Abstract: A novel light-sensitive heat-sensitive composition is disclosed, comprising a photohardenable composition, a dye which discolors upon reacting with a base, and a base precursor. A novel light-sensitive heat-sensitive recording material is also disclosed, comprising a support having provided thereon the above described light-sensitive heat-sensitive composition. In a preferred embodiment, the dye is a spectral sensitizing dye for the photohardenable composition. Furthermore, a novel image formation process is disclosed, comprising the steps of: (a) imagewise exposing the light-sensitive heat-sensitive recording material to light to cure the exposed portions of the recording material; and (b) uniformly heating the imagewise exposed recording material to discolor the dye in the unexposed portions thereof.

Abstract: A dye-transfer-sheet in the form of a self supporting film having a total thickness of from 4 to 15 .mu.m and consisting of a layer of one or more thermally mobile sublimation dyes dissolved or dispersed in a polymeric binder and a hydrophilic barrier layer adjacent to, but distinct from the dye-containing layer comprising a polymeric binder substantially impermeable to migration of the sublimable dye(s).The dye-transfer-sheets have a high sensitivity due to the absence of a separate support substrate and are capable of producing clear, high density transferred images.

Abstract: A donor element for laser color transfer processes includes a heat absorbing layer including a combination of a metal layer with an antireflecting layer having an index of refraction greater than 2. The heat absorbing layer may include a metal or an alloy either in single or multiple layers having a thickness sufficient to yield a heat capacity of less than 0.2 calories per degree Centigrade per square meter and an optical density at the laser wavelength of 1.0 or greater.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multicolor, multilayer dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a first dye layer comprising a homogeneously-dispersed mixture of an image dye having a certain color, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the first dye layer being overcoated with at least one additional dye layer comprising solid, homogeneous beads which contain an image dye having a different color than that of the first dye layer, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the beads being dispersed in a vehicle, and the beads of each additional dye layer being sensitized to a different wavelength.

Abstract: A method for preparing a printing plate is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a heat sensitive medium, comprising a support and provided thereon a heat transfer layer containing a colorant, a heat fusible substance and a photo-curable composition, with a recording material having a hydrophilic recording surface through the heat transfer layer, applying heat in an image pattern to the contacted materials to transfer the image onto the recording material, and exposing the transferred image to actinic radiation to cure the transferred image.

Abstract: Leuco dyes are provided which comprise the coupling product of a N-acyl substituted aromatic amino color developer and a dye-forming coupler moiety substituted at the coupling carbon with a thermally removable leaving group. Thermal imaging systems employing these leuco dyes have the advantage of reduced bubble formation relative to thermal imaging systems employing prior art leuco dyes containing a group which thermally fragments into one or more gases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an imaging system wherein the developed image and non-image areas are transferred to a receptor element by a transfer coating layer. The transfer layer of the present invention is coated on the support of the imaging sheet and/or developer sheet and comprises a material capable of holding developed images and non-image areas that can be transferred to a receptor surface upon the application of heat to the rear surface of the support. The transfer coating layer is capable of liquefying when heated and resolidifying when heat is removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multicolor dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a single dye layer comprising a mixture of at least two different colors of solid, homogeneous beads, each of which contains an image dye, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the beads being dispersed in a vehicle, and the beads of each color being sensitized to a different wavelength.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multicolor, multilayer dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon two or more dye layers of different colors on top of each other, each dye layer comprising solid, homogeneous beads which contain an image dye, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the beads being dispersed in a vehicle, and the beads of each dye layer being sensitized to a different wavelength.

Abstract: A dye-receiving element for thermal dye transfer suitable for forming a slide for projection viewing comprising a polymeric central dye image-receiving section and an integral polymeric frame section extending around the periphery of the central dye image-receiving section, the frame section being from about 1/2 to about 3 mm thick and the central dye image-receiving section preferably being thinner than the frame section. Such integral receiver-frames do not require post-imaging framing and mounting assembly operations in order to be viewable in slide projectors, and are particularly advantageously used in laser thermal dye transfer systems.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image receiving material and a method for preparing therefrom a proof for printing are disclosed. The material comprises a support and provided thereon, a peelable layer and a first image receiving layer in this order, and the method comprises the steps of;contacting a thermal transfer layer onto the thermal transfer image receiving material,imagewise exposing the contacted materials to light,transferring the exposed portions of the transfer layer to the first image receiving layer, said transferring comprising transferring of at least yellow, magenta, and cyan color images on the first image receiving layer to form a color image, andtransferring the formed color image to a second image receiving layer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing process wherein a donor element for thermal transfer is heated imagewise in contact with a receptor element to transfer thereon a UV-absorbing compound, said donor element comprising a sheet, ribbon or web support having on one side thereof a layer incorporating in a wax or polymeric binder material an UV-absorbing benzthiazole compound corresponding to the following general formula (A): ##STR1## wherein: Z represents the atoms necessary to close an unsubstituted or substituted adjacent aromatic ring or ringsystem,R.sup.2 represents hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group,each of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 (same or different) represents hydrogen, an amino group, a substituted amino group, an alkoxy group or a substituted alkoxy group.

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: An imaging medium comprises a layer, depolymerizable by exposure to actinic radiation and substantially non-tacky prior to depolymerization but becoming tacky upon at least partial depolymerization, disposed adjacent a layer of an imaging material, which has a cohesive strength greater than the adhesive strength between the imaging material and the depolymerizable layer prior to depolymerization. This medium is imagewise exposed to radiation, thereby causing at least partial depolymerization of the polymer in the exposed areas, so rendering these exposed areas tacky and firmly attaching exposed areas of the imaging material layer to the depolymerizable layer. The unexposed areas of the imaging material are then removed from the depolymerizable layer.

Abstract: An imaging medium comprises a layer, depolymerizable by exposure to actinic radiation and undergoing a reduction in cohesivity upon at least partial depolymerization, disposed adjacent a layer of an imaging material, which has a cohesive strength greater than the cohesive strength of the depolymerizable layer after depolymerization. This medium is imagewise exposed to radiation, thereby causing at least partial depolymerization of the polymer in the exposed areas, so rendering these exposed areas lower in cohesivity than the unexposed areas. The exposed areas of the imaging material are then removed from the depolymerizable layer.

Abstract: A thermal developing type photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium records an image and transfers the image onto an image receiving medium. The image recording medium includes a substrate, microcapsules and binder. The microcapsules are formed on the substrate, and encapsulate therein dye and polymerizable compound. A latent image is formed in a combination of the microcapsules by changing mechanical strength thereof upon photopolymerization of the polymerizable compound for forming cured and non-cured microcapsules. The dye flows out of the non-cured microcapsules and is transferred onto an image receiving layer by rupturing the non-cured microcapsules upon pressure application. The binder fixes the microcapsules onto the substrate. The binder contains a pressure sensitive adhesive agent.

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 polymeric binder and a cyanine infrared absorbing dye associated therewith, and wherein said layer also has a nitrosonaphthol ferrous complex associated therewith.

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 polymeric binder and an infrared absorbing dye associated therewith, and wherein said layer also has a non-volatile tertiary amine associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to laser-induced thermal dye transfer using heat-transferable dyes, bleachable and heat-transferable near-infrared absorbing sensitizers, acid-photogenerating compounds, and optional near-ultraviolet absorbing sensitizers. The combination of the near-infrared absorbing sensitizer and acid-photogenerating compounds effects transfer of the heat-transferable dyes and bleaching of the near-infrared absorbing sensitizer to eliminate unwanted visible light absorption. The acid-photogenerating compound may be present in either the dye-donor or dye-receiver element. If the acid-photogenerator is in the dye-donor, bleaching will occur upon initial exposure of the dye-donor to near-infrared or near-ultraviolet radiation. If present in the dye-receiver element, bleaching will occur upon subsequent exposure of the dye receiver to near-infrared or near-ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A thermally-transferred color filter array element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer containing a thermally-transferred image comprising a repeating pattern of colorants of a benz-cd-indole merocyanine blue dye having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R represents hydrogen; a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms; a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from about 2 to about 8 carbon atoms; or a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group having from about 7 to about 12 carbon atoms; andZ represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.

