Patents by Inventor Michael B. Heller

Michael B. Heller 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: 8771925
    Abstract: A processing solution is used to provide flexographic relief printing plates. This solution includes diisopropylbenzene, and one or more organic co-solvents, at least one of which is an aliphatic dibasic acid ester. The processing solution may also include one or more alcohols as co-solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, M. Zaki Ali, Michael B. Heller
  • Patent number: 8632961
    Abstract: A processing solution (or developer) has been designed for use to washout non-polymerized photopolymer compositions to prepare flexographic printing plates having flexographic relief images. This processing solution includes one or more esters of monobasic carboxylic acids represented by one or both of Structures (I) and (II) defined herein and one or more aliphatic or aromatic alcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, M. Zaki Ali, Michael B. Heller, Kevin M. Kidnie
  • Patent number: 8530117
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method for making a relief image. A film that includes a carrier sheet and an imageable material is used to form a mask image that is opaque to a curing radiation. In one embodiment, the mask image is formed on the carrier sheet while in another embodiment, the mask image is formed on a receptor sheet. The mask image is then transferred to a photosensitive material, such as a flexographic printing plate precursor. The resulting assembly is exposed to the curing radiation resulting in exposed and unexposed areas of the photosensitive material. The carrier sheet or the receptor sheet may be removed from the mask image either before or after exposure to the curing radiation. Finally, the photosensitive material and mask image assembly is developed with a suitable developer to form a relief image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: M. Zaki Ali, David E. Brown, Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, Michael B. Heller
  • Patent number: 8409790
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method for making a relief image. A film that includes a carrier sheet and an imageable material is used to form a mask image that is opaque to a curing radiation. In one embodiment, the mask image is formed on the carrier sheet while in another embodiment, the mask image is formed on a receptor sheet. The mask image is then transferred to a photosensitive material, such as a flexographic printing plate precursor. The resulting assembly is exposed to the curing radiation resulting in exposed and unexposed areas of the photosensitive material. The carrier sheet or the receptor sheet may be removed from the mask image either before or after exposure to the curing radiation. Finally, the photosensitive material and mask image assembly is developed with a suitable developer to form a relief image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: M. Zaki Ali, David E. Brown, Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, Michael B. Heller
  • Publication number: 20120308935
    Abstract: A flexographic printing plate can be prepared with relief images using a processing solution. This processing solution includes one or more esters of monobasic carboxylic acids represented by one or both of the following Structures (I) and (II): R1—C(?O)O—(CH2)n—Ar1??(I) wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl group, and n is 1 to 3, and H—C(?O)OR??(II) wherein R is a hydrocarbon having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, and b. one or more aliphatic alcohols, or a combination of one or more aliphatic alcohols and one or more aromatic alcohols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, M. Zaki Ali, Michael B. Heller, Kevin M. Kidnie
  • Publication number: 20120135354
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method for making a relief image. A film that includes a carrier sheet and an imageable material is used to form a mask image that is opaque to a curing radiation. In one embodiment, the mask image is formed on the carrier sheet while in another embodiment, the mask image is formed on a receptor sheet. The mask image is then transferred to a photosensitive material, such as a flexographic printing plate precursor. The resulting assembly is exposed to the curing radiation resulting in exposed and unexposed areas of the photosensitive material. The carrier sheet or the receptor sheet may be removed from the mask image either before or after exposure to the curing radiation. Finally, the photosensitive material and mask image assembly is developed with a suitable developer to form a relief image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: M. Zaki Ali, David E. Brown, Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, Michael B. Heller
  • Publication number: 20120127443
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method for making a relief image. A film that includes a carrier sheet and an imageable material is used to form a mask image that is opaque to a curing radiation. In one embodiment, the mask image is formed on the carrier sheet while in another embodiment, the mask image is formed on a receptor sheet. The mask image is then transferred to a photosensitive material, such as a flexographic printing plate precursor. The resulting assembly is exposed to the curing radiation resulting in exposed and unexposed areas of the photosensitive material. The carrier sheet or the receptor sheet may be removed from the mask image either before or after exposure to the curing radiation. Finally, the photosensitive material and mask image assembly is developed with a suitable developer to form a relief image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: M. Zaki Ali, David E. Brown, Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, Michael B. Heller
  • Patent number: 8142987
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method for making a relief image. A film that includes a carrier sheet and an imageable material is used to form a mask image that is opaque to a curing radiation. In one embodiment, the mask image is formed on the carrier sheet while in another embodiment, the mask image is formed on a receptor sheet. The mask image is then transferred to a photosensitive material, such as a flexographic printing plate precursor. The resulting assembly is exposed to the curing radiation resulting in exposed and unexposed areas of the photosensitive material. The carrier sheet or the receptor sheet may be removed from the mask image either before or after exposure to the curing radiation. Finally, the photosensitive material and mask image assembly is developed with a suitable developer to form a relief image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: M. Zaki Ali, David E. Brown, Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, Michael B. Heller
  • Publication number: 20110183260
    Abstract: A processing solution useful for providing flexographic relief images includes one or more esters of monobasic carboxylic acids represented by one or both of the following Structures (I) and (II): R1—C(?O)O—(CH2)n—Ar1??(I) wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl group, and n is 1 to 3, and H—C(?O)OR??(II) wherein R is a hydrocarbon having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, and b. one or more aliphatic alcohols, or a combination of one or more aliphatic alcohols and one or more aromatic alcohols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, M. Zaki Ali, Michael B. Heller, Kevin M. Kidnie
  • Publication number: 20110053090
    Abstract: A processing solution is used to provide flexographic relief printing plates. This solution includes diisopropylbenzene, and one or more organic co-solvents, at least one of which is an aliphatic dibasic acid ester. The processing solution may also include one or more alcohols as co-solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Elsie A. Fohrenkamm, M. Zaki Ali, Michael B. Heller
  • Patent number: 7147902
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a multi-layer thermal imaging receptor having superior transferability and image color stability for color proofing applications where the images are generated by a laser thermal process. The present invention includes a first support coated by at least, in order, a heat sensitive releasable transfer layer coated, an interfacial bonding layer and an image receiving layer of the present invention adapted to adhere to a second support when heated. The interfacial bonding layer is adapted to enhance adhesion between the heat sensitive releasable transfer layer and the image receiving layer. The present invention further provides a method of making a multi-layer thermal imaging receptor and a method of imaging using the receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kidnie, Michael B. Heller, M. Zaki Ali
  • Patent number: 5866297
    Abstract: This invention is a surface modifying element comprising a photosensitive layer on one side of a carrier substrate. The photosensitive layer comprises a photosensitive binder material and particulates. The invention is also a method of using the surface modifying element to create a receiver having imagewise variation in glossiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Hamid Barjesteh, Michael B. Heller
  • Patent number: 5633117
    Abstract: This invention is a surface modifying element comprising a photosensitive layer on one side of a carrier substrate. The photosensitive layer comprises a photosensitive binder material and particulates. The invention is also a method of using the surface modifying element to create a receiver having imagewise variation in glossiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Hamid Barjesteh, Michael B. Heller
  • Patent number: 5258261
    Abstract: A photosensitive, resist-imageable color element comprises a transparent support laser, colored photosensitive resist layer, and a water-removable polymeric layer with water-insoluble polymeric particles in the water-removable polymeric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Michael B. Heller
  • Patent number: 5248583
    Abstract: A photosensitive color proofing article comprising in the following order:a) a carrier layer,b) a release layer which acts as an oxygen barrier layer,c) a photopolymerizable layer comprising a multifunctional acrylate oligomer and a colorant,d) a photopolymerizable barrier layer, ande) a thermal adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wallace R. Lundquist, Thomas P. Klun, Michael B. Heller, Leonard W. Sachi
  • Patent number: 4885225
    Abstract: Particulate organic polymeric beads in the thermal adhesive layer of prepress color proofing elements prevents adhesive blocking without optical interference or reduction in adhesive performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael B. Heller, Leonard W. Sachi, David R. Walbridge