Abstract: The invention relates to a printing process, such as lithographic printing, that requires a printing press and a colorant vehicle. To enable constituting and rapidly removing motifs to be transferred to a printing medium, a hardenable material having good affinity for the colorant vehicle is deposited automatically and directly onto a device that cannot be dismantled or detached from the press, i.e., is part of the press, and that is constituted of a material having an opposite affinity, so as to constitute the motifs to be transferred to the medium. The material constituting the device is such that the material can be removed rapidly when the motifs are to be changed, and is such that new motifs can be constituted there immediately after the removal of those preceding them.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing printing plates which are used in offset printing. The process produces a plate which comprises a substrate film in which a thin durable hydrophilic layer has been applied thereto. In the process, the substrate film is first microroughened by pressure blasting so that the surface roughness, R.sub.A, is in the range 0.3 to 1.5 .mu.m. Subsequently, a durable, firmly adhering hydrophilic layer is applied to substrate by plasma-spraying an oxide powder with a particle size of 1 to 40 .mu.m onto the substrate. This process produces a plate whose surface is not greasy or grainy.

Abstract: Lithographic plate compositions and a method for their production have been discovered that are especially useful in conjunction with digitally controlled lasers to directly construct printable images on lithographic plates. The plates comprise a substrate and an ablatable polymeric coating on the substrate where the ablatable, imageable coating is prepared by in situ or solution polymerization of conjugated monomers deposited on the plate by vapor deposition or in solution. Examples of such monomers are thiophene, pyrrole and aniline.

Abstract: A method of making a light sensitive printing plate such as might be used in lithography, comprises creating a surface layer on substrate base material by depositing particulate coating material on the base material using a dry deposition technique, the surface layer being formed from particles whose size is less than about 15 .mu.m, and creating an image layer on the deposited surface layer so that the surface layer is located intermediate the base material and the image layers.

Abstract: A printing plate which can be repeatedly directly provided with an image and erased and is suitable for a wet offset printing method. The printing plate has a smooth and pore-free surface which is hydrophilic or can be hydrophilized after being provided with an image. The printing plate contains no strong microdipoles and consists of a ceramic, a glass or a metal, in particular of a metal alloy. An erasing and hydrophilizing apparatus preferably integrated in the printing press, repeatedly erases and prepares, i.e. rehydrophilizes, the printing plate for a further image-providing and printing process.

Abstract: A direct drawing lithographic printing plate precursor suitable for offset printing, capable of providing prints having a clear image with no stains, which comprise a layer containing a binding resin and a zinc oxide powder having a phytic group.

Abstract: A process for making lithographic sheet material. A metal sheet substrate is coated with a thermoplastic adhesive layer, and a particle layer is adhered to and within the adhesive layer while it is near its melting point. The adhesive layer is preferably polyethylene terephthalate and the particle layer preferably contains alumina particles.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for imaging a lithographic plate having an oleophobic first layer, a metal second layer and an oleophilic third layer. The first and second layers are removed in an imagewise pattern to reveal the third layer, resulting in direct production of image spots. The plate is ready for printing at the conclusion of the imaging process.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for imaging a lithographic plate having a metal first layer and a second layer underlying the metal layer, the first and second layers exhibiting different affinities for fountain solution and/or ink. Selective removal of the first layer in an imagewise pattern reveals the second layer, resulting in direct production of image spots. The plate is ready for printing at the conclusion of the imaging process.

Abstract: An offset printing plate and method of manufacturing comprising providing a hard, hydrophilic supporting base material of steel, depositing a layer of dull, porous, ink-rejecting chromium directly onto the surface of the steel base material, the chromium layer having a thickness no greater than one micron and being sufficiently thin and porous to permit the desirable properties of hardness and hydrophilicity of the subjacent steel base material to manifest themselves through the chromium layer during printing, and sufficiently thin to permit removal of the chromium layer from a selected area of the offset printing plate by scraping to expose the subjacent surface of the steel base material.

Abstract: A printing member for a press with dampening made by forming on a substrate a chromium layer having an exposed surface with pores or capillaries which render that surface hydrophilic and melting the layer surface at selected image points thereon without contacting the surface so that molten chromium is free to flow to and fill the pores or capillaries at the image points thereby rendering the image points hydrophobic.

Abstract: A printing member for a press with dampening is made by forming in a metal body an exposed surface which is cleaned and polished sufficiently to render it oleophilic due to surface tension. Then the surface is heated at selected image points thereon without contacting the surface and without penetrating through the body to create tiny surface fissures or capillaries at the image points which render the surface hydrophilic at the image points.

Abstract: An offset printing plate comprising a steel base with two layers of chromium, said layers having a combined thickness no more than 1.mu..

Abstract: In a precision reproducing mold for forming a substrate of a recording medium on which information signals are recored, ions are implanted into a surface bearing precise pattern, of the reproducing mold. A process for producing such mold comprises a step of implanting ions into a surface, bearing precise patterns, of the metal which is electrolytically deposited onto an original plate and then separated therefrom.

Abstract: An improved lithographic printing plate which comprises (a) a substrate with (b) a substantially planar porous metal coating on at least one surface of the substrate and (c) a light-sensitive coating on the porous metal coating on the substrate. The substrate (a) can be made by a process for forming a substantially planar porous metal coating on a substrate which comprises thermal spraying of the metal on the substrate to form a porous metal coating on the substrate, rolling the sprayed coating to render it substantially planar and in the process close the pores, and the removing part of the surface to improve planarity and to reopen the surface-connected pores. The metal to be sprayed may be in the form of a wire, powder or molten metal mass and be selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, tin, copper, nickel, or their alloys. Preferably, the substrate is selected from the gorup consisting of steel, aluminum, aluminized or galvanized steel, tin plate, and plastic.

Abstract: A process for forming a substantially planar porous metal coating on a substrate which comprises thermal spraying of the metal on the substrate to form a porous metal coating on the substrate, rolling the sprayed coating to render it substantially planar and in the process close the pores, and then removing part of the surface to improve planarity and to reopen the surface-connected pores of the surface. The metal to be sprayed may be in the form of a wire, powder or molten metal mass and be selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, tin, copper, nickel, or their alloys. Preferably, the substrate is selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, aluminized or galvanized steel, tin plate, and plastic. The spraying is preferably conducted in a non-oxidizing or reducing atmosphere. Preferably, the coating on the substrate is subjected to cold rolling. Most preferably, the rolling is conducted so as to reduce the coating thickness to approximately half of its original thickness.

Abstract: A steel support for a planographic plate comprises a steel plate and aluminized layers thereon, each consisting of an alloy layer in contact with said plate and an aluminum layer applied over said alloy layer. The alloy layer is 0.2 to 5 microns in a thickness, and the aluminum layer is more than 7 microns in a thickness.The aluminized plate is then cold-rolled at a rolling reduction of 30 to 85% in total to remove spangle dents or pin holes therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support for lithographic printing plate having an electrodeposited chromium layer on an iron material, characterized in that the surface of said electrodeposited layer has a shape in which crystalline products with angles protrude thereon, the elemental composition in the surface side portion of said electrodeposited layer consists substantially of chromium and oxygen and the ratios of atomic concentrations of chromium and oxygen at said portion are substantially even at the same depth from every point on said surface.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided an electrochemical process for applying a firmly bonded insoluble metal oxide-organic complex on a metal surface by employing the metal as anode and a water-soluble polybasic organic acid as electrolyte. The polybasic acid may be a polyphosphonic acid, polyphosphoric and polycarboxyl acid, or polysulfonic acid and is advantageously polymeric. Polyvinyl phosphonic acid (PVPA) is a preferred electrolyte. Direct current is used. The insoluble metal oxide-organic complex formed is composed of anodic oxide combined with polyacid, which forms a protective layer on the metal of improved corrosion resistance. The metal oxide-organic complex is well-suited to bond light sensitive coatings thereto. The metal may be steel, aluminum or magnesium. The process is economical and the product novel.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided an electrochemical process for applying a firmly bonded insoluble metal oxide-organic complex on a metal surface by employing the metal as anode and a water-soluble poly basic organic acid as electrolyte together with a strong inorganic acid such as phosphoric acid or further admixed with another strong inorganic acid such as sulfuric. The polybasic acid may be a polyphosphonic acid, polyphosphoric and polycarboxyl acid, or polysulfonic acid and is advantageously polymeric. Polyvinyl phosphonic acid (PVPA) is a preferred electrolyte. Direct current is used. The insoluble metal oxide-organic complex formed is composed of anodic oxide combined with polyacid, which forms a protective layer on the metal of improved corrosion resistance. The metal oxide-organic complex is well-suited to bond light sensitive coatings thereto. The metal may be steel or aluminum. The process is economical and the product novel.

Abstract: An offset printing plate is provided comprising a carbon steel substrate with printing and non-printing areas on its surface. The printing areas are made of a light-sensitive top layer material based on derivatives of ortho-naphthoquinonediazide-sulphonic or carboxylic acids or a light-sensitive top layer material comprising a photopolymerizable composition. These printing areas form a relief over the plate surface. The non-printing areas are made of a hydrophilized metal of the substrate hydrophilized carbon steel.A process for making an offset printing plate comprises application, onto a carbon steel substrate, of a light sensitive top layer based on derivatives of ortho-naphthoquinonediazide-sulphonic or carboxylic acids or a light-sensitive top layer comprising a photopolymerizable composition. The thus-applied top layer is dried.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the electrochemical treatment of aluminum substrates in a non-aqueous solution of a polybasic organic acid to provide a surface complex which promotes the adhesion of subsequently applied coatings to said surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the electrochemical treatment of aluminum substrates in a non-aqueous solution of a polymeric polybasic organic acid to provide a surface complex which promotes the adhesion of subsequently applied coatings to said surface.

Abstract: A method for producing a multilayer printing plate comprising image-wise exposing and developing a light-sensitive printing plate material which comprises a support having an oleophilic surface having a hydrophilic metal layer thereon, the hydrophilic metal layer having thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the hydrophilic metal layer, to form a silver image resist image corresponding to the image-wise exposure by subjecting the printing plate material to a process including baking, removing the hydrophilic metal layer at non-resist image areas to uncover the oleophilic surface thereunder, and removing the resist image, or a method for producing a multilayer printing plate comprising image-wise exposing and developing a light-sensitive printing plate material which comprises a support having a hydrophilic surface having thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the hydrophilic surface to

Abstract: A method of preparing a lithographic printing plate, and the resulting printing plate, by applying an acidified oxidizing agent such as aqueous potassium permanganate solution to the toned electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive layer of an electrophotographic member to define water-receptive non-printing areas. The thus treated surface may be washed or further treated with conventional ferrocyanide ion containing fountain solutions or gum arabic, but only if desired.

Abstract: A process for preparing a lithoplate by electrophotographic means is provided wherein the toned image is fused, the photoconductive layer in the nonimage area is decoated, and finally, the fused toner is selectively removed leaving oleophilic photoconductive material as the image portion.

Abstract: A positive working radiation sensitive plate is image-wise exposed, developed and desensitized, and dried. Thereafter an oleophilic composition including a solvent capable of softening the image is applied to the plate and the plate is then washed to remove the oleophilic composition from the non-image areas. The image accepts ink readily even when the image-wise exposure is effected using a continuous tone original in the absence of a half-tone screen.

Abstract: A process for preparing a lithographic printing plate, which has excellent printability, durability and stability, which comprisingimagewise irradiating a lithographic printing plate material comprising a support having thereon a light-sensitive layer comprising, as essential components, (a) an inorganic material and (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal and a metal compound, both of which are in contact with each other and which, upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, react with each other forming a mutually diffused state and as a result, a difference in the hydrophilic property or in the oleophilic property occurs between the areas irradiated with the electromagnetic radiation and the non-irradiated areas, with electromagnetic radiation, andthen wetting the light-sensitive layer thereof with wetting solution containing (i) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiourea and a thiourea derivative and (ii) as an acid component, at least one compo

Abstract: A pattern plate for use in printing has an etched sheet of magnesium laminated to a self-supporting, dimensionally stable, all-plastic base structure of adhesive ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymer layer and poly(ethylene terephthalate) sheet. The magnesium sheet is preferably of minimal thickness corresponding to the maximum depth of etch, e.g. 30 mils, and is bonded to the adhesive ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymer layer, e.g. ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer layer, which is bonded to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) sheet.

Abstract: Metal plates, e.g., of magnesium, zinc or copper, suitable for chemical milling and etching operations to produce photoengraving plates, printed circuit boards, nameplates, etc., comprising a metal layer and, adhered thereto, a plastic film layer having a thickness substantially smaller than that of the metal layer. The resulting composite laminates have proved outstandingly useful in permitting the employment of thinner metal layers, thus resulting in lighter weight and less expensive plates, yet retaining the required resistance to the chemical milling or etching process without impairment of mechanical stability and other desirable properties of the plate.

Abstract: A processing-free lithographic printing plate, which comprises a support having deposited thereon a composition containing germanium and sulfur and at least one of a metal or metal compound in a physically mixed state.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printing plate comprising a support bearing either(A) a layer comprising particles each containing a hydrophilic metal core and an oleophilic metal casing or(B) a layer comprising particles each containing an oleophilic metal core and a hydrophilic metal casing.

Abstract: A light-sensitive lithographic printing plate comprising a support with a hydrophilic surface having thereon a light-sensitive layer comprising a light-sensitive polyester containing o-quinonediazido groups as terminal groups.

Abstract: A hydrophilic-surfaced metallic foil capable of providing a lithographic printing plate upon imaging by the silver salt diffusion transfer process, the foil being treated with an aqueous solution of a water soluble Group IV-B hexavalent metal fluoride compound prior to imaging, and the lithographic plate so produced.

Abstract: Continuous tone images are reproduced on a plate having metallic images adherently and preferably conductively bonded to a physically roughened support by contacting with a photographic physical developer an imaging medium comprising a physically developable image of the continuous tone image. The process has the capability of producing an imaged plate containing metal images of varying contrast and varying tonal range and then using the imaged plate as a printing plate. A preferred copy medium comprises a thin silver halide layer coated on a grained and anodized aluminum support.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate structure and method of manufacture, in which a support sheet of steel, normally subject to corrosion in a lithographic environment, such as a mild steel, is coated, preferably on both sides, with aluminum, zinc or an aluminum-zinc alloy to a thickness of about 1 to 3 mils, a polyvinyl phosphonic acid is disposed on the metal coating and a negative working diazo photo-sensitive layer is applied over the polyvinyl phosphonic acid coating.

Abstract: A dry presensitized planographic plate composed of a support having coated thereon one or two layers of (a) a silicone rubber, (b) a photosensitive azide compound, (c) a cyclized rubber, and (d) a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile, the uppermost layer, when the planographic plate has two layers, containing at least the component (a) and (b) and the lower layer containing at least the component (c).