EP0473635B1 - Machine and method for impressing releasable foil on to a moving web - Google Patents
Machine and method for impressing releasable foil on to a moving web Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0473635B1 EP0473635B1 EP90907339A EP90907339A EP0473635B1 EP 0473635 B1 EP0473635 B1 EP 0473635B1 EP 90907339 A EP90907339 A EP 90907339A EP 90907339 A EP90907339 A EP 90907339A EP 0473635 B1 EP0473635 B1 EP 0473635B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- web
- cylinder
- die
- tape
- foil
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 17
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000007723 transport mechanism Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000036962 time dependent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F19/00—Apparatus or machines for carrying out printing operations combined with other operations
- B41F19/02—Apparatus or machines for carrying out printing operations combined with other operations with embossing
- B41F19/06—Printing and embossing between a negative and a positive forme after inking and wiping the negative forme; Printing from an ink band treated with colour or "gold"
- B41F19/062—Presses of the rotary type
Definitions
- This invention relates to the transfer of foil from a carrier to a moving web such as a web of paper by means of impression dies and particularly concerns the transfer of foil in the form of a device or discontinuous pattern on to bank notes or other security documents which are preprinted on a moving web.
- the technique mentioned requires the application of heat and/or pressure for a substantial time dependent upon the heat and/or pressure employed.
- the foil, the die and the paper must be relatively stationary for a significant period of time required to ensure that the foil is released from the carrier and is securely impressed on the sheet of paper. It is accordingly comparatively easy to impress foil using such a technique on to documents which are presented in cut sheet form.
- the present invention concerns the transfer of foil on to a moving web which may be of paper or other materials such as polyesters.
- a moving web which may be of paper or other materials such as polyesters.
- it is common to print bank notes or other security documents on a web which moves at approximately 75 metres per minute, and it is inherently difficult to ensure that the various elements remain relatively stationary for the period of time necessary for transfer of the foil.
- a natural solution to the problem is to entrain the foil to move in the same direction as the web, for example by providing a cylindrical platen including a die and moving the foil carrier in synchronism with the web around the platen and applying pressure to the web while the foil carrier is disposed between the die and the web.
- Such an arrangement as for example known from US-A-3 584 572 can be made to operate satisfactorily for the purpose of transferring foil on to the web.
- such a technique is unsatisfactory for transfers of separate devices because the devices are spaced apart at least by the distance between successive documents on the paper and accordingly such a technique is very wasteful of foil, and is expensive at least in terms of the waste of time associated with the changing of spools of foil.
- the present invention aims generally to provide a compact and versatile machine in which, at least in preferred forms, there is a substantial economy in the use of foil.
- the invention includes further improvements which will become apparent from the following description.
- the invention is based on the transfer of foil from a carrier tape to a moving web by pressing the web against a die which may be carried in a rotating cylinder, the foil carrier being fed between the die and the web and being transported between successive transfers in a direction generally transverse to the movement of the web.
- the tape may be transported in a direction which is inclined relative to the direction in which the dies are spaced apart so that different dies transfer foil from regions which are spaced apart both along and across the strip and preferably, in a row aligned obliquely to the strip.
- the tape may be transported through a comparatively short distance between transfer operations and the wastage can be substantially reduced.
- the foregoing technique is particularly suitable for impressing one device on each of a multiplicity of bank notes or security documents which are preprinted on the web in a multiplicity of rows or columns spaced apart across the width of the web.
- Pressure may be applied to the web by means of a pressure roller or band which moves in correspondence with the movement of the web.
- the band or roller may be driven but may idle in engagement with the cylinder.
- a band may be carried between rollers or gears which tension the band and drive it so that it remains stationary relative to the paper in the region where the band extends around the said cylinder.
- the said roller or band may also enable the printing cylinder to be driven by the web by virtue of the friction between the paper and the cylinder.
- apparatus for transferring foil from a carrier tape to a moving web comprising a rotatable cylinder including at least one die, means for traversing the web around the cylinder, means rotatable with the cylinder for transporting the tape generally lengthwise of the cylinder and over the position of the die, and means for applying pressure to the web.
- the means for transporting the tape may comprise a supply mechanism and a take-up mechanism which are carried on an assembly which rotates with the said cylinder.
- the supply mechanism may comprise a spool and means such as a brake for maintaining tension in the tape
- the take up mechanism may comprise a spool which includes or is associated with means operable to index the tape for a predetermined longitudinal movement each time the take-up mechanism passes through at least one predetermined position in an angular sense of rotation of the rotating cylinder.
- the rotatable cylinder may include a set of impression dies spaced apart along a line which extends generally axially of the rotating cylinder, and the means for transporting the tape may include means for guiding the carrier in a direction such that the impression dies engage the tape from locations which are spaced both longitudinally along and transversely across the tape.
- the following description is a description of a suitable embodiment of a foil transfer unit which is intended for transferring foil in small devices or patterns on to particular areas of a moving web of paper.
- the invention is intended for use in the production of impressed foil devices on bank notes or other security documents though the invention may have utility in other contexts.
- the general technique for transferring foil is well known. It requires a heated die which may for example be mounted in a heated platen, and a thermally transferable foil, which is normally a metal lamina secured releasably to a substrate. Pressing paper against the die, the foil with its substrate being interposed, for a period of time which depends upon the temperature and pressure, is sufficient to transfer the foil from the substrate to the paper in the pattern determined by the die.
- Bank notes and other security documents are made by two generally different types of machine.
- the documents can be printed on sheets or they may be printed on to a web.
- a web is cut up into sheets but normally there is a distinction between a cut sheet machine and a web machine.
- a cut sheet machine most of the printing processes are performed on the separate sheets on which there is normally an array of bank notes or other security documents.
- a web machine almost all the processing and printing is performed on a moving paper web. It is for the latter type of machine that the present invention is particularly intended.
- the documents are printed several rows wide and the web of paper moves continuously through a multiplicity of stages which are required for the printing of a bank note or other security document.
- a web machine of this general character is of known construction and will not be described herein. For the purposes of the present invention it is only important to understand that the web of paper which traverses the foil transfer unit is normally in continuous motion, typically at about 75 metres per minute.
- Figure 1 illustrates the path of a paper web through one embodiment of a foil transfer unit according to the invention.
- Figure 1 shows mainly the web, the rollers over which it passes, and in general schematic form, the drive arrangement for the rollers.
- An arrow 1 shows the direction of movement of a web 2 of paper entering the foiling unit near the bottom thereof.
- the web passes over a fixed roller 3, a dancing roller 4, a fixed roller 5 and an additional fixed roller 6.
- the dancing roller 4 is mounted on an arm 7 disposed on a pivot 8 mounted on support 9.
- Means in customary form may be provided for measuring the angular position of the arm 7.
- the arm 7 and its roller 4 constitute a tension arm, the angular position of which depends upon the loop of web formed between the rollers 3 and 5. The rate of change of the length of this loop depends on the difference between the speed of the web entering the foiling unit and the speed of a roller 13 which pulls the web into the foiling unit and may be used to control the speed of the web.
- a steering unit comprising a roller 10 and a roller 10a which are mounted one at each end of a pivoted chassis 11 which can be rotated about a vertical axis so as to maintain the correct lateral position of the web within the foiling unit.
- the web From the steering unit the web passes around a roller 12 and then a draw roller 13, which is driven by means later described from a motor 26. From the draw roller 13 the web passes over a fixed roller 14, and then to an input guide wheel 15 disposed at one end of a circumferential path, in this example a semicircular path 16, extending around a printing cylinder 17. The end of the path is defined by a second guide wheel 18 around which the web passes, proceeding thence to a roller 19.
- the web shown at 2a, leaves the unit near the top of the machine.
- a larger wheel 13a which is connected by a flexible drive coupling 20 to a wheel 21 which is in fixed rotational relationship with a larger wheel 22 linked by a flexible drive coupling 23 to a wheel 24.
- the coupling 23 is tensioned by jockey wheel 25.
- the wheel 24 is driven differentially relative to a wheel 24a by a variable ratio derived from a gearbox through which wheels 24 and 24a are coaxially connected.
- the purpose of this mechanism, which varies the speed of the draw roller 13 relative to the impression cylinder 17, is to synchronise the pitch of the preprinted web 2 to the pitch of impression dies on the printing cylinder 17.
- the angular position of the cylinder 17 is monitored by an encoder, and the position of the preprinted web coming off draw roller 13 is monitored using an optical sensor.
- An error in the web's position relative to the correct position is used to cause a change in the gearbox ratio. This results in a change in tension in the web between the draw roll and the printing cylinder in a sense to eliminate the error.
- this mechanism which is in generally known form, is not illustrated in Figure 1.
- the wheel 24a is linked by means of a flexible drive coupling 27 to a wheel 26 driven by the output shaft of a motor M, a wheel 28, and two wheels 29 and 30 which tension the coupling 27.
- the wheel 28 rotates with a pinion 31 which meshes with a pinion 32 that is fixed to rotate with a wheel 33.
- the printing cylinder 17 is driven, in this embodiment, by at least one band and preferably at least two bands 34, 37 which may apply pressure on the rear of the paper so as to urge the paper against the dies which are carried by the printing cylinder, as will be described later.
- the belt 34 is driven by the wheel 33, and passes over the roller 18, around the path 16, over the roller 15, around a tensioning roller 35 which is mounted on a moveable carriage 36 which is adjustable to alter the tension in the band 34.
- Another drive and tensioning belt 37 is also carried on the roller 33, at a position axially displaced from the belt 34, and passes over roller 18, around path 16, over roller 15 and over roller 38 which is mounted on carriage 39, which is adjustable to adjust the tension in the band 37.
- the bands 34 and 37 may each be called an impression band because they serve to urge the web towards the cylinder in the manner of an impression roll which presses a sheet of paper against a printing cylinder.
- the bands 34 and 37 are preferably made of a synthetic rubber or plastics material. They may each have a flat, smooth surface on the side which is to face the cylinder 5 and each may have its rear face formed as a toothed rack engaging co-operating gear teeth on the associated wheels so that the bands 34 and 37 are driven without slip.
- pressure may be applied to the web where it passes over a die by a roller fitted in place of roller 15.
- a pressure roller may either be an idler or be driven.
- Figure 1 also shows diagrammatically a tape supply cassette assembly 49 which is mounted to rotate with the printing cylinder 17. Also mounted for rotation with the printing cylinder is a take-up assembly, described with reference to Figures 3 and 5.
- Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of a printing cylinder 17.
- This cylinder includes in this example a set of dies 51, 52 and 53. These dies are in this embodiment aligned along an axis which extends parallel to the axis of the printing cylinder.
- Each die can be held in a forward or impression position by a conical cam, the retraction of which allows the dies to retract under the action of return springs, to be described later.
- the web of paper is wrapped around a substantial angle of the printing cylinder.
- the printing cylinder is driven in synchronism with the web of paper so that each row of dies is brought into register with the locations on the documents in a particular row where it is desired to produce the foil devices. Since the printing cylinder and the paper web are driven synchronously, the paper will be stationary relative to the dies and the impression bands over a substantial angle of movement of the printing cylinder.
- a cassette assembly 42 Carried at one side of the printing cylinder is a cassette assembly 42 including a spool 43 which takes up the foil transfer tape 48.
- the tape is aligned in a direction which is inclined relative to the line 54 along which the dies 51, 52 and 53 are disposed.
- the width of the tape should be such that all the dies in a given set can engage the carrier tape at the same time.
- a circular track 45 In order to control the longitudinal transport or indexing of the tape 48 there is a circular track 45, of which only a small segment is shown in Figure 2.
- This track 45 is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the printing cylinder 17 and is engaged by a roller follower 46 mounted on a lever 47.
- the track is shaped to cause movement of the lever 47, and thereby indexing of the ratchet wheel and incremental transport of the tape 48 at some suitable time when the tape and dies are not in proximity to the web, that is to say at some point in the semicircular arc opposite the path 16.
- FIGS 3, 5 and 11 show the take-up assembly 42 in greater detail.
- a cassette 58 is mounted on a holder 57.
- the spool 43 is associated with two pinch rollers 44 and 55, there being a small entrance guide roller 56 round which the tape enters the drive system from an elongate guide 59 connecting the supply and take-up assemblies and serving to guide the tape 48 between the printing cylinder and the web. This guide is described later with reference to Figures 7 to 10.
- the roller 44 rotates with a coaxial ratchet wheel 63, which is controlled by a pawl 64 mounted by a pivot 67 on the arm 47.
- the ratchet wheel is adjacent a pulley wheel 63a.
- the adjacent side faces of the ratchet wheel 63 and the wheel 63a are in frictional engagement.
- the wheel 63a is coupled by means of a flexible band 65 to a wheel 66 which is mounted on the axis of the spool 43. This arrangement forms a slipping drive to maintain foil tension on the take-up spool.
- Each lifting of the follower 46 rocks the lever 47 about its pivot 47a (shown diagrammatically in Figure 5) and causes the pawl to push the ratchet wheel 63 and accordingly to produce one increment of longitudinal movement of the tape 48.
- the guide 59 has a shallow, inverted U section.
- the guide fits into an oblique slot 100 in the cylinder 17 and is held in place by tabs 101 held by screws 102 and extending over the margins 103 of the guide 59.
- the tape passes through the narrow passageway 104 between the underside of the guide 59 and the bottom 105 of the slot 100.
- Figure 4 illustrates schematically a tape supply mechanism 49.
- This comprises a spool 50 which is mounted in a cassette 60 disposed in a holder 61.
- the tape 48 is wound off the tape supply spool, passes round a small guide roller 62 and is pulled, by the take-up reel mechanism previously described, along and adjacent the guide 59.
- the spool 50 preferably includes a brake to maintain tension in the tape.
- FIG. 6 is a simplified sectional view of the printing cylinder 17.
- the cylinder is mounted on two half shafts 68 and 69, which rotate on bearings 70 and 71 respectively.
- Each tape take-up assembly 42 is mounted on the half shaft 69 and is located by means of a spigot 72 engaging an aperture 73 in the adjacent end plate 74 of the cylinder 17.
- each tape supply assembly 49 is mounted on the half shaft 68 and is located in position by means of a spigot 75 engaging an aperture 76 in the adjacent end plate 77 of the cylinder 17.
- the cylinder 17 includes as previously mentioned at least one row of retractable dies although in practice there are a plurality (e.g. twelve) of rows of dies each associated with a tape supply assembly and a take-up assembly. For convenience only one die is shown in Figure 6. The region of the die 53 is illustrated in greater detail in Figures 9 and 10.
- Figure 9 is a sectional view of the die assembly in a plane lengthwise of the guide 59 and Figure 10 is a view in a plane transversely of the guide 59.
- a die assembly is mounted in the peripheral wall 78 of the cylinder 17.
- the wall has a circular aperture 79 which includes an internal annular shoulder 80.
- a body 81 has a tubular part 82 which fits into the aperture 79 and an annular flange 83 which abuts the shoulder 80.
