Patent ID: 7156630
Filing Date: 2007-01-02
Classification: B41C

Abstract:
1. A system for thermally developing a photosensitive printing element to remove non-crosslinked photopolymer from an imaged surface of the photosensitive printing element, wherein the non-crosslinked photopolymer on the imaged surface of the photosensitive printing element is capable of being partially softened upon exposure to heat, the system comprising: a) a plurality of consecutively arranged blotting stations, each of said plurality of consecutively arranged blotting stations comprising a first roll and a second roll, the first roll and the second roll forming a gap between which the photosensitive printing element is transported; b) means for heating at least the first roll in each of the plurality of consecutively arranged blotting stations; c) means for transporting the photosensitive printing element through the plurality of consecutively arranged blotting stations; and d) means for providing blotting material to at least a portion of the first roll of each of the plurality of consecutively arranged blotting stations that is contactable with the photosensitive printing element; wherein when the photosensitive printing element passes through the gap of each of the plurality of consecutively arranged blotting stations and contacts the blotting material arranged around at least the portion of the heated first roll, non-crosslinked photopolymer on the imaged surface of the photosensitive printing element is softened and removed by the blotting material.