Photographic products, processes and compositions

Claim 2

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 1, wherein said layer containing said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is positioned between said light-reflective layer and said transparent element, said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent absorbing substantially no visible light at the final pH of said laminate.

Claim 3

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 1, wherein said layer containing said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is positioned between said light-reflective layer and said photoexposed silver halide emulsion.

Claim 4

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 1 wherein said transfer image is formed by imagewise transfer of a dye developer.

Claim 5

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 1, wherein titanium dioxide is present in the processing composition applied to initiate said process, and said light-reflecting layer is formed by solidification of the applied processing composition.

Claim 6

A diffusion transfer process comprising photoexposing a photosensitive element including a silver halide emulsion, applying a processing composition thereto to form a laminate including said photoexposed silver halide emulsion, an image-receiving layer, a transparent element and a processing composition permeable light-reflecting layer, said laminate being maintained during and after transfer image formation, developing said photoexposed silver halide emulsion and forming, as a function of said development, a diffusion transfer image in said image-receiving layer, said process being performed in the presence of an organic light-absorptive opacifying agent so constituted and so positioned in said laminate as to provide a light-absorbing barrier between said transparent element and said photoexposed silver halide emulsion during at least the early stage of said transfer image formation to prevent appreciable further exposure of said photoexposed silver halide emulsion by light passing through said transparent element, said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent being rendered ineffective as a light-absorbing barrier between said transparent element and said image-receiving layer at some stage thereafter so that said transfer image may be clearly viewed through said transparent element, said light-reflecting layer being located between said transparent element and said photoexposed silver halide emulsion and being able to mask said developed silver halide emulsion when said transfer image is viewed through said transparent element.

Claim 7

A process as defined in claim 7 wherein said light-absorbing reagent is a dye which is colored at the pH at which said first stage of said transfer image formation is performed.

Claim 8

A process as defined in claim 8, wherein said dye is present in the processing composition applied to initiate said process.

Claim 9

A process as defined in claim 9, wherein said dye becomes mordanted in a layer of said laminate positioned on the opposite side of said light-reflecting layer from said image-receiving layer.

Claim 10

A process as defined in claim 8, wherein said dye exhibits light absorption substantially outside of the visible region at a second pH which is lower than said first-mentioned pH.

Claim 11

A process as defined in claim 11, wherein said second pH is obtained by the pH-reducing action of an acid-reacting reagent positioned within said lamInate, said pH reduction occurring after formation of said transfer image has been completed.

Claim 12

A process as defined in claim 12, wherein said acid-reacting reagent is a polymeric acid positioned in a layer between said image-receiving layer and said transparent element.

Claim 13

A process as defined in claim 7, wherein said light-reflecting layer comprises titanium dioxide.

Claim 14

A process as defined in claim 14, wherein said titanium dioxide is present in the processing composition applied to initiate said process, said processing composition also including a film-forming polymer, and said light-reflecting layer is formed by solidification of the applied processing composition.

Claim 15

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 7 wherein transfer image comprises a dye released for transfer as the result of a coupling reaction between an oxidized silver halide developing agent and a coupling dye,

Claim 16

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 7 wherein said transfer image is formed by the diffusion transfer of unoxidized dye developer from said silver halide emulsion to said image-receiving layer.

Claim 17

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 7 wherein said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is a phthalein dye.

Claim 18

A diffusion transfer process comprising providing a film unit including a first support and a second support, a silver halide emulsion carried on said first support and an image-receiving layer carried on said second support, said second support and the layers between it and said silver halide emulsion being transparent to radiation actinic to said silver halide emulsion; photoexposing said silver halide emulsion through said transparent second support; applying a processing composition between said image-receiving layer and said photosensitive layer, said processing composition including a light-reflecting pigment in a concentration effective to mask said photosensitive layer when said image-receiving layer is viewed through said transparent support; developing said photoexposed silver halide emulsion and forming, as a function of said development, an imagewise distribution of image-forming components which are transferred by diffusion to said image-receiving layer to provide a transfer image viewable through said transparent support without separation of said supports; said film unit further including an organic light-absorptive opacifying agent so positioned between said supports during processing and present in a concentration effective in combination with said pigment to substantially prevent further exposure of said silver halide emulsion during the performance of said transfer process in an area of light actinic to said silver halide emulsion, said opacifying agent being rendered ineffective to prevent viewing of the transfer image against a white background provided by said reflective pigment after completion of said process.

Claim 19

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 19 wherein said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is a dye which is light-absorptive at the pH of said processing composition and wherein said dye is rendered non-light-absorptive by the pH reducing action of a polymeric acid after said development has been substantially completed and formation of said transfer image has been substantially completed.

Claim 20

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 19 wherein said diffusible image-forming component is a dye developer.

Claim 21

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 19 wherein said diffusible image-forming component is a dye released for transfer as the result of a coupling reaction between an oxidized silver halide developing agent and a coupling dye.

Claim 22

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 19 wherein said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent and said light-reflective pigment each are present in concentrations which together provide a transmission density greater than 6.0.

Claim 23

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 19 whereIn said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent and said light-reflective pigment each are present in concentrations which together provide a transmission density greater than 7.0.

Claim 24

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 23 wherein said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent and said light-reflective pigments are present in the same layer.

Claim 25

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 25 wherein said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is a dye which is light absorptive at the pH of said processing composition and wherein said dye is rendered non-light-absorptive by the pH-reducing action of a polymeric acid, initially present in said film unit, after said development has been substantially completed.

Claim 26

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 19, wherein said first support carries a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion, a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion, and a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion, said silver halide emulsions having associated therewith, respectively, a yellow dye developer, a magenta dye developer and a cyan dye developer, and said transfer image is a multicolor image.

Claim 27

A process as defined in claim 27 wherein said red-sensitive silver halide emulsion, said green-sensitive silver halide emulsion and said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion each are present as separate coplanar layers on said first support.

Claim 28

A process as defined in claim 27 wherein said red-sensitive silver halide emulsion, said green-sensitive silver halide emulsion and said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion are present in the form of minute elements arranged in side-by-side relationship in a photosensitive screen pattern on said first support.

Claim 29

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 27, wherein said processing composition includes a mixture of organic light-absorptive opacifying agents each of which is a phthalein dye, each said phthalein dye being light-absorptive at the pH of said processing composition thereby providing absorption of light in the visible and near-visible by which said silver halide emulsions are exposable, each said phthalein dye exhibiting light absorption substantially outside of the visible region at a second and lower pH after a predetermined processing period.

Claim 30

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 19, wherein said light-reflective pigment is titanium dioxide, said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is a dye which is light-absorptive at the pH of said processing composition and is rendered non-light-absorptive by a reduction in said pH during said process, said pigment and said dye being present in concentrations effective to provide a transmission density of about 6.0.

Claim 31

A diffusion transfer process as defined in claim 31 wherein said pH reduction is effected by a polymeric acid positioned in a layer positioned between said image-receiving layer and said transparent second support.

Claim 32

In a photographic process wherein a photosensitive element comprising a support carrying a layer of a photosensitive material is exposed imagewise and said exposed photosensitive material is exposed imagewise and said exposed photosensitive material is treated with a processing composition distributed between said support and a second support to provide a visible image, at least one of said supports being transparent to light actinic to said photosensitive material and at least a portion of said treatment being effected in the presence of light actinic to said photosensitive layer, the improvement wherein the application of said processing composition provides a light-absorbing material effective to absorb light passing through said transparent support and actinic to said photosensitive material thereby preventing any substantial increase in the minimum density of the image in said photosensitive layer as a result of a said light being incident on said transparent support during processing of said imagewise exposed photosensitive materIal, and the light-absorbing capacity of said light-absorbing material is thereafter discharged to permit viewing through said transparent support of the visible image resulting from processing with said processing composition, said discharged light-absorbing material being substantially colorless and retained in the element containing said visible image.

Claim 33

A photographic process comprising the steps of selectively exposing a photosensitive element comprising a layer of photosensitive material to radiation actinic thereto to provide a latent image therein, applying after said exposure a processing composition to provide an optical filter agent in a form capable of absorbing a predetermined wavelength range of said radiation actinic to said photosensitive material, and developing said latent image while exposing said photosensitive element nonselectively to incident actinic radiation within said predetermined wavelength range, said optical filter agent being present during said development in a position and quantity effective to absorb said predetermined wavelength range of incident radiation in an amount sufficient to prevent any substantial increase in the minimum density of the image obtained by said development of said latent image, said optical filter agent being retained in said element in a position and in a substantially colorless form so as to be ineffective to prevent viewing of the final image.

Claim 34

A process as defined in claim 34 wherein said photosensitive material is silver halide.

Claim 35

A process as defined in claim 35 wherein said silver halide is a direct positive silver halide emulsion.

Claim 36

A process as defined in claim 34 wherein said optical filter agent is a dye which is light-absorptive at the pH of said development.

Claim 37

A process as defined in claim 37, wherein said dye is substantially colorless at a second pH, and including the step of adjusting the pH of the stratum containing said dye to said second pH.

Claim 38

A process as claimed in claim 34 wherein said processing composition is distributed between two strata and confined within a laminate including strata and said layer of photosensitive material.

Claim 39

A process as defined in claim 34 wherein said final image is a diffusion transfer image.

Claim 40

A process as defined in claim 40 wherein said transfer image is a diffusion transfer image.

Claim 41

A process as defined in claim 41 wherein said processing composition is distributed between two strata and confined within a laminate including said strata and said layer of photosensitive material.

Claim 42

A process as defined in claim 40 wherein said transfer image is a silver image.

Claim 43

A process as defined in claim 40 wherein said transfer image is an additive color image.

Claim 44

A process as defined in claim 34 wherein said final image is a negative silver image obtained by development of said latent image.

Claim 45

A photographic film unit which comprises a plurality of sequential layers including a layer opaque to incident actinic radiation; a photosensitive silver halide layer having associated therewith image-forming material which is processing composition soluble and diffusable as a function of the point-to-point degree of silver halide layer exposure to incident actinic radiation; a layer adapted to receive solubilized image-forming material diffusing thereto; means for interposing, intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer, an inorganic reflecting pigment dispersion and at least one optical filter agent at a pH above the pKa of the optical filter agent in a concentration effective to provide a layer exhibiting optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units with respect to incident radiation actinic to the photosensitive silver halide layer and optical reflection density <* 1.0 density units with respect to incident visible radiation; and means for reducing the pH of the film unit to a pH below the pKa of the optical filter agent.

Claim 46

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 46 wherein the means for interposing the inorganic light-reflecting pigment dispersion comprises providing a processing composition permeable layer, intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer, which includes an inorganic light-reflecting pigment dispersion containing at least one pH-sensitive dye at a pH below the pKa of the dye in a concentration effective upon contact with a processing composition possessing a pH above the pKa of the dye to provide a layer exhibiting optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units and optical reflection density <* 1.0 density units.

Claim 47

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 46 wherein the means for interposing said inorganic light-reflecting pigment dispersion comprises means for introducing a photographic processing composition, intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer, which includes an inorganic light-reflecting pigment dispersion and at least one pH-sensitive dye at a pH above the pKa of the dye, to provide a layer exhibiting the optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units and the optical reflection density <* 1.0 density units.

Claim 48

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 48 wherein the means for introducing the photographic processing composition comprises a rupturable container retaining the processing composition positioned extending transverse an edge of the film unit to effect, upon application of compressive pressure to the container, discharge of the container''s processing composition contents intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer.

Claim 49

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 49 wherein the image-forming material is a dye image-forming material.

Claim 50

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 50 wherein the dye image-forming material comprises a dye which is a silver halide developing agent.

Claim 51

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 51 including, intermediate the opaque layer and the reception layer, at least two selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layers each having a dye which dye is a silver halide developing agent of predetermined color associated therewith, each of the dyes soluble and diffusible in processing composition possessing a pH above the pKa of the pH sensitive dye as a function of the point-to-point degree of exposure of the respective emulsion associated therewith.

Claim 52

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 52 wherein each of the selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layers possesses predominant spectral sensitivity to separate regions of the spectrum and the dye associated with each of said silver halide emulsion layers possesses a spectral absorption range subsequent to processing substantially complementary to the predominant sensitivity image of its associated emulsion layer.

Claim 53

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 53 wherein at least one optical filter agent exhibits, at a pH above its pKa, major spectral absorption in the spectral region within which a selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layer possesses predominant spectral sensitivity.

Claim 54

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 46 wherein the pH above the pKa of the filter agent is an alkaline pH.

Claim 55

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 55 wherein the dye image-forming material comprises a dye which is a silver halide developing agent soluble and diffusible in aqueous alkaline solution at a first pH above the pKa of the filter agent and substantially nondiffusible at a second pH below the pKa of the filter agent.

Claim 56

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 56 including at least one acid layer positioned in film unit and adapted to reduce the pH of an aqueous alkaline processing solution possessing a first pH above the pKa of the filter agent at which the dye is soluble and diffusible to a second pH below the pKa of the filter agent at which the dye is substantially nondiffusible subsequent to substantial transfer of dye to the reception layer.

Claim 57

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 56 wherein the inorganic light-reflecting pigment titanium dioxide.

Claim 58

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 58 wherein the optical filter agent comprises a phthalein pH-sensitive dye possessing a pKa below the first pH and above the second pH.

Claim 59

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 59 wherein the pH-sensitive dye is substantially nondiffusible from the inorganic light-reflecting pigment dispersion.

Claim 60

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 46 wherein said solubilized image-forming material is a dye released for transfer as the result of the reaction of an oxidized silver halide developing agent.

Claim 61

A photographic film unit adapted to be processed by passing the unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members and which comprises, in combination: a photosensitive element including a composition structure containing, as essential layers, a dimensionally stable opaque layer; at least two selectively sensitized silver halide emulsions layers possessing predominant spectral sensitivity to separate regions of the visible electromagnetic spectrum and a dye which is a silver halide developing agent and is soluble and diffusible, in alkaline processing composition, at a first pH associated with each of the silver halide emulsion layers and possessing a spectral absorption range subsequent to processing substantially complementary to the predominant sensitivity range of its associated emulsion layer; an alkaline solution permeable and dyeable polymeric layer; a polymeric layer possessing acid capacity effective to reduce alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH to a second pH at which the dyes are substantially nondiffusible; a dimensionally stable transparent layer; and means securing the layers in substantially fixed relationship; a rupturable container retaining an alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH and retaining substantially uniformly disposed therein titanium dioxide and optical filter agent substantially nondiffusible from the processing composition and possessing a pKa below the first pH and above the second pH wherein the filter agent exhibits spectral absorption substantially complementary to the predominant sensitivity range of the selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layers at the first pH and the titanium dioxide and filter agent are present in a quantity sufficient, upon distribution of the alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH as a layer intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and next adjacent selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layer, to provide to the layer an optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units with respect to incident radiation actinic to the silver halide emulsion layers and an optical reflection <* 1.0 density units with respect to incident visible radiation, and said rupturable container is positioned and extends transverse an edge of the photosensitive element to effect unidirectional discharge of the container''s alkaline processing composition intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent.

Claim 62

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 62 wherein the silver halide is present in a concentration within the image of Integral 125 to 500 mg./ft.2.

Claim 63

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 63 wherein the titanium dioxide is distributed intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent at a coverage within the range of Integral 1,500 to 4, 000 mg./ft.2.

Claim 64

A photographic film unit adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed, pressure-applying members and which comprises, in combination: a photosensitive element including a composiTe structure containing, as essential layers, in sequence, a dimensionally stable alkaline solution impermeable opaque layer; a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith cyan dye; a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith magenta dye; a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith yellow dye, each of the cyan, magenta and yellow dyes being silver halide developing agents and being soluble and diffusible, in alkali, at a first pH; an alkaline solution permeable and dyeable polymeric layer; a polymeric layer containing sufficient acidifying capacity to effect reduction of a processing composition having the first pH to a second PH at which the dyes are substantially nondiffusible; a dimensionally stable alkaline solution impermeable transparent layer; and means securing said layers in substantially fixed relationship; and a rupturable container retaining an aqueous alkaline processing composition having the first pH and containing substantially uniformly dispersed therein titanium dioxide and at least three pH-sensitive dyes substantially nondiffusible from such processing composition and possessing a pKa below the first pH and above the second pH thereby exhibiting major spectral absorption at said first pH and minor spectral absorption at said second pH, at least one of the pH-sensitive dyes possessing predominant spectral absorption in the blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum to which the blue-sensitive emulsion is sensitive, at least one of the pH-sensitive dyes possessing predominant spectral absorption in the green region of the electromagnetic spectrum to which the green-sensitive emulsion is sensitive and at least one of the pH-sensitive dyes possessing predominant spectral absorption in the red region of the electromagnetic spectrum to which the red-sensitive emulsion is sensitive, the titanium dioxide and the pH-sensitive dyes taken together present in a quantity sufficient, upon distribution of the aqueous alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH as a layer, intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, to provide to the layer an optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units with respect to incident radiation actinic the silver halide emulsion layers and an optical reflection density < * 1.0 density units with respect to incident visible radiation, said container fixedly positioned and extending transverse an edge of the photosensitive element to effect unidirectional discharge of the container''s aqueous alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer.

Claim 65

A photographic film unit which comprises a plurality of sequential layers including a layer transparent to incident actinic radiation; a photosensitive silver halide layer having associated therewith image-forming material which is processing composition soluble and diffusible as a function of the point-to-point degree of silver halide layer exposure to incident actinic radiation through said transparent layer; a layer adapted to receive solubilized image-forming material diffusing thereto; means for interposing, intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer, at least one optical filter agent in a concentration effective to provide a layer exhibiting optical transmission density with respect to incident radiation actinic to the photosensitive silver halide layer effective to shield said silver halide from actinic radiation incident upon said transparent layer after photoexposure, and means for discharging the color of said optical filter agent, subsequent to substantial diffusion of solubilized image-forming material to the layer adapted to receive image-forming material diffusing thereto, without removing said optical filter agent from said film unit.

Claim 66

A photographic film Unit as defined in claim 66 including a layer opaque to incident actinic radiation.

Claim 67

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 66 including means for interposing, between said silver halide layer and said receiving layer, an inorganic light-reflecting pigment dispersion.

Claim 68

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 66 wherein said optical filter agent is a pH-sensitive dye and said means for discharging the color of said optical filter agent comprises an acid positioned in a layer of said film unit.

Claim 69

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 69 including a polymeric layer positioned between said acid-containing layer and said optical filter agent and adapted to substantially prevent reaction of said acid with alkali for a predetermined time.

Claim 70

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 69 wherein said acid is a polymeric acid.

Claim 71

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 66 including means for interposing an inorganic light-reflecting white pigment dispersion between said silver halide and said receiving layer, said optical filter agent is a dye, and said means for discharging the color of said optical filter agent comprising a mordant for said optical filter agent so positioned with respect to said receiving layer as to be masked by said pigment dispersion.

Claim 72

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 66 wherein said optical filter agent is initially positioned in a layer of said film unit in the form of a substantially colorless precursor which provides said optical filter agent by interaction with a component of said processing composition.

Claim 73

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 73 wherein said optical filter agent is a substantially nondiffusible pH-sensitive dye initially present in said film unit at a pH below its pKa.

Claim 74

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer image which comprises, in combination, the steps of: a. exposing to incident electromagnetic radiation a photographic film unit which comprises a plurality of sequential layers including a layer opaque to incident actinic radiation; a photosensitive silver halide layer having associated therewith image-forming material which is processing composition soluble and diffusible as a function of the point-to-point degree of silver halide layer exposure to incident actinic radiation; a layer adapted to receive solubilized image-forming material diffusing thereto; means for interposing, intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer, an inorganic reflecting pigment dispersion containing at least one optical filter agent at a pH above the pKa of the optical filter agent in a concentration effective to provide a layer exhibiting optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units with respect to incident radiation actinic to the photosensitive silver halide layer and optical reflection density < * 1.0 density units with respect to incident visible radiation; and means for reducing the pH of the film unit to a pH below the pKa of the optical filter agent; b. interposing the inorganic reflecting pigment dispersion intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer; c. contacting the photoexposed silver halide layer with a processing composition adapted to effect development of the silver halide layer; d. effecting thereby development of the photoexposed silver halide layer; e. forming thereby an imagewise distribution of mobile image-forming material as a function of the point-to-point degree of silver halide layer photoexposure; f. transferring, by diffusion, at least a portion of the imagewise distribution of mobile image-forming material to the layer adapted to receive image-forming material diffusing thereto to thereby provide an image in terms of the imagewise distribution; and g. reducing the pH of the film unit to a pH below the pKa of the optical filter agent.

Claim 75

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer image as defined in claim 75 wherein the means for interposing the inorganic light-reflecting pigment dispersion comprising including within the photographic film unit, intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer, a preformed processing composition permeable layer which includes an inorganic light-reflecting pigment dispersion containing at least one pH-sensitive dye at a pH below the pKa of the dye and a concentration effective upon contact with a processing composition possessing a pH above the pKa of the dye to provide a layer exhibiting the optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units and the optical reflection density < * 1.0 density units, and including the step of contacting the pH-sensitive dye, subsequent to photoexposure of the film unit, with a processing composition possessing a pH above the pKa of the dye to provide a layer exhibiting the optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units and the optical reflection density < * 1.0 density units.

Claim 76

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer image as defined in claim 75 wherein the processing composition adapted to effect development of the silver halide layer includes the inorganic light-reflecting pigment dispersion containing at least one pH-sensitive dye at a pH above the pKa of the dye, and including the step of interposing the processing composition, intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer, subsequent to photoexposure of the silver halide layer, to provide a layer exhibiting the optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units and the optical reflection density < * 1.0 density units.

Claim 77

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer image as defined in claim 75 wherein the image-forming material is a dye image-forming material.

Claim 78

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer image as defined in claim 78 wherein the dye image-forming material comprises a dye which is a silver halide developing agent.

Claim 79

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer image as defined in claim 79 wherein the dye which is a silver halide developing agent is soluble and diffusible in aqueous alkaline processing composition at a first pH above the pKa of the pH-sensitive dye and substantially nondiffusible at a second pH below the pKa of the pH-sensitive dye.

Claim 80

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer image in color as defined in claim 80 wherein the photographic film unit includes a layer adapted to reduce the pH of the film unit from the first pH to the second pH subsequent to substantial dye transfer image formation in the layer adapted to receive solubilized image dye diffusing thereto, and including the step of diffusing, subsequent to substantial dye transfer image formation, a sufficient portion of the ions of the alkaline processing composition to the layer adapted to reduce the pH of the film unit to thereby reduce the alkalinity of the film unit from the first pH to the second pH.

Claim 81

A process for providing a multicolored diffusion transfer image which comprises, in combination, the steps of: a. exposing to incident actinic radiation a composite photographic film unit which comprises a plurality of sequential layers including a dimensionally stable layer opaque to incident actinic radiation; at least two selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layers possessing predominant spectral sensitivity to separate regions of the visible electromagnetic spectrum and a dye which is a silver halide developing agent and is soluble and diffusible in aqueous alkaline processing composition, at a first pH, associated with each of the silver halide emulsion layers and possessing spectral absorption range, subsequent to processing, substantially complementary to the predominant sensitivity range of its associated silver halide emulsion layers; an alkaline solution dyeable polymEric layer; a dimensionally stable layer transparent to incident actinic radiation; at least one layer possessing neutralizing capacity effective to reduce the alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH to a second pH at which the dyes are substantially nondiffusible positioned intermediate at least one of the dimensionally stable opaque or transparent layers and next adjacent essential layer; and means of securing the layers in substantially fixed relationship; a rupturable container retaining an alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH and retaining substantially uniformly dispersed therein an inorganic light-reflecting pigment and at least one optical filter agent, substantially nondiffusible from the processing composition and possessing a pKa below the first pH and above the second pH, exhibiting spectral absorption substantially complementary to the predominant sensitivity range of the selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layers, at the first pH, and the light-reflecting pigment and optical filter agent are present in a quantity sufficient, upon distribution of the alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH as a layer intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and next adjacent selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layer, to provide a layer exhibiting an optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units with respect to incident radiation actinic to the silver halide emulsion layers and an optical reflection density < * 1.0 density units with respect to visible radiation, and the rupturable container is positioned and extends transverse an edge of the photosensitive element to effect discharge of the container''s alkaline processing composition intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent; b. effecting discharge of the container''s alkaline processing composition intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent; c. effecting thereby development of each of the silver halide emulsions; d. immobilizing the dye associated with each of the silver halide emulsions as a function of the point-to-point degree of exposure thereof; e. forming thereby an imagewise distribution of mobile dye as a function of development; f. transferring, by diffusion, at least a portion of each of the imagewise distributions of mobile dye to the dyeable polymeric layer to provide thereto a dye image in terms of the imagewise distributions; g. transferring, by diffusion, subsequent to substantial dye transfer image formation, a sufficient portion of the ions of the alkaline processing composition to the neutralizing layer to thereby reduce the alkalinity of the composition from the first pH at which the dyes associated with the silver halide emulsions are soluble and diffusible and above the pKa of the pH-sensitive dye to the second pH below the pKa of the pH-sensitive dye and at which the dyes associated with the silver halide emulsions are substantially nondiffusible; and h. maintaining the composite structure intact subsequent to processing.

