Unit for applying tabs to a chassis web

A unit for forming and spacing first and second tabs obtained, respectively, from a first web and a second web, comprising:

• a forming and spacing drum configured to move the first web and the second web arranged in juxtaposition along a lateral surface of the forming and spacing drum during a rotation about an axis of rotation, the forming and spacing drum including a plurality of carriers distributed along the lateral surface and each comprising an active portion including a suction mechanism for holding the webs, and a passive portion, without the suction mechanism, placed side by side along a placement direction parallel to the axis of rotation;
• a feeding system for the first web and the second web mounted upstream of the forming and spacing drum for feeding the first web and the second web to the forming and spacing drum, the feeding system including a feed roller for feeding the first web and the second web;
• a cutting system including at least one blade adapted for arrangement in an operating configuration with the forming and spacing drum to cut the first and second tabs alternately and in sequence from the first web and the second web, respectively;
• wherein the positions of the active and passive portions of two consecutive carriers of the plurality of carriers are inverted with each other along the placement direction in such a way as to alternate an active portion and a passive portion along a stretch of the lateral surface on which the first web or the second web is moving during the rotation of the forming and spacing drum about the axis of rotation;
• wherein the forming and spacing drum includes a plurality of opposing blades, each interposed between the two consecutive carriers of the plurality of carriers, and wherein the cutting system is adapted to move into the operating configuration in contact with the plurality of opposing blades in order to cut the first and second tabs alternately and in sequence from the first web and the second web, respectively.

A unit for forming and spacing first and second tabs obtained, respectively, from a first web and a second web, comprising:

• a forming and spacing drum configured to move the first web and the second web arranged in juxtaposition along a lateral surface of the forming and spacing drum during a rotation about an axis of rotation, the forming and spacing drum including a plurality of carriers distributed along the lateral surface and each comprising an active portion including a suction mechanism for holding the webs, and a passive portion, without the suction mechanism, placed side by side along a placement direction parallel to the axis of rotation;
• a feeding system for the first web and the second web mounted upstream of the forming and spacing drum for feeding the first web and the second web to the forming and spacing drum, the feeding system including a feed roller for feeding the first web and the second web;
• a cutting system including a laser adapted for arrangement in an operating configuration with the forming and spacing drum to cut the first and second tabs alternately and in sequence from the first web and the second web, respectively;
• wherein the positions of the active and passive portions of two consecutive carriers of the plurality of carriers are inverted with each other along the placement direction in such a way as to alternate an active portion and a passive portion along a stretch of the lateral surface on which the first web or the second web is moving during the rotation of the forming and spacing drum about the axis of rotation;
• wherein the forming and spacing drum includes a plurality of seats, each interposed between the two consecutive carriers of the plurality of carriers, and wherein the cutting system comprises the laser for producing, in the operating configuration, a laser beam at the seats in order to cut the first and second tabs alternately and in sequence from the first web and the second web, respectively.