Method for thermal development using apparatus having a removable support member

1. A method for forming a relief pattern from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied comprising:

supplying a development medium to the exterior surface with a first member;

supporting the photosensitive element with a flexible support member removably mounted on a base member to deliver the photosensitive element to the development medium;

heating the exterior surface to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy; and

contacting the photosensitive element with the development medium to allow at least a portion of the liquefied material of the composition layer to be absorbed by the development medium.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the base member is a drum.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising tensioning the flexible support member to the drum.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein tensioning the support member comprises

overlapping opposite ends of the support member, and

securing the ends in a recess on the drum.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the base member is a planar support.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible support member further comprises at least one layer of a modification material.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the modification material is selected from the group consisting of natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, and elastomers.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible support member has two sides and further comprises at least one layer of a modification material on each side.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the layer on each side of the flexible support member is the same, and further comprising reversing a first side that was adjacent the base member to be in contact with the photosensitive element.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one layer on the side adjacent the base member is selected from the group consisting of a heat transfer layer, cushioning layer, and adhesion layer.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible support member further comprises at least one layer selected from the group consisting of a resilient layer, a tacky layer, a protective layer, a resilient and tacky layer, and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible support member comprises an aluminum sheet having a layer of silicone rubber on one side and a tacky layer on the silicone rubber layer.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising separating the photosensitive element from the development medium.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the contacting comprises pressing the photosensitive element and the development medium into contact at a pressure sufficient for at least a portion of the liquefied material of the composition layer to be absorbed by the development medium.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the heating is selected from the group consisting of

a first heating which applies heat to the exterior surface of the composition layer adjacent where the development medium contacts the layer, the first heating adapted to heat the exterior surface of the layer;

a second heating to heat the first member to a temperature capable of heating the exterior surface of the composition layer while the development medium is contacting the exterior surface of the layer;

a third heating to heat the base member to a temperature capable of heating the exterior surface of the composition layer;

combination of the first heating and the second heating;

combination of the first heating and the third heating;

combination of the second heating and the third heating; and

combination of the first heating, the second heating, and the third heating,

wherein the first heating, the second heating, and the third heating, individually or in the above combinations, is capable of heating the exterior surface of the composition layer sufficiently to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy.