Abstract: An improved printing blanket construction is provided which includes at least a top ply, a bottom ply, and a non-extensible backing ply. The blanket includes leading and trailing edges which are secured directly to the backing ply, where at least a portion of the leading edge forms a contoured edge, a stair-stepped edge, a beveled edge, or a combination thereof. The printing blanket construction having such a shaped leading edge reduces printing gap, reduces the impact forces on the leading edge of the blanket, and protects the blanket from the penetration of ink, solvents, moisture and the like into the blanket plies during use.

Abstract: A printing blanket construction is provided which includes a reinforcing fabric ply comprised of a weft insertion fabric or a heavy gauge fabric, where the reinforcing fabric ply provides all of the necessary tensioning properties to the blanket. The use of the reinforcing fabric ply eliminates the need for additional reinforcing fabric plies in the blanket construction, and provides high tensile strength, low stretch, and resistance to gauge loss.

Abstract: An image transfer product such as an offset printing blanket or sleeve is provided which comprises a very thin printing surface layer in combination with a smooth image reinforcement layer comprising a polymeric film, a fabric, or a polymer-coated fabric. The thin printing surface layer has a thickness between about 0.001 to about 0.012 inches (about 0.025 to about 0.3 mm). The image transfer product is more efficiently manufactured due to reduced solvent usage and reduced number of coating passes, and in use, exhibits uniform feed, web control, and registration characteristics.

Abstract: A printing blanket construction is provided which includes a reinforcing fabric ply comprised of a weft insertion fabric or a heavy gauge fabric, where the reinforcing fabric ply provides all of the necessary tensioning properties to the blanket. The use of the reinforcing fabric ply eliminates the need for additional reinforcing fabric plies in the blanket construction, and provides high tensile strength, low stretch, and resistance to gauge loss.

Abstract: A printing blanket construction is provided which includes a reinforcing fabric ply comprised of a weft insertion fabric or a heavy gauge fabric, where the reinforcing fabric ply provides all of the necessary tensioning properties to the blanket. The use of the reinforcing fabric ply eliminates the need for additional fabric plies in the blanket construction, and provides high tensile strength, low stretch, and resistance to gauge loss.

Abstract: An image transfer product such as an offset printing blanket or sleeve is provided which comprises a very thin printing surface layer in combination with a smooth image reinforcement layer comprising a polymeric film, a fabric, or a polymer-coated fabric. The thin printing surface layer has a thickness between about 0.001 to about 0.012 inches (about 0.025 to about 0. 3 mm). The image transfer product is more efficiently manufactured due to reduced solvent usage and reduced number of coating passes, and in use, exhibits uniform feed, web control, and registration characteristics.

Abstract: A composite packing material for use with a printing blanket is provided including a substrate such as fabric, scrim, or film which is coated on at least one surface with a polymeric compound to provide the desired gauge to the printing blanket assembly. The resulting composite packing material has a thickness of about 0.010 to about 0.067 inches (0.25 mm to 1.7 mm) and is substantially volume non-compressible.

Abstract: A composite packing material for use with a printing blanket is provided including a substrate such as fabric, scrim, or film which is coated on at least one surface with a polymeric compound to provide the desired gauge to the printing blanket assembly. The resulting composite packing material has a thickness of about 0.010 to about 0.067 inches (0.25 mm to 1.7 mm) and is substantially volume non-compressible.

Abstract: An image transfer product such as a printing blanket or sleeve is provided which includes at least a base layer, a printing surface layer, and an optional intermediate compressible layer, where one or more of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane alloy. The thermoplastic polyurethane compressible layer has a plurality of voids therein introduced by the use of pre-expanded or unexpanded microspheres. The resulting blanket or sleeve exhibits good resistance to compression.

Abstract: A method of making a printing blanket having a texturized printing surface is provided in which a polyurethane printing surface layer is applied to a substrate in 100% solids form in a single pass. The surface of the polyurethane layer is provided with a plurality of depressions or reservoirs which are substantially uniform in size to provide an improved surface for receiving and transferring ink.

Abstract: A method of making a printing blanket or printing sleeve which includes one or more cast polyurethane layers is provided. Each cast polyurethane layer may be applied in a single pass to a moving substrate web or a rotating sleeve by slot die coating, electrostatic or non-electrostatic spraying, or knife coating. The method may utilize UV or radiation curable polyurethanes, two-part polyurethanes, moisture curable polyurethanes, or cure-blocked or delayed-cure polyurethanes.

Abstract: An improved printing blanket construction is provided which includes at least a top ply, a bottom ply, and a non-extensible backing ply. The blanket includes leading and trailing edges which are secured directly to the backing ply, where at least a portion of the leading edge forms a contoured edge, a stair-stepped edge, a beveled edge, or a combination thereof. The printing blanket construction having such a shaped leading edge reduces printing gap, reduces the impact forces on the leading edge of the blanket, and protects the blanket from the penetration of ink, solvents, moisture and the like into the blanket plies during use.

Abstract: A method of forming a cylindrical printing article having a unitary compressible laminate and which includes a rotatable support in the form of a cylinder. This method comprises forming a compressible laminate having upper and lower surfaces and a substantially uniform thickness from at least a printing face which forms the upper surface and a compressible layer positioned beneath the printing face. The compressible layer contains a plurality of compressible cells dispersed therein and has first and second surfaces, with the first surface bonded to an adjacent surface of the printing face. In another step, the first surface of the compressible layer is formed with a profile having a raised central portion so that the compressible layer is spaced closer to the upper surface of the printing face in the center of the laminate than at the ends. Preferably, this laminate is cylindrical and is in the form of a printing blanket or printing roller.

Abstract: A composite fabric structure comprising a plurality of warp and fill fibers or yarns forming a fabric substrate which is impregnated with a matrix material which contains a plurality of cells which impart compressibility to the fabric substrate. This fabric may be used, for example, in a composite structure for use with one or more additional layers or coatings. Articles which may be formed from the composite structure include gaskets, packing materials, flexible diaphragms or printing blankets. In the printing blankets, one or more of a vulcanized rubber layer, a fabric layer and a compressible layer may be included.

Abstract: A printing article which includes a rotatable metal support in the form of a cylinder and a compressible laminate mounted upon the support. The compressible laminate has upper and lower surfaces and a substantially uniform thickness and includes a printing face which forms the upper surface and a compressible layer positioned beneath the printing face. The upper surface of the compressible layer is spaced closer to the upper surface of the printing face in the center of the cylindrical support than at the ends. Preferably, this laminate is cylindrical and is in the form of a printing blanket or printing roll. The invention also relates to a method for forming the compressible laminate.

Abstract: A multi-ply laminated compressible printing blanket for use in offset printing comprising in order, a first compressible fabric ply, a compressible elastomeric layer, one or more additional fabric plies situated above the compressible elastomeric layer, an elastomeric subface, and an elastomeric printing face deposited by a solventless process and having a surface profile adapted for reducing dot gain while enhancing the releasability of the printed matter. The lowermost fabric ply may incorporate a protective coating to prevent wicking of inks, water, and/or solvents through the blanket which might otherwise lead to swelling and delamination of the various plies. In addition, both the fabric plies and the compressible layer may be coated with a matrix material having dispersed therein a plurality of closed cells formed, e.g., with the use of blowing agents or by adding thereto a plurality of expanded or expandable microspheres.

Abstract: A multi-ply laminated compressible printing blanket for use in offset printing comprising in order, a first compressible fabric ply, a compressible elastomeric layer, at least two additional fabric plys situated above the compressible elastomeric layer, an elastomeric subface and an elastomeric printing face deposited by a solventless process and having a surface profile adapted for reducing dot gain while enhancing the releasability of the printed matter. At least the lowermost fabric ply incorporates a protective coating to prevent wicking of inks, water and/or solvents through the blanket which might otherwise lead to swelling and delamination of the various plys. In addition, both the fabric plys and the compressible layer are at least partially coated with a matrix material having dispersed therein a plurality of closed cells formed, e.g., with the use of blowing agents or by adding thereto a plurality of expanded or expand microspheres.

Abstract: A composite fabric structure comprising a plurality of warp and fill fibers or yarns forming a fabric substrate which is impregnated with a matrix material which contains a plurality of cells which impart compressibility to the fabric substrate. This fabric may be used, for example, in a composite structure for use with one or more additional layers or coatings. Articles which may be formed from the composite structure include gaskets, packing materials, flexible diaphragms or printing blankets. In the printing blankets, one or more of a vulcanized rubber layer, a fabric layer and a compressible layer may be included.