MULTI-COATING MODULE, MULTI-COATING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATION FOR A MULTI-COATING APPARATUS - Patent application

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-coating module (1), a multi-coating device (2) and an operating method for a multi-coating device (2). The multi-coating module (1) for printing on a substrate (6) or a transfer product (7) comprises a printing unit (8) and a multifunctional element (9). A printing nip (10) is formed between the printing unit (8) and the multifunctional element (9). The multifunctional element (9) comprises a first multifunctional roller (91) and / or at least one second multifunctional roller (92) and / or a printing table (13). The printing unit (8) is designed to print along two travel directions in the printing nip (10).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-coating module, a multi-coating apparatus and a method of operation for a multi-coating apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The substrate is decorated in a special printing and / or finishing device by a digital printing process and subsequent application of a transfer ply. By inkjet printing, on the one hand, it is possible to apply the adhesive directly to the substrate in a specially configured printing device. On the other hand, by inkjet printing, it is also possible to apply the adhesive to the transfer product in another, likewise specially configured printing device. In both cases, the transfer product and the substrate are then brought together and the transfer ply of the applied transfer product is glued to the substrate by the adhesive and then peeled off from the carrier ply of the transfer product.

[0003] Thus, for example, a method and an application device for applying a transfer layer of a film to a substrate is known from WO 2016 / 150681 A1, in which a radically curable adhesive is applied to partial areas of the transfer layer by means of an inkjet printhead.

[0004] The disadvantage of the above-mentioned methods is, in particular, that the application of the adhesive to the transfer product or to the substrate requires, in each case, a printing and / or finishing device specially designed for the purpose, or that only printing and / or finishing devices specially designed for the purpose were known up to now. Thus, for example, special machines are required depending on whether the adhesive is printed on the substrate or on the transfer product. This leads, in particular, to mechanically more complex and thus to higher costs and also to a lack of flexibility. This is especially because the printing quality and / or the intended application differ between these two cases. Thus, for example, printing directly on a substrate usually involves the adhesive flowing and / or dipping on the substrate, while printing on a transfer product requires an additional operation of aligning the transfer product with the substrate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 150681 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved printing and / or finishing apparatus and an improved (operating) method for a printing and / or finishing apparatus, which preferably avoids the drawbacks of the state of the art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The object is to provide a multi-application module for printing on a substrate or transfer product, comprising: This is achieved by a multi-application module comprising a printing unit and a multifunctional element, between which a printing nip is formed, the multifunctional element having a first multifunctional roller and / or at least one second multifunctional roller and / or a printing table, and the printing unit designed to print along two travel directions in the printing nip.

[0008] This object is further achieved by a multi-coating device comprising a multi-coating module, in particular as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, and a cold transfer unit, the cold transfer unit comprising a pressure roller and a counter-pressure roller.

[0009] The object is also to provide a multi-coating device, preferably a multi-coating device according to the invention, and more preferably a method for a multi-coating device according to any one of claims 22 to 33, in which in a first variant i) the substrate is guided along the multifunctional element up to a printing nip formed between the printing unit and the multifunctional element for printing of the substrate, and further guided up to one counter-pressure roller and a pressure roller, in which the transfer product is pressed against the substrate, or In a second variant ii), the transfer product is guided along the multifunctional element to a printing nip formed between the printing unit and the multifunctional element for printing the transfer product and further guided to a counter pressure roller and a pressure roller, in which the transfer product is pressed against the substrate, In variants i) and ii), this is effected by a (moving) method in which the substrate and / or the transfer product are guided in each case in opposing travel directions, in particular in a multi-application module.

[0010] Through the multi-application module, the multi-application device and the (operating) method for the multi-application device according to the invention, both variants, i.e. the variant for printing the substrate and the variant for printing the transfer product, are carried out by one and the same machine, in particular by one and the same printing and / or finishing device. This allows for flexible use. The advantage is thus obtained that printing on the substrate or the transfer product, in particular in the form of an adhesive, can be achieved in a targeted manner without having to provide two machines for printing. Thus, the multi-application module according to the invention can be printed in two opposite directions of travel, so that printing on the substrate or the transfer product is possible only by using the multi-application module according to the invention in the finishing machine. In other words, both variants are possible on one machine using the multi-application module according to the invention through changing the substrate path and the transfer product path. This allows for a reduction in mechanical complexity and therefore costs, and at the same time an increase in flexibility, in order to select the variant suitable for the respective application and to obtain an optimal result.

[0011] "Rotarily mounted in two opposite directions of rotation" means here that the first multifunctional roller and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller can rotate in two directions, clockwise and counterclockwise. The first multifunctional roller and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller in particular have an axis that allows two directions of rotation. The first multifunctional roller and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller preferably has a longitudinal axis of the first multifunctional roller and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller that extends transversely to the feed direction of the substrate and the transfer product.

[0012] "Two travel directions" here means that the travel directions or feed directions of the substrate and the transfer product are different, i.e. opposite, especially in the area of ​​the printing nip.Furthermore, depending on whether it is the substrate or the transfer product that is guided, it is advantageous for the substrate to be printed and the transfer product to be printed to move in opposite directions.Thus, for example, the substrate can be printed when the travel direction is from left to right, and the transfer product can be printed when the travel direction is from right to left, or vice versa.

[0013] "Transfer product" means a transfer film comprising a carrier ply and a transfer ply, the transfer ply being peelable from the carrier ply.

[0014] Further preferably, the transfer film comprises a release layer, in particular arranged between the carrier ply and the releasable transfer ply.

[0015] The release layer preferably has a layer thickness of 0.01 μm to 10 μm, preferably 0.1 μm to 5 μm, and / or consists of wax, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), a cellulose derivative, and / or polyorganosiloxane.

[0016] The transfer ply is preferably formed in a single layer or in multiple layers, and can therefore comprise a decorative ply, in particular a decorative ply comprising one or more layers selected from a translucent layer, a transparent layer, a colored varnish layer, a replication varnish layer, a metal layer, a metal oxide layer.

[0017] Here, the transfer ply in particular has a layer thickness of 1 μm to 10 μm.

[0018] The carrier ply may contain materials selected from polyester, polyolefin, polyvinyl, polyimide (PI), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), either individually or in combination, and may in particular have a layer thickness of 5 μm to 50 μm, preferably 7 μm to 23 μm.

[0019] The "substrate" is advantageously a single or multi-ply plastic substrate, a single or multi-ply paper substrate, or a multi-ply hybrid substrate having one or more paper plies and one or more plastic plies. The substrate may comprise cotton fibers, wood fibers, pulp fibers, textile fibers and / or plastic fibers.

[0020] The present invention provides a multi-coating module for printing on a substrate or a transfer product, the multi-coating module comprising a printing unit and a multi-function element, a printing nip being formed between the printing unit and the multi-function element, the multi-function element having a first multi-function roller and / or at least one second multi-function roller and / or a printing table, the multi-coating module having two travel directions, printing on the substrate in a first of the two travel directions and printing on the transfer product in a second of the two travel directions, in particular the first and second travel directions being opposite to each other.

[0021] In other words, a multi-coating module for printing on a substrate or a transfer product is provided, the multi-coating module comprising a printing unit and a multifunctional element, a printing nip being formed between the printing unit and the multifunctional element, the multifunctional element being formed for guiding the substrate or the transfer product, such that when the substrate is guided on the multifunctional element, in particular in a first traveling direction, the substrate is printed in the printing nip, and when the transfer product is guided on the multifunctional element, in particular in a second traveling direction opposite to the first traveling direction, the transfer product is printed in the printing nip.

[0022] It is therefore possible to print on a substrate or transfer product according to two travel directions.

[0023] Furthermore, there is provided a method (of operation) for a multi-coating device, in particular according to any one of claims 22 to 33, which comprises a multi-coating module having a printing unit and a multifunctional element, and a cold transfer unit having a pressure roller and a counter pressure roller, a printing nip being formed between the printing unit and the multifunctional element, in a first variant i) the substrate is guided along the multifunctional element to the printing nip for printing the substrate and further to the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller, in which the transfer product is pressed against the substrate, or in a second variant ii) the transfer product is guided along the multifunctional element to the printing nip for printing the transfer product and further to the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller, in which the transfer product is pressed against the substrate, in variants i) and ii) the substrate and / or the transfer product are guided in opposite travel directions, in particular in the multi-coating module.

[0024] A method for a multi-coating device is provided, the multi-coating device comprising a multi-coating module with a printing unit and a multifunctional element, and a cold transfer unit with a pressure roller and a counter pressure roller, a printing nip being formed between the printing unit and the multifunctional element, in a third variant iii) the substrate is guided along the multifunctional element to the printing nip and further to the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller for printing the substrate. The third variant iii) is advantageously characterized in that the transfer product is not clamped and the pressure roller is open. In other words, this means that in this method for operation according to the third variant iii) only the substrate is printed.

[0025] The multi-application module and / or the multi-application device and / or the operating method for the multi-application device are advantageously used for applying transfer plies of a transfer product to a substrate. It is also advantageous when the multi-application module and / or the multi-application device and / or the operating method for the multi-application device are used for printing on a substrate.

[0026] Furthermore, it is preferred that the multi-coating device is a multi-coating device for applying a transfer ply of a transfer product to a substrate. It is also advantageous if the multi-coating device performs this using a (operating) method according to any one of claims 34 to 46.

[0027] More preferably, the multi-coater is a multi-coater for printing of substrates.

[0028] The (operation) method for a multi-coating apparatus is in particular a method or operating method for operating a multi-coating apparatus or for carrying out three (operation) variants of a multi-coating apparatus or a production process of a multi-coating apparatus, the three (operation) variants or production process being preferably the first variant i), the second variant ii) and the third variant iii).

[0029] The use of a multi-application module according to the invention for printing on a substrate or for printing on a transfer product, in particular with UV-curable inks, is furthermore conceivable.

[0030] Thus, the printing on the substrate or on the transfer product is of a UV-curable ink, in particular the UV-curable ink advantageously acts as an adhesive. The UV-curable ink may be transparent, translucent or opaque. The UV-curable ink may be colorless or dyed with dyes and / or pigments. The color of the dyes and / or pigments may be visible in visible light and / or under UV light and / or under IR light.

[0031] Furthermore, the printing system with the printing units and the multifunctional element further comprises a preferably according to the invention multi-application module for printing a substrate or a transfer product, in particular a printing nip is formed between the printing units and the multifunctional element, the printing system further comprising a substrate and / or a transfer product. It is also advantageous if the printing units are designed to be able to print along two travel directions in the printing nip.

[0032] Furthermore, the system with the printing unit and the multifunctional element further comprises a preferably according to the invention multi-application module for printing on a substrate or a transfer product, in particular a printing nip is formed between the printing unit and the multifunctional element, the system further comprises a cold transfer unit with a pressure roller and a counter pressure roller and further comprises a substrate and / or a transfer product. It is also advantageous if the printing unit is designed to be able to print along two directions of travel in the printing nip.

[0033] As already explained and as will be further explained below, advantageously the substrate or transfer product has been or is guided in the printing system or system. In other words, all features disclosed in relation to the multi-coating module, the multi-coating device or the (operating) method for the multi-coating device are also transferable to the printing system and / or system and are considered to be disclosed for the printing system and / or system.

[0034] Further advantageous designs of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0035] The printing nip is preferably arranged between the periphery of the multifunctional element and the printing unit. In particular, the printing nip is formed between the printing unit and a surface located opposite the printing unit. The surface located opposite the printing unit can be, for example, a first multifunctional roller, and / or a printing table, and / or at least one second multifunctional roller. Preferably, the printing nip may be formed between the printing unit and a surface of the substrate and / or transfer product. In particular, the substrate and / or transfer product are clamped along two second multifunctional rollers and / or along the first and second multifunctional rollers on the side located opposite the printing unit, so that the substrate and / or transfer product form a surface located opposite the printing unit.

[0036] The distance between the printing nip, in particular the substrate or transfer product guided around the periphery of the multifunctional element, and the printing unit therefore advantageously has a size of 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 3 mm, in particular 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

[0037] It is also preferred that the ink is ejected from the printing unit perpendicularly, i.e. vertically, to the surface of the multifunctional element, in particular to the first multifunctional roller and / or to the flat printing surface and / or to the flat surface area of ​​the printing table. For this reason, it is particularly advantageous if the surface of the printing unit is arranged with "nozzles" that are parallel or substantially parallel to the surface of the multifunctional element, which in each case is located opposite the printing unit, or to a tangent to the surface of the multifunctional element, in particular to the first multifunctional roller and / or at least one second multifunctional roller and / or to the printing table.

[0038] The surface located opposite the printing unit is preferably arranged horizontally and is in particular formed as flat as possible, i.e. has little or no curvature in one or more directions. In the case of the surface of the first multifunctional roller, the surface should be cylindrically curved in only one direction, and this curvature should be as little as possible, for example because the first multifunctional roller is as large as possible. Any undesirable distortion of the printed image on the curved surface can be at least partially compensated by digital or electronic pre-distortion or pre-compensation of the digital printing data, so that a printed image as little distorted as possible is formed on the curved surface.

[0039] It is further advantageous if the multi-coating module further comprises two take-up rollers for receiving the transfer product.

[0040] Here, it is possible, for example, that the first of the two winding rollers was or is driven clockwise and / or that the second of the two winding rollers was or is driven counterclockwise.

[0041] However, it is also possible that the first of the two winding rollers and the second of the two winding rollers are driven in each case clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0042] In other words, the two winding rollers rotate in the same or opposite rotational directions.

[0043] It is therefore advantageous for the transfer product to be unwound from the first of the two winding rollers and wound up on the second of the two winding rollers, in particular for the first of the two winding rollers and the second of the two winding rollers to rotate in the same or opposite rotational directions. It is even more advantageous for the transfer product to be unwound from the first of the two winding rollers and wound up on the second of the two winding rollers, in particular for the first of the two winding rollers to be driven counterclockwise and / or for the second of the two winding rollers to be driven clockwise.

[0044] Thus, in variants i) and ii), the first of the two winding rollers can be driven or rotated clockwise and the second of the two winding rollers can be driven or rotated counterclockwise.

[0045] The position and drive direction of the winding roller preferably also depends on the direction of travel of the substrate and / or transfer product. If we assume that in the case of the substrate, the direction of travel of the substrate and / or transfer product in the printing nip is opposite to the direction of travel of the transfer product, and if we assume that the transfer ply on the transfer product is printed, which is wrapped around the inside of the transfer product roller and then points towards the printing unit in the printing nip, there are many variables that influence the direction of rotation of the first winding roller, in particular the unwinding roller. However, the direction of rotation of the second winding roller, in particular the winding roller, does not depend on this and can in principle rotate in both directions and in both cases perform the function of winding up the carrier ply.

[0046] Thereby, a transfer product is in particular provided, in which after at least a partial area of ​​the transfer ply has been applied to the substrate, the carrier ply is separated from the transfer ply and rewound.

[0047] The multi-application module further comprises a clamping system for clamping the transfer product, the clamping system comprising one or more elements selected individually or in combination from the group of elements consisting of dancer rollers, control dancer rollers, measuring rollers, friction shafts, whereby a conveyance of the transfer product under tension is achieved.

[0048] The first multifunction roller in combination with a second multifunction roller and / or the first multifunction roller in combination with two second multifunction rollers and / or the two second multifunction rollers are arranged such that the substrate or the transfer product is guided through the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller, thereby forming a flat printing surface, in particular such that the substrate and / or the transfer product are guided to form a flat printing surface.

[0049] The flat printing surface is arranged perpendicular to the printing unit and / or is 250 mm 2 ~1,000,000mm 2 , preferably 1000 mm 2 ~200,000mm 2 The surface area may be formed having a size of

[0050] The printing table is also advantageously arranged so that the substrate or transfer product is guided over the printing table.

[0051] Among other things, this produces a flat printing surface, resulting in accurate, high quality printing results.

[0052] The printing table preferably defines a flat surface area, in particular a surface area of ​​250 mm 2 ~1,000,000mm 2 , preferably 1000 mm 2 ~200,000mm 2The printing table has a length in the feed direction of the substrate and / or the transfer product of 5 mm to 500 mm, in particular 10 mm to 100 mm, and / or a width transverse to the feed direction of the substrate and / or the transfer product of 50 mm to 2000 mm, in particular 100 mm to 1000 mm.

[0053] Furthermore, the printing table is preferably arranged perpendicular to the printing units. Furthermore, the printing table or flat printing surface can be arranged such that the printing units eject ink perpendicular to the printing table or flat printing surface.

[0054] It is also useful if the distance between the printing unit and the printing table and / or flat printing surface, in particular the flat printing surface of the substrate or transfer product, is 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

[0055] The printing table can also have an air outlet for generating an air cushion, in particular an air cushion between the printing table and the substrate or transfer product. This allows a particularly smooth movement of the substrate or transfer product on the table, which further improves the printing accuracy and print quality. This also prevents damage to the back side of the substrate.

[0056] It is also advantageous if UV curable inks can be or are printed by the printing unit.

[0057] Furthermore, it is useful for the multi-application module to further comprise at least one UV pre-curing light source, preferably in each case one UV pre-curing light source arranged on both sides of the printing unit, in particular along the two travel directions. Alternatively, it is also possible for the at least one UV pre-curing light source to be reattachable, in particular reconnectable, on both sides of the printing unit, in particular along the two travel directions. This allows printing, in particular fixing of the UV-curable ink, to be achieved immediately after printing on the substrate or transfer product, since irradiation with UV light is carried out in both travel directions.

[0058] In other words, at least one UV pre-curing light source is arranged downstream with respect to the multifunctional element along the respective travel direction relative to the printing device, so that fixing can take place immediately after printing.

[0059] The at least one UV pre-curing light source is preferably a UV LED, which generates light especially from a wavelength range of 100 nm to 420 nm, preferably 280 nm to 405 nm, more preferably 280 nm to 380 nm, and further preferably 365 nm to 380 nm.

[0060] The distance between the UV pre-curing light source and, in particular, the printed substrate or transfer product is further preferably 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably 3 mm to 20 mm.

[0061] It is also advantageous if the distance between the UV pre-curing light source and the printing unit or printing table is between 10 mm and 500 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 100 mm, which allows the UV pre-curing light source to be arranged as close as possible next to the printing unit, thus nevertheless allowing shielding of the printing unit from UV radiation.

[0062] At least one UV pre-cure light source preferably has an intensity of less than 0 W / cm 2 ~10W / cm 2 , preferably 0.5 W / cm 2 ~7.5W / cm 2 , and more preferably 2 W / cm 2 ~5W / cm 2 This ensures a proper fixing of the print and therefore a high print quality is achieved. The precisely selected irradiance depends in particular on the speed of the moving substrate and / or the moving transfer product, depending on what is being printed, so that in the case of different speeds it is possible in each case to introduce approximately the same amount of energy into the material.

[0063] The first multifunctional roller advantageously has a diameter of 5 cm to 100 cm, in particular 10 cm to 50 cm.

[0064] Furthermore, the at least one second multifunctional roller advantageously has a diameter of 1 cm to 20 cm, in particular 3 cm to 10 cm.

[0065] The surface of the first multifunctional roller and / or of the at least one second multifunctional roller advantageously has a surface structure produced by a surface finishing process, which can be produced in convex and / or concave form by one or more surface finishing processes selected individually or in combination from irradiation, abrasive blasting, turning, peeling, knurling, grooving, grinding, grooving.

[0066] It is also advantageous if the first multifunctional roller and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller have an anti-slip coating and / or a traction coating, in particular with a layer thickness of 30 μm to 3 mm, preferably 50 μm to 100 μm. Thus, for example, rubber coating can be used as anti-slip coating. Anti-slip coating can be implemented by structuring in the sense of an introduced relief and / or by an additional material layer, in particular a rubber coating, of the first multifunctional roller and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller in order to achieve an improved "grip" or slip resistance of the transfer product and / or the substrate on the at least one second multifunctional roller.

[0067] In particular, a more reliable transport of the substrate or transfer product on the first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller is thereby achieved, in particular preventing slippage of the transported web, in particular the substrate or transfer product.

[0068] The first multifunctional roller and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller are advantageously driven by the substrate or transfer product which at least partially wraps around it, with a constant drive also being achieved or guaranteed, in particular by the surface roughness or the non-slip coating of the multifunctional roller and the non-slip surface associated with the multifunctional roller.

[0069] Therefore, in particular for a stable transport in the printing nip, it is advantageous for the substrate or the transfer product to at least partially wrap around the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller.

[0070] It is further preferred that the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller comprises an encoder for detecting and / or controlling the rotation speed and / or the printing procedure of the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller, in particular a precise synchronization of the rotation speed of the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller with the printing unit is thereby achieved, as a result of which printing with precise registration is possible.

[0071] Alignment or registration, precise alignment or precise registration, or alignment or registration accuracy means the positional accuracy of two or more layers relative to one another. The registration accuracy is a variation within a given tolerance, which should be as small as possible. At the same time, the registration accuracy of several elements and / or layers relative to one another is an important feature for increasing the reliability of the process. Positionally accurate positioning can be achieved in particular by sensory, preferably optically detectable alignment or registration marks. These alignment or registration marks can represent specific separate elements or regions or layers or can themselves be part of the element or region or layer to be positioned.

[0072] Thus, in the first variant i), the substrate has at least one element and / or at least one layer, and the print is placed on the substrate as a further layer in registration with this at least one element and / or at least one layer. The position of the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate or on the transfer product is preferably recognized upstream of the printing procedure using optically detectable registration marks or registration marks. Thus, via detection of the rotation speed of the multifunctional roller, it can be determined when the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate or on the transfer product reaches the printing unit and in registration therewith positions the print on the substrate.

[0073] In particular, the multi-application module comprises at least one detection unit, which detects the position of the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate and / or transfer product, in particular by means of a registration mark or a register mark, and which is connected to a control device, which controls the printing unit based on the position data detected by the detection unit, such that printing on the substrate and / or transfer product is performed in register with the at least one element and / or at least one layer.

[0074] In a second variant ii), the substrate comprises at least one element and / or at least one layer, and the printing applied to the transfer product can also be positioned relative to this. The at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate and the printing on the transfer product can overlap completely or partially or not at all. The position of the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate is recognized, preferably using optically detectable alignment or registration marks. Thus, the printing procedure is controlled such that after conveying to the press nip between the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller, the printing is pressed in registration with the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate, and the printing is applied to the transfer product.

[0075] However, in the first variant i), it is also possible that the substrate comprises at least one element and / or at least one layer, with which the printing is positioned as a further layer. The position of the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate is preferably known upstream of the printing by means of optically detectable registration marks. Thus, via detection of the rotation speed of the multifunction roller, it can be determined when an element or layer on the substrate reaches the printing unit and the printing is positioned in registration therewith.

[0076] Furthermore, at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product may be pressed in the press nip between the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller in registration with at least one element and / or at least one layer and / or with the print on the substrate. For this, it is advantageous if the position of at least one element and / or at least one layer both on the substrate and on the transfer product is recognized using optically detectable registration marks or registration marks assigned to the transfer product and the substrate in each case, and the positioning is performed by stretching the transfer product, so that after the transfer product is conveyed to the press nip between the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller, at least one element or at least one layer on the transfer product is pressed onto at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate in registration. This results in registration between the substrate, the print and at least one element or at least one layer on the transfer product.

[0077] In particular, the cold stamping unit comprises at least one detection unit, which detects the position of the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate and / or the transfer product, in particular by means of registration marks. Positioning takes place via stretching of the transfer product, and after transport of the transfer product into the press nip, a pressure roller presses the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product against the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate in registration.

[0078] Furthermore, in the second variant ii), the substrate may comprise at least one element and / or at least one layer, in which the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product may be pressed against the at least one element or at least one layer on the substrate in a press nip between a counter pressure roller and a pressure roller. For this reason, it is useful if the print is positioned in registration with the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product. The position of the at least one element and / or at least one layer both on the substrate and on the transfer product is preferably recognized using optically detectable registration marks or registration marks assigned to the transfer product and the substrate on the substrate and on the transfer product, and positioned via the extension of the transfer product. The at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate and the transfer product may in each case overlap completely or partially or may not overlap at all. This results in a registration between the substrate, the print and the at least one element or at least one layer on the transfer product.

[0079] For accurate positioning of the substrate and the transfer product relative to each other, preferably at least one detection unit of the multi-application module and at least one detection unit of the cold stamping unit are connected to a common control device, which controls the rotation speed of the rollers or printing units based on the detected registration or position marks, such that at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate is placed in register with the printing on the transfer product.

[0080] In particular, for the stretching of the transfer product, in the first variant i), it is useful if a clamping system is used after the film has been unwound in order to position at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product in register with at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate.

[0081] The multi-application device comprises a transfer product transport system with a clamping system for controlled material transport. The transfer product transport system controls the precisely registered positioning in the press nip of at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product and at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate via the stretching of the transfer product by the clamping system. The transfer product transport system preferably comprises at least one driven roller that influences the transport speed of the transfer product and a detection unit, in particular an optical sensor, that recognizes the position of at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product by means of an optically detectable registration mark or register mark applied to the transfer product. Such a driven roller comprises one or more elements selected individually or in combination from the group of elements consisting of a roller with an opposing pressure roller, a roller with at least one or more segmented pressure rollers, a vacuum roller.

[0082] Preferably, the multi-coating device comprises a transfer product transport system for controlled material transport, which controls the precisely registered positioning in the press nip of at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product and at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate via stretching of the transfer product by a driven vacuum roller. In particular, the transfer product is placed with its unprinted side on the vacuum roller, so that the transfer product is stretched without contacting a side of the already printed transfer product.

[0083] Alternatively, the stretching of the transfer product may be performed via at least one drive on the multifunctional roller. The stretching of the transfer product in the area between the multifunctional roller and the press nip may be influenced via the speed of the transfer product conveyance by the multifunctional roller relative to the speed of the substrate conveyance in the press nip between the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller. Thus, the positioning of the at least one element and / or at least one layer of the transfer product in registration with the at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate is controlled.

[0084] The printing unit may include at least one inkjet printhead.

[0085] The printing unit preferably comprises a UV inkjet printbar, in particular having one or more inkjet printheads.

[0086] The UV inkjet print bar advantageously has a printing width transverse to the feed direction of the substrate and / or transfer product of between 50 mm and 2000 mm, in particular between 100 mm and 1000 mm.

[0087] The UV inkjet print bar and / or the one or more inkjet printheads can have a resolution of 300 to 1200 npi (nozzles per inch), which is in a transverse direction to the feed direction of the transfer product and / or substrate, and is particularly dependent on the design. The UV inkjet print bar and / or the one or more inkjet printheads may have a resolution of 300 to 2400 dpi (dots per inch), which is in a transverse direction to the feed direction of the transfer product and / or substrate, and is preferably electronically controllable or modifiable, particularly to vary the amount of ink applied.

[0088] Additionally, the UV inkjet printbar and / or the one or more inkjet printheads may have a maximum printing speed of 300 m / min, preferably a maximum printing speed of 200 m / min.

[0089] Advantageously, the printing unit and / or the UV inkjet printbar has at least two rows of printheads.

[0090] Further advantageously, the printing unit comprises at least two ink receiving devices for receiving at least two different inks.

[0091] This in particular ensures that in each case the optimum ink is immediately available for both printing the substrate and printing the transfer product, thereby allowing automatic ink change when using a single printing unit.

[0092] Between ink changes, it is advantageous to provide a cleaning procedure to remove residues of the first ink from the ink supply system and print head before the second ink is supplied. In particular, since the substrate and the transfer product usually have different physical properties, e.g., absorbency or surface finish, in each case the most suitable ink can be used immediately without the need to first fill the printing unit.

[0093] The printing unit is preferably configured by a digital program so that it can print along two travel directions.

[0094] In other words, it is useful if the printing unit is configured by a digital program so that it is able to print according to both the first variant i) and the second variant ii).

[0095] Alternatively or additionally, the printing unit may be mounted so that it can be rotated, in particular mechanically, by 180° around an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel or parallel to a normal to the direction of travel and / or parallel to a normal to the printing surface.

[0096] Preferably, the multi-coating module further comprises one or more deflection rollers and / or one or more guide rollers.

[0097] Preferably, the substrate or transfer product can be guided by the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller, the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller being configured for guiding the substrate or transfer product.

[0098] Thus, in the printing nip, the substrate guided over the first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller, or the transfer product guided over the first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller, is printed by the printing unit along two, preferably opposing, travel directions, and it is further preferred that the rotation directions of the first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller are opposing during the guiding of the substrate and the transfer product.

[0099] It is further possible that if the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller rotate in a first rotational direction, the substrate guided over the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller is printed in the printing nip, in particular in a first direction of travel, or if the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller rotate in a second rotational direction opposite to the first direction of rotation, the transfer product guided over the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller is printed in the printing nip, in particular in a second direction of travel opposite to the first direction.

[0100] Thus, in a first variant i), for printing of the substrate, it is advantageous to guide the substrate along the multifunctional roller to (or in the direction of) the printing nip, in particular when rotating in a first rotational direction, or in a second variant ii), for printing of the transfer product, it is advantageous to guide the transfer product along the multifunctional roller to (or in the direction of) the printing nip, in particular when rotating in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0101] Advantageously, the multi-coating module has variable substrate paths and / or transfer product paths.

[0102] It is also advantageous if both variants i) and ii) are selected or implemented in or by the same multi-coating device.

[0103] Thus, both the substrate and the transfer product can be printed at the print nip by the multi-application module.

[0104] The printing on the substrate or the transfer product is advantageously carried out in the same printing nip and using the same printing unit, in particular the substrate or the transfer product is guided over the same first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller.

[0105] In other words, the printing on the substrate or on the transfer product takes place in the same multi-application module, particularly advantageously with different, ie opposing, travel directions and / or travel paths of the substrate and / or transfer product.

[0106] Advantageously, the printing on the substrate or on the transfer product takes place in the same multi-coating module, the substrate travel direction and the transfer product travel direction or transport direction being different, in particular opposite.

[0107] More preferably, the printing on the substrate or on the transfer product is carried out in the same printing nip and / or the pressing of the transfer product onto the substrate is carried out by the same counter pressure roller and the same pressure roller.

[0108] Further preferred designs of the multi-coating device are described below.

[0109] The pressure roller is preferably formed with a rubber or silicone coating having a hardness of 25 Shore A to 100 Shore A, preferably 50 Shore A to 90 Shore A. It is further advantageous if the coating has a thickness of 1 mm to 20 mm, in particular 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0110] The counter pressure roller may be hard chrome coated.

[0111] The surface of the counter pressure roller is advantageously made of a material having a wear resistance of 40 Rockwell C to 80 Rockwell C, in particular 60 Rockwell C to 70 Rockwell C.

[0112] The counter pressure roller may be cooled.

[0113] It is furthermore advantageous for the pressure roller to have a diameter of 1 cm to 50 cm, in particular 5 cm to 20 cm. It is even more advantageous for the counter pressure roller to have a diameter of 5 cm to 70 cm, in particular 10 cm to 50 cm.

[0114] The counter pressure roller and / or the pressure roller are preferably driven.

[0115] The cold transfer unit further comprises at least one UV final curing light source, which is advantageously arranged after the pressure roller, preferably in the direction of travel of the substrate and / or the transfer product, so that a strong bond between the transfer ply and the substrate is achieved before the carrier ply is peeled off from the transfer ply.

[0116] Here, the at least one UV final curing light source can be arranged 5 cm to 20 cm, in particular 5 cm to 10 cm, downstream or after the pressure roller and / or counterpressure roller, in particular in the transport direction of the substrate and / or transfer product.

[0117] The cold transfer unit preferably further comprises a peeling roller or a peeling blade, in particular for peeling the carrier ply from the transfer ply of the transfer product.

[0118] The peeling roller or peeling blade is usefully positioned 5 cm to 50 cm, in particular 5 cm to 20 cm, downstream in the conveying direction of the substrate and / or transfer product or after at least one UV final curing light source.

[0119] It is also useful for the peel roller to have a diameter of 0.5 cm to 10 cm.

[0120] Furthermore, the cold transfer unit further comprises at least one further UV final curing light source. In particular the further UV final curing light source can be arranged downstream or after the peeling roller or peeling blade, in particular in the substrate travel direction.

[0121] At least one further UV final curing light source is usefully positioned 5 cm to 50 cm, in particular 5 cm to 20 cm, downstream or after the peeling roller or peeling blade, in particular in the transport direction of the substrate.

[0122] The at least one UV final curing light source and / or the at least one further UV final curing light source are preferably UV LEDs and generate light in the wavelength range of 100 nm to 420 nm, preferably 280 nm to 405 nm, more preferably 280 nm to 380 nm, and even more preferably 365 nm to 380 nm.

[0123] At least the UV final curing light source and / or at least one further UV final curing light source preferably have a power of 5 W / cm 2 ~50W / cm 2 , preferably 15 W / cm 2 ~25W / cm 2 The exact chosen irradiance depends on what is being printed on, in particular on the speed of the moving substrate and / or the moving transfer product, so that the different speeds allow introducing approximately the same amount of energy into the material in each case.

[0124] In particular, it is particularly preferred to provide one or more components selected from the group of components consisting of a pressure roller, at least one UV final curing light source, a peeling roller or peeling blade, at least one further UV final curing light source, which are pivotable around the counter pressure roller in order to adapt the feed angle α of the transferred product to the press nip formed by the pressure roller and the counter pressure roller.

[0125] The feed angle α is advantageously formed by two arms: the first arm has its origin at the center of the press nip and represents a half line tangent to the counter pressure or pressure roller, and the second arm has its origin at the point where the transfer product and / or substrate first contacts the surface of the counter pressure or pressure roller and represents a half line tangent to the counter pressure or pressure roller.

[0126] The press nip is preferably the gap representing the shortest distance between the periphery of the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller.

