MXPA99008859A - Apparatus and method to press relief and print in hollow alarg substrates - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for embossing and printing hollow elongated substrates is found in the nature of a three roll angular displacement gravure system, which incorporates embossing. The apparatus provides independent control (134, 152) of the surface speed of the transfer roller (122) to transfer an ink layer to the exposed raised portions of the printing and embossing roller (166). By maintaining the substantially identical surface velocity between the transfer roller (122) and the printing and embossing roller (166), the ink is seamlessly transferred or stained to the appropriate thickness to provide void printing on various substrates such as like blinds and the like

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RELIEF PRINTING AND PRINTING IN HOLLOW LONGER SUBSTRATES TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to the technique of embossing and printing and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for embossing and simultaneously printing substrates. elongated such as polymer blinds and the like. BACKGROUND OF THE ART Elongated blinds such as vertically and horizontally oriented slats of the type used in window treatment installations are well known in the art and are commercially available in a wide variety of designs. The formation of blinds normally occurs through a forming machine such as, but not limited to, an extruder that produces an elongated continuous shutter from a molten thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the like. The window treatment industry has recognized the desire to form a decorative pattern on at least one exposed surface of the blind. By providing various decorative patterns, various effects can be obtained in order to provide a wide variety of products that will be attractive to the consumer, as well as satisfy various decorative purposes. It has been known to form decorative patterns on a blind by embossing a desired pattern or other similar indication on at least one exposed surface of the blind through the use of cooperative pairs of rollers engaging opposite surfaces of the blind. For example, Kierson, in the U.S. Patent. No. 5,311,814 discloses an installation for forming or embossing a decorative pattern on at least one exposed surface of an elongated board preferably of the type used in vertical blinds. The installation includes a pair of driven rollers that are designed, sized and configured to engage opposite sides of a splint immediately after forming by a plastic extruder. The outer surface of one of the rollers has a decorative pattern formed therein and when forced into a confronting clutch with an exposed surface of the tablet, the decorative pattern is transferred by a embossing technique. In the U.S. Patent No. 3,481,818, Wellen, describes a similar embossing process for laminated plastic panels. In order to improve the decorative appearance of the embossed shutter, it is desirable to impart color to the shutter. In particular, it has been desired to provide color in a predetermined pattern typically within the gap formed during the embossing process. In the U.S. Patent No. 3,887,678, by Lewicki Jr. , an approach is described for pre-printing the substrate to be embossed with various color inks in a predetermined pattern by the use of conventional rotogravure printing processes. This process has become extremely difficult, if not impossible, to provide the alignment of the pattern on the stamping roll with the pattern printed on the substrate to be embossed. Therefore, an inequality between the two patterns is often observed, which detracts from the appearance of the resulting product. The U.S. Patent No. 5,339,730, to Ruppel et al, discloses a method for printing and embossing sheets of paper made from cellulose wadding and with two or more layers. The method describes the application of ink to one of the sheets as it passes around a first stamping roll before being joined with a second sheet passing around another stamping roll. The resulting printed pattern is interposed between the two sheets that stick together. The U.S. Patent No. 4,112,189, to Terwilliger, discloses a multicolored printing process in hollow and embossing of flooring material. The appliance includes a roller Revolving embossing and printing that has a surface contour engraved that. represents a decorative pattern to be embossed and printed on a sheet of flooring material. A plurality of pattern rotating rolls are installed in operative clutch with the surface of the embossing roller and printing. Each pattern roll is designed to receive a different color ink and transfer the ink to a discrete surface area of the embossing roller and print in a manner such that certain portions of the surface area thereof receive a color ink from the ink. a single pattern roller and other portions thereof receive coating layers of different color inks from at least two pattern rolls. The pattern rollers are formed with elevated portions corresponding to areas of elevated surface, discrete, predetermined of the embossing and printing roller, to which the ink coming from such pattern roller is to be applied. From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that there is a requirement to maintain proper alignment between the pattern rolls and the engraved surface of the printing and embossing roller. To carry out this alignment, the embossing and printing roller, the pattern rollers, as well as the inking rollers of the ink transfer system are all linked together in an operative manner by a gear train which is driven by a motor. The individual actuator system mentioned above, as set forth in Terwilliger, suffers from several disadvantages. For example, it is important that the surface speed of the pattern roller matches the surface speed of the printing and embossing roller. Otherwise, an inadequate layer of ink will be transferred, either too little or too much, which will negatively impact the appearance of the resulting printed and embossed material. The exposed individual actuator system does not provide any ability to adjust the individual surface speeds that may be required to accommodate variations in the roll diameter, either initially or during the embossing process. The U.S. Patent No. 3,850,095, by Snyder, further discloses an apparatus and method for embossing and hollow-printing folders with a cast ink. In the exposed apparatus, the molten ink is transferred from a collecting roller immersed in the molten, liquefied ink to a transfer roller. The molten ink is transferred from the transfer roller to an inking roller, which is in operative clutch with a printing roller and embossing. Snyder suffers from similar disadvantages observed with respect to Terwilliger in the inability to control the surface speed of the inking roller and the printing and embossing roller. In accordance with the above, there is an unresolved need for further improvements in the apparatus and method for embossing and printing hollow elongated substrates. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for embossing and printing hollow elongated substrates utilizing an angular displacement, three-roll intaglio system. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for embossing and printing in hollow elongated substrates, wherein the surface velocity of the rolls can be controlled independently to allow accurate inking of the printing and embossing roll with the appropriate amount of ink transfer. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for embossing and printing in hollow elongated substrates, wherein the printing is aligned exactly with the stamped areas of the substrate. The present invention discloses and describes an angular displacement gravure system, of three rollers, wherein the third roller is also a stamping roller. The embossing roller is supported with a fourth roller for printing and hydraulic embossing on the surface of the substrate within the roller contact line formed between the third or fourth rolls. The substrate is in the nature of an elongated blind that is formed from the extruded PVC material. However, it should be understood that the present invention is suitable for embossing and hollow printing other substrates for other applications to be used in decorative coatings and the like, as well as materials other than PVC. The first roller in the apparatus of the present invention is a pick-up roller that collects ink from a supply thereof., such as an ink bath. The ink is manipulated from the surface of the pick-up roller, leaving a precise amount of ink for transfer to a second roller, which is a transfer roller covered with rubber having a surface without patterns. This is achieved without rubbing the ink by engaging the rollers, first and second, with a first motor drive. The transfer roller is also maintained at the same surface speed as the surface of the printing and embossing roller, ie the third roller, by providing the embossing roller with a separate motor drive that maintains the relative speed correct between them. The relative superficial velocity is measured by independent speed sensors with indicators that allow to control the speed either manually or by computerized operation. The ink coming from the transfer roller is transferred through contact by encounter with the printing roller and embossed so that only the high points or the raised areas on the upper surface of the roller are felt. The passage of the hot-extruded PVC shutter or other material between the printing roller and inked embossing and the support roller under hydraulic pressure, provides a decorative pattern embossed for the substrate, with a perfect ink alignment of color inside the holes of the pattern printed, embossed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method is described for embossing and hollow-printing a pattern on a substrate, comprising the application of ink to the moving surface of a pick-up roller; the transfer of the ink directly to a moving surface without pattern of a transfer roller; transferring the ink from the surface of the transfer roller directly to the raised portions on the moving surface of a stamping roller, the raised portions defining a surface contour in the form of a pattern; and the advancing of a substrate against the moving surface of the embossing roller so that the side of the substrate that is in contact with the embossing roller is embossed and printed in gap with the pattern. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method is described for embossing and hollow printing a pattern on a substrate, comprising applying ink to the moving surface of a transfer roll; transferring the ink from an unpatterned surface of the transfer roller to elevated portions on the moving surface of a stamping roller, the raised portions defining a surface contour in the form of a pattern; advancing a substrate against the moving surface of the embossing roller so that the side of the substrate in contact with the embossing roller is embossed and printed in gap with the pattern; and independent actuation of the surface of the transfer roller and the surface of the embossing roller at substantially identical speeds while the ink is transferred from the transfer roller to the embossing roller and while the embossing roller embosses and prints the substrate hollow. According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for embossing and hollow-printing a pattern on a substrate is described, the apparatus comprises a rotating pick-up roller having an unpatterned surface in communication with an ink supply; a rotary transfer roller having a surface in operative disposition with the surface of the pick-up roller, the pick-up roller transferring the ink thereof to the unpatterned surface of the transfer roller; a rotating stamping roll having raised surface portions defining a surface contour in the form of a pattern, the stamping roll being operatively disposed with the transfer roll, whereby the ink is transferred to the raised surface portions of the stamping roll; a first motor drive that rotates to the transfer roller; and a second motor drive that rotates the stamping roller independently of the rotation of the transfer roller by the first motorized drive. According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for embossing and hollow-printing a pattern on a substrate is described, the apparatus comprising a rotating pick-up roller in communication with an ink supply; a rotating transfer roller having an unpatterned surface in operative arrangement with the pick-up roller, the pick-up roller directly transferring the ink coming from it to the unpatterned surface of the transfer roller; and a rotating stamping roller having raised surface portions defining a surface contour in the form of a pattern, the stamping roller being operative with the unpatterned surface of the transfer roller, whereby the ink is transferred directly to the portions of the stamping roller. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily and completely apparent from the detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments set forth below, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic illustration of the apparatus and method for embossing and printing hollow elongated substrates according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES In the description of the preferred modalities of the illustrated matter and to be described with respect to the drawing, the specific terminology will be used for reasons of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected and it should be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalence that operates in a similar manner to carry out a similar purpose. Referring now to the drawing, in which similar reference symbols represent similar elements, an apparatus for embossing and printing in hollow elongated substrates is shown, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 100. As previously noted, the present invention It proposes to have its basic application in the embossed state and the hollow printing of elongated substrates such as blinds in the nature of slats used for decorative window treatments, for example, vertical and horizontal blinds. However, it is understood that the present invention can be applied to embossing and hollow printing any substrate that can be embossed and printed in a hole, for example, continuous lengths of natural and synthetic materials to be used as decorative covers such as paper. tapestry, furniture, decking of walls and the like. Furthermore, although the blinds have been described as being made of PVC material, it is understood that any other polymer material, as well as natural materials that can be embossed and printed in a hole, are suitable for use with the apparatus and method of the present invention. invention. The apparatus and method of the present invention will now be described with respect to the embossing and indentation of elongated blinds formed of PVC material, by way of illustration only. The apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a pick-up roller 102, a transfer roller 104, a printing and embossing roller 106 and a support roller 108. The printing and embossing roller 106 will only be referred to hereinbelow. forward as a stamping roller 106, similarly to the terminology used throughout all the claims. The take-up roller 102 and the transfer roller 104 are installed in an inking installation 110 generally defined within dotted lines 111. The stamping roller 106 and the support roll 108 form an embossing and gap printing facility 112, as defined within the dotted lines 113. The inking installation 110 further includes an ink bath 114 containing an ink supply 116 and an oscillating doctor blade 118. The collector roller 102 is hinged to rotate with a lower portion of the ink. same, immersed in the ink bath 114 to receive ink 116. The pick roller 102 is constructed to include small pores in its surface 120, which is done by a machining process to contain the ink. Such a pickup roll 102 is made by Pamarco Inc. of Roselle, New Jersey, sold under the Evenflow Roll brand. The surface 120 of the pick-up roller 102 is in operative clutch with the leading edge of the scraper blade 118. The transfer roller 104 is rotatably hinged, adjacent the pick-up roller 102, which has its surface without pattern 122 in contact with the surface 120 of the collector roller. A gear 124 is generally attached to one end of the take-up roll 102. A similar gear 126 is generally attached to a corresponding end of the transfer roll 104 opposite the gear 124. As shown, the gears 124, 126 are installed in a gear clutch. in such a way that by rotating the transfer roller 104, the corresponding rotation of the collector roll 102 occurs at the identical surface speed. The average diameter of the gears 124, 126 is designed to prevent the gears from sticking out standing with respect to one another. This allows the gears 124, 126 separate slightly from each other while maintaining their engagement clutch. This allows the transfer roller 104 to move increasingly closer to the take-up roller 102 as desired in the case of dimensional changes in the diameter of the transfer roller or pick-up roller. By way of example, the transfer roller 104 is covered by an uninterrupted layer of bunas, a man-made material, which is compatible with the ink 116. The rubber cover in one embodiment is approximately 2 inch in thickness, having a hardness of approximately 70 durometers. One such transfer roller 104 can be obtained from Onyx Manufacturing of Oswego, Illinois. During the operation of the apparatus to be described hereinafter, the surface 122 of the transfer roller 104 may be contaminated. In such a case, the surface 122 may be coated by removal, in the order of approximately 5-10 thousandths of a lf. inch, of the rubber cover by using a suitable machine such as a lathe. By virtue of the spacing between the gears 124, 126, the transfer roller 104 can move closer to the take-up roller 102 in order to keep its clutch operative therewith to compensate for the reduced diameter of the transfer roll resulting from the coating process. Similarly, the transfer roller 104 may move away from the take-up roller 102 as may be required in the event that the diameter of the transfer roll is increased, such as in the replacement of the rubber cover when it is worn or damaged. The gear 126 of the transfer roller 104 is held in a gear clutch with a drive gear 128, which is operably coupled to a variable speed AC motor drive motor drive 130 by means of a suitable linkage arrangement 132, such as a transmission chain or transmission band. The operation of the motor drive 130 is controlled by means of a suitable controller 134, both of which are well known in the art. The inking installation 110 can be supported by a structure (not shown) that allows vertical movement of the inking installation as generally designated by the arrow 136. The surface speed of the transfer roller 104 can be determined by any sensor and indicator device of adequate speed, as is well known in the art. For example, the surface velocity can be monitored by placing a plastic disk 138 containing a metallic slag at one end of the transfer roller. A proximity switch 140 detects each time the disk 138 containing the metallic slag passes the proximity switch. This will provide an output reading of the surface velocity of the transfer roller 104 of a given diameter, which can be displayed on a display 142 or the resulting signal can be sent to a microprocessor based on the computer 144. It should be understood that any other apparatus for determining the surface speed of the transfer roller 104 may be used. For example, an encoder device, i.e., an electronic speedometer, which is available from Powermation Corp. De St. Paul, Minnesota. Since the ink installation 110, as observed so far, may require disassembly to coat the transfer roller 104, it is desirable that the speed indicating device does not require attachment to the transfer roller or its axis. According to the foregoing, it is preferred to use a proximity switch which does not require any fastening to the transfer roller as is generally required when using an encoder device. The installation of embossing and hollow printing 112 includes the stamping roller 106 and the support roller 108. The embossing roller 106 is a standard stamping roller of metal construction, the use of which is well known in the art for the embossing of polymer substrates. The surface 146 of the embossing roller 106 is stamped with a certain pattern of raised portions 148. The pattern to be embossed can be formed on the surface 146 of the embossing roller 106 by the use of a variety of processing techniques, such as by chemical etching. , coining or milling, as set forth in the US Patent No. 5,771,796 to Morrison, et al. The embossing roller 106 is coupled to a drive sprocket 149 at one end thereof for rotation by a variable speed AC drive motor 150, which has a suitable driver 152. The drive motor 150 is operatively coupled to the gear wheel 149 by means of a link installation 154, such as a transmission chain or transmission belt. In general, the drive motors 130, 150 and the controllers 134, 150 are of the same design and construction. The surface speed of the embossing roller 106 can be determined by using an encoder device 156 as previously described, which is operatively coupled to the shaft (not shown) around which the embossing roller is articulated. The encoding device will provide an output signal of the surface speed of the stamped roller 106 of given diameter, which is shown either by a display 158 or is sent to the computer 144. It is contemplated that the display screens 142, 158 they can be combined in a single display screen if desired, having, for example, double output readings. The support roller 108 is rotatably hinged, opposite the embossing roller 106, so as to define a line of contact between the rollers 160. The surface 162 of the support roller 108 is preferably covered with a rubber covering such as Hyalon rubber. , which is a manmade cover, which has a hardness of approximately 80 durometers. The support roller 108 can be obtained from American Roll of Union Grove, Wisconsin. Since the material to be embossed and printed in hollow is generally in the nature of a hot extruded PVC material, the embossing roller 106 and the support roller 108 are generally cooled in water by supplying water thereto. , through supply pipes 164, 166, respectively. Having described the apparatus 100, in particular the inking facility 110 and the embossing and gap printing facility 112, the method of the present invention will now be described for embossing and elongated printing of substrates. The speed of performance of the apparatus 100 for embossing and hollow printing a blind 168 is approximately 30-50 feet per minute of linear speed of the blind. Depending on the desired performance, the embossing roller 106 is driven at a predetermined fixed speed by means of the drive motor of the conveyor 150 through the controller 152. The surface speed of the embossing roller is determined by means of the encoder device 156, which is sent either to the display screen 158 or to the computer 144. The rotational speed of the embossing roller 106 is established by manual operation of the controller 152 or under the programmed control of the computer 144. Initially, the inking installation 110 is raised in such a manner that the transfer roller 104 is outside the clutch operative with the embossing roller 106. The transfer roller 104 is rotated by operation of the drive motor of the conveyor 130, which is controlled by the controller 134. The surface speed of the transfer roller is determined by the proximity switch 140. The surface speed of the transfer roller is adjusted to equalize the surface speed of the embossing roller 106 either manually by using the controller 134 after reading output from the display screen 142 or under the programmed operation of the computer 144. Subsequently, the inking installation 110 is decreased in such a way that the transfer roller 104 is clutched by the surface 146 of the embossing roller 106. The speeds respective surface of transfer roller 104 and stamping roller 1 06 are monitored continuously by the proximity switch 140 and the encoder 156. In the case of any difference between the speeds, the operator will adjust the controller 134 to effect a change in the rotational speed of the transfer roller 104. In the alternative, the computer 144 will automatically detect the discrepancy in surface speeds and will input a signal to controller 134. It is also contemplated that the rotational speed of embossing roller 106 can also be similarly controlled in order to keep the surface speeds of the embossing roller substantially equal and preferably identical. 106 and the transfer roller 104.

In order to obtain a uniform ink transfer 116 from the unpatterned surface 122 of the transfer roller 104 for the exposed surface of the raised portions 148 of the embossing roller 106, the surface velocity is required to be equal between the two rolls. For example, a uniform ink coat in the range of 0.5-1 ml is preferred. In the event that the surface speed of the embossing roll 106 is greater than the surface speed of the transfer roll 104, the thickness of the transferred ink coat may be too thin, to cause a smudging effect. On the other hand, if the surface speed of the embossing roll 106 is less than the surface speed of the transfer roll 104, too much ink 116 may be applied to the raised portions 148 resulting in printing out of the gaps, which would provide a non-visible appearance. attractive to the resulting shutter 168. Accordingly, it can be appreciated that the apparatus 100 of the present invention allows the surface speed of the transfer roller 104 to be maintained to precisely match the surface speed of the embossing roller 106. This will result in the exact application of a predetermined ink thickness 116 in alignment to the raised portions 148 without any ink stain or smearing. From the above description of the method of the present invention, the ink 116 of the ink bath 114 is applied on the entire surface 120 of the pick-up roller 102 by means of the scraper blade 118. The doctor blade 118 swings to prevent catching. dirty particles at the edge of the blade, which would otherwise affect the continuity of the ink being applied to the take-up roller 102. Since the transfer roll 104 is coupled to the take-up roll 102 by means of toothed gears 124, 126 , the rotation of the transfer roller will also affect the simultaneous rotation of the pickup roller. The take-up roller 102 transfers the ink layer to the unpatterned surface 122 of the transfer roller 104. The ink layer on the transfer roll 104 is applied to the exposed surface of the raised portions 148 in the stamping roller 106 by contact by I meet with it. According to the above, only the exposed end areas of the raised portions 148 are covered with ink 116 for subsequent embossing and hollow printing to be carried out by means of the embossing roller 106. The ability to tain the surface speed of the transfer roller is equal at the surface speed of the embossing roller, it is achieved by the use of independent drive motors 130, 150 for independent control of the rotational speed of the transfer roller 104 and the embossing roller 106. Independent control can be achieved either manually through the individual controllers 134, 152 or automatically under the programmed control of the computer 144. The embossing roller 106 and the support roller 108 are driven together to provide a pressure in the range of about 1500-2000 lbs. within the roller contact line 160 that is applied to the front surface of the shutter 168 over an area of about 3% inches long and V "inches wide. The shutter 168 is formed from hot-drawn PVC material, having an initial temperature of about 450-500 ° F, which is fed to the nip roller 160 for embossing and hollow printing. means of the embossing roller 106. By virtue of the fact that the embossing roller and the supporting roller 108 are cooled in water, the exit temperature of the shutter 168 is generally in the range of about 250-300 ° F. The cooling of blind 168 is generally preferred in order to fix embossing. Although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments, it is understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and application of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that numerous modifications to the illustrative embodiments may be made and that other facilities may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied in the printing and stamping of substrates.

Claims (37)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. A method for embossing and hollow-printing a pattern on a substrate, comprising applying ink to the moving surface of a pick-up roller; the transfer of the ink directly to a moving surface without pattern, of a transfer roller; transferring the ink from the surface of the transfer roller directly to the raised portions on the moving surface of a stamping roller, the raised portions defining a surface contour in the form of a pattern; and the advancing of a substrate against the moving surface of the embossing roller so that the side of the substrate in contact with the embossing roller is embossed and printed in gap with the pattern. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes the independent actuation of the surface of the transfer roller and the surface of the embossing roller at substantially identical speeds while the ink is transferred from the transfer roller to the embossing roller. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the transfer roller and the embossing roller are driven by independent variable speed motors. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises providing the pick-up roller with a first gear and the transfer roller with a second gear, and the installation of the first and second gear in the toothed installation, whereby the rotation of one of the rollers will cause the rotation of the other of the rollers. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises the cooling of the stamping roller. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises the installation of a support roller opposite the stamping roller to define a line of contact between them, and the advance of the substrate through the contact line between the rollers, whereby the substrate is embossed and printed in hollow with the pattern. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that it also comprises the cooling of the support roller. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises providing a supply of the ink for application to the pick-up roller. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate comprises a blind. A method for embossing and hollow-printing a pattern on a substrate, comprising applying ink to the moving surface of a transfer roller; transferring the ink from an unpatterned surface of the transfer roller to elevated portions on the moving surface of a stamping roller, the raised portions defining a surface contour in the form of a pattern; advancing a substrate against the moving surface of the embossing roller so that the side of the substrate in contact with the embossing roller is embossed and printed in hollow with the pattern; and independent actuation of the surface of the transfer roller and the surface of the embossing roller at substantially identical speeds while the ink is transferred from the transfer roller to the embossing roller and while the embossing roller embosses and prints the substrate hollow. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the transfer roller and the embossing roller are driven by independent variable speed motors. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises the cooling of the stamping roller. 13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it also comprises the installation of a support roller opposite the embossing roller to define a line of contact between them and the advance of the substrate through the roller contact line, whereby the substrate is embossed and embossed. print in hollow with the pattern. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that it also comprises the cooling of the support roller. 15. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises providing a supply of the ink for application to the pick-up roller. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises the establishment of the rotational speed of the embossing roller, determining the surface speed of the transfer roller and the embossing roller and controlling the rotational speed of the transfer roller in such a way that the speed The surface of the transfer roller is substantially identical to the surface speed of the embossing roller. 17. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the substrate comprises a blind. 18. An apparatus for embossing and hollow-printing a pattern on a substrate, the apparatus comprising a rotating pick-up roller having an unpatterned surface in communication with an ink supply; a rotating transfer roller having a surface in operative disposition with the surface of the pick-up roller, the pick-up roller transferring the ink coming from it to the unpatterned surface of the transfer roller; a rotating stamping roller having raised surface portions defining a surface contour in the form of a pattern, the stamping roller being operative with the transfer roller, whereby the ink is transferred to high surface portions of the roller stamping a first motor drive that rotates the transfer roller; and a second motor drive that rotates the embossing roller independently of the rotation of the transfer roller by the first motor drive. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it further includes a rotating support roller positioned adjacent to the stamping roller and defining a line of contact between the rollers through which a substrate passes while contacting the stamping roller to be stamped in relief and printed in hollow with the pattern. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises a first gear secured to the pick-up roller and a second gear secured to the transfer roller, the first and second gears being in serrated installation, whereby the rotation of one of the rollers causes the rotation of the other of the rollers. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a third gear subject to the first motor drive, the third gear engaging with the second gear for the rotation of the transfer roll by operation of the first motor drive. 22. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the first and second gears are constructed to allow the degree of their jagged engagement to increase and decrease. 23. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises a cooling source connected to the stamping roller for supplying a refrigerant thereto. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises a microprocessor operatively coupled to the first and second motor drives. 25. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises an elongate substrate for passing through the nip between the rollers while contacting the stamper roller. 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the substrate comprises a blind. 27. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that it further comprises a cooling source connected to the support roller for supplying a refrigerant thereto. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises a controller for the first and second motor drive, for controlling the surface speed of the transfer roller and the embossing roller. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that the controller comprises a first controller for the first motor drive and a second controller for the second motor drive, the apparatus further comprises a microprocessor adapted to receive the information with respect to the speeds surface of the transfer roller and the embossing roller and, based on the surface velocity information, provide instructions to at least the first driver in order to establish and maintain substantially identical surface speeds for the transfer roller and the embossing roller. 30. An apparatus for embossing and hollow-printing a pattern on a substrate, the apparatus comprising a rotating pick-up roller in communication with an ink supply; a rotating transfer roller having an unpatterned surface in operative arrangement with the pick-up roller, directly transferring the pick-up roller the ink coming from it to the unpatterned surface of the transfer roller; and a rotating stamping roller having raised surface portions defining a surface contour in the form of a pattern, the stamping roller being in operative disposition with the unpatterned surface of the transfer roller, whereby the ink is transferred directly to the elevated portions of the stamping roller. The apparatus according to claim 30, characterized in that it further comprises a rotating support roller positioned adjacent to the stamping roller and defining a roller contact line through which a substrate passes while contacting the stamping roller. 32. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the substrate comprises a blind. 33. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that it further comprises a cooling source connected to the support roller to supply a coolant thereto. 34. The apparatus according to claim 30, characterized in that it further comprises a first gear secured to the pick-up roller and a second gear secured to the transfer roller, the first and second gears being in serrated installation, whereby the rotation of one of the rollers causes the rotation of the other roller. 35. The apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that the first and second gears are constructed to allow the degree of their toothed clutch to increase or decrease. 36. The apparatus according to claim 30, characterized in that it further comprises a cooling source connected to the stamping roller for supplying a refrigerant thereto. 37. The apparatus according to claim 30, characterized in that it further comprises a controller, the controller maintaining the surface speed of the transfer roller identical to the surface speed of the embossing roller.