Device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles, and machine for generating optically variable image elements

Abstract

A device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) which are contained in a coating medium (06) which is applied on one side of a web-type or sheet-type substrate (02), having an aligning device (41; 42) which comprises one or more magnetic elements (43, 44) which are operationally fixedly arranged on the frame along the transport path in such a way that, in a working position (A), they come or can come into magnetic interaction with magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) on the substrate (02) to be guided past the magnetic element or elements along the transport path, wherein the one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) are arranged on a support (46) which extends transversely with respect to the transport direction (T) over a working width provided for processing the substrate (02), wherein the support (46) is mounted on both sides in or on at least one guide (47; 48), and can be moved in or on the guide (47; 48) together with the magnetic elements (43; 44) along a movement path out of the working position (A) into a setting-up position (R). The invention also relates to a machine (01) for producing optically variable image elements (03) on a substrate (02), the machine comprising a substrate template (13).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles and machine for generating optically variable image elements

[0003] The invention relates to a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles and to a machine for generating optically variable image elements according to claim 1 or 12.

[0004] WO 2022 / 069107 A1 discloses a security machine for generating optically variable image elements on a substrate, which comprises a magnetic cylinder and, in one embodiment, both a stationary alignment device arranged 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.

[0005] WO 2022 / 189098 A1 discloses a security machine with several printing units and several downstream magnetic cylinders, each of which is assigned a pre-alignment device and a simultaneous alignment device.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles and a machine for generating optically variable image elements.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and 12 respectively.

[0008] The advantages achievable with the invention are, in particular, that substrates with optically variable image elements with a three-dimensional impression of high quality and / or improved contrast and / or higher luminosity and / or an improved 3D effect, ie a spatial impression, can be produced.

[0009] A very particular advantage of the solution according to the invention is that a positioning of an operationally stationary alignment device can be carried out by means of magnetic elements encompassed by the latter, without having to take accessibility into account and / or without having to maintain a larger free space next to or above it, as would be the case, for example, when pivoting about a fixed axis.

[0010] Another major advantage is that such a device can be easily adapted to different machines or locations within a single machine. This is especially true for a version with guides in removable side plates.

[0011] A particularly advantageous design of the device is one that allows for pre-alignment. After the application of printing ink with magnetic or magnetizable particles, the particles are more or less randomly arranged in the ink matrix. By initially achieving homogeneous alignment, a background with higher contrast can be created for subsequent image alignment.

[0012] Also particularly advantageous is an embodiment of the device for simultaneous alignment such that during the imaging alignment the particles are simultaneously exposed to a magnetic force which, for example, brings about a particularly high-contrast position of the platelet-shaped particles.

[0013] In an embodiment according to the invention, the device for aligning 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 moved in or on the guide together with the magnetic elements - in particular guided - along a movement path, ie by a translational movement, in particular a movement as a whole, from the working position into a setup position - in particular further spaced from the transport path.

[0014] In a particularly advantageous further development, in which the guides are provided in or on side plates, which in turn are detachably arranged on frame walls of a frame carrying the alignment device, such guides can be provided individually in the side plates without the frames having to be individually manufactured.

[0015] In a machine for producing optically variable image elements on a substrate, such alignment devices can then be easily deployed or retrofitted at different locations and in varying numbers, without requiring significant clearance for sweeping pivoting movements. This is particularly advantageous for machines or machine components that, for example, do not have linear conveyor lines with sufficient clearance, but instead rely solely on cylinder-to-cylinder transfer.

[0016] Further details and design variants can be found in the following examples.

[0017] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0018] They show:

[0019] 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 in printing elements with an optically variable coating agent, wherein on the left side, Fig. 2 a), an alignment with only the image-forming alignment device is shown, and on the right side, Fig. 2 b), an alignment using at least one further alignment device effecting pre-orientation.

[0020] Fig. 3 is an oblique view of an embodiment for a magnetic cylinder;

[0021] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a cylinder with cooperating alignment device;

[0022] Fig. 5 a plan 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;

[0023] Fig. 6 is an oblique view of an alignment device held in side plates;

[0024] Fig. 7 is a perspective partial view from below of a connection of the alignment device to a side plate having guides;

[0025] Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a machine, e.g. a security printing machine, with several pre-alignment and several simultaneous alignment devices.

[0026] A machine 01 that processes and / or processes a web-shaped or in particular sheet-shaped substrate 02, in particular a security machine 01, e.g. a printing machine 01, in particular a security printing machine 01, preferably for producing optically variable image elements 03 on a substrate 02, e.g. a particularly sheet-shaped printing material 02, comprises, for example, an application device 04, e.g. a printing unit 04, by means of which optically variable coating agent 06, e.g. optically variable printing ink 06 or varnish 06, is applied at least one application point, e.g. printing point 11, to at least one first side of the substrate 02, e.g.of the printing material 02, over the entire surface or in partial areas in the form of print image elements 08, and in the case of a machine 01 for producing optically variable image elements 03, a device 07 for aligning particles P contained in the optically variable coating agent 06 applied to the substrate 02 and responsible for the optical variability (see e.g.

[0027] Fig. 1). This device 07 is also referred to below as alignment device 07 or, since it creates an image for the optically variable pattern or motif through a defined alignment of the particles P, also as imaging alignment device 07. The application of coating agent 06 containing particles P and subsequent imaging alignment is shown schematically, for example, in Fig. 2 on the left-hand side (Fig. 2 a)) using the number I to represent the alignment of previously randomly oriented particles P. The Roman numeral I designates state I in which the coating agent 06 has been applied and is randomly oriented, and the number III designates state III in which imaging alignment has taken place.

[0028] The printed image elements 08 made of variable coating agent 06, which are 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, if necessary, can be larger than these, possibly even extending over the surface of several panels 09. In the case of larger printed image elements 08, for example, an optically variable image element 03 is not produced by alignment on the entire surface coated with optically variable coating agent 06.

[0029] The particles P responsible for the optical variability here in the coating agent 06, e.g. the printing ink 06 or the varnish 06, are magnetic or magnetizable, non-spherical particles P, e.g. pigment particles P, hereinafter also referred to as magnetic flakes. The machine 01 is preferably designed for the production of blanks 09, e.g. securities 09, in particular banknotes 09. This should also include, in particular, the production of intermediate securities products, e.g. the production of printing substrate 02, in particular in the form of web- or sheet-shaped printing substrate sections 02, in particular printing substrate sheets 02, with printed images of several securities 09. The substrate 02 can be formed by paper - e.g. cellulose or preferably cotton fiber-based or at least containing - by a plastic polymer or by a hybrid product thereof. It can be coated in the above-mentionedApplication device 04 may be uncoated or may already have been coated; it may be unprinted or may already have been printed once or multiple times in one or more upstream processes or may have been mechanically processed in some other way. On a printing material section 02 formed by a longitudinal section of web-shaped substrate 02 or by a sheet of a sheet-shaped substrate 02, a plurality of blanks 09, e.g. banknotes 09 to be produced or their print images, are preferably arranged in a matrix-like manner in rows running transversely to the transport direction T next to one another and in columns running one behind the other in the transport direction T or are to be arranged during the processing of the substrate 02 (indicated, for example, in Fig. 2).

[0030] The machine 01 designed as a printing press 01 can basically comprise one or more printing units 04 using any printing process. In the embodiment shown here, however, for the sake of simplicity, it comprises a 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 means of which the optically variable coating agent 06 is or can be applied to a first side of the printing substrate 02. By means of the aforementioned printing processes, in particular the screen printing process, a greater layer thickness can be applied, for example, compared to other printing processes. The term “first side” of the substrate 02 or of the printing material 02 is chosen arbitrarily and is intended to designate 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 or was or can be applied.

[0031] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the printing press 01 comprises a substrate template 13, preferably designed as a sheet feeder 13, from which the substrate 02, designed, for example, as a sheet-shaped printing material 02, is or can be fed - optionally via further printing or processing units - to the at least one printing unit 04, e.g. flexographic or preferably screen printing unit 04, which applies the optically variable coating agent 06 and which forms a printing point 11 for printing, for example, a first side of the printing material 02 between a printing unit cylinder 14, in particular a forme cylinder 14, e.g. a screen printing cylinder 14, and a common cylinder 17, e.g. impression cylinder 17 (see, for example, Fig. 1).

[0032] The printing unit 04 preferably comprises, as the imaging cylinder, a forme cylinder 14 with a plurality of, in particular similar and / or identical, imaging printing elements, hereinafter also referred to as print subjects, or, in particular similar and / or identical, groups of imaging printing elements or print subjects on the circumference, which are arranged in a matrix-like manner on a circumferential length corresponding to the print image length in several columns, e.g. a number, e.g. from four to eight, in particular five to seven, e.g. six, spaced from one another transversely to the transport direction T, and on a cylinder width corresponding to the print image width in several rows spaced from one another in the transport direction T. In the case of a printing unit 04 operating according to the flexographic printing method, these print subjects are designed in the manner of letterpress reliefs and, in the preferred case of a printing unit 04 operating according to the screen printing method, in the manner of screen printing stencils.

[0033] From the printing unit 04 applying the optically variable coating agent 06, the printing substrate 02 can be fed to the alignment device 07 via conveying means, e.g., one or more conveying devices 12 configured as cylinders 12, e.g., as transport cylinders 12. In the case of web-shaped printing substrate 02, the conveying means could be formed by one or more positively driven and / or non-driven rollers.

[0034] After passing through the alignment device 07 described in detail below, the printing substrate 02 can be fed directly or via further conveying means, e.g. further transport cylinders 12, to a further conveying device 21 and can be fed by this to a product holder 22 for receiving the printing substrate 02 processed and / or finished in the machine 01, in the case of sheet-shaped printing substrate 02 to a stack delivery 22. For the preferred case of sheet-shaped printing substrate 02, sheet-conveying means, e.g. one or more transfer cylinders or drums or, as shown here, a conveying device 21 designed, for example, as a gripper circulating conveyor 21, in particular a chain gripper system 21, are provided as conveying means, by means of which the printing substrate sheets 02 are taken over 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 stack delivery 22.

[0035] At least one drying device with one or more dryers 23 directed toward the first side of the printing substrate 02, e.g., radiation dryers 23, and optionally a cooling device (not shown), e.g., a cooling roller, can be provided on the transport path leading away from the alignment device 07. In a further development, 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 manner of a suction drum 15, can be provided on the transport path between the alignment device 07 and the stack delivery 22.

[0036] In an advantageous development, 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 one development. In an advantageous embodiment in the form of a module, the device 16 is inserted or can be inserted into the transport path of the machine 01 to be equipped, with input and output interfaces to corresponding interfaces of a conveyor system continuing upstream and downstream. In an advantageous development of the machine, two or more such devices 16 are provided, in particular as modules.

[0037] The alignment device 07 described in detail below is, in principle, arbitrary in its designs, variants or configurations, but is preferably provided or can be provided in a machine 01 or printing machine 01 described above.

[0038] 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 - e.g. in the form of print image elements 08 - to the substrate 02, in particular to the printing material 02, comprises a defined transport path along which the substrate 02 to be conveyed by the alignment device 07 is brought into operative connection in a defined manner from an input area, in which the substrate 02 to be treated and having optically variable coating agent 06 on its first side is fed or can be fed, with an alignment device 26, which comprises elements 24 providing magnetic fields as active elements 24, in short magnetic elements 24.can be, preferably in such a way that the magnetic elements 24 of the alignment device 26, which serve for image-forming alignment, and the printing substrate 02 printed with the printing ink 06 containing the particles P move synchronously with one another at least over 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 the circumference and via which the printing 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-part or multi-part frame.

[0039] The magnetic elements 24 can be formed directly by single-part or multi-part magnets 27 themselves, indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 3 as an example, or preferably comprise one or more magnets 27 which are arranged - preferably detachably - in or on a holder, e.g. on or in a base. Magnets 27 are generally understood here to be magnetically effective devices which permanently or switchably create a magnetic field at least towards the side of the transport path - in particular a magnetic field which is sufficiently strong for aligning particles P contained in the coating agent 06 on the substrate 02 guided thereover as described here. The magnets 27 can be formed by one or more permanent magnets with or without engraving, by electromagnets or by combinations of one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets. Regardless of whether it is a single magnet or a combination of several magnets, e.g.Since the term "magnet 27" is used below to refer to permanent magnets and / or electromagnets, the term "magnet 27" is also used to refer to a plurality of magnets 27 assigned to the same magnetic element 24 and as a whole forming a magnetic unit, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The term "magnet element 24" is also intended to include designs with a plurality of single-part or multi-part magnets 27 spaced apart from one another and encompassed by the magnetic element 24, as can be used, for example, in the case where the same panel 09 is to be subjected to a respective magnetic field at two different points. 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 of the magnetic element 24, which housing is, for example, detachably arranged in or on a holder.

[0040] 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.

[0041] In an advantageous embodiment, the imaging alignment device 07 is assigned 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 at a location in the transport path at which the substrate 02 interacts with the magnetic cylinder 26.

[0042] 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 respective magnetic cylinder 26 lying in the transport path.

[0043] The or one of the magnetic cylinders 26 is arranged in the transport path of the substrate 02 to be conveyed, preferably on its second side, so that it points outwards with its first side, which is coated in particular upstream inline with optically variable coating agent 06, when passing the magnetic cylinder 26, in particular during transport via the magnetic cylinder 26.

[0044] The magnetic cylinder 26 comprises a single-part or preferably multi-part cylinder body, on or upon which the magnetic elements 24 are arranged, preferably detachably. The single-part or preferably multi-part cylinder body can be or is mounted rotatably in a frame. The term "cylinder body" refers to the part of the unloaded cylinder 26 and can include both closed structures, i.e., with a more or less closed cylinder surface, and open structures, i.e., scaffold- or frame-like structures such as the example shown in Fig. 3.

[0045] The magnetic cylinder 26 has, in the region of the side facing the substrate path, e.g., in the region of the outer circumference, in particular in the region of an outer cylindrical envelope surface of the cylinder body, the plurality of magnetic elements 24, which serve to orient at least some of the magnetic or magnetizable particles P of the coating agent 06 applied to the passing printing substrate 02.

[0046] In particular for the case, preferred and explained here, of a plurality of blanks 09 per substrate section, e.g. per printing material or substrate sheet 02, several, in particular a number m (me N > 1) of columns or sheets corresponding to the number of columns on the printing material section 02 are provided on the cylinder 26 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0047] Groups each having a plurality of, in particular a number n (ne N > 1) of axially parallel lines corresponding to the number of lines of blanks 09 on the printing material section 02 to be treated, or magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in a column or group as viewed in the transport direction T of the substrate 02 and / or in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 26, are provided or arranged in a matrix-like manner, ie a number of nxm, in words n times m; with n, me N, magnetic elements 24 are provided on the outer circumference in a matrix-like manner.

[0048] By guiding the substrate 02 over a magnetic cylinder 26 designed in this way, wherein, for example, the first substrate side points outwards during transport over the first cylinder 26, an alignment or orientation of particles P in the area of ​​the image elements 03 provided on the blank 09 can be effected by means of the magnetic elements 24, in this case, for example, through the substrate 02.

[0049] The number m of columns or groups is, for example, four to eight, in particular 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 cylinder body is preferably designed such that the number m of columns or groups and / or the number n of rows or magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in a column or group can be varied—for example, within the above-mentioned limits—in order to adapt them to different requirements.

[0050] Preferably, the magnetic elements 24 - preferably in or on a corresponding holder together with the latter - are arranged or can be arranged detachably 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.

[0051] For a matrix-like arrangement as described above, magnetic elements 24 can be arranged and mounted on or in a cylinder 26 such that their axial position relative to the single-part or multi-part cylinder body can be varied on or in this, at least relative to other magnetic elements 24 in the same column or group of magnetic elements 24. This can be achieved, for example, via axially extending guides on the circumference of the cylinder body, in or on which the respective magnetic elements 24 are directly or indirectly mounted and can be brought into different axial positions. Such guides could in principle be provided individually for individual magnetic elements 24 in a row, but if necessary also continuously for several or all magnetic elements 24 in the same row. In this case, the guides could be provided on the above-mentioned axially extending support elements that support all magnetic elements 24 in the same row.

[0052] In the preferred case of columns combined into groups, the magnetic elements 24 can be arranged or can be arranged - directly or indirectly - in or on a plurality of, e.g. a number m of, e.g. four to eight, in particular five to seven, e.g. six, preferably ring-like support elements 31, e.g. ring elements 31 here, which are axially spaced from one another and preferably partially or entirely positionable in the axial direction on an inner cylinder body 32, in particular an axially extending cylinder shaft 32, or shaft 32 for short, wherein in or on these ring elements 31 in turn a plurality of, e.g. two to twelve, advantageously five to ten, magnetic elements 24 are arranged or can be arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction and preferably at least partially or entirely positionable in the circumferential direction (see, for example, Fig. 3).

[0053] In the case of a web-shaped substrate 02, the magnetic cylinder 26 can be designed without any holding means acting on the substrate 02 and, for example, with ring elements 31 closed in the circumferential direction. For the case of a sheet-shaped substrate 02, which is preferred here, holding means 33, e.g. grippers 33 of a so-called gripper bar, are preferably provided on the circumference of the cylinder 26, by means of which a substrate sheet 02 to be conveyed via the cylinder 26 can be picked up by its leading end and is held during rotation of the cylinder 26 over a rotation angle range. A magnetic cylinder 26 designed in this way simultaneously serves to transport the substrate 02. The ring elements 31 are interrupted in the circumferential direction, for example, as can be seen in Fig. 3, to accommodate the holding means 33. Therefore, the term "ring-like" support elements or "ring elements", unless explicitly differentiated, should also include non-closed, i.e.ring segment-like elements.

[0054] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the magnetic cylinder 26, suction openings 28 are provided in the area of ​​the enveloping ends, through which suction openings, substrate sheets 02 transported on the cylinder 26 can be sucked onto the peripheral surface. These can generally be provided in suction channels running between the groups of magnetic elements 24, or, as shown, in suction elements 29 assigned to the magnetic elements 24. The suction openings 28 can be connected to a suction air source or air pressure sink via a rotary feedthrough 34 provided on the end face of the shaft 32, preferably on both sides, for applying negative pressure.

[0055] In a further development of the cylinder 26, a support element 36 can be provided between each two columns or groups of magnetic elements 24, which support element 36 has a support surface at the level of the cylinder envelope for supporting the substrate 02 conveyed via the cylinder 26. The latter can be formed by the circumferential surface of a support element 36 itself designed as a support ring or by a support plate provided on such a support ring.

[0056] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic cylinder 26, as shown, for example, the magnetic elements 24 are arranged on magnetic element carriers 38, which in turn are arranged in groups on the above-mentioned ring elements 31, which can preferably be positioned 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 structural unit, which can be positioned, for example, in the circumferential direction on the ring element 31.

[0057] As already explained above, particles P applied to the substrate 02 - e.g. at least in a surface area relevant for the image or motif to be displayed - can be aligned by an alignment device 26 provided for image-forming alignment, in particular an above-mentioned magnetic cylinder 26.

[0058] In addition to the imaging alignment device 26 or the magnetic cylinder 26, which interacts with particles P contained in the coating agent 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 one another 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 that are arranged on the transport path in a frame-fixed manner during operation, i.e., during production, and which enter into or can enter into magnetic interaction with magnetic or magnetizable particles P on the substrate 02 being guided along the transport path. The further alignment device 41; 42 is arranged at a location on the transport path that is opposite a cylinder circumferential section of a cylinder 12; 26 that transports the substrate 02, i.e.,on the circumference of a cylinder 12; 26 and on the transport path opposite the cylinder surface. During operation, it forms a gap between the magnetic element(s) 43; 44 and the surface, for example a gap with a width d of between 3 and 10 mm, in particular between 4 and 7 mm, for the passage of the substrate 02.

[0059] The further, operationally stationary alignment device 41; 42 comprises a single-part 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 than the 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.

[0060] For this purpose, the carrier 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 carrier 46 together with the magnetic elements 43; 44 can be moved along a movement path from the working position A into the setup position R and vice versa. The movement or mobility along the movement path is - in contrast to, for example, pivoting on levers about a fixed pivot axis - e.g. a translational movement, in particular a translational movement as a whole, i.e. of all components of the movable carrier 46 between a respective working position A and setup position. The movement path predetermined by the guides 47; 48 for the movement of the carrier 46 preferably runs in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder 12; 26 vertical plane and / or may have one or more linear and / or curved guide sections 47.1 ; 47.2; 48.1; 48.2.

[0061] 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 they initially lead away from the working position A with a radial directional component, e.g., a directional component that is larger than the tangential component, and then are moved away from the cylinder 12; 26 with a radial directional component that is smaller than the radial component and / or a tangential directional component that is larger than the radial component to improve accessibility.

[0062] In the simplest case, the respective guide 47; 48 can be formed by a one-sided contact surface on which a carrier-side support element 49; 51, e.g., in the form of a bolt 49; 51 or a roller 49; 51, is supported and on which it can be displaced along the movement path. Preferably, however, it is designed in the manner of a guide groove 47; 48, in which the carrier-side support element 49; 51, 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 over the distance between its position in working position A and a position possibly provided for complete removal - is secured against tilting or unintentional jumping out by a further surface.At a point on the respective guide 47; 48 at a distance from the support element 49; 51 in the working position A in the direction of the setup position R, in particular in the region 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 47; 48 designed as a guide groove 47; 48, through which the respective support element 49; 51 can emerge or be guided through the respective guide groove 47; 48 in the removal position. Removal of the carrier 46 is possible through such openings 52; 53.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, two such guides 47; 48 are provided on each end face of the carrier 46 to be guided, each of which interacts, for example, with a carrier-side support element 49; 51. The carrier-side support elements 49; 51 are spaced apart from one another on the carrier 46, so that, particularly in the case of guide grooves 47; 48, tilting of the carrier 46 about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the cylinder 12; 26 is prevented.

[0064] 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. Such side plates 54; 56 can be individually configured with guides 47; 48 depending on the arrangement of the alignment device 41; 42 and the space available, without having to specifically intervene in any existing standard frame designs.

[0065] In order to hold the carrier 46 securely and accurately in the working position A, in an advantageous further development, a fixing device or locking device 57, e.g. a spring-loaded bolt 57, can be provided on the carrier 46, which engages in an opening on the frame or a side plate 54; 56 when the working position A of the carrier 46 is correctly assumed.

[0066] The movement of the carrier 46 in or on the guides 47; 48 between the various positions A; R can in principle be carried out in any suitable manner, but is advantageously realized here by a gear-based linear drive 58, 59. A gear 58 engages with a corresponding tooth pattern 59 extending along the path to be covered. 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 of at least one side in the form of bolts 61 arranged individually in the side plate 56 along the guide path.

[0067] The gear 58 is preferably driven via a—preferably self-locking—gear 62, e.g., a worm gear 62. The latter can be actuated manually on the drive side, as shown here, for example, via a handwheel 63, or, in a more convenient embodiment, via a drive motor.

[0068] 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 magnets or electromagnets. In the case of several magnetic elements 43; 44, they are arranged next to one another at a distance from one another transversely to the transport direction T, in particular in a distribution whose pattern corresponds to the arrangement of the columns of blanks 09 arranged on the substrate 02.

[0069] The operationally stationary alignment device 41; 42 preferably has a plurality of magnetic elements 43; 44 spaced apart from one another transversely to the transport direction T, e.g., between four and eight, in particular between five and seven, e.g., six.

[0070] In a particularly advantageous situation, for example with regard to high product variability,

[0071] In this embodiment, the magnetic elements 43; 44 of the further alignment device 41; 42 or their magnetic carriers 66; 67 are arranged on the carrier 46 so as to be movable or adjustable transversely to the transport direction T.

[0072] 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 mounted for transverse movement, for example, on one or more cross members 64 encompassed by the carrier 46. They can be fixed in a desired position, e.g., via a handle 69, by means of a holding device 68, for example, designed as a clamping mechanism 68.

[0073] In order to be able to make adjustments by replacement and / or to be able to operate easily without additional alignment, the magnetic elements 43; 44 of the alignment device 41; 42 are detachably arranged on the carrier 46 or on the respective magnetic carrier 66; 67 and / or the magnetic carriers 66; 67 are detachably arranged on the carrier 46. As explained, instead of this, or preferably in addition to this, the carrier 46 together with the magnetic elements 43; 44 can be arranged so that they can be removed from the frame.

[0074] 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 have an elongated and flat shape 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. an above-mentioned cylinder 12; 26, and have a curved shape, in particular a circular segment-like curved shape, which is elongated along the transport path, at least on the side facing the transport path.

[0075] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, such a further alignment device 41 is designed in the transport path of the substrate 02 to be conveyed as a further alignment device 41 serving for pre-orientation, in short pre-alignment device 41, 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 its magnetic elements 43 can pre-orient the particles P in at least those surface areas adjacent to the imaging sub-areas. In particular, the magnetic elements 43 of this second alignment device 41 are designed and oriented in such a way that the particles P of the surface area passing through their effective area are aligned biaxially parallel to one another, so that a homogeneous optical impression is created over this surface area.In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic elements 43 are designed and aligned in such a way that, due to their resulting magnetic fields, the particles P - which are formed, for example, flat and with a length greater than the width - are or will be aligned in the relevant surface 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.

[0076] The pre-alignment device 41 comprises, transversely to the transport direction T, preferably in the above manner, one or preferably several magnetic elements 43 and is arranged on the transport path in such a way that, in the working position A, it enters or can enter into magnetic interaction with the one or more magnetic elements 43 it comprises with particles P provided on a substrate 02 to be guided past on the transport path.

[0077] 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 last took place in the upstream transport path or on which the coating agent 06 was applied. This means that the magnetic elements 43 are preferably provided on the side of the conveyed substrate 02 that was not last printed or that was freshly printed. In Fig. 2, the effect of such pre-orientation is shown schematically on the right-hand side (Fig. 2 b)), wherein the Roman numeral II represents a state II in which the particles P in the coating agent have already been pre-oriented, for example by the pre-alignment device 41, but an image-forming alignment has not yet taken place or is omitted from the representation. After the pre-orientation, for example, the previously randomly oriented particles P are ordered, for exampleparallel or otherwise homogeneous, and thus form a background that provides improved contrast to a pattern or image motif with differently oriented particles P.

[0078] In addition to the imaging alignment by the magnetic cylinder 26, particles P - e.g. the same and / or adjacent particles P, in particular those located in the surface area relevant for the image or motif to be displayed - can be oriented or subjected to an additional magnetic force before interacting with the imaging magnetic cylinder 26 or upstream thereof and / or at least at one point in time or in a period of time during the interaction with the imaging magnetic cylinder 26 with the aid of at least one further alignment device 41 serving for pre-orientation.

[0079] In another particularly advantageous embodiment, such a further alignment device 42 is provided as an alignment device 42 serving for simultaneous orientation, in short 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 the same and / or adjacent surface areas of a same image element 03 to be produced by applying the coating agent 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 for the simultaneous orientation of particles P. In other words,In this embodiment, particles P of an image element 03 are subjected to an aligning force at at least one point on 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 at the same time 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 serving for simultaneous orientation.

[0080] The simultaneous alignment device 42 is arranged with its magnetic elements 44 on the transport path on the side of the transport path opposite the imaging alignment device 26.

[0081] In addition to the imaging alignment by the magnetic cylinder 26, the simultaneous alignment device 42 can therefore orientate or apply an additional magnetic force to the particles P, e.g., the same and / or neighboring particles P, particularly those located in the surface area relevant for the image or motif to be displayed, at least at one point in time or in a period of time during the interaction with the imaging magnetic cylinder 26 with the aid of at least the simultaneous alignment device 42.

[0082] The above-mentioned 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 on the circumference of an upstream transport cylinder 12, or a 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 comprised by the machine 01 is assigned both a pre-alignment device 41 upstream and a simultaneous alignment device 42 opposite in the above manner.

[0083] In one variant, several, e.g., two, application devices 04 can be provided in the transport path, applying coating agent 06 to the same side of the substrate 02, between which the substrate 02 is or can be transported via a series of cylinders 12; 26, e.g., simply by transferring from cylinder 12; 26 to cylinder 12; 26, wherein at least one of the cylinders 26 provided therebetween is formed by a magnetic cylinder 26. In this case, a pre-alignment device 41 and / or a simultaneous alignment device 42 can be assigned opposite the magnetic cylinder 26 in the above manner.

