Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A laser ablative recording material having at least one image forming layer on a support surface-treated by at least one of ultraviolet irradiation treatment, glow discharge treatment and flame treatment, and having at least one intermediate layer between the image forming layer and the support is disclosed. The laser ablative recording material of the present invention is characterized by high adhesion between the support and the image forming layer and low Dmin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic element comprising a paper base, at least one photosensitive silver halide layer, a layer of polymer sheet between said paper base and said silver halide layer, incorporating a thin tinted polymer layer directly below said silver halide layer.

Abstract: Improved processes for laser thermal imaging and imaged laserable assemblages obtained using the improved processes of this invention are described. These improved processes operate effectively at high speeds and also afford high image densities and good durability of images present on receiver elements upon thermal imaging done in accordance with these improved processes. One application of the improved process provides a color filter element.

Abstract: Improved processes for laser thermal imaging and imaged laserable assemblages obtained using the improved processes of this invention are described. These improved processes operate effectively at high speeds and also afford high image densities and good durability of images present on receiver elements upon thermal imaging done in accordance with these improved processes.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an imaging element for making a lithographic printing plate comprising on a support having a hydrophilic surface a photosensitive layer and a thermosensitive layer, said thermosensitive layer being opaque to light for which said photosensitive layer has spectral sensitivity and said thermosensitive layer being capable of rendered transparent upon exposure to laser light characterised in that said thermosensitive layer is soluble or swellable in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A precursor element for making a lithographic printing plate is composed of a support, an ink receptive thermal conversion inner layer and a sol-gel, ink repellent outer layer. The outer sol-gel layer containes crosslinked colloids derived from certain metal oxides or hydroxides. The plates produced from the ellements are long-running plates that require no post-imaging processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging element comprising support having adhered to the backside a strippable polymer layer that when removed has an adhesive layer thereon.

Abstract: A printing device according to the present invention includes a dye tank for containing a powdered vaporizable dye, an entrance section for liquefying the powdered vaporizable dye and a vaporizing section for radiating a laser light beam onto the liquefied dye transported to it by the entrance section for vaporizing the liquefied dye for thermal transcription of the vaporized dye onto a photographic paper. In this manner, printing may be made without employing an ink ribbon or a thermal head and hence the saving in power and the reduction in size and costs of the printing device may be achieved. Besides, the printing time may be shortened, while the size of the printing paper, may be set freely.A photographic paper according to the present invention includes a light absorbing layer between a receptor layer and a photographic paper base.

Abstract: The present application discloses a laser ablative recording material which has one or more image forming layers on a support, and one or more intermediate layers between said image forming layer and said support, wherein:at least one layer from among the layers on the image forming layer side contains a substance having absorption in the laser wavelengths, which is selected from dihydroperimidine-squarilium dyes represented by the following general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 may be taken together to form 5 to 6 membered rings.

Abstract: A laser ablative recording material having on a support at least one coloring agent layer and at least one overcoat layer, where the overcoat layer contains an infrared-absorbing material exhibiting absorption in the laser wavelength region. By using the laser ablative recording material, an image will be obtained with a high sensitivity and high resolution.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging element comprising a laminated base comprising a layer of biaxially oriented film sheet adhered to the top surface of a base wherein said laminated base has a surface roughness average of between about 0.5 to 2.5 .mu.

Abstract: A flash device includes a micro-optic array for concentrating light from the flash lamp on a radiation-absorbing dye carrier, thereby sublimating or vaporizing the dye from the radiation-absorbing dye carrier onto a receiver element, e.g. a glass plate or the like.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element including a support having a frontside and a backside, an imaging layer superposed on the frontside of said support, and a print-retaining, electrically-conductive layer superposed on the backside of the support. The electrically-conductive layer includes a film-forming binder comprising the latex polymeric addition product of from 20 to 65 mol % of styrene, from 30 to 78 mol % of n-butyl methacrylate, and from 2 to 10 mol % of the sodium salt of 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate. and at least about 60 weight percent composite electrically conductive particles. The composite electrically-conductive particles have a layer of electrically-conductive metal-containing crystallites overlying a nonconductive substrate particle. The electrically-conductive layer is formed by dispersing the composite electrically-conductive particles using polymeric milling media having a mean particle size less than 350 .mu.

Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.

Abstract: A process of forming a color proof comprising imagewise-exposing, by means of a laser, a colorant-donor element comprising a support having thereon:(1) a propellant layer comprising a gas-producing polymer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, the gas-producing polymer being capable of forming a gas upon heating by the laser, and(2) a colorant transfer layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a binder, at least 50% by weight of the binder being a monomeric or oligomeric resin having a molecular weight of less than about 4,000 and the balance being a polymeric resin having a molecular weight of from about 15,000 to about 100,000;the laser exposure taking place through the side of the support of the donor element which does not have the colorant transfer layer thereon, and transferring the colorant transfer layer to a receiving element in juxtaposed position thereon separated by an air gap to obtain the color proof.

Abstract: An improved lithographic printing plate made by coating a support web with a coextensive ink receptive photothermal conversion layer and then overcoating with a ink repellent layer comprising a crosslinked polymeric matrix containing a colloid of an oxide or a hydroxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of beryllium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, gadolinium, germanium, arsenic, indium, tin, antimony, tellurium, lead, bismuth, a transition metal and combinations thereof, along with a photothermal conversion material.

Abstract: Dimensional inconsistencies between a proof and an image to be overlaid thereon is avoided by subjecting both the proof image and the overlay image to the same heat treatment, thereby ensuring that both images undergo the same degree of shrinkage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging element comprising a substrate having at least two polymer layers on the side bearing an imaging layer wherein at least one of said layers has incorporated therein a stabilizing amount of hindered amine.

Abstract: A imaging member comprising a polymer sheet comprising at least one layer of voided polyester polymer and at least one layer comprising polyethylene polymer, wherein said at least one polyethylene polymer layer comprises tints and wherein the imaging member has a percent transmission of less than 15%.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support, at least one imaging layer superposed on the support and a protective topcoat superposed farthest from the support. The topcoat includes a binder and lubricant droplets. The lubricant droplets are composed of a lubricant and a water soluble polymer containing heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen groups wherein the droplets are surrounded by a particulate stabilizer. The present invention is also directed to the lubricant droplets.

Abstract: A method for controlling the color density of colorant transferred to a substrate involves creating tiny gap areas in the coverage of the colorant. The method is useful in producing color proofs of halftone images. The gap areas are typically much smaller than a screen dot in a halftone image. The method permits the generation of a proof which has the same sizes of screen dots as will appear in the final printed image while operating in the saturation portion of the transfer function for the colorant being used. Suitable gap areas may be provided by pulsing a laser used to transfer colorant from a donor to a substrate. The method does not require the use of a variable power laser and therefore is more stable than previous proofing methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic element comprising at least one silver halide imaging layer, at least one biaxially oriented polyolefin sheet, and at least one layer comprising a peelable adhesive wherein said peelable adhesive will allow peelable separation of said photographic element at said adhesive layer and the repositioning of at least one of the separated parts of said photographic element by use of said at least one layer comprising a peelable adhesive.

Abstract: Constructions useful as lithographic printing plates include metallic inorganic layers exhibiting both hydrophilicity and substantial durability at very thin application levels. These materials ablatively absorb imaging radiation, thereby facilitating direct imaging without chemical development. They can also be used to form optical interference structures which, in addition to providing color, likewise absorb imaging radiation and ablate in response to imaging pulses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic element comprising at least one photosensitive silver halide layer comprising at least one dye forming coupler, a support comprising paper having laminated thereto a top and bottom sheet comprising biaxially oriented polyolefin sheets, wherein said photographic element has a surface roughness of between 0.15 and 0.50 mm and an average stiffness of between 150 and 300 millinewtons, a stiffness ratio between machine direction and cross direction of between 0.8 and 1.2 at between 20 and 70% humidity, a maximum curl value of 10 curl units, said photographic element has a back roughness of between 0.30 and 2.00 mm, and has a tear strength of between 300 and 900 N.

Abstract: Lithographic printing is accomplished using wet lithographic printing plates that include a protective layer providing protection against handling and environmental damage, extension of plate shelf life, and entrainment of debris generated by ablation. The layer washes away during the printing make-ready process, effectively cleaning the plate and disappearing without the need for a separate removal process.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image forming method using a laser is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides an imageable element comprising a substrate having on at least one major surface thereof a layer of energy-sensitive material that is capable of being developed to form a relief image upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the ultraviolet-visible-infrared range (i.e., a wavelength ranging from 150 to 1500 nm). This invention also provides methods for imaging the imageable elements of this invention. The energy-sensitive materials suitable for this invention comprise polymers containing azido groups.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object is generated according to a stored, digital representation through layer-by-layer transfer of material onto a receiver, each layer corresponding to a layer of the three-dimensional representation. Each deposited layer is applied through selective irradiation of an ablation-transfer carrier. The carrier includes a transfer material that is ejected in response to irradiation, and which solidifies on the receiver or on a previously applied layer of transfer material. Thus, irradiation of the carrier in an area pattern corresponding to a layer results in deposition of the transfer material in accordance with the pattern. Sequential irradiations of fresh ablation-transfer carrier material, each according to a two-dimensional pattern corresponding to one of the contiguous layers of the three-dimensional object, result in depositions that gradually build up into the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a imaging element comprising a layer of biaxially oriented sheet adhered to the bottom surface of a base wherein said biaxially oriented sheet adhered to the bottom surface has a surface roughness average of between about 0.30 to 2.00 .mu.m.

Abstract: A lithographic imaging member has a support having thereon a melanophobic silicone copolymer layer and a contiguous surface melanophilic layer composed of an inorganic or organic polymeric matrix. Either or both layers includes a photothermal conversion material capable of converting irradiation, such as IR radiation, to heat in exposed regions. The imaging member can include in one or more layers a material capable of promoting adhesion across the interface of the contiguous layers. This imaging member can be digitally imaged, for example using a laser, and used for printing without wet processing.

Abstract: An ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a dye dispersed in a polymeric binder and solvent, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein the dye layer also contains dye-absorbing beads which can be:a) polymeric beads which are swellable in the solvent and which are covalently crosslinked to an extent which does not exceed 1.times.10.sup.-4 mole of crosslink per gram of polymer; orb) beads which have a porosity of at least 150 m.sup.2 /gram.

Abstract: A black donor for use in a laser addressable thermal transfer system, wherein the black donor comprises a substrate having coated thereon at least one black color layer comprising a binder and colorants. The colorants include a non-infrared absorbing black dye or pigment and about 10% to about 50% of a carbon black pigment, based on the total weight of the colorants in the black color layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic element comprising a paper base, at least one photosensitive silver halide layer, a layer of polymer sheet between said paper base and said silver halide layer, incorporating a thin tinted polymer layer directly below said silver halide layer.

Abstract: A laser ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a recording layer comprising a pigment dispersed in a polymeric binder, the polymeric binder having an infrared-absorbing material dissolved therein, and wherein the polymeric binder is obtained from an aqueous latex dispersion of a polycyanoacrylate copolymer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;VA is a repeating unit resulting from the polymerization of a vinyl-containing monomer with a pendant ionizable group; and the weight ratios of x:y range from about 97:3 to about 70:30.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging element comprising a paper substrate and a layer adjacent said paper comprising polyolefin polymer and a hindered amine stabilizer wherein said hindered amine stabilizer has a number average molecular weight of less than 2300.

Abstract: A process is described for forming an emissive or phosphor screen. The process comprises the steps of:a) providing a thermal mass donor element comprising a substrate with a front side and a back side, with a coating of emissive material or phosphor adhered to said front side of said substrate,b) placing said coating of emissive material or phosphor adjacent to a support layer,c) addressing said mass donor element with coherent radiation to heat at least a portion of said coating of emissive material or phosphor to locally transfer at least some of said emissive material or phosphor to said support layer,d) repeating step c) a sufficient number of times to provide a coating of transferred emissive material or phosphor on said support layer in an area of at least 1 square centimeter.

Abstract: A thermal transfer film is provided. The thermal transfer film having a support layer, light absorbing layer and a transfer layer further includes an insulating layer between the support layer and the light absorbing layer. The reverse transmission of heat is minimized, thereby improving the thermal energy transmission efficiency from the light absorbing layer to the transfer layer and performing a transfer process efficiently. Therefore, the quality of an image is enhanced.

Abstract: A process of forming a protective laminate to a laser-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon an image layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a polymeric binder, the colorant layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, wherein the element is subjected to a corona discharge treatment prior to application of the protective laminate.

Abstract: A laser-exposed thermal recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye comprising a laser light-absorbing dye absorbing at the wavelength of a laser used to expose the element, wherein the dye layer also contains a stabilizing IR-absorbing dye with an absorption wavelength maximum approximately equal to or longer than that of the laser light-absorbing dye.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat mode imaging element comprising in the order given:i) a lithographic base,ii) a heat ablatable recording layer andiii) a top layer having an opposite affinity for ink or an ink abhesive fluid than the lithographic base,characterized in that the top layer comprises as main substance an inorganic-organic composite material wherein the inorganic phase is formed by controlled hydrolysis and polycondensation of a metal alkoxide and the organic phase is an organic polymer or copolymer linked to at least one inorganic atom.

Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.

Abstract: A transfer material colored to a predetermined color is used when images are formed on a transfer material for use in thermal transfer comprising a substrate and a dye receiving layer by a thermal transfer process.When images are formed by an optional image forming method such as silver salt photographic process, ink jet process or thermal transfer process, a transfer material having sepia tone is used in each of the image forming processes thereby forming sepia tone images. Images having unique appearance can be formed easily upon forming images by a thermal transfer process. Images of sepia tone can be formed safely and conveniently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a imaging element comprising a laminated base structure wherein said base structure comprises a paper having laminated to the upper side and upper biaxially oriented polyolefin sheet and laminated to the lower side of said paper a lower side biaxially oriented polymer sheet wherein said lower side biaxially oriented polymer sheet has an energy to break of less than 3.5.times.10.sup.7 J/m.sup.3 in at least one direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic element comprising a paper base, at least one photosensitive silver halide layer, a biaxially oriented polymer sheet between said paper base and said silver halide layer, wherein said polymer sheet has a thickness of between 13 microns and 65 microns and a Young's modulus of between 700 and 5200 MPa wherein said base paper has a Young's modulus between 1380 MPa and 13800 MPa, a thickness between 75 microns and 200 microns, and an average roughness on the emulsion side of between 0.18 and 0.68 microns and wherein the ratio of thickness between said polymer sheet and said base paper is between 0.1 and 0.5.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of a heat mode recording element comprising (A) laminating a layer pack (1) containing a temporary support, a release layer, a protective layer, an optional intermediate layer, a subbing layer and a thin metal layer, preferably a bismuth layer, to a layer pack (2) comprising a (thermo)adhesive layer and a permanent support, and (B) peeling off the temporary support and the release layer. In an alternative embodiment, when the protective layer contains a radiation-curable composition, the intermediate layer and the subbing layer can be omitted. A heat mode image is obtained by exposing information-wise a thus defined recording element by means of intense laser radiation, preferably produced by an infra-red laser.

Abstract: A laser addressable thermal imaging element comprising a bleachable photothermal converting dye in association with a heat-sensitive imaging medium, and a photoreducing agent for said dye, said photoreducing agent bleaching said dye on laser address of the element. The imaging element may be in the form of a colorant transfer system, a peel-apart system, a phototackification system or a unimolecular thermal fragmentation system. Also provided is a method of crosslinking a resin by leaser irradiation, which is useful in the production of colored images.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support and at least one image-forming layer superposed on the support. The imaging element includes at least one transparent electrically-conductive layer and a transparent magnetic recording layer overlying the transparent electrically-conductive layer. The electrically conductive layer is composed of both electrically-conductive granular metal-containing colloidal particles having an average particle diameter of less than or equal to 0.05 .mu.m and electrically-conductive acicular metal-containing particles having a cross-sectional diameter of less than or equal to 0.02 .mu.m and an aspect ratio greater than or equal to 5:1 dispersed in a first film-forming binder. The transparent magnetic recording layer is composed of magnetic particles dispersed in a second film-forming binder.

Abstract: An image forming material is disclosed which comprises an image receiving sheet having been laminated on an imaging sheet, the imaging sheet comprising a support and provided thereon, an image forming layer contacting the image receiving sheet, an image being formed by exposing the material to a high density energy light to reduce adhesion between the image forming layer and the support at exposed portions without substantially changing adhesion between the image forming layer and the image receiving sheet and then peeling the image receiving sheet from the image forming layer to transfer the image forming layer at exposed portions to the image receiving sheet, wherein both surfaces of the image receiving sheet before the lamination have an average surface roughness Ra of 0.05 to 0.4 .mu.m.

Abstract: An image transfer sheet consists of a support sheet, a light-heat conversion layer and an image formation layer; or a support sheet, a light-heat conversion layer, a heat-sensitive releasing layer and an image formation layer. The light-heat conversion layer is formed by coating a coating liquid containing a light-heat conversion material and polyamide acid to form a coated layer and drying the coated layer. A composite is composed the image transfer sheet and an image receiving sheet having a substrate and an image receiving layer thereon. An image forming method is conducted using the composite by means of laser light.