Abstract: Unique laser ablation transfer ("LAT") imaging films presenting options of flexibility and versatility hitherto alien to this art are produced, on-demand, by toning appropriate substrate as to provide thereon an ablative discontinuous film topcoat comprising a contrast imaging amount of conventional or modified toner particulates.

Abstract: A thermoformed plastic laminar light-polarizing composite lens blank is produced from a laminate comprising a light-polarizing layer between polymeric layers. The absorption axis of the light-polarizing layer of the laminate is aligned to substantial parallelism with a principal index of refraction of the polymeric layer which forms the convex surface of the lens blank and which is birefringent, thereby to minimize retardation effects of the birefringent material on plane polarized light. The polymeric layer which forms the concave surface of the lens blank is substantially thicker than the opposed polymeric layer in order to accommodate grinding of the surface thereof to an ophthalmic prescription. Thermoforming of unitary portions cut from a supply of the laminate is performed under heat and pressure.

Abstract: Unique laser ablation transfer ("LAT") imaging technique presenting options of flexibility and versatility hitherto alien to LAT imaging science ("LATIS"), comprises LAT imaging onto special or conventional intermediate receptor elements, characteristically onto adhesive face surface thereof, and then laminating, notably hot laminating under pressure, the intermediate receptor thus imaged onto any one of a very wide variety of ultimate receptor substrates; thus produced are, e.g., original full-color prints or proofs, photomasks, monochrome or multichrome transparencies, and the like, having smooth or matte protective durable overcoatings.

Abstract: A thermoformed plastic laminar light-polarizing composite lens blank is produced from a laminate including light-polarizing layer between polymeric layers. At least one of the polymeric layers is an optically isotropic sheet, i.e., a sheet having an optical retardance of 20 nanometers in order to minimize retardation effects of the birefringent material on plane polarized light. The isotropic layer or subsequent thermoforming of unitary portions cut from the laminate provides the convex lens surface of the lens blank. The polymeric layer which forms the concave surface of the lens blank is substantially thicker than the opposed polymeric layer in order to accommodate grinding of the surface thereof to an ophthalmic prescription. Lens blanks are prepared from unitary portions which are cut from a supply of the laminate, placed between thermoforming platens and formed under heat and pressure.

Abstract: Multi-functional vinylbenzyl and vinylphenyl pendant thymine (and uracil) groups are disclosed. The monomers can be used for the production of polymers useful in photoresist and other compositions as a function of the crosslinking reactivity of the pendant groups. Images in polymer are provided by exposure to actinic radiation (e.g., UV), containing such polymer and by solvent removal of non-exposed regions.

Abstract: Multi-functional vinylbenzyl and vinylphenyl pendant thymine (and uracil) groups are disclosed. The monomers can be used for the production of polymers useful in photoresist and other compositions as a function of the crosslinking reactivity of the pendant groups. Images in polymer are provided by exposure to actinic radiation (e.g., UV), containing such polymer and by solvent removal of non-exposed regions.

Abstract: Multi-functional vinylbenzyl and vinylphenyl pendant thymine (and uracil) groups are disclosed. The monomers can be used for the production of polymers useful in photoresist and other compositions as a function of the crosslinking reactivity of the pendant groups. Images in polymer are provided by exposure to actinic radiation (e.g., UV), containing such polymer and by solvent removal of non-exposed regions.

Abstract: Plastic lenses having substantially no optical power and a light-polarizing layer therein are prepared by shaping composite laminate of the light-polarizing layer between opposed sheets of thermoplastic material by heating and pressing the laminate between opposed shaping molds (platens), the platens having predetermined radii of curvature for the production of a lens having substantially no optical power. Shaping is effected under conditions of heating and pressing sufficient to cause flow of the thermoplastic sheets and conformation thereof to the respective curvatures of the forming surfaces of the platens. The lenses are especially suited as sunglass lenses for spectacles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminar thermal imaging medium, actuatable in response to intense image-forming radiation for production of a pair of images upon exposure of the medium and separation of the respective sheets, the medium including a polymeric hardenable adhesive layer which in its unhardened condition reduces the tendency for the laminar thermal imaging medium to delaminate on application of physical stresses to the medium, and which is hardenable to a durable base for one of said images. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a laminar imaging medium as aforedescribed wherein said medium after lamination of component elements thereof is cut into individual units and, thereafter, the hardenable adhesive layer of such units is hardened to a durable base for an image carried thereon.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate for use on a printing press, with minimal or no additional processing after photoexposure, comprises a printing plate substrate; a photosensitive hydrophilic layer having a polymeric hydrophilic binder and a photopolymerizable, photocrosslinkable or photorearrangeable compound capable of promoting insolubilization or hardening in areas of photoexposure; and a photosensitive hydrophobic layer having a polymeric hydrophobic binder and a photopolymerizable, photocrosslinkable or photorearrangeable compound capable of promoting insolubilization or hardening in areas of photoexposure.

Abstract: Copolymeric mordant materials containing recurring units according to the following formula are disclosed: ##STR1## In such copolymers, each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can independently be alkyl; substituted-alkyl; cycloalkyl; aryl; aralkyl; alkaryl; or at least two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, together with the quaternary nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, can complete a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring; X is an anion; R.sup.4 is hydrogen or alkyl (e.g. methyl). The pendent "b" group contain hydrogen-bonding sites for promotion of self-associated aggregation and ring unsaturation for photocyclization and control of physical properties (e.g., water insensitivity) of the image-receiving layer. The copolymeric mordant materials can be utilized as image-receiving layers in photographic products and processes of the diffusion transfer type.

Abstract: A thermally imageable laminar composite comprising a pair of opposed sheets confining therebetween a frangible layer of image-forming substance partitionable to the respective sheets on separation of the sheets after thermal imaging is protected against premature stress-induced delamination by the heat bonding of the opposed sheets to one another through said image-forming substance at the periphery of said composite, said bonding being at a strength substantially greater than that required to separate said sheets in the expansive thermally imageable region confined by said periphery. A method for preparing individual units of an imageable composite, including the steps of establishing a band-like heated zone in a supply web of laminate, corresponding to the boundaries of a unit to be cut therefrom, and cutting a unit from within said band-like zone is described.

Abstract: A composite laminar structure for producing complementary images in a frangible image-forming substance, and having a strengthened tab portion for facilitation of the separation of the respective sheets of the laminar structure without detachment of the tab portion is described. Thermal imaging composite structures and a method for preparing structures suited to the production of high resolution images in frangible image-forming substance, and especially adapted to sheet separation by mechanical apparatus, are described.

Abstract: An image-receiving element and a method of using same in the production of images by thermal dye transfer processing, the image-receiving element comprising a support, a polymeric security layer having a printed security layer, and an image-receiving layer for receiving dye by thermal transfer from a dye donor sheet, the polymeric security layer having cohesivity less than its adhesivity for each layer contiguous and the printed security pattern being destroyed by an attempted delamination of the image-receiving layer from the image-receiving element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminar thermal imaging medium, actuatable in response to intense image-forming radiation for production of a pair of images upon exposure of the medium and separation of the respective sheets, the medium including a polymeric hardenable adhesive layer which in its unhardened condition reduces the tendency for the laminar thermal imaging medium to delaminate on application of physical stresses to the medium, and which is hardenable to a durable base for one of said images. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a laminar imaging medium as aforedescribed wherein said medium after lamination of component elements thereof is cut into individual units and, thereafter, the hardenable adhesive layer of such units is hardened to a durable base for an image carried thereon.

Abstract: A laminar thermal imaging medium, and a method of preparing same, are disclosed and include a photohardenable adhesive layer containing a photopolymerizable ethythenically unsaturated monomer, and a barrier layer for providing resistance to the diffusion of the polymerizable monomer therethrough to other layers of the thermal imaging medium. The barrier layer increases substantially the time period before which photohardening of the adhesive layer need be performed, during which time cutting and other manufacturing operations can be performed. The elastic and non-brittle character of the barrier layer provides improved durability of images prepared from the thermal imaging medium.

Abstract: A composite laminar structure for producing complementary images in a frangible image-forming substance, and having a strengthened tab portion for facilitation of the separation of the respective sheets of the laminar structure without detachment of the tab portion is described. Thermal imaging composite structures and a method for preparing structures suited to the production of high resolution images in frangible image-forming substance, and especially adapted to sheet separation by mechanical apparatus, are described.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate for use on a printing press, with minimal or no additional processing after photoexposure, comprises a printing plate substrate; a photosensitive hydrophilic layer having a polymeric hydrophilic binder and a photopolymerizable, photocrosslinkable or photorearrangeable compound capable of promoting insolubilization or hardening in areas of photoexposure; and a photosensitive hydrophobic layer having a polymeric hydrophobic binder and a photopolymerizable, photocrosslinkable or photorearrangeable compound capable of promoting insolubilization or hardening in areas of photoexposure.

Abstract: A laminar thermal imaging medium, and a method of preparing same, are disclosed and include a photohardenable adhesive layer containing a photopolymerizable ethythenically unsaturated monomer, and a barrier layer for providing resistance to the diffusion of the polymerizable monomer therethrough to other layers of the thermal imaging medium. The barrier layer increases substantially the time period before which photohardening of the adhesive layer need be performed, during which time cutting and other manufacturing operations can be performed. The elastic and non-brittle character of the barrier layer provides improved durability of images prepared from the thermal imaging medium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a laminar thermal imaging medium comprising a pair of sheet members and at least a layer of image-forming substance confined therebetween in laminar relation thereto, said laminar thermal imaging medium being actuatable in response to intense image-forming radiation for production of an image in said image-forming substance, said medium material having a tendency toward stress-induced adhesive failure at the interface therein having the weakest adhesivity, and such tendency being reduced by a polymeric stress-absorbing layer in close proximity to said interface, said polymeric stress-absorbing layer being capable of absorbing physical stresses applied to said laminar thermal imaging medium.