Photographic process and apparatus

Abstract

Abstract IMPROVED PHOTOGRAPHIC GEL PROCESSES, APPARATUS, AND COMPOSITIONS WHEREIN THE PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS ARE CARRIED IN A GEL COMPOSITION. THE GEL COMPOSITION PREFERABLY COMPRISES THE REACTION PRODUCT OF SOLUTION OF IMAGE FORMING MATERIALS AND A GEL FORMER. PREFERABLY THE GEL COMPOSITION STRUCTURE IS HEAT-REVERSIBLE AND FLEXIBLE. IN A PREFERRED METHOD OF THIS INVENTION, A PHOTOSENSITIVE COPY MEDIUM IS EXPOSED AND CONTACTED WITH A GEL COMPOSITION COMPRISING A REACTION PRODUCT OF A SOLUTION OF IMAGE FORMING MATERIALS AND A GEL FORMER. THE GEL COMPOSITION IS ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL FOR A SUFFICIENT TIME TO PROCESS THE EXPOSED PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL. THE GEL COMPOSITION IS COOLED DURING THE PROCESSING IN ORDER TO FORM A LAYER WHICH IS STRIPPABLE FROM THE PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL. IN ONE EMBODIMENT OF THIS INVENTION, THE GEL COMPOSITION IS IN THE LIQUID OR VISCOUS STATE WHEN IT IS CONTACTED WITH THE PHOTOSENISTIVE LAYER. THE GEL COMPOSITION ALSO MAY BE IN THE FORM A TAPE, GEL ROLLER, OR THE LIKE WHEN IT IS BROUGHT INTO CONTACT WITH THE PHOTOSENSITIVE LAYER. ANOTHER PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THIS INVENTION IS WHERE THE GEL COMPOSITION IS HEAT REVERSIBLE AND THEREFORE, CAN BE HEATED AFTER USE TO CONVERT TO A LIQUID OR VISCOUS STATE AND CAN THEN BE REUSED IN THE SYSTEM WHICH REQUIRES A LIQUID OR VISCOUS GEL COMPOSITION FOR THE STARTING MATERIAL. A GEL COMPOSITION COMPRISING A SOLUTION OF METAL IONS OR PHYSICAL DEVELOPER IS AN ESPECIALLY PREFERRED SYSTEM.

Inventors

• 👤 Alvin Cronig

Bibliographic Details