Patents by Inventor Charles M. Darmon

Charles M. Darmon has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7014373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing solution supply cartridge which utilizes a single container for a single-part developer concentrate. The single container has at least two valves or necks and is adapted to be utilized on a existing processor or processing machine. The single developer container design of the present invention assures a complete emptying of the container by permitting the simultaneous replenishment of single-part developer through each of the valves into the processing machine. With the combination of the single developer container and the single-part developer the process of metering distinct developers through distinct containers is not required. By facilitating the complete emptying of the developer container, the likelihood of developer solution remaining in the container is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Charles M. Darmon, Daniel R. English, Paul A. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6998227
    Abstract: An aqueous, homogeneous, single-part color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an organic antioxidant. The concentrate also includes a water-miscible or water-soluble organic co-solvent and a quaternary ammonium salt to enhance its stability. The concentrate can be used to make a working strength processing solution, or it can be used as a replenishing composition with proper dilution, and is particularly useful for processing color negative or color reversal photographic silver halide films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Youngblood, Thomas E. Lowe, Terrence R. O'Toole, Charles M. Darmon
  • Patent number: 6664036
    Abstract: An aqueous, homogeneous, single-part color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an N,N-dialkyl- or N,N-diarylhydroxylamine antioxidant that has at least one solubilizing substituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Lowe, Terrence R. O'Toole, Charles M. Darmon, Michael P. Youngblood
  • Patent number: 6436618
    Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jean M. Buongiorne, Charles M. Darmon, Michael J. Haight, Erika S. McLarney, Barry C. Kocher, Sheridan E. Vincent, Charles S. Christ, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6428946
    Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jean M. Buongiorne, Charles M. Darmon, Michael J. Haight, Erika S. McLarney, Barry C. Kocher, Sheridan E. Vincent, Charles S. Christ, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6416940
    Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of two specific types of polyphosphonic acid sequestering agents. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The mixture of sequestering agents includes a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Shirleyanne E. Haye, Janet M. Huston, Charles M. Darmon, Charles S. Christ, Jr., Paul A. Schwartz, William G. Henry
  • Patent number: 6403290
    Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of two specific types of polyphosphonic acid sequestering agents. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The mixture of sequestering agents includes a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Shirleyanne E. Haye, Janet M. Huston, Charles M. Darmon, Charles S. Christ, Jr., Paul A. Schwartz, William G. Henry
  • Publication number: 20020018968
    Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of two specific types of polyphosphonic acid sequestering agents. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The mixture of sequestering agents includes a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: SHIRLEYANNE E. HAYE, JANET M. HUSTON, CHARLES M. DARMON, CHARLES S. CHRIST, PAUL A. SCHWARTZ, WILLIAM G. HENRY
  • Publication number: 20010026910
    Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Jean M. Buongiorne, Charles M. Darmon, Michael J. Haight, Erika S. McLarney, Barry C. Kocher, Sheridan E. Vincent, Charles S. Christ
  • Publication number: 20010026909
    Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Jean M. Buongiorne, Charles M. Darmon, Michael J. Haight, Erika S. McLarney, Barry C. Kocher, Sheridan E. Vincent, Charles S. Christ
  • Patent number: 6228567
    Abstract: A homogeneous color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. This concentrate is prepared in a unique manner, namely by combining the noted components and removing the sulfate anions commonly present in color developing agents by precipitation with alkali metal ions. The concentrate can be used to prepare photographic processing concentrates and working strength solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Darmon, Jean M. Buongiorne, Michael J. Haight, Paul A. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6136518
    Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jean M. Buongiorne, Charles M. Darmon, Michael J. Haight, Erika S. McLarney, Barry C. Kocher, Sheridan E. Vincent, Charles S. Christ, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6077651
    Abstract: An aqueous, homogeneous, single-part color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, a buffering agent, and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent present in an a concentration such that the weight ratio of water to the organic solvent is from about 15:85 to about 50:50. This composition is prepared in a unique manner, namely by combining the noted components, and removing the sulfate anions commonly present in color developing agents by precipitation with alkali metal ions, before addition of further components. The concentrate can be used to make a working strength processing solution, or it can be used as a replenishing composition with proper dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Darmon, Jean M. Buongiorne, Michael J. Haight, Paul A. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6017687
    Abstract: An aqueous, homogeneous, single-part, chloride ion-free color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, a buffering agent, and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent present in an a concentration such that the weight ratio of water to the organic solvent is from about 15:85 to about 50:50. Upon dilution at least four times, this composition can be used to provide a color developing composition for processing photographic color papers. The same concentrate can also be diluted to provide a replenisher for the color developing composition that is used at a replenishment rate of from about 50 to about 150 ml/m.sup.2 of processed color paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Darmon, Paul A. Schwartz, Charles S. Christ
  • Patent number: 5578427
    Abstract: A conditioning or bleach accelerating solution can be used to process color photographic films, especially color reversal films, to minimize magenta dye fade while reducing the needed amount of formaldehyde stabilizer. This solution is provided in highly concentrated form and diluted up to 9:1 prior to or during use. The concentrate contains a formaldehyde precursor at .ltoreq.450 g/l, a sulfite at from 0 to 100 g/l, a bleach accelerating agent at .ltoreq.13.5, and a metal ion chelating agent at .ltoreq.45 g/l.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ann M. Cullinan, Charles M. Darmon, Rosa P. Sauter, Charles F. Leith
  • Patent number: 5552264
    Abstract: A conditioning or bleach accelerating solution can be used to process color photographic films, especially color reversal films, to minimize magenta dye fade while reducing the needed amount of formaldehyde stabilizer. This solution is provided in highly concentrated form and diluted up to 9:1 prior to or during use. The concentrate contains a formaldehyde precursor at 200 to 450 g/l, a sulfite at from 40 to 100 g/l, a bleach accelerating agent at 1.5 to 13.5, and a metal ion chelating agent at 5 to 45 g/l.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ann M. Cullinan, Charles M. Darmon, Rosa P. Sauter, Charles F. Leith
  • Patent number: 5523195
    Abstract: A conditioning or bleach accelerating solution can be used to process color photographic films, especially color reversal films, to minimize magenta dye fade while reducing the needed amount of formaldehyde stabilizer. These advantageous effects are achieved by including a secondary amine in the solution along with a formaldehyde precursor and a bleach accelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Darmon, Michael P. Youngblood, Rosa P. Sauter
  • Patent number: 5262285
    Abstract: A method for retouching a film image comprises applying an aqueous composition to the film image. The aqueous composition comprises from about 5 to about 300 g/l of an acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, and mixtures thereof, from about 1 to about 100 g/l of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, oxalic acid, sulfite compounds, hydroxyl amine salts, iodide compounds, hypophosphite compounds, dithionite compounds, tin(II) compounds, and mixtures thereof, and a balance of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Darmon, William G. Henry, Mary C. Kelley
  • Patent number: 5198141
    Abstract: Photographic processing devices such as stainless steel racks and tanks are cleaned to remove contaminants such as silver by contacting the devices with a cleaning solution comprising water, a mineral acid such as nitric acid, a soluble cerium (IV) salt such as ceric ammonium nitrate, and acetic acid. The cleaning solutions have a pH no greater than 1. The acetic acid inhibits the formation of a brown stain on in the stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Darmon, William G. Henry, Paul A. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5118356
    Abstract: Photographic processing devices such as stainless steel racks and tanks are cleaned to remove contaminants such as silver by contacting the devices with a cleaning solution comprising water, a mineral acid such as nitric acid, a soluble cerium (IV) salt such as ceric ammonium nitrate, and acetic acid. The cleaning solutions have a pH no greater than 1. The acetic acid inhibits the formation of a brown stain on the stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Darmon, William G. Henry, Paul A. Schwartz