JP2009172835A - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer and a printing method capable of continuously printing a resin layer excellent in thickness uniformity and pattern accuracy even though an matter to be printed is a film or others with flexibility. <P>SOLUTION: The printer 10A comprises a cylindrical blanket cylinder 12 in which a blanket 12a is arranged on the surface of the same, a cylindrical plate cylinder 14 in which a convex portion 14a with a predetermined pattern is arranged on the surface of the same, an impression cylinder 16 pressing the matter P to be printed on the blanket 12a, a coating die 18 for applying ink, a cleaning unit 22 cleaning the surface of the blanket 12a, and a washing unit 24 washing the surface of the plate cylinder 14. The coating die 18, the plate cylinder 14, the impression cylinder 16, and the cleaning unit 22 are arranged on the periphery of the blanket cylinder 12 in the order of rotating direction of the blanket cylinder 12 and the blanket cylinder 12 and the washing unit 24 are arranged on the periphery of the plate cylinder 14 in the order of rotational direction of the plate cylinder 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method.

  In flat displays such as liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, and flexible displays (for example, organic EL and electronic paper), a pattern of a transparent colored resin layer having a width of several tens to several hundreds of μm is formed on a transparent substrate such as glass or resin. Regularly arranged color filters are used. As a method for forming a transparent colored resin layer in such a color filter, for example, a photolithography using a photosensitive resin such as a photoresist and a photomask, or a pattern of a transparent resin layer forming ink on a plate or the like is used. A printing method is known in which a pattern is transferred to a substrate and dried to form a transparent colored resin layer.

  Photolithography includes photoresist coating, exposure, development, and etching processes, and is characterized by high pattern accuracy. However, the number of processes is large, and most of the expensive photoresist is discarded in the coating and developing processes. Further, it is necessary to use a large, high-precision and expensive exposure apparatus and an expensive photomask, which increases the cost. End up.

  On the other hand, the printing method not only requires no exposure / development facilities, but also does not use expensive photomasks or photoresists, so that it can be expected that the manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced. Therefore, in the production of color filters, many studies have been made on printing methods such as planographic offset printing and gravure printing.

  A typical printing method is to apply ink on a lithographic plate partitioned into hydrophilic and oleophilic areas to form an ink pattern corresponding to the oleophilic area, and transfer this ink pattern to the substrate via a blanket. This is a so-called offset printing method (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, this method has a high incidence of printing defects such as ink misting and piling. In addition, the thickness of the ink film that can be formed on the lithographic plate is relatively thin, and high viscosity ink is used to suppress the flow of the ink pattern formed on the lithographic plate, so a single resin layer is formed on the substrate. However, it is necessary to repeat the printing operation several times. For this reason, the accuracy of the pattern of the resin layer and the uniformity of the thickness of the resin layer may be insufficient.

  For example, when the thickness of the transparent colored resin layer is not uniform, the color density uniformity of the color filter may deteriorate and color unevenness may occur. In addition, when the accuracy of the pattern of the transparent colored resin layer is deteriorated and the transparent colored resin layer is disposed out of the predetermined place of the black matrix, color mixing or white defect occurs in the liquid crystal panel display. There is. In addition, when the transparent colored resin layer overlaps and a protrusion is generated, the transparent electrode provided above the transparent colored resin layer may be short-circuited with the pixel electrode of the counter substrate, and the liquid crystal may not be driven.

  In recent years, on the other hand, after forming a solid ink film on the blanket surface on the blanket cylinder instead of a lithographic plate, an unnecessary portion of the ink film formed on the blanket is removed to form an ink pattern, which is then transferred to the substrate. A method of drying has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this method, an ink film having a large thickness can be formed as compared with a method using a lithographic plate, and a single printing operation is sufficient to form one resin layer on the substrate.

  However, even with the above-described method, it is difficult to achieve both the accuracy of the pattern of the transparent colored resin layer and the uniformity of the thickness of the transparent colored resin layer. Specifically, when a highly viscous and high yield value low fluidity ink is used to increase the pattern accuracy of the transparent colored resin layer, the thickness of the transparent colored resin layer is not sufficiently uniform. On the other hand, when a highly fluid ink having a low viscosity and a low yield value is used, the pattern of the ink film is deformed, and it is difficult to accurately transfer the pattern of the transparent colored resin layer.

  In addition, a resin layer pattern such as a spacer or a black matrix may be formed in a color filter, but it is also possible to form these resin layer patterns that require strict pattern accuracy by the above-described printing method. Have difficulty.

Therefore, by forming a uniform ink film on the blanket peripheral surface by a die coater or the like, the fluidity is lost by crosslinking the crosslinkable resin composition contained in this ink film by a crosslinking means, and the blanket is brought into contact with the plate After transferring and removing unnecessary portions of the ink film on the blanket surface, the necessary portions of the ink film on the blanket surface are transferred to the substrate by contacting the blanket with the substrate such as a transparent substrate. Thus, a method for forming a desired print pattern on a printing medium has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3). According to this method, since the fluidity is lowered by previously applying a highly fluid ink to the blanket and then crosslinking the crosslinkable resin composition contained in the ink film, the thickness uniformity of the ink film Therefore, it is possible to form a smooth and high-definition pattern that cannot be achieved by conventional offset printing or gravure printing.
JP-A-2-297502 JP-A-11-198337 JP-A-2005-212222

  However, the printing method as described in Patent Document 3 is basically premised on sheet processing in which substrates are processed one by one, and a printed material having flexibility such as a film. However, it was not always suitable for continuous printing of patterns.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a printing apparatus capable of continuously printing a resin layer having excellent thickness uniformity and pattern accuracy even when the printing medium has flexibility such as a film. An object is to provide a printing method.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is a cylindrical blanket cylinder provided with a blanket on the surface and made rotatable, and a cylindrical plate cylinder provided with a convex portion of a predetermined pattern on the surface and made rotatable. A blanket cylinder, comprising: a pressure contact unit that presses and contacts the blanket to the blanket; an ink application unit that applies ink; a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the blanket; and a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the plate cylinder. In the order of the rotation direction of the blanket cylinder, the ink application means, the plate cylinder, the pressure contact means and the cleaning means are arranged around the plate cylinder, and the blanket cylinder and the cleaning means are arranged around the plate cylinder in the order of the rotation direction of the plate cylinder. The ink application means applies ink to the surface of the blanket to form an ink film on the surface of the blanket, and the plate cylinder adheres a convex portion to the ink film. Then, a predetermined portion of the ink film is removed from the surface of the blanket to form a predetermined ink pattern on the surface of the blanket, and the pressure contact means presses the printed material against the blanket to bring it into contact with the surface of the blanket. The upper ink pattern is continuously transferred to the substrate.

  In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder are both cylindrical and rotatable. In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the ink application unit, the plate cylinder, the press contact unit, and the cleaning unit are arranged around the blanket cylinder in the order of the rotation direction of the blanket cylinder. The blanket cylinder and the cleaning means are arranged in the order of the rotation directions. Therefore, in the blanket cylinder, application of ink to the blanket, removal of a predetermined portion of the ink film, transfer of the ink pattern (residual portion of the ink film) to the printing medium and cleaning are sequentially performed. The transfer of the ink film onto the convex portion of the plate cylinder and the cleaning are sequentially performed. As a result, it is possible to continuously print a resin layer with excellent thickness uniformity and pattern accuracy, not only when the substrate to be printed is a substrate but also with flexibility such as a film. It becomes.

  Preferably, the measuring unit that measures the amount of displacement in the thickness direction of the blanket, and the linear distance between the surface of the blanket and the surface of the plate cylinder based on the amount of displacement measured by the measuring unit, and the surface of the blanket and the printing target And adjusting means for adjusting at least one of the linear distances to the body. By the way, when low-viscosity ink is applied to the blanket, the solvent contained in the ink permeates the blanket and swells the blanket. When the blanket swells in this manner, the blanket may come into contact with portions other than the convex portions of the plate cylinder, and even ink that should originally remain on the blanket may be transferred to the plate cylinder. However, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, the amount of swelling of the blanket is grasped by the measuring means, and the linear distance between the surface of the blanket and the surface of the plate cylinder is determined by the adjusting means based on the amount of displacement, In addition, at least one of the linear distances between the surface of the blanket and the printing medium is adjusted, and so-called feedback control is performed with respect to these linear distances. Therefore, the pattern of the resin layer formed on the printing medium can be maintained with high accuracy, and the operation rate of the printing apparatus can be increased more than before by simplifying the adjustment work.

  Further, the printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a cylindrical blanket cylinder provided with a blanket on the surface and rotatable, and a cylindrical plate cylinder provided with a convex portion of a predetermined pattern on the surface and rotatable. A pressure contact means for contacting the printing medium while being pressed against the plate cylinder, an ink application means for applying ink, a cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the blanket, and a cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the plate cylinder, Around the blanket cylinder, ink application means, plate cylinder and cleaning means are arranged in the order of the rotation direction of the blanket cylinder. Around the plate cylinder, the blanket cylinder, pressure contact means and cleaning are arranged in the order of the rotation direction of the plate cylinder. Means are arranged, the ink application means is to apply ink to the surface of the blanket, to form an ink film on the surface of the blanket, the plate cylinder is to attach a convex portion to the ink film, A predetermined portion of the ink film is transferred from the surface of the lanquet to the surface of the convex portion of the plate cylinder, and the press contact means presses the printing medium against the plate cylinder while contacting the surface of the convex portion of the plate cylinder. The ink film transferred to is continuously transferred to the substrate.

  In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder are both cylindrical and rotatable. Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the ink application means, the plate cylinder, and the cleaning means are arranged around the blanket cylinder in the order of the rotation direction of the blanket cylinder, and the rotation direction of the plate cylinder is around the plate cylinder. In this order, a blanket cylinder, a pressure contact means, and a cleaning means are arranged. Therefore, in the blanket cylinder, application of ink to the blanket, removal of a predetermined portion of the ink film and cleaning are sequentially performed, and in the plate cylinder, transfer of the ink film to the convex portion of the plate cylinder and the surface of the convex portion are performed. Transfer and washing of the transferred ink film to the printing medium are sequentially performed. As a result, it is possible to continuously print a resin layer with excellent thickness uniformity and pattern accuracy, not only when the substrate to be printed is a substrate but also with flexibility such as a film. It becomes.

  Preferably, the apparatus further comprises measuring means for measuring the amount of displacement in the thickness direction of the blanket, and adjusting means for adjusting the linear distance between the surface of the blanket and the surface of the plate cylinder based on the amount of displacement measured by the measuring means. . By the way, when low-viscosity ink is applied to the blanket, the solvent contained in the ink permeates the blanket and swells the blanket. When the blanket swells in this manner, the blanket may come into contact with portions other than the convex portions of the plate cylinder, and even ink that should originally remain on the blanket may be transferred to the plate cylinder. However, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, the amount of swelling of the blanket is grasped by the measuring means, and the linear distance between the surface of the blanket and the surface of the plate cylinder is determined by the adjusting means based on the amount of displacement. Adjustment is performed, and so-called feedback control is performed with respect to this linear distance. Therefore, the pattern of the resin layer formed on the printing medium can be maintained with high accuracy, and the operation rate of the printing apparatus can be increased more than before by simplifying the adjustment work.

  Preferably, each of the above printing apparatuses further includes a modifying means for modifying the ink film formed on the surface of the blanket to reduce the fluidity of the ink film, and the modifying means is provided around the blanket cylinder by the ink applying means. Is also arranged downstream of the blanket cylinder in the rotational direction and upstream of the plate cylinder in the rotational direction of the blanket cylinder. If it does in this way, the fluidity | liquidity of the ink film in the surface of a blanket will fall, and the uniformity of the thickness of an ink film will be maintained more fully. Therefore, the ink pattern formed on the surface of the blanket can be held on the surface of the blanket while maintaining its accuracy, or the accuracy of the ink film transferred to the surface of the convex portion of the plate cylinder can It can be held on the surface of the convex portion of the plate cylinder while maintaining accuracy. As a result, the uniformity of the thickness and the accuracy of the pattern in the resin layer formed on the printing medium are further improved. In addition, the modification | denaturation here is based on modification | denaturation of the ink resin composition by bridge | crosslinking the said crosslinkable resin composition, and evaporation of the solvent contained in ink, when the crosslinkable resin composition is contained in ink. Modification of the ink resin composition shall be included.

  In the printing apparatus further comprising the above-described modifying means, preferably, the ink applied by the ink coating means contains a crosslinkable resin composition, and the modifying means is a bridge for the ink film formed on the surface of the blanket. Crosslinkable resin composition.

  Preferably, in each of the printing apparatuses described above, the cleaning means arranged around the plate cylinder includes a liquid injection nozzle for injecting a cleaning liquid onto the surface of the plate cylinder, and a gas on the surface of the plate cylinder to inject the surface of the plate cylinder. A gas injection nozzle for removing moisture.

  On the other hand, in the printing method according to the present invention, a cylindrical blanket cylinder provided with a blanket on the surface, and a cylindrical plate cylinder provided with a convex portion of a predetermined pattern on the surface, the surface of the blanket is rotated. By applying ink, an ink coating process for forming an ink film on the surface of the blanket, and removing a predetermined portion of the ink film from the surface of the blanket by attaching the convex portion of the plate cylinder to the ink film, An ink pattern forming process for forming a predetermined ink pattern on the surface of the blanket, and a transfer process for continuously transferring the ink pattern on the surface of the blanket to the printing medium by bringing the printing medium into contact with the blanket while being pressed. And cleaning the surface of the blanket after the ink pattern on the blanket has been transferred to the substrate in the transfer process And extent, of the surface of the plate cylinder, performs a cleaning step of cleaning a portion where the ink film is attached to the convex portion of the plate cylinder in the ink pattern forming step.

  In the printing method according to the present invention, an ink application process, an ink pattern formation process, a transfer process, and a cleaning process are performed in this order during the rotation of the cylindrical blanket cylinder. In the printing method according to the present invention, the ink pattern forming process and the cleaning process are performed in this order during the rotation of the cylindrical plate cylinder, that is, the ink film adheres to the surface of the convex portion of the plate cylinder in the ink pattern forming process. After that, a cleaning process is performed. Therefore, it is possible to continuously print a resin layer excellent in thickness uniformity and pattern accuracy even when the substrate to be printed is a substrate and has flexibility such as a film. Become.

  In addition, the printing method according to the present invention includes a cylindrical blanket cylinder provided with a blanket on the surface, and a cylindrical plate cylinder provided with projections having a predetermined pattern on the surface. By applying the ink, an ink coating process for forming an ink film on the surface of the blanket, and by attaching the convex portion of the plate cylinder to the ink film, a predetermined portion of the ink film from the surface of the blanket is transferred to the plate cylinder. Transfer process for transferring to the surface of the convex part, and transfer for continuously transferring the ink film transferred to the surface of the plate cylinder to the printing body by contacting the printing body with pressure on the plate cylinder A cleaning process for cleaning a portion of the surface of the blanket after the ink film on the blanket has been transferred to the convex portion of the plate cylinder in the transfer process, and a plate in the transfer process of the surface of the plate cylinder Ink film from the convex part of the cylinder Performing a cleaning step of cleaning the portion after being transferred to the printing substrate.

  In the printing method according to the present invention, the ink application process, the transfer process, and the cleaning process are performed in this order during the rotation of the cylindrical blanket cylinder. Further, in the printing method according to the present invention, during the rotation of the cylindrical plate cylinder, the transfer process, the transfer process, and the cleaning process are adhered to the surface of the convex portion of the plate cylinder in this order, that is, the transfer process. A cleaning process is performed after transferring an ink film to a to-be-printed body. Therefore, it is possible to continuously print a resin layer excellent in thickness uniformity and pattern accuracy even when the substrate to be printed is a substrate and has flexibility such as a film. Become.

  Preferably, the temperature of the blanket cylinder, the plate cylinder, and the pressure contact means is maintained at 25 ° C. or more and 80 ° C. or less and within ± 2 ° C. with respect to a preset temperature. If the temperature of the blanket cylinder, the plate cylinder and the pressure contact means is less than 25 ° C., the drying of the ink is slowed, and thus the productivity tends to be lowered. In some cases, condensation occurs on the surface of the plate cylinder, resulting in poor transfer. It may occur. If the temperature of the blanket cylinder, the plate cylinder, and the pressure contact means exceeds 80 ° C., the drying of the ink becomes too fast and it tends to be difficult to control the transferability, and the plate cylinder in the ink pattern forming process or the transfer process. It becomes difficult to control the thermal expansion accompanying the temperature change, and the positional accuracy when the ink pattern is transferred to the printing medium tends to be lowered. In addition, if the temperature adjustment means causes the temperature of the blanket cylinder, the plate cylinder, and the pressure contact means to exceed the fluctuation range within ± 2 ° C. with respect to the preset set temperature, the deformation and dimensional change of the plate increase. The transfer accuracy tends to be lowered.

  Preferably, the printing medium is a film.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if a to-be-printed body has flexibility, such as a film, the printing apparatus which can print continuously the resin layer excellent in the uniformity of thickness and the precision of a pattern, A printing method can be provided.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function, and a duplicate description is omitted.

[First Embodiment]
(1) Configuration of Printing Apparatus First, the configuration of a printing apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 10A is an apparatus for forming a transparent colored resin layer, a black matrix, a spacer, and the like on a substrate or a film-like printed material P. The printing apparatus 10A includes a blanket cylinder 12 provided with a blanket 12a on the surface, a plate cylinder 14 provided with a convex portion 14a having a predetermined pattern on the surface, an impression cylinder (pressure contact means) 16, and a coating die (ink application means). ) 18, a beam source (denaturing means) 20, a cleaning unit (cleaning means) 22, and a cleaning unit (cleaning means) 24.

  Around the blanket cylinder 12 (the blanket 12a), a coating die 18, a beam source 20, a plate cylinder 14, an impression cylinder 16, and a cleaning unit 22 are arranged in the order of rotation of the blanket cylinder 12 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1). Has been. Around the plate cylinder 14, a blanket cylinder 12 (a blanket 12 a) and a cleaning unit 24 are arranged in the order of rotation of the plate cylinder 14 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1).

(1.1) Blanket cylinder and blanket The blanket cylinder 12 has a cylindrical shape. The blanket cylinder 12 has a central shaft 12b supported by a support body (not shown), and is thereby rotatable around the central shaft 12b.

  The blanket 12 a has a cylindrical shape, has a predetermined elasticity, and is formed on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 12. Although it does not restrict | limit especially as a material of the blanket 12a, It is preferable to use the material excellent in solvent resistance, such as a silicone resin and a fluororesin, and the releasability of an ink film, Furthermore, the surface of these resin is water-repellent treatment etc. It is preferable to use what was done.

(1.2) Coating die The coating die 18 is a so-called capillary coater having a capillary passage. The coating die 18 receives ink supplied from an ink tank (not shown) via a line through an ink inlet which is one end of the capillary passage, and horizontally displaces this ink from an elongated rectangular slit which is the other end of the capillary passage. The ink film F (see FIG. 2 and the like) is formed on the surface of the blanket 12a by discharging in a direction or downward (due to restrictions on the configuration of the apparatus).

  The coating die 18 is disposed so that the length direction of the slit is parallel to the direction of the central axis 12 b of the blanket cylinder 12. The width of the slit is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm. In addition, if it is a coater which can apply | coat the ink film F of comparatively uniform thickness on the surface of the blanket 12a, it is possible to use various ink application means, such as a wire bar coater, a slit coater, a die coater, for example. In particular, from the viewpoint of the uniformity of the ink film F, a die coater or a capillary coater is preferable.

  The coating die 18 can be moved by a coating die moving unit (not shown). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when the coating die 18 is disposed on the side of the blanket cylinder 12, the coating die 18 is moved in the left-right direction by the coating die moving unit. When the coating die 18 is disposed above the blanket cylinder 12, the coating die 18 is moved up and down by the coating die moving unit. Even when the coating die 18 is disposed below the blanket cylinder 12, the coating die 18 is moved up and down by the coating die moving portion.

  The ink tank is a tank that stores ink. The ink tank can be moved up and down by an ink tank lifting unit (not shown).

  Here, the discharge speed of the ink discharged from the slit can be adjusted by adjusting the relative position in the vertical direction between the ink tank and the coating die 18. Moreover, the thickness of the ink film F coated on the blanket 12a can be controlled by adjusting the ink discharge speed from the slit and the rotation speed of the blanket cylinder 12. The thickness of the ink film F can be set to about 1 μm to 2 μm, for example.

(1.3) Ink The ink used in the present invention contains a crosslinkable crosslinkable resin composition, and can form a transparent colored resin layer, a black matrix, or a spacer by crosslinking. The black matrix or spacer is preferably a light-shielding resin layer.

  Examples of the crosslinkable resin composition include a photocrosslinkable resin composition that crosslinks when irradiated with light such as ultraviolet rays and visible light, a heat crosslinkable resin composition that crosslinks when heated, X-rays, γ-rays, electrons An ionizing radiation crosslinkable resin composition that crosslinks upon irradiation with ionizing radiation such as a wire can be mentioned. However, crosslinking by irradiation with light such as ultraviolet rays and visible rays is not necessarily essential as a means for controlling the fluidity of the ink film F after the ink application, and in order to fix the formed ink pattern (described later in detail). The resin may be cross-linked.

  Such a crosslinkable resin composition can contain a binder polymer, a crosslinking material, and a crosslinking initiator. Examples of the crosslinking initiator include a photocrosslinking initiator, a thermal crosslinking initiator, and an ionizing radiation crosslinking initiator. It is preferable that the thermal crosslinking initiator can be used with heat below the specification temperature of the substrate.

  Moreover, in order to obtain desired coloring and light-shielding property, ink can contain a coloring agent.

  Furthermore, if necessary, the ink can contain a solvent for adjusting the viscosity, a dispersant for improving the stability of the colorant, and a surfactant. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

(1.3.1) Colorant Although a dye and a pigment can be used as the colorant, it is particularly preferable to use a pigment having excellent environmental resistance and heat resistance. Organic and inorganic pigments can be used as the pigment, and specific examples include compounds classified as Pigment by the Color Index (published by The Society of Dyers and Colorists). Specifically, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 1, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 3, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 12, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 13, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 14, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 15, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 16, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 17, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 20, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 24, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 31, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 53, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 83, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 86, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 93, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 94, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 109, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 110, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 117, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 125, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 128, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 137, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 138, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 139, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 147, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 148, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 150, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 153, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 154, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 166, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 173, CI Pigment Yellow 194, CI Pigment Yellow 214, and other yellow pigments, C.I. I. Pigment orange 13, C.I. I. Pigment orange 31, C.I. I. Pigment orange 36, C.I. I. Pigment orange 38, C.I. I. Pigment orange 40, C.I. I. Pigment orange 42, C.I. I. Pigment orange 43, C.I. I. Pigment orange 51, C.I. I. Pigment orange 55, C.I. I. Pigment orange 59, C.I. I. Pigment orange 61, C.I. I. Pigment orange 64, C.I. I. Pigment orange 65, C.I. I. Pigment orange 71, C.I. I. Orange pigments such as CI Pigment Orange 73, C.I. I. Pigment red 9, C.I. I. Pigment red 97, C.I. I. Pigment red 105, C.I. I. Pigment red 122, C.I. I. Pigment red 123, C.I. I. Pigment red 144, C.I. I. Pigment red 149, C.I. I. Pigment red 166, C.I. I. Pigment red 168, C.I. I. Pigment red 176, C.I. I. Pigment red 177, C.I. I. Pigment red 180, C.I. I. Pigment red 192, C.I. I. Pigment red 209, C.I. I. Pigment red 215, C.I. I. Pigment red 216, C.I. I. Pigment red 224, C.I. I. Pigment red 242, C.I. I. Pigment red 254, C.I. I. Pigment Red 264, C.I. I. Red pigments such as CI Pigment Red 265, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 3, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 4, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 6, C.I. I. Blue pigments such as C.I. Pigment Blue 60, C.I. I. Pigment violet 1, C.I. I. Pigment violet 19, C.I. I. Pigment violet 23, C.I. I. Pigment violet 29, C.I. I. Pigment violet 32, C.I. I. Pigment violet 36, C.I. I. Purple pigments such as CI Pigment Violet 38, C.I. I. Pigment green 7, C.I. I. Pigment green 36, C.I. I. Green pigments such as C.I. Pigment Green 37, C.I. I. Pigment brown 23, C.I. I. Brown pigments such as CI Pigment Brown 25, C.I. I. Pigment black 1, C.I. I. And black pigments such as CI Pigment Black 7. Preferred pigments include C.I. I. Pigment yellow 138, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 139, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 150, C.I. I. Pigment red 177, C.I. I. Pigment red 209, C.I. I. Pigment red 254, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 3, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 6, C.I. I. Pigment violet 23, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Green 36. These organic pigments and inorganic pigments may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Of these organic pigments and inorganic pigments, organic pigments are optionally treated with rosin, surface treatment with pigment derivatives having acidic or basic groups introduced, and grafting onto the pigment surface with polymer compounds. Treatment, atomization by sulfuric acid atomization, or the like, or washing with an organic solvent or water for removing impurities may be performed.

  The content of the colorant is usually 1% by mass to 60% by mass and preferably 3% by mass to 50% by mass with respect to the total solid content of the ink.

(1.3.2) Crosslinkable resin composition The crosslinkable resin composition is a transparent resin that can form a network structure (three-dimensional network structure) by crosslinking by irradiation with light or ionizing radiation or heating.

  The crosslinkable resin composition can contain (A) a binder polymer, (B) a crosslinking agent, and (C) a crosslinking initiator.

(A) Binder polymer The binder polymer is not particularly limited as long as it is a transparent resin capable of dispersing a colorant and polymerizing with a crosslinking agent to form a network structure.

  Examples of the binder polymer include aromatic vinyl compounds such as styrene, α-methylstyrene, vinyltoluene, methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, butyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, and benzyl. Unsaturated carboxylic acid ester compounds such as (meth) acrylate, unsaturated carboxylic acid aminoalkyl ester compounds such as aminoethyl acrylate, unsaturated carboxylic acid glycidyl ester compounds such as glycidyl (meth) acrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, etc. Carboxylic acid vinyl ester compounds, vinyl cyanide compounds such as (meth) acrylonitrile, α-chloroacrylonitrile, 3-methyl-3- (meth) acryloxymethyloxetane, 3-ethyl-3- Monomers of unsaturated carboxylic acid oxetane ester compounds such as (meth) acryloxymethyl oxetane, 3-methyl-3- (meth) acryloxyethyl oxetane, and 3-methyl-3- (meth) acryloxyethyl oxetane And the following polymer.

  In addition, examples of the binder polymer include resins such as melamine acrylate resins and polyester resins.

  As a binder polymer, the above-mentioned monomers can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the copolymer include benzyl methacrylate / methacrylic acid copolymer, styrene / methacrylic acid copolymer, 3-ethyl-3-methacryloxymethyloxetane / benzyl methacrylate / methacrylic acid copolymer, 3-ethyl-3- Examples include methacryloxymethyl oxetane / methyl methacrylate / methacrylic acid copolymer, 3-ethyl-3-methacryloxymethyl oxetane / methyl methacrylate / methacrylic acid / styrene copolymer, and the like. In particular, a benzyl methacrylate / methacrylic acid copolymer is preferable. Content of the monomer unit which has a carboxyl group in a copolymer is 5 to 50% by mass fraction, Preferably it is 10 to 40%.

  The binder polymer preferably has a weight average molecular weight in the range of 5,000 to 400,000 (more preferably in the range of 10,000 to 300,000) determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using polystyrene as a standard. The binder polymer is usually used in a mass fraction of 5 to 90%, preferably 20 to 70%, based on the total solid content of the ink.

(B) Crosslinking agent A crosslinking agent is a compound that can be polymerized by an active radical, acid, etc. generated from a crosslinking initiator by irradiation with light or ionizing radiation, or by heating, and causes a polymerization reaction with a binder polymer to form a network structure. It is a polymerizable compound that forms. Examples of the crosslinking agent include compounds having a polymerizable carbon-carbon unsaturated bond. The crosslinking agent may be a monofunctional polymerizable compound or a bifunctional or trifunctional or higher polyfunctional polymerizable compound. Examples of the monofunctional polymerizable compound include nonylphenyl carbitol acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl carbitol acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, and the like. Examples of the bifunctional polymerizable compound include 1,6-hexanediol di (meth) acrylate, ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, neopentyl glycol di (meth) acrylate, triethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, and bisphenol A. Examples thereof include bis (acryloyloxyethyl) ether and 3-methylpentanediol di (meth) acrylate. Examples of the tri- or higher functional polymerizable compound include trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol penta (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa ( And (meth) acrylate. A preferred cross-linking agent is dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate.

  Such crosslinking agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When one type of cross-linking agent is used alone, a bifunctional or higher functional polymerizable compound is preferably used, and when two or more types of cross-linking agents are used, at least one bifunctional or higher functional polymerizable compound is used. preferable. The amount of the crosslinking agent used is usually 0.1 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less, preferably 1 part by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the binder polymer and the crosslinking agent.

  As the active radical and acid generator by heating, it is preferable to select an initiator that can be used in a range in which shrinkage by heating does not occur in consideration of the physical properties of the printing material. Moreover, the active radical by irradiation of light and ionizing radiation and an acid generator can also be used together.

(C) Crosslinking initiator The crosslinking initiator is a compound that generates an active species such as a radical by irradiation with light or ionizing radiation, or by heating, and initiates a crosslinking reaction between the binder polymer and the crosslinking agent.

  Examples of the photocrosslinking initiator include active radical generators that generate active radicals when irradiated with light. For example, acetophenone compounds, benzoin compounds, benzophenone compounds, thioxanthone compounds, triazine compounds, metallocenes. Compound etc. are mentioned. Examples of the acetophenone compound include diethoxyacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one, benzyldimethyl ketal, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1- [4- (2-hydroxy Ethoxy) phenyl] propan-1-one, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 2-methyl-2-morpholino-1- (4-methylthiophenyl) propan-1-one, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1- And oligomers of (4-morpholinophenyl) butan-1-one and 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1- [4- (1-methylvinyl) phenyl] propan-1-one. Examples of the benzoin compound include benzoin, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, and benzoin isobutyl ether. Examples of the benzophenone compounds include benzophenone, methyl o-benzoylbenzoate, 4-phenylbenzophenone, 4-benzoyl-4′-methyldiphenyl sulfide, 3,3 ′, 4,4′-tetra (tert-butylperoxy). Carbonyl) benzophenone, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzophenone and the like. Examples of the thioxanthone compound include 2-isopropylthioxanthone, 4-isopropylthioxanthone, 2,4-diethylthioxanthone, 2,4-dichlorothioxanthone, 1-chloro-4-propoxythioxanthone, 2- (3-dimethylamino-2 -Hydroxypropoxy) 3,4-dimethyl-9H-thioxanthone-9-one mesochloride and the like. Examples of triazine compounds include 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- (4-methoxyphenyl) -1,3,5-triazine and 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- (4- Methoxynaphthyl) -1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6-piperonyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- (4-methoxy Styryl) -1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- [2- (5-methylfuran-2-yl) ethenyl] -1,3,5-triazine, 2,4 -Bis (trichloromethyl) -6- [2- (furan-2-yl) ethenyl] -1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- [2- (4-diethylamino- 2-methylpheny ) Ethenyl] -1,3,5-triazine, such as 2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -6- [2- (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) ethenyl] -1,3,5-triazine. As the photocrosslinking generator, an active radical generator can be used. For example, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide, 2,2′-bis (o-chlorophenyl) -4,4 ′, 5 , 5′-tetraphenyl-1,2′-biimidazole, 10-butyl-2-chloroacridone, 2-ethylanthraquinone, benzyl, 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, camphorquinone, methyl phenylglyoxylate, titanocene A compound or the like can also be used. A commercially available product can also be used as such a photocrosslinking initiator. Examples of commercially available photocrosslinking initiators include trade name “Irgacure-907” (acetophenone photopolymerization initiator, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals). Examples of the metallocene compound include bis (η5-2,4-cyclopentadien-1-yl) -bis (2,6-difluoro-3- (1H-pyrrol-1-yl) -phenyl) titanium.

  These photocrosslinking initiators can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The usage-amount of a photocrosslinking initiator is 1 mass part or more and 30 mass parts or less normally with respect to 100 mass parts of total amounts of a binder polymer and a crosslinking agent, Preferably they are 3 mass parts or more and 20 mass parts or less.

  Examples of the thermal crosslinking initiator include ketone peroxides such as benzoyl peroxide and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, alkyl peroxides such as tertiary butyl peroxide, peroxydicarbonates, peroxyketals, and peroxyketals. Known initiators such as esters and alkyl peresters can be suitably used. These thermal crosslinking initiators can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Moreover, a well-known initiator can be arbitrarily used suitably also as an ionizing radiation crosslinking initiator. These ionizing radiation crosslinking initiators can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Here, the amounts of these crosslinking initiators are blended in excess from the amount necessary for crosslinking to a half-crosslinked state (details will be described later) by the beam source 20, and finally transferred to the printing medium P. It is preferable that the transparent colored resin layer, the black matrix, the spacer, and the like can be completely cured by appropriate heating or light irradiation.

(1.3.3) Crosslinking initiation aid The ink may contain a crosslinking initiation aid. The crosslinking initiation assistant is a compound that is blended in combination with a crosslinking initiator and used to promote crosslinking by the crosslinking agent initiated by the crosslinking initiator. Examples of the photocrosslinking initiator used together with the photocrosslinking initiator include amine compounds and alkoxyanthracene compounds. Examples of amine compounds include triethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, methyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, isoamyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, 2-dimethylaminoethyl benzoate, 2-dimethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, N, N-dimethylparatoluidine, 4,4'-bis (dimethylamino) benzophenone (commonly known as Michler's ketone), 4,4'-bis (diethylamino) benzophenone, 4,4'- And bis (ethylmethylamino) benzophenone. Examples of the alkoxyanthracene compound include 9,10-dimethoxyanthracene, 2-ethyl-9,10-dimethoxyanthracene, 9,10-diethoxyanthracene, 2-ethyl-9,10-diethoxyanthracene and the like. Commercially available photocrosslinking initiators can also be used, and examples of commercially available photocrosslinking initiators include trade name “EAB-F” (manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.). When using this photocrosslinking initiation aid, the amount used is usually 10 mol or less, preferably 0.01 mol or more and 5 mol or less, per mol of photocrosslinking initiator. When the photocrosslinking initiator and the photocrosslinking initiation aid are used, the total amount is usually 1 part by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, preferably 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the binder polymer and the crosslinking agent. Part to 20 parts by mass.

  As the crosslinking initiator for the thermal crosslinking initiator or ionizing radiation crosslinking initiator, known ones can be suitably used.

(1.3.4) Solvent This ink may further contain a solvent. Examples of the solvent include water, ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, and diethylene glycol dipropyl ether. Diethylene glycol dialkyl ethers such as diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, ethylene glycol alkyl ether acetates such as methyl cellosolve acetate and ethyl cellosolve acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monopropyl Alkylene glycol alkyl ether acetates such as pyrrole ether acetate, methoxybutyl acetate and methoxypentyl acetate, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene and mesitylene, aromatic aliphatic ethers such as anisole, phenetole and methylanisole, Ketones such as acetone, 2-butanone, 2-heptanone, 3-heptanone, 4-heptanone, 4-methyl-2-pentanone and cyclohexanone, alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, butanol, hexanol, cyclohexanol, ethylene glycol and glycerin , Ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl lactate, 2-hydro Esters such as Shiiso methyl butyrate, and cyclic esters such as γ- butyrolactone. These solvents can be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds, and the solvent content in the ink is usually 20% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, preferably 50% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less. Used to be

(1.3.5) Other additives The ink may further contain other additives. Examples of the additive include a filler, a polymer compound other than the binder polymer, a surfactant, an adhesion promoter, an aggregation inhibitor, an organic acid, and a curing agent.

  Examples of the surfactant include nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants.

  Examples of the adhesion promoter include vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltris (2-methoxyethoxy) silane, N- (2-aminoethyl) -3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, and N- (2-amino). Ethyl) -3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane, 2- (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyl Examples include trimethoxysilane, 3-chloropropylmethyldimethoxysilane, 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane.

  Examples of the aggregation inhibitor include sodium polyacrylate.

  The ink has a viscosity of 1 mPa · s to 50 mPa · s and a yield value of 10 mPa so as to level the ink film F quickly and sufficiently on the surface of the blanket 12a before being cross-linked by the beam source 20. The following is preferable. The flattening of the ink film F occurs mainly when the ink flows on the blanket 12a due to the surface tension of the ink. When the ink having the above viscosity and yield value is used, the ink film F can be flattened quickly and sufficiently, and the thickness of the ink film F can be made almost uniform. Here, when the viscosity of the ink is less than 1 mPa · s, the ink applied on the blanket 12 a tends to sag or the ink drops from the slit of the coating die 18. If the viscosity of the ink exceeds 50 mPa · s, it will be difficult to ensure sufficient uniformity of the thickness of the ink film, and the time required for flattening the ink film F will become longer, so the productivity tends to decrease. is there. Furthermore, generally available inks contain colorants and resins, so the viscosity is usually 2 mPa · s or more in many cases. On the other hand, if the yield value exceeds 10 mPa, it tends to be difficult to flatten (level) the ink film F on the blanket 12a, and uneven coating tends to be noticeable.

(1.4) Beam source The beam source 20 is a modifying means for modifying the ink film F applied to the surface of the blanket 12a. In the first embodiment, the beam source 20 irradiates the ink film F applied to the surface of the blanket 12a with ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, ionizing radiation, and the like to crosslink the crosslinkable resin composition in the ink film F. A crosslinked ink film F is formed.

  The beam source 20 is not particularly limited as long as it emits a beam capable of crosslinking the crosslinkable resin composition in the ink. For example, if the crosslinkable resin composition is a photocrosslinkable resin composition that is crosslinkable by irradiation with light such as ultraviolet rays or visible rays, ultraviolet rays, visible rays, or the like that can crosslink the photocrosslinkable resin composition as the beam source 20. A light source that emits the light can be used. Such a light source is relatively low cost.

  Moreover, an infrared lamp etc. can be utilized if a crosslinkable resin composition is a heat crosslinkable resin composition which bridge | crosslinks by heating.

  In addition, if the crosslinkable resin composition is an ionizing radiation crosslinkable resin composition that is crosslinkable by irradiation with ionizing radiation, a known X-ray source, electron gun, γ-ray source, or the like can be used.

  In particular, if an ink containing an ultraviolet-crosslinkable resin composition is used as the ink and an ultraviolet lamp that generates ultraviolet rays that can cure the ultraviolet-crosslinkable resin composition is used as the beam source 20, crosslinking can be achieved while using low-cost equipment. The time required can be shortened, and furthermore, since the blanket cylinder 12 is not heated so much and the thermal expansion of the blanket cylinder 12 or the like hardly occurs, the position and shape accuracy of the ink pattern can be extremely increased, which is preferable.

  As the ultraviolet lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, a blue LED, an ultraviolet LED, a halogen lamp, or the like can be suitably used.

  The beam source 20 moves a predetermined distance by the rotation of the blanket cylinder 12 from a place where a predetermined time has elapsed since being applied to the surface of the blanket 12a, that is, from the place where the beam source 20 is discharged from the coating die 18 and attached to the blanket 12a. It arrange | positions so that light may be irradiated to the ink film F after having carried out. Thus, before the light is irradiated from the beam source 20, the ink film F applied to the blanket 12a can be flowed, that is, flattened until the ink film F has a sufficiently uniform thickness due to surface tension or the like. . Specifically, the beam source 20 is arranged so as to irradiate light onto the ink film F after the blanket cylinder 12 has moved about 1/8 to 1/4 rotation after being applied to the blanket 12a, for example. . The distance (time) from application to irradiation can be suitably designed according to the properties of the ink and the coating speed.

  Here, the intensity of irradiation of the beam from the beam source 20 may be set to such an intensity that the degree of crosslinking of the crosslinkable resin composition in the ink film F is in a completely crosslinked state. The composition is preferably strong enough to be in a semi-crosslinked state, that is, in a gel state. By doing so, it is possible to suitably form an ink pattern from the ink film F in a later process and transfer the ink pattern to the printing medium P.

  Here, specifically, the semi-crosslinked state is a state in which the yield value of the ink film F is about 20 mPa to 500 mPa. When the yield value of the ink film F after cross-linking is less than 20 mPa, the ink tends to flow, so that the ink pattern flows and deforms, and the film thickness distribution in the ink pattern tends to fluctuate, resulting in uniform thickness. Tend to be difficult to maintain the properties and accuracy of the ink pattern. On the other hand, when the yield value exceeds 500 mPa, the ink film F becomes hard, and the ink pattern formation and the printability of the ink pattern on the printing medium P tend to deteriorate.

(1.5) Plate Cylinder The plate cylinder 14 has a cylindrical shape, and forms an ink pattern by removing unnecessary portions that are not transferred to the printing medium P from the ink film F formed on the surface of the blanket 12a. Is for. The plate cylinder 14 has a convex portion 14a formed in a predetermined pattern at a portion corresponding to an unnecessary portion of the ink film F, and a portion (printing portion) corresponding to a portion to be left of the ink film F is concave. . The height of the convex portion 14a is, for example, about 10 μm. The plate cylinder 14 can be formed of, for example, metal or resin.

  Further, the plate cylinder 14 is supported by a support body (not shown) on the center shaft 14b, so that it can rotate around the center shaft 14b. Although not shown, the plate cylinder 14 has a pressure contact mechanism that moves the plate cylinder 14 toward the blanket cylinder 12 and presses the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14 against the surface of the blanket 12a. Is provided.

  (1.6) Cleaning unit

  The cleaning unit 22 cleans the surface of the blanket 12a. The cleaning unit 22 includes a pair of rollers 22a and an adhesive belt 22b spanned between the pair of rollers 22a.

  The pair of rollers 22a rotate in the same direction to rotate the adhesive belt 22b. The adhesive belt 22b is in contact with the surface of the blanket 12a, and removes the ink film F remaining on the surface of the blanket 12a after transfer of the ink film F to the printing medium P (described in detail later). As the adhesive belt 22b, for example, an adhesive in which an acrylic, urethane, or silicone resin as a base polymer is formed on a rubber or metal belt can be used. In addition, as the cleaning unit 22, a unit in which the above-described adhesive is formed on the surface of a rubber or metal roller can be used. As a commercially available adhesive roller, a trade name “clean room peeling antistatic cleaning roller” (manufactured by Tanimura Co., Ltd.) can be exemplified.

  The cleaning unit 22 may be the same as the cleaning unit 24 to be described later. However, since the blanket 12a easily swells by absorbing the solvent, from the viewpoint of ink pattern transfer performance, as described above. It is more preferable to remove the ink film F by directly contacting the adhesive belt 22b with the surface of the blanket 12a.

(1.7) Cleaning Unit The cleaning unit 24 is for cleaning the surface of the plate cylinder 14. The cleaning unit 24 includes a liquid jet nozzle 24a, a gas jet nozzle 24b, and a housing 24c.

  The liquid injection nozzle 24 a injects the cleaning liquid onto the surface of the blanket 12 a or the surface of the plate cylinder 14. The pressure of the cleaning liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting nozzle 24a is preferably a high pressure of about 5 MPa to 50 MPa. Here, water or a resin solvent can be used as the cleaning liquid.

  The gas injection nozzle 24 b is a so-called air knife, and injects gas (air) onto the surface of the blanket 12 a or the surface of the plate cylinder 14. The casing 24 c is opened toward the plate cylinder 14. The inside of the housing 24c is partitioned into three rooms by partition walls, and each room is lined up along the rotation direction of the plate cylinder 14 (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1).

  A liquid ejecting nozzle 24a is arranged in a room located in the most upstream side in the rotation direction of the plate cylinder 14 among the rooms. A gas injection nozzle 24b is arranged in a room located on the most downstream side in the rotation direction of the plate cylinder 14 among the rooms. In each room, a pipe for exhaust and drainage is provided on a wall portion on the side away from the plate cylinder 14.

(1.8) Impression cylinder The impression cylinder 16 has a cylindrical shape and supports the printing medium P to which the ink pattern is to be transferred. The impression cylinder 16 has a central shaft 16b supported by a support body (not shown), and is thereby rotatable around the central shaft 16b.

  Although not shown, the pressure drum 16 is provided with a pressure contact mechanism that moves the pressure drum 16 toward the blanket drum 12 and presses the pressure drum 16 against the surface of the blanket 12a. .

(2) Printing Method Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, a method for printing an ink pattern on the printing medium P using the printing apparatus 10 </ b> A according to the first embodiment will be described.

  First, the coating die 18 is moved by a coating die moving unit (not shown), and the distance between the slit of the coating die 18 and the surface of the blanket 12a is set to about 30 μm to 300 μm. Next, by raising the water level of the ink stored in the ink tank by the ink tank moving unit from the slit of the coating die 18, the ink is slightly discharged from the slit of the coating die 18, and the bead (swell of liquid) Form.

  Subsequently, the coating die 18 is further brought closer to the surface of the blanket 12a, the bead is brought into contact (wetted) with the surface of the blanket 12a, and the distance between the coating die 18 and the surface of the blanket 12a is adjusted to about 50 μm to 200 μm. And start coating. At this time, the surface and the distance between the coating die 18 and the blanket 12a are appropriately adjusted according to the type of ink. In this state, the blanket cylinder 12 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2), whereby ink is drawn out from the slit of the coating die 18 to form an ink film F on the surface of the blanket 12a.

  The blanket cylinder 12 is rotated about 1/8 to 1/4 rotation after the ink film F sticks to the surface of the blanket 12a. During this time, the surface of the ink film F is smoothed by its surface tension and the like. The thickness is made uniform.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the crosslinkable resin composition in the ink film F is obtained by irradiating the ink film F having a uniform thickness with a beam such as ultraviolet rays from the beam source 20. The product crosslinks. The crosslinked ink film F is in a state where the viscosity and yield value are higher than those of the ink film F before crosslinking, and the fluidity of the ink is low. Accordingly, a state in which the thickness uniformity of the ink film F is extremely high is maintained in the blanket 12a by the beam irradiation of the beam source 20.

  When the blanket cylinder 12 further rotates, the cross-linked ink film F adheres to the convex portions 14a of the plate cylinder 14 as shown in FIG. As a result, the portion F1 corresponding to the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14 in the ink film F is removed from the surface of the blanket 12a and transferred to the surface of the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14, and the surface of the blanket 12a An ink pattern F2 is formed. That is, the ink pattern F <b> 2 has a shape corresponding to a portion (concave portion) that is not the convex portion 14 a of the plate cylinder 14. At this time, the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14 is pressed against the surface of the blanket 12a by a pressing mechanism (not shown).

  When the blanket cylinder 12 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 4, the ink pattern F2 formed on the surface of the blanket 12a is continuously transferred to the film-like printed material P. At this time, the impression cylinder 16 rotates in the direction opposite to that of the blanket cylinder 12 (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 4), and is in pressure contact with the surface of the blanket 12a by a pressure contact mechanism (not shown).

  Thereafter, the ink pattern F2 is heated as necessary, or the ink pattern F2 is irradiated with light to completely cure the ink pattern F2. By performing the above process for each color ink of red, green, and blue, a transparent colored resin layer of each color is formed on the printing medium P.

  When printing the ink pattern on the printing medium P, the temperature of the blanket cylinder 12, the plate cylinder 14 and the impression cylinder 16 is 25 ° C. or more and 80 ° C. or less by a temperature adjusting unit (not shown), and It is preferable to maintain the temperature within ± 2 ° C. with respect to the preset temperature. If the temperature of the blanket cylinder 12, the plate cylinder 14 and the impression cylinder 16 is less than 25 ° C., the drying of the ink is slowed, and thus the productivity tends to be lowered. In some cases, the surface of the plate cylinder 14 is dewed. In some cases, transfer defects may occur. If the temperature of the blanket cylinder 12, the plate cylinder 14 and the impression cylinder 16 exceeds 80 ° C., the drying of the ink becomes too fast and it tends to be difficult to control the transfer property, and the ink pattern F2 is formed on the surface of the blanket 12a. Control of thermal expansion accompanying the temperature change of the plate cylinder 14 becomes difficult, and the positional accuracy when the ink pattern F2 is transferred to the printing medium P tends to be lowered. Further, if the temperature of the blanket cylinder 12, the plate cylinder 14 and the impression cylinder 16 exceeds a fluctuation range within ± 2 ° C. with respect to a preset temperature by a temperature adjusting means (not shown), the deformation or dimensional change of the plate will occur. Increases, the transfer accuracy tends to decrease.

  Furthermore, if necessary, an overcoat layer or a transparent conductive film formed of ITO or the like and used as a liquid crystal common electrode is formed on each of these transparent colored resin layers by a known method. The filter is complete.

  Furthermore, in the case of forming a liquid crystal display element, for example, an alignment film is subsequently formed on the transparent conductive film by a known method, and a TFT substrate is disposed opposite to the alignment film with a spacer interposed therebetween. Liquid crystal is sealed between the TFT substrate and the TFT substrate. The TFT substrate has a pixel electrode and an alignment film on the lower surface of the TFT functional element, and a polarizing film is formed on the TFT functional element. This spacer may be formed by the printing apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment.

  In the printing apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment as described above, the blanket cylinder 12 and the plate cylinder 14 are both columnar and rotatable. In the printing apparatus 10 </ b> A according to the first embodiment, the coating die 18, the beam source 20, the plate cylinder 14, the impression cylinder 16, and the cleaning unit 22 are arranged around the blanket cylinder 12 in the order of rotation of the blanket cylinder 12. The blanket cylinder 12 and the cleaning unit 24 are arranged in the order of the rotation direction of the plate cylinder 14 around the plate cylinder 14. Therefore, in the blanket cylinder 12, ink is applied to the blanket 12a, a predetermined portion of the ink film F is removed, the ink pattern F2 is transferred to the printing medium P, and the surface of the blanket 12a is cleaned in sequence. 14, the transfer of the ink film F to the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14 and the cleaning of the surface of the plate cylinder 14 are sequentially performed. As a result, it is possible to continuously print a resin layer having excellent thickness uniformity and pattern accuracy, not only when the substrate P is a substrate but also a flexible film or the like. It is possible.

  In the printing apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment, the crosslinkable resin composition in the ink film F is cross-linked by the beam source 20 to form a cross-linked ink film F. If it does in this way, the fluidity | liquidity of the ink film F in the surface of the blanket 12a will fall, and the uniformity of the thickness of the ink film F will be more fully maintained. Therefore, the ink pattern F2 formed on the surface of the blanket 12a can be held on the surface of the blanket 12a while maintaining the accuracy. As a result, the uniformity of the thickness and the accuracy of the pattern in the resin layer formed on the printing medium P are further improved.

[Second Embodiment]
(1) Configuration of Printing Apparatus Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the configuration of the printing apparatus 10B according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the printing apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment.

  Around the blanket cylinder 12 (the blanket 12a), a coating die 18, a beam source 20, a plate cylinder 14, and a cleaning unit 22 are arranged in the order of the rotation direction of the blanket cylinder 12 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5). Around the plate cylinder 14, a blanket cylinder 12 (a blanket 12 a), an impression cylinder 16, and a cleaning unit 24 are arranged in the order of rotation of the plate cylinder 14 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5).

(2) Printing Method Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the printing apparatus 10 </ b> A according to the first embodiment will be described with respect to the printing method on the printing medium P using the printing apparatus 10 </ b> B according to the second embodiment. The description will focus on the differences from the printing method on the printing medium P used.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the crosslinkable resin composition in the ink film F is crosslinked by irradiating the ink film F having a uniform thickness with a beam such as ultraviolet rays from the beam source 20.

  When the blanket cylinder 12 further rotates, the cross-linked ink film F adheres to the convex portions 14a of the plate cylinder 14 as shown in FIG. Thereby, a portion F1 corresponding to the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14 in the ink film F is removed from the surface of the blanket 12a and transferred to the surface of the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14.

  When the blanket cylinder 12 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 8, the ink film F <b> 1 transferred onto the surface of the convex portion 14 a of the plate cylinder 14 is continuously transferred to the film-like printing medium P. That is, in the printing apparatus 10B according to the second embodiment, the pattern of the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14 becomes the ink pattern F2 as it is.

  Thereafter, the ink pattern F2 is heated as necessary, or the ink pattern F2 is irradiated with light to completely cure the ink pattern F2.

  In the printing apparatus 10B according to the second embodiment as described above, the same operational effects as the printing apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment are exhibited.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the film-like printed material P has been described as an example. However, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the printing device 10 </ b> C using a substrate such as a glass substrate as the printed material P is used. The present invention can also be applied. At this time, the ink pattern formed on the surface of the blanket 12 a is transferred to the printing medium P in a state where the printing medium P as a substrate is placed on the stage 26. When transferring the ink pattern to the printing medium P, the stage 26 may be moved, or a part other than the stage 26 may be moved. At this time, the stage 26 is in pressure contact with the surface of the blanket 12a by a pressure contact mechanism (not shown). Further, in FIG. 9, the ink pattern formed on the surface of the blanket 12a is transferred to the printing medium P that is the substrate, as in the printing apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment, but the printing according to the second embodiment is performed. Similarly to the apparatus 10B, the ink film F1 transferred onto the surface of the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14 may be transferred to the printing medium P that is a substrate.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the displacement amount (swelling of the blanket 12 a) in the thickness direction of the blanket 12 a may be measured using a non-contact sensor (measurement means) 28. Then, based on the displacement measured by the non-contact sensor 28, in the case of the printing apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment, the linear distance between the surface of the blanket 12a and the surface of the plate cylinder 14, and the blanket In the case of the printing apparatus 10B according to the second embodiment, at least one of the linear distances between the surface of the printing medium P and the surface of the printing medium P12a is adjusted to the linear distance between the surface of the blanket 12a and the surface of the plate cylinder 14. You may do it.

  For the adjustment, an adjustment mechanism 30A as shown in FIG. 11 can be used. 30 A of adjustment mechanisms have the base part 30a and the thread part 30b. The threaded portion 30b extends along the Z-axis direction in FIG. 11, one end of which is connected to the pedestal portion 30a, and the other end is attached to a bearing 32 that supports the central shaft 12b of the blanket cylinder 12. A pair of bearing guides 34 functioning as guides are arranged on both sides of the bearing 32. Therefore, in the adjustment mechanism 30A having such a configuration, the blanket cylinder 12 moves up and down along the pair of bearing guides 34 by rotating the screw portion 30b by a drive source (not shown), and the height of the blanket cylinder 12 is adjusted. Will be.

  Moreover, the adjustment mechanism 30B as shown in FIG. 12 can also be used for the adjustment. The adjustment mechanism 30B includes a pedestal portion 30a, a screw portion 30b, and a taper member 30c. The threaded portion 30b extends along the Y-axis direction in FIG. 12, and one end of the threaded portion 30b is screwed with the tapered member 30c. The lower surface of the taper member 30c is in contact with the pedestal portion 30a, and the upper surface thereof is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the lower surface. Therefore, in the adjustment mechanism 30B having such a configuration, the screw portion 30b is rotated by a drive source (not shown) and the taper member 30c is moved along the Y-axis direction in FIG. Thus, the blanket cylinder 12 moves up and down, and the height of the blanket cylinder 12 is adjusted.

