Method and an apparatus having a compressible collar for thermally treating a photosensitive precursor

摘要

The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for preparing a printing form from a precursor, particularly a method and apparatus for preparing the printing form by thermally treating a photosensitive precursor having a photopolymerizable layer. The method and apparatus includes heating the photosensitive precursor to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy, contacting the precursor with a development medium to remove the liquefied material, and supporting a development medium with a core member adjacent an exterior surface of the photosensitive precursor, wherein a compressible collar of a closed-cell foam having a Poisson's ratio of less than 0.4 is disposed between the core member and the development medium.

主权项

1. A method for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and comprising a layer of a photopolymerizable composition capable of being partially liquefied, comprising the steps of:
a) supporting a development medium with a core member adjacent to the exterior surface; b) heating the exterior surface to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy and form liquefied material; and c) contacting the photosensitive element with the development medium to allow the liquefied material to be removed by the development medium; wherein the core member comprises a compressible collar comprising a closed-cell foam having a Poisson's ratio of less than 0.4, and a layer of a thermally-conductive solid elastomer forming an outermost layer on the compressible collar is disposed between the compressible collar and the development medium, wherein the thermally-conductive solid elastomer layer contains one or more fillers to provide thermal-conductivity to the layer; and wherein the method further comprises, prior to contacting step c), heating with radiant energy the outermost surface of the thermally-conductive solid elastomer layer by directing the radiant energy at opposite the compressible collar.