Abstract: A laminate packaging material has a first film; a first print layer on the first film; a second print layer on the first print layer; an adhesive layer on the second print layer and a second film on the adhesive layer, wherein the second print layer comprises (a) an uncrosslinked polyurethane comprising a member selected from the group consisting of polyester segments and polyether segments; (b) a pigment; and (c) an aminosilane compound comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of primary amino groups and secondary amino groups.

Abstract: A device for producing flexographic printing plates starting from digitally imagable flexographic printing elements, with which at least the method steps of reverse exposure, main exposure, development using washout media, drying, and aftertreatment can be carried out in automated form, the device comprising at least two different transport devices with which the flexographic printing elements or plates, respectively, are transported through the device. A method for producing flexographic printing plates using said device.

Abstract: Method for producing flexographic printing plates from a photopolymerizable flexographic printing plate with a dimensionally stable support, photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer(s), and a digitally imagable layer. The method comprises (a) producing a mask by imaging the digitally imagable layer, (b) exposing the flexographic printing plate with a plurality of UV-LEDs on a UV-LED strip through the mask with actinic light, and photopolymerizing the image regions of the layer, and (c) developing the photopolymerized layer. In the UV-LED strip or in a separate strip, at least one ultrasonic sensor is arranged for determining the thickness of the flexographic printing plate for exposure. Depending on the measured thickness of the flexographic printing plate, the exposing of the flexographic printing plate is controlled in respect of: (i) number of exposure steps, exposure intensity, energy input per exposure step, duration of the individual exposure steps, and/or overall duration of exposure.

Abstract: A cylinder (10) comprising a cylindrical body (11) is provided. A first proportion of the circumferential face (48) of the cylindrical body (11) is of porous and gas-permeable configuration and a second proportion of the circumferential face (48) of the cylindrical body (11) is of gas-impermeable configuration, wherein the porous, gas-permeable first proportion of the circumferential face (48) is in communication with at least one gas supply line and wherein the first proportion of the circumferential face (48) amounts to at least 0.1% and at most 50%. Further, a corresponding adapter sleeve and a corresponding printing forme cylinder are provided.

Abstract: A digitally imageable, photopolymerizable flexographic printing element that includes, disposed one above another in order, at least a dimensionally stable support, at least one photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer having a layer thickness of 300-6000 ?m, including at least one elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a photoinitiator or a photoinitiator system, an oxygen-blocking barrier layer which is transparent to UVA light and has a layer thickness of 0.3-5 ?m, a laser-ablatable mask layer having a layer thickness of 0.3-5 ?m, including at least one elastomeric binder and a material which absorbs UV/VIS light, and a removable outer film, wherein the at least one relief-forming layer, the barrier layer and the mask layer are soluble or dispersible in an organic solvent, and the barrier layer includes at least one oxygen-blocking binder and an oligomeric or polymeric basic adhesion component.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable, preferably digitally imageable photopolymerizable, flexographic printing elements having a PET support sheet of low thermal shrinkage, methods of preparing such flexographic printing elements and their use for making flexographic printing plates by imagewise exposure to light, washing out with organic solvents and drying, wherein said drying is carried out at temperatures of more than 60° C.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition and a coated packaging material prepared by applying the aqueous coating composition to packaging material comprise poly(vinyl alcohol-vinyl primary amine), poly(methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride), and a Ca++ microgranulated bentonite clay. The poly(vinyl alcohol-vinyl primary amine) is about 90-98.5 weight percent and the combined weight of poly(methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride) and the Ca++ microgranulated bentonite clay is from about 1.5-10 weight percent of the coating formed on the packaging material. The weight ratio of the poly(methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride) to the Ca++ microgranulated bentonite clay is from about 20:80 to about 80:20. The poly(methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride) is at least 0.8 weight percent of the coating formed on the packaging material and/or has a weight average molecular weight of at least about 1,000,000 Daltons. The applied coating composition is dried at a temperature of up to about 50° C. to form the coated packaging material.

Abstract: A method for producing flexographic printing plates. The method has the following steps: (a) producing a mask by imaging the digitally imagable layer, (b) exposing the photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer through the mask with actinic light, and photopolymerizing the image regions of the layer, and (c) developing the photopolymerized layer by washing out the unphotopolymerized regions of the relief-forming layer with an organic solvent, or by thermal development, wherein step (b) contains at least two exposure cycles with actinic light with an intensity of 100 to 5000 mW/cm2 from a plurality of UV-LEDs, the energy input into the photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer per exposure cycle being 0.1 to 5 J/cm2.

Abstract: A portable processing plant for processing granular material is provided. The portable plant includes a plurality of portable processing modules configured to be stacked vertically to allow for a vertically downward progression of the generally granular material through the portable processing plant. Each portable processing module includes a self-supporting independent frame structure and has at least one processing component affixed to the self-supporting independent frame structure. The self-supporting independent frame structures of the plurality of portable processing modules combine to define a structural skeleton of the portable processing plant. Each self-supporting independent frame structure can be removed from the structural skeleton substantially fully assembled while the at least one processing component carried by the self-supporting. Methods of assembling and disassembling the portable processing plant are also provided.

Abstract: A portable processing plant for processing granular material is provided. The portable plant includes a plurality of portable processing modules configured to be stacked vertically to allow for a vertically downward progression of the generally granular material through the portable processing plant. Each portable processing module includes a self-supporting independent frame structure and has at least one processing component affixed to the self-supporting independent frame structure. The self-supporting independent frame structures of the plurality of portable processing modules combine to define a structural skeleton of the portable processing plant. Each self-supporting independent frame structure can be removed from the structural skeleton substantially fully assembled while the at least one processing component carried by the self-supporting. Methods of assembling and disassembling the portable processing plant are also provided.

Abstract: A device for producing flexographic printing plates starting from digitally imagable flexographic printing elements, with which at least the method steps of reverse exposure, main exposure, development using washout media, drying, and aftertreatment can be carried out in automated form, the device comprising at least two different transport devices with which the flexographic printing elements or plates, respectively, are transported through the device. A method for producing flexographic printing plates using said device.

Abstract: A laser-engravable pad printing plate comprising at least (a) a metal support, (b) an adhesion layer, (c) a laser-engravable recording layer having a layer thickness of 20 ?m to 200 ?m, (d) a cover film, characterized in that the laser-engravable recording layer (c) comprises (c1) 40 to 95 wt % of a polyvinyl alcohol, (c2) 5 to 50 wt % of an IR absorber, (c3) 0 to 30 wt % of an inorganic filler, (c4) 0 to 20 wt % of a crosslinker, and (c5) 0 to 10 wt % of further additives.

Abstract: A portable processing plant for processing granular material is provided. The portable plant includes a plurality of portable processing modules configured to be stacked vertically to allow for a vertically downward progression of the generally granular material through the portable processing plant. Each portable processing module includes a self-supporting independent frame structure and has at least one processing component affixed to the self-supporting independent frame structure. The self-supporting independent frame structures of the plurality of portable processing modules combine to define a structural skeleton of the portable processing plant. Each self-supporting independent frame structure can be removed from the structural skeleton substantially fully assembled while the at least one processing component carried by the self-supporting. Methods of assembling and disassembling the portable processing plant are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digitally imageable, photopolymerizable flexographic printing element for producing flexographic printing formes, comprising, disposed one above another in the order stated, at least (A) a dimensionally stable support, (B) at least one photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer having a layer thickness of 300 to 6000 ?m, comprising at least one elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a photoinitiator or a photoinitiator system, (C) an oxygen-blocking barrier layer which is transparent to UVA light and has a layer thickness of 0.3 to 5 ?m, (D) a laser-ablatable mask layer having a layer thickness of 0.3 to 5 ?m, comprising at least one elastomeric binder and a material which absorbs UV/VIS light, and (E) a removable outer film, wherein the layers (B), (C) and (D) are soluble or dispersible in an organic solvent, and the barrier layer (C) comprises at least one oxygen-blocking binder and an oligomeric or polymeric basic adhesion component.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable flexographic printing elements which contain cyclohexanepolycarboxylic esters as plasticizers and also their use for producing flexographic printing forms for printing with UV inks, in particular for UV narrow web printing.

Abstract: A device for automated implementation of preliminary reverse exposure, main exposure, and development of digitally imagable flexographic printing elements, and a method for producing flexographic printing plates starting from digitally imaged flexographic printing elements, using said apparatus.

Abstract: Described is a method for producing flexographic printing plates, using as starting material a photopolymerizable flexographic printing plate which contains a dimensionally stable support, a photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer, and a digitally imagable layer. A mask is produced by imaging the digitally imagable layer. The printing plate is exposed with actinic light through the mask. The image regions of the layer are photopolymerized. A plurality of UV-LEDs are arranged on at least one UV-LED strip which is moved relative to the surface of the flexographic printing plate for exposure. The photopolymerized layer is developed by washing out and drying or by thermal development. An ultrasonic sensor determines the thickness of the flexographic printing plate for exposure. The exposure is controlled as to number of exposure steps, exposure intensity, energy input per exposure step, duration of individual exposure steps, and/or overall duration of exposure.

Abstract: A solvent-soluble flexographic retort ink particularly suitable for use in laminating packaging applications. The inks maintain lamination bond strength after being subjected to retort conditions.

Abstract: Digitally imagable flexographic printing elements for producing flexographic printing plates, which comprise an organically soluble relief-forming layer, a water-soluble barrier layer for oxygen, and a water-soluble laser-ablatable mask layer. A method for producing flexographic printing plates using such flexographic printing elements, which comprises a two-stage washout procedure using aqueous and organic washout media.