EP0631209B1 - Printing method with at least one image and press for executing this method - Google Patents
Printing method with at least one image and press for executing this method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0631209B1 EP0631209B1 EP94401375A EP94401375A EP0631209B1 EP 0631209 B1 EP0631209 B1 EP 0631209B1 EP 94401375 A EP94401375 A EP 94401375A EP 94401375 A EP94401375 A EP 94401375A EP 0631209 B1 EP0631209 B1 EP 0631209B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- press
- belt
- vehicle
- colouring
- hardenable
- 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
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Classifications
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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
- B41C1/1075—Mechanical aspects of on-press plate preparation
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/22—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20
- G03G15/228—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20 the process involving the formation of a master, e.g. photocopy-printer machines
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G19/00—Processes using magnetic patterns; Apparatus therefor, i.e. magnetography
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S101/00—Printing
- Y10S101/37—Printing employing electrostatic force
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S101/00—Printing
- Y10S101/48—Endless printing belt for other than selective or progressive printing
Definitions
- the invention relates to a new printing process and the press for implementing this process.
- the process of the invention is a hybrid process combining in a way the techniques and advantages of current magnetography with the techniques of magnetolithography as they were exposed in the French patent application entitled “Printing process and press for the implementation "filed on 14.01.93 under the number 93 00301 by the company NIPSON (EP-A-0 607 081) and electrostatography techniques.
- the invention consists in replacing for printing with a conventional ink (oleaginous) the assembly constituted by the engraved plate and the plate-carrying cylinder by a simple cylinder on the periphery of which each time a new pattern is to be printed, is deposited a layer forming a substrate of powdery oleophobic material, uniform layer on which is produced, using an oleophilic curable material, an image corresponding to the patterns to print.
- the intermediate transfer element therefore consists of the substrate of oleophobic material and the zones of oleophilic material carried by this layer.
- the oleophobic material is magnetic, and the cylinder is magnetizable, so that the layer of this material is maintained at the periphery of the cylinder by magnetizing the latter.
- the deposition of the oleophilic material, in a configuration corresponding to the patterns to be printed, is carried out using an electronic, electromechanical or electromagnetic transfer device, data representative of the patterns to be carried on the layer of oleophobic material which are contained in an electronic memory. These data are used so that the transfer device deposits oleophilic material only at the necessary locations on the layer of oleophobic material.
- the oleophilic material used is a magnetic and fusible material; its deposition on the oleophobic material substrate is effected by magneto-deposition on the cylinder, in the manner of the deposition of magnetic toner in magneto-graphic printers.
- magnetic heads are arranged near the cylinder, which make it possible to create, on the substrate, zones with magnetization making it possible to attract the particles of oleophilic material.
- the system described in this patent further comprises, near the periphery of the cylinder, a melting device for fixing the oleophilic material.
- Printing is carried out as on a conventional press: the cylinder, after having been coated with the substrate layer and patterns, is rotated, then wetted and inked, so that the ink is distributed over the patterns and the wetting product on the oleophobic zones, then the ink is transferred to the printing medium (paper or other) via a blanket.
- the printing medium paper or other
- the cylinder When the desired printout of an image is reached, the cylinder is demagnetized, so that the substrate layer spontaneously detaches from the cylinder, carrying with it the hardened patterns, of oleophilic material, which it carries. If the printing of another image is desired, then a new substrate is produced, on which are worn then hardened new patterns.
- the constitution of the patterns corresponding to an image, as well as their removal, are therefore very rapid and less costly than with conventional presses.
- This device lends itself to full color printing, insofar as the positioning of the patterns is carried out automatically, by an electronic device.
- the deposition of the substrate has the function of allowing easy subsequent removal of the oleophilic patterns by forced detachment of this substrate and of preventing the ink from being deposited on the parts of the cylinder not provided with oleophilic material.
- a device and method for printing an image by transfer of at least one dye vehicle between an intermediate transfer element and a printing medium comprising at least one phase of automatic production of the intermediate transfer element by developing zones on the intermediate element each having a different affinity with the coloring vehicle.
- the different affinity of the zones is obtained by developing an electrostatic image of the graphic information by exposure of an endless band whose upper layer consists of zinc oxide. Magnetic toner particles are then applied to this surface and adhere according to the electrostatic image developed on the zinc oxide layer. Portions of this surface are magnetized to form a magnetic image corresponding to the electrostatic image. Then the toner particles are transferred by pressure to a copy medium such as paper, while the magnetic image is retained on the surface of the tape. New magnetic particles can then be applied to the magnetic image for the production of additional copies.
- Such a device has the disadvantage of preferably using a zinc oxide strip which is a first generation photoconductor having a very short service life.
- Document EP-A-0 097 954 discloses an electrostatic printing process by transfer of a coloring vehicle between an intermediate element obtained by magnetic imaging and a substrate or printing medium.
- the magnetic image on the intermediate element is produced, in a first imaging device, by the fusion of magnetic toner on the intermediate element to form an image of insulating toner.
- the intermediate element is removed from the imaging device and then placed in a press where the insulating toner is electrostatically charged to develop areas having different affinities with the coloring vehicle.
- the coloring vehicle is deposited on the loaded image, the coloring vehicle consisting of toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a binding agent such as a thermoplastic polymer.
- the coloring vehicle is transferred to the printing medium either by electrostatic means, or by pressure means, or by heating means associated with pressure means. After the print medium has passed through the last print station, the toner is fused to the medium by heating means.
- the main object of the present invention therefore is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a simple printing process which is low in cost while allowing constant quality and the possibilities of monochrome and full color lithographic printing, whatever the envisaged print, without requiring the etching of a plate, without using materials requiring oleophilic or oleophobic qualities to solve the wetting problems, or with a blanket.
- the method includes a step of cleaning the transfer member by removing the curable material when a new image is to be printed.
- the coloring vehicle is previously charged with electrostatic charges of opposite polarity to the charge of the curable material.
- the hardenable material is fusible, and the determined operation of the withdrawal phase consists of a fusion of the hardenable material on the substrate, the substrate having a low thermal inertia, so that immediately after the fusion and the withdrawal , the substrate regains the temperature it had before this phase, allowing without delay the creation of a new transfer element.
- the hardenable material is chemically attackable
- the determined operation of the withdrawal phase consists of a chemical attack of this hardenable material on the substrate, the press substrate being formed so as not to be reached by this attack.
- the substrate cannot be dismantled from the press and formed so as to have a low thermal inertia, so that the consequences of an increase in its temperature, due to chemical attack, are quickly blurred to allow the almost immediate creation of a new intermediate transfer element after removal of the hardenable material.
- the method consists in constituting the intermediate transfer element by depositing on the non-dismantable substrate of the press a magnetic curable material using a magnetic transfer device comprising means for removing the curable material from a reservoir and means for placing the hardenable material at determined locations on the substrate, so as to constitute there an image corresponding to the patterns to be printed.
- the material is curable by polymerization.
- the material is curable by fusion.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a press allowing the implementation of the method according to the invention.
- the printing press comprises means for depositing a material in determined locations representative of an image on an endless band carried by rollers allowing its movement, the endless band is metallic , the deposited material is hardenable and the press comprises at least one station for electrostatically charging the hardened material and a station delivering a coloring vehicle having electrostatic properties to adhere to the hardened material after it has hardened in order to constitute the patterns to be transferred to print media.
- the press includes means for removing and cleaning the hardened material.
- the press comprises the means for electrostatically charging the hardened material with a charge of given polarity.
- the electrostatic charge of the hardened material is obtained by a corona device.
- the press includes means for loading the coloring vehicle with a polarity opposite to that of the hardened material.
- the charge of the coloring vehicle is triboelectric and the press comprises in the means for delivering the coloring vehicle a device ensuring the mixing of the coloring vehicle so as to cause the charging of the particles by friction.
- the material is curable by making it heat, then cool, the press comprising heating means opposite the tone of the width, and of a small part of the length, of the strip.
- At least two heating means are arranged opposite one another, on either side of the two main faces of the strip.
- the hardened material can be removed by melting, the withdrawal means being constituted by heating means, for remelting the hardened material, associated with means for cleaning the remelted material.
- the curable material is polymerizable by exposing it to radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation, the press comprising means making it possible to emit such radiation towards the entire width, and of a small part of the length, of the strip.
- radiation such as ultraviolet radiation
- the hardened material can be removed by chemical attack, the press comprising means making it possible to spray a chemical agent on the hardened material, associated with means for cleaning the remelted material.
- the cleaning means such as scrapers or scrapers
- the cleaning means are arranged on the one hand so that the recasting or the chemical attack of the material is initiated before this material comes into contact with the cleaning means, in order to facilitate their action and, on the other hand, so that their action is facilitated by natural gravity.
- the strip is metallic
- the press comprises means for transferring a curable magnetic material between a reservoir and determined locations of the metallic strip.
- the strip is made of magnetic material
- the means for transferring the magnetic material comprise on the one hand, on the side of the face of the strip on which the material is to be deposited, and in the vicinity thereof, an outlet opening for the material from the reservoir, and on the other hand, opposite the opening, on the side of the opposite face, a set of magnetic heads, for selectively magnetizing certain points of the strip and attracting material on these points.
- the set of magnetic heads is displaceable relative to the strip, in order to compensate for the spacing between the heads and to constitute on the strip patterns of high print quality.
- the press comprises means for applying the printing medium against the strip, consisting of a sheet feed device, a sheet cylinder in contact in rotation with the strip and d 'A device for recovering printed sheets, the servo and control means being arranged so that the sheet cylinder performs n rotations to completely print a sheet.
- the press for full-color printing of documents using n basic colors comprises n presses each having a single station for application of a coloring vehicle, each station containing a color different base from another, the press being arranged so that the print medium passes successively in front of each of these presses.
- the press shown in FIG. 1 allows the deposition of a fusible material (1) on an endless metal strip (2), in order to constitute the intermediate element supporting the patterns corresponding to an image to be printed on a printing medium. (3) such as continuously fed paper.
- the endless belt carried by supporting rollers (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) is in contact with printing support, such as paper (3), using a pressure roller (90) .
- the fusible material (1) is pulverulent and magnetic, and is contained in a reservoir (210) before it is deposited on the endless strip (2).
- a device (21) for magnetically transferring the fusible material (1) from the reservoir to the strip is provided and allows the curable material (1) used to be a magnetic material, curable by melting, polymerization, or other process.
- the substrate, formed by the endless band is a material itself magnetizable.
- a device (21) for placing the material (1), at the appropriate locations on the strip (2) is composed on the one hand of a reservoir (210) of material provided with an outlet opening and placed on the side of the face of the strip (2) which is in contact with the printing medium (3), and on the other hand of an excitation device (211) with magnetic heads, placed on the other side of the strip, that is to say inside the space delimited by the endless strip.
- This excitation device makes it possible to selectively excite determined points of the strip to magnetize it and to attract at these points the material (1) contained in the reservoir, in order to form zones there where it is possible to develop an affinity with the coloring vehicle (ink) used.
- the magnetic head assembly (211) is movable relative to the strip to compensate for the location between the heads and to provide high print quality patterns on the strip.
- the dimensions of the endless strip 2 should make it possible to reproduce therein the largest image intended to be printed with the press, that is to say that, for example, the developed length and the width of the strip 2 are respectively at least equal to those of this image.
- the material 1, after having been transferred to the metal strip 2, is fixed firmly on the latter. As already indicated, this operation makes it possible to avoid dismantling the patterns during printing.
- this fixing is carried out by heating, then allowing to cool, the material.
- at least one heating member 14 is provided in the vicinity of the strip 2, taking account of the direction of travel (illustrated by arrows) thereof, so that the material can be fixed immediately after being deposited, and acts on the entire width of the strip, and on a small length portion thereof.
- this member 14 is arranged opposite the surface of the strip which receives the fusible material 1, so that its action is as effective as possible.
- at least one other heating member 15, facing the first 14, and facing the surface of the strip opposite to that which receives the material it is conceivable to have at least one other heating member 15, facing the first 14, and facing the surface of the strip opposite to that which receives the material.
- a heated part of it cools as soon as it leaves the zone, of short length, heated by the means 14, 15, so that the hardening is very fast. In this way, the material adheres to the substrate (strip) by the bonding forces, the magnetic forces only intervening during the development of the magnetic image.
- the material used is hardenable and fixable by natural or forced polymerization, for example by exposing it to ultraviolet radiation.
- the member 14, that is to say the one disposed opposite the surface of the strip which receives the fusible material 1 would be replaced by an appropriate radiation source. No source corresponding to the member 15 would be provided opposite, since the radiation would be stopped by the band 2.
- the magnetic transfer device (211) and the heating members (14, 15) are only put into operation when it is necessary to constitute areas representative of the image on the thin strip (2).
- the hardened material (1) magnetically secured to the strip (2) is brought to a station (16) for corona charging where a corona wire (161) electrostatically charges this material (1).
- the hardened material or substrate (1), electrostatically charged is designated in Figures 1 to 3 by the reference numeral (10).
- a material (1) a magnetographic toner can be used which, by the magnetic compounds which it contains, has a low colorability potential but, by the polymerizable materials allowing its hardening, is very insulating (resistivity between 1012 and 1014 ohms. cm), which allows it to charge electrostatically without problem while the metal strip (2), which is conductive, will not retain any electrostatic charge.
- This coloring vehicle (9) will advantageously consist of an electrostatic toner having a good colorability potential.
- This toner (9) will deposit on the areas having affinities, that is to say on the areas coated with the hardened material electrostatically charged.
- the inking station (17) will comprise for example two rollers (171, 172) ensuring an internal mixing of the toner made up largely of polymers to thus charge this toner by triboelectricity, in the case of a solid electrostatic toner then used in conjunction with a carrier (carrier) as is known in the state of the prior art of electrophotography.
- liquid electrostatic toners may be used, the toner consisting of fine coloring particles, the carrier then consisting of a liquid having the required dielectric characteristics, as is also known in the state of the prior art .
- the charges thus developed in the toner will preferably have the opposite polarity to those developed on the hardened magnetic material (1).
- the electrostatic toner (9) is transferred on the printing medium (3) and only the hardened magnetic material (1) remains on the substrate (2).
- the press includes a device for removing the material, which is put into service when the drawing of an image is reached, to allow the dismantling of intermediate transfer device without damaging the substrate formed by the surface of the thin strip (2)
- the removal device comprises means (18) for recasting the material, such as the heating members, means (19) cleaning equipment such as scrapers or scrapers and, optionally, a material recovery tank (20).
- the remelting means and those (19) for cleaning are arranged relatively to each other and to the strip so that the areas to be cleaned are heated, so that the material (1) is at least partially remelted, before undergo the action of the cleaning means (19), and so that the recasting continues when the cleaning means are active.
- the embodiment of FIG. 1 makes it possible to meet these constraints: the recasting means (18) are arranged facing the surface of the strip opposite to that which receives the material, and the cleaning means (19) are on the side of the surface that supports the material.
- the cleaning means (19) are opposite only part of the recasting means, so that there is a press area where the zones of the strip to be cleaned undergo the simultaneous action of means (18) for recasting and those (19) for cleaning.
- the removal device is arranged in such a way that the action of the cleaning means (19) is facilitated by natural gravity.
- Figure 1 illustrates how this device should be placed for this action to be optimal.
- the cleaning means are positioned so as to act on a horizontal part of the strip, the surface to be cleaned facing the ground.
- the recovery tank (20) which is then placed below.
- other arrangements of the removal device are possible to allow natural gravity to facilitate cleaning. It is sufficient for the removal device to act on a part of the strip arranged in a more or less significant slope, directed towards the ground.
- the low thermal inertia of the metal strip means that, as soon as a part is no longer subjected to the radiation of the device recast, it cools very quickly, allowing the almost immediate constitution of a new intermediate transfer element.
- the means 19, 20 for cleaning and recovery are present, but the recasting means are replaced by means making it possible to spray the chemical agent. These are arranged so that, on the one hand, the chemical attack on the material 1 is initiated before it comes into contact with the cleaning means to facilitate their action and, on the other hand, so that their action is totally effective.
- the device shown in Figure 1 allows only monochrome printing, since it only has one press and / or inking station.
- the device of Figure 2 allows polychrome printing sheet by sheet that is to say, the printing of a support 3 in the form of independent sheets.
- the device of FIG. 2 allows a polychrome sheet-by-sheet printing using for example 3 colors (red, green and blue) in the case of an additive synthesis, generally better suited to the case of solid electrostatic toners, or four colors including three of base (yellow, cyan, magenta) and black in the case of a subtractive synthesis generally better suited to the case of liquid electrostatic toners.
- This device consists of four inking stations A, B, C, D placed one after the other, and controlled by a single servo and control device (not shown).
- the four inking stations (17A, 17B, 17C, 17D) are identical, and each correspond to that (17) described with reference to FIG. 1, that is to say that they comprise each a device for transferring a coloring vehicle 9 having electrostatic properties on the strip 2 coated with a curable material 1. It is understood that this representation is not limiting, and that the device could contain presses corresponding to those described with reference to Figure 1.
- the first station 17A is used for example for printing yellow patterns, the second 17B for printing cyan patterns, the third 17C for printing magenta patterns, the fourth 17D for printing black patterns.
- the sheets of paper 3 are brought into contact with the transfer roller 26 of this press.
- the essential differences between the press of FIG. 2 and those of FIG. 1 as regards the supply of paper are as follows: the press is associated with a device 25, known per se and not shown in detail, for feeding cut sheet, a sheet cylinder 26, and a device 27 for recovering printed sheets.
- the sheet cylinder 26 is in contact with the periphery of the strip 2, so that the rotational movement of the strip is transmitted to the cylinder 26, making it possible to transfer the image to a sheet carried by the cylinder 26.
- a paper feed device could be adapted on the press of Figure 1 without changing the spirit of the invention.
- the single control device controls both the magnetic transfer device 21 so that the pattern is correctly positioned and that the final image is of integrity. Likewise, it controls the heating members 14, 15, the electrostatic charge inking device 16, a single inking device at a time 17A to 17D and finally the device 18,19,20 for removing the hardenable material.
- the dimensions of the strip are such that it is possible to successively and adjacent thereto form the basic patterns corresponding to the separation of the colors making it possible to constitute a given image.
- the length the developed web should be at least three times the circumference of the sheet cylinder which determines the dimensions of the largest printable image.
- control and control means (not shown) of the press make it possible to select and activate synchronously an inking station, for example 17A with the passage of the corresponding basic image.
- the servo and control means are such that the same sheet remains for at least three turns on the sheet cylinder, so that each turn, one of the basic images can be printed. , so that the final image, which synthesizes at least three colors, appears on the sheet after at least three turns.
- the length of the strip is not linked to the maximum dimension of the sheets to be printed, but is less than three or four times this dimension, depending on whether the printing is in three or four colors, it is nevertheless possible to perform full color printing, but it is then necessary to clean the strip one or more times when printing each sheet, and to separately constitute the various patterns corresponding to the final image to be obtained, which results in a reduction in speed d 'impression. when it comes to making large prints.
- the polychrome document printing device can be produced using n presses of the type of FIG. 1 and each having a single station (17) for applying a coloring vehicle, each station containing a color of base different from another, and in that it is arranged so that the print medium passes successively in front of each of these presses.
- the presses according to the invention make it possible to obtain images of very good quality, with a print density comparable to that of lithographic presses.
- FIG. 3 represents in more detail the stages of the printing process of the invention by magnetoelectrostatography.
- This method comprises a first step on which an area of the strip subjected to a magnetic field attracts particles 11 of a powdered magnetographic toner.
- the second step represents the melting of these powdery toner particles 11 to form a hardened substrate 1 which is held on the strip possibly by the remanent magnetism developed by the latter in the vicinity of the substrate but especially by the bonding forces of the polymers on the metal strip.
- the third step represents the surface charge of the hardened substrate 1 by electrostatic charges when passing through the corona station. This operation develops electrostatic charges on the surface of the molten substrate 1 which is made up of 60 to 90% polymer, to form the charged substrate 10.
- the fourth step represents the deposition on the charged substrate 10 of an electrostatic toner 9 charged with a polarity opposite to that of the charge of the cured substrate 10.
- the method described provides the advantages of producing a resistant medium by melting the magnetographic toner while eliminating the problems of wetting solution or the presence of the blanket as in the magnetolithography process.
- this process by the fact that it uses electrostatic toners makes it possible to have better colorability than with magnetographic toners because these electrostatic toners in principle give access to all the colors.
- the step of remelting the magnetographic toner makes it possible to easily change the image on the tape.
- the strip provided with the hardened substrate can be regularly recharged by the corotron (corona tube) at each turn (for each copy) without this requiring a new imaging phase.
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- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
- Electrophotography Using Other Than Carlson'S Method (AREA)
- Manufacture Or Reproduction Of Printing Formes (AREA)
- Printing Methods (AREA)
Description
L'invention est relative à un procédé nouveau d'impression et la presse pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé.The invention relates to a new printing process and the press for implementing this process.
Le procédé de l'invention est un procédé hybride combinant en quelque sorte les techniques et avantages de la magnétographie actuelle avec les techniques de la magnétolithographie telles qu'elles ont été exposées dans la demande de brevet français intitulée "Procédé d'impression et presse pour la mise en oeuvre" déposée le 14.01.93 sous le numéro 93 00301 par la Société NIPSON (EP-A-0 607 081) et des techniques d'électrostatographie.The process of the invention is a hybrid process combining in a way the techniques and advantages of current magnetography with the techniques of magnetolithography as they were exposed in the French patent application entitled "Printing process and press for the implementation "filed on 14.01.93 under the number 93 00301 by the company NIPSON (EP-A-0 607 081) and electrostatography techniques.
Il est connu par le brevet des Etats-Unis d'Amérique délivré sous le numéro US 5,129,321 au nom de la Société Rockwell International Corporation, un système d'impression lithographique qui permet de s'affranchir de l'utilisation d'une plaque gravée et donc du positionnement et calage de celle-ci mais qui présente l'inconvénient de ne pas être parfaitement adapté à de forts tirages.It is known from the patent of the United States of America issued under the number US 5,129,321 in the name of the Rockwell International Corporation, a lithographic printing system which makes it possible to dispense with the use of an engraved plate and therefore positioning and timing thereof, but which has the drawback of not being perfectly suited to large print runs.
En effet, dans ce système d'impression lithographique, l'invention consiste à remplacer pour l'impression à l'aide d'une encre classique (oléagineuse) l'ensemble constitué par la plaque gravée et le cylindre porte-plaque par un simple cylindre à la périphérie duquel chaque fois qu'un nouveau motif doit être imprimé, est déposée une couche formant un substrat en matériau oléophobe pulvérulent, couche uniforme sur laquelle est réalisée, à l'aide d'un matériau oléophile durcissable, une image correspondant aux motifs à imprimer. L'élément intermédiaire de transfert est donc constitué par le substrat en matériau oléophobe et les zones en matériau oléophile portées par cette couche.Indeed, in this lithographic printing system, the invention consists in replacing for printing with a conventional ink (oleaginous) the assembly constituted by the engraved plate and the plate-carrying cylinder by a simple cylinder on the periphery of which each time a new pattern is to be printed, is deposited a layer forming a substrate of powdery oleophobic material, uniform layer on which is produced, using an oleophilic curable material, an image corresponding to the patterns to print. The intermediate transfer element therefore consists of the substrate of oleophobic material and the zones of oleophilic material carried by this layer.
De préférence, le matériau oléophobe est magnétique, et le cylindre est magnétisable, de façon que la couche de ce matériau soit maintenue à la périphérie du cylindre en magnétisant ce dernier.Preferably, the oleophobic material is magnetic, and the cylinder is magnetizable, so that the layer of this material is maintained at the periphery of the cylinder by magnetizing the latter.
Le dépôt du matériau oléophile, dans une configuration correspondant aux motifs à imprimer, est effectué à l'aide d'un dispositif de transfert électronique, électromécanique ou électromagnétique, des données représentatives des motifs à porter sur la couche de matériau oléophobe qui sont contenues dans une mémoire électronique. Ces données sont exploitées pour que le dispositif de transfert dépose du matériau oléophile uniquement aux emplacements nécessaires sur la couche de matériau oléophobe. Dans une mise en oeuvre décrite dans ce brevet, le matériau oléophile utilisé est un matériau magnétique et fusible; son dépôt sur le substrat en matériau oléophobe s'effectue par magnéto-déposition sur le cylindre, à la manière du dépôt de toner magnétique dans les imprimantes magnéto -graphiques. A cet effet des têtes magnétiques sont disposées à proximité du cylindre, qui permettent de créer, sur le substrat, des zones avec une magnétisation permettant d'attirer les particules de matériau oléophile.The deposition of the oleophilic material, in a configuration corresponding to the patterns to be printed, is carried out using an electronic, electromechanical or electromagnetic transfer device, data representative of the patterns to be carried on the layer of oleophobic material which are contained in an electronic memory. These data are used so that the transfer device deposits oleophilic material only at the necessary locations on the layer of oleophobic material. In an implementation described in this patent, the oleophilic material used is a magnetic and fusible material; its deposition on the oleophobic material substrate is effected by magneto-deposition on the cylinder, in the manner of the deposition of magnetic toner in magneto-graphic printers. To this end, magnetic heads are arranged near the cylinder, which make it possible to create, on the substrate, zones with magnetization making it possible to attract the particles of oleophilic material.
Après son dépôt, le matériau oléophile est fusionné ce qui permet de le durcir pour d'une part éviter que les motifs se déforment, et d'autre part lui conférer une certaine cohésion avec le substrat en matériau oléophobe, les particules de matériau oléophile s'accrochant à celles de matériau oléophobe. A cet effet, le système décrit dans ce brevet comporte en outre, à proximité de la périphérie du cylindre, un dispositif de fusion pour fixer le matériau oléophile.After its deposition, the oleophilic material is fused which makes it possible to harden it on the one hand to prevent the patterns from being deformed, and on the other hand to give it a certain cohesion with the substrate in oleophobic material, the particles of oleophilic material s 'hanging on those of oleophobic material. To this end, the system described in this patent further comprises, near the periphery of the cylinder, a melting device for fixing the oleophilic material.
L'impression s'effectue comme sur une presse classique: le cylindre, après avoir été revêtu de la couche formant substrat et des motifs, est mis en rotation, puis mouillé et encré, de façon que l'encre se répartisse sur les motifs et le produit de mouillage sur les zones oléophobes, puis l'encre est transférée sur le support d'impression (papier ou autre) par l'intermédiaire d'un blanchet.Printing is carried out as on a conventional press: the cylinder, after having been coated with the substrate layer and patterns, is rotated, then wetted and inked, so that the ink is distributed over the patterns and the wetting product on the oleophobic zones, then the ink is transferred to the printing medium (paper or other) via a blanket.
Lorsque le tirage souhaité d'une image est atteint, le cylindre est démagnétisé, de sorte que la couche formant substrat se décroche spontanément du cylindre, entraînant avec elle les motifs durcis, en matériau oléophile, qu'elle porte. Si l'impression d'une autre image est souhaitée, alors un nouveau substrat est réalisé, sur lequel sont portés puis durcis de nouveaux motifs. La constitution des motifs correspondant à une image, de même que leur retrait, sont donc très rapides et moins coûteux qu'avec les presses classiques.When the desired printout of an image is reached, the cylinder is demagnetized, so that the substrate layer spontaneously detaches from the cylinder, carrying with it the hardened patterns, of oleophilic material, which it carries. If the printing of another image is desired, then a new substrate is produced, on which are worn then hardened new patterns. The constitution of the patterns corresponding to an image, as well as their removal, are therefore very rapid and less costly than with conventional presses.
Ce dispositif se prête à l'impression polychrome, dans la mesure où le positionnement des motifs est effectué automatiquement, par un dispositif électronique.This device lends itself to full color printing, insofar as the positioning of the patterns is carried out automatically, by an electronic device.
Cependant, il nécessite le dépôt de deux types de matériaux: celui constituant le substrat et celui constituant les motifs. Or, le dépôt du substrat a pour fonction de permettre le retrait aisé ultérieur des motifs oléophiles par décrochement forcé de ce substrat et d'éviter que l'encre se dépose sur les parties du cylindre non pourvue de matériau oléophile..However, it requires the deposition of two types of material: that constituting the substrate and that constituting the patterns. However, the deposition of the substrate has the function of allowing easy subsequent removal of the oleophilic patterns by forced detachment of this substrate and of preventing the ink from being deposited on the parts of the cylinder not provided with oleophilic material.
De plus, il n'est pas tout à fait adapté aux forts tirages car le substrat a tendance à se décrocher spontanément, au moins en certains endroits, lors de la rotation du cylindre porteur pendant les phases d'impression, puisqu'il est simplement maintenu magnétiquement. Il faut donc surveiller les exemplaires qui sortent et parfois reconstituer en cours de tirage l'image (substrat et motifs) à la périphérie du cylindre.In addition, it is not entirely suitable for large print runs because the substrate tends to come off spontaneously, at least in certain places, during the rotation of the carrier cylinder during the printing phases, since it is simply held magnetically. We must therefore monitor the copies that come out and sometimes reconstruct the image (substrate and patterns) at the periphery of the cylinder during printing.
De même il est connu par la demande de brevet américain délivré sous le numéro 3,804,511 au nom de Pelorex Corporation, un dispositif et procédé d'impression d'une image par transfert d'au moins un véhicule colorant entre un élément intermédiaire de transfert et un support d'impression, comprenant au moins une phase de réalisation automatique de l'élément intermédiaire de transfert en développant sur l'élément intermédiaire des zones ayant chacune une affinité différente avec le véhicule colorant. L'affinité différente des zones est obtenue en développant une image électrostatique de l'information graphique par exposition d'une bande sans fin dont la couche supérieure est constituée d'oxyde de zinc. Des particules de toner magnétique sont ensuite appliquées sur cette surface et adhèrent en fonction de l'image électrostatique développée sur la couche d'oxyde de zinc. Des portions de cette surface sont magnétisées pour former une image magnétique correspondant à l'image électrostatique. Ensuite les particules de toner sont transférées par pression sur un milieu de copie tel que du papier, tandis que l'image magnétique est conservée sur la surface de la bande. De nouvelles particules magnétiques peuvent ensuite être appliquées sur l'image magnétique pour la production de copies additionnelles.Similarly, it is known from the American patent application issued under the number 3,804,511 in the name of Pelorex Corporation, a device and method for printing an image by transfer of at least one dye vehicle between an intermediate transfer element and a printing medium, comprising at least one phase of automatic production of the intermediate transfer element by developing zones on the intermediate element each having a different affinity with the coloring vehicle. The different affinity of the zones is obtained by developing an electrostatic image of the graphic information by exposure of an endless band whose upper layer consists of zinc oxide. Magnetic toner particles are then applied to this surface and adhere according to the electrostatic image developed on the zinc oxide layer. Portions of this surface are magnetized to form a magnetic image corresponding to the electrostatic image. Then the toner particles are transferred by pressure to a copy medium such as paper, while the magnetic image is retained on the surface of the tape. New magnetic particles can then be applied to the magnetic image for the production of additional copies.
Un tel dispositif présente l'inconvénient d'utiliser de préférence une bande d'oxyde de zinc qui est un photoconducteur de première génération ayant une durée de vie très faible.Such a device has the disadvantage of preferably using a zinc oxide strip which is a first generation photoconductor having a very short service life.
D'autre part, pour qu'une telle bande ne meure pas en fatigue, il faut que le temps de cycle entre l'exposition d'une image et la remise à zéro de la bande pour changer l'image, soit très long, c'est-à-dire de l'ordre de la seconde. Cela nécessite donc des bandes de longueur très élevée et génère un coût élevé pour le matériel.On the other hand, so that such a band does not die in fatigue, the cycle time between the exposure of an image and the resetting of the band to change the image must be very long, that is to say of the order of a second. This therefore requires very long strips and generates a high cost for the material.
Il est connu par le document EP-A- 0 097 954 un procédé d'impression électrostatique par transfert d'un véhicule colorant entre un élément intermédiaire obtenu par imagerie magnétique et un substrat ou support d'impression. L'image magnétique sur l'élément intermédiaire est réalisée, dans un premier dispositif d'imagerie, par la fusion de toner magnétique sur l'élément intermédiaire pour former une image en toner isolant. L'élément intermédiaire est démonté du dispositif d'imagerie puis disposé dans une presse où le toner isolant est chargé électrostatiquement pour développer des zones ayant des affinités différentes avec le véhicule colorant. Puis, le véhicule colorant est déposé sur l'image chargée, le véhicule colorant étant constitué de particules toner comprenant un agent colorant et un agent liant tel un polymère_thermoplastique. Enfin, le véhicule colorant est transféré sur le support d'impression soit par des moyens électrostatiques, soit par des moyens de pression, soit par des moyens de chauffage associés à des moyens de pression. Après que le support d'impression a passé dans la dernière station d'impression, le toner est fusionné sur le support par des moyens de chauffage.Document EP-A-0 097 954 discloses an electrostatic printing process by transfer of a coloring vehicle between an intermediate element obtained by magnetic imaging and a substrate or printing medium. The magnetic image on the intermediate element is produced, in a first imaging device, by the fusion of magnetic toner on the intermediate element to form an image of insulating toner. The intermediate element is removed from the imaging device and then placed in a press where the insulating toner is electrostatically charged to develop areas having different affinities with the coloring vehicle. Then, the coloring vehicle is deposited on the loaded image, the coloring vehicle consisting of toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a binding agent such as a thermoplastic polymer. Finally, the coloring vehicle is transferred to the printing medium either by electrostatic means, or by pressure means, or by heating means associated with pressure means. After the print medium has passed through the last print station, the toner is fused to the medium by heating means.
Cependant, ce procédé n'est pas adapté à de forts tirages en raison de la complexité du traitement qu'il requière. En effet, dans le dispositif d'imagerie, un premier rouleau décorateur crée l'image magnétique sur un second rouleau magnétique. Puis, l'image de toner magnétique du second rouleau est transférée sur l'élément intermédiaire ou rouleau conducteur. De plus, tout le long du procédé, de nombreux dispositifs à effet corona ainsi que des moyens d'aspiration neutralisent et éliminent le toner qui n'est pas correctement transféré d'un rouleau à l'autre. Cette complexité, due également à la nécessité de manipuler l'élément intermédiaire entre le dispositif d'imagerie et la presse augmente notablement son coût.However, this process is not suitable for large print runs because of the complexity of the processing it requires. In fact, in the imaging device, a first decorating roller creates the magnetic image on a second magnetic roller. Then, the magnetic toner image of the second roller is transferred to the intermediate member or conductive roller. In addition, throughout the process, numerous corona devices as well as suction means neutralize and eliminate the toner which is not correctly transferred from one roll to another. This complexity, also due to the need to manipulate the intermediate element between the imaging device and the press, significantly increases its cost.
La présente invention a donc pour but principal de palier les inconvénients de l'art antérieur en proposant un procédé d'impression simple qui soit de faible coût tout en autorisant une qualité constante et les possibilités de l'impression lithographique monochrome et polychrome, quelque soit le tirage envisagé, sans nécessiter la gravure d'une plaque, sans faire appel à des matériaux nécessitant des qualités oléophiles ou oléophobes pour résoudre les problèmes de mouillage, ou à un blanchet.The main object of the present invention therefore is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a simple printing process which is low in cost while allowing constant quality and the possibilities of monochrome and full color lithographic printing, whatever the envisaged print, without requiring the etching of a plate, without using materials requiring oleophilic or oleophobic qualities to solve the wetting problems, or with a blanket.
Ce but est atteint par le fait que le procédé d'impression d'au moins une image, à un tirage déterminé, à l'aide d'une presse, par transfert d'un véhicule colorant entre un élément intermédiaire de transfert obtenu par imagerie magnétique et un support d'impression, comprenant au moins une phase de réalisation automatique de l'élément intermédiaire de transfert dans la presse en développant sur un substrat des zones ayant chacune une affinité différente avec le véhicule colorant dont certaines correspondent à l'image à imprimer, est caractérisé en ce qu'un matériau, isolant et durcissable, est fixé sur le substrat pour constituer ces zones à affinités différentes,
- le matériau isolant et durcissable est durci et soumis à une charge électrostatique par tout dispositif susceptible de le charger en surface afin de conférer aux zones représentatives de l'image l'affinité avec le véhicule colorant;
- le véhicule colorant ayant des propriétés électrostatiques est déposé sur les parties du matériau durci chargées électrostatiquement et enfin le transfert du véhicule colorant sur le support d'impression est effectué par contact direct avec l'élément intermédiaire de transfert.
- the insulating and curable material is hardened and subjected to an electrostatic charge by any device capable of charging it on the surface in order to give the areas representative of the image affinity with the coloring vehicle;
- the coloring vehicle having electrostatic properties is deposited on the parts of the hardened material electrostatically charged and finally the transfer of the coloring vehicle on the printing medium is carried out by direct contact with the intermediate transfer element.
Selon une autre particularité, le procédé comporte une étape de nettoyage de l'élément de transfert par retrait du matériau durcissable lorsqu'une nouvelle image doit être imprimée.In another feature, the method includes a step of cleaning the transfer member by removing the curable material when a new image is to be printed.
Selon une autre particularité, le véhicule colorant est préalablement chargé de charges électrostatiques de polarité opposée à la charge du matériau durcissable.According to another particular feature, the coloring vehicle is previously charged with electrostatic charges of opposite polarity to the charge of the curable material.
Selon une autre particularité, le matériau durcissable est fusible, et l'opération déterminée de la phase de retrait consiste en une fusion du matériau durcissable sur le substrat, le substrat ayant une faible inertie thermique, pour qu'aussitôt après la fusion et le retrait, le substrat retrouve la température qu'il avait avant cette phase, permettant sans délai la réalisation d'un nouvel élément de transfert.According to another particularity, the hardenable material is fusible, and the determined operation of the withdrawal phase consists of a fusion of the hardenable material on the substrate, the substrate having a low thermal inertia, so that immediately after the fusion and the withdrawal , the substrate regains the temperature it had before this phase, allowing without delay the creation of a new transfer element.
Selon une autre particularité, le matériau durcissable est attaquable chimiquement, et l'opération déterminée de la phase de retrait consiste en une attaque chimique de ce matériau durcissable sur le substrat, le substrat de la presse étant constitué de façon à ne pas être atteint par cette attaque.According to another particularity, the hardenable material is chemically attackable, and the determined operation of the withdrawal phase consists of a chemical attack of this hardenable material on the substrate, the press substrate being formed so as not to be reached by this attack.
Selon une autre particularité, le substrat est non démantelable de la presse et constitué de façon à posséder une faible inertie thermique, de sorte que les conséquences d'une augmentation de sa température, due à l'attaque chimique, soient rapidement estompées pour permettre la réalisation quasi immédiate d'un nouvel élément intermédiaire de transfert après le retrait du matériau durcissable.According to another particular feature, the substrate cannot be dismantled from the press and formed so as to have a low thermal inertia, so that the consequences of an increase in its temperature, due to chemical attack, are quickly blurred to allow the almost immediate creation of a new intermediate transfer element after removal of the hardenable material.
Selon une autre particularité, le procédé consiste à constituer l'élément intermédiaire de transfert en déposant sur le substrat non démantelable de la presse un matériau durcissable magnétique à l'aide d'un dispositif de transfert magnétique comprenant des moyens pour prélever le matériau durcissable dans un réservoir et des moyens pour placer le matériau durcissable en des endroits déterminés du substrat, afin d'y constituer une image correspondant aux motifs à imprimer.According to another particular feature, the method consists in constituting the intermediate transfer element by depositing on the non-dismantable substrate of the press a magnetic curable material using a magnetic transfer device comprising means for removing the curable material from a reservoir and means for placing the hardenable material at determined locations on the substrate, so as to constitute there an image corresponding to the patterns to be printed.
Selon une autre particularité, le matériau est durcissable par polymérisation.In another feature, the material is curable by polymerization.
Selon une autre particularité, le matériau est durcissable par fusion.According to another particularity, the material is curable by fusion.
Un autre but de l'invention est de proposer une presse permettant la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'invention.Another object of the invention is to provide a press allowing the implementation of the method according to the invention.
Ce but est atteint par le fait que la presse d'impression comporte des moyens pour déposer un matériau en des emplacements déterminés représentatifs d'une image sur une bande sans fin portée par des rouleaux permettant sa mise en mouvement, la bande sans fin est métallique, le matériau déposé est durcissable et la presse comporte au moins une station pour charger électrostatiquement le matériau durci et une station délivrant un véhicule colorant ayant des propriétés électrostatique pour adhérer sur le matériau durci après son durcissement afin d'y constituer les motifs à reporter sur le support d'impression.This object is achieved by the fact that the printing press comprises means for depositing a material in determined locations representative of an image on an endless band carried by rollers allowing its movement, the endless band is metallic , the deposited material is hardenable and the press comprises at least one station for electrostatically charging the hardened material and a station delivering a coloring vehicle having electrostatic properties to adhere to the hardened material after it has hardened in order to constitute the patterns to be transferred to print media.
Selon une autre particularité, la presse comporte des moyens de retrait et de nettoyage du matériau durci.According to another particular feature, the press includes means for removing and cleaning the hardened material.
Selon une autre particularité, la presse comporte les moyens de charger électrostatiquement le matériau durci avec une charge de polarité donnée.According to another particular feature, the press comprises the means for electrostatically charging the hardened material with a charge of given polarity.
Selon une autre particularité, la charge électrostatique du matériau durci est obtenue par un dispositif corona.According to another particular feature, the electrostatic charge of the hardened material is obtained by a corona device.
Selon une autre particularité, la presse comporte des moyens de charger le véhicule colorant avec une polarité opposée à celle du matériau durci.According to another particular feature, the press includes means for loading the coloring vehicle with a polarity opposite to that of the hardened material.
Selon une autre particularité, la charge du véhicule colorant est triboélectrique et la presse comporte dans les moyens de délivrer le véhicule colorant un dispositif assurant le brassage du véhicule colorant de façon à provoquer la charge des particules par frottement.According to another particular feature, the charge of the coloring vehicle is triboelectric and the press comprises in the means for delivering the coloring vehicle a device ensuring the mixing of the coloring vehicle so as to cause the charging of the particles by friction.
Selon une autre particularité, le matériau est durcissable en le faisant chauffer, puis refroidir, la presse comportant des moyens de chauffage en regard de la tonalité de la largeur, et d'une petite partie de la longueur, de la bande.According to another particular feature, the material is curable by making it heat, then cool, the press comprising heating means opposite the tone of the width, and of a small part of the length, of the strip.
Selon une autre particularité, au moins deux moyens de chauffage sont disposés en vis-à-vis l'un de l'autre, de part et d'autre des deux faces principales de la bande.According to another particular feature, at least two heating means are arranged opposite one another, on either side of the two main faces of the strip.
Selon une autre particularité, le matériau durci peut être retiré par fusion, les moyens de retrait étant constitués par des moyens de chauffage, pour la refonte du matériau durci, associés à des moyens de nettoyage du matériau refondu.According to another particular feature, the hardened material can be removed by melting, the withdrawal means being constituted by heating means, for remelting the hardened material, associated with means for cleaning the remelted material.
Selon une autre particularité, le matériau durcissable est polymérisable en l'exposant à un rayonnement, tel qu'un rayonnement ultraviolet, la presse comportant des moyens permettant d'émettre un tel rayonnement en direction de la totalité de la largeur, et d'une petite partie de la longueur, de la bande.According to another particularity, the curable material is polymerizable by exposing it to radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation, the press comprising means making it possible to emit such radiation towards the entire width, and of a small part of the length, of the strip.
Selon une autre particularité, le matériau durci peut être retiré par attaque chimique, la presse comportant des moyens permettant de projeter un agent chimique sur le matériau durci, associés à des moyens de nettoyage du matériau refondu.According to another particular feature, the hardened material can be removed by chemical attack, the press comprising means making it possible to spray a chemical agent on the hardened material, associated with means for cleaning the remelted material.
Selon une autre particularité, les moyens de nettoyage, tels que des raclettes ou des grattoirs, sont disposés d'une part pour que la refonte ou l'attaque chimique du matériau soit amorcé avant que ce matériau vienne au contact des moyens de nettoyage, afin de faciliter leur action et, d'autre part, pour que leur action soit facilitée par la gravité naturelle.According to another particularity, the cleaning means, such as scrapers or scrapers, are arranged on the one hand so that the recasting or the chemical attack of the material is initiated before this material comes into contact with the cleaning means, in order to facilitate their action and, on the other hand, so that their action is facilitated by natural gravity.
Selon une autre particularité, la bande est métallique, la presse comporte des moyens de transfert d'un matériau magnétique durcissable entre un réservoir et des emplacements déterminés de la bande métallique.According to another particular feature, the strip is metallic, the press comprises means for transferring a curable magnetic material between a reservoir and determined locations of the metallic strip.
Selon une autre particularité, la bande est en matériau magnétique, et les moyens de transfert du matériau magnétique comportent d'une part, du côté de la face de la bande sur laquelle le matériau doit être déposé, et à proximité de celle-ci, une ouverture de sortie du matériau du réservoir, et d'autre part, en vis-à-vis de l'ouverture, du côté de la face opposée, un ensemble de têtes magnétiques, pour magnétiser sélectivement certains points de la bande et attirer du matériau sur ces points.According to another particularity, the strip is made of magnetic material, and the means for transferring the magnetic material comprise on the one hand, on the side of the face of the strip on which the material is to be deposited, and in the vicinity thereof, an outlet opening for the material from the reservoir, and on the other hand, opposite the opening, on the side of the opposite face, a set of magnetic heads, for selectively magnetizing certain points of the strip and attracting material on these points.
Selon une autre particularité, l'ensemble de têtes magnétiques est déplaçable relativement à la bande, afin de compenser l'espacement entre les têtes et de constituer sur la bande des motifs de haute qualité d'impression.According to another particular feature, the set of magnetic heads is displaceable relative to the strip, in order to compensate for the spacing between the heads and to constitute on the strip patterns of high print quality.
Selon une autre particularité, la presse destinée à l'impression polychrome de documents, en particulier de documents feuille à feuille, comporte :
- à proximité de la bande, un nombre n de stations pour appliquer chaque véhicule colorant électrostatique sur le matériau après son durcissement, équivalent au nombre de couleurs de base nécessitées pour l'impression, chaque station contenant une couleur de base différente d'une autre ;
- une longueur développée de la bande au moins égale à n fois la longueur du plus grand document susceptible d'être imprimé par la presse;
- des moyens d'asservissement et de commande agencés pour qu'une seule des stations d'application du véhicule colorant soit active à la fois.
- near the strip, a number n of stations for applying each electrostatic coloring vehicle to the material after it has hardened, equivalent to the number of base colors required for printing, each station containing a base color different from another;
- a developed length of the strip at least equal to n times the length of the largest document capable of being printed by the press;
- servo and control means arranged so that only one of the application stations of the coloring vehicle is active at a time.
Selon une autre particularité, la presse comporte des moyens d'application du support d'impression contre la bande, constitués d'un dispositif d'alimentation feuille à feuille, d'un cylindre porte-feuille en contact en rotation avec la bande et d'un dispositif de récupération des feuilles imprimées, les moyens d'asservissement et de commande étant agencés pour que le cylindre porte-feuille effectue n rotations pour imprimer complètement une feuille.According to another particular feature, the press comprises means for applying the printing medium against the strip, consisting of a sheet feed device, a sheet cylinder in contact in rotation with the strip and d 'A device for recovering printed sheets, the servo and control means being arranged so that the sheet cylinder performs n rotations to completely print a sheet.
Selon une autre particularité, la presse pour l'impression polychrome de documents à l'aide de n couleurs de base, en particulier l'impression continue comporte n presses ayant chacune une seule station d'application de véhicule colorant, chaque station contenant une couleur de base différente d'une autre, la pressé étant agencée pour que le support d'impression passe successivement devant chacune de ces presses.According to another particular feature, the press for full-color printing of documents using n basic colors, in particular continuous printing, comprises n presses each having a single station for application of a coloring vehicle, each station containing a color different base from another, the press being arranged so that the print medium passes successively in front of each of these presses.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description, de modes de réalisation de l'invention données à illustratifs mais non limitatifs, faite en référence aux figures 1 à 3, dans lesquelles :
- la figure 1 illustre un premier mode de réalisation d'une presse permettant une impression monochrome selon le procédé de l'invention ;
- la figure 2 illustre un autre mode de réalisation d'une presse permettant une impression polychrome ;
- la figure 3 illustre le principe d'impression mis en oeuvre dans le procédé selon l'invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a press allowing monochrome printing according to the method of the invention;
- FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a press allowing full color printing;
- FIG. 3 illustrates the printing principle implemented in the method according to the invention.
La presse représentée sur la figure 1 permet le dépôt d'un matériau fusible (1) sur une bande métallique (2) sans fin, afin de constituer l'élément intermédiaire support des motifs correspondant à une image à imprimer sur un support d'impression (3) tel que du papier alimenté en continu. La bande sans fin, portée par des rouleaux porteurs (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) est au contact de support d'impression, tel que du papier (3), à l'aide d'un rouleau presseur (90).The press shown in FIG. 1 allows the deposition of a fusible material (1) on an endless metal strip (2), in order to constitute the intermediate element supporting the patterns corresponding to an image to be printed on a printing medium. (3) such as continuously fed paper. The endless belt, carried by supporting rollers (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) is in contact with printing support, such as paper (3), using a pressure roller (90) .
Dans l'exemple illustré, le matériau fusible (1) est pulvérulent et magnétique, et est contenu dans un réservoir (210) avant son dépôt sur la bande (2) sans fin. Un dispositif (21) pour transférer magnétiquement le matériau fusible (1) du réservoir à la bande est prévu et permet que le matériau durcissable (1) utilisé soit un matériau magnétique, durcissable par fusion, polymérisation, ou autre procédé. Le substrat, formé par la bande sans fin est un matériau lui-même magnétisable. Un dispositif (21) de mise en place du matériau (1), aux endroits appropriés de la bande (2) est composé d'une part d'un réservoir (210) de matériau pourvu d'une ouverture de sortie et placé du côté de la face de la bande (2) qui est en contact avec le support d'impression (3), et d'autre part d'un dispositif d'excitation (211) à têtes magnétiques, placé de l'autre côté de la bande, c'est-à-dire à l'intérieur de l'espace délimité par la bande sans fin. Ce dispositif d'excitation permet d'exciter sélectivement des points déterminés de la bande pour la magnétiser et attirer en ces points le matériau (1) contenu dans le réservoir, afin d'y former des zones où l'on peut développer une affinité avec le véhicule colorant (encre) utilisé.In the example illustrated, the fusible material (1) is pulverulent and magnetic, and is contained in a reservoir (210) before it is deposited on the endless strip (2). A device (21) for magnetically transferring the fusible material (1) from the reservoir to the strip is provided and allows the curable material (1) used to be a magnetic material, curable by melting, polymerization, or other process. The substrate, formed by the endless band is a material itself magnetizable. A device (21) for placing the material (1), at the appropriate locations on the strip (2), is composed on the one hand of a reservoir (210) of material provided with an outlet opening and placed on the side of the face of the strip (2) which is in contact with the printing medium (3), and on the other hand of an excitation device (211) with magnetic heads, placed on the other side of the strip, that is to say inside the space delimited by the endless strip. This excitation device makes it possible to selectively excite determined points of the strip to magnetize it and to attract at these points the material (1) contained in the reservoir, in order to form zones there where it is possible to develop an affinity with the coloring vehicle (ink) used.
L'ensemble (211) de têtes magnétiques est déplaçable relativement à la bande, afin de compenser l'emplacement entre les têtes et de constituer sur la bande des motifs de haute qualité d'impression.The magnetic head assembly (211) is movable relative to the strip to compensate for the location between the heads and to provide high print quality patterns on the strip.
Il convient que les dimensions de la bande 2 sans fin permettent d'y reproduire la plus grande image destinée à être imprimée avec la presse, c'est-à-dire que, par exemple, la longueur développée et la largeur de la bande 2 soient respectivement au moins égales à celles de cette image.The dimensions of the
Le matériau 1, après avoir été transféré sur la bande 2 métallique, est fixé fermement sur celle-ci. Ainsi qu'il a déjà été indiqué, cette opération permet d'éviter le démantèlement des motifs lors de l'impression.The
Dans le mode de mise en oeuvre, illustré par cette figure 1, cette fixation s'effectue en chauffant, puis en laissant refroidir, le matériau. Pour cela, au moins un organe 14 de chauffage est prévu à proximité de la bande 2 en tenant compte du sens de défilement (illustré par des flèches) de celle-ci, pour que le matériau puisse être fixé immédiatement après avoir été déposé, et agit sur la totalité de la largeur de la bande, et sur une petite partie longueur de celle-ci.In the embodiment, illustrated by this FIG. 1, this fixing is carried out by heating, then allowing to cool, the material. For this, at least one
De préférence, cet organe 14 est disposé en regard de la surface de la bande qui reçoit le matériau 1 fusible, pour que son action soit la plus efficace possible. Cependant, comme illustré par cette figure, afin que le chauffage soit encore plus efficace et rapide, il est envisageable de disposer au moins un autre organe 15 de chauffage, en vis-à-vis du premier 14, et en regard de la surface de la bande opposée à celle qui reçoit le matériau. Bien entendu, en raison de la faible inertie thermique de la bande, une partie chauffée de celle-ci se refroidit dès qu'elle sort de la zone, de faible longueur, chauffée par les moyens 14, 15, de sorte que le durcissement est très rapide. De cette façon, le matériau adhère au substrat (bande) par les forces de liaison, les forces magnétiques n'intervenant que lors du développement de l'image magnétique.Preferably, this
Dans une variante, le matériau utilisé est durcissable et fixable par polymérisation, naturelle ou forcée, par exemple en l'exposant à un rayonnement ultraviolet. Dans ce cas, l'organe 14, c'est-à-dire celui disposé en regard de la surface de la bande qui reçoit le matériau 1 fusible, serait remplacé par une source de rayonnement appropriée. Aucune source correspondant à l'organe 15 ne serait prévue en vis-à-vis, puisque le rayonnement serait stoppé par la bande 2.In a variant, the material used is hardenable and fixable by natural or forced polymerization, for example by exposing it to ultraviolet radiation. In this case, the
Bien entendu, le dispositif de transfert magnétique (211) et les organes (14, 15) de chauffage ne sont mis en fonctionnement que lorsqu'il est nécessaire de constituer des zones représentatives de l'image sur la bande mince (2).Of course, the magnetic transfer device (211) and the heating members (14, 15) are only put into operation when it is necessary to constitute areas representative of the image on the thin strip (2).
Le matériau (1) durci et solidarisé magnétiquement de la bande (2) est amené à un poste (16) de charge corona où un fil corona (161) charge électrostatiquement ce matériau (1). Après le poste (16) de charge corona, le matériau ou substrat (1) durci, chargé électrostatiquement, est désigné sur les figures 1 à 3 par la référence numérique (10). On pourra utiliser comme matériau (1) un toner magnétographique qui, par les composés magnétiques qu'il contient, a un faible potentiel de colorabilité mais, par les matériaux polymérisables permettant son durcissement, est très isolant (résistivité comprise entre 1012 et 1014 ohms.cm), ce qui lui permet de charger électrostatiquement sans problème alors que la bande métallique (2), qui elle est conductrice, ne conservera aucune charge électrostatique. A la sortie de cette station on a donc un substrat (2) revêtu par endroit de zones recouvertes d'un matériau durci ayant une affinité différente avec le véhicule colorant qui lui est déposé à la station d'encrage (17). Ce véhicule colorant (9) sera constitué de façon avantageuse par un toner électrostatique ayant un bon potentiel de colorabilité. Ce toner (9) viendra se déposer sur les zones ayant des affinités, c'est-à-dire sur les zones revêtues du matériau durci chargé électrostatiquement. La station d'encrage (17) comportera par exemple deux rouleaux (171, 172) assurant un brassage interne du toner constitué en grande partie de polymères pour charger ainsi ce toner par triboélectricité, dans le cas d'un toner électrostatique solide utilisé alors en conjonction avec un support (carrier) comme il est connu dans l'état de l'art antérieur de l'électrophotographie. Dans une variante, on pourra utiliser des toners électrostatiques liquides, le toner étant constitué de fines particules colorantes, le carrier étant alors constitué d'un liquide possédant les caractéristiques diélectriques requises, comme il est également connu dans l'état de l'art antérieur. Les charges ainsi développées dans le toner seront de préférence de polarité opposée à celles développées sur le matériau (1) magnétique durci. Au contact avec la bande du support d'impression (3), le toner électrostatique (9) est transféré sur le support d'impression (3) et seul reste sur le substrat (2) le matériau magnétique durci (1).The hardened material (1) magnetically secured to the strip (2) is brought to a station (16) for corona charging where a corona wire (161) electrostatically charges this material (1). After the station (16) for corona charging, the hardened material or substrate (1), electrostatically charged, is designated in Figures 1 to 3 by the reference numeral (10). As a material (1), a magnetographic toner can be used which, by the magnetic compounds which it contains, has a low colorability potential but, by the polymerizable materials allowing its hardening, is very insulating (resistivity between 1012 and 1014 ohms. cm), which allows it to charge electrostatically without problem while the metal strip (2), which is conductive, will not retain any electrostatic charge. At the exit from this station there is therefore a substrate (2) coated in places with areas covered with a hardened material having a different affinity with the coloring vehicle which is deposited therein at the inking station (17). This coloring vehicle (9) will advantageously consist of an electrostatic toner having a good colorability potential. This toner (9) will deposit on the areas having affinities, that is to say on the areas coated with the hardened material electrostatically charged. The inking station (17) will comprise for example two rollers (171, 172) ensuring an internal mixing of the toner made up largely of polymers to thus charge this toner by triboelectricity, in the case of a solid electrostatic toner then used in conjunction with a carrier (carrier) as is known in the state of the prior art of electrophotography. In a variant, liquid electrostatic toners may be used, the toner consisting of fine coloring particles, the carrier then consisting of a liquid having the required dielectric characteristics, as is also known in the state of the prior art . The charges thus developed in the toner will preferably have the opposite polarity to those developed on the hardened magnetic material (1). On contact with the print media strip (3), the electrostatic toner (9) is transferred on the printing medium (3) and only the hardened magnetic material (1) remains on the substrate (2).
Enfin, la presse comporte un dispositif de retrait du matériau, mis en service lorsque le tirage d'une image est atteint, pour permettre le démantèlement de dispositif intermédiaire de transfert sans détériorer le substrat constitué par la surface de la bande mince (2)
Dans le cas de la presse illustrée par la figure 1, adaptée pour fonctionner avec un matériau (1) fusible, le dispositif de retrait comporte des moyens (18) de refonte du matériau, tels que les organes de chauffage, des moyens (19) de nettoyage tels que des grattoirs ou des raclettes et, éventuellement, un réservoir (20) de récupération du matériau. Les moyens (18) de refonte et ceux (19) de nettoyage sont disposés relativement les uns aux autres et à la bande pour que les zones devant être nettoyées soient chauffées, afin que le matériau (1) soit au moins partiellement refondu, avant de subir l'action des moyens (19) de nettoyage, et pour que la refonte continue lorsque les moyens de nettoyage sont actifs.
Le mode de réalisation de la figure 1 permet de tenir ces contraintes : les moyens (18) de refonte sont disposés en regard de la surface de la bande opposée à celle qui reçoit le matériau, et les moyens (19) de nettoyage sont du côté de la surface qui supporte le matériau. Les moyens (19) de nettoyage sont en vis-à-vis d'une partie seulement des moyens de refonte, de sorte qu'il existe une zone de la presse où les zones de la bande devant être nettoyées subissent l'action simultanée des moyens (18) de refonte et de ceux (19) de nettoyage.
De préférence, le dispositif de retrait est disposé d'une manière telle que l'action des moyens (19) de nettoyage soit facilitée par la gravité naturelle. La figure 1 illustre la manière dont ce dispositif doit être placé pour que cette action soit optimale. Les moyens de nettoyage sont positionnés de façon à agir sur une partie horizontale de la bande, la surface à nettoyer étant en vis-à-vis du sol. Ainsi le matériau après avoir été refondu, a tendance à tomber spontanément par gravité dans le réservoir (20) de récupération qui est alors placé dessous.
Bien entendu, d'autres dispositions du dispositif de retrait sont possibles pour permettre à la gravité naturelle de faciliter le nettoyage. Il suffit que le dispositif de retrait agisse sur une partie de la bande disposée selon un pente, plus ou moins importante, dirigée vers le sol.
La faible inertie thermique de la bande métallique a pour conséquence que, dès qu'une partie n'est plus soumise au rayonnement du dispositif de refonte, elle se refroidit très vite, permettant la constitution quasi immédiate d'un nouvel élément intermédiaire de transfert.Finally, the press includes a device for removing the material, which is put into service when the drawing of an image is reached, to allow the dismantling of intermediate transfer device without damaging the substrate formed by the surface of the thin strip (2)
In the case of the press illustrated in FIG. 1, adapted to operate with a fusible material (1), the removal device comprises means (18) for recasting the material, such as the heating members, means (19) cleaning equipment such as scrapers or scrapers and, optionally, a material recovery tank (20). The remelting means and those (19) for cleaning are arranged relatively to each other and to the strip so that the areas to be cleaned are heated, so that the material (1) is at least partially remelted, before undergo the action of the cleaning means (19), and so that the recasting continues when the cleaning means are active.
The embodiment of FIG. 1 makes it possible to meet these constraints: the recasting means (18) are arranged facing the surface of the strip opposite to that which receives the material, and the cleaning means (19) are on the side of the surface that supports the material. The cleaning means (19) are opposite only part of the recasting means, so that there is a press area where the zones of the strip to be cleaned undergo the simultaneous action of means (18) for recasting and those (19) for cleaning.
Preferably, the removal device is arranged in such a way that the action of the cleaning means (19) is facilitated by natural gravity. Figure 1 illustrates how this device should be placed for this action to be optimal. The cleaning means are positioned so as to act on a horizontal part of the strip, the surface to be cleaned facing the ground. Thus the material after being remelted, tends to fall spontaneously by gravity into the recovery tank (20) which is then placed below.
Of course, other arrangements of the removal device are possible to allow natural gravity to facilitate cleaning. It is sufficient for the removal device to act on a part of the strip arranged in a more or less significant slope, directed towards the ground.
The low thermal inertia of the metal strip means that, as soon as a part is no longer subjected to the radiation of the device recast, it cools very quickly, allowing the almost immediate constitution of a new intermediate transfer element.
Comme cela a été évoqué précédemment, au lieu de réaliser une attaque thermique, pour refondre le matériau 1, afin de nettoyer la bande 2 de métal, en vue de la préparation d'un nouvel élément intermédiaire de transfert, il est possible d'effectuer une attaque chimique, à condition que les agents choisis n'attaquent pas la bande métallique. Il est clair que cette opération est beaucoup plus délicate et qu'on y préférera l'attaque thermique. La bande sans fin est encore préférable dans le cas d'une attaque chimique, car elle se prête plus facilement au nettoyage. De plus, une attaque chimique engendre généralement un dégagement de chaleur, et la faible inertie thermique d'une bande permet encore son refroidissement rapide après un nettoyage utilisant une telle attaque, et donc la constitution immédiate d'un nouvel élément de transfert.As mentioned above, instead of carrying out a thermal attack, in order to recast the
Dans une variante, non représentée, mettant en oeuvre cette méthode, les moyens 19, 20 de nettoyage et de récupération sont présents, mais les moyens de refonte sont remplacés par des moyens permettant de projeter l'agent chimique. Ceux-ci sont disposés de façon que, d'une part, l'attaque chimique du matériau 1 soit amorcée avant qu'il vienne au contact des moyens de nettoyage pour faciliter leur action et, d'autre part, pour que leur action soit totalement efficace.In a variant, not shown, implementing this method, the
Le dispositif représenté sur la figure 1 ne permet qu'une impression monochrome, puisqu'il ne comporte qu'une seule presse et/ou station d'encrage.The device shown in Figure 1 allows only monochrome printing, since it only has one press and / or inking station.
Le dispositif de la figure 2 permet une impression polychrome en feuille à feuille c'est-à-dire l'impression d'un support 3 se présentant sous la forme de feuilles indépendantes.The device of Figure 2 allows polychrome printing sheet by sheet that is to say, the printing of a
Le dispositif de la figure 2 permet une impression polychrome feuille à feuille utilisant par exemple 3 couleurs (rouge, vert et bleu) dans le cas d'une synthèse additive, généralement mieux adaptée au cas de toners électrostatiques solides, ou quatre couleurs dont trois de base (jaune, cyan, magenta) et le noir dans le cas d'une synthèse soustractive généralement mieux adaptée au cas de toners électrostatiques liquides. Ce dispositif est constitué de quatre stations d'encrage A, B, C, D placées les unes à la suite des autres, et pilotées par un dispositif unique d'asservissement et de commande (non représenté).The device of FIG. 2 allows a polychrome sheet-by-sheet printing using for example 3 colors (red, green and blue) in the case of an additive synthesis, generally better suited to the case of solid electrostatic toners, or four colors including three of base (yellow, cyan, magenta) and black in the case of a subtractive synthesis generally better suited to the case of liquid electrostatic toners. This device consists of four inking stations A, B, C, D placed one after the other, and controlled by a single servo and control device (not shown).
Dans l'exemple, les quatre stations d'encrage (17A, 17B, 17C, 17D) sont identiques, et correspondent chacune à celle (17) décrite en regard de la figure 1, c'est-à-dire qu'elles comportent chacune un dispositif de transfert d'un véhicule colorant 9 possédant des propriétés électrostatiques sur la bande 2 revêtue d'un matériau durcissable 1. Il est bien entendu que cette représentation n'est pas limitative, et que le dispositif pourrait contenir des presses correspondant à celles décrites en regard de la figure 1.In the example, the four inking stations (17A, 17B, 17C, 17D) are identical, and each correspond to that (17) described with reference to FIG. 1, that is to say that they comprise each a device for transferring a
La première station 17A sert par exemple à l'impression des motifs jaune, la seconde 17B à l'impression des motifs cyan, la troisième 17C à l'impression des motifs magenta, la quatrième 17D à l'impression des motifs noir. Pour cela, les feuilles de papier 3 sont mises au contact du rouleau de transfert 26 de cette presse. Les différences essentielles entre la presse de la figure 2 et celles de la figure 1 en ce qui concerne l'alimentation en papier sont les suivantes: la presse est associée à un dispositif 25, connu en soi et non représenté en détail, d'alimentation feuille à feuille, d'un cylindre 26 porte-feuille, et d'un dispositif 27 de récupération des feuilles imprimées. Le cylindre 26 porte-feuille est en contact avec la périphérie de la bande 2, de sorte que le mouvement de rotation de la bande est transmis au cylindre 26, permettant de reporter l'image sur une feuille portée par le cylindre 26. Bien évidemment, un tel dispositif d'alimentation en papier pourrait être adapté sur la presse de la figure 1 sans changer l'esprit de l'invention.The first station 17A is used for example for printing yellow patterns, the second 17B for printing cyan patterns, the third 17C for printing magenta patterns, the fourth 17D for printing black patterns. For this, the sheets of
Le dispositif unique de commande pilote à la fois le dispositif de transfert magnétique 21 pour que le motif soit correctement positionné et que l'image finale soit de qualité irréprochable. De même, il pilote les organes 14, 15 de chauffage, le dispositif d'encrage de charge électrostatique 16, un seul dispositif d'encrage à la fois 17A à 17D et enfin le dispositif 18,19,20 de retrait du matériau durcissable.The single control device controls both the
Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, les dimensions de la bande sont telles qu'il est possible d'y constituer successivement et de façon adjacente les motifs de base correspondant à la séparation des couleurs permettant de constituer une image donnée. En fait, la longueur développée de la bande doit être au moins trois fois supérieure à la circonférence du cylindre porte-feuille qui détermine les dimensions de la plus grande image pouvant être imprimée. Dans ce cas, des moyens d'asservissement et de commande (non représentés) de la presse permettent de sélectionner et d'activer de façon synchrone une station d'encrage par exemple 17A avec le passage de l'image de base correspondante. D'autre part, les moyens d'asservissement et de commande sont tels qu'une même feuille reste pendant au moins trois tours sur le cylindre porte-feuille, pour qu'à chaque tour, l'une des images de base puisse être imprimée, afin que l'image définitive, qui synthétise au moins trois couleurs, apparaisse sur la feuille à l'issue d'au moins trois tours.In a preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the strip are such that it is possible to successively and adjacent thereto form the basic patterns corresponding to the separation of the colors making it possible to constitute a given image. In fact, the length the developed web should be at least three times the circumference of the sheet cylinder which determines the dimensions of the largest printable image. In this case, control and control means (not shown) of the press make it possible to select and activate synchronously an inking station, for example 17A with the passage of the corresponding basic image. On the other hand, the servo and control means are such that the same sheet remains for at least three turns on the sheet cylinder, so that each turn, one of the basic images can be printed. , so that the final image, which synthesizes at least three colors, appears on the sheet after at least three turns.
Ces modes de réalisation préférés des presses, dans lesquelles la longueur de la bande est fonction de la circonférence du cylindre 26 porte-feuille permettent qu'une même image soit imprimée en grand nombre, ce qui est souvent le cas en imprimerie classique, en constituant une seule fois sur la bande 2 l'ensemble des motifs (trois ou quatre) correspondant à chaque couleur de base de cette image, et en conservant cet ensemble en l'état, jusqu'à ce que le tirage prévu de cette image soit atteint, ce qui permet de réduire le nombre des opérations de refonte et de nettoyage, et d'atteindre de grandes vitesses d'impression.These preferred embodiments of the presses, in which the length of the strip is a function of the circumference of the
Si la longueur de la bande n'est pas liée à la dimension maximum des feuilles à imprimer, mais est inférieure à trois ou quatre fois cette dimension, selon que l'impression est à trois ou quatre couleurs, il est néanmoins possible d'effectuer une impression polychrome, mais il est alors nécessaire de nettoyer la bande une ou plusieurs fois lors de l'impression de chaque feuille, et de constituer séparément les divers motifs correspondant à l'image définitive à obtenir, ce qui entraîne une réduction de vitesse d'impression. lorsqu'il s'agit de réaliser de forts tirages.If the length of the strip is not linked to the maximum dimension of the sheets to be printed, but is less than three or four times this dimension, depending on whether the printing is in three or four colors, it is nevertheless possible to perform full color printing, but it is then necessary to clean the strip one or more times when printing each sheet, and to separately constitute the various patterns corresponding to the final image to be obtained, which results in a reduction in speed d 'impression. when it comes to making large prints.
Selon une autre variante le dispositif d'impression polychrome de document peut être réalisé à l'aide de n presses du type de la figure 1 et ayant chacune une seule station (17) d'application de véhicule colorant, chaque station contenant une couleur de base différente d'une autre, et en ce qu'il est agencé pour que le support d'impression passe successivement devant chacune de ces presses.According to another variant, the polychrome document printing device can be produced using n presses of the type of FIG. 1 and each having a single station (17) for applying a coloring vehicle, each station containing a color of base different from another, and in that it is arranged so that the print medium passes successively in front of each of these presses.
Les presses selon l'invention permettent d'obtenir des images de très bonne qualité, avec une densité d'impression comparable à celle des presses lithographiques.The presses according to the invention make it possible to obtain images of very good quality, with a print density comparable to that of lithographic presses.
La figure 3 représente plus en détail les étapes du procédé d'impression de l'invention par magnétoélectrostatographie. Ce procédé comporte une première étape sur lequel une zone de la bande soumise à un champ magnétique attire des particules 11 d'un toner magnétographique pulvérulent. La deuxième étape représente la fusion de ces particules 11 pulvérulentes de toner pour former un substrat durci 1 qui est maintenu sur la bande éventuellement par le magnétisme rémanent développé par celle-ci au voisinage du substrat mais surtout par les forces de liaison des polymères sur la bande métallique. La troisième étape représente la charge en surface du substrat durci 1 par des charges électrostatiques lors du passage dans la station corona. Cette opération développe en surface du substrat 1 fondu qui est constitué entre 60 et 90% de polymère, des charges électrostatiques pour former le substrat chargé 10. Les charges électrostatiques induites par le tube corona 16 sur la bande métallique 2 se dissipent dans celle-ci puisque la bande est conductrice. Enfin la quatrième étape représente le dépôt sur le substrat chargé 10 d'un toner électrostatique 9 chargé avec une polarité opposée à celle de la charge du substrat durci 10.FIG. 3 represents in more detail the stages of the printing process of the invention by magnetoelectrostatography. This method comprises a first step on which an area of the strip subjected to a magnetic field attracts
Le procédé décrit procure les avantages de réaliser un média résistant grâce à la fusion du toner magnétographique tout en s'affranchissant des problèmes de solution de mouillage ou de la présence du blanchet comme dans le procédé de magnétolithographie. En outre, ce procédé par le fait qu'il utilise des toners électrostatiques permet d'avoir une meilleure colorabilité qu'avec les toners magnétographiques car ces toners électrostatiques donnent en principe accès à toutes les couleurs.The method described provides the advantages of producing a resistant medium by melting the magnetographic toner while eliminating the problems of wetting solution or the presence of the blanket as in the magnetolithography process. In addition, this process by the fact that it uses electrostatic toners makes it possible to have better colorability than with magnetographic toners because these electrostatic toners in principle give access to all the colors.
De plus, l'intérêt fondamental du développeur magnétographique est de réduire au rôle de simple intermédiaire d'imagerie celui-ci afin de permettre le développement d'une image magnétique sur un médium métallique. Les temps de cycle beaucoup plus court que ceux de l'art antérieur sont ainsi obtenus. En effet les toners magnétiques étaient utilisés pour développer des images électrostatiques sur des médiums photoconducteurs qui eux ont des temps de cycle très long nécessitant des bandes de très grande longueur et donc résultant en des machines coûteuses. Enfin l'utilisation d'un médium photoconducteur relativement fragile et sensible à l'environnement ne permettrait pas la fusion ni la refonte du toner élément intermédiaire d'image.In addition, the fundamental interest of the magnetographic developer is to reduce this role to a simple imaging intermediary in order to allow the development of a magnetic image on a metallic medium. Cycle times much shorter than those of the prior art are thus obtained. In fact, magnetic toners were used to develop electrostatic images on photoconductive mediums which have very long cycle times requiring very large bands. length and therefore resulting in expensive machines. Finally, the use of a relatively fragile photoconductive medium sensitive to the environment would not allow the toner to be melted or recast.
Par ailleurs, l'étape de refusion du toner magnétographique permet de changer facilement l'image sur la bande.Furthermore, the step of remelting the magnetographic toner makes it possible to easily change the image on the tape.
Enfin, entre les différentes impressions, la bande pourvue du substrat durci pourra être régulièrement rechargée par le corotron (tube corona) à chaque tour (pour chaque copie) sans que cela impose une nouvelle phase d'imagerie.Finally, between the different prints, the strip provided with the hardened substrate can be regularly recharged by the corotron (corona tube) at each turn (for each copy) without this requiring a new imaging phase.
On a donc ainsi un système qui peut être utilisé de façon très souple, soit avec des temps de cycle très long et des rechargements électrostatique pendant le temps de cycle, soit avec des temps de cycle très court et de refusion avant une nouvelle phase d'imagerie.So we have a system that can be used very flexibly, either with very long cycle times and electrostatic recharging during the cycle time, or with very short cycle times and reflow before a new phase of imagery.
Claims (27)
- Method for printing at least one image, with a predetermined print run, using a press, by transferring a colouring vehicle (9) between an intermediate transfer element obtained by magnetic imaging and a print carrier (3), comprising at least: a phase of automatically producing the intermediate transfer element in the press by developing, on a substrate (2), zones that each have a different affinity with the colouring vehicle, some of which correspond to the image to be printed, characterised in that an isolating and hardenable material (1) is fixed to the substrate (2) in order to constitute these zones with different affinities,the isolating and hardenable material (1) is hardened and subjected to an electrostatic charge by any device (16) capable of charging it on the surface in order to confer on the zones representing the image the affinity with the colouring vehicle (9);the colouring vehicle (9) having electrostatic properties is deposited on the parts of the hardened material (1) that are electrostatically charged and finally the transfer of the colouring vehicle (9) to the print carrier (3) is effected by direct contact with the intermediate transfer element (2, 1).
- Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a stage of cleaning the transfer element by removing the hardenable material when a new image has to be printed.
- Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the colouring vehicle (9) is first charged with electrostatic charges of opposite polarity to the charge of the hardenable material (1).
- Method according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the hardenable material (1) is meltable, and the predetermined operation of the removal phase consists in melting the hardenable material (1) on the substrate (2), the substrate having low thermal inertia so that, immediately after melting and removal, the substrate (2) returns to the temperature it had before this phase, permitting the production of a new transfer element without delay.
- Method according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the hardenable material (1) can be attacked chemically, and the predetermined operation of the removal phase consists in a chemical attack of this hardenable material on the substrate (2), and in that the substrate (2) of the press is constituted so as not to be affected by this attack.
- Method according to Claim 5, characterised in that the substrate (2) cannot be dismantled from the press and is constituted so as to have low thermal inertia, so that the consequences of an increase in its temperature, as a result of chemical attack, are quickly diffused in order to allow the almost immediate production of a new intermediate transfer element after the removal of the hardenable material (1).
- Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that it consists in constituting the intermediate transfer element by depositing on the substrate (2), which cannot be dismantled from the press, a magnetic hardenable material (1) with the aid of a magnetic transfer device (21) comprising means (211) for taking the hardenable material (1) from a reservoir (210) and means for placing the hardenable material (1) at predetermined locations of the substrate (2), in order to constitute thereon an image corresponding to the patterns to be printed.
- Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the material (1) is hardenable by polymerisation.
- Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the material (1) is hardenable by melting.
- Printing press, for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for depositing a material at predetermined locations representing an image on an endless belt (2) carried on rollers (4 to 8) allowing it to be set in motion, characterised in that the endless belt is metallic, the material (1) deposited is hardenable and the press comprises at least one station (16) for electrostatically charging the hardened material and at least one station (17) supplying a colouring vehicle (9) having electrostatic properties for adhering to the hardened material (1) after its hardening in order to constitute thereon the patterns to be transferred to the print carrier (3).
- Press according to Claim 10, characterised in that it comprises means for removing and cleaning the hardened material (1).
- Press according to Claim 10, characterised in that it comprises means for electrostatically charging the hardened material (1) with a charge of given polarity.
- Press according to Claim 10, characterised in that the electrostatic charge of the hardened material is obtained by a corona device (16).
- Press according to Claim 10, characterised in that it comprises means (171, 172) for charging the colouring vehicle (9) with a polarity that is opposite that of the hardened material.
- Press according to Claim 14, characterised in that the colouring vehicle (9) is charged by triboelectricity, the press comprising, in the means (17) for supplying the colouring vehicle (9), a device (171, 172) ensuring that the colouring vehicle (9) is agitated so as to cause the particles to be charged by friction.
- Press according to Claim 10, characterised in that the material (1) can be hardened by causing it to be heated, then cooled, the press comprising means (14, 15) for heating with respect to the whole width, and a small part of the length, of the belt (2).
- Press according to Claim 16, characterised in that at least two heating means (14, 15) are arranged opposite one another, on either side of the two main faces of the belt (2).
- Press according to one of Claims 10 to 15, characterised in that the hardened material (1) can be removed by melting, the removal means being constituted by heating means (18) for remelting the hardened material (1), associated with means (19) for cleaning the remelted material.
- Press according to one of Claims 10 to 17, characterised in that the hardenable material (1) can be polymerised by exposing it to radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation, the press comprising means (14) making it possible to emit such radiation in the direction of the whole width, and a small part of the length of the belt (2).
- Press according to Claim 19, characterised in that the hardened material (1) can be removed by chemical attack, the press comprising means making it possible to project a chemical agent on the hardened material, associated with means (19) for cleaning the remelted material.
- Press according to one of Claims 18, 19 or 20, characterised in that the cleaning means (19), such as squeegees or scrapers, are arranged on the one hand so that the remelting or chemical attack of the material (1) is started before this material (1) comes into contact with the cleaning means, in order to facilitate their action and, on the other hand, so that their action is facilitated by natural gravity.
- Press according to Claim 10, characterised in that the belt (2) is metallic, and in that the press comprises means (21) for transferring a hardenable magnetic material (1) between a reservoir (210) and predetermined locations on the metallic belt.
- Press according to Claim 22, characterised in that the belt (2) is made of a magnetic material, and the means for transferring the magnetic material comprise on the one hand, on the side of the face of the belt on which the material has to be deposited, and close thereto, an opening for the material (1) to leave the reservoir (210) and, on the other hand, opposite the opening, on the side of the opposite face, an assembly (211) of magnetic heads, for selectively magnetising certain points on the belt and attracting material to these points.
- Press according to Claim 23, characterised in that the assembly (211) of magnetic heads can be displaced relative to the belt (2), in order to compensate the spacing between the heads and to constitute high print-quality patterns on the belt.
- Press according to Claim 10 or 24, for the multicolour printing of documents, in particular sheet-fed documents, characterised in that it comprises:- near the belt (2), a number n of stations (17A, 17B, 17C, 17D) for applying each electrostatic colouring vehicle to the material (1) after its hardening, equivalent to the number of base colours required for the printing, each station containing a different base colour from another;- a developed length of the belt (2) that is at least equal to n times the length of the largest document likely to be printed by the press;- servo-control means arranged so that just one of the stations (17A, 17B, 17C, 17D) for applying the colouring vehicle is active at any one time.
- Press according to Claim 25, characterised in that it comprises means (25, 26, 27) for applying the print carrier (3) against the belt, constituted by a sheet-feed supply device (25), a sheet-carrier cylinder (26) in rotating contact with the belt (2) and a device for collecting the printed sheets, and in that the servo-control means are arranged so that the sheet-carrier cylinder (26) effects n rotations in order to print one sheet completely.
- Press for the multi-colour printing of documents with the aid of n base colours, particularly continuous printing, characterised in that it comprises n presses according to any one of Claims 10 to 26, each having a single station (17) for applying a colouring vehicle, each station containing a different base colour from another, and in that it is arranged so that the print carrier passes successively in front of each of these presses.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR9307608A FR2709572B1 (en) | 1993-06-23 | 1993-06-23 | Method of printing at least one image and press for implementation. |
FR9307608 | 1993-06-23 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0631209A1 EP0631209A1 (en) | 1994-12-28 |
EP0631209B1 true EP0631209B1 (en) | 1997-12-03 |
Family
ID=9448453
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94401375A Expired - Lifetime EP0631209B1 (en) | 1993-06-23 | 1994-06-20 | Printing method with at least one image and press for executing this method |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US5644987A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0631209B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2763494B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2126283A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69407099T2 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2709572B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2000098831A (en) * | 1998-09-21 | 2000-04-07 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Method for regenerating printing plate material and printing machine |
JP3504158B2 (en) | 1998-09-29 | 2004-03-08 | 株式会社東芝 | A / D converter having frequency conversion function and wireless device using the same |
EP1155844B1 (en) * | 2000-05-17 | 2008-03-26 | Eastman Kodak Company | Method for adjusting the register in a multicolour printing machine |
DE10032703A1 (en) * | 2000-07-05 | 2002-01-17 | Koenig & Bauer Ag | Process and device in printing machines for imaging surfaces |
US9251458B2 (en) | 2011-09-11 | 2016-02-02 | Féinics Amatech Teoranta | Selective deposition of magnetic particles and using magnetic material as a carrier medium to deposit nanoparticles |
EP2784724A3 (en) | 2013-03-27 | 2015-04-22 | Féinics AmaTech Teoranta | Selective deposition of magnetic particles, and using magnetic material as a carrier medium to deposit other particles |
Family Cites Families (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3804511A (en) * | 1970-07-29 | 1974-04-16 | Pelorex Corp | Method and apparatus utilizing magnetic storage for transferring graphical information |
US4122456A (en) * | 1977-05-05 | 1978-10-24 | General Electric Company | Printing head and brush configuration for a magnetic printer |
EP0029877A1 (en) * | 1979-07-26 | 1981-06-10 | GENICOM Corporation | Magnetic printing head and method of manufacture |
JPS5719761A (en) * | 1980-07-10 | 1982-02-02 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Electrostatic printing method |
EP0047165B1 (en) * | 1980-09-03 | 1984-11-28 | Crosfield Electronics Limited | Improvements relating to rotary printing presses |
JPS58145970A (en) * | 1982-02-24 | 1983-08-31 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Image forming device |
US4636449A (en) * | 1982-06-28 | 1987-01-13 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Electrostatic printing process |
CA1198148A (en) * | 1982-06-28 | 1985-12-17 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Electrostatic printing process |
US4514744A (en) * | 1982-09-24 | 1985-04-30 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Electrostatic copying device employing thermally fluidizable medium on photosensitive belt |
JPS60172065A (en) * | 1984-02-16 | 1985-09-05 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Magnetic recording device |
JPS6158754A (en) * | 1984-08-30 | 1986-03-26 | Fujitsu Ltd | Color recorder |
JPS63135248A (en) * | 1986-11-28 | 1988-06-07 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Offset press |
JPH01274163A (en) * | 1988-04-27 | 1989-11-01 | Toshiba Corp | Image forming device |
JPH02244084A (en) * | 1989-03-16 | 1990-09-28 | Toshiba Corp | Image forming device |
JPH0317675A (en) * | 1989-06-15 | 1991-01-25 | Toshiba Corp | Image forming device |
US5016062A (en) * | 1990-01-02 | 1991-05-14 | Eastman Kodak Company | Multicolor image forming apparatus having improved registration |
DE69203148T3 (en) * | 1991-05-10 | 2003-01-16 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Press. |
US5129321A (en) * | 1991-07-08 | 1992-07-14 | Rockwell International Corporation | Direct-to-press imaging system for use in lithographic printing |
US5351617A (en) * | 1992-07-20 | 1994-10-04 | Presstek, Inc. | Method for laser-discharge imaging a printing plate |
-
1993
- 1993-06-23 FR FR9307608A patent/FR2709572B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-06-07 JP JP6148653A patent/JP2763494B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-06-20 EP EP94401375A patent/EP0631209B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-06-20 DE DE69407099T patent/DE69407099T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-06-20 US US08/262,500 patent/US5644987A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-06-20 CA CA002126283A patent/CA2126283A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2126283A1 (en) | 1994-12-24 |
DE69407099D1 (en) | 1998-01-15 |
EP0631209A1 (en) | 1994-12-28 |
JPH07146604A (en) | 1995-06-06 |
FR2709572B1 (en) | 1995-10-27 |
JP2763494B2 (en) | 1998-06-11 |
DE69407099T2 (en) | 1998-03-26 |
US5644987A (en) | 1997-07-08 |
FR2709572A1 (en) | 1995-03-10 |
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