EP1839903A2 - Embossing coating for metallic printing material - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves transferring an image-providing or covering layer in an area from a transfer foil (5) provided with an adhesive. A rigid-elastic printed sheet is supplied as a sheet metal board or a plastic sheet into a printing machine. A transfer gap (6) is provided with an image-moderate or holohedral foil coating on a printed or laminated and/or unprinted or unlaminated side over the transfer foil. The metallic and/or plastic printed sheet is dried before and/or after applying the foil coating. An independent claim is also included for a device for transferring a function layer of a transfer foil on a printed sheet.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for transferring imaging or covering layers from a transfer foil to printed sheets according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and of patent claim 17, respectively.

It is known to produce metallic layers on printed sheets by means of a film transfer process. So is in the EP 0 569 520 B1 a printing material and a printing apparatus using this material are described. In a sheet-fed machine with a feeder and a boom, printing units and a coating unit are arranged. In at least one printing unit, an adhesive pattern is applied as a printed matter in the planographic printing process. In the coating unit after the printing unit, a counter-pressure cylinder, a pressure roller and a film guide are provided. Therein, a foil strip is guided through the transfer nip of the coating unit between impression cylinder and press roll from a film supply roll and wound up again on the exit side after leaving the coating unit. The transfer film contains a carrier film on which functional layers of various types, such as metallic layers, for example of aluminum, or plastic layers can be applied. Between functional layer and carrier film, a separating layer is provided, by means of which the functional layer can be removed from the carrier layer.

After a printing sheet is provided with a two-dimensional adhesive application or an adhesive pattern, it is passed through the coating unit, wherein by means of the pressure roller, the pressure sheet resting on the impression cylinder is brought into contact with the film material. The down-facing functional layer engages tightly with the adhesive-provided areas on the signature. Thereafter, the functional layer adheres in the area of the adhesive pattern or the entire adhesive areas at, wherein the transfer film, the functional layer is removed in the region of the adhesive pattern. The print sheet is laid out in the coated state.

A disadvantage of the described procedures is that they are not flexible applicable, require extensive know-how on the complex processes and are difficult to handle. Above all, the previously known production methods are limited to the processing of substrates made of paper or cardboard. A coating of metallic or plastic substrates in the cold foil stamping process has not been previously known.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of claim 17, by means of which a film coating of sheet from films of different quality can be simple, safe, economical and accurate, with method and device easy should be manageable.

The solution of this problem results in a method according to the features of claim 1 and in a device according to the features of claim 17.

Advantageously, a method is proposed, in its application for film application also substrates made of metal or plastic films is made possible by their pretreatment. This allows functional packaging, e.g. provided with jewelry effects, using a sheet-fed rotary printing press and the film coating is carried out in the cold foil stamping process.

Here, the film application to metallic or plastic substrates in conjunction with an offset printing machine with upstream or downstream paint modules done. The application is carried out in the printing unit or in a coating module. Before or after the application can be additionally printed and intermediately dried eg with the help of a UV dryer.

The method is initially determined by the fact that the film application is performed as a finishing application or function application on metallic substrate in conjunction with the so-called metal stamping process. The inline process for film application on metallic substrates expands the range of applications.

Furthermore, the method may also include the film application as a finishing application or functional application on plastic substrate. Thicker plastic films have the characteristics of metal sheets in terms of their strength and rigidity, but also the surface properties.

Furthermore, the pretreatment of the metallic or plastic printing material and the application film can be carried out by a corona treatment.

Finally, the use of heat-reduced UV dryer systems can be used in conjunction with the film application in cold foil lamination. An advantage of the method is that a reduced heat input takes place. This results in a greatly reduced Passerverzug, which is particularly important for metallic or plastic substrates.

1. 1. Bedruckstoffzuführung über einen Anleger ggf. mittels eines vorgeschalteten so genannten Rolle-Bogen-Anlegers.
2. 2. Corona- oder Plasmavorbehandlung des metallischen bzw. Kunststoffbedruckstoffes im Bereich der Bogenanlage oder einem Anlagemodul.
3. 3. Ggf. Vorbeschichtung in einem Lackmodul oder im ersten Druckwerk mittels integrierter Lackeinrichtung mit Primer, Deckweiß oder mit Iriodinlack.
4. 4. Vorbereitung der Druckbogen für Beschichtung mittels UV- oder Excimer-Zwischentrockner. Ggf. in einem Druckwerk.
5. 5. Bogenwendung der Druckbogen kann vorgesehen sein.
6. 6. Zwischentrockner: konventionelle UV-Trockner oder wärmereduzierte Systeme wie Excimer-Strahler oder NIR-Systeme..
7. 7. Wegen des Folienverzuges vor und nach der Applikation sind bevorzugt wärmereduzierte UV-Trocknersysteme einzusetzen.
8. 8. Kleberauftrag erfolgt über ein Druckwerk oder ein Lackwerk.
9. 9. Folienapplikation über den Transferspalt bevorzugt in tangentialer Folienführung und mit geringer Umschlingung der Presswalze.
10. 10. Coronabehandlung der zu applizierenden Folie ist möglich.
11. 11. Drucken mittels einer oder mehreren Farben und Zwischentrocknung.
12. 12. Lackmodule zur Veredelung mit Zwischen- oder Endtrocknung sind den Druckwerken zugeordnet.
13. 13. Ink-Jet-Systeme sind vor oder nach der Folienapplikation zur Personalisierung (auch in Schön- und Widerdrucksystemen geeignet) zugeordnet.
14. 14. Bogeninspektionssystem schleust z.B. mittels Bogenweiche, Doppelausleger oder Markierung durch Streifeneinschussgerät Makulaturbogen aus.

For the method of film application to metallic or plastic substrates following steps are provided:

1. 1. Substrate feed via a feeder if necessary by means of an upstream so-called roll-bow feeder.
2. 2. Corona or plasma pretreatment of the metallic or plastic printing material in the area of the sheet feeder or an installation module.
3. 3. If necessary Pre-coating in a coating module or in the first printing unit by means of an integrated coating device with primer, opaque white or with iriodin varnish.
4. 4. Preparation of the printing sheets for coating by means of UV or excimer intermediate dryer. Possibly. in a printing unit.
5. 5. perfecting the sheet can be provided.
6. 6. Intermediate Dryers: conventional UV dryers or heat reduced systems such as excimer lamps or NIR systems.
7. 7. Because of the film distortion before and after the application, preference is given to using heat-reduced UV dryer systems.
8. 8. Glue application takes place via a printing unit or a coating unit.
9. 9. Film application over the transfer nip preferably in tangential film guide and with little wrap around the press roll.
10. 10. Corona treatment of the film to be applied is possible.
11. 11. Printing by means of one or more colors and intermediate drying.
12. 12. Lacquer modules for finishing with intermediate or final drying are assigned to the printing units.
13. 13. Ink-jet systems are assigned before or after the film application for personalization (also suitable in perfecting systems).
14. 14. Sheet inspection system discharges waste paper, eg by means of a sheet diverter, double jib or marking by strip injection device.

Suitable devices for carrying out the method are sheet-fed rotary printing presses. These can be carried out in the manner known sheetfed offset presses or in the manner of flexographic printing machines, which have a flat sheet guide. The latter is particularly advantageous for the processing of metal sheets or rigid film substrates.

In the following, the invention is illustrated in more detail with reference to drawings.

Figur 1

eine Druckmaschine mit einer Folientransfereinrichtung,

Figur 2

eine Konfiguration einer Bogendruckmaschine mit Beschichtungswerk,

Figur 3

eine zweite Konfiguration einer Bogendruckmaschine nach Fig. 2 und

Figur 4

eine Bogendruckmaschine mit ebener Bogenführung.

Showing:

FIG. 1

a printing machine with a film transfer device,

FIG. 2

a configuration of a sheet-fed printing press with coating unit,

FIG. 3

a second configuration of a sheet-fed press according to Fig. 2 and

FIG. 4

a sheet-fed press with flat bowing.

• Ein Druckbogen wird zunächst mit einem flächigen oder bildgebenden Klebstoffmuster versehen (Druckwerk als Auftragwerk 1).
• Im Folgedruckwerk wird der Druckbogen gemeinsam mit einer Transferfolie 5 unter Pressung durch einen Transferspalt 6 geführt, (Beschichtungswerk 2).

FIG. 1 shows parts of a sheet-fed rotary printing press which contains two printing units and is used for the following purposes:

• A printed sheet is first provided with a two-dimensional or imaging adhesive pattern (printing unit as commissioned work 1).
• In the following printing unit, the printed sheet is guided together with a transfer film 5 under pressure through a transfer nip 6 (coating unit 2).

The applicator 1 may be a per se known offset printing unit with an inking unit 11, a plate cylinder 12 and a blanket cylinder 13. The blanket cylinder 13 cooperates with a counter-pressure cylinder 4.
The coating unit 2 can also be formed by an offset printing unit. The transfer nip 6 in the coating unit 2 is formed by a press roll 3 and an impression cylinder 4. The press roller 3 may correspond to the blanket cylinder. The press roll 3 may also correspond to the forme cylinder of a paint module. Within the coating unit 2 used for the film transfer, a web guide 14 for transfer film 5 is shown. The transfer film 5 is thereby switched on and executed by protective devices 15 of the coating unit 2.

Alternatively, as shown in the context of applicator 1, an integrated in the applicator 1 film transfer device may be provided, whereby an integrated film application module is created. In this case, a press roll 3 'is assigned downstream of a printing gap between a blanket or forme cylinder 13 and the impression cylinder 4 on a counter-pressure cylinder 4. Thus, a film web 5 'of a transfer film after the coating of the printing material by means of the applicator 1 to a transfer gap formed as mentioned above 6' fed and also be discharged directly again. The cold foil stamping takes place in a single integrated foil application module FA, as indicated in FIG.

As shown schematically in FIG. 1 in the applicator 1, an applicator can also be arranged in a compact design within the coating module in an integrated film application module FA. For this purpose, an adhesive application device 1 'associated with the impression cylinder 4 and the transfer gap, which would be provided here between the blanket cylinder 13 and the impression cylinder 3, be arranged upstream. The transfer film 5 would be guided here around the rubber cylinder 13 or approximately tangentially past this through the designated printing gap.
Such an adhesive applicator device 1 'may consist of a compact forme cylinder for supporting a printing form for the adhesive and an applicator of a chamber doctor blade and an anilox roller for supplying the adhesive. In this case, on the same counter-pressure cylinder 4, in turn, the adhesive application is first carried out on the printing substrate and the film application is carried out immediately thereafter.

The film supply roll 8 is assigned to the coating unit 2 on the sheet feed side. The film supply roll 8 has a rotary drive 7 for the continuous controlled feeding of the transfer film 5 to the coating unit 2. In the film feed deflection or tension rollers for guiding the transfer film 5 may be provided in a substantially constant tension against the press roller 3. On the downstream side of the printing unit, a film collecting roller 9 is provided for the used sheet material. A rotary drive 7 on the film collecting roller 9 is always advantageous. It can even be provided that the transfer film 5 is conveyed on the outlet side by means of the rotary drive 7 and held taut on the inlet side by means of a brake.

The press roll 3 (as blanket cylinder or forme cylinder or separate press roll) carries on its surface a compressible or damping, for example, also provided with a compressible intermediate layer element. For this purpose, the press roll 3 can be provided with a press fabric 10, for example as a plastic cover, comparable to a blanket or blanket, which is held in a cylinder channel on clamping devices.

To ensure the efficiency of the coating process, it is possible to control the film advance of the transfer film 5 from the film supply roll 8 to the transfer nip 6 and the film collection roll 9 step by step, wherein the transfer film 5 is stopped when no transfer of imaging or covering layers is to take place.
A further improvement of the film utilization of the type described results when the transfer film 5 is divided into one or more Teilfolienbahnen lesser width.

Furthermore, dryer 16 can be provided in the film application module thus formed from the applicator 1 and the coating unit 2, by means of which the adhesive application or the entire film coating can be dried. Here come, for example UV dryer in question.

Furthermore, the film application module may include a monitoring device 17 for scanning the sheet surface. The monitoring device 17 enables the evaluation of image contents of the coating and the detection of defects in the film coating.

With the device described above, it is possible to coat substrates or partially or completely coated substrates or to laminate or laminate or even to provide a particularly resistant surface layer. For this purpose, the device for the film transfer in a printing units of a sheet-fed printing machine downstream printing or coating plant is arranged. In such an arrangement, the surface of the fresh print is finished or protected by means of the film coating.
For further applications, within the sheet-fed rotary printing press of the first device for the film transfer, a second such device can be arranged downstream, so that a double film coating of a sheet is possible.

Furthermore, a configuration can be provided which provides a first film application module in front of the first color or coating transfer printing unit and a second film application module after the last color transferring printing unit. Thus, a first film coating can be applied directly to the substrate and a second film coating can be applied over the printed image.

Furthermore, by using a device for carrying out the cold foil stamping method described above, methods can also be carried out, in the use of which a simple film coating or else multiple film coating of functional or single-sided packaging, e.g. with jewelry features, becomes possible within a sheet-fed rotary printing press.

It can be advantageously by the combination of coating units such. As paint modules, a device for perfecting and coating modules for a one- or two-sided film application are possible. By means of the methods and devices according to the invention, the production of effect and functional application or of film composite packaging can also be made possible in connection with a printability of the printing material on both sides.

In a first step, the method is characterized in that the film application is carried out as a finishing application or functional application on metallic printing material, if appropriate in conjunction with the so-called sheet-metal printing method. Metallic substrates are sheet metal plates made of tinplate, aluminum or similar. or also of layered metals in question. Furthermore, as metallic substrates also with a metal foil coated substrates of paper, cardboard or plastic to understand.
Likewise, however, plastic substrates which have a similar material characteristic with regard to strength, rigidity and surface quality, such as metal sheets, can also be processed here.

In a second point, the pretreatment of the metallic or plastic printing material and the application film is carried out by a corona treatment. In a third point, the use of heat-reduced UV dryer systems in conjunction with the film application in cold foil lamination is used. For this purpose, the film guide can be made tangentially through the transfer gap or loop around the blanket cylinder.

According to the invention, the film application to metallic or plastic substrates in conjunction with an offset printing machine with upstream or downstream coating modules should now be carried out. The application is carried out in a printing unit or in a coating module. Before or after the film application may additionally be printed and intermediately dried e.g. with the help of a UV dryer.

In the process of printing metallic or plastic substrates, so-called UV printing inks are often used. UV printing inks can be cured very quickly and efficiently with the aid of UV dryers, so that a color layer firmly adhering to the metallic or plastic substrate is produced.
Furthermore, a so-called corona or plasma treatment is often carried out in metallic or plastic substrates to improve the color adhesion. By acting on the film surface with a corona discharge or a plasma, its surface tension can be changed so that the printing inks to be applied are securely adhered. In this way, an optimized appearance of the print is achieved.

