US4873168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging system utilizing heat treatment
Assignee: Cycolor Imaging Inc
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Filing: 1988-03-07
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Granted: 1989-10-10
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Expires: 2008-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A method for treating an imaging sheet is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an imaging sheet having coated on one of its surfaces a layer of microcapsules, the microcapsules containing a radiation curable composition and having an image-forming agent associated therewith, heating the sheet; and image-wise exposing the layer of microcapsules to actinic radiation; wherein the heating step is performed prior to or after the image-wise exposing step. The method reduces or removes damage defects on the imaging sheet and, in some instances, extends the dynamic range of the image-forming agents.
Inventors
- 👤 Donna L. Ruder
- 👤 Lyudmila Feldman
- 👤 James A. Dowler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:13
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/002; G03B; G03B2227/00; G03B2227/32; G03B2227/325; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249994
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for treating an imaging sheet comprising the steps of: providing an imaging sheet having coated on one of its surfaces a layer of microcapsules, said microcapsules containing a radiation curable composition and having an image-forming agent associated therewith; heating said sheet; and image-wise exposing said layer of microcapsules to actinic radiation; wherein said heating step is performed prior to said image-wise exposing step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for treating an imaging sheet comprising the steps of: providing an imaging sheet having coated on one of its surfaces a layer of microcapsules, said microcapsules containing a radiation curable composition and having an image-forming agent associated therewith; heating said sheet; and image-wise exposing said layer of microcapsules to actinic radiation; wherein said heating step is performed prior to said image-wise exposing step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 comprising the additional step of subjecting said microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force in the presence of a developer material to rupture said microcapsules and form an image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said subjecting said microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force in the presence of a developer material step comprises bringing together said imaging sheet and a developer sheet comprising a substrate having coated on one of its surfaces said developer material such that said image-forming agent migrates to said developer material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said microcapsules and said developer material are on a self-contained sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said imaging sheet is a panchromatic imaging sheet and wherein said actinic radiation comprises visible light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said imaging sheet comprises a monochromatic imaging sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said imaging sheet comprises a polychromatic imaging sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said heating step heats the imaging sheet at a temperature between about 45° C. and about 200° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the time for heating the sheet is between about 30 seconds and about 20 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein after said step of heating said imaging sheet, said method includes the step of maintaining said sheet at ambient temperatures for a period of time before performing said image-wise exposing step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said sheet is held at ambient temperatures from between about 2 minutes and 12 hours.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said radiation curable composition includes a photoinitiator comprising an ionic dye-counter ion compound.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for treating an imaging sheet comprising the steps in the order of: providing an imaging sheet having coated on one of its surfaces a layer of microcapsules, said microcapsules containing a radiation curable composition and having an image-forming agent associated therewith; heating said sheet; image-wise exposing said layer of microcapsules to actinic radiation; and re-heating said sheet.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for treating an imaging sheet comprising the steps in the order of: providing an imaging sheet having coated on one of its surfaces a layer of microcapsules, said microcapsules containing a radiation curable composition and having an image-forming agent associated therewith; heating said sheet; image-wise exposing said layer of microcapsules to actinic radiation; and re-heating said sheet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 13 comprising the additional step of subjecting said microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force in the presence of a developer material to rupture said microcapsules and form an image.
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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) | 1992-10-09 | 1993-04-10 | 1993-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-09 | 1997-04-10 | 1997-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-09 | 2001-04-10 | 2001-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |