as set forth in claim 27, wherein the gripper jaw has an upper part and a lower part, the lower part having a planar section and applying pressure to the loop of a material web already deposited on the depositing location, thus producing a crease.

31. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the width of the material web is between 120 mm-400 mm, and wherein the device is provided with a wide design or a second such device is arranged in a mirror-inverted manner with respect to a device that is spaced apart exclusively in the laying direction, whereby its engagement elements contact the material web in a mirror-inverted, parallel manner.

32. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the width of the material web is <120 mm.

Description

(1) Various possibilities exist for advantageously embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention. Reference is made in this regard to the claims subordinate to claim 1 on the one hand and to the following explanation of several exemplary embodiments of the invention based on the drawing on the other hand. In the context of the explanation of the cited exemplary embodiments of the invention, preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are also explained in general.

(2) FIG. 1 shows, in schematic, perspective representation, a sketch to explain the method according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows, in schematic, sketch-like, perspective representation, the subject matter from FIG. 1, supplemented with components of the inventive device according to a first exemplary embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 shows, in a purely schematic representation, detail from FIG. 2 pertaining to one of the two carriers;

(5) FIG. 4 shows, in schematic representation, detail of the subject matter of FIG. 2 pertaining to the release position of the material web before initialization of the idle position of the contact section with hold-down device;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the subject matter from FIG. 4 in the release position after the idle position has been reached, still with hold-down device;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the subject matter from FIG. 5 in the release position after the idle position has been reached, with retracted hold-down device;

(8) FIG. 7 shows, in schematic representation, detail of the subject matter of FIGS. 4 to 6 pertaining to the hold-down device and a part of the engagement element;

(9) FIG. 8 shows, in schematic, sketch-like, perspective representation, the subject matter from FIG. 1, supplemented with components of the inventive device according to a second exemplary embodiment;

(10) FIG. 9 shows, in schematic, sketch-like representation, a front view of a carriage from FIG. 8 with adjacent carrier/motor module;

(11) FIG. 10 shows, in schematic, sketch-like representation, the subject matter from FIG. 1, supplemented with components of the inventive device according to a third exemplary embodiment;

(12) FIG. 11 shows, in schematic, sketch-like, enlarged representation, a side view of a carrier from FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 shows, in perspective representation, the subject matter from FIG. 1, supplemented with components of the partially illustrated inventive device according to a fourth exemplary embodiment;

(14) FIG. 13 shows, in perspective, enlarged representation, the hold-down device from FIG. 12 as a single component from another perspective;

(15) FIG. 14 shows, in perspective, enlarged representation, the gripper jaw of the hold-down device from FIG. 12 as a single component in the region of the depositing location from another perspective; and

(16) FIG. 15 shows, in perspective representation, the inventive device according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

(17) The figures show method and device features of the invention, which relates to the zigzag-shaped deposition of a flexible material web 1 at a depositing location 2.

(18) The material web 1, which has a width of less than 120 mm here, exits from a pair of supply rollers 3, 4, which are a component of a supply means. The supply rollers 3, 4 rotate in opposite directions, which is illustrated by arrows having no further designation.

(19) At least two of several engagement elements 5, 6 of a laying means that can be moved in opposite laying directions A, B contact the material web 1 and guide it to the depositing location 2. In doing so, the engagement elements 5, 6 change their position during the contact with the material web 1 between an engagement position E and a release position F.

(20) According to the invention, each engagement element 5, 6 has a contact section 7, 8 that is brought into a contact position K in engagement position E and into an idle position L in release position Fsee FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 8. The direction of motion C, D of the contact sections 7, 8 runs orthogonal to the laying direction A, B. Together with the height H, a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is produced which is shown in FIG. 1 next to the schematic diagram.

(21) The engagement position E is located in the region of the exiting of the material web 1 from the supply rollers 3, 4, somewhat below same. In the engagement position E, contact is established between the contact sections 7, 8 of the engagement elements 5, 6 and the material web 1 as the contact section 7 or 8 is moved in the direction of motion C or D, finally reaching the contact position K and contacting the material web 1.

