Patent Publication Number: US-11390064-B2

Title: Printing press and method for producing security products or security intermediate products

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the US national phase, under 35 USC § 371, of PCT/EP2019/082734, filed Nov. 27, 2019; published as WO 2020/114857 A1 on Jun. 11, 2020, and claiming priority to DE 10 2018 130 838.8, filed Dec. 4, 2018, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a printing press, in particular a security printing press, and to a method for producing security products or security intermediate products. The printing press for producing the security products or the security immediate products comprises a feed device for feeding unprinted printing substrate into the printing press. Multiple printing couples are provided, by which the unprinted printing substrate can be printed in an indirect planographic or in a letterpress printing method in one or more printing nips. In a method for producing the security products or the security intermediate product, using a printing press according to the present invention, an as yet unprinted printing substrate is fed into the input side of a printing press, in particular, a security printing press. The printing substrate is printed on one or both sides in an indirect planographic printing method or in a letterpress printing method in a printing nip, lying in the printing substrate path. 
     From WO 2016/071870 A1 a printing press is known, by means of which sheet-format substrate guided along a transport path can be printed in a multicolor perfecting printing process in two printing nips in succession, which are spaced apart from one another in the transport path. Multicolor printing is carried out in said press by means of a collect printing couple, such that the partial print images of multiple forme cylinders are collected on an ink collecting cylinder, and are then transferred collectively in the printing nip to the substrate. 
     EP 1 980 393 A1 relates to a method and a system for producing security documents, for example, in which offset printing, screen printing, numbering printing, and varnishing, among other steps, are carried out in multiple processes in succession. 
     DE 103 32 212 A1 relates to a security printing press comprising a numbering printing unit for numbering the banknote copies printed on the sheet, or at least one marking device, by means of which sheets that are identified as defective can be identified as such. Upstream of the numbering and/or marking steps, a first and a second inspection device, which have an image sensor and a light source, are provided for inspecting the front and back sides. A further inspection device may also be provided, which comprises an image sensor and a transmitted light source for transmitting light through the sheets to be inspected, and which enables, e.g. inspections of watermarks or of the correct registration of prints on the front and back sides of the sheets in relation to one another. WO 2012/059861 A1 discloses an inspection device, in one embodiment of which one transmissive inspection and two reflective inspections are carried out in succession. The proposed solution involves the use of a light-emitting organic surface on the transport cylinder used for transmissive inspection. In an example for use in a printing press, such a light-emitting organic surface is provided on the path to the delivery unit, to allow the sheets to be inspected before being dropped. 
     CN 204 249 518 U discloses an offset printing press for security printing, having a dual-sided inspection device for inspecting water marks, holograms, security lines, or pearlescent printing contained in the paper. The inspection devices comprise infrared cameras positioned opposite one another along the transport path. 
     WO 2015/118447 A2 relates to a letterpress printing press, in particular a numbering printing press, and is directed toward a specific solution for a printing group, in which two numbering cylinders cooperating directly with an impression cylinder receive ink from the same ink-collecting cylinder. In a further refinement, it is possible for the printing group to be combined with an inspection device positioned upstream. Such an inspection device can comprise incident light inspection on the front and back sides and a transmitted light inspection. 
     EP 2 484 523 A1 discloses a printing press having an offset printing unit for printing a ground tint pattern. Between the sheet feed device and the offset printing unit, a first inspection unit having a first and a second camera for inspecting sheet quality is provided, which is directed toward the front or back side of the sheets being conveyed over respective transfer cylinders and comprises an infrared camera and a color camera for capturing images of watermarks, holograms, “pearl print”, or “security wire”. A second inspection unit for inspecting sheet quality is also provided, having a first camera directed toward one side of a sheet directed over a transfer cylinder and a second camera directed toward the other side of a sheet directed over a transfer cylinder, each of which comprises an ultraviolet camera for capturing images of security fibers contained in the printing substrate. 
     WO 2020/052935 A1 discloses, in one of its variants, a reflective and transmissive device in a transfer unit configured as an inspection unit; such a transfer unit may be provided between processing units, downstream of the last processing unit or between the substrate infeed and the subsequent first processing unit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a printing press and a method for producing security products or security intermediate products. 
     The object is attained according to the invention by the provision, in a conveyor line between the feed device and the first printing nip located in the printing substrate path, of at least one inspection device which is embodied as a transmissive inspection device which is provided for inspecting the as yet unprinted printing substrate. Before the unprinted printing substrate reaches the printing nip, it is inspected in a transmitted light method by at least one inspection device, embodied as a transmissive inspection device, for security features that are already contained in the as yet, unprinted printing substrate. 
     The advantages to be achieved with the invention consist, in particular, in that the risk of producing defective copies of securities is reduced. This advantage is produced by enabling defective sections or sheets of printing substrate to be identified and removed even prior to the first printing step. Security features that are contained in the unprinted security printing substrate are easier to detect in the as yet unprinted state than after a first printing in a first printing process, in which the printing substrate is furnished with a background pattern or a background color gradient, e.g. with high area coverage. 
     For this purpose, at least one inspection device is positioned upstream of a first printing nip of a preferably first printing process. A transmissive inspection device operating according to the transmitted light method is preferably provided in this case, by means of which the as yet unprinted printing substrate is or can be inspected for security features contained in or on the printing substrate. IR radiation is used for this purpose. 
     According to the invention, a reflective inspection device is provided, likewise upstream of the first printing nip or upstream of the initial printing step, by means of which the as yet unprinted printing substrate is or can be inspected for security features contained in or on the printing substrate. UV radiation is used for this purpose. The as yet unprinted printing substrate in this context is, in particular, one that is completely unprinted, i.e. printing substrate that has not been printed even in a previous process. 
     Of particular advantage is an embodiment in which a transmissive inspection device and a reflective inspection device are provided along the transport path of the same transport cylinder. 
     A printing press that is suitable for implementing the invention, in particular a security printing press for producing security products or security intermediate products, comprises a feed device for feeding unprinted printing substrate into the printing press, multiple printing couples by which the unprinted printing substrate can be printed on both sides in one or more printing nips in a single-color or a multicolor process, preferably by an indirect planographic or letterpress printing method and/or by a collect printing method, with the print images from multiple forme cylinders simultaneously, two inspection devices for inspecting the as yet unprinted printing substrate being provided in a conveyance path between the feed device and the first printing nip in the printing substrate path. Downstream of the at least one printing nip, a product delivery is provided in the printing substrate path, for example, by means of which the printed printing substrate in the form of security products or security intermediate products can be collected to form bundles. 
     In the production of security products or security intermediate products, an as yet unprinted printing substrate is fed in on the input side, e.g. for printing of the background, the printing substrate is printed for the first time, on one or on both sides, in a first printing process in a first printing nip in the printing substrate path, and downstream of the printing step is collected into bundles in a product delivery, wherein before the as yet unprinted printing substrate reaches the first printing nip, it is inspected by at least one inspection device for security features that are already contained in the as yet unprinted printing substrate. 
     Other refinements, which may be added individually or in combinations to the basic concept of the invention, are found in the dependent claims and in the exemplary embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the set of drawings and will be described in greater detail in the following. 
       The drawings show: 
         FIG. 1  a first exemplary embodiment of a printing press with one printing group in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  an enlarged view of the printing group in the first embodiment from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  a section of the conveyor line located upstream of the first printing nip of the printing group in the first embodiment and comprising the inspection devices; 
         FIG. 4  an enlarged illustration of a printing group in a second embodiment alternative to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  a section of the conveyor line located upstream of the printing nip of the printing group in the second embodiment and comprising the inspection devices; 
         FIG. 6  an enlarged illustration of a printing group in a third embodiment alternative to the first and second embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  a section of the conveyor line located upstream of the printing nip of the printing group in the third embodiment and comprising the inspection devices; 
         FIG. 8  a second exemplary embodiment of a printing press with one printing group; 
         FIG. 9  an enlarged illustration of a printing group from  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  a section of the conveyor line located upstream of the first printing nip of the printing group from  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  and comprising the inspection devices; 
         FIG. 11  an enlarged side view depicting the positioning of the inspection device(s) for the embodiments of  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  a sectional view of an inspection device embodied as a transmissive inspection device; 
         FIG. 13  a sectional view of an inspection device embodied as a reflective inspection device; 
         FIG. 14  a section of the conveyor line located upstream of the first printing nip with an alternative arrangement of the transmissive inspection device; 
         FIG. 15  a section of the conveyor line located upstream of the first printing nip with a variant of the alternative arrangement from  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A printing press, in particular a printing press for printing onto sheet-format printing substrate  02 , comprises on the input side a feed device  01 , e.g. a sheet feeder  01  or optionally a roll unwinder with a cross-cutting device downstream, which supplies printing substrate  02  to the printing press on the input side thereof, one or more printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09 , by which the sheet-format printing substrate  02 , or printing substrate sheet  02  for short, can be or is printed one or more times on one or on both sides in a single-color or multicolor process, and a product delivery  04 , e.g. pile delivery  04  or optionally a roll winder, where the printed printing substrate sheets  02  or webs in the form of products or intermediate products are delivered, e.g. are deposited onto a pile or wound onto rolls, to form bundles (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 8 ). In the embodiment preferred here and depicted in the figures, the printing press is embodied as a security printing press and is configured, for example, to produce, in particular, as yet unprinted printing substrate sheets  02 , or sheets  02  for short, in particular for the subsequent production of sheets of security documents  02 , with a plurality of copies, e.g. print images of individual banknotes, per sheet  02 , as products or as intermediate products for further processing. The printing substrate sheets  02  can be delivered downstream onto one or preferably multiple piles in the pile delivery  04 . The pile delivery  04  preferably comprises multiple pile spaces, e.g. at least or precisely three pile spaces, one behind the other as viewed in the transport direction, to form a corresponding number of piles; at least one of the pile spaces can be or is used to form a scrap pile. The printing substrate  02  intended and/or suitable for the production of security documents already comprises security features, e.g. security threads, foil applications, security fibers, and/or watermarks, in its as yet unprinted state, for example. 
     In the process of producing security products or security intermediate products, printing substrate  02 , e.g. in the form of printing substrate sheets  02 , is printed, for example, multiple times in multiple process steps using various printing methods and is optionally furnished with foil elements or other applications. For example, first the as yet unprinted printing substrate  02  is printed in a first or initial printing process in one or more steps, preferably according to a planographic printing or letterpress printing method, indirect in particular, with, e.g. a single-color or preferably multicolor motif that provides an image background and that covers, for example, a majority of the printing area of the respective copy, i.e. with more than 50%, in particular more than 70% area coverage. This first printing according to the preferably indirect planographic printing and/or letterpress printing method, for example, can be carried out on the same side of the printing substrate all at once in one printing nip  11  or by multiple printing nips  11 ;  12  in succession. 
     Preferably, printing is carried out in at least one printing nip  11 ;  12  in a multicolor collect printing process, i.e. with the simultaneous application of multiple color segments in the same printing nip  11 ;  12 . The initial printing process can be carried out on one side or preferably on both sides. 
     In the production of security documents, the printing substrate  02  is first printed one or more times in one or more printing nips  11 ;  12  in a first printing process, e.g. according to an indirect planographic printing or letterpress printing method or according to both of these methods, with the background, for example, after which it is printed in at least one subsequent printing process downstream in the same printing press or in at least one additional printing press on at least one printing substrate side in a printing method that is different from the indirect planographic printing method and the indirect letterpress printing method. In particular, in at least one subsequent printing process carried out downstream in the same printing press or in at least one additional printing press, it is printed with alphanumeric characters in a direct letterpress printing method by at least one numbering printing couple, and/or in a subsequent printing process carried out downstream in the same printing press or in at least one additional printing press, it is printed with an image motif in a gravure printing method, and/or in a subsequent printing process carried out downstream in the same printing press or in at least one additional printing press, it is printed with image elements that occupy, for example, less than half the area coverage on the respective copy, in a screen printing method. 
     As yet unprinted printing substrate  02  is or should be understood in this context as completely untreated raw materials for printing, such as untreated web-format or sheet-format foil, fiber, or paper materials or hybrid products thereof, but also as printing substrate  02 , to the surface of which a fluid, for example a paint or primer, has been applied over the entire surface and/or uniformly in a preceding process step, for example, for the purpose of pretreating or conditioning the printing substrate  02  for the printing process, for example. In contrast to the full-surface and/or uniform coating step, the initial printing in this context is therefore, e.g. the formation of a print image, i.e. of image information formed by varying color intensity and/or colors, by an intentionally uneven and/or structured application of material, in particular a single-color or multicolored application of ink, which is discontinuous over the printable area of the security copy, image information that is detectable by the viewer or by a sensor system and that may contain, e.g., any desired regular or irregular patterns or color gradients, image motifs, alphanumeric characters, or combinations thereof. 
     If multiple printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  are provided in the printing substrate path of the printing press that preferably effects the initial printing of the as yet unprinted printing substrate  02 , said printing couples can be arranged individually or in groups in multiple separate units  03 . 1 ;  03 . 2 ;  03 ; 1 *;  03 . 2 * along the transport path or all together in one common unit. Generally, two printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  cooperating in one printing nip  11 ;  12  that acts as a blanket-to-blanket printing nip  11 ;  12 , two printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  that print the printing substrate  02  on the same side or on opposite sides of the printing substrate in straight printing nips  11 ;  12  that are spaced apart from one another in the transport path, one printing couple  08  arranged on one side to form a printing nip  12 *, in particular one straight printing nip  12 * and, upstream or preferably downstream thereof, two printing couples  06 ;  07  that form a blanket-to-blanket printing couple  06 ,  07  or a blanket-to-blanket printing nip  11 , or four printing couples  06 ;  07 ,  08 ;  09  that, in pairs, each form one blanket-to-blanket printing couple  06 ,  07 ;  08 ,  09  or one blanket-to-blanket printing nip  11 ;  12  may be provided. Preferably, at least two printing nips  11 ;  12  are provided in succession in the transport path, of which at least one, preferably at least the downstream printing nip  11 , is embodied as a blanket-to-blanket printing nip  11 , or even both printing nips  11 ;  12  are embodied as blanket-to-blanket printing nips  11 ;  12 . The printing couple  09 ;  09 *;  08  that forms the sole or at least the first printing nip  12 ;  12 *;  11  that acts on at least one side of the printing substrate is preferably configured to operate according to a preferably indirect planographic printing or letterpress printing method. 
     In the printing substrate path between feed device  01  and product delivery  04 , one printing group  03  having only one printing nip  11 , or one printing group  03 *;  03 **;  03 *** having two or more printing nips  11 ;  12  in succession downstream may be provided. In the printing press according to  FIG. 1 , depicted by way of example, at the location where the printing group  03  is shown a different one of the advantageous embodiments for the configuration of the printing group  03 ;  03 *;  03 **;  03 *** described in the following may be provided. In the printing substrate path between said printing group  03 ;  03 *;  03 **;  03 *** and the product delivery  04 , the printing press can generally also comprise one or more additional processing stages, e.g. an application device and/or a varnishing device and/or an additional printing group that operates according to a printing method that is different from the printing method of the first printing group  03 ;  03 *;  03 **;  03 ***. 
     In a first embodiment of the printing press and/or the printing group  03 , a blanket-to-blanket printing nip  11 , for example, is provided downstream of the feed device  01  as a first, and in this case sole, printing nip  11  in the printing substrate path (see, e.g.  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 ). 
     In other embodiments (see, e.g.  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , along with  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ), in the printing substrate path upstream of a printing nip  11  embodied as a blanket-to-blanket printing nip  11 , a printing nip  12 ;  12 * that forms the first printing nip  12 ;  12 * following the feed device  01  in the transport path is provided in the printing substrate path and is likewise embodied, e.g. as a blanket-to-blanket printing nip  12  (see, e.g.  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ) or as a straight printing nip  12 * (see, e.g.  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ). 
     In second and third embodiments of a printing press presented here as alternatives to the first embodiment, the printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  of two successive printing nips  11 ;  12 ;  12 * are provided in one printing group  03 *;  03 ** formed as a printing nip group  03 *;  03 **, in particular as a printing tower  03 *;  03 **, e.g. in two stacked units  03 . 1 *;  03 . 2 *;  03 . 1 **;  03 . 2 **, for example, e.g. printing units  03 . 1 *;  03 . 2 *;  03 . 1 **;  03 . 2 **. 
     The transport path through the at least one printing nip  11 ;  12 ;  12 * and/or between two printing nips  11 ;  12 ;  12 * extends vertically, in particular from top to bottom, in the exemplary embodiments according to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 . 
     In a second embodiment of a printing press, depicted by way of example, e.g. in  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 10 , the transport path extends horizontally through at least one and/or between two printing nips  11 ;  12 . For a printing nip  11 ;  12  configured as a blanket-to-blanket printing nip  11 ;  12 , the printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  that form the printing nip  11 ;  12  are then arranged one above the other. The information corresponding to the examples involving a vertical printing substrate path apply to the configuration of the printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09 , with the 45° rotation of the assembly and the optionally different number of forme cylinders  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24 . 
     A “vertical” transport path is understood in this context as a printing substrate path that, in the section of the path in question, e.g. between the intake and output of a printing unit or a printing group or between two printing nips, covers a greater distance in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. For the “horizontal” transport path, the reverse is true. 
     In general, the printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  of printing nips  11 ;  12  that are spaced apart from one another can be configured on the basis of different printing methods. At least the printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09 ;  09 * or printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09 ;  09 * involved in the sole or first printing nip  12 ;  11  in the transport path and/or, in the case of multiple printing nips  11 ;  12 , the printing couple or printing couples  06 ;  07  involved in the second or downstream printing nip  11  in the transport path is or are preferably embodied as based on an indirect printing method. Preferably, at least the at least one printing couple  08 ;  09  of an upstream or first printing nip  12  or each of the two printing couples  08 ,  09  cooperating as a blanket-to-blanket printing nip  12  are likewise embodied as based on an indirect printing method. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention as a printing press for processing sheet-format printing substrate  02 , the printing substrate sheets  02  are preferably directed toward the sole or first printing nip  12 ;  11  by a transport system with successive sheet transfers between rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39  involved in the transport, e.g. transport cylinders  33 ;  38 ;  39  and/or transport drums  33 ;  38 ;  39 . The last transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39  in the transport direction transfers the printing substrate sheet  02  to a cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 * of a printing couple  17 ;  19 ;  19 *, e.g. to a printing couple cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 * that acts as a transport cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 *. The conveyor line  36  that leads from the feed device  01  to the printing couple cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 * of the first printing nip  11 ;  12  in the transport path can comprise a transport means  46  embodied, for example, as a belt conveyor  46  or feed table  46 , e.g. upstream of the at least one rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39 . 
     If multiple printing nips  11 ;  12  are provided, the printing substrate sheets  02  are also transported between these, preferably via a conveyor line  37  that involves successive sheet transfers between rotating transport means. On the output side of the last printing nip  11  to a subsequent unit and/or to the product delivery  04 , this can likewise be accomplished via a system that involves transfers of sheets between cylinders and/or drums, via a transport system  13  that has a circulating tractive means, e.g. a chain gripper system  13  as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, or via a transport system  13 * that comprises, for example, one or more belt conveyors or feed tables, as shown by way of example in  FIG. 8 . 
     At least one drying device  14 , in particular a radiation dryer  14 , such as an IR or UV dryer, for example, is preferably provided on the transport path, preferably on both sides thereof, downstream of the last printing nip  11  and/or along the transport path to the product delivery  04 . Said drying device acts, in particular, over at least the greatest printing width upstream, i.e. the maximum dimension, transversely to the transport direction, of the region printed upstream. 
     A printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  configured for indirect printing comprises a cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 , e.g. printing couple cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 , configured as a transfer cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 , which forms a printing nip  11 ;  12  with a cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 ;  19 *, e.g. printing couple cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 ;  19 *, acting as an impression cylinder. In the case of a blanket-to-blanket printing nip  11 ;  12 , the printing couple cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19  that acts as an impression cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19  is likewise formed by an ink-carrying printing couple cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 , in particular by the transfer cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19  of the printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  that forms a blanket-to-blanket printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  with the printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  mentioned first. The transfer cylinder  17 ;  16 ;  18 ,  19  cooperates—upstream with respect to the flow of ink—with at least one image-producing cylinder  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24 , e.g. printing couple cylinder  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24 , e.g. at least one forme cylinder  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24 , which is or can be inked with printing ink upstream by a suitable inking device  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29 , e.g. an inking unit  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29 . 
     Although the forme cylinder  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24  and the associated inking unit  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29  can generally be embodied as based on any desired printing method, they are preferably configured, as described above, for at least the first or sole printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  in the transport path on one printing material side, as based on a planographic printing method, in particular indirect, e.g. as an offset printing couple that operates according to an offset printing method, and/or as based on a letterpress or relief printing method, in particular indirect, for example a letterset printing method, e.g. as a letterset printing couple that operates according to a letterpress printing method. For this purpose, in the embodiment mentioned first, the forme cylinder  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24  carries on its outer circumference a planographic printing forme (not shown here), e.g. an offset printing forme for wet or dry offset, which cooperates with an inking unit  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29  suitable for planographic printing, in the case of wet offset, e.g. a roller inking unit  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29  having an ink fountain upstream and having a dampening unit, and in the case of dry offset, e.g. having a short inking unit  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29  comprising an anilox or saucer roller and a doctor blade device, for example. For the embodiment for letterpress or relief printing, the forme cylinder  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24  carries on its outer circumference a letterpress printing forme (not shown here), which cooperates with an inking unit  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29  suitable for letterpress printing, e.g. a roller inking unit  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29  having an ink fountain upstream. In contrast to conventional flexographic or direct letterpress printing methods, the letterpress forme used in particular for printing with a background motif or a background color gradient is configured, e.g. with a protrusion of the raised printing area in relation to the non-printing lower-lying area of no more than 1 mm, for example, in particular no more than 0.5 mm. Such “waterless” printing couples with such letterpress formes, which are or can be operated in an indirect method, are also often referred to in particular as “offset printing couples”, in particular waterless, due to the indirect printing method and the shallow relief depth. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment, on at least one side of the transport path at least one of the printing couples  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09 , e.g. the sole or first and/or the second in the transport path, is embodied as a collect printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09 , i.e. for the simultaneous, in particular multicolor, printing of two print image segments. The printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  configured as a collect printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  comprises as a transfer cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19  an ink-carrying printing couple cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19  that acts as an ink-collecting cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 , which cooperates, upstream with respect to the flow of ink, with at least two image-producing printing couple cylinders  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24 , e.g. at least two forme cylinders  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24 , which are inked by respective inking devices  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29 , e.g. inking units  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29 . Said forme cylinders  21 ;  22 ;  23 ;  24  and associated inking units  26 ;  27 ;  28 ;  29  of a collect printing couple  06 ;  07 ;  08 ;  09  can all be embodied, as described above, as operating according to the planographic printing method, e.g. as wet offset printing couples, or as operating according to the letterpress printing method, e.g. as letterpress printing couples, or as operating partly according to the planographic printing method and partly according to the letterpress printing method. If an opposing printing couple  07 ;  06 ;  09 ;  08  is provided, said printing couple can also be configured as a collect printing couple  07 ;  06 ;  09 ;  08 , as described, and can have a transfer cylinder  17 ;  16 ;  19 ;  18  that acts in the manner described above as an ink-collecting cylinder  17 ;  16 ;  19 ;  18 . 
     In the case of a printing press that processes sheet-format printing substrate  02 , one of the two printing couple cylinders  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 ;  19 * that form the printing nip  11 ;  12  is embodied as a transport cylinder  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 ;  19 * and acts as such, and preferably comprises on its outer circumference one or more holding devices  31 ;  32 , known in particular as gripper strips  31 ;  32 , only indicated in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 . 
     As indicated above, the printing substrate  02 , which in particular is as yet unprinted, is transported from the feed device  01  to the first printing nip  12 ;  11  in the printing substrate path of the printing press, in particular to the printing couple cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 * thereof that acts as a transport cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 *, via at least one rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39 , e.g. a transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  or what is known as a transport drum  33 ;  38 ;  39 , which preferably comprises on its outer circumference at least one holding device  34 , in particular what is known as a gripper bar  34 , which is merely indicated in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 7 . Transport along the last transport path section of the conveyor line  36  upstream of the first printing nip  12 ;  11  in the transport path is thus preferably based on a transport system involving successive sheet transfers between cylinders  19 ;  19 *;  17  and/or transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39  that are involved in said transport. 
     On the transport path of the conveyor line  36  from the feed device  01  to the first printing nip  12 ;  11 , at least one inspection device  41 ;  42  is provided for inspecting the printing substrate  02 —as yet unprinted, in particular. In particular, at least one inspection device  41  configured as a transmissive inspection device  41  (also referred to as transmitted light inspection) and/or one inspection device  42  configured as a reflective inspection device  42  (also referred to as incident light inspection) is provided there. 
     The transmissive inspection device  41  preferably has at least one sensor  43 , which is further preferably configured as an optical sensor  43  and/or as a sensor  43  for electromagnetic radiation, in particular as a camera  43 , particularly preferably as a line camera  43 , which scans an inspection line  47  that runs transversely to the direction of transport of the printing substrate  02 . Said inspection line  47  extends in particular over at least 80% of the printing substrate width, preferably over at least the printing width, i.e. the maximum dimension of the area to be printed in the transverse direction, of the printing nip(s)  11 ;  12  following downstream. The inspection device  41  is therefore preferably a device for inspecting the printing substrate  02  over at least 80% of its width, preferably over at least the printing width to be printed downstream. The scanning is carried out, for example, in a scanning segment  54  having an opening angle α that measures between 45° and 75°, for example, in particular between 55° and 65°. In a refinement, the transmissive inspection device  41  has two such sensors  43 , which can be configured to respectively detect different wavelength ranges, for example visible light, on one hand, and in particular infrared radiation (IR), on the other. The transmissive inspection device  41  also has at least one illumination means  44 , which is preferably adapted, at least with respect to its wavelength, to the assigned sensor  43 , and vice versa. The at least one sensor  43  of the transmissive inspection device  41  and the at least one illumination means  44  of the transmissive inspection device  41  are preferably arranged on different sides of the specific region of the transport path provided for the transport of printing substrate  02  toward which the at least one sensor  43  and/or the at least one illumination means  44  of said transmissive inspection device  41  is/are directed. 
     In a preferred embodiment (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 12 ), the at least one sensor  43 , for example, or preferably the at least one illumination means  44  of the transmissive inspection device  41  is arranged within a rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39  of the conveyor line  36  and the corresponding other component consisting of sensor  43  and illumination means  44 , e.g. the sensor  43 , is arranged outside of this rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39  and directed toward its surface. In other words, in a preferred embodiment, sensor  43  and illumination means  44  are arranged on different sides of the wall of the transport means. This rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39  embodied, in particular, as a transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  then preferably has a circumferential surface or wall that is at least partially transparent in at least the wavelength range that is relevant for the inspection, in particular a cylinder body that is transparent over at least a circumferential length that corresponds to the printing length. The rotating transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  can be assigned at least one pressing element, in particular for positioning the printing substrate  02  flat on the circumferential surface of the transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39 . 
     In one suitable embodiment of the assembly, the transmissive inspection device  41  is intended to cooperate with the first transport means  33  downstream of the sheet feeder or the feed drum  38  thereof (e.g., in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , for example). In another suitable embodiment, the transmissive inspection device  41  is intended to cooperate, e.g. with a transport means  39  that lies further downstream in the transport path (e.g. in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , for example). 
     The illumination means  44  and the sensor  43  embodied as a line camera  43  are preferably arranged in such a way that the illumination means  44  irradiates the at least partially transparent transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39 , in particular from the inside, along an inspection line  47  that extends axially on the cylinder shell and that intersects the connecting line that extends radially between the center of the camera lens and the cylinder axis. The illumination means  44  preferably lies on this connecting line. Thus, the inspection line  47  to be detected on the outside of the printing substrate is produced by irradiation with the illumination means  44 , configured, for example, as an infrared illumination means, along a line extending from the central axis of the transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  to the center of the camera lens through the cylinder shell, which is transparent in at least the relevant wavelength range, and through the substrate. The illumination means  44  is preferably embodied with illuminants in the form of LED&#39;s, in particular with illuminants in the form of IR LED&#39;s. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  that cooperates with the transmissive inspection device  41  is advantageously made of a transparent plastic, in particular thermoplastic, and is preferably made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or acrylic glass. The cylinder shell body is composed of two parts, for example, e.g. with two drum caps, and/or is coated with an additional scratch-resistant coating and/or is made of an IR-permeable and/or UV-resistant material, in particular the aforementioned plastic. 
     In a second embodiment (see, e.g.  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , by way of example), which can likewise be applied to all exemplary embodiments of the printing press and/or printing group  03 ;  03 *;  03 **;  03 ***, the at least one transmissive inspection device  41  is provided within the feed device  01  or in particular along the transport path of a transport means  46  that conveys the printing substrate sheets  02  linearly in at least one section, e.g. a feed table  46  or belt conveyor  46 . In that case, sensor  43  and illumination means  44  are arranged on the two sides of the transport path in a transport path section which, in one variant of said embodiment, may be, e.g. a transport path section of the transport path that is to be traversed by the printing substrate  02  during normal operation (see, e.g.  FIG. 14 ) and in another variant of said embodiment may be a transport bypass  48  that runs parallel to the transport path to be traversed during normal operation (see, e.g.  FIG. 15 ). The latter can be selected and/or activated, e.g. via an actuating means  49 , e.g. a sheet diverter or a transfer roller, in order to inspect one or more sample sheets, for example. 
     The illumination means  44  of the transmissive inspection device  41  preferably emits light at least predominantly in an IR wavelength range, i.e. with a maximum radiation greater than 780 nm. It preferably emits the electromagnetic radiation in a narrow band, i.e. with a spectral half-width of at most 150 nm, preferably at most 100 nm based on radiant power. The radiation maximum is preferably at a wavelength of 850±75 nm, in particular 850±50 nm. Accordingly, the sensor  43 , which is preferably configured as a camera  43 , in particular a line camera  43 , is embodied as an IR-sensitive camera  43 , in particular a line camera  43 . 
     The reflective inspection device  42 , which is provided in place of or preferably in addition to the transmissive inspection device  41 , preferably has at least one sensor  51 , more preferably configured as an optical sensor  51  and/or as a sensor  51  for electromagnetic radiation, in particular as a camera  51 , particularly preferably as a line camera  51 , which scans an inspection line  53  that runs transversely to the direction of transport of the printing substrate  02 . Said inspection line  53  extends in particular over at least 80% of the printing substrate width, preferably over at least the printing width, i.e. the maximum dimension of the region to be printed in the transverse direction, of the downstream printing nip(s)  11 ;  12 . The inspection device  42  is therefore preferably a device for inspecting the printing substrate  02  over at least 80% of its width, preferably over at least the printing width to be printed downstream. In a refinement, the reflective inspection device  42  has two such sensors  51 , which can be configured to respectively detect different wavelength ranges, for example visible light, on one hand, and in particular ultraviolet radiation (UV), on the other. The reflective inspection device  42  has at least one illumination means  52 , which is preferably adapted, at least with respect to its wavelength, to the assigned sensor  51 . The at least one sensor  51  of the reflective inspection device  42  and the at least one illumination means  52  of the reflective inspection device  42  are arranged on the same side of the printing substrate  02  on the transport path. Said illumination means  52  is directed toward an inspection line  53 , which is scanned by the sensor  51 , preferably configured as a line camera  51 . 
