Patents by Inventor Dennis E. Smith

Dennis E. Smith 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: 20020045137
    Abstract: Photographic silver halide materials are prepared in a more economical and environmentally acceptable manner by using a specific matting agent in a hydrophilic subbing layer between a polymeric support and one or more silver halide emulsion layers. The matting agent has an average particle size of at least 1 &mgr;m and up to about 10 &mgr;m and a glass transition temperature of at least 120° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis E. Smith, Patrick M. Lynch, Pedro R. Quinones, Eric J. Adsit
  • Patent number: 6369152
    Abstract: An ink jet printing method, comprising the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer comprising non-porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the non-porous polymeric particles being present in an amount of at least about 8 parts of particles per part of polymeric binder, and the non-porous polymeric particles having a degree of crosslinking of at least about 30 mole %; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition; and D) printing on the ink jet recording element using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory E. Missell, Richard J. Kapusniak, Jeanne E. Kaeding, John L. Muehlbauer, Dennis E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6364477
    Abstract: An ink jet recording element including a support having thereon, in the order recited, a base layer including a hydrophilic material and a non-porous, ink-receptive top layer including a binder, mordant and polymeric particles, the particles having a particle size of less than about 0.5 &mgr;m and being present in an amount of from about 20 to about 50% by weight of the ink-receptive top layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory E. Missell, Dennis E. Smith, John L. Muehlbauer
  • Patent number: 6328443
    Abstract: An inkjet printing method, comprising the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer comprising at least about 70% by weight of porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the porous polymeric particles having a core/shell structure comprising a porous polymeric core covered with a shell of a water-soluble polymer; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition; and D) printing on the ink jet recording element using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory E. Missell, Richard J. Kapusniak, Jeanne E Kaeding, John L. Muehlbauer, Dennis E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6225038
    Abstract: This invention comprises thermally processable imaging element comprising: (a) a support, (b) a thermally processable imaging layer on one side of the support; and (c) a protective layer comprising a binder and matte particles comprising a crosslinked polymer, wherein the protective layer has been applied as a solution of binder and matte particles in a coating solvent in which the binder is soluble and the matte particles are swellable to the extent of about 160 to about 390%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Smith, Sharon M. Melpolder, James R. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6210474
    Abstract: A process for making an ink jet ink comprising: a) providing an organic pigment dispersion containing a pigment and a carrier; b) mixing the pigment dispersion with rigid milling media having an average size less than about 100 &mgr;m; c) introducing the mixture from step b) into a high speed mill; d) milling the mixture from step c) until a pigment particle size distribution is obtained wherein about 50% by weight of the pigment particles have a particle size less than about 100 nanometers; e) separating the milling media from the mixture milled in step d); and f) diluting the mixture from step d) to obtain the ink jet ink; wherein the milling media comprises negatively-charged polymeric beads which are crosslinked sufficiently to prevent swelling of the polymeric beads to levels greater than or equal to about 50 volume % within 4 hours at 25° C. in the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Romano, Jr., Douglas E. Bugner, Richard C. VanHanehem, James R. Bennett, Dennis E. Smith, Robert A. Guistina
  • Patent number: 6165702
    Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support, at least one image forming layer, and a surface protective layer. The surface protective layer includes polymer particles having a mean particle size of less than 500 nm including a polymer or copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a water insoluble lubricant and a water soluble polymeric stabilizer coated on an outer surface of the polymer particle, and a binder. The polymeric stabilizer has affinity for both the organic solvent and the surface of the polymer particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Smith, Yongcai Wang, Charles C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6075090
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a stable colloidal non-aqueous wax particle dispersion. The method includes the steps of forming a mixture of a first vinyl monomer of a polymerizable mono-alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated compound free of ionic charge groups and capable of addition polymerization and a second vinyl monomer capable of addition polymerization and wax particle in a aqueous medum. The mixture is polymerized using an azo or diazo initiator to form an aqueous dispersion of composite wax particles. The wax particles are redispersed in an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yongcai Wang, James L. Bello, David E. Decker, Dennis E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6033839
    Abstract: This invention comprises a thermally processable imaging element comprising:(1) a support;(2) a thermally processable imaging layer on one side of the support; and(3) a protective layer comprising:(A) a film-forming binder;(B) matte particles comprising a core surrounded by said film-forming binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Smith, Sharon M. Melpolder, John L. Muehlbauer
  • Patent number: 6030699
    Abstract: This invention provides an ultraviolet ray absorbing polymer particle which includes a first ultraviolet ray absorber represented by formula I as further defined in claim 1: ##STR1## and a second ray absorber represented by formula II as further defined in claim 1: ##STR2##
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yongcai Wang, Dennis E. Smith, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5965339
    Abstract: The present invention is a photographic element which includes a support, at least one light sensitive silver halide layer superposed on the support, and a protective overcoat layer overlying the light sensitive silver halide layer. The protective overcoat layer includes a hydrophilic binder and permanent matte particles. The permanent matte particles are greater than 80 mole percent isobutyl methacrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Smith, Yongcai Wang, Alfred B. Fant, John L. Muehlbauer
  • Patent number: 5958658
    Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support, at least one light sensitive layer, and a surface protective layer containing a binder and polymer particles. The polymer particles are prepared by the process of mechanically forming droplets of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having hydrophobic groups, the hydrophobic groups having a logP.sub.(calc) greater than a logP.sub.(calc) of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer by at least 1 unit, and a water insoluble lubricant. The droplets are polymerized in the presence of a dispersing agent so that the polymerized droplets have a size of less than 500 nm. The present invention also is an imaging element which includes a support, at least one imaging layer, and at least one layer containing a binder and polymer particles. The polymeric particles are prepared by the process of mechanically forming droplets of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a logP.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Smith, Yongcai Wang, Charles C. Anderson, John L. Muehlbauer
  • Patent number: 5919850
    Abstract: This invention provides an ultraviolet ray absorbing polymer particle which includes a first ultraviolet particle which includes a first ultraviolet ray absorber represented by formula I: ##STR1## and a second ultraviolet ray absorber represented by formula II: ##STR2##
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yongcai Wang, Dennis E. Smith, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5916741
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photographic element comprises a support, at least one hydrophilic light-sensitive layer, and a light-insensitive layer containing a binder and polymer matte particles having the formula:(A).sub.x (B).sub.y (C).sub.z (I)where A is a monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer which forms a homopolymer with a Tg less than 20.degree. C., B is a monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer which forms a homopolymer with a Tg greater than 60.degree. C., C is a monomer with two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups, x is about 10 to 95 mole %, y is less than 85 mole %, and z is about 5 to 90 mole %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Smith, Yongcai Wang, Patrick M. Jeffries, James R. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5902711
    Abstract: A process of forming milled solid particles of a compound comprising milling solid particles of the compound in a liquid organic medium continuous phase in the presence of polymeric milling media to reduce the average size of the compound particles, wherein the liquid continuous phase comprises a solvent for the milling media polymer in the uncrosslinked form and the milling media is crosslinked sufficiently to prevent 50 vol. % swelling of the polymeric milling media in the liquid continuous phase within four hours at 25.degree. C. In various preferred embodiments of the invention, polymeric milling media having a mean particle size of less than about 100 .mu.m in the unswelled state (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Smith, James R. Bennett, Louis J. Sorriero
  • Patent number: 5866312
    Abstract: The present invention is a photographic element which includes a support, at least one silver halide emulsion layer, and a light-insensitive protective overcoat. The light insensitive protective overcoat includes a hydrophilic binder and polymer particles having a glass transition temperature of at least 70.degree. C. The polymer particles prepared by the process of mechanically forming oil-in-water droplets having a size less than 400 nm of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having hydrophobic groups, the hydrophobic groups having a logP.sub.(calc) greater than a logP.sub.(calc) of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer by at least 1 unit in an aqueous medium. A hydrophilic colloid is added to the aqueous medium in an amount sufficient to render the polymer partice compatible with the hydrophilic binder. The droplets are polymerized to a size of less than 400 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yongcai Wang, Dennis E. Smith, Alfred B. Fant
  • Patent number: 5858634
    Abstract: The present invention is a photographic element which includes a support, at least one silver halide emulsion layer; and at least one layer containing a binder and polymer particles. The polymeric particles are prepared by the process of mechanically forming droplets having a size less than 400 nm of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having hydrophobic groups, the hydrophobic groups having a logP.sub.(calc) greater than a logP.sub.(calc) of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer by at least 1 unit, and polymerizing said droplets so that the polymerized droplets have a size of less than 400 nm. The present invention also is a photographic element which includes a support, at least one silver halide emulsion layer; and at least one layer containing a binder and polymer particles. The polymeric particles are prepared by the process of mechanically forming droplets having a size less than 400 nm of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a logP.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yongcai Wang, Dennis E. Smith, Alfred B. Fant, John L. Muehlbauer
  • Patent number: 5595862
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a photographic element comprises a support, at least one light-sensitive layer, and a protective overcoat comprising a hydrophilic binder and permanent matte particles, the permanent matte particles comprising a polymer of methyl methacrylate and having a size distribution of a first and a second mode, with the first mode being composed of particles having a mean particle size of from 0.2 to 1.2 micrometers in a coating weight of from 10 to 200 mg/m.sup.2 and the second mode having a mean particle size of from 1.5 to 10 micrometers in a coating weight of from 5 to 150 mg/m.sup.2, the total coating weight of the particle of the first and the second modes being greater than 100 mg/m.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alfred B. Fant, Yongcai Wang, Dennis E. Smith, Melvin M. Kestner, Rudolf D. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 5563226
    Abstract: A process of making polymeric matte bead particles for use in photographic elements which comprises forming a suspension of ethylenically unsaturated monomer droplets in an aqueous media, subsequent to the formation of droplets and before commencement of reaction, adding to the aqueous media an effective amount of a hydrophilic colloid to improve adhesion and polymerizing the monomer to form solid polymeric particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John L. Muehlbauer, Dennis E. Smith
  • Patent number: 5550011
    Abstract: An imaging element comprising a support, at least one hydrophilic light-sensitive layer and at least one protective overcoat layer containing a binder and permanent matte particles, the permanent matte particles having a size distribution of a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being organic particles having a median size of from 0.2 to 1.2 micrometers in a coating weight of from 10 to 200 mg/m.sup.2, the said second mode being particles having a mean particle size of from 1.5 to 10 micrometers in a coating weight of from 25 to 150 mg/m.sup.2, the total coating weight of particles of the first and second modes being greater than 100 mg/m.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alfred B. Fant, Yongcai Wang, Dennis E. Smith, Melvin M. Kestner, Gary W. Visconte