Patent · US Expired

Imageable element and waterless printing plate

US6555283B1 · kind B1 · utility

7Cited by
37References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 2000
Grant dateApr 29, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 7, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/031
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

This invention relates to an imageable element that can be imaged and developed to produce a printing plate. The imageable element comprises a substrate and a radiation-sensitive imageable composition applied to the substrate. The imageable composition comprises (a) a first layer having (i) a photosensitive composition which undergoes a decrease in solubility in developer upon absorption of actinic radiation and (ii) an inhibitor, and (b) a second layer comprising an ink-repellent polymeric material. In one embodiment, the inhibitor is activated by heat or radiation of longer wavelength than actinic radiation. Upon activation, the inhibitor retards the solubility decrease of the photosensitive composition upon absorption of actinic radiation. In another embodiment, the inhibitor initially retards the solubility decrease of the photosensitive composition upon absorption of actinic radiation. However, the inhibitor is deactivated by heat or radiation of longer wavelength than actinic radiation, and upon deactivation the inhibitor no longer retards the solubility decrease of the photosensitive composition.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.