DEVICE FOR ALIGNING MAGNETIC OR MAGNETIZABLE PARTICLES AND MACHINE FOR PRODUCEING OPTICALLY VARIABLE IMAGE ELEMENTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles and a machine for generating optically variable image elements according to claim 1 or 12.

[0002] WO 2022 / 069107 A1 discloses a securities machine for generating optically variable image elements on a substrate, which includes a magnetic cylinder and, in one embodiment, both a stationary alignment device located upstream of the magnetic cylinder in the transport path and a stationary alignment device associated with the magnetic cylinder, which can be pivoted away from the transport path into a setup position.

[0003] WO 2022 / 189098 A1 discloses a securities machine with several printing units and several downstream magnetic cylinders, each of which is assigned a pre-alignment device and a simultaneous alignment device.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of creating an improved device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles and a machine for generating optically variable image elements.

[0005] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 or 12.

[0006] The advantages achievable with the invention consist in particular in the fact that substrates with optically variable image elements with a three-dimensional impression can be produced in high quality and / or improved contrast and / or higher luminosity and / or an improved 3D effect, i.e. a spatial impression.

[0007] A particular advantage of the solution according to the invention is that a stationary alignment device can be positioned by means of magnetic elements encompassed by it, without having to take accessibility into account and / or without having to maintain a larger clearance next to or above it, as would be the case, for example, with pivoting about a fixed axis.

[0008] A significant advantage is that such a device can be easily adapted to different machines or positions within the same machine. This is particularly true for a version where guides are provided in removable side plates.

[0009] A particularly advantageous version of the device is one for pre-orientation. After the application of printing ink containing magnetic or magnetizable particles, the particles are more or less randomly arranged in the ink matrix. Initial homogeneous alignment creates a background for subsequent image-forming alignment, resulting in higher contrast.

[0010] It is also particularly advantageous to design the device for simultaneous alignment such that, during the imaging alignment, the particles are simultaneously exposed to a magnetic force, which, for example, results in a particularly high-contrast position of the platelet-shaped particles.

[0011] In the embodiment according to the invention, the device for alignment is designed such that a carrier carrying the magnetic elements is mounted on both sides in or on at least one guide and can be guided in or on the guide together with the magnetic elements along a movement path, i.e. by a translational movement from the working position to a setup position further away from the transport path.

[0012] In the embodiment according to the invention, in which the guides are provided in or on side plates which are arranged on frame walls of a frame supporting the alignment device, such guides can be provided individually in the side plates without having to manufacture the frames individually in each case.

[0013] In a machine for generating optically variable image elements on a substrate, such alignment devices can be easily installed or retrofitted at different locations and in varying numbers, without requiring extensive clearance for sweeping pivoting movements. This is particularly advantageous for machines or machine components where, for example, no linear conveyor sections with sufficient clearance are provided, but rather substrate transport occurs solely via cylinder-to-cylinder transfer. Further details and design variations can be found in the following exemplary embodiments.

[0014] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0015] They show: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a machine, e.g., a security printing press, for producing optically variable image elements on a substrate; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a substrate printed with optically variable coating material in printing elements, wherein on the left side, Fig. 2 a) , an alignment using only the imaging alignment device and on the right side, Fig. 2 b) , an alignment using at least one further alignment effecting a pre-orientation; Fig. 3 an oblique view of an embodiment for a magnetic cylinder; Fig. 4 a sectional view of a cylinder with cooperating alignment device; Fig. 5 a top view a) of an alignment device arranged in a frame and a side view b) of a side plate for receiving the alignment device from the inside; Fig. 6 an oblique view of an alignment device held in side plates; Fig. 7 a partial perspective view from below into a connection of the alignment device to a side plate having guides; Fig. 8 an embodiment for a machine, e.g. security printing press, with several pre-alignment and several simultaneous alignment devices.

[0016] A machine 01, in particular a security printing machine 01, e.g. a printing press 01, in particular a security printing press 01, preferably for producing optically variable image elements 03 on a substrate 02, e.g. a sheet-shaped substrate 02, comprises, for example, an application device 04, e.g. a printing unit 04, by which optically variable coating agents 06, e.g. optically variable printing ink 06, are applied. oder Lack 06, at at least one application point, e.g. printing point 11, on at least one first side of the substrate 02, e.g. the printing material 02, can be applied over the entire surface or in partial areas in the form of printed image elements 08, and in the case of a machine 01 for generating optically variable image elements 03, a device 07 for aligning particles P contained in the optically variable coating material 06 applied to the substrate 02 and responsible for the optical variability (see e.g. Fig. 1 This device 07 will also be referred to below as alignment device 07 or, since it produces an image for the optically variable pattern or motif by defining the alignment of the particles P, also as imaging alignment device 07. An application of coating medium 06 containing particles P and subsequent imaging alignment is used, for example, in Fig. 2 on the left ( Fig. 2 a) ) schematically illustrated by the representation of the number I, which represents the orientation of previously randomly oriented particles P. The Roman numeral I denotes state I in which the coating material 06 is applied and randomly oriented, and the number III denotes state III in which an image-forming orientation has taken place.

[0017] The printed image elements 08 made of variable coating material 06, applied to the substrate 02 by the application device 04 prior to treatment by the alignment device 07, can correspond in size and position to the optically variable image elements 03 to be produced, or may even be larger than them, and may even extend over the area in multiple uses 09. In the case of larger printed image elements 08, for example, an optically variable image element 03 is not produced on the entire area coated with optically variable coating material 06 by alignment.

[0018] The particles P responsible for the optical variability are magnetic or magnetizable, non-spherical particles P, e.g. pigment particles P, hereinafter also referred to as magnetic flakes, contained in the coating material 06, e.g. the printing ink 06 or the varnish 06.

[0019] The machine 01 is preferably designed for the production of products 09, e.g., securities 09, in particular banknotes 09. This is intended to include, in particular, the production of intermediate securities products, e.g., the production of printing material 02, in particular in the form of web- or sheet-shaped printing material sections 02, especially printing material sheets 02, with printed images of several securities 09. The substrate 02 can be made of paper – e.g., cellulose-based or preferably cotton fiber-based or at least containing cotton fibers – of plastic polymers, or of a hybrid product thereof. It can be uncoated before coating in the aforementioned application unit 04, or it can already be coated; it can be unprinted or it can already be printed once or several times in one or more upstream processes or otherwise mechanically processed.On a substrate 02 formed by a longitudinal section of a web-shaped substrate 02 or by an arc of an arc-shaped substrate 02, several uses 09, e.g. banknotes 09 to be produced or their printed images, are preferably arranged in a matrix-like manner in rows running transversely to the transport direction T next to each other and in columns running one behind the other in the transport direction T, or arranged in the course of processing the substrate 02 (indicated e.g. in . Fig. 2 ).

[0020] The machine 01, designed as a printing press 01, can in principle comprise one or more printing units 04 of any printing process. In the embodiment shown here, however, for the sake of simplicity, it comprises one printing unit 04, in particular a printing unit 04 operating according to the flexographic printing process or preferably according to the screen printing process, by which the optically variable coating agent 06 is applied or can be applied to a first side of the substrate 02. The aforementioned printing processes, especially the screen printing process, allow, for example, a greater layer thickness to be applied compared to other printing processes. The term "first side" of the substrate 02 or the printing material 02 is chosen arbitrarily here and is intended to denote the side of the printing material 02 on which the optically variable coating agent 06, to be treated downstream by the alignment device 07, is applied or has been applied or can be applied.

[0021] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the printing machine 01 comprises a substrate template 13, preferably designed as a sheet feeder 13, from which the substrate 02, e.g., designed as a sheet-shaped substrate 02, is fed – optionally via further printing or processing units – to the at least one printing unit 04, e.g., a flexographic or preferably a screen printing unit 04, which applies the optically variable coating agent 06. This printing unit forms a printing point 11 between a printing cylinder 14, in particular a form cylinder 14, e.g., a screen printing cylinder 14, and a common cylinder 17, e.g., an impression cylinder 17, for printing, e.g., a first side of the substrate 02 (see, e.g., Fig. 1 ).

[0022] Preferably, the printing unit 04 comprises a form cylinder 14 as the image-forming cylinder, with a plurality of, in particular similar and / or identical, image-forming printing elements, hereinafter also referred to as print images, or, in particular, similar and / or identical groups of image-forming printing elements or print images on the circumference, which are arranged in a matrix-like manner on a circumferential length corresponding to the print image length in several, e.g., a number, e.g., four to eight, in particular five to seven, e.g., six, columns spaced apart from one another transversely to the transport direction T, and on a cylinder width corresponding to the print image width in several rows spaced apart from one another in the transport direction T. In the case of a printing unit 04 operating according to flexographic printing, these print images are designed in the form of relief printing, and in the preferred case of a printing unit 04 operating according to screen printing, in the form of stencils.

[0023] The substrate 02 can be fed from the printing unit 04, which applies the optically variable coating agent 06, to the alignment device 07 via conveying means, e.g., one or more conveying devices 12 designed as cylinders 12, e.g., as transport cylinders 12. In the case of web-shaped substrate 02, the conveying means could be formed by one or more positively driven and / or undriven rollers.

[0024] After passing through the alignment device 07 described in detail below, the substrate 02 can be fed directly or via further conveying means, e.g., further transport cylinders 12, to a further conveying device 21 and through this conveying device to a product receiving unit 22 for receiving the substrate 02 processed and / or finished in the machine 01, or, in the case of sheet-shaped substrate 02, to a stacking delivery unit 22. For the preferred case of sheet-shaped substrate 02, sheet-conveying means are provided here, e.g., one or more transfer cylinders or drums, or, as shown here, a conveying device 21 designed, for example, as a gripper conveyor 21, in particular a chain gripper system 21, by which the sheets of substrate 02 are taken from the transport path section of the alignment device 07 via, if necessary, one or more further transport cylinders and fed, for example, to the stacking delivery unit 22.

[0025] On the transport path leading away from the alignment device 07, at least one drying unit with one or more dryers 23 directed towards the first side of the substrate 02, e.g., radiation dryers 23, and optionally a cooling unit (not shown), e.g., a cooling roller, can be provided. In a further embodiment, an inspection device 15, 25, e.g., a sensor device 25, e.g., a camera 25, in particular a line scan camera 25, cooperating with a transport cylinder 15, in particular an inspection cylinder 15 designed in the form of a suction drum 15, can be provided on the transport path between the alignment device 07 and the stack delivery 22.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the printing unit 04 and the alignment device 07 can be structurally combined, e.g., in the form of a module, to form a device 16 for generating optically variable image elements. Such a device can, for example, be provided several times in succession in the machine 01. In an advantageous embodiment in the form of a module, the device 16 is integrated, or can be integrated, into the transport path of the machine 01 to be equipped, with input and output interfaces to corresponding interfaces of an upstream and downstream conveyor system. In an advantageous embodiment of the machine, two or more such devices 16, particularly as modules, are provided.

[0027] The alignment device 07 described in detail below is, in principle, arbitrary in its designs, design variants or configurations, but is preferably provided or foreseen in a machine 01 or printing press 01 described above.

[0028] The alignment device 07 for forming optically variable image elements 03, e.g., for forming the optically variable effect in the optically variable coating agent 06 previously applied to the substrate 02, in particular to the printing material 02, e.g., in the form of printed image elements 08, comprises a defined transport path along which the substrate 02 to be conveyed by the alignment device 07 is brought into operative contact with an alignment device 26, which comprises magnetic field-providing elements 24, hereinafter referred to as magnetic elements 24, as active elements 24.The alignment device 26 can be arranged, preferably such that the magnetic elements 24 of the alignment device 26, which serve for image-forming alignment, and the substrate 02 printed with the printing ink 06 containing the particles P, move synchronously to each other at least on a section of the transport path. The alignment device 26 is designed here as a magnetically active cylinder 26, or magnetic cylinder 26 for short, which has an arrangement of magnetic elements 24 on its circumference and over which the substrate 02 is guided or conveyed from an input area towards an output area of ​​the alignment device 07. It is mounted so as to be rotatable on both sides in a one- or multi-part frame.

[0029] The magnetic elements 24 can be directly connected by one- or multi-part components, in Fig. 3 The magnets 27, indicated by dashed lines, may themselves be formed or preferably comprise one or more magnets 27, which are arranged in or on a holder, e.g., on or in a base, preferably detachably. Here, magnets 27 are generally understood to be magnetically active devices that permanently or switchably generate a magnetic field—in particular, a sufficiently strong field for aligning particles P contained in the coating material 06 onto the substrate 02 guided above it as described here—at least towards the side of the transport path. The magnets 27 may be formed by one or more permanent magnets with or without engraving, by electromagnets, or by combinations of one or more permanent and / or one or more electromagnets. Regardless of whether it is a single magnet or a combination of several magnets, e.g.,In the following, when referring to permanent and / or electromagnets, the term "magnet 27" also refers to several magnets 27 assigned to the same magnetic element 24 and forming a single magnetic unit, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The term "magnetic element 24" also includes embodiments with several spaced-apart, single- or multi-part magnets 27 encompassed by the magnetic element 24, such as those that may be used, for example, when the same component 09 is to be subjected to a magnetic field at two different locations. Such a magnet 27, or an arrangement of several magnets 27 of the same magnetic element 24, may be contained within a housing of the magnetic element 24, which may, for example, be detachably mounted in or on a holder.

[0030] In principle, two such magnetic cylinders 26 can also be provided in the transport path, which are arranged on the same or on different sides of a substrate 02 to be conveyed along the transport path.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the imaging alignment device 07 is associated with a drying and / or curing device 19, e.g. a radiation dryer 19, in particular a UV radiation dryer 19, or UV dryer 19 for short, which is preferably designed as a UV LED dryer 19 and / or is directed towards a point in the transport path where the substrate 02 interacts with the magnetic cylinder 26.

[0032] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the drying and / or curing device 19 is arranged on the circumference of the magnetic cylinder 26 and / or directed towards a circumferential section of the magnetic cylinder 26 located in the transport path.

[0033] The magnetic cylinder or one of the magnetic cylinders 26 is preferably arranged on the second side of the substrate 02 to be conveyed in the transport path, so that its first side, in particular coated upstream inline with optically variable coating medium 06, points outwards when passing the magnetic cylinder 26, in particular when transported over the magnetic cylinder 26.

[0034] The magnetic cylinder 26 comprises a single or preferably multi-part cylindrical body on or in which the magnetic elements 24 are arranged, preferably detachably. The single or preferably multi-part cylindrical body is rotatably mounted in a frame. The term "cylinder body" refers to the unmounted part of the cylinder 26 and can encompass both closed structures, i.e., with a more or less closed cylindrical surface, and open structures, i.e., framework- or frame-like structures such as, for example, the one described above. Fig. 3 The example presented includes...

[0035] The magnetic cylinder 26 has, in the area of ​​the side facing the substrate path, e.g. in the area of ​​the outer circumference, in particular in the area of ​​an outer cylindrical covering surface of the cylinder body, the majority of magnetic elements 24 which serve to orient at least a part of the magnetic or magnetizable particles P of the coating material 06 applied to the passing substrate 02.

[0036] In particular, for the case preferred and presented here of a plurality of units 09 per substrate section, e.g., per substrate sheet 02, several columns or groups, each corresponding to the number of columns on the substrate section 02, are provided on the cylinder 26 in the axial direction, in particular a number m (m > 1) of columns or groups, each with several, in particular a number n (n > 1) corresponding to the number of rows of units 09 on the substrate section 02 to be treated, of axially parallel rows or, in the transport direction T of the substrate 02 and / or in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 26, magnetic elements 24 are arranged one behind the other in a column or group or arranged in a matrix-like manner, i.e., a number n x m, in words n times m; with n, m, magnetic elements 24 are provided on the outer circumference in a matrix-like manner.

[0037] By guiding the substrate 02 over a magnetic cylinder 26 designed in this way, wherein, for example, the first side of the substrate faces outwards during transport over the first cylinder 26, it is possible to align or orient particles P in the area of ​​the image elements 03 provided on the utility 09 by means of the magnetic elements 24, here, for example, through the substrate 02.

[0038] The number m of columns or groups is, for example, four to eight, particularly five to seven, e.g., six, and / or the number n of magnetic elements 24 in a column or group is, for example, two to twelve, advantageously five to ten. The magnetic cylinder 26 or its cylindrical body is preferably designed such that the number m of columns or groups and / or the number n of rows or of magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in a column or group – for example, within the limits mentioned above – can be varied in order to adapt them to different requirements.

[0039] Preferably the magnetic elements 24 - preferably in or on a corresponding holder together with this - are detachably arranged or can be arranged on the cylinder 26 in such a way that, in the assembled state, they can be arranged at a defined location on the circumference of the cylinder 26 and preferably can be completely removed from the cylinder 26 and / or can be positioned on the circumference of the cylinder 26 in the axial and / or circumferential direction.

[0040] For a matrix-like arrangement, magnetic elements 24 can be arranged and mounted on or in a cylinder 26 such that their axial position relative to the single- or multi-part cylinder body is variable, at least relative to other magnetic elements 24 in the same column or group of magnetic elements 24. This can be achieved, for example, by means of axially extending guides on the circumference of the cylinder body, in or on which the respective magnetic elements 24 are mounted directly or indirectly and can be moved into different axial positions. Such guides could, in principle, be provided individually for individual magnetic elements 24 of a row, but possibly also continuously for several or all magnetic elements 24 of the same row. In this case, the guides could be provided on axially extending support elements that support all magnetic elements 24 of the same row.

[0041] In the preferred case of columns grouped together, the magnetic elements 24 can be arranged or arranged – directly or indirectly – in or on several, e.g., a number m of, e.g., four to eight, in particular five to seven, e.g., six, axially spaced apart from one another and preferably partially or all axially positionable on a cylindrical inner body 32, in particular an axially extending cylindrical shaft 32, hereinafter referred to as shaft 32, preferably ring-shaped support elements 31, e.g., ring elements 31, wherein several, e.g., two to twelve, advantageously five to ten, magnetic elements 24 are arranged or arranged in or on these ring elements 31 one behind the other in the circumferential direction and preferably at least partially or all circumferentially positionable (see, e.g., Fig. 3 ).

[0042] The magnetic cylinder 26 can be designed without any holding means acting on the substrate 02 in the case of a linear substrate 02, and, for example, with circumferentially closed ring elements 31. In the preferred case of an arc-shaped substrate 02, holding means 33, e.g., grippers 33 of a so-called gripper bar, are preferably provided on the circumference of the cylinder 26. These grippers allow a substrate arc 02, to be conveyed over the cylinder 26, to be picked up by its leading end and held over a range of rotation angles during rotation of the cylinder 26. A magnetic cylinder 26 designed in this way simultaneously serves to transport the substrate 02. The ring elements 31 are, for example, as shown in the diagram. Fig. 3 The elements are recognizably interrupted in the circumferential direction to accommodate the retaining means 33. Therefore, unless explicitly distinguished, the term "ring-like" support elements or "ring elements" should also include non-closed, ring-segment-like elements.

[0043] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the magnetic cylinder 26, suction openings 28 are provided in the area of ​​the surrounding surface, through which substrate sheets 02 transported on the cylinder 26 can be drawn onto the circumferential surface. These can be located in suction channels running between the groups of magnetic elements 24, or, as shown, in suction elements 29 associated with the magnetic elements 24. The suction openings 28 can be connected to a suction air source or pressure sink via rotary feedthroughs 34, preferably on both sides of the shaft 32, for the purpose of applying a vacuum.

[0044] In a further development of the cylinder 26, a support element 36 can be provided between each pair of columns or groups of magnetic elements 24, which has a support surface at the level of the cylinder's outer surface for supporting the substrate 02 conveyed via the cylinder 26. The latter can be formed by the circumferential surface of a support element 36 designed as a support ring itself or by a support plate provided on such a support ring.

[0045] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic cylinder 26, as illustrated, the magnetic elements 24 are arranged on magnetic element carriers 38, which in turn are arranged in groups on ring elements 31, preferably positionable axially on the shaft 32, preferably in the circumferential direction. In particular, the magnetic elements 24 can be provided together with one or more associated suction elements 29 on such a magnetic element carrier 38 and form a unit that can be positioned, for example, in the circumferential direction on the ring element 31.

[0046] As already explained above, particles P applied to the substrate 02 - e.g. at least in an area relevant to the image or motif to be displayed - can be aligned by an alignment device 26 provided for image-forming alignment, in particular a magnetic cylinder 26.

[0047] In addition to the imaging alignment device 26 or the magnetic cylinder 26, which interacts with particles P contained in the coating medium 06 in such a way that the magnetic elements 24 and the substrate 02 containing the particles P are moved or can be moved synchronously with each other on a part of the transport path, at least one further alignment device 41; 42 is provided, which comprises one or more magnetic elements 43; 44 which are fixed to a frame during operation, i.e. during production, and which interact or can interact magnetically with magnetic or magnetizable particles P on the substrate 02 which is to be guided along the transport path.

[0048] The further alignment device 41; 42 is operationally arranged at a point on the transport path which is opposite a cylindrical circumferential section of a cylinder 12; 26 transporting the substrate 02 located in the transport path, i.e., on the circumference of a cylinder 12; 26 and on the transport path opposite the cylindrical surface. In operation, it forms a gap between the magnetic element(s) 43; 44 and the cylindrical surface, for example a gap with a width d between 3 and 10 mm, in particular between 4 and 7 mm, for the passage of the substrate 02.

