Abstract:
The present invention provides an imageable element including a lithographic substrate and an imageable layer disposed on the substrate. The imageable layer includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator system capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate a polymerization reaction upon exposure to imaging radiation, and a polymeric binder having a hydrophobic backbone and including both constitutional units having a pendant cyano group attached directly to the hydrophobic backbone, and constitutional units having a pendant group including a hydrophilic poly(alkylene oxide) segment. The invention also provides a method for preparing a suitable polymeric binder. The method comprises contacting a combination of co-monomers in a solvent mixture consisting essentially of a (C1–C6) alkanol and water.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a positive-working, thermally imageable element generally comprising a multi-layered imageable coating. The invention provides an imageable element comprising a substrate, an ink-receptive top layer, and an underlayer, the underlayer including a specific copolymer described herein. The copolymer can be a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer having a cyclic urea group; b) a monomer comprising an N-substituted maleimide; c) a (meth)acrylamide or (meth)acrylate monomer; and d) a (meth)acrylic acid or vinyl benzoic acid monomer. In another embodiment, the copolymer can be a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer having a cyclic urea group; b) a (meth)acrylic acid or vinyl benzoic acid monomer; c) and a (meth)acrylonitrile monomer. The imageable element may be used to prepare a lithographic printing plate that is resistant to press chemistry and can optionally be baked to increase press runlength.
Abstract:
A method for forming an image by imaging and developing a multi-layer imageable element, in which the developer is fresh developer and the developer is not reused, is disclosed. Much smaller variation in dot percentage is obtained when each imaged imageable element is developed in fresh developer than when the developer is reused to develop additional imaged imageable elements. The method is especially suited to the formation of images using stochastic screening. Either a solvent based developer or a high pH developer may be used.
Abstract:
Vesicular images are formed by thermal imaging of imageable layers containing thermally imageable vesicular imaging compositions. The vesicular images can be used as masks for imaging printing plate precursors. In one aspect, a printing plate precursor made up of a flexible substrate; a photosensitive layer that contains a negative working photosensitive composition; an optional barrier layer; and the imageable layer is thermally imaged to produce an integral mask. Blanket exposure through the mask with ultraviolet and/or visible radiation followed by development produces a printing plate. The method is especially suited for the production of flexographic printing plates.
Abstract:
A portable x-ray tube 68 for producing x-rays, the tube 68 having an energy source 74 which directs energetic particles or photons at an electron multiplier 80 coupled to the energy source 74. A voltage source 84 applies a multiplier voltage across the electron multiplier 80. When triggered by the energy source 74, the electron multiplier 80 creates a multitude of electrons 28 directed towards a target anode 90 that receives the electrons and produces x-rays 30. The target anode 90 is coupled at a voltage difference of at least 3 kV relative to the electron multiplier 80 so as to define an electron acceleration region 32 between the electron multiplier 80 and the target anode 90. The target anode 90 contains an element having an atomic number greater than 11. A low pressure enclosure 70 contains the electron multiplier 80 and the target anode 90. The low pressure enclosure 70 includes a window 92 for allowing the x-rays 30 to pass through substantially unchanged.
Abstract:
A method of training a human for a marksmanship task using a training apparatus, and the apparatus therefor. The apparatus senses and records motions within a time window. The method includes sensing and recording motions sensed by the one or more sensors, detecting a synchronization event, analyzing the sensed and recorded motions that were sensed in the time window, comparing the analyzed sensed and recorded motions with a set of desired analyzed motions to generate difference data; and, responsive to the comparing, presenting to the user in the user's field of perception visual feedback indicating one or both the direction and magnitude of deviation from the set of desired analyzed motions. The presenting the visual feedback to the user is essentially instantaneous, e.g., commencing no later than 10 ms (at most 100 ms) after the synchronization event.
Abstract:
An infrared radiation-sensitive positive-working imageable element has a substrate and single imageable layer that includes a first polymeric binder having urethane or urea moieties in its backbone. The first polymeric binder is also insoluble in water and soluble in a weakly alkaline solution. This imageable element can be imaged and processed using weakly alkaline processing solutions that are free of silicates and metasilicates, which processing solutions may also be used to “gum” the imaged and developed printing surface.
Abstract:
Negative-working imageable elements can be imaged and processed on-press to provide lithographic printing plates, especially with sulfuric acid-anodized aluminum substrates. These elements have an imageable layer that contains two different polymeric binders, a first polymeric binder that is present a discrete particles, and a second polymeric binder that comprises pendant ethylenically unsaturated groups.
Abstract:
An infrared radiation-sensitive positive-working imageable element has a substrate and single imageable layer that includes a first polymeric binder having urethane or urea moieties in its backbone. The first polymeric binder is also insoluble in water and soluble in a weakly alkaline solution. This imageable element can be imaged and processed using weakly alkaline processing solutions that are free of silicates and metasilicates, which processing solutions may also be used to “gum” the imaged and developed printing surface.
Abstract:
A negative-working imageable element has an imageable layer and a topcoat layer that contains a composition that will change color upon exposure to imaging infrared radiation. The imageable element can be imaged and developed on-press to provide images with improved contrast for print-out.