text: Patent US6794117 - Process to produce a custom-color overlay - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsMethods for making an imaged custom-color overlay. The method includes a) providing a photosensitive ink of a selected color; b) providing a carrier sheet comprising a transparent support sheet and an ink-receiving layer; c) custom-coating the ink-receiving layer with a layer of the ink; d) drying the...http://www.google.com/patents/US6794117?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6794117 - Process to produce a custom-color overlayAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS6794117 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/281,798Publication dateSep 21, 2004Filing dateOct 28, 2002Priority dateOct 28, 2002Fee statusLapsedAlso published asUS20040081915Publication number10281798, 281798, US 6794117 B2, US 6794117B2, US-B2-6794117, US6794117 B2, US6794117B2InventorsAnn E. AndrewsOriginal AssigneeKodak Polychrome GraphicsExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (15), Non-Patent Citations (5), Referenced by (3), Classifications (5), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetProcess to produce a custom-color overlay
  US 6794117 B2Abstract
  Methods for making an imaged custom-color overlay. The method includes a) providing a photosensitive ink of a selected color; b) providing a carrier sheet comprising a transparent support sheet and an ink-receiving layer; c) custom-coating the ink-receiving layer with a layer of the ink; d) drying the ink; e) imagewise exposing; and f) developing. The invention permits an end user of a proofing system to make an imaged overlay in a multitude of custom colors on an as-needed basis, without being limited to those colors that are provided by a manufacturer. The methods are suitable to make custom-color overlays using both analog and digital processes. The photosensitive ink may be water-based. Methods for making an overlay proof including an imaged custom-color overlay are also disclosed. The end user of a proofing system may therefore make highly accurate overlay proofs suitable as contract proofs.
  The present invention relates to methods for making a custom-color overlay for use in an overlay proof, and methods for making an overlay proof including a custom-color overlay.
  Imaged Overlay
  As used herein, the term "ink" and the phrase "ink formulation" are used interchangeably to refer to any pigment-carrying or color-providing composition that may be coated onto an ink-receiving layer. As used herein, the term "photosensitive" when used to describe an ink formulation means that the ink formulation is photopolymerizable, photocrosslinkable, photodimerizable, photocurable, or photohardenable; furthermore, the term "photosensitive" can include ink formulations that are photodegradable, photoablatable, photobleachable, or photosolubilizable.
  Some embodiments of the present invention require that the photosensitive ink represent a selected custom color (a "custom-color ink"). As used herein, the phrase "custom color" means any color that is not a stock color, and that may be provided by a photosensitive ink. A "stock color" is a color for which precolored overlay films are manufactured and available on demand (i.e., does not have to be special-ordered or specially manufactured). Process colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, for example, are stock colors for which precolored overlay films are available.
  In one embodiment, the custom-color ink is blended from at least two stock inks. A "stock ink" is a photosensitive ink that is commercially available to the end user in a ready-to-use form. Stock inks are available, for example, from Kodak Polychrome Graphics under the brand MATCHPRINT PLUS INKS. Presently, stock inks are available in approximately twenty-three colors in the MATCHPRINT PLUS INKS line. The process of blending inks according to formulations may be done by conventional methods.
  By way of example, a custom-color ink may be blended from at least two stock inks according to a published formulation to provide the photosensitive ink of the selected custom color. Formulations are published in color-mixing guides by, for example, Kodak Polychrome Graphics (Norwalk, Conn.) under the title "MATCHPRINT PLUS Mixing Guide For PANTONE Colors," and by Pantone Inc. (Carlstadt, N.J.) under the title "PANTONE Formula Guide." A custom-color ink prepared according to a published formulation is especially useful for proofing jobs where an ink of the same color is to be used in the printing process. The present invention therefore allows an end user to accurately simulate printing colors that are selected by reference to a color-mixing guide.
  In another embodiment, the selected custom color is matched to a predetermined color. A "predetermined color" is one that the end user desires to match for the purposes of making an accurate overlay proof. In order to match a predetermined color, it may be necessary for the end user to blend and correct an ink formulation, or to customize an ink formulation. Those steps are well within the skill of one in the art.
  Another step of the method includes custom-coating a substantially uniform layer of the photosensitive ink onto the ink-receiving layer of the carrier sheet. As used herein, the phrase "custom-coating" means a coating process by which the ink-receiving layer is coated with the photosensitive ink by an end user, rather than by a manufacturer. The step of custom-coating is generally carried out on-site, and can be conveniently done on-demand, i.e., at the time that an imaged overlay is required.
  By "substantially uniform," it is meant that the layer of photosensitive ink should be coated with relatively even thickness and sufficiently free from defects (such as pinholes or voids) in the area to be coated so that the quality of an image will not be compromised. The substantially uniform layer does not have to cover the entire carrier sheet. As determined by the end user, it may be desirable to coat the photosensitive ink only in the area of the carrier sheet onto which an image will be reproduced. This practice may enable the end user to conserve materials such as photosensitive ink or developing solution.
  A wide range of coating thicknesses or coating weights will be suitable. The end user may desire a coating thickness greater than or less than 23.8 micrometers, depending on the application. A thicker coating may be used to produce a denser image, and a thinner coating may be used to produce a less dense image. When the end user is using a custom-color ink prepared in accordance with a formulation found in the "MATCHPRINT PLUS Mixing Guide For PANTONE Colors," a #11 Meyer bar should be employed to ensure accurate color reproduction.
  For an aqueous-based ink, the ink may be dried by evaporating or otherwise removing excess water, such as by application of heat or by fan-drying or both. By way of example, heating to 100° C. for thirty seconds or more may be sufficient to remove excess water from the ink. When heat is used to dry the ink, care must be exercised so that neither the ink nor the carrier sheet is functionally destroyed or damaged.
  Furthermore, the methods may be adapted for "computer-to-proof" imaging, by which an image is generated without the use of an image-bearing transparency. Computer-to-proof imaging generally employs a computer-controlled rasterized laser to generate an image corresponding to a digitized image stored as a computer file.
  In an additional step, the imaged custom-color overlay is assembled in registration with at least one other proof component to produce an overlay proof. As used herein, the phrase "proof component" means any image-bearing or non-image-bearing element, typically in sheet form, that could be assembled to make an overlay proof. Proof components made by either analog or digital processes are suitable. Examples of proof components that may be assembled to make the overlay proof of the invention are numerous, and include an imaged overlay, a base sheet, a non-imaged cover sheet, a laminated or other surprint proof, etc.
  Making a Custom-Color Overlay Proof
  A four-color overlay proof was constructed, comprising four custom-color overlays. Each overlay included an image in a single custom color. The process to produce the four-color overlay proof included the following steps.
  Four PANTONE colors were selected to match a multi-colored corporate trademark. The selected custom colors were Yellow 135, Cream 1205, Silver 877 and Blue 2955. A particular photosensitive custom-color ink was then mixed for each selected custom color, according to formulations as listed in the "MATCHPRINT PLUS Mixing Guide For PANTONE Colors."
  Yellow 135 custom-color ink was then coated onto the ink-receiving layer (i.e., the emulsion layer) of the carrier sheet, as follows. The nozzle tip of the bottle was opened and the bottle inverted. The nozzle tip was carefully placed at the nip formed where the Meyer Bar met the receiver sheet, at the distal end of the Meyer Bar. A bead of ink, approximately ½″ in diameter, was formed on the receiver sheet along the entire length of the Meyer bar, following the nip. The automated coater was then actuated, causing the Meyer bar to be pulled across the surface of the carrier sheet. A thin and substantially uniform layer of wet ink on the carrier sheet resulted.
  Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS3136637 *Nov 26, 1958Jun 9, 1964Minnesota Mining & MfgPresensitized lithographic light-sensitive sheet constructionUS4282308Jun 26, 1980Aug 4, 1981E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And CompanyNegative-working multilayer photosensitive elementUS4489153Dec 22, 1983Dec 18, 1984E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And CompanyProcess for preparing a positive overlayUS4489154Dec 22, 1983Dec 18, 1984E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And CompanyProcess for preparing a surprint proofUS4596757Apr 5, 1985Jun 24, 1986American Hoechst CorporationPhotopolymerizable dual transfer negative working color proofing systemUS5001037Feb 5, 1990Mar 19, 1991E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And CompanyMethod of making overlay proofs comprising precolored and toned imagesUS5122437Oct 31, 1990Jun 16, 1992E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And CompanyOverlay proofs comprising precolored and toned imagesUS5232814Dec 30, 1991Aug 3, 1993Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing CompanyPresensitized color-proofing sheetUS5484919Feb 1, 1994Jan 16, 1996Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing CompanyMigration-resistant halomethyl-1,3,5-triazine photoinitiatorUS6010821May 23, 1997Jan 4, 2000Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing CompanyAqueous developable color proofing elementsUS6087060May 12, 1999Jul 11, 2000Presstek, Inc.Method of multistage digital proofing with dimensional consistencyUS6194123May 12, 1999Feb 27, 2001Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing CompanyManufacturing method for color proofing elementsUS6303271Jun 6, 1997Oct 16, 2001Kodak Polychrome Graphics LlcLithographic platesUS20010003638Dec 21, 1999Jun 14, 2001David WarnerTransfer imaging elementsEP0385466A2Mar 1, 1990Sep 5, 1990E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And CompanyPhotosensitive reproduction element containing a photorelease layer* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1"Principles of Color Proofing," by Michael H. Bruno, GAMA Communications (Salem, New Hampshire 1986); Chapter V: "Off-Press Color Proofing System-Overlay" (pp 133-146).2"Principles of Color Proofing," by Michael H. Bruno, GAMA Communications (Salem, New Hampshire 1986); Chapter V: "Off-Press Color Proofing System—Overlay" (pp 133-146).3Imation and Kodak Polychrome Graphics User's Guide entitled: "Matchprint Plus System for Accurate Custom Color Proofs", 2001, 48 pages.4Kodak Polychrome Graphics brochure entitled: "Color with Confidence-Matchprint Color Proofing System", 2002, 12 pages.5Kodak Polychrome Graphics brochure entitled: "Color with Confidence—Matchprint Color Proofing System", 2002, 12 pages.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7387135 *Dec 23, 2004Jun 17, 2008Mks Instruments, Inc.Valve assembly having rigid seating surfacesUS20060137744 *Dec 23, 2004Jun 29, 2006Anastas Jeffrey VValve assembly having rigid seating surfacesUS20060293215 *Jun 23, 2005Dec 28, 2006Sizemore John MFragrance materials and processes for producing such materials* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification430/293International ClassificationG03F9/00, G03F3/10Cooperative ClassificationG03F3/106European ClassificationG03F3/10FLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 28, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: KODAK POLYCHROME GRAPHICS, CONNECTICUTFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ANDREWS, ANN E.;REEL/FRAME:013435/0572Effective date: 20021024Oct 2, 2003ASAssignmentOwner name: KODAK POLYCHROME GRAPHICS, LLC, CONNECTICUTFree format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT, CORRECTING SATE OF INCORPORATION AT REEL/FRAME 0134;ASSIGNOR:ANDREWS, ANN E.;REEL/FRAME:014023/0078Effective date: 20030923Aug 18, 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, NEW YORKFree format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:KPG HOLDING COMPANY, INC. (FORMERLY KODAK POLYCHROME GRAPHICS LLC);REEL/FRAME:018132/0373Effective date: 20060619Mar 31, 2008REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedSep 21, 2008LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesNov 11, 2008FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20080921RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services