Patents by Inventor Donald L. Swihart
Donald L. Swihart has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10935887Abstract: A system is for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having a latent image formed by image-wise exposure of an aqueous-processable photopolymer. The system can use a first aqueous processing solution with the latent image for cleaning and then washing a resulting relief image with a second aqueous processing solution, where the second aqueous processing solution is devoid of the photopolymer. A processing solution tank is configured to combine the first used aqueous processing solution with the second used aqueous processing solution to form a combined used aqueous processing solution. A processing solution removal can include: a holding tank configured for receiving the combined used aqueous processing solution; and a conduit from the processing solution tank to the holding tank. The processing solution tank includes the combined used aqueous processing solution at less than a predefined maximum volume and having the photopolymer at less than a predefined maximum concentration.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: MIRACLON CORPORATIONInventors: Donald L. Swihart, Fredrick Charles Mellema, David Edgar Brown, M. Zaki Ali
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Publication number: 20200241422Abstract: A system is for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having a latent image formed by image-wise exposure of an aqueous-processable photopolymer. The system can use a first aqueous processing solution with the latent image for cleaning and then washing a resulting relief image with a second aqueous processing solution, where the second aqueous processing solution is devoid of the photopolymer. A processing solution tank is configured to combine the first used aqueous processing solution with the second used aqueous processing solution to form a combined used aqueous processing solution. A processing solution removal can include: a holding tank configured for receiving the combined used aqueous processing solution; and a conduit from the processing solution tank to the holding tank. The processing solution tank includes the combined used aqueous processing solution at less than a predefined maximum volume and having the photopolymer at less than a predefined maximum concentration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Donald L. SWIHART, Fredrick Charles MELLEMA, David Edgar BROWN, M. Zaki ALI
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Patent number: 10642157Abstract: A method for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having an aqueous-processable photopolymer. A main processing unit is used to develop a relief image by removing unexposed photopolymer using an aqueous processing solution including a first dispersing agent while the photosensitive flexographic printing plate is being subjected to mechanical cleaning. Used aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is returned back into a processing solution tank. A secondary processing unit is used to wash the developed relief image with secondary aqueous processing solution including a second dispersing agent to remove debris from the developed relief image. Used secondary aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is directed into the processing solution tank. A portion of the aqueous processing solution from the processing solution tank is removed to keep a volume of aqueous processing solution in the processing solution tank below a predefined maximum volume.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: MIRACLON CORPORATIONInventors: Donald L. Swihart, Fredrick Charles Mellema, David Edgar Brown, M. Zaki Ali
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Publication number: 20190278183Abstract: A method for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having an aqueous-processable photopolymer. A main processing unit is used to develop a relief image by removing unexposed photopolymer using an aqueous processing solution including a first dispersing agent while the photosensitive flexographic printing plate is being subjected to mechanical cleaning. Used aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is returned back into a processing solution tank. A secondary processing unit is used to wash the developed relief image with secondary aqueous processing solution including a second dispersing agent to remove debris from the developed relief image. Used secondary aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is directed into the processing solution tank. A portion of the aqueous processing solution from the processing solution tank is removed to keep a volume of aqueous processing solution in the processing solution tank below a predefined maximum volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: MIRACLON CORPORATIONInventors: Donald L. Swihart, Fredrick Charles Mellema, David Edgar Brown, M. Zaki Ali
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Patent number: 10324378Abstract: A method for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having an aqueous-processable photopolymer. A main processing unit is used to develop a relief image by removing unexposed photopolymer using an aqueous processing solution including a first dispersing agent while the photosensitive flexographic printing plate is being subjected to mechanical cleaning. Used aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is returned back into a processing solution tank. A secondary processing unit is used to wash the developed relief image with secondary aqueous processing solution including a second dispersing agent to remove debris from the developed relief image. Used secondary aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is directed into the processing solution tank. A portion of the aqueous processing solution from the processing solution tank is removed to keep a volume of aqueous processing solution in the processing solution tank below a predefined maximum volume.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: MIRACLON CORPORATIONInventors: Donald L. Swihart, Fredrick Charles Mellema, David Edgar Brown, M. Zaki Ali
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Publication number: 20180004090Abstract: A processing system for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having an aqueous-processable photopolymer. A main processing unit is used to develop a relief image by removing unexposed photopolymer using an aqueous processing solution including a first dispersing agent while the photosensitive flexographic printing plate is being subjected to mechanical cleaning. Used aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is returned back into a processing solution tank. A secondary processing unit is used to wash the developed relief image with secondary aqueous processing solution including a second dispersing agent to remove debris from the developed relief image. Used secondary aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is directed into the processing solution tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Donald L. Swihart, Fredrick Charles Mellema, David Edgar Brown, M. Zaki Ali
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Publication number: 20180004092Abstract: A method for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having an aqueous-processable photopolymer. A main processing unit is used to develop a relief image by removing unexposed photopolymer using an aqueous processing solution including a first dispersing agent while the photosensitive flexographic printing plate is being subjected to mechanical cleaning. Used aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is returned back into a processing solution tank. A secondary processing unit is used to wash the developed relief image with secondary aqueous processing solution including a second dispersing agent to remove debris from the developed relief image. Used secondary aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is directed into the processing solution tank. A portion of the aqueous processing solution from the processing solution tank is removed to keep a volume of aqueous processing solution in the processing solution tank below a predefined maximum volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Donald L. Swihart, Fredrick Charles Mellema, David Edgar Brown, M. Zaki Ali
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Patent number: 6962765Abstract: A UV-mask, a system and method for making the mask and a method of using the mask for producing an image a print medium are disclosed. The system includes a donor element having a substrate coated with a layer of IR-sensitive material and a layers of UV-absorbing material, and a receptor element. The IR-sensitive material is capable of detaching a significant portion of the itself and the UV-absorbing material from the donor element and transfer the detached materials to the receptor element when irradiated by an IR radiation. The method for making a UV-mask includes irradiating such a donor element with an IR radiation. The method of using includes overlaying a digital UV mask on a UV-sensitive medium, exposing the medium to a UV radiation through the UV mask, and developing the UV-sensitive medium.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLCInventors: Donald L. Swihart, Kevin M. Kidnie, Richard C. Buchholtz
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Patent number: 6737204Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible and convenient method that combines a digital color image with the versatility of an analog imaging method to create a hybrid digital/analog image, wherein an analog image is formed directly on a digitally generated image.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLCInventor: Donald L. Swihart
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Publication number: 20030112453Abstract: In general, the invention provides scaling tools for compensating for scaling variations between two printing systems, such as an analog printing system and a digital printing system. An operator designates one of the systems as the reference printing system and the other printing system as the scalable printing system. The operator constructs a reference grid with the reference printing system and a scaling grid with the scalable printing system. By comparing the reference grid and the scaling grid, the operator finds one or more scaling factors, which the operator may use to set the scale of the scalable printing system. The operator may print an image using the reference printing system and the scalable printing system, and the scalable printing system prints to the same scale as the reference printing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: Imation Corp.Inventor: Donald L. Swihart
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Publication number: 20030068569Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible and convenient method that combines a digital color image with the versatility of an analog imaging method to create a hybrid digital/analog image, wherein an analog image is formed directly on a digitally generated image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventor: Donald L. Swihart
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Patent number: 4990375Abstract: A receptor sheet for image-transfer processes is provided by providing a backside polymeric coating on the sheet with differential surface characteristics which can be visually observed. The characteristics may define a logo to differentiate the backside from the receptor surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1988Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Donald L. Swihart