US4284713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming method
Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
•
Filing: 1976-03-15
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Granted: 1981-08-18
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Expires: 1996-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for forming an image comprising forming a silver, silver halide or binder image in the emulsion layer of a photographic material which comprises a support having a masking layer thereon which carries a silver halide emulsion layer, by exposing and developing the photographic material, heating the photograpic material to thermally decompose the binder of the emulsion layer, selectively removing the thermally decomposed emulsion layer at non-image areas to uncover the masking layer lying thereunder using a binder-removing solution, and then etching away the masking layer at the uncovered areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Masamichi Sato
- 👤 Itsuo Fujii
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C5/00; G03C5/26; G03C5/40; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/50; G03F7/00; G03F7/004; G03F7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for forming an image comprising in sequence forming a silver image in the emulsion layer of a photographic material which comprises a transparent support having a masking layer thereon, said masking layer having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the masking layer, by exposing and developing said photographic material, heating said photographic material to thermally decompose the binder of the emulsion layer, selectively removing the thermally decomposed emulsion layer at non-image areas to uncover the masking layer lying thereunder using a binder-removing solution selected from the group consisting of the aqueous solutions containing sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, sodium hypobromite, potassium hypobromite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium bromate and potassium bromate, and then etching away the masking layer at the uncovered areas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for forming an image comprising in sequence forming a silver image in the emulsion layer of a photographic material which comprises a transparent support having a masking layer thereon, said masking layer having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the masking layer, by exposing and developing said photographic material, heating said photographic material to thermally decompose the binder of the emulsion layer, selectively removing the thermally decomposed emulsion layer at non-image areas to uncover the masking layer lying thereunder using a binder-removing solution selected from the group consisting of the aqueous solutions containing sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, sodium hypobromite, potassium hypobromite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium bromate and potassium bromate, and then etching away the masking layer at the uncovered areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said heating is at about 250° C. to about 600° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said masking layer is a layer of a metal, a metal oxide, a semi-metal a chalcogen glass or a mixture thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said metal is chromium, aluminum, silver, titanium, cobalt, tungsten, tellurium, nickel, gold, platinum, iridium, palladium, rhodium, molybdenum, tantalum, a nickel-iron alloy, a nickel-chromium-iron alloy, a chromium-iron alloy, a chromium-aluminum alloy, a nickel-chromium alloy, a nickel-cobalt alloy, a cobalt-iron alloy, a silicon-gold alloy, a titanium-aluminum alloy or a copperberyllium alloy; said semi-metal is silicon or germanium; said metal oxide is chromium oxide, silicon oxide, ferric oxide, iron (II)-iron (III) oxide, cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, germanium oxide, cadmium oxide, titanium oxide or tantalum oxide; said chalcogen glass is As-S-Ge, As-Se-Ge or Ge-S; and said mixture thereof is germanium-silicon, chromium oxide on chromium, cobalt oxide on cobalt or silicon oxide on silicon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said masking layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.01 micron to about 10 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising intensifying and/or toning said silver image prior to said heating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said intensifying or toning is selected from the group consisting of mercury intensification, dichromate intensification, copper intensification, lead intensification, uranium toning, selenium toning, sulfur toning, iron toning, nickel toning, cobalt toning, copper toning, vanadium toning, titanium toning, lead chromate toning, cadmium toning and noble metal toning.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said etching of said masking layer is by chemical etching.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said etching of said masking layer is by plasma etching.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said etching of said masking layer is by ion etching.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising removing the emulsion layer at the image areas to leave the masking layer lying thereunder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said support transmits not less than 50% of electromagnetic waves having wavelengths between about 2900 A and 7500 A.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said support transmits not less than 70% of electromagentic waves having wavelengths between about 2900 A and 7500 A.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said masking material masks ultraviolet and/or visible light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said masking layer has a thickness ranging between about 0.05 to about 1.5 microns.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein there is a subbing layer between said masking layer and said silver halide emulsion layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said silver halide emulsion layer has a thickness ranging between about 0.03 to about 10 microns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 which consists essentially of the steps recited.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for forming an image comprising in sequence forming a silver halide image in the emulsion layer of a photographic material which comprises a transparent support having a masking layer thereon, said masking layer having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the masking layer, by exposing and developing said photographic material and bleaching said material with a suitable bleaching solution to form said silver halide image, heating said photographic material to thermally decompose the binder of the emulsion layer, selectively removing the thermally decomposed emulsion layer at non-image areas to uncover the masking layer thereunder using a binder-removing solution selected from the group consisting of the aqueous solutions containing sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, sodium hypobromite, potassium hypobromite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium bromate and potassium bromate, and then etching away the masking layer at the uncovered areas.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for forming an image comprising in sequence forming a silver halide image in the emulsion layer of a photographic material which comprises a transparent support having a masking layer thereon, said masking layer having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the masking layer, by exposing and developing said photographic material and bleaching said material with a suitable bleaching solution to form said silver halide image, heating said photographic material to thermally decompose the binder of the emulsion layer, selectively removing the thermally decomposed emulsion layer at non-image areas to uncover the masking layer thereunder using a binder-removing solution selected from the group consisting of the aqueous solutions containing sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, sodium hypobromite, potassium hypobromite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium bromate and potassium bromate, and then etching away the masking layer at the uncovered areas.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said heating is at about 250° C. to about 600° C.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said masking layer is a layer of a metal, a metal oxide, a semi-metal a chalcogen glass or a mixture thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
