Patents by Inventor James C. Fleming
James C. Fleming 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).
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Patent number: 6537730Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared with a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having ionic moieties and an infrared radiation sensitive dye having multiple sulfo groups. The heat-sensitive polymer and IR dye can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents to provide highly thermal sensitive imaging compositions. In the imaging member, the polymer reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. For example, heat can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLCInventors: James C. Fleming, Jeffrey W. Leon, David A. Stegman, Kevin W. Williams
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Patent number: 6447978Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared using a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer that comprises recurring units comprising quaternary ammonium carboxylate groups. The imaging member can also include an infrared radiation sensitive material to provide added sensitivity to heat that can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLCInventors: Jeffrey W. Leon, James C. Fleming
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Patent number: 6410202Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared with a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having ionic moieties and an infrared radiation sensitive dye having multiple quaternary ammonium groups. The heat-sensitive polymer and IR dye can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents to provide highly thermal sensitive imaging compositions. In the imaging member, the polymer reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. For example, heat can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: James C. Fleming, Jeffrey W. Leon, David A. Stegman, Kevin W. Williams
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Patent number: 6399268Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared with a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having ionic moieties and a polymer grafted carbon as a photothermal conversion material. The heat-sensitive polymer and polymer grafted carbon can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents without agglomeration. In the imaging member, the polymer reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. For example, heat can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLCInventors: James C. Fleming, Jeffrey W. Leon
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Patent number: 6361922Abstract: The present invention discloses optical recording elements having optical recording layers containing tetra dyes. The dyes have metallized azo dianionic dye with cationic dye counterions. The recording layer has a thickness from 225 to 300 nm.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1996Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Derek David Chapman, James C. Fleming, Ramanuj Goswami, Csaba Andras Kovacs
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Patent number: 6190831Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate, can be prepared using a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having a positively charged moiety, and optionally a photothermal conversion material. The heat-sensitive polymer has recurring units containing an N-alkylated aromatic heterocyclic group or an organoonium group that reacts to provide increased oleophilicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. For example, heat can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Thus, the heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides an imaging means without wet processing.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLCInventors: Jeffrey W. Leon, Gary M. Underwood, James C. Fleming, Charles D. Deboer
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Patent number: 6190830Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate, can be prepared using a hydrophilic heat-sensitive imaging layer comprised of a hydrophilic heat-sensitive, crosslinked vinyl polymer containing recurring organoonium groups. The imaging member can also include a photothermal conversion material such as carbon black or an infrared radiation absorbing dye. The heat-sensitive polymer has recurring units containing an organoammonium, organophosphonium or organosulfonium group that reacts to provide increased oleophilicity (ink receptivity) in response to heat. Heat is preferably generated by laser irradiation in the IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat. The imaging member can be used in printing methods without the usual wet processing steps.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLCInventors: Jeffrey W. Leon, Gary M. Underwood, James C. Fleming
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Patent number: 6159657Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared with a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having ionic moieties and an infrared radiation sensitive dye having multiple sulfo groups. The heat-sensitive polymer and IR dye can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents to provide highly thermal sensitive imaging compositions. In the imaging member, the polymer reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. For example, heat can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered "switchable" in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: James C. Fleming, Jeffrey W. Leon, David A. Stegman, Kevin W. Williams
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Patent number: 5932690Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical recording element having, in the following order, a transparent substrate, a recording layer and a light reflecting layer wherein the recording layer(A) has a real refractive index (N) at 780 nm not less than 1.8 and an imaginary part (k) is not greater than 0.15;(B) comprises a polymeric cyanine dye that (i) has both a weight-average molecular weight greater than 50,000 and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than 150.degree. C.; or (ii) has either (a) a weight-average molecular weight greater than 50,000 or (b) a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than 150.degree. C.; and(C) a thickness greater than 200 nm.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Elizabeth G. Burns, James C. Fleming
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Patent number: 5922504Abstract: An optical recording element is disclosed. The element has a transparent substrate and on the surface of said substrate, a recording layer and a light reflecting layer wherein recording layer comprises a mixture of a metallized formazan dye and cyanine dye and the unrecorded layer is such that the real part of the refractive index(n) at 780 nm is greater than 1.8 and the imaginary part (k) is less than 0.15. The metallized formazan dye has a k value of 0.00 to 0.02.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1996Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Derek D. Chapman, Michael P. Cunningham, Ramanuj Goswami, James C. Fleming
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Patent number: 5876821Abstract: A dye mixture having, at 780 nm, a real refractive index not less than 1.8, and an imaginary part not greater than 0.15 and comprising (a) a tetra dye having a metallized azo dianionic dye with a cationic dye counterion and (b) at least one other dye having the structure according to formula I: ##STR1## wherein: A may be equal to or different from A.sup.1, in which each represents an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms;B may be equal to or different from B.sup.1, in which each ##STR2## R and R.sup.1 represent an alkyl group of C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 or an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms; andX represents halide, ClO.sub.4, BF.sub.4, PF.sub.6, tosylate and RCOO.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1996Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Derek David Chapman, James C Fleming, Ramanuj Goswami, Csaba Andras Kovacs
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Patent number: 5667860Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical recording element having, in the following order, a transparent substrate, a recording layer and a light reflecting layer wherein the recording layer(A) has a real refractive index (N) at 780 nm not less than 1.8 and an imaginary part (k) is not greater than 0.15;(B) comprises a polymeric cyanine dye that (i) has both a weight-average molecular weight greater than 50,000 and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than 150.degree. C.; or (ii) has either (a) a weight-average molecular weight greater than 50,000 or (b) a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than 150.degree. C.; and(C) a thickness greater than 200 nm.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Elizabeth G. Burns, James C. Fleming
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Patent number: 5470626Abstract: An optical recording element comprising, in the following order, a transparent substrate bearing an optical recording layer containing a phthalocyanine dye and a gold reflective layer characterized in that the recording layer comprises sufficient sulfur or sulfur compound to prevent defects in the gold reflective layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1995Date of Patent: November 28, 1995Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: James C. Fleming, Gerald R. Lange, Donald R. Preuss
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Patent number: 5362536Abstract: There is disclosed a recordable optical element that includes a dye. The element has a substrate and on the surface of the substrate, a dye containing recording layer and a light reflecting layer. The dye is a leuco dye which upon exposure to a thermally-generated acid becomes an absorption dye.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1993Date of Patent: November 8, 1994Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: James C. Fleming, Michael R. Detty, Franklin D. Saeva
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Patent number: 5356685Abstract: There is disclosed a recordable optical element that includes a dye. The element has a substrate and on the surface of the substrate, a dye containing recording layer and a light reflecting layer. The improvement is that the dye is a leuco dye.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1993Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: James C. Fleming, Michael R. Detty
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Patent number: 5326677Abstract: There is disclosed an optical retrieval apparatus which uses a laser for illuminating an optical element. A sensor responds to modulated light from the optical element to produce electrical signals. The optical element has a substrate and on the surface of the substrate, a dye containing recording layer and a light reflecting layer. The improvement is that the dye is a leuco dye.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1993Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: James C. Fleming, Michael R. Detty
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Patent number: 4752547Abstract: A dye-forming electrothermographic element comprises an electrically activatable recording layer comprising (a) a reducing agent or reducing agent precursor capable of being activated by a Lewis base; (b) a cobalt(III) Lewis base complex; and (c) at least one of (i) a reducible dye-forming compound that has an oxidation state above that of the conjugate dye, (ii) a dye capable of changing its wavelength of absorption by reaction with a Lewis base, and (iii) a dye-forming coupler capable of reacting with the oxidized form of the reducing agent in (a) to form a dye. A negative or positive dye image is formed in such a dye-forming electrothermographic element by applying an electrical potential imagewise to the element of a magnitude and for a time sufficient to produce in the image areas a charge density sufficient to produce a latent image; and, then, heating the element to a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a dye image in the element.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1986Date of Patent: June 21, 1988Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Stanley W. Cowen, James C. Fleming, Mark Lelental
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Patent number: 4684599Abstract: Positive-working imaging compositions comprise a polymeric binder and a quinone sensitizer which provides alkali solubility to the composition when exposed to activating radiation.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1986Date of Patent: August 4, 1987Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thap DoMinh, James C. Fleming, Michael J. Lindstrom
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Patent number: 4334005Abstract: A radiation-sensitive element is disclosed including a radiation-sensitive layer comprised of a cobalt(III)complex and a photoreductant. A process is disclosed in which the photoreductant is converted to a reducing agent by exposure to electromagnetic radiation longer than 300 nanometers. The reducing agent is then reacted with a cobalt(III)complex. Images can be recorded directly within the radiation-sensitive layer or in a separate image-recording element or layer by use of the residual cobalt(III)complex not exposed or one or more of the reaction products produced by exposure. By using the ammonia liberated from ammine ligand containing cobalt(III)complexes on exposure in combination with imagewise and uniform exposures, positive or negative images can be formed in diazo image-recording layers or elements associated with the radiation-sensitive layer. By the selection of amine-responsive reducing agent precursors, the amines released by the cobalt(III)complexes cause an amplified image.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1979Date of Patent: June 8, 1982Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Anthony Adin, James C. Fleming
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Patent number: 4324852Abstract: A radiation-sensitive element is disclosed including a radiation-sensitive layer comprised of a cobalt(III)complex and a photoreductant. A process is disclosed in which the photoreductant is converted to a reducing agent by exposure to electromagnetic radiation longer than 300 nanometers. The reducing agent is then reacted with a cobalt(III)complex. Images can be recorded directly within the radiation-sensitive layer or in a separate image-recording element or layer by use of the residual cobalt(III)complex not exposed or one or more of the reaction products produced by exposure. By using the ammonia liberated from ammine ligand containing cobalt(III)complexes on exposure in combination with imagewise and uniform exposures, positive or negative images can be formed in diazo image-recording layers or elements associated with the radiation-sensitive layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1979Date of Patent: April 13, 1982Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Anthony Adin, James C. Fleming