Diffusion-transfer processes and elements comprising color couplers and bis-sulfonyl silver halide solvents for increased speed

Claim 2

LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

Claim 3

The film unit of claim 1 wherein said dye image-receiving layer is located in said photosensitive element between said support and the lowermost photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer.

Claim 4

LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

Claim 5

LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

Claim 6

LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

Claim 7

COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position wiTh said LINK;

Claim 8

COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;

Claim 9

COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;

Claim 10

The film unit of claim 1 wherein said dye image-receiving layer is coated on a separate support and is adapted to be superposed on said photosensitive element after exposure thereof.

Claim 11

COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;

Claim 12

COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;

Claim 13

BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in said alkaline processing composition;

Claim 14

BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;

Claim 15

The film unit of claim 3 wherein said rupturable container is so positioned during processing of said film unit that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the container''s contents between said dye image-receiving layer and the outermost layer of said photosensitive element.

Claim 16

BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;

Claim 17

BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in said alkaline processing composition;

Claim 18

BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;

Claim 19

SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

Claim 20

SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

Claim 21

SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

Claim 22

The film unit of claim 1 wherein said photosensitive element comprises a supPort having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; f. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:

Claim 23

SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

Claim 24

SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

Claim 25

n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said Link is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical.

Claim 26

The photographic film unit of claim 5 wherein said silver halide solvent has the formula wherein R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms and R3 represents H or an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms.

Claim 27

n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radIcal, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical; II. a substantially opaque process sheet which is adapted to be superposed over said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer of said photosensitive element after exposure thereof; and III. a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition comprising a p-phenylenediamine developing agent and which is adapted to be positioned during processing of said film unit so that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the container''s contents between said opaque process sheet and said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer of said photosensitive element; said film unit containing a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent having the formula: wherein R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms and R3 represents H or an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms.

Claim 28

n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical; II. a dye image-receiving layer coating on an opaque support and adapted to be superposed on said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer after exposure of said photosensitive element; and III. a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition comprising a p-phenylenediamine developing agent and which is adapted to be positioned during processing of said film unit so that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the container''s contents between said dye image-receiving layer and said outermost layer of said photosensitive element; said film unit containing a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent having the formula wherein R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms and R3 represents H or an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms.

Claim 29

n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical.

Claim 30

n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical.

Claim 31

The photographic film unit of claim 6 wherein R1 and R2 each represent methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, carboxymethyl, or carboxyethyl groups and R3 represents H.

Claim 32

The photographic film unit of claim 7 wherein R1 and R2 each represent a methyl group.

Claim 33

The photographic film unit of claim 5 wherein said aromatic primary amino color developing agent is a p-phenylenediamine developing agent which is present in said alkaline processing composition in said rupturable container and said silver halide solvent is also present in said rUpturable container.

Claim 34

The photographic film unit of claim 9 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 30 gram per liter of said processing composition in said rupturable container.

Claim 35

The photographic film unit of claim 5 wherein said aromatic primary amino color developing agent is a p-phenylenediamine developing agent which is present in said alkaline processing composition in said rupturable container and said silver halide solvent is present in said photosensitive element.

Claim 36

The photographic film unit of claim 11 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.

Claim 37

A photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members comprising: I. a photosensitive element comprising a transparent support having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a dye image-receiving layer; b. an alkaline solution-permeable, substantially opaque, light-reflective layer; c. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; d. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; e. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; f. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; and g. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; h. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; i. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and j. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:

Claim 38

The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein R1 and R2 each represent methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, carboxymethyl or carboxyethyl groups and R3 represents H.

Claim 39

The photographic film unit of claim 14 wherein R1 and R2 each represent a methyl group.

Claim 40

The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said rupturable container at a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 30 grams per liter of said processing composition.

Claim 41

The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said photosensitive element at a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.

Claim 42

The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said opaque process sheet at a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.

Claim 43

A photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members comprising: I. a photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; and e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; f. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:

Claim 44

The photographic film unit of claim 19 wherein R1 and R2 each represent methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, carboxymethyl or carboxyethyl groups and R3 represents H.

Claim 45

The photographic film unit of claim 20 wherein R1 and R2 each represent a methyl group.

Claim 46

The photographic film unit of claim 19 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said rupturable container at a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 30 grams per liter of said processing composition.

Claim 47

The photographic film unit of claim 19 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said photosensitive element at a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.

Claim 48

A process of forming a transfer image comprising: I. imagewise exposing a photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one color-forming unit comprising: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye; and b. a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; II. treating said photosensitive element with an alkaline processing composition in the presence of an aromatic primary amino color developing agent and a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent; III. thereby effecting development of each of said exposed silver halide emulsion layers, thus causing said aromatic primary amino color developing agent to become oxidized imagewise; IV. said oxidized developing agent reacting with said immobilizing coupler present in each said photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer to form an immobile product; V. whereby remaining silver halide in each said silver halide emulsion layer corresponding to unexposed and thus undeveloped areas forms a soluble silver complex with said 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent and transfers to each said adjacent nuclei layer; VI. whereby said transferred silver complex is reduced in said nuclei layer, thus causing said developing agent to become oxidized; VII. said oxidized developing agent reacting with said nondiffusible coupler present in each said nuclei layer to form an imagewise distribution of diffusible dye as a function of said imagewise exposure of each said silver halide emulsion layer; and VIII. whereby at least a portion of each said imagewise distribution of diffusible dye diffuses to a dye image-receiving layer to provide a positive dye image.

Claim 49

The process of claim 24 wherein said treatment (step II) is effected by: a. superposing over the layer outermost from the support of said exposed photosensitive element said dye image-receiving layer coated on a support; b. positioning a rupturable container containing said alkaline processing composition between said exposed photosensitive element and said dye image-receiving layer; and c. applying a compressive force to said container to effect a discharge of the container''s contents between said outermost layer of said exposed photosensitive element and said dye image-receiving layer.

Claim 50

The process of claim 25 wherein said photosensitive element comprises a support having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; f. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:

Claim 51

A photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one color-forming unit comprising: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye; and b. a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; said photosensitive element containing a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent.

Claim 52

The photosensitive element of claim 27 wherein said photosensitive element comprises a support having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; f. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:

Claim 53

The photosensitive element of claim 28 wherein said silver halide solvent is bis(methylsulfonyl)-methane.

Claim 54

The photosensitive element of claim 27 which also contains said aromatic primary amino color developing agent.