Patent ID: 7934451
Filing Date: 2011-05-03
Classification: B05D,B41F,B41N,B41P,B42D,G03H,G07D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for orienting magnetic flakes in a fluid carrier printed on a substrate in a continuous printing process, the apparatus comprising: a rotatable roller for positioning with an outer surface proximate to the substrate, said roller comprising a cylindrical body of non-magnetic material having one or more cavities, and one or more permanent magnets positioned in said one or more cavities for creating a magnetic field of a pre-determined configuration emanating from the outer surface of the roller into the substrate to orient the magnetic flakes in a selected pattern, wherein the outer surface of the roller is substantially even for providing a substantially uniform contact with the substrate across the outer surface of the roller during the linear printing process; and, an axle, wherein the cylindrical body of the roller is formed by a plurality of roller sections, each having a generally cylindrical shape and comprising one or more cavities having permanent magnets inserted therein, the permanent magnets shaped for forming magnetic fields of pre-determined configurations emanating from the outer surface of the roller for orienting the magnetic flakes in selected patterns, said roller sections detachably positioned side by side on the axle, wherein at least some of the roller sections are interchangeable for forming different combinations of the magnetic flake patterns on the substrate.