Liquid transfer articles and method for producing the same using digital imaging photopolymerization
View Patent ↗A liquid transfer article is provided including a support assembly and an imaged surface formed directly on the surface of the support assembly by digital photopolymerization. The support assembly is in the form of a polymeric base, and the liquid transfer article is formed by providing a liquid photopolymer on the surface of the base and then irradiating the polymer with a light source to form the image. The liquid transfer article is reimagable and may be used in gravure printing processes, as well as other printing applications.
1. A digital imaging photopolymerization system for providing a cross-linked photopolymerized liquid transfer article for use in graphic arts reproduction, said system comprising:
a support assembly adapted to receive at least a first layer of a cross-linkable liquid photopolymer;
a light source for irradiating said cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer, said light source and said support assembly are adapted to be held stationary at least during the formation of the cross-linked photopolymerized liquid transfer article;
a mirror-type spatial light modulator disposed between said light source and said support assembly, said modulator reflects light from said light source in full frame image pattern toward said support assembly; and
a microprocessor connected to at least said mirror-type spatial light modulator for controlling its operation such that a cross-linked full frame imaged surface corresponding to the full image pattern is formed in the cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer in one step and without a mask while said light source and support assembly are stationary, said imaged surface being suitable for graphic arts reproduction applications.
2. The digital imaging system of claim 1 in which said light source comprises a visible light source.
3. The digital imaging system of claim 1 in which said mirror-type spatial light modulator has a matrix of individually addressable micromirrors.
4. The digital imaging system of claim 1 wherein said support assembly is a generally flat surface.
5. The digital imaging system of claim 1 wherein said support assembly is a sleeve.
6. A digital imaging photopolymerization system for providing a cross-linked photopolymerized liquid transfer article for use in graphic arts reproduction, said system comprising:
a support assembly having a substantially flat surface adapted to receive at least a first layer of a cross-linkable liquid photopolymer;
a light source for irradiating said cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer, said light source and said support assembly are adapted to be held stationary at least during the formation of the cross-linked photopolymerized liquid transfer article;
a spatial light modulator disposed between said light source and said support assembly, said modulator provides light from said light source in a full frame image pattern toward said support assembly; and
a microprocessor connected to said spatial light modulator for controlling operation of said modulator such that a cross-linked full frame imaged surface corresponding to the full image pattern is formed in the cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer in one step and without a mask while said light source and support assembly are stationary, said imaged surface being suitable for graphic arts reproduction applications.
7. The digital imaging system of claim 6 in which said light source provides radiation having a wavelength in a range from about 300 nm to about 500 nm.
8. The digital imaging system of claim 6 in which said spatial light modulator has a matrix of individually addressable micromirrors controlled by said microprocessor.
9. The digital imaging system of claim 6 in which said graphic arts reproduction applications includes gravure applications, and anilox applications.
10. The digital imaging system of claim 6 wherein said imaged surface may take the form of any indicia including numbers, letters, and graphics.
11. The digital imaging system of claim 6 wherein said cross-linkable liquid photopolymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylates, epoxies, urethanes, unsaturated polyesters, and combinations thereof.