Imaging element having a photoluminescent tag and process of using the imaging element to form a recording element

Abstract

The invention relates to an imaging element and a method of using the imaging element to form a recording element. The imaging element includes a composition sensitive to actinic radiation from a source of radiation having a range of wavelengths and a photoluminescent tag that is responsive to at least one wavelength from the source of radiation. The photoluminescent tag can be used to authenticate the identity of the element, provide information about the element, and/or to establish one or more conditions in a device used to prepare the recording element from the imaging element.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A method for making a recording element comprising:
 a) providing a precursor printing form comprising a layer of photopolymerizable composition sensitive to actinic radiation from a source of radiation having a range of wavelengths greater than 10 nm, wherein the photopolymerizable layer has a thickness of 0.010 to 0.250 inch, and wherein a photoluminescent tag excluding optical brighteners is disposed in the precursor printing form and is responsive to at least one wavelength from the source of radiation to generate emitted radiation at a wavelength that is different from the actinic radiation, the composition being sensitive to the at least one wavelength; and   b) exposing the precursor printing form to the actinic radiation.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising after the exposing step b):
 c) treating the precursor printing form of b) to form the recording element.   
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the tag responds to the at least one wavelength by generating emitted radiation at a wavelength between 400 to 800 nm. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the range of wavelengths is from greater than 10 nm to 10,600 nm. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the composition is sensitive to the actinic radiation between 200 to 400 nm. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the at least one wavelength is between 200 to 400 nm. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the precursor printing form is selected from the group consisting of a flexographic printing form, a pre-press proof, a thermally-formed color filter, a photoresist, and a letterpress printing form. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the exposure step b) is selected from the group consisting of:
 (1) imagewise exposing a layer of the composition with the actinic radiation to form exposed areas and unexposed areas; and   (2) blanket exposing a layer of the composition with the actinic radiation.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the imagewise exposing step is selected from the group consisting of:
 (1) exposing the composition layer with the actinic radiation through a phototool;   (2) imagwise exposing a laser-radiation sensitive layer on or adjacent the composition layer to infrared laser radiation to form an in-situ mask above the composition layer, and exposing the composition layer with the actinic radiation through the in-situ mask;   (3) imagewise applying an actinic radiation opaque material on or above the composition layer to form a mask, and exposing the composition layer with the actinic radiation through the mask; and   (4) imagewise exposing the composition layer or a laser-radiation sensitive layer on or adjacent the composition layer to laser radiation to selectively transfer the composition to an adjacent substrate.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the treating step c) is selected from the group consisting of:
 (1) processing the precursor printing form of step b) with at least one washout solution selected from the group consisting of solvent solution, aqueous solution, semi-aqueous solution, and water;   (2) heating the precursor printing form of step b) to a temperature sufficient to cause areas to melt, flow, or soften;   (3) separating the composition layer of the precursor printing form of step b) from a layer adjacent the composition layer or from a coversheet above the composition layer;   (4) laminating the composition layer of the precursor printing form of step b) to a support or a substrate; and   (5) transferring the composition layer of the precursor printing form of step b) to a support, receptor, or display sheet.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the treating step c) forms a relief surface on the recording element. 
   
   
       27 . A flexographic printing form prepared according to the method of  claim 16 . 
   
   
       28 . A method for setting conditions in a device used for making a recording element comprising:
 a) providing a precursor printing form comprising a layer of a photopolymerizable composition sensitive to actinic radiation from a source of radiation having a range of wavelengths greater than 10 nm, wherein the photopolymerizable layer has a thickness range of 0.010 to 0.250 inch, and wherein a photoluminescent tag excluding optical brighteners is disposed in the precursor printing form and is responsive to at least one wavelength from the source of radiation, the composition being sensitive to the at least one wavelength;   b) exposing the precursor printing form to the at least one wavelength to generate an emitted radiation from the tag at a wavelength that is different from the actinic radiation;   c) detecting the emitted radiation; and   d) setting one or more conditions for operation of the device according to the detected emission from step c).   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the device having the source of actinic radiation is selected from the group consisting of an actinic radiation exposure unit; and a laser radiation exposure unit. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the setting step comprises:
 d1) translating the detected emission of step c) into a coded signal;   d2) interpreting the coded signal; and   d3) responding to the interpreted signal by establishing one or more of operating conditions for the device.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the responding step further comprises comparing one or more of the conditions against a corresponding baseline set point and/or range; and determining if one or more of the conditions is changed. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the responding step further comprises changing one or more of the operating conditions of the device. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising d4) responding to the interpreted signal by establishing one or more of operating conditions for a second device used for making the recording element. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the second device is selected from the group consisting of: a thermal processor for heating the precursor printing form to a temperature sufficient to cause at least one area of the precursor printing form to melt, flow or soften; a washout processor for removing at least one area of the precursor printing form with a solution; and a laminator for forming an assemblage of a secondary element with the precursor printing form. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of: a thermal processor for heating the precursor printing form to a temperature sufficient to cause at least one area of the precursor printing form to melt, flow or soften; a washout processor for removing at least one area of the precursor printing form with a solution; a laser radiation exposure unit for forming an image on the precursor printing form; exposure unit for exposing the precursor printing form to the actinic radiation; and a laminator for forming an assemblage of a secondary element with the precursor printing form.