Blocked Developers Patents (Class 430/959)
  • Patent number: 7112398
    Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: wherein: the substituents are as defined in the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wojciech K. Slusarek, Xiqiang Yang, Mark E. Irving, David H. Levy, Jared B. Mooberry, James J. Seifert, James H. Reynolds, Lyn M. Irving
  • Patent number: 7108964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel kind of anthranilic acid compound that releases a UG as a function of chemical bond cleavage according to Formula (I): Q-(AAS)-UG where UG is an useful group and is chemically bonded to (AAS); (AAS) is an anthranilic acid switching group; and Q is a group in which the bond to (AAS) is broken so that the -(AAS)-UG fragment subsequently decomposes to the free UG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen P. Singer, Philip A. Allway, Trevor J. Wear, Louis E. Friedrich, Siu (Lambert) C. Tsoi, Bernard A. Clark, Paul L. Stanley
  • Patent number: 6780575
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of scanning silver-halide-containing color photographic and photothermographic film. In particular, the present invention comprises record shifting by means by employing at least one infrared dye in a color unit of the film, thereby forming at least one image record in the infrared. This expedient leads to the formation of high quality images, especially when scanning photothermographic elements in which the silver halide, metallic silver, and/or any organic silver salts have not been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard P. Szajewski
  • Patent number: 6770406
    Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: wherein PUG is a residue of removing a hydrogen from wherein X, Y, and Z represent substituents selected independently from the groups hydrogen, alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclopropyl, aryl, arylalkyl, and heterocyclic groups, wherein at least one of X, Y, and Z is an aryl group and one of X, Y, Z, which may or may not be an aryl group, is attached in the direction of the backbone, and the other substituents are as defined in the specification. Such compounds have good reactivity and can by used to block photographically useful compounds such as developing agents until thermally activated under preselected conditions. Compounds according to the present invention are especially useful in color photothermographic imaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James H. Reynolds, Douglas R. Robello, David H. Levy
  • Publication number: 20040142255
    Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Wojciech K. Slusarek, Xiqiang Yang, Mark E. Irving, David H. Levy, Jared B. Mooberry, James J. Seifert, James H. Reynolds, Lyn M. Irving
  • Publication number: 20040137380
    Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James H. Reynolds, Douglas R. Robello, David H. Levy
  • Patent number: 6699651
    Abstract: Improved compounds and base precursors that undergo thermal decomposition are disclosed. Thermal-dye-bleach agents, and in particular, a novel class of salts of arylsulfonylacetic acids as bleaching agents for photothermographic use are disclosed. Photothermographic elements employing these thermal-dye-bleach agents are suitable for use as acutance and antihalation systems, bleachable filter dye materials, and in promoting unblocking of various components such as blocked developers, especially in in photothermographic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ramanuj Goswami, David H. Levy
  • Publication number: 20030232272
    Abstract: Disclosed is a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material comprising at least one silver halide emulsion layer on a support, which contains a compound of which one-electron oxidized derivative produced by one electron oxidation of the compound is capable of releasing two or more electrons with a bond cleavage and has a characteristic curve drawn in orthogonal coordinates of logarithm of light exposure (x-axis) and optical density (y-axis) using equal unit lengths for the both axes, on which gamma is 5.0 or more for the optical density range of 0.3-3.0. This silver halide photographic light-sensitive material shows high contrast and high sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Shoji Yasuda, Kohzaburoh Yamada
  • Patent number: 6645706
    Abstract: Thermally developable materials include a reducing agent composition that can reduce silver ions and provide high contrast images. The reducing agent composition includes a) a hindered phenol reducing agent, an aromatic di- or tri-hydroxy compound, or mixtures thereof, and b) a thermally-releasable p-phenylenediamine co-developer that is represented by the following Structure I: R—NH-BLOCK  (I) wherein R—NH— is a p-phenylenediamine group and BLOCK is a blocking group that is cleaved upon exposure to at least 120° C. for at least 5 seconds and comprises one or more of the following thermally cleavable groups: —CONH—, —COO—, —CONHSO2—, —PO3—, —SO2—, —COCH2NHCO—, or —COS—, and BLOCK is directly linked to R—NH— through one of the thermally cleavable groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Simpson, Takuzo Ishida
  • Publication number: 20030194638
    Abstract: Disclosed is a highly sensitive photothermographic material containing on a support a silver salt of an organic acid, a photosensitive silver halide, a reducing agent, a binder and, for example, a compound of which one-electron oxidized derivative produced by one electron oxidation of the compound is capable of releasing two or more electrons with a bond cleavage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Takahiro Goto, Kohzaburoh Yamada, Tomoyuki Ohzeki, Eiichi Okutsu, Shoji Yasuda
  • Patent number: 6576414
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photothermographic element comprising silver halide, a blocked developer, a coupler, and core/shell particles, each such particle comprising a mixture of at least two non-photosensitive organic silver salts, which particle comprises a center portion comprising a non-photosensitive first organic silver salt and at least one shell portion covering the center portion, the shell comprising a non-photosensitive second organic silver salt. The organic silver salt in the shell has a lower pKsp relative to the organic silver salt in the core. This invention also provides a composition comprising the core/shell non-photosensitive organic silver salt particles, and a method of making the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, David H. Levy, Bernard D. Stich, Mark R. Mis, Stephen Swingley, Donald L. Black
  • Patent number: 6551768
    Abstract: Blocked photographically useful groups decompose thermally via a Lossen rearrangement reaction, including, for example, compounds represented by the following structure: In the above structure, the substituents are as defined in the application. Such compounds have good reactivity and can by used to block photographically useful compounds such as developing agents until thermally activated under preselected conditions. Compounds according to the present invention are especially useful in color photothermographic imaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wojciech K. Slusarek, Xiqiang Yang, David H. Levy
  • Publication number: 20030073044
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photothermographic element comprising at least one imaging layer with a pyrrolotriazole coupler and a developing agent, or precursor thereof, the combination of which is capable of forming an image record in the infrared region of the light spectrum in response to a selected hue of visible light. This expedient leads to the formation of high quality images, especially when scanning photothermographic elements in which the silver halide, metallic silver, and/or any organic silver salts have not been removed. Also disclosed is a method for photothermographically forming a developed image comprising an infrared image record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: James H. Reynolds, Leif P. Olson, Wojciech K. Slusarek, David H. Levy
  • Patent number: 6537712
    Abstract: This invention relates to a color photothermographic element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: wherein DEV, LINK, TIME, n, T, t, C*, R12, D, p, X, q, W, and w are defined in the application. Such compounds have good reactivity as developing agents when thermally activated under preselected conditions. The invention is also directed to a method of developing a color photothermographic element, including dry development systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wojciech K. Slusarek, Xiqiang Yang, Mark E. Irving, David H. Levy, Jared B. Mooberry, James J. Seifert, James H. Reynolds, Lyn M. Irving, Zbyslaw R. Owczarczyk, David K. Southby
  • Patent number: 6534252
    Abstract: A light sensitive silver halide color photographic element having a common chromogenic coupler and a distinct developer associated with each color forming layer unit is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the light sensitive silver halide color photographic element has a red light sensitive silver halide layer unit and a first blocked coupling developer, a green light sensitive silver halide layer unit and a second blocked coupling developer and a blue light sensitive silver halide layer unit having a third blocked coupling developer and wherein each layer unit has the same chromogenic coupler. In a second embodiment, the light sensitive silver halide color photographic element has a red light sensitive silver halide layer unit and a first blocked coupling developer, a green light sensitive silver halide layer unit and a second blocked coupling developer and a blue light sensitive silver halide layer unit having a third blocked coupling developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving
  • Patent number: 6534226
    Abstract: This invention comprises an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: In the above Structure I, the substituents are as defined in the application. Such compounds have good reactivity and can by used to block photographically useful compounds such as developing agents until thermally activated under preselected conditions. Compounds according to the present invention are especially useful in color photothermographic imaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Zbyslaw R. Owczarczyk, David T. Southby, Xiqiang Yang
  • Patent number: 6531271
    Abstract: A light-sensitive silver-halide color photographic element comprising at least two different chromogenic couplers including, in reactive association, a multifunctional coupler and a developer precursor that liberates a developing agent enabling cyan color from the multifunctional coupler on development, wherein the multifunctional coupler has the property that it is capable of forming a distinctly colored dye with an oxidized form of the developer 4-(N-ethyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methylphenylenediamine. In one embodiment, the multifunctional coupler has the property that it is capable of forming a distinctly colored magenta dye with an oxidized form of the developer 4-(N-ethyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methylphenylenediamine. By means of the present invention, light-sensitive color photothermographic elements can form yellow, magenta and cyan dye records of consistent density forming ability and consistent stability in all three color records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving
  • Patent number: 6528241
    Abstract: A light-sensitive silver-halide color photographic element comprising a multifunctional coupler enabling formation of an infrared dye on development, wherein the multifunctional coupler has the property that it is capable of forming a distinctly colored cyan dye with an oxidized form of the developer 4-(N-ethyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methylphenylenediamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard P. Szajewski
  • Patent number: 6517981
    Abstract: A light-sensitive silver-halide color photothermographic element comprises a typically magenta dye-forming pyrazolone coupler in the cyan record by rendering the hue of the resultant dye a cyan hue. The use of certain para-phenylenediamine developers, for example, containing a substituent group in both the 2- and 6-positions (ortho, ortho') relative to the coupling nitrogen, along with selected magenta dye-forming couplers, when oxidized, yield cyan dyes with certain couplers, resulting in the superior non-hue characteristics of magenta couplers in the cyan layer. By means of the present invention, light sensitive color photothermographic elements can form image dye records of consistent density forming ability and consistent stability in all three color records. Also disclosed is a method of processing such a color photographic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Leif P. Olson, Wojciech K. Slusarek, James H. Reynolds, Richard P. Szajewski
  • Patent number: 6506546
    Abstract: This invention comprises an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: wherein PUG is a photographically useful group; LINK 1 and LINK 2 are linking groups; TIME is a timing group; T represents t independently selected substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl groups, t is 0, 1, or 2 and if t is 2, the T groups can form a ring; HET is a heterocyclic group which optionally can form a ring with a T group; R12 is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or R12 can form a ring with a T group or with HET; 1 is 0 or 1; m is 0, 1, or 2; and n is 0 or 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Zbyslaw R. Owozarczyk, Xiqiang Yang, David T. Southby
  • Patent number: 6506528
    Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic color element containing a mixture of blocked developers in the same emulsion layer, which blocked developers having different onset temperatures. Such a mixture has been found to allow for lower film processing temperatures and/or shorter times of development with respect to the blocked developer having a higher onset temperature. Conversely, improved discrimination can be obtained with respect to the blocked developer having the lower onset temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Zbyslaw R. Owczarczyk, David T. Southby, Xiqiang Yang
  • Patent number: 6500590
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, David T. Southby
  • Patent number: 6495299
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David H. Levy, James H. Reynolds, David T. Southby, Paul D. Zimmerman, Mark E. Irving
  • Patent number: 6492076
    Abstract: This invention relates to a color photothermographic element comprising a support, at least one photothermographic imaging layer, and at least one antihalation layer or filter layer, wherein the antihalation or filer layer comprises an aqueous heat-bleachable composition comprising at least one zwitterionic 1-aminopyridinium dye having a methine linkage terminated by a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic nucleus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ramanuj Goswami, Mark E. Irving, David H. Levy
  • Patent number: 6482582
    Abstract: Disclosed in an image recording material comprising, on a support, a photosensitive silver halide, a reducing agent, a binder and a compound represented by the following Formula (1): wherein, in Formula (1), R1 and R2 each independently represent a substituent, R1 and R2 may be bonded to each other to form a ring, X represents a halogen atom, L represents a methylene group, m represents an integer of 0-7, Y represents a divalent bridging group, n represents 0 or 1 and Z represents a residue derived from a photographically useful compound. This image recording material exhibits high sensitivity, low fog and good storage stability, and is stable against fluctuation of development conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Watanabe, Masaru Takasaki
  • Patent number: 6472111
    Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic color element containing a mixture of blocked developers in the same emulsion layers. By having different blocked developers or mixtures of at least two blocked developers in different color layers, it is possible to manipulate the image discrimination (at the processing temperature) in each layer and to balance the density formation or color in the different color layers. Different mixtures of blocked developers can be used in different imaging layers, to balance the Gamma, the Dmin and the Latitude in different imaging layers or color units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Eastmank Kodak Company
    Inventors: James H. Reynolds, David H. Levy, David T. Southby
  • Patent number: 6455235
    Abstract: A photographic processing element is disclosed, comprising a color developing agent or its precursor. The element further comprises a base or its precursor. An image forming method is also disclosed, comprising superposing a processing element comprising a color developing agent or its precursor on an exposed silver halide photographic material to perform development of the photographic material to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kokeguchi, Hiromichi Mizukami, Yoshihiko Suda
  • Publication number: 20020132175
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of scanning silver-halide-containing color photographic and photothermographic film. In particular, the present invention comprises record shifting by means by employing at least one infrared dye in a color unit of the film, thereby forming at least one image record in the infrared. This expedient leads to the formation of high quality images, especially when scanning photothermographic elements in which the silver halide, metallic silver, and/or any organic silver salts have not been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard P. Szajewski
  • Patent number: 6451516
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, Ramanuj Goswami
  • Patent number: 6440618
    Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: In the above Structure I, the substituents are as defined in the application, wherein B is a six-membered heteroaromatic ring. Such compounds have good reactivity and can by used to block photographically useful compounds such as developing agents until thermally activated under preselected conditions. Compounds according to the present invention are especially useful in color photothermographic imaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wojciech K. Slusarek, Xiqiang Yang, David H. Levy
  • Publication number: 20020106590
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, Ramanuj Goswami, Kenneth N. Kilminster
  • Patent number: 6426181
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lyn M. Irving, David H. Levy, Mark E. Irving
  • Publication number: 20020025498
    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
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Xiqiang Yang, Zbyslaw R. Owczarczyk, David T. Southby, Mark E. Irving, Paul B. Merkel, Lyn M. Irving, David H. Levy
  • Patent number: 6350566
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving
  • Publication number: 20020022200
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, David T. Southby
  • Publication number: 20020018944
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, Richard P. Szajewski
  • Publication number: 20020018956
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: David H. Levy, James H. Reynolds, David T. Southby, Paul D. Zimmerman, Mark E. Irving
  • Publication number: 20020018967
