Abstract: Method for making lithographic aluminium offset printing plates according to the DTR-process by photo-exposing a photosensitive monosheet layer assemblage comprising a hydrophilic aluminium foil, a water-swellable intermediate layer comprising a non-protenic hydrophilic film-forming polymer, and a silver halide emulsion layer, applying an aqueous alkaline solution thereto in the presence of a developing agent and a silver halide solvent, allowing to reduce the photo-exposed silver halide, allowing the unreduced silver halide or complexes thereof to diffuse to said aluminium foil to form a silver image thereon, and separating said emulsion layer and said intermediate layer from the image aluminium foil. The invention also relates to the photosensitive monosheet layer assemblage used for making such printing plates.

Abstract: An improvement in a multicolor image-forming method and a multicolor image-forming material applied to the same, employing a heat transfer photosensitive material comprising a transparent substrate, a colored layer which is soluble in water but insolubilizable by light, and a heat-fusible and bondable intermediate layer therebetween.

Abstract: An image-receiving sheet material to be used for the formation of a transferred image by transferring a transferable image formed on an image-forming layer of a photo-sensitive material onto the image-receiving sheet material and then retransferring the image onto a permanent substrate, wherein the image-receiving sheet material comprises a substrate and first and second image-receiving layers located adjacent each other and comprising organic high polymer(s), wherein the second image-receiving layer is to be transferred onto the permanent substrate and further comprises at least one of the following components (I) and (II):(I) one or more compounds represented by general formula R.sub.1 --X, wherein X is --CH.sub.2 OR.sub.2, --COOH or --CONH.sub.2 ; R.sub.1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group of C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 or C.sub.n H.sub.2n-1, wherein n is an integer of from 11 to 21; R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or --CO--R.sub.3 --S--R.sub.3 --COOCH.sub.2 --R.sub.1 ; and R.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to negative photosensitized sheet constructions which, upon exposure to an actinic radiation source through a screened image, can accurately reproduce said image. The construction is useful as a color proofing film which can be employed to predict the image quality from a lithographic printing process.

Abstract: This invention relates to positive working photopolymerizable sheet constructions which, upon exposure to an actinic radiation source through a screened image, can accurately reproduce said image. The construction is useful as a color proofing film which can be employed to accurately predict the image quality from a lithographic printing process.

Abstract: A process for forming a line art of halftone multicolor colloid pattern involves the contact exposure in registration of different colored silver halide emulsion hydrophilic colloid layers each on a temporary support and the hardening development of the individual exposed silver halide emulsion layers in turn after each is transferred to a common intermediate support to form thereon a multi-layer assembly of reverse reading color relief images on top of each other. This assembly together with an underlying stripping layer from the intermediate support is transferred bodily onto a permanent support by adherence to an adhesive layer carried on the latter support to form thereon a right-reading multicolor image that may serve as a color proof.

Abstract: In a process for preparing a photopolymer printing plate, relief plate or photoresist from a photosensitive recording element containingA) a photopolymerizable relief-forming layer which can be developed with liquid developer after imagewise exposure to actinic light,B) a top layer which consists of polymers forming films of high tensile strength, adheres firmly to the photopolymerizable relief-forming layer (A) and is soluble or swellable in the liquid developers andC) a cover sheet which can readily be peeled off from the top layer (B),comprising peeling off the cover sheet (C) from the top layer (B), imagewise exposing to actinic light and developing the relief-forming layer (A), the formation of an electrostatic charge on top of the photosensitive recording element being prevented by incorporating into the element a top layer (B) containing specific tertiary amines and/or amides and/or specific quaternary ammonium salts.

Abstract: Multicolor image products useful for prepress color proofing. The products are laminates of a transfer support sheet; an adhesive layer of a heat-fusible and bondable material on a surface of said transfer support sheet; an image layer of a first color provided on the adhesive layer and having image areas of a water-insoluble resin component and non-image areas, the image areas being bonded to the surface of the adhesive layer; and one, two or three additional image layers each of a different color other than that of the first image layer.

Abstract: An image-receiving sheet material which is used in a transfer image-formation process comprising: (A) transferring an image formed on an image-forming layer of a transferable and light-sensitive material onto an image-receiving sheet material, and then (B) retransferring the image from the image-receiving sheet material onto a permanent support, wherein the image-receiving sheet material comprises: (1) a support, and (2) provided thereon an image-receiving layer which comprises at least two layers each comprising a composition containing an organic high polymer, wherein at least one of at least two layers of the image-receiving layer is to be transferred onto the permanent support and which contains a matting agent comprising a composite three-dimensional resin particles prepared by a process comprising at least: (a) emulsion-polymerizing a polyfunctional monomer having at least two unsaturated groups differing in copolymerizability from each other with a polymerizable monomer containing a cross-linkable mono

Abstract: This invention relates to a peel-apart photosensitive element comprising a strippable coversheet, a photorelease layer, a photohardenable layer, an elastomeric layer, and a support, which is useful in a variety of image reproduction processes.

Abstract: An image-receiving element, adapted to the production of a diffusion transfer photograph adhesively bondable to a substrate material, comprises first and second separable sheet-like support members adhesively bonded to one another by a layer of adhesive therebetween, the adhesivity of the first sheet-like support to the adhesive layer being less than the adhesivity of the second sheet-like support to the adhesive and less than the cohesivity of the adhesive layer. The second sheet-like support member carries on the side thereof opposed from the adhesive layer at least a water-permeable and dyeable image-receiving layer which receives a photographic dye image by diffusion transfer processing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image reproduction process, more particularly a color proofing process, which utilizes a peel-apart photosensitive element comprising a strippable coversheet, a photohardenable layer, an elastomeric layer, and a support, to produce a positive image of the transparency on the coversheet and a negative image of the transparency on the elastomeric layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming method which comprises forming an image portion by exposing and developing an image forming material having a light-sensitive composition, and transferring only the image portion onto an image receiving material with the non-image portion of the image receiving material being exposed, wherein the light-sensitive composition contains:(1) at least one selected from:(a) o-quinonediazide compounds; and(b) compositions containing both of a photoacid generating agent and a compound having at least one bond decomposable with the acid; and(2) a polymeric compound having a structure unit represented by the following formula in the molecular structure:CH.sub.2 --CH(OCOR)--wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 17 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A peel-apart type diffusion transfer unit comprising at least an image receiving layer and a peeling layer on a support wherein the peeling layer essentially consists of (A) a layer containing a copolymer which contains repeating units (monomer units) derived from an ethylenic unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, and (B) a layer which contains a cellulose ester.

Abstract: A diffusion transfer photographic film unit comprising a support having thereon outwardly from said support (a) a dye image receiving layer; (b) a first peeling layer containing a copolymer of at least (i) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing at least one hydrocarbon group containing from 7 to 18 carbon atoms, and (ii) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, the homopolymer of which is soluble in water or an aqueous alkaline solution; (c) a second peeling layer containing a cellulose ester; and (d) a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a light-sensitive silver halide and a dye image forming substance. The diffusion transfer photograph produced using the unit of the invention has stable peeling properties, is not sticky, and is excellent in scratch resistance.

Abstract: In a photosensitive recording material comprising(A) a photopolymerizable relief-forming layer which can be developed with liquid developer after imagewise exposure to actinic light,(B) a top layer which consists of polymers forming films of high tensile strength, adheres firmly to the photopolymerizable relief-forming layer (A) and is soluble or swellable in the liquid developers and(C) a cover sheet which can readily be peeled off from the top layer (B),the top layer (B) contains specific tertiary amines and/or amides and/or specific quaternary ammonium salts of the type defined in more detail in the claims.Photopolymerized printing plates, relief plates or photoresists are produced by a process in which this recording material is used.

Abstract: A photosensitive image receiving sheet material employable for color proofing and color display which comprises a photopolymerizable adhesive layer provided on a support via a releasable organic high-molecular polymer layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to positive working photopolymerizable sheet constructions which, upon exposure to an actinic radiation source through a screened image, can accurately reproduce said image. The construction is useful as a color proofing film which can be employed to accurately predict the image quality from a lithographic printing process.

Abstract: An image-forming process comprising the steps of:(A) transferring an image layer, formed on a transferable light-sensitive material, onto an image-receiving sheet, and(B) transferring the image layer onto a permanent support, wherein the image-receiving sheet comprises a support having formed thereon an image-receiving layer composed of a composition containing an organic high molecular material as the main component, wherein an adhesive power P.sub.1 between the support of the image-receiving sheet and the image-receiving layer and an adhesive power P.sub.2 between the image-receiving layer and the image layer are higher than an adhesive power P.sub.3 between the image layer and the support of the transferable light-sensitive material, and also an adhesive power P.sub.4 between the permanent support and the image layer and adhesive power P.sub.1 are higher than adhesive power P.sub.

Abstract: Imaging elements, in particular image transfer assemblages and processes, are described wherein a stripping layer is employed to enable a layer containing a viewable image to be separated from other portions of the element. The stripping layer comprises certain N-alkyl substituted acylamide copolymers.

Abstract: A method is described for forming an image by transferring an image layer formed on a transferable light-sensitive material to an image-receiving sheet, and then further transferring the image to a permanent support, wherein the image-receiving sheet comprises a support, a first layer on the support, said first layer being made of a first organic polymeric substance, and a second layer on the first layer, said second layer being made of a second organic polymeric substance, whereinin peeling apart the image-receiving sheet from the transferable light-sensitive material,P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3 >P.sub.4wherein P.sub.1 is an adhesion force between the support and the first layer, P.sub.2 is an adhesion force between the first and second layers, P.sub.3 is an adhesion force between the second layer and the image layer, and P.sub.

Abstract: An image producing material which consists essentially of a substrate, an image producing layer and a photosensitive layer in that order. Before the material is exposed to light, the adhesion between the image producing layer and the photosensitive layer is lower than that between the substrate and the image producing layer, whereas, upon exposure to light, the adhesion between the image producing layer and the photosensitive layer becomes higher than that between the substrate and the image producing layer, so that, after exposure, when the photosensitive layer is peeled off, the image producing layer in the exposed area is removed with the photosensitive layer, and the image producing layer in the unexposed area is left on the substrate. Thus, the image producing material enables an image to be produced simply by peeling off the photosensitive layer without the need to apply a special surface treatment to the image producing layer and without the need for any heat treatment or the like after exposure.

Abstract: A photographic light-sensitive element is described comprising a support having provided thereon at least one of a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and an image-receiving layer, in which a layer comprising a light-reflective organic polymer is provided between the support and the light-sensitive silver halide layer or the image-receiving layer. The light-reflective organic polymer layer serves as a stripping layer without retarding image-formation.

Abstract: In dry film resists possessing a solid photopolymerizable resist layer, which is applied on a temporary base and can be developed with aqueous, in particular aqueous alkaline, media, and, if required, a cover sheet on the resist layer, the said resist layer is built from a homogeneous mixture of (a) not less than 40% by weight of one or more oligomers which contain free carboxyl groups and more than two acryloyl and/or methacryloyl groups and are soluble or dispersible in aqueous alkaline solutions, (b) from 1 to 35% by weight of one or more film-forming compatible polymers which are soluble in aqueous media, (c) from 1 to 30% by weight of one or more compatible photopolymerizable monomers, (d) from 0.001 to 10% by weight of one or more photoinitiators and (e) from 0 to 30% by weight of further additives and/or assistants. Resist images are produced on a substrate by a process employing photopolymerizable resist layers of the type stated above.

Abstract: Solvent developable composition useful as photoresist contains binder formed from methylmethacrylate and a C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 alkyl methacrylate whereby improved development and/or stripping is obtained.

Abstract: Dry-film, positive-acting photoresist layers are used in the formation of many articles such as circuit boards, printing plates and the like. Laminable monolayers of photoresist suffer from slow speeds, brittleness, and narrow latitude during development and exposure. The use of a thermoplastic, crosslinked or crosslinkable integral adhesive layer on the dry-film, positive-acting photoresist layer improves the properties and performance of the photoresist.

Abstract: A peel-apart type instant film unit comprising an image receiving sheet separably adhered in a heat sealing manner to a mask member which is peeled apart from the former after the development thereof. There is provided therebetween a weak sealing layer comprising an adhesive layer of a thermoplastic polymer having hydrophilic groups and a separating layer which is alkali resistant and has a good separation property relative to the adhesive layer. The weak sealing layer can provide an easy separation between the separating and adhesive layers so as perfectly to transfer the adhesive layer to the image receiving sheet to provide a fine appearance and a writeable image frame on the image receiving sheet. The mask member is made of any polyethylene compounded paper sheets and is provided with a processing liquid-resisting layer inside the weak sealing layer for the purpose of preventing the permeation of processing liquid thereto.

Abstract: A light-sensitive color proofing sheet is described for producing an image on various substrates. A light-sensitive continuous color layer is releasably attached to a carrier. Overlying the color layer is a water-insoluble transparent colorless barrier layer. On the opposite surface of the barrier layer is a thermally laminable adhesive layer. Upon lamination of the sheet to a substrate, removal of the carrier and exposure to actinic radiation, the color layer is formed into an image, photomechanically, by removal of the non-image areas.

Abstract: An image-receiving element for a diffusion transfer photographic process is described, comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer and a stripping layer composed of a copolymer, wherein said copolymer contains more than 40 mole % of a monomer unit derived from an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, and said stripping layer is at least partially crosslinked.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable composition is disclosed which comprises (a) a polymeric binder, (b) a polymerizable compound, and (c) a photoinitiator comprised of a compound according to formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, alkoxy group, or dialkylamino group,R.sup.1 ' is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl groupR.sup.2 is an alkyl group or an alkoxycarbonylalkyl group, or, if R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each denote an alkyl moiety,R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form a five- or six-membered ring, andR.sup.3 denotes a tertiary amino group.The compounds are distinguished by their good solubility and high activity in the short-wave visible region of the spectrum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a light-sensitive laminate comprising a light-sensitive layer of photoresist, a support therefor, and an intermediate protective layer preferably of a light-transmitting material disposed between said photoresist layer and said support. In use, the photoresist layer of the laminate is adhered to a base material and the support stripped therefrom, thereby leaving a composite comprising the base material, photoresist layer and intermediate protective layer disposed over said photoresist layer. The intermediate layer serves to protect the photoresist layer from damage such as by abrasion or otherwise during processing, thereby permitting storage of the so-formed composite prior to use. Since the intermediate layer may be of a light-transmitting material, photo-imaging may take place through the intermediate layer with the intermediate layer subsequently removed by contact with a solvent that is a non-solvent for those areas of photoresist left after development.

Abstract: Photographic assemblages and processes are described wherein a stripping layer is employed to enable an image-receiving layer to be separated from the rest of the assemblage after processing. Each side of the stripping layer has a hydrophilic layer immediately adjacent thereto, only one of which contains particulate material substantially insensitive to light and in a volume percentage of about 5 to about 75 percent of the hydrophilic material-particulate material mixture, so that upon separation, substantially all of the stripping layer will remain with the portion of the assemblage having the hydrophilic layer containing the particulate material.Transparencies or prints which are less bulky can thereby be obtained from integral assemblages.

Abstract: A method for producing an information carrier in the form of a card, such as an identification card or pass, as well as an information carrier produced in accordance with this method. The information carrier comprises a plurality of plastic layers combined with one another into a block, at least one of which contains a photograph of the bearer and/or his fingerprint and/or other readable or machine-readable data in the form of a photographic layer. This photographic layer is produced and incorporated into the sandwich of plastic layers making up the identification card in that a specially prepared film is exposed to light, developed, fixed and dries, and then the carrier layer of this film sandwich is removed from the emulsion after the emulsion has entered into an adhesive bond with a first plastic carrier layer, this adhesion being substantially greater than the adhesion of the emulsion to the film's auxiliary carrier, which is to be removed.

Abstract: A process for preparing a mask for sandblasting, in which there is employed a transparent soluble peel-aid film layer superimposed on a transparent protective film layer to cover a liquid photopolymerizable composition layer. According to the process, the protective film can be readily stripped and a mask for sandblasting which has a strong adherence to articles to be engraved can be produced efficiently without occurrence of troubles, such as chipping of high-precision portions, e.g. fine dots and lines, of polymeric images.

Abstract: A transfer element for sandblast carving comprising, in order, a flexible substrate, an intermediate resin layer which is strippable from the flexible substrate and is a pressure-sensitive adhesive to an etchable material, and a resist comprising a photocured photosensitive resin.

Abstract: Photosensitive elements comprising a layer of a solvent-soluble, thermoplastic, elastomeric, block copolymer, a nongaseous ethylenically unsaturated compound, and an addition polymerization initiator activatable by actinic light interposed between a support and cover sheet, a flexible polymeric film, e.g., polyamide, being interposed between the cover sheet and the surface of the layer. The elements are useful in preparing printing plates, particularly flexographic printing plates, and other relief images.

Abstract: Photothermographic imaging elements are provided with strippable layers which have electrical conductivity in the range of 60 to 1,500 ohms/square. The elements may be exposed to radiation and then thermally developed by applying a voltage across the strippable layer which becomes resistively heated. After development, the strippable layer may be removed.

Abstract: Method of preparing a fade-resistant and abrasion-resistant colored photographic image and a novel color photographic paper therefor. A photograph on the paper is coated with adhesive, bonded to a substrate and the paper backing stripped away, leaving a low density polyethylene foil covering the reversed image.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a light-sensitive layer transfer material comprising a temporary film support and a light-sensitive thermoplastic photoresist layer detachably connected therewith, the improvement being that the underside of the film support has a lower adhesion to the photoresist layer than its upper side. The invention also relates to a process for transferring a light-sensitive photoresist layer from a temporary to a permanent support.

Abstract: A silver diffusion transfer film unit which comprises, in order, a support, a silver precipitating layer, a protective layer comprising chitosan having a copper salt and a polyol selected from the group consisting of glycerol, sorbitol, polyvinyl alcohol, inositol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and hydroxyethyl cellulose disposed therein, a release layer, and a photosensitive silver halide layer. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the film unit is an additive color diffusion transfer film unit.

Abstract: A photosensitive element is provided by an actinic radiation-transmissive film-forming polymeric material which contains photolabile blocked surfactant capable upon exposure to actinic radiation of releasing a detectable quantity of surfactant in actinic radiation exposed areas in areas not exposed to actinic radiation and unblocked surfactant in an image-wise pattern in the actinic radiation exposed areas. An imaging process is also provided comprising providing the actinic radiation-sensitive element and exposing the actinic radiation-sensitive element to actinic radiation in an image-wise pattern at an intensity and for a time sufficient to release an image-wise pattern of released surfactant in the exposed area.

Abstract: A diffusion transfer film unit comprising a support, a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer, an image-receiving layer and, intermediate said silver halide emulsion layer and said image-receiving layer, a release layer which comprises a water-soluble polymer and a styrenated acid functional acrylic resin. In a preferred embodiment, the film unit is a silver diffusion transfer film unit.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable element comprising a layer of a photopolymerizable composition and a liquid developer-soluble or -dispersible transparent oriented film support laminated onto one surface of the photopolymerizable composition layer is advantageously employed for the production of a polymeric image without stripping of the film support. The element may further comprise a strippable protective film provided on the other surface of the photopolymerizable composition layer. The element of this invention is useful especially for the production of photoresists which are advantageously used for the manufacture of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Improved process for forming multicolor proofs by laminating to a receptor a positive-working photopolymer element having an electrical discharge treated polyethylene terephthalate support bearing a photopolymerizable layer containing a monomeric component of or mixture of monomeric components as defined; a compatible polymeric acrylate binder and optionally a polyvinyl acetate binder, the weight ratio of polyvinyl acetate to acrylate binder being less than 4 to 3, and an initiator or initiator system; exposing the layer imagewise; removing the support, applying and distributing colorant, removing the colorant in the exposed areas and repeating the steps at least once with another photopolymer element, the lamination being to the previously laminated element.

Abstract: Two-sheet diffusion transfer assemblages, photographic elements and dye image-receiving elements are described wherein an overcoat layer is present on the photographic element or the dye image-receiving element superposed thereon. The overcoat layer comprises either silica or an ionic polyester in a hydrophilic colloid which prevents spontaneous delamination during the lamination period, yet permits satisfactory peel-apart afterwards.

Abstract: A photographic assembly for the photographic diffusion transfer process is provided wherein a stripping layer is used consisting of a graft copolymer of gelatin which has been substantially fully reacted with a dicarboxylic acid anhydride selected from phthalic anhydrides, succinic anhydrides, glutaric anhydrides and a monomer of a vinyl ester, a vinyl ether, an acrylic ester, an acrylic ether, a methacrylic ester or a methacrylic ether or a mixture thereof. These stripping layers exhibit good dry adhesion to the emulsion layer and to the mordant layer and moderate wet adhesion.

Abstract: A dry film photoresist consisting of a two-layer base incorporating a solid polymeric substrate with a thickness of from 15 to 100.mu. and an intermediate polymeric layer with a thickness of from 3 to 15.mu. transparent to UV-radiation within the range of from 300 to 400 nm, a light-sensitive layer with a thickness of from 4 to 20.mu. and a protective polymeric film with a thickness of from 5 to 50.mu.. All four of these layers are bonded therebetween by adhesion forces so that the adhesion of the protective polymeric film to the light-sensitive layer is less than the cohesion strength of the light-sensitive layer; the adhesion of the solid polymeric substrate to the intermediate polymeric layer is less than the adhesion of the intermediate polymeric layer to the light-sensitive layer and the adhesion force of each of the three above-mentioned layers is less than the cohesion strength of each of said layers.

Abstract: A photosensitive image forming material which comprises a transparent support having thereon, in order, a poly(vinyl alcohol) layer, an alcohol soluble polyamide layer and a photosensitive resin composition layer with at least one of the poly(vinyl alcohol) layer and the photosensitive resin composition layer containing a colorant therein; and an image forming method using the image-forming material. Such a layer structure ensures sufficiently layer good adhesion as well as strippability of the developed image on demand.

Abstract: A presensitized photographic speed light sensitive sheet structure suitable for producing a dry transfer element, comprising a substrate having a release coating thereon, and overlying the release coating a photo-sensitive layer comprising a silver halide emulsion. After light exposure to an original and development, the remaining silver image portions have a greater adhesion for a receptor surface when applied thereto under pressure than the adhesion of the indicia to the substrate under like pressure.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a stencil for use in screen printing which method comprises coating a screen mesh with liquid photopolymerizable composition, imagewise exposing the coated mesh to radiation to polymerize liquid composition on the mesh in the exposed areas, and removing unexposed liquid composition from the mesh to develop the stencil. Suitably the liquid composition is applied with the screen mesh in contact with a protective film and, after imagewise exposure, the stencil is developed by stripping of the film such that unexposed liquid remains on the film. This provides a simple method of producing a stencil which does not require highly skilled personnel.