[0127] The feed angle α is preferably at least 5°, particularly preferably at least 10°. In particular, the feed angle α has this minimum value when the diameter of the respective roller is between 5 cm and 50 cm.

[0128] Particularly preferably, the cold transfer unit is displaceable with respect to the multi-application module, in particular in order to adapt the feed angle α of the transfer product to the press nip formed by the pressure roller and the counterpressure roller.

[0129] In particular, it is advantageous if one or more components selected from the group of components consisting of the pressure roller, at least one UV final curing light source, the peeling roller or peeling blade, at least one further UV final curing light source are rotatable, in particular around the counter pressure roller, so that the respective feed angle α of the transferred product and / or substrate to the press nip formed by the pressure roller and the counter pressure roller can be set for the first variant i) and for the second variant ii) in order to comply with, in particular, a minimum value of the feed angle α.

[0130] Further advantageously, the cold transfer unit is displaceable relative to the multi-application module so that the respective feed angle α of the transfer product and / or substrate to the press nip formed by the pressure roller and the counter pressure roller can be set for the first variant i) and the second variant ii), in particular to comply with a minimum value of the feed angle α.

[0131] This allows a flexible adaptation of the feed angle α, in particular according to variant i) or ii). The feed angle α can therefore be particularly adapted or rotated between the first variant i) and the second variant ii). In particular, this allows the substrate to be guided already via a counterpressure roller before the pressure roller, while the transfer product is fed to the press nip via the pressure roller. This results in a particularly high quality stamping result.

[0132] Furthermore preferably, an adapter is arranged between the multi-application module and the cold transfer unit, which in particular allows a mechanically stable fastening of the multi-application module to the cold transfer unit.

[0133] Preferably, the cold transfer unit or the multi-coating device further comprises one or more deflection rollers and / or one or more guide rollers.

[0134] The cold transfer unit may be designed as an extension module, so that in particular the multi-coating device can be inserted into a processing machine, such as a flexographic printing machine, with an existing printing mechanism, here a flexographic printing mechanism, which performs the function of the cold transfer unit, in particular with the pressure roller and the UV final curing light source.

[0135] The pressure roller and / or the counterpressure roller are advantageously driven, in particular the counterpressure roller, so that it rotates clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0136] For example, the counter pressure roller can rotate clockwise, where, for example, the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller also rotate clockwise for printing the substrate, but the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller subsequently rotate counterclockwise for printing the transfer product.

[0137] Of the two winding rollers, for example, the first roller, i.e., the unwinding roller, rotates counterclockwise to unwind the transfer product, and the second roller, i.e., the winding roller, rotates clockwise to wind up the transfer product or at least the carrier ply of the transfer product. Similarly, all rotation directions may be reversed.

[0138] Furthermore, one or more transfer product rolls can be arranged on the winding roller. The use of several transfer product rolls is advantageous, especially when only application to the substrate in the track takes place. One transfer product roll can be assigned to one track on the substrate where application takes place. Each transfer product roll can be arranged at a distance from the adjacent transfer product roll. Differently formed transfer product rolls, especially with different colors, elements or layers, can be used. In other words, this means that for the first variant i), the substrate is guided along the multifunctional element to a printing nip formed between the printing unit and the multifunctional element for printing of the substrate, and further to one counter pressure roller and pressure roller, whereby several transfer products are pressed against the substrate. Several means at least two transfer products.

[0139] For the second variant ii), preferably this means that several transfer products are guided along the multifunctional element up to a printing nip formed between the printing unit and the multifunctional element for printing of several transfer products and further up to a counter-pressure roller and a pressure roller, whereby several transfer products are pressed against the substrate, where again several means at least two transfer products.

[0140] A further preferred design of the method for the multi-coating device is described below.

[0141] Further advantageously, the (operating) method for a multi-coating device further comprises the step of printing by the printing units, in particular by the same printing unit, on the substrate or the transfer product in a printing nip, in particular in the same printing nip.

[0142] Preferably, the multifunction element comprises a first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller and / or a printing table.

[0143] The first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller are mounted rotatably in two opposing rotational directions, and in particular printing can be carried out in a printing nip, preferably by a printing unit, along two travel directions defined by the two opposing rotational directions.

[0144] Furthermore, printing can be performed in the printing nip, preferably by the printing unit, along two opposing rotational directions, more preferably along two travel directions defined by the first and second rotational directions of the first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller.

[0145] The substrate or transfer product is preferably printed on the side of the substrate or transfer product that faces away from the surface of the first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller and / or printing table, in each case.

[0146] In a first variant i), the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller preferably rotate in a first rotation direction, and in variant ii), the first multifunction roller and / or the at least one second multifunction roller rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0147] In the first variant i), the counter pressure roller more preferably rotates in a rotational direction corresponding to the direction of advancement of the substrate in the multifunctional element, and in the second variant ii), the counter pressure roller rotates in the opposite rotational direction corresponding to the direction of advancement of the transfer product in the multifunctional element.

[0148] Thus, in a first variant i), the direction of travel of the multifunctional element extends towards the right, in particular the first multifunctional roller and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller rotates clockwise, and in variant ii), the direction of travel of the multifunctional element extends towards the left, in particular the first multifunctional roller and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller rotates counterclockwise. In the first variant i), the counterpressure roller likewise rotates clockwise, and in the second variant ii), the counterpressure roller may also rotate clockwise. The abovementioned direction of rotation may also be completely reversed.

[0149] In variant i), the substrate is guided along the first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller and / or printing table to the printing nip for printing the substrate and further to the press nip formed by the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller, and the transfer product is guided from the first of the two winding rollers to the press nip formed by the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller, and / or in variant ii), the transfer product is guided from the first of the two winding rollers to the printing nip along the first multifunction roller and / or at least one second multifunction roller and / or printing table for printing the transfer product and the substrate is guided along the counter pressure roller to the press nip formed by the counter pressure roller and the pressure roller.

[0150] The features, effects and advantages described in relation to the multi-coating module can likewise be transferred to the multi-coating device, the (operation) method for the multi-coating device, the use of the multi-coating device, the printing system and the system, and therefore are also considered to be disclosed. The same applies in the opposite direction, and the features, effects and advantages described in relation to the multi-coating device, the (operation) method for the multi-coating device, the use of the multi-coating device, the printing system and the system, can also be transferred to the multi-coating module, and are therefore also considered to be disclosed.

[0151] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not to scale. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0152] [Figure 1a] 1A and 1B show schematic cross-sectional views of a multi-application module. [Figure 1b] 1 shows a schematic top view of the cross section of FIG. 1a. [Figure 1c] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-coating device. [Figure 2a] 1A and 1B show schematic cross-sectional views of a multi-application module. [Figure 2b] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. [Figure 2c] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. [Diagram 3] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-coating module and a cold transfer unit. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-coating device. [Figure 5a] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. [Figure 5b] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. [Figure 6a] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. [Figure 6b] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. [Figure 7a] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. [Figure 7b] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. [Figure 8a] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multifunctional element of a multi-application module. [Figure 8b] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multifunctional element of a multi-application module. [Figure 8c] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multifunctional element of a multi-application module. [Figure 8d] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multifunctional element of a multi-application module. [Figure 8e] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multifunctional element of a multi-application module. [Figure 8f] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multifunctional element of a multi-application module. [Figure 9a] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. [Figure 9b] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0153] FIG. 1 a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-application module 1 .

[0154] As shown in Figure 1a, the multi-application module 1 comprises a printing unit 8 and a multifunctional element 9, between which a printing nip 10 is formed. The multifunctional element 9 comprises a first multifunctional roller 91.

[0155] To enable printing on the substrate 6 and the transfer product 7 by the multi-application module 1, the first multifunction roller 91 is here mounted rotatably in two opposing directions of rotation. The printing unit 8 is further designed to print in the printing nip 10 along two directions of travel defined by the two opposing directions of rotation.

[0156] For printing on a substrate 6 or a transfer product 7, the multi-application module 1 shown in FIG. 1a thus allows two travel directions defined by two opposing rotation directions of the first multifunction roller 91 and allows printing on the substrate 6 in a first of the two travel directions and printing on the transfer product 7 in a second of the two travel directions.

[0157] Thus, the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is printed depending on the direction of rotation or the two directions of travel of the first multifunction roller 91 .

[0158] As shown in Figure 1a, the printing nip is preferably located between the periphery of the first multifunction roller 91 and the printing unit 8. Furthermore, the printing unit 8 is preferably located perpendicular to the first multifunction roller 91.

[0159] The distance between the printing nip 10, in particular the periphery of the first multifunction roller 91, and the underside of the printing unit 8 is 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 3 mm, in particular 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

[0160] The first multifunction roller 91 shown in FIG. 1a has a diameter of, for example, 5 cm to 100 cm, in particular 10 cm to 50 cm.

[0161] The surface of the first multifunctional roller 91 and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller 92 has a surface structure produced by a surface finishing process or is coated with an anti-slip coating in order to make the surface slip-resistant. As a result, the first multifunctional roller 91 and / or the at least one second multifunctional roller 92 is driven by the medium to be printed, in particular the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7. Here, the layer thickness of the anti-slip coating is preferably 30 μm to 3 mm, more preferably 50 μm to 100 μm. As anti-slip coating, for example, rubberization is used. The first multifunctional roller 91 is preferably further provided with an encoder for detecting and / or controlling the rotation speed of the first multifunctional roller 91 and / or for controlling the printing procedure. Thereby, in particular, a precise synchronization of the rotation speed of the first multifunctional roller 91 and in particular the printing speed of the printing unit 8 is achieved, which in turn allows for precisely registered printing.

[0162] Aligned or registered, accurate alignment or accurate registration, alignment accuracy or registration accuracy means the positional accuracy of two or more layers relative to one another. The alignment accuracy (registration accuracy) varies within a given tolerance that is as small as possible. At the same time, the alignment accuracy (registration accuracy) of several elements and / or layers relative to one another is an important feature for increasing the reliability of the process. Positionally accurate positioning may be performed in particular by sensory, preferably optically detectable alignment or registration marks. These alignment or registration marks may represent specific separate elements or regions or layers or may themselves be part of the element or region or layer to be positioned.

[0163] The printing unit 8 shown in Figure 1a is preferably a UV inkjet print bar.

[0164] The UV inkjet print bar preferably has a printing width transverse to the feed direction of the substrate 6 and / or transfer product 7 of 50 mm to 2000 mm, preferably 100 mm to 1000 mm.

[0165] The printing unit 8 may be or may comprise an inkjet printhead.

[0166] Here, the UV inkjet print bar and / or inkjet print head can have a resolution of 300 to 1200 npi (nozzles per inch). The UV inkjet print bar and / or inkjet print head can also have a resolution of 300 to 2400 dpi (dots per inch).

[0167] Furthermore, the UV inkjet printbar and / or the inkjet printhead may have a maximum printing speed of 300 m / min, preferably a maximum printing speed of 200 m / min.

[0168] It is also advantageous if the printing unit 8 and / or the UV inkjet printbar has at least two rows of printheads. It is further advantageous if the printing unit 8 has at least two ink receiving devices for receiving at least two different inks.

[0169] The printing unit 8 is preferably configured by a digital program so that it can print along two travel directions.

[0170] As shown in Fig. 1a, the multi-coating module 1 can further comprise one or more deflection rollers and / or one or more guide rollers. The multi-coating module 1 shown in Fig. 1a comprises, for example, a deflection roller 15 which is used to deflect the substrate 6.

[0171] As can be further seen from FIG. 1 a , the multi-coating module 1 further preferably comprises two take-up rollers 12 a , 12 b for receiving the transfer product 7 .

[0172] Here, the two winding rollers 12a, 12b can have the same or opposite rotational directions. Thus, for example, the first winding roller 12b of the two winding rollers 12a, 12b is driven clockwise and / or the second winding roller 12a of the two winding rollers 12a, 12b is driven counterclockwise. However, the first winding roller 12b and the second winding roller 12a of the two winding rollers 12a, 12b may be driven clockwise or counterclockwise in each case. Furthermore, for example, the first winding roller 12b of the two winding rollers 12a, 12b may be driven clockwise and / or the second winding roller 12a of the two winding rollers 12a, 12b may be driven counterclockwise.

[0173] FIG. 1b shows a schematic top view of the cross section of FIG. 1a.

[0174] As can be seen from the above figures, the printing unit 8 is preferably arranged perpendicular to the surface of the first multi-functional roller 91. As shown in Fig. 1b, the printing nip 10 is arranged between the peripheral part of the first multi-functional roller 91 and the printing unit 8, and through the printing nip 10, the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is guided over the first multi-functional roller 91 for printing by the printing unit. Advantageously, the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 at least partially wraps around the first multi-functional roller 91, especially for stable conveyance at the printing nip 10.

[0175] Fig. 1c schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the multi-application device 2.

[0176] The multi-application device 2 comprises, for example, a multi-application module 1 formed as shown in Fig. 1a and a cold transfer unit 5. The cold transfer unit 5 comprises a pressure roller 17 and a counter-pressure roller 18.

[0177] The counter-pressure roller 18 and / or the pressure roller 17 are preferably driven. The counter-pressure roller 18 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0178] The pressure roller 17 has, for example, a diameter of 1 cm to 50 cm, especially 5 cm to 20 cm. The pressure roller 17 is preferably formed of a rubber or silicone coating having a hardness of 25 Shore A to 100 Shore A, preferably 50 Shore A to 90 Shore A. It is more advantageous if the coating has a thickness of 1 mm to 20 mm, especially 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0179] The surface of the counter-pressure roller 18 is preferably formed of a material having a wear resistance of 40 Rockwell C to 80 Rockwell C, especially 60 Rockwell C to 70 Rockwell C, and has a diameter of 5 cm to 70 cm, especially 10 cm to 50 cm. The counter-pressure roller 18 may be coated with hard chromium. The counter-pressure roller 18 may be cooled.

[0180] As shown in Fig. 1c, the cold transfer unit 5 further comprises a UV final curing light source 19a. Preferably, the UV final curing light source 19a is arranged behind the pressure roller 17 and / or the counter pressure roller 18, in particular in the advancing direction of the substrate 6 and / or the transfer product 7. The UV final curing light source 19a can be arranged 5 cm to 20 cm, in particular 5 cm to 10 cm, downstream or behind the pressure roller 17 and / or the counter pressure roller 18, in particular in the conveying direction of the substrate 6 and / or the transfer product 7.

[0181] As also shown in FIG. 1c, the cold transfer unit 5 preferably further comprises a peeling roller 20, in particular for peeling the carrier ply from the transfer ply of the transfer product 7. Here, the peeling roller 20 is usefully arranged at a distance of 5 cm to 50 cm, in particular 5 cm to 20 cm, in particular in the conveying direction of the substrate 6 and / or the transfer product 7, downstream of the conveying direction of the substrate 6 and / or the transfer product 7 or behind the UV final curing light source 19a. The peeling roller 20 for peeling the carrier ply is useful when it has a diameter of 0.5 cm to 10 cm. As an alternative to the peeling roller 20, a peeling blade may be used to peel the carrier ply from the transfer ply of the transfer product 7.

[0182] The UV final curing light source 19a is preferably a UV LED that generates light from a wavelength range of 100 nm to 420 nm, preferably 280 nm to 405 nm, more preferably 280 nm to 380 nm, and even more preferably 365 nm to 380 nm. At least the UV final curing light source 19a preferably has a light output of 5 W / cm 2 ~50W / cm 2 , preferably 15 W / cm 2 ~25W / cm 2 Generates an irradiance of

[0183] Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 1 c , the cold transfer unit 5 can also further comprise one or more deflection or guide rollers 15 .

[0184] 2a-2c show schematic cross-sectional views of a multi-application module 1 and a cross-sectional view of a system 4. In FIG.

[0185] The multi-application module 1 shown in Fig. 2a corresponds to the multi-application module 1 shown in Fig. 1a, and here it is shown how in Fig. 2b and 2c the multi-application module 1 is used in cooperation with a cold transfer unit 5 to apply a transfer ply of a transfer product 7 to a substrate 6. The multi-application module 1 shown in Fig. 2a is therefore a component of a multi-application device 2 shown in Fig. 2b and 2c, or of a system 4 shown in Fig. 2b and 2c, in particular with different substrate and transfer product paths in Fig. 2b and 2c.

[0186] The system 4 or multi-coating device 2 shown in Figures 2a and 2b is used to apply a transfer ply of a transfer product 7 to a substrate 6. The multi-coating module 1 contained in the system 4 or multi-coating device 2 is used to print the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7, in particular with UV-curable inks.

[0187] The system 4 shown in Fig. 2b comprises the multi-application device 2 already shown in Fig. 1c and further a substrate 6 and a transfer product 7. In the variant shown in Fig. 2b, the substrate 6 is first guided in the cold transfer unit 5 via a deflection roller 15 along a counter-pressure roller 18 and from there via a further deflection roller 15 to a first multifunction roller 91. The substrate 6 wraps around the first multifunction roller 91 and drives it. The substrate 6 is fed via the first multifunction roller 91 to the printing nip 10, where the substrate 6 is printed by the printing unit 8.

[0188] The substrate 6 is printed with a UV-curable ink, which is used in particular as an adhesive. The printing can take place over the entire surface or in defined areas, and therefore in partial areas. The printing is preferably in the form of a pattern or motif.

[0189] A region, partial region or multiple regions means in each case here the surface area of ​​a layer or ply which is occupied when viewed perpendicularly to the plane in which the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 extends.

[0190] The substrate 6 is then fed together with the transfer product 7 into the press nip formed by the pressure roller 17 and the counter pressure roller 18. The print consisting of UV-curable ink is then fully cured through the transfer product 7 by the UV final curing light source 19a under the action of UV light, so that in the printed area the transfer product 7 is fully cured and bonded to the substrate 6. The transfer product 7 is then peeled off from the substrate 6, so that only the transfer ply of the transfer product 7 remains in the pre-printed area. This separation is performed by a peeling roller 20. As shown in FIG. 2b, the substrate 6 is then guided outside the cold transfer unit via a deflection roller 15.

[0191] In Fig. 2b, the path of the transfer product 7 extends from the take-up roller 12a to the press nip formed by the pressure roller 17 and the counter pressure roller 18, where the transfer product 7 is brought together with the substrate 6 as described above and the transfer ply of the transfer product 7 is at least partially transferred to the substrate 6. After separation of the substrate 6 and the transfer product 7 at the peeling roller 20, as already described, the transfer product 7 is fed via the deflection roller 15 to the take-up roller 12b, where the transfer product 7 is wound up.

[0192] Thus, in the variant shown in FIG. 2 b , the first multifunction roller 91 rotates, for example clockwise, and printing takes place along the direction of advancement of the substrate 6 defined by the first multifunction roller 91 .

[0193] Thus, according to the variant shown in Figure 2b, the substrate 6 is guided along the first multifunction roller 91 up to the printing nip 10 formed between the first multifunction roller 91 acting as a multifunction element 9 and the printing unit 8 for printing the substrate 6, and then guided to the counter pressure roller 18 and the pressure roller 17, where the transfer product 7 is pressed onto the substrate 6.

[0194] The system 4 shown in FIG. 2c corresponds to the system shown in FIG. 2b, where the substrate path and the transfer product path have been modified. Thus, the system 4 shown in FIG. 2c similarly comprises the multi-application device 2 already shown in FIG. 1c and additionally a substrate 6 and a transfer product 7. In the variant shown in FIG. 2c, however, the transfer product 7 is guided from the take-up roller 12a via a first multifunction roller 91. As can be seen from FIG. 2c, the transfer product 7 now wraps around the first multifunction roller 91 and drives the first multifunction roller 91. The transfer product 7 is fed via the first multifunction roller 91 to the printing nip 10, where the transfer product 7 is printed by the printing unit 8.

[0195] In this embodiment too, printing is carried out on the transfer product 7, in particular with a UV-curable ink used as adhesive. Here, this printing also takes place over the entire surface or in defined areas, thus in partial areas. Here too, the printing preferably takes place in the form of a pattern or motif.

[0196] The transfer product 7 is then combined with the substrate 6 and fed into a press nip formed by a pressure roller 17 and a counter pressure roller 18 .

[0197] In the variant shown in FIG. 2 c , the substrate 6 is fed via a deflection roller 15 and a counter pressure roller 18 into a press nip formed by a pressure roller 17 and a counter pressure roller 18 .

[0198] The bonding of the transfer product 7 to the substrate 6 is carried out here in the same way as in the variant already described for Fig. 2b, to which end reference is made. The further path of the substrate 6 and the transfer product 7 corresponds to that already described for Fig. 2b, to which end reference is made in this respect.

[0199] Thus, in the variant shown in FIG. 2 c , the first multifunction roller 91 rotates, for example counterclockwise, and printing takes place along the direction of travel of the transfer product 7 defined by the first multifunction roller 91 .

[0200] Thus, according to the variant shown in Figure 2c, the transfer product 7 is guided along the first multifunction roller 91 up to the printing nip 10 formed between the first multifunction roller 91 acting as a multifunction element 9 and the printing unit 8 for printing the transfer product 7, and further to the counter pressure roller 18 and the pressure roller 17, whereby the transfer product 7 is pressed against the substrate 6.

[0201] As can be seen from figures 2b and 2c, in the variant of figures 2b and 2c the first multifunction rollers 91 rotate in opposite directions of rotation.

[0202] The printing unit 8 is preferably configured by a digital program so that it can print along two travel directions, in other words, the printing unit 8 is configured by a digital program so that it can print according to the variant shown in Fig. 2b and according to the variant shown in Fig. 2b.

[0203] 2b and 2c show a method (operation) for a multi-coating device 2. The multi-coating device 2 comprises a multi-coating module 1 with a printing unit 8 and a first multifunctional roller 91 as a multifunctional element 9, and a cold transfer unit 5 with a pressure roller 17 and a counter pressure roller 18, between which a printing nip 10 is formed. In a first variant i), the substrate 6 is guided along the first multifunctional roller 91 to the printing nip 10 for printing the substrate 6, and further to the counter pressure roller 18 and the pressure roller 17, in which the transfer product 7 is pressed onto the substrate 6. Alternatively, in a second variant ii), the transfer product 7 is guided along the first multifunctional roller 91 to the printing nip 10 for printing the substrate 6, and further to the counter pressure roller 18 and the pressure roller 17, in which the transfer product 7 is pressed onto the substrate 6. In variants i) and ii), the first multifunction roller 91 rotates in opposite directions of rotation.

[0204] Thus, as shown in figures 2b and 2c, variants i) and ii) may be selected and / or implemented in or by the same multi-coating device 2. This is made possible in particular by a multi-coating module 1 comprising a first multifunction roller 91 mounted for rotation in two opposite rotational directions in a printing nip 10 and a printing unit 8 designed to be able to print along two travel directions defined by the two opposite rotational directions.

[0205] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the multi-coating module 1 and the cold transfer unit 5 .

[0206] The multi-application module 1 shown in Fig. 3 corresponds to the multifunctional module shown in Fig. 1a. For its design, reference is therefore made to the above description. The cold transfer unit 5 also corresponds to the cold transfer unit 5 shown in Fig. 1c, with the difference that the cold transfer unit 5 is designed as an extension module 22. The multi-application module 1 is therefore inserted in particular in a processing machine which performs the function of a cold transfer unit, for example an existing printing mechanism, in this embodiment a flexographic printing machine with a flexographic printing mechanism. For the further design of the cold transfer unit 5, reference is made to the above description, for example accompanying Fig. 1c.

[0207] An adapter, which in particular enables a mechanically stable fastening of the multi-application module 1 to the cold transfer unit 5 , can be arranged between the multi-application module 1 and the cold transfer unit 5 .

[0208] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the multi-coating apparatus 2.

[0209] The multi-application device 2 shown in Fig. 4 here comprises a printing unit 8 and a multifunctional element 9, between which a printing nip 10 is formed. In this design variant, the multifunctional element comprises a first multifunctional roller 91 and a printing table 13 arranged above it. The printing nip 10 is thus preferably formed between the printing unit 8 and the printing table 13.

[0210] To enable the multi-coating device 2 to print on the substrate 6 or transfer product 7, the first multifunction roller 91 is mounted to rotate in two opposing rotational directions in this embodiment. The printing unit 8 is further designed to print in the printing nip 10 along two travel directions defined by the two opposing rotational directions.

[0211] With regard to the printing unit 8 and the first multifunction roller 91, in this embodiment reference is made, for example, to the above explanation with regard to FIG. 1a.

[0212] 4 further includes take-up rollers 12a and 12b, the design of which is referred to above.

[0213] As shown in Fig. 4, the multi-coating device 2 further comprises one or more clamping systems 16 for clamping the transfer product 7. The clamping systems 16 may be selected individually or in combination. The clamping systems may be selected individually or in combination from one or more of the following elements: dancer rollers, control dancer rollers, measuring rollers, friction shafts.

[0214] The printing table 13 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged so that the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 can be guided over the printing table 13 .

[0215] The printing table 13 is preferably, in particular, 250 mm 2 ~1,000,000mm 2 , preferably 1000 mm 2 ~200,000mm 2100mm。 Furthermore, the printing table 13 is preferably arranged perpendicular to the printing unit 8. The ink is ejected from the printing unit 8 perpendicularly, i.e. vertically, to the flat surface area of ​​the printing table. The printing table may also have a length in the feed direction of the substrate 6 and / or the transfer product 7 of 5mm to 500mm, in particular 10mm to 100mm, and / or a width transverse to the feed direction of the substrate 6 and / or the transfer product 7 of 50mm to 2000mm, in particular 100mm to 1000mm. It is also useful if the distance between the printing unit 8 and the flat printing surface of the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 guided over the printing table 13 is 0.1mm to 5mm, preferably 0.5mm to 3mm.

[0216] The printing table 13 can also have air outlets for creating an air cushion, in particular an air cushion between the printing table 13 and the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 .

[0217] As already explained, the UV curable ink is preferably printed by the printing unit 8 .

[0218] The multi-coating device 2 further comprises at least one UV pre-curing light source 14. Preferably, one UV pre-curing light source 14 is usefully arranged on both sides of the printing unit 8, in particular along the two travel directions. At least one UV pre-curing light source 14 may be arranged reattachably, in particular reconnectably, on both sides of the printing unit 8, in particular along the two travel directions. The UV-curable ink may be fixed by the UV pre-curing light source 14 to prevent the UV-curable ink from flowing during further transport of the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 to the press nip formed by the pressure roller 17 and the counter pressure roller 18.

[0219] The multi-coating device 2 shown in FIG. 4 has two UV pre-curing light sources 14 on either side of the printing unit 8 .

[0220] The at least one UV pre-curing light source 14 is preferably a UV LED that generates light in the wavelength range, in particular, from 100 nm to 420 nm, preferably from 280 nm to 405 nm, more preferably from 280 nm to 380 nm, and even more preferably from 365 nm to 380 nm.

[0221] The distance between the UV pre-curing light source 14 and in particular the printed substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is more preferably 1 mm to 50 mm, more preferably 3 mm to 20 mm.

[0222] Moreover, it is convenient that the distance between the UV pre-curing light source 14 and the printing unit 8 or the printing table 13 is 10 mm to 500 mm, and preferably 30 mm to 100 mm.

[0223] The at least one UV pre-cure light source 14 preferably has an intensity of less than 0 W / cm 2 ~10W / cm 2 , preferably 0.5 W / cm 2 ~7.5W / cm 2 , and more preferably 2 W / cm 2 ~5W / cm 2 Generates an irradiance of

[0224] 4 further includes a pressure roller 17, a counter pressure roller 18, a peel roller 20, and a UV final curing light source 19a. The design of these rollers is described above. The multi-coating device 2 shown in FIG. 4 further includes a deflection and guide roller 15, which guides the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 through the multi-coating device 2.

[0225] The multi-coating device shown in Fig. 4 comprises an additional UV final curing light source 19b. The additional UV final curing light source 19b is arranged after the peeling roller 20, in particular in the travelling direction of the substrate 6. It is therefore useful if the additional UV final curing light source 19b is arranged 5 cm to 50 cm, in particular 5 cm to 20 cm, downstream or after the peeling roller 20, in particular in the transporting direction of the substrate 6. For further design of the additional UV final curing light source 19b, reference is made to the above explanations related to the UV final curing light source 19a.

[0226] As shown by dashed lines in Figures 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b, the multi-coating device 2 shown in Figure 4 comprises a multi-coating module 1 and a cold transfer unit 5. The multi-coating module 1 comprises at least a printing unit 8 and a multifunctional element 9 with a printing nip 10. The cold transfer unit 5 comprises at least a pressure roller 17 and a counter-pressure roller 18. Furthermore, the multifunctional element 9 shown in Figure 4 comprises a first multifunctional roller 9 and a printing table 13 arranged above said roller. Thus, the associated printing nip 10 is formed between the printing unit 8 and the printing table 13.

[0227] 5a and 5b show schematic cross-sectional views of a system 4, which in addition to the multi-coating device 2 comprises a substrate 6 and a transfer product 7. The variant of the system 4 shown in FIG. 5a and the variant of the system 4 shown in FIG. 5b differ in the substrate path and the transfer product path. FIGS. 5a and 5b show schematic cross-sectional views of a multi-coating device 2, which in particular further comprises a substrate 6 and a transfer product 7. FIGS. 5a and 5b also show a method (operation) of a multi-coating device 2 including the variant shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

[0228] According to a variant of the (operating) method for a multi-application device shown in FIG. 5a, the substrate 6 is guided along the multifunctional element 9 to a printing nip 10 formed between the printing unit 8 and the multifunctional element 9 for printing on the substrate 6. The multifunctional element 9 comprises a first multifunctional roller 91 and a printing table 13 arranged above it. The printing nip 10 is thus formed between the printing unit 8 and the printing table 13. The substrate 6 is further guided to a counter-pressure roller 18 and a pressure roller 17, where the transfer product 7 is pressed against the substrate 6. According to a variant of the (operating) method for a multi-application device 2 shown in FIG. 5b, the transfer product 7 is guided along the multifunctional element 9 to a printing nip 10 formed between the printing unit 8 and the multifunctional element 9 for printing on the substrate 6. The multifunctional element 9 comprises a first multifunctional roller 91 and a printing table 13 arranged above it. The printing nip 10 is thus formed between the printing unit 8 and the printing table 13. The transfer product 7 is further guided to a counter pressure roller 18 and a pressure roller 17, which presses the transfer product 7 onto the substrate 6. In the variant of the method for the multi-coating device 2 shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the first multifunction roller 91 rotates in opposite rotational directions.

[0229] Thus, in the variant shown in FIG. 5a, the substrate 6 first flows a short distance via the deflection roller 15 along the counter pressure roller 18 to the first multifunction roller 91. From the first multifunction roller 91, the substrate 6 is then guided to the printing table 13, where printing is carried out by the printing unit 8 in a printing nip 10 formed between the printing table 13 or the multifunction element 9 and the printing unit 8. UV-curable inks are preferably used as printing material. From the printing table 13, the substrate 6 is again guided to the first multifunction roller 91. The substrate 6 partially wraps around the first multifunction roller 91, which drives the first multifunction roller 91. After printing in the printing nip 10, the printed material is fixed by the UV pre-curing light source 14. The UV pre-curing light source 14 is therefore arranged downstream of the printing. The substrate 6 is then brought together with the transfer product 7 and pressed in a press nip formed between the pressure roller 17 and the counter pressure roller 18. For this purpose, the transfer product 7 is guided from the take-up roller 12a to the press nip via the clamping system 16 and the deflection roller 15. The clamping system 16 ensures the transport of the transfer product 7 under tension. As shown in FIG. 5a, the substrate 6 and the transfer product 7 simultaneously cover a common segment on the counter-pressure roller 18. The UV final curing light source 19a completely cures the printing through the transfer product 7 in this common segment. With complete curing, the transfer product 7 or the transfer ply of the transfer product 7 is bonded to the substrate 6 in the areas where the printing, in particular the UV-curable ink, was previously applied. As shown in FIG. 5a, the transfer product 7 is then separated again from the substrate 6 by the peeling roller 20. The transfer ply of the transfer product 7 remains on the substrate 6 in the previously printed areas. The transfer product 7 is then wound up on the take-up roller 12b via the deflection roller 15 and the clamping system 16. The substrate 6, decorated with the transfer ply 7 in at least some areas, is guided outside the system 4 or the multi-coating device 2 via the deflection roller 15.

[0230] In contrast, in the variant shown in FIG. 5b, the substrate 6 is guided over the counter pressure roller 18 via the deflection roller 15. The substrate 6 at least partially wraps around the counter pressure roller 18. The substrate 6 is guided over the counter pressure roller 18 to the press nip formed by the pressure roller 17 and the counter pressure roller 18. In contrast, the transfer product 7 is guided from the take-up roller 12a via the clamping system 16 and the deflection roller 15 to the first multifunction roller 91. The transfer product 7 is then guided from the first multifunction roller 91 to the printing table 13, where it is printed by the printing unit 8 in the printing nip formed between the printing table 13 or the multifunction element 9 and the printing unit 8. Preferably, UV-curable inks are used as printing material. From the printing table 13, the transfer product 7 is guided again to the first multifunction roller 91, where the transfer product 7 partially wraps around the first multifunction roller 91. The transfer product 7 thereby drives the first multifunction roller 91. After printing in the printing nip 10, the printed material is fixed by the UV pre-curing light source 14. The UV pre-curing light source 14 is therefore located downstream of the printing. The UV pre-curing light source 14 shown in Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b is therefore a remountable UV pre-curing light source 14 that can be mounted on each side of the printing unit 8 depending on whether the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is to be printed. The transfer product 7 is then pressed together with the substrate 6 in the press nip formed between the pressure roller 17 and the counter pressure roller 18. As shown in Fig. 5b, the substrate 6 and the transfer product 7 simultaneously cover a common segment on the counter pressure roller 18. In this common segment, the printing is fully cured through the transfer product 7 by the UV final curing light source 19a. By fully curing, the transfer product 7 or the transfer ply of the transfer product 7 is bonded to the substrate 6 in the areas where the printing, especially the UV-curable ink, was previously applied. As shown in Fig. 5b, the transfer product 7 is then separated again from the substrate 6 by the peel roller 20, and the transfer ply of the transfer product 7 remains on the substrate 6 in the printed areas. The transfer product 7 is then wound up via a deflection roller 15 and a clamping system 16 onto a winding roller 12b.The substrate 6 , decorated in at least some areas with the transfer ply, is guided outside the system 4 or multi-coating device 2 via a deflection roller 15 .

