Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method configured for curing non-reactive photopolymer collected by an absorbent blotting material during thermal processing of flexographic printing elements. Uncured non-reacted portions of the photopolymer are removed by contacting the one or more layers of photopolymer with the web of absorbent blotting material at an elevated temperature to soften or liquefy the uncured non-reacted portions of the one or more layers of photopolymer and absorb the softened or liquefied uncured non-reacted portions into the absorbent web of absorbent blotting material. The web of absorbent blotter material containing the absorbed softened or liquefied non-reacted portions of the photopolymer is exposed to actinic radiation from the one or more UV light sources to crosslink and cure the softened or liquefied non-reacted portions of the photopolymer.

Abstract: A method of preparing a film negative including the steps of dispersing a UV ink in a desired pattern on a UV printing substrate; and curing the UV ink with a source of actinic radiation to crosslink and cure the UV ink and create the UV printed polymer layer in the desired pattern. The UV ink is at least substantially solvent-free and printing substrate does not contain an adhesive layer or an ink-receptive layer and is not been modified to be ink-receptive. The film negative may be used in a process of making a flexographic printing element.

Abstract: An imaging system, including a laser source and a controller, for producing a mask for a flexographic plate. The imaging data includes a base pattern comprised of spots superimposed on the image information and aligned to a grid defined by an imaging resolution of an imager. Each spot corresponding to an imaged discrete element in the base pattern is surrounded by eight spots corresponding to non-imaged discrete elements. In at least a portion of the mask corresponding to a non-solid tonal area of the plate, the controller adjusts the laser beam to a size that causes each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements to have an unexposed or unablated area centered therebetween, wherein the unablated area resolves to a region on a surface of the plate below an uppermost level but above a non-printing level, and each of the four neighboring imaged discrete elements resolves to the uppermost level.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising a hydrocarbon solvent in combination with diisopropylbenzene or 2-ethylhexyl acetate, and optionally, a co-solvent selected from tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol, terpineol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-(2-butyoxyethoxy) ethanol, a naphthenic hydrocarbon, a paraffinic hydrocarbon, an olefinic hydrocarbon, an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon, a terepene, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, methyl cyclohexanol, hexyl alcohol, and heptyl alcohol, and methods directed to the preparation and use of this composition. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating composition comprising a) a metal complex comprising an organic acid or anion thereof coordinated to a metal ion; and b) a polymer, wherein there is no covalent bond between said metal complex and the polymer.

Abstract: Provided is a display device including a display panel having a display region and a non-display region, a window covering the display panel, and an adhesive member interposed between the display panel and the window to adhere the window to the display panel. The composition material of the adhesive member includes an adhesive layer which is cured by light and a wavelength conversion material which converts the light into infrared rays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generative production of relief printing plates, wherein a support with a polymeric substrate layer and a laser-ablatable mask layer is provided, the polymeric substrate layer containing a first binder. A mask with openings corresponding to pixels is produced by imagewise laser ablation of the mask layer. A liquid containing a reactive monomer is then applied over the surface of the mask-covered polymeric substrate layer, and the liquid or the reactive monomer diffuses through the openings of the mask into the polymeric substrate layer for a defined exposure time so as to form a relief. The excess liquid or the excess monomer and optionally the mask are removed from the surface, and the resulting relief is fixed by crosslinking.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises: (a) a rotatable drum configured to have a UV-curable printing plate with an ablatable layer thereon, placed thereon; (b) at least one laser beam to image the plate on the drum by ablating some of the ablatable layer according to image data to form an imaged plate; (c) an unloading area onto which a plate is movable when unloaded; and (d) a plurality of UV LEDs configured to apply UV radiation to the back of the UV-curable plate or to both the front and back of the UV-curable plate during or after the unloading of the imaged plate.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises: (a) a rotatable drum configured to have a UV-curable printing plate with an ablatable layer thereon, placed thereon; (b) at least one laser beam to image the plate on the drum by ablating some of the ablatable layer according to image data to form an imaged plate; (c) an unloading area onto which a plate is movable when unloaded; and (d) a plurality of UV LEDs configured to apply UV radiation to the back of the UV-curable plate or to both the front and back of the UV-curable plate during or after the unloading of the imaged plate.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. A photosensitive printing blank with a laser ablatable layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer is ablated with a laser to create an in situ mask. The printing blank is then exposed to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure portions of the photocurable layer. Diffusion of air into the at least one photocurable layer is limited during the exposing step and preferably at least one of the type, power and incident angle of illumination of the at least one source of actinic radiation is altered during the exposure step. The resulting relief image comprises a plurality of dots and a dot shape of the plurality of dots that provide optimal print performance on various substrates, including corrugated board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a relief printing plate from a printing plate precursor wherein at least an end of the precursor is attached to a leader forming a composite printing form precursor that securely mounts the precursor in a treatment processor. The present method advantageously allows for all or substantially all of the area of the precursor to be utilized for forming the relief surface suitable for printing.

Abstract: A crankshaft heat treatment device may include a base frame, a jig frame in which a crankshaft is rotatably supported and that is disposed to be able to move in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction at the base frame, and a laser unit that is disposed in a predetermined fixed position and irradiates laser beam to a pin portion and a journal portion of the crankshaft so as to treat the pin portion and the journal portion with heat.

Abstract: A laser-engravable patternable element can be used to provide a relief image for various types of printing including flexographic printing. This laser-engraveable patternable element has a one laser-engravable layer that comprises a thermoplastic elastomeric interpolymer alloy that comprises a non-crosslinked halogenated polymer, a partially crosslinked polyolefin, and a polyester. A relief image can be obtained by directly laser-engraving the noted element under suitable conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing element having at least one polymer layer which has photoimageable constituents and a chemically functionalized polymer to make the polymer layer either more hydrophobic or hydrophilic. In one embodiment, the printing element comprises two adjacent polymer layers on a substrate in which the photoimaged layer comprises a polymer chemically modified with hydrophobic fluoroalkyl side groups to provide differential wetting with hydrophilic inks.

Abstract: Forming an imaging blanket for a printing apparatus includes depositing a patternable material over a substrate, etching the patternable material according to a desired exposure pattern, hardening the etched patternable material to thereby form a template surface comprising a desired template pattern of texture features, depositing a layer of curable liquid polymer over and in physical contact with the template surface, curing the liquid polymer to thereby form the imaging blanket, and removing the imaging blanket from the template surface to thereby expose a patterned imaging surface of the imaging blanket. The image blanket may thereby be provided with a desired texture surface, for example comprised of individual molded image blanket features, such as recesses or pillars, of a desired cross-sectional shape. The image blanket is configured for and may be disposed on an image forming member of a variable data lithography system.

Abstract: Disclosed are simple, efficient, and scalable methods of patterning polymeric or metallic microstructures on planar or non-planar surfaces. The methods utilize initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) technology. Also disclosed are patterned articles produced by these methods, and methods of using the articles.

Abstract: The synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Pimpinella anisum L seeds includes providing a silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution, providing an extract of Pimpinella anisum L. plant seeds, and combining the silver nitrate solution with the extract of the Pimpinella anisum L. plant seeds to produce silver nanoparticles. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Pimpinella anisum L. seeds does not require toxic chemical solvents.

Abstract: A relief printing form is prepared from a photosensitive element. An in-situ mask is formed and disposed above a photopolymerizable layer of the photosensitive element, the element is exposed to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between about 30,000 ppm and about 7500 ppm to form at least a polymerized portion and an unpolymerized portion of the layer, and the exposed element is processed by treating with at least one washout solution selected from solvent solution, aqueous solution, semi-aqueous solution, or water.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a liquid photopolymer composition is described. The method includes the steps of (1) casting a liquid photopolymer layer onto a cover sheet and at least substantially simultaneously placing a hacking sheet onto the liquid photopolymer layer; (2) preliminarily exposing the liquid photopolymer layer to actinic radiation to create at least one island of solid photopolymer in the liquid photopolymer layer where it is desirable to laser engrave a relief image; (3) reclaiming uncured liquid photopolymer from the relief image printing element; (4) processing the at least one island of solid photopolymer to remove uncured liquid photopolymer; (5) exposing the at least one island of solid photopolymer to actinic radiation to fully cure the islands of solid photopolymer; and (6) laser engraving the at least one island of solid photopolymer to produce the relief image therein.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. The method includes forming an in-situ mask disposed above a photopolymerizable layer of the photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between about 50,000 ppm and about 2000 ppm to form at least a polymerized portion and an unpolymerized portion of the layer, and treating by heating the exposed element to a temperature sufficient to cause the unpolymerized portion to melt, soften, or flow.

Abstract: A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief printing dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a platemaking process including the steps of: (a) selectively exposing at least one photocurable layer to a source of actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure the at least one photocurable layer; and (b) developing the exposed at least one photocurable layer to reveal the relief image therein, said relief image comprising the plurality of relief printing dots. The source of actinic radiation comprises a source of UV light in the UV-A range and a source of light in the UV-C range. The at least one photocurable layer is simultaneously exposed to the source of UV light in the UV-A range and the source of UV light in the UV-C range to produce printing dots having at least one desired geometric characteristic.

Abstract: Following imagewise exposure of a sandwiched photopolymer layer, the outer layers between which the photopolymer is interposed are separated in a manner that leaves some photopolymer on each of the separated layers. The photopolymer remaining on one layer contains the raised pattern that will carry ink, and may be subjected to further exposure to actinic radiation in order to complete the curing process without the need for washing; the photopolymer remaining on the other layer can be removed and reused. As a result, waste is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: A flexography substrate for making I-plates with liquid photopolymers has, in addition to the tie-coat applied to one side to hold the photopolymers in place on the substrate, a micro-porous coating applied to the other side, enabling a masking image to be applied to it using an inkjet printer. In this way, one single sheet of film performs the dual role of substrate and I-plate masking film. By eliminating a sheet of film, the invention provides cost, quality, and environmental benefits.

Abstract: A method for making a flexographic printing master includes the steps of providing a flexographic printing support; applying image-wise on the flexographic printing support subsequent layers of radiation curable liquid by an inkjet printing device whereby one or more applied layers are immobilized using a curing device before one or more subsequent layers are applied, such that a relief with a top hat profile is obtained; and grinding the relief so that the height DT of a top hat segment is reduced. An imaging apparatus includes structure to perform the above method.

Abstract: A heating step is performed in a printing operation where a gas jet emitting from a nozzle assembly impinges the exterior surface of a printing plate. The gas impingement provides rapid and specific convective heat flux to the exterior surface of the printing plate.

Abstract: A method for laser ablating an image on a blank printing plate, includes providing a peripheral tolerance region at the edges of a printing plate, mounting the printing plate on a roller, detecting positions of at least one edge of the printing plate, determining positions of all edges of the printing plate in accordance with the detection, determining an image area within boundaries of the printing plate, laser ablating an image on the printing, within the image area, laser ablating all areas outside of the image area on the printing plate to provide a relief area at which no printing, based on the determined positions of all edges of the printing plate, and controlling the laser to prevent any laser ablation outside of boundaries of the edges of the printing plate, based on the determined positions of all edges of the printing plate, within the provided peripheral tolerance region.

Abstract: A relief printing plate manufacturing method includes: generating binary image data based on multivalued image data representing a printing image; generating, from the binary image data, target stereoscopic shape data; calculating, based on the target stereoscopic shape data, exposure amount data; providing a predetermined exposure amount to an outside image adjacent pixel in a range of predetermined pixels adjacent to an ON pixel; and applying laser light to an area of OFF pixels based on the exposure amount data to engrave a portion outside of an area, and applying laser light to the outside image adjacent pixel based on the predetermined exposure amount to form a relief having a projecting shape with a corner part of a flange part of a top face of the relief at least partially chamfered.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexographic printing plate includes exposing a bottom side of a flexographic printing plate substrate to UV-A radiation for a first exposure time. A top side of the flexographic printing plate substrate is exposed to UV-A radiation through a thermal imaging layer. The bottom side of the flexographic printing plate substrate is exposed to UV-A radiation for a second exposure time. The flexographic printing plate substrate is developed. The flexographic printing plate is cured. A sum of the first and second exposure times set a relief depth.

Abstract: A polymer washout solvent for developing a flexographic printing plate comprising: —an ester hydrocarbon component, —an ether hydrocarbon component, —an alcoholic hydrocarbon component. The washout solvent of the invention has less hazardous properties than the known solvents. Use of a polymer washout solvent for developing a flexographic printing plate in a washing step.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a printing original plate capable of being laser-engraved such that printing deficiency caused by residues is avoided, and such that resolution and printing quality are good. A flexographic printing original plate capable of being laser-engraved which is obtained by subjecting a photosensitive resin composition containing (A) at least one latex having a weight-average degree of gelation of 40% or more, (B) photopolymerizable compound and (C) photopolymerization initiator to irradiation to light followed by cross-linking and curing. The photopolymerizable component (B) contains the photopolymerizable oligomer and the ethylenic unsaturated monomer in 10 to 25% by weight and 5 to 40% by weight, respectively, to the weight of the photosensitive resin composition and the ethylenic unsaturated monomer comprises 75 to 5% by weight of monofunctional monomer and 25 to 95% by weight of trifunctional monomer.

Abstract: A developing solution is disclosed with which it is possible to develop a photoresist disposed on a substrate including a conductive polymer. Also disclosed is a method for forming a resist pattern using the developing solution. The developing solution contains one or more acids and/or salts thereof, the acids being selected from inorganic acids, amino acids having an isoelectric point less than 7, and carboxylic acids having two or more carboxy groups. Use of this developing solution hence inhibits the phenomenon in which a substrate including a conductive polymer suffers an increase in surface resistivity due to a developing solution, and makes it possible to obtain a fine resist pattern.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for preparing a printing form from a photosensitive element by thermal treatment, wherein a gas jet emitting from a nozzle assembly impinges the exterior surface of the element to smooth or polish and mitigate marks and deformations that can be generated during development. Impingement with a heated gas jet provides surface polishing from rapid and specific convective heat flux to the exterior surface of the printing plate.

Abstract: A method of making a flexographic printing form precursor for laser engraving including the steps of (i) providing at least one layer of a curable composition on a substrate; (ii) curing the at least one layer; wherein the curable composition defining an outermost layer includes at least 0.5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition of an organo-silicon compound including at least one polymerizable group; and a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer having three or less polymerizable groups.

Abstract: A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief printing dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a platemaking process including the steps of: (a) selectively exposing at least one photocurable layer to a source of actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure the at least one photocurable layer; and (b) developing the exposed at least one photocurable layer to reveal the relief image therein, said relief image comprising the plurality of relief printing dots. The source of actinic radiation comprises a source of UV light in the UV-A range and a source of light in the UV-C range. The at least one photocurable layer is simultaneously exposed to the source of UV light in the UV-A range and the source of UV light in the UV-C range to produce printing dots having at least one desired geometric characteristic.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin structure having an ablation layer for a photosensitive resin for a relief printing that is capable of being processed by infrared radiation and containing an anionic polymer, a relief printing plate is produced by drawing a pattern by irradiating the ablation layer with infrared radiation; exposing the pattern by irradiating the photosensitive resin layer with ultraviolet radiation; and removing the ablation layer and unexposed photosensitive resin layer with a developer.

Abstract: A photocurable relief image printing element is described. The photocurable relief image printing element comprises (a) a support layer; (b) one or more photocurable layers disposed on the support layer, wherein the one or more photocurable layers comprise: (i) a binder; (ii) one or more monomers; (iii) a photoinitiator; and (iv) an additive selected from the group consisting of phosphites, phosphines, thioether amine compounds, and combinations of one or more of the foregoing; (c) a laser ablatable masking layer disposed on the one or more photocurable layers, the laser ablatable masking layer comprising a radiation opaque material; and (d) optionally, a removable coversheet. The photocurable relief image printing element provides improved surface cure in digital relief image printing elements.

Abstract: A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a digital platemaking process is provided. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer which is mountable on a printing sleeve. The method comprises the steps of (1) laser ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable layer; (2) placing a barrier layer on top of the laser ablatable mask layer; (3) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the barrier layer and the in situ negative; (4) removing the barrier layer; and (5) developing the imaged and exposed photosensitive printing blank to reveal the relief image therein, the relief image comprising the plurality of relief dots. The presence of the barrier layer produces printing dots having desired geometric characteristics.

Abstract: An imageable material can be used to form a mask image for providing a relief image. This imageable material has a simplified structure and consists essentially of, in order: a transparent polymeric carrier sheet and a barrier layer comprising a first infrared radiation absorbing compound. A first ultraviolet radiation absorbing compound is provided in the transparent polymeric carrier sheet or the barrier layer. A non-silver halide thermally sensitive imageable layer is disposed on the barrier layer and comprises a second infrared radiation absorbing compound and a second ultraviolet radiation absorbing compound. A relief image is formed by imaging the imageable material to form an imaged mask material, exposing a relief-forming material with curing radiation through the imaged mask material to form exposed regions and non-exposed regions, and developing the imaged relief-forming material to form a relief image by removing its non-exposed regions.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an exposure apparatus, a method for exposing a photosensitive element to radiation using the exposure apparatus, and a method for preparing a printing form from the photosensitive element. The exposure apparatus includes a base assembly having an exposure bed that supports the photosensitive element, and a lamp housing assembly having two or more lamps. The lamp housing assembly includes an air distribution assembly having an air chamber that is disposed adjacent to the lamps and pressurized to provide uniform distribution of air exiting the air chamber to impinge a backside of each of the lamps. The air exiting the chamber and impinging the lamps is controlled by monitoring the temperature of the lamps and/or the irradiance emitting from the lamps.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for non-attenuating light collimating articles. In one embodiment, among others, a phototool comprises a substrate; and a microstructured surface disposed on a first surface of the substrate, the microstructured surface comprising a plurality of light collimating articles.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. The method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a photosensitive printing blank comprising a backing layer, at least one layer of photoresin on top of the backing layer and a removable coversheet on top of the at least one layer of photoresin; 2) imaging the photosensitive printing blank through the removable coversheet using a laser to create a relief image therein; and 3) removing the removable coversheet.

Abstract: A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief printing dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a platemaking process is provided. The photocurable layer is exposed to actinic radiation using an array of UV LED light assemblies and the use of the array of UV LED light assemblies produces relief printing dots having at least one geometric characteristic selected from the group consisting of a desired planarity of a top surface of the relief printing dots, a desired shoulder angle of the relief printing dots and a desired edge sharpness of the relief printing dots.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a photosensitive composition comprising a heterocyclic thiol compound or tautomeric form thereof and its method of use on a substrate, which may include a chalcophile substrate.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for preparing a composite printing form from a single precursor that is capable of forming a relief and a carrier. The single precursor can be a single photosensitive element or a single laser-engravable print element having a reinforced elastomeric layer. The single precursor has a size that is at least 70% of a size of the carrier. The single precursor is located on the carrier by approximately positioning the precursor on the carrier that has no registration markings. Precise registration of the single precursor is achieved by using digital information generated from a computer to create the registered image on the composite form. The method is particularly suited for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for flexographic printing of corrugated substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexographic printing plate precursor in which formation of cracks and wrinkles in an infrared ablation layer is suppressed and the scratch resistance of the layer is improved. The precursor includes a support, photosensitive resin layer, and an infrared ablation layer that are laminated in the order presented. The binder polymer contained in the infrared ablation layer contains a polymer (A) and an acrylic resin (B). The polymer (A) contains the same structural unit as the structural unit contained in the binder polymer in the photosensitive resin layer. The mass ratio (A/B) of the component (A) with respect to the component (B) is within a range of 1/3 to 3/1. The difference between a plastic hardness (Ha) of the infrared ablation layer and a plastic hardness (Hb) of the photosensitive resin layer is 30 mN/mm2 or smaller.

Abstract: The invention provides a resin composition for laser engraving, having a binder polymer containing at least one of a structure unit represented by the following Formula (I) or a structure unit represented by the following Formula (II). In the Formulae, Q represents a partial structure which provides an acid group having an acid dissociation constant pKa of 0 to 20 when it is in the form of -Q-H; R1 to R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; and A and B each independently represent a bivalent organic connecting group. The invention further provides a relief printing plate precursor having a relief forming layer containing the resin composition, a method for manufacturing a relief printing plate having crosslinking components of the relief forming layer and laser engraving the relief forming layer, and a relief printing plate formed thereby.

Abstract: A photocurable relief image printing element is described. The photocurable relief image printing element comprises (a) a support layer; (b) one or more photocurable layers disposed on the support layer, wherein the one or more photocurable layers comprise: (i) a binder; (ii) one or more monomers; (iii) a photoinitiator; and (iv) an additive selected from the group consisting of phosphites, phosphines, thioether amine compounds, and combinations of one or more of the foregoing; (c) a laser ablatable masking layer disposed on the one or more photocurable layers, the laser ablatable masking layer comprising a radiation opaque material; and (d) optionally, a removable coversheet. The photocurable relief image printing element provides improved surface cure in digital relief image printing elements.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. The method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a photosensitive printing blank comprising a backing layer, at least one layer of photoresin on top of the backing layer and a removable coversheet on top of the at least one layer of photoresin; 2) imaging the photosensitive printing blank through the removable coversheet using a laser to create a relief image therein; and 3) removing the removable coversheet.

Abstract: A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief printing dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a platemaking process is provided. The photocurable layer is exposed to actinic radiation using an array of UV LED light assemblies and the use of the array of UV LED light assemblies produces relief printing dots having at least one geometric characteristic selected from the group consisting of a desired planarity of a top surface of the relief printing dots, a desired shoulder angle of the relief printing dots and a desired edge sharpness of the relief printing dots.

Abstract: The invention provides a photosensitive element and a method for preparing a printing form from the element. The photosensitive element includes a layer of a photosensitive composition containing a binder, a monomer, and a Norrish type II photoinitiator, wherein the photosensitive layer has a transmittance to actinic radiation of less than 20% and contains reinforcing particles of graphene and/or carbon nanotubes.