US4139853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laserbeam recording
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert NV
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Filing: 1977-09-22
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Granted: 1979-02-13
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Expires: 1997-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of directly forming a light scattering image, wherein a recording layer is information-wise exposed in the visible light spectral region to a light energy dose of at least 10 -1 Ws cm -2 with a focussed laser-beam having a beam intensity of at least 10 4 W cm -2 . The recording layer is a thermoplastic polymer layer having dissolved therein at least one substance absorbing visible light, which substance imparts a specular density to the recording layer of at least 0.1 with respect to a monochromatic wave of the laser-beam applied in the exposure and is present in an amount of maximum 10% by weight with respect to the thermoplastic polymer of the layer, the recording layer being capable of directly developing in the areas struck by said beam, minute light-scattering centers providing a minimum increase of white light specular density of 0.2 when measured with respect to a transparent background and determined as described hereinbefore, but being incapable of developing such centers when exposed with the same laser-beam at an intensity reduced by a factor of 10.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Pierre A. Ghekiere
- 👤 Hugo K. Peeters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/0005; G03F7/001; G03C; G03C5/00; G03C5/56; G03G; G03G16/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of directly forming a light scattering image, comprising the steps of: information-wise exposing in the visible light range to a light energy dose of at least 10 -1 Ws cm -2 with a focussed laser-beam having a beam intensity of at least 10 4 W cm -2 a recording layer of a non-proteinaceous thermoplastic polymer layer forming a continuous medium and having dissolved therein at least one substance absorbing visible light, such substance imparting a specular density to said recording layer of at least 0.1 with respect to a monochromatic wave of the laser-beam applied in the exposure and being present in an amount of maximum 10% by weight with respect to thermoplastic polymer(s) of said layer, said recording layer being capable of directly developing in the areas struck by said beam, minute light-scattering centres providing a minimum increase of white light specular density of 0.2 when measured with respect to a transparent background and determined as described hereinbefore, and being incapable of developing such centres when exposed with the same laser-beam at an intensity reduced by a factor of 10.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of directly forming a light scattering image, comprising the steps of: information-wise exposing in the visible light range to a light energy dose of at least 10 -1 Ws cm -2 with a focussed laser-beam having a beam intensity of at least 10 4 W cm -2 a recording layer of a non-proteinaceous thermoplastic polymer layer forming a continuous medium and having dissolved therein at least one substance absorbing visible light, such substance imparting a specular density to said recording layer of at least 0.1 with respect to a monochromatic wave of the laser-beam applied in the exposure and being present in an amount of maximum 10% by weight with respect to thermoplastic polymer(s) of said layer, said recording layer being capable of directly developing in the areas struck by said beam, minute light-scattering centres providing a minimum increase of white light specular density of 0.2 when measured with respect to a transparent background and determined as described hereinbefore, and being incapable of developing such centres when exposed with the same laser-beam at an intensity reduced by a factor of 10.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the substance absorbing visible light is an organic dye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a chlorinated rubber having a glass transition temperature of 96° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone having a glass transition temperature of 143° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer has the following structure: ##STR6## wherein x = 60% by weight y = 30% by weight z = 10% by weight and has a glass transition temperature of 96° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the recording layer contains an organic dye selected from those listed in Table I of the specification as said light-absorbing substance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the recording layer contains said substance said polymer absorbing visible light in a concentration in the range of 1 to 5% by weight with respect to said polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said layer is carried by a transparent support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said layer is carried by an opaque support.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said layer has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 10 μm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the laser-beam is focussed on the recording layer within a spot of 0.5 to 10 μm 2 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the laser-beam is produced by an argon ion laser having a light output at 514.5 nm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
177 words
A recording material suited for directly producing a light-scattering image, comprising a recording layer of a non-proteinaceous thermoplastic polymer layer forming a continuous medium and having dissolved therein at least one substance absorbing visible light which imparts to the layer a specular optical density of at least 0.1 with respect to a monochromatic wave of a laser-beam absorbed by said substance and is present in an amount of maximum 10% by weight with respect to thermoplastic polymer of said layer, said layer being capable of directly developing light-scattering centres providing a minimum increase of white light specular density of 0.2 when measured with respect to a transparent background and determined as described hereinbefore when exposed to a light energy dose of at least 10 -1 Ws cm -2 with a focussed laser-beam that is absorbed by said substance absorbing visible light and has a beam intensity of at least 10 4 W cm -2 , but being incapable of developing such centres when exposed to the same laser-beam at an intensity reduced by a factor of 10.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
177 words
A recording material suited for directly producing a light-scattering image, comprising a recording layer of a non-proteinaceous thermoplastic polymer layer forming a continuous medium and having dissolved therein at least one substance absorbing visible light which imparts to the layer a specular optical density of at least 0.1 with respect to a monochromatic wave of a laser-beam absorbed by said substance and is present in an amount of maximum 10% by weight with respect to thermoplastic polymer of said layer, said layer being capable of directly developing light-scattering centres providing a minimum increase of white light specular density of 0.2 when measured with respect to a transparent background and determined as described hereinbefore when exposed to a light energy dose of at least 10 -1 Ws cm -2 with a focussed laser-beam that is absorbed by said substance absorbing visible light and has a beam intensity of at least 10 4 W cm -2 , but being incapable of developing such centres when exposed to the same laser-beam at an intensity reduced by a factor of 10.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A material according to claim 13, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a chlorinated rubber having a glass transition temperature of 96° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A material according to claim 13, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone having a glass transition temperature of 143° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A material according to claim 13, wherein the thermoplastic polymer has the following structure: ##STR7## wherein x = 60% by weight y = 30% by weight z = 10% by weight and has a glass transition temperature of 96° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A material according to claim 13, wherein said layer is carried by a transparent or opaque support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A material according to claim 13, wherein said layer has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 10 μm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A material according to claim 13, wherein the substance absorbing visible light is an organic dye.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A material according to claim 19, wherein the recording layer contains said dye in a concentration in the range of 1 to 5% by weight with respect to the polymer(s).
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) | 1982-02-12 | 1982-08-14 | 1983-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-12 | 1986-08-14 | 1987-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-12 | 1990-08-14 | 1991-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |