Abstract: Flexographic printing plates are produced by thermal development by a process in which an imagewise exposed flexographic printing element is developed by heating and removing the softened, unpolymerized parts of the relief-forming layer, the flexographic printing element used comprising an olefin/(meth)acrylate copolymer having an olefin content of from 50 to 94 mol %. The photopolymerizable flexographic printing element comprises an olefin/(meth)acrylate copolymer having a content of from 50 to 94 mol % of olefin monomers, from 6 to 50 mol % of (meth)acrylate monomers and from 0 to 5 mol % of further comonomers. This flexographic printing element is used for the production of flexographic printing plates both by thermal development and by development by means of washout compositions.

Abstract: A composition and method to reduce photolithographic residue and scum formation on a substrate or in a solution, and to reduce or prevent foam formation. The composition contains a diphenyl oxide compound in combination with an antifoam agent. The composition may be added to developer solutions and stripper solutions used in manufacturing printed wiring boards.

Abstract: A hydrophilic layer and an overcoat layer are provided in this order on a heat-sensitive layer having an ink receiving surface, so as to form an original (plate) for a lithographic printing plate. The overcoat layer can be removed during printing. A system capable of forming an inorganic hydrophilic matrix by sol-gel conversion is provided in the hydrophilic layer. Adhesion between the heat-sensitive layer and the hydrophilic layer decreases in a heated region through image processing. Emulsion ink is supplied to the plate surface during printing, whereby the overcoat layer and the hydrophilic layer at an image portion are removed with a hydrophilic component of the emulsion ink. Thus, with a heat-sensitive original that can be subjected to heat-mode prepress using laser exposure, good printed matter can be stably obtained, irrespective of balance between image and non-image portions, without using wetting water.

Abstract: An image forming method using a negative type image forming material is disclosed, and said method comprises the steps of exposing a negative type image forming material to infrared laser imagewise, which image forming material comprises a substrate and an image recording layer formed thereon, comprising (A) a radical generator, (B) a radical-polymerizable compound, (C) an infrared absorbing agent, and (D) a binder polymer; and developing the image forming material with an alkaline developing solution comprising a weak acid or a salt thereof having a dissociation constant pka of from 10 to 13.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which is photopolymerizable upon absorption of light in the wavelength range between 300 and 450 nm, the composition comprising a binder, a polymerizable compound, a sensitizer and a photoinitiator, characterized in that the sensitizer is an optical brightening agent. A high speed is obtained, enabling the preparation of a lithographic photopolymer plates with low-cost blue or violet laser diodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a flexographic printing plate from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable layer and a thermally removable layer on the photopolymerizable layer. The process includes imagewise exposing the photosensitive element and thermally treating the exposed element to form a relief suitable for use in flexographic printing. The thermally removable layer can be transparent or opaque to actinic radiation. The invention also relates to a photosensitive element for use in this process. The photosensitive element includes a photopolymerizable layer and at least one thermally removable layer having a filler and a binder, wherein the binder is less than 49% by weight, based on the total weight of the binder and filler.

Abstract: A lithographic printing precursor for lithographic offset printing comprises, a layer of imageable medium on a hydrophilic base. The imageable medium comprises hydrophobic polymer particles in an aqueous medium, a substance for converting light into heat, and a non-crosslinkable aqueous-soluble composition. The lithographic printing precursor may be used to make lithographic printing surfaces that obtain long run lengths on lower quality paper and in the presence of press-room chemicals. The lithographic printing precursor can be imaged and developed on-press and the imageable medium can also be sprayed onto a hydrophilic surface to create a printing surface that may be processed wholly on-press. It can also be processed in the more conventional fully off-press fashion. The hydrophilic surface can be a printing plate substrate or the printing cylinder of a printing press or a sleeve around the printing cylinder of a printing press. The cylinder can be conventional or seamless.

Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate is disclosed which comprises the steps of

Abstract: A method for forming a dampening-waterless lithographic plate comprising an irradiation step of irradiating a dampening-waterless lithographic blank plate imagewise with a laser beam, the blank plate comprising a support, a photothermal conversion layer provided on the support for converting laser beam energy to heat, and an ink-repellent layer provided on the photothermal conversion layer a first rubbing step of rubbing the surface of the ink-repellent layer without use of a liquid so as to remove at least a portion of the ink-repellent layer in areas irradiated with a laser beam and a second rubbing step of rubbing the surface of the partially removed ink-repellent layer through use of a liquid.

Abstract: A process for making thermally imageable negative working compositions comprising the steps of: (1) providing a patterning composition layer on a substrate, said patterning composition comprising: (a) at least one thermal-generator acid generator, (b) at least one cross-linking resin or compound; (c) at least one binder resin comprising a polymer containing at least one reactive pendent group selected from the group, consisting of hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, alkoxymethylamide and mixtures thereof; and (d) at least one infrared absorber; (2) subjecting the patterning composition layer to a two-stage radiation exposure; (a) one stage being a flood UV-exposure; and (b) the other stage being a imagewise infrared exposure stage; (3) treating the exposed patterning composition with heat energy; and (4) developing the heat treated, exposed patterning composition with an aqueous alkaline developer to remove the non-imaged areas of the patterning composition and leaving the imaged areas substanti

Abstract: A processing method has been provided for an exposed silver halide black-and-white negative working sound recording film element, said processing method comprising the steps of processing said sound recording film element in a processing apparatus providing processing ability in a daylight environment, said processing method comprising the steps of developing in a time of less than 20 seconds; fixing in a fixer; rinsing and drying; making use of an automatic processing machine, the mentioned processing steps being followed by a step of controlling black-and-white densitometry, therefor providing the processing machine with a densitometer; further recording in a motion picture color print film and processing therein image area frames originating from an exposed and processed color negative recording film and from (an) optical soundtrack(s) originating from a silver halide black-and-white negative working sound recording film element, wherein said film element has been processed, after having been exposed, by t

Abstract: A lithographic printing method is disclosed which comprising the steps of providing an imaging material which comprises a support and an image-recording layer that is not removable with a single-fluid ink which comprises an ink phase and a polar phase; image-wise exposure of the image-recording layer to heat or light without substantially ablating said image-recording layer, thereby switching the affinity of the image-recording towards ink or an ink-abhesive fluid and thereby creating a printing master comprising a lithographic image which consists of unexposed areas that have affinity for one phase of said ink phase and polar phase and of exposed areas that have affinity for the other phase of said ink phase and polar phase; printing, wherein the single-fluid ink is supplied to the printing master.

Abstract: On-press developing method of a lithographic printing plate precursor, the lithographic printing plate precursor comprising an image-forming layer which comprises a hydrophobizing precursor, and the method comprising fountain solution-clarifying means which comprises: aggregating a hydrophobizing precursor mingled in a fountain solution and removing the aggregated hydrophobizing precursor by filtration; or adding a coagulant to a fountain solution and filtering the fountain solution.

Abstract: Method of restoring black-and-white picture under aging phenomena includes ethylene alcohol wipe process proceeded to wipe a surface of photograph dry plate or negative film taken the black-and-white picture and preserved for a long term by ethylene alcohol and allow it to dry; silver mirror removal process proceeded to wipe and drop a silver part on the surface of image of the photograph dry plate or negative film by silver mirror removal liquid after the ethylene alcohol wipe process is proceeded; and tail end process proceeded such that the photograph dry plate or negative film removed the silver mirror in the removal process is washed in dear water by water or stream and it can be dried.

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: A method of processing a silver halide photographic material comprises passing the material through a processing solution repeatedly at a temperature suitable for processing, the material spending the major part of the processing time out of the liquid, wherein said processing solution has a viscosity from 0.7 to 5 cP at the processing temperature.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic material in which a fixed volume of processing solution is added to the surface of the material and spread repeatedly over the length of material. The processing solution is added to the material in at least two stages.

