Patent ID: 7044055

Claim:
A system for forming a relief image on a photosensitive printing element, wherein the photosensitive printing element comprises a flexible substrate and at least one layer of photosensitive material deposited on the flexible substrate, the system comprising: an enclosure; a conveyor comprising a continuous loop supported by at least a first roller and a second roller, wherein the photosensitive printing element is positioned on the continuous loop of the conveyor; a heatable roller capable of being urged towards the photosensitive printing element positioned on the conveyor, wherein an absorbent material is conducted over at least a portion of an outer surface of the heatable roller, and wherein the absorbent material is capable of absorbing material that is liquefied or softened from the photosensitive printing element when the heatable roller is heated and rotates and the absorbent material contacts at least a portion of the photosensitive printing element; means for causing the at least one layer of photosensitive material and the absorbent material to come into contact at a point between the conveyor and the heatable roller such that at least a portion of the liquefied or softened material is absorbed by the absorbent material; and ventilation means operatively connected to the enclosure for treating and recycling air containing volatile organic compounds in the enclosure, wherein the volatile organic compounds are released into the enclosure as the portion of the photosensitive material is heated and then liquefies or softens, and wherein the ventilation means comprises (i) means for exhausting a flow of air containing the volatile organic compounds and other containments from the enclosure, (ii) a particulate filter for removing particulates from the flow of air, (iii) means for absorbing volatile organic compounds from the flow of air to produce a purified stream of air, and (iv) means for recycling the purified flow of air back into the enclosure.