| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 430306000 | Relief | 65 |
| 20080248428 | Method for Producing Flexographic Printing Forms by Thermal Development - The invention relates to a method for producing flexographic printing forms by thermal development during which a flexographic printing element exposed in an image-like manner is developed by heating and removing the softened, non-polymerized portions of the relief-forming layer, whereby the flexographic printing element used contains a styrene butadiene block copolymer mixed with a softener, and the proportion of butadiene which is 1,2-coupled, ranges from 15 to 50% by weight of the block copolymer. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080305436 | PLATE CUTTING - A method for cutting flexographic plates ( | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090029292 | ENGRAVING WITH AMPLIFIER HAVING MULTIPLE EXIT PORTS - An apparatus for direct engraving comprises: a plurality of laser diode emitting at different wavelengths; a multiplexer ( | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090191481 | Method of manufacturing relief printing plate and printing plate precursor for laser engraving - 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. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090191482 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING RELIEF PRINTING FORM - The invention provides a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. More specifically, this invention describes a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief form in an environment having controlled oxygen concentration during exposure to actinic radiation. The method includes forming an in-situ mask on a lo photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and treating the exposed element to form the relief printing form having a pattern of raised surface areas. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090191483 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING RELIEF PRINTING FORM - The invention provides a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. More specifically, this invention describes a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief form in an environment having controlled oxygen concentration during exposure to actinic radiation. The method includes forming an in-situ mask on a photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and treating the exposed element to form the relief printing form having a pattern of raised surface areas. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090297985 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A COMPOSITE PRINTING FORM USING A TEMPLATE - The invention pertains to a method for preparing a composite printing form from a photosensitive element and a carrier using a template. The photosensitive element is located on the carrier by positioning the element through cutout portions in the template. The method is particularly suited for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for flexographic printing of corrugated substrates. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100062376 | Method and apparatus for thermal development with a conformable support - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a printing form from a photosensitive element to form a relief pattern. The method and apparatus thermally develop the photosensitive element by heating a composition layer of the element to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy and providing a development medium to the element to remove the liquefied composition. A conformable layer is disposed between the photosensitive element and a base support, which improves the compressibility and the contact between the photosensitive element and the development medium. The method and apparatus improve the efficiency of the removal of liquefied portions from the photosensitive element and the uniformity of the relief pattern formed. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100068651 | DEVELOPING SOLUTION FOR FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATES - A developing or processing solution can be used to provide flexographic relief printing plates. This processing solution comprises dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether (DME) and optionally one or more alcohols or other co-solvents. The processing solution is used to remove non-polymerized material after imaging while leaving polymerized material in a relief image. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100112484 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A PRINTING FORM FROM A PHOTOPOLYMERIZABLE ELEMENT - 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. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100119978 | Apparatus and Method for Thermally Developing Flexographic Printing Elements - A method for developing an imaged and exposed photopolymer printing element is disclosed where the printing element is heated to a temperature sufficient to selectively melt or soften the non-cured portions of the photopolymer such that the softened or melted non-cured photopolymer is removable from the printing element by contacting the heated printing element with a blotter. The image of the removed non-cured photopolymer is obscured by using a darkly colored blotter thereby increasing the security of the printing operation. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100143846 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING PHOTOSENSITIVE RESIN PLATE AND RELIEF PRINTING PLATE HAVING RECESSED AND PROJECTED PATTERN, AND PLATE SURFACE TREATING LIQUID USED IN THE PROCESS - 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. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100167209 | METHOD OF USING MASK FILM TO FORM RELIEF IMAGES - 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. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100196827 | METHOD OF MAKING A FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING SLEEVE FORME - A method of making a flexographic printing sleeve forme 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. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100248151 | METHOD OF MAKING A PRINTING PLATE - A method of making a printing plate which has easy removability of engraving residue generated in laser engraving and has excellent reproducibility of thin lines is provided. The method includes in the following order: engraving by laser irradiation a relief forming layer of a printing plate precursor, the relief forming layer including a binder polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 20° C. or higher; and treating a surface of the engraved relief forming layer with an emulsion cleaner. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100316957 | METHOD OF PRODUCING A RELIEF IMAGE ARRANGEMENT USABLE IN PARTICULAR IN THE FIELD OF FLEXOGRAPHY AND ARRANGEMENT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO THIS METHOD - The invention relates to a method of producing a relief image arrangement, usable especially in the fields of flexography, embossing and heliogravure, and comprising a base layer and a layer of photosensitive material fixed on the base layer. The method is of the type according to which an image is produced on the photosensitive layer by causing selective curing by irradiating the zones that are to be in relief with light of a predetermined wavelength. The method is characterized in that the image is produced in the form of a set of points to which a substantially pyramidal shape is given, widening out in the direction of the base layer ( | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110014573 | SYSTEM FOR ENGRAVING FLEXOGRAPHIC PLATES - A system for engraving flexographic printing plates includes a flexographic printing plate comprised of at least two ablation layers, a printing ablation layer and a non-printing ablation layer. In addition the system includes a laser source adapted to ablate the flexographic plate. The laser source is comprised of a first group of one or more radiation sources each emitting radiation on the printing ablation layer, and a second group of one or more radiation sources each emitting radiation on the non-printing ablation layer. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110039211 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A COMPOSITE PRINTING FORM - The invention pertains to a method for preparing a composite printing form from a single precursor that is capable of forming a relief and a carrier. The single precursor can be a single photosensitive element or a single laser-engravable print element having a reinforced elastomeric layer. The single precursor has a size that is at least 70% of a size of the carrier. The single precursor is located on the carrier by approximately positioning the precursor on the carrier that has no registration markings. Precise registration of the single precursor is achieved by using digital information generated from a computer to create the registered image on the composite form. The method is particularly suited for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for flexographic printing of corrugated substrates. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110053090 | FLEXOGRAPHIC PROCESSING SOLUTION AND METHOD OF USE - 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. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110081614 | Method of Improving Print Performance in Flexographic Printing Plates - A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. A photosensitive printing blank with a laser ablatable layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer is ablated with a laser to create an in situ mask. The printing blank is then exposed to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure portions of the photocurable layer. Diffusion of air into the at least one photocurable layer is limited during the exposing step and preferably at least one of the type, power and incident angle of illumination of the at least one source of actinic radiation is altered during the exposure step. The resulting relief image comprises a plurality of dots and a dot shape of the plurality of dots is produced that is highly resistant to print fluting for printing on corrugated board. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110117500 | Carrier Sheet for a Photosensitive Printing Element - An improved apparatus for thermally developing a flexographic printing element to reveal a relief image on the surface and a method of using the apparatus to develop a flexographic printing element. The apparatus typically comprises means for softening or melting a crosslinked photopolymer on the imaged and exposed surface of the flexographic printing element; at least one roll that is contactable with the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element and capable of moving over at least a portion of the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element to remove the softened or melted non-crosslinked photopolymer on the imaged and exposed surface of the flexographic printing element; and means for maintaining contact between the at least one roll and the imaged and exposed surface of the flexographic printing element. A layer of resilient compressible material is positioned between the flexographic printing element and a supporting conveying means. The means for softening or melting non-crosslinked photopolymer on the imaged and exposed surface of the flexographic printing element comprise a heater positioned adjacent to the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element and/or heating the at least one roll that contactable with the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element. The apparatus may also contain an exposure device to crosslink and cure the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element prior to thermal development. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110159438 | THERMALLY CROSSLINKABLE RESIN COMPOSITION FOR LASER ENGRAVING, RELIEF PRINTING STARTING PLATE FOR LASER ENGRAVING AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND RELIEF PRINTING PLATE AND PROCESS FOR MAKING SAME - A process for making a relief printing plate is provided, the process including a layer formation step of forming a relief-forming layer from a resin composition containing (Component A) a compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group and/or a silanol group and (Component B) a conjugated diene monomer unit-containing polymer, and at least either further containing (Component C) a vulcanizing agent having a sulfur atom or Component A above being a compound further having a sulfur atom, a crosslinking step of thermally crosslinking the relief-forming layer to thus obtain a relief printing starting plate having a crosslinked relief-forming layer, and an engraving step of laser-engraving the relief printing starting plate having a crosslinked relief-forming layer to thus form a relief layer. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110159439 | THERMALLY CROSSLINKABLE RESIN COMPOSITION FOR LASER ENGRAVING, RELIEF PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR FOR LASER ENGRAVING AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SAME, AND RELIEF PRINTING PLATE AND PROCESS FOR MAKING SAME - A process for making a relief printing plate is provided that includes a layer formation step of forming a relief-forming layer from a resin composition that contains (Component A) a compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group and/or a silanol group, (Component B) a binder polymer, and (Component C) a peroxide, a crosslinking step of thermally crosslinking the relief-forming layer to thus obtain a relief printing plate precursor having a crosslinked relief-forming layer, and an engraving step of laser-engraving the relief printing plate precursor having a crosslinked relief-forming layer to thus form a relief layer. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110189612 | METHOD FOR FIXING A FLEXOGRAPHIC PLATE - A method includes removing the previously imaged area ( | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110275017 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A PRINTING FORM - 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. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110281219 | Apparatus and Method for Thermally Developing Flexographic Printing Elements - A method for developing an imaged and exposed photopolymer printing element is disclosed where the printing element is heated to a temperature sufficient to selectively melt or soften the non-cured portions of the photopolymer such that the softened or melted non-cured photopolymer is removable from the printing element by contacting the heated printing element with a blotter. The image of the removed non-cured photopolymer is obscured by using a darkly colored blotter thereby increasing the security of the printing operation. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20120003588 | Method of Improving Print Performance in Flexographic Printing Plates - A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. The method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a photosensitive printing blank comprising a backing layer, at least one layer of photoresin on top of the backing layer and a removable coversheet on top of the at least one layer of photoresin; 2) imaging the photosensitive printing blank through the removable coversheet using a laser to create a relief image therein; and 3) removing the removable coversheet. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120135354 | METHOD OF PRODUCING A RELIEF IMAGE FOR PRINTING - The present invention involves a method for making a relief image. A film that includes a carrier sheet and an imageable material is used to form a mask image that is opaque to a curing radiation. In one embodiment, the mask image is formed on the carrier sheet while in another embodiment, the mask image is formed on a receptor sheet. The mask image is then transferred to a photosensitive material, such as a flexographic printing plate precursor. The resulting assembly is exposed to the curing radiation resulting in exposed and unexposed areas of the photosensitive material. The carrier sheet or the receptor sheet may be removed from the mask image either before or after exposure to the curing radiation. Finally, the photosensitive material and mask image assembly is developed with a suitable developer to form a relief image. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120164584 | Method of Improving Print Performance in Flexographic Printing Plates - A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive Printing blank is provided. A photosensitive printing blank with a laser ablatable layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer is ablated with a laser to create an in situ mask. The printing blank is then exposed to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure portions of the photocurable layer. Diffusion of air into the at least one photocurable layer is limited during the exposing step and preferably at least one of the type, power and incident angle of illumination of the at least one source of actinic radiation is altered during the exposure step. The resulting relief image comprises a plurality of dots and a dot shape of the plurality of dots is produced that is highly resistant to print fluting for printing on corrugated board. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120171620 | Method of Improving Print Performance in Flexographic Printing Plates - A method of controlling 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. The method comprises the steps of a) laser ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable mask layer; b) applying a barrier membrane to the photosensitive printing blank; c) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the in situ negative; and d) developing the imaged and exposed photosensitive printing blank to reveal the relief image therein, said relief image comprising the plurality of relief dots. The presence of the barrier membrane produces printing dots having at least one geometric feature selected from a desired planarity of a top surface of the printing dots, a desired shoulder angle of the printing dots and a desired edge sharpness of the printing dots. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120196229 | EMBEDDING DATA INTO SOLID AREAS, TEXT OR LINE WORK - A method of encoding data in printed solid image features on a receiver includes providing a relief printing member; modifying at least one surface of the relief printing member within a boundary of a solid image feature; and printing the encoded data in at least one solid image feature on the receiver. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120214102 | Photosensitive Resin Laminate and Thermal Processing of the Same - A method of thermally developing a photocurable printing blank to produce a relief pattern comprising a plurality of relief dots. The photocurable printing blank comprises a backing layer having at least one photocurable layer disposed thereon and a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on top of the at least one photocurable layer. The method includes the steps of (1) imaging the at least one photocurable layer by ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create the relief pattern on the surface of the at least one photocurable layer; (2) laminating an oxygen barrier membrane to a top of the laser ablated mask layer; (3) exposing the printing blank to actinic radiation through the oxygen barrier membrane and mask layer to one or more sources of actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure portions of the at least one photocurable layer, wherein the at least one photocurable layer is crosslinked and cured in the portions not covered by the mask layer, thereby creating the relief pattern; (4) removing the oxygen barrier membrane from the top of the laser ablated mask layer; and (5) thermally developing the printing blank to remove the laser ablated mask layer and uncured portions of the photocurable layer and reveal the relief pattern. The presence of the oxygen barrier membrane produces printing dots having desired characteristics. The method can also be used with an analog platemaking process that uses a negative instead of an ablatable mask layer, or, in the alternative, the negative itself can be used as the oxygen barrier layer. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120258406 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREPARING RELIEF PRINTING FORM - The invention provides a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. More specifically, this invention describes a method and an apparatus for preparing a relief form in an environment having controlled oxygen concentration during exposure to actinic radiation. The method includes forming an in-situ mask on a photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and treating the exposed element to form the relief printing form having a pattern of raised surface areas. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120270156 | Photosensitive Resin Laminate and Thermal Processing of the Same - A method of developing a photocurable printing blank to produce a relief pattern comprising a plurality of relief dots. The photocurable printing blank comprises a backing layer having at least one photocurable layer disposed thereon, a barrier layer disposed on the at least one photocurable layer, and a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on top of the barrier layer. The method includes the steps of (1) imaging the at least one photocurable layer by ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create the relief pattern on the photocurable printing blank the printing blank to actinic radiation through the barrier layer and mask layer to one or more sources of actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure portions of the at least one photocurable layer, wherein the at least one photocurable layer is crosslinked and cured in the portions not covered by the mask layer, thereby creating the relief pattern; (3) developing the printing blank to remove the barrier layer, the laser ablated mask layer and uncured portions of the photocurable layer and reveal the relief pattern. The presence of the barrier layer produces printing dots having desired characteristics. The method can also be used with an analog platemaking process that uses a negative instead of an ablatable mask layer. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120288801 | FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE ASSEMBLY - A printing plate assembly for use in flexographic printing application is provided which includes an integral carrier layer, one or more cushion layers, and one or more photopolymer layers. The photopolymer layer(s) in the integral assembly are provided with relief images using digital imaging photopolymerization, which eliminates the need for a back exposure step and provides a precise relief depth for the plate. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120308934 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A COMPOSITE PRINTING FORM - The invention pertains to a method for preparing a composite printing form from a single precursor that is capable of forming a relief and a carrier. The single precursor can be a single photosensitive element or a single laser-engravable print element having a reinforced elastomeric layer. The single precursor has a size that is at least 70% of a size of the carrier. The single precursor is located on the carrier by approximately positioning the precursor on the carrier that has no registration markings. Precise registration of the single precursor is achieved by using digital information generated from a computer to create the registered image on the composite form. The method is particularly suited for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for flexographic printing of corrugated substrates. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120308935 | FLEXOGRAPHIC PROCESSING SOLUTION AND USE - A flexographic printing plate can be prepared with relief images using a processing solution. This processing solution includes one or more esters of monobasic carboxylic acids represented by one or both of the following Structures (I) and (II): | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120328989 | Slip Film for Relief Image Printing Element - A method of preparing a photosensitive printing blank, the method comprising the steps of: a) coating a slip film onto a coversheet and drying the slip film; and depositing at least one layer of photosensitive material on top of the slip film coated coversheet and laminating a substrate layer to the exposed surface of the photosensitive material. The slip film comprises: i) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and polyvinylpyrrolidone; ii) optionally, an additive. The slip film at least substantially eliminates the formation of hot spots during an analog plate making process. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130017493 | Method for Improving Print Performance of Flexographic Printing ElementsAANM Cook; BrianAACI RoswellAAST GAAACO USAAGP Cook; Brian Roswell GA USAANM Recchia; David A.AACI SmyrnaAAST GAAACO USAAGP Recchia; David A. Smyrna GA USAANM Gotsick; TimothyAACI AcworthAAST GAAACO USAAGP Gotsick; Timothy Acworth GA US - A method of making a relief image printing element having a relief pattern comprising a plurality of relief dots, wherein the photocurable printing blank comprises a backing layer having at least one photocurable layer disposed thereon and a masking layer on the at least one photocurable layer is provided. The method comprising the steps of: a) selectively ablating the masking layer to create an overall image in the masking layer, such that the overall image comprises a sub-image, comprising a pattern of cells, in it; b) applying an oxygen barrier layer on top of the masking layer; c) exposing the printing element to actinic radiation through the oxygen barrier layer and the masking layer to selectively crosslink and cure the at least one photocurable layer, thereby creating the relief image therein and a textured surface on the printing element; and d) developing the printing blank by removing the barrier layer and the uncured portions of the photocurable layer to reveal the relief image. The method results in printing plate having improved print performance for optimal printing and a higher achievable solid ink density. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130040243 | Laminated Flexographic Printing Sleeves and Methods of Making the Same - 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) placing a barrier layer on top of the laser ablatable mask layer; (2) laser ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable layer; (3) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the in situ negative; (4) removing the harrier 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. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130108966 | METHOD FOR THERMAL TREATMENT OF RELIEF SURFACE FOR A RELIEF PRINTING FORM | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130189625 | Laminating Apparatus and Method of Using the Same - An apparatus for laminating a film to a substrate and a method of using the same is described. The apparatus comprises a) a heated laminating roller and a second roller, wherein said heated laminating roller and said second roller are opposably mounted and form a nip; b) a drive mechanism for rotating the heated laminating roller and second roller; c) a film supply roller adapted to support a roll of film and supply the film over an outer surface of the heated laminating roller and into the nip, wherein the film is contactable with a top surface of the substrate at a point where the substrate advances through the nip; and d) a splitter bar in contact with the film supplied from the supply roller, wherein the position of the splitter bar controls a wrap angle between the film and the heated laminating roller. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130216955 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A RELIEF PRINTING FORM - The invention provides a method for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. The method includes forming an in-situ mask disposed above a photopolymerizable layer of the photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between about 50,000 ppm and about 2000 ppm to form at least a polymerized portion and an unpolymerized portion of the layer, and treating by heating the exposed element to a temperature sufficient to cause the unpolymerized portion to melt, soften, or flow. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130295508 | APPARATUS FOR THERMAL DEVELOPMENT WITH A CONFORMABLE SUPPORT - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a printing form from a photosensitive element to form a relief pattern. The method and apparatus thermally develop the photosensitive element by heating a composition layer of the element to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy and providing a development medium to the element to remove the liquefied composition. A conformable layer is disposed between the photosensitive element and a base support, which improves the compressibility and the contact between the photosensitive element and the development medium. The method and apparatus improve the efficiency of the removal of liquefied portions from the photosensitive element and the uniformity of the relief pattern formed. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130316290 | Liquid Platemaking Process - 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. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130337386 | PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A FLEXOGRAPHIC PLATE, A METHOD AND A COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - The invention relates to a processing apparatus for processing a flexographic plate, comprising a receiving unit for receiving a flexographic plate including a relief layer containing a photosensitive material, and an optical system for locally exposing the relief layer. The optical system includes an illumination system for generating an optical beam and an imaging system for directing the beam towards the relief layer for polymerizing a relief pattern in the layer. The relief pattern is constituted by a multiple number of relief parts upwardly protruding from a ground layer, wherein a protruding relief part includes a top section and a basis section. The basis section has a supporting section supporting the top section, and a stiffening section extending from the supporting section in a lateral direction. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140004466 | Photosensitive Resin Laminate and Thermal Processing of the Same | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140057207 | Method of Improving Print Performance in Flexographic Printing Plates - A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief printing dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a platemaking process is provided. The photocurable layer is exposed to actinic radiation using an array of UV LED light assemblies and the use of the array of UV LED light assemblies produces relief printing dots having at least one geometric characteristic selected from the group consisting of a desired planarity of a top surface of the relief printing dots, a desired shoulder angle of the relief printing dots and a desired edge sharpness of the relief printing dots. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140057208 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A RELIEF PRINTING FORM - The invention provides a method for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element. The method includes forming an in-situ mask disposed above a photopolymerizable layer of the photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between about 30,000 ppm and about 7500 ppm to form at least a polymerized portion and an unpolymerized portion of the layer, and treating by processing the exposed element with at least one washout solution selected from solvent solution, aqueous solution, semi-aqueous solution, or water. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140072913 | Method of Controlling Surface Roughness of a Flexographic Printing Plate - A method of controlling surface roughness 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 a sufficient temperature 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, wherein when the blotting material contacts the at least one layer of photopolymer, the softened uncured photopolymer portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer are absorbed into the 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, after the flexographic printing element is removed from the thermal processor, a polymeric film is laminated onto the relief image printing element using heat and pressure. Based thereon, the average surface roughness of the relief surface of the flexographic printing element can be reduced. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140141378 | Photosensitive Resin Laminate and Thermal Processing of the Same - A method of thermally developing a photocurable printing blank to produce a relief pattern comprising a plurality of relief dots. The photocurable printing blank comprises a backing layer having at least one photocurable layer disposed thereon and a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on top of the at least one photocurable layer. The method includes the steps of (1) imaging the at least one photocurable layer by ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create the relief pattern on the surface of the at least one photocurable layer; (2) laminating an oxygen barrier membrane to a top of the laser ablated mask layer; (3) exposing the printing blank to actinic radiation through the oxygen barrier membrane and mask layer to one or more sources of actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure portions of the at least one photocurable layer, wherein the at least one photocurable layer is crosslinked and cured in the portions not covered by the mask layer, thereby creating the relief pattern; (4) removing the oxygen barrier membrane from the top of the laser ablated mask layer; and (5) thermally developing the printing blank to remove the laser ablated mask layer and uncured portions of the photocurable layer and reveal the relief pattern. The presence of the oxygen barrier membrane produces printing dots having desired characteristics. The method can also be used with an analog platemaking process that uses a negative instead of an ablatable mask layer, or, in the alternative, the negative itself can be used as the oxygen barrier layer. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140147791 | PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A FLEXOGRAPHIC PLATE, A METHOD AND A COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - The invention relates to a processing apparatus for processing a flexographic plate. The apparatus comprises a supporting unit for supporting a flexographic plate including a relief layer containing a photosensitive material, the plate further including, on the relief layer, a carbon layer that is impenetrable for UV light. The apparatus also comprises an optical system for locally ablating the carbon layer for forming a pattern in the carbon layer that is penetrable for UV light, and for polymerizing at least a top part of the relief layer under the carbon pattern layer. Thereto, the optical system includes a single radiation source for both locally ablating the carbon layer and for polymerizing at least a top part of the relief layer. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140162192 | Photopolymer Imaging from Solvent Ink Film Images - Negatives, and laminates containing negatives, for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality. By bringing the negative images as close as possible to the liquid photopolymer, printed dots of “digital quality” are created. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140295352 | Method of Improving Print Performance in Flexographic Printing Plates - A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief printing dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a platemaking process is provided. The photocurable layer is exposed to actinic radiation using an array of UV LED light assemblies and the use of the array of UV LED light assemblies produces relief printing dots having at least one geometric characteristic selected from the group consisting of a desired planarity of a top surface of the relief printing dots, a desired shoulder angle of the relief printing dots and a desired edge sharpness of the relief printing dots. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140308617 | Method for Improving Print Performance in Flexographic Printing Plates - A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. The method comprising the steps of: | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140315132 | EXPOSURE APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR EXPOSING A PHOTOSENSITIVE ELEMENT AND A METHOD FOR PREPARING A PRINTING FORM FROM THE PHOTOSENSITIVE ELEMENT - The invention pertains to an exposure apparatus, a method for exposing a photosensitive element to radiation using the exposure apparatus, and a method for preparing a printing form from the photosensitive element. The exposure apparatus includes a base assembly having an exposure bed that supports the photosensitive element, and a lamp housing assembly having two or more lamps. The lamp housing assembly includes an air distribution assembly having an air chamber that is disposed adjacent to the lamps and pressurized to provide uniform distribution of air exiting the air chamber to impinge a backside of each of the lamps. The air exiting the chamber and impinging the lamps is controlled by monitoring the temperature of the lamps and/or the irradiance emitting from the lamps. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140335456 | Method of Improving Print Performance in Flexographic Printing Plates - A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief printing dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a platemaking process including the steps of: (a) selectively exposing at least one photocurable layer to a source of actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure the at least one photocurable layer; and (b) developing the exposed at least one photocurable layer to reveal the relief image therein, said relief image comprising the plurality of relief printing dots. The source of actinic radiation comprises a source of UV light in the UV-A range and a source of light in the UV-C range. The at least one photocurable layer is simultaneously exposed to the source of UV light in the UV-A range and the source of UV light in the UV-C range to produce printing dots having at least one desired geometric characteristic. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20150030984 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PRINTING - A method of manufacturing a flexographic printing plate includes exposing a bottom side of a flexographic printing plate substrate to UV-A radiation for a first exposure time. A top side of the flexographic printing plate substrate is exposed to UV-A radiation through a thermal imaging layer. The bottom side of the flexographic printing plate substrate is exposed to UV-A radiation for a second exposure time. The flexographic printing plate substrate is developed. The flexographic printing plate is cured. A sum of the first and second exposure times set a relief depth. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150125796 | METHOD OF PREPARING FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING MEMBERS - Following imagewise exposure of a sandwiched photopolymer layer, the outer layers between which the photopolymer is interposed are separated in a manner that leaves some photopolymer on each of the separated layers. The photopolymer remaining on one layer contains the raised pattern that will carry ink, and may be subjected to further exposure to actinic radiation in order to complete the curing process without the need for washing; the photopolymer remaining on the other layer can be removed and reused. As a result, waste is minimized or eliminated. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20160054656 | COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MINERAL SPIRITS AND METHODS RELATED THERETO - This invention relates to a composition comprising mineral spirits in combination with an alcohol or diisopropylbenzene or both, and methods directed to the preparation and use of this composition. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160054657 | COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MINERAL SPIRITS AND METHODS RELATED THERETO - This invention relates to a composition comprising mineral spirits in combination with an alcohol or diisopropylbenzene or both, and methods directed to the preparation and use of this composition. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160116844 | Method for Creating Surface Texture on Flexographic Printing Elements - A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is described. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer and the laser ablatable mask layer is selectively laser ablated to create an in situ mask and uncover portions of the at least one photocurable layer. The method includes a) pushing the photosensitive printing blank through a nip formed by a textured roller and a backing roller, wherein the textured roller contacts the in situ mask and the uncovered portions of the at least one photocurable layer; and b) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure the portions of the at least one photocurable layer not covered by the in situ mask. A defined topographical pattern is transferred from the textured surface of the roller to the at least one photocurable layer. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160154308 | PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING FORMS | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160187779 | Photopolymer Imaging from Solvent Ink Film Images - Negatives, and laminates containing negatives, for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality. By bringing the negative images as close as possible to the liquid photopolymer, printed dots of “digital quality” are created. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20190146346 | GAP-FILLING METHOD | 05-16-2019 |
