Post Imaging Process Patents (Class 430/309)
  • Patent number: 9645498
    Abstract: The present invention provides a developer for a photosensitive resist composition, comprising a compound represented by the general formula (1) wherein R1 to R6 represent a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and X represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 6 to 16 carbon atoms and optionally having an ester group. There can be provided a developer that can prevent the occurrence of pattern collapse and connection between patterns, i.e. bridge defect after development and can provide a resist pattern with small edge roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 8927197
    Abstract: A negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor is used for making lithographic printing plates from infrared radiation imaging. The precursor comprises free radical chemistry and a specific infrared radiation absorber that is a cyanine dye and defined by Formula (1a) described in the disclosure. This particular infrared radiation absorber provides both IR sensitivity and print out after imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Celin Savariar-Hauck, Martin Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8921033
    Abstract: By a method of preparing a lithographic printing plate having exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor including a photosensitive layer containing (A) a polymerization initiator, (B) a polymerizable compound, (C) a sensitizing dye and (D) a binder polymer and a protective layer in this order on a hydrophilic support with laser and then removing the protective layer and an unexposed area of the photosensitive layer in the presence of a developer, in which the developer is a developer which has pH of from 2 to less than 10 and contains an amphoteric surfactant and a nonionic surfactant having an alkylene oxide chain, a simple processing of one solution and one step which does not require a water washing step becomes possible, excellent development property is achieved and a lithographic printing plate which has good printing durability and does not cause printing stain can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Inno
  • Publication number: 20140373742
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high-resolution flexographic printing plate includes exposing a back side of a flexographic printing plate substrate to a first UV radiation. A top side of the flexographic printing plate substrate is exposed to a second UV radiation through a photomask that includes a patterned design. The flexographic printing plate substrate is developed. The flexographic printing plate substrate is cured. A flexographic printing system includes an ink roll, an anilox roll, a printing plate cylinder, a high-resolution flexographic printing plate disposed on the printing plate cylinder, and an impression cylinder. The flexographic printing plate includes embossing patterns corresponding to a patterned design. The embossing patterns are patterned into the flexographic printing plate using a photomask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: UNI-PIXEL DISPLAYS, INC.
    Inventor: Ed S. Ramakrishnan
  • Patent number: 8895227
    Abstract: A developing solution is disclosed with which it is possible to develop a photoresist disposed on a substrate including a conductive polymer. Also disclosed is a method for forming a resist pattern using the developing solution. The developing solution contains one or more acids and/or salts thereof, the acids being selected from inorganic acids, amino acids having an isoelectric point less than 7, and carboxylic acids having two or more carboxy groups. Use of this developing solution hence inhibits the phenomenon in which a substrate including a conductive polymer suffers an increase in surface resistivity due to a developing solution, and makes it possible to obtain a fine resist pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toagosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ihara, Hiromu Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8871431
    Abstract: A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a digital platemaking process is provided. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer which is mountable on a printing sleeve. The method comprises the steps of (1) laser ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable layer; (2) placing a barrier layer on top of the laser ablatable mask layer; (3) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the barrier layer and the in situ negative; (4) removing the barrier layer; and (5) developing the imaged and exposed photosensitive printing blank to reveal the relief image therein, the relief image comprising the plurality of relief dots. The presence of the barrier layer produces printing dots having desired geometric characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy Gotsick, David A. Recchia, Ryan W. Vest
  • Patent number: 8828648
    Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a planographic printing plate, including: subjecting a planographic printing plate precursor, to image-wise exposure; and developing it using an alkaline aqueous solution which contains a specific compound and has a pH of from 8.5 to 10.8, in this order. The recording layer has: a lower layer containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin and an infrared ray absorbing agent; and an upper layer containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble polyurethane resin and a polyorganosiloxane. The specific compound is a nonionic or anionic surfactant, or at least one compound represented by Formula (1) or (2), wherein R11, R12, and R13 each represent an alkyl group; R14 represents an alkylene group; and R15 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group containing a hetero atom; and R21, R22, and R23 each represent an alkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20140234778
    Abstract: A method of recycling waste liquid from a plate-making process, including: performing a plate-making process using a development replenisher liquid that includes at least one selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants having a naphthalene skeleton and nonionic surfactants having a naphthalene skeleton at a total content of from 1% by mass to 10% by mass, includes no or not more than 2% by mass of organic solvent having a boiling point of from 100° C. to 300° C., and has a pH of from 10 to 13; concentrating, by evaporating, the discharged plate-making process waste liquid, such that the ratio of the volume of the plate-making process waste liquid after concentration to the volume of the plate-making process waste liquid before concentration is within a range of from 1/10 to 1/2, thereby separating water vapor; and using the obtained regenerated water as diluent water and/or rinse water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumikazu KOBAYASHI, Toshihiro WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8808976
    Abstract: A photoresist developer including a basic aqueous solution containing 0.5˜10 mass % of a particular nonionic surfactant and 0.01-10 mass % of particular ammonium compound, the photoresist developer makes it possible to form a favorable resist pattern with out causing scum even when developing thick photoresists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tokuyama Corporation
    Inventors: Shunkichi Omae, Seiji Tono, Toshiaki Otani, Yasutaka Natsuka
  • Patent number: 8790862
    Abstract: The invention provides a photosensitive element and a method for preparing a printing form from the element. The photosensitive element includes a layer of a photosensitive composition containing a binder, a monomer, and a Norrish type II photoinitiator, wherein the photosensitive layer has a transmittance to actinic radiation of less than 20% and contains reinforcing particles of graphene and/or carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Adrian Lungu
  • Patent number: 8785109
    Abstract: A method for producing a printable lithographic plate from a negative working, radiation imageable plate having an oleophilic resin coating that reacts to radiation by cross linking and is non-ionically adhered to a hydrophilic substrate. Steps include imagewise radiation exposing the coating to produce an imaged plate having partially reacted image areas including unreacted coating material, and completely unreacted nonimage areas; developing the plate by removing only the unreacted, nonimage areas from the substrate while retaining unreacted material in the image areas; and blanket exposing the developed plate with a source of energy which further reacts the retained unreacted material in the image areas. A plate with a coating containing resin particles can be imaged to produce initial cross-linking, then mechanically developed. Hardening of the imaged areas is completed with a relatively intense post-heating at 160 deg. C., which further cross links the monomer and fuses the resin particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Anocoil Corporation
    Inventors: Howard A. Fromson, William J. Ryan
  • Patent number: 8778590
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a coating provided on a support having a hydrophilic surface, the coating containing thermoplastic polymer particles and an IR-dye characterized in that the IR-dye contains a structural element according to Formula I wherein A represents hydrogen, halogen or a monovalent organic group; Y and Y? independently represent —CH— or —N—; R1 and R2 independently represent hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group or represent the necessary atoms to form a ring; * represents the linking positions to the rest of the molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventor: Paul Callant
  • Patent number: 8771925
    Abstract: A processing solution is used to provide flexographic relief printing plates. This solution includes diisopropylbenzene, and one or more organic co-solvents, at least one of which is an aliphatic dibasic acid ester. The processing solution may also include one or more alcohols as co-solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, M. Zaki Ali, Michael B. Heller
  • Patent number: 8772740
    Abstract: A method of imaging a printing plate and curing the printing plate made of or having photo-curable material that includes an ablatable mask. In one embodiment, the method comprises imaging the ablatable mask with a first portion of imaging data to produce a partially imaged uncured plate. Imaging data includes the first portion and a second portion of imaging data. The method includes curing the partially imaged uncured plate using UV with a first set of parameters to produce a partially cured plate with a partially ablated mask thereon, the curing arranged for producing flat tops, imaging the partially ablated mask on the partially cured plate with the second portion of imaging data to produce a totally imaged partially cured plate, and curing the totally imaged partially cured plate with a second set of one or more curing parameters to produce a totally cured plate to produce round tops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Klein, Wolfgang Sievers
  • Patent number: 8735049
    Abstract: A method of making a relief printing element in a liquid photopolymer platemaking process is described. The method comprises the steps of: (a) selectively exposing the liquid photopolymer to actinic radiation through a negative to crosslink and cure portions of the liquid photopolymer; and (b) reclaiming uncured portions of the liquid photopolymer to be reused in the platemaking process. The step of reclaiming uncured portions of the liquid photopolymer comprises (i) heating the printing element to decrease the viscosity of the uncured liquid photopolymer; and (ii) removing uncured liquid photopolymer from the surface of the relief image printing element so that recovery of uncured liquid photopolymer from the surface of the relief image printing element is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Ryan W. Vest
  • Patent number: 8722310
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes, in the following order: a support; an image-recording layer which is capable of forming an image by removing an unexposed area by an automatic development processor in the presence of a developer having pH of from 2 to 14 after exposure and contains (A) a sensitizing dye, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) a polymer which is insoluble in water and alkali-soluble; and a protective layer, and the protective layer contains (E) a hydrophilic polymer which has a repeating unit represented by the formula (1) as defined herein and a repeating unit represented by the formula (2) as defined herein and a sum of the repeating unit represented by the formula (1) and the repeating unit represented by the formula (2) is at least 95% by mole based on total repeating units constituting the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shota Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8703390
    Abstract: A method of making a flexographic printing sleeve form includes the steps of forming a sleeve body by providing one or more at least partially cured uniform layers on a sleeve carrier; forming a relief image on the sleeve body by imagewise jetting a curable jetting fluid; and optionally overall post-curing; characterized in that between formation of the sleeve body and formation of the relief image no polishing or grinding is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Eddie Daems
  • Patent number: 8685622
    Abstract: a method for preparing a lithographic printing plate that includes imagewise exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a coating provided on a support having a hydrophilic surface, the coating containing thermoplastic polymer particles and an infrared radiation absorbing dye characterized in that the coating further comprises a phenolic stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventors: Johan Loccufier, Paul Callant, Jens Lenaerts, Ineke Van Severen
  • Patent number: 8669040
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a relief printing plate having at least engraving an area which is in a relief forming layer of a relief printing plate precursor for laser engraving and is to be exposed by scanning exposure using a fiber-coupled semiconductor laser which emits laser beam with a wavelength of 700 nm to 1,300 nm. The relief printing plate precursor has at least a relief forming layer provided over a support, and the relief forming layer contains at least a binder polymer and a photo-thermal conversion agent. The invention further provides a relief printing plate precursor for laser engraving which can be used in the method of manufacturing a relief printing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tashiro, Atsushi Sugasaki, Hisao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8652758
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention involve printing members that utilize a particle-fusion imaging mechanism but avoid susceptibility to handling damage. In particular, printing plates in accordance with the invention may utilize two phases, and these may originate, during manufacture, as two particle systems. Both systems are initially dispersed in a single coating applied as a layer, or in multiple coatings applied as adjacent layers, on a substrate. The second particle system exhibits a glass-transition or thermal coalescing temperature well above room temperature and also above the temperature at which the coating is dried. The coalescing temperature of the first particle system is below the drying temperature. As a result, when the coating is dried, the first particle system coalesces and forms a binder that entrains the second particle system, which has not coalesced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Presstek, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick R. Kearney, Kevin Ray, Donald Sundberg, John Tsavalas
  • Patent number: 8637223
    Abstract: Negative-Working Lithographic Printing Plate Precursors can be provided with desired contrast coloration after imaging using a coloring fluid that includes a water-insoluble colorant that is soluble in a water-insoluble fatty alcohol. The coloring fluid provides an optical density change in the exposed regions of at least OD2 that is greater than the original optical density of those regions, OD1. The coloring fluid can be applied immediately after imaging and before processing, or it can be applied as part of the developer or processing solution, or it can be applied after processing. The coloring fluid can also be applied to imaged precursors that are designed for either off-press or on-press development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Murray Figov, Moshe Marom, Ilan Levi
  • Patent number: 8632958
    Abstract: A method of controlling surface roughness of the relief surface of a flexographic printing element during thermal processing is provided. An imaged and exposed relief image printing element is thermally developed to remove the portions of at least one layer of photopolymer that are not crosslinked and cured by a) heating the at least one layer of photopolymer to soften uncured portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer; b) causing contact between the at least one layer of photopolymer and a blotting material; and c) separating the blotting material from the at least one layer of photopolymer. Thereafter, a smooth material is inserted between the surface of the at least one layer of photopolymer and the blotting material. In the alternative, a polymeric film is laminated onto the relief image printing element using heat and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventors: Kyle P. Baldwin, Ryan W. Vest
  • Patent number: 8632956
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a photosensitive resin plate or relief printing plate having a recessed and projected pattern, which comprises the steps of: making a liquid containing an ink-repellent component (A) and a curing component (B) attach to the plate surface of the photosensitive resin plate or relief printing plate having a recessed and projected pattern prior to the post-treatment step or during the post-treatment step, wherein the ink-repellent component (A) comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of silicon-based compounds, fluorine-based compounds and paraffin-based compounds, and provides a treatment liquid which is suitable for the process for producing the photosensitive resin plate or the relief printing plate having the recessed and projected pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei E-Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Yamazawa
  • Patent number: 8632951
    Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor for infrared laser is provided that includes, layered sequentially above a support, a lower layer and an upper layer, the lower layer and/or the upper layer including an infrared absorbing agent, either the lower layer comprising an alkali-soluble group-containing graft copolymer or the upper layer comprising a sulfonamide group-, active imide group-, and/or amide group-containing graft copolymer, and the graft copolymer being a polyurethane resin having as a graft chain an ethylenically unsaturated monomer-derived constitutional unit. There is also provided a process for making a lithographic printing plate, the process including in sequence an exposure step of imagewise exposing by means of an infrared laser the positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor for infrared laser and a development step of developing using an aqueous alkali solution with a pH of 8.5 to 10.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Taguchi, Noriaki Watanabe, Norio Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20130260317
    Abstract: A method for producing a planographic printing plate is provided, which includes: subjecting a planographic printing plate precursor to image-wise exposure, wherein the precursor includes plural recording layers at least one of which contains (A) an infrared absorbing agent on a support, the upper recording layer contains (B) a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble polymer compound having a repeating unit containing a fluoroalkyl group or a siloxane structure; and developing the precursor using an alkali developer containing (C) an ammonium salt compound represented by Formulae (C-1) to (C-3), wherein R1 represents a methyl group or the like, R2 and R3 represent a hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, R4 represents a hydrocarbon group, A represents an atomic group which forms a nitrogen-containing aliphatic ring with N+, B represents an atomic group which forms a nitrogen-containing aromatic ring with N+, and X? represents a counter anion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro ARA, Shigekatsu FUJII, Norio AOSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20130255516
    Abstract: A method of making a planographic printing plate, the method includes exposing, to infrared light, a planographic printing plate precursor including a recording layer provided on a substrate; and developing the precursor using an aqueous alkaline solution, in which the recording layer comprises a copolymer containing a structural unit derived from (meth)acrylonitrile and a structural unit derived from styrene, a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin, and an infrared absorbing agent, the solubility of the recording layer in the aqueous alkaline solution being increased by the exposure, and in which the aqueous alkaline solution has a pH of 8.5 to 10.8 and contains a betaine-based amphoteric surfactant and an ammonium salt represented by Formula (I): wherein, R1, R2, R3, and R4 each independently represent an alkyl or aryl group; the total number of carbon atoms in R1, R2, R3, and R4 is not more than 20; and X? represents a counter anion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigekatsu FUJII, Yuichi YASUHARA, Yoshinori TAGUCHI, Norio AOSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20130242276