  By the way, when low-viscosity ink is applied to the blanket 12a, the solvent contained in the ink permeates the blanket 12a and swells the blanket 12a. When the blanket 12a swells in this manner, the blanket 12a also comes into contact with the portion other than the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14, and even ink that should originally remain on the blanket 12a is transferred to the convex portion 14a of the plate cylinder 14. It may be posted. However, as described above, the amount of swelling of the blanket 12a is grasped by the measuring means 28, and feedback control is performed on the linear distance by the adjusting mechanisms 30A and 30B based on this displacement amount (swelling amount). The pattern of the resin layer formed on the printed body P can be maintained with high accuracy, and the operation rate of the printing apparatus can be increased more than before by simplifying the adjustment work.

  In addition to the crosslinkable resin composition, the fluidity of the ink resin formed on the surface of the blanket 12a can be controlled. For example, when the ink is applied to the blanket 12a, the solvent contained in the ink is absorbed by the blanket 12a, or the solvent contained in the ink is naturally evaporated or forcedly evaporated from the surface of the ink film F formed on the surface of the blanket 12a. The fluidity of the ink resin can be controlled. When the solvent contained in the ink is forcibly evaporated from the surface of the ink film F formed on the surface of the blanket 12a, a heating means (heater) for promoting the evaporation of the solvent can be used.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the transparent colored resin layer, the black matrix, and the spacer of the color filter, but can be applied to pattern formation of a resin layer used for forming other electronic devices, for example, a resist layer.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a printing method on a printing medium using the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a step subsequent to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a step subsequent to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a printing method on a printing medium using the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing a step subsequent to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a step subsequent to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the blanket cylinder and the non-contact sensor. FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mechanism for adjusting the height of the blanket cylinder, and FIG. 11B is a side view showing a mechanism for adjusting the height of the blanket cylinder. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing another mechanism for adjusting the height of the blanket cylinder.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10A-10C ... Printing apparatus, 12 ... Blanket cylinder, 12a ... Blanket, 14 ... Plate cylinder, 14a ... Convex part, 16 ... Impression cylinder (pressure contact means), 18 ... Coating die (ink application means), 20 ... Beam source ( Modification means), 22 ... Cleaning unit (cleaning means), 24 ... Cleaning unit (cleaning means), 28 ... Non-contact sensor (measuring means), F ... Ink film, F2 ... Ink pattern, P ... Printing material.

Claims (11)

A blanket cylinder with a blanket provided on the surface and made rotatable,
A cylindrical plate cylinder provided with a convex portion of a predetermined pattern on the surface and made rotatable,
Pressure contact means for contacting the printing medium while pressing the blanket;
An ink application means for applying ink;
Cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the blanket;
Cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the plate cylinder,
Around the blanket cylinder, the ink application means, the plate cylinder, the pressure contact means and the cleaning means are arranged in the order of the rotation direction of the blanket cylinder,
Around the plate cylinder, the blanket cylinder and the cleaning means are arranged in the order of rotation of the plate cylinder,
The ink application means forms an ink film on the surface of the blanket by applying ink to the surface of the blanket,
The plate cylinder removes a predetermined portion of the ink film from the surface of the blanket by attaching the convex portion to the ink film, and forms a predetermined ink pattern on the surface of the blanket,
The press contact means is a printing apparatus that continuously transfers the ink pattern on the surface of the blanket to the printing body by bringing the printing body into contact with the blanket while being pressed. Measuring means for measuring the amount of displacement in the thickness direction of the blanket;
Based on the amount of displacement measured by the measuring means, at least one of a linear distance between the surface of the blanket and the surface of the plate cylinder and a linear distance between the surface of the blanket and the printing medium is adjusted. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adjusting unit. A blanket cylinder with a blanket provided on the surface and made rotatable,
A cylindrical plate cylinder provided with a convex portion of a predetermined pattern on the surface and made rotatable,
Pressure contact means for contacting the printing medium while pressing the plate cylinder;
An ink application means for applying ink;
Cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the blanket;
Cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the plate cylinder,
Around the blanket cylinder, the ink application means, the plate cylinder and the cleaning means are arranged in the order of rotation of the blanket cylinder,
Around the plate cylinder, the blanket cylinder, the press contact means and the cleaning means are arranged in the order of the rotation direction of the plate cylinder,
The ink application means forms an ink film on the surface of the blanket by applying ink to the surface of the blanket,
The plate cylinder transfers the predetermined portion of the ink film from the blanket surface to the surface of the convex portion of the plate cylinder by attaching the convex portion to the ink film,
The press contact means continuously transfers the ink film transferred to the surface of the convex portion of the plate cylinder to the print body by bringing the print body into contact with the plate cylinder while being pressed. Printing device. Measuring means for measuring the amount of displacement in the thickness direction of the blanket;
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an adjusting unit that adjusts a linear distance between a surface of the blanket and a surface of the plate cylinder based on a displacement amount measured by the measuring unit. Further comprising a modifying means for modifying the ink film formed on the surface of the blanket to reduce the fluidity of the ink film;
The modification means is disposed around the blanket cylinder, downstream of the ink application means in the rotational direction of the blanket cylinder and upstream of the plate cylinder in the rotational direction of the blanket cylinder. The printing apparatus described in any one of 1-4. The ink applied by the ink application means includes a crosslinkable resin composition,
The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the modifying unit crosslinks the crosslinkable resin composition of the ink film formed on a surface of the blanket.   The cleaning means disposed around the plate cylinder includes a liquid injection nozzle that injects a cleaning liquid onto the surface of the plate cylinder, and removes moisture on the surface of the plate cylinder by injecting a gas onto the surface of the plate cylinder. The printing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-6 which has a gas injection nozzle to perform. During the rotation of the cylindrical blanket cylinder provided with the blanket on the surface, and the cylindrical plate cylinder provided with the convex portions of the predetermined pattern on the surface,
An ink application step of forming an ink film on the surface of the blanket by applying ink to the surface of the blanket;
An ink pattern forming step of removing a predetermined portion of the ink film from the surface of the blanket by attaching the convex portion of the plate cylinder to the ink film and forming a predetermined ink pattern on the surface of the blanket When,
A transfer step of continuously transferring the ink pattern on the surface of the blanket to the printing body by contacting the printing body with pressure on the blanket;
Of the surface of the blanket, a cleaning step of cleaning a portion after the ink pattern on the blanket is transferred to the printing medium in the transfer step;
The printing method which performs the washing | cleaning process of wash | cleaning the part to which the said ink film was adhered to the said convex part of the said plate cylinder in the said ink pattern formation process among the surfaces of the said plate cylinder. During the rotation of the cylindrical blanket cylinder provided with the blanket on the surface, and the cylindrical plate cylinder provided with the convex portions of the predetermined pattern on the surface,
An ink application step of forming an ink film on the surface of the blanket by applying ink to the surface of the blanket;
Transferring the predetermined portion of the ink film from the surface of the blanket to the surface of the convex portion of the plate cylinder by attaching the convex portion of the plate cylinder to the ink film; and
A transfer step of continuously transferring the ink film transferred to the surface of the plate cylinder to the printing body by bringing the printing body into contact with the plate cylinder while being pressed; and
Of the surface of the blanket, a cleaning step of cleaning a portion after the ink film on the blanket is transferred to the convex portion of the plate cylinder in the transfer step;
A printing method of performing a cleaning step of cleaning a portion of the surface of the plate cylinder after the ink film is transferred from the convex portion of the plate cylinder to the printing medium in the transfer step.   The temperature of the blanket cylinder, the plate cylinder, and the press contact means is maintained at 25 ° C. or more and 80 ° C. or less and within ± 2 ° C. with respect to a preset temperature. The printing method described.   The printing method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the substrate is a film.

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