MXPA96004480A - Roller of gravado and procedure for gradient of coating unifo - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an engraving roller constituted by a series of cells arranged in at least two sections of line density in which the line densities change from section to section, and in which the cell volumes progressively change within each section, and in which the cell volumes at the end of a section are substantially the same as the cell volumes at the beginning of the next section adjacent to each other.

Description

* 'ENGRAVING ROLLER AND PROCEDURE FOR UNIFORM COATING GRADIENT FIELD OF INVENTION?, The present invention relates to coating or printing by-surface engraving with a coating gradient? In + or.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is a method of using printing or coating by engraving to produce a continuous gradient on a substrate, in par + icular, a gradient of color on ? N transparent substrate. An example of a resultant product would be a colored window film + to those used in buildings or automobiles that have a dark and colored gradient on the upper part to ac + uar as a solar pro + ec + or, and below the which the color gradient is progressively ? 0 lightweight. There are numerous other applications + such as specialized optical or lighting fixtures, as well as applications for non-transpar + + coatings or non-transparen + substrates. In printing by engraving, a roller (that is, a ? 5 cylinder) carries a multitude of small aber + uras on its surface called cells, and rotates in rum + act with a jême Lmien + o of +? Nta and a band (+ al romo paper or polies + er) to be printed .. The cells turn the 11th of the .ba techno and transfer it to the band. Etching is very economical for large scale coating and printing applications and is + a way is a favorable technique if an appropriate printed product results. In most etching procedures, the cells are flooded with tm + a, after which a repair sheet cleans the surface of the roller (or in some cases a plate) from the excess of +? Nta. In this way, the depth and size of each cell determines the amount of tin + a (or other fluid) that is available to be transferred to the printed (or coated) surface. A + cell has two compounds + is in size ,. The first is its transverse area, which is often described by the number of cell lines per inch (line density) along the engraving roller. The higher the line density, the smaller the individual cells will be. The second compose + e is the volume of the cell, which depends as much on the transversal area as €? the depth of the cells on the roller. The conventional etching method for producing a color gradient is to reduce the volume of the individual cells from start to finish around the circumference of an engraving cylinder. The larger cells take and distribute more band-aid, and the smaller cells correspond to each other and transfer ink to the cells. From this t-urine, a band printed by such a roll exhibits a more ink pato decreasing to less ink; that is, a color gradient. The conventional technique, however, tends to produce vain different portions of color gradient. In general terms, the first portion is produced by the larger volume cells and is essentially solid in appearance, the volume of the cell decreased, the next portion appears as a continuous color field with discontinuous dots without printing, fll advancing the pattern, the appearance changes to a continuous field without printing with printed discontinuous dots. A final portion appears co or a continuous field without printing. However, an optical problem occurs when such gradients are produced by conventional etching processes on transparent substrates. Specifically, the intermediate portions of the gradient (the printed field with the unprinted spots) produce optical turbidity on a transparent substrate. For example, if a colored transparent portion is printed on a colorless poly ester substrate, the darker colored portions, the different dot portions, and the uncoloured portions are typically clear. Non-printing dot portions, however, tend to be murky. Such turbid portions are undesirable or unacceptable for many purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to produce a continuous coating gradient on a substrate, and in particular an optically clear continuous color gradient on a transparent surface using an etching roller. The invention accomplishes this object with an engraving rod which produces such a uniform continuous coating gradient on a substrate in which the roller is constituted of a series Ae cells containing fluid arranged in circumferential sections Ae line density. The line densities increase progressively from section to section, and the volume of cells decreases progressively within each section. The cell volumes at the end of a section are substantially the same as the cell volumes at the beginning of the next section. adjacent. In another aspect, the invention is a method of producing a uniform continuous gradient coating on a substrate. In yet another aspect, the invention comprises a method of making an engraving roll that will produce such a uniform continuous coating gradient over a substitch. The foregoing objects and others, advantages and characteristics of the invention and the manner in which it is carried out, will be made clearer by consideration of the detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred and exemplary embodiments, and wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an engraving roll divided into sections according to the present invention; and Figures 2-25 are optical plots of different portions of an engraving roll in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an engraving roll that produces a uniform continuous coating gradient on a substrate. The roller comprises a series of cells, better illustrated in the optical icrographs of Figures 2-25, arranged in circumferential sections of line density. Figure 1 is a schematic view of such roller 30 having 7 sections 31-37 thereon. As shown in Figure 1, the circumferential line density sections have line densities that increase progressively from section to section. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, section 31 has a line density of 150 lines per inch (59 lines per centimeter). This density increases by 25 lines per inch (9.8 lines per centimeter) -n '"up to one of the sections up to section 37 that has a line density of 300 lines per inch (118 lines-- per cent L etro). If one of sections 31-37 is moved, the cell volumes progressively decrease as long as the line density remains constant. (However, at the end of a section + at the end of the 31st, and the beginning of the next section 32, the cell volumes are substantially the same to each other Said from another household, the smaller cell volumes in section 31 are substantially the same as the larger cell volumes at the beginning of section 32. The same relationship is maintained between each of the respective adjacent sections.It will be easily understood in this regard that although the terms "progressively increasing" and "progressively decreasing" have been used to describe the Linea densities in the Cell volumes, if spoken in the opposite direction (for example from right to left in Figure 1), cell volumes would increase within each section and line densities would decrease from section to section. However, seen or described in any way, the result is the same. An engraving roll according to the invention will comprise at least two line density sections (Figure 1 illustrates 7 such sections) and the sections are progressively arranged along the axial direction of the roll. r has determined according to the present invention that by equalizing the cell volumes at the edges between sections, a visible line between sections can be avoided even when the line density changes. In other words, if the cell volumes in section 31 were different from those in section 32 in and near the point where the sections are located, sections 31 and 32 would display a linear border between the sections. them, and a transparent coated substrate or substrate would have the appearance of ribbons or ribbons. This problem is eliminated by equalizing the cell volumes on the edge. In this case, the dotted lines in FIG. 1 are intended to schematically illustrate the edges, and do not represent physical lines on the engraving roller. Further, to produce a continuous color gradient without turbidity or other optical problems caused by non-printing dots, in preferred embodiments, the cell volumes within each section 31-37 of the roller 30 always remain high enough so that each section forms a continuous coating on a coated substrate? of the roller 30. In other words, even though each section progressively releases less ink from its cells, each section always releases enough ink (or other fluid) to form a continuous coating. Figures 2-25 further illustrate the novel features of the invention. First, by way of explanation, each of the optical micrographs in Fig. 2-19 shows a plurality of cells, and each one includes horizontal and vertical white lines or "reticule petals". These are used to dictate the size of the edges between cells, the size of the channels between cells, and the sizes of the same. In a further explanation, not all of the initials are identical in amplification, but the relative amplification can be determined by the reticular threads. For example, Figure 2 includes the labels "OLOV" and "012H". These designations indicate that the space between the vertical lines (V) is 10 microns (μ) and the space between the horizontal lines (H) is 12 microns. In each of Figures 2-19, the darker areas represent the cells and represent indented areas of the roll surface. The lighter or white areas essentially represent edges between the cells as well as areas that are coplanar with the outermost circumference of the engraving roller. In figures 2, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, 18, 22 and 24, the lattice threads measure the size of the edges between cells. In FIGS. 3, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 23 and 25, the lattice threads measure the channels between cells. In Figures 4, 5, 12, 13, 20, and 21, the lattice threads measure the areas of neighboring cells. In addition, some of the initials (for example, figure 2) were used with the celadas at an angle of 45 ° to allow in the Irography to measure the walls of the cell. Other micrographs (e.g., Figure 3) are made with the cells arranged substantially vertically so that the channels between the cells can be maintained analogously. In this way, in figure 2, the designation "033V" indicates that the channel between the stacked cells vertically is 33 microns. As is well understood by those of ordinary dexterity in engraving printing engineering, the channels in the cells also need to be present and large enough to form a continuous covering over a substrate. Finally, in Figures 4, 12, and 20, the lattice threads measure the cell size; for example, 96 microns wide and 103 microns high in figure 20. Figures 5, 13 and 21 measure the total width of a cell and the channel pattern, for example, 135 microns wide and 103 microns high in Figure 21. Figures 2-9 were all taken from a section of an engraving roller according to the present invention with a line density of 150 lines per inch (59 lines per centimeter), such as section 31 of the Figure 1. Figures 2-5 were taken from the portion that had the largest cell volume; Figures 6 and 7 represent a middle portion of the section, and Figures 8 and 9 are taken from the portion having the lowest cell volume. As shown in Figures 2-9, at the beginning of the engraving roll, where the darker color will be applied - that is, most of the ink - the edges between the cells are smaller (10/12 microns). ) and the channels between the cells are larger (33 microns). In the portion of section 31 that is adjacent to section 32, however, the line density of section 31 remains the same, but the cell volumes are smaller as indicated by the larger edges and channels. More smalls. Specifically, in Figure 8, the edges between the cells are 19 and 26 microns respectively (approximately twice the size of those in Figure 2) while in Figure 9, the channel between the cells is approximately 17 microns. half of the 33 microns width of the channel in figure 3. In this way, figures 2-9 indicate the progressively decreasing cell volume den + ro of section 31, but at the constant line density of 59 lines per centimeter . Figure 4 illustrates that in this embodi, a cell in section 31 has an area of approximately 43,000 square micras (μ2) (192μ x? 24μ). A next useful comparison is between Figures R and 9, and 10 and 11. Figures 10 and 11 represent the section portion 32 in which the cell volumes are essentially the same as those of the adjacent cells in section 31, even when the line density is higher, 175 lines per p.lgada (69 lines per centimeter). Figures 10 and 11 show that the walls of the cells have respective widths of 9 and 10 microns and that the channels between the cells are 31 microns. Figures 14 and 15 represent an average portion of Ll , to section 32, again with a line density of 175 Lines per inch (59 lines per centimeter), fiery as observed, with slightly wider cell walls and a similar or slightly narrow channel. Figures 16 and 17 show the section portion 32 that would be adjacent to the section 33; that is, those cells in section 32 that would have volumes more similar to those in section 33. As can be seen there, figure 16 illustrates the wider cell walls (13 and 15 microns). Figure 12 shows that a cell in section 32 has an area of approximately 30.576μ2 (168μ x 82μ). Figures 18-25 are taken from an engraving roll in the portion corresponding to the line density section 37 in Figure 1; that is, a section with a line density of 300 lines per inch (118 lines per centimeter). Although in several of the drawings, these look similar to the previous photographs, they also represent densities of larger lines and correspondingly smaller cell volumes, in a manner analogous to that described above. In particular, Figure 20 illustrates an approximate cell area of 9,900μ2 (96μ x 103μ), an approximately quarter area of the cells in section 31. The engraving roller 30 of the present invention can be produced by forming a first section of cells on the circumferential surface of the roller at a constant line density while the cell volumes along the axial direction of the roller are progressively reduced concurrently. Then, the second and successive sections of the cells can be formed on the circumferential surface of the engraving roll adjacent to the first (or preceding) section and at a constant line density that is larger than the line density. of the first section (or precedent), while substantially equaling the volumes of the first cells on the second (or following) section to the last cells in the first (or preceding) section, and while progressively r-educating concurrently the cell volumes in the second (or following) section along the axial direction of the roller. It will be understood that when a roller is used as that shown in FIG. 1, all the coating steps take place concurrently rather than consecutively. If a sequence coating is desired! or it is necessary, a method may include sequential coatings of engraving cylinders arranged substantially. By properly aligning the cylinders, the same continuous gradient can occur. In a preferred embodiment, the cells are formed by electronic engraving (that is, an electreously controlled style that forms the cells). However, the invention is best understood in terms of the line density ratios from section to section and cell volumes L -fcnt ro of each section. Therefore, although electronic engraving is currently preferred, the method of the invention could also comprise mechanical engraving, single engraving, laser engraving, or even applications that may or may not be applied to engraving rolls, or could be potential entity applied like this in the future. In recording this specification, these other methods have disadvantages compared to electronic etching, but these other methods are theoretically more capable of producing the sections, line densities and cell volumes required. The invention further comprises a method of producing a uniform coating gradient on a substrate. In this aspect, the method comprises applying a fluid cover to a first portion of a substrate by releasing the fluid to the substrate from a first section of cells containing fluid having a constant line density, but with progressively decreasing cell volumes. . The method then comprises the application of a coating fluid to a second portion of the substrate adjacent to the first portion that was coated with the cells of small volume in the first section., and a second section of cells containing fluid having a constant line density that is greater than the line density of the first section (ie, the smaller cells), but with progressively decreasing cell volumes. The cell volumes in the first section are substantially maintained equal to the cell lumens of the second section at the point where the first and second portions of the substrate are adjacent to each other. Preferably, the passage of the fluid application of the first and second cell sections comprises the application of fluid of adjacent circumferential sections of cells on an engraving roller, and in the most preferred embodiment, the fluid application steps of the first and second sections comprises the application of a colored fluid (e.g., an appropriate ink) to a transparent substrate such as polyester. As is known to those familiar with the printing by engraving, the step of applying the coating fluid to the substrate will generally comprise the application of the coating fluid to a moving band, usually the method can be applied to any transparent polymer band which is otherwise suitable for etching procedure. As noted with the description of the engraving roll, the method preferably comprises the release of sufficient fluid from each section of cells to each section of the substrate to avoid a dotted appearance and any resulting clarity problem, particularly in transparent coating substrates with feints of color. Although in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention a color ink is applied to a transparent substrate to produce a continuous color gradient, the invention can be applied to any coating technique in which the uniform gradient is desired, including thickness cont. . For example, the method could comprise the application of an adhesive coating (including clear adhesives) to an appropriate substrate (paper, polymer, and potential among some fabrics) to produce a substrate with a controlled release adhesive coating that changes uniformly with the gradient. . Other examples would include protective coatings, conductive coatings (for which conductivity requires continuity and quantitatively depends on thickness), anti-dabbing coatings on lenses, goggles, and masks, photo-or electro-chemical coatings (eg, snapshot or conventional), density control, and numerous replacement techniques for halftone techniques currently used in graphic arcs. Because the method is essentially an etching method, it preferably comprises the step of filling the cells with coating fluid before the steps of applying the fluid coating to the substrate. The method of applying ink or other material to an engraving roll is well understood in the art and will not be explained in the present in more detail. Although aspects of the method of the invention can be explained with respect to the first and second portions of the substrate, it is understood that the same relationship can be carried out with third and successive portions of the substrate with each successive portion being adjacent to the portion that was coated. of the smaller volume cells in the preceding section of the cells. Each successive portion of the substrate is coated with a successive section of cells containing fluid that have a constant line density that is greater than the line density of the preceding section of the cells, but with progressively decreasing cell volumes within each cell. section of stars. At the same time, the cell volumes remain substantially the same in each section preceding the cell volume of the respective successive section at the point where the preceding and successive and respective portions of the substrate are adjacent to each other. In a final modality, the invention may comprise a substrate with a uniform gradient coating on the ism, characterized in that the coating is continuous along the substrate as the amount of the coating on the substrate changes. The preferred embodiment is a tri-transparent substrate band with a color-transparent coating that is characterized by optical clarity in all coating areas. In the preferred embodiment, the transparent substrate comprises polyester, but as mentioned above, the coated substrate may also include a paper product with an ink, adhesive, or other suitable coating thereon which is required or is required.jesee It will be further understood that although the most common use of the invention will be to produce a continuously increasing (or continuously decreasing) gradient, the invention is useful as well to produce increments as decreases (or combinations thereof) in a continuous gradient. For example, the invention could produce a coated substrate more abundantly at its edges and more lightly at its center, with the coating gradient being continuous, from abundant to light and again abundant. The invention can produce a wide variety of similar or related patterns, with the advantage that the invention provides a continuous gradient rather than a discontinuous one. Sirnilarrnen + e, the method of the invention can be used in sequential steps that differ from one another to produce desired overall coatings constructed of continuous gradients, each of which is applied in accordance with the present invention. In the drawings and specification, typical preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and, although specific terms have been employed, they have been used only in a generic and descriptive sense and not for the purpose of limitation; the scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

Claims (3)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. - An engraving roller constituted by a series of cells arranged in at least two sections of line density, in which the line densities change from section to section, and in which the cell volumes progressively change within each section, and in which the cell volumes at the end of a section are substantially the same as the cell volumes at the beginning of the next adjacent section.
2. 2. An engraving roller according to claim 1, further characterized in that the line densities increase progressively from section to section, and in which the cell volumes decrease progressively within each section, and in which the volumes of The cell in the ext realm of a section are substantially the same as the cell volumes at the beginning of the next adjacent section.
3. 3. An engraving roll according to claim 1, further characterized in that the cell volumes within each of said sections are always kept high enough to form a continuous coating on a substrate reclosed from said roller. rabado. 4. - An engraving roll according to claim 1, further characterized in that the channels between the cells are kept large enough to form a continuous coating on a substrate coated with said engraving roll. 5. An engraving roller according to claim 1, further characterized in that said line sections are circumferential sections arranged along the axial direction of said roller. 6. A substrate printed by engraving, printed on the engraving roller of claim 1. 1. - A method of producing a uniform coated gradient on a substrate, the method comprising, the application of a coating fluid to a first portion of a substrate releasing the fluid to the substrate in a first section of cells containing fluid that have a constant line density, but with progressively decreasing cell volumes; and applying a coating fluid to a second portion of the substrate adjacent to the portion that was coated with the smaller volume cells in the first section, and from a second section of fluid containing cells having a constant line density that is larger than the line density of the first section, but with progressively decreasing cell volumes; and at the same time maintaining the cell voltages in the first section substantially 'I Equal to the cell volumes of the second section at the point where the first and second portions of the substrate are + an adjacent to each other. 8. A coating substrate or produced by the method of claim 7, 9 .- A method of coating according to claim 7, further characterized in that the steps of application of the fluid of the first and second sections of cells comprises the application of fluid from adjacent circumferential sections of cells on a rabe roll. 10. A method according to claim 7, further characterized in that the fluid coatings are applied concurrently to the first and second portions of the substitch. 11. A method according to claim 7, further characterized in that the fluid coatings are applied sequentially to the first and second portions of the subsystem. 12. A method of coating confomu to claim 7, further characterized in that the steps of fluid application from the first and second sections of cells comprise the application of a colored fluid to a subst or + transparent. 13. A coating method according to claim 7, further characterized in that the steps of applying the coating fluid to the substrate comprises the application of the coating fluid to a moving web. 14. A coating method according to claim 7, further characterized in that the step of applying a coating fluid to the first and second portions of the substrate comprises the application of sufficient fluid from each section of cells to form a continuous coating on a substrate coated with said engraving roller. 15. A method of making an engraving roll that will produce a uniform coating gradient on a substrate, the method comprising: forming a first section of cells on the circumferential surface of an engraving roll at a constant line density at same time as the progressive reduction concurrently of the cell volumes along the axial direction of the roller; and forming a second section of cells on the circumferential surface of the engraving roll adjacent to the first section, and at a constant line density that is larger than the line density of the first section, and at the same time substantially equaling the volumes of the first cells in the second section to the last cells in the first section, and at the same time the concurrent reduction of the cell volumes in the second section along the axial direction of the roller. "> 7 16. - A method in accordance with the claim 15, further characterized in that the cell forming step comprises a selected etching technique A & l group consisting of electronic gripping, mechanical engraving, chemical etching, and engraving of the ser-.