GB2210892A

GB2210892A - Wipe for use in the lithographic printing industry

Info

Publication number: GB2210892A
Application number: GB8724258A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Michael Simpson
Original assignee: Horsell Graphic Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Horsell Graphic Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1987-10-15
Filing date: 1987-10-15
Publication date: 1989-06-21
Also published as: GB8724258D0

Abstract

There is disclosed a wipe made of a flexible and absorbant material for use in wiping clean surfaces of components and articles involved in the lithographic printing industry, in which the material is supplied in roll form having successive strips joined together by tearable lines and with each strip being pre-impregnated with a predetermined dose of a suitable solvent.

Description

WIPE FOR USE IN THE LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING INDUSTRY The invention relates to a wipe made of a flexible and absorbant material for use in wiping clean surfaces of components and articles involved in the lithographic printing industry.

It is the present practice for disposable tissues, or cloths to be used, which have suitable solvents applied thereto from a can or bottle as and when required. This is an unsophisticated process, which takes time (requiring two separate operations - withdrawing a piece of tissue from a roll, and then applying the solvent from a separate can), and also is liable to have incorrect amounts applied i.e.

too much or too little.

The invention therefore seeks to provide an improved wipe for use in the lithographic printing industry, and which is more readily usable with required doses of solvent therein.

According to the invention there is provided a wipe made of a flexible and absorbant material for use in wiping clean surfaces of components and articles involved in the lithographic printing industry, in which the material is supplied in roll form having successive strips joined together by tearable lines and with each strip being preimpregnated with a predetermined dose of a suitable solvent.

A wipe according to the invention is therefore immediately available for use, it only being necessary to tear-off a pre-impregnated strip from the roll supply.

Preferably, the flexible and absorbant material takes the form of a large roll of industrial disposable cloth, having a number of perforated lines to separate adjacent tear-off strips. This cloth may be a paper based product, i.e. in tissue form, or similar to absorbant paper kitchen towels, or may be of any suitable disposable textile material.

To provide for ready storage, and dispensing of the wipe strips, a container may be provided in which the roll can be stored, the container having a small hole and a removable lid. When the lid is closed, this will prevent undue loss of any of the solvent by evaporation. However, once the lid is removed, the impregnated strips can be removed one at a time, and torn off from the roll along the perforated lines, leaving the following wipe strip partially protruding from the container to facilitate its subsequent removal. The container may take the form of a metal cylindrical drum, which can be attached to a wall via a bracket. Alternatively, the container may have a displaceable flap which controls access to the wipe strips within the container.

The solvent (which will be suitable for cleaning the surfaces of components and articles used in the lithographic printing industry), can be a single solvent, or a solvent mixture, with or without the use of any additional additives.

Examples will now be given of the component(s) which may be used in the solvent which pre-impregnates the wipe strips.

The solvent can be any of the following: Hydrocarbons - aliphatic, aromatic, paraffinic Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Alcohols / Glycols Glycol Ethers Esters Additionally emulsification agents may be added.

Examples of the types of surfactants that can be used generally fall into two groups, namely Anionics and Nonionics. Specific types of surfactants that can be used and fall into these groups are as follows: Anionics Non-ionics Alkylaryl Sulphonates Alkylphenol ethoxylates Alcohol Sulphates Alcohol ethoxylates Ether Sulphates Amine ethoxylates Phosphate Esters Acid ethoxylates Petroleum Sulphonates Block copolymers Alkylolamides Esters The most suitable appear to be: Alkylaryl Sulphonates Esters Alkyl Phenol Ethoxylates A particular preferred solvent mixture to preimpregnate the wipe strips is a combination of the following: aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent aromatic hydrocarbon solvent alkylaryl sulphonate surfactant

Claims

1. A wipe made of a flexible and absorbant material for use in wiping clean surfaces of components and articles involved in the lithographic printing industry, in which the material is supplied in roll form having successive strips joined together by tearable lines and with each strip being pre-impregnated with a predetermined dose of a suitable solvent.

2. A wipe according to Claim 1, in which the flexible and absorbant material takes the form of a roll of industrial disposable cloth, having a number of perforated lines to separate adjacent tear-off strips.

3. A wipe according to Claim 2, in which the cloth is a paper based product.

4. A wipe according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the roll is arranged in a container having a removable lid, or a displaceable flap for controlling access to the wipe strips within the container.

5. A wipe according to any one of the preceding Claims, in which the solvent is a single solvent, or a solvent mixture, with or without the use of any additional additives.

6. A wipe according to Claim 5, in which the component used in the solvent is one or more of: Hydrocarbons - aliphatic, aromatic or paraffinic; Chlorinated Hydrocarbons; Alcohols/Glycols; Glycol Ethers; and Esters

7. A wipe according to Claim 6, in which emulsification agents are included in the solvent.

8. A wipe according to Claim 7, in which the emulsification agents comprise an Anionic or Non-ionic surfactant.

9. A wipe according to Claim 8, in which the Anionic surfactant comprises one or more of the following: Alkylaryl Sulphonates; Alcohol Sulphates; Ether Sulphates; Phosphate Esters; Petroleum Sulphonates.

10. A wipe according to Claim 9, in which the Nonionics surfactants comprises one or more of: Alkylphenol ethoxylates; Alcohol ethoxylates; Amine ethoxylates; Acid ethoxylates; Block copolymers; Alkylolamides; Esthers.

11. A wipe according to any one of the preceding Claims, in which the solvent mixture is a combination of the following: aliphatic hudrocarbon solvent aromatic hydrocarbon solvent alkylaryl sulphonate surfactant

12. A wipe according to Claim 1 and substantially as herein before described.

13. A method of wiping clean surfaces of components and articles involved in the lithographic printing industry, using a wipe according to any one of preceding Claims.