A flatbed laminator

Abstract

A flatbed laminator (50) is disclosed which comprises a flat table (200) for applying a receiver material (300), and a gantry (110) moveable between a home position (201) and an end position (202) which includes (i) a lamination roll (700) capable of rotating and moving over the flat table (200) whereby a film (500) is laminated to a receiver material (300) and (ii) a lifting device (150) which is capable of mechanically lifting the lamination roll (700) forming a gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table when the gantry touches a contact point (2020) at the end position (202); and mechanically lowering the lamination roll (700) and thus removing said gap when the gantry touches an other contact point (2010) at the home position (201).

Description

DescriptionA flatbed laminatorTechnical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flatbed laminator for feeding a film towards a flat table with a moving gantry for laminating the film onto a receiver material supported by the flat table.Background Art

[0002] Laminators are used for manufacturing material in multiple flat layers wherein said flat layers are assembled using for example heat, adhesive layers, etc. The most known laminator is the heated roll laminator whereby heated rollers are used to melt glue extruded onto a laminating film where after said film is applied onto a receiver material using pressure rollers.

[0003] Another type of laminator comprises a flat table for supporting a receiver material and a pressure roll capable of moving over the flat table by a gantry between a home position and an end position. Between the flat table and the pressure roll, a gap is formed through which a sheet or web material is capable of being fed towards the receiver material by rotating the pressure roll. As a result, the sheet or web material is laminated on the receiver material. Such a type of laminator is known in the art a so called flatbed laminator. An example of a flatbed laminator is the Sirius Plus 1737 of manufacturer VROLLER™.

[0004] Nowadays, (semi)-Automated flatbed laminators are available which include a driver for moving the gantry from a home position to an end position and a rotating press roll for laminating the sheet or web material on the supported receiver.

[0005] Especially in the field of flexography, a flatbed laminator is used for laminating a sheet or film comprising a mask image on a flexographic printing plate precursor where after the precursor is exposed through the applied mask image. After removal of the mask image, the unexposed areas of the precursor are removed to form a flexographic printing plate. An example of such a laminator includes for example Flexcel™ NX WideLaminator of manufacturer Miraklon™ which uses a vacuum table for supporting the flexographic printing precursor.

[0006] EP1146392 (AGFA NV) discloses a method for making a relief image by laminating an ablatable mask layer to a UV-sensitive material with the use of an adhesive layer to create an integral mask on the UV-sensitive material before the imaging / curing step.

[0007] EP3175986 (Vivid Laminating Technology Ltd) discloses a flatbed laminator for laminating a workpiece comprising a flatbed and a roller mounted to be movable over the flatbed, a pair of parallel pneumatic cylinders on which the ends of the roller are supported and which can be operated to move the roller towards flatbed; and a locking assembly that can be operated to act on the cylinders to prevent movement of the roller towards the flatbed.

[0008] EP3867063 (CWT Worktools AB) discloses a flatbed applicator, comprising a table and a roll movably guided vertically and horizontally along the table by means of post members including a vertically moveable support structure and a power unit in the form of an electric motor to enable the vertical movement of said vertically moveable support structure.

[0009] The presence of dust, dirt particles or fibers during the process of lamination highly deteriorates the quality of lamination of the film onto the supported receiver material. In order to obtain high quality printing plates, it is highly desirable that the laminator roll remains dust-free and does not pick up any deposits after the lamination step returning to its start position. A roll contaminated with for example dust, dirt particles or fibers tends to fill in non-image areas of the plate reducing its quality. Also, dust, dirt particles or fibers may be captured between the film and the receiver material leading to unwanted delamination and / or entrapment of air between the laminated layers also reducing the quality of the plate. As a result, the roll needs to be cleaned regularly resulting in a loss of productivity.

[0010] Therefore, there is still a need to improve the quality of lamination at an economically acceptable cost by for example reducing, or even avoiding, the presence of dust, dirt particles or fibers during the lamination process.Summary of invention

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for laminating - also referred to as “laminator”- a film to a receiving material whereby the presence of dust, dirt particles and / or fibers are minimised or even avoided.

[0012] These objects are realized by the laminator as defined in independent claim 1 with preferred embodiments defined in the dependent claims.

[0013] Other features, elements, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention. Specific embodiments of the invention are also defined in the dependent claims.Description of the drawings

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the figures from 1 to 10.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred flatbed laminator (50) whereby a film (500) is laminated on a receiver material (300) via a rotating (711 ) lamination roll (700) during movement (111 ) from home position (201 ) to end position (202) of a gantry (110) - also referred to as carriage - whereon said lamination roll (700) is attached. The receiver material (300) is supported on a support surface (203) of a flat table (200). The gantry (110) is movable constructed via rails (105, 115) mounted on the flat table (200). The end position (202) has a contact point or buffer (2020) and the home position has an other contact point or buffer (2010) and the lamination roll (700) lifts up when the gantry (110) contacts the contact point (2020) and lowers down when the gantry (110) contacts the other contact point (2010).

[0016] The other figures are cross views of preferred flatbed laminators (50).

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a gantry (110) at the home position (201 ). The gantry is capable of moving an attached lifting device (150) and the attached lamination roll (700) from said home position (201 ) to an end position (not shown) over a rail (115) where over an idler roll and motorized rolls rotates counter clockwise (shown as two thin arced arrows). During the movement (111 ) of the gantry (110) the lamination roll (700) rotates (shown as fat arced arrow). At the home position (201 ), the gantry touches the other contact point (2010) and the lamination roll (700) ispositioned on the receiver material (300). A film (500) for laminating on the receiver material (300) is entered via the feed table (508) in the gap between the press roll (507) and the lamination roll (700).

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates the flatbed laminator of FIG. 2 whereby the gantry (110) is moved (111 ) from home position (201 ) to a certain position towards the end position (202) and wherein the film (500) is partly laminated on the receiver material (300). The gap between the press roll (507) and the lamination roll (700) is closed (the gap can be closed for example by lowering press roll (507)).

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates the nearby arrival of the gantry (110) of the flatbed laminator of FIG. 3 at the end position (202) touching the contact point (2020).

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates the arrival of the gantry (110) of the flatbed laminator of FIG 4. at the end position (202) whereby the lamination roll (700) is lifted up by means of the lifting device (150) to form a gap (not shown) between the flat table (200) and said lamination roll (700).

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates the position of the gantry (110) as in FIG. 5 before returning (111 ) from end position (202) to home position by rotating the idler and motorized roll clockwise (shown as two thin arced arrows). The laminated receiver material has-been removed.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates the flatbed laminator of FIG. 6 wherein the gantry (110) is moved from the end position (202) towards the home position (201 ). The gantry is not in contact with the contact point (2020) anymore. The lamination roll (700) remains lifted up.

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates the nearby arrival of the gantry (110) of the flatbed laminator of FIG. 7 at the home position (201 ) touching the other contact point (2010).

[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates the arrival of the gantry (110) of the flatbed laminator of FIG. 8 at the home position (201 ) whereby the lamination roll (700) is lowered by means of the lifting device (150) and touches the table (200).

[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates a similar flatbed laminator as in FIG. 3 but wherein the gantry comprises additionally a remover (400) which removes a cover sheet (305) from the receiving material (300).Description of the (preferred) embodiments

[0026] The laminator of the present invention is a flatbed laminator having the specific feature that the laminator roller returns after the process of lamination to its home position without contacting the flatbed table. This is achieved by a novel mechanical lifting system as described in detail below.

[0027] The figures represent highly preferred embodiments of the laminator of the present invention. A preferred laminator of the current invention is described hereafter.

[0028] The laminator of the present invention is a flatbed laminator (50) comprising:- a flat table (200) for supporting a receiver material (300), preferably a flat receiver material (300), and- a gantry (110) moveable between a home position (201 ) and an end position (202) which includes (i) a lamination roll (700) capable of rotating and moving over the flat table (200) whereby a film (500) is laminated to a receiver material (300) and (ii) a at least one lifting device (150); wherein the lifting device (150) is capable of mechanically lifting the lamination roll (700) - and thus forming a gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table - when the gantry touches a contact point or buffer (2020) at the end position (202); and mechanically lowering the lamination roll (700) - and thus removing said gap - when the gantry touches an other contact point or buffer (2010) at the home position (201 ).

[0029] The gantry (110) comprises at least one lifting device (150) which is preferably connected to one side of the gantry. More preferably, the lifting device (150) is connected to one side of the lamination roll (700). The gantry (110) may comprise a second lifting device. The two lifting devices are preferably respectively connected to each side of the gantry (110); more preferably the lifting devices are respectively connected to one of the two sides of the lamination roll (700).

[0030] When the moveable gantry reaches the home position (other contact point 2010) or end position (contact point 2020) and is thus not able to move any further, the lamination roll (700) is able to independently move further towards respectively the home or end position whereby the lamination roll is respectively lowered down or lifted up by means of the lifting device (150). Thus, when the gantry reaches the end position and touches the contact pointor buffer (2020), the lamination roll is able to move further towards the end position via the slope upwards (151 ) of the lifting device (150) as explained in the next paragraph. As a result, at the end position, the lamination roll (700) is lifted up relative to the flat table. When the gantry reaches the home position and touches the contact point or buffer (2010), the lamination roll (700) is able to move further towards the home position via the slope downwards (151 ) of the lifting device (150) as explained in the next paragraph. As a result, at the home position, the lamination roll is lowered down relative to the flat table.

[0031] The lifting device (150) preferably comprises a slot (152) into which a rod (153) can be fitted and which enables guided motion and / or adjustable positioning. The rod is preferably a straight bar made of metal, wood or other material which is preferably connected to the lamination roll (700). This assembly allows further movement of the lamination roll (700) relative to the gantry (110) when the gantry reaches the home and / or end position.

[0032] The slot is preferably a narrow opening designed to accept for example the rod to slide or be positioned within it.

[0033] The embodiment comprises also a laminating method using the flatbed laminator (50) of the current invention for laminating a film which preferably comprises a mask image to an imageable material as receiver material (300), preferably a flexographic printing plate precursor. The method preferably includes the following steps:- placing a receiver material (300) on the flat table (200);- entering a film (500) on a feed table in the gap between a lamination roll (700) and a press roll (507) followed by removing this gap by lowering the press roll;- engaging the flatbed laminator according to the present invention whereby the gantry moves from home to end position and whereby the entered film (500) is laminated onto the receiver material (300);- removing the laminated receiver material (300) from the flat table (200);- engaging the flatbed laminator according to the present invention whereby the gantry moves from end to home position; whereby the gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flattable is mechanically enlarged by means of the lifting device (150) when the gantry (110) touches the contact point (2020) at the end position (202) (FIG. 5); and the gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table is closed by means of the lifting device (150) when the gantry (110) touches the other contact point (2010) at the home position (201 ) (FIG. 9).

[0034] More preferably, the method comprises the following steps:- placing a receiver material (300) on the flat table (200);- entering a film (500) on a feed table (508) in the gap between a lamination roll (700) and a press roll (507) (see FIG.2) followed by removing this gap by lowering the press roll (see FIG 3);- moving the gantry (110) from the home position (201 ) to the end position (202) whereby the entered film (500) is laminated onto the receiver material (300); (FIG. 2; FIG.3 FIG. 4; FIG 5);- mechanically enlarging the gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table by means of the lifting device (150) when the gantry (110) touches the contact point (2020) at the end position (202) (FIG. 5);- removing the laminated receiver material (300) from the flat table(200) (FIG. 6);- moving the gantry (110) from the end position (202) to the home position(201 ) (FIG. 7, FIG 8, FIG 9);- mechanically reducing the gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table by means of the lifting device (150) when the gantry (110) touches the other contact point (2010) at the home position (201 ) (FIG. 9).

[0035] Well known features such as motors, power supply etc which are preferably present in the laminator are not shown in the figures. The steps of moving the gantry from home to end position and from end to home position, and enlarging and reducing the gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table is preferably be automated.FLAT TABLE

[0036] The flat table (200) in the flatbed laminator (50) provides a flat support for a receiver material (300).

[0037] The flat table (200) comprises preferably a base unit for standing on a floor whereby the flat table (200) is oriented substantially parallel to the floor.The base unit is preferably stable and robust and preferably comprises metal such as steel or aluminium.

[0038] The flat table (200) may have any shape but is preferably rectangular shaped. The area of the support surface (203) of the flat table (200) is preferably from about 1 .50 to about 20.0 m2. Large areas of the support surface (203) allow lamination of large receiver materials (300) or of more than one receiver materials at the same time which is an economical benefit. The width and / or height of the flat table (200) is preferably from 0.3 m until 10 m.

[0039] The flatness of the flat table (200) is important for the quality of lamination and is preferably less than 600 pm. To measure said flatness measurement tools are available in the state-of-the art, for example the measurement tool disclosed in US6497047 (FUJIKOSHI KIKAI KOGYO KK) or surface profilometers such as the KLA-Tencor™ series or optical surface profilometers. Especially when larger receiver materials are laminated, it is difficult to achieve flatness.

[0040] Preferably the flat table (200) comprises a honeycomb structure which is sandwiched between a top and a bottom sandwich plate. The top sandwich plate is preferably the top of the base unit. The weight of such a flat table (200) including a honeycomb structure is lower compared to a solid flat table (200) because the weight of the honeycomb structure is lower than a solid flat table (200). This is especially beneficial for larger laminators including large flat tables (200), e.g. at least 1.5 m2, as it becomes easier to manipulate and manufacture the flat table (200) or laminator wherein such a flat table (200) including a honeycomb structure is constructed. The honeycomb structure results further in an improved stability and rigidity (less bending) of the flat table (200) and thus enhanced flatness. To achieve high stability, the top and / or bottom sandwiched plate(s) preferably comprises metal such as aluminium and the honeycomb cores are preferably sinusoidal or hexagonal shaped to provide maximum stiffness in several directions. The forces caused by the support of the receiver material (300) are preferably evenly distributed over the surface area of the support surface (203) of the flat table (200). The flatness of the top sandwich plate is preferably less than 1 .2 mm and more preferably less than 0.6 mm.

[0041] The flat table (200) may comprise alignment marks to align the receivermaterial (300).GANTRY

[0042] In the flatbed laminator (50) the lamination roll (700) rotates and moves over the flat table (200) for laminating a film (500) on the receiver material (300). The lamination roll (700) is connected to the gantry (110) which is configured to move between the home position (201 ) and the end position (202). The film (500) is fed preferably via the feed table (508) between the press roll (507) and the lamination roll (700) whereby the film (500) is laminated onto the receiver material (300) by means of the rotating lamination roll (700).

[0043] A set of guides or rails (105, 115) are attached to the flat table (200) along parallel sides of the flat table (200) which enables movement of the gantry (110) between the home position (201 ) and the end position (202) along said set of guides or set of rails. The movement may be performed by a driver. The laminator may have a controller for said driver to control the speed of the movement. Several methods how to move along a guide or rail are well-known in the state-of-the-art such as for example gear rails and monorails.

[0044] The lamination roll (700) is driven by a first driver and the gantry (110) is driven by a second driver which is capable to control the first drive.LAMINATION ROLL

[0045] The lamination roll (700) applies the film (500) during lamination on the receiver material (300) with a pressure achieved by the weight of the lamination roll (700) (= gravity). The lamination roll (700) is rotating caused by the movement of the gantry (110) whereon the lamination roll (700) is attached.

[0046] The lamination roll may be motorized for the rotation of the lamination roll (700) additional to the rotation due to the movement of the gantry (110), but preferably, the lamination roll (700) is an idle roll; also called unpowered roll.

[0047] The lamination roll (700) may be heatable to improve the fixation of the film (500) onto the receiver material (300) during lamination. The temperature of the lamination roll (700) may be adapted to the specific film (500) and / or receiver material (300).HOME AND END POSITIONS

[0048] The gantry (110) moves between the end position (202) having a contact point (2020), and the home position (201 ) having an other contact point (2010). During the movement of the gantry (110) the film (500) is fed towards the receiver material (300) for lamination on top of the receiver material (300). When the gantry (110) arrives at the end position (202) and the lamination is finished, the laminated product can be removed from the flat table (200) after which the gantry (110) can return to the home position (201 ) for laminating the next receiver material (300).

[0049] When the gantry (110) contacts the contact point (2020), a gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table (200) is formed. When the gantry (110) contacts the other contact point (2010), the gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table (200) is removed. Thus, the lamination roll (700) in the flatbed laminator (50) is capable of being lifted up and lowered down whereby a gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table (200) is respectively created and removed. The gap is formed when the gantry (110) arrives at the end position (202) and the gap is removed when the gantry (110) arrives at the home position (201 ). Due to the formation of the gap at the end position, pick up of dust, dirt particles or fibers by the lamination roll (700) is avoided when the gantry (110) moves from end position (202) to home position (201 ). The lamination roll remains clean avoiding that said dust, dirt particles or fibers contaminate the following lamination causing possible delamination and / or poor (flat) lamination.

[0050] The lifting up and lowering down of the lamination roll (700) is preferably performed by a lifting device (150) which is part of the gantry (110) and is preferably connected to one side of the lamination roll. Said lifting device is configured to move in the same direction as the movement of the gantry (110) and enables to lift the lamination roll (700) when the gantry reaches the end position and / or the contact point (2020); and enables to lower down the lamination roll (700) when the gantry reaches the home position and / or other contact point (2010). Preferably, at the other side of the lamination roll (700) a second lifting device may be connected similar as said lifting device (150).FILM

[0051] The film (500) which has to be laminated on a receiver material (300) is entered in the gap between the press roll (507) and the lamination roll(700); the film (500) is hereby preferably positioned on the feed table (508). This is preferably achieved by a roll system at the film insert of the laminator. The feed table (508) may have alignment marks to align the film (500) in order to be able to correctly laminate it on the receiver material (300).

[0052] The film (500) is preferably a flexible, rectangular material which can easily be fed via the lamination roll (700) towards the receiver material (300), such as paper or plastic film material.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment the film (500) comprises a carrier sheet and preferably a mask image which is laminated on an imageable material, such as for example a flexographic printing plate precursor.SUPPORT SURFACE

[0054] In a preferred embodiment the flat table (200) comprises a support surface (203) for supporting the receiver material (300).

[0055] The support surface (203) may include engineering plastic which is substantially air and / or oxygen impermeable. Engeneering plastics are characterized by a rigid and a flat surface and include for example polyamides; polycarbonates, poly(methyl methacrylate), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and others.

[0056] The flat table (200) may be a vacuum table which comprises vacuum holes whereby the supported receiver (300) is sucked down by vacuum power. In the art, a vacuum table may comprise vacuum holes whereby the supported receiver (300) is sucked down by vacuum power. However, the use of vacuum power makes the lamination process more expensive and it may deform the supported receiver (300) (e.g. flexible plastic sheet) at the vacuum holes whereby a flat lamination process doesn’t guarantee a good lamination (e.g. flatness) and delamination may occur due to air entrapment at the position of the vacuum holes. The laminator of the current invention preferably does not include a vacuum table.

[0057] To minimize dust, dirt particles or fibers, the support surface (203) is preferably antistatic.

[0058] The support surface (203) may have an adhesive property for improving the adhesion of the receiver material (300) to the support surface (203). For example, the support surface (203) may include PVC or an adhesive layer including cold glue, a pressure sensitive adhesive compound, andmore preferably including a fibrous adhesive system such as simulation of a beetle, fly, spider or gecko toe adhesive system. Fibrous adhesive systems are commercially available at for example NanoGriptech™ and Geckskin™.

[0059] The adhesive quality typically allows temporarily attachment of the receiver material (300) to such a surface without leaving a residue. This type of stickiness of the support surface (203) allows repositioning, meaning you can easily remove and reattach the receiver material (300) multiple times.

[0060] The adhesive property may improve the registration of the two materials i.e. the receiver material (300) - e.g. an imageable material - and the film preferably comprising a mask image during lamination as the receiver material adheres to the table.

[0061] The support surface (203) is preferably abrasion resistant, dimensionally stable, chemical resistant, corrosion resistant and / or high-temperature resistant.

[0062] The support surface (203) of the flat table (200) may be replaceable e.g. for cleaning purposes and / or for replacing the support layer to a support layer having properties adapted to the properties of the receiver material (300).

[0063] The support surface (203) may include two or more layers of material wherein an under layer provides linear strength and shape, also called “the carcass”, and an upper layer. The carcass is preferably a woven fabric and more preferably a woven fabric of polyester, nylon, glass fabric or cotton.

[0064] The upper layer is preferably coated on the carcass and is preferably selected from various rubbers, plastic compounds and thermoplastic polymer resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyurethaan (PU); Polyaryletherketone (PAEK); aliphatic polyamides, polyamide 11 (PA 11 ), polyamide 12 (PA 12), UHM-HDPE, HM-HDPE, Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polysulfone (PS), Poly(p-phenylene oxide) (PPOTM), Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polycarbonate (PC) and / or Polyphenylene sulphide (PPS).LAMINATION OF IMAGEABLE MATERIAL

[0065] In a preferred embodiment the flatbed laminator (50) is used for laminating a film preferably comprising a mask image on an imageable material which is applied on the flat table (200); the imageable material or relief forming precursor is preferably a flexographic printing plate precursor.

[0066] The lamination is preferably performed at room -temperature.

[0067] The imageable material may be covered with a cover sheet (305) which is preferably removed with a remover (400) which is connected to the gantry (110) such as illustrated in Fig. 10. The cover sheet (305) is preferably removed while moving the gantry (110) from the home position (201 ) to the end position (202). The cover sheet (305) is used mainly for protecting the imageable material against scratches, fingerprints, dust, dirt particles or fibers and / or radiation.

[0068] The removal of the optional cover sheet may be done by first lifting an edge of the cover sheet (305) before the lamination starts and placing said edge at the remover (400), such as a rake, which removes further the cover sheet (305) while moving the gantry (110) during the lamination of the film (500) on the receiver (300) such as illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0069] After entering the film preferably comprising the mask image, the film may be marked by a digital printing device for e.g. marking with a date, process number and / or an additional mask image. This marking may then act as an extra mask during the exposure of the imageable material provided with the applied film preferably comprising the mask image and thus the extra marking. If the marking contains a code, such as 2D-code, barcode or QR-code, said code may be read by a code-reader to reveal the content of said code.

[0070] The marking may be performed during the movement of the gantry (110) whereon said digital printing device may be attached. An example of a digital printing device is an inkjet printing head.METHOD OF MANUFACTU ING A ELIEF P INTING PLATE

[0071] In a preferred embodiment the lamination method is part of a method of manufacturing of a relief printing plate, preferably a flexographic printing plate, whereby the film (500) preferably comprises a mask image and the receiver material (300) is a relief forming printing plate precursor, preferably a flexographic printing plate precursor.

[0072] The method of manufacturing a relief printing plate preferably comprises the following steps after lamination of a film comprising a mask image to the relief forming printing plate precursor:- exposing the relief printing plate precursor including the film preferably comprising the mask image to curing radiation;- removing the film from the exposed relief forming printing plate precursor; and- developing the exposed relief forming precursor whereby unexposed portions are removed to form a relief printing plate.

[0073] The mask image in the imageable film may be formed after lamination onto the relief forming printing plate precursor.RELIEF-FORMING PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR

[0074] Relief-forming printing plate precursors typically contain a UV sensitive layer on a dimensionally stable support. Preferably, the relief-forming printing plate precursor is a flexographic printing plate precursor, a letterpress printing plate precursor or a printed circuit board. Most preferably the relief-forming printing plate precursor is a flexographic printing plate precursor.

[0075] Suitable supports include dimensionally stable polymeric films and aluminum sheets. Polyester films are particularly useful. Optionally the support may be coated with additional layers e.g. an adhesion improving layer.

[0076] The support is typically about 20 - 200 microns thick. Optionally, the support may be pretreated in order to modify its wettability and / or adhesion behaviour to subsequently applied coatings. Such surface treatments include corona discharge treatment, application of a subbing layer, a release layer and / or an adhesive layer such as an acrylic or vinyl acetate adhesive.

[0077] The relief-forming pinting plate precursor can be positive or negativeworking, but is typically negative-working and preferably includes a photopolymerizable layer (photocurable or relief-image forming layer). The photopolymerizable layer preferably comprises an elastomeric binder and a UV curable composition that can be cured or hardened by mainly polymerization and / or crosslinking upon exposure to UV radiation. The UV curable composition preferably comprises polymerizable or photocurablemonomer(s) and at least one photoinitiator.

[0078] Suitable polymerizable monomers include ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compounds having relatively low molecular weight (generally less than 30,000 Daltons) such as for example polymerizable monomers including various mono- and polyacrylates, acrylate derivatives of isocyanates, esters, and epoxides. Specific suitable monomers include, but are not limited to t-butyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, the acrylate and methacrylate mono- and polyesters of alcohols and polyols such as alkanols, e. g. , 1 , 4-butanediol diacrylate, 2, 2, 4-trimethy 1-1 , 3 pentanediol dimethacrylate, and 2, 2-dimethylolpropane diacrylate, alkylene glycols, e. g. , tripropylene glycol diacrylate, butylene glycol dimethacrylate, hexamethylene glycol diacrylate, and hexamethylene glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylol propane, ethoxylated trimethylol propane, pentaerythritol, e. g. , pentaerythritol triacrylate, dipentaerythritol, and the like. Other examples of suitable monomers include acrylate and methacrylate derivatives of isocyanates, esters, epoxides and the like, such as decamethylene glycol diacrylate, 2, 2-di(phydroxyphenyl)propane diacrylate, 2, 2-di(p-hydroxyphenyl)propane dimethacrylate, polyoxyethyl- 2, 2-di(p-hydroxyphenyl)propane dimethacrylate, and 1 -phenyl ethylene-1 , 2-dimethacrylate. The typical amount of one or more polymerizable monomers in the UV-sensitive layer is at least 5 weight % and up to and including 25 weight %, based on total dry weight of the UV-sensitive layer.

[0079] The photoinitiator can be a single compound or combination of compounds that are sensitive to UV radiation and that generate free radicals that initiate the polymerization of the polymerizable monomer(s) without excessive termination. They are preferably present in an amount of about 0.001 weight % and up to and including 10 weight % based on the total dry weight of the UV sensitive layer. Examples of suitable photoinitiators include but are not limited to optionally substituted polynuclear quinones, vicinal ketaldonyl alcohols, alphahydrocarbonsubstituted aromatic acyloins, dyes of the phenazine, oxazine, and quinone classes and cyclohexadienone compounds.

[0080] The elastomeric binder preferably comprises polymers or resins that are preferably soluble, swellable or dispersible in aqueous, semi-aqueous, or organic solvent developers. Suitable examples include, but are not limited to, natural or synthetic polymers of conjugated diolefin hydrocarbonsincluding polyisoprene, 1 , 2-polybutadiene, 1 , 4-polybutadiene, butadiene / acrylonitrile, block copolymers such as for example butadiene / styrene thermoplastic-elastomeric block copolymers, coreshell microgels, and blends of microgels and preformed macromolecular polymers. The elastomeric binder can comprise at least 65 weight % and up to and including 90 weight %, based on total dry UV-sensitive layer weight.

[0081] The UV-sensitive layer may include other compounds that provide various properties including but not limited to sensitizers, plasticizers, rheology modifiers, thermal polymerization inhibitors, tackifiers, colorants, antioxidants, anti-ozonants, and fillers; in amounts that are known in the art. Examples of suitable plasticizers include aliphatic hydrocarbon oils, e.g. naphthenic and paralfinic oils, liquid polydienes such as liquid polybutadiene, liquid polyisoprene. Generally, plasticizers are liquids having molecular weights of less than about 5.000 Daltons but can have molecular weights up to about 30.000 Daltons.

[0082] The thickness of the UV-sensitive layer is preferably at least 500 pm and up to and including 6400 pm in average dry thickness.

[0083] The relief-forming printing plate precursor may be protected against mechanical damage by for example a removable protective or cover film or sheet located on the uppermost layer. The cover sheet should be removed before placing the film in proximity of the relief-forming precursor. Useful cover sheets include flexible polymeric films, e.g., polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, fluoropolymers, polyamide or polyesters.Preferably polyesters are used, especially polyethylene terephthalate.FILM

[0084] The film used to form a mask image preferably comprises at least one imageable layer and a carrier sheet. The imageable layer is generally disposed on the carrier sheet as a relatively uniform coating of one or more layers. Preferably, the film includes one imageable layer. The film may optionally further include one or more additional layers, such as for example a barrier layer.CARRIER SHEET

[0085] The carrier sheet of the film may be any suitable substrate. Suitablesubstrates include, for example, plastic sheets and films, such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate, fluorene polyester polymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadienes, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride and copolymers thereof, and hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed cellulose acetate. The carrier sheet should preferably be sufficiently transparent to the imaging radiation and is preferably a transparent polymeric film. A preferred carrier sheet is a polyethylene terephthalate sheet and is about 20 pm to about 200 pm thick.

[0086] The carrier sheet is preferably an untreated or unsubbed plastic film or sheet, i.e. a plastic film or sheet which has not been treated with any (transparent) coating layers such as for example an adhesion promoter layer, a release layer, a subbing layer, a scratch resistant (hardcoat) layer or a hardened gelatin layer.THE IMAGEABLE LAYER

[0087] The imageable layer is preferably provided on the carrier sheet as a continuous, uniform coating. Preferably, one imageable layer is present on the carrier sheet but optionally more than one imageable layer may be present on the carrier sheet. Between the carrier sheet and the imageable layer optionally other non-transparent layers such as for example a barrier layer may be present. A barrier layer may include for example metal oxide particles, e.g. iron oxide particles.

[0088] The components of the imageable layer are preferably soluble or swellable in suitable developers including both chlorinated organic solvents and nonchlorinated organic solvents - as described below.

[0089] The imageable layer preferably includes a polysiloxane compound. The polysiloxane compound preferably comprises siloxane units which may be a linear, branched, cyclic or complex cross-linked polymer or copolymer. The term polysiloxane compound includes any compound which contains more than one siloxane group -Si(R,R’)-O-, wherein R and R’ are optionally substituted alkyl or aryl groups. Preferred siloxanes are phenylalkylsiloxanes and dialkylsiloxanes, e.g. phenylmethylsiloxanes and dimethylsiloxanes. The number of siloxane groups -Si(R,R’)-O- in the (copolymer is at least 2, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 20. It may be less than 100, preferably less than 60. The polysiloxane compound further preferably includes an alkylene-oxide block preferablyincluding units of the formula-CnH2n-0- wherein n is preferably an integer in the range 2 to 5. The moiety - CnH2n- may include straight or branched chains. The alkyleneoxide block moiety may also comprise optional substituents. A suitable polysiloxane compound is preferably a random or block-copolymer comprising siloxane and alkyleneoxide groups, suitably comprising about 15 to 25 siloxane units and 50 to 70 alkyleneoxide groups. Preferred polysiloxanes include a copolymer of dimethyldichlorosilane, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Specific compounds are the following:Formula IIWherein o, p, q, r and s are integers > 1

[0090] In formula I, a poly(alkylene oxide) block consisting of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units is grafted to a polysiloxane block. In formula II, long chain alcohols consisting of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units are grafted to a trisiloxane group.

[0091] The polysiloxane compound is preferably present in the imageable layer in an amount between 0.01 to 1.5%wt, more preferably between 0.04 to 1 .0%wt and most preferably between 0.1 %wt to 0.5%wt.

[0092] The imageable layer is preferably a laser ablatable layer and preferably includes a heat combustible polymeric binder and an IR light absorbing compound to sensitize the imageable layer to imaging IR radiation. The heat-combustible polymeric binder can optionally be present in an optional other layer. The heat-combustible polymeric binder can be decomposed, depolymerized or evaporated without a preceding melting step by the heat generated by the IR light absorbing compound upon laser exposure. Binders that are easily thermally combustible and generate gases and volatile fragments at temperatures below about 200 °C are preferred. The heat-combustible polymeric binder preferably comprises nitro groups or nitrate ester groups. Especially nitrate esters of cellulose or cellulose derivatives such as cellulose ethers, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, 2-hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, and copolymers thereof are preferred binders. Further examples of heat-combustible binders include poly (glycidyl azide), poly (glycidyl nitrate) or poly (vinyilnitrate), nitro derivatives of polystyrene such as polymers comprising nitro-, dinitro- or trinitro-styrene groups; polyacrylates or polymethacrylates such as polymers comprising 2,4-dinitrophenyl acrylate or p-nitrophenylacrylate as monomers; and / or combinations thereof.

