Liquid transfer articles and method for producing the same using digital imaging photopolymerization
AssigneeDay International, Inc.
InventorsMichael E. McLean, Brett Scherrman, Douglas C. Neckers, Peter Serguievski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A liquid transfer article is provided including a support assembly and an imaged surface formed directly on the surface of the support assembly by digital photopolymerization. The support assembly is in the form of a polymeric base, and the liquid transfer article is formed by providing a liquid photopolymer on the surface of the base and then irradiating the polymer with a light source to form the image. The liquid transfer article is reimagable and may be used in gravure printing processes, as well as other printing applications.
Claims11
A digital imaging photopolymerization system for providing a cross-linked photopolymerized liquid transfer article for use in graphic arts reproduction, said system comprising:
- a support assembly adapted to receive at least a first layer of a cross-linkable liquid photopolymer;
- a light source for irradiating said cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer, said light source and said support assembly are adapted to be held stationary at least during the formation of the cross-linked photopolymerized liquid transfer article;
- a mirror-type spatial light modulator disposed between said light source and said support assembly, said modulator reflects light from said light source in full frame image pattern toward said support assembly;
- and
- a microprocessor connected to at least said mirror-type spatial light modulator for controlling its operation such that a cross-linked full frame imaged surface corresponding to the full image pattern is formed in the cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer in one step and without a mask while said light source and support assembly are stationary, said imaged surface being suitable for graphic arts reproduction applications.
A digital imaging photopolymerization system for providing a cross-linked photopolymerized liquid transfer article for use in graphic arts reproduction, said system comprising:
- a support assembly having a substantially flat surface adapted to receive at least a first layer of a cross-linkable liquid photopolymer;
- a light source for irradiating said cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer, said light source and said support assembly are adapted to be held stationary at least during the formation of the cross-linked photopolymerized liquid transfer article;
- a spatial light modulator disposed between said light source and said support assembly, said modulator provides light from said light source in a full frame image pattern toward said support assembly;
- and
- a microprocessor connected to said spatial light modulator for controlling operation of said modulator such that a cross-linked full frame imaged surface corresponding to the full image pattern is formed in the cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer in one step and without a mask while said light source and support assembly are stationary, said imaged surface being suitable for graphic arts reproduction applications.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.