EP2308682A2 - Method for generating a printing characteristic on a substrate of a printed product - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves producing a layer (4) by applying a medium (5) e.g. printing ink, paint and adhesive, and treating surfaces (6) of the layer such that another layer (7) is produced by applying another medium (8) e.g. printing ink, paint and foil, or a surface structure (9) is produced by structuring the former medium. The surfaces of the former layer is pretreated such that information provided in typographical characteristics (1) is transmitted to the former medium using electromagnetic radiations (10), where laser radiations or LED radiations is used as the electromagnetic radiations. An independent claim is also included for a device e.g. sheet fed rotary printing machine and print reprocessing machine, for producing typographical characteristics on a substrate of a printing product comprising a module with a printing and/or coating unit for producing a layer by applying a medium.

Description

The present invention relates to a method having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method having the features of the preamble of claim 9.

Printed products are increasingly being designed individually and therefore provided with unique features such as personalized information. There is therefore an increasing interest in technology, which makes it possible to provide printed products with such features and thereby enhance their value.

The JP 2007/313876 describes a method in which by means of a laser information in a laminate of a product is as it were "inscribed", wherein the laminate comprises an initially clear color or lacquer layer which is colored by the laser radiation. A disadvantage of this solution appears the fact that only an upper layer of the laminate can be treated, which is naturally prone to damage during transport of the product, and that only a previously clear layer can be treated, while in the printing instead mostly pigmented substances are used ,

The DE 10 2005 031 572 A1 discloses a method for printing and post-treating an imprint, wherein at least one imprint is produced on a printing substrate and by means of a first short-wave UV emitter, the imprint is polymerized only superficially and selectively according to an image and by means of a second long-wavelength UV emitter in depth , In this way, the gloss level of the imprint can be changed according to the picture. A disadvantage of this solution appears the necessary, space-consuming and energy-demanding parallel use of two and also mutually different radiation sources.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a comparison with the prior art improved method, which allows it in a simple manner, ie in particular with little expensive means, durable, ie in particular to produce wear-resistant or protected printing technology features on substrates. It is also a further or alternative object of the present invention to provide a device that is improved over the prior art for performing the method.

These objects are achieved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a device having the features of claim 9. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying dependent claims and from the description and the accompanying drawings.

An inventive method for producing a printing feature on a substrate of a printed product, wherein in a first step, a first layer is produced by applying a first medium and in a second step, the surface of the first layer is at least partially treated by a second layer by applying A second medium or a surface structure is produced by structuring of the first medium, characterized in that in an intermediate step, the surface of the first layer is at least partially pretreated by a targeted transfer of the printing technology characteristic underlying information in the first medium.

The provision according to the invention of the pretreatment prior to the second step makes it possible to produce permanent, ie in particular wear-resistant or protected, printing-technical features on substrates in a simple manner. The features are essentially generated in the interaction of the pretreatment (information transfer) with the treatment (eg, overlap, imprinting) of the second step, whereby the visual impression of the feature or its specific functionality is revealed. Such a feature produced according to the invention may preferably form an electrically conductive structure realized in cold foil (eg memory, circuit, antenna) or a counterfeit-proof random pattern designed as an embossed pattern (eg for the authenticity / manipulation test).

A development of the method according to the invention which is advantageous and therefore preferred on account of the conventional materials used can be distinguished by the fact that printing ink, lacquer or adhesive is applied to the printed product as the first medium.

A development of the method according to the invention that is also advantageous and therefore preferred on account of the conventional materials used can be distinguished by the fact that printing ink, paint, film or a film transfer layer is applied to the printed product as the second medium.

A development of the method according to the invention that is advantageous and therefore preferred for security applications may be characterized in that the structuring takes place as the introduction of an embossing pattern.

A development of the method according to the invention that is advantageous and therefore preferred on account of the fast operating speed can be distinguished by the fact that the transmission of the information takes place by means of electromagnetic radiation.

A refinement of the method according to the invention which is advantageous and therefore preferred with respect to fast 2D structure generation can be distinguished by the fact that LED radiation (eg by means of a so-called array) generates LED radiation transmitted through information or electromagnetic radiation (eg scanning) or by a mask guided radiation is used.

An advantageous and therefore preferred development of the method according to the invention for the rapid achievement of an effective surface modification may be characterized in that the information-carrying, electromagnetic radiation causes hardening, drying and / or change of the surface energy.

A due to the possible use of a variety of reactive (eg color-changing or viscosity-modifying) chemicals or particles (electrons, ions) advantageous and therefore preferred, alternative development of the method according to the invention be characterized in that the transfer of information by means of liquid or particle radiation takes place.

A device according to the invention for carrying out one of the methods is characterized by a first module having a first printing and / or coating unit for carrying out the first step, a second module arranged downstream in the transport direction of the substrate and having a second printing and / or coating unit or a structuring unit for carrying out the second step and an intermediate module arranged in the transport direction of the substrate between the first and the second module with an information transmission unit for carrying out the intermediate step.

Within the scope of the invention, a printing material processing machine - e.g. a printing machine, in particular a sheet-fed rotary lithographic printing press, or e.g. a print finishing machine - to be seen, which is characterized by at least one as described above with reference to the invention device.

The described invention and the described, advantageous developments of the invention are also in combination with each other advantageous developments of the invention. Preferably, for example, as a first medium, a cold foil adhesive, as a second medium, a cold foil transfer layer and for transmitting the information electromagnetic radiation, which partially cures the adhesive. Likewise preferred is paint as the first medium and an embossing process for the structuring.

The invention as such as well as structurally and / or functionally advantageous developments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to at least one preferred embodiment. In the drawings, corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1

einen Ablaufplan eines bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und

Fig. 2a-c

jeweils eine Bedruckstoff verarbeitende Maschine mit einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

The drawings show:

Fig. 1

a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention; and

Fig. 2a-c

in each case a printing material processing machine with a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention for generating a printing feature on a substrate of a printed product with two steps and an intermediate step. The printing technology feature 1 is preferably a visual, ie a visible with the naked eye feature, or also preferably a functional, ie another function such as the electrical conductivity mediating feature. As substrates 2 come paper, cardboard, foil, plates or sheets into consideration. The printed product 3 itself can be a flat good, for example a brochure, a label or a packaging provided with text, image, pattern and / or other information, preferably printed by the rotation method.

In method step A (first step), a first layer 4 is produced by applying a first medium 5 to the substrate 2 merely provided or already precoated in a preliminary step VS. The first layer 4 may be screened or unscreened and its thickness is preferably in the micrometer or even sub-micron range. The application of the first medium 5 is preferably carried out by rotation, for example in lithographic offset printing. The first medium 5 is preferably a fluid such as printing ink, varnish or adhesive. As an adhesive adhesive is preferably used for the Kaltfolientransverfahren.

In method step B (second step), the surface 6 of the first layer 4 is treated at least in sections by i) a second layer 7 by applying a second medium 8 to the substrate 2 or to the substrate already provided with the first medium 5 in the first step 2 is generated or ii) a surface structure 9 is produced by structuring the first medium 5. The second layer 7 may be screened or unscreened and its thickness is also preferably in the micrometer or even sub-micron range. The application of the second medium 8 is also preferably carried out in Rotational method, for example in lithographic offset printing. The second medium 8 is preferably a fluid such as ink or varnish. Instead, the second medium 8 may preferably also be a foil or film transfer layer, for example a cold foil or a cold foil transfer layer. The structuring of the surface 6 of the first medium 5 is preferably carried out by deformation, such as by introducing an embossing pattern or by embossing.

Method step ZS takes place as an intermediate step, ie, temporally after method step A and before method step B. In this case, the surface 6 of the first layer 4 is pretreated at least in sections, by selectively transferring the information underlying the printing technology feature 1 into the first medium 5. As underlying information, for example, text, image or pattern information or information about the topography of a functional, technical printing feature, such as location and shape of electrically conductive structures can be transmitted. The transmission of the information preferably takes place by means of electromagnetic radiation 10, such as laser radiation, LED radiation, ie radiation generated by a light-emitting diode, or by a mask, for example with so-called light sheds (switchable shutter matrix) or light modulators, guided radiation. The irradiation 10 of the first layer 4 or the first medium 5 causes its / their hardening, drying and / or change of the surface energy. The layer or media curing may preferably be only partial, preferably only near-surface, curing. Accordingly, drying may preferably be only partial drying. The change in the surface energy may preferably be a reduction of the surface energy. The electromagnetic radiation may be radiation in the ultraviolet (UV, preferably for curing), visible or infrared (IR, preferably for drying) spectral range. As an alternative or in addition to the use of electromagnetic radiation, the transmission of the information can also take place by means of liquid radiation 11, for example when using the inkjet method, or particle radiation 11, for example when using electron radiation or plasma.

Since the step ZS essential to the invention takes place before the second step B, the surface 6 changed in step ZS is covered by the aftertreatment in step B, for example with paint, lacquer, foil or film transfer layer 8, or provided with an embossing pattern 9 and by this aftertreatment in an advantageous manner Permanently protected against change / wear and permanently fixed the introduced information.

The following application for the process according to the invention may be mentioned as an example: In step A, UV-curable cold foil adhesive 5 is applied over the entire area to the substrate 2. In step ZS, the topography of a printed conductor structure is transferred into the adhesive 5 as negative with UV radiation and a switchable mask or with a scanning UV laser system. As a result, the adhesive 5 is partially cured locally according to the structure. In step B, coating material 8 (cold foil transfer layer) is brought into contact with the adhesive 5 in the cold foil transfer process. At the points locally locally hardened according to the negative, the adhesive 5 does not take on any transfer material, so that the conductor track structure in the transfer material is reflected positively. The result is a printed conductor structure made of electrically conductive cold foil transfer material on the substrate. The switchable mask or the scanning system also makes it possible in an advantageous manner to change the printed conductor structure from printed product to printed product, to individualize it or to design it as a unique feature.

FIG. 2a shows a section of a substrate as substrate processing machine 12, preferably a printing press, with a preferred embodiment of the device 13 according to the invention for generating a printing feature 1 on a substrate 2 of a printed product 3 with two modules and an intermediate module.

The printing press 12 has a first module 13a with a first printing and / or coating unit 14a, preferably a first printing unit, for carrying out the first step A (preferably full-tone inking), a second module 15a with a second downstream in the direction of transport of the substrate 2 Printing and / or coating unit 16a, preferably a second printing unit, for performing the second step B (paint or varnish application) and arranged in the transport direction of the substrate 2 between the first and the second module 13a and 15a intermediate module ZM with a Information transfer unit 17 for performing the intermediate step ZS. The use of the intermediate module ZM advantageously allows an information-dependent change in the surface energy / wetting property or drying / curing or partial drying / partial curing of the printing ink 5, preferably by means of UV radiation or IR radiation, thereby producing a latent image. In other words, the intermediate module ZM allows the "writing" of the information into the ink layer 4 or the "imaging" of the ink layer 4 with the information. During the subsequent application of the further ink or varnish layer 7, therefore, there is a corresponding, information-dependent adhesion and repulsion of the second medium 8 on the first medium 5, so that the "inscribed" or "imaged" information in the further color or varnish layer 8 becomes visible (keyword: so-called "drip-off effect" or "beading"). Alternatively, the subsequent application of the further color or lacquer layer 7 as a result of a locally altered cleavage effect causes the previously latent image to become visible (keyword: so-called "overprinting").

The printing machine 12 has according to FIG. 2b Alternatively or additionally, a first module 13b having a first printing and / or coating unit 14b, preferably a first printing unit for the areal or image-wise rastered, page-sized or only partial adhesive application, for carrying out the first step A (adhesive application), in the transport direction Substrate second subordinate module 15b with a second printing and / or coating unit 16b, preferably a printing unit for the cold foil transfer, for performing the second step (film transfer layer order) and in the transport direction of the substrate 2 between the first and the second module 13b and 15b arranged intermediate module ZM with an information transfer unit 17 for performing the intermediate step ZS. The use of the intermediate module ZM advantageously enables information-dependent curing or partial curing of the adhesive 5, preferably by means of UV radiation when using UV-curing adhesive, and thereby produces a latent adhesive image. In other words, the intermediate module ZM allows the "writing" of the information into the adhesive layer 4 or the "imaging" of the adhesive layer 4 with the information. As a result, the adhesive has 5 points which are more or less tacky than their surroundings and therefore detach less or no transfer layer from the carrier layer. During the subsequent application of the film transfer layer 7 comes Therefore, it is a corresponding, information-dependent transfer of the transfer layer 7, so that the "registered" or "imaged" information in the transfer layer 7 is visible or, for example, as a conductor, functionally effective. If the adhesive application A takes place only in sections in the form of a coarse pattern, the information transfer ZS can be limited to the same sections and therefore produce a fine structuring in a shorter time and with less energy.

The printing press 13 has according to Figure 2c Alternatively or additionally, a first module 13c with a printing and / or coating unit 14c, preferably a coating unit, for carrying out the first step A (paint application), a downstream in the transport direction of the substrate 2 second module 15c with a structuring unit 16c, preferably a stamping, for carrying out the second step B (embossing) and an intermediate module ZM arranged in the transport direction of the substrate 2 between the first and the second modules 13c and 15c with an information transfer unit 17 for carrying out the intermediate step. The use of the intermediate module ZM advantageously enables information-dependent curing or partial curing of the paint 5, preferably by means of UV radiation when UV-curing paint is used. In other words, the intermediate module ZM permits the "writing" of the information into the lacquer layer 4 or the "imaging" of the lacquer layer 4 with the information. As a result, the paint 5 locally changes its deformability and has locations that are more or less deformable than their surroundings. The subsequent embossing B therefore results in a corresponding, information-dependent embossed image, so that the "inscribed" or "imaged" information becomes visible in the embossed lacquer layer. Thus, for example, an invariable embossing mold can also be used and selected by way of pre-curing control of the xy distribution of the paint hardness, which section of the embossing mold actually takes on a formative effect.

The printing press 13 has according to Figure 2d Alternatively or additionally, a first module 13d with a printing and / or coating unit 14d, preferably a first printing unit, for performing the first step A (inking), a downstream in the transport direction of the substrate 2 second module 15d with a second pressure and / or Coating unit 16d, preferably a second printing unit, for performing the second step B (color or Coating application) and an intermediate module ZM arranged in the transport direction of the substrate 2 between the first and the second modules 13d and 15d with an information transfer unit 17 for carrying out the intermediate step ZM. As the information transfer unit 17, there is provided a liquid jet unit 17, for example a so-called inkjet head, for applying a liquid modifier which reacts with the ink 5, for example, by chemical bleaching / decolorization, coloring or changing the rheological properties. Through the use of the intermediate module ZM is advantageously an information-dependent changing the visual impression, for example, the color impression, the previously applied ink 5 allows. In other words, the intermediate module allows the "writing" of the information into the ink layer 4 or the "imaging" of the ink layer 4 with the information. During subsequent application B of the further color or lacquer layer 7, therefore, a corresponding, information-dependent visual impression occurs, so that the "inscribed" or "illustrated" information remains visible in the further color or lacquer layer 7. The use or the application ZS of the chemical modifier described is alternatively - waiving the second step B - even without a subsequent application of a further paint or lacquer layer 7 possible.

In principle, the described methods and devices according to the invention allow, by means of the intermediate step ZS or the intermediate module ZW, to provide the printing product 3 to be produced with a unique printing technique 1, ie. the feature 1 can be changed during the production of a series of printed products 3 (print job), so that different features 1 are produced on different printed products 3. In other words, according to the invention, the printed products 3 can be modified or varied with one another, for example, individualized or personalized. The feature 1 may be, for example, a forgery-proof random pattern which varies from print product to print product.

For the variation of the printing technology feature 1 (one-dimensional or two-dimensional) segment-switchable intermediate modules ZM can be used based on the following technologies: Radiation sources, such as UV, IR or Light sources, heating elements, electron or ion sources, electric or magnetic writing heads and mechanical or electromechanical writing heads.

