Metal plate continuous printing device and metal plate continuous printing method

Abstract

A metal plate continuous printing device, according to one aspect of the present invention, comprises: a first printer equipment and a second printer equipment; a first intermediate transfer unit making contact with the first printer equipment so as to receive toner, and transferring the toner to a metal plate so as to form a first print area; and a second intermediate transfer unit making contact with the second printer equipment so as to receive toner, and transferring the toner to the metal plate so as to form a second print area, wherein the first print area and the second print area are spaced apart from each other along the progressing direction of the metal plate, and when viewed in the progressing direction, the first print area and the second print area may at least partially overlap.

Description

Metal plate continuous printing device and metal plate continuous printing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a metal plate continuous printing device and a metal plate continuous printing method for continuously printing images such as letters and pictures on the surface of a metal plate.

[0002] Generally, the methods for printing images such as letters and pictures on the surface of metal materials include polymer transfer, roll transfer, and inkjet printing.

[0003] Polymer transfer printing involves printing a sheet-shaped image film onto a metal surface and transferring the image to it through thermal or chemical transfer. While this method of transferring an image onto a metal surface is flexible, it has the disadvantage of being slow to manufacture, as the film is transferred to a steel plate. Furthermore, images attached to a metal surface in film form can deform depending on temperature and weather.

[0004] Roll transfer method forms a pattern of a certain design on the surface of a roll and transfers the image onto the surface of a metal material using a roll-to-roll method. However, the transferred image is limited to repetitive images, and since roll transfer method requires preparing a roll patterned for each image, there is the difficulty of having to prepare a patterned roll each time for a variety of images.

[0005] Inkjet printing uses liquid ink containing pigments and polymer resins to print images or letters on the surface of metal materials. Because inkjet printing uses liquid ink, nozzles can become clogged, requiring not only nozzle maintenance but also periodic cleaning and replacement. Furthermore, the use of liquid ink necessitates post-ink stabilization, and roll-to-roll manufacturing is difficult, limiting its use to batch production. In particular, inkjet printing materials, which consist of interconnected liquid polymers with pigments that form the image, pose a risk of peeling of the printed image when folded or cut.

[0006] Recently, metal materials have been used in a variety of fields, and images such as text and images are increasingly being applied to metal surfaces. However, conventional image printing methods, which print on surfaces like paper or polymers, face technical and production limitations when applied to metal surfaces.

[0007] Additionally, there are limitations in printing images of corresponding sizes on large-area metal materials.

[0008] Therefore, a solution that can overcome the limitations of conventional printing methods is needed.

[0009] Based on the technical background described above, the present invention provides a metal plate continuous printing device and a metal plate continuous printing method capable of stably printing images such as letters and pictures on the surface of a metal material.

[0010] In addition, the present invention provides a metal plate continuous printing device and a metal plate continuous printing method capable of stably printing an image on the surface of a large-area metal material.

[0011] A metal plate continuous printing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first printer facility and a second printer facility, a first intermediate transfer unit that contacts the first printer facility to receive toner and transfer the toner to a metal plate to form a first printing area, and a second intermediate transfer unit that contacts the second printer facility to receive toner and transfer the toner to the metal plate to form a second printing area, wherein the first printing area and the second printing area are spaced apart from each other along a direction of travel of the metal plate, and when viewed along the direction of travel, the first printing area and the second printing area can overlap at least partially.

[0012] The first printing area may include a first overlapping printing area corresponding to the overlapping area and a first non-overlapping printing area adjacent to the first overlapping printing area, and the second printing area may include a second overlapping printing area corresponding to the overlapping area and a second non-overlapping printing area adjacent to the second overlapping printing area.

[0013] The first overlapping printing area and the second overlapping printing area may have different toner application area ratios per unit area.

[0014] The first and second intermediate transfer units may include a transfer paper that receives the toner from the first and second printer equipment and a fused roller that heats the transfer paper and presses it toward the metal plate.

[0015] It further includes a transfer support roller that supports the metal plate at a portion that comes into contact with the first and second intermediate transfer portions, and the transfer support roller can support the metal plate while heating it.

[0016] The above-described transfer support roller may further include an actuator that moves in the thickness direction of the metal plate.

[0017] The fused roller can heat the transfer paper to a first temperature, and the transfer support roller can heat the metal plate to a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

[0018] The method may further include a pre-heating unit disposed on the upstream side of the transfer support roller to heat the metal plate on which the toner is not transferred.

[0019] It may further include a cleaning unit disposed upstream of the above pre-heating unit to clean the surface of the metal plate.

[0020] The method may further include a bonding unit disposed between the preheating unit and the cleaning unit to apply a bond so that the toner is attached to the metal plate.

[0021] The method may further include a fixed heating unit disposed on the downstream side of the transfer support roller to heat the metal plate onto which the toner has been transferred.

[0022] The method may further include a coating unit disposed downstream of the above-described fixed heating unit and coating the metal plate.

[0023] A metal plate continuous printing method according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an intermediate transfer step of printing toner on a first transfer paper and a second transfer paper, respectively, and a metal plate transfer step of pressing the first transfer paper and the second transfer paper to connect them with a metal plate and transferring the toner to the metal plate, wherein in the metal plate transfer step, the first transfer paper and the second transfer paper form a first printing area and a second printing area on the metal plate, respectively, and the first printing area and the second printing area are spaced apart from each other along a direction of travel of the metal plate, and when viewed along the direction of travel, the first printing area and the second printing area can overlap at least partially.

[0024] The first printing area may include a first overlapping printing area corresponding to the overlapping area and a first non-overlapping printing area adjacent to the first overlapping printing area, and the second printing area may include a second overlapping printing area corresponding to the overlapping area and a second non-overlapping printing area adjacent to the second overlapping printing area.

[0025] As described above, the metal plate continuous printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an intermediate transfer portion and a fused roller, so that printing on a metal plate can be performed quickly and stably.

[0026] In addition, the metal plate continuous printing device according to one aspect of the present invention can improve the quality of an image printed on a large-area metal plate.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the arrangement relationship between the printer equipment and the intermediate transfer unit of a metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figures 3 to 5 are drawings sequentially showing a process of printing on a metal plate using a metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 is a drawing showing a printing process by the first intermediate transfer part and the second intermediate transfer part.

[0031] Figure 7 is a drawing explaining the process of printing an overlapping area by a first overlapping printing area and a second overlapping printing area.

[0032] Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining a metal plate chain printing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a metal plate continuous printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0036] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Please note that, where possible, identical components are represented by identical reference numerals throughout the drawings. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted. For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted.

[0038] Hereinafter, a metal plate continuous printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the arrangement relationship of the printer equipment and the intermediate transfer unit of the metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are drawings sequentially showing a process of printing on a metal plate using the metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a process of printing by a first intermediate transfer unit and a second intermediate transfer unit, and FIG. 7 is a drawing explaining a process of printing an overlapping area by a first overlapping printing area and a second overlapping printing area.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a metal plate continuous printing device (101) according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a roll-to-roll printing device that prints an image on the surface of a continuously moving metal plate (180). A first intermediate transfer unit (130A) and a second intermediate transfer unit (130B), which receive toner from a first printer facility (110A) and a second printer facility (110B), respectively, can print on the metal plate (180). In the present invention, when a printing operation is performed on a large-area metal plate (180), the first intermediate transfer unit (130A) and the second intermediate transfer unit (130B) perform the printing separately. For example, based on the width direction of the metal plate (180), the first intermediate transfer unit (130A) prints a part of the area, and the second intermediate transfer unit (130B) prints the remaining area, thereby completing one printing operation on a large-area metal plate (180).

[0041] In this way, in the present invention, since the area is divided and printed by multiple printer facilities rather than a single printer facility, images of various sizes and types can be printed even on a large-area metal plate (180). Here, the image is defined to mean letters, shapes, pictures, etc. In addition, the image can be formed in various forms such as monochrome, multicolor, achromatic, chromatic, three-dimensional, etc. In the present invention, printing is described as being performed by two printer facilities, i.e., a first printer facility (110A) and a second printer facility (110B), but the present invention is not limited thereto and two or more printer facilities can also be applied.

[0042] To be more specific, the metal plate continuous printing device (101) of the present invention may include a first printer facility (110A), a second printer facility (110B), a first intermediate transfer unit (130A), and a second intermediate transfer unit (130B).

[0043] The first printer equipment (110A) and the second printer equipment (110B) are devices that transfer toner (TN1) onto a transfer belt (125) to form an image. The first printer equipment (110A) can transfer the toner to the first intermediate transfer unit (130A), and the second printer equipment (110B) can transfer the toner to the second intermediate transfer unit (130B). The first intermediate transfer unit (130A) and the second intermediate transfer unit (130B), which each receive the toner, can transfer the toner received onto a metal plate (180), thereby forming an image.

[0044] At this time, the first intermediate transfer unit (130A) prints the first printing area (DR_A) on the metal plate (180), and the second intermediate transfer unit (130B) prints the second printing area (DR_B) on the metal plate (180), and a single completed image can be formed by the first printing area (DR_A) and the second printing area (DR_B).

[0045] As described above, when forming one image on the metal plate (180), the first intermediate transfer part (130A) and the second intermediate transfer part (130B) perform printing separately. A first printing area (DR_A) may be formed in a portion of the metal plate (180) based on the width direction of the metal plate (180), and a second printing area (DR_B) may be formed in the remaining portion of the metal plate (180). One image may be formed on the metal plate (180) by the first printing area (DR_A) and the second printing area (DR_B).

[0046] As illustrated in Fig. 1, a first intermediate transfer unit (130A) may be arranged under a first printer device (110A), and a second intermediate transfer unit (130B) may be arranged under a second printer device (110B). As described above, the first intermediate transfer unit (130A) may print a first printing area (DR_A) on a metal plate (180), and the second intermediate transfer unit (130B) may print a second printing area (DR_B) on the metal plate (180). In the present invention, the first printing area (DR_A) may be located under the first intermediate transfer unit (130A), and the second printing area (DR_B) may be located under the second intermediate transfer unit (130B).

[0047] At this time, the first printing area (DR_A) and the second printing area (DR_B) are spaced apart from each other along the direction of travel (M) of the metal plate (180). And, when viewed along the direction of travel (M), the first printing area (DR_A) and the second printing area (DR_B) can overlap at least partly. That is, the first printing area (DR_A) and the second printing area (DR_B) can overlap each other in the overlapping area (OA).

[0048] In the present invention, as described above, since the first printing area (DR_A) and the second printing area (DR_B) are arranged, when printing an image on a large-area metal plate (180), the first printing area (DR_A) prints on a part of the width direction of the metal plate (180) (left side in the drawing), and the second printing area (DR_B) prints on the remaining part (right side in the drawing), so that one image can be printed on the large-area metal plate (180).

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, a process of forming an image on a metal plate (180) by a first printer facility (110A) and a second printer facility (110B) is described.

[0050] Figure 3 shows a state before forming an image (DR) on a metal plate (180). As the metal plate (180) passes through the first intermediate transfer portion (130A) and the second intermediate transfer portion (130B), an image (DR) is formed on the metal plate (180).

[0051] Fig. 4 illustrates a state in which a metal plate (180) has passed a first intermediate transfer portion (130A), and a first printing area (DR_A) can be formed on the metal plate (180). At this time, the first printing area (DR_A) can include a first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) corresponding to an overlapping area (OA) and an adjacent first non-overlapping printing area (DR_A_1).

[0052] The first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) is an area that overlaps with the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) of the second printing area (DR_B) described later, and the area corresponding to the overlapping area (OA) of the image (DR) to be completed is formed by overlapping the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) and the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2).

[0053] Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the metal plate (180) passes the second intermediate transfer portion (130B), a second printing area (DR_B) may be formed on the metal plate (180). After the first printing area (DR_A) is formed, a second printing area (DR_B) may be formed by overlapping a portion of the first printing area (DR_A). At this time, the second printing area (DR_B) may include a second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) corresponding to the overlapping area (OA) and an adjacent second non-overlapping printing area (DR_B_1).

[0054] After the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) of the first printing area (DR_A) is printed on the metal plate (180), the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) is printed on the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2). Consequently, the image (DR) formed on the metal plate (180) is formed by printing the second printing area (DR_B) overlapping the first printing area (DR_A) after it is formed, so that one image (DR) is formed on the metal plate (180).

[0055] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, one image (DR) formed on the metal plate (180) can be formed by a first non-overlapping printing area (DR_A_1), a first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) overlapping with each other, a second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2), and a second non-overlapping printing area (DR_B_1).

[0056] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) and the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) may have different toner application area ratios per unit area. Here, the toner application area ratio per unit area represents the area ratio occupied by the toner in a given area.

[0057] As illustrated in Fig. 7, assuming that the areas of the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) and the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) are the same, the area occupied by the toner applied to the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) is smaller than the area occupied by the toner applied to the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2). For example, the ratio of the applied areas of the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) and the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) may be 0.1 to 4.9: 9.9 to 5.1.

[0058] In this way, when printing an area corresponding to the overlapping area (OA) of the image (DR), by overlapping and printing the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) and the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) having different applied area ratios, the overlapping area (OA) of the image (DR) can obtain the same print quality as the first non-overlapping printing area (DR_A_1) or the second non-overlapping printing area (DR_B_1) formed by a single print.

[0059] Ultimately, in the present invention, the first non-overlapping printing area (DR_A_1) and the second non-overlapping printing area (DR_B_1) are formed by a single printing, but the overlapping area (OA) is formed by two printings, i.e., by overlapping the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) and the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2). Accordingly, even if printing is performed by dividing into a plurality of intermediate transfer portions (130A, 130B) to form a single image (DR) on a large-area metal plate (180), a boundary line on the image resulting from the two printings does not appear. In other words, an image printed by a single printing can be obtained.

[0060] Even if the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) and the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) do not overlap each other and the second printing area (DR_B) is formed as close as possible to the first printing area (DR_A), a boundary line may appear at the part where the first printing area (DR_A) and the second printing area (DR_B) meet each other. This may cause a problem in that the quality of the image (DR) formed on the metal plate (180) is deteriorated.

[0061] Referring again to FIG. 2, a specific configuration of a metal plate continuous printing device (101) of the present invention will be described. The metal plate continuous printing device (101) of the present invention may include a printer facility (110), an intermediate transfer unit (130), a transfer support roller (156), a preheating unit (152), a metal plate charging roller (154), an actuator (140), a fixing heating unit (155), a cooling unit (157), a cleaning unit (153), a bonding unit (158), and a coating unit (159). Here, the printer facility (110) is the same as the first printer facility (110A) and the second printer facility (110B), and the intermediate transfer unit (130) is the same as the first intermediate transfer unit (130A) and the second intermediate transfer unit (130B).

[0062] The printer equipment (110) is a device that forms an image by transferring toner (TN1) onto a transfer belt (125). The printer equipment (110) may include a photosensitive drum (115), an exposure unit (116), a toner storage unit (112), a developing roller (113), a drum charging unit (114), a scraper (117), a recovery container (118), and a transfer belt (125).

[0063] The photosensitive drum (115) rotates in contact with the transfer belt (125) and transfers the toner (TN1) attached to its surface to the transfer belt (125). The photosensitive drum (115) may be any drum commonly used in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, and its type is not particularly limited. As a preferred example, an OPC (Organic Photo Conductor) drum may be used.

[0064] The toner storage unit (112) stores toner (TN1) and provides the toner (TN1) to the developing roller (113). The developing roller (113) rotates while in contact with the photosensitive drum (115) to transfer the toner (TN1) from the toner storage unit (112) to the photosensitive drum (115). However, the developing roller (113) is not essential, and in some cases, the toner (TN1) may be provided directly from the toner storage unit (112) to the photosensitive drum (115).

[0065] Meanwhile, the toner (TN1) is for forming an image on the metal plate (180), and any toner known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can be used, and its type is not particularly limited. For example, the toner (TN1) may be made of a material having a polymer structure. In addition, in the present invention, a material that can impart various functions to the toner (TN1) (e.g., a fluorescent material, a magnetic material, an electrically conductive material, etc.) may be added, and not only can an image with a function be implemented, but the particles of the toner (TN1) may be made of various sizes to impart illumination or implement a three-dimensional shape.

[0066] The drum charging unit (114) rotates while in contact with the photosensitive drum (115) to apply an electrostatic charge to the photosensitive drum (115). The drum charging unit (114) may be formed of a corona wire. The exposure unit (116) irradiates light energy to the photosensitive drum (115), and due to the light energy, some of the charges are removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum (115), so that the toner (TN1) is attached only to a portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum (115). The light energy may be formed of a laser or an LED. The exposure unit (116) may remove charges by scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum (115) according to a required image.

[0067] The scraper (117) separates the toner (TN1) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum (115) after the toner is transferred from the photosensitive drum (115) to the transfer belt (125), thereby preventing the remaining toner (TN1) from falling onto the transfer belt (125) and deteriorating the printing quality. The recovery container (118) collects and stores the toner (TN1) separated by the scraper (117).

[0068] The printer equipment (110) according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of photosensitive drums (115), and a developing roller (113), a drum charging unit (114), a scraper (117), an exposure unit (116), etc. may be installed on each photosensitive drum (115). Each photosensitive drum (115) may transfer toners of different colors or different materials.

[0069] The transfer belt (125) moves in contact with the transfer paper (135) and transfers the toner (TN1) attached to the surface to the surface of the transfer paper (135), while at the same time protecting the surface of the photosensitive drum (115) and playing a role in improving the quality of the image.

[0070] The transfer belt (125) may be provided with a plurality of belt support rollers (127) for supporting the transfer belt (125) at a portion in contact with the photosensitive drum (115) and a plurality of belt drive rollers (121, 123) for moving the transfer belt (125). In addition, the transfer belt (125) may be provided with a belt charging unit (128) for charging the surface of the transfer belt (125) before receiving the toner (TN1) to increase the adhesive force between the transfer belt (125) and the toner (TN1). In addition, the transfer belt (125) may be provided with a tension roller (not shown) for maintaining the tension of the transfer belt (125). The printing roller (124) presses the transfer belt (125) on which the toner (TN1) has been transferred toward the transfer paper (135) to bring it into contact with the transfer paper (135).

[0071] Meanwhile, the intermediate transfer unit (130) contacts the printer equipment (110) to receive toner (TN1) from the transfer belt (125) and transfer it to the metal plate (180). The intermediate transfer unit (130) may include a transfer paper (135), a support roller (133), a transport roller (131, 132), a first transfer paper charging roller (138), a second transfer paper charging roller (139), a tension roller (136), a fused roller (134), a scraper (162), and a collection container (161).

[0072] The transfer paper (135) can be wound around a roller in the form of a belt and can be made of a flexible material. In addition, the transfer paper (135) can be made of a metal foil such as aluminum, iron, copper, or stainless steel.

[0073] The support roller (133) is placed below the printing roller (124) and faces the printing roller (124) with the transfer paper (135) in between, and supports the transfer paper (135). The transfer rollers (131, 132) rotate while supporting the transfer paper (135) to move the transfer paper (135).

[0074] The first transfer paper charging roller (138) is installed so as to come into contact with the upper lower surface of the transfer paper (135), and charges the surface of the transfer paper onto which the toner (TN1) has been transferred, thereby increasing the adhesive strength between the transfer paper (135) and the toner (TN1). Meanwhile, the second transfer paper charging roller (139) is installed so as to come into contact with the transfer paper (135) after being bent by the support roller (131), and charges the surface of the transfer paper (135) onto which the toner (TN1) has been transferred, thereby increasing the adhesive strength between the transfer paper (135) and the toner (TN1). The tension roller (136) controls the tension of the transfer paper (135).

[0075] The fused roller (134) presses the transfer paper (135) on which the toner (TN1) has been transferred toward the metal plate (180) to bring it into contact with the metal plate (180). The fused roller (134) presses the transfer paper (135) while heating it, and can heat the transfer paper (135) to a first temperature. The first temperature can be 50°C to 300°C. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first temperature can be controlled in various ways depending on the thickness and material of the transfer paper (135).

[0076] The scraper (162) separates the toner (TN1) remaining on the surface of the transfer paper (135). The recovery container (161) collects and stores the toner (TN1) separated by the scraper (162).

[0077] When the intermediate transfer unit (130) is installed as in this embodiment, the transfer belt (125) and the photosensitive drum (115) are prevented from being damaged by the metal plate (180), and the image can be stably transferred to the metal plate (180).

[0078] The metal plate (180) can be made of various materials such as steel plate, non-ferrous metal, and metal alloy, and can be extended in the longitudinal direction in a roll type and wound around a roller, etc.

[0079] The transfer support roller (156) is positioned below the fused roller (134), faces the fused roller (134) with the metal plate (180) interposed therebetween, and supports the metal plate (180). The transfer support roller (156) supports the metal plate (180) while heating it to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature may be a temperature lower than the first temperature. The second temperature may be 50°C to 150°C, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0080] When the transfer paper (135) is heated to a first temperature by the fused roller (134), the toner (TN1) applied to the transfer paper (135) can easily be removed from the transfer paper (135), and when the metal plate (180) is heated to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the toner (TN1) can be stably transferred to the metal plate (180), thereby significantly reducing printing defects.

[0081] The pre-heating unit (152) is positioned upstream of the transfer support roller (156) (based on the direction of movement of the metal plate) to heat the metal plate (180) on which the toner (TN1) has not been transferred to a third temperature. The pre-heating unit (152) can heat the metal plate in various ways, such as induction heating, infrared heating, or radiation heating.

[0082] At this time, the pre-heating section (156) may be formed with a structure whose length is expandable. Here, the length of the pre-heating section (156) indicates a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the metal plate (180). That is, in order to heat the metal plate (180) to a preset third temperature according to the heat capacity of the passing metal plate (180), the length of the pre-heating section (156) may be expanded by the driving member.

[0083] The metal plate charging roller (154) is arranged on the upstream side of the transfer support roller (156), but may be located between the preheating section (152) and the transfer support roller (156). The metal plate charging roller (154) may be formed as a roller that applies a charge to the surface of the metal plate (180) while rotating.

[0084] An actuator (140) that moves the metal plate charging roller (154) and the transfer support roller (156) in the thickness direction of the metal plate (180) may be installed on the metal plate charging roller (154) and the transfer support roller (156). By the actuator (140), the transfer support roller (156) and the metal plate charging roller (154) can move up and down, and accordingly, an image can be printed on a metal plate (180) having various thicknesses.

[0085] The cleaning unit (153) is positioned upstream of the preheating unit (152) and can clean the surface of the metal plate (180). Foreign substances on the surface of the metal plate (180) can be removed to improve the adhesion of the toner transferred from the intermediate transfer unit (130). At this time, the cleaning unit (153) can remove foreign substances through wet or dry cleaning of the surface of the metal plate (180).

[0086] The bonding unit (158) is positioned between the preheating unit (152) and the cleaning unit (153) and can apply an adhesive to increase the adhesive strength of the toner to the metal plate (180). The bonding unit (158) applies the adhesive onto the metal plate (180) before the toner is attached onto the metal plate (180). The bonding unit (158) can include a water-based adhesive.

[0087] The fixing heating unit (155) is positioned downstream of the transfer support roller (156) and heats the metal plate (180) on which the toner (TN1) is transferred to a fourth temperature. The fixing heating unit (155) can heat the metal plate in various ways, such as induction heating, infrared heating, and radiation heating. The fixing heating unit (155) can heat the metal plate (180) in a non-contact heating manner without directly contacting the metal plate (180).

[0088] Here, the fourth temperature can be a temperature higher than the third temperature, and the third temperature can be 50°C to 150°C, and the fourth temperature can be 100°C to 300°C. The third temperature and the fourth temperature can be set in various ways depending on the material and thickness of the metal plate (180). When the fixing heating unit (155) heats the metal plate (180) to a fourth temperature higher than the third temperature, the toner (TN1) is stably fixed to the metal plate (180) by the fixing heating unit (155), so that the printing quality can be improved.

[0089] The coating unit (159) is arranged downstream of the fixing heating unit (155) and can coat the metal plate (180). The coating unit (159) can protect the metal plate (180) to which the toner is attached by applying a clear coating to the metal plate (180) to which the toner is applied. The coating unit (159) is described as being arranged between the fixing heating unit (155) and the cooling unit (157), but the coating unit (159) may also be arranged downstream of the cooling unit (157).

[0090] The cooling unit (157) is arranged downstream of the fixing heating unit (155) to cool the heated metal plate (180) to a fifth temperature. The cooling unit (157) can cool the metal plate (180) by spraying cooled air toward the metal plate (180), for example. The fifth temperature can be 30°C to 50°C. In addition, the metal plate (180) can be moved by being wound around the transport rollers (151). When the metal plate (180) is cooled by the cooling unit (157), the toner (TN1) is stably fixed to the metal plate (180) and does not come off.

[0091] Hereinafter, a method for continuous printing a metal plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0092] Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining a metal plate chain printing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, the metal plate continuous printing method according to the first embodiment may include a first intermediate transfer step (S110), a second intermediate transfer step (S130), a first metal plate transfer step (S150), and a second metal plate transfer step (S170).

[0094] The first intermediate transfer step (S110) prints toner (TN1) on a transfer paper (135), and prints the toner (TN1) onto the transfer paper (135) by bringing the transfer belt (125) into contact with the transfer paper (135). The first intermediate transfer step (S110) uses a printing roller (124) to press the transfer belt (125) onto which the toner (TN1) has been transferred toward the transfer paper (135) so as to bring the transfer belt (125) into contact with the transfer paper (135) to transfer the toner to the transfer paper (135). At this time, the first intermediate transfer step (S110) is a step of transferring from the first printer equipment (110A) to the transfer paper (135).

[0095] The second intermediate transfer step (S130) is a step of transferring to a different transfer paper than the aforementioned transfer paper, similar to the first intermediate transfer step (S110). At this time, the second intermediate transfer step (S130) is a step of transferring from the second printer equipment (110B) to a different transfer paper (135).

[0096] Next, the first metal plate transfer step (S150) forms a first printing area (DR_A) from the transfer paper (135) to the metal plate (180). At this time, the first printing area (DR_A) may include the first non-overlapping printing area (DR_A_1) and the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) described above.

[0097] The second metal plate transfer step (S170) forms a second printing area (DR_B) so as to partially overlap with the first printing area (DR_A) formed by the first metal plate transfer step (S110). At this time, the second printing area (DR_B) may include the second non-overlapping printing area (DR_B_1) and the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) described above.

[0098] After the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) of the first printing area (DR_A) is printed on the metal plate (180), the second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2) is printed on the first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2). Consequently, the image (DR) formed on the metal plate (180) is formed by printing the second printing area (DR_B) overlapping the first printing area (DR_A) after it is formed, so that one image (DR) is formed on the metal plate (180).

[0099] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, one image (DR) formed on the metal plate (180) can be formed by a first non-overlapping printing area (DR_A_1), a first overlapping printing area (DR_A_2) overlapping with each other, a second overlapping printing area (DR_B_2), and a second non-overlapping printing area (DR_B_1).

[0100] Below, a metal plate continuous printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0101] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a metal plate continuous printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 9, the metal plate continuous printing device (102) according to the present embodiment has the same structure as the metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment described above, except for the pressure roller (142) and the pressure support roller (143), so a duplicate description of the same configuration is omitted.

[0103] The pressure roller (142) is installed so as to be in contact with the upper surface of the transfer paper (135), and presses the surface of the transfer paper (135) on which the toner (TN1) has been transferred, thereby increasing the adhesive strength between the transfer paper (135) and the toner (TN1). Here, the pressure roller (142) can heat the transfer paper (135) while pressing it. The pressure support roller (143) is spaced apart from the pressure roller (142) with the transfer paper (135) in between, and supports the transfer paper (135).

[0104] According to this embodiment, the pressure roller (142) and the pressure support roller (143) are installed so as to be in contact with the transfer paper (135), thereby preventing the toner (TN1) from being separated from the transfer paper (135) during the movement of the transfer paper (135).

[0105] Below, a metal plate continuous printing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0106] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 10, the metal plate continuous printing device (103) according to the present embodiment has the same structure as the metal plate continuous printing device according to the first embodiment described above except for the transfer paper (135), the supply roller (147), and the winding roller (148), so a duplicate description of the same configuration is omitted.

[0108] The transfer paper (135) may be made of a disposable material that is not used continuously and is recycled after use. The transfer paper (135) may be made of paper, polymer, or the like.

[0109] The transfer paper (135) is wound around the supply roller (147), and can be supplied while being unwound from the supply roller (147) as the supply roller (147) rotates. In addition, the used transfer paper (135) can be wound around the take-up roller (148) and recovered.

[0110] Above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described, but a person having ordinary skill in the art will be able to modify and change the present invention in various ways by adding, changing, deleting or adding components, etc., within the scope that does not depart from the spirit of the present invention described in the claims, and this will also be considered to be included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. First printer facility and second printer facility; A first intermediate transfer unit that contacts the first printer equipment to receive toner and transfers the toner to a metal plate to form a first printing area; and A second intermediate transfer unit is included that contacts the second printer equipment to receive toner and transfers the toner to the metal plate to form a second printing area. The first printing area and the second printing area are spaced apart from each other along the direction of travel of the metal plate, A metal plate continuous printing device, wherein when viewed along the above-described direction of progress, the first printing area and the second printing area overlap at least partially.

2. In paragraph 1, The first printing area includes a first overlapping printing area corresponding to the overlapping area and a first non-overlapping printing area adjacent to the first overlapping printing area, A metal plate continuous printing device, wherein the second printing area includes a second overlapping printing area corresponding to the overlapping area and a second non-overlapping printing area adjacent to the second overlapping printing area.

3. In paragraph 2, A metal plate continuous printing device, wherein the first overlapping printing area and the second overlapping printing area have different toner application area ratios per unit area.

4. In paragraph 1, The first and second intermediate transfer portions are, Transfer paper and toner delivered from the first and second printer facilities A metal plate continuous printing device comprising a fused roller that presses the metal plate while heating the transfer paper.

5. In paragraph 1, It further includes a transfer support roller that supports the metal plate in a portion that comes into contact with the first and second intermediate transfer portions, A metal plate continuous printing device, wherein the above transfer support roller supports the metal plate while heating it.

6. In paragraph 5, A metal plate continuous printing device further comprising an actuator that moves the transfer support roller in the thickness direction of the metal plate.

7. In paragraph 1, The above fused roller heats the transfer paper to a first temperature, A metal plate continuous printing device, wherein the above transfer support roller heats the metal plate to a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

8. In paragraph 1, A metal plate continuous printing device further comprising a pre-heating unit disposed upstream of the transfer support roller for heating the metal plate on which the toner is not transferred.

9. In paragraph 8, A metal plate continuous printing device further comprising a cleaning unit disposed upstream of the pre-heating unit for cleaning the surface of the metal plate.

10. In paragraph 9, A metal plate continuous printing device further comprising a bonding unit disposed between the preheating unit and the cleaning unit to apply a bond so that toner is attached to the metal plate.

11. In paragraph 1, A metal plate continuous printing device further comprising a fixed heating unit disposed downstream of the transfer support roller to heat the metal plate onto which the toner has been transferred.

12. In paragraph 11, A metal plate continuous printing device further comprising a coating unit disposed downstream of the above-described fixing heating unit and coating the metal plate.

13. Intermediate transfer step of printing toner on the first transfer paper and the second transfer paper respectively; A metal plate transfer step of pressing the first transfer paper and the second transfer paper to connect them to a metal plate and transferring the toner to the metal plate, The above metal plate transfer step is, The first transfer paper and the second transfer paper form a first printing area and a second printing area on the metal plate, respectively, The first printing area and the second printing area are spaced apart from each other along the direction of travel of the metal plate, A method for continuous printing on a metal plate, wherein when viewed along the direction of progress, the first printing area and the second printing area overlap at least partially.

14. In paragraph 13, The first printing area includes a first overlapping printing area corresponding to the overlapping area and a first non-overlapping printing area adjacent to the first overlapping printing area, A method for continuous printing on a metal plate, wherein the second printing area includes a second overlapping printing area corresponding to the overlapping area and a second non-overlapping printing area adjacent to the second overlapping printing area.

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