Abstract: A mask element for flexographic printing is provided. The mask element can be used for preparing a mask that has a mask image. The mask element can include: a transparent polymeric carrier sheet; a barrier layer on the transparent polymeric carrier sheet, wherein the barrier layer comprises non-crosslinked nitrocellulose; and an imaging layer on the barrier layer, wherein the imaging layer includes a non-silver halide thermally-ablatable material comprising non-crosslinked nitrocellulose, carbon black, and an infrared (IR) dye. In some aspects, the mask element further includes a transparent overcoat layer on the imaging layer. The mask can include: imaged regions in the imaging layer, wherein the imaged regions have optical apertures that are substantially devoid of the carbon black and non-crosslinked nitrocellulose thereof; and non-imaged regions in the imaging layer, wherein the non-imaged regions have the non-crosslinked nitrocellulose, carbon black, and infrared dye.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving merchant profile data describing attributes of merchants; generating, using one or more machine-trained models and the merchant profile data, a respective first profile for each merchant of the merchants; generating, using the one or more machine-trained models, a respective second profile for each of the plurality of merchant services using at least one type of description for each of the plurality of merchant services, wherein the respective first profile for each merchant and the respective second profile for each of the plurality of merchant services are numerically comparable; identifying a list of merchant service recommendations for at least one of the merchants using generated first profiles and second profiles; and configuring a merchant computing device of the at least one merchant with at least one merchant service selected by the merchant from the list of merchant service recommendations.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving merchant profile data describing attributes of merchants; generating, using one or more machine-trained models and the merchant profile data, a respective first profile for each merchant of the merchants; generating, using the one or more machine-trained models, a respective second profile for each of the plurality of merchant services using at least one type of description for each of the plurality of merchant services, wherein the respective first profile for each merchant and the respective second profile for each of the plurality of merchant services are numerically comparable; identifying a list of merchant service recommendations for at least one of the merchants using generated first profiles and second profiles; and configuring a merchant computing device of the at least one merchant with at least one merchant service selected by the merchant from the list of merchant service recommendations.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving merchant profile data describing attributes of merchants; generating, using one or more machine-trained models and the merchant profile data, a respective first profile for each merchant of the merchants; generating, using the one or more machine-trained models, a respective second profile for each of the plurality of merchant services using at least one type of description for each of the plurality of merchant services, wherein the respective first profile for each merchant and the respective second profile for each of the plurality of merchant services are numerically comparable; identifying a list of merchant service recommendations for at least one of the merchants using generated first profiles and second profiles; and configuring a merchant computing device of the at least one merchant with at least one merchant service selected by the merchant from the list of merchant service recommendations.

Abstract: A relief-forming precursor includes a substrate and a relief-forming layer having: a polymer; at least one photopolymerizable monomer; a photopolymerization initiator; and a low surface energy monomer. A relief-forming assembly includes a relief-forming precursor having a low surface energy monomer and a mask element that is in complete optical contact with the relief-forming surface. A method of making a relief image includes: exposing the relief-forming layer to curing UV radiation through the mask element to form an imaged relief-forming layer with polymerized regions and non-polymerized regions; removing the mask element from the imaged relief-forming layer; and developing the imaged relief-forming layer by removing the non-polymerized regions, thereby forming a relief image. A relief image layer has an elastomer and copolymer that includes at least one photopolymerized monomer and a low surface energy monomer that has a silicone moiety with a relief surface having the silicone moiety.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A relief image is prepared by: A) imaging an imageable material to form a mask element; B) exposing a relief-forming precursor through the mask element; C) removing the mask element; and D) developing the imaged relief-forming precursor. The imageable material has, in order: (a) a transparent polymeric carrier sheet; (b) a non-ablatable light-to-heat converting having an average dry thickness of 1-5 ?m and comprising: (i) an infrared radiation absorbing material at 0.1-5 weight %; (ii) a thermally crosslinked organic polymeric binder material; and (iii) non-thermally ablatable particles having an average particle size of 0.1-20 ?m in an amount of 0.2-10 weight %; and (c) a non-silver halide thermally-ablatable imaging layer (IL) disposed on the LTHC layer, the IL comprising a second infrared radiation absorbing material and a UV-light absorbing material dispersed within one or more thermally-ablatable polymeric binder materials. The imageable material can be included in a relief image-forming assembly.

Abstract: An imageable material can be used to form a mask element that in turn is useful for providing relief images such as in flexographic printing plates. The imageable material has, in order: (a) a transparent polymeric carrier sheet; (b) a non-ablatable light-to-heat converting having an average dry thickness of 1-5 ?m and comprising: (i) an infrared radiation absorbing material at 0.1-5 weight %; (ii) a thermally crosslinked organic polymeric binder material; and (iii) non-thermally ablatable particles having an average particle size of 0.1-20 ?m in an amount of 0.2-10 weight %; and (c) a non-silver halide thermally-ablatable imaging layer (IL) disposed on the LTHC layer, the IL comprising a second infrared radiation absorbing material and a UV-light absorbing material dispersed within one or more thermally-ablatable polymeric binder materials.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A drilling fluid composition that contains micronized barite particles with a particle size in the range of 1 to 5 ?m, and also a method of fracturing a subterranean formation using the drilling fluid composition. Various embodiments of the micronized barite particles and the method of making thereof, the drilling fluid composition, and the method of fracturing a subterranean formation are also provided.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A relief image is prepared by: A) imaging an imageable material to form a mask element; B) exposing a relief-forming precursor through the mask element; C) removing the mask element; and D) developing the imaged relief-forming precursor. The imageable material has, in order: (a) a transparent polymeric carrier sheet; (b) a non-ablatable light-to-heat converting having an average dry thickness of 1-5 ?m and comprising: (i) an infrared radiation absorbing material at 0.1-5 weight %; (ii) a thermally crosslinked organic polymeric binder material; and (iii) non-thermally ablatable particles having an average particle size of 0.1-20 ?m in an amount of 0.2-10 weight %; and (c) a non-silver halide thermally-ablatable imaging layer (IL) disposed on the LTHC layer, the IL comprising a second infrared radiation absorbing material and a UV-light absorbing material dispersed within one or more thermally-ablatable polymeric binder materials. The imageable material can be included in a relief image-forming assembly.

Abstract: An imageable material can be used to form a mask element that in turn is useful for providing relief images such as in flexographic printing plates. The imageable material has, in order: (a) a transparent polymeric carrier sheet; (b) a non-ablatable light-to-heat converting having an average dry thickness of 1-5 ?m and comprising: (i) an infrared radiation absorbing material at 0.1-5 weight %; (ii) a thermally crosslinked organic polymeric binder material; and (iii) non-thermally ablatable particles having an average particle size of 0.1-20 ?m in an amount of 0.2-10 weight %; and (c) a non-silver halide thermally-ablatable imaging layer (IL) disposed on the LTHC layer, the IL comprising a second infrared radiation absorbing material and a UV-light absorbing material dispersed within one or more thermally-ablatable polymeric binder materials.

Abstract: A drilling fluid composition that contains micronized barite particles with a particle size in the range of 1 to 5 ?m, and also a method of fracturing a subterranean formation using the drilling fluid composition. Various embodiments of the micronized barite particles and the method of making thereof, the drilling fluid composition, and the method of fracturing a subterranean formation are also provided.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A drilling fluid composition that contains micronized barite particles with a particle size in the range of 1 to 5 ?m, and also a method of fracturing a subterranean formation using the drilling fluid composition. Various embodiments of the micronized barite particles and the method of making thereof, the drilling fluid composition, and the method of fracturing a subterranean formation are also provided.

Abstract: A drilling fluid composition that contains micronized barite particles with a particle size in the range of 1 to 5 ?m, and also a method of fracturing a subterranean formation using the drilling fluid composition. Various embodiments of the micronized barite particles and the method of making thereof, the drilling fluid composition, and the method of fracturing a subterranean formation are also provided.

Abstract: An assembly can be used to provide flexographic printing plates. This assembly has (a) a flexographic photosensitive element consisting essentially of: a backing film, and a water-soluble or water-dispersible photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive resin composition and having a front imaging surface and a backside imaging surface that is in contact with the backing film; and (b) a mask element directly in contact with the front imaging surface of the water-soluble or water-dispersible photosensitive layer. The water-soluble or water-dispersible photosensitive layer has a controlled release of at least 5 g/cm and up to and including 700 g/cm as established by ASTM D-3330 Method D, between the front imaging surface and the mask element.

Abstract: Flexographic printing members are prepared from a flexographic printing plate precursor consisting essentially of: backing film, water- or water-dispersible photosensitive layer, and cover sheet in contact with the photosensitive layer. The cover sheet is removed and a mask element is laminated directly in contact with the photosensitive layer. Exposure through the mask element provides exposed regions and non-exposed regions. The non-exposed regions are removed with an aqueous developer having: a) a C12-20 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid (or alkali metal salt) at 0.25-2.0 weight %, and at least 85 weight % of a C18 mono- or poly-unsaturated fatty acid (or alkali metal salt); b) an aminopolycarboxylic acid (or alkali metal salt) at 0.05-0.30 weight %; c) a buffer at 05-0.60 weight %; and d) water. The photosensitive layer has a controlled release of 5-500 g/cm using ASTM D-3330 Method D, between its front imaging surface and the mask element.