Abstract: The present invention relates to photographic elements, including photographic prints, having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. More particularly, the present invention provides a processing-solution-permeable protective overcoat that is water resistant in the final processed product and which, at the same time, provides improved wet-abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imaged elements having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. In particular, an overcoat composition comprising water-dispersible epoxy-functional particles is coated over an imaging element, including photographic elements and recording media. In one embodiment, a photographic element includes a support, at least one silver halide emulsion layer superposed on the support and a processing-solution-permeable protective overcoat overlying the silver halide emulsion layer that, after fusing, becomes water-resistant in the final product. The present invention is also directed to a method of making a print involving developing the photographic element and subsequently fusing the overcoat.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making polymeric particles by reacting an ethylenically unsaturated monomer as a dispersed phase suspended in an aqueous phase. The aqueous phase contains a water-insoluble particulate stabilizer having a size less than 100 nanometers in an effective amount of water-soluble inorganic salt to allow formation of stable monomer droplets in the aqueous phase, the monomer droplets include at least 20% of a carboxylic acid-containing monomer. The present invention also provides an imaging element comprising a support and at least one layer containing polymer particles of the formula: (A)x(B)y, where A is ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing carboxylic acid groups, B is a water insoluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer, x is greater than 20% and y is equal to 100% minus x. The polymer particles are covered with a layer of water-insoluble solid particulate stabilizer having a size less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge.

Abstract: A self-contained photohardenable imaging assembly comprising in order: a first transparent support; an imaging layer comprising a developer material and a plurality of photohardenable microcapsules encapsulating a color precursor, and a second support, wherein at least one support comprises a barrier layer that exhibits a low water vapor transmission rate. The imaging assembly has been found to provide better image quality and more consistence sensitometric response to pressure development.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic element comprises a support having thereon at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and a light-insensitive protective layer, the light-insensitive protective layer comprising an ultraviolet absorbing layer closer to the support and an outermost protective layer, the ultraviolet absorbing layer comprising an ultraviolet aborbing dye, a high boiling organic solvent, and a hydrophilic binder, the outermost protective layer comprising insoluble matte particles having a mean particle size of larger than 0.5 &mgr;m, dispersed polymer particles having a mean size of less than 0.2 &mgr;m, and a glass transition temperature of at least 70° C., and a hydrophilic binder.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photographic elements, including photographic prints, having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. More particularly, the present invention provides a processing-solution-permeable protective overcoat that is water resistant in the final processed product and which, at the same time, provides improved wet-abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is a polymer particle which includes a wax phase containing a wax having a melting point of greater than 30° C. and a polymer phase. The wax in the wax phase contains greater than 80% by weight of the wax phase. The polymer phase is composed of a mono-alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer free of ionic charge groups capable of addition polymerization to form a water soluble homopolymer and a mono-alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer capable of addition polymerization to form a water insoluble homopolymer. The mono-alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer free of ionic charge groups capable of addition polymerization to form a water soluble homopolymer constitutes from 1 to 40% by weight of the polymer phase.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus for removing scratches from a photographic element. The apparatus includes an application device for applying a wax composition to a surface of a moving photographic web; and a buffing device for buffing the surface of the web having the applied wax composition. The present invention is also a method for removing scratches from a photographic element. The method includes the steps of providing a moving photographic web, applying the wax composition to a surface of the photographic web, and rubbing the wax composition with sufficient force thereby removing the residual wax composition to produce a refinished surface substantially free of all defects and scratches.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support, an image forming layer superposed on the support; and at least one layer superposed on the support. The at least one layer superposed on the support is formed from a non-aqueous coating composition of a composite wax particle composed of a wax phase and a non-crosslinked polymer phase and an organic solvent. The wax phase includes a wax having a melting point of greater than 30° C. The wax comprises greater than 80% by weight of the wax phase. The wax phase to non-crosslinked polymer phase ratio is greater than 30/70 and less than 90/10.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support, an image forming layer superposed on the support and at least one layer superposed on the support. The at least one layer is formed from a non-aqueous coating composition composed of a composite wax particle having a wax phase and a non-crosslinked polymer phase. The wax phase includes a wax having a melting point of greater than 30° C., the wax comprising greater than 80% by weight of the wax phase. The at least one layer has a dry coating weight of from 1 to 300 mg/m2.

Abstract: The present invention is a photographic element containing a support, at least one light sensitive emulsion layer superposed on the first side of the support, and an outermost lubricant layer superposed on the support. The outermost layer includes more than 80 percent by weight of a composite wax particle. The composite wax particle includes a wax phase and a non-crosslinked polymer phase. The wax phase is greater than 80 percent by weight of a wax which has a melting point of greater than 30° C. In one embodiment the lubricant layer contains a fluoro containing compound. It is envisioned that the lubricant layer overlies a transparent magnetic layer. The total coating weight of the composite wax particle in the lubricant layer is in the range of from 1 to 300 mg/m2. Preferably, the fluoro compound contains at least one type of an ionic group or a nonionic group.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition for removing scratches from photographic elements. The composition includes a solvent, an abrasive particle, a petroleum distillate, hard wax and water.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support, at least one image forming layer, and a surface protective layer. The surface protective layer includes polymer particles having a mean particle size of less than 500 nm including a polymer or copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a water insoluble lubricant and a water soluble polymeric stabilizer coated on an outer surface of the polymer particle, and a binder. The polymeric stabilizer has affinity for both the organic solvent and the surface of the polymer particle.

Abstract: A photographic element which includes a support having a frontside and a backside, at least one silver halide emulsion layer superposed on the frontside of the support; and a protective overcoat layer superposed on the backside of the support. The protective overcoat layer is formed from a coating solution comprising a continuous liquid organic medium having therein a mixture of dispersed core/shell polymer particles and a soluble polymer. The core/shell polymer particles comprise a core portion, which is insoluble in the organic medium, and a shell portion which has an affinity for both the core portion and the organic medium and has an acid number of from 25 to 200. The soluble polymer has an acid number of from 70 to 500 and the acid number of the soluble polymer is greater than the acid number of the shell of the core/shell polymer particles.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a stable colloidal non-aqueous wax particle dispersion. The method includes the steps of forming a mixture of a first vinyl monomer of a polymerizable mono-alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated compound free of ionic charge groups and capable of addition polymerization and a second vinyl monomer capable of addition polymerization and wax particle in a aqueous medum. The mixture is polymerized using an azo or diazo initiator to form an aqueous dispersion of composite wax particles. The wax particles are redispersed in an organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support, at least one image forming layer superposed on the support and a protective overcoat superposed on the support. The protective overcoat is farthest from the support. The protective overcoat is formed by the coating and subsequent drying of a coating composition of an aqueous medium having therein a water dispersible siloxane-containing polyurethane.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which includes a support, at least one imaging layer superposed on the support and an antistatic layer superposed on the support. The antistatic layer is composed of a wax particle having a wax phase and a polymer phase, the polymer phase formed from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer free of ionic charge groups capable of forming a water soluble homopolymer and a second ethylenically unsaturated monomer capable of forming a water insoluble homopolymer, and an antistatic agent having an ionic group.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element which contains a support, an image forming layer superposed on the support and an outermost protective layer superposed on the support. The protective layer is a cellulosic material and a composite wax particle. The wax particle is composed of a wax phase and a non-crosslinked polymer phase. The wax phase includes a wax having a melting point of greater than 30.degree. C. The non-crosslinked polymer phase contains from 10% to 80% by weight of a mono-alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer capable of addition polymerization to form a water soluble homopolymer. In a preferred embodiment the protective layer overlies an antistatic layer.