Patent US5493971A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5493971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Laser-imageable printing members and methods for wet lithographic printing
Assignee: Presstek LLC
•
Filing: 1994-04-13
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Granted: 1996-02-27
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Expires: 2014-04-13
Abstract
Abstract Lithographic printing constructions and methods of imaging them. The constructions include a grained-metal substrate, a protective layer that can also serve as an adhesion-promoting primer, and an ablatable oleophilic surface layer. In operation, imagewise pulses from an imaging laser interact with the surface layer, causing ablation thereof and, probably, inflicting some damage to the underlying protective layer as well. The imaged plate may then be subjected to a solvent that eliminates the exposed protective layer, but which does no damage either to the surface layer or to the unexposed protective layer lying thereunder.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Lewis
- 👤 Kenneth R. Cassidy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:19
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41C; B41C1/00; B41C1/10; B41C1/1008; B41C1/1033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer not being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation and being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, d. the first layer and the substrate not being soluble in the cleaning solvent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer not being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation and being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, d. the first layer and the substrate not being soluble in the cleaning solvent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the second layer is characterized by solubility in water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the second layer is characterized by compatibility with but not excessive solubility in water combined with a co-solvent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the second layer is characterized by compatibility with but not excessive solubility in water combined with a co-solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols and glycol ethers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the second layer is characterized by compatibility with but not excessive solubility in water pH-buffered to acid or neutral pH.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the second layer is a primer that anchors the first layer to the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the substrate is aluminum having a textured surface topography.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The member of 1 wherein the substrate is chromium having a textured surface topography.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The member of 1 wherein the substrate is chromium having a textured surface topography.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the first layer comprises a substance that absorbs near-IR radiation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the first layer comprises a substance that absorbs ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the first layer comprises a substance that absorbs visible radiation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The member of claim 1 wherein the second layer is present in sufficient thickness to prevent damage to the substrate from exposure to imaging laser radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being hydrophilic and compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, d. the first layer and the substrate not being soluble in the cleaning solvent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being hydrophilic and compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, d. the first layer and the substrate not being soluble in the cleaning solvent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising:. a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer not being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation and being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, wherein the second layer is polymeric.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising:. a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer not being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation and being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, wherein the second layer is polymeric.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation and comprising a nitrocellulose compound; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation and comprising a nitrocellulose compound; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, wherein the second layer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylphosphonic acid, polyvinylmethylphosphonic acid, phosphoric acid esters of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylsulfonic acid, polyvinylbenzenesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid esters of polyvinyl alcohol, and acetals of polyvinyl alcohols formed by reaction with a sulfonated aliphatic aldehyde.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
96 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, wherein the second layer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylphosphonic acid, polyvinylmethylphosphonic acid, phosphoric acid esters of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylsulfonic acid, polyvinylbenzenesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid esters of polyvinyl alcohol, and acetals of polyvinyl alcohols formed by reaction with a sulfonated aliphatic aldehyde.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, wherein the second layer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose ethers, casein, and gelatins.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
70 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate, wherein the second layer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose ethers, casein, and gelatins.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a polymeric, hydrophilic second layer underlying the first layer and not being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising: a. an ink-accepting first layer characterized ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. a polymeric, hydrophilic second layer underlying the first layer and not being characterized by ablative absorption of imaging radiation; and c. a hydrophilic metal substrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The member of claim 18 wherein the second layer is present in sufficient thickness to prevent damage to the substrate from exposure to imaging laser radiation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The member of claim 18 wherein the second layer is a primer that anchors the first layer to the substrate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The member of claim 18 wherein the first layer comprises a substance that absorbs near-IR radiation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The member of claim 18 wherein the first layer comprises a substance that absorbs ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The member of claim 18 wherein the first layer comprises a substance that absorbs visible radiation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The member of claim 18 wherein the second layer is a crosslinked, polymeric reaction product of polyvinyl alcohol and hydrolyzed tetraethylorthosilicate.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of imaging a lithographic printing member comprising the steps of: a. providing a lithographic printing member comprising: i. an ink-accepting topmost layer characterized by ablative absorption of laser radiation; ii. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and iii. a hydrophilic metal substrate, b. spacing at least one laser source opposite the printing member; c. guiding the output of the at least one laser source to focus on the printing member; d. causing relative movement between the at least one laser source and the printing member to effect a scan of the printing member by the laser output; and e. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing member to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to remove at least the top layer, thereby directly producing on the plate an array of image features.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of imaging a lithographic printing member comprising the steps of: a. providing a lithographic printing member comprising: i. an ink-accepting topmost layer characterized by ablative absorption of laser radiation; ii. a second layer underlying the first layer, the second layer being compatible with but not excessively soluble in a cleaning solvent; and iii. a hydrophilic metal substrate, b. spacing at least one laser source opposite the printing member; c. guiding the output of the at least one laser source to focus on the printing member; d. causing relative movement between the at least one laser source and the printing member to effect a scan of the printing member by the laser output; and e. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing member to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to remove at least the top layer, thereby directly producing on the plate an array of image features.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the second layer of the printing member is hydrophilic.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of subjecting the printing member to a cleaning solvent to remove portions of the second layer lying within the image features.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the cleaning solvent is water.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the water includes a co-solvent.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the co-solvent is selected from the group consisting of alcohols and glycol ethers.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the water is pH-buffered to acid or neutral pH.
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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) | 1999-02-26 | 1999-08-28 | 2000-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-26 | 2003-08-28 | 2004-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-26 | 2007-08-28 | 2008-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |