Abstract: There is disclosed an optical retrieval apparatus which uses a laser for illuminating an optical element. A sensor responds to modulated light from the optical element to produce electrical signals. The optical element has a substrate and on the surface of the substrate, a dye containing recording layer and a light reflecting layer. The improvement is that the dye is a leuco dye.

Abstract: Processes for preparing ionographic imaging member including providing a flexible, shrinkable tube containing a dielectric film forming polymer having a T.sub.g of at least about -40.degree. C., charge decay of less than about 2 nonocoulombs per cm.sup.2 per second and elastic memory, providing a cylindrical support member having an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the flexible tube, applying a continuous coating on the interior of the tube or on the exterior of the cylindrical support member, the coating comprising a material selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, an adhesive material and mixture thereof, shrinking the tube to bring the inner surface of the tube and the outer surface of the cylindrical support member into intimate physical contact with the continuous coating. This imaging member may be employed in an ionographic imaging process.

Abstract: A process for recovering a support from a photographic film is disclosed. The photographic film comprises the support and an undercoating layer provided thereon. The support is made of cellulose triacetate film base. The undercoating layer contains gelatin and cellulose nitrate. According to the present invention, the process comprises the steps of: (I) treating the photographic film with an aqueous solution of a surfactant; and then (II) treating the photographic film with an aqueous solution of a protease to remove the undercoating layer from the support. The aqueous solution of the protease used at the step of (II) preferably further contains an anionic surfactant. It is also preferred that the process further contains the step of (III) treating the recovered support with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide to bleach the support.

Abstract: A laser-imageable assembly comprising a transparent substrate and an associated energy absorbent transfer layer comprising particles which absorb laser energy dispersed in a resin, the assembly comprising at least one further layer selected from(a) an intermediate priming layer,(b) a protective coating layer, and(c) a lubricant coating layer.The transfer layer is preferably rendered heterogeneous - for example, by appropriately drying the coated substrate.A preferred substrate is a polyester film.

Abstract: In order to be able, in a simple manner, to erase, by heating, data recorded on bodies with reversible, temperature-variable light extinctions, and then to be able to use the body anew for the recording of data, these bodies consists of at least one polymer material and/or resin matrix material (A) and at least one organic low-molecular substance (B), which is insoluble, at least partially, in the latter and which is contained therein as a dispersed second phase, whereby the pair of materials (A/B) possess variable light extinctions below a specific temperature (T.sub.0) in dependence on a previous heating above T.sub.0 and are so constituted that, upon being heated above a conversion temperature (T.sub.2) which lies above T.sub.0, and being cooled off subsequently to below T.sub.0, yields maximum light extinction; and, upon being heated in the state of maximum light extinction to a temperature (T.sub.1) which lies above T.sub.0 and below T.sub.2, and subsequent cooling off to below T.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for plate-making which comprises imagewise exposing by scanning type flash exposure a lithographic printing plate comprising a support and at least a silver halide emulsion layer containing at least 70 mol % of silver chloride and prepared with addition of a water soluble iridium compound during emulsification or physical ripening of silver halide and a water soluble gold compound at any time before coating of the emulsion and thereafter subjecting the exposed emulsion to diffusion transfer development.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the direct making of printing plates for multicolor lithography capable of faithfully reproducing repeatedly continuous gradation multicolor original, which comprises using color separation filters for at least blue, green, and, red and repeating a sequence of the steps of shielding an exposure section against light by a light shielding means; feeding to said exposure section a magazine containing a sensitive material convertible into lithographic printing plate, which material bears a panchromatically sensitized photographic layer; bringing said sensitive material into close contact with a contact screen; exposing said sensitive material through a lens and a color separation filter to the reflected light from a continuous gradation multicolor original; and sending the exposed sensitive material to a processing bath section.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to increase the sensitivity of a positive polymer resist by control of molecular weight distribution and prebake temperature. The sensitivity of a polymer positive resist is increased by baking a narrow molecular weight fraction resist below the glass transition temperature. More particularly the sensitivity is increased by the use of low average molecular weight resist of narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to increase the contrast of a positive polymer resist by control of molecular weight distribution and prebake temperature. The contrast of a positive polymer resist is increased by baking a narrow molecular weight fraction resist above the glass transition temperature. More particularly the contrast is increased by the use of low average molecular weight resist of narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: More effective camouflage patterns are generated by use of certain known tographic and photooptical contrasting procedures to obtain more desirable positive high contrast images representative of the natural background areas in which military equipment is intended to operate. Generating and using such camouflage patterns constitute a unique and novel use of such images which have predetermined color tones or values assigned to varying degrees of light, intermediate and dark contrast areas. The patterns may be applied onto the equipment in any of several conventionally known manners, thereby enabling otherwise artistically unskilled field soldiers to more effectively camouflage their equipment.

Abstract: The invention is an improved system for the rapid development of X-rays. The system is particularly useful for the development of dental-type X-rays. The system consists of an enclosed sealed pouch-like holder for the unexposed X-ray film, a special pocket built into the pouch-like holder for guiding an injection needle during operation of the device, a sealant within the specific pocket through which the injection needle is inserted, and a syringe-type injector with injection needle and a supply of monobath solution (a combined developer and fixer solution).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a negative or positive image from a single photographic medium. A source of radiant energy is projected onto a sheet of dielectric material heating the material to a polarizing temperature. A pair of electrical conductors are moved in a first direction along the surface of the heated dielectric material polarizing the material in the first direction. A photographic mask is then positioned over the polarized material and the radiant energy and the electrical field is again applied through the mask in a second direction to polarize certain portions of the material in the second direction. Projecting polarized light through the dielectric material and rotating the material during the projection produces a negative or positive image on the screen.

Abstract: A process for producing relief copies wherein the light-hardenable layer of a light-hardenable copying material, which contains a photopolymerizable mixture, a photodimerizable polymeric compound or a diazonium salt polycondensation product, is exposed to a light image, the exposed layer is subjected to a brief ultrasonic treatment, and the unexposed areas of the layer are thereafter washed away by means of a developer. As a result of the ultrasonic treatment, shorter exposure times may be used and better in-depth hardening of the layer may be achieved.

Abstract: A retouching agent for lithographic printing plate containing an admixture of (a) a lactone having 4 to 6 carbon atoms and (b) a glycol ether or ketone.

Abstract: A method for storing sheets of a photothermographic sheet material composed of a high molecular weight compound support and a sensitive emulsion comprising, as the indispendable constituents, an organic silver salt oxidizing agent, a reducing agent for silver ion, a photosensitive silver salt compound or its precursor, and a binder, characterized by inserting paper having smooth surfaces between every two sheets of said photothermographic sheet material. By this method, the photothermographic sheet material can be stored for a long period of time without deterioration of quality.

Abstract: An improved method of reproducing a spiral groove pattern in the surface of a plastic disc wherein the intersections of the surface of a metal article generated during the replication process are filled in to form concave junctions.