Transfer Or Decalcomania Patents (Class 428/914)

Cross-Reference Art Collections

Fraud or tamper detecting (Class 428/915)
  • Patent number: 6245416
    Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon comprised of a flexible substrate, a thermal transfer layer on one surface of the substrate and a backcoat on the opposite surface of the substrate comprised of a water-soluble silicone block copolymer with blocks of silicone resin and water-soluble polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph D. Roth
  • Patent number: 6238775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer material-carrying member formed from a resin composition comprising at least two resins selected from the group consisting of (A) a polyester resin containing a predominant repeating unit composed of ethylene terephthalate and having a reduced viscosity of at least 0.9 dl/g, (B) a polyamide resin, and (C) a polycarbonate resin, wherein the compositional proportions by mass % of the respective resins are included within a range of a pentagon having points (98, 2, 0), (85, 15, 0), (65, 15, 20), (72, 0, 28) and (90, 0, 10) as vertexes when represented by a triangular coordinate indicated in the above order (A, B, C). The member has excellent mechanical fatigue endurance, tensile elongation at break, mechanical endurance, stiffness and the like and a high specific dielectric constant and makes it possible to lower voltage required upon repeated charging and discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Kureha Kagaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yoshikichi Teramoto, Hideki Kitamura, Satoru Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 6235364
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive correction tape is provided which comprises a foundation, a masking layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer stacked on the foundation in this order, the masking layer comprising a masking agent, a polymer having rubber elasticity and an ester compound which is liquid at ordinary temperature and has a boiling point of not less than 130° C. at ordinary pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Fujicopian Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Katsuro, Masayuki Imanishi, Kazuo Miyai
  • Patent number: 6235445
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal transfer sheet comprising a substrate, and a light-to-heat conversion layer containing a substance capable of converting light to heat and a binder, and an image forming layer, which are disposed on the substrate, wherein the binder in the light-to-heat conversion layer is a polyimide resin soluble in an organic solvent. In the thermal transfer sheet provided by the present invention, the light-to-heat conversion layer is not affected by the coating liquid disposed as a layer on the light-to-heat conversion layer. Further, the light-to-heat conversion layer thus formed exhibits high heat resistance and humidity resistance. Accordingly, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention produces good images with little or no fogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nakamura, Yonosuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6235679
    Abstract: A thermal transfer image recording method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Mano, Tomomi Yoshizawa, Yorihiro Yamaya
  • Patent number: 6232269
    Abstract: A blue dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of a cyan dye and a magenta dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, said cyan dye having the formula A: and said magenta dye having the formula B
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Derek D. Chapman, Glenn T. Pearce
  • Patent number: 6232036
    Abstract: A high-density optical disk comprises a transparent substrate having a guide groove having a depth of 100 to 200 nm, width of 0.2 to 0.4 &mgr;m arranged with a track pitch of 0.7 to 1.0 &mgr;m. A recording layer is made of an organic pigment exhibiting a specific main weight reduction in a thermogravimetric analysis and a specific exothermic peak in a differential thermal analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Suzuki, Yuko Okamoto, Michikazu Horie, Yutaka Kurose, Shuuichi Maeda
  • Patent number: 6231952
    Abstract: A tattoo identification card and promotional schedule card, both with integral removable tattoo. The tattoo identification card is a coated card stock sheet similar to a greeting card and having at least one surface bearing a printed section to be filled in with information about the particular child bearing the card. The tattoo identification card also comprises a removable tattoo displaying secondary printed matter. The removable tattoo is formed from a panel of porous decal paper, a water soluble slip layer carried on one side of said porous decal paper, a water resistant film carried on the water soluble slip layer, secondary identification information printed on the water resistant film, and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive covering the secondary printed matter. A reattachable bonding agent is applied to the other side of the porous decal paper along an edge for removably attaching it to the card stock sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher Lipper
  • Patent number: 6232267
    Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet is comprises a substrate sheet, a dye layer of at least one color, a white layer to cover an image-receiving portion of a receiving material after an image is formed therein, and if necessary, a transferable receptor layer to be transferred to the image-receiving portion of the receiving material before the formation of the image, those layers being alternately disposed side by side on a surface of the substrate sheet, wherein said white layer being capable of adhering to the image-receiving portion already provided with the image and being disposed on the substrate sheet via a peeling layer interposed therebetween. The white layer has a white screenability to provide excellent light diffusivity and light transmissivity for a background of the printed image. The white layer may be formed by applying a coating liquid containing an adhesive binder resin and a white pigment or a coating liquid containing a binder resin, an adhesive, and a white pigment on the peeling layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: DAI Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Oshima, Satoru Kawai, Hideki Usuki
  • Patent number: 6231964
    Abstract: Thermal transfer ribbons with large wax or thermoplastic resin particles within the thermal transfer layer provide a profiled surface which resists transfer of the layer to reverse side of the ribbon when wound onto itself and stored. The large particles preferably have an average diameter in the range of 5 to 20 microns and the thermal transfer layers preferably have an average thickness of less than the average diameter of these large particles. Where the large particles have higher softening temperatures in the range of 50° to 150° C., the energy needed to transfer the thermal transfer layer is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Miller, Jr., Yaoping Tan, Thomas J. Obringer
  • Patent number: 6232268
    Abstract: Thermal transfer image-receiving sheet comprising paper as a substrate sheet and provided on the substrate sheet in the following order, and expanded layer and a receptive layer, and undercoat layer being provided between the substrate sheet and the expanded layer. Also disclosed is a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet including a substrate sheet of paper composed mainly of pulp and, provided on the substrate sheet in the following order, and expanded layer, an intermediate layer and a receptive layer, the intermediate layer having been formed by coated an aqueous coating solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Narita, Kazunobu Imoto, Takeshi Ueno, Yoshinori Kamikubo
  • Patent number: 6228805
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a thermal transfer printing sheet capable of efficiently transferring images, letters, symbols or the like to both surfaces of an image-receiving material, and a process of double-side transfer printing using the same. The thermal transfer printing sheet comprises a substrate sheet; an area for surface transfer printing, comprising at least a sublimable dye layer composed of sections of one or more colors; and an area for reverse transfer printing, comprising at least a hot-melt ink layer composed of sections of ohe or more colors, the two areas being alternately provided on one surface of the substrate sheet. An image is printed on the surface of an image-receiving material by using the area for surface transfer printing, and another image is printed on the back of the image-receiving material by using the area for reverse transfer printing. Double-side transfer printing can thus be efficiently conducted without leaving unused areas on the thermal transfer printing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Ohshima, Jiro Onishi, Mikiko Kudo
  • Patent number: 6224964
    Abstract: Provided is two kind of thermal transfer sheets comprising a substrate and a white transfer layer, the white transfer layer being to be transferred onto an image-formed portion of an image-receiving sheet. In the one kind, white transfer layer includes a white ink layer containing a white pigment and/or a filler, and has a total light transmittance of 30 to 95% and a haze of 30 to 95% due to the white ink layer. In another kind, the white transfer layer includes a white ink layer and a peeling layer, the white ink layer containing a white pigment and/or a filler, the peeling layer laminated between the white ink layer and the substrate, and capable of causing a cohesive failure thereby converting into an irregular surface of a printed material through a transferring process. The present invention also provides printed materials by the using of the thermal transfer sheets described above and recording methods for producing of the printed materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kawai, Masayasu Yamazaki, Kenichiro Suto, Katsuyuki Oshima
  • Patent number: 6224958
    Abstract: A label or transfer adapted to mark an elastomeric article includes a cured elastomeric sheet which is overcoated with a heat resistant polymer preferably a thermoset polyurethane. Indicia is then applied to this heat resistant polymer layer using a thermal transfer printer. The indicia is then overcoated with a second protective layer preferably a clear thermoset polyurethane. The backside of the cured elastomeric film is applied to a surface of the elastomeric article which is being marked. The elastomeric article is then subjected to a cure cycle bonding the elastomeric sheet to the surface of the elastomeric article and permanently marking the article with the indicia. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia is a bar code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Specialty Adhesive Film Co.
    Inventor: John Mahn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6224707
    Abstract: The method consists in applying a thermoadhesive or HF-weldable film (2) on a temporary protection paper (1), applying an adhesive layer 2a) on said film, flocking fibers (F) on this adhesive layer, preparing a pre-printed paper with multicolor designs constituted by sublimable dyes and transferring by sublimation the multicolor-designs from the pre-printed paper onto the flock-fibers by close contact between the two elements under a predetermined pressure and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Societe d'Enduction et de Flockage
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lion
  • Patent number: 6221807
    Abstract: A red dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of a magenta dye and two yellow dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, said magenta dye having the formula A the first yellow dye having the following formula B: and the second yellow dye having the formula C:
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Derek D. Chapman, Linda A. Kaszczuk, Glenn T. Pearce
  • Patent number: 6217694
    Abstract: A method includes a step of transferring an image formed on an image transfer sheet to an image-receiving member under the application of heat and pressure thereto, the image-receiving member having a transparent material layer for receiving the image thereon and a support member for supporting the transparent material layer. The support member of the image-receiving member comprises concave and convex portions on the surface thereof, and the transparent material layer is provided in such a manner that the concave portions of the support member are filled with the transparent material layer and that the transparent material layer has a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keishi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 6217985
    Abstract: The invention provides a transfer printing film, an ink layer of which comprises a urethane resin having a predetermined hydroxyl value and a polyester resin and/or an epoxy resin having an another predetermined hydroxyl value, and provides a golf ball marked by the film. The hydroxyl-functional urethane resin and polyester resin and/or epoxy resin in the ink layer react with isocyanate functional resins in the urethane clear top coat of a golf ball to form urethane bondings respectively, whereby the strong adhesion between the urethane clear top coat and the ink layer is realised, and the transferred pattern becomes to be hardly removed from the golf ball surface and to be superior in hitting durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Showa Ink Kogyosho, Kametani Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Hirukawa, Ryuhei Kametani, Susumu Muta, Takashi Ohira
  • Patent number: 6217986
    Abstract: A polyester film for a decorative plate of the present invention, comprises at least the said polyester film and a picture printed layer which are in turn laminated over a surface of a substrate, wherein the polyester film has a optical density of 0.1 to 5.0 and longitudinal and transverse heat shrinkage percentages of from −10% to +10% after heat treated at 180° C. for 5 minutes. The polyester film for a decorative plate or a decorative sheet can generate no harmful gases upon burning such as incineration, can produce a picture pattern having a high design value thereon without adverse influence by the color tone of the substrate, and is excellent in dimensional stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Polyester Film Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Miki, Kenji Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 6214767
    Abstract: A transfer material colored to a predetermined color is used when images are formed on a transfer material for use in thermal transfer comprising a substrate and a dye receiving layer by a thermal transfer process. When images are formed by an optional image forming method such as silver salt photographic process, ink jet process or thermal transfer process, a transfer material having sepia tone is used in each of the image forming processes thereby forming sepia tone images. Images having unique appearance can be formed easily upon forming images by a thermal transfer process. Images of sepia tone can be formed safely and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6214149
    Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet of the present invention is used in order to previously form an image in a receptor layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium before the receptor layer is re-transferred to a transfer receiving material, and it comprises: a substrate film, a peelable layer disposed on the substrate film, and a heat fusible black ink layer disposed on the substrate film via the peelable layer, wherein the peelable layer is formed of a material having peelable property to the substrate film while having adhesive property to the transfer receiving material so that the peelable layer is transferred to the receptor layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium together with the heat fusible black ink layer when the image is formed in the receptor layer so as to constitute an uppermost layer of the receptor layer, the uppermost layer being adhesive to the transfer receiving material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nakano, Mikiko Narita, Katsuyuki Oshima
  • Patent number: 6214150
    Abstract: In a transfer sheet and a method of transferring a figuration to a ceramic product, an ink is provided by mixing a chromophoric pigment for expressing a desired coloration, a vitreous powder and thermoplastic resin. A sheet of paper or plastic film is prepared on which an appropriate figuration is screen printed with the use of the ink to transfer it to an outer surface of a ceramic product. A thermoplastic separable layer is provided between the mount sheet and a pigment layer. The pigment layer is coated with an adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Sugimoto, Hirohito Ito
  • Patent number: 6214151
    Abstract: A method is described for preparing opto-electronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes. The method is a thermal dye transfer process in which a dye pattern is transferred from a dye transfer plate into a receiving layer of a substrate by bringing the dye transfer plate into contact with the receiving layer and heating to a relatively low temperature, preferably below the vaporization or sublimation temperature of the dye. The pattern of the dye is maintained upon transfer and diffusion. Preferably, the method is repeated to provide a three-color pattern in the receiving layer. The invention also encompasses an opto-electronic device comprising a receiving layer as prepared by the aforementioned method wherein the receiving layer is sandwiched between two electrodes, one of which is transparent. Optionally, a hole-transporting or electron-transporting layer can be deposited between each electrode and the receiving layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jianping Chen, Jesse Richard Salem, John Campbell Scott
  • Patent number: 6210794
    Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet comprises a substrate sheet, a release layer formed on one surface of the substrate sheet, a coloring layer formed on the release layer and an adhesive layer formed on the coloring layer. The release layer and the adhesive layer are formed from the same kind of material. Another thermal transfer sheet comprises a substrate sheet and a heat fusible coloring ink layer formed on one surface of the substrate sheet. An organic pigment of benzimidazolone-mono-azo is used as a coloring agent of yellow, a mixture of organic pigments of quinacridone-mono-azo and benzimidazolone-mono-azo is used as a coloring agent of magenta, and an organic pigment of phthalocyanine is used as a coloring agent of cyan, in the heat fusible coloring ink layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6207268
    Abstract: A transfer sheet and a pattern-forming method suitable for forming high-precision patterns for layers such as electrode layers, dielectric layers and barrier layers in the process of producing plasma display panels, image display devices, thermal heads, integrated circuits, etc., and capable of forming patterns having superior surface smoothness, a uniform thickness and high profile precision in a reduced period of time and in high yields. The transfer sheet has an ink layer over a base film. The ink layer consists essentially of an inorganic component containing at least a glass frit, and a thermoplastic resin. The ink layer contains from 3 parts to 50 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin with respect to 100 parts by weight of the inorganic component. According to the pattern-forming method, a pattern is transferred onto a substrate by using the transfer sheet, and then firing is carried out, thereby forming a high-precision pattern, e.g. an electrode layer, a dielectric layer, a barrier layer, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yozo Kosaka, Katsuhiko Mizuno, Takeshi Nakamura, Kounosuke Tanaka, Toshihiko Takeda
  • Patent number: 6207874
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a temporary tattoo used for aesthetic and reconstructive purposes to match one member of a paired body part that has been lost or to cover a portion of the body that is aesthetic unappealing or undesirable. The present invention also includes the method of making a customized temporary tattoo used for either reconstructive or aesthetic purposes such as scar coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Felton, R. Coleen Stice
  • Patent number: 6203890
    Abstract: A co-winding type thermal transfer sheet is constituted by forming on one surface side of a substrate film a heat-fusible ink layer comprising a pigment and a particulate binder, and causing a tracing paper to be peelably bonded onto the heat-fusible ink layer by the medium of an adhesive layer. The thus constituted co-winding type thermal transfer sheet is capable of providing an original image which can be reproduced by use of a blueprint process so as to provide blueprint images having a high precision and a high contrast. In addition, a co-winding type thermal transfer sheet may also be constituted by forming a heat-fusible ink layer on one surface side of a substrate film and causing a transparent resin sheet to be peelably bonded onto the heat-fusible ink layer by the medium of an adhesive layer containing a cross-linking agent. The thus constituted co-winding type thermal transfer sheet is capable of providing an image excellent in wear resistance on the transparent resin sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: DAI Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Imamura, Masafumi Hayashi, Kouichi Nakamura, Hirokazu Kaneko, Shigeki Umise, Kenichiro Suto, Hiromi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6203896
    Abstract: An image transfer sheet and method is provided for transferring an image of the original to a hard target body made of metal, glass, ceramics, plastics, or similar materials. The image transfer sheet has a support base and a synthetic resin layer detachably bound thereon, preferably a water-soluble resin layer in between. The synthetic resin layer has a thickness in the range of 10 to 500 &mgr;m, and preferably includes a first layer that is adhesive to the hard target body, and a second layer that is fixedly receivable active toner of electrostatic process copying machine or printers. First, by means of an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer, an image is transferred to the synthetic resin layer of the image transfer sheet, which is then released from the support base and applied to the target body. Consequently, the target body which now has the image transfer layer thereon is dried or heated to fixate the image transfer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Maryland China Company
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Nomura
  • Patent number: 6200666
    Abstract: Thermal transfer articles of the invention comprising a carrier, optionally a release layer, a color layer releasably adhered thereto, and optionally an adherence layer on the bottom side of the color layer. Also graphic imaging compositions and methods for thermal transfer using such articles and compositions and graphic articles made by such methods. The transfer articles 1) exhibit thermoplastic, low cohesive properties during transfer such that good image resolution and transfer is achieved and 2) are radiation crosslinked after transfer such that a durable image is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Christian, Nancy H. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6197726
    Abstract: Secure cards consisting essentially of a card base having an overlying thermally transferred topcoat, with a thermal transfer image in a dye-receptive surface of the card base and the topcoat typically of a polymethyl methacrylate composition, frequently show severe image fading after relative short periods of time when kept and carried in normal PVC pouches. To improve protection against such fading, the present topcoat comprises at least one barrier layer which is formed of a polymer composition having a Tg>70° C., and which is resistant to the formation of microscopic cracks in the topcoat under tensile bending that is insufficient to cause macroscopic permanent deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Kelvin P Adkins, Richard A Hann, Gary J Jenno
  • Patent number: 6197420
    Abstract: A mat surface layer made of a water-soluble resin mixed with a powder capable of working as a matting agent is formed on an aqueous liquid-permeable sheet material such as water-absorptive paper by coating or the like to produce a transfer substrate. A color printing and/or coating layer is formed either directly or via a protective layer (formed by solid printing or the like) on the mat surface layer of the transfer substrate, followed by forming thereon an adhesive layer made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an aqueous liquid-active adhesive by screen printing or the like. An antiblocking separator may be provided on the adhesive layer. The resultant transfer seal can give a mat state to the surface of the transferred portion of the transfer seal remaining on an adherend such as the skin after transfer thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Cosmotec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Takamizawa, Masanobu Maeda
  • Patent number: 6196386
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle hanger and packaging device, for use with a bicycle saddle having a pair of converging mounting rails, is provided. The device generally includes a display card, a pair of arms for slidably bracing a rail of a bicycle saddle, and a tapered tongue, extending between the display card and arms, for stabilizing a saddle suspended from the device during display. The device may further include a pair of shoulders for abutting the rails during the display. Between the shoulders and the arms, a pair of V-shaped slots may be provided for enabling the sliding of the display card and arms along the rails in order to facilitate stacked packaging of a plurality of such saddles on top of one another. The entire hanger and packaging device may be comprised of a single planar member. In addition, the invention provides a package of stacked bicycle saddles, each including such a hanger and packaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Paul M. Yates
  • Patent number: 6197409
    Abstract: Media are disclosed having a substrate, water-absorbing layer, and adhesive ink-receiving layer. After being printed with an aqueous pigmented ink, the ink-receiving layer may be laminated to a permanent substrate. Exposure to an energy source may render the printed image more durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Bodager, Jon Gregory Moehlmann, Daphne Pinto Fickes, Robert Paul Held, Ray Alexander Work, III
  • Patent number: 6194349
    Abstract: A magenta dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of magenta dyes and a yellow dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, at least one of the magenta dyes having the formula: at least another of the magenta dyes having the formula: said yellow dye having the formula: and said element contains a complexing agent having the formula:
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Derek D. Chapman, Richard C. Vanhanehem
  • Patent number: 6194348
    Abstract: This invention provides a thermal transfer sheet causing little static electricity during transfer onto a material as a transfer image support, and printed matter excellent in antistatic properties. The thermal transfer sheet comprises a protective transfer layer provided in at least part of one surface of a base sheet via a nontransferable release layer so as to be peelable, and has an antistatic agent contained in at least one of the release layer and the protective transfer layer. Printed matter is prepared by transferring the protective transfer layer from the above thermal transfer sheet onto an image formed on a substrate by a sublimation transfer process so as to cover at least part of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Onishi, Hideki Usuki
  • Patent number: 6191265
    Abstract: Azo dyes of the formula wherein the substituents are each as defined in the description, are useful for dyeing and printing synthetic textile materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: DyStar Textilfarben GmbH & Co. Deutschland KG
    Inventor: Rainer Hamprecht
  • Patent number: 6191069
    Abstract: A thermal transfer image receiving sheet comprising a substrate sheet and a dye receptive layer formed on at least one side of said substrate sheet, wherein a hydrophilic porous layer comprising a thermoplastic resin and hydrophilic porous particles, and an electric conductive releasing layer comprising cationic acrylic resin and cellulose acetate, are formed in this order on the opposite side of the surface on which is formed said dye receptive layer of said substrate sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Tamura
  • Patent number: 6190765
    Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet of the present invention comprises a substrate, a primer layer and a heat fusible ink layer, the heat fusible ink layer being disposed on one side of the substrate via the primer layer containing at least fine particles of urethane resin at an amount in a range of 10 to 60% by weight. The thermal transfer sheet is improved in retentivity of the substrate for the heat fusible ink layer and transfer sensitivity of the heat fusible ink layer as well as quality of print and resistances to solvent and friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Idehara, Keiji Hirose
  • Patent number: 6190757
    Abstract: Coatable thermal mass transfer precursor compositions, suitable for producing thermal mass transfer donor elements, are described, the coatable compositions comprising a polyalkylene binder precursor; an acrylic binder precursor; an effective amount of a pigment to provide the desired color to a thermal mass transfer composition using the coatable composition; and d) a diluent (preferably water) in which the polyalkylene binder precursor, acrylic binder precursor, and pigment are all dispersed therein. Signage articles produced using the donor elements are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lisa Flatt Nelson, Hsin-Hsin Chou, Christopher E. Kunze
  • Patent number: 6190747
    Abstract: A form 1 has a detachable card 3. A peel glue layer 22 adheres a support layer 21 to the card 3. The card 3 is a blank produced by punching the form 1 up to the support layer 21. The blank is held in the form by the peel glue layer 22 and support layer until removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Folien Fischer AG
    Inventor: Jules Fischer
  • Patent number: 6187714
    Abstract: A magenta dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of magenta dyes and a yellow dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, at least one of the magenta dyes having the formula: at least another of the magenta dyes having the formula: said yellow dye having the formula: and said element contains a complexing agent having the formula:
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Derek D. Chapman, Richard C. Vanhanehem
  • Patent number: 6183842
    Abstract: A decorative laminated sheet, sequentially comprising (A) a completely amorphous polyester resin layer and (B) a substrate layer composed of a polyolefin resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, an acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic acid ester resin, an acrylonitrile-ethylene propylene-styrene resin, a methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene resin, a polyethylene terephthalate or a completely amorphous polyester resin. Or a decorative laminated sheet comprising a substrate layer composed of (B) a completely amorphous polyester type resin layer and a transfer foil formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Riken Vinyl Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiro Shimizu, Yasushi Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 6183858
    Abstract: A thermal transfer recording sheet exhibiting excellent dot transfer at low energy and excellent ink luster of printed graphics comprises a base material and an ink-receiving layer on at least one side of the base material, the ink-receiving layer having a thickness of not less than 1&mgr; and less than 20 &mgr;m and containing a pigment component composed of not less than 30 wt % of calcined kaolin whose oil absorption value is not less than 45% as measured by the Gardner-Coleman method. The ink-receiving layer contains a hydrophobic binder resin that preferably has a glass transition temperature in the range of −30° C. to +30° C. The calcined kaolin preferably has a mean particle diameter of 1-3 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kanazaki
  • Patent number: 6180227
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising at least one image receiving layer and an integral base material comprising at least one polyester layer and an upper surface layer comprising a polyester or polyolefin polymer and a bluing tint wherein said integral base material has a spectral transmission of greater than 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Bourdelais, Peter T. Aylward, Thomas M. Laney, Alphonse D. Camp
  • Patent number: 6180173
    Abstract: A ribbon for smoothing a print image is disclosed which is used in a method which comprises bringing the ribbon into contact with a print image formed on a receptor by thermal transfer and heating the print image from the opposite side of the ribbon with respect to the side contacting the print image under pressure by means of a thermal head, thereby smoothing the print image. The ribbon has a kinetic friction coefficient, &mgr;A, on the side A thereof contacting the thermal head and a kinetic friction coefficient, &mgr;B, on the side B thereof contacting the print image, the values &mgr;A and &mgr;B satisfying the following equations: &mgr;B>1.67 &mgr;A 0.10<&mgr;B<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Fujicopian Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Sogabe, Tetuo Hoshino
  • Patent number: 6177163
    Abstract: Adhesive sheet assemblies are described comprising a continuous carrier in roll form, a series of longitudinally spaced adhesive sheets on the carrier, and at least one cut in the web defining, for each adhesive sheet, one cover piece cut from the carrier such that the cover piece has an outer peripheral edge within the first portion on the backside of the adhesive sheet, so that the cover piece may be separated from the web and retained on the first portion of the backside of the adhesive sheet when the adhesive sheet is peeled off the carrier due to adhesion between the cover piece and the adhesive sheet. Preferably, at least 40 percent of the total length of the outer peripheral edge of each cover piece is substantially in registration with the outer peripheral edge of the adhesive sheet to which it is adhered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Tricor Direct, Inc.
    Inventors: Lana M. Blok, Larry E. Wenzler, Gene A. Wright
  • Patent number: 6177187
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording material for the inkjet method with aqueous inks, having at least one temporary substrate material and a porous ink absorption layer which is applied thereon, can be converted into a film and comprises from 60% by weight to 95% by weight of thermoplastic particles having a mean particle size between 1 &mgr;m and 40 &mgr;m, preferably from 5 to 20 &mgr;m, and 5-40% by weight of film-forming binder and, if required, conventional assistants and additives. After conversion of the recording layer into a self-supporting cohesive film by the action of heat and, if required, pressure, said film can be removed from the temporary substrate material at room temperature with a separation force of 10 cN/50 mm strip width to 800 cN/55 mm. In the case of further intermediate layers, the least adhesion of the laminated layers between one another in the laminate is that between temporary substrate material and adjacent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Sinhl GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Niemoller, Ralf Liebler, Manfred Sch{umlaut over (a)}fer
  • Patent number: 6177189
    Abstract: Increasingly stringent environmental restrictions make it challenging to apply coatings (i.e., paint) by conventional processes like spray painting because of the volatile solvents and hazardous pigments. The environmental scrutiny is particularly focused upon conventional corrosion protection surface treatments, especially chromated primers and conversion coatings. We apply appliqu{acute over (e)}s to provide a vapor barrier over the substrate to provide corrosion protection. We can make curved appliqu{acute over (e)}s on a family of molds of different Gaussian curvature and thereby avoid making a “splash” mold of the surface of interest to create the appliqu{acute over (e)}s. Using curved appliqu{acute over (e)}s reduces ridges, creases, or gaps that sometimes otherwise occur with attempts to a cover a surface with complex curvature with flat (planar) appliqu{acute over (e)}s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Diane C. Rawlings, Dennis L. Dull
  • Patent number: 6174400
    Abstract: The present invention relates to thermal transfer ribbons comprising a ribbon backing element and at least one printing media layer comprising at least one near infrared fluorescent compound in a concentration which provides detectable fluorescence without imparting color to a mark made from said printing media layer. Methods for printing marks containing said at least one near infrared fluorescent compounds via thermal transfer and methods for reading said marks are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Isotag Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James John Krutak, Sr., Michael John Cyr, Nelson Zamora Escano, Horst Clauberg, Barbara Crawford Jackson, Tony Wayne Helton
  • Patent number: 6174401
    Abstract: An image retransfer sheet is comprised of a base material having a surface with a high releasability and a cover layer containing a thermoplastic resin. The cover layer has a surface roughness Rz of from 3 to 10 &mgr;m. The image retransfer sheet enables easy and good retransfer to secondary transfer mediums and has a good paper transport performance in electrophotographic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Motohiro Ogura