US5532200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Latent image printing process and apparatus and substrate therefor
Assignee: Nocopi International Inc
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Filing: 1994-11-16
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Granted: 1996-07-02
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Expires: 2014-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A latent image printing method and apparatus uses a substrate with one main surface having a covering comprising one of a first pair of a color developer and color former dye defining a background color in conjunction with the one main surface, wherein the color developer and the color former dye react when mixed to produce a first spectral response which is visible relative to the background color and a continuous coating over the covering which is non-porous with respect to the other of the pair and solvent-resistant to the other of the pair. The coating above selected portions of the covering corresponding to a desired latent image is removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Arshavir Gundjian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:04
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/40; B41M5/48; B41M3/00; B41M3/14; B41M3/142; B41M5/124; B41M5/165; B41M5/24; B41M5/36; B41M5/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A printing process comprising the steps of: providing a first sheet member having one surface with a colorless planar first layer of particles of only one of a pair of a color developer and a color former dye and a colorless continuous planar second shielding layer over the first layer; removably mounting a second sheet member having an uncoated surface on the first sheet member with the uncoated surface adjacent the shielding layer, wherein the uncoated surface of the second sheet member has a background color, wherein particles of said one of the pair are reactable with the other of the pair only when carried in a solvent to produce a spectral response which is visible relative to the background color of the uncoated surface of the second sheet member and wherein the shielding layer has a thickness of 0.1 to 10 microns and a melting point of from 50° to 200° C.; and transferring selected portions of the first and second layers to the uncoated surface of the second sheet member corresponding to a desired latent image by applying heat to one of the first and second sheet members to form the desired latent image on the uncoated surface of the second sheet member which is not visible until activated by the other of the pair carried in the solvent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A printing process comprising the steps of: providing a first sheet member having one surface with a colorless planar first layer of particles of only one of a pair of a color developer and a color former dye and a colorless continuous planar second shielding layer over the first layer; removably mounting a second sheet member having an uncoated surface on the first sheet member with the uncoated surface adjacent the shielding layer, wherein the uncoated surface of the second sheet member has a background color, wherein particles of said one of the pair are reactable with the other of the pair only when carried in a solvent to produce a spectral response which is visible relative to the background color of the uncoated surface of the second sheet member and wherein the shielding layer has a thickness of 0.1 to 10 microns and a melting point of from 50° to 200° C.; and transferring selected portions of the first and second layers to the uncoated surface of the second sheet member corresponding to a desired latent image by applying heat to one of the first and second sheet members to form the desired latent image on the uncoated surface of the second sheet member which is not visible until activated by the other of the pair carried in the solvent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sheet members are paper sheets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second sheet members has a thickness of about 25 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the shielding layer includes a sensitizer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claims 1, further comprising providing a third layer of a sensitizer on the second layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process according to claim 1, further comprising removing the first sheet member from the second sheet member to expose the uncoated surface with the latent image thereon and thereafter activating the latent image to form a visible image by applying the other of said pair carried in the solvent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
216 words
A latent image printing substrate comprising: a first sheet member having one surface with a colorless planar first layer of particles of only one of a pair of a color developer and a color former dye and a colorless continuous planar second shielding layer over the first layer; a second sheet member having an uncoated surface with a background color and removably mounted on the first sheet member with the uncoated surface adjacent the shielding layer, wherein particles of said one of the pair are reactable with the other of the pair only when carried in a solvent to produce a spectral response which is visible relative to the background color of the uncoated surface of the second sheet member; wherein the shielding layer has a thickness of 0.1 to 10 microns and a melting point of from 50° to 200° C.; and. wherein selected portions of the first and second layers corresponding to a desired latent image are transferable to the uncoated surface of the second sheet member in response to the application of heat to one of the first and second sheet members to form the desired latent image on the uncoated surface of the second sheet member which is not visible until activated by the other of the pair carried in the solvent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
216 words
A latent image printing substrate comprising: a first sheet member having one surface with a colorless planar first layer of particles of only one of a pair of a color developer and a color former dye and a colorless continuous planar second shielding layer over the first layer; a second sheet member having an uncoated surface with a background color and removably mounted on the first sheet member with the uncoated surface adjacent the shielding layer, wherein particles of said one of the pair are reactable with the other of the pair only when carried in a solvent to produce a spectral response which is visible relative to the background color of the uncoated surface of the second sheet member; wherein the shielding layer has a thickness of 0.1 to 10 microns and a melting point of from 50° to 200° C.; and. wherein selected portions of the first and second layers corresponding to a desired latent image are transferable to the uncoated surface of the second sheet member in response to the application of heat to one of the first and second sheet members to form the desired latent image on the uncoated surface of the second sheet member which is not visible until activated by the other of the pair carried in the solvent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The substrate according to claim 7, wherein the first and second sheet members are paper sheets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The substrate according to claim 7, wherein one of the first and second sheet members has a thickness of about 25 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The substrate according to claim 7, wherein the shielding layer includes a sensitizer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The substrate according to claim 7, further comprising a third layer of a sensitizer on the second layer.
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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) | 1999-07-02 | 2000-01-01 | 2000-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-02 | 2004-01-01 | 2004-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-02 | 2008-01-01 | 2008-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |