US5353705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lithographic printing members having secondary ablation layers for use with laser-discharge imaging apparatus
Assignee: Presstek LLC
•
Filing: 1993-09-22
•
Granted: 1994-10-11
•
Expires: 2013-09-22
Abstract
Abstract Lithographic printing plates suitable for imaging by means of laser devices. Laser output ablates one or more plate layers, 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. The plates also include a secondary ablation layer that ablates only partially, and in a controlled fashion, as a result of destruction of overlying layers.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Lewis
- 👤 Michael T. Nowak
- 👤 Kenneth T. Robichaud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:28
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41N; B41N1/00; B41N1/003; B41C; B41C1/00; B41C1/10; B41C1/1008; B41C1/1033; B41P; B41P2227/00; B41P2227/70; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/145; Y10S430/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. a topmost first layer; and b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being characterized by ablative absorption of laser radiation; c. a third layer underlying the second layer, the third layer: i. being substantially transparent to the laser radiation; ii. being ablated only partially in response to ablation of the second layer; and iii. differing from the first layer in its affinity for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and a fluid that repels ink.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. a topmost first layer; and b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being characterized by ablative absorption of laser radiation; c. a third layer underlying the second layer, the third layer: i. being substantially transparent to the laser radiation; ii. being ablated only partially in response to ablation of the second layer; and iii. differing from the first layer in its affinity for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and a fluid that repels ink.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The member of claim 1 further comprising a mechanically strong, durable and flexible substrate underlying the third layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The member of claim 2 further comprising an adhesion-promoting layer located between the substrate and the third layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The member of claim 3 wherein the substrate is polyester, and the substrate and the adhesion-promoting layer together represent a print- or coatability-treated polyester film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The member of claim 3 wherein the substrate is metal and the adhesion-promoting layer is a silane or an industrial protein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The member of claim 2 wherein the substrate is polyester.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The member of claim 2 wherein the substrate is metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The member of claim 7 wherein the metal is aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The member of claim 7 wherein the third layer is a polymethylmethacrylate chemical species.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The member of claim 2 wherein the third layer is selected from the group consisting of polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyurethanes, polystyrenes, styrene/acrylonitrile polymer, cellulosic ethers and esters, polyacetals, and combinations thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the first layer is oleophobic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The member of claim 11 wherein the first layer is a coating comprising silicone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The member of claim 12 wherein the first layer includes a dispersion of particles that absorb laser radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The member of claim 12 wherein the first layer includes a dye that absorbs laser radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the first layer is wettable by fountain solution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The member of claim 15 wherein the first layer is a polyvinyl alcohol chemical species.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the third layer is at least 3 but no more than 6 microns thick.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the second layer is a composite including TiO and aluminum layers.
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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) | 1997-10-10 | 1998-04-11 | 1998-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-10 | 2002-04-11 | 2002-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-10 | 2006-04-11 | 2006-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |