INK TRANSFER MEDIUM

Abstract

An ink transfer medium, in particular a printing blanket, in particular a printing blanket for flexographic printing, has a cover layer for transferring an ink via a printing side and an adhesive layer for fastening the ink transfer medium to a base, in particular to a cylinder of a printing machine. The ink transfer medium is characterized by a support layer which is disposed between the cover layer and the adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is disposed directly on that side of the support layer that faces away from the printing side, and wherein the support layer is a film/foil.

Claims

1. An ink transfer medium comprising: a cover layer having a printing side and being configured to transfer an ink via said printing side; an adhesive layer configured to fasten the ink transfer medium to a base; a support layer disposed between said cover layer and said adhesive layer and having a first side facing away from said printing side; said adhesive layer being disposed directly on said first side of said support layer; and, said support layer being at least one of a film and a foil.

2. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said at least one of a film and a foil has a smooth surface in relation to said adhesive layer.

3. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said support layer is a plastic film comprising polyester.

4. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said support layer is a metal foil comprising metal.

5. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer is disposed as a double-sided adhesive tape by way of winding.

6. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer is disposed on said support layer by way of application.

7. The ink transfer medium of claim 1 further comprising a strength support layer disposed between said cover layer and the support layer.

8. The ink transfer medium of claim 1 further comprising a compressible layer disposed between said cover layer and said support layer.

9. The ink transfer medium of claim 7 further comprising a compressible layer disposed between said strength support layer and said support layer.

10. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said cover layer comprises an elastomeric material.

11. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said cover layer consists of an elastomeric material.

12. The ink transfer medium of claim 1 further comprising: a strength support layer; a compressible layer; and, wherein said cover layer, said support layer, said adhesive layer, said strength support layer, and, said compressible layer are disposed in the following sequence: cover layer, strength support layer, compressible layer, support layer, and adhesive layer.

13. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein the ink transfer medium is a printing blanket.

14. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein the ink transfer medium is a printing blanket for flexographic printing.

15. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer is configured to fasten the ink transfer medium to a cylinder of a printing machine.

16. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said support layer is a plastic film consisting of polyester.

17. The ink transfer medium of claim 1, wherein said support layer is a metal foil consisting of metal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a lateral schematic sectional illustration of an ink transfer medium according to the prior art; and,

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a lateral schematic sectional illustration of an ink transfer medium according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a lateral schematic sectional illustration of an ink transfer medium 1 according to the prior art. The ink transfer medium 1 is a printing blanket 1 which in the state in which the latter is spread out in a planar manner, for example after production or when being cut to size, extends in a horizontal plane in a longitudinal direction Y and a transverse direction (not illustrated). The height Z, or the thickness Z, respectively, extends perpendicularly thereto. If the printing blanket 1 is cut to size and attached to a printing cylinder (not illustrated), the longitudinal direction Y thus becomes the circumferential direction Y in which the printing blanket 1 as the printing plate 1 is disposed about the cylindrical circumference of the printing cylinder.

[0039] The upper side of the printing blanket 1 in the illustration of FIG. 1 herein represents the upper side of the printing blanket 1 which becomes the external side of the printing plate 1. Accordingly, the lower side of the printing blanket 1 in the illustration of FIG. 1 herein represents the lower side of the printing blanket 1 which becomes the internal side of the printing plate 1.

[0040] In the height Z the printing blanket 1 of FIG. 1 according to the prior art has a cover layer 10 which in the case of the printing plate 1 can be referred to as the cover plate 10. The upper external side of the cover layer 10 represents the printing side 11 of the cover layer 10 which, for example by laser engraving, can be used for configuring a relief. For this reason, the cover layer 10 preferably has a predetermined minimum thickness in order to offer sufficient material in the height Z, which permits the configuration of sufficiently clear contours of the motive. For example, the cover layer 10 in the height Z can have a thickness of at least 0.3 mm.

[0041] On the opposite side of the cover layer 10 a first strength support layer 12 in the form of a woven fabric layer 12 is disposed, the latter serving for regulating the conveying behavior in the printing machine and serving for the shape-related stability in the height Z and in the width of the printing blanket 1. A compressible layer 13 which regulates the hardness of the material of the printing blanket 1 and the conveying behavior of the latter is disposed as the next layer.

[0042] Thereafter, a second strength support layer 14 which likewise serves for the dimensional stability in the height Z and in the width as well as additionally in the longitudinal direction Y is provided as a second woven fabric layer 14. An adhesive layer 16 in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape 16 by way of which the printing blanket 1 can be adhesively bonded onto the printing cylinder is disposed on the lower side of the second strength support layer 14.

[0043] The second strength support layer 14 has a two-ply woven fabric, the filaments or threads, respectively, thereof lying on top of one another in an alternating manner. On account thereof, punctiform elevations which are surrounded by depressions, or regions that in the height Z are flatter, respectively, are formed in the height Z both in relation to the compressible layer 13 as well as in relation to the adhesive layer 16. In this way, there are only punctiform materially integral contacts at least between the adhesive layer 16 as the double-sided adhesive tape 16 and the second strength support layer 14, on account of which the adhesive effect between these two layers 14, 16 is weakened. Cavities which can receive air are also formed in the second strength support layer 14, the air escaping being able to weaken the dimensional stability of the printing plate 1 in the height Z over the period of operation of the printing plate 10. Also, liquids such as, for example, printing chemicals, can ingress into these cavities and cause the second strength support layer 14 to swell.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a lateral schematic sectional illustration of an ink transfer medium 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the second strength support layer 14 as the second woven fabric layer 14, according to an aspect of the invention a support layer 14 from polyester is disposed between the compressible layer 13 and the adhesive layer 16. Air pockets can be avoided in this way, such that a higher dimensional stability of this layer 15 can be achieved in the longitudinal direction Y, in the transverse direction, and in the height Z. Cavities into which printing chemicals could ingress can also be avoided in this way. This leads to an improved printing quality and to a higher service life of the printing blanket 1 according to the invention.

[0045] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

Part of the Description

[0046] Y Longitudinal direction, circumferential direction [0047] Z Height, thickness [0048] 1 Ink transfer medium, printing blanket, printing plate [0049] 10 Cover layer, cover plate [0050] 11 Printing side of the cover layer 10 [0051] 12 First strength support layer, first woven fabric layer [0052] 13 Compressible layer [0053] 14 Second strength support layer, second woven fabric layer [0054] 15 Support layer, film/foil, plastic film, metal foil [0055] 16 Adhesive layer, double-sided adhesive tape, adhesive coating