US5638753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser-driven method and apparatus for lithographic imaging and printing plates for use therewith
Assignee: Presstek LLC
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Filing: 1996-07-09
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Granted: 1997-06-17
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Expires: 2016-07-09
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
- 👤 Michael T. Nowak
- 👤 Kenneth T. Robichaud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:11
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: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. a printing member having a printing surface and including a hydrophilic layer comprising a polyvinyl alcohol chemical species and an oleophilic layer underlying the hydrophilic layer, the hydrophilic layer 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 directing the output of the at least one laser source to the printing surface; e. means for causing relative movement between the output-directing means and support means to effect a scan of the printing surface by the imaging 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 hydrophilic layer and directly producing on the member an array of image features.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. a printing member having a printing surface and including a hydrophilic layer comprising a polyvinyl alcohol chemical species and an oleophilic layer underlying the hydrophilic layer, the hydrophilic layer 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 directing the output of the at least one laser source to the printing surface; e. means for causing relative movement between the output-directing means and support means to effect a scan of the printing surface by the imaging 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 hydrophilic layer and directly producing on the member an array of image features.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic layer comprises particles that absorb infrared radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the particles comprise at least one organic pigment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic layer comprises particles that absorbs infrared radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the oleophilic layer is a polyester film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the oleophilic layer is polished aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. a printing member having a printing surface and including a hydrophilic layer, an imaging layer underlying the hydrophilic layer, and an oleophilic substrate underlying the imaging layer, the imaging layer, but not the hydrophilic layer, being formed of a material subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; c. means for directing the output of the at least one laser source to the printing surface; d. means for causing relative movement between the output-directing means and the member to effect a scan of the printing surface by the imaging output; and e. selectable actuation means for removing or facilitating removal of, in a pattern representing an image, the hydrophilic and imaging layers by exposing the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
Printing apparatus comprising: a. a printing member having a printing surface and including a hydrophilic layer, an imaging layer underlying the hydrophilic layer, and an oleophilic substrate underlying the imaging layer, the imaging layer, but not the hydrophilic layer, being formed of a material subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. at least one laser source that produces an imaging output; c. means for directing the output of the at least one laser source to the printing surface; d. means for causing relative movement between the output-directing means and the member to effect a scan of the printing surface by the imaging output; and e. selectable actuation means for removing or facilitating removal of, in a pattern representing an image, the hydrophilic and imaging layers by exposing the printing surface to the laser output during the course of the scan.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the imaging layer comprises particles that absorb infrared radiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the particles comprise at least one organic pigment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the imaging layer comprises a dye that absorbs infrared radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the substrate is a polyester film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the substrate is polished aluminum.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of imaging a lithographic printing member, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing member including a hydrophilic first layer, an imaging layer underlying the hydrophilic layer, and an oleophilic substrate underlying the imaging layer, the imaging layer, but not the hydrophilic layer, formed being of a material subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. scanning at least one laser source over the printing member and selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing member to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to ablate the imaging layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the hydrophilic layer, and directly producing on the member an array of image features.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of imaging a lithographic printing member, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a printing member including a hydrophilic first layer, an imaging layer underlying the hydrophilic layer, and an oleophilic substrate underlying the imaging layer, the imaging layer, but not the hydrophilic layer, formed being of a material subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation; b. scanning at least one laser source over the printing member and selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing member to the laser output during the course of the scan so as to ablate the imaging layer, thereby removing or facilitating removal of the hydrophilic layer, and directly producing on the member an array of image features.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: a. applying ink to the printing member; and b. transferring the ink to a recording medium.
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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) | 2000-06-16 | 2000-12-16 | 2001-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-16 | 2004-12-16 | 2005-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-16 | 2008-12-16 | 2009-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |