US4141735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for reducing core-set curling tendency and core-set curl of polymeric film elements
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1977-02-18
•
Granted: 1979-02-27
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Expires: 1997-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A heat-tempered film element having a core-set curling tendency and a net core-set curl at least about 15% below that of a similar non-heat-tempered film element is provided by a process which comprises heating a sheet or roll of self-supporting, core-set-prone thermoplastic polymeric film, which is non-coated or is coated with one or more layers on at least one surface, under ambient relative humidity of less than 100%, at a temperature in the temperature range of from about 30° C. up to about the glass transition temperature (Tg) of said polymer for 0.1 to 1500 hours, said heating being continued until the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the resulting film undergoes upon subsequent core-setting at 21° C. and 50% R.H. for 2200 hours is reduced by at least 15%, compared to the change in the number of ANSI curl units untreated thermoplastic polymer film undergoes upon core-setting under like conditions. The process is particularly useful for treating a stock roll of radiation sensitive film element comprising a curl-prone thermoplastic polymeric film support, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), coated with photographic coating layers, to reduce the shelf-life core-set curling tendency and core-set curl of the element, by as much as 60% of that of corresponding, but non-heat-tempered film element in its non-processed, as well as in its processed, form. The resulting heat-tempered photographic film element is especially suitable for the manufacture of low-curl microfiche (film cards), and of amateur movie film having reduced clock-springing in its processed reverse-wound form.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Schrader
- 👤 John F. Carroll, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:45
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C71/00; B29C71/02; G; G03; G03C; G03C1/00; G03C1/76; G03C1/81; B29C2071/022; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/813; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for heat tempering a self-supporting film having a thickness in the range of about 2 to 50 mils and formed from a thermoplastic polymer having a Tg above about 60° C., determined in a differential scanning calorimeter at a heating rate of 20° K./minute, to reduce the core-set curling tendency of said film without substantially distorting or shrinking said film, said method comprising maintaining said film for a period of about 0.1 to about 1,500 hours at a temperature of from about 30° C. up to the Tg of said polymer and an ambient relative humidity less than 100% until the core-set curling tendency of said film is reduced at least 15%, said reduction in core-set curling tendency being measurable as the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the heat-tempered film undergoes upon core-setting on a 3-inch o.d. core at 49° C. and 50% RH for 24 hours, compared to the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding film which has not been subjected to said heat-tempering undergoes upon core-setting in the same manner, said ANSI curl units being measured in each instance in accordance with Test Method A, ANSI PH 1.29-1971 with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for heat tempering a self-supporting film having a thickness in the range of about 2 to 50 mils and formed from a thermoplastic polymer having a Tg above about 60° C., determined in a differential scanning calorimeter at a heating rate of 20° K./minute, to reduce the core-set curling tendency of said film without substantially distorting or shrinking said film, said method comprising maintaining said film for a period of about 0.1 to about 1,500 hours at a temperature of from about 30° C. up to the Tg of said polymer and an ambient relative humidity less than 100% until the core-set curling tendency of said film is reduced at least 15%, said reduction in core-set curling tendency being measurable as the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the heat-tempered film undergoes upon core-setting on a 3-inch o.d. core at 49° C. and 50% RH for 24 hours, compared to the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding film which has not been subjected to said heat-tempering undergoes upon core-setting in the same manner, said ANSI curl units being measured in each instance in accordance with Test Method A, ANSI PH 1.29-1971 with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 comprising maintaining said film at a temperature within the range of from about 38° C. up to about 4° C. below the Tg of the polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 comprising maintaining said film at said temperature for about 24 to 168 hours until its core-set curling tendency is reduced about 30 to 65%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2 comprising maintaining said film at a temperature within the range of from about 60° to 95° C. for from about 0.25 to 24 hours until its core-set curling tendency is reduced about 40 to 65%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said film is in roll form when subjected to said heating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 comprising applying at least one layer of a coating composition over at least one surface of the film after said heat tempering.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 comprising applying at least one layer of a coating composition over at least one surface of said thermoplastic polymer film before said heat tempering.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 comprising winding the coated film to form a roll and subjecting said roll to said heat tempering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 8 comprising winding the coated film on a core of from about 6 inches to 12 inches outside diameter (o.d.) to form a roll of film of up to about 36 inches o.d. and subjecting said roll to said heat tempering.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer is a linear polyester, polycarbonate or cellulose ester.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer is poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) or poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer is poly((2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)propane carbonate)).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the cellulose ester is cellulose triacetate containing from 42.5 to 44% acetyl.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the polymer is poly(ethylene terephthalate) having a Tg in the range from about 99° C. to 112° C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the layer of coating composition is an adhesive-containing layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the layer of coating composition is a gelatin-containing layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the layer of coating composition is a radiation sensitive layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the gelatin-containing layer is a photographic subbing layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the radiation sensitive layer is a photographic silver halide emulsion layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the radiation sensitive layer is a diazo layer.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for heat tempering a self-supporting film having a thickness in the range of about 2 to 50 mils and formed from poly(ethylene terephthalate) having a Tg above about 60° C., determined in a differential scanning calorimeter at a heating rate of 20° K./minute, to reduce the core-set curling tendency of said film without substantially distorting or shrinking said film, said method comprising maintaining said film for a period of about 0.1 to about 1,500 hours at a temperature of from about 38° C. to about 4° C. below the Tg of said poly(ethylene terephthalate) and an ambient relative humidity less than 100% until the core-set curling tendency of said film is reduced at least 30%, said reduction in core-set curling tendency being measurable as the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the heat-tempered film undergoes upon core-setting on a 3-inch o.d. core at 49° C. and 50% RH for 24 hours, compared to the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding film which has not been subjected to said heat-tempering undergoes upon core-setting in the same manner, said ANSI curl units being measured in each instance in accordance with Test Method A, ANSI PH 1.29-1971 with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for heat tempering a self-supporting film having a thickness in the range of about 2 to 50 mils and formed from poly(ethylene terephthalate) having a Tg above about 60° C., determined in a differential scanning calorimeter at a heating rate of 20° K./minute, to reduce the core-set curling tendency of said film without substantially distorting or shrinking said film, said method comprising maintaining said film for a period of about 0.1 to about 1,500 hours at a temperature of from about 38° C. to about 4° C. below the Tg of said poly(ethylene terephthalate) and an ambient relative humidity less than 100% until the core-set curling tendency of said film is reduced at least 30%, said reduction in core-set curling tendency being measurable as the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the heat-tempered film undergoes upon core-setting on a 3-inch o.d. core at 49° C. and 50% RH for 24 hours, compared to the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding film which has not been subjected to said heat-tempering undergoes upon core-setting in the same manner, said ANSI curl units being measured in each instance in accordance with Test Method A, ANSI PH 1.29-1971 with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the film is maintained at a temperature within the range of from about 40° C. to about 100° C. for about 0.25 to 168 hours.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the film is maintained at a temperature within the range of from about 71° to 82° C. for about 0.25 to 24 hours.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate) film is biaxially-oriented, heat-set, heat-relaxed poly(ethylene terephthalate) film.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate) has a Tg of from about 99° C. to 112° C.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the film is in roll form on a core of about 6 inches to 12 inches o.d.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate) film is coated on at least one surface with at least one layer of a coating composition.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said film is coated with at least one adhesion-promoting undercoating layer and at least one gelatin-containing layer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the film is a photographic film support.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the film is a photographic film comprising at least one radiation sensitive layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the radiation sensitive layer is a photographic silver halide emulsion layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the radiation sensitive layer is a diazo layer.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
206 words
A method for heat tempering a self-supporting biaxially-oriented, heat-set, heat-relaxed poly(ethylene terephthalate) film having a thickness of from about 2 to 50 mils and comprising at least one radiation sensitive layer to reduce the core-set curling tendency of said film without substantially distorting or shrinking said film, said poly(ethylene terephthalate) having a Tg of about 99° to 112° C., as determined by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) trace, which method comprises winding the film on a core of from about 6 inches to 12 inches outer diameter to form a roll of film and heating said roll at a temperature in the range of from about 40° C. up to about 4° C. below the Tg of the polymer for from about 0.25 to about 500 hours until the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the resulting film undergoes is about 22 to 69% below the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding poly(ethylene terephthalate) film which has not been subjected to said heat tempering undergoes upon core-setting under like conditions, said ANSI curl units being measured in accordance with Test Method A ANSI PH 1.29-1971 in each instance with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
206 words
A method for heat tempering a self-supporting biaxially-oriented, heat-set, heat-relaxed poly(ethylene terephthalate) film having a thickness of from about 2 to 50 mils and comprising at least one radiation sensitive layer to reduce the core-set curling tendency of said film without substantially distorting or shrinking said film, said poly(ethylene terephthalate) having a Tg of about 99° to 112° C., as determined by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) trace, which method comprises winding the film on a core of from about 6 inches to 12 inches outer diameter to form a roll of film and heating said roll at a temperature in the range of from about 40° C. up to about 4° C. below the Tg of the polymer for from about 0.25 to about 500 hours until the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the resulting film undergoes is about 22 to 69% below the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding poly(ethylene terephthalate) film which has not been subjected to said heat tempering undergoes upon core-setting under like conditions, said ANSI curl units being measured in accordance with Test Method A ANSI PH 1.29-1971 in each instance with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the radiation sensitive layer is a silver halide emulsion layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the radiation sensitive layer is a diazo layer.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for heat tempering a self-supporting film having a thickness in the range of about 2 to 50 mils and formed from poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) having a Tg above about 60° C., determined in a differential scanning calorimeter at a heating rate of 20° K./minute, to reduce the core-set curling tendency of said film without substantially distorting or shrinking said film, said method comprising maintaining said film for a period of about 0.1 to about 1,500 hours at a temperature of from about 30° C. up to the Tg of said poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) and an ambient relative humidity less than 100% until the core-set curling tendency of said film is reduced at least 15%, said reduction in core-set curling tendency being measurable as the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the heat-tempered film undergoes upon core-setting on a 3-inch o.d. core at 49° C. and 50% RH for 24 hours, compared to the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding film which has not been subjected to said heat-tempering undergoes upon core-setting in the same manner, said ANSI curl units being measured in accordance with Test Method A ANSI PH 1.29-1971 in each instance with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for heat tempering a self-supporting film having a thickness in the range of about 2 to 50 mils and formed from poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) having a Tg above about 60° C., determined in a differential scanning calorimeter at a heating rate of 20° K./minute, to reduce the core-set curling tendency of said film without substantially distorting or shrinking said film, said method comprising maintaining said film for a period of about 0.1 to about 1,500 hours at a temperature of from about 30° C. up to the Tg of said poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) and an ambient relative humidity less than 100% until the core-set curling tendency of said film is reduced at least 15%, said reduction in core-set curling tendency being measurable as the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the heat-tempered film undergoes upon core-setting on a 3-inch o.d. core at 49° C. and 50% RH for 24 hours, compared to the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding film which has not been subjected to said heat-tempering undergoes upon core-setting in the same manner, said ANSI curl units being measured in accordance with Test Method A ANSI PH 1.29-1971 in each instance with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the film is maintained at a temperature within the range of from about 60° C. to 180° C. for from 0.25 to 168 hours.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
108 words
A self-supporting thermoplastic polymer film characterized in that said film is a heat-tempered film having reduced core-set curling tendency and that the change in ANSI curl units that said film undergoes upon being maintained in rolled condition for 2200 hours at a temperature of 21° C. and R.H. up to 50% is at least 15% less than the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding film which is not heat-tempered undergoes upon core-setting under like conditions, said ANSI curl units being measured in accordance with Test Method A, ANSI PH 1.29-1971 in each instance with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
108 words
A self-supporting thermoplastic polymer film characterized in that said film is a heat-tempered film having reduced core-set curling tendency and that the change in ANSI curl units that said film undergoes upon being maintained in rolled condition for 2200 hours at a temperature of 21° C. and R.H. up to 50% is at least 15% less than the change in the number of ANSI curl units that the corresponding film which is not heat-tempered undergoes upon core-setting under like conditions, said ANSI curl units being measured in accordance with Test Method A, ANSI PH 1.29-1971 in each instance with respect to the same reference surface of the film.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
87 words
A self-supporting, noncellulosic thermoplastic film characterized in that said film is a heat-tempered film having reduced core-set curling tendency and that the change in ANSI curl units that said film undergoes upon being maintained in rolled condition for 2200 hours at a temperature of 21° C. and R.H. up to 50% is no more than 14 ANSI curl units measured at 50% R.H., said ANSI curl units being measured in accordance with Test Method A, ANSI PH 1.29-1971 with reference to the same surface of the film.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
87 words
A self-supporting, noncellulosic thermoplastic film characterized in that said film is a heat-tempered film having reduced core-set curling tendency and that the change in ANSI curl units that said film undergoes upon being maintained in rolled condition for 2200 hours at a temperature of 21° C. and R.H. up to 50% is no more than 14 ANSI curl units measured at 50% R.H., said ANSI curl units being measured in accordance with Test Method A, ANSI PH 1.29-1971 with reference to the same surface of the film.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
A self-supporting polymer film according to claim 38 in which said polymer is a polyester or a polycarbonate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
45 words
A self-supporting cellulose ester film according to claim 38 characterized in that the change in ANSI curl units that said film undergoes upon being maintained in rolled condition is an increase of no more than about 22 to 27 ANSI units measured at 50% R.H.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
10 words
A laminated film element comprising a film of claim 39.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
10 words
A laminated film element comprising a film of claim 41.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
A film according to claim 38 wherein said film is a polymeric film having a thickness of about 2 to 50 mils.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
A film according to claim 40 having a thickness of about 2 to 50 mils and wherein the polymer is poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), or poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate).
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
A film according to claim 40 which is heat-tempered, biaxially-oriented, heat-set and heat-relaxed solid linear polyester film.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
A film according to claim 41 wherein the polymer is cellulose triacetate containing from 42.5 to 44.0% of acetyl.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
A film according to claim 38 wherein said film has at least one coating layer on at least one surface.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
A film according to claim 38 wherein said film is coated with at least one radiation sensitive layer.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
A film according to claim 49 wherein said radiation sensitive layer is a photographic silver halide emulsion layer.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
A film according to claim 49 wherein said radiation sensitive layer is a diazo layer.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
A film according to claim 40 wherein said film comprises at least one adhesion promoting layer and contiguous thereto at least one gelatin-containing layer.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
A multilayered radiation sensitive film element comprising a support and at least one radiation sensitive layer, said support being a thermoplastic polymer film according to claim 38.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
The element of claim 53 wherein said polymer film is a linear polyester, polycarbonate or cellulose ester.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
The element of claim 53 wherein said radiation sensitive layer is a photographic silver halide emulsion layer.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
The element of claim 53 wherein said radiation sensitive layer is a diazo layer.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
12 words
A film according to claim 53 wherein the film is a microfilm.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
13 words
A film according to claim 53 wherein the film is a cinematographic film.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
130 words
A multilayered radiation sensitive film element comprising a support and at least one radiation sensitive layer, said support comprising a thermoplastic polymer film having a thickness of about 2 to 10 mils, said polymer being poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), or poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate), said film element being characterized in that said polymer film is a heat-tempered film having reduced core-set curling tendency and in that the change in ANSI curl units that said element undergoes upon being maintained in rolled condition for 2200 hours at a temperature of 20° C. and relative humidity (R.H.) up to 50% is ± 14 ANSI curl units, said ANSI curl units being measured at 50% R.H. in accordance with Test Method A ANSI PH 1.29-1971 with reference to the same surface of the film.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
130 words
A multilayered radiation sensitive film element comprising a support and at least one radiation sensitive layer, said support comprising a thermoplastic polymer film having a thickness of about 2 to 10 mils, said polymer being poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), or poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate), said film element being characterized in that said polymer film is a heat-tempered film having reduced core-set curling tendency and in that the change in ANSI curl units that said element undergoes upon being maintained in rolled condition for 2200 hours at a temperature of 20° C. and relative humidity (R.H.) up to 50% is ± 14 ANSI curl units, said ANSI curl units being measured at 50% R.H. in accordance with Test Method A ANSI PH 1.29-1971 with reference to the same surface of the film.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
81 words
A microfiche comprising a thermoplastic polymer film support having a thickness of about 2 to 10 mils, said polymer being poly(ethylene terephthalate), said microfiche being characterized in that said polymer film is a heat-tempered film having reduced core-set curling tendency and said microfiche being further characterized in that the curl value of said microfiche is not more than ± 9 ANSI curl units, said ANSI curl units being measured at 50% R.H. in accordance with Test Method A ANSI PH 1.29-1971.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
81 words
A microfiche comprising a thermoplastic polymer film support having a thickness of about 2 to 10 mils, said polymer being poly(ethylene terephthalate), said microfiche being characterized in that said polymer film is a heat-tempered film having reduced core-set curling tendency and said microfiche being further characterized in that the curl value of said microfiche is not more than ± 9 ANSI curl units, said ANSI curl units being measured at 50% R.H. in accordance with Test Method A ANSI PH 1.29-1971.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 which comprises the additional step of maintaining the film after said heat tempering in a temperature range below the temperature at which the effect of said heat-tempering is lost.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 21 which comprises the additional step of maintaining the film after said heat tempering in a temperature range below the temperature at which the effect of said heat-tempering is lost.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 33 which comprises the additional step of maintaining the film after said heat tempering in a selected temperature range below the temperature at which the effect of said heat-tempering is lost.
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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) | 1982-02-26 | 1982-08-28 | 1983-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-26 | 1986-08-28 | 1987-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-26 | 1990-08-28 | 1991-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |