# US 8,771,925 B2 · Flexographic processing solution and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,925 B2 - Document ID: US8771925B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/546,780 - Filed: 2009-08-25 - Published: 2011-03-03 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-08-25 - Assignees: Eastman Kodak Company - Applicants: Elsie A. Fohrenkamm; M. Zaki Ali; Michael B. Heller - Inventors: Elsie A. Fohrenkamm; M. Zaki Ali; Michael B. Heller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771925B2 ## CPC - G03F 7/325: {Non-aqueous compositions} - G03F: PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR; (phototypographic composing devices B41B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; electrophotography, sensitive layers or processes therefor G03G) ## Abstract A processing solution is used to provide flexographic relief printing plates. This solution includes diisopropylbenzene, and one or more organic co-solvents, at least one of which is an aliphatic dibasic acid ester. The processing solution may also include one or more alcohols as co-solvents. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for providing a flexographic printing plate comprising: A) imagewise exposing a flexographic printing plate precursor comprising a photopolymerizable elastomeric layer comprising a photopolymerizable composition to curing radiation to provide exposed cured regions and non-exposed non-cured regions in the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer, B) removing the non-exposed non-cured regions from the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer with a processing solution to provide a relief image in the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer, resulting in a flexographic printing plate, the processing solution comprising 1) diisopropylbenzene, and 2) one or more organic co-solvents, at least one of which is an aliphatic dibasic acid ester, and C) optionally, drying the processed flexographic printing plate, wherein the aliphatic dibasic acid ester is dimethyl-2-methylglutarate or diisobutyl methylglurarate, and the processing solution further comprises one or more alcohols that are chosen from n-butanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, a hexyl alcohol, a heptyl alcohol, an octyl alcohol, a nonyl alcohol, a decyl alcohol, 2-phenylethyl alcohol, isopronylbenzyl alcohol, alpha-terpineol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, 2-butoxyethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol, substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentanol, substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexanol, substituted or unsubstituted cycloheptanol, cyclopentyl substituted alcohol, cyclohexyl substituted alcohol, and cycloheptyl substituted alcohol. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the processing solution comprises up to 95 weight % of diisopropylbenzene, and from about 5 to about 70 weight % of the organic co-solvents. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic dibasic acid ester is present in an amount of from about 5 and less than 70 weight %. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of diisopropylbenzene to the aliphatic dibasic acid ester is from about 1:10 to about 5:1. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more alcohols are present in an amount of up to 35 weight %. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the processing solution further comprises a hydrocarbon paraffin, isoparaffin, naphthenic hydrocarbon, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer comprises an elastomeric binder, an initiator, at least one monomer, and optionally a plasticizer, and the precursor is imagewise exposed using actinic radiation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 comprising imagewise exposing the flexographic printing plate precursor through a mask image. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 comprising imagewise exposing the flexographic printing plate precursor through a mask image using radiation having a wavelength of from about 340 nm to about 400 nm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer is disposed on a non-photosensitive support. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising drying and post-curing the processed flexographic printing plate. ### Claim 12 A method for providing a flexographic printing plate comprising: A) imagewise exposing a flexographic printing plate precursor comprising a photopolymerizable elastomeric layer comprising a photopolymerizable composition to curing radiation to provide exposed cured regions and non-exposed non-cured regions in the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer, B) removing the non-exposed non-cured regions from the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer with a processing solution to provide a relief image in the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer, resulting in a flexographic printing plate, and C) optionally, drying the processed flexographic printing plate, wherein the processing solution comprises: from about 30 to about 80 weight % of diisopropylbenzene, from about 10 to about 60 weight % of dimethyl-2-methylglutarate, and from about 5 to about 35 weight % of one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, 2-phenylethyl alcohol, and isopropylbenzyl alcohol, and and the weight ratio of diisopropylbenzene to dimethyl-2-methylglutarate is from about 1:9 to about 3:2. ### Claim 13 A method for providing a flexographic printing plate comprising: A) imagewise exposing a flexographic printing plate precursor comprising a photopolymerizable elastomeric layer comprising a photopolymerizable composition to curing radiation to provide exposed cured regions and non-exposed non-cured regions in the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer, B) removing the non-exposed non-cured regions from the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer with a processing solution to provide a relief image in the photopolymerizable elastomeric layer, resulting in a flexographic printing plate, the processing solution consisting essentially of 1) diisopropylbenzene, and 2) one or more aliphatic dibasic acid esters, and C) optionally, drying the processed flexographic printing plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the aliphatic dibasic acid ester is an aliphatic diester of oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, or sebacic acid, or combinations thereof, that is present in an amount of from about 10 to about 65 weight %.