US3942983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroless deposition of a non-noble metal on light generated nuclei of a metal more noble than silver
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1967-06-09
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Granted: 1976-03-09
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Expires: 1987-06-09
Abstract
Abstract This invention involves an imaging process in which a light image is projected onto a photosensitive medium having a layer capable upon light exposure of directly generating nuclei of a metal more noble than silver, such as palladium, which metal is catalytic to the electroless deposition of a non-noble metal, and thereafter selectively providing non-noble free metal onto the noble metal nuclei by electroless deposition, thereby providing a visible print of the original light image. The photosensitive layer in such media may comprise a compound of a metal more noble than silver and a photosensitive composition which can generate upon light exposure a reducing agent for said noble metal. In another embodiment, the photosensitive layer may contain a photoreducible metal salt which, upon light exposure, generates nuclei of a metal more noble than silver.
Inventors
- 👤 Umberto Di Blas
- 👤 Franco Knirsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C5/00; G03C5/58; G03C1/00; G03C1/50; G03C1/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
An imaging process which comprises a. exposing to a light image photosensitive medium having a photosensitive layer comprising a composition which upon light exposure is capable of directly generating nuclei of a metal which is more noble than silver and is catalytic to the electroless deposition of a non-noble metal, and b. providing non-noble free metal selectively on said nuclei by electroless deposition to provide a visible print of said light image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
An imaging process which comprises a. exposing to a light image photosensitive medium having a photosensitive layer comprising a composition which upon light exposure is capable of directly generating nuclei of a metal which is more noble than silver and is catalytic to the electroless deposition of a non-noble metal, and b. providing non-noble free metal selectively on said nuclei by electroless deposition to provide a visible print of said light image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The imaging process of claim 1 in which said catalytic metal nuclei are nuclei of palladium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The imaging process of claim 1 in which said non-noble free metal comprises cobalt, nickel, copper or a mixture thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 1 in which said photosensitive layer comprises a compound of metal more noble than silver and a photosensitive composition capable of generating upon light exposure a reducing agent for said metal more noble than silver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 4 in which said compound of a metal more noble than silver is a reducible palladium compound and said photosensitive composition is a composition capable of generating ferrous ions upon light exposure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 in which said photosensitive layer comprises a photosensitive metal compound in which said metal is more noble than silver and is reducible to free metal nuclei upon light exposure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 6 in which said photosensitive metal compound is a photosensitive palladium compound.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image record comprising a layer having light-exposed image areas containing light-generated nuclei of a metal more noble than silver, said nuclei selectively bearing a visible deposit of a non-noble metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image record comprising a layer having light-exposed image areas containing light-generated nuclei of a metal more noble than silver, said nuclei selectively bearing a visible deposit of a non-noble metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The image record of claim 8 wherein said light-generated nuclei are nuclei of palladium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image record of claim 8 wherein said non-noble metal is nickel, cobalt, copper, or a mixture thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
An imaging process which comprises a. exposing to a light image a photosensitive medium having a photosensitive layer comprising a composition including a palladium compound, said composition being capable upon light exposure of directly generating palladium nuclei which are catalytic to the electroless deposition of a non-noble metal, and b. electrolessly depositing nickel, cobalt, or copper or a mixture thereof on said nuclei to provide a visible print of said light image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
An imaging process which comprises a. exposing to a light image a photosensitive medium having a photosensitive layer comprising a composition including a palladium compound, said composition being capable upon light exposure of directly generating palladium nuclei which are catalytic to the electroless deposition of a non-noble metal, and b. electrolessly depositing nickel, cobalt, or copper or a mixture thereof on said nuclei to provide a visible print of said light image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image record which includes a layer having light-generated palladium nuclei in light-imaged areas thereof, said nuclei selectively bearing a visible electroless deposit of nickel, cobalt or copper or a mixture thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image record which includes a layer having light-generated palladium nuclei in light-imaged areas thereof, said nuclei selectively bearing a visible electroless deposit of nickel, cobalt or copper or a mixture thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-09 | 1979-09-08 | 1980-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-09 | 1983-09-08 | 1984-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-09 | 1987-09-08 | 1988-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |