EP1682351B2 - Method and device for combined printing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing printed products which are printed by different methods.

Printing devices are known per se and extensively in use. In this case, printing documents, so paper, cardboard, films and dergleiche as sheet or roll goods through roller / cylinder column led to inking units over. In the inking units each ink is transferred to the surface of the printing substrate by different transfer methods. These methods include, for example, offset printing, screen printing, and the like.

Furthermore, foil printing processes from the prior art are known per se. It is common to all known film printing method that is applied to a print substrate, such as paper, cardboard or film as sheet or roll goods, a film partially under pressure and permanently fixed. As printing foils are in particular films with gold or Sibergianz, z. As so-called transfer films, for use, but also printing films in various colors with high gloss or silk gloss surfaces are known. WO 93/24332 shows such a film printing method.

The application of the printing film on the substrate is usually done with the technique of stamping foil printing. This printing technique resembles in its basic form a high-pressure process and is similar in that respect the book printing. The key common feature is that the printing parts of the printing form are higher than the surrounding non-printing parts. During the printing process, the printing plate is heated indirectly and kept at a constant temperature. The printing medium passing from the printing film to the substrate during printing consists of a printing film layer in the form of a thin, multi-layered dry film, which is detachably fastened on a mostly transparent carrier film by means of a separating layer. The printing film layer in turn has a two-layer structure with a silver-colored aluminum vaporization and a mostly colored lacquer layer. This double printing film layer is finally provided with a tacky when heated resin coating.

During printing, the printing film is passed together with the substrate to be printed by the printing unit, wherein the printing film layer is detached from the carrier film and transferred to the substrate by the contact pressure of the heated printing form at the determined by the raised elements of the printing form. Due to the heat transferred from the printing form, on the one hand, the separating layer evaporates between the carrier film and the printing film layer, so that the latter is easily detached from the carrier film. On the other hand, under the action of heat, the synthetic resin layer is activated from the dry to a sticky state, so that the synthetic resin layer forms an adhesive layer between the base and the printing film layer. As a result, the printed foil layer, for example in the form of a gold-shining layer, adheres permanently to the substrate at the points predetermined by the printing form.

A disadvantage of this known film printing method that the production and installation of the printing form, d. H. cliché, requires a very long preparation and set-up time. Since the preparation and setup time can make up almost half of the total production time, the known film printing process is overall very time consuming and thus associated with high production costs. In addition, warming are common, sometimes over 200 ° C, resulting in very high energy costs.

To overcome the aforementioned disadvantages was with the EP 0 578 706 B1 already proposed a film printing method in which on a substrate to be printed under pressure, a carrier film, a transfer layer and an arranged between carrier film and transfer layer release layer transfer film is placed, wherein in a film deposition upstream process step, the surface of the pad to those provided for the film support Spaces is provided with an adhesive layer for the transfer layer and in a downstream of the film support step, the pad with the transfer layer adhesively applied thereto by means of the adhesive layer transfer layer is subjected to a pressure applied during the film support contact pressure. This process is referred to as film transfer processes.

In this film transfer or foil printing process eliminates the prior creation of a printing form, d. H. a cliche. The transfer of the transfer layer also does not occur due to the partial application of pressure in the region of the elevated points of the printing form or of the cliché. Rather, prior to the process step of the film support, the substrate provided for the film printing is provided with a partial adhesive layer, for example an adhesive layer, which then takes over the transfer layer at the relevant points of the transfer film within the printing unit. Since the adhesive layer is already on the substrate prior to the actual printing process, the existing in the known transfer films resin layer can be omitted. Finally, a heating of the printing surface is no longer necessary because with the elimination of the resin layer on the transfer film and their heating in order to bring about the adhesive effect deleted.

In order to produce a permanent connection between the base and the transfer layer, in a subsequent to the film support, ie the actual printing process step, the pad with the transfer layer thereon is subjected to a contact pressure, which substantially exceeds the pressure during the film support.

Although the above-described film printing method according to the EP 0 578 706 B1 has proven in practice, is a disadvantage that further processing, for. As printing, embossing or the like, which provided with a transfer layer pad can not be performed in a simple manner. Thus, it is in fact necessary to temporarily store the base after application of the transfer layer at a separate location, wherein it may be previously cut to size. Subsequently, the provided with a transfer layer pad in a separate operation of another processing device, for. B. a printing device, by means of which then a further processing, for. B. printing of the pad can be made. Both the intermediate storage of provided with a transfer layer pad and the additional operation of supplying the pad in a further processing device is not only time consuming, but also costly, because it is necessary to work in perfect fit, so in the other than separately to be performed processing exactly matched to both the pad and on the substrate applied to the transfer layer. In the past, it has come to deviations and Fehlbedruckungen with respect to the further processing operation of the more common, which disadvantageously had a high committee result, which is very cost-intensive, especially with regard to the already provided with a transfer layer pad.

The same applies if pretreated by means of film to be coated printing documents, z. B. pre-printed or pre-stamped. Again, a completely separate second operation is required to supply the pretreated printing substrates after final completion of the processing operations including a possibly required drying, packaging and the like to the film transfer.

Against the background of the described prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a printing method and a device which enable the application of different methods to the same printed products in directly successive operations.

On the method side, with the invention for the technical solution of this object, a method for the production of printed products with all features of claim 1 is used.

The inventive method is characterized by its in-line process implementation. The individual process steps for the treatment of documents are immediately connected in series and can be carried out in a process passage. It is therefore no longer necessary, in contrast to the prior art, to temporarily store the pad provided with a film or transfer layer at a separate location in order then to carry out additional processing of the pad in a further operation. Rather, the method according to the invention allows a continuous process implementation, the result of which is a substrate coated with a transfer film or a transfer layer and additionally provided with a structure and / or embossing. According to the invention, therefore, the film printing process and the structure and / or embossing process are coordinated with each other.

According to a first alternative of the invention, it is provided that the printed products to be produced are first film-coated and then provided with a structure and / or embossing. Alternatively, it can be provided that the printed products to be produced are first provided with a structure and / or embossing and then film-coated. In any case, the implementation of the method according to the invention is carried out continuously in-line, that is, the film printing process is either the structure and / or embossing process immediately upstream or downstream. An intermediate storage of the printed products to be produced does not take place.

Under embossing in the context of the invention is to be understood that the pad, whether it is already coated with a film or not, is provided with elevations and / or depressions. The elevations and / or depressions can optionally form an arbitrary pattern in their overall appearance. Thus, it is conceivable, for example, that all those locations of the substrate which are coated with a film are formed either before or after the film coating as a survey and / or depression.

The formation of a structure according to the invention means that the pad is provided either before or after a film coating with a uniform pattern of elevations and / or depressions. Thus, a structure may be formed, for example, to the effect that the pad is provided with longitudinal, transverse and otherwise extending line-like elevations and / or depressions, which are equidistantly spaced from each other. Of course, other patterns can be formed, where the imagination knows no bounds. The decisive factor is that the structuring takes place in the context of a continuous process implementation.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the printed products to be produced are printed with ink in a further process stage in a printing stage having at least one inking unit. In this case, the printed product to be generated be printed before or after the film coating or before or after the embossing process color. According to this process alternative, the base previously provided with a film or transfer layer and a structure or embossing can first be dried and thus prepared for the subsequent printing process. After drying, the substrate is then printed with a base provided with a film or transfer layer and a structure or embossing. The result of this method implementation is provided with a film or transfer layer and a structure or embossing and an additional printing underlay, which can then be further tailored as needed to measure and optionally further processed for a desired determination. In any case, in contrast to the prior art, it is not necessary to carry out the application of the film or transfer layer, the formation of the structure and / or embossing and the printing of the substrate in individual, complex process steps. The method according to the invention is considerably easier to carry out in this respect and is also much less expensive.

In a modification to the method alternative described above, it can also be provided that the substrate is printed in a process step immediately preceding the application of the film or the transfer layer and then dried. Then, a structure and / or embossing on the already printed and provided with a transfer sheet pad is performed. This variant of the method is also distinguished by its in-line method implementation. In contrast to the first-mentioned alternative, however, it is provided according to this method implementation that an additional printing of the substrate is carried out in advance of a transfer layer application or a process for forming a structure and / or embossing. It is provided that the pad is first printed in a first step. Then takes place in a drying process, a drying of the printed substrate. The printed substrate is then provided with a film or transfer layer and a structure and / or embossing in the manner described above. Of course, it can also be provided that the printing process is followed by the embossing process before the then printed and embossed substrate is provided with a film or transfer layer. As a result, according to this method implementation, a base is also provided which has a film or transfer layer and is additionally provided with a printing and a structure or embossing. A multi-part process implementation is not required in this alternative process variant, so that set the same advantages as in the first method variant described above.

It goes without saying that it is within the scope of the invention that the sequence and frequency of the individual process stages can be varied as desired. Thus, for example, the base can be provided with an embossing, then with a printing and finally with a transfer film. The printing may be, for example, multi-color printing, in which the original is printed in a variety of color / printing units in a manner known per se from the prior art, in each case with the required steps such as drying and the like. It is essential that with regard to the printing or the film printing, the finished in the respective process stage products are dried so far that the product for a further, whatever processing as an intermediate, but still in-line, that is without the There is a need for temporary storage. Even if additional pressure stages follow after the transfer film coating or further film transfer stages are carried out, this can be done in any order and frequency. The same applies to the structure and / or embossing process. After a printing process, a film transfer process or a structure and / or embossing process, however, always the intermediate state is set. For this reason, it is provided according to a further feature of the invention that the printed products to be produced are dried in a further process stage, wherein the drying takes place subsequent to the film coating and / or subsequent to the color printing. In this case, as described above, a plurality of film coatings and / or a plurality of color prints may be provided, wherein after each film coating and / or subsequent to each color printing drying is to be carried out.

The drying process can be carried out according to a further proposal of the invention by means of infrared irradiation, blower application and / or similar methods. The drying process is of importance for carrying out the process, in that the subsequent processing step can be carried out accurately and there is no faulty process implementation as a result of a possibly still moist underlay. Particularly suitable for the process of drying, the Gebläsebeaufschlagung or infrared radiation has been found. Of course, other possibilities of drying are also suitable and can be used as needed depending on the process. However, the mentioned methods are characterized by their effectiveness while at the same time minimizing costs.

According to a further proposal of the invention, the transfer foil to be supplied as part of the method implementation of the pad is fed in an additional method step to a spreader roll equipped with lamellae. This achieves that the transfer film is smoothly painted and also in the width direction is stretched, which advantageously allows an improved formation of the printed image caused by the transfer layer. According to a particular advantage of the invention it is provided that the spreader roller is shorter than the width of the film transfer plant. Spreader rolls are usually rolls covered with rubbery fins. These lamellae generally point outwardly from the center plane of the roller to the ends of the rollers. This means that material guided over these rollers is always stretched outwardly, ie in width, by the pressure applied by the lamellae. If now not the full printing or transfer width of a device can be used, so for example a spreader roll can be used, which is asymmetric. If only half the transfer width is used, after about one quarter of the length of the spreader roll will be the center from which slats extending towards the end or towards the center of the roll will emerge. Thus, only half the width of a system can be used. The second half of the spreader bar may, for example, be designed without any lamella formation.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to use a smooth, possibly elastic pressure surface for the action of pressure in the film support. The magnitude of the pressure during the film coating should advantageously be such that it is not sufficient to press the printed film edges in the pad. However, the pressure must be large enough to dissolve the transfer layer partially or flatly from the substrate.

In order to enable a continuous implementation of the Fofiendruckverfahrens, it is proposed in a development of the method that the film support between two oppositely running rolls of a transfer calender takes place. It is also advantageous to apply to the required contact pressure between two counter-rotating rollers to ensure a final fixation of the transfer layer.

If according to an embodiment of the method, the pad is provided in a single or multi-color work with the adhesive layer, can be used for this part of the process implementation, a commercial printing, so that incurred relatively low acquisition and operating costs. The adhesive layer can be covered by a primer if the absorbent material is too absorbent. For this purpose, a two-color printing unit is particularly suitable. With a two-color printing unit, it is also possible to apply a two-component adhesive as an adhesive layer for the transfer film.

To form a structure and / or embossing, a structural and / or embossing calender is preferably provided. This calender has oppositely directed vertically rotating rollers spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction, the rollers being provided with a structure or an embossing to be fed to the rollers and passed through the forming nip. It goes without saying that the gap width between the at least two rollers can be set optionally. One of the two rollers is provided with a comparatively hard surface, whereas the other roller has a comparatively less hard surface and is formed, for example, from an elastic material, for example rubber. The harder of the two rollers bears in negative form the einzuprägende pattern in the pad. The opposite of this roller roller serves as a pressure roller and presses the provided with a structure and / or embossing pattern pad against the embossing roller. As a result, a substrate provided with a structure or an embossing, which can be provided with a transfer film and / or a pressure as part of the further in-line process implementation, as described above.

According to a further feature of the invention can be provided that the pad is printed with a circuit. Such a circuit may comprise, for example, printed conductors, which could be used in the other as an electronic unit. The application of a circuit or multiple circuits may be connected upstream of the above-described method steps, downstream or interposed. A limitation does not exist here.

According to a further feature of the invention, the pad can also be provided with security motives. Security motives in the sense of the invention may be subjects that are not visible under normal conditions, such as daylight. Only under, for example, UV radiation, these motifs are visible. Such security motives can serve, for example, as authenticity criterion. In this case, the formation of security motifs can also be preceded, followed or interposed by the method steps already described above. Structural calenders, embossing calenders, embossing units and printing units are suitable for the application of circuits and / or safety motives.

In particular, for the formation of circuits, the film printing method has been found to be particularly suitable. The transfer film used is a carrier film provided with copper as the transfer layer. In addition to copper, of course, other conductive materials come into consideration. The only thing that matters is that the printed image formed by the film printing reproduces the to be applied to the formation of the desired circuit on the documents traces.

Another fundamental problem with respect to the described technology results from the construction of the printing cylinder. For example, these have a standard circumference of 920 mm, but only 720 mm are available as a pressure zone. In the remaining 200 mm, the grippers for the printing foils are arranged. In the case of printing cylinders, this is referred to as the so-called channel zone in relation to the cited 200 mm, which extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis over the entire length of the cylinder. Now runs the described provided with the transfer layer carrier film continuously fully around the printing cylinder for the purpose of transfer, every 720 mm results in a dead space of 200 mm, which can not be used for transfer purposes. After all, these are more than 20%, so that there is also a corresponding film loss, since these areas are ultimately Committee. Completely independent of the described solutions, advantages and features, the present invention provides an independent solution to this problem. This is that the method is provided to control the Follenvorschub the transfer film of the rotation of the printing cylinder independently to. For this purpose, it is provided on the method side that the transfer film is briefly stopped relative to the rotation of the printing cylinder and / or even guided in opposite directions. In an advantageous manner, the transfer film can be lifted off the printing cylinder at least in some areas for the stated purpose. The printing cylinder then runs, for example, over the described 200 mm with respect to the fixed or even transported back film and the channel zone does not necessarily produce a Folienausschuß. This solution presented can be used independently of all other solutions described in the present application, even in transfer plants belonging to the prior art.

On the device side, a device with all the features of claim 11 is used for the technical solution of the problem mentioned at the outset.

Furthermore, according to a further proposal of the invention, a printing device having at least one inking unit can be provided, which is connected in series with the film transfer device and the structural and / or embossing calender.

According to the invention, a device suitable for carrying out the method is provided with at least one structure and / or embossing calender and at least one printing unit, which comprises a transfer film feed, a transfer film transfer and a printing gap bounded on the one hand by a printing surface and on the other hand by a mating surface for the passage of a substrate to be printed together with the provided by the transfer sheet feeding transfer film, wherein there are further provided an upstream of the printing unit adhesive with an adhesive layer in the substrate provided with an adhesive member and a printing unit downstream Preßwerk with a limited by a pressing surface and on the other hand by a Preßgegenfläche press nips for passing the printed Document. This device is supplemented by a drying unit downstream of the pressing unit as well as a pressure unit connected downstream of the drying unit. Additionally or alternatively, a pressure device arranged upstream of the glueing device and a drying device arranged between the pressure device and the glueing device are provided. The structure and / or embossing calender can also be upstream or downstream of either the printing device or the film transfer device.

The above-described device variants advantageously enable an in-line implementation of the method according to the invention. It is provided according to a first alternative embodiment, that the pressing unit is a drying device upstream or downstream. The purpose of the drying device is to dry the base provided with a film or transfer layer and thus to prepare it for a further processing operation. Such drying can be carried out by means of blower application or by means of infrared irradiation. Subsequent to the drying process, the printing or embossing of the already provided with a film or transfer layer pad, for which purpose the drying device is followed by a printing device or a structural and / or embossing calender. The printing device may be formed of an upper and a lower roller, wherein the upper roller is preferably the actual printing operation, whereas the lower roller is formed as a counter roller to the upper roller so as to ensure a sufficient contact pressure of the upper roller can.

According to a further device alternative can be provided that the pad, before it is provided in the manner described above with a film or transfer layer, printed in an upstream printing process and embossed in an embossing process downstream of the printing process. For this purpose, it is provided that the adhesive device is preceded by a printing device. So before the pad is provided with an adhesive layer and in the further with a film or transfer layer, both a print and an embossing of the pad takes place. To ensure that after the printing of the pad, the adhesive layer can be properly applied, is between printing device and gluing a. Drying device provided. This causes a drying of the preprinted pad, before it is then provided in the further with an adhesive layer. Needless to say, it is also possible first to emboss the underlay in an embossing process, then to print it and finally to provide it with a transfer film.

According to a particular advantage of the invention, the individual assemblies of the film transfer machine In-line arranged directly behind each other, which allows an in-line process implementation with the already prescribed advantages.

According to a further feature of the invention, a spreader roll equipped with lamellae is part of the film transfer machine according to the invention. The spreader roll may be designed asymmetrically according to a further feature of the invention with respect to their slat arrangement. That is, as described in the method, the finned portion of the spreader roll can not pass the full length of the spreader roll and be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the center plane of the roll. In this way, sections of the system can be used.

The film transfer machine thus undergoes an embodiment, according to which the pressing surface and the pressing mating surface are formed by two smooth-surface rollers of a pressure calender. Preferably, the pressure surface and the counter surface are also on smooth-surfaced rollers, which form a transfer calender in this case.

In a further embodiment form. the printing unit and the Preßwerk a structural unit, the upstream gluing unit can be designed as a per se known single or multi-color work.

One- or multi-color work, printing or transfer unit and press shop together form the inline film transfer enabling film transfer machine. It is readily possible, this possible to associate this film transfer machine an endless printing machine, web printing press or label printing machine as downstream in terms of inline production. The machine unit composed of printing unit and pressing unit can also be connected downstream of existing printing units or adhesive coating machines as an additional unit.

With regard to the method, an invention independent of all other solutions, advantages and features has been described with regard to the bridging of the channel zone of the printing cylinder. In order to allow the printing cylinder to advance at least over the region of the channel zone of 200 mm without advancing the transfer film in relation to the stationary or even recycled film, it is proposed on the device side to guide the transfer film over the impression cylinder via so-called dancers. These are shafts with displaceable axes. A cam control, preferably a drum cam control and a corresponding drive, can be used to displace at least one of the dancers used relative to the film by displacing the axis in order to control the tension on the transfer film in this way , This makes it possible that the printing cylinder can idle relative to the transfer sheet at least over a peripheral region. In addition, the transfer film can be guided relative to the printing cylinder so that it rests only in the transfer nip on the printing cylinder to reduce the friction surfaces. This results in almost any controllability of the film feed over the impression cylinder. These device-side solutions are independent of the above-described solutions, advantages and features of the invention and represent an independent invention.

Fig. 1

in einer vereinfachten, teilweise geschnittenen Seitendarstellung eine Druckeinheit gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

in einer vereinfachten, teilweise geschnittenen Seitendarstellung eine integrierbare Druckeinheit gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

in einer vereinfachten, teilweise geschnittenen Seitendarstellung eine integrierbare Druckeinheit gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

in einer teilgeschnittenen Seitendarstellung eine asymmetrisch ausgebildete Breitstreckwalze;

Fig. 5

in einer verkürzten Detailansicht ein Druckwerk sowie das Preßwerk nach den Fig. 1 und 2 und

Fig. 6

eine Teilansicht von oben des Druckwerkes entsprechend der Fig. 4.

Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the invention are shown. The illustrations in the drawings do not reflect the actual proportions. In detail show:

Fig. 1

in a simplified, partially sectioned side view of a printing unit according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

in a simplified, partially sectioned side view an integrable printing unit according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 3

in a simplified, partially sectioned side view an integratable printing unit according to a third embodiment;

Fig. 4

in a partially sectioned side view of an asymmetrical spreader roller;

Fig. 5

in a condensed detail view of a printing unit and the pressing mechanism after the Fig. 1 and 2 and

Fig. 6

a partial view from above of the printing unit according to the Fig. 4 ,

The in the Fig. 1 . 2 and 3 shown printing unit consists of several individual modules. These are the gluing unit 1, the transfer or printing unit 7, the pressing unit 8, the drying device 26, the pressure device 29 of the structure and / or embossing calender 33 and the smoothing device formed from spreader rollers 23.

The adhesive work 1 shown in the figures consists of a conventional two-color printing unit, which serves in the context of the invention for the partial coating of a substrate 2 to be printed with a thin adhesive layer 3, for example a thin one- or two-component adhesive film. For this purpose, the adhesive unit 1 has inter alia a lower roller 4 and a top roller 5, which serves as an adhesive upper roller 5 is formed as a blanket cylinder, the adhesive film according to a predetermined pattern partially on the guided through the gap between lower roller 4 and upper roller 5 pad. 2 , z. B. a paper or cardboard strip transmits.

