Aqueous processing method for flexographic printing plates
US10935887B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 2020 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03F7/405
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system is for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having a latent image formed by image-wise exposure of an aqueous-processable photopolymer. The system can use a first aqueous processing solution with the latent image for cleaning and then washing a resulting relief image with a second aqueous processing solution, where the second aqueous processing solution is devoid of the photopolymer. A processing solution tank is configured to combine the first used aqueous processing solution with the second used aqueous processing solution to form a combined used aqueous processing solution. A processing solution removal can include: a holding tank configured for receiving the combined used aqueous processing solution; and a conduit from the processing solution tank to the holding tank. The processing solution tank includes the combined used aqueous processing solution at less than a predefined maximum volume and having the photopolymer at less than a predefined maximum concentration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.