EP0235700B1 - Monochromic and polychromic printing of an image reproduced by electro-coagulation of a colloid - Google Patents

Monochromic and polychromic printing of an image reproduced by electro-coagulation of a colloid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0235700B1
EP0235700B1 EP87102421A EP87102421A EP0235700B1 EP 0235700 B1 EP0235700 B1 EP 0235700B1 EP 87102421 A EP87102421 A EP 87102421A EP 87102421 A EP87102421 A EP 87102421A EP 0235700 B1 EP0235700 B1 EP 0235700B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
colloid
belt
use support
electrode active
colored
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP87102421A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0235700A1 (en
Inventor
Adrien Castegnier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Elcorsy Inc
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Elcorsy Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
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Priority to AT87102421T priority Critical patent/ATE70221T1/de
Publication of EP0235700A1 publication Critical patent/EP0235700A1/en
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Publication of EP0235700B1 publication Critical patent/EP0235700B1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
    • B41C1/00—Forme preparation
    • B41C1/10—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme
    • B41C1/105—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme by electrocoagulation, by electro-adhesion or by electro-releasing of material, e.g. a liquid from a gel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to improvements in the field of monochromic and polychromic dynamic printing. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an improved method and apparatus for reproducing an image by electro-coagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid and transferring the image thus reproduced onto an end-use support, such as paper.
  • Applicant has already described in his U.S. Patent No. 3,892,645 of July l, l975 an electro-coagulation printing method and system in which a thin layer of a liquid composition containing a colloid such as gelatin or albumin, water and an electrolyte is interposed between at least one pair of opposite negative and positive electrodes spaced from one another to define a gap which is filled by the liquid composition.
  • a liquid composition containing a colloid such as gelatin or albumin
  • an electrolyte is interposed between at least one pair of opposite negative and positive electrodes spaced from one another to define a gap which is filled by the liquid composition.
  • there is a plurality of electrically-insulated juxtaposed negative electrodes and selected ones thereof are electrically energized to pass electric pulses through the layer at selected points to cause point-by-point selective coagulation and adherence of the colloid in variable thickness on the positive electrode directly opposite each energized negative electrode, thereby forming imprints.
  • the gap between the negative and positive electrodes be uniform throughout the active surfaces of the electrodes since otherwise there will be a variation in the thickness of the layer and thus a corresponding variation of the electrical resistance thereof at different locations between the electrodes, which will result in a non-uniform image reproduction as the thickness of the coagulated colloid is proportional to the amount of current passed through the layer.
  • this gap is of the order of 50 ⁇ , its uniformity is of course very difficult to control.
  • the positive electrode is in the form of a revolving cylinder so as to be also used as a printing roller for high speed transfer of the image reproduced onto paper or the like; such a cylinder must be of high precision and have a cylindrical surface virtually free of any defects, and is thus very costly.
  • the negative electrodes are generally energized more than once in the reproduction of an image, these become polarized resulting in a gas generation and accumulation at the negative electrodes, which adversely affect the image reproduction.
  • a method of reproducing an image and transferring same onto an end-use support which comprises the steps of:
  • the present invention also provides, in a further aspect thereof, an apparatus for carrying out a method as defined above.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises a positive electrolytically inert electrode in the form of an endless elongated belt having an electrode active surface extending vertically, means for moving the endless elongated belt at substantially constant speed along a closed horizontal path, and a plurality of negative electrolytically inert electrodes electrically insulated from one another and arranged side-by-side in rectilinear alignment to define a series of corresponding electrode active surfaces disposed transversely of the belt and spaced from the positive electrode active surface thereof by a constant predetermined electrode gap maintained constant by a roller over which said belt passes.
  • Means are provided for filling the electrode gap with a substantially liquid fresh colloidal dispersion containing an electrolytically coagulable colloid, a liquid dispersing medium and a soluble electrolyte and having a substantially constant temperature, as well as means for electrically energizing selected ones of the negative electrodes to cause point-by-point selective coagulation and adherence of the colloid onto the positive electrode active surface of the belt opposite the electrode active surfaces of the energized negative electrodes while the belt is moving, thereby forming a series of corresponding dots of coagulated colloid representative of a desired image.
  • the apparatus further includes means for removing any remaining non-coagulated colloid from the positive electrode active surface, means for treating with a coloring agent the colloid either before or after the coagulation thereof to obtain dots of colored, coagulated colloid, and means for bringing an end-use support into contact with the dots of colored, coagulated colloid to cause transfer of the coloring agent onto the end-use support and thereby imprint the end-use support with the image.
  • a positive electrode in the form of a moving endless belt onto which the colloid can be coagulated by using a positive electrode in the form of a moving endless belt onto which the colloid can be coagulated, high speed image reproduction and transfer can be achieved at substantially reduced cost as compared to using a revolving cylinder of high precision.
  • the use of such an endless belt has also the advantage of enabling one to more easily control the uniformity of the electrode gap.
  • the endless elongated belt comprises a vertically disposed sheet material having at least a surface layer made of an electrolytically inert metal and defining the aforesaid positive electrode active surface.
  • the sheet material is driven along the closed horizontal path by a drive roller located opposite the negative electrodes with the sheet material therebetween, the drive roller having a center axis extending substantially in alignment with the negative electrodes.
  • the surface layer of the sheet material which defines the positive electrode active surface must be made of a metal that will resist electrolytic attack and enhance electro-coagulation, such as stainless steel, platinum, chromium, nickel, aluminum or tin.
  • the sheet material is preferably made entirely of such an electrolytically inert metal, but it can also be made of synthetic plastic material having a surface coating of electrolytically inert metal; it generally has a thickness of about 0,1016 to about 0,254 mm.
  • the negative electrodes are similarly made of an electrolytically inert metal, stainless steel being preferred.
  • the positive electrode active surface is advantageously unpolished to enhance the adherence of the coagulated colloid thereon.
  • the colloid generally used is a linear colloid of high molecuar weight, that is, one having a molecular weight comprised between about 10,000 and about 1,000,000, preferably between 100,000 and 600,000.
  • suitable colloids include natural polymers such as albumin, gelatin, casein and agar, and synthetic polymers such as polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol. Water is preferably used as the medium for dispersing the colloid to provide the desired colloidal dispersion.
  • the colloidal dispersion also contains a soluble electrolyte which enables the water to have a greater conductivity.
  • suitable electrolytes include chlorides and sulfates, such as lithium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, nickel chloride, copper chloride, ammonium chloride and manganese sulfate. Since the speed of electro-coagulation is affected by temperature, the colloidal dispersion must be maintained at a substantially constant temperature in order to ensure a uniform image reproduction.
  • the selective energizing of the negative electrodes can be effected by sweeping such electrodes and transmitting electrical pulses to selected ones thereof during sweeping. These electrical pulses can be varied either in voltage or time from one electrode to another so as to correspondingly vary the amount of coagulated colloid adhered onto the positive electrode active surface. This enables one to form dots of varying intensities and thus to reproduce the half-tones of an image.
  • any-remaining non-coagulated colloid is removed from the positive electrode active surface, for instance by scraping the surface with a soft rubber squeegee, so as to fully uncover the coagulated colloid.
  • the dots of coagulated colloid obtained in step (c) of the method according to the invention must be colored with a coloring agent and the coloring of the colloid is effected either before or after the coagulation thereof in step (c) depending on whether the coloring agent used is a pigment or a dye.
  • the coloring agent is a pigment
  • the coloring of the colloid is effected prior to coagulation by admixing the pigment with the colloidal dispersion so as to obtain upon the coagulation of the colloid in step (c) the desired dots of colored, coagulated colloid.
  • colloid softening agents include glycerol, ethylene glycol, sorbitol and formamide.
  • the coloring agent is a dye
  • the coloring of the colloid is effected after coagulation by applying to the dots of coagulated colloid obtained in step (c), after removal of any non-coagulated colloid, a liquid coloring medium containing the dye and having substantially the same constant temperature as the colloidal dispersion, thereby obtaining the desired dots of colored, coagulated colloid.
  • the end-use support utilized in step (f) must be coated with a wetting agent which is a solvent of the dye for enabling the dye to be transferred onto the end-use support.
  • the end-use support can be gelatinized paper or any ordinary paper, including uncoated paper such as bond paper and coated paper such as synthetic resin-coated or kaolin-coated paper.
  • the wetting agent must also act as a gelatin softening agent for conditioning the gelatinized paper to receive the dye;
  • suitable wetting and gelatin softening agents are water and aqueous solutions of acetic or citric acid, or an alkali metal salt thereof such as sodium acetate.
  • bond paper or synthetic resincoated or kaolin-coated paper or the like is used, the coloring medium must further contain a colloid softening agent so as to maintain the colored, coagulated colloid in a softened state and thus allow transfer of the dye onto such type of end-use support.
  • the colloid softening agent is preferably glycerol, ethylene glycol, sorbitol or formamide
  • the wetting agent used for coating the end-use support is preferably methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone or formaldehyde.
  • Preferred combinations of electrolytically coagulable colloid and coloring medium therefor are ones in which the colloid is polyacrylic acid or polyacrylamide and the coloring medium comprises an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble dye and a colloid softening agent selected from the group consisting of glycerol, ethylene glycol and formamide.
  • the liquid coloring medium is advantageously applied transversely of the belt by means of a shower or horizontal spray of the coloring medium, excess coloring medium being allowed to drain off the belt by gravity so as to be collected for recycling after removal of residual non-coagulated colloid entrained with the coloring medium.
  • steps (a) through (f) of the above-described method are repeated several times to define a corresponding number of printing stages each using a coloring agent of different color and to thereby produce several differently colored images of coagulated colloid which are transferred onto the end-use support in superimposed relation to provide the desired polychromic image.
  • the printing method and apparatus according to the invention enables to produce per print of 215,9 x 279,4 mm about 4,000,000 dots of colored, coagulated colloid of varying intensities per color with a resolution of about 60 dots per square mm and to provide a printed copy at a rate of one copy every second, with either a monochromic or polychromic image.
  • a printing apparatus comprising four identical printing units 20 arranged in tandem relation, but each using a coloring agent of different color.
  • the first printing unit 20A at the right of the figure is adapted to print in black color
  • the fourth printing unit 20D in yellow color Individual sheets of paper 22 are fed from a stack 24 by a feeder mechanism (not shown) and transported to the printing units 20 by means of a conveyor system generally designated by reference numeral 26.
  • the sheets once imprinted with a desired image are discharged from the apparatus and pile up to form another stack 24 ⁇ .
  • a scanner 28 is provided for scanning the image to be reproduced.
  • Each printing unit 20 comprises a printing head 30 adapted to produce on the surface 32 of a positive electrode 34 in the form of an endless belt dots of coagulated colloid of varying intensities representative of the desired image.
  • the belt 34 is disposed with its surface 32 extending vertically and is displaced along a closed horizontal path in the direction shown by the arrow by means of a vertically disposed roller 36 and three vertically disposed guide rollers 38, 38 ⁇ and 38 ⁇ which are idler or tension drive rollers.
  • a horizontal spray system 40 is provided for applying a liquid coloring medium transversely of the belt 34 to color the dots of coagulated colloid, excess liquid coloring medium being removed from the belt 34 by a soft rubber squeegee 42.
  • the dots of colored, coagulated colloid on the surface 32 of the belt 34 are then pressed into contact with a sheet of paper 22 conveyed by the conveyor system 26, by means of the roller 38 ⁇ , thereby causing transfer of the coloring agent onto the paper and imprint of the latter with the desired image.
  • a roller 44 with an abrasive surface is provided to remove any remaining coagulated colloid from the surface 32 of the belt 34 and to thus clean the surface 32 prior to passing by the printing head 30 once again.
  • the conveyor system 26 comprises an endless conveyor belt 46 adapted to convey individual sheets of paper into position for being successively imprinted with the colored imgages by the printing units 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D.
  • the conveyor belt 46 is moved with its transport surface 48 extending vertically along a closed horizontal by the drive rollers 50 while being maintained under tension by means of the tension rollers 52. It is displaced about an evacuated chamber 54 having a perforated vertically extending wall 56, in frictional moving engagement with the perforated wall 56.
  • the belt 46 is also perforated to permit the sheets of paper 22 to adhere by suction to the transport surface 48.
  • the chamber 54 which is maintained under permanent vacuum via the holes 58 includes two separate compartments 54A and 54B in which the vacuum is controlled independently of the chamber 54 via the holes 60 and 62, respectively.
  • the compartment 54A is evacuated only when the paper feeder mechanism which is shown in Figs. ll and l2 is actuated so as to assist in the transfer of a sheet of paper 22 from the stack 24 onto the transport surface 48 of the conveyor belt 46.
  • the vacuum is replaced by air pressure when the sheet of paper 22 once imprinted arrives at the position shown in broken lines so as to eject such a sheet from the belt 46, the sheet thus ejected being guided by conventional guide means (not shown) to pile up on the stack 24 ⁇ .
  • the printing head 30 of each printing unit 20 comprises a body 64 secured to a vertically extending support rod 66 and provided with a plurality of negative electrodes 68.
  • the negative electrodes 68 are electrically insulated from one another and arranged side-by-side in rectilinear alignment, as best shown in Fig. 7; these define a series of corresponding negative electrode active surfaces 70 which are disposed transversely of the belt 34 and spaced from the positive electrode active surface 32 thereof by a constant electrode gap 72 of the order of 50 ⁇ .
  • the printing head 30 further includes a multi-socket member 74 provided with a plurality of sockets 76 for receiving and electrically connecting integrated circuit boards 78 to the negative electrodes 68 via the electrical wires 80.
  • the integrated circuit boards 78 serve to control the selective energizing of the electrodes 68 and are operative to transmit to the latter electrical pulses which are modulated in voltage or time.
  • the drive roller 36 used to move the belt 34 along a closed horizontal path is fixedly connected to a shaft 82 which is rotatably mounted to the frame 84 and driven at substantially constant speed by a motor (not shown) for rotation of the roller 36 about the center axis 86 in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 2.
  • the roller 36 is provided adjacent its upper end with a plurality of radially spaced-apart teeth 88 engaging in corresponding holes 90 formed in the belt 34 and spaced along the upper longitudinal edge thereof, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 5.
  • the drive roller 36 is located opposite the negative electrodes 68 with the belt 34 therebetween, the center axis 86 of the roller 36 extending substantially in parallel alignment with the electrodes 68.
  • the body 64 of the printing head 30 is formed with three injection nozzles 92 for continuously injecting under pressure the necessary liquid colloidal dispersion onto the surface 32 of the belt 34 transversely thereof and adjacent the electrode gap 72 so as to press the belt 34 against the drive roller 36 and thereby maintain the rquired constant gap, the colloidal dispersion being fed to the nozzles 92 via the conduits 94.
  • the electrode gap 72 is continuously supplied with fresh colloidal dispersion and thus any gas bubbles generated as a result of electrode polarization are removed by being entrained with the excess colloidal dispersion which is allowed to drain off the surface 32 into the drain pipe 96.
  • any remaining non-coagulated colloid is removed from the surface 32 by means of a soft rubber squeegee 98 and combined with the excess colloidal dispersion drained off the belt 34 by gravity and flowing into the drain pipe 96, so as to be collected and recirculated together with the excess colloidal dispersion back to the injection nozzles 92.
  • the vertical rod 66 to which the body 64 of each printing head is secured is fixedly mounted to upper and lower members l00 which are pivotally connected to the drive shaft 82 and the body 64 is provided with a projection l02 extending between two T-shaped bars l04 fixed to the frame 84 and each carrying a screw member l06 so that the position of the negative electrodes 68 can be adjusted relative to the center axis 86 of the drive roller 36.
  • Fine adjustment of the screw members l06 causes the members l00 carrying the body 64 to slightly pivot about the shaft 82 and thus the body 64 to pivotally move with the negative electrodes 68 being displaced relative to the center axis 86 of the roller 36, as best shown in Fig. 6.
  • the dots of coagulated colloid produced on the surface 32 of the belt 34 are colored by means of the horizontal spray system 40 which is adapted to apply a liquid coloring medium transversely of the belt 34, when use is made of a dye as coloring agent.
  • the spray sysem 40 comprises a verticle tube l08 provided along the length thereof with a pluralityof spaced apart spray apertures l09 for directing a spray of liquid coloring medium onto the surface 32, the liquid coloring medium being fed via the conduit ll0. Excess coloring medium is allowed to drain off the belt 34 by gravity and is collected in the trough ll2 for recycling after removal of residual non-coagulated colloid entrained with the coloring medium, for instance by ultra-filtration or chemical precipitation.
  • Suitable dyes which may be used to color the coagulated colloid with the spray system 40 after electro-coagulation are the water soluble dyes available from HOECHST such as Duasyn Acid Black for use in the black printing unit 20A and Duasyn Acid Blue for use in the cyan priting unit 20B, or those available from RIEDEL-DEHAEN such Anti-Halo Dye Blue T.
  • HOECHST water soluble dyes available from HOECHST
  • HOECHST such as Duasyn Acid Black for use in the black printing unit 20A and Duasyn Acid Blue for use in the cyan priting unit 20B
  • RIEDEL-DEHAEN such Anti-Halo Dye Blue T.
  • the coloring of the colloid is effected prior to electro-coagulation by admixing the pigment with the liquid colloidal dispersion injected through the nozzles 92 so as to obtain upon coagulation of the coloid dots of colored, coagulated colloid.
  • the horizontal spray system 40 is of course not used to apply liquid coloring medium, but rather serves to apply a colloid softening agent such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, sorbitol or formamide in order to maintain the colored, coagulated colloid in a softened state and thus enable the pigment to be subsequently transferred onto the paper 22 conveyed by the conveyor belt 46, excess colloid softening agent being removed from the surface 32 of the belt 34 by the squeegee 42 shown in Fig. l.
  • a colloid softening agent such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, sorbitol or formamide
  • Suitable pigments are those available from HOECHST such as Colanyl or Flexonyl Black for use in the black printing unit 20A, Colanyl or Flexonyl Blue for use in the cyan printing unit 20B, Colanyl or Flexonyl Violet for use in the magenta printing unit 20C and Colanyl or Flexonyl Yellow for use in the yellow printing unit 20D.
  • the belt 34 After transfer of the coloring agent contained in the dots of colored, coagulated colloid adhered to the surface 32 of the belt 34 onto the paper 22 by means of the roller 38 ⁇ shown in Fig. l, the belt 34 passes around the abrasive roller 44 which rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drive roller 36 for increasing the frictional engagement of the abrasive surface ll4 of the roller 44 with the surface 32, as best shown in Fig. 2. In this manner, any remaining coagulated colloid is removed from the surface 32 which is thus cleaned prior to passing through the electrode gap 72 once again.
  • the belt 34 is also continuously washed with a washing liquid such as water applied transversely of the belt by means of the shower elements ll6, the washing liquid entraining particles of coagulated colloid removed by the abrasive roller 44 as it drains off the belt 34 by gravity to collect in the trough ll8 for recycling. Excess washing liquid is removed by the pair of squeegees l20.
  • a washing liquid such as water applied transversely of the belt by means of the shower elements ll6, the washing liquid entraining particles of coagulated colloid removed by the abrasive roller 44 as it drains off the belt 34 by gravity to collect in the trough ll8 for recycling. Excess washing liquid is removed by the pair of squeegees l20.
  • FIG 9 schematically illustrates the scanner system 28 used for scanning the image to be reproduced.
  • the scanner 28 comprises a multi-element optical lens l22 for reading the document 124 placed on the transparent window 126 and of which the image is to be reproduced.
  • the beam of light issuing from the lens 122 is divided into three components of equal light intensity by the mirrors 128, 130 and 132, the mirrors 128 and 130 being partially reflecting mirrors and the mirror 132 being a totally reflecting mirror.
  • the mirror 128 is adapted to reflect 33 1/3% of the light intensity onto the red filter 134 to provide a red-filtered image of reduced dimensions while allowing the remainder of the light intensity, i.e. 66 2/3%,to pass through for being reflected by the mirror 130.
  • the mirror 130 in turn reflects 50% of the incoming light intensity onto the green filter 136 to provide a green-filtered image of reduced dimensions while allowing the remainder of the light intensity, i.e. 33 1/3%, to pass through for being totally reflected by the mirror 132 onto the blue filter 138 to provide a blue-filtered image of reduced dimensions.
  • the red, green and blue-filtered images of reduced dimensions thus produced are sensed by respective linear image sensors 140 fixed to a common support 142.
  • Each image sensor 140 typically comprises 1728 CCD (charge coupled device) elements which transform light into an electrical charge and provide a 7,874 points-per-mm resolution across 215,9 mm.
  • TC 101 line image sensor available from TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC.
  • the support 142 is displaced back and forth in the direction of the arrow to provide a mechanical scanning of the color-filtered images by the image sensors 140 which in turn electronically scan the images in a direction normal to the direction of mechanical scanning.
  • Each of the three image sensors 140 will thus deliver a signal of information for printing a fundamental color image by each of the independent printing units 20, the image sensors associated respectively with the red, green and blue filters 134, 136 and 138 delivering signals of information for printing respectively in the cyan, magenta and yellow colors.
  • the signals of information delivered by the three image sensors 140 of the scanner 28 are fed to a central processing unit 143 which is connected to the printing heads 30 of the black, cyan, magenta and yellow printing units 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D.
  • the central processing unit 143 determines a composite signal corresponding to the lowest common signal delivered by the three image sensors 140, which composite signal provides the information for printing in black by the black printing unit 20A. All four signals of information for printing respectively in black, cyan, magenta and yellow are amplified prior to being transmitted respectively to the black, cyan, magenta and yellow printing units 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D for activating the printing heads 30 thereof.
  • the central processing unit can also be fed with signals of information originating from different sources, such as digital computers, modem phone lines and televideo equipment; the scanner 28 is of course deactivated for these applications.
  • a paper feeder mechanism which is generally designated by reference numeral 144 is seen to comprise two movable suction members 146 each fixedly connected to a chain 148 which itself is driven along a triangular path by sprocket wheels l50 at the corners of the triangle.
  • Each suction member l46 is provided with suction holes l52 for adhering by suction a sheet 22 and is connected to a vacuum outlet l54 by means of a flexible conduit l56.
  • the suction members l46 are operative to pick up the uppermost sheet of the paper stack 24 supported at a slight angle by the platform l58 and maintained at a constant level by means of the lifter l60 coupled to a level sensing device l62, and to transport the sheet thus picked up to a transfer position represented in broken lines whereat the sheet is positioned adjacent the conveyor belt 46 of the conveyor system 26 and faces the transport surface 48 of the latter.
  • a blower l64 is also provided for applying air pressure against the sheet 22 at the transfer position so as to displace same onto the transport surface 48.
  • the compartment 54A is evacuated in order to assist in displacing the sheet 22 on the conveyor belt 46 which is perforated and in continuous frictional moving engagement with the wall 56 provided with perforations l66, and also cause the sheet 22 to adhere by suction to the transport surface 48.
  • the sheet 22 is retained in stationary position on the continuously moving belt 46 in frictional sliding engagement therewith by means of two vertically spaced retractable stop members l68 which are retracted by the solenoid-type devices l70 when order is received to release the sheet.
  • the printing apparatus described above can print a monochromic or polychromic image and can be operated in either monomode to print an image on a single copy or in multimode to print the same image on several copies.
  • a monochromic image a single sheet of paper 22 is fed to the black printing unit 20A which is activated to print in black whereas the cyan, magenta and yellow printing units 20B, 20C and 20D are inactive to print; in multi-mode, several sheets of paper 22 are fed one at a time to the black printing unit 20A which then functions non-stop until all the desired copies are printed.
  • all printing units 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D are operative to print.
  • Figs. l3 and l4 illustrate alternative embodiments.
  • the path defined by the conveyor belt 46 ⁇ of the paper conveyor system 26 ⁇ includes a pair of parallel rectilinear portions and the printing units 20 ⁇ are arranged along both rectilinear path portions.
  • the printing units 20 ⁇ are essentially the same and operate in essentially the same manner as the printing unit 20 shown in Fig. l, with the exception that the abrasive roller 44 of Fig. l has been replaced by a pair of abrasive pads 44 ⁇ .
  • Fig. l the path defined by the conveyor belt 46 ⁇ of the paper conveyor system 26 ⁇ includes a pair of parallel rectilinear portions and the printing units 20 ⁇ are arranged along both rectilinear path portions.
  • the printing units 20 ⁇ are essentially the same and operate in essentially the same manner as the printing unit 20 shown in Fig. l, with the exception that the abrasive roller 44 of Fig. l has been replaced by a pair of abrasive pads 44 ⁇
  • the paper conveyor system 26 ⁇ comprises a vertically disposed conveyor roller 46 ⁇ and the printing units 20 ⁇ are arranged radially around the conveyor roller 46 ⁇ so that the roller 46 ⁇ can convey individual sheets of paper into position for being successively imprinted with the colored images by the printing units 20 ⁇ .
  • the printing unit 20 ⁇ includes a fourth guide roller 38′′′ for rendering the unit more compact, the roller 38′′′ being recessed radially along a major length portion thereof to prevent deformation of the dots of colored, coagulated colloid formed on the surface 32 of the belt 34.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Printing Methods (AREA)
  • Duplication Or Marking (AREA)
EP87102421A 1986-02-20 1987-02-20 Monochromic and polychromic printing of an image reproduced by electro-coagulation of a colloid Expired - Lifetime EP0235700B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT87102421T ATE70221T1 (de) 1986-02-20 1987-02-20 Einfarbiges und farbiges druckverfahren durch kolloidkoagulieren.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA502345 1986-02-20
CA000502345A CA1279603C (en) 1986-02-20 1986-02-20 Monochromic and polychromic printing of an image reproduced by electro-coagulation of a colloid

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0235700A1 EP0235700A1 (en) 1987-09-09
EP0235700B1 true EP0235700B1 (en) 1991-12-11

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EP87102421A Expired - Lifetime EP0235700B1 (en) 1986-02-20 1987-02-20 Monochromic and polychromic printing of an image reproduced by electro-coagulation of a colloid

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EP (1) EP0235700B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPS62240582A (ja)
AT (1) ATE70221T1 (ja)
CA (1) CA1279603C (ja)
DE (1) DE3775084D1 (ja)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1249238A (en) * 1986-07-18 1989-01-24 Adrien Castegnier Method of preventing undesirable gas generation between electrodes of an electrocoagulation printing system
US4881084A (en) * 1986-07-25 1989-11-14 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image recording method using fluid ink electrochemically imparted with adhesiveness
DK167717B1 (da) * 1990-03-22 1993-12-06 Eskofot As Sugebord isaer til en eksponeringsstation
US5888367A (en) * 1995-11-29 1999-03-30 Tokushu Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd. Record sheet used in electro-coagulation printing method
CA2169669C (en) * 1996-02-16 2001-01-23 Adrien Castegnier Method of preventing formation of undesirable background on electrocoagulation printed images
CA2194129C (en) * 1996-12-30 2001-02-27 Adrien Castegnier Method of rendering an electrocoagulation printed image water-fast
CA2213927C (en) * 1997-03-17 2000-10-24 Elcorsy Technology Inc. Electrocoagulation printing ink
JPH11254724A (ja) * 1998-03-12 1999-09-21 Oji Paper Co Ltd 電気凝固印刷用被記録体及び記録方法

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA937874A (en) * 1970-10-26 1973-12-04 The Commonwealth Of Australia Multi-point distributor head for signal recording or the like
US3752746A (en) * 1972-02-25 1973-08-14 A Castegnier Electrolytic printing method and system
CA1250249A (en) * 1984-05-11 1989-02-21 Adrien Castegnier Printing method by electrolytic colloid coagulation and colloid composition therefor
CA1205778A (en) * 1984-05-16 1986-06-10 Adrien Castegnier Image reproduction by in plane electro-coagulation of a colloid

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JPH0448351B2 (ja) 1992-08-06
EP0235700A1 (en) 1987-09-09
JPS62240582A (ja) 1987-10-21
CA1279603C (en) 1991-01-29
ATE70221T1 (de) 1991-12-15
DE3775084D1 (de) 1992-01-23

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