Abstract Radiation-sensitive elements comprising a substantially thin metallic layer coating a flexible sheet material such as paper, cardboard, plastic, and the like, and provided with an overlayer disposed on the metallic layer made of an inorganic material capable of interreacting with the metal or metals of the metallic layer when exposed to electromagnetic actinic radiation. The overlayer may be in a solid phase or a vapor phase. After exposure to electromagnetic actinic radiation, the element is processed by removing the product resulting from the interaction between the metallic layer and the inorganic material of the overlayer, removing the overlayer for some applications, and darkening or dying the metallic image thus obtained on the flexible backing.
The method of claim 1 wherein the material of said overlayer is in a solid phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the material of said overlayer is in a vapor phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of removing said overlayer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of toning said reproduction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said first material is silver and said toning is effected by hydrogen sulfide vapor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the steps for removing said interreaction product and said overlayer are effected simultaneously by momentarily bending said element after exposure to radiation around a substantially small diameter member.