- the flange may be secured to the wall 78 by means of at least one bolt 84.
- Slidable within the body is a plunger 85 which has a central bore through which a fixing screw 86 secures the die 53 at the outer end of the plunger 85.
- the plunger is biassed to a retracted position by means of a helical compression spring 87 between the plunger and the flange 83.
- the inner face 88 of the plunger 85 is shaped to conform to a respective conical cam 90 ( Figure 6).
- the die 53 comprises a flanged bush 110 which is held within the plunger 85 by means of the screw 86 and a die plate 111 secured to the flange of the bush 110 by rivets 112 ( Figure 9).
- the tape 48 passes underneath the guide 59.
- the guide 59 has a window 113 defined by two tapered portions 114, 115 of the guide. This window enables the web to be pressed against the tape and the die by the respective impression band or roller.
- a guide 116 in the form of a bridge. This is apertured to accommodate the die 53.
- the guide 116 serves to guide the tape from the passageway to a position approximately flush with the outer surface of the guide 59 so that the tape is close to the paper and is guided as not to be fouled by the die.
- the guide 116 is fixed to the floor of the slot 100 by a fixing screw (not shown).
- a hollow shaft 91 which carries the conical cams 90, 90a and 90b. Each cam actuates a respective die or dies by engagement with the face 88 of the respective plunger.
- the shaft 91 is mounted for rotation on bearings 92, 92a and can be moved axially by means of a spigot 93 which is operable by a pneumatic assembly 94 of any suitable form.
- the assembly 94 may be deactuated to allow the dies to retract when cylinder rotation stops, because heated dies need to be retracted when the cylinder is not rotating to prevent heated dies being in continuous pressurized contact with the web or the impression belt.
- Heat for the dies may be provided by electrical heaters 95 each clamped to one of the conical cams, as shown for cam 90, the heaters being supplied with electrical current by way of slip rings (not shown).
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- Registering, Tensioning, Guiding Webs, And Rollers Therefor (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
- Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Replacement Of Web Rolls (AREA)
- Coating Apparatus (AREA)
- Moulding By Coating Moulds (AREA)
- Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Battery Electrode And Active Subsutance (AREA)
- Printing Methods (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to the transfer of foil from a carrier to a moving web such as a web of paper by means of impression dies and particularly concerns the transfer of foil in the form of a device or discontinuous pattern on to bank notes or other security documents which are preprinted on a moving web.
- It is generally known to impress thermally releasable foil from a carrier on to paper. The process requires an impression die, which may be mounted within or form part of a heated platen, which may be in cylindrical form, the foil, which is typically a metal foil carried on a substrate from which it can be released by the application of heat and pressure, and a means for applying pressure to the paper so that the foil released from the carrier is transferred on to the paper. The particular characteristics of the material employed in such a technique are not important to the present invention, which may in general be applied to any form of foil which can be transferred on to paper in the manner described: such foils include holograms, diffraction gratings and various thin film devices as well as metallic foils. The web may consist of other materials such as polyesters.
- The technique mentioned requires the application of heat and/or pressure for a substantial time dependent upon the heat and/or pressure employed. The foil, the die and the paper must be relatively stationary for a significant period of time required to ensure that the foil is released from the carrier and is securely impressed on the sheet of paper. It is accordingly comparatively easy to impress foil using such a technique on to documents which are presented in cut sheet form.
- The present invention however concerns the transfer of foil on to a moving web which may be of paper or other materials such as polyesters. For example, it is common to print bank notes or other security documents on a web which moves at approximately 75 metres per minute, and it is inherently difficult to ensure that the various elements remain relatively stationary for the period of time necessary for transfer of the foil.
- A natural solution to the problem is to entrain the foil to move in the same direction as the web, for example by providing a cylindrical platen including a die and moving the foil carrier in synchronism with the web around the platen and applying pressure to the web while the foil carrier is disposed between the die and the web. Such an arrangement as for example known from US-A-3 584 572 can be made to operate satisfactorily for the purpose of transferring foil on to the web. However, such a technique is unsatisfactory for transfers of separate devices because the devices are spaced apart at least by the distance between successive documents on the paper and accordingly such a technique is very wasteful of foil, and is expensive at least in terms of the waste of time associated with the changing of spools of foil.
- The present invention aims generally to provide a compact and versatile machine in which, at least in preferred forms, there is a substantial economy in the use of foil. However the invention includes further improvements which will become apparent from the following description.
- The invention is based on the transfer of foil from a carrier tape to a moving web by pressing the web against a die which may be carried in a rotating cylinder, the foil carrier being fed between the die and the web and being transported between successive transfers in a direction generally transverse to the movement of the web.
- The important advantages of this technique are that the transporting of the foil carrier is not constrained by the movement of the web and it is possible to achieve a much greater economy in the use of the foil.
- In particular, several dies may be carried on a cylinder which is rotated in synchronism with the movement of the web and the tape may be transported in a direction which is inclined relative to the direction in which the dies are spaced apart so that different dies transfer foil from regions which are spaced apart both along and across the strip and preferably, in a row aligned obliquely to the strip. Thus the tape may be transported through a comparatively short distance between transfer operations and the wastage can be substantially reduced. The foregoing technique is particularly suitable for impressing one device on each of a multiplicity of bank notes or security documents which are preprinted on the web in a multiplicity of rows or columns spaced apart across the width of the web.
- Pressure may be applied to the web by means of a pressure roller or band which moves in correspondence with the movement of the web. The band or roller may be driven but may idle in engagement with the cylinder. In particular, a band may be carried between rollers or gears which tension the band and drive it so that it remains stationary relative to the paper in the region where the band extends around the said cylinder. The said roller or band may also enable the printing cylinder to be driven by the web by virtue of the friction between the paper and the cylinder.
- According to one aspect of the invention there is provided: apparatus for transferring foil from a carrier tape to a moving web comprising a rotatable cylinder including at least one die, means for traversing the web around the cylinder, means rotatable with the cylinder for transporting the tape generally lengthwise of the cylinder and over the position of the die, and means for applying pressure to the web.
- The means for transporting the tape may comprise a supply mechanism and a take-up mechanism which are carried on an assembly which rotates with the said cylinder.
- The supply mechanism may comprise a spool and means such as a brake for maintaining tension in the tape, and the take up mechanism may comprise a spool which includes or is associated with means operable to index the tape for a predetermined longitudinal movement each time the take-up mechanism passes through at least one predetermined position in an angular sense of rotation of the rotating cylinder. For example, there may be provided a circular track engaged by a follower which is actuated by cam action to operate a pawl and thereby cause an incremental movement of the tape.
- As mentioned hereto, the rotatable cylinder may include a set of impression dies spaced apart along a line which extends generally axially of the rotating cylinder, and the means for transporting the tape may include means for guiding the carrier in a direction such that the impression dies engage the tape from locations which are spaced both longitudinally along and transversely across the tape. There may be a plurality of sets of such dies, angularly spaced around the cylinder: each set is preferably associated with a corresponding transport mechanism for transporting foil past the respective set of dies.
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- Figure 1 is a general view of a foil transfer machine, showing mainly the path of a web and the various rollers and drive mechanism;
- Figure 2 illustrates a printing cylinder and associated foil transporting mechanism;
- Figure 3 illustrates a tape take-up reel assembly;
- Figure 4 illustrates a tape supply reel assembly;
- Figure 5 illustrates part of the take-up assembly;
- Figure 6 illustrates a further detail of the printing cylinder;
- Figure 7 illustrates a section through part of the printing cylinder;
- Figure 8 is another view of the part illustrated by Figure 7;
- Figure 9 illustrates the region of a die in greater detail;
- Figure 10 is another view of the region illustrated by Figure 9; and
- Figure 11 illustrates a section through the take-up assembly.
- The following description is a description of a suitable embodiment of a foil transfer unit which is intended for transferring foil in small devices or patterns on to particular areas of a moving web of paper. The invention is intended for use in the production of impressed foil devices on bank notes or other security documents though the invention may have utility in other contexts.
- The general technique for transferring foil, sometimes known as "blocking", is well known. It requires a heated die which may for example be mounted in a heated platen, and a thermally transferable foil, which is normally a metal lamina secured releasably to a substrate. Pressing paper against the die, the foil with its substrate being interposed, for a period of time which depends upon the temperature and pressure, is sufficient to transfer the foil from the substrate to the paper in the pattern determined by the die.
- It is, as remarked previously, necessary for the successful transfer of foil to ensure that the die, the carrier (i.e. a tape) and the paper are relatively stationary for a substantial period of time. Normally a fourth element, a means of applying pressure to the back of the paper, has to be stationary relative to the other elements as well. It is known and not difficult to effect foil transfer from dies of any particular size or shape on to a sheet of paper which may be kept stationary for the period of time necessary for the transfer of foil.
- Bank notes and other security documents are made by two generally different types of machine. The documents can be printed on sheets or they may be printed on to a web. At some stage a web is cut up into sheets but normally there is a distinction between a cut sheet machine and a web machine. In a cut sheet machine most of the printing processes are performed on the separate sheets on which there is normally an array of bank notes or other security documents. In a web machine almost all the processing and printing is performed on a moving paper web. It is for the latter type of machine that the present invention is particularly intended. Typically the documents are printed several rows wide and the web of paper moves continuously through a multiplicity of stages which are required for the printing of a bank note or other security document. A web machine of this general character is of known construction and will not be described herein. For the purposes of the present invention it is only important to understand that the web of paper which traverses the foil transfer unit is normally in continuous motion, typically at about 75 metres per minute.
- Figure 1 illustrates the path of a paper web through one embodiment of a foil transfer unit according to the invention. Figure 1 shows mainly the web, the rollers over which it passes, and in general schematic form, the drive arrangement for the rollers.
- An arrow 1 shows the direction of movement of a
web 2 of paper entering the foiling unit near the bottom thereof. The web passes over afixed roller 3, a dancing roller 4, afixed roller 5 and an additionalfixed roller 6. The dancing roller 4 is mounted on anarm 7 disposed on apivot 8 mounted on support 9. Means in customary form may be provided for measuring the angular position of thearm 7. Thearm 7 and its roller 4 constitute a tension arm, the angular position of which depends upon the loop of web formed between therollers roller 13 which pulls the web into the foiling unit and may be used to control the speed of the web. After leaving theroller 6 the web passes over a steering unit comprising aroller 10 and aroller 10a which are mounted one at each end of a pivoted chassis 11 which can be rotated about a vertical axis so as to maintain the correct lateral position of the web within the foiling unit. - From the steering unit the web passes around a
roller 12 and then adraw roller 13, which is driven by means later described from amotor 26. From thedraw roller 13 the web passes over a fixedroller 14, and then to aninput guide wheel 15 disposed at one end of a circumferential path, in this example a semicircular path 16, extending around aprinting cylinder 17. The end of the path is defined by asecond guide wheel 18 around which the web passes, proceeding thence to aroller 19. The web, shown at 2a, leaves the unit near the top of the machine. - Associated with the
draw roller 13 is alarger wheel 13a which is connected by aflexible drive coupling 20 to awheel 21 which is in fixed rotational relationship with alarger wheel 22 linked by aflexible drive coupling 23 to awheel 24. Thecoupling 23 is tensioned byjockey wheel 25. Thewheel 24 is driven differentially relative to a wheel 24a by a variable ratio derived from a gearbox through whichwheels 24 and 24a are coaxially connected. The purpose of this mechanism, which varies the speed of thedraw roller 13 relative to theimpression cylinder 17, is to synchronise the pitch of thepreprinted web 2 to the pitch of impression dies on theprinting cylinder 17. The angular position of thecylinder 17 is monitored by an encoder, and the position of the preprinted web coming offdraw roller 13 is monitored using an optical sensor. An error in the web's position relative to the correct position is used to cause a change in the gearbox ratio. This results in a change in tension in the web between the draw roll and the printing cylinder in a sense to eliminate the error. For convenience this mechanism, which is in generally known form, is not illustrated in Figure 1. The wheel 24a is linked by means of aflexible drive coupling 27 to awheel 26 driven by the output shaft of a motor M, awheel 28, and twowheels coupling 27. Thewheel 28 rotates with apinion 31 which meshes with apinion 32 that is fixed to rotate with awheel 33. - The
printing cylinder 17 is driven, in this embodiment, by at least one band and preferably at least twobands belt 34 is driven by thewheel 33, and passes over theroller 18, around the path 16, over theroller 15, around atensioning roller 35 which is mounted on amoveable carriage 36 which is adjustable to alter the tension in theband 34. Another drive and tensioningbelt 37 is also carried on theroller 33, at a position axially displaced from thebelt 34, and passes overroller 18, around path 16, overroller 15 and overroller 38 which is mounted on carriage 39, which is adjustable to adjust the tension in theband 37. - The
bands bands cylinder 5 and each may have its rear face formed as a toothed rack engaging co-operating gear teeth on the associated wheels so that thebands - Alternatively, pressure may be applied to the web where it passes over a die by a roller fitted in place of
roller 15. Such a pressure roller may either be an idler or be driven. - Figure 1 also shows diagrammatically a tape
supply cassette assembly 49 which is mounted to rotate with theprinting cylinder 17. Also mounted for rotation with the printing cylinder is a take-up assembly, described with reference to Figures 3 and 5. - Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of a
printing cylinder 17. This cylinder includes in this example a set of dies 51, 52 and 53. These dies are in this embodiment aligned along an axis which extends parallel to the axis of the printing cylinder. Each die can be held in a forward or impression position by a conical cam, the retraction of which allows the dies to retract under the action of return springs, to be described later. - Typically, there may be a multiplicity of sets of dies spaced apart around the printing cylinder which may correspond in circumferential extent to an integral number of lengths of preprinted sheets, including the spacing therebetween, on the web.
- As indicated in the foregoing, the web of paper is wrapped around a substantial angle of the printing cylinder. The printing cylinder is driven in synchronism with the web of paper so that each row of dies is brought into register with the locations on the documents in a particular row where it is desired to produce the foil devices. Since the printing cylinder and the paper web are driven synchronously, the paper will be stationary relative to the dies and the impression bands over a substantial angle of movement of the printing cylinder.
- Carried at one side of the printing cylinder is a
cassette assembly 42 including aspool 43 which takes up thefoil transfer tape 48. The tape is aligned in a direction which is inclined relative to theline 54 along which the dies 51, 52 and 53 are disposed. The width of the tape should be such that all the dies in a given set can engage the carrier tape at the same time. - In order to control the longitudinal transport or indexing of the
tape 48 there is acircular track 45, of which only a small segment is shown in Figure 2. Thistrack 45 is coaxial with the axis of rotation of theprinting cylinder 17 and is engaged by a roller follower 46 mounted on alever 47. The track is shaped to cause movement of thelever 47, and thereby indexing of the ratchet wheel and incremental transport of thetape 48 at some suitable time when the tape and dies are not in proximity to the web, that is to say at some point in the semicircular arc opposite the path 16. - Figures 3, 5 and 11 show the take-up
assembly 42 in greater detail. - A
cassette 58 is mounted on aholder 57. Thespool 43 is associated with twopinch rollers entrance guide roller 56 round which the tape enters the drive system from anelongate guide 59 connecting the supply and take-up assemblies and serving to guide thetape 48 between the printing cylinder and the web. This guide is described later with reference to Figures 7 to 10. - As is shown in Figures 5 and 11, the
roller 44 rotates with acoaxial ratchet wheel 63, which is controlled by apawl 64 mounted by apivot 67 on thearm 47. The ratchet wheel is adjacent apulley wheel 63a. The adjacent side faces of theratchet wheel 63 and thewheel 63a are in frictional engagement. Thewheel 63a is coupled by means of a flexible band 65 to awheel 66 which is mounted on the axis of thespool 43. This arrangement forms a slipping drive to maintain foil tension on the take-up spool. Each lifting of the follower 46 rocks thelever 47 about itspivot 47a (shown diagrammatically in Figure 5) and causes the pawl to push theratchet wheel 63 and accordingly to produce one increment of longitudinal movement of thetape 48. - Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the
guide 59 has a shallow, inverted U section. The guide fits into anoblique slot 100 in thecylinder 17 and is held in place bytabs 101 held byscrews 102 and extending over themargins 103 of theguide 59. For most of its travel adjacent thecylinder 17 the tape passes through thenarrow passageway 104 between the underside of theguide 59 and thebottom 105 of theslot 100. - Figure 4 illustrates schematically a
tape supply mechanism 49. This comprises aspool 50 which is mounted in acassette 60 disposed in aholder 61. Thetape 48 is wound off the tape supply spool, passes round asmall guide roller 62 and is pulled, by the take-up reel mechanism previously described, along and adjacent theguide 59. Thespool 50 preferably includes a brake to maintain tension in the tape. - Figure 6 is a simplified sectional view of the
printing cylinder 17. The cylinder is mounted on twohalf shafts bearings 70 and 71 respectively. Each tape take-upassembly 42 is mounted on thehalf shaft 69 and is located by means of aspigot 72 engaging anaperture 73 in theadjacent end plate 74 of thecylinder 17. Likewise eachtape supply assembly 49 is mounted on thehalf shaft 68 and is located in position by means of aspigot 75 engaging anaperture 76 in the adjacent end plate 77 of thecylinder 17. - The
cylinder 17 includes as previously mentioned at least one row of retractable dies although in practice there are a plurality (e.g. twelve) of rows of dies each associated with a tape supply assembly and a take-up assembly. For convenience only one die is shown in Figure 6. The region of the die 53 is illustrated in greater detail in Figures 9 and 10. - Figure 9 is a sectional view of the die assembly in a plane lengthwise of the
guide 59 and Figure 10 is a view in a plane transversely of theguide 59. - As is shown in Figures 9 and 10, a die assembly is mounted in the
peripheral wall 78 of thecylinder 17. The wall has a circular aperture 79 which includes an internalannular shoulder 80. Abody 81 has a tubular part 82 which fits into the aperture 79 and anannular flange 83 which abuts theshoulder 80. The flange may be secured to thewall 78 by means of at least onebolt 84. Slidable within the body is aplunger 85 which has a central bore through which a fixingscrew 86 secures the die 53 at the outer end of theplunger 85. The plunger is biassed to a retracted position by means of ahelical compression spring 87 between the plunger and theflange 83. Theinner face 88 of theplunger 85 is shaped to conform to a respective conical cam 90 (Figure 6). - The
die 53 comprises a flanged bush 110 which is held within theplunger 85 by means of thescrew 86 and a die plate 111 secured to the flange of the bush 110 by rivets 112 (Figure 9). - As mentioned previously, the
tape 48 passes underneath theguide 59. Around the die 53 theguide 59 has awindow 113 defined by two taperedportions portions guide 116 in the form of a bridge. This is apertured to accommodate thedie 53. Theguide 116 serves to guide the tape from the passageway to a position approximately flush with the outer surface of theguide 59 so that the tape is close to the paper and is guided as not to be fouled by the die. Theguide 116 is fixed to the floor of theslot 100 by a fixing screw (not shown). - As is shown in Figure 6, within the
half shafts hollow shaft 91 which carries theconical cams 90, 90a and 90b. Each cam actuates a respective die or dies by engagement with theface 88 of the respective plunger. Theshaft 91 is mounted for rotation onbearings spigot 93 which is operable by apneumatic assembly 94 of any suitable form. - The
assembly 94 may be deactuated to allow the dies to retract when cylinder rotation stops, because heated dies need to be retracted when the cylinder is not rotating to prevent heated dies being in continuous pressurized contact with the web or the impression belt. - Heat for the dies may be provided by electrical heaters 95 each clamped to one of the conical cams, as shown for
cam 90, the heaters being supplied with electrical current by way of slip rings (not shown).
Claims (14)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8912269 | 1989-05-27 | ||
GB8912269A GB2232380B (en) | 1989-05-27 | 1989-05-27 | Machine and method for impressing releasable foil on to a moving web |
PCT/GB1990/000759 WO1990014953A1 (en) | 1989-05-27 | 1990-05-16 | Machine and method for impressing releasable foil on to a moving web |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0473635A1 EP0473635A1 (en) | 1992-03-11 |
EP0473635B1 true EP0473635B1 (en) | 1994-07-06 |
EP0473635B2 EP0473635B2 (en) | 1997-02-26 |
Family
ID=10657492
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP90907339A Expired - Lifetime EP0473635B2 (en) | 1989-05-27 | 1990-05-16 | Machine and method for impressing releasable foil on to a moving web |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0473635B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2795536B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE108133T1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU622328B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2045411C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69010496T3 (en) |
DK (1) | DK0473635T3 (en) |
FI (1) | FI97871C (en) |
GB (1) | GB2232380B (en) |
NO (1) | NO913160L (en) |
WO (2) | WO1990014954A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2276350B (en) * | 1993-03-26 | 1996-05-08 | Falcontec Ltd | Rotary blocking die |
DE69402911T2 (en) * | 1993-05-17 | 1997-11-27 | De La Rue Giori S.A., Lausanne | Device for applying images in a security printing machine |
US5662986A (en) * | 1996-07-09 | 1997-09-02 | Hampshire Holographic Manufacturing, Corp. | Holographically transferable images |
EP1314554A1 (en) * | 2001-11-23 | 2003-05-28 | Kba-Giori S.A. | Removing device for security-elements |
EP1588865A1 (en) * | 2004-04-22 | 2005-10-26 | Kba-Giori S.A. | Embossing cylinder |
CN109835561B (en) * | 2019-01-22 | 2024-03-26 | 无锡鼎昌包装科技有限公司 | Hot pressing assembly |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3181456A (en) * | 1961-08-24 | 1965-05-04 | Pannier Corp | Flexographic rotary printing cylinder with retractable dies |
GB1130210A (en) * | 1966-10-06 | 1968-10-09 | Apicella Anthony | Printing and stamping press |
US3584572A (en) * | 1968-02-19 | 1971-06-15 | Anthony Apicella | Method, apparatus and die adapted to simultaneously heat stamp, emboss and cut |
FR2045626A1 (en) * | 1969-06-13 | 1971-03-05 | Jerome Andre | |
US4231290A (en) * | 1978-10-30 | 1980-11-04 | Norwood Marking & Equipment Co. | Multiple head marking device |
US4516493A (en) * | 1983-02-10 | 1985-05-14 | Harold Schemenauer | Apparatus for imprinting and cutting a tape or ribbon |
JPS6029353A (en) * | 1983-07-27 | 1985-02-14 | Hashimoto Forming Co Ltd | Synthetic resin molding installing construction |
-
1989
- 1989-05-27 GB GB8912269A patent/GB2232380B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-05-16 AU AU56520/90A patent/AU622328B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1990-05-16 CA CA002045411A patent/CA2045411C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-05-16 DE DE69010496T patent/DE69010496T3/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-05-16 AU AU56541/90A patent/AU5654190A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-05-16 EP EP90907339A patent/EP0473635B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-05-16 DK DK90907339.7T patent/DK0473635T3/en active
- 1990-05-16 AT AT90907339T patent/ATE108133T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-05-16 WO PCT/GB1990/000760 patent/WO1990014954A1/en unknown
- 1990-05-16 JP JP2507414A patent/JP2795536B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-05-16 WO PCT/GB1990/000759 patent/WO1990014953A1/en active IP Right Grant
-
1991
- 1991-08-13 NO NO91913160A patent/NO913160L/en unknown
- 1991-08-28 FI FI914054A patent/FI97871C/en active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DK0473635T3 (en) | 1994-08-01 |
NO913160D0 (en) | 1991-08-13 |
AU5654190A (en) | 1991-01-07 |
FI914054A0 (en) | 1991-08-28 |
WO1990014954A1 (en) | 1990-12-13 |
JPH04507225A (en) | 1992-12-17 |
ATE108133T1 (en) | 1994-07-15 |
FI97871B (en) | 1996-11-29 |
FI97871C (en) | 1997-03-10 |
GB2232380A (en) | 1990-12-12 |
NO913160L (en) | 1991-08-13 |
EP0473635B2 (en) | 1997-02-26 |
GB8912269D0 (en) | 1989-07-12 |
JP2795536B2 (en) | 1998-09-10 |
AU5652090A (en) | 1991-01-07 |
GB2232380B (en) | 1992-08-19 |
CA2045411C (en) | 1996-12-03 |
AU622328B2 (en) | 1992-04-02 |
DE69010496T2 (en) | 1994-10-27 |
DE69010496D1 (en) | 1994-08-11 |
DE69010496T3 (en) | 1997-05-07 |
EP0473635A1 (en) | 1992-03-11 |
WO1990014953A1 (en) | 1990-12-13 |
CA2045411A1 (en) | 1990-11-28 |
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