US5017547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of vacuum for improved density in laser-induced thermal dye transfer
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1990-06-26
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Granted: 1991-05-21
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Expires: 2010-06-26
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a process of forming a laser-induced thermal dye transfer image comprising: (a) contacting at least one dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared-absorbing material with a dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer, said dye-donor and dye-receiver being separated by a finite distance to create a space; (b) imagewise-heating said dye-donor element by means of a laser; and (c) transferring a dye image to said dye-receiving element to form said laser-induced thermal dye transfer image, and wherein a vacuum is applied to said space between said donor and said receiver in order to minimize the mean free path the vaporized dye molecules travel without collision with other molecules for transfer to said receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles D. DeBoer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:53
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/382; B41M5/38207; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10S428/914; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a process of forming a laser-induced thermal dye transfer image comprising: (a) contacting at least one dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared-absorbing material with a dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer, said dye-donor and dye-receiver being separated by a finite distance to create a space; (b) imagewise-heating said dye-donor element by means of a laser; and (c) transferring a dye image to said dye-receiving element to form said laser-induced thermal dye transfer image, the improvement wherein a vacuum is applied to said space between said donor and said receiver in order to minimize the mean free path the vaporized dye molecules travel without collision with other molecules for transfer to said receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a process of forming a laser-induced thermal dye transfer image comprising: (a) contacting at least one dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared-absorbing material with a dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer, said dye-donor and dye-receiver being separated by a finite distance to create a space; (b) imagewise-heating said dye-donor element by means of a laser; and (c) transferring a dye image to said dye-receiving element to form said laser-induced thermal dye transfer image, the improvement wherein a vacuum is applied to said space between said donor and said receiver in order to minimize the mean free path the vaporized dye molecules travel without collision with other molecules for transfer to said receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said finite separation distance between said dye-donor and said dye-receiver is maintained by spacer beads which are employed in the dye-receiving layer of said dye-receiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said finite separation distance between said dye-donor and said dye-receiver is maintained by spacer beads which are employed in an overcoat of said dye-donor element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said infrared-absorbing material is an infrared-absorbing dye.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said laser is a diode laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the amount of vacuum which is applied to said finite separation distance between said dye-donor and said dye-receiver is at least about 50 mm Hg.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-20 | 1994-11-19 | 1995-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-20 | 1998-11-19 | 1999-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-20 | 2002-11-19 | 2003-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |