Patents Represented by Attorney Charles E. Snee, III
  • Patent number: 5481327
    Abstract: An air tube for use in a drying apparatus includes a tapered main tube body comprising an open air inlet end and a closed end opposite the open air inlet end, an air discharge port including an air exhaust slot, and an air diffuser located between the main tube body and the air discharge port, wherein the air diffuser includes a plurality of air flow apertures that are located at a position offset from the air exhaust slot of the air discharge port. The air tube is readily incorporated into a film processing system that includes a plurality of processing tanks, a film drying apparatus including a plurality of the air tubes, and a mechanism for transporting a photosensitive film through the processing tanks and into the film drying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lee F. Frank, David K. Bischoff
  • Patent number: 5481476
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing spectral data of a mixture having a plurality of components by determining the pure variables, each of which has a contribution from only one of the mixture components, includes a programmed computer for performing steps of a) providing spectral data of the mixture, b) determining purity values of variables from said data to provide a first purity spectrum, c) finding the maximum of the purity values to determine the first pure variable, d) calculating a determinant-based weight function with respect to said first pure variable, e) multiplying the first purity spectrum by the determinant-based weight function to provide a second purity spectrum, f) finding the maximum in the second purity spectrum to yield the second pure variable, g) repeating steps d),e) and f) for successive determinant-based weight functions with respect to preceding pure variables to provide successive purity spectra from which successive pure variables are found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Willem Windig
  • Patent number: 5474183
    Abstract: A carton (10) for enclosing and displaying articles has a detachably attached portion (34) integral to a support member (26) for displaying the carton (10) from a rack hanger. The detachable portion (34) can be removed without exposing the support member (26) or carton (10) to damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Warren, John M. Azzarone, William I. Blazey
  • Patent number: 5472089
    Abstract: Light-tight packaging (10) for photosensitive web roll (R) has a flexible material portion (24) detachably attached to a leading end portion (18) of the roll (R) that over wraps the outermost first convolution (20) of the roll (R). Opaque end members (22) are attached to the core (21) of the roll (R). First, second and third stretchable segments (28,30,32) of the flexible material portion (24) having widths wider than or equal to the length of the roll overlap the outermost first convolution (20) of the roll (R) to form successive outermost convolutions comprising the respective stretchable segment. Alternate stretchable segments overhang the end peripheral edges (16) of the roll (R) and overlap and compressively seal the end members (22) to the annular faces (12,14) of the roll (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Valter Specogna, Michael L. Koelsch, Kathleen L. Myers
  • Patent number: 5472543
    Abstract: A labeller head using the Bernoulli Effect is suited for applying thin, flexible, pressure sensitive labels (14, 106) of the type having a first, display side and a second, adhesive side, and includes a body having a rigid or resilient support surface (52, 64, 102, 104); a plenum (54) within the body; a plurality of bores (56, 74, 86-90, 114) extending from the plenum through the support surface, the bores being angled with respect to the support surface and arranged in an array so that jets of gas issuing from the array will cause the label to be drawn onto the support surface when the label is presented to the support surface and the first, display side is brought into close proximity of the jets, thereby causing a zone of reduced gas pressure to be formed between the support surface and the first, display side and establishing a pressure differential across the label to hold the label on a film of gas flowing over the support surface; a source of pressurized gas (58) for directing gas into the plenum and t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Joseph E. Yokajity
  • Patent number: 5473406
    Abstract: An image sheet (12) is coated with a radiation-curable adhesive (48) at a coating station and then laminated to a lenticular array sheet (20) at a laminating station (50). A lamination of the image and array sheets is then positioned on an aligning station (56) where the lenticules of the array sheet are aligned with the image lines (16) of the image sheet. The adhesive is set at a curing station (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Hassall, Daniel R. May, Martin E. Oehlbeck
  • Patent number: 5470420
    Abstract: A labeller head using the Bernoulli Effect is suited for applying thin, flexible, pressure sensitive labels (14, 106) of the type having a first, display side and a second, adhesive side, and includes a body having a rigid or resilient support surface (52, 64, 102, 104); a plenum (54) within the body; a plurality of bores (56, 74, 86-90, 114) extending from the plenum through the support surface, the bores being angled with respect to the support surface and arranged in an array so that jets of gas issuing from the array will cause the label to be drawn onto the support surface when the label is presented to the support surface and the first, display side is brought into close proximity of the jets, thereby causing a zone of reduced gas pressure to be formed between the support surface and the first, display side and establishing a pressure differential across the label to hold the label on a film of gas flowing over the support surface; a source of pressurized gas (58) for directing gas into the plenum and t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Joseph E. Yokajty
  • Patent number: 5466522
    Abstract: A cobalt-platinum (CoPt) magnetic film is deposited onto a chromium (Cr) or tungsten (W) underlayer on a substrate, or is deposited directly onto the substrate and has an appreciable component of its C-axis which is parallel go the [00.2] direction, lying in the plane of the film whereby the resultant magnetic films exhibit coercivities from 2100-3000 oersteds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis R. Freeman, Richard C. Soper
  • Patent number: 5461450
    Abstract: A web (14) of material such as photographic film is supplied continuously from a stock roll (16) into an infeed vacuum box (24) from which the web passes into an intermittently operated perforator apparatus (30) through which the web is drawn intermittently by a high performance vacuum drum (32) which feeds the web into an outfeed vacuum box (34) from which the web passes continuously to a rewind stock roll (44) or to other intermittently operated processing apparatus. Various patterns of widely spaced perforations and leader/trailer sections may be provided in the stationary web, which moves at high web speeds and accelerations between operations of the perforator apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Long, Frank Castrignano, David H. Lancy, William C. Lebbon, Allen R. Lentz, David M. Orlicki, Thomas W. Palone, Robert C. Raduns, Joseph E. Stagnitto
  • Patent number: 5457938
    Abstract: A package system 10 containing a plurality of articles of manufacture comprises, a pallet 12, and a photographic product handling device releasably attached to the pallet 12. The photographic product handling device 13 comprises first and second platform assemblies 14, 22 having on one side positioning means formed thereon for facilitating stacking and resisting motion of the product contained therein. The opposite side of platform assembly 22 comprises at least one pair of spaced runners for conveniently stacking one package system 10 atop the other in an interlocking relationship. The sensitive photographic product 20 are encased in a foldable enclosure 18 defining an interior space, each end having releasably mounted thereon a platform assembly 14, 22 thereby forming a closed ended enclosure. Straps 24 are wrapped circumferentially around the closed ended enclosure 18 and the enclosure and pallet 12 are then wrapped with a stretchable material layer 30 to resist ambient contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. Butterfield, Fred W. Muhleman, Donald S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5456438
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool support including a fixed frame (10), a source (16, 17), a source of suction (16, 17) of compressed air, a bearing structure (13); comprising a plate (11) provided with holes (14); and pad (12); intended to absorb the vibration generated by the operation of the machine and/or by its environment. According to the present invention the holes (14) can communicate selectively with the source of suction or the source of compressed air. In addition, the machine rests directly on the surface of the plate (11), a pad (12) suitable for absorbing the vibration being disposed between the frame and the bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michael Long
  • Patent number: 5452044
    Abstract: A processor for light sensitive material includes a processing device which is immersed in processing liquid in a processing chamber and defines a processing channel through which a web is transported by transport rollers for contact with a treatment liquid. Liquid is injected into the channel at one or more injection sites and evacuated from the channel at one or more evacuation sites. A pump which is totally immersed in the liquid circulates liquid from within the chamber to the evacuation sites and through the processing channel to the evacuation sites.In one embodiment of the pump comprises an elongated cylindrical element having a plurality of peripheral blades and positioned in close proximity to manifold elements which define high pressure zones adjacent the injection sites. In another embodiment the pump comprises an elongated gear pump.The processor may include a plurality of such chambers and a plurality of such processing devices and pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Mark J. Devaney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5450939
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for sorting and transferring an object (1), such as wrapped photographic film, between two or more positions has a object holder (12) having a means for grasping and releaseably mounting the object (1) thereto. The object holder (12) is mounted for translational movement along a generally oval path (14). The object holder mounted to a first moving conveyance (16) moves in synchronization with a second moving conveyance (22), picks up the object (1) from the first moving conveyance (16), and then selectively sorts and releases the object (1) at one of several predetermined number of stations S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William J. Meyers, Richard O. Toles, Steven P. Nicoll, Edward F. Gates
  • Patent number: 5451133
    Abstract: A docking assembly (200) for docking with a vehicle (108), the vehicle having a nonrigid docking member (70) having an apparatus for positioning (124, 126, 128, 130, 132) mounted thereon. The docking assembly has a frame (202) to which is mounted a positioning slot (222) having flared walls (224) for guiding therein and securing thereto the apparatus for positioning of the vehicle to thereby dock the vehicle to the docking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Fredric Salsburg, William E. Roberts, Stephen A. Yaeger
  • Patent number: 5448419
    Abstract: A ported vacuum drum (20, 56-98) is provided on its exterior cylindrical surface (22) with one or more lengths (24) of a master magnetic recording medium supported by bands (102) of elastomeric material in position to contact a layer (14) of slave magnetic recording medium provided on one side and along at least one edge of a web (10); so that, vacuum applied (74-82) between the cylindrical surface and the web at locations (88-94) spaced from the zone of contact (98) between the recording media will hold the slave layer on the web securely in contact with the length of master magnetic recording medium on the drum as the drum rotates, thereby permitting anhysteretic recording from the master to the slave. A method of anhysteretically recording is taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Donald O. Bigelow, Thomas W. Palone
  • Patent number: 5447588
    Abstract: Webs (12, 14) to be spliced are provided with end edges (24, 26) which are positioned with an overlap (38), covered by a metal buffer strip (60) and joined by application of ultrasonic energy (54, 62, 64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Merz, Wallace S. Stewart, Dale C. Marshall, Harold Moore
  • Patent number: 5430580
    Abstract: Apparatus for pneumatically clamping and magnetically biasing magnetic media during anhysteretic transfer comprises a housing (64, 74, 76, 80, 82, 88, 90, 96, 98) which encloses a pair of pneumatic plenums (112) connected to a source of high pressure air (70, 72, 73) and a pair of arrays (106) of biasing magnets (108); so that, air from the plenums flows between the magnets and bands (57) at the edges of the media to provide intimate contact of the media during anhysteretic transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Donald O. Bigelow, Thomas W. Palone
  • Patent number: 5426535
    Abstract: A prerecorded magnetic master web (54) and an unrecorded magnetic slave web (14), such as a photographic film having a magnetic coating, are brought into intimate contact for anhysteretic recording by wrapping the moving master web partially around a small diameter gimballed roller (66) positioned in close proximity to a rotating transfer drum (36); wrapping the moving slave web partially around a larger idler roller (34) positioned in close proximity to both the gimballed roller and the transfer drum; wrapping the slave web partially around the transfer drum with the master web wrapped outside the slave web; and evacuating a chamber or volume (68) formed among the webs, rollers and drum, to remove air from between the webs and cause them to converge into intimate contact at a nip upstream of a signal transfer zone in which a magnetic head (70) applies a decaying magnetic field to cause anhysteretic transfer from the master web to the slave web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Donald O. Bigelow, Thomas W. Palone, Jayson J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5423495
    Abstract: Apparatus (60) for winding strips of web (14) such as photographic film is provided with web storage modules (62, 120) which include a carriage (78, 132) mounted on a track (76, 130), the carriage supporting rollers 96, 98; 152, 154) which can moved along the track to change selectably the length of web stored. Locking plungers (84, 138) engage one of a plurality of bushings (82, 136) to hold the carriages in position and transducers (86-92; 140-150) signal a controller (94) of the length of web stored. Cutting and winding of the web are controlled in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Craig C. DeNagel, Robert J. Staunton
  • Patent number: 5422235
    Abstract: In a photographic paper production method, a photographic paper support is coated with one or more photographic silver halide emulsion layers and one or more other hydrophilic colloid layers, at least one of the layers including a hardener. The coated support is then dried and conditioned to a temperature of from 24.degree. C. to 33.degree. C. The photographic and other layers on the support are conditioned to an equilibrium relative humidity of from 55% to 70%. The coated support is then stored at the conditioned temperature until the photographic and other layers have achieved a predetermined hardness. The new photographic paper production method reduces the post-production storage time required for photographic paper to achieve an acceptable level of abrasion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John W. Chapman, Andrew F. Sierakowski, Robyn A. Whittle