Epoxy Backcoat Layer Eliminates Slip Sheets in Printing Plate Stacks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current planographic printing plate precursors face inefficiencies due to the need for slip sheets to prevent sticking and scratching, which increases processing time and can lead to smudging and blanking issues during the printing process.

Innovation Solution

A planographic printing plate precursor with a photosensitive recording layer and a backcoat layer containing epoxy resin, which improves adhesion resistance and prevents scratches when stacked without slip sheets, allowing for direct contact between the surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If slip sheets are used to prevent sticking and scratching, then the precursors are protected from damage, but the processing time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from scratching and stickingVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the slip sheets from the stacking system by providing a backcoat layer that directly prevents sticking and scratching without requiring intermediate slip sheets. This eliminates the extra handling steps and time associated with slip sheet removal while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The backcoat layer serves multiple functions: it provides scratch resistance, prevents sticking between precursors, and enables direct stacking without slip sheets. This multi-functional design replaces the protective role previously requiring separate slip sheets, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If slip sheets are removed to improve productivity, then processing time is reduced, but the precursors may stick or scratch each other

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidprotection from scratching and sticking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backcoat layer is applied in advance to the precursor surface before stacking, creating a protective barrier that prevents sticking and scratching. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for slip sheets during stacking and handling, enabling direct stacking without compromising protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the surface properties of the precursor by applying a backcoat layer with specific friction and adhesion characteristics. This parameter change enables direct stacking without slip sheets by modifying the surface to resist sticking and scratching, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a backcoat layer with high adhesion resistance is used, then slip sheets can be eliminated, but the complexity of the precursor structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelimination of slip sheetsVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The precursor is segmented into distinct functional layers, with the backcoat layer serving as a separate protective component. This segmentation allows the backcoat layer to be optimized for adhesion resistance independently, enabling slip sheet elimination while keeping the overall structure manageable and functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The backcoat layer uses composite material composition (including epoxy resin and other components) to achieve high adhesion resistance and scratch protection. This composite approach provides the necessary protective properties in a single integrated layer, eliminating the need for slip sheets without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The use of an epoxy resin in the backcoat layer enhances the resistance to scratches and slippage, promoting productivity by eliminating the need for slip sheets and improving printing quality by reducing smudging and blanking errors.

Implementation Method 1

the backcoat layer including an epoxy resin... enhances the resistance to scratches and slippage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7704675B2Planographic printing plate precursor and stack thereof

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

The invention provides a planographic printing plate precursor that is writable by laser exposure and is composed of a support, a photosensitive recording layer formed on the support, and a backcoat layer containing an epoxy resin, the backcoat layer being formed on the side of the support opposite to the photosensitive recording layer side; and a stack of the planographic printing plate precursors. According to the invention, scratches on the photosensitive recording side of the planographic printing plate precursor can be prevented when brought into contact with another planographic printing plate precursor in the stack without interleaving slip sheets, and productivity in a plate making process can be improved.