Abstract: A stabilizing bath which provides reduced stain and enhanced dye stability for photographic color elements which are processed therein is comprised of a dye stabilizing agent, an alkanolamine, and polyacrylic acid or a water-soluble salt thereof. The stabilizing bath is used as a final processing bath which follows treatment of the element in a fixing or bleach-fixing bath containing a thiousulfate fixing agent. The alkanolamine functions to prevent the precipitation of sulfur resulting from carryover of the thiosulfate fixing agent into the stabilizing bath, while the polyacrylic acid or water-soluble salt thereof functions to avoid the formation of unwanted precipitates.

Abstract: A stabilizing bath which provides reduced stain and enhanced dye stability for photographic color elements which are processed therein is comprised of a dye stabilizing agent, an alkanolamine, and a hydrolyzed polymaleic anhydride or water-soluble salt thereof. The stabilizing bath is used as a final processing bath which follows treatment of the element in a fixing or bleach-fixing bath containing a thiosulfate fixing agent. The alkanolamine functions to prevent the precipitation of sulfur resulting from carryover of the thiosulfate fixing agent into the stabilizing bath, while the hydrolyzed polymaleic anhydride or water-soluble salt thereof functions to avoid the formation of unwanted precipitates.

Abstract: Improved bleach-accelerating compositions that are especially useful in the reversal color processing of photographic elements are comprised of a bleach-accelerating agent and a dye-stabilizing agent. Formaldehyde precursors function as particularly effective dye-stabilizing agents in such compositions. The bleach-accelerating composition is utilized subsequent to the color developing step and prior to the bleaching step and serves to enhance the effectiveness of the bleaching step and to provide improved dye stability.

Abstract: A process for forming an anti-halation layer on the surface of a polyester photographic film support comprises the steps of (1) subjecting the surface to an activation treatment such as, for example, corona discharge treatment; (2) coating the activated surface with a composition comprising an anti-halation agent, such as carbon black, and an alkali-soluble polymeric binder, such as cellulose acetate hexahydrophthlate, dispersed in a liquid organic medium; and (3) drying the coating to thereby form an anti-halation layer which is strongly adherent to the polyester film suport yet is readily removable by an alkaline photographic processing solution.

Abstract: Photographic color developing compositions which are especially useful in the processing of high chloride silver halide photographic elements are free, or at least substantially free, of bromides; optionally contain a small amount of sulfite; and comprise (1) a primary aromatic amino color developing agent, (2) an N,N-dialkylhydroxylamine, (3) at least one sequestering agent which functions to sequester iron and (4) at least one sequestering agent which functions to sequester calcium. The developing compositions exhibit excellent stability. They also provide minimal development restraint which permits the use of very short development times, as needed for rapid access processing.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing the magenta dye image in a photographic color element comprises the steps of contacting the element with an aqueous stabilizing solution containing a water-soluble N-methylol compound and an alkaline buffering agent, subjecting the stabilized element to an aqueous wash to remove scum formed by the treatment with the stabilizing solution, and drying the element at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for improving the dimensional stability of a thermoplastic polymeric film such that it can be used as a flexible support in optical disk assemblies in which maintenance of flatness, smoothness and track configuration of the record layer thereon is essential. This process comprises the steps of: (a) heat treating the film for a time and at a temperature sufficient to achieve a low free volume state; (b) subjecting the film to a substantially uniform omnidirectional tension; and (c) heat treating the film while under such tension for a time and at a temperature sufficient to effect substantial stress relaxation.

Abstract: Improved bleach-accelerating compositions that are especially useful in the reversal color processing of photographic elements are comprised of a bleach-accelerating agent and an ethyleneoxy-substituted fatty acid ester of sorbitan. The bleach-accelerating composition is utilized subsequent to the color developing step and prior to the bleaching step and serves to enhance the effectiveness of the bleaching step. Incorporation of the ethyleneoxy-substituted fatty acid ester of sorbitan in the bleach-accelerating composition serves to avoid or at least minimize problems of scum formation which commonly occur in such compositions.

Abstract: A novel leaching process for separating extractable material from a particulate solid material that comprises extractable and non-extractable portions includes the steps of introducing the particulate solid material and a liquid solvent to an extraction zone; agitating the liquid solvent to a degree sufficient to suspend the particulate solid material and effect segregation of particles thereof in relation to their propensity to settle; maintaining contact between the liquid solvent and the particulate solid material for a time sufficient to leach extractable material therefrom; and selectively withdrawing particles of the solid material from the extraction zone. In a preferred embodiment, the leaching process is a multi-stage process in which the selectively withdrawn particles from each stage are introduced to the next successive stage of the series.

Abstract: A stabilizing bath which provides reduced stain and enhanced dye stability for photographic color elements which are processed therein is comprised of a dye stabilizing agent and an alkanolamine. The stabilizing bath is used as a final processing bath which follows treatment of the element in a fixing or bleach-fixing bath containing a thiosulfate fixing agent. The alkanolamine functions to prevent the precipitation of sulfur resulting from carryover of the thiosulfate fixing agent into the stabilizing bath.

Abstract: Multi-active photoconductive insulating elements which are sensitive in the far red region of the spectrum are comprised of a charge-generation layer and a charge-transport layer in electrical contact therewith and contain, as the charge-generating agent within the charge-generation layer, the compound N,N'-bis[2-(3-methylphenyl)ethyl]perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide). The charge-generation layer is capable, upon exposure to activating radiation, of highly effective generation and injection of charge carriers and the charge-transport layer, which is comprised of an organic composition containing an organic photoconductive material, is capable of accepting and transporting the injected charge carriers to thereby form a highly advantageous multi-active photoconductive insulating element.

Abstract: A method for the processing of photographic elements includes a bleach-fixing step utilizing a bleach-fixing composition comprising an aqueous alkaline solution of a peroxy compound and an ammonium or amine salt of a weak acid.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus for multistage contacting of two materials advantageously provides high chemical efficiency and low losses of components of one of the materials caused by that material being carried out of the process with the other material. The process comprises contacting, in a series of stages, a first material with a second material containing a component whose concentration therein is reduced by such contact. Replenishment material is introduced to at least one of the stages to compensate for such concentration reduction. The concentration of the component in the second material is highest in one of the stages, and the first material carries a part of the second material out of each stage. The first material is contacted with the second material at least one once in each stage of the series.

Abstract: Multi-active photoconductive insulating elements which are sensitive in the far red region of the spectrum are comprised of a charge-generation layer and a charge-transport layer in electrical contact therewith and contain, as the charge-generating agent within the charge-generation layer, the compound N,N'-bis[2-(3-methylphenyl)ethyl]perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide). The charge-generation layer is capable, upon exposure to activating radiation, of highly effective generation and injection of charge carriers and the charge-transport layer, which is comprised of an organic composition containing an organic photoconductive material, is capable of accepting and transporting the injected charge carriers to thereby form a highly advantageous multi-active photoconductive insulating element.

Abstract: Fast acting and ecologically advantageous compositions for the bleach-fixing of photographic elements are comprised of an aqueous alkaline solution of a peroxy compound and an ammonium or amine salt of a weak acid.

Abstract: Multi-layer photoconductive elements comprising one or more layers of hydrogenated amorphous silicon are provided with sensitizing and supersensitizing layers which function to alter the spectral sensitivity of the element and thereby enhance its usefulness in such applications as photovoltaic devices, thin film electronic devices, and electrophotographic photoreceptors. The sensitizing layer contains a phthalocyanine which serves as a spectral sensitizing agent and the supersensitizing layer contains an arylamine which serves as a chemical sensitizing agent. The sensitizing and supersensitizing layers serve by their conjoint action to inject charge into the hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer in response to photogeneration within the sensitizing layer that is activated by radiation to which the hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer exhibits a lower degree of sensitivity.

Abstract: A magnetic recording element comprised of a substrate having a magnetic recording layer disposed thereon is provided with a smooth uniform transparent lubricative and protective coating. The coating, which is composed of a telomer of tetrafluoroethylene, overlies the magnetic recording layer and also extends deeply into the topographical irregularities thereof so as to be strongly bonded thereto. To form the coating, a dispersion composed of particles of a telomer of tetrafluoroethylene dispersed in a liquid medium is applied to the surface of the magnetic recording layer, the liquid medium is removed to leave the telomer on the surface in the form of an opaque particulate film, and the particulate film is compacted, such as by use of buffing and calendering steps, to force telomer particles into the magnetic recording lever and to form a smooth uniform continuous layer of telomer over the surface of the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A rapid-drying image-recording element adapted for water-based liquid ink marking, in devices such as pen plotters, ink jet printers and the like, comprises a support having thereon a hydrophilic ink-receiving layer which is cross-linked to a degree sufficient to render it non-blocking and waterfast while permitting it to rapidly absorb a water-based liquid ink. The element is utilized in combination with a water-based liquid ink that comprises a water-dispersible cross-linkable colorant/resin composition and the ink-receiving layer contains a cross-linking agent which cross-links the colorant/resin composition to thereby render the ink markings smear-resistant, abrasion-resistant and waterfast.

Abstract: In an anodized aluminum support for use in a lithographic printing plate comprising an anodic surface stratum consisting essentially of oxides and phosphates of aluminum; the improvement wherein said surface stratum has an average thickness greater than 0.50 micrometers, is present in a coverage of greater than 600 milligrams per square meter of support, and has a web-like surface structure characterized by the presence of a multiplicity of interlacing filaments having average widths within the range of from about 0.03 to about 0.15 micrometers. The support is prepared by a process of anodically oxidizing at least one surface of an aluminum plate in an aqueous electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte comprises from about 15 to 30% phosphoric acid by weight, and the anodic oxidation is carried out at an anodizing voltage of at least about 50 volts at an electrolyte temperature of from about 25.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C. and at an anodizing condition of at least 2.5 amp.multidot.min/dm.sup.2.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate comprises an anodized aluminum support material, a radiation-sensitive layer and a hydrophilic subbing layer containing benzoic acid in an amount sufficient to improve the incubation stability of the plate.