Patent Publication Number: US-2022212882-A1

Title: Handling device for a flat piece

Description:
The present invention relates to a handling device for presenting a flat piece to at least a first and a second treatment device, in particular for presenting a plastic card substrate to a printer device and a flipping device. Further, it relates to a method for operating the handling device. 
     Flat pieces such as plastic cards are used in different technical areas and need to be treated in different ways. For example, a card printer can be used to print an image and/or graphical elements on the flat piece, a laser may be used for engraving, the flat piece may be laminated, cured, cut, embossed or otherwise treated. 
     One requirement for performing such treatments and manipulations in an efficient and highly automated manner for handling the cards. For example, the flat pieces are transferred from a supply to several different treatment devices reliably and with the possibility to treat the same card several times. 
     Different methods for handling flat pieces have been suggested. For examples, rollers can be used to transport flat pieces along a defined path, or the flat pieces can be carried on a transport belt. However, there is a need for easier, more efficient and reliable handling techniques. Flat pieces need to be transferred from a supply to treatment devices and provided reproducibly, in particular several times to a treatment device. 
     It is the problem of the invention to provide an improved handling device for presenting a flat piece to at least a first and a second treatment device, in particular for presenting a plastic card substrate to a printer device and a flipping device. 
     This problem is solved by a handling device and a method according to the independent claims of the attached set of claims. Further advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims. 
     The handling device for presenting a flat piece to at least a first and a second treatment device, in particular for presenting a plastic card substrate to a printer device and a flipping device, comprises an elongated backbone element. The backbone element is rotatable along a longitudinal axis and has at least a first and a second angular position. Furthermore, the device comprises a holding element, which is configured to hold the flat piece relative to the backbone element, and a control unit, which is configured to control the angular position of the backbone element. Therein, when the backbone element is at the first angular position, the flat piece is at a first treatment position for the first treatment device. On the other hand, when the backbone element is at the second angular position, the flat piece is at a second treatment position for the second treatment device. 
     Thus, the flat piece is advantageously presented to the first and second treatment device, respectively, by changing the angular position of the backbone element. In particular, the backbone element is rotated around its longitudinal axis such that the flat piece is provided at the first or second treatment position. This allows easily changing the flat piece between the different treatment devices. 
     In particular, the elongated backbone element may comprise a beam structure. It may have an elongated shape and may be connected to the holding element. 
     The holding element is configured to hold flat pieces in a position and/or orientation relative to the backbone element. Thus, when the backbone element is moved by rotation and/or rotation, the absolute position of the flat piece changes accordingly, while the relative position towards the backbone element stays constant. 
     In particular, the control unit is configured to control a motor and generate a control signal, which causes the motor to rotate the backbone element to a predetermined angular position. In addition to that, the control unit may also control one or several holding elements to hold and/or release flat pieces. 
     In particular, the term “treatment position” may correspond to a pose, i.e., a combination of position and orientation, where a flat piece can be treated by the first or second treatment device. 
     For example, the treatment position may comprise an orientation of a surface of the flat piece facing upwards, downwards or sideways. 
     Also, the treatment position or pose may be understood to indicate that a flat piece is arranged at a treatment position or within a defined treatment space, in which the treatment device may treat the flat piece. 
     For example, a printer device may print on the surface of a flat piece, which is held in a certain orientation and position relative to the printer device. This treatment position is reached, for example, when the flat piece is held at a lateral face of the backbone element, while the backbone element has reached a certain angular position, wherein the lateral face is oriented towards the appropriate direction. Thus, the flat piece is arranged in a treatment space, in which the printer device can perform printing operations on the card. 
     Similar examples apply to other treatment devices, such as devices for curing, imaging, engraving, stamping, embossing, or further handling of the flat pieces such as flipping or removing a flat piece from the holding element. 
     In an embodiment of the handling device, the holding element is configured to hold the flat pieces on the faces by applying suction and/or by clamping. The flat piece is therefore held advantageously precisely at a pre-determined position and is securely held in place. 
     For example, the holding element or a plurality of holding elements may comprise a connection to a vacuum system. They may also have openings at the faces of the backbone element, through which air suction is provided and a suction force is provided to secure flat pieces, in particular plastic cards, which are arranged close to these openings. 
     In order to provide vacuum or negative pressure for the holding elements, a vacuum pump or similar device may be connected to the holding elements. 
     A clamping to hold the flat pieces can be configured in different ways. For example, a flat piece can be placed between clamping elements, which can be arranged opposite to each other and exert a clamping force on the flat piece. Also, a flat piece can be held by friction; for example, the flat piece may be held between guide elements, which exert pressure against the flat piece such that a defined friction occurs between the surface of the flat piece and the guide elements. In further embodiments, the holding elements may be configured to hold flat pieces with a defined play, for example allowing the flat piece to move within a defined range. 
     In another embodiment, the elongated backbone element comprises at least a first and a second lateral face, and at least a first and a second holding element are provided, configured for holding flat pieces at the first and second lateral face, respectively. Thus, a first and second flat piece can be held at the first and second lateral face of the backbone, respectively. Thus, two or more flat pieces can advantageously be treated by different treatment devices, simultaneously or subsequently, and/or the flat pieces can be presented to the same treatment device one after the other. 
     In particular, a first holding element may be configured for holding at least one flat piece on the first lateral face, and a second holding element may be configured to hold at least one flat piece on the second lateral face of the backbone element. 
     When a flat piece is held at a lateral face, its surface is oriented essentially parallel to the respective face of the backbone element. In particular, the holding elements are configured to hold the flat pieces in a position at least partially at one of the faces of the backbone element, and secure the flat pieces against a translation with respect to the respective face of the backbone element. Thus, when the backbone element is rotated around its longitudinal axis, the cards that are held by the holding elements are rotated around the same axis together with the faces. 
     In an embodiment, when the backbone element is at the first angular position, a first flat piece, which is held at the first lateral face, is at the first treatment position for the first treatment device, and, when the backbone element is at the second angular position, a second flat piece, which is held at the second lateral face, is at the first treatment position for the first treatment device. 
     This allows advantageously a very efficient treatment of two or several flat pieces, one after the other, by the same treatment device. 
     Thus, two or several flat pieces can be treated by the first treatment device one after the other: In a first step, the first flat piece is presented to the first treatment device, and in a second step, the backbone element is rotated into the second angular position, thereby presenting the second flat piece to the first treatment device. 
     In particular, separate holding elements may be provided on each lateral face of the backbone element. 
     In an embodiment, each longitudinal face of the backbone element has at least two holding elements. In particular, the holding elements are configured such that at least two flat pieces can be held on one face of the backbone element. Thus, a plurality of flat pieces can be advantageously treated in a highly efficient and automated manner. 
     Thus, several cards can be held on each lateral face by one holding element each. In particular, several holding elements are provided for each of the lateral faces. The holding elements of one lateral side may be arranged besides each other along the longitudinal direction, i.e., along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the backbone element. 
     In an embodiment, the backbone element has three or four lateral faces, wherein, optionally, the backbone element may have a cross section in form of an equilateral triangle or a square. Thus, the backbone element has advantageously a very regular form, which can be easily controlled. 
     The backbone element may have a polygonal cross section. In further embodiments, the cross section may comprise a large number of sides and/or faces. 
     In further embodiments, the cross section may be circular, wherein the “faces” of such a backbone element may be defined by an arrangement of holding elements, which are configured to hold flat pieces in a certain plane, which is then defines as “face” of the backbone element. 
     In particular, the backbone element has a cross section, wherein opposite sides have the same length; in other words, opposite lateral sides of the backbone element have the same width. In particular, all sides, which have a holding element, may have the same width and/or cover the same area. 
     A system for treating flat pieces, in particular for printing on plastic card substrates, comprises a handling device, which is configured for holding at least a first and a second flat piece at a first and second position relative to the handling device, a first treatment device, which is configured for treating a flat piece at a first treatment position, and a second treatment device, which is configured for treating a flat piece at a second treatment position. Therein, the handling device is rotatable around a longitudinal axis to at least a first and a second angular position. Also therein, the first flat piece is at the first treatment position, when the handling device is at the first angular position, and the second flat piece is at the first treatment position, when the handling device is at the second angular position. 
     In particular, the system uses the above-described handling device. It has therefore the same advantages as the handling device. 
     At least two flat pieces can subsequently be presented to the same treatment device in a highly efficient and automated manner. 
     In an embodiment of the system, the first and/or second treatment device is configured movably with respect to the treatment position. Thus, the treatment devices can advantageously be used to treat several flat pieces, when the backbone element is rotated into the first angular position. 
     In particular, the treatment device can be configured such that it is translationally movable parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handling device. Additionally or alternatively, the treatment device can be configured such that it is translationally movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handling device. Additionally or alternatively, the treatment device can be configured such that it is rotationally movable relative to the longitudinal axis of the handling device. 
     In particular, the first and/or second treatment device may be configured such that it can move translationally with respect to the treatment position, for example along the longitudinal axis of the backbone element. Also, the first and/or second treatment device may be configured such that it is not rotatably movable with respect to the treatment position. 
     In particular, the handling device can be configured to only move translationally, not rotatably. 
     For example, two or more flat pieces, which are held on the same face of the backbone element, can be treated by the same treatment device. 
     In another embodiment, the first and/or second treatment device is one of a printer device, a feeding device, a flipping device, an imaging device and a curing device. Further examples may include devices for engraving by laser or other techniques, for encoding data, in particular on a magnetic strip, for embossing, for laminating or for including further elements, such as electronic components or image elements. Thus, important treatments can advantageously be performed on the flat pieces. 
     In general, a “treatment” of a flat piece may be understood in a broad sense, in particular comprising general methods for manipulating a flat piece. 
     For example, the system can be used to manufacture cards for identification purposes. 
     In particular, a printer device is configured to print on a surface of the flat piece. To this end, the printer device may comprise a nozzle for outputting ink to the surface. Several nozzles may be provided, e.g. in a nozzle plate. 
     In particular, a feeding device is configured to provide flat pieces to or removing a flat piece from the transport device, when a face is positioned in a feeding area. For example, a flat piece may be taken up from a supply and fed to the handling device, such that it is held by a holding element. On the other hand, a flat piece can be removed from the handling device, in particular by releasing the flat piece from the holding device and taking it from the handling device to an output. Thus, flat pieces are charge and/or discharge from the handling device. 
     In particular, a flipping device is configured to flip a flat piece that is held at the handling device, when the backbone element is positioned at one of the angular positions. To flip a flat piece, it is first removed from the holding element, flipped and fed again to the backbone element, in particular to the same holding element as before. Thus, the flat piece&#39;s orientation is changed and, e.g., another side of the flat piece is presented to a printer or other treatment device. 
     In particular, an imaging device is configured to perform an optical measurement on a flat piece, when it is positioned at one of the angular positions. Imaging may, e.g., occur to perform calibration and/or fiducial measurements. For example, reference points are identified with relation to the flat piece and their positions are provided to other treatment devices. Thus, these other devices may perform a precise treatment with regards to the reference points. 
     In particular, a curing device may be configured to perform a curing treatment to a flat piece, when it is positioned at one of the angular positions. 
     Also, treatment device may be provided for engraving, for example laser engraving, embossing and/or laminating the flat piece. 
     Also, the invention relates to a method for operating a handling device according to the above description. The method comprises holding a flat piece at a first lateral face of the handling device, and generating a control signal to control a rotation of the handling device around a longitudinal axis to a first or second angular position. Therein, at the first angular position, the flat piece is at a first treatment position for the first treatment device, and, at the second angular position, the flat piece is at a second treatment position for the second treatment device. 
     In particular, the method is configured to operate the handling device and system. Thus, it has the same advantages as the system of the invention. 
     In an embodiment, the handling device is rotated to the first angular position and the flat piece is treated by the first treatment device, subsequently, the handling device is rotated to the second angular position and the flat piece is treated by the second treatment device, and subsequently, the handling device is rotated back to the first angular position and the flat piece is treated a second time by the first treatment device. This allows advantageously treating the same flat piece twice by the same treatment device. 
     In an embodiment, the treatment of the flat piece by the second treatment device comprises flipping the flat piece, such that, when the flat piece is treated a second time by the first treatment device, another surface side of the flat piece is treated. 
     The flat piece can therefore advantageously be treated on both sides. For example, a printer can print an image or graphics on the flat piece on a front and back side. 
     Furthermore, a device for presenting a flat piece to at least a first treatment device, in particular for presenting a plastic card substrate to a printer device, comprises a transport element for holding and transporting the flat piece. Here, the transport element has a loading position, where the flat piece is loaded onto the transport element, and the transport element has a treatment position, where the flat piece is presented to the first treatment device. Also, the system further comprises a control unit, which is configured to generate a control signal for controlling a transport switching element at a transport switching position of the transport element. Herein, the transport switching element is configured, depending on the control signal, to either feed the flat piece towards the treatment position or to initiate an unloading of the flat piece from the transport element. 
     In particular, the transport device may define a transport path, along which the flat piece is transported. 
     It is therefore easy to treat a flat piece twice or multiple times by the same treatment device. For example, a flat piece can be transported to a printer, which prints on a first side of the flat piece, and further to the switching position, from where the flat piece can be either transported again to the treatment device, or it can be unloaded. Between the first and second treatment by the same first treatment device, the flat piece can be flipped, such that the opposite side is treated in the second run. 
     The transport element may comprise a transport belt or another means of transportation, as described above. 
     After the flat piece is loaded onto the transport element, the flat piece may be held at a position of the transport element, e.g., by suction or clamping. 
     After loading the flat piece onto the transport element, is in particular held on the transport element, e.g., by clamping or suction, like from a vacuum system, or a holding element may be provided on the transport element or in connection with the transport element 
     After the flat piece has been presented to the first treatment device, it may be treated. 
     The flat piece may be unloaded from the transport element, e.g., by an unloading element, such as a pusher. 
     The transport element may, e.g. comprise or be configured as a belt or similar transport means. 
     Also, different ways may be utilized to load the flat piece onto the transport element: For example, a loading device may be used, such as a slider, pusher or feeding device, which translates the flat piece such that it is loaded onto the transport element. In particular, the loading may comprise a positioning step, e.g., wherein the flat piece is positioned in a defined arrangement relative to the transport element and/or another element. 
     In an embodiment, the transport switching position of the transport element (belt) is arranged downstream (relative to a transport direction) from the treatment position. Thus, the flat piece is advantageously first treated, and then the control signal decides, whether it is transported to the treatment device again or whether it is output. 
     In particular, the transport element may have a transport direction, in which the flat piece is transported. For example, the transport element may comprise a belt with a defined transport direction. 
     The transport element may be configured such that one transport direction is defined, while no transport in the opposite direction is carried out, in particular at least during standard operation of the device. Thus, an arrangement of the transport switching position downstream from the treatment position may be defined such that the card reaches the switching position only after having passed the treatment position first. 
     The transport element may have a round or circular configuration. Also, the transport element can be configured in another configuration, which builds a closed loop, g.e., an elliptical, squared, rectangular or other shape, such that iterative treatment of the same flat piece can be carried out. For example, the same flat piece may be treated by the treatment device, and, after reaching the transport switching position, subsequently be fed again to the same treatment device. 
     To this end, the transport device may comprise one or several belts, which are arranged such that the flat piece can be transported in a circular fashion, i.e., it can reach specific points along a transportation path several times, while the transport direction is kept the same at all times. 
     In an embodiment, another treatment device for treating the flat piece may be provided, e.g., for flipping the flat piece in order to present another side or orientation to the first treatment device, when the flat piece is presented again to the first treatment device along the transport path. 
     For example, the first treatment device may be a printer and a second treatment device may be a card flipper. A plastic card may then be loaded onto the transport device, e.g., a belt. It is transported for a first time to the printer and afterwards flipped on the other side by the card flipper. When the card reaches the transport switching position—which may be arranged before or after the second treatment device/card flipper—it is directed towards the printer again. Thus, the card can be printed on both sides. Afterwards, in this example, the card reaches the transport switching position again and is guided towards a feed-out element and removed from the transport device, e.g., to be processed further. 
    
