A method and an apparatus for cold-stamping onto a three dimensional object. In a first step, an adhesive is applied to the object at a first workstation. In a second step, a transfer film is pressed onto the object by a pressing device at a second workstation. At the same time, the adhesive is cured at the second workstation. As a result, the decorative material of the transfer film adheres to the object at the positions on the object which are provided with adhesive. If, following this, the transfer film is removed from the three-dimensional object after being pressed on, the decorative material remains on the object at the desired positions. At the positions at which in the first step no adhesive has been applied to the object, the decorative material does not adhere to the object but rather remains on the carrier film of the transfer film.

Provided is a fabricating method of a pattern, which includes preparing a first substrate having a first width and a first thickness, stretching the first substrate and preparing a second substrate having a second width and a second thickness, forming a base layer made of a material of a pattern which will be formed on the second substrate, removing a predetermined region of the base layer and forming a first pattern having a first line width and a first height on the second substrate, and removing a tensile force applied to the second substrate to restore the second substrate back to being the first substrate and forming a second pattern having a second line width and a second height on the first substrate. Fineness of a line width can be achieved by forming the first pattern in a state in which the substrate is stretched, contracting a line width of the first pattern while restoring the stretched substrate, and forming the second pattern having a contracted line width on the restored substrate such that high integration can be achieved.

There is disclosed a web transfer apparatus including a web transfer roller to advance a web, a foil transfer roller to advance a foil, and a movable curing unit. The foil transfer roller is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the foil transfer roller is to press the foil against the web and in the second position the foil transfer roller is to disengage the foil from the web. The movable curing unit may comprise a curing device and may be movable between a first position adjacent to the web and a second position remote from the web.

An apparatus is disclosed for coating a surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises at least one spray head for directly or indirectly applying to the surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounding the spray head(s) and defining an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing having a rim adjacent the surface that is configured to prevent egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum the sprayed fluid and particles suspended in the sprayed fluid. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the surface, so as to leave only a substantially single particle layer adhering to the surface on exiting the apparatus.

The present invention relates to the field of optical effect layers (OEL) comprising magnetically oriented non-spherical oblate magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles on a substrate, spinneable magnetic assemblies and processes for producing said optical effect layers (OEL). In particular, the present invention relates to spinneable magnetic assemblies and processes for producing said OELs as anti-counterfeit means on security documents or security articles or for decorative purposes.

A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet tray on which one or more sheets to be processed are placed, an adhesive applying unit, and a pressing member. The adhesive applying unit has an end portion that faces the sheet tray and holds an adhesive material and is configured to move towards the sheet tray up to a position at which the end portion is in contact with or proximate to a sheet on the sheet tray and apart from the sheet tray. The pressing member is configured to move into and out of a moving path of the adhesive applying unit. The pressing member is pressed against a sheet on the sheet tray by the adhesive applying unit, when the pressing member is in the moving path of the adhesive applying unit and the adhesive applying unit moves towards the sheet tray.

A method for applying a transfer ply of a foil to a substrate, with the steps of: a) applying a thermoplastic toner to at least one subregion of the substrate and/or to at least one subregion of the transfer ply; b) applying the transfer ply to the substrate; c) causing an applied pressure, and heat, to act on the transfer ply and/or the substrate; d) peeling a carrier ply of the foil from the at least one subregion of the transfer ply.

An application apparatus and also printing apparatus for implementing such a method.

Provided is a fabricating method of a pattern, which includes preparing a first substrate having a first width and a first thickness, stretching the first substrate and preparing a second substrate having a second width and a second thickness, forming a base layer made of a material of a pattern which will be formed on the second substrate, removing a predetermined region of the base layer and forming a first pattern having a first line width and a first height on the second substrate, and removing a tensile force applied to the second substrate to restore the second substrate back to being the first substrate and forming a second pattern having a second line width and a second height on the first substrate. Fineness of a line width can be achieved by forming the first pattern in a state in which the substrate is stretched, contracting a line width of the first pattern while restoring the stretched substrate, and forming the second pattern having a contracted line width on the restored substrate such that high integration can be achieved.

An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

A method for applying a transfer ply of a foil to a substrate, with the steps of: a) applying a radically curable adhesive to at least one subregion of the transfer ply by means of an inkjet printhead; b) pre-curing the adhesive by UV irradiation; c) applying the at least one subregion of the transfer ply provided with adhesive to the substrate; d) fully curing the adhesive by UV irradiation; e) peeling a carrier ply of the foil from the at least one subregion of the transfer ply. An application apparatus and also printing apparatus for implementing such a method.