Patents by Inventor Donald L. Black

Donald L. Black 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: 7198889
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development, the element further comprising a developer or precursor thereof and an oxidized developer scavenging agent to accelerate development by removing oxidized developer as it is formed during the thermal development step. In one embodiment of the invention, in which a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development that inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas, the method comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Roberts, Paul B. Gilman, Donald L. Black, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7183024
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development. In one embodiment of the invention, a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development which agent inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas. The method preferably comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element. The present invention is also directed to a photothermographic element that can be used in the present process in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed when exposed and thermally heated above 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Roberts, Paul B. Gilman, Donald L. Black, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7033742
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic film exposed by electrons in a transmission electron microscope to form a latent image in the film. The photothermographic film has at least one imaging layer comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion, but wherein thermal development of unexposed silver salts in exposed areas relative to unexposed areas is inhibited when thermally developing the imagewise exposed assembly, thereby producing a positive image. The present invention is also directed to the processing of the photothermographic film in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed in the film when heated above 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Roberts, Donald L. Black, Paul B. Gilman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040259041
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development. In one embodiment of the invention, a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development which agent inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas. The method preferably comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element. The present invention is also directed to a photothermographic element that can be used in the present process in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed when exposed and thermally heated above 150° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Michael R. Roberts, Paul B. Gilman, Donald L. Black, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20040253552
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development, the element further comprising a developer or precursor thereof and an oxidized developer scavenging agent to accelerate development by removing oxidized developer as it is formed during the thermal development step. In one embodiment of the invention, in which a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development that inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas, the method comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Michael R. Roberts, Paul B. Gilman, Donald L. Black, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20040040197
    Abstract: A set device rod holder for hook setting a fish is disclosed which is installable on diverse types of surfacing and used in interaction with various types of fishing rods for supporting a rod in a set positioning to respond automatically to pressure from an interested fish to hook-set such a fish, and to allow the user to easily pick up the rod and reel in the fish. A platform assembly is provided having at least two base members which are hinged together. The first base is dimensioned or weighted to extend beyond the magnitude of the second base and is utilized in a counter-balancing manner to tip or move away from the second base. Augmentation of the counterbalancing is facilitated by the placement and temporary support of the fishing rod in a placement area on the first base. Embodiments of the invention also utilize biasing elements to further augment the triggering process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Donald L. Black
  • Patent number: 6656674
    Abstract: A photographic element which comprises a support bearing: (i) a first radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion image-forming layer comprising a high bromide tabular grain emulsion including tabular grains having {111} major faces, exhibiting an average thickness of at least 0.07 &mgr;m and an average aspect ratio of at least 2; and (ii) a second radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion image-forming layer comprising an ultrathin tabular grain emulsion including tabular grains having {111} major faces, containing greater than 70 mole percent bromide and at least 0.25 mole percent iodide, exhibiting an average thickness of less than 0.07 &mgr;m and an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Tommie L. Royster, Jr., John E. Keevert, Jr., Sharon G. Johnston, Donald L. Black, David W. Sandford
  • Publication number: 20030152877
    Abstract: A photographic element which comprises a support bearing: (i) a first radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion image-forming layer comprising a high bromide tabular grain emulsion including tabular grains having {111} major faces, exhibiting an average thickness of at least 0.07 &mgr;m and an average aspect ratio of at least 2; and (ii) a second radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion image-forming layer comprising an ultrathin tabular grain emulsion including tabular grains having {111} major faces, containing greater than 70 mole percent bromide and at least 0.25 mole percent iodide, exhibiting an average thickness of less than 0.07 &mgr;m and an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Tommie L. Royster,, John E. Keevert,, Sharon G. Johnston, Donald L. Black, David W. Sandford
  • Patent number: 6576414
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photothermographic element comprising silver halide, a blocked developer, a coupler, and core/shell particles, each such particle comprising a mixture of at least two non-photosensitive organic silver salts, which particle comprises a center portion comprising a non-photosensitive first organic silver salt and at least one shell portion covering the center portion, the shell comprising a non-photosensitive second organic silver salt. The organic silver salt in the shell has a lower pKsp relative to the organic silver salt in the core. This invention also provides a composition comprising the core/shell non-photosensitive organic silver salt particles, and a method of making the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, David H. Levy, Bernard D. Stich, Mark R. Mis, Stephen Swingley, Donald L. Black
  • Patent number: 6548236
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photothermographic element comprising silver halide, a blocked developer, a coupler, and core/shell particles, each such particle comprising a mixture of at least two non-photosensitive organic silver salts, which particle comprises a center portion comprising a non-photosensitive first organic silver salt and at least one shell portion covering the center portion, the shell comprising a non-photosensitive second organic silver salt. The organic silver salt in the shell has a higher pKsp relative to the organic silver salt in the core. This invention also provides a composition comprising core/shell non-photosensitive organic silver salt particles, and a method of making the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, David H. Levy, JoAnn D. Hanna, Stephen Swingley, Donald L. Black, Stephen C. Stoker
  • Patent number: 6494305
    Abstract: Carcass-tracking apparatus housings, carcass-tracking apparatus, and carcass-tracking methods are described. In one embodiment, a carcass-tracking apparatus housing is provided comprising an enclosure dimensioned to contain a transponder and having first and second oppositely-facing surface areas. The first surface area is positioned for mounting against a surface of a carcass-transporting device. The first and second surface areas are preferably different from one another. In another embodiment, the housing comprises an enclosure dimensioned to contain a transponder and having a plurality of surfaces which face in different directions. One of the surfaces is positioned for mounting on a carcass-transporting device. At least two other surfaces have openings therein which are joined with a transponder-receiving space. The openings are preferably sized and positioned to accommodate wireless communication with a transponder which can be received within the transponder-receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Black, Ross S. Dando
  • Patent number: 6265962
    Abstract: Communications between an RFID interrogator and an RFID transponder require that no more than one transponder be present in the reading range of the interrogator and transmitting into motion at any given time. If multiple transponders are in the field, then a collision between the return signals of the transponders occurs, rendering the signals unreadable. A method to resolve the collisions and allow for accurate transmission of each transponder's data is given. This method is especially effective over other methods when the transponder is a read-only type of device, whereby there is no communications interrogator on board the read-only transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Black, Dale Yones
  • Patent number: 6100019
    Abstract: A process is disclosed of conducting in a single reaction vessel selective site high chloride epitaxy deposition as a continuation of host high bromide {1111} tabular grain emulsion precipitation. A host tabular grain emulsion is precipitated accounting for 0.05 to 1.5 moles of silver per liter of dispersing medium. Any iodide at the major faces of the tabular grains is uniformly distributed and any iodide in a surface region of the grains amounts to less than 7 mole, based on silver in the surface region. Until epitaxy is formed, pH is held in the range of 3 to 8. Gelatino-peptizer in an amount of 1 to 40 grams per Ag mole is added to the emulsion. Chloride ion in a range of from 0.03 to 0.15 mole per liter is dispersed in the emulsion. pBr is held in the range of from 3.0 to 3.8 until epitaxy is formed. Iodide ion in a concentration of from 5.times.10.sup.-6 to 1.times.10.sup.-4 mole per square meter of grain surface area is uniformly adsorbed to the major surfaces of the tabular grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brust, Philip J. Dale, Mark R. Mis, Donald L. Black
  • Patent number: 6091319
    Abstract: Communications between an RFID interrogator and an RFID transponder require that no more than one transponder be present in the reading range of the interrogator and transmitting into motion at any given time. If multiple transponders are in the field, then a collision between the return signals of the transponders occurs, rendering the signals unreadable. A method to resolve the collisions and allow for accurate transmission of each transponder's data is given. This method is especially effective over other methods when the transponder is a read-only type of device, whereby there is no communications interrogator on board the read-only transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L Black, Dale Yornes
  • Patent number: 5986570
    Abstract: Communications between an RFID interrogator and an RFID transponder require that no more than one transponder be present in the reading range of the interrogator and transmitting into motion at any given time. If multiple transponders are in the field, then a collision between the return signals of the transponders occurs, rendering the signals unreadable. A method to resolve the collisions and allow for accurate transmission of each transponder's data is given. This method is especially effective over other methods when the transponder is a read-only type of device, whereby there is no communications interrogator on board the read-only transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Black, Dale Yones
  • Patent number: 5976778
    Abstract: A process of preparing a radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion is disclosed in which the silver halide grains form dispersed clumps. A population of fine silver halide grains is precipitated at higher concentrations than previously taught for preparing this type of an emulsion by employing a peptizer limited in amount, limited in methionine content, or both. Following formation of the grains, they are aggregated into clumps by the addition of a surfactant, optionally assisted by the adding iodide, increasing pH or both. The grain clumps are stabilized against further aggregation by adding a high methionine peptizer and optionally assisted by the precipitation of additional silver halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brust, Mark R. Mis, David H. Levy, Donald L. Black
  • Patent number: 5629144
    Abstract: The invention provides a radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion comprisingsilver halide grains including tabular grains(a) having {111} major faces(b) containing greater than 70 mole percent bromide, based on silver,(c) accounting for greater than 90 percent of total grain projected area,(d) exhibiting an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.7 .mu.m,(e) exhibiting an average thickness of less than 0.07 .mu.m, and(f) having latent image forming chemical sensitization sites on the surfaces of the tabular rains, anda spectral sensitizing dye adsorbed to the surfaces of the tabular grains,wherein the surface chemical sensitization sites include at least one silver salt epitaxially located on said tabular rains and wherein said grains further comprise a mercapto compound represented by Formula III ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is an aliphatic or aromatic radical containing up to 20 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Daubendiek, Donald L. Black, Joseph C. Deaton, Timothy R. Gersey, Joseph G. Lighthouse, Myra T. Olm, Xin Wen, Robert D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5614358
    Abstract: A chemically and spectrally sensitized ultrathin tabular grain emulsion is disclosed including tabular grains (a) having {111} major faces, (b) containing greater than 70 mole percent bromide, based on silver, (c) accounting for greater than 90 percent of total grain projected area, (d) exhibiting an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.7 .mu.m, and (e) exhibiting an average thickness of less than 0.07 .mu.m.It has been observed that increased speed and contrast as well as improvements in speed-granularity relationships can be realized when the surface chemical sensitization sites include epitaxially deposited silver halide protrusions forming epitaxial junctions with the tabular grains, the protrusions (a) being located on up to 50 percent of the surface area of the tabular grains, (b) having a higher overall solubility than at least that portion of the tabular grains forming epitaxial junctions with the protrusions, and (c) forming a face centered cubic crystal lattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Wilson, Myra T. Olm, Richard L. Daubendiek, Donald L. Black, Joseph C. Deaton, Timothy R. Gersey, Joseph G. Lighthouse, Xin Wen
  • Patent number: 5582965
    Abstract: A chemically and spectrally sensitized ultrathin tabular grain emulsion is disclosed including tabular grains (a) having {111} major faces, (b) containing greater than 70 mole percent bromide and at least 0.25 mole percent iodide, based on silver, (c) accounting for greater than 90 percent of total grain projected area, (d) exhibiting an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.7 .mu.m, and (e) exhibiting an average thickness of less than 0.07 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph C. Deaton, Richard L. Daubendiek, Donald L. Black, Timothy R. Gersey, Joseph G. Lighthouse, Myra T. Olm, Xin Wen, Robert D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5576168
    Abstract: A chemically and spectrally sensitized ultrathin tabular grain emulsion is disclosed including tabular grains (a) having {111} major faces, (b) containing greater than 70 mole percent bromide and at least 0.25 mole percent iodide, based on silver, (c) accounting for greater than 90 percent of total grain projected area, (d) exhibiting an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.7 .mu.m, and (e) exhibiting an average thickness of less than 0.07 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Daubendiek, Donald L. Black, Joseph C. Deaton, Timothy R. Gersey, Joseph G. Lighthouse, Myra T. Olm, Xin Wen, Robert D. Wilson