EP1839860B1 - Film transfer installation with integrated processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing machine, comprising at least one transfer unit for transferring a transfer layer from a carrier film, which together form a transfer sheet, onto a printing substrate, the transfer unit comprising a film transfer cylinder and an impression cylinder, the film transfer cylinder is set against the impression cylinder and one Transferspalt forms, the substrate for transferring the transfer layer through this transfer gap along a transport path is transported through, further comprises the printing machine at least one commissioned at least partially applying an adhesive to the substrate, the commissioned work is the transfer station upstream and the transfer layer in the transfer station in the Areas is detached from the carrier film, in which adhesive is applied to the substrate.

This device preferably relates to the method of so-called cold foil stamping.

In cold foil stamping, a transfer layer is transferred from a substrate to a substrate.

The carrier material used is a carrier film. On this carrier film, a lacquer layer is applied, which is responsible in particular for the coloring of the transfer layer. Connected to the lacquer layer is an aluminum layer, which causes the metallic luster of the transfer layer. Further, on the aluminum layer, a further adhesive layer may be provided, which the adhesive properties of the transfer layer with the adhesive improved on the substrate. The layers which are transferred from the carrier material is referred to as a transfer layer.

In order to transfer the transfer layer to a printing substrate, the transfer film is passed through a transfer nip together with the printing substrate. The transfer nip is formed by a transfer cylinder and an impression cylinder, which abut each other. Transfer cylinder and impression cylinder are rotated together with a force to each other, that in the transfer nip, the transfer layer is transferred to the substrate.

In order for a transfer of the transfer layer to the substrate area by area, the substrate is provided with an adhesive layer before the film transfer, which corresponds to the area in which the film is transferred.

The adhesive used may be a colorless adhesive, an adhesive with a certain intrinsic color, or a glue colored according to the film. Already from the Bronzierungstechnik it is already known to transfer metal particles to use a particularly sticky color whose color corresponds to the desired metallization. In this respect, of course, a sticky color can also be used as an alternative to a colored adhesive.

The transfer layer can essentially be a metal layer but also other layers. For example, an aluminum layer can be provided, which is applied as needed on a yellow / golden lacquer layer or a silver-colored lacquer layer.

Furthermore, as the transfer layer, a colorless layer e.g. be used from PE film, which is transferred to the substrate so that it forms a protective layer there.

The use of a conductive layer as a transfer layer is possible, thereby electrically and / or thermally conductive area can be transferred to the substrate. The transfer of prepared delimited layer regions as a transfer layer is also possible, which may be, for example, RFID chips or their antennas. It is also possible to transfer suitable ceramics. In this way, it is conceivable that superconducting structures can be transferred to a printing substrate.

A device for cold foil stamping is in the EP 0 578 706 B1 presented.

Here, the cold foil stamping takes place within a multi-color printing machine. The printing material is transported along a predetermined transport path in the printing press. The printing material may be, for example, paper sheets, paperboard or even rolls.

In a first printing unit of the printing press, an adhesive is transferred to the substrate instead of a paint. For application of the adhesive in regions a correspondingly imaged printing plate is clamped in this printing unit and the adhesive is transferred onto the printing substrate like a conventional offset printing ink. Such an adhesive-applying printing unit is referred to as a commissioned work.

The printing material is then transported further into a second printing unit. In this second printing unit, the impression cylinder and the blanket cylinder are designed as a transfer unit.

In the area of this second printing unit there is a film module with a transfer ribbon supply roll and a transfer ribbon collection roll. The film is guided as a transfer film web from the transfer film supply roll to the transfer nip and further to the transfer film collection roll by rolling in between a film guiding device.

To transfer the transfer layer to the printing substrate, the transfer film web and the printing material with the area-wise adhesive layer are passed together through the transfer nip so that the transfer layer rests on the adhesive layer. The transfer layer is then transferred onto the substrate by printing in the transfer nip. The adhesive removes the transfer layer cleanly from the transfer film.

For a clean transfer of the transfer layer to the printing substrate, the film and the printing material in the region of the transfer nip are driven at the same speed during the transfer.

In a subsequent press shop, the transferred transfer layer is then essentially acted upon, so that a durability of the film support is achieved.

In this known device thus a printing unit of a printing press is used as commissioned work and at least a second printing unit is needed for the film transfer to the substrate. The press shop can in this second printing unit to be integrated. If, for example, a four-color offset printing press is set up for transferring a transfer layer to a printing material, then according to the device described here, at least two printing couples are occupied by the devices which at least support the film transfer. For a further further treatment of the printing material before or after the film transfer, only a total of two printing units are available, in which, for example, a further application of paint can take place.

To increase the number of available for further processing of the printing available printing units, is in the WO 2005/100028 A1 proposed to accommodate all facilities involved in the film transfer in a printing unit. For this purpose, both an applicator, and a transfer cylinder are arranged one behind the other on the same impression cylinder. Furthermore, a calendering roll may be employed on the transfer cylinder following the impression cylinder. In this way, an integrated film module is formed, which includes all necessary for the film transfer facilities, such as order, transfer and calendering. The calendering device is functionally assigned to the transfer device and presses the transfer film onto the printing material, so that the adhesion is to be improved.

By means of this integrated film module, although the disadvantage of the prior art that at least two printing units of a printing machine for the film transfer to use a further processing, such as a printing of the printing material are no longer available, but are now all elements used for the film transfer have to be arranged as applicator and transfer cylinder very close to each other. Another treatment of the substrate after the adhesive application and before The foil application is practically impossible. Due to the short distance between adhesive application and film transfer, any desired predrying of the adhesive prior to the application of the film can not be achieved, as a result of which quality defects in the transferred transfer layer can result from different transfer behavior of the transfer film.

The object of the present invention therefore consists in at least reducing the stated problems of the prior art and at the same time minimizing at least the number of printing units which are used with means for film transfer in such a way that further processing of the printing material is not possible here more can take place.

The object is achieved by a printing press of the above-mentioned type according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 7.

Under printing machine can also be understood here generally a sheet-processing machine. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it should then be a printing press, in particular an offset sheet-fed press.

It is provided that the transfer unit is a further processing plant of the printing press and has at least one further processing device which follows the transfer nip and acts on the printing material.

This further processing device has the transfer unit in addition to the transfer nip, through which a film transfer is achieved. The adhesive application continues to take place in a commissioned work, which is upstream of the transfer plant. Here is the glue, for example, as described on a conventional offset printing unit with printing plate and blanket cylinder imagewise transferred to the substrate. As a result of this spatial separation of the commissioned work and the transfer unit, it is possible to further influence the adhesive applied to the substrate before the film transfer. In particular, a better adhesion of the adhesive is already achieved by the longer drying distance.

In particular sheet-like printing material such as paper, cardboard, foils, corrugated cardboard or the like can come into question as printing material.

In further processing plant thus both a device for film transfer, as well as a device for further processing of the printing material is provided. In particular, it can be a conventional further processing plant of the printing press with conventional further processing devices. Elements for the film transfer can then be provided in this further processing plant. These elements are, in particular, a film transfer cylinder, around which the transfer film web is guided, and an impression cylinder to which the film transfer cylinder is attached. Furthermore, film guiding devices for guiding the transfer film web can also be provided. This further processing plant can then be used just as well for further processing of the printing material, as would be possible without a transfer of the transfer film to the substrate. Thus, only a minimum of printing or further processing plants of the printing press is used for the film transfer, so that they are no longer available for conventional further processing steps of the printing material, in particular a reduction of the usable further processing plants of the printing press is required exclusively in the commissioned works. In this application, the term film transfer cylinder is also more succinctly referred to as a transfer cylinder. If cylinder for the transfer of Are described arc, so these are referred to as sheet transfer cylinder or it is expressly noted on the use.

A further development of the printing machine according to the invention provides that the further processing device is employed at least temporarily to the impression cylinder and is arranged downstream of the transfer nip.

According to the method, it is provided that adhesive is transferred to a printing material at least partially in a commissioned work shop. This partially adhesive application can in particular be carried out imagewise so that a desired image-wise film transfer is achieved. In a transfer unit downstream of the transfer unit, the transfer layer is transferred from the carrier foil to the printing substrate in a transfer nip formed by a transfer cylinder and an impression cylinder. In a last step, a further processing of the printing substrate is then carried out in the transfer unit by means of a further processing device downstream of the transfer nip, after the carrier foil has been transferred to the printing material.

As a result, the transfer unit can also be used for further processing of the printing material, like a conventional further processing unit of the printing press. If only one work is used for adhesive application, only one work is used for the film transfer in such a way that it is not available for conventional further processing.

Advantageously, it is provided that the further processing device has a functionality independent of the film transfer. This means that the functionality of the processing plant, ie the transfer work is increased because a function is expressly provided, the different from the film transfer. This function of the further processing plant is provided measures also exercisable without a film is transferred through the transfer nip on the substrate. In particular, it may be provided that the transfer cylinder is at least temporarily designed by the impression cylinder off. In this way, a separation between the transfer film web and the substrate can take place. By the further processing device, which is arranged downstream of the transfer nip, then further processing of the printing material can be carried out independently of the film transfer. This further processing can also take place after a film transfer, so that the coated substrate is acted upon. The state of the printing material (coated or uncoated) does not change the functionality of the further processing device.

It is also advantageously provided that areas of the printing material that are not subjected to a transfer layer are processed by the further processing device, in this way can be a finishing of the entire sheet regardless of whether only areas of the printing material or the entire substrate or even no area the printing material is coated with the transfer layer can be achieved. In the event that no film transfer takes place, the printing press can also be operated as a conventional printing machine with a conventional processing plant instead of the transfer station. Also, the commissioned work can be operated in this case as a conventional printing unit, since the adhesive was transferred via a conventional printing plate and a blanket cylinder.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the commissioned work as well as the transfer unit, a further processing of the Printing machine is and in addition to an applicator for applying adhesive to a substrate still has at least one further processing device for further processing of the printing material, wherein the further processing device of the applicator is arranged upstream. In this way, the commissioned work can be used at the same time for adhesive application as a conventional processing plant of the printing press, it is on the one hand increases the variety of possible further processing steps in the printing press, on the other hand no further processing plants of the printing press are no longer provided by means for film transfer for the further processing can not be used.

In an advantageous development, it is provided that the application device is employed to a counter-rupture cylinder in the commissioned work and forms with this an order gap, is transmitted in the adhesive to the substrate. The further processing device is then suitably employed at least temporarily to the same impression cylinder and is arranged upstream of the applicator. In this way, a compact form of the commissioned work with integrated processing can be achieved. In particular, it can also be provided that the commissioned work is a conventional further processing plant that has been supplemented by a corresponding application device.

As a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the further processing devices comprise either a blanket cylinder, a punching cylinder, a cutting unit, a numbering unit, a perforating unit, a structuring unit, an application device for adhesive, a film transfer device or an embossing unit. In particular, the further processing facilities of the transfer station and the Commissioned to be various facilities. In this way, a high degree of flexibility can be achieved.

It is further envisaged that the further processing plant is a factory for refining the printing material, which can refine areas of the printing material without transferred transfer layer.

It may optionally be one of the following types, either an offset printing unit, an anilox printing unit, a coating unit, a perforating unit, a stamping unit, a creasing unit, a numbering unit, a cutting unit, an embossing unit or other printing unit of the printing press. Thus, when using the further processing plant as transfer work its functionality will continue to be maintained. The same applies to the commissioned work, which may be another processing plant.

By means of further processing plants, it is provided according to the invention that the further processing of the printing material in the application of printing material or ink by means of an anilox, offset or other printing process or perforation, punching, creasing, cutting or embossing of the printing material.

For this method, it can be advantageously provided that the further processing device according to the invention is at least temporarily employed to the same impression cylinder, which forms the transfer gap together with the transfer cylinder and wherein the further processing device is arranged downstream of the transfer nip. Likewise, a corresponding further processing device can be employed on the same counter-pressure cylinder as the application device of the commissioned work But here it is, as already described before the order gap.

In particular, it is provided that the further processing plant is an offset printing unit, the blanket cylinder is then part of the further processing device. This blanket cylinder and thus the further processing device may be formed in a development so that it can be temporarily turned off by the impression cylinder. In this way, the film transfer can be effected unaffected by the further processing device.

It can also be provided that the offset printing device remains constantly employed to the impression cylinder. Also in this way always another printing process can be performed. This is independent of the film transfer. In particular, it can be provided that the film transfer cylinder is then turned off by the counter-pressure cylinder, if only a printing process with this further processing unit, i. to be performed with this printing unit.

This functionality can be provided in a corresponding manner for other further processing steps in the printing press, which are independent of the film transfer currently being performed in this factory. In a particular embodiment, it may, for example, be an adhesive application by an application device. This application of adhesive on the printing material then allows a further film transfer in a following transfer station.

In particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention, it is provided that a subsequent to the commissioned work and upstream of the transfer nip Drying device for predrying the adhesive applied in the commissioned work is included by the printing press.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that a UV adhesive is applied in the commissioned work and an on the applicator following and the transfer nip upstream UV device for acting on the applicator applied UV adhesive with UV radiation to activate the UV adhesive of the Printing machine is included.

Depending on what is used for an adhesive, its adhesion can then be amplified or activated by a corresponding drying device or UV device.

Embodiments from which further inventive features may result, but to which the invention is not limited in scope, are shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Folientransfervorrichtung nach dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 2

ein Folientransferwerk mit Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung,

Fig. 3

ein Folientransferwerk und ein Auftragswerk jeweils mit Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtungen,

Fig. 4

eine Folientransfervorrichtung mit variabler Transferfolienbahnführung,

Show it:

Fig. 1

a film transfer device according to the prior art,

Fig. 2

a film transfer plant with further processing device,

Fig. 3

a film transfer plant and a commissioned work, each with finishing equipment,

Fig. 4

a film transfer device with variable transfer film web guide,

Fig. 1 shows a section of a printing press with a film transfer device 1. Shown is a first printing unit of the printing press, which serves as commissioned work 2 here. In this commissioned work 2 adhesive is applied via an inking unit 3 on a printing plate cylinder 4 with a printing plate, not shown. For this purpose, the printing plate is imaged in such a way that it absorbs adhesive in the areas which correspond to an imagewise desired coating of a sheet 5 with a transfer layer. About the printing plate cylinder 4, the adhesive is further transferred to a blanket cylinder 6. The blanket cylinder 6 is set against a counter-pressure cylinder 7 and forms together with this an order gap 8. The blanket cylinder 6 forms together with the printing plate cylinder 4, the inking unit 3 and possibly functionally connected with the adhesive application, not shown here elements, such as optionally a dampening unit, an applicator 9, which is employed in the manner shown here to the impression cylinder 7.

As a substrate, a sheet 5 is used, which is transported along a transport direction 10 through the printing press by means not shown transport elements. He is thereby passed through the application gap 8, where he is applied imagewise with adhesive. For the transport of the sheet 5, the impression cylinder may have grippers which engage the sheet at its front edge and pass through the application gap 8. The application gap 8 is formed by the impression cylinder 7 and the blanket cylinder 6 and, if no film transfer is performed in the printing machine, a conventional printing nip, in which color from the printing plate on the blanket cylinder 6 can be transferred to a sheet 5.

After the adhesive application in the commissioned work 2, the sheet 5 is transported via sheet transfer cylinder 11 to the transfer unit 12. This transfer unit 12 has a film module 13 with a transfer film supply roll 14 and a transfer film collection roll 15. The transfer sheet collecting roll 15 may also be provided separately from the transfer sheet supply roll 14.

On the transfer sheet supply roll 14, a transfer sheet 16 is provided rolled up. The transfer film web 16 is guided via deflection rollers 17 and 18 to a transfer nip 19. The transfer nip 19 is formed by a transfer cylinder 20 and an impression cylinder 21, which are set against each other. The transfer unit 12 may be a printing unit of the printing press, which is set up such that a transfer of a transfer layer from the transfer film to the sheet 5 can be carried out. The transfer cylinder 20 is then a blanket cylinder.

The sheet 5 is passed together with the transfer film web 16 at the same speed through the transfer nip 19. In the regions of the sheet 5 on which adhesive has been applied, the transfer layer of the transfer film remains adherent and is removed from the carrier film of the transfer film web 16. To support the adhesive effect of the adhesive, it may be provided that the transfer layer is pressed onto the sheet 5 by a calendering nip, not shown here, which is arranged downstream of the transfer nip.

Before the commissioned work 2 and behind the transfer unit 12 further processing plants, such as printing units of the printing press can be provided. As a result, the sheet 5 can be printed both before the film transfer and after. However, in the two Printing units that are used as a commissioned work 2 and as a transfer unit 12, no further processing of the sheet 5 done.

According to an alternative embodiment of the prior art, which is not shown here, it may be provided that all devices involved in the film transfer are provided in a transfer unit 12, i. an application device 9, a transfer device 22, which may be formed at least from a transfer cylinder 20 and optionally from deflection rollers 17, 18 and a calendering device. In this case, another work of the printing press can then be used as a further processing plant. However, then applicator 9 and transfer device 22 move into a joint work, where they are employed on the same impression cylinder 21. The distance between adhesive application and film transfer is considerably reduced and can lead to problems with the adhesion of the adhesive.

In the Fig. 2 a film transfer device 23 according to the invention is shown. Like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG Fig. 1 ,

How to Fig. 1 described in the commissioned work 2 adhesive imagewise transferred to the sheet 5. The sheet 5 is then transported via sheet transfer cylinder 11 along the transport direction 10 to the transfer unit 12.

In the area between the applicator unit 2 and the transfer unit 12, this may be a tread area 24 of the printing press, an adhesive activation device 25 is provided which can act on the adhesive layer on the sheet 5 and can activate or enhance the adhesive effect of the adhesive. Depending on the adhesive used in the commissioned work 2 may be a drying device or, when a UV adhesive is used, a UV radiation device that activates the UV adhesive first.

In the case of an adhesive, the adhesive effect is improved by repelling solvents, possibly even the transport distance from the commissioned work 2 to the transfer unit 12 to ensure sufficient adhesion of the adhesive, a Kleberaktivierungseinrichtung 25 is then not necessary, but the adhesive effect can still improve.

Via sheet transfer cylinder 11, the printing material 5 is then fed to the transfer unit 12.

Via deflection rollers 17, 18, the transfer film web 16 is guided to the transfer nip 19 and away from it. The transfer film web 16 and the sheet 5 are passed through the transfer nip 19 at substantially the same speed, and as described above, the transfer layer of the transfer film is transferred to the sheet 5. In order to improve the transfer, the transfer cylinder 20 is made to the Gegendruchzylinder 21 with pressure. A calendering of the transfer film on the sheet 5 is then not necessary.

After the transfer layer has been transferred to the sheet 5, it is transferred to the impression cylinder 21 and transported to a further processing device which is set against the same impression cylinder 21 as the transfer cylinder. In the further processing device is here an offset printing device 26 at least in this example, a blanket cylinder 27, a printing plate cylinder 28, an inking unit 29 and a Dampening unit 30 includes. The blanket cylinder 27 is adjusted to the impression cylinder 21 so that together they form a pressure gap 31. Instead of an offset printing device, an anilox printing device, a stamping, numbering or cutting device or a similar device can be provided here, which acts on the sheet.

The transfer unit 12 is a further processing plant, in this example an offset printing unit of the printing press. About the offset printing device 26 of this printing unit color can be transferred to the sheet 5 via the printing gap 31. In addition to the offset printing device 26, the offset printing unit as described still has the transfer device 22, which in this case, however, comprises an extra transfer cylinder 20 which is not the blanket cylinder 27 of the printing unit itself. By this transfer means 22 is from the further processing plant, i. here from the offset printing unit, the transfer unit 12. This transfer unit 12 then includes, in addition to facilities that serve the film transfer nor the further processing device, here, the offset printing device 26th

Following the transfer unit 12 and / or upstream of the commissioned unit 2, further processing units not shown here, in particular printing units of the printing press, can be provided. Likewise, the printing press can also have other commissioned works and transfer works. For example, it is possible to assign a plurality of commissioned works to a transfer unit so that thicker layers of adhesive on the sheet 5 can be reached. Thicker adhesive layers can improve the release behavior of the transfer layer of the transfer film.

A further development of the printing press according to the invention is in Fig. 3 shown. Same elements as in the FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided with the same reference numerals.

How to Fig. 2 described the transfer unit 12 is here an offset printing unit of the printing press that has been extended by a transfer device 22. In this way, the functionality of the offset printing unit is maintained even when it is used as a transfer unit 12. In this transfer unit 12 19 transfer layer is transferred to the sheet 5 in the transfer nip. Subsequently, in the transfer unit 12, a conventional further processing of the sheet 5 takes place in the form of an offset printing process.

Before a transfer layer is transferred to the sheet 5 in the transfer unit 12, an adhesive layer is transferred imagewise in the commissioned unit 2 to the sheet 2, as described above. The sheet 5 after the application of adhesive along the direction 10 via sheet transfer cylinder 11 to the transfer cylinder 12 transports. While in Fig. 2 a Kleberaktivierungseinrichtung 25 is shown, which provides for drying, or a UV activation of the adhesive, has been omitted here a corresponding representation to illustrate that for an adhesive whose tackiness is increased by drying, even the longer transport from Application work 2 to the transfer unit 12 leads to an improvement in the adhesive behavior, without necessarily a Kleberaktivierungseinrichtung 25 would be necessary.

The commissioned work 2, as it is in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The application unit 2 is a conventional printing unit of the printing press, in which instead of color adhesive is transferred to the sheet 5.

Contrary to the state of the art Fig. 1 and for the example Fig. 2 Here is the commissioned work 2 formed by a processing plant whose functionality is maintained even during a film transfer in the printing press, ie, even in the event that in the commissioned work 2 adhesive is transferred to the sheet 5, in the same commissioned work 2 also still Further processing applied to the sheet 5, before the adhesive is applied to the applicator 9 on the sheet 5.

The further processing device 32 can be, for example, a further printing device or an embossing device or a creasing device or a similar device, as has already been described above. In the case shown here, it is an example of an embossing device. This embossing device may comprise an embossing cylinder 33 having a die, while the impression cylinder 7 has a corresponding male. In this way, the sheet 5 can be embossed before the application of adhesive in the same work.

In the case shown here, both in the commissioned work 2, as well as in the transfer unit 12 functionally separate from the film transfer method applied to the sheet 5. In particular, the same process, for example offset printing or various processes, for example embossing and offset printing processes, can be carried out in both plants. In any case, the printing machine loses no functionality due to the additional method of transferring a transfer layer to a substrate.

The Fig. 4 shows a further alternative embodiment of a printing machine with a film transfer device 1, wherein here a variable guidance of the transfer film web 16 is made possible.

It is shown a printing press 34, which in addition to a commissioned work 2 and a transfer unit 12 has two more printing units 35. The transfer unit 12 and the commissioned work 2 are designed as it is for Fig. 2 has been described. Alternatively, the commissioned work 2 also as in Fig. 3 be executed described. The transfer unit 12 here has an additional offset printing device 26. Consequently, in the two printing units 35 and in the transfer unit 12 each have a printing process can be applied to the sheet 5.

The sheet 5 is passed in the transport direction 10 through the printing press 34. The printing machine 34 has for this purpose a plurality of sheet transfer cylinders 11. The sheet 5 is transported within the printing machine 34 by a feeder 36 in the transport direction 10, shown here by the arrow 10 to a boom 37.
In the printing units 35, color is transferred to the sheet 5. The sheet 5 is guided by a pressure nip 38, which is formed by a impression cylinder 39 and a blanket cylinder 40. In this nip 38, the color is transferred from the blanket cylinder 40 to the sheet 5. A printing unit 35 further has a plate cylinder 41. With color and dampening not shown here, the spanned on the plate cylinder 41 printing plate is colored so that color is present only on imaging areas of the printing plate. This color is transferred via the blanket cylinder 40 to the substrate 5. On the blanket cylinder 40 a blanket or blanket is clamped for this process. This rubber or blanket is interchangeable. In the state of Technique are widely known blankets. In general, the requirements for the blanket, that it should be able to absorb well ink, and that this color is transferred as far as possible without residue on the substrate.

To transfer the transfer layer from the transfer film web 16, the sheet 5 is also guided by the commissioned work 2. In this commissioned work 2 is, as described, another printing unit of the printing machine 34. As already described here adhesive is applied imagewise to the sheet 5.

The in the commissioned work 2 with adhesive at least partially acted sheet 5 is then performed in the following transfer unit 12. In this transfer work 12, the film transfer takes place as for the Fig. 2 and 3 described in the transfer nip 19 instead.

The transfer film web 16 is guided to transfer the transfer layer onto the sheet 5 from a film module 13 to the transfer nip 19 by means of a film guiding device 42 along a film transport path.

For this purpose, the film guide device 42 comprises different web guide elements 17, 18, 43, 44 and 45. For clarity, not all web guide elements have been marked.

In the film module 13 tension rollers 43 are provided, which ensure a uniform tightening of the transfer film web 16. It can also Sparschaltungseinrichtungen be provided here, which ensure in the course of a savings circuit that essentially only then transfer film is transported through the transfer gap 19 through, if a carry the Transfer layer to take place. Such savings circuits are well known in the art. For a better overview has been dispensed with a corresponding representation.

The transfer film web 16 is unwound from a transfer film supply roll 14, which is provided here in the upper region of the film module 13, this can for example be active, but also a passive unwinding, in which the transfer film web 16 is pulled from the transfer film supply roll 14 is conceivable.

The transfer film web 16 is guided through the tensioning rollers 43 and fed by deflection rollers 44 to the transfer unit 12 with the transfer nip 19. As described, the guide of the transfer film web 16 to the transfer nip 19 and away from it is realized via further deflection rollers 17, 18.

There are several pulleys 44 at different positions in the region of the film transport path. By means of an appropriate setting up of the printing press 34, the transfer film web 16 can optionally be guided to different positions of the printing press 34 via corresponding deflection rollers 44.

In the example shown here, deflection rollers 44 are located in a region of the film transfer path which runs substantially horizontally and thus substantially parallel to the sheet transport path. In the printing machine 34 shown here, the printing gaps 38 of the printing units 35 and optionally also the application gap 8 of the commissioned work 2 can be realized as a transfer column 19. In addition, in the printing units 35 and / or commissioned work 2 as in Fig. 2 described, each additional transfer means 22 may be provided. In particular, it is possible that a transfer device 22 is provided immediately before an applicator 9 of a commissioned work 2. In this way, a double film application over and / or side by side of the same and / or different types of films can be easily realized.

Depending on the desired transfer nip 19 in which a film transfer is to be performed, the transfer film web 16 is deflected by a horizontal pulley 44, which is located approximately above the factory in which the transfer is to take place. In the region of the transfer nip 19, a further deflection roller 17 is positioned, which guides the transfer film web 16 in the direction of the transfer nip 19. The transfer film web 16 is passed through the transfer nip 19 and guided over a further deflection roller 18 again substantially vertically upwards into an area above the printing press 34. The two deflection rollers 17, 18 in the region of the transfer gap 19 serve here for stability and for achieving as parallel a passage as possible of the sheet 5 and transfer film web 16 through the transfer nip 19. Of course, it is also possible for these deflection rollers 17, 18 in the area of the transfer nip 19 dispense, the transfer cylinder 20, then serves as another sheet guiding element, which passes through the transfer film web 16 through the transfer nip 19.

Above the printing units 35 of the printing press 34, the deflection rollers 44 are provided in the region of the different works 2, 12 and 35. In addition, there are further deflection rollers 17, 18 in the region of the different pressure, application or transfer columns 38, 8 or 19. As a result, the web guide of the transfer film web 16 can be set up variably to different columns 8, 19, 38.

Of course, this possible feed of the transfer film web 16 is also expandable to other positions on the printing machine 34, e.g. In principle, each roller pair forming a common gap forms a potential transfer nip 19. Therefore, it may be provided that deflection rollers 44, 45 in the region of the film transport path and in the range of a selection of potential transfer column 19 or in the area of all Transfer columns 19 are provided to allow setting up of the printing press 34 so that a foil transfer can take place in each of these potential transfer gaps 19. As a further condition for a potential transfer nip 19, it must only be ensured that a printing substrate 5 together with the transfer film web 16 can be guided through this potential transfer nip 19.

Further deflection rollers 45 are provided in the feed direction of the transfer film web 16 behind the transfer nip 19 in order to redirect the transfer film web 16 again into a plane which is substantially parallel to the sheet transport path. Like the deflection rollers 44, the deflection rollers 45 are assigned to the printing units 35 and the order and transfer stations 2 and 12 in order to allow guidance of the transfer film web 16 from a selected transfer nip 19 to a transfer film collection roller 15 in a correspondingly configured printing machine 34. In the construction shown here, the transfer film collecting roll 15 together with the film module 13 forms a functional unit. The transfer film web 16 can also be guided in the area of the transfer film collecting roll 15 by means of tensioning rollers 43 or a saving circuit device (not shown here).

Overall, the provision of pulleys 44 and 45, a variable transfer sheet guide to different positions on the Printing press 34 allows. The different positions are preferably potential transfer columns 19, which are formed, for example, by printing, application or transfer gaps 38, 19, 8. But other cylinder pairs are conceivable here as transfer columns 19.

In the case of the printing press 34 shown here, the film module 13 is located on the first printing unit 35 that follows the feeder 36. Since this printing unit 35 has only one printing nip 38 in this case, this printing nip 38 can not serve as a transfer nip 19 since it would then be missing from a commissioned work 2 for the adhesive. Therefore, no deflection rollers 44, 45 are shown in this case, which can lead the film in the printing nip 38.

By the illustrated examples, to provide a transfer means 20 in any further processing plant, such as e.g. Printing units 35 is a very flexible utilization of the printing press 34 possible without much functionality is lost. By an additional variable transfer film web guide this flexibility can be significantly increased. Except for the first printing unit 35, each additional printing unit 35 of the printing press can be converted by a transfer device 22 to a transfer unit 12 while retaining its functionality as a printing unit.

In a four-color printing press, printing ink can still be transferred to the sheet in three printing units, if necessary with the transfer layer applied. Only one printing unit is needed for the adhesive application as a commissioned work. If this commissioned work but according to the example by Fig. 3 designed, so no functionality is lost here.

By a simultaneous design of a work as order and transfer work, if before the order gap 8 of the transfer nip 19 of Transfer device 22 is provided, it is possible in a previous work to apply adhesive and subsequently provide again transfer film. If the subsequent plant continues to be used in addition as further processing plant, so two film transfers can be made, with only two printing units, or further processing plants can not be used functionally, since the combined transfer / commissioned work and the individual commissioned work 2 is provided here. The individual commissioned work 2 can after Fig. 3 also retain its functionality, so that only the combined transfer / commissioned work is not available for further processing of the printing substrate 5. With two film orders in the printing press 34, only one printing unit for the printing process has to be dispensed with.