Claim 82

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer multicolor image which comprises, in combination, the steps of: a. exposing to incident actinic radiation a photographic film unit which comprises a composite structure containing, as essential layers, in sequence, a dimensionally stable alkaline solution impermeable opaque layer; a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith cyan dye; a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith magenta dye; a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith yellow dye, each the cyan, magenta, and yellow dyes being soluble and diffusible, in alkali, at a first pH; an alkaline solution permeable and dyeable polymeric layer; a polymeric layer containing sufficIent acidifying capacity to effect reduction of a processing composition having the first pH at which the cyan, magenta and yellow dyes are soluble and diffusible to a second pH at which the dyes are substantially nondiffusible; a dimensionally stable alkaline solution impermeable transparent layer; and means securing said layers in substantially fixed relationship; and a rupturable container retaining an aqueous alkaline processing composition having the first pH and containing substantially uniformly dispersed therein titanium dioxide and at least three pH-sensitive phthalein dyes substantially nondiffusible from said processing composition and possessing a pKa below the first pH and above the second pH, at least one of the pH-sensitive dyes possessing predominant spectral absorption in the blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum to which the blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion is sensitive, at least one of the pH-sensitive dyes possessing predominant spectral absorption in the green region of the electromagnetic spectrum to which the green-sensitive silver halide emulsion is sensitive, and at least one of the pH-sensitive dyes possessing predominant spectral absorption red region of the electromagnetic region of the spectrum to which the red-sensitive silver halide emulsion is sensitive, the titanium dioxide and the pH-sensitive dyes taken together being present in a quantity sufficient, upon distribution of the aqueous alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH as a layer intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, to provide a layer possessing an optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units with respect to incident radiation actinic to the silver halide emulsion layers and an optical reflection density < * 1.0 density units with respect to incident visible radiation, and the container is fixedly positioned and extends transverse a leading edge of the photosensitive element to effect upon application of compressive force unidirectional discharge of the container''s aqueous alkaline processing composition possessing the first pH intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer; b. applying compressive force to the rupturable container to effect unidirectional discharge of the container''s aqueous alkaline processing composition intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the blue-sensitive silver halide layer; c. effecting thereby development of the red, green and blue sensitive silver halide emulsion; d. immobilizing the cyan, magenta and yellow dyes as a result of development of their associated silver halide emulsion; e. forming thereby an imagewise distribution of mobile cyan, magenta and yellow dye as a function of the point-to-point degree of exposure of their associated silver halide emulsion; f. transferring, by diffusion, at least a portion of each of the imagewise distributions of mobile cyan, magenta and yellow dye to the alkaline solution permeable polymeric layer dyeable by said dyes to provide thereto a multicolor dye image; g. transferring, by diffusion, subsequent to substantial dye transfer, a sufficient portion of the ions of the aqueous alkaline processing composition to the polymeric acid layer to thereby reduce the alkalinity of the film unit from the first pH, above the pKa of the pH-sensitive dyes, at which the cyan, magenta and yellow image dyes are soluble and diffusible to a second pH, below the pKa of the pH-sensitive dyes, at which the cyan, magenta and yellow image dyes are substantially nondiffusible; and h. maintaining the composite structure intact subsequent to processing.

Claim 83

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer multicolor image as defined in claim 83 wherein the titanium dioxide is distributed intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer at a coverAge within the range of 1,500 to 4,000 mg./ft.2.

Claim 84

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer multicolor image as defined in claim 83 wherein said optical filter agent possesses a pKa > * 12.

Claim 85

A process for providing a photographic diffusion transfer image which comprises, in combination, the steps of: a. exposing to incident electromagnetic radiation a photographic film unit which comprises a plurality of sequential layers including a layer transparent to incident actinic radiation; a photosensitive silver halide layer having associated therewith image-forming material adapted to provide an imagewise distribution of a processing composition soluble and diffusible image-forming material as a function to the point-to-point degree of silver halide layer exposure to incident actinic radiation through such transparent layer; a layer adapted to receive solubilized image-forming material diffusing thereto; means for interposing, intermediate the silver halide layer and the reception layer, at least one optical filter agent in a concentration effective to provide a layer exhibiting optical transmission density with respect to incident radiation actinic to the photosensitive silver halide layer effective to shield said silver halide from actinic radiation incident upon said transparent layer after photoexposure; and means for discharging the color of said optical filter agent, without removing said optical filter agent from said film unit, subsequent to substantial diffusion of solubilized image-forming material to the layer adapted to receive image-forming material diffusing thereto; b. interposing said optical filter agent in a light-absorbing form intermediate said silver halide layer and said reception layer; c. contacting the photoexposed silver halide layer with a processing composition adapted to effect development of the silver halide layer; d. effecting thereby development of the photoexposed silver halide layer; e. forming thereby an imagewise distribution of diffusible image-forming material as a function of the point-to-point degree of silver halide layer photoexposure; f. transferring, by diffusion, at least a portion of the imagewise distribution of diffusible image-forming material to the layer adapted to receive image-forming material diffusing thereto to thereby provide an image in terms of the imagewise distribution; and g. discharging, subsequent to substantial transfer of said diffusible image-forming material to said reception layer, said optical filter agent.

Claim 86

A photographic process as defined in claim 86 wherein said film unit includes a layer opaque to said incident actinic radiation.

Claim 87

A photographic process as defined in claim 86 wherein said film unit includes a second optical filter agent positioned in a layer on the opposite side of said silver halide emulsion from said receiving layer.

Claim 88

A photographic process as defined in claim 88 including the step of discharging said second optical filter agent subsequent to said diffusion transfer of image-forming material.

Claim 89

A photographic process as defined in claim 86 wherein an inorganic light-reflecting white pigment dispersion is provided intermediate said silver halide layer and said receiving layer.

Claim 90

A photographic process as defined in claim 90 wherein said pigment is included in said processing composition.

Claim 91

A photographic process as defined in claim 86 wherein said optical filter agent is a pH-sensitive dye and the color thereof is discharged by the reaction of alkali with an acid positioned in a layer of said film unit thereby reducing, after a predetermined time, the pH of the layer containing said pH-sensitive dye to a pH below the pKa of said pH-sensitive dye.

Claim 92

A photographic process as defined in claim 89 wherein each of said optical filter agents is a pH-sensitive dye and the color thereof is discharged by the reaction of alkali with an acid positioned in a layeR of said film unit thereby reducing, after a predetermined time, the pH of each layer containing said pH-sensitive dyes to a pH below the respective pKa of said pH-sensitive dyes.

Claim 93

A photographic process as defined in claim 93 wherein said acid is a polymeric acid.

Claim 94

A photographic process as defined in claim 93 wherein said film unit includes a polymeric layer positioned between said acid-containing layer and said optical filter agent and adapted to substantially prevent reaction of said acid with alkali for a predetermined time.

Claim 95

A photographic process as defined in claim 86 wherein an inorganic light-reflecting white pigment dispersion is provided between said silver halide and said receiving layer, said optical filter agent is a dye initially present in said processing composition, and said dye is discharged by being mordanted in a stratum of said film unit so positioned as to be masked by said white pigment.

Claim 96

A photographic process as defined in claim 86 wherein said optical filter agent is initially present as a substantially colorless precursor positioned in a layer of said film unit through which photoexposure is effected, said precursor providing said optical filter agent by interaction with a component of said processing composition.

Claim 97

A photographic process as defined in claim 97 wherein said optical filter agent is a pH-sensitive dye initially present in said layer at a pH below its pKa.

Claim 98

A photographic film unit comprising a plurality of superposed or superposable layers including a layer of a photosensitive silver halide and at least one outermost layer transparent to incident radiation actinic to said photosensitive silver halide; a layer adapted to contain a visible image formed as a function of development of said photosensitive silver halide and selected from the group consisting of said layer of photosensitive silver halide and a separate, superposed image-carrying layer; means adapted to interpose, intermediate said layer of photosensitive silver halide and said transparent layer and after photoexposure of said photosensitive silver halide, at least one optical filter agent in a concentration effective to provide a layer exhibiting optical transmission density, with respect to radiation actinic to said photosensitive silver halide, effective to shield said silver halide from said actinic radiation incident upon said transparent layer after photoexposure; container means releasably holding a processing composition adapted to effect development of said photosensitive silver halide after photoexposure and to provide said visible image as a function of said development; and means for discharging the color of said optical filter agent to permit viewing said visible image through said transparent layer, subsequent to substantial completion of said development and visible image formation, without removing said optical filter agent from said film unit.

Claim 99

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 99, wherein said processing composition includes a white pigment, and said white pigment and said optical filter agent in combination are effective to provide an optical transmission density > Integral 6.0 density units with respect to incident radiation actinic to said photosensitive silver halide.

Claim 100

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 100, wherein said optical transmission density is > Integral 7.0 density units.

Claim 101

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 99 wherein said image-containing layer is an image-carrying layer including an image dye or an image dye intermediate adapted to be removed imagewise from said image-carrying layer as a function of said development.

Claim 102

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 102 wherein said image-carrying layer includes a nondiffusible dye adapted to be bleached by the silver dye bleach process.

Claim 103

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 102 wherein said image-carrying layer includes a nondiffusible dye adapted to provide a diffusible reaction product as a result of coupling with the oxidation product of a silver halide developing agent.

Claim 104

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 102 wherein said image-carrying layer includes a nondiffusible dye adapted to provide a diffusible reaction product as a result of oxidation.

Claim 105

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 99 wherein said optical filter agent comprises a phthalein dye.

Claim 106

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 99 wherein said optical filter agent comprises at least two phthalein dyes.

Claim 107

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 99 wherein said optical filter agent is substantially nondiffusible from said layer containing said optical filter agent.

Claim 108

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 99 wherein said image-carrying layer is a silver transfer image receiving layer; and a layer containing an additive color screen positioned between said transparent outermost layer and said image-carrying layer.

Claim 109

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 99 wherein said optical filter agent is substantially nondiffusible and is initially positioned in a layer through which photoexposure of said silver halide emulsion is effected, said layer having a pH at which said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent absorbs substantially no visible light by which said silver halide emulsion is exposable, said processing composition being effective when distributed to provide a pH at which said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent will absorb visible light by which said silver halide is exposable.

Claim 110

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 110, wherein a second optical filter agent is included in said processing composition whereby a layer containing an optical filter agent is positioned on each side of said silver halide layer.

Claim 111

A diffusion transfer process film unit including a first support and a second support, a silver halide emulsion carried on said first support, a dye image-providing material positioned in a layer carried on said first support, and an image-receiving layer carried on said second support, said second support and the layers between it and said silver halide emulsion being transparent to radiation actinic to said silver halide emulsion; a processing composition releasably contained in a rupturable container positioned to release said composition for distribution between said image-receiving layer and said photosensitive layer, said processing composition including a light-reflective pigment in a concentration effective to mask said photosensitive layer when said image-receiving layer is viewed through said transparent support; said dye image-providing material being adapted to provide a diffusible image-forming component as a function of said development, said film unit further including an organic light-absorptive opacifying agent adapted to be so positioned between said supports during processing and present in a concentration effective in combination with said pigment to substantially prevent further exposure of said silver halide emulsion during the performance of said transfer process in an area of light actinic to said silver halide emulsion, said opacifying agent being adapted to be rendered ineffective to prevent viewing of the transfer image against a white background provided by said reflective pigment after completion of said process.

Claim 112

A diffusion transfer process film unit as defined in claim 112 wherein said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is a dye which is light absorptive at the pH of said processing composition and wherein said dye is adapted to be rendered non-light-absorptive by the pH-reducing action of a polymeric acid positioned in a layer of said film unit.

Claim 113

A diffusion transfer process film unit as defined in claim 112 wherein said diffusible image-forming component is a dye developer.

Claim 114

A diffusion transfer process film unit as defined in claim 112 wherein said diffusible image-forminG component is a dye released for transfer as the result of a coupling reaction between an oxidized silver halide developing agent and a coupling dye.

Claim 115

A diffusion transfer process film unit as defined in claim 112 wherein said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is initially included in said processing composition.

Claim 116

A diffusion transfer process film unit as defined in claim 112 wherein said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is initially positioned in a layer through which photoexposure of said silver halide emulsion is effected, said layer having a pH at which said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent absorbs substantially no visible light by which said silver halide emulsion is exposable, said processing composition being effective when distributed to provide a pH at which said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent will absorb visible light by which said silver halide emulsion is exposable.

Claim 117

A diffusion transfer process film unit as defined in claim 112 wherein said organic light-absorptive opacifying agent is a phthalein dye.

Claim 118

A diffusion transfer process film unit as defined in claim 112, wherein said first support carries a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion, a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion, and a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion, said silver halide emulsions having associated therewith, respectively, a yellow dye developer, a magenta dye developer and a cyan dye developer.

Claim 119

A diffusion transfer process film unit as defined in claim 119, wherein said red-sensitive silver halide emulsion, said green-sensitive silver halide emulsion and said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion each are present as separate coplanar layers on said first support.

Claim 120

A diffusion transfer process film unit as defined in claim 119, wherein said red-sensitive silver halide emulsion, said green-sensitive silver halide emulsion and said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion are present in the form of minute elements arranged in side-by-side relationship in a photosensitive screen pattern on said first support.

Claim 121

A rupturable container releasably holding an aqueous alkaline processing composition for use in diffusion transfer processes including a film-forming, viscosity-providing polymer dissolved therein and an inorganic light-reflecting pigment, said composition also including a dye which absorbs light within the visible region at the pH of said aqueous alkaline composition, said dye exhibiting light absorption substantially outside of the visible region at a second pH which is lower than said first-mentioned pH.

Claim 122

A rupturable container releasably holding an aqueous alkaline processing composition as defined in claim 122 wherein said dye is a phthalein dye.

Claim 123

A rupturable container releasably holding an aqueous alkaline processing composition as defined in claim 122 wherein said light-reflecting pigment is titanium dioxide.

Claim 124

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 118 wherein said layer of photosensitive material is protected from radiation actinic to said photosensitive material and incident upon the surface of said film unit opposite from said optical filter agent layer by a physically removable opaque layer.

Claim 125

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 125 wherein said physically removable opaque layer is secured to a transparent layer by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Claim 126

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 66, wherein said film unit includes at least a first and a second optical filter agent, said first optical filter agent being pH sensitive and having its color discharged by a reduction in pH, and said second optical filter agent being a dye whose color is discharged by being mordanted in a layer behind a light-reflecting layer.

Claim 127

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 66 including a development restrainer so positioned in said film unit as to become available to stop development of undeveloped silver halide after a predetermined pEriod.

Claim 128

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 128 wherein said development restrainer is positioned in said image reception layer.

Claim 129

A photographic film unit as defined in claim 66 including a desensitizing agent to desensitize unexposed silver halide after photoexposure and application of a processing composition.

Claim 130

A photographic process as defined in claim 33 wherein said processing composition is providing by impregnating said processing composition into a layer carried by said second support prior to superposing said second support on said photosensitive element.

Claim 131

An image-receiving element for use in diffusion transfer processes comprising a transparent support carrying at least a first transparent layer and a second transparent layer, said first transparent layer including a dye mordant and said second transparent layer including a substantially nondiffusible, pH-sensitive dye at a pH below its pKa whereby said pH-sensitive dye is substantially colorless.

Claim 132

An image-receiving element as defined in claim 132 including a third transparent layer containing an acid-reacting reagent positioned between said support and said dye mordant containing layer.

Claim 133

An image-receiving element as defined in claim 133 wherein said acid reacting reagent is a polymeric acid.