US4044176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphic arts and graphic media
Assignee: Pratt and Lambert Inc
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Filing: 1975-06-12
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1995-06-12
Abstract
Abstract Graphic arts media are provided which offer raised, three-dimensional effects. A basic medium is formulated of a colorant, film-forming binder, a solvent vehicle and thermally expandable microspheres. The microspheres are treated to preclude or inhibit solvation in the solvent vehicle by coating with a compound which is a non-solvent for the microspheres but which preferentially wets the surface thereof. Alkyl alcohols having about 3 to 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain are employed. The medium is selectively applied to a substrate, dried, and heated to expand the microspheres.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon E. Wolinski
- 👤 Arthur R. Endress
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:30
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05D; B05D5/00; B05D5/06; B41; B41M; B41M3/00; B41M3/18; B41M7/00; B41M7/0054; B44; B44C; B44C1/00; B44C1/20; B44C1/205; B44D; B44D3/00; B44D3/18; C; C09; C09D; C09D11/00; C09D5/00; C09D5/28; D; D06; D06P; D06P5/00; D06P5/001; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24496; Y10T428/24504; Y10T428/24521; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24893; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249971; Y10T428/249972; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/254; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2991; Y10T428/2998
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In a graphic arts medium for selective application to a substrate comprising a polymeric film-forming binder and a volatile solvent vehicle therefor, the improvement comprising dispersing in said medium about 1 to 45 weight percent, based on the non-volatile content of said medium, of thermally expandable thermoplastic poly(vinylidene chloride) microspheres having a particle size of about 0.5 to 300 microns in diameter and containing about 5 to 50 weight percent of a volatile neopentane blowing agent, said microspheres being insolubilized in said volatile solvent vehicle by a coating of a compound which preferentially wets the surface of said microspheres, said compound being a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl alcohols having about 3 to about 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a graphic arts medium for selective application to a substrate comprising a polymeric film-forming binder and a volatile solvent vehicle therefor, the improvement comprising dispersing in said medium about 1 to 45 weight percent, based on the non-volatile content of said medium, of thermally expandable thermoplastic poly(vinylidene chloride) microspheres having a particle size of about 0.5 to 300 microns in diameter and containing about 5 to 50 weight percent of a volatile neopentane blowing agent, said microspheres being insolubilized in said volatile solvent vehicle by a coating of a compound which preferentially wets the surface of said microspheres, said compound being a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl alcohols having about 3 to about 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The graphic arts medium of claim 1 wherein said alkyl alcohol is coated on the surface of said microspheres in an amount of from about 1 to about 100 weight percent, based on the weight of the microspheres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The graphic arts medium of claim 1 wherein said alkyl alcohol is coated on the surface of said microspheres in an amount of from about 5 to 20 weight percent, based on the weight of the microspheres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The graphic arts medium of claim 3 wherein said alkyl alcohol is butyl alcohol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The graphic arts medium of claim 1 wherein said microspheres have a particle size of about 3 to 50 microns in diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The graphic arts medium of claim 1 wherein said microspheres have a particle size of about 5 to 20 microns in diameter.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
153 words
The method of forming a raised graphic pattern upon a substrate which comprises selectively applying in a pattern to said substrate a graphic arts medium comprising a polymeric film-forming binder and a volatile solvent vehicle therefor, said medium having dispersed therein about 1 to 45 weight percent, based on the non-volatile content of said medium, of thermally expandable thermoplastic poly(vinylidene chloride) microspheres having a particle size of about 0.5 to 300 microns in diameter and containing about 5 to 50 weight percent of a volatile neopentane blowing agent, said microspheres being insolubilized in said volatile solvent vehicle by a coating of a compound which preferentially wets the surface of said microspheres, said compound being a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl alcohols having about 3 to about 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, drying said medium and heating to expand said microspheres, whereby said medium forms a raised graphic pattern.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
153 words
The method of forming a raised graphic pattern upon a substrate which comprises selectively applying in a pattern to said substrate a graphic arts medium comprising a polymeric film-forming binder and a volatile solvent vehicle therefor, said medium having dispersed therein about 1 to 45 weight percent, based on the non-volatile content of said medium, of thermally expandable thermoplastic poly(vinylidene chloride) microspheres having a particle size of about 0.5 to 300 microns in diameter and containing about 5 to 50 weight percent of a volatile neopentane blowing agent, said microspheres being insolubilized in said volatile solvent vehicle by a coating of a compound which preferentially wets the surface of said microspheres, said compound being a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl alcohols having about 3 to about 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, drying said medium and heating to expand said microspheres, whereby said medium forms a raised graphic pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said alkyl alcohol is coated on the surface of said microspheres in an amount of from about 1 to about 100 weight percent, based on the weight of the microspheres.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said alkyl alcohol is coated on the surface of said microspheres in an amount of from about 5 to 20 weight percent, based on the weight of the microspheres.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said alkyl alcohol is butyl alcohol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said microspheres have a particle size of about 3 to 50 microns in diameter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said microspheres have a particle size of about 5 to 20 microns in diameter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |