Abstract: A process for dispersing a particulate solid substance in a continuos aqueous phase comprising the steps of:providing a comminution reactor;providing a particulate solid substance comprising a weak acid functional group, having effective pK.sub.a1 >1 and less than 1% by weight aqueous solubility at pH=pK.sub.a1 ;providing an aqueous solution consisting essentially of water or a mixture of water with water-miscible solvent, at pH less than the greater of 7 and pK.sub.a1 +2;providing a buffering salt of a weak acid, where the weak acid associated with this buffering salt has pK.sub.a2 and wherepK.sub.a1 -2.ltoreq.pK.sub.a2 ;providing milling media;combining said particulate solid substance, said aqueous solution, said buffering salt, and said milling media in said comminution reactor to produce a multiphase mixture; andmilling said mixture to produce a reduced particle size slurry of said particulate solid substance is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for forming a nanocrystalline dispersion of a photographically useful compound in a continuous phase comprising the steps of:providing a nanoamorphous dispersion of said photographically useful compound in said continuous phase, andannealing said nanoamorphous dispersion to transform the physical state of said chemical compound therein to a crystalline physical state and to thereby obtain a nanocrystalline dispersion is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for storing nanoparticulate suspensions of photographically useful compounds is disclosed that comprises the steps of:providing a suspension of nanoparticulate photographically useful chemical substance in the form of a solid particle dispersion;providing a hydrodynamically optimized container for storing nanoparticulate suspensions comprising a base portion and a body portion unitary with said base portion, said portions defining an interior storage chamber hydrodynamically optimized for the resuspension of sedimented nanoparticulate suspensions, said body portion further comprising a body wall with interior and exterior surfaces;placing said solid particle dispersion in said container;sealing said container and storage chamber against the ambient atmosphere to form a sealed container;storing said sealed container;opening said sealed container; andusing a portion of said solid particle dispersion stored in said container to form a coating composition for a light-sensitive element.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for developing an image in a photographic element comprising a support, a silver halide emulsion containing an imagewise distribution of developable silver halide grains, and a blocked photographically useful compound comprising a photographically useful group and a blocking group capable of releasing the photographically useful group upon processing the photographic element in the presence of a peroxide, wherein the blocking group comprises an electrophilic group which is solely capable of undergoing a nucleophilic displacement reaction, the electrophilic group being bonded directly or through a releasable timing group to the photographically useful group, with the proviso that when the photographically useful group is a development inhibitor, the blocking group is bonded to the photographically useful group through at least one releasable timing group. The method comprises the step of contacting the photographic element with a processing solution comprising a peroxide.

Abstract: A photographic color diffusion transfer element is disclosed wherein said element comprises a single dimensionally stable support, wherein said support comprises an opaque and light reflecting layer, and coated thereon in reactive association and in sequence (1) a mordant layer for binding diffusible dyes, (2) a stripping layer, (3) one or more layers comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, a solid particle dispersion of a diffusible-dye forming compound, or radiation sensitive silver halide and a solid particle dispersion of a diffusible-dye forming compound, and (4) a barrier layer comprising a polymer that (a) allows the passage of solutions for processing said element when said element is contacted with an external processing bath and (b) blocks the diffusion out of said element of the diffusible dye formed from said solid particle dispersion of a diffusible-dye forming compound when said element is contacted with an external processing bath.

Abstract: An aqueous-developable photographic color diffusion transfer element comprising one and only one dimensionally stable support and one or more layers comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, thermal solvent for facilitating the thermal diffusion of dyes through a hydrophilic binder, a dye-releasing coupler, a dye-receiving layer intermediate said support and dye-releasing coupler containing layers, a stripping layer intermediate said dye-receiving layer and any layers containing silver halide or dye-releasing coupler, and hydrophilic binder, wherein said dye is heat diffusible in said binder and thermal solvent, wherein said dye-releasing coupler is of the structureCp--L--DyewhereCp is a coupler radical substituted in the coupling position with a divalent linking group, L;Dye is a dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum; and where said --L--Dye group couples off upon reaction of said coupler radical with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, and such that s

