EP0391491A1 - Process for the removal of patterning material from a screen printing stencil and a device for use of the process - Google Patents

Process for the removal of patterning material from a screen printing stencil and a device for use of the process Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0391491A1
EP0391491A1 EP90200811A EP90200811A EP0391491A1 EP 0391491 A1 EP0391491 A1 EP 0391491A1 EP 90200811 A EP90200811 A EP 90200811A EP 90200811 A EP90200811 A EP 90200811A EP 0391491 A1 EP0391491 A1 EP 0391491A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stencil
spraying
medium
process according
patterning material
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP90200811A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Wilhelmus Johannes Franciscus Verheesen
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.)
Stork X Cel BV
Original Assignee
Stork X Cel BV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stork X Cel BV filed Critical Stork X Cel BV
Publication of EP0391491A1 publication Critical patent/EP0391491A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F35/00—Cleaning arrangements or devices
    • B41F35/003—Cleaning arrangements or devices for screen printers or parts thereof
    • B41F35/004—Cleaning arrangements or devices for screen printers or parts thereof for cylindrical screens
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F35/00—Cleaning arrangements or devices
    • B41F35/003—Cleaning arrangements or devices for screen printers or parts thereof

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a process for the removal of patterning material selectively applied to a screen printing stencil according to a pattern.
  • a process of this type is known in practice.
  • the patterning material is completely dissolved and removed from the surface and from the apertures of the stencil by means of chemicals of, for example, a mixture essentially comprising formic acid and dichloromethate.
  • the stencil is shaped like a cylinder whose edges are bonded to edges of fixing rings, in the known process the rings are generally first removed from the stencil by means of a suitable solvent, before the patterning material is removed.
  • the disadvantage of the known process is that it is labour-intensive and takes a fairly long time. Besides, the solvents are contaminated by the adhesive and/or the patterning material, which is generally a suitable lacquer, as a result of which these agents are less effective and after some time cannot be used any more for solvent action, thus giving rise to the problem of disposal of contaminated chemicals, which is currently serious as regards the environment.
  • Another disadvantage is that the chemicals used are often volatile, with the result that special measures have to be taken as regards the safety of the personnel and as regards pollution of the environment.
  • the object of the invention is to eliminate the advantages of the known process.
  • This object is achieved according to the invention for the process of the type mentioned in the preamble by spraying a medium at high pressure locally against the stencil and by moving the stencil in such a way relative to the spraying point that the entire part of the stencil coated by patterning material is covered. It has been found that in this way an environmentally friendly process for good removal of the patterning material from the stencil is obtained.
  • the removal medium can be water at a pressure preferably between 150 and 300 bar.
  • the particles of the patterning material carried along by the water can easily be collected, for example, through settling.
  • the stencil is preferably held in a slanting position during the spraying, so that the surface to be sprayed is kept free from loosened particles of the patterning material.
  • the effect of the spraying can be increased by spraying in a pulsating manner.
  • the stencil is preferably treated prior to spraying, for example through immersion, with a weakening medium which does weaken the bond between the patterning material and the stencil, but essentially does not break it.
  • This weakening medium is then essentially kept free of particles of the patterning material, so that the weakening medium remains usable for a long time, while, during the subsequent spraying with the removal medium, the stencil can be cleaned more quickly and with relatively little mechanical stress.
  • a weakening medium can be a liquid based on formic acid, or a lye.
  • the invention also relates to a device according to Claims 12 to 15 for use of the process.
  • the device comprises a partially open housing 1 with a slanting bottom 2 into which arms running parallel to the bottom 2, such as the arm 3, project with rollers, such as the roller 4, by means of which a stencil 5 with coupling rings 6 is supported at an angle in the housing 1.
  • the supporting arms 3 are driven by a motor 10 by means of a gear wheel 7, a chain or toothed belt 8, and a gear wheel 9, in order to make the stencil rotate about a longitudinal axis of the stencil 5.
  • a motor 11 is connected, by means of a gear wheel 12, a chain or toothed belt 13 and a gear wheel 14, to a screw 15 running parallel to the stencil 5.
  • the screw 15 projects through a threaded bore 16 of a bracket 17 which is moved up or down when the screw 15 is driven by the motor.
  • Fixed to the bracket 17 is an arm 18 which projects through a side wall of the housing 1 and into the stencil 5, and which at the end inside the stencil 5 has a spray nozzle 19 with a spray aperture directed towards the stencil.
  • Fixed to the bracket 17 is another arm 20 which projects through an aperture in the housing 1 and in a position outside the stencil 5 opposite the spray nozzle 19 of the arm 18 has a spray nozzle 21 with a spray aperture directed towards the stencil 5.
  • the arms 18 and 20 are hollow for the conveyance to the spray nozzles 19 and 21 of a medium, in particular water, which is pumped to the other end of the arms 18 and 20 through a hose 22 by a high-­pressure pump 23 driven by a motor 24.
  • the housing 1 has means (not shown) for discharging the medium sprayed inside the housing 1 and containing released patterning material particles from a stencil 5.
  • a stencil 5 Before a stencil 5 is placed in the device, it is preferably immersed in a weakening medium, which can be a liquid based on formic acid, or a lye, for weakening the bond of the patterning material to the stencil 5, but the bond is essentially not broken.
  • a weakening medium which can be a liquid based on formic acid, or a lye, for weakening the bond of the patterning material to the stencil 5, but the bond is essentially not broken.
  • the stencil 5 is subsequently placed in the device. During the operation of the device, the stencil 5 is turned and the spray nozzles 19 and 21 are moved to and fro axially over the length of the stencil 5, so that the spray nozzles 19 and 21 cover the whole surface of the stencil 5 during spraying. This operation is repeated for a number of revolutions of the stencil 5, if necessary.
  • the pump 23 is preferably capable of generating a pulsating pressure of the medium to the spray nozzles 19 and 21.

Landscapes

  • Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
  • Printing Plates And Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

Process and apparatus for the removal of patterning material selectively applied to a screen printing stencil according to a pattern, in which a medium is sprayed at high pressure locally against the stencil and the stencil is moved in such a way relative to the spraying point that the entire part of the stencil coated by patterning material is covered. The medium can be water of which the pressure lies in a range between 150 and 300 bar. Preferably the spraying is always carried out oppositely from both sides of the stencil. Further the spraying may take place in a pulsating manner and prior to spraying the stencil may be treated with a weakening medium which weakens the bond between the patterning material and the stencil, while essentially maintaining the bond.

Description

  • The invention relates to a process for the removal of patterning material selectively applied to a screen printing stencil according to a pattern.
  • A process of this type is known in practice. In the known process the patterning material is completely dissolved and removed from the surface and from the apertures of the stencil by means of chemicals of, for example, a mixture essentially comprising formic acid and dichloromethate. If the stencil is shaped like a cylinder whose edges are bonded to edges of fixing rings, in the known process the rings are generally first removed from the stencil by means of a suitable solvent, before the patterning material is removed.
  • The disadvantage of the known process is that it is labour-intensive and takes a fairly long time. Besides, the solvents are contaminated by the adhesive and/or the patterning material, which is generally a suitable lacquer, as a result of which these agents are less effective and after some time cannot be used any more for solvent action, thus giving rise to the problem of disposal of contaminated chemicals, which is currently serious as regards the environment. Another disadvantage is that the chemicals used are often volatile, with the result that special measures have to be taken as regards the safety of the personnel and as regards pollution of the environment.
  • The object of the invention is to eliminate the advantages of the known process.
  • This object is achieved according to the invention for the process of the type mentioned in the preamble by spraying a medium at high pressure locally against the stencil and by moving the stencil in such a way relative to the spraying point that the entire part of the stencil coated by patterning material is covered. It has been found that in this way an environmentally friendly process for good removal of the patterning material from the stencil is obtained.
  • The environmentally friendly aspect is enhanced through the fact that the removal medium can be water at a pressure preferably between 150 and 300 bar. The particles of the patterning material carried along by the water can easily be collected, for example, through settling.
  • It is always preferable to spray against the stencil from positions lying opposite each other on either side of the stencil, so that the stencil is subjected to essentially the same mechanical stress on either side, thereby avoiding damage to it.
  • The stencil is preferably held in a slanting position during the spraying, so that the surface to be sprayed is kept free from loosened particles of the patterning material.
  • The effect of the spraying can be increased by spraying in a pulsating manner.
  • The stencil is preferably treated prior to spraying, for example through immersion, with a weakening medium which does weaken the bond between the patterning material and the stencil, but essentially does not break it. This weakening medium is then essentially kept free of particles of the patterning material, so that the weakening medium remains usable for a long time, while, during the subsequent spraying with the removal medium, the stencil can be cleaned more quickly and with relatively little mechanical stress. Such a weakening medium can be a liquid based on formic acid, or a lye.
  • The invention also relates to a device according to Claims 12 to 15 for use of the process.
  • The invention is explained with reference to the drawing, which shows an embodiment of a device which is suitable for use of the process according to the invention.
  • The device comprises a partially open housing 1 with a slanting bottom 2 into which arms running parallel to the bottom 2, such as the arm 3, project with rollers, such as the roller 4, by means of which a stencil 5 with coupling rings 6 is supported at an angle in the housing 1. The supporting arms 3 are driven by a motor 10 by means of a gear wheel 7, a chain or toothed belt 8, and a gear wheel 9, in order to make the stencil rotate about a longitudinal axis of the stencil 5.
  • A motor 11 is connected, by means of a gear wheel 12, a chain or toothed belt 13 and a gear wheel 14, to a screw 15 running parallel to the stencil 5. The screw 15 projects through a threaded bore 16 of a bracket 17 which is moved up or down when the screw 15 is driven by the motor. Fixed to the bracket 17 is an arm 18 which projects through a side wall of the housing 1 and into the stencil 5, and which at the end inside the stencil 5 has a spray nozzle 19 with a spray aperture directed towards the stencil. Fixed to the bracket 17 is another arm 20 which projects through an aperture in the housing 1 and in a position outside the stencil 5 opposite the spray nozzle 19 of the arm 18 has a spray nozzle 21 with a spray aperture directed towards the stencil 5.
  • The arms 18 and 20 are hollow for the conveyance to the spray nozzles 19 and 21 of a medium, in particular water, which is pumped to the other end of the arms 18 and 20 through a hose 22 by a high-­pressure pump 23 driven by a motor 24.
  • The housing 1 has means (not shown) for discharging the medium sprayed inside the housing 1 and containing released patterning material particles from a stencil 5.
  • Before a stencil 5 is placed in the device, it is preferably immersed in a weakening medium, which can be a liquid based on formic acid, or a lye, for weakening the bond of the patterning material to the stencil 5, but the bond is essentially not broken.
  • The stencil 5 is subsequently placed in the device. During the operation of the device, the stencil 5 is turned and the spray nozzles 19 and 21 are moved to and fro axially over the length of the stencil 5, so that the spray nozzles 19 and 21 cover the whole surface of the stencil 5 during spraying. This operation is repeated for a number of revolutions of the stencil 5, if necessary.
  • The pump 23 is preferably capable of generating a pulsating pressure of the medium to the spray nozzles 19 and 21.
  • It is pointed out that the device shown and explained is given only as an example, and the process according to the invention can also be achieved in another manner and can be used for various types of stencils, including flat ones.

Claims (15)

1. Process for the removal of patterning material selectively applied to a screen printing stencil according to a pattern, characterized by spraying a medium at high pressure locally against the stencil and by moving the stencil in such a way relative to the spraying point that the entire part of the stencil coated by patterning material is covered.
2. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the medium is water.
3. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pressure lies in a range between 150 and 300 bar.
4. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that spraying is always carried out oppositely from both sides of the stencil.
5. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stencil is held in a slanting position during the spraying.
6. Process according to Claim 1, in which the stencil is shaped like a cylinder, characterized in that the stencil is rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof during spraying.
7. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that spraying takes place in a pulsating manner.
8. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that, prior to spraying, the stencil is treated with a weakening medium which weakens the bond between the patterning material and the stencil, while essentially maintaining the bond.
9. Process according to Claim 8, characterized in that the treatment involves immersion in the weakening medium.
10. Process according to Claim 8, characterized in that the weakening medium is a liquid based on formic acid.
11. Process according to Claim 8, characterized in that the weakening medium is a liquid based on a lye.
12. Device for the removal of patterning material selectively applied to a screen printing stencil according to a pattern, characterized by means for locating the stencil, spray means with a first spray nozzle which is fixed on a first arm and receives a medium under pressure from a supply source, said means spraying the medium against the stencil, and conveyance means which move the spray nozzle at a distance over the surface of the stencil covered with patterning material.
13. Device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the spray means have a second nozzle fixed on a second arm and having an aperture opposing an aperture of the first nozzle, while provision is made between the arms and nozzles for a suitable space for allowing through a part of the stencil to be sprayed, and the conveyance means move the nozzles equally.
14. Device according to Claim 12 or 13, in which the stencil is a cylindrical shape, characterized in that the conveyance means comprise a stationary feed screw placed at an angle on the central axis of the stencil, with a bracket having a threaded passage for allowing through the screw, while an arm of a nozzle is fixed to the bracket and the screw is turned by drive means, and in that rotation means are present for turning the stencil about a longitudinal axis of the stencil.
15. Device according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that an arm is a pipe for conveying the medium to the nozzle fixed on the arm.
EP90200811A 1989-04-07 1990-04-04 Process for the removal of patterning material from a screen printing stencil and a device for use of the process Withdrawn EP0391491A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL8900868 1989-04-07
NL8900868A NL8900868A (en) 1989-04-07 1989-04-07 METHOD FOR REMOVING DESSINING MATERIAL FROM A SILK PRINT TEMPLATE, AND AN APPARATUS FOR USING THE METHOD

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0391491A1 true EP0391491A1 (en) 1990-10-10

Family

ID=19854432

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90200811A Withdrawn EP0391491A1 (en) 1989-04-07 1990-04-04 Process for the removal of patterning material from a screen printing stencil and a device for use of the process

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0391491A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH02293150A (en)
AU (1) AU5217490A (en)
NL (1) NL8900868A (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4224511A1 (en) * 1992-07-24 1994-01-27 Albert Rose Zweigniederlassung Removing template sediments from screen printing template support - involves directing liq. jet at impingement pressure, sufficient for mechanical removal, onto template support
EP0641649A1 (en) * 1993-09-04 1995-03-08 Kissel & Wolf GmbH Process for stripping a stencil coating on screen printing forms and device for implementing this process
EP0711663A1 (en) * 1994-11-09 1996-05-15 Ichinose International Incorporated Automatic rotary screen textile printing machine
EP0865920A2 (en) * 1997-03-18 1998-09-23 Ichinose International Incorporated Rotary screen textile printing machine
NL1010337C2 (en) * 1998-10-16 2000-04-18 Stork Brabant Bv Screen printing apparatus with printing station shield and movement mechanism
EP0993949A1 (en) * 1998-10-16 2000-04-19 Stork Brabant B.V. Screen-printing device with printing-station shield
WO2000029223A1 (en) * 1998-11-13 2000-05-25 Iten Galvanik Ag Method and device for removing the coating from printing screens
WO2003006729A1 (en) * 2001-07-10 2003-01-23 Tokai Senko K. K. Method and device for separating rotary screen from end rings

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH460690A (en) * 1966-12-09 1968-08-15 Stork & Co Nv Device for the internal and external cleaning of a tubular object
FR2136556A5 (en) * 1971-04-20 1972-12-22 Elitex Zavody Textilniho
DE2452778A1 (en) * 1973-11-09 1975-05-15 Zimmer Johannes WASHING DEVICE FOR CLEANING ROUND STENCILS
BE847086A (en) * 1976-10-08 1977-01-31 DEVICE FOR CLEANING SCREEN PRESSURE SIDES
DE2841383A1 (en) * 1978-09-22 1980-04-10 Helmut G Reitenspies Cleaning pastes for printing screens - contain sodium hydroxide, surfactant, phosphate, starch and water
AT360949B (en) * 1975-10-03 1981-02-10 Zimmer Johannes RUNNING TEMPLATE WASHING DEVICE
DE3534591A1 (en) * 1984-11-08 1986-05-15 Erik Bekkestua Brynildsen METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CLEANING SCREEN PRINT SCREENS FROM PRINT INK AND PRINT TEMPLATE
EP0277841A2 (en) * 1987-02-05 1988-08-10 British Industrial Plastics (S.A.) (Proprietary) Limited A method of producing hydrogen peroxide

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH460690A (en) * 1966-12-09 1968-08-15 Stork & Co Nv Device for the internal and external cleaning of a tubular object
FR2136556A5 (en) * 1971-04-20 1972-12-22 Elitex Zavody Textilniho
DE2452778A1 (en) * 1973-11-09 1975-05-15 Zimmer Johannes WASHING DEVICE FOR CLEANING ROUND STENCILS
AT360949B (en) * 1975-10-03 1981-02-10 Zimmer Johannes RUNNING TEMPLATE WASHING DEVICE
BE847086A (en) * 1976-10-08 1977-01-31 DEVICE FOR CLEANING SCREEN PRESSURE SIDES
DE2841383A1 (en) * 1978-09-22 1980-04-10 Helmut G Reitenspies Cleaning pastes for printing screens - contain sodium hydroxide, surfactant, phosphate, starch and water
DE3534591A1 (en) * 1984-11-08 1986-05-15 Erik Bekkestua Brynildsen METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CLEANING SCREEN PRINT SCREENS FROM PRINT INK AND PRINT TEMPLATE
EP0277841A2 (en) * 1987-02-05 1988-08-10 British Industrial Plastics (S.A.) (Proprietary) Limited A method of producing hydrogen peroxide

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4224511A1 (en) * 1992-07-24 1994-01-27 Albert Rose Zweigniederlassung Removing template sediments from screen printing template support - involves directing liq. jet at impingement pressure, sufficient for mechanical removal, onto template support
EP0641649A1 (en) * 1993-09-04 1995-03-08 Kissel & Wolf GmbH Process for stripping a stencil coating on screen printing forms and device for implementing this process
EP0711663A1 (en) * 1994-11-09 1996-05-15 Ichinose International Incorporated Automatic rotary screen textile printing machine
EP0865920A2 (en) * 1997-03-18 1998-09-23 Ichinose International Incorporated Rotary screen textile printing machine
EP0865920A3 (en) * 1997-03-18 1999-03-10 Ichinose International Incorporated Rotary screen textile printing machine
NL1010337C2 (en) * 1998-10-16 2000-04-18 Stork Brabant Bv Screen printing apparatus with printing station shield and movement mechanism
EP0993949A1 (en) * 1998-10-16 2000-04-19 Stork Brabant B.V. Screen-printing device with printing-station shield
US6431064B1 (en) 1998-10-16 2002-08-13 Stork Brabant B.V. Screen-printing device with printing-station shield
WO2000029223A1 (en) * 1998-11-13 2000-05-25 Iten Galvanik Ag Method and device for removing the coating from printing screens
WO2003006729A1 (en) * 2001-07-10 2003-01-23 Tokai Senko K. K. Method and device for separating rotary screen from end rings

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5217490A (en) 1990-10-11
NL8900868A (en) 1990-11-01
JPH02293150A (en) 1990-12-04

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