Apparatus for directing magnetic or magnetizable particles and machine for producing optically variable image elements - Patent Application 20070122999

Abstract

The device for directing magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) contained in a coating agent (06) applied to one side of a web-like or sheet-like substrate (02), has a directing device (41; 42) which, in a working position (A), has one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) fixed to a frame during operation and arranged in the transport path so as to magnetically interact or be able to interact with the magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) on the substrate (02) to be guided along the transport path. 4), one or more magnet elements (43; 44) are arranged on a support (46) extending transversely to the transport direction (T) over a working width provided for the treatment of a substrate (02), the support (46) being supported on both sides in or on at least one guide (47; 48), such that the support (46) together with the magnet elements (43; 44) can be moved in or on the guide (47; 48) from a working position (A) to a preparation position (R) along a movement path. The invention further relates to a machine (01) for producing optically variable image elements (03) on a substrate (02), comprising a substrate supply (13).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a device for orienting magnetic or magnetizable particles as claimed in claim 1 or 12, as well as to a machine for generating optically variable image elements.

[0002] From WO 2022 / 069107 A1, a security machine for generating optically variable image elements on a substrate is known, which security machine has a magnet cylinder and, in one configuration, a stationary orientation device arranged upstream of the magnet cylinder in the transport path and assigned to the magnet cylinder, which orientation device can be swiveled away from the transport path into a ready position.

[0003] WO 2022 / 189098 discloses a security machine with a number of printing units and a number of downstream successive magnet cylinders, each preceded by a pre-direction machine and assigned a simultan direction machine.

[0004] The problem underlying the present invention is to provide an improved device for orienting magnetic or magnetizable particles, as well as a machine for producing optically variable image elements.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 12.

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

[0007] A very particular advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the positioning of a stationary orientation machine during operation can be carried out by means of magnetic elements contained in the orientation machine without having to take accessibility into account and / or without having to maintain a relatively large amount of free space to the side or above it, as is the case, for example, with rotation around a fixed axis.

[0008] Another major advantage is that such a device can be individually adapted to different machines or to different arrangements within the same machine without much effort, which is particularly true for configurations in which the guides are provided in removable side plates.

[0009] The configuration of the device for pre-orientation is particularly advantageous. After application of the ink containing magnetic or magnetizable particles, the particles are more or less randomly present in the color matrix. The initial uniform orientation provides a higher contrast background for subsequent orientation of the image.

[0010] It is also particularly advantageous to configure the device for carrying out the simultanous orientation so that, during the orientation to impart an image, the particles are simultaneously subjected to magnetic forces which result in a particularly contrast-rich appearance of the plate-like particles, for example.

[0011] In the configuration according to the invention, the orienting device is configured in such a way that the carrier supporting the magnet elements is supported on both sides in or on at least one guide each, and in or on this guide, together with the magnet elements, is moved as a whole, in particular guided, along the movement path, i.e. by a translational movement, in particular from a working position, in particular to a preparation position further away from the transport path.

[0012] In a particularly advantageous development, guides are provided in or on the side plates, which themselves are removably arranged on the frame walls of the frame supporting the orientation machine, so that such guides can be provided separately on the side plates without the need to manufacture the frames separately in each case.

[0013] In machines for producing optically variable image elements on substrates, such orientation devices can be inserted or retrofitted at various locations and in various numbers by simple means, so that a large amount of space does not have to be provided for the overhanging pivoting movement, which is particularly advantageous for machines or machine parts in which, for example, a linear transport section with sufficient space is not provided and the transport of the substrate takes place only by transferring it from cylinder to cylinder.

[0014] Further details and embodiments can be seen from the examples below.

[0015] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a machine for producing optically variable image elements on a substrate, such as a security printing press. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram showing a substrate on which an optically variable coating agent is printed as a printing element, where on the left side, Fig. 2a) orientation is shown by an image-applying orientation device only, and on the right side, Fig. 2b) orientation is shown with the application of at least one further orientation device that provides pre-orientation. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a magnet cylinder. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one cylinder with its associated director. [Figure 5]1A) is a plan view showing the orientation machine arranged in the frame, and FIG. 1B) is a side view showing the inside of the side plate for accommodating the orientation machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the director held by the side plate. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view from below of a portion connecting a director to a side plate having a guide. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows an example of a machine with multiple pre-orienters and multiple simultan orienters, such as a security printing press.

[0017] A machine 01 for treating and / or converting a web-like or in particular sheet-like substrate 02, in particular a security machine 01, for example a printing machine 01 for preferably forming an optically variable image element 03 on a substrate 02, for example in particular a sheet-like printing substrate 02, in particular a security printing machine 01, comprises, for example, a coating device 04, for example a printing device 04, which can apply an optically variable coating agent 06, for example an optically variable ink 06 or varnish 06, in the form of a printed image element 08, to at least one coating location, for example a printing location 11, on at least a first side of the substrate 02, for example the printing substrate 02, over the entire surface or in partial areas, and, in the case of a machine 01 for producing an optically variable image element 03, a device 07 for directing optically variable particles P contained in the optically variable coating agent 06 applied to the substrate 02 (see, for example, Figure 1 ). This device 07 will also be referred to below for short as an orienting device 07, or, since it effects imaging for an optically variable pattern or motif by a defined orientation of particles P, as an imaging orientation device 07. The application of the coating agent 06 containing particles P and the subsequent orientation for imaging are shown schematically, for example, on the basis of the diagram I on the left side of Figure 2 (Figure 2a), with reference to the left side of Figure 2 (Figure 2a). In this case, the Roman numeral I indicates the state I in which the coating agent 06 is applied and present in a randomly oriented state, and the Roman numeral III indicates the state III in which the orientation for imaging has taken place.

[0018] The printed image elements 08 consisting of the variable coating agent 06 applied by the applicator 04 onto the substrate 02 before processing by the directing device 07 may correspond in size and position to the optically variable image elements 03 to be generated or may possibly be larger and may possibly extend over the surface of several assignments 09. In the case of larger printed image elements 08, for example, the directing does not generate optically variable image elements 03 over the entire surface coated with the optically variable coating agent 06.

[0019] The particles P responsible for the optical variability in this case are magnetic or magnetizable non-spherical particles P, such as pigment particles P, also referred to below as magnetic flakes for short, contained in a coating agent 06, for example an ink 06 or a varnish 06.

[0020] The machine 01 is preferably configured for producing assignments 09, such as securities 09, in particular banknotes 09. This includes, in particular, the production of security intermediates, for example, as well as the production of substrates 02, in particular web-like or especially sheet-like substrate segments 02, in particular substrate sheets 02, with printed images of a plurality of securities 09. The substrates 02 may be formed, for example, by cellulose-based or preferably cotton-based paper, or by paper containing at least cellulose or cotton fibers, by plastic polymers, or by hybrid products thereof. Prior to coating in the above-mentioned coating device 04, the substrates may be uncoated or already coated; they may be unprinted or may have already been printed one or more times in one or more previous processes or may have been mechanically treated in other ways. On one printing substrate section 02 formed by one longitudinal section of a web-like substrate 02 or one sheet of a sheet-like substrate 02, a plurality of allocation objects 09, for example banknotes 09 to be produced or printed images thereof, are preferably arranged in a matrix form, adjacent to each other in rows extending transversely to the conveying direction T, adjacent to each other in columns extending in the conveying direction T, or are arranged during the processing of the substrate 02 (for example, as shown in Figure 2).

[0021] The machine 01 configured as a printing press 01 may in principle include one or more printing devices 04, respectively, of any printing method. However, in the configuration shown here, the printing press expediently comprises one printing device 04, in particular one printing device 04 operating by flexographic printing or preferably screen printing, which applies or can apply the optically variable coating agent 06 to a first side of a substrate 02. The printing methods, in particular screen printing, allow, for example, for greater layer thicknesses to be applied compared to other printing methods. The expression "first side" of the substrate 02 or substrate 02 in this case refers to a randomly selected side of the substrate 02 on which or which has been or can be applied the optically variable coating agent 06, which is to be processed downstream by a directing device 07.

[0022] In the preferred configuration shown, the printing press 01 comprises a substrate supply 13, preferably formed as a sheet feeder 13, from which the substrate 02, for example formed as a sheet-like substrate 02, is fed or can be fed, possibly via further printing or processing units, to at least one printing device 04, for example a flexographic printing device 04 or preferably a screen printing device 04, which applies an optically variable coating agent 06, and which forms a printing location 11 for printing, for example on a first side of the substrate 02, between a printing device cylinder 14, in particular a plate cylinder 14, for example a screen printing cylinder 14, and one common cylinder 17, for example an impression cylinder 17 (see, for example, Figure 1).

[0023] Preferably, the printing unit 04 has an image-applying cylinder 14 having, on its circumferential surface, printing elements for applying, in particular, a plurality of identical and / or identical images, also referred to hereinafter as printing motifs, or groups of printing elements or printing motifs for applying, in particular, a plurality of identical and / or identical images, which are arranged in a matrix along a circumferential length corresponding to the length of the print image in a plurality of, for example 4 to 8, in particular 5 to 7, for example 6, columns spaced apart transversely to the transport direction T, and along a cylinder width corresponding to the width of the print image in a plurality of rows spaced apart in the transport direction T. In the case of a printing unit 04 working by flexography, these printing motifs are formed in the form of reliefs, and in the preferred case of a printing unit 04 working by screen printing, in the form of screen printing stencils.

[0024] The substrate 02 can be fed from a printing device 04, which applies an optically variable coating agent 06, to the directing device 07 via a conveying means, for example one or more conveying devices 12 formed as cylinders 12, for example as conveying cylinders 12. In the case of a web-like substrate 02, the conveying means can be formed by one or more positively driven and / or non-driven rollers.

[0025] After passing through the orientation device 07, which will be described in more detail below, the substrate 02 can be fed directly or via another conveying means, for example via another conveying cylinder 12, to another conveying device 21, which in turn can feed it to a product storage 22 for receiving substrates 02 that have been processed and / or treated in the machine 01, or, in the case of sheet-shaped substrates 02, to a pile delivery 22. In the preferred case of sheet-shaped substrates 02, a sheet conveying means is provided as conveying means, for example one or more conveying cylinders or drums, or, as shown here, a conveying device 21 formed, for example, as a gripper circulation feeder 21, in particular a chain gripper system 21, by means of which conveying device 21 the substrate 02 is taken off the conveying path section of the orientation device 07, possibly via one or more further conveying cylinders, and fed, for example, to the pile delivery 22.

[0026] The conveying path leading from the directing device 07 may be provided with one or more dryers 23, for example at least one drying device with a radiation dryer 23, directed towards the first side of the printing substrate 02, and possibly with cooling devices, for example cooling rollers, not shown. In a further development, the conveying path may be provided with an inspection device 15, 25 between the directing device 07 and the pile delivery 22, for example with a sensor device 25, for example a camera 25, in particular a line scan camera 25, which cooperates with the conveying cylinder 15 and with the inspection cylinder 15, in particular formed in the form of a suction cylinder 15.

[0027] In an advantageous development, the printing device 04 and the orientation device 07 can be structurally combined, for example in the form of a module, in one device 16 for generating optically variable image elements. In an advantageous development, several such modules can be provided one after the other in the machine 01. In an advantageous configuration in the form of a module, a device 16 with interfaces corresponding to the inlet and outlet interfaces of the upstream and downstream transport systems is or can be provided in the transport path of the machine 01 to be equipped. In an advantageous development of the machine, two or more such devices 16 are provided, in particular as modules.

[0028] The orientation device 07, which will be shown in detail below, is indeed essentially optional in its configuration, implementation or construction, but is preferably provided or can be provided in the machine 01 or printing press 01 described above.

[0029] The directing device 07 for forming an optically variable image element 03, for example for forming an optically variable effect in an optically variable coating agent 06 that has previously been applied to a substrate 02, in particular to a printing substrate 02, for example in the form of a printed image element 08, has a defined transport path, along which from an inlet area where the substrate 02 to be treated having the optically variable coating agent 06 on its first side is supplied or can be supplied, the substrate 02 to be transported through the directing device 07 is operatively coupled or can be operatively coupled in a defined manner with a directing machine 26 that includes an element 24 that provides a magnetic field, or a magnetic element 24 for short, as an active element 24, and in this case preferably is operatively coupled or can be operatively coupled so that the magnetic element 24 of the directing machine 26 that functions for image-applying orientation and the printing substrate 02 that has been printed with the ink 06 containing particles P are moved synchronously with each other at least in one section of the transport path. The orientation device 26 is in this case configured as a magnetically acting cylinder 26, or magnet cylinder 26 for short, which has an arrangement of magnet elements 24 on its periphery, via which the substrate 02 is guided or conveyed from the inlet region of the orientation device 07 in the direction of the outlet region. The magnet cylinder 26 is rotatably supported on both sides in a one-part or multi-part frame.

[0030] The magnet element 24 may be formed directly by a single- or multi-part magnet 27 itself, shown by dashed lines in FIG. 3 as an example, or may have one or more preceding magnets 27, preferably removably arranged in or on a holder, e.g., on or in a base. A magnet 27 is generally understood in this case to mean a magnetically acting device that generates a persistent or switchable magnetic field strong enough to orient particles P contained in the coating agent 06 on the substrate 02 guided thereon, at least toward the side of the transport path, in particular as described herein. The magnet 27 may be formed in this case by one or more permanent magnets, engraved or not, by an electromagnet, or by a combination of one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets. Whether the magnet element is a single magnet or a combination of multiple magnets, e.g., permanent magnets and / or electromagnets, the term magnet 27 in the following should also be understood to mean multiple magnets 27 that form a single magnetic unit assigned to the same magnet element 24, unless expressly stated otherwise. The term magnet element 24 also includes an arrangement with a plurality of spaced apart, single- or multi-part magnets 27 contained in the magnet element 24, which can be used, for example, when a magnetic field is to be applied at two different locations to the same assignment 09. In this case, one such magnet 27 or an arrangement of multiple magnets 27 of the same magnet element 24 can be accommodated in a casing of the magnet element 24, which casing is, for example, removably arranged in or on a holder.

[0031] In principle, two magnetic cylinders 26 of this type may be provided in the transport path, which are arranged on the same or different sides of the substrate 02 to be transported along the transport path.

[0032] In an advantageous configuration, the image application direction device 07 is assigned a drying and / or curing device 19, for example a radiation dryer 19, in particular a UV radiation dryer 19, abbreviated to a UV dryer 19, which is preferably formed as a UV-LED dryer 19 and / or is directed towards the point on the transport path where the substrate 02 interacts with the magnetic cylinder 26.

[0033] In a particularly advantageous configuration, the drying and / or hardening device 19 is arranged around the magnet cylinder 26 and / or is directed towards a circumferential section located in the transport path of the corresponding magnet cylinder 26 .

[0034] The magnet cylinder 26 or one of the magnet cylinders 26 is arranged in the transport path of the substrate 02 to be transported, preferably on the second side of the substrate 02, so that the first side of the substrate 02, which is coated with the optically variable coating agent 06 inline, particularly upstream, is directed outward when passing through the magnet cylinder 26, particularly when transported via the magnet cylinder 26.

[0035] The magnetic cylinder 26 comprises a one-piece or preferably multi-piece cylinder body on which or on which the magnetic elements 24 are preferably removably arranged. The one-piece or preferably multi-piece cylinder body can be or is rotatably supported on a frame. In this case, the term cylinder body denotes the unequipped part of the cylinder 26 and can include both closed structures, i.e., structures with a more or less closed cylindrical wall, and open structures, i.e., frame-like or frame-like structures, as in the example shown in FIG. 3.

[0036] The magnetic cylinder 26 has a plurality of magnetic elements 24 in the region facing the substrate path, for example in the region of the outer periphery, in particular in the region of the outer cylindrical envelope of the cylinder body, which serve to orient at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable particles P of the coating agent 06 applied to the substrate 02 passing therethrough.

[0037] In particular, for the preferred case shown here in which a plurality of assignment objects 09 are provided per substrate section, e.g., substrate or substrate sheet 02, the cylinder 26 is provided with a plurality of rows or groups, in the axial direction, in particular a number m (m∈N>1) corresponding to the number of columns in the substrate section 02, with a number n (n∈N>1) of rows extending parallel to the axis, in particular a number n (n∈N>1) corresponding to the number of rows of assignment objects 09 on the substrate section 02 to be processed, or with magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in the rows or groups, in the transport direction T of the substrate 02 and / or in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 26, or arranged in a matrix, i.e., n × m, in other words n times m, magnetic elements 24 are arranged in a matrix on the outer surface, where n, m∈N.

[0038] During transport through the first cylinder 26, for example, by guiding the substrate 02 through the magnetic cylinder 26 configured in this manner, with the first substrate side facing outward, the particles P in the area of ​​the image element 03 provided on the allocation object 09 can be oriented or directed by the magnetic element 24, in this case, i.e., for example, through the substrate 02.

[0039] In this case, the number m of rows or groups is, for example, 4 to 8, in particular 5 to 7, for example 6, and / or the number n of magnetic elements 24 in a row or group is, for example, 2 to 12, advantageously 5 to 10. The magnetic cylinder 26 or its cylinder body is preferably designed in such a way that the number m of rows or groups and / or the number n of rows or the number of magnetic elements 24 arranged one after the other in a row or group is variable, for example within the above-mentioned limits, and can be adapted to different requirements.

[0040] Preferably, the magnetic element 24 is or can be removably arranged on the cylinder 26, preferably in or on a suitable holder together with this holder, so that in the assembled state it can be arranged at a defined location on the periphery of the cylinder 26 and preferably completely removable from the cylinder 26 and / or so that it can be positioned axially and / or circumferentially on the periphery of the cylinder 26.

[0041] For the above-mentioned matrix arrangement, the magnet elements 24 may be arranged on or supported within the cylinder 26 such that their axial positions, at least relative to other magnet elements 24 of the same row or group, are variable relative to the single- or multi-part cylinder body. This can be achieved, for example, via axially extending guides on the periphery of the cylinder body, in which the corresponding magnet elements 24 are indirectly or directly supported and can be brought into various axial positions. Such guides can basically be provided individually for each magnet element 24 in a row, but may also be provided consistently for several or all magnet elements 24 in the same row. In this case, the guides may be provided on the above-mentioned axially extending support elements that support all magnet elements 24 of the same row.

[0042] In the preferred case of grouped rows, the magnet elements 24 may be or can be arranged directly or indirectly on a plurality, for example 4 to 8, in particular 5 to 7, for example 6, number m, axially spaced apart from one another, preferably in the aforementioned portion or preferably entirely axially positionable on the cylinder inner body 32, in particular on the axially extending cylinder axis 32, or axis 32 for short, preferably ring-shaped support element 31, for example in this case ring element 31, in which or on the ring element 31 furthermore a plurality, for example 2 to 12, advantageously 5 to 10, magnet elements 24 are or can be arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction, preferably at least partially or entirely positionable in the circumferential direction (see, for example, Figure 3).

[0043] In the case of a web-shaped substrate 02, the magnetic cylinder 26 may be configured without any holding means acting on the substrate 02, for example, with a circumferentially closed ring element 31. In the case of a sheet-shaped substrate 02, as is the case here, the cylinder 26 is preferably provided on its periphery with holding means 33, for example, grippers 33 of so-called gripper strips, by means of which the substrate sheet 02 to be transported through the cylinder 26 can be held at its leading end and held over a predetermined rotation angle range during the rotation of the cylinder 26. In this case, the magnetic cylinder 26 configured in this manner simultaneously serves to transport the substrate 02. In this case, the ring element 31 is circumferentially interrupted to accommodate the holding means 33, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. Therefore, in this case, the term "ring-shaped" support element or "ring element" also includes elements that are not closed, i.e., ring segment-shaped, unless something different is clearly indicated.

[0044] In a particularly advantageous configuration of the magnet cylinder 26, suction openings 28 are provided in the region of the envelope, through which the substrate sheet 02 transported on the cylinder 26 can be sucked to the periphery. These suction openings 28 can be provided in principle in suction channels extending between the groups of magnet elements 24, or, as shown, in suction elements 29 assigned to the magnet elements 24. In this case, the suction openings 28 can be connected via rotary feedthroughs 34 provided on the end faces of the shaft 32, preferably on both sides, to a suction air source or air reducer for applying a negative pressure.

[0045] In a further development of the cylinder 26, between each two rows or groups of magnetic elements 24, a support element 36 may be provided at the height of the cylinder envelope, each having a support surface for supporting the substrate 02 being transported through the cylinder 26. This support element 36 may be formed by its own peripheral surface formed as a support ring or by a support plate provided on such a support ring.

[0046] In an advantageous, for example, illustrated, configuration of the magnet cylinder 26, the magnet elements 24 are arranged on magnet element supports 38, which themselves are arranged in groups on the above-mentioned ring element 31, which is preferably axially positionable on the axis 32, preferably circumferentially positionable. In particular, the magnet elements 24 may be provided on such a magnet element support 38 together with one or more assigned attraction elements 29, and may form a structural unit which is, for example, circumferentially positionable on the ring element 31.

[0047] As already mentioned above, the particles P deposited on the substrate 02 can be oriented, for example, at least in the surface area related to the image or motif to be displayed, by the above-mentioned orientation device 26 provided for image orientation, in particular the above-mentioned magnetic cylinder 26.

[0048] In addition to the image-applying director 26 or magnet cylinder 26 cooperating with the particles P contained in the coating agent 06, so that the magnetic element 24 and the substrate 02 containing the particles P are moved or can be moved synchronously with each other along part of the conveying path, at least one further director 41; 42 is additionally provided, which further director 41; 42 comprises one or more magnetic elements 43; 44 fixed to a frame, i.e., arranged stationary in the conveying path, during operation, i.e., during production operation, which magnetic elements 43; 44 magnetically interact or can interact with magnetic or magnetizable particles P on the substrate 02 to be guided along the conveying path.

[0049] The further orienting devices 41; 42 are arranged at a point of the conveying path opposite the cylinder circumferential section of the cylinder 12; 26 that conveys the substrate 02 during operation and that is located within the conveying path, i.e., are arranged around the cylinder 12; 26 and opposite the cylinder circumferential surface in the conveying path, such that during operation, the cylinder circumferential surface forms a gap between the magnetic elements 43; 44 and the circumferential surface, for example with a width d of 3 to 10 mm, in particular 4 to 7 mm, for the passage of the substrate 02.

[0050] The other direction machines 41;42, which are stationary during operation, include a one-part or multi-part support 46 that supports the magnet elements 43;44, and this support 46 is supported on both sides by a frame, for example by frame walls 38;39 of the frame part that houses the direction machines 41;42, so that the magnet elements 43;44 supported thereby can be moved between a position A, for example a working position A in which the magnet elements 43;44 are located in an operative position, and a ready or non-operative position R in which the magnet elements 43;44 are located at a greater distance from the conveying path than in working position A and / or in which the magnet elements 43;44 and / or the conveying path section that is blocked from access by the magnet elements 43;44 in working position A are easily accessible.

[0051] For this purpose, the support 46 supporting the magnetic elements 43; 44 of this further orientation device 41; 42 is supported on both sides in or on at least one guide 47; 48, respectively, in which the support 46 together with the magnetic elements 43; 44 can be moved along a movement path from the working position A to the ready position R or vice versa. The movement or movability along the movement path differs from, for example, the pivoting of a lever about a fixed pivot axis, for example, by a translational movement, in particular a translational movement of the entire, i.e., all components of the movable support 46, between the working position A and the ready position, respectively. The movement path for the movement of the support 46, defined by the guides 47; 48, in this case preferably extends in a plane extending perpendicular to the rotation axis of the cylinder 12; 26, and / or may include one or more linear and / or curved guide sections 47.1; 47.2; 48.1; 48.2.

[0052] In an advantageous configuration of the guides 47; 48, which enable the support 46 to pass through another machine component, for example a drying and / or hardening device 19, arranged on the same cylinder 12; 26, the guides 47; 48 are configured in such a way that they are first moved away from the cylinder 12; 26 from the working position A by the guide sections 47.1; 47.2; 48.1; 48.2, for example with a radial component greater than the tangential component, and then moved away from the cylinder 12; 26, again with a smaller radial component and / or a tangential component greater than the radial component, in order to improve accessibility.

[0053] In the simplest case, each guide 47;48 may be formed by a contact surface on one side, on which a support element 49;51 on the carrier side, for example as a pin 49;51 in this configuration or as a roller 49;51, is supported and can move along the path of movement on the contact surface. Preferably, however, the guides 47;48 are formed in the form of a guide groove 47;48 in which the support element 49;51 on the carrier side, for example as a pin 49;51 or as a roller 49;51 in this configuration, is supported, for example on one side, by a contact surface and is held, on the other side, against tilting or unintentional slipping, by another surface, at least in the section between the position in which it assumes working position A and, if applicable, the position prescribed for complete removal. At a distance in the direction of the preparation position R from the position occupied by the support element 49; 51 in the working position A of each guide 47; 48, particularly in the region of its other end, the guide 47; 48 configured as a guide groove 47; 48 can be provided with an opening 52; 53, for example in the form of an outlet 52; 53 from the guide groove 47; 48, through which the respective support element 49; 51 can exit or pass through the corresponding guide groove 47; 48 in the removal position. Such an opening 52; 53 allows the support 46 to be removed.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, two such guides 47, 48 are provided on each end face of the support 46 to be guided, which guides 47, 48 cooperate, for example, with respective support elements 49, 51 on the support 46. The support elements 49, 51 are arranged spaced apart on the support 46, so that, in particular in the case of the guide grooves 47, 48, tilting of the support 46 about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder 12, 26 is prevented.

[0055] The guides 47, 48 may be provided, for example, on the inward-facing side, directly on the frame wall 38, 39 of the frame supporting the directing device 41, 42. However, in an advantageous configuration, the guides 47, 48 are provided in or on the side portions 54, 56, in particular the side plates 54, 56, which themselves are arranged, for example, removably, on the frame wall 38, 39. Such side plates 54, 56 may be individually formed with the guides 47, 48 depending on the arrangement and spatial characteristics of the directing device 41, 42, without the need for special modifications to the possibly existing standard frame configuration.

[0056] In order to hold the support 46 securely and accurately in the working position A, in an advantageous development the support 46 can be provided with a fixing or locking device 57, for example a spring-loaded pin 57, which engages in an opening in the frame or side plate 54; 56 when the support 46 is exactly in the working position A.

[0057] The movement of the support 46 in or along the guides 47, 48 between the different positions A, R can basically be carried out in any way, but in this case, in an advantageous configuration, is realized by a linear drive 58, 59 based on gears. In this case, the gear 58 engages in a corresponding tooth pattern 59 extending along the section to be traveled. This tooth pattern 59 can possibly be formed by a rack 59 whose shape matches the guide extension, or, as shown here, by teeth 59 provided on at least one side in the side plate 56 in the form of individual pins 61 arranged in the side plate 56 along the guide extension.

[0058] The gear 58 can in this case be driven preferably by a suitably self-locking transmission 62, for example a worm transmission 62. The worm transmission 62 can be operated, for example on the drive side, manually in the example shown here, for example via a hand wheel 63, or, in a more convenient configuration, via a drive motor.

[0059] The magnet elements 43; 44 of the further orientation devices 41; 42 may be formed by individual magnets or by groups of several individual magnets, which may be accommodated individually or as groups on the magnet supports 66; 67. In this case, the individual magnets may be formed by permanent magnets or electromagnets. If several magnet elements 43; 44 are provided, these magnet elements 43; 44 are arranged adjacent to one another at a distance transversely to the conveying direction T, in particular in a distribution that corresponds to the arrangement pattern of the rows of assignment objects 09 arranged on the substrate 02.

[0060] The stationary orientation devices 41;42 in operation preferably have a plurality of, for example 4 to 8, in particular 5 to 7, for example 6, magnetic elements 43;44 spaced apart transversely to the conveying direction T.

[0061] For example, in a configuration that is particularly advantageous in terms of high product variability, the magnet elements 43; 44 of the further orienting devices 41; 42 or their magnet supports 66; 67 are arranged on the support 46 so as to be movable or adjustable transversely to the conveying direction T.

[0062] For this purpose, the magnet elements 43; 44 of the further orientation machines 41; 42, or the magnet supports 66; 67 accommodating the magnets, are supported laterally movably, for example, on one or more beams 64 included in the support 46. By means of a holding device 68, for example formed as a clamping mechanism 68, the magnet supports 66; 67 may be fixable in a desired position, for example via a knob 69.

[0063] In order to be able to carry out interchangeable adaptations and / or to be able to carry out operation simply without additional orientation, the magnet elements 43; 44 of the orientation machines 41; 42 are removably arranged on the support 46 or on the corresponding magnet supports 66; 67 and / or the magnet supports 66; 67 are removably arranged on the support 46. As shown, alternatively or preferably additionally, the support 46 together with the magnet elements 43; 44 may also be arranged removably from the frame as a whole.

[0064] The magnet elements 43; 44 of the further orientation devices 41; 42 may in principle be arranged on a linear conveying path section and may have a flat shape extending elongated in the conveying direction T, at least on the side facing the conveying path, but the magnet elements 43; 44 thus movable in the guides 47; 48 are preferably arranged on a curved conveying path section, for example the above-mentioned cylinder 12; 26, and have a curved shape, in particular a curved circular segment, extending along the conveying path, at least on the side facing the conveying path.

[0065] In a particularly advantageous configuration, this further director 41 is configured as a further director 41, or pre-director 41 for short, used for pre-orientation in the transport path of the substrate 02 to be transported, and is arranged, for example, upstream of one of the image-applying directors 26, in particular upstream of the magnet cylinder 26 in the transport path. Such a director 41 is arranged upstream of the magnet cylinder 26 in such a way that the magnet elements 43 of this director 41 can cause a pre-orientation of the particles P at least in a surface area adjacent to the image-applying partial area. In particular, the magnet elements 43 of this second director 41 are configured and oriented in such a way that the particles P in the surface area passing through the area of ​​action are oriented parallel to one another in two axial directions, thereby producing a homogeneous optical impression over this surface area. In a preferred configuration, the magnet elements 43 are configured and oriented such that the resulting magnetic field causes particles P, which are formed, for example, in a planar shape and with a length greater than their width, to be oriented or directed in the corresponding surface area of ​​the image element 03 with their flat sides parallel to the substrate surface and with their longitudinal extensions pointing in the same direction overall.

[0066] The pre-direction device 41 has one or preferably several magnet elements 43 transverse to the conveying direction T, preferably as described above, and is arranged in the conveying path so that, at the working position A, the one or more magnet elements 43 comprised in the pre-direction device 41 magnetically interact or can interact with particles P provided on the substrate 02 being guided along the conveying path.

[0067] Preferably, the magnet element 43 of the pre-director 41 is provided on the side of the conveying path opposite to the side of the upstream conveying path that was last printed or on which the coating agent 06 was applied, i.e., the magnet element 43 is preferably provided on the side of the conveyed substrate 02 that is not the last or newly printed side.

[0068] 2, on the right (FIG. 2b), the effect of such preorientation is shown diagrammatically, where the Roman numeral II indicates a state II in which the particles P in the coating agent have already been preorientated, e.g., by a preorienter 41, but have not yet been oriented for imaging or are not taken into account in the drawing. After preorientation, for example, the previously randomly oriented particles P are aligned, e.g., parallel or otherwise uniformly oriented, thus forming a background that provides good contrast to a pattern or image motif with particles P of different orientations.

[0069] That is, in addition to orientation for image imparting by the magnet cylinder 26, for example, the same and / or adjacent particles P located in a surface area particularly related to the image or motif to be represented can be oriented or additional magnetic force can be applied by at least one further orientation device 41 that performs pre-orientation before cooperation with the image imparting magnet cylinder 26 or upstream of the image imparting magnet cylinder 26 and / or at least at one point or period during cooperation with the image imparting magnet cylinder 26.

[0070] In another particularly advantageous configuration, such a further orientation machine 42 is provided as an orientation machine 42 used for simultaneous orientation, or Simultane orientation machine 42 for short, which has one or more magnetic elements 44, and which is arranged on the opposite side of the conveying path from the first orientation machine 26 so that the same and / or adjacent surface areas of the same image element 03 to be produced by supplying the coating agent 06 to the substrate 02 cooperate at at least one point in the conveying path with the image application orientation machine 26, in particular the magnet cylinder 26, which is moved simultaneously with the substrate 02, and with the further orientation machine 42 which functions for the simultaneous orientation of the particles P. In other words, in this configuration, an orienting force is applied to particles P of one image element 03 at at least one point in the transport path by the magnetic field of the magnet 27 of the image-applying direction device 26, particularly the magnet element 24 of the magnet cylinder 26, and at the same time, a similar orienting magnetic force is applied to the same particle P and / or other particles P of the same image element 03 by the magnetic field of the magnet element 44 of another direction device 42 that functions for simultaneous orientation.

[0071] The simultan orientor 42, with its magnetic element 44, is disposed in the transport path on the opposite side of the transport path from the image applying orientor 26.

[0072] That is, in addition to the orientation for image application by the magnet cylinder 26, the Simultane orienting device 42 can additionally orient, for example, the same and / or adjacent particles P located in a surface area particularly related to the image or motif to be shown, by at least one Simultane orienting device 42 at at least one time or period during cooperation with the image application magnet cylinder 26, or can be loaded with additional magnetic force.

[0073] The above-described machine 01 with at least one coating device 04 and at least one image-applying and directing device 07, in particular a magnet cylinder 07, may, for example, have only one pre-directing device 41 arranged upstream of the image-applying and directing device 07, in particular arranged around the upstream-arranged conveying cylinder 12, or only one simultaning and directing device 42 on the opposite side of the conveying path from the image-applying and directing device 07, in particular a magnet cylinder 26. In a particularly advantageous configuration, at least one magnet cylinder 26 included in the machine 01 is preceded by a pre-directing device 41 and is assigned opposite a simultaning and directing device 42, as described above.

[0074] In a variant, the conveying path may be provided with several, for example two, applicators 04 for applying the coating agent 06 to the same side of the substrate 02, between which the substrate 02 may be conveyed or transported via a series of cylinders 12; 26, for example simply by transferring from cylinder 12; 26 to cylinder 12; 26, at least one cylinder 26 arranged between them being formed by a magnetic cylinder 26. In this case, the magnetic cylinder 26 may be preceded by a pre-direction device 41 and / or assigned opposite a simultanous direction device 42, as described above.

[0075] In another variant, instead of or in addition to the above, the transport path can be provided with two applicators 04 for applying the coating agent 06 to different sides of the substrate 02, and the substrate 02 can be transported or conveyed between these applicators 04 via a series of cylinders 12; 26, for example simply by transferring from cylinder 12; 26 to cylinder 12; 26, with at least one cylinder 26 provided between them being formed by a magnetic cylinder 26. In this case, the magnetic cylinder 26 can be preceded by a pre-direction device 41 and / or assigned an opposing simultanous direction device 42, as described above.

[0076] In a particularly highly flexible machine 01, for example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes a first applicator 04 for applying a coating agent 06 to a first substrate side and a second applicator 04 also facing the first substrate side. Between these applicators 04, downstream of the first applicator 04 in the conveying path, a conveying cylinder 12 with a pre-orienter 41, for example, facing the second substrate side, and further downstream, a magnet cylinder 26 with a simultanator 42, for example, facing the first substrate side, are provided. In this case, another conveying cylinder 12 can also be provided between the cylinders 12 and 26. Downstream of the second applicator 04, also facing the first substrate side, is a third applicator 04 facing the second substrate side. Between the second coater 04 and the third coater 04, there is provided, on the conveying path downstream of the second coater 04, a conveying cylinder 12 with a second pre-director 41, for example, oriented toward the second substrate, and further downstream, a second magnet cylinder 26 with a second simultan orientor 42, for example, oriented toward the first substrate. Downstream of the second magnet cylinder 26 and upstream of the third coater 16, there is provided another conveying cylinder 12 with a third pre-director 41, for example, oriented toward the first substrate, and further downstream, a third magnet cylinder 26 with a third simultan orientor 42, for example, oriented toward the second substrate. Downstream of the third applicator 16, there is likewise provided another conveying cylinder 12 with, for example, a fourth pre-director 41, directed towards, for example, the first substrate, and further downstream, another magnet cylinder 26 with, for example, a fourth simultan director 42, directed towards, for example, the second substrate. In principle, another conveying cylinder 12 may be provided between the cylinders 12 and 26. Preferably, in the conveying path, between the third simultan director 42 and the fourth simultan director 42, there is provided a drying and / or curing device 19 directed towards the substrate 02, which dries or cures the previously applied coating agent 06 containing particles P only partially, i.e., not entirely.

[0077] In another embodiment of the machine 01, the part including the third coating device 04 and the subsequent fourth pre-director 41 and fourth simultan director 42 can be omitted together with its assigned cylinders 12; 26.

[0078] In another embodiment, alternatively or additionally to the above embodiment, the section including the third pre-director 41 and the third simultan director 42 together with their assigned cylinders 12; 26 can be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 01 Machinery, securities machines, printing machines, securities printing machines 02 Base material, printing material, printing material classification, printing material sheet, base material sheet 03 Image Elements 04 Coating equipment, printing equipment, flexographic printing equipment, screen printing equipment 05 - 06 Coatings, inks, varnishes 07 Device for orienting magnetic particles in an image element, orienting device 08 Print Image Elements 09 Allocation objects, securities, banknotes 10 - 11 Printing location 12 Cylinders, conveying devices, conveying cylinders 13 Substrate supply unit, sheet feeder 14 Printing equipment cylinders, plate cylinders, screen printing cylinders 15 Conveying cylinder, suction cylinder, inspection cylinder 16 Apparatus for generating optically variable image elements 17 Cylinder, impression cylinder 18 - 19 Drying and / or curing equipment, radiation dryers, UV radiation dryers, UV dryers, UV-LED dryers 20 - 21 Conveyor device, gripper circulation feeder, chain gripper system 22 Product storage section, pile delivery 23 Dryer, radiation dryer 24 Working elements, elements, magnetic elements 25 Sensor devices, cameras, line scan cameras 26 Orientation machines, cylinders, magnetic cylinders 27 Magnet 28 Suction opening 29 Suction element 30 - 31 Support element, ring element 32 Cylinder inner body, cylinder shaft, shaft 33 Holding means, gripper 34 Rotational Feedthrough 35 - 36 Support element 37 Magnet element support 38 Frame Wall 39 Frame Wall 40 - 41 Orientation machine, preliminary orientation machine 42 Orientation Machine, Simultan Orientation Machine 43 Magnetic element 44 magnetic elements 45 - 46 Support 47 Guide, guide groove 47.1 Guide Division 47.2 Guide Division 48 Guide, guide groove 48.1 Guide Division 48.1 Guide Division 49 Support elements, pins, rollers 50 - 51 Support elements, pins, rollers 52 opening, exit 53 opening, exit 54 Side part, side plate 55 - 56 Side part, side plate 57 Fixing devices, locking devices 58 Gears 59 Gear Patterns, Racks, and Tooth Rows 60 - 61 pins 62 Transmissions, worm transmissions 63 Handwheel 64 Beam 65 - 66 Magnet support 67 Magnet support 68 Clamping mechanism, holding device 69 knob A position, working position R position, inactive position, ready position P particles, pigment particles T Transport direction d width

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for orienting magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) contained in a coating agent (06) applied to one side of a web-like or sheet-like substrate (02), the apparatus comprising an orienting device (41; 42), the orienting device (41; 42) having, in a working position (A), one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) fixed to a frame during operation and arranged in a conveying path so as to magnetically interact or be able to interact with the magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) on the substrate (02) to be guided along the conveying path, the one or more magnetic elements (43; 44) being arranged on a support (46) extending transversely to the conveying direction (T) over a working width provided for the treatment of the substrate (02), the support (46) is supported on both sides in or on at least one guide (47; 48) respectively, which is provided directly on a frame wall (38; 39) of a frame supporting the orientation machine (41; 42) or on or in a side plate (54; 56) arranged on the frame wall (38; 39), and the support (46) as a whole together with the magnetic elements (43; 44), i.e. together with each component of the support (46), is guided in or on the guide (47; 48) so as to be movable by translation along a movement path from the working position (A) to a preparation position (R) spaced apart from the working position (A).

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that two guides (47; 48) are provided on each end face of the support body (46) to be guided, each of the two guides (47; 48) cooperating with two spaced-apart support elements (49; 51) on the support body side.

3. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guides (47; 48) are formed in the form of guide grooves (47; 48) into which corresponding support elements (49; 51) on the support body side engage.

4. 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide grooves (47; 48) are provided with outlets (52; 53) from the guide grooves (47; 48) at positions spaced apart in the direction of the preparation position (R) from the positions occupied in the working position (A), through which each support element (49; 51) can exit and pass through the corresponding guide groove (47; 48) in the removal position.

5. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the side plates (54; 56) are removably arranged on the frame walls (38; 39) of the frame supporting the orientation machine (41; 42).

6. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (46) is movable via a gear-based linear drive (58, 59) with a gear (58) engaging a toothed pattern (59).

7. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the gear (58) is drivable via a transmission (62).

8. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the orienting device (41; 42) is arranged in the working position (A) at a point on the conveying path opposite a cylinder circumferential section of a cylinder (12; 26) that conveys the substrate (02) in the conveying path and that is located within the conveying path.

9. 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cylinder (26) is formed by a magnetic cylinder (26) having a plurality of magnetic elements (24) arranged in a matrix on the outer surface area thereof for orienting at least a portion of the particles (P) in a defined manner in a surface area on which an image is to be applied, respectively.

10. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cylinder (12) is formed by a conveying cylinder (12) for conveying the sheet-like substrate (02) downstream.

11. 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the shape of the guides (47; 48) along the movement path is configured such that the guides (47; 48) move the support (46) from the working position (A) first away from the cylinder (12; 26) with a radial component greater than the tangential component, and then away from the cylinder (12; 26) with a tangential component greater than the radial component.

12. A machine (01) for producing optically variable image elements (03) on a substrate (02), comprising: a substrate supply (13) capable of supplying the substrate (02) to be processed to the machine (01); at least one coating device (04) capable of applying a coating agent (06) comprising magnetic or magnetizable particles (P) to at least a first side of the substrate (02) guided through the machine (01) along a transport path; and a coating device (04) adapted to accommodate the substrate (02) to be processed in the machine (01). A machine (01) comprising a product storage section (22) and a magnet cylinder (26) arranged in the conveying path of the substrate (02) between the coating device (04) and the product storage section (22), the magnet cylinder (26) having a plurality of magnet elements (24) around its periphery, the conveying path of the substrate (02) being provided with an orientation device (41; 42) arranged upstream of the magnet cylinder (26) and / or assigned to the magnet cylinder (26) in the conveying path, Machine (01), characterized in that the orientation machine (41; 42) is constructed on the basis of an orientation machine (41; 42) according to the device of any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. 13. The machine according to claim 12, characterized in that downstream of the first coating device (04), at least one first orientation machine (41) is arranged as a pre-orientation machine (41) upstream of at least one of the magnet cylinders (26) in the conveying path and / or at least one orientation machine (42) is arranged as a simultan orientation machine (42) opposite to at least one of the magnet cylinders (26) in the conveying path.

14. 14. The machine according to claim 13, characterized in that a plurality of coating devices (04) are provided, and downstream of the or each coating device (04) there is provided at least one magnetic cylinder (26) in each case, as well as at least one pre-director (41) arranged upstream of the magnetic cylinder (26) on the conveying path and / or at least one simultan director (42) assigned to the magnetic cylinder (26).

15. 13. The machine according to claim 12, characterized in that for the transport of the substrate (02), only one or several cylinders (12; 26) are provided between the applicator (04) and the magnet cylinder (26) via which the substrate (02) can be transferred from one cylinder (12; 26) to another, and / or the orientation device (41) arranged upstream of the magnet cylinder (26) is arranged around a cylinder (12) formed as a transport cylinder (12) in the transport path, facing the circumferential surface of the cylinder (12).

Images