Dye Image From Radiation Sensitive Dye Or Dye Former By Dry Processing, Composition, Or Product Patents (Class 430/332)
  • Patent number: 6461802
    Abstract: The coating quality of an adhesive layer applied in direct contact on a polyester film is improved by using an alkyl (poly)glycoside as surfactant. A polyester film carrying such layer is suitable as support for a photosensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Etienne Van Thillo, Patrick Mertens, Jozef Boeykens, Filip Vandaele
  • Patent number: 6447877
    Abstract: A photosensitive composition comprising photopolymerizable monomers, materials incompatible with the photopolymerizable monomers, common solvents to both the photopolymerizable monomers and the incompatible materials and photopolymerization initiators. A white coating can be obtained by coating the above photosensitive composition on a substrate and irradiating ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hegi, Masashi Doi
  • Patent number: 6416922
    Abstract: The present invention related to an azomethine dye precursor represented by the following general formula (1) and the image-forming material and image-forming method using the azomethine dye precursor: wherein Ar represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic group which may each have a substituent; X represents a bivalent group linking a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom; and Cp represent a coupler residue which may or may not form a ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sato, Masatoshi Yumoto, Yoshimitsu Arai, Hirotaka Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6398981
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with photopolymer materials sensitive to infrared, near infrared, red and green light radiation for initiating polymerization and to applications of such photopolymer, like holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) or reversible dye doped photopolymer (RDDP) materials, for making optical devices. The invention relates to holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal and reversible dye materials having improved electrical and optical switching properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Universite Laval
    Inventors: Tigran Galstian, Amir Tork
  • Patent number: 6306565
    Abstract: A laser beam is applied to a thermosensitive recording medium including a thermosensitive recording layer disposed on a support base and made of an organic material capable of locally causing a density change commensurate with a change in thermal energy, at a scanning speed of at least 5 m/s for increasing the temperature in the thermosensitive recording layer to record a gradation image thereon with high sensitivity. A sharp temperature gradient is produced along the thickness of the thermosensitive recording layer, so that a density distribution along the depth of the thermosensitive recording layer is developed. Therefore, a high-quality gradation image can be formed without producing any density irregularities caused by thickness irregularities of the thermosensitive recording layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Publication number: 20010019806
    Abstract: The present invention related to an azomethine dye precursor represented by the following general formula (1) and the image-forming material and image-forming method using the azomethine dye precursor: wherein Ar represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic group which may each have a substituent; X represents a bivalent group linking a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom; and Cp represent a coupler residue which may or may not form a ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sato, Masatoshi Yumoto, Yoshimitsu Arai, Hirotaka Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6251571
    Abstract: Novel thermally imageable monochrome product compositions, elements, and processes are disclosed herein. These compositions and elements characteristically have high contrast and fast imaging speeds. The thermally imageable compositions of this invention contain at least one polymeric binder, a specified leuco dye and a specified hydroxylamine compound. These compositions have the propensity for affording, upon thermal imaging, highly colored images having high optical density values. At the same time, background color is low in preferred compositions even after extensive exposure to ambient light. These compositions can be imagewise heated to effect color formation (i.e., generation of an image) or, in case of compositions containing at least one near IR-absorbing dye, can be imagewise exposed to near IR radiation from a laser or other device to effect color formation (i.e., generation of an image).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rolf Dessauer, Jonathan V Caspar
  • Patent number: 6242154
    Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jurgen M. Grasshoff, John L. Marshall, Richard A. Minns, Socorro M. Ramos, Stephen G. Stroud, Stephen J. Telfer, Haixin Yang, Roger A. Boggs, Eric S. Kolb
  • Patent number: 6238828
    Abstract: A printing method directed to a plurality of pieces of slip paper which have been bound into a book and to the outer surface, of which ink containing an initiator and either one of coloring matter and a precursor of coloring matter is applied are placed. A printing plate has a through portion through which radiation penetrates and whose shape corresponds to a pattern to be printed. The printing plate is placed ont he stacked slip paper and X-rays are irradiated upon the printing plate fro the above direction so as to print the pattern of a character on each pieces of the slip paper at a desired are thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Kai, Takaaki Kiyose
  • Patent number: 6203964
    Abstract: A thermal recording medium comprising a ultraviolet absorber precursor represented by formula (1-A) or an image forming compound changing hue and an acid, which is high in thermal sensitivity, recordable with such a low output laser that no ablation takes place even when a thermal heat mode image recording system using a laser is utilized, requiring no different receiving sheet, and excellent in keeping quality: wherein P represents a protecting group for a hydroxyl group which is deblocked by heating to 250° C. or less in the presence of an acid; R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, each represents a substitutable group; and 1 and m each represents an integer of 0 to 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Obayashi, Junichi Yamanouchi, Atsuhiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 6159650
    Abstract: A printing method directed to a plurality of pieces of slip paper which have been bound into a book and to the outer surface, of which ink containing an initiator and either one of coloring matter and a precursor of coloring matter is applied are placed. A printing plate has a through portion through which radiation penetrates and whose shape corresponds to a pattern to be printed. The printing plate is placed ont he stacked slip paper and X-rays are irradiated upon the printing plate fro the above direction so as to print the pattern of a character on each pieces of the slip paper at a desired are thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Kai, Takaaki Kiyose
  • Patent number: 6143480
    Abstract: Disclosed is a leuco dye in which a hydrogen atom capable of transferring by isomerization in a dye represented by formula (1) or a tautomer thereof is substituted by a substituent group P which can be removed by the action of heat or acid ##STR1## wherein (A) represents an atomic group necessary for forming a nitrogen-containing hetero ring; (B) represents an atomic group necessary for forming a six-membered hetero ring; and X represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a nitrogen atom, which may have a hydrogen atom or a possible substituent group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Obayashi, Atsuhiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 6136482
    Abstract: A gradation image is recorded on a heat-sensitive recording material, which converts light energy applied thereto to heat energy and forms a color in a density according to a quantity of the heat energy by scanning the heat-sensitive recording material in a main scanning direction with a laser beam modulated according to the gradation of an image to be recorded while conveying the heat-sensitive recording material in a sub-scanning direction relative to the laser beam. The heat-sensitive recording material includes a support and a heat-sensitive layer mainly formed of organic material which is formed on the support, and the diameter d of the laser beam as measured in the sub-scanning direction, the recording intervals D in the sub-scanning direction and the sub-scanning frequency f are set to satisfy the formulae:1.66.ltoreq.d/D.ltoreq.1.98+10.sup.4.25 .multidot.f.sup.-1.57 and200 Hz.ltoreq.f.ltoreq.900 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 6110638
    Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Boggs, Jurgen M. Grasshoff, Eric S. Kolb, John L. Marshall, Richard A. Minns, Socorro M. Ramos, Stephen G. Stroud, Stephen J. Telfer, Haixin Yang
  • Patent number: 6063551
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method and composition comprising a novel pre-dye molecule that is colorless and stable to ordinary light. The pre-dye molecule is capable of forming a color when exposed to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. A second embodiment of the present invention is a method of converting a conventional leuco dye to a colored composition by exposing the leuco dye admixed with a radiation transorber to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 6063539
    Abstract: A thermal recording medium comprising a ultraviolet absorber precursor represented by formula (1-A) or an image forming compound changing hue and an acid, which is high in thermal sensitivity, recordable with such a low output laser that no ablation takes place even when a thermal heat mode image recording system using a laser is utilized, requiring no different receiving sheet, and excellent in keeping quality: ##STR1## wherein P represents a protecting group for a hydroxyl group which is deblocked by heating to 250.degree. C. or less in the presence of an acid; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different, each represents a substitutable group; and 1 and m each represents an integer of 0 to 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Obayashi, Junichi Yamanouchi, Atsuhiko Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 6054256
    Abstract: Applications of photoerasable colorant composition include photoerasable price markings for pricing goods, documents such as gaming tickets for securely communicating concealed information, photoerasable paint for temporary markings on terrain and structures such as signs, roadways, trees, and buildings, marking instruments such as pens, and wick or felt markers, ultraviolet light exposure indicators, and dry printing. The photoerasable or mutable colorant composition comprises a mutable colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber which, upon irradiation with ultraviolet radiation, interacts with the colorant to irreversibly mutate the colorant and thereby render the colorant substantially colorless. The mutable colorant composition may also include a molecular includant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6004719
    Abstract: A process for producing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizing dye and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizing dye has first and second forms, the first form having substantially greater substantial absorption in a first wavelength range than the second form. The superacid precursor is not capable, in the absence of the first form of the sensitizing dye, of being decomposed by radiation in the first wavelength range. The secondary acid generator is capable of thermal decomposition, catalyzed by superacid, to form a secondary acid. While at least part of the sensitizing dye is in its first form, the medium is imagewise exposed to radiation in the first wavelength range, thereby causing, in the exposed areas of the acid-generating layer, the formation of superacid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Russell A. Gaudiana, Robert W. Haddock, Serajul Haque, Iris B. Kliman Bloom, John L. Marshall, Socorro M. Ramos, Larry C. Takiff, Stephen J. Telfer, Michael A. Young
  • Patent number: 6001529
    Abstract: The speed at which a thermosensitive recording medium is scanned with a laser beam is selected to be 5 m/s or higher to increase the temperature of a thermosensitive layer of the thermosensitive recording medium for recording a gradation image thereon with high sensitivity. A sharp temperature gradient is produced along the thickness of the thermosensitive layer, so that a density gradient along the thickness of the thermosensitive layer is developed, therefore, a high-quality image can be recorded without producing any density irregularities caused by thickness irregularities of the thermosensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 5990338
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel positive-working or negative-working chemical-sensitization photoresist composition useful in the photolithographic patterning works for the manufacture of electronic devices. The photoresist composition is characterized by a unique acid-generating agent capable of releasing an acid by the pattern-wise exposure of the resist layer to actinic rays so as to increase or decrease the solubility of the resist layer in an aqueous alkaline developer solution. The acid-generating agent proposed is a novel cyano group-containing oxime sulfonate di- or triester compound represented by the general formulaA[C(CN).dbd.N--O--SO.sub.2 --R].sub.n,in which each R is, independently from the others, an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group such as alkyl groups, A is a divalent or tervalent organic group or, preferably, phenylene group and the subscript n is 2, when A is a divalent group, or 3, when A is a tervalent group or, preferably 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Hada, Yoshiki Sugeta, Hiroyuki Yamazaki, Hiroshi Komano
  • Patent number: 5985526
    Abstract: A method of forming an image comprising imagewise-exposing a thermal recording element to heat, the element comprising a support having thereon a thermally-sensitive layer comprising particles containing a colorant, the particles having a particle size between about 1 and about 25 .mu.m suspended in a matrix, the layer having an optical density no higher than about 0.5, the heating thereby causing the colorant to spread out from the particles into the matrix, thus increasing the optical density in the imagewise-exposed areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lee W. Tutt, Ian R. Gould, Mitchell S. Burberry, Samir Y. Farid
  • Patent number: 5973187
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel positive-working or negative-working chemical-sensitization photoresist composition useful in the photolithographic patterning works for the manufacture of electronic devices. The photoresist composition is characterized by a unique acid-generating agent capable of releasing an acid by the pattern-wise exposure of the resist layer to actinic rays so as to increase or decrease the solubility of the resist layer in an aqueous alkaline developer solution. The acid-generating agent proposed is a novel cyano group-containing oxime sulfonate di- or triester compound represented by the general formulaA[C(CN).dbd.N--O--SO.sub.2 --R].sub.n,in which each R is, independently from the others, an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group such as alkyl groups, A is a divalent or tervalent organic group or, preferably, phenylene group and the subscript n is 2, when A is a divalent group, or 3, when A is a tervalent group or, preferably 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Hada, Yoshiki Sugeta, Hiroyuki Yamazaki, Hiroshi Komano
  • Patent number: 5955224
    Abstract: Novel thermally imageable monochrome product compositions, elements, and processes are disclosed herein. These compositions and elements characteristically have high contrast and fast imaging speeds. The thermally imageable compositions of this invention comprise (a) at least one near IR-absorbing dye having the structure given in the specification; (b) at least one HABI compound; (c) at least one leuco dye; (d) at least one acid-generating compound; and (e) a polymeric binder. Optionally at least one UV stabilizer and/or at least one inhibitor of color formation can also be present. These compositions have the propensity for affording, upon imaging, highly colored images having high optical density values. At the same time, background color is low in preferred compositions even after extensive exposure to ambient light. These compositions are imagewise exposed to near IR radiation from a laser or other device to effect color formation (i.e., generation of an image).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jonathan V. Caspar, Gregory Charles Weed
  • Patent number: 5919608
    Abstract: The sensitivity to radiation of combinations of cationic electron acceptors (such as phosphonium, sulfonium, diazonium and iodonium salts) with sensitizing dyes, which sensitize these cationic electron acceptors to wavelengths (typically visible wavelengths) to which they are not sensitive in the absence of the dye, can be increased by including with the cationic electron acceptor and the sensitizing dye a supersensitizer which has an oxidation potential lower than that of the sensitizing dye, the supersensitizer being an ionic compound having a cation comprising an ionic grouping, said grouping comprising at least one atom of an element from Group VB, VIB or VIIB of the Periodic Table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Serajul Haque, John L. Marshall, Stephen J. Telfer
  • Patent number: 5914213
    Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jurgen M. Grasshoff, John L. Marshall, Richard A. Minns, Socorro M. Ramos, Stephen G. Stroud, Stephen J. Telfer, Haixin Yang, Roger A. Boggs, Eric S. Kolb
  • Patent number: 5858583
    Abstract: Novel thermally imageable monochrome product compositions, elements, and processes are disclosed herein. These compositions and elements characteristically have high contrast and fast imaging speeds. The thermally imageable compositions of this invention comprise (a) at least one hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) compound, (b) at least one leuco dye, (c) at least one acid-generating compound, (d) a polymeric binder, (e) optionally at least one UV stabilizer and/or at least one inhibitor of color formation, and, in certain embodiments, (f) at least one near IR-absorbing dye. These compositions have the propensity for affording, upon thermal imaging, highly colored images having high optical density values. At the same time, background color is low in preferred compositions even after extensive exposure to ambient light. These compositions can be imagewise heated to effect color formation (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rolf Dessauer, Jonathan V. Caspar
  • Patent number: 5858586
    Abstract: A digital information recording media which includes a recording layer comprising a light-stable colored composition which composition is mutable or decolorizable upon exposure to a specific wavelength of ultraviolet radiation. The light-stable colored composition includes a colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber. The colorant, in the presence of the radiation transorber, is adapted, upon exposure of the transorber to specific, narrow bandwidth ultraviolet radiation, to be mutable. The radiation transorber also imparts light-stability to the colorant so that the colorant does not fade when exposed to sunlight or artificial light. The ultraviolet radiation transorber is adapted to absorb radiation and interact with the colorant to effect the irreversible mutation of the colorant. Especially useful radiation is incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation produced by a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp or coherent, pulse radiation produced by an excimer laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5853952
    Abstract: There is disclosed a color developing resin composition comprising a base polymer, a dialdehyde represented by the general formula OHC--R.sup.1' --CHO, a diamine represented by the general formula H.sub.2 N--R.sup.2' --NH.sub.2 (at least one of R.sup.1' and R.sup.2' is an aromatic group), a compound which produces an acid by light irradiating and a resin which is crosslinked with the acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toru Ushirogouchi, Makoto Nakase, Akira Yoshizumi, Naoko Kihara, Takuya Naito, Naomi Shida, Koji Asakawa
  • Patent number: 5837429
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method and composition comprising a novel pre-dye molecule that is colorless and stable to ordinary light. The pre-dye molecule is capable of forming a color when exposed to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. A second embodiment of the present invention is a method of converting a conventional leuco dye to a colored composition by exposing the leuco dye admixed with a radiation transorber to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5786132
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method and composition comprising a novel pre-dye molecule that is colorless and stable to ordinary light. The pre-dye molecule is capable of forming a color when exposed to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. A second embodiment of the present invention is a method of converting a conventional leuco dye to a colored composition by exposing the leuco dye admixed with a radiation transorber to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5773170
    Abstract: An image-forming element comprising a substrate, and an image-forming medium comprising (a) a compound absorbing at a first wavelength in the UV/blue region and (b) a dye absorbing at a second wavelength which is longer than the first wavelength, irradiation at said second wavelength bleaching absorption of said compound at said first wavelength, said element being free of thermally unstable urea and/or carbamate molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Ranjan C. Patel, Robert J. D. Nairne
  • Patent number: 5747197
    Abstract: A photo mask or other phototool is directly prepared by the imagewise illumination of an azo dye with a high intensity source of illumination so as to cause the removal of the dye from the imaging medium. Illumination is preferably carried out with a laser light source having an output at a wavelength of less than 530 nanometers and an energy density of at least 100 mj per centimeter squared. Disclosed are some specifically preferred azo dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Precision Coatings Inc.
    Inventor: Norman M. Sweet
  • Patent number: 5741630
    Abstract: A process for producing and fixing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizer and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizer can absorb radiation of a sensitizer wavelength which does not, in the absence of the sensitizer, cause decomposition of the superacid precursor to form the corresponding superacid. The secondary acid generator is capable of acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition by the first acid to form a second acid, and the image dye undergoes a color change upon contact with the second acid. The medium is imagewise exposed to radiation of the sensitizer wavelength, thereby causing the sensitizer, in exposed areas, to decompose superacid precursor with formation of the fist acid. The medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed areas, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the second acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Marshall, Rita S. Shon Baker, Larry C. Takiff, Stephen J. Telfer, John C. Warner
  • Patent number: 5741621
    Abstract: A process for preparing an image on a substrate by applying a photoimageable composition on a first substrate, wherein the photoimageable composition, having a solids content from 25 to 60 weight percent, contains a partially neutralized acid-containing polymer formed from a precursor polymer having an acid number from 90 to 160 prior to neutralization and wherein 1 to 15% of acid-containing groups of the precursor polymer are neutralized with base; an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; a photoinitiator or photoinitiating system, water; 0-5% by weight a solution polymer, based on the weight of total polymer present in the composition; and 0-25% by weight of an organic solvent based on the total weight of the organic solvent and water; wherein the liquid composition is present as a stable emulsion, and wherein the liquid composition has a Brookfield viscosity, at 25.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Kempf, John Haetak Choi, Harvey Walter Taylor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5698363
    Abstract: An image forming method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Ai Katsuda, Hiroshi Watanabe, Tomonori Kawamura, Toshihisa Takeyama, Kunihiro Koshizuka
  • Patent number: 5681676
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image is produced using an imaging medium having a lenticular screen, the lenticles of the screen dividing the opposed surface of the imaging medium into a plurality of elongate image areas, the imaging medium having on the opposed side thereof a radiation-sensitive layer, the radiation-sensitive layer comprising a color-forming composition adapted to undergo a change of color upon increase in the temperature of the radiation-sensitive layer above a color-forming temperature for a color-forming time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Telfer, Michael J. Zuraw
  • Patent number: 5672460
    Abstract: The present invention aims to solve problems involved in the formation of a conductive or insulating layer in a pattern form by photolithography, i.e., an environmental problem associated with handling a solvent and a problem associated with wastewater treatment in the development with an aqueous alkaline solution. A method for forming a conductive layer (an anode bus 3) or an insulating layer (a barrier 1) on a glass substrate by photolithography using a photosensitive slurry solution prepared by mixing a low-melting glass powder as a binder and a conductive or insulating powder into a PVA-based, water-soluble photosensitive solution, wherein the content of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 component in the whole low-melting glass powder is closely regulated to not more than 6% by weight. This enables coating without gelation of PVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignees: Nippon Hoso Kyokai, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Katoh, Takao Kuriyama, Tatsuya Takei, Takashi Kawai, Hiroshi Murakami, Eiji Munemoto, Norio Ohta, Koji Shimada
  • Patent number: 5672465
    Abstract: Described is a radiation sensitive imaging film containing a heat fixable radiation sensitive element, e.g., a diacetylene, of the formula: R--C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--R', where R and R' are, e.g., both --CH.sub.2 --O--CONH--(CH.sub.2).sub.5 CH.sub.3. After exposure to X-radiation during diagnostic or X-ray therapy, the resulting image can be permanently dry fixed by a short heating step and then stored for a long period. Processes for making the film, new binder-convertor systems, and a device incorporating the film are described as well as other imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing the film in high energy radiation applications in the health care field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: JP Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordhanbhai N. Patel, Yao-Ming Cheng, Subhash H. Patel
  • Patent number: 5645964
    Abstract: A digital information recording media which includes a recording layer comprising a light-stable colored composition which composition is mutable or decolorizable upon exposure to a specific wavelength of ultraviolet radiation. The light-stable colored composition includes a colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber. The colorant, in the presence of the radiation transorber, is adapted, upon exposure of the transorber to specific, narrow bandwidth ultraviolet radiation, to be mutable. The radiation transorber also imparts light-stability to the colorant so that the colorant does not fade when exposed to sunlight or artificial light. The ultraviolet radiation transorber is adapted to absorb radiation and interact with the colorant to effect the irreversible mutation of the colorant. Especially useful radiation is incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation produced by a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp or coherent, pulse radiation produced by an excimer laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Sinclair Nohr, John Gavin MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5631118
    Abstract: A process for producing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizing dye and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizing dye has first and second forms, the first form having substantially greater substantial absorption in a first wavelength range than the second form. The superacid precursor is capable of being decomposed to produce superacid by radiation in a second wavelength range, but is not, in the absence of the sensitizing dye, capable of being decomposed by radiation in the first wavelength range. The secondary acid generator is capable of acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition by unbuffered superacid to form a secondary acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Russell A. Gaudiana, Robert W. Haddock, John L. Marshall, Larry C. Takiff, Stephen J. Telfer, Michael A. Young
  • Patent number: 5627014
    Abstract: Dyes comprising an inner salt of a compound of the formula:Q.sup.1 =Z-Q.sup.2wherein:Q.sup.1 is a 4-(benz[b]-4H-pyrylium)methylidene, 4-(benz[b]-4H-thiopyrylium)methylidene or 4-(benz[b]-4H-selenopyrylium)methylidene grouping;Z is a 1,3-(2-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclobutylidene) hydroxide or 1,3-(2-hydroxy-4,5-dioxo-2-cyclopentylidene) hydroxide ring; andQ.sup.2 is a 4-(benz[b]-4H-pyran-4-ylidene)methyl, 4-(benz[b]-4H-thiopyran-4-ylidene)methyl or 4-(benz[b]-4H-selenopyran-4-ylidene)methyl grouping;wherein at least one of the groupings Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Peter K. Chu, Serajul Haque, Anthony J. Puttick, Socorro M. Ramos, Robert P. Short, Stephen G. Stroud, Stephen J. Telfer, Michael J. Zuraw
  • Patent number: 5582956
    Abstract: A process for producing and fixing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizer and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizer can absorb radiation of a sensitizer wavelength which does not, in the absence of the sensitizer, cause decomposition of the superacid precursor to form the corresponding superacid. The secondary acid generator is capable of acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition by the first acid to form a secondary acid, and the image dye undergoes a color change upon contact with the secondary acid. The medium is imagewise exposed to radiation of the sensitizer wavelength, thereby causing the sensitizer, in exposed areas, to decompose superacid precursor with formation of the fist acid. The medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed areas, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Anne Ehret, John L. Marshall, Rita S. S. Baker, Larry C. Takiff, Stephen J. Telfer, John C. Warner
  • Patent number: 5578424
    Abstract: Acid can be generated by exposing a mixture of a superacid precursor and a dye to actinic radiation of a first wavelength which does not, in the absence of the dye, cause decomposition of the superacid precursor to form the corresponding superacid, thereby causing absorption of the actinic radiation and decomposition of part of the superacid precursor, with formation of a protonated product derived from the dye, then irradiating the mixture with actinic radiation of a second wavelength, thereby causing decomposition of part of the remaining superacid precursor, with formation of unbuffered superacid. Preferably, following these irradiations, the imaging medium is heated while the superacid is admixed with a secondary acid generator capable of being thermally decomposed to form a second acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the presence of the superacid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jurgen M. Grasshoff, John L. Marshall, Richard A. Minns, Anthony J. Puttick, Lloyd D. Taylor, Stephen J. Telfer
  • Patent number: 5576141
    Abstract: A laser recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, said dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein said dye layer also contains a benzotriazole UV-absorbing dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Neumann, Richard P. Henzel
  • Patent number: 5576142
    Abstract: A laser recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, said dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein said dye layer also contains a 2-hydroxybenzophenone UV-absorbing dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Neumann, Richard P. Henzel
  • Patent number: 5541039
    Abstract: Optically active (optically non-linear or electro-optically active) waveguides are formed by depositing a layer of organic material, typically polymeric material, comprising one or more opticaly active components, and subjecting predetermined regions of the layer to actinic radiation to alter the refractive index of these regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. McFarland, Karl W. Beeson, Keith Horn, Chengjiu Wu
  • Patent number: 5532373
    Abstract: An aluminate complex represented by formula (I): ##STR1## with the groups in the aluminate complex as defined in the specification, and which is capable of radical generation upon photoexcitation; a photopolymerizable composition comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound and the aluminate complex; and an image-forming material comprising a support, an organoaluminum compound anion represented by formula (I'): ##STR2## with the groups in the organoaluminum compound anion as defined in the specification, and a photobleachable dye; are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Matsumoto, Jun Yamaguchi, Naoto Yanagihara, Hisashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5521051
    Abstract: A laser recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, said dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein said dye layer also contains an oxalanilide UV-absorbing dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Neumann, Richard P. Henzel
  • Patent number: 5521050
    Abstract: A laser dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, said dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein said dye layer also contains an arylazo phenol, naphthol or aniline UV-absorbing dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Henzel, Stephen M. Neumann
  • Patent number: 5510228
    Abstract: A laser recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, said dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein said dye layer also contains a 2-cyano-3,3-diarylacrylate UV-absorbing dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Neumann, Richard P. Henzel