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 conveying mechanism and flexible carrier for transporting a planar printing plate and flexible overlying mask from a flat loading station to a precisely-curved cylindrically-shaped scanning station, and back to the flat loading station, is disclosed. The vacuum carrier used is rigid in one axis and flexible in a second axis, and has a pair of reference strips which define a neutral bending axis for the plate and mask when the latter are wrapped around a pair of precisely machined cylindrical discs. By locating the flexible mask and printing plate outside the neutral axis of bending, both are placed in tension when wrapped around the discs. This maintains uniform contact between the plate and mask and prevents wrinkling of the mask as it overlies the plate.The carrier and discs support the plate and mask within a precise and uniform cylindrical plane for scanning with focussed beams of radiation.

Abstract: A waterless planographic printing plate having toner image areas of ink receptivity and non-image areas of ink releasability is provided, which plate has a substrate and an overlying layer coated on the substrate. The overlying layer is predominantly comprised of a reaction product of 50 to 99% by weight of a polymeric material having, on the average, at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule and exhibiting a high adhesion to the ink-receptive toner, and 1 to 50% by weight of an organopolysiloxane having hydroxyl end groups. The overlying layer preferably consists of a relatively thin surface layer substantially composed of the organopolysiloxane, and a relatively thick inner layer sandwiched between the surface layer and the substrate and having an islands-in-sea heterophase structure composed of the organopolysiloxane islands substantially uniformly dispersed in the sea of the polymeric material.

Abstract: Original plates for producing dry planographic printing plates comprising (a) a support, and over and in contact with the support, (b) a light-sensitive adhesive layer made of a photopolymerizable composition comprising one or more photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compounds and one or more photopolymerization initiators and overlying said light-sensitive adhesive layer, (c) a light-sensitive ink-repellent layer made of a silicone composition comprising one or more silicones, one or more photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compounds and one or more photopolymerization initiators. Dry planographic printing plates can be produced from the original plates by image-wise exposing to actinic light and developing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser-imagable material comprising a transparent film having thereon a dried coating comprising graphite particles and binder. Also disclosed is the method of making the laser-imagable material and the method of imaging it.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic printing plate, which is made by exposing a photographic material having a silver halide photosensitive emulsion layer, developing the exposed material and treating the developed material with a conversion liquid comprising a solvent for a silver halide and an organic compound capable of forming a compound which is more stable and has a lower solubility than a soluble silver complex formed by said solvent.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate in which the oleophilic imaging areas are formed as a thin cross-linked block copolymer film adhered to the hydrophilic surface of a backing plate. The block copolymer comprises blocks of copolylacrylate and polyurethane wherein the copolyacrylate blocks are a copolymer of a hydroxy-containing acrylate and a second acrylate component comprising one or more esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or mixtures thereof and the polyurethane blocks are formed of polyoxybutylene as the prepolymer component. In forming the printing plate the block copolymer is deposited as a thin film containing an ultraviolet initiator and a cross linking promoter and the cross-linked imaging areas are formed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A photolithographic plate, method for preparation thereof, and salt compound useful in the preparation, the method involving the treatment of a metallic silver image on a substrate with a homogeneously stable acidic aqueous salt solution comprising a ferricyanide anion for oxidizing the metallic silver and an organic cation capable of forming a water-insoluble, inherently oleophilic complex with oxidized silver, the cation being derived from a protonatable nitrogen-substituted hydrocarbon compound containing a formal imine group therein which is in resonant association with adjacent groups within the hydrocarbon compound.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a cyanless treating liquid for use in offset printing which has an intense desensitizability, is capable of rapidly forming a firm hydrophilic film, is free from deterioration of the efficiency thereof when subjected to light or heat, and poses no problem of public nuisance.

Abstract: Method of dye absorption into the surface of plastics is accomplished by placing polyolefin film between a dye transfer paper and a sheet of thermoplastic and applying pressure and heat thereto. The heat applied is sufficient to sublime the dyes through the film to the plastic sheet. The dyes are absorbed into the surface of the plastic with the design intact. The materials are then cooled and separated and a decorated plastic sheet or article with wear-proof design is obtained. Thermoset plastics are similarly dye penetrated in this manner during the curing thereof.In-mold dye decoration and penetration of thermoplastics and thermoset plastics are also disclosed.Further, post-pressure dye transfer to plastic sheets and plastic articles is disclosed.

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 tool for effecting precision layout is provided with a translucent support surface and means for accurately positioning a straight edge in any of a number of preselected positions spanning the support surface. Apertures through opposite ends of the straight-edge element are selectively alignable with spaced rows of precision indexing holes which circumscribe the support surface. A pair of locator pins are removably disposed within said apertures projecting into selected indexing holes to accurately locate and retain the straight-edge element in a desired position across the support surface. A related registering method is provided which utilizes accurately positioned, perpendicularly intersecting lines to locate image transparencies upon a masking sheet as well as to register superimposed color impressions during printing.

Abstract: A method of producing a support for a printing plate comprising treating an aluminum plate, which has been oxidized by anodizing and then etched, with hot water or with water vapor.

Abstract: A developed photopolymer layer is completely removed from a support substrate of a printing plate. Such photopolymer is developed by photoinitiated polymerization from at least one water-soluble ethylenic monomer and includes a partially saponified polyvinyl acetate. For removal, the photopolymer layer is immersed in boiling water for sufficient time to swell the layer and then the swollen polymer is scraped from the printing plate.

Abstract: A shallow relief printing plate is disclosed having a polymerized layer of less than about 0.020 inch and which includes an array of small protuberances in non-image or background areas to prevent bottoming. Photopolymerizable elements, as well as processing techniques, are also disclosed for making such printing plates.

Abstract: A shallow relief printing plate is disclosed having a polymerized layer of less than about 0.020 inch and which includes an array of small protuberances in non-image or background areas to prevent bottoming. Photopolymerizable elements, as well as processing techniques, are also disclosed for making such printing plates.

Abstract: A process for producing a printing plate comprising imagewise exposing a light-sensitive material comprising a support with a hydrophilic surface and having thereon an unhardened silver halide emulsion layer, developing the imagewise exposed light-sensitive material with a non-tanning developer, fogging the remaining silver halide, developing the fogged remaining silver halide with a tanning developer to thereby simultaneously harden the emulsion layer at the areas developed, and removing the unhardened emulsion layer, whereby an oleophilic tanning relief image is formed.

Abstract: Waterless lithographic printing masters of improved contrast are provided by a coating suitable master substrate with a silicone elastomer gum having reactive pendant hydroxyl or amino groups, reacting a photo and/or thermally reactive azide with said pendant groups, depositing a particulate image pattern on said silicone comprising a thermoplastic organohydrocarbon polymer and crosslinking said silicone and chemically bonding said organohydrocarbon to said silicone to form a durable imaged waterless lithographic printing master.

Abstract: A process for preparing a waterless printing master having a minimum background ink reflection density comprises coating a master substrate with an ink releasing block copolymer comprising elastomeric ink releasing siloxane blocks and isothermally crystallizable thermoplastic organic blocks. Thereafter, the thermoplastic blocks are isothermally crystallized and the siloxane blocks are preferably cross-linked. The printing master is imaged by depositing ink accepting particulate imaging material on the copolymer coating and heating and cooling the thermoplastic blocks to bond the particulate imaging material thereto.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate system utilizing a composite plate having an aluminum printing member that can be recycled. An aluminum printing member has a light-sensitive coating thereon which forms the image area of the plate together with the aluminum member itself. A carrier plate supports the aluminum member. The carrier plate and the aluminum member are preferably releasably adhered together outside the image area of the plate, that is, along transverse and/or longitudinal edge positions adjacent the image area. The aluminum member is readily separated from the carrier plate for recycling after the printing run and the carrier plate can be reused or recycled.

Abstract: In addition to having two lithographic layers of complementary lithographic character, an electrically inscribable lithographic printing blank may be provided with a solid but solvent-removable protective surface layer serving to inhibit spurious abrasion of the underlying layer during inscription of the blank and prior handling and storage. To prepare a printing plate from the blank, an electric current is passed between the blank and an electrical stylus so as to inscribe through the protective layer and immediately underlying layer and expose the bottom layer locally, whereafter the protective layer is removed by treatment with solvent to expose the surface of the underlying layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spark-recording type printing method and a spark-recording material for use in the method, which printing method comprises the processes of: forming an image on a spark-recording material by the spark-recording method, said spark-recording material comprising a support and a layer of metal deposited thereon by vacuum evaporation, and, if necessary, being provided with a colored layer interposed between said support and metal layer, and if further necessary, being provided with a protective layer which is easy to desensitize and/or a desensitized layer which requires no desensitization treatment as formed on said metal layer; and conducting offset printing by employing said spark-recording material having an image formed thereon as a master either after subjecting it to desensitization treatment when it is not provided with said desensitized layer or directly when it is provided with said desensitized layer.

Abstract: Methods of imaging and printing are provided whereby a transparent self-supporting substrate is coated with a transparent abhesive polymer and an image formed by inking said polymer and simultaneously subjecting said polymer to electromagnetic radiation to reduce the cohesive force of said ink or increase the adhesive force so as to selectively deposit ink in image configuration on said adhesive polymer, and transferring said inked image to a receiver sheet.

Abstract: Hydrophilic printing masters are provided comprising coating a self-supporting master substrate with a hydrophilic polymer containing carboxylic acid functionality and selectively converting this polymer in image configuration to a hydrophobic condition by heat.

Abstract: A decorative stained glass effect window shade in the form of a light transparent elongated plastic film adapted to cover a window opening and having thereon a colored reproduction of an actual stained glass window assembly and produced by photographing a stained glass window on a positive transparency film, transferring the photograph from the transparency to an ink reproducing member and reproducing the transparency onto a transparent plastic film in light transmitting colored inks.

Abstract: Improved waterless lithographic printing masters are provided having minimum background ink reflection density. The master comprises a crosslinked block copolymer containing elastomeric, ink releasing siloxane blocks chemically linked to organic image accepting thermoplastic blocks, said copolymer having a molecular weight for the organic blocks sufficient to provide strength and a background ink reflection density of less than 0.02 and preferably less than 0.01.

Abstract: Aluminum based lithographic printing plates are treated with triethanolamine titanate and heat to impart added solvent resistance and strength to non-crosslinked ink-receptive image areas, thereby affording an increase in press life.

Abstract: A master for electrostatic printing comprises a layer composed of conductive silver image portion containing metallic silver grains and a non-silver image portion having an electric resistance sufficient to retain electrostatic charge. The image formed by image light exposure and heating a layer including an organic silver salt compound, a reducing agent and an insulating medium.

Abstract: A process for producing a planographic printing plate comprising subjecting a light-sensitive planographic printing plate member to a burning in wherein the light-sensitive planographic printing plate member is treated with a solution containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, or the metal salts or ammonium salt thereof, prior to the burning in.

Abstract: A surface of a wooden object is decorated by the formation of tracks in the surface simulating the random pattern of tracks seen in wormy wood, the tracks being formed by the application to the wood of a high voltage current.

Abstract: A thermoplastic plate, for example one of polypropylene or nylon, fabricated so it has an open-cell structure, has a radiation transparent cover sheet applied to one face thereof. The cover sheet has an energy absorbing coating (e.g. of carbon and nitrocellulose) in intimate contact with the plate. A modulated laser beam is then transmitted through said cover sheet to selectively transfer some of the energy absorbing material to the plate according to the configuration required to define the areas of relief desired in the plate. The cover sheet is then removed except for the portion of the energy absorbing coating transferred to the plate. The entire surface of the plate is then exposed to infra-red rays.

Abstract: A composite structure for making printing plates and other surfaces in relief is improved by reducing the density of a polymer substrate thereby increasing the amount of material removed per unit of time by a given total amount of energy. The density of the polymer substrate is reduced by making it cellular or poriferous using expandable micro capsules made of thermoplastic shell and a nucleus of a liquified blowing agent.

Abstract: Electrostatic printing is conducted by using an electrostatic printing master composed of an insulating medium having an electric resistance sufficient to retain an electrostatic charge and conductive silver images carried in the insulating medium and heating the electrostatic printing master.

Abstract: The use of a laser beam to etch the surface of a printing plate made from a polymer composition on a metal or plastic base and a thin top coating of a hard hydrophilic material produces a lithographic printing plate capable of accepting ink in the etched region and accepting water in the unetched regions.

Abstract: In a method of making a printing plate for use in offset printing, a positive transparency of the design to be printed is first prepared in such a way that when the sensitive layer thereof is observed the design thereon is seen as right side out. This positive transparency is then mounted on a support provided with registration marks, with the sensitive layer of the transparency turned outwardly, and any errors in the transparency are corrected. The mounting is then used to contact-print a negative transparency on which the design is seen inside out when its sensitive layer is observed. Finally the design is formed on the printing plate employing the negative transparency, after any necessary re-touching of the latter.

Abstract: A method for producing a plate or sheet useful in planographic printing which is characterized in that the surface of an oleophilic body comprising oleophilic resin is subjected to a corona discharge treatment to form a hydrophilic layer on said surface, and that said method can be carried out without difficulty at a low cost and the reproducibility of the printing plate thereby produced is excellent.

Abstract: A coloring composition for line- or pattern-drawing elements which comprises as a base material thereof one or more acidic sublimating substances such as benzoic acid, salicylic acid and phthalic acid. Lines and/or patterns drawn with the coloring composition are easily erased by heating.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate which is imaged by means of a laser beam in combination with overall exposure to ultraviolet light and developed by means which are conventional in lithographic art.

Abstract: A novel printing master and method for producing the same is disclosed which comprises the coating of a suitable substrate with an uncured silicone gum composition containing an activating proportion of a "blowing" or "foaming" agent. A particulate image pattern such as a toner image pattern, is transferred to the uncured silicone layer, followed by curing of the gum to an elastomeric ink releasable film. Activation of the "blowing" agent occurs during curing of the silicone to cause imagewise "foaming" of the silicone layer. After removal of the deposited image pattern, a "foamed" image is formed which is ink receptive and provides an imaged printing master suitable for use without a need for aqueous dampening solutions to provide ink release in non-imaged areas of the master.

Abstract: A novel printing master and method for producing the same is disclosed which comprises; coating a suitable substrate with a layer of an ink releasable material selected from the group consisting of silicone elastomers and heterophase polymeric compositions having a silicone phase. A particulate image pattern is thereafter deposited on the layer and fused thereon to provide ink receptive image areas on said layer. The material used to provide the particulate image pattern comprises a heterophase polymeric composition also having a silicone phase, thereby providing a physically compatible image pattern for adherence to the silicone containing ink release layer.

Abstract: A process for preparing a resilient foamed imaged printing master is provided. The process comprises depositing a conversion imaging fluid in image configuration on a printing master, said conversion fluid comprising an expandable polymer containing an encapsulated blowing agent and activating said blowing agent to expand said polymer and form a resilient foamed developed image.

Abstract: A relief printing process utilizes a low relief printing form which is inked with a pressure transferable, non-liquid marking material prior to each printing impact. The printing form comprises a support layer on which there is deposited, in an imagewise pattern, a monolayer of uniformly sized granular developing particles within the range of about 25 to about 150 microns in diameter. The printing form can be prepared by a variety of colloid-transfer or electrostatic techniques.

Abstract: In a method of preparing a gravure printing member by excavating materials from the surface by a scanning laser beam or other energy beam, the path of the beam to the surface is periodically intercepted during the scanning by a rotary shutter, the position and speed of the rotary shutter and the relative movement of the scanning system and the surface of the printing member being such that the shutter shadow is substantially stationary relative to the surface of the printing member during its passage across the beam, the protected portions of the surface constituting the walls of the gravure cells.

Abstract: An electrical voltage is connected between a flexible soft-X-ray mask and a substrate causing the mask to make intimate contact and thereby conform to slight irregularities of the surface of the X-ray sensitive polymer on the substrate to minimize the effect of these irregularities during exposure to soft-X-rays.

Abstract: A method of removing irregularities on the surface of a waterless lithographic master comprising selectively heating an imaged adhesive silicone master, which is deformable at elevated temperature, at a temperature and for a time sufficient to smooth out irregularities in the surface of the master.

Abstract: Material is transferred by a laser beam from a transparent carrier film to a lithographic surface, thereby producing a planographic printing plate and a film having clear areas corresponding to the image on the plate.

Abstract: A process for preparing a waterless lithographic printing master is provided. A suitable substrate which is preferably ink accepting is coated with a silicone which is curable at low or ambient temperature and which contains in addition to its own catalyst a high temperature catalyst. The silicone is then cured at least on its surface to render it nontacky. A particulate image pattern is deposited on the cured silicone which pattern comprises a material which at elevated temperature combines with the high temperature catalyst to degrade the cured silicone below said image pattern, the composite heated to degrade the silicon below the image pattern and render the nonimaged areas ink releasing to the extent the silicone was not previously rendered ink releasing, and the particulate image pattern and preferably the degraded silicone removed beneath said pattern to reveal the ink accepting substrate in image configuration.

Abstract: This is a lithographic printing plate blank adapted to be processed by applying a beam of laser radiation through a radiation transparent sheet to transfer selected portions of a combustible coating material on the sheet onto a lithographic surface; the lithographic surface provides a hydrophilic background on which oleophilic printing areas are provided by the transferred material. In the composite blank the coated sheet is held electrostatically in intimate contact with the lithographic surface, which is a grained surface, so that the coated surface and lithographic surface are maintained in intimate contact in spite of the generation of gases therebetween due to the laser initiated combustion which would ordinarily tend to separate the surfaces and reduce resolution. The coated sheet is provided with an electrostatic charge during manufacture of the composite sheet, either by manually inducing the charge or by building the charge into the sheet to make it an electret.

Abstract: A printing form is made by heating a foil of synthetic thermoplastic material and embossing one surface thereof with a plurality of spaced depressions, with the resulting formation at the opposite surface of a corresponding plurality of protuberances.