Back to results
US 5,379,698 AGranted
Lithographic printing members for use with laser-discharge imaging
AssigneePresstek, Inc.
InventorsMichael T. Nowak, Thomas E. Lewis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Lithographic printing plates suitable for imaging by means of laser devices that emit in the near-infrared region. Laser output ablates a titanium layer sandwiched between an oleophobic or hydrophilic layer and a polyester layer, resulting in an imagewise pattern of features on the plate. The image features exhibit an affinity for ink or an ink-abhesive fluid that differs from that of unexposed areas.
Claims18
A lithographic printing member directly imageable by laser discharge, the member comprising:
- a. a topmost first layer which is polymeric;
- and
- b. a thin metal layer underlying the first layer;
- and
- c. a substrate underlying the metal layer;
- wherein
- d. the metal layer is formed of a material which is subject to ablative absorption of imaging infrared radiation and the first layer is not;
- and
- e. the first layer and the substrate exhibit different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.