[0084] In another variant, instead of or in addition to this, two application devices 04 can be provided in the transport path, applying coating agent 06 to the different sides of the substrate 02, between which application devices 04 the substrate 02 is or can be transported via a series of cylinders 12; 26, e.g., simply by transfer from cylinder 12; 26 to cylinder 12; 26, wherein at least one of the cylinders 26 provided therebetween is formed by a magnetic cylinder 26. In this case, a pre-alignment device 41 and / or a simultaneous alignment device 42 can be assigned opposite the magnetic cylinder 26 in the above manner.

[0085] In an exemplary embodiment, shown in Fig. 8, for example, for a particularly highly flexible machine 01, a first application device 04 applying coating agent 06 to a first substrate side and a second application device 04 also directed towards the first substrate side are provided. Between them, in the transport path downstream of the first application device 04, there is a transport cylinder 12 with a pre-alignment device 41 - directed, for example, towards the second substrate side - and further downstream there is a magnetic cylinder 26 with a simultaneous alignment device 42 - directed, for example, towards the first substrate side. In principle, further transport cylinders 12 can be provided between the aforementioned cylinders 12; 26. Downstream of the second application device 04, also directed towards the first substrate side, there is a third application device 04 directed towards the second substrate side.Between the second and third application devices 04, in the transport path, downstream of the second application device 04, there is a transport cylinder 12 with a second pre-alignment device 41, directed, for example, towards the second substrate side, and further downstream, a second magnetic cylinder 26 with a second simultaneous alignment device 42, directed, for example, towards the first substrate side. Downstream of the second magnetic cylinder 26, but upstream of the third application device 16, there is another transport cylinder 12 with a further, for example, third pre-alignment device 41, directed, for example, towards the first substrate side, and further downstream, a third magnetic cylinder 26 with a further, for example, third simultaneous alignment device 42, directed, for example, towards the second substrate side.

[0086] Downstream of the third application device 16, a transport cylinder 12 is also provided with a further, e.g., fourth pre-alignment device 41, directed, e.g., towards the first substrate side, and further downstream, a further magnetic cylinder 26 with a further, e.g., fourth simultaneous alignment device 42, directed, e.g., towards the second substrate side. In principle, further transport cylinders 12 can also be provided between the aforementioned cylinders 12; 26. Preferably, in the transport path between the third simultaneous alignment device 42 and the fourth simultaneous alignment device 42, a drying and / or curing device 19 is provided, directed towards the substrate 02, which dries or cures the previously applied coating agent 06 containing particles P only partially, i.e., not over the entire surface.

[0087] In a further variant of the aforementioned machine 01, the part comprising the third application device 04 and the subsequent fourth pre-alignment and fourth simultaneous alignment device 41, 42, including the associated cylinders 12; 26, can be omitted. In another variant—alternatively or in addition to the aforementioned variant—the part comprising the third pre-alignment device 41 and the third simultaneous alignment device 42, including the associated cylinders 12; 26, can be omitted.

[0088] List of reference symbols

[0089] 01 machine, security machine, printing machine, security printing machine

[0090] 02 Substrate, printing material, printing material section, printing material sheet, substrate sheet

[0091] 03 Image element

[0092] 04 Application device, printing unit, flexographic printing unit, screen printing unit

[0093] 05

[0094] 06 Coating agents, printing inks, varnish

[0095] 07 Device for aligning magnetic particles in image elements,

[0096] Alignment device

[0097] 08 Print image element

[0098] 09 Benefit, security, banknote

[0099] 10

[0100] 11 pressure point

[0101] 12 cylinders, conveyor, transport cylinder

[0102] 13 Substrate template, sheet feeder

[0103] 14 printing cylinders, forme cylinders, screen printing cylinders

[0104] 15 transport cylinders, suction drum, inspection cylinder

[0105] 16 Device for generating optically variable image elements

[0106] 17 cylinders, impression cylinder

[0107] 18

[0108] 19 Drying and / or curing device, radiation dryer, UV radiation dryer, UV dryer, UV-LED dryer 0 1 Conveyor device, gripper conveyor, chain gripper system 2 Product pick-up, stack delivery 3 Dryer, radiation dryer 4 Active element, element, magnetic element

[0109] 25 Sensor device, camera, line scan camera Alignment device, cylinder, magnetic cylinder

[0110] magnet

[0111] Suction opening

[0112] suction element

[0113] Supporting element, ring element

[0114] Cylinder inner body, cylinder shaft, shaft

[0115] Holding devices, grippers

[0116] rotary union

[0117] Support element

[0118] Magnetic element carrier

[0119] frame wall

[0120] frame wall

[0121] Alignment device, pre-alignment device

[0122] Alignment device, simultaneous alignment device

[0123] Magnetic element

[0124] Magnetic element

[0125] carrier

[0126] Guide, guide groove

[0127] Guide section

[0128] Guide section

[0129] Guide, guide groove

[0130] Guide section

[0131] Guide section

[0132] Support element, bolt, roller 51 Support element, bolt, roller

[0133] 52 Opening, Exit

[0134] 53 Opening, Exit

[0135] 54 Side part, side panel

[0136] 55

[0137] 56 Side part, side panel

[0138] 57 Fixing device, locking device

[0139] 58 gear

[0140] 59 tooth pattern, rack, row of teeth

[0141] 60

[0142] 61 bolts

[0143] 62 Gearboxes, worm gears

[0144] 63 Handwheel

[0145] 64 T raverse

[0146] 65

[0147] 66 magnetic carriers

[0148] 67 magnetic carriers

[0149] 68 clamping mechanism, holding device

[0150] 69 Handknob

[0151] A Location, work situation

[0152] R position, inactive, setup position

[0153] P particles, pigment particles

[0154] T Transport direction d Width

Claims

Claims 1. Device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) contained in a coating agent (06) applied to one side of a web-shaped or sheet-shaped substrate (02), with an alignment device (41; 42) which comprises one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) arranged in a frame-fixed manner on the transport path in such a way that, in a working position (A), they enter into or can enter into magnetic interaction with magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) on the substrate (02) being guided past along the transport path, wherein the one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) are arranged on a carrier (46) extending transversely to the transport direction (T) over a working width intended for processing the substrate (02), characterized in that the carrier (46) is mounted on both sides in or on at least one guide (47; 48) and is located in or on the guide (47; 48) together with the magnetic elements (43;44) can be moved along a movement path from the working position (A) to a setup position (R); 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that two guides (47; 48) are provided on each end face of the carrier (46) to be guided, which guides interact with two support elements (49; 51) on the carrier side which are spaced apart from one another.

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

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that at a point of the guide groove (47; 48) spaced from the position assumed in the working position (A) in the direction of the setup position (R) an exit (52; 53) from the guide groove (47; 48) is provided, through which the respective support element (49; 51) can emerge from or be guided through the respective guide groove (47; 48) in the removal position. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the guides (47; 48) are provided in or on side parts (54; 56) which are detachably arranged on frame walls (38; 39) of a frame carrying the alignment device (41; 42) and / or that the carrier (46) is or can be moved in or on the guides (47; 48) along the entire movement path, ie with each of its components, in a translational movement between a respective working position (A) and setup position (R). Device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the carrier (46) is movable via a gear-based linear drive (58, 59) with a gear (58) engaging in a tooth pattern (59).Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the gear (58) is drivable via a gear (62). 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 point on the transport path which is opposite a cylinder circumferential section, lying in the transport path, of a cylinder (12; 26) transporting the substrate (02). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cylinder (26) is formed by a magnetic cylinder (26) which, in the region of its outer circumference, has a plurality of matrix-like arranged magnetic elements (24) in order to each magnetize at least a portion of the particles (P) in an imaging surface area. in a defined manner. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cylinder (12) is formed by a transport cylinder (12) transporting the sheet-shaped substrate (02) downstream. Device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the guides (47; 48) are designed in such a way that they guide the carrier (46) from the working position (A) initially away from the cylinder (12; 26) with a radial directional component that is greater than the tangential component and then away from the cylinder (12; 26) with a tangential directional component that is greater than the radial component.26). Machine (01) for producing optically variable image elements (03) on a substrate (02), having a substrate template (13) from which the substrate (02) to be processed can be fed to the machine (01), at least one application device (04) by means of which a substrate (02) guided on a transport path through the machine (01) can be subjected to a coating agent (06) containing magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) at least on a first side, a product holder (22) serving to hold the substrate (02) being processed in the machine (01), and a magnetic cylinder (06) provided in the transport path of the substrate (02) between the application device (04) and the product holder (27), which magnetic cylinder comprises a plurality of magnetic elements (24) on its circumference, wherein an alignment device (41; 42) arranged upstream of the magnetic cylinder (26) and / or assigned to the magnetic cylinder (26) on the transport path is provided in the transport path of the substrate (02).42) is provided, characterized by the design of the alignment device (41; 42) according to a device according to one of claims 1 to 11. Machine according to claim 12, characterized in that downstream of one; In the first application device (04), at least one first alignment device (41) is arranged upstream of the at least one magnetic cylinder (26) in the transport path as a pre-alignment device (41) 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. Machine according to claim 13, characterized in that a plurality of application devices (07) are provided, and in that downstream of several or each of the application devices (07), at least one magnetic cylinder (26) and at least one pre-alignment device (41) arranged upstream of the magnetic cylinder (26) in the transport path and / or at least one simultaneous alignment device (42) assigned to the magnetic cylinder (26) is provided.Machine according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that for the transport of the substrate (02) between the application device (04) and the magnetic cylinder (26) only one or more cylinders (12; 26) are provided, via which a transfer of the substrate (02) from cylinder (12; 26) to cylinder (12; 26) can be effected and / or that the alignment device (42) arranged upstream of the magnetic cylinder (26) is provided on the circumference of a cylinder (12) designed as a transport cylinder (12) on the transport path opposite the cylinder jacket surface.

Images