Device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles and machine for generating variable optical primitives

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for aligning a workpiece with an aligning device (41; 42) for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) contained in a coating medium (06) applied to one side of a web-or sheet-like substrate (02), comprising one or more magnet elements (43; 44) such that the magnet elements take or can magnetically interact with the magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) on the substrate (02) fed through along the transport path in the working position (A), the one or more magnet elements (43; 44) is arranged on a carrier (46) which covers a working width provided for processing the substrate (02) transversely to the transport direction (T), the carrier (46) being supported on both sides on at least one guide (47; 48) and in or on the guide (47; 48) together with the magnet element (43; 44) along a movement path from a working position (A) into an installation position (R). The invention also relates to a machine (01) for generating optically variable primitives (03) on a substrate (02), having a substrate reservoir (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention according to claims 1 and 12 relates to a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles and to a machine for generating variable optical elements. Background Art

[0002] WO2022 / 069107A1 discloses a valuable security machine for generating optically variable elements on a substrate, the valuable security machine comprising a magnet drum and, in one embodiment, an alignment device arranged in front of the magnet drum in a conveying path, and also comprising a stationary alignment device corresponding to the magnet drum, which can be moved away from the conveying path and pivoted to an equipment position.

[0003] WO 2022 / 189098 A1 discloses a security machine having a plurality of printing units and a plurality of magnet cylinders arranged downstream, wherein a pre-exhaust device is arranged before each of the security machines, and a simultaneous alignment device is provided for the security machine. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to specify an improved device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles and a machine for generating variable optical elements.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 12 .

[0006] Advantages achievable with the invention are in particular that substrates having optically variable elements with a three-dimensional impression can be produced with high quality and / or improved contrast and / or higher luminosity and / or improved 3D effects, ie spatial impressions.

[0007] It is quite particularly advantageous that in the solution according to the invention the positioning of the alignment device, which is stationary depending on the operating situation, can be carried out by means of a magnetic element comprised by the alignment device, without necessarily having to take accessibility into account and / or without having to retain a large free space next to or above it, as is the case, for example, in the case of pivoting about a fixed axis.

[0008] It is also very advantageous that such a device can be individually adapted to different machines or different placement scenarios within the same machine without great effort. This applies in particular to embodiments in which the guides are arranged in separable side panels.

[0009] Particularly advantageous is the embodiment of the device for pre-alignment. After the application of the printing ink with magnetic or magnetizable particles, the particles are present in the ink matrix more or less disordered. By first aligning them uniformly, a high-contrast background can be provided for the subsequent image alignment.

[0010] Likewise particularly advantageous are embodiments for simultaneous alignment in which, during the image alignment, the particles are simultaneously subjected to magnetic forces which bring the platelet-shaped particles into a particularly high-contrast position.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, the device for aligning is designed in such a way that a carrier carrying a magnetic element is supported on both sides in or on at least one guide and moves in or on the guide together with the magnetic element, in particular under guidance, along a movement path, i.e. by a translational movement, in particular a movement as a whole from a working position to an equipment position, in particular further spaced from the conveying path.

[0012] In a particularly advantageous development, in which the guide elements are arranged in or on the side panels, which in turn are detachably arranged on a frame wall of a frame carrying the alignment device, such guide elements can be individually produced and arranged in the side panels individually and without a frame.

[0013] In a machine for generating optically variable elements on a substrate, such an alignment device can then be used in a simple manner at different locations and in different quantities or can also be equipped later, without having to reserve a large amount of free space for the pivoting movement for unloading, in which free space, for example, no straight feed section with sufficient free space is provided, but rather the substrate is transported solely by transfer from roller to roller.

[0014] Further details and implementation variants can be obtained from the following examples. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

[0016] in:

[0017] Figure 1 An embodiment of a machine, such as a security printing machine, for producing optically variable elements on a substrate is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a substrate printed with an optically variable coating medium in a printing element, wherein on the left, Figure 2 a) shows alignment using only an imaging alignment device, and on the right, Figure 2 b) shows the application of at least one other alignment scheme for achieving a predetermined alignment;

[0019] Figure 3 An oblique view showing an embodiment of a magnet drum;

[0020] Figure 4A cross-sectional view showing a drum with a matching alignment device;

[0021] Figure 5 A plan view a) of an alignment device arranged in a rack and a side panel for accommodating the alignment device from the inside are shown in a side view b);

[0022] Figure 6 An oblique view showing the alignment device retained in the side panel;

[0023] Figure 7 A perspective partial view from below into the connection of the alignment device to the side plate with the guide;

[0024] Figure 8 An exemplary embodiment of a machine, for example a security printing press, is shown having a plurality of prealignment devices and a plurality of simultaneous alignment devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A machine 01 for processing and / or machining a web-shaped or, in particular, a sheet-shaped substrate 02, in particular a security machine 01, for example a printing press 01, in particular a security printing press 01, preferably for producing optically variable elements 03 on a substrate 02, for example, a sheet-shaped printing material 02, comprises, for example: an application device 04, for example a printing mechanism 04, by means of which an optically variable coating medium 06, for example, an optically variable printing ink 06 or a lacquer 06 can be applied to at least a first side of the substrate 02, for example, a printing material 02, over the entire surface or in partial areas in the form of printed elements 08; and, in the case of a machine 01 for producing optically variable elements 03, a device 07 for aligning particles P contained in the optically variable coating medium 06 applied to the substrate 02 and responsible for producing the optical variability (see, for example, Figure 1 ). The device 07 will also be referred to below as alignment device 07 or, because the alignment device enables the imaging of an optically variable pattern or motif by aligning the particles P in a defined manner, also as imaging alignment device 07. The application of the coating medium 06 containing the particles P and the subsequent imaging are performed, for example, Figure 2 In the left side ( Figure 2 a)) is schematically illustrated using the character I by the alignment of previously randomly oriented particles P. Here, the Roman character I shows state I, in which the coating medium 06 is applied and is present in a randomly oriented manner, and the character III represents state III in which the image-wise alignment has taken place.

[0026] The printed elements 08 consisting of the variable coating medium 06 applied to the substrate 02 by the application device 04 before processing by the alignment device 07 can correspond in size and position to the optically variable elements 03 to be produced or can be larger than these elements and can even extend over the surface of multiple printed sheets 09 if necessary. In the case of larger printed elements 08, for example, the optically variable elements 03 are not produced by alignment over the entire surface coated with the optically variable coating medium 06.

[0027] As particles P responsible for generating the optical variability, magnetic or magnetizable non-spherical particles P, for example pigment particles P, also referred to below as magnetic flakes, are contained in the coating medium 06 , for example printing ink 06 or lacquer 06 .

[0028] The machine 01 is preferably used for producing printed sheets 09, for example securities 09, in particular banknotes 09. This includes in particular the production of intermediate securities, for example the production of a printing material 02 in the form of a web-like or sheet-like printing material section 02, in particular a printing material sheet 02, with a printed image of a plurality of securities 09. The substrate 02 can be formed, for example, from a paper based on cellulose or preferably on a cotton fiber base or containing at least cellulose or cotton fibers, from a synthetic material polymer or from a mixed product of the above materials. The substrate can be present in the above-mentioned application device 04 before coating or can already be coated, the substrate can be unprinted or can already be printed once or multiple times in one or more upstream processes or mechanically processed in another way. On a printing material segment 02 formed by a longitudinal segment of a web-like substrate 02 or by individual sheets of a paper-like substrate 02, a plurality of printed sheets 09, for example banknotes 09 to be produced or printed images thereof, can preferably be arranged in a matrix-like manner adjacent to one another in rows extending transversely to the transport direction T and one after another in columns extending along the transport direction T, or can be arranged during processing of the substrate 02 (for example as shown in FIG. 23 ).

[0029] The machine 01 designed as a printing machine 01 can in principle comprise one or more printing units 04 of any desired printing method. However, in the embodiment shown here, for the sake of simplicity, the machine comprises a printing unit 04, in particular a printing unit 04 operating according to a flexographic printing method or preferably according to a screen printing method, by means of which an optically variable coating medium 06 is applied or can be applied to a first side of a printing material 02. By means of the printing method mentioned, in particular the screen printing method, for example, greater layer thicknesses can be applied compared to other printing methods. The expression "first side" of the substrate 02 or the printing material 02 is optional and is used to indicate the side of the printing material 02 on which the optically variable coating medium 06 to be processed is applied or has been applied or can be applied downstream by the alignment device 07.

[0030] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the printing press 01 comprises a substrate reservoir 13, preferably designed as a sheet feeder 13, wherein the substrate 02, for example, designed as a sheet of paper-like printing material 02, is conveyed or can be conveyed, if necessary, via another printing or processing unit to at least one printing mechanism 04, for example a flexographic printing mechanism or preferably a screen printing mechanism 04, which applies an optically variable coating medium 06, and which forms a printing area 11 for printing, for example, a first side of the printing material 02 between a printing mechanism cylinder 14, in particular a printing plate cylinder 14, for example a screen printing cylinder 14, and a common cylinder 17, for example an impression cylinder 17 (see, for example, Figure 1 ).

[0031] Preferably, the printing unit 04 comprises a plate cylinder 14 as an imaging cylinder, which has a plurality of, in particular similar and / or identical, imaging printing elements, also referred to below as printing motifs, or in particular similar and / or identical groups of imaging printing elements or printing motifs arranged on the circumference, which are arranged in a plurality of, for example four to eight, in particular five to seven, for example six, columns spaced apart from one another transversely to the transport direction T over a circumferential length corresponding to the length of the printed image, and in a plurality of rows spaced apart from one another in the transport direction T over a cylinder width corresponding to the width of the printed image in a matrix-like manner. In the case of a printing unit 04 operating according to flexographic printing, these printing motifs are designed in the form of relief reliefs and in the preferred case of a printing unit 04 operating according to screen printing, in the form of an offset stencil.

[0032] The printing material 02 of the alignment device 07 can be conveyed by a printing unit 04 to which an optically variable coating medium 06 is applied via a feed mechanism, for example one or more feed devices 12 designed as rollers 12, for example transport rollers 12. In the case of a web-shaped printing material 02, the feed mechanism can be formed by one or more positively driven and / or non-driven rollers.

[0033] After passing through the alignment device 07 described in detail below, the printing material 02 can be fed directly or via other feeding mechanisms, such as other transport rollers 12 of another feed device 21, and fed via the second feed device 21 to a product receiving section 22 for receiving the printing material 02 processed and / or processed in the machine 01, and in the case of sheet-shaped printing materials 02, to a stacking delivery device 22. For the preferred case of sheet-shaped printing materials 02, a sheet-feeding mechanism, such as one or more transport rollers or transport drums or a feed device 21, such as a gripper revolving feeder 21, as shown here, is provided as a feeding mechanism, by which the printing material sheets 02 are transferred from the transport path sections of the alignment device 07 via one or more additional transport rollers as required and, for example, are fed to a stacking delivery device 22.

[0034] On the transport path away from the alignment device 07, there is at least one drying device, for example a radiation dryer 23, with one or more dryers 23 directed toward the first side of the printing material 02, and optionally a cooling device (not shown), for example a cooling roller. In a further development, on the transport path between the alignment device 07 and the stacking delivery 22, there is an inspection device 15, 25, for example a sensor device 25, for example a camera 25, in particular a line scan camera 25, which cooperates with the transport cylinder 15, in particular an inspection cylinder 15 designed in the manner of a suction drum 15.

[0035] In an advantageous refinement, the printing mechanism 04 and the alignment device 07 can be, for example, in the form of a module, structurally combined to form a device 16 for generating optically variable image elements. For example, such a printing mechanism can be arranged in a multiple ID in the machine 01 one after the other in a refinement. In an advantageous embodiment in the form of a module, the device 16 is inserted or can be inserted into the conveying path of the machine 01 with interfaces on the input side and the output side of the corresponding interfaces of the feed system continuing upstream and downstream. In an advantageous refinement of the machine, two or more devices 16 are provided, which are particularly arranged as modules.

[0036] The alignment device 07 explained in greater detail below is in principle arbitrary in its design, design variants or configuration, but is preferably arranged or can be arranged in the machine 01 or printing press 01 described above.

[0037] An alignment device 07 for forming optically variable elements 03, for example for forming optically variable effects in an optically variable coating medium 06 previously applied to a substrate 02, in particular a printing material 02, for example in the form of printed elements 08, comprises a defined transport path, along which the substrate 02 to be fed by the alignment device 07 is or can be effectively connected to an alignment device 26 in a defined manner from an entrance area, wherein in the entrance area the substrate 02 to be processed and having the optically variable coating medium 06 on its first side is conveyed or can be conveyed, and the alignment device 26 comprises as an active element 24 an element 24 providing a magnetic field, referred to as a magnetic element 24, preferably effectively connected in the following manner: the magnetic element 24 of the alignment device 26 for imaging alignment and the printing material 02 printed with a printing ink 06 containing particles P move synchronously with each other at least on a section of the transport path. Here, the alignment device 26 is designed as a magnetically active cylinder 26, or magnet cylinder 26 for short, which has an arrangement of magnet elements 24 on the circumference and by which the printing material 02 is guided or fed from an inlet area to an outlet area of ​​the alignment device 07. The magnet elements are rotatably mounted on both sides in a one-piece or multi-piece frame.

[0038] The magnetic element 24 can be directly made of a single piece or multiple pieces. Figure 3 The magnet 27 shown in dashed lines in the example is formed by itself, or can preferably include one or more magnets 27 arranged on a holder, for example on a base or therein, preferably detachably. Here, a magnet 27 is generally understood to be a magnetically effective device, which permanently or switchably generates a sufficiently strong magnetic field, especially for aligning the particles contained in the coating medium 06 on the substrate 02 guided thereon as described here, at least toward one side of the conveying path. Here, the magnet 27 can be formed by one or more permanent magnets with or without a gravure, by an electromagnet, or by a combination of one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets. Regardless of whether it is a single magnet or a combination of multiple magnets (for example permanent magnets and / or electromagnets), unless otherwise explicitly stated, the term magnet 27 is also understood below to refer to multiple magnets 27 that are assigned to the same magnet element 24 and form a magnet unit as a whole. Below the magnetic element 24, embodiments with a plurality of single-piece or multi-piece magnets 27 which are contained by the magnetic element 24 and are spaced apart from one another are also to be included, as can be used, for example, in the case where corresponding magnetic fields are to be applied to the same printed sheet 09 at two different locations. Here, such a magnet 27 or an arrangement of a plurality of magnets 27 of the same magnetic element 24 can be accommodated in a housing 38 of the magnetic element 24, which is, for example, detachably arranged in or on a holder.

[0039] In principle, two such magnet drums 26 can also be provided in the transport path, which are arranged on the same side or on different sides of the substrate 02 to be fed along the transport path.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the imaging alignment device 07 is a drying and / or curing device 19, such as a radiation dryer 19, in particular a UV radiation dryer 19, referred to as a UV dryer 19, which is preferably designed as a UV-LED dryer 19 and / or is directed to a position in the conveying path so that the substrate 02 cooperates with the magnet roller 26.

[0041] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the drying and / or curing device 19 is arranged on the circumference of the magnet drum 26 and / or is directed toward a circumferential section of the associated magnet drum 26 which is located in the transport path.

[0042] The or one of the magnet rollers 26 is preferably arranged on the second side of the substrate 02 to be fed in the transport path of the substrate, so that the magnet roller with its first side, which is coated with the optically variable coating medium 06 in particular in-line upstream, points outward when passing over the magnet roller 26, in particular when being transported on the magnet roller 26.

[0043] The magnet drum 26 comprises a one-piece or preferably multi-piece drum body 29, at which or on which the magnet elements 24 are preferably arranged detachably. The one-piece or preferably multi-piece drum body 29 is rotatably supported or can be supported in a frame. The term drum body is intended to mean the unequipped part of the drum 26 and can include closed structures, i.e. with a more or less closed drum shell surface, as well as open structures, i.e. scaffolding or frame-like components, such as, for example, Figure 3 Example shown.

[0044] The magnet roller 26 has a plurality of magnet elements 24 in an area facing the substrate path, for example in the area of ​​the outer circumference, in particular in the area of ​​the outer cylindrical envelope surface of the roller body, which are used to orient at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable particles P of the coating medium 06 applied to the passing printing material 02.

[0045] In particular, for the preferred and illustrated case in which there are multiple printed sheets 09 per substrate segment, for example, for each printing material or substrate single sheet 02, viewed in the axial direction, there are multiple, particularly m (m ∈ N > 1) columns or groups of magnetic elements 24 arranged one after another in columns or groups, respectively, and n (n ∈ N > 1) axially extending rows corresponding to the number of rows of printed sheets 09 on the printing material segment 02 to be processed are arranged on the roller 26, or in the conveying direction T of the substrate 02 and / or in the circumferential direction of the roller 26, i.e., n×m, i.e., n times m (where n, m∈ N) magnetic elements 24 are arranged in a matrix on the outer circumference.

[0046] By guiding the substrate 02 on a magnet roller 26 designed in this way, wherein, for example, the first substrate surface points outward during transport on the first roller 26, alignment or orientation of the particles P in the area of ​​the image elements 03 arranged on the printed sheet 09 can be achieved with the aid of the magnet elements 24, here for example through the substrate 02.

[0047] Here, the number m of columns or groups is, for example, four to eight, in particular five to seven, for example six, and / or the number n of magnet elements 24 in a column or group is, for example, two to twelve, advantageously five to ten. The magnet drum 26 or its drum body is preferably designed such that: the number m of columns or groups and / or the number n of magnet elements 24 arranged one behind the other in a row or column can be varied, for example within the limits mentioned above, in order to adapt it to different requirements.

[0048] Preferably, the magnetic element 24 is preferably arranged detachably together with the retaining member in or on a corresponding retaining member or can be arranged on the drum 26, so that the magnetic element can be arranged at a defined position on the circumference of the drum 26 in the assembled state and can preferably be completely removed from the drum 26 and / or can be positioned on the circumference of the drum 26 in the axial and / or circumferential direction.

[0049] For the above-mentioned matrix-shaped arrangement, the magnet elements 24 can be arranged and supported on or in the drum 26 in the following manner, so that the magnet elements are variably supported on or in the drum body in terms of their axial position relative to other magnet elements 24 of the same column or group of magnet elements 24 relative to the single-piece or multi-piece drum body. This can be achieved, for example, via an axially extending guide on the circumference of the drum body, in which the relevant magnet elements 24 are indirectly or directly supported or on which they can be moved to different axial positions. In principle, such a guide can be provided individually for each magnet element 24 in a row, but if necessary, it can also be provided continuously for multiple or all magnet elements 24 in the same row. In this case, the guide can be provided on the above-mentioned axially extending support element, which supports all magnet elements 24 in the same row.

[0050] In the preferred case of a grouped column, the magnetic elements 24 can be arranged or capable of being arranged indirectly or directly on a plurality of, for example, a number m of, for example, four to eight, in particular five to seven, for example six, for example, axially spaced from one another and preferably partially or preferably entirely positionable in the axial direction on a drum inner body 32, in particular an axially extending drum shaft 32, referred to as shaft 32, for example, a support element 31, wherein in or on the annular element 31, there are respectively a plurality of, for example, two to twelve, advantageously five to ten, magnetic elements 24 arranged or capable of being arranged one after another in the circumferential direction and preferably at least partially or entirely positionable in the circumferential direction (see, for example Figure 3 ).

[0051] In the case of a web-like substrate 02, the magnet drum 26 can be designed without any holding means acting on the substrate 02 and, for example, with an annular element 31 that is closed in the circumferential direction. For the preferred case of a sheet-like substrate 02, holding means 33 are preferably provided on the circumference of the drum 26, for example, grippers 33 of so-called tensioning strips, on which the substrate sheet 02 to be fed is received by the grippers at its front end and is or can be held within a certain rotation angle range during the rotation of the drum 26. In this case, the magnet drum 26 designed in this way simultaneously serves to transport the substrate 02. In this case, the annular element 31 is, for example, provided on the circumference of the drum 26. Figure 3 As can be seen in the figure, it is interrupted in the circumferential direction for accommodating the holding means 33. Therefore, here, unless otherwise specified, "ring-shaped" support elements or "ring-shaped elements" also include non-closed, that is, ring-segment-shaped elements.

[0052] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the magnet drum 26, a suction opening 28 is provided in the region of the envelope end, by means of which the substrate sheet 02 transported on the drum 26 can be sucked onto the circumferential surface. The circumferential surface can in principle be provided in a suction channel extending between the groups of magnet elements 24, or as shown, in a suction element 29 corresponding to the magnet element 24. Here, the suction opening 28 can be connected to a suction air source or an air pressure drop holding line via a rotating through-hole 34 preferably provided on both sides at the end side of the shaft 32, in order to apply negative pressure.

[0053] In a modified solution of the roller 26, a support element 36 can be respectively arranged between each two rows or groups of magnet elements 24, and the support element has a support surface at the height of the roller envelope end, which is used to support the substrate 02 fed through the roller 26. The support surface can be formed by the circumferential surface of the support element 36 itself designed as a support ring or by a support plate arranged on such a support ring.

[0054] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnet drum 26, such as that shown, the magnet elements 24 are arranged on a magnet element carrier 38, which in turn is arranged in groups on the above-mentioned ring element 31, which is preferably positionable in the axial direction on the shaft 32, preferably positionable in the circumferential direction. In particular, the magnet elements 24 can be arranged on such a magnet element carrier 38 together with one or more corresponding suction elements 29 and form a structural unit that can be positioned, for example, in the circumferential direction on the ring element 31.

[0055] As already described above, the particles P applied to the substrate 02 can be aligned, for example at least in the surface area critical to the image or subject to be displayed, by the alignment device 26 provided for image alignment, in particular the magnet drum 26 described above.

[0056] In addition to the imaging alignment device 26 or the magnet roller 26, which cooperates with the particles P contained in the coating medium 06 so that the magnet element 24 and the substrate 02 containing the particles P move or are movable synchronously with each other on a part of the conveying path, at least one further alignment device 41; 42 is provided, which includes one or more magnet elements 43; 44 which are fixed relative to the frame, i.e., arranged stationary on the conveying path according to the operating conditions, i.e. during production operation, and which interact or are capable of interacting magnetically with the magnetic or magnetizable particles P on the substrate 02 to be conveyed along the conveying path.

[0057] The further alignment device 41; 42 is arranged, depending on the operating conditions, at a location of the conveying path opposite to the roller circumference segment of the roller 12; 26 that conveys the substrate 02 and is located in the conveying path, i.e., on the circumference of the roller 12; 26 and on the conveying path opposite to the roller shell surface. Here, during operation, the alignment device forms a gap, for example, a gap with a width of between 3 mm and 10 mm, in particular between 4 mm and 7 mm, between one or more of the magnetic elements 43; 44 and the shell surface for the substrate 02 to pass through.

[0058] A further alignment device 41; 42, which is fixed depending on the operating situation, comprises a one-piece or multi-piece carrier 46 carrying one or more magnetic elements 43; 44, which is variably supported on both sides in a frame wall 38; 39 of the frame, for example in a frame part accommodating the alignment device 41; 42, so that the magnetic element 43; 44 carried by it can be introduced between a position A, for example a working position A in which the magnetic element 43; 44 is in an operating position, and an equipment position or an inactive position R, in which the magnetic element 43; 44 is at a greater distance from the conveying path than in the working position A, and / or in the equipment position or the inactive position, the magnetic element 43; 44 and / or the conveying path segment that is blocked by the magnetic element 43; 44 in the working position A can be more easily reached.

[0059] For this purpose, a carrier 46 carrying a magnet element 43; 44 of a further alignment device 41; 42 is supported on both sides in or on at least one guide 47; 48 in each case, in which or on which the carrier 46 together with the magnet element 43; 44 can be moved along a movement path from a working position A to a mounting position R or vice versa. The movement or movability along the movement path can be, for example, a translational movement, in particular a translational movement of all components of the carrier 46 as a whole, i.e. a movable carrier, between the respective working position A and the mounting position, in contrast to, for example, a pivoting on a rod about a fixed pivot axis. In this case, the movement path predetermined by the guide 47; 48 for the movement of the carrier 46 preferably extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum 12; 26 and / or can include one or more straight and / or curved guide segments 47.1; 47.2; 48.1; 48.2.

[0060] In an advantageous design of the guide element 47; 48, in which the carrier 46 is to be guided, for example, past another machine component arranged on the same roller 12; 26, such as a drying and / or curing device 19, the machine component is constructed with guide segments 47.1; 47.2; 48.1; 48.2 in such a way that it is guided out of the working position A first away from the roller 12; 26 with a radial directional component, for example, which is larger than the tangential component, and then moves away from the roller 12; 26 with a comparatively smaller radial component and / or a tangential directional component which is larger than the radial component, in order to improve accessibility.

[0061] The corresponding guide 47; 48 can be formed in the simplest case by a one-sided placement surface, on which the carrier-side support element 49; 51 is supported and can be moved along the displacement path, for example in the embodiment as a pin 49; 51 or as a roller 49; 51. However, it is preferably formed as a guide groove 47; 48, wherein the carrier-side support element 49; 51, for example in the form of a pin 49; 51 or as a roller 49; 51, is supported by the placement surface on one side and is secured on the other side, at least in the section between the position assumed in the working position A and the position provided for complete removal, as the case may be, by another surface to prevent tilting or accidental jumping out. In a region of the respective guide 47; 48 spaced apart from the position occupied by the support element 49; 51 in the working position A in the direction of the mounting position R, in particular in the region of the other end, an opening 52; 53, for example in the form of an outlet 52; 53 from the guide groove 47; 48, can be provided in the guide 47; 48 designed as a guide groove 47; 48, through which opening the respective support element 48 can be provided, through which the respective support element 49; 51 can come out or be guided in the removal position from the associated guide groove 47; 48. Through such an opening 52; 53, the carrier 46 can be removed.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, two guide elements 47; 48 are provided on each end face of the carrier 46 to be guided, which guide elements cooperate, for example, with carrier-side support elements 49; 51. The carrier-side support elements 49; 51 are arranged on the carrier 46 at a distance from each other, so that: in particular in the case of the guide grooves 47; 48, a tilting of the carrier 46 about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum 12; 26 is prevented.

[0063] The guides 47; 48 can be arranged directly in the rack wall 38; 39 of the rack carrying the alignment device 41; 42, for example on the inwardly directed side of the rack. However, in an advantageous embodiment, these guides are arranged in or on the side parts 54; 56, in particular the side panels 54; 56, which in turn are arranged, for example, detachably on the rack wall 38; 39. Such side panels 54; 56 can be individually configured with guides 47; 48 depending on the alignment device 41; 42 and the placement situation, without having to be specially intervened in the standard rack embodiment that may exist.

[0064] In order to hold the carrier 46 firmly and precisely in the working position A, in an advantageous improvement, a fixing device or a locking device 57, for example a spring-preloaded bolt 57, can be arranged on the carrier 46, and when the carrier 46 occupies the correct working position A, the bolt engages in an opening on the frame or side panel 54; 56.

[0065] The movement of the carrier 46 between different positions A; R in or on the guide 47; 48 can in principle be realized in any suitable manner, but in an advantageous embodiment is realized here by a linear drive 58, 59 based on a gear. Here, the gear 58 meshes with a corresponding tooth pattern 59 extending along the section to be traversed. The tooth pattern 59 can be formed by a toothed rack 59, which is adapted to the guide curve in terms of its shape if necessary, or, as shown here, by a tooth row 59 provided in the side plate 56 on at least one side, in the form of a bolt 61 arranged separately in the side plate 56 along the guide curve.

[0066] The gear 58 can be driven here preferably by means of a preferably self-locking transmission 62, for example a worm gear 62. This transmission can be operated, for example, on the drive side, as shown here, for example manually, for example via a hand wheel 63, or in a convenient design by a drive motor.

[0067] The magnetic elements 43; 44 of the further alignment device 41; 42 can be formed by a single magnet or by a group of a plurality of single magnets and can be accommodated individually or as a group on a magnet carrier 66; 67. In this case, the individual magnets can be formed by permanent magnets or electromagnets. In the case of a plurality of magnetic elements 43; 44, the magnetic elements are arranged side by side at intervals transversely to the transport direction T, in particular in a distribution scheme that conforms in pattern to the arrangement of the rows of printed sheets 09 arranged on the substrate 02.

[0068] Depending on the operating situation, the stationary alignment device 41; 42 preferably has a plurality of magnet elements 43; 44, for example four to eight, in particular five to seven, for example six, transversely to the conveying direction T, which are spaced apart from one another.

[0069] In an embodiment which is particularly advantageous, for example with regard to high product variability, the magnet elements 43 ; 44 of the further alignment devices 41 ; 42 or their magnet carriers 66 ; 67 are arranged on the carrier 46 in a displaceable or adjustable manner transversely to the conveying direction T.

[0070] For this purpose, the magnet elements 43; 44 of the further alignment devices 41; 42 or the magnet carriers 66; 67 accommodating the magnets are supported in a transversely movable manner on one or more crossbars 64 surrounded by the carrier 46. With the aid of a holding device 68, which is designed, for example, as a clamping mechanism 68, the magnet elements can be fixed in the desired position, for example, by means of a manual knob 69.

[0071] In order to enable adaptation by replacement and / or to enable operation without additional alignment in a simple manner, the magnet elements 43; 44 of the alignment device 41; 42 are arranged detachably on the carrier 46 or on the associated magnet carrier 66; 67, and / or the magnet carrier 66; 67 is arranged detachably on the carrier 46. As described, alternatively or preferably additionally, the carrier 46 is arranged together with the magnet elements 43; 44 in such a way that they can be removed from the frame together.

[0072] Although the magnetic elements 43; 44 of the further alignment devices 41; 42 can in principle also be arranged on a straight conveying path segment and can have a shape that is longitudinally extending in the conveying direction T and is flat at least on the side facing the conveying path, the magnetic elements 43; 44 that are movable in the guide 47; 48 in the following manner are preferably arranged on a curved conveying path segment, for example on the above-mentioned rollers 12; 26, and have a shape that is longitudinally extending along the conveying path, is curved, in particular is curved in the shape of a circular arc segment, at least on the side facing the conveying path.

[0073] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, such a further alignment device 41 is designed as a further alignment device 41 for pre-alignment, hereinafter referred to as a pre-alignment device 41, in the transport path of the substrate 02 to be fed, and is arranged, for example, in the transport path before one of the imaging alignment devices 26, in particular the magnet roller 26. Such an alignment device 41 is arranged before the magnet roller 26 in such a way that a pre-alignment of the particles P can be achieved by means of its magnet elements 43 in the surface area at least adjacent to the imaging partial area. In particular, the magnet elements 43 of the second alignment device 41 are designed and oriented in such a way that the particles P passing through the surface area of ​​its effective area are oriented parallel to each other along two axes, so that a uniform optical impression is produced on this surface area. In a preferred embodiment, the magnet elements 43 are designed and aligned in such a way that the magnetic field generated by them aligns, for example, flat particles P which are constructed with a length greater than their width in the relevant surface area of ​​the image element 03 with their flat sides parallel to the substrate surface and their longitudinal extensions all pointing in the same direction.

[0074] The pre-alignment device 41 comprises one or preferably a plurality of magnetic elements 43 transversely to the conveying direction T, preferably in the manner described above, and is arranged on the conveying path in such a manner that, in the working position A, the pre-alignment device interacts or can interact magnetically with one or more magnetic elements 43 comprised thereby and with particles P arranged on a substrate to be guided past on the conveying path 02.

[0075] The magnet element 43 of the pre-aligning device 41 is preferably arranged on the side of the conveying path opposite to the side last printed or applied with the coating medium 06 in the previous conveying path. That is, the magnet element 43 is preferably arranged on the non-last or newly printed side of the conveyed substrate 02.

[0076] exist Figure 2 In the middle, on the right ( Figure 2 b)) in the figure schematically illustrates the effect of such pre-orientation, wherein the Roman character II represents state II, in which the particles P have been pre-oriented in the coating medium, for example, by a pre-alignment device 41, but image alignment has not yet occurred or has been omitted in the illustration. After pre-orientation, for example, the previously randomly oriented particles P are ordered, for example, parallel or otherwise uniformly aligned and thus form a background that provides improved contrast for patterns or image motifs with particles P of different orientations.

[0077] In addition to the imaging alignment by means of the magnet drum 26, for example identical and / or adjacent particles P, in particular in surface areas which are critical for the image or subject to be displayed, can be oriented or loaded with additional magnetic forces by means of at least one additional alignment device 41 for pre-orientation at at least one point in time or a time period before cooperation with the imaging magnet drum 26 or upstream of the imaging magnet drum and / or during cooperation with the imaging magnet drum 26.

[0078] In another particularly advantageous embodiment, this additional alignment device 42 is configured as an alignment device 42 for simultaneous orientation, referred to as a simultaneous alignment device 42, which has one or more magnetic elements 44, which are arranged on the side of the conveying path opposite to the first alignment device 26 and are arranged on the conveying path in the following manner: so that the same and / or adjacent surface areas of the same image element 03 to be produced by loading the substrate 02 with a coating medium 06 are simultaneously coordinated with the alignment device 26 that is imaged and moves simultaneously with the substrate 02, in particular the magnet roller 26, and with another alignment device 42 for simultaneously orienting the particles P at at least one position in the conveying path. In other words, in this embodiment, the particles P of the image element 03 are loaded with an alignment force at at least one position on the conveying path by the magnet 27 of the imaging alignment device 26, in particular the magnetic field of the magnet element 24 of the magnet roller 26, and at the same time, the same and / or other particles P of the same image element 03 are also loaded with an alignment magnetic force through the magnetic field of the magnet element 44 of another alignment device 42 for simultaneous orientation.

[0079] At the same time, the alignment device 42 with its magnetic elements 44 is arranged on the transport path on the side of the transport path opposite the imaging alignment device 26 .

[0080] By means of the simultaneous alignment device 42, in addition to the imaging alignment by means of the magnet drum 26, particles P, for example the same and / or adjacent particles, in particular particles in a surface area that is critical to the image or subject to be displayed, can be oriented or loaded with additional magnetic force at at least one point in time or during a period of time during cooperation with the imaging magnet drum 26 by means of at least one simultaneous alignment device 42.

[0081] The above-mentioned machine 01 having at least one coating device 04 and at least one imaging alignment device 07, in particular a magnet roller 07, can, for example, only have a pre-alignment device 41 arranged before the imaging alignment device 07, in particular on the circumference of the front conveying roller 12, or have a simultaneous alignment device 42 arranged opposite to the imaging alignment device 07, in particular to the magnet roller 26 in the conveying path. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a pre-alignment device 41 is arranged in the above-mentioned manner before at least one magnet roller 26 included in the machine 01, and a simultaneous alignment device 42 is also provided opposite to the magnet roller.

[0082] In a variant, a plurality of, for example, two, coating devices 04 can be arranged in the transport path, which apply the coating medium 06 on the same side of the substrate 02, between which the substrate 02 is transported or can be transported by a series of rollers 12; 26, for example only by handing over from roller 12; 26 to roller 12; 26, wherein at least one roller 26 arranged therebetween is formed by a magnet roller 26. Here, a pre-alignment device 41 can be arranged in the above-described manner before the magnet roller 26, and / or a simultaneous alignment device 42 can be provided opposite to the magnet roller.

[0083] In another variant, as an alternative or in addition, two coating devices 04 can be arranged in the transport path, which apply the coating medium 06 on different sides of the substrate 02, between which the substrate 02 is transported or can be transported via a series of rollers 12; 26, for example, only by handing over from roller 12; 26 to roller 12; 26, wherein at least one roller 26 arranged therebetween is formed by a magnet roller 26. Here, a pre-alignment device 41 can be arranged in the above-described manner before the magnet roller 26, and / or a simultaneous alignment device 42 can be provided opposite to the magnet roller.

[0084] In e.g. Figure 8In the embodiment of a machine 01 for a particularly high degree of flexibility shown in FIG, for example, a first coating device 04 for applying a coating medium 06 to a first substrate side and a second coating device 04 likewise directed toward the first substrate side are provided. In between, in the transport path, downstream of the first coating device 04, a conveyor roller 12 with, for example, a pre-alignment device 41 directed toward the second substrate side and further downstream, a magnet roller 26 with a simultaneous alignment device 42 directed toward the first substrate side are provided. In principle, further conveyor rollers 12 can be provided between the mentioned rollers 12; 26. Downstream of the second coating device 04, which is also directed toward the first substrate side, a third coating device 04 directed toward the second substrate side is provided. Between the second and third coating devices 04, in the transport path, downstream of the second coating device 04, a conveyor roller 12 with, for example, a second pre-alignment device 41 directed toward the second substrate side and further downstream, a second magnet roller 26 with, for example, a second simultaneous alignment device 42 directed toward the first substrate side is provided. Downstream of the second magnet roller 26, but upstream of the third coating device 16, an additional conveying roller 12 with, for example, an additional third pre-aligning device 41 pointing to the first substrate side is arranged, and further downstream, a third magnet roller 26 with, for example, an additional third simultaneous alignment device 42 pointing to the second substrate side is arranged. Downstream of the third coating device 16, a conveying roller 12 with, for example, an additional fourth pre-aligning device 41 pointing to the first substrate side is arranged, and further downstream, an additional magnet roller 26 with, for example, an additional fourth simultaneous alignment device 42 pointing to the second substrate side is arranged. In principle, another conveying roller 12 can also be arranged between the above rollers 12; 26. Preferably, in the conveying path, between the third simultaneous alignment device 42 and the fourth simultaneous alignment device 42, a drying and / or curing device 19 directed toward the substrate 02 is arranged, which drying and / or curing device only partially, that is, not on all surfaces respectively, dries or cures the coating medium 06 previously applied and containing particles P.

[0085] In another variant of the above-mentioned machine 01, the part comprising the third coating device 04 and the subsequent fourth pre-alignment device and fourth simultaneous alignment device 41, 42 together with the corresponding rollers 12; 26 can be omitted.

[0086] In another variation, as an alternative or in addition to the above variation, the portion including the third pre-alignment device 41 and the third simultaneous alignment device 42 together with the corresponding rollers 12; 26 may be omitted.

[0087] Reference numerals list

[0088] 01Machinery, securities machines, printing presses, securities printing presses

[0089] 02Base material, printing material, printing material segment, printing material sheet, base material sheet

[0090] 03 Element

[0091] 04Coating device, printing mechanism, flexographic printing mechanism, screen printing mechanism

[0092] 05-

[0093] 06Coating media, printing inks, paints

[0094] 07Device and alignment equipment for aligning magnetic particles in graphic elements

[0095] 08 Printing Elements

[0096] 09Printed sheets, securities, banknotes

[0097] 10-

[0098] 11 Printing area

[0099] 12 rollers, feeding device, conveyor rollers

[0100] 13 substrate storage, sheet feeder

[0101] 14Printing mechanism cylinders, plate cylinders, screen printing cylinders

[0102] 15Conveyor roller, suction drum, inspection roller

[0103] 16. Device for generating optically variable picture elements

[0104] 17 roller, impression roller

[0105] 18-

[0106] 19 Drying and / or curing devices, radiation dryers, UV radiation dryers, UV dryers, UV-LED dryers

[0107] 20-

[0108] 21 Feeding device, gripper rotary feeder, chain gripper system

[0109] 22Product storage unit, stacking and paper collection device

[0110] 23Dryer, radiation dryer

[0111] 24Action elements, components, magnetic elements

[0112] 25Sensor manufacturing, cameras, magnetic drums

[0113] 26 Alignment equipment, rollers, magnet rollers

[0114] 27 Magnets

[0115] 28 suction openings

[0116] 29 suction element

[0117] 30-

[0118] 31 Load-bearing elements, annular elements

[0119] 32 roller inner body, roller shaft, shaft

[0120] 33 Holding mechanism, gripper

[0121] 34 Rotating through-hole

[0122] 35-

[0123] 36 Support elements

[0124] 37Magnetic element carrier

[0125] 38 rack wall

[0126] 39 rack wall

[0127] 40-

[0128] 41 Alignment equipment, pre-alignment equipment

[0129] 42 Align equipment, align equipment simultaneously

[0130] 43 Magnetic element

[0131] 44 Magnetic elements

[0132] 45-

[0133] 46 carriers

[0134] 47Guide, guide groove

[0135] 47.1 Boot Segment

[0136] 47.2 Boot Segment

[0137] 48 guide piece, guide groove

[0138] 48.1 Boot Segment

[0139] 48.1 Boot Segment

[0140] 49Support elements, bolts, rollers

[0141] 50-

[0142] 51Support elements, bolts, rollers

[0143] 52Opening, exit

[0144] 53 Opening, exit

[0145] 54 side parts, side panels

[0146] 55-

[0147] 56 side parts, side panels

[0148] 57Fixed device, stop device

[0149] 58 Gears

[0150] 59 tooth pattern, rack, tooth array

[0151] 60-

[0152] 61 bolts

[0153] 62 Transmission parts, worm transmission parts

[0154] 63 hand wheel

[0155] 64 beam

[0156] 65-

[0157] 66 Magnet carrier

[0158] 67 Magnet Carrier

[0159] 68 Clamping mechanism, holding device

[0160] 69 manual knob

[0161] A position, working position

[0162] R inactive position, equipped position

[0163] P particles, pigment particles

[0164] TTransmission direction

[0165] dWidth

Claims

1. A device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) using an aligning device (41; 42), wherein the magnetic or magnetizable particles are contained in a coating medium (06) coated on one side of a web-shaped or sheet-shaped substrate (02), the aligning device comprising one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) which are fixedly arranged on a conveying path relative to a frame in such a manner that the magnetic elements in a working position (A) interact or can interact magnetically with the magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) on the substrate (02) fed along the conveying path, wherein: The one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) are arranged on a carrier (46) which covers a working width for processing a substrate (02) transversely to a conveying direction (T), characterized in that the carrier (46) is supported on both sides in or on at least one guide (47; 48) and that the carrier is moved in or on the guide (47; 48) together with the magnetic elements (43; 44) along a movement path from a working position (A) to an equipment position (R).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that Two guide elements (47; 48) are arranged on each end face of the carrier (46) to be guided, and the two guide elements cooperate with two carrier-side support elements (49; 51) which are each spaced apart from one another.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The guide element (47; 48) is designed in the form of a guide groove (47; 48) in which a corresponding carrier-side support element (49; 51) engages.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that An outlet (52; 53) from the guide groove (47; 48) is provided at a portion of the guide groove (47; 48) spaced apart from the position occupied in the working position (A) in the direction of the equipment position (R), and the corresponding supporting element (49; 51) can come out of or be guided through the corresponding guide groove (47; 48) in the removal position through the outlet.

5. The device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that The guide (47; 48) is arranged in or on a side part (54; 56), which is arranged in a detachable manner on a frame wall (38; 39) of a frame carrying the alignment device (41; 42), and / or the carrier (46) performs or is capable of performing a translational movement in or on the guide (47; 48) along a movement path as a whole, i.e. with each of its components, between a corresponding working position (A) and an equipment position (R).

6. The device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that The carrier (46) is movable by means of a gear-based linear drive (58, 59) having a gear (58) meshing in a tooth pattern (59).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that The gear wheel (58) can be driven by means of a transmission element (62).

8. The device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that The alignment device (41; 42) is arranged in the working position (A) at a location on the transport path that is opposite a roller circumference segment of a roller (12; 26) that transports the substrate (02) and is located in the transport path.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that The drum (26) is formed by a magnet drum (26) which has a plurality of magnet elements (24) arranged in a matrix in the region of its outer circumference in order to align at least a portion of the particles (P) in a defined manner in each case in the region of the imaging surface.

10. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that The roller (12) is formed by a conveying roller (12) that conveys a single sheet of paper-like substrate (02) downstream.

11. The device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that The guide element (47; 48) is designed in such a way that it guides the carrier (46) starting from the working position (A) firstly away from the roller (12; 26) with a radial direction component that is greater than the tangential component and then moves away from the roller (12; 26) with a tangential direction component that is greater than the radial component.

12. A machine (01) for generating optically variable elements (03) on a substrate (02), the machine comprising: a substrate reservoir (13), from which a substrate (02) to be processed can be conveyed to the machine (01); at least one coating device (04), by means of which a coating medium (06) containing magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) can be applied to at least a first side of a substrate (02) guided through the machine (01) on a conveying path; a product receiving section (22) for receiving a substrate processed in the machine (01); and a magnet roller (06) arranged between the coating device (04) and the product receiving section (27) in the conveying path of the substrate (02), the magnet roller comprising a plurality of magnet elements (24) on the circumference, wherein: In the conveying path of the substrate (02), there is an alignment device (41; 42) arranged before the magnet drum (26) and / or corresponding to the magnet drum (26) on the conveying path, characterized in that the alignment device (41; 42) is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The machine according to claim 12, characterized in that Downstream of the first coating device (04), at least one first alignment device (41) is arranged as a pre-alignment device (41) in front of at least one magnet roller (26) in the conveying path, and / or at least one alignment device (42) as a simultaneous alignment device (42) corresponds to at least one magnet roller (26) in an opposite manner in the conveying path.

14. The machine according to claim 13, characterized in that A plurality of coating devices (07) are provided, and at least one magnet roller (26) and at least one pre-alignment device (41) arranged before the magnet roller (26) in the conveying path and / or at least one simultaneous alignment device (42) corresponding to the magnet roller (26) are respectively provided downstream of the plurality or each coating device (07).

15. A machine according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterised in that In order to transport the substrate (02) between the coating device (04) and the magnet roller (26), only one or more rollers (12; 26) are provided, by means of which only one or more rollers can be used to transfer the substrate (02) from roller (12; 26) to roller (12; 26), and / or an alignment device (42) arranged in front of the magnet roller (26) is arranged on the circumference of the roller (12) designed as a conveying roller (12) along the conveying path relative to the roller shell surface.

Images