Color Developed By Mere Decomposition Of Color-former Patents (Class 503/202)
  • Patent number: 8835352
    Abstract: There is disclosed an indicator composition, the application thereof to substrates, and related products. The indicator composition comprises an organic solvent soluble polymer and a redox sensitive material which displays different visible properties in the oxidized and reduced forms. The organic solvent soluble polymer can be at least partially sulfonated polystyrene. The indicator composition can be dissolved in organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate to form inks which can be used in a variety of printing processes. The indicator composition can be used to detect oxidizing agents, oxygen, water, reducing agents, UV light, temperature and the passage of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Insignia Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Erik Smyth, Andrew Mills, David Hazafy
  • Patent number: 8642504
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition, which comprises an aqueous solvent and forms a transparent colorless coating, which yields markings of high contrast on exposure to energy. It also provides a process for the preparation of these compositions, substrates coated with these compositions and a process for their preparation, a process for preparing marked substrates using these compositions and marked substrates obtainable by the latter process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Gill Jennings & Every LLP
    Inventors: Jonathan Campbell, William Walker, Alan Platt, John Whitworth, Karen O'Donoghue, Ann Hunt, Howard Roger Dungworth, John Mark Plonka
  • Patent number: 8461075
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recording material having a laser coloring layer, wherein the laser coloring layer comprises one or more materials selected from among pigments, dyes and inorganic materials, and the laser coloring layer exhibits absorption at a wavelength within a range from 700 to 12,000 nm. The recording material of the present invention has a laser coloring layer of a desired hue, such as yellow, cyan, magenta, orange, white or black, and by conducting printing by laser irradiation, a recorded item with excellent color tone can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Ink Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norifumi Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Onai, Jun Kaneda, Atsushi Katsuya, Kenshiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 8278243
    Abstract: An ink formulation comprises a marking component and a metal salt that absorbs laser irradiation at 700-2000 mn and thereby causes the marking component to change colour. A copper salt in particular allows effective marking with a diode or CO2 laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Datalase Ltd.
    Inventors: Nazir Khan, Martin Robert Walker
  • Patent number: 7856143
    Abstract: The pattern (pattern characteristic quantity) extracted from the pattern image carried by original printing paper is stored on the original printing paper and the validity of the original printing paper is verified according to the pattern stored on code-added printing paper at the time of copying the printed contents of the code-added printing paper so as to determine if the code-added printing paper is truly original or not by means of the pattern carried by the printing paper itself. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying with ease without using any special paper and hence appropriately protect the printed contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Jun Hirai
  • Patent number: 7560415
    Abstract: A reversible multicolor thermal recording medium which is free from fogging and has sharp contrast even after recording and erasing are performed repeatedly, and a recording method using the same are provided. A reversible multicolor recording medium is provided, which includes recording layers each containing a plurality of reversible thermal coloring compositions having different coloring tones, formed to be separated from and stacked on a surface direction of a supporting substrate; and the plurality of reversible thermal coloring compositions containing light-to-heat transforming materials which absorb infrared rays having different wavelength ranges to generate heat, respectively; wherein an absorption peak wavelength of the light-to-heat transforming material contained in the recording layers becomes the longest wavelength at the layer formed nearest the supporting substrate, and becomes a shorter wavelength as the layer is closer to the surface layer in the stacked order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hisanori Tsuboi, Noriyuki Kishii, Kenichi Kurihara
  • Patent number: 7001868
    Abstract: To provide an image recording method and apparatus that can record and display an image of free pattern without forming the complex wirings in an electrochromic material, and to reduce the manufacturing costs of the image recording apparatus employing the EC material. A recording sheet 7 having a coloring layer made of an electrochromic material and an electrolytic layer with an increasing electrical conductivity in a specific temperature range is employed, and a recording head 13 with a plurality of heating elements arranged in a linear direction is moved relative to the surface of the recording sheet 7 in the direction orthogonal to the linear direction while at the same time a voltage is applied to the front and back faces of the recording sheet 7, thereby selectively heating the heating elements 11. Thereby, a coloring reaction is caused only in a part where heat is applied by the heating elements of the recording sheet 7 and voltage is applied to form an image on the recording sheet 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Sawano
  • Patent number: 6759368
    Abstract: A thermally imageable element can be imaged using heat alone without the need for photosensitivity or post-imaging processing. The element contains image-forming chemistry that comprises i) image precursor chemistry and ii) a catalyst or a catalyst precursor that upon imagewise heating is capable of promoting thermally induced image formation with the image precursor chemistry. The image-forming chemistry i) and ii) components are in reactive association and uniformly dispersed or dissolved within a binder in one or more layers of the element. Thus, the element is capable of being thermally addressed to provide a visible image as a result of thermally induced catalytic transformation of the image-forming chemistry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark Lelental, Henry J. Gysling, David F. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20040029056
    Abstract: Disclosed are a thermal recording material having a thermal recording layer containing an electron-donating dye precursor and an electron-accepting compound, wherein the thermal recording layer comprises an electron-accepting compound of the general formula (I), 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Hidetaka Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20030060365
    Abstract: A thermally imageable element can be imaged using heat alone without the need for photosensitivity or post-imaging processing. The element contains image-forming chemistry that comprises i) image precursor chemistry and ii) a catalyst or a catalyst precursor that upon imagewise heating is capable of promoting thermally induced image formation with the image precursor chemistry. The image-forming chemistry i) and ii) components are in reactive association and uniformly dispersed or dissolved within a binder in one or more layers of the element. Thus, the element is capable of being thermally addressed to provide a visible image as a result of thermally induced catalytic transformation of the image-forming chemistry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Lelental, Henry J. Gysling, David F. Jennings
  • Patent number: 6440896
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising at least one light insensitive layer comprising an oxidant and a multifunctional dye-forming coupler. It further relates to a method of imaging comprising providing an imaging member comprising at least one light insensitive layer comprising a catalytic center and multifunctional dye-forming coupler, imagewise applying a first developer solution that will react with said multifunctional dye-forming coupler, imagewise applying a second developer solution that will react with multifunctional dye-forming coupler, wherein said first developer solution and said second developer solution produce different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving
  • Patent number: 6403527
    Abstract: A process for using a substantially light-insensitive mono sheet direct thermal imaging material for producing a non-retro-reflective readable object attachable to a second object for information purposes, the imaging material including a support, a thermosensitive element and an attaching layer, wherein the thermosensitive element contains a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent therefore in thermal working relationship therewith, a binder and does not contain a di- or triarylmethane dye precursor compound possessing within its di- or triarylmethane structure an aryl group substituted in the ortho position to the meso carbon atom with an S-containing moiety ring-closed on the meso carbon atom selected from a thiolactone, dithiolactone and thioether moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Cyriel Horsten, Guy Denis Jansen
  • Publication number: 20020045547
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal transfer image receiving sheet comprising a substrate sheet and a dye receptor layer disposed on at least one surface of the substrate sheet, wherein the dye receptor layer comprises polycarbonate resin of a random copolymer having a main chain which comprises, as essential units, an unit 1 represented by the following formula 1 and an unit 2 represented by the following formula 2, or a polycarbonate resin of a homopolymer which comprises the unit 2, an amount ratio of the unit 1 being not more than 70 mol %, the polycarbonate resin having a Tg of not less than 125° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Hitoshi Saito, Shino Takao, Hirofumi Tomita
  • Patent number: 6361839
    Abstract: A hot stamping foil includes a carrier, and disposed thereon, a thermochromic layer. The thermochromic layer includes a mixture of a thermochromic compound, a sizing or adhesive compound, a release compound, and an antimicrobial compound. The hot stamping foil is useful in creating various visual effects and also preventing the growth of microbes on a medium to which the hot stamping foil is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: National Ink Incorporated
    Inventors: Saul Salgado, Saul Heiman, Bruce Gindelberger, Snehal Desai
  • Publication number: 20020016260
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming an azo colorant by reaction of a diazo compound and a coupler. The coupler has a leaving group at the coupling position thereof, such that a coupling reaction rate is faster than it would be if the coupler did not have the leaving group. The coupling reaction rate constant k is preferably 0.1 (s−1) or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Hisao Yamada, Mitsuyuki Tsurumi, Kazunori Nigorigawa
