Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive material for making lithographic plates comprising in the order given on a support an IR-sensitive oleophilic layer and an ablatable cross-linked hydrophilic layer comprising an inorganic pigment and a hardener, characterized in that the ratio of said inorganic pigment over the hardener is comprised between 95/5 and 75/25 by weight.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, has an imaging layer comprised of a thermally sensitive compound and a photothermal conversion material. The thermally sensitive compound comprises a heat-activatable aromatic cyclic sulfonium zwitterion group represented by the following Structure I: wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, X and Y are independently substituted or unsubstituted methylene groups, and n is 1 or 2. The thermally sensitive compound can be a polymer or a small molecule compound. In the imaging member, the thermally sensitive compound reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. The imaging layer is considered “switchable” and can be used to provide a lithographic printing image without traditional alkaline wet processing.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat mode imaging element for providing a lithographic printing plate consisting of a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface and a top layer that is sensitive to IR-radiation, comprises a polymer soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution, and is unpenetrable for an aqueous alkaline developer, characterized in that said top layer comprises a polysiloxane surfactant.

Abstract: A process for curing of a resist in which the consumption of the device is not increased and a device for carrying out the process is achieved following manner. The workpiece stage is divided into several stages which are smaller than the size of the workpiece. The areas formed by division are each controlled to different constant temperatures. First, the part of the workpiece to which a resist has been applied and which has been developed is seated on a stage of the workpiece stage by a workpiece transport means. The resist-applied part of the workpiece is irradiated with UV radiation from a light irradiation part while it is being heated. Then, the workpiece is moved by the workpiece transport means such that the workpiece which was located on the above described stage is transported onto another stage and the other part of the workpiece is transported onto the stage named first. UV radiation is emitted from the light irradiation part.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having a hydrophilic surface containing hydrophilic graft polymer chains and a heat-sensitive layer containing at least either of fine particulate polymer and microcapsules, which is excellent in on press developing property, sensitivity and printing durability.

Abstract: A method for treating a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, which comprises exposing the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to laser light, developing with a developer containing an alkali metal silicate and then carrying out post-exposure treatment, said photosensitive lithographic printing plate being prepared by forming a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer having a film thickness of from 1.2 to 4 g/m2 and further forming a protective layer having a film thickness of from 2 to 8 g/m2 on a support having a centerline average height (Ra) of at least 0.35 &mgr;m.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a precursor for preparing a resist pattern by heat mode imaging, the precursor comprising a heat sensitive composition, the solubility of which in an aqueous alkaline developer is arranged to increase in heated areas, and a means for increasing the resistance of non-heated areas of the heat sensitive composition to dissolution in an aqueous alkaline developer (the “developer resistance means”), wherein said developer resistance means comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: (A) compounds which include a poly(alkylene oxide) unit; (B) siloxanes; and (C) esters, ethers and amides of polyhydric alcohols, wherein said heat-sensitive composition comprises an aqueous alkaline developer soluble polymeric substance (i.e. the “active polymer”) and a compound which reduces the aqueous alkaline developer solubility of the polymeric substance (i.e.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive material for making lithographic plates comprising in the order given on a support an IR-sensitive oleophilic layer and a cross-linked hydrophilic layer comprising an inorganic pigment and a hardener, characterized in that the ratio of said inorganic pigment over the hardener is comprised between 75/25 and 25/75 by weight.

Abstract: Thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plates, and methods for forming an image using the thermally imageable elements are disclosed. The element contains a support with a hydrophilic surface, an underlayer over the hydrophilic surface, and a top layer over the underlayer. The top layer contains a polymeric material, such as a novolac resin, a resol resin, or a mixture thereof, but does not require a compound that functions as a solubility-suppressing component for the polymeric material. Consequently, the top layer is free of materials that function as solubility-suppressing components for the polymeric material. In one embodiment, the element, preferably the underlayer, absorbs infrared radiation. Following thermal exposure, the element is developed with an aqueous alkaline developer having a pH of at least 7 to about 11, typically about 10.

