JPH0699571A - Method and apparatus for producing printing cylindrical body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To produce a printing cylindrical body capable of printing an image having a sharp fixed hue within a short printing time (real time), causing no problem of deformation and peel even in later heat treatment and treatment processes and capable of also performing multilind and small quantity printing. CONSTITUTION:The image developed on a photosensitive drum is transferred to a film 6 and the image transferred to the film 6 is again transferred to the peripheral surface of a can body 50 and the can body 50 having the image transferred thereto is heated to fix the image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for printing on a tubular body such as a molded can body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing on a metal can is performed by an offset method or the like. That is, using a curved surface printing machine, using a 4-6 color inking unit in one blanket cylinder, wet printing is performed by the dry offset method, and the synthesized image is transferred while rotating the cylinder and the can. Printing. However, since this method is a plate-type method, there are problems in the delivery time for plate making and the economical efficiency of small-lot, high-mix production. In addition, there is a problem that the printing plate must be changed during printing, and the equipment must be stopped for a long time. Furthermore, since it is a wet system, color adjustment work is complicated and difficult. Further, since the metal plate does not absorb the solvent, there is a restriction on the recoating. That is, in wet printing on a blanket cylinder, it is unavoidable to adopt a design in which image lines do not overlap, and printing such as a photographic image is difficult. Furthermore, since a solvent-based ink is used, there is a problem that the environment is deteriorated.

Therefore, recently, a method of manufacturing a printed metal plate by applying an electrophotographic method has been proposed. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-16
No. 3747, a photoconductive layer having photoconductivity is laminated on the surface of a thin metal plate directly or via a conductive coating layer, and a toner particle image is formed on the surface of the photoconductive layer by an electrophotographic method. A method of fixing a toner particle image and applying a finishing varnish thereon is disclosed. However, since this method directly fixes the toner particles on the metal plate, various properties such as poor color stability are required unless the toner fixability on the metal plate and the combination of the toner and the coating film are properly selected. There's a problem. Further, the metal plate applied by the printing method of JP-A-1-163747 has a flat plate shape, whereas the tubular body such as a can body to which the present application is applied has a curved surface. Therefore, JP-A-1-16
The method of No. 3747 cannot be directly applied to the production of a cylinder such as a can body.

JP-A-3-221447 discloses that a design pattern is formed on a substantially transparent resin film by an electrophotographic method, and the resin film on which the design pattern is formed is formed into a steel plate with its forming surface inside. Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a design laminated steel plate that is bonded with an adhesive. But,
In this method, the obtained laminated steel sheet has a structure in which resin films are laminated via an adhesive, and the resin film may be peeled off in the subsequent heat treatment and processing steps, and the pattern may be deformed. There is a risk that the gradation and the resolution may deteriorate due to the shift. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-22144
The metal plate applied by the printing method of No. 7 has a flat plate shape, whereas the cylinder body such as the can body to which the present application is applied has a curved surface. Therefore, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-221447 cannot be directly applied to the production of a cylinder such as a can body.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to:
Transfer the toner particles to the cylinder directly or through an intermediate medium,
By fixing, the fixing color tone is clear and the printing time is short (real time printing is possible), and there is no problem of gradation deterioration and resolution deterioration due to pattern shift even in the subsequent heat treatment and processing process, An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a printing cylinder and an apparatus for the same, which can be used for printing a wide variety of small quantities. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a printing cylinder and an apparatus for the same, which can efficiently print on the cylinder.

[0006]

A first aspect of the present invention is a process of transferring an image developed on a photoconductor onto a peripheral surface of a cylinder, and heating the cylinder on which the image is transferred to fix the image. And a device used for the method of manufacturing a printing cylinder including the step of:

According to a second aspect of the invention, a step of transferring the image developed on the photosensitive member to an intermediate medium, a step of transferring the image transferred to the intermediate medium onto the peripheral surface of the cylinder, and the image transferred A method of manufacturing a printing cylinder including a step of heating a cylinder to fix an image, and an apparatus used for the method.

A third aspect of the present invention includes a step of transferring the image developed on the photosensitive member to an intermediate medium, a step of heating the image transferred to the intermediate medium to transfer and fix the image on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, A method for manufacturing a printing cylinder having the above and an apparatus used for the method.

[0009]

The material of the cylinder to which the present invention is applied is not particularly limited, but mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum or the like can be used. When mild steel is used, it may be base-coated after being plated with electrolytic tin or electrolytic chromate to prevent rust. The basic principle for printing on the cylinder or the intermediate medium is based on the principle of color xerography described in JP-A-64-5833. The color xerography includes one in which a developer is transferred from a photoconductor by electric energy and the other in which a color ink is transferred from an ink film by thermal energy. By either method,
The color tone can be made clear by remarkably increasing the gradation of the color tone as compared with the conventional printing method. Since color xerography is a plateless method, it is also suitable for printing a wide variety of products in small quantities. Furthermore, since the heating and drying time of the paint is drastically shortened, real-time printing is possible. When color xerography is used for printing on the cylinder, a computer can be linked and a design can be easily made by computer graphics, and the assembling can be automated.

The image developed on the photoreceptor is transferred to the peripheral surface of the cylinder directly or through an intermediate medium for image formation such as film or paper. Although silicon oil-impregnated paper is suitable as the intermediate medium, a polyethylene terephthalate film coated with a fluororesin or the like is also effective. The point is that the developed toner image can be transferred onto the photoconductor and the toner releasability from the intermediate medium is good. Then, the image transferred onto the image forming intermediate medium is separated from the intermediate medium, transferred to the cylindrical body and fixed.
The transfer and fixing methods include a method in which the cylinder is heated in advance, and the heated cylinder and the intermediate medium to which the image toner is attached are pressure-bonded by a transfer roll, and the image toner of the intermediate medium is transferred to the cylinder. A method in which a heating device is built in the transfer roll itself, and heating and pressure bonding is performed by the transfer roll can be used. But,
It is not limited to these methods. Further, in order to improve the transfer performance, the surface of the cylindrical body may be subjected to a predetermined treatment, for example, a corona discharge treatment. As a material of the transfer roll suitable for the purpose of the present invention, a metal roll coated with a fluorine-based rubber can be mentioned.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A case of printing on a can body surface will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a case where an image is directly transferred to the peripheral surface of a can body.

The printing cylinder manufacturing apparatus shown in the drawing is a printing apparatus 1.
It has 0. This printing device 10 includes an optical system (not shown) and a charging device 14, a first exposure device 16, a first development device 18, a second exposure device 20, and a second development device 22 in order around the photosensitive drum 12. A third exposure device 24, a third development device 26, a fourth exposure device 28, a fourth development device 30, and a cleaning device 34. The optical system is
Light from a lamp is reflected on a document (not shown) on which a desired image is formed, the reflected light is passed through a lens and the like, and is separated into red, blue and green lights through a color separation filter. Then, the exposure devices 16, 20, and 24 sequentially project the images onto the photosensitive drum 30. As described above, each exposure device 1 is operated by the computer without using the original.
It is also possible to control 6, 20, and 24 to form a predetermined latent image. Then, the photoconductor drum 3 is developed by the developing devices 18, 22, and 26 with four color developers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B).
The latent images formed on 0 are visualized one after another. As a result, an image in which the respective colors are superimposed is formed on the photoconductor drum 30. Here, the cyan toner was colored with phthalocyanine blue B, the magenta toner was colored with Litol Maroon, and the yellow toner was colored with Hansa Yellow G.

On the other hand, the can 50 is adapted to move as shown by the broken line. A mandrel 52 can be inserted into the can body 50, and the mandrel 52 covers the peripheral surface of the can body to the photosensitive drum 12.
It is designed to be clamped to. The heating furnace 60 is arranged on the moving direction side of the can body 50.

In the printing device 10, after the photosensitive drum 12 is charged by the charging device 14, a first latent image is formed by the first exposure device 16, and the latent image is developed by the first developing device 18. . Then, this development (toner) is transferred to the film 46 by the transfer device 32. The same operation is sequentially performed on the second exposure device 20 and the second development device 22, the third exposure device 24 and the third development device 26, the fourth exposure device 28 and the fourth development device 30, The image is superimposed on the film 46 to form a predetermined image.

On the other hand, when the can body 50 reaches the position of the photosensitive drum 12, the mandrel 52 is inserted, and the mandrel 52 is inserted.
Then, the peripheral surface of the can body is pressed against the photosensitive drum 12. Then, the image (toner) formed on the film 46 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the can body. Then, it enters the heating furnace 60, and the image (toner) is fixed there. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 shows a case where an image is directly transferred to the peripheral surface of a can body through an intermediate medium.

The printing cylinder manufacturing apparatus shown in the drawing is a printing apparatus 1.
It has 0. This printing device 10 includes an optical system (not shown) and a charging device 14, a first exposure device 16, a first development device 18, a second exposure device 20, and a second development device 22 in order around the photosensitive drum 12. A third exposure device 24, a third development device 26, a fourth exposure device 28, a fourth development device 30, a transfer device 32, and a cleaning device 34. The optical system reflects the light from the lamp onto a document (not shown) on which a desired image is formed, passes the reflected light through a lens, etc., and separates it into red, blue, and green light through a color separation filter. is there. Then, each exposure device 16, 20, 2
4, the image is sequentially projected onto the photosensitive drum 30. Note that, as described above, the exposure device 16, 20, 24 may be controlled by a computer to form a predetermined latent image without using a document. Next, each developing device 18, 2
2, 26, the latent images formed on the photoconductor drum 30 are sequentially visualized by the four color developers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (B).
As a result, an image in which the respective colors are superimposed is formed on the photoconductor drum 30. Here, the cyan toner was colored with phthalocyanine blue B, the magenta toner was colored with Litol Maroon, and the yellow toner was colored with Hansa Yellow G.

Below the photosensitive drum 12, a payout device 3 is provided.
6, roller 38, transfer roller 40, winding roller 4
2 is arranged, and the belt-shaped film 44 (intermediate medium for image formation) is a payout device 36, the photosensitive drum 12 and the transfer device 3.
Between the two, the roller 38, the transfer roller 40, and the winding roller 42 are moved.

On the other hand, the can body 50 is designed to move as shown by the broken line. A mandrel 52 can be inserted into the can body 50, and the mandrel 52 and the transfer roller 40 press the peripheral surface of the can body. The heating furnace 60 is arranged on the moving direction side of the can body 50.

In the printing device 10, after the photosensitive drum 12 is charged by the charging device 14, a predetermined latent image is formed by the first exposure device 16, and the latent image is developed by the first developing device 18. . Then, this development (toner) is transferred to the film 46 by the transfer device 32. The same operation is performed in sequence for the second exposure device 20 and the second development device 22, the third exposure device 24 and the third development device 26, and the fourth exposure device 28 and the fourth development device 30. , A predetermined image is formed by superimposing the image on the film 46.

On the other hand, when the can body 50 comes to the position of the transfer roller 40, the mandrel 52 is inserted and the mandrel 5 is inserted.
The peripheral surface of the can body is clamped by 2 and the transfer roller 40. Then, the image (toner) formed on the film 46 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the can body. After that, the image (toner) is fixed in the heating furnace 60. (Example 3)

4 and 5 show a case where an image is directly transferred and fixed on the peripheral surface of a can body through an intermediate medium. The difference from the embodiment is that the transfer roller 40 has a built-in heater and simultaneously transfers the image to the can body 50 at the time of transferring the image. The other common configurations are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0022]

According to the present invention, a high-value-added high-quality printing cylinder having a clear color tone can be manufactured in real time, and high-mix low-volume production can be promptly dealt with. Further, there is no problem of peeling of the intermediate paper.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing a printed metal can showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of an apparatus for manufacturing a printed metal can showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of an apparatus for manufacturing a printed metal can showing another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer unit of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Printing device, 12 ... Photosensitive drum, 14 ... Charging device,
16 ... First exposure device, 18 ... First developing device, 20 ...
Second exposure device, 22 ... Second developing device, 24 ... Third exposure device, 26 ... Third developing device, 28 ... Fourth exposure device, 30 ... Fourth developing device, 32 ... Transfer device , 34 ... Cleaning device, 36 ... Delivery device, 38 ... Roller, 40 ... Transfer roller, 42 ... Winding roller, 46 ...
Film, 50 ... Can body, 52 ... Mandrel, 60 ... Heating furnace,

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Yutaka Okubo 1-2-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Steel Pipe Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A step of transferring an image developed on a photoreceptor onto a peripheral surface of a cylinder, and heating the cylinder on which the image is transferred,
A method of manufacturing a printing cylinder, comprising the step of fixing an image. 2. A means for transferring an image developed on a photoconductor onto a peripheral surface of a cylinder, and a cylinder on which the image is transferred are heated,
An apparatus for manufacturing a printing cylinder, comprising: a unit for fixing an image. 3. A step of transferring an image developed on a photoreceptor to an intermediate medium, a step of transferring an image transferred to the intermediate medium onto a peripheral surface of a cylinder, and heating the cylinder to which the image is transferred. And then fixing the image. 4. A means for transferring an image developed on a photoconductor to an intermediate medium, a means for transferring an image transferred to the intermediate medium onto a peripheral surface of a cylinder, and a cylinder to which the image is transferred is heated. And a device for fixing an image, the apparatus for manufacturing a printing cylinder. 5. A printing method comprising: a step of transferring an image developed on a photoconductor to an intermediate medium; and a step of heating the image transferred to the intermediate medium to transfer and fix the image on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. A method for manufacturing a cylinder. 6. A printing method comprising means for transferring an image developed on a photoconductor to an intermediate medium, and means for heating the image transferred to the intermediate medium to transfer and fix the image on the peripheral surface of the cylinder. Machine for manufacturing cylinders.