Gravure Printing Roll Cell Geometry for Fine Dot PTP Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to print fine dots on a PTP packaging body without altering its appearance, as existing methods like halftone gravure printing are not suitable for fine dot printing and can lead to prescribing errors when the packaging is divided, causing patient concern and potential pharmacist errors.
Innovation Solution
A gravure printing roll with cells having a dimension ratio of 1.15 to 7 and an opening area of 3900 µm² or smaller, allowing for the smooth transfer and fixation of ink to form fine dots without changing the packaging's appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bar code is printed on each of areas corresponding to tablet storing parts in a sealing film of a PTP packaging body, then prescribing errors can be prevented when the packaging is divided, but the appearance of the PTP packaging body is significantly changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses invisible UV-reactive ink that appears colorless under normal lighting conditions but fluoresces under UV light. This allows bar codes to be printed on each tablet storing area for prescribing error prevention while maintaining the normal appearance of the packaging under conventional lighting conditions.
2Shape
If halftone gravure printing is used to print on the packaging, then the appearance can be maintained, but fine dots cannot be printed accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cell dimension ratio parameter to a specific range (1.05 to 3.0) and controls the opening area (3900 µm² or smaller) to enable fine dot printing while maintaining appearance. This parameter optimization allows precise ink transfer for small dot patterns without the moire effects that plague halftone printing.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cell opening area is reduced to print fine dots, then printing precision is improved, but ink transfer and fixation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously: cell opening area (3900 µm² or smaller), cell depth (6-25 µm), and dimension ratio (1.05 to 3.0). This parameter combination ensures that even with reduced opening area for fine dots, the cell depth provides sufficient ink reservoir and the dimension ratio maintains proper ink flow characteristics for smooth transfer and fixation.
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
Enables the precise and accurate printing of fine dots on the packaging surface, preventing prescribing errors by maintaining the packaging's original appearance and ensuring smooth ink transfer and fixation.
Implementation Method 1
The gravure printing is a printing method to perform printing on a printing substrate by feeding an ink to cells provided on a surface of a gravure printing roll and transferring the ink to the printing substrate
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4(a)~4(d)
AI summary
The present invention provides a gravure printing roll that enables printing of fine dots with a size close to that of cells and enables printing on a print subject, such as a printing substrate, without changing the appearance of the print subject. The gravure printing roll of the present invention includes: a gravure printing roll body; and cells formed in a peripheral surface of the gravure printing roll body, wherein the cells each have an opening with a ratio between a dimension in a circumferential direction of the gravure printing roll body and a dimension in an axial center direction of the gravure printing roll body (dimension in the circumferential direction/dimension in the axial center direction) being 1.15 to 7, and have an opening area of 3900 µm2 or smaller.