Thermal Imaging Composition Patents (Class 430/964)
  • Patent number: 6010808
    Abstract: A rewritable thermal recording medium of this invention uses a recording material which reversibly changes between an equilibrium state and a quasi-equilibrium state different in color condition from the equilibrium state when a predetermined heat treatment is performed. This rewritable thermal recording medium includes a substrate and a recording layer formed on the substrate. The recording layer has a first region containing a first recording material which takes on lighter color in quasi-equilibrium than in equilibrium, and a second region containing a second recording material which takes on darker color in quasi-equilibrium than in equilibrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Naito, Satoshi Takayama, Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6001530
    Abstract: A black donor for use in a laser addressable thermal transfer system, wherein the black donor comprises a substrate having coated thereon at least one black color layer comprising a binder and colorants. The colorants include a non-infrared absorbing black dye or pigment and about 10% to about 50% of a carbon black pigment, based on the total weight of the colorants in the black color layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kidnie, Richard R. Ollmann, Jr., Richard A. Gaboury, Gregory L. Zwadlo
  • Patent number: 6001529
    Abstract: The speed at which a thermosensitive recording medium is scanned with a laser beam is selected to be 5 m/s or higher to increase the temperature of a thermosensitive layer of the thermosensitive recording medium for recording a gradation image thereon with high sensitivity. A sharp temperature gradient is produced along the thickness of the thermosensitive layer, so that a density gradient along the thickness of the thermosensitive layer is developed, therefore, a high-quality image can be recorded without producing any density irregularities caused by thickness irregularities of the thermosensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 6001518
    Abstract: A reversible heat-sensitive recording medium has a substrate where a reversible heat-sensitive recording layer and a protective layer are successively formed on top of it. The reversible heat-sensitive recording layer is formed by a reversible heat-sensitive recording material including a leuco dye and a color developing/reducing agent. The color developing/reducing agent is a combination of two kinds of color developing/reducing agents, one with a high color developing ability and the other with high image preservation and stabilization capabilities. The two agents are combined at a ratio between 1:4 to 4:1. Thus a reversible heat-sensitive recording material with a fine color developing ability and high image preservation and stabilization capabilities can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Ohsawa, Shin-ichi Koizumi, Hiroyuki Morinaka, Minoru Fujita
  • Patent number: 5994028
    Abstract: A thermal transfer film is provided. The thermal transfer film having a support layer, light absorbing layer and a transfer layer further includes an insulating layer between the support layer and the light absorbing layer. The reverse transmission of heat is minimized, thereby improving the thermal energy transmission efficiency from the light absorbing layer to the transfer layer and performing a transfer process efficiently. Therefore, the quality of an image is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Display Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong-taek Lee
  • Patent number: 5989796
    Abstract: A thermally processable imaging element is disclosed having a protective coat overlying at least one thermographic or photothermographic imaging layer containing an organic silver salt and a thermally activated reducing agent for silver ion. The protective coat includes a film-forming binder comprised of a water dispersible polymer containing hydroxy pendant groups and, to reduce low density spots visible after thermal processing, a combination of anionic, non-ionic and fluorocarbon moiety containing surfactants satisfying formula defined selection criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Alice Moon
  • Patent number: 5985526
    Abstract: A method of forming an image comprising imagewise-exposing a thermal recording element to heat, the element comprising a support having thereon a thermally-sensitive layer comprising particles containing a colorant, the particles having a particle size between about 1 and about 25 .mu.m suspended in a matrix, the layer having an optical density no higher than about 0.5, the heating thereby causing the colorant to spread out from the particles into the matrix, thus increasing the optical density in the imagewise-exposed areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lee W. Tutt, Ian R. Gould, Mitchell S. Burberry, Samir Y. Farid
  • Patent number: 5981136
    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: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou
  • Patent number: 5981115
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording material which includes a recording layer including a resin, an electron donating coloring agent and an electron accepting coloring developer and in which an image is reversibly formed and erased by appropriately heating and cooling the recording layer, wherein the resin includes a resin crosslinked with the isocyanate compound. The reversible thermosensitive recording material has good image recording/erasing ability, and good durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Furuya, Tadafumi Tatewaki, Fumio Kawamura, Kyoji Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 5981155
    Abstract: A silver halide color photographic film element and more particularly a color motion picture projection film element is provided comprising a transparent thermoplastic film support having a subbing layer unit, coated thereon at least one color forming hydrophilic layer and protective layer, characterized in that at least said subbing layer unit comprises at least one light-stabilizer, preferably absorbing ultraviolet radiation, and at least one chemical compound having reducing properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: AGFA-Gervaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Geert Vercruysse, Jean Burtin
  • Patent number: 5972556
    Abstract: A (photo)thermographic material is provided, capable of being used to produce a lithographic printing plate, comprising a support, a hydrophobic thermosensitive layer and a hydrophilic surface adjoining the hydrophobic thermosensitive layer, the thermosensitive layer containing an ingredient A, for example a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, which upon negative or positive image-wise heating reacts with at least one other ingredient B, for example a reducing agent therefor, in thermal working relationship therewith, producing a moiety which changes the adhesion between the thermosensitive layer and an adjoining hydrophilic surface to an extent such that negative or positive image-wise separation of the hydrophobic thermosensitive layer from the adjoining hydrophilic surface is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventor: Luc Leenders
  • Patent number: 5968709
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat mode recording material comprising on a flexible support having an oleophilic surface (i) a recording layer containing a light-to-heat converting substance capable of converting radiation into heat and (ii) an oleophobic surface layer, wherein said oleophobic surface layer and said recording layer may be the same layer, characterized in that the kinetic coefficient of friction (.mu..sub.k) of said material when sliding one side of said material over the other side of said material is not more than 2.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Eric Verschueren, Joan Vermeersch, Jean Van Trier
  • Patent number: 5959960
    Abstract: A method of coating an optical recording layer on a transparent grooved substrate is disclosed. The recording layer is coated from a mixture of a primary and a secondary solvent. The solvent mixture provides a wide range of conformalities for optical recording layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Susan Starr Collier, Michael Paul Cunningham, Csaba Andras Kovacs
  • 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: 5955225
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive composition including a coloring agent and a developer and capable of assuming a colored state and a discolored state depending upon the thermal hysteresis thereof. The developer is a phenol compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 represent, independently from each other, a substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbon group, R.sup.2 represents a substituted or non-substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group having at least two carbon atoms, with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is at least 8, X and Y represent, independently from each other, a divalent group having a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom and r is an integer of between 1 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Furuya, Masafumi Torii, Masaru Shimada, Fumio Kawamura, Kyoji Tsutsui, Katsushi Sugiyama, Katsuaki Kokubo, Katsuhisa Kamio, Kazuo Hosoda, Masafumi Moriya
  • Patent number: 5952136
    Abstract: A method is disclosed, and a corresponding thermal imaging medium for use with it, for the formation of an improved heat mode image comprising (A) exposing information-wise to laser radiation a thermal imaging medium comprising (1) a transparent support, (2) an image recording layer containing a hydrophilic binder, a substance capable of converting laser radiation into heat, and a dispersion of a hydrophobic polymer capable of undergoing thermocoagulation by the action of heat and having a built-in UV-absorber. A heat mode image with high density and improved resistance to physical damage is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Eddie Daems, Joan Vermeersch, Luc Leenders, Rita Torfs
  • Patent number: 5945249
    Abstract: A laser addressable thermal imaging element comprising a bleachable photothermal converting dye in association with a heat-sensitive imaging medium, and a photoreducing agent for said dye, said photoreducing agent bleaching said dye on laser address of the element. The imaging element may be in the form of a colorant transfer system, a peel-apart system, a phototackification system or a unimolecular thermal fragmentation system. Also provided is a method of crosslinking a resin by leaser irradiation, which is useful in the production of colored images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Ranjan C. Patel, Andrew W. Mott, Robert J. D. Nairne, Mark R. I. Chambers, Dian E. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5942377
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive composition including a coloring agent and a developer and capable of assuming a colored state and a discolored state depending upon the thermal hysteresis thereof. The developer is a phenol compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a substituted or non-substituted divalent hydrocarbon group having at least two carbon atoms, R.sup.2 represents a substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbon group, X and Y represent, independently from each other, a divalent group having a hetero atom and r is an integer of between 1 and 3. A reversible thermosensitive recording medium includes a support and a thermosensitive layer including the above composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Miyoshi Yushi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masafumi Torii, Tadafumi Tatewaki, Hiroaki Matsui, Hiromi Furuya, Kyoji Tsutsui, Masaru Shimada, Katsushi Sugiyama, Katsuaki Kokubo, Katsuhisa Kamio, Kazuo Hosoda, Masafumi Moriya
  • Patent number: 5935758
    Abstract: A laser-induced thermal imaging system having a donor element and a receptor element. The donor element includes a substrate on which is coated transfer material that includes: a binder including a hydroxylic resin; a fluorocarbon additive; a cationic infrared absorbing dye; a dihydropyridine latent crosslinking agent; and a dispersible material. The receptor element comprises a texturized surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Ranjan C. Patel, Mark R. I. Chambers, Dian E. Stevenson, Jonathan C. Vogel, Kevin Kidnie, John Souter, Gregory L. Zwaldo
  • Patent number: 5916734
    Abstract: Provided is a method for making a lithographic printing plate according to which the area of a silver thin film of non-image area of a lithographic printing plate material comprising a support, at least a hydrophilic layer on the support and a silver thin film on the hydrophilic layer is exposed by laser beams to be fused and/or decomposed by heat transformed from laser energy thereby to disclose the hydrophilic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Takagami, Hideaki Ishiguro, Kenji Hyodo
  • Patent number: 5908731
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat mode imaging element comprising in the order given:i) a lithographic base having a hydrophilic surface,ii) a layer comprising a metal and/or a metallic derivative capable of being ablated by actinic radiation andiii) a hydrophobic layercharacterized in that the hydrophobic layer is a cross-linked layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Bart Aerts
  • Patent number: 5879855
    Abstract: Compositions for making structured color images comprising (a) a soluble pigment precursor which can be transformed to an insoluble pigment by means of chemical, thermal, photolytic or radiation-induced method, and (b) a binder polymer or prepolymer, or a positive or negative resist-type resin which can be structured by crosslinking, polymerization or depolymerization by applying heat or electromagnetic irradiation. The compositions can be applied to optical and thermal recording, printing, and the production of color filters for Liquid Crystal Displays, with high accuracy, high transparency and high stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Ulrich Schadeli, John S. Zambounis, Abul Iqbal, Zhimin Hao
  • Patent number: 5874196
    Abstract: A cyan dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of cyan dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, at least one of the cyan dyes having the formula: ##STR1## and at least one of the other of the dyes having the formula: ##STR2##
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Derek D. Chapman, Linda A. Kaszczuk, Joseph H. Ambro
  • Patent number: 5871879
    Abstract: According to the present invention an element comprising a layer on a glass support characterised in that: (i) the thickness of said glass support is less than 1.2 mm, (ii) said glass support has a failure stress (under tensile stress) equal to or higher than 5.times.10.sup.7 Pa and (iii) the sides in the longitudinal direction have a rounded border with a radius in the order of magnitude of half of the thickness of the glass support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Verlinden, Pascale Steenhoudt
  • Patent number: 5858606
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a thermosensitive imaging element for obtaining a lithographic printing plate comprising on a hydrophilic surface of a support a layer comprising an organic metallic salt and in the same or an adjacent layer an organic reducing agent and a compound capable of converting light into heat, said organic metallic salt being reducible on heating by said reducing agent to an ink-accepting compound or to a compound which can react with a hydrophobizing agent to an ink-accepting compound, characterized in that said layer comprising an organic metallic salt comprises a hydrophobic binder in an amount between 0.00 g/m.sup.2 and 0.25 g/m.sup.2 and a hydrophilic binder in an amount between 0.00 g/m.sup.2 and 5.00 g/m.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Augustin Meisters, Ludo Van Rompuy, Jan Gilleir, Luc Leenders
  • Patent number: 5858607
    Abstract: An assemblage for forming a lithographic printing plate is disclosed. The assemblage contains a receiver support with a rough hydrophilic surface; a layer containing a poly(cyanoacrylate) binder; and a donor support. When the assemblage is exposed with a high intensity laser beam, the binder is transferred to the hydrophilic surface of the receiver support to produce a lithographic printing plate. The transfer requires relatively low exposure and no post processing is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics
    Inventors: Mitchell S. Burberry, Sharon W. Weber
  • 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: 5858628
    Abstract: A black thermal transfer sheet comprises a substrate film and a black dye layer formed on one surface of the substrate film. The die layer comprises dye and a binder. The dye comprises a first dye and a second dye respectively expressed by the following formulae (1) and (2): ##STR1## (where, "R.sup.1 " and "R.sup.2 " represent a substitutional or non-substitutional alkyl group, etc., "R.sup.3 " represents a hydrogen atom, etc., "R.sup.4 " represents a substitutional or non-substitutional alkyl group, etc., and "R.sup.5 " represents a substitutional or non-substitutional aminocarbonyl group, etc.; and "n" represents an integer of 1 or 2); and ##STR2## (where, "R.sup.1 ", "R.sup.2 ", "R.sup.3 " and "n" represent the same definitions as those in the formula (1), and "R.sup.6 " and "R.sup.7 " represent a substitutional or non-substitutional alkyl group, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Yoshida, Hiroshi Eguchi
  • Patent number: 5856060
    Abstract: An image forming material is disclosed which comprises a support and provided thereon, an image forming layer and an image protective layer in that order, the image forming layer containing a colorant and a first binder resin, and the image protective layer containing fine particles in an amount of 2 to 150 mg/M.sup.2 and a second binder resin and having a thickness of 0.03 to 1.0 .mu.m, wherein an image is formed by exposing the material to a high density energy light to reduce adhesion between the image forming layer and the support and then removing the image forming layer at exposed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Kawamura, Masataka Takimoto, Ai Katsuda, Katsuji Kondo
  • Patent number: 5856061
    Abstract: A color reproduction method is described using laser addressable thermal transfer donor elements which may be used to image both color proofing films and printing plates. Matched proofs and plates may be generated by direct digital address since identical transfer media are used in the respective imaging processes. In addition, each plate bears a resin image of a color that matches the color of the ink that will be used with that plate thus providing a convenient means of identification. In other words, the identity of each plate (i.e. whether it bears the y, m, c or k separation image) is immediately apparent by visual inspection, thus removing any risk of confusion and any need to provide individual plates with identification marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ranjan C. Patel, John Souter
  • Patent number: 5843617
    Abstract: An imaging method is provided that includes a tetraarylpolymethine dye, and bleaching this dye by bringing the dye into contact with a 4-alkyl or 4-unsubstituted 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ranjan C. Patel, Mark R. I. Chambers, Dian E. Stevenson, Robert J. D. Nairne, Gregory L. Zwaldo
  • Patent number: 5840463
    Abstract: Photosensitive donor elements, assemblages, and associated processes are described for use in a laser-induced thermal transfer process, said elements comprising in the order listed a support; a photohardenable layer comprising a binder, at least one photohardenable component, and an initiator; optionally a barrier layer; optionally a coversheet; at least one ejection layer comprising a first polymer having a decomposition temperature T.sub.1 ; at least one top layer having an outer surface and comprising (i) a second polymer having a decomposition temperature T.sub.2 and (ii) an imageable component. For photomask fabrication applications, the imageable component is preferably black. Assemblages made with these donor elements are useful for fabrication of photomasks on various photohardenable materials, including flexographic printing plates and photoresists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Graciela Beatriz Blanchet-Fincher
  • Patent number: 5811215
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a hydrophilic surface of an aluminum lithographic base comprising the steps of roughening and anodizing a side of an aluminum foil and sealing said side of the aluminum foil with hot water within a temperature range from 70.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. for at least 5 seconds and rinsing said side of the aluminum foil with water characterized in that between said hot water treatment and said rinsing said side of the aluminum foil is treated with an aqueous silicate solution within a temperature range from 70.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. for at least 5 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Marc Van Damme, Joan Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 5792587
    Abstract: A cyan dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of cyan dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, at least one of the cyan dyes having the formula: ##STR1## and at least one of the other of the dyes having the formula: ##STR2##
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Derek D. Chapman, Linda A. Kaszczuk, Joseph H. Ambro
  • Patent number: 5766819
    Abstract: Donor elements, assemblages, and associated processes are described for use in a laser-induced thermal transfer process, said elements comprising in the order listed (a) at least one flexible ejection layer comprising a first polymer having a decomposition temperature T.sub.1 and characteristic glass transition temperatures of T.sub.g.sup.0 and T.sub.g.sup.1 for unplasticized and plasticized polymer samples, respectively, wherein the tensile modulus of the flexible ejection layer(s) structure is less than or equal to 2.5 Gigapascals; (b) at least one heating layer; (c) at least one transfer layer comprising (i) a second polymer having a decomposition temperature T.sub.2, wherein T.sub.2 .gtoreq.(T.sub.1 +100.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Graciela Beatriz Blanchet-Fincher
  • Patent number: 5766827
    Abstract: A process for forming an image on a transparent or translucent substrate comprising the steps of providing an imageable element comprising a transparent or translucent glass or polymeric film having a coating of a black metal on one surface thereof, directing radiation in an imagewise distributed pattern at said black metal layer with sufficient intensity to substantially increase the light transmissivity of the medium in the irradiated region in an imagewise distributed pattern, said element having no layers comprising a thermally activated gas-generating composition. The image comprises residual black metal on the film base, and may be used for overhead transparencies, contact negatives/positives, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Richard E. Bills, Hsin-hsin Chou, Thomas A. Isberg, Charles C. Lee, William V. Dower, Martin B. Wolk, John S. Staral
  • Patent number: 5759738
    Abstract: An image receiving sheet having a support sheet, an intermediate layer and an image receiving layer, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a polymer and a plasticizer having at least one ester bonds and molecular weight of 700 to 3,000. Otherwise, an image receiving sheet having a support sheet and an image receiving layer wherein the image receiving layer comprises a polymer and the plasticizer. A heat sensitive ink sheet has a heat sensitive ink layer which is formed of a heat sensitive ink material comprising colored pigment and thermoplastic resin such as amorphous organic polymer. An image forming method is conducted by using the heat sensitive ink sheet and one of the image receiving sheets by area gradation by the use of a thermal head or laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Tsuno, Naoya Imamura
  • Patent number: 5750318
    Abstract: A laser-exposed thermal recording element comprising a support having thereon a pigment layer comprising a pigment dispersed in a polymeric binder, the pigment absorbing at the wavelength of a laser used to expose the element, wherein the pigment comprises the formula:Cu.sub.2-x M.sub.x (OH).sub.y R.sub.z :M'.sub.wwherein:M is at least one metal atom,M' is at least one alkali metal,R is at least one anion,w is between 0 and 2,x is between 0 and 1.5,y and z are selected to maintain charge neutrality, with the proviso that w, x and z cannot all be 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lambert, David P. Trauernicht, Joseph F. Bringley
  • Patent number: 5750319
    Abstract: A substantially non-photosensitive recording material comprising a thermosensitive element comprising a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, an organic reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, on a support, characterized in that the thermosensitive element further comprises in reactive association with the light-insensitive organic silver salt and the organic reducing agent a 1,2,4-triazole compound with at least one of the nitrogen atoms having a hydrogen atom and none of the carbon atoms being part of a thione-group, said compound not being annulated with an aromatic ring system; and a thermal image recording process therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Horsten, Johan Loccufier, Geert Defieuw, Luc Leenders
  • Patent number: 5747199
    Abstract: A method of making a color filter array on a first substrate having an array of pixels, comprising the steps of: depositing and patterning a photoresist layer on the substrate layer to form selected openings over pixels in the array; providing a plurality of two or more transferable colorant layers on a second substrate and positioning such transferable layers in transferable relationship with the first substrate; simultaneously transferring the colorant materials from the plurality of transferable colorant layers to the photoresist layer on the first substrate; and removing the patterned photoresist layer leaving behind the colorant materials in the position of the openings over the selected pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Luther C. Roberts, David L. Losee
  • Patent number: 5733707
    Abstract: The present invention provides a negative-working image recording material which can be used as a lithographic printing plate for so-called direct plate making process comprising directly making plate from digital signal such as computer signal. A novel negative-working image recording material is provided, comprising a high-molecular compound having a weight-average molecular weight of from 5,000 to 400,000 and a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (I), and a substance which absorbs light to generate heat: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group (--CN) or an alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group, an aralkyl group or an aromatic ring group; L.sup.1 represents a single bond or a phenylene group; L.sup.2 represents an alkylene group, an alkenylene group or an aromatic ring group; X represents a single bond, --O--, --OCO--, --COO--, --CONR.sup.3 --, --CONR.sup.3 CO--, --CONR.sup.3 SO.sub.2 --, --NR.sup.3 --, --NR.sup.3 CO--, --NR.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumikazu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5725989
    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: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou
  • Patent number: 5721087
    Abstract: A method for forming a lithographic printing plate requiring no fountain solution, which comprises the steps of irradiating a lithographic printing plate precursor requiring no fountain solution comprising a support having a layer for converting a laser beam to heat (first layer) and a layer having an ink-repellent surface (second layer) provided thereon in this order with the laser beam absorbable by the first layer to conduct image exposure, pressing an adhesive sheet layer on the second layer, the sheet having a surface layer adhesive to a surface of the second layer, and thereafter separating the adhesive sheet, thereby forming an image which makes it possible to perform printing requiring no fountain solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yokoya, Tsumoru Hirano, Norio Aoshima
  • Patent number: 5719009
    Abstract: A process for making a flexographic printing plate from a flexographic element having an infrared ablatable layer capable of being selectively removed by a laser beam is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Roxy Ni Fan
  • Patent number: 5712223
    Abstract: A dye-donor or recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a yellow dye in a polymeric binder, the dye having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy group of from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, an alkylazo group, or an arylazo group;or any two adjacent R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 groups may be taken together with the phenyl ring to which they are attached to form a fused ring system; andZ.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 each independently represents hydrogen or a moiety having a Hammet Sigma (meta) Constant greater than 0.3, such as cyano, esterified carboxy, amide, benzoxazole, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl; or may be taken together to form a group having a Hammer Sigma (meta) Constant greater than 0.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles David DeBoer, Douglas Robert Robello, Lee William Tutt
  • Patent number: 5707778
    Abstract: An optical recording medium including a substrate having thereon a recording layer containing a dye precursor, a color developer reactable with the dye precursor to develop a color, and a light absorbent for converting light to heat, characterized in that the color developer is at least one compound of Formula (1):(R--NH (C.dbd.S) NH)n--Z (1)(wherein R denotes a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkenyl. n is an integer of 2 or more, and Z denotes a group having a valence of 2 or more.). The optical recording medium is superior in heat resistance and plasticizer resistance of the recorded image, heat resistance of background, water resistance, and moisture resistance.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Minami, Tomoaki Nagai, Kaoru Hamada, Akio Sekine, Toshimi Satake, Toshiyuki Takano, Hideki Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 5702850
    Abstract: A thermosensitive reversible color-developing and disappearing agent includes an aromatic compound having at least one group of the formula, --SO.sub.2 NHCXNH--, wherein X.dbd.O or S atom, and at least one straight chain alkyl group with 11 or more carbon atoms, and is reactive with a dye precursor in a thermosensitive recording material to thereby record colored images on the recording material upon heating imagewise, and make the colored images disappear upon heating to a temperature lower than the colored image-forming temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: New Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nishioka, Kazuo Yamane, Masaki Nishimura, Yoshiyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5702863
    Abstract: A production method of an ink-oozing plate for stamp having open cells, in which the production steps and the apparatus are simple, and an ink-oozing plate for stamp which can provide a sharp impress image and is conveniently used, that is, to provide a production method of a stamping plate in which a stamping plate can easily be produced with a small flashlight irradiating energy, including such a method as using a heat transfer sheet coated with a heat transfer substance which generates heat by irradiating with infrared rays and can be transferred, irradiating with infrared rays while pressing a stamp material, and coating an impress image copy with a liquid substance containing water, and thus coming to complete the production method of the ink-oozing plate for stamp of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichi Ando
  • Patent number: 5698368
    Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet is provided which can eliminate the need to use any apparatus, such as equipment for vapor deposition, and to provide any anchor layer for vapor deposition and can provide a good print having high brightness even on paper having low smoothness. The thermal transfer sheet comprises: a substrate sheet; and a hot-melt ink layer provided on at least one surface of the substrate sheet, the hot-melt layer containing a metallic powder having such a particle geometry that the shape is tabular, the diameter is from 8 to 20 .mu.m and the thickness is from 0.01 to 5 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Obata, Nobuyuki Tominaga
  • Patent number: 5698364
    Abstract: Dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising at least one magenta dye having extremely low side absorption in the blue and red regions of the spectrum, said dye corresponding to the general formula (I) : ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H, (cyclo)alkyl, or aryl; X represents the atoms completing a heterocycle; Z is an electron-withdrawing group; Y is an electron-withdrawing group or --N(R.sup.2)R.sup.3 ; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together represent the atoms completing a heterocycle; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together represent .dbd.C(R.sup.4)R.sup.5, or each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents (same or different) (cyclo) alkyl, aryl, or an electron-withdrawing group; each of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 (same or different) represents H, (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, a heterocycle, SO.sub.2 R.sup.6, COR.sup.6, CSR.sup.6, POR.sup.6 R.sup.7, OR.sup.8, NR.sup.8 R.sup.9, SR.sup.8, or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 together represent the atoms completing an aliphatic ring or a heterocycle, each of R.sup.6 and R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Janssens, Luc Vanmaele