The respective intermediate module ZM in the FIGS. 2a-d As an alternative to the illustrated position (cylinder leading to the substrate to the first module 13a-d), it is also possible to position cylinder leading to the substrate to the second module 15a-d. Also alternatively, between these two cylinders instead of only one and three substrate leading cylinder may be provided and the intermediate module ZM be positioned at the middle of the three cylinders. A further alternative would be the positioning of the intermediate module ZM within a transparent cylinder between the two substrate-guiding cylinders to the first and second module.

The disclosed methods and apparatus of the present invention are useful in both conventional printing processes (e.g., gravure, lithographic, high-pressure / flexo, through-press / screen) and so-called non-impact (e.g., inkjet, toner) printing. They are also available in round / flat (ie cylinder / flatbed), round / round or flat / flat printing, sheetfed or webfed, single or multi-color printing and / or internal / external (ie in a press). Print finishing machine or as a separate finishing machine) can be used.

As electromagnetic information transmission units 17 can laser, one or two-dimensional so-called laser arrays, conventional light sources with light modulators (punctiform or galvanometer scanner, one or two-dimensional so-called "DMD / digital micromirror device" mirror arrays), light-emitting diodes (LED) and / or one-dimensional or two-dimensional so-called LED arrays are used.

Finally, as an alternative to the exemplary embodiments presented above, it may also be provided to dispense with the first step A and instead to start with the intermediate step ZS as the first step, ie instead of the surface 6 of the first layer then not present, the surface of the substrate 2 at least pretreatment in sections, by a targeted transfer of the printing technology feature 1 underlying information in or on the substrate 2 takes place.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Printing characteristic

2

substratum

3

print product

4

First shift

5

First medium

6

surface

7

Second shift

8th

Second medium

9

surface structure

10

EM radiation

11

Liquid jet / particle

12

press

13

contraption

13a-d

First module

14a-d

First printing / coating unit

15a-d

Second module

16a-d

Second printing / coating / structuring unit

17

Information transmission unit

VS

preliminary step

A

First step

B

Second step

ZS

intermediate step

ZM

intermediate module

Claims (10)

A method of producing a typographic feature on a substrate of a printed product, wherein - In a first step (A), a first layer (4) by applying a first medium (5) is generated, and - In a second step (B) the surface (6) of the first layer (4) is at least partially treated by a second layer (7) by applying a second medium (8) or a surface structure (9) by structuring the first medium (5) is generated
characterized,
in that, in an intermediate step (ZS), the surface (6) of the first layer (4) is at least partially pretreated by a targeted transfer of the information underlying the printing technology feature (1) into the first medium (5). Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that printing ink, lacquer or adhesive is applied to the substrate (2) as the first medium (5). Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
in that printing ink, lacquer, foil or a film transfer layer is applied to the substrate (2) as the second medium (8). Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the structuring takes place as the introduction of an embossing pattern. Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the transmission of the information takes place by means of electromagnetic radiation (10). Method according to claim 5,
characterized,
in that laser radiation, LED radiation or radiation guided through a mask is used as the information-carrying, electromagnetic radiation (10). Method according to claim 5 or 6,
characterized,
in that the information-carrying, electromagnetic radiation (10) effects a hardening, drying and / or change of the surface energy. Method according to claim 1
characterized,
in that the transmission of the information takes place by means of liquid radiation (11) or particle radiation (11). Apparatus for carrying out one of the methods according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by
a first module (13a-d) having a first printing and / or coating unit (14a-d) for performing the first step (A), a downstream in the transport direction of the substrate (2) second module (15a-d) with a second Printing and / or coating unit or a structuring unit (16a-d) for performing the second step (B) and in the transport direction of the substrate (2) between the first and the second module (13a-d, 15a-d) arranged intermediate module (ZM) with an information transmission unit (17) for performing the intermediate step (ZS). Substrate processing machine - eg printing machine, in particular sheet-processing rotary printing press for lithographic offset printing, or eg print finishing machine -
marked
by a device according to claim 9.

Images