(22) In the first, second and third exemplary embodiments, the release position F is located at the opposing ends of the depositing location 2. The ends of the depositing location 2 are approached alternatingly and continuously by the engagement elements 5, 6 together with the material web 1 according to the laying directions A, B. Before a crease 38 of the deposited material web 1 is formed, the deflection regions of the material web 1 are referred to as loops 39. The removal of the contact section 8 from the deposited loop 39 of the material web 1 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which the contact section 8 has already reached the idle position L.

(23) The engagement elements 5, 6 are controlled such that, upon reaching the release position F through an engagement element 6 working in the laying direction A, another engagement element 5 working in the other laying direction B is brought into the engagement position E.

(24) In the present first exemplary embodiment, three engagement elements 5 and 6 are respectively provided, as shown in FIG. 2. While one of the three engagement elements 5 or 6 is located in the release position F or engagement position E and one other one is in the contact position K between the engagement and release position E, F, the third engagement element 5 or 6 is located in the idle position L.

(25) Here, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that, upon reaching the release position F in the laying direction A of the engagement element 6, three other engagement elements 5, 6 are already in the contact position K.

(26) First, an engagement element 5 working in the laying direction B had reached the engagement position E, where it reached the contact position K; this was followed by another engagement element 6 working in the laying direction A, andprecisely at the moment at which the engagement element 6 there reached the release position Fan engagement element 5 working in the laying direction B again reached the engagement position E, where it reached the contact position K.

(27) In the schematic diagram in FIG. 1, all four engagement elements 5, 6 are at different positions, the engagement elements 5, 6 having appeared first and last approaching the extreme positionsengagement position E, release position F. The two alternatingly working engagement elements 5, 6 are located at different distances from the extreme positionsengagement position E, release position Fwhereby the material web 1 is already guided in a zigzag manner before reaching the depositing location 2. In the schematic diagram shown here, the laying length AL only reaches its maximum dimension when two release positions F are successively reached at both ends of the depositing location 2. In other words: The zigzag shape implements only fractions of the laying length AL as the distance to the supply rollers 3, 4 becomes smaller.

(28) In the second exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 with two respective active engagement elements 5 or 6 and one respective engagement element 5, 6 in idle between the release and engagement positions F, E, a set of three engagement elements 5 that works in the laying direction B and a set of three engagement elements 6 that works in the laying direction A deposits two layers of the material web 1 at the depositing location 2, i.e., two half laying lengths AL per side, thus saving time.

(29) FIGS. 2 and 3 show that a set of three engagement elements 5 and a set of three engagement elements 6 each rotate in opposite directions about a rotational axis R of the carrier 9, 10. FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the three engagement elements 5 on the carrier 9 in a viewing direction corresponding to the direction of motion D. FIG. 3 shows that the length dimension of the engagement elements 5 can be changed in order to achieve the desired laying length AL of the depositing location 2 as well as fractions of the laying length AL before the depositing location 2 is reached.

(30) Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows that the engagement element 5, 6 that is located between the release position F and engagement position E is therefore in idle and pulled in toward the axis of rotation R in order to generate as little torque as possible.

(31) FIGS. 4 to 6 show that the contact position K or the idle position L of the exemplarily selected contact section 8 of the engagement element 6 is achieved by moving the contact section 8 itself on the engagement element 6. This also applies to the contact section 7.

(32) In the present first exemplary embodiment, the height of the depositing location 2 can be changed and adjusted as a function of the stack height SH with respect to the distance to other components. The carriers 9, 10 and the supply means with the supply rollers 3, 4 can be moved in the directions of motion C, D.

(33) According to the first exemplary embodiment, the laying means comprises two opposing carriers 9, 10 existing in the form of polygonal plates. Three engagement elements 5 are associated with the carrier 9 and three engagement elements 6 are associated with the carrier 10. The two carriers 9, 10 are arranged somewhat below the height level of the supply rollers 3, 4 in the region of the exiting of the material web 1 and can be rotated about the axis of rotation R in opposite directions. The rotation is enabled by a shaft (not further designated) of the respective carrier 9, 10. It should be pointed out here that the shaft is supported in a machine frame that is not shown here. As a matter of principle, the figures portray features of the invention but not all structural details.

(34) In the present exemplary embodiment, the respective three engagement elements 5, 6 rotate exclusively with the respective carrier 9, 10. However, each of the three engagement elements 5, 6 can be adjusted separately in terms of the position of the spacing between carrier 9, 10 and depositing location 2. For this purpose, each engagement element 5, 6 comprises a variable-length support arm 11, 12 which performs the change in position by means of a toothed rack 13 and a toothed ring 14 seated on the central shaft of the carrier 9, 10. Not shown here is an electric motor along with control by means of which the motor-driven positioning of the engagement element 5, 6 is performed via the support arm 11, 12.

(35) FIGS. 4 to 6 involving the moving of the contact section 8 of the engagement element 6 from the contact position K shown in FIG. 4 to the idle position L shown in FIGS. 5, 6 along the direction of motion C. Structurally speaking, the contact section 8 is present as a cylindrical component that can be displaced in a sleeve 15. The sleeve 15 is arranged on the angled end of the support arm 12. An electric motor (not shown here) is provided in order to produce the movement. The contact section 8 is moved translationally from the material web 1 into the sleeve 15 and partially through it. This explanation also extends firstly to the reaching of the contact position K in the event that the contact section 8 of the engagement element 6 is moved in the direction D and, secondly, in analogous fashionjust with a different direction of motionto the contact section 7 of the engagement elements 5 as well.

(36) The device is constructed such that the contact sections 7 of the engagement elements 5 contact the upper side 16 of the material web 1 between the engagement position E and release position F. In contrast, the contact sections 8 of the engagement elements 6 contact the underside 17 of the material web 1 between the engagement position E and release position F. The choice of the terms upper side and underside 16, 17 is determined according to which side of the first layer of the deposited material web 1 at the depositing location 2 points upward and has nothing to do with the quality of the material web 1 here. Theoretically, however, the contact sections 7, 8 could also be adjusted materially as a function of the nature of the surface of the upper sides and undersides 16, 17.

(37) The first exemplary embodiment makes a provision that, between the engagement position E and release position F, the engagement element 6 that it closest to the upper side 16 of the material web 1 contacts the underside 17 of the material web 1 and that the engagement element 5 that is closest to the underside 17 of the material web 1 contacts the upper side 16 of the material web 1. A pulling of the material web 1 occurs here. The carrier 9 with the engagement elements 5 is adjacent to the underside 17 of the material web 1. In order to reach the engagement position E and to move the contact section 7 there in the direction D, the corresponding engagement element 5 must be brought in front of the material web 1 in the laying direction A. The carrier 10 with the engagement elements 6 is adjacent to the upper side 16 of the material web 1. In order to reach the engagement position E and to move the contact section 8 there in the direction C, the corresponding engagement element 6 must be moved behind the material web 1 in the laying direction B. The carriers 9, 10 are offset with respect to one another. The carrier 9 is arranged parallel to the direction of motion D in front of the material web 1 and carrier 9 is arranged parallel to the direction of motion C behind the material web 1. The spacing of the carriers 9, 10 in the direction of motion C, D is predetermined by the width dimension of the material web 1.

(38) FIGS. 4 to 7 show that a hold-down device 18 is provided on the engagement element 6 that, in this exemplary embodiment, can brought into the operating position upon reaching the release position F at the moment of the depositing of the material web 1. FIG. 7 illustrates with particularly clarity: The hold-down device 18 has a groove 19 that slides on a nose 20 of the sleeve 15 of the engagement element 6. This is a linear guide. FIG. 7 shows the idle position in which the hold-down device 18 is located outside of the release position F. In the operating position according to FIGS. 4 to 6, the hold-down device 18 covers the upper side 16 of the material web 1. In order to reach the idle position and completely eliminate the contact to the material web 1, the contact section 8 is finally pushed through the sleeve 15 in the direction of motion C. Anti-loss and locking means (not shown here in detail) are provided in all displaceable components of the device. The hold-down device 18 is also provided in the engagement elements 5 acts accordingly on the underside 17 of the deposited material web 1.

(39) FIGS. 4 to 6 leave open whether the material web 1 is the first layer at the depositing location 2 or a previously deposited uppermost of an already deposited section of material web. In this exemplary embodiment, the hold-down device 18 is used in each of the two abovementioned cases.

