Abstract: The operation of sticking stamps from a foil in strip form at predetermined locations on a substrate which has motifs printed thereon and which is pulled through at least one sticking station at a predetermined forward feed speed is effected by means of pressing portions, which are raised radially above a pressing cylinder, in the sticking station. The pressing portions have curved pressing surfaces which are parts of a larger cylindrical surface which is concentric with respect to the pressing cylinder and which during each sticking phase roll against a backing cylinder and transfer the stamps onto the substrate. The strip speed of the foil may also be lower than the forward feed speed.

Abstract: A device for embossing a set of motifs having a predetermined motif interval onto a length of film utilizes a rotating embossing cylinder which is provided with a recess for the attachment of an embossing matrix. The embossing matrix has a usable length which is less than the entire circumference of the embossing cylinder but more than 50% of the circumference of the embossing cylinder. A rotating counterpressure cylinder is positioned adjacent the embossing cylinder, such that the film advances between the counterpressure cylinder and the embossing cylinder for embossing said motifs from said embossing matrix onto the film and for defining a free phase during each rotation of the embossing cylinder when the recess is positioned adjacent the film. The device also comprises movement means for providing an additional relative movement between the length of film and the embossing matrix during each free phase of the embossing cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing a high resolution relief pattern such as a phase hologram or diffraction grating from a mold onto a thermoplastic material is disclosed.The apparatus comprises first and second adjacent disks adapted to rotate in opposite senses, the disks serving to define an embossing zone therebetween in which the circumferences of the disks exert pressure on one another. The first disk serves to transport the thermoplastic material to the embossing zone. To preheat the thermoplastic material, a preheating band of limited length is mounted under tension on the circumference of the first disk, the preheating band being resistively heated by a longitudinally flowing electric current. A resistively heated band-shaped embossing mold is mounted on the circumference of the second disk. The embossing mold and the thermoplastic carrier come into contact with one another in the embossing zone.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for thermally erasing or changing machine readable optical markings previously entered on a carrier of thermoplastic material which has two major sides, and wherein the optical markings cause a predetermined modification of any light rays impinging on the optical markings by either diffraction or refraction, include a erasing device adapted to be located on one major side of the carrier, for erasing or changing the markings, a reading device, operative during operation of the erasure device, and including at least two light sensors adapted to be located on the other major side of the carrier, so as to check the erasure or change of the markings effected by the erasing device. The light sensors provide output signals of respective opposite polarities following erasure or change of any one of the markings.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for embossing a relief pattern of high resolution into a thermoplastic information carrier by means of a heatable embossing matrix. The matrix, which exhibits the desired relief pattern, is pressed onto the thermoplastic information carrier, and is then heated by means of an electric current. After the electric current has ceased, the embossing pressure is maintained until the thermoplastic information carrier has hardened through cooling. Alternative methods permits selected variation of the relief pattern to be embossed by selectively altering the surface of the support member which supports the information carrier during the embossing operation or by selectively heating the embossing matrix.

Abstract: A method and device for identifying documents. A multiplicity of machine-readable markings which characteristically modify incident light by diffraction or refraction are applied to the documents, and selected markings are then cancelled out, the remaining markings representing coded information. The markings are of at least two different kinds causing different modification of incident light, and are arranged in a characteristic configuration on the documents. Information about said configuration is stored in an identification device to permit checking of the remaining markings.

Abstract: An apparatus for impressing relief patterns of high resolution, particularly phased holograms or phased diffraction gratings, in a thermoplastic information carrier, comprises a heatable impressing matrix in strip form, which carries the relief pattern and which, together with the information carrier, is passed between two calender rollers, the impressing matrix being adapted to be heated by a current flowing through it.