119 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said metal is chromium, aluminum, silver, titanium, cobalt, tungsten, tellurium, nickel, gold, platinum, iridium, palladium, rhodium, molybdenum, tantalum, a nickel-iron alloy, a nickel-chromium-iron alloy, a chromium-iron alloy, a chromium-aluminum alloy, a nickel-chromium alloy, a nickel-cobalt alloy, a cobalt-iron alloy, a silicon-gold alloy, a titanium-aluminum alloy or a copper-beryllium alloy; said semi-metal is silicon or germanium; said metal oxide is chromium oxide, silicon oxide, ferric oxide, iron (II)-iron (III) oxide, cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, germanium oxide, cadmium oxide, titanium oxide or tantalum oxide; said chalcogen glass is As-S-Ge, As-Se-Ge or Ge-S; and said mixture thereof is germanium-silicon, chromium oxide on chromium, cobalt oxide on cobalt or silicon oxide on silicon.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said masking layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.01 micron to about 10 microns.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising intensifying and/or toning said silver halide image prior to said heating.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 24 which consists essentially of the steps recited.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said intensifying or toning is selected from the group consisting of mercury intensification, dichromate intensification, copper intensification, lead intensification, uranium toning, selenium toning, sulfur toning, iron toning, nickel toning, cobalt toning, copper toning, vanadium toning, titanium toning, lead chromate toning, cadmium toning and noble metal toning.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said etching of said masking layer is by chemical etching.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said etching of said masking layer is by plasma etching.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said etching of said masking layer is by ion etching.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising removing the emulsion layer at the image areas to leave the masking layer lying thereunder.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said support transmits not less than 50% of electromagnetic waves having wavelengths between about 2900 A and 7500 A.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said support transmits not less than 70% of electromagentic waves having wavelengths between about 2900 A and 7500 A.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said masking material masks ultraviolet and/or visible light.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said masking layer has a thickness ranging between about 0.05 to about 1.5 microns.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 19 wherein there is a subbing layer between said masking layer and said silver halide emulsion layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said silver halide emulsion layer has a thickness ranging between about 0.03 to about 10 microns.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 19 which consists essentially of the steps recited.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for forming an image comprising in sequence forming a binder image in the emulsion layer of a photographic material which comprises a transparent support having a masking layer thereon, said masking layer having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the masking layer, by exposing and developing said photographic material and bleaching said material with a suitable bleaching solution to form said binder image, heating said photographic material to thermally decompose the binder of the emulsion layer, selectively removing the thermally decomposed emulsion layer at non-image areas to uncover the masking layer lying thereunder using a binder-removing solution selected from the group consisting of the aqueous solutions containing sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, sodium hypobromite, potassium hypobromite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium bromate and potassium bromate, and then etching away the masking layer at the uncovered areas.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for forming an image comprising in sequence forming a binder image in the emulsion layer of a photographic material which comprises a transparent support having a masking layer thereon, said masking layer having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the masking layer, by exposing and developing said photographic material and bleaching said material with a suitable bleaching solution to form said binder image, heating said photographic material to thermally decompose the binder of the emulsion layer, selectively removing the thermally decomposed emulsion layer at non-image areas to uncover the masking layer lying thereunder using a binder-removing solution selected from the group consisting of the aqueous solutions containing sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, sodium hypobromite, potassium hypobromite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, sodium bromate and potassium bromate, and then etching away the masking layer at the uncovered areas.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said heating is at about 250° C. to about 600° C.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said masking layer is a layer of a metal, a metal oxide, a semi-metal a chalcogen glass or a mixture thereof.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
119 words
The method of claim 40, wherein said metal is chromium, aluminum, silver, titanium, cobalt, tungsten, tellurium, nickel, gold, platinum, iridium, palladium, rhodium, molybdenum, tantalum, a nickel-iron alloy, a nickel-chromium-iron alloy, a chromium-iron alloy, a chromium-aluminum alloy, a nickel-chromium alloy, a nickel-cobalt alloy, a cobalt-iron alloy, a silicon-gold alloy, a titanium-aluminum alloy or a copper-beryllium alloy; said semi-metal is silicon or germanium; said metal oxide is chromium oxide, silicon oxide, ferric oxide, iron (II)-iron (III) oxide, cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, germanium oxide, cadmium oxide, titanium oxide or tantalum oxide; said chalcogen glass is As-S-Ge, As-Se-Ge or Ge-S; and said mixture thereof is germanium-silicon, chromium oxide on chromium, cobalt oxide on cobalt or silicon oxide on silicon.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said masking layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.01 micron to about 10 microns.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said intensifying or toning is selected from the group consisting of mercury intensification, dichromate intensification, copper intensification, lead intensification, uranium toning, selenium toning, sulfur toning, iron toning, nickel toning, cobalt toning, copper toning, vanadium toning, titanium toning, lead chromate toning, cadmium toning and noble metal toning.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said etching of said masking layer is by chemical etching.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said etching of said masking layer is by plasma etching.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said etching of said masking layer is by ion etching.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 38, further comprising removing the emulsion layer at the image areas to leave the masking layer lying thereunder.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said support transmits not less than 50% of electromagnetic waves having wavelengths between about 2900 A and 7500 A.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 48 wherein said support transmits not less than 70% of electromagentic waves having wavelengths between about 2900 A and 7500 A.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said masking material masks ultraviolet and/or visible light.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said masking layer has a thickness ranging between about 0.05 to about 1.5 microns.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 38 wherein there is a subbing layer between said masking layer and said silver halide emulsion layer.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said silver halide emulsion layer has a thickness ranging between about 0.03 to about 10 microns.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 38, which consists essentially of the steps recited.
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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) | 1984-08-17 | 1985-02-16 | 1985-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-17 | 1989-02-16 | 1989-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-17 | 1993-02-16 | 1993-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |