Patents by Inventor Charles S. Christ

Charles S. Christ 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: 6416940
    Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of two specific types of polyphosphonic acid sequestering agents. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The mixture of sequestering agents includes a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Shirleyanne E. Haye, Janet M. Huston, Charles M. Darmon, Charles S. Christ, Jr., Paul A. Schwartz, William G. Henry
  • Patent number: 6403290
    Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of two specific types of polyphosphonic acid sequestering agents. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The mixture of sequestering agents includes a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Shirleyanne E. Haye, Janet M. Huston, Charles M. Darmon, Charles S. Christ, Jr., Paul A. Schwartz, William G. Henry
  • Publication number: 20020018968
    Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of two specific types of polyphosphonic acid sequestering agents. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The mixture of sequestering agents includes a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: SHIRLEYANNE E. HAYE, JANET M. HUSTON, CHARLES M. DARMON, CHARLES S. CHRIST, PAUL A. SCHWARTZ, WILLIAM G. HENRY
  • Patent number: 6305854
    Abstract: A method of processing photosensitive material which passes through at least two processing solutions in which the material is rinsed after passing through a first solution and prior to passing through the second solution. The mixture of rinse solution and recovered first solution is returned to the process cycle to replenish the first solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Peter J. Twist, Nigel R. Wildman, Richard N. Vernon, Charles S. Christ, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20010026909
    Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Jean M. Buongiorne, Charles M. Darmon, Michael J. Haight, Erika S. McLarney, Barry C. Kocher, Sheridan E. Vincent, Charles S. Christ
  • Publication number: 20010026910
    Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Jean M. Buongiorne, Charles M. Darmon, Michael J. Haight, Erika S. McLarney, Barry C. Kocher, Sheridan E. Vincent, Charles S. Christ
  • Patent number: 6186681
    Abstract: A thermoelectric Peltier heat transfer device is used to treat a fluid, such as a photographic processing solution to reduce or prevent biogrowth. The device include both hot and cold sides that are in direct fluid flow communication so that the same fluid is treated on both sides of the device. The treated fluid is subjected to flash pasteurization on the hot side of the device, and immediately and rapidly cooled on the cold side without loss of volume. Thus, the same fluid is treated on both sides of the heat transfer device in a closed system before being returned to desired chemical, photographic or other processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Albert R. Szembrot, Charles S. Christ, Daniel C. Davis
  • Patent number: 6136518
    Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jean M. Buongiorne, Charles M. Darmon, Michael J. Haight, Erika S. McLarney, Barry C. Kocher, Sheridan E. Vincent, Charles S. Christ, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6017687
    Abstract: An aqueous, homogeneous, single-part, chloride ion-free color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, a buffering agent, and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent present in an a concentration such that the weight ratio of water to the organic solvent is from about 15:85 to about 50:50. Upon dilution at least four times, this composition can be used to provide a color developing composition for processing photographic color papers. The same concentrate can also be diluted to provide a replenisher for the color developing composition that is used at a replenishment rate of from about 50 to about 150 ml/m.sup.2 of processed color paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Darmon, Paul A. Schwartz, Charles S. Christ
  • Patent number: 5961939
    Abstract: There is provided a method for removing silver from photoprocessing solutions containing hardening agents which comprises:a) adding a chelating agent to the photoprocessing solution in an amount sufficient to inhibit the precipitation of the high valent cations of the hardening agents;b) adding a base to adjust the pH of the photoprocessing solution to a value above 5.5; andc) adding a chemical precipitant for the silver contained in the photoprocessing solution;and optionally adding as a final component a flocculating agent which causes the precipitate to grow in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James R. Kulp, Charles S. Christ, Jr., Jay E. Mathewson
  • Patent number: 5759410
    Abstract: There is provided a process for converting a silver-mercapto-s-triazine precipitate to a solid containing silver and a solution containing mercapto-s-triazine by contacting the silver-mercapto-s-triazine precipitate with one or more reducing agents. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the reducing agents has a redox potential more negative than about -0.9 V vs. Normal Hydrogen Electrode, NHE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Christ, Jr., Albert R. Szembrot, Robert Ciamarra
  • Patent number: 5563267
    Abstract: A method for making trialkali metal and triammonium salts of 2,4,6 trimercapto-s-triazine comprising the steps of:(a) forming a reaction mixture of an acetone solution of cyanuric chloride and an aqueous solution of sodium hydrosulfide hydrates;(b) stirring the mixture thereby forming 2,4,6-trimercapto-s-triazine;(c) acidifying the mixture to form a precipitate; and(d) dissolving the precipitate in a basic solution selected from alkali metal hydroxides and ammonium hydroxide thereby forming a trialkali metal or triammonium salt of 2,4,6 trimercapto-s-triazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Christ, Jr., Jianmin Shi
  • Patent number: 5496474
    Abstract: A process for inhibiting the formation of an unwanted precipitate comprising [H.sub.2-n TMT]Na.sub.n [HNR.sub.3 ] during the precipitation of silver mercapto-s-triazine (AgTMT) from a silver containing photoprocessing solution, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a base solution;(b) providing a reagent solution containing mercapto-s-triazine (TMT), or a water soluble salt thereof;(c) mixing the TMT reagent solution with the photoprocessing solution; and(d) adding sufficent base to increase the pH of the mixture of the TMT reagent and photoprocessing solutions above the pH of the mixture before addition of base, and the base is mixed:(i) directly to the photoprocessing solution before mixing TMT reagent with the photoprocessing solution; or(ii) with the photoprocessing solution concurrently with TMT reagent; or(iii) immediately after the point TMT reagent begins mixing with the photoprocessing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Christ, Jr., Albert R. Szembrot
  • Patent number: 5476593
    Abstract: A method of removing undesired precipitate from the surfaces of an apparatus; wherein the apparatus is used in a process for removing silver from silver bearing photoprocessing solutions and the process includes the step of mixing a mercapto-s-triazine, or a water soluble salt thereof, with a silver bearing photoprocessing solution, thereby causing formation of the undesired precipitate and a precipitate of silver mercapto-s-triazine, said method comprising flushing inner surfaces of the apparatus with an aqueous solution having a pH of at least 9.8 thereby solubilizing the undesired precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Christ, Albert R. Szembrot
  • Patent number: 5437792
    Abstract: A process for removing silver from a silver containing photoprocessing solution, including the steps of:a) mixing a mercapto-s-triazine, or a water soluble salt thereof, with the solution thereby causing formation of a mixture of i) precipitates and fines of silver mercapto-s-triazine and ii) the solution;b) mixing a copolymer flocculant with the mixture thereby causing flocculation and agglomeration of the silver TMT fines; wherein the copolymer i) consist of monomers selected from the group consisting of acryloyloxyethyl trimethylamine chloride and acrylamide and ii) has a reduced viscosity of 21 to 30 dL/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Albert R. Szembrot, Charles S. Christ, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5399247
    Abstract: A method of treating a solute in a liquid solution in order to render the solution more acceptable for discharge into the environment, comprises electrolyzing the solution with an anode comprising electrically conductive crystalline doped diamond to thereby oxidize the solute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James J. Carey, Charles S. Christ, Jr., Stephen N. Lowery