Overall, the flexibility of the printing machine 34 can be increased with respect to the processing methods of the printing substrate with simultaneous transfer of film.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Film transfer device

2

commissioned

3

inking

4

Plate cylinder

5

bow

6

Blanket cylinder

7

Impression cylinder

8th

application gap

9

applicator

10

transport direction

11

Sheet transfer cylinder

12

transfer unit

13

foil module

14

Transfer film supply roll

15

Transfer film collecting roller

16

Transfer sheet

17, 18

guide rollers

19

transfer nip

20

transfer cylinder

21

Impression cylinder

22

transfer device

23

Foil transfer device

24

passage region

25

Active adhesive device

26

Offset printing press

27

Blanket cylinder

28

Plate cylinder

29

inking

30

dampening

31

nip

32

Further processing device

33

embossing cylinders

34

press

35

printing units

36

investor

37

boom

38

nip

39

Impression cylinder

40

Blanket cylinder

41

plate cylinder

42

Film guide device

43

tensioners

44, 45

guide rollers

46

turning cylinder

Claims (9)

1. Printing press comprising

   - at least one transfer unit for transferring a transfer layer from a carrier foil to a printing substrate, the transfer layer and the carrier foil together forming a transfer foil,

   - wherein the transfer unit comprises a foil transfer cylinder and an impression cylinder, the foil cylinder being engaged with the impression cylinder and forming a transfer nip therewith and wherein the printing substrate is transported along a transport path through the transfer nip for the transfer layer to be transferred,

   - at least one application unit for applying a glue at least to areas of the printing substrate, the application unit arranged upstream of the transfer unit and the transfer layer being removed from the carrier foil in the transfer unit in those areas in which the glue has been applied to the printing substrate,

   - wherein the transfer unit (12) is a further-processing unit of the printing press (34) and includes at least one further-processing device following the transfer nip (19) and acting on the printing substrate (5), and wherein the further-processing device is at least temporarily engaged with the impression cylinder (21) and arranged downstream of the transfer nip (19),

   characterized in
   that the further-processing unit is either an offset printing unit, an anilox printing unit, a varnishing unit, a perforating unit, a die-cutting unit, a creasing unit, a numbering unit, a cutting unit, an application unit, a foil transfer unit, an embossing unit or another type of printing unit of the printing press (34).
2. Printing press according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the application unit (2) is a further-processing unit of the printing press (34) and includes at least one further-processing device (32) for the further processing of the printing substrate (5) in addition to an application unit (9) for applying glue to the printing substrate (5), wherein the further-processing device (32) is arranged upstream of the application device (9).
3. Printing press according to Claim 2,
   characterized in
   that the application device (9) is engaged with an impression cylinder (7) and forms an application nip (8) therewith, and that the further-processing device (32) is at least temporarily engaged with the same impression cylinder (7) and arranged upstream of the application device (9).
4. Printing press according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the further-processing device comprises at least a blanket cylinder, a die-cutting cylinder, a cutting unit, a numbering unit, a perforating unit, a structuring unit, a glue application unit, a foil transfer unit or a stamping/embossing unit.
5. Printing press according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that it comprises a drying device (25) for pre-drying the glue applied in the application unit (2), the drying device (25) arranged downstream of the application unit (2) and upstream of the transfer nip (19).
6. Printing press according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that a UV glue is applied in the application unit (2) and a UV device (25) for applying UV radiation to the UV glue that has been applied in the application unit (2) to activate the UV glue is arranged downstream of the application unit (2) and upstream of the transfer nip.
7. Method for transferring a transfer layer from a carrier foil, which forms a transfer foil together with the carrier foil, to a printing substrate in a printing press according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in

   - that in an application unit (2) glue is applied at least to areas of a printing substrate (5),

   - that the transfer layer is transferred from the carrier foil to the printing substrate (5) in a transfer nip (19) formed by a foil transfer cylinder (20) and an impression cylinder (21) in a downstream transfer unit (12),

   - that in the transfer unit (12) the printing substrate (5) is further processed in a further-processing device arranged downstream of the transfer nip (19) after the transfer layer of the carrier foil has been transferred to the printing substrate (5) and that the further processing of the printing substrate (5) is an application of printing ink, glue or varnish to the printing substrate (5) by means of an anilox, offset, or other printing process or a perforating, die-cutting, creasing, cutting or embossing of the printing substrate.
8. Method according to Claim 7,
   characterized in
   that the further processing of the printing substrate (5) is also envisaged for regions or printing substrates (5) to which no transfer layer has been applied.
9. Method according to Claim 8,
   characterized in
   that for the further processing of the printing substrate (5), the further-processing device is at least temporarily engaged with the same impression cylinder (21) that forms the transfer nip (19) with the transfer cylinder (20), wherein the further-processing device is arranged downstream of the transfer nip (19).

Images