Non-Continuous Back Layer Lithographic Plate Anti-Sticking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithographic printing plate precursors face issues with sticking and scratching during stacking and transport due to upward burrs and the absence of interleaf sheets, which complicates automatic plate handling and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A lithographic printing plate precursor with a non-continuous back layer, achieved by partially curing a curable liquid using techniques like ink jet printing or aerosol jetting, with a Shore A hardness of 90 or less, reducing sticking and burr anchoring without impairing image recording layer protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a continuous back layer is applied to prevent sticking and scratching, then protection against mechanical damage is improved, but burr anchoring and sticking increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical damage protectionVSAvoidburr anchoring and sticking

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The back layer is made non-continuous by segmenting it into discrete deposited regions, allowing the layer to provide protection where needed while leaving gaps that prevent burr anchoring and reduce sticking between stacked plates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The back layer is applied with non-uniform distribution, creating areas of different coverage density that optimize both protection and anti-sticking properties in different locations on the plate surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If interleaf sheets are inserted between stacked plates to reduce sticking, then sticking is reduced, but automatic plate handling becomes complicated and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesticking between platesVSAvoidautomatic plate handling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interleaf sheets are removed from the system entirely, and their function of preventing sticking is transferred to the non-continuous back layer applied directly to the plate surface, simplifying automatic handling and reducing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate itself, through its non-continuous back layer, provides the anti-sticking function that previously required separate interleaf sheets, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating additional handling steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a hard back layer is applied to protect against scratches, then scratch resistance is improved, but sticking and burr anchoring increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescratch resistanceVSAvoidsticking and burr anchoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hard back layer is segmented into non-continuous regions, maintaining scratch resistance at covered areas while the gaps prevent the continuous contact needed for sticking and burr anchoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Significantly reduces sticking between plates and minimizes mechanical damage to the image recording layer, enabling efficient stacking and re-cutting without interleaf sheets, while maintaining protection against scratches.

Implementation Method 1

a non-continuous back layer on the back side of the support, the non-continuous back layer is obtainable by at least partially curing a curable liquid deposited onto the back side of the support by means of a technique selected from the group of ink jet printing, valve jet printing, and aerosol jetting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInk jet printing:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerosol jetting: Aerosol

Implementation Method 3

the non-continuous back layer is obtainable by at least partially curing a curable liquid deposited onto the back side of the support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3346332B1A lithographic printing plate precursor having a non-contineuous back layer

Publication Date: 2019.11.13 AGFA NV

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AI summary

A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: a support, and an image recording layer on the front side of the support and a non-continuous back layer on the back side of the support, the non-continuous back layer is obtainable by at least partially curing a curable liquid deposited onto the back side of the support by means of a technique selected from the group of ink jet printing, valve jet printing, and aerosol jetting, characterised in that the non-continuous back layer has a Shore A hardness of 90 or less.