Abstract: A process for forming photosensitive microcapsules having discrete capsule walls comprising the steps of forming an emulsion of an oily core material in a continuous aqueous phase containing a carboxyvinyl polymer and enwrapping particles of the oily core material in an amine-formaldehyde condensation product produced by in situ condensation of an amine and formaldehyde wherein the carboxyvinyl polymer comprises a crosslinked polymer of acrylic acid is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of improving the sensitometric response of a photosensitive imaging media under various humidity conditions including the steps of providing a photosensitive imaging media including an imaging layer comprising a developer material and a plurality of microcapsules encapsulating a photohardenable composition and a color former; image-wise exposing the imaging media to actinic radiation to form a latent image on the media; maintaining the imaging media containing the latent image at an elevated temperature; and developing the image.

Abstract: A process for forming photosensitive microcapsules having discrete capsule walls comprising the steps of forming an emulsion of an oily core material in a continuous aqueous phase containing a carboxyvinyl polymer and enwrapping particles of the oily core material in an amine-formaldehyde condensation product produced by in situ condensation of an amine and formaldehyde wherein the carboxyvinyl polymer comprises a crosslinked polymer of acrylic acid is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for forming microcapsules having substantially impermeable microcapsule walls comprising the steps of: forming an emulsion of an internal phase in a continuous aqueous phase, the internal phase including a photosensitive composition and a polyvalent isocyanate, the continuous aqueous phase including a sulfonated polystyrene, at least one of the internal phase or the continuous aqueous phase further including a hydrophilic polymer; and enwrapping particles of the internal phase in an amine-formaldehyde condensation product produced by in situ condensation of an amine and formaldehyde is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for forming microcapsules having substantially impermeable microcapsule walls comprising the steps of: forming an emulsion of an internal phase in a continuous aqueous phase, the internal phase including a photosensitive composition and a polyvalent isocyanate, the continuous aqueous phase including a sulfonated polystyrene, at least one of the internal phase or the continuous aqueous phase further including a hydrophilic polymer; and enwrapping particles of the internal phase in an amine-formaldehyde condensation product produced by in situ condensation of an amine and formaldehyde is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing identification (ID) cards using a photosensitive imaging system employing microcapsules is described. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, ID cards are produced by translating an image containing identifying indicia into a latent image on an appropriate photosensitive donor sheet, pressure developing the latent image, forming a full color print of the image on a developer sheet, laminating an ID card substrate in registration with the image to the developer sheet and die cutting the laminated article to produce an ID card. Self-contained imaging systems can also be used to produce identification cards. The image preferably includes unique information useful in identifying the card holder such as a photograph, fingerprint, signature, description, name, etc. The identifying indicia may be combined with non-variable information including background printing, card issuer data, logos, security features, etc.

Abstract: A method of improving the sensitometric response of a photosensitive imaging media under various humidity conditions including the steps of providing a photosensitive imaging media including an imaging layer comprising a developer material and a plurality of microcapsules encapsulating a photohardenable composition and a color former; image-wise exposing the imaging media to actinic radiation to form a latent image on the media; maintaining the imaging media containing the latent image at an elevated temperature; and developing the image.

Abstract: A method for reproducing an image from a photoprint is disclosed. This aspect of the present invention comprises: providing a photoprint comprising an imaging media and a data storage medium; imaging the imaging media to produce an image on an image side of the media; encoding the data storage medium with data corresponding to the image; reading the data from the data storage medium corresponding to the image; and reproducing the image based on the data read from the data storage medium.

Abstract: A method for reproducing an image from a photoprint is disclosed. This aspect of the present invention comprises: providing a photoprint comprising an imaging media and a data storage medium; imaging the imaging media to produce an image on an image side of the media; encoding the data storage medium with data corresponding to the image; reading the data from the data storage medium corresponding to the image; and reproducing the image based on the data read from the data storage medium.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a support having a layer of at least one set of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface thereof, wherein the microcapsules are sensitive to a distinct band of radiation and contain a complex of an infrared sensitive cationic dye and a boranyl anion. In a preferred embodiment, the photosensitive microcapsules include a first set of microcapsules containing a cyan color-forming agent, a second set of microcapsules containing a magenta color-forming agent, and a third set of microcapsules containing a yellow color-forming agent, wherein at least one of said first, second and third sets of microcapsules include an infrared sensitive dye borate compound as a photoinitiator. Optionally at least one other set may include a visible light sensitive dye borate compound or an ultraviolet initiator.

Abstract: A method for printing photographic quality images downloaded to a printer comprising; providing a light-tight film pack containing photosensitive imaging media, the film pack having a severable line of on a face thereof which defines a flap, the flap providing access to the media when the flap is opened; providing a cartridge of a size and shape to fit into a cartridge-access opening in the printer, the cartridge comprising a tray for accepting the film pack; inserting the film pack into the cartridge; inserting the cartridge containing the film pack into the cartridge-access opening in the printer; severing the film pack along the severable line to free the flap; opening the flap to access the media; advancing the media into the printer; and exposing and developing the media to provide a photographic quality print.

Abstract: A photosensitive material including a support having a layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface thereof, the photosensitive microcapsules including an internal phase containing a photosensitive composition and a color precursor wherein, upon image-wise exposing the photosensitive material and rupturing the microcapsules, the color precursor is image-wise released from the microcapsules to form a color image, the photosensitive material further including a hygroscopic polymer, is disclosed.

Abstract: A photosensitive imaging system comprising a photosensitive material and a developer material, the photosensitive material including a support having a layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface thereof, said photosensitive microcapsules including an internal phase containing a photosensitive composition and a color precursor wherein, upon image-wise exposing said photosensitive material and rupturing said microcapsules, said color precursor image-wise reacts with said developer material to form a color image, said support being a high opacity laminate of a black or brown film laminated between a pair of white pigmented films; in one embodiment the black or brown film is a magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A photosensitivematerial including a support having a layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface thereof, the photosensitive microcapsules including an internal phase containing a photosensitive composition and a color precursor wherein, upon image-wise exposing the photosensitive material and rupturing the microcapsules, the color precursor is image-wise released from the microcapsules to form a color image, the photosensitive material further including a superabsorbent polymer or hydrogel, is disclosed.

Abstract: A sealed self-contained photohardenable imaging assembly comprising in order: a first transparent support; a subbing layer; an imaging layer comprising a developer material and a plurality of photohardenable microcapsules encapsulating a photohardenable composition and a color precursor wherein the imaging layer exhibits a residual stain of less than about 0.3 density units; an adhesive; and a second support which may be opaque or transparent, wherein the subbing layer is interposed between the first support and the imaging layer and the subbing layer includes a polymer having chemical moieties which bond to the microcapsules and the adhesive is interposed between the second support and the imaging layer.

Abstract: A sealed self-contained photohardenable imaging assembly comprising:a first transparent polymeric film support;a second polymeric film support which may be opaque or transparent;an imaging layer disposed between said first transparent support and said second support;a subbing layer disposed between said first transparent support and said imaging layer, said subbing including a polymer having chemical moieties which bond to said microcapsules; and an adhesive material disposed between said imaging layer and said second support;said imaging layer comprising a developer material and a plurality of microcapsules, said microcapsules encapsulating a photohardenable composition containing a color precursor, a polyethylenically unsaturated compound, a cyanine dye/borate photoinitiator and a disulfide having the formula: ##STR1## where X is selected from the group consisting of S and O except X is N when the disulfide includes one or more tetrazolyl groups; n represents 0 or 1; A represents the residue of the ring con