GB2173452A - Laser beam printing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Laser beam printing method and apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2173452A
GB2173452A GB08608306A GB8608306A GB2173452A GB 2173452 A GB2173452 A GB 2173452A GB 08608306 A GB08608306 A GB 08608306A GB 8608306 A GB8608306 A GB 8608306A GB 2173452 A GB2173452 A GB 2173452A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
microcapsules
addressed
ink
laser beam
walls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08608306A
Other versions
GB8608306D0 (en
Inventor
Daniel Arthur Varnam
Robert Martin Pettigrew
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PA Consulting Services Ltd
Original Assignee
PA Consulting Services Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PA Consulting Services Ltd filed Critical PA Consulting Services Ltd
Publication of GB8608306D0 publication Critical patent/GB8608306D0/en
Publication of GB2173452A publication Critical patent/GB2173452A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J13/00—Colloid chemistry, e.g. the production of colloidal materials or their solutions, not otherwise provided for; Making microcapsules or microballoons
    • B01J13/02—Making microcapsules or microballoons
    • B01J13/025—Applications of microcapsules not provided for in other subclasses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
    • B41M5/28—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used using thermochromic compounds or layers containing liquid crystals, microcapsules, bleachable dyes or heat- decomposable compounds, e.g. gas- liberating
    • B41M5/287—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used using thermochromic compounds or layers containing liquid crystals, microcapsules, bleachable dyes or heat- decomposable compounds, e.g. gas- liberating using microcapsules or microspheres only
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
    • B41M5/34—Multicolour thermography
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G9/00—Developers
    • G03G9/08—Developers with toner particles

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Photosensitive Polymer And Photoresist Processing (AREA)
  • Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)
  • Printing Methods (AREA)

Abstract

A method of printing comprises applying microcapsules containing ink to a surface, such as paper, exposing the microcapsules to a laser beam containing information corresponding to the image so that microcapsules addressed by the beam have their properties changed, and applying to the surface the ink in the addressed or non-addressed microcapsules e.g. by rupture of the microcapsules. Thus microcapsules retained on paper by electrostatic attraction may be rendered electrically conductive by the beam so as to be readily removed from the paper. The photoconductive properties of the microcapsules may be wavelength sensitive, for colour printing. Alternatively the beam may rupture the addressed microcapsules thereby depositing ink, or a chemical reaction in the walls may be initiated which may be completed by u.v. radiation.

Description

SPECIFICATION Printing method and apparatus Field of the invention.
This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for printing.
Summary of the invention.
According to one aspect of the invention a method of printing comprises applying- to a surface microcapsules containing ink, exposing the microcapsules to a laser beam containing information corresponding to the image to be printed onto the surface whereby certain microcapsules are addressed by the laser beam and thereby have their properties changed in comparison with non-addressed microcapsules, and applying to the surface the ink in the addressed or non-addressed microcapsules to apply the image to the surface.
It will be appreciated that the laser beam will normally contain the information in logic format and the image to be printed may correspond td the areas covered by the addressed microcapsules or to the areas covered by the non-addressed microcapsules. In any event, -the difference in properties between the addressed microcapsules and the non-addressed microcapsules enables a subsequent discrimination to be made, resulting in ink being applied to the surface only over the desired areas corresponding to the image to be printed.
The microcapsules may be applied to the surface by electrostatic means, such as by charging the surface and the microcapsules and then brushing the microcapsules onto the surface so that the microcapsules adhere to the surface, the resulting electrostatic attraction between the microcapsules and the surface retaining an even layer of microcapsules on the surface. In a preferred method the surface is a sheet of paper.
The addressed microcapsules may be such that the walls of the microcapsules are rendered electrically conductive by the laser - beam, the non-addressed microcapsules retaining their electrical non-conductivity. As a result, the electrostatic charge between the surface and the addressed microcapsules is neutralised, enabling the addressed microcapsules to be removed from the surface so as to leave the non-addressed microcapsules. The walls of the non-addressed microcapsules may then be ruptured in a subsequent printing operation, e.g. by passing the surface with the non-addressed microcapsules thereon, between two rollers. This final printing operation therefore transfers the desired image onto the surface.
The photoconductive properties of the microcapsule walls may be wavelength sensitive, providing for the possibility of colour printing.
For example, ink of a first colour may be contained in microcapsules the walls of which are sensitive to red laser light, and ink of a second colour may be contained in microcapsules the walls of which are sensitive to green laser light. Exposing the microcapsules to red laser light will therefore cause non-addressed microcapsules of the first colour to remain in position ready for printing, whilst exposure of the microcapsules to green laser light will leave the non-addressed microcapsules of the second colour adhering to the surface ready for subsequent printing. Instead of red and green laser light sources, both sources may have frequencies in the infra-red region of the spectrum.
As an alternative to neutralising the charge on addressed microcapsules, the laser beam may cause the walls of the addressed microcapsules to be rendered more permeable to ink. As a result, exposure of the microcapsules to the laser beam will cause the addressed microcapsules to rupture and deposit ink on the surface in a pattern corresponding to the required image, leaving the remaining microcapsules unruptured and ready to be removed.
Alternatively, the walls of the microcapsules may be such that exposure to infrared laser light initiates a chemical reaction (in the material of the walls of the microcapsules) which may then be completed in a further stage, eg by another light source, such as an ultra violet lamp which irradiates the whole array of microcapsules. Ink is then deposited on the paper in the required pattern or image.
According to another aspect of the invention apparatus for applying print to a surface comprises means for applying to the surface microcapsules containing ink, means for exposing the microcapsules to a laser beam containing information corresponding to the image to be printed on the surface whereby certain microcapsules are addressed by the laser beam and thereby have their properties changed in comparison with non-addressed microcapsules, and means for applying to the surface the ink in the addressed or non-addressed microcapsules.
A printing method according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Figs. 1 to 4 show the sequential stages in the exemplary method.
Microcapsules 10 having a diameter typically in the range 0.5 to 100 micrometers contain ink which is to be printed on paper 12. The walls of the microcapsule 10 and the paper 12 are first electrostatically charged, and the microcapsules 10 are then brushed onto the paper 12. The electrostatic attraction between the microcapsules 10 and the paper 12 ensures that an even layer of microcapsules 10 covers the paper 12 (Fig. 1).
Certain deposited microcapsules are then addressed by a laser beam 14 (Fig. 2), the addressed microcapsules being in areas over which the eventual printed image does not extend. The laser beam carries the information in logic format. The walls of the addressed microcapsules are rendered electrically conductive by the laser beam 14, but the non-addressed microcapsules 1 0a retain their electrical non-conductivity. Hence, the laser beam neutralises the charge between the paper 12 and the addressed microcapsules 10a, enabling the addressed microcapsules to be readily removed from the paper 12, leaving the non addressed microcapsules 10a (Fig. 3).
The walls of the remaining microcapsules 1 0a are then ruptured in a subsequent printing operation (Fig, 4). In this stage, the paper 12 with the non-addressed microcapsules 10a is passed between two rotatable rollers 16 which break the walls of the microcapsules 10a, releasing the ink which then forms the desired image on the required areas of the paper 12.

Claims (12)

1. A method of printing comprising applying to a surface microcapsules containing ink, exposing the microcapsules to a laser beam containing information corresponding to the image to be printed on to the surface whereby certain microcapsules are addressed by the laser beam and thereby have their properties changed in comparison with non-addressed microcapsules, and applying to the surface the ink in the addressed or non-addressed microcapsules to apply the image to the surface.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the microcapsules are applied to the surface by electrostatic means.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the surface and the microcapsules are electrostatically charged and the microcapsules are then brushed onto the surface so that the microcapsules adhere to the surface, the resulting electrostatic attraction between the microcapsules and the surface retaining an even layer of microcapsules on the surface.
4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the addressed microcapsules are such that the walls of the microcapsules are rendered -electrically conductive by the laser beam, the non-addressed microcapsules retain ing their electrical conductivity, the electrostatic charge between the surface and the ad dressed microcapsules being neutralised by the laser beam, enabling the addressed micro capsules to be removed from the surface so as to leave the non-addressed microcapsules.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the walls of the non-addressed microcapsules are ruptured in a subsequent printing oper ation.
6. A method according to any of the pre ceding claims, wherein the photoconductive properties of the microcapsule walls are wavelength sensitive for colour printing.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein ink of a first colour is contained in microcapsules the walls of which are sensitive to laser light of a first frequency, and ink of a second colour is contained in microcapsules the walls of which are sensitive to laser light of a second frequency, exposing the microcapsules to laser light of the first frequency causing nonaddressed microcapsules of the first colour to remain in position ready for printing, whilst exposure of the microcapsules to laser light of the second frequency leaves the non-addressed microcapsules of the second colour adhering to the surface ready for subsequent printing.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam causes the walls of the addressed microcapsules to be rendered more permeable to ink, wherey exposure of the microcapsules to the laser beam causes the addressed microcapsules to rupture and deposit ink on the surface in a pattern corresponding to the required image, leaving the remaining microcapsules unruptured and ready to be removed.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the walls of the microcapsules are such that exposure to infrared laser light initiates a chemical reaction in the material of the wall of the microcapsules, which is then completed in a further stage.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said further stage comprises irradiating the whole array of microcapsules by another light source, so that ink is deposited on the surface in the required pattern or image.
11. Apparatus for applying print to a surface, comprising means for applying to the surface microcapsules containing ink, means for exposing the microcapsules to a laser beam containing information corresponding to the image to be printed on the surface, whereby certain microcapsules are addressed by the laser beam and thereby have their properties changed in comparison with non-addressed microcapsules, and means for applying to the surface the ink in the addressed or non-addressed microcapsules.
12. A method of printing substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08608306A 1985-04-04 1986-04-04 Laser beam printing method and apparatus Withdrawn GB2173452A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB858508894A GB8508894D0 (en) 1985-04-04 1985-04-04 Printing method & apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8608306D0 GB8608306D0 (en) 1986-05-08
GB2173452A true GB2173452A (en) 1986-10-15

Family

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Family Applications (2)

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GB858508894A Pending GB8508894D0 (en) 1985-04-04 1985-04-04 Printing method & apparatus
GB08608306A Withdrawn GB2173452A (en) 1985-04-04 1986-04-04 Laser beam printing method and apparatus

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB858508894A Pending GB8508894D0 (en) 1985-04-04 1985-04-04 Printing method & apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB8508894D0 (en)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988007450A1 (en) * 1987-03-27 1988-10-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for laser transfer printing
DE3730842A1 (en) * 1987-09-14 1989-03-23 Siemens Ag Device for laser transfer printing
WO1989002832A1 (en) * 1987-09-22 1989-04-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Laser beam-induced colour printing
US4824691A (en) * 1986-03-27 1989-04-25 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Imaged microcapsule-coated paper
US4874919A (en) * 1987-01-14 1989-10-17 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Laser apparatus for repetitively marking a moving sheet
DE3929639A1 (en) * 1988-09-06 1990-05-03 Mitsubishi Electric Corp PRINTER
US4961080A (en) * 1988-02-16 1990-10-02 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Laser marker with mask scanning
DE3911813A1 (en) * 1989-04-11 1990-10-18 Siemens Ag Laser printer - has lens system to focus the laser beam at tensed ink-filled microcapsules
US5232780A (en) * 1989-05-31 1993-08-03 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Microcapsules with a polymeric capsule wall
US5352495A (en) * 1989-02-16 1994-10-04 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Treatment of a surface by laser energy
EP3210793A1 (en) 2016-02-26 2017-08-30 LPKF Laser & Electronics AG Method and device for transferring a printing substance to a substrate by means of a laser beam
DE102017110040A1 (en) * 2017-05-10 2018-11-15 LPKF SolarQuipment GmbH Printing apparatus and printing method for transferring a printing substance from an endlessly circulating printing substance carrier to a substrate

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1157918A (en) * 1966-12-23 1969-07-09 Rca Corp Automatic Type Composition
GB2006117A (en) * 1977-10-25 1979-05-02 Solution Sciences Inc Direct laser printing and forming apparatus
GB2159464A (en) * 1983-06-01 1985-12-04 Direct Laser Printing Corp Laser printer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1157918A (en) * 1966-12-23 1969-07-09 Rca Corp Automatic Type Composition
GB2006117A (en) * 1977-10-25 1979-05-02 Solution Sciences Inc Direct laser printing and forming apparatus
GB2159464A (en) * 1983-06-01 1985-12-04 Direct Laser Printing Corp Laser printer

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4824691A (en) * 1986-03-27 1989-04-25 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Imaged microcapsule-coated paper
US4874919A (en) * 1987-01-14 1989-10-17 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Laser apparatus for repetitively marking a moving sheet
WO1988007450A1 (en) * 1987-03-27 1988-10-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for laser transfer printing
DE3730842C2 (en) * 1987-09-14 1999-02-25 Eastman Kodak Co Ribbon for a device for laser transfer printing
DE3730842A1 (en) * 1987-09-14 1989-03-23 Siemens Ag Device for laser transfer printing
WO1989002832A1 (en) * 1987-09-22 1989-04-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Laser beam-induced colour printing
US5157412A (en) * 1987-09-22 1992-10-20 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Laser beam-induced color printing
US4961080A (en) * 1988-02-16 1990-10-02 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Laser marker with mask scanning
DE3929639A1 (en) * 1988-09-06 1990-05-03 Mitsubishi Electric Corp PRINTER
US5352495A (en) * 1989-02-16 1994-10-04 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Treatment of a surface by laser energy
DE3911813A1 (en) * 1989-04-11 1990-10-18 Siemens Ag Laser printer - has lens system to focus the laser beam at tensed ink-filled microcapsules
DE3911813C2 (en) * 1989-04-11 1998-08-13 Eastman Kodak Co Method and device for laser radiation-induced transfer printing with an ink carrier with microcapsules
US5232780A (en) * 1989-05-31 1993-08-03 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Microcapsules with a polymeric capsule wall
EP3210793A1 (en) 2016-02-26 2017-08-30 LPKF Laser & Electronics AG Method and device for transferring a printing substance to a substrate by means of a laser beam
US9849692B2 (en) 2016-02-26 2017-12-26 Lpkf Laser & Electronics Ag Method and apparatus for transferring a printing substance onto a substrate by means of laser radiation
DE102017110040A1 (en) * 2017-05-10 2018-11-15 LPKF SolarQuipment GmbH Printing apparatus and printing method for transferring a printing substance from an endlessly circulating printing substance carrier to a substrate
WO2018206218A1 (en) 2017-05-10 2018-11-15 LPKF SolarQuipment GmbH Printing device and printing method for transferring a printing substance from a continuously circulating printing substance carrier onto a substrate
DE102017110040B4 (en) * 2017-05-10 2020-08-27 LPKF SolarQuipment GmbH Printing device and printing method for transferring a printing substance from an endlessly rotating printing substance carrier to a substrate

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8508894D0 (en) 1985-05-09
GB8608306D0 (en) 1986-05-08

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