Abstract: A method of manufacturing a foil material having a metal layer on a region thereof comprises applying to a backing foil a layer of a soluble material such as a lacquer to which a hardening agent is then applied in selected regions thereof, the hardening agent reacting with the soluble material to cause it to harden. A coating of metal is then applied over the layer of soluble material and the portions of the layer of soluble material which have remained soluble are then removed, thereby also removing the portions of the layer of metal thereon and leaving the metal on the hardened portions of the layer of soluble material. The foil material made by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of applying an embossing foil to a portion of flexible material comprises passing the material with the foil thereon over a substantial distance along a heated surface of a support member such as a roller. The material and the foil are jointly pressed against the heated surface of the support member, and thus against each other by a plurality of pressure rollers disposed at a spacing from each other along the heated surface. Apparatus for carrying out the method comprises an array of pressure elements such as rollers such that the rollers can be applied against a support roller in a progressive mode of actuation starting from the center of the pressure roller array and moving outwardly towards the ends thereof. The support roller is driven by a variable drive means or an adjustable-torque slipping clutch.

Abstract: A hot embossing foil includes, besides a magnetic layer, a layer which has a structure producing a diffraction effect such as a hologram. The foil may also be provided with a signing layer which in the operational condition of the foil is at the exposed surface thereof to which writing can thus be applied, while nonetheless permitting detection of the diffraction-effect structure.

Abstract: An embossing foil includes a layer which can be written upon, together with a magnetic layer for data storage purposes. Between the magnetic layer and the writing layer, the foil has a layer with a barrier effect to prevent the writing layer from being attacked by solvent contained in the magnetic layer. The foil may further comprise between the magnetic and writing layers, a structure producing an optical diffraction effect such as a hologram, with the writing surface and said structure being so arranged that nonetheless said structure can still be read, including by machine.

Abstract: A composite foil for imparting a decorative effect to a substrate comprises a carrier film, a decorating layer secured thereto either directly or by way of a release layer, and an adhesive coating secured on the decorating layer either directly or by way of an adhesion-facilitating layer, said decorating layer comprising at least one layer of glass or glass-like material deposited by high vacuum vaporization.

Abstract: In a laminating machine comprising an applicator roller at a substantially fixed location and a support movable relatively to said roller for an article which is to be laminated with a decorating film that is peeled off a composite web composed of said decorating film on a backing sheet, a feeding device for taking said web to said applicator roller, said feeding device comprising a supply reel for said web, means for axially displacing said supply reel substantially parallel to said applicator roller and a rotatable jockey roller for tensioning said web and disposed between said supply reel and applicator roller, said jockey roller being mounted for substantially vertical displacement as well as pivotal motion about a vertical axis and axial displacement in unison with said supply reel.