[0093] In general, the heat-combustible polymeric binder is present for about 5 - 80%wt, preferably 8 — 60%wt and more preferably 10 - 40%wt based on the total amount of the ingredients in the imageable layer.

[0094] The preferred IR light absorbing compounds convert infrared radiation, for example in the range of 750-1500 nm, to heat. The generation of heat in the imageable layer may then result in a physical or chemical change inthe other components of the imageable layer, most preferably induce ablation. Preferred IR light absorbing compounds include IR light absorbing dyes such as phthalocyanine dyes, cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes and polymethine dyes and / or derivatives thereof; metals such as aluminum or inorganic pigments such as carbon black, graphite, iron oxide or chromium oxide. Carbon black - e.g. fine-grained carbon black with a mean particle size below 30 nm - renders, in addition to IR light, the ablatable layer also opaque to UV radiation.

[0095] The IR light absorbing compound is preferably sensitive to radiation in the range of about 700 to 1500 nm, more preferably in the range of about 750 to 1200 nm. A mixture of infrared light absorbing dyes which can absorb at different wavelengths, for example at about 830 nm and about 1064 nm may be used. The IR light absorbing compound is preferably present in an amount of about 1 to 30 %wt, more preferably in an amount of 10 to 26 %wt, and most preferably in an amount between 15 and 25 %wt based on the dry content of the imageable layer. Alternatively, the infrared light absorbing compound is present in an amount below 28 %wt, more preferably in an amount below 26 %wt and most preferably in an amount below 25 %wt based on the dry content of the imageable layer.

[0096] The imageable layer preferably includes one or more UV absorbers capable of strong absorbance and / or blocking of the curing radiation, for example by reflectance. The UV absorber substantially prevents the transmission of curing radiation through the mask image. Suitable examples of UV absorbers for use in the imageable material include mixtures of dyes and / or pigments dispersed within a polymeric binder(s) with or without the aid of a dispersant. Pigments may be preferred because they do not tend to migrate. The use of pigment dispersions in imaging is well-known in the art, and any conventional pigments useful for that purpose may be used in the present invention. It is particularly preferred that the pigments or dyes are non-IR absorbing so that imaging of the radiation-sensitive element is not adversely affected.

[0097] The UV absorber preferably absorbs radiation of about 150 to 450 nm. The UV absorber may additionally absorb visible radiation, for example from 350 to 750 nm.

[0098] The UV absorber(s) may be present in the imageable layer in an amount from about 10 to 50 weight %, and preferably in an amount from about 10to 40 weight % based on the dry content of the imageable layer.

[0099] Suitable examples of UV absorbers include black dyes and / or pigments such as carbon black, metal particles and metal oxides. It may be desirable to use a carbon black having small particles for maximum color strength. Fine-grained carbon black brands with a mean particle size below 30 nm are especially suitable. The carbon black may comprise, for example, about 10-50 wt %, more particularly about 10-40 wt %, and even more particularly about 10-30 wt % of the total weight of the imageable layer.

[0100] Specific preferred UV absorbers include benzotriazoles, halogenated benzotriazoles, high molecular weight benzotriazoles, triazines, curcumines, benzophenones, benzoates, titanium or zinc oxides, campher, avobenzone, imidazoles, p-aminobenzoic acid, salicylates, substituted acrylonitriles, cyanoacrylates, benzilidene malonates, oxalanilides, UV aborbers commercially available from ADEKA such as for example ADK STAB LA-24, LA-29, LA-31 R(G), LA-32, LA 36 (RG), LA-46, 1413 and mixtures thereof.

[0101] The imageable layer preferably includes at least one polymeric binder or resin. Binders or resins having hydroxyl groups such as for example poly(vinyl alcohol)s and cellulosic polymers, non-crosslinkable polyesters, polyamides, polycarbamates, polyolefins, polystyrenes, polyethers, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, and polyacrylates and poly(meth)acrylates, terpene resins, phenolic resins, aromatic hydrocarbon resins, polyurethanes, long-chain acrylate and methacrylate resins, adhesive binders such as poly(vinyl butyral)s and phenolic resins are useful. Preferably, these polymeric binders are soluble in suitable coating solvents such as lower alcohols, ketones, ethers, hydrocarbons, and halogeno alkanes, and also preferably soluble or swellable in the developer solution.

[0102] Adhesive binders such as thermally adhesive binders having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than about 65 °C such as acetyl polymers and acrylamide polymers or pressure-sensitive adhesive binders are of particular interest.

[0103] The polymeric binder(s) are preferably present in an amount of from 25 to 75 weight % and more preferably in an amount from 35 to 65 weight %, based on the total dry weight of the imageable layer.

[0104] Optional other ingredients of the imageable layer include but are not limited to plasticizers, coating aids, surfactants, adhesion promotors, colorants, dispersing agents such as for example polyester / polyamine copolymers, alkyl aryl polyether alcohols and acrylic binders, contrast agents, wetting agents and fillers. These components are preferably dispersed in one or more polymeric binders that are capable of dissolving or dispersing the components in the imageable layer.OPTIONAL OTHER LAYERS

[0105] The imageable layer may optionally include other layers such as a protective layer on top of the imageable layer i.e. a thin layer transparent to UV-light which limits oxygen diffusion, e.g. polyvinylalcohol or polyamide, a non-transparent barrier layer disposed between the carrier sheet and the imageable layer, a cover sheet including methacrylic acid copolymers (such as a copolymer of ethyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid) and particles such as particles of fluoropolymers dispersed therein providing abrasion resistance to handling due to for example the presence of particles. The overcoat layer may also act as a dye barrier layer to prevent dye migration from the masking film to the photopolymer after lamination. These optional layers preferably do not significantly absorb or scatter the curing radiation, for example, they preferably do not include matte agents or other light scattering materials. The overcoat layer may be relatively thin and preferably has a dry thickness of about 0.05 to 1 pm.IMAGE WISE EXPOSURE

[0106] The film as described above is preferably laminated onto a UV-sensitive layer or protective layer of a suitable relief-forming precursor as discussed above before or after image-wise exposure.

[0107] Preferred devices used for image-wise exposure are Nd / YAG lasers (1064 nm) or diode lasers (e.g. 830 nm). Following exposure to radiation and removal of the exposed portions of the imageable layer, the remaining imageable layer is referred to as the mask image.

[0108] The generation of heat in the imageable layer may then result in a physical or chemical change of the components of the imageable layer, or most preferably induce ablation. In the ablative mode of imaging the energy provided by the laser expels the imageable layer at the spot where thelaser beam hits the film. A debris collector, such as, for example, a vacuum or a suitable receptor sheet, may be placed near the imageable layer to retrieve the exposed imageable layer after it is propelled from the carrier sheet.

[0109] Preferably, the exposed areas of the imageable layer are removed through ablation. The imageable layer including the combustible binders as described above, may be propelled from the carrier sheet by generation of a gas. The build-up of gas under or within the exposed areas of the imageable layer creates pressure that propels the imageable layer of the carrier sheet in the exposed areas. This action is distinguishable from other mass transfer techniques in that a chemical change (e. g. bondbreaking) rather than a physical change (e.g. melting, evaporation or sublimation) causes an almost complete transfer of the imageable layer.LAMINATION

[0110] Before or after image-wise exposure, the film is preferably laminated, preferably using the above described laminator, onto the UV-sensitive layer or protective layer of a suitable relief-forming precursor as discussed above, to make a UV-sensitive material provided with an integrated masking layer. The film is preferably brought into complete optical contact with a suitable relief-forming precursor using the lamination equipment as described in detail above. The UV-sensitive layer of the relief-forming precursor may be tacky or may be pressure sensitive adhesive due to the presence of specific monomers.UV EXPOSURE

[0111] Subsequently, after lamination and / or image-wise exposure, the reliefforming printing plate precursor is subjected to flood exposure with UV- light using suitable irradiation sources of UV radiation through the mask. This causes the areas of the UV-sensitive layer which are not covered by the mask (i.e. the imageable layer) to become insoluble in a developer (negative working UV-sensitive materials) e.g. by photopolymerization or photocrosslinking) or to solubilise in a developer (positive working UV- sensitive materials). The mask image information is thus transferred to the relief-forming printing plate precursor.

[0112] Exposure can be carried out in the presence of atmospheric oxygen as therelief forming precursor and the mask are preferably in complete optical contact.

[0113] In the manufacture of the relief-forming precursor, one side of the reliefforming precursor is preferably exposed to curing UV radiation through its transparent substrate (known as "back exposure") to prepare a thin, uniform cured layer material (i.e. a floor) on the substrate side of the UV- sensitive layer. This floor provides an improved adhesion between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, helps to improve resolution and establishes the depth of the plate relief. The backside exposure can be performed before, during or after the imaging step. Preferably the backside exposure is carried out just before the UV exposure step discussed above.

[0114] The mask image is substantially opaque to the exposing or curing UV radiation, meaning that the mask image should preferably have a UV transmission optical density of 2 or more, and typically 3. The unmasked regions should be substantially transparent meaning that they should preferably have a UV transmission optical density of 0.5 or less, or even 0.2 or less. Transmission optical density can be measured using a suitable filter on a densitometer.

[0115] In the preferred negative-working embodiment, the unexposed and thus uncured regions of the UV-sensitive layer can then be removed by a developing process (described below), leaving the cured or hardened regions that define the relief image including a predetermined pattern of shapes and sizes including peaks and valleys.

[0116] The wavelength or range of wavelengths suitable as the curing UV radiation is related to the electromagnetic sensitivity of the relief-forming precursor. Preferably, the UV curing radiation can have one or more wavelengths in the range of at least 150 nm and up to and including 450 nm, or more typically of at least 300 nm and up to and including 450 nm.

[0117] Suitable sources of UV radiation for floodwise or overall exposure include but are not limited to, carbon arcs, mercury-vapor arcs, fluorescent lamps, electron flash units, and photographic flood lamps. UV radiation is particularly useful from mercury-vapor lamps and sun lamps.

[0118] The time for exposure through the mask element will depend upon the nature and thickness of the UV sensitive layer of the relief-forming precursor and the source and strength of the UV radiation. For example, about a few seconds to several minutes may be required to prepare a thin,uniform cured layer on the support side of the relief forming precursor. The relief image forming assembly of mask element and relief-forming precursor can then be exposed to UV radiation through the mask element for for example about 10 to 20 minutes.DELAMINATION

[0119] After the UV exposure step and before development (see below), the assembly of the imaged relief-forming printing plate precursor and the mask are preferably delaminated. This can be done in various ways, e.g. manually peeling the two elements apart by for example pulling the carrier sheet including the mask away from the imaged relief-forming precursor, and / or in an automated way. Preferably, the entire imaged film - i.e. the carrier sheet and the layer(s) provided thereon - is removed and reusable.DEVELOPMENT

[0120] The imaged relief-forming printing plate precursor is then preferably developed with a suitable developer (or processing solution, or washout solution) to form the relief image. During development, in the preferred negative-working embodiment, the non-exposed (uncured) regions of the UV-sensitive layer are preferably removed, leaving the exposed (cured) regions that define the relief image.

[0121] As a developer, aqueous liquids, organic solvents and / or solvent mixtures may be used; most preferably, an aqueous developer is used. Any known solvent-based or aqueous-based developer can be used, including nonchlorinated and / or chlorinated developers. For example, developers containing organic solvents such mixtures of aliphatic hydrocarbons and long chain alcohols, e.g. alcohols with at least 7 carbon atoms, perchloroethylene solvents, diethylene glycol dialkyl ethers, acetic acid esters or alcohols, carboxylic acid esters, and esters of alkoxy substituted carboxylic acids, diisopropylbenzene (DIPB), methyl esters, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether (DME), aliphatic dibasic acid ethers, alkali metal salt of (un)saturated fatty acid having a carbon number of 12 to 18 and including mono- or poly-unsaturated fatty acids or alkali metal salts thereof; amino polycarboxylic acid or alkali metal salt thereof, and / or combinations thereof.

[0122] Development can be carried out under known conditions such as for at least 1 minute and up to and including 20 minutes and at a temperature ofup to and including 50°C. The type of developing apparatus and specific developer that are used will dictate the specific development conditions and can be adapted by a skilled worker in the art.POST DEVELOPMENT TREATMENTS

[0123] Following the development, the obtained relief image may be dried to remove any excess solvent, for example, the relief image can be blotted or wiped dry, or dried in a forced air or infrared oven, for example during 1-4 hours at 45 °C- 65 °C for solvent developed plates and for example 10 min for water developed plates. Optimal drying times and temperatures can be defined by the person skilled in the art.

[0124] The imaged relief-forming printing plate precursor may be post-cured by exposing the relief image to curing radiation to cause further hardening or crosslinking.

[0125] Post-curing can be carried out using the same type of UV-radiation previously used to expose the relief-forming precursor through the imaged mask material or for example exposure to radiation having a wavelength not higher than 300nm.

[0126] Detackification also known as light finishing can be used if the relief image surface is tacky. Such treatments, for example, by treatment with bromide or chlorine solutions or exposure to UV or visible radiation, are well known to by the person skilled in the art.

[0127] The resulting relief image may have a maximum dry depth of at least 150 pm and up to and including 1000 pm, or typically at least 200 pm and up to and including 500 pm.

[0128] The relief images obtained according to the present invention can be suitably "inked" with any desirable composition that can then be printed onto a suitable substrate or receiver material. The obtained relief image, for example a flexographic printing plate, can suitably be used for flexographic printing of for example various packaging materials.DEFINITIONS:

[0129] The "(imageable) film" described herein refers to “a mask element", "mask(ing) film", or "masking element". Upon imaging, the film contains a "mask image" and may be known as a "mask", "imaged film", or "imaged masking film".

[0130] The term "relief-forming precursor" or “photosensitive material” as used herein refers to any imageable element or imageable material in which a relief image can be produced by exposure through the imaged mask film. Examples of such relief-forming precursors include for example flexographic printing plate precursors, letterpress printing plate precursors, and printed circuit boards.

[0131] The term "relief printing element" or “relief printing plate” refers to an element including a relief image such as a flexographic printing plate, a letterpress printing plate and printed circuit boards.

[0132] The term "ablative" means that the imageable layer of the film can be imaged using a thermal ablating means such as laser radiation that causes rapid local changes in the imageable layer thereby causing the material(s) in the imageable layer to be ejected from the layer. This is distinguishable from other material transfer or imaging techniques in that a chemical change (for example, melting, evaporation, or sublimation) rather than a physical change is the predominant mechanism of imaging.

[0133] The term “hardened” means that the coating becomes insoluble or non- dispersible in the developing solution and may be achieved through polymerization and / or crosslinking of the photosensitive coating.

[0134] "Optical contact" means that two layers or two elements (for example the imaged masking film and the radiation-sensitive element) are in intimate contact so that there is essentially no air-gap or void between the contacted surfaces, thus providing an "air-free interface".

[0135] A contact point refers to a specific place, position, or surface where two or more things come into contact with each other. In the field of physics and engineering, a contact point is where two objects or surfaces physically touch.

[0136] The use of numerical values in the various ranges specified herein, are considered to be approximations as though the minimum and maximum values within the stated ranges are preceded by the word "about." In this manner, slight variations above and below the stated ranges may be useful to achieve substantially the same results as the values within the ranges. In addition, the disclosure of these ranges is intended as a continuous range including every value between the minimum and maximum values as well as the end points of the ranges.

[0137] On site preparation refers to the performance by the end-user of the wholeprocess: i.e. image-wise exposing, (de)laminating, flood exposing and developing.

[0138] Unless otherwise noted, the term "transparent" used herein refers to the ability of a material or layer to transmit at least 95% of incident electromagnetic radiation, such as electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of at least 200 nm to and including 750 nm (generally known as respectively UV and visible radiation).Reference List50 flatbed laminator105 rail110 gantry111 gantry movement115 rail150 Lifting device151 Slope152 Slot153 Rod200 flat table201 home position202 end position213 support surface300 receiving material305 cover sheet500 Film507 Pressure roll508 Feed table700 lamination roll711 lamination roll rotation2010 other contact point2020 contact point

Claims

ClaimsClaim 1. A flatbed laminator (50) comprising- a flat table (200) for applying a receiver material (300), and- a gantry (110) moveable between a home position (201 ) and an end position (202) which includes (i) a lamination roll (700) capable of rotating and moving over the flat table (200) whereby a film (500) is laminated to a receiver material (300) and (ii) at least one lifting device (150); wherein the lifting device (150) is capable of mechanically lifting the lamination roll (700) forming a gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table when the gantry touches a contact point (2020) at the end position (202); and mechanically lowering the lamination roll (700) and thus removing said gap when the gantry touches an other contact point (2010) at the home position (201 ).Claim 2. The flatbed laminator (50) according to claim 1 wherein the lifting device (150) is connected to one side of the lamination roll (700).Claim 3. The flatbed laminator (50) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lifting device (150) comprises a slot which enables guided motion of a rod connected to the lamination roll (700).Claim 4. The flatbed laminator (50) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lifting device (150) allows further movement of the lamination roll (700) relative to the gantry (110) when the gantry (110) reaches the home and / or end position.Claim 5. The flatbed laminator (50) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lamination roll is able to move further towards the end position (202) via the slope upwards (151 ) of the lifting device (150) when the gantry reaches the end position (202) and touches the contact point (2020); whereby the lamination roll (700) is lifted up relative to the flat table (200).Claim 6. The flatbed laminator (50) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lamination roll (700) is able to move further towards the home position (201 ) via the slope downwards (151 ) of the lifting device (150) when the gantry reaches the home position (201 ) and touches the other contact point (2010) whereby the lamination roll (700) is lowered down relative to the flat table (200).Claim 7. The flatbed laminator (50) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the gantry (110) comprises a second lifting device.Claim 8. The flatbed laminator (50) according to claim 7 wherein the second lifting device is connected to the other side of the lamination roll (700).Claim 9. The flatbed laminator (50) according to any of the previous claims whereby the flat table (200) comprises a support surface (203) which is a substantially air impermeable engineering plastic.Claim 10. The flatbed laminator (50) according to any of the previous claims wherein the lamination roll (700) is driven by a first driver and the gantry (110) is driven by a second driver which is capable to control the first drive.Claim 11 . The flatbed laminator (50) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the film (500) comprises a carrier sheet and a mask image and the receiver material (300) is an imageable material.Claim 12. The flatbed laminator (50) according to any of the claims wherein the receiver material (300) includes a cover sheet (305); and wherein a remover (400) is connected to the gantry (110) configured to remove said cover sheet (305) during the movement of the gantry (110) from the home position (201) to the end position (202).Claim 13. Use of the flatbed laminator (50) defined in any of the preceding claims 1 to 12 for laminating a film to an imageable material as receiver material (300).Claim 14. The use according to claim 13 wherein the imageable material is a flexographic printing plate precursor.Claim 15. A method for lamination including the following steps:- placing a receiver material (300) on the flat table (200);- entering a film (500) on a feed table in the gap between a lamination roll (700) and a press roll (507) followed by removing this gap by lowering the press roll;- engaging the flatbed laminator according to the present invention whereby the gantry moves from home to end position and whereby the entered film (500) is laminated onto the receiver material (300);- removing the laminated receiver material (300) from the flat table (200);- engaging the flatbed laminator according to the present invention whereby the gantry moves from end to home position;whereby the gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table is mechanically enlarged by means of the lifting device (150) when the gantry (110) touches the contact point (2020) at the end position (202) (FIG. 5); and the gap between the lamination roll (700) and the flat table is closed by means of the lifting device (150) when the gantry (110) touches the other contact point (2010) at the home position (201 ) (FIG. 9).

Images