US3634083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic process for producing relief images by extended physical development
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1968-01-22
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1988-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A photographic process for producing relief images comprises (1) exposing a copy medium comprising a photosensitive photoconductor layer comprising photosensitive material incorporated in a binder capable of being physically developed in radiation-struck areas and wherein the photosensitive layer is deposited on a support, (2) forming a visible image in the copy medium by contacting the medium with a physical developer, and (3) selectively removing the exposed areas of the photosensitive layer down to the support by prolonging the physical development step until the image becomes frangible. Removal may be speeded up by contacting the medium with a bleach bath, or by washing or brushing. The process of this invention may be used for producing positive or negative prints of an original, for producing diazomasters, or for producing lithographic plates.
Inventors
- 👤 Elliot Berman
- 👤 Robert H Maher
- 👤 John R Manhardt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:22
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/004; G03F7/06; G03C; G03C1/00; G03C1/705; G03C5/00; G03C5/58; G03G; G03G17/00; G03G17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
26 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein at least one component of the physical developer is present on the copy medium at the time of exposure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the removal of the visible image is assisted by means of at least one of the group consisting of washing, contacting with a bleach bath and brushing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the photosensitive material is selected from at least one of the group consisting of silver halide and a photoconductor which becomes reversibly activated upon exposure to activating radiation and wherein the photosensitive material is capable of being physically developed in the radiation-struck areas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as in claim 4 wherein the photoconductor is a metal-containing photoconductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as in claim 5 wherein the metal-containing photoconductor is an inorganic compound formed between a metal and a nonmetallic element of Group VIA of the Periodic Table.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as in claim 5 wherein the metal-containing photoconductor is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of metal oxides and metal sulfides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the ratio of photosensitive material to binder varies from about one part by weight to about 50 parts by weight of photosensitive material per part by weight of binder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the support is an electrically conducting support and wherein the physical developer is an electroplating bath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the physical developer comprises a solution oF reducible metal ions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the physical developer comprises a reducible metal ion which is at least as easily reduced as cupric ion and a reducing agent for said reducible metal ion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as in claim 10 wherein the photosensitive material is titanium dioxide and the reducible metal ion-containing solution is a silver nitrate solution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
A photographic process for producing relief images comprising (1) exposing to an image pattern of activating radiation a copy medium comprising a photosensitive layer comprising photosensitive photoconductor material capable upon exposure of producing a physically developable image incorporated in a binder and capable of being physically developed in the radiation-struck areas and wherein the photosensitive layer is deposited on a support, to form a latent image, (2) forming a visible image in the copy medium by contacting the medium with a physical developer, and (3) selectively removing the photosensitive layer from the exposed areas of the copy medium down to the support in these exposed areas by the step comprising prolonging the physical development step until the image becomes frangible, and contacting the copy medium with a peroxide bleaching agent to increase the speed of the selective removal of the photosensitive layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
156 words
A process for producing a lithographic printing plate comprising (1) exposing to an image pattern of activating radiation a copy medium comprising a photosensitive layer comprising photosensitive photoconductor material capable upon exposure of producing a physically developable image incorporated in a binder and capable of being physically developed in the light-struck areas and wherein the photosensitive layer is deposited on a support and wherein one of the support and the photosensitive layer is oleophilic and the other is hydrophilic with respect to each other and are therefore capable of forming a lithographic printing plate upon selective removal of part of the photosensitive layer, (2) forming a visible image in the copy medium by contacting the medium with a physical developer, and (3) removing the photosensitive layer from the exposed areas of the copy medium down to the support in these exposed areas by the step comprising prolonging the physical development step until the image becomes frangible.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process as in claim 14 wherein said photosensitive material is selected from at least one of the group consisting of silver halide and a photoconductor which becomes reversibly activated upon exposure to activating radiation and wherein the photosensitive material is capable of being physically developed in the radiation-struck areas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as in claim 15 wherein the metal-containing photoconductor is an inorganic compound formed between a metal and a nonmetallic element of Group VIA of the Periodic Table.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as in claim 15 wherein the metal-containing photoconductor is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of metal oxides and metal sulfides.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process as in claim 14 wherein the ratio of photosensitive material to binder varies from about one part by weight to about 50 parts by weight of photosensitive material to one part of binder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as in claim 14 wherein the photosensitive layer comprises titanium dioxide in a gelatin binder and the support is more hydrophilic than the photosensitive layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |