The invention relates to a device (410; 410′) for driving a stamping foil over a path through a stamping machine, the driving device (410; 410′) comprising two foil-introduction chain-like elements (420a, 420b) and a drive member (440) coupled to the foil-introduction chain-like elements (420a, 420b) for driving the foil-introduction chain-like elements (420a, 420b) notably through a platen press (310) of the stamping machine (1), characterized in that it further comprises at least one first load-measurement device (3a; 3a′) comprising a first detector (7a) configured to measure a parameter indicative of the load applied by the drive member (440) for driving the foil-introduction chain-like elements (420a, 420b) in a first direction, the at least one first load-measurement device (3a; 3a′) being connected to a stamping-machine (1) control unit (4) configured to stop the driving by the drive member (440) when the parameter indicative of the load applied by the drive member (440) and measured by the first detector (7a) crosses a threshold.

The present invention also relates to a stamping station and machine comprising the driving device. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling the driving of a stamping foil.

The present disclosure is drawn to radiation embossable coated print media. In one example, a radiation embossable coated print medium can include a print substrate, an expanding coating layer on the print substrate, and an ink receiving layer on the expanding coating layer. The expanding coating layer can include a flexible polymer binder and temperature responsive thermoplastic beads in the flexible polymeric binder. The temperature responsive thermoplastic beads can include a propellant encapsulated in a thermoplastic polymer shell.

The present disclosure is drawn to radiation embossable coated print media. In one example, a radiation embossable coated print medium can include a print substrate, an expanding coating layer on the print substrate, and an ink receiving layer on the expanding coating layer. The expanding coating layer can include a flexible polymer binder and temperature responsive thermoplastic beads in the flexible polymeric binder. The temperature responsive thermoplastic beads can include a propellant encapsulated in a thermoplastic polymer shell.

A method of forming an image and a crease on media by an image forming system includes forming a crease formation pattern on an impression media received by an impression member. The method also includes forming the image on an image forming blanket of an intermediate transfer member by a print unit. The method also includes pressing the media against the impression member by the image forming blanket to transfer the image onto the media and to establish contact with the crease formation pattern to form the corresponding crease on the media.

A method of forming an image and a crease on media by an image forming system includes forming a crease formation pattern on an impression media received by an impression member. The method also includes forming the image on an image forming blanket of an intermediate transfer member by a print unit. The method also includes pressing the media against the impression member by the image forming blanket to transfer the image onto the media and to establish contact with the crease formation pattern to form the corresponding crease on the media.

Apparatus for manufacturing a two-sided product with an integrated device on a web of material, including: a first rotary micro scale structure formation unit for having a first structure for forming a first microscale structure on one side of a portion of web; a second rotary microscale structure formation unit having a second structure for forming a second micro scale structure on second side of the portion of the web; the first and second micro scale structures and the portion of the web between the first and second microscale structures together forming the integrated device; and a web feed system for feeding the web of material between the first and second rotary microscale structure formation units.

Apparatus for manufacturing a two-sided product with an integrated device on a web of material, including: a first rotary micro scale structure formation unit for having a first structure for forming a first microscale structure on one side of a portion of web; a second rotary microscale structure formation unit having a second structure for forming a second micro scale structure on second side of the portion of the web; the first and second micro scale structures and the portion of the web between the first and second microscale structures together forming the integrated device; and a web feed system for feeding the web of material between the first and second rotary microscale structure formation units.

Diffractive microstructure comprising micro-protrusions or microgrooves or a combination thereof and method of producing the same. The microstructure is formed in a layer of a thermoplastic carbohydrate polymer or a polymer derived from a carbohydrate material, said polymer having a glass transition point of less than 210 C. The thermoplastic polymer is preferably selected from the group of native starch, dextrin, native hemicellulose, native cellulose, poly(lactic acid), polylactides, polycaprolactone, starch derivatives, dextrin derivatives, hemicellulose derivatives, cellulose derivatives, and mixtures thereof. The invention provides an inexpensive and reliable way of incorporating into the products safety markings, which allow for visual inspection or detection, such as holograms and barcodes.

A system and method for the overprint on flexible supports are described. In particular, the overprint system 1 comprises a printing unit 2 comprising a rotatable printing cylinder 3, having printing zones at the surface thereof, and first actuating means 14, configured to drive in a controllable manner the printing cylinder 3 rotation. The system further comprises a first reel 5 for unwinding a flexible support 4 to be printed, which has preset zones to be overprinted, and a second reel 8 for rewinding the flexible support 4, once it has been printed. A plurality of winding rolls 7 arranges an unwinding path, for the flexible support 4, comprised between the first 5 and the second 8 reels, and passing through the printing unit 2. The system then comprises second actuation means 20, configured to drive in a controllable manner the flexible support 4 advancement along the unwinding path (upstream of the printing unit 2 in the unwinding direction), and control means 10, configured to control in a coordinated manner both the first actuating means 14 and the second actuation means 20, so as to determine at every moment a correspondence of the preset zones to be overprinted of the flexible support 4 with respective printing zones of the printing cylinder 3.

A system and method for the overprint on flexible supports are described. In particular, the overprint system 1 comprises a printing unit 2 comprising a rotatable printing cylinder 3, having printing zones at the surface thereof, and first actuating means 14, configured to drive in a controllable manner the printing cylinder 3 rotation. The system further comprises a first reel 5 for unwinding a flexible support 4 to be printed, which has preset zones to be overprinted, and a second reel 8 for rewinding the flexible support 4, once it has been printed. A plurality of winding rolls 7 arranges an unwinding path, for the flexible support 4, comprised between the first 5 and the second 8 reels, and passing through the printing unit 2. The system then comprises second actuation means 20, configured to drive in a controllable manner the flexible support 4 advancement along the unwinding path (upstream of the printing unit 2 in the unwinding direction), and control means 10, configured to control in a coordinated manner both the first actuating means 14 and the second actuation means 20, so as to determine at every moment a correspondence of the preset zones to be overprinted of the flexible support 4 with respective printing zones of the printing cylinder 3.