(40) According to the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the laying means comprises two fixed opposing carriers 9, 10 in the form of triangular flat bodies, the corner regions of the triangular shape being rounded off in an arched manner. Three engagement elements 5, 6 that are attached to carriages 22 are associated with each carrier 9, 10. The carriages 22 are each arranged on a guide rail 21 so as to be moveable in the direction of circulation U. The direction of circulation U of the carriages 22 of the carrier 9 is opposite the direction of circulation U of the carriages 22 of the carrier 10. The guide rail 21 is a continuous guide railhere with three arched sections 23and is arranged on the outer edge of the carrier 9, 10. It can be seen that one respective engagement element 5, 6 of each carrier 9, 10 is located in the contact position K and in contact with the material web 1. The contact position K in carrier 9 is shown in broken lines. The three engagement elements 5 work in the laying direction A, and the three engagement elements 6 work in the laying direction B. One respective engagement element 5, 6 is located in the middle of the idle position L, one respective engagement element 5, 6 is located right before the time-shifted reaching of the engagement position E (see FIG. 1), and one respective engagement element 5, 6 is located in the contact position K right before the time-shifted reaching of the release position F (see FIG. 1). The engagement element 5, 6 that is closest to the supply roller 3 will then reach the next contact position.

(41) The carriages 22 cooperate magnetically with a motor module 24 integrated into the carrier 9, 10. The construction of the motor module 24 follows from FIG. 9. The motor module 24 comprises a mounting area 25 for the guide rail 21, a motor coil region 26 adjacent thereto, a contact region 27 for the power supply and the control signals, and an end region 28. Here, the end region 28 ends at the opening 29, 30 of the carrier 9, 10. The openings 29, 30 only serve the purpose of weight reduction, since the carriers 9, 10 must be supported by means of suitable retaining means (not shown here). As a matter of principle, FIGS. 8, 9 portray features of the invention but not all structural details.

(42) The carriage 22 has four rollers 31 attached to its interior that roll off of the sloping surfaces of a guide rail 21 having a double-T profile. The carriage 22 engages over the guide rail in terms of a U profile. Plate-shaped magnets 32 are arranged on the interior of the free ends of the carriage 22 that cooperate with the motor coil region 26 of the motor module 24. A signal transmitter 33 cooperates with the contact region 27 of the motor module 24. Each carriage can be controlled individually. The sleeve 15, within which the engagement element 6 can be moved back and forth with its contact region 8, is arranged on the base section of the U-shaped carriage 22 connecting the side sections. The hold-down device is omitted in the second exemplary embodiment.

(43) In addition to the moveable contact sections 7, 8 of the engagement elements 5, 6, the carriers 9, 10 can be swiveled according to the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 8 shows that the carriers 9 and 10 are spaced apart perpendicular to the laying direction A, B and engage in the material web 1 from opposing positions. FIG. 8 is a snapshot of a situation in which no release of the material web 1 is currently occurring through retraction of the contact section 7, 8. The carriers 9, 10 are standing straight, but it is also possible as necessary, in order to create a so-called butterfly effect, for them to be laterally deflected in the swivel direction S1, S2 at the lower end in the region of the release position F (see FIG. 1). The carrier 10 would be swiveled in the direction S2, and the carrier 9 would be swiveled in the direction S1.

(44) The third exemplary embodiment shows a device according to the invention with two carriers 9, 10 that do not themselves rotate and are spaced apart only in the laying direction A, B. The illustration in FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram. The engagement position E can only be reached when the engagement element 5, 6 somewhat closer in the region of the exiting location of the material web 1 from the supply rollers 3, 4. It should clarified here, however, that a plurality of engagement elements 5, 6 with contact sections 7, 8 are provided like in the other exemplary embodiments, but they engage in the material web 1 from the same side and carry it along alternatingly. All of the carriages (which are not shown here in detail) on which the engagement elements 5, 6 are arranged are driven separately and by magnetic means, and the spacing from engagement element 5 to engagement element 6 as well as of the engagement elements 5, 6 among each other can be set as desired. The laying length AL is determined by the spacing of the carriers 9, 10 in the region of the depositing location 2. It can also be seen in the third exemplary embodiment that the laying already occurs above depositing location 2. This preparatory folding immediately after the exiting of the material web 1 from the supply rollers 3, 4 leads to an increase in speed. According to the third exemplary embodiment, the two carriers 9, 10 have nearly the same construction as those according to the second exemplary embodiment, including guide rails 21, carriages 22, and so on. The movability of the contact region 7, 8 of the engagement element 6, 7 from the contact position K into the idle position L must be ensured without damaging the carrier 9, 10. For this purpose, in addition to the movement of the contact region 8, 9 of the engagement element 6, 7, a swiveling movement of the carriers 9, 10 occurs along arrows S1 and S2. To reach the release position F, the carrier 9, 10 is rotated in the lower region in the direction S2, whereas a rotation in the direction S1 occurs in the upper region.

(45) In the event that a very wide material web needed to be laid, a structurally equivalent but mirror-inverted device transverse to the laying direction A, B is associated with and opposite to the device according to the third exemplary embodiment. Precisely opposing engagement elements 5 and 6 would then engage in synchronized fashion at both longitudinal sides in the very wide material web 1 supplied between the devices.

(46) FIG. 11 shows an enlarged and simplified side view of the carrier 10 from FIG. 10, in which only one engagement element 6 is taken into account. In order to achieve the swiveling movement in the direction S1, S2, the carrier 10and, of course, also the other carrier 9 not shown hereis connected a fastening component 34. The fastening component 34, in turn, is firmly connected to a shaft 35 that is rotatably supported by means of ball bearings 37 in a mount 36. The mount 36 is firmly attached to a base frame (not shown here). The shaft 35 is rotated by means of a servomotor and force transmission means in the form of a gear drive or of a toothed belt (also not shown here). The swiveling movement in the direction S1, S2 occurs in a controlled manner. In the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8 as well, provisions (not shown there) are made there like in the third exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11 on the carriers 9, 10 that enable the swiveling movement S1, S2.

(47) A fourth exemplary embodiment, which focusses primarily on the development of the device according to the invention with respect to the hold-down device 40, 41, is shown in FIGS. 12 to 15. FIG. 15 gives an overview of the structure of the device according to the fourth exemplary embodiment, which comprises two fixed carriers 9, 10, each with seven opposing engagement elements 5, 6 pointing toward each other. The carriers 9, 10 are spaced apart from each other both in the laying direction A, B and in the direction of motion C, D as well as in the direction of width of the material web 1. A hold-down device 40, 41 is respectively arranged at the lower end of the carriers 9, 10. The carriers 9, 10 are fixed in a machine frame 42.

(48) The fixed carrier 10 of the overall device only shown partially in FIG. 12 comprises guide rails 21 on which electrically driven carriages 22 run around with the engagement elements 6 that contact the underside 17 of the material web 1. The drives for the engagement elements 6 are designated by 59. Reference symbol 43 refers to a push-pull rod by means of which the engagement element 6 is moved in the release position F out of the loop 39 of the material web 1. Unlike the first three exemplary embodiments, the release position F is not located at the end of the depositing location 2, but rather at the level of the lowermost deflection region on the carrier 10.

(49) FIG. 13 shows the innovative hold-down device 40 as a separate component. The hold-down device 40 has two rotating arms 44, 45 on each of whose free ends a gripper jaw 46, 47 is arranged. The gripper jaw 46, 47 has an upper part 48 and a lower part 49 which correspond in the manner of pliers. To open and close the gripper jaw 46, 47, the upper part 48 is swiveled about a swivel axis S3 of a hinge component 50. The hinge component 50 comprises pneumatic and electronic means (not designated/shown in further detail here) which enables the mechanical opening and closing of the gripper jaw 46, 47 as well as pressure adjustment. The lower part 49 of the gripper jaw 46, 47 is immovably attached to a fastening plate 51 of the hinge component 50. The hinge component 50 is respectively fixed to the arm 44, 45.

(50) The arms 44, 45 are driven separately and rotate independently of one another in the direction of rotation N. The arm 45 is seated on a drive shaft 52. The arm 44 is seated on another drive shaft (not visible here) that is anchored on the drive shaft 52 but separated therefrom by bearings.

(51) The drive of the drive shaft (not shown) and of the drive shaft 47 is embodied by two different motors 53, 54 and two different force transmission means, each designated by 55. The force transmission means 55 comprises individual components that are not further designated, such as toothed wheels, toothed belts, and shafts. A bearing plate 57 and a stabilizing plate 56 are provided.

(52) The motors 53 and 54, the stabilizing plate 56 and force transmission means 55, which is associated with the motor 53, are located on the side of the bearing plate 57 facing away from the carrier 10. The motor 53 is attached to the stabilizing plate 56 and operatively connected via the force transmission means 55 arranged between der stabilizing plate 56 and the bearing plate 57 to the drive shaft 52, which drives the arm 45.

(53) The motor 54 is flanged directly against the bearing plate 57, its drive shaft (not visible here) engages through the bearing plate 57 and is operatively connected to the force transmission means 55, which is located on the side of the bearing plate 57 facing toward the carrier 10. Said force transmission means 55 is operatively connected to the other drive shaft (not shown), which is anchored on the drive shaft 52 and drives the arm 44.

(54) FIGS. 12 and 13 show different snapshots of the procedure carried out with the hold-down device 40 according to the depicted fourth exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 12, the opened gripper jaw 46 is located in the lowermost reversal region of the material web 1 with respect to the carrier 10 and is there in order to engage around the incoming loop 39 of the material web 1 with the engagement element 6. Thereafter, the gripper jaw 46 is closed, which is illustrated in FIG. 13there without the material web 1and rotates downward in the direction of rotation N. In parallel, the push-pull rod 43 pulls the engagement element 6 out of the loop 39 encompassed by the laterally open gripper jaw 46. The gripper jaw 46 assumes the function of the engagement element 6 and guides the material web 1 to the depositing location 2, which is located below the carriers 9, 10.

(55) The closed gripper jaw 46 is not completely closed; rather, a small gap exists between the upper part 48 and lower part 49 of the gripper jaw 46 in order not to impede the movability of the continuously conveyed material web 1. FIG. 13 shows that the front edge of the upper part 48 of the gripper jaw 46, 47 is bent upward so that the edge does not damage the upper side 16 of the material web 1. Moreover, FIG. 13 shows that the lower part 49 of the gripper jaw 46, 47 has a plate-like section 58.

(56) While the gripper jaw 46 in FIG. 12 is just taking up the loop 39 of the material web 1 with the engagement element 6, the gripper jaw 47 is located in a position right before the material web 1 reaches the complete laying length AL and is still closed.

(57) FIG. 14 shows the underlying upper layer of a section of the material web 1 that has already been deposited. A section of the material web 1 newly brought along by the hold-down device 40 or its gripper jaw 47 is deposited on top of that.

(58) The gripper jaw 47 remains closed until the material web 1 has reached the complete laying length AL. In the meantime, the hold-down process takes place over the plate-like section 58 of the lower part 49 of the gripper jaw 47 on the already deposited material web 1, precisely in the region of the already deposited loop, forming a crease 38.

(59) Subsequently, the gripper jaw 47 undergoes the rotational movement in the direction N and, in doing so, pulls the newly deposited material web 1 smoothly into the desired deposited position. Once the complete laying length AL has been reached, the gripper jaw 47 opensas shown in FIG. 13and rotates upwardly according to the direction of rotation N into the lowermost reversal region of the carrier 10 and is prepared for taking up the approaching material web 1 along with engagement element 6 in order to then occupy the space of the gripper jaw 46 shown in FIG. 12. While the open gripper jaw 47 rotates upward, the closed gripper jaw 46 rotates downward and holds the material web 1. The above description of a half-rotation is repeated frequently and at high speeds, so that the hold-down device 40 almost resembles a propeller. The innovative hold-down device 40 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment goes beyond the function of a conventional holding-down.

(60) All of the remarks on the carriers 10 with the hold-down device 40 of the device according to the fourth exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 also apply to the second carrier 9 and the second hold-down device 41, with work then being performed in the laying direction B.

(61) In regard to features not shown in the figures, reference is made to the general part of the description.

(62) Finally, it should be pointed out that the inventive teaching is not limited to the exemplary embodiment discussed above. Rather, the widest variety of embodiments of the contact sections, engagement elements, hold-down device and movement sequences, laying patterns and control concepts are possible. What is more, the guide rails with the carriages can be embodied such that they do not engage over the carrier but are only mounted on one side.