[0049] The further, operationally stationary alignment device 41; 42 comprises a one- or multi-part support 46 carrying the magnetic element(s) 43; 44, which is mounted on both sides in frame walls 38; 39 of a frame, e.g. a frame part receiving the alignment device 41; 42, in such a way that the magnetic elements 43; 44 carried by it can be moved between a position A, for example working position A, in which the magnetic elements 43; 44 are in an operating position, and a setup or inactive position R, in which the magnetic elements 43; 44 are at a greater distance from the transport path compared to working position A and / or in which the magnetic elements 43; 44 and / or a transport path section that is obstructed in working position A by the magnetic elements 43; 44 is more easily accessible.

[0050] For this purpose, the support 46 carrying the magnetic elements 43; 44 of this further alignment device 41; 42 is mounted on both sides in or on at least one guide 47; 48, in or on which the support 46 together with the magnetic elements 43; 44 can be moved along a path of movement from the working position A to the setup position R and vice versa. The movement or mobility along the path of movement—in contrast to, for example, pivoting on levers with a fixed pivot axis—is, for example, a translational movement, in particular a translational movement overall, i.e., of all components of the movable support 46 between a respective working position A and the setup position. The path of movement for the movement of the support 46, defined by the guides 47; 48, preferably runs in a direction relative to the axis of rotation of the cylinder 12; 26 perpendicular plane and / or may have one or more linear and / or curved guide sections 47.1; 47.2; 48.1; 48.2 include.

[0051] In an advantageous embodiment of the guides 47; 48, in which the carrier 46 is to be guided past, for example, another machine component arranged on the same cylinder 12; 26, e.g., a drying and / or curing device 19, they are designed with guide sections 47.1; 47.2; 48.1; 48.2 such that, from the working position A, they initially move away from the cylinder 12; 26 with a radial directional component, e.g., a component larger than the tangential component, and then with a radial directional component that is smaller in comparison and / or a tangential directional component that is larger than the radial component, in order to improve accessibility, they move away from the cylinder 12; 26.

[0052] In the simplest case, the respective guide 47; 48 can be formed by a single-sided contact surface on which a support element 49; 51 on the support side, e.g., in the form of a bolt 49; 51 or a roller 49; 51, rests and on which it can be displaced along the path of movement. Preferably, however, it is designed in the form of a guide groove 47; 48 in which the support element 49; 51 on the support side, e.g., in the form of a bolt 49; 51 or a roller 49; 51, is supported on one side by a contact surface and on the other side—at least along the distance between its position in working position A and a position possibly intended for complete removal—is secured against tilting or unintentional dislodging by a further surface.At a point on the respective guide 47; 48 spaced apart from the support element 49; 51 in working position A in the direction of setup position R, particularly in the area of ​​its other end, an opening 52; 53, e.g., in the form of an exit 52; 53 from the guide groove 47; 48, can be provided in the guide groove 47; 48, through which the respective support element 49; 51 can exit or be carried out of the guide groove 47; 48 in the removal position. Removal of the carrier 46 is possible through such openings 52; 53.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, two such guides 47; 48 are provided on each end face of the guided support 46, each of which, for example, interacts with a support element 49; 51 on the support side. The support elements 49; 51 on the support side are spaced apart from each other on the support 46, so that, particularly in the case of guide grooves 47; 48, tilting of the support 46 about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder 12; 26 is prevented.

[0054] The guides 47; 48 can be provided directly in the frame walls 38; 39 of the frame supporting the alignment device 41; 42, e.g., on their inward-facing side. In an advantageous embodiment, however, they are provided in or on side parts 54; 56, in particular side plates 54; 56, which in turn are arranged – e.g., detachably – on the frame walls 38; 39. Depending on the arrangement of the alignment device 41; 42 and the available space, such side plates 54; 56 can be individually equipped with guides 47; 48 without requiring any specific modifications to existing standard frame designs.

[0055] In order to hold the carrier 46 securely and in a precise position in the working position A, an advantageous further development may provide a fixing device or locking device 57, e.g. a spring-loaded bolt 57, on the carrier 46, which engages in an opening on the frame or a side plate 54; 56 when the carrier 46 is correctly in the working position A.

[0056] The movement of the carrier 46 in or on the guides 47; 48 between the different positions A; R can, in principle, be carried out in any suitable manner, but is advantageously implemented here by a gear-based linear drive 58, 59. A gear 58 engages with a corresponding tooth pattern 59 extending along the distance to be traveled. This tooth pattern 59 can be formed by a rack 59 – optionally adapted in its shape to the guide path – or, as shown here, by a row of teeth 59 provided in the side plate 56 on at least one side, in the form of bolts 61 arranged individually in the side plate 56 along the guide path.

[0057] The gear 58 is preferably driven via a – preferably self-locking – transmission 62, e.g., a worm gear 62. The latter can be operated, for example, manually on the drive side, as shown here, e.g., via a handwheel 63, or, in a more convenient version, via a drive motor.

[0058] The magnetic elements 43; 44 of the further alignment device 41; 42 can be formed by individual magnets or by a group of several individual magnets and can be mounted individually or as a group on a magnetic carrier 66; 67. The individual magnets can be permanent or electromagnets. In the case of several magnetic elements 43; 44, these are arranged side by side at intervals transverse to the transport direction T, in particular in a distribution that corresponds in pattern to the arrangement of the columns of utility 09 arranged on the substrate 02.

[0059] The stationary alignment device 41; 42 preferably has a plurality, e.g. between four and eight, in particular between five and seven, e.g. six, magnetic elements 43; 44 spaced apart from each other transversely to the transport direction T.

