Thermal imaging composition and member containing sulfonated IR dye and methods of imaging and printing
US6537730B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S430/165
- 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 dye having multiple sulfo groups. 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.