Screen printing plate with improved opening structure
By designing a graphic opening structure with varying thickness or a stepped shape on the printing screen, the problem of excessive material consumption in fully open printing screens is solved, achieving material savings and cost reduction.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BRAVE C&H SUPPLY
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Fully open printing screens consume more printing material during the printing process, leading to increased costs.
A printing screen with an improved opening structure is used. The first material layer is designed with a thickness gradient or stepped shape in the ink penetration opening area, which is thinner in the middle and thicker at both ends. The second material layer is set to correspond to the ink penetration opening, and the width of the ink penetration opening is greater than the width of the graphic opening.
While maintaining printing quality, we can save on printing materials and reduce consumable costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN122058640A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to a printing screen, and more particularly to a printing screen with an improved opening structure. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of modern technology industries, screen printing has been widely used in printing electronic circuits for electronic products, such as circuit patterns for solar cells. As the circuits of electronic products become increasingly sophisticated and the printing quality becomes increasingly stringent, in order to reduce the influence of the warp and weft yarns of conventionally woven screens, fully open screens with pattern openings on a flat metal plate have also been developed.
[0003] Please refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1A A perspective view of the mesh structure of a known printing screen 10 is shown. The printing screen 10 consists of a frame (not shown) and a mesh 120, wherein only a portion of the mesh 120 is shown for ease of explanation of its structural features. The printing screen 10 is a fully open screen with a double-layer structure having a lower metal layer 122 and an upper metal layer 124. Figure 1A As can be seen, the upper metal layer 124 has ink-permeable openings 1242, and the lower metal layer 122 has graphic openings 1222. During printing, a squeegee (not shown) scrapes back and forth across the screen 120, pushing the printing material (not shown) on the screen 120 through the ink-permeable openings 1242 of the upper metal layer 124, and then into the graphic openings 1222 of the lower metal layer 122 to be printed onto the substrate (not shown). Please refer to... Figure 1B , Figure 1B A three-dimensional schematic diagram is shown of a printed graphic 1222g produced using a printing screen 10. Because there are no warp and weft yarns of a known woven screen between the ink-permeable opening 1242 and the graphic opening 1222 of the printing screen 10, the printed graphic will, for example... Figure 1B The printed graphic weighs 1222g and has a complete and full appearance. Summary of the Invention
[0004] While fully open printing screens allow for the printing of complete and full graphics because the printing material is not blocked by the yarn, they also mean that more printing material will be consumed, thus increasing printing costs.
[0005] Therefore, this disclosure proposes a printing screen with an improved opening structure. The printing screen includes a frame and a screen cloth. The screen cloth is disposed within the frame, and has a first material layer and a second material layer. The first material layer has a graphic opening, and the second material layer is disposed on top of the first material layer and has an ink-permeable opening. The ink-permeable opening corresponds to the graphic opening, and the width of the ink-permeable opening is greater than the width of the graphic opening. The area of the first material layer corresponding to the ink-permeable opening has a first segment located in the middle and at least one second segment located on the side, and the average thickness of the first segment is less than the average thickness of the second segment.
[0006] In one embodiment, the first material layer or the second material layer is made of metal or polymer material.
[0007] In one embodiment, the first material layer and the second material layer are integrally formed.
[0008] In one embodiment, the first section and the second section form a slope with a gradually changing thickness.
[0009] In one embodiment, the first material layer further includes a sub-material layer, and the second segment is disposed on the sub-material layer.
[0010] In one embodiment, the first segment has a substantially uniform first thickness, and the second segment has a substantially uniform second thickness.
[0011] The disclosed printing screen improves the graphic opening by dividing it into a first section and a second section with different thicknesses. When printing with this printing screen with the improved opening structure, the printing material passes through the graphic opening between the first material layer, which is thinner at the ends, and is then printed onto the substrate. This results in a printed graphic that is thicker at both ends and thinner in the middle. This special improved structure not only maintains the printing quality of the printing screen with the opening structure but also further saves on printing material usage, thereby reducing consumable costs. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a known printing screen is shown.
[0013] Figure 1B A schematic diagram showing the printing effect of a known printing screen.
[0014] Figure 2A A top view of a printing screen according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0015] Figure 2B A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a printing screen according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0016] Figure 2C A side cross-sectional view of a printing screen according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0017] Figure 2D A schematic diagram illustrating the printing effect of a screen printing plate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0018] Figure 3A A top view of a printing screen according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0019] Figure 3B A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a printing screen according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0020] Figure 3C A side cross-sectional view of a printing screen according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0021] Figure 4 A side cross-sectional view of a printing screen according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0022] The attached figures are labeled as follows:
[0023] 10, 20, 30, 40: Printing screen
[0024] 210: Wire frame
[0025] 120, 220: Mesh fabric
[0026] 122: Lower metal layer
[0027] 124: Upper metal layer
[0028] 222: First material layer
[0029] 222a: Submaterial layer
[0030] 224: Second material layer
[0031] 1222, 2222: Graphical opening
[0032] 1242, 2242: Ink-permeable opening
[0033] 2222w, 2242w: Width
[0034] 1222g, 2222g: Printed graphics
[0035] W1: First Section
[0036] W2: Second Section
[0037] T1: First thickness
[0038] T2: Second thickness
[0039] A-A': Section line Detailed Implementation
[0040] The following detailed description of embodiments, accompanied by the accompanying drawings, is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. The description of structural operations is not intended to restrict the order of execution. Any structure resulting from the recombination of elements, producing an apparatus with equivalent functionality, is within the scope of this disclosure. Directional terms used in this disclosure, such as "up" or "down," are only for reference to the directions indicated in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, terms such as "first" or "second" used in this disclosure do not represent any order, quantity, or importance; they are merely used to distinguish different parts, and the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to actual dimensions.
[0041] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used throughout this specification and claims have their ordinary meaning in the context of this art, the disclosure, and the specific content thereof. Certain terms used to describe this disclosure will be discussed below or elsewhere in this specification to provide additional guidance to those skilled in the art in describing this disclosure.
[0042] Please see Figure 2A , Figure 2A The diagram shows a top view of a printing screen 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The printing screen 20 is, for example, rectangular, but not limited thereto, and is formed by fixing a mesh fabric 220 within a frame 210. The mesh fabric 220 has a first material layer 222 and a second material layer 224 joined together vertically. The materials of the first material layer 222 and / or the second material layer 224 are, for example, polymers, nickel, nickel alloys, stainless steel, zinc, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead, tin, or alloys or combinations thereof, but are not limited thereto. The first material layer 222 and the second material layer 224 may be made of the same material or different materials. The joining method of the first material layer 222 and the second material layer 224 may be, for example, by means of an adhesive, or in another embodiment, the first material layer 222 and the second material layer 224 may also be integrally formed; this disclosure does not impose any limitations. In actual printing, the printing screen 20 uses the first material layer 222 and the second material layer 224 as the printing surface facing the substrate (not shown) and the squeegee surface facing and receiving pressure from the squeegee (not shown), respectively. Furthermore, it should be understood that the names of the first material layer 222 and the second material layer 224 are only used to distinguish them and not to limit their order of application in the printing process.
[0043] The first material layer 222 has a graphic opening 2222, the shape of which is the graphic to be printed onto the substrate. The second material layer 224 has an ink-permeable opening 2242, which corresponds to the graphic opening 2222 of the first material layer 222. Specifically, the ink-permeable opening 2242 guides the printing material (not shown) into the graphic opening 2222 during printing. Therefore, the width 2242w of the ink-permeable opening 2242 is greater than the width 2222w of the graphic opening 2222, so that during actual printing, the printing material is smoothly squeezed into the ink-permeable opening 2242 by the back-and-forth scraping of the screen 220 by the squeegee, and further adheres to the substrate through the graphic opening 2222. It should be understood that... Figure 2A The shape, number, or size ratio of the graphic opening 2222 and / or ink penetration opening 2242 in the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only. In actual applications, they can be adjusted accordingly as needed.
[0044] Please refer to the following: Figure 2B and Figure 2C , Figure 2B Show Figure 2A A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the mesh 220 portion of the printing screen 20 in the embodiment, and Figure 2C Show Figure 2A A side cross-sectional view of the printing screen 20 in this embodiment along the section line A-A'. Compared to Figure 1A Publicly known print network version 10, on Figure 2B In the embodiments, it can be seen that the thickness of the first material layer 222 of the printing screen 20 presents a shape, for example, lower in the center and higher on both sides, at the position corresponding to the ink penetration opening 2242 area. This shape is formed, for example, by electroplating, chemical etching, and / or laser cutting, and this disclosure does not limit its processing method. Furthermore, as Figure 2C As shown in the side cross-sectional structural diagram, the position of the first material layer 222 corresponding to the ink-permeable opening 2242 area can be roughly divided into a first segment W1 located in the middle section and a second segment W2 located on both sides of the first segment W1. The overall thickness of the first segment W1 is smaller than that of the second segment W2; that is, the average thickness of the first segment W1 is less than the average thickness of the second segment W2. In this embodiment, the first segment W1 and the second segment W2 of the first material layer 222 of the printing screen 20 form a slope with a gradual change in thickness. It should be understood that "gradual change in thickness" means that the thickness varies at each point in the horizontal direction connecting the first segment W1 and the second segment W2, and for example, it continuously increases, while the numerical difference in thickness between adjacent points is not limited to a fixed value.
[0045] Continuing with the previous embodiment, when printing is performed using the printing screen 20, since the average thickness of the first section W1 of the first material layer 222 is less than the average thickness of the second section W2, the printing material, which is pressed through the pattern opening 2222 by the squeegee to be printed onto the substrate, also forms a pattern with higher sides than center, following the shape of the first material layer 222. Figure 2D A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the printed pattern 2222g printed by the printing screen 20 is shown. Compared to Figure 1A The publicly known printing screen 10, under the same printing conditions, produces a printed pattern 2222g with a larger thickness at both ends and a smaller thickness in the middle (as described by the printing screen 20 of this disclosure). Figure 2D ), that is, a flat printed image 1222g without thickness variation printed by the known printing screen 10. Figure 1B The volume of the printing screen 20 disclosed herein is small. In other words, while maintaining the printing quality of a fully open printing screen, it can further achieve the effect of saving printing materials.
[0046] In the above embodiments, the first section W1 and the second section W2 of the first material layer 222 form a slope with a gradually changing thickness. In another embodiment, the first section W1 and the second section W2 of the first material layer 222 may also present, for example, a stepped shape. Please refer to [the previous text]. Figure 3A , Figure 3A The diagram shows a top view of a printing screen 30 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The printing screen 30 has a structure similar to that of the printing screen 20, also having a frame 210 and a mesh fabric 220. The mesh fabric 220 can also be divided, for example, into a first material layer 222 and a second material layer 224. For the parts of the printing screen 30 that are structurally identical to the printing screen 20, please refer to the relevant paragraphs above; they will not be repeated here. Compared to the printing screen 20, the first material layer 222 of the printing screen 30 has, for example, a horizontal stepped shape.
[0047] For more details, please refer to the following: Figure 3B and Figure 3C , Figure 3B Show Figure 3A A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the mesh fabric 220 portion of the printing screen 30 in the embodiment, and Figure 3C Show Figure 3A A side cross-sectional view of the printing screen 30 along the section line A-A' in this embodiment. Compared to Figure 2A The sloping shape of the first material layer 222 of the printing screen 20 is... Figure 3BIn the embodiments, it can be seen that the thickness of the first material layer 222 of the printing screen 30 presents a stepped shape, for example, with the sides higher than the middle section, at the position corresponding to the ink penetration opening 2242 area. This shape is formed, for example, by electroplating, chemical etching, and / or laser cutting, and this disclosure does not limit its processing method. Furthermore, as... Figure 3C As shown in the side cross-sectional structural diagram, the position of the first material layer 222 of the printing screen 30 corresponding to the ink penetration opening 2242 area can be divided into a first segment W1 located in the middle section and a second segment W2 located on both sides of the first segment W1. The first segment has a substantially uniform first thickness T1, and the second segment W2 has a substantially uniform second thickness T2, with the first thickness T1 being smaller than the second thickness T2.
[0048] Continuing with the previous embodiment, when printing is performed using the printing screen 30, since the thickness of the first section W1 of the first material layer 222 is less than the thickness of the second section W2, the printing material squeezed through the pattern opening 2222 by the squeegee and printed onto the substrate will also form a printed pattern with the sides higher than the center, following the shape of the first material layer 222. In other words, similar to the printing screen 20, the printing screen 30 of this disclosure can further achieve the effect of saving printing material while maintaining the printing quality of a fully open printing screen.
[0049] It should be understood that Figures 2A to 2C and Figures 3A-3C The shapes of the first material layer 222 are only partial embodiments of this disclosure. Provided that the average thickness of the first segment W1 is less than the average thickness of the second segment W2, the first segment W1 and the second segment W2 of the first material layer 222 can also present a continuous multi-layered stepped shape or a mixture of horizontal steps and slopes. In another embodiment, the first segment W1 and the second segment W2 of the first material layer 222 can also present any shape with discontinuous thickness gradients, asymmetry, or irregularity. Furthermore, the thickness of the first segment W1, the thickness of the second segment W2, the ratio of the thickness of the first segment W1 to the thickness of the second segment W2, and the area ratio of the first segment W1 and the second segment W2 to the first material layer 222 can all be adjusted according to actual printing requirements. In practical applications, a single second segment W2 can also be provided only on one side of the first segment W1, depending on the requirements.
[0050] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4The diagram shows a side cross-sectional view of a printing screen 40 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The printing screen 40 has a structure similar to that of printing screens 20 and 30, including a frame 210 and a mesh fabric 220. The mesh fabric 220 can also be divided into a first material layer 222 and a second material layer 224, for example. For the parts of the printing screen 40 that are structurally similar to those of printing screens 20 and 30, please refer to the relevant paragraphs above; they will not be repeated here. The difference between the printing screen 40 and printing screens 20 and 30 is that the first material layer 222 of the printing screen 40 is further provided with a sub-material layer 222a. The sub-material layer 222a is bonded to the first material layer 222, for example, by an adhesive. This disclosure does not limit the bonding method between the sub-material layer 222a and the first material layer 222. Furthermore, the material of the sub-material layer 222a may be, for example, polymer, nickel, nickel alloy, stainless steel, zinc, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead, tin, or alloys or combinations thereof, but is not limited thereto, and may be the same as or different from the first material layer 222 or the second material layer 224, and this disclosure does not impose any limitations. In this embodiment, by additionally setting the sub-material layer 222a, the screen fabric 220 of the printing screen 40 can also present a stepped shape like the first material layer 222 of the printing screen 30, and achieve the same printing effect as the printing screen 30.
[0051] Although the embodiments of this disclosure have been disclosed above, they are not intended to limit this disclosure. Those skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A printing screen with an improved opening structure, comprising: One wire frame; A mesh fabric is disposed within the mesh frame, wherein the mesh fabric has: A first material layer having a patterned opening; and A second material layer is disposed on the first material layer and has an ink-permeable opening; The ink-permeable opening is provided corresponding to the opening of the pattern, and the width of the ink-permeable opening is greater than the width of the opening of the pattern. The area of the first material layer corresponding to the ink-permeable opening has a first segment located in the middle and at least one second segment located on the side. The average thickness of the first segment is less than the average thickness of the second segment.
2. The printing screen with an improved opening structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first material layer or the second material layer is made of metal or polymer material.
3. The printing screen with an improved opening structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first material layer and the second material layer are integrally formed.
4. The printing screen with an improved opening structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section form a slope with a gradually changing thickness.
5. The printing screen with an improved opening structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first material layer further comprises a sub-material layer, and the second segment is disposed on the sub-material layer.
6. The printing screen with an improved opening structure as described in any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 5, wherein the first segment has a substantially uniform first thickness and the second segment has a substantially uniform second thickness.