Inker Roller Cleaning Residual Ink Ghosting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithographic printing systems face inefficiencies in removing residual ink from imaging members after ink transfer, leading to potential ghosting in subsequent prints, as existing cleaning subsystems often become contaminated and lose effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus featuring an inker roller with an ink source, where the inker roller contacts the imaging member downstream of the ink image transfer station to remove residual ink by applying ink from the same source, forming a mechanical or chemical bond that allows for efficient ink removal without contaminating the roller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning subsystems are used to remove residual ink from imaging members, then residual ink removal is achieved, but the cleaning subsystem becomes contaminated and loses effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of converting harm into benefit by using the residual ink itself as the cleaning agent. The inker roller is deliberately inked with the same ink that needs to be removed, and this ink acts as a tacky substance that selectively picks up residual ink from the imaging member surface without becoming contaminated. The harmful residual ink is transformed into a useful cleaning mechanism through the controlled application of fresh ink on the roller surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by controlling the rheological properties of the ink, particularly its tackiness and viscosity. By adjusting these parameters, the ink on the inker roller maintains optimal adhesion to the imaging member surface while having selective affinity for residual ink. This parameter control ensures the roller remains non-contaminated while effectively removing residual ink through repeated contact cycles.
2Reliability
If the inker roller repeatedly contacts the imaging member to remove residual ink, then cleaning consistency is improved, but the roller may become contaminated and lose its tackiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by designing a system where the inker roller continuously receives fresh ink supply during its rotation. This continuous replenishment ensures that the roller surface maintains its tacky properties throughout the cleaning process, allowing consistent residual ink removal over extended operation periods without loss of cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The inker roller system applies self-service principles by using its own ink coating as the cleaning agent. The roller's ink layer selectively bonds with residual ink on the imaging member and transfers it away, while the roller's continuous ink supply self-regenerates its cleaning capability. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate cleaning or maintenance of the roller's tacky properties.
3Device complexity
If the same ink is used for both printing and cleaning, then system complexity is reduced, but differentiation between printing and cleaning functions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single ink source for both printing and cleaning functions. The same ink formulation serves dual purposes: it forms the printable image on the imaging member and simultaneously acts as the cleaning agent on the inker roller. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by eliminating separate cleaning ink systems while maintaining effective differentiation between printing and cleaning through controlled application methods and timing.
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
This method effectively cleans the imaging member surface, preventing ghosting and maintaining printing quality by ensuring the inker roller remains non-contaminated and perpetually tacky, allowing for consistent ink transfer and removal of residual ink.
Implementation Method 1
forming a mechanical or chemical bond that allows for efficient ink removal without contaminating the roller
Implementation Method 2
forming a mechanical or chemical bond that allows for efficient ink removal without contaminating the roller
Implementation Method 3
The inker roller applies ink from the ink source against the reimageable surface... removes the residual ink from the reimageable surface
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus includes an inker roller and an ink source holding ink for the inker roller. The inker roller contacts a reimageable surface of an imaging member downstream of an ink image transfer station that transfers an ink image from the surface to a print sheet, with the surface having residual ink remaining thereon after the transfer of the ink image. The inker roller applies ink from the ink source against the reimageable surface. However, instead of the ink transferring from the inker roller to the surface, the ink stays with the inker roller and removes the residual ink from the surface to clean the surface for a subsequent ink image. The inker roller is not contaminated from removing the residual ink as the inker roller is designed to be coated by ink that adds to its coating of ink via the removed residual ink.