DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to machines and devices for converting web ma- terials into logs. More in particular, the invention relates to machines for sealing the tail end of logs of web material, for example logs of tissue paper.

Background art

In the paper converting sector, in particular but not exclusively tissue paper for producing toilet rolls, kitchen towels and the like, the production of logs by winding one or more plies of web material, for example using a rewinding machine, is well known. The tail end of these logs must be sealed to prevent the web material from accidentally unwinding during subsequent processing and converting operations, for example while cutting the log into rolls of smaller axial dimensions, and during packaging thereof.

Different types of machines exist for sealing the tail end of logs of web material by applying glue. Examples of machines of this type are described in US-A- 5242525, US-B-7846286, US-A-6143111, WO-A-201000666.

US-A-20100101705 and US-A-20110265954 disclose machines for sealing the tail end of logs of web material without the use of glue, but by mechanical joining, with so-called mechanical ply-bonding systems.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a machine for sealing the tail end of logs of cellulose web material, in particular but not exclusively tissue paper or other cellulose materials.

According to some embodiments, the machine comprises: a feed path of the logs to be sealed; a pressing member, configured and arranged to apply a localized and concentrated pressure to a portion of the cylindrical surface of the log, adjacent to the tail end, to fasten the tail end to an underlying turn of web material. The localized pressure causes mutual adhesion between the last turn of cellulose web material, which forms the tail end, and the underlying turn of the same material.

According to some advantageous embodiments, the machine also comprises a liquid metering member, configured to apply a liquid to a portion of web material of the logs to be sealed. The pressing member and the metering member are configured and controlled so that the pressing member applies a pressure to a portion of cylindrical surface of the log, on which the liquid applied by the metering member is present. The liquid applied by the metering member facilitates and promotes adhesion of the two superimposed turns, creating bonds between the cellulose fibers that form these turns.

The liquid can be applied directly to the cylindrical surface of the log, close to the tail end. The pressure facilitates seepage of the liquid through the fibers of which the cellulose web material is composed and more in particular the last turn, ending with the tail end, and the underlying turn. In other embodiments, the tail end can be unwound before applying liquid to the cellulose web material. In this case, the liquid can be applied to a portion of unwound web material, i.e., close to the tail end, or the liquid can be applied to a portion of the side surface of the log, i.e. to web material wound on the log.

Along the feed path there can be arranged a rolling surface, on which the logs to be sealed are fed by rolling. According to possible embodiments described herein, the rolling surface is advantageously provided with an opening, with which there is associated the liquid metering member, which is configured to apply liquid to a portion of cylindrical surface of the logs that roll along the rolling surface and on the opening. In this case the liquid is applied to the cylindrical side wall of the log, during rolling of this latter on the rolling surface and on the opening provided in this surface. In other embodiments, for example, the tail end can be opened and the liquid can be applied thereto via the metering member, and the log can then be rolled along the rolling surface, thereby causing rewinding of the tail end.

For this purpose, in some embodiments an unwinding station configured and arranged to unwind the tail end of the logs to be sealed, and a rewinding station to rewind the tail end can be provided. The metering member can be configured and arranged to apply the liquid to a portion of the cylindrical surface of the log uncovered by unwinding of the tail end, and on which the tail end is rewound.

In some embodiments, the machine can comprise a pair of rollers spaced from each other and placed along the feed path of the logs, on opposite sides of the feed path. The rollers form a nip through which said logs pass in contact with both the rollers, and for this purpose the rollers can be arranged with the axes substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the direction of the axis of the log that travels between them.

In practice, the rollers can be positioned one over and the other under the feed path. The pressing member can be mounted on one of the two rollers and can be con- figured to project radially from a cylindrical surface of the roller. The pressing member can be movably mounted on the roller such it can be extended and retracted with respect to the cylindrical surface of the roller. In this way, the possibilities of synchronizing the position of the pressing member with respect to the angular position of the log, and more in particular with respect to the position in which the area in which the localized pressure is to be applied is located, and therefore with respect to the position of the tail end, are improved. In other embodiments, which are simpler but less advantageous from the operational point of view, the pressing member can be fixed with respect to the roller on which it is mounted. Synchronization with respect to the position in which pressure must be applied, for example as a function of the position of the tail end and/or of the area of application of the liquid, can in any case be obtained by rotating the roller when it is not in contact with the log.

In practical embodiments the pressing member is mounted on the roller placed under the feed path.

In some embodiments the pressing member extends circumferentially around the rotation axis of the roller on which it is mounted. In other embodiments the pressing member extends substantially rectilinearly, parallel to the axis of the roller on which it is mounted. In yet other embodiments the pressing member can have a movement parallel to the axis of the roller on which it is mounted.

In some embodiments, to obtain an improved localized pressure effect, the pressing member has an active surface, configured to press against the cylindrical surface of the log, which comprises a plurality of protuberances. These generate a sort of embossing pattern of the cellulose web material that forms the log to be sealed.

In some embodiments the machine can also compris a dye or ink applicator associated with the pressing member. In this way the log can be decorated or printed in the area in which it is subjected to localized pressure

According to a further aspect, a method for sesaling the tail end of a log of cellulose web material is provided, comprising the steps of:

- feeding the log along a feed path of the logs to be sealed; - applying, via a pressing member, a localized and concentrated pressure to a portion of the cylindrical surface of the log, adjacent to the tail end, to fasten the tail end to an underlying turn of web material.

The localized pressure causes mutual bonding of the cellulose fibers forming the last turn (i.e., forming the tail end) and the second last turn, underlying the tail end. To make mutual adhesion of the cellulose fibers more effective, in improved embodiments of the method described herein there is also provided the step of applying a liquid to a portion of the web material of the log, and the localized pressure is applied to the portion of web material to which the liquid has been applied. The liquid promotes the formation of bonds between cellulose fibers of the tail end and of the turn underlying the tail end.

Further advantageous embodiments and features of the method and of the machine of the present invention are described hereunder and in the appended claims, which form an integral part of the present description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be better understood by following the description and accompanying drawing, which shows a non-limiting practical embodiment of the invention. More in particular, in the drawing:

Figs. 1A-1D show a gluing sequence of a log in a machine according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows an enlargement of the area of application of the liquid and of application of the localized pressure in a first embodiment;

Fig. 3 shows an enlargement of the detail indicated with ΠΙ in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows an enlargement of the area of application of the liquid and of application of the localized pressure in a second embodiment;

Fig. 5 shows an enlargement of the detail indicated with V in Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 show axonometric views of an element of the pressing member in two embodiments;

Fig. 8 shows an enlargement of a further embodiment of the area of application of the liquid and of application of the localized pressure;

Figs. 9 and 10 show details of the movement of the pressing member in the embodiment of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 shows an axonometric view of an embodiment of an element of the pressing member in the embodiment of Fig. 8;

Figs. 12A-12C show an enlargement of the area of application of the liquid and of application of the localized pressure in a further embodiment and in an operat- ing sequence;

Fig. 13 show an improvement of the embodiment of Fig. 4;

Fig. 14 show an improvement of the embodiment of Fig. 12;

Figs. 15 and 16 show schematic axonometric views of logs obtained with the machines of Figs.13 and 14, respectively.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" means that the particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" or "in some embodiments" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment(s). Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The structure and the general operation of the machine in the various embodiments described herein are similar to those illustrated, for example, in the publication US-A-5242525, which can be referred to for greater constructional details of those aspects of the machine known per se. For a better and more consistent presentation of the invention, the structure and the main steps of the machine as a whole are in any case described, with reference to the sequence of Figs. 1A to ID.

The machine, indicated as a whole with 1, comprises a load-bearing structure 3, to which an input chute 5 and an output chute 7 are applied. Logs R are fed along the input chute 5, for example from a rewinding machine located upstream, not shown. The machine 1 comprises a feed path P of the logs R according to the arrow F. The feed path 9 extends from an unwinding station 11 through a sealing station 13 of the tail end of each log R. Along the feed path 9 controlled feed members of the logs R can be arranged. In the embodiment illustrated, in a manner known per se, the con- trolled feed members comprise an upper endless flexible member 15 and a lower endless flexible member 17. The feed path 9 extends between said two endless flexible members 15, 17.

A rotating distributor 19 is placed in the unwinding station, which allows the insertion of one log R at a time inside the feed path 9. As described, e.g. in US-A- 5242525, through nozzles 21 and optical sensors (not shown), the tail end LF of each log R fed to the machine 1 is opened in the unwinding station 11. Through the endless flexible members 17,19 each log R is fed toward the sealing station 13 where, in an appropriate area of the cylindrical surface of the log R, a liquid, for example water, is applied to cause the tail end LF to adhere to the outer cylindrical surface of the log R.

The sealing station 13 also comprises a pair of rollers 25, 27 spaced from each other and defining a nip through which the logs R pass. The two rollers 25, 27 are arranged with axes substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of the logs R fed along the feed path 9. The distance between the rollers 25 and 27 is such that each log R, which passes through the nip defined between the rollers 25 and 27, is in contact with the cylindrical surfaces of rollers. Greater details on the configuration of the sealing station 13 in various embodiments will be described below.

The gluing cycle of each log R is clearly illustrated in the sequence of Figs. 1A-1D. In Fig. 1A the log R is located in the rotating distributor 19, which rotates according to arrow f 19 and thus introduces the log into the feed path 9 between the flex- ible members 15,17, as shown in Fig. IB. In the position shown in Fig. IB the tail end LF is unwound and positioned. The movement of the endless flexible members 15, 17 according to the arrows indicated in Fig. IB causes translation of the log R toward the sealing station 13. In Fig. 1C, the log R is in the sealing station 13 where it receives, in a manner better described below, a line of liquid, for example water.

Subsequently (Fig. ID), through the movement of the upper endless flexible member 15, the log R is rolled until reaching the nip between the rollers 25 and 27. By rotating the rollers 25, 27 at controlled speed, the log R performs one or more revolutions about its axis, remaining inside the nip between the logs 25, 27. After this operation has taken place, the log R is ejected from the nip between the rollers 25, 27 and is fed toward the subsequent stations along the output chute 7.

A first embodiment of the sealing station 13 is illustrated in greater detail in Figs. 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the rolling surface 31 is arranged in the sealing sta- tion 13. The rolling surface 31 has an opening 33. During feed along the feed path 9 the log R is rolled on the surface 31 and consequently on the opening 33. This latter has a dimension in the direction of feed F such as not to impede rolling of the log R.

A tank or container 35 containing a liquid, for example simply water, is placed under the rolling surface 31 and the opening 33. A liquid metering member 37 is pro- vided with a lifting and lowering movement according to arrow f37, so as to cyclically draw a metered amount of liquid from the tank 35 and take it to the opening 33. The liquid metering member 37 can for example comprise a bar, a blade, a cable or any other member, preferably of elongated shape parallel to the axis of the log R, to apply a preferably continuous line of liquid to the log R. The movement is preferably such that the liquid metering member 37 is positioned at the opening 33 sufficiently in advance with respect to the passage of the log R. In some embodiments the metering member can comprise a linear element moving along a closed path with a continuous movement, instead of a cyclic immersion movement

These elements of the sealing station 13 are already known from the state of the art.

As sealing of the tail end LF takes place without the use of glue, but preferably simply with water, adhesion of the tail end LF to the underlying last turn of web material of the log R is facilitated by applying localized pressure to the portion of cylindrical surface of the log R to which the liquid metering member 37 applied the liquid in the step of rolling the log R on the surface 31 and on the opening 33.

For this purpose, in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 a pressing member, indicated as a whole with 41 and shown in greater detail in the enlargement of Fig. 3, is associated with the roller 27. The pressing member 41 can comprise a substantially linear element 43 provided with a preferably radial extension and retrac- tion movement with respect to an outer cylindrical surface 27S of the roller 27. The extension and retraction movement of the linear element 43 is represented by double arrow f43 and can be controlled in any suitable way, for example through an actuator housed inside the roller 27. A cylindrical wall 27P of the roller 27 has a slit 45 through which the linear element 43 can be made to project from the outer cylindrical surface 27S of the roller 27. In some embodiments, the linear element 43 of the pressing member 41 can comprise an active surface 43 A suitably shaped to increase the localized pressure generated by the linear element 43 on the outer cylindrical surface of the log R. Exemplary embodiment of the active surface 43A will be described below with specific reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

The linear element 43 and the slit 45, through which said linear element is made to project from the cylindrical surface 27S of the roller 27, can have a substantially rectilinear shape parallel to the rotation axis of the roller 27. The length of the linear element 43 and of the slit 45 can be equal to the maximum axial length of the logs R that the machine 1 can process.

The extension movement in radial direction of the pressing member 41 until the linear element 43 is made to project with respect to the cylindrical surface 27S is suitably synchronized with the rotation movement of the rollers 25 and 27 and with the position of the log R in the nip between said rollers. More in particular, the movements of the aforesaid members are coordinated so that the linear element 43 of the pressing member 41 presses against the outer cylindrical surface of the log R that is positioned in the nip between the rollers 25 and 27 in the area in which the liquid metering member 37 has applied liquid to the log R. The pressing action of the press- ing member 41 can be repeated several times maintaining the log R in rotation in the nip between the rollers 25 and 27 by making said log performing several revolutions about its axis, for this purpose maintaining the peripheral speeds of the rollers 25 and 27 the same and concordant, as represented by the arrows in Fig. 2, where the rollers 25 and 27 rotate counter-clockwise, while the log R rotates clockwise.

The log R can be ejected from the nip between the rollers 25 and 27 simply by modifying the peripheral speed of one, of the other or of both the rollers 25 and 27, to ensure that the peripheral speed of the roller 25 is greater than the peripheral speed of the roller 27, which causes the log R to be fed toward the chute 7.

In other embodiments, as represented schematically in Figs. 4 and 5, the press- ing member 41 can be stationary with respect to the roller 27. In this case, the pressing member 41 comprises a linear element 43 that is placed in such a manner as to project by a certain amount in radial direction with respect to the cylindrical surface 27S of the roller 27. Advantageously, the roller 27 can be resynchronized so that the pressing member 41 is positioned each time in the area or portion of the surface of the log to which the liquid has been applied. This resynchronization can preferably be carried out by means of a single partial rotation of the roller 27.

The outer diameter of the roller 27 is preferably greater than the maximum diameter of the log R that can be processed by the machine. In this way, by rotating the endless flexible member 15, and the roller 25, about which the flexible member 15 is guided, and the lower roller at different speeds, it is possible to accurately synchronize the line of liquid applied with the pressing member 41.

As the line of liquid, or in general the area in which the liquid is applied, is synchronized with the position of the tail end to be glued, the pressing member is synchronized with the position of the tail end. This does not necessarily mean that the pressing member acts on the tail end, but in a predetermined position with respect thereto, usually at a short distance, around 0.5-2 cm, preferably 0.5-1 cm from the tail edge.

When a liquid to facilitate adhesion of the tail end is not provided, the position of the pressing member is synchronized with the position of the tail end.

If the pressing member 41 is retractable, after the first compression it can be re-inserted inside the cylindrical surface of the roller 27, so that this latter can perform one or more turns without the pressing member 41 touching the log R. If the roller 27 has a large radius, it is possible to apply the required pressure to the log and eject the log with less than one rotation of the log and therefore the pressing member 41 can be fixed with respect to the roller 27. In other embodiments the roller 27 can be rotated only to find synchronization with the log R and the roller 27 can remain at a standstill during ejection of the log R from the nip between the rollers 25 and 27. In this case ejection could take place as a result of the movement of the endless flexible member 15.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate axonometric views of two embodiments of linear elements 43 forming part of the pressing member 41. In both embodiments the active surface 43A of the linear element 43 has a plurality of protuberances 43P. In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the protuberances 43P define a graphical element, such as writing, a pattern or the like. Vice versa, in the embodiment of Fig. 7, the protuberances 43P are simple truncated-cone shaped projections or projections with another simple geo- metrical shape. In both cases, the use of an active surface provided with protuberances ensures that the pressure exerted by the pressing member 41 on the log R is localized in small areas and is therefore relatively high even if the overall force applied is limited.

In the embodiments of Figs. 2 to 7 described above, the pressing member 41 has a linear element that can be substantially continuous and that extends parallel to the axis of the roller 27. In other embodiments the pressing member 41 can have a different structure, for example, it can comprise a plurality of wheels that can be arranged so as to project radially from the cylindrical surface 27S of the roller 27, fixed or in a manner modifiable through radial movement. The wheels can be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the roller 27. An embodiment of this type is illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. The same reference numbers indicate the same or equivalent parts to those described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. These parts will not be described again.

The pressing member 41 of Figs. 8-10 comprises a plurality of pressure wheels

51 that are supported idle on a shaft 53 (see Fig. 9). The shaft 53 extends parallel to the axis of the roller 27 and can move parallel thereto according to double arrow f53. The movement can be imparted by a piston-cylinder actuator 55 (see Fig. 9) that can be housed inside the roller 27. The rod 56 of the piston-cylinder actuator 55 is con- nected to the shaft 53 so that the extension and retraction of the piston-cylinder actuator 55 causes movement of the shaft 53 in a direction parallel to the axis of the roller 27. For this purpose the shaft 53 is suitably guided by the support of the wheels 51, as will be described below.

Fig.9 shows two different positions of the shaft 53, of the piston-cylinder actu- ator 55 and of the wheels 51. The stroke of the piston-cylinder actuator 55 is such as to cause a stroke in axial direction of the shaft 53 and of the wheels 51 of a length P preferably equal to the pitch according to which the wheels 51 are arranged.

In the embodiment of Figs. 8, 9 and 10 the linear movement in axial direction imparted to the shaft 53 by the piston-cylinder actuator 55 is associated with a move- ment in radial direction that takes the wheels 51 alternatively to a completely retracted position inside the roller 27 and to a partially extended position, in which each wheel 51 projects slightly from the outer cylindrical surface 27S of the roller 27. To obtain this radial retraction and extension movement of the wheels 51, in the embodiment of Figs. 8-10 a cam 59 is provided, typically a grooved cam, with which the wheels 51 co-act. For this purpose (see Fig. 8) each wheel 51 can be supported by two bearings 61, 63. Through the bearing 61 the wheel is constrained to the shaft 53, while the bearing 63 is engaged in the cam 59. This latter can have a radial outer surface 59A and a radial inner surface 59B. The two surfaces 59A, 59B define opposed projections and recesses 59C. The recesses 59C allow the bearings 63 to take a retracted position, in which the respective wheel 51 is completely housed inside the surface 27S of the roller 27. The purpose of the cam 59 is to guide the axial movement of the shaft 53. If the recesses 59C are absent, a system is obtained in which the wheels 51 are always in a position projecting with respect to the surface 27S of the roller 27.

The wheels 51 perform, in the manner described above, a stroke P in axial direction equal to the distance between the centers of successive wheels 51. In this way it is possible to apply a localized pressure to the cylindrical surface of the log R on a continuous longitudinal strip that extends for the whole length of the log.

The radial extension movement of the wheels 51 can advantageously be coordinated with the angular position of the rollers 25, 27, so that at the appropriate time the wheels can be in extended position in the area in which the liquid has been applied to the log R. Translation of the wheels parallel to the axis of the roller 27 takes place while the log is at a standstill and not rotating, due to stopping the rotation of the rollers 25, 27.

In the same way as the previously described embodiment, using linear elements 43, in the embodiment of Figs. 8, 9 and 10 the active surface of the wheels 51, which perform the same function as the linear elements 43, can also be machined to provide a plurality of projections, as shown in the axonometric view of Fig.11.

A different embodiment of the sealing station 13 is shown in Figs. 12A, 12B and 12C. These figures also show its operation in a sequence of consecutive steps carried out on a log R whose tail end LF is to be sealed.

In the embodiment of Figs. 12A-12C the liquid is applied by a liquid metering member comprising a cliche roller 71, which can receive liquid from an anilox roller 73. This latter collects liquid from a reservoir 75. The cliche roller 71 and the anilox roller 73 rotate according to the direction indicated by the respective arrows in Fig. 12A, while the log R rolls on the rolling surface 31. This latter, in the same way as Fig. 2, has an opening 33, from which the cliche roller 71 projects. In this way, the cliche roller 71 can apply a line of liquid in a given position on the cylindrical surface of the log R, from which the tail end LF has been partially unwound. By continuing to roll along the rolling surface 31, the log R reaches the nip between the rollers 25 and 27 as shown in Fig. 12B. Here the log R is maintained in rotation about its axis and in contact with the rollers 25 and 27 with the same method described above. As the cliche roller 71 applies the liquid to the log R to a portion of cylindrical surface of greater width than that which can be obtained with the metering member 37 of Fig. 2, the pressing member associated with roller 27 has a larger extension in a circumferential direction than the pressing member 41 of Figs. 2 and 3. In the embodiment of Fig. 12, the pressing member is indicated with 77 and extends for an arc of the cylindrical surface of the roller 27 corresponding to an angle a. The surface of the pressing member 77 can be engraved to provide thereon projections or protuberances similar to the protuberances 43P of the linear element 43.

The pressing member 77 consists in this case of a sector that projects with re- spect to the cylindrical surface 27S of the roller. Due to the larger diameter of the pressing member 77 with respect to the diameter of the roller 27, when the pressing member 77 comes into contact with the log R that is positioned in the nip between the rollers 25 and 27, the log R is compressed radially by the pressing member 77. The position of the pressing member 77 is synchronized with the position of the portion of cylindrical surface of the log R, to which the liquid was applied by the roller cliche 71, so that the pressure generated by the pressing member 77 on the cylindrical surface of the log R facilitates adhesion of the tail end LF to the underlying turn of web material wound on the log R. The circumferential extension of the pressing member 77 is proportional to the circumferential extension of the area, to which the liquid of the cliche roller 71 has been applied.

While in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12 the pressing member 77 is stationary with respect to the roller 27, it would also be possible to provide the sector forming the pressing member 77 so that it moves radially to extend and retract with respect to the cylindrical surface 27S of the roller 27.

In further developments of the invention, a dye, for example an ink, can be applied to the area of the log R to which the pressure is exerted via the pressing member 41 or 77. Figs. 13 and 14 schematically illustrate variants of embodiment of Figs. 4 and 12, respectively, in which a printing assembly 81 is associated with the roller 27. The printing assembly 81 comprises a cliche roller 83, an anilox roller 85 and a source 87 of ink or other liquid dye. In the embodiment of Fig.13 the cliche roller 83 of the printing assembly 81 applies an ink dispensed by the source 87 to the active surface of the pressing member 41 projecting from the surface 27S of the roller 27. While Fig.13 schematically indicates a pressing member 41 that is stationary with respect to the roller 27, in the same way as the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5, it would also be possible for the roller 83 of the printing assembly 81 to co-act with a radially moving pressing member 41 of the type illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

In the embodiment of Fig. 14 the cliche roller 83 of the printing assembly 81 co-acts with the cylindrical sector forming the pressing member 77, which in this case operates in the same way as a printing plate.

In both the embodiments of Figs. 13 and 14, the projections or protuberances, produced for example by etching, on the active surface of the pressing member 41 or 77 allow a colored pattern to be produced on the outer cylindrical surface of the log R.

Fig. 15 shows a roll Rl that can be obtained with the machine of Fig. 13. The roll Rl of Fig. 15 is obtained by cutting a log R produced with machine 1. The area in which the liquid has been applied and to which the pressing member has exerted a sealing pressure is illustrated with A. This area is characterized by an embossed pattern generated by the protuberances 43P of the linear element 43 or of the wheels 51. The embossed pattern can be colored through the printing assembly 81. The area A has a narrow elongated shape, as in this case it is obtained with a pressing member 41 having a linear element 43.

Fig. 16 similarly illustrates a roll Rl obtained by transverse cutting of a log R and having an embossed surface extending for an arc corresponding to an angle a, along which appropriately colored embossed patterns G are produced by means of the plate pressing member 77 co-acting with the printing assembly 81, as described with reference to Fig. 13.