Silver Compound Other Than Halide, Per Se, Or Composition For Thermographic Process Patents (Class 430/617)
  • Patent number: 5587269
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal imaging process using (i) a donor element comprising on a support having a thickness of 3-10 .mu.m a donor layer comprising a binder, a thermotransferable reducing agent capable of reducing a silver source to metallic silver upon heating and particles protruding from the surface of said donor layer and (ii) a receiving element comprising on a support a receiving layer comprising a silver source capable of being reduced by means of heat in the presence of a reducing agent, said thermal imaging process comprising the steps ofbringing said donor layer of said donor element into face to face relationship with said receiving layer of said receiving element,image-wise heating a thus obtained assemblage, thereby causing image-wise transfer of an amount of said thermotransferable reducing agent to said receiving element in accordance with the amount of heat supplied by said thermal head andseparating said donor element from said receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Afga-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventor: Geert Defieuw
  • Patent number: 5582953
    Abstract: A direct thermal recording process wherein a direct thermal recording material is heated dot-wise and said direct thermal recording material comprises on a substrate an imaging layer containing uniformly distributed in a film-forming polymeric binder (i) one or more substantially light-insensitive organic silver salts being no double salts, said silver salt(s) being in thermal working relationship with (ii) an organic reducing agent therefor, characterized in that said reducing agent is a benzene compound the benzene nucleus of which is substituted by no more than two hydroxy groups which are present in 3,4-position on said nucleus and have in the 1-position of said nucleus a substituent linked to said nucleus by means of a carbonyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Carlo Uyttendaele, Herman Uytterhoeven, Bartholomeus Horsten
  • Patent number: 5569574
    Abstract: There are described heat-developable photosensitive image-recording materials which include a compound having at least one cyclic 1,3-sulfur-oxygen moiety. The compound is stable in the photographic processing composition but capable of undergoing cleavage in the presence of an imagewise distribution of silver ions and/or soluble silver complex made available as a function of development to liberate a reagent in an imagewise distribution corresponding to that of the silver ion and/or the soluble silver complex. The reagent includes a photographically useful group such as a complete dye or dye intermediate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Viski, David P. Waller
  • Patent number: 5558983
    Abstract: N-acyl-hydrazine compounds are useful as contrast enhancers when used in combination with (i) hindered phenol developers, and (ii) trityl hydrazide and/or formyl-phenyl hydrazine co-developers, to produce ultra-high contrast black-and-white photothermographic and thermographic elements.The photothermographic and thermographic 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Simpson, Lori S. Harring
  • Patent number: 5558973
    Abstract: A heat-developable color light-sensitive material is described, which comprises, on a support, at least a light-sensitive silver halide, a non-diffusible dye-donating compound capable of releasing or forming a diffusible dye in correspondence or reverse correspondence with a reaction of reducing the silver halide to silver, and a binder, which contains a specific solid organic pigment in at least one layer of a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and/or its adjacent layer(s) and which contains an alginic acid derivative in the same layer containing the solid organic pigment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Yamada
  • Patent number: 5558972
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a thermal imaging process using (i) a donor element comprising on a support a donor layer containing a binder and a thermotransferable reducing agent capable of reducing a silver source to metallic silver upon heating and (ii) a receiving element comprising on a support in the order given a receiving layer and a curable layer, said receiving layer comprising a silver source capable of being reduced by means of heat in the presence of a reducing agent for said silver source and a binder, said thermal imaging process comprising the steps ofbringing said donor layer of said donor element into face to face relationship with said receiving layer of said receiving element,image-wise heating a thus obtained assemblage, thereby causing image-wise transfer of an amount of said thermotransferable reducing agent to said receiving element in accordance with the amount of heat supplied,separating said donor element from said receiving element,curing said release layer andoverall heating sai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Marc Van Damme, Herman Uytterhoeven, Geert Defieuw
  • Patent number: 5554482
    Abstract: A silver halide light-sensitive material is disclosed. The light-sensitive material comprises a support and two or more layers. Silver halide, a reducing agent, an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound or a cross-linkable polymer and a base precursor are independently contained in at least one of the layers. A layer containing the base precursor further contains a specific polyvinyl alcohol. The first embodiment of the specific polyvinyl alcohol (I) has such a chemical structure that a terminal alkyl group having 4 or more carbon atoms is attached to a polyvinyl alcohol. The second embodiment of the specific polyvinyl alcohol (II) is a block copolymer consisting of a vinyl alcohol unit and a hydrophobic unit, which is more hydrophobic than the vinyl alcohol unit. The third embodiment is a mixture of two polyvinyl alcohols (III) and (IV). The polyvinyl alcohol (III) has a saponification degree of not less than 95%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yokoya, Akihiro Endo
  • Patent number: 5547821
    Abstract: Thermally processable imaging elements in which the image is formed by imagewise heating or by imagewise exposure to light followed by uniform heating are provided with an electroconductive overcoat layer or an electroconductive backing layer or both an electroconductive overcoat layer and an electroconductive backing layer. Such electroconductive layers are comprised of electrically-conductive metal-containing particles dispersed in a polymeric binder in an amount sufficient to provide a surface resistivity of less than 5.times.10.sup.11 ohms/square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Melpolder, Charles C. Anderson, Peter J. Cowdery-Corvan, John F. DeCory
  • Patent number: 5547810
    Abstract: An image forming method comprises the steps of (a) exposing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material comprising a first support and provided thereon, a photographic component layer comprising a first binder, light sensitive silver halide and a sparingly water soluble metal compound; (b) superposing the exposed material on an image receiving material comprising a second support and provided thereon, an image receiving layer comprising a second binder and a compound represented by Formula (I), ##STR1## wherein A represents a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic ring; and M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 independently represent an alkali metal atom, an ammonium ion or a quaternary ammonium ion; (c) heating the superposed materials in the presence of water; and (d) separating the image receiving material from the exposed material to obtain an image on the image receiving layer of the image receiving material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Morimoto, Kazuhiro Miyazawa, Masaru Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 5545505
    Abstract: Hydroxylamine, alkanolamine, and ammonium phthalamate compounds are useful as contrast enhancers when used in combination with (i) hindered phenol developers, and (ii) trityl hydrazide and/or formyl-phenyl hydrazine co-developers, to produce ultra-high contrast black-and-white photothermographic and thermographic elements.The photothermographic and thermographic 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Sharon M. Simpson
  • Patent number: 5545507
    Abstract: Hydroxamic acid compounds are useful as contrast enhancers when used in combination with (i) hindered phenol developers, and (ii) trityl hydrazide and/or formyl-phenyl hydrazine co-developers, to produce ultra-high contrast black-and-white photothermographic and thermographic elements.The photothermographic and thermographic 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Simpson, Francis H. Sansbury
  • Patent number: 5545515
    Abstract: Acrylonitrile compounds are useful as co-developers when used in combination with hindered phenol developers to produce high contrast black-and-white photothermographic and thermographic elements.Acrylonitrile compounds are also useful as co-developers when used in combination with (i) hindered phenol developers, and (ii) trityl hydrazide and/or formyl-phenyl hydrazinc co-developers, to produce ultra-high contrast black-and-white photothermographic and thermographic elements.The photothermographic and thermographic 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Murray, Sharon M. Simpson
  • Patent number: 5543286
    Abstract: A dry process silver salt photosensitive material is disclosed which has a support and a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer contains at least a photosensitive silver halide or photosensitive silver halide forming component, an organic silver salt and a pyrrole compound. The photosensitive material has a broad latitude for heat development and can form images with a high contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Ueno, Tetsuro Fukui, Motokazu Kobayashi, Takehiko Ooi, Kenji Kagami, Masao Suzuki, Katsuya Nishino
  • Patent number: 5541054
    Abstract: The present invention provides heat-developable, photothermographic elements comprising a support bearing at least one photosensitive, image-forming layer comprising:(a) a photosensitive silver halide;(b) a non-photosensitive, reducible silver source;(c) a reducing agent for silver ions;(d) a binder; and(e) a spectrally sensitizing amount of a compound having the central nucleus: ##STR1## wherein: Z is S, O, Se or N--R.sup.3 ;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent an alkyl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms other than carboxy-substituted alkyl, preferably an alkyl group of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and most preferably an ethyl group; andR.sup.3 is H or alkyl group;X and Y are thioalkyl groups of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms;n=0 to 4;m=0 to 4; the sum of n plus m equals at least 1;D.sup.1 to D.sup.7 each independently represents a methine group and adjacent methine groups selected from D.sup.2, D.sup.3, D.sup.4, D.sup.5 and D.sup.6 may form cyclic groups;p=0 or 1; andA.sup.- is an anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James R. Miller, Brian C. Willett, Doreen C. Lynch, Becky J. Kummeth
  • Patent number: 5536622
    Abstract: Trityl hydrazides and formyl-phenyl hydrazines are useful as co-developers with hindered phenols in phothothermographic and thermographic elements. These co-developers have the formula:R.sup.1 --(C.dbd.O).sub.n --NHNH--R.sup.2R.sup.1 represents hydrogen and R.sup.2 represents an aryl or substituted aryl group; or,R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, alkyl and alkenyl groups of up to 20 carbon atoms; alkoxy, thioalkoxy, or amido groups of up to 20 carbon atoms; aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl groups of up to 20 carbon atoms; aryloxy, thioaryloxy, or anilino groups of up to 20 carbon atoms; aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclic ring groups containing up to 6 ring atoms; carbocyclic ring groups comprising up to 6 ring carbon atoms; or fused ring or bridging groups comprising up to 14 ring atoms; and R.sup.2 represents a trityl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Simpson, Lori S. Harring
  • Patent number: 5532121
    Abstract: Reduction of mottle and other surface anomalies in photothermographic and thermographic elements is reduced by the incorporation of a fluorinated polymer containing at least two different groups within the polymer chain derived from reactive monomers, the groups being: a fluorinated, ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and a polar, ethylenically unsaturated monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roger K. Yonkoski, Patricia M. Savu
  • Patent number: 5521059
    Abstract: Ribonucleic acid (RNA) compounds have been found to function as antifoggants and post-processing print stabilizers in photothermographic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Takuzo Ishida, Frank J. Manganiello, Kumars Sakizadeh
  • Patent number: 5512411
    Abstract: Sulfonyl hydrazides are used as developers in phothothermographic and thermographic elements. The sulfonyl hydrazides have the formula:R.sup.1 --CO--NHNH--SO.sub.2 --R.sup.2wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Doreen C. Lynch, Sharon M. Simpson, Paul G. Skoug
  • Patent number: 5512185
    Abstract: Metal oxidizing agents (such as silver oxide or silver nitrate) are added to a solution of organic chemicals which comprise an unwanted level of organic reducing agents (either aqueous or organic solutions in which the metal oxidizing agent does not dissolve) and the metal oxidizing agent oxidizes at least some portion of said organic reducing agents. Because the metal oxidizing agent is insoluble in the solution, it is readily removed (e.g., by filtration or sedimentary techniques) to leave a solution with reduced amounts of reducing agents therein. This process is particularly useful for purifying phthalazine, behenic acid, and other toners, the component forming the counterion with silver ion in forming the light-insensitive silver source material and any other additives and raw materials which can be dissolved in a solvent medium in which the metal oxidizing agent is not highly soluble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roger A. Mader, Robert J. Ryther
  • Patent number: 5510236
    Abstract: Improved photothermographic elements are spectrally sensitized with cyanine dyes that provide efficient sensitization together with excellent keeping stability and low dye stain. The photothermographic elements comprise a photosensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt, such as silver behenate, and a reducing agent. The cyanine dye utilized as a spectral sensitizer for the silver halide is an anionic cyanine dye comprising two thiazole nuclei each of which is substituted with an N-sulfoalkyl group wherein at least one of the thiazole nuclei is a 5,6-dihalobenzothiazole nucleus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Heidi E. Dankosh
  • Patent number: 5508162
    Abstract: Improved photothermographic elements are spectrally sensitized with a combination of cyanine dyes that provides efficient sensitization together with excellent keeping stability and low dye stain. The photothermographic elements comprise a photosensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt, such as silver behenate, and a reducing agent. The dye combination utilized as a spectral sensitizer for the silver halide is a combination of a first cyanine dye containing two thiazole nuclei and a second cyanine dye containing a thiazole nucleus and an oxazole nucleus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Heidi E. Dankosh
  • Patent number: 5503969
    Abstract: A heat-developable color light-sensitive material is described, which comprises a light-sensitive silver halide, a binder, a dye-donating compound and at least one compound represented by the following formula (I) on a support: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 30 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having from 6 to 36 carbon atoms; R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or an alkenyl group having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms; m represents an integer of from 0 to 10; and n represents 0 or 1; with the proviso that, when m is an integer of from 1 to 10, n is 0; when n is 1, m is 0; when m is an integer of from 2 to 10, the plurality of R.sub.2 groups may be the same or different, and the plurality of R.sub.3 groups may be the same or different; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, R.sub.2 and R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Uehara, Hiroo Takizawa
  • Patent number: 5496695
    Abstract: Trityl hydrazides and formyl-phenyl hydrazines are useful as co-developers with hindered phenols in phothothermographic and thermographic elements. These co-developers have the formula:R.sup.1 --(C.dbd.O).sub.n --NHNH--R.sup.2R.sup.1 represents hydrogen and R.sup.2 represents an aryl or substituted aryl group; or,R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, alkyl and alkenyl groups of up to 20 carbon atoms; alkoxy, thioalkoxy, or amido groups of up to 20 carbon atoms; aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl groups of up to 20 carbon atoms; aryloxy, thioaryloxy, or anilino groups of up to 20 carbon atoms; aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclic ring groups containing up to 6 ring atoms; carbocyclic ring groups comprising up to 6 ring carbon atoms; or fused ring or bridging groups comprising up to 14 ring atoms; and R.sup.2 represents a trityl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Simpson, Lori S. Harring
  • Patent number: 5491059
    Abstract: Silver carboxylates which can serve as the silver source in a black-and-white thermographic or photothermographic element or as the oxidizing agent for a dye-based thermographic or photothermographic color-imaging construction can be represented by the general formula;R.sup.3 --X--(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --X).sub.n --L--CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 --COO.sup.-+ Agwherein:R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aromatic, or substituted aromatic;R.sup.3 is an alkyl group, an aryl group, or L--CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 --COO.sup.-+ Ag;L is a linking group that links CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 to X;X is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NR.sup.4, wherein R.sup.4 is chosen from alkyl, substituted alkyl, aromatic, or substituted aromatic; andn is an integer from 0 to 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David R. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 5482814
    Abstract: A heat developing photosensitive member including: a photosensitive layer containing at least an organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a photosensitive silver halide or a photosensitive silver halide forming agent; and a supporting member for supporting the photosensitive layer thereon, wherein merocyanine dye having a structure in which a thiazole nucleus or selenazole nucleus and hydantoin nucleus, thiohydantoin nucleus or selenohydantoin nucleus are combined with each other by a combining group having a methine group is contained in the photosensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Ooi, Tetsuro Fukui, Motokazu Kobayashi, Kazunori Ueno, Kenji Kagami, Masao Suzuki, Katsuya Nishino
  • Patent number: 5480760
    Abstract: An aqueous-developable chromogenic photographic heat-transferable non-aqueous dye-diffusion-transfer photographic element is disclosed, wherein said element comprises radiation sensitive silver halide, a dye-providing compound that forms or releases a heat-transferable image dye upon reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a thermal solvent for facilitating non-aqueous diffusion transfer according to formula (I) ##STR1## wherein AH is a hydrogen bond donating group with an aqueous pK.sub.a for proton loss of greater than 6;L.sup.1 and L.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David S. Bailey, Albert J. Mura, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5480761
    Abstract: An aqueous-developable chromogenic photographic heat-transferable non-aqueous dye-diffusion-transfer photographic element is disclosed, wherein said element comprises radiation sensitive silver halide, a dye-providing compound that forms or releases a heat-transferable image dye upon reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a thermal solvent for facilitating non-aqueous diffusion transfer according to formula (I) ##STR1## wherein AH is a hydrogen bond donating group with an aqueous pK.sub.a for proton loss of greater than 6;L.sup.1 and L.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David S. Bailey, Albert J. Mura, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5468587
    Abstract: An aqueous-developable chromogenic photographic heat-transferable non-aqueous dye-diffusion-transfer photographic element is disclosed, wherein said element comprises radiation sensitive silver halide, a dye-providing compound that forms or releases a heat-transferable image dye upon reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a thermal solvent for facilitating non-aqueous diffusion transfer according to formula (I) ##STR1## wherein AH is a hydrogen bond donating group with an aqueous pK.sub.a value for proton loss of greater than 6;L.sup.1 and L.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David S. Bailey, Albert J. Mura, Jr., Shari L. Eiff
  • Patent number: 5468603
    Abstract: A photothermographic or thermographic imaging element having uniform optical density is described which is useful in automated equipment. A polymeric fluorinated surfactant is present in a layer adjacent to the photothermographic or thermographic emulsion layer to provide uniform optical density. Optically transparent polymeric beads are present in at least one outermost layer of the imaging element to assist in the separation and sliding of the elements when subjected to a film feeding mechanism in automated equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kub
  • Patent number: 5464738
    Abstract: Sulfonyl hydrazides are used as developers in phothothermographic and thermographic elements. The sulfonyl hydrazides have the formula:R.sup.1 --CO--NHNH--SO.sub.2 --R.sup.2wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Doreen C. Lynch, Sharon M. Simpson, Paul G. Skoug
  • Patent number: 5445913
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for forming a chromogenic photographic heat-transferable non-aqueous dye-diffusion-transfer photographic element comprising the steps of: providing, separately, a melt comprising a spectrally dye-sensitized silver halide emulsion and a dry diffusion transfer facilitating thermal solvent; mixing said spectrally dye sensitized silver halide emulsion melt and said dry diffusion transfer facilitating thermal solvent with a mixing means to create a mixed melt; providing a coating substrate; coating said mixed melt on said substrate to form a coated photographic element, wherein said coating takes place less than about 10 minutes after mixing.The heat-transferable photographic element thus formed has improved photographic sensitivity and increased sensitometric uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David S. Bailey, Richard L. Parton
  • Patent number: 5443742
    Abstract: Metal oxidizing agents (such as silver oxide or silver nitrate) are added to a solution of organic chemicals which comprise an unwanted level of organic reducing agents (either aqueous or organic solutions in which the metal oxidizing agent does not dissolve) and the metal oxidizing agent oxidizes at least some portion of said organic reducing agents. Because the metal oxidizing agent is insoluble in the solution, it is readily removed (e.g., by filtration or sedimentary techniques) to leave a solution with reduced amounts of reducing agents therein. This process is particularly useful for purifying phthalazine, behenic acid, and other toners, the component forming the counterion with silver ion in forming the light-insensitive silver source material and any other additives and raw materials which can be dissolved in a solvent medium in which the metal oxidizing agent is not highly soluble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roger A. Mader, Robert J. Ryther
  • Patent number: 5441866
    Abstract: Photothermographic elements of the photothermographic type may be sensitized to the infrared with sensitizing dyes of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 represents a (CH.sub.2).sub.n --COO.sup.- group of from 1-20 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; andn is an integer from 1 to 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James R. Miller, Sam Kalousdian, Brian C. Willett, John M. Winslow, Pu Zhou, Chaofeng Zou
  • Patent number: 5436109
    Abstract: A process for forming an improved dye image in a heat-developable photographic dry dye-diffusion transfer element comprising the steps of:providing a heat-developable chromogenic photographic dry dye-diffusion transfer element comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt, a heat-developable dye-forming compound wherein said compound forms or releases a heat-transferable dye upon reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a reducing agent, a reducing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a thermal solvent wherein said thermal solvent comprises a 3-hydroxy benzamide or a 4-hydroxy benzamide and has the structure I ##STR1## wherein (a) Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3, Z.sub.4, and Z.sub.5 are substituents, the Hammet sigma parameters of Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3, and Z.sub.4 sum to give a total, .SIGMA., of at least -0.28 and less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David S. Bailey, Ronald H. White, John Texter
  • Patent number: 5425993
    Abstract: Process for obtaining submicronic particles, for example, pigments in the presence of lipidic vesicles having a lamellar structure, starting with at least one precursor of said particles involves preparing a dispersion of vesicles starting with at least one lipid capable of forming the walls of the vesicles and an aqueous phase E intended to be encapsulated in the said vesicles, and optionally an aqueous phase D, intended to form a dispersion medium of the said vesicles, at least one precursor of the said vesicles being dissolved in phase E and/or D, before and/or during and/or after the preparation of the vesicular phase, at least one agent capable of transforming the said precursor(s) into sought after particles being reacted with it (them) after introduction into the preparation medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Morancais, Alain Lety, Guy Vanlerbergue
  • Patent number: 5424182
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive coating composition, and heat-sensitive material for thermal imaging containing the heat sensitive composition. The composition comprises a color-forming amount of a finely divided, solid, colorless noble metal salt of an organic acid; a color-developing amount of an organic reducing agent which at thermal copy and printing temperatures is capable of a color-forming reaction with the noble metal salt; an image toning agent; and a carrier composition in which the noble metal salt, organic reducing agent, and toning agent are distributed. The carrier composition requires no organic solvents and comprises one or more substantially water-soluble polymeric carrier materials and a solubility-enhancing amount of a dispersing agent. A protective, clarifying, radiation-cured overcoat is provided. Methods of forming the heat-sensitive composition and the overcoat are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Labelon Corporation
    Inventors: Barry L. Marginean, Sr., Simon R. Cuch, Clinton A. Whittaker, Mayur C. Patel
  • Patent number: 5422234
    Abstract: Thermally processable imaging elements in which the image is formed by imagewise heating or by imagewise exposure to light followed by uniform heating include an adhesive interlayer interposed between the imaging layer and a protective overcoat layer. The adhesive interlayer, which is comprised of a polymer having epoxy functionality, strongly bonds the overcoat layer to the imaging layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Bauer, Wayne A. Bowman
  • Patent number: 5418120
    Abstract: Thermally processable imaging elements in which the image is formed by imagewise heating or by imagewise exposure to light followed by uniform heating include an adhesive interlayer interposed between the imaging layer and a protective overcoat layer. The adhesive interlayer, which is comprised of a polyalkoxysilane, strongly bonds the overcoat layer to the imaging layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Bauer, Wayne A. Bowman
  • Patent number: 5415993
    Abstract: A photographic emulsion containing: a photosensitive silver halide; a light-insensitive, reducible silver source; a reducing agent for the light-insensitive, reducible silver source; and a binder consisting essentially of poly(vinyl butyral) having a poly(vinyl alcohol) content of about 17.5 to 21.0 wt. % and at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of: toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, and 1,4-dioxane. Additionally, a process for coating a substrate involving applying at least one layer of a molten thermoreversible organogel layer; causing it to gel; and removing residual solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Hanzalik, George H. Crawford, Jr., Sharon M. Rozzi, David J. Scanlan
  • Patent number: 5401611
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat mode recording material comprising on a support having a hydrophilic surface or being provided with a hydrophilic layer, a metallic layer and on top thereof a hydrophobic layer having a thickness of less than 50 nm and there is further provided a method for making a lithographic plate therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: John W. Edwards, Sr., Luc Leenders, Yves Verburgh, Joan Vermeersch, Ronald Schuerwegen
  • Patent number: 5393649
    Abstract: Thermally processable imaging elements in which the image is formed by imagewise heating or by imagewise exposure to light followed by uniform heating include an adhesive interlayer interposed between the imaging layer and a protective overcoat layer. The adhesive interlayer, which is comprised of a polymer having pyrrolidone functionality, strongly bonds the overcoat layer to the imaging layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Bauer, Wayne A. Bowman
  • Patent number: 5393654
    Abstract: A heptamethine cyanine dye in which both nitrogen atoms of the cyanine chromophore bear a carboxyalkyl substituent comprising an alkyl chain of at least five carbon atoms. The dyes are useful as sensitisers in photothermographic imaging materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Burrows, David B. Oliff, James B. Philip, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5387498
    Abstract: Positive-acting photothermographic elements suitable for use in graphic arts and medical imaging comprising a photosensitive medium comprising a reducible silver source, a photo-acid generator, a binder and a reducing system for silver ion comprising a reducing agent for silver ion in which exposure of the element to actinic radiation causes the production of acidic species in the exposed regions which inhibit reduction of the silver source by the reducing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard J. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5384237
    Abstract: A thermal-dye-bleach construction comprising a dye in association with a thermal dye-bleaching agent of general formula I: ##STR1## wherein: each of R.sup.a and R.sup.b are individually selected from: hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and preferably, both R.sup.a and R.sup.b represent hydrogen;p is one or two, and when p is one, Z is a monovalent group selected from: an akyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and when p is two, Z is a divalent group selected from: an alkylene group, an arylene group, an alkenylene group, an alkynylene group, an aralkylene group, a cycloalkene group, and a heterocyclic group; and,M.sup.+ is a cation which will not react with a carbanion generated from the thermal-carbanion-generating agent in such manner as to render the carbanion ineffective as a bleaching agent for the dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dian E. Stevenson, Mark P. Kirk, Sylvia A. Farnum, William C. Frank, Randall H. Helland, Jonathan P., Kitchin, Roger A. Mader, Mark B. Mizen, Richard A. Newmark, William D. Ramsden, Kumars Sakizadeh, Terence D. Spawn, George V. Tiers
  • Patent number: 5384238
    Abstract: Positive-acting photothermographic elements suitable for use at contact speeds comprising a base layer having at least two layers thereon, which layers define a photosensitive medium comprising a photocurable composition, a reducible silver source, and a reducing system for silver ion comprising one or more components including a compound capable of reducing silver ion to silver metal, such that the reducible silver source and at least one component of the reducing system for silver ion are present in separate layers, wherein exposure of the element to actinic radiation causes curing of the photocurable composition in the exposed area(s), said curing preventing the reducing system from interacting with the reducible silver source during thermal processing and in which the photocurable composition comprises a free radical curable resin and a photoinitiator therefor having an absorbance to radiation in the wavelength range of 340 to 440 nm, which photoinitiator upon exposure to said actinic radiation or during
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ellis, Ranjan C. Patel, Robert J. D. Nairne
  • Patent number: 5380644
    Abstract: A fluorinated polymer comprising at least three different groups within the polymer chain derived from reactive monomers, the monomers comprising:(a) a fluorinated, ethylenically unsaturated monomer;(b) a hydroxyl-containing, ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and(c) a polar, ethylenically unsaturated monomer.The fluorinated polymers provide a surfactant that is particularly useful in the coating of polymeric layers. The surfactants can reduce surface anomalies, such as mottle when used to coat photothermographic and thermographic elements from certain solvent systems. The present invention also provides photothermographic and thermographic elements comprising the foregoing fluorinated polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roger K. Yonkoski, Patricia M. Savu
  • Patent number: 5374675
    Abstract: Thermoplastic molding materials contain, as essential components,A) from 30 to 99.995% by weight of a thermoplastic polymer,B) from 0.005 to 5% by weight of an inorganic subgroup metal saltandC) from 0 to 69.995% by weight of fibrous or particulate fillers or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Plachetta, Karl Schlichting, Martin Welz, Theresa A. Bright
  • Patent number: 5374514
    Abstract: A photothermographic material comprising photographic silver halide, a reducible silver source, a reducing agent for silver ion and a binder, and as an antifoggant and/or stabilizer, a compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is a member selected form the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group and a heterocyclic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventors: Mark P. Kirk, Andrew W. Mott
  • Patent number: 5370966
    Abstract: The invention discloses an aqueous-developable chromogenic photographic heat-transferable non-aqueous dye-diffusion-transfer photographic element comprising radiation sensitive silver halide, a dye-providing compound that forms or releases a heat-transferable, image dye upon reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a thermal solvent for facilitating non-aqueous diffusion transfer wherein said thermal solvent comprises a sugar group containing amphiphilic compound, said amphiphilic compound comprising from one to three independently constituted 3 to 22 carbon atom hydrophobic tail(s) with one or more attached hydrophilic mono or oligosaccaridic rings or chains such that the HLB value of the compound is less than about 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Pranab Bagchi, David S. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5360695
    Abstract: An aqueous developable chromogenic photographic dye-diffusion transfer element of two or more layers comprising a support, radiation sensitive silver halide, a dye-forming compound wherein said compound forms a heat transferable dye upon reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a solid particle thermal solvent dispersion, wherein said thermal solvent is a water-immiscible phenol derivative, has a melting point of between 50.degree. C. and about 200.degree. C., and is incorporated at 5 to 200% by weight of said hydrophilic binder, and where said thermal solvent dispersion contains a dispersing aid, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: John Texter