Method for developing a flexographic plate and apparatus for implementing such method
OwnerPier Luigi Sassanelliinventor
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for developing a flexographic plate, wherein the developing method comprises the step of providing washing means for washing the plate via mechanical brushes and a water-based liquid or a solvent-based liquid. The method further comprises the step of providing heating means for heating the face to be developed of the plate. The method further comprises the step of heating, via the heating means, the face to be developed of the plate to a predetermined temperature and the step of washing the plate via the washing means when the face to be developed of the plate has reached the predetermined temperature.
Claims17
A method for developing a flexographic plate, wherein the plate comprises a base face and a face to be developed, opposite the base face, wherein the method comprises:
- providing washing means for washing the plate via mechanical brushes and with a water-based liquid or a solvent-based liquid;
- providing heating means for heating the face to be developed of the plate;
- heating, via the heating means, the face to be developed of the plate to a predetermined temperature;
- washing the plate via the washing means after the face to be developed reached the predetermined temperature.
An apparatus for developing a flexographic plate, wherein the plate comprises a base face and a face to be developed opposite the base face, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- washing means including mechanical brushes for washing the face to be developed with a water-based or solvent-based liquid;
- and
- heating means operatively arranged upstream of the washing means so as to heat the face to be developed of the plate before the washing means act on the face to be developed.
An in-line system for preparing a flexographic plate, wherein the plate comprises a base face and a second face to be developed opposite the base face, wherein the in-line system comprises:
- a first station for etching the plate, wherein the etching is performed on the face to be developed;
- a second station for photo-exposing portions of the face to be developed of the plate, wherein the second station is operatively downstream of the first station;
- a third station for washing the plate via mechanical brushes and with a water-based or solvent-based liquid, wherein the washing is performed to remove portions of the face to be developed that have not been photo-exposed at the second station, wherein the third station is operatively downstream of the second station;
- a fourth station for drying the plate, wherein the fourth station is operatively downstream of the third station;
- and
- heating means for heating the face to be developed of the plate, wherein the heating means are arranged downstream of the second station and upstream of the third station.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.