SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING A RELEASE FILM FOR A CLEANING UNIT IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE USING DIGITAL OFFSET LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING TECHNIQUES

摘要

A system and method are provided for depositing a release layer/film on a cleaner roller in an image forming device to facilitate effective cleaning of a reimageable surface in an image forming device using a proposed variable data digital lithographic image forming architecture. A borax or other solute solution is deposited on a surface of a cleaner roller and an air knife is used to evaporate a liquid component of the solution causing the liquid to come off and a thin-film of borax or other solute to remain on the surface of the cleaner roller. The thin film layer is then dry at a point of contact with the reimageable surface to recover residual ink from the reimageable surface with the surface of the cleaner roller on top of the thin film layer. The thin film layer is re-wetted to support efficient transfer of the ink to a web.

主权项

1. A cleaner component in a variable data digital lithographic image forming system, comprising:
a cleaner roller that contacts a reimageable surface of an imaging member in an image forming device at a cleaner nip and that removes ink from the reimageable surface; a cleaning surface component that contacts a surface of the cleaner roller and that removes the ink from the surface of the cleaner roller; and a solvent source that is configured to wet the cleaning surface component with a solvent prior to the cleaning surface component contacting the surface of the cleaner roller, the solvent including a liquid component and a solid component suspended in the liquid component, the cleaning surface component leaving a layer of the solvent on the surface of the cleaner roller, the liquid component of the solvent being evaporated prior to the surface of the cleaner roller contacting the reimageable surface at the cleaner nip, the evaporation leaving a release layer formed of the solid component of the solvent on the surface of the cleaner roller, and the cleaning surface component re-wetting the release layer after the surface of the cleaner roller passes through the cleaner nip collecting ink from the reimageable surface to facilitate the removal of the ink from the surface of the cleaner roller.