US5215859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Backside ionizing irradiation in a flexographic printing plate process
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1990-07-26
•
Granted: 1993-06-01
•
Expires: 2010-07-26
Abstract
Abstract Negative-acting flexographic printing plates display enhanced performance when backside irradiated with ionizing radiation instead of longer wavelength ultraviolet radiation. A better defined floor and more readily controlled floor is produced on the final printing plate.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Martens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:58
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/20; G03F7/2022; G03F7/2024; G03F7/004; G03F7/038; G03F7/0388; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A process for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising providing a relief imageable element comprising a flexible substrate having on at least one surface thereof a radiation hardenable composition in a thickness of at least 0.3 mm, imagewise irradiating said composition to harden the composition in irradiated areas, removing said composition in unirradiated areas, at least 75% of said composition in unirradiated areas being removed, said process further comprising the step of irradiating said hardenable composition layer with ionizing radiation comprising e-beam irradiation through said substrate to harden at least some hardenable composition adjacent to said flexible substrate, but less than all of said hardenable composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising providing a relief imageable element comprising a flexible substrate having on at least one surface thereof a radiation hardenable composition in a thickness of at least 0.3 mm, imagewise irradiating said composition to harden the composition in irradiated areas, removing said composition in unirradiated areas, at least 75% of said composition in unirradiated areas being removed, said process further comprising the step of irradiating said hardenable composition layer with ionizing radiation comprising e-beam irradiation through said substrate to harden at least some hardenable composition adjacent to said flexible substrate, but less than all of said hardenable composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said exposure to ionizing radiation is performed prior to said imagewise irradiating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said radiation hardenable composition comprises a radiation curable polyurethane elastomer having ethylenically unsaturated groups available for addition polymerization, said elastomer comprising the reaction product of A) at least one diisocyanate, B) a first chain extending agent having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups, and said first chain extending agent having at least one ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable group per molecule, and C) an organic polyol having a molecular weight of at least 500 and containing at least two free hydrogen containing groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups per molecule, said polyurethane elastomer having a number average molecular weight of at least 10,000 grams/mole, a melt transition temperature of less than 180° C. and a melt index at 180° C. of at least 0.5 grams/minute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said reaction product of A), B) and C) further comprising a reaction product with D) which is a second chain extending agent different from said first chain extending agent and having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said elastomer displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and said radiation hardenable composition further comprises from 0.5 to 8% by weight of said elastomer of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of at least 0.05 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of from 0.08 to 3 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of at least 0.05 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of from 0.08 to 3 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said composition displays less than 2% swell in deionizing water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and further comprises from 0.3 to 10% by weight of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said unirradiated composition is contacted with an absorbent layer, said absorbent layer is removed, and at least 90% of said unirradiated composition in contact with said absorbent layer is removed after heating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said radiation hardenable composition comprises a radiation curable polyurethane elastomer having ethylenically unsaturated groups available for addition polymerization, said elastomer comprising the reaction product of A) at least one diisocyanate, B) a first chain extending agent having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups, and said first chain extending agent having at least one ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable group per molecule, and C) an organic polyol having a molecular weight of at least 500 and containing at least two free hydrogen containing groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups per molecule, said urethane elastomer having both hard segments formed by the reaction of components A), B) and/or C) and soft segments formed by the reaction of components A) and C), the soft segments comprising 20 to 70% by weight of the elastomer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process of claim 12 wherein said reaction product of A), B), and C) further comprises a reaction product with D) which is a second chain extending agent different from said first chain extending agent and having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said radiation curable polyurethane elastomer displays less than 2% swell in deionized water to 20° C. for 24 hours, and said composition further comprises from 0.5 to 8% by weight of said elastomer of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 14 wherein at least 90% of said unirradiated composition is removed after heating.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 12 wherein said radiation curable polyurethane elastomer displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and said composition further comprises from0.3 to 10% by weight of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 12 wherein at least 90% of said unirradiated composition is removed after heating.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
156 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said radiation hardenable composition comprises a radiation curable polyurethane elastomer having ethylenically unsaturated groups available for addition polymerization, said elastomer comprising the reaction product of A) 10-40% by weight of the at least one diisocyanate, B) 0.5-20% by weight of a first chain extending agent having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups, and said first chain extending agent having at least one ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable group per molecule, and C) 20-70% by weight of an organic polyol having a molecular weight of at least 500 and containing at least two free hydrogen containing groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups per molecule, said urethane elastomer having both hard segments formed by the reaction of components A), B) and/or C) and soft segments formed by the reaction of components A) and C), the soft segments comprising 25 to 70% by weight of the elastomer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The process of claim 18 wherein said reaction product of A), B), and C) further comprises a reaction product with D) which is 0.5 to 20% by weight of a second chain extending agent different from said first chain extending agent and having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of at least 0.5 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of from 0.08 to 3 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
150 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said radiation hardenable composition comprises a radiation curable polyurethane elastomer having ethylenically unsaturated groups available for addition polymerization, said elastomer comprising the reaction product of A) 10-40% by weight of the at least one diisocyanate, B) 0.5-20% by weight of a first chain extending agent having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups, and said first chain extending agent having at least one ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable group per molecule, and C) 20-70% by weight of an organic polyol having a molecular weight of at least 500 and containing at least two free hydrogen containing groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups per molecule, said polyurethane elastomer having a number average molecular weight of at least 10,000 grams/mole, a melt transition temperature of less than 180° C. and a melt index at 180° C. of at least 0.5 grams/minute.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
The process of claim 22 wherein said reaction product of A), B), and C) further comprises a reaction product with D) which is 0.5 to 20% by weight of a second chain extending agent different from said first chain extending agent and having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 23 wherein said radiation curable polyurethane elastomer displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and further comprises from 0.5 to 8% by weight of said elastomer of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 24 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of at least 0.5 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 24 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of from 0.08 to 3 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 22 wherein said elastomer displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and further comprises from 0.3 to 10% by weight of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 22 wherein said unirradiated composition is contacted with an absorbent layer, said absorbent layer is removed, and at least 90% of said unirradiated composition in contact with said absorbent layer is removed after heating.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said removal is performed by liquid wash-off development.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 29 wherein said radiation curable polyurethane elastomer displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and said composition further comprises from 0.5 to 8% by weight of said elastomer of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of at least 0.5 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of from 0.08 to 3 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising providing a relief imageable element comprising a flexible substrate having on at least one surface thereof a radiation hardenable composition in a thickness of at least 0.3 mm, imagewise irradiating said composition to harden the composition in irradiated areas, removing said composition in unirradiated areas, at least 75% of said composition in unirradiated areas being removed, said process further comprising the step of irradiating said hardenable composition layer with ionizing radiation comprising particle radiation through said substrate to harden at least some hardenable composition adjacent to said flexible substrate, but less than all of said hardenable composition.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising providing a relief imageable element comprising a flexible substrate having on at least one surface thereof a radiation hardenable composition in a thickness of at least 0.3 mm, imagewise irradiating said composition to harden the composition in irradiated areas, removing said composition in unirradiated areas, at least 75% of said composition in unirradiated areas being removed, said process further comprising the step of irradiating said hardenable composition layer with ionizing radiation comprising particle radiation through said substrate to harden at least some hardenable composition adjacent to said flexible substrate, but less than all of said hardenable composition.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 33 wherein said exposure to ionizing radiation is performed prior to said imagewise irradiating and over the entire area of said imageable element.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
140 words
The process of claim 34 wherein said radiation hardenable composition comprises a radiation curable polyurethane elastomer having ethylenically unsaturated groups available for addition polymerization, said elastomer comprising the reaction product of the following materials: A) at least one diisocyanate, B) a first chain extending agent having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups, and said first chain extending agent having at least one ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable group per molecule, and C) an organic polyol having a molecular weight of at least 500 and containing at least two free hydrogen containing groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups per molecule, said polyurethane elastomer having a number average molecular weight of at least 10,000 grams/mole, a melt transition temperature of less than 180° C. and a melt index at 180° C. of at least 0.5 grams/minute.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process of claim 35 wherein said reaction of A), B), and C), further comprises a reaction product with D), wherein D) is a second chain extending agent different from said first chain extending agent and having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 36 in which said radiation curable polyurethane elastomer displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and said composition further comprises from 0.3 to 10% by weight of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 35 in which said radiation curable polyurethane elastomer displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and said composition further comprises from 0.5 to 8% by weight of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 33 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of at least 0.05 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising providing a relief imageable element comprising a flexible substrate having on at least one surface thereof a radiation hardenable composition in a thickness of at least 0.3 mm, imagewise irradiating said composition to harden the composition in irradiated areas, and removing said composition in unirradiated areas, at least 75% of said composition in unirradiated areas being removed, said process further comprising the step of irradiating said hardenable composition layer with ionizing radiation comprising ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength less than 190 nm through said substrate to harden at least some hardenable composition adjacent to said flexible substrate, but less than all of said hardenable composition.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising providing a relief imageable element comprising a flexible substrate having on at least one surface thereof a radiation hardenable composition in a thickness of at least 0.3 mm, imagewise irradiating said composition to harden the composition in irradiated areas, and removing said composition in unirradiated areas, at least 75% of said composition in unirradiated areas being removed, said process further comprising the step of irradiating said hardenable composition layer with ionizing radiation comprising ultraviolet radiation of a wavelength less than 190 nm through said substrate to harden at least some hardenable composition adjacent to said flexible substrate, but less than all of said hardenable composition.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 40 wherein said exposure to ionizing radiation is performed prior to said imagewise irradiating and over the entire area of said imageable element.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
140 words
The process of claim 41 wherein said radiation hardenable composition comprises a radiation curable polyurethane elastomer having ethylenically unsaturated groups available for addition polymerization, said elastomer comprising the reaction product of the following materials: A) at least one diisocyanate, B) a first chain extending agent having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups, and said first chain extending agent having at least one ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable group per molecule, and C) an organic polyol having a molecular weight of at least 500 and containing at least two free hydrogen containing groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups per molecule, said polyurethane elastomer having a number average molecular weight of at least 10,000 grams/mole, a melt transition temperature of less than 180° C. and a melt index at 180° C. of at least 0.5 grams/minute.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 42 wherein said irradiating with ionizing radiation produces a floor of hardened composition of from 0.08 to 3 mm adjacent to said flexible substrate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
118 words
The process of claim 40 wherein said radiation hardenable composition comprises a radiation curable polyurethane elastomer having ethylenically unsaturated groups available for addition polymerization, said elastomer comprising the reaction product of the following materials: A) 10-50% by weight of the at least one diisocyanate, B) 0.5-20% by weight of a first chain extending agent having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups, and said first chain extending agent having at least one ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable group per molecule, and C) 20-70% by weight of an organic polyol having a molecular weight of at least 500 and containing at least two free hydrogen containing groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups per molecule.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 44 wherein said reaction product of A), B), and C), further comprises a reaction product with D), wherein D) is a second chain extending agent different from said first chain extending agent and having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 45 in which said polyurethane displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and further comprises from 0.5 to 8% by weight of said elastomer of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 44 in which said radiation curable elastomer of said composition displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and said composition further comprises from 0.3 to 10% by weight of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
111 words
A process for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising providing a relief imageable element comprising a flexible substrate having one at least one surface thereof a radiation hardenable composition in a thickness of at least 0.3 mm, imagewise irradiating said composition to harden the composition in irradiated areas, removing said composition in unirradiated areas, at least 75% of said composition in unirradiated areas being removed, said process further comprising the step of irradiating said hardenable composition layer with ionizing radiation through said substrate to harden at least some hardenable composition adjacent to said flexible substrate, over the entire area of said printing plate but less than all of said hardenable composition.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
111 words
A process for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising providing a relief imageable element comprising a flexible substrate having one at least one surface thereof a radiation hardenable composition in a thickness of at least 0.3 mm, imagewise irradiating said composition to harden the composition in irradiated areas, removing said composition in unirradiated areas, at least 75% of said composition in unirradiated areas being removed, said process further comprising the step of irradiating said hardenable composition layer with ionizing radiation through said substrate to harden at least some hardenable composition adjacent to said flexible substrate, over the entire area of said printing plate but less than all of said hardenable composition.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 48 wherein said exposure to ionizing radiation is performed prior to said imagewise irradiating.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
140 words
The process of claim 49 wherein said radiation hardenable composition comprises a radiation curable polyurethane elastomer having ethylenically unsaturated groups available for addition polymerization, said elastomer comprising the reaction product of the following materials: A) at least one diisocyanate, B) a first chain extending agent having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups, and said first chain extending agent having at least one ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable group per molecule, and C) an organic polyol having a molecular weight of at least 500 and containing at least two free hydrogen containing groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups per molecule, said polyurethane elastomer having a number average molecular weight of at least 10,000 grams/mole, a melt transition temperature of less than 180° C. and a melt index at 180° C. of at least 0.5 grams/minute.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process of claim 50 in which said reaction product of A), B), and C), further comprises a reaction product with D), wherein D) is a second chain extending agent different from said first chain extending agent and having at least two free hydrogen groups capable of polymerizing with isocyanate groups.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 51 in which said polyurethane elastomer displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and further comprises from 0.5 to 8% by weight of said elastomer of a free radical photoinitiator.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 50 in which said radiation curable polyurethane elastomer in said composition displays less than 2% swell in deionized water at 20° C. for 24 hours, and said composition further comprises from 0.3 to 10% by weight of a free radical photoinitiator.
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