[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in high speed image reproduction. More
particularly, the invention is concerned with an improved method and system for reproducing
an image by the electro-coagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid.
[0002] Applicant has already described in his U.S. Patent No. 3,892,645 of July 1, 1975
an electric printing method and system in which a thin layer of a liquid composition
containing a colloid such as gelatin or albumin, water and an electrolyte is interposed
between at least one pair of opposite negative and positive electrodes spaced from
one another to define a gap which is filled by the liquid composition. In one embodiment,
there is a plurality of electrically-insulated juxtaposed negative electrodes and
selected ones thereof are electrically energized to pass electric pulses through the
layer at selected points to cause point by point selective coagulation and adherence
of the colloid on the positive electrode directly opposite each energized negative
electrode, thereby forming imprints.
[0003] It is very important that the gap between the negative and positive electrodes be
uniform throughout the active surfaces of the electrodes since otherwise there will
be a variation in the thickness of the layer and thus a corresponding variation of
the electrical resistance thereof at different locations between the electrodes, which
will result in a non-uniform image reproduction as the thickness of the coagulated
colloid is proportional to the amount of current passed through the layer. Since this
gap is of the order to 50 p, its uniformity is of course very difficult to control.
Moreover, where the negative electrodes are energized more than once in the reproduction
of an image, these become polarized resulting in a gas generation and accumulation
at the negative electrodes, which adversely affect the image reproduction.
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned
drawbacks and to provide a method and system for reproducing an image by the electro-coagulation
of a colloid, which do not necessitate a critical control of the electrode gap nor
cause electrode polarization which may hinder the image reproduction.
[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of reproducing
an image by electro-coagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid, which comprises
the steps of:
a) providing a plurality of negative and positive electrolytically inert electrodes
electrically insulated from one another and arranged to define a matrix of dot-forming
elements, the negative and positive electrodes of each matrix element having respective
planar active surfaces with the negative electrode active surface extending in the
same plane as the positive electrode active surface and in close proximity thereto;
b) applying a layer of a substantially liquid colloidal dispersion over the negative
and positive electrode active surfaces of the matrix elements whereby the negative
and positive electrode active surfaces are disposed on the same side of the layer
of colloidal dispersion, the colloidal dispersion containing an electrolytically coagulable
colloid, a liquid dispersing medium and a soluble electrolyte and having a substantially
uniform temperature throughout the layer;
c) generating an electrical field between the negative and positive electrodes of
selected ones of the matrix elements, the electrical field extending substantially
parallel to the planar active surfaces of the negative and positive electrodes, whereby
to cause selective coagulation and adherence of the colloid onto the positive electrode
active surfaces of the selected matrix elements, thereby forming a series of corresponding
dots representative of a desired image; and
d) removing any remaining non-coagulated colloid.
[0006] The invention also provides, in a further aspect thereof, a system for reproducing
an image by electro-coagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid, which comprises:
- a plurality of negative and positive electrolytically inert electrodes electrically
insulated from one another and arranged to define a matrix of dot-forming elements,
the negative and positive electrodes of each matrix element having respective planar
active surfaces with the negative electrode active surface extending in the same plane
as the positive electrode active surface and in close proximity thereto, the electrode
active surfaces being adapted to receive thereover a layer of a substantially liquid
colloidal dispersion containing an electrolytically coagulable colloid, a liquid dispersing
medium and a soluble electrolyte and having a substantially uniform temperature throughout
the layer; and
- means for electrically energizing the negative and positive electrodes of selected
ones of the matrix elements to cause selective coagulation and adherence of the colloid
onto the positive electrode active surfaces of the selected matrix elements and to
thereby form a series of corresponding dots representative of a desired image.
[0007] Thus, according to the invention, since the active surfaces of the negative and positive
electrodes are no longer disposed opposite one another in different planes, but rather
extend in substantially the same plane, there is no longer any necessity of having
to control in precise manner the thickness of the layer of colloidal dispersion applied.
Also, since the electrodes of each dot-forming matrix element are energized only once
in the reproduction of an image, there are barely any electrode polarization and resulting
gas accumulation that may hinder the image reproduction.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the negative and positive electrodes
of the matrix comprise respectively first and second sets of mutually electrically-insulated
band-like electrode members disposed in parallel side-by-side relation, the negative
electrode members of the first set extending transversely of the positive electrode
members of the second set and being formed with a plurality of protruding conductive
elements which are spaced along the length thereof and each have a planar active end
surface. The protruding elements of each negative electrode member extend through
corresponding bores formed in the positive electrode members to terminate flush therewith
such that the planar active end surface of each protruding element and a planar active
surface portion of each positive electrode member adjacent each bore extend in a substantially
common plane whereby to define the aforesaid matrix elements. Thus, the electrical
energizing of the negative and positive electrodes of selected matrix elements may
be effected by sequentially energizing the electrode members of one set and concurrently
energizing selected ones of the electrode members of the other set. Preferably, the
positive electrode members are sequentially energized while selected ones of the negative
electrode members are concurrently energized.
[0009] The concurrent selective energizing of the electrode members of the other set is
advantageously effected by sweeping such electrode members and transmitting electrical
pulses to selected ones thereof during sweeping. These electrical pulses can be varied
either in voltage or time from one electrode member to another so as to correspondingly
vary the amount of coagulated colloid adhered onto the positive electrode active surfaces
of the selected matrix elements. This enables one to form dots of varying intensities
and thus to reproduce the half-tones of an image.
[0010] The colloid generally used is a linear colloid of high molecular weight, that is,
one having a molecular weight comprised between about 10,000 and about 1,000,000,
preferably between 100,000 and 500,000. Examples of suitable colloids include animal
proteins such as albumin, gelatin and casein, vegetable proteins such as agar and
synthetic copolymers such as polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol and
derivatives thereof. Water is preferably used as the medium for dispersing the colloid
to provide the desired colloidal dispersion.
[0011] The colloidal dispersion also contains a soluble electrolyte which enables the water
to have a greater conductivity; the water is believed to migrate under direct current
towards the negative electrode and thereby cause the colloidal dispersion to dry out,
resulting in coagulation of the colloid and adherence thereof onto the positive electrode.
Examples of suitable electrolytes include chlorides and sulfates, such as potassium
chloride, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, nickel chloride, lithium chloride, ammonium
chloride, and manganese sulfate. Since the speed of electro-coagulation is affected
by temperature, the layer of colloidal dispersion must be maintained at a substantially
constant temperature, for instance by using a thermostatic water jacket, in order
to ensure a uniform image reproduction.
[0012] After coagulation of the colloid, any remaining non-coagulated colloid is removed
by any suitable means, such as by washing off, airjet or wiping to fully uncover the
coagulated colloid.
[0013] The applications of the invention are basically the same as those mentioned in Applicant's
U.S. Patent No. 3,892,645. For example, the coagulated colloid can be colored with
a hydrotypic pigment which is absorbed thereby and the colored coagulated colloid
may then be transferred onto an end-use support, such as paper. The coagulated colloid
can also be set or hardened chemically or by irradiation so as to be used for offset
lithographic printing. Moreover, it is possible to produce several differently colored
images of coagulated colloid which can be transferred onto an end-use support in superimposed
relation to provide a polychromatic image.
[0014] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent
from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated by
way of examples in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 schematically illustrates an image reproduction system according to the invention,
the dot matrix printer of which is shown partially cut away;
Figure 2 is fragmentary exploded view of the dot matrix printer shown in Fig. 1;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;
Figure 4 is another sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. l;
Figure 5 is a top view of a matrix element of the dot matrix printer shown in Fig.
1; and
Figure 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing a different type of matrix element.
[0015] The image reproduction system illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a dot matrix printer
which is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and comprises two superimposed
sets of electrically-insulated negative and positive band-like electrode members 12
and 14 disposed in parallel side-by-side relation, the negative electrode members
12 extending transversely of the positive electrode members 14 to define at their
intersections a plurality of dot-forming matrix elements 16. Each negative electrode
member 12 is electrically connected to a sweeping device 18 which is connected to
the negative terminal of a direct current power supply 20 via a modulator 22 coupled
to an electronic counter 24 operative to transmit electrical pulses to selected ones
of the electrode members 12 during the sweeping thereof by the; device 18. The modulator
serves to vary the electrical pulses either in voltage or time. Each positive electrode
member 14, on the other hand, is electrically connected to another sweeping device
18' which is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply 20. Thus, the
electrodes of selected ones of the matrix elements 16 are electrically energized by
sequentially energizing the positive electrode members 14 with the sweeping device
18' and concurrently sweeping the negative electrode members 12 with the device 18
while transmitting with the counter 24 electrical pulses to selected electrode members
12, which are modulated either in voltage or time by the modulator 22.
[0016] As shown in Figs. 2-4, the negative and positive electrode members are electrically
insulated from one another by means of a layer of insulating material 26 having a
thickness of about 10 p. The negative electrode members 12 are also electrically insulated
from one another by a layer of insulating material 28 having a thickness of about
25 µ. The positive electrode members 14 are similarly insulated by means of a layer
of insulating material 30 having a thickness of about 10 to 25 p, preferably 10 µ.
Each negative electrode member 12 is formed with a plurality of protruding conductive
elements 32 of circular cross-section which are spaced along the length thereof and
each have a planar active end surface 34. The protruding elements 32 of each negative
electrode 12 extend through corresponding bores 36 formed in the positive electrode
members 14 to terminate flush therewith such that the planar active end surface 34
of each element 32 and a planar active surface portion 38 of a positive electrode
member 14 adjacent a bore 36 extend in a common plane. Each protruding element 32
is of course electrically insulated from its adjacent positive electrode member 14
by means of a layer of insulating material 40 such as silicon monoxide, having a thickness
of about 5 to 10 µ, preferably 10 µ.
[0017] Thus, the planar end surface 34 of each protruding element 32 and the planar surface
portion 38 of each positive electrode member 14 adjacent each element 32 constitute
the electrode active surfaces of each dot-forming matrix element 16. Each matrix element
preferably has a square surface area of about 125 u x 125 µ, the protruding element
32 of each matrix element 16 being disposed centrally thereof and having a diameter
of about 25 to 50 µ; the elements 32 are therefore invisible to the naked eye. The
dot matrix printer 10 comprises about 40,000 of such matrix elements 16 per square
inch.
[0018] The negative electrode members 12 can be made of any metal, copper or stainless steel
being preferred. However, the positive electrode members 14 must be made of a metal
that will resist electrolytic attack and enhance electro-coagulation, such as stainless
steel, aluminum, nickel, chromium or tin, these metals being electro-negative with
respect to hydrogen. The surfaces 38 of the positive electrode members 14 are advantageously
unpolished to enhance the adherence of the coagulated colloid thereon. The electrode
members 14 can be produced by ion sputtering and can thus be as thin as 10 p.
[0019] In order to reproduce an image with the system just described,a layer of a liquid
colloidal dispersion containing a colloid such as gelatin or albumin, water and an
electrolyte such as potassium chloride, and having a substantially uniform temperature
throughout the layer, is applied over the surface of the dot matrix printer 10. The
sweeping devices 18 and 18' and the counter 24 are then activated so as to electrically
energize the electrodes of selected ones of the matrix elements 16 and thereby cause
selective coagulation and adherence of the colloid onto the positive electrode active
surfaces 38 of the selected matrix elements, the coagulated colloid 42 forming a series
of corresponding dots representative of the desired image.
[0020] The layer of insulating material 30 between the positive electrode members 14 should
be as thin as possible so as to provide a continuous image and not one which is streaked.
The layer of insulating material 40 surrounding each protruding element 32 should
also be as thin as possible since the thinner the layer 40 the faster is the speed
of electro-coagulation.
[0021] Instead of having matrix elements 16 each formed with a single centrally disposed
protruding element 32 as shown in Fig. 5, it is of course also possible to provide
matrix elements 16' each formed with a plurality of spaced-apart elements 32 as represented
in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6. Such an arrangement enables one to produce
an image having a more uniform tone repartition.
[0022] With the image reproduction system described above, it has been observed that the
power required to produce coagulation over a square surface area of about 125 µ x
125 u is the charge of an electrolytic capacitor of 2 micro farads at 50 volts. In
other words, using a power generator of 25 watts (50 V, 500 mA), one can produce about
100,000 dots per second.
[0023] Although the dot matrix printer 10 has been illustrated as having a planar display
surface, it is apparent that the whole surfaces of the positive electrode members
14 which constitute the display surface of the printer 10 need not be planar, provided
however that the electrode active surfaces of each matrix element be planar and extend
in a substantially common plane. Thus, for example, a cylindrical dot matrix printer
could be designed in which each matrix element would have the required characteristic
just mentioned.
1. A method of reproducing an image by electro-coagulation of an electrolytically
coagulable colloid, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
a) providing a plurality of negative and positive electrolytically inert electrodes
electrically insulated from one another and arranged to define a matrix of dot-forming
elements, the negative and positive electrodes of each said matrix element having
respective planar active surfaces with the negative electrode active surface extending
in the same plane as the positive electrode active surface and in close proximity
thereto;
b) applying a layer of a substantially liquid colloidal dispersion over the negative
and positive electrode active surfaces of said matrix elements whereby the negative
and positive electrode active surfaces are disposed on the same side of the layer
of colloidal dispersion, said colloidal dispersion containing an electrolytically
coagulable. colloid, a liquid dispersing medium and a soluble electrolyte and having
a substantially uniform temperature throughout said layer;
c) generating an electrical field between the negative and positive electrodes of
selected ones of said matrix elements, said electrical field extending substantially
parallel to the planar active surfaces of said negative and positive electrodes, whereby
to cause selective coagulation and adherence of said colloid onto the positive electrode
active surfaces of said selected matrix elements, thereby forming a series of corresponding
dots representative of a desired image; and
d) removing any remaining non-coagulated colloid.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the negative and positive
electrodes of said matrix comprise respectively first and second sets of mutually
electrically-insulated band-like electrode members disposed in parallel side-by-side
relation, the negative electrode members of said first set extending transversely
of the positive electrode members of said second set and being formed with a plurality
of protruding conductive elements which are spaced along the length thereof and each
have a planar active end surface, the protruding elements of each said negative electrode
member extending through corresponding bores formed in said positive electrode members
to terminate flush therewith such that the planar active end surface of each said
protruding element and a planar active surface portion of each said positive electrode
member adjacent each said bore extend in a substantially common plane whereby to define
said matrix elements, and wherein step (c) is effected by sequentially energizing
the electrode members of one set and concurrently energizing selected ones of the
electrode members of the other set.
3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that step (c) is carried out by
sequentially energizing said positive electrode members and concurrently energizing
selected ones of said negative electrode members.
4. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the concurrent selective energizing
of the electrode members of the other set is effected by sweeping said electrode members
and transmitting electrical pulses to selected ones thereof during sweeping.
5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that said electrical pulses are
varied in voltage or time from one electrode member to another whereby to correspondingly
vary the amount of coagulated colloid adhered onto the positive electrode active surfaces
of said selected matrix elements.
6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes the steps
of coloring the coagulated colloid and transferring the colored coagulated colloid
onto an end-use support.
7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes the step
of hardening the coagulated colloid whereby to use the hardened coagulated colloid
for offset lithographic printing.
8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said colloid is a linear colloid
having a molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 1,000,000.
9. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that said colloid has a molecular
weight comprised between about 100,000 and about 500,000.
10. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that said colloid is selected
from the group consisting of animal and vegetable proteins and synthetic copolymers.
ll. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that said colloid is a synthetic
copolymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide,
polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives thereof, said dispersing medium is water and said
electrolye is selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride, sodium chloride,
calcium chloride, nickel .chloride, lithium chloride, ammonium chloride, copper chloride
and manganese sulfate.
12. A system for reproducing an image by electro-coagulation of an electrolytically
coagulable colloid, characterized in that it comprises:
- a plurality of negative and positive electrolytically inert electrodes electrically
insulated from one another and arranged to define a matrix of dot-forming elements,
the negative and positive electrodes of each said matrix element having respective
planar active surfaces with the negative electrode active surface extending in the
same plane as the positive electrode active surface and in close proximity thereto,
said electrode active surfaces being adapted to receive thereover a layer of a substantially
liquid colloidal dispersion containing an electrolytically coagulable colloid, a liquid
dispersing medium and a soluble electrolyte and having a substantially uniform temperature
throughout said layer; and
- means for electrically energizing the negative and positive electrodes of selected
ones of said matrix elements to cause selective coagulation and adherence of said
colloid onto the positive electrode active surfaces of said selected matrix elements
and to thereby form a series of corresponding dots representative of a desired image.
13. A system according to claim 12, characterized in that the negative and positive
electrodes of said matrix comprise respectively first and second sets of mutually
electrically-insulated band-like electrode members disposed in parallel side-by-side
relation, the negative electrode members of said first set extending transversely
of the positive electrode members of said second set and being formed with a plurality
of protruding conductive elements which are spaced along the length thereof and each
have a planar active end surface, the protruding elements of each said negative electrode
member extending through corresponding bores formed in said positive electrode members-to
terminate flush therewith such that the planar active end surface of each said protruding
element and a planar active surface portion of each said positive electrode member
adjacent each said bore extend in a substantially common plane whereby to define said
matrix elements, and wherein said electrical energizing means include means for sequentially
energizing the electrode members of one set and means for concurrently energizing
selected ones of the electrode members of the other set.
14. A system according to claim 13, characterized in that said sequential energizing
means comprises a sweeping device connected to a positive terminal of a direct current
power supply and adapted to sweep said positive electrode members, and wherein said
selective energizing means comprises a further sweeping device connected to a negative
terminal of said power supply for sweeping said negative electrode members and a counting
device coupled to said further sweeping device for transmitting electrical pulses
to selected ones of said negative electrode members during operation of said further
coupling device.
15. A system according to claim 14, characterized in that it further includes modulating
means for varying said electrical pulses in voltage or time from one negative electrode
member to another whereby to correspondingly vary the amount of coagulated colloid
adhered onto the positive electrode active surfaces of said selected matrix elements.
16. A system according to claim 13, characterized in that each said matrix element
comprises a single said protruding element disposed substantially centrally thereof.
17. A system according to claim 13, characterized in that each said matrix element
comprises a plurality of said protruding elements arranged in spaced-apart relation
to provide an image having a uniform tone repartition.
18. A system according to claim 16, characterized in that each said matrix element
has a square surface area of about 125 p x 125 µ and wherein said single protruding
element is circular in cross-section and has a diameter of about 25 to 50 µ.
19. A system according to claim 13, characterized in that each said protruding element
is electrically insulated from its adjacent positive electroce member by means of
a layer of insulating material having a thickness of about 5 to 10 p.
20. A system according to claim 13, chara- terized in that said positive electrode
members are electrically insulated from one another by means of a layer of insulating
material having a thickness of about 10 to 25 p.
21. A system according to claim 20, characterized in that said layer of insulating
material has a thickness of about 10 µ.
22. A system according to claim 12, characterized in that said matrix comprises about
40,000 dot-forming matrix elements per square inch.