Lithographic Printing Plates Patents (Class 101/453)
  • Patent number: 8563220
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing element having at least one polymer layer which has photoimageable constituents and a chemically functionalized polymer to make the polymer layer either more hydrophobic or hydrophilic. In one embodiment, the printing element comprises two adjacent polymer layers on a substrate in which the photoimaged layer comprises a polymer chemically modified with hydrophobic fluoroalkyl side groups to provide differential wetting with hydrophilic inks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Gary Delmar Jaycox, Graciela Beatriz Blanchet, Nancy G. Tassi
  • Patent number: 8557504
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor can be used to prepare a printing plate using thermal ablation. The precursor has a non-thermally ablatable first layer on a substrate. Over the first layer is a thermally ablatable outer layer that includes an IR absorbing compound in an ablatable polymeric binder. The first layer includes a sol gel as a continuous inorganic matrix and a discontinuous inorganic phase (inorganic particles) dispersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mathias Jarek, Domenico Balbinot
  • Patent number: 8551688
    Abstract: A method of developing a photocurable printing blank to produce a relief pattern comprising a plurality of relief dots. The photocurable printing blank comprises a backing layer having at least one photocurable layer disposed thereon, a barrier layer disposed on the at least one photocurable layer, and a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on top of the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Ryan W. Vest, David A. Recchia, Timothy Gotsick
  • Publication number: 20130255515
    Abstract: A positive-working multi-layer lithographic printing plate precursor has an inner imageable layer disposed over a substrate. This inner imageable layer comprises one or more first polymeric binders that are present in a total amount of at least 50 weight % and up to and including 97 weight %, based on total inner imageable layer dry weight. The precursor also has an ink-receptive outer imageable layer disposed over the inner imageable layer and this ink-receptive outer imageable layer comprises one or more second polymeric binders that are different than the first polymeric binder. Each of the one or more first polymeric binders has a weight average molecular weight of at least 200,000 and can also have a polydispersity of at least 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Celin Savariar-Hauck, Gerhard Hauck, Rene Ullrich, Dietmar Frank
  • Publication number: 20130255516
    Abstract: A method of making a planographic printing plate, the method includes exposing, to infrared light, a planographic printing plate precursor including a recording layer provided on a substrate; and developing the precursor using an aqueous alkaline solution, in which the recording layer comprises a copolymer containing a structural unit derived from (meth)acrylonitrile and a structural unit derived from styrene, a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin, and an infrared absorbing agent, the solubility of the recording layer in the aqueous alkaline solution being increased by the exposure, and in which the aqueous alkaline solution has a pH of 8.5 to 10.8 and contains a betaine-based amphoteric surfactant and an ammonium salt represented by Formula (I): wherein, R1, R2, R3, and R4 each independently represent an alkyl or aryl group; the total number of carbon atoms in R1, R2, R3, and R4 is not more than 20; and X? represents a counter anion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigekatsu FUJII, Yuichi YASUHARA, Yoshinori TAGUCHI, Norio AOSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20130239832
    Abstract: Infrared radiation-sensitive, positive-working lithographic printing plate precursors have improved scratch resistance in their outermost imageable layer because that layer comprises a unique combination of first and second alkali solution-soluble or -dispersible resins. The first alkali solution-soluble or -dispersible resin is an acid-functionalized novolak or acid-functionalized resole resin. The second alkali solution-soluble or -dispersible resin is a polyurethane or polyurethane urea comprising a polysiloxane unit segment in the polyurethane or polyurethane urea backbone or a side chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Celin Savariar-Hauck, Gerhard Hauck, Andrea Pauls
  • Patent number: 8530143
    Abstract: A silicate-free alkaline aqueous developer composition has a pH of at least 12 and comprises a metal cation M2+ selected from barium, calcium, strontium, and zinc cations, and a chelating agent that has a complex formation constant (log K) for the metal cation of at least 3.5 and less than or equal to 4.5, and a log K for aluminum ion that is 7 or less. This developer composition can be used to process positive-working lithographic printing plate precursors to provide lithographic printing plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Moshe Levanon, Leonid Askadsky
  • Patent number: 8530141
    Abstract: Lithographic printing plate precursors can have an imageable layer that includes a polymeric binder having an acid number of at least 30 mg KOH/g of polymer to and including 150 mg KOH/g of polymer, at least 3 weight % of recurring units derived from one or more N-alkoxymethyl (alkyl)acrylamides or alkoxymethyl (alkyl)acrylates, at least 2 weight % of recurring units having pendant 1H-tetrazole groups, and at least 10 weight % of recurring units having pendant cyano groups. The use of such polymeric binders provides good bakeability and chemical solvent resistance, especially for positive-working precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Celin Savariar-Hauck, Gerhard Hauck
  • Patent number: 8501388
    Abstract: A method is used to make a laser-ablatable element for direct laser engraving that has a laser-ablatable, relief-forming layer that has a relief-image forming surface and a bottom surface. The relief-forming layer can be prepared by applying multiple formulations. Each formulation comprises a coating solvent, a laser-ablatable polymeric binder, and an infrared radiation absorbing compound. The infrared radiation absorbing compound concentration in the resulting sub-layers is different in each adjacent pair of sub-layers so that the concentration is always greater in each pair sub-layer that is closer to the substrate, and the concentration is progressively greater in the sub-layers as they are closer to the substrate after the coating solvent is removed, wherein the multiple sub-layers provide a relief-forming layer so that the sub-layer farthest from the substrate provides a relief-image forming surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christine J. Landry-Coltrain, Mitchell S. Burberry, Dennis R. Perchak, Kam C. Ng, Lee W. Tutt, Lawrence A. Rowley, Linda M. Franklin
  • Patent number: 8492069
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor, comprising a support having thereon an image-recording layer containing (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a radical polymerization initiator, (C) a radical polymerizable compound, (D) a polymer compound containing a polyoxyalkylene structure and (E) an ultraviolet absorbing agent and being capable of forming an image by supplying at least one of printing ink and dampening water on a printing machine after imagewise exposure to remove an unexposed area of the image-recording layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kubota, Toyohisa Oya
  • Patent number: 8492074
    Abstract: A method of controlling the shape of a plurality of relief dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a digital platemaking process is provided. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer. The method comprises the steps of: a) laser ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable mask layer; b) applying a barrier membrane to the photosensitive printing blank; c) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the in situ negative; and d) developing the imaged and exposed photosensitive printing blank to reveal the relief image therein, said relief image comprising the plurality of relief dots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Laurie A. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8470517
    Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. A photosensitive printing blank with a laser ablatable layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer is ablated with a laser to create an in situ mask. The printing blank is then exposed to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure portions of the photocurable layer. Diffusion of air into the at least one photocurable layer is limited during the exposing step and preferably at least one of the type, power and incident angle of illumination of the at least one source of actinic radiation is altered during the exposure step. The resulting relief image comprises a plurality of dots and a dot shape of the plurality of dots is produced that is highly resistant to print fluting for printing on corrugated board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: David A. Recchia
  • Patent number: 8465904
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a printing form from a photopolymerizable element. The photopolymerizable element includes a layer of a photopolymerizable composition containing an elastomeric block copolymer of polystyrene and polybutadiene having less than 15% by weight of 1,2-coupled bond segments in the polybutadiene block, an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a photoinitiator. The method includes imagewise exposing the photopolymerizable element to actinic radiation in the presence of atmospheric oxygen; heating the element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy; and contacting an exterior surface of the photopolymerizable element with a development medium to allow at least a portion of the liquefied layer to be removed by the development medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Masayuki Kato, John R. Shock
  • Patent number: 8455177
    Abstract: A method for making a positive-working lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive printing plate precursor including on a support, having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating; (2) image-wise exposing the precursor with heat and/or light; and (3) developing the exposed precursor with an aqueous alkaline developing solution including lithium ions at a concentration of at least 0.05% wt and a salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid; wherein the molar ratio of the aliphatic carboxylic acid to the lithium ions is ?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventors: Stefaan Lingier, Karen Demmers
  • Publication number: 20130133539
    Abstract: Disclosed is a resin composition for laser engraving, comprising (Component A) a polyurethane resin that is a plastomer at 20° C. and has an ethylenically unsaturated group in a main chain and a side chain and (Component B) a polymerization initiator. Also disclosed is a flexographic printing plate precursor for laser engraving, comprising a relief-forming layer comprising the above-described resin composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: FUJIFILM Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130133540
    Abstract: A resin composition for laser engraving that comprises (Component A) a resin that has a group selected from the group consisting of groups represented by Formula (I) to Formula (III) and is a plastomer at 20° C.; (Component B) an ethylenically unsaturated compound; and (Component C) a polymerization initiator. In Formula (I) to Formula (III), X, Y, and Z independently denote an alkylene group having 1 to 30 carbons, R1, R4, and R7 independently denote a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2, R3, R5, R6, R8, R9, R10, and R11 independently denote an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a halogen atom, or a hydroxy group, and a wavy line portion denotes a position of bonding to another structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8445179
    Abstract: A method for treating a lithographic printing plate including the step of applying a liquid containing a surfactant to the plate, characterized in that the surfactant includes at least one hydrophilic segment including polyglycerol, and at least one hydrophobic segment selected from an optionally substituted alkylene group, an alkyl or aryl substituted poly(meth)acrylate, an optionally substituted polyester, polyether, polyurethane, polycarbosilane, polysiloxane, polystyrene and/or a polymer including a perfluoroalkyl group with the proviso that the liquid is not applied as a fountain solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventors: Peter Maessen, Hubertus Van Aert
  • Patent number: 8426104
    Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements can be imaged and processed to provide lithographic printing plates. These imageable elements are sensitive to infrared radiation but are insensitive to “white” light and thus can be more easily handled under white light conditions. These properties are possible by incorporating a filter dye having a ?max of from about 300 to about 500 nm into the imageable layer of the imageable elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher D. Simpson, Ursula Müller, Harald Baumann, Udo Dwars
  • Patent number: 8420297
    Abstract: A color contrast image in imaged lithographic printing precursors can be obtained by contacting the imaged precursor with a coloration solution containing a colorless form of a photochromic compound. Residual amounts of this compound attached to the oleophilic surface of the imaged precursor can be changed to its colored form when exposed to UV light. The coloration solution can be an alkaline or acidic developer or an alkaline or acidic solution used separately after development. The coloration solution can also be a gum solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Murray Figov, Ruizheng Wang, Moshe Marom, Ilan Levi, Eynat Matzner
  • Patent number: 8415087
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a lithographic printing plate which includes providing a lithographic printing plate precursor having a coating therein, image-wise exposing the coating, and developing the precursor. The coating includes (i) a contiguous photopolymerizable layer of a photopolymerizable composition or (ii) a contiguous intermediate layer with a photopolymerizable layer of a photopolymerizable composition thereon. The photopolymerizable composition includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator and a first polymer. The contiguous photopolymerizable layer or the contiguous intermediate layer also includes an adhesion promoting compound and a second polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: AGFA Graphics NV
    Inventors: Alexander Williamson, Christel Geukens, Hubertus Van Aert, Kristof Heylen
  • Patent number: 8409698
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Day International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Byers, W. Toriran Flint, Samuel R. Shuman
  • Patent number: 8402891
    Abstract: A method for printing a print medium applies ink to a surface and ejects drops of an aqueous solution onto the print medium to define image and non-image areas. The ejection of each drop is individually controlled. Ink from the surface is transferred to the image areas of the print medium. Methods of printing on a web and for printing a printed sheet output of a press are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Moore Wallace North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore F. Cyman, Jr., Anthony B. DeJoseph, Kevin J. Hook, Hank Haan, Anthony V. Moscato
  • Patent number: 8389198
    Abstract: A resin composition for laser engraving includes a binder polymer including a polyester, and an oxy compound of at least one of metal and metalloid selected from Groups 1 to 16 of periodic table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugasaki
  • Patent number: 8389199
    Abstract: Printing members include very thin metal imaging bilayers that combine to trap and utilize imaging radiation and, due to their minimal thicknesses, ablate easily. The bilayer may include a first (bottommost) metal layer having a high extinction coefficient in the imaging wavelength range (e.g., 600-1200 nm) and, thereover, a second metal layer having a high transmittance and low emissivity for imaging radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Presstek, Inc.
    Inventor: Sonia Rondon
  • Patent number: 8383321
    Abstract: A method for developing a printing plate precursor comprising the step of immersing the precursor in an aqueous alkaline developing solution comprising a (co)polymer comprising a monomeric unit which is represented by the following formula (I): wherein L is a linking group; R1, R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen or an alkyl group; R4 represents an optionally substituted hydroxyaryl group; x=0 or 1; y=0 or 1 and when y=0 then x=1 and L is further bound to C* to form a cyclic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics, N.V.
    Inventors: Hubertus Van Aert, Pascal Meeus, Stefaan Lingier
  • Patent number: 8383319
    Abstract: Lithographic printing plate precursors have been designed so that they can be stored, shipped, and used in stacks without interleaf paper between individual precursors. This is achieved by incorporating polymeric particles having an average diameter of from about 3 to about 20 ?m into the outermost precursor layer such as an imagable layer or topcoat. The polymeric particles comprise a core of a crosslinked polymer and have grafted hydrophilic polymeric surface groups that are grafted onto the particle surfaces by polymerizing hydrophilic monomers in the presence of the crosslinked polymeric particles. The lithographic printing plates can be either negative- or positive-working elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jianbing Huang, Shashikant Saraiya, Frederic E. Mikell, Eiji Hayakawa, Hirokazu Fujii, Akira Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8377629
    Abstract: A method of preparing a lithographic printing plate in which no pre-heat step is used comprising the steps of:—providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support and a photopolymerizable image-recording layer, the image-recording layer comprising a monomer and a binder;—image-wise exposing the precursor in an exposure unit;—off press developing the exposed precursor with an aqueous solution in a processing unit; characterized in that the ratio of the total amount of monomer to the total amount of binder is at least 1 and the time lapse between exposing an image-area of the precursor and contacting the image-area with the aqueous solution is at least 1 minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventors: Alexander Williamson, Peter Hendrikx, Marc Van Damme
  • Patent number: 8377628
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor includes on a grained and anodized aluminum support a coating including hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, a hydrophilic binder, and an organic compound, wherein the organic compound includes at least one phosphonic acid group or at least one phosphoric acid group or a salt thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventors: Pascal Meeus, Joan Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 8377624
    Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements have a hydrophilic substrate and a single thermally-sensitive imageable layer. This layer can include an infrared radiation absorbing compound and polymeric particles that coalesce upon thermal imaging. These coalesceable polymeric particles comprise a thermoplastic polymer and a colorant to provide improved visible contrast between exposed and non-exposed regions in the imaged element, such as lithographic printing plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mathias Jarek, Domenico Balbinot
  • Patent number: 8371219
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes an image-recording layer and a support, and the image-recording layer contains: (A) at least one compound selected from compounds represented by the following formulae (1) and (2); and (B) an infrared absorbing agent: wherein R1 and R2 each represents Ra—SO3—, Ra—CO2— or Ra—OCO2—, Ra represents a monovalent organic group, R3 to R12 each represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, or adjacent two of R3 to R12 may be combined with each other to form a ring, X1, Y1 and Z1 and X2, Y2 and Z2 each represents an atomic group necessary to form a thiazole ring, an oxazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring or a 3H-indole ring, provided that one nitrogen atom of the imidazole ring is connected to a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shota Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130027462
    Abstract: Wet lithographic printing members for imaging by an inkjet printer using pigment-based aqueous ink and method for calibrating the amount of the inkjet ink to be injected in solid areas of an image are disclosed. An exemplary printing member can comprises a base substrate and a top hydrophilic coating layer having a thickness in the range of 2 to 10 microns above the base substrate. A volume of less than 10 nl/mm2 of inkjet ink is used in order to image areas in which the image is solid. Areas of the top hydrophilic coating layer, which are imagewise covered by aqueous pigmented inkjet ink, become hydrophobic. In some embodiments after imaging, the surface of the imaged printing member can be treated with acidic colloidal silica solution. Exemplary treatment can comprise wiping the surface of the imaged printing member with the acidic colloidal silica solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Karp, Aida Porat, Sergei Bonder, Zeev Savion, Boris Brant
  • Patent number: 8361701
    Abstract: Method for producing an imaged lithographic printing plate comprising the step of developing an imagewise exposed negative working precursor with a developer comprising an alkylene oxide derivative of formula (A), wherein R1 is a linear or branched C1 to C6 alkyl group or H, (n+m) is an integer from 2 to 30, and R2 R3 R4 and R5 are each independently selected from H, methyl and ethyl, with the proviso that at least one of R2 and R3 is not H, and with the further proviso that at least one of R4 and R5 is not H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Oliver Piestert, Harald Baumann, Ulrich Fiebag, Bernd Strehmel, Uwe Tondock, Philip Watkiss
  • Patent number: 8361700
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support having a surface, a contact angle of water droplet in air on which is 70° or more; and a photosensitive layer, wherein the support has, on a surface of the support, a compound having a functional group X, the functional group X is a functional group capable of forming a chemical bond with a compound having a functional group Y which can interact with the functional group X, when the functional group X is brought into contact with the compound having a functional group Y, to adsorb the compound having a functional group Y on the surface of the support so as to decrease the contact angle of water droplet in air on the surface of the support to 30° or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekazu Oohashi
  • 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: 20130008331
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, and a coating thereon, said coating comprising an IR absorbing agent and a polyvinylacetal binder, said polyvinylacetal comprising an acetal group having an acetal carbon atom substituted by a phenolic group, a naphtol group or an antracenol group, a second recurring unit comprising an acetal group having an acetal carbon atom substituted by an alkyl group having a hydrocarbon chain containing 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and a third recurring unit comprising an acetal group having an acetal carbon atom substituted by an alkyl group having a hydrocarbon chain containing 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms wherein the alkyl group of the acetal group of the third recurring unit is different from the alkyl group of the acetal group of the second recurring unit. The precursor exhibits an improved sensitivity on exposure and the stability against daylight exposure is further improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: AGFA GRAPHICS NV
    Inventors: Hubertus Van Aert, Stefaan Lingier, Heidi Janssens
  • Patent number: 8343707
    Abstract: A printing plate having a substrate and a radiation sensitive, negative working, organic, polymerizable, photosensitive (PS) resin coating non-ionically adhered to the substrate such that the cohesion of the PS coating exceeds the adhesion of the PS coating to the substrate. The PS coating contains active components that participate in radiation induced polymerization, all of which active components are soluble in non-aqueous solvents and none of which active components are soluble or dispersible in any of the group of fluids consisting of water, fountain solution, ink, and press ink. The PS coating has sufficient cohesion and surface tack to adhere to and be mechanically pulled off the substrate by press ink as particulates without dissolution or dispersion into the press ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Anocoil Corporation
    Inventors: Howard A. Fromson, William J. Ryan, William J. Rozell
  • Patent number: 8329383
    Abstract: A negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor have an outermost imageable layer that includes an oxygen scavenger and shelf-life stabilizer that is represented by either Structure (I) or Structure (II) below: HOOC—Ar—N(R1)(R2)??(I) HOOC—R5—N(R6)(R7)??(II) wherein Ar is a phenylene or naphthylene group, R1 and R2 are independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, phenoxy, —R5OH, —CH2—C(?O)—R3, or —CH2—C(?O)O—R4 groups, R3 is hydrogen or an alkyl or phenyl group, R4 is an alkyl or phenyl group, R5 is an alkylene group, R6 and R7 are independently hydrogen or an alkyl, —R5OH, —R5C(?O)—R8, or —R5C(?O)OR9 group, R8 is hydrogen or an alkyl group, and R9 is an alkyl group, provided that the oxygen scavenger has no more than one carboxyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Livia T. Memetea, Jianbing Huang
  • Patent number: 8323874
    Abstract: A multi-layer, positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor can be imaged with infrared radiation and processed in a single step using a single processing solution that has a pH greater than 6 and up to about 11. This single processing solution both develops the imaged precursor and provides a protective coating that need not be rinsed off before lithographic printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ray, Anthony P. Kitson
  • Patent number: 8318406
    Abstract: A method includes removing the previously imaged area (120) from the flexographic plate (104) to create an opening in the flexographic plate; providing a portion (108) from a flexographic plate built from similar material of the previously imaged flexographic plate; adding adhesive material (116) to the portion or to the opening or to the portion and to the opening; placing the opening within the portion; curing the adhesive material to permanently fix the portion to the flexographic plate; polishing the top (508) of the portion to match to the top surface (504) of the flexographic plate; and imaging the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Kobi Goldstein
  • Patent number: 8313885
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising on a grained and anodized aluminum support a compound which is capable of converting form a hydrophobic state to a hydrophilic state or vice versa upon exposure to heat, and is represented by the following formula: A-(L)n-B wherein L represents a linking group, n represents 0 or 1 and B represents a thermo-labile group; characterized in that the compound further comprises the group A which is a functional group capable of interacting with the surface of a grained and anodized aluminum support and is selected from the list consisting of a halosilanyl group, an alkoxysilanyl group, a phosphonic acid group or a salt thereof, a phosphoric acid group or a salt thereof, a salicylic acid group or a salt thereof, a boronic acid group or an ester or a salt thereof, an optionally substituted di or tri-hydroxyaryl group, an optionally substituted salicaldoxime group, an optionally substituted salicaldimine group, an optionally substituted hydroxyheteroa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: AGFA Graphics NV
    Inventors: Johan Loccufier, Hieronymus Andriessen
  • Patent number: 8309629
    Abstract: There are provided an ink composition including a polymerization initiator, a polymerizable monomer and a phosphoric acid group-containing polymer having a weight-average molecular weight in a range of 10,000 to 30,000; an inkjet recording method using the ink composition; a printed material recorded by the inkjet recording method; a method of producing a planographic printing plate using the ink composition; and a planographic printing plate obtained by the method of producing a planographic printing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kotaro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8304170
    Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements can be imaged and processed to provide lithographic printing plates, especially with sulfuric acid-anodized aluminum substrates. These elements have an imageable outermost layer that contains two different polymeric binders, a primary polymeric binder is optionally present a discrete particles, and a secondary polymeric binder comprising a poly(vinyl acetate) that has a degree of hydrolysis of less than 60 mol %. These imageable elements can be designed for either off-press or on-press development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ting Tao, Eric E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8304165
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer; and an image-recording layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles and an infrared light absorbing dye; characterized in that: said image-recording layer further comprises a compound, said compound comprising an aromatic moiety and at least one acidic group or salt thereof and having a most bathochromic light absorption peak at a wavelength between 300 nm and 450 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: AGFA Graphics NV
    Inventors: Hieronymus Andriessen, Paul Callant, Alexander Williamson
  • Patent number: 8304171
    Abstract: A plate making method of a lithographic printing plate precursor includes: exposing imagewise a lithographic printing plate precursor including a support and an image-forming layer and containing (A) a compound generating an acid with light or heat, (B) an aromatic hydrocarbon compound or heterocyclic compound substituted with a functional group containing a nitrogen atom and (C) an aromatic aldehyde protected with an acid-decomposable group; and removing an unexposed area of the image-forming layer of the lithographic printing plate precursor by supplying at least one of dampening water and ink on a cylinder of a printing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoya Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8298750
    Abstract: Positive-working imageable elements having improved sensitivity, high resolution, and solvent resistance are prepared using a water-insoluble polymeric binder comprising vinyl acetal recurring units that have pendant hydroxyaryl groups, and recurring units comprising carboxylic acid aryl ester groups that are substituted with a cyclic imide group. These imageable elements can be imaged and developed to provide various types of elements including lithographic printing plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Moshe Levanon, Georgy Bylina, Vladimir Kampel, Marina Rubin, Larisa Postel, Tanya Kurtser, Moshe Nakash
  • Patent number: 8298749
    Abstract: Provided is a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor that comprises at least a heat sensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer formed on a substrate in this order and has a high sensitivity not only immediately after the precursor production but also after the passage of time. In the directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor, the heat sensitive layer contains liquid bubbles filled with a liquid with a boiling point in the range of 210 to 270° C. Also provided is a production method for making a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro Iihara, Yuta Shuto, Yutaka Ishida
  • Patent number: 8283101
    Abstract: Single- and multi-layer positive-working imageable elements include an ink receptive outer layer that includes inorganic, non-metallic, inert discrete particles, such as nano-sized silica, aluminum oxide, or titanium dioxide particles. The presence of these particles in the outermost layer improves the abrasion and scratch resistance of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerhard Hauck, Celin Savariar-Hauck
  • Patent number: 8276512
    Abstract: A process for treating an imaged printing form, in particular a printing form covered with amphiphilic molecules or with polymers, such as saccharides, includes applying a gum, in particular a microscopic gum layer, to the surface of the printing form in the liquid state. The gum is removed or reduced down to a remaining nanoscopic covering after a short or negligible time interval, relative to the time interval until the application of lithographic liquid, for example dampening solution or printing ink, to the surface. The removal or reduction of the gum is preferably carried out in the still liquid state, i.e. before the applied gum dries on, and preferably immediately after the application. The remaining gum covering protects the printing form against contaminants and increases its hydrophily/hydrophoby contrast. An apparatus for treating an imaged printing form, a re-imageable printing form and a machine for processing printing material, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael Pasuch, Helge Grandt, Matthias Schlörholz
  • Patent number: 8268533
    Abstract: A method of making a flexographic printing form precursor for laser engraving including the steps of (i) providing at least one layer of a curable composition on a substrate; (ii) curing the at least one layer; wherein the curable composition defining an outermost layer includes at least 0.5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition of an organo-silicon compound including at least one polymerizable group; and a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer having three or less polymerizable groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: AGFA Graphics NV
    Inventors: Eddie Daems, Luc Leenders
  • Publication number: 20120227604
    Abstract: A thermal positive-type planographic original printing plate comprising a support and at least one recording layer provided on the support, either the same layer or different layers of the recording layer comprising: a star polymer in which at least 3 polymer chains bind to a core comprised atomic groups and are radially branching; and an infrared absorbing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinori TAGUCHI, Hidekazu OOHASHI