Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Contois

Lawrence E. Contois 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: 5288582
    Abstract: A photoelectrographic element for electrostatic imaging, containing a conductive layer and a photosensitive layer, is produced using photosensitive layer materials which form a barrier to charge injection where exposed to ultraviolet radiation. As a result, exposed areas can be charged, while unexposed portions cannot. The photosensitive layer contains an organic photoconductor, an ultraviolet radiation sensitizer, and, optionally, an organic binder. A method of forming images with this photoelectrographic element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Contois, William Mey
  • Patent number: 5240800
    Abstract: A photoelectrographic element for electrostatic imaging, containing a conductive layer and a photosensitive layer, is produced using photosensitive layer materials which form a barrier to charge injection where exposed to near-infrared radiation. As a result, exposed areas can be charged, while unexposed portions cannot. The photosensitive layer contains an organic photoconductor, a near-infrared radiation sensitizer, and, optionally, an organic binder. A method of forming images with this phctoelectrographic element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Contois, Dennis R. Kamp, William Mey
  • Patent number: 4996124
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for regenerating photoconductor elements, particularly those of the unipolar, homogeneous type. These techniques utilize a low-voltage to moderate-voltage reverse charge. Also provided are new photoconductor elements useful in the practice of such techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Albert V. Buettner, Rodney R. Bucks, Lawrence E. Contois
  • Patent number: 4980701
    Abstract: An LED printhead includes an optical mask overlying the LED's to balance light outputs therefrom. The transmission density of the mask is adjusted for each LED in accordance with its respective light output to adjust same so that the light outputs from all LED's are the same. The mask comprises a UV fadeable dye whose transmission density is adjusted with a UV laser or other light source while monitoring the light output from the respective LED. The transmission density of the mask may be adjusted by a UV light source provided on the printhead during periods of nonuse of the printhead or the printhead may be removed from the recording apparatus for adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Contois, Yee S. Ng, Eric K. Zeise
  • Patent number: 4686163
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging method is described that uses an element comprising a photoconductive layer on an electrically conducting substrate capable of transmitting actinic radiation to which the photoconductive layer is responsive, and a dielectric support, releasably adhered to the substrate, comprising the photoconductive layer or an overcoat thereof forming a surface of the element capable of holding an applied electrostatic charge. To use the element, the surface of the dielectric support is charged, and the photoconductive layer is imagewise-exposed to actinic radiation, thereby forming a developable electrostatic image on the dielectric surface. The electrostatic image, in turn, is developed with toner to form a first color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yee Seung Ng, Lawrence E. Contois, John D. Mitchell, James D. Walling
  • Patent number: 4657831
    Abstract: Electrophotographic color proofs of half-tone dot pattern images are made which closely simulate the dot gain of prints made with lithographic plates and liquid inks. In forming the color proof, a thin transparent plastic sheet having on one side an electrophotographic toner dot pattern image is laminated to a reflective support with the toner image side in contact with the support. A thicker transparent plastic sheet is laminated to the other side of the thin sheet. The resulting color proof comprising a toner dot pattern on a reflective support and covered by a thin transparent layer and a thicker transparent layer has an apparent increase in dot size which simulates that of a press print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph H. Ambro, Lawrence E. Contois
  • Patent number: 4600669
    Abstract: An electrophotographic proofing element is described comprising a photoconductive layer on an electrically conducting substrate, capable of transmitting actinic radiation to which the photoconductive layer is responsive, and a dielectric support, releasably adhered to the substrate, comprising the photoconductive layer or an overcoat thereof forming a surface of the element capable of holding an applied electrostatic charge. To use the element, the surface of the dielectric support is charged, and the photoconductive layer is imagewise-exposed to actinic radiation, thereby forming a developable electrostatic image on the dielectric surface. The electrostatic image, in turn, is developed with toner to form a first color image. A composite color image is formed on the element by repeating the sequence one or more times with imagewise exposure of the photoconductive layer to actinic radiation transmitted through the transparent support, and developing over each preceding image with a different color toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yee S. Ng, Lawrence E. Contois, John D. Mitchell, James D. Walling
  • Patent number: 4468444
    Abstract: Photoconductive compositions and elements comprising arylalkane photoconductors and pyrylium sensitizers are stabilized against adverse leuco base color shifts into the ultraviolet to blue spectral region by the incorporation of certain 1,4,5,8-naphthalene bis-dicarboximide compounds. The compositions and elements are particularly suited for electrophotographic image formation and thereafter for contact printing of the image onto sensitive material by ultraviolet or blue transmission through the composition or element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Contois
  • Patent number: 4424268
    Abstract: Protonic acid-free photoconductive compositions and elements comprising a photoconductor and, as a sensitizer, a 4-tertiaryaminobenzo?b!pyrylium salt or a 4-tertiaryaminobenzo?b!thiopyrylium salt. The resulting compositions and elements exhibit low persistent conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Martin A. Berwick, Lawrence E. Contois, George A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 4350751
    Abstract: A plurality of aggregate photoconductive particles having a predominant particle size of less than about 1.0 micron are disclosed. Such particles are useful in heterogeneous photoconductive compositions, electrophotographic elements and electrophotographic imaging processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Contois
  • Patent number: 4301226
    Abstract: Photoconductive layers containing a crystallization inhibiting mixture of at least two different organic photoconductors selected from the class of photoconductors represented by the following formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aralkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted aryl;X and X' which may be the same or different are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyl, NO.sub.2 and halogen;Y and Y' which may be the same or different are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyl, halogen and NO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Contois, Norman G. Rule
  • Patent number: 4152152
    Abstract: Electrostatic contrast control in p-type electrophotographic elements is achieved by incorporating into the photoconductive layer a hole trapping agent such as a tetraphenylboron anion, bromide ion, iodide ion, oxidizable dye such as a carbocyanine and dicarbocyanine, merocarbocyanine and merodicarbocyanine, styryl, oxonol, hemioxonol, or hemicyanine. Usable hole trapping agents have an oxidation potential in a neutral solution of at least 0.1 volts less than that of the photoconductor in the photoconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Contois, Jean E. Jones
  • Patent number: 4127412
    Abstract: An organic photoconductive insulating composition and electrophotographic elements containing the same are prepared using as a photoconductor a polyarylalkane compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl groups, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 represent aryl groups, and A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 represent phenyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Norman G. Rule, Martin A. Berwick, Lawrence E. Contois
  • Patent number: 4045220
    Abstract: Coloration resistant photoconductive insulating compositions useful in making elements, such as photoconductive electrophotographic papers, are provided. Such compositions comprise (1) an electrically insulating organic binder, (2) a nitrogen-free polyaryl hydrocarbon photoconductor such as those having the formula ##STR1## wherein: N REPRESENTS AN INTEGER HAVING A VALUE OF 0, 1 OR 2,Ar represents an aryl group including substituted aryl such as phenyl, alkylphenyl having 1 to about 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, alkoxyphenyl having 1 to about 10 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety, and the like,Each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, an aryl group, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group and, when n is O, R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are both aryl and when R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are both hydrogen, each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents an aryl group; and (3) a sensitizer that is substantially non-color forming in the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Contois, Charles J. Fox, Richard W. Stahr
  • Patent number: 4018606
    Abstract: A class of organic pigments having the formula ##STR1## wherein X consists of the atoms necessary to complete a naphthalene, anthracene, or ##STR2## ring; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, NO.sub.2, alkyl, SO.sub.3 H or alkali metal salts thereof, ##STR3## and COOH or alkali metal salts thereof, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can comprise the atoms necessary to complete a phenyl, naphthyl or anthryl ring; and R is selected from the group consisting of ##STR4## where M is alkyl, alkali or alkaline earth metal are useful as sensitizers for photoconductive compositions in electrophotographic processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Contois, Joseph Y. Kaukeinen, Stephen Michel, Thomas M. Plutchak
  • Patent number: 4018607
    Abstract: A specific class of crystalline organic pigments having the formula ##STR1## WHEREIN N IS 1 OR 2; X consists of the atoms necessary to complete a naphthalene, anthracene, or ##STR2## R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, NO.sub.2, alkyl, SO.sub.3 H or alkali metal salts thereof, and COOH or alkali metal salts thereof; and wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can comprise the atoms necessary to complete a phenyl, naphthyl or anthryl ring; and R is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## or COOM wherein M is alkyl or an alkali or alkaline earth metal is useful as sensitizers for photoconductive compositions in electrophotographic processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Contois
  • Patent number: 3973962
    Abstract: An aggregate or heterogeneous multiphase photoconductive composition containing a continuous polymer phase and at least one discontinuous phase dispersed in said continuous phase, said discontinuous phase comprising a co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit (ii) at least one pyrylium type dye salt having a non-light absorbing anion, and (iii) at least one pyrylium type dye salt having a colored organic or organo-metallic anion of a strong acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Contois, Norman G. Rule, William J. Staudenmayer
  • Patent number: 3966468
    Abstract: In organic, photoconductive insulating compositions including one or more organic photoconductors, the image contrast characteristics obtained when using such compositions can be modified or modifiable when the composition includes a triaminobenzene compound, such as one having the formula ##SPC1##Wherein each of Z, Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2, taken together with the nitrogen to which each is attached, represents the non-metallic atoms necessary to complete a heterocyclic group having from 5 to 10 atoms in the cyclic nucleus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Contois, Norman G. Rule
  • Patent number: 3938994
    Abstract: This invention relates to organic compounds useful as sensitizers for organic photoconductive compositions having one of the following formulas: ##SPC1## ##SPC2##Wherein:R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical having 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, a substituted alkyl radical wherein the alkyl moiety contains from 1 to about 15 carbon atoms and wherein the substituents are phenyl radicals or alkoxy radicals containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, a phenyl radical, and a substituted phenyl radical having as substituents alkyl radicals having 1 to about 15 carbon atoms or alkoxy radicals having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms;R.sup.2 represents R.sup.1 and a radical having the following formula: ##EQU1## X represents a hetero atom selected from the group consisting of an oxygen and a sulfur atom; andZ.sup.- is an anionic function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: George A. Reynolds, James A. Van Allan, Lawrence E. Contois