Abstract: A negative-working imaging member can be used as a lithographic printing plate without ablation. The imaging member comprises a support and an imaging layer that includes a dispersion of at least 0.05 g/m2 of a cyanoacrylate polymer that is thermally degradable below 200° C., a photothermal conversion material that is present in an amount to provide a dry weight ratio to the cyanoacrylate polymer of from about 0.02:1 to about 0.8:1, and a hydrophilic binder to provide a dry weight ratio of a hydrophilic binder to the cyanoacrylate polymer of up to 1:1. Thermal imaging energy causes the exposed areas of the imaging layer to adhere to the support while unexposed areas can be readily washed off and/or simultaneously inked for press runs.

Abstract: A thermally imageable element, useful as a lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed. The element comprises a hydrophilic substrate; an underlayer comprising a first polymeric material; and an ink-receptive top layer comprising a second polymeric material and a solubility-suppressing component. The solubility-suppressing component may be a separate dissolution inhibitor compound and/or the second polymeric material may also function as a solubility-suppressing component. On thermal exposure the exposed regions of the top layer becomes more readily soluble in an aqueous developer, allowing the developer to remove the top layer and reveal the surface of the hydrophilic substrate. The lithographic printing plate thus formed has excellent properties, including the absence of sludging of the developer.

Abstract: A coated imageable semiconductor is imaged by heating an area of the coating with an infrared laser and reacting the coating in the heated area with ultraviolet or visible radiation. The coating can be either positive working or negative working. The modulated radiation may either be the ultraviolet/visible radiation or the infrared radiation and the radiation spots are superimposed or the ultraviolet/visible spot may closely trail the infrared spot. The imaging time is reduced since the reaction rate is increased at the elevated temperature.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat sensitive imaging element comprising on a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface an image forming layer including thermoplastic particles of a homopolymer or a copolymer of styrene and a hydrophilic polymer containing carboxyl groups, characterized in that said imaging element further contains an anionic IR-cyanine dye being present in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an imaging element for lithographic offset printing. The imaging element comprises hydrophobic polymer particles in an aqueous medium, a substance for converting light into heat, and a metal complex. The imaging element may be used for printing long run lengths on lower quality paper and in the presence of set-off powder. The imaging element may be imaged and developed on-press and may be sprayed onto a hydrophilic surface to create a printing surface that may be processed wholly on-press. The hydrophilic surface may be a printing plate substrate, the printing cylinder of a printing press, or a seamless sleeve around the printing cylinder of a printing press. This cylinder may be conventional or seamless.

Abstract: A negative planographic printing plate precursor for heat-mode exposure systems, which has, on a support, a photosensitive layer containing: (A) a light-to-heat conversion agent; (B) a polymerizable unsaturated group-having compound; and (C) an onium salt having a counter anion with a valency of at least 2. The precursor is capable of being exposed with an IR laser for image formation thereon. The onium salt may be, for example, a diazonium salt, iodonium salt or sulfonium salt. The counter anion has at least two anionic sites which may be the same or different, and the anionic structure is preferably divalent to hexavalent.

Abstract: In order to provide a computer-to-plate (CTP) plate in which an image can be inscribed by a laser beam having Ithe maximum strength in a near infrared or infrared region, and heat processing is not necessary prior to developing a latent image, and which allows the use of a conventional printing apparatus as it is upon printing, (I) a lithographic printing plate is provided which has on a substrate, a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive composition containing a crosslinking agent, an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles made of a resin which is self water-dispersible having a carboxylic group and a functional group capable of performing cross-linking reactions with the crosslinking agent, and an infrared absorption agent; and (II) an image forming method is provided which is characterized in that after an image has been formed on a photosensitive layer of the lithographic printing plate set forth in the above (I) by using a laser beam, the image is subjected to wet development.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive material for making lithographic printing plates comprising on a lithographic support an image-forming layer comprising a hydrophilic binder, a cross-linking agent for a hydrophilic binder and dispersed hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, characterized in that said image-forming layer is covered with a layer comprising at least one organic compound comprising cationic groups.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an imaging element for lithographic offset printing. The imaging element comprises hydrophobic polymer particles in an aqueous medium, a substance for converting light into heat and an organic base. The imaging element may be used for printing long run lengths on lower quality paper and in the presence of set-off powder. The imaging element may be imaged and developed on-press and may be sprayed onto a hydrophilic surface to create a printing surface that may be processed wholly on-press. The hydrophilic surface may be a printing plate substrate or the printing cylinder of a printing press or a seamless sleeve around the printing cylinder of a printing press. This cylinder may be conventional or seamless.

