Alcoa Inc.

Aluminum Company of America

David S Bennett

Robert E Bombalski

Sallie L Blake

Jean Ann Skiles

Daniel L Serafin

Joseph D Guthrie

Thomas L Levendusky

Kenneth A Bowman

Gary A Nitowski

Clinton Zediak

Daniel D Roup

Andrew J Hinkle

Craig C Menzemer

James T Burg

Janet C Swearingen

Charles I Fuller

William C Herbein

Ross E Grimm

David L Serafin

A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated.

Printing Plate

A lithographic sheet product having a substrate with a roll textured surface covered by a pretreatment layer. The pretreatment layer enhances adhesion of a printing composition to the sheet product and is composed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers of acrylic acid, polymers of methacrylic acid, an organophosphorous polymer and copolymers of an organophosphorous compound and acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Dopant particles of alumina, silica, titanium dioxide or a black dye or pigment may be added to the pretreatment layer to reduce the gloss and reflectance of the pretreatment layer in a printing process. Etching of the substrate also reduces gloss and reflectance.

Pretreated sheet product for lithographic plates

Printing plate

A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated. Alternatively, the printing plate may include a printing member with an initial affinity for a printing fluid that changes to another affinity to printing fluid upon treatment with radiation.

Printing plate having printing layer with changeable affinity for printing fluid

A process for making printing plate material suitable for imaging by laser radiation. A metal substrate is electrocoated in a bath containing a polymeric resin and laser-sensitive particles, thereby depositing a laser ablatable layer on a principal surface of the metal substrate. In one embodiment, the laser-ablatable layer is treated with a corona discharge for a time sufficient to render the layer non-ink wettable. In other preferred embodiments, the laser-ablatable layer is overcoated with an overlayer such as a non-ink wettable silicone layer or a water-wettable layer comprising an organophosphorus polymer, preferably a copolymer of acrylic acid and vinylphosphonic acid.

Printing plate material with electrocoated layer

Radiation treatable printing plate

A container module for intermodal transportation and temporary storage of dry flowable product includes a pressure tank supported by hanger plates welded to end frames of a support frame defining a standardized container envelope. The pressure tank has a wall with a flat top center section and short flat side sections joined by upper cylindrical intermediate sections and lower cylindrical sections below the flat side sections which blend into a plurality of intersecting, downwardly discharging hoppers. Elongated beam members extending along each side of the support frame tie the hoppers together to resist bending of the suspended tank.

Container module for intermodal transportation and storage of dry flowable product

A process for making lithographic sheet material suitable for imaging by laser radiation. A metal substrate is electrocoated in a bath containing a polymeric resin and laser-sensitive particles, thereby depositing a laser ablatable layer on a principal surface of the metal substrate. In one embodiment, the laser-ablatable layer is treated with a corona discharge for a time sufficient to render the layer non-ink wettable. In other preferred embodiments, the laser-ablatable layer is overcoated with an overlayer such as a non-ink wettable silicone layer or a water-wettable layer comprising an organophosphorus polymer, preferably a copolymer of acrylic acid and vinylphosphonic.

Electrocoating process for making lithographic sheet material

An elongated metal frame structure for connecting a large elongated container to a vehicle employed in transporting the container. The frame comprises a plurality of aluminum alloy tubes connected together at certain corners of the frame by corner assemblies. The assemblies comprise a 'standard' cast iron or steel fitting and at least one steel member connected to one face of the fitting. The exterior surfaces of each steel member are coated with materials that are effective in electrically separating the steel member from an aluminum tube of the frame when the corner assemblies and aluminum tubes are assembled together. The size of the steel members in cross section with the materials applied to the surfaces of the steel member is such that the steel member can slip into the end of the aluminum tube located at a corner of the frame.

Standard corner fittings for aluminum container frames

Growing community of inventors

Davenport, IA, United States of America

David S Bennett