    Abstract: A method for producing flexographic printing plates, using a photopolymerizable flexographic printing element having, arranged one atop another, a dimensionally stable support, a photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer, an elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a photoinitiator, and optionally a rough, UV-transparent layer, a particulate substance, and digitally imagable layer. The method includes: (a) producing a mask by imaging the digitally imagable layer, (b) exposing the photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer through the mask with actinic light, and photopolymerizing the image regions of the layer, and (c) developing the photpolymerized layer by washing out the unphotopolymerized regions of the relief-forming layer with an organic solvent, or by thermal development.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Flint Group Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Schadebrodt, Armin Becker, Uwe Stebani, Maximilian Thate
  • Publication number: 20130209939
    Abstract: A combined laminating and exposing apparatus for exposing a photosensitive printing blank to actinic radiation in a printing plate manufacturing system and a method of using the same are disclosed. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a backing layer, at least one photocurable layer disposed on the backing layer, and a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on the at least one photocurable layer, wherein the laser ablatable mask layer is laser ablated to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable mask layer. The exposing apparatus comprises: (a) a laminating apparatus for laminating an oxygen barrier layer to a top of the laser ablated mask layer; (b) a conveyor; (c) a first exposing device for imagewise exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation, and (d) a second exposing device for exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the backing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: David A. RECCHIA, Kyle P. BALDWIN, Timothy GOTSICK
  • Patent number: 8470518
    Abstract: The invention provides a photosensitive element and a method for preparing a printing form from the element. The photosensitive element includes a layer of a photosensitive composition containing a binder, a monomer, and a Norrish type II photoinitiator, wherein the photosensitive layer has a transmittance to actinic radiation of less than 20% and contains reinforcing particles of graphene and/or carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Adrian Lungu
  • Patent number: 8465904
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a printing form from a photopolymerizable element. The photopolymerizable element includes a layer of a photopolymerizable composition containing an elastomeric block copolymer of polystyrene and polybutadiene having less than 15% by weight of 1,2-coupled bond segments in the polybutadiene block, an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a photoinitiator. The method includes imagewise exposing the photopolymerizable element to actinic radiation in the presence of atmospheric oxygen; heating the element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy; and contacting an exterior surface of the photopolymerizable element with a development medium to allow at least a portion of the liquefied layer to be removed by the development medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Masayuki Kato, John R. Shock
  • Patent number: 8440518
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor element from a pattern formed body capable of attaining patterning efficiently with a high precision. The method includes a photoresist pattern formation step, a hydrophilicity imparting step and a photoresist pattern peeling step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ogawa, Tomomi Suzuki, Masataka Kano
  • Patent number: 8409785
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the durability of an image on an imaging material, including increasing the press run length or a printing plate. The apparatus and method can involve the use of, as an example but not restricted to, an imaging device, a pre-bake oven, a processor, and a post-process treatment unit that employs infrared lamps adapted to irradiate the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kodak Graphic Communications GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Gerard, Gilbert Machuel, Celin Savariar-Hauck
  • Publication number: 20130029268
    Abstract: The invention provides a planographic printing plate precursor that is capable of providing a planographic printing plate in which ablation at the time of infrared laser exposure is inhibited and which has excellent developability of a non-image portion and printing durability of an image portion. The photosensitive planographic printing plate precursor, includes: an image recording layer on a hydrophilic support, the image recording layer including: (A) an infrared absorber; and (B) a copolymer having a repeating unit having a zwitterionic structure in a side chain thereof, and a repeating unit having a heteroalicyclic structure or a repeating unit having a hetero atom and an alicyclic structure in the main chain thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro KOYAMA, Yoshinori TAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8361700
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support having a surface, a contact angle of water droplet in air on which is 70° or more; and a photosensitive layer, wherein the support has, on a surface of the support, a compound having a functional group X, the functional group X is a functional group capable of forming a chemical bond with a compound having a functional group Y which can interact with the functional group X, when the functional group X is brought into contact with the compound having a functional group Y, to adsorb the compound having a functional group Y on the surface of the support so as to decrease the contact angle of water droplet in air on the surface of the support to 30° or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekazu Oohashi
  • Publication number: 20130004897
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a planographic printing plate is provided in which, even when an alkaline developer having a relatively low pH is used, the development property is excellent and the generation of development scum over time is inhibited. The manufacturing method includes, in this order: subjecting a positive-working planographic printing plate precursor having an image recording layer on a support to imagewise light exposure, the image recording layer including a lower layer containing an infrared absorbing agent, an alkali-soluble resin, and a copolymer at least including a structural unit derived from acrylonitrile and a structural unit derived from styrene, and an upper layer containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin; and developing the positive-working planographic printing plate precursor after the light exposure by using an aqueous alkali solution which has a pH of 8.5 to 10.8 and contains an anionic surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8323874
    Abstract: A multi-layer, positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor can be imaged with infrared radiation and processed in a single step using a single processing solution that has a pH greater than 6 and up to about 11. This single processing solution both develops the imaged precursor and provides a protective coating that need not be rinsed off before lithographic printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ray, Anthony P. Kitson
  • Patent number: 8298749
    Abstract: Provided is a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor that comprises at least a heat sensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer formed on a substrate in this order and has a high sensitivity not only immediately after the precursor production but also after the passage of time. In the directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor, the heat sensitive layer contains liquid bubbles filled with a liquid with a boiling point in the range of 210 to 270° C. Also provided is a production method for making a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro Iihara, Yuta Shuto, Yutaka Ishida
  • Patent number: 8247163
    Abstract: Lithographic printing plates can be prepared with enhanced contrast between the image and background by coloring the imaged or exposed regions using a coloring fluid containing a water-insoluble colorant (dye or pigment) and an organic solvent that swells the imaged regions sufficiently for the colorant to be embedded or diffused therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Livia T. Memetea, Jianbing Huang, Heidi M. Munnelly, Scott Wertz
  • Patent number: 8198013
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for preparing a printing form from a photosensitive element having a support and a layer of photopolymerizable material adjacent the support. The method includes exposing the photosensitive element through an image mask and through a backside mask, treating the exposed element to form a relief region and to provide an unexposed region of the photopolymerizable material remaining on the support, and removing the unexposed region from the relief region, wherein the relief region remains on the support as the printing form. The method is particularly suited for preparing a composite printing form from the printing form, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing of corrugated substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Katherine J Tuckwiller, Blendon G Eldridge
  • Patent number: 8198012
    Abstract: A mask-forming film has a transparent layer between the imageable layer and the carrier sheet, which transparent layer has a refractive index that is lower (by at least 0.04) than that of the carrier sheet or any immediately adjacent layer between it and the carrier sheet. This lower refractive index layer modifies the path of incident radiation during mask image transfer so as to provide steeper shoulder angles in the relief image solid areas. This mask film is used to form a relief image such as in a flexographic printing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory L. Zwadlo, David E. Brown, Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, A. Peter Stolt
  • Patent number: 8178283
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a simple method for treatment of a washing waste liquid, which enhances the flocculation effect and also enhances filtration characteristics of a flocculated washing waste liquid in a flocculation treatment of a washing waste liquid generated in processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Disclosed is a method for treatment of a washing waste liquid generated in a processing apparatus of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, which comprises (1) adding a cationic polymer flocculant to the washing waste liquid, then (2) adding an anionic polymer flocculent, followed by (3) filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jun Takeuchi, Hitoshi Tsuru, Yukihiro Yamakoshi
  • Patent number: 8119330
    Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator and a binder, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit within a time period of less than 10 minutes after step (b), d) treating the precursor in a gumming station, including at least one gumming unit, whereby a gum solution is applied to the precursor, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support and gumming the plate in a single step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventor: Marc Van Damme
  • Patent number: 8092983
    Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and a binder, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, d) treating the precursor in a gumming station, including at least a first gumming unit, by applying a gum solution to the coating of the precursor, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support, and wherein the steps (c) and (d) are carried out off-press in the pre-heating unit and the first gumming unit, and the pre-heating unit and the first gumming unit are coupled to each o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventor: Marc Van Damme
  • Publication number: 20110300486
    Abstract: A directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor includes at least a heat sensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer formed on a substrate in this order and has a high sensitivity not only immediately after the precursor production but also after the passage of time. In the directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor, the heat sensitive layer contains liquid bubbles filled with a liquid with a boiling point in the range of 210 to 270° C. A production method comprises applying a solution of a heat sensitive layer composition containing a solvent with a solubility parameter of 17.0 (MPa)1/2 or less and a boiling point in the range of 210 to 270° C. and a solvent with a solubility parameter of more than 17.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Akihiro Iihara, Yuta Shuto, Yutaka Ishida
  • Patent number: 8067145
    Abstract: A developing solution includes at least one of a compound represented by formula (I) and a compound represented by formula (II) and being at pH 2 to 10: wherein, in the formula (I) and (II), R1 to R10 each independently represent one of a hydrogen atom an alkyl group; “l” represents an integer of 1 to 3; and X1 and X2 each independently represent one of a sulfonate salt, a sulfate monoester salt, a carboxylate salt and a phosphate salt, provided that the total sum of the carbon atoms in R1 to R5 and the total sum of the carbon atoms in R6 to R10, respectively is 3 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichi Adachi
  • Patent number: 8026043
    Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, a top layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and a binder, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, and d) treating the precursor in a gumming station, the gumming station including a first and at least a second gumming unit, wherein the precursor is washed in the first gumming unit by applying a gum solution to the coating thereby removing at least a portion of the top layer, and wherein, subsequently, the precursor is developed in the second gumming unit with a gum solution thereby removing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventor: Marc Van Damme
  • Patent number: 7998659
    Abstract: A photosensitive laminated original printing plate for letterpress printing that does not contaminate developers, being capable of suppressing a cost increase due to developer replacement and is of high quality; and a process for producing a letterpress printing plate using the photosensitive laminated original printing plate for letterpress printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Toshiya Takagi, Takashi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7977031
    Abstract: A method of processing an on-press developable lithographic printing plate involves the removal of overcoat by brushing or rubbing while in contact with water or an aqueous solution after imagewise exposure and before on-press development. The plate comprises a substrate, an on-press ink and/or fountain solution developable photosensitive layer, and a water soluble or dispersible overcoat. Preferably, the overcoat is incapable of being completely removed with ink and/or fountain solution on a lithographic press during roll up. Such a method allows the use of more durable overcoat for on-press developable plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Gary Ganghui Teng
  • Publication number: 20110059398
    Abstract: A composition that is photopolymerizable upon absorption of light and/or heat, the composition including a binder, a polymerizable compound, a sensitizer, and a photoinitiator, characterized in that the composition includes, with respect to its non-volatile compounds, at least about 0.01 wt. % of a polythiol compound and has a very high sensitivity and hardness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: AGFA GRAPHICS NV
    Inventor: Alexander WILLIAMSON
  • Patent number: 7846640
    Abstract: A developer composition for resists which has a high dissolution rate (high developing sensitivity). The developer composition for resists comprises an organic quaternary ammonium base as a main component and a surfactant containing an anionic surfactant represented by formula (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Washio, Koji Saito