Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Geisler

Thomas C. Geisler 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: 7348110
    Abstract: A photothermographic material having a Dmin and Dmax optical density. The material includes a support having hereon one or more thermally-developable imaging layers which are developable to produce an image when the photothermographic material is thermally processed; and an area disposed along a length of at least one edge of the photothermographic material, wherein the area has an optical density less than the Dmax and greater than the Dmin of the photothermographic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Vanous, Bryan V. Hunt, Robert R. Brearey, Steven H. Kong, Mark C. Skinner, Thomas C. Geisler
  • Patent number: 7018787
    Abstract: Thermally developable materials such as photothermographic and thermographic materials have a backside conductive layer with increased conductive efficiency. This backside conductive layer is a buried conductive coating and is overcoated with a layer that contains a smectite clay modified with a quaternary ammonium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ludemann, Gary E. LaBelle, Darlene F. Philip, Thomas C. Geisler
  • Publication number: 20030203322
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spectrally sensitized photothermographic silver halide element support having a first surface and a second surface, a photothermographic composition that is to be exposed to a laser being disposed on the first surface of the support. The element has at least one back layer disposed on the second surface of the support. The photothermographic composition comprises silver halide emulsion grains having a number average grain size of less than 0.1 &mgr;m and that are spectrally sensitized with a sensitizing dye having a spectral sensitivity that corresponds to the spectral properties of the laser. The photothermographic composition further comprises an organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions, and at least one dye. In addition, the photothermographic composition has a transmission optical density greater than 0.1 at the exposure wavelength, and the back layer has a transmission optical density greater than 0.1 at the exposure wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Geisler, Thomas J. Kub, Darlene F. Stewart, Mark C. Skinner, Bryan V. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6599686
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spectrally sensitized photothermographic silver halide element comprising a support layer having on at least one surface thereof a photothermographic composition which displays uniform image density across its surface when exposed to floodlight or uniform incandescent light exposure at radiation wavelengths to which the element is sensitive, said element comprising at least two layers, including a top layer and a photothermographic emulsion layer, said photothermographic emulsion layer comprising a binder, a light insensitive silver source, a reducing agent for silver ion and infrared radiation sensitive silver halide grains, wherein the coherent radiation is rendered more diffuse in its passage through the element than when it strikes the top layer. This may be accomplished at least in part by 1) the top layer of the element having haze induced therein of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Geisler, Thomas J. Kub, Darlene F. Stewart, Paul C. Schubert, James C. Vanous, Mark C. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20030044732
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spectrally sensitized photothermographic silver halide element comprising a support layer having on at least one surface thereof a photothermographic composition which displays uniform image density across its surface when exposed to floodlight or uniform incandescent light exposure at radiation wavelengths to which the element is sensitive, said element comprising at least two layers, including a top layer and a photothermographic emulsion layer, said photothermographic emulsion layer comprising a binder, a light insensitive silver source, a reducing agent for silver ion and infrared radiation sensitive silver halide grains, wherein the coherent radiation is rendered more diffuse in its passage through the element than when it strikes the top layer. This may be accomplished at least in part by 1) the top layer of the element having haze induced therein of 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas C. Geisler, Thomas J. Kub, Darlene F. Stewart, Paul C. Schubert, James C. Vanous, Mark C. Skinner
  • Patent number: 6436616
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spectrally sensitized photothermographic silver halide element comprising a support layer having on at least one surface thereof a photothermographic composition which displays uniform image density across its surface when exposed to floodlight or uniform incandescent light exposure at radiation wavelengths to which the element is sensitive, said element comprising at least two layers, including a top layer and a photothermographic emulsion layer, said photothermographic emulsion layer comprising a binder, a light insensitive silver source, a reducing agent for silver ion and infrared radiation sensitive silver halide grains, wherein the coherent radiation is rendered more diffuse in its passage through the element than when it strikes the top layer. This may be accomplished at least in part by 1) the top layer of the element having haze induced therein of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Geisler, Thomas J. Kub, Darlene F. Stewart, Paul C. Schubert, James C. Vanous, Mark C. Skinner
  • Patent number: 6436622
    Abstract: Multilayer thermographic materials have improved adhesion between a polymeric support and film-forming polymer-containing layers disposed thereon. This improved adhesion is provided by including in the adhesion-promoting layer next to the support two or more polymers having specific properties. At least one of the polymers adheres the layer to the support, and at least one other polymer is compatible or of the same class as the film-forming polymer in the upper layer, such as a thermographic imaging layer. This adhesion-promoting layer can be provided as a very thin “carrier” layer during coating operations so that desired imaging effects and functional properties are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Geisler
  • Publication number: 20020061479
    Abstract: Multilayer thermographic materials have improved adhesion between a polymeric support and film-forming polymer-containing layers disposed thereon. This improved adhesion is provided by including in the adhesion-promoting layer next to the support two or more polymers having specific properties. At least one of the polymers adheres the layer to the support, and at least one other polymer is compatible or of the same class as the film-forming polymer in the upper layer, such as a thermographic imaging layer. This adhesion-promoting layer can be provided as a very thin “carrier” layer during coating operations so that desired imaging effects and functional properties are obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Geisler
  • Patent number: 6355405
    Abstract: Multilayer articles (including imaging elements) have improved adhesion between a polymeric support and film-forming polymer-containing layers disposed thereon. This improved adhesion is provided by including in the adhesion-promoting layer next to the support two or more polymers specific properties. At least one of the polymers adheres the layer to the support, and at least one other polymer is compatible or of the same class as the film-forming polymer in the upper layer. This adhesion-promoting layer can be provided as a very thin “carrier” layer during coating operations so that desired sensitometric effects and functional properties are obtained. Preferred imaging elements having such adhesion-promoting layers are photothermographic films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ludemann, Gary E. LaBelle, Thomas C. Geisler, Jerry L. Warren, Anne E. Crump, Aparna V. Bhave
  • Patent number: 5928857
    Abstract: A spectrally sensitized photothermographic silver halide element comprising a support layer having on at least one surface thereof a photothermographic composition, said composition comprising a polyvinyl acetal binder, a light insensitive silver source, a reducing agent for silver ion and infrared radiation sensitive silver halide grains, wherein said composition also comprises a polymeric component which is not a polyvinyl acetal, or a metal soap other than a silver soap of an organic acid (especially not the long chain fatty acid normally present in silver halide based photothermographic elements) which is dispersed in said composition in an amount of from 0.3 to 20% by weight of said polyvinyl acetal, which polymeric component has higher strength of adhesion to polyester film than does the polyvinyl acetal, and said polymeric may exist as a separate phase within said polyvinyl acetal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Geisler, Kimberly K. Marquardt
  • Patent number: 4755396
    Abstract: Image receiving medium comprising a substrate bearing on at least one major surface thereof a coating of heat-sensitive material comprising (a) material capable of existing in a supercooled state after melting and subsequent cooling, (b) at least one anti-fouling agent, and (c) optionally, a binder. The anti-fouling agent can be a wax, a silica, a metal silicate, or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Inventors: Thomas C. Geisler, Terrance A. Black
  • Patent number: 4708928
    Abstract: Photothermographic imaging chemistry, and particularly color chemistry, can be contained within solid particles. Photothermographic media can then be made by dispersing these particles within a binder in the concentrations and proportions desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Geisler
  • Patent number: 4683191
    Abstract: An imageable toner powder comprising a solid material capable of existing as a supercooled liquid after being heated above its melting temperature and subsequently cooled and a colorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Geisler
  • Patent number: 4608329
    Abstract: An imageable toner powder comprising a solid material capable of existing as a supercooled liquid after being heated above its melting temperature and subsequently cooled and a colorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Geisler
  • Patent number: 4372582
    Abstract: A stabilizing agent for use in electron donor-acceptor carbonless copying systems. The stabilizing agent is 2,2'-methylene-bis(4-methyl-6-t-butyl phenol). Systems in which the stabilizing agent is useful comprise a color-forming composition comprising at least one leuco dye which is fadeable or discolorable after development, a color-developing composition comprising an acidic coreactant material capable of reacting with the color-forming composition to provide colored products, and the stabilizing agent. The stabilizing agent prevents discoloration or fade of images produced by reaction of the color-forming composition with the color-developing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Geisler