Layered Printing Blanket for Complex Surface Ink Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printing on complex-shaped surfaces using multiple small printing blankets leads to ink overlap and blank spaces, increasing printing time and cost due to the need for cleaning and maintenance of multiple blankets.

Innovation Solution

A printing blanket with a deformable outer layer having lower hardness than the inner layer, allowing the printing surface to conform to complex shapes, reducing the need for multiple blankets and ensuring complete coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple small printing blankets are used to print on complex-shaped surfaces, then the printing blanket can conform to the surface shape, but ink overlapping and blank spaces occur at boundaries, reducing print quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to complex surface shapeVSAvoidprint quality at boundaries

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The printing blanket is divided into an inner layer and an outer layer with different hardness properties. The inner layer provides structural support while the softer outer layer conforms to complex surfaces, eliminating the need for multiple blankets and preventing boundary issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the printing blanket have different hardness characteristics. The outer layer has lower hardness than the inner layer, allowing the outer layer to be more compliant and conform to irregular surfaces while the inner layer maintains structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple small printing blankets are used to print on complex-shaped surfaces, then the printing blanket can conform to the surface shape, but the number of blankets increases, increasing cleaning and maintenance time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to complex surface shapeVSAvoidcleaning and maintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple small printing blankets are merged into a single large printing blanket with a compliant outer layer. This unified structure can print across the entire complex surface in one operation, eliminating the need to clean and maintain multiple separate blankets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single printing blanket with differentiated layers serves multiple functions: it conforms to complex surfaces, prevents ink overlapping, and reduces the number of printing operations needed, thereby reducing overall maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple small printing blankets are used to print on complex-shaped surfaces, then the printing blanket can conform to the surface shape, but the printing process takes longer, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to complex surface shapeVSAvoidprinting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The single unified printing blanket allows continuous ink transfer across the entire printing surface without interruption for blanket changes or repositioning, maintaining consistent printing speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 deformable outer layer ensures uniform ink transfer on complex surfaces with a single blanket, improving print quality and reducing costs by minimizing the number of blankets required and simplifying maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the outer layer having a lower Asker C hardness than the inner layer... the outer layer is more easily deformable than the inner layer, so that the printing surface of the printing blanket can easily follow the printing-applied surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3459739B1Printing blanket

Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SHUHO KK

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Figure 2(a)~2(c)
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AI summary

Provided is a printing blanket that is unlikely to cause portions uncoated with ink even when the printing-applied surface has protrusions. The printing blanket according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printing surface to be pressed against a printing plate on which the ink is placed and against the surface on which printing is applied and that is a target of printing. The printing blanket further includes a substrate, an inner coating layer covering at least part of the surface of the substrate, and an outer coating layer covering at least part of the surface of the inner coating layer that is on the side opposite the substrate. The inner coating layer has a smaller Asker C hardness than the substrate, and the outer coating layer has the printing surface on the side opposite the inner coating layer.