US3874945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fabricating plastic printing plates
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-07
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Granted: 1975-04-01
•
Expires: 1993-02-07
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method of fabricating plastic printing plates. The plate surface is treated to render it waterwettable, and a photoresist image is exposed and developed thereon. The areas within and intervening between the image pattern elements are then etched away by means of a solvent. Procedures are provided to promote the formation of supporting shoulders for the pattern elements during etching.
Inventors
- 👤 Vaclav Misek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:50
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41N; B41N1/00; B41N1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A METHOD OF FABRICATING A PRINTING PLATE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PROVIDING A PLATE MATRIX AT LEAST A PART OF ONE SURFACE OF WHICH COMPRISES A SOLUBLE PLASTIC MATERIAL WHICH IS CAPABLE OF HAVING ITS SURFACE RENDERED WATER-WETTABLE BY TREATMENT WITH A CHEMICAL SOLUTION, TREATING SAID PORTION OF SAID SURFACE WITH SAID, COMPOSITION, APPLYING A PHOTORESIST IMAGE TO SAID TREATED PORTION OF SAID SURFACE, AND ETCHING AWAY THE REMAINING AREAS OF SAID TREATED PORTION OF SAID SURFACE UNCOVERED BY THE PATTERN OF SAID IMAGE WHEREIN SAID TREATMENT SOLUTION COMPRISES 1 TO 5 PERCENT BY WEIGHT SODIUM DODECYL BENZENE SULFONATE, 5 TO 25 PERCENT BY WEIGHT TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE AND APPROXIMATELY 0.9 PERCENT BY WEIGHT SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE, WITH ADEQUATE WATER FOR PROCESSING.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A METHOD OF FABRICATING A PRINTING PLATE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PROVIDING A PLATE MATRIX AT LEAST A PART OF ONE SURFACE OF WHICH COMPRISES A SOLUBLE PLASTIC MATERIAL WHICH IS CAPABLE OF HAVING ITS SURFACE RENDERED WATER-WETTABLE BY TREATMENT WITH A CHEMICAL SOLUTION, TREATING SAID PORTION OF SAID SURFACE WITH SAID, COMPOSITION, APPLYING A PHOTORESIST IMAGE TO SAID TREATED PORTION OF SAID SURFACE, AND ETCHING AWAY THE REMAINING AREAS OF SAID TREATED PORTION OF SAID SURFACE UNCOVERED BY THE PATTERN OF SAID IMAGE WHEREIN SAID TREATMENT SOLUTION COMPRISES 1 TO 5 PERCENT BY WEIGHT SODIUM DODECYL BENZENE SULFONATE, 5 TO 25 PERCENT BY WEIGHT TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE AND APPROXIMATELY 0.9 PERCENT BY WEIGHT SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE, WITH ADEQUATE WATER FOR PROCESSING.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein said plastic material comprises a polymer of acrylonitrile - butadiene - styrene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein said portion of said surface is substantially flat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method as in claim 3, wherein said plate matrix is substantially flat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein said portion of said surface is curved.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method as in claim 5, wherein said plate matiix is curved.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein said step of treating comprises the steps of: applying a quantity of said treatment composition to said portion of said surface; and removing said treatment solution from said portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method as in claim 6, wherein said steps of applying and treatment composition removal are alternately accomplished two or more times.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method as in claim 7, wherein said step of treatment solution removal comprises flushing with water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein said step of etching comprises the steps of: placing, in contact with said treated portion of said surface, a solvent of said plastic material; and removing said solvent from said portion of said surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method as in claim 10, wherein said steps of placing and solvent removal are alternately accomplished two or more times.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
Method as in claim 10, wherein said step of placing comprises causing a surface of a device bearing a quantity of said solvent to be in juxtaposition with said portion of said surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method as in claim 12, wherein said device is a brush.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method as in claim 12, wherein said device is an etching medium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as in claim 14, wherein said etching medium is caused to be in forcible contact with said portion of said surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method as in claim 1, further including, between said step of applying and said step of etching, the additional step of heating said treated portion of said surface in such manner as to cause the photoresist image to achieve a higher temperature than said remaining areas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method as in claim 16, wherein said steps of heating and etching are alternately accomplished two or more times.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method as in claim 16 wherein said step of heating comprises exposing to electromagnetic radiation which radiation is ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method as in claim 18, wherein said radiation comprises infrared radiation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method as in claim 10, wherein the solvent is applied by a means different from the means utilized to remove the excess solvent which has dissolved plastic therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method as in claim 20, wherein the means utilized to remove the excess portion of solvent comprises a solvent absorbable surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment composition comprises: 2.5 percent sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate; 15 percent trisodium phosphate; 0.9 percent sodium hypochlorite; and 81.6 percent abrasive particulates, including nonactive ingredients, with sufficient water for processing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method of rendering ABS plastic water-wettable and suitable for a printing plate comprising contacting the plastic with a composition comprising 1-5 percent by weight sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate 5-25 percent by weight trisodium phosphate 0.9 percent by weight sodium hypochlorite mixed with sufficient water for processing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method of rendering ABS plastic water-wettable and suitable for a printing plate comprising contacting the plastic with a composition comprising 1-5 percent by weight sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate 5-25 percent by weight trisodium phosphate 0.9 percent by weight sodium hypochlorite mixed with sufficient water for processing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the composition for contacting the plastic is one comprising: 2.5 percent sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, 15% trisodium phosphate, 0.9 percent sodium hypochlorite and 81.6 percent abrasive particulates and nonactive ingredients, with sufficient water present for utilization.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the plastic is A.B.S.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |