Patent Publication Number: US-9889682-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for positioning a substrate on a support body

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a substrate on a support body. The present invention further relates to a method for positioning a substrate on a support body. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A known inkjet printing apparatus comprises a support body and an inkjet print head assembly. The support body is arranged for supporting a substrate. The inkjet print head assembly is movably arranged with respect to the support body for applying inkjet droplets on the substrate, which is arranged on the support body. 
     The support body comprises an assembly of registration pins arranged at a fixed position on the support body to register a substrate in a predetermined position. The assembly of registration pins comprises a first set of registration pins and a second set of registration pins, the first set of registration pins being arranged along a first linear line which is substantially perpendicular to the second set of registration pins arranged along a second linear line. The assembly of registration pins is positioned for registering a substrate having two edges arranged perpendicular to each other, such as a rectangular substrate. The first line and second line of the assembly of registration pins have a crossing point, which defines the predetermined position of the substrate (e.g. of the corner of the rectangular substrate in a registered state of the substrate). 
     In this apparatus the position to register the substrate is fixed by the arrangement of the assembly of registration pins. Furthermore, in case more than one substrate fits onto the support body a desire is to register and process multiple substrates on the support body at the same time, wherein each substrate has a position different from one another. 
     Even more, in order to optimize use of the support body a preferred position of the respective substrates depends on the size and shape of the set of multiple substrates. 
     Furthermore, the use of the assembly of registration pins for registering a substrate is restricted to substrates having a shape which is conformal to the mutual fixed arrangement of the first set and second set of registration pins. 
     The known fixed assembly of the registration pins does not allow registration of substrates on another position of the support body and/or registration of substrates having deviant shapes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to selectively arrange at least one registration element into a registering state on a support body to provide a flexible arrangement for registering a substrate on the support body in a preselected position, wherein the substrate may have various sizes and shapes. 
     This object is attained by an apparatus for positioning a substrate on a support body, the apparatus comprising the support body for supporting the substrate, at least one registration element, wherein said at least one registration element is positioned and arranged for registering the substrate in a preselected position on the support body when brought into a registering state; and wherein the apparatus further comprises a registration actuator movably arranged with respect to the support body for selectively arranging a registration element into the registering state. 
     The registration actuator is movably arranged with respect to the support body to arrange a registration element into the registering state. The registration actuator may be movably arranged above the support body, such as a registration actuator being mounted on a carriage movably arranged with respect to the support body while facing a support surface of the support body. 
     The registration actuator provides a simple device for actuating a first registration element into the registering state independently of any other registration element. 
     As such, in case of a desire to register multiple substrates at the same time on the support body, multiple registration elements may be arranged by the registration actuator into the registering state at several positions on the support body based on preselected positions of the substrates, which are selected to cover the support body. 
     As a result, the use of the support body is optimized to support and process said multiple substrates at once. 
     Additionally or alternatively, multiple registration elements may be arranged by the registration actuator into a registering state on the support body based on a shape of the substrate to register the specific substrate in the preselected position. For example, a first set of registration elements and second set of registration elements can be arranged and positioned into the registering state to define two aligning edges respectively, which aligning edges are mutually arranged to be conformal to corresponding edges of the specific substrate. 
     In examples, the registration actuator may be electro-magnetic device for moving and mounting the registration element by providing a magnetic force, may be a mechanical device for mounting and moving the registration element by clamping the registration element or may be a powered screw-driver for rotatably driving the registration element, such as a screw having a screw head. 
     In examples, the registration element may be a registration pin, may be a registration ruler having an alignment edge extending in a first direction, may be a registration element having a first alignment edge extending in a first direction and a second alignment edge extending in a second direction, or may be any other registration element for registering a substrate by urging an edge of the substrate in contact to the registration element. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a control unit arranged for controlling the registration actuator. In this way, the control unit controls the position of each of the registration elements in the registering state on the support body. 
     The control unit may be arranged to control the registration actuator based on the preselected position of the substrate, such as a preselected position based on a predetermined number and sizes of a plurality of substrates to be supported on the support body. 
     Additionally, the control unit may be arranged to control the registration actuator based on a predetermined shape of the substrate, such as based on a predetermined shape of an edge of the substrate. 
     In an embodiment, the support body comprises a retaining mechanism to retain the registration element in the registering state. In examples, the retaining mechanism may comprise at least one receiving hole to retain the registration element in the registering state, may comprise at least one receiving slot, may comprise at least one fastening element, such as a clamp, or may comprise a attracting device, such as a suction source providing a suction force through a receiving hole for retaining the registration element or a magnetic source providing a magnetic force for retaining the registration element in the registering state. 
     In an embodiment, said at least one registration element is positioned and arranged for not registering the substrate on the support body when brought into a standby state. 
     In this embodiment a position of the standby state of the registration element is selected for not engaging or for not obstructing the substrate in the preselected position on the support body. In particular, the standby state may be any position wherein the registration element is temporarily held to be processed, on demand, by the registration actuator. 
     In an embodiment, the registration actuator is movably arranged with respect to the support body for selectively arranging the registration elements into the standby state. 
     The advantage is that the registration actuator may selectively remove one of the registration elements, a portion of the registration elements or all of the registration elements from the registering state into the standby state, thereby clearing space on the support body for supporting another substrate in another preselected position. As a result, a process of exchanging and/or rearranging substrates on the support body is enhanced. 
     Furthermore, the registration elements in the standby state are available to be processed, on demand, by the registration actuator. 
     In an embodiment, in the standby state the registration element is positioned outside and away from the support body. 
     The advantages is that a simple structure may be used for storing the registration element in the standby state and that the same registration element may easily be arranged by the registration actuator in the registering state at various positions with respect to a support surface of the support body. The support surface of the support body is arranged for supporting the substrate in the preselected position. 
     Furthermore, this embodiment enhances a simple structure of the support body as the support body does not need to accommodate the registration element in the standby state. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a container arranged for storing a registration element in the standby state. 
     The advantage of the container is that the position and condition of the registration element in the standby state is controlled by the container. In particular, the container may be arranged for storing a plurality of registration elements. This embodiment supports, that the registration actuator may easily process one or more registration elements supplied from the same container. 
     In an embodiment, the container comprises a revolving mechanism arranged for circulating a plurality of registration elements inside the container and selectively providing a registration element of the plurality of registration elements to the registration actuator. 
     The advantage is that the container supports accurate and selectively supply of one or more registration elements to the registration actuator. For example, the plurality of registration elements may comprise various types of registration elements and the revolving mechanism may be arranged for selectively supplying a registration element of a selected type of registration elements to the registration actuator. 
     In an embodiment, in the standby state the registration element is positioned inside the support body. 
     The advantage is that the registration element is readily available at the support body in the standby state and may be accurately positioned with respect to a support surface of the support body. 
     For example, the registration element is arranged inside the support body in the standby state at a preselected position with respect to a support surface of the support body before being arranged by the registration actuator into the registering state, thereby protruding from the support body at the same preselected position. The registration actuator is moved towards the preselected position and subsequently the registration actuator moves the registration element at the preselected position from inside the support body towards a protruding registering state on the support body, e.g. by moving the registration element in a direction perpendicular to a support surface of the support body. 
     In an embodiment, the support body further comprises a plurality of suction holes being distributed over the support body for providing a suction force to a contact side of the substrate. 
     The suction holes support the holding of the substrate to the support body, i.e. onto a support surface of the support body, in the preselected position. This has the advantage that registration elements can be removed from the registering state, such as moved to a standby state, while maintaining the substrate registered on the support body in the preselected position. 
     In an embodiment, said at least one registration element is positioned and arranged for closing a suction hole when brought into an enclosure state. 
     The registration element in the enclosure state may at the same time be arranged protruding from support body in a registering state of the registration element or may at the same time be arranged inside the suction body in the suction hole without protruding from the support body in a standby state of the registration element. 
     The advantage of the registration element in the enclosure state is that the registration element prevents a loss of suction force through the closed suction hole. The registration element may be arranged by the registration actuator in the enclosure state in a selected suction hole. For example, based on the preselected position of each of the substrates processed at the same time, the registration actuator may be arranged for selectively closing suction holes by registering elements, which suction holes are not covered by the substrates. 
     In an embodiment the enclosure state of the registration element may be in the same position with respect to a support surface of the support body as the standby state of the registration element inside the support body. 
     This has the advantage that the registration element is readily available at the support body in the standby state at the preselected position and is easily moved into the enclosure state by the registration actuator at the same preselected position. 
     In an embodiment, said at least one registration element comprises a connecting portion, which is shaped to fit into a suction hole and to retain the registration element in the registering state. 
     The connecting portion has the advantage that the registration element is easily positioned and retained in the suction hole in the registering state. Additionally the registration element is easily positioned and retained in the enclosure state and the registering state at the same time. A suction force provided through the suction hole enhances retaining the registration element in the suction hole in the registering state. 
     In an embodiment, the registration element may further comprise a protruding portion shaped to not fit into the suction hole for protruding from the support body in the registering state. For example, the protruding portion may comprise a pin element, having a diameter which exceeds a diameter of the suction hole. The advantage is that a protruding height of the registration element above the support body is accurately defined by the protruding portion. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus is a printing apparatus for printing on the substrate, wherein the printing apparatus further comprises a print head and a carriage, the print head arranged for printing on the substrate and the carriage movably arranged for moving the print head with respect to the support body and wherein, in operation of the registration actuator, the carriage is arranged for moving the registration actuator with respect to the support body. 
     The printing apparatus is arranged for printing on an outer surface of the substrate, after the substrate is accurately registered in the preselected position on the support body. 
     This embodiment has the advantage that the carriage is used both for moving the print head with respect to the substrate, i.e. during printing, and for moving the registration actuator with respect to the support body, i.e. for arranging the registration element into the registering state at a desired position and/or arranging the registration element into the standby state. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for positioning a substrate on a support body, the support body being comprised in an apparatus, the apparatus further comprising at least one registration element and a registration actuator, the method comprising the steps of:
         a) selecting a position of the substrate on the support body;   b) selecting a position for a first registration element in a registering state for registering the substrate on the support body in the preselected position selected in step a); and   c) moving the registration actuator with respect to the support body to arrange the first registration element into the registering state at the selected position of step b) on the support body.       

     The selection in step b) of the position of the first registration element in the registering state is to register the substrate in the preselected position. In step c) the registration actuator moves with respect to the support body to arrange the first registration element into the registering state at the selected position of the first registration element. The advantage is that the registration actuator may easily actuate the registration element into the registering state on any position of the support body based on the position of the registering state is selected in step b). Furthermore, step c) enables the actuation of a first registration element into the registering state at the selected position of step b) independently of any other registration element. 
     In an embodiment, multiple registration elements may be arranged into the registering state in respective positions according to step c), which positions are selected for each registration elements according to step b) independently of one another. 
     In an embodiment, step b) comprises selecting positions for an assembly of registration element for registering the substrate on the support body in the preselected position selected in step a), wherein the respective positions of said assembly of registration element is based on a shape of the substrate. For example, in case of a circular shaped substrate, the selected positions for the assembly of registration element are mutually arranged to define an alignment edge being conformal to the circular edge of the substrate. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of:
         d) moving the registration actuator with respect to the support body to arrange the first registration element into a standby state, wherein in the standby state the registration element is positioned and arranged for not registering the substrate on the support body.       

     The advantage is that registration actuator can easily and selectively remove a registration element from the registering state into the standby state after the substrate has been registered on the support body. As a result, a process of exchanging or rearranging substrates on the support body is enhanced. 
     Furthermore, the registration elements in the standby state are available to be processed, on demand, by the registration actuator. 
     In an embodiment, in step d) in the standby state the registration element is arranged outside and away from the support body. 
     The advantage is that a simple structure may be used for storing the registration element in the standby state and that the same registration element may be arranged on demand by the registration actuator in the registering state at various positions with respect to a support surface of the support body. 
     In an embodiment, in step d) in the standby state the registration element is arranged inside the support body. 
     The advantage is that the registration element is readily available at the support body in the standby state and may be accurately positioned with respect to a support surface of the support body. 
     In this embodiment, the registration element does not need to be moved towards the support body as it is already arranged inside the support body in the standby state. 
     In an embodiment of the apparatus, the apparatus further comprises a control unit arranged to control the registration actuator to perform the method according to the present invention. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Hereinafter, the present invention is further elucidated with reference to the appended drawings showing non-limiting embodiments and wherein 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a prior art print engine in which a method according to the invention may be used. 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  schematically show an embodiment of an apparatus and a method to be used in the apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  schematically show another embodiment of an apparatus and a method to be used in the apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  schematically show an embodiment of an apparatus and a method to be used in the apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  schematically shows a detailed view of another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views. 
       FIG. 1  shows a printing device  10  for printing an image or text on a relatively large substrate, in particular on a relatively large and flat substrate. Such a printing device  10  is well known in the art. The printing device  10  comprises a support assembly  12  on which a support body  14  is mounted comprising a printing surface  15  for supporting said substrate. As illustrated, the printing surface  15  may be provided with suction holes for pulling the substrate onto the printing surface  15  and thereby holding the substrate flat on the printing surface  15  of the support body  14 . A guiding assembly  16  is provided for supporting and guiding a carriage  18 . The carriage  18  is movably supported by the guiding assembly  16  such that the carriage  18  may be moved over the printing surface  15 . For example, the guiding assembly  16  may be movably supported on the support assembly  12  such that the guiding assembly may be moved in a y-direction (as indicated in  FIG. 1 ) and the carriage  18  may be moveably supported by the guiding assembly  16  such that the carriage may be moved in a x-direction guided by the guiding assembly  16 . The carriage  18  is provided with a printing element such as an inkjet print head for printing the image or the text on the substrate arranged on the printing surface  15  by ejecting ink drops at preselected positions. It is noted that the guiding assembly  16  and/or the carriage  18  may be supported such that they may be moved in a z-direction, thereby enabling to print on different media (i.e. substrates) having a different dimension in the z-direction (when positioned on the printing surface  15 ). 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus  100  comprises a support body  114  for supporting a substrate S on a support surface  115 , at least one registration element  20 , a registration actuator  120  and a control unit  130 . The support body  114  including the support surface  115  extends in a direction X and a direction Y normal to the direction X. 
     Said registration actuator  120  is arranged facing the support surface  115  and is movably arranged with respect to the support surface  115  of the support body  114  as indicated by arrows A x  and A y . The direction A x  is parallel to the direction X and the direction A y  is parallel to the direction Y of the support surface  115 . The registration actuator  120  is arranged to position and arrange the at least one registration element  20  into a registering state on the support surface  115  independently of one another. In examples, the registration actuator  120  may be electro-magnetic device for moving and mounting the registration element  20  by providing a magnetic force, may be a mechanical device for mounting and moving the registration element  20  by clamping the registration element  20  or may be a powered screw-driver for rotatably driving the registration element  20 , such as a screw having a screw head. 
     In the  FIG. 2  a preselected position  22   a  on the support surface  115  of the support body  114  is shown for registering the substrate S. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the substrate S is a rectangular substrate. 
     To register the rectangular substrate S on the preselected position  22   a  on the support surface  115 , i.e. having a corner of the substrate S arranged at the position as indicated by arrow  22   a ,two edges of the substrate S need to be registered by the at least one registration element, such as a registration pin. 
     The control unit  130  is operatively connected to the registration actuator for controlling the registration actuator  120 . The control unit  130  controls and knows the position of each of the registration elements  20  in the registering state on the support body  114 . 
     The control unit  130  is arranged to control the registration actuator  120  based on the preselected position  22   a  of the substrate S. 
     Additionally, the control unit  130  may be arranged to control the registration actuator  120  based on a predetermined shape of the substrate S, i.e. based on a predetermined shape of an edge of the substrate S. 
     To register a first edge of the substrate S two positions  24   a ,  24   b  are selected, i.e. controlled by the control unit  130 , for positioning a first registration pin and a second registration pin respectively to define a first registration line C. To register a second edge of the substrate S two positions  24   c ,  24   d  are selected for positioning a third registration pin and a fourth registration pin respectively to define a second registration line. The first registration line and the second registration line have a crossing point at the preselected position  22   a  on the support surface  115 . In this way, the substrate S may be registered on the preselected position  22   a  by urging an edge of the substrate S in contact with the at least one registration element  20 . 
     The preselected position  22   a  may be suitably selected, for example based on a size and/or shape of the substrate S, such as by the control unit  130 . 
     The registration element  20  may in examples be a registration pin, a registration ruler having an alignment edge extending in a first direction or may be a registration element having a first alignment edge extending in a first direction and a second alignment edge extending in a second direction. 
     The registration element  20  may be transported by the registration actuator  120  to any of the selected positions  24   a - 24   d  to be arranged in the registering state. An example is further explained in relation to the embodiment of  FIG. 3A-3D . 
     Alternatively the registration element  20  may be available in the support body  114  in any of the selected positions  24   a - 24   d  to be arranged in the registering state. An example is further explained in relation to the embodiment of  FIG. 4A-4D . 
     A registration element  20 , when brought in the registering state, is positioned and arranged for registering the substrate Son the support surface  115 , i.e. by urging an edge of the substrate S in contact to the registration element  20 . 
     In alternative embodiments the registration actuator  120  may be movably arranged with respect to the support surface  115  inside the support body  114  or below the support body  114  facing another surface of the support body  114  arranged opposite to the support surface  115 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  schematically show an embodiment of an apparatus and a method to be used in the apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus  100  comprises the support body  114  for supporting a substrate S on a support surface  115 , at least one registration element  20   a , the registration actuator  120  and the control unit  130 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  show a detailed cross section of the support body  114  in the X direction of the support surface  115 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows a first stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  100 . In the first stage the registration element  20   a , which is mounted on the registration actuator  120 , is moved by the registration actuator  120  over the support surface  115  in a direction as indicated by arrow A x  towards a preselected position  24   a  of the support surface  115 , also shown in  FIG. 2 . The support body  114  comprises a retaining mechanism, such as a plurality of receiving holes  40   a - 40   c  distributed over the support surface  115 . A third receiving holes  40   c  is arranged at the preselected position  24   a . Each of the receiving holes  40   a - 40   c  is shaped for accommodating a part of the registration element  20   a  and retaining the registration element  20   a  in the registering state. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a second stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  100 . In the second stage the registration element  20   a  is arranged by the registration actuator  120  above the third receiving hole  40   c  in the preselected position  24   a . The registration actuator  120  moves the registration element  20   a  in an engaging direction as indicated by arrow E to partly arrange the registration element  20   a  into the receiving hole  40   c.    
       FIG. 3C  shows a third stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  100 . In the third stage the registration element  20   a  is arranged in the registering state in the preselected position  24   a . The registration actuator  120  is moved over the support surface  115  away from the registration element  20   a  in the direction as indicated by arrow A x . Alternatively, the registration actuator  120  may be moved over the support surface  115  in any other direction to clear the support surface  115 . 
     The sequence of first stage, second stage and third stage of the method may be repeated to arrange another registration element  20   a  on another selected position of the support surface  115  to register the substrate S in the preselected position  22   a  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     After sufficient registration elements  20   a  have been arranged in selected positions on the support surface  115  to register the substrate S, in a next stage (not shown) edges of a substrate S may be urged against the at least one registration element  20   a  arranged in the registering state to register the substrate S on the support surface  115  in the preselected position  22   a  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     After the substrate S has been processed according to appropriate processes, such as printing an image on an outer surface of the substrate S, fixing the image to the substrate S and/or cutting the substrate S, the substrate is removed from the support surface  115 . 
       FIG. 3D  shows a fourth stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  100 . In the fourth stage the substrate S has been removed from the support surface  115 . The registration actuator  120  is arranged facing the support surface  115  at the preselected position  24   a  of the registration element  20   a . The registration actuator  120  moves the registration element  20   a  in a disassemble direction as indicated by arrow D to remove the registration element  20   a  from the receiving hole  40   c.    
     In a next stage the registration element  20   a  is moved by the registration actuator  120  in a direction A to a standby state, such as a position in a container  140  arranged away from the support body  114 . In the standby state the registration element  20   a  is stored and arranged for not registering the substrate S on the support body  114 . The container  140  may be arranged adjacent to a side of the support body  114  in the direction X and may be adapted for storing a plurality of registration elements  20   a.    
       FIGS. 4A-4D  schematically show another embodiment of an apparatus and a method to be used in the apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus  200  comprises a support body  214  for supporting a substrate S on a support surface  215 , a plurality of registration elements  20   b , a registration actuator  120  and a control unit  130 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  show a detailed cross section of the support body  214  in the X direction of the support surface  215 . The support body  214  comprises a retaining mechanism, such as retaining holes  140   a - 140   c . A third retaining hole  140   c  is arranged at the preselected position  24   a , also shown in  FIG. 2 . Each of the retaining holes  140   a - 140   c  is shaped for fully accommodating a registration element  20   b  and storing the registration element  20   b  inside the respective retaining hole  140   a - 140   c  close to the support surface  215 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows a first stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  200 . In the first stage the registration actuator  120  is moved over the support surface  215  in a direction as indicated by arrow A x  towards a preselected position  24   a  of the support surface  215 . In the preselected position  24   a  a retaining hole  140   c  is arranged inside the support body  214  and encloses a registration element  20   b . The registration element  20   b  of each retaining holes  140   a - 140   c  is disposed inside the respective retaining holes  140   a - 140   c  in a standby state. The registration element  20   b  in the standby is arranged below the support surface  215  for not registering a substrate on the support body  214 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows a second stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  200 . In the second stage the registration actuator  120  is arranged above the third retaining hole  140   c  in the preselected position  24   a . The registration actuator  120  moves the registration element  20   b  from the third retaining hole  140   c  in an engaging direction as indicated by arrow E to arrange a first part of the registration element  20   b  protruding from the support surface  214  in a registering state. In the registering state a second part of the registration element  20   b  is arranged inside the third retaining hole  140   c  for keeping the registration element  20   b  stationary with respect to the support surface  215 . 
       FIG. 4C  shows a third stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  200 . In the third stage the registration element  20   b  is maintained in the registering state in the preselected position  24   a  by the third retaining hole  140   c . The registration actuator  120  is moved over the support surface  215  away from the registration element  20   b  in the direction as indicated by arrow A x . Alternatively, the registration actuator  120  may be moved over the support surface  215  in any other direction to clear the support surface  215 . 
     The sequence of first stage, second stage and third stage of the method may be repeated to arrange another registration element  20   b  on another selected position of the support surface  215  to register the substrate S in the preselected position  22   a  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     After sufficient registration elements  20   b  have been arranged in selected positions on the support surface  115  to register the substrate S, in a next stage (not shown) edges of a substrate S may be urged against the at least one registration element  20   b  arranged in the registering state to register the substrate S on the support surface  215  in the preselected position  22   a  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     After the substrate S has been processed according to appropriate processes, such as printing an image on an outer surface of the substrate S, fixing the image to the substrate S and/or cutting the substrate S, the substrate is removed from the support surface  215 . 
       FIG. 4D  shows a fourth stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  200 . In the fourth stage the substrate S may have been removed from the support surface  215 . The registration actuator  120  is arranged facing the support surface  215  at the preselected position  24   a  of the registration element  20   b . The registration actuator  120  moves the registration element  20   b  in a downwards direction as indicated by arrow D to move the protruding first part of the registration element  20   b  back into the receiving hole  140   c . In this way, the registration element  20   b  is fully accommodated again inside the receiving hole  140   c  in a standby state. As such, the registration element  20   b  remains available close to the support surface  215  while not obstructing a substrate on the support surface  215 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  schematically show another embodiment of an apparatus and a method to be used in the apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus  300  comprises a support body  314  for supporting a substrate S on a support surface  315  of the support body  314 , at least one registration element  20   c , a registration actuator  120  and a control unit  130 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  show a cross section of the support body  314  in the X direction of the support surface  315 . The support body  314  further comprises a plurality of suction holes  150  being distributed over the support surface  315  of the support body  314  for providing a suction force (as indicated by arrow S) to a contact side of the substrate, when arranged in contact to the support surface  315 . One of the suction holes  150   c  is arranged at the preselected position  24   a , as also shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The at least one registration element  20   c  comprises a first connecting portion  21   c  shaped to fit into a suction hole  150  and a second protruding portion  23   c  arranged to not accommodate into the suction hole  150 . For example, the suction hole is a tube having a diameter of 2 mm, the first connecting portion  21   c  is a pin having a diameter of about 2 mm or less than 2 mm and the second protruding portion  23   a  is a pin having a diameter of more than 2 mm. 
       FIG. 5A  shows a first stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  300 . In the first stage the registration element  20   c , which is mounted on the registration actuator  120 , is moved by the registration actuator  120  over the support surface  315  in a direction as indicated by arrow A x  towards the suction hole  150   c  arranged at preselected position  24   a  of the support surface  315 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows a second stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  300 . In the second stage the registration element  20   c  is arranged by the registration actuator  120  above the suction hole  150   c  in the preselected position  24   a . The registration actuator  120  moves the registration element  20   c  in an engaging direction as indicated by arrow E to arrange the first connecting portion  21   c  of the registration element  20   c  into the suction hole  150   c  in a registering state. In the registering state the second protruding portion  23   c  remains protruding from the support body  315 . The registration element  20   c  is at the same time in an enclosure state, as the first connecting portion  21   c  and/or the second protruding portion  23   c  of the registration element  20   c  closes the suction hole  150   c.    
       FIG. 5C  shows a third stage of the method according to the present invention to be used in the apparatus  300 . In the third stage the registration element  20   c  is arranged in the registering state in the preselected position  24   a . The registration actuator  120  is moved over the support surface  315  away from the registration element  20   c  in the direction as indicated by arrow A x . Alternatively, the registration actuator  120  may be moved over the support surface  315  in any other direction to clear the support surface  315 . 
     The registration element  20   c  is retained by the suction hole  150   c  in the registering state. 
     Additionally a suction force S may be provided in the suction hole  150   c  to further enhance retaining the first part  21   c  of the registration element  20   c  inside the suction hole  150   c.    
     The sequence of first stage, second stage and third stage of the method may be repeated to arrange another registration element  20   c  on another selected position of the support surface  315  in one of the other suction holes  150  in order to register the substrate S in the preselected position  22   a  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     After sufficient registration elements  20   c  have been arranged in the registering state in selected positions on the support surface  315  to register the substrate S, in a next stage (not shown) edges of a substrate S may be urged against the at least one registration element  20   c  arranged in the registering state to register the substrate S on the support surface  315 . 
     After the substrate S has been processed according to appropriate processes, such as printing an image on an outer surface of the substrate S, fixing the image to the substrate S and/or cutting the substrate S, the substrate is removed from the support surface  315 . 
       FIG. 6  schematically shows a detailed view of another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus  400  comprises a support body  414  for supporting a substrate S on a support surface  415  of the support body  414 , a plurality of registration elements  20   d - 20   f , a registration actuator  120  and a control unit  130 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a cross section of the support body  414  in the X direction of the support surface  415 . The support body  414  comprises a plurality of suction holes  150  being distributed over the support surface  415  of the support body  414  for providing a suction force (as indicated by arrow S) to a contact side of the substrate, when arranged in contact to the support surface  415 . One of the suction holes  150   c  is arranged at the preselected position  24   a , as also shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The support body  414  further comprises a suction chamber  350  arranged in fluid communication to the plurality of suction holes  150  for providing the suction force to each of the suction holes  150 . Inside the suction chamber  350  a retaining assembly  360  is arranged in the form of a structure arranged for supporting each of the registration elements  20   d - 20   f . Each of the registration elements  20   d - 20   f  is arranged concentric to one of the suction holes  150  and is movably supported by retaining assembly  360  in an up-down direction as indicated by arrow L in at least three levels (lower level, middle level and upper level). The retaining assembly  360  comprises a plurality of retaining holes  362 , all arranged for retaining one of the registration elements  20   d - 20   f  stationary, while allowing a sliding movement of the corresponding registration elements  20   d - 20   f  in the up-down direction L in case the registration actuator  120  provides a force on the registration elements  20   d - 20   f  in the up-down direction as indicated by arrow L. 
     At the first level, i.e. lower level in direction L, each of the registration elements  20   d - 20   f  is arranged in a standby state, as shown in  FIG. 6  for registration element  20   d . At the first level the registration element  20   d  does not register or obstruct a substrate S on the support surface  415  and does not close the suction hole  150 . 
     At the second level, i.e. middle level in direction L, each of the registration elements  20   d - 20   f  is arranged a combination of an enclosure state and a standby state, as shown in  FIG. 6  for registration element  20   e . At the second level the registration element  20   e  closes the corresponding suction hole  150  and does not register or obstruct a substrate S on the support surface  415 . 
     At the third level, i.e. upper level in direction L, each of the registration elements  20   d - 20   f  is arranged in a combination of an enclosure state and a registering state, as shown in  FIG. 6  by registration element  20   f . At the third level the registration element  20   f  closes the suction hole  150  and in part protrudes from the support surface  415  for registering a substrate S on the support surface  415 . 
     The registration actuator  120  is movably arranged with respect to the support surface  415  as indicated by arrow A x  while facing the support surface  415 . In case the registration actuator  120  is arranged facing a suction hole  150 , the registration actuator  120  is able to provide a force onto the corresponding registration element  20   d - 20   f  arrange at the position of the suction hole  150 . For example, the registration actuator  120  may comprise an electro-magnetic device arranged for pulling the registration element  20   d - 20   f  upwards or pushing the registration element  20   d - 20   f  downwards in the direction L. 
     In this way, the registration actuator  120  can selectively arrange each of the registration element  20   d - 20   f  in one of the three levels (lower level, middle level and upper level) independently of one another. 
     After sufficient registration elements  20   d - 20   f  have been arranged in the registering state in selected positions on the support surface  415  to register the substrate S, in a next stage (not shown) edges of a substrate S may be urged against the at least one registration element  20   d - 20   f  arranged in the registering state to register the substrate S on the support surface  415 . 
     Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In particular, features presented and described in separate dependent claims may be applied in combination and any advantageous combination of such claims are herewith disclosed. 
     Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.