Gravure printing cylinder for large tag printing

Abstract

The present invention discloses a gravure printing cylinder with engravings suitable for gravure printing of large tags.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention discloses a gravure printing cylinder with engravings suitable for gravure printing of large tags. [Background technology]

[0002] Packaged items need to be labeled and authenticated, for example to prevent counterfeiting.

[0003] EP 2513654 B1 discloses porous silica optical microtags that are difficult to replicate and read without specialised equipment.

[0004] WO 2011 / 159338(A1) discloses the use of the microtags in a system for verifying items in a package, including a package manufacturer and a verifier, where the package manufacturer produces a package containing an item, the item having one or more of the microtag identifiers located at a location on the item, and the verifier verifies the item using, inter alia, 1) the one or more microtag identifiers detected using spectral measurements, or 2) the location or shape of one or more tag identifiers on the item.

[0005] According to its abstract, US Patent Application Publication No. 201110068509(A1) discloses a method for producing an intaglio printing plate for producing security paper, in which an intaglio printing pattern (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) is directly engraved into the surface of a laser-engravable, in particular metallic, printing plate medium (1) using a laser beam (2), and the laser engraving of the printing plate medium (1) is carried out layer by layer in a number of individual engraving steps performed one after the other in register so that the intaglio printing pattern (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) is gradually engraved into the surface of the printing plate medium (1) to the desired engraving depth.

[0006] Microtags have the advantage of being too small to be detected by the human eye, or at least small enough not to discern any meaningful details, both of which contribute to, for example, effective anti-counterfeiting.

[0007] The internet page of TruTag Technologies, Inc., Honolulu, 96826, USA, discloses a tag size range of 50–100 μm, which can be decoded by both TruTag's proprietary reader and a mobile phone. A video on this internet page demonstrates the spray application technique. Tags can be applied by spraying onto an object. Spraying is a fairly nonspecific and nondiscriminatory application technique with regard to the distribution, quantity, and location of the sprayed tag on the object, and always involves waste of the sprayed product due to so-called overspray.

[0008] Neither of the two disclosures, EP 2513654(B1) nor WO 2011 / 159338(A1), provides specific details on how to apply the microtags to a surface and how to label a surface with the microtags, respectively.

[0009] Gravure printing is a long-known printing technique that uses a gravure cylinder engraved with an engraved pattern to be printed on the surface. Gravure printing is a selective transfer process with respect to the amount and location of transfer. However, when printing ink containing the microtag using a known engraved pattern on the gravure cylinder, problems arise when transferring the microtag from the ink reservoir to the gravure cylinder and then from the gravure cylinder to the surface to be imprinted.

[0010] Conventional known engravings on gravure printing cylinders typically have a maximum lateral extension of up to 150 μm. Large tags contained in gravure printing inks are not captured by such engravings at all or in a sufficient quantity, so that the amount of large tags transferred to the surface of the printing substrate is not sufficient to be read by a mobile phone's built-in camera.

[0011] As the size of the engraving increases beyond the typical size of engravings commonly found on gravure printing cylinders, the quality of the printed pattern on the surface of the printing substrate decreases, resulting in a blurred, smudged, and / or smeared printed pattern, especially on the side of the engraved area opposite the printing direction.

[0012] There was a need for an improved gravure printing cylinder capable of reproducibly and with high quality printing of microtags, especially large microtags.

[0013] Unexpectedly, abutting conventional engraving against large engraving allows both uptake and transfer of a sufficient amount of the large tag by the gravure printing cylinder, resulting in a printed pattern including the large tag with acceptable print quality, where the boundaries are not blurred, or at least are still only acceptably blurred, especially on the side of the engraved area opposite the printing direction.

[0014] This problem was solved by a specific type of engraving on the gravure cylinder.

[0015] The terms "microtag" and "tag" are used interchangeably herein. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The subject of the present invention is a gravure printing cylinder for printing a gravure pattern, including large tags, on the surface of a printing substrate, The pattern to be gravure printed is formed on the surface of the gravure printing cylinder in two regions: Area NORM for gravure printing and AREA-TAG is an area for gravure printing of large tags. Carved as a carved pattern including AREA-NORM is an area bounded by its boundaries, AREA-TAG is an area delimited by its boundaries, AREA-NORM includes ENGRAVING-NORM, AREA-TAG includes ENGRAVING-TAG, ENGRAVING-NORM is a pit and its surrounding wall, the pit is engraved into the surface of the gravure printing cylinder, the surrounding wall is not engraved, and the top of the wall is at the same level as the non-engraved surface of the gravure printing cylinder. The length of the ENGRAVING-NORM is the length in the direction of the maximum lateral extension of the ENGRAVING-NORM, The width of the ENGRAVING-NORM is the maximum lateral extension of the ENGRAVING-NORM perpendicular to its length, The length of the ENGRAVING-NORM is equal to or greater than its width, The ENGRAVING-TAG is a large pit and its surrounding wall, the large pit is engraved on the surface of the gravure printing cylinder, the surrounding wall is not engraved, and the top of the wall is at the same level as the non-engraved surface of the gravure printing cylinder. The length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is the length in the direction of the maximum lateral extension of the ENGRAVING-TAG, The width of the ENGRAVING-TAG is the maximum lateral extension of the ENGRAVING-TAG perpendicular to its length, The length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is equal to or greater than its width, The length of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is the length in the direction of the maximum horizontal extension of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1), The width of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is the maximum lateral extension of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) perpendicular to its length, The length of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is equal to or greater than its width. Any lateral dimension is the dimension at the cylindrical layer coaxial with the non-engraved surface of the gravure printing cylinder; Gravure printing cylinders are The width of the ENGRAVING-NORM is less than 0.4 mm, The minimum width of ENGRAVING-NORM is 0.4 mm. The width of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is at least 50% of the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1); all portions of the boundary of AREA-TAG on at least the side of AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction abut a portion of the boundary of AREA-NORM; The printing direction is a circumferential direction around the axis of the gravure printing cylinder, around which the gravure printing cylinder rotates during printing.

[0017] Abbreviations and Definitions AREA-NORM An area with at least one engraving, typical of conventional gravure printing. AREA-TAG Area with at least one engraved ENGRAVING-TAG for gravure printing of large tags Contour The two-dimensional shape of AREA-NORM, AREA-TAG, ENGRAVING-NORM, ENGRAVING-NORM pits, ENGRAVING-TAG, ENGRAVING-TAG large pits, and ridges. The orientation of both dimensions is in an imaginary cylindrical layer coaxial with the non-engraved surface of the gravure cylinder, unless otherwise specified. Depth The radial extension from the level of the non-engraved surface of the gravure printing cylinder towards the axis of the gravure printing cylinder. ENGRAVING-NORM Engraving as a pit with surrounding walls, typical of conventional gravure printing ENGRAVING-TAG Sculpture as a large pit with surrounding walls Large Pits The term "large pits" is the name or designation for pits or recesses sized to accommodate large tags in gravure printing ink, and may also be referred to as "large tag pits" or "large tag pits." This term helps distinguish between ENGRAVING-NORM pits, referred to herein simply as "pits," and ENGRAVING-TAG pits, referred to herein as "large pits." Lateral direction: the direction in the imaginary layer coaxial with the unsculpted surface of the cylinder Length: Horizontal length unless otherwise stated. Longitudinal direction Transverse direction parallel to each length Pits Pits in the sense of the present invention, whether pits of ENGRAVING-NORM or large pits of ENGRAVING-TAG, can also be called depressions. Printing Direction The printing direction of the printing substrate is the direction in which it moves under the rotating gravure cylinder as it is imprinted; the gravure cylinder has an axis and rotates about said axis in the printing direction when printing; therefore, the printing direction of the gravure cylinder is the circumferential direction about the axis of the gravure cylinder in the direction in which the gravure cylinder rotates when printing. The side of the AREA-TAG that is printed first by the rotating gravure cylinder is referred to herein as the side of the AREA-TAG in the printing direction, while the side of the AREA-TAG that is printed last by the rotating gravure cylinder is referred to herein as the side of the AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction. Shape The three-dimensional shape of the surface of an object Vertical: The direction perpendicular to the unsculpted surface of the cylinder; the two terms "vertical" and "radial" are used synonymously herein. Width: The width in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the length Wall or Ridge Width Unless otherwise specified, the width is determined at the top of the wall or ridge, i.e., the side of the wall or ridge with the greatest radial distance to the axis of the gravure cylinder. The apostrophe ' is used as a thousands separator (1'000). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The printing substrate can be provided by any pharmaceutical or nutritional dosage form of drug or food, or food suitable for gravure printing, such as a two-piece hard capsule shell, or the body or cap of a two-piece hard capsule shell, or a tablet, or a candy, and preferably the gravure printing cylinder is adapted to print on the surface of such a printing substrate, preferably the surface of a two-piece hard capsule shell, or the body or cap of a two-piece hard capsule shell, or a tablet.

[0019] The printing surface is the outer surface of the printing substrate onto which the pattern containing the large tag is printed.

[0020] Preferably, the surface of the two-piece hard capsule shell or the cap or body of the two-piece hard capsule shell on which the pattern including the large tag is printed is the outer surface of the cylindrical part of the two-piece hard capsule shell or the body or cap of the two-piece hard capsule shell, and preferably, the surface of the food product such as a tablet or candy on which the pattern including the large tag is printed is the cylindrical part of the tablet or food product.

[0021] A gravure printing cylinder is an engraved cylinder and can also be called a gravure cylinder.

[0022] The length of the gravure cylinder extends along its axis.

[0023] The terms "abutting," "directly adjacent," and "directly bordering" are used interchangeably herein to mean, for example, that at least a portion of an AREA-NORM and at least a portion of an AREA-TAG abut each other, or are directly adjacent to each other, or directly border each other.

[0024] An AREA-NORM is an area bounded by its boundary. An AREA-NORM is an area defined when every ENGRAVING-NORM in the AREA-NORM touches the outermost ENGRAVING-NORM in the AREA-NORM, and is thereby bounded by an imaginary line connecting every two adjacent outermost ENGRAVING-NORMs in the AREA-NORM. This imaginary line is the boundary of the AREA-NORM.

[0025] Preferably, the imaginary line connects every two adjacent outermost ENGRAVING-NORMs within an AREA-NORM in such a way that the length of the imaginary line, and therefore the length of the boundary of the AREA-NORM, is minimal, so that the connecting portion of the imaginary line between every two adjacent outermost ENGRAVING-NORMs within an AREA-NORM is a straight line that connects tangentially to each of the two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs.

[0026] An AREA-TAG is an area bounded by its boundary. An AREA-TAG is an area defined when all of its ENGRAVING-TAGs touch the outermost ENGRAVING-TAG in the AREA-TAG, and are thereby bounded by an imaginary line connecting every two adjacent outermost ENGRAVING-TAGs in the AREA-TAG. This imaginary line is the boundary of the AREA-TAG.

[0027] Preferably, the imaginary line connects every two adjacent outermost ENGRAVING-TAGs in the AREA-TAG so that the length of the imaginary line, and therefore the length of the boundary of the AREA-TAG, is minimal, so that the connecting portion of the imaginary line between every two adjacent outermost ENGRAVING-TAGs in the AREA-TAG is a straight line that connects tangentially to each of the two adjacent ENGRAVING-TAGs.

[0028] Preferably, the AREA-NORM has multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, and in one embodiment, any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abut each other; more preferably, the AREA-NORM has multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, and the AREA-NORM is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, and any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abut each other.

[0029] If an AREA-NORM is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, with any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abutting each other, and the outline of the ENGRAVING-NORMs is square, the density of the ENGRAVING-NORMs in the AREA-NORM is preferably 1 mm 2 More than 6.25 ENGRAVING-NORM per AREA-NORM, in which case the density of ENGRAVING-NORM in the AREA-NORM is preferably 1 mm 2 ENGRAVING-NORM: 6.25 to 1'111 per square meter, more preferably 1 mm 2 ENGRAVING-NORM: 11 to 1'111 per square meter, and more preferably 1 mm 2 ENGRAVING-NORM, especially 1mm, 25-1'111 2 ENGRAVING - NORMAL, 39-278 per mm 2 44-204 ENGRAVING-NORM per 1mm 2 ENGRAVING-NORM: 48-178 per mm 2 123~156 ENGRAVING-NORM (e.g. 1mm) 2 145 per ENGRAVING-NORM), or 1mm 2 44-51 ENGRAVING-NORM (e.g. 1mm) 2 49 ENGRAVING-NORMAL (per 1mm) 2 145 ENGRAVING-NORM per piece.

[0030] Preferably, an AREA-TAG has only one ENGRAVING-TAG, and the region of the ENGRAVING-TAG and the region of the AREA-TAG are identical.

[0031] If AREA-NORM abuts AREA-TAG, then each portion of the boundary of AREA-NORM and each abutting portion of the boundary of AREA-TAG can be considered as a boundary that separates both areas; At least all portions of the boundary of AREA-TAG on the side of AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction abut a portion of the boundary of AREA-NORM, which means that in this embodiment, AREA-NORM completely covers any portion of the boundary of AREA-TAG on the side of AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction.

[0032] By abutting the AREA-NORM against at least all of the boundary of the AREA-TAG on the side of the AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction, and by adapting the dimensions of the ENGRAVING-TAG to transfer the large tag to the printing substrate, a sufficient amount of the large tag can be both captured and transferred by the gravure printing cylinder, resulting in a printed pattern including the large tag with acceptable print quality, where the boundary is not blurred or is still only acceptably blurred.

[0033] Preferably, wherever a portion of the boundary of an AREA-NORM abuts a portion of the boundary of an AREA-TAG, one or more ENGRAVING-NORM abuts said portion of the boundary of the AREA-NORM, and any two adjacent ones of these one or more ENGRAVING-NORMs abut each other, and thus said one or more ENGRAVING-NORMs actually constitute said at least portion of the boundary of the AREA-NORM, and more preferably the boundary of the AREA-NORM is constituted by a series of ENGRAVING-NORMs in which any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abut each other.

[0034] If an AREA-NORM is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, and any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abut each other, the ENGRAVING-NORMs at the boundary of the AREA-NORM constitute the boundary of the AREA-NORM.

[0035] An AREA-TAG may be partially surrounded by multiple AREA-NORMs, and preferably, an AREA-NORM completely surrounds and abuts the AREA-TAG.

[0036] In one embodiment, · AREA-NORM is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, and any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abut each other. The boundary of an AREA-NORM is made up of a series of ENGRAVING-NORMs that abut each other in succession. AREA-NORM abuts and completely covers any part of the boundary of AREA-TAG on the side of AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction, preferably AREA-NORM completely surrounds and abuts AREA-TAG.

[0037] AREA-NORM can have any contour: parts of AREA-NORM can be separated from AREA-TAG without abutting it.

[0038] The width of those portions of AREA-NORM that abut AREA-TAG extends laterally, perpendicular to the direction of AREA-NORM's boundary, from what may be called a first point located on AREA-NORM's boundary where AREA-NORM abuts AREA-TAG, and extends from said first point across AREA-NORM to a second point located on AREA-NORM's boundary on the other side of AREA-NORM opposite the first point.

[0039] the width of those portions of AREA-NORM that abut AREA-TAG is preferably at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.2 mm, and even more preferably at least 0.23 mm; A typical range is 0.1 to 1 mm, preferably 0.2 to 0.75 mm, more preferably 0.23 to 0.75 mm. Typical values ​​are 0.24 mm, 0.375 mm, and 0.6 mm.

[0040] Any width of AREA-NORM is preferably at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.2 mm; A typical range is preferably 0.1 to 1 mm, more preferably 0.2 to 0.75 mm. Typical values ​​are, inter alia, about 0.25 mm, about 0.375 mm, or about 0.6 mm.

[0041] In one embodiment, An AREA-TAG has only one ENGRAVING-TAG, and the area of ​​the ENGRAVING-TAG and the area of ​​the AREA-TAG are identical. · AREA-NORM is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, and any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abut each other. The boundary of an AREA-NORM is made up of a series of ENGRAVING-NORMs that abut each other in succession. AREA-NORM abuts and completely covers any part of the boundary of AREA-TAG on the side of AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction, preferably AREA-NORM completely surrounds and abuts AREA-TAG. The width of those portions of AREA-NORM that abut the AREA-TAG is preferably at least 0.1 mm, as are any embodiments of this width described herein.

[0042] The walls of the ENGRAVING-TAG that surround the large pit delimit the large pit, and the wraparound edge of the wall of the large pit may be referred to herein for ease of reading as the rim of the wall of the large pit, or simply the rim of the large pit, and preferably the wall has essentially the same width along its entire length.

[0043] The width and length of the ENGRAVING-NORM wall are the lateral dimensions. The width is perpendicular to the length and is preferably 5 to 25 μm, more preferably 10 to 20 μm, and even more preferably 12.5 to 17.5 μm, with a typical value being 15 μm.

[0044] Preferably, the width of the large pits of the ENGRAVING-TAG is at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least 80%, particularly at least 90%, and more particularly at least 93.75% of the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG.

[0045] The ENGRAVING-TAG and the large pit of the ENGRAVING-TAG can have the same contour, at least essentially the same contour, or different contours, which can be any kind of contour, such as a square, circle, oval, or rectangular contour, preferably a rectangular contour.

[0046] Preferably, the ENGRAVING-TAG and the large pit of the ENGRAVING-TAG have the same, or at least essentially the same, contour, preferably a rectangular contour. Because the detailed contour of the rim of the large pit and the rim, as well as the extension of the wall from the rim to the bottom of the large pit, may vary or vary laterally and back and forth on a small scale depending on the particular engraving technique, this contour essentially refers to at least the overall contour of the ENGRAVING-TAG and the large pit of the ENGRAVING-TAG. Such variations or variations may be up to 100% or up to 75% of the width of the wall of the ENGRAVING-TAG. Such variations or variations may exist, for example, when the ENGRAVING-TAG abuts the boundary of an AREA-NORM and a series of abutting ENGRAVING-NORMs constitute the boundary of the AREA-NORM, in which case the change or variation in the contour of the rim of the large pit may follow the contour of the series of ENGRAVING-NORMs.

[0047] The depth of the large pits is preferably at least 15 μm, more preferably at least 17.5 μm. Preferably, the depth of the large pits is 15 to 40 μm, more preferably 17.5 to 40 μm, even more preferably 17.5 to 35 μm, particularly 17.5 to 32.5 μm, with typical values ​​being 20 μm, 25 μm, and 30 μm.

[0048] Preferably, the large pit of the ENGRAVING TAG is a large pit with a walled, essentially flat bottom. Essentially flat means that the engraving method aims to provide a flat bottom for the large pit, but small deviations in the flatness of the bottom may occur depending on the specific engraving technique. For example, the transition from the wall to the bottom of the large pit may be a sharp, well-defined 90° kink, but may also have a curved contour. Other areas of the bottom may have the aforementioned small deviations in depth, preferably up to 20%, more preferably up to 10%, even more preferably up to 7.5%, and especially up to 5% of the depth of the large pit. The depth values ​​of the large pits described herein are the average depths of the bottom areas of the large pits.

[0049] In a first embodiment, the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG extends in the direction of the axis of the gravure printing cylinder, while the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG extends circumferentially around the gravure printing cylinder; In a second embodiment, the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG extends circumferentially around the gravure cylinder, while the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG extends in the direction of the axis of the gravure cylinder; The first embodiment is the preferred embodiment.

[0050] The lower limit of the width of the ENGRAVING TAG is 0.4 mm, preferably 0.45 mm, 0.6 mm, or 0.7 mm. Preferably, the upper limit of the width of the ENGRAVING TAG is 3 mm, more preferably 2.5 mm, even more preferably 2.25 mm, and particularly preferably 2.1 mm. Any of the lower limits can be combined with any of the upper limits of the width of the ENGRAVING TAG. Preferably, the width of the ENGRAVING TAG is 0.4 to 3 mm, more preferably 0.4 to 2.5 mm, even more preferably 0.4 to 2.25 mm, and particularly 0.4 to 2.1 mm, with typical values ​​being 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, and 2 mm.

[0051] Preferably, the lower limit of the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is at least equal to the lower limit of the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG, and therefore the lower limit of the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is 0.4 mm, preferably 0.45 mm or 0.6 mm or 0.7 mm or 0.8 mm or 0.9 mm or 1 mm.

[0052] The upper length limit of the ENGRAVING-TAG is limited by the length or circumference of the gravure printing cylinder or the desired extension of the area to be engraved on the surface of the printing substrate, whichever is smaller; a typical range for the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is 1 mm to 30 mm, with typical values ​​being 2 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm.

[0053] As an example of a possible printing substrate onto which a pattern including a large tag is printed, the length of a closed two-piece hard capsule shell and its two parts (body and cap) varies depending on the size of the two-piece hard capsule shell, and typical lengths of the body and cap of a two-piece hard capsule shell, as well as typical lengths of a closed two-piece hard capsule shell, are shown in Table 1 for two extreme sizes 000 and 5. [Table 1]

[0054] When the surface on which the pattern including the large tag is printed is the outer surface of the cylindrical part of the body or cap of a two-piece hard capsule shell, the typical length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is preferably at most 21 mm, more preferably at most 20 mm, and even more preferably at most 19 mm; Therefore, when printing on a capsule, the typical length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is preferably 0.4 to 21 mm, more preferably 0.4 to 20 mm, and even more preferably 0.4 to 19 mm.

[0055] In one embodiment, The wall width of the ENGRAVING-TAG is 5-25 μm, as are any embodiments of that width defined herein. · The ENGRAVING-TAG and the large pit of the ENGRAVING-TAG have the same contour, i.e., a rectangular contour. Preferably, the depth of the large pits is 15 to 40 μm, as is the width thereof as defined herein in any embodiment. Preferably, the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG extends in the direction of the axis of the gravure printing cylinder. Preferably, the lower limit of the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is 0.4 mm, as well as any embodiment of that length defined herein.

[0056] The large pit of the ENGRAVING-TAG can include at least one ridge.

[0057] Preferably, the large pit comprises at least one ridge when the length of the large pit, i.e., the maximum longitudinal extension from one wall delimiting the large pit to the opposite wall, is 500 μm or more, preferably 550 μm or more, more preferably 600 μm or more.

[0058] The ridge is an area within the large pit that is engraved to a depth of at most 25%, preferably at most 20%, more preferably at most 15%, even more preferably at most 10%, and especially at most 5% of the depth of the large pit; in particular, the ridge is an area within the large pit that is not engraved. The top of the ridge is therefore at a slightly lower level than, or at the same level as, the non-engraved area of ​​the gravure printing cylinder, meaning that the top of the ridge has a slightly smaller or the same radial distance from the axis of the gravure printing cylinder as the non-engraved area of ​​the gravure printing cylinder.

[0059] Preferably, the ridge extends across the large pit from a point on one wall of the large pit to a point on an opposite wall of the large pit, the ridge dividing the large pit into sub-pits.

[0060] Preferably, the ridges have a straight profile and are inclined at an angle to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder; Preferably, the ridge angle is 15 to 75°, more preferably 25 to 65°, more preferably 35 to 55°, and even more preferably 40 to 50°, with a typical angle being 45°.

[0061] If the large pit comprises multiple ridges, preferably all ridges have the same contour, and / or The ridge has the same width along its entire length, and / or the width of the ridge is at least 10 μm, more preferably at least 20 μm, even more preferably at least 25 μm; and / or the width of the ridge is between 10 and 50 μm, preferably between 20 and 40 μm, more preferably between 25 and 35 μm, with a typical value being 30 μm; and / or If a large pit contains multiple ridges, all of the ridges have the same width.

[0062] In one embodiment, the ridges have a straight profile and are inclined at an angle to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder, preferably the angle of the ridges is between 15 and 75 degrees, and the ridges have the same width along their entire length; If a large pit contains multiple ridges, All ridges have the same contour, all ridges have the same angle, so that all ridges run parallel to one another, preferably the ridge angle is between 15 and 75°, as well as any embodiment of that angle defined herein; All ridges have the same width, preferably at least 10 μm, as in any embodiment of that width as defined herein.

[0063] The length of the sub-pit is the maximum extension of the sub-pit in the direction parallel to the line connecting the start point and end point of the ridge.

[0064] The length of the sub-pit is determined by the size of the large pit.

[0065] The width of a sub-pit extends in a direction perpendicular to the ridges that separate it, and is defined as the maximum distance between the midpoint of the width of said ridge and each boundary of the ENGRAVING-TAG that separates it, if the sub-pit is separated by only one ridge, or as the maximum distance between the midpoints of the widths of said two adjacent ridges, if the sub-pit is separated by two adjacent ridges. Thus, in the case of a sub-pit, its width includes not only the extension of each of the sub-pits themselves, but also the distance between the edge of the wall that separates it and half the width of this wall, and / or, as the case may be, the distance between the edge of the ridge that separates it and half the width of this ridge.

[0066] Preferably, the width of the sub-pits is 10 to 400 μm, more preferably 20 to 400 μm, even more preferably 30 to 400 μm, in particular 100 to 400 μm, more in particular 150 to 400 μm, even more in particular 200 to 400 μm, and especially 225 to 375 μm, with typical values ​​being 250 μm, 300 μm and 350 μm.

[0067] Preferably, the width of a sub-pit separated by two adjacent ridges is 100 to 400 μm, preferably 150 to 400 μm, more preferably 200 to 400 μm, and even more preferably 225 to 375 μm, with typical values ​​being 250 μm, 300 μm, and 350 μm.

[0068] Preferably, when a large pit includes only one ridge, this ridge is located in the center of the large pit and divides the large pit into two sub-pits having comparable size, shape and width.

[0069] Preferably, when the large pit includes multiple ridges that run parallel to each other and have the same width, the width of the sub-pit between any two adjacent ridges, i.e., the distance between the midpoints of the widths of the two adjacent ridges, is the same.

[0070] Preferably, the ridge or ridges (if the large pit comprises multiple ridges) are evenly distributed over the length of the large pit, so that the subpits separated by two adjacent ridges have comparable sizes and shapes.

[0071] In one embodiment, the ridges have a straight profile and are inclined at an angle to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder, preferably the angle of the ridges is between 15 and 75 degrees, and the ridges have the same width along their entire length; If the large pit contains one ridge, The ridge is located in the center of the large pit. If a large pit contains multiple ridges, All ridges have the same contour, all ridges have the same angle, so that all ridges run parallel to one another, preferably the ridge angle is between 15 and 75°, as well as any embodiment of that angle defined herein; All ridges have the same width, preferably at least 10 μm, and any embodiment of that width as defined herein; The width of all sub-pits separated by two adjacent ridges is the same, preferably 100 to 400 μm, and the widths defined in this specification are the same in any embodiment; The ridges are evenly distributed over the length of the large pit, so that the subpits separated by two adjacent ridges have comparable size and shape.

[0072] When a large pit has two or more ridges, the sub-pits adjacent to the two longitudinal ends of the large pit may have a different width from any sub-pit between two adjacent ridges, even if the distance between the midpoints of the widths of any two adjacent ridges is the same. This may be due to the specific contour of the large pit. For example, if a large pit has a rectangular contour including three ridges that have the same straight contour and width and run parallel at a 45° angle, the two sub-pits separated by the two adjacent ridges will have a hash contour, but the contours of the two sub-pits at the two longitudinal ends of the large pit may be triangular, and the width of the hash and the width of the triangle will not necessarily be the same.

[0073] In gravure printing, ink can be transferred directly from an ink reservoir in which the gravure cylinder is partially immersed to the engraved gravure cylinder, and from the gravure cylinder the ink is transferred directly to the print substrate, hence this embodiment is called direct gravure printing.

[0074] In indirect gravure printing, an engraved gravure cylinder transfers the ink to a transfer roller, which transfers the ink to the print substrate.

[0075] In both embodiments, as the gravure cylinder rotates, excess ink is drawn onto the non-engraved surface and into the engraved pits. The doctor blade acts as a squeegee, scraping the gravure cylinder before it contacts the printing substrate, removing excess ink from the non-printing, i.e., non-engraved, areas and leaving the appropriate amount of ink required in the pits. The doctor blade is typically oriented essentially parallel to the length of the gravure cylinder. For the ENGRAVING-NORM pits, the size of the pits is such that the unsupported portion of the doctor blade above the pit is not long enough for the doctor blade to penetrate visibly into the pit and thus prevent the doctor blade from penetrating the pit in a disruptive manner. However, for the ENGRAVING-TAG large pits, the unsupported portion of the doctor blade above the large pit must not be too long to penetrate the pit and partially or completely scrape the ink from the pit.

[0076] Both ridges serve to support the doctor blade, preventing it from penetrating into the large pits, at least not to the extent that it would adversely affect print quality, thereby preventing the large pits from being scraped empty by the doctor blade.

[0077] Ideally, the ridges abut the walls of the large pits at their beginning and end points. At these points, the ridges are typically connected to the walls, thereby blending seamlessly with the walls. However, depending on the particular engraving method, the ridges may not completely abut the walls, and small gaps may exist that completely or partially separate the ridges from the walls. These gaps have a maximum width of about 30 μm, preferably about 20 μm, and more preferably about 10 μm. The depth of these gaps may be equal to or less than the depth of the large pit. Such gaps typically occur irregularly, with some ridges having gaps at their beginning or end points and others not.

[0078] In one embodiment, The width of the wall of the ENGRAVING-TAG is between 5 and 25 μm, as defined herein in any embodiment of that width; The ENGRAVING-TAG and the large pit of the ENGRAVING-TAG have the same contour, i.e., rectangular contour; Preferably, the depth of the large pits is 15 μm to 40 μm, Preferably, the ENGRAVING-TAG has a length extending in the direction of the axis of the gravure printing cylinder, Preferably, the lower limit of the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is 0.4 mm, as well as any embodiment of that length defined herein; The large pit may include at least one ridge, the ridge having a straight contour and inclined at an angle relative to the length of the gravure printing cylinder, preferably the ridge angle is 15 to 75 degrees, and the ridge has the same width along its entire length; the large pit comprises at least one ridge when the length of the large pit, i.e., the maximum longitudinal extension from one wall bounding the large pit to the opposite wall, is 500 μm or more, preferably 550 μm or more, more preferably 600 μm or more; If the large pit contains one ridge, The ridge is located in the center of the large pit. If a large pit contains multiple ridges, All ridges have the same contour. All ridges have the same angle, so that all ridges run parallel to one another, and preferably the ridge angle is between 15 and 75 degrees, as well as any embodiment of that angle defined herein. All ridges have the same width, preferably at least 10 μm, as in any embodiment of that width as defined herein. The width of all sub-pits separated by two adjacent ridges is the same, preferably 100 to 400 μm, and the widths defined in this specification are the same in any embodiment; The ridges are evenly distributed over the length of the large pit, so that the subpits separated by two adjacent ridges have comparable size and shape.

[0079] The ENGRAVING-NORM pits are common and known for engraving on gravure cylinders for gravure printing and therefore have shapes that are common and known for gravure printing.

[0080] ENGRAVING-NORM walls surrounding the pits delimit the pits, and preferably the ENGRAVING-NORM walls have essentially the same width laterally along their entire length.

[0081] The width and length of the ENGRAVING-NORM wall are lateral dimensions, with the width being perpendicular to the length, and are preferably 5 to 25 μm, more preferably 10 to 20 μm, and even more preferably 12.5 to 17.5 μm, with a typical value being 15 μm.

[0082] The length of an ENGRAVING-NORM pit is the length of the ENGRAVING-NORM pit in the direction of its maximum lateral extension, The width of an ENGRAVING-NORM pit is the maximum lateral extension of the ENGRAVING-NORM pit perpendicular to its length; The length of an ENGRAVING-NORM pit is equal to or greater than its width.

[0083] the width of the ENGRAVING-NORM pits is at least 10%, preferably at least 5 / 30% of the width of the ENGRAVING-NORM pits, and / or The upper limit may be 98.75% of the width size of ENGRAVING-NORM, A typical value is at least 50% of the ENGRAVING-NORM width size, with a typical range of 50-98.75% of the ENGRAVING-NORM width size.

[0084] the ENGRAVING-NORM and ENGRAVING-NORM pits can have the same contour, or at least essentially the same contour, or different contours, the contour can be any kind of contour, such as a square, a circle, an oval, a rectangle or a line contour, preferably a square, a circle or a line contour; Preferably, the ENGRAVING-NORM and ENGRAVING-NORM pits have the same or at least essentially the same contour, preferably a square, circle or line contour; Preferably, if the contour is a line, it is a straight line, and / or Preferably, if there are multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs within an AREA-NORM, each ENGRAVING-NORM has the same or at least essentially the same outline.

[0085] The pit depth of ENGRAVING-NORM is preferably at least 15 μm, more preferably at least 17.5 μm.

[0086] Preferably, the pit depth of ENGRAVING-NORM is 15 to 40 μm, more preferably 17.5 to 40 μm, even more preferably 17.5 to 35 μm, and especially 17.5 to 32.5 μm, with typical values ​​being 20 μm, 25 μm, and 30 μm.

[0087] Preferably, if there are multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs within an AREA-NORM, each ENGRAVING-NORM has the same depth.

[0088] Preferably, ENGRAVING-NORM pits have a walled, essentially flat bottom. Essentially flat means that while the engraving method aims to provide a flat pit bottom, small deviations in the flatness of the bottom may occur depending on the specific engraving technique. For example, the transition from the wall to the pit bottom can be a sharp, well-defined 90° kink, but can also have a curved profile. Other areas of the bottom may have the aforementioned small deviations in depth, preferably up to 20%, more preferably up to 10%, even more preferably up to 7.5%, and especially up to 5% of the ENGRAVING-NORM pit depth. The ENGRAVING-NORM depth values ​​given here are the average depth of the pit bottom region. For example, as the pit width decreases, the vertical cross-sectional profile of the ENGRAVING-NORM pit width may have a U-shaped profile.

[0089] The walls of the ENGRAVING-NORM surrounding the pit delimit the pit, and the wraparound edge of the pit wall may be referred to herein for ease of reading as the rim of the pit wall, or simply the rim of the pit. When an AREA-NORM contains multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, preferably the distance between any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs within the AREA-NORM is the same, More preferably, any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs in an AREA-NORM abut each other; When they are in contact, the distance between adjacent rims of two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM pits is preferably 10 to 50 μm, more preferably 20 to 40 μm, even more preferably 25 to 35 μm, with a typical value being 30 μm.

[0090] In one embodiment, the ENGRAVING-NORM walls have essentially the same width along their entire length, preferably the ENGRAVING-NORM walls have a width of 5-25 μm, as in any embodiment of that width defined herein; ENGRAVING-NORM and ENGRAVING-NORM pits have essentially the same contour, preferably a square or rectilinear contour, The ENGRAVING-NORM pit depth is at least 15 μm, as well as any embodiment of that depth defined herein; If there is more than one ENGRAVING-NORM within an AREA-NORM, all ENGRAVING-NORM have the same wall width, profile, and depth, and any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM within an AREA-NORM abut each other, and preferably the distance between adjacent rims of the pits of two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM is 10-50 μm, as are any embodiments of said distances defined herein.

[0091] ENGRAVING-NORM can be distributed randomly over AREA-NORM, or can be distributed over AREA-NORM in any order and pattern.

[0092] For each ENGRAVING-NORM, the pits in the ENGRAVING-NORM and ENGRAVING-NORM have the same, or at least essentially the same, contours, and the ENGRAVING-NORM has a length greater than its width, and / or If at least part of the contour of the ENGRAVING-NORM has a straight contour, the angle ANG-1 can be defined, in which case: The direction of the length or of the part of the boundary having a straight contour has an ANG-1 of 0 to 90°, preferably 10 to 80°, more preferably 15 to 75°, even more preferably 25 to 65°, in particular 35 to 55° relative to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder, with a typical value of ANG-1 being 45°.

[0093] Thus, if ENGRAVING-NORM, e.g. if square, one border of the square has ANG-1; or If rectangular, the length of the rectangle is ANG-1, or If elliptical, the longer extension of the ellipse has ANG-1; or If it is a straight line, the line has ANG-1.

[0094] Preferably, when there are multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs within an AREA-NORM, each ENGRAVING-NORM has the same ANG-1.

[0095] If at least some of the ENGRAVING-NORM form continuous straight lines, preferably if the ENGRAVING-NORM have a square, circular, or rectangular contour with a length-to-width ratio of greater than 1 to 2.5, preferably a square contour, a second angle ANG-2 of the ENGRAVING-NORM can be defined, in which case the direction of the continuous straight lines preferably has an angle ANG-2 of 0 to 90° with respect to the length direction of the gravure printing cylinder, with typical values ​​of ANG-2 being 0°, 45°, and 90°.

[0096] Preferably, the distance between any two consecutive ENGRAVING-NORMs in a continuous line is always the same, and more preferably, they abut each other.

[0097] If the AREA-NORM contains more than one such continuous line, preferably all of the continuous lines have the same ANG-2; More preferably, all the continuous straight lines have the same ANG-2, all the continuous straight lines are consecutively adjacent and parallel to one another, preferably the distance between any two continuous straight lines adjacent to one another is the same, more preferably the ENGRAVING-NORMs of any two adjacent continuous straight lines abut one another, and therefore any two adjacent continuous straight lines can be considered to abut one another, and the terms "ENGRAVING-NORMs of adjacent continuous straight lines abut one another" or "adjacent continuous straight lines abut one another" as used herein mean that the ENGRAVING-NORM of one continuous straight line abuts the ENGRAVING-NORM of an adjacent continuous straight line, When they abut, the distance between adjacent rims of the walls of adjacent pits of two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM (each located on a different line of two adjacent continuous lines) is preferably 10 to 50 μm, more preferably 20 to 40 μm, even more preferably 25 to 35 μm, with a typical value being 30 μm.

[0098] If ENGRAVING-NORM has a square, circular, or rectangular contour with a length-to-width ratio of greater than 1 to 2.5, preferably a square contour, then AREA-NORM contains two or more consecutive straight lines of ENGRAVING-NORM, and all ENGRAVING-NORM are contained within the consecutive straight lines.

[0099] some ENGRAVING-NORMs form at least two continuous straight lines that are parallel to one another and adjacent, preferably abutting one another, a third ENGRAVING-NORM angle ANG-3 can be defined when the distance between any two consecutive ENGRAVING-NORMs in each of these adjacent consecutive straight lines is the same, and preferably when any two consecutive ENGRAVING-NORMs in each of these adjacent consecutive straight lines abut each other; ANG-3 defines the possible offset of these two adjacent continuous lines relative to each other, where an imaginary line connecting the center point of a first ENGRAVING-NORM contour in one of the two adjacent continuous lines with the center point of a second ENGRAVING-NORM contour adjacent to the first ENGRAVING-NORM but located on the other continuous line has an angle ANG-3 of preferably 45 to 135° relative to the direction of the continuous lines, with typical values ​​of ANG-3 being 45° and 90°, preferably 90°. Thus, the positions of the ENGRAVING-NORM in these two adjacent continuous lines can be offset from each other, and the offset is defined by ANG-3. An ANG-3 of 90° means there is no offset.

[0100] Where the AREA-NORM comprises a plurality of such continuous straight lines that are consecutively adjacent to one another, preferably any two consecutive straight lines that are consecutively adjacent to one another have the same ANG-3 relative to one another, preferably all consecutive straight lines are consecutively adjacent to one another and parallel to one another, preferably the distance between any two consecutive straight lines that are consecutively adjacent to one another is the same, more preferably any two consecutive straight lines that are consecutively adjacent to one another abut one another, If an AREA-NORM includes multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs with the same line contour, preferably, all of these lines are straight, consecutively adjacent and parallel to each other, and any two adjacent lines have the same ANG-3 of 45 to 135° relative to each other, typical values ​​of ANG-3 are 45° and 90°, preferably 45°, and preferably, the distance between any two of these consecutive lines adjacent to each other is the same, and more preferably, any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs with the same straight line contour abut each other, When they abut, the distance between adjacent rims of the walls of adjacent pits of two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs (each located on a different straight line of two adjacent continuous straight lines or located on different ENGRAVING-NORMs having a straight line contour) is preferably 10 to 50 μm, more preferably 20 to 40 μm, even more preferably 25 to 35 μm, with a typical value being 30 μm.

[0101] The number of ENGRAVING-NORM in such a continuous line is preferably 50 to 150 per cm, more preferably 70 to 130, and even more preferably 90 to 130 per cm, with a typical value being 120 per cm, which are preferred when the ENGRAVING-NORM has a square or circular outline.

[0102] When the outline of the ENGRAVING-NORM is an oval, rectangle, or line, the distance between the midpoints of the width of two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the longest extension of the ENGRAVING-NORM is preferably 50 to 150 per cm, more preferably 70 to 130, and even more preferably 90 to 130 per cm.

[0103] The width of ENGRAVING-NORM is less than 0.4 mm.

[0104] ENGRAVING-NORM preferably has a width of 30 μm to less than 400 μm, more preferably 30 μm to 300 μm, even more preferably 30 μm to 200 μm, in particular 60 μm to 160 μm, more particularly 70 μm to 150 μm, even more preferably 75 μm to 145 μm, with typical values ​​being 80 μm to 90 μm (e.g. 83 μm) or 140 μm to 150 μm (e.g. 143 μm), in particular 83 μm; and / or If there are multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs within an AREA-NORM, each ENGRAVING-NORM has the same width.

[0105] The length of ENGRAVING-NORM is limited by the dimensions of AREA-NORM.

[0106] Preferably, the lower limit of the length of ENGRAVING-NORM is equal to the lower limit of the width of ENGRAVING-NORM, and therefore the lower limit of the length of ENGRAVING-TAG is preferably 30 μm, more preferably 60 μm, even more preferably 70 μm, and especially 80 μm.

[0107] Preferably, if there are multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs within an AREA-NORM, each ENGRAVING-NORM has the same length.

[0108] ENGRAVING-NORM and ENGRAVING-TAG can have the same or different lengths.

[0109] In one embodiment, the ENGRAVING-NORM walls have essentially the same width along their entire length, preferably the ENGRAVING-NORM walls have a width of 5-25 μm, as in any embodiment of that width defined herein; ENGRAVING-NORM and ENGRAVING-NORM pits have essentially the same contour, preferably a square or rectilinear contour, one boundary of the square or straight line has an angle ANG-1 of 0 to 90° with respect to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder, and this is the same for all embodiments of ANG-1 as defined herein; The ENGRAVING-NORM pit depth is at least 15 μm, as well as any embodiment of that depth defined herein; The AREA-NORM comprises and is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, with any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abutting each other, and all ENGRAVING-NORMs having the same wall width, contour, ANG-1, length, depth and width, preferably between 30 μm and less than 400 μm, with any embodiment of the width defined herein being similar.

[0110] In the case of an ENGRAVING-NORM having a square outline, the AREA-NORM comprises two or more consecutive straight lines of the ENGRAVING-NORM, and all the ENGRAVING-NORM are part of said consecutive straight lines, and the direction of any consecutive straight lines has the same angle ANG-2 of 0 to 90°, preferably 45°, with respect to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder, and this is the same for any embodiment of ANG-2 defined herein; All continuous straight lines are continuously adjacent and parallel to one another, and any two adjacent continuous straight lines abut one another, and preferably the distance between adjacent rims of the walls of adjacent pits of two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM (each located on a different one of the two adjacent continuous straight lines) is 10 to 50 μm, and the same applies to any embodiment of the distance defined herein.

[0111] The possible offset of any two adjacent continuous lines relative to one another is defined by ANG-3, where an imaginary line connecting the center point of a first ENGRAVING-NORM contour in one of two adjacent continuous lines to the center point of a second ENGRAVING-NORM contour adjacent to the first ENGRAVING-NORM but located on the other continuous line has an ANG-3 of 45 to 135°, preferably 90°, relative to the direction of the continuous lines, and this is true for all embodiments of ANG-3 defined herein.

[0112] In the case of ENGRAVING-NORM having straight contours, all contours are continuously abutting and parallel to one another, and the possible offset of any two adjacent continuous contours relative to one another is defined by ANG-3, where an imaginary line connecting the center point of the contour of a first ENGRAVING-NORM and the center point of the contour of a second ENGRAVING-NORM abutting the first ENGRAVING-NORM has an ANG-3 of 45 to 135 degrees relative to the direction of the line, and any two abutting contours have the same ANG-3 of 45 to 135 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, relative to one another, as in any embodiment of ANG-3 defined herein; preferably, the distance between adjacent rims of the walls of adjacent pits of two abutting ENGRAVING-NORM is 10 to 50 μm, as in any embodiment of ANG-3 defined herein.

[0113] In one embodiment, The engraving pattern includes AREA-NORM and only one AREA-TAG, AREA-NORM contains and is completely filled with ENGRAVING-NORMs, and any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abut each other; An AREA-TAG contains only one ENGRAVING-TAG, At least all parts of the boundary of AREA-TAG on the side of AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction abut part of the boundary of AREA-NORM, which means in this embodiment that AREA-NORM completely covers any boundary of AREA-TAG on the side of AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction, preferably AREA-TAG is completely surrounded by the AREA-NORM that abuts it.

[0114] In one embodiment, The AREA-TAG has only one ENGRAVING-TAG, and the area of ​​the ENGRAVING-TAG and the area of ​​the AREA-TAG are identical; The AREA-NORM is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, and any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abut each other. The boundary of an AREA-NORM is made up of a series of abutting ENGRAVING-NORMs, AREA-NORM abuts and completely covers any part of the boundary of AREA-TAG on the side of AREA-TAG opposite the printing direction, preferably AREA-NORM completely surrounds and abuts AREA-TAG; The width of those portions of AREA-NORM that abut AREA-TAG is preferably at least 0.1 mm, as are any embodiments of this width described herein; The width of the wall of the ENGRAVING-TAG is between 5 and 25 μm, as defined herein in any embodiment of that width; The ENGRAVING-TAG and the large pit of the ENGRAVING-TAG have the same contour, i.e., rectangular contour; Preferably, the depth of the large pits is 15 μm to 40 μm, Preferably, the ENGRAVING-TAG has a length extending in the direction of the axis of the gravure printing cylinder, Preferably, the lower limit of the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG is 0.4 mm, as well as any embodiment of that length defined herein.

[0115] the length of the large pit, i.e., the maximum longitudinal extension from one wall delimiting the large pit to the opposite wall, is 500 μm or more, preferably 550 μm or more, more preferably 600 μm or more, the large pit comprises at least one ridge, the ridge having a straight contour and inclined at an angle to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder, and having the same width over its entire length; If the large pit contains one ridge, The ridge is located in the center of the large pit. If a large pit contains multiple ridges, All ridges have the same contour, all ridges have the same angle, so that all ridges run parallel to one another, preferably the ridge angle is between 15 and 75°, as well as any embodiment of that angle defined herein; All ridges have the same width, preferably at least 10 μm, and any embodiment of that width as defined herein; The width of all sub-pits separated by two adjacent ridges is the same, preferably 100 to 400 μm, and the widths defined in this specification are the same in any embodiment; The ridges are evenly distributed over the length of the large pit, so that the subpits separated by two adjacent ridges have comparable size and shape; the ENGRAVING-NORM walls have essentially the same width along their entire length, preferably the ENGRAVING-NORM walls have a width of 5-25 μm, as in any embodiment of that width defined herein; ENGRAVING-NORM and ENGRAVING-NORM pits have essentially the same contours, i.e., square or rectilinear contours, The boundary of one of the squares and the straight lines each has an angle ANG-1 of 0 to 90° with respect to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder, and the same applies to any embodiment of ANG-1 as defined herein; The ENGRAVING-NORM pit depth is at least 15 μm, as well as any embodiment of that depth defined herein; The AREA-NORM comprises and is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORMs, with any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORMs abutting each other, and all ENGRAVING-NORMs having the same wall width, contour, ANG-1, length, depth and width, preferably between 30 μm and less than 400 μm, with any embodiment of the width defined herein being similar.

[0116] In the case of an ENGRAVING-NORM having a square outline, the AREA-NORM comprises two or more consecutive straight lines of the ENGRAVING-NORM, and all the ENGRAVING-NORM are part of said consecutive straight lines, and the direction of any consecutive straight lines has the same angle ANG-2 of 0 to 90° with respect to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder, and any embodiment of ANG-2 as defined herein is similar; All continuous straight lines are continuously adjacent and parallel to one another, and any two adjacent continuous straight lines abut one another, and preferably the distance between adjacent rims of the walls of adjacent pits of two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM (each located on a different one of the two adjacent continuous straight lines) is 10 to 50 μm, and the same applies to any embodiment of the distance defined herein.

[0117] The possible offset of any two adjacent continuous lines relative to one another is defined by ANG-3, where an imaginary line connecting the center point of a first ENGRAVING-NORM contour in one of two adjacent continuous lines to the center point of a second ENGRAVING-NORM contour adjacent to the first ENGRAVING-NORM but located on the other continuous line has an ANG-3 of 45 to 135°, preferably 90°, relative to the direction of the continuous lines, and this is true for any embodiment of ANG-3 defined herein.

[0118] In the case of ENGRAVING-NORM having straight contours, all contours are continuously abutting and parallel to one another, and the possible offset of any two adjacent continuous contours relative to one another is defined by ANG-3, where an imaginary line connecting the center point of the contour of a first ENGRAVING-NORM and the center point of the contour of a second ENGRAVING-NORM abutting the first ENGRAVING-NORM has an ANG-3 of 45 to 135 degrees relative to the direction of the line, and any two abutting contours have the same ANG-3 of 45 to 135 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, relative to one another, as in any embodiment of ANG-3 defined herein; preferably, the distance between adjacent rims of the walls of adjacent pits of two abutting ENGRAVING-NORM is 10 to 50 μm, as in any embodiment of ANG-3 defined herein.

[0119] Either the ENGRAVING-TAG outline, the ENGRAVING-TAG large pit outline, the ENGRAVING-NORM outline, or the ENGRAVING-NORM pit outline, The width of the wall surrounding the large pit of ENGRAVING-TAG, and With respect to the width of the wall surrounding the pit in ENGRAVING-NORM, the term "essentially the same" This means that depending on the engraving process used to engrave the large pits and pits, respectively, into the surface of the gravure printing cylinder, the particular engraving process and engraving technique may result in small lateral variations or variations between the above outlines and widths. Such variations or variations may be up to 100% or up to 75% of the width of the wall of the ENGRAVING-TAG, the width of the wall of the ENGRAVING-NORM, the width of the wall surrounding the large pit of the ENGRAVING-TAG, and the width of the wall surrounding the pit of the ENGRAVING-NORM, respectively.

[0120] Known engraving techniques such as mechanical, chemical, or optical engraving can be used to engrave the pattern into the surface of the gravure cylinder.

[0121] A further subject of the invention is a method for engraving a pattern for printing large tags on the surface of a gravure printing cylinder, comprising an AREA-NORM with an ENGRAVING-NORM and an AREA-TAG with an ENGRAVING-TAG, wherein: The ENGRAVING-NORM pits and the ENGRAVING-TAG large pits are engraved on the surface of the gravure printing cylinder. Engraving can be done by mechanical, chemical or optical engraving. AREA-NORM, ENGRAVING-NORM, AREA-TAG, ENGRAVING-TAG and gravure cylinder are as defined herein, as are all embodiments thereof.

[0122] Mechanical engraving can be done using diamond tools.

[0123] Chemical engraving can be performed by chemical etching.

[0124] Optical engraving is also called photoengraving and is preferably laser engraving.

[0125] Preferably, the engraving is done by optical engraving, more preferably by laser engraving.

[0126] A further subject of the present invention is a method for gravure printing a pattern comprising large tags onto the surface of a printing substrate, comprising: The gravure printing is performed by a gravure printing cylinder as described herein and in all embodiments thereof; Using gravure printing ink including large tags, Preferably, the printing substrate is a two-piece hard capsule shell or a body or cap of a two-piece hard capsule shell; Preferably, the size of the large tag is 20 μm to 150 μm, Preferably, the large tag is chemically silicon dioxide; Gravure cylinders, print substrates, and large tags are as defined herein, as are all embodiments thereof.

[0127] The gravure printing ink may be a water-based gravure printing ink or a solvent-based gravure printing ink, preferably a solvent-based gravure printing ink.

[0128] Large tags are known to those skilled in the art.

[0129] European Patent No. 2513654(B1) In relation to paragraph

[0046] , paragraph

[0064] discloses a tag having a physical thickness L of 15 μm; Therefore, a possible value for the thickness of the large tag is 15 μm.

[0130] European Patent No. 2513654(B1) Paragraph

[0012] discloses that the film can be divided into small tags ranging in size from several hundred nanometers to several hundred micrometers or more. Paragraph

[0021] discloses that at a size of around 20 microns, the tag is inconspicuous enough to avoid casual routine inspection.

[0131] WO 2011 / 159338(A1) Paragraph

[0022] discloses that the discreet size range of 20-150 μm allows for covert or semi-covert use of the tag.

[0132] The internet page of TruTag Technologies, Inc., Honolulu, 96826 USA discloses a tag size range of 50-100 μm.

[0133] Therefore, according to the present invention, preferably the size of the large tag is in these size ranges, more preferably 20 to 150 μm, or 50 to 100 μm.

[0134] Since the width dimension of ENGRAVING-NORM is less than 0.4 mm and the lower limit width dimension of ENGRAVING-TAG is 0.4 mm, the gravure printing cylinders, particularly ENGRAVING-NORM and ENGRAVING-TAG, are adapted for gravure printing of the above-mentioned large tags.

[0135] In particular, the width dimension of ENGRAVING-TAG is adapted to receive the large tag contained in gravure printing ink, and the width of ENGRAVING-NORM is not adapted to receive the large tag. By these means, the large tag is preferentially received by ENGRAVING-TAG, and the majority of the large tag is transferred onto the printing substrate by the gravure printing cylinder, i.e., ENGRAVING-TAG.

[0136] EP 2513654 (B1) discloses a method for manufacturing tags, which is summarized below. Paragraph

[0008] : The identifier includes a rugate phase tag. · Paragraph

[0007] : The Rugate phase tag comprises oxide-etched silicon. Paragraph

[0012] : Films can be broken into pieces or tags. …These films can be oxidized to form optically transparent silicon dioxide (also known as silica). Porous silica films (also known as "optical films") can be diced or otherwise fragmented to make "optical microtags" or simply "tags." In various embodiments, rugate microtags are produced by fragmenting a silicon film, then oxidizing it to silica, oxidizing it and fragmenting it, or performing any other suitable sequence of steps. Paragraph

[0014] : Silicon wafers are processed into thin porous silicon films ("rugate films") with controllable densities of embedded pores. This process allows for control of the optical properties of the silicon film, which are then transferred to the optical properties of the silica film obtained by oxidation. Silica films produced using this technique can be processed into tiny tags (i.e., rugate microtags) that carry information encoded in the form of specific optical spectra. In some embodiments, the silicon is etched, then fragmented, and then oxidized. Paragraph

[0015] : Porous silicon films are produced by acid etching silicon wafers in the presence of an electric current. The etching process forms small pores or cavities in the wafer, the dimensions of which are controlled by the current density of the etching current waveform. The controlled dimensions include the depth of the pores etched into the silicon film, as well as the diameter and density of the pores, and the size and density are adjusted by controlling the current density over time. ·Paragraph

[0072] : … The corrugation is used to acid etch the silicon wafer, creating regions of porous silicon within the silicon wafer. * Electropolishing reaction is used to peel the porous silicon film from the wafer. ◆ Break or cut the porous silicon film into Rugate microtags. * Porous silicon film is oxidized to form porous silica film. Applying a Rugate microtag to an object or embedding a Rugate microtag into an object. …

[0137] WO 2011 / 159338(A1) discloses the following: Paragraph

[0021] : The tag comprises a silicon wafer etched to have a spectral code encoded by the etching. The wafer is divided into smaller tags, and the resulting tags contain complex porous nanostructures programmed to exhibit unique reflectance spectra during electrochemical synthesis. The tags are then oxidized in a high-temperature calcination step to convert the crystalline nanoporous silicon tags into amorphous nanoporous silica. This calcination step stabilizes the nanoporous structure against further oxidation (thus stabilizing the spectral signature)...

[0138] Thus, preferably the large tag is oxide-etched silicon, which is chemically silicon dioxide (also known as silica).

[0139] A further subject of the invention is a gravure printing pattern comprising a large tag, Preferably, the gravure printing pattern comprising the large tag can be obtained by gravure printing using a gravure printing cylinder as defined herein, as well as all preferred embodiments thereof, Preferably, the gravure printing pattern comprising the large tag can be obtained by gravure printing the gravure printing pattern onto the surface of the printing substrate using the gravure printing method for large tag-comprising patterns as defined herein, as well as all preferred embodiments of said method, Preferably, the size of the large tag is 20 to 150 μm, Preferably, the large tag is chemically silicon dioxide; Large tags are as defined herein, including all their embodiments.

[0140] A further subject of the present invention is a printing substrate on which a gravure printing pattern comprising a large tag is gravure printed, Preferably, the gravure printing pattern comprising the large tag can be obtained by gravure printing using a gravure printing cylinder as defined herein, as well as all preferred embodiments thereof, Preferably, the gravure printing pattern comprising the large tag can be obtained by gravure printing the gravure printing pattern onto the surface of the printing substrate using the gravure printing method for large tag-comprising patterns as defined herein, as well as all preferred embodiments of said method, Preferably, the printing substrate is a two-piece hard capsule shell or a body or cap of a two-piece hard capsule shell; Preferably, the size of the large tag is 20 μm to 150 μm, Preferably, the large tag is chemically silicon dioxide; Large tags are as defined herein, including all their embodiments.

[0141] The invention will now be described again with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0142] [Figure 1] This shows an enlarged view of the rectangular portion "rectangular section" shown in Figure 2. The bottom of the pit (1-1-1) is shown with vertical hatching lines, and the bottom of the sub-pit (2-1-1) is shown with diagonal hatching lines. [Figure 2] 1 shows a pattern (9) for printing with large tags, engraved with a T-shaped profile on the surface of a gravure printing cylinder. The rectangular section shown enlarged in FIG. 1 is shown. The bottoms of the pits (1-1-1) are indicated by vertical hatching lines, and the bottoms of the sub-pits (2-1-1) are indicated by diagonal hatching lines. [Figure 3] 9 shows another pattern (9) for printing with large tags, engraved on the surface of a gravure printing cylinder with a crosshair-like outline, the bottoms of the pits (1-1-1) being indicated by vertical hatching lines and the bottoms of the sub-pits (2-1-1) by diagonal hatching lines. [Figure 4]Figure 3 shows a gravure printed pattern (10) on a print substrate with a T-shaped outline that has been gravure printed with an engraved pattern (9) similar in outline to that shown in Figure 2. The large tag (6) is shown in small outline. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a top view of a closed two-piece hard capsule shell (7) with two patterns (10) gravure printed on its surface, including a large tag (6). One pattern is gravure printed with an engraved pattern (9) similar in outline to that shown in FIG. 2, and the other pattern is gravure printed with an engraved pattern (9) similar in outline to that shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows the following definitions: printing direction (12-1) of the printing substrate (12), printing direction (12-2) of the gravure printing cylinder (11), side of the AREA-TAG in the printing direction (2-1-5), side of the AREA-TAG opposite to the printing direction (2-1-6).

[0143] Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same components and arrangements are designated by the same reference numerals in the figures, and their respective descriptions may be omitted to avoid redundancy. The drawings are not to scale.

[0144] Figures 1, 2, and 3 are enlarged and schematic views of the actual engraved pattern (9) for printing the large tag, not to scale but intended to show relative dimensions, while Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged and schematic views of the actual printed pattern (10).

[0145] FIG. 2 shows an engraving pattern (9) for printing with a large tag, including an AREA-NORM (1) with an ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and an AREA-TAG (2) with an ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1), in which the pits of the ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and the large pits of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) are engraved into the surface of the gravure printing cylinder in a T-shaped outline, the pits (1-1-1) of the ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and the large pits (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) are engraved into the surface of the gravure printing cylinder, and the non-engraved surface (3) is white and has no further markings, surrounding the engraving pattern (9). The tops of the walls of the ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) and the tops of the ridges (2-1-2) are also non-engraved surfaces (3) and are white and have no further markings. The rectangular section is shown enlarged in Figure 1. The bottoms of the pits (1-1-1) of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) are indicated by vertical hatching lines, and the bottoms of the sub-pits (2-1-1) are indicated by diagonal hatching lines.

[0146] Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of the rectangular portion "rectangular section" shown in Figure 2. The bottoms of the pits (1-1-1) of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) are shown with vertical hatching lines, and the bottoms of the sub-pits (2-1-1) are shown with diagonal hatching lines. Figure 1 also shows ANG-1 (1-3) between one side of ENGAVING-NORM (1-1) (this side has a straight outline, while ENGAVING-NORM (1-1) has a square outline) and the length of the gravure printing cylinder when the length of the gravure printing cylinder is oriented perpendicular to the length of ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) in Figure 1. Figure 1 also shows the angle ANG-2 (1-4) between the continuous straight line of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and the length of the gravure printing cylinder when the length of the gravure printing cylinder is oriented perpendicular to the length of ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) in Figure 1. The ENGRAVING-NORM line (1-1) in the continuous straight line has a square outline, and a dashed line is superimposed on the continuous straight line to indicate ANG-2 (1-4). Also shown in Figure 1 is ANG-3 (1-5), which defines the possible offset of two adjacent continuous straight lines relative to each other. Here, an imaginary line (shown in Figure 1 as a thin dashed line) connecting the center point of the outline of a first ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) in one of the two adjacent continuous straight lines with the center point of the outline of a second ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) adjacent to the first ENGRAVING-NORM but located on the other continuous straight line has ANG-3 (1-5) with respect to the direction of the continuous straight line. In Figure 1, ANG-3 (1-5) is at a 90° angle, so there is no offset between these two continuous straight lines. All dashed-dotted lines and accompanying curves indicating the respective angles are displayed only in Figure 1 to indicate ANG-1 (1-3), ANG-2 (1-4), and ANG-3 (1-5), and are not part of the engraved pattern (9) shown in Figure 1.

[0147] FIG. 3 shows another engraving pattern (9) for printing with a large tag having an outline similar to a crosshair, including an AREA-NORM (1) with an ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and an AREA-TAG (2) with an ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1), where the pits of the ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and the large pits of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) are engraved into the surface of the gravure printing cylinder, the pits (1-1-1) of the ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and the large pits (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) are engraved into the surface of the gravure printing cylinder, the non-engraved surface (3) is white with no further markings, and the tops of the walls of the ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) and the tops of the ridges (2-1-2) are also non-engraved surfaces (3) and are white with no further markings. The bottoms of the pits (1-1-1) of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) are indicated by vertical hatching lines, and the bottoms of the sub-pits (2-1-1) are indicated by diagonal hatching lines.

[0148] FIG. 4 shows a gravure printing pattern (10) on a printing substrate having a T-shaped outline, gravure printed with an engraved pattern (9) similar in outline to that shown in FIG. 2. The engraved area (4) of the gravure printing pattern (10) on the printing substrate, including the large tag, is surrounded by an AREA-NORM (1) boundary (1-2) that separates the printed and non-engraved areas (5) of the printing substrate surface. The non-engraved area (5) of the printing substrate surface is white and lacks further markings and surrounds the gravure printing pattern (10). (1) indicates the engraving by AREA-NORM (1), and (2) indicates the engraving by AREA-TAG (2). The large tag (6) within the engraving area (2) is shown as a small outline. The printing direction of the printing surface (8) is indicated, with the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) extending its length in the direction of the axis of the gravure printing cylinder, as evidenced by the longest extension of the area printed with the large tag (6).

[0149] Figure 5 shows a top view of a closed two-piece hard capsule shell (7) on which two gravure-printed patterns (10) including a large tag have been gravure-printed. One pattern is gravure-printed with an engraved pattern (9) similar in outline to that shown in Figure 2, and the other pattern is gravure-printed with an engraved pattern (9) similar in outline to that shown in Figure 3. The printing direction (8) is indicated, with the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) extending its length in the direction of the axis of the gravure printing cylinder, as evidenced by the direction of the longest extension of the area printed with the large tag (6).

[0150] Figure 6 shows the following definitions: Printing direction (12-1) of the printing substrate (12), the printing direction (11-2) of the gravure printing cylinder (11) as it rotates around its axis (11-1) during printing; - AREA-TAG side in the printing direction (2-1-5), The side of the AREA-TAG opposite to the printing direction (2-1-6).

[0151] In Figures 2 and 3, Since AREA-TAG(2) has only one ENGRAVING-TAG(2-1), the area of ​​ENGRAVING-TAG(2-1) and the area of ​​AREA-TAG(2) are the same. AREA-NORM(1) is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1)s, and any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1)s abut each other. The boundary (1-2) of the AREA-NORM (1) is made up of a series of abutting ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1). AREA-NORM(1) abuts and completely covers any part of the boundary of AREA-TAG(2) on the side of AREA-TAG(2) opposite the printing direction; in fact, AREA-NORM(1) completely surrounds and abuts AREA-TAG(2). The width of those portions of AREA-NORM(1) that abut AREA-TAG(2) was at least 0.1 mm, and in one embodiment, the width of those portions of AREA-NORM(1) that abut AREA-TAG(2) was at least 249 μm, and in another embodiment, the width of those portions of AREA-NORM(1) that abut AREA-TAG(2) was at least 429 μm. As said width is at least 0.1 mm, both patterns (9) for printing large tags shown in Figures 2 and 3 can be engraved on the gravure printing cylinder in all four directions. ◆The length of AREA-TAG(2) is parallel to the axial direction of the gravure printing cylinder, and either side (2-1-4) of AREA-TAG(2) with the fewer rows of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) abutting AREA-TAG(2) faces the printing direction or faces opposite to the printing direction. ◆If the pattern (9) is engraved so that the length of the AREA-TAG (2) is perpendicular to the direction of the axis of the gravure printing cylinder, the pattern (9) can be engraved in both possible directions relative to the printing direction. The width of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) was less than 0.4 mm, in one embodiment the width of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) was 83 μm, and in another embodiment the width of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) was 143 μm. The density of ENGRAVING-NORM in AREA-NORM is 1mm 2 In one embodiment, the density of ENGRAVING-NORM in the AREA-NORM is greater than 6.25 per mm 2 In another embodiment, the density of ENGRAVING-NORM in the AREA-NORM is 1 mm 2 145 ENGRAVING-NORM per piece. The lower limit of the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 0.4 mm, and in one embodiment, the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 500 μm, and in another embodiment, the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 750 μm, and in another embodiment, the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 2 mm. The lower limit of the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 0.4 mm, and in one embodiment, the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 2 mm, and in another embodiment, the length of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 5 mm.

[0152] In Figures 1, 2 and 3, The wall width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is between 5 μm and 25 μm, and in one embodiment, the wall width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) was essentially 15 μm. · The ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) and the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) have the same outline, i.e., a rectangular outline. The depth of the large pits (2-1-3) was 15 μm to 40 μm, and in one embodiment, the depth of the large pits (2-1-3) was 20 μm, and in another embodiment, the depth of the large pits (2-1-3) was 25 μm, and in another embodiment, the depth of the large pits (2-1-3) was 30 μm.

[0153] In Figures 2 and 3, The ridges (2-1-2) have a straight profile and are inclined at an angle of 15 to 75 degrees relative to the length of the gravure printing cylinder (in one embodiment, the angle was 45 degrees), and have the same width along their entire length; The large pit (2-1-3) contains several ridges (2-1-2). All ridges (2-1-2) have the same contour. ·All ridges (2-1-2) have the same angle, therefore all ridges (2-1-2) run parallel to each other. All ridges (2-1-2) had the same width of at least 10 μm, in one embodiment the ridges (2-1-2) had the same width of 30 μm. The width of all sub-pits (2-1-1) separated by two adjacent ridges (2-1-2) is the same, ranging from 100 μm to 400 μm; in one embodiment, the width is 250 μm, and in another embodiment, the width is 350 μm. The ridges (2-1-2) are evenly distributed along the length of the large pit (2-1-3), so that the subpits (2-1-1) separated by two adjacent ridges (2-1-2) have comparable size and shape.

[0154] In Figures 1, 2 and 3, The walls of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) have essentially the same width over their entire length, the width of the walls of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) being 5 to 25 μm, in one embodiment said width was 15 μm. The ENGRAVING-TAG(1-1) and the large pit (1-1-1) of the ENGRAVING-TAG(1-1) have essentially the same contour, i.e., a square contour. One boundary of the square has an angle ANG-1(1-3) of 0 to 90° with respect to the direction of the length of the gravure printing cylinder, and in one embodiment ANG-1(1-3) was 45°. The depth of the pits (1-1-1) of the ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) was at least 15 μm, in one embodiment said depth was 25 μm, in one embodiment said depth was 30 μm. AREA-NORM(1) contains and is completely filled with multiple ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1), any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) abut each other, and all ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) have the same wall width, outline, ANG-1(1-3), length, depth, and width.

[0155] AREA-NORM(1) includes a plurality of continuous straight lines ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1), all of which are part of the continuous straight lines, and the direction of any of the continuous straight lines has the same angle ANG-2(1-4) of 0 to 90° with respect to the length direction of the gravure printing cylinder, and in one embodiment, ANG-2(1-4) is 45°. All the continuous lines were adjacent to and parallel to each other, any two adjacent continuous lines abutted each other, and the distance between adjacent rims of the walls of adjacent pits (1-1-1) of two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) (each located on a different line of the two adjacent continuous lines) was 10 to 50 μm, and in one embodiment, the distance was 30 μm.