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 binder comprises an inorganic colloid, such as colloidal titanium dioxide or colloidal silicon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image recording method utilizing photosensitive microcapsules. These photosensitive microcapsules have characteristics of being rendered hardenable upon exposure. Further, only the hardenable photosensitive microcapsules can be hardened. In this image recording method, an optional image pattern is initially exposed to a photosensitive recording medium having thereon the photosensitive microcapsules for rendering only the exposed photosensitive microcapsules hardenable corresponding to the image pattern. Subsequently, the exposed photosensitive recording medium is heated to harden only the hardenable photosensitive microcapsules. Further, the photosensitive recording medium is entirely exposed again with light to render the unhardened photosensitive microcapsules hardenable.

Abstract: The addition, to a thermal imaging medium comprising a color-forming compound which undergoes a change of color upon heating above a color-forming temperature for a color-forming time, the color-forming compound being of the cyclic sulfonamide type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,720,449 and 4,960,901, of a quinone or hydroquinone increases the sensitivity of the imaging medium and helps to prevent fading of images produced therefrom while the images are being projected.

Abstract: The addition, to a thermal imaging medium comprising a color-forming compound which undergoes a change of color upon heating above a color-forming temperature for a color-forming time, the color-formingcompound being of the cyclic sulfonamide type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,720,449 and 4,960,901,of a source of zinc, nickel, copper(II), cobalt(II) or aluminum(III) cations increases the sensitivity of the imaging medium and helps to prevent fading of images produced therefrom while the images are being projected.

Abstract: A method for forming an image is described which includes bringing a transparent heat-sensitive recording material including a transparent support made of a synthetic polymer having thereon a transparent heat-sensitive recording layer into contact with a light-absorbing material, at least at the time of effecting recording, and irradiating the light-absorbing material with a laser beam to heat the transparent heat-sensitive recording layer and to cause color formation therein. High speed, high density, and high quality recording can be performed with an increased light absorption efficiency.

Abstract: A heat transfer dye-providing material comprising a support and having thereon a layer containing a heat migrating dye, wherein at least one of the dye-containing layer and a layer adjacent thereto contains an infrared-absorbing dye represented by the following Formula (I) or (II): ##STR1##

Abstract: A process for producing a color image on color proofing film which comprises:(i) providing digital data representative of the shape and color of an original image;(ii) inputting the digital data into a computer;(iii) providing a color printer which is in communication with and controlled by the computer;(iv) providing the printer with a precoated photosensitive color proofing film, a thermal wax and means for transferring the wax to the color proofing film;(v) melting the thermal wax, in response to the digital data, in a manner which provides a pattern corresponding to the shape of the original image, the pattern providing a temporary wax optical mask;(vi) exposing the photosensitive layer of the color proofing film, through the thermal wax optical mask, to actinic radiation, the wax on the color proofing film absorbing the actinic radiation, whereby a photoreaction occurs in the exposed areas of the photosensitive layer of the color proofing film; and(vii) developing the color proofing film to provide a col

Abstract: There is disclosed a thermal transfer dye-providing material capable of providing a sharp image having a high density.

Abstract: There is disclosed a thermal transfer dye-providing material capable of providing a sharp image having a high density.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of forming a laser-induced thermal dye transfer image comprising:a) contacting at least one dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer, having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, with a dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer, said dye-donor and dye-receiver being separated by spacer beads;b) imagewise-heating the dye-color element by means of a laser at a given power supplied to the laser; andc) transferring a dye image to the dye-receiving element to form the laser-induced thermal dye transfer image,and wherein another portion of the dye-donor element or another dye-donor element is imagewise-heated by the laser to transfer a second dye image which is approximately the same hue as the first dye image and is in register with the first dye image to produce a given density, the power supplied to the laser for the first and second imagewise heatings being lower than the power which

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprises an optical recording layer provided on a substrate, a protective material and a bond layer for bonding the optical recording layer to the protective material, the bond layer having a thermoplastic adhesive comprising at least one of (A) at least one selected from an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer and an ethylene-acrylate ester copolymer and (B) an ethylene-maleic anhydride-acrylic acid terpolymer; and (C) a tackifier.

Abstract: A thermally-transferred color filter array element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer containing a thermally-transferred image comprising a repeating pattern of colorants, one of the colorants being a mixture of a yellow dye and a cyan dye to form a green hue, said cyan dye having the formula: ##STR1## .

Abstract: A color filter array element, preferably for use in a color electro-optical display device such as a liquid crystal display device, comprises a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer containing a thermally transferred image comprising a repeating pattern of colorants and a photopolymerizable overcoat layer. Areas of the overcoat layer which have not been subjected to conditions that effect polymerization of the layer are selectively removable together with the corresponding underlying areas of the image-receiving layer. In a preferred embodiment the photopolymerizable overcoat layer contains at least about 25 weight percent of 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexylcarboxylate and at least about 4 weight percent of a triarylsulfonium salt.

Abstract: A color filter array element, preferably for use in a color electro-optical display device such as a color liquid crystal display device, comprises a support having thereon a thermally transferred image comprising a repeating pattern of colorants and, overlying the transferred image, a protective overcoat layer that is produced by polymerization of an overcoat layer containing a cycloaliphatic epoxide compound and a photoinitiator that is an onium salt of a Lewis acid.

Abstract: A thermally-transferred color filter array element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer containing a thermally-transferred image comprising a repeating pattern of colorants, one of the colorants being a mixture of a yellow dye and a magenta dye to form a red hue, said yellow dye having the formula: ##STR1## said magenta dye having the formula: ##STR2##

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of forming a color filter array element comprising:a) imagewise-heating a dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer;b) transferring portions of the dye layer to a dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer, the imagewise-heating being done in such a way as to produce a repeating pattern of colorants forming a color filter array,c) coating the color filter array with a polyvinyl alcohol layer;d) coating the polyvinyl alcohol layer with a polymeric barrier layer such as a dye image-receiving layer; ande) heating the color filter array to further diffuse the dye into the dye image-receiving layer.

Abstract: A unique method/system for simultaneously creating and transferring a contrasting pattern of intelligence on and from an ablation-transfer imaging medium to a receptor element in contiguous registration therewith is not dependent upon contrast imaging materials that must absorb the imaging radiation and is well adopted for such applications as, e.g., color proofing and printing, the security coding of various documents and the production of masks for the graphic arts and printed circuit industries; the ablation-transfer imaging medium, per se, comprises a support substrate and an imaging radiation-, preferably a laser radiation-ablative topcoat essentially coextensive therewith, such ablative topcoat having a non-imaging ablation sensitizer and an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein.

Abstract: A recording material containing as a color forming system (a) a colorless or light-colored dye precursor, and (b) an isocyanate compound having aromaticity, and if necessary (c) a color developer is excellent in image retention rates in terms of light resistance and plasticizer resistance and has a large degree of freedom of hues.

Abstract: There is disclosed a thermal imaging laminar medium, actuatable in response to intense image-forming radiation for production of an image, and including a thermoplastic intermediate layer which, upon separation of the sheet-like or web materials of the laminar medium after thermal exposure, provides surface protection for one of the pair of images obtained thereby.

Abstract: A thermally-transferred color filter array element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer containing a thermally-transferred image comprising a repeating pattern of colorants, one of the colorants being a mixture of a yellow dye and a cyan dye to form a green hue, said cyan dye having the formula: ##STR1##

Abstract: An image recording material comprises a support and an image recording layer provided thereon which contains a salicyclic acid derivative or its metal salt, which functions as a developer of a leuco dye to form a color image. A new salicylic acid developer is herein disclosed. The salicylic acid developer is a salicylic acid derivative having the formula (I) or its metal salt: ##STR1## in which each of R.sup.13 and R.sup.15 independently is hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a tertiary aralkyl group; R.sup.16 is an alkyl group or an aryl group; and when R.sup.15 is hydrogen R.sup.13 is a tertiary aralkyl group. An image recording process employing the image recording material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process of making opaque grid lines for a color filter array element comprisinga) exposing to light through a negative grid pattern a photo-hardenable element comprising a support having thereon a coating comprising a water-soluble polymer; a water-soluble dichromate salt; and up to 1 g/m.sup.2 of a black pigment, black dye or dyes providing an opaque color, or a precursor thereof;b) washing the element with a solvent to remove the unexposed areas of the element, leaving a grid line pattern of hardened polymeric substance on the element; andc) drying the element to produce open cells on the support divided by opaque lines of the hardened polymeric substance greater than 0.3 .mu.m in height above the support.In another embodiment of the invention, the above dichromate salt coating does not contain any black pigment or dye, and the grid pattern is dyed black before the drying step.

Abstract: A yellow dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprises a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of yellow dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, at least one of the yellow dyes having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; a cycloalkyl group of from about 5 to about 7 carbon atoms; or a substituted or unsubstituted allyl group;R.sup.2 is any of the groups for R.sup.1 or represents the atoms which when taken together with Z form a 5- or 6-membered ring;Z is hydrogen; any of the groups for R.sup.1 ; alkoxy; halogen; aryloxy; or represents the atoms which when taken together with R.sup.2 forms a 5- or 6-membered ring;Y is any of the groups for R.sup.

Abstract: A thermally-transferred color filter array element, preferably for use in a color electro-optical display device such as a color liquid crystal display device, comprising a support having thereon a polymeric dye image-receiving layer containing a thermally-transferred image comprising a repeating pattern of colorants, such as a mosaic pattern, the polymeric dye image-receiving layer having been applied to the support using screen printing.

Abstract: A method of laser marking plastics objects of any desired shape, wherein the object to be marked contains a radiation-sensitive additive which effects a change in the light reflectance and is subjected to a laser with pulsed light such that the laser beam is deflected through a mask or directed over the surface of the object to be marked, in conformity with the shape of the marking which is to be applied so as to form a visual effect marking at the areas of impact on said object without the surface of said object suffering damage which is visible to the eye. The method includes using molybdenum disulfide as additive and choosing the laser parameters of wavelength, pulse content and pulse duration such that an effect marking is produced whose contrast undergoes visual change depending on the angle of light and observation.

Abstract: A thermally-transferred color filter array element comprising a transparent support having thereon a thermally-transferred image comprising a repeating pattern in a binder of colorants composed of one or more polyesters having Tg greater than about 200.degree. C. derived from one or more dibasic aromatic acids and one or more dihydroxy-phenols that contain at least one large bulky central moiety.

Abstract: A photosensitive material comprises a photosensitive and heat-developable element and a photopolymerizable element which are contained in the same layer. The photopolymerizable element comprises at least a polymerizable polymer precursor having a melting point of 35.degree. C. or more. The photosensitive material is exposed to light with at least one wavelength within the wavelength region of from 400 nm to 900 nm, heated at 60.degree. to 180.degree. C., and exposed to light with at least one wavelength within the wavelength region of from 250 to 700 nm, and thus an unexposed area in the photosensitive layer which is an area not exposed to light with at least one wavelength within the wavelength region of from 400 nm to 900 nm is polymerized.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium. A heat-sensitive sheet having a light-transmissive base sheet provided with a heat-fusible supercooled substance layer is made to abut a copy original such that the heat-fusible supercooled substance layer faces the original image to be copied while flashlight is projected onto the base sheet of the heat-sensitive sheet. Thus, the image portion of the copy original to be copied absorbs the light transmitted through the heat-sensitive sheet and thereby generates heat so that an adhesive area containing a pattern corresponding to the original image is formed on the supercooled substance layer. After the heat-sensitive sheet has been removed from the copy original, such an adhesive area is transferred to the recording medium owing to the adhesiveness of the adhesive area.

Abstract: A yellow dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprises a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of yellow dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, at least one of the yellow dyes having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: each R.sup.1 independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group of from about 5 to about 7 carbon atoms; a substituted or unsubstituted allyl group; an aryl group of from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms; a hetaryl group of from 5 to 10 atoms; acyl; arylsulfonyl; aminocarbonyl; aminosulfonyl; fluorosulfonyl; halogen; nitro; alkylthio; or arylthio;or any two adjacent R.sup.1 's together represent the atoms necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered fused ring;n represents an integer from 0-4;R.sup.2 represents hydrogen; a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, allyl, aryl or hetaryl group as described above for R.sup.

Abstract: A yellow dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprises a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of yellow dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, at least one of the yellow dyes having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of from about 5 to about 7 carbon atoms; an allyl group; a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; or a substituted or unsubstituted hetaryl group of from about 5 to about 10 atoms;R.sup.2 is any of the groups for R.sup.1 or represents the atoms which when taken together with Z form a 5- or 6-membered ring;Z is hydrogen; any of the groups for R.sup.1 ; alkoxy; halogen; aryloxy; or represents the atoms which when taken together with R.sup.2 forms a 5- or 6-membered ring;each Y independently represents any of the groups for R.sup.