Color-developing composition containing an antioxidant

Claim 2

A composition of claim 1 in which the antioxidant is glycolaldehyde.

Claim 3

A composition of claim 1 in which the antioxidant is glyceraldehyde.

Claim 4

In a color-developing composition containing a primary aromatic amine color-developing agent, an alkali metal tetraborate, an alkali metal sulfite, and an antioxidant, the improvement comprising the antioxidant having the formula: wherein R represents a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, the carboxy group, alkyl having one or two carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl having one or two carbon atoms; and R'' represents a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, the hydroxymethyl group and the formyl group, such that when R represents carboxy, R'' is not hydroxymethyl and such that when R'' is formyl, R is not hydroxyalkyl, and such that said compound is capable of existing in equilibrium with an enol form of said compound and is not capable of intramolecular cyclization, enough of said antioxidant being added to give an antioxidant concentration in the range of from about 0.5 g./l. to about 15 g./l. when dissolved in water.

Claim 5

The composition of claim 5 containing a sufficient amount of said antioxidant to produce, when dissolved in water, a solution having a concentration of from about 0.5 g./l. to about 15 g./l. of said antioxidant.

Claim 6

A composition of claim 5 in which the antioxidant is dihydroxyacetone.

Claim 7

In a color-developing composition containing a primary aromatic amine color-developing agent and an antioxidant, the improvement comprising the antioxidant selected from the class consisting of dihydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde and glyceraldehyde, a sufficient amount of said antioxidant being added to give a concentration in the range of from about 0.1 g./l. to about 20 g./l. when dissolved in water.

Claim 8

In an aqueous alkaline color developer solution comprising a primary aromatic amine color-developing agent, an alkali, an alkali metal sulfite, and an antioxidant, the improvement comprising the antioxidant having the formula: wherein R represents a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, the carboxy group, alkyl having one or two carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl having one or two carbon atoms; and R'' represents a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, the hydroxymethyl group and the formyl group, such that when R represents carboxy, R'' is not hydroxymethyl and such that when R'' is formyl, R is not hydroxyalkyl, and such that said compound is capable of existing in equilibrium with an enol form of said compound and is not capable of intramolecular cyclization, enough of said antioxidant being added to give an antioxidant concentration in the range of from about 0.1 g./l. to about 20 g./l.

Claim 9

An aqueous alkaline color developer solution of claim 9 containing an alkali metal tetraborate.

Claim 10

An aqueous alkaline color developer solution of claim 9 containing a dye-forming diffusible coupler.

Claim 11

In an aqueous alkaline color developer solution containing 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- Beta -(methanesulfonamido)ethylaniline sesquisulfate hydrate, an alkali, an alkali metal sulfite and an antioxidant, the improvement comprising the antioxidant being selected from the class consisting of dihydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde and glyceraldehyde, said antioxidant having a concentration in the range of from about 0.1 g./l. to about 20 g./l.

Claim 12

In an aqueous alkaline color developer solution containing 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- Beta -(methanesulfonamido)ethylaniline sesquisulfate hydrate, an alkali, an alkali metal sulfite and an antioxidant, the improvement comprising dihydroxyacetone as the antioxidant being in the range from about 0.1 g./l. to about 20 g./l.

Claim 13

In an aqueous alkaline color developer solution containing 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- Beta -(methanesulfonamaido)ethylaniline sesquisulfate hydrate, an alkali, an alkali metal sulfite and an antioxidant, the improvement comprising glycolaldehyde as the antioxidant being in the range of from about 0.1 g./l. to about 20 g./l.

Claim 14

In an aqueous alkaline color developer solution containing 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- Beta -(methanesulfonamido)ethylaniline sesquisulfate hydrate, an alkali, an alkali metal sulfite and an antioxidant, the improvement comprising glyceraldehyde as the antioxidant being in the range of from about 0.1 g./l. to about 20 g./l.

Claim 15

An aqueous alkaline color developer solution of pH 10.6 containing

Claim 16

An aqueous alkaline color developer solution of pH 10.6 containing

Claim 17

An aqueous alkaline color developer solution of pH 10.6 containing

Claim 18

An aqueous alkaline color developer solution of pH 10.6 containing 1. benzyl alcohol 5.0 ml./l. 2. sodium sulfite 1.85 g./l. 3. sodium tetraborate . 10H2044.9 g./l.4. 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- Beta -(methanesulfonamido)ethyl-aniline sesquisulfate hydrate 6.0 g./l. and 4. dihydroxyacetone 5.0 g./l.