Patent ID: 6742453
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: B41C,B41N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for producing a flexographic printing sleeve which is readily axially mountable on and dismountable from a complementary shaped printing cylinder, which comprises:providing an apparatus for receiving a sprayed curable polymeric material and for forming said flexographic printing sleeve; spraying said curable polymeric material directly onto said apparatus; and curing said polymeric material and forming a flexographic printing sleeve, removing said printing sleeve from said apparatus, for mounting said sleeve onto said printing cylinder, said sleeve having a substantially unitary construction which is self-supporting, the cross-sectional inner and outer diameter of the flexographic printing sleeve being expandable by introducing a relatively low pressure fluid between an inner surface of the flexographic printing sleeve and an outer cylindrically-shaped wall of the printing cylinder, the flexographic printing sleeve being contractible from its expanded position by releasing said low pressure fluid, said flexographic printing sleeve having a structural integrity which is resistant to substantial damage or distortion.