Kodak Polychrome Graphics, Gmbh

Eastman-kodak Company

Dean Ginther

Jeffrey James Collins

William Paul Heideman

Randolph Alben Horton

Pradip Goolab Gopal

Oliver Richard Blum

The present invention provides a system and method for replenishing a lithographic printing plate developer. The system includes a developer unit containing a seasoned developer and adapted to deliver the seasoned developer into a mixing unit, a replenisher unit containing a replenisher and adapted to deliver the replenisher into the mixing unit, and the mixing unit is in fluid communication with the developer unit and the replenisher unit and is adapted to hold a mixture of an equal volume of the replenisher and the seasoned developer. The mixture of an equal volume of the replenisher and the seasoned developer is then delivered to the developer unit.

Electro-mechanical system and method for mixing replenishment for plate precursor developers

Method and equipment for using photo- or thermally imagable, negatively working patterning compositions

A process for treating alkaline solutions obtained from lithographic printing plate processing comprises admixing at least one alkaline solution and at least one acidic solution in the presence of at least one aqueous solution to obtain a discharge solution having a pH in the range of about 5.0 to 11.5. Another process for treating alkaline solutions obtained from lithographic printing plate processing comprises admixing at least one alkaline solution and at least one aqueous waste water solution to obtain an aqueous alkaline solution, and admixing the resultant aqueous alkaline solution with at least one acidic solution to obtain a discharge solution having a pH in the range of about 5.0 to 11.5, and to control systems for such processes, and methods of controlling such processes. The alkaline solution has a pH greater than 7.0, preferably greater than about 12.5, and the acidic solution has a pH less than 7.0, preferably less than about 2.5. The alkaline, acidic and aqueous solutions are admixed in volume ratios in the range of about 1 part alkaline: 0.2-4.0 parts acidic: &gE;50 parts aqueous. The invention advantageously avoids the formation of unacceptable gels, sludge, or precipitate which typically occurs if the acidic solution is used to neutralize the alkaline solution.

Alkaline effluent solution treating process

Growing community of inventors

Greeley, CO, United States of America

Dean Ginther