[0060] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, e.g. with regard to high product variability, the magnetic elements 43; 44 of the further alignment device 41; 42 or their magnetic carriers 66; 67 are arranged transversely to the transport direction T in a movable or adjustable manner on the carrier 46.

[0061] For this purpose, the magnetic elements 43; 44 of the further alignment device 41; 42 or the magnet carriers 66; 67 receiving the magnets are, for example, mounted transversely on one or more crossbeams 64 encompassed by the carrier 46. They can be fixed in a desired position by means of a holding device 68, designed, for example, as a clamping mechanism 68, e.g., via a hand knob 69.

[0062] To enable adjustments by replacement and / or to facilitate operation without additional alignment, the magnetic elements 43; 44 of the alignment device 41; 42 are detachably arranged on the support 46 or on the respective magnetic support 66; 67 and / or the magnetic supports 66; 67 are detachably arranged on the support 46. As explained, instead or preferably additionally, the support 46 together with the magnetic elements 43; 44 can be arranged to be removable from the frame.

[0063] Although the magnetic elements 43; 44 of the further alignment device 41; 42 could in principle also be arranged on a linear transport path section and could have a shape elongated and planar in the transport direction T at least on the side facing the transport path, the magnetic elements 43; 44 which are movable in guides 47; 48 in this way are preferably arranged on a curved transport path section, e.g. a cylinder 12; 26 and have a curved shape, in particular a circular segment-shaped shape, elongated along the transport path at least on the side facing the transport path.

[0064] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, such a further alignment device 41 is configured in the transport path of the substrate 02 to be conveyed as a further alignment device 41 serving for pre-orientation, or pre-alignment device 41 for short, and is arranged, for example, upstream of one of the imaging alignment devices 26, in particular the magnetic cylinder 26, in the transport path. Such an alignment device 41 is arranged upstream of the magnetic cylinder 26 in such a way that pre-orientation of the particles P can be effected by its magnetic elements 43 in surface areas adjacent to at least the imaging sub-areas. In particular, the magnetic elements 43 of this second alignment device 41 are designed and oriented such that the particles P of the surface area passing through its effective area are biaxially aligned parallel to each other, so that a homogeneous optical impression is created over this surface area.In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic elements 43 are designed and aligned such that, through their resulting magnetic fields, the particles P - e.g., which are planar and have a length greater than their width - are or become aligned in the relevant area of ​​the image element 03 with their flat side parallel to the substrate surface and with their longitudinal extent all pointing in the same direction.

[0065] The pre-alignment device 41 preferably comprises one or more magnetic elements 43 transversely to the transport direction T in the manner described above and is arranged on the transport path such that in operating position A it enters or can enter into magnetic interaction with particles P provided on a substrate 02 to be guided past it on the transport path, with the magnetic elements 43 it comprises.

[0066] Preferably, the magnetic elements 43 of the pre-alignment device 41 are provided on the side of the transport path opposite the side on which printing or coating material 06 was last applied in the upstream transport path. That is, the magnetic elements 43 are preferably provided on the side of the conveyed substrate 02 that was not last printed or freshly printed.

[0067] In Fig. 2 ist on the right side ( Fig. 2 b) The effect of such pre-orientation is schematically illustrated, where the Roman numeral II represents state II, in which the particles P in the coating medium have already been pre-oriented, e.g., by the pre-orientation device 41, but image-forming alignment has not yet taken place or is disregarded in the illustration. After pre-orientation, the previously randomly oriented particles P are, for example, ordered, e.g., parallel or otherwise homogeneously aligned, and thus form a background that provides improved contrast to a pattern or image motif with differently oriented particles P.

[0068] In addition to the image-forming alignment by the magnetic cylinder 26, particles P – e.g., the same and / or adjacent particles, especially those located in the area relevant for the image or motif to be displayed – can be oriented or subjected to an additional magnetic force before interacting with the image-forming magnetic cylinder 26 or upstream of it and / or at least at one time or in a time period during interaction with the image-forming magnetic cylinder 26 by means of at least one further alignment device 41 serving as a pre-orientation device.

[0069] In another particularly advantageous embodiment, such a further alignment device 42 is provided as an alignment device 42 serving simultaneous orientation, or simply simultaneous alignment device 42, with one or more magnetic elements 44, which is arranged on the transport path on the side of the transport path opposite the first alignment device 26 in such a way that identical and / or mutually adjacent surface areas of the same image element 03, produced by applying the coating material 06 to the substrate 02, interact at least at one point in the transport path simultaneously with the imaging alignment device 26, in particular the magnetic cylinder 26, which moves simultaneously with the substrate 02, and with the further alignment device 42 serving the simultaneous orientation of particles P. In other words,Particles P of an image element 03 in this embodiment are subjected to an aligning force at at least one point of the transport path by the magnetic field of a magnet 27 of the imaging alignment device 26, in particular a magnetic element 24 of the magnetic cylinder 26, and simultaneously the same and / or other particles P of the same image element 03 are also subjected to an aligning magnetic force by the magnetic field of a magnetic element 44 of the further alignment device 42, which serves for simultaneous orientation.

[0070] The simultaneous alignment device 42 is arranged with its magnetic elements 44 on the side of the transport path opposite the imaging alignment device 26.

[0071] Through the simultaneous alignment device 42, in addition to the image-forming alignment by the magnetic cylinder 26, e.g. the same and / or adjacent particles P, in particular those lying in the area relevant for the image or motif to be displayed, can be oriented or acted upon with an additional magnetic force at least at one time or in a time period during the interaction with the image-forming magnetic cylinder 26 using at least the simultaneous alignment device 42.

[0072] A machine 01 with at least one application device 04 and at least one imaging alignment device 07, in particular a magnetic cylinder 07, can, for example, have only one pre-alignment device 41 arranged upstream of the imaging alignment device 07, in particular arranged on the circumference of an upstream transport cylinder 12, or one simultaneous alignment device 42 located opposite the imaging alignment device 07, in particular the magnetic cylinder 26, in the transport path. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least one magnetic cylinder 26 encompassed by the machine 01 is assigned both a pre-alignment device 41 upstream and a simultaneous alignment device 42 opposite it in the manner described above.

[0073] In one variant, the transport path can include several application devices 04, e.g., two, which apply coating material 06 to the same side of the substrate 02. The substrate 02 is transported between these devices via a series of cylinders 12; 26, e.g., simply by transferring material from cylinder 12; 26 to cylinder 12; 26, wherein at least one of the cylinders 26 provided between them is a magnetic cylinder 26. A pre-alignment device 41 and / or a simultaneous alignment device 42 can be assigned to the magnetic cylinder 26 as described above.

[0074] In another variant, instead or additionally, two application devices 04 can be provided in the transport path, applying coating material 06 to the different sides of the substrate 02. The substrate 02 is transported between these devices via a series of cylinders 12; 26, e.g., simply by transferring material from cylinder 12; 26 to cylinder 12; 26, wherein at least one of the cylinders 26 provided between them is a magnetic cylinder 26. A pre-alignment device 41 and / or a simultaneous alignment device 42 can be assigned to the magnetic cylinder 26 as described above.

[0075] For example, in Fig. 8In the illustrated embodiment of a particularly flexible machine 01, for example, a first application device 04, which applies coating material 06 to a first substrate side, and a second application device 04, also directed towards the first substrate side, are provided. Between these, in the transport path downstream of the first application device 04, a transport cylinder 12 with a pre-alignment device 41 – directed, for example, towards the second substrate side – and further downstream, a magnetic cylinder 26 with a simultaneous alignment device 42 – directed, for example, towards the first substrate side – are provided. In principle, further transport cylinders 12 can be provided between the aforementioned cylinders 12 and 26. Downstream of the second application device 04, which is also directed towards the first substrate side, a third application device 04, directed towards the second substrate side, is provided.Between the second and third application units 04, a transport cylinder 12 with a second pre-alignment device 41 (e.g., directed towards the second substrate side) is provided in the transport path downstream of the second application unit 04. Further downstream, a second magnetic cylinder 26 with a second simultaneous alignment device 42 (e.g., directed towards the first substrate side) is provided. Downstream of the second magnetic cylinder 26, but upstream of the third application unit 16, another transport cylinder 12 with a further pre-alignment device 41 (e.g., a third one) is provided (e.g., directed towards the first substrate side). Further downstream, a third magnetic cylinder 26 with a further simultaneous alignment device 42 (e.g., a third one) is provided ...The system includes a further, e.g., fourth, pre-alignment device 41 directed towards the first substrate side, and further downstream, another magnetic cylinder 26 with a further, e.g., fourth, simultaneous alignment device 42 directed towards the second substrate side. Additional transport cylinders 12 can also be provided between the aforementioned cylinders 12 and 26. Preferably, a drying and / or curing device 19 directed towards the substrate 02 is provided in the transport path between the third and fourth simultaneous alignment devices 42. This drying and / or curing device 19 only partially dries or cures the previously applied coating material 06 containing particles P, i.e., not over the entire surface.

[0076] In another variant of machine 01, the part comprising the third application device 04 and the subsequent fourth pre-alignment and fourth simultaneous alignment device 41, 42 together with associated cylinders 12; 26 can be omitted.

[0077] In another variant - alternatively or additionally to the aforementioned variant - the part comprising the third pre-alignment device 41 and the third simultaneous alignment device 42 together with the associated cylinders 12; 26 can be omitted. Reference symbol list

[0078] 01 Machine, security printing machine, printing press, security printing machine 02 Substrate, printing material, printing material section, printing material sheet, substrate sheet 03 Image element 04 Application unit, printing unit, flexographic printing unit, screen printing unit 05- 06 Coating agent, printing ink, varnish 07 Device for aligning magnetic particles in image elements, alignment device 08 Printing image element 09 Inert, security, banknote 10- 11 Printing point 12 Cylinder, conveying device, transport cylinder 13 Substrate template, sheet feeder 14 Printing unit cylinder, forming cylinder, screen printing cylinder 15 Transport cylinder, suction drum, inspection cylinder 16 Device for producing optically variable image elements 17 Cylinder, impression cylinder 18- 19 Drying and / or curing device, radiation dryer, UV radiation dryer, UV dryer, UV LED dryer 20- 21 Conveyor system, gripper conveyor, chain gripper system 22 Product receiving, stacking discharge 23 Dryer, radiation dryer 24 Active element, element25 Magnetic element 26 Sensor device, camera, line camera 27 Alignment device, cylinder, magnetic cylinder 28 Magnet 29 Suction opening 30-31 Support element, ring element 32 Cylinder inner body, cylinder shaft, shaft 33 Holding device, gripper 34 Rotary feedthrough 35-36 Support element 37 Magnetic element carrier 38 Frame wall 39 Frame wall 40-41 Alignment device, pre-alignment device 42 Alignment device, simultaneous alignment device 43 Magnetic element 44 Magnetic element 45-46 Carrier 47 Guide, guide groove 47.1 Guide section 47.2 Guide section 48 Guide, guide groove 48.1 Guide section 48.1 Guide section 49 Support element, bolt, roller 50-51 Support element, bolt, roller 52 Opening, outlet 53 Opening, exit 54 Side panel, side plate 55- 56 Side panel, side plate 57 Fixing device, locking device 58 Gear 59 Tooth pattern, rack, tooth row 60- 61 Bolt 62 Gearbox, worm gear 63 Handwheel 64 Crossbeam 65- 66 Magnet carrier 67 Magnet carrier 68 Clamping mechanism,Holding device 69 hand knob , ALage, working position RLage, inactive, setup position PPpartikel, pigment particles TTransport direction dWideness

Claims

1. Device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) contained in a coating agent (06) applied to one side of a web-format or sheet-format substrate (02), comprising an alignment device (41; 42), which comprises one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) that, during normal operation, are fixed to the frame at the transport path so as to, in a working position (A), enter or be able to enter into magnetic interaction with magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) on the substrate (02) to be guided past the device along the transport path, the one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) being arranged at a carrier (46) that extends transversely to the transport direction (T) over a working width provided for processing the substrate (02), characterized in that the carrier (46) is mounted, on both sides, in or at at least a respective guide (47; 48), which are provided directly in frame walls (38; 39) of the frame carrying the alignment device (41; 42) or at or in side panels (54; 56) arranged at the frame walls (38; 39), and in that the carrier (46) is mounted so as to be movable, together with the magnetic elements (43; 44), overall, that is, with each of the components thereof, by way of a translatory movement in or at the guides (47; 48), in a guided manner, along a movement path from the working position (A) into a makeready position (R) that is spaced apart from the working position (A).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that two guides (47; 48) are provided at each end face of the carrier (46) to be guided and cooperate with two carrier-side support elements (49; 51) that are in each case spaced apart from one another.

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

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that an exit (52; 53) from the guide groove (47; 48), through which the particular support element (49; 51) can exit or be guided out of the relevant guide groove (47; 48) in the removal position, is provided at a point of the guide groove (47; 48) which is spaced apart from the position assumed in the working position (A) toward the makeready position (R).

5. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the side parts (54; 56) are detachably arranged at the frame walls (38; 39) of the frame carrying the alignment device (41; 42).

6. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the carrier (46) can be moved by way of a gear wheel-based linear drive (58, 59) comprising a gear wheel (58) engaging in a gear pattern (59).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the gear wheel (58) can be driven by way of a gear mechanism (62).

8. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that, in the working position (A), the alignment device (41; 42) is arranged at a point of the transport path which is located opposite a cylinder circumferential section, located in the transport path, of a cylinder (12; 26) transporting the substrate (02) at the transport path.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cylinder (26) is formed by a magnetic cylinder (26), which in the region of the outer circumference thereof comprises a plurality of magnetic elements (24) arranged in a matrix-like manner so as to align, in each case in an image-producing surface area, at least some of the particles (P) in a defined manner.

10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cylinder (12) is formed by a transport cylinder (12) transporting sheet-format substrate (02) downstream.

11. Device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the guides (47; 48), along the movement path, in terms of the shape thereof, are configured so as to initially lead the carrier (46), from the working position (A), away from the cylinder (12; 26) with a radial directional component which is greater than the tangential component, and then move it away from the cylinder (12; 26) with a tangential directional component which is greater than the radial component.

12. Machine (01) for generating optically variable image elements (03) on a substrate (02), comprising a substrate infeed (13), from which the substrate (02) to be processed can be fed to the machine (01), at least one application device (04), by which coating agent (06) containing magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) can be applied onto at least a first side of a substrate (02) that is guided through the machine (01) on a transport path, a product receiving system (22) used to receive the substrate (02) to be processed in the machine (01), and a magnetic cylinder (26) which comprises a plurality of magnetic elements (24) around the circumference and which is provided in the transport path of the substrate (02) between the application device (04) and the product receiving system (22), an alignment device (41; 42) arranged upstream from the magnetic cylinder (26) and / or assigned to the magnetic cylinder (26) at the transport path being provided in the transport path of the substrate (02), characterized by the alignment device (41; 42) being configured in accordance with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Machine according to claim 12, characterized in that, downstream from a first application device (04), at least a first alignment device (41) is arranged as a pre-alignment device (41) upstream from the at least one magnetic cylinder (26) in the transport path, and / or at least one alignment device (42) is assigned as a simultaneous alignment device (42) opposite the at least one magnetic cylinder (26) in the transport path.

14. Machine according to claim 13, characterized in that a plurality of application devices (04) are provided, and in that in each case at least one magnetic cylinder (26) and at least one pre-alignment device (41), which is arranged upstream from the magnetic cylinder (26) in the transport path, and / or at least one simultaneous alignment device (42), which is assigned to the magnetic cylinder (26), are provided downstream from a plurality of or each of the application devices (04).

15. Machine according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that only one or a plurality of cylinders (12; 26) are provided for the transport of the substrate (02) between the application device (04) and the magnetic cylinder (26), via which a transfer of the substrate (02) from cylinder (12; 26) to cylinder (12; 26) can be effected, and / or in that the alignment device (41) arranged upstream from the magnetic cylinder (26) is provided on the transport path at the circumference of a cylinder (12) configured as a transport cylinder (12), opposite the outer cylindrical surface.