EP1118470B1 - Method of lithographic printing with a reusable substrate - Google Patents
Method of lithographic printing with a reusable substrate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1118470B1 EP1118470B1 EP00200176A EP00200176A EP1118470B1 EP 1118470 B1 EP1118470 B1 EP 1118470B1 EP 00200176 A EP00200176 A EP 00200176A EP 00200176 A EP00200176 A EP 00200176A EP 1118470 B1 EP1118470 B1 EP 1118470B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- printing
- substrate
- plate
- ink
- cleaning
- 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
Links
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 title claims description 72
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 34
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 title claims description 34
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 55
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 32
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 26
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 17
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- WVDDGKGOMKODPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Benzyl alcohol Chemical compound OCC1=CC=CC=C1 WVDDGKGOMKODPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 9
- HZAXFHJVJLSVMW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-Aminoethan-1-ol Chemical group NCCO HZAXFHJVJLSVMW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- POAOYUHQDCAZBD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-butoxyethanol Chemical compound CCCCOCCO POAOYUHQDCAZBD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 235000019445 benzyl alcohol Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 229960004217 benzyl alcohol Drugs 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000005660 hydrophilic surface Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- -1 cathechol Chemical compound 0.000 description 7
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000015271 coagulation Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000005345 coagulation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 4
- ZMXDDKWLCZADIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N N,N-Dimethylformamide Chemical compound CN(C)C=O ZMXDDKWLCZADIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 3
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001600 hydrophobic polymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- YEYKMVJDLWJFOA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-propoxyethanol Chemical compound CCCOCCO YEYKMVJDLWJFOA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NNDHDYDFEDRMGH-CAEIVAEBSA-N Anthranoyllycoctonine Chemical compound C([C@]12CN(C3[C@@]4(O)[C@]5(O)[C@H]6[C@@H](OC)[C@@H]([C@H](C5)OC)C[C@H]6[C@@]3([C@@H]1[C@@H]4OC)[C@@H](OC)CC2)CC)OC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1N NNDHDYDFEDRMGH-CAEIVAEBSA-N 0.000 description 2
- KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorane Chemical compound F KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrochloric acid Chemical compound Cl VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000005030 aluminium foil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000006229 carbon black Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001940 conductive polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- SWXVUIWOUIDPGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N diacetone alcohol Chemical compound CC(=O)CC(C)(C)O SWXVUIWOUIDPGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004816 latex Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000126 latex Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002609 medium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910044991 metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 150000004706 metal oxides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000003960 organic solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000049 pigment Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009257 reactivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000005871 repellent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001117 sulphuric acid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- JPIGSMKDJQPHJC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol Chemical compound CC(O)OCCN JPIGSMKDJQPHJC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- IRTOOLQOINXNHY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol Chemical compound CC(O)NCCN IRTOOLQOINXNHY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- MWGRRMQNSQNFID-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-(2-methylpropoxy)propan-2-ol Chemical compound CC(C)COCC(C)O MWGRRMQNSQNFID-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HXKKHQJGJAFBHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-aminopropan-2-ol Chemical compound CC(O)CN HXKKHQJGJAFBHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- IDQBJILTOGBZCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-butoxypropan-1-ol Chemical compound CCCCOC(O)CC IDQBJILTOGBZCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JLBXCKSMESLGTJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-ethoxypropan-1-ol Chemical compound CCOC(O)CC JLBXCKSMESLGTJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LHENQXAPVKABON-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-methoxypropan-1-ol Chemical compound CCC(O)OC LHENQXAPVKABON-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940054273 1-propoxy-2-propanol Drugs 0.000 description 1
- FENFUOGYJVOCRY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-propoxypropan-2-ol Chemical compound CCCOCC(C)O FENFUOGYJVOCRY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GIAFURWZWWWBQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol Chemical compound NCCOCCO GIAFURWZWWWBQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LJDSTRZHPWMDPG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(butylamino)ethanol Chemical compound CCCCNCCO LJDSTRZHPWMDPG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BFSVOASYOCHEOV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-diethylaminoethanol Chemical compound CCN(CC)CCO BFSVOASYOCHEOV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-phenoxyethanol Chemical compound OCCOC1=CC=CC=C1 QCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-propanol Substances CC(C)O KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HRPVXLWXLXDGHG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acrylamide Chemical compound NC(=O)C=C HRPVXLWXLXDGHG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M Acrylate Chemical compound [O-]C(=O)C=C NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 229910000906 Bronze Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002307 Dextran Polymers 0.000 description 1
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 108010010803 Gelatin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- AVXURJPOCDRRFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydroxylamine Chemical compound ON AVXURJPOCDRRFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UXOXDDUEWZOAIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Inuline Natural products CCN1CC2(CC(=O)Oc3ccccc3N)CCC(OC)C45C6CC7C(CC(O)(C6C7OC)C(O)(C(OC)C24)C15)OC UXOXDDUEWZOAIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- AKNUHUCEWALCOI-UHFFFAOYSA-N N-ethyldiethanolamine Chemical compound OCCN(CC)CCO AKNUHUCEWALCOI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OPKOKAMJFNKNAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N N-methylethanolamine Chemical compound CNCCO OPKOKAMJFNKNAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002845 Poly(methacrylic acid) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004372 Polyvinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001328 Polyvinylidene chloride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004373 Pullulan Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001218 Pullulan Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002125 Sokalan® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 206010057040 Temperature intolerance Diseases 0.000 description 1
- GSEJCLTVZPLZKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Triethanolamine Chemical compound OCCN(CCO)CCO GSEJCLTVZPLZKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- SLINHMUFWFWBMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Triisopropanolamine Chemical compound CC(O)CN(CC(C)O)CC(C)O SLINHMUFWFWBMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZJCCRDAZUWHFQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Trimethylolpropane Chemical compound CCC(CO)(CO)CO ZJCCRDAZUWHFQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000001089 [(2R)-oxolan-2-yl]methanol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010489 acacia gum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000001785 acacia senegal l. willd gum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000783 alginic acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010443 alginic acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920000615 alginic acid Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229960001126 alginic acid Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 150000004781 alginic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VSCWAEJMTAWNJL-UHFFFAOYSA-K aluminium trichloride Chemical compound Cl[Al](Cl)Cl VSCWAEJMTAWNJL-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 150000001408 amides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000000129 anionic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- VNRZCPPHNPEBFC-UHFFFAOYSA-N anthranoyllycoctonine Natural products CCN1CC2(COC(=O)c3ccccc3N)CCC(OC)C45C2C(OC)C(O)(C14)C6(O)CC(OC)C7CC5(O)C6C7OC VNRZCPPHNPEBFC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012736 aqueous medium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010974 bronze Substances 0.000 description 1
- CDQSJQSWAWPGKG-UHFFFAOYSA-N butane-1,1-diol Chemical compound CCCC(O)O CDQSJQSWAWPGKG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000011089 carbon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 125000002091 cationic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000010980 cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003749 cleanliness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000084 colloidal system Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper tin Chemical compound [Cu].[Sn] KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052593 corundum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000012217 deletion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037430 deletion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002542 deteriorative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001993 dienes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- ZBCBWPMODOFKDW-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethanolamine Chemical compound OCCNCCO ZBCBWPMODOFKDW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LVTYICIALWPMFW-UHFFFAOYSA-N diisopropanolamine Chemical compound CC(O)CNCC(C)O LVTYICIALWPMFW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940043276 diisopropanolamine Drugs 0.000 description 1
- JGUQDUKBUKFFRO-CIIODKQPSA-N dimethylglyoxime Chemical compound O/N=C(/C)\C(\C)=N\O JGUQDUKBUKFFRO-CIIODKQPSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000159 gelatin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000008273 gelatin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019322 gelatine Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011852 gelatine desserts Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000008543 heat sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001247 metal acetylides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000004767 nitrides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229960005323 phenoxyethanol Drugs 0.000 description 1
- WVDDGKGOMKODPV-ZQBYOMGUSA-N phenyl(114C)methanol Chemical compound O[14CH2]C1=CC=CC=C1 WVDDGKGOMKODPV-ZQBYOMGUSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003227 poly(N-vinyl carbazole) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002432 poly(vinyl methyl ether) polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004584 polyacrylic acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002239 polyacrylonitrile Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000767 polyaniline Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000128 polypyrrole Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001282 polysaccharide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005017 polysaccharide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000004804 polysaccharides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920005553 polystyrene-acrylate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002451 polyvinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000019422 polyvinyl alcohol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005033 polyvinylidene chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- BDERNNFJNOPAEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N propan-1-ol Chemical compound CCCO BDERNNFJNOPAEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ULWHHBHJGPPBCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N propane-1,1-diol Chemical compound CCC(O)O ULWHHBHJGPPBCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000019423 pullulan Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005476 soldering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010186 staining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001897 terpolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- BSYVTEYKTMYBMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol Chemical compound OCC1CCCO1 BSYVTEYKTMYBMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012876 topography Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001845 yogo sapphire Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D7/00—Compositions of detergents based essentially on non-surface-active compounds
- C11D7/22—Organic compounds
- C11D7/26—Organic compounds containing oxygen
- C11D7/261—Alcohols; Phenols
-
- 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
- B41C1/1008—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme by removal or destruction of lithographic material on the lithographic support, e.g. by laser or spark ablation; by the use of materials rendered soluble or insoluble by heat exposure, e.g. by heat produced from a light to heat transforming system; by on-the-press exposure or on-the-press development, e.g. by the fountain of photolithographic materials
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41N—PRINTING PLATES OR FOILS; MATERIALS FOR SURFACES USED IN PRINTING MACHINES FOR PRINTING, INKING, DAMPING, OR THE LIKE; PREPARING SUCH SURFACES FOR USE AND CONSERVING THEM
- B41N3/00—Preparing for use and conserving printing surfaces
- B41N3/006—Cleaning, washing, rinsing or reclaiming of printing formes other than intaglio formes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/16—Organic compounds
- C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
- C11D3/2003—Alcohols; Phenols
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/16—Organic compounds
- C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
- C11D3/2068—Ethers
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D7/00—Compositions of detergents based essentially on non-surface-active compounds
- C11D7/50—Solvents
- C11D7/5004—Organic solvents
- C11D7/5022—Organic solvents containing oxygen
-
- 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
- B41C1/1008—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme by removal or destruction of lithographic material on the lithographic support, e.g. by laser or spark ablation; by the use of materials rendered soluble or insoluble by heat exposure, e.g. by heat produced from a light to heat transforming system; by on-the-press exposure or on-the-press development, e.g. by the fountain of photolithographic materials
- B41C1/1025—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme by removal or destruction of lithographic material on the lithographic support, e.g. by laser or spark ablation; by the use of materials rendered soluble or insoluble by heat exposure, e.g. by heat produced from a light to heat transforming system; by on-the-press exposure or on-the-press development, e.g. by the fountain of photolithographic materials using materials comprising a polymeric matrix containing a polymeric particulate material, e.g. hydrophobic heat coalescing particles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
- B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
- B41C2210/04—Negative working, i.e. the non-exposed (non-imaged) areas are removed
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
- B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
- B41C2210/08—Developable by water or the fountain solution
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
- B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
- B41C2210/22—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation characterised by organic non-macromolecular additives, e.g. dyes, UV-absorbers, plasticisers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
- B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
- B41C2210/24—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation characterised by a macromolecular compound or binder obtained by reactions involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. acrylics, vinyl polymers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
- B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
- B41C2210/26—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation characterised by a macromolecular compound or binder obtained by reactions not involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- B41C2210/264—Polyesters; Polycarbonates
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
- B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
- B41C2210/26—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation characterised by a macromolecular compound or binder obtained by reactions not involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- B41C2210/266—Polyurethanes; Polyureas
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41N—PRINTING PLATES OR FOILS; MATERIALS FOR SURFACES USED IN PRINTING MACHINES FOR PRINTING, INKING, DAMPING, OR THE LIKE; PREPARING SUCH SURFACES FOR USE AND CONSERVING THEM
- B41N3/00—Preparing for use and conserving printing surfaces
-
- C11D2111/20—
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D7/00—Compositions of detergents based essentially on non-surface-active compounds
- C11D7/22—Organic compounds
- C11D7/32—Organic compounds containing nitrogen
- C11D7/3218—Alkanolamines or alkanolimines
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Emergency Medicine (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Printing Plates And Materials Therefor (AREA)
- Manufacture Or Reproduction Of Printing Formes (AREA)
- Photosensitive Polymer And Photoresist Processing (AREA)
- Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a cleaning method for recycling the lithographic substrate of a printing master.
- In conventional lithographic printing, ink and an aqueous fountain solution are supplied to the surface of a printing master which contains ink-accepting (oleophilic) and water-accepting (hydrophilic) areas. The inked image pattern is then transferred from the surface of the master to a blanket cylinder having a compressible surface. From the blanket cylinder the image is impressed onto paper. The master is typically a printing plate which carries an image on a dimensionally stable substrate such as an aluminium sheet. The imaged aluminium plate is secured to the plate cylinder of a printing press by a mechanical lock-up mechanism which defines positional registration between the plate and the surface of the cylinder. After the end of the press-run, the mechanical lock-up system is released so that the printing plate carrying the printed image can be removed and discarded and another printing plate can be positioned and locked into place. A new print job can then be started.
- Printing masters are generally obtained by the so-called computer-to-film method wherein each colour selection is transferred to graphic arts film using an image-setter. After processing, the film can be used as a mask for the exposure of an imaging material called plate precursor and after plate processing, a printing plate is obtained which can be used as a master. These steps are usually performed in dedicated exposure and processing equipment and the printing plates are then transported to the printing press and attached to the printing cylinder by press operators using a lock-up mechanism built into the cylinder itself. Although the attachment of the printing cylinder is generally a manual operation, robotic means have been developed for positioning and securing the printing plates.
- In recent years the so-called computer-to-plate method has gained a lot of interest. This method, also called direct-to-plate method, bypasses the creation of film because the digital data are transferred directly to a plate precursor by means of a so-called plate-setter. On-press imaging is a direct-to-plate method (also called direct-to-press), wherein the image is exposed on the plate while said plate is mounted on the plate cylinder of a printing press. The major advantage of the latter method compared to off-press plate-making is the improved registration between printing stations of a multi-colour printing press.
- Two types of such on-press imaging methods are known. According to a first type, a printing plate precursor is mounted on a printing press, image-wise exposed, optionally developed, and then used as a printing master and finally removed from the press and disposed of, thus requiring a new plate material for each image. An example of this technology is the well-known Heidelberg Model GTO-DI, manufactured by Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG (Germany) which is described in detail in US 5,339,737. A drawback of this method is the need to use a new plate for each press-run, thus increasing the cost of the printing process.
- In a second type of on-press imaging systems, the same lithographic substrate is used in a plurality of press-runs (hereinafter called printing cycles). In each printing cycle, a heat-sensitive or photosensitive layer is coated on the lithographic substrate to make a printing plate precursor and after image-wise exposure and optional development a printing master is obtained. After the press-run, the ink-accepting areas of the printing master are removed from the lithographic substrate in a cleaning step so that the substrate is recycled and can be used in a next cycle of coating, exposing and printing without the need to mount a new plate on the cylinder. Examples of such on-press coating and on-press imaging systems are described in e.g. US 5,188,033; US 5,713,287; EP-A 786 337 and EP-A 802 457. The latter patent application describes an apparatus comprising a printing member, means for applying a uniform coating, means for scan-wise exposing said uniform coating in accordance with an image pattern and means for developing said uniform coating to leave an image on said printing member, the image consisting of ink-accepting areas on an ink-repellent background or ink-repellent areas on an ink-accepting background. According to a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles in a hydrophilic binder.
- In the known on-press coating methods, the cleaning of the lithographic substrate often fails because no suitable compromise can be found between the chemical reactivity of the cleaning liquid versus the ink-accepting areas which have to be removed on the one hand and the required inertness of said cleaning liquid versus the fragile lithographic surface on the other hand. A typical lithographic surface is mechanically as well as chemically quite vulnerable. A lithographic surface consists generally of a micro-pore structure in order to differentiate the spreading properties of the ink and the fountain. Anodised aluminium plates comprise a lithographic surface containing one or more metal oxides on which absorption phenomena can take place. These metal oxides are very susceptible to chemical conversion into forms which are no longer lithographically active.
- The above mentioned micro-porosity of a lithographic surface is also highly susceptible to mechanical damage. The presence of solid particles in cleaning liquids, which is often required for efficient mechanical cleaning of the lithographic surface, results inevitably in a disturbance of the micro-structure of said surface. Because ink and the coated imaging layer penetrate in the micro-pore structure, it is necessary to carry out a vigorous cleaning so as to avoid phantom images in the subsequent printing cycle, which are due to an insufficient removal of the previous image.
- In addition, the known cleaning liquids typically contain solvents which are harmful to hoses, pumps and sealings and/or require a very thorough rinsing with water because these liquids are not compatible with the coating step in the next printing cycle.
- US 4,880,555 and 5,203,926 describe plate cleaners which are used for restoring artefacts (contamination, fingerprints, scratches) in the non-image areas of a lithographic print master. Such cleaning liquids however are not capable of erasing the image areas. JP-A 61 219044 describes a deletion liquid comprising >50 wt.% of benzylalcohol and a small amount of hydrofluoric acid.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a lithographic printing method comprising a cleaning step whereby the ink-accepting areas of a printing master can be removed effectively so that the substrate can be reused in a next print cycle. More particularly, a cleaning step is required which is characterised by a low risk of deteriorating the lithographic surface of the substrate. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a printing method wherein a cleaning liquid is used which does not affect the hardware of the printing press or the cleaning apparatus, in particular a liquid which is inert towards rubber, and which does not require a long rinsing step after the cleaning.
- The above objects are obtained by the method of claim 1. The cleaning liquid defined in claim 1 effectively removes the ink-accepting areas of the printing master defined in claim 1. No ghost images are observed after several (>10) print cycles of coating, exposure, printing and cleaning. Rubber hoses and seals are not affected by the cleaning liquid and low amounts of water suffice in the optional rinsing step.
- Further objects of the present invention will become clear from the description hereinafter.
- Preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.
- The cleaning liquid used in the method of the present invention contains an alcohol. Suitable examples of the alcohol are: methoxypropanol, propoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, propanol, 2-(propyloxy) ethanol, phenoxyethanol, benzylalcohol, butoxypropanol, ethoxypropanol, 1-isobutoxy-2-propanol, 1-isomethoxy-2-propanol, 1-propoxy-2-propanol, diacetone alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, cathechol, trimethylolpropane, ethanediol, propanediol, and butanediol. 2-butoxyethanol and benzylalcohol are highly preferred. The alcohol can be a liquid alcohol which can be supplied to the printing master as an essentially pure liquid. More preferably, the cleaning liquid is an aqueous solution comprising an alcohol in an amount between 1% and 20% by weight, more preferably between 2% to 10 % by weight and most preferably between 2% and 5 % by weight.
- In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning liquid also contains an alkanolamine in a concentration of at most 20% by weight. Suitable examples of the alkanolamine are : diethanolamine, diethylethanolamine, diisopropanolamine, monoethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, aminoethoxyethanol, aminoethylaminoethanol, monopropanolamine, methylaminoethanol, hydroxylamine, N-butyl-ethanolamine, N-ethyldiethanolamine, diglycolamine, and dimethylglyoxime. Monoethanolamine is highly preferred.
- The cleaning liquid preferably also comprises a surfactant in an amount between 0.001% and 5% by weight.
- The above cleaning liquids are very suitable for removing the ink-accepting areas from a printing master which is obtained by coating a hydrophilic substrate with a coating solution containing hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles and a hydrophilic binder. The imaging material thus obtained is negative-working, i.e. hydrophobic areas are formed upon exposure. These areas define the printing areas of the master. It is believed that the applied heat induces a coagulation of the hydrophobic polymer particles, thereby forming a hydrophobic phase, whereas the hydrophobic polymer particles remain unchanged in the non-heated areas. Coagulation may result from heat-induced softening or melting of the thermoplastic polymer particles.
- The cleaning liquids of the present invention are capable of removing the ink remaining on the printing areas as well as the hydrophobic phase itself which gives rise to the ink-accepting properties of the printing areas. In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises two cleaning steps : first, an alcohol is supplied to the master so as to remove the ink and subsequently, an alkanolamine is used to remove the hydrophobic areas. Besides the alcohol and the alkanolamine, other solvents such as an amide, e.g. dimethylformamide or 2-N-methylpyrrolidone, can be supplied to the master, either as a mixture with the alcohol or alkanolamine, or in a separate cleaning step.
- The imaging material used in the present invention preferably contains hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles having an average particle size between 40 nm and 2000 nm, and more preferably between 40 nm to 200 nm, so as to improve sensitivity and throughput and to avoid scumming. Furthermore the polymer particles preferably have a coagulation temperature above 50°C and more preferably above 70°C. There is no specific upper limit to the coagulation temperature of the polymer particles, however the temperature should be sufficiently below the decomposition temperature of the polymer particles. Preferably the coagulation temperature is at least 10°C below the temperature at which the decomposition of the polymer particles occurs.
- Preferred examples of thermoplastic hydrophobic polymer particles for use the present invention have a Tg above 80°C. The weight average molecular weight of the polymers may range from 5,000 to 5,000,000 g/mol. Preferably the polymer particles are selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl carbazole etc., and copolymers or mixtures thereof. The most preferred examples are polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate or copolymers thereof.
- The polymer particles are present as a dispersion in the coating solution and may be prepared by the methods disclosed in US 3,476,937. Another method especially suitable for preparing an aqueous dispersion of the thermoplastic polymer particles comprises:
- dissolving the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer in an organic solvent which does not mix with water,
- dispersing the thus obtained solution in water or in an aqueous medium and
- removing the organic solvent by evaporation.
- Suitable hydrophilic binders for use in the present invention are preferably water-soluble (co)polymers for example synthetic homo- or copolymers such as polyvinylalcohol, a poly(meth)acrylic acid, a poly(meth)acrylamide, a polyhydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, a polyvinylmethylether or natural binders such as gelatin, a polysaccharide such as e.g. dextran, pullulan, cellulose, arabic gum, alginic acid, inuline or chemically modified inuline.
- The coating solution preferably contains surfactants which can be anionic, cationic, non-ionic or amphoteric. Perfluoro surfactants are preferred. Particularly preferred are non-ionic perfluoro surfactants. Said surfactants can be used alone or preferably in combination.
- The coverage of the coated layer ranges preferably from 0.3 to 20 g/m2, more preferably from 0.5 to 5 g/m2. The amount of hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles contained in the coated layer is preferably between 50 and 90 % by weight and more preferably between 60 and 80 % by weight of the total weight of said layer.
- The substrate used in the present invention can be a plastic support or a ceramic but is preferably a metal such as aluminium. The substrate has a hydrophilic surface and is preferably characterised by a roughness value of at least 0.2 µm, more preferably of at least 0.3 µm, e.g. electrochemically and/or mechanically grained and anodised aluminium. The substrate can be a sheet-like material such as a plate but, alternatively, the coating solution may be applied directly to the plate cylinder of a rotary printing press, said cylinder thereby acting as the substrate. The lithographic substrate can also be a seamless sleeve printing plate, obtained by e.g. soldering a plate into a cylindrical form by means of a laser. The sleeve then can be slid around the plate cylinder instead of mounting a conventional printing plate. More details on sleeves are given in "Grafisch Nieuws" , 15, 1995, page 4 to 6.
- The exposure of the imaging material obtained by coating the above coating solution on the lithographic substrate can be carried out by means of direct thermal recording using e.g. a thermal head, or by irradiation with high intensity light. In the latter embodiment, the heat-sensitive material preferably comprises a compound capable of converting light into heat, preferably a compound having sufficient absorption in the wavelength range of the light source used for image-wise exposure. Particularly useful compounds are for example dyes and in particular infrared dyes as disclosed in EP-A 908 307 and pigments and in particular infrared pigments such as carbon black, metal carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, bronze-structured oxides and oxides structurally related to the bronze family but lacking the A component e.g. WO2.9. It is also possible to use conductive polymer dispersions such as polypyrrole or polyaniline-based conductive polymer dispersions. The lithographic performance and in particular the print endurance obtained depends i.a. on the heat-sensitivity of the imaging material. In this respect it has been found that carbon black yields very good and favourable results.
- Image-wise exposure in the method of the present invention is preferably an image-wise scanning exposure involving the use of a laser or L.E.D. Preferably used are lasers that operate in the infrared or near-infrared, i.e. wavelength range of 700-1500 nm. Most preferred are laser diodes emitting in the near-infrared.
- The printing cycle of the present invention will be further described hereinafter according to a preferred embodiment. First, a grained and anodised aluminium plate is mounted on the plate cylinder of a rotary printing press. Then, the coating solution described above is sprayed on the hydrophilic lithographic surface of the plate, so as to form a continuous imaging layer. Preferred values of the spraying parameters have been defined in EP-A 1084830 and 1084862. The imaging layer is then image-wise exposed whereby the exposed areas are converted to hydrophobic ink-accepting areas while the unexposed areas remain hydrophilic. The hydrophobic areas define the printing areas of the master. Subsequently, printing is started by applying ink and a fountain solution to the printing master. In order to dissolve and remove the non-exposed areas of the coated layer effectively, only fountain solution is preferably supplied during a few revolutions of the press (10), and then also ink is fed to the plate. After the press-run, the lithographic substrate is recycled by treatment with a cleaning liquid as described above. Finally, the substrate can be rinsed and dried and then, a new printing cycle can be started by spraying the coating solution to the recycled substrate.
- The cleaning step can be executed in a cleaning unit similar to the known blanket cleaning system. According to that embodiment, a cloth is moistened with the cleaning liquid, contacted with the printed plate during 1 to 50, more preferably during 2 to 10 revolutions with a contacting pressure between 0.1 and 5 Pa at a rotation speed in the range of 2 to 50 m/min. Afterwards the contact between the printing surface and the cleaning cloth is disrupted and the cloth is transported until a dry and clean part of the cloth is available.
- The cleaner can also be applied by spraying, coating or jetting the cleaning liquid on the lithographic substrate or on the cloth. The removal of the ink-accepting areas can also be effected with another absorbing medium than a cloth. Cleaning can also be effected by combining the treatment with the cleaning liquid of the present invention with other means of mechanical rubbing such as a rotating brush or by jetting water or a volatile medium such as air, a solvent or dry ice pellets. Also vacuum extraction can be used during the cleaning treatment.
- The cleaning step is preferably followed by a rinsing step, wherein water is sprayed onto the substrate. The plate can then be dried with a cloth, e.g. using the same blanket cleaning system described above. Preferably the rinsing step involves only a slight moistening of the lithographic surface, i.e. not more than 50 ml/m2 of water is supplied to the plate. The rinsing step may be repeated several times, preferably between 2 to 5 times.
- All the steps of the method of the present invention are preferably performed on-press. Alternatively, the lithographic substrate can also be mounted on a drum in a dedicated coating apparatus (off-press coating) and subsequently be mounted on a plate setter for image-wise exposure (off-press exposure). Then, the printing master thus obtained can be mounted on a press cylinder and printing is started by supplying ink and a fountain solution. After the press-run, the plate can be cleaned as described above, either on-press or in a dedicated cleaning apparatus, and the recycled substrate can then be used again in a next printing cycle.
- The following examples illustrate the present invention without limiting it thereto. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.
- A 0.30 mm thick aluminium foil was degreased by immersing the foil in an aqueous solution containing 5 g/l of sodium hydroxide at 50°C and rinsed with demineralised water. The foil was then electrochemically grained using an alternating current in an aqueous solution containing 4 g/l of hydrochloric acid, 4 g/l of hydroboric acid and 5 g/l of aluminium ions at a temperature of 35°C and a current density of 1200 A/m2 to form a surface topography with an average center-line roughness Ra of 0.5 mµ.
- After rinsing with demineralised water, the aluminium foil was etched with an aqueous solution containing 300 g/l of sulphuric acid at 60°C for 180 seconds and rinsed with demineralised water at 25°C for 30 seconds.
- The foil was subsequently subjected to anodic oxidation in an aqueous solution containing 200 g/l of sulphuric acid at a temperature of 45°C, a voltage of 10 V and a current density of 150 A/m2 during 300 seconds to form an anodic oxidation film of 3.0 g/m2 of Al2O3, then washed with demineralised water and post-treated with a solution containing polyvinylphosphonic acid and subsequently with a solution containing aluminium trichloride, rinsed with demineralised water at 20°C during 120 seconds and dried.
- A 2.61% solution in water was prepared by mixing polystyrene latex, dye I and a hydrophilic binder. After spraying and drying, the resulting layer contained 75% of the polystyrene latex, 10% of the dye I and 15% of Glascol E 15™. Glascol E 15 is a polyacrylic acid, commercially available at N.V. Allied Colloids Belgium.
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- The above aluminium substrate was mounted on a drum, rotating at a line speed of 164 m/min. The above solution was coated on the substrate by means of an air-assisted spray nozzle, type SUJ1, available from Spraying Systems Belgium (Brussels). The spray nozzle was mounted at a distance of 80 mm from the substrate and the flow rate of the spray solution was set at 7 ml/min. During spraying, the nozzle was moved at a speed of 1.5 m/min and an air pressure of 7.58x105 Pa was used on the spray head. The coated layer was dried by applying hot air (70°C).
- The imaging material was exposed in a Creo 3244™ external drum plate setter at 2400 dpi and 150 rpm with a power setting of 15.5 Watt. The imaged plates was printed on a GTO 46 printing press with K + E 800 Skinnex ink and as fountain solution Rotamatic to a run length of 5000. The printing quality was excellent.
- The plate was mounted on a drum of a cleaning unit comparable to a typical blanket cleaning system. A cloth was moistened with an aqueous cleaning liquid comprising 2.5% of 2-butoxyethanol. The cleaning was carried out by contacting the cloth with the printing plate at a pressure of 9x10 4 Pa during 5 revolutions of the drum. The cloth was rotating relative to the plate at a speed of 20 m/min. Then, 30 ml/m2 of water was sprayed on the printing plate as a rinsing liquid, followed by contacting the moistened plate with a dry and clean part of the cloth (same settings as in the cleaning step, 1 revolution). The rinsing step was repeated another 4 times.
- The same procedure as in example 1 was repeated but the cleaning liquid contained 2.5% of 2-butoxyethanol and 3% of ethanolamine.
- The same procedure as in example 1 was repeated but two cleaning steps were performed : in a first step, an aqueous solution of 2.5% of 2-butoxyethanol was supplied and in a second step, an aqueous solution of 3% of ethanolamine was used. A single rinsing step was sufficient.
- The above sequence of spraying, imaging, printing, cleaning, rinsing and drying was repeated 10 times for each of the three cleaning liquids defined above. After each cycle, the plate cleanliness, coating quality and printing quality (staining, presence of ghost images) were evaluated visually. Each of the above cleaning liquids produced excellent results for all those criteria.
- The above cleaning liquids were tested on chemical reactivity towards rubber of the type EPDM (a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a non-conjugated diene), which is frequently used in blanket cleaning systems. After immersing the rubber in the cleaning liquid during 24 hours, the weight increase of the rubber (due to swelling) was measured. The cleaning liquids used in Examples 1, 2 and 3 caused a weight increase of at most 0.12%, which is regarded acceptable.
Claims (12)
- A direct-to-plate method of lithographic printing with a reusable substrate having a hydrophilic surface, the method including the steps of(a) making a negative-working imaging material by coating on the hydrophilic surface a coating solution comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles and a hydrophilic binder;(b) making a printing master having ink-accepting areas by image-wise exposing the imaging material;(c) applying ink and fountain solution to the printing master;(d) removing all the ink-accepting areas from the printing master by supplying an aqueous solution comprising between 1 and 20 % by weight of an alcohol.
- A method according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous solution further comprises an alkanolamine.
- A method according to claim 2 wherein the aqueous solution comprises at most 20 % by weight of the alkanolamine.
- A method according to claim 2 or 3 comprising two cleaning steps wherein first the alcohol is supplied to the printing master and then the alkanolamine.
- A method according to any of the previous claims further comprising a step (e) wherein the substrate is rinsed with water.
- A method according to claim 45 wherein water is supplied to the substrate during step (e) in an amount not higher than 50 ml/m2.
- A method according to any of the previous claims wherein during step (d) the printing master is rubbed by mechanical means such as a cloth, a rotating brush or by jetting water or a volatile medium.
- A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the alcohol is benzylalcohol or 2-butoxyethanol.
- A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the alkanolamine is ethanolamine.
- A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the substrate is a plate cylinder of a rotary printing press or a plate or sleeve mounted on a plate cylinder of a rotary printing press.
- A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the coating solution or the cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the substrate.
- Use of an aqueous solution comprising between 1 and 20 % by weight of an alcohol and preferably also an alkanolamine for removing all the ink-accepting areas from a lithographic printing master.
Priority Applications (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP00200176A EP1118470B1 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2000-01-18 | Method of lithographic printing with a reusable substrate |
DE60009255T DE60009255T2 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2000-01-18 | Flat printing process with a reusable carrier surface |
DE2000607953 DE60007953T2 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2000-11-14 | Device for the automatic coating and cleaning of lithographic printing plates |
DE2000622470 DE60022470T2 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2000-11-14 | "Direct-to-plate" lithographic printing process with automatic plate coating and cleaning |
EP00203967A EP1118473B1 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2000-11-14 | Apparatus for automatically coating and cleaning lithographic printing plates |
EP00203968A EP1142706B1 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2000-11-14 | Direct-to-plate lithographic printing method using automatic plate-coating and -cleaning |
US09/736,824 US6460458B2 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2000-12-14 | Method of planographic printing with a reusable substrate |
JP2001006399A JP2001253038A (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2001-01-15 | Method for lithographic printing using recyclable substrate |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP00200176A EP1118470B1 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2000-01-18 | Method of lithographic printing with a reusable substrate |
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EP1118470A1 EP1118470A1 (en) | 2001-07-25 |
EP1118470B1 true EP1118470B1 (en) | 2004-03-24 |
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EP00200176A Expired - Lifetime EP1118470B1 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2000-01-18 | Method of lithographic printing with a reusable substrate |
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EP (1) | EP1118470B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001253038A (en) |
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Cited By (6)
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US8011300B2 (en) | 2006-02-21 | 2011-09-06 | Moore Wallace North America, Inc. | Method for high speed variable printing |
US8136936B2 (en) | 2007-08-20 | 2012-03-20 | Moore Wallace North America, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate |
US8733248B2 (en) | 2006-02-21 | 2014-05-27 | R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company | Method and apparatus for transferring a principal substance and printing system |
US8869698B2 (en) | 2007-02-21 | 2014-10-28 | R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company | Method and apparatus for transferring a principal substance |
US8967044B2 (en) | 2006-02-21 | 2015-03-03 | R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Inc. | Apparatus for applying gating agents to a substrate and image generation kit |
US9463643B2 (en) | 2006-02-21 | 2016-10-11 | R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company | Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate |
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EP1287986A4 (en) | 2001-04-26 | 2006-11-29 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Method and device for regenerative processing and printing |
US9701120B2 (en) | 2007-08-20 | 2017-07-11 | R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company | Compositions compatible with jet printing and methods therefor |
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DE3276179D1 (en) * | 1981-12-07 | 1987-06-04 | Intercontinental Chem Corp | Method and use of a composition for cleaning and/or reclaiming printing screens |
JPS61219044A (en) * | 1985-03-25 | 1986-09-29 | Mitsubishi Chem Ind Ltd | Eraser for lithographic plate |
US4880555A (en) * | 1988-09-15 | 1989-11-14 | Hoechst Celanese Corporation | Enzyme hydrolyzed maltodextrin containing finisher/preserver/cleaner composition for lithographic printing plates |
US5203926A (en) * | 1992-03-06 | 1993-04-20 | Bondurant Louis E | Cleanser and desensitizer for printing equipment |
EP0770495B1 (en) * | 1995-10-24 | 2002-06-19 | Agfa-Gevaert | A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development |
EP0802457A1 (en) * | 1996-04-16 | 1997-10-22 | Agfa-Gevaert N.V. | Appartus for making and imaging a lithographic printing plate |
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2000
- 2000-01-18 EP EP00200176A patent/EP1118470B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-01-18 DE DE60009255T patent/DE60009255T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP2001253038A (en) | 2001-09-18 |
EP1118470A1 (en) | 2001-07-25 |
DE60009255D1 (en) | 2004-04-29 |
DE60009255T2 (en) | 2005-02-24 |
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