Abstract: A thermal recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a polymeric binder containing:(a) a metallized complex of a formazan dye that absorbs at from about 400 to about 850 nm; and(b) an organic carboxylic acid;the dye layer having associated therewith:(c) a hexaarylbiimidazole which is an oxidative dimer of a 2,4,5-triarylimidazole having one of the following formulas: ##STR1## wherein: R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy group of from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, amino, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having from about 5 to about 7 carbon atoms, or an electron-rich heterocyclic group having from about 5 to about 7 atoms, with the proviso that at least one of R and R.sup.1 is the alkoxy or amino group;X and X.sup.1 each independently represents oxy or imino;Z is an alkylene group of 1 or 2 carbon atoms; andm, n and o each independently represents an integer of 0 to 5.

Abstract: A method of transferring a high resolution polarizing image from a mass transfer donor element to a receptor element. The transfer can be induced by thermal energy or electromagnetic (optical) energy. In either case, the transferred image will be a high resolution image that exhibits optically anisotropic properties. The polarizing mass transfer donor element comprises a substrate having a polarizing mass transfer layer coated thereon. Optionally, the polarizing mass transfer donor element further comprises a light absorbing material, preferably in the form of a light to heat conversion layer. The polarizing mass transfer donor element can further comprise an adhesive to facilitate transfer of the polarizing mass transfer layer.

Abstract: An image forming material is disclosed which comprises a support and provided thereon, an image forming layer containing a colorant, the image forming layer being hardened, wherein an image is formed by imagewise exposing the image forming layer to a high density energy light to reduce an adhesive force between the image forming layer and the support and by removing the exposed portions of the image forming layer of the image forming material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming an imaged film for backlit illumination includes the steps of: providing a translucent film comprising a resin such as one selected from the group consisting of olefin resins, vinyl alcohol resins and fluorine-containing resins which resin has no affinity with a sublimating dye and a white pigment dispersed in the resin; contacting on the translucent film an original imagewise formed from a recording material containing the sublimating dye; and heating the original to allow the dye to be trapped in the film. Also, disclosed is a translucent film for use in preparing such an imaged film for backlit illumination. The use of the method and the translucent film allows fabrication of an imaged film for backlit illumination having a light resistant, high density image in cooperation with a computer-aided image editing system.

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 thermal recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a polymeric binder containing:(a) a formazan dye that absorbs at from about 400 to about 850 nm, and(b) a hexaarylbiimidazole which is an oxidative dimer of a 2,4,5-triarylimidazole having one of the following formulas: ##STR1##

Abstract: A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet is disclosed which can provide a sharp image, has excellent suitability for printing in respect of halftone color reproduction and gradation reproduction, has high glossiness and smoothness, a cushioning property, and an excellent appearance because fine scratches, if any, on the surface of the sheet is invisible to the naked eye.

Abstract: A process of forming a single color, ablation image comprising imagewise-exposing by means of a laser, in the absence of a separate receiving element, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a cyan image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having a nitrosophenol or nitrosonaphthol ferrous complex associated therewith, the dye layer also having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith to absorb at a given wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the cyan image dye not having substantial absorption at the wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the laser exposure taking place through the dye side of said element, the laser exposure taking place through the dye side of the element, thereby imagewise-heating the dye layer and causing it to ablate, and removing the ablated material to obtain an image in said ablative recording element.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording material capable of giving a color image having an excellent color reproducibility as well as good light fastness and free from fading, bleeding and contamination of an article contacted is provided. The thermal transfer recording material comprises a thermal transfer dye donating material containing the specified thermally migratable, dissociative heteryl azo dye of phenol or naphthol type and an image receiving material for thermal transfer printing, containing at least one of basic materials and mordants as a dye receiving compound.

Abstract: A process of forming a single color image comprising:a) imagewise exposing, by means of a laser, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon, in order, a hydrophilic dye-receiving layer and a hydrophobic dye-barrier layer, at least one of the dye-receiving layer and the dye-barrier layer having an infrared-absorbing material therein or in a layer therebetween to absorb at a given wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, thereby imagewise heating the dye-barrier layer and causing it to ablate;b) removing the ablated dye-barrier layer material;c) contacting the imagewise-exposed element with an aqueous ink solution; andd) drying the element to obtain a single color image in the ablative recording element.

