Patents by Inventor Catherine A. Falkner

Catherine A. Falkner 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).

  • Patent number: 8192008
    Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes an inkjet printer responsive to digital signals and containing an ink composition having: (a) water, (b) dispersed pigment particles, (c) a humectant, and (d) a polyurethane additive having at least a first soft segment having siloxane groups, the additive having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000 daltons and a sufficient number of acid groups to provide an acid number greater than 60. An improved combination of scratch resistance and jetability is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brust, Catherine A. Falkner, Paul D. Yacobucci, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20120050380
    Abstract: An inkjet printing fluid composition including water and a water dispersible polyurethane additive of the general formula of (I) wherein Z is the central portion of a monomer unit that is the polymerization product of a diisocyanate; X1—Y1—X1 represents one or more soft segments wherein Y1 represents the central portion of a unit that is the polymerization product of a diamine or diol prepolymer having a molecular weight of greater than 300 Daltons; W is the central portion of one or more units containing an acid group; X2—Y2—X2 represents one or more hard segments wherein Y2 represents the central portion of a unit that is the polymerization product of a C2-C8 diol or diamine having a molecular weight of less than 250 Daltons; and X1, V and X2 can be the same or different and are an —O— or —N— atom; and further wherein the polyurethane additive has a weight average molecular weight of at least 6,000 Daltons and a sufficient number of acid groups to provide an acid number greater than 35, and the one or m
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Catherine A. Falkner, Thomas B. Brust, Yongcai Wang, Hwei-Ling Yau, Douglas R. Robello
  • Publication number: 20120050415
    Abstract: A printing system for applying a printing fluid to a substrate, comprising a printing fluid applicator and a recirculating printing fluid supply supplying printing fluid to the applicator, wherein the printing fluid comprising water and a water dispersible polyurethane additive of the general formula of (I) wherein Z is the central portion of a monomer unit that is the polymerization product of a diisocyanate; X1—Y1—X1 represents one or more soft segments wherein Y1 represents the central portion of a unit that is the polymerization product of a diamine or diol prepolymer having a molecular weight of greater than 300 Daltons; W is the central portion of one or more units containing an acid group; X2—Y2—X2 represents one or more hard segments wherein Y2 represents the central portion of a unit that is the polymerization product of a C2-C8 diol or diamine having a molecular weight of less than 250 Daltons; and X1, V and X2 can be the same or different and are an —O— or —N— atom; and further wherein the poly
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Catherine A. Falkner, Yongcai Wang, Hwei-Ling Yau, Douglas R. Robello, Mark R. Mis
  • Patent number: 8044115
    Abstract: An inkjet ink composition comprising water, pigment particles dispersed with a polymeric dispersant, at least one water-dispersible polyurethane, at least one pyrrolidinone compound, glycerol, and a 1,2-alkanediol having from four to eight carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brust, Paul D. Yacobucci, Yongcai Wang, Catherine A. Falkner, Thanhchau T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20110143060
    Abstract: A thermal, non-silver halide-containing image receiver element includes a support and an aqueous-coated image receiving layer. This receiving layer comprises a water-dispersible polymer having a polyurea or polyurethane backbone and up to 25 weight % of the water-dispersible polymer comprising polysiloxane side chains that are covalently attached to the backbone, each of the side chains having a molecular weight of at least 500. Aqueous dispersions of polyester ionomers and crosslinking agents can also be present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Debasis Majumdar, Teh-Ming Kung, Catherine A. Falkner, Yongcai Wang, Cheryl Lenhard, Paul D. Yacobucci
  • Publication number: 20110117299
    Abstract: An image receiver element includes a water-soluble or water-dispersible polyurethane binder in the image receiving layer. This polyurethane has a Tg of from about 60 to about 80° C., a molecular weight of at least 25,000, and an acid number of from about 16 to about 35 mg KOH/g. Moreover, the polyurethane comprises from about 42 to about 60 weight % of recurring urethane units, from about 8 to about 20 weight % of alkylene glycol recurring units, from about 18 to about 40 weight % of carbonate recurring units having aliphatic side chains, and from about 3 to about 15 weight % of recurring units having a water-soluble or water-dispersible acid group, based on total binder weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Catherine A. Falkner, Yongcai Wang, Debasis Majumdar
  • Publication number: 20110027505
    Abstract: A thermal, non-silver halide-containing image receiver element includes a support and an aqueous-coated image receiving layer. This receiving layer comprises a water-dispersible polymer having a polyurea or polyurethane backbone and up to 25 weight % of the water-dispersible polymer comprising polysiloxane side chains that are covalently attached to the backbone, each of the side chains having a molecular weight of at least 500. Aqueous dispersions of polyester ionomers and crosslinking agents can also be present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Debasis Majumdar, Teh-Ming Kung, Catherine Falkner, Yongcai Wang, Lenhard Cheryl, Paul Yacobucci
  • Patent number: 7828426
    Abstract: An inkjet printing system, comprising an inkjet printer and an ink composition comprising: (a) water; (b) dispersed pigment particles; (c) a humectant; and (d) a fluorinated polyurethane additive which is different from any pigment polymeric dispersant in the ink, the additive having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000 daltons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brust, Catherine A. Falkner, Paul D. Yacobucci, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20100055323
    Abstract: An inkjet printing system, comprising an inkjet printer and an ink composition comprising: (a) water; (b) dispersed pigment particles; (c) a humectant; and (d) a fluorinated polyurethane additive which is different from any pigment polymeric dispersant in the ink, the additive having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000 daltons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brust, Catherine A. Falkner, Paul D. Yacobucci, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20100055322
    Abstract: An inkjet printing system comprises an inkjet printer responsive to digital signals and containing an ink composition comprising: (a) water, (b) dispersed pigment particles, (c) a humectant, and (d) a polyurethane additive having at least a first soft segment having siloxane groups, the additive having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000 daltons and a sufficient number of acid groups to provide an acid number greater than 60. An improved combination of scratch resistance and jetability is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brust, Catherine A. Falkner, Paul D. Yacobucci, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20090169749
    Abstract: An inkjet ink composition comprising water, and at least one water-dispersible polyurethane/urea polymer having at least a first soft segment formed from a polyol prepolymer and at least a second soft segment formed from a polyamine prepolymer, wherein the polyol prepolymer forms urethane bonds in the polyurethane/urea and the polyamine prepolymer forms urea bonds in the polyurethane/urea, and further wherein at least about 4% by weight of the combined soft segments is formed by polyamine prepolymers that form urea bonds in the polyurethane/urea polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brust, Paul D. Yacobucci, Yongcai Wang, Catherine A. Falkner, Thanhchau T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20090170986
    Abstract: An inkjet ink composition comprising water, pigment particles dispersed with a polymeric dispersant, at least one water-dispersible polyurethane, at least one pyrrolidinone compound, glycerol, and a 1,2-alkanediol having from four to eight carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brust, Paul D. Yacobucci, Yongcai Wang, Catherine A. Falkner, Thanhchau T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20060100308
    Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially colorless ink or overcoat composition comprising an aqueous medium and a polyurethane polymer that has an acid number of 60 to 100 and a weight average molecular weight of greater than 10,000. It particularly relates to an ink jet ink comprising said colorless ink composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Hwei-Ling Yau, David Uerz, Paul Yacobucci, Catherine Falkner, Wendy Krzemien
  • Patent number: 6937310
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensation film for Liquid Crystal Displays comprising an amorphous polymer layer disposed on a substrate wherein said amorphous polymer layer has an out-of-plane birefringence ?nth(?) at a wavelength ? that satisfies both conditions (1) and (2): Condition (1) ?nth(?) is more negative than ?0.005 throughout the range of 370 nm<?<700 nm; Condition (2) ?nth(?1) is more negative than ?nth(?2), for ?1<?2 throughout the range of 370 nm<?<700 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James F. Elman, Tomohiro Ishikawa, Dennis J. Massa, Paul D. Yacobucci, Catherine A. Falkner
  • Publication number: 20040227879
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensation film for Liquid Crystal Displays comprising an amorphous polymer layer disposed on a substrate wherein said amorphous polymer layer has an out-of-plane birefringence &Dgr;nth(&lgr;) at a wavelength &lgr; that satisfies both conditions (1) and (2):
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James F. Elman, Tomohiro Ishikawa, Dennis J. Massa, Paul D. Yacobucci, Catherine A. Falkner
  • Patent number: 6312858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging elements, including photographic elements and ink-jet recording media, having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. More particularly, the protective overcoat comprises a polycarbonate-containing polyurethane polymer having a Tg of 0 to 70° C. and a molecular weight of 15,000 to 200,000, wherein the amount of polycarbonate, based on the total weight of the polymer, is at least 20 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Yacobucci, Hwei-Ling Yau, Catherine A. Falkner, Wendy S. Krzemien
  • Patent number: 6268101
    Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging elements, including photographic elements and recording media, having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. More particularly, the present invention provides a water permeable overcoat during image formation but that is water resistant in the final processed product. The overcoat, before formation of the image, comprises polyurethane particles in a gelatin-containing matrix. Subsequent to formation of the image, the overcoat is heat fused, resulting in the formation of a water-resistant continuous protective overcoat that provides excellent scratch and spill resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Yacobucci, Hwei-Ling Yau, Catherine A. Falkner, Lan B. Thai
  • Patent number: 6071682
    Abstract: The present invention is photographic film base which includes a polymeric support having a first side and a second side and a glass transition temperature (Tg.sub.s). A polymeric layer is superposed on the first side of the polymeric support, the polymer layer having a glass transition temperature Tg.sub.L which is greater than the glass transition temperature of the support Tg.sub.s. The polymeric layer has a thickness of at least 2.5 percent of the thickness of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jehuda Greener, Paul D. Yacobucci, Beverly A. Contestable, Catherine A. Falkner
  • Patent number: 6060229
    Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support, an image-forming layer superposed on the support, an electrically-conductive layer superposed on the support, and a transparent magnetic recording layer overlying the electrically-conductive layer. The electrically-conductive layer includes electrically-conductive agents dispersed in a film-forming binder which is a sulfonated polymer and the transparent magnetic recording layer contains ferromagnetic particles dispersed in an aromatic polyester binder having a T.sub.g of greater than 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis J. Eichorst, Debasis Majumdar, Catherine A. Falkner, Paul D. Yacobucci
  • Patent number: 6001550
    Abstract: This invention relates to a silver halide photographic element comprisinga support having a frontside and a backside;a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer superposed on the frontside of the support; anda transparent magnetic recording layer superposed on the backside of the support, said magnetic recording layer comprising magnetized particles, a dispersing agent and an aromatic polyester binder having a Tg of greater than 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Yacobucci, Robert O. James, Catherine A. Falkner, George Musshafen