Abstract: A diffusion transfer process is disclosed for forming a color photographic image comprising the steps of:providing an aqueous-developable photographic color diffusion transfer element of two or more layers comprising a single dimensionally stable support, radiation sensitive silver halide, an aqueous solid particle thermal solvent dispersion for facilitating the thermal diffusion of dyes through a hydrophilic binder, a dye-releasing or dye-forming coupler compound, and hydrophilic binder, wherein said dye is heat transferable in said binder and said thermal solvent, said thermal solvent has a melting point between 50.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention a heat-developable photographic color diffusion transfer element is provided, where this element comprises a dimensionally stable support and one or more layers comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt oxidizing agent, a reducing agent, a methine-dye releasing compound, and a binder, wherein said methine-dye is heat diffusible in said element, and wherein said methine-dye releasing compound is of the structureCp--L--M (I)whereCp is a coupler radical substituted in the coupling position with a divalent linking group, L;M is a methine-dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum; and where the --L--M group couples off upon reaction of said coupler radical with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, and where said methine-dye radical M is released from said --L--M group subsequent to the coupling off of said --L--M group.

Abstract: An aqueous-developable photographic color diffusion transfer element is disclosed where this element comprises one and only one dimensionally stable support and one or more layers comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, thermal solvent for facilitating the thermal diffusion of dyes through a hydrophilic binder, a methine-dye releasing coupler, and hydrophilic binder, wherein said dye is heat diffusible in said binder and thermal solvent, and wherein said methine-dye releasing coupler is of the structure (I)Cp--L--M (I)whereCp is a coupler radical substituted in the coupling position with a divalent linking group, L;M is a methine-dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum; and where the --L--M group couples off upon reaction of said coupler radical with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, and where said methine-dye radical M is released from said --L--M group subsequent to the coupling off of said --L--M group.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a color photographic image comprising the steps of:(a) providing an integral element comprising one and only one dimensionally stable layer comprising a reflection base or transparent base coating support, and coated thereon in reactive association an imaging layer comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, a diffusible dye forming layer comprising a diffusible dye forming compound, and a barrier layer overlaying said diffusible dye forming layer;(b) exposing this integral element to actinic radiation(c) processing this integral element by contacting this element to an external bath containing compounds selected from the group consisting of color developer compounds, compounds which activate the release of incorporated color developers, and compounds which activate development by incorporated dye developers; and(d) washing this integral element to remove compounds imbibed in step (c). The diffusible dye forming layer is the same or different than the imaging layer.

Abstract: A process for forming an improved dye image in a heat-developable photographic dry dye-diffusion transfer element comprising the steps of:providing a heat-developable chromogenic photographic dry dye-diffusion transfer element comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt, a heat-developable dye-forming compound wherein said compound forms or releases a heat-transferable dye upon reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a reducing agent, a reducing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a thermal solvent wherein said thermal solvent comprises a 3-hydroxy benzamide or a 4-hydroxy benzamide and has the structure I ##STR1## wherein (a) Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3, Z.sub.4, and Z.sub.5 are substituents, the Hammet sigma parameters of Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3, and Z.sub.4 sum to give a total, .SIGMA., of at least -0.28 and less than 1.

Abstract: Process for forming a microcrystalline coupler dispersion comprising the steps of: providing crystalline coupler in an aqueous suspension; dispersing said coupler with mechanical shear, combining said coupler dispersion with an activating water-immiscible organic solvent; and mixing said combined dispersion is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming chromogenic photographic image comprising the steps of:providing an aqueous developable photographic element coated on a single dimensionally stable support, wherein said element comprises in reactive association (1) a developing agent, where said developing agent is a primary amine or a precursor of a primary amine, (2) radiation sensitive silver halide, (3) a color coupler compound that forms or releases a dye upon reaction with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, and (4) a hydrophilic binder;exposing said element to actinic radiation; anddeveloping said image by contacting said element with an applied volume of an aqueous processing solution, wherein said applied volume is limited to less than 800% of the swell volume of said element in equilibrium-mechanical contact with said processing solution or the temporal duration of said contacting is limited to a time less than 500% of the time necessary for said element to swell to 90% of said swell volume.

Abstract: A photographic coupler dispersion comprising colloidal microcrystalline particles of coupler, wherein said particles are wetted with an activating and water-immiscible organic solvent, and a color photographic element comprising a support bearing at least one photographic silver halide emulsion layer and a microcrystalline coupler dispersion in reactive association with said emulsion layer, wherein said coupler is wetted with an activating water-immiscible organic solvent are disclosed.

Abstract: A photographic element for processing in moderate to large volume photofinishing baths and comprising one and only one dimensionally stable coating support, and coated thereon in reactive association an imaging layer containing radiation sensitive silver halide, a diffusible-dye forming layer containing a diffusible-dye forming compound, and a barrier layer overlaying said diffusible-dye forming layer is disclosed. This coating support is selected from reflection base and transparent base materials, and this diffusible-dye forming layer may be the same or different than this imaging layer. This barrier layer contains a polymer that allows the passage of solutions for processing when this element is contacted with an external processing bath, and impedes the diffusion out of this element of the diffusible dye formed from this diffusible-dye forming compound.

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: An aqueous developable chromogenic photographic dye-diffusion transfer element of two or more layers comprising a support, radiation sensitive silver halide, a dye-forming compound wherein said compound forms a heat transferable dye upon reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a solid particle thermal solvent dispersion, wherein said thermal solvent is a water-immiscible phenol derivative, has a melting point of between 50.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C., and is incorporated at 5 to 200% by weight of said hydrophilic binder, and where said thermal solvent dispersion contains a dispersing aid, is disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous-developable photographic color diffusion transfer element comprising a single dimensionally stable support and one or more layers comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, thermal solvent for facilitating the thermal diffusion of dyes through a hydrophilic binder, a dye-releasing coupler, and hydrophilic binder, wherein said dye is heat diffusible in said binder and thermal solvent, and wherein said dye-releasing coupler is of the structureCp--L-DyewhereCp is a cyan dye forming radical, magenta dye forming radical, yellow dye forming radical, black dye forming radical, or colorless product forming radical, said Cp being substituted in the coupling position with a divalent linking group, L;Dye is a dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum; and where said --L-Dye group couples off upon reaction of said coupler radical with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent is disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a dye image including the steps of:exposing a photographic element comprising a support bearing a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a polymeric color coupler compound capable of forming a heat transferable dye upon development, wherein the polymeric color coupler compound is of the formula:COUP-L-Bwherein COUP represents a coupler moiety capable of forming a heat transferable dye upon reaction of the moiety with an oxidation product of a color developer; L is a divalent linking group which is separated from COUP upon reaction of the coupler moiety with said oxidation product of a color developer; and B represents the polymeric backbone;developing said exposed element with a color developer solution to form a heat transferable dye image;heating said exposed, developed element to thereby transfer the dye image from the emulsion layer to a dye receiving layer, where said receiving layer is part of the photographic element or part of a separate dye receivin

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming an improved dye image in an aqueous-developable photographic dry dye-diffusion transfer element comprising the steps of:providing an aqueous-developable chromogenie photographic dry dye-diffusion transfer element comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, an aqueous-developable material containing color coupler wherein said coupler forms or releases a heat-transferable dye upon reaction of said coupler with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a thermal solvent wherein said thermal solvent has the structure I ##STR1## wherein (a) Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3, Z.sub.4, and Z.sub.5 are substituents, the Hammer sigma parameters of Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3, and Z.sub.4 sum to give a total, .SIGMA., of at least -0.28 and less than 1.