EP0770494B1 - A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development - Google Patents

A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0770494B1
EP0770494B1 EP19950202874 EP95202874A EP0770494B1 EP 0770494 B1 EP0770494 B1 EP 0770494B1 EP 19950202874 EP19950202874 EP 19950202874 EP 95202874 A EP95202874 A EP 95202874A EP 0770494 B1 EP0770494 B1 EP 0770494B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
imaging element
image
image forming
forming layer
hydrophilic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19950202874
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0770494A2 (en
EP0770494A3 (en
Inventor
Joan c/o Agfa Gevaert N.V. Vermeersch
Marc c/o Agfa Gevaert N.V. Van Damme
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Agfa NV
Pakon Inc
Original Assignee
Agfa Gevaert NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=8220761&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0770494(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority to EP19950202874 priority Critical patent/EP0770494B1/en
Priority to DE1995617174 priority patent/DE69517174T2/en
Application filed by Agfa Gevaert NV filed Critical Agfa Gevaert NV
Priority to US08/715,496 priority patent/US6030750A/en
Priority to JP29790196A priority patent/JP2938397B2/en
Publication of EP0770494A2 publication Critical patent/EP0770494A2/en
Publication of EP0770494A3 publication Critical patent/EP0770494A3/en
Priority to US09/440,165 priority patent/US6096481A/en
Publication of EP0770494B1 publication Critical patent/EP0770494B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
    • B41M5/36—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used using a polymeric layer, which may be particulate and which is deformed or structurally changed with modification of its' properties, e.g. of its' optical hydrophobic-hydrophilic, solubility or permeability properties
    • B41M5/366—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used using a polymeric layer, which may be particulate and which is deformed or structurally changed with modification of its' properties, e.g. of its' optical hydrophobic-hydrophilic, solubility or permeability properties using materials comprising a polymeric matrix containing a polymeric particulate material, e.g. hydrophobic heat coalescing particles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
    • B41C1/00—Forme preparation
    • B41C1/10—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme
    • B41C1/1008—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme by removal or destruction of lithographic material on the lithographic support, e.g. by laser or spark ablation; by the use of materials rendered soluble or insoluble by heat exposure, e.g. by heat produced from a light to heat transforming system; by on-the-press exposure or on-the-press development, e.g. by the fountain of photolithographic materials
    • B41C1/1025—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme by removal or destruction of lithographic material on the lithographic support, e.g. by laser or spark ablation; by the use of materials rendered soluble or insoluble by heat exposure, e.g. by heat produced from a light to heat transforming system; by on-the-press exposure or on-the-press development, e.g. by the fountain of photolithographic materials using materials comprising a polymeric matrix containing a polymeric particulate material, e.g. hydrophobic heat coalescing particles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
    • B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
    • B41C2210/04—Negative working, i.e. the non-exposed (non-imaged) areas are removed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
    • B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
    • B41C2210/08—Developable by water or the fountain solution
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
    • B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
    • B41C2210/24—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation characterised by a macromolecular compound or binder obtained by reactions involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. acrylics, vinyl polymers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for making a lithographic printing plate. More in particular, the present invention relates to a method wherein the lithographic printing plate is developed on the printing press subsequent to image-wise exposure.
  • Lithography is the process of printing from specially prepared surfaces, some areas of which are capable of accepting lithographic ink, whereas other areas, when moistened with water, will not accept the ink.
  • the areas which accept ink form the printing image areas and the ink-rejecting areas form the background areas.
  • a photographic material is made imagewise receptive to oily or greasy inks in the photo-exposed (negative-working) or in the non-exposed areas (positive-working) on a hydrophilic background.
  • lithographic printing plates also called surface litho plates or planographic printing plates
  • a support that has affinity to water or obtains such affinity by chemical treatment is coated with a thin layer of a photosensitive composition.
  • Coatings for that purpose include light-sensitive polymer layers containing diazo compounds, dichromate-sensitized hydrophilic colloids and a large variety of synthetic photopolymers. Particularly diazo-sensitized systems are widely used.
  • the exposed image areas become insoluble and the unexposed areas remain soluble.
  • the plate is then developed with a suitable liquid to remove the diazonium salt or diazo resin in the unexposed areas.
  • Lithocraft 10008 FOTOPLATETM is a diazo based printing plate that comprises on a paper support a hydrophilic layer on top of which is provided a diazo based photosensitive layer.
  • a plate can be prepared by image-wise exposure of the lithographic printing plate precursor or imaging element, mounting the exposed imaging element on the press and wiping its surface with Lithocraft® 10008 Developer Desensitizer.
  • the plate instructions also contemplate a method wherein no developer desensitizer is used. However, such method most often results in poor lithographic preformance so that in practice a Developer Desensitizer is almost always needed.
  • a particular disadvantage of photosensitive imaging elements such as described above for making a printing plate is that they have to be shielded from the light. This is a particular disadvantage if on press development is contemplated since mounting the image-wise exposed imaging element is generally done in normal daylight so that the handling time for mounting the imaging element is limited. Moreover, diazo based aluminium type printing plates are completely unsuitable for on press development.
  • a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of:
  • the present invention further provides a method for making multiple copies of an orginal image comprising the steps of:
  • the present invention further relates to a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of:
  • the present invention also discloses a method for making multiple copies from an original comprising the steps of:
  • the present invention also describes a printing apparatus comprising:
  • An imaging element for use in accordance with the present invention comprises on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder.
  • the hydrophilic binder used in connection with the present invention is perferably not cross-linked or only sightly cross-linked.
  • the imaging element further includes a compound capable of converting light to heat. This compound is preferably comprised in the image forming layer but can also be provided in a layer adjacent to the image forming layer.
  • the lithographic base can be an anodised aluminium.
  • a particularly preferred lithographic base is an electrochemically grained and anodised aluminium support.
  • an anodised aluminium support may be treated to improve the hydrophilic properties of its surface.
  • the aluminium support may be silicated by treating its surface with sodium silicate solution at elevated temperature, e.g. 95°C.
  • a phosphate treatment may be applied which involves treating the aluminium oxide surface with a phosphate solution that may further contain an inorganic fluoride.
  • the aluminium oxide surface may be rinsed with a citric acid or citrate solution.
  • This treatment may be carried out at room temperature or can be carried out at a slightly elevated temperature of about 30 to 50°C.
  • a further interesting treatment involves rinsing the aluminium oxide surface with a bicarbonate solution. It is further evident that one or more of these post treatments may be carried out alone or in combination.
  • the lithographic base comprises a flexible support, such as e.g. paper or plastic film, provided with a cross-linked hydrophilic layer.
  • a particularly suitable cross-linked hydrophilic layer may be obtained from a hydrophilic binder cross-linked with a cross-linking agent such as formaldehyde, glyoxal, polyisocyanate or a hydrolysed tetra-alkylorthosilicate. The latter is particularly preferred.
  • hydrophilic binder there may be used hydrophilic (co)polymers such as for example, homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl alcohol, acrylamide, methylol acrylamide, methylol methacrylamide, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate or maleic anhydride/vinylmethylether copolymers.
  • the hydrophilicity of the (co)polymer or (co)polymer mixture used is preferably the same as or higher than the hydrophilicity of polyvinyl acetate hydrolyzed to at least an extent of 60 percent by weight, preferably 80 percent by weight.
  • the amount of crosslinking agent, in particular of tetraalkyl orthosilicate, is preferably at least 0.2 parts by weight per part by weight of hydrophilic binder, preferably between 0.5 and 5 parts by weight, more preferably between 1.0 parts by weight and 3 parts by weight.
  • a cross-linked hydrophilic layer in a lithographic base used in accordance with the present embodiment preferably also contains substances that increase the mechanical strength and the porosity of the layer.
  • colloidal silica may be used.
  • the colloidal silica employed may be in the form of any commercially available water-dispersion of colloidal silica for example having an average particle size up to 40 nm, e.g. 20 nm.
  • inert particles of larger size than the colloidal silica can be added e.g. silica prepared according to Stöber as described in J. Colloid and Interface Sci., Vol.
  • alumina particles or particles having an average diameter of at least 100 nm which are particles of titanium dioxide or other heavy metal oxides.
  • the thickness of a cross-linked hydrophilic layer in a lithographic base in accordance with this embodiment may vary in the range of 0.2 to 25 ⁇ m and is preferably 1 to 10 ⁇ m.
  • cross-linked hydrophilic layers for use in accordance with the present invention are disclosed in EP-A 601240, GB-P-1419512, FR-P-2300354, US-P-3971660, US-P-4284705 and EP-A 514490.
  • plastic film e.g. substrated polyethylene terephthalate film, cellulose acetate film, polystyrene film, polycarbonate film etc.
  • the plastic film support may be opaque or transparent.
  • the amount of silica in the adhesion improving layer is 200 mg per m 2 and 750 mg per m 2 .
  • the ratio of silica to hydrophilic binder is preferably more than 1 and the surface area of the colloidal silica is preferably at least 300 m 2 per gram, more preferably a surface area of 500 m 2 per gram.
  • an image forming layer on top of a hydrophilic surface there is provided an image forming layer.
  • an image forming layer in connection with the present invention comprises thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder.
  • Suitable hydrophilic binders for use in an image forming layer in connection with this invention are for example synthetic homo or copolymers such as a polyvinylalcohol, a poly(meth)acrylic acid, a poly(meth)acrylamide, a polyhydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, a polyvinylmethylether or natural binders such as gelatin, a polysacharide such as e.g. dextran, pullulan, cellulose, arabic gum, alginic acid.
  • Hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles used in connection with the present invention preferably have a coagulation temperature above 35°C and more preferably above 50°C. Coagulation may result from softening or melting of the thermoplastic polymer particles under the influence of heat. There is no specific upper limit to the coagulation temperature of the thermoplastic hydrophobic polymer particles, however the temperature should be sufficiently below the decomposition of the polymer particles. Preferably the coagulation temperature is at least 10°C below the temperature at which the decomposition of the polymer particles occurs.
  • said polymer particles When said polymer particles are subjected to a temperature above coagulation temperature they coagulate to form a hydrophobic agglomerate in the hydrophilic layer so that at these parts the hydrophilic layer becomes insoluble in plain water or an aqueous liquid.
  • hydrophobic polymer particles for use in connection with the present invention are e.g. polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl (meth)acrylate, polyethyl (meth)acrylate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl carbazole etc. or copolymers thereof. Most preferably used is polyethylene.
  • the weight average molecular weight of the polymers may range from 5,000 to 1,000,000g/mol.
  • the hydrophobic particles may have a particle size from 0.01 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m, more preferably between 0.05mm and 10mm and most preferably between 0.05 ⁇ m and 2 ⁇ m.
  • the polymer particles are present as a dispersion in the aqueous coating liquid of the image forming layer and may be prepared by the methods disclosed in US-P-3.476.937. Another method especially suitable for preparing an aqueous dispersion of the thermoplastic polymer particles comprises:
  • the amount of hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles contained in the image forming layer is preferably between 20% by weight and 65% by weight and more preferably between 25% by weight and 55% by weight and most preferably between 30% by weight and 45% by weight.
  • Suitable compounds capable of converting light into heat are preferably infrared absorbing components although the wavelength of absorption is not of particular importance as long as the absorption of the compound used is in the wavelength range of the light source used for image-wise exposure.
  • Particularly useful compounds are for example dyes and in particular infrared dyes, carbon black, metal carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, bronze-structured oxides and oxides structurally related to the bronze family but lacking the A component e.g. WO 2.9 .
  • conductive polymer dispersion such as polypyrrole or polyaniline-based conductive polymer dispersions.
  • the lithographic performance and in particular the print endurance obtained depends on the heat-sensitivity of the imaging element. In this respect it has been found that carbon black yields very good and favorable results.
  • a light to heat converting compound in connection with the present invention is most preferably added to the image forming layer but at least part of the light to heat converting compound may also be comprised in a neighbouring layer.
  • Such layer can be for example the cross-linked hydrophilic layer of a lithographic base according to the second embodiment of lithographic bases explained above.
  • the imaging element is image-wise exposed and subsequently is mounted on a print cylinder of a printing press.
  • the printing press is then started and while the print cylinder with the imaging element mounted thereon rotates, the dampener rollers that supply dampening liquid are dropped on the imaging element and subsequent thereto the ink rollers are dropped.
  • the dampener rollers that supply dampening liquid are dropped on the imaging element and subsequent thereto the ink rollers are dropped.
  • the first clear and useful prints are obtained.
  • Suitable dampening liquids that can be used in connection with the present invention are aqueous liquids generally having an acidic pH and comprising an alcohol such as isopropanol.
  • dampening liquids useful in the present invention there is no particular limitation and commercially available dampening liquids, also known as fountain solutions, can be used.
  • an image-wise exposed imaging element e.g. a cotton pad or sponge soaked with water before mounting the imaging element on the press or at least before the printing press starts running. This will remove some non-image areas but will not actually develop the imaging element.
  • it has the advantage that possible substantial contamination of the dampening system of the press and ink used is avoided.
  • the imaging element is first mounted on the print cylinder of the printing press and then image-wise exposed directly on the press. Subsequent to exposure, the imaging element can be developed as described above.
  • the imaging element may be image-wise exposed and subsequently developed by rinsing it with plain water.
  • Image-wise exposure in connection with the present invention is preferably an image-wise scanning exposure involving the use of a laser or L.E.D.. It is highly preferred in connection with the present invention to use a laser emitting in the infrared (IR) and/or near-infrared, i.e. emitting in the wavelength range 700-1500 nm. Particularly preferred for use in connection with the present invention are laser diodes emitting in the near-infrared.
  • IR infrared
  • near-infrared i.e. emitting in the wavelength range 700-1500 nm.
  • laser diodes emitting in the near-infrared.
  • a preferred imaging apparatus suitable for image-wise scanning exposure in accordance with the present invention preferably includes a laser output that can be provided directly to the imaging elements surface via lenses or other beam-guiding components, or transmitted to the surface of a blank imaging element from a remotely sited laser using a fiber-optic cable.
  • a controller and associated positioning hardware maintains the beam output at a precise orientation with respect to the imaging elements surface, scans the output over the surface, and activates the laser at positions adjacent selected points or areas of the imaging element.
  • the controller responds to incoming image signals corresponding to the original document and/or picture being copied onto the imaging element to produce a precise negative or positive image of that original.
  • the image signals are stored as a bitmap data file on a computer.
  • Such files may be generated by a raster image processor (RIP) or other suitable means.
  • a RIP can accept Input data in page-description language, which defines all of the features required to be transferred onto the imaging element, or as a combination of page-description language and one or more image data files.
  • the bitmaps are constructed to define the hue of the color as well as screen frequencies and angles in case of amplitude modulation screening.
  • the present invention is particularly suitable for use in combination with frequency modulation screening as disclosed in e.g. EP-A 571010, EP-A 620677 and EP-A 620674.
  • the imaging apparatus can operate on its own, functioning solely as a platemaker, or can be incorporated directly into a lithographic printing press having means for supplying a dampening liquid. In the latter case, printing may commence immediately after image-wise exposure and development, thereby reducing press set-up time considerably.
  • the imaging apparatus can be configured as a flatbed recorder or as a drum recorder, with the lithographic plate blank mounted to the interior or exterior cylindrical surface of the drum.
  • the exterior drum design is more appropriate to use in situ, on a lithographic press, in which case the print cylinder itself constitutes the drum component of the recorder or plotter.
  • the requisite relative motion between the laser beam and the imaging element is achieved by rotating the drum(and the imaging element mounted thereon) about its axis and moving the beam parallel to the rotation axis, thereby scanning the imaging element circumferentially so the image "grows" in the axial direction.
  • the beam can move parallel to the drum axis and, after each pass across the imaging element, increment angularly so that the image on the imaging element "grows" circumferentially.
  • an image corresponding to the original will have been applied to the surface of the imaging element.
  • the beam is drawn across either axis of the imaging element, and is indexed along the other axis after each pass.
  • the requisite relative motion between the beam and the imaging element may be produced by movement of the imaging element rather than (or in addition to) movement of the beam.
  • the beam is scanned, it is generally preferable (for reasons of speed) to employ a plurality of lasers and guide their outputs to a single writing array.
  • the writing array is then indexed, after completion of each pass across or along the imaging element, a distance determined by the number of beams emanating from the array, and by the desired resolution (i.e. the number of image points per unit length.
  • FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates an exterior drum embodiment of an imaging system suitable for use in connection with the present invention.
  • the assembly includes a cylinder 50 around which is wrapped an imaging element 55.
  • Cylinder 50 includes a void segment 60, within which the outside margins of imaging element 55 are secured by conventional clamping means (not shown).
  • the size of the void segment can vary greatly depending on the environment in which cylinder 50 is employed.
  • cylinder 50 is straight forwardly incorporated into the design of a conventional lithographic press having means for supplying dampening liquid to the imaging element, and serves as the print cylinder of the press.
  • imaging element 55 receives ink and dampening liquid from an ink train and a sequence of dampening cylinders respectively, whose terminal cylinders are in rolling engagement with cylinder 50.
  • the latter cylinder also rotates in contact with a blanket cylinder, which transfers ink to the receiving element which is generally a paper sheet.
  • the press may have more than one such printing assembly arranged in a linear array. Alternatively, a plurality of assemblies may be arranged about a large central impression cylinder in rolling engagement with all of the blanket cylinders.
  • Cylinder 50 is supported in a frame and rotated by a standard electric motor or other conventional means (illustrated schematically in FIG. 2). The angular position of cylinder 50 is monitored by a shaft encoder (see FIG. 4).
  • a writing array 65 mounted for movement on a lead screw 67 and a guide bar 69, traverses imaging element 55 as it rotates.
  • Axial movement of writing array 65 results from rotation of a stepper motor 72, which turns lead screw 67 and thereby shifts the axial position of writing array 65.
  • Stepper motor 72 is activated during the time writing array 65 is positioned over void 60, after writing array 65 has passed over the entire surface of imaging element 55. The rotation of stepper motor 72 shifts writing array 65 to the appropriate axial location to begin the next imaging pass.
  • the axial index distance between successive imaging passes is determined by the number of imaging objects in writing array 65 and their configuration therein, as well as by the desired resolution.
  • the lasers are preferably gallium-arsenide models, although any other lasers can be used.
  • the cables that carry laser output are collected into a bundle 77 and emerge separately into writing array 65. It may prove desirable, in order to conserve power, to maintain the bundle in a configuration that does not require bending above the fiber's critical angle of refraction (thereby maintaining total internal reflection).
  • a controller 80 actuates laser drivers 75 when the associated lasers reach appropriate points opposite imaging element 55, and in addition operates stepper motor 72 and the cylinder drive motor 82.
  • Controller 80 receives data from two sources.
  • the angular position of cylinder 50 with respect to writing array 65 is constantly monitored by a detector 85, which provides signals indicative of that position to controller 80.
  • an image data source e.g., a computer
  • the image data define points on imaging element 55 where image spots are to be written.
  • Controller 80 therefore, correlates the instantaneous relative positions of writing array 65 and imaging element 55 (as reported by detector 85) with the image data to actuate the appropriate laser drivers at the appropriate times during scan of imaging element 55.
  • the control circuitry required to implement this scheme is well-known in the scanner and plotter art.
  • the laser output cables terminate in lens assemblies 96, mounted within writing array 65, that preferably precisely focus the beams onto the surface of imaging element 55.
  • lens assemblies 96 mounted within writing array 65, that preferably precisely focus the beams onto the surface of imaging element 55.
  • a suitable lens-assembly design is described below, for purposes of the present discussion, these assemblies are generically indicated by reference numeral 96.
  • a suitable configuration is illustrated in FIG. 3 in this arrangement, lens assemblies 96 are staggered across the face of body 65.
  • Controller 80 either receives image data already arranged into vertical columns, each corresponding to a different lens assembly or can progressively sample, in columnar fashion,the contents of a memory buffer containing a complete bitmap representation of the image to be transferred. In either case, controller 80 recognizes the different relative positions of the lens assemblies with respect to imaging element 55 and actuates the appropriate laser only when its associated lens assembly is positioned over a point to be imaged.
  • FIG. 4 An alternative array design is illustrated in FIG. 4, which also shows the detector 85 mounted to the cylinder 50.
  • the writing array designated by reference numeral 150
  • the writing array 150 comprises a long linear body fed by fiber-optic cables drawn from bundle 77.
  • the interior of writing array 150, or some portion thereof, contains threads that engage lead screw 67, rotation of which advances writing array 150 along imaging element 55 as discussed previously.
  • Individual lens assemblies 96 are evenly spaced a distance B from one another. Distance B corresponds to the difference between the axial length of plate 55 and the distance between the first and last lens assembly; it represents the total axial distance traversed by writing array 150 during the course of a complete scan.
  • stepper motor 72 rotates to advance writing array 150 an axial distance equal to the desired distance between imaging passes (i.e., the print density). This distance is smaller by a factor of n than the distance indexed by the previously described embodiment (writing array 65), where n is the number of lens assemblies included in writing array 65.
  • FIGS. 5-7 Suitable means for guiding laser output to the surface of a imaging element are illustrated in FIGS. 5-7.
  • FIG.5 shows a remote laser assembly that utilizes a fiber-optic cable to transmit laser pulses to the imaging element.
  • a laser source 250 receives power via an electrical cable 252.
  • Laser 250 is seated within the rear segment of a housing 255.
  • Mounted within the forepart of housing are two or more focusing lenses 260a. 260b, which focus radiation emanating from laser 250 onto the end face of a fiber-optic cable 265, which is preferably (although not necessarily) secured within housing 255 by a removable retaining cap 267.
  • Cable 265 conducts the output of laser 250 to an output assembly 270, which is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 6.
  • fiber-optic cable 265 enters the assembly 270 through a retaining cap 274 (which is preferably removable).
  • Retaining cap 274 fits over a generally tubular body 276, which contains a series of threads 278.
  • Mounted within the forepart of body 276 are two or more focusing lenses 280a, 280b, cable 265 is carried partway through body 276 by a sleeve 280.
  • Body 276 defines a hollow channel between inner lens 280b and the terminus of sleeve 280, so the end face of cable 265 lies a selected distance A from inner lens 280b.
  • the distance A and the focal lengths of lenses 280a, 280b are chosen so the at normal working distance from imaging element 55, the beam emanating from cable 265 will be precisely focused on the imaging elements surface. This distance can be altered to vary the size of an image feature.
  • Body 276 can be secured to writing array 65 in any suitable manner.
  • a nut 282 engages threads 278 and secures an outer flange 284 of body 276 against the outer face of writing array 65.
  • the flange may, optionally, contain a transparent window 290 to protect the lenses from possible damage.
  • the lens assembly may be mounted within the writing array on a pivot that permits rotation in the axial direction (i.e., with reference to FiG. 6, through the plane of the paper) to facilitate fine axial positioning adjustment. If the angle of rotation is kept to 4° or less, the circumferential error produced by the rotation can be corrected electronically by shifting the image data before it is transmitted to controller 80.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative design in which the laser source irradiates the imaging elements surface directly, without transmission through fiber-optic cabling.
  • laser source 250 is seated within the rear segment of an open housing 300.
  • Mounted within the forepart of housing 300 are two or more focusing lenses 302a, 302b, which focus radiation emanating from laser 250 onto the surface of imaging element 55.
  • the housing may, optionally, include a transparent window 305 mounted flush with the open end, and a heat sink 307.
  • a suitable circuit for driving a diode-type (e.g., gallium arsenide) laser is illustrated schematically in FIG. 8. Operation of the circuit is governed by controller 80, which generates a fixed-pulse-width signal (preferably 5 to 20 ⁇ sec in duration) to a high-speed, high-current MOSFET driver 325.
  • the output terminal of driver 325 is connected to the gate of a MOSFET 327. Because driver 325 is capable of supplying a high output current to quickly charge the MOSFET gate capacitance, the turn-on and turn-off times for MOSFET 327 are very short (preferably within 0.5 ⁇ sec) in spite of the capacitive load.
  • the source terminal of MOSFET 327 is connected to ground potential.
  • MOSFET 327 When MOSFET 327 is placed in a conducting state, current flows through and thereby activates a laser diode 330.
  • a variable current-limiting resistor 332 is interposed between MOSFET 327 and laser diode 330 to allow adjustment of diode output. Such adjustment is useful, for example, to correct for different diode efficiencies and produce identical outputs in all lasers in the system, or to vary laser output as a means of controlling image size.
  • a capacitor 334 is placed across the terminals of laser diode 330 to prevent damaging current overshoots,e.g., as a result of wire inductance combined with low laser-diode inter-electrode capacitance.
  • a 0.2mm thick aluminium foil was degreased by immersing the foil in an aqueous solution containing 5g/l of sodium hydroxide at 50°C and rinsed with demineralised water.
  • the foil was then electrochemically grained using an alternating current in an aqueous solution containing 4g/l of hydrochloric acid, 4 g/l of hydroboric acid and 0.5g/l of aluminium ions at a temperature of 35°C and a current density of 1200 A/m 2 to form a surface topography with an average center-line roughness R a of 0.5 ⁇ m.
  • the aluminium foil was then etched with an aqueous solution containing 300g/l of sulfuric acid ate 60°C for 180 seconds and rinsed with demineralised water at 25°c for 30 seconds.
  • the foil was subsequently subjected to anodic oxidation in an aqueous solution containing 200 g/l of sulfuric acid at at temperature of 45°c, a voltage of about 10V and a current density of 150 A/m 2 for about 300 seconds to form an anodic oxidation film of 3g/m 2 Al 2 O 3 , then washed with demineralised water, post treated with a solution containing 20 g/l of sodium bicarbonated at 40°C for 30s, subsequently rinsed with demineralised water of 20°C during 120s and dried.
  • the obtained lithographic base was submersed in an aqueous solution containing 5% by weight of citric acid for 60s, rinsed with demineralised wter and dried at 40°C.
  • An imaging element according to the invention was produced by preparing the following coating composition and coating it to the above described lithographic base in an amount of 30g/m 2 (wet coating amount) and drying it at 35°C.
  • An imaging element as described above was subjected to a scanning Nd YLF infrared laser emitting at 1050nm (scan speed 4m/s, spot size 15 ⁇ m and 670mW power on the surface of the imaging element).
  • the obtained image-wise exposed imaging element was mounted on an ABDIC 360TM offset printing press equipped with a VARN KOMPACTM II dampening system.
  • ink VanSon RB2329TM and as a dampening liquid G671cTM (3% in water) commercially available from Agfa-Geveart NV were used.
  • the press was started by allowing the print cylinder with the imaging element mounted thereon to rotate.
  • the dampener rollers of the press were dropped on the imaging elements surface to as to supply dampening liquid to the imaging element and after 10 revolutions of the print cylinder, the ink rollers were dropped to supply ink. After a further 10 revolutions, clear prints were obtained with no ink uptake in the non-image parts.
  • An imaging element was prepared as described in example 1 with the exception that the submersion of the lithographic base in a citric acid solution was omitted and the lithographic base was directly coated with the coating composition.
  • a printing plate was prepared as in example 1 and after a total of 20 revolutions of the print cylinder, clear prints were obtained without ink uptake in the non-image areas.
  • the obtained dispersion was coated on a polyethyleneterephthalate film support (coated with a hydrophilic adhesion layer) to a wet coating thickness of 50 g/m 2 , dried at 30 °C. and subsequently hardened by subjecting it to a temperature of 57 °C for 1 week.
  • An imaging element using the above described lithographic base and printing plate therefrom were then prepared as described in example 1. After 20 revolutions, clear prints without ink uptake in the non-image areas were obtained.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Printing Plates And Materials Therefor (AREA)
  • Manufacture Or Reproduction Of Printing Formes (AREA)
  • Photosensitive Polymer And Photoresist Processing (AREA)
  • Materials For Photolithography (AREA)

Description

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a method for making a lithographic printing plate. More in particular, the present invention relates to a method wherein the lithographic printing plate is developed on the printing press subsequent to image-wise exposure.
2. Background of the invention
Lithography is the process of printing from specially prepared surfaces, some areas of which are capable of accepting lithographic ink, whereas other areas, when moistened with water, will not accept the ink. The areas which accept ink form the printing image areas and the ink-rejecting areas form the background areas.
In the art of photolithography, a photographic material is made imagewise receptive to oily or greasy inks in the photo-exposed (negative-working) or in the non-exposed areas (positive-working) on a hydrophilic background.
In the production of common lithographic printing plates, also called surface litho plates or planographic printing plates, a support that has affinity to water or obtains such affinity by chemical treatment is coated with a thin layer of a photosensitive composition. Coatings for that purpose include light-sensitive polymer layers containing diazo compounds, dichromate-sensitized hydrophilic colloids and a large variety of synthetic photopolymers. Particularly diazo-sensitized systems are widely used.
Upon image-wise exposure of the light-sensitive layer the exposed image areas become insoluble and the unexposed areas remain soluble. The plate is then developed with a suitable liquid to remove the diazonium salt or diazo resin in the unexposed areas.
Commercially available diazo based printing plates most commonly use an anodized and roughened aluminium as a support having a hydrophilic surface. However, commercial plates are also available that use a flexible support such as paper provided with a hydrophilic layer. For example, Lithocraft 10008 FOTOPLATE™ is a diazo based printing plate that comprises on a paper support a hydrophilic layer on top of which is provided a diazo based photosensitive layer. According to plate instructions of the supplier, a plate can be prepared by image-wise exposure of the lithographic printing plate precursor or imaging element, mounting the exposed imaging element on the press and wiping its surface with Lithocraft® 10008 Developer Desensitizer. The plate instructions also contemplate a method wherein no developer desensitizer is used. However, such method most often results in poor lithographic preformance so that in practice a Developer Desensitizer is almost always needed.
A particular disadvantage of photosensitive imaging elements such as described above for making a printing plate is that they have to be shielded from the light. This is a particular disadvantage if on press development is contemplated since mounting the image-wise exposed imaging element is generally done in normal daylight so that the handling time for mounting the imaging element is limited. Moreover, diazo based aluminium type printing plates are completely unsuitable for on press development.
On the other hand, methods are known for making printing plates involving the use of imaging elements that are heat sensitive rather than photosensitive. For example, Research Disclosure no. 33303 of January 1992 discloses a heat sensitive imaging element comprising on a support a cross-linked hydrophilic layer containing thermoplastic polymer particles and an infrared absorbing pigment such as e.g. carbon black. By image-wise exposure to an Infrared laser, the thermoplastic polymer particles are image-wise coagulated thereby rendering the surface of the imaging element and these areas ink acceptant without any further development. A disadvantage of this method is that the printing plate obtained is easily damaged since the non-printing areas may become ink accepting when some pressure is applied thereto. Moreover, under critical conditions, the lithographic performance of such a printing plate may be poor and accordingly such printing plate has little lithographic printing latitude.
US 4,034,183 describes heat-mode materials which can be used as a printing master directly after exposure without requiring a processing step. These materials have a very low speed and require a high power laser for exposure. FR-B-1.561.957 describes heat-mode materials wherein hydrophobic liquids or solids, such as fatty acids and waxes, undergo thermal coagulation upon exposure and as a result form a hydrophobic phase which may accept ink. These materials are used for making a limited number of copies from an original, but are not suitable as a printing plate due to their low printing endurance. So there is still a need for a method of making lithographic printing plates suitable for printing long press runs and which does not require the use of a high power light source.
3. Summary of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for making a printing plate having excellent printing properties in a convenient an environmental friendly way.
Further objects of the present invention will become clear from the description hereinafter.
According to the present invention there is provided a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of:
  • (1) image-wise exposing to light an imaging element comprising (i) on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto;
  • (2) and developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element by mounting it on a print cylinder of a printing press and supplying firstly an aqueous dampening liquid and subsequently also ink to said image forming layer while rotating said print cylinder.
    • The present invention further provides a method for making multiple copies of an orginal image comprising the steps of:
  • (1) image-wise exposing to light an imaging element comprising (i) on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto;
  • (2) mounting a thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element without development, on a print cylinder of a printing press;
  • (3) rotating said print cylinder while supplying firstly an aqueous dampening liquid and subsequently also ink to said image forming layer of said imaging element and
  • (4) transfering ink from said imaging element to a receiving element which is generally a paper sheet.
    • The present invention further relates to a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of:
  • (1) mounting an imaging element comprising (i) on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto on a print cylinder of a printing press;
  • (2) image-wise exposing said imaging element by means of a laser or LED;
  • (3) and developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element by supplying firstly an aqueous dampening liquid and subsequently also ink to said image forming layer while rotating said print cylinder.
    • The present invention also discloses a method for making multiple copies from an original comprising the steps of:
  • (1) mounting an imaging element comprising (i) on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto on a print cylinder of a printing press;
  • (2) image-wise exposing said imaging element by means of a laser or LED;
  • (3) developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element by supplying firstly an aqueous dampening liquid and subsequently also ink to said image forming layer while rotating said print cylinder;
  • (4) transfering ink from said imaging element to a receiving element.
    • The present invention also describes a printing apparatus comprising:
  • (i) at least one print station including:
    • a print cylinder;
    • means for mounting to the print cylinder an imaging element;
    • at least one laser or L.E.D device;
    • means for guiding output of said laser or L.E.D. device to focus on the imaging elements surface;
    • means for moving the guiding means and support means relative to one another to effect a scan of the imaging elements surface by the output of said laser or L.E.D. device;
  • (ii) means for supplying a dampening liquid to said print cylinder;
  • (iii) means for supplying ink to said print cylinder;
  • (iv) means for transferring a receiving element to said print station;
  • (v) means for transferring ink from said print cylinder to said receiving element.
    • 4. Brief description of the drawings
    The present invention is illustrated by way of reference to the following drawings without however the intention to limit the invention thereto:
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the cylindrical embodiment of an imaging apparatus suitable for use in accordance with the present invention, and which operates in conjunction with a diagonal-array writing array;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and which illustrates in greater detail its mechanism of operation;
  • FIG. 3 is a front-end view of a writing array for imaging in accordance with the present invention, and in which imaging elements are arranged in a diagonal array;
  • FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the cylindrical embodiment of an imaging apparatus suitable for use in accordance with the present invention, and which operates in conjunction with a linear-array writing array;
  • FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of a remote laser and beam-guiding system;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial cut-away view of a lens element for focusing a laser beam from an optical fiber onto the surface of an imaging element;
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged, cut-away view of a lens element having an integral laser and;
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of a laser-driver circuit suitable for use with the present invention.
    • 5. Detailed description of the invention
    An imaging element for use in accordance with the present invention comprises on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder. The hydrophilic binder used in connection with the present invention is perferably not cross-linked or only sightly cross-linked. The imaging element further includes a compound capable of converting light to heat. This compound is preferably comprised in the image forming layer but can also be provided in a layer adjacent to the image forming layer.
    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lithographic base can be an anodised aluminium. A particularly preferred lithographic base is an electrochemically grained and anodised aluminium support. According to the present invention, an anodised aluminium support may be treated to improve the hydrophilic properties of its surface. For example, the aluminium support may be silicated by treating its surface with sodium silicate solution at elevated temperature, e.g. 95°C. Alternatively, a phosphate treatment may be applied which involves treating the aluminium oxide surface with a phosphate solution that may further contain an inorganic fluoride. Further, the aluminium oxide surface may be rinsed with a citric acid or citrate solution. This treatment may be carried out at room temperature or can be carried out at a slightly elevated temperature of about 30 to 50°C. A further interesting treatment involves rinsing the aluminium oxide surface with a bicarbonate solution. It is further evident that one or more of these post treatments may be carried out alone or in combination.
    According to another embodiment in connection with the present invention, the lithographic base comprises a flexible support, such as e.g. paper or plastic film, provided with a cross-linked hydrophilic layer. A particularly suitable cross-linked hydrophilic layer may be obtained from a hydrophilic binder cross-linked with a cross-linking agent such as formaldehyde, glyoxal, polyisocyanate or a hydrolysed tetra-alkylorthosilicate. The latter is particularly preferred.
    As hydrophilic binder there may be used hydrophilic (co)polymers such as for example, homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl alcohol, acrylamide, methylol acrylamide, methylol methacrylamide, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate or maleic anhydride/vinylmethylether copolymers. The hydrophilicity of the (co)polymer or (co)polymer mixture used is preferably the same as or higher than the hydrophilicity of polyvinyl acetate hydrolyzed to at least an extent of 60 percent by weight, preferably 80 percent by weight.
    The amount of crosslinking agent, in particular of tetraalkyl orthosilicate, is preferably at least 0.2 parts by weight per part by weight of hydrophilic binder, preferably between 0.5 and 5 parts by weight, more preferably between 1.0 parts by weight and 3 parts by weight.
    A cross-linked hydrophilic layer in a lithographic base used in accordance with the present embodiment preferably also contains substances that increase the mechanical strength and the porosity of the layer. For this purpose colloidal silica may be used. The colloidal silica employed may be in the form of any commercially available water-dispersion of colloidal silica for example having an average particle size up to 40 nm, e.g. 20 nm. In addition inert particles of larger size than the colloidal silica can be added e.g. silica prepared according to Stöber as described in J. Colloid and Interface Sci., Vol. 26, 1968, pages 62 to 69 or alumina particles or particles having an average diameter of at least 100 nm which are particles of titanium dioxide or other heavy metal oxides. By incorporating these particles the surface of the cross-linked hydrophilic layer is given a uniform rough texture consisting of microscopic hills and valleys, which serve as storage places for water in background areas.
    The thickness of a cross-linked hydrophilic layer in a lithographic base in accordance with this embodiment may vary in the range of 0.2 to 25 µm and is preferably 1 to 10 µm.
    Particular examples of suitable cross-linked hydrophilic layers for use in accordance with the present invention are disclosed in EP-A 601240, GB-P-1419512, FR-P-2300354, US-P-3971660, US-P-4284705 and EP-A 514490.
    As flexible support of a lithographic base in connection with the present embodiment it is particularly preferred to use a plastic film e.g. substrated polyethylene terephthalate film, cellulose acetate film, polystyrene film, polycarbonate film etc... The plastic film support may be opaque or transparent.
    It is particularly preferred to use a polyester film support to which an adhesion improving layer has been provided. Particularly suitable adhesion improving layers for use in accordance with the present invention comprise a hydrophilic binder and colloidal silica as disclosed in EP-A 619524, EP-A 620502 and EP-A 619525. Preferably, the amount of silica in the adhesion improving layer is 200 mg per m2 and 750 mg per m2. Further, the ratio of silica to hydrophilic binder is preferably more than 1 and the surface area of the colloidal silica is preferably at least 300 m2 per gram, more preferably a surface area of 500 m2 per gram.
    In accordance with the present invention, on top of a hydrophilic surface there is provided an image forming layer. Optionally, there may be provided one or more intermediate layers between the lithographic base and the image forming layer. An image forming layer in connection with the present invention comprises thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder.
    Suitable hydrophilic binders for use in an image forming layer in connection with this invention are for example synthetic homo or copolymers such as a polyvinylalcohol, a poly(meth)acrylic acid, a poly(meth)acrylamide, a polyhydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, a polyvinylmethylether or natural binders such as gelatin, a polysacharide such as e.g. dextran, pullulan, cellulose, arabic gum, alginic acid.
    Hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles used in connection with the present invention preferably have a coagulation temperature above 35°C and more preferably above 50°C. Coagulation may result from softening or melting of the thermoplastic polymer particles under the influence of heat. There is no specific upper limit to the coagulation temperature of the thermoplastic hydrophobic polymer particles, however the temperature should be sufficiently below the decomposition of the polymer particles. Preferably the coagulation temperature is at least 10°C below the temperature at which the decomposition of the polymer particles occurs. When said polymer particles are subjected to a temperature above coagulation temperature they coagulate to form a hydrophobic agglomerate in the hydrophilic layer so that at these parts the hydrophilic layer becomes insoluble in plain water or an aqueous liquid.
    Specific examples of hydrophobic polymer particles for use in connection with the present invention are e.g. polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl (meth)acrylate, polyethyl (meth)acrylate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl carbazole etc. or copolymers thereof. Most preferably used is polyethylene.
    The weight average molecular weight of the polymers may range from 5,000 to 1,000,000g/mol.
    The hydrophobic particles may have a particle size from 0.01µm to 50µm, more preferably between 0.05mm and 10mm and most preferably between 0.05µm and 2µm.
    The polymer particles are present as a dispersion in the aqueous coating liquid of the image forming layer and may be prepared by the methods disclosed in US-P-3.476.937. Another method especially suitable for preparing an aqueous dispersion of the thermoplastic polymer particles comprises:
    • dissolving the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer in an organic water immiscible solvent,
    • dispersing the thus obtained solution in water or in an aqueous medium and
    • removing the organic solvent by evaporation.
    The amount of hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles contained in the image forming layer is preferably between 20% by weight and 65% by weight and more preferably between 25% by weight and 55% by weight and most preferably between 30% by weight and 45% by weight.
    Suitable compounds capable of converting light into heat are preferably infrared absorbing components although the wavelength of absorption is not of particular importance as long as the absorption of the compound used is in the wavelength range of the light source used for image-wise exposure. Particularly useful compounds are for example dyes and in particular infrared dyes, carbon black, metal carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, bronze-structured oxides and oxides structurally related to the bronze family but lacking the A component e.g. WO2.9. It is also possible to use conductive polymer dispersion such as polypyrrole or polyaniline-based conductive polymer dispersions. The lithographic performance and in particular the print endurance obtained depends on the heat-sensitivity of the imaging element. In this respect it has been found that carbon black yields very good and favorable results.
    A light to heat converting compound in connection with the present invention is most preferably added to the image forming layer but at least part of the light to heat converting compound may also be comprised in a neighbouring layer. Such layer can be for example the cross-linked hydrophilic layer of a lithographic base according to the second embodiment of lithographic bases explained above.
    In accordance with a method of the present invention for obtaining a printing plate, the imaging element is image-wise exposed and subsequently is mounted on a print cylinder of a printing press. According to the present invention, the printing press is then started and while the print cylinder with the imaging element mounted thereon rotates, the dampener rollers that supply dampening liquid are dropped on the imaging element and subsequent thereto the ink rollers are dropped. Generally, after about 10 revolutions of the print cylinder the first clear and useful prints are obtained.
    Suitable dampening liquids that can be used in connection with the present invention are aqueous liquids generally having an acidic pH and comprising an alcohol such as isopropanol. With regard to dampening liquids useful in the present invention, there is no particular limitation and commercially available dampening liquids, also known as fountain solutions, can be used.
    It may be advantageous to wipe the image forming layer of an image-wise exposed imaging element with e.g. a cotton pad or sponge soaked with water before mounting the imaging element on the press or at least before the printing press starts running. This will remove some non-image areas but will not actually develop the imaging element. However, it has the advantage that possible substantial contamination of the dampening system of the press and ink used is avoided.
    According to an alternative method, the imaging element is first mounted on the print cylinder of the printing press and then image-wise exposed directly on the press. Subsequent to exposure, the imaging element can be developed as described above.
    According to a still further method in connection with the present invention, the imaging element may be image-wise exposed and subsequently developed by rinsing it with plain water.
    Image-wise exposure in connection with the present invention is preferably an image-wise scanning exposure involving the use of a laser or L.E.D.. It is highly preferred in connection with the present invention to use a laser emitting in the infrared (IR) and/or near-infrared, i.e. emitting in the wavelength range 700-1500 nm. Particularly preferred for use in connection with the present invention are laser diodes emitting in the near-infrared.
    A preferred imaging apparatus suitable for image-wise scanning exposure in accordance with the present invention preferably includes a laser output that can be provided directly to the imaging elements surface via lenses or other beam-guiding components, or transmitted to the surface of a blank imaging element from a remotely sited laser using a fiber-optic cable. A controller and associated positioning hardware maintains the beam output at a precise orientation with respect to the imaging elements surface, scans the output over the surface, and activates the laser at positions adjacent selected points or areas of the imaging element. The controller responds to incoming image signals corresponding to the original document and/or picture being copied onto the imaging element to produce a precise negative or positive image of that original. The image signals are stored as a bitmap data file on a computer. Such files may be generated by a raster image processor (RIP) or other suitable means. For example, a RIP can accept Input data in page-description language, which defines all of the features required to be transferred onto the imaging element, or as a combination of page-description language and one or more image data files. The bitmaps are constructed to define the hue of the color as well as screen frequencies and angles in case of amplitude modulation screening. However, the present invention is particularly suitable for use in combination with frequency modulation screening as disclosed in e.g. EP-A 571010, EP-A 620677 and EP-A 620674.
    The imaging apparatus can operate on its own, functioning solely as a platemaker, or can be incorporated directly into a lithographic printing press having means for supplying a dampening liquid. In the latter case, printing may commence immediately after image-wise exposure and development, thereby reducing press set-up time considerably. The imaging apparatus can be configured as a flatbed recorder or as a drum recorder, with the lithographic plate blank mounted to the interior or exterior cylindrical surface of the drum. Obviously, the exterior drum design is more appropriate to use in situ, on a lithographic press, in which case the print cylinder itself constitutes the drum component of the recorder or plotter.
    In a preferred drum configuration, the requisite relative motion between the laser beam and the imaging element is achieved by rotating the drum(and the imaging element mounted thereon) about its axis and moving the beam parallel to the rotation axis, thereby scanning the imaging element circumferentially so the image "grows" in the axial direction. Alternatively, the beam can move parallel to the drum axis and, after each pass across the imaging element, increment angularly so that the image on the imaging element "grows" circumferentially. In both cases, after a complete scan by the beam and development, an image corresponding to the original will have been applied to the surface of the imaging element. In the flatbed configuration, the beam is drawn across either axis of the imaging element, and is indexed along the other axis after each pass. Of course, the requisite relative motion between the beam and the imaging element may be produced by movement of the imaging element rather than (or in addition to) movement of the beam.
    Regardless of the manner in which the beam is scanned, it is generally preferable (for reasons of speed) to employ a plurality of lasers and guide their outputs to a single writing array. The writing array is then indexed, after completion of each pass across or along the imaging element, a distance determined by the number of beams emanating from the array, and by the desired resolution (i.e. the number of image points per unit length.
    The following describes in more detail a preferred embodiment of an imaging apparatus suitable for use in connection with the present invention.
    a. Exterior-Drum Recording
    Refer first to FIG. 1 of the drawings, which illustrates an exterior drum embodiment of an imaging system suitable for use in connection with the present invention. The assembly includes a cylinder 50 around which is wrapped an imaging element 55. Cylinder 50 includes a void segment 60, within which the outside margins of imaging element 55 are secured by conventional clamping means (not shown). The size of the void segment can vary greatly depending on the environment in which cylinder 50 is employed.
    Desirably, cylinder 50 is straight forwardly incorporated into the design of a conventional lithographic press having means for supplying dampening liquid to the imaging element, and serves as the print cylinder of the press. In a typical press constructions imaging element 55 receives ink and dampening liquid from an ink train and a sequence of dampening cylinders respectively, whose terminal cylinders are in rolling engagement with cylinder 50. The latter cylinder also rotates in contact with a blanket cylinder, which transfers ink to the receiving element which is generally a paper sheet. The press may have more than one such printing assembly arranged in a linear array. Alternatively, a plurality of assemblies may be arranged about a large central impression cylinder in rolling engagement with all of the blanket cylinders.
    Cylinder 50 is supported in a frame and rotated by a standard electric motor or other conventional means (illustrated schematically in FIG. 2). The angular position of cylinder 50 is monitored by a shaft encoder (see FIG. 4). A writing array 65, mounted for movement on a lead screw 67 and a guide bar 69, traverses imaging element 55 as it rotates. Axial movement of writing array 65 results from rotation of a stepper motor 72, which turns lead screw 67 and thereby shifts the axial position of writing array 65. Stepper motor 72 is activated during the time writing array 65 is positioned over void 60, after writing array 65 has passed over the entire surface of imaging element 55. The rotation of stepper motor 72 shifts writing array 65 to the appropriate axial location to begin the next imaging pass.
    The axial index distance between successive imaging passes is determined by the number of imaging objects in writing array 65 and their configuration therein, as well as by the desired resolution. As shown in FIG. 2, a series of laser sources L1, L2, L3, ... Ln, driven by suitable laser drivers collectively designated by reference numeral 75, each provide output to a fiber-optic cable. The lasers are preferably gallium-arsenide models, although any other lasers can be used.
    The cables that carry laser output are collected into a bundle 77 and emerge separately into writing array 65. It may prove desirable, in order to conserve power, to maintain the bundle in a configuration that does not require bending above the fiber's critical angle of refraction (thereby maintaining total internal reflection).
    Also as shown in Fig. 2, a controller 80 actuates laser drivers 75 when the associated lasers reach appropriate points opposite imaging element 55, and in addition operates stepper motor 72 and the cylinder drive motor 82.
    Controller 80 receives data from two sources. The angular position of cylinder 50 with respect to writing array 65 is constantly monitored by a detector 85, which provides signals indicative of that position to controller 80. In addition, an image data source (e.g., a computer) also provides data signals to controller 80. The image data define points on imaging element 55 where image spots are to be written. Controller 80, therefore, correlates the instantaneous relative positions of writing array 65 and imaging element 55 (as reported by detector 85) with the image data to actuate the appropriate laser drivers at the appropriate times during scan of imaging element 55. The control circuitry required to implement this scheme is well-known in the scanner and plotter art.
    The laser output cables terminate in lens assemblies 96, mounted within writing array 65, that preferably precisely focus the beams onto the surface of imaging element 55. A suitable lens-assembly design is described below, for purposes of the present discussion, these assemblies are generically indicated by reference numeral 96. A suitable configuration is illustrated in FIG. 3 in this arrangement, lens assemblies 96 are staggered across the face of body 65.
    The staggered lens design facilitates use of a greater number of lens assemblies in a single head than would be possible with a linear arrangement. And since imaging time depends directly on the number of lens elements, a staggered design offers the possibility of faster overall imaging. Controller 80 either receives image data already arranged into vertical columns, each corresponding to a different lens assembly or can progressively sample, in columnar fashion,the contents of a memory buffer containing a complete bitmap representation of the image to be transferred. In either case, controller 80 recognizes the different relative positions of the lens assemblies with respect to imaging element 55 and actuates the appropriate laser only when its associated lens assembly is positioned over a point to be imaged.
    An alternative array design is illustrated in FIG. 4, which also shows the detector 85 mounted to the cylinder 50. In this case the writing array, designated by reference numeral 150, comprises a long linear body fed by fiber-optic cables drawn from bundle 77. The interior of writing array 150, or some portion thereof, contains threads that engage lead screw 67, rotation of which advances writing array 150 along imaging element 55 as discussed previously. Individual lens assemblies 96 are evenly spaced a distance B from one another. Distance B corresponds to the difference between the axial length of plate 55 and the distance between the first and last lens assembly; it represents the total axial distance traversed by writing array 150 during the course of a complete scan. Each time writing array 150 encounters void 60, stepper motor 72 rotates to advance writing array 150 an axial distance equal to the desired distance between imaging passes (i.e., the print density). This distance is smaller by a factor of n than the distance indexed by the previously described embodiment (writing array 65), where n is the number of lens assemblies included in writing array 65.
    b. Output (guide and Lens Assembly)
    Suitable means for guiding laser output to the surface of a imaging element are illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. Refer first to FIG.5, which shows a remote laser assembly that utilizes a fiber-optic cable to transmit laser pulses to the imaging element. In this arrangement a laser source 250 receives power via an electrical cable 252. Laser 250 is seated within the rear segment of a housing 255. Mounted within the forepart of housing are two or more focusing lenses 260a. 260b, which focus radiation emanating from laser 250 onto the end face of a fiber-optic cable 265, which is preferably (although not necessarily) secured within housing 255 by a removable retaining cap 267. Cable 265 conducts the output of laser 250 to an output assembly 270, which is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 6.
    With reference to that figure, fiber-optic cable 265 enters the assembly 270 through a retaining cap 274 (which is preferably removable). Retaining cap 274 fits over a generally tubular body 276, which contains a series of threads 278. Mounted within the forepart of body 276 are two or more focusing lenses 280a, 280b, cable 265 is carried partway through body 276 by a sleeve 280. Body 276 defines a hollow channel between inner lens 280b and the terminus of sleeve 280, so the end face of cable 265 lies a selected distance A from inner lens 280b. The distance A and the focal lengths of lenses 280a, 280b are chosen so the at normal working distance from imaging element 55, the beam emanating from cable 265 will be precisely focused on the imaging elements surface. This distance can be altered to vary the size of an image feature.
    Body 276 can be secured to writing array 65 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiments a nut 282 engages threads 278 and secures an outer flange 284 of body 276 against the outer face of writing array 65. The flange may, optionally, contain a transparent window 290 to protect the lenses from possible damage.
    Alternatively, the lens assembly may be mounted within the writing array on a pivot that permits rotation in the axial direction (i.e., with reference to FiG. 6, through the plane of the paper) to facilitate fine axial positioning adjustment. If the angle of rotation is kept to 4° or less, the circumferential error produced by the rotation can be corrected electronically by shifting the image data before it is transmitted to controller 80.
    Refer now to FIG. 7, which illustrates an alternative design in which the laser source irradiates the imaging elements surface directly, without transmission through fiber-optic cabling. As shown in the figure, laser source 250 is seated within the rear segment of an open housing 300. Mounted within the forepart of housing 300 are two or more focusing lenses 302a, 302b, which focus radiation emanating from laser 250 onto the surface of imaging element 55. The housing may, optionally, include a transparent window 305 mounted flush with the open end, and a heat sink 307.
    It should be understood that while the preceding discussion of imaging configurations and the accompanying figures have assumed the use of optical fibers, in each case the fibers can be eliminated through use of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.
    c. Driver Circuitry
    A suitable circuit for driving a diode-type (e.g., gallium arsenide) laser is illustrated schematically in FIG. 8. Operation of the circuit is governed by controller 80, which generates a fixed-pulse-width signal (preferably 5 to 20 µsec in duration) to a high-speed, high-current MOSFET driver 325. The output terminal of driver 325 is connected to the gate of a MOSFET 327. Because driver 325 is capable of supplying a high output current to quickly charge the MOSFET gate capacitance, the turn-on and turn-off times for MOSFET 327 are very short (preferably within 0.5 µsec) in spite of the capacitive load. The source terminal of MOSFET 327 is connected to ground potential.
    When MOSFET 327 is placed in a conducting state, current flows through and thereby activates a laser diode 330. A variable current-limiting resistor 332 is interposed between MOSFET 327 and laser diode 330 to allow adjustment of diode output. Such adjustment is useful, for example, to correct for different diode efficiencies and produce identical outputs in all lasers in the system, or to vary laser output as a means of controlling image size.
    A capacitor 334 is placed across the terminals of laser diode 330 to prevent damaging current overshoots,e.g., as a result of wire inductance combined with low laser-diode inter-electrode capacitance.
    The present invention will be further illustrated by way of the following examples, without however the intention to limit the invention thereto. All parts are by weight unless otherwise specified.
    EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of a lithographic base
    A 0.2mm thick aluminium foil was degreased by immersing the foil in an aqueous solution containing 5g/l of sodium hydroxide at 50°C and rinsed with demineralised water. The foil was then electrochemically grained using an alternating current in an aqueous solution containing 4g/l of hydrochloric acid, 4 g/l of hydroboric acid and 0.5g/l of aluminium ions at a temperature of 35°C and a current density of 1200 A/m2 to form a surface topography with an average center-line roughness Ra of 0.5µm.
    After rinsing with demineralised water the aluminium foil was then etched with an aqueous solution containing 300g/l of sulfuric acid ate 60°C for 180 seconds and rinsed with demineralised water at 25°c for 30 seconds.
    The foil was subsequently subjected to anodic oxidation in an aqueous solution containing 200 g/l of sulfuric acid at at temperature of 45°c, a voltage of about 10V and a current density of 150 A/m2 for about 300 seconds to form an anodic oxidation film of 3g/m2 Al2O3, then washed with demineralised water, post treated with a solution containing 20 g/l of sodium bicarbonated at 40°C for 30s, subsequently rinsed with demineralised water of 20°C during 120s and dried.
    The obtained lithographic base was submersed in an aqueous solution containing 5% by weight of citric acid for 60s, rinsed with demineralised wter and dried at 40°C.
    Preparation of the imaging element (material)
    An imaging element according to the invention was produced by preparing the following coating composition and coating it to the above described lithographic base in an amount of 30g/m2 (wet coating amount) and drying it at 35°C.
    Preparation of coating composition
    To 6.75g of a 20% dispersion of polymethylmethacrylate (average particle diameter of 90nm) stabilised with Hostapal B (1% vs. polymer) in deionised water was subsequently added, 7g of a 15% dispersion of carbon black and 1ml of a solution of a wetting agent in water, 73g water and finally while stirring, 12g of a 5% solution of a 98% hydrolysed polyvinylacetate having a weight average molecular weight of 200.000 g/mol in water is added.
    Preparation of a printing plate and printing copies.
    An imaging element as described above was subjected to a scanning Nd YLF infrared laser emitting at 1050nm (scan speed 4m/s, spot size 15µm and 670mW power on the surface of the imaging element).
    The obtained image-wise exposed imaging element was mounted on an ABDIC 360™ offset printing press equipped with a VARN KOMPAC™ II dampening system. As ink, VanSon RB2329™ and as a dampening liquid G671c™ (3% in water) commercially available from Agfa-Geveart NV were used.
    Subsequent to mounting the imaging element, the press was started by allowing the print cylinder with the imaging element mounted thereon to rotate. The dampener rollers of the press were dropped on the imaging elements surface to as to supply dampening liquid to the imaging element and after 10 revolutions of the print cylinder, the ink rollers were dropped to supply ink. After a further 10 revolutions, clear prints were obtained with no ink uptake in the non-image parts.
    EXAMPLE 2
    An imaging element was prepared as described in example 1 with the exception that the submersion of the lithographic base in a citric acid solution was omitted and the lithographic base was directly coated with the coating composition.
    A printing plate was prepared as in example 1 and after a total of 20 revolutions of the print cylinder, clear prints were obtained without ink uptake in the non-image areas.
    EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of a lithographic base
    To 398 g of a dispersion contg. 21.5% TiO2 (average particle size 0.3 to 0.5 µm) and 2.5% polyvinyl alcohol in deionized water were subsequently added, while stirring, 195 g of a hydrolyzed 22% tetramethylorthosilicate emulsion in water and 12 g of a 10% solution of a wetting agent.
    To this mixture was added 395 g of deionized water and the pH was adjusted to pH=4.
    The obtained dispersion was coated on a polyethyleneterephthalate film support (coated with a hydrophilic adhesion layer) to a wet coating thickness of 50 g/m2, dried at 30 °C. and subsequently hardened by subjecting it to a temperature of 57 °C for 1 week.
    An imaging element using the above described lithographic base and printing plate therefrom were then prepared as described in example 1. After 20 revolutions, clear prints without ink uptake in the non-image areas were obtained.

    Claims (10)

    1. A method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of:
      (1) image-wise exposing to light an imaging element comprising (i) on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto;
      (2) and developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element by mounting it on a print cylinder of a printing press and supplying firstly an aqueous dampening liquid and subsequently also ink to said image forming layer while rotating said print cylinder.
    2. A method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of:
      (1) mounting an imaging element comprising (i) on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto on a print cylinder of a printing press;
      (2) image-wise exposing said imaging element while being mounted on the press;
      (3) and developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element by supplying firstly an aqueous dampening liquid and subsequently also ink to said image forming layer while rotating said print cylinder.
    3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the light is infrared light having a wavelength in the range from 700 to 1500 nm.
    4. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said compound capable of converting light to heat is selected from the group consisting of an infrared absorbing dye, carbon black, a metal boride, a metal carbide, a metal nitride, a metal carbonitride and a conductive polymer particle.
    5. A method according to any of the above claims wherein image-wise exposure is carried out by means of a laser, a LED or a plurality of lasers.
    6. A method according to any of the above claims wherein said compound capable of converting light to heat is comprised in said image forming layer.
    7. A method according to any of the above claims wherein said lithographic base is an anodised aluminium or comprises a flexible support having thereon a cross-linked hydrophilic layer.
    8. A method according to any of the above claims wherein said thermoplastic polymer particles have a coagulation temperature of at least 35°C.
    9. A method according to any of the above claims wherein said hydrophilic binder in said image forming layer is selected from the group consisting of a polyvinylalcohol, a poly(meth)acrylic acid, a poly(meth)acrylamide, a polyhydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, a polyvinylmethylether, a polysacharide.
    10. A method according to any of the above claims wherein said hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethyl(meth)acrylate, polyvinylchloride, polyethyl (meth)acrylate, polyvinylidenechloride, polyacrylonitrile and polyvinylcarbazole.
    EP19950202874 1995-10-24 1995-10-24 A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development Expired - Lifetime EP0770494B1 (en)

    Priority Applications (5)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    EP19950202874 EP0770494B1 (en) 1995-10-24 1995-10-24 A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development
    DE1995617174 DE69517174T2 (en) 1995-10-24 1995-10-24 Process for the production of a lithographic printing plate with development taking place on the printing press
    US08/715,496 US6030750A (en) 1995-10-24 1996-09-18 Method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development
    JP29790196A JP2938397B2 (en) 1995-10-24 1996-10-23 Method for producing a lithographic printing plate including on-press development
    US09/440,165 US6096481A (en) 1995-10-24 1999-11-15 Method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development

    Applications Claiming Priority (1)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    EP19950202874 EP0770494B1 (en) 1995-10-24 1995-10-24 A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development

    Publications (3)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0770494A2 EP0770494A2 (en) 1997-05-02
    EP0770494A3 EP0770494A3 (en) 1997-05-07
    EP0770494B1 true EP0770494B1 (en) 2000-05-24

    Family

    ID=8220761

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP19950202874 Expired - Lifetime EP0770494B1 (en) 1995-10-24 1995-10-24 A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development

    Country Status (3)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0770494B1 (en)
    JP (1) JP2938397B2 (en)
    DE (1) DE69517174T2 (en)

    Cited By (13)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US6124079A (en) * 1996-09-25 2000-09-26 Agfa-Gevaert, N.V. Method for making a driographic printing plate involving the use of a heat-sensitive imaging element
    US6230621B1 (en) 1998-07-31 2001-05-15 Agfa-Gevaert Processless thermal printing plate with well defined nanostructure
    US6242159B1 (en) 1997-06-26 2001-06-05 Kodak Polychrome Graphics Llc Method of preparing a water-less lithographic printing form
    EP1232859A1 (en) 2001-02-16 2002-08-21 Agfa-Gevaert On-press exposure and on-press processing of a lithographic material
    EP1232858A1 (en) 2001-02-16 2002-08-21 Agfa-Gevaert On-press coating and on-press processing of a lithographic material
    US6632580B2 (en) 2000-06-02 2003-10-14 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor
    US6653042B1 (en) 1999-06-04 2003-11-25 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing the same, and method of lithographic printing
    US6919163B2 (en) 2002-01-18 2005-07-19 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor
    US6949327B2 (en) 2003-07-09 2005-09-27 Kodak Polychrome Graphics Llc On-press developable lithographic printing plate
    EP1142707B2 (en) † 2000-04-07 2011-11-30 FUJIFILM Corporation Heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    US8399172B2 (en) 2008-08-29 2013-03-19 Fujifilm Corporation Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor and method of lithographic printing using same
    US8468942B2 (en) 2007-11-30 2013-06-25 Agfa Graphics, N.V. Method for treating a lithographic printing plate
    US8771924B2 (en) 2006-12-26 2014-07-08 Fujifilm Corporation Polymerizable composition, lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method

    Families Citing this family (282)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US6022667A (en) * 1997-05-27 2000-02-08 Agfa-Gevaert, N.V. Heat sensitive imaging element and a method for producing lithographic plates therewith
    EP0881096B1 (en) * 1997-05-27 2001-10-17 Agfa-Gevaert N.V. A heat sensitive imaging element and a method for producing lithographic plates therewith
    DE69818659T2 (en) * 1998-07-31 2004-08-12 Agfa-Gevaert Processing-free thermal planographic printing plate with a defined nanostructure
    JP3704975B2 (en) * 1998-11-10 2005-10-12 コニカミノルタホールディングス株式会社 Image forming material for plate making
    CA2626296C (en) 1999-01-20 2011-12-13 Cabot Corporation Polymer foams comprising chemically modified carbonaceous filler
    EP2316875A1 (en) 1999-01-20 2011-05-04 Cabot Corporation Aggregates having attached polymer groups and polymer foams
    US6124425A (en) 1999-03-18 2000-09-26 American Dye Source, Inc. Thermally reactive near infrared absorption polymer coatings, method of preparing and methods of use
    DE10022786B4 (en) * 1999-05-12 2008-04-10 Kodak Graphic Communications Gmbh On the printing machine developable printing plate
    JP4764892B2 (en) * 2000-01-14 2011-09-07 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate making method
    JP2008188995A (en) * 2000-01-27 2008-08-21 Fujifilm Corp Plate making method of lithographic printing plate
    JP5230886B2 (en) 2000-07-06 2013-07-10 キャボット コーポレイション Modified pigment product, dispersion thereof, and composition containing the same
    US6815139B2 (en) 2000-12-07 2004-11-09 Agfa-Gevaert Method of processing a printing plate material with a single-fluid ink
    ATE252981T1 (en) 2000-12-13 2003-11-15 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd FLAT PLATE PRECURSOR
    EP1219416B1 (en) * 2000-12-20 2004-08-04 Agfa-Gevaert On-press development printing method using a negative working thermally sensitive lithographic printing plate
    US20030180658A1 (en) * 2000-12-26 2003-09-25 Goodin Jonathan W. Thermally-convertible lithographic printing precursor developable with aqueous medium
    US20030017410A1 (en) * 2001-07-23 2003-01-23 John Emans Thermally convertible lithographic printing precursor comprising an organic acid
    US20030017416A1 (en) * 2001-07-23 2003-01-23 John Emans Method for obtaining a lithographic printing surface using organic acid
    JP4177967B2 (en) 2001-02-06 2008-11-05 富士フイルム株式会社 Master for lithographic printing plate
    US6789481B2 (en) 2001-02-16 2004-09-14 Agfa-Gevaert On-press coating and on-press processing of a lithographic material
    US6789480B2 (en) 2001-02-16 2004-09-14 Agfa-Gevaert On-press exposure and on-press processing of a lithographic material
    US6551757B1 (en) * 2001-05-24 2003-04-22 Eastman Kodak Company Negative-working thermal imaging member and methods of imaging and printing
    US7132212B2 (en) 2001-06-13 2006-11-07 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Presensitized plate
    DE60217182T2 (en) 2001-07-23 2007-10-31 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor
    EP1281516B1 (en) 2001-08-01 2007-12-19 FUJIFILM Corporation Planographic printing plate precursor
    US6780567B2 (en) 2001-08-02 2004-08-24 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic process using reaction of o-quinodimethane
    JP2003154624A (en) 2001-11-20 2003-05-27 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Method for on-press developing lithographic printing plate master
    JP3901595B2 (en) 2002-02-25 2007-04-04 富士フイルム株式会社 Master for lithographic printing
    ATE367920T1 (en) 2002-03-13 2007-08-15 Fujifilm Corp LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR
    US7198876B2 (en) 2002-04-24 2007-04-03 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Method of preparation of lithographic printing plates
    EP1356926B1 (en) 2002-04-26 2008-01-16 Agfa Graphics N.V. Negative-working thermal lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a smooth aluminum support.
    US6969575B2 (en) 2002-08-29 2005-11-29 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. On-press developable lithographic printing plate precursor
    US7056642B2 (en) 2002-09-18 2006-06-06 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Method of graft polymerization and variety of materials utilizing the same as well as producing method thereof
    JP2004268562A (en) 2003-02-17 2004-09-30 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate
    JP4073345B2 (en) * 2003-03-24 2008-04-09 富士フイルム株式会社 Lithographic printing method and printing apparatus
    EP2093055B1 (en) 2003-03-26 2012-05-16 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing method
    JP2004314530A (en) 2003-04-18 2004-11-11 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc Developing method on printing press of lithographic printing form material and its printing method
    JP2005037881A (en) 2003-04-21 2005-02-10 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Pattern forming method, image forming method, fine particle adsorption pattern forming method, conductive pattern forming method, pattern forming material, and planographic printing plate
    JP2004322511A (en) 2003-04-25 2004-11-18 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc Printing method
    EP1484177B1 (en) 2003-06-02 2007-08-29 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic process involving on press development
    JP2005014348A (en) 2003-06-25 2005-01-20 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Original plate for planographic printing plate, and planographic printing method
    JP2005028774A (en) 2003-07-07 2005-02-03 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Original plate for planographic printing plate, and planographic printing method
    EP1500498B1 (en) 2003-07-22 2010-12-15 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursour and lithographic printing method
    JP4815113B2 (en) 2003-09-24 2011-11-16 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and planographic printing method
    JP2005106883A (en) 2003-09-29 2005-04-21 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Method for forming image on planographic printing plate and image forming apparatus
    JP4644458B2 (en) 2003-09-30 2011-03-02 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and planographic printing method
    US7297467B2 (en) 2003-10-16 2007-11-20 Agfa Graphics Nv Method of making a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate
    EP1524113B1 (en) 2003-10-16 2010-03-24 Agfa Graphics N.V. Method of making a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate.
    EP1524112B1 (en) 2003-10-16 2007-12-12 Agfa Graphics N.V. Heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    DE602004008401D1 (en) * 2003-12-12 2007-10-04 Konica Minolta Med & Graphic Process for the production of planographic printing plates and printing processes
    US7214469B2 (en) 2003-12-26 2007-05-08 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
    US20050153239A1 (en) 2004-01-09 2005-07-14 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method using the same
    EP1717024A1 (en) 2004-01-23 2006-11-02 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
    US20050172843A1 (en) 2004-02-06 2005-08-11 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Stack of lithographic printing plate precursors
    JP2005231255A (en) 2004-02-20 2005-09-02 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Lithographic method and original plate of lithographic plate
    JP4505242B2 (en) 2004-03-17 2010-07-21 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing method
    WO2005091068A1 (en) * 2004-03-24 2005-09-29 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Image-forming process, lithographic printing plate, and lithography process
    US7462440B2 (en) 2004-03-29 2008-12-09 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method using the same
    JP5331288B2 (en) * 2004-04-09 2013-10-30 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and planographic printing method
    EP1584485B1 (en) 2004-04-09 2007-12-05 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
    JP2005305689A (en) 2004-04-19 2005-11-04 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc Printing plate material and printing method
    US7348126B2 (en) 2004-04-27 2008-03-25 Agfa Graphics N.V. Negative working, heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    JP4413069B2 (en) 2004-04-28 2010-02-10 富士フイルム株式会社 Lithographic printing plate and lithographic printing method
    EP2618215B1 (en) 2004-05-31 2017-07-05 Fujifilm Corporation Method for producing a lithographic printing plate
    DE602004006099T2 (en) 2004-06-11 2008-03-13 Agfa Graphics N.V. Negative heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    JP2006001144A (en) 2004-06-17 2006-01-05 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Lithographic printing method and original plate for lithographic printing plate used therefor
    JP2006021396A (en) 2004-07-07 2006-01-26 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Original lithographic printing plate and lithographic printing method
    US7425405B2 (en) 2004-07-08 2008-09-16 Agfa Graphics, N.V. Method for making a lithographic printing plate
    US7354696B2 (en) 2004-07-08 2008-04-08 Agfa Graphics Nv Method for making a lithographic printing plate
    US7195861B2 (en) 2004-07-08 2007-03-27 Agfa-Gevaert Method for making a negative working, heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    US7146909B2 (en) 2004-07-20 2006-12-12 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Image forming material
    JP2006027209A (en) 2004-07-21 2006-02-02 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc Lithographic printing plate material, lithographic printing plate, and method for printing using it
    US7425406B2 (en) 2004-07-27 2008-09-16 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
    US20060032390A1 (en) 2004-07-30 2006-02-16 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
    JP4410714B2 (en) 2004-08-13 2010-02-03 富士フイルム株式会社 Method for producing support for lithographic printing plate
    JP2006056184A (en) 2004-08-23 2006-03-02 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc Printing plate material and printing plate
    US7745090B2 (en) 2004-08-24 2010-06-29 Fujifilm Corporation Production method of lithographic printing plate, lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
    JP2006062188A (en) 2004-08-26 2006-03-09 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Color image forming material and original plate of lithographic printing plate
    JP2006068963A (en) 2004-08-31 2006-03-16 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Polymerizable composition, hydrophilic film using this composition and original lithographic printing plate
    US7462437B2 (en) 2004-08-31 2008-12-09 Fujifilm Corporation Presensitized lithographic plate comprising support and hydrophilic image-recording layer
    JP5089866B2 (en) 2004-09-10 2012-12-05 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing method
    JP2006130905A (en) 2004-10-08 2006-05-25 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Lithographic printing method
    JP2006188038A (en) 2004-12-10 2006-07-20 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Original lithographic printing plate and plate manufacturing method
    JP2006181838A (en) 2004-12-27 2006-07-13 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Original plate of lithographic printing plate
    EP1798031A3 (en) 2005-01-26 2007-07-04 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
    WO2006090570A1 (en) 2005-02-22 2006-08-31 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc. Lithographic printing plate material and printing method
    US7858291B2 (en) 2005-02-28 2010-12-28 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor, method for preparation of lithographic printing plate precursor, and lithographic printing method
    JP2006247858A (en) 2005-03-08 2006-09-21 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc Printing method, block copy sheeting material and method for fitting printing plate material
    US20060216642A1 (en) 2005-03-23 2006-09-28 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
    EP1708033B1 (en) 2005-03-29 2011-10-05 FUJIFILM Corporation Method of manufacturing a lithographic printing plate
    JP2006272782A (en) 2005-03-29 2006-10-12 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Planographic printing plate
    JP4474317B2 (en) 2005-03-31 2010-06-02 富士フイルム株式会社 Preparation method of lithographic printing plate
    EP1712368B1 (en) 2005-04-13 2008-05-14 FUJIFILM Corporation Method of manufacturing a support for a lithographic printing plate
    JP4815270B2 (en) 2005-08-18 2011-11-16 富士フイルム株式会社 Method and apparatus for producing a lithographic printing plate
    JP4759343B2 (en) 2005-08-19 2011-08-31 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and planographic printing method
    DE602005008434D1 (en) * 2005-09-27 2008-09-04 Agfa Graphics Nv Process for the preparation of a lithographic printing plate
    JP4900913B2 (en) 2006-02-01 2012-03-21 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate making method
    US7175949B1 (en) * 2006-02-17 2007-02-13 Eastman Kodak Company Radiation-sensitive compositions and imageable materials
    DE602006003856D1 (en) * 2006-02-28 2009-01-08 Agfa Graphics Nv Method for producing a lithographic printing plate support
    JP2007230105A (en) 2006-03-01 2007-09-13 Fujifilm Corp On-board developing printing method and printing device
    US8113116B2 (en) 2006-03-14 2012-02-14 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor
    EP1834764B1 (en) 2006-03-17 2009-05-27 Agfa Graphics N.V. Negative working, heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    EP1859935B1 (en) 2006-05-24 2009-11-25 Agfa Graphics N.V. Negative working, heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    EP1859936B1 (en) 2006-05-24 2009-11-11 Agfa Graphics N.V. Method for making a lithographic printing plate
    JP5222495B2 (en) 2006-06-30 2013-06-26 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and planographic printing method
    DE602006009919D1 (en) 2006-08-03 2009-12-03 Agfa Graphics Nv Lithographic printing plate support
    DE102006043572A1 (en) * 2006-09-16 2008-03-27 Man Roland Druckmaschinen Ag Printing machine e.g. sheet printing machine, operating method, involves removing non-printed area from printing plate after moistening printing plate automatically during number of machine revolutions and/or during time period
    JPWO2008035782A1 (en) 2006-09-22 2010-01-28 三菱重工業株式会社 Printing machine operating apparatus and operating method
    CN101505965A (en) 2006-09-22 2009-08-12 三菱重工业株式会社 Operating device and operating method of printer
    JP5064952B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2012-10-31 富士フイルム株式会社 Development processing solution for lithographic printing plate and plate making method of lithographic printing plate
    ATE443612T1 (en) 2006-10-17 2009-10-15 Agfa Graphics Nv NEGATIVE WORKING, HEAT SENSITIVE LITHOGRAPHY PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR
    JP4881756B2 (en) 2007-02-06 2012-02-22 富士フイルム株式会社 Photosensitive composition, lithographic printing plate precursor, lithographic printing method, and novel cyanine dye
    JP2008230028A (en) 2007-03-20 2008-10-02 Fujifilm Corp On-machine developable original plate of lithographic printing plate
    ATE440733T1 (en) 2007-03-20 2009-09-15 Agfa Graphics Nv METHOD FOR PRODUCING A LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE SUPPORT
    JP2008233660A (en) 2007-03-22 2008-10-02 Fujifilm Corp Automatic development device for immersion type lithographic printing plate and method thereof
    ATE471812T1 (en) 2007-03-23 2010-07-15 Fujifilm Corp NEGATIVE LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR AND LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PROCESS THEREFROM
    JP5238292B2 (en) 2007-03-23 2013-07-17 三菱製紙株式会社 Water-developable photosensitive lithographic printing plate material
    EP1974914B1 (en) 2007-03-29 2014-02-26 FUJIFILM Corporation Method of preparing lithographic printing plate
    EP1975710B1 (en) 2007-03-30 2013-10-23 FUJIFILM Corporation Plate-making method of lithographic printing plate precursor
    JP4866774B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2012-02-01 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing plate preparation method
    JP5046744B2 (en) 2007-05-18 2012-10-10 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and printing method using the same
    EP2002987B1 (en) 2007-06-13 2014-04-23 Agfa Graphics N.V. A method for treating a lithographic printing plate
    EP2006091B1 (en) 2007-06-22 2010-12-08 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    ATE484386T1 (en) 2007-07-02 2010-10-15 Fujifilm Corp FLAT PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR AND FLAT PRINTING PROCESS THEREFROM
    WO2009030279A1 (en) 2007-09-07 2009-03-12 Agfa Graphics Nv A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    JP2009069761A (en) 2007-09-18 2009-04-02 Fujifilm Corp Plate making method for planographic printing plate
    JP5244518B2 (en) 2007-09-28 2013-07-24 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing plate preparation method
    EP2042311A1 (en) 2007-09-28 2009-04-01 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor, method of preparing lithographic printing plate and lithographic printing method
    JP5002399B2 (en) 2007-09-28 2012-08-15 富士フイルム株式会社 Processing method of lithographic printing plate precursor
    JP5322537B2 (en) 2007-10-29 2013-10-23 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor
    ATE522350T1 (en) 2007-11-13 2011-09-15 Agfa Graphics Nv METHOD FOR PRODUCING A LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING FORM
    EP2072570B1 (en) 2007-12-20 2014-10-08 Agfa Graphics N.V. A lithographic printing plate precursor
    JP5155677B2 (en) 2008-01-22 2013-03-06 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and its plate making method
    ATE481240T1 (en) 2008-02-28 2010-10-15 Agfa Graphics Nv METHOD FOR PRODUCING A LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE
    ES2430562T3 (en) 2008-03-04 2013-11-21 Agfa Graphics N.V. Method for manufacturing a support of a lithographic printing plate
    JP2009208140A (en) 2008-03-06 2009-09-17 Fujifilm Corp Manufacturing method of aluminum alloy sheet for planographic printing plate, aluminum alloy sheet for planographic printing plate and support for planographic printing plate manufactured by the method
    JP5175582B2 (en) 2008-03-10 2013-04-03 富士フイルム株式会社 Preparation method of lithographic printing plate
    JP2009214428A (en) 2008-03-11 2009-09-24 Fujifilm Corp Original plate of lithographic printing plate and lithographic printing method
    JP2009229771A (en) 2008-03-21 2009-10-08 Fujifilm Corp Automatic developing method for lithographic printing plate
    JP5422146B2 (en) 2008-03-25 2014-02-19 富士フイルム株式会社 Processing solution for preparing a lithographic printing plate and processing method of a lithographic printing plate precursor
    JP5183268B2 (en) 2008-03-27 2013-04-17 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor
    JP2009244421A (en) 2008-03-28 2009-10-22 Fujifilm Corp Plate-making method of lithographic printing plate
    EP2105298B1 (en) 2008-03-28 2014-03-19 FUJIFILM Corporation Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor and method of lithographic printing using same
    EP2106924B1 (en) 2008-03-31 2011-06-29 Agfa Graphics N.V. A method for treating a lithographic printing plate
    EP2110261B1 (en) 2008-04-18 2018-03-28 FUJIFILM Corporation Aluminum alloy plate for lithographic printing plate, ligthographic printing plate support, presensitized plate, method of manufacturing aluminum alloy plate for lithographic printing plate and method of manufacturing lithographic printing plate support
    JP5296434B2 (en) 2008-07-16 2013-09-25 富士フイルム株式会社 Master for lithographic printing plate
    JP5449898B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2014-03-19 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and printing method using the same
    JP5172563B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2013-03-27 富士フイルム株式会社 Plate making method of lithographic printing plate precursor
    JP5408942B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2014-02-05 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    JP5660268B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2015-01-28 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor, lithographic printing plate making method and polymerizable monomer
    BRPI0922589A2 (en) 2008-12-18 2018-04-24 Agfa Graphics Nv "precursor of lithographic printing plate".
    JP2010221692A (en) 2009-02-26 2010-10-07 Fujifilm Corp Original plate for lithographic printing plate and plate making method of the same
    US20100227269A1 (en) 2009-03-04 2010-09-09 Simpson Christopher D Imageable elements with colorants
    JP5292156B2 (en) 2009-03-30 2013-09-18 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    JP2010234588A (en) 2009-03-30 2010-10-21 Fujifilm Corp Lithographic printing plate precursor and plate making method of the same
    ES2396017T3 (en) 2009-04-24 2013-02-18 Agfa Graphics N.V. Method of manufacturing lithographic printing plates
    JP5444831B2 (en) 2009-05-15 2014-03-19 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor
    US8221960B2 (en) 2009-06-03 2012-07-17 Eastman Kodak Company On-press development of imaged elements
    US8883401B2 (en) 2009-09-24 2014-11-11 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing original plate
    JP2011073211A (en) 2009-09-29 2011-04-14 Fujifilm Corp Method of manufacturing original planographic printing plate
    EP2316645B1 (en) 2009-10-27 2012-05-02 AGFA Graphics NV Novel cyanine dyes and lithographic printing plate precursors comprising such dyes
    JP2011148292A (en) 2009-12-25 2011-08-04 Fujifilm Corp Lithographic printing original plate and method for making the same
    JP5322963B2 (en) 2010-01-29 2013-10-23 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing plate preparation method
    JP5537980B2 (en) 2010-02-12 2014-07-02 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    EP2554394B1 (en) 2010-03-26 2019-04-24 FUJIFILM Corporation Planographic printing master plate and production method therefor
    US8828646B2 (en) 2010-03-26 2014-09-09 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor and method of producing thereof
    EP2383118B1 (en) 2010-04-30 2013-10-16 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor and plate making method thereof
    JP5572576B2 (en) 2010-04-30 2014-08-13 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    CN103068583B (en) 2010-08-27 2015-05-13 富士胶片株式会社 Master planographic printing plate for on-press development, and plate-making method using said master planographic printing plate
    JP5789448B2 (en) 2010-08-31 2015-10-07 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    JP5656784B2 (en) 2010-09-24 2015-01-21 富士フイルム株式会社 Polymerizable composition, lithographic printing plate precursor using the same, and lithographic printing method
    US8900798B2 (en) 2010-10-18 2014-12-02 Eastman Kodak Company On-press developable lithographic printing plate precursors
    US20120090486A1 (en) 2010-10-18 2012-04-19 Celin Savariar-Hauck Lithographic printing plate precursors and methods of use
    US20120141941A1 (en) 2010-12-03 2012-06-07 Mathias Jarek Developing lithographic printing plate precursors in simple manner
    US20120141935A1 (en) 2010-12-03 2012-06-07 Bernd Strehmel Developer and its use to prepare lithographic printing plates
    US20120141942A1 (en) 2010-12-03 2012-06-07 Domenico Balbinot Method of preparing lithographic printing plates
    JP5286350B2 (en) 2010-12-28 2013-09-11 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor, plate making method thereof, and planographic printing method thereof
    JP5205505B2 (en) 2010-12-28 2013-06-05 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and its planographic printing method
    US20120199028A1 (en) 2011-02-08 2012-08-09 Mathias Jarek Preparing lithographic printing plates
    EP3001249B1 (en) 2011-02-28 2019-12-25 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursors and processes for preparing lithographic printing plates
    JP5244987B2 (en) 2011-02-28 2013-07-24 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    US8632940B2 (en) 2011-04-19 2014-01-21 Eastman Kodak Company Aluminum substrates and lithographic printing plate precursors
    JP5651538B2 (en) 2011-05-31 2015-01-14 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    BR112014002574A2 (en) 2011-08-22 2019-12-17 Fujifilm Corp A manufacturing method of a planographic printing original plate and a lithographic printing plate
    JP5432960B2 (en) 2011-08-24 2014-03-05 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing plate preparation method
    JP5514781B2 (en) 2011-08-31 2014-06-04 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and method for producing a lithographic printing plate using the same
    US8722308B2 (en) 2011-08-31 2014-05-13 Eastman Kodak Company Aluminum substrates and lithographic printing plate precursors
    US9029063B2 (en) 2011-09-22 2015-05-12 Eastman Kodak Company Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors
    US8632941B2 (en) 2011-09-22 2014-01-21 Eastman Kodak Company Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors with IR dyes
    JP5602195B2 (en) 2011-09-27 2014-10-08 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing plate preparation method
    JP5690696B2 (en) 2011-09-28 2015-03-25 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate making method
    JP5740275B2 (en) 2011-09-30 2015-06-24 富士フイルム株式会社 Printing method using on-press development type lithographic printing plate precursor
    JP5463346B2 (en) 2011-12-26 2014-04-09 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate making method
    EP2818522B1 (en) 2012-02-23 2018-11-21 FUJIFILM Corporation Chromogenic composition, chromogenic curable composition, lithographic printing plate precursor, platemaking method, and chromogenic compound
    JP5711168B2 (en) 2012-02-27 2015-04-30 富士フイルム株式会社 Preparation of lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing plate
    JP5715975B2 (en) 2012-02-29 2015-05-13 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and method for producing lithographic printing plate
    JP5579217B2 (en) 2012-03-27 2014-08-27 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor
    JP5703417B2 (en) 2012-03-29 2015-04-22 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and printing method thereof
    US8679726B2 (en) 2012-05-29 2014-03-25 Eastman Kodak Company Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors
    WO2014002835A1 (en) 2012-06-29 2014-01-03 富士フイルム株式会社 Method for concentrating processing waste liquid and method for recycling processing waste liquid
    JP5699112B2 (en) 2012-07-27 2015-04-08 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    JP5786098B2 (en) 2012-09-20 2015-09-30 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and plate making method
    JP5786099B2 (en) 2012-09-26 2015-09-30 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing plate making method
    BR112015006578A2 (en) 2012-09-26 2019-12-17 Fujifilm Corp A planographic printing original plate and a platemaking method
    CN105190436A (en) 2013-02-27 2015-12-23 富士胶片株式会社 Infrared-sensitive chromogenic composition, infrared-curable chromogenic composition, lithographic printing plate precursor, and plate formation method
    US9063423B2 (en) 2013-02-28 2015-06-23 Eastman Kodak Company Lithographic printing plate precursors and use
    EP2775351B1 (en) 2013-03-07 2017-02-22 Agfa Graphics NV Apparatus and method for processing a lithographic printing plate
    US9201302B2 (en) 2013-10-03 2015-12-01 Eastman Kodak Company Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor
    ES2601846T3 (en) 2013-11-07 2017-02-16 Agfa Graphics Nv Negative thermosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    CN104742546A (en) * 2013-12-30 2015-07-01 乐凯华光印刷科技有限公司 Printing method of lithograph plate on printing machine
    JP6271594B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2018-01-31 富士フイルム株式会社 Infrared photosensitive coloring composition, lithographic printing plate precursor, lithographic printing plate making method, and infrared photosensitive coloring agent
    EP3088201B1 (en) 2014-02-04 2019-01-16 Fujifilm Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor, manufacturing method therefor, plate manufacturing method for lithographic printing plate, and printing method
    JP6205500B2 (en) 2014-09-26 2017-09-27 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor, method for producing the same, and printing method using the same
    ES2655798T3 (en) 2014-12-08 2018-02-21 Agfa Nv System to reduce ablation waste
    CN107206827B (en) 2015-01-29 2020-01-21 富士胶片株式会社 Lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing same, and printing method using same
    EP3121008B1 (en) 2015-07-23 2018-06-13 Agfa Nv A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising graphite oxide
    CA3017777A1 (en) 2016-03-16 2017-09-21 Agfa Nv Method for processing a lithographic printing plate
    EP3239184A1 (en) 2016-04-25 2017-11-01 Agfa Graphics NV Thermoplastic polymer particles and a lithographic printing plate precursor
    WO2018092661A1 (en) 2016-11-16 2018-05-24 富士フイルム株式会社 Radiation sensitive composition, original plate for lithographic printing plate, and method of manufacturing lithographic printing plate
    WO2018159640A1 (en) 2017-02-28 2018-09-07 富士フイルム株式会社 Curable composition, lithographic printing plate precursor, method for preparing lithographic printing plate, and compound
    EP3590976A4 (en) 2017-02-28 2020-03-25 Fujifilm Corporation Curable composition, lithographic printing plate precursor, and method for preparing lithographic printing plate
    BR112019017433A2 (en) 2017-02-28 2020-04-07 Fujifilm Corp method for producing lithographic printing plate
    EP3511172B1 (en) 2017-03-31 2021-04-21 FUJIFILM Corporation Planographic printing original plate and method for manufacturing same, planographic printing original plate laminate, and planographic printing method
    CN111267466A (en) 2017-03-31 2020-06-12 富士胶片株式会社 Lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing same, laminate for same, method for producing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    JP6934939B2 (en) 2017-05-31 2021-09-15 富士フイルム株式会社 How to make a lithographic printing plate original plate and a lithographic printing plate
    EP3632694A4 (en) 2017-05-31 2020-06-17 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor, resin composition for producing lithographic printing plate precursor, and production method for lithographic printing plate
    CN110719847B (en) 2017-05-31 2021-08-31 富士胶片株式会社 Lithographic printing plate precursor and method for producing lithographic printing plate
    EP3640039B1 (en) 2017-06-12 2024-04-24 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithography original plate, platemaking method for lithography plate, and photosensitive resin composition
    CN110809521B (en) 2017-06-30 2022-01-07 富士胶片株式会社 Lithographic printing plate precursor and method for producing lithographic printing plate
    JP6621570B2 (en) 2017-07-13 2019-12-18 富士フイルム株式会社 Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing plate preparation method
    JP6832431B2 (en) 2017-07-25 2021-02-24 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate original plate, method for producing lithographic printing plate, and color-developing composition
    EP3441223B1 (en) 2017-08-07 2024-02-21 Eco3 Bv A lithographic printing plate precursor
    EP3677435B1 (en) 2017-08-31 2023-09-06 FUJIFILM Corporation Printing plate precursor and printing plate precursor laminate
    WO2019044483A1 (en) 2017-08-31 2019-03-07 富士フイルム株式会社 Lithographic printing original plate and method for producing lithographic printing plate
    EP3656575B1 (en) 2017-08-31 2022-09-07 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing plate original plate, method for fabricating lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    WO2019064696A1 (en) 2017-09-29 2019-04-04 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate original plate, method for manufacturing planographic printing plate, and planographic printing method
    WO2019064974A1 (en) 2017-09-29 2019-04-04 富士フイルム株式会社 Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing plate fabrication method
    JP6896112B2 (en) 2018-01-31 2021-06-30 富士フイルム株式会社 How to make a lithographic printing plate original plate and a lithographic printing plate
    WO2019151361A1 (en) 2018-01-31 2019-08-08 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate precursor, and production method for planographic printing plate
    JPWO2019150788A1 (en) 2018-01-31 2021-01-07 富士フイルム株式会社 How to make a lithographic printing plate original plate and a lithographic printing plate
    JPWO2020026957A1 (en) 2018-07-31 2021-08-19 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate original and discard plate original
    WO2020026956A1 (en) 2018-07-31 2020-02-06 富士フイルム株式会社 Original plate for planographic printing plate, laminate of original plate for planographic printing plate, method for platemaking planographic printing plate, and planographic printing method
    EP3845394A4 (en) 2018-08-31 2021-10-27 FUJIFILM Corporation Planographic printing original plate, method for producing planographic printing plate, planographic printing method and curable composition
    EP3858636B1 (en) 2018-09-28 2024-09-18 FUJIFILM Corporation Printing plate precursor, and method for making a printing plate
    EP3858629A4 (en) 2018-09-28 2021-09-29 FUJIFILM Corporation Original plate for printing, laminate of original plate for printing, method for manufacturing printing plate, and printing method
    EP3637188A1 (en) 2018-10-08 2020-04-15 Agfa Nv An effervescent developer precursor for processing a lithographic printing plate precursor
    WO2020090996A1 (en) 2018-10-31 2020-05-07 富士フイルム株式会社 Lithographic printing plate original plate, method for producing lithographic printing plate and lithographic printing method
    EP3715140A1 (en) 2019-03-29 2020-09-30 Agfa Nv A method of printing
    CN114072290B (en) 2019-06-28 2024-04-30 富士胶片株式会社 On-press development type lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    WO2020262692A1 (en) 2019-06-28 2020-12-30 富士フイルム株式会社 Original plate for on-press development type lithographic printing plate, method for fabricating lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    JP7562527B2 (en) 2019-06-28 2024-10-07 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate original plate, method for preparing a planographic printing plate, and planographic printing method
    JP7282886B2 (en) 2019-06-28 2023-05-29 富士フイルム株式会社 On-machine development type lithographic printing plate precursor, method for preparing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    EP3991985A4 (en) 2019-06-28 2022-09-07 FUJIFILM Corporation Planographic printing original plate, method for producing planographic printing plate, and planographic printing method
    WO2020262696A1 (en) 2019-06-28 2020-12-30 富士フイルム株式会社 Original plate for on-press development type lithographic printing plate, method for fabricating lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    CN118046659A (en) 2019-09-30 2024-05-17 富士胶片株式会社 Lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    JP7389128B2 (en) 2019-09-30 2023-11-29 富士フイルム株式会社 Planographic printing plate original plate, method for preparing a planographic printing plate, and planographic printing method
    WO2021065279A1 (en) 2019-09-30 2021-04-08 富士フイルム株式会社 Lithographic printing plate original plate, method for fabricating lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    EP4082791B1 (en) 2019-12-27 2024-10-16 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing method
    US11633948B2 (en) 2020-01-22 2023-04-25 Eastman Kodak Company Method for making lithographic printing plates
    WO2021172453A1 (en) 2020-02-28 2021-09-02 富士フイルム株式会社 Lithographic printing plate original plate, lithographic printing plate manufacturing method, and lithographic printing method
    WO2021241519A1 (en) 2020-05-29 2021-12-02 富士フイルム株式会社 On-press-development-type lithographic printing plate precursor, lithographic printing plate production method, and lithographic printing method
    CN115697717A (en) 2020-05-29 2023-02-03 富士胶片株式会社 On-press developable lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    EP4159441A4 (en) 2020-05-29 2023-10-18 FUJIFILM Corporation Original plate for on-machine development type lithographic printing plate, lithographic printing plate manufacturing method, and lithographic printing method
    JPWO2021241518A1 (en) 2020-05-29 2021-12-02
    WO2021241457A1 (en) 2020-05-29 2021-12-02 富士フイルム株式会社 On-press-development-type lithographic printing plate precursor, lithographic printing plate production method, and lithographic printing method
    JP7451702B2 (en) 2020-05-29 2024-03-18 富士フイルム株式会社 laminate
    EP4159459A4 (en) 2020-05-29 2023-11-08 FUJIFILM Corporation On-press-development-type lithographic printing plate precursor, lithographic printing plate production method, and lithographic printing method
    CN115996852A (en) 2020-06-17 2023-04-21 富士胶片株式会社 On-press development type lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    EP4186708A4 (en) 2020-07-21 2023-12-13 FUJIFILM Corporation On-machine-developing-type planographic printing plate original plate, method for manufacturing planographic printing plate, and planographic printing method
    WO2022025068A1 (en) 2020-07-31 2022-02-03 富士フイルム株式会社 On-press-development-type planographic printing original plate, method for producing planographic printing plate, and planographic printing method
    JPWO2022138880A1 (en) 2020-12-25 2022-06-30
    JPWO2022163777A1 (en) 2021-01-28 2022-08-04
    WO2022181724A1 (en) 2021-02-26 2022-09-01 富士フイルム株式会社 On-press-development-type planographic printing plate precursor, method for fabricating planographic printing plate, planographic printing method, and coloring agent
    JPWO2023032681A1 (en) 2021-08-31 2023-03-09
    JPWO2023032868A1 (en) 2021-08-31 2023-03-09
    WO2023032682A1 (en) 2021-08-31 2023-03-09 富士フイルム株式会社 On-press-developing lithographic printing original plate, method for producing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    JPWO2023145971A1 (en) 2022-01-31 2023-08-03
    JPWO2023145972A1 (en) 2022-01-31 2023-08-03
    EP4245542A1 (en) 2022-03-18 2023-09-20 FUJIFILM Corporation Lithographic printing plate precursor, method of preparing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    JP2024062746A (en) 2022-10-25 2024-05-10 富士フイルム株式会社 Lithographic printing plate original plate, method for manufacturing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    EP4382306A1 (en) 2022-12-08 2024-06-12 Eco3 Bv Lithographic printing press make-ready method
    JP2024143725A (en) 2023-03-30 2024-10-11 富士フイルム株式会社 On-press development type lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing a lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing method
    JP2024143724A (en) 2023-03-30 2024-10-11 富士フイルム株式会社 On-press development type lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing lithographic printing plate, lithographic printing method, and compound

    Family Cites Families (8)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    GB1208414A (en) * 1966-10-24 1970-10-14 Agfa Gevaert Nv Improvements relating to thermo recording
    SU646886A3 (en) * 1974-10-10 1979-02-05 Хехст Аг (Фирма) Lithographic printing plate making method
    DE2607207C2 (en) * 1976-02-23 1983-07-14 Hoechst Ag, 6230 Frankfurt Process for the production of planographic printing forms with laser beams
    DE3438882A1 (en) * 1984-10-24 1986-04-24 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag, 6900 Heidelberg Flat-bed printing forme for the plate cylinder of an offset printing machine
    AU674518B2 (en) * 1992-07-20 1997-01-02 Presstek, Inc. Lithographic printing plates for use with laser-discharge imaging apparatus
    WO1994018005A1 (en) * 1993-02-09 1994-08-18 Agfa-Gevaert Naamloze Vennootschap Heat mode recording material and method for making a lithographic printing plate therewith
    DE69512321T2 (en) * 1994-06-16 2000-05-11 Kodak Polychrome Graphics Llc, Norwalk Lithographic printing plates with an oleophilic imaging layer
    US5506090A (en) * 1994-09-23 1996-04-09 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Process for making shoot and run printing plates

    Cited By (14)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US6124079A (en) * 1996-09-25 2000-09-26 Agfa-Gevaert, N.V. Method for making a driographic printing plate involving the use of a heat-sensitive imaging element
    US6197478B1 (en) * 1996-09-25 2001-03-06 Agfa-Gevaert, N.V. Method for making a driographic printing plate involving the use of a heat-sensitive imaging element
    US6242159B1 (en) 1997-06-26 2001-06-05 Kodak Polychrome Graphics Llc Method of preparing a water-less lithographic printing form
    US6230621B1 (en) 1998-07-31 2001-05-15 Agfa-Gevaert Processless thermal printing plate with well defined nanostructure
    US6653042B1 (en) 1999-06-04 2003-11-25 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing the same, and method of lithographic printing
    EP1142707B2 (en) † 2000-04-07 2011-11-30 FUJIFILM Corporation Heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
    US6632580B2 (en) 2000-06-02 2003-10-14 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor
    EP1232858A1 (en) 2001-02-16 2002-08-21 Agfa-Gevaert On-press coating and on-press processing of a lithographic material
    EP1232859A1 (en) 2001-02-16 2002-08-21 Agfa-Gevaert On-press exposure and on-press processing of a lithographic material
    US6919163B2 (en) 2002-01-18 2005-07-19 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Lithographic printing plate precursor
    US6949327B2 (en) 2003-07-09 2005-09-27 Kodak Polychrome Graphics Llc On-press developable lithographic printing plate
    US8771924B2 (en) 2006-12-26 2014-07-08 Fujifilm Corporation Polymerizable composition, lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
    US8468942B2 (en) 2007-11-30 2013-06-25 Agfa Graphics, N.V. Method for treating a lithographic printing plate
    US8399172B2 (en) 2008-08-29 2013-03-19 Fujifilm Corporation Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor and method of lithographic printing using same

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    EP0770494A2 (en) 1997-05-02
    DE69517174D1 (en) 2000-06-29
    JP2938397B2 (en) 1999-08-23
    JPH09123387A (en) 1997-05-13
    EP0770494A3 (en) 1997-05-07
    DE69517174T2 (en) 2000-11-09

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    EP0770494B1 (en) A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development
    EP0770495B1 (en) A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development
    EP1092555B1 (en) A method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on-press development
    US6030750A (en) Method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development
    EP0770496B1 (en) Printing apparatus for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development
    US6001536A (en) Method for making a lithographic printing plate involving development by plain water
    US6110644A (en) Method for making a lithographic printing plate involving on press development
    JP2983477B2 (en) Method for producing a lithographic printing plate including on-press development
    JP2894549B2 (en) Thermosensitive imaging element and method of making a printing plate therewith
    EP0773112B1 (en) Heat sensitive imaging element and method for making a printing plate therewith
    EP0931647B1 (en) A heat sensitive element and a method for producing lithographic plates therewith
    JP2894550B2 (en) Thermosensitive imaging elements and methods of making printing plates therewith
    EP0839647B2 (en) Method for making a lithographic printing plate with improved ink-uptake
    EP0773113B1 (en) Heat sensitive imaging element and method for making a printing plate therewith
    US6391516B1 (en) Heat sensitive imaging element and method for making a printing plate therewith
    EP0925916A1 (en) A heat sensitive non-ablatable wasteless imaging element for providing a lithographic printing plate with a difference in dye density between the image and non image areas
    US6589710B2 (en) Method for obtaining a lithographic printing surface
    JP2938398B2 (en) Method for producing a lithographic printing plate including on-press development
    US6071369A (en) Method for making an lithographic printing plate with improved ink-uptake
    US6511782B1 (en) Heat sensitive element and a method for producing lithographic plates therewith
    EP1065049B1 (en) Heat-sensitive imaging element with cover layer for providing a lithographic printing plate
    US20020155374A1 (en) Thermally convertible lithographic printing precursor comprising an organic base
    US20030017417A1 (en) Method for obtaining a lithographic printing surface using a metal complex
    US20030017413A1 (en) Thermally convertible lithographic printing precursor comprising a metal complex
    DE69619764T2 (en) Device for producing a lithographic printing plate with development taking place on the printing press

    Legal Events

    Date Code Title Description
    PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

    PUAL Search report despatched

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A2

    Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A3

    Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL

    17P Request for examination filed

    Effective date: 19971107

    17Q First examination report despatched

    Effective date: 19980408

    GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

    GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    GRAA (expected) grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: B1

    Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    Date of ref document: 20000629

    ET Fr: translation filed
    PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

    STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

    Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

    26N No opposition filed
    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: IF02

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: BE

    Payment date: 20030828

    Year of fee payment: 9

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: BE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20041031

    BERE Be: lapsed

    Owner name: *AGFA-GEVAERT N.V.

    Effective date: 20041031

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: 732E

    NLS Nl: assignments of ep-patents

    Owner name: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V.

    Effective date: 20070321

    BERE Be: lapsed

    Owner name: *AGFA-GEVAERT N.V.

    Effective date: 20041031

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: TP

    NLS Nl: assignments of ep-patents

    Owner name: PAKON, INC.

    Effective date: 20091028

    Owner name: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V.

    Effective date: 20091028

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: 732E

    Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20100401 AND 20100407

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: TQ

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R081

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    Owner name: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY (N.D.GES.D. STAATES DELA, US

    Free format text: FORMER OWNER: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V., MORTSEL, BE

    Effective date: 20120403

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R081

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    Owner name: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V., BE

    Free format text: FORMER OWNER: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V., MORTSEL, BE

    Effective date: 20120403

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R082

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    Representative=s name: RAU, SCHNECK & HUEBNER PATENTANWAELTE RECHTSAN, DE

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: NL

    Ref legal event code: SD

    Effective date: 20140312

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R082

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    Representative=s name: RAU, SCHNECK & HUEBNER PATENTANWAELTE RECHTSAN, DE

    Effective date: 20140314

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R081

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    Owner name: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V., BE

    Free format text: FORMER OWNERS: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V., MORTSEL, BE; PAKON INC., MINNETONKA, MINN., US

    Effective date: 20140314

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R081

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    Owner name: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY (N.D.GES.D. STAATES DELA, US

    Free format text: FORMER OWNERS: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V., MORTSEL, BE; PAKON INC., MINNETONKA, MINN., US

    Effective date: 20140314

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R081

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    Owner name: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY (N.D.GES.D. STAATES DELA, US

    Free format text: FORMER OWNER: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V., PAKON INC., , US

    Effective date: 20140314

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R081

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    Owner name: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V., BE

    Free format text: FORMER OWNER: AGFA GRAPHICS N.V., PAKON INC., , US

    Effective date: 20140314

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: TQ

    Owner name: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, US

    Effective date: 20140328

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: TQ

    Owner name: AGFA GRAPHICS NV, BE

    Effective date: 20140328

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: 732E

    Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20140605 AND 20140611

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: NL

    Payment date: 20140729

    Year of fee payment: 20

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: FR

    Payment date: 20140729

    Year of fee payment: 20

    Ref country code: GB

    Payment date: 20140829

    Year of fee payment: 20

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DE

    Payment date: 20140729

    Year of fee payment: 20

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R071

    Ref document number: 69517174

    Country of ref document: DE

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: NL

    Ref legal event code: MK

    Effective date: 20151023

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: PE20

    Expiry date: 20151023

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GB

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

    Effective date: 20151023