US4076532A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermosensitive image-forming element and method of processing thereof
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1976-01-16
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A thermosensitive image-forming element is comprised of at least one image-forming layer and a biaxially-oriented heatset poly(ethylene terephthalate) film support which is capable of resisting dimensional distortion resulting from the combined effects of tension and heat. The element is processed by application of heat sufficient to form a visible image while maintaining the element under tension in its longitudinal dimension and no tension in its transverse dimension.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Gottermeier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:25
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C1/00; G03C1/76; G03C1/795; G03C1/7954; G03C1/494; G03C1/498; G03C1/49872; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/91; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/2495; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/269; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
In a process for forming a visible image in a thermosensitive element comprising at least one thermosensitive image-forming layer and a biaxially-oriented, heatset polyethylene terephthalate film support by (1) heating said element at a processing temperature of at least 100° but not greater than 230° C while maintaining said support under tension in the range from about 50 psi to about 600 psi in its longitudinal dimension and unrestrained in its transverse dimension, and (2) thereafter cooling said element to below 100° C, the improvement wherein said support is one which expands from about 0.1 percent to about 1.3 percent in said transverse dimension and shrinks from about 0.2 percent to about 3.3 percent in said longitudinal dimension when it is subjected to heating in an unrestrained state for 6 seconds at said processing temperature, and thereafter cooled to below 100° C, whereby necking of said element in its transverse dimension during said processing is reduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a process for forming a visible image in a thermosensitive element comprising at least one thermosensitive image-forming layer and a biaxially-oriented, heatset polyethylene terephthalate film support by (1) heating said element at a processing temperature of at least 100° but not greater than 230° C while maintaining said support under tension in the range from about 50 psi to about 600 psi in its longitudinal dimension and unrestrained in its transverse dimension, and (2) thereafter cooling said element to below 100° C, the improvement wherein said support is one which expands from about 0.1 percent to about 1.3 percent in said transverse dimension and shrinks from about 0.2 percent to about 3.3 percent in said longitudinal dimension when it is subjected to heating in an unrestrained state for 6 seconds at said processing temperature, and thereafter cooled to below 100° C, whereby necking of said element in its transverse dimension during said processing is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said processing temperature is in the range from about 150° to about 200° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said processing temperature is in the range from about 175° to about 185° C and wherein the tension in said longitudinal dimension is in the range from about 300 psi to about 500 psi.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said thermosensitive layer is photothermographic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said thermosensitive layer is thermographic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said support in said thermosensitive element has a thickness from about 1.0 mil to about 8.0 mils.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said support in said thermosensitive element has a thickness from about 2.5 mils to about 4.0 mils.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A thermosensitive image-forming element which exhibits reduced tendency toward necking upon heat processing under unidimensional tension in its longitudinal dimension, said element comprising (1) a biaxially-oriented, heatset polyethylene terephthalate film support which expands from about 0.1 percent to about 1.3 percent in its transverse dimension and shrinks from about 0.2 percent to about 3.3 percent in its longitudinal dimension upon being heated in an unrestrained state for 6 seconds at a temperature which is at least 100° but which does not exceed 230° C, and thereafter cooled to below 100° C, and (2) at least one thermosensitive image-forming layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
A thermosensitive image-forming element which exhibits reduced tendency toward necking upon heat processing under unidimensional tension in its longitudinal dimension, said element comprising (1) a biaxially-oriented, heatset polyethylene terephthalate film support which expands from about 0.1 percent to about 1.3 percent in its transverse dimension and shrinks from about 0.2 percent to about 3.3 percent in its longitudinal dimension upon being heated in an unrestrained state for 6 seconds at a temperature which is at least 100° but which does not exceed 230° C, and thereafter cooled to below 100° C, and (2) at least one thermosensitive image-forming layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The thermosensitive element of claim 8 wherein said support expands in its transverse dimension and shrinks in its longitudinal dimension upon being heated in an unrestrained state for 6 seconds at a temperature which is at least 100° but not greater than 200° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The thermosensitive element of claim 8 wherein said support expands in its transverse dimension and shrinks in its longitudinal dimension upon being heated in an unrestrained state for 6 seconds at a temperature which is at least 100° but not greater than 185° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The thermosensitive element of claim 8 wherein said thermosensitive layer is photothermographic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The thermosensitive element of claim 8 wherein said thermosensitive layer is thermographic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The thermosensitive element of claim 8 wherein said support has a thickness of from about 1.0 mil to about 8.0 mils.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermosensitive element of claim 8 wherein said support has a thickness from about 2.5 mils to about 4.0 mils.
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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) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |