JP2007269025A - Printing plate, processing apparatus, printing apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an image to be formed on a single molecular film without following mechanical contact and enable image forming and printing of high resolution to be carried out in case of forming an image by selectively removing the single molecular film formed on the surface of a base material. <P>SOLUTION: The surface 1a of the base material 1 to which required surface characteristics are given has a monomolecular film 2 having surface characteristics contrary to that. Then the monomolecular film 2 contains an optical absorbing material which develops separating action for separating the combination of the monomolecular film 2 and the base material 1 with light. A required image is formed by selectively separating the monomolecular film 2 from the surface of the base material 1 to remove it by irradiation with the light to form a required film. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing plate formed by selectively removing a monomolecular film formed on the surface of a substrate, a plate making apparatus for making the printing plate, and a monomolecule formed on the surface of the substrate. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and an image forming method for performing printing by selectively removing a film and forming an image.

  In lithographic printing, printing plates with various configurations are used. For example, an image forming layer made of a photosensitive resin is formed on the surface of a substrate, and the image forming layer is selectively cured by exposure, and then an uncured portion. An image is formed by removing an image and forming an image forming layer made of silicon resin on the surface of the base material, and selectively removing the image forming layer by exposure to form an image. The thing of the structure which was made is used abundantly.

On the other hand, a printing method having a configuration in which an image forming layer is formed of a monomolecular film is disclosed (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). According to this, it is possible to form an image forming layer by a simple operation of applying a material solution to the surface of a substrate by adopting a material having a self-organizing characteristic as a material for forming a monomolecular film. This makes it easy to produce a printing plate having a durability that can withstand printing of a large number of copies.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-305494 WO98 / 34795

  However, in the conventional printing method using a monomolecular film, in order to selectively separate and remove the image forming layer composed of the monomolecular film, a configuration in which heating is performed with a thermal head is employed. However, in order to maintain this close contact properly, the thermal head is pressed against the printing plate and the mechanical error between the two is handled by elastic deformation of the printing plate and components. In addition, it is necessary to devise measures to suppress damage and wear of the printing plate and components due to mechanical contact, which limits the material of the base material of the printing plate and the configuration of the printing apparatus. It has the difficulty of becoming complicated. Furthermore, since the heating of the monomolecular film by the thermal head is due to heat conduction by contact between the solids, it is difficult to narrow the heating range and there is a disadvantage that high resolution is limited.

  The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is to selectively remove the monomolecular film formed on the surface of the substrate to form an image. A printing plate, a plate making apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing plate that are capable of forming an image on a monomolecular film without mechanical contact, and capable of forming and printing with a high resolution. It is to provide an image forming method.

  In order to achieve such an object, in the printing plate according to the present invention, as shown in claim 1, a monomolecular film having a hydrophobic surface property is formed on the surface of the substrate via a siloxane bond, and The monomolecular film contains a light-absorbing substance that expresses the separation action of separating the bond between the monomolecular film and the base material by light, and the monomolecular film is selectively separated and removed from the surface of the base material by light irradiation. The hydrophilic siloxane was exposed to form a required image.

  According to this, it becomes possible to form an image (patterning) on the monomolecular film without mechanically contacting the monomolecular film with an image forming means such as a thermal head, and there are less restrictions on the material of the base material and the device configuration is reduced. Complexity can be avoided. Furthermore, since image formation is performed with light having straightness, high-resolution image formation is possible compared to heat conduction from the thermal head.

  In this case, the monomolecular film is preferably a self-assembled monomolecular film in which a highly molecularly arranged monomolecular film is obtained by contact with a material solution containing a monomolecular film forming material, but the monomolecular film formed on the water surface An LB film formed by an LB (Langmuir-Blodgett) method in which a monomolecular film is formed by an operation of transferring the film onto a substrate by a mechanical method is also possible. The LB film is fixed to the surface of the base material mainly by physical adsorption by van der Waals force. However, in the self-assembled monomolecular film, the functional group at the molecular end is selectively chemisorbed to the constituent atoms of the substrate. In addition, since it is firmly fixed to the substrate via a chemical bond such as a covalent bond or a coordinate bond, a monomolecular film that does not easily peel can be obtained, and excellent printing durability can be realized.

  In addition, the light-absorbing substance is required to have a characteristic that can obtain a separation effect sufficient to break the bond between the monomolecular film and the substrate by appropriate light irradiation. Thus, light having a wavelength corresponding to the light absorption region of the light absorbing material, particularly laser light, may be used, and high resolution can be achieved by adjusting the beam diameter of the laser. In addition, when infrared light or ultraviolet light is used, a light absorbing material having a light absorbing ability suitable for the wavelength may be employed. As the light absorbing material, pigment materials such as methylene blue, carbon black, and laser absorbing dyes are suitable.

  Furthermore, as an example of the case where a light-absorbing substance is included on the monomolecular film side, a structure in which the monomolecular film forming material itself has light absorption characteristics, or a structure in which the light-absorbing substance is dispersed in the monomolecular film forming material. Can be mentioned.

