Flexographic printing elements with improved air bleed
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsRobert C. Jordan, Craig A. Kapfer, Scott A. Van Wert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adhesive tape for flexographic printing including a first adhesive layer, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on the substrate. The substrate preferably includes a polymeric film layer and a foam layer, wherein the topography of the first and second adhesive layers is substantially independent of the topography of the polymeric film layer. The polymeric film is preferably substantially smooth, and at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is preferably substantially continuous and includes a regular pattern of permanent grooves. The grooves preferably have a depth of about 4 μm to about 200 μm, and a width of about 4 μm to about 200 μm.
Claims77
An adhesive tape for flexographic printing, comprising a first adhesive layer, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, wherein the grooves have a depth of about 4 μm to about 200 μm and a width of about 4 μm to about 200 μm.
An adhesive tape for flexographic printing, comprising a first adhesive layer, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, and wherein the grooves have a depth of about 8 μm to about 100 μm and a width of about 50 μm to about 120 μm.
A carrier for a flexographic printing plate, wherein the carrier comprises a surface and a tape on the surface, the tape comprising a first adhesive layer on the surface, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is substantially smooth and comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, wherein the grooves have a depth of about 4 μm to about 200 μm and a width of about 4 μm to about 200 μm.
A carrier for a flexographic printing plate, wherein the carrier comprises a surface and a tape on the surface, the tape comprising a first adhesive layer on the surface, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is substantially smooth and comprises a foam layer, wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, wherein the grooves have a depth of about 8 μm to about 100 μm and a width of about 50 μm to about 120 μm.
A carrier for a flexographic printing plate, wherein the carrier comprises a surface and a tape on the surface, the tape comprising a first adhesive layer on the surface, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is substantially smooth and comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is substantially continuous and comprises a rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive with an elastomeric component selected from the group consisting of:
- (a) random copolymers of styrene-butadiene rubber, and
- (b) block copolymers selected from styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/butylenes-styrene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, and
- (c) combinations thereof;
- and
- wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, wherein the grooves have a depth of about 4 μm to about 200 μm and a width of about 4 μm to about 200 μm.
A printing plate for flexographic printing, comprising:
- (a) a printing plate with a lower surface and a relief surface;
- (b) a mounting tape on the lower surface of the printing plate, wherein the mounting tape comprises a substantially smooth substrate comprising a foam layer with a first surface attached to the lower surface of the printing plate and an adhesive layer attached to a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface, wherein the adhesive layer is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, and wherein the grooves have a depth of about 4 μm to about 200 μm and a width of about 4 μm to about 200 μm.
A printing plate for flexographic printing, comprising:
- (a) a printing plate with a lower surface and a relief surface;
- (b) an adhesive layer on the lower surface of the printing plate, wherein the adhesive layer is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, and wherein the grooves have a depth of about 4 μm to about 200 μm and a width of about 4 μm to about 200 μm;
- and
- (c) a substantially smooth substrate comprising a foam layer in contact with the adhesive layer opposite the printing plate.
A printing plate for flexographic printing, comprising:
- (a) a printing plate with a lower surface and a relief surface;
- (b) a mounting tape on the lower surface of the printing plate, wherein the mounting tape comprises a substantially smooth substrate comprising a foam layer with a first surface attached to the lower surface of the printing plate and an adhesive layer attached to a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface, wherein the adhesive layer is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, wherein the grooves have a depth of about 8 μm to about 100 μm and a width of about 50 μm to about 120 μm.
A printing plate for flexographic printing, comprising:
- (a) a printing plate with a lower surface and a relief surface;
- (b) an adhesive layer on the lower surface of the printing plate, wherein the adhesive layer is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, and wherein the grooves have a depth of about 8 μm to about 100 μm and a width of about 50 μm to about 120 μm;
- and
- (c) a substantially smooth substrate comprising a foam layer in contact with the adhesive layer opposite the printing plate.
A printing device comprising:
- (a) a carrier for a flexographic printing plate, wherein the carrier comprises a surface and a tape on the surface, the tape comprising a first adhesive layer on the surface, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is substantially smooth and comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, and wherein the grooves have a depth of about 4 μm to about 200 μm and a width of about 4 μm to about 200 μm;
- and
- (b) a printing plate on the second adhesive layer of the tape.
A printing device comprising:
- (a) a carrier for a flexographic printing plate, wherein the carrier comprises a surface and a tape on the surface, the tape comprising a first adhesive layer on the surface, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is substantially smooth and comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, wherein the grooves have a depth of about 8 μm to about 100 μm and a width of about 50 μm to about 120 μm;
- and
- (b) a printing plate on the second adhesive layer of the tape.
A method for mounting a printing plate, comprising:
- (a) providing a carrier for a flexographic printing plate, wherein the carrier has a mounting surface;
- (b) providing a tape comprising a first adhesive layer, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is substantially smooth and comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, wherein the grooves have a depth of about 4 μm to about 200 μm and a width of about 4 μm to about 200 μm;
- and
- (c) applying the first adhesive layer to the mounting surface of the carrier.
A method for flexographic printing comprising:
- (a) providing a carrier for a flexographic printing plate, wherein the carrier has a mounting surface;
- (b) providing a tape comprising a first adhesive layer, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is substantially smooth and comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, and wherein the grooves have a depth of about 4 μm to about 200 μm and a width of about 4 μm to about 200 μm;
- and
- (c) applying the first adhesive layer of the tape to the mounting surface of the carrier;
- (d) applying a printing plate to the second adhesive layer of the tape;
- (e) applying an ink to the printing plate;
- and
- (f) applying the ink to a substrate.
A method for mounting a printing plate, comprising:
- (a) providing a carrier for a flexographic printing plate, wherein the carrier has a mounting surface;
- (b) providing a tape comprising a first adhesive layer, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is substantially smooth and comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, wherein the grooves have a depth of about 8 μm to about 100 μm and a width of about 50 μm to about 120 μm;
- and
- (c) applying the first adhesive layer to the mounting surface of the carrier.
A method for flexographic printing comprising:
- (a) providing a carrier for a flexographic printing plate, wherein the carrier has a mounting surface;
- (b) providing a tape comprising a first adhesive layer, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposite side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is substantially smooth and comprises a foam layer, and wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is a substantially continuous, crosslinked adhesive, and wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a regular pattern of permanent grooves, wherein the grooves have a depth of about 8 μm to about 100 μm and a width of about 50 μm to about 120 μm;
- and
- (c) applying the first adhesive layer of the tape to the mounting surface of the carrier;
- (d) applying a printing plate to the second adhesive layer of the tape;
- (e) applying an ink to the printing plate;
- and
- (f) applying the ink to a substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.