Patents by Inventor Alan S. Fitterman

Alan S. Fitterman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120064464
    Abstract: Radiographic silver halide materials coated onto a support contain a portion of the developer chemistry incorporated within the radiographic film. The remainder of the developer chemistry is contained in a developer solution. Use of a reflective support permits the developed materials to be viewed without a light box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson, Mark P. Pavlik, Lynn M. Tremblay
  • Patent number: 7147996
    Abstract: Photographic silver halide materials containing an incorporated black-and-white developing agent can be quickly and simply processed using unique processing compositions and methods. In a “two-step” method, the exposed material is contacted with an alkaline activator solution followed by a fixing composition. In a “one-step” method, activation and fixing are combined using a single alkaline activator-fixing composition containing the fixing agent. None of the processing solutions include black-and-white developing agents. The photographic silver halide materials are preferably radiographic silver halide materials that have a reflective support and provide black-and-white images that can be viewed without a light box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson, Kenneth A. Duke
  • Patent number: 7018770
    Abstract: A reflective radiographic material is useful to provide images that can be viewed without a light box. This reflective radiographic material has a reflective support and a silver halide emulsion on one side of the support only. The material can be used with a single green- or blue-light emitting fluorescent intensifying screen as part of an imaging assembly. The reflective support enables the image in the radiographic material to be viewed without a light box and the speed of the material enables the use of low power X-radiation generating equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Kenneth A. Duke, Phillip C. Bunch, Alan S. Fitterman
  • Patent number: 7014977
    Abstract: A reflective radiographic material (at least 200 system speed) is useful especially to provide images that can be viewed without a light box. This reflective radiographic material has a reflective support, a silver halide emulsion on one side of the support only, and a photographic speed of at least 200. The reflective material also includes an incorporated black-and-white developing agent and a co-developing agent, and can be used with a single fluorescent intensifying screen as part of an imaging assembly. The reflective support enables viewing the resulting image without a light box and the high speed of the material enables the use of low power X-radiation generating equipment. The incorporated black-and-white developing agent and co-developing agent allow the radiographic material to be quickly processed after exposure using simplified processing chemistry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Kenneth A. Duke, Alan S. Fitterman
  • Patent number: 6602655
    Abstract: A concentrated black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability, is compatible with the environment and provides desired sensitometric properties with a combination of particular antifoggants. These antifoggants include a mercapto-substituted tetrazole and a benzimidazole that has one or more electron withdrawing groups. This concentrated composition can be used as a first “part” and mixed, upon dilution, with a diluted second “part” that is a concentrated composition of a gelatin hardening agent. When mixed together, the two diluted concentrates form a working strength developing composition that can be used to provide black-and-white images in various photographic silver halide materials, and particularly in radiographic films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Joan F. Rachel
  • Publication number: 20020168597
    Abstract: A concentrated black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability, is compatible with the environment and provides desired sensitometric properties with a combination of particular antifoggants. These antifoggants include a mercapto-substituted tetrazole and a benzimidazole that has one or more electron withdrawing groups. This concentrated composition can be used as a first “part” and mixed, upon dilution, with a diluted second “part” that is a concentrated composition of a gelatin hardening agent. When mixed together, the two diluted concentrates form a working strength developing composition that can be used to provide black-and-white images in various photographic silver halide materials, and particularly in radiographic films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Joan F. Rachel
  • Publication number: 20020146652
    Abstract: A concentrated black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability, is compatible with the environment and provides desired sensitometric properties with a combination of particular antifoggants. These antifoggants include a mercapto-substituted tetrazole and a benzimidazole that has one or more electron withdrawing groups. This concentrated composition can be used as a first “part” and mixed, upon dilution, with a diluted second “part” that is a concentrated composition of a gelatin hardening agent. When mixed together, the two diluted concentrates form a working strength developing composition that can be used to provide black-and-white images in various photographic silver halide materials, and particularly in radiographic films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Joan F. Rachel
  • Patent number: 6110655
    Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using black-and-white developing and fixing compositions having reduced photoprocessing activity. The entire process is fairly rapid and effective despite the lowered concentrations of photographic developing and fixing agents. The processing compositions are more environmentally friendly because the conventional hydroquinone is replaced with an ascorbic acid developing agent. In addition, the processing compositions are free of ammonium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6107012
    Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using a two-stage process in which black-and-white development is carried out in the first stage for up to 30 seconds, and such development continues along with fixing in the second stage for up to 60 seconds when a fixing composition is added. Both stages are carried out in the same processing container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6087078
    Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic silver halide elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using black-and-white developing and fixing compositions having reduced photoprocessing activity. The entire process is fairly rapid and effective despite the lowered concentrations of photographic developing and fixing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6082909
    Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because they include certain light absorbing dyes and desensitizers. Processing of such elements can be achieved using a processing kit and a two-stage process carried out in the same light- and fluid-tight processing apparatus. In the first stage, development is initiated with a developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent and a sulfite. After an appropriate time, a non-sulfite fixing agent is introduced into the processing apparatus or container to provide a combined developing/fixing composition, and development and fixing are carried out simultaneously. The processing method is carried out quickly, usually within about 90 seconds. The presence of sulfite and high pH in both stages decolorizes or deactivates the particulate dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson, Peter J. Kelch, Ronald J. Perry, David G. Sherburne, James T. Samuels
  • Patent number: 6074806
    Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic silver halide elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using a developing/fixing monobath composition that includes an ascorbic acid developing agent, sulfite ions and a photographic fixing agent that has both a thiol group and an amino group (such as cysteine).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6040121
    Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using a two-stage process in which black-and-white development is carried out in the first stage for up to 30 seconds, and such development continues along with fixing in the second stage for up to 60 seconds when a fixing composition is added. Both stages are carried out in the same processing container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6033838
    Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because the developing composition includes a water-soluble colorant. Such colorants are water-soluble dyes that have a maximum absorption wavelength of from about 350 to about 500 nm. Processing is carried out by processing the exposed element using a two-stage process in the same processing container. In the first stage, development is initiated with an opaque developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent, a yellow colorant, and a sulfite. After an appropriate time, a fixing agent (other than a sulfite) is introduced into the processing container to begin simultaneous development and fixing. The entire process in quite rapid, that is less than 90 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson, Franklin C. Brayer
  • Patent number: 6033836
    Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic silver halide elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using black-and-white developing and fixing compositions having reduced photoprocessing activity. The entire process is fairly rapid and effective despite the lowered concentrations of photographic developing and fixing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6033837
    Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using black-and-white developing and fixing compositions having reduced photoprocessing activity. The entire process is fairly rapid and effective despite the lowered concentrations of photographic developing and fixing agents. The processing compositions are more environmentally friendly because the conventional hydroquinone is replaced with an ascorbic acid developing agent. In addition, the processing compositions are free of ammonium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6033835
    Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic silver halide elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using a developing/fixing monobath composition that includes an ascorbic acid developing agent, sulfite ions and a photographic fixing agent that has both a thiol group and an amino group (such as cysteine).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6022675
    Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight using a developing/fixing monobath composition that also includes a water-soluble colorant, such as a water-soluble "yellow" dye, that provides safelight conditions in the processing composition. The processing method is carried out quickly, that is within 120 seconds. The colorant has a maximum absorption wavelength of from about 350 to about 500 nm, and is transparent in solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson, Franklin C. Brayer
  • Patent number: 5994039
    Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed rapidly using a black-and-white developing composition containing a hydroquinone developing agent, and specific amounts of sulfite and borate ions. Thus, the molar ratio of sulfite ions to borate ions is less than 20:1, and the molar ratio of sulfite ions to the hydroquinone developing agent is from about 1:1 to about 2.5:1. The developing composition is effective, rapid and stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Shirleyanne E. Haye, Janet M. Huston, Joan F. Rachel
  • Patent number: 5981153
    Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because the developing composition includes a particulate opacifying agent, such as carbon black. Processing is carried out by processing the exposed element using a two-stage process in the same processing container. In the first stage, development is initiated with an opaque developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent in a concentration of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 mol/l, opacifying agent, and a sulfite at from about 0.1 to about 0.7 mol/l. After an appropriate time, a fixing agent (other than a sulfite) is introduced into the processing container to begin simultaneous development and fixing. The entire process in quite rapid, that is less than 90 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson