Heterocyclic Patents (Class 430/343)
  • Patent number: 7314705
    Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes an imaging material in which radiation energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The antenna material may be chosen from the group consisting of phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Makarand P. Gore
  • Patent number: 7270944
    Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes a multiphase imaging material in which energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The absorbed energy causes the reaction of an oxidizer and a leucozine dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Makarand P. Gore
  • Patent number: 7223519
    Abstract: Imaging compositions and methods of using the compositions are disclosed. The imaging compositions are sensitive to low levels of energy such that upon application of the low levels of energy the compositions change color or shade. The compositions may be applied to a work piece to mark it and removed from the work piece by peeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Barr, Corey O'Connor
  • Patent number: 7169542
    Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes a multiphase imaging material in which energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The absorbed energy causes the reaction of an activator and a color-forming material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Vladek Kasperchik, Makarand Gore
  • Patent number: 7146909
    Abstract: An image forming material, a lithographic printing plate precursor and a lithographic printing method, in which a color image with good visibility is obtained by laser exposure, are provided, wherein the image forming material and the lithographic printing plate precursor each comprising a support and a layer comprising a compound represented by formula (1) which changes from a colorless state to a colored state by the effect of heat; and a lithographic printing method comprising on-press development using the lithographic printing plate precursor:
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Oohashi, Kazuto Kunita
  • Patent number: 7144676
    Abstract: Imaging compositions and methods of using the compositions are disclosed. The imaging compositions are sensitive to low levels of energy such that upon application of the low levels of energy the compositions change color or shade. The compositions may be applied to a work piece to mark it and removed from the work piece by peeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Barr, Corey O'Connor
  • Patent number: 7141360
    Abstract: Imaging layers, image recording media, and methods of preparation of each, are provided. One exemplary embodiment of the imaging layer, among others, includes a matrix, a radiation absorbing compound dissolved in the matrix, at least two activators substantially dissolved in the matrix, and a color former. The activators can include a primary activator having a higher acidity than a secondary activator. In addition, the primary activator has a lower solubility in the matrix than the secondary activator. The color former is substantially insoluble in the matrix at ambient conditions and is substantially uniformly distributed in the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Vladek Kasperchik, Jayprakash C. Bhatt, Cari L Dorsh
  • Patent number: 7091255
    Abstract: A method of multiphoton photosensitizing a photoreactive composition comprises irradiating the composition with light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons, thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction where the composition is exposed to the light. The composition comprises: (a) at least one reactive species that is capable of undergoing such reaction; and (b) at least one multi-component, multiphoton photoinitiator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robert J. DeVoe
  • Patent number: 7026103
    Abstract: A multilayer imageable article with at least two layers including a multiphoton imageable composition. The composition includes a multiphoton-sensitive photoactive system and at least one of a dye and a dye precursor. The photoactive system includes a multiphoton sensitizer capable of simultaneously absorbing at least two photons, an electron acceptor capable of transformation to a dye-activating species upon interaction with the multiphoton sensitizer subsequent to absorption of at least two photons, and optionally an electron donor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert J. DeVoe, Robert D. DeMaster, Brook F. Duerr, Jonathan P. Kitchin, Dennis E. Vogel
  • Patent number: 7022441
    Abstract: Silver-free, aqueous-based direct thermographic materials are designed to have image tone with near neutral density. Without the use of organic silver salts containing reducible silver ions, the image is formed using a color developing agent precursor that releases a color developing agent when heated to a temperature of at least 80° C., a combination of cyan, yellow and magenta dye-forming color couplers that provide cyan, yellow, and magenta dyes, and a substituted or unsubstituted benzoquinone as an oxidizing agent. No silver metal or silver ions are purposely added to these materials. This combination of components provides a means for controlling image tone without reliance upon conventional toning agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joe E. Maskasky, Victor P. Scaccia
  • Patent number: 6974661
    Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes a multiphase imaging material in which energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The absorbed energy causes the reaction of an activator and a color-forming material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Makarand P. Gore, Marshall Field, Vladek P Kasperchik
  • Patent number: 6962763
    Abstract: Silver-free, aqueous-based direct thermographic materials are designed to have image tone with near neutral density. Without the use of organic silver salts containing reducible silver ions, the image is formed using a color developing agent precursor that releases a color developing agent when heated to a temperature of at least 80° C., a combination of cyan, yellow and magenta dye-forming color couplers that provide cyan, yellow, and magenta dyes, and a hindered-amine N-oxyl as an oxidizing agent. No silver metal or silver ions are purposely added to these materials. This combination of components provides a means for controlling image tone without reliance upon conventional toning agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joe E. Maskasky, Victor P. Scaccia
  • Patent number: 6861201
    Abstract: Novel photopolymer compositions are disclosed which contain dyes that absorb strongly in the near infrared (near IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These dyes are useful as photosensitizers for initiating a variety of photoimaging and photopolymerization reactions. Imaging Media are disclosed herein which are sensitive in the near infrared (near IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum and which can initiate polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomer components in negative-acting photopolymer systems and/or which can initiate conversion of a leuco dye to its corresponding colored dye form. These imaging media comprise either a near IR dye photochemical sensitizer, a hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) photoinitiator, a chain transfer agent, and a photopolymerizable material or a near IR dye photochemical sensitizer, a hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) photoinitiator, and a leuco dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Gregory C. Weed, Dietrich M. Fabricius
  • Publication number: 20040146812
    Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes a multiphase imaging material in which energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The absorbed energy causes the reaction of an activator and a color-forming material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Makarand P. Gore, Marshall Field, Vladek P. Kasperchik
  • Patent number: 6607871
    Abstract: An image recording medium comprising a light and heat change material capable of recording an image with laser beam is described, characterized in that therein are incorporated a heat generator having no absorption at a wavelength of 500 nm or more which undergoes exothermic decomposition to amplify heat generation when acted upon by heat and a compound which undergoes thermochemical reaction to show an absorption change at a wavelength of from 360 nm to 900 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Obayashi, Atsuhiro Ookawa
  • Patent number: 6558880
    Abstract: Photothermographic materials comprise heat-bleachable antihalation compositions in backside antihalation layers. These compositions comprise a hexaarybiimidazole and an oxonol dye that can be represented by the following Structure I: A1═L1—(L2═L3)p—(L4═L5)q—(L6═L7)r—A2−(M)k wherein A1 and A2 are the same or different activated methylene moieties, L1 through L7 independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted methine group, M represents a counterion, k is the number of M counterions necessary to provide neutral charge for Structure I, p, and q, are independently 0 or 1, and r is 0, 1, or 2. The antihalation composition is typically bleached when subjected to a temperature of at least 90° C. for at least 0.5 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ramanuj Goswami, William D. Ramsden, Paul A. Zielinski, David G. Baird, LuAnn K. Weinstein, Margaret J. Helber, Doreen C. Lynch
  • Patent number: 6528232
    Abstract: A sulfonium salt compound designated by a general formula (I), a photoresist composition containing the sulfonium salt compound and a method for patterning by employing the sulfonium salt compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Maeda, Shigeyuki Iwasa, Kaichiro Nakano, Etsuo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6500510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to use of transition metal complexes in photochromic devices, to the production of optical information storage devices based on a polymeric matrix and on metal oxides with adsorbed transition metal complexes, to the production of photochromic materials constituted by a film of metal oxide with adsorbed two different type of molecular systems, one acting as a charge transfer sensitizer and the second as an electron acceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Molecular Storage Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Sanders, Carlo Alberto Bignozzi
  • Patent number: 6461804
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a class of IR-sensitizing dyes, comprising two benzoindol rings and at least two sulphonic acid groups corresponding to the general formula I:
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventor: Geert Deroover
  • Patent number: 6455210
    Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic element comprising a support, at least one photothermographic image-receiving layer, and at least one antihalation layer or a filter layer, wherein the antihalation or filer layer comprises an aqueous heat-bleachable composition comprising at least one dye and at least one hexaarylbiimidazole in the form of particles dispersed in a matrix comprising a hydrophilic or aqueous dispersible polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, Ramanuj Goswami, Kenneth N. Kilminster
  • Patent number: 6416922
    Abstract: The present invention related to an azomethine dye precursor represented by the following general formula (1) and the image-forming material and image-forming method using the azomethine dye precursor: wherein Ar represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic group which may each have a substituent; X represents a bivalent group linking a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom; and Cp represent a coupler residue which may or may not form a ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sato, Masatoshi Yumoto, Yoshimitsu Arai, Hirotaka Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6398981
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with photopolymer materials sensitive to infrared, near infrared, red and green light radiation for initiating polymerization and to applications of such photopolymer, like holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) or reversible dye doped photopolymer (RDDP) materials, for making optical devices. The invention relates to holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal and reversible dye materials having improved electrical and optical switching properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Universite Laval
    Inventors: Tigran Galstian, Amir Tork
  • Publication number: 20010019806
    Abstract: The present invention related to an azomethine dye precursor represented by the following general formula (1) and the image-forming material and image-forming method using the azomethine dye precursor: wherein Ar represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic group which may each have a substituent; X represents a bivalent group linking a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom; and Cp represent a coupler residue which may or may not form a ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sato, Masatoshi Yumoto, Yoshimitsu Arai, Hirotaka Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6274728
    Abstract: Compounds of formula A(B)x  (I), wherein x is an integer from 1 to 8, A is the radical of a chromophore of the quinacridone, anthraquinone, perylene, indigo, quinophthalone, indanthrone, isoindolinone, isoindoline, dioxazine, azo, phthalocyanine or diketopyrrolopyrrole series that is bonded to x groups B via one or more hetero atoms, those hetero atoms being selected from the group consisting of N, O and S and forming part of the radical A, each group B independently of any other(s) is hydrogen or a group of the formula  at least one group B being a group of the formula The compounds according to the invention are used in high-molecular-weight organic materials, thermo-, photo- or chemo-sensitive recording materials, light-sensitive negative or positive resist compositions, ink compositions for ink-jet printing and color tapes for thermal transfer printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp.
    Inventors: Véronique Hall-Goulle, Aline Bize
  • Patent number: 6251571
    Abstract: Novel thermally imageable monochrome product compositions, elements, and processes are disclosed herein. These compositions and elements characteristically have high contrast and fast imaging speeds. The thermally imageable compositions of this invention contain at least one polymeric binder, a specified leuco dye and a specified hydroxylamine compound. These compositions have the propensity for affording, upon thermal imaging, highly colored images having high optical density values. At the same time, background color is low in preferred compositions even after extensive exposure to ambient light. These compositions can be imagewise heated to effect color formation (i.e., generation of an image) or, in case of compositions containing at least one near IR-absorbing dye, can be imagewise exposed to near IR radiation from a laser or other device to effect color formation (i.e., generation of an image).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rolf Dessauer, Jonathan V Caspar
  • Patent number: 6242154
    Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jurgen M. Grasshoff, John L. Marshall, Richard A. Minns, Socorro M. Ramos, Stephen G. Stroud, Stephen J. Telfer, Haixin Yang, Roger A. Boggs, Eric S. Kolb
  • Patent number: 6235095
    Abstract: An improved ink suitable for ink jet printing comprising, a mixture of a colorant, an arylketoalkene stabilizing compound or a photoreactor, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the colorant is light-stable. When the photoreactor is combined with a wavelength-selective sensitizer to form a radiation transorber, the colorant is mutable upon exposure of the radiation transorber to specific, narrow bandwidth radiation. The colored composition may also contain a molecular includant having a chemical structure which defines at least one cavity wherein each of the colorant and photoreactor or radiation transorber is associated with the molecular includant. The invention also includes ink jet print cartridges containing the improved ink, ink jet printers containing the improved ink and methods of printing using the improved ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 6232038
    Abstract: A photosensitive composition comprising (a) an ethylenically unsaturated double bond-containing compound, (b) a sensitizing dye and (c) a photopolymerization initiator, wherein the sensitizing dye is a phthalocyanine compound showing the maximum absorption within a range of from 750 to 1,200 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Takasaki, Toshiyuki Urano
  • Patent number: 6110638
    Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Boggs, Jurgen M. Grasshoff, Eric S. Kolb, John L. Marshall, Richard A. Minns, Socorro M. Ramos, Stephen G. Stroud, Stephen J. Telfer, Haixin Yang
  • Patent number: 6110646
    Abstract: A positive photosensitive composition comprising an alkali-soluble organic high molecular substance having phenolic hydroxyl groups and an acid color forming dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Urano, Etsuko Hino
  • Patent number: 6063551
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method and composition comprising a novel pre-dye molecule that is colorless and stable to ordinary light. The pre-dye molecule is capable of forming a color when exposed to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. A second embodiment of the present invention is a method of converting a conventional leuco dye to a colored composition by exposing the leuco dye admixed with a radiation transorber to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 6004719
    Abstract: A process for producing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizing dye and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizing dye has first and second forms, the first form having substantially greater substantial absorption in a first wavelength range than the second form. The superacid precursor is not capable, in the absence of the first form of the sensitizing dye, of being decomposed by radiation in the first wavelength range. The secondary acid generator is capable of thermal decomposition, catalyzed by superacid, to form a secondary acid. While at least part of the sensitizing dye is in its first form, the medium is imagewise exposed to radiation in the first wavelength range, thereby causing, in the exposed areas of the acid-generating layer, the formation of superacid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Russell A. Gaudiana, Robert W. Haddock, Serajul Haque, Iris B. Kliman Bloom, John L. Marshall, Socorro M. Ramos, Larry C. Takiff, Stephen J. Telfer, Michael A. Young
  • Patent number: 5955224
    Abstract: Novel thermally imageable monochrome product compositions, elements, and processes are disclosed herein. These compositions and elements characteristically have high contrast and fast imaging speeds. The thermally imageable compositions of this invention comprise (a) at least one near IR-absorbing dye having the structure given in the specification; (b) at least one HABI compound; (c) at least one leuco dye; (d) at least one acid-generating compound; and (e) a polymeric binder. Optionally at least one UV stabilizer and/or at least one inhibitor of color formation can also be present. These compositions have the propensity for affording, upon imaging, highly colored images having high optical density values. At the same time, background color is low in preferred compositions even after extensive exposure to ambient light. These compositions are imagewise exposed to near IR radiation from a laser or other device to effect color formation (i.e., generation of an image).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jonathan V. Caspar, Gregory Charles Weed
  • Patent number: 5955237
    Abstract: A photosensitive recording medium comprising a base material and formed thereon a photosensitive layer containing at least yellow color-forming particles containing a first photosensitive component having a maximum hardening sensitivity to light with wavelength L1, magenta color-forming particles containing a second photosensitive component having a maximum hardening sensitivity to light with wavelength L2 and cyan color-forming particles containing a third photosensitive component having a maximum hardening sensitivity to light with wavelength L3. All the wavelengths L1, L2 and L3 are wavelengths longer than 500 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hattori, Takemi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5914213
    Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jurgen M. Grasshoff, John L. Marshall, Richard A. Minns, Socorro M. Ramos, Stephen G. Stroud, Stephen J. Telfer, Haixin Yang, Roger A. Boggs, Eric S. Kolb
  • Patent number: 5912257
    Abstract: Styryl dyes and compositions which exhibit superior two-photon absorption cross-sections and are useful in two-photon pumped cavity lasing, two-photon pumped upconversion lasing, optical power limiting, optical power stabilization, optical signal reshaping, and infrared beam detection and indication are disclosed. Also disclosed are multiphasic nanostructured composites which include a glass having pores, an optically active coating material on the pore surface, and a polymeric material in the pores. These composites are useful in producing multifunctional optical materials, such as broadly tunable lasers. Methods for killing cells and viruses using a photosensitizer and a two-photon upconverting dye are also described. These methods are especially useful to kill cells and viruses in biological materials, such as in photodynamic therapy of tumors and cancers or blood purification protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State university of New York
    Inventors: Paras N. Prasad, Jayant D. Bhawalkar, Guang S. He, Chan F. Zhao, Raz Gvishi, Gary E. Ruland, Jaroslaw Zieba, Ping Chin Cheng, Shan Jen Pan
  • Patent number: 5908495
    Abstract: An improved ink suitable for ink jet printing comprising, a mixture of a colorant, an arylketoalkene stabilizing compound or a photoreactor, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the colorant is light-stable. When the photoreactor is combined with a wavelength-selective sensitizer to form a radiation transorber, the colorant is mutable upon exposure of the radiation transorber to specific, narrow bandwidth radiation. The colored composition may also contain a molecular includant having a chemical structure which defines at least one cavity wherein each of the colorant and photoreactor or radiation transorber is associated with the molecular includant. The invention also includes ink jet print cartridges containing the improved ink, ink jet printers containing the improved ink and methods of printing using the improved ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5883232
    Abstract: Disclosed are diazahemicyanine hydrophobic cationic dyes represented by the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are lower alkyl groups having not more than 5 carbon atoms, R.sup.5 is a lower alkyl group having not more than 5 carbon atoms or a lower alkoxy lower alkyl group having not more than 6 carbon atoms, and Z.sup.- is a counter ion having a hydrophobic organic group, and a thermal transfer ink ribbon having a substrate and and ink layer laminated thereon containing said cationic dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Hodog aya Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Hida, Kengo Ito, Yoshio Fujiwara, Nobuo Suzuki, Hiroyoshi Yamaga, Junichi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 5858583
    Abstract: Novel thermally imageable monochrome product compositions, elements, and processes are disclosed herein. These compositions and elements characteristically have high contrast and fast imaging speeds. The thermally imageable compositions of this invention comprise (a) at least one hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) compound, (b) at least one leuco dye, (c) at least one acid-generating compound, (d) a polymeric binder, (e) optionally at least one UV stabilizer and/or at least one inhibitor of color formation, and, in certain embodiments, (f) at least one near IR-absorbing dye. These compositions have the propensity for affording, upon thermal imaging, highly colored images having high optical density values. At the same time, background color is low in preferred compositions even after extensive exposure to ambient light. These compositions can be imagewise heated to effect color formation (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rolf Dessauer, Jonathan V. Caspar
  • Patent number: 5837429
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method and composition comprising a novel pre-dye molecule that is colorless and stable to ordinary light. The pre-dye molecule is capable of forming a color when exposed to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. A second embodiment of the present invention is a method of converting a conventional leuco dye to a colored composition by exposing the leuco dye admixed with a radiation transorber to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5786132
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method and composition comprising a novel pre-dye molecule that is colorless and stable to ordinary light. The pre-dye molecule is capable of forming a color when exposed to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. A second embodiment of the present invention is a method of converting a conventional leuco dye to a colored composition by exposing the leuco dye admixed with a radiation transorber to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5783710
    Abstract: The present invention relates to benzothioxanthene dyes of the formula I, ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is SO.sub.3.sup..crclbar. M.sup..sym. or SO.sub.2 NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently of one another are hydrogen, SO.sub.3.sup..crclbar. M.sup..sym. or SO.sub.2 NR.sup.4 R.sup.5 and X, Y, n, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and M.sup..sym. are as defined in claim 1, to their preparation and to their use, especially in inks and recording liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bauer, Dieter Baumgart, Walter Zoller
  • Patent number: 5700850
    Abstract: A light-stable colored composition which includes a colorant and a radiation transorber. The colorant, in the presence of the radiation transorber, is adapted, upon exposure of the transorber to specific, narrow bandwidth radiation, to be mutable. The radiation transorber also imparts light-stability to the colorant so that the colorant does not fade when exposed to sunlight or artificial light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5693589
    Abstract: A thermal recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a polymeric binder containing:(a) a metallized complex of a formazan dye that absorbs at from about 400 to about 850 nm; and(b) an organic carboxylic acid;the dye layer having associated therewith:(c) a hexaarylbiimidazole which is an oxidative dimer of a 2,4,5-triarylimidazole having one of the following formulas: ##STR1## wherein: R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy group of from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, amino, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having from about 5 to about 7 carbon atoms, or an electron-rich heterocyclic group having from about 5 to about 7 atoms, with the proviso that at least one of R and R.sup.1 is the alkoxy or amino group;X and X.sup.1 each independently represents oxy or imino;Z is an alkylene group of 1 or 2 carbon atoms; andm, n and o each independently represents an integer of 0 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ramanuj Goswami, Robert J. Perry, Paul Anthony Zielinski
  • Patent number: 5681380
    Abstract: An improved ink suitable for ink jet printing comprising, a mixture of a colorant, an arylketoalkene stabilizing compound or a photoreactor, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the colorant is light-stable. When the photoreactor is combined with a wavelength-selective sensitizer to form a radiation transorber, the colorant is mutable upon exposure of the radiation transorber to specific, narrow bandwidth radiation. The colored composition may also contain a molecular includant having a chemical structure which defines at least one cavity wherein each of the colorant and photoreactor or radiation transorber is associated with the molecular includant. The invention also includes ink jet print cartridges containing the improved ink, ink jet printers containing the improved ink and methods of printing using the improved ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5672562
    Abstract: A thermal recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a polymeric binder containing:(a) a formazan dye that absorbs at from about 400 to about 850 nm, and(b) a hexaarylbiimidazole which is an oxidative dimer of a 2,4,5-triarylimidazole having one of the following formulas: ##STR1##
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ramanuj Goswami, Robert J. Perry, Paul Anthony Zielinski
  • Patent number: 5667943
    Abstract: Certain squaric acid derivatives are useful for the thermochemical generation of acid. The squaric acid derivatives may be used in imaging media in conjunction with acid-sensitive materials which undergo a color change when contacted by the acid generated from the squaric acid derivatives. Preferably, the acid-sensitive materials undergo an irreversible color change, so that the image can be fixed by neutralizing all the acid generated with excess base, thereby preventing further color change in the image during long term storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Boggs, Jurgen M. Grasshoff, Mark R. Mischke, Anthony J. Puttick, Stephen J. Telfer, David P. Waller, Kenneth C. Waterman
  • Patent number: 5645964
    Abstract: A digital information recording media which includes a recording layer comprising a light-stable colored composition which composition is mutable or decolorizable upon exposure to a specific wavelength of ultraviolet radiation. The light-stable colored composition includes a colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber. The colorant, in the presence of the radiation transorber, is adapted, upon exposure of the transorber to specific, narrow bandwidth ultraviolet radiation, to be mutable. The radiation transorber also imparts light-stability to the colorant so that the colorant does not fade when exposed to sunlight or artificial light. The ultraviolet radiation transorber is adapted to absorb radiation and interact with the colorant to effect the irreversible mutation of the colorant. Especially useful radiation is incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation produced by a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp or coherent, pulse radiation produced by an excimer laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5643356
    Abstract: An improved ink suitable for ink jet printing comprising, a mixture of a colorant, an arylketoalkene stabilizing compound or a photoreactor, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the colorant is light-stable. When the photoreactor is combined with a wavelength-selective sensitizer to form a radiation transorber, the colorant is mutable upon exposure of the radiation transorber to specific, narrow bandwidth radiation. The colored composition may also contain a molecular includant having a chemical structure which defines at least one cavity wherein each of the colorant and photoreactor or radiation transorber is associated with the molecular includant. The invention also includes ink jet print cartridges containing the improved ink, ink jet printers containing the improved ink and methods of printing using the improved ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5565306
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermofixable photosensitive recording material comprising a substrate and a recording layer formed thereon in which a pyrazolone derivative represented by the formula (1 ) shown in the specification and functions as a color former, and a hydroquinone derivative and an acidic substance which function as a color forming auxiliary agent or fixing auxiliary agent are dissolved mutually therein.Further, a binder can be added as required to the recording layer, thereby four components are dissolved mutually therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: New OJI Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Meguro, Nobuhisa Danou, Tetsuo Tsuchida, Naoto Arai