Matting Fluid Layer Transfer Process for Printing Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for achieving a matte finish in printing, particularly in packaging and screen printing, are limited in their ability to control mattness effectively, often requiring the use of matte agents that alter viscosity and are subject to manufacturing process limitations.

Innovation Solution

A procedure involving the application of a matte fluid layer to a pressure substrate via a print form, where the fluid layer is dried on the print form before transfer, allowing for controlled mattness modification through drying process parameters and surface characteristics of the print form.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If matting agents are added to the coating composition, then the matting effect is improved, but the viscosity of the coating changes and requires adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematting effectVSAvoidviscosity adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the matting function from the coating composition itself by removing matting agents, and transfers it to the printing form surface. The printing form is pre-treated with a matting agent or textured to provide the matting effect independently, allowing the coating composition to remain unchanged and maintain consistent viscosity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing form acts as an intermediary between the coating application and the substrate. It carries the matting property on its surface, mediating the transfer of both coating and matting effect to the substrate without requiring modification of the coating composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If volume addition of matting agent is used, then the matting effect is achieved, but the degree of matting is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematting effectVSAvoiddegree of matting control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The matting property is applied locally to the printing form surface rather than being uniformly distributed in the coating volume. This allows the matting effect to be concentrated where needed and enables varied degrees of matting by controlling the surface treatment of the printing form rather than being limited by coating concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If printing plates with surface structure are used, then matting finish is achieved, but targeted adjustment of matting effect is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematting finishVSAvoidmatting adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables dynamic adjustment of matting effects by allowing the printing form surface to be re-treated or re-textured as needed, and by enabling variation in coating parameters such as concentration and application method, providing flexibility that static printing plate structures cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If fillers or matting agents are added to coating composition, then matting is achieved, but viscosity changes requiring constant circulation to prevent settling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematting effectVSAvoidcoating circulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes matting agents from the coating composition entirely, extracting this function and placing it on the printing form surface instead. This eliminates the need for constant circulation to prevent settling of matting agents, simplifying the coating application process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enables precise control over the matte effect, allowing for the achievement of desired levels of mattness without the need for matte additives, and ensures stability in applying thin layers with reduced energy input.

Implementation Method 1

the applied fluid layer on the printing form is dried more intensively before application to the printing substrate than would be necessary to achieve an essentially completely dried fluid layer on the printing form, namely by drying at an elevated temperature, a longer drying time, a more focused hot air supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

drying at an elevated temperature, a longer drying time, a more focused hot air supply and combinations of these measures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3960463B1Matting by means of a tranfer process
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
  • EP3960463B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3960463B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for applying a matting fluid layer (9) to a printing substrate (6) via a printing form (3), wherein the matting fluid layer (9) on the printing form (3) is dried before being applied to the printing substrate (6), which is characterized in that the degree of mattness of the applied fluid layer (9) is modified via parameters of the drying process and the condition of the surface of the printing form (3).