Abstract:
Lithographic substrate comprising (a) a dimensionally stable plate- or foil-shaped support, (b) an aluminum oxide layer provided on at least one side of the support (a), and (c) an interlayer applied onto the aluminum oxide layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer comprising structural units derived from the following compounds: (a1) at least one compound comprising both polyalkylene oxide chains and at least one structural unit which is free-radical polymerizable, and (a2) at least one monomer capable of copolymerizing with the free-radical polymerizable structural unit of (a1) and furthermore comprising at least one acidic functional group with pKs
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for providing substantially intimate rolling contact between a portion of a donor sheet and a portion of an acceptor element in a laser-induced thermal transfer printer comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum, an acceptor element affixed to and supported by the cylindrical drum, a rotatably mounted dispensing roller for dispensing a donor sheet, and a rotatably mounted receiving roller for receiving the donor sheet, so that the donor sheet is extended between the dispensing roller and the receiving roller. A plurality of rotatably mounted contact rollers configured to bring a portion of the donor sheet extended between the dispensing roller and the receiving roller into contact with a portion of the acceptor element is also included.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a polymerizable coating composition suitable for the manufacture of printing plates, which may be developable on-press. The coating composition comprises (i) a polymerizable compound and (ii) a polymeric binder comprising polyethylene oxide segments, wherein the polymeric binder is selected from the group consisting of at least one graft copolymer comprising a main chain polymer and polyethylene oxide side chains, a block copolymer having at least one polyethylene oxide block and at least one non-polyethylene oxide block, and a combination thereof. The invention is also directed to an imageable element comprising a substrate and the polymerizable coating composition.
Abstract:
A method of preparing negative-working, single-layer imageable elements improves their storage stability in a humid environment. The method includes enclosing the coated imageable elements in a water-impermeable sheet material that substantially inhibits the transfer of moisture to and from the imageable element. Such imageable elements include a radiation-sensitive composition that includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition to provide radicals upon exposure to imaging radiation, a radiation absorbing compound, and a polymeric binder having poly(alkylene glycol) side chains.
Abstract:
A positive-working imageable element comprises inner and outer layers and a radiation absorbing compound such as an IR absorbing dye. The inner layer includes a polymeric material that is removable using an alkaline developer. An ink receptive outer layer is not removable using an alkaline developer before its exposure to imaging radiation. The outer layer includes a polymer binder having pendant epoxy groups that are substantially unreacted during exposure.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an imageable composition including an acid curable composition, an acid generator, an infrared absorber having a counter anion derived from a non-volatile acid, and a strong acid such as a sulfonic acid. The imageable composition may include components such as a crosslinkable binder or a colorant. In one embodiment, the imageable composition further includes a colorant having a counter anion derived from a non-volatile acid. The present invention further provides an imageable element, which includes a substrate and an imageable coating on a surface of the substrate. Also provided is method of producing an imaged element according to the invention.
Abstract:
A method for forming images useful as lithographic printing plate precursors is disclosed. An imageable element in which the imageable layer comprises an acid generator, a crosslinking agent, and a binder is imaged with ultraviolet radiation and developed with a solvent based developer. The acid generator is an iodonium, sulfonium, or diazonium salt in which the anion is an organic sulfate or thiosulfate anion. The binder comprises a copolymer that contains a reactive pendent group capable of undergoing acid crosslinking, in which the reactive pendent group is hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, alkoxymethyl, or a mixture thereof. The method is especially suited for use with direct digital ultraviolet imaging devices. The resulting image is useful as a lithographic printing plate.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for providing substantially intimate rolling contact between a portion of a donor sheet and a portion of an acceptor element in a laser-induced thermal transfer printer comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum, an acceptor element affixed to and supported by the cylindrical drum, a rotatably mounted dispensing roller for dispensing a donor sheet, and a rotatably mounted receiving roller for receiving the donor sheet, so that the donor sheet is extended between the dispensing roller and the receiving roller. A plurality of rotatably mounted contact rollers configured to bring a portion of the donor sheet extended between the dispensing roller and the receiving roller into contact with a portion of the acceptor element is also included.
Abstract:
Imageable elements, useful as on press developable lithographic printing plate precursors, are disclosed. The elements comprise an imageable layer over a substrate and an one or more adhesion promoting ingredients. The imageable layer comprises a polymerizable compound and a polymeric binder. The adhesion promoting ingredients are titanium chelate and/or co-polymers of a monomer having a polethylene oxide side chain with a monomer having either an acidic group or an anhydride group that has been ring opened to form an acidic group or groups.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for exposing a lithographic printing plate wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of laser diodes emitting light of wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm. The light from each of the laser diodes is directed onto the lithographic printing plate such that each spot on the lithographic printing plate receives light emitted from at least one of the laser diodes. Preferably, the lithographic printing plate is a violet-sensitive lithographic member and the lithographic member is a printing press plate. The power of each laser diode may be between 5 mW and 30 mW, and preferably the laser diodes emit light of wavelength between 390 nm and 430 nm.