  Further, in this printing plate, the exposed monomolecular film of the exposed part is removed and the surface of the base material is exposed, and either the exposed part of the base material or the covered part of the monomolecular film is ink. Since the other part becomes the non-image part where the ink should be excluded and the ink is preferentially attached to the part set in the image part, the required surface depends on the properties of the ink used. Gives properties (ink acceptability) to the substrate and monomolecular film. That is, in the case of water-based inks, it is preferable to select surface characteristics based on the difference in affinity for water, and to make the image area portion hydrophilic and the non-image area portion hydrophobic and water-repellent. On the other hand, in the case of oil-based inks, it is preferable to select surface characteristics based on the difference in affinity for oil, to make the image area portion oleophilic and the non-image area portion oleophobic and oil-repellent. In addition, when a treatment for adhering dampening water to a hydrophilic non-image area is performed to improve the oil ink exclusion and repulsion, a clear printed image can be obtained.

  Moreover, in the said printing plate, the monomolecular film can take the structure formed through the siloxane (Si-O) bond on the surface of the base material. According to this, the surface molecule of the base material and the constituent molecules of the monomolecular film are firmly bonded, and the monomolecular film does not easily peel from the base material, and a printing plate having high printing durability can be obtained. . Furthermore, a monomolecular film can be easily formed by the contact between the material liquid in which the silane compound is dispersed and the base material by utilizing the self-organizing characteristics. In this case, a silane compound having an alkoxy group is suitable, and a silane compound selected from trialkoxysilane or tetraalkoxysilane is particularly desirable. Further, the substrate preferably has active hydrogen on the surface, in particular, has hydroxyl groups on the surface at a high density, and when a metal is used, a substrate having an oxide film formed on the surface is preferable. For materials such as plastics that do not have sufficient hydroxyl groups on the surface, hydroxyl groups may be formed by acid treatment or the like.

  In the printing plate, as shown in claim 2, the monomolecular film may be composed of molecules having a hydrocarbon group at the surface-side end. According to this, it is possible to impart hydrophobicity to the surface of the monomolecular film, which is suitable when an oil-based ink is used by forming a streak portion at the covered part of the monomolecular film, thereby producing a clear printed image. Obtainable. In contrast, in order to make the surface of the monomolecular film hydrophilic, a monomolecular film having a hydrophobic surface is once formed on the substrate, and then a molecule having a hydrophilic group is formed thereon via a chemical bond. It is possible to fix them.

  In the printing plate, as shown in claim 3, the monomolecular film can be constituted by molecules having a fluorocarbon group at the terminal on the surface side. According to this, it is possible to impart lipophilicity and water repellency to the surface of the monomolecular film, which is suitable for the case where oil-based ink is used by forming a streaked portion with a coating portion of the monomolecular film, thereby making it clear. A printed image can be obtained.

  In the printing plate, as shown in claim 4, the monomolecular film can be composed of molecules having at least one of a chlorosilane group, an alkoxysilane group, and an isocyanatesilane group. According to this, a strong monomolecular film via a siloxane bond can be formed on the surface of the substrate.

  In the printing plate, as shown in claim 5, the monomolecular film can be composed of molecules having a linear portion having 8 or more carbon atoms. According to this, the molecular chains of the constituent molecules of the monomolecular film are less likely to be disturbed, the group for imparting the required surface characteristics is located on the surface side of the monomolecular film, and the desired surface characteristics are Can be reliably applied.

  Moreover, in the plate making apparatus in this invention, as shown in Claim 6, light is irradiated with respect to the printing plate in any one of Claims 1-5, and the said monomolecular film | membrane is irradiated from the surface of the said base material. A light irradiation means for selectively separating and removing the light to form a required image is provided.

  According to this, image formation (patterning) is possible by light irradiation, and inconvenience due to mechanical contact is avoided, and high-resolution plate making is possible. In this case, off-press imaging is performed outside the printing apparatus, and printing is performed by replacing the printing plate on which imaging has been completed with the printing apparatus.

  Moreover, in the printing apparatus in this invention, as shown in Claim 7, light is irradiated with respect to the printing plate in any one of Claims 1-5, and the said monomolecular film | membrane is irradiated from the surface of the said base material. A light irradiation means for selectively separating and removing the light to form a required image is provided.

  According to this, image formation (patterning) is possible by light irradiation, and inconvenience due to mechanical contact is avoided, and high-resolution printing is possible. In this case, on-press image formation is performed on the printing plate on the printing device, and it is not necessary to strictly align the mechanical printing plate on the printing device, so skill is required for mounting the printing plate. However, the mounting of the printing plate is completed in a short time, and work efficiency can be improved. The printing apparatus includes, in addition to the light irradiation means, a plate holding means for holding the printing plate in a detachable manner, and an ink application means for applying ink to the printing plate on which image formation has been completed. A printed image is obtained by transferring an image formed with the ink to a substrate.

  Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in claim 8, an image carrier and a monomolecular film having a hydrophobic surface property and containing a light absorbing substance are formed on the surface of the image carrier through a siloxane bond. Irradiating the light-absorbing substance contained in the monomolecular film with light that causes a separation action to break the bond between the base material of the image carrier and the monomolecular film, The monomolecular film is selectively separated and removed from the surface of the body to expose the hydrophilic siloxane to form a required image.

  According to this, image formation (patterning) is possible by light irradiation, and inconvenience due to mechanical contact is avoided, and high-resolution printing is possible. In this case, there is no need for a printing plate, and there is no need to change the printing plate. When a printed image is updated to a new one, the image can be rewritten on the image carrier. In this case, it is advisable to use a material having a self-organizing characteristic as a material for forming a monomolecular film, and reapply the material liquid after simple cleaning that removes foreign matters such as ink while leaving the monomolecular film before the update as it is Thus, a new image forming layer that has not been formed can be formed, and the image can be easily rewritten. In addition to the monomolecular film forming unit and the light irradiation unit, the printing apparatus includes an ink application unit that applies ink to the surface of the image carrier, and an image formed with the ink on the image carrier is to be printed. To obtain a printed image. In the present printing apparatus, a base material and a monomolecular film having the same configuration as the printing plate described in claims 2 to 5 can be applied. In this case, a member that forms the surface of the image carrier Corresponds to the substrate.

  In the printing apparatus, as shown in claim 9, the monomolecular film forming means may be a roller for applying a material liquid containing a monomolecular film forming material onto the surface of the image carrier. According to this, a uniform monomolecular film can be easily formed with a simple configuration. In this case, the roller may be configured to include a sponge layer that soaks and holds the material liquid. In addition, as the material for forming the monomolecular film, a material having a self-organizing characteristic such as a silane compound is adopted, and a solution in which the material is dispersed in a required solvent is preferably used as the material liquid.

  In the printing apparatus, as shown in claim 10, it is possible to adopt a configuration having an image forming surface cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the image carrier when the print image is updated. According to this, by cleaning the surface of the image carrier prior to the formation of the monomolecular film for image formation, it is possible to avoid the problem that foreign matters such as ink inhibit the formation of a uniform monomolecular film. When updating the printed image, it is not necessary to remove the pre-updated monomolecular film, and a monomolecular film is uniformly formed on the surface of the image carrier by applying the material liquid on top of this.

  In the printing apparatus, as shown in claim 11, the image-forming surface cleaning means includes a wiping material for wiping off foreign matter adhering to the surface of the image carrier, and a cleaning liquid supply source for allowing the cleaning liquid to soak into the wiping material. The structure which consists of can be taken. According to this, stains such as ink adhering to the surface can be reliably removed. In this case, the wiping material is preferably made of a fabric such as a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric, and is taken out from one of the rollers to clean the surface of the image carrier, and then wound around the other roller and collected.

  In the printing apparatus, as shown in claim 12, when the print image is updated, the material liquid containing the material for forming the monomolecular film is applied in an overlapping manner without removing the monomolecular film before the update. be able to. According to this, when updating a printed image, it is not necessary to remove the monomolecular film before the update, and the monomolecular film is uniformly formed on the surface of the image carrier by applying the material liquid on top of this. .

  In the printing apparatus, as shown in claim 13, oil-based ink is used, and a dampening water supply means for supplying dampening water prior to application of the oil-based ink can be employed. According to this, the fountain solution which improves the repellent property of the oil-based ink adheres to the hydrophilic non-image area, and the ink is surely removed, and a clear printed image can be obtained. In this case, a metal oxide film having a hydroxyl group on the surface is formed on a substrate for the convenience of forming a monomolecular film by chemical bonding of a silane compound, and the surface is effective for a hydrophilic property.

  In the printing apparatus, as shown in claim 14, an intermediate transfer body that mediates transfer of an image to a printing material with ink and an intermediate transfer body cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer body are employed. be able to. According to this, since the image formed with the ink formed on the printing plate or the image carrier is temporarily transferred from here to the intermediate transfer member and then transferred to the printing material, the printing plate or the image carrier is covered. Damage caused by direct contact with the printed material can be avoided. Since the intermediate transfer member cleaning means removes foreign matters such as ink and paper dust on the intermediate transfer member, a clear printed image can be obtained. In this case, the cleaning of the intermediate transfer member is preferably performed at a constant period or when the print image is updated.

  In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the image carrier and a monomolecular film having a hydrophobic surface characteristic and containing a light absorbing material are formed on the surface of the image carrier via a siloxane bond. Irradiating the light-absorbing substance contained in the monomolecular film with light that exhibits a separation action for separating the bond between the substrate of the image carrier and the monomolecular film, and The monomolecular film is selectively separated and removed from the surface of the substrate to expose the hydrophilic siloxane to form a required image, and from the image carrier on which the required image is formed to the substrate A configuration having an intermediate transfer member for transferring an image can be employed.

  In the printed material according to the present invention, as shown in claim 16, the printed material used in the printing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the required image formed on the image carrier by the light irradiation means is the printed material. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the transfer is performed via an intermediate transfer member.

  In the base material in the present invention, as shown in claim 17, the monomolecular film having a hydrophobic surface characteristic is a base material formed through a siloxane bond, and is a separation that separates the bond with the monomolecular film. A light-absorbing substance that exhibits an action by light is included in the monomolecular film, and the monomolecular film is selectively separated and removed by light irradiation to expose the hydrophilic siloxane so that a desired image is formed. The configuration can be taken.

  In addition, in the image forming method according to the present invention, as shown in claim 18, monomolecular film formation in which a monomolecular film having a hydrophobic surface property and containing a light-absorbing substance is formed on a surface of a substrate via a siloxane bond. Irradiating the light-absorbing substance contained in the monomolecular film with light that causes a separation action to break the bond between the base material and the monomolecular film, and selecting the monomolecular film from the surface of the base material And a light irradiation step of exposing and removing the hydrophilic siloxane to form a required image.

  According to this, since image formation (patterning) is performed by light irradiation, inconvenience due to mechanical contact is avoided and high-resolution printing is possible. In addition to the monomolecular film formation step and the light irradiation step, this image forming method includes an ink application step of applying ink to the surface of the substrate, and an image formed with the ink formed on the surface of the substrate. And a transfer step of transferring to the substrate. In this case, in a configuration using a printing plate, a base (a metal plate such as an aluminum alloy or a synthetic resin film) corresponds to the base material, and in a configuration using no printing plate, an image carrier such as a cylinder is formed. A member constituting the surface corresponds to the base material.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the light-absorbing substance exhibits a separating action by light irradiation to separate and remove the monomolecular film, so that it is possible to form an image on the monomolecular film without mechanical contact. Inconvenience due to mechanical contact such as restrictions on the material of the base material of the printing plate and complication of the configuration of the printing apparatus can be eliminated. Furthermore, since image formation is performed with light having straightness, high resolution can be easily realized.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a first example of a printing plate according to the present invention. In this printing plate, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), a monomolecular film 2 having surface properties contrary to this is uniformly formed on the surface 1a of the substrate 1 to which required surface properties are given, A surface layer 3 made of a light-absorbing heat-generating substance that expresses a heat generation action that breaks the bond between the monomolecular film 2 and the base material 1 by light is formed on the base material 1 and is formed in the plate making process shown in FIG. When the laser beam is partially irradiated according to the power image information (light irradiation process), the light irradiation portion 5 in the surface layer 3 of the substrate 1 generates heat and the bonds of the constituent molecules 4 of the monomolecular film 2 in the vicinity thereof are cut off. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1C, the monomolecular film 2 is selectively separated and removed from the surface 1a of the substrate 1, so that a required image is formed. In addition, since the amount removed by image formation is very small, post-treatment such as washing with water is not particularly necessary.

  The surface layer 3 of the base material 1 is provided with a light absorption and heating function by applying a coloring treatment of a hue that absorbs infrared laser light to the aluminum oxide film. The surface layer 3 may be made of a dye material having a hue that absorbs infrared laser light, or may have a structure in which a dye material is dispersed. For example, it is also possible to apply a paint containing a pigment substance having a required light absorption ability to form a coating film having a light absorption heat generation ability.

  Here, the monomolecular film coating portion 7 remaining without removing the monomolecular film 2 becomes an image line portion to which ink is to be attached, and the surface thereof is hydrophobic to accept oil-based ink. The substrate exposed portion 8 from which the monomolecular film 2 is removed and the surface 1a of the substrate 1 is exposed becomes a non-image portion where the ink is to be excluded. This is hydrophilic due to the aluminum oxide forming the surface layer 3. .

  The monomolecular film 2 is formed of octadecyltrichlorosilane, which is a linear molecule having a chlorosilane group at one end and a hydrocarbon group at the other end, and a group having a hydroxyl group by the chlorosilane group. A monomolecular film excellent in printing durability is formed on the surface of the material via a siloxane (Si—O) bond. In addition, octadecyltrichlorosilane has a self-organizing property that forms a monomolecular film on a solid surface by a spontaneous adsorption and self-control process of molecules, and an operation in which a solution in which this is dispersed is applied to the substrate 1. The monomolecular film 2 can be easily formed. Furthermore, octadecyltrichlorosilane has a hydrocarbon group located at the end on the surface side of the monomolecular film 2, the surface of the monomolecular film 2 is hydrophobic, and oil-based ink can be preferentially attached, and carbon Since it is a linear molecule having 18 numbers, the molecular chain is hardly disturbed, and the required surface characteristics can be ensured.

  The material for forming the monomolecular film 2 may be octadecyltriethoxysilane having an alkoxysilane group or a silane compound having an isocyanatesilane group instead of the chlorosilane group. In addition, in order to give the monomolecular film 2 the required surface characteristics, that is, hydrophobicity, it is possible to have a fluorocarbon group at the end on the surface side instead of a hydrocarbon group, and among these, a siloxane bond is formed. An example is a fluoroalkylsilane compound.

  The material for forming the monomolecular film 2 includes an amphiphilic molecule having both a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part, for example, a hydrophilic part made of a carboxyl group and a hydrophobic part made of a hydrocarbon group. A linear hydrocarbon carboxylic acid such as arachidic acid, or one having an amino group in place of the carboxyl group of the hydrophilic portion thereof is also possible. In this case, the monomolecular film 2 can be formed on the base material 1 by the LB method, that is, a method in which the monomolecular film formed at the air-water interface is arranged by pressurizing from the lateral direction and arranging on the base material.

  Furthermore, the material for forming the monomolecular film 2 includes a material for forming the monomolecular film 2 through a chemical bond between a sulfur atom in a molecule constituting the monomolecular film 2 and a metal atom on the surface 1a of the substrate 1. For example, a linear hydrocarbon molecule having a thiol group is also possible. In this case, since it has a self-organizing property, a uniform monomolecular film 2 can be easily formed on the substrate 1 by application of a material liquid.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing step by step the procedure of the printing process using the printing plate that has undergone the plate making process shown in FIG. First, dampening water is supplied in order to enhance the exclusion property of the oil-based ink at the substrate exposed portion 8 (dampening water supply step), and the hydrophilic substrate exposed portion 8 is shown in FIG. The dampening water 11 adheres to the surface. Next, when ink is applied (ink application process), as shown in FIG. 2B, the ink 12 adheres to the hydrophobic monomolecular film-coated portion 7 as the image portion, and the surface of the ink 12 is imaged by the ink 12. Is formed. The image of the ink 12 is once transferred to the intermediate transfer member 13 as shown in FIG. 2C, and then transferred to the printing material 14 as shown in FIG. 2D (transfer process). As a result, a required image is formed on the substrate 14.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically showing a second example of the printing plate according to the present invention. In this printing plate, as shown in FIG. 3A, the monomolecular film 22 is formed on the surface 21a of the base material 21 as in the first example, but here, unlike the above example, The monomolecular film 22 itself on the substrate 21 includes a light absorption exothermic material 23. In particular, the light absorption exothermic material 23 has a chemical adsorption ability to the surface 21a of the substrate 21, in other words, a single molecule having a light absorption exothermic property. It contains molecular film constituent molecules and is chemically bonded to the surface 21 a of the base material 21 together with other monomolecular film constituent molecules 24.

  In this printing plate, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the infrared laser light is irradiated (light irradiation step), the light-absorbing exothermic material 23 dispersed in the light irradiation portion 25 in the monomolecular film 22 generates heat. As a result, the bonds of the monomolecular film constituting molecules 24 in the vicinity thereof are cut off, whereby the monomolecular film 22 is selectively separated and removed as shown in FIG. The printing plate thus made can be printed in the same procedure as the printing step shown in FIG. A configuration in which all the constituent molecules of the monomolecular film 22 have infrared light absorption capability is also possible. Further, a configuration in which a light-absorbing exothermic substance having no chemical adsorption ability is dispersed in the monomolecular film 22 is also possible.

  FIG. 4 is a sectional view schematically showing a third example of the printing plate according to the present invention. In this printing plate, as shown in FIG. 4A, a monomolecular film 32 is formed on the surface 31a of the base material 31 and the base material 31 contains a light-absorbing exothermic substance as in the first example. However, in particular, here, the light-absorbing and heating substance 34 is uniformly dispersed in the surface layer 33 of the base material 31 by a method such as impregnating the gap formed in the aluminum oxide film with the light-absorbing and heating substance.

  In this printing plate, as shown in FIG. 4B, when irradiated with infrared laser light (light irradiation step), the light-absorbing exothermic substance 34 in the light irradiation portion 36 in the surface layer 33 generates heat, and the vicinity thereof The bonds of the monomolecular film constituent molecules 35 are cut off, and as a result, the monomolecular film 32 is selectively separated and removed as shown in FIG. The printing plate thus made can be printed in the same procedure as the printing step shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a sectional view schematically showing a fourth example of a printing plate according to the present invention. In this printing plate, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), a monomolecular film 42 is formed on the surface 41a of the base material 41 in the same manner as in each of the above examples, but here, unlike the above examples, A surface layer 43 containing a photocatalytic substance such as titanium oxide that exhibits a catalytic action for breaking the bond between the monomolecular film 42 and the base material 41 by ultraviolet laser light is formed on the base material 41 in a thin film shape.

  In this printing plate, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the ultraviolet laser light is irradiated (light irradiation step), the photocatalytic substance in the light irradiation portion 45 in the surface layer 43 exhibits a photocatalytic action, and a single unit in the vicinity thereof. The bonds of the molecular film constituent molecules 44 are cut off, whereby the monomolecular film 42 is selectively separated and removed as shown in FIG. 5C to form a required image. The printing plate thus made can be printed in the same procedure as the printing step shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a plate making apparatus according to the present invention. In this plate making apparatus, the printing plate 51 having any one of the above-mentioned structures is wound around and held by a drum 52, and the printing plate 51 is subjected to a process of irradiating light from a light source (light irradiating means) 53, thereby printing plate The monomolecular film formed on the surface 51 is selectively separated and removed to form a required image. The printing plate 51 is held at a predetermined position with its end fixed by a clamp 54 and in close contact with the drum 52. The light source 53 is controlled by a digital signal rasterized in units of pages to be printed, and the light from the light source 53 is irradiated onto the printing plate 51 after being focused by a lens 55. The light source 53 is light having a wavelength suitable for causing the light-absorbing material of the printing plate 51 to exhibit a separating action that breaks the bond between the monomolecular film and the substrate, that is, red in the printing plate shown in FIGS. Those that emit external laser light are employed, and those that emit ultraviolet laser light are employed in the printing plate shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a first example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. This printing apparatus performs printing by mounting the printing plate 51 made by the plate making apparatus shown in FIG. 6, and includes a plate holding cylinder (plate holding means) 62 for holding the printing plate 51 detachably. A dampening roller (fountain solution supplying means) 63 for adhering dampening water to the printing plate 51; an inking roller (ink applying means) 64 for applying ink to the printing plate 51; and a printing plate 51. A pressure is applied from the back surface of the recording paper 66 when the image of the ink on the blanket cylinder 65 is transferred onto the recording paper (substrate) 66. A pressure roller 67 and a blanket cleaning roller (intermediate transfer member cleaning means) 68 for cleaning the blanket cylinder 65 are provided.

  In this printing apparatus, first, the printing plate 51 is wound around the plate holding cylinder 62 and the end is fixed by the clamp 69. At this time, the printing plate 51 needs to be precisely positioned. Then, the printing operation is set to the on-mode, and the printing process is started. The rotation driving unit (not shown) of the plate holding cylinder 62 is activated. First, the dampening water is supplied to the printing plate 51 by the wet roller 63 and printing is performed. The dampening water adheres to the exposed portion of the base material that forms the non-image area in the plate 51. Subsequently, ink is applied to the printing plate 51 by the ink form roller 64, and the ink adheres to the monomolecular film coating portion forming the image line portion. Thus, an ink image is formed on the printing plate 51, and the ink image is once transferred to the blanket cylinder 65 and then transferred to the recording paper 66. When printing of the required number of copies is completed in this way, the printing operation off mode is set, the process proceeds to the intermediate transfer member cleaning step, and the blanket cylinder 65 is cleaned by the blanket cleaning roller 68. In this printing operation off mode, only the blanket cleaning roller 68 contacts the blanket cylinder 65. Note that printing of a new image is performed by replacing the printing plate 51.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. A dampening water device 71 that supplies dampening water to the printing plate 51 via the swimsuit roller 63 is partially immersed in a damp water 72 in which dampening water is stored and in the dampening water in the water vat 72. The water roller 73, the brush roller 74 for spraying the dampening water received from the water roller 73 with a brush, and receiving the dampening water scattered by the brush roller 74 to form a uniform thin water film on the surface. The chrome roller 75 is formed, and an appropriate amount of dampening water is uniformly supplied from the chrome roller 75 to the swim roller 63.

  An inking device 77 for supplying ink to the printing plate 51 via the ink form roller 64 includes an ink fountain 78 for storing ink, a fan ten roller 79 partially immersed in the ink in the ink fountain 78, and the fan A pickup roller 80 that receives the ink drawn up by the ten roller 79 and an ink cylinder 81 that kneads the ink between the pickup roller 80 and an appropriate amount of ink are uniformly applied from the ink cylinder 81. Sent to the roller 64.

  The blanket cleaning roller 68 contacts the surface of the blanket cylinder 65 to remove foreign matters such as ink, paper dust, and water adhered thereto, and the foreign matter collected by the blanket cleaning roller 68 does not contaminate the blanket cylinder 65 again. As shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a second example of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. This printing apparatus is configured to be capable of on-press plate making by attaching a non-imaged printing plate 91 having the same configuration as the printing plate shown in FIGS. Unlike the first example, the light irradiating unit that selectively irradiates the printing plate 91 attached to the plate holding cylinder (plate holding means) 92 according to image information to be formed. (Light irradiation means) 93 is provided. In addition, as in the first example, a water application roller (fountain solution supply means) 94, an ink application roller (ink application means) 95, a blanket cylinder (intermediate transfer member) 96, a pressure roller 97, and a blanket A cleaning roller (intermediate transfer member cleaning means) 98 is provided.

  The light irradiation unit 93 is a collimator lens 101 that condenses the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator 100 as an optical system device for guiding the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator 100 to the surface of the printing plate 91 on the plate holding cylinder 92. A polygon mirror 102 that rotates the laser beam that has passed through the lens 101 at a high speed and linearly scans in the axial direction of the plate holding cylinder 92, and an fθ lens 103 that corrects the focal length of the laser beam, and a printing plate The laser beam has a predetermined beam diameter on the surface 91.

  In this printing apparatus, first, the printing plate 91 is fixed to the plate holding cylinder 92 with the clamp 105, and at this time, accurate alignment is unnecessary. Then, the plate making mode is set and the plate making process is started. The light irradiating unit 93 and the rotation driving unit (not shown) of the plate holding cylinder 92 are activated, image formation is performed by laser light, and a page unit to be printed. The laser oscillator 100 and the driving unit (not shown) of the polygon mirror 102 are controlled by the digital signal rasterized in FIG. When this plate making process is completed, the printing operation on mode is set, the process proceeds to the printing process, and printing is performed on the recording paper (substrate) 106 in the same manner as in the above example. When the printing process is completed, the printing operation off mode is set and the process proceeds to the cleaning process, and the blanket cylinder 96 is cleaned by the blanket cleaning roller 98 in the same manner as in the above example. Note that printing of a new image is performed by exchanging the printing plate 91.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a third example of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Unlike the above examples, this printing apparatus is configured to collectively perform image formation to printing without using a printing plate, and an image carrying cylinder on which an image by a monomolecular film is formed on the surface 111a. (Image carrier) 111, a material liquid application roller (monomolecular film forming means) 112 that uniformly forms a monomolecular film on the surface 111a of the image carrying cylinder 111, and the image carrying cylinder 111 according to image information to be formed. A light irradiation part (light irradiation means) 113 for selectively irradiating the surface 111a of the image and a surface for cleaning the image 111 (image forming surface cleaning means) 114 for cleaning the surface 111a of the image carrying cylinder 111. . The light irradiation unit 113 may be the same as that in the second example. In addition, as in each of the above examples, the water application roller (fountain solution supply means) 116, the ink application roller (ink application means) 117, the blanket cylinder (intermediate transfer member) 118, the pressure roller 119, and the blanket cleaning. A roller (intermediate transfer member cleaning means) 120 is provided. The image forming principle of the monomolecular film here is the same as that of the printing plate shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and the substrate and the monomolecule forming the surface 111 a of the image carrying cylinder (image carrying body) 111. What is necessary is just to employ | adopt a required structure for a film formation material.

  In this printing apparatus, first, the material liquid application mode is set and a monomolecular film forming process is started, and a monomolecular film is formed on the surface 111 a of the image carrying cylinder 111 by the material liquid application roller 112. When this monomolecular film forming step is completed, the plate making mode is set and the process proceeds to the plate making step, and the light irradiation unit 113 forms an image in the same manner as in the above example. When the plate making process is completed, the printing operation on mode is set, the process proceeds to the printing process, and printing is performed on the recording paper (substrate) 121 in the same manner as in the above example. When the printing process ends, the printing operation off mode is set and the process proceeds to the cleaning process, and the blanket cylinder 118 is cleaned by the blanket cleaning roller 120 in the same manner as in the above example. Further, in this cleaning process, the image bearing cylinder 111 is cleaned by the image-forming surface cleaning roller 114, so that the preparation for updating the printed image is completed. In the printing of a new image, the plate making process is performed through the monomolecular film forming process. The process and the printing process are repeated.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a material liquid supply apparatus applied to the printing apparatus shown in FIG. This material liquid supply device supplies a material liquid to the surface 111a of the image carrying cylinder 111 via the material liquid application roller 112 shown in FIG. 10, and is a single molecule having self-organizing characteristics such as octadecyltrichlorosilane. A liquid dish 122 containing a material liquid containing a film constituent molecule and a take-up roller 123 partially immersed in the material liquid of the liquid dish 122, from which the material liquid is applied to the material liquid application roller 112. The material liquid application roller 112 is provided with a sponge layer 124 made of a porous material that is rich in liquid retaining properties and soaks and holds the material liquid and has a required flexibility.

  12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an image forming surface cleaning device applied to the printing apparatus shown in FIG. In this image forming surface cleaning apparatus, the image forming surface cleaning roller 114 shown in FIG. 10 contacts the surface 111 a of the image carrying cylinder 111 to remove foreign matters such as ink remaining therein, and this image forming surface cleaning roller 114. The foreign matter captured in step S3 is collected by the blade 126 so that the image bearing cylinder 111 is not recontaminated. In the cleaning process by the image forming surface cleaning roller 114, only the image forming surface cleaning roller 114 is brought into contact with the image carrying cylinder 111.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another example of the image-forming surface cleaning device. Here, it has a wiping material 131 for wiping off foreign matter adhering to the surface 111a of the image carrying cylinder 111, and a cleaning liquid supply source 132 for allowing the cleaning liquid to soak in the cleaning liquid 131. The wiping material 131 is a wiping material supply. After being fed out from the roller 133 and cleaning the image bearing cylinder 111, it is wound around the wiping material collecting roller 134 and collected.

  The printing plate, the plate making apparatus, the printing apparatus, and the image forming method according to the present invention cause the light-absorbing substance to exhibit a separating action by light irradiation to separate and remove the monomolecular film, so that no mechanical contact is involved. Since an image can be formed on a monomolecular film, it is useful as a printing plate, a plate making apparatus, a printing apparatus, and an image forming method.

Sectional drawing which shows typically the 1st example of the printing plate by this invention Typical sectional drawing which shows step by step the procedure of the printing process by the printing plate which passed through the plate making process shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows typically the 2nd example of the printing plate by this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the 3rd example of the printing plate by this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the 4th example of the printing plate by this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the example of the plate-making apparatus by this invention The perspective view which shows typically the 1st example of the printing apparatus by this invention Schematic sectional view of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows typically the 2nd example of the printing apparatus by this invention. The perspective view which shows typically the 3rd example of the printing apparatus by this invention. Typical sectional drawing of the material liquid supply apparatus applied to the printing apparatus shown in FIG. Schematic sectional view of an image forming surface cleaning device applied to the printing apparatus shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows typically the other example of an imaging surface cleaning apparatus

Explanation of symbols

1, 21, 31, 41 Base material, 1a, 21a, 31a, 41a Surface 2, 22, 32, 42 Monomolecular film 3, 33, 43 Surface layer 4, 24, 35, 44 Monomolecular constituent molecules 5, 25, 36/45 Light irradiation portion 7 Monomolecular film coating portion 8 Substrate exposed portion 11 Dampening water 12 Ink 13 Intermediate transfer member 14 Printed material 23/34 Light absorbing heat generating material 51/91 Printing plate 52 Drum 53 Light source (light irradiation means) )
62.92 Plate holding cylinder (plate holding means)
63, 94, 116 Swim roller (Dampening water supply means)
64/95/117 Inking roller (ink application means)
65, 96, 118 Blanket cylinder (intermediate transfer member)
66, 106, 121 Recording paper (printed material)
68/98/120 Blanket cleaning roller (intermediate transfer member cleaning means)
93/113 Light irradiation part (light irradiation means)
111 Image bearing cylinder (image bearing member), 111a surface 112 Material liquid application roller (monomolecular film forming means)
114 Image forming surface cleaning roller (Image forming surface cleaning means)
124 Sponge layer 131 Wiping material 132 Cleaning liquid supply source 133 Wiping material supply roller 134 Wiping material recovery roller

Claims (18)

  A light-absorbing substance that forms a monomolecular film having a hydrophobic surface property on the surface of a base material via a siloxane bond, and expresses a separation action for separating the bond between the monomolecular film and the base material by light. The monomolecular film is included in a monomolecular film, and the monomolecular film is selectively separated and removed from the surface of the base material by light irradiation so that the hydrophilic siloxane is exposed to form a required image. And a printing plate.   The printing plate according to claim 1, wherein the monomolecular film is composed of molecules having a hydrocarbon group at a terminal on the surface side.   The printing plate according to claim 1, wherein the monomolecular film is made of a molecule having a fluorocarbon group at a terminal on the surface side.   The printing plate according to claim 3, wherein the monomolecular film is composed of molecules having at least one of a chlorosilane group, an alkoxysilane group, and an isocyanate silane group.   The printing plate according to claim 1, wherein the monomolecular film is composed of molecules having a linear portion having 8 or more carbon atoms.   Light irradiation for irradiating the printing plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5 with light to selectively separate and remove the monomolecular film from the surface of the substrate to form a required image. A plate making apparatus comprising means.   Light irradiation for irradiating the printing plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5 with light to selectively separate and remove the monomolecular film from the surface of the substrate to form a required image. A printing apparatus comprising: means.   An image carrier, monomolecular film forming means for forming a monomolecular film having hydrophobic surface characteristics and containing a light-absorbing substance on the surface of the image carrier via a siloxane bond, and the monomolecular film contains By irradiating the light absorbing material with light that exerts a separation action that breaks the bond between the substrate of the image carrier and the monomolecular film, the monomolecular film is selectively separated and removed from the surface of the image carrier. And a light irradiating means for exposing the hydrophilic siloxane to form a required image.   9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the monomolecular film forming means is a roller for applying a material liquid containing the monomolecular film forming material onto the surface of the image carrier.   The printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an image forming surface cleaning unit that cleans a surface of the image carrier when the print image is updated.   9. The image forming surface cleaning means comprises a wiping material for wiping off foreign matter adhering to the surface of the image carrier, and a cleaning liquid supply source for allowing the cleaning liquid to soak into the wiping material. The printing apparatus as described.   The printing according to claim 7 or 8, wherein when the print image is updated, the material liquid containing the material for forming the monomolecular film is applied in an overlapping manner without removing the pre-updated monomolecular film. apparatus.   The printing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising dampening water supply means that uses oil-based ink and supplies dampening water prior to application of the oil-based ink.   9. The printing according to claim 7, further comprising: an intermediate transfer body that mediates transfer of the image to the printing material with ink; and an intermediate transfer body cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer body. apparatus.   An image carrier, monomolecular film forming means for forming a monomolecular film having hydrophobic surface characteristics and containing a light-absorbing substance on the surface of the image carrier via a siloxane bond, and the monomolecular film contains By irradiating the light absorbing material with light that exerts a separation action that breaks the bond between the substrate of the image carrier and the monomolecular film, the monomolecular film is selectively separated and removed from the surface of the image carrier. A light irradiating means for exposing the hydrophilic siloxane to form a required image; and an intermediate transfer member for transferring the image from the image carrier on which the required image is formed to a printing material. Printing device.   16. A printed material used in the printing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a required image formed on the image carrier by the light irradiation means is transferred through the intermediate transfer member. Printed matter.   A monomolecular film having a hydrophobic surface characteristic is a substrate formed through a siloxane bond, and a light absorbing substance that exhibits a separation action by light to separate the bond with the monomolecular film is formed in the monomolecular film. A base material characterized in that the monomolecular film is selectively separated and removed by light irradiation to expose the hydrophilic siloxane and form a required image.   A monomolecular film forming step of forming a monomolecular film having a hydrophobic surface property on the surface of the substrate and containing a light absorbing material via a siloxane bond; and the light absorbing material contained in the monomolecular film includes the group Irradiating with light that exerts a separation action that breaks the bond between the material and the monomolecular film, and selectively separating and removing the monomolecular film from the surface of the base material to expose the hydrophilic siloxane. And a light irradiation step for forming an image.

Images