US5188032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal-based lithographic plate constructions and methods of making same
Assignee: Presstek LLC
•
Filing: 1991-11-18
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Granted: 1993-02-23
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Expires: 2011-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A lithographic printing plate that is transformable by spark-discharge techniques so as to change its affinity for ink. The plate features a metal substrate and includes a conductive layer and an ink-adhesive coating. The plate can also include a heat-resistant insulating layer, or can be laminated using an adhesive that serves this function.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Lewis
- 👤 Michael T. Nowak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:54
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41N; B41N1/00; B41N1/003; B41C; B41C1/00; B41C1/10; B41C1/1008; B41C1/1033; B41N3/00; B41N3/03; B41P; B41P2227/00; B41P2227/70; B41P2235/00; B41P2235/10; B41P2235/20; B41P2235/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A lithographic plate whose affinity for ink may be altered by ablation of one or more layers, said plate being a layered structure including a metal substrate, a current-limiting layer laminated to the metal substrate, a conductive layer disposed on the current-limiting layer, and an ink-adhesive polymeric coating overlying the conductive layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A lithographic plate whose affinity for ink may be altered by ablation of one or more layers, said plate being a layered structure including a metal substrate, a current-limiting layer laminated to the metal substrate, a conductive layer disposed on the current-limiting layer, and an ink-adhesive polymeric coating overlying the conductive layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the metal substrate is aluminum or an alloy of aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the metal substrate is steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the metal substrate is 0.004 to 0.02 inch thick.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The plate of claim 2 wherein the first surface of the metal substrate is anodized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the first surface of the metal substrate is plated with at least one additional metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the current-limiting layer is substantially non-conductive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the current-limiting layer has a volume resistivity between 0.5 and 1000 ohm-cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the current-limiting layer is a material selected from the group consisting of thermoset systems polyurethanes, aziridine cross-linked systems, epoxy-based systems, polyimide systems, polyamide-imide systems, polyamide systems, plastisols, organisols, extrusion coatings, oleophilic silicones and oleophilic fluoropolymers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The plate of claim 5 wherein the current-limiting layer is a plastisol or an organisol which contains a component having an affinity for metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the current-limiting layer ranges between 0.0001 and 0.002 inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the ink-adhesive coating is silicone or a fluoropolymer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the ink-adhesive coating contains a dispersion of particles consisting essentially of at least one conditionally conductive compound.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plate of claim 1 wherein the conductive layer is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, and copper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The plate of claim 14 wherein the conductive layer is 200 to 700 angstroms thick.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The plate of claim 1 further comprising a primer coat applied to the first surface of the metal substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The plate of claim 1 further comprising a primer coat applied to the current-limiting layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A lithographic plate whose affinity for ink may be altered by ablation of one or more layers, said plate including an ink-adhesive surface layer, a conductive layer thereunder, and a heat-resistant, current-limiting, ink-receptive layer underlying the conductive layer and laminated to a metal substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A lithographic plate whose affinity for ink may be altered by ablation of one or more layers, said plate including an ink-adhesive surface layer, a conductive layer thereunder, and a heat-resistant, current-limiting, ink-receptive layer underlying the conductive layer and laminated to a metal substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The plate of claim 18 wherein the metal substrate is aluminum or an alloy of aluminum.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The plate of claim 18 wherein the metal substrate is steel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The plate of claim 18 Wherein the metal substrate is 0.004 to 0.02 inch thick.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The plate of claim 18 wherein the ink-adhesive coating is silicone or a fluoropolymer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The plate of claim 18 wherein the ink-adhesive coating contains a dispersion of particles consisting essentially of at least one semiconductor whose conductivity is enhanced by the presence of an electric field.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plate of claim 18 wherein the conductive layer is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, and copper.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The plate of claim 24 wherein the conductive layer is 200 to 700 angstroms thick.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The plate of claim 18 wherein the current-limiting layer is substantially non-conductive.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The plate of claim 18 wherein the current-limiting layer is polyester.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate of claim 18 wherein the current-limiting layer has a volume resistivity between 0.5 and 1000 ohm-cm.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The plate of claim 28 wherein the current-limiting layer is conductive polycarbonate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate of claim 18 wherein the thickness of the current-limiting layer ranges between 0.0005 and 0.01 inch.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The plate of claim 18 further comprising a primer coat applied to the current-limiting layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
A lithographic plate whose affinity for ink may be altered by ablation of one or more layers, said plate including an ink-adhesive layer surface layer, a conductive layer thereunder, a metal substrate and a current limiting adhesive, the conductive layer being laminated to the metal substrate by means of the current limiting adhesive being applied to a sufficient thickness to limit a flow of electric current to the metal substrate.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
70 words
A lithographic plate whose affinity for ink may be altered by ablation of one or more layers, said plate including an ink-adhesive layer surface layer, a conductive layer thereunder, a metal substrate and a current limiting adhesive, the conductive layer being laminated to the metal substrate by means of the current limiting adhesive being applied to a sufficient thickness to limit a flow of electric current to the metal substrate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The plate of claim 32 wherein the laminating adhesive is oleophilic and present in sufficient quantity to insulate the metal substrate from the effects of high-energy discharges directed at the surface layer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The plate of claim 32 wherein the laminating adhesive is selected from the group consisting of epoxies, hot-melt adhesives, polyurethanes and silicone compounds.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The plate of claim 34 wherein the laminating adhesive is a polyurethane compound containing polyester groups.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The plate of claim 32 further comprising a barrier sheet disposed on the ink-adhesive surface layer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The plate of claim 36 wherein the barrier sheet is a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and polyesters.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The plate of claim 32 further comprising a heat-resistant, current-limiting, ink-receptive layer disposed between the laminating adhesive and the conductive layer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate of claim 38 wherein the ink-receptive layer has a volume resistivity between 0.5 and 1000 ohm-cm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-02-23 | 1996-08-24 | 1997-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-23 | 2000-08-24 | 2001-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-23 | 2004-08-24 | 2005-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |