Processless digitally imaged printing plate using microspheres
US6806018B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S430/146
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A laser imageable flexographic printing plate and a method of making the laser imageable flexographic printing plate using a collapsible UV cross-linkable material comprising a UV-curable elastomer, an IR dye, and microspheres is disclosed. The collapsible UV cross-linkable material is mixed together and then extruded to form a printing plate. An IR laser is used to collapse and melt the collapsible UV cross-linkable material to form a relief image on the printing plate. The printing plate is thereafter UV cured by face exposure to crosslink and cure the formed relief image. The invention addresses a market need for eliminating chemical processing of printing plates, thus going from plate to press much more quickly. The printing plate may also contain a thin layer of a high-density non-collapsible UV-curable elastomer between the collapsible layer and the cover sheet of the plate which acts as the print surface in the final plate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.