Thermal switchable composition and imaging member containing oxonol IR dye and methods of imaging and printing
US6423469B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41M5/465
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared with a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having ionic moieties and an infrared radiation sensitive oxonol dye that has a &lgr;max of greater than 700 nm. The heat-sensitive polymer and IR dye can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents to provide highly thermal sensitive imaging compositions. In the imaging member, the polymer reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. For example, heat can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.