Abstract: Dye-image receiving element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye-image receiving layer comprising a plasticizer, characterized in that the plasticizer is a di(hetero)aryl carbonate having not more than four recurring units between the two (hetero)aryl moieties.

Abstract: A dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon an interlayer containing an inorganic hydrate salt, the interlayer being overcoated with a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, and the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith.

Abstract: A system and method of image reproduction in color with preferential tone mapping are provided in which the method includes the steps of capturing original scene parameters and creating a visual reproduction of the scene, the method additionally comprising:performing a transformation of said captured scene parameters, said transformation being such that, taken in conjunction with untransformed characteristics of the capturing and creating steps, it results in a reproduced tone mapping having instantaneous gamma values of viewed reproduction density relative to density of the original scene which are greater than a minimum value of A and less than A plus 0.35 times scene exposure density over a scene exposure density range of from 0.60 to 1.45 as measured relative to a zero density, 100% diffuse reflector in the original scene, the instantaneous gamma values within scene exposure density range further lying entirely within a range of values subtended by an angle of 14.degree.

Abstract: A thermographic dye transfer image-recording material is provided wherein a particular silver salt complex is employed as a source of silver ions, made available upon imagewise heating, to cleave a dye-providing material to provide a diffusible dye in an imagewise pattern corresponding to said imagewise heating. The silver salt complexes have improved solubility in the system providing for enhanced transferred image density.

Abstract: A transparent recording medium is disclosed which can directly record a fine, precise image. With the recording medium, a compact, fine image occupying a small storage space can be easily enlarged and confirmed by an enlarged projection. It is prepared by applying a coating liquid for recording comprising a developer in which a hydroxyl group with a developing function is blocked by an N-substituted carbamoyl group or an O-substituted oxycarbonyl group, an iron salt of an organic acid or a leuco dye, a near-infrared absorbing agent, and a binder, uniformly dissolved in an organic solvent such as MEK, to a transparent plastic substrate, and drying to obtain a transparent recording layer with a thickness of 3 .mu.m to 8 .mu.m. A visible, precise, fine direct image can then be recorded using a semiconductor laser beam.

Abstract: Dye-donor element comprising a support provided with a dye layer containing a cyan indoaniline dye and/or another cyan azomethine dye, together with a cyan thiazolylazoaniline dye.

Abstract: A method of light induced thermal transfer printing which comprises printing directly onto a substantially apolar material for example a polyolefin without the need for a release agent in the dye-receptive surface and imaged receiver sheets comprising a dye receptive surface containing a substantially apolar material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a binder, wherein the binder comprises a water-dispersible vinyl copolymer having a glass transition temperature below about 54.degree. C. and having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents hydrogen or methyl;D represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group; or --COOR.sup.3, where R.sup.3 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of about 5 to about 8 carbon atoms, or an organic group containing ethylenic unsaturation;E represents --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --; --CONHR.sup.4 --; or --COOR.sup.4 --, where R.sup.4 represents an alkylene group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms;M represents a mono-charged cation,;x represents 75 to 98 mole percent; andy represents 2 to 25 mole percent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminar thermal imaging medium, actuatable in response to intense image-forming radiation for production of a pair of images upon exposure of the medium and separation of the respective sheets, the medium including a polymeric hardenable adhesive layer which in its unhardened condition reduces the tendency for the laminar thermal imaging medium to delaminate on application of physical stresses to the medium, and which is hardenable to a durable base for one of said images. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a laminar imaging medium as aforedescribed wherein said medium after lamination of component elements thereof is cut into individual units and, thereafter, the hardenable adhesive layer of such units is hardened to a durable base for an image carried thereon.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for thermal dye recording comprising a dye layer comprising a dye and leuco-indoaniline dye as a light-stabilizer. The leuco-indoaniline dye is preferably a compound according to the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H or any substituent, n is 0-4 each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 (same or different) is H or acyl, X is 0 or represents atoms completing a ring (system), each of R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 (same or different) is H, (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, alkyloxy, aryloxy, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, --OH, halogen, --NH--SO.sub.2 R.sup.12, --NH--COR.sup.12, --O--SO.sub.2 R.sup.12, or --O--COR.sup.12, or R.sup.4 and R.sup.7 together and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 together represent the atoms completing a ring (system), or R.sup.4 and R.sup.8 and/or R.sup.5 and R.sup.9 together and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 together represent the atoms completing a heterocyclic nucleus, each of R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 (same or different) is H, (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, a heterocyclic nucleus, or R.sup.8 and R.sup.

Abstract: Dye-image receiving element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye-image receiving layer and optionally a toplayer wherein the dye-image receiving layer or the toplayer comprises the cured product of a moisture-curable binder composition prepared by mixing the following components (A) and (B):(A) 30 to 99 parts by weight of at least one copolymer of olefinically unsaturated compounds having a weight-average molecular weight [Mw] of at least 1500 and containing chemically incorporated moieties capable of undergoing an addition reaction with amino groups, and(B) 1 to 70 parts by weight of organic substances containing blocked amino groups from which substances under the influence of moisture compounds having free primary and/or secondary amino groups are formed,wherein i) the copolymers of component (A) contain intramolecularly bound carboxylic anhydride moieties, with the anhydride equivalent weight of the copolymers being from 196 to 9800 and ii) the bi

Abstract: There are disclosed color-providing compounds comprising two or more cyclic 1,3 sulfur-nitrogen groups and two or more color-providing moieties, i.e., complete dyes or dye intermediates, capable of releasing the color-forming moieties upon cleavage in the presence of silver ions or a soluble silver complex. The color-providing compounds are useful as image-forming materials in color photographic processes.

Abstract: A laser-induced melt transfer process is described in which a melt viscosity modifier is used to facilitate the melt transfer process.

Abstract: A dyesheet for light-induced thermal transfer printing comprises a substrate having on one side a dyecoat comprising a polymeric binder containing at least one thermal transfer dye dissolved or dispersed therein, an absorber coat of polymeric material comprising an absorber for the inducing light, and between the dyecoat and the absorber coat an interlayer of organic polymer through which the dye molecules diffuse less readily under printing conditions than they do through the dyecoat binder.

Abstract: A laser-induced melt transfer process is described which utilizes a melt viscosity modifier and in which a post-transfer treatment is used to substantially eliminate back-transfer.

Abstract: A dye transfer receptor sheet suitable, for thermal dye transfer imaging is described. The receptor sheet comprises a substrate having a receptor layer comprising a vinyl resin mixed or blended with a linear saturated thermoplastic polyester having aliphatic and aromatic groups.

Abstract: A dye transfer receptor sheet suitable for thermal dye transfer imaging is described which can provide a metal background to the transfered image. The receptor sheet comprises an organic polymeric substrate having a vapor deposited metal layer, a primer layer comprising a linear saturated thermoplastic polyester and a thermoset alkyd polyester, and a receiving layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are an ink ribbon containing an amphiphilic acid dye or basic dye, which has an excellent thermal transfer sensitivity and which may form an image with high fixation comparable to that of silver salt photographic images, and an image forming method using the ink ribbon. The method comprises bringing the ink ribbon containing an amphiphilic acid dye or basic dye into contact with a photographic paper containing a precipitating agent capable of laking by salt formation with an acid dye or basic dye so that the acid dye or basic dye is transferred and fixed from the ink ribbon to the photographic paper by thermal stimulation.

Abstract: A thermal imaging process comprising the step of imagewise heating a donor element so as to transfer therefrom colored matter onto a contacting receptor element, characterized in that before said imagewise heating said receptor element contains in a layer at least one substance that by heat applied in the transfer of said colored matter undergoes a change giving rise to an increase in optical density.

Abstract: A rewritable recording medium which can perform multi-color recording is provided. The recording medium comprises an optical absorption layer and an optically selective absorption layer sequentially stacked on a substrate, wherein the optically selective absorption layer includes a plurality of colored segments and a reversible thermosensitive recording matrix in contact with the colored segments, the reversible thermosensitive recording matrix being formed so as to cover the colored segments and so as to come in contact with the optical absorption layer, and changing in light transmittance in a reversible manner by application of heat.

Abstract: An image forming method, comprises the steps of, using an image forming medium containing a heat-diffusible coloring matter, a polymerizable polymer precursor and a polymerization initiator; causing said polymerizable polymer precursor of said image forming medium to selectively polymerize to form a latent image comprised of a polymerized area and an unpolymerized area; andheating said image forming medium on which said latent image has been formed and which is laid overlapping on an image receiving medium, so as to satisfy the following formula (A):Tg.sub.1 .ltoreq.Ttrans.ltoreq.Tg.sub.2 (A)wherein Ttrans represents a temperature of said image forming medium, Tg.sub.1 represents a glass transition point of said unpolymerized area, and Tg.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining an image comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing to intense radiation a heat mode recording material comprising on a support (i) a donor layer containing an image forming substance capable of being transferred upon heating to an image receiving material, (ii) a barrier layer being impermeable for said image forming substance and overlaying said donor layer, and (iii) a light-to-heat converting substance, capable of absorbing the light used for exposing said heat mode recording material and releasing the absorbed energy under the form of heat,rubbing, under dry conditions or with the aid of a non-solvent for the barrier layer, the thus obtained image-wise exposed heat mode recording material to remove said barrier layer at the exposed parts andoverall heating the exposed heat mode recording material whilst in contact with an image receiving material thereby causing an image-wise transfer of said image forming substance to said image receiving material.

Abstract: A method of forming an image in which a color donor element and a receiving element are placed in face-to-face contact and opposed imagewise to infrared radiation, e.g. by laser exposure, in which at least one of the donor and receptor elements comprises a near-infrared absorbing dye which is a squarilium dye having dihydroperimidine terminal groups.

Abstract: A color sheet comprising; a flexible substrate or film; and a dye layer formed on the substrate including a sublimating dye of yellow, magenta or cyan and a near infrared absorbing pigment with a near infrared absorption without a substantial visible absorption.A color transfer method comprises the steps of: preparing a color sheet above mentioned; abutting the dye layer of the color sheet onto an image receiving sheet to be printed; and irradiating an optical laser beam to the dye layer, the laser beam having a wavelength in the near infrared region absorbed by the near infrared absorbing pigment, whereby a light energy absorbed by the near infrared absorbing pigment is converted into a heat energy thereby sublimating the sublimating dye and transferring the sublimated dye onto the image receiving sheet arranged so as to face the dye layer.As a result, a recording speed and a resolution are remarkably improved with the color sheet and the color transfer method using it.

Abstract: An image forming process of an image forming material comprising a support and provided thereon, a photosensitive layer and a covering layer in that order comprises imagewise exposing the material by laser beam scanning, and peeling the covering film from the exposed material to form an image on the support or on the covering film, wherein said photosensitive layer contains a colorant, an addition-polymerizable or cross-linkable compound and a salt of a cationic dye with a borate anion represented by the following Formula (1):Formula (1) ##STR1##

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming a laser induced thermal dye transfer. The apparatus includes a dye receiving element having a ridge formed along a periphery thereof for receiving a dye donor element thereon with the only physical contact between the elements occurring along the ridge. Separation between the donor and receiver elements is maintained by the ridge by mounting the donor and receiver against mounting plates that hold the elements flat. A vacuum is applied to the holding plates to attract the elements towards their respective holders.

Abstract: An imaging medium capable of being imaged to form a transparency comprises a substantially transparent support having a thickness of at least about 20 .mu.m, a color-forming layer superposed on the support and comprising a color-forming composition adapted to undergo a change of color upon increase in the temperature of the color-forming layer above a color-forming temperature for a color-forming time; and a bubble-suppressant layer superposed on the color-forming layer and having a thickness of at least about 10 .mu.m. Upon imagewise increase in the temperature of the color-forming layer above the color-forming temperature for the color-forming time, in heated regions the color-forming layer undergoes its change of color but remains essentially free from bubbles, thereby providing an image in which the colored regions are not blackened when viewed in transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminar thermal imaging medium, actuatable in response to intense image-forming radiation for production of a pair of images upon exposure of the medium and separation of the respective sheets, the medium including a polymeric hardenable adhesive layer which in its unhardened condition reduces the tendency for the laminar thermal imaging medium to delaminate on application of physical stresses to the medium, and which is hardenable to a durable base for one of said images. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a laminar imaging medium as aforedescribed wherein said medium after lamination of component elements thereof is cut into individual units and, thereafter, the hardenable adhesive layer of such units is hardened to a durable base for an image carried thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye in a polymeric binder which is non-transferable by heat, and wherein the dye layer also contains an epoxide stabilizer, other than the binder, in an amount of up to about 25% by weight of the binder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat recording material comprising on a support in the order given a porous layer of an image forming substance, a substance capable of converting radiation into heat, a thermoplastic layer containing a photocurable composition and a stripping layer. The present invention further provides a method for obtaining an image with such an heat recording material. Images of high quality and good wear and scratch resistance are obtained.

Abstract: There are disclosed dye-providing compounds comprising color coupler dyes substituted on the phenylene diamine portion with one or two cyclic 1,3 -sulfur-nitrogen groups. The dye-providing compounds are capable of releasing the coupler dye upon cleavage in the presence of silver ions or a soluble silver complex. The dye-providing compounds are useful as image-forming materials in color thermographic, photothermographic and other photographic processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a monocolor dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising solid, homogeneous beads which contain an image dye, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, said beads being dispersed in a vehicle.

