Cyanine Dye Lithographic Plate for Image Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithographic printing plate precursors without development processing steps face challenges in image visibility and registration, particularly during on-machine development or non-processing types, where the image is not easily recognizable before printing, affecting printing operations and register mark detection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a specific infrared absorbing cyanine dye with a HOMO energy level of -9.0 eV or higher in the image-recording layer, along with a radical initiator, to create a print-out image with good visibility, enabling easy discrimination and registration during imagewise exposure with a laser or heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a lithographic printing plate precursor without development processing step is used, then the printing process is simplified and wet treatment is eliminated, but the image is not easily recognizable before printing affecting registration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color change principle by incorporating a visible dye into the image-recording layer that exhibits different visibility states before and after laser exposure. The dye contains a laser beam irradiation sensitivity group that allows it to undergo chemical transformation when exposed to laser, changing from a state where it absorbs visible light (colored) to a state where it no longer absorbs visible light (colorless or faded), thereby providing visual feedback for image verification without requiring development processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-equipping the image-recording layer with a visible dye that provides immediate visual indication upon laser exposure. This allows the operator to verify the recorded image and registration marks right after exposure, before any printing occurs, eliminating the need for separate development steps while maintaining image detectability
2Extent of automation
If an infrared absorbing agent is used for laser exposure, then direct plate-making is enabled, but the image visibility for registration purposes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials principle by creating an image-recording layer that contains both an infrared absorbing agent (for laser sensitivity and direct plate-making) and a visible dye (for image verification). The visible dye is specifically designed with a laser beam irradiation sensitivity group that allows it to respond to laser exposure, creating a composite material system where both infrared absorption and visible color change properties coexist and work together
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the visible dye to serve dual purposes: it provides visual indication for registration and image verification, and simultaneously acts as a laser-sensitive material that undergoes controlled decomposition or transformation when exposed to laser beams. This eliminates the need for separate infrared absorbing agents and visible dyes, making the system more efficient
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for the formation of a print-out image with enhanced visibility, facilitating easy discrimination and registration on the printing plate, even without prior development processing, thus improving the efficiency and accuracy of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
a lithographic printing plate precursor which comprises a support and an image-recording layer containing at least one infrared absorbing agent
Implementation Method 2
the image-recording layer contains at least one radical initiator
Implementation Method 3
imagewise exposure with a laser or heating
Data Source
AI summary
A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support and an image-recording layer containing at least one infrared absorbing agent of a cyanine dye in which a HOMO energy level of each of substituents present on both terminal nitrogen atoms is -10.0 eV or higher. An infrared absorbing agent of a cyanide dye represented by formula (V) shown below: wherein Z1 and Z2 each independently represents an aromatic ring which may have a substituent or a hetero aromatic ring which may have a substituent; R10 and R20 each independently represents a phenyl group, a naphtyl group, an anthracenyl group, a carbazolyl group or a phenothiazinyl group each of which may have a substituent; A- represents an anion which exists in case of being necessary for neutralizing a charge and is selected from a halogen ion, a perchlorate ion, a tetrafluoroborate ion, a hexafluorophosphate ion and a sulfonate ion; and n represents 1 or 2.