Patents Represented by Attorney Susan Moeller Zerull
  • Patent number: 5552869
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for continuously removing excess carrier liquid from a photoreceptor comprising an image drying means which contacts the photoreceptor, wherein the image drying means has an outer layer which absorbs and desorbs carrier liquid and an inner layer having a Shore A hardness of 10 to 60 which is phobic to the carrier liquid, and a heating means which heats the surface of the image drying means for at least 0.05 seconds to no more than 5.degree. C. below the flashpoint of the carrier liquid, wherein the photoreceptor is moving at a speed of greater than 45 mm/sec. The invention is also the method of removing excess carrier liquid from a photoreceptor comprising contacting the photoreceptor with such a drying element and then heating the drying element to no more than 5.degree. C. below the flashpoint of the carrier liquid for at least 0.05 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kay F. Schilli, Russell A. Roiko, Kent E. Emerson, Edward J. Woo, Claire A. Jalbert
  • Patent number: 5552260
    Abstract: Acid-sensitive polymers and imageable articles employing them are disclosed. In particular, photosensitive compositions are disclosed comprising: (a) a photoinitiator which generates an acid upon exposure to radiation; and (b) a polymer having acid labile groups pendant from the polymer backbone, said acid labile pendant groups comprising at least one each of A and B wherein A has the formula --T-(C.dbd.O)OCR.sup.1 R.sup.2 OR.sup.3, and B has the formula --T-(C.dbd.O)OR.sup.4 Si(R.sup.5).sub.3, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent H or an alkyl group with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 must be hydrogen; R.sup.3 represents an alkyl group; or any two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 may together form a ring group having from 3 to 36 carbon atoms; R.sup.5 represents an alkyl group, aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyloxy group, or a trialkylsiloxy group; and R.sup.4 and T represents a divalent linking group wherein T is bonded to the polymer backbone and R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Vogel, Leonard J. Stulc
  • Patent number: 5534633
    Abstract: Aminoketone-substituted coumarin sensitizers having tethered tertiary amino groups are described which have extremely good photosensitivity. The sensitizers of the instant invention have the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each represent hydrogen; or at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 or R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 together represent an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms,R.sub.5 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or H,R.sub.6 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, andR.sub.7 and R.sub.8 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, both of R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 taken together represent an alkylene group having 4 to 6 carbon atoms, or R.sub.5 or R.sub.6 taken together with R.sub.7 or R.sub.8 represent a five, six, or seven membered heterocyclic ring group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: M. Zaki Ali
  • Patent number: 5534381
    Abstract: This invention is an acetal polymer having the following repeating units: ##STR1## where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms;Ar.sub.1 is an aromatic group substituted with an aliphatic group containing 3 to 20 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms;Ar.sub.2 is a non-substituted aromatic group;A.sub.1 is an acid group;n.sub.1, n.sub.2, n.sub.3, n.sub.4, n.sub.5 represent the molar percents of the respective repeating units and n.sub.1 is 0-20 mole %, preferably 2-10 mole %; n.sub.2 is 2-20 mole %, preferably 5 to 15 mole %; n.sub.3 is 15-85 mole %, preferably 20 to 65 mole %; n.sub.4 is 0 to 40 mole %, preferably 0 to 20 mole %; and n.sub.5 is 5-40 mole %, preferably 20 to 35 mole %. These polymers may be used in photosensitive compositions and lithographic printing plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: M. Zaki Ali, Mahfuza B. Ali
  • Patent number: 5530053
    Abstract: Electrostatic toners comprising polymeric dyes comprising of (1) discrete segments that are dispersible in highly fluorinated solvents and (2) discrete color-imparting segments. These toners can be prepared by a means of a polymerization process, wherein macromers containing highly fluorinated dispersible segments are grafted onto a polymer having chromophores attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: S. Prabhakara Rao, Terrance P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5530067
    Abstract: Electrostatic toners comprising polymeric dyes comprising of (1) discrete segments that are dispersible in highly fluorinated solvents and (2) discrete color-imparting segments. These toners can be prepared by a means of a polymerization process, wherein macromers containing highly fluorinated dispersible segments are grafted onto a polymer having chromophores attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: S. Prabhakara Rao, Terrance P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5529182
    Abstract: The invention is a dual purpose adapter insert for holding an optical disc. The adapter insert can be used in the lid section of a standard jewel case thereby enabling the standard jewel case to hold two optical discs. The adapter insert can also be used in a paperboard package by sliding the corners of the insert into the slots in the paperboard package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Norman W. Anderson, Paul A. Amundson
  • Patent number: 5520965
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the manufacture of a phosphor intensifying screen which eliminates the use of solvents and high processing temperatures. The method comprises blending a phosphor in a hardenable system (i.e., that is, as defined herein, a polymerizable or curable system) comprising phosphor in a radiation curable binder composition, coating the phosphor in a radiation curable binder composition onto a substrate, and polymerizing (i.e., hardening) the system by exposure to actinic radiation. The radiation curable binder composition comprises an organopolysiloxane or a mixture of organopolysiloxanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John C. Dahlquist, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Patent number: 5506189
    Abstract: A thermal mass transfer imaging process comprises the thermal mass transfer of a dye-receptive transparent donor layer which is then at least partially over-coated with a thermally transferred dye image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Hsin-hsin Chou, Christopher E. Kunze, Cory M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5503938
