Method Of Use, Kit, Or Combined With Marking Instrument Or Organ Patents (Class 503/201)
  • Publication number: 20030008774
    Abstract: A metallic luster tone thermochromic laminate member 1, which comprises a laminate of a metallic luster layer 2 containing a metallic luster pigment prepared by coating the surface of a synthetic mica or thin section aluminum oxide with a metal oxide and a reversible thermochromic layer 3 containing a thermochromic composition comprising an electron-donating color-forming organic compound, an electron-accepting compound and an organic compound medium in which color reactions of both compounds take place reversibly. The metallic luster tone thermochromic laminate member can visualize metallic luster colors having glittering high brightness and distinct changes in color by its reversible thermochromic layer so that it can be used in versatile applications and developments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: THE PILOT INK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michiyuki Yasuda, Yutaka Shibahashi
  • Patent number: 6503868
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive coloring composition including an electron donating coloring agent and an electron accepting color developer, wherein the composition achieves a colored state when heated at a temperature not lower than a coloring temperature and then cooled at a cooling speed (a), and the composition in the colored state achieves a non-colored state when heated at a temperature lower than the coloring temperature and not lower than an erasing temperature, or when heated at a temperature not lower than the coloring temperature and then cooled relatively slowly compared to the cooling speed (a), and wherein the electron accepting color developer includes a phenolic compound having the following formula (1): wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 3; m is an integer of from 1 to 20; r is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 3; X and Y independently represent a divalent group including a hetero atom; R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and R2 represents a hydroc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Torii, Hiroaki Matsui, Masaru Shimada
  • Patent number: 6489265
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium includes a reversible thermosensitive recording layer including a matrix resin and an organic low-molecular-weight material dispersed in the matrix resin, of which transparency is reversibly changeable depending upon the temperature thereof, and having (1) a transparentizing upper-limit temperature of 125° C. or more, (2) a temperature difference of 20° C. or less between said transparentizing upper-limit temperature and an opaqueness initiation lower-limit temperature, and (3) a transparentizing initiation temperature of less than 95° C., and a method of recording and erasing images, using the recording medium, a method of producing the recording medium, and the application thereof a card, a label, writable or rewritable disk cartridge, disk and tape cassette are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Miyoshi Yushi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Hotta, Kunichika Moroboshi, Masafumi Torii, Kunitoshi Sugiyama, Hideyuki Kobori, Katsushi Sugiyama, Katsuaki Kokubo, Koji Kawai, Kazuo Hosoda, Masafumi Moriya
  • Patent number: 6440896
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising at least one light insensitive layer comprising an oxidant and a multifunctional dye-forming coupler. It further relates to a method of imaging comprising providing an imaging member comprising at least one light insensitive layer comprising a catalytic center and multifunctional dye-forming coupler, imagewise applying a first developer solution that will react with said multifunctional dye-forming coupler, imagewise applying a second developer solution that will react with multifunctional dye-forming coupler, wherein said first developer solution and said second developer solution produce different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving
  • Patent number: 6432518
    Abstract: An erasable recording material including a substrate, and an erasable recording layer which is formed overlying the substrate and in which image information is repeatedly recorded and erased, and optionally includes an undercoat layer formed between the substrate and the recording layer, a protective layer formed overlying the recording layer and an intermediate layer formed between the recording layer and the protective layer, wherein the erasable recording material further includes one or more markers which are used for inputting image information additionally written on the recording material. An information recording system and method are also provided in which additional information written on the erasable recording material, in which image information is previously recorded, is incorporated to the previously recorded image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Torii, Hiroaki Matsui, Kyoji Tsutsui, Hitoshi Hattori, Toshiyuki Furuta, Tomohiko Beppu
  • Publication number: 20020107145
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording material including: a substrate; a recording layer located overlying the substrate and including a crosslinked resin, an electron donating coloring agent and an electron accepting coloring developer; and a protective layer located overlying the recording layer and including a filler and a crosslinked resin, wherein the recording layer achieves a colored state or a non-colored state when appropriately heating and cooling the recording layer, and wherein the reversible thermosensitive recording material has a surface having at least one of a ten-point mean roughness (Rz) not less than 1.5 &mgr;m or a ratio Sm/Rz not greater than 120, wherein Sm represents an average peak-to-peak length of the surface of the recording material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Kazumi Suzuki, Toshihiko Hotta, Tetsuya Amano, Satoru Sanpei
  • Patent number: 6416853
    Abstract: A color-change laminate comprising a substrate and formed thereon a porous layer which comprises a low-refractive-index pigment dispersed in a binder resin and tenaciously adherent thereto is disclosed. The porous layer becomes transparent or translucent upon absorption of a liquid medium, e.g., water to give a variety of visual changes. The low-refractive-index pigment contains at least a finely particulate silicic acid produced by the wet process. Toy sets consisting of the above color-change laminates with dolls or toy animals and toy sets consisting of the above color-change laminates with a means of water adhesion are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Nakashima, Masahiro Ito, Yoshiaki Ono
  • Patent number: 6416923
    Abstract: A thermal transfer material includes a support. A release layer is overlaid on the support. A coloring transfer layer is overlaid on the release layer, has thermoplasticity, and is colorable by being exposed and then pressurized. In a printer for use with the thermal transfer material, an image is formed by exposing the coloring transfer layer. The coloring transfer layer is placed on image receiving material after the image is formed. The thermal transfer material is heated and pressurized while the coloring transfer layer is placed on, so as to color the image and transfer the coloring transfer layer to the image receiving material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6410478
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium has a support, and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer formed thereon containing a reversible thermosensitive coloring composition of an electron-donating coloring compound and an electron-accepting compound, capable of reversibly assuming a color-developed state or a decolorized state, and a decolorization accelerating agent of formula (I): wherein p is an integer of 0 to 3; q and r are each independently an integer of 1 to 3; X1, X2, and X3 are each a bivalent hetero-atom-containing group; R1, R2, and R3 are each a hydrocarbon group with 1 to 22 carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R1, R2 or R3 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 8 or more carbon atoms; and R4 is a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The above recording medium is used as an image display medium in an image display apparatus, and as a rewritable paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Torii, Hiroaki Matsui, Masaru Shimada
  • Patent number: 6407035
    Abstract: A method for printing carbonless forms on an electrostatic printer or copier and carbonless forms for use in electrostatic printers or copiers are disclosed. A method of printing carbonless forms comprises providing a recording sheet comprising a substrate, the substrate being coated with a coated front (CF) coating comprising a developer, hollow microspheres and a binder composition, wherein the binder composition comprises polyvinyl alcohol and printing on the recording sheet with an electrostatic printer or copier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Austin, Bruce A. Neeld, Peter C. Yao
  • Publication number: 20020072472
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium including a substrate; a reversible thermosensitive recording layer on the substrate, which includes an electron donating coloring compound and an electron accepting compound, wherein the recording layer achieves a colored state when heated at a temperature not lower than an image forming temperature and then cooled at a first cooling speed, and the recording layer in the colored state achieves a non-colored state when heated at a temperature lower than the image forming temperature and not lower than an image erasing temperature or when heated at a temperature not lower than the image forming temperature and then cooled at a second cooling speed relatively slow compared to the first cooling speed; and a crosslinked polymer layer including a crosslinked polymer having an ultraviolet absorbing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Hiromi Furuya, Tadafumi Tatewaki, Satoshi Arai, Takeshi Shibuya, Kyoji Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 6403528
    Abstract: An electron accepting developer useful for producing visible images by reaction with an electron donor in carbonless paper and photo- imaging systems, the developer comprising an acid-treated, water insoluble alkali metal-modified, inorganic oxide or an acid-treated molecular sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Shackle, Benjamin Chaloner-Gill
  • Patent number: 6403527
    Abstract: A process for using a substantially light-insensitive mono sheet direct thermal imaging material for producing a non-retro-reflective readable object attachable to a second object for information purposes, the imaging material including a support, a thermosensitive element and an attaching layer, wherein the thermosensitive element contains a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent therefore in thermal working relationship therewith, a binder and does not contain a di- or triarylmethane dye precursor compound possessing within its di- or triarylmethane structure an aryl group substituted in the ortho position to the meso carbon atom with an S-containing moiety ring-closed on the meso carbon atom selected from a thiolactone, dithiolactone and thioether moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Cyriel Horsten, Guy Denis Jansen
  • Patent number: 6382125
    Abstract: Temperature control is carried out with a temperature control material comprising a temperature indicator whose developed color density differs according to temperature, which is irreversible at environmental temperature, which changes its color according to crystal or non-crystal, or phase separation or non-phase separation, and whose glass transition temperature is set to a temperature higher than control temperature, by irradiating the temperature indicator with light having a wavelength absorbed by a color developed by the temperature indicator and detecting the intensity of the reflected light or transmitted light. Accordingly, even when the temperature becomes higher than control temperature temporarily, temperature control can be carried out smoothly thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 6375784
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reversible heat-sensitive recording medium capable of manufacturing a reversible heat-sensitive recording medium invulnerable toward scratches, etc. even when printing/erasing is repeated under situation where dirt and dust tend to attach to the reversible heat-sensitive recording medium, thus providing increase durability of the reversible heat-sensitive recording medium against repeated printing/erasing. In the method of manufacturing the reversible heat-sensitive recording medium containing a reversible heat-sensitive recording layer and a substrate sheet, a reversible heat-sensitive recording sheet or a reversible heat-sensitive recording transfer sheet having the reversible heat-sensitive recording layer applied to the substrate sheet through welding, after which a protective layer is formed on the reversible heat-sensitive recording layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Haruhiko Ohsawa, Makibi Nakanishi, Hiroyuki Morinaka, Junpei Nakagawa, Koh Fujii
  • Publication number: 20020045546
    Abstract: The thermo reversible recording medium comprises a substrate and a heat sensible layer. This heat sensible layer is made of resin and organic lower molecular weight substance and can becoming transparent or non-transparent or vice versa depending on temperature. The organic lower molecular weight substance is a linear hydrocarbon-containing compound having no carboxyl group (A) and a linear hydrocarbon-containing compound having no carboxyl group (B) having a melting point lower than the melting point of the linear hydrocarbon-containing compound having no carboxyl group (A) by 20° C. or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Hotta, Kunichika Moroboshi, Fumio Kawamura, Katsushi Sugiyama, Katsuaki Kokubo, Koji Kawai, Kazuo Hosoda, Masafumi Moriya
  • Patent number: 6362130
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium is capable of assuming a first color in a first temperature range which is above room temperature, having a first color assuming initiation temperature and a first color assuming upper-limit temperature, and assuming a second color when heated to a second temperature range which is above the first temperature range and then cooled, having a second color assuming lower-limit temperature, (a) the first color assuming upper-limit temperature being 125° C. or more, (b) the difference between the first color assuming upper-limit temperature and the second color assuming lower-limit temperature being 20° C. or less, and (c) the first color assuming initiation temperature being 95° C. or more, and a method of recording and erasing images, using the recording medium, a method of producing the recording medium, and the application thereof a card, a label, writable or rewritable disk cartridge, disk and tape cassette are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Miyoshi Yushi Kabushika Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Hotta, Kunichika Morohoshi, Masafumi Torii, Kunitoshi Sugiyama, Hideyuki Kobori, Katsushi Sugiyama, Katsuaki Kokubo, Koji Kawai, Kazuo Hosoda, Masafumi Moriya
  • Publication number: 20020025909
    Abstract: An electron accepting developer useful for producing visible images by reaction with an electron donor in carbonless paper and photo- imaging systems, the developer comprising an acid-treated, water insoluble alkali metal-modified, inorganic oxide or an acid-treated molecular sieve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Dale R. Shackle, Benjamin Chaloner-Gill
  • Patent number: 6348432
    Abstract: Disclosed are heat sensitive coatings and record materials that are environmentally resistant and therefore do not require a protective coating. One embodiment includes an environmentally resistant heat sensitive coating that includes an acrylate polymer of the formula: wherein R1 is a hydrogen or a methyl group, R2 is a hydrogen or a methyl group, and R3 is nitrile or chlorine or wherein, when c is 0, R4 is methyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, and when c is greater than 0, R4 is methyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, halogen, nitrile or hydroxyl; m is greater than 1; n is greater than 1; b is greater than or equal to 0; and c is an integer from 0 to 38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Nashua Corporation
    Inventor: Mohamed Elmasry
  • Patent number: 6344891
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head, which records an image to a recording material. Feeder rollers feed the recording material relative to the thermal head. An EEPROM stores first distance data adapted to image recording to a predetermined first type of the recording material. A keyboard inputs second distance data representing a second type of the recording material at a time of image recording to the second type. A personal computer causes the feeder rollers to set the first and second types to the thermal head according to respectively the first and second distance data, and drives the thermal head and feeder rollers in synchronism. The image is recorded in first and second printing regions suitable to respectively the first and second types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryo Imai
  • Patent number: 6337303
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white thermographic recording material comprising a thermosensitive element and a support, the thermosensitive element containing at least one substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, at least one organic reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith, a binder, at least one stabilizer and optionally an &agr;,(&ohgr;-alkyldicarboxylic acid with a straight chain alkyl group having at least 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted, however neither including 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as acidic reagent nor di-tert-butyl-p-cresol as a sole organic reducing agent, wherein the at least one stabilizer is represented by formula (I): R1—(O═C)—R2—(C═O)—R3  (I) wherein R2 is a divalent straight chain saturated hydrocarbon group with 2 or 3 carbon atoms which may be substituted with one or more of ═O, ═S, ═CR4R5, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a hydroxy group, a thiol group, a —
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Philip Dooms, Peter Michiels, Ingrid Geuens
  • Patent number: 6335306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermosensitive recording material of heat fixing type. The thermosensitive recording material comprises, on a sheet substrate, a subbing layer and a thermosensitive color image-forming layer in this order, the thermosensitive color image-forming layer comprising a colorless or light-colored dye precursor and a color-developer which reacts with the dye precursor to color the precursor when the color-developer is heated, the color-developer being selected such that the color image formed has a high solvent resistance after the coloring, and the subbing layer comprising a color developability reducing substance capable of reducing the color-developing function of the color-developer and having a melting point of 40° C. or higher. According to the present invention, a thermosensitive recording material is provided, which has a good fixing property and particularly an excellent legibility of colored images even after accidental heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takako Segawa, Yoshiyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6335140
    Abstract: A thermal transfer material includes a support. A release layer is overlaid on the support. A coloring transfer layer is overlaid on the release layer, has thermoplasticity, and is colorable by being exposed and then pressurized. In a printer for use with the thermal transfer material, an image is formed by exposing the coloring transfer layer. The coloring transfer layer is placed on image receiving material after the image is formed. The thermal transfer material is heated and pressurized while the coloring transfer layer is placed on, so as to color the image and transfer the coloring transfer layer to the image receiving material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6328929
    Abstract: A method of delivering disinfectant in an absorbent substrate. A first step involves intermixing a first reactant chemical with a first ink. A second step involves intermixing a second reactant chemical with a second ink. A third step involves printing a first pattern on an absorbent substrate with the first ink. A fourth step involves printing a second pattern on the absorbent substrate with the second ink. The second pattern is positioned in close proximity to the first pattern, such that when the first pattern and second pattern are exposed to water an intermixing of the first reactant chemical and the second reactant chemical occurs to produce an aerosol disinfectant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth Reay Code
  • Patent number: 6329318
    Abstract: A lamination and method provide for an information displaying label with dual image receiving capabilities. The laminate includes a substrate with a thermally responsive coating in adhesive engagement with an overlying light transmissive protective layer. The thermally responsive coating is adapted to receive an information image upon the selective application of heat at a first temperature. The adhesive layer, which is non-reactive with the coating, bonds the coating and the protective layer together when heated to a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The adhesive layer provides a permanent and stable bond and may include ultraviolet inhibitors. The protective layer permits the transfer of heat to the underlying coating and provides an image receiving surface for additional label printing. The protective layer also protects the coating from environmental elements such as heat, moisture, chemicals and abrasions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Thelamco, Incorporated
    Inventor: Brian L. McFall
  • Patent number: 6329317
    Abstract: A method of decoloring an image formed on a paper sheet by using an image forming material containing a color former, a developer and a decolorizer, comprising the steps of bringing a solvent into contact with the image forming material for decoloring the image, and removing the residual solvent from the paper sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Satoshi Takayama, Shigeru Machida, Kenji Sano
  • Patent number: 6326331
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white non-chlorine-containing stabilizer-containing monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element, the thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent therefor in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, characterized in that the non-chlorine-containing stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole derivatives and 2-hydroxy-benzophenone derivatives; a thermographic recording process therefor; and the use thereof as a stabilizer against direct sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Cyriel Horsten, Guy Denis Jansen
  • Patent number: 6326332
    Abstract: A decolorable material contains a color former, a developer, a matrix material, and a decolorant capable of physically or chemically adsorbing the developer, the developer having a molecular weight of 120 to 210. The material is capable of forming a clear image, and the image formed from the material can be decolored well, even when the amount of the decolorant used is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Satoshi Takayama
  • Publication number: 20010039244
    Abstract: A recording sheet package includes a stack of plural recording sheets. A packaging body contains the recording sheets. A detection cutout is formed in the packaging body, for receiving insertion of a sheet remainder counter. The sheet remainder counter is allowed to push the recording sheets in a thickness direction thereof. The sheet remainder counter is adapted to detect a number of remaining ones of the recording sheets in the packaging body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidemi Sasaki, Yoshio Ishizuka, Takeshi Fujishiro, Fuyuki Inui
  • Publication number: 20010038904
    Abstract: A recording sheet package includes a stack of plural recording sheets. A packaging body contains the recording sheets. A detection cutout is formed in the packaging body, for receiving insertion of a sheet remainder counter. The sheet remainder counter is allowed to push the recording sheets in a thickness direction thereof. The sheet remainder counter is adapted to detect a number of remaining ones of the recording sheets in the packaging body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidemi Sasaki, Yoshio Ishizuka, Takeshi Fujishiro, Fuyuki Inui
  • Publication number: 20010039243
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive coloring composition including an electron donating coloring agent and an electron accepting color developer, wherein the composition achieves a colored state when heated at a temperature not lower than a coloring temperature and then cooled at a cooling speed (a), and the composition in the colored state achieves a non-colored state when heated at a temperature lower than the coloring temperature and not lower than an erasing temperature, or when heated at a temperature not lower than the coloring temperature and then cooled relatively slowly compared to the cooling speed (a), and wherein the electron accepting color developer includes a phenolic compound having the following formula (1): 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Masafumi Torii, Hiroaki Matsui, Masaru Shimada
  • Patent number: 6313067
    Abstract: An image receptor surface which receives an image of a sublimation dye thermally transferred thereto from a foundation sheet for formation of the image therein, the image receptor surface comprising a thermochromatic layer. The thermochromatic layer is a layer of a thermochromatic ink, and contains at least either one of an epoxy resin and an epoxy acrylate resin. The thermochromatic layer reversibly changes its color between an image concealable color and transparence in a predetermined temperature range. The image receptor surface may be formed of any of various materials or articles such as metals, wood materials, glass materials, ceramics, plastics, fabrics and fibrous materials for any applications, especially a mug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sakura Color Products Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6313065
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element provided with a protective layer, the thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a 1,2-dihydroxy-benzene derivative in thermal working relationship therewith and a first polymer having active hydrogen atoms at least part of which has reacted with a first polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of: hexamethylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanat, naphthylene diisocyanate and triphenylmethane-p,p′,p″-trityl triisocyanate; and the protective layer being exclusive of fluorine-containing compounds; and a thermographic recording process therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Cyriel Horsten, Guy Denis Jansen, Peter Slabbinck
  • Patent number: 6313066
    Abstract: A decolorable image forming material containing a color former, a developer and a binder resin, in which the binder resin has a property that it is compatible with the color former when the material is in contact with a solvent and that it keeps the compatible state when the solvent is removed, or has a property that it shifts an equilibrium between the color former and the developer to a non-developed side when the temperature of the material is raised and that it keeps the state shifted to the non-developed side when the temperature of the material is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Satoshi Takayama
  • Publication number: 20010031702
    Abstract: A leaf of printed matter has a metachromatic image 2 printed with an ink thermally changing its color and a non-metachromatic image 3 of a colorant not changing its color. A principal FIG. 5 is formed of the colorant, and a background 6 is formed with the metachromatic ink. The printed matter 1 may be used to transfer its images to a cup 10. The ink of the background scene 6 in the outer layer will turn to colorless within a prescribed range of temperatures, rendering visible only the central principal FIG. 5. At lower temperatures, the metachromatic ink will restore its color to cause the background for instance a snowy scene to appear, thus affording a novel and fantastic visual effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Nakao Tominaga, Yoshinori Murata
  • Patent number: 6303539
    Abstract: Business forms that provide duplicate images in heat fusing toner printers which comprise a base sheet and a thermosensitive, image-forming coating positioned on the base sheet followed by a top sheet, such as a label laminate. The thermosensitive, image-forming coating contains a thermally-activated, color-forming dye which can be activated at a temperature in the range of 90° F. to 135° F. The top sheet has a weight and thickness which permits heat to be conducted from a heat-fused toner-based image printed thereon to the thermosensitive, image-forming coating so as to raise the temperature of the underlying portions of the thermosensitive, image-forming coating by at least 20° F. In preferred embodiments, the top sheet is a label laminate. Methods for preparing such printable sheets and use of such printable sheets to obtain duplicate images are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: W. Tony Kosarew
  • Publication number: 20010029236
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium has a support, a reversible thermosensitive recording layer of which color tone is reversibly changeable with the application of heat thereto, and a printing layer bearing a printed image A. When an image B is formed in the reversible thermosensitive recording layer by heating the recording layer, the image B completes a single composite image in combination with the printed image A. The method of using the above-mentioned recording medium includes the step of forming an image B in the reversible thermosensitive recording layer by heating the recording layer to an image formation temperature to complete a single composite image in combination with the printed image A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Atsushi Kutami, Tetsuya Amano, Kazumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6300277
    Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material including a coloring layer which is formed overlying a substrate and which includes a leuco dye and a color developer which can make the leuco dye color upon application of heat, wherein the thermosensitive recording material has a thermal property such that the coloring layer achieves a colored state having an image density (1) not less than about 1.20 when the coloring layer is heated with a thermal printhead upon application of a recording energy of 0.45 mJ/dot, and the coloring layer achieves a colored state having an image density (2) which is not less than about 0.1 lower than the image density (1) when the coloring layer is heated by being brought into contact with a heated block at a temperature of 150° C. for 1 second upon application of a pressure of 2 kg/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinobu Miyauchi, Takahide Kutsuma
  • Publication number: 20010025587
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive coloring composition including an electron donating coloring agent and an electron accepting color developer, wherein the composition achieves a colored state when heated at a temperature not lower than a coloring temperature and then cooled at a cooling speed (a), and the composition in the colored state achieves a non-colored state when heated at a temperature lower than the coloring temperature and not lower than an erasing temperature, or when heated at a temperature not lower than the coloring temperature and then cooled relatively slowly compared to the cooling speed (a), and wherein the electron accepting color developer includes a phenolic compound having the following formula (1): 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Masafumi Torii, Hiroaki Matsui, Masaru Shimada
  • Publication number: 20010008872
    Abstract: A rewritable indication device layer on which visible information is rewritably recorded and erased, is formed on a label base layer. A protection layer for protecting the rewritable indication device layer is formed on the rewritable indication device layer. The rewritable indication label for a recording medium having such structure, is adhered to a recording medium or a recording medium case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHIGERO NAKANO
  • Patent number: 6261992
    Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording material which includes a recording layer including an electron donating coloring agent and an electron accepting coloring developer and in which an image is reversibly formed and erased by appropriately heating and cooling the recording layer, wherein the recording layer further includes an erasure promoter including one or more secondary amide group having the following formulas (1), (2) or (3): wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represents a hydrocarbon group which is optionally substituted and which may be saturated or unsaturated, and wherein R1 and R2 are optionally combined to form a ring which may include one or more of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom. Alternatively, the erasure promoter may include two or more secondary amide groups having formula (1), (2) or (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Furuya, Masaru Shimada, Tadafumi Tatewaki, Masafumi Torii, Fumio Kawamura, Hiroaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 6255026
    Abstract: A chemical composition is provided for the manufacture of devices for storing and/or displaying information, comprising a network having a molecule which is formed from a metallic element Fe(II) which is bonded to a 1-2-4 triazole ligand (H-Trz), which molecule further comprises one or more than one anions A selected from BF4−, ClO4−, CO32−, Br−, Cl−, in accordance with the formulation: FeII(H-Trz)3A2, characterized in that this composition is used in the pure state in either one of the two crystalline phases (&agr;,&bgr;) at least one of which, referred to as the second phase (&bgr;), can be thermally induced on the basis of the other phase, referred to as the first phase (&agr;), at a temperature which is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature (To), which phases each show thermally inducible spin transitions between a low-spin state at a low first temperature (T&agr;1, T&bgr;1) and a high-spin state at a high second temperature (T&agr;2, T&bgr;2), the spin tran
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Olivier Kahn, Charlotte Jay, Jonas Krober, Renée Claude, Françoise Groliere
  • Patent number: 6254943
    Abstract: A transfer sheet including a substrate; and an indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Helen A. Osbourne
  • Patent number: 6245710
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging system, which comprises a support having a front and rear surface, at least one transfer layer coated on the front surface of the support, and at least one thermal recording layer coated on top of the outermost transfer layer, wherein the thermal recording layer contains heat-responsive microcapsules capable of separating an inner phase within the microcapsules from an outer phase contained outside the microcapsules, wherein said inner phase is capable of reacting with said outer phase to create a color forming element, and wherein the transfer layer is capable of transferring and adhering an image from said front surface of said support upon the application of heat energy to the rear surface of the support, said transfer layer strips from said front surface of the support by liquefying and releasing from said support when heated, said liquefied transfer layer providing adherence to a receptor element by flowing onto said receptor element and solidifying thereon, sa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hare, Scott A. Williams
  • Patent number: 6239068
    Abstract: A process of forming a diffusion resistant lenticular element comprising: a) contacting at least one dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye in a binder having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, the image dye comprising a nonionic dye capable of being converted to a cationic dye by means of an acid, with a lenticular element comprising a first support having thereon a lenticular array on the opposite side thereof; b) imagewise-heating the dye-donor element by means of a laser; c) transferring a dye image to the first support of the lenticular element; d) contacting the dye image with a mordanting element comprising a second support having thereon in order, a release layer and an adhesive layer of an acidic polymer having a Tg less than about 80° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lee W. Tutt, Christine M. Vargas, John Agostinelli
  • 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: 6228804
    Abstract: A color-change material has a reversibly thermochromic layer and a porous layer containing a low-refractive-index pigment. The color-change material changes its color in response to heat or water. The reversibly thermochromic layer and the porous layer are superposed on each other, or the reversibly thermochromic layer and the porous layer are formed side by side. Alternatively, a color-change material has a substrate and formed thereon a color-changing porous layer including a reversibly thermochromic material, a low-refractive-index pigment, and a binder. The reversibly thermochromic material and the pigment are dispersed in the binder and tenaciously adherent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Nakashima
  • Patent number: 6221806
    Abstract: A diffusion resistant lenticular element comprising a first support having thereon a lenticular array, the element having thereon a protective element comprising a second support having thereon an adhesive layer of an acidic polymer having a Tg less than about 80° C., the adhesive layer of the protective element being on the side of the first support which does not contain the lenticular array, the adhesive layer containing a laser-induced, cationic dye image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lee W. Tutt, Christine M. Vargas, Teh-Ming Kung
  • Patent number: 6214766
    Abstract: Authenticatable paper and paperboard products are prepared by printing images such as microdots on one or both surfaces of the paper using a starch containing authenticating solution. The images are not detectable by the human eye, but can be revealed with the application of a standard iodine solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick L. Kurrle
  • Patent number: 6211115
    Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a 1,2-dihydroxyphenyl-compound in thermal working relationship therewith and a binder, wherein the 1,2-dihydroxyphenyl-compound is represented by formula (I): where n is 0 or 1; R is —(C═O)R1, —(C═O)NR1R2, —CN, —SO3R2, —SO2R2, —SOR2, —SO2NR2R3 or —PO3R2R3; R1 is H or an alkyl group with 12 or less carbon atoms; and R2 and R3 are independently H or an alkyl or an aryl group; and R1 and R2 together can provide the atoms to close a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and R2 and R3 together can represent the atoms to close a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and a recording process therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Johan Loccufier, Bart Horsten, Peter Slabbinck