Glow-in-the-dark medium and method of making

• US 5,965,242 A
• Filed: 02/19/1997
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Patton, David L., Cole, David L., Schwark, Alodia M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Deborah
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bahta, Abraham
• Application Number:
  US08/803,048
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 428/203, 428/690, 428/195, 428/204, 428/207, 428/323, 428/913, 428/488.4, 250/462.1, 250/458.1, 250/483.1, 40/542, 40/544, 283/81, 430/139, 430/495, 430/21
• US Class Current: 428/195.1
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/006 Patterns of chemical products used for a specific purpose, e.g. pesticides, perfumes, adhesive patterns; use of microencapsulated material; Printing on smoking articles
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/06 Veined printings; Fluorescent printings; Stereoscopic images; Imitated patterns, e.g. tissues, textiles
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/41 Base layers supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/42 Intermediate, backcoat, or covering layers B41M5/405 takes precedence; multilayer thermal transfer systems in general B41M5/38214
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/426 characterised by inorganic compounds, e.g. metals, metal salts, metal complexes
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/44 characterised by the macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/502 characterised by structural details, e.g. multilayer materials supports, backcoats or intermediate layers for thermal dye transfer donor and receiver sheets B41M5/41, B41M5/42
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/506 Intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/508 Supports
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/52 Macromolecular coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/5218 characterised by inorganic additives, e.g. pigments, clays
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/00 Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/08 characterised by colour effects
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/913 Material designed to be responsive to temperature, light, moisture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24868 Translucent outer layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24876 Intermediate layer contains particulate material [e.g., pigment, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24884 Translucent layer comprises natural oil, wax, resin, gum, glue, gelatin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24901 including coloring matter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/254 : Polymeric or resinous material

Abstract

A medium having a phosphorescent material, and a system and method for producing images on the medium using a digital printer. The medium comprises a phosphorescent layer having a phosphorescent material and an image receiving layer disposed over the phosphorescent layer. The image receiving layer is substantially translucent and capable of retaining an image from a digital printer. The medium may comprise a thin plastic film having a resin coating on at least on surface of the film that has been co-extruded with a resin coating having a phosphorescent material dispersed therein. A scanner or computer can be used for obtaining a digital record file of an image which is forwarded to a digital printer.

Claims

1. A medium for use in a digital printer having a phosphorescent layer and an image receiving layer disposed over said phosphorescent layer, said image receiving layer being substantially translucent or transparent and capable of retaining an image from said printer.

2. A medium according to claim 1 wherein medium includes a support layer having a top surface and bottom surface, said phosphorescent layer being disposed on the top or bottom surface.

3. A medium according to claim 2 wherein support layer is paper.

4. A medium according to claim 1 wherein said phosphorescent layer comprises a phosphorescent pigment in a binder.

5. A medium according to claim 4 wherein said phosphorescent pigment comprises copper-doped zinc sulfide.

6. A medium according to claim 1 wherein said receiving layer comprises a binder and a polymer.

7. A medium according to claim 1 wherein a protective layer is provided over said receiving layer.

8. A medium according to claim 7 wherein said protective layer comprises methylcellulose.

9. A medium according to claim 2 wherein said phosphorescent material is provided in said support layer.

10. A medium according to claim 2 wherein said support layer is a plastic film.

11. A medium according to claim 2 wherein said support layer is extruded.

12. A medium according to claim 10 wherein said support layer is co-extruded with a resin coating.

13. A medium according to claim 2 wherein an adhesive coating is provided on the surface opposite the surface on which the phosphorescent layer is placed, a peelable release layer is placed over said adhesive layer which can be peeled off for allowing the adhesive coating to be secured to a surface.

14. A medium for use in a digital printer having a phosphorescent layer and a receiving layer that permanently accepts a marking medium, said receiving layer being disposed over said phosphorescent layer and being substantially translucent or transparent, a protective translucent or transparent layer is provided over said receiving layer.

15. A medium for use in a printer having a phosphorescent layer and an image receiving layer disposed over said phosphorescent layer, said image receiving layer being substantially translucent or transparent and capable of retaining an image from said printer, and a protective layer provided over said receiving layer.