Abstract: Flexographic printing plates crosslinkable by photopolymerization are produced by exposing the plates to a light source and washing out (developing) with a solvent the non-crosslinked areas that are masked out during the exposure process. The invention provides terpene ester-based solvents suitable for use in the development of photopolymer printing plates. The solvents, which include terpene esters alone or terpene esters mixed with organic solvents and/or non-solvents, are effective in developing a a large number of different photopolymer printing plates and can produce images superior to those obtained with commercially available solvents currently used in such applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-inked thermoplastic foam which is utilized to form a relief image which includes open cells in the area that is designed to transfer ink and enclosed or sealed cells in the area which is designed to be impermeable to ink or other print medium. The present invention also includes the method of using and manufacturing the pre-inked foam.

Abstract: A method for exposing photo-sensitive printing plates comprises applying a patterned coating to the printing plate to form a mask. The coating may be sprayed onto the printing plate and patterned by laser ablation. The method avoids the need to stock printing plates with integral masking layers. In preferred implementations the printing plate is exposed to actinic radiation without dismounting it from the apparatus in which the coating is applied. This minimizes the likelihood that the coating could be damaged in handling. The coating may be a thin sprayed on layer of carbon in a suitable binder.

Abstract: A method for compensating for image distortion imparted on a flexographic printing plate is disclosed. The compensation scheme reduces the distortion effect caused by stretching of the image when the printing plate is wrapped around the cylindrical drum of a printing press. The compensation scheme predicts the localized distortion on different parts of the image caused by variations in the undercut depth and density of the image features on the plate. By so doing, the scaling factor is varied in accordance with the predicted localized distortion in the different parts of the image, so as to minimize the distortion effect over the entire printing plate.

Abstract: A process for treating the periphery of an unexposed photosensitive resin plate, which comprises irradiation of light having a wavelength of not longer than 300 nm on the periphery of the unexposed photosensitive resin plate until the periphery is free of stickiness. The process of the present invention solves problems such as sticking of the peripheral resin of unexposed plates to packages, sticking of unexposed resin to a working table, exposure table or vacuum adhesion sheet, sticking of dust, and so on on the periphery of unexposed plates, and sticking of unexposed resin to hands when handling, while eliminating all defects in handling during the steps of making printing plates.

Abstract: A precursor element for making a lithographic printing plate is composed of a support, an ink receptive thermal conversion inner layer and a sol-gel, ink repellent outer layer. The outer sol-gel layer containes crosslinked colloids derived from certain metal oxides or hydroxides. The plates produced from the ellements are long-running plates that require no post-imaging processing.

Abstract: In a method of three-dimensionally patterning the surface of a printing or embossing cylinder the surface of the cylinder is irradiated with exposure beams in accordance with the desired pattern and then the surface is patterned in accordance with the exposure. To achieve particularly fine structuring of the cylinder surface, the radiation dots serving to expose the surface are produced by means of beams which, before impinging on the surface of the cylinder, to form fine structures, are modified in accordance with the desired pattern by means of a beam-forming element. The pattern of the respective radiation dot which is impinged on to the cylinder surface is moved synchronously with respect to the movement of the cylinder surface in accordance with the rotary movement thereof.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising exposing a support, a melonophilic layer and a melonophobic layer, the latter containing crosslinked colloids to a laser beam having an intensity greater than 0.1 mW/.mu..sup.2 for a time sufficient to give a total exposure of about 200 milliJoules/cm.sup.2 or greater. Good printing steps and long running plates are produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article with a surface having an contact angle with water of at least 150.degree. or more in which the contact angle with water on the surface is lowered to less than 150.degree. by photo-irradiation to the surface. According to the present invention, it is possible to control the super-water-repellency of an article with a super-water-repellent surface by photo-irradiation.

Abstract: A printing plate material producing prints with inhibited background staining is provided by formation of a photosensitive layer comprising nitrocellulose, a black coloring agent, e.g. carbon black, and an organic binder and having (1) a surface roughness of not greater than Rmax. 2.0 .mu.m or (2) a surface tension equivalent to a wettability index of not greater than 36 dyn/cm on a support. The nitrocellulose has a nitrogen content of 11 to 12.5% and a solution viscosity of about 1 to 1/8 second. The organic binder includes polyester resins such as solvent-soluble, noncrystal-line, linear, oil-free aromatic polyesters. Based on 100 parts by weight of the organic binder, the amount of nitrocellulose is about 5 to 300 parts by weight and that of the black coloring agent is about 0.5 to 50 parts by weight. The photosensitive layer may contain a crosslinking agent, e.g. melamine resin, and/or a water repellent, e.g. a silicone compound or a fluorine-containing compound.

Abstract: Lithographic printing is accomplished using wet lithographic printing plates that include a protective layer providing protection against handling and environmental damage, extension of plate shelf life, and entrainment of debris generated by ablation. The layer washes away during the printing make-ready process, effectively cleaning the plate and disappearing without the need for a separate removal process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pattern sheet for plate-making capable of easily forming a positive image through the use of a photographic negative film. In this method, as a first step, a negative film with a printed negative image is placed on a surface of a light transmission sheet carrying a photosensitive color-developing layer containing a photosensitive color-developing material which makes a color development in response to light. Further, as a second step, the light is applied thereto from the negative film side after the first step. As a result of the application of the light, a color development takes place in the photosensitive color-developing layer due to the light passing through the negative image, thus causing a positive image to be formed on the surface of the light transmission sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article with a surface having an contact angle with water of at least 150.degree. or more in which the contact angle with water on the surface is lowered to less than 150.degree. by photo-irradiation to the surface. According to the present invention, it is possible to control the super-water-repellency of an article with a super-water-repellent surface by photo-irradiation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a support of a presensitized planographic printing plate is disclosed, the method comprising electrolytically surface-roughening an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate in an acidic electrolyte solution, the surface-roughening step comprising plural pairs of first high surface-roughening rate steps and second low or zero surface-roughening rate steps, the first step and the second step being carried out alternately, wherein an average quantity of electricity of 100 C/dm.sup.2 or less is applied at one of the first steps.

Abstract: Printing plates are formed from a layer of photo polymerizable resin by a process and assembly which includes a negative of the image or images to be formed in the printing plate. The negative is placed on a lower glass support plate and a bank of lights is disposed below the lower glass support plate. A cover film is laid down on the negative, and a very thin layer of resin, called a cap resin, is deposited on the cover film. A layer of the resin to be cross-linked is deposited on the cap resin layer, and the cross-linked resin layer is covered with a polyester sheet, on the top of which an upper glass plate is lowered. The cap resin layer and the cross-linked resin layer are both laid down on the lower glass plate assembly by meas of a carriage assembly that traverses over the lower glass plate assembly, and which carries the cross-linking resin and cap resin reservoir. The thickness of the cross-linked resin layer varies widely, while the thickness of the cap resin layer is narrowly confined.

Abstract: Substantially transparent printing blankets are provided comprising a substantially transparent printing layer disposed upon a substantially transparent support layer. The substantial transparency of such printing blankets permits off-press introduction of knock-out areas. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished by disposing the support layer of the printing blanket adjacent to a substrate which bears either an image to be printed or some other print transfer information (such as a negative) corresponding to the image. The print transfer information then is viewed through the printing blanket to identify portions of the underlying substrate which bear information indicating that print should not appear on a corresponding portion of the coated substrate. After such portions are identified, the printing layer is removed from the support layer in those areas of the printing blanket which are adjacent to the identified portions of the substrate.

Abstract: Multilayer printing plates having layers with differing moduli are made by exposing through a photographic negative a plurality of layers comprising a solid photocurable cap and al least one liquid photocurable layer.

Abstract: A method of image formation which comprises (a) providing a radiation sensitive plate comprising a substrate and a coating containing a heat softenable disperse phase, an aqueous soluble or swellable continuous phase and a radiation absorbing substance, (b) image-wise exposing the plate to at least partially coalesce the particles of the disperse phase in the image areas, (c) developing the image-wise exposed plate to remove the coating in the unexposed areas, and (d) heating the developed plate or subjecting it to irradiation to effect insolubilization of the image. Good quality images of high durability are obtained.

Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition for printing plates including the following components A, B-1, C and D, or a photosensitive resin composition for printing plates, including the following components A, B-2, C and D:A: a hydrophilic polymerB-1: a rubber having a molecular weight of 40,000 or moreB-2: a dynamically-vulcanized rubberC: a photo-polymerizing unsaturated compound having ethylenic double bond(s) in the moleculeD: a photo-polymerization initiator.The photosensitive resin compositions for printing plates of the invention have high-degree image reproducibility and flexibility suitable for flexography and additionally have good water developability with satisfactory compatibility with aqueous ink. Therefore, using the compositions, flexographic printing plates with excellent printing durability in flexography using aqueous ink or other flexographic printing inks can be produced. Further, using these, water-developable plates for flexography with good rubber elasticity can be produced.

Abstract: A stamp making unit is provided having a structure such that gel photosensitive resin for forming a stamping surface can be protected appropriately and non-cured portions of the photosensitive resin can easily be removed after the stamping surface has been formed. A package capable of satisfactorily storing a stamp making unit of the foregoing type is also provided. The stamp making unit uses photosensitive resin as a base material for forming a stamping surface of a stamp which changes from a gel state to a solid state due to received light. The stamping unit comprises a stock member, photosensitive resin bonded to a surface of the stock member on which the stamping surface is formed and a cover member bonded to a surface of the photosensitive resin having light transmission properties. Adhesion between the photosensitive resin in the gel state and the stock member is weaker than adhesion between the photosensitive resin in the gel state and the cover member.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition is prepared containing a polymer of the formula B(X)(Y) wherein B represents an organic backbone, each X independently is an acidic group or salt thereof and each Y independently is a photocurable group and a photoinitating compound or compounds. Preferably, free-radically polymerizable multi-functional monomer and/or oligomer is added to the photosensitive composition. The photosensitive composition can be coated on a suitable substrate for planographic printing plate applications. Imagewise irradiation causes the light struck regions to photocure, becoming insoluble in aqueous and organic mediums, while the non-light struck regions remain highly soluble/dispersable. Printing plates of this construction do not require processing prior to being run on a press.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing element having an overall layer of powder material and a process for making a flexographic printing plate from such an element are disclosed. The photosensitive element includes a support, a photopolymerizable layer, and a layer of powder material on the photopolymerizable layer. The layer of powder material can be opaque or transparent depending upon desired use.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing element having an overall layer of powder material and a process for making a flexographic printing plate from such an element are disclosed. The photosensitive element includes a support, a photopolymerizable layer, and a layer of powder material on the photopolymerizable layer. The layer of powder material can be opaque or transparent depending upon desired use.

Abstract: Printing plates are formed from a layer of photopolymerizable resin by a process and assembly which involves moving a resin layer past a variable intensity light source so as to sequentially and selectively cross-link the resin layer as the resin layer moves past the light source.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition which comprises5 to 55 parts by weight of a linear block copolymer 1 consisting essentially of only one polymer block A which is a polymer consisting essentially of aromatic vinyl monomer units as the main constitutive units and conjugated diene monomer units as secondary monomer units, and only one or two polymer blocks B each of which is a polymer consisting essentially of conjugated diene monomer units as the main constitutive units and aromatic vinyl monomer units as secondary monomer units, wherein among all the monomer units the aromatic vinyl monomer units constitute 15 to 30% by weight, the conjugated diene monomer units constitute 85 to 70% by weight, the total amount of the aromatic vinyl monomer units and the conjugated diene monomer units being 100% by weight, and wherein the total amount of the aromatic vinyl monomer units constituting molecular chain portions each having 8 or more successive aromatic vinyl monomer units is 30% by weight or more of the amount of all t

Abstract: The addition of vinyl ethers to photosensitive resins is suggested to improve the resistance of the cured resin to polar solvents. Long chain vinyl ethers such as octadecyl vinyl ether or dodecyl vinyl ether are preferred. The resulting photosensitive resin compositions are particularly useful in the fabrication of printing plates.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable composition and a presensitized planographic printing plate employing the same are disclosed which comprise a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and a dye represented by the following formula (1) or (2): ##STR1##

Abstract: High-quality composite printing elements are prepared without the need for precise registration of constituent photocurable elements by disposing at least one photocurable element, and preferably a plurality of photocurable elements, upon a surface of a substantially planar carrier sheet in approximate register and then transferring a computer-generated negative onto a surface of the elements.

Abstract: Wet lithographic printing plates include a protective layer that provides protection against handling and environmental damage, extends plate shelf life, and entrains debris generated by ablation. The layer washes away during the printing make-ready process, effectively cleaning the plate and disappearing without the need for a separate removal process.

Abstract: Materials that undergo self-propagating exothermic solid-solid reaction upon ignition by a heating source (e.g., a laser) are used in the fabrication of recording constructions such as lithographic printing plates, photomasks and proofing sheets. A recording construction in accordance with the invention may include at least one ignition layer comprising at least two unreacted, solid chemical species which, upon exposure to heat, combine exothermically to form a final species that is physically disrupted; and a substrate thereunder that is substantially unconsumed by heat generated by the exothermic combination. To form a lithographic printing plate, the ignition layer (or its topmost component, or a surface layer thereover) and the substrate exhibit different affinities for ink and/or an abhesive fluid for ink.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an adhesive or anti-tack layer for photopolymer printing plate capable of development with aqueous or semi-aqueous processing liquid, characterized in having an absorbance of 0.010 to 0.060 per .mu.m thickness at 1140 cm.sup.-1 and also a composition for forming the adhesive layer defined above, characterized in containing polyvinyl alcohol and a water-soluble a crystallizing agent having a boiling point of 120.degree.-240.degree. C. The adhesive layer is resistant to wrinkling and superior in storage stability. It can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: Constructions useful as lithographic printing plates include metallic inorganic layers exhibiting both hydrophilicity and substantial durability at very thin application levels. These materials ablatively absorb imaging radiation, thereby facilitating direct imaging without chemical development. They can also be used to form optical interference structures which, in addition to providing color, likewise absorb imaging radiation and ablate in response to imaging pulses.

Abstract: A printing plate material producing concave-convex pattern on the surface with a low laser energy output and having high scratch resistance is provided by formation of a photosensitive layer comprising a nitrocellulose, carbon black or other photoabsorber and a polyurethane elastomer on a support. The nitrocellulose has a nitrogen content of about 11 to 12.5% and a solution viscosity of about 1 to 1/8 second. The polyurethane elastomer is obtainable by allowing a polyester polyol to react with a polyisocyanate and a chain-extending agent. Relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyurethane elastomer, the amount of nitrocellulose is about 5 to 300 parts by weight and that of the photoabsorber is about 0.5 to 50 parts by weight. The photosensitive layer may have a glass transition temperature of not lower than 25.degree. C. The photosensitive layer may further comprise a plasticizer.

Abstract: An alkaline developing composition for processing a lithographic printing plate includes an alkali metal silicate and at least 6 weight % of a thickener such as glycerine. The lithographic printing plate can be either positive- or negative-working, and includes negative-working thermal plates.

Abstract: In order to improve the printability of a periodic halftone screen, the amount of growth of the halftone dots in a halftone screen is modulated as a function of tone in a tone selective way that is different for at least two halftone dots.

Abstract: A photosensitive recording material is described which has a layer base, a negative-working photosensitive layer containing a diazonium salt and a water-insoluble polymeric binder which is soluble or swellable in aqueous alkaline solutions, and a discontinuous top layer which forms a rough surface and which is composed of particles of a water-insoluble polymer which is dispersible in water in the presence of anionic or anionic/nonionic dispersants and which has a content of free acid groups or acid groups neutralized by salt formation of less than 0.8 mmol/g, the mean height of the particles being 2 to 6 .mu.m, the maximum height less than 10 .mu.m, the mean horizontal diameter less than 40 .mu.m, the maximum diameter less than 80 .mu.m and the number of particles being 100 to 10,000 per cm.sup.2. The material is suitable for the production of planographic printing plates and requires only short vacuum times in a vacuum-operated copying frame.

Abstract: A printing plate laminate is formed of a carrier sheet, sticky back, a substrate and photopolymer layer. The substrate has a thickness of only about 0.2 mil to about 3 mil. The printing plate laminate can be formed from a process wherein photopolymerizable resin is coated onto a bilayer substrate, where one layer of the substrate is in contact with the photopolymer layer and has a thickness of about 0.2 mil to about 3 mil, and a second layer of the substrate has a thickness of about 4 mil to about 7 mil. A pressure sensitive adhesive lies between the first and second layers of the substrate, so that the second layer may be easily peeled away from the first layer after selectively curing and then developing the photopolymer layer.

Abstract: A light sensitive planographic printing plate have deposited particles on a sensitive layer, each of the said deposited particles comprising a protuberant or bulging portion and a substantially flat base portion spreading around the said protuberant or bulging portion, the said both protuberant or bulging portion and flat base portion being formed integrally with a same material.

Abstract: The polymer material is a mixture, consisting substantially of:oligourethanemethacrylate having the following structural formula: ##STR1## methylcarbitol methacrylate ##STR2## methacrylic acid ##STR3## and 2,2'-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone ##STR4## taken in ratio that ensure the ability of the mixture to light curing under the effect of UV radiation. The intraocular lens comprises an optic and a supporting portion, both made substantially of the mentioned polymer material.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for developing radiation-sensitive, exposed printing forms into printing plates is disclosed. The apparatus has a developer pan that contains a developer bath. Individual printing form runs through the developing station of this apparatus in a running-through plane. On each side of the running-through plane there is are a first pair of transport rollers, two brushing rollers with counter-rollers and a second pair of transport rollers at the end of the developing station. Guide rollers are arranged between the first pair of transport rollers and the first brushing roller with its counter-roller, on the underside of the running-through plane. A closed vessel, filled with developing solution, is connected via a developer circuit and a pump to the developer bath. The vessel contains a temperature sensor and a measuring electrode for the electric conductivity of the developing solution.

Abstract: In a printing method, an electrically encoded image to be transferred to a printing substrate during a printing process is provided in an electronic memory. A flexible carrier web is attached under tension to a cutting cylinder identical in dimensions to a blanket or printing cylinder of a printing machine. The curing cylinder may be a blanket or printing cylinder in a printing machine or a dedicated support cylinder in a stand-alone cutting assembly. The carrier web is cut automatically in accordance with the electrically encoded image after attachment of the carrier web to the cutting cylinder. Subsequently, sections of the carrier web are removed therefrom along cut lines made in the carrier web during the cutting thereof.

Abstract: A desensitizing solution for offset printing is provided, which is characterized by containing an inorganic ionic polymer of basic aluminum chloride or a derivative thereof, represented by the general formula ?Al.sub.2 (OH).sub.n Cl.sub.6-n !.sub.m where 0<n<6 and m>1. The amount of basic aluminum chloride or a derivative is 5 to 50% by weight and the pH of the solution is 2 to 5. This solution can be free from a ferrocyanic or ferricyanic compound but provide a hydrophilic coating layer with a strong physical strength on a non-image area.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, water-developable photopolymerizable compositions useful for the preparation of durable printing plates capable of providing very high levels of resolution have been developed. Printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, once photopolymerized, have excellent physical properties, enabling their use in many very demanding applications, e.g., commercial letterpress and newspaper printing. Such applications require the photopolymerized resin to provide a sharp image and good durability after curing. Photopolymerization of invention resin yields a product with excellent physical characteristics, acceptable by letterpress printing standards. In addition, photopolymerization of invention composition provides a product which demonstrates sufficient toughness to be used for extended printing runs as required in such areas as metal decorating, newspaper, plastic packaging, business forms, and the like.

Abstract: A stamp unit and a method of preparing the same are provided in which a liquid photosensitive resin is used as the base material for stamp formation and the ease with which the material is handled during transportation, storage and stamp formation is facilitated. The stamp unit uses a liquid photosensitive resin which changes from liquid to solid upon receiving rays of light as the base material for stamp face formation.

Abstract: A method for producing a printing plate which involves forming an image on the surface of a sheet having open cells by selectively applying a thermal exposure to the surface of the sheet. The sheet is a thermoplastic resin preferably having melting point between about 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. The resulting printing plate has a planar surface with no relief sections; instead there are porous and nonporous sections, with the porous sections being permeable to ink infused within the printing plate. A method of printing using the above plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: Laminates of aluminum and plastic form the substrate of printing plate precursors that are suitable for imaging in conventional roll-fed imagesetters or phototypesetters.

Abstract: Hydrogen atom donor compounds are useful as contrast enhancers when used in combination with (i) hindered phenol developers, and (ii) trityl hydrazide and/or formyl-phenyl hydrazine co-developers, to produce ultra-high contrast black-and-white photothermographic and thermographic elements.The photothermographic and thermographic elements may be used as a photomask in a process where there is a subsequent exposure of an ultraviolet or short wavelength visible radiation-sensitive imageable medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement of the direct lithographic printing plate making process using ink-jet printing, which provides a printing plate having excellent resolution. Accordingly, the present invention provides an improvement of a process for producing a lithographic printing plate comprising selectively forming a light transmittable oxygen barrier film on a photopolymerizable layer of a photosensitive plate, exposing to light and then removing uncured portion on which the oxygen barrier film is not covered, wherein a protective layer which is capable of transmitting oxygen gas and the light to cure the photopolymerizable layer is formed on the photopolymerizable layer, a photosensitive plate therefor and an aqueous ink composition therefor.

Abstract: Surface reforming of a polymeric article containing a polymerizable compound is effectively performed by polymerizing the polymeric article in contact with a surface reforming medium because the transfer of the material constituting the surface reforming medium to the polymeric article is enhanced by the polymerization. The surface reforming can be performed locally selectively, i.e., imagewise. The remaining un-polymerized part may be subjected to further surface reforming, e.g., by using another type of surface reforming medium or attachment of powder, to provide an enhanced contrast of surface property. Such an enhanced contrast of surface property can be effectively used, e.g., for production of a printing plate.