Abstract: A material is disclosed which is suitable for making a flexographic printing plate and comprises in the order given a base, a photopolymer layer, a barrier layer wherein the main component is a polymer different from gelatin, and an ink receiving layer wherein the main component is gelatin. An image having a high optical density can be printed on the ink receiving layer by image-wise jetting a water-based ink because the gelatin in the ink receiving layer has excellent ink receptivity and because the barrier layer reduces diffusion of monomers from the photopolymer layer to the ink receiving layer. The image present in or on the ink receiving layer can then be used as a photomask for the subsequent flood exposure of the photopolymer layer. After processing, a flexographic printing plate is obtained.

Abstract: A direct-to-plate method for obtaining a high quality lithographic printing plate is disclosed. The method comprises the application of a continuous layer of a radiation sensitive solution onto a lithographic substrate by means of an ink-jet printhead. Hereby waste of coating solution and contamination of the environment are avoided.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate by means of ink jet is disclosed. The ink jet fluid contains an oleophilizing compound chosen from the group consisting of a catechol, a pyrogallol, and a salicylic acid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a module that can be used in an electric or electronic device such as a flat panel display, a light emitting diode or a photovoltaic cell. The figure shows as a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention a schematic section of a panel consisting of three adjacent modules (liquid crystal display cells; only one is shown completely). The panel is obtained by assembling two substrates (2) and (8) which carry functional layer (3) and (9) respectively. The substrates are preferably flexible plastic foils. Thin glass sheets (1, 7) are laminated to the substrates (2, 8) so as to obtain an efficient barrier layer which protects the functional layers (3, 9) from mechanical damage, heat and degradation due to diffusion of oxygen or water vapor. The method is especially suitable for making flexible, low-weight flat panel displays, e.g. LCDs comprising a liquid crystal composition (6), spacers (4) and seals (5).

Abstract: A direct-to-plate flexographic printing plate precursor is disclosed comprising in the order given, a flexible support, a photopolymerizable layer containing an elastomeric binder, an image recording layer comprising a thermoplastic binder and optionally a cover layer characterized in that said image recording layer and said photopolymerizable layer can be liquefied so that they can be penetrated to a depth of at least 5% at a temperature of 110° C. by a ballpoint probe having a diameter of 3 mm, which is subjected to a force of 0.1N.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for writing on thermographic material (5). The inventive device (1) comprises a heater (20) with which the thermographic material (5) is preheated to a temperature, which is lower than a writing temperature. The thermographic material (5) can be written on with a writing instrument (10) which is distanced from the thermographic material (5) after input of an information signal (s(t)). The writing instrument (10) has a plurality of individually controllable point sources (30-33; 51-53). The thermographic material (5) can be written on in a point-by-point manner with said point sources (30-33; 51-53).

Abstract: An method is disclosed for on-site preparation of a relief image comprising the following steps:

Abstract: A heat mode recording element is disclosed comprising a metal recording layer, preferably a bismuth layer, and a layer containing a roughening agent underneath the metal layer. An image is formed by exposure with intense laser light and the presence of the roughening agent reduces or eliminates interference patterns. In an alternative embodiment a roughened support is used instead of a layer containing a roughening agent.

Abstract: A recording material comprising a support, a thermosensitive element and a protective layer therefor, the thermosensitive element comprising a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, an organic reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, wherein the thermosensitive element further comprises in reactive association with the substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt and the organic reducing agent a substituted, exclusive of groups having an exclusively electron withdrawing character, or unsubstituted compound with an unsaturated 5-membered heterocyclic ring annulated with an aromatic ring system, the ring consisting of nitrogen and carbon atoms with at least one of the nitrogen atoms having a hydrogen atom and none of the carbon atoms being directly linked to a sulfur atom or being part of a carbonyl-group; a production process therefor and a thermal image recording process utilizing the recording-material.

Abstract: A flexible laminate is disclosed wherein a thin borosilicate glass substrate is bonded to a support, which is preferably a transparent plastic support. The glass substrate protects the support from scratches, moisture, solvents and gases, and improves the dimensional and thermal stability of the support, whereas the support protects the glass from breakage. The use of borosilicate significantly reduces the chance of breakage compared to e.g. sodium or chemically hardened glass. The laminate can be used for carrying a functional layer such as an image recording layer. The laminate is especially suitable for carrying color filters and electroconductive layers in flat panel displays.

Abstract: A negative working non-ablative lithographic printing plate precursor is provided which includes a metal support such as an anodized aluminum plate and provided thereon a layer or a stack of layers, wherein at least one layer includes a near infrared light absorbing compound which is the main component of the layer(s). As the amount of other reactive compounds besides the near infrared light absorbing compound is less than 20% by weight, excellent-storage stability is obtained. In a highly preferred embodiment the layer or stack of layers is substantially free from the other reactive compounds. The material is very suitable for computer-to-plate and computer-to-press applications as it can be used as a printing master directly after exposure or may be processed by rinsing with plain water.

Abstract: Colloidal metal alloy compositions are prepared by chemical reduction of mixtures of at least two types of metal ions in an aqueous medium. Coating such a composition onto a support provides heat mode recording elements with improved sensitivity to laser radiation.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a negative working lithographic printing plate precursor by applying a dry powder, containing a light absorbing compound in an amount not less than 50% by weight, on a metal support such as an anodized aluminum plate. The light absorbing compound is preferably carbon, soot or an infrared dye. In one embodiment of the invention, the dry powder may be rubbed in on the surface of the metal support. In another embodiment a layer of soot is applied on the metal support by contacting the surface of the support with a flame. In still another embodiment, a metal support is contacted with a transfer material consisting of a support and a dry layer of a light absorbing compound such as carbon. By applying heat or light, the dry powder is converted into a hydrophobic substance at the printing areas of the plate.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive material for making lithographic printing plates having on a lithographic support an image-forming layer including a hydrophilic binder, a cross-linking agent for the hydrophilic binder, metal oxide particles with a mean diameter of at least 100 nm and dispersed hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, characterized in that the image-forming layer has a ratio of specific surface (in m2 per g) over mean roughness(in &mgr;m) of more than 0.65 and that the mean pore width is less than 15 nm.

Abstract: A material is disclosed which comprises a substrate and an organic electroconductive layer provided on said substrate, characterised in that the substrate is a laminate comprising a glass layer and a support. The glass layer is preferably a flexible glass layer having a thickness from 10 to 500 &mgr;m. The material can be used as an electrode in electric or semiconductor devices thereby providing an improved lifetime, e.g. displays, photovoltaic cells or light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of a heat mode recording element of the DRAW type (Direct Read After Write), said process comprising the following steps:(A) providing a material having following layer arrangement, in order:(1) a transparent support optionally subbed,(2) a thin metal layer coated from an aqueous medium containing metal particles,(3) a coated single top layer curable by radiation,(B) radiation curing said coated single top layer (3).In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the metal layer is a bismuth layer.

Abstract: A process was disclosed for the preparation of a heat mode recording element comprising a transparent support and a thin metal recording layer, characterized in that said thin metal layer was formed by the following steps: (1) preparing a solution containing metal ions and preferably a binder, (2) reducing said metal ions by a reducing agent, (3) coating said aqueous medium on said transparent support, optionally after removal of superfluous salts.The process disclosed is less complicated and more economic than previously known methods for applying a thin metal recording film.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat sensitive recording material comprising a support and thereon a surface layer comprising an ink abhesive binder, characterized in that said binder is capable of being imagewise converted to an ink acceptive binder by exposure to heat or actinic irradiation.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat sensitive recording material having on a support a recording layer containing a homogeneous ink accepting phase and an ink abhesive phase, characterized in that said ink abhesive phase comprises a silicon based polymer.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for making lithographic printing plates including the steps of dispensing in a predetermined pattern curable hydrophobic ink from a printhead of a printer onto a lithographic base or polymerizable ink from a printhead of a printer onto a lithographic base which is coated with a polymerization initiator by spraying droplets of the ink onto the lithographic base in the predetermined pattern and curing the sprayed droplets of the ink upon the lithographic base, characterized in that the lithographic base comprises a flexible support having a cross-linked hydrophilic surface.

Abstract: Polyetherpolyols containing residues of catalysts of the double metal cyanide complex class are treated with a strong base and ion exchanged or neutralized and filtered to provide a stable polyol with reduced tendency to form allophanates with diisocyanates. Further, the addition of ethylene oxide to the polyol while in contact with the strong base serves to end cap the polyol to provide it with primary hydroxyl groups.