As in the FIGS. 1 . 2 and 3 shown, follow the gluing unit 1 in the transport direction 32, the transfer or printing unit 7 and the press unit 8 after. In the exemplary embodiments shown, both are integrated in a system and housed in a housing 6. Here, of course, individual stages, modular arrangements and the like can be realized, since it also depends on the functional integrity, not on the structural.

In the printing unit 7, a transfer sheet 10 wound up on a supply roll 9 is partially transferred to the base 2 passed through the printing unit 7 in a printing nip formed by two rolls. For this purpose, the transfer film 10 is guided over two tension rollers 11 to a smooth-surfaced, possibly elastic pressure roller 12 and then passes through an intermediate roller 13 on a collecting roller 14. The pressure roller 12 runs with the interposition of the pad 2 and the transfer sheet 10 with a defined pressure on a chromed Counter roll 15 and forms together with this a transfer calender.

Also, the optional Preßwerk 8 consists in the embodiments of a calender with two rolls, of which the upper roll forms a smooth-surfaced press roll 16 and the lower roll also a smooth-faced Preßgegenwalze 17. The contact pressure generated between the press roll 16 and Preßgegenwalze 17 significantly exceeds the pressure between the pressure roller 12 and counter-roller 15th

According to a first device altemative, which in Fig. 1 is shown, the pressing unit 8 in the transport direction 32, a drying device 26, a printing device 29 and a structural and / or embossing calender 33 upstream or downstream. In the transfer unit, the film 10 is smoothed by spreader rollers 23 in width. Due to the roll guide, a smoothing takes place in the longitudinal direction anyway. In this way, it is ensured that a smoothed film carrier web for the transfer between the pressure roller 12 and counter-roller 15 is introduced. Also, in the discharge area, a spreader roller 23 may be arranged to keep the film carrier smooth, so as to avoid distortion or folding in the region of the pressure roller. The underlay 20 provided with the transfer layer 20 passes through the drying device 26 before it reaches the printing device 29. By means of fan or infrared irradiation, the underlay 2 provided with the transfer layer 20 is dried in the drying device 26, which serves in particular for transferring to the base 2 previously applied adhesive layer 3 completely dry out. This drying process is necessary insofar as subsequently a printing of the substrate 2 provided with a transfer layer 20 in-line, that is to say without intermediate storage of the substrate 2 provided with a transfer layer 20, can be carried out properly. This printing process takes place in the drying unit 26 in the transport direction 32 downstream printing device 29. This printing device 29 is preferably formed of a top roll 30 and a bottom roll 31, wherein preferably the surface 30 performs the actual printing of the base 2, whereas the bottom roll 31 is formed as a counter roll to the upper roll 30 and or generating the necessary for the printing through the surface Counterpressure serves. On the representation of inking and other print guides and the like has been omitted for reasons of clarity, since these are known per se from the prior art.

Between drying unit 26 and printing device 29, a structure and / or embossing calender 33 is arranged. This structural and / or embossing calender 33 serves to provide the structure 2 with a previously provided with a transfer layer 20 and dried pad 2 with a structure and / or embossing pattern. Subsequent to the embossing process, the pad 2 is printed by means of the printing device 29, as described above.

The structure and / or embossing calender 33 consists of a rubber roller 34 or a steel cylinder, which serves as a pressure roller, and a structure and / or embossing roll 35, the surface of which einzubrägende in the pad 2 structure or einzuprägende in the pad 2 embossing bears in negative form.

As Fig. 1 can be further removed, there is the drying unit. 26 of an upper part 27 and a lower part 28. The guided through the film transfer machine pad can thus be dried on both sides in a process procedure. Alternatively, it can also be provided to provide only one upper part 27 or only one lower part 28, but it may then be necessary to achieve a sufficient drying process, the drying device 26 in the longitudinal direction of transport 32 perform correspondingly long.

Fig. 2 shows the printing unit according to the invention according to a second embodiment. In contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 is according to the embodiment according to Fig. 2 provided that a printing of the pad 2 takes place before it is transferred to this a transfer layer 20 of the film 10. It is provided for this purpose that the adhesive device 1 in the transport direction 32, the printing device 29 is connected upstream. In the manner described above, a printing of the pad 2 is performed here, however, in contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 not yet provided with a transfer layer 20. In order to be able to properly ensure application of the adhesive 3 and subsequent placement of the transfer layer 20, a drying device 26 is provided immediately downstream of the printing unit 29. This consists in the already described manner of an upper part 27 and a lower part 28, wherein preferably by means of the drying means an infrared drying or drying by means of blower is performed. The printed and dried base 2 is then fed to the gluing unit 1 and the transfer layer 20 is subsequently applied to the already printed base 2 in the manner already described above. Further, spreader rolls 23 are provided which stretch the transfer layer 20 in the width direction of the base 2 so as to ensure proper formation of the transfer layer 20.

In contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 is according to the embodiment according to Fig. 2 In addition, it is provided that the underlay 2 to be subsequently printed on and provided with a transfer film 20 is first provided with an embossing, for which purpose the printing device 29 is preceded by a structure and / or embossing calender 33 in the transport direction 32. The structural and / or embossing calender 33 comprises, as already described above, a rubber roller 34 on the one hand and a structural and / or embossing roller 35 on the other hand. On the presentation of the remaining components of the structural and / or embossing calender 33 was omitted for the sake of clarity.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment variant of the invention. According to this alternative, the gluing unit 1 is preceded by the structural and / or embossing calender 33. In the manner already described above, the transfer unit 1 is followed by the transfer or printing unit 7, the pressing unit 8, the drying unit 26 and the printing unit 29. As part of a process implementation according to the embodiment according to Fig. 3 the pad 2 is first provided with an embossing. Then follows the application of the adhesive 3, followed by the application of the transfer film 20. Then, the substrate 2 provided with a transfer film 20 is dried and finally printed. The method described above is particularly suitable when the embossings introduced into the base 2 by means of the structural and / or embossing calender 33 are subsequently either to be provided with a transfer film 20 or to be printed.

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment, a spreader roller 23. Formed, the spreader roller 23 from a drum body 24 which is equipped with asymmetrically arranged fins 25. The asymmetrical arrangement of. Slats 25 is provided when a pad is only partially covered with a transfer layer 20 or only narrow templates are printed. It goes without saying that the symmetry of the spreader roller can be selected according to the specifications. Thus, half, quarter widths and the like, but also use of only a central roller area and the like may be provided.

The implementation of the film support of the transfer film 10 within the printing unit is in the left part of Fig. 5 shown. The total of only about 12 microns thick transfer film 10 is composed of a total of three layers. The innermost layer resting directly on the pressure roller 12 is designed as a carrier film 18 on which a transfer layer 20 is arranged via a separating layer 19 serving as an adhesive backing. The transfer layer 20 can therefore be relatively easily detached from the carrier film 18. The transfer layer 20 in turn is usually constructed in two layers and consists of a thin, vapor-deposited aluminum layer and an example colored paint layer. However, this two-layered structure of the transfer layer 20 is not explicitly shown in the drawing.

When carrying out the film support, the substrate 2 to be printed is guided at the circumferential speed of the printing roller 12 or counter roller 15 through the printing nip formed between these two rollers, the transfer film 10 entrained on the cloth surface of the printing cylinder 12 being partially transferred to the substrate 2. This transfer takes place exclusively at those points of the pad 2, which have been provided with the adhesive layer 3 within the preceding adhesive work. It is also not the transfer sheet 10 as a whole transferred to the base 2, but only the slightly detachable from the carrier sheet 18 transfer layer 20. When leaving the printing unit 7 thus adheres to the previously partially provided with the adhesive layer 3 places the transfer layer 20 on the surface 2. The transfer layer 20 is formed for example as a gold foil, wherein the aluminum layer produces the metallizing effect, while the gold coloration is generated by the yellow to ocher colored lacquer layer.

In some applications, it may be necessary to give the required durability to the sheet support thus made in the printing unit 7, to subsequently guide the base 2 with the transfer layer 20 thereon between the press roll 16 and the press counter roll 17 of the press unit 8 of the calender unit. This unit may be unnecessary in most cases. While the pressure in the printing unit 7 must only be sufficient to the film support, d. H. To ensure the transfer of the transfer layer 20 of the support film 18 on the base 2, the an intimate connection between transfer layer 20 and pad 2 causing contact pressure in the press shop 8 is much higher.

The implementation of the film support in the printing unit 7 is in Fig. 6 for a print example shown. As part of a continuous printing, the pad 2 each consists of a 4x5 fields having sheet 21 for purposes of illustration, the sheet 21 with five different, provided in each sheet 21 four times repeated print motifs 22. In the left part of the Fig. 6 the signatures 21 are shown in the state before passing through the printing unit with the pressure roller 12. In the area of the individual print motifs 22, the printed sheet 21 is already provided with the partial adhesive layer 3. After leaving the pressure roller 12, the signatures 21 are provided in the region of the partial adhesive layers 3 with the transfer layer 20 and thus form the finished printed motifs 22. In each case in the area of the print motifs 22, the transfer film 10 resting against the printing roller 12 lacks the transfer layer 20, as in the right part of the Fig. 5 is shown.

Instead of in Fig. 6 shown transfer sheet 10, which extends over almost the entire width of the composite of pressure roller 12 and counter-roller 15 transfer calender, a plurality of individual webs transfer film can also be used. This is recommended in particular when the print motifs 22 are distributed only over part of the web width. In order to save transfer film, it is also possible, at least temporarily, to separate the transport of the transfer film from the transport of the substrate through openings of the transfer calender and to guide the transfer film intermittently. It is also possible to use a plurality of narrow film webs or to subject the transfer calender to cyclic printing.

In the Fig. 6 exemplified print motifs 22 can, as shown in the FIGS. 1 to 3 be described above, be formed embossed, that is, with respect to the plane of the pad 2 be formed protruding or indented.

The described embodiments are illustrative only and not limiting. In particular, the units of the invention may vary in order, frequency of change between conventional printing and film transfer, and the like. Moreover, it is within the scope of the invention that the use of a calender following the film transfer is optional. This is only necessary if, for example, a floating of the film on adhesive must be feared or other post-processing is required.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Klebwerk

2

document

3

adhesive layer

4

bottom roll

5

top roll

6

casing

7

Transfer or printing unit

8th

Preßwerk

9

supply roll

10

transfer film

11

idler

12

platen

13

intermediate wheel

14

composite role

15

backing roll

16

press roll

17

Preßgegenwalze

18

support film

19

Interface

20

transfer layer

21

sheet

22

print motifs

23

Spreader roll

24

drum body

25

slats

26

drying device

27

top

28

lower part

29

print Setup

30

top roll

31

bottom roll

32

transport direction

33

Structural and / or embossing calender

34

squeegee

35

Structural and / or embossing roll

Claims (17)

1. A method for producing printed matter by combining different, im mediately succeeding treatment methods, wherein in one process step, the printed matter (21) to be produced are coated with a film or a transfer layer (20), which has been removed from a carrier film (18), at predetermined positions (22) in a film transfer process, for which purpose an underlayer (2) of the printed matter (21) is at first provided with an adhesive layer (3) by means of a bottom roller (4) and a top roller (5) configured as a blanket cylinder as an adhesive agent and in the following with the film or transfer layer (20), and in another process step, the printed matter are provided with a structure and/or embossed pattern in a structuring and/or embossing process, wherein the printed matter (21) to be produced pass through the process steps one after the other without interim storage.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the printed matter (21) to be produced are at first coated with a film and then provided with a structure and/or embossed pattern.
3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the printed matter (21) to be produced are at first provided with a structure and/or embossed pattern and then coated with a film.
4. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in another process step, the printed matter (21) to be produced are printed with colour in a printing stage comprising at least one inking unit (29).
5. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed matter (21) to be produced are printed with colour before or after being coated with a film or before or after the embossing operation.
6. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed matter (21) to be produced are dried in another process step, wherein the drying operation is carried out subsequent to the coating with a film and/or subsequent to the printing with colour.
7. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a film or a transfer layer (20) that has been supplied for the film printing process is stretched along the width.
8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the stretching of the film or the transfer layer (20) is only carried out in a portion that covers a partial area of the printing device (29).
9. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed matter (21) to be produced are subjected to a pressing procedure in a another process step after the coating with a film.
10. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film or the transfer layer (20) can, with respect to its feed rate, be controlled independently from the rotation of the printing cylinder (12).
11. A device for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one structuring and/or embossing calendar (33) as well as at least one film transfer device (7), characterized by a gluing unit (1) with a bottom roller (4) and a top roller (5) configured as a blanket cylinder as the adhesive agent, wherein the gluing unit (1) is followed by the film transfer device (7).
12. A device according to claim 11, characterized by at least one printing device which comprises an inking unit (29).
13. A device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by a drying unit (26) that is placed downstream of the printing device (29) and/or the film transfer device (7).
14. A device according to claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the film transfer device (7) comprises at least one spreader roller (23).
15. A device according to claim 14, characterized in that the spreader roller (23) is shorter than the width of the film transfer device (7).
16. A device according to one of the claims 11 through 15, characterized in that the film transfer device (7) comprises a calendar (8).
17. A device according to one of the preceding claims 11 through 16, characterized in that the film or transfer layer (20) is guided over at least one roller having an axis that can be displaced transversely to the direction of rotation.

Images