Abstract: A photographic washing bath comprises a chamber containing a wash solution for a silver halide photographic material having a pH of less than 7 and comprising water having dissolved therein an oxidizing agent, said oxidizing agent having an oxidizing potential of at least 1 volt and being in a concentration of from 0.05 to 2 Molar. The oxidation potential of the oxidizing agent is preferably at least 1.2 volts and may be hydrogen peroxide or a source of hydrogen peroxide, a persulphate, a perborate, a bromate, or an iodate. A washing process using the invention is suitable for being carried out in same chamber as the development and fixing stages in which case hydrogen peroxide is the preferred oxidizing agent because any peroxide remaining at the end of the wash stage can be removed by evaporation, thereby avoiding risk of contamination of the next stage to be carried out in the chamber.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide photographic material comprises passing the material through a processing solution repeatedly at a temperature suitable for processing, the material spending the major part of the processing time out of the liquid, wherein said processing solution has a viscosity from 0.7 to 5 cP at the processing temperature.

Abstract: A photographic aqueous processing solution containing at least one solid compound that has a maximum solubility therein corresponding to a desired operating level, which solution is kept in equilibrium with the solid form of the compound, thus maintaining its concentration at the desired level without the need for a replenishing system.

Abstract: An image processing method and image processing device are provided which can always carry out optimal image processing without being affected by differences due to developing or differences due to the passage of time. Photographic film characteristics and data of a standard exposure portion, which is recorded outside of image forming regions and read by prescanning or fine scanning, are outputted to a photographic film characteristics storing section. A determination is made as to whether photographic film characteristics of a photographic film whose ID is read are stored in the photographic film characteristics storing section. If the photographic film characteristics are stored, various types of image processings are carried out on the basis of the photographic film characteristics. If the photographic film characteristics are not stored, various types of image processings are carried out after photographic film characteristics are computed from the data of the standard exposure portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biocidal material containing a specific mixture of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic biocides, dispersed in a water-permeable matrix. The invention further concerns a method that uses the biocidal material of the invention to prevent microorganisms from growing in an aqueous solution in which such microorganisms are liable to grow.

Abstract: For the manufacture of large format photographic prints, the original image (V) is divided into a matrix arrangement of partial image originals (A.sub.1 -D.sub.4) consisting of lines (1-4) and columns (A-D) with lateral edges (R) which are parallel to the columns of the matrix arrangement. A linear arrangement of sequential latent partial pictures is produced from the individual partial image originals by way of a printer and by sequential projection, whereby the projection is carried out in such a way that the lateral edges (R) of the latent partial pictures which correspond to the lateral edges of the latent partial image originals extend parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) of the linear arrangement of the latent partial pictures. The exposed copy material (P) is developed in a pass-through developing arrangement, whereby a partial image copy is produced from each partial image original and the partial image copies are assembled to a complete compound picture (K).

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat transfer printing sheet comprising a substrate sheet, and a thermally-expandable ink layer formed thereon, comprising as an expanding agent a thermally-expandable micro-capsule containing therein an easily-volatilizable hydrocarbon, and a binder resin having a number-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 30,000.The present invention also provides a heat transfer printing sheet comprising a substrate sheet, a release-property-controlling layer and a thermally-expandable ink layer comprising an expanding agent and a binder, in the mentioned order.

Abstract: In a method of reprinting an image on a frame of a film piece among plural film pieces received with a printing order onto a photographic paper, the plural film pieces are incorporated into a film assemblage without splicing the plural film pieces with no consideration whether each of the plural film pieces has a frame to be reprinted; the plural film pieces are fed out of the film assemblage; the image of the film piece among the plural film pieces fed from the film assemblage is exposed onto the photographic paper; and the exposed photographic paper is developed so as to obtain a visual image.

Abstract: A method for processing a black-white silver halide photographic light-sensitive material by an automatic processor comprising the following steps,a step for preparing a processing solution by dissolving a solid processing composition or a condensed processing solution in a dissolving tank,a step for supplying said processing solution from said dissolving tank to a processing tank,a step for supplying part of said processing solution used for processing in said processing tank to said dissolving tank,wherein said black-white silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is processed with said processing solution in said processing tank and the flow of said processing solution from said processing tank to said dissolving tank is irreversible.

Abstract: A processing method using an automatic processor is disclosed. The automatic processor is defined in the specification in detail. The processing is carried out employing a fixer having a salt concentration of 0.8 to 1.9 mole/l at a fixer replenisher rate of not more than 260 ml/m.sup.2.

Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight using a developing/fixing monobath composition that also includes a water-soluble colorant, such as a water-soluble "yellow" dye, that provides safelight conditions in the processing composition. The processing method is carried out quickly, that is within 120 seconds. The colorant has a maximum absorption wavelength of from about 350 to about 500 nm, and is transparent in solution.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic silver halide materials comprising several processing steps, in which at least two chemical treatment stages are each followed by a washing and drying is distinguished by reduced chemical consumption and a reduction in the formation of waste solution to be disposed of.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for baking and cooling silicon substrates are disclosed. Both baking and cooling of silicon substrates are done in a single integrated thermal process module. Each thermal process module includes two hot plate assemblies, a cool plate assembly, two local linear transfer arms and a micro-processor based module controller. Both transfer arms are capable of transferring substrates among the cool and hot plate assemblies. The module controller ensures that there are no conflicts in use of the transfer arms or in use of the hot and cool plate assemblies and so that a transfer arm is always available when a substrate is finished baking. A central substrate handling robot transports substrates only from and to the cool plate assembly of the thermal process module. Also, the vacuum tubing is routed via a unique pulley arrangement to achieve compact mounting and eliminate loose tubing.

Abstract: Processing of color photographic materials can be accomplished using an aqueous redox amplifier composition comprising a color developing agent, an antioxidant therefor, hydrogen peroxide, and a stabilizing amount of nitrite ions to reduce dye loss during storage.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of processing an image-wise exposed light-sensitive silver halide material by the steps of developing, fixing in a fixer solution containing less than 4 g per liter of aluminum ions expressed as an equivalent amount of aluminum sulphate, rinsing and drying; characterised in that said material comprises a support and on one or both sides thereof at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and a gelatinous protective antistress layer, wherein said antistress layer comprises at least one polymer latex in such an amount that there is a ratio by weight of latex to gelatin is from 0.5 to 1.5 and wherein said material is hardened to such an extent that its swelling degree after immersing said material for 3 minutes in demineralised water of 25.degree. C. is not more than 300%.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic material for industrial radiography is disclosed comprising a film support and on one or both sides thereof at least one gelatino silver halide emulsion layer wherein each silver halide emulsion layer comprises as silver halide crystals silver chloride and/or silver chlorobromide crystals the amount of bromide therein being at most 25 mole %; has a gelatin to silver halide (expressed as silver nitrate) ratio from 2:10 to 6:10 and has an amount of silver halide corresponding to from 5 g to 15 g of silver per m.sup.2 and wherein said photographic material has been fore-hardened to such an extent that when it is immersed in demineralized water of 25.degree. C. for 3 minutes there is absorbed less than 2.5 g of water per gram of gelatin, characterized in that said silver chloride or silver chlorobromide emulsion crystals are chemically ripened in the presence of at least one sulphur compound and at least one gold compound, wherein gold is present in an amount from 0.01 to 1 .mu.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic silver halide color material comprises, in order, a dye image-forming development step, a step which has the purpose of stopping further dye formation and a bleaching or bleach-fixing. The bleaching or bleach-fixing solution is made by adding additional components to all or some of the overflow of the stop bath. This decreases stain levels without increasing chemical load.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic material comprises a support, at least one silver halide emulsion layer and at least one non-light-sensitive hydrophilic colloidal layer. The silver halide emulsion layer or the hydrophilic colloidal layer contains a colorant having the absorption maximum wavelength within the infrared region of 700 to 1,100 nm. The colorant is in the form of solid particles dispersed in the silver halide emulsion layer or in the hydrophilic colloidal layer. The solid particles cannot substantially be removed by a processing solution of the silver halide photographic material. An image forming process employing the silver halide photographic material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming method is disclosed, comprising exposing a silver halide photographic material through a transparent, high definition-screening original and developing the photographic material with a developer to form a halftone dot image, wherein:the photographic material forms a halftone dot image having a dot area of 57% or less when exposed, through the transparent original comprising a halftone dot image having a dot area of 50%, in two times an amount that gives a halftone dot having a dot area of 50%; and the photographic material has a maximum density of 3.0 or more and a contrast of 8.0 or more;and wherein the photographic material is exposed to light having an emission peak at a wavelength of 360 to 450 nm and developed with a developer having a pH of 10.5 or less.

Abstract: Method and an apparatus for measuring the development parameter of a light-sensitive fluid in a white-light environment. The apparatus comprises first and second flexible light-impervious sheets superimposed and sealed together to form a pouch containing a plurality of chambers having flow paths therebetween, wherein the chambers are sealed with burstable seals allowing fluid communication between the chambers upon the application of a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed photographic silver halide material in a machine containing a number of non-replenished processing tanks or processing tanks that are supplied from a non-replenished source, the method wherein the silver halide comprises at least 95% by weight silver chloride and processing in each tank is carried out with sufficient agitation to avoid the need for replenishment.

Abstract: A method of imagewise exposing and processing a photographic silver halide color material in a machine containing a number of non-replenished processing tanks or processing tanks that are supplied from a non-replenished source,the method comprising increasing the exposure time automatically by a predetermined factor related to the area of photographic material already processed and the volume of the non-replenished processing solution.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed photographic silver halide color material in a machine containing a number of processing tanks or processing tanks which are supplied from a non-replenished source, the method comprising increasing the temperature of at least one of the tanks automatically by a predetermined amount related to the area of photographic material already processed and optionally, the time of treatment in said at least one processing tank is increased by a predetermined factor related to the area of photographic material already processed and the volume of the non-replenished processing solution.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic element comprising developing and desilvering the photographic element in a low volume thin tank processor wherein the processor operates at 15% or less of maximum production capacity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a silver halide photographic material containing at least one merocyanine color-sensitizing dye having a particular structure of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent an alkyl group having a residue capable of making the compound soluble in water as a free acid or salt; V.sub.1, V.sub.2, V.sub.3 and V.sub.4 each represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, provided that these substituents (V.sub.1, V.sub.2, V.sub.3, V.sub.4) are not bonded to each other to form a ring and that the sum of the molecular weights of V.sub.1, V.sub.2, V.sub.3 and V.sub.4 is from 4 to 50; L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3 and L.sub.4 each represent an optionally substituted methine group; M.sub.1 represents a charge-neutralizing pair ion; and m.sub.1 represents a number of from 0 to 4 that is necessary for neutralizing the intramolecular charge.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for processing a black-and-white light-sensitive silver halide photographic material containing at least one kind of a tetrazolium compound or a hydrazine compound with a developing solution containing a polyhydroxybenzene type developing agent, wherein the developing solution is a developing solution prepared by using a solid processing agent, a solid processing agent for a black-and-white light-sensitive silver halide photographic material containing a tetrazolium compound or a hydrazine compound comprising a polyhydroxybenzene type developing agent and a solid processing agent for a black-and-white light-sensitive silver halide photographic material containing a tetrazolium compound or a hydrazine compound comprising a thiosulfate fixing agent and water in an amount of 300% or less based on an amount of the thiosulfate fixing agent.

Abstract: In a first processing step, whether a first photosensitive material is a particular photosensitive material is detected. If it is detected at least that the first photosensitive material is the particular photosensitive material, processing conditions in the first processing step are recorded in a predetermined position on the first photosensitive material. Exposure conditions in the exposure step are set in accordance with one of the result of the detection and the processing conditions recorded on the first photosensitive material. The second photosensitive material is exposed under the set exposure conditions. If the first photosensitive material is detected to be a particular photosensitive material, the setting of the exposure conditions is changed in the exposure step, and the exposure conditions are set in such a manner as to compensate the difference in the characteristic occurring in the image of the particular first photosensitive material depending on standard processing and particular processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling electrolytic silver recovery for two film processing machines which enables the fixing baths to be connected with a silver recovery unit according to their level of silver concentration. According to the invention, the silver concentration in a fixing bath having a liquid connection with the silver recovery unit and in an unconnected fixing bath is continually calculated by electronic means and a control signal is generated when the difference in silver concentration between the connected and the unconnected fixing baths reaches a pre-definable level, said control signal causing actuators to connect the silver recovery unit with the fixing bath having the higher concentration of silver. When the silver concentration reaches a pre-definable level an electrolysing current in the silver recovery unit is switched on and remains switched on until the silver concentration falls below the pre-defined level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material using a roller transport automatic processing machine having a developing tank containing a developing solution, a fixing tank containing a fixing solution, a washing tank containing a washing solution and a drying means, comprising the steps of:developing the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material,fixing the developed material,washing the fixed material, anddrying the washed material,wherein said method is carried out under the following condition:9.0.ltoreq.H.sub.D.sup.0.75 .times.T.ltoreq.21.0, H.sub.D =H.sub.1 +H.sub.2, H.sub.1 .ltoreq.H.sub.2,wherein H.sub.D represents transport line length, in meters, of the material entry point into the developer solution to the material entry point into the washing solution, H.sub.1 represents transport line length, in meters, of the material entry point into the developer solution to the material entry point into the fixing solution, H.sub.

Abstract: A method for developing light-sensitive silver halide photographic materials, in a compact automatic developing machine, comprising transporting the light-sensitive silver halide photographic materials to a processing tank which contains a processing solution for processing an exposed light-sensitive silver halide photographic material. The processing tank includes a processing portion, and a receiving portion for receiving a solid processing agent. A solid processing agent is supplied to the receiving portion of the processing tank based on information on the amount of processing of the light-sensitive silver halide photographic materials. The solid processing agent is preferably in the form of tablets which contain all components necessary to process the light-sensitive silver halide photographic material. The processing solution is circulated between the processing portion and the receiving portion at a flow rate of not less than 0.5 times the processing tank volume per minute.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic material is disclosed which is processed by an automatic processor having a drying zone where drying is conducted by a heat transfer medium of 75.degree. C. or higher, wherein the photographic material has at least one silver halide emulsion layer, and at least one silver halide emulsion having a tabular degree of at least 25 is contained in at least one layer of the silver halide emulsion layers.

Abstract: A silver halide light-sensitive photographic material for applications in the field of mammography is disclosed which has an improved diagnostic value by an enhanced sharpness. The silver halide crystals to be used in the said material show a fog level, a toe contrast and an overall contrast that is, like the image quality, substantially uneffected by the processing conditions. The coating amount of silver halide crystals in the emulsion layer can be reduced to such an amount that an archivability of from 10 to 20 years can be assured in normal storage conditions. The X-ray material is suitable for rapid processing, without loss in sensitivity, within processing cycles of 45 or 38 seconds, wherein hardener-free processing solutions can be used.

Abstract: A processing solution for a silver halide color photographic material, said solution containing at least one kind of compound represented by formula (I), (II), or (III); ##STR1## the substituents are defined in the instant specification.