Abstract: An assembly includes a master for imprinting of micro-structures and nano-structures. The master has on its upper surface an active area with relief structure for imprinting of the micro-structures and nano-structures, and the master has a thickness dmaster. The assembly includes frame pieces arranged around and flushing along the outer circumference of the master, with the frame pieces having a thickness dframe. The thickness dframe of the frame pieces deviates from the thickness dmaster of the master by at most 250 ?m. A a flexible stamp has improved alignment.

Abstract: A flexible stamp includes at least one strengthening layer and texturing layer with a relief area. At least part of the at least one strengthening layer is positioned below the at least one texturing layer and at least partially supports the relief area and texturing layer. The combination of this part of strengthening layer, texturing layer and relief area forms an active area. The flexible stamp includes a non-active area having at least one further part of the at least one strengthening layer which does not support the texturing layer and relief area or at least one further strengthening layer. Each strengthening layer has a thermal expansion coefficient of 10 ppm/° C. or lower, a Young's modulus of 10 GPa-200 GPa, and thickness below 300 ?m. The active area and the non-active area of the flexible stamp represent at least 90% of the total area of the flexible stamp.

Abstract: An imprinting apparatus for a roll-to-plate process includes a flexible master (105), a plate carrier (101) and a substrate (102). The flexible master is pressable upon the substrate during the imprinting process and the plate carrier holds the substrate. The plate carrier includes a compensating material (114). The compensating material is larger than the area of the substrate and boundaries of the substrate and boundaries of the compensating material do not touch.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an imprinting apparatus for a roll-to-plate process comprises a flexible master with an imprint pattern, a plate carrier and a substrate and curable imprint resin. The substrate is located on the plate carrier. The flexible master carries an inverse structure (imprint pattern), which is required for the desired product. The curable resin (also mentioned as lacquer) is placed on the substrate and/or the flexible master. During the imprinting process the flexible master is pressed upon the substrate with the curable resin in between. The plate carrier comprises a cavity in which the substrate is located. At least one substrate side-face is at least partially unenclosed by the cavity. A further idea of this invention pertains to two roll-to-plate imprinting processes.

Abstract: An imprinting, texturing or embossing system for a roll-to-plate process including at least one roller and at least one device capable to exert a resetting force to the starting position of the imprinting process after imprinting wherein the roller is a freely rotating roller.

Abstract: A flexible stamp comprising at least three layers, an upper layer as a texturing layer (203) having a relief area (203B), a strengthening layer (202) and a protective layer (201), characterized in that the strengthening layer (202) has a thermal expansion coefficient of 10 ppm/° C. or lower, a Young's modulus in the range of 10 GPa-200 GPa, a layer thickness of below 300 ?m and an area which at least covers the relief area (203B).

Abstract: An imprinting, texturing or embossing system for a roll-to-plate process including at least one roller and at least one device capable to exert a resetting force to the starting position of the imprinting process after imprinting wherein the roller is a freely rotating roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for texturing or patterning discrete substrates by imprinting a curable lacquer with a discrete flexible stamp and curing the imprinted lacquer resulting in an additional functional textured layer on a discrete substrate is provided having at least a first and a second clamp, a first roller and at least one driven belt connected with the first clamp and with the second clamp and capable of moving the clamped flexible stamp wherein either the roller is not able to cause its own rotation, but is driven by the stamp which in turn is driven by the belt which in turn is driven by a belt driving device, or the roller is driven at the same speed as the belt by a roller driving device which follows the belt driving device in a master slave configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for texturing or patterning discrete substrates by imprinting a curable lacquer with a discrete flexible stamp and curing the imprinted lacquer resulting in an additional functional textured layer on a discrete substrate is provided having at least a first and a second clamp, a first roller and at least one driven belt connected with the first clamp and with the second clamp and capable of moving the clamped flexible stamp wherein either the roller is not able to cause its own rotation, but is driven by the stamp which in turn is driven by the belt which in turn is driven by a belt driving device, or the roller is driven at the same speed as the belt by a roller driving device which follows the belt driving device in a master slave configuration.