For the drying of UV printing inks, special dryers have been developed which operate at comparatively low temperatures. For this purpose, systems are known as conventional UV lamps or as UV cold radiators, for example as excimer radiators. But there are also so-called NIR dryers in question.

In the processing of metallic or plastic substrates using a coating process with film application, knowledge of the printing processes for metallic substrates is used. Therefore, for example, the printability of the metal sheets or plastic sheets can be improved by the application of a primer or primer layer.

An advantage of the proposed method is that the heat input through the dryer irradiation is greatly reduced or greatly reduced compared to that in the hot foil lamination. This results in a greatly reduced thermal influence on the metallic or plastic substrate, so that sets a strong improvement on the printed product with respect to the resulting from the embossing process Passerverzuges. The inline process for film application on metallic or plastic substrates expands the range of applications of a correspondingly equipped printing press in a special way.

1. 1. Die Zuführung von Druckbogen zur Druckmaschine erfolgt über einen Bogenanleger oder einen dem Bogenanleger oder der Druckmaschine direkt vorgeschalteten so genannten Rolle-Bogen-Anleger, in dem metallische bzw. Kunststoffdruckbogen aus einer Folienbahn direkt erzeugt werden.
2. 2. Eine Corona- oder Plasmavorbehandlung der Oberfläche des Bedruckstoffes kann in der Anlage, einem Anlagemodul oder einem der Maschine vorgeschalteten Rolle-Bogen-Anleger erfolgen.
3. 3. Eine Vorbeschichtung der metallischen bzw. Kunststoffdruckbogen kann in einem Lackmodul zur Grundierung mit einem Primer oder einem Deckweiß oder zur Bildung von Glanzeffekten mit so genannten Iriodin-Lacken erfolgen. Diese Vorbeschichtung kann auch in einem ersten Druckwerk mittels einer in diesem Druckwerk integrierten Lackiereinrichtung erfolgen.
4. 4. Unter Einwirkung mittels UV- oder Excimer-Zwischentrockner wird der Druckbogen danach für weitere Beschichtungsschritte vorbereitet. Ein, mehrere oder jedes Druckwerk kann zu diesem Zweck mit einem UV- oder Excimer-Zwischentrockner ausgerüstet sein. Diese können in bekannter Weise als konventionelle UV-Strahler oder als UV-Kaltstrahler ausgeführt sein. Hier können aber auch so genannte NIR-Trockner zur Anwendung kommen. Wegen des Folienverzuges vor und nach der Applikation sind aber bevorzugt wärmereduzierte UV-Trocknersysteme einzusetzen.
5. 5. Die Druckmaschine kann mit einer Bogenwendeeinrichtung versehen sein, um die Druckbogen in der Druckmaschine beidseitig bearbeiten zu können.
6. 6. Der Kleberauftrag für die Folienapplikation erfolgt über ein Druckwerk oder ein Lackwerk oder eine in ein Druckwerk integrierte kompakte Beschichtungseinrichtung. Hierfür kommt insbesondere ein UV-Kleber in Betracht, der wie die UV-Druckfarben gut auf metallischem bzw. Kunststoffbedruckstoff haftet und mit den genannten Trocknern schnell getrocknet werden kann.
7. 7. Eine Corona- oder Plasmabehandlung der zu applizierenden Folienschicht ist optional möglich. Dies ist von den gegebenen Haftungsverhältnissen der beteiligten Oberflächen abhängig.
8. 8. Die Folienapplikation im Transferspalt 6 erfolgt bevorzugt unter tangentialer Führung bzw. mit geringer Umschlingung der Transferfolie 5 an der Presswalze 3, die als eines Drucktuchzylinder, Formzylinder oder anders geartete Andruckwalze gebildet sein kann.
9. 9. Nach der Folienapplikation kann erneut eine Zwischentrocknung zur Aushärtung mit Hilfe der bereits genannten Trockner erfolgen.
10. 10. Das Drucken des erforderlichen farbigen Sujets erfolgt mit einer oder mehreren Farben und ggf. eine erneuten Zwischentrocknung.
11. 11. Lackbeschichtungen zur Veredelung der metallischen bzw. Kunststoffdruckbogen mit Schutz-, Glanz- oder Effektschichten können mit weiterer Zwischen- / Endtrocknung erfolgen. Die dazu erforderlichen Lackmodule sind den Druckwerken vor- oder nachgeordnet.
12. 12. In der Druckmaschine am Bogentransportweg Ink-Jet- oder Laserdruckeinrichtungen vor oder nach der Folienapplikation zur Personalisierung vorgesehen sein. Diese sind auch für in der Druckmaschine vorgesehene Schön- und Widerdrucksysteme ggf. geeignet zuzuordnen.
13. 13. Mittels eines integrierten Bogeninspektionssystems können Makulaturbogen erkannt und ausgeschleust werden, Dies erfolgt z.B. über eine Bogenweiche, einen Doppelausleger oder durch Kennzeichnung mit Markierungsstreifen.

For the process of film application on metallic or plastic substrates, the following steps are to be provided:

1. 1. The supply of printing sheet to the printing machine via a sheet feeder or the sheet feeder or the printing press directly upstream so-called roll-sheet feeder, are generated in the metallic or plastic printing sheet directly from a film web.
2. 2. A corona or plasma pretreatment of the surface of the printing substrate can take place in the plant, a plant module or a roll-bow feeder upstream of the machine.
3. 3. A pre-coating of the metallic or plastic printing sheets can be carried out in a coating module for priming with a primer or opaque white or to form luster effects with so-called iriodin paints. This precoating can also take place in a first printing unit by means of a coating device integrated in this printing unit.
4. 4. Under the influence of UV or excimer intermediate dryer the sheet is then prepared for further coating steps. One, several or each printing unit can for this purpose with a UV or excimer intermediate dryer be equipped. These can be carried out in a known manner as a conventional UV radiator or as a UV cold radiator. However, so-called NIR dryers can also be used here. Because of the film distortion before and after the application, however, preference is given to using heat-reduced UV dryer systems.
5. 5. The printing machine can be provided with a sheet turning device to edit the sheets in the printing press on both sides.
6. 6. The adhesive application for the film application via a printing unit or a coating unit or integrated into a printing compact coating device. For this purpose, in particular, a UV adhesive into consideration, which adheres well to the UV printing inks on metallic or plastic substrate and can be dried quickly with the said dryers.
7. 7. A corona or plasma treatment of the film layer to be applied is optionally possible. This depends on the given adhesion conditions of the surfaces involved.
8. 8. The film application in the transfer nip 6 is preferably carried out under tangential guidance or with low wrap of the transfer film 5 on the press roller 3, which may be formed as a blanket cylinder, forme cylinder or other type of pressure roller.
9. 9. After the film application, an intermediate drying can be carried out again for hardening with the aid of the already mentioned dryers.
10. 10. The required colored subjects are printed with one or more colors and, if necessary, a second intermediate drying.
11. 11. Lacquer coatings for finishing metallic or plastic printing sheets with protective, gloss or effect coatings can be carried out with further intermediate / final drying. The required paint modules are the printing units upstream or downstream.
12. 12. In the printing press on the sheet transport path inkjet or laser printing devices before or after the film application for personalization be provided. These are also suitable for appropriate provided in the printing machine perfecting systems.
13. 13. Waste paper sheets can be detected and removed by means of an integrated sheet inspection system. This is done, for example, by means of a curved sheet, a double jib or by marking with marking strips.

The necessary for these process steps configurations of a sheet-fed rotary printing press including one or more film application modules are diverse and are described below by way of example.

FIG. 2 shows a first variant of such a configuration. The illustrated printing press has a roll-bow feeder RB. In the reel-to-sheet feeder RB, metallic or plastic printing sheets are accurately cut off from a substrate roll and fed into the printing press in the machine cycle. Subsequently, a printing unit D or a paint module is arranged.
In the configuration shown, the printing unit D or the paint module is followed by an application unit 1 and a coating module 2, which can also be arranged as an integrated film application module FA within a printing unit. Thereafter, if necessary, several further printing units D are provided up to the sheet delivery AU.
In each case between or in the printing units D or before and / or in and / or after the film application module FA intermediate dryer Z are arranged, by means of which the applied in respective workstations coatings can be dried.

In the area of feeding the metallic or plastic printing sheets from the roll-bow feeder RB into the first work station of the printing press, a discharge device E is provided. It serves to improve in a conventional manner, for example by means of a corona discharge, the surface properties of the metallic or plastic printing sheets for the adoption of coatings.

The Entladurigseinrichtung E can also be integrated into the roll-bow feeder RB, so that the surface treatment of the metallic or plastic printing sheet is also effective for the sheet transport to the printing press.

With such a printing press, therefore, a metallic printed sheet cut from a printing material roll can first be coated, then coated with an imagewise or flat film layer and subsequently printed again in multiple colors. One application example for this are films for packaging or decorative sheets, which require additional finishing in addition to printing.

FIG. 3 shows a second variant of such a configuration. The illustrated printing machine has a sheet feeder AN, to which a discharge device E for film treatment is assigned. Subsequently, either a printing unit D or a paint module is provided. This is followed by one or two-part film application module FA. Subsequently, a printing unit is again arranged, which is followed by a so-called turning device W. The turning device W is used to evert a metal or plastic printing sheet provided on one side with a film coating, so that its previous underside can subsequently be printed or coated from above.

In the configuration shown, the applicator 1 and a coating module 2 adjoin the turning device W, which can also be arranged as an integrated film application module FA within a printing unit. Thereafter, if necessary, several further printing units D are provided up to the sheet delivery AU. Before feeding the metallic or plastic printing sheets to the film application module FA, they can be exposed again, but now with their upper rear side exposed to the action of a discharge device E.

With such a printing press, therefore, each metallic printed sheet can first be coated from its upper side, then provided with a film coating, then printed or coated, then turned, then with another Foil coating provided and subsequently printed again in multiple colors. An example of application for this are films for packaging or decorative sheets which, in addition to double-sided printing, also require additional double-sided finishing.