Abstract: A negative image-recording material for heat-mode exposure, which is able to form images by heat-mode exposure, comprises (A) a polyurethane resin having at least one or more side-chain branches of the following general formulae (1) to (3) which polyurethane resin is soluble in an alkaline aqueous solution, (B) a photo-thermal converting agent, and (C) a compound capable of generating a radical through heat-mode exposure to light of a wavelength which can be absorbed by the photo-thermal converting agent. In formulae (1) to (3), R1 to R11 each independently represents a monovalent organic group; X and Y each independently represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or —N(R12)—; Z represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, —N(R13)—, or an optionally-substituted phenylene group; R12 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; and R13 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an IR radiation-sensitive imaging element comprising on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising (1) a water insoluble, alkali soluble or swellable resin having a phenolic hydroxy group, (2) a latent Bronsted acid, and (3) an amino crosslinking agent capable of reacting with the water insoluble, alkali soluble or swellable resin under the influence of an acid, characterized in that said image forming layer comprises a carbon black pigment as infrared absorber.

Abstract: A method for forming an image, which comprises subjecting a photosensitive layer of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate having a photosensitive layer comprising a photopolymerizable composition formed on a support surface to scanning exposure with a laser light having a wavelength in a range of from 650 to 1,300 nm, developing an image, and then further subjecting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate having the developed image to whole image exposure with a light exposure energy of from 1 to 70 times larger than the light exposure energy at the time of the laser light scanning exposure.

Abstract: Thermally imageable lithographic printing plate precursors and heat-sensitive compositions for use in these printing plate precursors are disclosed. The compositions contain an aqueous developer soluble polymer, such as a phenolic resin; a compound that reduces the aqueous developer solubility of the polymer; and optionally, and infrared absorber. Examples of compounds that reduce the aqueous developer solubility of the polymer are those that contain at least one quarternized nitrogen atom, such as quinolinium compounds, benzothiazolium compounds, pyridinium compounds, and imidazoline compounds. On thermal imaging, the irradiated areas become more soluble in the aqueous developer and can be removed to form a positive image.

Abstract: A heat developing method having the steps of: initially making the overall surface of a heat developing photosensitive material or a photosensitive and thermosensitive recording material (hereinafter called a “heat developing recording material”) to a predetermined temperature not lower than a glass transition temperature and not higher than heat development start temperature; and performing heat development.

Abstract: This patent describes on-press ink and/or fountain solution development of lithographic plates having on a substrate a thermosensitive layer capable of hardening or solubilization upon exposure to an infrared laser radiation. The plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser and then on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution by rotating the plate cylinder and engaging ink and/or fountain solution roller. The developed plate can then directly print images to the receiving sheets. The imagewise exposure can be performed off the press or with the plate being mounted on the plate cylinder of a lithographic press.

Abstract: Desclosed is a heat-developable image-recording material including a support on which are formed at least one image-forming layer and at least one protecting layer formed on top of said image-forming layer, the heat-developable image-recording material being developed by use of a heat development apparatus comprising a roller coming into a driving contact with a surface of the material on the side having the image-forming layer, the apparatus comprising a smooth surface coming into a sliding contact for transport with a surface of the material opposite to the surface on the side having the image-forming layer, wherein at the temperature where the development is carried out, the ratio is 1.

Abstract: A positive-type image-forming material and a planographic printing plate precursor having a recording layer composed of the material on a support. The material includes (a) a water-insoluble, aqueous alkaline solution-soluble polymer compound, (b) a light-heat converting agent, and (c) a phenol including a partial structure represented by the following formula (I). Solubility of the material in an aqueous alkaline solution is increased upon heating. In the formula (I), X represents a monovalent terminal group having 2 or more carbon atoms or a linking group of —CY1Y2— or —CHY1— in which Y1 and Y2 each represent a monovalent terminal group having 1 or more carbon atoms, W represents a monovalent terminal group, and n represents an integer from 1 to 4.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an imaging element for lithographic offset printing. The imaging element comprises hydrophobic polymer particles in an aqueous medium, a substance for converting light into heat, and an organic base. The imaging element may be used for printing long run lengths on lower quality paper and in the presence of set-off powder. The imaging element may be imaged and developed on-press and may be sprayed onto a hydrophilic surface to create a printing surface that may be processed wholly on-press. The hydrophilic surface may be a printing plate substrate or the printing cylinder of a printing press or a seamless sleeve around the printing cylinder of a printing press. This cylinder may be conventional or seamless.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a presensitized plate useful for making a lithographic printing plate comprising an intermediate layer and a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer on an aluminum substrate in this order, wherein the roughness of a surface of said aluminum substrate (Ra) is in the range of 0.2 to 0.55 &mgr;m and the intermediate layer comprises a polymer compound comprising at least one monomer unit having a sulfonic acid group and a method for making a lithographic printing plate by imagewise exposing the presensitized plate described above and developing the imagewise exposed presensitized plate with a developer comprising an inorganic alkali salt and a nonionic surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene ether group. The presensitized plate or the method of the present invention provides a lithographic printing plate showing good contrast between an image area and non-image area, no background contamination during printing, good stability with time and good printing durability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a photo-heat conversion agent incorporated therein, wherein the photo-heat conversion agent is a particulate metal oxide comprising an organic photo-heat conversion dye encapsulated therein.

Abstract: Phenolic resin compositions formulated for use in lithographic exposure processes are given a heat treatment at 40-90° C. for at least 4 hours shortly after their coating onto lithographic substrates, to produce lithographic printing forms. It is found that such a heat treatment improves later exposure processes, in particular by rendering the sensitivity of the compositions less variable, over time.

Abstract: A process for producing a lithographic printing plate by on-press developing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor having on a metallic base in this order (1) an ink-receptive layer, (2) a hydrophilic layer containing colloidal particles of an oxide or hydroxide of at least one element, e.g., silicon or aluminum, and (3) a hydrophilic overcoat layer capable of being removed on a printing machine, which includes: rotating a plate cylinder having attached thereto the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor which has been exposed; subsequently supplying an ink and a dampening water to the plate surface by simultaneously bringing a dampening roll and an inking roll into contact with the plate surface or by bringing a water-metering roll into contact with an inking roll and then bringing the inking roll, which functions also to dampen, into contact with the plate surface; and thereby removing the overcoat layer and the exposed parts of the hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: Provided is a planographic printing plate precursor having the advantages of good developability in printers, high sensitivity and a long press life. On a support having a hydrophilic surface with hydrophilic graft polymer chains existing therein, formed is a thermosensitive layer containing a polymer having, in the molecule, a functional group capable of interacting with the hydrophilic graft polymer and a functional group that undergoes hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity conversion through exposure to heat, acid or radiation to fabricate the planographic printing plate precursor.

Abstract: A thermally sensitive imaging member can be imaged using thermal energy such as from an IR-emitting laser and then used for lithographic printing. The imaging member includes a support having an ink-repellant subbing layer and a thermally sensitive, ink-repellant surface imaging layer. Imaging causes a “switching” in the exposed surface regions to a more oleophilic or ink-accepting nature. Post-imaging processing is unnecessary in this imaging system. The surface imaging layer includes a thermally sensitive copolymer of silicone “soft” segments and thermally sensitive “hard” segments as well as a photothermal conversion material that is IR radiation sensitive.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for the preparation of a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of exposing with IR light an imaging element comprising on a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface a first layer including a polymer, soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution and a top layer on the same side of the lithographic base as the first layer which top layer is IR-sensitive and unpenetratable for or insoluble in an alkaline developer wherein said first layer and said top layer may be one and the same layer, said imaging element comprising a siloxane surfactant; developing said exposed imaging element with an alkaline solution; rinsing said developed imaging element with water or an aqueous solution; gumming said developed imaging element with a baking gum solution; subjecting said gummed imaging element to a thermal treatment at a temperature above 50° C.

Abstract: A lithographic printing method is disclosed which comprising the steps of

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a lithographic printing plate, the method including the steps of (1) providing an imaging element including on a lithographic hydrophilic support as contiguous top layer a heat-sensitive coating including a compound capable of converting light to heat and a compound, which becomes more hydrophilic under the action of heat; (2) imagewise exposing the imaging heat-sensitive composition with a high intensity laser emitting a laser beam with an intensity at the surface of the heat-sensitive composition of tat least 2 mW/&mgr;m2 thereby at least partially removing the heat-sensitive composition to expose at least partially the lithographic support.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for the preparation of a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of exposing with IR light an imaging element comprising on a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface a first layer including a polymer, soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution and a top layer on the same side of the lithographic base as the first layer which top layer is IR-sensitive and unpenetratable for or insoluble in an alkaline developer wherein said first layer and said top layer may be one and the same layer, said imaging element comprising a siloxane surfactant; developing said exposed imaging element with an alkaline solution; gumming said developed imaging element with a baking gum solution; subjecting said gummed imaging element to a thermal treatment at a temperature above 50° C.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared using a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer that comprises recurring units comprising quaternary ammonium carboxylate groups. These quaternary ammonium carboxylate groups include at least one substituted-alkylene(C1-C3)-phenyl group. The imaging member can also include an infrared radiation sensitive material to provide added sensitivity to heat that can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared using a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer that comprises recurring units comprising quaternary ammonium carboxylate groups. The imaging member can also include an infrared radiation sensitive material to provide added sensitivity to heat that can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat mode imaging element for making a lithographic printing plate having on a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface a first layer including a polymer soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution, and a top layer on the same side of the lithographic base as the first layer that is IR-sensitive and unpenetrable for an aqueous alkaline developer wherein said first layer and said top layer may be one and the same layer; characterized in that the surface of said element upon exposure and treatment with an aqueous alkaline developer is such that a) the contact angle between the unexposed areas of the imaging element and the aqueous alkaline developer changes for at most 6° during the first minute of contact with said developer; b) the contact angle between the exposed areas of the imaging element and the aqueous alkaline developer changes more than 15° during the first minute of contact with said developer; c) the difference in contact angle betwe

Abstract: A positive-type photosensitive composition that has high sensitivity, good latitude in development, and good storage stability and is for use in a direct plate production process using an infrared laser and a novel anionic infrared-ray absorbing agent suitable therefor. This composition comprises (a) an anionic, infrared-ray absorbing agent represented by general formula (I) and (b) a polymeric compound that is insoluble in water but soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution so that the composition becomes soluble in the aqueous alkaline solution when irradiated with the infrared laser. In the general formula (I) given below, M represents a conjugated chain, Ga− represents an anionic substituent group, Gb represents a neutral substituent group, and Xm+ represents a cation including a portion, the cation having a valence of from 1 to m, wherein m represents an integer ranging from 1 to 6.

Abstract: Disclosed are a printing plate precursor having an anodized titanium film layer on a surface thereof; a process for lithography which comprises image-wise exposing the surface of the printing plate precursor to an actinic light, bringing the exposed surface into contact with a printing ink to form a printing surface where the image areas have received the ink, and using the resultant printing plate to conduct printing; and the process for lithography described above which further comprises cleaning the surface of the printing plate after completion of the printing to remove the remaining ink from the surface, subsequently heating the printing plate precursor at 80 to 500° C., and then repeatedly using the printing plate precursor.

Abstract: A method of producing a lithographic printing plate which comprises subjecting a printing plate precursor comprising a support having a metallic compound layer which has a photo-catalytic property and a hydrophilic surface and bears light-heat convertible minute particles on the surface thereof to imagewise irradiation of heat mode to convert polarity of the metallic compound layer, thereby forming an imagewise hydrophobic region. The lithographic printing plate can be repeatedly employed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing direct-imaged flexographic printing elements such that both the front and back exposure times are economically efficient for the manufacturer. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing at least one solid photocurable element. The solid photocurable element comprises a solid photocurable material comprising an oxygen scavenger, a support layer having an actinic radiation absorbing compound integrated uniformly throughout such that it absorbs at least some actinic radiation during exposure, and a photoablative mask layer. The methods of the invention involve creating a floor in the solid photocurable material by back exposure through the support layer having the actinic radiation absorbing compound, transferring a negative image directly onto the solid photocurable material by photoablating the photoablatable mask layer, followed by front exposure effective to cure the solid photocurable material.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate comprises on a substrate a thermo-deactivatable photosensitive layer that is photohardenable before exposure to an infrared radiation and can be rendered incapable or having reduced rate of photohardening upon exposure to an infrared radiation. Optionally, an oleophobic top layer may be deposited on the photosensitive layer to form a waterless plate. Such a plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser to thermally deactivate the photosensitive layer in the exposed areas, followed by overall actinic light exposure to harden the infrared laser non-exposed areas. The exposed plate can be developed with a suitable developer to remove the infrared laser exposed areas. A plate with an ink and/or fountain solution soluble or dispersible photosensitive layer of this invention can be developed on a printing press with ink and/or fountain solution during initial press operation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an imaging element comprising on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto, characterised in that said image forming layer further comprises a cross-linking agent capable of cross-linking said hydrophilic binder upon heating in a ratio between 1:100 and 200:1 by weight versus the hydrophilic binder. The present invention further provides a method for making a printing plate therewith. According to this method, the above imaging element is preferably exposed by means of a laser and is subsequently developed with plain water or an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A photoimaging material which comprises a support and a photoimaging layer formed on the support. The photoimaging layer comprises microcapsules and a reducing agent present outside the microcapsules. The microcapsules contain a leuco dye capable of oxidative color formation, a photooxidizing agent and an organosulfur antioxidant. The reducing agent is 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol) or 2,2′-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-t-butylphenol). The photoimaging material is capable of thermal image fixing based on a method of forming color by radical oxidation of various leuco dyes to the corresponding dyes with a photooxidizing agent. The photoimaging material is not prone to background coloring (fogging) during storage under dark or light conditions after image fixing, and does not foul the inside of the apparatus during thermal image fixing.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic material having high sensitivity, low fog and good shelf life (i.e.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser markable coating composition comprising a colorant and a polymeric material whose opacity changes substantially irreversibly when exposed to heat. The composition may further include a carrier, an adhesion promoter, an energy transfer agent, an opaque polymeric material, and one or more binder resins. The present invention further provides a heat responsive colorant particle comprising a colorant and a polymeric material whose opacity changes substantially irreversibly when exposed to heat. A laser beam can be used to provide the heat. An example of a suitable polymeric material that irreversibly changes in opacity is a styrene/acrylic microsphere. An example of a suitable colorant is carbon black pigment. An example of an energy transfer agent is fumed silica. An example of an adhesion promoter is an oxidized polyethylene. An example of a suitable carrier is water.

Abstract: ? The object of the present invention is to provides a novel polyhalogenomethylsulfonyl compound which can be used for providing a thermally processed image recording material which has a high sensitivity, gives less fog, and has a good stock stability and a good image storage stability of dark and high temperature or light storage.