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, Richard P. Szajewski
  • Publication number: 20020015928
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Lyn M. Irving, David H. Levy, Mark E. Irving
  • Publication number: 20020012887
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photothermographic element in which the density formed in a thermally processed photothermographic element is limited for the purpose of scanning the element prior to removal of silver halide, metallic silver, and/or any organic silver salts. In one embodiment of the invention, this is accomplished by employing limited quantities of sensitized silver halide in a photothermographic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Richard P. Szajewski
  • Publication number: 20020012886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel blocked phenylenediamine developer useful, in reactive association, for enabling, on development, a non-magenta color, for example a cyan color, from a dye-forming coupler. In one embodiment, the developer has the property that the dye color formed with the coupler is distinctly different from the color formed by the same coupler with an oxidized form of the conventional developer 4-(N-ethyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methylphenylenediamine. The invention is also directed to a light-sensitive silver-halide color photographic element comprising the blocked developing agent according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving
  • Publication number: 20020009677
    Abstract: A light sensitive silver halide color photographic element having a common chromogenic coupler and a distinct developer associated with each color forming layer unit is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the light sensitive silver halide color photographic element has a red light sensitive silver halide layer unit and a first blocked coupling developer, a green light sensitive silver halide layer unit and a second blocked coupling developer and a blue light sensitive silver halide layer unit having a third blocked coupling developer and wherein each layer unit has the same chromogenic coupler. In a second embodiment, the light sensitive silver halide color photographic element has a red light sensitive silver halide layer unit and a first blocked coupling developer, a green light sensitive silver halide layer unit and a second blocked coupling developer and a blue light sensitive silver halide layer unit having a third blocked coupling developer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving
  • Patent number: 6337170
    Abstract: This invention provides a color diffusion transfer image forming material comprising a light-sensitive material containing a compound which forms or releases a diffusible dye upon reaction with a developing agent derived from a light-sensitive silver halide, aminopheno derivative or phenylenediamine derivative and an oxidation product of the developing agent supported on a first support, and a dye-fixing material containing a discoloration preventing agent having a specific structure supported on a second support which may be the same as or different from the first support, wherein the light-sensitive material and the dye-fixing material are located so that the diffusible dye formed or released by developing is at least transferred from the light-sensitive material to the dye-fixing material in developing the light-sensitive material, thereby providing the image forming material with excellent properties in terms of dye concentration, image fastness and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Naruse
  • Patent number: 6319640
    Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: In the above Structure I, the substituents are as defined in the application. Such compounds have good reactivity and can by used to block photographically useful compounds such as developing agents until thermally activated under preselected conditions. Compounds according to the present invention are especially useful in color photothermographic imaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wojciech K. Slusarek, Xiqiang Yang, David H. Levy
  • Patent number: 6306551
    Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Zbyslaw R. Owczarczyk, Xiqiang Yang, David H. Levy, Mark E. Irving
  • Patent number: 6303261
    Abstract: Disclosed are a silver halide color photographic material having on a support a photographic element in which silver halide grains, a developing agent and a coupler capable of forming a dye by reaction with an oxidation product of the developing agent are incorporated, the photographic element further comprising at least one color stain inhibitive compound represented by the following formula (SC-1) or (SC-2) and at least one photographically useful group-releasing compound represented by the following formula (II); and a method of forming color images by the use of the foregoing material: A—[(L1)a—(B)m]p—(L2)n—PUG  (II)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Arakawa, Toshio Kawagishi
  • Publication number: 20010024771
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving
  • Patent number: 6280919
    Abstract: The invention provides a photographic element comprising a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a coupler based on a 1-aryl-3-arylpyrazol-5-one ring and represented by formula I: wherein the substituents are as described in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wojciech K. Slusarek, Jerrold N. Poslusny, Zheng Z. Wu
  • Patent number: 6261750
    Abstract: A silver halide color light-sensitive material contains at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and at least one non-light-sensitive layer on a support, wherein at least one of the non-light-sensitive layers contains a silver halide emulsion having a previously fogged surface, and the non-light-sensitive layer containing the previously fogged emulsion and/or its adjacent layer contains a compound capable of releasing a photographically useful group or its precursor by a coupling reaction with the oxidized form of a developing agent, wherein the previously fogged emulsion is developed during color development to evenly form the oxidized form of a color developing agent, and the photographically useful group or its precursor is released non-imagewise by the coupling reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Ishii, Takayuki Ito, Fumitaka Ueda, Hiroyuki Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 6242166
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, Richard P. Szajewski, Lyn M. Irving