Analog and digital proofing image combinations cross-reference to related ...

(12) United States Patent

Taylor, Jr. et al.

US006365305B1

(io) Patent No.: US 6,365,305 Bl (45) Date of Patent: Apr. 2,2002

(54) ANALOG AND DIGITAL PROOFING IMAGE COMBINATIONS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

(75) Inventors: Harvey Walter Taylor, Jr., Sayre;

Daphne Pinto Fickes, Kennett Square;
Harry R. Zwicker, Glenn Mills, all of
PA (US)

(73) Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and
Company, Wilmington, DE (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/597,010

(22) Filed: Jun. 20, 2000

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/419,678, filed on Oct. 15, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,165,654.

(51) Int. CI.7 G03C 1/805; G03C 8/52

(52) U.S. CI 430/15; 430/201; 430/256;

430/257; 430/358; 430/293; 430/200

(58) Field of Search 430/201, 200,

430/199, 256, 257, 258, 293, 358, 15, 22, 952; 503/227; 283/77, 86, 70

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

3.060.023 A 10/1962 Burg et al.

3.060.024 A 10/1962 Burg et al.

A combination digital/analog color proofing method having the steps of: digitally forming a color thermal image on a receiver element comprising a receiver support and an image receiving layer; laminating the digitally formed image with a film comprising a support having a release surface and a thermoplastic polymer layer; removing the support thereby revealing the thermoplastic polymer layer, and leaving the digitally formed image encased between the image receiving layer and the thermoplastic polymer layer; and laminating an analog color image to the revealed thermoplastic polymer layer to create a color proof having at least two color images.

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets