EP2156952B2 - Printing machine with an embossing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a coating module transferring imaging layers of a bearing foil on a printing paper. The module contains an impression cylinder (4) and a pressing roller (3), which together form a combined transfer crack (6). A transfer foil (5), provided in the area of a foil routing device for guiding the transfer foil to a transfer crack, is attached with a device for application of the layers and/or information containing imprints. An independent claim is also included for method for coating of printed sheets in a sheet of paper processing machine.

Description

The invention relates to a device for transferring imaging layers from a carrier foil to printed sheets according to the preamble of patent claim 1,

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 this case, a sheet-processing machine is shown, which has a feeder and a boom, wherein printing units and a coating module are arranged between the two units. In at least one of the printing units, an adhesive pattern is applied by means of the planographic printing process. This adhesive pattern is applied in a cold printing process and has a specific imaging subject. In the printing unit following the coating module with a counter-pressure cylinder and a press roller, a film guide is provided. This is designed in such a way that a film strip or a transfer film is guided through the transfer nip of the coating module between the impression cylinder and the press roll from a film supply roll. The film strip is wound up on the outlet side after leaving the coating module. The transfer film has a carrier layer on which imaging layers such as metallic layers, for example of aluminum, can be applied. Between the metallic layer and the carrier film, a separating layer is provided, which ensures that the metallic layer can be removed from the carrier layer.

When printing sheets are transported through the printing unit, each sheet is given an adhesive pattern. Thereafter, the sheet is passed through the coating module, being brought by means of the press roller on the impression cylinder resting sheet with the film material in combination. In this case, the downwardly lying metallic layer enters into a close connection with the areas provided with adhesive on the printed sheet. After further transporting the printing sheet, the metallic layer adheres only in the area provided with the adhesive pattern. The carrier film is thus removed from the metallic layer in the region of the adhesive pattern. The used in this way transfer film is wound up again, the sheet is laid out in the coated state.

It is known to use such coating modules, for example in printing units of printing presses. A disadvantage of the known devices is that they can not be used flexibly.

From the magazine publication: Emerlau, L., "La dorure est vernie, Grace au dispositif Speedor d'Ecamo, la dorure a froid sur press offset", Caractere, 387/388, October 1994, pages 146-147 For example, a device for the film transfer of metallic layers to a single-color offset printing machine is known. The device shows in addition to a known offset printing unit, which is equipped for single-color printing, in addition to its blanket cylinder on the impression cylinder in the transport direction downstream pressure roller. A transfer film web is guided around this pressure roller between film rolls and pressed against the impression cylinder. Such a equipped printing press can only be used for the film transfer

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device by means of which the transfer of an imaging layer, e.g. a metallization layer can be done on a sheet safely, economically and accurately, the device should be manageable for an extended range of applications.

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

A press becomes more flexible in its application by integrating a film transfer module. The film transfer module can be implemented as part of a print engine, as a separate workstation, as an integrated workstation, or as a workstation that can be moved.

Advantageously, the film transfer module can be arranged at different locations within a printing press depending on the application.

Therefore, it is also advantageously possible to provide a plurality of coating modules within a sheet-processing machine in a row. In this way, the application of different imaging coatings or metallization layers within a subject can take place one after the other. In this case, it is possible to transmit the imaging layers next to one another using a single adhesive pattern with all the image pattern elements.

It is also possible to provide a first adhesive pattern in a first coating module with a first image-forming coating or metallization layer and, in the following, to apply another, the first enclosing adhesive pattern and to provide it with another image-forming coating or metallization layer.
Furthermore, the film transfer module in a sheet-fed printing machine can also be arranged downstream of a device for the use of a sheet, so that an image-wise coating of the film transfer takes place on a sheet backside after previous front side printing

The device can be used advantageously in order to achieve better film utilization by dividing the transfer film into one or more partial film webs of lesser width. Here, different types of films can be used side by side.
To ensure the efficiency of the coating process can be provided to control the film feed such that the transfer film is then stopped when no transmission of the imaging or metallization takes place. Thus, in an advantageous manner, a control of the transfer film can be carried out in such a way that, when passing through a cylinder channel receiving the grippers of the sheet-guiding impression cylinder, the film feed is stopped, the press roll then slidingly passing under the transfer film.

To improve the coating properties, the image-forming layer can be applied by means of what is known as a UV negative-pressure ink by means of a printing unit for the adhesive in e.g. is applied over an offset printing plate.

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

Figur 1

eine grundsätzliche Darstellung einer Druckmaschine mit ei- ner Folientransfereinrichtung und

Figur 2

den Aufbau eines Beschichtungsmodules mit einer Folien- transfereinrichtung und

Figuren 3 bis 6

Konfigurationen zur Integration von Folientransfermodulen in einer Druckmaschine.

Showing:

FIG. 1

a basic representation of a printing machine with a film transfer device and

FIG. 2

the construction of a coating module with a film transfer device and

FIGS. 3 to 6

Configurations for the integration of film transfer modules in a printing machine.

• Ein zu beschichtender Druckbogen wird in einem ersten Arbeitschritt mit einem bildgebenden Klebstoffmuster versehen. Der Auftrag des Klebers erfolgt im einer als Auftragwerk 1 konfigurierten Vorrichtung, z.B. einem konventionellen Druckwerk einer Offsetdruckmaschine über dort vorhandene Farb- und Feuchtwerke 11, eine Druckplatte auf einem Plattenzylinder 12, einen Drucktuch- oder Gummizylinder 13 und einen Gegendruckzylinder 4. Gleichfalls sind hier Auftragwerke in Form von Flexodruckeinheiten oder Lackierwerken einsetzbar. Eine Variante zu einer derartigen Ausführungsform ist in Fig. 2 dargestellt ist. Der Kleber wird dort mittels eines Dosiersystems 22 über eine Rasterwalze 21 auf einen Formzylinder 20 übertragen. Dieser trägt in diesem Fall eine Hochdruckplatte zur Erzeugung des bildgebenden Kleberauftrages.
• Danach wird in einem zweiten Schritt gemeinsam mit einem Druckbogen eine Transferfolie 5 durch einen Transferspalt 6 geführt, wobei die Transferfolie 5 im Transferspalt 6 gegen den Druckbogen gepresst wird. Hierzu wird ein Beschichtungsmodul 2 verwendet, das einem Druckwerk oder einem Lackmodul oder einer Basiseinheit oder einer andersartigen Verarbeitungsstation einer Bogenoffsetdruckmaschine entsprechen kann.
• Der Transferspalt 6 im Beschichtungsmodul 2 wird durch eine Presswalze 3 und einen Gegendruckzylinder 4 gebildet.

Hierbei kann die Presswalze 3 einem Drucktuchzylinder und der Gegendruckzylinder 4 einem Gegendruckzylinder eines an sich bekannten Offsetdruckwerkes entsprechen.In FIG. 1 is a sheet-processing machine, here a printing press, shown, which consists of at least two printing units. The two printing units are used for the following purposes:

• A sheet to be coated is provided in a first step with an adhesive imaging pattern. The application of the adhesive takes place in a device configured as an applicator 1, for example, a conventional printing unit of an offset printing machine there existing inking and dampening 11, a printing plate on a plate cylinder 12, a blanket or blanket cylinder 13 and a counter-pressure cylinder 4. Likewise are here commissioned works can be used in the form of flexographic printing units or coating units. A variant of such an embodiment is in Fig. 2 is shown. The adhesive is transferred there by means of a metering system 22 via an anilox roller 21 onto a forme cylinder 20. This carries in this case a high pressure plate for generating the imaging adhesive application.
• Thereafter, in a second step, together with a printing sheet, a transfer film 5 is guided through a transfer nip 6, wherein the transfer film 5 is pressed in the transfer nip 6 against the printing sheet. For this purpose, a coating module 2 is used which can correspond to a printing unit or a lacquer module or a base unit or another type of processing station of a sheet-fed offset printing press.
• The transfer nip 6 in the coating module 2 is formed by a press roll 3 and an impression cylinder 4.

Here, the press roller 3 a blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder 4 correspond to a counter-pressure cylinder of a known offset printing unit.

• Weiterhin kann dem Beschichtungsmodul 2 nachgeschaltet ein so genanntes Kalandrierwerk vorgesehen werden, wenn der beschichtete Druckbogen zur Steigerung der Haftung der Beschichtung bzw. zur Steigerung von Glätte und Glanz des Druckbogens unter erhöhtem Druck überwalzt werden soll.

Furthermore, the press roller 3 a form cylinder and the impression cylinder 4 correspond to a counter-pressure cylinder of a paint module of a sheet-fed press.

• Furthermore, the coating module 2 downstream of a so-called calendering be provided when the coated sheet to increase the adhesion of the coating or to increase the smoothness and gloss of the sheet is to be rolled under increased pressure.

Within the coating module 2 used for the film transfer, a web guide for transfer films 5 is shown.
For processing in question transfer sheets 5 are constructed in multiple layers. They have a carrier layer on which an imaging layer is applied by means of a release layer. The separating layer serves to facilitate lifting of the imaging layer from the carrier layer. The image-forming layer may be, for example, a metallized layer or a glossy layer or a texture layer or a colored layer or a layer containing one or more image patterns.

The film supply roll 8 is assigned to the coating module 2 on the side of the sheet feed. The film supply roll 8 has a rotary drive 7. The rotary drive 7 is required for the continuous controlled feeding of the transfer film 5 to the coating module 2 and is therefore controllable.

Furthermore, in the field of film feed and removal guide devices 14, such as deflection or tensioning rollers, pneumatically actuated conducting means, baffles o. Ä. Provided. Thus, the film web of the transfer film 5 can always be performed flat without distortion and held in the same voltage against the press roller 3. The guide devices 14 may also contain aids for introducing the transfer film 5. In this case, automatic retraction aids for the film web of the transfer film 5 can be used.

In this way, the film feed is surrounded in the area of the coating unit 2 Verschutzungen 15 simplified. The protective function of the Verschutzungen 15 is maintained at the same time completely.

In this case, the transfer film 5 can be guided around the press roll 3, wherein the transfer film 5 can advantageously be fed and discharged from the press nip 6 only from one side of the coating module 2 (see dashed representation). The film web may differ from the illustration to Fig. 1 and depending on the space conditions on the one side of the coating module 2 advantageously in the feeding strand and the laxative strand are guided closely parallel to each other.
In a further embodiment, the transfer film 5 can also be fed in and out substantially tangentially on the press roll 3 or wrap it around only in a small circumferential angle to the press nip 6. For this purpose, the transfer film 5 is supplied from one side of the coating module 2 and discharged to the opposite side of the coating module 2.

On the outlet side of the printing unit, a film collection roller 9 is shown. On the film collecting roll 9, the used film material is wound up again. Again, a rotary drive 7 is provided for the optimized production, which is controllable. In essence, the transfer film 5 could also be moved by the rotary drive 7 on the outlet side and kept taut on the inlet side by means of a brake.

For the transfer process of imaging e.g. Wear layer of the transfer sheet 5 on the sheet in the transfer nip 6 between the press roll 3 and the impression cylinder 4 is essential that the surface of the press roll 3 so the blanket cylinder or forme cylinder is equipped by means of a compressible, damping element.

The press roll 3 is therefore provided with a press fabric 10 or as a roll with a corresponding coating. The press fabric 10 or press coating can be performed, for example, as a plastic coating, comparable to a blanket or blanket. The surface of the press fabric 10 or press coating is preferably very smooth. It can also be formed from antiadhesive substances or structures. Here, for example, a relatively hard structure in the form of very fine spherical caps comes into question. A press fabric 10 is held on the press roll 3 in a cylinder channel on jigs.
The press fabric 10 may be equipped to improve the transmission properties in the transfer nip 6 with a targeted elasticity. This may optionally act in a compressible intermediate layer. This compressibility is preferably similar or less than in conventional blankets or Drucktüchem that can be used at this point.
The mentioned compressibility can be produced by means of a conventional compressible printing blanket. Furthermore, combined fabrics made of a hard blanket and a soft pad can be used.
Furthermore, a limited pressing surface can be provided directly on the press roll 3 or on the press fabric 10. This can be worked out of the surface of the press fabric 10 or it can be additionally attached as a partial surface of the material of the press fabric 10 on the press roller 3.

• Hierzu kann eine Steuerung der Transferfolie 5 derart erfolgen, dass beim Durchlaufen eines Greifers des bogenführenden Gegendruckzylinders 4 aufnehmenden Zylinderkanales der Folienvorschub angehalten wird. Die Greifer halten den Druckbogen auf dem Gegendruckzylinder 4. Die Presswalze 3 weist einen dazu korrespondierenden Zylinderkanal 19 (siehe Fig. 3) auf, in dem eine Pressbespannung 10 gehaltert ist. Im Bereich der korrespondierenden Zylinderkanäle erfolgt keine Pressung der Transferfolie 5 zwischen der Presswalze 3 (Drucktuchzylinder) und dem Gegendruckzylinder 4. Die Presswalze 3 läuft dann an der Transferfolie 5 gleitend weiter, während die Transferfolie 5 zwischen Presswalze 3 und Gegendruckzylinder 4 frei liegend gespannt ist. Dieser Zustand dauert an bis am so genannten Druckanfang der Zylinderkanal 19 endet und die Transferfolie 5 erneut zwischen der Presswalze 3 und dem Gegendruckzylinder 4 unter Einschluss eines Druckbogens eingeklemmt wird. Dann wird die Transferfolie 5 weiter transportiert. Die Taktung des Folienvorschubes kann entsprechend einer notwendigen Beschleunigung bzw. Bremsung der Folienvorratsrolle 8 bzw. Foliensammelrolle 9 etwas früher beginnen bzw. aussetzen als dies die Kanalkanten des Zylinderkanals vorgeben. Bei reaktionsschnellen Taktungssystemen über so genannte Tänzerwalzen 18, wie sie beispielhaft in Figur 1 eingezeichnet sind, ist die Steuerung der Drehantriebe 7 der Folienvorratsrollen 8 bzw. Foliensammelrolle 9 ggf. nicht erforderlich. Mittels der Tänzerwalzen 18 wird ebenfalls die notwendige Folienspannung aufrechterhalten.

To improve the efficiency of the coating process, it is provided that 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 is controllable so that as far as possible the transfer film 5 is stopped when no transfer of the imaging layer should take place :

• For this purpose, a control of the transfer film 5 can be made such that the film feed is stopped when passing through a gripper of the sheet-guiding impression cylinder 4 receiving cylinder channel. The grippers hold the sheet on the impression cylinder 4. The press roll 3 has a corresponding cylinder channel 19 (see Fig. 3 ), in which a press fabric 10 is held. In the region of the corresponding cylinder channels, there is no pressing of the transfer film 5 between the press roll 3 (blanket cylinder) and the impression cylinder 4. The press roll 3 then continues to slide on the transfer film 5, while the transfer film 5 is stretched freely between the press roll 3 and impression cylinder 4. This state continues until at the so-called pressure start of the cylinder channel 19 ends and the transfer sheet 5 is again clamped between the press roller 3 and the impression cylinder 4, including a sheet. Then, the transfer sheet 5 is further transported. The timing of the film feed can begin or suspend slightly earlier than pretend the channel edges of the cylinder channel according to a necessary acceleration or braking of the film supply roll 8 or film collecting 9. In reaction-fast timing systems via so-called dancer rollers 18, as exemplified in FIG. 1 are shown, the control of the rotary actuators 7 of the film supply rolls 8 and film collecting roll 9 may not be necessary. By means of the dancer rollers 18, the necessary film tension is also maintained.

A further improvement of the film utilization of the type described results from the fact that the transfer film 5 is divided into one or more Teilfolienbahnen lesser width. Thus, with appropriate control by means of the device or devices for timing the film feed each of the sub-film webs, the utilization of the transfer film 5 can be improved even in zonally different lengths coating areas within an arc. For this purpose, each partial film web is conveyed only exactly in the area where the imaging surface layer is to be applied. In the areas not to be coated Each Teilfolienbahn can be shut down independently of the other Teilfolienbahnen, with it no unnecessary film consumption.

Furthermore, to improve the coating process provided in the area of the adhesive application and in the area of the film order dryer 16 provided. Thus, in particular by means of UV drying, the imagewise applied adhesive layer can be predried by means of a first dryer 16 (intermediate dryer 1) so that the wear layer of the transfer film 5 adheres better. Furthermore, the adhesive effect of the applied wear layer on the printed sheet can be improved by the action of a second dryer 16 (intermediate dryer 11) by additionally accelerating the drying of the adhesive.

Finally, the quality of the coating can be controlled by means of an inspection or monitoring device 17 after the foil application. For this purpose, the inspection device 17 is directed to a sheet-guiding surface of the coating module 2 after the transfer nip 6 and optionally sealed off, the dryer 16 or on a sheet-guiding surface of the coating module 2 further downstream sheet leading module. The coated sheet passing there can thus be checked for completeness and quality of the coating. As poorly recognized printed sheets can be marked or rejected in a sorter as waste.

According to the invention, there are various possibilities for carrying out said image-wise coatings by means of an imaging or metallization layer within the working unit or printing units at different positions in a printing press.

In FIG. 2 For this purpose, a basic embodiment is shown, which represents an integrated film transfer module for film transfer for use in a sheet-processing machine, such as a printing press. Here, the coating module 2 in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 executed integrated into the unit.

• Zum Transport von Druckbogen ist ein bogenführender Gegendruckzylinder 4 vorgesehen. Der Gegendruckzylinder 4 kann zum Transport von Druckbogen ein oder mehrere Greiferfelder mit zugehörigen Druckflächen und einen entsprechend ein- bis mehrfachen Umfang auf weisen.
• Dem Gegendruckzylinder 4 ist im Quadranten A ein Auftragwerk 1 zugeordnet. Das Auftragwerk 1 weist einen Formzylinder 20, eine Auftragwalze 21 und ein Dosiersystem 22 auf. Mittels des Auftragwerkes 1 können über eine auf dem Formzylinder 20 aufgespannte Druckform bildmässige Beschichtungen auf am Gegendruckzylinder 4 gehaltene Druckbogen aufgebracht werden.
• Dem Gegendruckzylinder 4 ist im Quadranten B ein in das Folientransfermodul integriertes Beschichtungsmodul 2 zugeordnet. Das Beschichtungsmodul 2 dient gemäß, der Ausführungsform nach Figur 1 ebenfalls dem Folientransfer und weist einen Transferzylinder in Form einer Presswalze 3 auf, die mit dem Gegendruckzylinder 4 einen Transferspalt 6 bildet. Weiterhin sind eine Folienvorratsrolle 8, eine Foliensammelrolle 9 und ggf. Bahnführungen für eine um den oder tangential an der Andruckwalze 21 vorbei geführte Folienbahn aus Transferfolie 5 vorgesehen.

The film transfer module is equipped as follows:

• For transporting printed sheets, a sheet-guiding impression cylinder 4 is provided. The impression cylinder 4 can have one or more gripper fields with associated pressure surfaces and a corresponding one to multiple extent for the transport of printed sheets.
• The impression cylinder 4 is assigned in the quadrant A an applicator 1. The applicator 1 has a forme cylinder 20, an applicator roller 21 and a metering system 22. By means of the applicator 1 can be applied to a pressure on the form cylinder 20 clamped image-formable coatings on the impression cylinder 4 held sheet.
• The impression cylinder 4 is assigned a quadrant B in the film transfer module integrated coating module 2. The coating module 2 is used according to, the embodiment of FIG. 1 also the film transfer and has a transfer cylinder in the form of a press roll 3, which forms a transfer nip 6 with the impression cylinder 4. Furthermore, a film supply roll 8, a film collecting roll 9 and possibly web guides for a film web of transfer film 5 guided around or tangentially past the pressure roller 21 are provided.

