Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing by electronic means a model for automatically inspecting the print quality on deformable objects. The model is firstly produced by capturing with an electronic camera (CCD for example) the images of a set of sheets whose print quality is regarded as acceptable; the images are stored so as to produce a first reference image, together with the relevant densitometric tolerance limits. This reference image is thereafter divided into a multitude of sub-images by superimposing a grid with very small mesh cells. During inspection, the distances between the nodes of the grid are measured on the image to be inspected: this therefore produces an elastic modification of the model, which is such as to make the distances between the nodes the same as in the image to be inspected. The image to be inspected is thus verified with respect to the modified reference (model) by using any of the standard inspection techniques.

Abstract: The process is composed of the following steps: (a) production of the fresh wiping solution, (b) introduction of the fresh wiping solution into one or more wiping tanks, where it is contaminated by the inks. In addition, it comprises the following steps: (c) treatment of the used solution exiting from the wiping tank or tanks with a chemical agent, producing a solution and sedimented ink, (d) separation by settling of the solution obtained in step (c), producing a clean solution and a concentrated solution with sedimented ink, (e) filtration of the concentrated solution, producing a clean solution and solid waste, and (f) use of the clean solution obtained in steps (d) and (e) as fresh wiping solution.

Abstract: The process is composed of the following steps: (a) production of the fresh wiping solution, (b) introduction of the fresh wiping solution into one or more wiping tanks, where it is contaminated by the inks. In addition, it comprises the following steps: (c) treatment of the used solution exiting from the wiping tank or tanks with a chemical agent, producing a solution and sedimented ink, (d) separation by settling of the solution obtained in step (c), producing a clean solution and a concentrated solution with sedimented ink, (e) filtration of the concentrated solution, producing a clean solution and solid waste, and (f) use of the clean solution obtained in steps (d) and (e) as fresh wiping solution.

Abstract: The side wall (5) for an ink fountain of a printing machine has two plates (11, 14) fixed some distance apart and an intermediate plate (13) having a front edge (13a) in the shape of an arc of a circle. This intermediate plate (3) is mounted between the plates in such a way that it can be shifted and tilted. The front edge of this plate contacts the circumference of an ink fountain roller (6) via springs (18, 19) acting on the intermediate plate. The wall has a slideway (10) in which the plates (11, 14, 13) are mounted. The slideway has a reinforced region (12) on one of its sides which is proximate the ink fountain roller (6). The side wall (5) thus more effectively seals an ink fountain against leakage.

Abstract: The process is composed of the following steps: (a) production of the fresh wiping solution, (b) introduction of the fresh wiping solution into one or more wiping tanks, where it is contaminated by the inks. In addition, it comprises the following steps: (c) treatment of the used solution exiting from the wiping tank or tanks with a chemical agent, producing a solution and sedimented ink, (d) separation by settling of the solution obtained in step (c), producing a clean solution and a concentrated solution with sedimented ink, (e) filtration of the concentrated solution, producing a clean solution and solid waste, and (f) use of the clean solution obtained in steps (d) and (e) as fresh wiping solution.

Abstract: The side wall (5) for an ink fountain of a printing machine has two plates (11, 14) fixed some distance apart and an intermediate plate (13) having a front edge (13a) in the shape of an arc of a circle. This intermediate plate (3) is mounted between the plates in such a way that it can be shifted and tilted. The front edge of this plate contacts the circumference of an ink fountain roller (6) via springs (18, 19) acting on the intermediate plate. The wall has a slideway (10) in which the plates (11, 14, 13) are mounted. The slideway has a reinforced region (12) on one of its sides which is proximate the ink fountain roller (6). The side wall (5) thus more effectively seals an ink fountain against leakage. The blade at the bottom of the ink fountain is split into several adjacent sectors (111) that can be shifted so as to vary the distance between the edge (112) of the blade and the circumference of the ink fountain roller (6). The sectors (111) can be shifted in the plane of the blade, parallel to each other.

Abstract: The machine comprises a paper sheet-feed device (1), a device (2) for transferring toward a printing unit, a device for transferring printed sheets toward a unit (8) for checking the print quality and a storage unit (10, 11, 12). The printing unit can be altered to suit different types of security printing and consists of elements common to all these different types of printing. These common elements are: a screen-printing device (3, 4) comprising a screen stencil cylinder (3) cooperating with a press cylinder (4) and a drying/activation device (5) located downstream, followed by a transfer cylinder (6) for transferring toward a second press cylinder (7). The latter cooperates with at least one device (13) for printing a security element.

Abstract: A sheet of paper (1) with the image to be checked passes in front of a camera (3) designed to capture three chromatic images and to emit three signals (S1, S2, S3). These signals are introduced into a device (4) applying a function F which comprises coefficients (K1, K2, K3, K10, K20, K30) previously recorded in a suitable device (2). The single signal (5) resulting from the function F is delivered to a device (6) for checking the printing quality.

Abstract: The machine further comprises a paper sheet feed device, a device for transporting the paper and a unit for applying security images (7) supported by at least one ribbon (8, 8a). The ribbon is brought into contact with the paper (1) so that the images (7) are applied at determined points on the paper. The application unit comprises an applicator cylinder (5) fitted with pads (52) in register with determined points on the sheets (1) and cooperates with a press cylinder (4), between which cylinders the paper (1) passes. The ribbon (8, 8a) is mounted between two reels (B1, B2) for paying out the ribbon and (25) for winding up the ribbon. The machine is equipped with a device (13) for preheating the ribbon (8, 8a) upstream of the applicator cylinder (5) so as to preheat the images (7) which will be applied to the sheet of paper (1) by simple contact of said pads (52) with the images (7) against the press cylinder (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading one or more reams of sheets, in particular of sheets of securities, from an exit of a machine which is part of an installation for the production of securities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conveyance of sheets, in which said sheets are advanced or slowed down in such a manner that a distance is altered. A value of said change in distance can be preselected.

Abstract: A device for conveying sheets in a sheet-processing machine uses a processing cylinder having a circumferential speed. Conveyor belts cooperate with the cylinder for transporting sheets with the belts arranged between the processing cylinder and a chain conveyor with a gripper system. A ratio between the transportation speed of the processing cylinder can be changed by use of a drive of the conveyor belts in order to vary the distance between successive sheets.

Abstract: A foil-stamping machine for applying patterns to sheets that can exchangeably accept stamping cylinders of different diameters. The stamping cylinder is exchanged by moving it in its axial direction. Sheet conveying means interact with the stamping cylinder and adapt to the diameter of the stamping cylinder. The stamping cylinder has at least one narrow suction strip extending in the axial direction and front marks arranged directly ahead of the suction strips for aligning the sheets on the stamping cylinder.

Abstract: A machine including a printing cylinder (6) engaging two stencil cylinders (7, 18) for printing at least two non-overlapping areas in different colors using the one printing cylinder. One of the stencil cylinders (7) is conventional and enables silk-screen printing in a first area. The other cylinder (18) includes raised portions provided with a stencil for printing one or more further areas different from the first area while preventing the rest of the stencil cylinder (18) from contacting the printing cylinder and particularly the area(s) printed by the first cylinder (7).

Abstract: The web fed or sheet fed printing machine for security papers, in particular banknotes, possesses a principal printing group. It further has an additional, independent printing group (20) placed upstream of the principal printing group in the feed direction of the paper and allowing a pattern in at least one predetermined color to be printed over the entire width of the paper before the paper passes into the principal printing group.

Abstract: The method for unloading the reams from a machine for the production of securities comprises the following steps:a) placing of a container (1) having at least one door (6) on the same side as the tray rack (31) of the machine (34),b) positioning and locking of the container relative to the rack,c) transfer of the trays (32) carrying the reams (36) from the rack into the container,d) closing of the door of the container,e) unlocking of the container, the latter then being capable of being moved.

Abstract: An embossing cylinder for embossing a foil comprising a plurality of stamping dies, where the stamping dies are mounted on the cylinder through adjustable means allowing each of the dies to be adjusted in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction of the embossing cylinder.

Abstract: The wiping cylinder drive has a drive shaft (4) which is independent of the wiping cylinder shaft (2) and which, at its end facing away from the wiping cylinder, is connected to the drive member (15) with the aid of a claw coupling (10). Inserted between the adjacent claws of the constantly engaged claw coupling (10) is a gearwheel (20) which is made of elastically deformable material and the teeth (21) of which are in each case inserted positively between the flanks of adjacent claws of the two coupling parts and, in the case of sudden changes in the load torque of the wiping cylinder, function as damping elements. The drive member (15) has a gearwheel (17) which is constantly in engagement kinematically with the gear leading to the main motor of the printing machine.

Abstract: The drawing has a background (10) composed of at least a first region and a second region juxtaposed. Each of said regions comprises its own geometrical drawing so that the first region has a color density which is stronger than that of the second region, said second region forming a pattern. An overprint (20) corresponding to said overprint is printed over the second region, said overprint (20) comprising geometrical drawings different than that of said second region and in a color chosen to compensate the difference of color density between said regions, so that the safety drawing appears uniform and with no pattern to the naked eye, but said pattern is clearly brought out and in another color than that of the first region on a photocopy of the safety drawing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an impression cylinder (1) intended for a sheet-fed machine and having at least one cylinder gap (3) in which sheet grippers (4) are arranged in such a manner that, when closed, they do not project over the envelope of the peripheral area of the impression cylinder (1). The cylinder gap (3) is provided with a cover (7) which can be adjusted by a controlling unit (9, 10, 11, 12) and is subsequently always in its closed position in which it completely covers the cylinder gap (3), when said gap (3) passes through the nip. Consequently, the impression cylinder rolls with a continuous, closed peripheral area on the cylinder printing the image. In the zones where the sheet is transferred to and from the impression cylinder (1), the cover (7) (preferably controlled by a fixed cam (11) while the cylinder is rotating) is opened to such an extent that the sheet grippers (4) can move into the open position thereof to pick up or release a sheet.