Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gregory A. Evearitt
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Patent number: 5407971Abstract: Disclosed are radiation-crosslinkable elastomeric compositions containing:(a) an elastomeric polymer containing abstractable hydrogen atoms in an amount sufficient to enable the elastomeric polymer to undergo crosslinking in the presence of a suitable radiation-activatable crosslinking agent; and(b) a radiation-activatable crosslinking agent of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: W represents --O--, --N--, or --S--;X represents CH.sub.3 -- or ##STR2## Y represents a ketone, ester, or amide functionality; Z represents an organic spacer which does not contain hydrogen atoms that are more photoabstractable than hydrogen atoms of the elastomeric polymer;m represents an integer of 0 to 6;a represents 0 or 1; andn represents an integer of 2 or greater.Radiation-crosslinked elastomers are prepared by exposing the radiation-crosslinkable elastomeric compositions to radiation (e.g., UV light) to abstract hydrogen atoms from the elastomeric polymer by the resulting radiation-activated crosslinking agent.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1994Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Albert I. Everaerts, Audrey A. Sherman, Charles M. Leir
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Patent number: 5391879Abstract: A radiation detector containing: (a) a fiber optic network; (b) an array of pixelized phosphors on the X-ray incidence side of the fiber optic network; and (c) an array of pixelized sensors optically coupled to the other side of the fiber optic network, wherein: (i) the ratio of the surface area of a phosphor pixel to the surface area of a sensor pixel is in the range of about 1:1 to 1:64, and (ii) the ratio of the surface area of the core of each individual optical fiber of the fiber optic network to the surface area of a phosphor pixel is in the range of about 1:4 to 1:160.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Nang T. Tran, Luciano W. Morrone
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Patent number: 5384237Abstract: A thermal-dye-bleach construction comprising a dye in association with a thermal dye-bleaching agent of general formula I: ##STR1## wherein: each of R.sup.a and R.sup.b are individually selected from: hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and preferably, both R.sup.a and R.sup.b represent hydrogen;p is one or two, and when p is one, Z is a monovalent group selected from: an akyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and when p is two, Z is a divalent group selected from: an alkylene group, an arylene group, an alkenylene group, an alkynylene group, an aralkylene group, a cycloalkene group, and a heterocyclic group; and,M.sup.+ is a cation which will not react with a carbanion generated from the thermal-carbanion-generating agent in such manner as to render the carbanion ineffective as a bleaching agent for the dye.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1994Date of Patent: January 24, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Dian E. Stevenson, Mark P. Kirk, Sylvia A. Farnum, William C. Frank, Randall H. Helland, Jonathan P., Kitchin, Roger A. Mader, Mark B. Mizen, Richard A. Newmark, William D. Ramsden, Kumars Sakizadeh, Terence D. Spawn, George V. Tiers
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Patent number: 5384238Abstract: Positive-acting photothermographic elements suitable for use at contact speeds comprising a base layer having at least two layers thereon, which layers define a photosensitive medium comprising a photocurable composition, a reducible silver source, and a reducing system for silver ion comprising one or more components including a compound capable of reducing silver ion to silver metal, such that the reducible silver source and at least one component of the reducing system for silver ion are present in separate layers, wherein exposure of the element to actinic radiation causes curing of the photocurable composition in the exposed area(s), said curing preventing the reducing system from interacting with the reducible silver source during thermal processing and in which the photocurable composition comprises a free radical curable resin and a photoinitiator therefor having an absorbance to radiation in the wavelength range of 340 to 440 nm, which photoinitiator upon exposure to said actinic radiation or duringType: GrantFiled: January 21, 1994Date of Patent: January 24, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard J. Ellis, Ranjan C. Patel, Robert J. D. Nairne
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Patent number: 5382504Abstract: A negative-acting photothermographic element comprising a support bearing at least one heat-developable, photosensitive, image-forming photothermographic emulsion layer comprising:(a) core-shell-type, photosensitive silver halide grains containing a total silver iodide content of less than 4 mole %, the core having a tint silver iodide content of from about 4-14 mole %, the shell having a second silver iodide content lower than the silver iodide content of the core;(b) a non-photosensitive, reducible source of silver;(c) a reducing agent for the non-photosensitive, reducible source of silver;(d) a binder; and(e) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: a halogen molecule; an organic haloamide; and hydrobromide acid salts of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds which are further associated with a pair of bromine atoms.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1994Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Steven M. Shor, Chaofeng Zou, Pu Zhou, Shozo Aoki
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Patent number: 5380644Abstract: A fluorinated polymer comprising at least three different groups within the polymer chain derived from reactive monomers, the monomers comprising:(a) a fluorinated, ethylenically unsaturated monomer;(b) a hydroxyl-containing, ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and(c) a polar, ethylenically unsaturated monomer.The fluorinated polymers provide a surfactant that is particularly useful in the coating of polymeric layers. The surfactants can reduce surface anomalies, such as mottle when used to coat photothermographic and thermographic elements from certain solvent systems. The present invention also provides photothermographic and thermographic elements comprising the foregoing fluorinated polymers.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1993Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Roger K. Yonkoski, Patricia M. Savu
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Patent number: 5378542Abstract: Process for the simultaneous application of at least two molten, thermoreversible organogel layers to a substrate. The organogel layers can optionally contain dispersed additive ingredients, such as pigments. The organogel layers are coated onto a suitable substrate and then rapidly cooled or chilled to form a gel. Residual solvent is then removed. Multilayer coated films are thus formed with minimal interlayer mixing or interlayer diffusion of the additive ingredients.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1994Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth L. Hanzalik, George H. Crawford, Jr., Sharon M. Rozzi, David J. Scanlan
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Patent number: 5376451Abstract: This invention relates to improved imaging systems based on the formation of yellow colored coordination compounds of transition metals with certain ligands. These coordination compounds have been found to provide excellent yellow colors when used in pressure sensitive carbonless copy-papers wherein the image is formed by the reaction of a color-forming compound with transition metal salts such as those of nickel, cobalt, iron, copper, and similar materials. These yellow color-formers have the advantage of high solubility in encapsulation solvents and have less color on Zn.sup.2+ containing CB sheets. Use of these yellow color-formers with other metal complex color-formers such as N-(monosubstituted)dithiooxamide color-formers and N,N'-(disubstituted)dithiooxamides results in the formation of black images.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1990Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Loren D. Albin, Martha Jacobsen, David B. Olson
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Patent number: 5369000Abstract: Post-processing stabilizers for photothermographic, silver imaging media are disclosed. The stabilizers are represented by the following general formulae: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently H, halogen, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a thioalkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a perhalogenated alkyl group, or taken together form a cycloaliphatic group.Compounds of formula (I) may be used as stabilizer precursors in photothermographic silver imaging media to provide post-processing stability without significantly adversely affecting desired properties of the photothermographic material.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1993Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kumars Sakizadeh, John T. Blair, David T. Ask
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Patent number: 5368882Abstract: A process for forming a phosphor comprising the steps of:(a) providing a substrate for deposition and growth of an alkali halide phosphor,(b) forming a patterned surface on the substrate comprising a plurality of mesas, each of the mesas having an incline, a decline, and a horizontal surface, the mesas being separated from one another by horizontal segments of the substrate and wherein:(i) the ratio of the height of each of the mesas to the width of the horizontal segments is in the range of about 1:20 to 1:4;(ii) the ratio of the width of each of the mesas to the width of the horizontal segments is in the ratio of about 1:30 to 1:4; and(iii) the angles of incline and decline of each of the mesas are between about 5.degree. to 85.degree.; and(c) depositing an alkali halide phosphor on the patterned surface of the substrate of step (b), thereby forming cracks, in the deposited phosphor, originating from the inclines and/or declines of each of the mesas.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1993Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Nang T. Tran, Kenneth R. Paulson
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Patent number: 5364740Abstract: A process for producing an imaged article with little or no residual dye stain and with a colored image involving the steps of:(a) exposing a positive- or negative-acting photoresist to radiation having a wavelength in the range of from about 300 to 1100 nm, the photoresist containing:(i) a photosensitive composition; and(ii) a dye, capable of sensitizing a photolyzable organic halogen compound, in reactive association with an aromatic iodonium salt or halogenated triazine compound,thereby forming an image in the exposed or unexposed areas of the photoresist;(b) developing the image resulting from step (a); and(c) bleaching the remaining sensitizing dye in the photoresist by simultaneously heating and exposing the sensitizing dye and aromatic iodonium salt or halogenated triazine compound to radiation having a wavelength in the range of about 300 to about 700 nm at a temperature of at least about 40.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1993Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, James F. Sanders
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Patent number: 5358843Abstract: Photothermographic elements containing image-forming emulsions with photothermographically useful compounds (e.g., stabilizers, toners, activators, developers, etc.) which are blocked with silyl groups, but become deblocked in the presence of a source of fluoride ion.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1993Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kumars Sakizadeh, Sharon M. Simpson, Omar Farooq, Sam Kalousdian
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Patent number: 5354813Abstract: Novel classes of polymeric mordants based upon poly(vinylpyridine), poly(N-vinylimidazoles), and poly(meth)acrylates are disclosed. The polymeric mordants contain N-heterocycles which are N-quaternized by different types of alkylated hydrazones, semicarbazones, and multiple-quaternized alkylated salts serving as pendant groups.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1994Date of Patent: October 11, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Omar Farooq, Mahfuza B. Ali
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Patent number: 5350669Abstract: Novel silver-carboxylate/1,2-diazine compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 represents either an alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, or alkenyl group of up to 29 carbon atoms; or an aryl group of up to 14 carbon atoms; andand R.sup.2 represents either hydrogen, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group fused to the 1,2-diazine ring, or the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring fused to the 1,2-diazine ring.The novel silver-carboxylate/1,2-diazine compounds are coordination compounds of two silver-carboxylate molecules and two molecules comprising a 1,2-diazine nucleus. These compounds can serve as the silver source in a black-and-white thermographic or photothermographic element or as the oxidizing agent for a dye-based thermographic or photothermographic color-imaging construction.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1994Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: David R. Whitcomb, William C. Frank
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Patent number: 5342720Abstract: A proofing element containing: (a) a photoconductive layer on an electrically conductive substrate; and (b) overlaying the photoconductive layer, a removable dielectric layer containing thermoplastic polymeric resinous particles which have steric stabilizer groups adhered to the surfaces of said polymeric particles, said steric stabilizer groups being in coordinated association with a charge directing moiety and said charge directing moiety having a charge dissipating agent in association therewith.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Gregory L. Zwadlo, Roger I. Krech
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Patent number: 5340613Abstract: Process for the simultaneous application of at least two molten, thermoreversible organogel layers to a substrate. The organogel layers can optionally contain dispersed additive ingredients, such as pigments. The organogel layers are coated onto a suitable substrate and then rapidly cooled or chilled to form a gel. Residual solvent is then removed. Multilayer coated films are thus formed with minimal interlayer mixing or interlayer diffusion of the additive ingredients.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1993Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth L. Hanzalik, George H. Crawford, Jr., Sharon M. Rozzi, David J. Scanlan
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Patent number: 5324627Abstract: A thermal-dye-bleach construction comprising a dye in association with a thermal dye-bleaching agent of general formula I: ##STR1## wherein: each of R.sup.a and R.sup.b are individually selected from: hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and preferably, both R.sup.a and R.sup.b represent hydrogen;p is one or two, and when p is one, Z is a monovalent group selected from: an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and when p is two, Z is a divalent group selected from: an alkylene group, an arylene group, an alkenylene group, an alkynylene group, an aralkylene group, a cycloalkene group, and a heterocyclic group; and,M.sup.+ is cation which will not react with acarbanion generated from the thermal-carbanion-generating agent in such manner as to render the carbanion ineffective as a bleaching agent for the dye.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Dian E. Stevenson, Mark P. Kirk, Sylvia A. Farnum, William C. Frank, Randall H. Helland, Jonathan P. Kitchin, Roger A. Mader, Mark B. Mizen, Richard A. Newmark, William D. Ramsden, Kumars Sakizadeh, Terence D. Spawn, George V. Tiers
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Patent number: 5314785Abstract: Photosensitive compositions containing a photoinitiator which generates an acid upon exposure to light and a polymer containing pendant alkoxy alkyl ester groups. Also disclosed are imageable articles containing the photosensitive compositions of the present invention coated on a substrate as well as processes for forming an imaged article.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1993Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Dennis E. Vogel, John J. Stofko, Jr.
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Patent number: 5314795Abstract: A thermal-dye-bleach construction comprising a polymethine dye having a nucleus of general formula I: ##STR1## in association with a thermal-carbanion-generating agent having the general formula: ##STR2## wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification and claims.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1992Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Randall H. Helland, Sylvia A. Farnum, Mark P. Kirk, Jonathan P. Kitchin, Roger A. Mader, Mark B. Mizen, Richard A. Newmark, William D. Ramsden, Kumars Sakizadeh, Terence D. Spawn, Dian E. Stevenson, George V. Tiers
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Patent number: 5314998Abstract: Metal-azo dyes with excellent solubility in organic media are provided. The metal-containing dyes of the present invention have a nucleus of the formula: ##STR1## wherein the substituents have the meaning given in the description. Dye-donor sheets comprising the above-mentioned dyes are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1992Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Terrance P. Smith, David W. Macomber