Apparatus for thermal development with supporting surface for a development medium
AssigneeE. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
InventorsMark A Hackler, Anandkumar R Kannurpatti, Robert A McMillen, Todd M Scheske
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Abstract
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The thermal development method includes heating the photosensitive element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of a composition layer in the element to liquefy, soften, or melt; supporting a development medium with a non-rotating surface to provide contact of the development medium with the heated photosensitive element; and providing relative movement between the development medium and the non-rotating surface.
Claims24
An apparatus for forming a relief pattern from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied comprising:
- means for heating the exterior surface to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the layer to partially liquefy;
- means for supporting a development medium to provide contact with the exterior surface adjacent the partially liquefied portion;
- and
- means for providing relative movement between the development medium and the means for supporting to cause the development medium to traverse the means for supporting;
- wherein the means for supporting comprises a non-rotating surface that contacts a side of the development medium opposite the partially liquefied portion, and wherein the non-rotating surface is resistant to displacement under operating forces encountered during formation of the relief pattern, and
- wherein the means for supporting further comprises means for pressing the photosensitive element and the development medium into contact at a pressure sufficient for at least a portion of the liquefied material of the composition layer to be absorbed and removed in depth by the development medium, to form the relief pattern on the element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.