CN100465634C

CN100465634C - Preconditioning of a substrate in a continuous process for manufacture of electrochemical sensors

Info

Publication number: CN100465634C
Application number: CNB2003801080713A
Authority: CN
Inventors: O·W·H·达维斯
Original assignee: Inverness Medical Ltd
Current assignee: LifeScan Scotland Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-30
Filing date: 2003-10-30
Publication date: 2009-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-30
Also published as: CN1826524A; CN1732382A; CN1732382B; SI1578612T1; CN100379576C; CN100374305C; CN1732269A; CN100577810C; CN1732381A; CN1732724A; CN1692148A; CN1732093A; CN1732092A; CN100489513C; CN100531521C

Abstract

The present invention described a method of preconditioning a substrate in a web manufacturing process wherein the web manufacturing process includes a plurality of printing steps, the method comprising the steps of moving the substrate through the web manufacturing process under tension; heating the substrate as the substrate is passed through the printing steps, wherein the substrate temperature does not exceed a first predetermined temperature during the printing steps; and passing the substrate into a preconditioning station wherein the substrate is heated to a second temperature which exceeds the first temperature.

Description

In the continuous process pre-service substrate that is used for making electrochemical sensor

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the improved process that is used to make electrochemical sensor, more specifically, relates to improved width of cloth manufacture process, wherein, before printing electrochemical sensor member, the pre-service substrate.

Background technology

Electrochemical sensor is used for diagnostic routine widely, comprises the glucose in the blood of measuring the people.The manufacturing of such electrochemical sensor comprises makes millions of little, and each little comprises that being arranged on sample holds electrode in single lattice, and sample holds single lattice and is suitable for containment blood or other body fluid.Body fluid forms complete circuit between the electrode of single lattice.Electrode is coated with at least a reagent usually, analyte (for example, the glucose) reaction in itself and the blood, and forming the intermediate analysis thing, the instrument of the electric charge that this intermediate analysis thing can be by being suitable for measuring electric current or electrode place is measured.Make such electrochemical sensor and need in very little space, deposit which floor electrode material, insulating material and reagent, and the precision of such layer and arrange that the final function for device is important.In addition, in order to reduce cost and to satisfy the demand, it is necessary accurately making electrochemical sensor with the alignment between very high speed and the layer absolute.

Electrochemical sensor can be used for a lot of application.In an application, the electrochemical sensor bar inserts specially suitable instrument, with self-monitoring glucose or other analyte (such as fructosamine, hematocrit etc.) in blood or the tissue fluid for example.According to the design of electrochemical sensor, the layout of electrode, the reagent and the other factors of use, use such electrochemical sensor can test a lot of analytes.A lot of these are used, and in particular for the bar of test glucose, need the sensor placement of specific dimensions and structure, wherein, make in specific tolerance, can predict as far as possible and the electrochemical sensor of characteristic repeatably to obtain having.

Owing to need make a lot of sensors soon, wherein, this sensor has very little single lattice size, therefore has the very little electrode in very tight tolerance, so manufacture process is further complicated.When testing the glucose of blood or tissue fluid, one of principal element that hinders often test is the blood of extraction requirement or the misery that tissue fluid produces.The smaller usually volume of bigger volume needs bigger misery.Therefore, produce the blood or the tissue fluid of a small amount of, therefore use not too misery, promote that the sensor of more frequent dispersion or follow-on test is favourable.Need a kind of method of less analyte to be, production has the electrochemical sensor bar of the very little structure member such as very little sample holds single lattice and the very little electrode in these samples hold single lattice, yet, such widget manufacturing is difficulty more, particularly make, so that produce accurate and reproducible analysis measurement difficulty more in accurate and reproducible mode.

A lot of methods can be used to make electrochemical sensor, comprise the process such as runner notch board and cylinder serigraphy.In the runner intaglio, cylinder is coated with the coverture of the shape of the parts (for example, electrode) that qualification will print.In addition, cylinder can be used to print further film or layer (for example, enzyme or insulation course).

Come to form one or more electrode by runner intaglio conductive ink on flexible web and make electrochemical sensor, this flexible web can be a polymkeric substance.By using very thin China ink, high-quality print definition is possible.For thicker China ink and the bigger print thickness that need when printing electrochemical sensor, fixing flat screen cloth is generally used for the single platform printing of feeding of electrochemical sensor.Other method comprises the method for using the rotary printing structure to make electrochemical sensor, also has been described.

Be used for the width of cloth manufacture process of electrochemical sensor, the width of cloth of base material is by a series of printing stations.At each printing station, by using for example screen printing process, the new material layer depositions such as electrode material is in the substrate or on the layer that deposits previously.In screen printing process, the width of cloth is positioned under the screen cloth, is used to make the China ink of electrode, conductive ink for example, and the selected part by screen cloth is pushed, and has the layer of predetermined layout with printing on the part of the width of cloth below being positioned at screen cloth.Therefore,, print each layer continuously by substrate is moved to the next one from a printing station, and the single sensor of width of cloth cutting from finishing, can in substrate, constitute electrochemical sensor.

In a manufacture method, transport by at least two printing stations by the continuous width of cloth and to make the electrode layer and at least the first reagent layer substrate.This printing station can be the runner intaglio station or the cylinder serigraphy station of cylinder.Yet when printing electrochemical sensor on the width of cloth, runner notch board of printing (cylinders of rotation texturing) and cylinder serigraphy (screen cloth/template of rotating cylindrical) method run into shortcoming.The runner intaglio is given very thin printing height usually.The required thick conductive ink of thickness of electrode of producing the needs of electrochemical sensor (particularly those are used for the electrochemical sensor of blood sugar test) especially may suffer incomplete, inconsistent printing, and the result reduces electrochemical sensor quality, consistance and reliability.(it has high solids content usually with carbon ink, and may want to work as viscous) the runner intaglio of producing carbon electrode is difficulty especially, because the solid phase/liquid phase in the China ink can be separated, cause from the incomplete or inhomogeneous filling of the rag that is printed onto printing or empty.This may cause uneven print thickness, and carbon electrode quality and consistance are descended.The cylinder serigraphy is well suited for single layout of feeding (arranging relative with the continuous width of cloth).And, because the characteristic of the cylinder of screen cloth has limited the interactional mode of manipulation screen cloth and printed medium, and thus by doing the ability that printing quality is exerted one's influence like this.Equally, the multiple template that can be used for obtaining the correct black thickness of the China ink (carbon, silver/silver chloride, insulation, enzyme or other reagent layer) for every type is not easy to obtain from the market.

By the usage platform printing machine (such as from Kippax UK, Huddersfield, UK and Registerprint, London, obtainable Thieme of UK or Svecia), and metering is passed through from DEK Machinery, Weymouth, UK and BTPCraftscreen, Coventry, UK obtains is parallel to the China ink of the screen template that the flat substrate card that will print is provided with thereon, also can be used to test the electrochemical sensor of blood or tissue fluid glucose with the production of multistep printing process.The advantage that this process has is, can with accurately repeatably mode produce sensor, make user's comparative result often.The substrate sheet that is used for printing the multirow bar thereon makes row perpendicular to direct of travel by several platform printing stages.In this manufacture process, the thin layer of China ink is screen-printed on the polymeric substrates in proper order, to form large quantities of sensor strips.At first, can put down carbon ink, to form electrode layer.Next, can put down the dielectric ink layer.Next, can put down reagent layer, be generally the enzyme China ink.Next, can put down the second enzyme layer.Next, can put down adhesive phase.Finally, can put down hydrophilic layer.The sheet cutting is being embarked on journey, and row was cut into before single, diaphragm can be placed on the top of sensor chip.Can produce 500 or more sensor strip for single of the substrate of Zhi Zaoing by this way.These sensor strips are arranged to 0 to 9 row on perpendicular to the direct of travel (print direction) of substrate sheet by flatbed press, every row has 50 sensor strips.Each is parallel to print direction bar 1 to 50 in every row.Each sheet can be handled by hand between each stage.Especially after four print steps (printed carbon ink, dielectric ink and two-layer enzyme China ink), each sheet can be handled by hand and enter cutting machine, makes to cut along row, separates delegation's sensor strip and another are capable.Next, can handle each row, make to cut into 50 independently bars.These maneuvering sequences are time-consuming with inefficient.

Therefore, need a kind of improved process make electrochemical sensor, especially, be used for making the electrochemical sensor of the sign (glucose, fructosamine, hematocrit etc.) of the health measurement such as blood or the tissue fluid.Also need a kind of high speed, can predict, reproducible mode makes sensor strip with rational cost.In addition, the sensor strip that also need a kind of high speed, can predict, reproducible mode manufacturing has very little parts, wherein, each bar of finishing can be used for reliably, can predict ground in reproducible mode and accurately measure the analyte of body fluid.

In the continuous web manufacture process that is used for making electrochemical sensor, sensor base, it also can be called the width of cloth, is heated and is placed on tension force following time at it during this process, and it can expand or stretch.Next each of printing station in manufacture process (that is the printing station of deposit carbon, insulation and enzyme) can be dry station.For dry China ink comes effectively dryly, exsiccator for example stands under 50-140 degree centigrade the temperature and works.And for the aligning of the auxiliary width of cloth by each printing station, the width of cloth is placed under the tension force.Substrate must be maintained under the tension force, with the aligning in the control procedure, and the result, no matter when substrate is heated, and for example, comes the later China ink of dry printing, and substrate may be stretched unpredictablely, causes that the picture size in printing subsequently changes.

Size of images in the printing of each printing station determined by Several Factors, comprises template size, black viscosity, the relative width of cloth and template/screen cloth speed, and stretches (reversible with irreversible stretching, extension) in the substrate of this point.Picture size between different print steps also may change in unpredictable mode, has greatly reduced turnout.In an example, if the layer between picture size between mispairing along the width of cloth greater than 300 microns, resulting sensor strip can not be used, all bars in this batch must be dropped.

Believe that it is because excessive and unpredictable stretching, extension of width of cloth substrate (because heat and tension force) and contraction that excessive picture size changes.Therefore, design a kind of width of cloth process, wherein, can the pre-service width of cloth or substrate, to prevent unpredictable stretching, extension during manufacture process, this is favourable.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a kind of method of pre-service substrate in width of cloth manufacture process, wherein, this width of cloth manufacture process comprises a plurality of print steps.In one embodiment, method of the present invention is included under the tension force mobile substrate by width of cloth process, and heats the step of substrate during by print steps when substrate.In the present invention, before any print steps, substrate is by preprocessing station, and it is heated to predetermined temperature with substrate, and this temperature satisfies or surpasses any temperature that substrate runs into during the remainder of this process.During preprocessing process, the temperature that substrate is heated to can be similar to 160 ℃.Preprocessing station can also comprise that at least one is suitable for removing from substrate the cleaning surfaces station of impurity.

In the method according to the invention, in order to improve printing, in width of cloth manufacture process, can comprise other step.For example, the substrate tension force that can stretch guarantees that enough this tension force is not exceeded during the stage subsequently of width of cloth process.In addition, in one embodiment, predetermined tension force is approximate 165N, and the second predetermined temperature is approximate 140 ℃.In the embodiment that also has of the present invention, in pre-treatment step, substrate is heated to certain temperature, and when substrate moved through width of cloth process, this temperature was enough removed irreversible stretching, extension from substrate.

Description of drawings

Illustrate novel features of the present invention by the characteristic in the accompanying Claim book.The following detailed description of illustrating in illustrative embodiment of reference can obtain the better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, has used principle of the present invention in these illustrative embodiment, and its accompanying drawing is:

Fig. 1 is a synoptic diagram of describing 8 parts of web printing process.

Fig. 2 A is a synoptic diagram of describing first and second parts of web printing process.

Fig. 2 B is a synoptic diagram of describing the 3rd, the 4th and the 5th part of web printing process.

Fig. 2 C is a synoptic diagram of describing the 6th and the 7th part of web printing process.

Fig. 3 is a synoptic diagram of describing the moist environment of the 5th and the 6th part that centers on width of cloth printing.

Fig. 4 is a backplan of describing the moist environment of the 5th and the 6th part that centers on width of cloth printing.

Fig. 5 is the skeleton view with conduit of perforation.

Fig. 6 is a synoptic diagram of describing the cycle that is full of.

Fig. 7 is a synoptic diagram of describing the print cycle.

Fig. 8 is a synoptic diagram of describing 2 different squeegee angles.

Fig. 9 is a synoptic diagram of describing 2 different squeegee positions.

Figure 10 is a synoptic diagram of describing the screen cloth engagement range.

Figure 11 is the decomposition view of pretreatment zone (211).

Figure 12 is the decomposition view of first arid region (217).

Figure 13 is the decomposition view of second arid region (224).

Figure 14 is the decomposition view of the 3rd arid region (230).

Figure 15 is the decomposition view of the 4th arid region (236).

Figure 16 is the decomposition view of first cleaning unit (204).

Figure 17 A-17D is insulation course has suitable aligning to carbon-coating a view.

Figure 18 A-18D is that insulation course has the view of inproper alignment to carbon-coating when the figure that produces owing to screen cloth 301 stretches.

Figure 19 A-19D is when the figure from screen cloth 301 does not stretch, and insulation course has the view of inproper alignment to carbon-coating.

Figure 20 A-20D is described in initial alignment process manipulate person to be used for first of visual inspection and to observe guiding piece and aim at the synoptic diagram of the print result of the width of cloth.

Figure 21 A has first and second width of cloth to observe guiding piece; The first, second, third and the 4th Y alignment mark; And the example of the sensor chip of X alignment mark.

Figure 21 B is the decomposition view with the delegation in the sensor chip of carbon X alignment mark.

Figure 21 C is the decomposition view with the delegation in the sensor chip of insulation X alignment mark of coated carbon X alignment mark.

Figure 22 is the synoptic diagram that is used to aim at web printing process parameter X, Y and θ.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 is the synoptic diagram of describing according to 8 parts of web printing process of the present invention.Part 1 is unwinder unit 101.Part 2 is preprocessing station 102.Part 3 is carbon printing stations 103.Part 4 is insulation printing stations 104.Part 5 is first enzyme printing stations 105.Part 6 is second enzyme printing stations 106.Part 7 is rewinder unit 107.Part 8 is stamping machines 108.Though those skilled in the art are appreciated that following description and relate to process and the equipment with these 8 part correlations that process of the present invention and equipment can be realized with the part of more or smaller amounts.For example, although imagine 4 printing stations in the present embodiment, under the situation that does not depart from scope of the present invention, can use one or more printing station.In one embodiment, have minimum two printing stations be used to print electrode the layer and reagent layer.

In one embodiment of the invention, part 1 can use base material unwinder unit 101 to realize, for example, and from the available Martin Unwinder/Automatic of the Martin Automatic Inc. Splice of Rockford IL.In an embodiment of the present invention,

part

2,3,4,5 and 6 can use the Kammann Printer of modification to realize, the Kammann Printer that revises is from the Werner Kammann MaschinefabrikGmbh of the Bunde of Germany, and model 4.61.35 can obtain.In an embodiment of the present invention, part 2 can be a pretreatment unit 102.Pretreatment unit 102 can be used for pre-service substrate 242 before printing, and

part

3,4,5 and 6 can be used for serigraphy carbon, insulation, first enzyme and the second enzyme China ink to substrate 242.Part 7 can comprise rewinder unit 107, for example, from Rockford, the available Martin Rewinder of Martin Automatic Inc. of IL.Part 8 can comprise stamping machine 108, for example, from Lenexa, the available Preco stamping machine of the Preco Press of Kansas, model 2024-P-40T XYT CCD CE.Though mentioned the equipment of special type, under the situation that does not depart from scope of the present invention, can change and/or substitute and/or omit the part of these equipment fully, as one of ordinary skill in the art will be understo.

Fig. 2 A, 2B and 2C show the synoptic diagram when the passage of the substrate 242 of substrate by according to the part 1-8 of web printing process of the present invention the time.In one embodiment of the invention, the material that is used for substrate 242 can be a polyester material (trade name

ST328), it is made by DuPont Teijin Films.Substrate 242 is supplied with material webs, and it can be 350 for example specified micron thickness, and the wide and approximate 660m of 370mm is long.The size that has been found that these thickness and width is particularly suitable for by serigraphy electrogenesis in next life chemical sensor flat on the width of cloth of substrate.This is that material is firm to be used for printing because require, but can handle by equipment, and has the sensor that enough width hold suitable quantity, so that this process viable commercial.Substrate 242 can comprise the acrylic acid coatings that is applied on a side or the both sides, adheres to improve China ink.Polyester is a preferable material, because its performance under the temperature of the rising of using during the width of cloth process according to the present invention and tension force is satisfactory.Though polyester, in fact Melinex is preferable material in one embodiment of the invention, and those skilled in the art it is contemplated that from the explanation that provides here and use other material.In fact, wherein, it is contemplated that the variation of material thickness, width and length, bigger width or length provide the extra ability of producing sensor, and the variation of material thickness helps pre-service in some cases, perhaps aim at during printing.In a preferred embodiment of the invention; entering before the carbon printing station 103; substrate 242 is exposed to thermally-stabilised process; by reaching 185 ℃ not making substrate be under the big tension force heating substrate; during web printing process, to attempt and to guarantee the minimum size distortion of substrate 242 experience; wherein, reaching the temperature that can meet with under the tension force of 165N between 140 and 160 ℃.Usually, the tension force that uses just enough drives the width of cloth and passes through well heater as minimum.Yet although have been found that this thermally-stabilised process, the variation of the aligning from the print steps to the print steps can occur, and causes sensor fault.Therefore, and then introducing pre-treatment step before the printing.As after this illustrating, in pre-treatment step (part 1), substrate is heated to the temperature bigger than its any temperature that meets with (common 160 ℃) during the print steps of back.In a preferred embodiment, during this pre-treatment step, substrate also remains on (about 165N usually) under the tension force.In fact, in this embodiment, pre-service and the combination that is arranged under the tension force have reduced the variation in the print register widely, and have improved final product yield.In one embodiment of the invention, use splicing tpae, for example, from the PS-1 Splicing Flatback Paper Tape of Intertape PolymerGroup, substrate 242 twist in unwinder unit 101 or rewinder 107 is bonded together.

Fig. 2 A is a synoptic diagram of describing the part 1 and the part 2 of web printing process according to an embodiment of the invention.In Fig. 2 A, part 1 is unwinder unit 101.Unwinder unit 101 comprises first unwinding axle 200, the second unwinding axles, 201, the first joint units 202 and the first memory 203.In Fig. 2 A, part 2 is a preprocessing station 102.Preprocessing station 102 comprises first cleaning unit 204, common obsolete second joint unit 205, inbound roll 206, the second cleaning units 207, measuring cell 208, the first print roller, 209, the first driven rollers 210 and first dryer area 211.

In the embodiments of the invention shown in Fig. 2 A, unwinder unit 101 comprises, for example, Martin Unwinder/Automatic Splice, it is used to promote substrate 242 continuous motion under the tension force of approximate 80N to enter preprocessing station 102.Unwinder unit 101 can comprise the first unwinding axle 200 and the second unwinding axle 201.Notice that axle also can be called main shaft.The first unwinding axle 200 keeps a volume base material 242, and the preprocessing station 102 of continuous feeding substrate 242 entering parts 2.The second unwinding axle 201 keeps a standby volume substrate 242, and it joins the end from the volume of the substrate 242 of the first unwinding axle 200 automatically to, guarantees semi-continuously to supply with substrate 242.This continuous process repeats from the first unwinding axle, 200 to second unwinding axles 201.When first joint unit 202 carries out bonding operation (during this period, the first unwinding axle 200 and the second unwinding axle 201 are all static), the substrate 242 of base material storer 203 storing predetermined length, and the preprocessing station 102 that the substrate 242 of storage is assigned to part 2.The joint that produces is that butt joint engages, and the splicing tpae of certain-length is arranged on the either side of seam crossing at material.In order to ensure quality, can abandon the substrate of printing of approximate 10m of the either side of joint.The first unwinding axle 200 and the second unwinding axle 201 comprise breadths edge guiding piece (not showing), and its guiding substrate 242 enters first joint unit 202.Breadths edge guiding piece is suitable for preventing that substrate 242 from departing from when substrate is fed in first joint unit 202.

Usually, set up machine of the present invention,, be more typically 6 volume substrates to produce 2 to 10 simultaneously.For being connected to those printing stations that continuous China ink is supplied with, the quantity of the volume that use is not problem usually.Yet for two enzyme printing stations of supplying with the China ink of limited quantity, the quantity of the volume that use is important input parameter.In fact, before the beginning printing process, the quantity of the volume that use determines to be placed on the quantity of the China ink on the screen cloth.For example, for 6 volume operations, before each printing of part 5 and 6 began, the enzyme China ink suitable with 6 (perhaps just more than 6) volume was placed on the screen cloth.Therefore, run through printing operation, need be ready to the enzyme China ink and be used for printing, to guarantee the unanimity printing of enzyme in the whole life-span of printing operation.In the enzyme printing station, place wall, can add screen cloth with the enzyme China ink of guaranteeing q.s, and need not fill screen cloth, and also reduced the enzyme China ink and overflow screen cloth and overflow to a suprabasil risk of below screen cloth, advancing at run duration around screen cloth.

In one embodiment of the invention, run through this process, substrate 242 remains under the tension force of about 165N, so that keep four layers the aligning (usually, the print register tolerance is 300 microns) that will print.During each print steps, 140 ℃ or less all temps are also experienced in substrate 242, so that the China ink of dry printing.Because this tension force and temperature, during this process, substrate 242 has the trend that stretches or expand, and therefore, falls beyond the alignment tolerance.In fact, from the printing stage to the printing stage, printing operation is to printing operation, and the picture size in the printing operation itself to change be unpredictable, and be higher than and can tolerate.

In the embodiments of the invention shown in Fig. 2 A, part 2 is preprocessing station 102.Before any image printing is to the substrate, carry out pre-service.Pre-service substrate 242 to reduce the expansion in the part subsequently of width of cloth process and the amount of stretching, extension, also helps to aim at by the substrate 242 of part 3-6.Preprocessing station can be heated to the temperature that is no more than print steps subsequently with substrate 242.Typically, this occur in 150 and 180N between tension force under, more typically, occur in about 165N.Yet in another embodiment, optionally under above-mentioned tension force, preprocessing station 102 can be heated to substrate 242 enough and remove the temperature of irreversible stretching, extension from substrate 242 once more.

In one embodiment of the invention, in pretreatment zone 211 substrate is heated to approximate 160 ℃, this shows in greater detail in Figure 11.As previously mentioned bright, in one embodiment of the invention, during substrate 242 processing subsequently, comprise drying steps subsequently, do not reach or do not have to surpass the temperature in preprocessing station 102, substrate 242 is heated to.Printing process subsequently can be by providing bigger a little template screen mesh size (usually on the direct of travel of the width of cloth 750 microns) to compensate because the bigger a little image that the stretching, extension that is caused by the process of preprocessing station 102 produces.Provide new screen cloth to have problem.Therefore, can change other parameter,, adapting to the variation of picture size, and not need to change screen cloth such as the relative velocity of the screen cloth and the width of cloth at each printing station.In any case the amount that the picture size that can adapt to changes is restricted.Therefore, preferably as here describe ground pre-service substrate, reducing the general image size increases, and reduces the variation that described picture size increases.

In one embodiment of the invention, preprocessing station 102 also comprises extra element, and it carries out the function that promotes according to the proper operation of width of cloth manufacture process of the present invention.In pretreatment unit 102, two width of cloth cleaning units are arranged, first cleaning unit 204 and second cleaning unit 207, the top of its clean substrate 242 and bottom side.Before any print steps, first cleaning unit 204 and second cleaning unit 207 make the roller that sticks with glue the bonding agent coating to remove particles from substrate 242.First cleaning unit 204 can be for example on the market from Glasgow, the clearer of the available model WASP400 of KSM Web Cleaners of United Kingdom.Second cleaning unit 207 for example is from the available clearer of Teknek on the market.Preprocessing station 102 also comprises inbound roll 206 and measuring cell 208.Inbound roll 206 is used to control the tension force (the particularly tension force between inbound roll 206 and departures roll 238) of substrate 242.Inbound roll 206 is linked to measuring cell 208 via control system (not showing).Substrate 242 is taken out from the second enzyme printing station 106 part 6 with constant speed by departures roll 238.When substrate moved through according to width of cloth process of the present invention, the measuring cell 208 in part 2 was measured the tension force of substrates 242.Inbound roll 206 is regulated its speed, so that at predetermined set-point control tension force.Typical substrate tension force is for being similar to 150N to 180N in width of cloth manufacture process according to the present invention, and more specifically, for 160N arrives 170N, in the present embodiment, this tension force is approximate 165N.

Fig. 2 B is a synoptic diagram of describing part 3, part 4 and part 5 according to web printing process of the present invention.In Fig. 2 B, part 3 is carbon printing stations 103.Before printing, cleaning systems (can obtain from Meech) are installed, these cleaning systems use vacuum and brush system to come the top side (printed side) and the bottom side of clean substrate, and top brush and vacuum station 251 and bottom brush and vacuum station 250 are offset each other.The top brush is right after chill roll 212 with vacuum station 250 and contacts substrate in the past with storer 213, but and is the carbon printing nearest point of arrival in the past.The bottom side brush is right after with vacuum station 251 and contacts substrate after pretreatment unit 102 is left in substrate.Carbon printing station 103 comprises first chill roll 212, second memory 213, the second print roller 214, the first vision sensor 215, the second driven rollers, 216, the first dryer area 217 and second chill rolls 218.In the embodiments of the invention shown in Fig. 2 B, part 4 is insulation printing stations 104.Insulation printing station 104 comprises the 3rd chill roll 219, the three storeies 220, the three print roller 221, the second vision sensors 222, the Y alignment system (not showing) at position 237A place, the 3rd driven roller 223 and second dryer area 224.In Fig. 2 B, part 5 is first enzyme printing stations 105.The first enzyme printing station 105 comprises the 4th chill roll 225, the four storeies 226, the four print roller 227, the three vision sensors 228, the 2nd Y alignment system (not showing) at position 237B place, 4 wheel driven action roller 229 and the 3rd dryer area 230.

In process according to the present invention, the part 3 of width of cloth manufacture process is for carrying out the place of carbon printing.Certainly, as one of ordinary skill in the art will be understo, the quantity of printing process and type can change, and do not depart from the wideest scope of the present invention.For example, two carbon printings can be set, perhaps the China ink by having metallic particles silver/silver chloride or can be used to provide the electrode layer of electrochemical sensor based on one or more printing of the carbon of the China ink of gold or palladium.Insulation and reagent layer also can change their composition, sedimentary sequence, deposit thickness and layout, and other parameter that can understand from the embodiments described herein of those skilled in the art.In part 3, the carbon figure that is used for electrochemical sensor constructed in accordance can utilize serigraphy to print.The basic building block of carbon printing station 103 shows in Fig. 6 and 7.Especially, suitable printing station according to the present invention comprises screen cloth 301, bottom print roller 303, print roller 600, is full of sheet 603, squeegee retainer 605 and squeegee 606.In carbon printing station 103, print roller 600 is second print roller 214.Screen cloth 301 is common flat structure, generally includes mesh, and it is set to provide the negative film of the figure that needs.Carbon ink is applied to mesh, and during printing carbon ink is pushed away mesh.In this stage, flat screen cloth may since the weight of China ink (for the enzyme print steps, especially like this, all China inks that wherein, will use during whole printing operation are deposited on the screen cloth at the place that begins of printing operation usually) and from the pressure of the squeegee that China ink was pushed away the mesh template and a little distortion break away from flat shape.

Be full of in the periodic process according to of the present invention,, be full of sheet 603 by mobile squeegee 606 on the first direction 608 that moves at the width of cloth corresponding to substrate 242, print roller 600 and bottom print roller 303, screen cloth 301 is filled China ink 604.For being full of the cycle, wherein, China ink 604 is filled on the screen cloth 301, and screen cloth 301 moves on the second direction 607 opposite with the first direction 608 of substrate 242.

In print cycle process subsequently according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 7, squeegee 606 transmits China ink 604 by in screen cloth 301 and the arrival substrate 242.During the print cycle, squeegee 606 is full of sheet 603, and print roller 600 and bottom print roller 303 all move on the second direction 607 opposite with the width of cloth direction of motion of substrate 242.For the print cycle, wherein, China ink 604 is pushed over screen cloth 301 and is deposited in the substrate 242, and screen cloth 301 moves on the first direction 608 that the width of cloth corresponding to substrate 242 moves.Therefore, during the print cycle, screen cloth 301 moves with identical with substrate or very approaching identical speed on the direction identical with width of cloth substrate.When static, screen cloth 301 is roughly flat, although in use, it is promoted towards the width of cloth by squeegee 606, and when this happens, screen cloth is out of shape a little, and in case when removing squeegee 606, screen cloth roughly returns to its original shape.Then, be ready for the next one during print cycle when screen cloth 301 is reloaded China ink 604, it moves on the direction opposite with substrate.When China ink was loaded on the screen cloth 301, the weight of China ink may crooked very slightly screen cloth.When the width of cloth left printing station, the direct of travel 608 of the screen cloth 301 and the width of cloth at an angle.This layout (about usually 10 to 30 degree of angle, more specifically, about 15 spend) has been improved China ink and has been discharged in the substrate from screen cloth, has improved print distinctness and reproducibility.Screen cloth is with respect to the angle of substrate, the squeegee angle, screen cloth is with respect to the distance of squeegee, squeegee is with respect to the position of print roller, engagement range, the relative velocity of substrate and screen cloth, and squeegee pressure, the consistance (embodiment of serigraphy mechanism describes in the United States Patent (USP) of issuing 4245554 in further detail, its by with reference to being incorporated herein) that may be used to control and optimize the print distinctness that finally obtains and cross card.

Especially, in carbon printing station 103, described China ink is a carbon ink.The example of suitable carbon ink is set forth below at this.In an embodiment of the present invention, before use squeegee 606 passed through China ink 604 transmission screen cloth and arrives in the substrate 242, screen cloth 301 was full of China ink 604.For example using then, 140 ℃ hot-air comes drying to be deposited on the carbon figure of the printing in the substrate 242, this hot-air uses in first dryer area 217 four independently dry groups to be directed on the surface of printing of substrate, and this shows in greater detail in as Figure 12.

The suitable China ink that is used for the carbon printing station includes, but not limited to have metallic particles, and silver/silver chloride is based on gold, based on the printable China ink of conduction of the carbon of palladium.

In one embodiment of the invention, before the carbon printing process, be right after after the drying, substrate 242 is by first chill roll 212, and it is designed to cool off fast substrate 242 to predetermined temperature, is generally room temperature (approximately 18-21 ℃, common 19.5 ℃+/-0.5 ℃).In an embodiment of width of cloth manufacture process according to the present invention, the surface of first chill roll 212 is approximate 18 ℃.First chill roll 212 can for example use about 7 ℃ factory's chilled water to be cooled to suitable temperature.Flow rate by control factory chilled water and/or temperature can control roll temperature.After the carbon pattern of printing deposited in printing process, substrate 242 was by second chill roll 218.Reduce the temperature of substrate, and the temperature of keeping substrate 242 is favourable, dry and in mesh, produce the possibility of blocking because colder temperature has reduced during printing at China ink on the screen cloth.It also is favourable using chill roll in width of cloth manufacture process according to the present invention, because it has reduced the span of substrate 242, has reduced alignment issues, and has revised the needs that ongoing process remedies such problem.

In one embodiment, the backfeed loop of the temperature by measuring chill roll and controlled water flow/temperature is dynamically controlled the temperature of chill roll.Those skilled in the art it is contemplated that other method of cooling off this roller from the embodiments described herein, for example, and electronic refrigeration unit.

In process according to the present invention, the part 4 of width of cloth manufacture process is the place of insulating and printing.In part 4, utilize the serigraphy of using common flat screen cloth to print the insulation patterns of electrochemical sensor constructed in accordance.The basic building block of insulation printing station 104 shows in Fig. 6 and 7.Especially, suitable printing station according to the present invention comprises screen cloth 301, bottom print roller 303, print roller 600, is full of sheet 603, squeegee retainer 605 and squeegee 606.In insulation printing station 104, print roller 600 is the 3rd print roller 221.

In print cycle process subsequently according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 7, squeegee 606 transmits China ink 604 by in screen cloth 301 and the arrival substrate 242.During the print cycle, squeegee 606 is full of sheet 603, and print roller 600 and bottom print roller 303 all move on the second direction 607 opposite with the width of cloth direction of motion of substrate 242.For the print cycle, wherein, China ink 604 is pushed over screen cloth 301 and is deposited in the substrate 242, and screen cloth 301 moves on the first direction 608 that the width of cloth corresponding to substrate 242 moves.An embodiment of serigraphy mechanism describes in the United States Patent (USP) of issuing 4245554 in further detail, and it is incorporated herein by reference.

In movably flat serigraphy, during printing, usually flat screen cloth have its motion on the direction identical with substrate and for with the component of the approximately uniform speed of substrate.Usually, in each of printing station, when screen cloth and substrate from the printing position (print roller 200 the neighborhood graph 6) when moving away, generally flat screen cloth acutangulates (being A among Fig. 6) with respect to substrate.The relative velocity of change substrate and screen cloth has changed the image of printing at the substrate direct of travel, that is, and and the size on the directions X.

Each the stencil screen Netcom that is used for printing station often comprises polyester or the steel mesh eye that stretches and be attached to the elastically deformable of rigid frame.An embodiment uses by Weymouth, the polyester screen of the DEK Machinery of UK supply.Mesh is coated with the coating of UV sensitivity, and binding film positive, screen cloth are exposed to the UV light source, develop, and dry, make coating dry on screen cloth, to form the negative film of the graph image that needs.Under the help of squeegee, China ink by template the open area and the arrival substrate on (the given positive picture that in substrate, forms by China ink).Framework provides the device that mesh is installed, and bears the power that is applied by the mesh that stretches, and has minimum distortion, and bears the extra power that produces during printing.

Especially, in insulation printing station 104, described China ink is a dielectric ink.The example of suitable insulation China ink is set forth below at this.In an embodiment of the present invention, before use squeegee 606 passed through China ink 604 transmission screen cloth and arrives in the substrate 242, screen cloth 301 was full of China ink 604.For example using then, 140 ℃ hot-air comes drying to be deposited on the insulation patterns of the printing in the substrate 242, this hot-air uses in second dryer area 224 four independently dry groups to be directed on the surface of printing of substrate, and this shows in greater detail in as Figure 13.The example that is used for according to the suitable China ink of the insulation printing station of width of cloth manufacture process of the present invention is Ercon E6110-116 Jet Black Insulayer Ink, and it can be from Ercon, and Inc. buys.In one embodiment of the invention, use technology described herein, insulation patterns is registered to the carbon figure on directions X (along machine) and Y direction (cross-machine).Can use other type of dielectric ink, understandable as those skilled in the art from the description here.And, can use different layers, the order of perhaps different layers provides the order of different layer, and therefore the different structure of the electrochemical sensor of production is provided.

In one embodiment of the invention, before the insulation printing process, be right after after the drying, substrate 242, the carbon and the insulating pattern that comprise printing, by the 3rd chill roll 219, it is designed to cool off fast substrate 242 to predetermined temperature, be generally room temperature (approximately 17-21 ℃, common 19.5 ℃+/-0.5 ℃).In an embodiment of width of cloth manufacture process according to the present invention, the surface temperature of the 3rd chill roll is approximate 18 ℃.The 3rd chill roll 219 can for example use about 7 ℃ factory's chilled water to be cooled to suitable temperature.Reduce the temperature of substrate 242, and the temperature of keeping substrate 242 is favourable, dry and in mesh, produce the possibility of blocking because colder temperature has reduced at China ink on the screen cloth.It also is favourable using chill roll in width of cloth manufacture process according to the present invention, because it has reduced the span of substrate 242, has reduced alignment issues, and has revised the needs that ongoing process remedies such problem.

In process according to the present invention, the part 5 of width of cloth manufacture process is the place of carrying out the printing of first enzyme.In part 5, utilize serigraphy and foregoing movably common flat screen cloth to print the enzyme China ink figure of electrochemical sensor constructed in accordance.The basic building block of the first enzyme printing station 105 shows in Fig. 6 and 7.Especially, suitable printing station according to the present invention comprises screen cloth 301, bottom print roller 303, print roller 600, is full of sheet 603, squeegee retainer 605 and squeegee 606.In the first enzyme printing station 105, print roller 600 is the 4th print roller 227.

Especially, in the first enzyme printing station 105, described China ink is the enzyme China ink.The example of suitable enzyme China ink is set forth below at this.In an embodiment of the present invention, before use squeegee 606 passed through China ink 604 transmission screen cloth and arrives in the substrate 242, screen cloth 301 was full of China ink 604.For example using then, 50 ℃ hot-air comes drying to be deposited on the enzyme figure of the printing in the substrate 242, this hot-air uses in the 3rd dryer area 230 two independently dry groups to be directed on the surface of printing of substrate, and this shows in greater detail in as Figure 14.Be used in form 2, summing up according to the example of the suitable China ink of the first enzyme printing station 105 of width of cloth manufacture process of the present invention.

Form 2

Composition	Supplier
Composition	Supplier	Glucose oxidase	Biozyme Laboratories
Trisodium citrate	Fisher Scientific	Glucose oxidase	Biozyme Laboratories
Trisodium citrate	Fisher Scientific	Citric acid	Fisher Scientific
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)	Sigma Aldrich	Citric acid	Fisher Scientific
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)	Sigma Aldrich	Hydroxyethyl cellulose (Nat250G)	Honeywell and Stein BDH/Merck LTD Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co.，UK
Six cyanogen close the sour potassium of iron (III)	Norlab Instruments Ltd.UK	Hydroxyethyl cellulose (Nat250G)
Six cyanogen close the sour potassium of iron (III)	Norlab Instruments Ltd.UK	The DC1500 antifoaming agent	BDH/Merck Ltd
Cabosil	Ellis and Everard Ltd	The DC1500 antifoaming agent	BDH/Merck Ltd
Cabosil	Ellis and Everard Ltd	PVPVA	ISP Company Ltd
Analytically pure water	BDH/Merck Ltd	PVPVA	ISP Company Ltd

In one embodiment of the invention, after the insulation printing process, be right after after the drying, substrate 242, the carbon and the insulating pattern that comprise printing, by the 4th chill roll 225, it is designed to cool off fast substrate 242 to predetermined temperature, be generally room temperature (approximately 17-21 ℃, common 19.5 ℃+/-0.5 ℃).In an embodiment of width of cloth manufacture process according to the present invention, the surface of the 4th chill roll 225 is approximate 18 ℃.The 4th chill roll 225 can for example use about 7 ℃ factory's chilled water to be cooled to suitable temperature.Reduce the temperature of substrate 242, and the temperature of keeping substrate 242 is favourable, dry and in mesh, produce the possibility of blocking because colder temperature has reduced at China ink on the screen cloth.It also is favourable using chill roll in width of cloth manufacture process according to the present invention, because it has reduced the span of substrate 242, has reduced alignment issues, and has revised the needs that ongoing process remedies such problem.

In addition because the high liquid water content of enzyme China ink and because the air-flow of screen movement, guarantee the enzyme China ink moist in screen cloth, be crucial.The relative current of the air that is run into by the motion screen cloth is with the online China ink of uncommon mode dry sieve in flat-bed screen printing machine (such as the Thieme flatbed press), because unlike the present invention, itself does not move screen cloth in machine.Not only chill roll is by guaranteeing that substrate is cooled to about 18 ℃ and alleviates such situation before substrate runs into enzyme serigraphy step, and humidification is loaded with the screen cloth of enzyme China ink during printing.In one embodiment, humidification roughly is continuous.Can be top side, bottom side and/or sidepiece screen cloth humidification, in fact all three kinds of humidifications can be provided.The layout of conduit provides the humidification air of constant to flow on the screen cloth from upper and lower and side respectively, guarantees that the liquid water content of China ink maintains constant level.Be used for providing suitable arrangement to show at Fig. 3,4 and 5 according to top side of the present invention, bottom side and/or side screen cloth humidification.The quantity of humidifying device (being generally the conduit that transports the humidification air) and arrange wherein depends on the humidity of liquid water content, surrounding air of the amount that needs humidification, China ink and temperature, the temperature when the substrate of substrate during near the enzyme printing station, the temperature of print roller, the size of screen cloth, and screen cloth is to the exposure of surrounding environment (the not air of humidification).In one embodiment, back and forth during the one stroke, comprise that the conduit 304 in delegation or multirow hole 400 transported the air of humidification the whole bottom side of screen cloth at screen cloth.Above with the airflow 300 and 304 (as shown in Figure 4) of conduit (not have to show) the conveying humidification of operator's side of machine.

Usually, when printing operation begins or before printing operation begins, all enzyme China inks that printing operation needs are placed on the screen cloth.Because the enzyme China ink comprises most of water (typically percentage by weight is between 55 and 65%, and more typically percentage by weight is approximately 60%), so China ink trends towards becoming dry during operation life.By providing humidification to alleviate this risk around the screen cloth that is loaded with the enzyme China ink.Alternatively, perhaps, cool off substrate by using chill roll described herein more typically in addition running into before enzyme (the perhaps in fact any) printing station.Typically, the temperature of substrate is controlled to be and is less than or equal to room temperature.Yet the temperature of substrate remains on the dew point of the atmosphere in the room.If the room is in 60% humidity, dew point may be 15 ℃ so.If the temperature of substrate is lower than this temperature, in substrate condensation can appear so, may damage any printing operation subsequently, particularly by such as the enzyme China ink can be water-soluble any printing operation subsequently of China ink.Therefore, the control of base reservoir temperature for example, between the restriction of room temperature and dew point, is important for the printing operation of success.The control of chill roll 212,219,225 and 231 temperature and/or the time by chill roll 212,219,225 and 231 is important for the control base reservoir temperature.Can use feedback control loop to come for example to measure base reservoir temperature, with the temperature and the base reservoir temperature when roller and approaching next printing station are left in substrate of control chill roll with respect to room temperature and/or dew point (given room humidity).

Fig. 2 C is the synoptic diagram of describing according to the part 6 and the part 7 of web printing process of the present invention.In Fig. 2 C, part 6 is second enzyme printing stations 106.The second enzyme printing station 106 comprises the 5th chill roll 231, the five storeies 232, the five print roller 233, the four vision sensors 234, the five driven rollers 235, the five dryer area 236, Y alignment system 237 and departures roll 238.In the embodiments of the invention shown in Fig. 2 C, part 7 is rewinder unit 107.Rewinder unit 107 comprises steering mechanism's 239, the first recoil axles 240 and the second recoil axle 241.

In process according to the present invention, the part 6 of width of cloth manufacture process is the place of carrying out the printing of second enzyme.In part 6, utilize serigraphy to print the enzyme China ink figure of electrochemical sensor constructed in accordance.The purpose that applies 2 enzyme China ink coatings makes electrode roughly evenly not have the space for guaranteeing complete coated carbon electrode.The basic building block of the second enzyme printing station 106 shows in Fig. 6 and 7.Especially, suitable printing station according to the present invention comprises screen cloth 301, bottom print roller 303, print roller 600, is full of sheet 603, squeegee retainer 605 and squeegee 606.In the second enzyme printing station 106, print roller 600 is the 5th print roller 233.

Especially, in the second enzyme printing station 106, described China ink is the enzyme China ink.In an embodiment of the present invention, before use squeegee 606 passed through China ink 604 transmission screen cloth and arrives in the substrate 242, screen cloth 301 was full of China ink 604.For example using then, 50 ℃ hot-air comes drying to be deposited on the enzyme figure of the printing in the substrate 242, this hot-air uses in the 4th dryer area 236 two independently dry groups to be directed on the surface of printing of substrate, and this shows in greater detail in as Figure 15.The example of suitable China ink that is used for the second enzyme printing station 106 is identical with the enzyme China ink that is used for the first enzyme printing station, and it is described in aforesaid form 2.

In one embodiment of the invention, after the second enzyme printing process, be right after after the drying, substrate 242 comprises the carbon of printing, insulation and enzyme China ink pattern, and by the 5th chill roll 231, it is designed to cool off fast substrate 242 to predetermined temperature.In an embodiment of width of cloth manufacture process according to the present invention, the surface of the 5th chill roll 231 is approximate 18 ℃.The 5th chill roll 231 can for example use about 7 ℃ factory's chilled water to be cooled to suitable temperature.Reduce the temperature of substrate 242, and the temperature of keeping substrate 242 is favourable, dry and in mesh, produce the possibility of blocking because colder temperature has reduced at China ink on the screen cloth.It also is favourable using chill roll in width of cloth manufacture process according to the present invention, because it has reduced the span of substrate 242, has reduced alignment issues, and has revised the needs that ongoing process remedies such problem.

In addition because the high liquid water content of enzyme China ink and because the air-flow of screen movement, guarantee the enzyme China ink moist in screen cloth, be crucial.Not only before substrate runs into enzyme serigraphy step chill roll by guaranteeing that substrate is cooled to 18 ℃ and alleviates such situation; and can be provided in addition on the screen cloth and under top side and/or the bottom side and/or the side screen cloth humidification of humidification airflow, guarantee that the liquid water content of China ink maintains constant level.Typically, the humidification air flows on screen cloth consistently.Be used for providing suitable arrangement to show at Fig. 3 according to top side of the present invention and bottom side screen cloth humidification.

The second enzyme printing station 106 can comprise departures roll 238, is used to check the check system 237 of aligning, at 237C (not showing) the 3rd Y alignment system, and bar code station (not showing).Departures roll 238 helps to control the tension force (the particularly tension force between inbound roll 206 and departures roll 238) of substrate 242.By departures roll 238, substrate 242 is taken out from the second enzyme printing station 106 with constant speed.Y by each print cycle during utilizing a Y alignment mark 2101, the 2nd Y alignment mark 2102, the 3rd Y alignment mark 2103, the 4th Y alignment mark 2104 to control printing aims at (promptly at the Y alignment system at position 237A, 237B and 237C place (not having to show), stride across the width of cloth), these alignment marks show in Figure 21 A.In one embodiment of the invention, a Y alignment mark 2101, the 2nd Y alignment mark 2102, the 3rd Y alignment mark 2103 and the 4th Y alignment mark 2104 can be respectively aimed at corresponding to the Y of carbon printing station 103, insulation printing station 104, the first enzyme printing station 105 and the second enzyme printing station 106.Each Y alignment mark comprises 2 triangles, and it is with approximate rectangular orientation and put.In one embodiment, the Y alignment system that is positioned at position 237A, 237B and 237C place can be realized by the EltromatDGC650 from the Eltromat Gmbh of the Leopoldshohe of Germany.

In one embodiment of the invention, check system 237 can use on the market EltromatInspection System of the model PC3100HD that obtains from the Eltromat Gmbh of the Leopoldshohe of Germany to realize.Check system 237 has vision member, it is checked at Figure 17 A to the alignment mark shown in 19D and/or Figure 20 D, and the instrument that can whether should be dropped as evaluation sensor sheet 2106 (for example, by with respect to the bar code record check result in the database).

Alignment issues on Y yardstick (it can change by the alignment system (not having to show) that is positioned at 237A, 237B and 237C place during printing and/or finish all printing stages and checking by check system 237 later) can belong to the variation of width of cloth tension force or the uneven distortion of substrate 242.In an embodiment of the present invention, the bar code station comprises on the following market can obtain member, bar-code printer is (from Cambridge, the model A400 of the DominoUK Ltd. of United Kingdom), bar code traverse apparatus (Perthshire, and barcode reader (Canton, the RVSIAcuity CiMatrix of MA) the Scottish Robotic Systems of Scotland).Bar code station (not showing) labels for every line sensor sheet 2106 with 2 dimension bar codes.This provides unique marker symbol, lot number/lot number identification, sensor chip number and row number for every line sensor.Bar code is also read after the printing in the bar code station and then, is correctly printed with definite bar code, and visual identifier is provided for machine operation person.Bar code and be stored in the database from the procedural information of part 2 to 6 is used to later on discern and abandons/accepts the process that card is used for future subsequently.

Rewinder unit 107 comprises for example Martin Automatic Rewind System.This is the last part of machine, and the continuous recoil that allows substrate 242.Rewinder unit 107 comprises that first recoils the axle 240 and the second recoil axle 241.First recoils the volume that axle 240 keeps base material 242, and draws material continuously from the second enzyme printing station 106.Second recoils axle 241 keeps standby material webs, and when finishing when recoiling the volume of substrate 242 of axle 240 from first, second recoils axle joins the first volume of substrate 242 to second volume automatically.This continuous process is recoiled axle 240 to second from first and is recoiled axle 241 repetitions.The quick joint that still occurs in when motion in substrate 242 is used for carrying out the continuous recoil of substrate 242.Engage and directly be placed on the volume of the new base material 242 that scribbles the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive agent.

Fig. 3 is the synoptic diagram of describing around the moist environment of the 5th and the 6th part of width of cloth printing.Be used for providing the basic building block of the device of humidification width of cloth printing environment to show that at Fig. 3 it comprises top wet air 300, screen cloth 301, bottom wet air 302, bottom print roller 303, the conduit 304 that comprises a plurality of perforation 400, substrate 242 and the 4th print roller 227 or the 5th print roller 233.Humidification and temperature be set to be full of with the print cycle during, and the whole life period that is preferably in printing operation, attempt and the character of guaranteeing the enzyme China ink not along with the time changes any level of materiality.Especially, need the viscosity of enzyme China ink and liquid water content be full of with the print cycle during, and the whole life period that is preferably in printing operation is along with the time changes.The enzyme China ink is approximate 63% water.The amount that constant liquid water content guarantees to be lowered into the China ink in the substrate 242 is for consistent.If the liquid water content of China ink changes during printing process, this can cause the variation of enzyme layer thickness.In addition, drying out from the enzyme China ink to cause enzyme dry on screen cloth 301, causes the print distinctness of difference and is placed on the reducing of amount of the China ink in the substrate 242.Wet air in the first enzyme printing station 105 or the second enzyme printing station 106 maintains the relative humidity between 85 to 95%.Top wet air 300 and bottom wet air 302 are pumped on the both sides of screen cloth 301, to keep the relative humidity that needs.Side conduit 305 is set to a side of the width of cloth, and on a side of next-door neighbour's enzyme printing station the humidification air is incorporated on the width of cloth.Kind and type that humidification is arranged can change, with the size and dimension of suitable printing station, and the humidification requirement of the China ink of the type at this printing station place in this environment.Usually, top and/or the lower side that can use cover to seal screen cloth make the humidification air can be transported in the cover of direct contiguous screen cloth, and near the existence maintenance screen cloth that passes through to cover.If cover is installed on the upper screen framework, this is typical situation, and cover can have the groove on x direction (print direction), with allow squeegee be full of normally/during the print cycle with respect to screen movement.

Fig. 4 is the bottom view of describing around the moist environment of the 5th and the 6th part of width of cloth printing.The basic building block of device that is used for being provided for the humidification of width of cloth printing environment also shows at Fig. 4, it comprises top wet air 300, screen cloth 310, bottom wet air 302, has the conduit 304 of perforation, and bore a hole 400, side conduit (not showing) at 305 places.Conduit 304 with several perforation 400 is positioned at below the screen cloth 301, as being used to blow the device that bottom wet air 302 is kept the viscosity of the enzyme China ink on the screen cloth 301.Fig. 5 has the skeleton view that the conduit 304 of bottom wet air 302 is blown in perforation 400.

Fig. 8 is a synoptic diagram of describing 2 different squeegee angles, and it comprises substrate 242, print roller 600 and squeegee 606.The angle 800 of squeegee can change, to optimize the sharpness of printing zone.In one embodiment of the invention, the angle of squeegee can be 15+/-5, is preferably+/-1 to 2 degree.Notice that squeegee 606 is identical with the contact point of print roller 600 for each squeegee angle 800.

Fig. 9 is a synoptic diagram of describing 2 different squeegee positions, and it comprises substrate 242, print roller 600, bottom print roller 303, squeegee 606, the first squeegee position 900 and the second squeegee position 901.The squeegee position is the position of squeegee with respect to the center of print roller 600.The squeegee position has main influence to the thickness of the China ink of printing.The position of squeegee can change, to optimize the sharpness of printing zone.

Figure 10 is a synoptic diagram of describing screen cloth engagement range (1000), and it comprises substrate 242, print roller 600, bottom print roller 303 and screen cloth 301.In one embodiment of the invention, screen cloth engagement range (1000) is the immediate distance between screen cloth 301 and the substrate 242.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, screen cloth is caught setting (1000) and can be similar to 0.7mm.Setting is too high if screen cloth is caught setting (1000), and squeegee 606 fully deflection screen cloth 301 is delivered to China ink 604 in the substrate 242 with sufficient print distinctness.Be provided with too lowly if screen cloth is caught setting (1000), screen cloth 301 will cause inadequate print distinctness from the print cycle of the front China ink 604 of erasing.

Figure 11 shows the decomposition view of pretreatment zone 211, and it comprises first driven roller 210, hot plate 1100, primary heater group 1101, secondary heater group 1102 and the 3rd Heater group 1103.In an embodiment of the present invention, the not side of printing of hot plate 1100 contact substrates 242.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, hot plate 1100 can be coated with the Teflon, and can be heated to approximate 160 ℃.In an embodiment of the present invention, primary heater group 1101, secondary heater group 1102 and the 3rd Heater group 1103 are blown approximate 160 ℃ hot-air.This can change, with the temperature that is fit to base type and/or thickness and/or any pre-service and/or runs in this process later, as one of ordinary skill in the art will be understo.

Figure 12 shows the decomposition view of first arid region 217, and it comprises second chill roll 218, second driven roller 216, the first dryer group 1200A, the second dryer group 1101A, the 3rd dryer group 1102A and the 4th dryer group 1103A.In an embodiment of the present invention, the first dryer group 1200A, the second dryer group 1101A, the 3rd dryer group 1102A and the 4th dryer group 1103A blow approximate 140 ℃ hot-air, although it is this can change, understandable from the description here as those skilled in the art.

Figure 13 shows the decomposition view of second arid region 224, and it comprises the 3rd driven roller 223, the first dryer group 1200B, the second dryer group 1101B, the 3rd dryer group 1102B and the 4th dryer group 1103B.In an embodiment of the present invention, the first dryer group 1200B, the second dryer group 1101B, the 3rd dryer group 1102B and the 4th dryer group 1103B blow approximate 140 ℃ hot-air, although it is this can change, understandable from the description here as those skilled in the art.

Figure 14 shows the decomposition view of the 3rd arid region 230, and it comprises 4 wheel driven action roller 229, the first dryer group 1200C and the second dryer group 1101C.In an embodiment of the present invention, the first dryer group 1200C and the second dryer group 1101C blow approximate 50 ℃ hot-air, and be although this can change, understandable from the description here as those skilled in the art.

Figure 15 shows the decomposition view of the 4th arid region 236, and it comprises the 5th driven roller 235, the first dryer group 1200D and the second dryer group 1101D.In an embodiment of the present invention, the first dryer group 1200D and the second dryer group 1101D blow approximate 50 ℃ hot-air, and be although this can change, understandable from the description here as those skilled in the art.

Figure 16 shows the decomposition view of first cleaning unit 204, and it comprises gluing roller 1600, blue polymer roller 1601.In an embodiment of the present invention, blue polymer roller 1601 contacts the top side and the bottom side of substrates 242, and particle/foreign matter is delivered to gluing roller 1600.

Figure 17 A shows the view of the insulation course with correct aligning of embodiments of the invention to carbon-coating to 17D.Notice that Figure 17 A represents the upper left quarter of sensor chip 2106, Figure 17 B represents the upper right quarter of sensor chip 2106, and Figure 17 C represents the lower left quarter of sensor chip 2106, and Figure 17 D represents the right lower quadrant of sensor chip 2106.These marks do not show on the sensor chip shown in Figure 21 A.In one embodiment of the invention, carbon printing station 103 will comprise that the carbon-coating of the solid carbon rectangle 1700 that is centered on by rectangle carbon line 1703 is printed onto in the substrate 242.In the print cycle subsequently, insulation printing station 104 is printed onto rectangle insulated wire 1701 in the substrate 242, and this rectangle insulated wire is positioned between solid carbon rectangle 1700 and the rectangle carbon line 1703.When insulation course to carbon-coating be aligned in all four bights when all correct, between rectangle insulated wire 1701 and solid carbon rectangle 1700, do not have uncoated substrate 242 to show usually.Insulation course can manually be checked by the operator to the aligning of carbon-coating, perhaps can use second vision sensor 222 to check, and in one embodiment, second vision sensor comprises the video camera in each bight of pointing to substrate.Usually, this has formed the initialized part when printing operation begins.The operator can observe all four bights of contiguous mutually substrate on the TV screen.Then, the operator can aim at carbon-coating by (in fact, during the remainder of printing operation) visual inspection insulation course during this initialization procedure, and can carry out any necessary adjusting and make insulation printing and carbon print register.Should be appreciated that width of cloth viewer 222 (4 video cameras that for example comprise the position on four bights pointing to the substrate card) is observed and sent, with each the snapshot in four bights showing each card.Like this, the bight of only having observed each card on display is time in an instant, because when the width of cloth is advanced by equipment, the substrate below observing video camera is constantly replaced.The effect that any adjusting that this system makes the operator can see immediately that he carries out is aimed to carbon-coating insulation course.The adjusting that the operator may carry out includes, but not limited to the serigraphy stroke, catches height, squeegee pressure, with respect to the screen cloth position of " Y " direction, with respect to the screen cloth position of θ (Theta).Aim at (using viewer 228 and 234) in case on this and other printing station, set up viewer, (for example allow automatic inner X alignment system (usage flag 2107 and 2108) and automatic Y alignment system, be positioned at the alignment system usage flag 2101 to 2104 at position 237A, 237B and 237C place) during printing, take over and monitoring, and automatic corrected X and Y aligning.Automatic X and Y aim at during Figure 17 A can be used for printing to the mark shown in the 20D 1700 to 1703, select or replenish as the another kind of usage flag 2101 to 2104 and 2107 and 2108, understandable as those skilled in the art from the description here.

Figure 18 shows when insulation patterns is longer than carbon figure on print direction, and the insulation course with incorrect aligning of embodiments of the invention is to the view of carbon-coating.Even carbon has identical size with insulated screens on this yardstick, also such situation can take place, but because the substrate tensible, perhaps the screen cloth stroke may different in each stage (slower screen cloth stroke be along the given relatively long graphic printing of direct of travel of the substrate width of cloth).Notice that Figure 18 A represents the upper left quarter of sensor chip 2106, Figure 18 B represents the upper right quarter of sensor chip 2106, and Figure 18 C represents the lower left quarter of sensor chip 2106, and Figure 18 D represents the right lower quadrant of sensor chip 2106.When the insulation course of locating in one of four bights is incorrect to the aligning of carbon-coating, between rectangle insulated wire 1701 and solid carbon rectangle 1700, can observe uncoated substrate 242.Insulation course can use second vision sensor 222 manually to check by the operator to the aligning of carbon-coating.

Figure 19 show when the insulation patterns of printing than the figure of carbon printing in short-term (for example, the screen cloth stroke of insulation printing may be longer than the stroke of carbon printing, perhaps insulated screens may be shorter than the screen cloth of carbon printing station), the insulation course with incorrect aligning of embodiments of the invention is to the view of carbon-coating.Notice that Figure 19 A represents the upper left quarter of sensor chip 2106, Figure 19 B represents the upper right quarter of sensor chip 2106, and Figure 19 C represents the lower left quarter of sensor chip 2106, and Figure 19 D represents the right lower quadrant of sensor chip 2106.When the insulation course of locating in one of four bights is incorrect to the aligning of carbon-coating, between rectangle insulated wire 1701 and solid carbon rectangle 1700, can observe uncoated substrate 242.Insulation course can use second vision sensor 222 manually to check by the operator to the aligning of carbon-coating.

Figure 20 A is to have described printing second to observe guiding piece 2002 (as Figure 21 A visible result's of) process synoptic diagram, it comprises solid carbon rectangle 1700, hollow insulating rectangular line 1701, hollow carbon rectangle 1703, from the Filled Rectangle of the first enzyme layer 2000, from the Filled Rectangle of the second enzyme layer 2001 and uncoated substrate 242 to 20D.Optionally, by automatic ongoing check system,, also can use such printing during manufacture such as the check system in part 6 237 (after the printing of second enzyme).Ongoing aligning is typically in addition by at the alignment system at

position

237A, 237B on " Y " direction and 237C place (not having to show) and (as Figure 21 A as seen) track control system carries out to check mark 2105 on " X " direction.

Figure 21 A has first to observe the guiding piece 2100 and the second observation guiding piece 2002; The one Y alignment mark 2101, the 2nd Y alignment mark 2102, the 3rd Y alignment mark 2103 and the 4th Y alignment mark 2104; And the example of the sensor chip of X alignment mark 2105.Notice that X alignment mark 2105 comprises carbon X alignment mark 2107 and insulation X alignment mark 2108.Figure 21 B has the decomposition view that carbon X alignment mark 2107 and second is observed the delegation in the sensor chip 2106 of guiding piece 2002.Figure 21 C has the decomposition view that insulation X alignment mark 2108 and second is observed the delegation in the sensor chip 2106 of guiding piece 2002.Insulation X mark 2108 complete carbon coating X alignment marks 2107 shown in Figure 21 C, like this, provide the trigger point before the trigger point of original carbon markings 2107 (the left hand edge of described mark 2108).This means that any layer subsequently prints with respect to the layer (being insulation course in this case) rather than the carbon-coating of second printing.If second and screen cloth dimension of picture subsequently longer at (along the width of cloth) on the directions X than the first screen cloth dimension of picture on directions X, this is useful so.

The order that is printed with them in Figure 20 A-D has shown the decomposition view in a bight of printing guiding piece.At part 3 places of carbon printing station 103, solid carbon rectangle 1700 is together with 1703 printings of rectangle carbon line, and this rectangle carbon line is around solid carbon rectangle 1700.At part 4 places of insulation printing station 104, rectangle insulated wire 1701 is printed between solid carbon rectangle 1700 and the rectangle carbon line 1703.When insulating in all four bights to the aligning of carbon when correct, between solid carbon rectangle 1700 and rectangle insulated wire 1701, there is not uncoated substrate 242 to show usually.In addition, part 4 places at insulation printing station 104 have two more rectangle insulated wires 1701 directly to be printed on the solid carbon rectangle 1700.These two other insulated wires are used for the aligning of the visual evaluation first enzyme layer 2000 to insulation course and the second enzyme layer 2001 to insulation course, and this Filled Rectangle by printing enzyme China ink in the rectangle insulated wire carries out, shown in Figure 20 C and 20D.Like this, the layer of third and fourth printing can be registered to the layer of second rather than first printing.This has such advantage, promptly, can adapt to variation (for example because the heat and the tension force that in first arid region 217, run at the dimension of picture between first and second layers, if substrate is stretched after first printing station, may need such situation), and print register is not had retroaction (300 microns tolerance is typical on directions X).

As illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, at the end of process, comprise that the substrate 242 of the sensor that is printed thereon is recoiled by rewinder unit 107, be fed into stamping machine 108 then, this stamping machine for example can be the Preco stamping machine, and it is positioned at the environment of low humidity.This Preco Punch is CCDX, Y, Theta, Floating Bolster Punch.This Preco Punch alignment system uses the CCD vision system to check " Preco point ", and it prints on the carbon printing station, and this allows stamping machine to regulate with respect to the carbon printing, makes stamping machine card " punching press " can be gone out square.Stamping machine 108 is output as the card of one group of punching press, such as shown in Figure 21 A.The card of punching press is discharged on the travelling belt from stamping machine 108, and this travelling belt transports card under barcode reader, and this reader reads two in each bar code that blocks, and accepts still to abandon with respect to width of cloth database to determine this card.Taking out automatically or manually of the card that can abandon.Then, a folded ground stack cards is thought following manufacturing step preparation.

At carbon printing station 103, insulation printing station 104, the first enzyme printing station 105 and the second enzyme printing station, 106 places, and then use after the printing process step of first vision sensor 215, second vision sensor 222, the 3rd vision sensor 228, the 4th vision sensor 234, all have the device that is used for the visual inspection aligning respectively.There is width of cloth viewer camera chain to be positioned at and then after the printing process step for each part---part 3,4,5 and 6---in width of cloth printing manufacture process.As the visible width of cloth viewer of Fig. 2 A-2C position.In part 3 two video cameras are arranged, four video cameras are arranged in each of part 4,5 and 6.Width of cloth viewer video camera is the part of the manual setting up procedure that uses of the operator of width of cloth machine between the elementary period of printing operation.Video camera is used to observe the mark of printing, and it helps carbon to snap to the initial setting up of substrate 242, and insulation course is to carbon-coating, the first enzyme layer to insulation course and the second enzyme layer to the aligning between the insulation course.The printing guiding piece shows that indication is on Figure 21 A.For carbon printing alignment, use second to observe guiding piece 2100 and indicate, with respect to the carbon printing position at the edge of substrate 242 when substrate 242 operations during by carbon printing station 103.Costa and trailing edge line are arranged, shown in Figure 21 A.The printing of adjusting carbon, vertical up to these line indication printings with basal edge.The aligning that on directions X (along the length of machine) and Y direction (striding across the width of machine), needs the layer of each printing, as Figure 21 A as seen.Internal alignment system control directions X by machine is aimed at.This has utilized the zone of the printing of indicating on Figure 21 A, B and C.During the print cycle, carbon X alignment mark 2107 is printed on this zone at carbon.Use sensor that the insulation print cycle is registered to the carbon printing, this sensor uses carbon X alignment mark 2107 to allow insulated screens to regulate, so that in correct position printing dielectric ink.Then, the carbon X alignment mark 2107 that is used for this purpose is insulated X alignment mark 2108 and covers printing, and is used in an identical manner correctly with the first enzyme layer 2000 and the second enzyme layer 2001 and insulation print register.The Y direction is aimed at by the Y alignment system that is positioned at position 237A, 237B and 237C place (not showing) and is controlled, in an embodiment of the present invention, this Y alignment system can be that the model from the Leopoldshohe of Germany is the Eltromat alignment system of DGC650.This has utilized the zone 2101 to 2104 of the printing of indicating in Figure 21 A.The order printing that---carbon, insulation, enzyme 1 and enzyme 2---these marks are aimed on the Y direction via sensor with printing subsequently in each print cycle.Width of cloth database is recording process information during printing.The information that writes down in database can be traced back to each single card via bar code, in one embodiment, uses the 2D bar code.The typical information of collecting in width of cloth database outlines in form 3.Whether width of cloth database can the evaluation procedure parameter can be accepted or unacceptable, and---whether parameter operates in the tolerance limit---is used to abandon card in view of the above.Unacceptable card can manually or automatically be removed in process in the future.

Form 3

Figure 22 is the synoptic diagram of the parameter X, Y, Z and the θ that are used to aim at web printing process.Parameter Y represents the direction (level usually) of the machine side from the operator to width of cloth printing press.Parameter X is represented the direction (level usually) from unwinding unit 101 to rewinder unit 107.Parameter Z is represented perpendicular to the direction of X and Y direction (vertical usually).Parameter θ represents the angle around the Z axle.In an embodiment of the present invention, following parameter is used to aim at following printing process, for example, and carbon printing station 103, insulation printing station 104, the first enzyme printing station 105 and the second enzyme printing station 106.

In one embodiment of the invention, the product of width of cloth manufacture process is the card that is printed with figure, carbon, insulation and two same enzyme layers of comprising the printing of mutual aligning to form the bar that each comprises electrochemical sensor and relevant contact electrode, are used for detecting the glucose of blood sample.These are used for self-monitoring blood sugar in conjunction with instrument.It is contemplated that the production of these several designs.Current, the width of cloth is designed to produce " One Touch Ultra " bar, to be used for from LifeScan the available One Touch of Inc. Ultra instrument.

The synoptic diagram sample of the figure of producing is presented among Figure 21 A.This shows the card of a complete printing, and it comprises 10 " OK " 50 " bar ".Each card has 500 " bars " altogether.Also indicated the printing orientation.Be parallel to the row 0 to 9 (50 of every row) of print direction by printing, this process can easily be extended to and comprise and row is separated from each other cutting step.And, this means, can easily determine any defective row that causes by the variation that strides across the width of cloth (perpendicular to print direction) in the printing quality.Give every capable assignment numbers (determining), therefore can determine in the comparable data storehouse after the special row from the special sheet on the width of cloth, and do not need to abandon whole and remove by bar code.This has increased the turnout from the useful product of this process, and makes that whole process is more effective.

Movable generally flat screen cloth is handled the type (solid/liquid combination) of the China ink of the printing that is used for electrochemical sensor well.With comparing that runner notch board or cylinder serigraphy can allow, the use of movable flat screen cloth can be controlled print distinctness better, and needs to deposit thicker China ink layer in electrochemical sensor.Polytype screen cloth (having different meshes, the diameter of mesh center line, line gap, thickness, mesh quantity) obtains easily from the market, to deal with the different requirements of China inks dissimilar in continuous web printing process (carbon, insulation, enzyme).

Because flat screen cloth, print roller, substrate and promote the layout of the squeegee of screen cloth towards substrate, many parameters can be handled, and (screen cloth is with respect to the angle of substrate, the squeegee angle, screen cloth is with respect to the position of squeegee, screen cloth is with respect to the position of print roller, engagement range, the relative velocity of substrate and screen cloth and squeegee etc.), to optimize the printing process of electrochemical sensor.

Simplified summary is used to make the width of cloth manufacture process of electrochemical sensor, and when the width of cloth during this process is heated and is placed on tension force following time, the width of cloth expands or stretches.Printing station (for example, carbon, insulation, two enzymes) each back usually is dry station.For dry black effectively, exsiccator stands in operation under the quite high temperature (50-140 degree centigrade).And, passing through the aligning of each printing station in order to help the width of cloth, the width of cloth is placed under the tension force.

Substrate must remain under the tension force, with the aligning in the control procedure, and the result, no matter when substrate is heated, and for example the drying after the printing is black, and the substrate meeting is stretched unpredictablely, causes that the picture size in printing subsequently changes.

Size of images in the printing of each printing station place determined by Several Factors, template size, black viscosity, the relative width of cloth and template/screen cloth speed and stretch (reversible and irreversible stretching, extension) etc. in the substrate of this point.When the process end is seen, find that picture size changes (between different print steps) and changes.This is unpredictable, and than the height of expecting, has greatly reduced turnout.If greater than 300 microns, product is of no use so along the width of cloth (x direction) for the mispairing between the picture size between the layer.Excessive picture size changes the excessive and unpredictable stretching, extension (because heating and tension force) that is considered to owing to width of cloth substrate and shrinks.

Stretch and in the platform printing, do not cause identical problem with the problem of tension force.In order to solve the problem in the width of cloth printing, attempt pre-shrunk substrate.Before in being used to width of cloth process, this substrate is heated to about 185 degrees centigrade.Yet the variation in the picture size leaves a problem, causes that turnout reduces.

For the current suggestion of width of cloth process in first exsiccator, using high temperature, perhaps would rather pre-service under sufficiently high temperature, make in an example, before image is printed in the substrate, roughly remove irreversible stretching, extension from substrate.

In first treating stations in width of cloth machine, dryer group reaches 160 degrees centigrade with the substrate heating.The temperature that runs in this process after the substrate is no more than 140 degree usually.

In Fig. 2 A, the primary heater group that runs into of Yin Shua substrate is not a hot plate.This is the plate that the Teflon applies, and it raises between moving period and contact substrate at the width of cloth.Heat is introduced in the back side of substrate.This is currently operating at has+160 ℃ set-point of/-4 ℃ specification.Provide best size Control on this set-point statistics of 160 ℃.The average of calculating is 160.9 ℃.In group 2, hot-air has+be incorporated into the front of substrate under 160 ℃ the set-point of/-4 ℃ specification.The average of calculating is 161.29 ℃.In group 3, hot-air has+be incorporated into the front of substrate under 160 ℃ the set-point of/-4 ℃ specification.The average of calculating is 161.18 ℃.In group 4, hot-air has+be incorporated into the front of substrate under 160 ℃ the set-point of/-4 ℃ specification.The average of calculating is 160.70 ℃.

Because width of cloth tension force and the heat of introducing in exsiccator, each figure of width of cloth substrate stretch approximate 0.7mm repeatedly.This is to utilize station 1 to come the one of the main reasons of stabilized baseplate before printing station subsequently as pretreatment unit.Use station 1 to come the pre-service substrate to improve the stability of carbon and insulation line length, stretch because before printing, removed a lot of materials from substrate.

In one embodiment of the invention, high temperature is used for first exsiccator under sufficiently high temperature, makes before any image is printed in the substrate (that is, before substrate arrives any printing station), roughly removes irreversible stretching, extension from substrate.In first treating stations according to the present invention, dryer group is heated to first temperature with substrate, and it roughly is higher than any temperature that substrate will run into during printing process.For example, if the maximum temperature that substrate will run into during printing process is 140 degrees centigrade, first temperature can be in about 160 degrees centigrade magnitude so.

The method according to this invention can be described by following step.This step comprises by being heated to first temperature comes the pre-service continuous substrate; Layer prints electrode in substrate; Electrode layer is exposed to thermal source, makes electrode layer is heated to second temperature; Optionally, first temperature is greater than second temperature.In the embodiment that also has, this method can also comprise such step,, prints insulation course on continuous substrate that is; Insulating layer exposing to thermal source, is made insulation course is heated to the 3rd temperature wherein, first temperature can be greater than the 3rd temperature.

In the embodiment that also has of the present invention, substrate is pulled away from volume with predetermined tension force, and by the primary heater group, in one embodiment, this Heater group can be the hot plate that is coated with the Teflon.When substrate when the hot plate, hot plate lifts and heats substrate.Like this, heat is introduced the back side of substrate.Can regulate hot plate and substrate is heated to approximate 160 ℃+/-5 ℃ temperature.Then, substrate moves to the secondary heater group, and wherein, the side opposite with hot plate of substrate is by hot air, and this hot-air has 160 ℃ temperature of approximate having+/-5 ℃ of specifications.Substrate moves to the 3rd Heater group then, and wherein, the side opposite with hot plate of substrate is by hot air, and this hot-air has approximate 160 ℃+/-5 ℃ temperature.Substrate moves to the 4th Heater group then, and wherein, the side opposite with hot plate of substrate is by hot air, and this hot-air has approximate 160 ℃+/-5 ℃ temperature.

Because width of cloth tension force and the heat of introducing in exsiccator, the substrate of the pre-service width of cloth has reduced the stretching, extension in process steps subsequently in continuous manufacture process like this.

Be appreciated that structure of equal value can substitute here shown in and the structure described, and the embodiment of description of the invention can be used to realize of the present invention unique structure of requiring.In addition, should be appreciated that above-mentioned each structure all has function, and such structure can be called the device that is used to carry out this function.

Though show here and described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art understand that such embodiment just provides by way of example.Do not departing under the situation of the present invention, those skilled in the art expect multiple variation, change now and substitute.Should be appreciated that the various selections of embodiments of the invention described herein can be used to realize the present invention.Trend towards limiting scope of the present invention by following claims, method and structure in the scope of these claims and equivalent thereof are all by its covering.

Claims

1. the method for a pre-service substrate in width of cloth manufacture process, wherein, described width of cloth manufacture process comprises a plurality of print steps, the step that described method comprises is:

Under tension force, move described substrate by described width of cloth manufacture process;

When described print steps is passed through in described substrate, heat described substrate;

Wherein, during described print steps, described base reservoir temperature is no more than the first predetermined temperature; And

Make described substrate enter preprocessing station, wherein, described substrate is heated to second predetermined temperature that surpasses described first predetermined temperature.

2. method according to claim 1 wherein, during the subsequent stage of described width of cloth manufacture process, is no more than described second predetermined temperature.

3. method according to claim 2, wherein, described second predetermined temperature is 140 ℃.

4. method according to claim 2, wherein, described preprocessing station comprises that at least one is suitable for removing from described substrate the cleaning surfaces station of impurity.

5. method according to claim 2, wherein, described first predetermined temperature is 160 ℃.

6. method according to claim 1 wherein, is being heated to before described second predetermined temperature, and described substrate is stretched under predetermined tension force.

7. method according to claim 6 wherein, is no more than described predetermined tension force during the stage subsequently of described width of cloth manufacture process.

8. method according to claim 7 wherein, is no more than the described second predetermined temperature during the stage subsequently of described width of cloth manufacture process.

9. method according to claim 8, wherein, described preprocessing station comprises that at least one is suitable for removing from described substrate the cleaning surfaces station of impurity.

10. method according to claim 7, wherein, described predetermined tension force is 165N, the described second predetermined temperature is 140 ℃.

11. method according to claim 7, wherein, described predetermined tension force is 165N, and the described first predetermined temperature is 160 ℃.

12. method according to claim 1, wherein, described second temperature of being scheduled to is for enough to remove the temperature of irreversible stretching, extension from described substrate.