Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging device for imaging a long object. The imaging device includes at least one vertical lens device which concentrates light from the long object in a vertical direction, and a plurality of lens elements which are arranged in the form of a matrix in at least one lens line behind the vertical lens device, the lens elements respectively concentrating light from the long object in a horizontal direction. In order to achieve optimum light intensity in a cost-effective manner, each lens element comprises at least one horizontal collecting layer which is transparent to the light from the long object and comprises a refractive index having a gradient in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A composition that is photopolymerizable upon absorption of light in the wavelength range from 300 to 450 nm, the composition comprising a binder, a polymerizable compound, a sensitizer and a photoinitiator, characterized in that the sensitizer is an optical brightening agent having a solubility in methyl ethyl ketone of at least 15 g/kg measured at 20° C., allows to produce printing plates without pinhole defects, even if the printing plate precursor is stored before exposure and processing.

Abstract: A composition that is photopolymerizable upon absorption of light and/or heat, the composition including a binder, a polymerizable compound, a sensitizer, and a photoinitiator, characterized in that the composition includes, with respect to its non-volatile compounds, at least about 0.01 wt.-% of a polythiol compound, and wherein the composition when coated on a support has a sensitivity of about 150 ?J/cm2 or higher, in combination with a high hardness.

Abstract: A composition that is photopolymerizable upon absorption of light and/or heat, the composition including a binder, a polymerizable compound, a sensitizer, and a photoinitiator, characterized in that the composition includes, with respect to its non-volatile compounds, at least about 0.01 wt.-% of a polythiol compound and has a very high sensitivity and hardness.

Abstract: A printing process is disclosed for ink-jet printing a radiation curable image on a substrate (14). First a radiation curable liquid layer (12) is provided on at least a portion of the substrate (14). Radiation curable ink-jet ink droplets (10) are jetted into the radiation curable liquid layer (12) and the radiation curable liquid layer (12) containing the radiation curable ink-jet ink droplets (13) is then cured. The resolution of the radiation curable image is controlled by uniformly adjusting the thickness of the liquid layer (12) for the dotsize of the radiation curable ink-jet ink jetted onto the cured layer.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer and a coating provided thereon, the coating including an image-recording layer which includes hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles wherein the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles include a polyester and have an average particle diameter from 18 nm to 50 nm.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pigmented ink comprising the steps of: a) preparing a pigment dispersion in a dispersing installation; b) charging the dispersing installation with a washing liquid; c) discharging the washing liquid from the dispersing installation; and d) adding the discharged washing liquid to the pigment dispersion.

Abstract: A method for processing a digitized continuous tone image for reproducing the image by a printing device, including (a) inputting a tone value of an input pixel of the image; (b) applying a plurality of levelsplit curves to the tone value, thus obtaining a plurality of level values, wherein each specific levelsplit curve of the curves corresponds to a level defined by (i) a combination of a dot density and a dot area; or (ii) an overlap of a plurality of such combinations; (c) inputting the plurality of level values to an error diffuser for obtaining an output pixel value for reproducing the image; wherein a fraction of the output pixels to be filled by an overlap of levels depends on the level values and is independent of the error diffuser.

Abstract: A non-aqueous inkjet ink includes a pigment and a mixture of at least two polyalkyleneglycol dialkylethers represented by Formula (I): wherein, R1 and R2 are each independently selected from an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Y represents an ethylene group or a propylene group; wherein n is an integer selected from 4 to 20 for a first polyalkyleneglycol dialkylether; and n is an integer selected from 5 to 20 for a second polyalkyleneglycol dialkylether. A method for preparing a non-aqueous inkjet ink is also provided.

Abstract: A storage phosphor plate includes: a storage phosphor layer for the storage of X-ray information; and a substrate layer onto which the storage phosphor layer is applied. The substrate layer includes a fibre composite which is made from a synthetic material reinforced with fibres in the form of a woven fabric.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate support is disclosed which comprises the steps of: (i) providing an aluminum support; (ii) graining said support in an electrolyte composition; and (iii) anodizing said grained support; wherein said electrolyte composition comprises an effective concentration of a benzoic acid derivative or a sulphonic acid derivative.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) with a holding plane (7) in which the storage phosphor layer (2) lies or can be moved, a radiation source (8, 9, 10) for irradiating the storage phosphor layer (2) with erasing radiation which is suitable for erasing the storage phosphor layer (2), and a reflector (11; 29, 30) for reflecting erasing radiation in the direction of the holding plane (7). In order to increase the erasing efficiency, provision is made such that the reflector (11; 29, 30) is arranged and/or designed such that it reflects erasing radiation, which is reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2), in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2), and the radiation source (8, 9, 10) is disposed on a base (33; 48, 49), the base (33; 48, 49) being disposed closer to the holding plane (7) than at least part of the reflector (11; 29, 30).

Abstract: A radiation curable composition comprising a novel photoreactive polymer is disclosed comprising a dendritic polymer core with at least one initiating functional group and at least one co-initiating functional group. Suitable radiation curable compositions are varnishes, lacquers, printing inks and radiation curable ink-jet inks. The dendritic polymeric core is preferably a hyperbranched polymer.

Abstract: A novel polymeric co-initiator is disclosed comprising a dendritic polymer core with at least one co-initiating functional group as an end group. The polymeric co-initiators are useful in radiation curable compositions such as varnishes, lacquers and printing inks and are especially useful in radiation curable inkjet inks. The dendritic polymeric core is preferably a hyperbranched polymer.

Abstract: In a method for coating a phosphor or a scintillator layer onto a flexible substrate, within a sealed zone maintained under vacuum conditions, by the step of vapor deposition, said phosphor or scintillator layer is, continuously or discontinuously, deposited onto said substrate, and said substrate is deformed at least before, during or after said step of vapor deposition, in order to provide the manufacturer, by a process of exceptionally high yield, with large deposited phosphor or a scintillator sheets having constant speed and image quality properties, further offering availability of all formats as desired for screens, plates or panels ready-for-use in a scanning apparatus in computed radiography, screen/film radiography and direct radiography.

Abstract: A non-transparent microvoided biaxially stretched self-supporting non-laminated polymeric film, the film comprising linear polyester as a continuous phase and dispersed uniformly therein an amorphous high polymer with a higher glass transition temperature than the glass transition temperature of the continuous phase and/or a crystalline high polymer having a higher melting point than the glass transition temperature of said continuous phase, wherein said linear polyester consists essentially of aromatic dicarboxylate and aliphatic dimethylene monomer units; the polymeric film has an optical density measured in transmission with a visible filter; and at least 50% of the optical density is due to microvoids; the use of the non-transparent microvoided biaxially stretched film as a synthetic paper; an image recording element comprising the non-transparent microvoided biaxially stretched film; and a process for obtaining a transparent pattern therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) includes a radiation source (8) for producing and emitting erasing radiation, a drive (5) for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer (2) and the radiation source (8), the storage phosphor layer (2) lying or being moved in a holding plane (7), and a reflector (11) for reflecting radiation. The reflector (11) is arranged and designed to reflect erasing radiation reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2) in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2). A further reflecting surface (31) is provided for reflecting erasing radiation which is positioned opposite the reflector (11), as considered in a direction at right angles to the direction (6) of the relative movement.

Abstract: A system for reading out X-ray information stored in a phosphor layer, includes: a read-out unit having components for irradiating the phosphor layer with stimulation radiation which can stimulate the phosphor layer to emit emission radiation dependent upon the X-ray information contained in the phosphor layer, and for collecting the emission radiation stimulated in the phosphor layer; and a carrier onto which the read-out unit is mounted. At least one of the components of the read-out unit is mounted onto the carrier over at least one first bearing which has a translatory degree of freedom in a first direction. The first bearing enables movement of the at least one component in relation to the carrier in the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading out storage phosphor plates (2) for storing X-ray information with one or more rotating conveyance rolls (11 to 14) for conveying the storage phosphor plate (2), an alignment edge (19, 22) to which the storage phosphor plate (2) can be aligned, and a read-out device for reading out the X-ray information stored in the storage phosphor plate (2).