Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~070557
The invention relate~ to a process and machine for
transfer printing of a wide substrate from patterned webs of
lesser width (for example having a standard width between 79
and 205 cm~. This application is a divisional of our Canadian
Patent Application No. 232,426 filed July 29, 1975.
Processes for the printing of textiles and plastics
materials using transfer sheets have been known for many
years. In these processes, the pattern is printed on a web
of synthetic paper, non-woven fabric, synthetic material,
metal or, most usually, paper, so that it can later be
transferred by heat printing, decalcomania etc. onto the
textile or plastics material to be printed. The transfer-
supporting web is in general brought into contact with the
surface to be printed and passed between two cylinders
at least one of which is heated. Transfer takes place above
a given temperature. In certain types of transfer, only the
colorants are transferred; in others, the entire imprint
formed of a binder-colorant composite is transferred. It is
sometimes necessary to operate in the presence of water or
another liquid, water vapor or an organic solvent.
The printing machines available on the market
enable the printing of webs having a width of up to 1.60
metres normally, or 2 metres at most. A width of 1.60
metres is sufficient for the printing of textiles used, for
example, for clothing; however, it is quite insufficient for
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1070557
the printing by transfer o~ textiles, non~woven fabrics, or
synthetic materials used for decoration or furnishing, for
example carpets, moquettes, plastics materials (such as
in vinyl or polyurethanes) for floor coverings, or sheets of
plastics material for decoration, for which widths of 4 to
S metres are necessary.
The difficulties in placing a pattern on a large-
width web are well known to persons skilled in the art, as
is the high cost of the operation. It is for example
conceivably possible to construct machines for printing
transfer webs with a width of four to five metres. The
cost price of such machines is, however, so high that they
are an economically unrealistic proposition.
An aim of the invention is to provide a process
and a machine for printing a wide substrate, having a
width of at least 2 to 6 metres, using available printing
of other machines for the application of patterns with a
width of no more than two metres, for example machines
with printing cylinders of up to two metres long.
According to this invention there is provided a
process for the transfer printing of a wide substrate from
opaque paper transfer sheets of lesser width, wherein the
sheets carry designs or patterns transferable at a temperature
of 180 to 240 C at atmospheric pressure, comprising the steps
of: aligning at least two transfer sheets edge-by-edge with
their edges parallel to the edges of the composite band thus
formedO by detecting reference marks carried by the transfer
~ sheets, so that their respective designs or patterns are in
registration with each other; feeding the thus aligned trans-
fer sheets, together with the substrate onto which the designs
or patterns are to be transferred, into transfer means; and
transferring the designs or patterns in registration onto
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1070557
the substrate in the transfer me~ns at a temperature of 180 to
240 C. The transfer sheets are also referred to as webs or
web sections.
Registration may be effected by adjusting the tension of
at least one of the webs as a function of the detection of
reference marks to take up any staggering of the pattern.
The edge of at least one of the webs or web sections
possibly may be cut after location of the reference marks
and before or after setting relative positions of the webs
or web sections and, in the case where the large-width
band is to be stored before use, the thus-provided joint
is permanently secured, for example by sticking or by welding.
For example, at least two adjacent webs are continuously
fed parallel to one another while holding them under a pre-
determined tension, and the tension of one of the webs is
continuously adjusted on the basis of the detection of the
reference marks in a manner to take up any staggering of the
pattern. In general it is also possible to provide a lateral
correction by means of appropriate references marks. The
width of the large band formed in this manner is thus the
sum of the widths of the webs joined in this manner (i.e.
the non-overlapping parts, when an overlapping ioint provided).
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107~557
The invention also provides equipment for carrying
out the process, which equipment comprises means for brining
at least two transfer sheets tog4ther edge-by-edge, with the
edges parallel to the ed~es of the composite band thus formed,
control means for adjusting the alignment of the edge-by-edge
sheets, by detecting reference marks carried by the transfer
sheets, to being their respective designs or patterns into
registration and to maintain such registration, and transfer
means positioned to receive the aligned sheets together with
the substrate to be printed and including means for effecting
the transfer of the designs or patterns to the substrate.
In a first embodiment, the means for bringing the
webs side-by-side comprise, for each web, a pair of rollers
arranged to place it under tension and a pair of driving
rollers common to two webs and placed downstream of the
tensioning rollers in the direction of feed of the webs
for driving the webs at a predetermined constant speed; the
means for detecting reference marks and for controlling the
webs are arranged to control the web-tensioning rollers in a
manner to continuously adjust the relative position of thc
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107VS57
webs to talce up staggering of the pattern. These means
may be arranged either to detect a lateral displacement of a
web and control a compensating displacement in the opposite
direction of at least one of the pairs of tensioning rollers,
or to detect an advance or lag of one web relative to the
other and con~ rol at least one of the pairs of tensioning
rollers to vary the tension of at least one web with an
advance or a lag, in orter to talce up this advance or lag, or
may combine both of these arrangements.
In general, the tensioning rollers initially tension
the webs with an average tension which is the arithmetic
mean of a predetermined maximum tension below the breaking
tension of the web and a minimum tension for which the web
still has a substantially rectilinear profile.
One may for example proceed hy increasing the
tension of the web which has an advance, or reducing the
tension of the other web ( in particular when the tension
rollers apply to the web whic:h has an advance a tension close
to the brea}cing tension ) .
The detection means may be connected to an
electronic control circuit arranged to increase or decrease
the tension of one web and simultaneously decrease or
increase the tension of the other web, so that the variation
of tension fc)r each web is as small as possible. It is possible
to arrange for a signal to be given when a maximum limiting
tension (brealcing tension) or a minimum limiting tension (at
_ 6 --
107~557
which the web still has a su~stantially rectilinear pro~ile~ is
reached. The tension controlling devices may also, before
giving a warning signal or stopping the machine, arrange for
a complementary switching function to be carried out, as
will be explained later.
With the large-width bands obtained ~y this first
embodiment of machine being used for the transfer process of
this invention, it is not necessary permanently to fix the
joint by sticking or welding for example, but, without
permanently fixing the joint, the set and cut webs may be
fed into a transfer machine with a substrate onto which
the pattern is transferred.
It is clear that the basic sheet material (generally
paper) of the standard-width patterned webs supplied to the
above-mentioned machines must be of fairly high ~uality, i.e.
must have a substantially constant eleasticity and coefficient
of thermal dilatation. The ~reakage tension should be
sufficient to allow longitudinal compensation without rupture.
The transfer paper will thus be chosen to meet these
requirements. Certain precautions must also be taken when
pre-printing the webs. The printing should be carried out in
identical conditions (temperature, humidity, pressure, and so
on) for all of the webs. Finally, the reference marks should
be printed with great care and at the same time as printing
of the pattern. Staggering will thus be avoided, If
magnetically or pneumatically-detactable means are used as
reference marks, there should be a strict control that
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1070557
repetitions of the pattern correspond exactly to the same
reference_mark positions.
In a second embodiment of machine, the means for
bringing the webs or web sections side-by-side comprise
inlet conveying means feeding an initial web perpendicular to
outlet conveying means for taking up the band formed from
sections of the initial web, the conveying means being
arranget to position, by the means for detecting reference
marks, each section in relation to the end of the band on the
10 outlet conveyor means.
The reference-mark detection and control means
enable, for example, setting of the position of
the end of the sect{on to be connected to the composite
bant relative to po;nts of reference by bringing reference
marlcs on the end of the band to the reference points, and
then adjusting the position of each web section by bringing
the reference marks of each section to the reference points.
It is also possible to cut sections with a sufficient precision
relative to the patterr, so that the end of a section it is
20 desired to add to the band being formed may serve as a
reference for setting of the section. The positioning of the
sections as a function of the reference marlcs is in seneral
provided by conveyor means comprising an appropriate device
such as gripper systems or pressure or suction orifices.
Cutting of the web sections can be done before
detection of the reference marks, Means for stretching the
1070557
sections . o take up any staggering mus t tken be provided.
However, cutting is preferably carried out after de-ection
of the reference mar}cs.
In alI of these variations, all types of reference
marks may be used : optical, preferably a visible imprint
enabling both lateral and longitudinal setting, ant applied
simultaneously with the pattern; magnetic, such as a magnetic
bant or magnetic imprints; mechanical, such as perforations;
or even using the pattern itself. The detection means may,
10 as appropriate, be photo-electric, magnetic or pneumatic.
~ hen the composite bards carry transfers for
transfer printing, it is possible to install a transfer machine
such as a caIender following the band-producing machine. Such
a combination will be described later. It is also possible to
dispose the band_producing machine after apparatus, for
example a printing machine, by which the pattern is applied
the original webs.
The accompanying drawings show, schematically and
by way of example, several embodiments of machines for
20 producing wide composite bands according to the invention, and
variations of these embodiments. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a
machine for placing two patterned webs side-by-side and
asseml:~ling tnem ts:~ form a bard of larger width with the
pattern in register on either side of the joint; the figure
also shows by way of example a transfer machine placed
1070557
following the band-producing machine for the decoration of a
wide substrate by heat printing with vaporizable colorants
incorporated in the transfer-carrying band obtained according
to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a plar. view o~ the embodiment of Fi~. 1 i
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a detail of two we~s with
reference imprints at their edges, illustrating a manner of
registering the webs using electro-optical cells;
Fig. 4 shows in detail the printed pattern and the
reference imprint along an edge of a standard web;
Fig. S shows in detail the edge of a stantard-width
web in which the re ference marks are not an optical imprint
as schematically shown on Fig. 4, but perforations for
reading by pneumatic means;
Fig 6, which appears gn the same drawing sheet as
Fig. 4, shows a pair of rollers which may be incorporated in th.e
machine of Fig. 1 for laterally displacing a web passir.g
between these rollers;
Fig. 7 is a side view of a variation of the
em~odiment of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of part
of Fi3. 7, at the location where the webs are stuck togetherS
Fig. 9 is a plan view of a part of a rnachi..e in which
three webs are set in relation to one another and delivered
without sticking to a transfer machine;
Figc. 10 and 11 are cross-section along line XXI-XXI
of Fig. 9, showing two web-feed arrangements for ~ he
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70S57
machine of Fig. 9;
Fig, 12 is a schematic sitP view of a second
embotiment of a machine for forming a composi,_e band of
transfer paper from sections of an initial web of transfer
paper fed perpendicular to the band being formet by means
of a trarlsverse conveyor;
Fig. 13 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. 12;
Fig, 14 is a site view of a variation of the machine
of Fig, 12;
Fig, 15 ;s a plan view of the variation of Fig, 14,
Fis. 16 is a schematic view showing hot,v the
tr~ns~erse conveyor of the machine of Figs, 12 and 13 or 14
and 15 may be displaced to bring each web section to the end
of the band being formed and adjust the section relative to
the end of th~ bant;
Fig. 17 is a plan view of a section of an initial web
with reference impr:,nts on its edges;
Fig, 18 is a plan view of a detail of a transverse
conveyor and the end of a band formed of assembled section~
20 of an initial web, with devices for detecting reference mar!ss
and means for controlling setting;
Fig, 19 is a detailled view showing the as~embly of
the end of a band being formed with an edge of an initial web
section, the reference_marlc detecting devices being shown in
position over the reference i.r.prints on the band and section;
Figs, 20a, b and c illustra~e operation of the
-- 11 _
~070557
registering devices;
Fig. 21 shows an additional transverse re~isterins
device enabling the tensic~n of eAch web section to be set to
obtain perfect superimposition of the patterns;
Fig. 22 is a plan view of 2 variation of the machines
of Figs. 12 to 21;
Fig. 23 is a cross-section through another
variation of the machine of Figs. 12 to 21; and
Fig~ 24 is a top plan view of the variation of
~ig. 23.
With reference to Figs. 1 ard 2, the transfer
machine 2 includes two cylinders 3 ar~t 4 for pressing together
transfer paper and a sheet of material 27, at a temperature
of 180 to 240C. Such transfer machines are well known
to persons skilled in the art and consequently the machine 2
will not be described in detail.
Machine 1 comprises two rolls 5 and 6 feeding webs
11, 12 of standard width (generally less than 205cm),
followed by two pairs of tensioning- rcllers 7, 8 and 9, 10
respectively between which the w~s 11, 12 from rolls 5 and 6
~ass .
l~he webs 11 and 12 are fed side-by-side between a
pair of dri~in~ rollers 13, 14 common to the two webs 11 and
12 and driving them at constant speed. Along th~ paths of
webs ' 1 and 12 respectively, between the pair of driving
roilers 13, 14 and the pairs of tensioning rollers 7, 8 and 9,
1070SS7
10, are disposed reference_mark detection devices 15, 16 and
tension control devices 17, 18 respectively.
Devices 15 and 16 are electro-optical devices
arrarged to detect reference or guite imprints made on the
webs at the same time as printing of their patterns and
control the speeds of the respecti~re pairs of roilers 7, 8 and
9, 10 as well as a latera~ displace~ent of these rollers as a
fu~ction of displacements of the guide imprints. The roll 5
and rollers 7 ard 8, as well as roll 6 arld rollers 9 ard 10 are
10 each mountet as a unit on a carriage (not shown) arranget to
move laterally as indicated by the arrow on Fig. 2 to
compensate for variations in the lateral position of each we~.
Also, the pairs of rollers 7, 8 ant 9, 10 are arranged to be
able to rotate at slightly greater or smaller speeds than the
corresponding constant speed of the webs 11 and 12. It is
thus possible to tension webs 11 ard 12 to a greater or lesser
degree, since the pair of rollers 13, 14 rotate at constant
speed .
The latera~ shifti~g and variation o~ the speed of
20 the tensioning r~llers will be described in detail later with
reference to Figs. 3, 4 nd 5.
The tension control de~rices 17, 1a are security
devices arranged to prevent the tensions of the webs from
exceeding predetermined limits, namely a maximum tension
T max, chosen below the breakage tension, and a minimum
tension Tmin, chosen above the tension at which the web
_ 13 --
1070557
no longer has a substan~ially rectilineAr profile, The devices
17 and 18 in particular enable rippin~3 of tne webs to be
avoided; they may actuate an alarm system or stop the
machine when the limiting tensions are reached, or actuate
a complementary switching function which will be described
later,
After having passed between the driving rollers 13
ant 14, the webs 11 ant 12, positioned side-by-side with the
atjacent edges having an adjusted overlap, pass under a
circ~lar cutter 19 actins~ against a bearing wheel 20 for
c~tting and removal of the overlappislg edges. After passage
unter cutter 19, the webs 11 ar.d 12, having been cut
together, are exactly placed togsther ed~e-to-edge along the
line of cutting.
After cutter 19, the webs 11 and 12 placed edge-
-to-etge pass between two freely turning cylinders 21 and 22
fed with an adhesive band from a roller 24 so that the
adhesiYe band 23 is applied against the edges of webs 11 and
12 on either side of the joint. The adhesive band is pressed
by the rollers 21 and 22 against the united edges of webs 11
and 12 to firrnly assemble the webs.
The adhesive band 23 is in a thin material having a
coefficient of temperature dilatation substantially equal to
tha, of the webs 11, 12. This precaution avoids puckersng or
folds in .,he wide composite band obtained, in particular when
it passes between the cylinders 3, 4 of transfer machine 2.
_ 14 -
~0705S7
The webs 11, 12 assembled by adhesive band 23 then
pass between two driving rollers 25, 26 rota~.ing at the same
constant speed as rollers 13, 14, with sheet material 27 to be
pri~ted being fed from a feed roll 28 placed under we~s 11 and
12 .
At the deli~ery of machine 2, the printed material
27 is wound on a talse-up roll 29, and the used transfer
paper OQ a take-up roll 30.
Provision is made to apply adhesive bands 31, 32 to
the outer edges of the webs 11, 12 of transfer paper by
means of rollers 33 ant 34, as shown in Fig. 2. The bands
31, 32 ser~re to improve the behaviour of the transfer paper
~Lnd h ence prevent the formation of folds when the paper
passes between rollers 25, 26 and cylinders 3, 4.
The adhesive bands 23, 31 and 32 may be replaced
by a wide web of thin paper stuck over its entire width to
the transfer paper; this web could be uniformly perforated
over its entire surface to reduce as far as possible the
resistance to heat of the composite paper band.
The manner of registering the webs of trarlsfer
paper will now be described in detail with reference to
Figs. 3, 4 and 5.
Fig. 3 shows web 11 with its pair of tensioning
rollers 7, 8 and web 12 wit,h its pair of tensioning rollers 9.
10; for the sake of clarity, tlle feed rolls 5 and 6 and the
parts of webs 11, 12 leading to the feed rolls are not shown
_ 15 --
107~557
in this figure.
The webs 11, 12 of t~ansfer paper each have a
like pattern formed basically of oblique stripes 35, 36
respectively and a guide or reference imprint 37, 38 respective-
ly. Here, the imprints 37, 38 are in the form of a strip
limited on one side by a rectilinear border and on the other
side by a ractangular wave. The rectilinear border of
imprints 37, 38 located towards the edge of th~ web 11, 12
sérves for the control and correc t ion of any lateral displacement
10 of the webs, and the discontinuous border ( scluare wave )
serves for control and correction of any longitudinal staggering
of the webs, Of course, to enable the patter~ns to be bro~;3ht
into register by means of the refer~nce imprints, the
imprints 37, 38 must correspont to the pattern printed on
the webs. In particular, the periodicitv of the reference
imprints must be equal to or a multiple of the periodicity of
the pattern. In the example of Fig. 3, it can be seen that
the ent of each stripe 35, 36 faces a protruding part of the
square wave. 13y exactly positioning imprints 37, 38, the
20 stripes 35 and 36 of the pattern will also be exactly placed.
Also, the imprints 37, 38 are provided in a color such as
black or blue which can easily be read by photoelectric cells,
The reference imprints may for example be printed during
printing of the pattern using the blue component. Fig, 3
also schematically shows the register-control devices 15 and 16
which are mounted on the frame of the machine. Device 15 is
_ 16 --
1070557
mounted for adjustment along one direction, whereas device
16 is mounted for adjustment along two directions, as indicated
by arrows.
As shown in Fig. 4, the register-control device
15 or 16 includes two photoelectric cells 41, 42 for following
the outer edge of a reference imprint 39, and an additional
cell 43 for following passase of the discontinuities of the
inner part of reference imprint 39.
Cells 41 and 42 control transverse displacement,
10 according to the arrows of Figs. 2 and i, of the tension
rollers ?, 8 and feed roll 5, or rollers 9, 10 and roll 6, by
the intermediary of an electric circuit, not shown. Cell 4
controls variations of the speed of the respective tension
rollers and, since rollers 13, 14, 25, 26 and cylinders 3, 4
all turn at a constant peripheral speed, consequently also the
tension of webs 11 and 12 between the previously defined
g alues Tmax and Tmin. In normal operating
conditions, the webs 11, 12 will have an ~verage tension- Tm
substantially equal to the arithmetic mean of TmaX ar~d Tm;,
20 Only when cc~rrections are necessary to longitudinally position
the webs, do the tensions applied to webs 11 and ' 2 deviate
from value Tm between the limits Tmin and TmaX.
Figs. 3 and 4 also indicate by chain-line 44, the line
of cu~ting of the webs 11 and 12. It is observed that the
overlapping ~f webs 1~ and 12 is arrange~l so that the printed
patterns of the webs overlap, each extending beyond the
1070557
cutting line 44. This expedient ensures that there will be no
discontinuity in the pattern transferred to material 27.
The described machine operates as follows:
When webs 11 and 12 are placed in the machine, the
web 12 is positioned over web 11 so that the patte~s overlap
and extent beyond the cutting line 44 and with stripes 36 in
exact correspontence, Devices 15 and 16 are then set. For
te~ice 15 it is sufficient to arrange that its cell 41 ( Fig. 4)
is placed on the registering imprint 37 ( Fi3. 3) and cell 42 is
10 on the outer non-printed edge of the paper, the webs being
arranged to bring a gap of the square wave under cell 43 of
tevice 16, The position of dovice 16 is firstly set transverse
to the direction of feed until the rectilinear etge of imprint
38 ( Fig. 3) is between the two corresponding cells, as
tescril~ed above for tevice 15. The device 16 is then atjustet
IGngitutinally until its cell 43 ( Fig. 4) is în the same position
in relation to the gaps, of imprint 38 ( Fig, 3) as the
corresponting cell of device 15 is in relation to the gaps of
imprint 37. In the example of Fig. 3, the cells 43 of the
20 two devices are momentaneously exactly between two square
parts of the imprirts.
Once this adjustment is completed, the roll of
material 28 to be printed is placed in the machine, ard the
web of this material is passed about roller 25 and through
the transfer machine 2 to be taker.-up by its roll 29, and the
machine is started.
1070557
Let us suppos~ that durins operation web 11 becomes
laterally staggered in relation to its normal feed, due to a
dilatation o~ the paper or an irregular winding of the paper on
roll 5, This staggering will immediatelybe read by photoelectric
cells 41 and 42 ( Fig. 4) of tevice 15 which controls via a
circuit (not shown ) a lateral tisplacement of roll 5 and rollers
7 and 8 in a direction to compensate this staggering. In the
event of lateral staggerin~ of web 12, a corresponting
correction is carriet out in the same manner by device 16,
Suppose now that web 12 advances relative to web 11
to become longitudinally staggered as shown s~hematically, and
in an exaggerated rr.anner, at the left of Fig, 3, Cell 43
( Fig, 4) of device 16, which tetects the discontinuities of the
imprint 38, will be activatet before the corresponding cell of
tevice 15 since web 11 has a lag relative to web lZ, There
will thus be a time difference ~t between the signals given
by the two cells, As a function o~ this time difference~t,
device 16 controls its electronic circuit (not shov~n ) ~n a
manner so that the tension applied to web 12 by rollers ~, 10
20 is increaset to pull the paper until the time difference drops
to zero, or ir. other words until the celLs of devices 15 and
16 read the discontinuities simultaneously and the patterns on
webs 11 ar~d 12 once more register exactly,
If for any reason whatsoever, for example an unusual
dilatation over a great length of web 11, the advance of web
12 and hence the staggering between the two webs is
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1070557
maintained and possibly increases, the tension exerted on
web 12 ~,vill increase to reach the maximum tension TmaX
close to the breakage tension of th_ ~veb. The control
device 18 will react to this tension ~max and may hence
actuate the warning signal or stop the machine. However,
before this warning signal or stopping of the machine, the
above-mentioned complementary switchins function can be
applied. As stated above, initially the webs 11 and 12 were
both placed under the mean tension Tm. Before stopping the
0 machine at the moment when ~,veb 12 reaches tension T
max
it is possible to reduce the tension of web 11 down to the
minimum tension in order to take up the staggering. The
control devis~e 18 may thus be used to control rollers 7,8 by an
electric circuit (not shown ) to reduce the tension of web 11
to further reduce staS7gering between the two webs 11 and 12.
At the moment when the .,ension of web 11 once more
increases to reach mean tension TM, the control device on~::e
more switches the circuit (not shown) so that device 15
once more directly controls rollers 9, 10. If it is web 11 that
20 has an advance in relation to web 12 and hence a staggering,
the device 15 will control an increase of the tension of we~ 11
as previously described, with a similar possibility of switching.
Of course, the above-described machine is only
given by way of example. It would be possibJe to provide a
computer for taking up any stagS2ring ~vhile varyins the
tensions of webs 11 and 12 the least possible. Any correction
-- 2Q --
1070557
will thus be double, i. e. the tension of one web will be
increased and that of the other reduced,
In a simplified version, one of the webs would be
held at mean tension TM, while the tension of the other
web only is varied between the limits T . and T
mm max
A single cell could replace the cells 41 and 42
( Fig. 4) of the devices 15 and 16, this single cell beirg set
to follow the out~r edge of the reference imprint 39.
The reference imprint 3 9 could be replaced by
10 magnetic means consisting of a magnetic imprint or band
applied to the edges of the wel~s to be joined, for example
a magn~tic material such as cobalt oxide, asld which carries
the required information.
The guide and reference imprint can also be replaced
by pneumatic means, such as those shown in Fig. 5, which
carl be read by a well-Icnown type of pneumatic logic device,
not shown. The pneumatic means shown consist of a succession
of small dash-like perforations 46 ~orming a line for control
and correction of the lateral position of the web, and a
20 succession of spacet-apart circular perforations 46 enabling
control of the longitudinal position of the we~.
Also, simplifications can be made in the case when
the transfer pattern has only longitudir~al lines or stripes or
even a uniform pattern, In this case, only 3ateral regis~ering
means need be provided.
Fig. 6 shows a pair of rollers adapted to be
-- 21 _
~ 070557
mounted on the machine to form a varied means for lateral
correction of a web. It suffices to pass a web 47 about
two parallel cylinders 48, 49 mounted on a chassis ( not shown )
arranged to turn the cylinders through an adjustab~e angle
to a line perpendicular to the direction of feed of web 47.
Each value of angle c~corresponts to a value D of a lateral
displacement of the web. The arras~gement o~ Fis. 6 can be
incorporated in the machine o~ Figs. 1 ant 2. A mot;fiet
arrangement could alternatively have a simple chassis able to
10 be moved laterally.
Fisl. 7 shows a varied machine in which a composite
wide ba.~t assembled from two printed webs is simply wound
onto a tal~e-up rol~ for later use. Fig. 8 is a plan vie w
showing the part of the machine of Fig. 7 where the webs
are stuck together. The machine of Fi~T. 7 comprises two
endless_chair. rlevators 50, 51 carrying stantart- vidth
printed rolls 52~ From one of rolls 52 is unwound a web 53
passing about a freely-turning cylinder ~4 and an
"accumulation" cylinder 55 making the web 53 pass along a
20 loop enabling the machine to remain in operation when the
roll 52 is empty and must be changed. U~n change of ~he
roll, the rear end of the web ~3 of one roll is manually
adjusted on t~ble 56 and stuck to the front end of the web
of the following roll 52. During the time required for this
adjustin~ and sticking, the cylinder 55 moves dcwn and the
machine is fed by the reserve formed by the loop about
_ 22 --
.. . . . . . . . _ . _ _
1070557
cylinder 55. Table 56 is provided with cutting and sticking
means for carrying out the operations mentioned above. After
cylinder 55, web 53 passes between a pair of tension rollers
57, 58 similar to those of Figs. 1 and 2, ant controlled by
a yuiting and registering device 59 also similar to that
des~ ribed with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 . A web-tension
control device 60 is also provided for the same function as
that described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and the web
53 passes between a pair of dri~ing rollers 61, 62 rotating
at constant speed. Between rollers 61, 62 and the device 59
is a circular cutter 63 rotating again~t a bearing wheel 64,
for cutting the web 53 before assembly with a second web 70.
The second web 70, deli~ered from a roll 52 of the
elevator 51 placed behind elevator 50, passes abou' an
accumulation cylinder 72 simiiar to cylinder 55, between a
pair of tensioning rollers 73, 74 ant then between drive
rollers 61, 62 common to the two webs 53 ant 70. As for
web 53, web 70 is controlled by a yuide and registering
device 75 and a tension control de~ice 76, Between device 75
and rollers 61, 62 is placed a wheel 67 applying a thi~, coat of
adhesive 68 to the edge of the web. ~ig. 8 is a plan view of
webs 53 and 70 in the installation of ~ig. 7, at the location
where the webs are stuck together. Thus, only one of the
webs is cut, namely web 53, and the non-patterned edge o~
the other web 70 is not cut, as in the embodim~ent of Fiys.
to 3, but recei~es a thin film 68 of adhesive applied by wheel
-- 23 --
10705S7
67, this adhesive-coated edge direct~y receiving web 53 pre-
-cut by circular cutter 63. The cut edge 77 of web 53 is
deviated out of the machine by guide means, not shown.
When the two webs pass between cylinders 61, 62 they
be.-ome stuck together. The sticking together is carried out
with the pattersl in perfect register since the guide and
registering devices 59 and 75 are placed before the
locations of the cutting and sticking operations. Finally, it
is noted that the devices 59 and 75 of the machineof Fig. 8
10 have only two cells, one cell 78 or 79 r~spectively serving to
follow a respective line 80, 81 of the reference imprint,
ant a s~cond cell 82, 83 respectiYely ser~ring to read
respective reference points 84, 85 regularly spac:ed apart
a~ong the longitutinal direction. After having passet between
cylhders 61 and 62 where they are stuclc together, the
united webs are wount up on storage roll 69. Apart from the
above-described differences, i. e. cutting of only a single
web, sticking the cu~ edge of this web on the edge of the
other web, ant storage of the composite wide band formed
20 on roll 69, the machine of Fig. 7 operates in the same manner
as that described with reference to Figs. 1 asld 2. All of
the variations descrl~ed for the embodiment of Figs 1 and 2
may also be made to or incorporated in the machine of Fig. 7.
An important adYantage of the arrarlgement of
Fig. 7 is that the machine can operate continuously, i. e
without stoppages for loading it, since the cylinders 55 ant
_ 24 --
10705S7
72 enable the operator to carry out joinirg of the ends of
successive webs on the table 56.
To persons skillet in the art it will be clear that
the machines of Figs. 1 to 8 can undergo important changes
or simplifications. For example, the cutting operation can be
carried out before placing the we~s ~n the mach~e, which
need thus not include a cutting device . Several arrangement s
of machines without a cutting de~vice carl be envisaged. One
possibility would be to trim the edge of one web, for example
10 web 53 in the embodiment of Fi~. 7, after printing ant before
winding on rolls 52, the web 70 not be;ng cut. The machine
of Fig. 7 woult thus not includs a cutt;ng te~ice 63, 64 ant
the registering device would be placed at the other site of
web 53 ~ facing its non-cut edg~ which coukl carry reference
marks. Another possibility, in the case of a simple ,~attern,
for example a single color imprint without ~ design or a
patter~ of longitudinal lines or stripes for which only lateral
setting is necessary, would be to cut the webs 53 ar~d 70
( ~ig. 7 ) on each side after printing and before supplying them
20 to the machine, which would also not haYe any c:utting
de~ice. The setting means would thus be simplified since their
function would be limited to setting laterally by means of a
single cell following one of the pre-cut edges of one or both
webs. It is clear that when the cutting operation is carried
out before introducing the webs into the machine, it should be
carried out carefully and after location of reference mar~s,
- 25 _
1070557
unless the print is uniform without any design.
Also, it will be evident to persons skilled in the art
that the sticking operation can be dispensed with when the
large-width transfer paper produced is directly fet into a
transfer machine, as ir. Figs. 1 and 2, so long as the patter
to be régistered is not too complex so that very slight
displacements of one web relative, o the other can be
tolerated. Such arrangements are illustrated in Figs. 9, 10
and 11. Fig. 9 is a plan view of- part of a machine ir. which
10 registering is carrie d out, by means of devices as descrl~ed
with reference to Figs. 1 to 8, before driving rollers 90 . The
machine partly shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is arranged to
assemblethre~ webs 91, 92, 93 ant deli~er them directly to a
transfer machine 94 with a substrate (no~ shown) to be
printed. Before reaching rollers 90 the webs 91, ~2, 93 are
di~posed at different heights and arrive between rollers 90
at different angles to the horizontal, as shown ir cross-~qec~on
in Fig. 10, one of the edges 94, 9~, 9~ of the we~s having
been cut, after detection of register marks, either in the
21) machine by mear s of cutting devices not shown, or
before introduction of the webs into the machine. The non-
_ou~ edgec g7 J g8, ~9 hav reference imprints whic:h pass
facing regi~tering devices 105, 101 and 102 similar to those
described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8, 103, 104 and ~05
designate prirted patterns on the webs extending up to the
cut lateral edges 94, 95, 96. The machine of course has
_ 25 --
1070~57
means (not shown) for guiding and tensioning the webs,
similar to the means described with reference to Figs. 1 to
8, these means beirg c~nected to registering devices 100, 101
and 102. The webs 91, 92 and 93 are hence guided and
position~t relative to one anot~er before entering the transfer
machine 94 which is placed imrnediately after drive rollers 90.
~ith this machine, it is possible to laterally and longitutinally
position the three webs relative to one another, web 92
being positioned relative to web 91, and web 93 relative to
10 web 92, before delivering tnem without sticlcing into the
transfer machine 94.
In the varied arrangement of Fig. 11, webs 91 and
93 are fed in the same plane to the drivins rollers 90, whereas
t:~ie feed of web 92 between rollers 90 is in a plane at a
greater angle ~,o the horizontal. In this arrangement, webs
91 and 93 are not cut, while th~ two edges of web 92 are
cut after detectionof the reference marks, either in the
machine, or before introduction into the machine. The printed
patterns on the webs are designated by 106, 10 î and 108.
21:~ Facing the edges 10~ and 110 of webs ~1 and 93 are located
simplified registering devices 111 and 112 which serve to
locate the reference marks and c ontroi lateral displacement of
the ~vebs. Facing thecut edge 113 of web 92 is a registering
device 114 following the cut edge 113, This simplified
variation of Fig. 11 is used to position webs ~vhose patterr
requires only lateral guiding.
_ 27 --
.. . .. .. .... . . . . ..
1070557
For very regular patterns, such as squares or
crossing parallel lines, it is possible to use the pattern as a
reference, instead of providing separate reference imprints.
In this case, all of the webs can be trimmed alons both
edses in the machine or before introduc . ion in the machine,
the registering devices being placed directly facing the
pattern, to follow lines or well-defir.et areas of the pattern.
The machine shown in Figs, 12 and 13 comprises a
transverse conveyor 201 for feeding ar. initial web 202, of
10 printed transfer paper for exampl~, from a f et roll 203,
perpend~cular to a teli~ery conveyor 204 arranged to deliver
a band 205 formet of assembled sections of web 202 to a
transfer machine 2~6 where the band 205 passes between two
cylinders tnot shown ) with a material 207 to be printed fed
from a feed roll 208 and wousld at the delivery of the machine
on a take-up roll 209.
The transfer machine 206 enables transfer by
sublimation or decalcomania o~ the printed pattern from ~he
transfer paper to the material 207 at a temperature of
20 a~out 240C C. As these tra~sfer mach~nes are well known to
persons skilled ir, the a~t, the machine 206 will not be
described in detail.
The transverse con~eyor 2~1 comprises a chassis
210 at the ends of which are two rotatable cylinders 211 and
212. An endless bel. 213 passing .-~bout cylinders 211, 212
deli~ers the initial ~veb 202 of transfer paper from f-ed roll
... . . . . . . . .
1070557
203 until the front end of web 202 abuts against a stop 214
in the path of feed of web 202, whereupon belt 113 stops.
On conveyor 201 is mounted a transversally-moving cutter
21~ for cutting a section of web 202 for assembly with
band 205.
Feed roll 203 is contaired in a ~eed mag~7ine 216
in the form of an ele~ator containing an endless chain or
magazine of supp~y rolls which are successi~rely placed in front
of conveyor 201, At the left hant side o. ccnveyor 201 is
slidably mounted a cutter 217 for cutting the overlapping
edges of web 202 art band 205 simultaneously after they
have be~n set relative to one another, as well as a roll 218
( Fig. 12) of an adhesiv~ basld for stic~ing together the two
edges after cl~tting.
B etween transverse conveyor 201 and delivery
c~nveyor 204 are mounted registering devices 219, 220
operation of w hich will be tescribed later wi'h refere nce to
Figs. 17 to 20.
The deli~very conveyor 204 includes an accumulator
formed of three rollers 221, 222, 223, the roller 222 being
arranged to move vertically to build up a reser~e o~ the band
in the forrn of a loop. Band 205 which passes o~er roller 221,
about roller 222 and o~er roller 223; is fed, with the material
207 to be printed, betweer. two dri~e rollers 224, 225
rotating at constant speed to tra~sfer machine 206 at
regular speed. After passage with material20? through transfer
- 2~ _
1~)70557
machine 206, the used band 205 is wound on a roll 226.
Between roller 221 and con~eyor 2~)1 is a mobile
gripper 227 arranged to hold the end of band 205 and
position it relative to registering devices 21g, 220 before
positioning o~ the web section 202 by means of conveyor 201.
Operation of gripper 227 will be described in detaiI later, with
reference to Figs. 17 to 21.
The machine shown in Figs. 14 ant 15 is similar to
that of Figs, 12 and 13, the band 205 assembled frorr,
10 sections of the initial web however being wound on a storase
roll 228 for later use. The machi;le of Figs~ 14 and 15 thus
toes not include transfer machine 206 and the feed ard
take-up rolls 208, 209 of material 207 to be printed. Apart
~rom this tetail, all of the components of the em~odiment
of Figs. 12 and 13 are incorporated in the machine of Figs,
14 and 15, and are designated by the same reference numerals,
Fig. 16 schematically shc~ws the manner in which the
transverse conveyor 201 can be disp~ced tc~ position the we~-
-section it carries relative to the- registering de~ices, The
20 conveyor 201 can move in two mutually perpend;cular direct ions
indicated by arrows 228 and 229. and can turn abou~ a pivot
230 through an angle o~ relative to the d;rection of arrow 229.
Fig. 17 shows a section 231 of paper, its printed
part being shown by the partially hatched area 232 which
extends beyond dashed lines 233 z 234 representirlg thG lines of
cutting during assembly. On the non~printed edges 235, 236
_ 30 --
. . . . . . _ . . . . . _ .
~070557
respective~y of section 231 are rectangular reference imprints
237, 238, 239 ard 240, 241, 242. The reference imprints 237,
238 and 239 are symmetric to imprints 240, 241 and 241
about the long axis of section 231. Imprints 237 to 242
suffics to position section 231 relative to the sections ( not
shown) pref eding and following section 231. However, it can
happen that the paper of one of the sections stretches or
retracts slightly relative to the other sections. In this case,
it is necessary to place the sections unter an ad~usted tension
10 to elongate them ant hence compersate for a difference of
length. For this purpose, an additional imprint 243, 244
res~ectiYely is provided on edges 235, 236 of sectior. 231. The
exact function o~ the referenc~ imprints 237 to 244 will be
described later with reference to Figs. 18 to 20. Of course,
t~e imprint~ 237 to 244 must be in correspondence with the
pattern printed on the tnansfer paper, and the pattern must
repeat along the web between irnprints 237, 240 and 239, 242.
Also, the pattern inthe proximity of line 233 must be able to
be superimposed on that in the proximity of line 236 of each
20 section 231. The pattern will be registered longitudinally, i. e.
i~ the tirection of arrow 245, by imprints 237, 240 and ~43,
244, and laterally, i. e, in the direction of arrow 2~6, b
imprints 238, 239 and 241, 242.
Considering now Figs. 18, 19 and 20, Fig. 18 shows
an enlarged view of the positionin~ arrangement of Figs. 12 to
15, with the chass.s 210 of ccnv-yor 201 delivering an initial
_ 31 --
. .. ..
10705S7
web 202 from wh;ch a sec'ion is cu~. by cutting device Z15.
The bant 205 formed from sections 202 is held in place in
the positioning gripper 227. The last section 247 held in gripper
227 is s'-uclc along its unterside to the preceding section 249
by an adhesive strip 248. The two resistering devices 219 and
220 respectively have four photoelectric detectors 250, 251.,
252, 253 and two photoelect~ic detectors 254, 255. Detectors
251~ to 255 are small diameter tetectors each containing a
light source and a photoelectric cell. The detectors 250, 251
and 254 are intended to position the section 247 at the end of
band 205 being formed. Detector 250 controls a motor 256
arran~ed to longitudinally t;splace gripper 227 according
to arrow 257. Detector 251 cont~ls a motor 258 arranget
to laterally move the end 259 o~ gripper 227 accorting to
arrow 260. 1: etector 254 controls a motor 261 arranged to
laterally displace the other ent 262 of gripper 227 according
to arrow 263.
Detectors 252, 253 and 255 are intended to position
the section 202 delivered by conveyor 201. In particular,
detector 252 moves conveyor 201 longitudinally according to
arrow ~64 by means of a motor 265. Detector 253 moves
the end 266 of conveyor 201 laterally according to arrow 267
by means of a motor 268, and detector 255 moves the end
269 of con~reyor 201 l~terally according to arrow 270 by means
O r a motor 271.
By means of detectors 250 -o 255 and motors 256
_ 32 --
.... ... . ...
1070557
258, 261, 265, 268 ant 271 it is possible to firstiy position
the end of band 205 being formed, in relation to tetectors
250, 251 and 254 of devices 21~ ard 220, and then section
202 in relation to detectors 252, 253 ard 255 of the same
devices 219, 220. As these reference devic~os 219 and 220
are fixed, the section 202 will be exactly positioned relative to
the end of band 205. The detectors 252, 2~3 and 255 may
be adjusted in the devices 219 and 220 relative to detectors
250, 251 and 254. It is hence possible to regulate the
devices 219, 220 as a f~ction of slight errors of positioning
the reference imprints which may occur when adjusting the
printing presses used to print thc web 202 of transfer paper.
Fig. 19 also shows the register imprints 237, 238,
239 and 240, 241, 242 printed on the edges of web 202 a~nd
b~nt 205, these imprints being shown in the atjusted position.
It is observed that in the adju3ted position, these imprints
~cutl~ the detectors in half , i. e. in this position ( see Fig , 20~L),
a signal of 50~ of the maXiml~m intensity is deli~ered tG the
respective motor which stops. In case a detector is directed
20 at paper beside the reference imprint, the detector supplies
a 100~; signal and the respective motor is actuated to mo~re
the paper ~ towards the left ir. the examplc o-~ Fig, 20b j upOiJ
reception of such a s;gnal. W~en a de. ector is directea
exactly facin~3 a reference imprint which is printed in a darlc
color, for example blue or blaclc, ~he detector 3ives a 0~
signal ard tne respective motor is actua. ed to mo~e the paper
_ 33 --
.. . . .. . . . . . .
1~7~ 557
( towards the right in the example of Fig . 20c ) upon
reception of such a signal~
The reference imprints are arranged in such a
manner that each detector detects and controls correction in
only one direction~ Imprints 237, 240 control longitudinal
positioning while imprints 2 ~8, 239 and 251, 254 control
lateral positioning.
Fis. 21 shows additional positioning means that can
complement the above described mearls. It can be seen on
Fig. 19 that only a single marlc (i. e. reference imprint
237, 240) is provided for controlling the lonsitudinal
position of each of the web 202 and bant 205. Now, it can
happen that the paper extends or retracts so that if the
po~itioning is correct at the end of the paper near imprints
237 and 240, it may not be correct at the other end.
To remedy this, the additional registering device of
Fig, 21 is provided, Two pairs of grippers 272, 273 ~nt 274,
275 are pro~ided for gripping adjacent edgc parts at the ends of
band 205 and web section ~02. Grippers 272 and 274 are
-20 fixed, and srippers 273 and 275 controlled by respective motors
276, 277 are arranged to tension band 205 and section 202. A
registering device 278 comprising two detect~s 27g, 280 is
placed in the proximity c~ Rdditional imprints 243, 244 provided
on the paper described with reference tO Fig. 17. The device
of Fig. 21 operates as follows:
After detection has been carried out by r~eans of
10705S7
the devices 219, 220 (Fig. 19), the grippers 272 to 275
close and grip the paper. The additional device is movable
according to arrow 282 of Fig. 21 and is placed in such a
manner that it is necessary to slightly tauten the paper to
brirlg th~ addition~l imprint 244 of the end of bard 205
exactly onto the middle of detector 280. Detector 280 hence
controls motor 276 to actuate gripper 282 until imprint 244
arrives at detector 280. At this moment, motor 276 stops.
Likewise, detector 279 acts on motor ~75 to bring the
additional imprint 243 to deteccor 27~. Once this is done, the
patterns are in perfect register even if ~ilatations o~ the
paper hat occured The paper can then be cut and the
adhesive band stuck on to units band 205 and web section 202.
Of course, details of the additional device of Fig.21
may be motified. For exam~le, the band 205 can be placed
under a predetermined tension by means of ~rippers 27~ ant
273 and motor 276, and device 27~ be moved according to
arrow 281 until detector 280 arr;ves over the additional
imprint 244. The grippers 274, 275 will then be actuated to
brins~ imprint 243 under the detector 27~. The grippers 272
ant 273 can be formed by jaws on the gripper 227 of
Figs. 12 to 15, ~8 and 19. Finally, grippers 274 and 275
may ~e mounted on the transv~rse conveyor.
The embodiment described wi.h reference to Figs
12 to 21 operates as follows
An initial web,202 for exampie of printed transfer
1070557
paper, is fed from roll 203 by the conveyor 201 to face and
overlap the band 205 being formed. As soon as web 202
contacts stop 214, forward movement of conveyor 201 is
~topped ant web 202 is cut by cutter 215 ~o form-a section
to be joilled to bauld 205. During feed of web 202 on conveyor
201 the end of bant 205 is posi~:ioned by devices 219 ard 220.
For this operation, gripper 227 closes on the ent of band
205 and the detectors 250, 251 and 254 (Fig. 18) of the
devices 219 and 220 act to position the imprints 240, 241 and
242 ( Fi~. 19) .
It was seen in conjunction with Fig. 20 that if the
detectors face, for example, a non-printed part, the paper
will be mo~et to the position shown in Figs . 20a ~ and 19) .
Positioning begins with a longitudinal adju~;tment, i. e. by
moving imprint 240 relative to detector 250, As shown in
Fig. 18, detector 250 controls .-notor 256 to longitutinally
move gripper 227. As soon as imprint 24Q is placed relati~e to
tetector 250, lateral positionin~2 is carried out by meanC of
detectors 2~1 and 254. Detector 251 controls latera~
displacement of the ent 259 of gripper 227 by rneans of motor
258, and detector 254 controls l~teral tisplacement of the
other end 262 by mearLs of motc.n 2~1~ As socr. as this
operation is terminated, positionin~ of web se-tion 202 is
carried out by detectors 252, 253 and 255 whic}~. respectively
control motors 265, 268 and 2~1 to shift transverse conveyor
201, as previously tescribed. Y~nen web section- 202 is
_ 36 --
.. .. . _ . ..... . .. .. . ..
1070557
correctly placed relative to band 205, as shown in Fig. 19,
the band and section are cut by the cutter 217 shown in
Figs. 12 to 15, and the trimmings are remo~ed by means not
shown. Immediately after cuttmg, an adhesi~re strip from
roll 218 is applied on the lower face o~ the edse_to-edge
joint. The adhesive strip must be as thin as possible ant have
a coefficien1~ of dilatation substar~ially equal to that of the
tran~fer pàper. To avoid creation of a heat barrier when
the transfer paper passes through transfer machine 206,
10 it is possible to use a perforated adhesiYe strip. On¢e
application of the adhesive strip from roll 218 is completed,
gripper 227 opens ar.~l band 205 ad~vances on conveyor 204 by
tke width o~ a strip 202, for the next ste~ to be carried out.
It is to be noted that the driving rollers 224, 225
rotate at constant spe~ arld hesl.-e dri-~e ba~d 205 at constant
speed~ This is important, since the band 205 in cortact with
rnaterial 207 to be printed must not stop in the tran3fer
machine 206 . Even in the varied form o~ machine of Figs, t 4
and 15 where the band 20~ is simply wound on storage roll 228 3
20 it is desireable not to stop thi~ stora~3e ro11, but that
winding of the band 205 on the roll should be carried out ir. a
continuous manner, In this way, unwanted tensions which could
at the limit rip th~ band of transf er paper ar e avoided . As the
operation of regis t ering and sticking together the initial ~e~
sections is intermittent, the acc~mul~qtor device sche.naticaily
shown in Figs. 12 to 15 by rollers 221, 22~ and 223 is provided.
_ 3? -
1070557While adjusting and sticking of theband and web section take plæ,l~e
roller 222 moves slowly up from its lowermost position ant
hence permits the machine to operate continuously. When the
sticking operation is completed, and the band 205 moves
forward by the width of a web section, this length accumuI-
ates in the loop by dowrlward movement of roller 222. Sticking
of the following section 202 can t}len be carried out.
In case difference~ in ad~l~ctment tue to dilatation
of the paper are observed, the additional device of Fig. 10
10 can be brought ir.to action.
Of course many modifications of details can be m~de
to the arrangements described with reference to Figs. 12 to
21. For example, the described reference mar~cs formed by
imprints could be replaced by magnetic data carried on or in
the pap~r, or by pneumatically-detectable data mar~cs such as
perforations along the side~ of the paper. For ma~3netic
reference marks, the n~gisterins devices 219, 220 would
include magnetic reading heads. For reference marks in the
form of perforations, the re~isteri~g devices would inclute
20 pressure detectors.
The embodiments of Fi~7s. 12 to 21 enable a very
precise registering of the imprints during for~nation Q~ the
band 205. Of course, it will be apparent to persons skilled in
the art that these em~odiments may be considerably simplified.
For example, as shown in the varied embodiment of
Fig. 22, it is possible to deliver a web 202 onto conveyor 201
_ 38 --
070557
~rom a roll 203, with one of the edses 285 of the web bein~
pre_cut after de ~;l~ of reference marks, by a device 286.
The cut edge 287 is removed as shown. Web 202 is fed by
conveyor 201 until its front end contacts stops 288 and 289,
whereupon conveyor 201 stops. The web 202 is supported on
conveyor 201 by endless belts 290, 291, 292 turning about
cylinders 211, 212. A cutting device with detection means 215
cuts web 202 which is held and positioned on conveyor 201
during feed by, f:or example, pneumatic means ( not shown ) so
that it comes to contact stops 288, 289 on the one hand and
a wall 293 on the other hand. As the two perpenticular
edges of web 202 bearing against stops 288, 2~9 and wall 293
have been cut after detection of reference marks (either
reference imprints on the etges of the web or on the pattern
itself ), the cut web section occupies a well determined
position. :~t therefore suffices to apply an adhesive on the
non cut edge 294 by means of a tevice 295, anc~ deliver band
20S over edge 294 by means of gripper 227 controlled by
motor 256. For this operation, there is provided a regicterinSI
device 219 similar to that descr.~ed with reference to Figs. 12
to 21, for pos;tioning the corner 296 of the rear end o~ band
205~ The control of mo~ement of ~ripper 227 by means of
motor 256 will be regulated so that the end of band 205 is
suitably positioned relative to web section 202 when its corner
296 is in place relative to device Z19. The cont~cting etges cf
band 205 and web section 202 are then pressed tosether. The
, . . . . . .. . .
1070557
fact that edge 294 of web section 202 is not cut enables on
the one hand this edge to be used for the sticking operation
ar;d , on the other hand, to use reference imprints thereon
for the purposes of cutting the ents of sections 202 ant
adju~ting the band 205. It will be apparent to persons skilled
in the art that the arrangement of Fig. 22 can be further
simplified. These sim~plifications depend mainly on the quality
of the transfer paper, the complexity of the pattern on this
paF~er, ant the skill of operators. In simple cases, all of the
registering devices with the exception of those used for
cutting can be dispensed with, and }~ition~r2g o~ web section
202 relative to band 205 carried out solely by stops 288, 289
and control of the feed of band 205.
In the varied arrarl~ement of Figs. 23 ant 24, a
web 202 of patterned transfer paper whose lateral edge~
have been trimmed after de~ection of reference marl~s is
stored on a roll 300 fitted in a feed device 301 pro~ided with
an ~accumulation~ device formed of ~hree ~ixed rotata~le
cylinders 302, 303, 304 and two verrtically mova~le cy~irsders
30~, 306. YVeb 202 is intermittentl~ driYen and laterally
positioned b~, a device 307 comprisin~ a pair of cyli~ders at the
delivery of feed device 3û1. Lateral positioning by device
307 is achieved by means of a cell 3{)8 controlling the passa~e
of one of the pre~cut edses of web 202. A gripper 309 moving
on a rail 31Q come~ to collect web 202 fed from the eylir.ders
of device 307 to deliver it in an adjusted position on a pressure
_ ~0 _
107V557
and suction table 311. The upper surface o~ table 311 has
orifices 312 arranged to supply pressurized air during the
delivery of web 202 to facilitate delivery, and to apply a
suction to hold the delivered web 202 on the table. The gripper
309 is momentaneously stopped i~lst before the end of the
delivery path to permit a cutting operation by a cutting
device 213 after detection of reference marks by a cell 314.
~Yhen cutting is finished, gripper 309 con~inues to move up
to a stop 315, and opens. The air current ~hrough orifices
312 is in~erted so that web section 202 is held by suction on
table 311.
The web section 202 is thus held on table 311 in ~n
ex~ctly adjusted position, since the web was guided laterally
by cell 308, c~tting was carried out at a location set by cell
314, and the gripper 309 op~ned after coming against the stop.
During the deiivering movement of gripper 309, an athesive 3trip
3161 from a roll 317' is unrolled onto the edge of web 202 and
protrudes beyond this edse The -pro~ruting-part o~ rip 3~6 1
is intended to come to apply on the rearmost ed~e o~ the band
205 formed from the web sections 202. The band 205, as web
202, is driven intermittently by a mechanssm 316 with a
positioning device controlled by a cel~ 317 cooperating with a
gripper 318 which holds the end o~ band 205. .~echanism 316
comprises a pair of cylinders 318 ' for delivering the band 205
by a predetermined amount after each stickin~ operation . T o
allow this, gripper 318 opens and mechanism 316 start~ up.
_ 41 --
1070557
Band 205 passes between cylinders 318 ' urltil its rear ent
arrives facing cell 317 which controls stopping of mechanism
316 and closu~g of gripper 318. The rear end of band 21~5 will
thus be exactly atjustet relative to the web section 202 on
table 311. The deliver~ of the band 205 takes place at the
same time as the delivery of web 202. When the two deli~rery
movements a~e finished, a pressure lath 319 moves down and
press~s the two edges of web section 202 ant band 20~ against
table 311, and they are stuclc together by the adhesive band
1~) unwound and stuck onto web 202 as it was delivered. At the end
of ~he sticking operation, the lath 319 m.o~es bac}c up,
gripper 318 opens and the following delivery operation can be
carried out. If desired, a photoelectric cell 320 controlling
the positioning mechanism 316 with its two cylinders 318 ~ can
be added to control the ,~osition of the left hand edge of
bas~d 205. This ~ell 320 is only necessary i~ very pr.ocise
positioning is required.
When a very Sreat pr~cision is- not rec}uired, the
cells 308, 317 and 320 can be dispensed with, as well a~ the
20 positioning devices associated therewith. It is howe~rer
recommendable to keep cell 314 ~or contr~l of c~ting.
The gripper 309 for pu~lirsg web 20Z can ~e replaced
by other delivery means, for example a cylinder of las~e
diameter on part o~ which a band section can be wound. A~er
the cutting operation, this cylinder would move do~.rn onto
table 3 11, and roll to deposit the band section on the table .
_ ~2 --
, _ . . ..... .. _ . _ _. . . , _ , . _ ... . .. . _ . _ . ; .. . . ___ . _
1070557
It would thus be possible to position the band section without
cells, stops or other mears.
It is noted for the embodiments of Figs. 12 to 24
that the cutting operations may be carried out either in the
machines or before the we?~s are introduced therein, and that
sticking can be provided by means- of an athesi~e strip on
cut edge-to-edge joints, or by means of an a&esive on
overlapping edges of the web sections. Also, numerous
detection and adjusting operations can be carried out b-3r various
10 devices suited to the desired precision of assembly.
The inv~tion is th ~s no~, limited to the tescribed
embodiments and variations. Many changes, improvements and
simplifications can be mate within the scope of tha appended
claims. The invention provides a new process of manufacturing
w;te transfer paper bands by a~sembling narrower webs or
web sections and adjusting the assembly so that the patterns
carried by the narrow webs c~r web sections are in exact
registration and ~an be con~inuously tran~;ferred GntO a
substrate. The s~rention tqlso includes mac~i~e~ for c2rr~yin
20 out this new process, and the compostte bands obtained.
43