• Dem Gegendruckzylinder 4 kann in Drehrichtung dem Beschichtungsmodul 2
• nachgeordnet ein Kalandrierwerk zugeordnet sein, das mittels einer Kalanderwalze mit dem Gegendruckzylinder 4 einen Kalandrierspalt bildet.

The cylinders may correspond to the forme cylinder and the impression cylinder of a coating module of an offset printing press.

• The impression cylinder 4 can in the direction of rotation of the coating module. 2
• downstream of a calendering be assigned, which forms a calendering by means of a calender with the impression cylinder 4.

• Ein zu beschichtender Druckbogen wird zunächst in der ersten Arbeitsstation (Auftragwerk 1) in einem Druckspalt zwischen dem Formzylinder 20 und dem Gegendruckzylinder 4 mittels einer Druckform mit einem von dem Dosiersystem 22 über die Auftragwalze 21 auf einer Druckform am Formzylinder 20 erzeugten bildgebenden Klebstoffmuster versehen.
• Danach wird der Druckbogen in der folgenden Arbeitsstation (Beschichtungsmodul 2) gemeinsam mit einer Folienbahn aus Transferfolie 5 durch den Transferspalt 6 zwischen einem als Presswalze 3 ausgerüsteten Zylinder und dem Gegendruckzylinder 4 geführt, wobei die Transferfolie 5 im Transferspalt 6 gegen den Druckbogen gepresst wird. Durch die Anpressung wird im Bereich des Klebstoffmusters von der Transferfolie 5 eine bildgebende Schicht auf den Druckbogen übertragen. Die Folienbahn der Transferfolie 5 wird hierbei in Richtung der Drehbewegung des Gegendruckzylinders 4 von der Folienvorratsrolle 8 abgerollt, um die Presswalze 3 herum oder in etwa tangential an diesem vorbei angeführt und auf die Foliensammelrolle 9 aufgerollt.
• Weiterhin kann in dem nachgeschalteten Kalandrierwerk die von der Transferfolie 5 auf den Druckbogen übertragene bildgebende Schicht zur Erhöhung der Haftfestigkeit und Glätte eingewalzt werden.

In this way, an integrated film transfer module is formed, which has two workstations, which are used for the following steps:

• A sheet to be coated is first provided in the first workstation (applicator 1) in a nip between the forme cylinder 20 and the impression cylinder 4 by means of a printing forme with an imaging adhesive pattern generated by the dosing system 22 via the applicator roller 21 on a printing plate on the forme cylinder 20.
• Thereafter, the printing sheet in the following work station (coating module 2) is guided together with a film web of transfer film 5 through the transfer nip 6 between a cylinder equipped as a press roller 3 and the impression cylinder 4, wherein the transfer film 5 is pressed in the transfer nip 6 against the signature. As a result of the contact pressure, an image-forming layer is transferred to the printed sheet in the region of the adhesive pattern by the transfer film 5. The film web of the transfer film 5 is hereby unrolled in the direction of the rotational movement of the counter-pressure cylinder 4 from the film supply roll 8, around the press roll 3 around or approximately tangentially past it and rolled onto the film collection roll 9.
• Furthermore, in the downstream calendering unit, the image-forming layer transferred from the transfer film 5 to the printing sheet can be used to increase the Adhesive strength and smoothness are rolled.

Such a device can be used in a paint module of a sheet-fed printing press, which already has all the necessary elements in its basic design. For the mentioned application, a chamber doctor blade system can be used instead of supplying the adhesive metering lacquer via the anilox roller and the forme cylinder, e.g. be used by means of a recessed blanket or a flexographic printing on the substrate.

The printing material is guided in such a film transfer module in a very advantageous manner by all the necessary cleavage points in a single gripper closure, while it rests on a single impression cylinder 4.

The coating module 2 is essentially suitable for forming a printed sheet before printing with an imaging layer, e.g. to provide a metallization layer. Within the sheet processing machine receiving the coating module 2, however, the coating module 2 can also be placed at any other location within the machine. This is to enable the desired imaging layers, e.g. Metallization layers, both before, as well as after and between the application of ink layers can be done.

Advantageously, the coating module is designed as a transportable unit. The coating module consists of a frame with a Folienrollollung and a Folienaufrollung. To couple with the respective printing unit to be used as a coating module 2, it has a coupling surface to a defined area of the required printing unit. The corresponding mating surface is usually at the top of the required printing unit. The coupling surface can also be provided laterally or on the end faces of the printing units.
The printing unit required for the adhesive application as an application unit 1 only has to be set up for the adhesive application (corresponds to a normal color application) like a printing unit used by default.
The facilities required for the film guide devices of the transfer films near the film supply roll or film collection roll are connected to the coating module. Only in the field of protection of the printing units are appropriate inlets and outlets for the supply of the transfer film 5 to or the return of the transfer film 5 provided by the pressing cylinder 3. Here necessary deflections for the transfer film 5 can be easily connected to the security and may possibly be removable.

According to the mentioned embodiment, it is also possible to provide a plurality of coating modules 2 within a sheet-processing machine in succession. For the application of different imaging layers or metallization layers within the subject, therefore, the supply of the required different transfer foils to the printing sheet can take place successively. In this case, it is initially possible to apply a single adhesive pattern in an applicator 1, in which all necessary image patterns for the imaging layer is contained, in which case the different film images in the following Beshichtungsmodulen 2 are transmitted next to each other. On the other hand, of course, the transmission of a first adhesive pattern in a first applicator 1 can be carried out and provided in a first coating module 2 with a first type of metallization. Overlaying this, a further, the first enclosing or overlapping adhesive pattern can be applied in a following application unit 1 and provided in a second coating module 2 with a metallization layer of a second type. In this way, for example, intersecting image patterns of a silver-colored layer and a gold-colored layer can be produced in a coating pass.

In the FIGS. 3 to 6 Different combinations of the assignment of coating modules 2 and applicators 1 to a printing machine are shown schematically.

FIG. 3 basically shows a conventional configuration. A sheet feeder AN of the sheet-fed printing machine is initially followed by an applicator 1 and then a coating module 2. The coating module 2 is again followed by printing units D of the sheet-fed printing machine. A bow boom AU completes the configuration.
By means of this configuration, therefore, an imagewise coating with metallized film can take place on the empty printed sheet. Thereafter, a multicolored printed image can be applied over this coating.
Likewise, by means of the coating module 2, a full-surface coating with metallized film can be produced, which can subsequently be overprinted in the printing units D.
It is indicated that a coating module 2 can also be subordinated to the printing units D in front of the sheet delivery AU, wherein the printing unit D upstream of the coating module 2 can serve as a commissioning unit 1.
By means of this arrangement, for example, a subsequent lamination or the support of a metallized image-wise coating without overprinting possible. For this, the color print should be dried beforehand.

FIG. 4 shows a similar configuration as FIG. 3 , Here, the sheet feeder AN downstream of two film transfer modules as integrated coating modules IM. In this case, both a coating module 2 and an associated application unit 1 are arranged within a work unit (see also FIG Fig. 2 ). Thus, according to a previously mentioned method example the image order of two different, next to each other, but possibly cross-over coatings are made. The arrangement of an integrated coating module IM is particularly useful if at least two film transfer modules are to be arranged directly one after the other.

In FIG. 5 is shown a flexible variant for a printing press with further improved features of the further processing of signatures. The film transfer module is designed here as an attachment module AM. Such an attachment module AM is preferably designed as a transportable unit and can be placed on a standardized substructure UB of a printing unit D of the printing press. For this purpose coupling mechanisms are necessary, which can be represented in many ways. A substructure UB normally includes a frame in which a sheet transport drum and an impression cylinder 4 are associated with each other. Optionally, a printing blanket cylinder 13 of an offset printing unit or a forme cylinder 20 of a lacquer module can each be assigned to the impression cylinder 4 on the substructure. The blanket cylinder 13 or forme cylinder 20 can be used in conjunction with the coating module 2 as a press roller 3, wherein a corresponding fabric 10 is to be attached. Corresponding clamping devices are available on both cylinder types.

In FIG. 6 is an advanced version shown. The printing press shown has, after two printing units D connected to the sheet feeder AN, a so-called turning device W. Turning devices W serve to invert a single-sided printed or coated printed sheet during sheet-fed operation of a sheet-fed printing press, so that its previous underside becomes the upper side, which can subsequently be printed or coated.

In the configuration shown, the applicator 1 and a coating module 2 adjoin the turning device W. Thereafter, if necessary, several further printing units D are provided up to the sheet delivery AU.

With such a printing press, each printed sheet can first be printed on its reverse side in one or two colors, then turned over, then image-coated with a metallized layer and subsequently printed again in multiple colors. An application example of this are greeting cards with jewelery inserts made of metal foil on the image page.

The configurations shown are given by way of example. In the context of the modularization of the film transfer modules, as has been described in detail above, the skilled person can easily find further applications.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

commissioned

2

coating module

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 / dampening unit

12

plate cylinder

13

Blanket / blanket cylinder

14

Folienleiteinrichtung

15

Printing plant security

16

dryer

17

Inspection device / monitoring system

18

dancer roll

19

cylinder gap

20

form cylinder

21

applicator roll

22

dosing

D

printing unit

W

turning device

AT

sheet feeder

AU

sheet delivery

UB

substructure

IN THE

Integrated film transfer module

AT THE

plug-in module

Claims (5)

1. A device for the transfer of imaging layers from a carrier foil, which jointly form a transfer foil (5), on printed sheets at least comprising one application unit (1) for an image-wise coating of the printed sheets with an adhesive and comprising a coating module (2) for transferring the imaging layers from the carrier foil onto the printed sheet in a transfer gap (6) between an impression cylinder (4) and a press roller (3), wherein the carrier foil can be guided through the transfer gap (6) with the coated side being in contact with the printed sheet together with the latter and the imaging layers can be transferred onto the printed sheet thereby in an image-wise manner, wherein the coating module (2) as assembly comprises a device for the feeding of a fresh foil web from a storage and for the disposal of used foil web, and has means for guiding the foil web towards the transfer gap (6) and away from the transfer gap (6) and the coating module (2) can be assigned to the application unit (1) in such a manner that the coating module (2) can be placed in any positions of the machine within the sheet processing machine, which receives the coating module (2),
   characterized in
   that the coating module (2) or integrated coating module (2) is designed as attachment unit for a substructure of a printing mechanism (D) consisting of a frame, a sheet transport drum, an impression cylinder (4) and/or a form cylinder (20) and/or a blanket cylinder (13), and in that the press roller (3) is designed as form cylinder (20) or blanket cylinder (13) interacting with the impression cylinder (4) for guiding the transfer foil (5) in the transfer gap (6), and in that the coating module (2) is furthermore part of a printing mechanism (D) or of a coating module or of a further processing unit of a sheetfed offset printing press.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coating module (2) forms an assembly comprising a device for receiving at least one foil storage roll (8) and at least one foil collection roll (9) comprising drives, wherein guide elements for steering and tensioning the foil web are provided within the sheet processing machine, which receives the coating module (2), in the region of the discharge or feeding, respectively, of the foil web from the region of the foil rolls (8, 9).
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sheet processing machine is a printing press comprising a plurality of printing mechanisms (D) for generating a colored printout and that the coating module (2) is arranged upstream of, arranged in-between or arranged downstream from the printing mechanisms (D).
4. The device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the coating module (2) is designed as foil transfer module in the manner of a portable unit, which can be coupled to a printing mechanism (D).
5. The device according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that a plurality of printing mechanisms (D) are arranged one after the other within a sheet processing machine, that a turning device (W) for turning over printed sheets for the front and back side printing is arranged between at least two of the printing mechanisms (D), and that a coating module (2) is arranged downstream from the turning device.

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