Lithographic Printing Plate Precursor Using Hydroxycarboxylate Salt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preparing lithographic printing plates face challenges such as fingerprint trace stains, environmental concerns due to alkaline developers, and high running costs, particularly in the disposal of waste liquids and space requirements for processing equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method using a lithographic printing plate precursor with a hydroxycarboxylate salt incorporated into the intermediate layer, which undergoes one solution processing with a weak alkaline solution, preventing fingerprint stains and reducing processing steps and waste, thereby enhancing safety, environmental sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a strong alkaline developer (pH > 11) is used to remove the image-recording layer, then the development effect is improved, but environmental pollution and safety issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment effectVSAvoidenvironmental pollution and safety issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter of the developer from strong alkaline (pH > 11) to weakly alkaline or neutral range (pH 8.5-11.5), thereby reducing environmental pollution and safety issues while maintaining adequate development effect through optimized developer composition and processing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple processing steps (developing, water-washing, gum treatment) are performed, then the processing quality is improved, but device complexity and running cost worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing qualityVSAvoidnumber of processing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple processing steps (developing, water-washing, and gum treatment) into a single integrated processing step using a composite solution that performs all functions simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity and running cost while maintaining processing quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal processing solution that serves multiple functions: development of the image-recording layer, water-washing of the plate surface, and gum treatment for fingerprint stain prevention, eliminating the need for separate processing equipment and steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If a developer with high alkali concentration is used, then the development speed is improved, but waste liquid disposal becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment speedVSAvoidwaste liquid disposal difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces the alkali concentration parameter of the developer while maintaining adequate development speed through optimized developer formulation and processing conditions, thereby facilitating easier waste liquid disposal and reducing environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method effectively prevents fingerprint trace stains, simplifies processing, reduces environmental impact, and lowers operational costs by using a single solution for development and gumming treatment, resulting in a more sustainable and efficient lithographic printing plate production process.

Implementation Method 1

a lithographic printing plate precursor (PS plate) comprising a hydrophilic support having provided thereon an oleophilic photosensitive resin layer... conducting scanning exposure of a lithographic printing plate precursor with the light thereby directly preparing a lithographic printing plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochemical reaction: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

removing the unnecessary portion of the image-recording layer by dissolving with an alkaline developer or an organic solvent thereby revealing the hydrophilic surface of support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlkaline dissolution: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2354852B1Method of preparing lithographic printing plate

Publication Date: 2017.05.10 FUJIFILM CORP

Figure 1

AI summary

The invention is to provide a lithographic printing plate precursor and a method of preparing a lithographic printing plate each of which can prevent occurrence of fingerprint trace stain and is capable of conducting one solution processing, and is directed to a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support and an image-recording layer containing (A) a sensitizing dye, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a Polymerizable compound and (D) a binder polymer, wherein a surface of the support is treated with a hydroxycarboxylate salt or a layer adjacent to the support contains a hydroxycarboxylate salt and a method of preparing a lithographic printing plate comprising developing the lithographic printing plate precursor with a developer having pH of 2 to 11.