Abstract: A laminar thermal imaging medium, and a method of preparing same, are disclosed and include a photohardenable adhesive layer containing a photopolymerizable ethythenically unsaturated monomer, and a barrier layer for providing resistance to the diffusion of the polymerizable monomer therethrough to other layers of the thermal imaging medium. The barrier layer increases substantially the time period before which photohardening of the adhesive layer need be performed, during which time cutting and other manufacturing operations can be performed. The elastic and non-brittle character of the barrier layer provides improved durability of images prepared from the thermal imaging medium.

Abstract: Photothermographic and thermographic diffusion transfer image-recording materials are provided wherein an auxiliary ligand for silver ions is employed to enhance transfer image density and discrimination.

Abstract: An image formed by an arbitrary method, can be reproduced on an object (to which image transfer is performed) having a three-dimensional arcuated surface, e.g., a cylindrical object. An original plate sheet is prepared by forming an image on a transparent sheet by using an ink containing carbon. A transfer ink sheet having a hot-melt ink layer formed on its one surface and a reflecting layer formed on its other surface is placed on an object to which image transfer is performed. A cushion member having transparency is placed on the transfer ink sheet, and a transparent plate is stacked on the cushion member. When the transparent plate is urged against the object side, the cushion member is compressed. As a result, the original plate sheet is deformed along the outer surface shape of the object and is brought into tight contact therewith. A flash lamp is turned on in this state. An image portion absorbs infrared rays emitted from the flash to generate heat.

Abstract: Laser-addressable thermal transfer donor elements for producing color proofs, printing plates, films, printed circuit boards, and other media are disclosed. The thermal transfer donor elements include a substrate having a microstructured surface. The microstructured surface contain a plurality of randomly positioned discrete protuberances of varying heights and shapes. The donor elements further include a black metal layer on the microstructured surface and a gas-producing polymer layer over the black metal layer. The gas-producing polymer in the gas-producing polymer layer has a thermally available nitrogen content of greater than about 10 weight percent. A thermal mass transfer material (e.g., a colorant such as a dye or pigment) is included in or over the gas-producing polymer layer.

Abstract: There are disclosed compounds comprising at least one cyclic 1,3-sulfur-nitrogen substituted color-providing material and at least one ballast group which are linked to each other through a triazine group. The compounds are capable of releasing the color-providing material upon cleavage in the presence of silver ions or a soluble silver complex. The color-providing compounds are useful as image-forming materials in color thermographic, photothermographic and other photographic processes.

Abstract: A powder ink having in the structure a heat-fusible core comprising a thermo-melting substance and a coloring matter and a shell covering the core surface and comprising a resin product obtained by reacting:(1) 0 to 30 mole % of a monovalent isocyanate compound and/or a monovalent isothiocyanate compound and(2) 100 to 70 mole % of at least divalent isocyanate and/or at least divalent isothiocyanate compound with(3) 0 to 30 mole % of a compound having an active hydrogen atom to react with the isocyanate and isothiocyanate groups of (1) ana (2) and(4) 100 to 70 mole % of a compound having at least two active hydrogen atoms to react with the isocyanate and isothiocyanate groups of (1) and (2); at a molar ratio of (1) and (2) to (3) and (4) in the range between 1:1 and 1:2. At least 30 percent of all the linkages involved in the isocyanates and the isothiocyanates in the resin product are thermally linkages.

Abstract: An information recording medium comprises a recording layer including a mixture of organic polysilane and oxo metallic phthalocyanine pigment. Information is recorded by adding heat or light to the recording layer. In a method for recording information onto the information recording medium, a decoloring reaction of oxo metallic phthalocyanine pigment is used which is caused by heating the recording layer to a temperature equal to or higher than a pyrolyzing point of organic polysilane.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer comprising a support having on one side thereof a dye layer and containing a substituted di(hetero)aryl carbonate as thermal solvent.

Abstract: A thermal dye transfer process, and intermediate receiver used therein, for obtaining a color image which is used to represent a printed color image obtained from a printing press comprising (a) forming a thermal dye transfer image in a polymeric dye image-receiving layer of an intermediate dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon said dye image-receiving layer by imagewise-heating a dye-donor element and transferring a dye image to the dye image-receiving layer, (b) adhering the dye image-receiving layer to a surface of a final receiver element by heat laminating the intermediate dye receiving element to the final receiver element, and (c) stripping the intermediate dye receiving element support from the dye image-receiving layer, wherein the intermediate dye receiving element further comprises a cushion layer between the support and the dye image-receiving layer, the shear modulus of the cushion layer being less than the shear modulus of the support and less than ten times the shear modulus

Abstract: A process of fusing a dye-receiving element for thermal dye transfer suitable for forming a slide for projection viewing, the dye-receiving element comprising a polymeric central dye image-receiving section and a polymeric frame section extending around the periphery of the central section, the dye image-receiving section containing a thermally-transferred dye image, the process comprising simultaneously subjecting the element to both conductive and convective heating.

Abstract: A dye-receiving element for thermal dye transfer comprising a polymeric dye image-receiving section having a surface which has been roughened to provide an average surface roughness Ra of from about 0.03 to about 0.5 .mu.m as determined by ANSI D-46.1 (1985). The roughened image-receiving surface does not exhibit as much image smear as non-roughened surfaces which are subjected to fusing after imaging.

Abstract: A process for forming a color image which may be used to represent a printed color image to be obtained from a printing press comprising (a) forming a thermal dye transfer image in a polymeric dye image-receiving layer of an intermediate dye-receiving element by imagewise-heating a dye-donor element and transferring a dye image to the dye image-receiving layer, (b) laminating a polymeric dye-migration barrier layer to the imaged dye image-receiving layer, and (c) laminating the dye-migration barrier layer and imaged dye image-receiving layer together to the surface of a paper substrate. By applying a dye-migration barrier layer to the imaged dye image-receiving layer and subsequently laminating both layers to the paper substrate together, the final paper substrate is subjected to only a single lamination step, and wrinkles caused by multiple laminations can be virtually eliminated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye in a binder and an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein said infrared-absorbing material is a platelet silver metal colloid having a minimum effective diameter of at least 20 nm.

Abstract: A black dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of at least one cyan, magenta and yellow dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, at least one of the cyan dyes having the formula: ##STR1## and at least one of the yellow dyes having the formula: ##STR2## and at least one of the magenta dyes having the formula:

Abstract: A photoimaged article having a protected image composed of a colored image on a support; and a thin, transparent, flexible, nonself supporting, protective layer on the surface of the image. The layer is substantially nontacky at room temperature, and has at least a major amount based on the weight of the layer of one or more thermoplastic resins of a vinyl acetal, vinyl chloride, or acrylic polymer or copolymer having a Tg of from about 35.degree. C. to about 110.degree. C. The layer is capable of being adhesively transferred directly to the image when the layer is first applied on the release surface of a temporary support, and the image and protective layer are laminated together under pressure at temperatures of between about 60.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. with subsequent removal of the temporary support. The side of said layer opposite to the image is free from additional layers. The adhesive layer is one which does not cohesively block at temperatures of about 50.degree. C. or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye in a binder and an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein the infrared-absorbing material is a telluro- or seleno-squarylium dye having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represents hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or hetaryl group;R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, sulfonyl, carbamoyl, acyl, acylamido, alkylamino, arylamino, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or hetaryl group;X represents Se or Te; andY represents O, S, Se, Te, TeCl.sub.2 or TeBr.sub.2, with the proviso that when X and Y are both Se and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each represents t-butyl, then R.sub.5 and R.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermal dye transfer assemblage comprising:a) a dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a dye dispersed in a polymeric binder and an infrared absorbing material associated therewith, andb) a dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer, the dye-receiving element being in a superposed relationship with the dye-donor element so that the dye layer is adjacent to the dye image-receiving layer,the improvement wherein said polymeric layer of either the dye-donor element or the dye-receiving element in face-to-face relationship therewith has a textured surface which is formed only by said polymer, so that effective contact between the dye-receiving element and the dye-donor element is prevented during transfer of a laser-induced thermal dye transfer image, the textured surface having a surface roughness average, R.sub.a, of at least 0.8 .mu.m.

Abstract: Method of forming thermal transfer dye images comprising exposing a recording element comprising at least one layer of an organic photochemical imaging composition comprising a heat-diffusible dye (precursor) monomer, said layer being permeable to said dye (precursor) monomer, to an image-wise distribution of actinic radiation to create a change in its permeability corresponding to said image-wise distribution of actinic radiation, wherein said change in permeability is brought about by the radiation-induced polymerization or crosslinking reaction of said organic photochemical imaging composition combined with a concurrent copolymerization or crosslinking reaction of said heat-diffusible dye (precursor) monomer, bringing said recording element in contact with an image-receiving element, overall heating at least one of said contacting elements to cause diffusion of the heat-diffusible dye (precursor) monomer from the areas having unchanged permeability and transfer to said image-receiving element, causing in t