Thermal switchable composition and imaging member containing complex oxonol IR dye and methods of imaging and printing
US6579662B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 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 charged polymer (ionomer) and an infrared radiation sensitive negatively-charged 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 conventional alkaline processing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.