Abstract: A technique for transferring discrete areas of material, such as hot stamping foil, from a carrier onto positions spaced apart along a substrate, such as paper. The carrier is dispensed at a rate that is much less than the speed of movement of the substrate. During transfer, a segment of the carrier is moved at the same speed as the substrate while, in between such material transfers, the speed of the carrier is sharply reduced and even reversed in direction in order to maintain the average speed of this carrier segment equal to the reduced speed at which the carrier is being dispensed. This is accomplished by a shuttle mechanism that is moved by its own motor, under control of a microprocessor-based motor control system, in synchronism with the speed of the substrate and transfer operations. This significantly improves the utilization of the material on the carrier, with an improved flexibility to adapt to various substrate speeds and ease of implementation in machinery.

Abstract: A technique and machine for transferring discrete areas of material, such as hot stamping foil, from a carrier onto positions spaced apart along a substrate, such as paper. The carrier is dispensed at a rate that is much less than the speed of movement of the substrate. During transfer, a segment of the carrier is moved at the same speed as the substrate while, in between such material transfers, the speed of the carrier is sharply reduced and even reversed in direction in order to maintain the average speed of this carrier segment equal to the reduced speed at which the carrier is being dispensed. This is accomplished by a shuttle mechanism that is moved by its own motor, under control of a microprocessor-based motor control system, in synchronism with the speed of the substrate and transfer operations. This significantly improves the utilization of the material on the carrier, with an improved flexibility to adapt to various substrate speeds and ease of implementation in machinery.

Abstract: A system of incrementally moving a foil, or other flexible and elastic elongated web, through a work station, by contacting and registering the foil on both sides of the work station. An example of such a work station is a hot stamping press that transfers optical images from the foil to other substrates. A drive mechanism, with an associated foil registration device, is provided at each of the entrance to the work station and the exit from it. Each registration device optically detects registration marks provided on the foil along its length, and is used to stop its associated drive mechanism after a predetermined number of marks have passed. This dual drive system maintains registration of the foil or other web throughout an extended work station. It is particularly advantageous for use with those hot stamping presses that either have a large number of die or whose multiple die are widely separated, since the multiple images carried along the foil are then all properly registered with the die.