Method and apparatus for thermal development having a textured support
OwnerMark Hackler, David Belfiore +3inventors
InventorsMark Hackler, David Belfiore, Dietmar Dudek, Anandkumar Kannurpatti, Andreas Koch
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Abstract
The invention is a method and apparatus for forming a relief structure by thermally developing a photosensitive element containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied. During thermal development, the photosensitive element is supported on a base member having an exterior surface that is textured. The textures for the exterior surface include a particular surface roughness and/or patterns.
Claims63
A method for forming a relief structure from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and an interior surface and containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied comprising:
- supplying a development medium to the exterior surface with a first member;
- supporting the photosensitive element on a base member having an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface of the element is adjacent the exterior surface of the base member;
- and
- wherein the exterior surface of the base member has a texture selected from the group consisting of a) a surface having a roughness, Rq, of at least 1 micron when measured over a 250 to 1000 micron length scale;
- b) a surface having a pattern of grooves, channels, peaks, connected cells, or a combination of grooves, channels, peaks, connected cells;
- and
- c) a surface having a combination of the roughness and the pattern of grooves, channels, peaks, and connected cells.
A method for forming a relief structure from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and an interior surface and containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied comprising:
- supplying a development medium to the exterior surface with a first member;
- supporting the photosensitive element on a base member having an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface of the element is adjacent the exterior surface of the base member;
- and
- wherein the exterior surface of the base member has a texture with a surface roughness, Rq, of at least 3 micron when measured over a 500 to 3000 micron length scale.
An apparatus for forming a relief structure from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and an interior surface and containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied comprising:
- means for supplying a development medium to the exterior surface with a first member;
- means for supporting the photosensitive element on a base member having an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface of the element is adjacent the exterior surface of the base member;
- and
- wherein the exterior surface of the base member has a texture selected from the group consisting of
- a) a surface having a roughness, Rq, of at least 1 micron when measured over a 250 to 1000 micron length scale;
- b) a surface having a pattern of grooves, channels, peaks, connected cells, or a combination of grooves, channels, peaks, connected cells;
- and
- c) a surface having a combination of the roughness and the pattern of grooves, channels, peaks, and connected cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.