Abstract: An image forming method is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermal transfer element having an infrared sensitive adhesive topcoat and process for using the transfer element to generate a colored image on a receptor. The infrared sensitive adhesive topcoat allows for a more efficient transfer of the image to a receptor. The color transfer layer and/or infrared sensitive adhesive topcoat may optionally contain crosslinkable or polymerizable materials that allows one to crosslink the image after transfer to the receptor to produce a more durable image.

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: An image forming material is disclosed which comprises a support and provided thereon, an image forming layer containing colorant particles and a binder, the image forming layer having an optical density of 3.0 or more per 1 .mu.m thickness of the image forming layer at .lambda.max which is a wavelength giving a maximum transparent density in the spectral absorption wavelength range of 350 to 1200 nm of the image forming layer, wherein an image is formed by removing exposed portions of the image forming layer of the image forming material.

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: A process of producing an ink-oozing plate for a stamp having open cells, in which the production steps and the apparatus are simple, and an ink-oozing plate for a stamp which can provide a sharp impress image and is conveniently used, including such a method as using an exothermally fusible sheet coated with a heat-fusing substance which generates heat by irradiating with infrared rays and can penetrate into a stamp material, irradiating with infrared rays while pressing the stamp material, and coating an impress image copy with a liquid substance containing water, and thus coming to complete the process of producing the ink-oozing plate for a stamp of the present invention.

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 three-dimensional image is produced using an imaging medium having a lenticular screen, the lenticles of the screen dividing the opposed surface of the imaging medium into a plurality of elongate image areas, the imaging medium having on the opposed side thereof a radiation-sensitive layer, the radiation-sensitive layer comprising a color-forming composition adapted to undergo a change of color upon increase in the temperature of the radiation-sensitive layer above a color-forming temperature for a color-forming time.

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 method for producing a printing plate which involves forming an image on the surface of a sheet having open cells by selectively applying a thermal exposure to the surface of the sheet. The sheet is a thermoplastic resin preferably having melting point between about 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. The resulting printing plate has a planar surface with no relief sections; instead there are porous and nonporous sections, with the porous sections being permeable to ink infused within the printing plate. A method of printing using the above plate is also disclosed.

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 is described for the direct production of an imaged pattern of resist on a substrate surface (such as a pattern of etch-resistant organic resin material on the surface of a copper-clad dielectric in connection with a printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication process or in the process of producing printed plates), which process utilizes thermo-resists rather than photoresists, i.e., compositions which undergo thermally-induced, rather than photo-induced, chemical transformations. A film of thermo-resist composition applied to the substrate surface is scanned by a focused heat source (e.g., a thermal laser emitting in the IR region) in a predetermined pattern, without a phototool, to bring about localized thermally-induced chemical transformations of the composition which either directly produce the resist pattern or produce in the film a developable latent image of the pattern.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of successively forming and/or erasing images selectively in different portions of a recording layer of a recording medium which comprises a reversible thermosensitive recording material capable of recording images and erasing the same by reversibly changing the transparency or the color tone of the portions of the recording layer with the application of heat thereto, depending upon the temperature thereof, in such a manner that the same portion of the recording layer is not continuously used for image formation and/or erasure in excess of a predetermined number of times, thereby repeating the use of the recording medium for an extended period of time.

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: 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 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: A method for exposing a radiation sensitive material is disclosed comprising a double-sided laser exposure of the same information in register on both sides. In a preferred embodiment this material is a thermal imaging medium comprising a support, an image forming layer preferably containing carbon black, a release layer and an adhesive layer. By laser exposing this medium in register on both sides a heat mode image can be obtained after lamination and delamination which shows practically no pinhole defects.

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 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: Toning agents are provided for use in thermographic and photothermographic materials, either on their own or in combination with at least one other toning agent, with improved compatibility with hydrophobic media as shown by reduced crystallization and reduced diffusion through the material, which properties enabling an improved imaging performance to be achieved and in particular a more neutral image tone after storage.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the formation of a heat mode image comprising the steps of (i) bringing in close contact a donor element, containing a reducing agent and an radiation to heat converting compound, and an acceptor element, containing a reducible organic silver salt, (ii) exposing this assemblage information-wise by intense infra-red laser radiation, (iii) peeling apart the elements and (iiii) optionally overall heating the separated acceptor element.In a preferred embodiment the laser is an infra-red laser and the radiation to heat converting compound is an infra-red absorbing compound.In an alternative embodiment the radiation to heat converting compound is incorporated in the acceptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides 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 dye. When such a donor element is used in a thermal transfer printing process in conjunction with a receiving element having a receiving layer that contains a thermoreducible silver source, an image of a neutral black tone and having a high optical density is obtained.

Abstract: An optical recording material comprising: a thin film or membrane of a hydrophobic binding agent; and metallic particles having a diameter of 0.003 .mu.m to 3 .mu.m dispersed in said film or membrane wherein the density of said metallic particles is higher near at least one surface of said film or membrane as compared with another portion of said film or membrane, each metallic particle having a nucleus and an outer coating, said outer coating consisting of at least one metal having a melting point of 250.degree. C. to 1800.degree. C. and a thermal conductivity at 0.degree. C. of 5 W.multidot.m.sup.-1 .multidot.K.sup.-1 to 450 W.multidot.m.sup.-1 .multidot.K.sup.-1 wherein the reflectivity of the surface of said film or membrane where the density of said metallic particle is higher is 10 to 90%., a method for preparing the optical recording material and an optical card containing the optical recording material.

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 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 benzotriazole UV-absorbing dye.

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 2-hydroxybenzophenone UV-absorbing dye.

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: The present invention relates to a thermosensitive lithographic printing original plate comprising a substrate, a hydrophilic layer containing a hydrophilic binder polymer, and a microcapsuled oleophilic material which forms an image area by heating; the hydrophilic binder polymer having a three-dimensional cross-link and a functional group which chemically combines with the oleophilic material in the microcapsule when the microcapsule is decomposed, and the microcapsuled oleophilic material having a functional group which chemically combines with the hydrophilic binder polymer when the microcapsule is decomposed.The thermosensitive lithographic printing original plate of the present invention is excellent in printing durability and storage property and provides prints having clear images because the plate does not collect scumming. Further, development is not required in the platemaking process so that there are no problems with waste treatment and the like.

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 (c) a second polymer having a decomposition temperature T.sub.2 and (ii) an imageable component; wherein T.sub.2 .gtoreq.(T.sub.1 +100) is described.

Abstract: Image forming method is disclosed using a light-sensitive material which comprises a support and a light-sensitive layer provided thereon. The light-sensitive layer contains silver halide, a reducing agent and an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound. The light-sensitive material of the present invention further contains a polymerization inhibitor releasing (PIR) compound. The polymerization inhibitor releasing compound has a function of releasing a polymerization inhibitor when the compound is heated or reacted with a base. The silver halide, the reducing agent, the polymerizable compound and the polymerization inhibitor releasing compound are preferably contained in microcapsules which are dispersed in the light-sensitive layer.

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: The present invention provides a heat mode recording material comprising on a transparent support a recording layer containing a light to heat converting substance, an image forming substance and a binder characterised in that there is present a heat decomposable intermediate layer between said transparent support and said recording layer and said heat decomposable intermediate layer being contiguous to said recording layer. High density images practically free of fog are obtained. The images are suitable for use as masks in contact exposures of lithographic printing plate precursors.

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: A laser dye-ablative 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 an arylazo phenol, naphthol or aniline UV-absorbing dye.

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 an oxalanilide UV-absorbing dye.

Abstract: Microcapsule has a shell encapsulating a liquid-phase material containing at least a dye precursor and a radiation curable component therein. The liquid-phase material is cured when predetermined wavelength light is applied thereto. The shell is made of electron accepting or electron supplying material, so that the microcapsule is readily charged to either positive or negative polarity. Very fine particles may be attached to the surface of the shell, wherein the particles are made of a material which can be readily charged to positive or negative polarity.

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: An aqueous processable element for thermally-induced photoimaging and a photoimaging process using the element are disclosed. The element comprises, in order:(A) a dimensionally stable support, and(B) an active layer comprising:(1) a cationic polymer containing pendant ammonium groups, said cationic polymer being removable from said support by aqueous processing, said pendant groups having the general formula:--N (R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)(R.sub.3)!.sup.+ X.sup.-,(2) an infra-red absorbing material, and(3) optionally, a colorant;wherein:R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted alkenyl, and substituted and unsubstituted aryl;R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 together contain not more than about thirty carbon atoms; andX is an anion.

Abstract: A laser dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a yellow dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, the yellow dye comprising curcumin.

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 2-cyano-3,3-diarylacrylate UV-absorbing 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 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: 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: There is disclosed a method of successively forming and/or erasing images selectively in different portions of a recording layer of a recording medium which comprises a reversible thermosensitive recording material capable of recording images and erasing the same by reversibly changing the transparency or the color tone of the portions of the recording layer with the application of heat thereto, depending upon the temperature thereof, in such a manner that the same portion of the recording layer is not continuously used for image formation and/or erasure in excess of a predetermined number of times, thereby repeating the use of the recording medium for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A recording material contains at least two coordination compounds which react to produce at least one newly produced coordination compound with the occurrence of visual changes in the recording material, which visual changes are utilized for recording.

Abstract: A radiation thermally imageable, solid toner addressable article comprises a substrate having on at least one surface thereof a layer comprising a) a solid binder which can be converted to a supercooled liquid upon heating and subsequent cooling to room temperature, b) a dye which absorbs radiation (at the wavelength of the imaging device,, e.e., ultraviolet, visible [especially the red], and infrared wavelengths) and converts infrared radiation to thermal energy, and c) a fluorinated surfactant. A directly thermally addressable article does not require the radiation absorbable dye.