Patents Assigned to Napp Systems (USA), Inc.
  • Patent number: 7241124
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a system for thermally treating a photosensitive element to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing. The system of the invention comprises a plurality of consecutively arranged blotting stations for removing uncured photopolymer from the imaged surface of the photosensitive printing element. The flexographic plates produced in the apparatus of the invention are especially suited for use in printing newspapers and other publications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Roberts, Donald Cerney
  • Patent number: 7217756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous primer composition for use in manufacturing flexographic printing plates. The aqueous primer composition comprises a polyurethane, a copolymer, a layered silicate, and optionally a surfactant and/or a dye or pigment. The use of the layered silicate as a filler in the primer composition produces an improved primer composition with a stronger water/solvent resistance and less delamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Yuxin Hu, Elizabeth Olsen, David H. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7156630
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a system for thermally treating a photosensitive element to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing. The system of the invention comprises a plurality of consecutively arranged blotting stations for removing uncured photopolymer from the imaged surface of the photosensitive printing element. The flexographic plates produced in the apparatus of the invention are especially suited for use in printing newspapers and other publications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Roberts, Donald Cerney
  • Patent number: 7083896
    Abstract: An improved digitally imageable relief printing element having an increased direct-cure imaging speed upon exposure to lasers and other digital sources of actinic radiation. The printing elements of the invention comprise a reflective layer beneath a photosensitive resin layer so that instead of being absorbed by the reflective layer, photons of actinic radiation are reflected back up into the photosensitive layer, thereby speeding up the curing rate of the printing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Roberts, Geoffrey Yuxin Hu
  • Patent number: 7005232
    Abstract: An improved digitally imageable relief printing element having an increased direct-cure imaging speed upon exposure to lasers and other digital sources of actinic radiation. The printing elements of the invention comprise a reflective layer beneath a photosensitive resin layer so that instead of being absorbed by the reflective layer, photons of actinic radiation are reflected back up into the photosensitive layer, thereby speeding up the curing rate of the printing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Roberts, Geoffrey Yuxin Hu
  • Patent number: 6780566
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided high performance, photoimageable resin compositions for flexographic printing, having excellent physical properties, e.g., resilience, hardness, toughness, and the like, as well as increased rates of cure upon exposure to radiation. In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, wherein said printing plates are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorless performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of formulations comprising said compositions and methods for use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuxin Hu, David H. Roberts, Reny R. Paguio, Maria Teresa A. Castillo
  • Publication number: 20030175622
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided high performance, photoimageable resin compositions for flexographic printing, having excellent physical properties, e.g., resilience, hardness, toughness, and the like, as well as increased rates of cure upon exposure to radiation. In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, wherein said printing plates are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorless performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of formulations comprising said compositions and methods for use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuxin Hu, David H. Roberts, Reny R. Paguio, Maria Teresa A. Castillo
  • Patent number: 6579664
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided high performance, photoimageable resin compositions for flexographic printing, having excellent physical properties, e.g., resilience, hardness, toughness, and the like, as well as increased rates of cure upon exposure to radiation. In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, wherein said printing plates are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorloss performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of formulations comprising said compositions and methods for use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuxin Hu, David H. Roberts, Reny R. Paguio, Maria Teresa A. Castillo
  • Patent number: 6551756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to solvent-developable printing formulations useful for the manufacture of printing plates. In particular, the present invention provides formulations which exhibit markedly improved processing characteristics when deposited on a printing plate, such as reduced tack, increased image resolution, and/or improved mechanical properties, e.g., tensile strength, elongation. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of said formulations and methods for use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuxin Hu, Nathan J. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 6262825
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided apparatus and methods useful for efficiently subjecting photosensitive materials to a relatively low energy pre-exposure using the electromagnetic energy during the non-imaging portion of the exposure process (i.e., a backscan beam exposure) prior to subjecting such materials to the main imaging exposure (i.e., an imagewise exposure). In a further aspect of the present invention, there are provided combinations and improvements useful for the enhanced imagewise exposure of photosensitive materials. In additional aspects of the present invention, there are provided methods of enhancing the imagewise exposure of photosensitive materials, imagewise exposed photosensitive material made according to such methods, methods for enhancing sensitivity of a photosensitive material for imagewise exposure, and photosensitive materials having enhanced sensitivity for imagewise exposure made according to these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignees: Napp Systems, Inc., Cymbolic Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Mueller, Daniel John Whittle
  • Patent number: 6127094
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided water-developable photopolymerizable compositions useful for the preparation of printing plates. Printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have excellent form stability, thereby enabling such plates to be handled without the need for excessive care. Once photopolymerized, printing plates of the invention have excellent physical properties, enabling their use in many very demanding applications, e.g., flexographic printing. Such applications require the photopolymerized resin to have excellent water resistance (so that exposure to water-based inks does not significantly alter resin properties), as well as high durability (so that the physical contacting associated with the printing process does not significantly degrade resin properties).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Napp Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Victor, Allyson R. Maurer, Richard P. Homick
  • Patent number: 5989781
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for producing printing plates comprising rapid, efficient drying of solvent-containing resin compositions of the printing plates and apparatus useful therefor. Printing plates processed employing invention methods and apparatus are ready for use in printing applications in a relatively short period of time, especially compared to the time required for conventional convection drying. Moreover, printing plates processed according to the present invention method and apparatus are not subjected to excessive levels of heat, as is frequently the case with conventional convection drying. Excessive heating tends to be detrimental to the performance properties of the polymeric resin. In a particular aspect of the present invention, there are provided novel compositions which, upon drying according to the methods described herein, undergo a color change, thereby indicating when the drying process is substantially complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: NAPP Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Idacavage, Robert W. Kelsall
  • Patent number: 5683837
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, water-developable photopolymerizable compositions useful for the preparation of durable printing plates capable of providing very high levels of resolution have been developed. Printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, once photopolymerized, have excellent physical properties, enabling their use in many very demanding applications, e.g., commercial letterpress and newspaper printing. Such applications require the photopolymerized resin to provide a sharp image and good durability after curing. Photopolymerization of invention resin yields a product with excellent physical characteristics, acceptable by letterpress printing standards. In addition, photopolymerization of invention composition provides a product which demonstrates sufficient toughness to be used for extended printing runs as required in such areas as metal decorating, newspaper, plastic packaging, business forms, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Roberts, Maria Teresa A. Castillo
  • Patent number: 5666188
    Abstract: A novel printing plate mounting device and procedure are provided. A small-scale single-color representation of a carton blank or other substrate and a complete usually multi-color image to be printed thereon is projected from an acetate film or other suitable substrate onto a carrier sheet to provide a full-scale single-color representation of the substrate and the image to be printed thereon. A small-scale usually multi-color representation of the carton blank and the complete usually multi-color image to be printed thereon is used as a template to determine which ones of a plurality of individual printing plate elements is used to print which ones of the color of the multi-color image. The individual printing plate elements for each color then are affixed to separate carrier sheets in the position shown by the full-scale single-color representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Reinhold Chmielnik
  • Patent number: 5638154
    Abstract: A novel printing plate mounting device and procedure are provided. A small-scale single-color representation of a carton blank or other substrate and a complete usually multi-color image to be printed thereon is projected from an acetate film or other suitable substrate onto a carrier sheet to provide a full-scale single-color representation of the substrate and the image to be printed thereon. A small-scale usually multi-color representation of the carton blank and the complete usually multi-color image to be printed thereon is used as a template to determine which ones of a plurality of individual printing plate elements is used to print which ones of the color of the multi-color image. The individual printing plate elements for each color then are affixed to separate carrier sheets in the position shown by the full-scale single-color representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Reinhold Chmielnik
  • Patent number: 5350661
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided water-developable photopolymerizable compositions useful for the preparation of printing plates. Printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have excellent form stability, thereby enabling such plates to be handled without the need for excessive care. Once photopolymerized, printing plates of the invention have excellent physical properties, enabling their use in many very demanding commercial applications, e.g., commercial flexographic printing. Such applications require the photopolymerized resin to have excellent water resistance (so that exposure to water-based inks does not significantly alter resin properties), as well as high durability (so that the physical contacting associated with the printing process does not significantly degrade resin properties).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kelsall, Allyson R. Maurer
  • Patent number: 5348844
    Abstract: A photosensitive printing medium is compounded from a latex copolymer, a linear thermoplastic, elastomeric block copolymer, a basic nitrogen atom-containing compound, an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a polymerization initiation system. The printing medium has a microstructure of distinct domains of the latex copolymer and the elastomeric block copolymer in a matrix of the other components. The printing medium is typically supported on a substrate to form a printing plate. The printing medium is photosensitive, and is imaged by exposure to actinic radiation through a photographic negative film. The unexposed portions are washed away in a water dispersive medium, without the use of organic solvents, producing a printing plate which, after drying and postexposure to UV light, is ready for printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Napp Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory O. Garmong
  • Patent number: 4952481
    Abstract: There is hereby provided a photosensitive resin composition suitable for a relief printing plate having an excellent resistance to a water based ink, whereby water or a water like solvent can be employed as a developing solution, which comprises;(i) a polymer (A) having a molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000 which contains an amino group and a polymerizable double bond moiety,(ii) a monomer (B) having an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated bond and a free acid group which can quaternize the nitrogen atom of the polymer (A),(iii) a photopolymerizable unsaturated compound (C), and(iv) a photopolymerization initiator (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Napp Systems (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Mamoru Seio, Hidefumi Kusuda, Masami Kawabata
  • Patent number: 4540649
    Abstract: A water developable, photopolymerizable composition and printing plates prepared from such composition are disclosed. The photopolymerizable composition includes at least one water soluble polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol or partially saponified polyvinyl acetate, at least one photopolymerization initiator, and the condensation reaction product of N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide, N-alkyloxymethyl acrylamide or N-alkyloxymethyl methacrylamide with a melamine derivative of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1 is CH.sub.2 OR, R.sub.2 is H or CH.sub.2 OR, and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl. A thermal polymerization inhibitor may also be included in the composition.Plates prepared from the composition demonstrate improved hardness and water resistance, compared to previously known photopolymerizable compositions, and also achieve excellent image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Napp Systems (USA) Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyomi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 4522910
    Abstract: A novel photosensitive film structure comprises a generally continuous minor phase material and a generally discontinuous major phase material. The minor phase includes a photosensitive compound whose solubility relative to a selected solvent changes upon exposure to electrromagnetic radiation, while the major phase is not photosensitive nor soluble in the solvent. The two phases are uniformly interdispersed throughout the film structure. Imagewise exposure to electromagnetic radiation renders the film structure selectively permeable to the selected solvent, and, after development, the film structure exhibits the chemical and physical properties of the major phase material. The film structure finds varied application in the manufacture of graphic arts articles such as lithographi printing plates and photoresists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Napp Systems (USA), Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Hallman