Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of material and, in particular, provides a material comprising a mixture of brown algae, a cellulosic material and an adhesive; it also relates to the process for the elaboration thereof that comprises the main steps of mixing the brown algae, the cellulosic material and the adhesive, and drying the mixture of the brown algae, the cellulosic material and the adhesive. The material of the present invention, therefore, complies with the fact of being a material applicable to different needs, with adaptable characteristics as a function of the proportion of its prime materials and low-cost. Additionally, since it is possible to use initial materials of fast recovering, as in the case of cactus and algae, or recycling materials such as of paper, it is shaped as an ecologically friendly material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nail polish composition comprising: at least one high gloss film forming agent chosen from a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer; at least one co-film forming agent chosen from an epoxy resin; at least one reactive agent chosen from a combination of a polyalkyleneamine and a polyurethane, at least one polyalkyleneamine, and at least one alkoxysilane comprising at least one solubilizing functional group; at least one solvent chosen from at least one volatile solvent and water; optionally, at least one plasticizer; and optionally, at least one colorant, wherein the composition does not require use of nitrocellulose and can be used to makeup or protect nails.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a printing member for imaging with an inkjet printer using pigment-based aqueous inkjet ink. The printing member may include a substrate and a hydrophilic coating layer. The coasting layer may include acidic colloidal silica whose particles have an elongated shape, a hydrophilic polymer and a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A printing plate material product, is provided with a printing plate material including a substrate and a image forming layer provided on the substrate; and a wireless memory tag mounted on a part of the printing plate material and including a semiconductor memory and an antenna coil through which data is written in or read from the semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory stores product data written in at the time of the manufacturing process of the printing plate material product.

Abstract: There is disclosed a direct drawing type lithographic printing plate material comprising a support and an image-forming layer formed on the support, wherein the image-forming layer is formed on a roughened surface of the support and contains a binder and a pigment having a relatively small particle size. The direct drawing type lithographic printing plate material of the present invention has extremely excellent water retention property and is capable of suppressing scumming upon printing, degradation of printing density and image blur even when the amount of a humidifying solution to be supplied is increased upon printing, and minimizes printing defects which otherwise occurs when a printing operation once stopped is resumed or the like.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate precursor and its fixing method on a plate cylinder of a printing press are disclosed, the planographic printing plate precursor comprising a flexible substrate and provided thereon, an ink repellent layer or a hydrophilic layer wherein the planographic printing plate precursor has an 830 nm light transmittance of not less than 10%.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate precursor and its fixing method on a plate cylinder of a printing press are disclosed, the planographic printing plate precursor comprising a flexible substrate and provided thereon, an ink repellent layer or a hydrophilic layer wherein the planographic printing plate precursor has an 830 nm light transmittance of not less than 10%.

Abstract: The invention comprises a precursor to an imaged member comprising a dimensionally stable substrate including an imagable coating, on a surface thereon, wherein the non-coated dimensionally stable substrate comprises dimensionally stable paper comprising at least one of the following characteristics: (i) an elastic yield such that the tensile force required to exceed the elastic yield is greater than 60 Nmm−2; (ii) a percentage elongation of the paper under a tensile load or strain at the elastic yield point smaller than 1%; and (iii) a Young's Modulus under tensile load greater than 7 GPa. The invention further extends to a method of manufacturing an imaged member from an imaged member precursor of the invention.

Abstract: A variable data lithographic printing device comprises surrounding a printing cylinder a photosensitive layer coater, an exposure source, optionally a developer, an inking applicator, optionally a transfer system, and optionally an eraser. During printing operation, each surface areas of the rotating cylinder continuously undergo the cycle of coating, imagewise exposure, optionally developing, inking, printing of inked images to the receiving medium, and optionally erasing processes. The developing means can be omitted if an ink and/or fountain solution developable photosensitive layer is used. In an alternative design, the cylinder is replaced with a continuous supply of a ribbon with lithographic substrate surface. In another alternative design, the cylinder and the coater are replaced with a continuous supply of a pre-sensitized ribbon comprising on a substrate a photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A block copy sheet for lithographic printing plate to be interposed between a plate cylinder and a lithographic printing plate having a front surface and a back surface, at least the back surface being made of a material other than metals, wherein the block copy sheet have convex portions provided on a surface thereof, the convex portions having a predetermined shape so as to concave the back surface of the lithographic printing plate when pressed against the back surface of the lithographic printing plate, and wherein (1) the convex portions comprises a composite particle having protrusions provided on the surface thereof and having a hardness greater than that of the back surface of the lithographic printing plate and a particle diameter of from 1 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m, or (2) the convex portions comprises non-spherical fillers having an average length of from 1 &mgr;m to 200 &mgr;m and the contact area of the convex portions and the back surface of the lithographic printing plate is from 0.6% to 3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive or negative lithographic printing plate precursor which can form an image at high sensitivity by heating or heat developed by light-heat conversion, requires no development processing after image writing, has good sensitivity and excellent printing durability, is significantly improved in scumming resistance, and can directly make a plate by operating an infrared laser based on a digital signal, the precursor comprising a polymer compound having a functional group changeable in hydrophilicity by heat, acid or radiation and an under layer with which the polymer compound combined, wherein the polymer compound is a straight-chain polymer compound directly combined at an end of a polymer chain thereof with a surface of the under layer by chemical bonding, or comprises (i) a polymer backbone chemically combined with a surface of the under layer and (ii) a straight-chain polymer compound combined at an and of a polymer chain thereof with the polymer backbone and having a functional group cha

Abstract: A method for preparing a substrate for a planographic printing member is disclosed. A liquid that contains water; a soluble alkali metal silicate, preferably sodium silicate; and a dispersed particulate material is coated on a support, to produce a hydrophilic layer on the support. A layer of image material may be coated over the hydrophilic layer to produce a planographic printing member. In one embodiment the liquid contains a mixture of two particulate materials, preferably alumina and titanium dioxide. The substrate has a surface roughness of about 0.1 &mgr;m to 2 &mgr;m. The substrate is suitable for preparing a planographic printing member processable to a resolution of 10 &mgr;m or less and in which the dots having a roundness of less than 2 are formed.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a lithographic base including a support and a hydrophilic cross-linked layer having a total volume of pores of more than 0.0007 cm3/g of the lithographic base. The hydrophilic cross-linked layer contains a hydrophilic binder, TiO2 particles and a low molecular weight polyhydric alcohol or a liquid amide as a drying control chemical additive.

Abstract: The effects of interfacial transition between organic and inorganic layers of a lithographic printing member are ameliorated by incorporating an inorganic component within the matrix of the organic layer. In a first aspect, a lithographic printing plate having adjacent organic and inorganic layers is fabricated by depositing a curable polymer, softening the polymer, and integrating an inorganic material therewith. The polymer is then cured to immobilize the integrated deposition material, and the desired inorganic layer is applied over the deposited inorganic material (and any exposed portions of the polymer). In a second aspect, a graded structure is built up on a substrate in successive deposition steps. Both polymer precursors and an inorganic filler material are deposited in stages, with each stage containing a desired ratio of polymer to filler.

Abstract: Provided is an imaged wet lithographic printing plate which bears a hydrophilic layer and an oleophilic, water-insoluble layer in a desired imagewise pattern overlying the hydrophilic layer, wherein the oleophilic layer comprises a reaction product of a transition metal complex of an organic acid, preferably a chromium complex of an organic carboxylic acid. Also provided are methods of preparing such imaged wet lithographic plates by ink jet printing and by laser ablation imaging; methods of preparing positive working, wet lithographic printing plates imageable by laser radiation; positive working, wet lithographic printing plates prepared by such methods; and methods of imaging such positive working plates by laser ablation imaging.

Abstract: The ability to clean ablation-type lithographic printing plates is enhanced by the formation of debris chemically compatible with a desired cleaning fluid. The debris may originate in the ablation layer of the printing member, or in a separate insulating layer disposed above the ablation layer.

Abstract: Provided is a media-fluid material set which comprises a media with a support that bears a hydrophilic receiving surface together with a fluid material comprising a liquid carrier medium and a reactive transition metal complex of a fluorinated organic acid. After application of the fluid material to the hydrophilic receiving surface, the reactive complex reacts to form an ink-releasing layer. Such a media-fluid material set can be advantageously used in preparing waterless lithographic printing plates with ink-releasing layers comprising such fluorinated reaction products. Also provided are imaged waterless lithographic printing plates with such ink-releasing layers made by an ink jet printing application or by laser-induced thermal ablation, and methods of making such waterless lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for imaging lithographic plates using laser devices that emit in the near-infrared region, and plates suitable for imaging with the apparatus and methods. Laser output either ablates one or more plate layers or physically transforms a surface layer, in either case resulting in an imagewise pattern of features on the plate. The image features exhibit an affinity for ink or an ink-abhesive fluid that differs from that of unexposed areas.

Abstract: Lithographic printing constructions are removable from a permanent support, which may be a metal sheet affixable (usually by clamps) to a plate cylinder, or may instead be the permanent surface of such a cylinder. In this way, the traditional "plate" is replaced with a thin, easily manufactured printing member, which is separated from the support following its use.

Abstract: The lithographic affinity characteristics of a material, such as a polymer, are affected--and thereby selectively modulated--through implantation of one or more metallic materials, typically in the form of ions and/or atoms (or molecules). The desired characteristics are achieved by bulk chemical modification of the material rather than by texturing or deposition of a new surface layer. In the case of a polymer system, for example, the metal impregnates the matrix, penetrating to an observable depth without substantial surface accumulation.

Abstract: Laser-imageable, ablation-type lithographic printing members have a colorant that provides contrast between plate layers of similar tonalities. In particular, the colorant observably distinguishes the ablation layer from visible underlying layers, but which does not substantially interfere with the action of the imaging pulses.

Abstract: This invention provides a lithographic base comprising a support provided with a hardened hydrophilic layer wherein the hardened hydrophilic layer comprises a dextran or pullulan modified with a group containing amine or amide functions having at least one free hydrogen.

Abstract: A thermal direct master for lithography, which comprises a water-resisting substrate and a thermosensitive recording layer formed thereon, which comprises as the main components an inorganic pigment, a binder agent, a thermofusible material and a hydrophilic modified silicon oil. The above-mentioned hydrophilic modified silicon oil may be selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl-modified silicone oil, an alkyl higher alcohol eseter modified silicone oil, an alcohol-modified silicone oil, polyether-modified silicon oil, and an .alpha.-olefin modified silicone oil.

Abstract: An electrostatic master for lithographic printing characterized by a base, a barrier coat thereon, and a photo-conductive layer. The barrier coat includes a hydrophobic thermoplastic film-forming resin having labile hydrogen-containing functional groups and a conductive agent. The conductive agent is a quaternary ammonium salt. The salts have only a minimal effect on water resistance and result in excellent reduction in the dielectric characteristics of the barrier coat.

Abstract: Lithographic masters for improved image quality in direct printing process are provided. The masters are formed with a relatively soft elastomeric or resilient layer on a suitable supporting master substrate. An image layer of up to 2.5 microns is supported by the resilient layer. A resilient blanket supports the printing master or receiver sheet.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of a lithographic printing plate having a paper base and a lithographic printing surface thereon comprising a resinous coating, lower coat weights leading to high coating speeds can be obtained by first smoothing the base to not substantially greater than about 150 Sheffield units, then size-pressing onto the smooth base either a barrier coat for the lithographic printing surface or a single coat comprising said lithographic printing surface.

Abstract: Lithographic masters for improved image quality in direct printing process are provided. The masters are formed with a relatively soft elastomeric or resilient layer on a suitable supporting master substrate. An image layer of up to 2.5 microns is supported by the resilient layer. A resilient blanket supports the printing master or receiver sheet.

Abstract: An improved lithographic printing plate having a lithographic surface thereon comprising a resinous coating, at least a major fraction of which is a self-insolubilizing or cross-linkable cationic resinous binder.

Abstract: A planographic printing master comprising an ink releasing photoconductive insulating layer and an ink receptive particulate image pattern.

Abstract: A process for preparing a waterless lithographic printing master is provided. A suitable substrate, which is preferably ink accepting is first coated with a curable silicone which is curable at low or elevated temperature and a second different curable silicone deposited on said first silicone which can be preferentially cured at a lower temperature without curing the first silicone and which second silicone contains, in addition to its own catalyst, an amount of high temperature curing catalyst sufficient to cure the underlying silicone. The surface silicone is then preferentially cured at least on its surface to render it nontacky, but not the underlying silicone.

Abstract: The desirable attributes of both a barrier coat and a face coat and elimination of a coating step are obtained in manufacture of a lithographic printing plate having a paper base and a lithographic printing surface thereon, wherein said surface comprises a coating of positively charged colloidal silica and insolubilized hydrophilic polymer, by including in said coating non-flocculating pigment and resinous binder that is cationic or nonionic or mixed cationic and nonionic.

Abstract: A combination master/blanket printing sheet for use with a lithographic offset duplicating press includes a master layer comprising material having hydrophilic properties which is imagable to provide pre-selected oleophilic areas for receipt of printing inks and a blanket layer of hydrophobic-oleophilic material suitable for receiving and carrying thereon an inked image transferred thereto by contact with a member carrying such image. In a preferred embodiment of the printing sheet the master and blanket layers are applied by coating or other suitable techniques to opposite surfaces of a base or support layer. The printing sheet is usable in the offset printing process both as a "master" sheet, when properly imaged on the master layer, and a "blanket".

Abstract: Improved waterless lithographic plates are provided. The master which comprises a copolymer of siloxane blocks crosslinked to an elastomeric ink releasing condition and organic thermoplastic blocks which are ink accepting is imaged with a particulate material, preferably an ink accepting thermoplastic polymer, and the thermoplastic blocks heated and cooled to bond the particulate imaging material thereto.

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 method of providing a printing plate comprises coating on a support a layer having a hydrophilic surface comprising the homogeneous reaction product of hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate and hydrolyzed tetraethyl orthosilicate. The coating may also contain pigments such as titanium dioxide and the like. A printing plate is provided having a support having thereon a layer having a hydrophilic surface and over the layer a silver precipitating layer, preferably comprising nickel sulfide and silver iodide. An image is provided in the silver precipitating layer by diffusion transfer and treated with a thiol or similar sulfur-containing material to improve the ink-water balance of the plate.

Abstract: A new dry planographic plate having a non-ink receptive silicone rubber background area that does not require a fountain solution to repel printing ink and process of producing this new plate comprising applying the photoresponsive sensitizer to a polymeric support film and bringing the sensitizer layer into intimate adhesive contact with an uncured silicone gum and thereafter curing the silicone gum.

Abstract: In a lithographic printing plate comprising a base and a lithographic printing surface thereon, said printing surface comprising colloidal silica and an insolubilized hydrophilic polymer, the improvement which comprises providing a positively charged colloidal silica as said colloidal silica component and, as said hydrophilic polymer, a nonionic or cationic polymer or a mixture of the same.