Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Ejector mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-17
2001-08-07
Funk, Stephen R. (Department: 2854)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Ejector mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270194
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to printers. More specifically, the invention relates to means for printing both very simple and highly artistic printed matter on different types of carriers.
BACKGROUND ART
A method for printing is known which consists of placing a carrier before a printing plate, applying a layer of ink onto the surface of the plate, and selectively transferring ink from predetermined points on the surface of the plate to the carrier. In the known method taught in Japanese application No. 55-34970, class B 41 M 1/12, published Mar. 11, 1980, under number No. 53-108988, a layer of ink is applied onto a printing plate having the form of a grid with a combination of apertures which forms the image to be reproduced, and the ink is forced through the apertures onto the carrier.
A disadvantage of this method is that it is necessary to make a new plate with another combination of apertures for the passage of ink in order to print each new image. This process is not only lengthy in itself but is related to substantial expenditures due to manufacture of the plate.
In order to carry out the known method for printing, a device is used which is also taught in the cited patent. This device comprises a printing plate, means for applying a layer of ink onto the surface of the plate and means for transferring the ink from the plate onto a carrier. The printing plate is made in the form of a grid covered with a layer of light sensitive emulsion, which upon exposition through a photoform under the effect of UV-radiation is hardened on the portions of the spaces which are to be filled. The nonhardened portions of the emulsion are washed off. The hardened emulsion is subjected to thermal treatment for hardening and is covered with a special composition for protection from acids and alkalis. In the process of printing, ink is applied to the plate and then, using a squeegee, is pressed through the open cells of the grid and transferred to the carrier. After the printing is completed, the hardened layer is removed from the grid which is once again covered with light sensitive emulsion to make a new plate.
A disadvantage of such devices is the necessity of making and mounting new plates to print each edition. This process is lengthy in itself. The present-day situation in polygraphy is characterized by small editions, as a result of which the time for preparation of a machine for operation becomes comparable with the printing time itself, i.e. expensive equipment is not used efficiently.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
At the base of the invention lies the problem of creating such a method and printer for printing which would eliminate the making and mounting of plates to print each edition, would reduce the time for preparation of the printing and would make it possible to effectively use the printing equipment.
This problem is solved in a method for printing which consists of placing a carrier before a printing plate, applying a layer of ink onto the surface of the plate and selectively transferring the ink from predetermined points on the surface of the plate to the carrier, in that in accordance with the invention, the surface of the plate is made continuous and smooth, the layer of ink is applied onto the surface facing the carrier, and from the side of the opposite surface a light beam from a laser (quantum oscillator) is focused on those points of the layer of ink which are transferred to the carrier.
With such a method for printing, there is no necessity to change the plate for each image being reproduced, since the light beam of the laser at any given point creates an impact pulse in the layer of ink and ejects a drop thereof onto the carrier.
It is advisable that the plate be made from a material which is transparent for the wavelength of the laser.
Such a realization of the method makes it possible to effectively use the beam energy.
It is advisable that a plurality of insulated areas of a material which is not transparent for the wavelength radiated by the laser be formed on the surface of the plate facing the carrier, and that they be arranged in the form of two groups of mutually intersecting parallel rows, comprising a matrix.
Such a realization of the method makes it possible to create an impact pulse in the layer of ink and eject drops even in the case where the light beam of the laser will not be absorbed in that layer, since in that case an acoustic pulse will be excited upon interaction of the light beam of the laser with material which is not transparent for its wavelength, i.e. conversion of light energy into acoustic will occur.
It is advisable that the insulated areas on the surface of the plate be arranged with a spacing between them which corresponds to a predetermined resolution of the image to be reproduced.
Such a realization of the method makes it possible to reproduce highly artistic images, the distance between adjacent ink points of which is small and tends to the theoretically possible.
It is advisable that the insulated areas on the surface of the plate be made from a material radiating acoustic pulses when light beam pulses from the laser impinge thereon.
Such a realization of the method makes it possible to create impact pulses in layers of ink of different colors, thus ensuring the possibility for color printing.
It is advisable that metal films, semiconductor films or supergrids with quantum pits be used as the material of the isolated areas.
Such a realization of the method makes it possible to convert the light beam energy of the laser into acoustic energy in the most effective manner.
It is also advisable that an electrode be mounted in the zone in which the carrier is positioned, and that voltage be applied between the electrode and the ink layer on the surface of the plate.
Such a realization of the method makes it possible to transfer particles of ink charged at the point of interaction of the beam and the ink layer to the carrier due to an electrostatic field, and this makes it possible to reduce the power of coherent radiation.
The stated problem is also solved in that in a printer comprising a printing plate, means for applying a layer of ink onto the plate and means for transferring the ink from the plate onto a carrier, in accordance with the invention, the surfaces of the plate are made continuous and smooth, the means for applying a layer of ink onto the plate is made with the possibility of applying ink onto its surface facing the carrier, and the means for transferring the ink from the plate onto the carrier is made in the form of a light beam laser with a device for focusing the beam on predetermined points of the ink layer from the surface side of the plate opposite to that facing the carrier, and with a device for deflecting the beam over the surface of the plate.
Such a realization of the device makes it possible to reduce the time of its preparation for operation, excluding therefrom the time for making and mounting the plates.
It is advisable that the plate be made of electrically nonconductive material which is transparent for the wavelength radiated by the laser.
Such a realization of the device makes it possible to ensure transfer of drops of ink from the plate onto the carrier with minimum power consumption.
It is advisable that areas of a material which is not transparent for the wavelength radiated by the laser be made on the surface of the plate facing the carrier, the areas being arranged in the form of two groups of mutually intersecting rows forming a matrix with a spacing between the areas corresponding to a predetermined resolution of the image to be reproduced.
Such a realization of the device makes it possible to carry out color printing with high resolution.
It is advisable that the insulated areas on the surface of the plate be made from a material radiating acoustic pulses when light beam pulses of the laser impinge thereon, for example, from a metal film, semiconductor film, or supergrid with quantum pits.
Such a realization of the device makes it possible to use a low-power laser.
It is
Maximovsky Sergei Nikolaevich
Radutsky Grigory Avramovich
Funk Stephen R.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
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