     For this purpose, in a first embodiment (see, e.g.  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 13 ), for example, the at least one illumination means  52  of the reflective inspection device  42  is arranged directed toward the circumferential surface of a rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39  in the transport path, and the sensor  51  is arranged directed toward the same point on said rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39 . The rotating transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  can be assigned at least one pressing element, in particular for positioning the printing substrate  02  flat on the circumferential surface of the transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39 . 
     In this first embodiment, the illumination means  52  and the sensor  51 , embodied as a line camera  51 , are preferably arranged in such a way that the camera lens is directed toward the central axis of the transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  and/or the illumination means  52  irradiates the transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  from the outside to produce the inspection line  53 , at an angle that deviates no more than 30°, preferably no more than 20°, from the radial direction of the transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  at the location of the inspection line. However, illumination means  44  lies outside of the direct line of sight between camera  52  and inspection line  53 . 
     In an advantageous variant of an embodiment that has both a transmissive inspection device  41  provided on a transport cylinder  33 ,  38 ;  39  and a reflective inspection device  42  provided on a transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39 , both inspection devices  41 ;  42  are provided on the same transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39 . In this variant, however, the respective illumination means  44 ;  52  and sensors  43 ;  51  are preferably arranged in such a way that the inspection lines  47 ;  53  to be evaluated on the cylinder circumference do not coincide, but are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, for example by at least 30 mm, preferably by at least 50 mm. 
     In another embodiment (not explicitly illustrated) specifically for presses that have a “horizontal transport path” as described below, for example, the transmissive inspection device  41  and the reflective inspection device  42  can also cooperate with different transport cylinders  33 ;  38 ;  39 . 
     For all embodiments, a second reflective inspection device  42  can also be provided, which cooperates with a transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  other than the transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  that cooperates with the first reflective inspection device  42  and supports the printing substrate sheet  02  on the other side of the printing substrate. 
     In the embodiments according to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 , the transmissive inspection device  41  and/or the reflective inspection device  42  cooperates, e.g. with a transport cylinder  33 ;  39  that is the penultimate transport cylinder  33 ;  39  upstream of the printing couple cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 * that acts as a transport cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 * in the transport path. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  that cooperates with the transmissive inspection device  41  and/or the reflective inspection device  42  is embodied as double-sized, i.e. having a circumference sufficient to accommodate two printing substrate sheets  02  and/or having two holding devices, in particular gripper bars, in particular diametrically opposite one another in the circumferential direction. In that case, there is less curvature in the measuring region than with a single-sized cylinder and/or more installation space is available in the interior for the illumination means  44 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , this transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  can likewise be configured as double-sized or the transmissive inspection device  41  and/or the reflective inspection device  42  for this exemplary embodiment can also be provided on the second transport cylinder  33  lying in the transport path, i.e. the transport cylinder configured, e.g., as double-sized and following the transport means  38  configured as a feed drum  38  (see  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). 
     In a second embodiment shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  but not explicitly, which can likewise be applied to all the exemplary embodiments of the printing press and/or printing groups  03 ;  03 *;  03 **;  03 ***, the at least one reflective inspection device  42  is still within the feed device  01  or in particular on the transport path of a transport means  46  that conveys the printing substrate sheets  02  linearly in at least one section, e.g. a feed belt  46  or belt conveyor  46 . In said embodiment, sensor  51  and illumination means  52  are arranged on the two sides of the transport path in a transport path section that in one embodiment variant may be provided by a transport path section of the transport path to be traversed by the printing substrate  02  during normal operation, for example, and in another embodiment variant may be provided by a transport bypass  48  that runs parallel to the transport path to be traversed during normal operation. The latter can be selected and/or activated, e.g. via an actuating means  49 , e.g. a sheet diverter or a transfer roller, in order to inspect one or more sample sheets, for example. 
     The illumination means  52  of the reflective inspection device  42  preferably emits light at least predominantly in a UV wavelength range, i.e. with a maximum radiation of less than 380 nm. It preferably emits the electromagnetic radiation in a narrow band, i.e. with a spectral half-width of at most 150 nm, preferably at most 100 nm based on radiant power. Preferably, the radiation maximum is at a wavelength of 365±75 nm, in particular 365±50 nm. Accordingly, the sensor  51 , which is preferably configured as a camera  51 , in particular a line camera  51 , is embodied as a UV-sensitive camera  51 , in particular a line camera  51 . The illumination means  52  is preferably embodied with illuminants in the form of LED&#39;s, in particular with illuminants in the form of UV LED&#39;s. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the reflective inspection device  42  is protected against a direct line of sight into the UV light source of the illumination means  52  and/or against the incidence of UV scattered light in the region of the inspection line  53  and is equipped with appropriate protective means. 
     Generally regardless of which embodiment of illuminant is provided in the illumination means  44 ;  52 , but preferably at least in the case of an embodiment that has one or more IR or UV illuminants configured as lamps, the illumination means  44 ;  52  is associated with a cooling means. Said cooling means is preferably in the form of a line for conducting cooling fluid, which can supply the cooling fluid, e.g. via a first connection  56 ;  58  and can remove it via another connection  57 ;  59  (see, e.g.  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12  or  FIG. 13 ). 
     In the embodiment that includes a transmissive inspection device  41  and a reflective inspection device  42 , the inspection system thus comprises two systems, each of which comprises a camera  43 ;  51 , and each of which scans an inspection line  47 ;  53  on a transport cylinder  33 ;  38 ;  39  or transport means  46 , which is embodied as transparent at least partially and/or within a wavelength window, transversely to the transport direction, each inspection line  47 ;  53  being irradiated by a uniquely dedicated illumination means  44 ;  52  (e.g. with UV radiation, on one hand, and with IR radiation, on the other). In  FIG. 11  to  FIG. 13 , this circumstance is illustrated on the transport cylinder  33 , by way of example, however it also applies to the other transport cylinders  38  and/or to transport cylinders  33 ;  38 ;  38  of a different circumference (indicated in the figures in question by the reference numerals  38  and  39  shown in parentheses). 
     In the illustrated and preferred embodiments, the sole or at least one of the printing nips  11 ;  12 , e.g. at least the downstream printing nip  11 , comprises two cooperating collect printing couples  06 ;  07 , each having at least two, e.g. two or four, forme cylinders  21 ;  22  and associated inking units  26 ;  27  (e.g.,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 8 ). 
     The printing couple cylinders  16 ;  17 ;  18 ;  19 ;  19 * that form the sole or downstream printing nip  11 ;  12  of a printing nip group  03 ;  03 *;  03 ** that has a vertical product path, for example, are preferably embodied as triple-sized here, i.e. sufficient to accommodate three printing substrate sheets  02  on their circumference, while those cylinders that form a first of multiple printing nips  11 ;  12  and/or that form a printing nip group  03 *** that has a horizontal product path, for example, are preferably embodied as double-sized, i.e. sufficient to accommodate two printing substrate sheets  02  on their circumference. 
     If the first or sole printing nip  11 ;  12  in the printing substrate path is provided with a conveyor line  36  having multiple rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39 , in particular transport drums  33 ;  38 ;  39 , between the feed device  01  and the transport cylinder  19 * of the first or sole printing nip  12  in the transport path, the transmissive inspection device  41  and/or the reflective inspection device  42  can generally be provided on the transport path of any of the rotating transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39 . However, at least the transmissive inspection device  41  is preferably provided on a transport means  33  that is situated downstream of a first rotating transport means  38  that receives the printing substrate sheets  02  from a preceding transport means  46 , e.g. a belt conveyor  46  or feed table  46 , or directly from the feed device  01 , and/or that is situated upstream of a rotating transport means that is positioned as the last rotating transport means upstream of the printing couple cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 * for receiving the printing substrate sheets  02  of the first printing nip  12 ;  11  in the printing substrate path. The or a reflective inspection device  42  is preferably provided on a transport means  33 ;  38 ;  39  on which the printing substrate sheet  02  is conveyed resting on the same printing substrate side on which it is conveyed, resting on the printing couple cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 * that acts as transport cylinder  17 ;  19 ;  19 *, through the first or sole printing nip  12 ;  11  in the transport path. 
     As indicated by way of example by dashed lines in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  in the embodiment having a horizontal printing substrate path, the transmissive inspection device  41  and the reflective inspection device  42  could in principle also be arranged on the printing substrate path so as to cooperate with different transport cylinders  33 ;  38 ;  39 . 
     In the production of a security product or security intermediate product in an aforementioned printing press, in which an as yet unprinted printing substrate  02  is printed initially in a first printing process, the at least one inspection device  41 ;  42  carries out a pre-inspection. The purpose of this is to check for security features that are already contained in or on the printing substrate  02  prior to the first of multiple printing processes, for example, i.e. prior to the initial printing of the as yet unprinted substrate  02 . 
     During the pre-inspection, one or more of the following inspections are carried out: A security thread, e.g. embedded in the printing substrate sheet  02 , is inspected, in particular by inspecting the entire sheet  02 . 
     For example, in the transmitted light method, in particular with the application of IR radiation and using, e.g. an aforementioned transmissive inspection device  41 , a check for the presence/absence of a security thread and/or a check for continuity, i.e. absence of interruption, of the security threads in the printing substrate  02  and/or a check for variations in the thickness of the security thread and/or for a lateral migration of the security thread beyond a specified limit and/or a check of a microtext contained in or on the security thread may be carried out. 
     In addition to or in place of this, e.g. in the incident light method, in particular with the application of UV radiation and using an aforementioned reflective inspection device  42 , a check for the presence/absence of UV fluorescence in the security thread and/or a check for the presence/absence of a watermark over the entire sheet  02  and/or a check for the presence or absence of possibly included security fibers and/or UV fluorescence in the fibers over the entire sheet  02  may be carried out. 
     On the output side, the inspection devices  41 ;  42  are connected in terms of signals, for example via a data processing device, to a press controller, by means of which, when a printing substrate sheet  02  is identified as defective, the dropping of this printing substrate sheet  02  above a pile space specified as a scrap pile in the pile delivery  04  is or can be triggered based on an inspection result that represents the quality of the inspected printing substrate sheet  02  in the pile delivery  04 . As a further consequence of the inspection result for a sheet of printing substrate  02  that has been identified as defective, the press controller can also shut down or effect a shutdown of the or a printing nip  11 ;  12 ;  12 *. Printing substrate sheets  02  that are recognized as being free of defects are or can be delivered as good sheets onto a product pile in a pile space of the pile delivery  04 . 
     While preferred embodiments of a printing press and method for producing security products or security intermediate products, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes could be made thereto, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.