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DE-112024003157-T5 - Machine and method for the manufacture of tubular articles and tubular articles

DE112024003157T5DE 112024003157 T5DE112024003157 T5DE 112024003157T5DE-112024003157-T5

Abstract

A machine (M) for the production of tubular articles (A), particularly for the food or tobacco industries, comprising first feeding means (100) for at least one first web (N1) and second feeding means (200) for at least one second continuous web (N2). The machine (M) includes an embossing station (300) designed to impart a permanent surface deformation to at least one side of the first continuous web (N1) in accordance with a predetermined embossing pattern. Downstream of the embossing station (300), the machine (M) includes a forming station (400) designed to form the first web (N1) in accordance with a preferably non-circular predetermined three-dimensional shape. The machine (M) includes a winding station (500) in which the second web (N2) is wound tubularly around the first embossed web (N1), and a cutting station (600) to divide the continuous tubular profile (T) into tubular articles of predetermined length.

Inventors

  • Gabriele BENNI
  • Davide MONTI

Assignees

  • G.D S.P.A.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240717
Priority Date
20230801

Claims (20)

  1. Machine (M) for the production of tubular articles (A), in particular for the food or tobacco industry, comprising: - first feeding means (100) for at least one first continuous web (N1), designed to advance the at least one first continuous web (N1) along a first feed path; - second feeding means (200) for at least one second continuous web (N2), designed to advance the at least one second continuous web (N2) along a respective second feed path, the first and second feed paths converging towards an overlap area; - downstream of the overlap area, an embossing station (300), designed to impart a permanent surface deformation on at least one side of the first continuous web (N1) in accordance with a predetermined embossing pattern; - Between the embossing station (300) and the overlap area, a forming station (400) designed to form the first web (N1) in accordance with a preferably non-circular predetermined three-dimensional shape; - Downstream of the overlap area, a winding station (500) in which the second web (N2) is wound tubularly around the first embossed web (N1), thereby obtaining a continuous tubular profile (T) in which the first formed web (N1) defines a continuous three-dimensional insert (I); - A cutting station (600) located downstream of the winding station (500) to divide the continuous tubular profile (T) into tubular articles of predetermined length.
  2. machine after Claim 1 , wherein the embossing station (300) is designed to impart the permanent surface deformation on one or more longitudinal bands (F1, F2) of the first track (N1) adapted to define one or more respective curved sections of the three-dimensional insert, preferably exclusively on one or more longitudinal bands (F1, F2) of the first track (N1) adapted to define one or more respective curved sections of the three-dimensional insert (I).
  3. machine after Claim 2 , wherein the embossing station (300) is designed to impart the permanent surface deformation on the concave side of each of the longitudinal strips (F1, F2).
  4. machine after Claim 2 , wherein the embossing station (300) is designed to impart the permanent surface deformation on both sides of the first track (N1).
  5. machine after Claim 4 , wherein the embossing station (300) is designed to impart surface deformation to longitudinal strips (F1, F2) of the first web (N1) that are separated from each other, such that one or more first longitudinal strips (F1) have an embossing only on one side and one or more second longitudinal strips (F2) that are separated or at least partially separated from the first longitudinal strips (F1) have an embossing only on the other side.
  6. machine after Claim 4 , wherein the embossing station (300) is designed to impart permanent surface deformation to one or more longitudinal bands (F) of the first track (N1) such that the at least one longitudinal band (F) has an embossing on both sides, wherein in particular the embossing station (300) is designed to exert an engraving effect of the first track (N1) on both sides of the at least one longitudinal band (F).
  7. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the embossing station (300) is designed to impart the permanent surface deformation substantially over an entire surface of at least one side of the first web (N1), preferably over at least 90% of the surface.
  8. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the embossing pattern is defined by a sequence of parallel projections and/or recesses, in particular longitudinal or transverse.
  9. machine after one of the preceding Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the embossing pattern is a structured pattern defined by a sequence of protrusions and/or recesses arranged according to a two-dimensional arrangement on the surface of the first continuous web (N1).
  10. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the embossing station (300) comprises a pair of rollers (300a, 300b) which are opposite to each other in order to define a through gap between them for the first continuous web (N1), wherein at least one of the rollers (300a, 300b) is provided on the outside with an embossing surface.
  11. machine after Claim 10 , wherein the pair of rollers (300a, 300b) is a pressure roller with a smooth peripheral sleeve and an embossing roller with a peripheral sleeve coated with a comprising a knurled or structured pattern, wherein the pressure roller is designed to press the first continuous web (N1) against the embossing roller to obtain on at least one section of the first continuous web (N1) a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the outer shell of the embossing roller.
  12. machine after Claim 10 or 11 , comprising a movement mechanism that is active on at least one of the rollers (300a, 300b) to cause and/or enable a mutual movement to approach and distance between the rollers (300a, 300b) in order to vary the through gap and/or a crushing pressure of the rollers (300a, 300b).
  13. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, comprising, upstream of the forming station (400), a preforming station (700) which is designed to impart a localized deformation on the first web (N1) in order to execute at least one pre-bend longitudinal line such that in the forming station (400) the first web (N1) is bent or deformed around the at least one pre-bend longitudinal line to assume the formed design.
  14. machine after Claim 13 , wherein at least one pre-bending longitudinal line corresponds to a longitudinal bending edge of the insert (I).
  15. machine after Claim 13 or 14 , wherein the preforming station (700) comprises at least one engraving wheel (701) designed to define a respective pre-bending or pre-cutting longitudinal line, wherein the pre-bending or pre-cutting longitudinal line is continuous or interrupted.
  16. A method for manufacturing tubular articles (A), particularly for the food or tobacco industries, comprising the following steps: - Feeding at least one first continuous web (N1) along a first feed path; - Feeding at least one second continuous web (N2) along a second feed path, wherein the first and second feed paths converge towards an overlap area; - Embossing the first continuous web (N1) to impart a permanent surface deformation on at least one side of the first continuous web (N1) in accordance with a predetermined embossing pattern; - Forming the first web (N1) in accordance with a preferably non-circular predetermined three-dimensional shape; - Winding the second web (N2) around the first embossed and formed web (N1), thereby obtaining a continuous tubular profile (T) in which the first embossed web (N1) defines a continuous three-dimensional insert (I); - Cutting off the continuous tube profile (T) to divide the continuous tube profile (T) into tubular articles (A) of predetermined length.
  17. Procedure according to Claim 16 , wherein the embossing step is carried out on longitudinal strips of the first web (N1) which correspond to one or more curvature regions of the continuous three-dimensional insert (I), in particular on the concave and/or convex side of the curvature regions.
  18. Procedure according to Claim 16 or 17 , wherein the continuous three-dimensional insert (I) has at least one flat longitudinal band and wherein the embossing step is carried out such that the insert (I) has no embossing on the at least one flat longitudinal band.
  19. Tubular article (A) comprising a three-dimensional insert (I) which is wrapped in an outer tubular profile, preferably with a circular cross-section, wherein the insert (I) has at least one curved area which is provided with embossing, in particular on the concave and/or convex side of the curved area.
  20. Tubular article according to Claim 19 , wherein the insert (I) has at least one flat longitudinal band and wherein the at least one flat longitudinal band is free from embossing.

Description

Technical field The present invention relates to a machine and a method for manufacturing tubular articles, in particular tubular profiles with inserts, for use as articles for the food industry or for smoking articles. State of the art Machines for manufacturing tubular articles from two webs are known, each web being designed to define an outer shell and an inner insert of the tubular article. These machines are known, for example, from patent applications. WO 2021/171186 and WO 2021/171187 known on behalf of the applicant. The known machines include a forming station in which the web defining the inner insert is formed, and a subsequent winding station in which the web defining the outer shell is wound around the inner web. These machines also include a cutting station downstream of the winding station for dividing the continuous tube profile into tubular articles of predetermined length, which are fitted with an insert. In known machines, at the point when the web defining the inner insert is wound, it is possible that the web, due to particularly stiff materials or special geometries of the insert to be obtained, is difficult to deform. This highlights the web's tendency to return to its original planar shape (elastic recovery). As a result, the insert is not formed as desired and can hinder the subsequent formation of the outer tube profile, which tends to detach from it, necessitating complex holding systems. Objective of the invention The technical object of the present invention is therefore to provide a machine and a method for the production of tubular articles which are able to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a machine and a method for the production of tubular articles that facilitate the deformation of the web that defines the application. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a machine and a method for manufacturing tubular articles that achieve adequate shape stability of the end tube profile. The stated technical problem and objectives are essentially achieved by a machine and a method for manufacturing tubular articles comprising the technical features set out in the attached claims 1 and 13 and/or in one or more of the dependent claims. The applicant has determined that by applying a surface embossing to at least one of the two surfaces of the web that defines its application, a reduction in the web's flexural stiffness is achieved. This facilitates achieving the specified shape and reduces the web's tendency to elastically recover without altering the web's initial parameters (thickness, material, basis weight). This reduction in stiffness is achieved by combining surface engraving and transverse compaction (in the direction of thickness) during the embossing process, which causes the material to elongate in such a way as to reduce its flexural stiffness. In particular, the stated technical problem and objectives are essentially achieved by a machine for the production of tubular articles, especially for the food or tobacco industries, comprising: first feeding means for at least one first continuous web, designed to advance the at least one first continuous web along a first feed path; second feeding means for at least one second continuous web, designed to advance the at least one second continuous web along a respective second feed path that converges with the first feed path towards an overlap area; and upstream of the overlap area, an embossing station designed to impart a permanent surface deformation on at least one side of the first continuous web in accordance with a predetermined embossing pattern. The term "embossing" can refer not only to an actual embossing process but also to a crimping process in which the embossing pattern is present on both sides and comprises parallel grooves and/or protrusions. Between the embossing station and the overlap area, the machine also includes an outfeed. Forming station designed to form the first web in accordance with a preferably non-circular predetermined three-dimensional shape. Downstream of the overlap area, the machine includes a winding station in which the second web is wound around the first embossed web in a tubular shape, resulting in a continuous tubular profile in which the first formed web defines a continuous three-dimensional insert. The machine also includes a cutting station downstream of the winding station for dividing the continuous tube profile into tubular articles of predetermined length. The stated technical problem and objectives are further achieved by a method for manufacturing tubular articles for the food or tobacco industry, comprising a step for feeding at least one first continuous web along a first feed path, a step for feeding at least one second continuous web along a respective second feed path which converges with the first feed path to an overlap area, and a step for embossing the first continuous web in or