Patents by Inventor Michael Flugel

Michael Flugel 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).

  • Patent number: 9329485
    Abstract: Lithographic printing plates are provided by imagewise exposing negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors having a negative-working radiation-sensitive imageable layer, followed by contacting with a processing solution that has a pH of at least 7 and up to and including 11. This processing solution also includes component (1) that is a nitrogen-containing base having an atmospheric pressure melting point of at least 40° C.; component (2) that is a non-ionic surfactant that independently has an atmospheric pressure melting point, glass transition temperature, or pour point of at least 40° C.; component (3) that is a hydroxy-containing solution promoter; and component (4) that is a hydrophilic surface protective compound. The method is carried out in a manner such that the exposed and processed precursor is not further treated with any liquid (such as gumming or rinsing solution) between processing and mounting onto a printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher D. Simpson, Harald Baumann, Michael Flugel, Saija Werner, Oliver Piestert, Udo Dwars
  • Publication number: 20160077437
    Abstract: Lithographic printing plates are provided by imagewise exposing negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors having a negative-working radiation-sensitive imageable layer, followed by contacting with a processing solution that has a pH of at least 7 and up to and including 11. This processing solution also includes component (1) that is a nitrogen-containing base having an atmospheric pressure melting point of at least 40° C.; component (2) that is a non-ionic surfactant that independently has an atmospheric pressure melting point, glass transition temperature, or pour point of at least 40° C.; component (3) that is a hydroxy-containing solution promoter; and component (4) that is a hydrophilic surface protective compound. The method is carried out in a manner such that the exposed and processed precursor is not further treated with any liquid (such as gumming or rinsing solution) between processing and mounting onto a printing press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher D. Simpson, Harald Baumann, Michael Flugel, Saija Werner, Oliver Piestert, Udo Dwars
  • Patent number: 9201302
    Abstract: Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors have improved bakeability and good shelf life and can be imaged using either UV or infrared radiation. These precursors have a negative-working imageable layer that has a unique polymeric binder comprising a polymeric backbone and further comprising at least (a) and (b) pendant groups distributed in random order along the polymeric backbone. The (a) pendant groups are ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups, and the (b) pendant groups are defined by Structures (I), (II), and (III) described in the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher D. Simpson, Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars, Michael Flugel
  • Patent number: 9063423
    Abstract: Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor a negative-working imageable layer and an outermost water-soluble overcoat layer that is disposed directly on the negative-working imageable layer. The outermost water-soluble overcoat layer comprises: (1) one or more film-forming water-soluble polymeric binders, (2) organic wax particles, and (3) non-wax matte particles. The outermost water-soluble overcoat layer has a dry thickness (t) that is defined by the following equation (I): t=w/r wherein w is the dry coverage of the outermost water-soluble overcoat layer in g/m2, and r is 1 g/cm3. The organic wax particles have an average largest dimension D(wax) that is less than 0.9 of t (in ?m), and the non-wax matte particles have an average largest dimension D(matte) that defined by the following equation (II): 1.5 times t?D(matte)?40 times t(in ?m).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Akira Igarashi, Yuuki Torihata, Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars, Christopher D. Simpson, Saija Werner, Michael Flugel
  • Publication number: 20150099229
    Abstract: Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors have improved bakeability and good shelf life and can be imaged using either UV or infrared radiation. These precursors have a negative-working imageable layer that has a unique polymeric binder comprising a polymeric backbone and further comprising at least (a) and (b) pendant groups distributed in random order along the polymeric backbone. The (a) pendant groups are ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups, and the (b) pendant groups are defined by Structures (I), (II), and (III) described in the disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher D. Simpson, Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars, Michael Flugel
  • Publication number: 20140242517
    Abstract: Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor a negative-working imageable layer and an outermost water-soluble overcoat layer that is disposed directly on the negative-working imageable layer. The outermost water-soluble overcoat layer comprises: (1) one or more film-forming water-soluble polymeric binders, (2) organic wax particles, and (3) non-wax matte particles. The outermost water-soluble overcoat layer has a dry thickness (t) that is defined by the following equation (I): t=w/r wherein w is the dry coverage of the outermost water-soluble overcoat layer in g/m2, and r is 1 g/cm3. The organic wax particles have an average largest dimension D(wax) that is less than 0.9 of t (in ?m), and the non-wax matte particles have an average largest dimension D(matte) that defined by the following equation (II): 1.5 times t?D(matte)?40 times t (in ?m).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: AKIRA IGARASHI, YUKKI TORIHATA, HARALD BAUMANN, UDO DWARS, CHRISTOPHER D. SIMPSON, SAIJA WERNER, MICHAEL FLUGEL
  • Patent number: 8354216
    Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements such as lithographic printing plate precursors, include a free-radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition that is capable of generating free radicals sufficient to initiate polymerization of the free-radically polymerizable component upon exposure to imaging radiation in the presence of a radiation absorbing compound, a radiation absorbing compound, an aerobic free radical inhibitor, optionally a polymeric binder that is not a free radically polymerizable component, and an anaerobic free radical inhibitor. The molar ratio of the anaerobic free radical inhibitor to the aerobic free radical inhibitor is at least 1:1. This combination of inhibitors provides increased shelf life and good latent image stability particularly when the element includes a polymeric topcoat layer that functions as an oxygen barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars, Christopher D. Simpson, Bernd Strehmel, Michael Flugel
  • Publication number: 20120231394
    Abstract: Both positive-working and negative-working imageable element can have a radiation-sensitive imageable layer that has at least one pigment colorant that does not change color when heated, and at least one dye that can change color when heated. The dye is soluble in the solvent or mixture of solvents used to coat the radiation-sensitive imageable layer on a substrate and the pigment colorant is not. This combination of pigment colorant and dye provide excellent image contrast after imaging, development, and postbaking. The pigment colorant and the dye independently have a maximum absorption of from about 480 to about 700 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher D. Simpson, Harald Baumann, Joachim Pengler, Michael Flugel
  • Publication number: 20100227269
    Abstract: Both positive-working and negative-working imageable element can have a radiation-sensitive imageable layer that has at least one pigment colorant that does not change color when heated, and at least one dye that can change color when heated. The dye is soluble in the solvent or mixture of solvents used to coat the radiation-sensitive imageable layer on a substrate and the pigment colorant is not. This combination of pigment colorant and dye provide excellent image contrast after imaging, development, and postbaking. The pigment colorant and the dye independently have a maximum absorption of from about 480 to about 700 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher D. Simpson, Harald Baumann, Joachim Pengler, Michael Flugel
  • Publication number: 20100015556
    Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements such as lithographic printing plate precursors, include a free-radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition that is capable of generating free radicals sufficient to initiate polymerization of the free-radically polymerizable component upon exposure to imaging radiation in the presence of a radiation absorbing compound, a radiation absorbing compound, an aerobic free radical inhibitor, optionally a polymeric binder that is not a free radically polymerizable component, and an anaerobic free radical inhibitor. The molar ratio of the anaerobic free radical inhibitor to the aerobic free radical inhibitor is at least 1:1. This combination of inhibitors provides increased shelf life and good latent image stability particularly when the element includes a polymeric topcoat layer that functions as an oxygen barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars, Christopher D. Simpson, Bernd Strehmel, Michael Flugel
  • Patent number: 7574959
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive composition comprising (a) at least one photopolymerizable compound with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, wherein the at least one photopolymerizable compound has a molecular weight of 3,000 or less and can be obtained by reacting a diisocyanate with (I) an ethylenically unsaturated compound with a hydroxy group, and at the same time (ii) a saturated organic compound with an NH group and an OH group, wherein the reactants are used in amounts according to the following condition: Number of moles of isocyanate groups ?number of moles of OH plus NH groups; (b) at least one sensitizer which absorbs radiation from the wavelength range of 250 to 450 nm of the electromagnetic spectrum and is selected from: dihydropyridines of formula (I) and oxazole derivatives of formula (II): (II) (c) at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer (b) and selected from 2,2?,4,4?,5?5-hexaarylbiimidazoles, compounds w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Kodak Graphic Communications, GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars, Michael Flugel
  • Patent number: 7442486
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising: (a) one or more types of monomers each comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, (b) at least one sensitizer, (c) at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer (b) and selected from the following classes of compounds: metallocenes; 1,3,5-triazine derivatives with one to three CX3 groups, wherein X represents chlorine or bromine; peroxides; hexaarylbiimidazoles; oxime ethers; oxime esters; N-aryl glycines and derivatives thereof; thiol compounds; N-aryl, S-aryl and O-aryl polycarboxylic acids with at least 2 carboxyl groups of which at least one is bonded to the N, S or O atom of the aryl unit; alkyltriarylborates; benzoin ethers; benzoin esters; trihalogenomethylarylsulfones; amines; N,N-dialkylaminobenzoic acid esters; aromatic sulfonyl halides; trihalogenomethylsulfones; imides; diazosulfonates; 9,10-dihydroanthracene derivatives; a-hydroxy and a-amino acetophenones; an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars, Detlef Pietsch, Michael Flugel
  • Publication number: 20080145790
    Abstract: Process for the production of lithographic printing plates comprising (a) providing a lithographic substrate with a hydrophilic surface; (b) applying a negative working radiation-sensitive composition onto the hydrophilic surface, wherein the composition comprises: (i) one or more types of monomers and/or oligomers and/or polymers, each comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, (ii) at least one sensitizer which in the presence of at least one coinitiator and upon exposure to radiation of a wavelength of 300 to <480 nni or >750 to 1,100 nm initiates the free-radical polymerization of component (i); and (iii) at least one binder with acidic functional groups and is substantially not sensitive to the wavelength range of 480 to 750 nm; (c) image-wise exposure of the resulting negative working lithographic printing plate precursor to radiation selected from the wavelength range of 300 to <480 nm or >750 to 1,100 nm depending on the sensitizer
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Ulrich Fiebag, Udo Dwars, Michael Flugel, Bernd Strehmel, Hans-Joachim Timpe
  • Patent number: 7285372
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising (a) a substrate with at least one hydrophilic surface and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating on at least one hydrophilic surface of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises: (i) at least one free-radical polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer and/or polymer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group each, (ii) at least one absorber selected from photoinitiators and sensitizers, which is capable of absorbing radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm and (iii) at least one stabilizer comprising in its molecule at least one group capable of inhibiting free-radical polymerization, and at least one other group capable of sorption at the hydrophilic surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Kodak Graphic Communications GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Michael Flugel, Udo Dwars, Eduard Kottmair
  • Publication number: 20070142490
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive composition comprising (a) at least one photopolymerizable compound with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, wherein the at least one photopolymerizable compound has a molecular weight of 3,000 or less and can be obtained by reacting a diisocyanate with (I) an ethylenically unsaturated compound with a hydroxy group, and at the same time (ii) a saturated organic compound with an NH group and an OH group, wherein the reactants are used in amounts according to the following condition: Number of moles of isocyanate groups ?number of moles of OH plus NH groups; (b) at least one sensitizer which absorbs radiation from the wavelength range of 250 to 450 nm of the electromagnetic spectrum and is selected from: dihydropyridines of formula (I) and oxazole derivatives of formula (II): (II) (c) at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer (b) and selected from 2,2?,4,4?,5?5-hexaarylbiimidazoles, compounds
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars, Michael Flugel
  • Patent number: 7169534
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive elements are described whose radiation-sensitive coating comprises both a photopolymerizable oligomer with a biuret structural unit and a photopolymerizable phosphazene oligomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Michael Flugel, Udo Dwars, Hans-Horst Glatt
  • Publication number: 20060234155
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising: (a) one or more types of monomers each comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, (b) at least one sensitizer, (c) at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer (b) and selected from the following classes of compounds: metallocenes; 1,3,5-triazine derivatives with one to three CX3 groups, wherein X represents chlorine or bromine; peroxides; hexaarylbiimidazoles; oxime ethers; oxime esters; N-aryl glycines and derivatives thereof; thiol compounds; N-aryl, S-aryl and O-aryl polycarboxylic acids with at least 2 carboxyl groups of which at least one is bonded to the N, S or O atom of the aryl unit; alkyltriarylborates; benzoin ethers; benzoin esters; trihalogenomethylarylsulfones; amines; N,N-dialkylaminobenzoic acid esters; aromatic sulfonyl halides; trihalogenomethylsulfones; imides; diazosulfonates; 9,10-dihydroanthracene derivatives; a-hydroxy and a-amino acetophenones; an
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars, Detlef Pietsch, Michael Flugel
  • Publication number: 20060078819
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive elements are described whose radiation-sensitive coating comprises both a photopolymerizable oligomer with a biuret structural unit and a photopolymerizable phosphazene oligomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Michael Flugel, Udo Dwars, Hans-Horst Glatt
  • Publication number: 20060063101
    Abstract: The invention relates to radiation-sensitive elements comprising an aluminum substrate that has been roughened electrochemically with hydrochloric acid, and a radiation-sensitive coating comprising a coumarin sensitizer (I), a coinitiator a free-radical polymerizable monomer one or more P—OH groups and a biuret oligomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Applicant: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Michael Flugel, Udo Dwars
  • Publication number: 20060051699
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising (a) a substrate with at least one hydrophilic surface and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating on at least one hydrophilic surface of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises: (i) at least one free-radical polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer and/or polymer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group each, (ii) at least one absorber selected from photoinitiators and sensitizers, which is capable of absorbing radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm and (iii) at least one stabilizer comprising in its molecule at least one group capable of inhibiting free-radical polymerization, and at least one other group capable of sorption at the hydrophilic surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Michael Flugel, Udo Dwars, Eduard Kottmair