Eastman-kodak Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Miraclon Corporation

David Edgar Brown

M Zaki Ali

Elsie Anderson Fohrenkamm

Gregory L Zwadlo

Michael B Heller

Donald L Swihart

Fredrick Charles Mellema

A Peter Stolt

Louis M Leichter

Susan K Jongewaard

Roger I Krech

Axel Peter Stolt

A system is for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having a latent image formed by image-wise exposure of an aqueous-processable photopolymer. The system can use a first aqueous processing solution with the latent image for cleaning and then washing a resulting relief image with a second aqueous processing solution, where the second aqueous processing solution is devoid of the photopolymer. A processing solution tank is configured to combine the first used aqueous processing solution with the second used aqueous processing solution to form a combined used aqueous processing solution. A processing solution removal can include: a holding tank configured for receiving the combined used aqueous processing solution; and a conduit from the processing solution tank to the holding tank. The processing solution tank includes the combined used aqueous processing solution at less than a predefined maximum volume and having the photopolymer at less than a predefined maximum concentration.

Aqueous processing method for flexographic printing plates

A method for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having an aqueous-processable photopolymer. A main processing unit is used to develop a relief image by removing unexposed photopolymer using an aqueous processing solution including a first dispersing agent while the photosensitive flexographic printing plate is being subjected to mechanical cleaning. Used aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is returned back into a processing solution tank. A secondary processing unit is used to wash the developed relief image with secondary aqueous processing solution including a second dispersing agent to remove debris from the developed relief image. Used secondary aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is directed into the processing solution tank. A portion of the aqueous processing solution from the processing solution tank is removed to keep a volume of aqueous processing solution in the processing solution tank below a predefined maximum volume.

A mask-forming film has a transparent layer between the imageable layer and the carrier sheet, which transparent layer has a refractive index that is lower (by at least 0.04) than that of the carrier sheet or any immediately adjacent layer between it and the carrier sheet. This lower refractive index layer modifies the path of incident radiation during mask image transfer so as to provide steeper shoulder angles in the relief image solid areas. This mask film is used to form a relief image such as in a flexographic printing plate.

Method of using mask film to form relief images

The present invention involves a method for making a relief image. A film that includes a carrier sheet and an imageable material is used to form a mask image that is opaque to a curing radiation. In one embodiment, the mask image is formed on the carrier sheet while in another embodiment, the mask image is formed on a receptor sheet. The mask image is then transferred to a photosensitive material, such as a flexographic printing plate precursor. The resulting assembly is exposed to the curing radiation resulting in exposed and unexposed areas of the photosensitive material. The carrier sheet or the receptor sheet may be removed from the mask image either before or after exposure to the curing radiation. Finally, the photosensitive material and mask image assembly is developed with a suitable developer to form a relief image.

Method of producing a relief image for printing

A mask-forming film has a transparent layer between the imageable layer and the carrier sheet, which transparent layer has a refractive index that is lower (by at least 0.04) than that of the carrier sheet or any immediately adjacent layer between it and the carrier sheet. This lower refractive index layer modifies the path of incident radiation during mask image transfer so as to provide steeper shoulder angles in the relief image solid areas.

Mask film to form relief images and method of use

An opaque matrix that defines transparent apertures may be formed on a lenticular lens by applying an infrared radiation sensitive material to the flat surface of the lenticular lens, projecting infrared radiation through the lenticular lens onto the infrared radiation sensitive material to create exposed and unexposed areas of the infrared radiation sensitive material, and removing the exposed areas of the infrared radiation sensitive material from the flat surface of the lenticular lens. The infrared radiation sensitive material includes an infrared absorbing dye and a colorant. The infrared radiation sensitive material may also include a binder. A barrier layer may be disposed between the flat surface of the lenticular lens and the infrared radiation sensitive material. The barrier layer may include a binder, an infrared absorbing dye, and a crosslinking agent. The resulting lenticular lens may be used in a rear projection television screen or monitor.

Methods for producing a black matrix on a lenticular lens

The use of a barrier layer between photoconductor layers and release layers in electrographic imaging materials provides enhanced performance, particularly in multiple use of the imaging materials in liquid toned imaging processes.

Bilayer topcoats for organic photoconductive elements

An electrical charging system for repeatedly electrically charging a photoconductor layer on an electrical conductor through charging that photoconductor layer, selectively discharging it, providing toner on the layer, and removing the charge image in the photoconductor for each of as many toners as desired for forming a final printed image, followed by using a removal radiation of a shorter wavelength on the photoconductor to avoid long term changes in the photoconductor. A further charging cycle may be used before the next printed image operation begins.

Photoconductor resetting following multiple charge images

Cyanine dyes, particularly indocyanine dyes, having at least 7 carbon atoms in the polymethine chain which may possess a fused cyclopentene or cyclohexene ring in the form of a tri-iodide salt exhibit a substantial reduction in the propensity to associate compared to dyes having the identical cation but different anion. The tri-iodide salts are particularly useful as sensitizers in organic photoconductor systems.

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

David Edgar Brown