Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lightweight hybrid clumping animal litter made from organic core particles combined with small amounts of clumping agent, and methods for making the litter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lightweight hybrid clumping animal litter made from organic core particles combined with small amounts of clumping agent, and methods for making the litter.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that incorporate a multi-layer plate configuration for a Digital Offset Plate (DOP) including at least a robust top imaging layer and a bottom layer that acts as a reservoir for the releasing oil in a proposed variable digital offset lithographic architecture. The top imaging layer may contain a small amount of oil (<20%) in a range suitable for allowing a small amount of oil to coat the surface and enable release of the ink. A bottom layer may be larger in volume and contain greater quantities (˜20-75%) of oil. Oil from the reservoir layer may diffuse to and through the top layer when the oil in the top surface layer is depleted in a manner that maintains a supply of oil at the surface. The top layer may act as a gate to maintain a steady flow of oil to the surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a printing member for imaging with an inkjet printer using pigment-based aqueous inkjet ink. The printing member may include a substrate and a hydrophilic coating layer. The coasting layer may include acidic colloidal silica whose particles have an elongated shape, a hydrophilic polymer and a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: An imaging member is disclosed having a surface layer comprising a heat-sensitive material whose surface compatibility to printing agents, such as toners and inks, can be substantially reversed in response to small changes in temperature. The imaging member is suitable for use in lithographic and printing applications, permitting reversible switching between compatibility states of printing agents, such as between hydrophilic and hydrophobic states or oleophilic and oleophobic states, and enabling rapid production of images on a recording medium. The heat-sensitive material comprises an acrylamide polymer and a silicon material.

Abstract: A method for the production of a support for a lithographic printing plate precursor that comprises providing on a grained aluminum support having an anodic oxide film formed thereon a layer of inorganic compound particles having a major axis larger than a pore diameter of the anodic oxide film and treating the layer of inorganic compound particles with a treating solution capable of dissolving the inorganic compound particles, thereby fusing together the inorganic compound particles to form a layer of the inorganic compound.

Abstract: A support for a lithographic printing plate, wherein scum resistance is improved when processed into a lithographic printing plate by performing treatment for water wettablity and, in addition, press life is excellent. A support for a lithographic printing plate, which is obtained by performing at least anodizing treatment and silicate treatment on an aluminum plate, wherein a ratio of the number of atoms of alkali-earth metal and silicon existing on a surface thereof is 0.1 to 0.95.

Abstract: A lithographic sheet product having a substrate with a roll textured surface covered by a pretreatment layer. The pretreatment layer enhances adhesion of a printing composition to the sheet product and is composed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers of acrylic acid, polymers of methacrylic acid, an organophosphorous polymer and copolymers of an organophosphorous compound and acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Dopant particles of alumina, silica, titanium dioxide or a black dye or pigment may be added to the pretreatment layer to reduce the gloss and reflectance of the pretreatment layer in a printing process. Etching of the substrate also reduces gloss and reflectance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing plate precursor comprising an aluminum support having been subjected to surface roughening treatment and then to anodizing treatment, and provided thereon, a component layer comprising an image formation layer containing heat melting particles or heat fusible particles, the support satisfying the following conditions (a) and (b):

Abstract: Disclosed is a planographic printing plate precursor, comprising a hydrophilic support and an image forming layer containing oleophilic heat-fusible particles, wherein the hydrophilic support has voids and the void content is 20 to 40 ml/m2.

Abstract: A negative-working heat-sensitive material for making a lithographic printing plate by direct-to-plate recording is disclosed which comprises in the order given a lithographic base having a hydrophilic surface, an oleophilic imaging layer and a cross-linked hydrophilic upper layer, characterize in that the oleophilic imaging layer comprises at least one transition metal complex of an organic acid. Materials according to the invention are characterized by an increased run length and can be used as a printing plate immediately after exposure.

Abstract: A printing plate element is disclosed, comprising a substrate and a component layer containing a first material which is water-insoluble or capable of varying from being water-soluble to being water-insoluble at a prescribed temperature of not less than 60° C. and a second material which is water-soluble and has a melting point of 60 to 300° C. A method of preparing a printing plate is also disclosed, comprising imagewise exposure of the printing plate element and removing an unexposed area of the printing plate element with aqueous solution.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed, comprising a metal substrate having thereon 1) an ink-receptive layer, 2) a water-receptive layer comprising a colloidal particulate oxide or hydroxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of beryllium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, titanium, boron, germanium, tin, zirconium, iron, vanadium, antimony and transition metals, or additionally 3) a water-soluble overcoat layer, at least one layer of the ink-receptive layer, the water-receptive layer and the overcoat layer containing a compound capable of converting light into heat and the ink-receptive layer containing an epoxy resin having a softening point of 120° C. or more.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive material for making lithographic plates comprising in the order given on a support an IR-sensitive oleophilic layer and an ablatable cross-linked hydrophilic layer comprising an inorganic pigment and a hardener, characterized in that the ratio of said inorganic pigment over the hardener is comprised between 95/5 and 75/25 by weight.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive material for making lithographic plates comprising in the order given on a support an IR-sensitive oleophilic layer and a cross-linked hydrophilic layer comprising an inorganic pigment and a hardener, characterized in that the ratio of said inorganic pigment over the hardener is comprised between 75/25 and 25/75 by weight.

Abstract: There is provided a lithographic plate material which can be desensitized by distilled water or a fountain solution used for other lithographic plates, without desensitizing using an etching solution, and with less scumming in non-image portions of the print. The lithographic plate material has an image-receptive layer formed on a support and containing polyvinyl alcohol cross-linked by tetra alkoxy silane hydroxylate, titanium oxide microparticles, and silica having an average particle size of 1 nm to 100 nm. The image-receptive layer has a surface with an arithmetic mean roughness of not less than 0.40 &mgr;m and less than 1.20 &mgr;m, a contact angle of less than 50 degrees with distilled water at room temperature, and ink-receptiveness for hot-melt and lipophilic ink.

Abstract: A direct drawing type lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a water-resistant support having provided thereon an image-receiving layer, the image-receiving layer containing: at least one metal oxide hydrate having an average particle size of from 0.01 to 5 pm and comprising a metal atom selected from Mg, Al, Zn, Ge, Ti, Co, Zr, Sn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Pd, Cd, Mo, Cr, Ga, Mn, V, Ce and La; and a binder resin containing a complex comprising: a resin containing a siloxane bond in which a silicon atom is connected with an oxygen atom; and an organic polymer containing a group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the resin containing a siloxane bond.

Abstract: A method for correcting mistakes and other imperfections in printing members is disclosed. Ink accepting areas of the printing member are rendered non-ink accepting by treatment with a deletion fluid. Deletion fluids include, for example, acids, alkalis, and oxidizing formulations. A preferred deletion fluid is concentrated sulfuric acid.

Abstract: An improved hydrophilized substrate for planographic printing is disclosed. The substrate contains a support and a hydrophilic layer over the support. The hydrophilic layer contains titanium dioxide (titania) particles. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic layer contains a mixture of coated and uncoated titanium dioxide particles, and, optionally, alumina particles. A method for preparation of the substrate and a printing member comprising the substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A support for a printing plate is disclosed, comprising a substrate having thereon at least one component layer contains porous particles. The component layer further contains a flaky inorganic particles or a material having the function of converting light to heat. A printing plate comprising the support is also disclosed, having on the support an image forming layer containing a thermally fusible particles.

Abstract: A method for preparing a substrate for a planographic printing member is disclosed. A liquid that contains water; a soluble alkali metal silicate, preferably sodium silicate; and a dispersed particulate material is coated on a support, to produce a hydrophilic layer on the support. A layer of image material may be coated over the hydrophilic layer to produce a planographic printing member. In one embodiment the liquid contains a mixture of two particulate materials, preferably alumina and titanium dioxide. The substrate has a surface roughness of about 0.1 &mgr;m to 2 &mgr;m. The substrate is suitable for preparing a planographic printing member processable to a resolution of 10 &mgr;m or less and in which the dots having a roundness of less than 2 are formed.

Abstract: A lithographic imaging member is prepared by applying an ink jetable fluid to a fluid-receiving element that includes a clay-containing fluid-receiving surface layer. This layer also includes a water-soluble binder and a silane hardening agent. The applied fluid is an aqueous solution of a silane having multiple hydroxy, alkoxy or acetoxy groups that is readily absorbed in the clay-containing surface, and dried to provide an oleophilic image.

Abstract: An improved hydrophilized substrate for planographic printing is disclosed. The substrate contains a support and a hydrophilic layer over the support. The hydrophilic layer contains titanium dioxide (titania) particles. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic layer contains a mixture of coated and uncoated titanium dioxide particles, and, optionally, alumina particles. A method for preparation of the substrate and a printing member comprising the substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A direct drawing type lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a water-resistant support having provided thereon an image-receiving layer, the image-receiving layer being formed from a dispersion comprising: an inorganic pigment comprising silica particles having an average particle diameter of from 1 to 6 &mgr;m and ultra-fine particles of inorganic pigment having an average particle diameter of from 5 to 50 nm, at a weight ratio thereof of from 40:60 to 70:30; and a hydrophilic binder resin comprising at least one modified hydrophilic binder resin which is modified with a silyl functional group represented by the following formula (I): —Si(R)n(OX)3-n  (I) wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; X represents an aliphatic group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and n represents 0, 1 or 2. Also disclosed are methods of preparing a lithographic printing plate using the direct drawing type lithographic printing plate precursor.

Abstract: A ceramic layer comprising aluminum oxide and a silicate compound is applied to a substrate of a printing plate, with the silicate compound acting as a binder to ensure adhesion of the ceramic layer to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a planographic printing member is disclosed. A hydrophilic layer is formed on a support by contacting the support with a silicate solution that contains a silicate and a particulate material. An image layer is provided over the hydrophilic layer. The hydrophilic layer is treated to ensure that the image layer is able to change color on exposure. The hydrophilic layer may be treated with an acid, with a buffer formulation, with a colloidal suspension, or with a salt. Preferably the hydrophilic layer is treated with aluminum sulphate.

Abstract: A planographic printing member comprising a substrate, an oleophilic layer, an infra-red sensitive/ablatable layer, and a hydrophilic layer. The hydrophilic layer is derived from a silicate solution, optionally containing particulate materials such as alumina and/or titania. The printing member may be exposed to radiation from a laser which ablates the infra-red sensitive/ablatable layer to reveal areas of the oleophilic layer. An exposed printing member may be used in wet lithographic printing.

Abstract: A printing plate which can be repeatedly directly provided with an image and erased and is suitable for a wet offset printing method. The printing plate has a smooth and pore-free surface which is hydrophilic or can be hydrophilized after being provided with an image. The printing plate contains no strong microdipoles and consists of a ceramic, a glass or a metal, in particular of a metal alloy. An erasing and hydrophilizing apparatus preferably integrated in the printing press, repeatedly erases and prepares, i.e. rehydrophilizes, the printing plate for a further image-providing and printing process.

Abstract: A method for preparing a substrate for a planographic printing plate is disclosed. A liquid that contains water; a soluble alkali metal silicate, preferably sodium silicate; and a dispersed particulate material is coated on a substrate, preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy, to produce a hydrophilic layer on the substrate. A layer of image material may be coated over the substrate to produce a planographic printing plate. In one embodiment the liquid contains a mixture of two particulate materials: alumina and titanium dioxide.

Abstract: An imaging member can be prepared by imagewise application of a fluid onto a water-soluble fluid-receiving layer coated on a hydrophilic support. Application is preferably accomplished by ink jet printing. The fluid is dried or cured to form an oleophilic image on the fluid-receiving layer. The fluid-receiving layer must form a contact angle of at least 20.degree. with the applied fluid. After removal of the non-imaged areas, the resulting imaging member can be used for lithographic printing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a hot-melt ink jet process printing plate capable of printing many sheets of printed matters having a sharp image quality free of background stain. The present invention concerns a novel process for the preparation of an ink jet process lithographic printing plate which comprises preparing a direct imaging lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a water-resistant support having an image-receiving layer containing an inorganic pigment and a hydrophilic binder resin as main components provided thereon, and then jetting through a nozzle ink droplets obtained by heating and melting a solid ink composition at ordinary temperatures onto the image-receiving layer to form an image thereon by a hot-melt ink jet process, characterized in that the image-receiving layer comprises as the inorganic pigments a particulate silica having an average grain diameter of from 1 to 6 .mu.

Abstract: A method of making a porous, hydrophilic layer with a high surface energy on a substrate for a printing plate, ink jet receiver or the like by the steps of grinding an inorganic gel containing a liquid to provide a fine coatable dispersion of inorganic gel, coating the dispersion of inorganic gel onto the substrate, and heating the dispersion coating to provide the porous hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: An imaging member can be prepared by imagewise application of a mixture of a sol precursor in a liquid to a suitable substrate. Application is preferably accomplished by ink jet printing. Upon removal of the liquid, such as by drying, an insoluble, crosslinked polymeric sol-gel matrix is formed that will accept a lithographic printing ink. The resulting imaging member can be used for lithographic printing.

Abstract: Long wearing lithographic imaging members are prepared from a zirconia ceramic layer having thereon a hydrophilic, non-crosslinked water-insoluble surface layer. This surface layer is ablatable using imaging apparatus such as a laser, and the surface energy differential between the non-removed hydrophilic layer and the exposed underlying zirconia ceramic is desirable to provide lithographic printing with improved image sharpness.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process image-wise exposes an imaging element with a high intensity short time scanning exposure. The imaging element comprises on a support in the order given a silver halide emulsion layer and a layer containing physical development nuclei. A thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element is subsequently developed in the presence of a developing agent and silver halide solvent. The image-wise exposure is focused substantially within the silver halide emulsion layer of the imaging element.

Abstract: A thermal transfer system for transferring material in an imagewise manner by means of thermal transfer printing from a donor element to an image receiving element is used to prepare printing plates. In one construction, a donor element, which is prepared by coating a photoinitiator (and optionally a sensitizer) in a binder on a backing material, is used with an image receiving element, which is prepared by coating a photopolymer (and optionally a sensitizer) on a substrate having a microporous hydrophilic crosslinked silicated surface. In an alternative construction, a donor element, which is prepared by coating a sensitizer in a binder on a backing material, is used with an image receiving element, which is prepared by coating a photopolymer and photoinitiator on a substrate having a microporous hydrophilic crosslinked silicated surface.

Abstract: Process for making a lithographic printing plate having an oleophilic amplified image prepared by(a) providing a silicated aluminum substrate with a hydrophilic, anionic, negatively charged surface and a layer on said surface of a light sensitive, cationic, positively charged, water soluble diazonium material having at least two reactive sites per molecule, each reactive site being capable of being chemically altered by actinic light or chemically reacted with an anionic material;(b) selectively and incompletely exposing the diazo layer to actinic light to alter only a portion of the reactive sites thereby adhering the diazo material to the substrate in the exposed areas;(c) coupling the diazo layer with an anionic material to reinforce diazo in the exposed areas in situ and remove diazo from the unexposed areas by contacting the substrate after exposure with an anionic material in water in a quantity and for a time sufficient to couple the anionic material with the diazo and dissolve the coupled product from

Abstract: A base plate adapted to be coated with a light-sensitive diazo resin, and a lithographic plate which may be prepared therefrom. The base plate includes a substrate comprising a metal support and having a water-wettable, hydrophilic surface. Over the substrate and in direct contact with the surface is a layer comprising an oleophilic ink-receptive organic resin adapted to receive a light-sensitive coating comprising a diazo resin sensitizer. The oleophilic resin layer is permeable to the sensitizer so that it may penetrate substantially through the resin layer to establish sufficient contiguity between the diazo resin and the substrate so that both the light-sensitive coating and the organic resin layer become anchored to the substrate in the areas of exposure when the light-sensitive coating is exposed to light. Methods of preparing the base plate and lithographic plate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A desensitizer for a lithographic printing plate, which contains:(i) at least one silicate represented by the general formulae (I), (II) and (III)M.sub.2 O.(SiO.sub.2).sub.n.qH.sub.2 O (I) ##STR1## wherein M represents an alkali metal atom; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a hydroxyalkyl group; n represents a number of from 1 to 8.5; q represents a number of from 0 to 12; m represents a number of greater than 0 and up to 10; and p represents a number of from 4 to 5000;(ii) at least one wetting agent;(iii) a hydrophilic colloidal material; and(iv) water, anda process for preparing a lithographic printing plate using the desensitizer.

Abstract: An image recording material formed with a support, a photosensitive composition layer formed on the support, and a mono-particle layer of solid particles of different optical transmittances formed on the photosensitive composition layer. When the recording material is exposed to light, the firmness with which the photosensitive composition holds the solid particles varies locally from point to point in accordance with the exposure energies of light passed through the solid particles. Thus by causing the dissolving force of the solvent or other physical forces to act on the photosensitive composition, the particles held weakly are selectively removed from the recording material, whereby an image is formed by the particles left on the recording material. The recording material on which the image has been formed can be used as a printing form as it is or by being subjected to simple after-treatment.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing plate forming material having on its surface a matting layer composed of a resin and a fine particulate material dispersed therein, said resin being at least one member selected from rosin and rosin esters.

Abstract: Planar surfaces are roughened by graining with an aqueous slurry of unfused platy, crystalline alumina. Preferably, an aluminum base with is adapted to receive a light-sensitive coating thereon to make lithographic plate is grained with said aqueous slurry.

Abstract: A process for preparing a lithographic printing plate, which has excellent printability, durability and stability, which comprisingimagewise irradiating a lithographic printing plate material comprising a support having thereon a light-sensitive layer comprising, as essential components, (a) an inorganic material and (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal and a metal compound, both of which are in contact with each other and which, upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, react with each other forming a mutually diffused state and as a result, a difference in the hydrophilic property or in the oleophilic property occurs between the areas irradiated with the electromagnetic radiation and the non-irradiated areas, with electromagnetic radiation, andthen wetting the light-sensitive layer thereof with wetting solution containing (i) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiourea and a thiourea derivative and (ii) as an acid component, at least one compo

Abstract: The use of a laser beam to etch the surface of a printing plate made from a polymer composition on a metal or plastic base and a thin top coating of a hard hydrophilic material produces a lithographic printing plate capable of accepting ink in the etched region and accepting water in the unetched regions.

Abstract: A method of selectively reinking an imaged master having residual ink on its image areas after transfer of an image to a receiving member, comprising interposing a screen between and in contact with said master and an inking member containing a viscous lithographic ink, the web of said screen coated with an ink releasing adhesive material having an adhesive release value when dry of less than about 100 grams per inch, and passing ink through the pores of said screen to only the imaged portions of said master.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a planographic printing plate wherein a photoexposed and developed photographic material containing a pattern of poorly water-soluble silver salt is treated with an aqueous liquid which contains in dissolved state an organic cationic compound or mixture of organic cationic compounds, iodide ions, and a sufficient amount of hydronium ions (H.sub.3 O.sup.+) for creating an acidic medium, said liquid being capable of making an unexposed and undeveloped photographic silver halide material as defined in the disclosure sufficiently receptive for a lithographic ink.

Abstract: A method of providing a printing plate comprises coating on a support a layer having a hydrophilic surface comprising the homogeneous reaction product of hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate and hydrolyzed tetraethyl orthosilicate. The coating may also contain pigments such as titanium dioxide and the like. A printing plate is provided having a support having thereon a layer having a hydrophilic surface and over the layer a silver precipitating layer, preferably comprising nickel sulfide and silver iodide. An image is provided in the silver precipitating layer by diffusion transfer and treated with a thiol or similar sulfur-containing material to improve the ink-water balance of the plate.

Abstract: In a lithographic printing plate comprising a base and a lithographic printing surface thereon, said printing surface comprising colloidal silica and an insolubilized hydrophilic polymer, the improvement which comprises providing a positively charged colloidal silica as said colloidal silica component and, as said hydrophilic polymer, a nonionic or cationic polymer or a mixture of the same.