DE1671501B2 - UNIT AND PROCESS FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS MANUFACTURING OF PRINTED AND GRAPHIC FORMS BY THERMOGRAPHIC WAYS - Google Patents

Description

a) a carrier (10) with a niulticellularen non-metallic surface (20) of evenly distributed cells open to the surface, which are individually filled with a solid filler material (25) that does not contain any infrared radiation in the range of 7500 to 30 0Ü0 Ä absorbed under the influence of local heat means Infrared radiation with a thermoplastic material (45) connects and so off the lines is removable

b) a heat-permeable original sheet (40), on one surface of which is infrared-absorbing Image areas (15) can be applied and the other surface of which is infrared-permeable Cover (45) made of a polymer-halligen thermoplastic material with an adhesive effect for the filler material (25) at a higher temperature.

2. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the multicellular surface (20) has 15 to 250 individual cells per mm and that the cells all have the same depth of 10 to 50 μηι and each other a uniform, through the 3 »located between them Cell walls (24) have a spacing of 2 to 20 μm .

3. Unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that all Zel.'en have the same shape and have the same dimensions.

4. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filling material (25) is a fusible synthetic resin.

5. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filling material (25) is a plastisol.

6. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filling material (25) is a crosslinked thermoset polymer.

7. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filling material (25) from a mixture of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material consists.

8. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the carrier (10) from consists of a plastic.

9. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the carrier (.10) consists of a polypropylene film.

10. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the original sheet (40) consists of a paper which is coated on one side with a coating (45) made of a forming polymer-containing thermoplastic material is provided.

11. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the original sheet (40) has a heat-resistant plastic film permeable to infrared from 7500 to 30,000 Å, the one on one side with a coating (45) made of a film-forming polymer-containing thermoplastic Material is provided.

12. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the coating (45) has a thickness of 1.25 to 50 μm.

13. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the thermoplastic Material (45) has an activation temperature of over 50.degree.

14. Process for the production of relief and intaglio printing forms from the unit according to one of the Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that

a) the infrared-absorbing image areas (15) on one surface of the original sheet (40) be applied,

b) then the original sheet (40) with its cover (45) is placed on the multicellular surface (20) of the carrier (10),

c) is then exposed to an infrared source (62) so that the thermoplastic material of the coating (45) is heated in the image areas (15) and with the filler material (25) of the individual cells in these areas (15) connects, and finally

d) the original sheet (40) with the individual associated "filler material elements (46) from Carrier (10) is removed.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that an infrared source (62) with a Radiation with a wavelength of 10,000 to 20,000 Å is used.

The invention relates to a unit for the simultaneous production of relief and intaglio printing forms thermographic route and a process for their production. The printing forms produced in this way, especially letterpress forms are mainly used for the print-based reproduction of characters Office templates determined. The term "sign" is to be understood quite generally; it includes graphic Representations of all kinds, including characters (print, machine or handwritten), drawings, Pictures etc.

Numerous methods of so-called "office-like" duplication are already known and in use. In the simplest case, transfer papers, such as carbon paper or pressure-sensitive Papers, used. Also to be mentioned are: the alcohol process, the mimeographic process, the offset process, the electrostatic process, the thermography, the diffusion transfer, the Color gelatin transfer, diazo method and facsimile photoelectric duplication. Practically All of these known processes have at least one serious disadvantage. For example is the number of copies that can be achieved is very limited, or the reproduction speed is slow, or cumbersome handling of chemicals (developers, strongly coloring printing inks and the like), or it must be trained specialists because of the difficult operation of the duplication system used. To be mentioned are further-

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in addition, the often considerable fishing costs, the false signs "placed" in the carrier, and

Difficulties in graining of errors, one can use the solid filling material in the individual

Printing plates or templates and the need to use cells of the tracer as a "setting element" and

a special copy paper for the duplicates to be promised the "entire support of the unit as

turn around. ₅ Designate »directed part«.

The invention is now intended to create a cellular printing surface, preferably the carrier, which has the unit serving the multiple position of printing forms, from a malleable, non-metallic material, for example an art, especially suitable for office copies, and not the the substance described above. The material may be in the disadvantages of the application, but simply, quickly, safely, in the long temperature range, not deformable, inexpensive and under the most varied of working conditions. must be tough, resistant to scratching and rubbing conditions, provides a well usable relief and / or gravure form during the various "processing operations" _{and it must be} chemically inert

This assignment is solved by a unit, as compared to the

it is characterized in claim 1. Advantageous 15 applied substances. Furthermore, the material should

Embodiments result from the sub- have a low coefficient of friction, so

address. _e j _ne R _a k _e ] g _{Ut passed} over the material surface

The printing surface of the carrier thus consists of can be. After all, of course, it is also achievable Small, separate pressure requires that the material have good binding elements that reproduce uniformly over the range of affinity for the setting arranged in the cells Characters are distributed, preferably has elements, so that when removing individual have the same size and shape and with their of these elements the rest of them are firmly and securely attached to theirs End surfaces remain essentially the same spacing Pla.z within the unaffected cells. of the base area of the carrier. In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing Atmospheric thermographic treatment 25 is one for thermographic use In the areas corresponding to the characters, suitable duplication units run in which the the printing elements removed from the printing surface, so carrier 10 with an original sheet 40 along a that this then forms a gravure form, and the edge 11 so common is connected to form a unit. distant printing elements adhere in one of the characters The carrier consists of a strong, essentially accurate corresponding distribution on the original sheet, 30 borrowed rectangular plastic film with multicellular that forms such a letterpress form. Surface 20, in which the individual cells with a

The invention is filled with solid filler material 25 with reference to the drawings. The original one Embodiment explained. It shows sheet (cover sheet) 40 consists in this example

F i g. 1 schematically shows the view of a unit after a layer 42 of paper or the like. Which with a

Transfer of characters, ₃₅ coating 45 of polymeric thermoplastic

F i g. 2, on an enlarged scale, the plan view of material is provided. The thermoplastic material

has an adhesive effect on a surface area of the carrier of the unit 45 at a higher temperature

the F i g. 1, for the solid filling material 25 in the cells of the carrier

F i g. 3 shows a 10 on a larger scale, and the original sheet 40 is thus on the carrier 10

Section in plane 3-3 of FIG. 2, 40 placed that the thermoplastic material 45 on the

F i g. 4 rests on an enlarged scale a section in the multicellular surface 20 of the carrier

level 4-4 of FIG. 1. _and with the filling material 25 in the individual cells

F i g. 5 the view can interact on a greatly enlarged scale.

of a section of the surface of the original sheet.

the unit of FIG. 1, 45 sorbing signs 64 have been attached

F i g. 6 schematically a sketch to explain the arrangement of the temperature of the thermo-

Method of character transfer, plastic coating 45 in the areas below

F i g. 7 shows a detail according to FIG. 3 in the top of the 64 characters can be selectively increased so that the

sees, coating material in these areas in an "active"

F i g. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an explanation of a discontinued 50 state and merges with the filler material 25

modified embodiment of the invention. in the corresponding areas of the carrier 10

. "._ ... _r ... . binds. When lifting the original sheet 40 from the

a) The carrier of the unit surface 20 of the carrier 10 is thereby the filling

The carrier of the unit can be in the form of a sheet. material 25 in the areas 15, which the attached of a cylinder, a plate, a band or a 55 characters 64, selectively from the corresponding othersc have suitable shape. Its one surface is out of the cells of the multicellular surface designed as a multicellular pressure surface by being pulled. This extracted material stays with in it a plurality of uniformly distributed, connected to the coating 45 and thus forms on the Surface open small cells is incorporated. Back of the original sheet 40, which is on the front side Cells are individually with a solid filler cord bearing the original characters 64, a material filled, which so-called "Sct / .elements" hubenc reproduction 15 'of the original characters 64, forms. These setting elements are selective by local so a high pressure form, while in the surface Treatment by means of external influences from the 20 of the carrier 10 a corresponding deepened again Cells can be removed, so that in the multitude of these characters, i.e. a gravure form, is created, cellular surface certain areas formed 65 the support of the duplication unit can be made from discuss one or more of the following plastics related to the character to be reproduced. As a result of this process, a certain amount will stand, with these plastics also getting through Analocie for setting a printing set the too much plasticizers or other additives according to the usual

Methods of plastics technology can be modified:

1. Acrylic resins,

2. cellulose resins,

3. polyolefins,

4. polyamides,

5. polycarbonates,

6. vinyl polymers and copolymers,

7. polystyrene,

8. Polyformaldehyde resins.

The plastic for the carrier should have a layer thickness of at least 0.075 mm. Preferably a polypropylene or a cellulose acetate with a layer thickness of approx 0.125mm to about 1.0mm is used. These values apply to sheet or film-shaped carriers or such in the form of thin-layer tapes. However, the values can also be used for more massive plates, cylinders or the like be even higher, unless it is preferred to use a thin-layer carrier on a corresponding one Pull up plate-shaped or cylindrical base body separately.

The cellular surface structure of the carrier can be produced using an embossing mold with a cellular pattern in a continuous or even automated process by impressing the cellular pattern into the surface of the carrier. The cell-shaped M ister of the embossing form determines the size and di: depth of the individual cells in the carrier. The number d: r cells in the surface 20 of the carrier is preferably in the range from about 1500 cells / cm ² to about 25,000 cells / cm ² , in each case with a uniform distribution over the surface. The depth of the cells can be about 10 to 50 μίτι. Each cell is there, as in particular FIG. 3 shows, separated from the neighboring rows by cell walls 24, the thickness of which can be in the range from about 2 to 20 μm. In a preferred embodiment, all cells have essentially the same dimensions in terms of shape and depth, but in certain cases a pattern of differently sized cells can just as well be used.

The carrier with the multicellular surface is basically intended for use as a gravure form, which, in the event that all cells are empty, prints a uniform, two-dimensional color, because then all of the cells in the printing area can be filled with printing ink. However, if in In the manner already outlined above, only individual, selected cells are emptied and the remaining cells with the filling material 25 (ie the "setting elements") that have remained filled, only those that have been emptied print Cells. Since the removal of the setting elements from the cells selectively by means of topical treatment external influences (e.g. the local heating described) takes place and the selection of the cells also depends on the specified characters, the print image generated with the carrier is therefore a faithful reproduction of the given characters. Of course, it is necessary that the through setting elements 25 not covered by the local treatment under normal conditions of use The carrier cannot detach itself from its cells, but rather stick firmly to the inner cell walls. This requirement includes that the unselected setting elements 25 also against a repeated Application of liquid printing ink and resistant to the action of a doctor blade, d. H. themselves cannot detach from their cells.

In the manufacture of the carrier, any suitable, solid material that meets the aforementioned requirements can be used corresponds to, are used to fill the individual cells, that is to say form the setting elements 25. Preferably, the material for the setting elements is a viscous dispersion in an essentially non-existent manner vaporizable organic liquid with a high solid content, which is of such a nature that that it can be painted over the multicellular surface of the base part with a squeegee, and that can be hardened after filling the cells. The dispersion should continue to be thixotropic so that it remains dimensionally stable during manufacture of the carrier. Your curing temperature must be below Temperature limit lie at which the matter: of the carrier 10 is already thermally deformed. Farther the dispersion must retain a constant viscosity even over prolonged storage times, and it must be tough after hardening. It should only shrink minimally during hardening, and gradually After hardening, it must be resistant to extraction of individual components by the during Printing process or the ink used to clean the printing surface Substances.

Suitable materials for the setting elements 25 are meltable plastics, melted plastisols, cross-linked, thermoset polymers and mixtures of these substances. The be \ 'orzugtc material is a fused vinyl plastisol. By the term "plastisol" a paste-like dispersion is understood to be of one or more plastics in a suitable liquid plasticizer, said dispersion optionally and also other ingredients, such as 7, for example, stabilizers, fillers, wetting agents, gelling agents. The like., may contain. Polyvinyl chloride or polyvinylidene chloride or copolymers thereof are suitable as plastic components, but also polyethylene with an extremely small particle size of approximately 1 μm. The plasticizer is a non-aqueous liquid at room temperature that does not dissolve the plastic. At elevated temperatures, however, the plastic dissolves, with the plastic forming a so-called "solid solution" in the plasticizer. Since plastisols change into a solid solution at relatively low temperatures, the melting can be carried out very uniformly with any heating technique with which the temperature and the duration of the melting process can be precisely controlled and guaranteed.

A preferred plastic for making a suitable plastisol is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a molecular weight of more than 10,000. It should be as free of soap as possible and as small as possible Have particle size on the order of microns and less. The term »polyvinyl chloride« includes here includes not only PVC homopolymers of all types but also copolymers of vinyl chloride as well as mixtures of polyvinyl chloride as the main component with small amounts of other synthetic ones

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Synthetic resins commonly used for modifying, preferably in an amount

Vinyl dispersions can be used. from about 0.3 to 8 percent by weight.

The plastisol also contains approximately the viscosity and the flow properties of the expedient

Plastisols are depending on the type of 0.3 to 3 percent by weight of a suitable surface

Plastic, the dissolving property of the plasticizer, 5 active agent, which the distribution of solid

the concentration of the plasticizer, the amount of particles of the plastic and optionally the

and type of fillers and the slaoili pigment used in the liquid plasticizer,

generator system. Among the aforementioned influencing factors by the tendency of the small solid particles

The plasticizers seem to have the greatest influence on / counteracts caking. The upper

the viscosity and the flow behavior of the plastisol io surface-active agent also cause a

to have. It has been found that the softening of the stability of the viscosity and under-

with regard to type and concentration, this is supported by a lowering of the interfacial

can be chosen that the plastisol in the viscous tension between plasticizer and air bubbles -

sity, in thixopropy, in the adhesiveness inside- the removal of trapped air from the

half of the cells and the reflectance for 15 plastisol. For the plastics mentioned above

Infrared rays and at the same time also in the speci- have polyglycol ethers and esters of fatty acids

Fish binding affinity for certain thermally proven to be generally suitable and effective,

thermoplastic materials optimal properties The manufacture of the filling of the cells of the

receives. The material used in the base part can be

The plasticizers used to produce the plastisol are made using conventional methods. In the case of a vinyl

must be used at the melting temperature of the plastisol plastisol is preferably a shear mixer,

still a negligible evaporation ability with a cooling jacket, so that during

sit, they must have a good viscosity so that processing does not build up such a high temperature

the other components without disadvantageous effects that premature solidification of the plastisol

Flow of the machinability of the plastisol added 25 begins. In general, the first

will know they must continue to enter the mixer at the melt plastic, and after that

temperature a good solvent for the plastisol - slowly becomes part of the plasticizer while stirring

Be plastic, and they eventually have to be added to the room. The fillers and other means for

Temperature modifying over considerable periods of time are generally in the rest of the

show constant viscosity. Contain 30 plasticizers and are added to the mix

In the context of the invention, the main component is added together with the rest of the plasticizer,

nent of a plasticizer for vinyl plastisols

We wisely use a monomeric plasticizer that mixes until the plastisol has become homogeneous

from the Klrsse of simple esters and mixtures and a stable emulsion or dispersion gc-

such ester is selected such that it has formed vinyl dispersant. Alternatively, the entire

sion ^ n at a temperature below 160 ^c C amount of plasticizer immediately with the plastic

is able to solve. This main component will be combined with the additional fillers

to reduce the risk of shrinkage, etc. then subsequently as finely divided solids

moderately a smaller proportion of a polymer can be added to the mixture. The vent of the

Plasticizer added, with z. B. Polyester 4 <> Plastisols are also expediently carried out in the usual way

un1 epoxidized oils have proven suitable. Way through a vacuum thin film evaporator

In general, the plastisol can have a content of about or, on a larger scale, by mastifying the

Contains 45 to 80 percent by weight of plasticizer, mixed on a multiple roller mill,

e räch the specially used plasticizer, the After a semi-liquid plastisol with optimal

srezi -H used plastic and the desired 45 properties in terms of viscosity, thixotropic

Properties of the end product. Adhesion and infrared reflectivity

If stabilizers and fillers have been added to the plastisol, the plastisol is applied with a doctor blade

thickeners and surfactants added to the multicellular surface of the base 10

should be applied, which is possible in small amounts. Every single one of the cells is included

this can be done in a conventional manner. Unless 5 "filled the plastisol, in such a way that the plastisol

certain colors are desired, pigment should have a convex meniscus within the cells,

materials with a relatively high refractive index but not the surfaces of the surrounding cells

may be used to cover the material within walls 24. Then the

make the cells opaque. Pigment fillers in carriers with the cells filled with plastisol on a

Amounts of about 1 to 15 percent by weight favor the temperature brought about by melting the plastisol

otherwise the hardness and adhesion are sufficient. The level of this temperature depends on the

of the plastisol after it has been melted. Individual cases of the respective components of the plastic

To prevent thermal deformation sols as well as the amount of material inside

Of the plastisol during processing, half of the individual cells can, however, generally be removed

Stabilizers in an amount up to 1.5 wt 6 ° in the order of about 160 ⁰ C or less.

Percent are added to the plastisol. Suitable if the cells filled with plastisol are sufficient

Stabilizers are metal salts of organic acids that are exposed to the melting temperature for a long time,

Organic tin compounds, epoxy compounds, the plastisol "melts" into one within the cells

organic phosphites and chelating agents. To the solid mass, with the result that a light

generation of the thixotropic and the other necessary shrinkage occurs in such a way that the surface of the

Theological properties of the plastisol in front of the solid mass are now flat with the surface of the

Conventional thickeners, such as surrounding cell walls 24, can be melted. In general

z. B. colloidal silica and aluminum silicates, we mean a heating time of about 1 to

9 10

5 minutes required, depending on the composition of the cellulose acetate butyrate found has the following Plastisols and the temperature used. approximate composition:

Combined cellulose salt 46%

b) The original sheet of the duplication unit 5 Free OH in the cellulose residue 0.7%

Butyryl groups 48%

The original sheet of the unit has, as already mentioned, acetyl groups 6 ° /

imagines the task to be selectively from each of the cells

formed s.e consists of a layer 42 of paper to be modified aroundΓ the this coating has a latent one

exist, which is heat resistant ίηα ϊϊκΐ η ^ he does not absorb infrared, such as ζ B _sch can be coated on the one side with a film fus polymer containing, thermoplastic material, a synthetic plastic film or a thin, light paperweight "

Preferably, the master layer 42 consists of a thin paper with a satisfactory density for the Heat transfer and with sufficient rigidity and strength that it is still good ζ B processed in a typewriter Ein kaian ' Detergent paper with a basis weight of a little more than 40 g / cm = with a thickness of 0.05 mm has proven itself proved suitable. There may also be carbon paper supports of the dense type with a thickness of e.g. B. 0.04 mm can be used.

The polymer-containing thermo-

Plastic material 45 in a layer thickness of _e? wa 0.001 mm to 0.05, preferably placed ₄₂ \ ui from about 0 00 ">hi" 0.025 mm to dne soap PapTersSicht. This material is selected such that it is inactive at room temperature is, but at elevated temperature -n passes into an activated, ie sticky state in which it can combine with the material of the setting elements 25 in the cells of the carrier «: 10. In general, the activation is

temperature of the thermoplastic material above 50 ° C. In principle, any polymer-containing, thermoplastic material can be used, the one at its activation temperature has specific binding affinity for the setting elements 25. As examples within the wide range of Materials are polyvinyl acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate Homopolymers and copolymers of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride as well as ethyl cellulose too to name.

A preferred thermoplastic material is cellulose acetate butyrate; H. a thermoplastic Plastic that is commercially available in the form of white flakes or granules and that is light can be converted into a plastic film The ratio of the proportions of acetyl and butyryl groups can be changed over a wide range so that it becomes "tailor-made" physical

Have properties set. One as well suited

ο suitable

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ta E ™ T ^ "T ^ S ^Desired Modifications

DasToΙΓ ^ ΐ? ^ '"" f ⁰ ^ mk üHchen Wh ^f "h! ^P f' ^{!? Che M} _f ^a 'eria L ^can

£ _zw S ₁ inspection methods on the pap.er

rnäßio 1; Ϊλ J Vi. ^{a, are ebracht uf} 8 x ^purpose "™ _o ™ 7 τ - ^{'thermo load} P' sche material while in

sSht 4? Γ ^{Apply "8} '" T ^ ^{solvent to the} 7. Generally increases

geiS.f Vr Scl ° f ^ f ΐ ^{Ov train 45 the basic} "

Sa 40 ^ L * ^{(dlCSe 3} ' ^{S Pa layer with}

assumed) by about 4 to 20 g / m ».

The working method

" ^{s special} numerical

^v ervielfaltigungseinheit as well as the Mr ° ^druckfähi e ^s using the same clichés

The TräSTin Λ * Ρ · ι, ·.-Π

thereby hf. .i \, " ^{Λ can be found in} general by [L. Jfr ' ^{that ttn 2ellenfö} ™ ges pattern ^ _eri ^ ^e ". ° ^the _R ^fo ™ ^{en in} ' - ⁱⁿ e layer of flexible G ^ hI aa ^ . ^Plastic . Impregnated paper, foWnH 1- ^g ' ^em g ^earbdte t. In the subsequent

τ. «*»? «^ ^a " ^third ° embodiment consisted of the

oSftiJl ^ ί ^{> 25 mm thick layer of not} 'a ^ nVT ^? ^ly P ^ro Py ^len - ™ whose one surface nro f ^ : ⁿ J ^ormi 8 «. Pattern of about 14,000 cells

Mustek hf ^ f ^ ^ ' ^{To dieSes cell-shaped} S ^e dieMwS ^ * ««>. a stamping plate was used,

hundred 7p. r - "* ^ago S ^{e £ tellt was' that} stem ™ ^Three Pm" 7 .T ¹ ™ ⁸¹⁰ photographically on a

££ ? I ^ ■ ^{3US copper surface and} etched to a depth of 25 µm

-ir ^ ⁰¹ ' ^{23118 the cells were} " possessed 11 ™ ^Fl i ^m P ^OSItiv a thickness of 28 μΐη nlatte ™, 3 Γα ^twa _J ¹⁰ ^ ^m reduced. With the embossing ΡΙιΓηΤ u ^{Ch pressure} fo ™ and a matrix H was produced , and this matrix in turn

Template. J _n ^ ^, ^{manufacture d} it cellular

Each of the 7 π ^PoI . ^y P ^roD y ^le n layer used, the PoIv ^{1Π of the} multicellular surface

Material "-ru ^ ^{chl was then with solid} material, namely, the already explained setting elements

25, completed. The material of these setting elements was a molten plastisol, which is given special consideration of the desired chemical and physical properties of the final support. The essential components this plastisol as well as examples of the possible range of variation in the composition are given in FIG Table given.

material Weighted parts Fluctuation
area example 50 to 70
0.75 to 3.0
0.75 to 30 Plastics
Polyvinyl chloride
Vinyl toluene copolymer
Vinyl toluene acrylate
Copolymer 59.0
1.1
1.1 20 to 35
0 to 15 Plasticizers
Monomer:
Octyl diphenyl phosphate
Polymer:
Epoxidized soybean oil 25.5
6.0 0.3 to 3 Thickener
Colloidal silica 0.6 1 to 15 filler
Titanium dioxide 5.2 0.3 to 2 Surface active agent
Polyethylene glycol laurate 0.5 0.15 to 15 Heat stabilizer
Barium cadmium laurate 1.0

In the example according to the table, the additional plastics were vinyl-toluene copolymer and Vinyl-toluene-acrylate copolymer with the monomeric Plasticizer octyl diphenyl phosphate mixed and dissolved at around 120 ° C. After cooling, the Polyester plastic and the surfactant are mixed into the mixture with. After that it was The polyvinyl chloride was added while stirring, and finally also the filler and the thickener. The final blend was run on a three roll mill long enough to be optimal To achieve dispersion and to remove any trapped air as completely as possible.

The semi-liquid plastisol after this operation was then applied to the multicellular with a doctor blade The surface of the polypropylene layer is painted in such a way that all cells with the Material filled and the material inside the cells had a convex meniscus, but without covering the surrounding cell walls. this can be easily accomplished by using a beveled stainless steel doctor blade, the is designed so that the angle between the lower Surface and the top surface of the beveled part of the doctor blade is about 35 °. The lower surface of the The squeegee should be at an angle of about 30 ° to the multicellular surface of the polyethylene layer be oriented.

After all the cells had been filled with the plastisol, the carrier was heated ^{to a temperature in the range between about 150 and 195 ° C. for about 1 to 5 minutes.} During this time, the plastisol in the individual cells was completely dissolved and melted. As soon as the carrier was then subsequently cooled, the amounts of plastisol in the individual cells had solidified and had also shrunk to such an extent that their surfaces were essentially level with the surface of the carrier. In addition, the individual amounts of plastisol showed good mechanical adhesion in their associated cells.
The carrier is generally converted into a gravure printing plate for duplicating a character by removing the setting elements 25 formed from the plastisol from selected cells of the carrier JO, resulting in areas 15 defined in the surface of the carrier which exactly correspond to the original ( the original sheet) correspond to characters 64 to be reproduced. How the selected setting elements 25 are removed from their associated cells is in principle not essential as long as it is ensured that the remaining setting elements remain in place undisturbed and also under the conditions that prevail when the carrier is used as a printing plate , cannot be removed from their cells. The removal of the setting elements 25 in the desired defined areas 15 is symbolically a setting process, and as soon as this has taken place, the printing of the reproductions can be started with the carrier. For this purpose, the carrier can be fastened in a suitable manner in a printing press or attached to the plate cylinder of a rotary press. As already mentioned, the flexibility of the carrier depends largely on which material has been used for its base layer, and this in turn depends on whether the carrier has to be bent when used as a printing plate or not.

The preferred embodiment of the invention described here is used for conversion of the support of the duplicating unit in a gravure plate an original sheet 40, consisting of a

Sheet 42, which is coated on one side with a coating 45 made of polymer-containing, thermoplastic material. This thermoplastic material has a latent specific binding affinity for the setting elements 25 located in the individual cells of the carrier and is such that an actual binding takes place as soon as the thermoplastic material has been activated by heating into a bondable, sticky state.
An original sheet can be conveniently produced using the following procedure:

A well-calendered paper with a basis weight of about 40 g / m ² and a thickness of about 0.05 mm was coated with a solution of the above-described cellulose butyrate plastic in a solvent. The solution was prepared from 25 percent by weight cellulose acetate butyrate, 25 percent by weight heptane and 50 percent by weight ethyl acetate. Solutions of this composition and also those which contain from about 10 to 30 percent by weight (based on the weight of the thermoplastic synthetic material) of dibutyl phthalate have proven to be well suited for the production of useful coatings 45. The coatings were applied by any conventional technique, such as the reverse roll process, knife application, or slot die process when dry, the coatings were not lumpy and non-sticky at room temperature, but showed at elevated temperatures

13 14

After a time of about 2 to 10 seconds, the temperature has a specific binding capacity to hernia

Plastisol material in the cells of the carrier, but reproduction unit 60 completely exposed. she will

no binding affinity to the material of the support then removed from the exposure device, and the

layer of the carrier. both components are separated from each other.

In order to use the original sheet produced in this way, it can be seen that those plastisol elements

To convert carrier into a deep printing plate, 25 will be in the cells of the carrier, which is directly below one

proceeded appropriately in the following way: infrared-absorbing sign 64 on the upper

The characters 64 to be reproduced are located on surface 44 of the original sheet, from their Hand, by machine, by pressure or in some other way cells have been removed and are now firmly attached to the pile the uncoated surface 44 of the original sheet adhere to the coated side of the original sheet. So applied, wherein in the present example only are, as F i g. 1 clearly shows the infrared on it it is important to ensure that the characters applied are positively reproduced on the irradiated characters are infrared absorbing. This means that the multicellular surface of the carrier 10 is copied Ribbon, the printing ink or the writing material have been while at the same time, such as in particular a sufficient amount of carbon, metallic 15 F i g. 4 illustrates the characters on the Pigment or other infrared-absorbing reverse side of the original sheet has been negatively copied Must contain substance. After all the signs are. The negative copy 15 'consists of one have been applied, the template is ready, and multitudes smaller, evenly over the drawing area the production of a protrusion distributed away for further replication, and the positive copy suitable printing form can begin. For this purpose, 20 15 has the shape of numerous smaller, the original sheet 40 with the thermoplastic coating evenly distributed over the drawing area 45 indentations down on a prepared carrier.

placed in which all cells of the multicellular In the present example generated the infrared

Surface are filled with the solidified plastisol. Irradiation of the duplicating unit no heat,

The carrier can take the form of a plate or a 25 if not indicated by the character representations 64

Have cylinder, it is only necessary that the coating of the surface 44 of the original sheet 40 absorbs

45 of the original sheet with the multicellular top has been. Therefore, in the case of the described

the surface of the wearer is in good contact. In the illumination process the radiation only through the characters

The upward-facing labeled, 64, but not through the unlabeled areas of the

or printed surface 44 of the original sheet infrared 30 original sheet converted into heat. This warmth

irradiated. penetrates the original sheet up to the one on the

The irradiation is shown in FIG. 6 illustrates in more detail. Underside of this sheet lying coating 45. The

Under an infrared lamp 62 lies the entire material of this coating is thereby selectively in

Duplication unit 60, consisting of the paper the areas, and only in the areas that one

sheet 42, overlay 45, and backing 10. The 35 characters 64 correspond to its bonding temperature

Characters 64 point to the lamp. The is heated so that the associated plasma elements

Takes advantage of the fact that the IR lamp 62 radiates in the cells below on the coating 45

emits lung energy, which after absorption can stick in the.

Materia used to form the characters 64! this Those cells in the surface of the support warmed up. This radiant energy can basically be 4 ° which have been emptied by the exposure process, can be taken from any light source that can absorb ink richly while that is not on rays with a wavelength of about 7500 cells emptied this effect as "print lines" does not up to 30,000 A, i.e. H. whose wavelength are jenseiis. The carrier can then be put in an offset press of the visible range, but still below the or a corresponding multiplier as the deep extreme end of the infrared range. Already the 45 pressure plate can be attached. The The sun provides radiation of this type, although cells are no longer filled by the setting elements 25 Usually the intensity of this radiation is not filled with ink, the excess ink sufficient. It is therefore usually an artificial one in those areas of the surface that are not Radiation source should print with a sufficiently high IR intensity (i.e. those caused by the required, for example a lamp with glass setting elements are held flat), with a squeegee flask or Quaiz flask and a tungsten incandescent strip, the printing ink in the cells is on a wire that is in the temperature range from about 1650 to rubber roller or other transfer roller 2200 ° C works. Preferably, the radiation source should transmit, and then the final over-one occurs Radiation in the wavelength range approximately from the transfer of the printing ink to the printing ink Deliver 10,000 to 20,000 A. 55 sheets of paper or paper webs. F i g. 2 shows

The amount of matically developed by absorption a printing plate, in which the empty cells of heat depends essentially on the exposure, printing-ready filled with printing ink,
Duration and intensity of the available After separating the two components of the IR radiation and continuing from the type and duplication unit, not only the carrier, strength of the material in which the heat develops ⁶ ° but also the original sheet as a printing form gets used. In the present example, the two components are used, in this case of course components, namely the carrier 10 and the original sheet not as a gravure form, but as a letterpress 40, preferably by printing in close contact with or relief printing form. The printing form contains each other held, for. B. by means of a roller and a plurality of individual, projecting elements 46 tensioned taut, but for infrared light trans- 65 of a predetermined shape, which with the surface of a parent tape or belt. A good source of substrate, namely that which is coated with the coating for both the radiation and the pressed paper, is connected, and a negative pressure is a commercially available thermal copier. have reproduced the original characters 64

AO

represent. The original sheet can either be used for or after fastening to a suitable carrier together with a transmission element (e.g. carbon ribbon or paper) to create positive copies of the original Character 64 can be used. Furthermore, it can also be attached to a suitable base and used as a Marking stamps are used by painting the outer surface of the protrusions 46 with printing ink is colored. One of the special advantages of such a letterpress plate is that it has a has a flat printing surface of substantially uniform thickness.

With a polypropylene printing plate produced in the manner described above, in a practical experiment with success a lot made from the highest quality copies. A non-evaporable, non-drying one was thereby produced Used printing ink that contains hexylene glycol and about 2 to 10% maleic anhydride resin condensate. This is a water-insoluble plastic, but due to its high acid number it is quite polar. It is readily soluble in glycol, which in turn is water-soluble and also hygroscopic to a certain extent is. The printing ink composed in this way has good resistance to a dye felt, but the plastic component does fails as soon as the ink has absorbed moisture from the paper to be printed on.

The invention is not limited to the preferred exemplary embodiment described above, but still allows numerous modifications. For example, you can get very beneficial results Achieve when the cells in the multicellular surface of the base part with a magnetic material be filled.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8 shows letterpress forms 80 of the type described above are produced by the fact that the activated areas of the original sheet (more precisely the one with the Coated back of the original sheet) small discrete solid particles 82 of substantially the same dimensions are applied, e.g. B. Particles of a non-friable material with a diameter in the range from 10 to 30 μm. Suitable particles are e.g. B. Ceramic beads or glass that sticks to the sticky areas of the original sheet after application, to the but not in other areas.

According to the invention, one with liquid can also be used to form the elements reproducing the characters Filled structure made of synthetic plastic is used, which is on a porous plastic base body based, from which the liquid is squeezed out under pressure. Also the use of microcapsules with printing ink is possible.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, one can be used for certain applications Generate very useful printing form in that a carrier with a multicellular surface in the preceding described manner is produced, in this but only certain selected cells with the solid filling material (the setting elements) are filled, while the remaining cells are unfilled and therefore predetermine a "drawing area" for the printing process from the start. For the production Such printing forms can, for example, include individual areas of the carrier surface Masks are covered so that they remain empty when the plastisol hits the multicellular surface is applied.

For this purpose 2 sheets of drawings # 09 518/17

Claims (1)

Claims: 16 δ 501 1. Unit for the simultaneous production of relief and gravure forms on thermographic Paths marked by