Abstract: Photothermographic imaging materials having increased photospeed are provided by certain tellurium chemical sensitizers that are added during the formulation of a photothermographic emulsion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermally processed image recording material containing, on one side of a support having an image-forming layer, a silver salt of an organic acid, a reducing agent and at least one kind of a compound represented by the following formula (1): 1

Abstract: A method for recording an image on a thermographic material (m) provides a thermographic material, a transparent thermal head (TH) having energizable heating elements (Hi), and a radiation beam (L). The heating elements of the thermal head are activated and the radiation beam is passed through transparent parts of the thermal head. Herein, the total energy resulting from the thermal head and from the radiation beam has a level corresponding to a gradation of the image to be recorded. Further embodiments comprise e.g. holding the thermographic material on one and a same drum during both an imagewise exposing step and a heating step.

Abstract: A photothermographic material is disclosed, comprising a light-sensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt, a reducing agent, a thiuronium salt and a binder, wherein the photothermographic material further contains at least one of compounds represented by formulas such as

Abstract: A non-photosensitive silver dimer compound comprises two different silver salts, provided that when the two different silver salts comprise straight-chain, saturated hydrocarbon groups as the silver coordinating ligands, those ligands differ by at least 6 carbon atoms. Many of these silver dimer compounds can be represented by the following Structure I: wherein each E is independently oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, selenium, or tellurium, R and R′ are different alkyl groups, aryl groups, aromatic heterocyclic groups, or halo atoms, provided that when E is oxygen, R and R′ are both straight-chain, saturated hydrocarbon groups, those hydrocarbon groups differ from each other by at least 6 carbon atoms. These silver dimer compounds are useful in thermally-developable imaging materials including thermographic and photothermographic materials.

Abstract: A method for processing a heat developable photothermographic material by the use of an automatic processor is disclosed, wherein the photothermographic material comprises a support, a light sensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a contrast-increasing agent; and in the step of heat-developing, the photothermographic material passes at a transport speed of 22 to 40 mm/sec. through an atmosphere of not less than 117° C. in not less than 10 sec., and further passing, while being brought into contact with the surface of a heating member exhibiting a surface temperature of 90 to 115° C. or in the vicinity of the surface of the heating member.

Abstract: Photothermographic materials provide images having improved stability from browning. The improved image stability is achieved by including an image stabilizing compound in the support, a backside layer on the support or in a layer associated with a backside layer. The most useful backside layer for this purpose is an antihalation layer. These compounds are present in the backside layer in an amount sufficient to provide an increase in blocking power of at least 0.01.

Abstract: A heat-developable image recording material comprises a support, a photosensitive silver halide, a non-phosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for a silver ion and a binder including a polymer latex, wherein polymer latex has a halogen ion content of not more than 500 ppm.

Abstract: A color-developing agent of the formula (1-1): 1

Abstract: A photothermographic light-sensitive material for making a printing plate comprising a support having thereon a light-sensitive layer containing light-sensitive silver halide grains, organic silver salt grains, a reducing agent and a binder, wherein the organic silver salt grain comprises a organic silver salt having 10 or more of carbon atoms and the photothermographic light-sensitive material has an outermost layer at a light-sensitive layer side of the support having a coefficient of water absorption of not less than 0.7%.

Abstract: A photothermographic material comprising a support, silver halide, an organic silver salt and a reducing agent is disclosed, meeting the following requirement: −15<100×(S1−S0)/S0<15 wherein S0 represents a sensitivity of the photothermographic material heat-developed after being allowed to stand at 23° C. and 50% Rh for a period of 3 days and S1 represents a sensitivity of the photothermographic material heat-developed after being allowed to stand at 55° C. and 80% RH for a period of 3 days. An image forming process by the use of the photothermographic material is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a silver halide photographic emulsion comprising silver halide grains, wherein 50% or more of the projected area of the silver halide grains to be contained is occupied by tabular grains having an aspect ratio of 2 or more and a grain thickness of 0.2 &mgr;m or less, with the tabular grains each having a phase with the content of silver bromide being 10% or more, and wherein in the phase, the tabular grains each contain a metal complex dopant in an amount necessary to increase the density of a dislocation. This emulsion produces high contrast and better granularity while it has high sensitivity. Further, there is also disclosed a silver halide photographic emulsion, wherein the average equivalent-circle diameter of the total tabular grains among the silver halide grains contained is 2.0 to 4.0 &mgr;m, and the tabular grains contain at least one metal complex having, as a ligand, a heterocyclic compound in a number more than half of the coordination number of the metal atom.

Abstract: A photothermographic material comprising a support having thereon a photosensitive layer comprising non-photosensitive organic silver salt grains, photosensitive silver halide grains, a binder, a cross-linking agent, and a reducing agent,

Abstract: Apparatus for processing heat processable media comprising: a rotatable heated drum for processing heat processable media having width and depth dimensions, and a plurality of rollers spaced around a portion of the periphery of said drum and in contact therewith, said rollers holding said media to said drum; wherein at least one of said drum and/or at least some of said plurality of rollers have a channel in a central region thereof, said channel having a width greater than said width dimension of said media and a depth less than said thickness dimension of said media.

Abstract: A photographic element is disclosed comprising a support, at least one silver-halide emulsion layer superposed on the support and a processing-solution-permeable overcoat overlying the silver-halide emulsion layer that becomes water resistant in the final product. In particular, the overcoat comprises an open-pore membrane of a water-insoluble polymer, the membrane layer being made by dissolving homogeneously the polymer in a solvent mixture, the solvent mixture comprising at least one solvent which is a relatively good solvent for the water-insoluble polymer and at least one solvent which is a relatively poor solvent for the water-insoluble polymer, wherein the relatively poor solvent has a higher boiling point than the relatively good solvent, coating the dissolved mixture onto the at least one silver halide light-sensitive emulsion layer, and then drying to remove approximately all of the solvents to obtain the open-pore membrane.

Abstract: An silver halide photothermographic light sensitive material comprising a support having thereon a undercoating layer and a photothermographic light-sensitive layer containing a light-sensitive silver halide, and organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder, wherein the undercoating layer contains fine particles having a mean primary particle size of 0.01 to 1.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photothermographic element comprising a support, at least one photothermographic imaging layer, and at least one antihalation layer or a filter layer, wherein the antihalation or filer layer comprises an aqueous heat-bleachable composition comprising a 1-aminopyridinium filter dye having a methine linkage terminated by a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic nucleus of the type contained in cyanine dyes, which filter dye is in the presence of an effective amount of a thermal solvent.

Abstract: A photothermographic material is disclosed, comprising on a support an organic silver salt, silver halide grains, a reducing agent, a contrast-increasing agent and a binder, wherein the photothermographic material has a residual organic solvent content of 30 to 500 mg/m2 and exhibits a sensitivity maximum at a wavelength of 350 to 450 nm. An image forming method is also disclosed, comprising exposing the photothermographic material to light using a light source having emission within the wavelength region of 350 to 450 nm.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed color photographic film, said film having at least three light-sensitive units which have their individual sensitivities in different wavelength regions, each of the units comprising at least one light sensitive silver halide emulsion and image dye coupler, which method comprises contacting the imagewise exposed color photographic film with an aqueous solution containing a non-blocked developing agent, at a temperature of between 30 to 60° C.; and wherein said film further comprises an incorporated reducing agent, at least one organic silver salt and an amido compound wherein the reducing agent is substantially unreactive in the aqueous color development step described above, but wherein color development of the same imagewise exposed film is capable of being alternatively obtained, without any externally applied developing agent, by heating said film to a temperature above about 80° C.

Abstract: A method and system for environmental control in film processing is disclosed. In general, photographic film is coated with a processing solution, such as a developer solution, and is then developed within a controlled air environment. In the preferred embodiments, the temperature and humidity within the air environment is strictly controlled, which allows the development process to be more accurately and consistently controlled. This also allows fewer processing chemicals to be used and reduces harmful effluents caused by photographic film processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectrally sensitized photothermographic silver halide element comprising a support layer having on at least one surface thereof a photothermographic composition which displays uniform image density across its surface when exposed to floodlight or uniform incandescent light exposure at radiation wavelengths to which the element is sensitive, said element comprising at least two layers, including a top layer and a photothermographic emulsion layer, said photothermographic emulsion layer comprising a binder, a light insensitive silver source, a reducing agent for silver ion and infrared radiation sensitive silver halide grains, wherein the coherent radiation is rendered more diffuse in its passage through the element than when it strikes the top layer. This may be accomplished at least in part by 1) the top layer of the element having haze induced therein of 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photographic elements having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. The overcoat comprises an epoxy material, an acid polymer, a water-soluble hydrophilic binder and an associative thickener. In one embodiment, a photographic element includes a support, at least one silver halide emulsion layer superposed on the support and a processing-solution-permeable overcoat overlying the silver halide emulsion layer that becomes water-resistant in the final product without requiring lamination or fusing. The present invention is also directed to a method of making a print involving developing the photographic element.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaged photographic element having a protective overcoat thereon. The protective overcoat is formed by providing a photographic element having at least one silver halide light-sensitive emulsion layer. A first coating of hydrophobic polymer particles having an average size of 0.01 to 1 microns, a melting temperature of from 55 to 200 ° C. at a weight percent of 30 to 95, and one or more hydrophilic polymers at a total weight percent of 5 to 70 is applied to form a first layer over the silver halide light-sensitive emulsion layer. A second coating of abrasion resistant particles having an average size of from 0.01 to 1 microns is applied to form a second layer over the first layer. The coatings are dried at temperatures not exceeding the melting point of the particles used in the first coating, or of the glass transition temperature of the abrasion resistant particles used in the second coating, whichever is the lowest.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: A heat-developable light-sensitive material, which at least contains:

Abstract: A thermal development photosensitive material suitable for medical diagnoses, industrial photography, printing and COM. The material contains at least one photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a binder, at least one of compounds represented by the following formula (I) and at least one of compounds represented by the following formula (II) on one surface of a substrate.

Abstract: A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material has a support provided thereon a photographic constitutional layer including at least one photographic light-sensitive layer that contains a light-sensitive silver halide, an organosilver salt having a nitrogen-containing heterocycle, a compound capable of forming a dye by coupling reaction with an oxidized developing agent, and a binder,

Abstract: An overcoat composition for imaging products containing: 30-95 weight %, based on the dry laydown of the overcoat, of a hydrophobic polymer, said hydrophobic polymer being homopolymers or copolymers containing at least 30% by weight, based on the total weight of monomers, of the monomer described in structurel; and 5 to 70 weight %, based on the dry laydown of the overcoat, of gelatin: wherein: R is H, CH3, C2H5, and C3H7; and X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 are H, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, CH3O, C2H5O, C3H7O, C4H9O, CH3, C2H5, C3H7, n-C4H9, sec-C4H9, tert-C4H9, CF3, C2F5, C3F7, iso-C3F7, n-C4F9, sec-C4F9, tert-C4F9, CH3NH, (CH3)2N, n-C5H11, C4H9, n-C6H13, n-C7H15, n-C8H17, n-C9H19, n-C10H21, or n-C12H25.

Abstract: A photothermographic material is disclosed, comprising a support having thereon at least an image forming layer and a first layer on the opposite side of the support from the image forming layer, wherein the first layer contains a vinyl type polymer latex and an aqueous-dispersible polymer selected from the group consisting of an aqueous-dispersible polyester, aqueous-dispersible polyurethane and aqueous-disperible cellulose.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a patterned continuous polymeric brush on a substrate surface. The method generally involves functionalization of the substrate surface followed by surface-initiated polymerization at the initiation sites so provided, e.g., using a living free radical polymerization technique or the like, whereby a covalently bound continuous polymeric brush results, with acid-labile groups present throughout. An acid is then applied to the continuous polymer brush in a predetermined pattern, under conditions that result in removal of the acid-labile groups in at least one first region of the continuous polymer brush but not in at least one second region of the continuous polymer brush. In a preferred embodiment, the acid is a photogenerated acid resulting from imagewise irradiation of a photoacid generator applied as a film or coating to the surface-bound polymer brush.

Abstract: Photothermographic materials have increased photospeed provided by gold(III)-containing chemical sensitizers that are used combination with sulfur- and/or tellurium-containing chemical sensitizers. Increased photographic speed is achieved with minimal increase in Dmin. The gold(III)-containing chemical sensitizers are represented by the following Structure GOLD: Au(III)L′rYq GOLD wherein L′ represents the same or different ligands, each ligand comprising at least one heteroatom that is capable of forming a bond with gold, Y is an anion, r is an integer of from 1 to 8, and q is an integer of from 0 to 3.

Abstract: A method for recording an image on a thermographic material (m) comprising a step of providing a thermographic material having a thermal imaging element, a transparent thermal head (TH) having energizable heating elements (Hi), and a radiation beam (L), and a step of activating heating elements of the thermal head and imagewise and scanwise exposing the imaging element by means of the radiation beam. Herein, the total energy resulting from the thermal head and from the radiation beam has a level corresponding to a gradation of the image to be recorded on the imaging element. Moreover, the imagewise and scanwise exposing is carried out by passing the radiation beam through transparent parts of the thermal head.

Abstract: Thermographic and photothermographic materials comprise a barrier layer to provide physical protection and to prevent migration of diffusible imaging components and by-products resulting from high temperature imaging and/or development. The barrier layer comprises a film-forming acrylic or methacrylic acid ester or amide polymer(s) that has a molecular weight of at least 8000 g/mole and comprises hydroxy functionality in from about 15 to 100 mole % of the acrylic or methacrylic acid ester or amide recurring units. This barrier layer is capable of retarding diffusion of mobile chemicals such as fatty carboxylic acids, developers, and toners. This barrier layer can also include at least one other film-forming polymer to provide a clear and scratch-resistant surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photothermographic material containing a non-photosensitive silver salt and a photosensitive silver halide on a support, wherein the photosensitive silver halide is spectrally sensitized with a spectral sensitizing dye so that maximum spectral sensitivity wavelength could become longer than 730 nm and the conditions defined by the following formulas (1) and (2) and/or the conditions defined by the following formulas (3) and (4) could be satisfied:

Abstract: For achieving both advantages of high activity in heat development and superior image storability, the present invention provides a photothermographic material comprising a support having provided on one surface side thereof an image-forming layer comprising at least one kind of photosensitive silver halide, a photo-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for a silver ion and a binder having a glass transition temperature of 20° C.

Abstract: A photothermographic material is described, which comprises a support having provided on at least one side thereof a photosensitive silver halide, a photo-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ion and a binder, wherein at least one layer constituting the photothermographic material comprises an oxazoline compound, by which sufficiently high image density is developed within practically feasible reaction time and temperature, and sufficiently suppressed background coloration is exhibited when stored for a prolonged period after development processing.

Abstract: A dry gray-scale image processor can be made small and light, and the work area and space required by the processor can be used more efficiently. The dry gray-scale image processor extracts unexposed films one by one and carries them to an exposure unit, radiates a laser beam comprising an image data signal onto the film as it passes said exposure unit, and develops the exposed film by heating at a heating unit. The interval between an exposure position of the exposure unit and a heat start position of the heating unit is shorter than the length of the film in the delivery direction, and the processes of exposure and heating can be performed in parallel simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overcoat for a photographic element that allows for appropriate diffusion of photographic processing solutions. The overcoat comprises 10 to 50% by weight of a enzyme-degradable biopolymer and 50 to 90% by weight of hydrophobic particles (by weight of dry laydown of the entire overcoat). An enzyme is applied to the element before, during, or after conventional photoprocessing. According to one embodiment of the invention, the photographic element can be exposed and processed using normal photofinishing equipment, with no modifications, to provide an imaged element together with a protective, water-resistant layer.

Abstract: A method for applying an image to a receptor element, which comprises the steps of (i) providing a transfer sheet comprising a support having a first surface and a second surface, and a coating capable of receiving an image on the first surface of the support, (ii) imaging the coating, (iii) dry peeling the coating from the support in the absence of wet release prior to hand ironing, (iv) positioning the dry peeled coating on a receptor element having valleys or pores, (v) positioning a non-stick sheet on the dry peeled coating which is positioned on the receptor element having valleys or pores, and (vi) heating the non-stick sheet to drive the dry peeled coating into the receptor element having valleys or pores.

Abstract: A photothermographic image-recording material with improved storability before image formation and improved coating characteristics, which comprises a support having provided thereon an image-forming layer, the layer comprising at least one light-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ion and a binder, wherein the binder comprises a polymer having a recurring unit represented by the formula (1), and the content of the recurring unit represented by the formula (1) in the polymer is from 0.1 to 50% by weight.

Abstract: Novel co-developer compounds are useful in combination with hindered phenol developers to produce high contrast black-and-white photothermographic elements. The co-developer compounds have the formula wherein: Y is H, a metal (preferably, an alkali metal), or an alkyl group (preferably, an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms), and the solid curved line represents the atoms and bonds necessary to complete a ring structure (preferably a 5 or 6 membered ring structure). The photothermographic elements may be used as a photomask in a process where there is a subsequent exposure of an ultraviolet or short wavelength visible radiation-sensitive imageable medium.

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 processing method which thermally develops a thermally developable photosensitive material which is exposed imagewise, comprising the step of thermally developing said thermally developable photosensitive material using heating element which intermittently heats and has duration time of surface temperature of not less than 250° C. to be not more than 1 second, wherein said thermally developable photosensitive material comprising a support having thereon one layer or plural layers; containing organic silver salt, photosensitive silver halide grains and a reducing agent.

Abstract: In a photothermographic material having an image-forming layer and a protective layer on a support, (A) a nucleating agent having a particular structure is added to at least one of the layers formed on the image-forming layer side of the support and NH4+ content in all the layers formed on the image-forming layer side is controlled to be 0.06 mmol/m2 or less, or (B) a nucleating agent and an organic acid compound having a particular structure are added to at least one of the layers formed on the image-forming layer side so that film surface pH is substantially unchanged. This photothermographic material is characterized by low fog, high Dmax, little increase of fog during storage and little temperature and humidity dependency upon heat development.

Abstract: The present application relates to a photothermographic material comprising, on a side of a support, (a) a photosensitive silver halide, (b) a reducible silver salt, (c) a phenol derivative having the specific structure as reducing compound, (d) a binder, (e) a coupler compound, and (f) a compound represented by Q1-NHNH-V6 wherein Q1 is a 5- to 7-membered unsaturated ring and V6 is a carbamoyl group, etc.

Abstract: An emulsion comprising a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, photosensitive silver halide in catalytic association with the substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt and a binder, wherein the emulsion further comprises a polyhalide compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium polyhalides, quaternary phosphonium polyhalides and ternary sulphonium polyhalides, which satisfies a test specified in the description, or a product of a reaction between the polyhalide compound and a reducing species present in said emulsion; a process for producing a photothermographic recording material, capable of image formation without preliminary heating prior to exposure, comprising a photo-addressable thermally developable element incorporating the emulsion; and a photothermographic recording process utilizing the photothermographic recording material.

Abstract: This invention comprises a thermally processable element comprising at least one imaging layer on a support, wherein the imaging element also comprises at least one photographically useful reducing agent ionically bound to an ion exchange matrix. The imaging element preferably is a photothermographic element in which the imaging layer comprises a light sensitive silver halide, an oxidizing agent, preferably an organic silver salt, and a reducing agent. The invention also comprises developing said photothermographic element by heating the element to a temperature above about 50° C. The invention also comprises a methods of forming an image by scanning the developed photothermographic element.

Abstract: Disclosed in an image recording material comprising, on a support, a photosensitive silver halide, a reducing agent, a binder and a compound represented by the following Formula (1): 1

Abstract: A photothermographic material comprising at least (a) a photosensitive silver halide, (b) a reducible silver salt, (c) a reducing compound represented by the following general formula (1), and (d) a binder:

Abstract: The present invention relates to photographic elements having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. The overcoat comprises an epoxy material, an acid polymer, and a water-soluble hydrophilic binder. In one embodiment, a photographic element includes a support, at least one silver halide emulsion layer superposed on the support and a processing-solution-permeable overcoat overlying the silver halide emulsion layer that becomes water-resistant in the final product without requiring lamination or fusing. The present invention is also directed to a method of making a print involving developing the photographic element.