The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 31, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 07, 2000
Allen Peter Gates, North Yorkshire, GB;
Philip John Watkiss, Leeds, GB;
Fredrick Claus Zumsteg, Jr., Wilmington, DE (US);
Agfa-Gevaert, Mortsel, BE;
Abstract
A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises a grained and anodised aluminium substrate coated with a metallic layer, preferably a silver layer, on top of which is applied a layer of an oleophilic resin. Imagewise exposure of the precursor by means of a high intensity laser beam allows for the direct provision of press ready plates showing increased cleanliness in background areas and providing excellent start-up properties on press, high image quality and improved press durability, without the requirement for the use of intermediate film and developer chemistry, or the need for any post-exposure processing. Lower levels of metal deposition on the substrate surface result in the plate precursors showing enhanced sensitivity on exposure, whereupon removal of the metallic layer occurs in the exposed areas.