Lithographic Printing Plate Precursor with Multifunctional Thiol Binder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithographic printing plate precursors face challenges in achieving high on-press development property and printing durability, with existing methods generating environmental waste from wet treatment processes and requiring complex development procedures.

Innovation Solution

A lithographic printing plate precursor is developed using a binder with a multifunctional thiol having 6 to 10 functional groups as a nucleus, connected through sulfide bonds, and polymer chains with polymerizable groups, specifically acryl or methacryl groups, to enhance the image-recording layer's properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional development processing with high alkaline developer is used, then image-recording layer removal is achieved, but environmental waste liquid is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment processingVSAvoidwaste liquid

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the development process by using near-neutral pH finisher or gum solution instead of high alkaline developer, fundamentally altering the chemistry to eliminate harmful waste liquid while maintaining development effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful alkaline developer into a beneficial near-neutral solution, turning an environmentally harmful process into an eco-friendly one that achieves the same development function without waste liquid generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If on-press development is implemented, then development process is simplified, but on-press development property and printing durability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment processVSAvoidprinting durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite image-recording layer containing both polymerizable compound and specific polymer (polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide) to simultaneously achieve on-press development capability and printing durability through the synergistic effects of different materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the image-recording layer by incorporating specific polymers with defined structures (polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide) to enhance both on-press development property and printing durability while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If UV laser or semiconductor laser is used for exposure, then bright room handling is enabled, but image-forming property is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebright room handlingVSAvoidimage-forming property

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing infrared absorbing agent that absorbs infrared radiation from semiconductor lasers, enabling bright room handling while maintaining precise image formation through optimized optical absorption characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces infrared absorbing agent as an intermediary substance that mediates between the infrared laser source and the image-recording layer, enabling effective energy transfer and precise image formation while allowing bright room operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 improves both on-press development property and printing durability of the lithographic printing plate, reducing environmental waste and simplifying the development process while maintaining excellent printing performance.

Implementation Method 1

an image-recording layer containing a polymerizable compound and a graft polymer having a polyethylene oxide chain in its side chain or a block polymer having a polyethylene oxide block

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

A lithographic printing plate precursor having provided on a support, an image-recording layer (photosensitive layer) containing an infrared absorbing agent, a radical polymerization initiator and a polymerizable compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2471655B1Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method

Publication Date: 2016.08.17 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support and an image-recording layer containing a binder, a radical polymerizable compound and a radical polymerization initiator, wherein the binder comprises a multifunctional thiol having from 6 to 10 functional groups as a nucleus and polymer chains connected to the nucleus through a sulfide bond and the polymer chains have polymerizable group.