CA1070557A - Manufacture of a wide patterned band such as a transfer-carrying sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A process and apparatus for transfer printing of a wide substrate from patterned webs or sheets of lesser width, in which the webs are fed side-by-side parallel to one another, any staggering of the pattern being corrected by suitable adjustment of web tensioning rollers by detecting reference marks corres-ponding to the pattern. The webs can then be joined by sticking, or are directly used for transfer printing without being secured together, by being fed into transfer rollers together with a substrate onto which the pattern is to be transferred.

Description

~070557 The invention relate~ to a process and machine for transfer printing of a wide substrate from patterned webs of lesser width (for example having a standard width between 79 and 205 cm~. This application is a divisional of our Canadian Patent Application No. 232,426 filed July 29, 1975.
Processes for the printing of textiles and plastics materials using transfer sheets have been known for many years. In these processes, the pattern is printed on a web of synthetic paper, non-woven fabric, synthetic material, metal or, most usually, paper, so that it can later be transferred by heat printing, decalcomania etc. onto the textile or plastics material to be printed. The transfer-supporting web is in general brought into contact with the surface to be printed and passed between two cylinders at least one of which is heated. Transfer takes place above a given temperature. In certain types of transfer, only the colorants are transferred; in others, the entire imprint formed of a binder-colorant composite is transferred. It is sometimes necessary to operate in the presence of water or another liquid, water vapor or an organic solvent.
The printing machines available on the market enable the printing of webs having a width of up to 1.60 metres normally, or 2 metres at most. A width of 1.60 metres is sufficient for the printing of textiles used, for example, for clothing; however, it is quite insufficient for ~.~*

the printing by transfer o~ textiles, non~woven fabrics, or synthetic materials used for decoration or furnishing, for example carpets, moquettes, plastics materials (such as in vinyl or polyurethanes) for floor coverings, or sheets of plastics material for decoration, for which widths of 4 to S metres are necessary.
The difficulties in placing a pattern on a large-width web are well known to persons skilled in the art, as is the high cost of the operation. It is for example conceivably possible to construct machines for printing transfer webs with a width of four to five metres. The cost price of such machines is, however, so high that they are an economically unrealistic proposition.
An aim of the invention is to provide a process and a machine for printing a wide substrate, having a width of at least 2 to 6 metres, using available printing of other machines for the application of patterns with a width of no more than two metres, for example machines with printing cylinders of up to two metres long.
According to this invention there is provided a process for the transfer printing of a wide substrate from opaque paper transfer sheets of lesser width, wherein the sheets carry designs or patterns transferable at a temperature of 180 to 240 C at atmospheric pressure, comprising the steps of: aligning at least two transfer sheets edge-by-edge with their edges parallel to the edges of the composite band thus formedO by detecting reference marks carried by the transfer ~ sheets, so that their respective designs or patterns are in registration with each other; feeding the thus aligned trans-fer sheets, together with the substrate onto which the designs or patterns are to be transferred, into transfer means; and transferring the designs or patterns in registration onto - 3 - ;

the substrate in the transfer me~ns at a temperature of 180 to 240 C. The transfer sheets are also referred to as webs or web sections.
Registration may be effected by adjusting the tension of at least one of the webs as a function of the detection of reference marks to take up any staggering of the pattern.
The edge of at least one of the webs or web sections possibly may be cut after location of the reference marks and before or after setting relative positions of the webs or web sections and, in the case where the large-width band is to be stored before use, the thus-provided joint is permanently secured, for example by sticking or by welding.
For example, at least two adjacent webs are continuously fed parallel to one another while holding them under a pre-determined tension, and the tension of one of the webs is continuously adjusted on the basis of the detection of the reference marks in a manner to take up any staggering of the pattern. In general it is also possible to provide a lateral correction by means of appropriate references marks. The width of the large band formed in this manner is thus the sum of the widths of the webs joined in this manner (i.e.
the non-overlapping parts, when an overlapping ioint provided).

.. . ..

107~557 The invention also provides equipment for carrying out the process, which equipment comprises means for brining at least two transfer sheets tog4ther edge-by-edge, with the edges parallel to the ed~es of the composite band thus formed, control means for adjusting the alignment of the edge-by-edge sheets, by detecting reference marks carried by the transfer sheets, to being their respective designs or patterns into registration and to maintain such registration, and transfer means positioned to receive the aligned sheets together with the substrate to be printed and including means for effecting the transfer of the designs or patterns to the substrate.
In a first embodiment, the means for bringing the webs side-by-side comprise, for each web, a pair of rollers arranged to place it under tension and a pair of driving rollers common to two webs and placed downstream of the tensioning rollers in the direction of feed of the webs for driving the webs at a predetermined constant speed; the means for detecting reference marks and for controlling the webs are arranged to control the web-tensioning rollers in a manner to continuously adjust the relative position of thc webs to talce up staggering of the pattern. These means may be arranged either to detect a lateral displacement of a web and control a compensating displacement in the opposite direction of at least one of the pairs of tensioning rollers, or to detect an advance or lag of one web relative to the other and con~ rol at least one of the pairs of tensioning rollers to vary the tension of at least one web with an advance or a lag, in orter to talce up this advance or lag, or may combine both of these arrangements.
In general, the tensioning rollers initially tension the webs with an average tension which is the arithmetic mean of a predetermined maximum tension below the breaking tension of the web and a minimum tension for which the web still has a substantially rectilinear profile.
One may for example proceed hy increasing the tension of the web which has an advance, or reducing the tension of the other web ( in particular when the tension rollers apply to the web whic:h has an advance a tension close to the brea}cing tension ) .
The detection means may be connected to an electronic control circuit arranged to increase or decrease the tension of one web and simultaneously decrease or increase the tension of the other web, so that the variation of tension fc)r each web is as small as possible. It is possible to arrange for a signal to be given when a maximum limiting tension (brealcing tension) or a minimum limiting tension (at _ 6 --107~557 which the web still has a su~stantially rectilinear pro~ile~ is reached. The tension controlling devices may also, before giving a warning signal or stopping the machine, arrange for a complementary switching function to be carried out, as will be explained later.
With the large-width bands obtained ~y this first embodiment of machine being used for the transfer process of this invention, it is not necessary permanently to fix the joint by sticking or welding for example, but, without permanently fixing the joint, the set and cut webs may be fed into a transfer machine with a substrate onto which the pattern is transferred.
It is clear that the basic sheet material (generally paper) of the standard-width patterned webs supplied to the above-mentioned machines must be of fairly high ~uality, i.e.
must have a substantially constant eleasticity and coefficient of thermal dilatation. The ~reakage tension should be sufficient to allow longitudinal compensation without rupture.
The transfer paper will thus be chosen to meet these requirements. Certain precautions must also be taken when pre-printing the webs. The printing should be carried out in identical conditions (temperature, humidity, pressure, and so on) for all of the webs. Finally, the reference marks should be printed with great care and at the same time as printing of the pattern. Staggering will thus be avoided, If magnetically or pneumatically-detactable means are used as reference marks, there should be a strict control that repetitions of the pattern correspond exactly to the same reference_mark positions.
In a second embodiment of machine, the means for bringing the webs or web sections side-by-side comprise inlet conveying means feeding an initial web perpendicular to outlet conveying means for taking up the band formed from sections of the initial web, the conveying means being arranget to position, by the means for detecting reference marks, each section in relation to the end of the band on the 10 outlet conveyor means.
The reference-mark detection and control means enable, for example, setting of the position of the end of the sect{on to be connected to the composite bant relative to po;nts of reference by bringing reference marlcs on the end of the band to the reference points, and then adjusting the position of each web section by bringing the reference marks of each section to the reference points.
It is also possible to cut sections with a sufficient precision relative to the patterr, so that the end of a section it is 20 desired to add to the band being formed may serve as a reference for setting of the section. The positioning of the sections as a function of the reference marlcs is in seneral provided by conveyor means comprising an appropriate device such as gripper systems or pressure or suction orifices.
Cutting of the web sections can be done before detection of the reference marks, Means for stretching the sections . o take up any staggering mus t tken be provided.
However, cutting is preferably carried out after de-ection of the reference mar}cs.
In alI of these variations, all types of reference marks may be used : optical, preferably a visible imprint enabling both lateral and longitudinal setting, ant applied simultaneously with the pattern; magnetic, such as a magnetic bant or magnetic imprints; mechanical, such as perforations;
or even using the pattern itself. The detection means may, 10 as appropriate, be photo-electric, magnetic or pneumatic.
~ hen the composite bards carry transfers for transfer printing, it is possible to install a transfer machine such as a caIender following the band-producing machine. Such a combination will be described later. It is also possible to dispose the band_producing machine after apparatus, for example a printing machine, by which the pattern is applied the original webs.
The accompanying drawings show, schematically and by way of example, several embodiments of machines for 20 producing wide composite bands according to the invention, and variations of these embodiments. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a machine for placing two patterned webs side-by-side and asseml:~ling tnem ts:~ form a bard of larger width with the pattern in register on either side of the joint; the figure also shows by way of example a transfer machine placed following the band-producing machine for the decoration of a wide substrate by heat printing with vaporizable colorants incorporated in the transfer-carrying band obtained according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a plar. view o~ the embodiment of Fi~. 1 i Fig. 3 is a plan view of a detail of two we~s with reference imprints at their edges, illustrating a manner of registering the webs using electro-optical cells;
Fig. 4 shows in detail the printed pattern and the reference imprint along an edge of a standard web;
Fig. S shows in detail the edge of a stantard-width web in which the re ference marks are not an optical imprint as schematically shown on Fig. 4, but perforations for reading by pneumatic means;
Fig 6, which appears gn the same drawing sheet as Fig. 4, shows a pair of rollers which may be incorporated in th.e machine of Fig. 1 for laterally displacing a web passir.g between these rollers;
Fig. 7 is a side view of a variation of the em~odiment of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of Fi3. 7, at the location where the webs are stuck togetherS
Fig. 9 is a plan view of a part of a rnachi..e in which three webs are set in relation to one another and delivered without sticking to a transfer machine;
Figc. 10 and 11 are cross-section along line XXI-XXI
of Fig. 9, showing two web-feed arrangements for ~ he -- 10 _ machine of Fig. 9;
Fig, 12 is a schematic sitP view of a second embotiment of a machine for forming a composi,_e band of transfer paper from sections of an initial web of transfer paper fed perpendicular to the band being formet by means of a trarlsverse conveyor;
Fig. 13 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. 12;
Fig, 14 is a site view of a variation of the machine of Fig, 12;
Fig, 15 ;s a plan view of the variation of Fig, 14, Fis. 16 is a schematic view showing hot,v the tr~ns~erse conveyor of the machine of Figs, 12 and 13 or 14 and 15 may be displaced to bring each web section to the end of the band being formed and adjust the section relative to the end of th~ bant;
Fig. 17 is a plan view of a section of an initial web with reference impr:,nts on its edges;
Fig, 18 is a plan view of a detail of a transverse conveyor and the end of a band formed of assembled section~
20 of an initial web, with devices for detecting reference mar!ss and means for controlling setting;
Fig, 19 is a detailled view showing the as~embly of the end of a band being formed with an edge of an initial web section, the reference_marlc detecting devices being shown in position over the reference i.r.prints on the band and section;
Figs, 20a, b and c illustra~e operation of the -- 11 _ ~070557 registering devices;
Fig. 21 shows an additional transverse re~isterins device enabling the tensic~n of eAch web section to be set to obtain perfect superimposition of the patterns;
Fig. 22 is a plan view of 2 variation of the machines of Figs. 12 to 21;
Fig. 23 is a cross-section through another variation of the machine of Figs. 12 to 21; and Fig~ 24 is a top plan view of the variation of ~ig. 23.
With reference to Figs. 1 ard 2, the transfer machine 2 includes two cylinders 3 ar~t 4 for pressing together transfer paper and a sheet of material 27, at a temperature of 180 to 240C. Such transfer machines are well known to persons skilled in the art and consequently the machine 2 will not be described in detail.
Machine 1 comprises two rolls 5 and 6 feeding webs 11, 12 of standard width (generally less than 205cm), followed by two pairs of tensioning- rcllers 7, 8 and 9, 10 respectively between which the w~s 11, 12 from rolls 5 and 6 ~ass .
l~he webs 11 and 12 are fed side-by-side between a pair of dri~in~ rollers 13, 14 common to the two webs 11 and 12 and driving them at constant speed. Along th~ paths of webs ' 1 and 12 respectively, between the pair of driving roilers 13, 14 and the pairs of tensioning rollers 7, 8 and 9, 10, are disposed reference_mark detection devices 15, 16 and tension control devices 17, 18 respectively.
Devices 15 and 16 are electro-optical devices arrarged to detect reference or guite imprints made on the webs at the same time as printing of their patterns and control the speeds of the respecti~re pairs of roilers 7, 8 and 9, 10 as well as a latera~ displace~ent of these rollers as a fu~ction of displacements of the guide imprints. The roll 5 and rollers 7 ard 8, as well as roll 6 arld rollers 9 ard 10 are 10 each mountet as a unit on a carriage (not shown) arranget to move laterally as indicated by the arrow on Fig. 2 to compensate for variations in the lateral position of each we~.
Also, the pairs of rollers 7, 8 ant 9, 10 are arranged to be able to rotate at slightly greater or smaller speeds than the corresponding constant speed of the webs 11 and 12. It is thus possible to tension webs 11 ard 12 to a greater or lesser degree, since the pair of rollers 13, 14 rotate at constant speed .
The latera~ shifti~g and variation o~ the speed of 20 the tensioning r~llers will be described in detail later with reference to Figs. 3, 4 nd 5.
The tension control de~rices 17, 1a are security devices arranged to prevent the tensions of the webs from exceeding predetermined limits, namely a maximum tension T max, chosen below the breakage tension, and a minimum tension Tmin, chosen above the tension at which the web _ 13 --no longer has a substan~ially rectilineAr profile, The devices 17 and 18 in particular enable rippin~3 of tne webs to be avoided; they may actuate an alarm system or stop the machine when the limiting tensions are reached, or actuate a complementary switching function which will be described later, After having passed between the driving rollers 13 ant 14, the webs 11 ant 12, positioned side-by-side with the atjacent edges having an adjusted overlap, pass under a circ~lar cutter 19 actins~ against a bearing wheel 20 for c~tting and removal of the overlappislg edges. After passage unter cutter 19, the webs 11 ar.d 12, having been cut together, are exactly placed togsther ed~e-to-edge along the line of cutting.
After cutter 19, the webs 11 and 12 placed edge--to-etge pass between two freely turning cylinders 21 and 22 fed with an adhesive band from a roller 24 so that the adhesiYe band 23 is applied against the edges of webs 11 and 12 on either side of the joint. The adhesive band is pressed by the rollers 21 and 22 against the united edges of webs 11 and 12 to firrnly assemble the webs.
The adhesive band 23 is in a thin material having a coefficient of temperature dilatation substantially equal to tha, of the webs 11, 12. This precaution avoids puckersng or folds in .,he wide composite band obtained, in particular when it passes between the cylinders 3, 4 of transfer machine 2.
_ 14 -~0705S7 The webs 11, 12 assembled by adhesive band 23 then pass between two driving rollers 25, 26 rota~.ing at the same constant speed as rollers 13, 14, with sheet material 27 to be pri~ted being fed from a feed roll 28 placed under we~s 11 and 12 .
At the deli~ery of machine 2, the printed material 27 is wound on a talse-up roll 29, and the used transfer paper OQ a take-up roll 30.
Provision is made to apply adhesive bands 31, 32 to the outer edges of the webs 11, 12 of transfer paper by means of rollers 33 ant 34, as shown in Fig. 2. The bands 31, 32 ser~re to improve the behaviour of the transfer paper ~Lnd h ence prevent the formation of folds when the paper passes between rollers 25, 26 and cylinders 3, 4.
The adhesive bands 23, 31 and 32 may be replaced by a wide web of thin paper stuck over its entire width to the transfer paper; this web could be uniformly perforated over its entire surface to reduce as far as possible the resistance to heat of the composite paper band.
The manner of registering the webs of trarlsfer paper will now be described in detail with reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5.
Fig. 3 shows web 11 with its pair of tensioning rollers 7, 8 and web 12 wit,h its pair of tensioning rollers 9.
10; for the sake of clarity, tlle feed rolls 5 and 6 and the parts of webs 11, 12 leading to the feed rolls are not shown _ 15 --107~557 in this figure.
The webs 11, 12 of t~ansfer paper each have a like pattern formed basically of oblique stripes 35, 36 respectively and a guide or reference imprint 37, 38 respective-ly. Here, the imprints 37, 38 are in the form of a strip limited on one side by a rectilinear border and on the other side by a ractangular wave. The rectilinear border of imprints 37, 38 located towards the edge of th~ web 11, 12 sérves for the control and correc t ion of any lateral displacement 10 of the webs, and the discontinuous border ( scluare wave ) serves for control and correction of any longitudinal staggering of the webs, Of course, to enable the patter~ns to be bro~;3ht into register by means of the refer~nce imprints, the imprints 37, 38 must correspont to the pattern printed on the webs. In particular, the periodicitv of the reference imprints must be equal to or a multiple of the periodicity of the pattern. In the example of Fig. 3, it can be seen that the ent of each stripe 35, 36 faces a protruding part of the square wave. 13y exactly positioning imprints 37, 38, the 20 stripes 35 and 36 of the pattern will also be exactly placed.
Also, the imprints 37, 38 are provided in a color such as black or blue which can easily be read by photoelectric cells, The reference imprints may for example be printed during printing of the pattern using the blue component. Fig, 3 also schematically shows the register-control devices 15 and 16 which are mounted on the frame of the machine. Device 15 is _ 16 --mounted for adjustment along one direction, whereas device 16 is mounted for adjustment along two directions, as indicated by arrows.
As shown in Fig. 4, the register-control device 15 or 16 includes two photoelectric cells 41, 42 for following the outer edge of a reference imprint 39, and an additional cell 43 for following passase of the discontinuities of the inner part of reference imprint 39.
Cells 41 and 42 control transverse displacement, 10 according to the arrows of Figs. 2 and i, of the tension rollers ?, 8 and feed roll 5, or rollers 9, 10 and roll 6, by the intermediary of an electric circuit, not shown. Cell 4 controls variations of the speed of the respective tension rollers and, since rollers 13, 14, 25, 26 and cylinders 3, 4 all turn at a constant peripheral speed, consequently also the tension of webs 11 and 12 between the previously defined g alues Tmax and Tmin. In normal operating conditions, the webs 11, 12 will have an ~verage tension- Tm substantially equal to the arithmetic mean of TmaX ar~d Tm;, 20 Only when cc~rrections are necessary to longitudinally position the webs, do the tensions applied to webs 11 and ' 2 deviate from value Tm between the limits Tmin and TmaX.
Figs. 3 and 4 also indicate by chain-line 44, the line of cu~ting of the webs 11 and 12. It is observed that the overlapping ~f webs 1~ and 12 is arrange~l so that the printed patterns of the webs overlap, each extending beyond the cutting line 44. This expedient ensures that there will be no discontinuity in the pattern transferred to material 27.
The described machine operates as follows:
When webs 11 and 12 are placed in the machine, the web 12 is positioned over web 11 so that the patte~s overlap and extent beyond the cutting line 44 and with stripes 36 in exact correspontence, Devices 15 and 16 are then set. For te~ice 15 it is sufficient to arrange that its cell 41 ( Fig. 4) is placed on the registering imprint 37 ( Fi3. 3) and cell 42 is 10 on the outer non-printed edge of the paper, the webs being arranged to bring a gap of the square wave under cell 43 of tevice 16, The position of dovice 16 is firstly set transverse to the direction of feed until the rectilinear etge of imprint 38 ( Fig. 3) is between the two corresponding cells, as tescril~ed above for tevice 15. The device 16 is then atjustet IGngitutinally until its cell 43 ( Fig. 4) is în the same position in relation to the gaps, of imprint 38 ( Fig, 3) as the corresponting cell of device 15 is in relation to the gaps of imprint 37. In the example of Fig. 3, the cells 43 of the 20 two devices are momentaneously exactly between two square parts of the imprirts.
Once this adjustment is completed, the roll of material 28 to be printed is placed in the machine, ard the web of this material is passed about roller 25 and through the transfer machine 2 to be taker.-up by its roll 29, and the machine is started.

Let us suppos~ that durins operation web 11 becomes laterally staggered in relation to its normal feed, due to a dilatation o~ the paper or an irregular winding of the paper on roll 5, This staggering will immediatelybe read by photoelectric cells 41 and 42 ( Fig. 4) of tevice 15 which controls via a circuit (not shown ) a lateral tisplacement of roll 5 and rollers 7 and 8 in a direction to compensate this staggering. In the event of lateral staggerin~ of web 12, a corresponting correction is carriet out in the same manner by device 16, Suppose now that web 12 advances relative to web 11 to become longitudinally staggered as shown s~hematically, and in an exaggerated rr.anner, at the left of Fig, 3, Cell 43 ( Fig, 4) of device 16, which tetects the discontinuities of the imprint 38, will be activatet before the corresponding cell of tevice 15 since web 11 has a lag relative to web lZ, There will thus be a time difference ~t between the signals given by the two cells, As a function o~ this time difference~t, device 16 controls its electronic circuit (not shov~n ) ~n a manner so that the tension applied to web 12 by rollers ~, 10 20 is increaset to pull the paper until the time difference drops to zero, or ir. other words until the celLs of devices 15 and 16 read the discontinuities simultaneously and the patterns on webs 11 ar~d 12 once more register exactly, If for any reason whatsoever, for example an unusual dilatation over a great length of web 11, the advance of web 12 and hence the staggering between the two webs is maintained and possibly increases, the tension exerted on web 12 ~,vill increase to reach the maximum tension TmaX
close to the breakage tension of th_ ~veb. The control device 18 will react to this tension ~max and may hence actuate the warning signal or stop the machine. However, before this warning signal or stopping of the machine, the above-mentioned complementary switchins function can be applied. As stated above, initially the webs 11 and 12 were both placed under the mean tension Tm. Before stopping the 0 machine at the moment when ~,veb 12 reaches tension T
max it is possible to reduce the tension of web 11 down to the minimum tension in order to take up the staggering. The control devis~e 18 may thus be used to control rollers 7,8 by an electric circuit (not shown ) to reduce the tension of web 11 to further reduce staS7gering between the two webs 11 and 12.
At the moment when the .,ension of web 11 once more increases to reach mean tension TM, the control device on~::e more switches the circuit (not shown) so that device 15 once more directly controls rollers 9, 10. If it is web 11 that 20 has an advance in relation to web 12 and hence a staggering, the device 15 will control an increase of the tension of we~ 11 as previously described, with a similar possibility of switching.
Of course, the above-described machine is only given by way of example. It would be possibJe to provide a computer for taking up any stagS2ring ~vhile varyins the tensions of webs 11 and 12 the least possible. Any correction will thus be double, i. e. the tension of one web will be increased and that of the other reduced, In a simplified version, one of the webs would be held at mean tension TM, while the tension of the other web only is varied between the limits T . and T
mm max A single cell could replace the cells 41 and 42 ( Fig. 4) of the devices 15 and 16, this single cell beirg set to follow the out~r edge of the reference imprint 39.
The reference imprint 3 9 could be replaced by 10 magnetic means consisting of a magnetic imprint or band applied to the edges of the wel~s to be joined, for example a magn~tic material such as cobalt oxide, asld which carries the required information.
The guide and reference imprint can also be replaced by pneumatic means, such as those shown in Fig. 5, which carl be read by a well-Icnown type of pneumatic logic device, not shown. The pneumatic means shown consist of a succession of small dash-like perforations 46 ~orming a line for control and correction of the lateral position of the web, and a 20 succession of spacet-apart circular perforations 46 enabling control of the longitudinal position of the we~.
Also, simplifications can be made in the case when the transfer pattern has only longitudir~al lines or stripes or even a uniform pattern, In this case, only 3ateral regis~ering means need be provided.
Fig. 6 shows a pair of rollers adapted to be -- 21 _ ~ 070557 mounted on the machine to form a varied means for lateral correction of a web. It suffices to pass a web 47 about two parallel cylinders 48, 49 mounted on a chassis ( not shown ) arranged to turn the cylinders through an adjustab~e angle to a line perpendicular to the direction of feed of web 47.
Each value of angle c~corresponts to a value D of a lateral displacement of the web. The arras~gement o~ Fis. 6 can be incorporated in the machine o~ Figs. 1 ant 2. A mot;fiet arrangement could alternatively have a simple chassis able to 10 be moved laterally.
Fisl. 7 shows a varied machine in which a composite wide ba.~t assembled from two printed webs is simply wound onto a tal~e-up rol~ for later use. Fig. 8 is a plan vie w showing the part of the machine of Fig. 7 where the webs are stuck together. The machine of Fi~T. 7 comprises two endless_chair. rlevators 50, 51 carrying stantart- vidth printed rolls 52~ From one of rolls 52 is unwound a web 53 passing about a freely-turning cylinder ~4 and an "accumulation" cylinder 55 making the web 53 pass along a 20 loop enabling the machine to remain in operation when the roll 52 is empty and must be changed. U~n change of ~he roll, the rear end of the web ~3 of one roll is manually adjusted on t~ble 56 and stuck to the front end of the web of the following roll 52. During the time required for this adjustin~ and sticking, the cylinder 55 moves dcwn and the machine is fed by the reserve formed by the loop about _ 22 --.. . . . . . . . _ . _ _ cylinder 55. Table 56 is provided with cutting and sticking means for carrying out the operations mentioned above. After cylinder 55, web 53 passes between a pair of tension rollers 57, 58 similar to those of Figs. 1 and 2, ant controlled by a yuiting and registering device 59 also similar to that des~ ribed with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 . A web-tension control device 60 is also provided for the same function as that described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and the web 53 passes between a pair of dri~ing rollers 61, 62 rotating at constant speed. Between rollers 61, 62 and the device 59 is a circular cutter 63 rotating again~t a bearing wheel 64, for cutting the web 53 before assembly with a second web 70.
The second web 70, deli~ered from a roll 52 of the elevator 51 placed behind elevator 50, passes abou' an accumulation cylinder 72 simiiar to cylinder 55, between a pair of tensioning rollers 73, 74 ant then between drive rollers 61, 62 common to the two webs 53 ant 70. As for web 53, web 70 is controlled by a yuide and registering device 75 and a tension control de~ice 76, Between device 75 and rollers 61, 62 is placed a wheel 67 applying a thi~, coat of adhesive 68 to the edge of the web. ~ig. 8 is a plan view of webs 53 and 70 in the installation of ~ig. 7, at the location where the webs are stuck together. Thus, only one of the webs is cut, namely web 53, and the non-patterned edge o~
the other web 70 is not cut, as in the embodim~ent of Fiys.
to 3, but recei~es a thin film 68 of adhesive applied by wheel 67, this adhesive-coated edge direct~y receiving web 53 pre--cut by circular cutter 63. The cut edge 77 of web 53 is deviated out of the machine by guide means, not shown.
When the two webs pass between cylinders 61, 62 they be.-ome stuck together. The sticking together is carried out with the pattersl in perfect register since the guide and registering devices 59 and 75 are placed before the locations of the cutting and sticking operations. Finally, it is noted that the devices 59 and 75 of the machineof Fig. 8 10 have only two cells, one cell 78 or 79 r~spectively serving to follow a respective line 80, 81 of the reference imprint, ant a s~cond cell 82, 83 respectiYely ser~ring to read respective reference points 84, 85 regularly spac:ed apart a~ong the longitutinal direction. After having passet between cylhders 61 and 62 where they are stuclc together, the united webs are wount up on storage roll 69. Apart from the above-described differences, i. e. cutting of only a single web, sticking the cu~ edge of this web on the edge of the other web, ant storage of the composite wide band formed 20 on roll 69, the machine of Fig. 7 operates in the same manner as that described with reference to Figs. 1 asld 2. All of the variations descrl~ed for the embodiment of Figs 1 and 2 may also be made to or incorporated in the machine of Fig. 7.
An important adYantage of the arrarlgement of Fig. 7 is that the machine can operate continuously, i. e without stoppages for loading it, since the cylinders 55 ant _ 24 --72 enable the operator to carry out joinirg of the ends of successive webs on the table 56.
To persons skillet in the art it will be clear that the machines of Figs. 1 to 8 can undergo important changes or simplifications. For example, the cutting operation can be carried out before placing the we~s ~n the mach~e, which need thus not include a cutting device . Several arrangement s of machines without a cutting de~vice carl be envisaged. One possibility would be to trim the edge of one web, for example 10 web 53 in the embodiment of Fi~. 7, after printing ant before winding on rolls 52, the web 70 not be;ng cut. The machine of Fig. 7 woult thus not includs a cutt;ng te~ice 63, 64 ant the registering device would be placed at the other site of web 53 ~ facing its non-cut edg~ which coukl carry reference marks. Another possibility, in the case of a simple ,~attern, for example a single color imprint without ~ design or a patter~ of longitudinal lines or stripes for which only lateral setting is necessary, would be to cut the webs 53 ar~d 70 ( ~ig. 7 ) on each side after printing and before supplying them 20 to the machine, which would also not haYe any c:utting de~ice. The setting means would thus be simplified since their function would be limited to setting laterally by means of a single cell following one of the pre-cut edges of one or both webs. It is clear that when the cutting operation is carried out before introducing the webs into the machine, it should be carried out carefully and after location of reference mar~s, - 25 _ unless the print is uniform without any design.
Also, it will be evident to persons skilled in the art that the sticking operation can be dispensed with when the large-width transfer paper produced is directly fet into a transfer machine, as ir. Figs. 1 and 2, so long as the patter to be régistered is not too complex so that very slight displacements of one web relative, o the other can be tolerated. Such arrangements are illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. Fig. 9 is a plan view of- part of a machine ir. which 10 registering is carrie d out, by means of devices as descrl~ed with reference to Figs. 1 to 8, before driving rollers 90 . The machine partly shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is arranged to assemblethre~ webs 91, 92, 93 ant deli~er them directly to a transfer machine 94 with a substrate (no~ shown) to be printed. Before reaching rollers 90 the webs 91, ~2, 93 are di~posed at different heights and arrive between rollers 90 at different angles to the horizontal, as shown ir cross-~qec~on in Fig. 10, one of the edges 94, 9~, 9~ of the we~s having been cut, after detection of register marks, either in the 21) machine by mear s of cutting devices not shown, or before introduction of the webs into the machine. The non-_ou~ edgec g7 J g8, ~9 hav reference imprints whic:h pass facing regi~tering devices 105, 101 and 102 similar to those described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8, 103, 104 and ~05 designate prirted patterns on the webs extending up to the cut lateral edges 94, 95, 96. The machine of course has _ 25 --1070~57 means (not shown) for guiding and tensioning the webs, similar to the means described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8, these means beirg c~nected to registering devices 100, 101 and 102. The webs 91, 92 and 93 are hence guided and position~t relative to one anot~er before entering the transfer machine 94 which is placed imrnediately after drive rollers 90.
~ith this machine, it is possible to laterally and longitutinally position the three webs relative to one another, web 92 being positioned relative to web 91, and web 93 relative to 10 web 92, before delivering tnem without sticlcing into the transfer machine 94.
In the varied arrangement of Fig. 11, webs 91 and 93 are fed in the same plane to the drivins rollers 90, whereas t:~ie feed of web 92 between rollers 90 is in a plane at a greater angle ~,o the horizontal. In this arrangement, webs 91 and 93 are not cut, while th~ two edges of web 92 are cut after detectionof the reference marks, either in the machine, or before introduction into the machine. The printed patterns on the webs are designated by 106, 10 î and 108.
21:~ Facing the edges 10~ and 110 of webs ~1 and 93 are located simplified registering devices 111 and 112 which serve to locate the reference marks and c ontroi lateral displacement of the ~vebs. Facing thecut edge 113 of web 92 is a registering device 114 following the cut edge 113, This simplified variation of Fig. 11 is used to position webs ~vhose patterr requires only lateral guiding.

_ 27 --.. . .. .. .... . . . . ..

For very regular patterns, such as squares or crossing parallel lines, it is possible to use the pattern as a reference, instead of providing separate reference imprints.
In this case, all of the webs can be trimmed alons both edses in the machine or before introduc . ion in the machine, the registering devices being placed directly facing the pattern, to follow lines or well-defir.et areas of the pattern.
The machine shown in Figs, 12 and 13 comprises a transverse conveyor 201 for feeding ar. initial web 202, of 10 printed transfer paper for exampl~, from a f et roll 203, perpend~cular to a teli~ery conveyor 204 arranged to deliver a band 205 formet of assembled sections of web 202 to a transfer machine 2~6 where the band 205 passes between two cylinders tnot shown ) with a material 207 to be printed fed from a feed roll 208 and wousld at the delivery of the machine on a take-up roll 209.
The transfer machine 206 enables transfer by sublimation or decalcomania o~ the printed pattern from ~he transfer paper to the material 207 at a temperature of 20 a~out 240C C. As these tra~sfer mach~nes are well known to persons skilled ir, the a~t, the machine 206 will not be described in detail.
The transverse con~eyor 2~1 comprises a chassis 210 at the ends of which are two rotatable cylinders 211 and 212. An endless bel. 213 passing .-~bout cylinders 211, 212 deli~ers the initial ~veb 202 of transfer paper from f-ed roll ... . . . . . . . .

203 until the front end of web 202 abuts against a stop 214 in the path of feed of web 202, whereupon belt 113 stops.
On conveyor 201 is mounted a transversally-moving cutter 21~ for cutting a section of web 202 for assembly with band 205.
Feed roll 203 is contaired in a ~eed mag~7ine 216 in the form of an ele~ator containing an endless chain or magazine of supp~y rolls which are successi~rely placed in front of conveyor 201, At the left hant side o. ccnveyor 201 is slidably mounted a cutter 217 for cutting the overlapping edges of web 202 art band 205 simultaneously after they have be~n set relative to one another, as well as a roll 218 ( Fig. 12) of an adhesiv~ basld for stic~ing together the two edges after cl~tting.
B etween transverse conveyor 201 and delivery c~nveyor 204 are mounted registering devices 219, 220 operation of w hich will be tescribed later wi'h refere nce to Figs. 17 to 20.
The deli~very conveyor 204 includes an accumulator formed of three rollers 221, 222, 223, the roller 222 being arranged to move vertically to build up a reser~e o~ the band in the forrn of a loop. Band 205 which passes o~er roller 221, about roller 222 and o~er roller 223; is fed, with the material 207 to be printed, betweer. two dri~e rollers 224, 225 rotating at constant speed to tra~sfer machine 206 at regular speed. After passage with material20? through transfer

- 2~ _ 1~)70557 machine 206, the used band 205 is wound on a roll 226.
Between roller 221 and con~eyor 2~)1 is a mobile gripper 227 arranged to hold the end of band 205 and position it relative to registering devices 21g, 220 before positioning o~ the web section 202 by means of conveyor 201.
Operation of gripper 227 will be described in detaiI later, with reference to Figs. 17 to 21.
The machine shown in Figs. 14 ant 15 is similar to that of Figs, 12 and 13, the band 205 assembled frorr, 10 sections of the initial web however being wound on a storase roll 228 for later use. The machi;le of Figs~ 14 and 15 thus toes not include transfer machine 206 and the feed ard take-up rolls 208, 209 of material 207 to be printed. Apart ~rom this tetail, all of the components of the em~odiment of Figs. 12 and 13 are incorporated in the machine of Figs, 14 and 15, and are designated by the same reference numerals, Fig. 16 schematically shc~ws the manner in which the transverse conveyor 201 can be disp~ced tc~ position the we~--section it carries relative to the- registering de~ices, The 20 conveyor 201 can move in two mutually perpend;cular direct ions indicated by arrows 228 and 229. and can turn abou~ a pivot 230 through an angle o~ relative to the d;rection of arrow 229.
Fig. 17 shows a section 231 of paper, its printed part being shown by the partially hatched area 232 which extends beyond dashed lines 233 z 234 representirlg thG lines of cutting during assembly. On the non~printed edges 235, 236 _ 30 --. . . . . . _ . . . . . _ .

~070557 respective~y of section 231 are rectangular reference imprints 237, 238, 239 ard 240, 241, 242. The reference imprints 237, 238 and 239 are symmetric to imprints 240, 241 and 241 about the long axis of section 231. Imprints 237 to 242 suffics to position section 231 relative to the sections ( not shown) pref eding and following section 231. However, it can happen that the paper of one of the sections stretches or retracts slightly relative to the other sections. In this case, it is necessary to place the sections unter an ad~usted tension 10 to elongate them ant hence compersate for a difference of length. For this purpose, an additional imprint 243, 244 res~ectiYely is provided on edges 235, 236 of sectior. 231. The exact function o~ the referenc~ imprints 237 to 244 will be described later with reference to Figs. 18 to 20. Of course, t~e imprint~ 237 to 244 must be in correspondence with the pattern printed on the tnansfer paper, and the pattern must repeat along the web between irnprints 237, 240 and 239, 242.
Also, the pattern inthe proximity of line 233 must be able to be superimposed on that in the proximity of line 236 of each 20 section 231. The pattern will be registered longitudinally, i. e.
i~ the tirection of arrow 245, by imprints 237, 240 and ~43, 244, and laterally, i. e, in the direction of arrow 2~6, b imprints 238, 239 and 241, 242.
Considering now Figs. 18, 19 and 20, Fig. 18 shows an enlarged view of the positionin~ arrangement of Figs. 12 to 15, with the chass.s 210 of ccnv-yor 201 delivering an initial _ 31 --. .. ..

web 202 from wh;ch a sec'ion is cu~. by cutting device Z15.
The bant 205 formed from sections 202 is held in place in the positioning gripper 227. The last section 247 held in gripper 227 is s'-uclc along its unterside to the preceding section 249 by an adhesive strip 248. The two resistering devices 219 and 220 respectively have four photoelectric detectors 250, 251., 252, 253 and two photoelect~ic detectors 254, 255. Detectors 251~ to 255 are small diameter tetectors each containing a light source and a photoelectric cell. The detectors 250, 251 and 254 are intended to position the section 247 at the end of band 205 being formed. Detector 250 controls a motor 256 arran~ed to longitudinally t;splace gripper 227 according to arrow 257. Detector 251 cont~ls a motor 258 arranget to laterally move the end 259 o~ gripper 227 accorting to arrow 260. 1: etector 254 controls a motor 261 arranged to laterally displace the other ent 262 of gripper 227 according to arrow 263.
Detectors 252, 253 and 255 are intended to position the section 202 delivered by conveyor 201. In particular, detector 252 moves conveyor 201 longitudinally according to arrow ~64 by means of a motor 265. Detector 253 moves the end 266 of conveyor 201 laterally according to arrow 267 by means of a motor 268, and detector 255 moves the end 269 of con~reyor 201 l~terally according to arrow 270 by means O r a motor 271.
By means of detectors 250 -o 255 and motors 256 _ 32 --.... ... . ...

258, 261, 265, 268 ant 271 it is possible to firstiy position the end of band 205 being formed, in relation to tetectors 250, 251 and 254 of devices 21~ ard 220, and then section 202 in relation to detectors 252, 253 ard 255 of the same devices 219, 220. As these reference devic~os 219 and 220 are fixed, the section 202 will be exactly positioned relative to the end of band 205. The detectors 252, 2~3 and 255 may be adjusted in the devices 219 and 220 relative to detectors 250, 251 and 254. It is hence possible to regulate the devices 219, 220 as a f~ction of slight errors of positioning the reference imprints which may occur when adjusting the printing presses used to print thc web 202 of transfer paper.
Fig. 19 also shows the register imprints 237, 238, 239 and 240, 241, 242 printed on the edges of web 202 a~nd b~nt 205, these imprints being shown in the atjusted position.
It is observed that in the adju3ted position, these imprints ~cutl~ the detectors in half , i. e. in this position ( see Fig , 20~L), a signal of 50~ of the maXiml~m intensity is deli~ered tG the respective motor which stops. In case a detector is directed 20 at paper beside the reference imprint, the detector supplies a 100~; signal and the respective motor is actuated to mo~re the paper ~ towards the left ir. the examplc o-~ Fig, 20b j upOiJ
reception of such a s;gnal. W~en a de. ector is directea exactly facin~3 a reference imprint which is printed in a darlc color, for example blue or blaclc, ~he detector 3ives a 0~
signal ard tne respective motor is actua. ed to mo~e the paper _ 33 --.. . . .. . . . . . .

1~7~ 557 ( towards the right in the example of Fig . 20c ) upon reception of such a signal~
The reference imprints are arranged in such a manner that each detector detects and controls correction in only one direction~ Imprints 237, 240 control longitudinal positioning while imprints 2 ~8, 239 and 251, 254 control lateral positioning.
Fis. 21 shows additional positioning means that can complement the above described mearls. It can be seen on Fig. 19 that only a single marlc (i. e. reference imprint 237, 240) is provided for controlling the lonsitudinal position of each of the web 202 and bant 205. Now, it can happen that the paper extends or retracts so that if the po~itioning is correct at the end of the paper near imprints 237 and 240, it may not be correct at the other end.
To remedy this, the additional registering device of Fig, 21 is provided, Two pairs of grippers 272, 273 ~nt 274, 275 are pro~ided for gripping adjacent edgc parts at the ends of band 205 and web section ~02. Grippers 272 and 274 are -20 fixed, and srippers 273 and 275 controlled by respective motors 276, 277 are arranged to tension band 205 and section 202. A
registering device 278 comprising two detect~s 27g, 280 is placed in the proximity c~ Rdditional imprints 243, 244 provided on the paper described with reference tO Fig. 17. The device of Fig. 21 operates as follows:
After detection has been carried out by r~eans of the devices 219, 220 (Fig. 19), the grippers 272 to 275 close and grip the paper. The additional device is movable according to arrow 282 of Fig. 21 and is placed in such a manner that it is necessary to slightly tauten the paper to brirlg th~ addition~l imprint 244 of the end of bard 205 exactly onto the middle of detector 280. Detector 280 hence controls motor 276 to actuate gripper 282 until imprint 244 arrives at detector 280. At this moment, motor 276 stops.
Likewise, detector 279 acts on motor ~75 to bring the additional imprint 243 to deteccor 27~. Once this is done, the patterns are in perfect register even if ~ilatations o~ the paper hat occured The paper can then be cut and the adhesive band stuck on to units band 205 and web section 202.
Of course, details of the additional device of Fig.21 may be motified. For exam~le, the band 205 can be placed under a predetermined tension by means of ~rippers 27~ ant 273 and motor 276, and device 27~ be moved according to arrow 281 until detector 280 arr;ves over the additional imprint 244. The grippers 274, 275 will then be actuated to brins~ imprint 243 under the detector 27~. The grippers 272 ant 273 can be formed by jaws on the gripper 227 of Figs. 12 to 15, ~8 and 19. Finally, grippers 274 and 275 may ~e mounted on the transv~rse conveyor.
The embodiment described wi.h reference to Figs 12 to 21 operates as follows An initial web,202 for exampie of printed transfer paper, is fed from roll 203 by the conveyor 201 to face and overlap the band 205 being formed. As soon as web 202 contacts stop 214, forward movement of conveyor 201 is ~topped ant web 202 is cut by cutter 215 ~o form-a section to be joilled to bauld 205. During feed of web 202 on conveyor 201 the end of bant 205 is posi~:ioned by devices 219 ard 220.
For this operation, gripper 227 closes on the ent of band 205 and the detectors 250, 251 and 254 (Fig. 18) of the devices 219 and 220 act to position the imprints 240, 241 and 242 ( Fi~. 19) .
It was seen in conjunction with Fig. 20 that if the detectors face, for example, a non-printed part, the paper will be mo~et to the position shown in Figs . 20a ~ and 19) .
Positioning begins with a longitudinal adju~;tment, i. e. by moving imprint 240 relative to detector 250, As shown in Fig. 18, detector 250 controls .-notor 256 to longitutinally move gripper 227. As soon as imprint 24Q is placed relati~e to tetector 250, lateral positionin~2 is carried out by meanC of detectors 2~1 and 254. Detector 251 controls latera~
displacement of the ent 259 of gripper 227 by rneans of motor 258, and detector 254 controls l~teral tisplacement of the other end 262 by mearLs of motc.n 2~1~ As socr. as this operation is terminated, positionin~ of web se-tion 202 is carried out by detectors 252, 253 and 255 whic}~. respectively control motors 265, 268 and 2~1 to shift transverse conveyor 201, as previously tescribed. Y~nen web section- 202 is _ 36 --.. .. . _ . ..... . .. .. . ..

correctly placed relative to band 205, as shown in Fig. 19, the band and section are cut by the cutter 217 shown in Figs. 12 to 15, and the trimmings are remo~ed by means not shown. Immediately after cuttmg, an adhesi~re strip from roll 218 is applied on the lower face o~ the edse_to-edge joint. The adhesive strip must be as thin as possible ant have a coefficien1~ of dilatation substar~ially equal to that of the tran~fer pàper. To avoid creation of a heat barrier when the transfer paper passes through transfer machine 206, 10 it is possible to use a perforated adhesiYe strip. On¢e application of the adhesive strip from roll 218 is completed, gripper 227 opens ar.~l band 205 ad~vances on conveyor 204 by tke width o~ a strip 202, for the next ste~ to be carried out.
It is to be noted that the driving rollers 224, 225 rotate at constant spe~ arld hesl.-e dri-~e ba~d 205 at constant speed~ This is important, since the band 205 in cortact with rnaterial 207 to be printed must not stop in the tran3fer machine 206 . Even in the varied form o~ machine of Figs, t 4 and 15 where the band 20~ is simply wound on storage roll 228 3 20 it is desireable not to stop thi~ stora~3e ro11, but that winding of the band 205 on the roll should be carried out ir. a continuous manner, In this way, unwanted tensions which could at the limit rip th~ band of transf er paper ar e avoided . As the operation of regis t ering and sticking together the initial ~e~
sections is intermittent, the acc~mul~qtor device sche.naticaily shown in Figs. 12 to 15 by rollers 221, 22~ and 223 is provided.

_ 3? -1070557While adjusting and sticking of theband and web section take plæ,l~e roller 222 moves slowly up from its lowermost position ant hence permits the machine to operate continuously. When the sticking operation is completed, and the band 205 moves forward by the width of a web section, this length accumuI-ates in the loop by dowrlward movement of roller 222. Sticking of the following section 202 can t}len be carried out.
In case difference~ in ad~l~ctment tue to dilatation of the paper are observed, the additional device of Fig. 10 10 can be brought ir.to action.
Of course many modifications of details can be m~de to the arrangements described with reference to Figs. 12 to 21. For example, the described reference mar~cs formed by imprints could be replaced by magnetic data carried on or in the pap~r, or by pneumatically-detectable data mar~cs such as perforations along the side~ of the paper. For ma~3netic reference marks, the n~gisterins devices 219, 220 would include magnetic reading heads. For reference marks in the form of perforations, the re~isteri~g devices would inclute 20 pressure detectors.
The embodiments of Fi~7s. 12 to 21 enable a very precise registering of the imprints during for~nation Q~ the band 205. Of course, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that these em~odiments may be considerably simplified.
For example, as shown in the varied embodiment of Fig. 22, it is possible to deliver a web 202 onto conveyor 201 _ 38 --~rom a roll 203, with one of the edses 285 of the web bein~
pre_cut after de ~;l~ of reference marks, by a device 286.
The cut edge 287 is removed as shown. Web 202 is fed by conveyor 201 until its front end contacts stops 288 and 289, whereupon conveyor 201 stops. The web 202 is supported on conveyor 201 by endless belts 290, 291, 292 turning about cylinders 211, 212. A cutting device with detection means 215 cuts web 202 which is held and positioned on conveyor 201 during feed by, f:or example, pneumatic means ( not shown ) so that it comes to contact stops 288, 289 on the one hand and a wall 293 on the other hand. As the two perpenticular edges of web 202 bearing against stops 288, 2~9 and wall 293 have been cut after detection of reference marks (either reference imprints on the etges of the web or on the pattern itself ), the cut web section occupies a well determined position. :~t therefore suffices to apply an adhesive on the non cut edge 294 by means of a tevice 295, anc~ deliver band 20S over edge 294 by means of gripper 227 controlled by motor 256. For this operation, there is provided a regicterinSI
device 219 similar to that descr.~ed with reference to Figs. 12 to 21, for pos;tioning the corner 296 of the rear end o~ band 205~ The control of mo~ement of ~ripper 227 by means of motor 256 will be regulated so that the end of band 205 is suitably positioned relative to web section 202 when its corner 296 is in place relative to device Z19. The cont~cting etges cf band 205 and web section 202 are then pressed tosether. The , . . . . . .. . .

fact that edge 294 of web section 202 is not cut enables on the one hand this edge to be used for the sticking operation ar;d , on the other hand, to use reference imprints thereon for the purposes of cutting the ents of sections 202 ant adju~ting the band 205. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the arrangement of Fig. 22 can be further simplified. These sim~plifications depend mainly on the quality of the transfer paper, the complexity of the pattern on this paF~er, ant the skill of operators. In simple cases, all of the registering devices with the exception of those used for cutting can be dispensed with, and }~ition~r2g o~ web section 202 relative to band 205 carried out solely by stops 288, 289 and control of the feed of band 205.
In the varied arrarl~ement of Figs. 23 ant 24, a web 202 of patterned transfer paper whose lateral edge~
have been trimmed after de~ection of reference marl~s is stored on a roll 300 fitted in a feed device 301 pro~ided with an ~accumulation~ device formed of ~hree ~ixed rotata~le cylinders 302, 303, 304 and two verrtically mova~le cy~irsders 30~, 306. YVeb 202 is intermittentl~ driYen and laterally positioned b~, a device 307 comprisin~ a pair of cyli~ders at the delivery of feed device 3û1. Lateral positioning by device 307 is achieved by means of a cell 3{)8 controlling the passa~e of one of the pre~cut edses of web 202. A gripper 309 moving on a rail 31Q come~ to collect web 202 fed from the eylir.ders of device 307 to deliver it in an adjusted position on a pressure _ ~0 _ and suction table 311. The upper surface o~ table 311 has orifices 312 arranged to supply pressurized air during the delivery of web 202 to facilitate delivery, and to apply a suction to hold the delivered web 202 on the table. The gripper 309 is momentaneously stopped i~lst before the end of the delivery path to permit a cutting operation by a cutting device 213 after detection of reference marks by a cell 314.
~Yhen cutting is finished, gripper 309 con~inues to move up to a stop 315, and opens. The air current ~hrough orifices 312 is in~erted so that web section 202 is held by suction on table 311.
The web section 202 is thus held on table 311 in ~n ex~ctly adjusted position, since the web was guided laterally by cell 308, c~tting was carried out at a location set by cell 314, and the gripper 309 op~ned after coming against the stop.
During the deiivering movement of gripper 309, an athesive 3trip 3161 from a roll 317' is unrolled onto the edge of web 202 and protrudes beyond this edse The -pro~ruting-part o~ rip 3~6 1 is intended to come to apply on the rearmost ed~e o~ the band 205 formed from the web sections 202. The band 205, as web 202, is driven intermittently by a mechanssm 316 with a positioning device controlled by a cel~ 317 cooperating with a gripper 318 which holds the end o~ band 205. .~echanism 316 comprises a pair of cylinders 318 ' for delivering the band 205 by a predetermined amount after each stickin~ operation . T o allow this, gripper 318 opens and mechanism 316 start~ up.
_ 41 --Band 205 passes between cylinders 318 ' urltil its rear ent arrives facing cell 317 which controls stopping of mechanism 316 and closu~g of gripper 318. The rear end of band 21~5 will thus be exactly atjustet relative to the web section 202 on table 311. The deliver~ of the band 205 takes place at the same time as the delivery of web 202. When the two deli~rery movements a~e finished, a pressure lath 319 moves down and press~s the two edges of web section 202 ant band 20~ against table 311, and they are stuclc together by the adhesive band 1~) unwound and stuck onto web 202 as it was delivered. At the end of ~he sticking operation, the lath 319 m.o~es bac}c up, gripper 318 opens and the following delivery operation can be carried out. If desired, a photoelectric cell 320 controlling the positioning mechanism 316 with its two cylinders 318 ~ can be added to control the ,~osition of the left hand edge of bas~d 205. This ~ell 320 is only necessary i~ very pr.ocise positioning is required.
When a very Sreat pr~cision is- not rec}uired, the cells 308, 317 and 320 can be dispensed with, as well a~ the 20 positioning devices associated therewith. It is howe~rer recommendable to keep cell 314 ~or contr~l of c~ting.
The gripper 309 for pu~lirsg web 20Z can ~e replaced by other delivery means, for example a cylinder of las~e diameter on part o~ which a band section can be wound. A~er the cutting operation, this cylinder would move do~.rn onto table 3 11, and roll to deposit the band section on the table .

_ ~2 --, _ . . ..... .. _ . _ _. . . , _ , . _ ... . .. . _ . _ . ; .. . . ___ . _ It would thus be possible to position the band section without cells, stops or other mears.
It is noted for the embodiments of Figs. 12 to 24 that the cutting operations may be carried out either in the machines or before the we?~s are introduced therein, and that sticking can be provided by means- of an athesi~e strip on cut edge-to-edge joints, or by means of an a&esive on overlapping edges of the web sections. Also, numerous detection and adjusting operations can be carried out b-3r various 10 devices suited to the desired precision of assembly.
The inv~tion is th ~s no~, limited to the tescribed embodiments and variations. Many changes, improvements and simplifications can be mate within the scope of tha appended claims. The invention provides a new process of manufacturing w;te transfer paper bands by a~sembling narrower webs or web sections and adjusting the assembly so that the patterns carried by the narrow webs c~r web sections are in exact registration and ~an be con~inuously tran~;ferred GntO a substrate. The s~rention tqlso includes mac~i~e~ for c2rr~yin 20 out this new process, and the compostte bands obtained.

Claims (17)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A process for the transfer printing of a wide sub-strate from opaque paper transfer sheets of lesser width, wherein the sheets carry designs or patterns transferable at a tempera-ture of 180 to 240°C at atmospheric pressure, comprising the steps of: aligning at least two transfer sheets edge-by-edge with their edges parallel to the edges of the composite band thus formed, by detecting reference marks carried by the trans-fer sheets, so that their respective designs or patterns are in registration with each other; feeding the thus aligned trans-fer sheets, together with the substrate onto which the designs or patterns are to be transferred, into transfer means; and transferring the designs or patterns in registration onto the substrate in the transfer means at a temperature of 180 to 240 C

2. A process according to claim 1, further comprising.
cutting the edge of at least one of the sheets before aligning the transfer sheets edge-by-edge.

3. A process according to claim 1, further comprising:
cutting the edge of at least one of the sheets after aligning the transfer sheets edge-by-edge.

4. A process according to claim 3, further comprising:
overlapping the respective adjacent edges of two transfer sheets and cutting the overlapping edges after bringing the respective designs or patterns into registration.

5. A process according to claim 1, further comprising:
cutting at least one edge of at least one of the sheets before the sheets are aligned edge-by-edge, said cutting to be done at a predetermined position relative to the pattern, and using said cut edge as a reference edge for aligning the cut sheet in registration with the neighboring web.

6. A process according to claim 1, wherein said feeding of the transfer sheets is in the forward direction and is con-tinuous with the sheets maintained parallel to one another and under a predetermined tension, continuously regulating the lateral position and the tension of at least one of the sheets for maintaining registration of the respective designs or patterns.

7. A process according to claim 6, wherein the tension of one of the transfer sheets is held substantially constant and the tension of at least one other transfer sheet is varied between predetermined limits.

8. A process according to claim 6, wherein the tension under which the sheets are moved forward is initially a mean tension which is the arithmetic mean of a maximum tension below the breaking tension of the sheets and a minimum tension selected whereby the sheets exhibit a substantially rectilinear profile, and varies between the maximum and minimum tensions to maintain the respective designs or patterns in registration.

9. A process according to claim 1, further comprising providing sheet reserves in the form of at least one loop, thereby to maintain web movement during attachment of the leading ends of successive webs to preceding sheets.

10. A process according to claim 1, comprising the initial step of applying the design or pattern to the sheet and also applying optical registration marks to at least one of the edges of each transfer sheet at the same time as the application of the design or pattern to that sheet.

11. Equipment for the transfer printing of a wide substrate from transfer sheet of lesser width according to claim 1, comprising means for bringing at least two transfer sheets together edge-by-edge, with the edges parallel to the edges of the composite band thus formed, control means for adjusting the alignment of the edge-by-edge sheets, by detecting reference marks carried by the transfer sheets, to bring their respective designs or patterns into registration and to maintain such registration, and transfer means positioned to receive the aligned sheets together with the substrate to be printed and including means for effecting the transfer of the designs or patterns to the substrate.

12. Equipment according to claim 11, wherein said means for bringing the sheets together edge-by-edge comprises a respective set of tension rollers for each sheet with the respective said tension roller set being arranged so as to put its respective sheet under tension, and a set of drive rollers common to all the sheets and placed beyond said tension rollers in the forward direction of the sheet movement, said driving rollers driving the sheets at a constant, predetermined speed, said control means being adapted to detect a lateral or longitudinal shift of one sheet relative to another and to control said tension rollers thereby to regulate continuously the relative position of the sheets to maintain their registration.

13. Equipment according to claim 12, wherein said control means includes means for detecting lateral and long-itudinal displacements of reference marks of the sheets, said tension roller sets being arranged in pairs, means for laterally moving said pairs of tension rollers to compensate for the lateral displacements of the reference marks, and means for controlling said pairs of tension rollers to set the tension of at least one sheet to compensate for the longitudinal displacements of the sheets.

14. Equipment according to claim 11, further comprising cutting means for cutting at least one sheet edge before establish-ing registration.

15. Equipment according to claim 13, further comprising cutting means for cutting at least one sheet edge after establish-ing registration.

16. Equipment according to claim 11, further comprising an accumulator device for forming a reserve of sheet to be made up in the form of at least one loop.

17. Equipment according to claim 11 wherein said control means includes one of the group consisting of photoelectric, magnetic or pneumatic sensors.