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 photosensitive transfer material comprising a temporary support and a colored photopolymer layer formed on the temporary support. The colored photopolymer layer contains at least one quinophthalone dye. Also, disclosed is a method of forming an image using the photosensitive transfer material, to thereby form a multicolor image having good chromaticity even when organic solvent-soluble dyes are used and, in addition, having excellent transmission and light- and heat resistance. A color filter exhibiting high contrast as a liquid crystal display can also be produced using the photosensitive transfer material.

Abstract: A noncorrosive post-etch residue cleaning composition containing:(a) 1-70% by weight of an organic polar solvent having a dipole moment of more than 3.5;(b) 1-70% by weight of selected amine compounds having at least one hydroxyl group and a boiling point higher than 150.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure;(c) 0.1-10% by weight of selected amino acid having at least one hydroxyl group;(d) 1-20% by weight of selected redox reagent having a redox potential in the range between +1.0 V and -2.0 V vs. SHE (at pH=7); and(e) 0-90% by weight of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides new image forming methods. The image forming methods use a combination of a light-sensitive material and an image receiving material. The light-sensitive material comprises a support, a strippable layer and a light-sensitive polymerizable layer in order. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer contains silver halide, a reducing agent and an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound or a cross-linkable polymer. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer may further contain a colorant. An image forming method using the light-sensitive polymerizable layer containing no colorant comprises an exposing step, a developing step, a toning step and a transferring step. Another image forming method using the colorant-containing light-sensitive polymerizable layer comprises an exposing step, a developing step, a removing step and a transferring step.

Abstract: A photosensitive element having an infrared imageable layer, and a process for making a relief image from such an element are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on a support a photosensitive layer containing a photopolymerizable composition containing a urethane type monomer mixture according to the formula (I) as defined in the claims and description. There is further provided a method for obtaining images and/or a lithographic printing plate therewith.

Abstract: A non-corrosive positive photoresist stripper composition comprising:(a) a solvent selected from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone dimethylsulfoxide, and admixtures thereof;(b) a corrosion inhibitor selected form tricine, bicine, (2-benzothiozolythio)succinic acid, and admixtures thereof;(c) optionally, an alkanolamine selected from diethyleneglycolamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and admixtures thereof;(d) optionally, water; and(e) optionally, a water-soluble surface active compound.

Abstract: (A) being a photosensitive relief-forming layer in which imagewise exposure to actinic light results in different solubilities of the exposed and unexposed parts, and this layer consists of a mixture of:(a1)one or more polymeric binders,(a2)one or more photopolymerization initiators,(a3)one or more organic compounds which are compatible with the binder (a1) and contain photopolymerizable olefinically unsaturated groups and, if required,(a4)one or more assistants,(B) being a smooth or dull, nontacky release layer (B) which is transparent to light, soluble or swellable in the relevant liquid media and formed by a polymer forming strong films and additives contained therein, and(C) being a cover sheet which can be detached from the release layer (B), the release layer (B) containing a metal salt as an additive,is suitable for the production of printing plates.

Abstract: A method of forming a spacer for supporting two substrates which constitute a liquid crystal panel, wherein the spacer is disposed between the two substrates, at least one of which has thereon an alignment layer which has been subjected to aligning treatment, comprising the steps of: (1) laminating the substrate having the alignment layer on a transfer sheet comprising projections of substantially uniform thickness on a temporary support in such a manner that the projections closely contact the alignment layer, and (2) peeling-off the temporary support to transfer the projections onto the alignment layer. The inventive method forms a spacer through a simple step and at a uniform density, and prevents damage of an aligning layer.

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: This invention makes available processes for preparing images, especially color proofs. A layer with imagewise tacky and nontacky areas is toned. Toner adhering to the tacky areas is transferred first onto a temporary support and from there onto an image receptor.

Abstract: A photosensitive element comprising, in order a support; a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive composition; and a layer comprising a thermally sensitive material; wherein the thermally sensitive material is (a) incompatible with the photosensitive composition, (b) non-tacky and non-blocking at room temperature, and (c) tackifiable at 70.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. and a process for using these elements is described. The photosensitive element may be in sheet or roll form.

Abstract: A photosensitive transfer material is disclosed including a temporary substrate having provided thereon an alkali-soluble thermoplastic resin layer, an intermediate layer, and a photosensitive resin layer in this order, the transfer material having an interlaminar adhesion which is lowest between the thermoplastic resin layer and the temporary substrate, wherein the alkali-soluble thermoplastic resin layer contains (A) an alkali-soluble thermoplastic resin having a weight average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 500,000 and a glass transition temperature of from 0.degree. to 140.degree. C. and (B) an alkali-soluble thermoplastic resin layer having a weight average molecular weight of from 3,000 to 30,000 and a glass transition temperature of from 30.degree. to 170.degree. C. at an (A)/(B) weight ratio of from 5/95 to 95/5. The transfer material can be transferred to a permanent substrate at a high speed without entrapping air bubbles due to unevenness on the permanent substrate.

Abstract: A conformal mask permits the manufacture of precision frequency selective surface that have patterns on complexly curved surfaces. The mask has a transparent substrate and a patterned opaque layer on the substrate. The layer may be patterned by laser ablation. Alternatively, the patterning of the opaque layer can be accomplished by applying a layer of photosensitive material over the opaque layer and then defining temporary and permanent areas thereof. The temporary areas of the photosensitive layer and the opaque layer are removed sequentially to define the transparent portions of the mask. Parts are made by intimately mating the mask and a part body to which a layer of metal and a layer of photosensitive material have been applied, and exposing the part to radiation through the mask. The exposed part is then chemically developed, the layer of metal is etched, and the remainder of the layer of photosensitive material is removed to complete the patterning of the part body surface.

Abstract: Parts having complexly curved, frequency selective surfaces can be manufactured with a high degree of precision using a three-dimensional conformal mask. The mask has a transparent substrate and a patterned opaque layer on the substrate. The layer may be patterned by laser ablation. Alternatively, the patterning of the opaque layer can be accomplished by applying a layer of photosensitive material over the opaque layer and then defining temporary and permanent areas thereof. The temporary areas of the photosensitive layer and the opaque layer are removed sequentially to define the transparent portions of the mask. Parts are made by intimately mating the mask and a part body to which a layer of metal and a layer of photosensitive material have been applied, and exposing the part to radiation through the mask. The exposed part is then chemically developed, the layer of metal is etched, and the remainder of the layer of photosensitive material is removed to complete the patterning of the part body surface.

Abstract: A method of producing a printing plate is disclosed, which comprises the steps of a) providing, on an aluminium support, a photo-hardenable light-sensitive layer on a 50 .mu.m or less thick film to obtain a light-sensitive plate, the surface on the light-sensitive layer side of said support is electrolytically etched in a nitric acid solution to have an average surface roughness R.sub.a of 0.1 to 0.6 .mu.m; b) imagewise exposing the photo-hardenable photosensitive layer of the light-sensitive plate; c) applying heat or pressure to the exposed light-sensitive plate; d) removing the exposed light-sensitive layer from the light-sensitive plate to leave an unexposed light-sensitive layer on the aluminium support; and e) overall exposing the unexposed light-sensitive layer to harden the same.

Abstract: A binary image comprising a plurality of first areas, at which a porous or particulate image-forming substance is adhered to a substrate, and a plurality of second areas, at which the substrate is free from the image-forming substance, is protected by laminating thereto a laminating sheet comprising a barrier layer, a durable layer and a support layer with the barrier layer facing the image, so that the barrier and durable layers adhere to both the first and second areas of the image. The support layer is then displaced away from the image such that the barrier and durable layers remain attached to the image. Both the barrier and durable layers are substantially transparent and the barrier layer comprises a polymeric organic material substantially impervious to the passage of hexane, isopropanol or water.

Abstract: A millimeter wave device having a dielectric substrate with a pair of substantially parallel planar surfaces with at least one predetermined millimeter wave circuit pattern formed in a conductive layer located on at least one of the substrate surfaces. A substantially planar conductive channel plate is mounted adjacent the conductive layer on one substrate surface with the channel plate having an aperture overlying each circuit pattern formed in the conductive layer. A substantially planar conductive cover plate is mounted adjacent one of the channel plates so as to form a first cavity in the region defined by the substrate surface, the channel plate aperture and the cover plate. The device may further include a second substantially planar conductive channel plate mounted adjacent the other one of the substrate surfaces with the second channel plate having an aperture corresponding to and aligned with the first channel plate aperture.

Abstract: A process for forming on any printing stock, single colored and multi-colored images using the expose-in-register and laminate-in-register processes is described. Images having high quality, good resolution, and color flexibility not heretofore economically feasible are obtained using the process of the invention.

Abstract: A laminar thermal imaging medium is prepared from a first element comprising a first sheet transparent to image-forming radiation and having at least a surface zone or layer of polymeric material heat-activatable upon subjection of the thermal imaging medium to brief and intense radiation, the first element carrying a layer of porous or particulate image-forming substance having cohesivity in excess of its adhesivity for the polymeric heat-activatable layer, and, on the opposed side of the layer of porous or particulate image-forming substance from the surface zone or layer, a first layer of adhesive, and a second element comprising a second sheet carrying a second layer of adhesive. The second layer of adhesive comprises a polymeric hardenable adhesive comprising a macromolecular organic binder having acidic groups, and a photopolymerizable monomer.

Abstract: A camera speed lithographic plate precursor composition is used for the preparation of waterless, imaged printing plates. The plates comprise a solid substrate with a first layer of a photopolymerizable, oleophilic coating; a second layer of silicone rubber; a third protective film layer; and a top or fourth layer comprising a silver halide emulsion containing polymeric binders or keying agents.

Abstract: Flexible printing plates are produced from printing plates consisting essentially of a dimensionally stable substrate (1) and a recording layer (2) by a process in which the printing plate is produced alternatively either by photochemical or by mechanical structuring, and in the case of photochemical structuring the photosensitive recording layer (2) is exposed imagewise and the unexposed parts of the recording layer (2) are washed out with a developer and in the case of mechanical structuring the originally photosensitive, uniformly exposed recording layer (2) is cut imagewise and the nonprinting parts of the recording layer (2) are peeled off from the substrate (1).The printing plates produced by this process are suitable for the production of products printed by the flexographic method and for lacquering products printed by the offset method.

Abstract: A non-corrosive photoresist stripping composition containing:(a) 85-10% by weight of an organic polar solvent having a dipole moment of more than 3.5;(b) 10-40% by weight of selected amine compounds;(c) 5-30% by weight of selected amino acid having a hydroxyl group; and, optionally,(d) 0-20% by weight water.

Abstract: A process for laminating a photosensitive-layer which includes providing (A) a base having a laminating region and a non-laminating region, and (B) a support having thereon, in order, a photosensitive layer and a protective film, where part of the protective film corresponds to the laminating region and part of the protective film corresponds to the non-laminating region, removing the part of the protective film which corresponds to the laminating region from the photosensitive layer such that the photosensitive layer can be laminated to the base in the laminating region, feeding the base and the support having thereon the photosensitive layer from which protective film has been removed to a nip between a pair of heated pressure rollers, passing the base and photosensitive-layer-covered support forward through the rollers while the base and photosensitive-layer-covered support are being nipped and hot-pressed by the rollers, with the photosensitive layer being in contact with the laminating region of the base

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising a support, a porous layer, a photosensitive layer containing a photopolymerizable composition and optionally a stripping layer characterized in that there is provided a barrier layer between said photosensitive layer and said porous layer said barrier layer being impermeable for the photopolymerizable composition at ambient temperature and capable of increasing its permeability with increasing temperature.

Abstract: A photosensitive layered sheet for producing transferrable decorative foil designs comprising a solvent resistant, hydrophobic plastic film having superimposed thereon the following sequential layers of coatings:(a) a clear or colored water insoluble lacquer;(b) a clear water soluble polymer;(c) an organic solvent containing from 2-8% by weight of aluminum platelets having their largest dimension not greater than about 5000 microns and a thickness not greater than 1000 angstroms;(d) an ink extender;(e) an ink coat powder, and(f) a pre-sensitized photographic emulsion.A method of making these photosensitive layered sheets.

Abstract: A photosensitive mask laminate having a photoimageable, pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a photoimageable masking layer is disclosed. The laminate also includes a support layer, and it can include a removable carrier layer and a release layer. The laminate can be imaged by selective exposure to light or other radiation, and developing the laminate produces a mask having void and mask areas. The mask can then be used to protect selected portions of a target surface during a sandblast decorative process.

Abstract: According to the present invention a method is provided for obtaining an image comprising the steps of:information-wise exposing an imaging element comprising on a support a photosensitive layer containing a photopolymerizable composition and a base layer located between said support and said photosensitive layer and wherein said base layer is contiguous to said photosensitive layer and comprises a polymer containing polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups andtransferring upon heating the non-hardened or insufficiently hardened parts of said photosensitive layer to an image receiving material. When the image receiving material contains a hydrophilic surface a lithographic printing plate can be obtained.

Abstract: The use of a two layer photoimageable, aqueous processable, resist with a hydrophic binder in the outermost layer provides a permanent coating highly resistant to printed circuit processing chemicals. This resistance results in levels of adsorbed or absorbed ionic contamination less than 14 micrograms per square inch.

Abstract: A patterning method includes the steps of irradiating an excimer laser beam to a material layer so as to form a pattern on the material layer; and transferring onto a substrate, the material layer formed with the pattern; and irradiating the excimer laser beam to the material layer transferred onto the substrate so as to form a further pattern on the material layer.

Abstract: A photosensitive transfer material comprises a temporary substrate having provided thereon an alkali-soluble thermoplastic resin layer, an intermediate layer, and a photosensitive resin layer in this order, the interlaminar adhesion in the transfer material being the smallest at the interface between the thermoplastic resin layer and the temporary substrate. The photosensitive resin layer can be transferred to a permanent substrate without involving failure due to fine dust, air bubbles or unevenness of the permanent substrate. An image can be formed with the transfer material by adhering the transfer material to a permanent substrate at least under heat and, after stripping the temporary substrate, imagewise exposing the photosensitive resin layer to light, and processing the transferred layers to develop the photosensitive resin layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new image forming method. The image forming method uses a light-sensitive material. The light-sensitive material comprises a support and a light-sensitive polymerizable layer. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer contains silver halide, a reducing agent and an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound or a cross-linkable polymer. Any of the silver halide, the reducing agent, the polymerizable compound and the polymer are not encapsulated in the layer. The image forming method comprising the steps of imagewise exposing to light the light-sensitive material and simultaneously or thereafter heating the light-sensitive material at a temperature of not lower than 70.degree. C. At the heat development, the silver halide is developed and the polymerizable compound or the cross-linkable polymer is hardened. Thus, a hardened image is formed on the light-sensitive material.

Abstract: Parts having complexly curved, frequency selective surfaces can be manufactured with a high degree of precision using a three-dimensional conformal mask. The mask has a transparent substrate and a patterned opaque layer on the substrate. The layer may be patterned by laser ablation. Alternatively, the patterning of the opaque layer can be accomplished by applying a layer of photosensitive material over the opaque layer and then defining temporary and permanent areas thereof. The temporary areas of the photosensitive layer and the opaque layer are removed sequentially to define the transparent portions of the mask. Parts are made by intimately mating the mask and a part body to which a layer of metal and a layer of photosensitive material have been applied, and exposing the part to radiation through the mask. The exposed part is then chemically developed, the layer of metal is etched, and the remainder of the layer of photosensitive material is removed to complete the patterning of the part body surface.

Abstract: An image is formed by subjecting to imagewise exposure an image forming medium containing at least a heat-diffusible coloring matter, a photosensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt, a reducing agent, a polymerizable polymer precursor and a photopolymerization initiator; heating the image forming medium thus treated; subjecting it to polymerization exposure to form a polymerized area and an unpolymerized area in the image forming medium; separating the polymerized area from the unpolymerized area; and superposing an image receiving medium onto the unpolymerized area to transfer the heat-diffusible coloring matter in the unpolymerized area to the image receiving medium.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a high-resolution photoresist layer on a substrate, such as a metal-clad circuit board blank. A dry film is used which comprises a support sheet, a negative-acting, alkaline aqueous developable photoresist layer in direct contact with the support sheet, and a protective sheet. The protective sheet is removed and the photoresist layer is cut sheet laminated to the substrate. Then the support sheet is removed. The photoresist layer is baked until its exposed surface is non-tacky. Artwork is laid directly in contact with the non-tacky exposed surface, and the photoresist layer is exposed to actinic radiation through the art work. The photoresist layer is then developed in alkaline aqueous solution. The photoresist layer is highly resolved. Subsequent processing steps, such as plating or etching and stripping yield a printed circuit board having highly resolved lines and spaces.

Abstract: A laminar thermal imaging medium is prepared from a first element comprising a first sheet transparent to image-forming radiation and having at least a surface zone or layer of polymeric material heat-activatable upon subjection of the thermal imaging medium to brief and intense radiation, the first element carrying a layer of porous or particulate image-forming substance having cohesivity in excess of its adhesivity for the polymeric heat-activatable layer, and, on the opposed side of the layer of porous or particulate image-forming substance from the surface zone or layer, a first layer of adhesive, and a second element comprising a second sheet carrying a second layer of adhesive. One of the first and second layers of adhesive comprises a polymeric hardenable adhesive comprising a macromolecular organic binder having amino or substituted amino groups, and a photopolymerizable monomer.

Abstract: Process and material for controlling the visual aspect of an image present in a hydrophilic colloid layer, layer system, or relief pattern on a permanent support by transferring a continuous non-photosensitive layer assembly from a temporary support to said image, said transfer being brought about by pre-wetting the image-carrying permanent support, bringing the pre-wet image-carrying permanent support in face-to-face contact with said continuous non-photosensitive layer assembly carried by said temporary support, stripping off the temporary support to leave said continuous non-photosensitive layer assembly covering and adhering to said image-carrying permanent support, and drying the resulting layer packet, wherein said continuous non-photosensitive layer assembly comprises in the given sequence a polyester layer having sufficient adhesiveness to said temporary support to remain adhering thereto before being stripped therefrom and yet having sufficient repellency in respect of said temporary support to make

Abstract: A stripping composition for removing resists from substrates containing hydroxylamine and at least one alkanolamine is described. Optionally, one or more polar solvents can also be included in the stripping composition. The stripping composition is especially suitable for removing a photoresist from a substrate during the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits and for removing cured polymer coatings, such as polyimide coatings.

Abstract: An image-forming process comprises the steps of: forming an ink-receiving area and an ink-repelling area on a light-sensitive material by imagewise exposure; pressing on the ink-receiving area and ink-repelling area of the material an ink sheet comprising a support and an ink layer composed of a colorant and a polymer binder; removing the ink sheet from the material so that the ink layer of the ink sheet is transferred only onto the ink-receiving area of the material; pressing an image receiving sheet on the ink-receiving area having the ink layer and the ink-repelling layer of the material; and separating the image receiving sheet from the material so that the ink layer in the ink-receiving area is transferred onto the image receiving sheet. A similar image-forming process using a resist ink sheet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable material having(A) a flexible, transparent film support;(B) a colored, polymerizable layer containing an organic binder, a free-radical-polymerizable compound, containing at least one terminal ethylenically unsaturated group, and a dye or colored pigment;(C) an adhesion layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and having a T.sub.g of from 25.degree. to 100.degree. C.; and(D) an uncolored photopolymerizable layer which contains a polymeric organic binder, a free-radical-polymerizable compound containing at least one terminal ethylenically unsaturated group and a photopolymerization initiator between the film support (A) and the colored polymerizable layer (B),where the cohesion of layers (B), (C) and (D) and the adhesion of these layers to one another and to the film support (A) provides the relationship wherein the adhesion (a.sub.2) of the photopolymerizable layer (D) to the colored layer (B) in the unexposed state is lower than: (i) the adhesion (a.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming process employing a light-sensitive image forming material and a developing solution. The image forming material comprises a support, a peel layer and a light-sensitive resin layer containing a pigment having an anionic group, superposed in order. The process comprises the steps of imagewise exposing the image forming material to light and developing the material by the use of a developing solution having a polymer having the following recurring unit (A): ##STR1## such as poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) to form an image on the peel layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat mode recording material comprising on the same side of a non-conductive support a conductive recording layer and an elastomeric image forming layer being non-conductive characterised in that a peelable polymeric film is provided as an outermost layer on the side of said support containing said elastomeric image forming layer.

Abstract: A composite film article which is a flexible, heat resistant, polymeric film material having a non-opaque, partially translucent white surface side, having a visible light opacity of from about 0.90 to about 0.99; and a non-opaque, black surface side having a visible light opacity of less than 1.0, a transmission density of less than about 2.0 and a thickness less than about 5.0 microns. The article may be used as a base for images such that the images have a reduced optical dot gain.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming process employing a light-sensitive image forming material. The image forming material comprises a support, a light-heat conversion layer and an image forming layer, superposed in order. The process comprises the steps of imagewise exposing the image forming material to light so as to increase a bonding strength between the light-heat conversion layer and the image forming layer in the exposed area, pressing a receiving sheet on the light-heat conversion layer, and removing the receiving sheet from the image forming material to form a negative image on the receiving sheet in the unexposed area and to leave a positive image on the light-heat conversion layer in the exposed area.

Abstract: An image forming process of an image forming material comprising a support and provided thereon, a photosensitive layer and a covering layer in that order comprises imagewise exposing the material by laser beam scanning, and peeling the covering film from the exposed material to form an image on the support or on the covering film, wherein said photosensitive layer contains a colorant, an addition-polymerizable or cross-linkable compound and a salt of a cationic dye with a borate anion represented by the following Formula (1):Formula (1) ##STR1##

Abstract: In a method for fabricating a reusable conformal photomask for a doubly contoured hemispherical substrate such as a radome or a three-dimensional printed circuit board, a light blocking material is deposited on a shell or tool corresponding to the shape of the radome or printed circuit board. A pattern is then formed in the light blocking material, and portions of the light blocking material corresponding to the pattern are removed. The resulting pattern corresponds to the pattern to be formed on the three-dimensional printed circuit board or radome. A light transmissive layer is then deposited over the light blocking layer for support. The light blocking material and the light transmissive material comprise the reusable conformal photomask which is then removed from the shell. The reusable conformal photomask can be used to form an image of the desired pattern on the three-dimensional printed circuit board or radome.

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: The present invention provides 6 embodiments of a new image forming method. The image forming method uses a light-sensitive material and an image receiving material. The light-sensitive material comprises a support and a light-sensitive polymerizable layer provided thereon. Some embodiments of the light-sensitive material further have an adhesive layer. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer contains silver halide, a reducing agent and an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound or/and a cross-linkable polymer. Some embodiments of the light-sensitive polymerizable layer further contain a colorant. The image forming method comprises an exposing step, a developing step, a removing step and a transferring step or a laminating step. Some embodiments of the image forming method further contains a peeling step or a toning step. The present invention is characterized in the combination of the removing step with the transferring step or the laminating step.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising a support, a porous layer, a photosensitive layer containing a photopolymerizable composition and optionally a stripping layer characterized in that there is provided a barrier layer between said photosensitive layer and said porous layer said barrier layer being impermeable for the photopolymerizable composition at ambient temperature and capable of increasing its permeability with increasing temperature.