Liquid transfer articles and method for producing the same using digital imaging photopolymerization
AssigneeDay International, Inc.
InventorsMichael E. Mclean, Brett Scherrman, Douglas C. Neckers, Peter Serguievski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A liquid transfer article is provided including a support assembly and an imaged surface formed directly on the surface of the support assembly by digital photopolymerization. The support assembly is in the form of a polymeric base, and the liquid transfer article is formed by providing a liquid photopolymer on the surface of the base and then irradiating the polymer with a light source to form the image. The liquid transfer article is reimagable and may be used in gravure printing processes, as well as other printing applications.
Claims19
A liquid transfer article for use in graphic arts reproduction comprising a polymer base layer and photoresin layer having an imaged surface provided on said polymer base layer, wherein said photoresin layer has been formed directly onto said polymer base layer by digital imaging photopolymerization utilizing a mirror-type spatial light modulator and is useful in graphic arts reproduction.
A method of making a liquid transfer article for use in graphic arts reproduction comprising:
- providing a base layer;
- providing a liquid photopolymer on at least a portion of said base layer;
- and irradiating said liquid photopolymer with a desired image pattern from a digital light processor reflecting light from a light source for a time sufficient to photopolymerize said liquid photopolymer and form an imaged surface directly on said base layer that is useful in graphic arts reproduction.
A digital imaging photopolymerization system for providing a cross-linked photopolymerized liquid transfer article for use in graphic arts reproduction, said system comprising:
- a support assembly adapted to receive at least a first layer of a cross-linkable photopolymer,
- a light source for irradiating said cross-linkable photopolymer layer;
- a mirror-type spatial light modulator disposed between said light source and said support assembly, said modulator reflects light from said light source in an image pattern toward said support assembly, and
- a microprocessor connected to at least said mirror-type spatial light modulator for controlling its operation such that the image pattern is formed in the cross-linkable photopolymer layer.
A method of making a reimagable liquid transfer article for graphic arts reproduction comprising the steps of:
- providing a base layer;
- providing an imaged surface on said base layer by digital imaging photopolymerization utilizing a mirror-type spatial light modulator to form a liquid transfer article;
- mounting said liquid transfer article on a printing device and printing a substrate using said liquid transfer article;
- demounting said liquid transfer article from said printing device and removing said imaged surface from said base layer such that said liquid transfer article is adapted to receive a new imaged surface thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.