    Abstract: This invention is a quaternary ammonium/isocyanate compound having the formulaOCN--Z--Q.sup.+ A.sup.-,whereinZ is a divalent organic moiety;Q is a quaternary ammonium moiety; andA is a monovalent anionic counterion. Use of this quaternary ammonium/isocyanate compound or its amine/isocyanate compound enables one to convert any hydroxy containing binder into a self-wetting binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ravindra L. Arudi
  • Patent number: 5502533
    Abstract: The present invention provides an alternative filtering system for use with a photothermographic developing apparatus. The inventive filtering system is a three stage system which provides for condensation of fatty acids and removal of particulates prior to absorbing odor causing by-products of photothermographic development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Biegler
  • Patent number: 5494776
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photographic element developed in the presence of a hydrazide which displays high contrast but low levels of pepper fog. The novel silver halide photographic elements comprise, in at least one layer of the element, a pepper reducing agent. The pepper reducing agent of this invention is a compound having at least one nitrogen containing, heterocyclic ring group and at least one carbonyl group in or attached to said ring. The pepper reducing agents preferably are selected from the group containing 2,5-piperazinediones; glycol urils; 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxamides; 3-iminoisoindolinones; or glutarimides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard C. Cotner
  • Patent number: 5480994
    Abstract: Aminoketone-substituted coumarin sensitizers having quaternary amine substituents are described which have very high photosensitivity, and are useful in moderate pH aqueous-developable printing plates.The aminoketone-substituted coumarin sensitizers are described by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each represent hydrogen; or at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 or R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 together represent an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms,R.sub.5 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or H,R.sub.6 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an oxyalkylene group having form 1 to 16 carbon atoms, or a poly(oxyalkylene) group in which said alkylene group has 2 to 4 carbon atoms and the number of oxygen atoms is a positive integer less than or equal to four,R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or any two of R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: M. Zaki Ali
  • Patent number: 5478706
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alkaline aqueous black-and-white photographic developer composition comprising:(1) at least one black-and-white developing agent,(2) at least one black-and-white auxiliary developing agent,(3) at least one antifoggant,(4) at least one sequestering agent,(5) a sulfite antioxidant,(6) at least one buffering agent,(7) a tone agent, and(8) at least one tone promoting agent,wherein said tone agent is a primary organic amine compound and said tone promoting agent is a silver halide solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Carlo Marchesano, Filippo Faranda, Franco Buriano
  • Patent number: 5469238
    Abstract: The present invention provides an alternative filtering system for use with a photothermographic developing apparatus. The inventive filtering system is a three stage system which provides for condensation of fatty acids and removal of particulates prior to absorbing odor causing by-products of photothermographic development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Biegler
  • Patent number: 5468588
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photosensitive element which can be exposed and enveloped by diffusion transfer processes to form a lithographic printing plate, said method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a support layer,(b) coating a negative acting silver halide emulsion layer onto said support layer, and(c) coating a physical development nucleation layer comprising particles onto said silver halide emulsion layer,wherein the coating of said physical development nucleation layer is performed with a coating composition which is at a temperature above 0.degree. C. and below 30.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Macioch, Douglas M. Gates, Timothy M. Leary
  • Patent number: 5464723
    Abstract: A thermal mass transfer imaging process comprises the thermal mass transfer of a white or metallic donor layer which is then at least partially over-coated with a thermally transferred dye image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Hsin-hsin Chou
  • Patent number: 5462823
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic recording element comprising a support having coated on at least one major surface thereof a layer of a magnetic recording medium and a photosensitive layer which may be separate from or integral with the magnetic recording layer and which contains an infrared absorbing dye or its precursors. Information can be imparted to the photosensitive layer by imagewise exposure to actinic radiation which will either promote or inhibit generation or destruction of the infrared absorbing dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Evans, Mark R. Buckingham, Colin F. Norman
  • Patent number: 5457015
    Abstract: A reduction of static buildup on surfaces can be accomplished by providing a coating which is the dried and reacted product of an aqueous composition of chitosan salt and inorganic metal oxide sol. A stable, static reducing coating on polymeric substrates is particularly useful in photographic media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David R. Boston
  • Patent number: 5455143
    Abstract: Aminoketone-substituted coumarin sensitizers having quaternary amine substituents are described which have very high photosensitivity, and are useful in moderate pH aqueous-developable printing plates. The aminoketone-substituted coumarin sensitizers are described by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each represent hydrogen; or at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 or R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 together represent an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms,R.sub.5 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or H,R.sub.6 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an oxyalkylene group having form 1 to 16 carbon atoms, or a poly(oxyalkylene) group in which said alkylene group has 2 to 4 carbon atoms and the number of oxygen atoms is a positive integer less than or equal to four,R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or any two of R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: M. Zaki Ali