Patents by Inventor Paul B. Merkel

Paul B. Merkel 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: 7695783
    Abstract: The invention relates to an image-recording element comprising a support and an image-receiving layer, wherein the image-receiving layer comprises anionic colloidal silica particles, hydrophilic polymeric binder, and fluorosurfactant, wherein the binder is present in an amount of between 2% and 15% weight of the image-receiving layer, the image-recording element has a 60-degree gloss of greater than 25, and a dry time of less than 1 minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul B. Merkel, Gary N. Barber, Alan R. Pitt, Trevor J. Wear
  • Patent number: 7459263
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical recording material comprising: a polymeric matrix; a dewarbenzene derivative reactant capable of undergoing isomerization to a benzene product upon triplet excitation, thereby causing a change in optical properties; and a sensitizer capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause triplet energy transfer to said reactant, wherein the algebraic sum of the excitation energy of said sensitizer and its reduction potential is at least 0.05 eV less than the oxidation potential of said reactant, thereby precluding one-electron oxidation of said reactant. The invention further relates to an optical device comprising regional variations in concentrations of reactants and products produced by triplet chain isomerization, thereby providing a pattern of intelligence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Samir Y. Farid, Douglas R. Robello, Joseph P. Dinnocenzo, Paul B. Merkel, Lorraine Ferrar, Yeonsuk Roh, Mark R. Mis
  • Patent number: 7338756
    Abstract: A process for making a direct dispersion of a photographically useful material comprising: mixing (i) an aqueous phase and (ii) a liquid organic phase under conditions of shear or turbulence to form a dispersion of the organic phase dispersed in the aqueous phase; wherein the liquid organic phase comprises one or more photographically useful materials and one or more organic solvents having a boiling point of at least 150° C., a molecular weight less than or equal to 300, and a solvatochromic parameter ? value greater than or equal to 0.50, wherein the weight ratio of the sum of the solvents having a boiling point of at least 150° C., a molecular weight less than or equal to 300, and a solvatochromic parameter ? value greater than or equal to 0.50 to the photographically useful materials does not exceed 0.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul L. Zengerle, Richard K. Rothrock, Jerrold N. Poslusny, Stephen P. Singer, Peter P. Garrisi, Paul B. Merkel
  • Patent number: 7105215
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the ink jet recording element containing a metal(oxy)hydroxide complex, Mn+(O)a(OH)b(Ap?)c•xH2O, wherein M is at least one metal ion; n is 3 or 4; A is an organic or inorganic ion; p is 1, 2 or 3; and x is equal to or greater than 0; with the proviso that when n is 3, then a, b and c each comprise a rational number as follows: 0?a<1.5; 0<b<3; and 0?pc<3, so that the charge of the M3+ metal ion is balanced; and when n is 4, then a, b and c each comprise a rational number as follows: 0?a<2; 0<b<4; and 0?pc<4, so that the charge of the M4+ metal ion is balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Krishamohan Sharma, Joseph F. Bringley, Paul B. Merkel, Deepak Shukla, Christine Landry-Coltrain
  • Patent number: 6815019
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer of porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, said polymeric binder being poly(vinyl alcohol) having a degree of hydrolysis of at least about 95% and having a number average molecular weight of at least about 45,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory E. Missell, Paul B. Merkel
  • Publication number: 20040202831
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the ink jet recording element containing a metal(oxy)hydroxide complex, Mn+(O)n(OH)b(Ap−)c·xH2O, wherein M is at least one metal ion; n is 3 or 4; A is an organic or inorganic ion; p is 1, 2 or 3; and x is equal to or greater than 0; with the proviso that when n is 3, then a, b and c each comprise a rational number as follows: 0≦a<1.5; 0<b<3; and 0≦pc<3, so that the charge of the M3+ metal ion is balanced; and when n is 4, then a, b and c each comprise a rational number as follows: 0≦a<2; 0<b<4; and 0≦pc<4, so that the charge of the M4+ metal ion is balanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Krishamohan Sharma, Joseph F. Bringley, Paul B. Merkel, Deepak Shukla, Christine Landry-Coltrain
  • Patent number: 6790569
    Abstract: A color photothermographic element comprising at least three light-sensitive units which have their individual sensitivities in different wavelength regions, each of the units comprising at least one light-sensitive silver-halide emulsion, binder, and dye-providing coupler, and a blocked developer in the presence of a thermal solvent represented by the following structure: wherein the groups are as defined in the specification to promote the thermal development of the photothermographic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Xiqiang Yang, Zbyslaw R. Owczarczyk, David T. Southby, Mark E. Irving, Paul B. Merkel, Lyn M. Irving, David H. Levy
  • Patent number: 6779885
    Abstract: An ink jet printing method having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer of porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the porous polymeric particles being prepared in the presence of an anionic or ationic dispersant, and the image-receiving layer containing a surfactant having a charge opposite to that of the dispersant used to make the porous polymeric particles, the surfactant being present in an amount from about 0.04 parts to about 0.30 parts by weight of the dispersant; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition; and D) printing on the ink jet recording element using the ink jet ink composition in response to the digital data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory E. Missell, Jeanne E. Kaeding, Dennis E. Smith, Paul B. Merkel
  • Patent number: 6699538
