Patent ID: 6998218
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A thermal developing apparatus for removing non-crosslinked polymer from an imaged surface of a cylindrical flexographic printing element, the thermal developing apparatus comprising: at least two heatable rolls that are contactable with an imaged surface of the flexographic printing element; and means for maintaining contact between the at least two heatable rolls and the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element, wherein when the at least two heatable rolls are heated and moved over at least a portion of the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element, non-crosslinked polymer on the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element is melted and removed by the at least two heatable rolls, and wherein the at least two heatable rolls are opposably positioned adjacent and apart from each other and are each maintainable in contact with the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element, and wherein when the at least two heatable rolls are contacted with the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element, the at least two heatable rolls are self centering against the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element.