Abstract: A process of forming a single color image comprising:a) imagewise exposing, by means of a laser, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon, in order, a hydrophilic dye-receiving layer, a hydrophobic dye-barrier layer, and a hydrophilic, water-soluble, infrared-absorbing layer which absorbs at a given wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, thereby imagewise heating the infrared-absorbing layer and the dye-barrier layer, causing them to ablate;b) removing the ablated infrared-absorbing layer and dye-barrier layer material;c) contacting the imagewise-exposed element with an aqueous ink solution and thereby removing the remaining infrared-absorbing layer; andd) drying the element to obtain a single color image in the ablative recording element.

Abstract: An image media assembly comprising: a donor element, a receptor element, and means for maintaining at least the elements in a predetermined position wherein one element overlies the element, said means including a vacuum present between the elements.

Abstract: A new method is disclosed for the formation of a heat mode image comprising exposing to a heat pattern a donor element comprising a reactant (A) while in contact with an acceptor element comprising a reactant (B), the said reactant (A) being transferred by said exposure from said donor element to said acceptor element to form an image therein by reaction of said reactant (A) with said reactant (B), (2) separating said donor and said acceptor element from each other, and (3) optionally giving said acceptor element a post-treatment consisting of a supply of extra energy, characterized in that the said acceptor element comprises spacing particles also containing a said reactant (B), and/or the said donor element comprises spacing particles also containing a said reactant (A), or a said reactant (B), or a density providing compound, preferably carbon black, or combinations thereof.In the preferred embodiment reactant (A) is a reducing agent and reactant (B) is an organic silver salt, preferably silver behenate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat sensitive ink sheet having a support sheet and a heat sensitive ink layer having a thickness of 0.2 to 1.0 .mu.m which is formed of a heat sensitive ink material comprising 30 to 70 weight % of colored pigment, 25 to 65 weight % of amorphous organic polymer having a softening point of 40.degree. to 150.degree. C. and 0.1 to 20 weight % of nitrogen-containing compound. Further, thermal transfer recording methods by area gradation using the heat sensitive ink sheet and an image receiving sheet are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a donor for use in thermal transfer printing. The donor element comprises on a support a donor layer comprising a binder and a mixture of at least two thermotransferable reducing agents capable of reducing a silver source to metallic silver upon heating. The donor element is image-wise heated while being in contact with an image receiving material comprising a thermoreducible silver source. By using a mixture of reducing agents crystallization is reduced and the obtained images exhibit an increased density and a more neutral grey hue.

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 paper for thermal image transfer to flat porous surfaces is characterized by a paper support and a layer applied thereto which contains an ethylene copolymer or an ethylene copolymer mixture and a dye-receiving layer.

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: There is provided a method for obtaining a lithographic printing plate requiring no wet processing comprising the steps ofimage-wise exposing using a laser beam a heat mode recording material comprising on a support a recording composition comprising a hydrophobic polymer and a substance capable of converting the laser beam radiation into heat while said heat mode recording composition is in contact with the acceptor layer of an acceptor element comprising a flexible support, said acceptor layer comprising a hardened non-proteinic hydrophilic polymer obtained by reacting a non-proteinic hydrophilic polymer containing a hydroxyl group or an amino or amido group having a free hydrogen with a hardener capable of reacting with said groups andseparating said heat mode recording material from said acceptor material,characterized in that said recording composition comprises a thermal transferable dye which is transferred at the exposed areas from the recording material to the surface of the acceptor element.

Abstract: A dyesheet for light-induced thermal transfer printing comprises a substrate having on one side a dyecoat comprising a first polymeric binder containing at least one thermal transfer dye dissolved or dispersed therein, and between the dyecoat and the substrate an absorber coat comprising a polymeric material through which the dye molecules diffuse less readily under printing conditions than they do through the dyecoat binder.

Abstract: Disclosed is image receiving sheet having a support sheet, a first image receiving layer thereon and a second image receiving layer provided on the first image receiving layer; wherein the second image receiving layer comprises butyral resin and polymer having at least one of recurring units represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and Q represents a group having amide bond, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group, or a phenyl group substituted with residue of ammonium salt. Further, a thermal transfer recording methods by area gradation using a heat sensitive ink sheet and the image receiving sheet are also disclosed.

Abstract: Thermal dye transfer receiving elements are disclosed comprising a base having thereon a dye image-receiving layer, the base comprising a composite film laminated to a support, the dye image-receiving layer being on the composite film side of the base. The composite film comprises a microvoided thermoplastic core layer and at least one substantially void-free thermoplastic surface (skin) layer having a thickness of about 3 to about 6 .mu.m, and the support comprising a latex-impregnated paper.

Abstract: A thermal imaging process is provided using (i) a donor element comprising on a support a donor layer comprising a binder, a thermotransferable reducing agent capable of reducing a silver source to metallic silver upon heating and a thermotransferable toning agent and (ii) a receiving element comprising on a support a receiving layer comprising a silver source capable of being reduced to metallic silver by means of heat in the presence of a reducing agent, said thermal imaging process comprising the steps ofbringing said donor layer of said donor element into face to face relationship with said receiving layer of said receiving element,image-wise heating a thus obtained assemblage preferably by means of a thermal head, thereby causing image-wise transfer of an amount of said thermotransferable reducing agent to said receiving element in accordance with the amount of heat supplied andseparating said donor element from said receiving element.

Abstract: A method of preparing a color filter array element comprising the following steps:a) imagewise-heating a dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a dye dispersed in a binder, the dye layer being in superposed relationship with a dye image-receiving layer of a dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon a dye image-receiving layer, the dye image-receiving layer comprising a polymer which has a glass transition temperature above the sublimation temperature of the dye but which contains an organic plasticizer in an amount so that the glass transition temperature of the dye image-receiving layer is below the sublimation temperature of the dye;b) transferring portions of the dye layer to the dye-receiving layer to form a repeating dye pattern thereon to form a color filter array; andc) subjecting the dye-receiving element to a fusing heat treatment below the sublimation temperature of the dye but at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time so that the dye

Abstract: A thermal mass transfer imaging process comprises the thermal mass transfer of a dye-receptive transparent donor layer which is then at least partially over-coated with a thermally transferred dye image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer. The dye-donor element comprises a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a polymeric binder and a dye corresponding to the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: Z represents hydrogen or a substituent.X represents N-R or ##STR2## R represents NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 or the residue of an aromatic coupling compound E-Q wherein Q is a group displaceable by a diazotized amine:R.sup.1 represents NR.sup.3 R.sup.4, OR.sup.12 or SR.sup.12 ;R.sup.2 represents hydrogen, cyano, COR.sup.13, CO.sub.2 R.sup.13, CONR.sup.14 R.sup.15, SO.sub.2 R.sup.16 ;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an a heterocyclic group or R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light-heat converting type heat mode recording process using a recording material and an image receiving material, which comprises the steps of:(a) transferring an ink image from a recording material to an image receiving material by exposing from a back of the recording material or the receiving material; and(b) transferring the ink image from the image receiving material to a final recording medium by applying heat or pressure.The light-heat converting type heat mode recording material and the light-heat converting type heat mode image receiving material are capable of forming excellent transferred images.

Abstract: This invention relates to a single-sheet process for obtaining a multicolor image comprising:a) coating a support with a polymeric adhesion layer;b) coating the adhesion layer with a single dye layer comprising a mixture of at least two different colors of solid, homogeneous beads, each of which contains an image dye, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the beads being dispersed in a vehicle, and the beads of each color being sensitized to a different wavelength;c) exposing the element to laser light at the wavelength to which each type of bead is sensitized, causing the exposed beads to melt and become adhered to the polymeric adhesion layer; andd) removing any unadhered beads.

Abstract: A laser recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, said dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein said dye layer also contains a cinnamal-nitrile UV-absorbing dye.

Abstract: A laser recording element comprising a base having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, the base comprising a composite film laminated to at least one side of a support, the dye layer being on the composite film side of the base, and the composite film comprising a microvoided thermoplastic core layer and at least one substantially void-free thermoplastic surface layer.

Abstract: A method of preparing a color filter array element comprising the following steps:a) coating a glass support with a polymeric dye image-receiving layer;b) coating the polymeric dye image-receiving layer with at least one additive primary color dye from a solvent that does not swell or penetrate the polymeric dye image-receiving layer;c) placing a stencil mask of a desired pixel shape in intimate contact with the surface of the polymeric dye image-receiving layer;d) fusing the dye into the polymeric dye image-receiving layer by heating or by using a solvent vapor treatment using a solvent which will swell or penetrate the dye image-receiving layer;e) removing the stencil mask;f) removing all unfused dye with a solvent wash; andg) repeating steps b) to f) twice using different additive primary color dyes.

Abstract: An image-receiving sheet material for forming a transfer image by heat-transferring an ink layer from a transfer material having a heat-transferable ink layer onto an image-receiving sheet material, and re-transferring the ink layer onto a permanent support. The image-receiving sheet material comprises a support having thereon at least two image-receiving layers, at least one of the image-receiving layers is transferred onto the permanent support, and at least the image-receiving layer onto which the ink layer is transferred contains a modified resin prepared from a polyvinyl acetal resin containing hydroxyl groups in which from 0.1 to 1 equivalent of the hydroxyl groups of the polyvinyl acetal resin have been converted to a group represented by formula (I). In a preferred embodiment, the image-receiving layer onto which the ink layer is transferred further contains a high molecular weight compound having at least a repeating unit represented by formula (II) and/or formula (III).

Abstract: An ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a colorant layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a polymeric binder, the colorant layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein the polymeric binder comprises a vinyl polymer having recurring units of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a ketal group; an acetal group; a thioketal group; a thioacetal group; or an unsaturated group containing a double or triple bond between any two atoms, one of which is the atom of attachment to the polymer chain; orR.sup.1 and R.sup.2, as defined above, may be joined together to form a ring.

Abstract: Various catalyst precursors are used for the thermal decomposition of azide-containing polymers and oligomers. The catalyst precursors are organometallic complexes which upon thermolysis are capable of liberating at least one coordination site, thereby generating a catalyst for the thermal decomposition of the azide-containing polymer or oligomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dye donor element comprising a dye according to the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein the symbols have a meaning as defined in the claims and the description. The present invention further provides a thermal dye transfer process using such dye donor elements. Furthermore, novel thermochromic compounds are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a thermal transfer film comprising: a substrate film; a sublimable dye layer region comprised of at least one color layer; and a hot-melt ink layer region, the sublimable dye layer region and the hot-melt ink layer region being provided in parallel to each other on the substrate film,the hot-melt ink layer region comprising at least a release layer, a release protective layer, and a hot-melt ink layer laminated in that order on the substrate film,the hot-melt ink layer region being broader than one color layer in the sublimable dye layer region.

Abstract: An image forming method comprises the steps of applying a laser light imagewise and sequentially onto a laminate for image formation and separating the image receiving sheet from other materials of the laminate so as to keep on the image receiving sheet an imagewise transferred image formation layer comprising the thermoplastic resin and pigment.

Abstract: A laser dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having on one side thereof a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith to absorb at a given wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the image dye being substantially transparent in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and absorbing in the region of from about 300 to about 700 nm and not having substantial absorption at the wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, and the other side of the support having thereon a conductive backing layer of resistivity <5.times.10.sup.12 .OMEGA./.quadrature..

Abstract: A donor element for use in a laser-induced thermal transfer process, said element comprising a support bearing on a first surface thereof, in the order listed: (a) at least one ejection layer comprising a first polymer having a decomposition temperature T.sub.1 ; (b) at least one heating layer; (c) at least one transfer layer comprising a binder and an imageable component, wherein the binder comprises a second polymer having a decomposition temperature T.sub.2 ; wherein T.sub.2 .gtoreq.(T.sub.1 +100), and further wherein a thermal amplification additive is present in at least one of layers (a) and (c) is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dye donor element comprising a dye according to the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein the symbols have a meaning as defined in the claims and the description. The present invention further provides a thermal dye transfer process using such dye donor elements. Furthermore, novel thermochromic compounds are provided.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer containing a bis(N,N-dialkyl(ene) or N,N-diaryl or N-alkyl(ene),N-aryl)aniline azo dye.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making a flexographic printing plate from a photosensitive printing element having an infrared reduction ablatable layer capable of being selectively removed by a laser beam and wherein the process includes placing a material capture sheet in proximity to a photopolymer layer.

Abstract: A black laser dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of at least one cyan, magenta and yellow dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, said dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, said cyan dye having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, X, Y, J and m are as defined.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat mode thermal transfer recording material comprising a support having thereon at least a light-heat converting layer containing a water-soluble colorant and an ink layer. The heat mode thermal transfer recording material is capable of forming transferred images excellent in color reproduction.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of creating a shaped image in a workpiece using a high energy source, with the method comprising positioning a layer proximate the workpiece such that the layer prevents debris from the workpiece from dispersing, and directing radiation from the high energy source through the layer to the workpiece, the layer substantially transparent to radiation emitted by the high energy source such that the high energy source is capable of forming the shaped image.

Abstract: A unique method/system for simultaneously creating and transferring a contrasting pattern of intelligence on and from a composite ablation-transfer imaging medium to a receptor element in contiguous registration therewith is improvedly radiation sensitive and versatile, is kinetically rapid and not dependent on a sensitized ablative topcoat, and is well adopted for such applications as, e.g.

Abstract: A photothermographic element comprising a support bearing at least one heat-developable, photosensitive, image-forming photothermographic emulsion layer comprising:(a) a photosensitive silver halide;(b) a non-photosensitive, reducible source of silver;(c) a chromogenic leuco dye reducing agent; and(d) a binder;wherein the chromogenic leuco dye reducing agent is a chromogenic leuco redox-dye-releasing compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: (i) Cp is a coupler group;(ii) N--D is a photographic developer group; and(iii) R.sup.1 is a --C(O)--NH--A--Dye group wherein Dye represents the chromophore of a thermally mobile dye; and A represents a single bond or a divalent linking group of the formula --X--R.sup.5 --L--, wherein R.sup.5 is a divalent hydrocarbon chain containing up to 12 carbon atoms, L is a single bond or a divalent group that binds the chromophore of the thermally mobile dye to R.sup.5, and X represents a single bond or an --SO.sub.2 -- group.

Abstract: A photothermographic element containing a support bearing at least one heat-developable, photosensitive, image-forming photothermographic emulsion layer is provided. The emulsion layer comprises:(a) a photosensitive silver halide;(b) a non-photosensitive, reducible source of silver;(c) a leuco dye reducing agent; and(d) a binder;wherein the leuco dye reducing agent comprises a blocked leuco dye compound of the general formula L-R.sup.1, which is capable of being oxidized to a colored form, wherein:(i) L is a group remaining after removal of a hydrogen from a leuco dye; and(ii) R.sup.1 is a C(O)--NH--SO.sub.2 --R.sup.5 group wherein R.sup.5 is an aliphatic group or an aromatic group.

Abstract: A laser dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising two or more image dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein the image dyes comprise curcumin yellow dye and a 1,4-diaminoanthraquinone dye.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dye fixing element containing a novel compound which improves the light fastness of an image obtained by the method in which the image is formed by transferring. The above dye fixing element contains a novel hydrazine derivative represented by the following Formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, alkenyl group, or aralkyl group; R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may be combined with each other to form a ring, provided that this ring is a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring and the atoms constituting the ring other than the nitrogens of Formula (I) are carbon atoms.