Abstract: An embossing tool for embossing a combined embossing pattern into a packaging material, the combined embossing pattern including decoratively embossed structure and at least one embossed code, the embossing tool including a male and a female embossing device for cooperating with each other, embossing structures of the male and female embossing device formed to produce the combined embossing pattern into the packaging material in an embossing gap, the embossing structures of the male and the female embossing device include first embossing structures intended for making the at least one embossed code, which are inverse congruent male and female embossing structures having a polyhedral shape, and the decoratively embossed structures and the at least one embossed code produced by the embossing structures are arranged such that the at least one embossed code has a reduced visibility as compared to the decoratively embossed structures.

Abstract: A method for structuring a steel embossing roller surface includes using a short pulse laser including at least one of a femtosecond laser and a picosecond laser. The structuring is macrostructuring with dimensions of over 20 ?m and depths up to 150 ?m and more. The short pulse laser has: in single pulse operation, a fluence in the range of 0.5 J/cm2 to 3.5 J/cm2, and in burst operation, a mean burst fluence of 0.5 J/cm2 to 70 J/cm2 per pulse; a wavelength of 532 nm to 1064 nm; a repetition rate of 1 kHz to 10 MHz; a pulse to pulse spacing on the roller of 10% to 50% of the beam diameter for the femtosecond laser and of 10-25% and 40-50% of the beam width for the picosecond laser; a laser pulse position near the roller surface; and deflection velocities of up to 100 m/s and more.

Abstract: In the method for producing a set of cooperating embossing rollers, a modelling device is used for parameterizing the embossing rollers, the device comprising a test bench having a pair of rollers which are put under hydraulic pressure that can be measured and set, in order to determine from the measurement data the parameters for producing the embossing rollers. The use of a modelling device for obtaining the parameters for producing a set of embossing rollers makes it possible to use a very large variety of embossing patterns and foils with diverse properties as a basis and, by conducting tests on this very test bench, be able to efficiently narrow down and predetermine the properties of a final embossing device, preferably operated without hydraulics.

Abstract: In the method for producing masks and/or diaphragms for a laser installation for the creation of microstructures on a solid body surface according to the mask projection technique, predetermined opaque surface portions which scatter the laser radiation are produced in the mask and/or diaphragm substrate by roughening and modifying the latter by means of a femtosecond, picosecond or fluor laser beam. Such masks and diaphragms have a strongly improved lifetime and accuracy and may e.g. serve for the creation of blazed gratings which, arranged in diffraction grating arrays on a solid body surface, serve for producing spectral colors and mixed colors of high brilliance.

Abstract: The embossing device for embossing packaging material comprises a set of embossing rollers with male die and female die rollers co-operating with one another, the surface of which is provided with texture elements, wherein the texture elements (M6R6) on the surface of the female die roller (M6), which are assigned to the texture elements (P6E6) on the surface of the male die roller (P6) are not inversely congruent by an amount of above 15 ?m in axial and radial direction and the texture elements of the male die and female roller associated with one another comprise facets (F) for the purpose of local pressure elevation. A facet (F) comprises faces (FN), which with respect to the imaginary, continuous surface of the texture is inclined. With such facetted rollers, a very large variety of films can be embossed in an aesthetically appealing manner, wherein the films can be mainly employed in the tobacco and foodstuff industry.

Abstract: In the method for manufacturing embossing rollers for a device for embossing packaging materials that comprises a set of at least two embossing rollers of which one is driven, and whereby the embossing roller set comprises a male roller having a male surface structure including structural elements and/or logo structures and a female roller having a female surface structure that is associated to the surface structure of the male roller for the common embossing operation with the male roller, the female surface structure is produced independently of a previously produced or physically pre-existing associated male surface structure. Along with a high embossing accuracy, this allows creating a very large variety of embossing structures, on one hand, and using a very large number of the most diverse materials, on the other hand, as well as reducing transverse tensions in the embossed material.

Abstract: The foil embossing device has an embossing unit (34) comprising at least two rollers (40, 41) at least one of which (40) is an embossing roller and is driven by a drive (5), at least the embossing roller having teeth (B) that project from the base cylinder for producing logos on the foil in a logo area (27) with teeth (39) that are different from the regularly arranged teeth (A) in order to produce a variable specific embossing pressure on the foil, the rollers having both axially and radially acting centering elements (4, 8) for centering the embossing roller (40) with respect to the other roller (41). It is thus possible to emboss logos in a substantially greater variety of designs and with higher accuracy than in the prior art and thus to achieve a sophisticated esthetic impression.

Abstract: A packing foil having optical diffraction effective areas and/or authentication features includes at least a first structure produced by passing a homogeneous intensity distribution spot of a laser beam having laser pulse durations in a nano-second range through a mask and a diaphragm before imaging the laser beam on at least one area of an exposed surface of the packaging foil using imaging optics positioned downstream of the mask and the diaphragm, and at least a second structure superposed on the first structure, the second structure produced by a second laser having pulse durations in the pico- or femtosecond range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the treatment of packaging foils, comprising a first embossing unit having at least one embossing roll provided with embossing structures (7) that are arranged in a basic grid for satinizing and/or with embossing structures which deviate from the basic grid for the application of logos and/or of authentication features, the work cadence (A1) of the first embossing unit being synchronizable to a process cadence (P) of the packaging process, as well as a first regulating unit of the first embossing unit that is synchronizable to the process cadence (P) of the packaging installation, and a second regulating unit of the second embossing unit, the second regulating unit serving for the synchronization of the work cadence (A2) of the second embossing unit to the work cadence (A1) of the first embossing unit.

Abstract: In the method for structuring at least one area of a solid body surface provided with a ta-C coating, a mask in the homogenous spot of the optical system is used in order to shape the beam in the mask projection technique and then a diaphragm in front of the imaging optics. A structure is applied by means of an excimer laser having pulse durations in the nanosecond range, a number of mask and diaphragm combinations being arranged in a exchanger device and the exchanger device being adapted to place both one of the masks and one of the diaphragms in the beam path of the laser independently of each other, the masks and diaphragms being arranged in holders while being displaceable linearly or rotatively and rotatable about themselves. This method allows the rational manufacture of very complex, extremely fraud-resistant authentication features and/or of esthetically attractive, optical diffraction effective colored patterns.

Abstract: In the method for creating color patterns for technical applications and visible for the human eye by means of diffraction gratings through light irradiation, diffraction grating arrays are produced directly on a solid body surface in a laser microstructuring process by at least one laser installation in the nanosecond range or in the pico- or femtosecond range, each diffraction grating array being composed of subareas (81) whose longitudinal dimension has a value below the resolving ability of the eye and which contain at least one pixel (81, 82, 83), a pixel being a limited diffraction grating structure for producing a spectral color. The direct application of such color-producing diffraction grating structures to a solid body surface enables a large variety of decorative and authentication possibilities ranging from embossing tools to jewellery.

Abstract: The device for embossing and perforating foils for tobacco goods includes: a pair of embossing rolls, one of the embossing rolls having teeth for perforating the foil, the counter roll to the embossing roll with the perforating teeth being a matrix roll which has recesses that correspond to the teeth on the patrix roll, both embossing rolls being arranged in a perforation device, and the device being designed in order to be operated directly or indirectly online in a machine for producing tobacco goods. The use of patrix-matrix embossing rolls allows for a large variety of perforations, the device having a control unit designed to control the exact position, size and arrangement of the perforations on the basis of the quality of the foil to be processed.

Abstract: In the method for manufacturing embossing rollers for a device for embossing packaging materials that comprises a set of at least two embossing rollers of which one is driven, and whereby the embossing roller set comprises a male roller having a male surface structure including structural elements and/or logo structures and a female roller having a female surface structure that is associated to the surface structure of the male roller for the common embossing operation with the male roller, the female surface structure is produced independently of a previously produced or physically pre-existing associated male surface structure. Along with a high embossing accuracy, this allows creating a very large variety of embossing structures, on one hand, and using a very large number of the most diverse materials, on the other hand, as well as reducing transverse tensions in the embossed material.

Abstract: The foil embossing device comprises an embossing roller and two counter-rollers, one of the rollers being driven by a drive and the rollers having a configuration where the teeth, rings, or ridges project from the base cylinder, at least the embossing roller having teeth that project from the base cylinder and at least partly also serve for driving the counter-roller. To increase the uniformity of the embossing of the foil, the embossing roller has a diameter that is reduced by 0.02 to 0.20 mm over a certain length that is at least the same as the width of the foil. The length of the reduced diameter is preferably chosen so as to exceed the width of the foil being printed. Due to this depression, such a device allows a perfectly uniform embossing of foils of any kind independently of the design of the embossing rollers.

Abstract: The device for satinizing and embossing packaging foils comprises at least two embossing rollers that are each provided with a toothing consisting of individual teeth, the pyramidal teeth having an essentially rectangular horizontal projection, and the sides of the teeth being essentially parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the longitudinal axis of the embossing roller. In contrast to the prior art, the opening angle (?) between the radially aligned adjacent tooth flanks is smaller than the opening angle (?) between the axially aligned adjacent tooth flanks, and the tooth height in the radial direction, measured from the tooth tip to the tooth bottom, is greater than the tooth height in the axial direction measured from the tooth tip to the tooth bottom. This dimensioning and arrangement of the teeth provides an improved gearing with a reduced specific pressure as well as an improved processing of the paper part of the foil that results in its better folding, curling, and tubing behavior.

Abstract: The device for satinizing and embossing metallized or surface-treated packaging foils comprises three embossing rolls, all three embossing rolls cooperating with one another and the packaging foil being capable of being passed under pressure between the first and the second and between the first and the third embossing rolls in order to produce a satin-finish and a pattern. The first, driven embossing roll has a tooth array composed of individual teeth that are arranged in a homogenous grid, and the other two embossing rolls each have a surface structure that differs from that of the first embossing roll. At least one of the additional embossing rolls has structural elements that are arranged individually or in groups but not in the same grid as on the first roll, the structural element being composed of individual teeth and being arranged circularly on the embossing roll. Such an arrangement provides an effective breaking of the paper substrate of the foil and thus a surface having improved properties.

Abstract: In the method for the authentication of identification features that are embossed on a packaging foil together with satin-finishing and the embossing of logos, a number of identification features is embossed on-line as a pattern and read by a suitable apparatus and evaluated by means of an image evaluation method. The embossing device (1) suitable therefor includes at least two embossing rollers (2, 3, 15), a reading unit, and an evaluating unit, one of the embossing rollers (2) being driven by the motor drive mechanism (5) and having individual teeth (8) of which a number of teeth for embossing identification features have a different shape, height, or surface structure while the remaining teeth serve for satin-finishing, and one of the mating rollers (3) being provided with circumferential rings (10). Such a method and such a device allow a relatively simpler embossing device with relatively lower requirements with regard to the embossing quality than in methods of the prior art.

Abstract: The device for satinizing and embossing flat materials comprises an embossing roll and at least one mating roll, said rolls being connected to a driving system and adapted to be driven individually or in common and to be resiliently pressed against one another while the individual teeth are flattened, and the embossing teeth being designed such as to produce in the corresponding locations of said flat material during its passage embossed marks whose appearance varies according to the viewing angle of the observer and/or the kind and/or the position of the lighting source, the embossing teeth which produce said variable marks having a different geometrical shape and/or surface than the satinizing teeth intended for satinizing. To this end, the surfaces of said embossing teeth and/or portions of the tooth space bottom are provided with microstructures. These microstructures allow producing largely forgery-proof marks which may furthermore provide a very decorative effect.

Abstract: The device for embossing and/or calendering foils comprises at least one first and one second embossing roll between the flat material is passed under pressure in order to produce a pattern. The second embossing roll is followed by at least another embossing roll which cooperates with the first or the preceding embossing roll and between which the patterned flat material is passed in order to receive essentially the same pattern in a re-embossing procedure. In the case of complex treatments, it is advantageous to synchronize the embossing rolls. Particularly in the case of paper having a thin metallization, the following additional embossing roll which re-embosses the pattern allows to avoid higher contact pressures causing increased wear, and a substantially improved folding behavior is obtained.

Abstract: The embossing process is effected between a pair of embossing rollers provided with toothings of the same kind which comprise rows of pyramidal teeth extending in the axial and the circumferential directions. Compared to the theoretical pyramid shape, the heads of the teeth are flattened while the edges of the pyramids are cut. The rollers, which are mutually displaceable in the axial direction, are thus able to catch in a stable mutual position of maximum penetration and to remain in this position in operation. This allows a safe mutual synchronization of the rollers and an optimal embossing of any kind of materials, especially of paper foils.