Patent US1258459A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5385092A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5385092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser-driven method and apparatus for lithographic imaging
Assignee: Presstek LLC
•
Filing: 1993-11-29
•
Granted: 1995-01-31
•
Expires: 2013-11-29
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods for imaging lithographic plates using laser devices that emit in the near-infrared region, and plates suitable for imaging with the apparatus and methods. 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
- 👤 Richard A. Williams
- 👤 Frank G. Pensavecchia
- 👤 John F. Kline
- 👤 John P. Gardiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:47
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: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. a printing member having a printing surface and including a solid oleophobic layer and a solid oleophilic layer underlying the oleophobic layer, one of said layers being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. means for supporting the printing member; c. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; d. means for guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; e. means for causing relative movement between the guiding means and support means to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; and f. means for selectably actuating, in a pattern representing an image, the laser source so as to ablate the absorptive layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the oleophobic layer and directly producing on the member an array of image features.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. a printing member having a printing surface and including a solid oleophobic layer and a solid oleophilic layer underlying the oleophobic layer, one of said layers being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. means for supporting the printing member; c. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; d. means for guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; e. means for causing relative movement between the guiding means and support means to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; and f. means for selectably actuating, in a pattern representing an image, the laser source so as to ablate the absorptive layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the oleophobic layer and directly producing on the member an array of image features.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
172 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. a printing member having a printing surface and including a first solid layer, a second solid layer underlying the first layer, and a solid substrate underlying the second layer, the first layer and substrate having different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink, the second layer, but not the first layer, being formed of a material being subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; c. means for guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; d. means for causing relative movement between the guiding means and the member to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; and e. selectable actuation means for removing or facilitating removal of, in a pattern representing an image, the first and second layers by exposing the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
172 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. a printing member having a printing surface and including a first solid layer, a second solid layer underlying the first layer, and a solid substrate underlying the second layer, the first layer and substrate having different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink, the second layer, but not the first layer, being formed of a material being subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; c. means for guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; d. means for causing relative movement between the guiding means and the member to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; and e. selectable actuation means for removing or facilitating removal of, in a pattern representing an image, the first and second layers by exposing the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
166 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. at least one print station including: i. a plate cylinder; ii. a printing plate having a printing surface and including a solid oleophobic layer and a solid oleophilic layer underlying the oleophobic layer, one of said layers being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; iii. means for mounting the plate to the plate cylinder; iv. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; v. means for guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; vi. means for causing relative movement between the guiding means and plate to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; vii. means for selectably actuating, in a pattern representing an image, the laser source so as to ablate the absorptive layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the oleophobic plate layer and directly producing on the plate an array of image features; and b. means for transferring a recording medium to the print station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. at least one print station including: i. a plate cylinder; ii. a printing plate having a printing surface and including a solid oleophobic layer and a solid oleophilic layer underlying the oleophobic layer, one of said layers being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; iii. means for mounting the plate to the plate cylinder; iv. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; v. means for guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; vi. means for causing relative movement between the guiding means and plate to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; vii. means for selectably actuating, in a pattern representing an image, the laser source so as to ablate the absorptive layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the oleophobic plate layer and directly producing on the plate an array of image features; and b. means for transferring a recording medium to the print station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
204 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. at least one print station including: i. a plate cylinder; ii. a printing plate having a printing surface and including a first solid layer, a second solid layer underlying the first layer, and a solid substrate underlying the second layer, the first layer and substrate having different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink, the second layer, but not the first layer, being formed of a material being subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; iii. means for mounting the plate to the plate cylinder; iv. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; v. means for guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; vi. means for causing relative movement between the guiding means and the plate to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; vii. means for selectably removing or facilitating removal of, in a pattern representing an image, the first and second plate layers by exposing the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan; and b. means for transferring a recording medium to the print station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. at least one print station including: i. a plate cylinder; ii. a printing plate having a printing surface and including a first solid layer, a second solid layer underlying the first layer, and a solid substrate underlying the second layer, the first layer and substrate having different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink, the second layer, but not the first layer, being formed of a material being subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; iii. means for mounting the plate to the plate cylinder; iv. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; v. means for guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; vi. means for causing relative movement between the guiding means and the plate to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; vii. means for selectably removing or facilitating removal of, in a pattern representing an image, the first and second plate layers by exposing the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan; and b. means for transferring a recording medium to the print station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the output of each laser reaches the printing surface by means of a single print array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of laser sources and the outputs are arranged linearly within the print array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of laser sources and the outputs are arranged diagonally within the print array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein each guiding means is a fiber-optic cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein each guiding means is a lens array positioned between the laser source and the printing surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the selectable-actuation means includes a pulse circuit that operates at speeds of at least 40,000 pulses/second.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein each laser source outputs a power level of at least 0.2 megawatt/in 2 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein each laser source emits primarily in the near-IR region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein each laser source is an infrared semiconductor laser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the member is supported on a drum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the member is suppported on a flatbed support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein the at least one print station further comprises: a. an ink train for transferring ink to the plate cylinder; and b. means for transferring ink from the plate cylinder to the recording medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of print stations arranged in an in-line configuration.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of print stations arranged in a central-impression configuration.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 4 wherein the laser output ablates the second layer, thereby facilitating removal of the first layer.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of imaging a lithographic printing member, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing member having a printing surface and including a solid oleophobic layer and a solid oleophilic layer underlying the oleophobic layer, one of said layers being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. spacing at least one laser source that produces an imaging output opposite the printing surface; c. guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; d. causing relative movement between the laser output and the printing member to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; and e. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to ablate the absorptive layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the oleophobic layer and directly producing on the member an array of image features.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of imaging a lithographic printing member, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing member having a printing surface and including a solid oleophobic layer and a solid oleophilic layer underlying the oleophobic layer, one of said layers being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. spacing at least one laser source that produces an imaging output opposite the printing surface; c. guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; d. causing relative movement between the laser output and the printing member to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; and e. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to ablate the absorptive layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the oleophobic layer and directly producing on the member an array of image features.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of printing with a printing press that includes means for supporting a lithographic printing member, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing member having a printing surface and including a first solid layer, a second solid layer underlying the first layer, and a solid substrate underlying the second layer, the first layer and substrate having different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink, the second layer, but not the first layer, being formed of a material being subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. mounting the printing member to the support means; c. spacing at least one laser source that produces an imaging output opposite the printing surface of the printing member; d. guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; e. causing relative movement between the laser output and support means to effect a scan of the printing surface; f. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to selectably remove or facilitate removal of the first and second layers; g. applying ink to the member; and h. transferring the ink to a recording medium.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of printing with a printing press that includes means for supporting a lithographic printing member, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing member having a printing surface and including a first solid layer, a second solid layer underlying the first layer, and a solid substrate underlying the second layer, the first layer and substrate having different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink, the second layer, but not the first layer, being formed of a material being subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. mounting the printing member to the support means; c. spacing at least one laser source that produces an imaging output opposite the printing surface of the printing member; d. guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; e. causing relative movement between the laser output and support means to effect a scan of the printing surface; f. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to selectably remove or facilitate removal of the first and second layers; g. applying ink to the member; and h. transferring the ink to a recording medium.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of printing with a printing press that includes a plate cylinder, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing plate having a printing surface and including a solid oleophobic layer and a solid oleophilic layer underlying the oleophobic layer, one of said layers being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. mounting the plate to the plate cylinder; c. spacing at least one laser source that produces an imaging output opposite the printing surface of the plate; d. guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; e. causing relative movement between the laser output and the printing plate to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; f. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to ablate the absorptive layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the oleophobic plate layer and directly producing on the plate an array of image features; g. applying ink to the plate; and h. transferring the ink to a recording medium.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of printing with a printing press that includes a plate cylinder, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing plate having a printing surface and including a solid oleophobic layer and a solid oleophilic layer underlying the oleophobic layer, one of said layers being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. mounting the plate to the plate cylinder; c. spacing at least one laser source that produces an imaging output opposite the printing surface of the plate; d. guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; e. causing relative movement between the laser output and the printing plate to effect a scan of the printing surface by the laser output; f. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to ablate the absorptive layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the oleophobic plate layer and directly producing on the plate an array of image features; g. applying ink to the plate; and h. transferring the ink to a recording medium.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of imaging a lithographic printing member, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing member having a printing surface and including a first solid layer, a second solid layer underlying the first layer, and a solid substrate underlying the second layer, the first layer and substrate having different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink, the second layer, but not the first layer, being formed of a material being subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. spacing at least one laser source that produces an imaging output opposite the printing surface of the printing member; c. guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; d. causing relative movement between the laser output and the printing member to effect a scan of the printing surface; and e. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to selectably remove or facilitate removal of, in a pattern representing an image, the first and second layers.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of imaging a lithographic printing member, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing member having a printing surface and including a first solid layer, a second solid layer underlying the first layer, and a solid substrate underlying the second layer, the first layer and substrate having different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink, the second layer, but not the first layer, being formed of a material being subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. spacing at least one laser source that produces an imaging output opposite the printing surface of the printing member; c. guiding the output of the at least one laser to focus on the printing surface; d. causing relative movement between the laser output and the printing member to effect a scan of the printing surface; and e. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to selectably remove or facilitate removal of, in a pattern representing an image, the first and second layers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 or 21 wherein the selectable-exposure step occurs at a rate of at least 40,000 pulses/second.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20 or 21 further comprising the step of operating each laser source at an output power level of at least 0.2 megawatt/in 2 .
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20 or 21 wherein each laser source emits primarily in the near-IR region.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 or 21 wherein each laser source is a semiconductor laser.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22 or 21 wherein the selectable-exposure step occurs at a rate of at least 40,000 pulses/second.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22 or 21 further comprising the step of operating each laser source at an output power level of at least 0.2 megawatt/in 2 .
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 or 21 wherein each laser source emits primarily in the near-IR region.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 or 21 wherein each laser source is a semiconductor laser.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 23 or 21 wherein the second layer is ablated, thereby facilitating removal of the first layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3506779A
Cited
US3654864A
Cited
US3678852A
Cited
US3745235A
Cited
US3780358A
Cited
US3911376A
Cited
US3664737A
Cited
US3836709A
Cited
US4054094A
Cited
US3760175A
Cited
US3803511A
Cited
US3832718A
Cited
US4214249A
Cited
US4046986A
Cited
US3964389A
Cited
US4020762A
Cited
US4132168A
Cited
US3985953A
Cited
US3962513A
Cited
US3945318A
Cited
US4063949A
Cited
US4247611A
Cited
US4149798A
Cited
US4212672A
Cited
JPS55105560A
Cited
US4347785A
Cited
US4334003A
Cited
US4245003A
Cited
US4498183A
Cited
JPS573507A
Cited
US4395946A
Cited
US4458994A
Cited
US4390610A
Cited
US4460831A
Cited
US4729310A
Cited
US4718340A
Cited
US4599295A
Cited
US4588674A
Cited
US4501811A
Cited
US4628813A
Cited
US4675357A
Cited
US4504141A
Cited
US4622179A
Cited
US4492750A
Cited
US4711834A
Cited
US4731317A
Cited
US4592977A
Cited
US4788514A
Cited
US4784933A
Cited
SU1419921A1
Cited
US4749840A
Cited
US4877480A
Cited
US4743091A
Cited
US4909151A
Cited
GB2200323A
Cited
DE3714157A1
Cited
JPS6440392A
Cited
US4948699A
Cited
US4872189A
Cited
US4936211A
Cited
US4881231A
Cited
US4917454A
Cited
US4918304A
Cited
US5156938A
Cited
US5016974A
Cited
US5011261A
Cited
US5101414A
Cited
US4999648A
Cited
JPH03197190A
Cited
JPH03197191A
Cited
JPH03197192A
Cited
US5121376A
Cited
US4975729A
Cited
US4975728A
Cited
US5015064A
Cited
US5102758A
Cited
US5093147A
Cited
US5082799A
Cited
US5171650A
Cited
WO1992007716A1
Cited
US5093832A
Cited
US5107509A
Cited
US5095491A
Cited
JPH058367A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-30 | 1998-08-01 | 1999-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-08-01 | 2003-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-08-01 | 2007-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |