EP1399316A2

EP1399316A2 - Device and method for cleaning a printing carrier before each printing cycle

Info

Publication number: EP1399316A2
Application number: EP01990392A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Link
Original assignee: Oce Printing Systems GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Canon Production Printing Germany GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2000-12-21
Filing date: 2001-11-06
Publication date: 2004-03-24
Also published as: US20040089179A1; DE10063987A1; WO2002049843A2; US6865986B2; WO2002049843A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method for cleaning a printing carrier in which the printing carrier (10) is cleaned before each printing cycle and, in turn, before applying new image information. In order to clean the printing carrier (10), the printing carrier is subjected to the action of a cleaning fluid. A digital method is preferably used for structuring.

Description

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which the image information is transmitted from a first print medium. A device for cleaning according to the invention can be arranged both on the first print carrier and on the intermediate carrier. These measures make the entire printing process environmentally friendly and economical.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for cleaning a print carrier is specified.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a printing process with a band-shaped printing medium which is passed through an immersion bath with cleaning liquid,

FIG. 2 shows a similar arrangement according to FIG. 1 with a multi-stage ultrasound application to the band-shaped pressure carrier,

FIG. 3 shows a combination of high-pressure cleaning and immersion bath for a band-shaped printing medium,

FIG. 4 shows a structure of a cleaning device with a cleaning belt,

Figure 5 shows a multi-stage cleaning process with two cleaning belts, and

Figure 6 shows a multi-stage cleaning process with a single endless cleaning belt.

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of a printer which structures the surface of a band-shaped print carrier 10 using a digital method. The conveyor o co rv> IV »cn o cn o Cn o Cn

In this case, each ultrasonic actuator 24a, 24b can act from the rear (as shown) or from the front of the print carrier 10.

FIG. 3 shows a further variant, in which a high-pressure cleaning device 28 is arranged, which sprays a cleaning liquid under high pressure onto the surface of the band-shaped pressure carrier 10. Pre-cleaning takes place in this way. The subsequent final cleaning is carried out in the immersion bath 22 under the action of the ultrasound actuator 24.

FIG. 4 shows a variant of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1. Identical parts are identified identically. The band-shaped pressure carrier 10 does not itself pass through the immersion bath 22. Rather, a cleaning band 30 is provided which is brought into contact with the band-shaped pressure carrier 10. With the aid of a spring-loaded pressure roller 32, the cleaning tape 30 presses against the pressure carrier 10, which in turn presses against a counter pressure roller 34 ^' . The cleaning belt 30 is designed as a conveyor belt or as a fabric belt and ensures that the paint particles are removed.

The cleaning tape 30 ^'is guided through the immersion bath 22, and is acted upon with ultrasonic energy of the ultrasonic actuator 24th After passing through the immersion bath 22, the cleaning belt 30 is guided past a suction device 36 which sucks off the cleaning liquid. The cleaning by means of the cleaning belt 30 is preceded by the high-pressure cleaning device 28, with the aid of which the ink residues on the printing medium are dissolved.

FIG. 5 shows a multi-stage cleaning using two cleaning belts 30a, 30b. A drum is used as the print carrier 10 here. The cleaning belt 30b effects a pre-cleaning including two ultrasonic actuators 38,

40. The ultrasonic actuator 38 acts on the print carrier 10. The ultrasonic actuator 40 acts on the cleaning belt 30b in Immersion bath 22. Before the cleaning tape 30b contacts the printing medium 10, cleaning liquid, for example water, is applied by means of the water application device 44. The cleaning tape 30a is cleaned using the ultrasound actuator 24. A heating source 42 dries the cleaning tape 30a and applies heat energy to its surface. Both cleaning belts 30a, 30b rotate counter to the running direction of the print carrier 10.

Figure 6 shows a further variant in which a single

Cleaning tape that performs multi-stage cleaning. The cleaning belt 30 effects pre-cleaning at a first cleaning point 46 and final cleaning at a second cleaning point 48.

The illustrated exemplary embodiments can be modified in numerous ways. For example, instead of a cleaning belt, a rigid cleaning roller can also be used, the surface of which contains a fleece covering, a fabric covering or bristles. Cleaning liquid can be removed from the coating of the cleaning roller or from the cleaning belt using squeeze rollers. Alternatively, wiping elements or wiping elements can be used. The contaminated cleaning liquid can be cleaned using suitable methods, e.g. Filter processes, separation processes using centrifugal force or gravity, separated from the dirt particles and fed back into the immersion bath in a recycle cycle.

In a further variant it is provided, for example in the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, that the cleaning tape can be kept at a distance from the carrier, so that no cleaning takes place. The image structure on the cleaning tape is thus retained. The same image pattern can be reprinted by applying a new color. The printing cycle then comprises a large number of transfer printing processes. Will a new print cycle with a new one co co IV) IV) P>

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of the print carrier is printed over onto a carrier material. A solid-phase substance is used as the ink-repellent medium, which is generated by cooling the surface of the print carrier thereon. To generate the solid phase of the substance, preferably water, the pressure carrier is preferably cooled at least on its surface to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the substance. The pressure-active surface of the print carrier can initially be completely provided with a solid layer, preferably an ice layer. In a digital structuring process, solid-free or ice-free areas are created as color-attracting areas in accordance with the structure of the printed image to be printed. A coolant system is preferably used to cool the pressure medium. To form the ice-free areas of the ice layer, the surface of the printing medium is exposed to radiation, for example by the radiation from a laser, a laser diode, an LED or an LED array. Alternatively, the ice-free areas can be created using heating elements.

Another preferred application of the cleaning device described can be used for printing processes which are described in the PCT patent applications with file numbers PCT / EP00 / 06028 and PCT / EP00 / 06026. The surface of the printing roller has a large number of depressions for receiving printing fluid. A coloring station brings hydraulic fluid into these wells. With the aid of a digital structuring process, the surface tension of the printing fluid in the depressions is influenced in accordance with an image pattern to be printed. During transfer printing, printing fluid is printed from the depressions onto the carrier in accordance with the image pattern. The hydraulic fluid remains in other depressions and does not reach the carrier. The cleaning devices described are suitable for completely detaching the hydraulic fluid from the depressions, so that complete cleaning of the Surface of the print carrier is made possible. This is then ready to receive new pressure fluid in the depressions, and a new structuring process and transfer printing process can take place.

Further details on the printing methods described can be found in the documents mentioned, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the disclosure content of the present patent application.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 print carriers

12 application device 14 structuring device

16 paint application device

18 transfer point

20 carriers

22 Immersion bath 24 Ultrasonic actuator

26 blowers

28 high pressure cleaning device 30,30a,

30b cleaning tape 32 pressure roller

34 counter pressure roller

36 suction device 38.40 ultrasonic actuators 42 heating source 44 water application device

46 Pre-cleaning point

48 final cleaning point

Claims

Expectations

1. device for cleaning a print carrier (10),

in which the print carrier (10) is structured on its surface for each printing cycle in such a way that it carries new image information which is colored with colored material,

the color material is printed on a carrier (20),

before applying new image information, the surface of the print carrier (10) is cleaned,

wherein the surface of the print carrier (10) is acted upon by a cleaning liquid.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the structuring of the surface of the print carrier is carried out directly or indirectly with the aid of a digital method.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning liquid contains water.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cleaning liquid consists of water and optionally cleaning additives.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the pressure carrier (10) is acted upon by ultrasonic energy.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the pressure carrier (10) is acted upon by a high-pressure jet with cleaning fluid.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the band-shaped pressure carrier is passed through an immersion bath (22) with cleaning liquid.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning takes place in several cleaning stages.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for cleaning the surface of the print carrier (10) it is brought into contact with at least one cleaning tape (30).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the cleaning tape (30, 30a) is pressed by means of a spring force against the surface of the pressure carrier (10).

11. The device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the band-shaped pressure carrier (10) abuts a counter-pressure roller (34).

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning belt (30, 30a ^" ,

30b) is subjected to ultrasonic energy.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning tape (30b) and the surface of the pressure carrier (10) is acted upon by ultrasonic energy.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning belt (30) after passing through the immersion bath (22) with cleaning liquid is guided past a suction device (36).

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning belt (30, 30a, 30b) is moved counter to the running direction of the print carrier (10).

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning belt (30a) after passing through the immersion bath (22) is guided past "a heating source (42).

17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning belt (30b) after passing through the immersion bath (22) is guided past a water application device (44).

18. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning process is multi-stage, a first cleaning belt (30b) performing a pre-cleaning and a second downstream cleaning belt (30a) performing the final cleaning.

19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a single endless cleaning belt (30) performs a multi-stage cleaning.

20. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning belt is a conveyor belt or a fabric belt.

21. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cleaning roller, preferably with a fleece or fabric covering, is used in place of the cleaning belt.

22. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means are provided by which optionally brings the surface of the print carrier into contact with the cleaning tape or the cleaning roller and by means of which the contact is broken again.

23. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print carrier is an intermediate carrier to which the image information is transmitted from a first print carrier.

24. Process for cleaning a print carrier (10),

the color material is printed on a carrier (20),

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the structuring of the surface of the print carrier is carried out with the aid of a digital method.

26. The method according to any one of claims 24 or 25, characterized in that the print carrier is an intermediate carrier to which the image information is transmitted from a first print carrier.