EP0580393A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Lithographic printing plate
Assignee: Presstek LLC
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Filing: 1993-07-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-07-20
Abstract
Abstract Lithographic printing plates suitable for imaging by means of laser devices that emit in the near-infrared region. Laser output either ablates one or more plate layers or physically transforms a surface layer, in either case resulting in an imagewise pattern of features on the plate. The image features exhibit an affinity for ink or an ink-abhesive fluid that differs from that of unexposed areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Lewis
- 👤 Michael T. Nowak
- 👤 Kenneth T. Robichaud
- 👤 Kenneth R. Cassidy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:21
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41N; B41N1/00; B41N1/003; B41C; B41C1/00; B41C1/10; B41C1/1008; B41C1/1033; B41J; B41J19/00; B41J19/18; B41J19/20; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/447; B41J2/45; B41J2/451; B41J2/47; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/24; B41N1/12; B41N1/14; B41C2201/00; B41C2201/02; B41C2201/04; B41C2210/00; B41C2210/02; B41C2210/04; B41C2210/20; B41C2210/24; B41P; B41P2227/00; B41P2227/70; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/145; Y10S430/146; Y10S430/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A lithographic printing plate directly imageable by laser discharge, the plate comprising: a. a topmost first layer; and b. a second layer underlying the first layer; wherein c. the first layer is characterized by efficient absorption of infrared radiation; and d. the first and second layers exhibit different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
The plate of claim 1 further comprising a strong, stable substrate underlying the second layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the first layer is a silicone coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The plate of Claim 3 wherein the silicone layer includes: a) a dispersion of particles that absorb infrared radiation; or b) a dye that absorbs infrared radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The plate of claim 4 wherein the particles are selected from the group consisting of borides, carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides, bronze-structured oxides, and oxides structurally related to the bronze family but lacking the A component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The plate of claim 2 wherein the substrate reflects IR radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the substrate is polished aluminum having a thickness ranging from 0.004 to 0.02 inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A lithographic printing plate directly imageable by laser discharge, the plate comprising: a. a topmost first layer; and b. a second layer underlying the first layer; and c. a substrate underlying the second layer; wherein d. the second layer is characterized by efficient absorption of infrared radiation; and e. the first layer and the substrate exhibit different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
The plate of claim 8 wherein the second layer is any one of: a) conducting polymer; b) a nitrocellulose film containing a dispersion of carbon-black particles; c) a polyester film containing a dispersion of carbon-black particles; d) a polyimide film containing a dispersion of carbon-black particles; e) a polycarbonate film containing a dispersion of carbon-black particles; f) a vinyl film containing a dispersion of carbon-black particles; g) at least 5 mils thick; h) laminated onto a metal layer; i) laminated onto a metal layer; j) cross-linked; or k) titanium oxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plate of claim 8 wherein the second layer includes either a dispersion of solid particulate nigrosine; or solubilized nigrosine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate of claim 8 further comprising a primer layer disposed between the substrate and the second layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The plate of claim 8 further comprising an infrared-reflective layer disposed between the substrate and second layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plate of claim 1 or claim 8 further comprising an infrared-reflective layer disposed between the first and second layers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate of claim 12 or 13 wherein the reflective layer contains a pigment that reflects IR radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The plate of claim 12 or 13 wherein the reflective layer is metal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The plate of Claim 15 when dependent on claim 13 further comprising a layer of IR-absorptive metal oxide disposed above the reflective layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The plate of claim 16 wherein the material of the metal-oxide layer is selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, vanadium oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide and cobalt oxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The plate of claim 15 wherein the metal is aluminum that reflects at least 99% of incident IR radiation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate of claim 8 further comprising a thin-metal, IR-absorptive layer disposed between the substrate and second layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The plate of claim 1 or claim 8 further comprising a thin-metal, IR-absorptive layer disposed between the first and second layers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plate of claim 20 further comprising an adhesion-promoting layer disposed between the thin metal layer and the second layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The plate of claim 21 wherein the second layer and the adhesion-promoting layer together represent a print- or coatability-treated polyester film.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The plate of claim 19 or 20 wherein the absorptive layer transmits at least 5% but not more than 70% or IR radiation incident thereon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate of claim 19 further comprising an adhesion-promoting layer disposed between the substrate and the thin-metal layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plate of claim 24 wherein the substrate and the adhesion-promoting layer together represent a print- or coatability-treated polyester film.
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