Patents Assigned to Agfa-Gevaert
  • Patent number: 5534373
    Abstract: A photosensitive material comprising (A) a flexible transparent film support, (B) a colored photosensitive layer which contains an organic binder (B1) a dye or a colored pigment (B2), a compound (B3), which forms a strong acid on exposure to radiation, and a compound (B4) which has at least one group cleavable by the acid, and (C) an adhesion-promoting layer which contains a thermoplastic polymer which has a softening temperature in the range from 40.degree. to 200.degree. C., wherein the adhesion (a.sub.1) of the unexposed photosensitive layer (B) to the adhesion-promoting layer (C) is less than the adhesion (a.sub.3) of the unexposed photosensitive layer (B) to the film support (A) and than the cohesions of the layers (B) and (C), and the adhesion (a.sub.3 ') of the exposed photosensitive layer (B) to the film support (A) is less than the adhesion (a.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Stephan J. W. Platzer, Andrea Buchmann, Gerhard Buhr
  • Patent number: 5533088
    Abstract: A shield comprising bodies that are opaque to x-rays, is positioned during a known fraction f of an exposure time T between an object to be imaged and a radiation source in a two-dimensional x-ray imaging system. The radiation scatter is calculated from the following values: the radiation received by a radiation detector at the temporarily shielded areas, the radiation received by the detector in areas closely adjacent to said temporarily shielded areas and the fraction f. Scatter values are subtracted from values representing radiation transmitted by the object to obtain a scatter compensated image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventor: Christiaan Fivez
  • Patent number: 5532097
    Abstract: A dry toner powder the toner particles of which are triboelectrically positively charged and are suited for development of an electrostatic charge pattern, wherein said toner particles contain:(1) one or more triboelectrically positively chargeable thermoplastic resins serving as binder having a volume resistivity of at least 10.sup.13 .OMEGA.-cm, and(2) at least one substance having a volume resistivity lower than the volume resistivity of said binder, andwherein said substance(s) (2) when present in said binder in a concentration of 5% by weight lower(s) thereof the volume resistivity of said binder by a factor of at least 3.3, and wherein said toner powder containing particles including a mixture of said ingredients (1) and (2) under triboelectric charging conditions is capable of obtaining an absolute median (q/d) charge/diameter value (x) lower than 10 fC/10 .mu.m but not lower than 1 fC/10 .mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Serge Tavernier, Werner Op de Beeck, Jean-Pierre Ghekiere, Gustaaf Van Tendeloo
  • Patent number: 5529867
    Abstract: A photoconductive recording material containing a support and a charge generating layer (CGL) in contiguous relationship with a charge transporting layer (CTL) containing a n-charge transporting material (n-CTM), wherein the binder of said charge generating layer (CGL) is made insoluble in methylene chloride by crosslinking, and said binder is composed essentially of at least one resin (1) and/or (2) crosslinked with at least one polyisocyanate, said resin (1) before its crosslinking corresponding with general formula (I) as defined in the description, and said resin (2) being a dialkanolamine-modified epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: David Terrell, Stefaan De Meutter, Marcel Monbaliu
  • Patent number: 5530511
    Abstract: A photographic liquid processing station (14) comprising at least two sections (15, 16) through which a photographic sheet material is passed in succession, the processing liquid being fed through said sections in countercurrent, replenishing means (67) which comprises discharge means (70) for carrying off rinsing liquid from the first section (15) in response to the amount of processed film, pump means (63) for feeding liquid from the second section (16) to the first one (15) in response to a level sensor (61) in the first section, and a liquid level sensor (64) in the last section (16) for controlling said replenishing means (67).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Verlinden, Patrick Van den Bergen
  • Patent number: 5527758
    Abstract: A direct thermal imaging process wherein a non-photosensitive direct thermal recording material is heated dot-wise, and said direct thermal recording material comprises an imaging layer containing uniformly distributed in a film-forming polymeric binder (i) one or more substantially light-insensitive organic silver salts, said silver salt(s) being uniformly in thermal working relationship with (ii) one or more organic reducing agents therefor, however neither including 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as acidic reagent nor di-tert-butyl-p-cresol as a sole reducing agent, characterized in that said imaging layer contains at least one polycarboxylic acid and/or anhydride thereof in a molar percentage of at least 20 with respect to said silver salt(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Carlo Uyttendaele, Herman Uytterhoeven, Guy Jansen, Bartholomeus Horsten
  • Patent number: 5527757
    Abstract: A non-photosensitive heat-sensitive recording material suited for use in direct thermal imaging by means of information-wise energized heating elements, wherein said recording material comprises:(i) at least two imaging layers each containing uniformly distributed in a film-forming resin binder (1) a metal salt in thermal working relationship with (2) an organic reducing agent, and(ii) at least one heat-attenuating spacer layer for separating said imaging layers from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Carlo Uyttendaele, Roland Beels, Luc Leenders
  • Patent number: 5523197
    Abstract: In order to provide a direct-positive material having low contrast and extended latitude that can be manufactured in a consistent and reproducable way a multilayer direct-positive photographic material is disclosed as well as the process to provide it, characterized by the steps of coating on one side of a support at least two layers of direct positive silver halide emulsions of the externally fogged type, at least one layer of which comprises a mixture of direct positive silver halide emulsions of the externally fogged type and at least one layer of which comprises one or more filter dyes; overcoating said emulsion layers with at least one protective layer; coating on the other side of the support at least one backing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventor: Luc Heremans
  • Patent number: 5523584
    Abstract: A combination is provided comprising a supported or self supporting photostimulable phosphor panel, comprising a photostimulable phosphor layer, the phosphor being capable of storing energy upon irradiation with X-rays and of releasing the stored energy as stimulated emission light upon irradiation with stimulating light and collecting means for stimulated emission light, and showing a restricted angular aperture. The combination comprises a volume reflection hologram H1, situated between the phosphor panel and the light collecting means. The volume reflection hologram H1 reflects stimulated emission light entering the volume reflection hologram under any angle outside a restricted angle, determined by the angular aperture of the collecting means and transmits stimulated emission light entering the volume reflection hologram under the predetermined restricted angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N. V.
    Inventors: Antoon Celis, Paul Leblans, Philip Dooms
  • Patent number: 5520471
    Abstract: A thermal image recording apparatus has a thermal print head removably supported on a supporting wall and held in place by a releasable latch arrangement which can take the form of at least one movable detent engageable with a rib provided for that purpose on the print head, e.g. on a cooling fin on the rear side of the print head. The detent can be a lever arm having at one end a hook for engaging the rib, the arm being pivotable to dis-engage the hook from the rib and release the print head for removal. The arm is preferably spring-biased to normally engage the rib and both rib and hook can have inclined surfaces allowing for snap-engagement thereof when the print head is mounted on the supporting wall. Preferably, a rib and associated detent is provided at opposite ends of the print head. Alternatively, the latch can be rotated in a plane parallel to the supporting wall to and from a latching position engaging the rib to release position disengaged therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Leys, Bernard Schollaert
  • Patent number: 5518984
    Abstract: An assemblage for use according to thermal dye transfer methods, consisting of (i) a dye-donor element and (ii) a receiving element containing on a support a dye receiving layer comprising a homo- or copolymer of vinylchloride, said dye donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a binder and at least one yellow N-aryl-N-alkyl-substituted dicyanovinylaniline dye, wherein the N-aryl group either carries an electron-donative group having a negative Hammett sigma para value, or carries 2 to 5 substituents, which may be same or different and have Hammett sigma para values, the sum of which is negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Janssens, Luc J. Vanmaele
  • Patent number: 5518866
    Abstract: The present invention provides a finisher comprising (a) hydrophobizing agent(s) in a total concentration between 0.1 g/l and 10 g/l, (a) surface-active compound(s) and (a) polyglycol(s), characterized in that said polyglycol(s) comprise(s) at least 50% by weight ethyleneoxide groups and/or propyleneoxide groups whose total sum is at least 7 and is (are) present in said finisher in a total amount of at least 10 g/l and there is further provided a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Coppens, Ludovicus Vervloet
  • Patent number: 5519429
    Abstract: A thermal image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium has a housing and mounted within the housing a subhousing containing a thermal print head formed of a thermal printing circuit, including an array of individual activatable heating elements, and a heat sink in conductive contact with such elements for cooling the same, a blower for creating a stream of cooling air and air guides for guiding the air stream into contact with the heat sink and thence to the outside of the housing. A platen roller is in the housing for supporting the recording medium in a recording position and the subhousing is pivotally mounted in the housing to bring the print heat into and out of an operative position with the heating elements proximate to the recording medium. The subhousing has an opening in its bottom wall through which the heating elements project in exposed relation to the recording medium while the heat sink extends into the subhousing interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N. V.
    Inventors: Jan Zwijsen, Paul Leys
  • Patent number: 5519229
    Abstract: A cassette for a photo-stimulable luminescence (PSL) radiography which comprises a flat rigid base having one surface of which a layer of PSL material is adapted to be supported, a cover for the flat base constituted of a top wall coextensive in area with the one surface of the flat base and a flange extending around the periphery of the cover top wall and projecting at an angle to the cover top wall, the peripheral flange of the wall being disposed in close-fitting relation to side edges of the base when the base and cover are assembled, and cooperating releasable detent means on the peripheral flange of the cover and the side edges of the base for securing the cover and base together, the cover being separable from the base upon release of the detent means to permit the base for radiographic exposure of the PSL layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Gentil Verbeke, Gerard Boeve
  • Patent number: 5518868
    Abstract: To eliminate the "pi-line" artefact after processing a silver halide industrial photographic X-ray material is disclosed comprising on at least one side of a support, at least one gelatino silver halide emulsion layer and a total amount of silver halide, corresponding to from 6 to 20 g of silver nitrate per square meter and per side, and at least one non-sensitive protective antistress coating, wherein said photographic material comprises at least one vinyl sulphone compound as a hardening agent and at least one polyoxyalkylene compound as a surfactant in at least one of its hydrophilic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Raymond Florens, Pieter Perdieus, Andre Roefs
  • Patent number: 5519428
    Abstract: Thermal image recording apparatus which can be set for recording on any of a plurality of different types of recording sheets, e.g. opaque or transparent, and wherein a sheet is fed by a suitable sheet feeder, preferably a rotatably drive sheet feeding rollers, from a supply a cassette or other supply source to a printing head for recording thereon, has a sensor for detecting the type of recording sheet used for the recording and for generating a control signal which is effective in the event a given sheet sensed by said sensor is of a type different from the type for which the apparatus is set, to disable the sheet feeding rollers from further feeding of the sheet to the printing head. Preferably, in the event of a mis-match between the type of sheet being fed and the machine setting, the direction of the sheet feeder is reversed and the mis-matched sheet is returned to its supply cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert N. V.
    Inventor: Willy Van Peteghem
  • Patent number: 5518875
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining a photographic material by coating on a support at least one layer comprising at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion wherein the silver halide crystals contain silver chloride for at least 60 mole %, silver bromide in a range from 5 mole % to 40 mole % and silver iodide in a range from 0 mole % to 1 mole %, characterized in that a water soluble iridium compound is added between the end of the physical ripening and the end of the chemical ripening to said silver halide emulsion at a pH between 4 and 6.5, at a pCl between -0.3 and 1 and at a ratio by weight of gelatin to silver halide, expressed as equivalent amount of silver nitrate between 0.05 and 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Jos Vaes, Luc Wabbes
  • Patent number: 5518877
    Abstract: Improved photographic properties are obtained if the photographic silver halide material contains a copolymer with polypeptide segments, wherein the polypeptide segments are derived from polypeptides with an average molecular weight M.sub.w of 2000 to 40000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Gunter Helling, Klaus Wagner
  • Patent number: 5517034
    Abstract: A stimulable phosphor member for recording and reproducing a penetrating radiation image is disclosed, comprising at least one phosphor layer containing in a binder a mixture of two or more individually prepared divalent europium doped bariumfluorohalide phosphors at least one of which contains (a) co-dopant(s) which co-determine(s) the character of the stimulation spectrum of the co-doped phosphor, whereby the method of recording and reproducing said penetrating radiation image comprises the steps of (i) causing stimulable storage phosphors to absorb said penetrating radiation having passed through an object or emitted by an object and to store energy of said penetrating radiation, (ii) stimulating said phosphors with stimulating light to release at least a part of said stored energy as fluorescent stimulation light and (iii) detecting said stimulation light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Ludo Neyens, Paul Leblans
  • Patent number: RE35284
    Abstract: An X-ray sheet film cassette is assembled of a bottom wall, side walls and a cover hinged to an upper part of one side wall. The lower part of the one side wall adjoining the bottom wall is reduced in thickness to form an abutment for the sheet film. The inner surface of the cover is provided with a resilient pressing pad which during the closing of the cover urges the sheet film against the abutment and in the closed condition of the cassette presses the film against the bottom. In this manner, when taking X-ray pictures of a part of patient's body which forms an angle relative to another body part, the unexposed section of the first mentioned body part which is adjacent the other body part, is minimized and well defined in position relative to the other body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, AG
    Inventor: Walter Bauer