Patents Assigned to Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
  • Patent number: 6063558
    Abstract: A photosensitive element which comprises on a support at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer and at least a non-light sensitive layer, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer comprises a chalcogenic compound satisfying formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: X represents Se or Te, forming a double bond with its neighbouring C-atom,Nu represents a nucleophilic group which brings an electron pair in heterolytic bond formation; Nu has a pK.sub.a -value of at least 2.0 if Nu is an acidic group,L represents a divalent linking group representing each group which can position an electron donating atom in any of the 5th to the 8th position vis-a-vis the carbon atom of the carbon-chalcogen double bond,AQB represents the necessary atoms to form a heterocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring, provided that when A is a Nitrogen-atom, B is an atom selected from the group consisting of NR.sup.1, O, S, Se and Te,R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Loccufier, Rene De Keyzer, Antonius Rutges
  • Patent number: 6063557
    Abstract: A color photographic silver halide material in which at least one of the blue-sensitive silver halide emulsions is doped with mercury and is spectrally sensitised with a sensitising dye of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X.sub.1 and X.sub.2, independently of each other, denote O, S, Se, NR,R denotes alkyl or carboxyalkyl,R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 denote the remaining members for the completion of a phenanthro- or anthraazole ring, and the remaining R.sub.1 or R.sub.3 radical denotes a hydrogen atom,R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, independently of each other, denote a hydrogen atom, alkyl or aryl, orR.sub.4 and R.sub.5 jointly denote the remaining members of an unsubstituted or substituted benzazole, naphthazole, phenanthro- or anthraazole,S.sub.1 and S.sub.2, independently of each other, denote alkyl, sulphoallyl or carboxyalkyl, andM.sup.+ denotes a cation which is possibly necessary for charge equalisation,is distinguished by an improved latent image stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Cuong Ly, Maria Nietgen, Michael Missfeldt, Heinz-Horst Teitscheid, Edgar Draber, Markus Geiger
  • Patent number: 6063554
    Abstract: A wash liquor for use in the decoating of a silver halide diffusion transfer printing plate comprises an aqueous solution containing at least one non-ionic surfactant, such as an alcohol ethoxylate, an alkylphenol ethoxylate or an alkylamine ethoxylate. The liquor preferably also contains at least one organic or inorganic acid salt, and at least one of an enzyme, a biocide and an anti-foam. A process for the decoating of the said printing plate is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventor: John Michael Kitteridge
  • Patent number: 6060218
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for making lithographic printing plates including the following stepsa) preparing a heat mode imaging element consisting of a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface and a top layer which top layer is sensitive to IR-radiation, comprises a polymer, soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution and is unpenetrable for an alkaline developer containing SiO.sub.2 as silicates;b) exposing imagewise said heat mode imaging element to IR-radiation;c) developing said imagewise exposed heat mode imaging element with said alkaline developer so that the exposed areas of the top layer are dissolved and the unexposed areas of the top layer remain undissolved characterized in that said top layer includes an IR-dye selected from the group consisting of indoaniline dyes, cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes, oxonol dyes, porphine derivatives, anthraquinone dyes, merostyryl dyes, pyrylium compounds, diphenyl and triphenyl azo compounds and squarylium derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Marc Van Damme, Joan Vermeersch, Geert Deroover
  • Patent number: 6061091
    Abstract: Image processing parameters for gradation correction of a digital image from a scene, which includes specular reflections may be seriously influenced by the presence of those specular reflections. Therefore, a method is developed to detect the presence of specular reflections in a scene, to modify the exposure time of the photo-sensitive means, which converts a luminous image to electronic image signals and to apply a gradation correction to the image data thus acquired. In one embodiment a digital camera is used to capture the image data, a cumulative histogram is built and two characteristic cumulative frequencies are used to determine via the histogram specular densities and highlight densities. The relative position of these density values indicates whether specular reflections are present, and give suitable parameters for setting an optimal exposure time and for computing a gradation correction curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Koen Van de Poel, Earle Stokes, Nick Geybels
  • Patent number: 6057077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a colored image for color proofing of copy masters for multicolor printing and a layer material for carrying out this process.A positive image of the exposure mask (color separation film) is produced by lamination of a photosensitive material onto a colored layer material, followed by imagewise exposure and peeling-off of a film support, or a negative image of the exposure mask is obtained by imagewise exposure of the photosensitive material before the lamination, accompanied by flood exposure after lamination followed by peeling-off of a film support. The two procedures use the same materials and do not require wet development. For each single-color image, only one lamination step is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Karin Marz, Dieter Mohr
  • Patent number: 6054247
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a silver salt diffusion transfer imaging element comprising the steps of coating in the order given on a grained and anodized side of an aluminum support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) optionally an antistress layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, said aluminum support before being coated with a silver halide emulsion layer being guided over rollers, said rollers being exclusively rollers with a metallic surface, characterized in that the ratio of the number of rollers with a metallic surface to the unwinding length of the aluminum support (in meter) is at least 0.60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventor: Marcus Jonckheere
  • Patent number: 6051355
    Abstract: A receptor element for non-impact printing is provided comprising a support and an image receiving layer containing at least 80% by weight with respect to the total weight of the layer of a polymer with between 0.5 and 20 mole % of moieties carrying sulphonic acid groups. Preferably the polymer is a polyester comprising between 0.5 and 20 mole % with respect to the total acid content of moieties provided by sulphoisophthalic acid and the sulpho groups are present in free acid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N. V.
    Inventors: Etienne Van Thillo, August Marien, Geert Van Dyck
  • Patent number: 6048096
    Abstract: An image-forming system for radiological imaging is described consisting of an intensifying screen comprising on a support at least one layer of a green-light emitting phosphor and, in operative association therewith, a prehardened light-sensitive photographic silver halide film material, comprising a support and on both sides thereof one or more hydrophilic colloid layers having monodisperse cubic silver chloroiodide grains with a mean crystal diameter of from 0.40 .mu.m up to 0.65 .mu.m or {111} tabular silver chloroiodide grains having an aspect ratio of from 5 to 20 and a tabularity from 20 to 200; wherein said grains have been spectrally sensitized in the green wavelength range and have been coated in a total amount of silver per sq.m. of from 6 g up to 8 g, expressed as an equivalent amount of silver nitrate per sq.m.; wherein in the image-forming system silver chloroiodide grains have been chemically sensitized with one or more selenide compound(s) generating silver selenide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Freddy Henderickx, Johan Loccufier, Peter Verrept
  • Patent number: 6048906
    Abstract: The preparation of finely-divided, homodisperse dispersions from a liquid medium having sparingly soluble particles contained therein, the particles being produced in a tubular reactor by the reaction of reactants dissolved in the medium, is carried out by introducing the solutions of the reactants, at least at the reaction temperature, into the tubular reactor separately from one another, as coaxial, laminar, parallel flows, and by shielding them from the reactor wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: AGFA Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Jurgen Ernst, Uwe Schonebaum, Hans Hofmann, Theodor Konig
  • Patent number: 6049680
    Abstract: An apparatus (11) for conditioning media, for example a moving web (12) of receptor material in an electrostatographic printer (10), is described. The apparatus (11) comprises a heating system, such as a heated drum (55), to adjust the moisture content of the media and a cooling system (65) for cooling the heated media. A moisture sensor such as an electrometer (74) determines the moisture content e.g. by an electrical condition of the media before it leaves the apparatus (11). The moisture sensor (74) controls the heating system (55). A temperature sensor (81) determines the temperature of the media after cooling. This sensor (81) may control the cooling system (65) or other parameters of the system. By conditioning a receptor material in an electrostatographic printer, a higher yield of toner transfer can be obtained. Optionally two electrometers (74a, 74b) are used to thereby detect the charge decay on an earthed metal drum (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Freddy Goris, Luc Hooyberghs, Luc Baeten
  • Patent number: 6049344
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises at least one treatment vessel (12) comprising a housing (14) having a sheet material inlet opening (17) and a sheet material outlet opening (18) defining a sheet material path (20) through said vessel (12). Each opening (17, 18) is closed by a path-defining rotatable roller (28) biased towards a reaction surface (30) to form a nip (36) there-between through which said sheet material path (20) extends. The path-defining roller (28) is in contact along its length, with a plurality of rotatable intermediate rollers (38) carried in fixed bearings (40) mounted on said housing (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Verlinden, Patrick Van den Bergen, Bart Verhoest, Dirk de Ruyter, Ludo Van Schepdael
  • Patent number: 6045722
    Abstract: There is provided a photostimulable phosphor according to formula (I)Ba.sub.1-x-y-p-3q-z Sr.sub.x M.sub.y.sup.2+ M.sub.2p.sup.1+ M.sub.2q.sup.3+ F.sub.2-a-b Br.sub.a I.sub.b :zEuwherein:M.sup.1+ is at least one alkali metal selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs;M.sup.2+ is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ca Mg and Pb;M.sup.3+ is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In, Tl, Sb, Bi, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu;0<x.ltoreq.0.30, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.10, 0.ltoreq.p.ltoreq.0.3, 0.ltoreq.q.ltoreq.0.1, 0.05.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.76, 0.20.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.0.90, a+b<1.00 and 10.sup.-6 .ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Paul Lardon
  • Patent number: 6045969
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining a lithographic base comprising on a hydrophobic support a hydrophilic layer contiguous to said support containing a non-gelatinous hydrophilic (co)polymer or (co)polymer mixture, characterized in that said hydrophobic support is treated with a plasma treatment with an applied power density during the plasma treatment of at least 70 W min/m.sup.2 before applying to said support said hydrophilic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Eric Verschueren, Bavo Muys, Jan Dierckx, Jean Van Trier, Wim Cortens
  • Patent number: 6042983
    Abstract: Dry toner particles comprising an amorphous complex macromolecular compound that contains in its macromolecular structure,(i) a polyester backbone (A) having a Tg of at least 45.degree. C. and(ii) at least one polymer chain (B) being attached to the backbone, either terminally and/or in a side-chain, the polymer chain (B) being derived from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefines and polyolefines containing alkoxy groups which on itself has an average molecular weight by number (M.sub.avg) so that 1900.ltoreq.M.sub.avg <4000, a melting point between 50.degree. C. and 150.degree. C. and a melting range of at most 15.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Serge Tavernier, August Marien, Werner Op de Beeck
  • Patent number: 6040109
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing an imaging element comprising the steps of coating in the order given on a grained and anodized side of an aluminum support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) optionally an antistress layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer comprising unhardened gelatin, characterized in that said aluminum support when being coated with said photosensitive layer is in contact with a guiding roller, heated at a temperature between 35 and 70.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Coppens, Marcus Jonckheere
  • Patent number: 6040113
    Abstract: Heat-sensitive imaging element for making positive working printing plates according to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive imaging element for making positive working lithographic printing plates comprising on a lithographic base a layer comprising a polymer, soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution and an IR-radiation sensitive top layer. Upon image-wise exposure the capacity of the aqueous alkaline solution to penetrate and/or solubilize the top layer is changed. Image-wise exposure can be performed with an infrared laser with a short as well as with a long pixel well time.The obtained positive working printing plates have excellent printing properties and an improved infrared sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Marc Van Damme, Joan Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 6033740
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for making lithographic printing plates including the steps of dispensing in a predetermined pattern curable hydrophobic ink from a printhead of a printer onto a lithographic base or polymerizable ink from a printhead of a printer onto a lithographic base which is coated with a polymerization initiator by spraying droplets of the ink onto the lithographic base in the predetermined pattern and curing the sprayed droplets of the ink upon the lithographic base, characterized in that the lithographic base comprises a flexible support having a cross-linked hydrophilic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Leo Oelbrandt, Luc Leenders, Stefaan De Meutter, Luc Vanmaele
  • Patent number: 6034703
    Abstract: A method is described to control the maximum density and the pixel profile of microdots produced by a binary or multilevel electrophotographic device. In various embodiments, from the maximum development potential. The working point of the device is established by imposing a relation between charge level, discharge level and saturation voltage level of the photosensitive element. This allows to achieve consistent output densities, irrespective of the environmental parameters, such as relative humidity and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignees: Texas Instruments Incorporated, Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk K. Broddin, Jean-Pierre J. Slabbaert, Frank A. Deschuytere, Robert F. Janssens, Werner F. Heirbaut, William E. Nelson, Venkat V. Easwar
  • Patent number: 6033832
    Abstract: A process for the production of a photographic image, in particular an ID card, using a color photographic silver halide material on a reflective support having a zone I in which information is recorded in the form of a colored image and a zone II in which data readable by infra-red light are recorded, comprising the following processing steps:a) exposure,b) development with a color developer,c) treatment with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 or a compound releasing H.sub.2 O.sub.2,d) fixing without prior or concomitant bleaching,e) washing or stabilizing andf) drying,in which steps (b) and (c) may be combined to a single step, results in a clear color image as well as a silver image which is reliably legible under IR light if steps (a) and (b) are carried out in such a manner that the silver maximum density in zone II after processing is at least 0.35, preferably not less than 0.5, measured under reflection at 850 nm, and the silver maximum density in zone I after processing is at most 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventor: Kaspar Wingender