Patents Assigned to Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
  • Thermal digital lithographic printing plate
    Patent number: 6534238
    Abstract: A thermally imageable element, useful as a lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed. The element comprises a hydrophilic substrate; an underlayer comprising a first polymeric material; and an ink-receptive top layer comprising a second polymeric material and a solubility-suppressing component. The solubility-suppressing component may be a separate dissolution inhibitor compound and/or the second polymeric material may also function as a solubility-suppressing component. On thermal exposure the exposed regions of the top layer becomes more readily soluble in an aqueous developer, allowing the developer to remove the top layer and reveal the surface of the hydrophilic substrate. The lithographic printing plate thus formed has excellent properties, including the absence of sludging of the developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLC
    Inventors: Celin Savariar-Hauck, Ken-ichi Shimazu, Hans-Joachim Timpe, Jayanti Patel, Jianbing Huang
  • Method of controlling image resolution on a substrate using an autophobic fluid
    Patent number: 6532871
    Abstract: A method of controlling the resolution of an image formed on a substrate comprises: (a) providing a substrate; (b) applying an image to the substrate by ink jetting onto the substrate a fluid composition comprising at least one surfactant, wherein the spreading of the fluid composition on the substrate in the presence of the surfactant is less than the spreading of the fluid composition on the substrate in the absence of the surfactant. The invention reduces the dot spreading which otherwise occurs when a substrate is imaged via ink jetting to prepare a printing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Patrice M. Aurenty, Roshanak Debeaud
  • Chemical resistant underlayer for positive-working printing plates
    Patent number: 6528228
    Abstract: Multilayer photoimageable elements, useful for forming lithographic printing members, are disclosed. The elements comprise a support, a top layer, and a chemical resistant underlayer. The underlayer is resistant to aggressive washes, such as a UV wash. In one embodiment, the underlayer comprises a copolymer of N-substituted maleimide, methacrylamide, and methacrylic acid. A process for preparing a lithographic printing member is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLC
    Inventors: Celin-Savariar Hauck, Gerhard Hauck
  • Use of metal compounds in imagable articles
    Patent number: 6524767
    Abstract: An imagable article comprises a thermally imagable coating on a substrate, the coating comprising a radiation absorbing compound and a metal compound which is thermally decomposable, to form a metal. The imagable article is imagewise exposed to electromagnetic radiation, which is converted to heat by the radiation absorbing compound. The imaged article is then subjected to a developer, and in regions that have been exposed the thermally decomposable metal compound is decomposed to elemental metal, and regions that have not been exposed dissolve in the developer leaving behind the regions of elemental metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Barry Ray, Anthony Paul Kitson, Alan Stanley Victor Monk
  • Copolymer for improving the chemical and developer resistance of positive working printing plates
    Patent number: 6525152
    Abstract: Copolymers useful in radiation-sensitive layers of printing plates have the units A, B and C wherein unit A is present in an amount of 5 to a maximum of 50 mol % and R1 and R4 are selected such that the homopolymer of A is alkali-soluble, B is present in an amount of 20-70 mol % and R2, R6 and R7 are selected such that the homopolymer of B has a high glass transition temperature, and C is present in an amount of 10-50 mol % and R3 and R5 are selected such that the homopolymer of C is water-soluble and that unit A is different from unit C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventor: Mathias Jarek
  • Additive correction fluid for metal printing forms
    Patent number: 6517622
    Abstract: A composition for positive correction of lithographic printing plates, applicable by pen or by brush, is disclosed. The correction fluid contains a film forming phosphate ester and a solvent that does not dissolve image areas of the printing plate. A correction kit containing the composition and methods for correcting printing plates by additive correction are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLC
    Inventors: Ulrich Fiebag, Uwe Tondock
  • Radiation-sensitive, positive working coating composition based on carboxylic copolymers
    Patent number: 6517988
    Abstract: A radiation-sensitive composition, positive-working coating compositions useful for the preparation of lithographic printing plates and lithographic printing plate precursors comprising the composition are disclosed. The composition comprises at least one quinonediazide compound and at least one carboxylic copolymer. The compositions produce lithographic printing plates that show high print run stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Gerhard Hauck, Mathias Jarek
  • Polymers and their use in imagable products and image-forming methods
    Patent number: 6506533
    Abstract: Infra-red absorbing polymers useful in imageable products and the lithographic printing field comprise infra-red absorbing groups carried as pendent groups on a polymer backbone. Certain infra-red absorbing groups may also act to insolublize the polymer in a developer, until it is imagewise exposed to infra-red radiation. The resulting heat renders the polymer soluble in the developer. Imagable products employing the infra-red absorbing polymers may include positive working lithographic printing plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Eduard Kottmair, Hans-Horst Glatt, Stefan Hilgart, Paul West
  • Imageable element and composition comprising thermally reversible polymers
    Patent number: 6506536
    Abstract: The present invention also includes an imageable element, comprising a substrate and a thermally imageable composition comprising a thermally sensitive polymer which exhibits an increased solubility in an aqueous developer solution upon heating. The thermally sensitive polymer includes at least one covalently bonded unit and at least one thermally reversible non-covalently bonded unit, which includes a two or more centered H-bond within each of the non-covalently bonded unit. The present invention also includes a method of producing the imaged element. The present invention still further includes a thermally imageable composition comprising comprising a thermally sensitive polymer according to the present invention and a process for preparing the thermally sensitive polymer, which is a supramolecular polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLC
    Inventors: S. Peter Pappas, Alan Monk, Shashikant Saraiya, Jianbing Huang
  • Spray coating matting method for printing plate precursors
    Patent number: 6500494
    Abstract: A method for applying a matting layer to a radiation-sensitive layer of a printing plate precursor is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) providing a matting composition comprising a polymer and a solvent, wherein the matting composition has a solid content of more than 10% and no more than 50% by weight based on the total composition; and (b) spraying the matting composition on the radiation-sensitive layer using an electrostatically aided rotary atomizer having a bell speed of more than 10,000 rpm, wherein the distance between the bell and the radiation-sensitive layer to be coated is less than 30 cm. The printing plate precursor may be in the form of a moving web. The method of the present invention can be used for matting any kind of radiation-sensitive layer of conventional positive and negative working lithographic printing plate precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Gerhard Hauck, Nils Nessler, Heinfried Rudolph
  • Lithographic printing forms
    Patent number: 6485890
    Abstract: Thermally imageable lithographic printing plate precursors and heat-sensitive compositions for use in these printing plate precursors are disclosed. The compositions contain an aqueous developer soluble polymer, such as a phenolic resin; a compound that reduces the aqueous developer solubility of the polymer; and optionally, and infrared absorber. Examples of compounds that reduce the aqueous developer solubility of the polymer are those that contain at least one quarternized nitrogen atom, such as quinolinium compounds, benzothiazolium compounds, pyridinium compounds, and imidazoline compounds. On thermal imaging, the irradiated areas become more soluble in the aqueous developer and can be removed to form a positive image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth Rhodri Parsons, David Stephen Riley, Richard David Hoare, Alan Stanley Victor Monk
  • Method of forming a positive image through infrared exposure utilizing diazonaphthoquinone imaging composition
    Patent number: 6482577
    Abstract: An infrared imaging composition contains two essential components, namely an infrared absorbing compound, and a phenolic resin that is either mixed or reacted with an o-diazonaphthoquinone derivative. These compositions are useful in positive-working elements such as lithographic printing plates that can be adapted to direct-to-plate imaging procedures. The weight ratio of infrared radiation absorbing compound to diazonaphthoquinone moiety is less than 1:14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Lynn Sheriff, Ralph Scott Schneebeli
  • Aqueous developer for negative working lithographic printing plates
    Patent number: 6482578
    Abstract: An aqueous developer for imageable elements that contain a radiation-sensitive initiator system and at least one free radical polymerizable material is disclosed. The developer develops these plates quickly, with high throughput, but with no sludge formation in the developing process. The developer contains water, a buffer, and one or more filter dyes and/or one of more free radical inhibitors. The imageable elements are useful as printing plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLC
    Inventors: Ulrich Fiebag, Harald Baumann, Hans-Joachim Timpe
  • Radiation-sensitive compositions for printing plates for improving their chemical and developer resistance and printing plates comprising such compositions
    Patent number: 6475692
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive compositions comprise at least one novolak, at least one naphthoquinone diazide derivative and a copolymer; the copolymer consisting of the units A, B and C wherein unit A is present in an amount of 5 to a maximum of 50 mol % and R1 and R4 are selected such that the homopolymer of A is alkali-soluble, B is present in an amount of 20 to 70 mol % and R2, R6 and R7 are selected such that the homopolymer of B has a high glass transition temperature, and C is present in an amount of 10 to 50 mol % and R3 and R5 are selected such that the homopolymer of C is water-soluble and that unit A is different from unit C. Furthermore, the invention describes printing plates produced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Mathias Jarek, Gerhard Hauck
  • Polymeric compounds
    Patent number: 6475698
    Abstract: Polymeric compounds for lithographic printing plates, especially plates for use in printing utilizing UV curable inks, may include a structural unit (I) wherein R1 represents an optionally-substituted cyclic or alkyl group, x represents 0 or 1 and A represents an optionally-substituted alkylene group. A range of compounds having different solubilities in selected solvents may be prepared by varying the identity or group R1. Such components may be prepared by reacting an amine of formula R1NH2 with the maleic anhydride derivative corresponding to moiety 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Alan Stanley Monk, James Laurence Mulligan
  • Method to prepare a printing plate and printing plate
    Patent number: 6471349
    Abstract: A printing plate is prepared by the process including: (a) providing a substrate; and (b) applying by ink jetting to the substrate a fluid composition comprising a compound which comprises at least one nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moiety, providing a printing plate that is ready-to-use on a press without having to develop it. The printing plate of this invention is capable of extended press run length and advantageously avoids the need of chemical development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Patrice M. Aurenty, Alexander Grant, Edward Stone, William P. Keaveney
  • Method of preparing a printing plate and printing plate
    Patent number: 6472054
    Abstract: A printing plate is prepared by the method comprising: (a) providing a substrate; and (b) applying by ink jetting to the substrate a fluid composition comprising an acidic polymeric compound, in which the acid groups of the acidic polymeric compound are at least partially neutralized with base, providing a printing plate that is ready-to-use on a press without having to develop it. The printing plate of this invention is capable of extended press run length and advantageously avoids the need of chemical development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Patrice M. Aurenty, Alexander Grant, William P. Keaveney, Edward Stone
  • Imaging member containing heat sensitive thiosulfate polymer on improved substrate and methods of use
    Patent number: 6465152
    Abstract: An imaging member is composed of a hydrophilic imaging layer having a hydrophilic heat-sensitive polymer containing heat-activatable thiosulfate groups, and optionally a photothermal conversion material. Upon application of energy that generates heat, such as from IR irradiation, the polymer is crosslinked and rendered more hydrophobic. The imaging layer is disposed on an interlayer on a support, which interlayer comprises a Group IVB element (such as titanium, hafnium or zirconium) compound for improved mechanical and imaging properties. The exposed imaging member can be contacted with a lithographic printing ink and used for printing with or without post-imaging wet processing. This imaging member is particularly useful for direct write imaging using IR lasers or thermal printing heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Thap DoMinh, Shiying Zheng, Jennifer R. Kersten
  • Imaging system and method
    Patent number: 6462835
    Abstract: A system and method for correction and reconstruction of digital color images make use of one or more of a set of algorithms for color calibration and correction, and reconstruction. An algorithm for optimized bit depth reduction also can be used to match the response curve of the scanner to that of the scanned media, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio and decreasing artifacts such as pixelization, which can result from sampling the tone curve too coarsely. In a photographic film application, in particular, a color calibration and correction algorithm enables correction of the image for variations in hue from film type to film type, over-exposure or under-exposure, exposure-induced hue shifts, hue shifts caused by lighting effects, processing related hue shifts, and other variables in film processing, while preserving overall hue of the subject matter in the originally photographed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Loushin, Mark A. Peterson
  • Manufacture of lithographic printing forms
    Patent number: 6461795
    Abstract: Phenolic resin compositions formulated for use in lithographic exposure processes are given a heat treatment at 40-90° C. for at least 4 hours shortly after their coating onto lithographic substrates, to produce lithographic printing forms. It is found that such a heat treatment improves later exposure processes, in particular by rendering the sensitivity of the compositions less variable, over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Christopher David McCullough, Kevin Barry Ray, Alan Stanley Monk, John David Riches, Anthony Paul Kitson, Gareth Rhodri Parsons, David Stephen Riley