Abstract: A stainless steel that includes chromium and other alloying element as a plurality of alloying elements including: a base material layer including chromium of a specified chromium content necessary for forming a passive film or more; and a superficial layer including chromium at a lower chromium content than the chromium content contained in the base material layer, and the superficial layer including the other alloying elements at a same content of the other alloying element as the content of the other alloying element contained in the base material layer.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a printing form and a process for preparing the printing form from a solvent-free curable composition that includes, in prescribed relative amounts, an epoxy novolac resin; a bisphenol-A epoxy resin or a bisphenol-F epoxy resin; a monofunctional reactive diluent; a multifunctional reactive diluent; and a stoichiometric amount of an amine curing agent. The ratio of the epoxy novolac resin to the bisphenol epoxy resin is 1:3 to 3:1 by weight. The process includes applying the curable composition to a supporting substrate to form a layer, curing the layer at one or more temperatures in a temperature range, and engraving to form at least one cell in the cured layer. The process prepares printing forms, particularly gravure printing forms, having a cured resin composition layer that is engravable, resistant to solvent inks and to mechanical wear, and capable of printing gravure-quality images.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that incorporate a multi-layer plate configuration for a Digital Offset Plate (DOP) including at least a robust top imaging layer and a bottom layer that acts as a reservoir for the releasing oil in a proposed variable digital offset lithographic architecture. The top imaging layer may contain a small amount of oil (<20%) in a range suitable for allowing a small amount of oil to coat the surface and enable release of the ink. A bottom layer may be larger in volume and contain greater quantities (˜20-75%) of oil. Oil from the reservoir layer may diffuse to and through the top layer when the oil in the top surface layer is depleted in a manner that maintains a supply of oil at the surface. The top layer may act as a gate to maintain a steady flow of oil to the surface.

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 removable flexible jacket for use in a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate. The removable flexible jacket comprises a film sheet, a plurality of beads coupled to the film sheet by a bonding material, wherein the beads are of different sizes, and a coating partially covering the beads, wherein a cusp of at least some of the larger beads is substantially free of the coating.

Abstract: A stamp for transferring a pattern to a substrate in the presence of a third medium, includes a permeable hydrophilic matrix for guiding excess third medium away from the surface of the stamp.

Abstract: In a printing press a method is provided. The method comprises coupling an adjustment tool to a transfer cylinder substantially parallel to an axis of the transfer cylinder and coupling a first end of a flexible jacket to a first attachment structure coupled to the transfer cylinder, wherein the first attachment structure is proximate to a first edge of the transfer cylinder. The method further comprises placing the jacket around the transfer cylinder and over the adjustment tool and coupling the second end of the jacket to a second attachment structure coupled to the transfer cylinder, wherein the second attachment structure is proximate to a second edge of the transfer cylinder and the jacket is attached without free play to the transfer cylinder. The method further comprises withdrawing the adjustment tool from between the transfer cylinder and the jacket, whereby an amount of free play of the flexible jacket remains.

Abstract: A stamp includes at least one protrusion on a protrusion pattern, and an end portion of the at least one protrusion may have a non-planarized surface. The end portion of the protrusion may have a concave structure, that is, the end portion includes a center region and an edge region, and the edge region is higher than the center region.

Abstract: A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: Ablation-type printing plates having improved exposure sensitivity are produced using a thin imaging layer—i.e., the plate layer that absorbs and ablates in response to imaging radiation—whose composition includes a large proportion of radiation absorber.

Abstract: Ablation-type printing plates having improved exposure sensitivity are produced using an imaging layer—i.e., the plate layer that absorbs and ablates in response to imaging radiation—whose composition includes a large proportion of crosslinker.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for preparing a printing form from a curable composition that includes an bisphenol-based epoxy resin; an amine curing agent selected from primary amines and secondary amines, the agent having an amine equivalent weight of less than or equal to 200 g/equivalent; and, a multi-epoxy reactive diluent. The process includes applying the curable composition to a supporting substrate to form a layer, curing the layer at one or more temperatures in a temperature range, and engraving to form at least one cell in the cured layer. The process prepares printing forms, particularly gravure printing forms, having a cured resin composition layer that is engravable, resistant to solvent inks and to mechanical wear, and capable of printing gravure-quality images.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a magnetic rotatable roller with a smooth even outer surface for aligning magnetic flakes in a carrier, such as an ink vehicle or a paint vehicle to create optically variable images in a high-speed, linear printing operation. Images can provide security features on high-value documents, such as bank notes. Magnetic flakes in the ink are aligned using magnetic portions of the roller, that can be formed by permanent magnets embedded in a non-magnetic roller body, or selectively magnetized portions of a flexible magnetic cover of the roller. In some embodiments, the roller is assembled for a plurality of interchangeable sections, which can include spinning magnets. Selected orientation of the magnetic pigment flakes can achieve a variety of illusive optical effects that are useful for decorative or security applications.

Abstract: A stamp for transferring a pattern to a substrate in the presence of a third medium, includes a permeable hydrophilic matrix for guiding excess third medium away from the surface of the stamp.

Abstract: A relief printing member includes at least one solid image feature on the relief printing member; encoded data on at least one solid feature; wherein the encoded data in at least one solid image feature includes a modification of at least one surface of the relief printing member within a boundary of the solid image feature.

Abstract: A printing form precursor comprises a printing surface which comprises an inorganic metal compound, the printing surface being hydrophobic and capable of being made hydrophilic by energy but capable of becoming hydrophobic again, for reuse, if desired. An associated method of printing includes steps of subjecting the printing surface imagewise to energy so as to locally increase its hydrophilicity sufficient to make the surface differentiated in its acceptance of an oxophilic a printing ink; applying the ink to the printing surface and printing from the printing surface; causing or allowing the printing surface to undergo a reduction in hydrophilicity sufficient again to make the printing surface uniform in its acceptance of a printing ink; and,if wished, repeating these steps on multiple occasions. Thus the invention achieves the goal of providing a printing form precursor which does not need a chemical developer, and which can be used multiple times, to print different images.

Abstract: A varnishing or printing plate includes a support layer, a varnish or ink transfer layer and a filling layer interposed between the support layer and the varnish or ink transfer layer. The filling layer comprises a plurality of sublayers connected together in succession so as to form the filling layer made of a polyurethane. Each of said sublayers of the filling layer has a thickness between 160 and 330 micron, and the polyurethane with which said sublayers of the filling layer are made is such that they have a Shore A hardness of between 55° and 65°.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a magnetic rotatable roller with a smooth even outer surface for aligning magnetic flakes in a carrier, such as an ink vehicle or a paint vehicle to create optically variable images in a high-speed, linear printing operation. Images can provide security features on high-value documents, such as bank notes. Magnetic flakes in the ink are aligned using magnetic portions of the roller, that can be formed by permanent magnets embedded in a non-magnetic roller body, or selectively magnetized portions of a flexible magnetic cover of the roller. In some embodiments, the roller is assembled for a plurality of interchangeable sections, which can include spinning magnets. Selected orientation of the magnetic pigment flakes can achieve a variety of illusive optical effects that are useful for decorative or security applications.

Abstract: A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: A reimageable printing member such as for use in flexography, includes a layer having a multiplicity of holes, wherein the holes include therein a dimension change material and a printing material upon the dimension change material. Thus, the holes house vertically expandable units, the top portion of which is capable of protruding out of an opening of the hole at a top surface of the layer. Each of the holes may be individually addressed to provide a stimulus that initiates a change in dimension in the dimension change material. In this manner, selected ones of the units may be made to print a corresponding portion of an image on an image receiving substrate brought into contact with the printing member.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a mold tool (1), devised for forming a structured nanoscale pattern on an object (24) and having a layer (16) which is anti-adhesive with regard to the object (24). A stamp blank (2) is provided with a structured pattern (4) on a surface (8). The patterned surface (8) is coated with a layer (6) of a metal, which has a stable oxidation number and can form a mechanically stable oxide film. The metal layer (6) is oxidized for forming of an oxide film (10). The oxide film (10) is exposed to a reagent comprising molecule chains (18), each of which has a linkage group (20) which bonds to the oxide film (10) by chemical bonding, wherein the molecule chains (18) either at the outset comprise at least a group (22) comprising fluorine, or in a subsequent step is provided with at least one such group (22).

Abstract: There are provided a printing method in which at least approximately hemispherical portion of a spherical object to be printed can be printed by pressing a pad against the portion one time, and which can prevent an image printed on the spherical object to be printed from being elongated or distorted, and a printing pad used for this printing method.

Abstract: A method, associated software and resulting printing plate having both solid and halftone areas comprising ink cells. Ink cells may be provided in the solid areas according to a first pattern with a first density and size of cells per unit area, and in the halftone areas superposed on selected numbers of halftone dots. The selection of halftone dots with superposed ink cells may be according to a second pattern with a second density and size of cells in the halftone area that is a function of halftone dot size and that may or may not be be related to the first pattern.

Abstract: A system for exposing a flexographic printing plate with light includes a light-providing subsystem and a reflector around the light-providing subsystem. The reflector includes a body and a plurality of miniature mirrors on an interior of the body arranged to reflect light generated by the light-providing subsystem to exit the reflector at angles integrated between 0 degrees and a selected angle, such as 30 degrees. As a result, the shoulder angles of features on the flexographic printing plate are controlled within a selected range of angles, such as 0 to 30 degrees.

Abstract: A surface, especially a galvanically molded transport cylinder sleeve, has a surface structure for contacting printing material, in particular sheets of paper. The surface structure includes first structural elevations spaced apart from each other by a minimum distance A1 and having a height B1 and second structural elevations spaced apart from each other by a minimum distance A2 and having a height B2 with B2<B1. A ratio between the distances A1 and A2 ranges between 10:1 and 1:1. The surface has support areas for supporting the printing material. The printing material is prevented from contacting a planar horizontal surface between the support areas of first, higher structural elevations due to second, lower structural elevations with support areas thereof that are formed between the first, higher structural elevations. A machine for processing printing material and a method for producing areas with a surface structure, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexographic printing master comprising the steps of: (a) providing an ink-receiver surface; (b) jetting a curable jettable fluid on the ink-receiver surface characterized in that the curable jettable fluid comprises at least one photo-initiator, at least one monofunctional monomer, at least 5 wt % of a polyfunctional monomer or oligomer and at least 5 wt % of a plasticizer both based on the total weight of the curable jettable liquid capable of realizing a layer after curing having an elongation at break of at least 5%, a storage modulus E? smaller than 200 MPa at 30 Hz and a volumetric shrinkage smaller than 10%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press. The printing blanket assembly comprises a dimensionally stable support plate (02, 18) with two ends, one of which is the forward end and the other one is the trailing end with respect to the rotation of the blanket cylinder, these ends being fastened to the blanket cylinder with folded, printing-blanket free limbs (21, 22). The assembly further comprises a printing blanket (03, 19), fastened to the outside of the support plate (02, 18) and having a forward end (12, 31) and a trailing end (11, 32). Said printing blanket assembly allows for perfect printing also in the area of a gap between the limbs (21, 22) and can be produced in a simple manner.

Abstract: A printing plate includes, on the printing surface of a raised part, grooves passing through from one side to another thereof. Preferably, the grooves are parallel to each other and equally spaced apart. More preferably the raised part is in the shape of a nearly-rectangular frame, and the grooves are provided such that one side of the near-rectangle and the longitudinal direction of the grooves form an angle of 45°.

Abstract: A stamp for use in transferring a pattern in nano-scale has a monomolecular antisticking layer. The anti-sticking layer comprises molecular chains, which are covalently bound to the surface of the stamp and which each comprise at least one fluorine-containing group. Each molecular chain contains a group Q, which comprises a bond which is weaker than the other bonds in the molecular chain as well as the covalent bond that binds the molecular chain to the surface of the stamp. Splitting of said bond in the group Q creates a group Q1, which is attached to the part of the molecular chain being left on the surface of the stamp and which is capable of reacting with a fluorine-containing compound to restore the antisticking layer. In a method of manufacturing a stamp for use in transferring a pattern in nanoscale, the stamp is provided with the above-mentioned molecular chain.

Abstract: A method of screening a continuous tone image into a halftone representation for a flexographic printing operation can compensate for characteristic printing problems in highlight areas by selectively placing non-printing dots proximate highlight dots. The non-printing dots raise the printing relief floor in the highlight areas providing additional support for marginally printable image features.

Abstract: The print engine is composed of a semiconductor memory layer overlaid on an insulated conductive layer with a one to one correspondence of each memory cell with the conductive pad on the insulated layer. The entire structure can be fashioned into a either a planar structure or a cylindrical structure with insulated conductive pads providing protection to the sensitive semiconductor memory from impact loading that occurs during the printing process.

Abstract: A print engine suitable for printing barcodes and other patterns using charged inks includes a semiconductor memory layer having memory circuits that are coupled to one or more line elements and/or printel cells. The printel cells and line elements either attract or do not attract charged ink based on the data stored in the corresponding memory circuit. The line elements and printel cells may be configured to form a linear barcode or a 2-dimensional barcode. The charged ink may also be electrically conducting and the line elements and printel cells may be configured to form electrical structures such as electrical circuits or antennae. The charged ink may also be electrically semiconducting and by the line elements and printel cells may be configured to form electronic semiconductor devices and circuits.

Abstract: An improved digitally imageable relief printing element having an increased direct-cure imaging speed upon exposure to lasers and other digital sources of actinic radiation. The printing elements of the invention comprise a reflective layer beneath a photosensitive resin layer so that instead of being absorbed by the reflective layer, photons of actinic radiation are reflected back up into the photosensitive layer, thereby speeding up the curing rate of the printing element.

Abstract: Novel printing surfaces for off-set printing blankets are provided having a resilience of less than about 40% and an average surface roughness of less than about 0.5 microns. Such low-resilience printing surfaces have been found to transfer up to greater than 90% of the ink applied thereto and can be used to transfer ink on a wide variety of substrates.

Abstract: A method for making a photosensitive resin printing plate which comprises at least (1) the exposure step of forming a latent image in an aqueous-developable photosensitive resin layer of a printing plate material by irradiating the printing plate material with a ray of active light, (2) the development step of forming a relief image from the latent image by dissolving or dispersing the photosensitive resin layer that forms the latent image into a developer that contains water as a main component, and (3) the drying step of removing the developer from the printing plate having the relief image, the method being characterized in that a photosensitive resin layer component-dissolved or dispersed developer produced in the development step is subjected to a reduced pressure distillation, and is therefore reused as a developer, and a residue produced by the reduced pressure distillation is solidified.

Abstract: A process for the production of flexographic printing plates by laser engraving, in which the recording layer of a crosslinkable, laser-engravable flexographic printing element is crosslinked by the combination of a full-area crosslinking step with a crosslinking step which only acts at the surface, and a printing relief is engraved into the crosslinked recording layer by means of a laser, and flexographic printing plates obtainable by the process.

Abstract: A very low percentage dot screen is formed on a flexographic plate which prevents the severe compression normally found adjacent to zero percent areas of the flexographic plate. The dot screen reduces dot gain by distributing the compressive force of the flexographic printing plate on the printing surface. The total area of the dot screen is kept to a very low percentage of the total surface area being printed so that it will not alter perceived color.

Abstract: A sheet of elastomeric material that serves as a shock absorber and cushion for use between a printing plate, such as but not limited to a flexographic printing plate, and a printing cylinder during printing for compensating for variations in thickness, height and centricity of the printing cylinder and printing plate to prevent distortions in the image being printed that includes providing an elastomeric material having a longitudinal direction in the direction of circumferential travel of the cylinder circumference that includes a plurality or array of protrusions formed of the elastomeric material of predetermined cross-sectional shape and area and the material having a durometer to cushion the printing plate in such a way to provide the necessary compensation to ensure a high quality printed image at high speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for selectively patterning surfaces using radical species generated with a photocatalyst. The photocatalyst may comprise a photocatalytic semiconductor or a photosensitizer. The radical species are brought into contact with an oxidizable coating disposed on the surface, thereby locally oxidizing and selectively patterning the surface. The photocatalyst is preferably disposed on a delivery device, such as a stamp, mask, or scanning probe, that is brought into close proximity or contact with the coated surface. The photocatalyst is then excited in a manner capable of generating radical species, for example, oxygen-containing radical species, in appropriate media. It is expected that these radical species will be transferred to the coated surface along a substantially shortest distance path, thereby locally oxidizing and patterning the surface.

Abstract: Novel printing surfaces for off-set printing blankets are provided having a resilience of less than about 40% and an average surface roughness of less than about 0.5 microns. Such low-resilience printing surfaces have been found to transfer up to greater than 90% of the ink applied thereto and can be used to transfer ink on a wide variety of substrates.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an elastomeric printing plate, with a printing surface finish that allows it to be used in flexographic printing, is grown by a method based on an inkjet process. By employing two different materials, one used as a removable filler, the printing plate is grown in inverted orientation with its printing surface against a modifying surface that modifies the growth of the printing plate and, in particular, ensures that the raised image on the printing plate has a smooth surface finish. The present invention allows the generation of a flexographic printing plate in a short time without the need for high power CO2 lasers and liquid processing steps.

Abstract: flexographic printing plate having solid image areas which are covered by a plurality of very small and shallow cells similar to the ink carrying cells found in anilox ink metering rolls. These cells fill with ink during the plate inking step and reproduce solid image areas with better color saturation while at the same time reducing the halo typical of flexographic printing of solids. Associated with this plate is a method for producing the cells, including the use of an intermediate screened film and of a computer program for generating the film intermediate.

Abstract: A method, associated software and resulting printing plate having both solid and halftone areas comprising ink cells. Ink cells may be provided in the solid areas according to a first pattern with a first density and size of cells per unit area, and in the halftone areas superposed on selected numbers of halftone dots. The selection of halftone dots with superposed ink cells may be according to a second pattern with a second density and size of cells in the halftone area that is a function of halftone dot size and that may or may not be related to the first pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electronic components using intaglio transfer printing for improving printing yield. Intaglio 1 having a dual releasing layer structure is used. In this structure, first releasing layer 2 is formed on the surface of intaglio 1 by chemical absorption, and second releasing layer 3 is formed on the first releasing layer by physical adsorption. This structure allows intaglio 1 to have stable releasing ability, thereby improving the printing yield. In addition, because second releasing layer 3 can be added as required, the printing yield is not decreased even when the intaglio is repeatedly used for printing. Furthermore, the dual releasing layer structure can improve durability of the releasing ability of intaglio 1. As a result, patterns for electronic components can be formed on substrates at an excellent yield.

Abstract: A sheet of elastomeric material that serves as a shock absorber and cushion for use between a flexographic printing plate and a printing cylinder during printing for compensating for variations in thickness, height and centricity of the printing cylinder and flexographic printing plate to prevent distortions in the image being printed that includes providing an elastomeric sheet having a longitudinal direction in the direction of circumferential travel of the cylinder circumference that includes a plurality or array of protrusions formed of the elastomeric material of predetermined cross-sectional shape and area and the material having a durometer to cushion the flexographic plate in such a way to provide the necessary compensation to ensure a high quality printed image at high speed.

Abstract: A flexographic printing plate having solid image areas which are covered by a plurality of very small and shallow cells similar to the ink carrying cells found in anilox ink metering rolls. These cells fill with ink during the plate inking step and reproduce solid image areas with better color saturation while at the same time reducing the halo typical of flexographic printing of solids. Associated with this plate is a method for producing the cells, including the use of an intermediate screened film and of a computer program for generating the film intermediate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transport mechanism, and method, for transporting plastic cards, such as credit cards, identification cards, and the like, past a printing apparatus within a printer. The transport mechanism includes a lifting and rotating station for displacing the card from a first level to a second level, as well as rotating the card. The second level is located above the top of the printing apparatus. A card translating station is disposed at the second level, generally above the printing apparatus, and has a receiving end disposed adjacent the lifting and rotating station for receiving the card therefrom, as well as an output end. The translating station includes means for moving the card from the receiving end to the output end thereof along a direction that is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lifting and rotating station.

Abstract: An optical information medium comprises an optically transparent substrate and a protective layer formed on the substrate for protecting a record portion so that information which is optically readable by means of a laser beam can be recorded. A hydrophilic film is formed at a side opposite to a side through which reproduction light of the optically transparent substrate is passed. The film has a hydrophilic surface on which an aqueous printing ink is fixable. Printing is possible on the hydrophilic surface by use of an ink jet printer. A method for printing on the hydrophilic surface is also described.

Abstract: The traveling motion imparted to bottles in an intermittent motion decorating machine is provided by a pair of workpiece feed cams rotatably supported in a side-by-side relation to rotate about spaced horizontal axes lying in a common horizontal plane, the workpiece feed cams have feed cam tracks extending along the decorator between loading and unloading stations for receiving cam followers of each of plurality of bottle carriers. The feed cam track defining a workpiece dwell period at each decorating station and workpiece advancement periods between each workpiece dwell period. A pair of carrier return cams is rotatably supported in a side-by-side relation to rotate about spaced horizontal axes lying in a common horizontal plane. The carrier return cams have carrier cam tracks extending along the decorator for returning bottle carriers received from the unloading station for delivery to the loading station.