Abstract: An apparatus and method of developing a heat developing film includes a film support surface for supporting a film and heaters for developing the film supported on the film support surface. The film support surface may either be stationary or form part of a film transport. The film transport may either be a continuous film transport or a reciprocating film transport. The continuous film transport may be inclined or include an input pinch roller. In addition, the heaters may either be stationary, reciprocatable, or pivotable. The heaters are radiant heaters which may include a profiled heater output to control distortion of the film. The apparatus may be provided as a stand-alone unit or may be coupled, either externally to or within, a film exposure device.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing migration imaging members are disclosed. Two substrates with softenable layers applied to them travel through a vacuum chamber where they are simultaneously exposed to vapor deposition of the migration marking material. After the migration marking material is deposited, the two softenable layers are laminated together in the same vacuum chamber to form the migration imaging member. In one of the embodiments, the softenable layers are applied to the substrates in the same sweep of the substrate through the vacuum chamber vapor deposition and lamination steps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process which comprises (a) providing a migration imaging member which comprises a substrate and a softenable layer comprising a softenable material and a photosensitive migration marking material; (b) providing a printing plate precursor which comprises a base layer and a layer of photosensitive material selected from the group consisting of photohardenable materials and photosoftenable materials; (c) placing the softenable layer of the migration imaging member in contact with the layer of photosensitive material of the printing plate precursor and applying heat and pressure to the migration imaging member and printing plate precursor, thereby causing the softenable layer of the migration imaging member to adhere to the layer of photosensitive material of the printing plate precursor; (d) uniformly charging the migration imaging member; (e) subsequent to step (d), exposing the charged imaging member to activating radiation at a wavelength to which the migration marking material is sensitive; (

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal transfer printing element which comprises a substrate upon which is situated an ink composition comprising a liquid crystalline material and a colorant. Diluent materials can also be contained in the ink. Also disclosed is a process for forming images with a thermal transfer printing apparatus which comprises incorporating into a thermal transfer printing apparatus a thermal transfer element which comprises a substrate upon which is situated an ink composition comprising a liquid crystalline material and a colorant and applying heat imagewise to the substrate to transfer ink imagewise from the substrate to a receiver sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal transfer printing process which comprises incorporating into a thermal transfer printing apparatus with a thermal printhead a transfer element comprising a substrate upon which is contained an ink, contacting the transfer element with a receiver sheet, applying heat imagewise from the printhead to the transfer element, and applying a field between the transfer element and the receiver sheet to enhance imagewise transfer of the ink from the transfer element to the receiver sheet. The applied field may be either electric or magnetic in nature.