Abstract: A radiation-sensitive composition especially adapted to prepare a lithographic printing plate that is sensitive to both ultraviolet and infrared radiation and capable of functioning in either a positive-working or negative-working manner is comprised of (1) a resole resin, (2) a novolac resin, (3) a latent Bronsted acid and (4) an infrared absorber. The solubility of the composition in aqueous alkaline developing solution is both reduced in exposed areas and increased in unexposed areas by the steps of imagewise exposure to activating radiation and heating.

Abstract: Improved lithographic printing plates are comprised of an aluminum support, a hydrophilic barrier layer comprised of a copolymer of about 40 to about 90 mole percent vinylphosphonic acid and about 10 to about 60 mole percent acrylamide overlying said support, and an image-forming layer capable of providing a lithographic printing surface overlying said barrier layer.

Abstract: The objects of the invention are generally accomplished by a method of delaminating imaging materials comprising providing an imaging material comprising donor and receiver elements, heating said imaging material, applying opposed forces to said donor and receiver elements to separate said imaging material into donor and receiver elements, and accumulating the separated donor element. In a preferred method one or both of said opposed forces is vacuum and when the vacuum is released from said donor element, accumulating takes place by spooling after separation.The apparatus for delamination of imaging materials comprises means for applying heat and pressure to said imaging material, means to apply a separating force to at least one of said donor element and receiver element forming said imaging material and means to separate said donor element and said receiver element.

Abstract: Imaging elements, such as photographic, electrostatographic and thermal imaging elements, are comprised of a support, an image-forming layer and an electrically-conductive layer comprising a dispersion in a film-forming binder of fine particles of an electronically-conductive metal antimonate. Use of metal antimonate particles provides a controlled degree of electrical conductivity and beneficial chemical, physical and optical properties which adapt the electrically-conductive layer for such purposes as providing protection against static or serving as an electrode which takes part in an image-forming process.

Abstract: A photographic element that is useful as an imaging master in the field of graphic arts is comprised of a dimensionally-stable polyester film having a radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer on one side thereof and having on the opposite side, in order, a latex subbing layer and a backing layer. The backing layer is comprised of gelatin, a matting agent, a filter dye and a blocked gelatin-hardening agent. In the manufacture of the photographic element, a high temperature heating step is employed to activate the blocked gelatin-hardening agent and thereby harden the backing layer.

Abstract: A scratch remover and desensitizer composition which is especially useful in treating scratches in non-image areas of lithographic printing plates and desensitizing such scratched areas so they will not accept ink is comprised of an alkali metal silicate, a tribasic phosphate salt, an organic solvent, a nonionic surfactant and water.

Abstract: A photosensitive photographic silver halide material comprising a support bearing a layer of a silver halide emulsion comprising at least 50% silver chloride which contains in or adjacent the emulsion layer a hydrazide nucleating agent and an amine booster, the combination of which is capable of providing high contrast images, which emulsion is sensitised with a dye of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are individually hydrogen, or halogen atom or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms, a sulfoalkyl, a trifluoromethyl, or cyano group, R.sup.3 is an alkyl or substituted alkyl group, R.sup.4 is a sulfoalkyl group, and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are individually an alkyl or substituted alkyl group, andwherein there is the necessary counter-ion.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive composition especially adapted to prepare a lithographic printing plate that is sensitive to both ultraviolet and infrared radiation and capable of functioning in either a positive-working or negative-working manner is comprised of (1) a resole resin, (2) a novolac resin, (3) a latent Bronsted acid and (4) an infrared absorber. The solubility of the composition in aqueous alkaline developing solution is both reduced in exposed areas and increased in unexposed areas by the steps of imagewise exposure to activating radiation and heating.

Abstract: Imaging elements, such as photographic, electrostatographic and thermal imaging elements, are comprised of a support, an image-forming layer and an electrically-conductive layer comprising a film-forming hydrophilic colloid having dispersed therein both electrically-conductive metal-containing particles and water-insoluble polymer particles. The combination of hydrophilic colloid, metal-containing particles and water-insoluble polymer particles provides a controlled degree of electrical conductivity and beneficial chemical, physical and optical properties which adapt the electrically-conductive layer for such purposes as providing protection against static or serving as an electrode which takes part in an image-forming process.

Abstract: The invention provides a diffusion transfer receiver comprising a support with a non-light-sensitive image receiving layer coated onto each face thereof, said image receiving layer in each case comprising a catalytic nuclei layer for physical development of transferred complexed silver halide and each composite comprising a diffusion modifying active component which is preferably a tone controlling compound. The composites of Side 1 and Side 2 are different constitutions so as to provide receivers suitable for different end users. For example Side 1 can be made suitable for creative designers while Side 2 can be made suitable for pre-sensitized plate-makers.The invention also provides a method for improving transmission density of a receiver sheet in a non-light-sensitive image receiving layer of a silver diffusion transfer process which method comprises utilizing in the receiver layer an S-thiuronium alkyl sulfonate transmission density enhancer.

Abstract: A photographic donor material useful in forming continuous tone images in a silver salt diffusion transfer process is comprised of a support; a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer in which the silver halide is at least 80% silver chloride and is substantially free of iodide; and, located between the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer and the support, a silver halide emulsion layer which is non-photosensitive under the conditions in which the donor material is used.

Abstract: A negative-working lithographic printing plate having a radiation-sensitive layer comprising a diazo resin, an acid-substituted ternary acetal polymer and an unsaturated polyester is developed with an aqueous developing composition comprising an organic solvent, an anionic surface active agent, sodium oxalate, sodium nitrate or an alkali metal tetraborate an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and sufficient alkaline buffering system to provide an alkaline pH. The method effectively avoids problems of blinding and background sensitivity which are of critical concern in the printing art.

Abstract: Thermally processable imaging elements in which the image is formed by imagewise heating or by imagewise exposure to light followed by uniform heating are provided with both a backing layer and an electroconductive layer to reduce static electricity effects and improve conveyance through processing equipment. The backing layer is an outermost layer and is located on the side of the support opposite to the imaging layer whereas the electroconductive layer is an inner layer and can be disposed on either side of the support.

Abstract: A deletion fluid for use with lithographic printing plates comprising a silver image formed by the silver salt diffusion transfer process is comprised of an aqueous solution containing iodine, an iodide salt and a surfactant which comprises both polyalkyleneoxy units and a quaternary ammonium group.

Abstract: High contrast graphic arts photographic materials exhibiting improved accuracy in image reproduction are comprised of a support, a silver halide emulsion layer having a chloride content of at least 50 mole percent, and a non-electroconductive hydrophilic colloid layer containing both a vinyl polymer and a hydrophilic colloid interposed between the support and the silver halide emulsion layer. A hydrazine nucleating agent is incorporated in or adjacent to the silver halide emulsion layer and the photographic material preferably also contains an amino compound which functions as a booster.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacture of a thermographic or photothermographic element comprises the addition to the imaging composition of an amount sufficient to enhance the adhesive characteristics thereof of a polyalkoxysilane which has been pre-hydrolyzed in an organic solvent with a stoichiometric amount of water. A particularly suitable material is tetraethoxysilane which has been hydrolyzed in acetone with four moles of water for each mole of tetraethoxysilane.

Abstract: A direct-positive image-forming photographic material comprises a supporting substrate bearing a light sensitive, nonprefogged silver halide photographic emulsion capable of forming an internal latent image and includes a water-insoluble nucleator. The nucleator is incorporated in the photographic material in the form of a solid particle dispersion to improve the storage stability of the photographic material. The development rate of the photographic material may be increased by use of a developer containing an activator for the nucleator.

Abstract: A photothermographic element comprising a photosensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt and a reducing agent in concentrations such that imagewise exposure to actinic radiation generates from the silver halide a catalyst which accelerates an image-forming reaction between the organic silver salt and the reducing agent is processed by a method comprising the steps of (1) imagewise-exposing the element to actinic radiation to form a latent image therein, (2) subjecting the imagewise-exposed element to a first heating step at a temperature and for a time sufficient to intensify the latent image but insufficient to produce a visible image, and thereafter (3) subjecting the element to a second heating step at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a visible image.

Abstract: A high-contrast room-light-handleable black-and-white silver halide photographic element that is especially useful in the field of graphic arts is comprised of a support, an imaging layer containing doped silver halide grains with a mean grain size of less than 0.12 micrometers, and a print-out layer containing doped silver halide grains with a mean grain size in the range of from 0.14 to 0.4 micrometers. The element utilizes very slow speed emulsions which render it capable of being handled in room light and is able to print-out a visible image on normal exposure and develop to full density upon being processed in conventional developing solutions.

Abstract: Aqueous alkaline developing compositions useful in the development of negative-working lithographic printing plates are comprised of an organic solvent, an anionic surface active agent, sodium oxalate, sodium nitrate or an alkali metal tetraborate, an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and sufficient alkaline buffering system to provide an alkaline pH. The developing composition is resistant to oxidation, highly effective in dissolution-type processing, and able to effectively desensitize the background areas of the printing plate.