Patent Publication Number: US-11020958-B2

Title: Foil reel mounting device, supporting module, stamping machine, handling tool and method for loading and unloading a reel of stamping foil

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §§ 371 national phase conversion of PCT/EP2016/025116, filed Oct. 14, 2016, which claims priority of European Patent Application No. 15020205.9, filed Oct. 28, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. The PCT International Application was published in the English language. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a foil reel mounting device configured to support a reel of stamping foil to a supporting module comprising at least one foil reel mounting device and to a stamping machine comprising a supporting module or at least one foil reel mounting device. The invention also relates to a handling tool for an external lifting means, configured to carry a foil reel mounting device. The invention further relates to a method for loading and unloading a reel of stamping foil using such at least one foil reel mounting device and to a method for loading and unloading a foil reel mounting device in a supporting module. 
     TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 
     In the field of packaging manufacture, for example packaging intended for the luxury industry, a stamping machine deposits patterns on a sheet-like support by applying pressure. The patterns may include text and/or drawings and most patterns are metallized. They are obtained by a shape stamping. The patterns are supplied from portions of a film of one or more stamping foils. 
     In the stamping machine, the sheet elements are retrieved from a stack located upstream, grasped by a carrier, and taken successively in a stamping platen-type press having a platen supporting the stamping shape. A stamping die is mounted on the fixed upper tool of the press. A counterpart shape stamping die is mounted on the movable lower tool of the press. In a hot stamping, known as hot foil stamping, the stamping die is heated. Metallized stamping foils are brought between the scrolling plane of advancement of the sheet elements and the upper tool. 
     In a vertical rising movement, the movable lower tool presses the stamping foil against each sheet element between the stamping dies to deposit portions of the film. After the film deposition, the lower tool moves down and the now stamped sheet element is released by the gripper bar onto a stack to free a place for a new following sheet element. 
     At the same time, the stamping foil is moved so that a new film surface is brought into correspondence with the stamping die. 
     Each stamping foil is configured in the form of a rotatably mounted reel which is unwound by an advance shaft or by a reeling machine which directly pulls the foil. Stamping foil reels are stored in a support module, which support the reels and feed one or more foils to the machine. In practice, the advance shaft is turns at a variable speed as the foil advances sequentially into the stamping press. This is unlike a reeling machine that, in production, draws continuously on the reel. 
     The reels are generally quite heavy and costly due to the material used for stamping which may typically be gold or other precious metallic materials. Due to the weight of a reel, which can be up to 300 kg, the reels are not easy to install. There is an additional risk of damaging the reels when mounting them into the module. This is not economically acceptable, considering the high cost of the reels. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide simple, safe and efficient means for loading and unloading such reels. 
     To this end, one subject of the invention is a foil reel mounting device configured to support a reel of stamping foil in a supporting module. The mounting device is configured to be fixed to the supporting module. That device comprises a support having a recess configured to receive an axle of a reel of stamping foil. The device further comprises a retaining element mounted on the support and arranged to move between a closed position, in which the retaining element retains the axle of the reel in the recess, and an open position in which the retaining element releases the axle of the reel from the recess. The retaining element is biased towards the closed position. 
     The retaining element retaining the axle of the reel in the recess in the closed position ensures that the reel remains well positioned in the recess, particularly despite vibrations that may occur at the foil reel mounting device during operation. In addition, the bias of the retaining element towards the closed position ensures avoiding starting operations on the reel while the retaining element is forgotten in the open position. 
     According to one or more features of the foil reel mounting device, taken alone or in combination, the retaining element has a cam surface configured to cooperate with the axle of the reel to displace the retaining element from the closed position to the open position, which releases access of the recess to the passage of the axle of the reel,
         the cam surface has a general shape of a ramp,   the retaining element is biased towards the closed position by gravity,   the access to the recess faces downwards, the retaining element has a general shape of “C” with a closing end that obstructs access to the recess when the recess is in the closed position. The rotational axis of the retaining element being disposed in an opposite end,   a bearing capable of supporting the axle of the reel is formed in a closing end of the retaining element which is configured to close the recess in the closed position,   the foil reel mounting device comprises at least one holding member operable to move between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the holding member cooperates with the retaining element to prevent the retaining element moving to the closed position, and the holding member being biased toward the unlocked position,   the retaining element may have an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, at which the retaining element partially releases access to the recess, and leaves an external portion of the closing end of the retaining element in the access path of the axle of the reel; the external portion of the closing end of the retaining element is configured to cooperate with the axle of the reel in the intermediate position to move the retaining element in the open position, disengaging the holding member,   the holding member is biased towards the closed position by gravity,   the holding member is a holding lever pivotally mounted on the retaining element and arranged to move between an unlocked position and a locked position,   the holding lever has a first arm in contact with a complementary surface of the retaining element in the locked position,   the retaining element has a clearance configured to allow an operator to manually pinch the end of the first arm against a complementary surface of the retaining element,   the holding lever has a second arm carrying a beak configured to cooperate with a catch of the support in the locked position,   the holding member is a pin sliding in an opening of the support and arranged to move between an unlocked position and a locked position, the sliding pin is configured to cooperate with a hook of an additional cam surface of the retaining element in the locked position,   the foil reel mounting device comprises at least one reel rotation braking means configured to cooperate with a complementary braking means supported by the reel,   the reel rotation braking means comprises an electromagnetic brake,   the electromagnetic brake comprises a gear train comprising a first gear secured to a flange of the reel coaxially to the axle of the reel and a last gear cooperating with an electromagnetic element.       

     Another object of the invention is a supporting module configured to support at least one reel of stamping foil, comprising at least one cross-member on which at least one foil reel mounting device is mounted. 
     Another object of the present invention is a stamping machine, comprising at least one foil reel mounting device as described or a supporting module as described. 
     Another object of the present invention is a handling tool for an external lifting means, configured for carrying a foil reel mounting device, wherein the handling tool comprises a head having a semi-cylindrical shape configured to be received in the recess of the support of a foil reel mounting device such as described, the head having also a retaining hollow configured to cooperate with an external portion of the closing end of the retaining element in an intermediate position to retain the handling tool in the support. 
     Another object of the present invention is a handling tool for an external lifting means, configured for carrying a foil reel mounting device, wherein the handling tool comprises a head configured to be received in the recess of the support of a foil reel mounting device such as described, the head having a retaining means adapted to cooperate to retain the handling tool in the support. 
     The handling tool may comprise a trunk part presenting a ramp able to cooperate with a guide wall of the support in the intermediate position to prevent relative movement between the handling tool and the support when the handling tool is engaged in the support. 
     Another object of the present invention is a method for loading and unloading a reel of stamping foil in at least one foil reel mounting device as described, wherein the pushing of an axle of a reel of stamping foil against the retaining element moves the retaining element into the open position and the introduction of the axle of the reel in the recess of the support moves the retaining element in the closed position. 
     According to one aspect of the method, to unload the reel, the retaining element is manually moved and a holding member is manually engaged to prevent the moving of the retaining element into the closed position. 
     According another aspect of the method, the withdrawal of the axle of the reel from the recess disengages the holding member. 
     Another object of this invention is a method for loading and unloading a foil reel mounting device in a supporting module with a handling tool as described, wherein the pushing of head of the handling tool against the retaining element moves the retaining element into the open position and the introduction of the head in the recess of the support releases the retaining element under the head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages and features will become apparent from reading the description of the following figures, which are given by way of no limiting example: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a stamping printing machine in which a supporting module is integrated, 
         FIG. 2  represents an end of a reel of stamping foil provided with a flange, 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of a foil reel mounting device according to a first embodiment with the retaining element in the closed position, 
         FIG. 4  shows the foil reel mounting device of  FIG. 3  with the retaining element in its intermediate position, 
         FIG. 5  shows the foil reel mounting device of  FIG. 3  with the retaining element in the open position, 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic side view of another foil reel mounting device, with the retaining element in the closed position, 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic side view of the foil reel mounting device of  FIG. 6 , mounted on a cross-member, with the retaining element in the closed position and a reel ready to be loaded, supported by a forklift, 
         FIG. 8  corresponds to a view of the next step of the loading with respect to the step shown in  FIG. 7 , of the loading of the reel in the foil reel mounting device, with the retaining element in the open position, 
         FIG. 9  shows a view of the next step of the loading of the reel with the retaining element in the closed position and the reel in high position in the recess of the foil reel mounting device, 
         FIG. 10  shows a view of the next step of the loading of the reel, with the retaining element in the closed position and the reel in working position, 
         FIG. 11  shows a view of the foil reel mounting device of  FIG. 10 , with the retaining element in the intermediate position for the unloading of the reel, 
         FIG. 12  shows a view of the next step of the unloading of the reel, with the retaining element in the open position, 
         FIG. 13  shows a view of the next step of the unloading of the reel, unloaded with the retaining element in the closed position, 
         FIG. 14  shows a schematic side view of a foil reel mounting device according to a second embodiment mounted on a cross-member, representing in a continuous line, a retaining element in the open position and in dotted lines, the retaining element in the closed position, 
         FIG. 15  shows the foil reel mounting device of  FIG. 14 , in F-F cross-section, 
         FIG. 16  shows a schematic side view of another example of a foil reel mounting device, mounted on a cross-member, in cross-section, with the retaining element in an intermediate position and with a handling tool engaged in the recess of the foil reel mounting device, 
         FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of the handling tool of  FIG. 16 , and 
         FIG. 18  is a similar view to  FIG. 16 , with the retaining element in open position and the handling tool engaged in the recess of the foil reel mounting device. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     For reasons of clarity, the same elements have been given identical reference numerals. Similarly, only the elements essential to the understanding of the invention have been illustrated, in a schematic manner and without being to scale. 
     The longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions are indicated in  FIG. 3  by the orthogonal system (L, V, T). The transverse direction T is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of travel L of a foil. The horizontal plane corresponds to the plane (L, T). 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a stamping printing machine  100  for use in the packaging, for example cardboard packaging, notably intended for the luxury goods industry to be personalized. 
     A stamping machine  100  conventionally comprises a plurality of workstations  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  1 ,  140  which are juxtaposed in order to form a unitary assembly which is capable of processing a succession of flat sheet-like elements. A feeder  110  is configured to supply the machine sheet by sheet, a feeder table  120  on which the sheets are placed in layers before being positioned precisely and individually, a stamping station  130  which uses a platen press  131  in order to deposit on each sheet, for example by hot stamping, some metalized coating from a plurality of stamping foils  3 , a supporting module  1  for supplying the stamping machine  100  with stamping foils  3  which are stored in the form of reels  2 , and a delivery station  140  for restacking the previously processed sheets. Transporting means  150  individually displace each sheet from the output of the feeder table  120  to the delivery station  140 , via the stamping station  130 . 
     The supporting module  1  can be internal to the stamping machine  100  ( FIG. 1 ) or external. 
     As it can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the reel  2  supports stamping foil  3  wound on a roller  8 , for example a cardboard-based roller  8 . The stamping foil  3  supports a film for example of colored and/or metallized materials, such as gold or aluminium. 
     The reels  2  can be quite heavy and may weigh up to 300 kg. 
     The reel  2  is provided with at least one flange  4  and preferably with a pair of side flanges  4 , with a flange  4  being mounted on each side of the roller  8  supporting the stamping foil  3 . 
     The flange  4  has an expansive hub  5  on one side (inner side of the roller  8 ) adapted to extend within the roller  8 , to secure the flange  4  and has a stop  6  on the other side (outer side). A ring  9  is used to position the roller  8  in abutment while expanding the expansive hub  5 . The flange  4  has an axle  7  interposed between the expansive hub  5  and the abutment  6 . Thus, a pair of side flanges  4  can be mounted on each roller  8 , with the flanges  4  being locked therein due to expansive hub  5 . The reel  2  can thus be unwound, rotating around the axle  7 . 
     The reel  2  is supported by its axle  7  by means of at least one foil reel mounting device  10  of the supporting module  1  allowing the reel to be unwound, for example by means of an advance shaft and pressing rollers or a reeling machine to supply the stamping machine  100 . 
     The foil reel mounting device  10  is adapted to be fixed to the supporting module  1 . For example, the supporting module  1  comprises at least one horizontal cross-member  13  on which is mounted at least one foil reel mounting device  10 . It may be provided with two foil reel mounting devices  10 , one for each side of a reel  2  provided with two side flanges  4  to avoid a cantilever, especially for massive reels  2 . 
     Several pairs of supports devices  10  may be mounted along the same cross-member  13  ( FIGS. 7-13 ) for smaller reels  2 . The majority of the patterns deposited on packaging may be made from stamping foil of low width, generally not exceeding 30 cm. But it is sometimes necessary to use stamping foil having larger width, typically in the order of 50 cm to 140 cm. A plurality of narrower foil arranged side by side and whose total cumulated width reaches this order of size can also be used. 
     A supporting module  1  may also comprise several cross-members  13 , for example three, coplanar and equally spaced. 
     The cross-members  13  are for example located in a workspace which is arranged in the upper portion of the supporting module  1 . Furthermore, the lower portion of the module  1  itself comprises a free space which is laterally accessible from the outside of the module  1  and communicates with the workspace via the top of the free space, in particular for receiving an external lifting means  200 , ( FIGS. 7-13 ) such as a forklift. The external lifting means  200  can thus on the one hand, transport each reel  2  during its introduction into the free space in a substantially transverse direction, and on the other hand, transfer each reel  2  from the free space to the workspace in a substantially vertical direction. 
       FIGS. 3 to 13  illustrate a first embodiment of a foil reel mounting device  10 . 
     The foil reel mounting device  10  comprises a support  11  and a retaining element  12 . 
     The support  11  has a recess  16  for receiving an axle  7  of a reel  2 . 
     According to one embodiment better seen in  FIG. 7 , the support  11 , for example made of a metallic plate, comprises a base  14  fixed to a bracket  15  supporting a slide  31 . The slide  31  cooperates with a rail of the cross-member  13 , for example by a dovetail. A position locking means  17 , for example a clamping screw, is used to lock the bracket  15  in position by tightening against the cross-member  13 . The support  11  can thus slide along the cross-member  13  by means of the slide  31  and being locked on the cross-member  13  in a selected position by the position locking means  17  for use. In the released state, the supports  11  can move laterally on the cross-member  13  to be adapted to the size of the reel  2 . 
     The retaining element  12  is mounted on the support  11  and arranged to move between a closed position ( FIG. 3 ) to block the axle  7  of the reel  2  retained in the recess  16 , and an open position ( FIG. 5 ) in which the retaining element  12  is arranged to release the axle  7  of the reel  2  from the recess  16 . 
     The retaining element  12  is biased towards the closed position, for example by gravity or by spring loading. 
     Retaining the axle  7  of the reel  2  in the recess  16  in the closed position by the retaining element  12  ensures that the reel  2  remains well positioned in the recess  16 , in particular despite the vibrations that may occur on the foil reel mounting device  10  during operation. In addition, the bias of the retaining element  12  towards the closed position ensures avoiding starting operations on the reel  2  while having forgotten the retaining element  12  in the open position. 
     The retaining element  12  can be a lever pivotally mounted on the support  11  around a rotational axis A 1 . According to another embodiment, the retaining element may be a sliding element adapted to be translated between the closed position and the open position (not shown). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment visible in  FIGS. 3 to 5  for a retaining element  12  pivotally mounted and biased towards the closed position by gravity, access to the recess  16  faces downwards and the retaining element  12  has a general shape of “C” of which a closing end  18  completely obstructs the access of the recess  16  in the closed position. 
     The rotational axis A 1  of the retaining element  12  is disposed in an opposite end, so that the retaining element  12  weight tends to pivot the closing end  18  downwardly to the closed position. Biasing by gravity presents the advantage of being easier to implement in the small space available around the reel  2 . 
     A bearing  19  capable of supporting the axle  7  of the reel  2  is formed in the closing end  18  of the retaining element  12 . The opening of the bearing  19  faces upwards in the closed position, facing the opening of the recess  16 . 
     The extreme portion  20  of the closing end  18  is shaped to engage in a complementary transverse groove  21  of the recess  16  in the closed position. The recess  16  closed by the bearing  19  forms an oblong shape hole dimensioned so that the axle  7  of the reel  2  is positioned away from the bearing  19  when it is in abutment at the top of the recess  16 . 
     The retaining element  12  also has a cam surface  22  adapted to cooperate with the axle  7  of the reel  2  to displace the retaining element  12  from the closed position to the open position, releasing the access of the recess  16  for the passage of the axle  7  of the reel  2 . 
     The active surface  22  is located on an edge of the retaining element  12 , to the outside of the recess  16  and in the case wherein the retaining element  12  is biased towards the closed position by gravity, below the recess  16 . Thus, the vertical thrust of the axle  7  of the reel  2  against the cam surface  22  automatically clears the access of the recess  16 , allowing the passage of the axle  7  of the reel  2  in the recess  16 . 
     The cam surface  22  has for example a general shape of a ramp. 
     It may further be provided that the support  11  has a guide wall  23  capable of guiding the axle  7  of the reel  2  toward the cam surface  22 . The guide wall  23  has for example a general shape of a ramp. In the closed position, the guide wall  23  and the cam surface  22  form a funnel in “V” shape. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the foil reel mounting device  10  comprises at least one holding member arranged to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the holding member cooperates with the retaining element  12  to prevent the moving of the retaining element  12  in the closed position. The holding member is biased towards the unlocked position, for example by gravity or by spring loading. 
     The retaining element  12  can also have an intermediate position ( FIG. 4 ) between the open position and the closed position, wherein the retaining element  12  releases partially the access to the recess  16 , leaving an external portion  20  of the closing end  18  of the retaining element  12  in the path access of the axle  7  of the reel  2 . 
     The external portion  20  of the closing end  18  of the retaining element  12  is adapted to cooperate with the axle  7  of the reel  2  in the intermediate position to move the retaining element  12  in the open position, disengaging the holding member. 
     In the first embodiment, the holding member is a holding lever  24  (dotted lines in  FIG. 3 ) pivotally mounted on the retaining element  12  about a rotational axis A 2  and arranged to move between an unlocked position ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ) and a locked position ( FIG. 4 ). 
     As seen in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the holding lever  24  is in a single piece has, for example first, second and third arms  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  pivoting about the rotational axis A 2  which is located substantially at the base of the three arms  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c.    
     The first arm  24   a  has for example the shape of a rod. In the locked position, the first arm  24   a  is in contact with a complementary surface  29  of the retaining element  12 . In the unlocked position, the first arm  24   a  is away from the complementary surface  29 . 
     The retaining element  12  may have a clearance  30  allowing the operator to grasp the retaining element  12  to raise it into the intermediate position and to pinch the end of the first arm  24   a  against the retaining element  12 , for example between his thumb (in the clearance  30 ) and forefinger (against the first arm  24   a ) to rotate the holding lever  24  in the locked position. 
     The second arm  24   b  presents a beak  25  configured to cooperate with a catch  26  of the support  11  in the locked position, preventing pivoting of the retaining element  12  toward the closed position. 
     The third arm  24   c  is configured to bias the holding lever  24  towards the unlocked position. In this case, the third arm  24   c  has a shape and a mass adapted to urge the holding lever  24  in the unlocked position by gravity. Biasing by gravity presents the advantage of being easier to implement in the small space available around the reel  2 . 
     According to a simple embodiment, the holding lever  24  is, for example sandwiched between two first plates of the retaining element  12  fixed to a third plate of the retaining element  12  carrying the closing end  18 . The holding lever  24  can thus be hidden and protected by the two first plates. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the foil reel mounting device  10  comprises at least one reel rotation braking means adapted to cooperate with a complementary braking means supported by the reel  2 . The braking torque can be in the order of 20 N/m for example. One reel rotation braking means can be provided for each reel  2  or two reel rotation braking means can be provided on each side of a reel  2 . The reel rotation braking means allows ensuring optimal tension band to follow acceleration, deceleration and delays that may occur, particularly if the advance of the stamping foil  3  is sequenced. 
     The reel rotation braking means may include a disc brake or a brake pad rubbing. 
     The disc brake comprises at least one brake calliper acting on a brake disc attached to one of the flanges of the reel (not shown). 
     According to another example, the reel rotation braking means comprises an electromagnetic brake. 
     The electromagnetic brake includes for example an electromagnetic element such as a magnetic powder brake  28  (shown schematically in dashed lines in  FIG. 6 ). 
     In a known manner, and according to an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic powder brake  28  includes an input shaft having a cavity containing magnetic powder and a housing comprising a coil surrounding the cavity with a space between. When a current is applied to the coil, the magnetic field lines connect the input shaft to the housing. The resistant torque increases with increasing current. When the power is off, the input shaft can rotate freely. 
     The input shaft of the magnetic powder brake  28  is mechanically connected to a flange  4  of the reel  2  by any means, such as by means of belts, gearing or chains. 
     According to an embodiment partly visible in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the electromagnetic brake comprises a gear train  27  meshing with each other. The gear train  27  comprises at least two gears, for example five, a first gear  27   a  is secured to a flange  4  of the reel  2  coaxially to the axle  7  of the reel  2  ( FIG. 2 ) and the other gears  27   b ,  27   c ,  27   d ,  27   e  are supported by the support  11 . The last gear  27   e  is secured with the input shaft of the magnetic powder brake  28 . The gear train  27  allows deporting the magnetic powder brake  28  from the axle  7  of the reel  2  and/or allows providing a reduction. 
     We will now describe an example of operation of the foil reel mounting device  10  with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 13 . 
     It is considered that the foil reel mounting device  10 ′ is initially in the closed position, without reel and that it is desired to load a reel  2  placed on a forklift  200  equipped with a reel holder having a “V” shape ( FIG. 7 ). We will describe the method for loading and unloading a reel  2  of stamping foil  3  in a single foil reel mounting device  10 ′, while the supporting module  1  may comprise two foil reel mounting devices  10 ′ operating simultaneously in the same manner. 
     The forklift  200  placed under the foil reel mounting device(s)  10 ′ begins to raise vertically the reel  2  (arrow F 1 ). 
     The axle  7  of the reel  2  pushes against the bottom of the ramp of the cam surface  22  of the retaining element  12 , raising up the retaining element  12  toward the open position gradually while the axle  7  progressing along the ramp, releasing at the same time the access to the recess  16  (arrow R 1 ). The moving of the reel  2  against the retaining element  12  pivots the retaining element  12  in the open position. 
     Once the axle  7  of the reel  2  enters the recess  16 , the axle  7  of the reel  2  disengages from the cam surface  22  of the retaining element  12  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     The first gear  27   a  of the brake means supported by the reel  2  starts to mesh with the second gear  27   b  of the gear train  27  supported by the support  11 . 
     The retaining element  12  which is no longer retained by the axle  7  of the reel  2  rotates in the closed position under the effect of gravity, blocking the axle  7  of the reel  2  in the recess  16  (arrow R 2 ,  FIG. 9 ). Thus, the introduction of the axle  7  of the reel  2  in the recess  16  pivots the retaining element  12  in the closed position. 
     Then, the axle  7  of the reel  2  abuts the top of the recess  16 . The external portion  20  of the closing end  18  of retaining element  12  engages in the complementary transverse groove  21  of the recess  16 . 
     The forklift  200  can descend (arrow F 2 ,  FIG. 10 ). The axle  7  of the reel  2  which is no longer retained by the forklift  200  descends in the recess  16  to abut the bearing  19  of the closing end  18  of the retaining element  12 . The first gear  27   a  supported by the reel  2  meshes with the second gear  27   b  of the gear train  27  supported by the support  11 . The reel  2  supported by the bearing  19  is then in the working position and can be unwound for the stamping operation. 
     At the end of the operation, when the operator wishes to unload the reel  2 , he sets the forklift  200  under the reel  2  and raises the reel  2  so that the axle  7  of the reel  2  gets positioned in the upper position in the recess  16 , away from the bearing  19 . 
     Then, the operator manually pivots the retaining element  12  in the intermediate position (R 1  arrow,  FIG. 11 ), partly freeing access to the recess  16 , the access path to the recess  16  is partially obstructed by external portion  20  of the closing end  18 . 
     Then, almost simultaneously, the operator manually pivots the holding lever  24  by pinching the first arm  24   a  against the retaining element  12 . The holding lever  24  that was previously in the unlocked position pivots into the locked position wherein the beak  25  of the holding lever  24  engages the catch  26  of the support  11 . In this locked position, the holding lever  24  prevents the retaining element  12  to pivot to the closed position. 
     The tilting of the retaining element  12  in intermediate position and the holding lever  24  in the locked position requires two manual interventions of the operator. These interventions allow adding a level of security, ensuring that the opening command is voluntary. Furthermore, both manual operations can be carried out almost simultaneously with only one hand. 
     Then, the forklift  200  drops the reel  2  (arrow F 2 ,  FIG. 12 ). The axle  7  of the reel  2  then pushes the external portion  20  of the closing end  18 , making the retaining element  12  pivoting in the open position (arrow R 1 ). 
     The pivoting of the retaining element  12  releases the beak  25  of the catch  26  which, urged by gravity, pivots the holding lever  24  into the unlocked position (arrow R 3 ). Thus, the withdrawal of the axle  7  of the reel  2  from the recess  16  disengages the holding lever  24 . 
     The forklift  200  continues the descent of the reel  2  (arrow F 2 ,  FIG. 12 ). 
     The retaining element  12  which is no longer retained by the holding lever  24  pivots in the closing position (arrow R 2 ). 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate a second embodiment of the foil reel mounting device  40 . 
     As in the first embodiment, the foil reel mounting device  40  comprises a support  41  and a retaining element  42 . 
     The support  41  also has a recess  46  configured to receive an axle  7  of a reel  2 . 
     The retaining element  42  is mounted on the support  41  and arranged to move between a closed position (dotted line in  FIG. 14 ) in which the retaining element  42  is arranged to retain the axle  7  of the reel  2  in the recess  46 , and an open position (in continuous line) in which the retaining element  42  is arranged to release the axle  7  of the reel  2  from the recess  46 . 
     In this embodiment, the retaining element  42  is a lever pivotally mounted on the support  41  and biased by gravity into the closed position. 
     In this embodiment, the access to the recess  46  is inclined and has a bearing form for supporting the axle  7  of the reel  2  when rotating. 
     A first foil reel mounting device  40  can be provided on a first side of a reel  2  and a second foil reel mounting device  40  on a second side of the reel  2 , or nothing, or a simple support  41  without retaining element on the second side of the reel  2 . 
     The retaining element  42  has an arm and a head carrying a closing end  188 . 
     The head of the retaining element  42  presents a cam surface  222  configured to cooperate with the axle  7  of the reel  2  to displace the retaining element  42  from the closed position to the open position, releasing access to the recess  46  for the passage of the axle  7  of the reel  2 . 
     The cam surface  222  has, for example, a general shape of a ramp. 
     The head of the retaining element  42  may have a guide wall  233  configured to guide the axle  7  of the reel  2  toward the cam surface  222 . The guide wall  233  has for example a general shape of a ramp. The guide wall  233  and the cam surface  222  form a funnel having a “V” shape, located on the head of the retaining element  42 . The funnel is open downwardly in the closed position in this case. 
     Thus, the vertical thrust of the axle  7  of the reel  2  against the cam surface  222  automatically clears the access to the recess  46 , allowing the passage of the axle  7  of the reel  2  in the recess  46 . 
     The retaining element  42  can also have an intermediate position (not shown) between the open position and the closed position, wherein the retaining element  42  releases partially the access to the recess  46 , leaving an external portion  47  of the closing end  188  of the retaining element  42  in the access path of the axle  7  of the reel  2 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the foil reel mounting device  40  comprises at least one holding member arranged to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the holding member cooperates with the retaining element  42  to prevent the pivoting of the retaining element  42  from the intermediate position to the closed position, the holding member being biased towards the unlocked position. 
     As in the previous embodiment, the external portion  47  of the closing end  188  of the retaining element  42  may be adapted to cooperate with the axle  7  of the reel  2  in the intermediate position to pivot the retaining element  42  in the open position, disengaging the holding member. 
     The holding member is biased towards the unlocked position, for example by gravity or by spring loading. 
     In this second embodiment, the holding member is a pin  55  sliding in an opening  56  of the support  41  and arranged to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. The opening  56  is vertical and the pin  55  is biased towards the unlocked position downwardly in the opening  56  by gravity. 
     In the locked position, the sliding pin  55  cooperates with a hook  57  located at an end of an additional cam surface  58  of the retaining element  42  to prevent pivoting of the retaining element  42  in the closed position. The additional cam surface  58  is formed on the side of the arm of the retaining element  42 . 
     Furthermore, the sliding pin  55  cooperates with the additional cam surface  58  of loop-shape to disengage the sliding pin  55  of the hook  57  when the retaining element  42  is pivoted in the open position. 
     In operation, the forklift  200  placed under the foil reel mounting device  40  begins to raise the reel  2  vertically. 
     The axle  7  of the reel  2  pushes against the bottom of the ramp of the cam surface  222  of the retaining element  42 , raising the retaining element  42  toward the open position gradually while the axle  7  progresses along the ramp, opening at the same time the access to the recess  46 . 
     The forklift  200  then performs a slight longitudinal movement (to the left in  FIG. 14 ) so that the axle  7  of the reel  2  engages in the recess  46  and rolls therein. 
     Once the axle  7  of the reel  2  enters the recess  46 , the axle  7  of the reel  2  disengages from the cam surface  222  of the retaining element  42 . The retaining element  42  which is no longer retained by the axle  7  of the reel  2 , rotates to the closed position under the effect of gravity, blocking the access into the recess  46 , retaining the axle  7  of the reel  2  in the recess  46 . 
     The forklift  200  can thus be moved away. The reel  2  supported by the bearing of the recess  46  is then in the working position and can be unwound for the stamping operation. 
     At the end of the operation, when the operator wishes to unload the reel  2 , he sets the forklift  200  under the reel  2  and manually raises the retaining element  42  in the intermediate position, partially releasing the access path of the axle  7 , partially obstructed by the external portion  47  of the closing end  188 . 
     Then, the operator raises the pin  55 , sliding it in the opening  56  to catch it in the hook  57  supported by the retaining element  42 . In this locked position, the sliding pin  55  prevents the rotation of the retaining element  42  in the closed position. 
     The tilting of the retaining element  42  and the sliding of the pin  55  both require manual interventions of the operator. 
     Then, the reel  2  is moved on the forklift  200 . The axle  7  of the reel  2  then pushes the external portion  47  of the closing end  188 , turning the retaining element  42  to the open position. This pivoting of the retaining element  42  releases the pin  55  from the hook  57  which falls by gravity into the unlocked position downwardly. 
     The retaining element  42  which is no longer retained by the pin  55  pivots in the closed position. 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  shows a handling tool  300  adapted to carrying a foil reel mounting device  10 . 
     The handling tool  300  comprises a base  301  configured to be mounted on a lifting element of the external lifting means  200 , instead of the reel holder. 
     This base  301  may present approximately the same surface as the reel holder, while presenting a square or parallelepiped shape, enabling a better stability. The base  301  may have fixing elements configured to cooperate with complementary fixing elements of the lifting element. For example, the base  301  comprises two longitudinal hooks  306 , arranged on two opposite sides of the parallelepiped shape. 
     Once equipped with the handling tool  300 , the external lifting means  200  may transport a foil reel mounting device  10  to introduce it to or to dismantle it from the supporting module  1 . To this end, the handling tool  300  comprises a head  302  configured to be received in the recess  16  of the support  11  of the foil reel mounting device  10  ( FIG. 17 ). 
     The head  302  has an upper part with a semi-cylindrical shape, complementary to the semi-cylindrical shape of the top of the recess  16 . The upper part is thus configured to be in abutment in the top of the recess  16  when the head  302  is engaged in the support  11 . 
     The head  302  also has a retaining hollow  303  in a lower part, configured to cooperate with the external portion  20  of the closing end  18  of the retaining element  12  in an intermediate position to retain the head  302  in the recess  16 . 
     Between the upper part and the retaining hollow  303 , the head  302  may present a parallelepiped shape, complementary to the bottom shape of the recess  16 . This parallelepiped shape acts as an anti-rotational means of the handling tool  300 . 
     The handling tool  300  may also comprise two lateral flanges  304 , with the head  302  sandwiched between them in the transverse direction T. The lateral flanges  304  block the transverse displacement of the head  302  and guide the head  302  in the foil reel mounting device  10 . 
     The handling tool  300  may comprise a trunk part  305  connecting the head  302  to the base  301 . The trunk part  305  may comprise a narrow part  307  and an enlarged part  308 . 
     The narrow part  307 , nearer the head  302 , may present a ramp able to cooperate with the guide wall  23  of the support  11  in the intermediate position so that the handling tool  300  could not rotate when it is engaged in the support  11 . 
     The enlarged part  307  may comprise legs, such as three legs arranged in a pyramidal shape. 
     In operation, the foil reel mounting device  10  to be dismantled is initially in the closed position, without a reel. 
     To dismantle it from the supporting module  1 , instead of the reel holder, the handling tool  300  is mounted on the lifting element of the external lifting means  200 . 
     Then the external lifting means  200  equipped with the handling tool  300  is placed under the foil reel mounting device  10  and is raised vertically. The head  302  is guided in the foil reel mounting device  10  by the two lateral flanges  304 . 
     The semi-cylindrical shape of the head  302  pushes against the bottom of the ramp of the cam surface  22  of the retaining element  12 , raising up the retaining element  12  toward the open position gradually, while the head  302  progresses along the ramp, releasing at the same time the access to the recess  16 . The moving of the head  302  against the retaining element  12  pivots the retaining element  12  in the open position. 
     Once the head  302  enters into the recess  16 , the upper part of the head  302  disengages from the cam surface  22  of the retaining element  12 . The retaining element  12 , which is no longer retained, rotates automatically, under the head  302 , under the effect of gravity in this example. The external portion  20  of the closing end  18  of retaining element  12  engages the retaining hollow  303 , blocking the head  302  in the recess  16  ( FIG. 16 ). The holding lever  24  that was previously in the unlocked position pivots into the locked position wherein the beak  25  of the holding lever  24  engages the catch  26  of the support  11 . 
     Then, the operator disconnects the support  11  of the bracket  15  of the supporting module  1  in this example by unscrewing two screws  32  which hold the base  14  to the bracket  15 . 
     The external lifting means  200  can thus transport the foil reel mounting device  10  out of the supporting module  1 , for example by first rolling it in the transverse direction, along the slides  31 . 
     The retaining element  12  has thus been automatically opened by the handling tool  300  and, has been automatically pivoted in an intermediate position to retain the head  302  of the handling tool  300 . The foil reel mounting device  10  is thus positioned safely on the handling tool  300  because of the blocking by the retaining element  12  and because it cannot rotate thanks to the anti-rotational means of the handling tool  300 . Especially, the ramp of the narrow part  307 , enables the handling tool  300  disconnected from the support  11  to not rotate by gravity due to its high weight. The entire foil reel mounting device  10  can thus be dismantled easily by the operator despite its high weight, and without any risks for the operator. 
     To mount a foil reel mounting device  10  in the supporting module  1 , the external lifting means  200  supporting a foil reel mounting device  10 , transports it in the transverse direction in the supporting module  1 , along the slides  31 . 
     After having connecting the support  11  to the supporting module  1 , here by screwing the two screws  32 , the operator manually pivots the retaining element  12  in the open position and the holding lever  24  is the unlocked position ( FIG. 18 ), freeing the access to the recess  16 , for example until a pin  33  of the retaining element  12  abuts a slotted hole  34  of the support  11 . 
     While the operator maintains the retaining element  12  and the holding lever  24  up, he drops the external lifting means  200 . Once the head  302  of the handling tool  300  is moved out of the recess  16 , the retaining element  12  pivots in the closing position, the foil reel mounting device  10  being ready to receive a reel  2 .