US4865943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for forming images using free flowing photosensitive microcapsules
Assignee: Mead Corp
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Filing: 1985-08-28
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Granted: 1989-09-12
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Expires: 2005-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A method for forming images in which photosensitive microcapsules having an image-forming agent associated therewith are coated on a support as a free-flowing powder; the layer of microcapsules thus formed is image-wise exposed to actinic radiation and subjected to a uniform rupturing force to produce an image; the image may be formed directly on the support upon which the microcapsules are coated or the support may contact an image-receiving sheet to which the image is imparted.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F. Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:23
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/002; G03F7/0022; G03F7/0025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for forming images which comprises: depositing a uniform layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface of a support, said microcapsules being in the form of a free-flowing powder which is distributed upon said support but not permanently fixed thereto, said microcapsules comprising a discrete capsule wall containing a photosensitive composition and said microcapsules having associated therewith an image-forming agent, image-wise exposing said layer of photosensitive microcapsules to actinic radiation, subjecting said layer of microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force such that said microcapsules rupture and image-wise release said internal phase, and removing microcapsules from said support.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for forming images which comprises: depositing a uniform layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface of a support, said microcapsules being in the form of a free-flowing powder which is distributed upon said support but not permanently fixed thereto, said microcapsules comprising a discrete capsule wall containing a photosensitive composition and said microcapsules having associated therewith an image-forming agent, image-wise exposing said layer of photosensitive microcapsules to actinic radiation, subjecting said layer of microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force such that said microcapsules rupture and image-wise release said internal phase, and removing microcapsules from said support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said image-forming agent is a colored dye or pigment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said support is paper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said image-forming agent is one member of an image-forming pair of chromogenic materials which react to produce a visible image and said process further comprises reacting said one member with another member of said image-forming pair of chromogenic materials to produce an image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said image-forming agent is a substantially colorless color former.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for forming images which comprises: depositing a uniform layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface of a support, said microcapsules being in the form of a free-flowing powder which is distributed upon said support but not permanently fixed thereto, said microcapsules comprising a discrete capsule wall containing a photosensitive composition and said microcapsules having associated therewith a substantially colorless color-former, image-wise exposing said layer of photosensitive microcapsules to actinic radiation, subjecting said layer of microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force such that said microcapsules image-wise rupture and release said internal phase, reacting the color-former associated with said ruptured capsules with a developer material to produce a visible image, and removing microcapsules from said support.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for forming images which comprises: depositing a uniform layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface of a support, said microcapsules being in the form of a free-flowing powder which is distributed upon said support but not permanently fixed thereto, said microcapsules comprising a discrete capsule wall containing a photosensitive composition and said microcapsules having associated therewith a substantially colorless color-former, image-wise exposing said layer of photosensitive microcapsules to actinic radiation, subjecting said layer of microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force such that said microcapsules image-wise rupture and release said internal phase, reacting the color-former associated with said ruptured capsules with a developer material to produce a visible image, and removing microcapsules from said support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said color former is present in the internal phase of said microcapsules.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said rupturing force is pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said support is a developer sheet, said sheet carrying a layer of a developer material which underlies said deposited microcapsules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said developer material is deposited on said support as a free-flowing powder prior to subjecting said microcapsules to said uniform rupturing force.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said developer material is encapsulated in a photosensitive or a non-sensitive microcapsule.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said support is plain paper.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for forming images which comprises: depositing a uniform layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface of a support, said microcapsules being in the form of a free-flowing powder which is distributed upon said support but not permanently fixed thereto, said microcapsules comprising a discrete capsule wall containing a photosensitive composition and said microcapsules having associated therewith an image-forming agent, image-wise exposing said layer of photosensitive microcapsules to actinic radiation, contacting said support with an image-receiving sheet, subjecting said layer of microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force such that said microcapsules rupture and image-wise release said internal phase, and removing microcapsules from said support.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for forming images which comprises: depositing a uniform layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface of a support, said microcapsules being in the form of a free-flowing powder which is distributed upon said support but not permanently fixed thereto, said microcapsules comprising a discrete capsule wall containing a photosensitive composition and said microcapsules having associated therewith an image-forming agent, image-wise exposing said layer of photosensitive microcapsules to actinic radiation, contacting said support with an image-receiving sheet, subjecting said layer of microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force such that said microcapsules rupture and image-wise release said internal phase, and removing microcapsules from said support.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said image-forming agent is a substantially colorless color former and said layer of microcapsules is subjected to said rupturing force in the presence of a developer material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said color former is present in the internal phase of said microcapsules.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said support is electrostatically charged and said microcapsules are electrostatically attracted to said support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said uniform rupturing force is pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said photosensitive composition comprises an ethylenically unsaturated compound and a photoinitiator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said microcapsules have triboelectric properties.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein wherein said photosensitive composition comprises an ethylenically unsaturated compound and a photoinitiator.
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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) | 1992-09-11 | 1993-03-13 | 1993-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-11 | 1997-03-13 | 1997-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-11 | 2001-03-13 | 2001-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |