Patents Represented by Attorney Breiner & Breiner, L.L.C.
  • Patent number: 6409588
    Abstract: A device for skinning and field dressing small game is described. The device includes a base plate having four or more openings therein and a retaining element or holder. A first set of two openings are holes to receive free ends of the holder. The second set of two openings are to receive and removably retain the hind legs of a squirrel or the like and are positioned in a lower portion of the base plate. These openings each form a slot having an elongated shape with an essentially semi-circular top portion and a tapered-wall lower portion. The holder has in one plane a wider open section with a narrowed extension. At the end of the wider open section, the free ends are preferably structured as two downward extending hook-shaped portions which, in use, insert into the first set of two openings in the base plate. In use, the base plate is affixed to a support, such as a tree, and the holder is maintained in an outwardly extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventors: James H. Womack, Paul K. Womack
  • Patent number: 6408755
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing ink accepting areas of a printing surface of a lithographic printing master by treatment with an atmospheric plasma. Preferably, the plasma is directed to the printing surface as a plasma jet while the printing master is mounted on the plate cylinder of a printing press. The method enables to clean a support of a printing master and then reuse the cleaned support for making another printing master. Preferably, all the following steps are performed on-press: (i) making an imaging material by providing a support with an image recording layer; (ii) making a printing master having a printing surface comprising ink accepting areas by image-wise exposing and optionally developing the imaging material; (iii) starting a pressrun; (iv) a cleaning step using an atmospheric plasma and then repeating steps (i) to (iv).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gavaert
    Inventors: Augustin Meisters, Joan Vermeersch, Luc Leenders, Bavo Muys
  • Patent number: 6406198
    Abstract: A relockable cartridge system for photosensitive media, including: a media-receiving tray having a media access opening; a cartridge holder for holding the media-receiving tray; a cover for covering the media access opening; wherein the cover has a first seal portion and the cartridge holder has a second seal portion for co-operating with the first seal portion so as to form a relockable seal between at least portions of the cover and the cartridge holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Roland Van Keilegom, Dirk Peeters, Jozef Mostmans
  • Patent number: 6403282
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises a grained and anodised aluminium substrate which has been treated with a solution of water-soluble salt of a Group IVa metal fluoride and over which is provided a metallic layer, preferably a silver layer. Imagewise exposure of the precursor by means of a high intensity laser beam allows for the direct provision of press ready plates showing high image quality and clean background, good press properties and high durability on press, without the requirement for the use of intermediate film and developer chemistry. The plate precursors show enhanced sensitivity on exposure, whereupon removal of the metallic layer occurs in the exposed areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Felton Rudolph Mayers, Philip John Watkiss, Frederick Claus Zumsteg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6403276
    Abstract: A film material has been provided with emulsions comprising {111} tabular silver halide grains rich in silver bromide, spectrally sensitive to irradiation in the wavelength range shorter than 420 nm by the presence of at least one blue spectral sensitizer and of at least one azacyanine dye, the formula of which has been given in the description and in the claims. A radiographic screen/film combination or system has also been provided comprising a duplitized film sandwiched between a pair of supporting or self-supporting X-ray intensifying screens, characterized in that i) said pair of supported or self-supporting X-ray intensifying screens essentially consists of luminescent phosphor particles emitting at least 50% and more preferably at least 80% of their emitted radiation in the wavelength range shorter than 420 nm, ii) said film corresponds with the film material disclosed hereinbefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Paul Callant, Ann Verbeeck
  • Patent number: 6399280
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of applying a first magnetic field to a dry, light absorbing powder, which comprises a magnetic material and a hydrophobic thermoplastic binder, thereby coating said powder on a surface of a metal support; image-wise exposing to light the powder in contact with the surface of the metal support, thereby increasing the adhesion of the powder to the surface of the metal support, without substantially ablating the powder; and removing the non-exposed magnetic powder from the surface of the metal support under action of a second magnetic field with a polarity substantially opposite to the first magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Joan Vermeersch, Augustin Meisters, Stefaan De Meutter
  • Patent number: 6399276
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive material for making lithographic plates comprising in the order given on a support an IR-sensitive oleophilic layer and a cross-linked hydrophilic layer, wherein said heat-sensitive material is covered with a layer comprising at least an organic compound comprising cationic groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Marc Van Damme, Joan Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 6398427
    Abstract: A relockable cartridge for photosensitive media, including (a) a media-receiving tray having a media access opening, (b) a cover for covering the media access opening and (c) an openable and relockable hooks and loops seal between the cover and the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Roland Van Keilegom, Dirk Peeters, Jozef Mostmans
  • Patent number: 6391516
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an imaging element comprising on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto, characterised in that said image forming layer further comprises a cross-linking agent capable of cross-linking said hydrophilic binder upon heating in a ratio between 1:100 and 200:1 by weight versus the hydrophilic binder. The present invention further provides a method for making a printing plate therewith. According to this method, the above imaging element is preferably exposed by means of a laser and is subsequently developed with plain water or an aqueous liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Joan Vermeersch, Marc Van Damme
  • Patent number: 6391517
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat mode imaging element for making a lithographic printing plate having on a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface a first layer including a polymer, soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution and a top layer on the same side of the lithographic base as the first layer which top layer is IR-sensitive and unpenetrable for an alkaline developer wherein said first layer and said top layer may be one and the same layer; characterized in that said top layer contains a polymer that lowers the dynamic friction coefficient of the top layer to less than 0.37, and wherein said polymer in the top layer is polytetrafluoroethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Eric Verschueren, Veerle Versschueren
  • Patent number: 6392249
    Abstract: A method for recording and reproducing a radiation image including the steps of (1) causing a radiation image storage panel containing a photostimulable phosphor to absorb penetrating radiation having passed through an object or having been radiated from an object, (2) exposing the image storage panel to stimulating rays to release the radiation energy stored therein as light emission and (3) detecting the emitted light, wherein the stimulating rays are emitted by an electroliuminescent element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Luc Struye, Peter Willems, Paul Leblans
  • Patent number: 6387591
    Abstract: A heat-mode exposable imaging material is disclosed which is suitable for making a driographic printing master capable of accepting ink at exposed areas, said material comprising (i) a first layer containing more than 50% by weight of carbon or of an organic light absorbing compound, and (ii) an ink-abhesive second layer underlying said first layer, characterised in that said first layer is removable at non-exposed areas by starting a pressrun without substantially removing said second layer. In a preferred embodiment, the material comprises a support, a silicone coating and a surface coating which consists essentially of carbon, soot or graphite. After heat-mode exposure, the material is ink accepting at exposed areas and the surface coating is removed at non-exposed areas during the start of a pressrun, thereby revealing the silicone coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Bart Aerts
  • Patent number: 6383575
    Abstract: A method for metallising solid substrates involves the use of non-equilibrium plasma treatment of a supported metal precursor layer. This technique can be used to make pure metal or alloy coatings. An oxidising plasma pre-treatment step of the supported metal precursor layer, or the incorporation of a plasma polymer coupling layer prior to metallisation, can result in improved adhesion. The method can be applied to the preparation of lithographic printing plate precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Jas Pal Singh Badyal, Jonathan Mark Crowther, Allen Peter Gates
  • Patent number: 6383692
    Abstract: A material is disclosed which is suitable for making a flexographic printing plate and comprises in the order given a base, a photopolymer layer and a photothermographic or thermographic recording layer which contains an organic silver salt. By image-wise exposing the recording layer, a photomask is obtained through which the photopolymer layer can be subsequently exposed. Using a suitable solvent, the (photo)thermographic recording layer can be removed and the unexposed areas of the photopolymer layer can be washed out simultaneously in a single development step. The relief image thus obtained can be used as a print master for flexographic printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Eddie Daems, Ronn Andriessen
  • Patent number: 6384264
    Abstract: Organic photoprecursors of amines are provided for use in photosensitive imaging systems, finding particular application in the preparation of lithographic printing plates. Said photoprecursors generate free amines on exposure to long wavelength UV or visible radiation, have high solubility in organic solvents, and include photolabile 2-nitrobenzyl functional groups. Methods for the synthesis of the photoprecursors are described, and the use of the said photoprecursors for the production of printing plates using both positive working and negative working techniques are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Maria de Lurdes dos Santos Cristiano, John Kynaston Davies, Sharon Dowd, Robert Alexander Walker Johnstone, Michael John Pratt, John Robert Wade
  • Patent number: 6379877
    Abstract: According to this invention a developer has been disclosed having a low pH value between 9.6 and 11.0, preferably between 9.6 and 10.3, and comprising hydroquinone in an amount from 0 to less than 30 g per liter, an auxiliary developing agent, and as silver halide complexing agents alkali metal sulphite salts, preferably sodium salts, in an amount from 0 to less than 50 g per liter, more preferably to less than 40 g per liter, and thiocyanate salts in amounts from 0.1 to 3 g, more preferably from 0.5 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Freddy Henderickx, Ann Verbeeck, Pascal Meeus, Hieronymus Andriessen
  • Patent number: 6371230
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a device for renting electrically driven vehicles and for exchanging and recharging the vehicle batteries (5), comprising a box-shaped structure (1) with the means for accommodating the vehicles and the mechanical devices (80) for removing and fitting the batteries (5) from and into the vehicle, besides a device (20) for housing and placing the batteries (5) into a number of recharging spaces (13), and conveyors (160, 180) for opening and closing the various doors (14, 9) and, at the same time, locking the vehicle (2) inside its housing (3), and, lastly, the electrical and electronic connections (60, 130, 230) between the batteries and the mains (220 V) and between the housings and the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventors: Alberto Ciarla, Fabio Lenci
  • Patent number: 6367383
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a lithographic printing plate, comprising the step of dispensing in a predetermined pattern a hydrophobic or hydrophobizing composition onto a receiving element comprising on a support a layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hardened hydrophilic binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Joan Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 6368777
    Abstract: A finishing solution is provided for application to thermally sensitive printing plates wherein image formation requires at least partial coalescence of particles within the imaging layer. The finishing solution includes a coalescing aid which comprises a solvent or mixture of solvents having solubility characteristics which facilitate softening or solubilization of the disperse phase and the continuous phase of the radiation sensitive coating of the plate, thereby allowing phase separation and reticulation to be avoided. A method of image formation is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventor: Jacek Paul Obuchowicz
  • Patent number: 6366013
    Abstract: A material is disclosed which is suitable for reducing the reflection of information displays such as a CRT, LCD, plasma tube, etc., and is characterised by an improved pencil hardness and excellent optical properties (lower average reflection, higher bandwidth). The anti-reflection material of the invention comprises an anti-reflective coating 20 and an optional top coat 10 on a flexible glass substrate 30 that is capable of being wound around a cylindrical core having a radius of 1.5 m. In a preferred method of the present invention the glass substrate 30 is provided with anti-reflective coating 20 using a continuous web coating process while being laminated to a polymer support 50 by using adhesive layer 40. Upon delamination (arrows 60) the adhesive layer 40 may remain fixed to glass substrate 30 (right embodiment of FIG. 1) or to polymer support 50 (left embodiment of FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Bartholomeus Verlinden, Jean-Pierre Tahon, Paul Lippens, Hugo Lievens