US4301232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of producing continuous tone gradation prints
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-06-20
•
Granted: 1981-11-17
•
Expires: 2000-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing prints having continuous tone gradation which includes the steps of selectively placing solvents on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface altering the surface of the substrate enabling the substrate to hold a colorant, placing colorant on the areas of the substrate so treated, thereby producing continuous tone gradations, transferring an image of the continuous tone gradation substrate onto a conventional print plate and printing prints from the print plate. The steps of transferring can be done either by direct contact printing or by an intermediate conventional negative. The most preferred embodiment includes ethyl alcohol as the solvent, cellulose acetate as the substrate and india ink as the colorant. Multicolor prints can be made from varying density print plates produced by differing exposure times of transferring the image and overprinting the plates using differing inks.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan S. Kullen
- 👤 Phillip Ratner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/68; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/156; Y10S430/158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of producing prints having continuous tone gradations comprising: (a) selectively placing solvent on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface wherein the surface of the substrate is altered such that the substrate is able to hold a colorant; (b) placing colorant on the areas of the substrate treated in step (a) prior to the solvent evaporating, thereby producing continuous tone gradations; (c) transferring an image of the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) without interposition of a screen onto a print plate; and (d) printing prints from the print plate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of producing prints having continuous tone gradations comprising: (a) selectively placing solvent on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface wherein the surface of the substrate is altered such that the substrate is able to hold a colorant; (b) placing colorant on the areas of the substrate treated in step (a) prior to the solvent evaporating, thereby producing continuous tone gradations; (c) transferring an image of the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) without interposition of a screen onto a print plate; and (d) printing prints from the print plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises contact printing the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) onto the print plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises contact printing the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) onto a photosensitive transparent second substrate to produce a negative and contact printing the negative onto the print plate.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
25 words
A method according to one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol and an ether.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl and benzyl.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the substrate is a plastic selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate and polyphenol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the plastic is cellulose acetate frosted on at least one side and is up to 0.010 inches thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the colorant is india ink.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
33 words
A method according to any one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the solvent is ethyl alcohol, the substrate is frosted cellulose acetate which is 0.005" thick, and the colorant is india ink.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising, before step (a), producing an opaque pattern on said substrate, whereupon subsequent steps (a) and (b) produce continuous tone gradations superimposed over the opaque pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising, between steps (b) and (c), producing an opaque pattern on the substrate whereupon the opaque pattern is superimposed over the continuous tone gradations.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
19 words
A method according to any one of claims 10 or 11 wherein the opaque pattern is a line drawing.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
70 words
A method according to any one of claims 2 or 3 wherein step (c) further comprises contact printing the continuous tone substrate of step (b) onto a plurality of print plates, each being printed with a different exposure time, and wherein step (d) further comprises printing prints from the plurality of prints produced in step (c) by overprinting each print with each of the plates so produced using differing inks.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the solvent is ethyl alcohol, the substrate is frosted cellulose acetate which is 0.005" thick and the colorant is india ink.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
70 words
A method according to any one of claims 10 or 11 wherein step (c) further comprises contact printing the continuous tone substrate of step (b) onto a plurality of print plates, each being printed with a different exposure time, and wherein step (d) further comprises printing prints from the plurality of prints produced in step (c) by overprinting each print with each of the plates so produced using differing inks.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein the opaque pattern is a line drawing.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of producing prints having continuous tone gradations comprising: (a) selectively placing a colorant on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface; (b) placing solvent on the areas of the substrate treated in step (a) prior to the colorant drying wherein the surface of the substrate is altered such that the substrate is able to hold the colorant, thereby producing continuous tone gradations; (c) transferring an image of the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) without interposition of a screen onto a print plate; and (d) printing prints from the print plate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of producing prints having continuous tone gradations comprising: (a) selectively placing a colorant on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface; (b) placing solvent on the areas of the substrate treated in step (a) prior to the colorant drying wherein the surface of the substrate is altered such that the substrate is able to hold the colorant, thereby producing continuous tone gradations; (c) transferring an image of the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) without interposition of a screen onto a print plate; and (d) printing prints from the print plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein step (c) comprises contact printing the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) onto the print plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein step (c) comprises contact printing the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) onto a photosensitive transparent second substrate to produce a negative and contact printing the negative onto the print plate.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
23 words
The method according to claims 18 or 19 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol and an ether.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 20 wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl and benzyl.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 21 wherein the alcohol is ethyl.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to one of claims 18 or 19 wherein the substrate is a plastic selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate and polyphenol.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the plastic is cellulose acetate frosted on one side and is up to 0.010 inches thick.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the colorant is ink.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
33 words
A method according to any one of claims 18 or 19 wherein the solvent is ethyl alcohol, the substrate is frosted cellulose acetate which is 0.005" thick, and the colorant is india ink.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
70 words
A method according to any one of claims 18 or 19 wherein step (c) further comprises contacting printing the continuous tone substrate of step (b) onto a plurality of print plates, each being printed with a different exposure time, and wherein step (d) further comprises printing prints from the plurality of prints produced in step (c) by overprinting each print with each of the plates so produced using differing inks.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 27 wherein the solvent is ethyl alcohol, the substrate is frosted cellulose acetate which is 0.005" thick, and the colorant is india ink.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 17 further comprising, before step (a), producing an opaque pattern on said substrate whereupon subsequent steps (a) and (b) produce continuous tone gradations superimposed over the opaque pattern.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 17 further comprising, between steps (b) and (c), producing an opaque pattern on the substrate whereupon the opaque pattern is superimposed over the continuous tone gradations.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
19 words
A method according to any one of claims 29 or 30 wherein the opaque pattern is a line drawing.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
70 words
A method according to any one of claims 29 or 30 wherein step (c) further comprises contact printing the continuous tone substrate of step (b) onto a plurality of print plates, each being printed with a different exposure time, and wherein step (d) further comprises printing prints from the plurality of prints produced in step (c) by overprinting each print with each of the plates so produced using differing inks.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 32 wherein the opaque pattern is a line drawing.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of producing prints having continuous tone gradations comprising: (a) mixing a colorant and a solvent; (b) selectively placing the mixture on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface wherein the surface of the substrate is altered by the solvent such that the substrate is able to hold the colorant, thereby producing continuous tone gradations; (c) transferring an image of the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) without interposition of a screen onto a print plate; and (d) printing prints from the print plate.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of producing prints having continuous tone gradations comprising: (a) mixing a colorant and a solvent; (b) selectively placing the mixture on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface wherein the surface of the substrate is altered by the solvent such that the substrate is able to hold the colorant, thereby producing continuous tone gradations; (c) transferring an image of the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) without interposition of a screen onto a print plate; and (d) printing prints from the print plate.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein step (c) comprises contact printing the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) onto the print plate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein step (c) comprises contact printing the continuous tone gradation substrate of step (b) onto a photosensitive transparent second substrate to produce a negative and contact printing the negative onto the print plate.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
25 words
A method according to one of claims 35 or 36 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol and an ether.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 37 wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl and benzyl.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 38 wherein the alcohol is ethyl.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to one of claims 35 or 36 wherein the substrate is a plastic selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate and polyphenol.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 40 wherein the plastic is cellulose acetate frosted on at least one side and is up to 0.010 inches thick.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein the colorant is ink.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
33 words
A method according to any one of claims 35 or 36 wherein the solvent is ethyl alcohol, the substrate is frosted cellulose acetate which is 0.005" thick and the colorant is india ink.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
70 words
A method according to any one of claims 35 or 36 wherein step (c) further comprises contact printing the continuous tone substrate of step (b) onto a plurality of print plates, each being printed with a different exposure time, and wherein step (d) further comprises printing prints from the plurality of prints produced in step (c) by overprinting each print with each of the plates so produced using differing inks.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein the solvent is ethyl alcohol, the substrate is frosted cellulose acetate which is 0.005" thick, and the colorant is india ink.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 34 further comprising, before step (a) producing an opaque pattern on said substrate whereupon subsequent steps (a) and (b) produce continuous tone gradations superimposed over the opaque pattern.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 34 further comprising, between steps (b) and (c), producing an opaque pattern on the substrate whereupon the opaque pattern is superimposed over the continuous tone gradations.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
19 words
A method according to any one of claims 46 or 47 wherein the opaque pattern is a line drawing.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
70 words
A method according to any one of claims 46 or 47 wherein step (c) further comprises contact printing the continuous tone substrate of step (b) onto a plurality of print plates, each being printed with a different exposure time, and wherein step (d) further comprises printing prints from the plurality of prints produced in step (c) by overprinting each print with each of the plates so produced using differing inks.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 49 wherein the opaque pattern is a line drawing.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of producing prints having continuous gradations comprising: (a) selectively placing solvent on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface wherein the surface of the substrate is altered such that the substrate is able to hold a colorant; and (b) placing colorant on the areas of the substrate treated in step (a) prior to the solvent evaporating, thereby producing continuous tone gradations.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of producing prints having continuous gradations comprising: (a) selectively placing solvent on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface wherein the surface of the substrate is altered such that the substrate is able to hold a colorant; and (b) placing colorant on the areas of the substrate treated in step (a) prior to the solvent evaporating, thereby producing continuous tone gradations.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of producing prints having continuous tone gradations comprising: (a) selectively placing a colorant on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface; and (b) placing a solvent on the areas of the substrate treated in step (a) prior to the colorant drying wherein the surface of the substrate is altered such that the substrate is able to hold the colorant, thereby producing continuous tones.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of producing prints having continuous tone gradations comprising: (a) selectively placing a colorant on a semi-opaque substrate having a surface; and (b) placing a solvent on the areas of the substrate treated in step (a) prior to the colorant drying wherein the surface of the substrate is altered such that the substrate is able to hold the colorant, thereby producing continuous tones.
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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) | 1984-11-16 | 1985-05-18 | 1985-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-16 | 1989-05-18 | 1989-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-16 | 1993-05-18 | 1993-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |