Patent Grant
9724909
This application relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/139,708 filed Dec. 23, 2013 (allowed); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/139,811 filed Dec. 23, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,359,512 issued Jun. 7, 2016.), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
The disclosure relates to ink-based digital printing methods. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods for transferring an ink image using a film-forming aqueous ink that is partially coalesced and transferred to a substrate before a fully coalesced film forms.
Digital offset lithography printing systems require-offset type inks that are specifically designed and optimized to be compatible with the various subsystems, including an ink delivery system and a laser imaging system, to enable high quality printing at high speed. Traditionally, offset ink used required ink rheology that enabled the ink to split from the offset plate. Poor transfer during ink based digital printing results in imaging defects, however, and increases system and operating costs because the imaging member surface must be clean before each printing cycle begins.
A challenging and desirable feature for ink based digital printing or digital offset lithography printing is 100% transfer of ink from the imaging plate on which dampening fluid patterning and ink image formation occurs. Methods for ink based digital printing are provided that enable greater than 50% and preferably 90% to 100% transfer of ink from an imaging member such as an imaging plate to a printable substrate such as paper, metal, plastic, or other suitable printable substrates. In particular, methods for ink based digital printing in accordance with embodiments include inking an imaging member using ink that partially coalesces during a period of time between inking and transfer of the ink to a printable substrate.
Exemplary embodiments are described herein. It is envisioned, however, that any system that incorporates features of systems described herein are encompassed by the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiments.
Exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the apparatus and systems as described herein.
The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (for example, it includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity). When used with a specific value, it should also be considered as disclosing that value.
Reference is made to the drawings to accommodate understanding of systems for ink-based digital printing using an aqueous polymer heterogeneous ink that partially coalesces during a period of time between inking on an imaging member and transfer of the ink to another member such as a printable substrate. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout to designate similar or identical elements.
Ink-based digital printing or variable data lithographic printing systems are discussed. Ink-based digital printing systems are useful for printing using methods in accordance with embodiments.
“Variable data lithography printing,” or “ink-based digital printing,” or “digital offset printing” is lithographic printing of variable image data for producing images on a substrate that are changeable with each subsequent rendering of an image on the substrate in an image forming process. “Variable data lithographic printing” includes offset printing of ink images using lithographic ink wherein the images are based on digital image data that may vary from image to image. Ink-based digital printing uses a variable data lithography printing system, or digital offset printing system. A “variable data lithography system” is a system that is configured for lithographic printing using lithographic inks and based on digital image data, which may be variable from one image to the next.
Such systems are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/095,714 (“714 Application”), titled “Variable Data Lithography System,” filed on Apr. 27, 2011, by Stowe et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The systems and methods disclosed in the 714 Application are directed to improvements on various aspects of previously-attempted variable data imaging lithographic marking concepts based on variable patterning of dampening fluids to achieve effective truly variable digital data lithographic printing.
The 714 Application describes an exemplary variable data lithography system 100 for ink-based digital printing, such as that shown, for example, in
As shown in
The imaging member 110 is used to apply an ink image to an image receiving media substrate 114 at a transfer nip 112. The transfer nip 112 is formed by an impression roller 118, as part of an image transfer mechanism 160, exerting pressure in the direction of the imaging member 110. Image receiving medium substrate 114 should not be considered to be limited to any particular composition such as, for example, paper, plastic, or composite sheet film. The exemplary system 100 may be used for producing images on a wide variety of image receiving media substrates. The 714 Application also explains the wide latitude of marking (printing) materials that may be used, including marking materials with pigment densities greater than 10% by weight. As does the 714 Application, this disclosure will use the term ink to refer to a broad range of printing or marking materials to include those which are commonly understood to be inks, pigments, and other materials which may be applied by the exemplary system 100 to produce an output image on the image receiving media substrate 114.
The 714 Application depicts and describes details of the imaging member 110 including the imaging member 110 being comprised of a reimageable surface layer formed over a structural mounting layer that may be, for example, a cylindrical core, or one or more structural layers over a cylindrical core.
The system 100 includes a dampening fluid system 120 generally comprising a series of rollers, which may be considered as dampening rollers or a dampening unit, for uniformly wetting the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 with dampening fluid. A purpose of the dampening fluid system 120 is to deliver a layer of dampening fluid, generally having a uniform and controlled thickness, to the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110. As indicated above, it is known that a dampening fluid such as fountain solution may comprise mainly water optionally with small amounts of isopropyl alcohol or ethanol added to reduce surface tension as well as to lower evaporation energy necessary to support subsequent laser patterning, as will be described in greater detail below. For inks and methods of embodiments, however, suitable dampening fluids contain substantially no water, which is immiscible with the inks used in methods of embodiments. Other suitable dampening fluids contain no greater than 10 percent water by weight. Generally, suitable dampening fluid is a low-surface tension fluid that is not miscible with water contained in the ink. Small amounts of certain surfactants may be added to the fountain solution as well.
Once the dampening fluid is metered onto the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110, a thickness of the dampening fluid may be measured using a sensor 125 that may provide feedback to control the metering of the dampening fluid onto the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 by the dampening fluid system 120.
After a precise and uniform amount of dampening fluid is provided by the dampening fluid system 120 on the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110, and optical patterning subsystem 130 may be used to selectively form a latent image in the uniform dampening fluid layer by image-wise patterning the dampening fluid layer using, for example, laser energy. Typically, the dampening fluid will not absorb the optical energy (IR or visible) efficiently. The reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 should ideally absorb most of the laser energy (visible or invisible such as IR) emitted from the optical patterning subsystem 130 close to the surface to minimize energy wasted in heating the dampening fluid and to minimize lateral spreading of heat in order to maintain a high spatial resolution capability. Alternatively, an appropriate radiation sensitive component may be added to the dampening fluid to aid in the absorption of the incident radiant laser energy. While the optical patterning subsystem 130 is described above as being a laser emitter, it should be understood that a variety of different systems may be used to deliver the optical energy to pattern the dampening fluid.
The mechanics at work in the patterning process undertaken by the optical patterning subsystem 130 of the exemplary system 100 are described in detail with reference to the 714 Application's FIG. 5. Briefly, the application of optical patterning energy from the optical patterning subsystem 130 results in selective removal of portions of the layer of dampening fluid.
Following patterning of the dampening fluid layer by the optical patterning subsystem 130, the patterned layer over the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 is presented to an inker subsystem 140. The inker subsystem 140 is used to apply a uniform layer of ink over the layer of dampening fluid and the reimageable surface layer of the imaging member 110. The inker subsystem 140 may use an anilox roller to meter an offset lithographic ink onto one or more ink forming rollers that are in contact with the reimageable surface layer of the imaging member 110. Separately, the inker subsystem 140 may include other traditional elements such as a series of metering rollers to provide a precise feed rate of ink to the reimageable surface. The inker subsystem 140 may deposit the ink to the pockets representing the imaged portions of the reimageable surface, while ink on the unformatted portions of the dampening fluid will not adhere to those portions.
The cohesiveness and viscosity of the ink residing on the reimageable layer of the imaging member 110 may be modified by using a rheology (complex viscoelastic modulus) control subsystem 150. In particular, the ink may be optional dried or heated to partially coalesce the ink using the rheological conditioning system, which may be configured for applying heat to increase the ink's cohesive strength relative to the reimageable surface layer. Cooling may be used to modify rheology as well via multiple physical cooling mechanisms, as well as via chemical cooling.
The ink is then transferred from the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 to a substrate of image receiving medium 114 using a transfer subsystem 160. The transfer occurs as the substrate 114 is passed through a nip 112 between the imaging member 110 and an impression roller 118 such that the ink within the voids of the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 is brought into physical contact with the substrate 114. Optional modification of the adhesion of the ink using rheology control system 150 enhances the ability of the ink to adhere to the substrate 114 and to separate from the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110. Careful control of the temperature and pressure conditions at the transfer nip 112 may allow transfer efficiencies for the ink from the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 to the substrate 114 to exceed 95%. While it is possible that some dampening fluid may also wet substrate 114, the volume of such a dampening fluid will be minimal, and will rapidly evaporate or be absorbed by the substrate 114.
In certain offset lithographic systems, it should be recognized that an offset roller, not shown in
Following the transfer of the majority of the ink to the substrate 114, any residual ink and/or residual dampening fluid must be removed from the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110, preferably without scraping or wearing that surface. An air knife may be employed to remove residual dampening fluid. It is anticipated, however, that some amount of ink residue may remain. Removal of such remaining ink residue may be accomplished through use of some form of cleaning subsystem 170.
The 714 Application describes details of such a cleaning subsystem 170 including at least a first cleaning member such as a sticky or tacky member in physical contact with the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110, the sticky or tacky member removing residual ink and any remaining small amounts of surfactant compounds from the dampening fluid of the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110. The sticky or tacky member may then be brought into contact with a smooth roller to which residual ink may be transferred from the sticky or tacky member, the ink being subsequently stripped from the smooth roller by, for example, a doctor blade.
The 714 Application details other mechanisms by which cleaning of the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 may be facilitated. Regardless of the cleaning mechanism, however, cleaning of the residual ink and dampening fluid from the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 is essential to preventing ghosting in the proposed system. Once cleaned, the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110 is again presented to the dampening fluid system 120 by which a fresh layer of dampening fluid is supplied to the reimageable surface of the imaging member 110, and the process is repeated.
The imaging member reimageable surface may comprise a polymeric elastomer, such as silicone rubber and/or fluorosilicone rubber. The term “silicone” is well understood in the art and refers to polyorganosiloxanes having a backbone formed from silicon and oxygen atoms and sidechains containing carbon and hydrogen atoms. For the purposes of this application, the term “silicone” should also be understood to exclude siloxanes that contain fluorine atoms, while the term “fluorosilicone” is used to cover the class of siloxanes that contain fluorine atoms. Other atoms may be present in the silicone rubber, for example nitrogen atoms in amine groups which are used to link siloxane chains together during crosslinking. The side chains of the polyorganosiloxane can also be alkyl or aryl.
In embodiments of provided methods, efficient transfer of ink from an imaging member is enabled by partial coalescence of a film-forming aqueous ink on the imaging member, followed by transfer to paper, before the fully coalesced film is formed. The partially coalesced ink of higher internal cohesion will transfer without splitting. In this way, 100% ink transfer is enabled. Methods include using a self-coalescing aqueous ink; a low adhesion, releasing imaging member surface material; and printing at a process speed that is determined based on a coalescing rate of the ink so that the system will transfer all ink without splitting or adhering to the plate.
Methods also include the assistance of rheological modification by partial coalescence by the application of heat, light radiation, or air flow before transfer of the ink in the system.
An aqueous dispersible polymer heterogeneous ink refers to an ink containing a minimum of 10 percent water content, and comprising self-coalescing nano polymeric particles that are less that 1 micron in size, or less than 500 nm, or less than 200 nm, or less than 20 nm or mixtures of nanoparticles forming bimodal or trimodal distributions over the same range. The polymeric portion is dispersed within the liquid vehicle, while not being solubilized, to form a heterogeneous phase.
The aqueous dispersible polymer heterogeneous ink contains a high solids content, where the amount of liquid ink vehicle is between 40 percent and 75 percent, by weight and comprising at least 10 percent water content. Other liquid vehicle components may comprise alcohols, glycols, pyrrolidone, and others, as are known to those skilled in the art.
The aqueous dispersible polymer heterogeneous ink may contain a total solids content as high as of 60 percent by weight, where the amount of polymeric particles is between about 10 percent to about 55 percent and the amount pigmented colorant is between about 5 percent to about 25 percent.
In one embodiment, the aqueous polymer heterogeneous ink may be an aqueous dispersible polymer ink, where the polymer content comprises self-aggregating and self-dispersing polymer particles in the absence of surfactant. Aqueous ink compositions are generally known. For example, Sacripante et. al. disclose certain aqueous ink compositions in U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,446, titled “INK COMPOSITION,” issued Dec. 11, 2001.
In another embodiment, the aqueous polymer heterogeneous ink is a latex polymer ink, where the polymer content comprises polymerized particles stabilized with surfactant.
In another embodiment, the aqueous polymer heterogeneous ink is an emulsified polymer in aqueous solution, and wherein the size of the stable emulsion phase is less than 1 micron.
The size of the polymeric phase of the aqueous polymer heterogeneous ink is less than 1 micron, or less than 500 nm, or less than 200 nm, or less than 20 nm or mixtures of nanoparticles forming bimodal or trimodal distributions over the same range, and are therefore referred to as nano-polymeric particles. The nano-scale size of the polymeric particles enables fast and efficient partial coalescence of the ink during the printing process, as well as resulting in mechanical robustness of the printed image.
Rheological modification of the ink, taking place during partial coalescence between inking and transfer, drives the ability to transfer ink with greater than 90 percent transfer efficiency. The viscosity for aqueous inks that are delivered to the imaging surface covered in dampening fluid is in the range of between about 10 centipoise and about 10,000 centipoise, and corresponding approximately to a solids content of between 25% and 50% by weight. Following rheological modification, the viscosity for imaged aqueous inks that are transferred to a substrate is in the range of between about 10,000 centipoise and about 100,000,000 centipoise.
For methods in accordance with embodiments, a nanoparticle, dispersible polymer, water-based ink formulation was prepared and tested by hand testing with imaging member surfaces comprising fluorosilicone. A cyan pigmented ink was tested, which had properties as shown in the Table 1.
Solids loading for inks suitable for digital offset printing is higher compared with, for example, aqueous inks useful for inkjet applications. The ink base is a sulfonated polyester polymer resin that forms nano-sized particles in water. Ink formulations for exemplary inks useful for methods of embodiments are disclosed by, for example, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/139,708 filed Dec. 23, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,644,105 issued May 9, 2017 and U.S. Pat. No. 14/139,811 filed Dec. 23, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,359,512 issued Jun. 7, 2016.
Methods in accordance with embodiments were tested using inks in accordance with those shown in Table 1. For example, Inks A and E were tested for transfer from test fluorosilicone-containing imaging plates to paper. Ink A was used to demonstrate bench scale testing due to the slower rate of evaporation of this ink, whereas bench scale testing is necessarily slower than would be occurring within a print fixture.
Fluorosilicone plates used for testing were prepared from Nusil 3510 fluorosilicone in a ratio of 10:1 PartA:PartB (crosslinker). A fluorosilicone formulation was coated over silicone substrates and cured at 160° C. for 20 hours. Initial testing was performed by thinning inks A through E on a transparency, rolling onto a plate, then transferred by hand to paper. To determine a percent mass of transferred ink, a mass of plate and paper were determined. Ink was applied to the plate surface and hand transferred to paper. A mass of paper and the ink was determined. Also, a mass of the plate plus residual ink was determined. The percent mass was determined based on the following equation: % Mass=ink on plate/total ink.
This procedure was repeated for three transfers. The amount of ink on the test plate was not measurable (about 0.0 mg), and the amount of ink transferred to paper was consistently about 1.0 mg over a 20 cm2 area. It was concluded that ink transfer was at least 90% by weight, but most of the plate surface area showed no cyan residue, indicating at or near 100% transfer in those areas.
By way of example, an ink containing surfactant, 2% Rodacal DS-10, was tested. The ink was in accordance with formulation A containing 10% diethylene glycol. Hand testing was carried out as described. 100% and at least 90% transfer was found, i.e., no ink residue was observed on the test plate. It was found that if the ink is applied in a thicker layer, e.g., greater than >1 mg (over 20 cm2 area), then a slightly longer time between inking and transfer was required for very efficient transfer (˜1 sec). In the case of ink layers of 1 micron or less, transfer could be carried out within 0.5 sec following inking. Transfer in a fixture could typically be carried out between 0.1 sec and 1.0 sec following the time of inking, and the transfer efficiency could be adjusted by an increase in the viscosity of the ink formulation at inking.
It was observed that efficient transfer is sensitive to drying of ink, and ink must not be fully dried on the plate before transfer occurs. Around the edges of an ink image, pattern, or droplet, ink tended to dry faster, resulting in adhesion to the plate. Bench testing is slow compared with desirable ink based digital printing process speeds of, for example, greater than 0.5 m/s. Inks B-E or inks having a higher viscosity are exemplary faster drying aqueous inks that are configured for faster coalescence under high speed printing conditions. High speed printing conditions would represent speeds of greater than 1 m/s, such as speeds between 2 m/s and 5 m/s.
Background is the condition of ink observed in the areas where dampening fluid is present, and where ink should not be observed. Background is considered to be good in cases where no ink is observed in areas of dampening fluid, and poor when inks are readily observed in non-inking areas. Background of dispersible polymer ink by D4 dampening fluid for tested inks was good.
The input of heat or air to speed drying time was not used for the demonstration. These inputs are used to control coalescence speed to match the printing system.
It was found that methods for ink based digital printing in accordance with embodiments enables greater than 85% and preferably 95% to 100% transfer of ink from an imaging member such as an imaging plate to a printable substrate such as paper, metal, plastic, or other suitable printable substrates. In some embodiments substantially no residue is left on the imaging member. In particular, methods for ink based digital printing include inking an imaging member using ink that partially coalesces between the inking and transfer of the ink to a printable substrate.
Ink viscosities for aqueous inks are lower than those typically used for offset printing, and help to enable delivery of inks from a roll system such as an anilox fixture onto the imaging surface.
Efficient ink transfer enables defect-free imaging. No cleaning subsystem is required, and system and operating costs are thus minimized. Inks useful for methods in accordance with embodiments cost less than fully curable inks or non-aqueous offset inks. No additional subsystem such as a UV cure station configured for curing the ink is necessary because the inks useful for methods of embodiments self-coalesce.
Further, methods in accordance with embodiments enable robust printing and longer print subsystem life expectancy due to higher incompatibility, and less opportunity for contamination, between water, dampening fluid, and imaging member materials. Allowing the ink to partially dry prior paper contact minimizes or eliminates many of the shortfalls of printing with conventional aqueous inks on paper, and requires less energy than, for example water evaporation techniques required for conventional aqueous inks.
Methods may include patterning the dampening fluid layer formed on the surface of the imaging member at S2007. The patterning may include laser imaging the applied dampening fluid layer according to digital image data to form a dampening fluid pattern on the surface of the imaging member. The laser imaging may be carried using a laser system that is configured for selectively removing or evaporating portions of the dampening fluid layer according to the digital image data.
Methods may include inking the laser-patterning dampening fluid layer on the surface of the imaging member at S2015 to form an ink image. The ink is configured to self-coalesce on the imaging member surface upon inking. The ink may comprise a dispersed polymer ink having high solid content. Methods may include transferring the ink image to another member or a printable substrate such as paper, metal, plastic, or other printable substrates now known or later developed. During a period of time between the inking at S2015 and the transferring at S2017, inks used in provided methods self-coalesce and are partially coalesced when transferred during the transferring of the ink image at S2017. Also, in an embodiment, during a period of time between the inking at S2015 and the transferring at S2017, additional active rheological conditioning such as heat treatment for evaporation and/or UV treatment by UV laser light exposure is not necessary. S2001, S2007, S2015, and S2015 may be repeated for successive images during a print run. Each image may be different from the preceding and/or subsequent image, and substantially no additional cleaning system or step may be required after desirably efficient transfer of ink at S2017 before the applying at S2001.
It will be appreciated that the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art.
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