Thermoplastic Patents (Class 346/77E)
  • Patent number: 5483877
    Abstract: The described machine comprises a cassette infeed conveyor; stamper means for stamping incoming cassettes with an identifying code; first collection means for receiving cassettes as they are removed from the infeed conveyor; and transfer means for transferring cassettes from the first collection means to a second transfer means for accumulating a plurality of rows of loaded cassettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Tapematic U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Luciano Perego
  • Patent number: 4900649
    Abstract: A method of producing an optical recording medium according to the present invention includes the steps of forming a recording film on a transparent substrate, recording signals in the form of perforated pit rows on the recording film by a laser beam, and forming a reflection layer on the recording film on which the pit rows have been formed. The recording film is bleached after recording or the laser beam used for recording is selected to have a wavelength different from that of a laser beam used for reproducing so that the recording film is transparent to the laser beam used for reproducing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Mochizuki, Tooru Tamura, Kenichi Takahashi, Mitsuaki Oshima
  • Patent number: 4780867
    Abstract: An erasable optical data storage medium has a polymer dual recording layer including an expansion layer bonded to a retention layer, each of the layers dyed to selectively absorb light in respective narrow wavelength bands. The retention layer has a glass transition temperature substantially above the glass transition temperature of the expansion layer, and is capable of undergoing substantial viscoelastic shear deformation while below its glass transition temperature. A first laser beam heats the expansion layer causing it to expand and cause viscoelastic deformation in the retention layer while the retention layer is below its glass transition temperature. A second laser beam is used to heat the retention layer above its glass transition temperature and relax the deformation, erasing the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Optical Data, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Lind, W. Eugene Skiens, Clyde D. Feyrer, Geoffrey A. Russell
  • Patent number: 4759131
    Abstract: A stylus is briefly placed on the surface coating of photographs for forming an artificial marking symbol on the coating. The stylus oscillates in the ultrasonic frequency range. Part of the oscillation energy of the stylus is converted into frictional heat producing a marking symbol in the coating in the form of a high contrast annular bead. The apparatus comprises a stylus, a mechanical lowering device, an electroacoustic transducer for producing the ultrasonic oscillations of the stylus, and a frequency generator, an amplifier and a voltage/current converter connected in series with the electroacoustic transducer. The transducer is supplied with a signal from the frequency generator, which signal is kept constant by a control circuit provided on the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Wild Heerbrugg AG
    Inventor: Herbert Fend
  • Patent number: 4599718
    Abstract: A method for erasing a light recording medium comprising a thermoplastic resin having a number average molecular weight of 30,000 or less wherein a recording pit is refilled by using a light beam diameter greater than the pit diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: TDK Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Nakagawa, Akihiko Kuroiwa, Kenryo Nanba
  • Patent number: 4497860
    Abstract: Articles having on one surface thereof a linear prism array and a diffraction grating on the opposite surface are provided which are suitable for the preparation of projection transparencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Harold E. Brady, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4463083
    Abstract: A thermal recording element comprising a support having formed thereon a recording layer, a first protective layer comprising an organic high molecular weight material having a softening point below about 70.degree. C. formed on the recording layer, and a second protective layer comprising an organic high molecular weight material having high mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kitajima, Osamu Seshimoto, Tomizo Namiki, Fumiaki Shinozaki, Tomoaki Ikeda, Yuzo Mizobuchi
  • Patent number: 4410968
    Abstract: Information is stored, using a relatively low-power light beam, by redistributing the material in a deformable film. In a disc configuration, positioning of the light beam is achieved by referencing to a previously recorded track. In a document storage and retrieval system the document is scanned with the resultant scanned signal modulating the writing light beam producing a recorded track. This track is optically read with the resultant signal applied to a printer. For optimum utilization of the area, the recording and readout take place at constant velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Thomas Lee Siwecki
    Inventors: Hugh F. Frohbach, Robert E. Myers, Norman A. Peppers, Thomas L. Siwecki, Louis F. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 4409277
    Abstract: A visual information carrier comprising a single layer sheet of transparent synthetic polymer having dispersed therein a fluorescent dye. The sheet is not subject to white fracture and has profilings on at least one surface, which are produced by deformation of the sheet and which form visually perceivable, colored information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Michel
  • Patent number: 4405671
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical information recording disk comprising as a base material thereof a polymer or copolymer having a glass transition temperature of at least 50.degree. C. and a structural unit derived from a monomer which is an ester of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an alicyclic alcohol represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n is an integer of 1-5, R denotes a hydrogen or an alkyl or alkenyl group, and, when n stands for an integer of 2-5, the Rs may be the same or different.The above disk does not develop deformation such as warping or twisting by changes in humidity and is uniform optically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ozawa, Masaaki Shin, Akio Fuziwara, Mitsuyoshi Nakamura, Ichiro Otsuka, Kazuo Sugazaki
  • Patent number: 4394438
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optically readable information carrier in which a substrate 1 which is provided on at least one surface with a material which is sensitive to deep ultraviolet light having a wavelength from 190-300 nm, is exposed to deep ultraviolet light via a contact mask 2 which on one side has a layer 4 of a material which is not permeable to deep ultraviolet light in which an information track 5, 6 has been provided, after which the exposed plate is developed and if desired is provided with a reflection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Pieter Van Pelt, Gerardus J. M. Lippits
  • Patent number: 4390579
    Abstract: High density information discs comprising a conductive carbon-loaded polyvinylchloride disc are lubricated with a polyphenylene ether containing a polar dopant substituted with a long chain alkyl group in amounts sufficient to reduce surface tension of the polyphenylene ether to enable adequate wetting of the disc surface. The successful application of this doped lubricant provides the discs with excellent lubrication, highly resistant to oxidation, moisture and shear stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Pabitra Datta, Eugene S. Poliniak
  • Patent number: 4358519
    Abstract: This invention pertains to an improved technique of introducing an added insulative layer between the thermoplastic layer and the photoconductive layer of the thermoplastic photoconductive holographic recording medium. The added layer (pure PVK) is electrically insulating at temperatures used for thermal development to prevent decaying charge contrast during hologram development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo H. Chang, Tzuo-Chang Lee, Jacob W. Lin
  • Patent number: 4304806
    Abstract: An information carrying element comprising a substrate having adhered to at least one surface thereof a separate layer having a thickness of 1.0 to 100 microns and a circular or spiral pattern of surface variations provides a particularly useful element when said separate layer comprises an abrasion resistant polymer layer derived from 30 to 100% by weight of an epoxy-terminated silane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roger J. Anderson, Donald J. Kerfeld, Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 4288509
    Abstract: A recording material comprising a transparent support having formed thereon a recording layer containing a thermally coagulatable proteinaceous compound, the recording layer having an average optical density throughout the wavelength region of about 350 mm to 450 nm of at least about 1.5 is disclosed, which is suitable for preparing a reprographic material such as a photmask by flash exposure in heat conducting relation with an original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Process Shizai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 4282295
    Abstract: In a thermoplastic-photoconductor holographic recording medium in the form of several transparent layers over a transparent substrate, such as an optically transparent electrically conductive layer, then a photoconductor layer and a thermoplastic layer over such as glass or Mylar, a conventional material such as gold or platinum has been used as a transparent conductive layer. It is desired to use a less precious metal such as nickel-chromium (NiCr) as the conductive layer, however a limitation has been found in that an unwanted dark charge injection occurs from the NiCr to the photoconductive layer. This causes poor charge acceptance and therefore results in poor halogram formation. Herein a mono atom thick layer of the NiCr is treated and becomes on oxide layer which forms an effective charge blocking layer to dark charge injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Tzuo-Chang Lee, Jacob W. Lin
  • Patent number: 4276334
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive member comprises a base sheet and an opaque pressure clarifiable layer overlying the substrate and the color of the substrate being different from that of the opaque clarifiable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: General Company Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuo Sugihara
  • Patent number: 4270130
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, the optical characteristics of a thermal deformation record device are so altered that the device can be read back using the same beam as was used for recording. Moreover, the read beam can be used for playback at an arbitrarily high power level to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the recovered signal and yet not damage the deformation recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Conrad G. Houle, Dennis G. Howe, Harold T. Thomas, Joseph J. Wrobel, Bruce G. Fike, deceased
  • Patent number: 4233380
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for shaping a recording produced on a material including a photoconductive, thermoplastic layer disposed on a carrier by electrostatic charging and exposure to light, which process comprises disposing the said material on a rigid base, at least one surface region of which is electrically conductive, and heating it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland Moraw, Gunther Schadlich
  • Patent number: 4223062
    Abstract: A curl resistant transmissively readable photoplastic film is produced having a base ply of polyethylene terephthalate to one side of which is laminated, in sequence, a light transmissive layer of electrically conductive particles, a primer layer of a dimethyl-phenylene oxide polymer, and a photoplastic layer. The latter layer may be formed from a mixture of 75% by weight of an intermediate molecular weight (800-5,000) polystyrene and 25% by weight of a polymolecular plasticizer derived from alpha-methylstyrene to which mixture has been added about 3.3% of the total weight of solids of very fine particle size copper phthalocyanine. To the other side of the base ply is laminated a layer of a solvent deposited methyl methacrylate polymer. When the photoplastic layer is about 17 to 18 microns thick the methyl methacrylate layer may be about 4 to 6 microns thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Company
    Inventor: Francis P. Hession
  • Patent number: 4202693
    Abstract: Disclosed is a recording material comprising a first transparent, dielectric support member having on one surface thereof a plurality of first elongated, electrically conductive regions extending adjacent one another in spaced relationship; a layer comprising a photo-conductive, thermoplastic material adjacent to, but spaced from, the surface of the first support member; and a second transparent dielectric support member positioned contiguous to the photo-conductive layer on the side opposite the first support member, the second support member having on the surface thereof adjacent the photo-conductive layer a plurality of second elongated, electrically conductive regions extending adjacent one another in spaced relationship, the longitudinal axis of each of the second elongated, electrically conductive regions extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of each of the first elongated, electrically conductive regions to form cross-over regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland Moraw, Gunther Schadlich
  • Patent number: 4148636
    Abstract: A layer of thermally deformable plastic used, for example, in a holographic recording medium has an undulated surface whereby the layer has an uneven thickness. Because of the uneven thickness, the layer has a composite spatial frequency pass band greater than the spatial frequency pass band of a layer of uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: RCA Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Credelle, William J. Hannan, Fred W. Spong
  • Patent number: 4137077
    Abstract: A layer of thermally deformable plastic used, for example, in a holographic recording medium has an undulated surface whereby the layer has an uneven thickness. Because of the uneven thickness, the layer has a composite spatial frequency pass band greater than the spatial frequency pass band of a layer of uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Credelle, William J. Hannan, Fred W. Spong
  • Patent number: 4076371
    Abstract: A composite material for recording holograms with infrared radiation. The terial includes a substrate and an IR-absorbing recording layer. Infrared radiation is absorbed by the recording layer whereupon the optical thickness of recording layer is changed in the areas exposed to infrared radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Werner Braun, Gernot Decker, Horst Rohr
  • Patent number: 4053872
    Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of recording or writing optical data into a thermoplastic layer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a layer of photoconductive material that is photoconductively responsive to a data containing light beam having a wave length below the infrared (IR) range and a layer of thermoplastic material that is thermoplastically responsive to a light beam having a wave length within the IR range. In practicing the method of the present invention, the electrically charged apparatus is exposed to a data-bearing light beam having a wave length below the IR range for selectively exposing, i.e., electrically charging, the photoconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Wayne Honebrink, Leslie Harold Johnson, David Shih-Fang Lo
  • Patent number: 4033690
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in an apparatus for recording or erasing an electrostatic image by deforming a photoconductive thermoplastic layer of a recording material by heating, including support means for said recording material, charging means for charging the recording material, exposure means for exposing said material, and heating means for developing or erasing said material, the improvement comprising groove means in said support means, above which said recording material is adapted to be continuously conveyed in a self-supporting manner and is adapted to be deformed above said groove means during the recording or erasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Roland Moraw
  • Patent number: 4032338
    Abstract: A holographic recording medium comprising a conductive substrate, a photoconductive layer and an electrically alterable layer of a linear, low molecular weight hydrocarbon polymer has improved fatigue resistance. An acrylic barrier layer can be interposed between the photoconductive and electrically alterable layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Allen Gange
  • Patent number: 4023969
    Abstract: An imaging system comprising an imaging member including a deformable metallic layer arranged between a pair of deformable layers, at least one of which comprises an elastomer material. In operation an electrical field is established across the deformable layers to cause deformation thereof in imagewise configuration. The imaging member may include photoconductive material and may include a pair of electrodes for establishing an electrical field across the deformable layers. In one embodiment the electrodes may comprise an electrical X-Y matrix address system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas K. Sheridon
  • Patent number: 3997238
    Abstract: A holographic recording process uses a thermoplastic photosensitive member in which charging on the member and exposing the same to light having holographic information are carried out simultaneously, and an unevenness image corresponding to the information is ultimately formed on the member through a heating and a cooling step. The charging rate, charging-exposing time interval, light intensity and other factors are chosen to assure a high quality recording and hence a favorable image reproduction. In particular, the charging rate is chosen from those which lie in a region of characteristic curves above the line corresponding to 7 dB S/N ratio, the characteristic curves representing the relationship between the S/N ratio of the reproduced holographic image and the charging rate with parameters of the light intensity and the charging-exposing time interval. Further, if 15 dB S/N ratio is used as the limiting line, more than 30 times repeated use of the thermoplastic member is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Oride, Michiharu Abe
  • Patent number: 3995280
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for achieving consistent recording or writing of optical data in thermoplastic films is disclosed. An empirically determined level of developing energy E is set into a heat controller that applies developing energy E (heat) to the thermoplastic film that had been previously subjected to an electrostatic charge and an optical signal (light). The monitored frost intensity F.sub.m is then compared to an empirically determined desired frost intensity F.sub.d. If F.sub.m .noteq. F.sub.d the developing energy E that is to be applied to the thermoplastic film is adjusted accordingly in preparation for the next writing operation. Control of the writing process is through control of the developing energy E that is applied to the thermoplastic film with all other developing parameters held relatively constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Lo, Leslie H. Johnson, Roger W. Honebrink
  • Patent number: 3980476
    Abstract: There is disclosed an imaging system for forming a plurality of images on the same surface, at least one of which is permanent and one of which is erasable. The imaging system includes an electro-optic imaging member which has a "built-in" master image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph J. Wysocki