Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing thermal film includes a process sequence that involves a pre-process of a portion of a thermal film to determine optimal conditions for a subsequent process for developing images on the film. In a first feature of the invention, the thermal film undergoes a pre-process for determining the requirements of the subsequent full process of the thermal film. During the pre-process, a portion of the film, preferably before or after an area in which images are captured is used as a process test area. Thereafter, processing during a subsequent processing as well as scanning conditions can be modified based on the optimum processing characteristics determined during the pre-process. In a second feature of the invention, the process sequence can include a pre-process of the entire film and an infrared scanning of the entire film to determine optimal processing conditions for the second process for developing the image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for radiant thermal development of photothermal film comprising a receiving chamber for a film cartridge, drive means to advance thermal film from said film cartridge and rewind film into said film cartridge, an accumulator to gather said film after it has left the cartridge, a source of radiant energy, a guiding means to guide said radiant energy to develop said thermal film as said thermal film passes between said cartridge and said accumulator, a radiant energy absorbing material incorporated into said photothermal film, and a lighttight container for said chamber, heater, and accumulator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic element comprising a support, at least one photothermographic image-receiving layer, and at least one antihalation layer or a filter layer, wherein the antihalation or filer layer comprises an aqueous heat-bleachable composition comprising at least one dye and at least one hexaarylbiimidazole in the form of particles dispersed in a matrix comprising a hydrophilic or aqueous dispersible polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic element comprising a support, at least one photothermographic imaging layer, and at least one antihalation layer or a filter layer, wherein the antihalation or filer layer comprises an aqueous heat-bleachable composition comprising a 1-aminopyridinium filter dye having a methine linkage terminated by a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic nucleus of the type contained in cyanine dyes, which filter dye is in the presence of an effective amount of a thermal solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal development having a receiver for receiving an imagewise exposed thermal film, an accumulator for gathering the film, a drive for advancing the film from the receiver to the accumulator, a heater located between the receiver and the accumulator for developing the film as it passes between the receiver and the accumulator, a compound image scanner for scanning the film after it has been thermally developed, the scanner having a first light source and a first sensor placed for forming a first electronic record of the image formed on the developed thermal film by reflection, a second light source and a second sensor placed for forming a second electronic record of the image formed on the developed thermal film by an opposing reflection, and a third sensor and a third light source placed for forming a third electronic record of the image formed on the developed thermal film by transmission, and a lighttight container for the receiver and the heater.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic element comprising a support, at least one photothermographic image-receiving layer, and at least one antihalation layer or a filter layer, wherein the antihalation or filer layer comprises an aqueous heat-bleachable composition comprising at least one dye and at least one hexaarylbiimidazole in the form of particles dispersed in a matrix comprising a hydrophilic or aqueous dispersible polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element, such as a photographic or photothermographic element comprising a silver halide emulsion layer, wherein the element also comprises a compound of Structure I: wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a mixture of non-light sensitive organic silver salts in a color photothermographic system comprising a blocked developing agent for color imaging. At least one of the organic silver salts is the sole or primary silver donor during thermal development and at least one other organic silver salt, present at levels in the range of 30,000 to 60,000 mg/mol of silver halide, effectively inhibits fog during thermal development of the photothermographic element. In one embodiment, and the system comprises a mixture of at least two organic silver salts, wherein the first organic silver salts exhibits a cLogP of 0.1 to 10 and a Ksp of 7 to 14 and wherein the second organic silver salt exhibits a cLogP of 0.1 to 10 and a Ksp of 14 to 21.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal development having a receiver for receiving an imagewise exposed thermal film, an accumulator for gathering the film, a drive for advancing the film from the receiver to the accumulator, a heater located between the receiver and the accumulator for developing the film, a compound image scanner for scanning the film after it has been thermally developed, the scanner having a first light source and a fist sensor placed for forming a first electronic record of the image formed on the developed firm by reflection, a second light source and a second sensor placed for forming a second electronic record of the image by an opposing reflection, and a third sensor and a third light source placed for forming a third electronic record of the image formed by transmission, and a lighttight container for the receiver and the heater.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for generating particles of MAg4I5, wherein M is a monovalent cation, which comprises dissolving AgI and MI in a polar solvent followed by precipitating particles of MAg4I5 by adding the solution to a nonpolar solvent. The resulting MAg4I5 is in the form of anisotropic crystalline particles. The MAg4I5 particles can be used in the preparation of a photothermographic element. The invention also comprises method of preparing a stable aqueous emulsion of MAg4I5 particles.

Abstract: This invention comprises a thermally processable element comprising at least one imaging layer on a support, wherein the imaging element also comprises at least one photographically useful reducing agent ionically bound to an ion exchange matrix. The imaging element preferably is a photothermographic element in which the imaging layer comprises a light sensitive silver halide, an oxidizing agent, preferably an organic silver salt, and a reducing agent. The invention also comprises developing said photothermographic element by heating the element to a temperature above about 50° C. The invention also comprises a methods of forming an image by scanning the developed photothermographic element.

Abstract: A thermal processing kiosk for processing thermal film provides multiple processing options for a user. The kiosk includes a user control in the form of a touchscreen to permit the user to enter processing instructions and/or information. The thermal kiosk is adapted to accept exposed film for processing and printing in accordance with the processing instructions. In one feature of the invention, a user can prepay for processing of the film at the time of purchase of the film. The pre-paid status can be provided on the film by a marker or identifier on the cassette or the film. This helps to simplify the user interaction at the kiosk when the user submits the exposed film to the kiosk for processing. In further features of the invention, the processing flow in the thermal kiosk can be adapted to provide for rapid processing and the kiosk can include a display to permit a user to preview images prior to printing.

Abstract: A color photothermographic element comprising at least three light-sensitive units which have their individual sensitivities in different wavelength regions, each of the units comprising at least one light-sensitive silver-halide emulsion, binder, and dye-providing coupler, and a blocked developer in the presence of a thermal solvent represented by the following structure: 1

Abstract: This invention relates to packaged photographic film that is capable of being alternately processed, according to individual consumer choice, by either (1) a traditional wet-chemistry process with a phenylenediamine-containing developer solution followed by desilvering in one or more subsequent solutions to obtain a color negative film, or (2) a thermal process involving the use of a relatively minor amount of an aqueous solution containing a liberating agent such as alkaline base to activate (unblock) a blocked phenylenediamine developing agent located within the photographic element, followed by electronic scanning of the developed film without desilvering. This invention enables a single film stock to be developed in both a conventional deep tank process and in an apparently dry process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of processing color photographic film that has been imagewise exposed in a camera, said film having at least three light-sensitive units which have their individual sensitivities in different wavelength regions, each of the units comprising at least one light-sensitive silver-halide emulsion, binder, and dye-providing coupler, which method in order comprises: (a) thermally developing the film step without any externally applied developing agent, comprising heating said film to a temperature greater than 80° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of processing color photographic film that has been imagewise exposed in a camera, said film having at least three light-sensitive units which have their individual sensitivities in different wavelength regions, each of the units comprising at least one light-sensitive silver-halide emulsion, binder, and dye-providing coupler, which method in order comprises (a) thermally developing the film step without any externally applied developing agent, comprising heating said film to a temperature greater than 80° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to packaged photographic film that is capable of being alternately processed, according to individual consumer choice, by either (1) a traditional wet-chemistry process with a developer solution followed by desilvering in one or more subsequent solutions to obtain a color negative film, or (2) a dry thermal process without the use of aqueous solutions in which a blocked developing agent located within the photographic element is thermally activated or unblocked, optionally followed by electronic scanning of the developed film without desilvering. This invention enables a single film stock to be developed in both a conventional deep tank process and in a dry thermal process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of processing color photographic film that has been imagewise exposed in a camera, said film having at least three light-sensitive units which have their individual sensitivities in different wavelength regions, each of the units comprising at least one light-sensitive silver-halide emulsion, one or more organic silver salts, a binder, and dye-providing coupler, which method in order comprises: (a) thermally developing the film step without any externally applied developing agent, comprising heating said film to a temperature greater than 80° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a mixture of non-light sensitive organic silver salts in a color photothermographic system comprising a blocked developing agent for color imaging. At least one of the organic silver salts is the sole or primary silver donor during thermal development and at least one other organic silver salt, present at levels in the range of 30,000 to 60,000 mg/mol of silver halide, effectively inhibits fog during thermal development of the photothermographic element. In one embodiment, and the system comprises a mixture of at least two organic silver salts, wherein the first organic silver salts exhibits a cLogP of 0.1 to 10 and a Ksp of 7 to 14 and wherein the second organic silver salt exhibits a cLogP of 0.1 to 10 and a Ksp of 14 to 21.

Abstract: This invention comprises a sheet comprising at least one photographically useful reducing agent ionically bound to an ion exchange matrix. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the sheet further comprises a binder and/or support and the ion exchange matrix comprises particles having an average particle size of less than about 10 micrometers (&mgr;m). This invention further comprises methods or processing photographic elements using said sheet.