Dampening Fluid Recovery in a Variable Data Lithography System
AssigneePalo Alto Research Center Incorporated
InventorDavid K. Biegelsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a variable data lithography system that employs a patterned dampening fluid layer for image formation, dampening fluid may be removed prior to image transfer to a substrate. Removed dampening fluid may be recovered and recycled to reduce operating expenses and environmental waste. A replacement fluid may be applied after inking and after removal of the dampening fluid. The replacement fluid preferentially occupies the regions previously occupied by dampening fluid, and may lubricate the transfer nip. Any replacement fluid and ink not transferred to the substrate upon printing may then be cleaned from the print image carrier prior to forming a new dampening fluid layer and subsequent pattern formation.
Claims20
A replacement fluid subsystem for use in a variable data lithography system, comprising:
- a dampening fluid extraction subsystem disposed such that dampening fluid disposed on a print image receiving surface and forming a patterned dampening fluid layer may be removed therefrom with no more than minimal modification to ink deposited in gaps in said dampening fluid layer;
- and
- a replacement fluid deposition subsystem disposed such that replacement fluid deposited thereby may be deposited onto said print image receiving surface preferentially in regions formerly occupied by said dampening fluid prior to its removal by said dampening fluid extraction subsystem, said replacement fluid deposited with no more than minimal modification to said ink deposited in said gaps.
A variable data printing system, comprising:
- a print image receiving surface;
- a dampening fluid deposition subsystem disposed such that dampening fluid deposited thereby may be deposited onto said print image receiving surface;
- an patterning subsystem disposed to form a pattern in said dampening fluid on said print image receiving surface, said pattern comprising a plurality of discrete regions of dampening fluid, with adjacent regions of dampening fluid separated by gaps that correspond to portions of an image to be printed to a substrate;
- an inker subsystem disposed to deposit ink over said print image receiving surface preferentially in said gaps;
- a dampening fluid extraction subsystem disposed such that dampening fluid disposed on said print image receiving surface may be removed therefrom with no more than minimal modification to said ink deposited in said gaps;
- a replacement fluid deposition subsystem disposed such that replacement fluid deposited thereby may be deposited onto said print image receiving surface preferentially in regions formerly occupied by said dampening fluid prior to its removal by said dampening fluid extraction subsystem, said replacement fluid deposited with no more than minimal modification to said ink deposited in said gaps;
- a print image transfer subsystem for transferring said ink on said print image receiving surface to said substrate;
- and
- a cleaning subsystem for removing residual ink and replacement fluid remaining on said print image receiving surface following transferring said ink on said print image receiving surface to said substrate at said print image transfer subsystem.
A method of operating a variable data lithographic printing system, comprising:
- forming a dampening fluid layer on a print image receiving surface;
- forming a pattern in said dampening fluid layer, said pattern comprising a plurality of discrete regions of dampening fluid, with adjacent regions of dampening fluid separated by gaps that correspond to portions of an image to be printed to a substrate;
- depositing ink over said print image receiving surface preferentially in said gaps;
- removing said dampening fluid disposed on said print image receiving surface with no more than minimal modification to said ink deposited in said gaps;
- depositing a replacement fluid onto said print image receiving surface preferentially in regions formerly occupied by said dampening fluid prior to its removal, said replacement fluid deposited with no more than minimal modification to said ink deposited in said gaps;
- transferring said ink on said print image receiving surface to said substrate;
- and
- removing residual ink and replacement fluid remaining on said print image receiving surface following transferring said ink to said substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.