  • Patent number: 6337303
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive 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, at least one organic reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith, a binder, at least one stabilizer and optionally an &agr;,(&ohgr;-alkyldicarboxylic acid with a straight chain alkyl group having at least 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted, however neither including 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as acidic reagent nor di-tert-butyl-p-cresol as a sole organic reducing agent, wherein the at least one stabilizer is represented by formula (I): R1—(O═C)—R2—(C═O)—R3  (I) wherein R2 is a divalent straight chain saturated hydrocarbon group with 2 or 3 carbon atoms which may be substituted with one or more of ═O, ═S, ═CR4R5, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a hydroxy group, a thiol group, a —
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Philip Dooms, Peter Michiels, Ingrid Geuens
  • Patent number: 6328929
    Abstract: A method of delivering disinfectant in an absorbent substrate. A first step involves intermixing a first reactant chemical with a first ink. A second step involves intermixing a second reactant chemical with a second ink. A third step involves printing a first pattern on an absorbent substrate with the first ink. A fourth step involves printing a second pattern on the absorbent substrate with the second ink. The second pattern is positioned in close proximity to the first pattern, such that when the first pattern and second pattern are exposed to water an intermixing of the first reactant chemical and the second reactant chemical occurs to produce an aerosol disinfectant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth Reay Code
  • Patent number: 6326331
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white non-chlorine-containing stabilizer-containing monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element, the thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, characterized in that the non-chlorine-containing stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole derivatives and 2-hydroxy-benzophenone derivatives; a thermographic recording process therefor; and the use thereof as a stabilizer against direct sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Cyriel Horsten, Guy Denis Jansen
  • Patent number: 6313065
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element provided with a protective layer, the thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a 1,2-dihydroxy-benzene derivative in thermal working relationship therewith and a first polymer having active hydrogen atoms at least part of which has reacted with a first polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of: hexamethylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanat, naphthylene diisocyanate and triphenylmethane-p,p′,p″-trityl triisocyanate; and the protective layer being exclusive of fluorine-containing compounds; and a thermographic recording process therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Cyriel Horsten, Guy Denis Jansen, Peter Slabbinck
  • Patent number: 6310001
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive thermographic recording material substantially exclusive of cationic surfactants in which at least one non-cationic surfactant is present, the thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, wherein all the non-cationic surfactants present in the thermographic recording material together have a non-fluoro-halide ion concentration of 1500 ppm or less; and a process for the production thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Carlo Uyttendaele, Jan Gilleir, Ingrid Geuens, Ivan Hoogmartens
  • Publication number: 20010031436
    Abstract: There is disclosed a nanoparticulate dispersion of a silver carboxylate particles having on the surface of the particles a surface modifier which is a nonionic oligomeric surfactant based on vinyl polymer with an amido function. In particular, the surface modifier is acrylamide, methacrylamide or derivatives thereof. Also disclosed are various compositions including the dispersions including oxidation-reduction imaging forming compositions, thermographic elements and photothermographic compositions and elements. The preferred carboxylate is a silver salt of a long chain fatty acid such as silver behenate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark Lelental, Alan R. Pitt, David A. Dickinson, James L. Wakley, Peter J. Ghyzel
  • Publication number: 20010029001
    Abstract: There is disclosed an oxidation-reduction imaging forming composition comprising an aqueous based dispersion of (i) nanoparticulate silver carboxylate particles having on the surface of the particles a surface modifier which is a phosphoric acid ester and (ii) an organic reducing agent. In particular, the surface modifiers can be mixtures of mono- and di-esters of orthophosphoric acid and hydroxyl-terminated, oxyethylated long-chain alcohols or oxyethylated alkyl phenols or derivatives thereof. Also disclosed are various compositions including the dispersions including oxidation-reduction imaging forming compositions, thermographic elements and photothermographic compositions and elements. The preferred carboxylate is a silver salt of a long chain fatty acid such as silver behenate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark Lelental, David A. Dickinson, James L. Wakley, Michael W. Orem, Peter J. Ghyzel
  • Publication number: 20010023013
    Abstract: A heat transfer sheet comprising a light-heat conversion layer having an infrared absorption colorant and an image forming layer sequentially disposed on a support, wherein an optical density in a 600 nm to 1000 nm range of the light-heat conversion layer is within a range of 0.3 to 2.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Mitsuru Yamamoto, Toshiharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6211116
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white thermographic recording material having a support and a thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, an organic reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, characterized in that the thermosensitive element contains substantially light-insensitive mixed crystals of two or more silver salts of organic carboxylic acids with one or more carboxylic acid groups; and a recording process therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Geert Defieuw, Johan Loccufier, Yvan Hoogmartens, Ingrid Geuens
  • Patent number: 6211115
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a 1,2-dihydroxyphenyl-compound in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, wherein the 1,2-dihydroxyphenyl-compound is represented by formula (I): where n is 0 or 1; R is —(C═O)R1, —(C═O)NR1R2, —CN, —SO3R2, —SO2R2, —SOR2, —SO2NR2R3 or —PO3R2R3; R1 is H or an alkyl group with 12 or less carbon atoms; and R2 and R3 are independently H or an alkyl or an aryl group; and R1 and R2 together can provide the atoms to close a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and R2 and R3 together can represent the atoms to close a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and a recording process therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Johan Loccufier, Bart Horsten, Peter Slabbinck
  • Patent number: 6207614
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element which is optionally provided with a protective layer, wherein the thermosensitive element contains substantially light-insensitive mixed crystals of at least one organic silver salt and at least one organic fatty acid derivative, an organic reducing agent for the organic silver salt in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder and wherein the substantially light-insensitive mixed crystals are present in an inner layer of the thermographic recording material; and a recording process therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Geert Defieuw, Johan Loccufier, Armand Van-den Bergh
  • Patent number: 6184179
    Abstract: A thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive silver salt of an organic carboxylic acid, a reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith and at least one proteinaceous binder, wherein the thermosensitive element contains between 700 ppm and 5 ppm of a non-fluoro-halide ion with respect to the proteinaceous binders in the thermosensitive element and the thermographic recording material is thermally developable under substantially water-free conditions; and a process for the production thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Yvan Gilliams, Carlo Uyttendaele, Ingrid Geuens, Yvan Hoogmartens
  • Patent number: 6180165
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive thermographic recording material substantially exclusive of cationic surfactants in which at least one non-cationic surfactant is present, the thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, wherein all the non-cationic surfactants present in the thermographic recording material together have a non-fluoro-halide ion concentration of 1500 ppm or less; and a process for the production thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Carlo Uyttendaele, Jan Gilleir, Ingrid Geuens, Ivan Hoogmartens
  • Patent number: 6040267
    Abstract: In an image forming method in that an image-receiving layer of an image-receiving element is in contact with an ink sheet comprising a thermally transferable dye, and the dye is transferred to the image-receiving layer in accordance with imagewise-heating, the image-receiving layer comprises a metal ion-containing compound and the ink sheet has repeatedly a region comprising both the metal ion-containing compound and a chelatable dye and a region comprising the metal ion-containing compound and no thermally transferable dye and the dye-containing region of the ink sheet is subjected to imagewise-heating, and to the image part formed on the image-receiving layer, the metal ion-containing compound is transferred by heating the region comprising the compound containing the metal ion. (2) In the above-mentioned (1), the image-receiving layer comprises substantially no metal ion-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Mano, Hiroshi Watanabe, Kaori Fukumuro, Yorihiro Yamaya
  • Patent number: 5925593
    Abstract: A hot stamping foil includes a carrier, and disposed thereon, a thermochromic layer. The thermochromic layer includes a mixture of a thermochromic compound, a sizing or adhesive compound, and a release compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: National Ink Incorporated
    Inventors: Saul Salgado, Saul Heiman, Bruce Gindelberger
  • Patent number: 5885765
    Abstract: A recording material for producing high contrast images comprising at least one thermosensitive element, comprising a layer comprising a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt in at least one binder and in thermal working relationship therewith an organic reducing agent therefor, on a support, characterized in that the recording material is light-insensitive and the layer contains colloidal particles comprising silicon dioxide at a coating weight given by expression (1): ##EQU1## wherein B represents the total weight of all binders in the layer, AGOS represents the total weight of organic silver salt in the layer and S represents the weight of the colloidal particles in the layer; and wherein a protective layer is optionally applied to the thermosensitive element being thereby an outermost layer of the recording material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Horsten, Vankeerberghen An, Leenders Luc
  • Patent number: 5883042
    Abstract: A (photo)thermographic recording material comprising a (photo-addressable) thermosensitive element on one side of a water resistant support and an outermost backside layer on the other side of the water resistant support, the (photo-addressable) thermosensitive element comprising a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, an organic reducing agent for the substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt in thermal working relationship therewith(, photosensitive silver halide in catalytic association with the substantially light insensitive organic silver salt) and a binder and the outermost backside layer comprising polymeric beads, characterized in that an outermost layer on the side of the water resistant support with the (photo-addressable) thermosensitive element does not contain a fluorine-containing polymeric surfactant and the static frictional coefficient between the outermost layer on the side of the water resistant support with the (photo-addressable) thermosensitive element and the o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Geert Defieuw, Wim Mues, Dirk Quintens, Ivan Hoogmartens
  • Patent number: 5863859
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material suited for use in direct thermal imaging, wherein said recording material comprises: (i) a layer (1) containing uniformly distributed in a film-forming water-insoluble resin binder a substantially light-insensitive organic metal salt, preferably a silver salt, and (ii) a layer (2) in direct contact with said layer (1) or in thermal working relationship therewith through the intermediary of a spacer layer (3), characterized in that said layer (2) contains, uniformly distributed in a film-forming water-soluble hydrophilic binder at least one organic reducing agent that is capable of diffusing out of said layer (2) into said layer (1) on heating said recording material, and is coated from an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Herman Uytterhoeven, Leo Oelbrandt, Carlo Uyttendaele
  • Patent number: 5858913
    Abstract: Receiving element for use according to transfer printing, comprising on a support a receiving layer comprising a silver source, capable of being reduced by means of heat in the presence of a reducing agent, a binder and a stabilizer selected from the group of benzotriazoles, heterocyclic mercaptanes, sulphinic acids, 1,3,4-triazo-indolizines, 1,3-dinitroaryl compounds, 1,2,3-triazoles, phthalic acids and phthalic acid derivatives.The receiving element provides images with higher stability at elevated temperatures and upon exposure to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Dewanckele, Geert Defieuw, Marcel Monbaliu, Wilhelmus Janssens
  • Patent number: 5854174
    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, a compound with an unsaturated 5-membered heterocyclic ring consisting of nitrogen and carbon atoms with at least one of the nitrogen atoms having a hydrogen atom and none of the carbon atoms being part of a thione-group, the ring not being annulated with an aromatic ring system and the compound being exclusive of 1,2,4-triazole and substituted 1,2,4-triazole compounds, in reactive association with the substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt and the organic reducing agent and a binder, on a support; and a thermal image recording process therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Horsten, Johan Loccufier, Geert Defieuw, Luc Leenders
  • Patent number: 5817598
    Abstract: A thermal image forming process comprising the steps of: (i) bringing an outermost layer of a recording material comprising at least one thermosensitive element, comprising a substantially light-insensitive silver salt and a reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith, on a support into contact with a heat source; (ii) applying heat from the heat source imagewise to the recording material while maintaining mutual contact to but with relative movement between the recording material and the heat source; and (iii) separating the recording material from the heat source, characterized in that the dynamic frictional coefficient during the contact between the outermost surface of the recording material and the heat source has a maximum value of less than 0.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Geert Defieuw, Paul Janssen, Johan Loccufier, Bart Horsten
  • Patent number: 5750463
    Abstract: There is described a novel thermographic recording film, and more specifically, a novel image-forming system incorporated therein which employs both thiolactone and silver reduction chemistries.Thermographic recording films comprising the novel image-forming system of the present invention exhibit excellent thermal sensitivity and visual color saturation, enhanced image density, and desirable visual minimum optical densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Dombrowski, Jr., Robert L. Jones, John C. Warner, Jiyue Yang
  • Patent number: 5750464
    Abstract: There is described a novel thermographic recording film, and more specifically, a novel image-forming system incorporated therein comprising at least one layer and including and a Lewis acid material, a di- or triarylmethane thiolactone dye precursor, an acidic organic material, a binder and a thermal stabilizer.Thermographic recording films comprising the novel image-forming system of the present invention exhibit excellent thermal stability, and desirable minimum optical densities, indicative of substantially less premature image development at elevated environmental temperatures.Embodiments of the invention wherein the thermographic recording films further include a light insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent, a binder and, preferably, a toning agent, show substantially enhanced image density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Dombrowski, Jr., Donna J. Guarrera, Robert L. Jones, Mark R. Mischke, John C. Warner, Jiyue Yang
  • Patent number: 5747412
    Abstract: A (photo)thermographic recording material comprising a (photo-addressable) thermosensitive element, a support and an outermost antistatic layer, the thermosensitive element comprising a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, an organic reducing agent for the substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, characterized in that the outermost antistatic layer is an organic layer with a resistivity of <10.sup.10 .OMEGA./.quadrature. at a relative humidity of 30%. The outermost antistatic layer may comprise a polythiophene with conjugated polymer backbone in the presence of a polymeric polyanion compound and a hydrophobic organic polymer having a glass transition value (T.sub.g) of at least 40.degree. C., the polythiophene being present at a coverage of at least 0.001 g/m.sup.2 and the weight ratio of the polythiophene to the hydrophobic organic polymer being in the range of 1/10 to 1/1000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Geert Defieuw, Bart Horsten, Hans Strijckers
  • Patent number: 5710095
    Abstract: A recording material comprising on the same side of a support, called the heat-sensitive side, (1) one or more layers comprising an imaging composition essentially consisting of (i) a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt being in thermal working relationship with (ii) a reducing agent, and (2) at said same side covering said imaging composition a protective later, characterized in that said protective layer mainly comprises an organic thermosetting or moisture-hardened polymer or an organic thermosetting or moisture-hardened polymer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Cyriel Horsten, Guy Denis Jansen, Ronald Schuerwegen, Marc Irene Van Damme, Luc Herwig Leenders
  • Patent number: 5672560
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat-sensitive imaging material that comprises a support on which is formed a heat-sensitive imaging layer. This imaging layer comprises a color-forming amount of a substantially colorless, finally divided noble metal salt of an organic acid, an organic reducing agent that is capable of a color-forming reaction with the noble metal salt under heating conditions to produce a colored image, and a stabilizer compound of formula (I) that mitigates the formation of non-imaging background color in the imaging layer: ##STR1## In formula (I), Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, and Z.sub.3 each independently represents hydrogen, an alkali metal ion, an alkyl group comprising 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, an aralkyl or cycloalkyl group comprising 5 to about 10 carbon atoms, or an aryl group comprising 6 to about 15 carbon atoms; or Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Labelon Corporation
    Inventor: Kent R. Rush
  • Patent number: 5665670
    Abstract: A thermosensitive recording element comprising a base having coated thereon a thermosensitive recording layer comprising a dye precursor, the base comprising a composite film laminated to at least one side of a support, the thermosensitive recording layer being on the composite film side of the base, and the composite film comprising a microvoided thermoplastic core layer and at least one substantially void-free thermoplastic surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mitchell Stewart Burberry, Bruce Crinean Campbell, Daniel Jude Harrison, Elizabeth Vandyke Patton
  • Patent number: 5652195
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material suited for use in direct thermal imaging, wherein said recording material comprises in the order given:(i) a transparent polymeric support,(ii) a heat-sensitive imaging layer, and(iii) a protective layer characterized in that said protective layer is an opaque layer containing uniformly distributed in an organic hydrophilic polymeric binder at least one opacifying pigment in the form of particulate material some of which protrudes from the surface of said binder and has anti-stick properties with regard to a thermal print head, and wherein the opacity of layer (iii) corresponds with an absorption and/or scattering of at least 80% of the light of the visible wavelength range (400 to 700 nm), wherein said opaque layer has been coated from an aqueous dispersion of said opacifying pigment particles or precursors thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Horsten, Guy Jansen, Ronald Schuerwegen
  • Patent number: 5637550
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material suited for use in direct thermal imaging and having image-stabilization properties which material contains in a binder on a support (i) a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt capable of thermally activated reduction to silver in thermal working relationship with (ii) at least one reducing agent capable of reducing the substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt when thermally activated, characterized in that the recording material contains in conjunction, preferably in admixture, with the reducing agent(s) at least one colourless photo-oxidizing substance that on exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as present in daylight or artificial lighting, yields free radicals capable of inactivating said reducing agent(s) by oxidation, thereby rendering said reducing agent(s) incapable of reducing said organic silver salt to silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Leo Oelbrandt
  • Patent number: 5637549
    Abstract: A recording material comprising a plastic film provided with a layer of ionizing radiation cured resin having a hardness equal to or harder than a pencil hardness of H and an image-forming layer having pressure sensitivity or thermal sensitivity or photosensitivity and thermal sensitivity, wherein rippling during storage in high humidity or caused by heat is markedly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Kimoto Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Kimura
  • Patent number: 5587350
    Abstract: A recording material comprising on a support (i) a heat sensitive layer comprising a substantially light insensitive organic silver salt, (ii) a protective layer containing a thermomeltable particle dispersed in a binder and (iii) a reducing agent being present in the heat sensitive layer and/or any other layer of the recording material on the same side of the support carrying the heat sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Bartholomeus C. Horsten, Carlo A. Uyttendaele, Guy D. A. Jansen, Ronald Schuerwegen
  • Patent number: 5578548
    Abstract: A thermographic element containing: (a) a substrate; (b) an image-forming layer coated onto the substrate; and (c) overlaying the image-forming layer, a topcoat layer composed of the reaction product of (1) a polymer composed of interpolymerized units derived from: (i) about 45-65 wt % of vinyl-substituted aromatic monomer; (ii) about 15-30 wt % vinyl monomer containing a pendant nitrile group; (iii) about 5-30 wt % hydroxyl-containing; ethylenically-unsaturated monomer; and (2) a suitable crosslinking agent. A slip agent is optionally used. The topcoat layer provides a thermographic element with high gloss in the imaged areas; has excellent runnability with no chatter in the feed direction of the element; and exhibits no removal of topcoat which prevents formation of printhead-created voids in the imaged areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jon A. Bjork, Ramesh C. Kumar, John C. Haidos
  • Patent number: 5573995
    Abstract: A method for making an image using a direct thermal imaging element, comprising on a support a thermosensitive layer incorporating an organic silver salt and a reducing agent contained in said thermosensitive layer and/or in other optional layers, said imaging element being imagewise heated by means of a thermal head having energisable heating elements, characterised in that the activation of the heating elements is executed line by line with a line duty cycle .DELTA. representing the ratio of activation time to total line time, such that the following equation is satisfiedP.ltoreq.P.sub.max 3.3 W/mm.sup.2 +(9.5 W/mm.sup.2 .times..DELTA.)wherein P.sub.max is the maximal value over all heating elements of the time averaged power density P dissipated by a heating element during a line time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Robert Janssens, David Tilemans
  • Patent number: 5569637
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a system and method for featuring information on a record. The system and method utilize reactant and coreactant compositions which are formulated to produce a color-changing reaction when brought together. The system and method also utilize a record having first and second areas disposed adjacent to each other. The second area is generally treated with the reactant composition. The coreactant composition is formulated to exhibit a first marking color on the first area of the record and to produce a color-changing reaction with the reactant composition on the second area of the record. The color-changing reaction effects a second marking color on the second area. The system and method further utilize a writing implement containing the coreactant composition. The implement is used to deposit the coreactant composition on the first and second areas in the form of symbolic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Cullman Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin S. Cregg
  • Patent number: 5559075
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material suited for use in direct thermal imaging by means of an information-wise energized heating element, which recording material comprises on the same side of a support, called the heat-sensitive side, one or more binder layers containing a substantially light-insensitive metal salt in thermal working relationship with at least one organic reducing agent, characterized in that said recording material also comprises an acid-sensitive leuco dye transformable into dye by means of an acid-reacting compound serving as dye developer that stands in thermal working relationship with said leuco dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Luc Bastiaens