Nexpress Solutions, Inc.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag

Eastman-kodak Company

Gerald Erik Hauptmann

Domingo Rohde

Frank-Michael Morgenweck

Gerhard Bartscher

Detlef Schulze-Hagenest

Martin Gutfleisch

Bernd Vosseler

Kai-Uwe Preissig

Harald Latzel

Dinesh Tyagi

Dirk Dobrindt

Bernard Beier

Knut Behnke

Hans-Otto Krause

Uwe Ernst

Joachim Sonnenschein

Tobias M&uuml;ller

Uwe Tessmann

Andreas Rupprecht

Gerd Junghans

Matthias Schlörholz

Gerhard Daniel Peiter

Michaela Hoffmann

Michaela Agari

Ralf Kissel

Peter-Alexander Püschner

Peter-Alexander P&uuml;schner

A method of creating a fluid layer in the micrometer range includes transferring a fluid between substrates and forming a fluid layer. A surface energy of a first substrate releasing the fluid is higher than a surface energy of a fluid on the first substrate to create a first fluid deposit on the first substrate. A surface energy of a second substrate accepting the fluid is lower than a surface energy of a fluid on the second substrate to create a second fluid deposit on the second substrate that is reduced as compared to the first fluid deposit. A surface energy of a third substrate accepting the fluid is higher than a surface energy of a fluid on the third substrate to create a substantially homogeneous third fluid deposit on the third substrate that forms the fluid layer.

Method of creating a fluid layer in the submicrometer range

A method for treating a re-imageable printing form includes surface modifying a surface of the printing form acting as a printing area in a nanoscopic range by chemically functionalizing the surface through covering with molecules, in particular amphiphilic molecules or polymers. The printing form is subjected to a primary process of imaging by laser radiation, and subjected to a primary process of application of at least one lithographic fluid, for example dampening solution, printing ink and/or varnish. The molecules are fixed in image regions by the primary process of imaging. The molecules are removed in non-image regions substantially by at least one primary process different than the application of printing ink, in particular by imaging, application of dampening solution or chemical developing. An apparatus for treating a re-imageable printing form, a machine for processing printing material and a method for treating a surface contacting printing material, are also provided.

Method and apparatus for treating a re-imageable printing form, machine for processing printing material and method for treating a surface making contact with printing material

Imageable printing forms are irradiated by radiant energy corresponding to the image information, the energy being absorbed in the printing form. The energy coupled in this manner is available for patterning the printing form surface. A printing form having a plurality of substantially planar functional zones, which have at least one informational zone that is modifiable in accordance with image information and an absorption zone for absorbing energy from a radiation is distinguished in that a buffer zone is provided which differs at least partially from the absorption zone, receives energy from the absorption zone, and releases energy to the informational zone.

Printing form having a plurality of planar functional zones

A digital printing or copying machine () is proposed for the one-sided or double-sided printing onto a substrate (), using at least one toner. The machine () includes at least one fixation device () for fixing the toner image on the substrate (). The fixation device () has at least one heating device () for melting the toner image, past which the substrate () can be taken. The machine () is distinguished by a guide device () for the free floating movement of the substrate () in the effective range of the heating device ().

Digital printing or copying machine

Presented is a reusable printing form including a printing area that has a metal oxide surface, in particular a native oxidized titanium surface, which is treated with at least one amphiphilic organic compound whose polar region has an acidic character. In an advantageous embodiment, n-heptadecanyl hydroxamic acid {CH3-(CH2)16-C(O)&#x2014;NH&#x2014;OH} and/or n-octadecanyl phosphonic acid {CH3-(CH2)17-P(O)&#x2014;(OH)2} is used. Also described is a method for imaging a reusable printing form. The reusable printing form can be used for offset printing.

Reusable printing form

A process for producing a printing form includes forming a multiplicity of blind holes opening into a surface of a spatial or three-dimensional structure of the printing form, the blind holes serving for receiving a medium therein, and providing a propellant in the printing form for assisting in expelling the medium from the blind holes. A printing form produced by the process is also provided.

Printing form and process for producing the printing form

A method for fixation of toner on a carrier or printing stock wherein the printing stock with toner is exposed to at least one radiation pulse or radiation flash of electromagnetic radiation and heated for melting of the toner, and a toner having a sharp transition from its solid to liquid state when heated is used. The toner is preferably characterized by the ratio of the value of the elastic modulus G', at the reference temperature value calculated from the initial temperature at the beginning of the glass transition of the toner plus 50&deg; C., to the value of the elastic modulus G' at the initial temperature itself, is less than 10 .

Method for fixation of toner on a support or printing stock

A process for heating at least one second material layer ( ), especially a toner layer which has been transferred to an image receiver substrate. Energy delivery from electromagnetic and/or acoustic waves ( ) is incident from a first material layer ( ) at an angle of incidence (&agr;) relative to the normal ( ) of the second material layer ( ). The angle of incidence (&agr;) is chosen such that the energy delivery which causes at least the heating of the second material layer ( ) takes place at least predominantly via the quantum tunnel effect.

Heating at least one material layer, with electromagnetic and/or acoustic waves at an angle of incedence so that heating takes place at least predominantly via the quantum tunnel effect

A digital printing or copying machine ( ), and a process which can be carried out with it, for one-sided or double-sided printing of a substrate ( ) using at least one toner are proposed. The machine ( ) includes at least one fixing device ( ) for fixing of a toner image ( ) on the substrate ( ), having at least one heater ( ) for melting the toner image ( ), past which the substrate ( ) can be guided by a transport device ( ) which has one or more transport elements ( to ). The machine ( ) is characterized in that the heater ( ) has at least two melt areas ( to ) on the substrate ( ) which viewed in the substrate transport direction ( ) are arranged in succession and laterally offset to one another.

Digital printing or copying machine and process for fixing a toner on a substrate

A deformation device for bending a flexible substrate, being transported by a transport device, into a curved arc shape, thereby taking the flexible substrate out of contact with the transport device, prior to the flexible substrate being transported past a fixing device. As a result, any previously fixed toner on the side of the flexible substrate adjacent to the transport device will not be negatively affected during fixing of toner on the other side of the flexible substrate. The deformation device includes at least two converging guide rails with a wedge-shaped guide element and at least one air nozzle between the guide rails.

Deformation device for bending a flexible substrate

Digital printers or copier machines ( ) and processes to be performed using them, for fixing a toner image ( ) transferred onto an image-carrier substrate ( ), are proposed. One of the processes is characterized in that to fuse the toner particles, at least two electromagnetic radiation pulses are applied in a time-delayed manner onto the same area of the image-carrier substrate ( ) and each one individual radiation pulse being in a range from 0.5 J/cm to 5 J/cm .

Digital printer or copier machine and processes for fixing a toner image

A process for printing and/or coating of a substrate, especially of paper or cardboard, is proposed. The process calls for at least one toner layer ( ) to be transferred to the substrate and fixed on it, the surface ( ) of a gloss variation device ( ) acting at least in sections on at least one fixed toner layer ( ), or one toner layer ( ) in the course of being fixed, in order to influence the gloss of the fixed toner layer ( ). In the process, depending on the gloss to be achieved, the force with which the surface ( ) of the gloss variation device ( ) acts on at least one toner layer ( ) and/or at least one property of the surface ( ) of the gloss variation device ( ) is changed.

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Bammental, Germany

Gerald Erik Hauptmann