[0156] The possible offset of any two adjacent continuous lines relative to each other is defined by ANG-3(1-5), where an imaginary line connecting the center point of the outline of a first ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) in one of the two adjacent continuous lines to the center point of the outline of a second ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) adjacent to the first ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) but located on the other continuous line has ANG-3(1-5) relative to the direction of the continuous lines, ANG-3(1-5) is 45 to 135°, and in one embodiment, ANG-3(1-5) is 90°; therefore, in this embodiment, there is no offset between any two adjacent continuous lines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 1 AREA-NORM 1-1 ENGRAVING-NORM 1-1-1 ENGRAVING-NORM PIT 1-2 AREA-NORM boundary that separates the printed area from the non-printed area on the surface of the printing substrate and AREA-TAG 1-3 ANG-1 1-4 ANG-2 1-5 ANG-3 2 AREA-TAG 2-1 ENGRAVING-TAG 2-1-1 Sub-pit 2-1-2 Ridge 2-1-3 ENGRAVING-TAG large pit 2-1-4 The side along the length of the AREA-TAG where the number of rows of ENGRAVING-NORM abutting the AREA-TAG is small 2-1-5 AREA-TAG side of printing direction 2-1-6 Side of AREA-TAG opposite to printing direction 3. Non-engraved surface of gravure printing cylinder 4 Imprint area of ​​gravure printing pattern including large tag on printing substrate 5 Non-printed area on the surface of the printing substrate 6 Large tag in the imprint area of ​​the gravure printing pattern including the large tag on the printing substrate 7 Closed two-piece hard capsule shell 7-1 Closed two-piece hard capsule shell body 7-2 Closed two-piece hard capsule shell cap 8 Printing direction of printing substrate 9. A pattern for printing large tags, including an AREA-NORM with ENGRAVING-NORM and an AREA-TAG with ENGRAVING-TAG, engraved on the surface of a gravure printing cylinder, the engraved pattern 10 Gravure printing patterns, including large tags, printing patterns 11 Gravure printing cylinder 11-1 Gravure printing cylinder shaft 11-2 Printing direction of gravure printing cylinder 12 Printing substrate 12-1 Printing direction of printing substrate

Claims

1. A gravure printing cylinder (11) for printing a gravure printing pattern (10) including a large tag on the surface of a printing substrate (12), comprising: The pattern to be gravure printed is formed on the surface of the gravure printing cylinder (11) in two areas: - Area for gravure printing AREA-NORM(1), - AREA-TAG (2) for gravure printing of large tags; and engraved as an engraved pattern (9) including AREA-NORM (1) is an area bounded by its boundary (1-2), AREA-TAG(2) is an area bounded by its boundary, AREA-NORM(1) contains ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1), AREA-TAG(2) contains ENGRAVING-TAG(2-1), ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) is a pit (1-1-1) and its surrounding wall, the pit (1-1-1) is engraved on the surface of the gravure printing cylinder (11), the surrounding wall is not engraved, and the top of the wall is at the same level as the non-engraved surface (3) of the gravure printing cylinder (11); The length of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) is the length in the direction of maximum lateral extension of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1), the width of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) is the maximum lateral extension of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) perpendicular to its length; The length of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) is equal to or greater than its width, The ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is a large pit (2-1-3) and its surrounding wall, the large pit (2-1-3) is engraved on the surface of the gravure printing cylinder (11), the surrounding wall is not engraved, and the top of the wall is at the same level as the non-engraved surface (3) of the gravure printing cylinder (11), The length of the ENGRAVING-TAG(2-1) is the length in the direction of the maximum lateral extension of the ENGRAVING-TAG(2-1), The width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is the maximum lateral extension of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) perpendicular to its length; The length of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is equal to or greater than its width, The length of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is the length in the direction of maximum lateral extension of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1), the width of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is the maximum lateral extension of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) perpendicular to its length; The length of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is equal to or greater than its width, Any lateral dimension is a dimension in a cylindrical layer coaxial with the non-engraved surface (1-2) of the gravure printing cylinder (11), The gravure printing cylinder (11) The width of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) is less than 0.4 mm, The lower limit of the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 0.4 mm, The width of the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is at least 50% of the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1); All parts of the boundary of the AREA-TAG (2) at least on the side (2-1-6) of the AREA-TAG (2) opposite to the printing direction (11-2) abut a part of the boundary (1-2) of the AREA-NORM (1), and the printing direction (11-2) is the circumferential direction around the axis (11-1) of the gravure printing cylinder (11) around which the gravure printing cylinder (11) rotates during printing. characterized in that Gravure printing cylinder (11).

2. AREA-NORM(1) has a plurality of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1), AREA-NORM(1) is completely filled with a plurality of ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1), and any two adjacent ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) abut each other. A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to claim 1.

3. The outline of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) is square, and the density of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) in AREA-NORM (1) is 1 mm ２ ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) greater than 6.25 per Preferably, 1 mm ２ ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) of 6.25 to 1'111 per mm, more preferably 1 mm ２ ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) of 11 to 1'111 per unit area, more preferably 1 mm ２ ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) of 25 to 1'111, especially 1 mm ２ ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) of 39 to 278 per mm, more particularly 1 mm ２ ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) of 44 to 204 per mm, more particularly 1 mm ２ ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) is 48-178 per A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. AREA-TAG (2) has only one ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1), and the region of ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) and the region of AREA-TAG (2) are identical. A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3.

5. The AREA-NORM (1) completely surrounds and abuts the AREA-TAG (2); A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4.

6. Any width of the AREA-NORM (1) is at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.2 mm; A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5.

7. The width and length of the wall of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) are lateral dimensions, with the width being perpendicular to the length, and being 5 to 25 μm, preferably 10 to 20 μm, more preferably 12.5 to 17.5 μm; A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6.

8. The ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) and the large pit (2-1-3) of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) have the same contour, preferably a rectangular contour; A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7.

9. The length of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) extends in the direction of the axis (11-1) of the gravure printing cylinder (11), while the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) extends in the circumferential direction around the gravure printing cylinder (11); A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8.

10. The lower limit of the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 0.45 mm, 0.6 mm, or 0.7 mm; Preferably, the width of the ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) is 0.4 to 3 mm, more preferably 0.4 to 2.5 mm, even more preferably 0.4 to 2.25 mm, particularly preferably 0.4 to 2.1 mm. A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9.

11. When the length of the large pit (2-1-3), i.e., the maximum longitudinal extension from one wall dividing the large pit (2-1-3) to the opposite wall, is 500 μm or more, the large pit (2-1-3) includes at least one ridge (2-1-2), The ridge (2-1-2) is a region within the large pit (2-1-3) that is engraved to a depth of at most 25%, preferably at most 20%, more preferably at most 15%, even more preferably at most 10%, and particularly at most 5% of the depth of the large pit (2-1-3), and in particular the ridge (2-1-2) is a non-engraved region within the large pit (2-1-3). A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

12. the ridge (2-1-2) extends through the large pit (2-1-3) from a point on one of the walls of the large pit (2-1-3) to a point on the wall of the opposite side of the large pit (2-1-3); The ridge (2-1-2) divides the large pit (2-1-3) into sub-pits (2-1-1), A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to claim 11.

13. the ridges (2-1-2) have a straight profile and are inclined at an angle to the length of the gravure printing cylinder (11); Preferably, the angle of the ridge (2-1-2) is 15 to 75°, more preferably 25 to 65°, more preferably 35 to 55°, and even more preferably 40 to 50°. A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to claim 11 or 12.

14. If said large pit (2-1-3) comprises several ridges (2-1-2), all ridges (2-1-2) have the same contour, and / or said ridge (2-1-2) has the same width over its entire length, and / or the width of said ridge (2-1-2) is at least 10 μm, more preferably at least 20 μm, even more preferably at least 25 μm; and / or the width of the ridge (2-1-2) is 10 to 50 μm, preferably 20 to 40 μm, more preferably 25 to 35 μm; and / or When the large pit (2-1-3) includes a plurality of ridges (2-1-2), all the ridges (2-1-2) have the same width; A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of claims 11 to 13.

15. If the large pit (2-1-3) includes only one ridge (2-1-2), this ridge (2-1-2) is located at the center of the large pit (2-1-3) and divides the large pit (2-1-3) into two sub-pits (2-1-1) having the same size, shape, and width; When the large pit (2-1-3) includes a plurality of ridges (2-1-2) running parallel to each other and having the same width, the width of the sub-pit (2-1-1) between any two adjacent ridges (2-1-2), i.e., the distance between the midpoints of the widths of the two adjacent ridges (2-1-2), is the same. A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of claims 11 to 14.

16. the walls of the ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) have essentially the same width laterally over their entire length; The width and length of the wall of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) are lateral dimensions, with the width being perpendicular to the length, and is preferably 5 to 25 μm, more preferably 10 to 20 μm, and even more preferably 12.5 to 17.5 μm; A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

17. ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and said pits (1-1-1) of ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) have the same or at least essentially the same contour, preferably a square, circle or line contour, Preferably, when said contour is a line, it is a straight line; Preferably, when there are multiple ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) within AREA-NORM(1), each ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) has the same or at least essentially the same contour. A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

18. ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) has a width of 30 to less than 400 μm, preferably 30 to 300 μm, more preferably 30 to 200 μm, particularly 60 to 160 μm, more particularly 70 to 150 μm, and even more particularly 75 to 145 μm; and / or If there are multiple ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) within AREA-NORM(1), each ENGRAVING-NORM(1-1) has the same width. A gravure printing cylinder (11) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

19. 1. A method for engraving a pattern (9) for printing a large tag, the pattern (9) including an AREA-NORM (1) having an ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) and an AREA-TAG (2) having an ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1), on the surface of a gravure printing cylinder (11), comprising: ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1) pits (1-1-1) and ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) large pits (2-1-3) are engraved on the surface of the gravure printing cylinder (11); the engraving is performed by mechanical engraving, chemical engraving, or optical engraving; Preferably, the engraving is performed by optical engraving, more preferably by laser engraving; 19. A method, wherein the AREA-NORM (1), ENGRAVING-NORM (1-1), AREA-TAG (2), ENGRAVING-TAG (2-1) and said gravure printing cylinder (11) are as defined in one or more of claims 1 to 18.

20. A method for gravure printing a pattern (10) including a large tag onto a surface of a printing substrate (12), comprising: The printing substrate (12) is a two-piece hard capsule shell (7) or the body (7-1) or cap (7-2) of the two-piece hard capsule shell (7), The gravure printing is carried out by a gravure printing cylinder (11) as defined in one or more of claims 1 to 20 using gravure printing inks containing large tags, Preferably, the size of the large tag is 20 μm to 150 μm; Preferably, said macro tag is chemically silicon dioxide; Preferably, the gravure printing ink is a solvent-based gravure printing ink.

21. A printing substrate (12) on whose surface a gravure printing pattern (10) including a large tag is gravure printed, The printing substrate (12) is a two-piece hard capsule shell (7) or the body (7-1) or cap (7-2) of the two-piece hard capsule shell (7), said gravure printing pattern (10) comprising the large tag is obtained by gravure printing with a gravure printing cylinder (11) as defined in one or more of claims 1 to 18, Preferably, the size of the large tag is 20 μm to 150 μm; Preferably, said macro tag is chemically silicon dioxide; Preferably, the method wherein said printing substrate (12) is the body or cap of a two-piece hard capsule shell (7), or a tablet.

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