EP0726143B1 - Apparatus for invalidating images printed on supports - Google Patents

Abstract

The sheet (3) carrying a matrix array of imprints partially surrounds a rotating cylinder (4). A marker (2) is fixed to the moving member of a linear motor (1) and directed at the passing sheet. The imprints are checked by a detector (5) which verifies that any defect has been marked recognisably for purposes of subsequent processing. The marking is started by a signal to the motor to bring the marker to bear upon the sheet, and terminated by a signal for its retraction.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus for invalidating prints printed on print media in movement comprising at least one marking device to mark impressions of values recognized as defective by a quality control system that controls this device during the passage defective printing.

An invalidation device consisting of a device of invalidation printing is known from document EP-B-0167 196 of the applicant in the context of a processing of strips or sheets of securities to make bundles. According to this process, the print media with valuable prints, in the form of strips or sheets, of which prints are arranged in transverse rows and in longitudinal rows so as to form a matrix, are first inspected for recognize defective prints. The prints identified as defective are provided a mark readable by a detector. For their processing, the print media pass in front of a reading device having, for checking all longitudinal rows, as many detectors that there are longitudinal rows. These detectors read the marks on the defective prints and enter their position in a calculator where these defective print positions are saved. The print media then reach the invalidation printing device which is controlled by this calculator and prints an impression invalidate all defective prints.

Then the print media pass through a numbering machine in which only the flawless prints are numbered in order. The print media is then cut into value papers and prints defective identified by the impression of invalidation are removed as a smear, while that impeccable securities are gathered in bundles with a complete sequence of numbers. The detailed construction of this printing device invalidation mark is not described in the document EP-B-0167 196.

From document EP-B-0 440 576 of the applicant, there is known a invalidation device consisting of a tank ink in the shape of a tank and a centrifuge wheel in permanent rotation positioned in a support at above the tank on a horizontal axis. The tank can be moved vertically between a position lower rest and a higher position of work during which the wheel dips in the ink. The centrifuge wheel is covered by a cover having an opening which can be closed or opened by a movable cover depending on whether the tank is in rest position or not, the print medium being moved to this opening. During each printing, the centrifugal wheel dips in the ink the tank, ejects ink through the opening of the cover on print media. After a while more or shorter, a layer of dried ink is deposited on the wheel, after which the entire device must be disassembled to be cleaned.

Another known invalidation system is constituted of a typographic group applying on printing a mark perpendicular to the direction of travel of leaves. This typographic group consists of a typographic cylinder fitted with a number of heads marking equivalent to the number of impressions on the printing sheet and rotating in synchronism with a cylinder driving the printing sheets. These marking heads consist of a mechanical assembly in which a metal strip is actuated by a solenoid. When an impulse is sent to solenoid for marking, the bar is pushed in before thus exceeding the circumference of the cylinder, is inked by an inking device and transmits in consequence his imprint on the defective ticket. The area of the bar establishes the dimension of the mark on the print. In the event of a change of sheet format, the rearrangement of all heads on the cylinder is a laborious operation asking for a significant time. This invalidation system request to have a machine available printer responsible for the group's inkwell typographic.

The object of the present invention is to provide a invalidation device which by obviating disadvantages mentioned above also allows simple and inexpensive marking of invalidation on securities.

This goal is achieved by the system defined by the claim 1.

This device avoids the use of solvents potentially harmful to health, reduce the daily handling limited to changes markers and reduce the costs of device.

Preferably, the linear motor is arranged to receive quality control system a start of marking signal and a end of marking signal according to size print and media advance speed printing. By adjusting the time between the beginning and end of marking, so we can easily apply a mark over the entire length of a defective printing and adjust the length of the mark to the dimension of printing in the sense of moving without changing the markers.

To invalidate prints arranged in matrices in longitudinal and transverse rows on print media in the form of sheets or bands, there are as many marking devices than longitudinal rows of prints on the print media.

Preferably, the marking device is followed by a detector intended to verify that a mark has been affixed on the defective print, an alarm being generated when this was not the case.

Standard markers are preferably used fitted with a felt tip. Their attachment to the movable part of the engine being such that they can be easily replaced.

Other preferential embodiments result dependent claims.

The attached drawing represents several forms of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a side view of a first form of execution.

Figure 2 shows a side view of a second form of execution.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the second form of execution.

In Figure 1, we can see a cylinder 4 which turns in the direction of the arrow and is partially surrounded a sheet-shaped printing medium 3 which it transported. This sheet has a multitude prints of securities arranged in the form of matrix. Near the periphery of this cylinder 4, which may belong to a printing machine, is fixedly installed a linear motor 1 on a movable part 1a of which is fixed a marker 2. This movable part 1a is movable perpendicular to the print media 3. When one of the prints from the leaf was recognized as a smudge by a print quality control system, a marking start signal is sent to the motor linear 1 which following this supports its part mobile with marker 2 against the place of this printing on the sheet, an end of marking signal then being sent to engine 1 to move the marker 2 on sheet 3. The moments of these signals are preferably adjusted or adjusted by such that the entire length of the print in the direction of advance is invalidated by a mark.

Following the motor 1, a detector 5 is installed responsible for verifying that the printing marking defective has been done so that it can be recognized during the following treatments.

In Figure 2 is shown a second form of execution in which the invalidation device is located above a flat 7 shaped surface a conveyor belt on which the sheet or strip 3 printed advances at constant speed.

In Figure 3, the system of Figure 2 is shown in top view. We can recognize a sheet 3 with 3a prints arranged in a matrix in longitudinal and transverse rows. Leaf 3 has nine transverse rows of prints and five longitudinal rows of prints and this fact the invalidation device consists of five linear motors 1 each monitored by a detector 5. Each motor 1 is located above and according to the example considered in the middle of the row longitudinal of impressions corresponding to it. he can of course be located anywhere in the width of the corresponding print row.

The sheet 3 is driven in movement in the direction of the arrow by the conveyor belt 7. It is already passed through the invalidation device: the maculatures are marked by a line 6 parallel to the sheet direction of travel 3.

Marker 2 is fixed in such a way on the part mobile of motor 1 that it can be replaced easily.

In general, marker 2 made with the support printing 3 an acute angle which is so preferential, as shown in Figure 2, 90 °.

In general, the invalidation system can also be used for securities only already cut on format. It is also applicable to the invalidation of any impression. If there are several rows longitudinal and transverse printing, the number of motors with their markers is then equal to number of longitudinal rows of prints.

Under the name of linear engine we understand any organ electric, electromagnetic, pneumatic driver, hydraulic or other driving an element in a linear displacement. This can include a cylinder, a double acting pneumatic piston or hydraulic, an electric motor, an electromagnet.

Claims (9)

1. An apparatus for invalidating prints printed on moving printing carriers (3), comprising at least one marking device (1, 2) for marking security prints (3a) recognized as being defective by a printing quality control system which actuates this device when a defective print passes by, characterized in that the marking device (1, 2) consists of a fixedly installed linear motor (1), a marker being fixed to the moving part of this linear motor (1), the moving part being able to move between a rest position and a working position where it touches the defective security print (3a), and the direction of its movement making an angle with the direction of movement of the printing carrier.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the linear motor (1) is arranged to receive from the printing quality control system a start-of-marking signal and end-of-marking signal depending on the size of the print (3a) and on the speed of advance of the printing carrier (3).
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the angle between the direction of movement of the moving part of the linear motor (1, 2) and the direction of movement of the printing carrier (3) is 90°.
4. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in order to invalidate prints (3a) arranged in matrix form in transverse and longitudinal rows on printing carriers (3) in the form of webs or sheets, provision is made for as many marking devices (1, 2) as there are longitudinal rows of prints on the printing carrier (3).
5. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one detector (5) placed after the marking device (1, 2) in the running direction of the carrier (3), this detector being intended to check whether a mark (6) has been properly affixed to the defective print (3a) and in triggering an alarm when the mark (6) has not been applied.
6. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the marker (2) is fitted with a felt tip.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the marker (2) is fixed to the moving part of the motor (1) in such a way that the marker (2) can be easily replaced.
8. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is installed at the periphery of a cylinder (4) encircled by the printing carrier (3).
9. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is installed above a plane conveyor belt (7) conveying the printing carrier (3).

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