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US 2021/0129573 A1Published application
Solvent-free flexographic imaging and printing with photoresponsive printing members
OwnerAnthony P. KITSON, Kevin RAYinventors
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Abstract
Flexographic printing members amenable to aqueous (or organic) development do not exhibit the deleterious effects on printing performance characteristic of some conventional alternatives. Embodiments of the invention utilize a photopolymerizable layer comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of a photopolymerization initiator and a water-dilutable (but not water-soluble) monomer.
Claims20
A method of preparing a printing member, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a printing member comprising (i) an imaged photomask having an imagewise pattern of opaque and non-opaque regions, the opaque regions substantially blocking passage therethrough of actinic radiation, (ii) a support, and (iii) disposed between the photomask and the support and in contact with opposed surfaces thereof, a layer of photopolymer polymerizable by actinic radiation, the photopolymer consisting essentially of an initiator and a water-dilutable but not water-soluble monomer;
- exposing the precursor to actinic radiation through the photomask to cause polymerization of the photopolymer;
- and
- developing the printing member with an aqueous medium or an organic solvent to remove only unexposed portions of the photopolymer layer.
1 more element
A printing member comprising:
- a laser-ablatable layer comprising a material that absorbs laser radiation;
- a support;
- and
- disposed between the laser-ablatable layer and the support and in contact with opposed surfaces thereof, a layer of photopolymer polymerizable by actinic radiation, the photopolymer comprising an initiator and a water-dilutable but not water-soluble monomer, wherein the photopolymer is developable by organic and aqueous solvents and combinations thereof.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.