Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element, and particularly to a method and apparatus for supporting the photosensitive element with a removable flexible support member during thermal treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for thermally developing a photosensitive element to form a relief pattern. The method includes heating a composition layer of the element to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy and providing a development medium under tension to the element to absorb the liquefied composition. The development medium includes an absorbent material and a support, the combination of which minimizes stretch and distortion of the absorbent material and can impede the migration of the liquefied composition through the absorbent material.

Abstract: A flexographic printing plate is prepared from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable elastomeric layer with specific rheological properties. The element is imagewise exposed and thermally treated to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The photosensitive element includes a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied upon heating. Heating the layer causes one or more organic compounds in the layer to form a vapor. Oxidation of the vapor forms carbon dioxide and water vapor and reduces the need to manage waste streams containing the organic compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for thermally developing a photosensitive element to form a relief pattern. The method includes heating a composition layer of the element to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy and providing a development medium under tension to the element to absorb the liquefied composition. The development medium includes an absorbent material and a support, the combination of which minimizes stretch and distortion of the absorbent material and can impede the migration of the liquefied composition through the absorbent material.

Abstract: A flexographic printing plate is prepared from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable elastomeric layer with specific rheological properties. The element is imagewise exposed and thermally treated to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a relief pattern from a photosensitive element containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied by heating. Liquefied portions of the composition layer are removed by contact with a development medium having a predetermined directionality. The directionality of the development medium is oriented to increase peel strength of the development medium for removal of the development medium from the element.

Abstract: A flexographic printing plate is prepared from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable elastomeric layer with specific rheological properties. The element is imagewise exposed and thermally treated to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for forming a relief structure by thermally developing a photosensitive element containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied. During thermal development, the photosensitive element is supported on a base member having an exterior surface that is textured. The textures for the exterior surface include a particular surface roughness and/or patterns.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The thermal development method includes heating the photosensitive element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of a composition layer in the element to liquefy, soften, or melt; supporting a development medium with a non-rotating surface to provide contact of the development medium with the heated photosensitive element; and providing relative movement between the development medium and the non-rotating surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The thermal development method includes heating the photosensitive element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of a composition layer in the element to liquefy, soften, or melt, contacting the heated photosensitive element with a development medium to absorb the liquefied portion at a contact location, and removing the development medium from the photosensitive element with a remover at a location away from the contact location.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element, and particularly to a method and apparatus for supporting the photosensitive element with a removable flexible support member during thermal treatment.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and an apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element, and particularly to a method and apparatus for controlling vapor and condensate created during thermal treating of the photosensitive element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal processing a photosensitive element includes heating a composition layer on a flexible substrate to a melt temperature of an unirradiated area of the composition layer and maintaining the flexible substrate at a temperature below the melt temperature while pressing a heated absorbent layer against the heated composition layer, and repeating these steps for multiple cycles. A further embodiment of the method includes a step of cooling the flexible substrate and layer laminate on each cycle to maintain the flexible substrate at the desired temperature below that of the heated composition layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a flexographic printing plate from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable layer and a thermally removable layer on the photopolymerizable layer. The process includes imagewise exposing the photosensitive element and thermally treating the exposed element to form a relief suitable for use in flexographic printing. The thermally removable layer can be transparent or opaque to actinic radiation. The invention also relates to a photosensitive element for use in this process. The photosensitive element includes a photopolymerizable layer and at least one thermally removable layer having a filler and a binder, wherein the binder is less than 49% by weight, based on the total weight of the binder and filler.

Abstract: A flexographic printing plate is prepared from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable elastomeric layer with specific rheological properties. The element is imagewise exposed and thermally treated to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a flexographic printing plate from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable layer and a thermally removable layer on the photopolymerizable layer. The process includes imagewise exposing the photosensitive element and thermally treating the exposed element to form a relief suitable for use in flexographic printing. The thermally removable layer can be transparent or opaque to actinic radiation. The invention also relates to a photosensitive element for use in this process. The photosensitive element includes a photopolymerizable layer and at least one thermally removable layer having a filler and a binder, wherein the binder is less than 49% by weight, based on the total weight of the binder and filler.

Abstract: A system for controlling the lateral position of a web in a web-fed printing press having a printing unit. The web has a series of printed images thereon. The system includes an optical scanner for sensing the lateral position of an image on the web and for generating a first signal. The system also includes an edge sensor which senses the lateral position of a corresponding web edge and which generates a second signal. A controller processes the first and second signals to produce a control signal. The systems also includes a positioning means responsive to the control signal for laterally positioning the web.