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon the following layers in order: a) a base layer having a polymeric binder and a polymeric mordant; and b) an overcoat layer having a polymeric UV-absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kristine B. Lawrence, Paul B. Merkel, Hwei-Ling Yau
  • Patent number: 6680165
    Abstract: The invention provides a color negative photographic element comprising a light sensitive silver halide emulsion imaging layer having associated therewith a cyan dye-forming coupler dispersion comprising a first 2-ureido-5-acylamino substituted phenolic cyan dye-forming coupler [P], a second phenolic cyan dye-forming coupler [AP] where the 2-substituent is other than an ureido group, a substantially non-color-developable phenolic activator compound [ACT], and a non-phenolic organic coupler solvent having a boiling point of at least 150C; wherein compounds represented by [P], [AP], and [ACT] are present in the coupler dispersion in relative weight fractions of from 0.30 to 0.65 for [P], from 0.15 to 0.35 for [AP], and from 0.15 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jerrold N. Poslusny, Paul B. Merkel, David A. Steele, Drake M. Michno, David S. Ross, Richard K. Rothrock, Paul L. Zengerle
  • Patent number: 6677004
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer of porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the porous polymeric particles being prepared in the presence of an anionic or cationic dispersant, and the image-receiving layer containing a surfactant having a charge opposite to that of the dispersant used to make the porous polymeric particles, the surfactant being present in an amount from about 0.04 parts to about 0.30 parts by weight of the dispersant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul B. Merkel, Gregory E. Missell, Jeanne E. Kaeding, Dennis E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040001924
    Abstract: An ink jet printing method comprising the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the ink jet recording element containing a metal(oxy)hydroxide complex, Mn+(O)a(OH)b(Ap−)c.xH2O, wherein M is at least one metal ion; n is 3 or 4; A is an organic or inorganic ion; p is 1, 2 or 3; and x is equal to or greater than 0; with the proviso that when n is 3, then a, b and c each comprise a rational number as follows: 0≦a<1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph F. Bringley, Krishamohan Sharma, Christine Landry-Coltrain, Deepak Shukla, Paul B. Merkel
  • Patent number: 6659604
    Abstract: An ink jet printing method having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer of porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the polymeric binder being poly(vinyl alcohol) having a degree of hydrolysis of at least about 95% and having a number average molecular weight of at least about 45,000; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition; and D) printing on the ink jet recording element using the inkjet ink composition in response to the digital data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul B. Merkel, Gregory E. Missell
  • Patent number: 6645581
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon the following layers in order: a) a base layer of a polymeric binder, a polymeric mordant and a stabilizer having the following formula: and b) an overcoat layer of a polymeric UV-absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kristine B. Lawrence, Paul B. Merkel
  • Patent number: 6629759
    Abstract: An ink jet printing method having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element having a support having thereon the following layers in order: i) a base layer having a polymeric binder and a polymeric mordant; and ii) an overcoat layer having a polymeric UV-absorbing material; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition of water, a humectant, and a water-soluble dye; and D) printing on the overcoat layer using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kristine B. Lawrence, Paul B. Merkel, Hwei-Ling Yau
  • Patent number: 6612692
    Abstract: An ink jet printing method having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element having a support having thereon the following layers in order: i) a base layer of a polymeric binder, a polymeric mordant and a stabilizer having the following formula: and ii) an overcoat layer of a trisaryl-1,3,5-triazine ultraviolet light absorbing material; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition of water, a humectant, and a water-soluble dye; and D) printing on the overcoat layer using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kristine B. Lawrence, Paul B. Merkel
  • Publication number: 20030151654
    Abstract: An ink jet printing method having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element having a support having thereon the following layers in order: i) a base layer having a polymeric binder and a polymeric mordant; and ii) an overcoat layer having a polymeric UV-absorbing material; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition of water, a humectant, and a water-soluble dye; and D) printing on the overcoat layer using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kristine B. Lawrence, Paul B. Merkel, Hwei-Ling yau
  • Publication number: 20030152751
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon the following layers in order:
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kristine B. Lawrence, Paul B. Merkel
  • Patent number: 6605325
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon the following layers in order: i) a base layer of a polymeric binder, a polymeric mordant and a stabilizer having the following formula: and ii) an overcoat layer of a trisaryl-1,3,5-triazine ultraviolet light absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kristine B. Lawrence, Paul B. Merkel
  • Publication number: 20030148072
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon the following layers in order: a) a base layer having a polymeric binder and a polymeric mordant; and b) an overcoat layer having a polymeric UV-absorbing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kristine B. Lawrence, Paul B. Merkel, Hwei-Ling Yau