EP0084851A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for preparing an overcoated photopolymer printing plate
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1983-01-19
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-01-19
Abstract
Abstract Process for preparing flexographic photopolymer elements by passing into the nip of a calender a photopolymer composition mass comprising elastomeric binder, monomeric compound, and photoinitiator and calendering the photopolymer composition either between (1) as support and multilayer cover element consisting essentially of a flexible cover film, optionally a flexible polymeric film, e.g., polyamide, and a layer of elastomeric composition which is photosensitive or becomes photosensitive during or after calendering, or between (2) two supports, one of which is removed prior to contact, e.g., by lamination or pressing, with the multilayer cover element. The flexographic photopolymer elements are useful for flexographic printing, e.g., dry-offset, letterpress printing.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Ralph Gruetzmacher
- 👤 Stanley Hiram Munger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:35
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/16; G03F7/004; G03F7/09; G03F7/095; G03F7/0955
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
In a process for preparing flexographic photopolymerizable elements which comprises passing into the nip of a calender a mass of a photopolymerizable composition comprising an elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated compound having at least one terminal ethylenic group, and a photoinitiator or photoinitiator system, and calendering the photopolymerizable composition between a support and a multilayer cover element to form a photopolymerizable layer therebetween, the improvement wherein the multilayer cover element consists essentially of a flexible cover film, optionally a flexible polymeric film, and a layer of an elastomeric composition which is photosensitive or becomes photosensitive during or after calendering by contact with the photopolymerizable layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a process for preparing flexographic photopolymerizable elements which comprises passing into the nip of a calender a mass of a photopolymerizable composition comprising an elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated compound having at least one terminal ethylenic group, and a photoinitiator or photoinitiator system, and calendering the photopolymerizable composition between a support and a multilayer cover element to form a photopolymerizable layer therebetween, the improvement wherein the multilayer cover element consists essentially of a flexible cover film, optionally a flexible polymeric film, and a layer of an elastomeric composition which is photosensitive or becomes photosensitive during or after calendering by contact with the photopolymerizable layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the mass of photopolymerizable composition is passed into the calender nip by an extruder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the mass of photopolymerizable composition is passed into the calender nip as a hot melt from a mixing mill.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein calendering occurs between two flexible supports, one of which is subsequently removed from the photopolymerizable layer, and the multilayer cover element is laminated to the photopolymerizable layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein calendering occurs between two flexible sheets, one of which is subsequently removed from the photopolymerizable layer, and the multilayer cover element and photopolymerizable layer are pressed into contact.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim.1 wherein the elastomeric layer in the multilayer cover element is a photopolymerizable elastomeric layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the flexible cover film in the multilayer cover element is a film bearing a silicone subbing layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the flexible polymeric film is a polyamide film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the elastomeric composition in the multilayer cover element comprises an elastomeric block copolymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 9 wherein the block copolymer is a polystyrene-isoprene- polystyrene block copolymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 9 wherein the block copolymer is a polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene block copolymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the photopolymerizable composition is extruded at a temperature in the range of about 130° to 200°C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the elastomeric binder of the photopolymerizable composition is an elastomeric block copolymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 13 wherein the ethylenically unsaturated compound has two terminal ethylenic groups.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 14 wherein the ethylenically unsaturatd compound is hexamethylene glycol diacrylate, hexamethylene glycol dimethacrylate or a mixture of both.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein a colorant is present in the photopolymerizable layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 16 wherein a nonmigrating dye or pigment is present in the layer of elastomeric composition of the multilayer cover element which provides a contrasting color with the colorant in the photopolymerizable layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
A flexographic photopolymerizable element prepared by the process according to claim 1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
A flexographic photopolymerizable element prepared by the process according to claim 4.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
A flexographic photopolymerizable element prepared by the process according to claim 5.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
A process for preparing a flexographic printing plate which comprises exposing to actinic radiation through an image a flexographic photopolymerizable element prepared by the process according to claim 1 from which the cover film optionally has been removed, removing the image and cover film if still present, and removing by liquid development the flexible polymeric film, if present, and the unexposed areas of the layer of elastomeric composition and photopolymerizable layer; and optionally removing any residual liquid developer by drying.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
22, A process according to claim 21 wherein after liquid development and optional drying the element is, in either order, detackified by treating with a solution containing free halogen, and postexposed to actinic radiation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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