    
     
       The invention is described further on the basis of the attached figures. Therein, the figures show: 
         FIGS. 1A to 1C  an embodiment of a handling device with a bar-design; 
         FIG. 2  an embodiment of a method for operating the handling device; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  an embodiment of a device with a circular transport path; and 
         FIG. 4  an embodiment of a method for operating the device. 
     
    
    
     Turning to  FIG. 1A to 1C , an embodiment of a handling device with a bar-design is described. 
     The handling device  100  comprises a backbone element  112 . 
     In the embodiment, the backbone element  112  has an essentially octagonal cross section. Other forms are possible in other embodiments. In general, the backbone element  112  has a beam-like shape. 
     The backbone element has lateral faces  112   a,    112   b,    112   c,    112   d,  which are here defined as every second side of the octagonal cross section. Also here, other forms and definitions of lateral faces of the backbone element  112  are possible in other embodiments. 
     The backbone element  112  has a plurality of holding elements  114 .  FIG. 1B  shows four holding elements  112 , which are each assigned to one of the lateral faces  112   a,    112   b,    112   c,    112   d  of the backbone element  112 . 
     The holding elements  114  are shown as holding one flat piece  110  each. In the present embodiment, the flat pieces  110  are plastic cards  110 . 
     The holding elements  114  are configured to hold the cards  110  such that they are arranged in a plane that is parallel to the respective lateral face  112   a,    112   b,    112   c,    112   d  of the backbone element  112 . 
     In particular, the holding elements  114  hold the cards  110  by suction, which is provided from a vacuum pump (not shown). In other embodiments, clamping or another method may be used to hold the cards  110  in place. 
     The holding elements  114  are configured such that the cards  110  are held in a constant position and orientation relative to the backbone element  112 . I.e., when the backbone element  112  is moved, by translation and/or rotation, the cards  110  move with the backbone element  12  in the same way. 
     The backbone element  112  has a longitudinal axis LA, which is in arranged in an essentially horizontal direction, relative to a gravitational field. 
     Furthermore, the backbone element  112  is rotatable around the longitudinal axis LA. 
     To rotate the backbone element  112 , a motor (not shown) is controlled, which is coupled with the backbone element  112 . The motor can be configured to rotate the backbone element  112  to a given angular position. 
     The motor may be configured as a step motor. In further embodiments, the backbone element  112  may be rotated at least in part manually. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A and 1B , the backbone element  112  with cards  110  and treatment devices  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170  may be kept in a housing  116 . In other embodiments, no housing  116  may be provided, or the control unit may be kept in the housing  116  as well. 
     Also, the handling device  100  comprises a control unit  120 , which is connected to the housing  116  by a signal connection  122 . 
     The control unit  120  is configured to provide a control signal, in particular a signal to control the angular position of the backbone element  112 . 
     In other embodiments, the control unit  120  is not comprised by the handling device  100 , but an external unit. 
     Also, the handling device  100  may be configured to receive external control signals through the signal connection  122  in another way. 
     In further embodiments, the handling device  100  may be configured to be operated independently from a control signal, e.g., by performing the same method steps without the possibility of a control through a control unit  120 . 
     Treatment devices  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170  are arranged in proximity to the backbone element  112  such that cards at a respective treatment position  142 ,  152 ,  162 ,  172  can be treated. 
     Herein, the treatment positions  142 ,  152 ,  162 ,  172  are assigned to each treatment device  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 . 
     In the embodiment, the treatment devices  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170  can comprise, e.g., a printer device  140 , a feeding/loading device  160 , a flipping device  150 , an imaging device  170  and a curing device printer. Also, treatment devices  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170  can be provided for loading the cards  110  onto the backbone element  112  and the holding elements  114 , respectively, or for unloading and/or outputting the cards  110 . 
     For the purposes of the present embodiment, a “treatment” of a card  110  can comprise any manipulation. In particular, a treatment can lead to a structural change in the card  110  itself, e.g., by printing on the card, cutting, embossing, engraving, laminating and so on. Furthermore, a treatment can lead to a change in position and/or orientation of the cards  110 , in particular relative to the backbone element  112 . In particular, also imaging a card  110  can be considered a treatment for the present embodiment. 
     The treatment devices  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170  are configured such that a card  110  can be treated, when it is at the respective treatment position  142 ,  152 ,  162 ,  172  for the respective treatment device  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 . 
     In the case shown here, the treatment positions  142 ,  152 ,  162 ,  172  relate to volumes in space. As a card  110  is arranged in such a volume, it can be treated by the respective treatment device  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 . Also, a treatment position  142 ,  152 ,  162 ,  172  can be defined as a specific area, in which a card  110  needs to be positioned, in order to be treated by the respective treatment device  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of a method to operate the above-described handling device is described. 
     In a step  21 , a card  110  is loaded and held by a holding element  114 . 
     In the present embodiment, cards  110  are provided by a supply  130 , in particular a belt  130  or a different carrier device, with a transport direction TD. As seen in  FIG. 10 , a plurality of cards  110  is arranged on the belt  130  and brought into a position below the backbone element  112 . The cards  110 , which are arranged directly below the backbone element  112 , may be taken up by the holding elements  114  and held relative to the backbone element  112 . 
     For example, the cards  110  can be pushed upwards towards the backbone element  112  for loading them and bringing them into a held position of the holding elements  114 . 
     In a step  22 , a control signal is received from the control unit  120 . This control signal determines a first angular position. A motor is controlled such that the backbone element  112  is rotated around the longitudinal axis LA to the defined first angular position. 
     According to the embodiment, at least a first and a second angular position is defined. 
     In further embodiments, further positioning transformations may be carried out, in particular based on the control signal. For example, the control signal may control a translational movement of the backbone element  112  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA and/or a perpendicular direction. Also, for example, the backbone element  112  may be moved in a swiveling motion, comprising a rotation around an axis that is different from the longitudinal axis LA. 
     For example, when the device  100  is at the first angular position, the card  110  is arranged at the first treatment position  142 . The card  110  can then be treated by the first treatment device  140 . 
     In a step  23 , the device  100  is brought to the second angular position by a control signal from the control unit  120 . In the present embodiment, a rotation of the backbone element  112  is carried out such that a second angular position is reached, wherein the card  110  is arranged in the second treatment position  152 , and can be treated by the second treatment device  150 . 
     The steps  22  and  23  can be repeated: After a card  110  has been treated, the backbone element  112  can rotate to another angular position, and the card  110  can be treated again. In particular, the angular position is now such that the card  110  is arranged at another treatment position, where it can be treated by another treatment device. 
     In a step  24 , the device  100  can then be brought into the loading position, such that the card  100  can be unloaded or output to the belt  130 , e.g., by stopping the respective holding elements  114 . 
     A concrete example of printing on different sides of a card  110  is now described: 
     For example, a card  110  is loaded in step  21 . In step  22 , the device  100  is brought into the first angular position, thus arranging the card  110  in a first treatment position  142 . The card  110  is then treated by a first treatment device  140 , in particular a printer device  140 . In step  123 , the device  100  is then brought into a second angular position, wherein the card  110  is arranged in a second treatment position  152  for treatment by a second treatment device  150 , such as a card flipper. In the present case, the card flipper takes the card  110  from the holding device  114 , rotates the card  110  as indicated by an arrow F, and returns it to the holding element  114  such that the opposite flat side of the car  110  is now presented outwards. Then, repeating step  22 , the device  100  is brought again into the first angular position, wherein the card  110  is in the first treatment position  142  and can be printed on. Thus, both the front and back side of the card  110  can be printed subsequently. 
     Furthermore, other treatment devices  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170  can be provided and the card  110  can be treated by those as well. 
     Also, cards  110  can be loaded to holding elements  114  of the handling device  100  at different faces  112   a,    112   b,    112   c,    112   d  of the backbone element  112 . Thus, while a card  110  is at the first treatment position  142 , another card  110  can be simultaneously at the second or another treatment position  152 ,  162 ,  172 , and it can be treated simultaneously to the printing operation at the first treatment position  142 . For example, a card  110  at the first treatment position  142  can be printed, while another card  110  is flipped at the second treatment position  152  at the same time. Thus, cards  110  can be treated simultaneously in different ways. 
     The cards  110  can then be unloaded and released from the holding elements  114 , and put onto the belt  130  to be transported away. New cards  110  can then be provided and loaded, an afterwards treated. 
     During the operation of the handling device  100 , the backbone element  112  with the holding elements  114  is used as an exchange unit, which transports flat pieces  110  between different treatment positions  142 ,  152 ,  162 ,  172 . In particular, the device  100  may replace other transport devices such as a belt or a carrier, which carry the flat pieces  110  to the respective treatment devices  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 . 
     In this concept, several cards  110  can be transported by a standard transport device  130  transport to the handling device  100 , acting as an exchange unit. Several positions for cards  110  are provided at each lateral face  112   a,    112   b,    112   c,    112   d,  and when all positions are filled, the beam is rotated, for example 180°, to the first angular position. 
     After rotation, two things happen: Cards  110  that are held at the bottom side of the beam  112 , are released to the transport device  130 , and the holding elements  114  are provided with new cards  110 . On the top side of the beam, i.e., at the first treatment position  142 , the cards  110  are printed and/or cured. 
     For this, the first treatment device  140 , comprising print heads and curing leads, is movable relative to the backbone element  112  in printer directions PD, and can be translated, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis LA. 
     In an embodiment, the device can be brought into another angular position, where the card  110  is in the fourth treatment position  172  and can be treated by another treatment device  170 . For example, fiducials of the cards  110  can be taken by an optical measurement process, for example to perform a calibration step and to account for the precise position of the cards  110  relative to the backbone element  112 . Thus, the printing process at the first treatment position  142  can be prepared by performing optical measurements on the cards  110 , while waiting for the next rotation step. 
     The concept allow advantageously parallel transport and treatment. For example, a set of cards  110  can be held at one lateral face  112 a of the backbone element  112  and printed, while another set of cards  110  is loaded in parallel to another lateral face of the backbone element  112 . This can save processing time, since the printing is often a more time-consuming step than other treatments. 
     Also, cards  110  can be held at fixed positions during treatment processes, such as printing, thus allowing high spatial precision for treatments. 
     Also, less card handling is required, since the cards  110  can be brought towards different treatment devices  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170  simply be rotating the backbone element  112 , thereby saving processing time. 
     For treatments of a card surface from edge to edge, such as edge-to-edge printing, one treatment device  140  may be sufficient. For example, a printer device  140  with one set of print heads may suffice for both side edge to edge printing. This allows saving costs. 
     For example, a “secondary transport” concept can be realized with the handling device  100 : 
     Cards  110  are taken out of a standard transport, e.g., from a belt  130 , and loaded on the device  100  as a “second transport device”. Since the device  100  comprises several carriers, corresponding to holding elements  114  at different lateral faces  112   a,    112   b,    112   c,    112   d  of the backbone element  112 , the cards  110  can be loaded independently, while other cards  110  are already treated by the treatment devices  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 . 
     Afterwards, the carrier follows the process of taking fiducial measurements, printing on a front side of the cards  110 , curing, applying a varnish, and curing. Also, cards  110  can be flipped in order to treat their back sides. 
     If the back side of a card  110  needs to be printed, the carrier with the same card  110  will continue its path to the angular position, which allows flipping the card  110 , and proceed to the angular position for taking visual fiducial measurements again; afterwards, the back side can be printed and/or treated. 
     If only the front side of a card  110  should be printed, the card  110  is removed from the holding elements  114  in an angular position of the backbone element  112 , which may be identical to the angular position for loading cards  110 . In particular, an unloading station may be provided for unloading cards  110  from the device  100 . 
     After unloading a card  110 , the carrier will continue to the loading position and take on the next card  110 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3A, 3B and 4 , an embodiment of a device with a circular transport path is described as well as a method to operate the device. Elements, steps and other features, which have been already described above, have the same reference numerals and may not be described again in detail. 
       FIG. 3A and 3B  show schematically, in principle, the same embodiment of a device  300  for presenting a flat piece to a treatment device. 
     A card  310  is provided by a transport mechanism and loaded onto a transport element  312 , in this case a belt  312  or an assembly of several belts. 
     The card  310  is thereby brought into the printing transport. 
     Cards  310  are moving on a belt  312  system through the device  300 . 
     Multiple cards  310  can be loaded and transported by the transport element  312  at the same time. 
     Along the transport element  312 , several positions are configured as treatment positions  302 ,  303 ,  304 ,  305 ,  306 , at which different treatment devices are arranged. When a card  310  reaches one of the treatment positions  302 ,  303 ,  304 ,  305 ,  306 , the respective treatment device can treat it. In particular, one side of the card  310 , for example the upwards-facing side of the card  310 , is treated. 
     Examples of treatment devices are described above. 
     In a step  41 , a card  310  is loaded at loading position  301  onto the transport element  312 . 
     Afterwards, in a step  42 , the card  310  is treated in different ways. 
     At a position  302   a,  visual measurements are performed, in particular for fiducial measurements and/or for performing a calibration step. 
     The card  310  is then transported to a printing position  302 , where an image is printed on the upwards-facing side of the card  310 . Subsequently, the card  310  is cured at position  303 . 
     A varnish is applied to the card  310  at position  304 , in a varnish lane, where varnish is applied. A step of curing the varnish is performed at a position  305 . 
     At a position  306 , it is determined whether the opposite side, i.e., the backside of the card  310 , needs to be printed on. If this is the case, a flipping device rotates the card  310  and the card  310  is brought back onto the transport element  312 . 
     If it is determined at position  306  that the backside should not be printed on, the card  310  is not flipped. 
     In step  43 , it is determined, whether the card  310  should be treated again—if applicable, on the backside—or whether it should be output. 
     If the card  310  is to be treated again, it is from a switching position  307  into the same transport path another time, starting with the visual measurements at position  302 a. 
     On the other hand, if the card  310  should be output, it is unloaded in a step  44 . 
     In the embodiment, the unloading happens at an unload position  308 , where an unloading device moves the card  310  from the transport element  312  of the device  300  to the standard transport. 
     An unloading device may, for example, comprise a pusher. 
     Steps  42  and  43  may be repeated iteratively, until it is determined that the card  310  is to be unloaded. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 21, 22, 23, 24 Step 
               
               
                 41, 42, 43, 44 Step 
               
               
                 100 Handling device 
               
               
                 110 Flat piece; plastic card substrate; plastic card 
               
               
                 112 Backbone element 
               
               
                 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d Lateral face of backbone element 
               
               
                 114 Holding element 
               
               
                 116 Housing 
               
               
                 120 Control unit 
               
               
                 122 Signal connection 
               
               
                 130 Supply; belt 
               
               
                 140 First treatment device; printer device 
               
               
                 142 First treatment position 
               
               
                 150 Second treatment device; flipping device 
               
               
                 152 Second treatment position 
               
               
                 160 Third treatment device; loading device 
               
               
                 162 Third treatment position (loading) 
               
               
                 170 Fourth treatment device imaging device 
               
               
                 172 Fourth treatment position 
               
               
                 300 Device 
               
               
                 301 Loading position 
               
               
                 302a Visual measurement position 
               
               
                 302 Printing position 
               
               
                 303 Curing position 
               
               
                 304 Varnishing position 
               
               
                 305 Curing position 
               
               
                 306 Flipping position 
               
               
                 307 Transport switching position 
               
               
                 308 Unloading position 
               
               
                 310 Flat piece; plastic card 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       312  Transport element; belt 
       320  Control unit 
     F Flipping direction 
     LA Longitudinal axis 
     PD Printer direction 
     TD Transport direction