Furthermore, in such machines further production possibilities arise by providing printed sheets with optical or tactile patterns, which are underlaid and visible or palpable by the film coating, or also by applying optical or tactile surface patterns over the film itself. These coating operations can again be done on one side or both sides on unprinted or printed surfaces.

1. I. Bei der Verwendung minderwertiger Folien können die metallischen bzw. Kunststoffdruckbogen vorab mit einem Primer, d.h. einer Grundschicht, versehen werden, wobei die Oberfläche so vorbehandelt wird, dass eine Glättung und eine Vorbereitung für die Folgebearbeitung stattfindet. Danach erfolgt die Folienapplikation, die auf dem vorbehandelten Untergrund sicherer möglich ist.
2. II. In einem vorgeschalteten Prägemodul können die metallischen bzw. Kunststoffdruckbogen vorstrukturiert werden. Hierbei kann eine gezielte Prägung von Einzelelementen erfolgen oder die Einarbeitung eines definierten flächigen Grundmusters vorgesehen werden. In die so vorbehandelten Folienbögen wird danach die Folienapplikation aufgebracht.
3. III. Bei Verpackungsdrucken kann jeder metallische Druckbogen in einer abschließenden Behandlung im Bogenausleger getrennt werden. Hierbei sind vorbehandelte metallischen bzw. Kunststoffdruckbogen oder auch in Nutzen aufgetrennte Bogenteile erzeugbar, die mittels Trennverfahren inline gewonnen werden. Als Trennverfahren kommen Messer- oder Scherenschnitt, (Rotations-) Stanzung oder Laserschnitt in Frage.

For example, the following production variants are possible:

1. I. When using inferior films, the metallic or plastic printing sheets can be provided in advance with a primer, ie a base layer, wherein the surface is pretreated so that a smoothing and a preparation for the subsequent processing takes place. Thereafter, the film application, which is safer on the pretreated substrate.
2. II. In an upstream embossing module, the metallic or plastic printing sheets can be pre-structured. Here, a targeted embossing of individual elements can be done or the incorporation of a defined planar basic pattern can be provided. The film application is then applied in the film sheets pretreated in this way.
3. III. In packaging printing, each metallic signature can be separated in a final treatment in the sheet delivery. In this case, pre-treated metal or plastic printing sheets or sheet parts which have been separated into use can be produced, which are obtained inline by means of separation processes. As a separation method are knife or paper cut, (rotary) punching or laser cutting in question.

Overall, by means of said devices and process steps in sheet-fed rotary printing presses with offset or flexographic printing units in combination with a coating device for embossing foil printing for functional or finishing applications of metallic substrates of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, tinplate or the like can be carried out inline , Thus, the method of sheet metal printing is associated with a film transfer process or it is a pure application module of pre-printed metal sheets or unprinted metal sheets, possibly provided with a pre-coating.
The application can be made over the entire surface or recessed in terms of size and / or width, ie it can also be based on benefits.

The in-line refining process for sheet metal printing is e.g. for jewelry boxes or similar suitable. Furthermore, it can be used as an inline function coating process for sheet metal printing e.g. be used for the lining of food packaging.

A corresponding printing press can be flexibly configured using offset or flexographic printing units (see FIG. 4).

• Beidseitige oder einseitige Blechdruckapplikation (ggf. mit Wendung)
• Vorprimern des Bedruckstoffes
• Corona-Vorbehandlung der Transferfolie 5 oder des Bedruckstoffes
• UV-Zwischentrockner (-Endtrockner) nach Applikation
• Bedruckstoff auch als dicke starke Folie oder metallischer laminierter Bedruckstoff, z.B. auch Sandwichwerkstoff mit Metalleinlage, Holzimitat, Pertinax sein z.B. zur Herstellung von Holzstrukturen auf Trägermaterial Holz-Panelimitat
• Vorgesetzte Bedruckstoff-Abrollung und Rolle-Bogen-Anleger
• Maschinenkonzept kann in der Art einer Flexo-Direktdruckmaschine ausgeführt sein: Bogenführung in einer Ebene, wobei auch ein Offsetdruckwerk integriert sein kann. Bogentransport erfolgt mittels Saugbändern, Greifersystemen
• Bedruckstofftransport kann also eben oder wie bekannt an rotierenden Bogenführungszylindern erfolgen

The following processes can be carried out in sheet metal application machines:

• Double-sided or one-sided metal-plate application (possibly with a turn)
• Pre-priming the substrate
• Corona pretreatment of the transfer film 5 or the substrate
• UV intermediate dryer (final dryer) after application
• Substrate also as thick thick film or metallic laminated substrate, eg also sandwich material with metal insert, imitation wood, Pertinax be eg for the production of wood structures on support material wood panel imitation
• Superior substrate unwinding and roll-bow feeder
• Machine concept can be carried out in the manner of a flexo direct printing machine: sheet guiding in a plane, wherein an offset printing unit can be integrated. Sheet transport takes place by means of suction belts, gripper systems
• Substrate transport can thus be flat or as known to rotating sheet guiding cylinders

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a flexo direct printing machine. Shown are printing units D, which consist of a counter-pressure cylinder and a forme cylinder. The forme cylinder in flexographic printing presses carries a so-called cliché. The cliché is supplied for image transfer by means of an inking unit from a detent roll and an associated chamber doctor blade with ink. Image formation takes place in the printing gap between the forme cylinder and the impression cylinder, through which the printing material sheet is guided.

The printing material is in this case (see arrow from the right) fed by means of an investor, not shown (roll-bow feeder) a sheet transfer device T. The sheet transfer device is z. B. a chain conveyor system or also includes Saugbandanordnungen. The sheet transport takes place in one plane and leads in a straight line through all printing gaps.

The first two printing units are designed as a film application module FA. The first printing unit acts as an applicator 1 for generating the adhesive image on the substrate.
It has an already mentioned impression cylinder 4 of a flexographic printing unit, which together with a press roll 3 forms a transfer nip 6. The press roll 3 is formed by the forme cylinder, of which in this case the inking unit is turned off. The coating can be carried out as described above, but the processable substrates can be much thicker and stiffer than in known sheet-fed rotary printing presses.

Also in this configuration, the discharge devices E can be used. Furthermore, dryers are also useful or useful. The illustrated printing units can also be combined with offset printing units.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

commissioned

2

coating plant

3

press roll

4

Impression cylinder

5

Transfer foil / foil web

6

transfer nip

7

roller drive

8th

Film supply roll

9

Foil composite role

10

Press covering

11

inking

12

plate cylinder

13

Blanket cylinder

14

guide

15

Printing plant security

16

dryer

17

monitoring device

18

dancer roll

1'

commissioned

3 '

pressure roller

5 '

sheet

6 '

press nip

D

printing unit

AT

investor

RB

Roll-to-sheet feeder

AU

boom

FA

Foil application module

W

turning device

e

discharger

T

Sheet transfer device

Claims (29)

Process for transfer of image-forming and / or covering or covering application layers from a transfer film (5) to printing sheet in a sheet-processing machine, in particular a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, at least with an applicator (1) for imagewise or surface coating of a printed sheet with an adhesive and with at least one coating unit (2) for transferring imaging or covering layers from the transfer film (5) onto the printing sheet, wherein a transfer nip (6) is formed in a coating unit (2) and the transfer film (5) is applied to the surface of a press roll (3 ) is laid along and with the coated side on a printing sheet and can be guided under pressure together with the latter through the transfer nip (6) so that the imaging or covering layers are adhesively transferred in adhesive areas from the transfer film (5) to the printing sheet .
characterized, that the printing press are supplied with rigid-elastic printed sheets as metal sheets or plastic sheets, - Which are provided on at least one printed or coated or unprinted or uncoated first page in a transfer nip (6) with an imagewise or full-surface film coating of the transfer film (5) - And that the metallic or plastic printing sheets are dried before and / or after the application of the film coating. Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that each printing sheet is provided with a coating of a liquid medium for the surface treatment or coloration prior to application of the film coating. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that each signature is treated by a means for influencing its surface tension prior to the application of coatings. Method according to claims 1 to 3,
characterized, - That the sheets are coated in a sheet-processing machine on at least one side by means of a liquid medium, and - That on this coating a imagewise or surface applied film coating of a transfer film (5) is performed, and - That the sheets are provided on the thus coated side with one or more printed images by means of ink. Method according to claim 4,
characterized,
that the printed sheets are turned after coating a first side in the sheet-processing machine and that the printed sheets are provided on the side opposite the coated side with a further coating of one or more components and that the coating of the top and / or the bottom a film coating of a transfer film (5) includes. Method according to claims 1 to 5,
characterized,
in that the printed sheets are at least coated and provided with a film coating on a first side, that the printed sheets are turned in the sheet-processing machine and that the printed sheets on the side opposite the coated side in a further transfer nip (6) with an image-wise or full-surface film coating be provided by a transfer film (5). Method according to claim 6,
characterized,
that the printed sheets are provided on a first side in a transfer gap (6) with a full-surface foil coating from the transfer foil (5), that the printed sheets in the sheet processing machine to be turned and that the sheet on which the full-surface film coating the opposite side of at least imprinted become. Method according to claims 1 to 7,
characterized,
in that the printed sheets are provided with an optically or tactile effective precoating on a side to be coated by a transfer film (5) in a transfer nip (6) with a full-surface film coating, wherein the adhesive application can take place including the surface portions of the precoating. Method according to claim 8,
characterized,
that the pre-coating is effected by means of a printing unit or by means of a varnish module or in a printing couple or coating module or sheet transfer module by means of ink-jet printheads or laser printing devices. Method according to claim 8,
characterized,
that the pre-coating is effected in a coating material by a printing process after the printing, intaglio printing or planographic printing. Method according to claims 1 to 9,
characterized,
in that the printed sheets are provided with an optically or tactively effective pre-coating on a side to be coated by a transfer film (5) in a transfer nip (6) with a full-surface film coating, wherein the pre-coating on the image-forming side of the transfer film (5) takes place, in such a way that the pre-coating is transferred together with the image-forming layer of the transfer film (5) in the transfer nip (6) onto the printed sheets. Method according to claims 1 to 11,
characterized,
in that the printed sheets are provided in a transfer nip (6) with an image-wise or sheet-like film coating of the transfer film (5) by means of a film coating containing optical properties such as color, refraction variance or embossed structures. Method according to claims 1 to 12,
characterized,
in that the image-wise or areal film coating transferred from the transfer film (5) is an optical functional layer. Method according to claims 1 to 12,
characterized,
in that the image-wise or areal film coating transferred from the transfer film (5) is a functional layer forming structures. Method according to claims 1 to 14,
characterized,
in that the adhesive and / or the liquid coating media and / or the printing inks are curable by means of UV radiation. Method according to claims 1 to 15,
characterized,
that coatings applied to the metallic or plastic printing sheets are dried alone or in combination. Device for transferring image-forming and / or covering or covering functional layers from a transfer film (5) to printed sheets with at least one applicator (1) for imagewise or surface coating of the printing sheets with an adhesive and at least one coating unit (2) for transferring the functional layers the transfer film (5) onto the printing sheets, each coating unit (2) having a transfer nip (6) in which the transfer film (5) is guided under pressure at least tangentially, with the coated side resting on the printing sheet, a pressure roller (3), so that the functional layer in the regions provided with adhesive is transferred firmly adhering to the transfer sheet (5) on the printed sheets,
characterized,
that the sheet-processing machine is a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, which between a suitable for metallic or plastic substrates sheet feeder (AN) or roll-bow feeder (RB) and a sheet delivery (AU) a plurality of as printing and / or paint and / or Coating units (D) having trained working units,
that the printing units (D) are optionally preceded by a coating module for liquid media, preferably a paint module,
in that the sheet-fed rotary printing machine, before or after the coating units (D) or optionally before and / or after a device to be provided for perfecting, is assigned at least one film application module (FA) containing an applicator unit (1) and a coating unit (2),
and that in each case a dryer (16) can be assigned to the working units and / or foil application modules (FA). Device according to claim 17,
characterized,
in that the sheet-fed rotary printing machine in the area of the supply of unprinted or uncoated sides of the printed sheets to a working unit (D, FA, 1) has a discharge device (E) by means of which the metallic printed sheet can be exposed to a surface treatment. Device according to claim 17,
characterized,
that the sheet-fed rotary printing machine in the field of delivery of a transfer film (5) to a transfer sheet-processing work unit (FA, 1) comprises a discharge device (E) by means of which the transfer layer bearing side of the transfer foil (5) to a surface treatment can be exposed. Device according to claim 17,
characterized,
in that the sheet-fed rotary printing machine, its working units or sheet-guiding sheet transport modules are provided in the area after the application of a coating with a drying device. Device according to claims 17 to 20,
characterized,
that the printing press between the sheet feeder (AN; RB) and the sheet delivery (AU) in the sheet transport direction following configuration: a lacquer module or printing unit (D), - a foil application module (FA) - n printing units (D). Device according to claims 17 to 20,
characterized,
that the printing press between the sheet feeder (AN; RB) and the sheet delivery (AU) in the sheet transport direction following configuration: a lacquer module or printing unit (D), - a foil application module (FA) a turning device (W) - n printing units (D). Device according to claims 17 to 20,
characterized,
that the printing press between the sheet feeder (AN; RB) and the sheet delivery (AU) in the sheet transport direction following configuration: - n printing units (D). a foil application module (FA), a turning device (W), - n printing units (D), - a film application module (FA). Device according to claims 17 to 20,
characterized,
that the printing press between the sheet feeder (AN; RB) and the sheet delivery (AU) in the sheet transport direction following configuration: a lacquer module or printing unit (D), - a foil application module (FA) - n printing units (D) a turning device (W) a lacquer module or printing unit (D), a foil application module (FA), - n printing units (D). Device according to claims 17 to 20,
characterized,
that the printing press between the sheet feeder (AN; RB) and the sheet delivery (AU) in the sheet transport direction following configuration: - a foil application module (FA) - n printing units (D). a turning device (W) - n printing units (D). Device according to claims 17 to 20,
characterized,
that the printing press between sheet feeder (AN; RB) and sheet delivery (AU) has the following configuration in the sheet transport direction: a lacquer module or printing unit (D), - a foil application module (FA) a turning device (W) - n printing units (D). - a foil application module (FA) Device according to claims 17 to 20,
characterized,
that the printing press between the sheet feeder (AN; RB) and the sheet delivery (AU) in the sheet transport direction following configuration: a lacquer module or printing unit (D), - a foil application module (FA) a turning device (W) - a foil application module (FA) - n printing units (D). - a film application module (FA). Device according to claims 17 to 27,
characterized,
that the printing units (D) are designed as flexographic printing, wherein by using two printing units, a foil application module (FA) is formed. Device according to claims 17 to 28,
characterized,
that the printing units (D) by means of a sheet transfer device (T) are coupled to each other that the Bedruckstofftransport in a column direction by the compression of all the printing units (D) and the foil application module (FA) extending level is rectilinear.

Images