Device for processing planar parts

Abstract

A device for processing planar parts, in particular plastic substrates, preferably plastic cards, such as credit cards, having a transport apparatus, which defines a conveyance route, and at least two processing stations, which are situated in the conveyance route, the parts being transportable through the processing stations over a processing route, the processing stations comprising conveyance means and processing means, and the conveyance means contacting a first side (bottom side) of the parts for transport and the processing means processing a second side (top side) of the parts, is characterized in that at least one of the processing stations is pivotable or rotatable in such a way that the conveyance means contact the top side of the parts and the processing means process the bottom side of the parts.

1 . A device for processing planar parts, in particular paper and/or plastic substrates, preferably paper or plastic cards, such as credit cards, said device comprising:
 a transport apparatus, which defines a conveyance route, and at least two processing stations, which are situated in the conveyance route, the parts being transportable over a processing route through the processing stations, the processing stations comprising conveyance means and processing means, and the conveyance means contacting a first side of the parts for transport and a processing means processing a second side of the parts,   wherein at least one of the processing stations is pivotable or rotatable in such a way that the conveyance means contact the second side of the parts and the processing means process the first side of the parts.   
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing station is pivotable by 180° around an axis longitudinal or parallel to the conveyance direction, so that the parts run through the processing station in the same direction after the pivoting as before the pivoting. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing station is pivotable by 180° around an axis transverse to the conveyance direction, so that the parts run through the processing station in the reverse direction after the pivoting. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the processing station is pivotable by 180° around an axis orthogonal to the conveyance direction. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing station may be raised or lowered into a pivot position out of the plane of the conveyance route, and is pivotable or rotatable in the pivot position above or below the conveyance route. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the processing station is fastened on a lift/pivot apparatus having a frame, which may be raised or lowered jointly with the processing station, and the processing station is pivotable by 180° on or in the frame. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the frame is preferably vertically guided on both sides. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the frame may be vertically raised and lowered via a cylinder-piston configuration. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the frame or the processing apparatus is seated on a bearing in the processing position. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the lift/pivot apparatus comprises a circular or ring guide, in which the processing station is pivotable or rotatable via a corresponding guide element. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the pivot movement is performed via an electrical or pneumatic drive. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing station is a coding station for coding the magnetic strip of a card. 
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the coding station comprises at least two coding units, which are situated one behind another in the movement direction of the part. 
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein a coding unit is implemented as a read/write unit. 
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein a coding unit comprises two or three coding/read zones. 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the coding units are programmable or activatable/reversible in accordance with the pivot position of the coding station. 
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein one or more coding units are used for the actual coding of the magnetic strip, and another coding unit is used for reading back the performed coding and for the purpose of checking the coding. 
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein two coding units are used for the actual coding of the magnetic strip, and a third coding unit is used for reading back the performed coding and for the purpose of checking the coding. 
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing station is a printing unit for printing the part with a feature used for individualization. 
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the printing unit comprises an inkjet printer.