Patents by Inventor Teh-Ming Kung

Teh-Ming Kung 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: 10272707
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conductive thermal image receiver element that has an aqueous coatable dye-receiving layer. The dye-receiving layer comprises a conductive polymeric material, a dispersant, one or more surfactants, one or more antifoamers, a water-dispersible release agent, a crosslinking agent, and a polymer binder matrix consisting essentially of a water-dispersible polyester and a water-dispersible acrylic polymer. This invention also relates to a method for making this thermal image receiver element as well as method for using it to provide a dye image by thermal transfer from a donor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: KODAK ALARIS INC.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Lianne Heath, Laura B. Hopps, John P. Olscamp, Walter E. Scott
  • Publication number: 20170313115
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conductive thermal image receiver element that has an aqueous coatable dye-receiving layer. The dye-receiving layer comprises a conductive polymeric material, a dispersant, one or more surfactants, one or more antifoamers, a water-dispersible release agent, a crosslinking agent, and a polymer binder matrix consisting essentially of a water-dispersible polyester and a water-dispersible acrylic polymer. This invention also relates to a method for making this thermal image receiver element as well as method for using it to provide a dye image by thermal transfer from a donor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming KUNG, Lianne HEATH, Laura B. HOPPS, John P. OLSCAMP, Walter E. Scott
  • Patent number: 9707788
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conductive thermal image receiver element that has an aqueous coatable dye-receiving layer and an aqueous coatable receiver overcoat layer. The receiver overcoat layer comprises a conductive polymeric material and a two or more dispersants. The dye-receiving layer comprises a water-dispersible release agent, a crosslinking agent, and a polymer binder matrix consisting essentially of a water-dispersible polyester and a water-dispersible acrylic polymer. This invention also relates to a method for making this thermal image receiver element as well as method for using it to provide a dye image by thermal transfer from a donor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KODAK ALARIS, INC.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Kathleen Bonsignore, Renee L. Daniels, Lianne Heath, John P. Olscamp, Kim Standish, Ellen L. Bennett, Peter J. Ghyzel, Joseph F. Janinek, John L. Muehlbauer, Walter E. Scott
  • Patent number: 9440473
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conductive thermal image receiver element that has an aqueous-based coatable dye-receiving layer comprising a water-dispersible acrylic polymer, a water-dispersible polyester, a water-dispersible conductive polymeric material and a surfactant. This invention also relates to a method for making this thermal image receiver element as well as method for using it to provide a dye image by thermal transfer from a donor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Kathleen Bonsignore, Renee L. Daniels, Lianne Heath, John P. Olscamp, Kim Standish, Ellen L. Bennett, Peter J. Ghyzel, Joseph F. Janinek, John L. Muehlbauer, Walter E. Scott
  • Publication number: 20160243868
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conductive thermal image receiver element that has an aqueous coatable dye-receiving layer and an aqueous coatable receiver overcoat layer. The receiver overcoat layer comprises a conductive polymeric material and a two or more dispersants. The dye-receiving layer comprises a water-dispersible release agent, a crosslinking agent, and a polymer binder matrix consisting essentially of a water-dispersible polyester and a water-dispersible acrylic polymer. This invention also relates to a method for making this thermal image receiver element as well as method for using it to provide a dye image by thermal transfer from a donor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Kathleen Bonsignore, Renee L. Daniels, Lianne Heath, John P. Olscamp, Kim Standish, Ellen L. Bennett, Peter J. Ghyzel, Joseph F. Janinek, John L. Muehlbauer, Walter E. Scott
  • Patent number: 9365067
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conductive thermal image receiver element that has an aqueous-based coatable dye-receiving layer comprising a water-dispersible acrylic polymer, a water-dispersible polyester, a water-dispersible conductive polymeric material and a surfactant. This invention also relates to a method for making this thermal image receiver element as well as method for using it to provide a dye image by thermal transfer from a donor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Kathleen Bonsignore, Renee L. Daniels, Lianne Heath, John P. Olscamp, Kim Standish, Ellen L. Bennett, Peter J. Ghyzel, Joseph F. Janinek, John L. Muehlbauer, Walter E. Scott
  • Publication number: 20150158319
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conductive thermal image receiver element that has an aqueous-based coatable dye-receiving layer comprising a water-dispersible acrylic polymer, a water-dispersible polyester, a water-dispersible conductive polymeric material and a surfactant. This invention also relates to a method for making this thermal image receiver element as well as method for using it to provide a dye image by thermal transfer from a donor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: KODAK ALARIS INC.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Kathleen Bonsignore, Renee L. Daniels, Lianne Heath, John P. Olscamp, Kim Standish, Ellen L. Bennett, Peter J. Ghyzel, Joseph F. Janinek, John L. Muehlbauer, Walter E. Scott
  • Publication number: 20150158320
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conductive thermal image receiver element that has an aqueous-based coatable dye-receiving layer comprising a water-dispersible acrylic polymer, a water-dispersible polyester, a water-dispersible conductive polymeric material and a surfactant. This invention also relates to a method for making this thermal image receiver element as well as method for using it to provide a dye image by thermal transfer from a donor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: KODAK ALARIS INC.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Kathleen Bonsignore, Renee L. Daniels, Lianne Heath, John P. Olscamp, Kim Standish, Ellen L. Bennett, Peter J. Ghyzel, Joseph F. Janinek, John L. Muehlbauer, Walter E. Scott
  • Patent number: 8916326
    Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. and is the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a water-dispersible release agent and a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventor: Teh-Ming Kung
  • Patent number: 8895221
    Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. as the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % of the total dry image receiving layer weight and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1 to and including 20:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Peter John Ghyzel, John Leonard Muehlbauer
  • Publication number: 20140192129
    Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. and is the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a water-dispersible release agent and a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventor: Teh-Ming Kung
  • Patent number: 8691489
    Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. as the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % of the total dry image receiving layer weight and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris, Inc.
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Peter J. Ghyzel, John L. Muehlbauer
  • Patent number: 8673535
    Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. and is the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a water-dispersible release agent and a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventor: Teh-Ming Kung
  • Publication number: 20130327473
    Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. as the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % of the total dry image receiving layer weight and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Peter J. Ghyzel, John L. Muehlbauer
  • Publication number: 20130328991
    Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. as the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % of the total dry image receiving layer weight and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1 to and including 20:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Peter John Ghyzel, John Leonard Muehlbauer
  • Publication number: 20130327474
    Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. and is the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a water-dispersible release agent and a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Teh-Ming Kung
  • Patent number: 8501666
    Abstract: A thermal, non-silver halide-containing image receiver element includes a support and an aqueous-coated image receiving layer. This receiving layer comprises a water-dispersible polymer having a polyurea or polyurethane backbone and up to 25 weight % of the water-dispersible polymer comprising polysiloxane side chains that are covalently attached to the backbone, each of the side chains having a molecular weight of at least 500. Aqueous dispersions of polyester ionomers and crosslinking agents can also be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Debasis Majumdar, Teh-Ming Kung, Catherine A. Falkner, Yongcai Wang, Cheryl Lenhard, Paul D. Yacobucci
  • Patent number: 8404332
    Abstract: A thermal, non-silver halide-containing image receiver element includes a support and an aqueous-coated image receiving layer. This receiving layer comprises a water-dispersible polymer having a polyurea or polyurethane backbone and up to 25 weight % of the water-dispersible polymer comprising polysiloxane side chains that are covalently attached to the backbone, each of the side chains having a molecular weight of at least 500. Aqueous dispersions of polyester ionomers and crosslinking agents can also be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Debasis Majumdar, Teh-Ming Kung, Catherine A. Falkner, Yongcai Wang, Cheryl Lenhard, Paul D. Yacobucci
  • Patent number: 8304370
    Abstract: An image receiver element includes a water-soluble or water-dispersible polyurethane binder in the image receiving layer. This polyurethane has a Tg of from about 60 to about 80° C., a molecular weight of at least 25,000, and an acid number of from about 16 to about 35 mg KOH/g. Moreover, the polyurethane comprises from about 42 to about 60 weight % of recurring urethane units, from about 8 to about 20 weight % of alkylene glycol recurring units, from about 18 to about 40 weight % of carbonate recurring units having aliphatic side chains, and from about 3 to about 15 weight % of recurring units having a water-soluble or water-dispersible acid group, based on total binder weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Teh-Ming Kung, Catherine A. Falkner, Yongcai Wang, Debasis Majumdar
  • Publication number: 20110143060
    Abstract: A thermal, non-silver halide-containing image receiver element includes a support and an aqueous-coated image receiving layer. This receiving layer comprises a water-dispersible polymer having a polyurea or polyurethane backbone and up to 25 weight % of the water-dispersible polymer comprising polysiloxane side chains that are covalently attached to the backbone, each of the side chains having a molecular weight of at least 500. Aqueous dispersions of polyester ionomers and crosslinking agents can also be present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Debasis Majumdar, Teh-Ming Kung, Catherine A. Falkner, Yongcai Wang, Cheryl Lenhard, Paul D. Yacobucci