[0231] Concerning the design of the components or elements shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, reference is made, for example, to the above description regarding FIG.

[0232] Corresponding to the system 4 comprising a multi-coating device 2 having a multi-coating module 1 and a cold transfer unit 2, and further comprising a substrate 6 and a transfer product 7, the printing system 3 similarly shown in Figures 5a and 5b is a multi-coating module 1 shown in Figures 5a and 5b, further comprising a substrate 6 and / or a transfer product 7.

[0233] Thus, as shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is guided by the first multifunction roller 91. Thus, the substrate 6 guided over the first multifunction roller 91 or the transfer product 7 guided over the first multifunction roller 91 can be printed in two opposite directions of travel in the printing nip 10 by the printing unit 8. In particular, the rotation directions of the first multifunction roller 91 can be rotated in opposite directions during the guiding of the substrate 6 and the transfer product 7.

[0234] As can be seen from figures 5a and 5b, both the variant shown in figure 5a and the variant shown in figure 5b are carried out by the same multi-coating device 2 or the same system 4. As mentioned above, in particular the substrate path and the transfer product path in the multi-coating device 2 are different. Thus, printing on the substrate 6 or on the transfer product 7 takes place in the same multi-coating module 1, the substrate travel direction and the transfer product travel direction or transport direction being different, in particular opposite.

[0235] Furthermore, in the variant shown in Fig. 5a, the first multifunction roller 91 rotates clockwise, whereas in the variant shown in Fig. 5b, the first multifunction roller 91 rotates counterclockwise. As shown in Fig. 5a and 5b, the counterpressure roller 18 now rotates clockwise in both variants.

[0236] As can be seen from the above description, according to the variant shown in Figure 5a, the substrate 6 is printed and then combined with the transfer product 7 by exactly the same machine, whereas according to the variant shown in Figure 5b, the transfer product 7 is printed and then combined with the substrate 6.

[0237] 6a and 6b show a schematic cross-sectional view of the system 4.

[0238] The system 4 shown in Figures 6a and 6b corresponds to the system shown in Figures 5a and 5b, but differs in that one or more components selected from the group of the pressure roller 17, the at least one UV final curing light source 19a, the peeling roller 20 and optionally at least one further UV final curing light source 19b are displaceable so as to pivot around the counter pressure roller 18, in particular to adapt the feed angle α of the transferred product 7 to the press nip formed by the pressure roller 17 and the counter pressure roller 18.

[0239] As can be seen from Figures 6a and 6b and as indicated by the arrows, the pressure roller 17, UV final curing light source 19a and peeling roller 20 shown in Figure 6b are pivoted relative to the pressure roller 17, UV final curing light source 19a and peeling roller 20 shown in Figure 6a such that the feed angle α into the press nip meets the minimum value in both variants shown in Figures 6a and 6b.

[0240] 7a and 7b show a schematic cross-sectional view of the system 4.

[0241] The system 4 shown in Figures 7a and 7b corresponds to the system shown in Figures 5a and 5b, but differs in that the cold transfer unit 5 is displaceable relative to the multi-application module 1, in particular to adapt the feed angle α of the transfer product 7 to the press nip formed by the pressure roller 17 and the counterpressure roller 18.

[0242] As can be seen from Figures 7a and 7b and as indicated by the arrows, the cold transfer unit 5 shown in Figure 7b is displaced so that the feed angle α into the press nip meets a minimum value in both variants shown in Figures 7a and 7b.

[0243] Figures 8a to 8f show various embodiments of the multifunctional element 9 of the multi-application module 1. In each figure, a printing unit 8 is additionally provided above the multifunctional element 9, and the position of the multifunctional element 9 relative to the printing unit 8 is shown.

[0244] In FIG. 8a, the multifunctional element 9 comprises only the first multifunctional roller 91. Thus, a printing nip is formed between the printing unit 8 and the first multifunctional roller 91. The substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is preferably at least partially wrapped around the first multifunctional roller 91, so that the multifunctional roller 91 is driven by the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7. The ink is preferably ejected from the printing unit 8 perpendicularly to the periphery of the first multifunctional roller 91. In this embodiment, the first multifunctional roller 91 preferably has a diameter as large as possible, which results in a curvature in the printing area as small as possible. Thus, a high printing quality is ensured. The first multifunctional roller 91 shown in FIG. 8a is rotatably mounted and can therefore rotate in two opposite rotational directions. As mentioned above, the rotational direction depends on whether the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is to be printed.

[0245] In Fig. 8b, the multifunctional element 9 comprises a first multifunctional roller 91 and a printing table 13 arranged above it. A printing nip is thus formed between the printing unit 8 and the printing table 13. Analogous to the design according to Fig. 8a, the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is at least partially wrapped around the first multifunctional roller 91, which is driven by the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7. As shown in Fig. 8b, the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is guided over the printing table 13. The printing table 13 preferably forms a flat surface area acting as a printing surface. Printing on the flat surface area ensures high printing quality and printing accuracy.

[0246] In Fig. 8c, the multifunctional element 9 only comprises a printing table 13. Thus, also in the design shown in Fig. 8c, the printing nip 10 is formed between the printing unit 8 and the printing table 13. The substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is guided over the printing table 13. In a preferred design, the printing table 13 may have rollers and / or rolls, in particular integrated therein, to allow better runnability of the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7.

[0247] In Fig. 8d, the multifunctional element 9 comprises a first multifunctional roller 91 and two second multifunctional rollers 92. The substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 at least partially wraps around the first multifunctional roller 91, which drives the first multifunctional roller 91. The substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 contacts the first multifunctional roller at a first point, after which the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is guided over the first second multifunctional roller 92 and then returns to the first multifunctional roller 91 in a detouring manner via the second second multifunctional roller 92. This means that the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is clamped between the two second multifunctional rollers 92 such that the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 forms a flat printing surface. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8d, the printing nip 10 is formed between the flat printing surface and the printing unit 8 or between the two second multifunctional rollers 92 and the printing unit 8. Clamping the substrate 6 or transfer product 7 by the second multifunction roller to form a flat printing surface promotes high print quality and accuracy. The first multifunction roller 91 and the second multifunction roller 92 are preferably mounted to be rotatable in two opposing rotational directions. As mentioned above, the rotational direction depends on whether the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is to be printed.

[0248] In Fig. 8e, the multifunctional element 9 comprises two second multifunctional rollers 92. The substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is at least partially wrapped around the two second multifunctional rollers 92, which are driven by them. As already shown in Fig. 8d, also in the embodiment according to Fig. 8e, the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is clamped between the two second multifunctional rollers 92 to form a flat printing surface. This allows high printing quality and printing accuracy. The second multifunctional rollers 92 are preferably mounted rotatably in two opposite rotation directions. The rotation directions depend on whether the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is to be printed.

[0249] In FIG. 8f, the multifunctional element 9 comprises one first multifunctional roller 91 and one second multifunctional roller 92. The substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 at least partially wraps around both the first multifunctional roller 91 and the second multifunctional roller 92 and drives the first and second multifunctional rollers 91, 92. In the design shown in FIG. 8f, the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is clamped via the first multifunctional roller 91 and one second multifunctional roller 92 such that a flat printing surface is formed. The flat printing surface is preferably arranged vertically with respect to the printing unit 8 or vertically with respect to the ink ejection direction by the printing unit 8. The first multifunctional roller 91 and the second multifunctional roller 92 are preferably mounted rotatably in two opposing rotation directions. In each case, the rotation direction depends on whether the substrate 6 or the transfer product 7 is printed.

[0250] Figures 9a and 9b both show schematic cross-sectional views of the system 4. The system shown in Figures 9a and 9b substantially corresponds to the system shown in Figures 6a and 6b, with the difference that the transfer product 7 is transported towards the press nip formed between the pressure roller 17 and the counter pressure roller 18 using a transfer product transport system 24.

[0251] Figures 9a and 9b also show schematic cross-sectional views of a multi-coating apparatus 2, which further includes, inter alia, a substrate 6 and a transfer product 7. Figures 9a and 9b therefore also show a method (of operation) of the multi-coating apparatus 2, including variants of Figures 9a and 9b.

[0252] Only the transport path of the transfer product 7 in Figures 9a and 9b is different from that of the transfer product 7 shown in Figures 6a and 6b, so only the modified transport path will be described and the repeated description will be omitted. In contrast, the transport path of the substrate 6 is the same as that in Figures 6a and 6b. Also, the arrangement of the multi-coating device 2 and the remaining components of the system 4 is the same as that in Figures 6a and 6b.

[0253] Thus, in the variant of the method (operation) shown in Fig. 9a, for printing of the transfer product 7, the transfer product 7 starts from the take-up roller 12a and is fed along the multifunctional element 9 via the clamping system 16 to the printing nip 10 formed between the printing unit 8 and the multifunctional element 9. In this variant, the multifunctional element 9 comprises a first multifunctional roller 91 and a printing table 13 arranged above it. The transfer product 7 is further guided by the transfer product transport system 24 to the counter pressure roller 18 and the pressure roller 17, where the transfer product 7 is pressed against the substrate 6. The transfer product 7 is separated from the substrate 6 again by the peeling roller 20, and the transfer ply remains on the substrate 6 in the printed area. The transfer product 7 is then taken up on the take-up roller 12b via the deflection roller 15 and the clamping system 16.

[0254] A transfer product transport system 24 is positioned upstream of the counter pressure roller 18 so that the transfer product 7 is placed in registration with the substrate 6 using the transfer product transport system 24. The function of the transfer product transport system 24 will be explained below in conjunction with the description of Figure 9b.

[0255] In the variant of the method (operation) shown in Fig. 9b, the transfer product 7 starts from the take-up roller 12a and passes via the clamping system 16 and the transfer product transport system 24 to the counter pressure roller 18. The transfer product 7 on the counter pressure roller 18 is pressed against the substrate 6 by the pressure roller 17. As also shown in Fig. 9a, the transfer product 7 is then separated again from the substrate 6 by the peeling roller 20, and the transfer ply of the transfer product 7 remains on the substrate 6 in the printed areas. The transfer product 7 is then taken up on the take-up roller 12b via the deflection roller 15 and the clamping system 16.

[0256] The material transport is precisely controlled by a transfer product transport system 24 arranged after the clamping system 16. The transfer product transport system 24 preferably controls the positioning in the press nip of at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product 7 and at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate 6 across the transfer product 7 in a precisely registered manner. At least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product 7 and / or substrate 6 are preferably already applied in the production process of the transfer product 7 or substrate 6. Furthermore, optically detectable registration or register marks are applied to at least one element and / or at least one layer of the transfer product 7 or substrate 6. These registration or register marks are detected by a detection unit arranged in the transfer product transport system 24. This allows the position of at least one element and / or at least one layer on the transfer product 7 to be determined. Based on these data, the driven rollers in the transfer product transport system 24 are accelerated or decelerated, resulting in a localized change in the transport speed of the transfer product 7 relative to the overall transport speed of the transfer product 7. Since the transfer product 7 is somewhat extensible, the localized transport speed of the transfer product 7 ensures that the transfer product 7 is applied in precise registration with the substrate 6 or the print on the substrate 6 and / or at least one element and / or at least one layer on the substrate 6. Such driven rollers may comprise one or more elements selected individually or in combination from a roller with an opposing pressure roller, a roller with at least one or more segmented pressure rollers, or a vacuum roller.

[0257] The transfer product transport system 24 may also have a clamping system, which further influences the elongation of the transfer product 7. Thus, the transport speed of the transfer product 7 upstream of the transfer product transport system 24 can be different from the transport speed downstream of the transfer product transport system 24. The elongation of the transfer product 7 thus allows a registered positioning of the transfer product 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0258] 1 Multi-application module 2 Multi-coating device 3. Printing System 4. System 5 Cold transfer unit 6 Base material 7 Transfer products 8 Printing unit 9 Multifunctional Elements 91 First Multi-Function Roller 92 Second Multi-Function Roller 10 Printing nip 11a,11b Direction of travel 12a, 12b Winding roller 13 Printing Table 14 UV pre-curing light source 15 Deflection rollers and / or guide rollers 16 Clamping System 17 Pressure roller 18 Counter pressure roller 19a,19b UV final curing light source 20 Peeling roller or peeling blade 21 Section 22 Expansion Modules 23 Processing Machine 24 Transfer product transport system

Claims

1. A multi-application module (1) for printing on a substrate (6) or a transfer product (7), comprising: a printing unit (8); a multifunctional element (9); Equipped with A printing nip (10) is formed between the printing unit (8) and the multifunctional element (9), said multifunction element (9) having at least one component selected from the group of components consisting of a first multifunction roller (91), at least one second multifunction roller (92) and a printing table (13); The printing unit (8) is designed to print in two directions of travel in the printing nip (10), the printing unit (8) is or comprises a UV inkjet printbar, and / or The printing unit (8) comprises at least one inkjet printhead; printing on said substrate (6) or said transfer product (7) is carried out using the same printing unit (8) in the same printing nip (10); the substrate (6) guided over the at least one multifunction roller of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92) is printed in the printing nip (10) in a first direction of travel when the at least one multifunction roller of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92) rotates in a first direction of rotation, or When at least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92) rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the transfer product (7) guided over at least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92) is printed in the printing nip (10) in a second traveling direction opposite to the first traveling direction. A multi-application module (1) characterized in that

2. the multi-application module (1) further comprises two take-up rollers (12a, 12b) for receiving the transfer product (7); and / or The multi-application module (1) further comprises a clamping system (16) for clamping the transfer product (7), the clamping system (16) comprises one or more components selected individually or in combination from the group of components consisting of dancer rollers, control dancer rollers, measuring rollers, and friction shafts; A multi-application module (1) according to claim 1.

3. At least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92) is mounted to be rotatable in two opposite rotational directions; A multi-application module (1) according to claim 1.

4. At least one of the first multifunction roller (91) combined with one second multifunction roller (92), the first multifunction roller (91) combined with two second multifunction rollers (92), and the two second multifunction rollers (92) are arranged so that the substrate (6) or the transfer product (7) is guided through at least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92) to form a flat printing surface; the flat printing surface is arranged perpendicular to the printing unit (8) and / or has a surface area of ​​250 mm 2 to 1,000,000 mm 2 ; A multi-application module (1) according to claim 1.

5. the printing table (13) is arranged so that the substrate (6) or the transfer product (7) is guided over the printing table (13), and / or said printing table (13) defines a flat surface area having a surface area between 250 mm 2 and 1,000,000 mm 2 ; and / or the printing table (13) is arranged perpendicular to the printing unit (8), and / or The printing table (13) has an air outlet for generating an air cushion. A multi-application module (1) according to claim 1.

6. The multi-application module (1) further comprises at least one UV pre-cure light source (14); the at least one UV pre-cure light source (14) produces an irradiance of 0 W / cm 2 to 10 W / cm 2 ; A multi-application module (1) according to claim 1.

7. the surface of at least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92) has a surface structure produced by a surface finishing process; and / or At least one of the first multi-function roller (91) and the at least one second multi-function roller (92) has at least one of an anti-slip coating and a traction coating; At least one of the printing unit (8) and the UV inkjet print bar has at least two rows of printheads; and / or said printing unit (8) having at least two ink receiving devices for receiving at least two different inks; A multi-application module (1) according to claim 1.

8. Ink is ejected from the printing unit (8) perpendicularly, i.e., vertically, to the surface of the multifunctional element (9). A multi-application module (1) according to claim 4.

9. the substrate (6) or the transfer product (7) is guided by at least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92), and / or At least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92) is configured to guide the substrate (6) or the transfer product (7), and / or the substrate (6) guided over at least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92), or the transfer product (7) guided over at least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92), is printed along the two travel directions in the printing nip (10) by the printing unit (8); the rotational directions of at least one of the first multifunctional roller (91) and the at least one second multifunctional roller (92) are opposite rotational directions during the guiding of the substrate (6) and the transfer product (7); and / or The substrate (6) or the transfer product (7) is guided over at least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92). A multi-application module (1) according to claim 1.

10. The multi-application module (1) has a changeable substrate path and / or transfer product path; the multi-application module (1) comprises at least one detection unit, which detects the position of at least one element and at least one layer on at least one of the substrate (6) and the transfer product (7); The detection unit is connected to a control device, and the control device controls the printing unit (8) based on the position data detected by the detection unit so that printing on at least one of the substrate (6) and the transfer product (7) is performed in registration with at least one of the at least one element and the at least one layer. A multi-application module (1) according to claim 1.

11. A multi-application module (1) according to claim 1, a cold transfer unit (5); A multi-coating device (2) comprising: The cold transfer unit (5) comprises a pressure roller (17) and a counter pressure roller (18). A multi-coating device (2) characterized by:

12. The pressure roller (17) has a rubber or silicone coating with a hardness of 25 Shore A to 100 Shore A. Multi-application device (2) according to claim 11.

13. the cold transfer unit (5) further comprises at least one UV final curing light source (19a); and / or said cold transfer unit (5) comprising a peeling roller (20) or a peeling blade; and / or The cold transfer unit (5) comprises at least one further UV final curing light source (19b), Multi-application device (2) according to claim 11.

14. One or more components selected from the group of components consisting of the pressure roller (17), at least one UV final curing light source (19a), a peeling roller (20) or a peeling blade, at least one further UV final curing light source (19b) are swivelable around the counter pressure roller (18), or The cold transfer unit (5) is displaceable relative to the multi-coating module (1); Multi-application device (2) according to claim 11.

15. At least one of the pressure roller (17) and the counter pressure roller (18) is driven. Multi-application device (2) according to claim 11.

16. The cold transfer unit (5) is designed as an expansion module (22) that can be inserted into a processing machine (23), and / or the cold transfer unit (5) comprises at least one detection unit, which detects the position of at least one element and at least one layer on at least one of the substrate (6) and the transfer product (7); Positioning is performed through stretching of the transfer product (7), and after conveying the transfer product (7) to the press nip, the pressure roller (17) presses, in a registered state, at least one of the at least one element and the at least one layer on the transfer product (7) against at least one of the at least one element and the at least one layer on the substrate (6). Multi-application device (2) according to claim 11.

17. The multi-coating device (2) comprises a transfer product transport system (24) having a clamping system for controlled transport of material, the transfer product transport system (24) controls the precisely aligned positioning in the press nip of the at least one element and / or the at least one layer on the transfer product (7) and the at least one element and / or the at least one layer on the substrate (6) through the stretching of the transfer product (7) by the clamping system, or The multi-coating device (2) comprises a transfer product transport system (24) for controlled transport of material; the transfer product transport system (24) controls the precisely registered positioning of the at least one element and / or the at least one layer on the transfer product (7) and the at least one element and / or the at least one layer on the substrate (6) in the press nip through stretching of the transfer product (7) by a driven vacuum roller; and / or the transfer product transport system (24) comprises at least one driven roller that influences the transport speed of the transfer product (7) and a detection unit; Multi-application device (2) according to claim 11.

18. A method of operating a multi-application device (2) according to claim 11, comprising: In a first variant i), the substrate (6) is guided along the multifunctional element (9) to a printing nip (10) formed between the printing unit (8) and the multifunctional element (9) for printing on the substrate (6), and further guided to one counter-pressure roller (18) and a pressure roller (17), in which the transfer product (7) is pressed against the substrate (6), or In a second variant ii), the transfer product (7) is guided along the multifunctional element (9) to the printing nip (10) formed between the printing unit (8) and the multifunctional element (9) for printing on the transfer product (7), and further guided to the counter-pressure roller (18) and the pressure roller (17) to press the transfer product (7) against the substrate (6), In variants i) and ii), at least one of the substrate (6) and the transfer product (7) is guided in opposite directions of travel; A method of operation characterized by:

19. In the first variant i), the counter-pressure roller (18) rotates in a direction of rotation corresponding to the direction of advance of the substrate (6) in the multifunctional element (9), In the second variant ii), the counter-pressure roller (18) rotates in a direction of rotation opposite to the direction of advance of the transfer product (7) on the multifunctional element (9), 20. The method of claim 18.

20. said multifunction element (9) having at least one component selected from the group of components consisting of a first multifunction roller (91), at least one second multifunction roller (92) and a printing table (13); At least one of the first multifunction roller (91) and the at least one second multifunction roller (92) is mounted to be rotatable in two opposite rotational directions; 20. The method of claim 18.

21. At least one of the counter-pressure roller (18) and the pressure roller (17) is driven, and / or The transfer product (7) is unwound from a first winding roller (12a) of two winding rollers (12a, 12b) and wound onto a second winding roller (12b) of the two winding rollers (12a, 12b).

20. The method of claim 18.

22. The substrate (6) or the transfer product (7) is printed on a surface of the substrate (6) or the transfer product (7) facing away from at least one of the surface of the first multifunction roller (91), the surface of the at least one second multifunction roller (92) and the surface of the printing table (13), and / or printing on said substrate (6) or said transfer product (7) is carried out in the same printing nip (10); and / or The pressing of the transfer product (7) against the substrate (6) is performed by the same counter pressure roller (18) and the same pressure roller (17).

20. The method of claim 18.

23. In the first variant i), the substrate (6) comprises at least one of the at least one element and at least one layer, and a print is positioned as a further layer aligned with the at least one element and at least one layer, and / or In the second variant ii), the substrate (6) comprises at least one element and / or at least one layer, on which the printing for the transfer product (7) is positioned; 20. The method of claim 18.

24. In the first variant i), the substrate (6) comprises at least one element and / or at least one layer, a print positioned as a further layer positioned relative to at least one of the at least one element and the at least one layer; At least one of the at least one element and the at least one layer on the transfer product (7) is aligned with any one of the print, the at least one element and the at least one layer on the substrate (6) and pressed in a press nip between the counter pressure roller (18) and the pressure roller (17); and / or In the second variant ii), the substrate (6) comprises at least one element and / or at least one layer, At least one of the at least one element and at least one layer on the transfer product (7) is aligned with at least one of the at least one element and at least one layer on the substrate (6) and pressed against the at least one element or at least one layer on the substrate (6) in the press nip between the counter pressure roller (18) and the pressure roller (17).

20. The method of claim 18.

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