Apparatus and method for embossing and printing elongated substrates
AssigneeSprings Window Fashions Division, Inc.
InventorsJames H. Stauffacher, Patrick R. Garvey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for printing and embossing elongated substrates provide for both length and position registration with respect to the printed and embossed patterns. The ink pattern to embossed pattern error is corrected by stretching or relaxing the substrate between the printing and embossing assemblies.
Claims21
A method for applying a second repeating pattern onto the surface of a substrate in registration with a first repeating pattern on said substrate, said method comprising advancing a substrate past the moving surface of a first application member having a first pattern in operative association therewith;
- repeatedly applying said first pattern to one side of said substrate as it is advanced past said first application member;
- advancing said substrate past the moving surface of a second application member having a second pattern in operative association therewith, said first pattern having a repeat length different than a repeat length of said second pattern;
- controlling said moving surfaces of said first and second application members at speeds relative to one another so that the length of said substrate is altered whereby the repeat length of the applied first pattern on said substrate corresponds to the repeat length of said second pattern;
- and repeatedly applying said second pattern to said one side of said substrate in registration with the altered first pattern as it is advanced past said second application member.
A method for applying a repeating embossing pattern onto the surface of a substrate in registration with a repeating ink pattern on said substrate, said method comprising advancing a substrate through a nip formed between opposing moving surfaces of a printing roll and a backing roll;
- supplying a continuous film having an ink pattern on one side thereof through said nip with said ink pattern facing one side of said substrate;
- repeatedly applying said ink pattern to said one side of said substrate as said substrate and said film are advanced through said nip;
- advancing said substrate past the moving surface of an embossing roll having an embossing pattern thereon, said ink pattern having a repeat length smaller than a repeat length of said embossing pattern;
- repeatedly applying said embossing pattern to said one side of said substrate in registration with said ink pattern as said substrate is advanced past said embossing roll;
- and controlling the speed of said embossing roll relative to said printing roll so that the length of said substrate is stretched or relaxed whereby the repeat length of the applied ink pattern on said substrate substantially corresponds to the repeat length of said embossing pattern and the applied ink pattern is maintained in position registration with said embossing pattern.
A method for applying a second repeating pattern onto the surface of a substrate in a plastic condition in registration with a first repeating pattern on said substrate, said method comprising passing said substrate past the moving surface of a first treating member having a first treating element in relation to a pattern receiving side of said substrate, said first treating element having a first pattern that is repeatedly applied to said pattern receiving side of said substrate as it passes;
- passing said substrate past the moving surface of a second treating member having a second treating element in relation to said pattern receiving side of said substrate, said second treating element having a second pattern that is repeatedly applied to said pattern receiving side of said substrate as it passes;
- initially operating said moving surfaces of said first and second treating members at speeds relative to one another so that said substrate is stretched or relaxed to bring said first and second patterns into registration;
- and operating said moving surfaces of said first and second treating members at speeds after the registration of said first and second patterns so that the registration of said patterns is maintained.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.