Thermal Imaging Composition Patents (Class 430/964)
  • Patent number: 7060415
    Abstract: The present invention provides a positive-working, thermally imageable element generally comprising a multi-layered imageable coating. The invention provides an imageable element comprising a substrate, an ink-receptive top layer, and an underlayer, the underlayer including a specific copolymer described herein. The copolymer can be a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer having a cyclic urea group; b) a monomer comprising an N-substituted maleimide; c) a (meth)acrylamide or (meth)acrylate monomer; and d) a (meth)acrylic acid or vinyl benzoic acid monomer. In another embodiment, the copolymer can be a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer having a cyclic urea group; b) a (meth)acrylic acid or vinyl benzoic acid monomer; c) and a (meth)acrylonitrile monomer. The imageable element may be used to prepare a lithographic printing plate that is resistant to press chemistry and can optionally be baked to increase press runlength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Anthony P. Kitson, Kevin B. Ray, Joanne Ray, Mathias Jarek, Celin Savariar-Hauck
  • Patent number: 7056650
    Abstract: Thermally developable imaging materials have an outermost protective layer that is composed of one or more hydrophilic film-forming components. The predominant film-forming component is a positively-charged latex polymer that has cationic groups. The charged latex polymer is present as latex particles that have prepared in the presence of a non-ionic or cationic stabilizer in an amount of at least 0.5% (by weight) that has an HLB value of 7 to 20. The nonionic or cationic stabilizer becomes associated with the latex polymer particles. Both thermographic and photothermographic materials can be prepared with such protective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jon A. Hammerschmidt, Jeffrey W. Leon
  • Patent number: 7052822
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infrared photosensitive composition including a binder polymer (A), a polymerizable compound (B), an infrared absorber (C), and a compound (D) which can generate radicals by the action of light or heat, wherein an acid value of a film produced from the composition is from 0.15 mmol/g to 0.8 mmol/g. The invention also provides a planographic printing plate precursor including a substrate having disposed thereon a recording layer that contains the infrared photosensitive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Goto
  • Patent number: 7049047
    Abstract: Thermally imageable elements comprising a masking layer and a substrate are disclosed. The masking layer contains a sulfated polymer or a mixture of sulfated polymers and absorbs both infrared and ultraviolet radiation. When the masking layer is on the substrate, the imageable element may be imaged and developed to form a photomask. When the imageable element additionally comprises a photosensitive layer, the masking layer may be imaged and developed to form an integral photomask. The imageable elements that comprise a photosensitive layer are useful as flexographic printing plate precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Davide Tenaglia, Kevin Barry Ray, Chris McCullough
  • Patent number: 7049048
    Abstract: Substrates for lithographic printing plate precursors and lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The substrates comprise an aluminum or aluminum alloy support and the a layer of interlayer material on the support. The interlayer material is a co-polymer that comprise (1) acid groups and/or phosphonic acid groups, and (2) silyl groups substituted with three alkoxy and/or phenoxy groups. The lithographic printing plate precursors additionally comprise an imageable layer over the interlayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph Hunter, Saraiya Shashikant, Ting Tao, Fredéric Eugene Mikell
  • Patent number: 7049054
    Abstract: Thermally developable imaging materials have an outermost protective layer that is composed of one or more hydrophilic film-forming components. Between the outermost protective layer and the underlying thermally developable imaging layers is an interlayer containing a film-forming ionic latex polymer other than a carboxy-containing latex polymer. This ionic polymer can be negatively-charged or positively-charged. The ionic latex polymer is present as latex particles that have been prepared in the presence of a stabilizer in an amount of at least 0.5% (by weight) that has an HLB value of 7 to 20. The stabilizer becomes associated with the latex polymer particles. Both thermographic and photothermographic materials can be prepared with such protective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jon A. Hammerschmidt, Jeffrey W. Leon
  • Patent number: 7041427
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed comprising a polymer which is soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution and which comprises at least one chromophoric moiety having a light absorption maximum in the wavelength range between 400 and 780 nm. Such materials show no dye stain after processing in areas where the coating has been removed by an alkaline developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Agfa Gevaert
    Inventors: Johan Loccufier, Marc Van Damme, Joan Vermeersch, Wim Sap
  • Patent number: 7040929
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and on one side of said support a thermosensitive element, wherein said thermographic recording material contains at least one compound represented by formula (I): wherein M is hydrogen, an alkali atom or an ammonium group; R1 is an alkyl, alkenyl-, alkynyl-, thioalkyl-, thioalkenyl- or thioalkynyl-group in which the alkyl-, alkenyl- or alkynyl-group has 6 to 25 carbon atoms; X is —O—, —S— or —N(R2)—; and R2 is hydrogen, a —(CH2)mSO3M group or a group; and m is an integer between 1 and 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Geert Defieuw, Johan Loccufier, Luc Van Steen, Etienne Van Thillo
  • Patent number: 7037636
    Abstract: The present invention provides a presensitized plate useful for preparing a lithographic printing plate, which comprises a substrate provided thereon with a light-sensitive layer containing a fluoro-aliphatic group-containing copolymer prepared by copolymerizing at least (A) a fluoroalkyl(meth)acrylate represented by the general formula (I) and (B) a polyoxyalkylene group-containing ethylenic unsaturated monomer. By such a presensitized plate, a lithographic printing plate is provided with a light-sensitive layer whose uniformity and solubility or dispersibility in a developer are improved and which has an ability of forming high contrast images without entraining any reduction of the sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Fujita
  • Patent number: 7033743
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material has a support and on one side of the support comprises a thermosensitive element, a barrier layer and an outermost protective layer, the thermosensitive element being exclusive of a high contrast agent and containing at least one substantially light-insensitive silver salt of a carboxylic acid, at least one reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith, at least one toning agent and at least one binder, wherein the at least one reducing agent is an ortho-dihydroxy-benzene derivative and the barrier layer comprises a copolymer comprising vinyl chloride units and vinyl acetate and/or vinyl alcohol units, a copolymer comprising styrene units and acrylonitrile units, a copolymer comprising cationic units and/or a copolymer comprising styrene units and maleic acid units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Agfa Gevaert
    Inventors: Ingrid Geuens, Frank Loewet, Peter Michiels
  • Patent number: 7033725
    Abstract: An infrared-sensitive photosensitive composition comprising (A) an alkali-soluble resin containing a repeating unit having an alkylene oxide group, and (B) a light-to-heat converting agent; and an infrared-sensitive photosensitive composition comprising (A?) a polyurethane resin having a specific diol as a constituent, (B) a light-to-heat converting agent, and (C) a novolak resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Kawauchi, Takeshi Serikawa
  • Patent number: 7029824
    Abstract: A positive working thermal imaging assembly comprising: A) a substrate; and B) a thermally sensitive imaging element of a composite layer structure comprising: (I) a first layer on the substrate of a polymeric material soluble in aqueous alkali solution, optionally containing compounds that absorb and convert light to heat and/or a coloured dye or pigment; said first layer being converted at its surface by treatment with solutions at elevated temperatures that contain an active compound or compounds capable of rendering said first polymeric material less soluble in an aqueous alkali developer at the point of contact; the first layer being oleophilic; (ii) optionally, a first intermediate layer between the substrate and the said first layer with a second polymeric material which is soluble or dispersible in aqueous solution optionally containing compounds that absorb and convert light or radiation to heat and/or a coloured dye or pigment coated from a solvent that does not substantially dissolve the first laye
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: IBF Industria Brasileira De Filmes Ltda.
    Inventors: Andre Luiz Arias, Luiz Nei Arias, Marjorie Arias, Mario Italo Provenzano
  • Patent number: 7029805
    Abstract: Thermally imageable elements comprising a masking layer and a substrate are disclosed. The masking layer contains a sulfobetaine and/or a carboxybetaine containing co-polymer or a mixture of a sulfobetaine and/or a carboxybetaine containing co-polymers and absorbs both infrared and ultraviolet radiation. When the masking layer is on the substrate, the imageable element may be imaged and developed to form a photomask. When the imageable element additionally comprises a photosensitive layer, the masking layer may be imaged and developed to form an integral photomask. The imageable elements that comprise a photosensitive layer are useful as flexographic printing plate precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kevin Ray, Ting Tao, Scott Beckley
  • 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: 7022461
    Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, has an imaging layer comprised of a thermally sensitive compound and a photothermal conversion material. The thermally sensitive compound comprises a heat-activatable bisulfite adduct and can be a polymer or a small molecule compound. In the imaging member, the thermally sensitive compound reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. The imaging layer is considered “switchable” and can be used to provide a lithographic printing image without traditional alkaline wet processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Shiying Zheng, Grace A. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7022453
    Abstract: A multicolor image-forming material comprising: an image-receiving sheet comprising a support and an image-receiving layer; and at least four (yellow, magenta, cyan, black and the like) thermal transfer sheets each comprising a support, a light-to-heat converting layer and an image-forming layer, wherein image-recording is performed by the method comprising superposing each one of the at least four thermal transfer sheets on the image-receiving sheet to be in a state of the image-forming layer being in contact with the image-receiving layer; and irradiating the thermal transfer sheet with laser beams in two-dimensional array to transfer an image in an area of the image-forming layer subjected to irradiation onto the image-receiving layer, and a recording area of a multicolor image in each of the thermal transfer sheets is a size of 515 mm×728 mm or more, a resolution of the transferred image is 2,400 dpi or more, and each of the light-to-heat converting layers comprises from 1 to 20% by weight of a substance
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Miyake, Junichi Fujimori
  • Patent number: 7018786
    Abstract: A black and white monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element, the thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, an organic reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith, a binder and at least one toning agent, wherein the at least one toning agent is represented by formula (I): wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, a cycloalkyl, an alkaryl, an aryl, a heterocyclic or a heteroaryl group all of which may be optionally substituted; with the proviso that R1 may not be a hydrogen atom if both R2 and R3 are both hydrogen atoms; R2 and R3 are independently a hydrogen or a halogen atom or an amino, amide, ester, carboxy, carbonate, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, alkaryl, aryl, heterocyclic or heteroaryl group all of which may be optionally substituted; R2 and R3 may together represent the atoms necessary to complete a heteroaromatic ring with no more than one nitrog
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: AGFA Gevaert
    Inventors: Ingrid Geuens, Johan Loccufier, Vera Drieghe
  • Patent number: 7018775
    Abstract: Infrared absorbing N-alkylsulfate cyanine compounds and imageable compositions containing the compounds are disclosed. The compounds have the structure I: in which: R is hydrogen, or R is one or more alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, alkoxy, carboxyl, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, acyl, alkyl sulfonyl, aryl sulfonyl, or halogen groups, or R is the atoms necessary to form a substituted or unsubstituted benzo group; A is (CH2)n; where n is 1–5; preferably 2–4; Y is O, S, NR?, or C(R?)2, where R? is hydrogen or alkyl; preferably methyl; Z is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl; substituted or unsubstituted aroxyl, substituted or unsubstituted thioaroxyl, or substituted or unsubstituted diphenylamino; m is zero or one; and X is a cation, preferably sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, or substituted ammonium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Ting Tao
  • Patent number: 7018774
    Abstract: An infrared sensitive composition and a lithographic printing plate precursor having a large difference in alkali solubility between the exposed portions and unexposed portions (dissolution discrimination), an excellent latitude in development, and a high sensitivity can be provided when the composition is used for the image-forming layer of a lithographic printing plate precursor, which is an infrared sensitive composition comprising an alkali-soluble resin having a phenolic hydroxyl group (A), a light-heat converting substance (B) and a leucohydroxy dye (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Aoai, Akihiro Endo
  • Patent number: 7014983
    Abstract: Multilayer, thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The imageable elements comprise a substrate, an underlayer over the substrate, an underlayer over the substrate, and a top layer over the underlayer. The top layer contains a co-polymer that alkylene glycol side chains, polyalkylene glycol side chains, side chains that have silyl groups substituted with three alkoxy and/or phenoxy groups, and/or side chains that have alkyl ammonium side chains. The imageable elements have excellent resistance to press room chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jayanti Patel, Ting Tao, Scott Beckley, John Kalamen
  • Patent number: 7014985
    Abstract: A thermal negative type presensitized plate provided with an image recording layer hardened by infrared rays on an aluminum support, wherein the aluminum support has on the surface thereof, a grain shape with a structure in which a grained structure with medium undulation with a specified aperture diameter and a grained structure with small undulation with a specified aperture diameter are superimposed. For the presensitized plate, contact characteristics between the image recording layer and the support and scum resistance on a non-image area are kept compatible with each other at a high level, a thermal diffusion depression effect by which an energy generated by exposure can be efficiently used to form an image is excellent, and sensitivity is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kei Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7008751
    Abstract: Imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The element comprises an imageable layer over a support. The imageable layer contains a photothermal conversion material and a polymeric binder that comprises a polymer backbone with sulfobetaine- and/or carboxybetaine-containing side chains. The imageable elements do not require processing in a developer. They can be thermally imaged and immediately treated with fountain solution and ink without a development step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ting Tao, Scott Beckley
  • Patent number: 7008748
    Abstract: Thermally developable materials such as thermographic and photothermographic materials include a co-precipitate comprising first and second organic silver salts, the first organic silver salt comprising a silver salt of a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound containing an imino group, and the second organic silver salt comprising a silver salt of a mercaptotriazole. The first organic silver salt can be used in the imaging process as a source of reducible silver ions, and the second organic silver salt can be a source of a toning agent. The co-precipitate can be prepared using double-jet precipitation techniques to provide an aqueous dispersion that can be used in imaging formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dirk J. Hasberg, Doreen C. Lynch, Kui Chen-Ho, Chaofeng Zou
  • Patent number: 7001704
    Abstract: A presensitized lithographic printing plate comprises a hydrophilic support and an image-forming layer. The image-forming layer contains microcapsules and a hydrophilic compound. The microcapsules are dispersed in the image forming layer. The hydrophilic compound is arranged outside of the microcapsules. The microcapsules comprise a core and a shell. The core comprises a polymerizable compound. The shell comprises a polymer. The polymer of the shell has adherence to a surface of the hydrophilic support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhito Oshima, Sumiaki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6989220
    Abstract: Laser imageable flexographic printing elements, including printing plates and printing sleeves and methods of making the laser imageable flexographic printing elements using a collapsible cross-linkable material comprising a curable elastomer, a material that absorbs laser radiation at a selected wavelength, and microspheres are disclosed. A laser is used to collapse and melt the collapsible cross-linkable material to form a relief image on the printing element. The printing element is thereafter cured by face exposure to crosslink and cure the formed relief image. The invention addresses a market need for eliminating chemical processing of printing elements, thus going from printing element to press much more quickly and using an environmentally friendly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: MacDermid Printing Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Rustom Sam Kanga
  • Patent number: 6974662
    Abstract: Improved compounds and base precursors that undergo thermal decomposition are disclosed. Thermal base precursors, and in particular, a novel class of salts of arylsulfonylacetic acids as bleaching agents or promoting for photothermographic use are disclosed. Compositions employing these thermal base precursors are suitable for use in acutance and antihalation systems, bleachable filter dye materials, and in promoting unblocking of various components such as blocked developers, especially in photothermographic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ramanuj Goswami, Wojciech K. Slusarek, David H. Levy
  • Patent number: 6972139
    Abstract: A dye-donor element, a method of printing using the dye-donor element, and a print assembly including the dye-donor element are described, wherein the dye-donor layer of the dye-donor element includes a polyvinylacetal copolymer as a binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David M. Teegarden, Christine J. Landry-Coltrain, Walter H. Isaac, Dennis J. Massa
  • Patent number: 6969579
    Abstract: Thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements may be either single layer or multilayer elements and comprise an alkali soluble co-polymer, or a mixture of alkali soluble co-polymers. The resulting printing plates have good resistance to pressroom chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Paul Kitson, Kevin Barry Ray
  • Patent number: 6969570
    Abstract: Thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements comprise a substrate, an underlayer over the substrate, and a top layer over the underlayer. The top layer comprises a co-polymer that comprises, in polymerized form, norbornene or a norbornene derivative. The resulting lithographic printing plates have good resistance to pressroom chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Kitson
  • 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: 6962773
    Abstract: A black and white thermographic recording material comprising a thermosensitive element and a support, the thermosensitive element containing at least one substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a binder and optionally photosensitive silver halide, characterized in that the thermosensitive element further contains deliberately added metal nano-particles in a molar ratio with respect to the total molar concentration of the at least one substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt in the range of 0.05:1 to 10?6:1; and the use for the purpose of increasing the ratio of Dmax to the quantity of said substantially light-insensitive organic silver salts per unit area of the above-mentioned thermographic recording material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Agfa Gevaert
    Inventors: Ingrid Geuens, Luc Verberckt, Ivan Hoogmartens, Frank De Voeght, Iris Vanwelkenhuysen
  • Patent number: 6958205
    Abstract: An image forming material includes an image forming layer containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin, a light-heat converting agent and a compound represented by the following general formula (1). In general formula (1), R1 to R3 independently represent an organic group, where R1 represents a residue forming a ring containing a N1 atom, R2 and R3 may bond to each other to form a ring or at least one of R2 and R3 may bond to R1 to form a ring and X? represents a conjugate base of an organic acid or inorganic acid. The ring containing the N1 atom is preferably a piperidine ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Iwato, Tadahiro Sorori
  • Patent number: 6942957
    Abstract: Thermally imageable, positive working, multilayer imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements comprise a substrate; an underlayer over the substrate; a top layer over the underlayer, and a photothermal conversion material. The top layer comprises a binder and an ionic liquid. A preferred binder is poly(methyl methacrylate).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ray, S. Peter Pappas, John Kalamen
  • Patent number: 6939663
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally sensitive composition that may be coated as a water-borne material onto a substrate to yield a printing plate precursor having an imageable coating. The thermally sensitive composition comprises a sulfated phenolic resin. The sulfated phenolic resin may be a sulfated novolak resin or a sulfated resole resin, for example. The thermally sensitive composition may include a water-soluble binder, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and a radiation-absorbing component. The invention also provides a printing plate precursor that is developed in water after imaging. The precursor does not require chemical development with a developing solution containing organic solvents or inorganic additives. The imaged precursor is on-press-developable when used with a fountain solution. Methods for making and using the precursor are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Ting Tao, Scott A. Beckley, John Kalamen, Kevin Barry Ray
  • Patent number: 6924077
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the colored inscription or marking of plastics and surface coatings, including powder coatings, in which a colorant is transferred into the plastic or surface coating by laser radiation with the aid of a laser light-absorbent substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Delp, Matthias Kuntz
  • Patent number: 6921614
    Abstract: This invention relates to laserable assemblages for use in laser-induced thermal transfer imaging which result in improvements in resolution and toughness in the transferred image when two binders differing in glass transition temperature are incorporated into the transfer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Gerald Donald Andrews, Graciela Beatriz Blanchet-Fincher
  • Patent number: 6921626
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making an electronic part in which a nanopaste composed of inorganic nanoparticles and a carrier is applied onto a surface of a substrate. The composition is then processed to form an electrically conductive pattern area that adheres to the surface of the substrate. Optionally, the conductivity of the pattern area may be improved by heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Barry Ray, Ken-Ichi Shimazu, Anthony Paul Kitson
  • Patent number: 6919171
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aqueous dispersions of silver (carboxylate-azine toner) particles wherein the azine content of the particles is from about 0.01 to 10% by weight relative to silver carboxylate. The carboxylates are typically silver salts of long chain fatty acids and the azine toners are the compounds that function as development accelerators and toning agents such as phthalazine. These silver (carboxylate-azine) particles can be used to formulate imaging forming compositions that are useful in aqueous thermographic or photothermographic imaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark Lelental, Peter J. Ghyzel, John W. Boettcher, James L. Wakley, David A. Dickinson, Joe E. Maskasky, Roger L. Klaus, Victor P. Scaccia, Thomas Blanton
  • Patent number: 6919163
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having provided thereon a hydrophilic layer which is converted to hydrophobic by heating, wherein the hydrophilic layer contains (1) an organic and inorganic composite having a crosslinking structure obtained by hydrolysis and poly-condensation on condition of coexistence of a metal complex compound and an organic hydrophilic resin, and (2) core-shell structural fine particles containing a resin core having a functional group capable of interacting with the organic and inorganic composite and a resin shell not substantially having a functional group capable of interacting with the organic and inorganic composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Oohashi, Sumiaki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6916595
    Abstract: A heat mode type negative image recording material is provided which comprises (A) a polymer compound that is insoluble in water but is soluble in an alkali aqueous solution and has at least one of groups represented by general formulae (1) to (3) on a side chain; (B) a photothermal conversion agent; and (C) an onium salt compound forming radicals by heat mode exposure with light that is capable of being absorbed by said photothermal conversion agent (B), said heat mode type negative image recording material being capable of recording an image by heat mode exposure. The general formulae are defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fujimaki, Tadahiro Sorori, Keitaro Aoshimā
  • Patent number: 6911296
    Abstract: The present invention also includes an imageable element, comprising a substrate and a thermally imageable composition comprising a thermally sensitive polymer which exhibits an increased solubility in an aqueous developer solution upon heating. The thermally sensitive polymer includes at least one covalently bonded unit and at least one thermally reversible non-covalently bonded unit, which includes a two or more centered H-bond within each of the non-covalently bonded unit. The present invention also includes a method of producing the imaged element. The present invention still further includes a thermally imageable composition comprising comprising a thermally sensitive polymer according to the present invention and a process for preparing the thermally sensitive polymer, which is a supramolecular polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Peter S. Pappas, Alan Monk, Shashikant Saraiya, Jianbing Huang
  • Patent number: 6911295
    Abstract: The positive planographic printing plate precursor of the present invention is a precursor comprising (I) a positive recording layer including a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble polymer compound and a light to heat converting agent, on a support having a hydrophilic surface in which a hydrophilic graft polymer chain is present. The precursor may further comprise (II) a lower layer including a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble polymer compound between the recording layer and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Kawamura, Miki Takahashi, Sumiaki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6908731
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element, the thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, an organic reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith, a binder and at least one stabilizer selected from the group consisting of 1-phenyl-5-mercaptotetrazole compounds in which the phenyl group is substituted with a substituent containing an optionally substituted aryl group; and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Ingrid Geuens, Carlo Uyttendaele, Ivan Hoogmartens, Johan Loccufier
  • Patent number: 6902880
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element, the thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, an organic reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith, a binder and at least one stabilizer selected from the group consisting of 1-(5-mercapto-1-tetrazolyl)-acetyl compounds represented by formula (I): wherein R1 is —NR2R3, —OR4 or an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group; R2 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group; R3 is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group; and R4 is an optionally substituted aryl group; and compounds with two or more groups represented by formula (II): where Q comprises the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered unsaturated heterocyclic ring, A is hydrogen, a counterion to compensate the negative charge of the thiolate group or two or more A groups provide a linki
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Ingrid Geuens, Johan Loccufier
  • Patent number: 6899988
    Abstract: A laser-induced thermal imaging system having a multi-layer construction donor element and a receptor element for the preparation of a metallic digital half tone color proof having an improved shiny metallic appearance. The donor element includes a substrate on which is coated at least two layers. The donor element includes a first layer coated on one side of the substrate having at least a first donor binder and a cationic infrared absorbing dye. The donor layer also includes a distinct second layer coated on the first layer. The second layer includes at least a second donor binder, a cationic infrared absorbing dye, a latent crosslinking agent, a fluorocarbon additive, metallic flakes and a dispersible material. The receptor element of the present invention includes a substrate coated with at least a receptor binder and a bleaching agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kidnie, Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, Gregory L. Zwaldo
  • Patent number: 6893783
    Abstract: Multilayer, positive working, thermally imageable elements are disclosed. The elements produce bakeable lithographic printing plates that are resistant to press chemistries. The elements have a substrate, an underlayer, and a top layer. The underlayer comprises a resin or resins having activated methylol and/or activated alkylated methylol groups, such as a resole resin, and a polymeric material that comprises, in polymerized form, (a) methacrylic acid; (b) N-phenylmaleimide, N-cyclohexylmaleimide, N-benzylmaleimide, or a mixture thereof; and (c) one or more monomers of the structure: in which: R1 is H or methyl; X is —(CH2)n—, where n is an integer from 2 to 12; —(CH2—CH2—O)p—CH2—CH2—, where p is an integer from 1 to 3; or —Si(R?)(R?)— where R? and R? are each independently methyl or ethyl; and m is 1, 2, or 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLD
    Inventors: Paul Kitson, Kevin B. Ray, Mathias Jarek, S. Peter Pappas
  • Patent number: 6884560
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a hydrophilic support and an image-forming layer containing a heat radical-generating agent, a polymethine dye, and at least one component selected from fine particles containing a compound having a radical polymerizable group and microcapsules encapsulating a compound having a radical polymerizable group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Yanaka, Kazuo Maemoto, Keiji Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6878671
    Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material comprising a thermosensitive layer provided on a substrate, and the thermosensitive layer comprises as main ingredients a leuco dye and a developer to make colored state of said leuco dye when heated, wherein the developer is an oligomer composition obtained from the reaction of a polyvalent isocyanate compound represented by following Formula (I) with an aromatic amine represented by following Formula (II); X(NCO)a??Formula (I) where X represents a try- or more-valent group, a represents an integer numeral of 3 or more, b and c represent respectively integer numerals in the range of 0 to 5 and they satisfy a relation of b+c=1 to 5, Z represents hydrogen atom, alkyl group, allyl group or aryl group, and the aryl group may include condensed ling structure thereof, and d represents an integer numeral in the range of 0 to 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunobu Morita, Kunio Hayakawa, Masafumi Torii, Mitsuru Naruse
  • Patent number: 6872500
    Abstract: An element for making patterns on an electroconductive substrate, the element comprising a support, on which is disposed: a) a conductive layer containing an electrically conductive polymer, a polyanion and a conductivity enhancing agent; and b) a mixing layer containing a thermally mobile material; wherein, upon imagewise heating the mixing layer, the thermally mobile material mixes with the conductive layer, thereby causing the initial surface resistivity (SR) of the conductive layer to imagewise increase from an initial value SRi, which is lower than 105?/square, to SRi?, ? being at least 102.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mitchell S. Burberry, Charles C. Anderson, Mark Lelental
  • Patent number: 6866979
    Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou