Patents by Inventor Marc Van Damme
Marc Van Damme has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8632954Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed comprising the steps of a. providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a photopolymerizable coating comprising a photopolymerizable composition, and an overcoat layer comprising a water soluble low molecular weight acid, wherein said overcoat layer has a surface pH-value ranging between 1 to 6; b. image-wise exposing the precursor; c. optionally heating the exposed precursor; d. processing the obtained precursor by applying a gum solution and optionally brushing the precursor, and/or by mounting the precursor on a plate cylinder of a lithographic printing press and rotating the plate cylinder while feeding dampening liquid and/or ink to the coating.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Peter Hendrikx, Willi-Kurt Gries, Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8377629Abstract: A method of preparing a lithographic printing plate in which no pre-heat step is used comprising the steps of:—providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support and a photopolymerizable image-recording layer, the image-recording layer comprising a monomer and a binder;—image-wise exposing the precursor in an exposure unit;—off press developing the exposed precursor with an aqueous solution in a processing unit; characterized in that the ratio of the total amount of monomer to the total amount of binder is at least 1 and the time lapse between exposing an image-area of the precursor and contacting the image-area with the aqueous solution is at least 1 minute.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Alexander Williamson, Peter Hendrikx, Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8232043Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) optionally, heating the precursor in a preheating unit, and d) developing the precursor off-press in a gumming unit by treating the coating of the precursor with a gum solution, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the coating from the support, wherein the coating further includes a compound capable of interacting with the support, the compound being present in the photopolymerizable layer and/or in the intermediate layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Alexander Williamson, Marc Van Damme, Willi-Kurt Gries
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Patent number: 8216771Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor including on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating, (2) image-wise exposing the precursor with IR-radiation or heat, and (3) developing the image-wise exposed precursor with an alkaline developing solution including a compound having at least two onium groups. According to the above method, a printing plate is formed with an improved developing latitude or an improved exposure latitude.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Johan Loccufier, Stefaan Lingier, Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8119329Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, a top layer, and optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and a binder; b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter; c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit; d) washing the precursor in a pre-washing station by applying water or an aqueous solution to the coating, thereby removing at least a portion of the top layer; and e) developing the precursor in a gumming station by applying a gum solution to the coating of the precursor, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support and gumming the plate in a single steType: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventor: Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8119330Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator and a binder, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit within a time period of less than 10 minutes after step (b), d) treating the precursor in a gumming station, including at least one gumming unit, whereby a gum solution is applied to the precursor, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support and gumming the plate in a single step.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventor: Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8110338Abstract: A heat-sensitive positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating including an IR absorbing agent, a phenolic resin, and a first polymer, wherein the first polymer is an alkaline soluble polymer including a monomeric unit having a structure according to Formula I or Formula II, wherein at least one of the aromatic groups Ar1 and Ar2 is an optionally substituted heteroaromatic group:Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Johan Loccufier, Stefaan Lingier, Hubertus Van Aert, Jan Venneman, Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8092983Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and a binder, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, d) treating the precursor in a gumming station, including at least a first gumming unit, by applying a gum solution to the coating of the precursor, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support, and wherein the steps (c) and (d) are carried out off-press in the pre-heating unit and the first gumming unit, and the pre-heating unit and the first gumming unit are coupled to each oType: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventor: Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8088561Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including an imaging layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the imaging layer and the support, wherein the imaging layer includes a switchable polymer, b) image-wise exposing the coating, whereby the polymer undergoes a chemical reaction induced by the exposing step thereby creating a lithographic image consisting of printing areas and non-printing areas wherein the non-printing areas are removable from the support by a gum solution, and c) developing the precursor by treating the coating of the precursor with the gum solution thereby removing the non-printing areas.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Hieronymus Andriessen, Hubertus Van Aert, Alexander Williamson, Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8088562Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of providing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor including on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating; image-wise exposing the precursor with IR-radiation or heat; and developing the image-wise exposed precursor with an alkaline developing solution, wherein an anti-sludge agent is present in the precursor or in the developing solution or in the precursor and the developing solution, and wherein the anti-sludge agent is a 5-membered heteroaromatic compound, including —NH— group wherein the hydrogen is capable of being deprotonated in the alkaline developing solution, selected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted benztriazole, 1,2,3-triazole, tetrazole, or indazole compound. According to the above method, the formation of sludge is inhibited or reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Johan Loccufier, Stefaan Lingier, Frank Vangaever, Mark Lens, Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8088559Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound and a polymerization initiator, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, d) developing the precursor off-press in a gumming unit by treating the coating of the precursor with a gum solution, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer further includes a polymer containing an acid group and a basic nitrogen-containing compound capable of neutralizing the acid group, or wherein the photopolymerizable layer furtType: GrantFiled: November 17, 2006Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Willi-Kurt Gries, Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 8088558Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and a reactive binder; b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter; c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit; d) developing the precursor off-press in a gumming unit by treating the coating of the precursor with a gum solution, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support, wherein the reactive binder is a polymer containing a monomeric unit which includes a group having an ethylenically unsaturated bond.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Alexander Williamson, Marc Van Damme, Willi-Kurt Gries, Hubertus Van Aert
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Patent number: 8026043Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, a top layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and a binder, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, and d) treating the precursor in a gumming station, the gumming station including a first and at least a second gumming unit, wherein the precursor is washed in the first gumming unit by applying a gum solution to the coating thereby removing at least a portion of the top layer, and wherein, subsequently, the precursor is developed in the second gumming unit with a gum solution thereby removingType: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventor: Marc Van Damme
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Publication number: 20110143284Abstract: A method of preparing a lithographic printing plate in which no pre-heat step is used comprising the steps of:—providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support and a photopolymerizable image-recording layer, the image-recording layer comprising a monomer and a binder;—image-wise exposing the precursor in an exposure unit;—off press developing the exposed precursor with an aqueous solution in a processing unit; characterized in that the ratio of the total amount of monomer to the total amount of binder is at least 1 and the time lapse between exposing an image-area of the precursor and contacting the image-area with the aqueous solution is at least 1 minute.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Alexander Williamson, Peter Hendrikx, Marc Van Damme
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Publication number: 20110059401Abstract: A method of preparing a lithographic printing plate including the steps of providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including a photopolymerizable coating provided on a hydrophilic support;—image-wise exposing the precursor;—pre-heating the exposed precursor;—developing the exposed precursor in a gum solution; wherein after pre-heating and before developing the precursor an accelerated cooling of the precursor is carried out and the cooling does not essentially remove a part of the coating of the precursor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: AGFA GRAPHICS NVInventors: Peter Hendrikx, Alexander Williamson, Marc Van Damme
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Publication number: 20100248150Abstract: The method of preparing a lithographic printing plate precursor according to the present invention comprises the steps of: providing an aluminum support; graining and anodizing the aluminum support; without applying a hydrophilic layer on the anodized aluminum support, coating a composition which is photopolymerizable upon absorption of light having a wavelength in the range of from 350 nm to 450 nm and comprising a polymerizable monomer or oligomer, a binder and a photo-initiator on the grained and anodized aluminum support to form a photopolymerizable layer; coating an overcoat on the photopolymerizable layer; characterized in that the ratio of the total solid amount of polymerizable monomer and oligomer to the total solid amount of binder is from 1.0 to 2.0.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: AGFA GRAPHICS NVInventors: Veerle Verschueren, Peter Hendrikx, Willi-Kurt Gries, Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 7767384Abstract: A method for making a heat-sensitive negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor including the steps of providing a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, and applying onto the support a coating solution including an infrared absorbing agent, hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, a hydrophilic binder, and a polymer including siloxane and/or perfluoroalkyl monomeric units.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Joan Vermeersch, Marc Van Damme
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Patent number: 7767382Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a photopolymerizable coating on said support, b) image-wise exposing said coating in a plate setter, c) developing the precursor, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the coating from the support, whereby the developing step is carried out off-press in a gumming unit by treating the coating of the precursor with a gum solution.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Marc Van Damme, Joan Vermmersch, Alexander Williamson, Willi-Kurt Gries
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Publication number: 20100151390Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of providing a printing plate precursor including a support and photosensitive coating wherein the photosensitive coating includes a photopolymerizable composition; image wise exposing the printing plate precursor on an external drum apparatus emitting one or more scanning laser beams having a wavelength between 390 nm and 420 nm and an energy density, measured on the surface of the precursor, of 100 ?J/cm2 or less; optionally preheating the printing plate precursor; and processing the exposed printing plate precursor with a developer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2007Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: AGFA GRAPHICS NVInventors: Marc Van Damme, Fred William Marland, Johan Van Hunsel, Stephen Sagan, Torsten Platz
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Publication number: 20100129755Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed comprising the steps of a. providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a photopolymerizable coating comprising a photopolymerizable composition, and an overcoat layer comprising a water soluble low molecular weight acid, wherein said overcoat layer has a surface pH-value ranging between 1 to 6; b. image-wise exposing the precursor; c. optionally heating the exposed precursor; d. processing the obtained precursor by applying a gum solution and optionally brushing the precursor, and/or by mounting the precursor on a plate cylinder of a lithographic printing press and rotating the plate cylinder while feeding dampening liquid and/or ink to the coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: Agfa Graphics NVInventors: Peter Hendrikx, Willi-Kurt Gries, Marc Van Damme