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US4460681A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Image enhancement of photothermographic elements

Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1983-03-15
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Granted: 1984-07-17
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Expires: 2003-03-15
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Abstract

Abstract Color photothermographic articles are prepared by having the various color-forming layers separated by organic solvent soluble barrier layers insoluble in the organic solvent used to coat at least one of the adjacent color-forming layers.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert A. Frenchik

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 22:42
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C1/00; G03C1/494; G03C1/498; G03C1/49872

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 135 words
A color photothermographic imageable article comprising a substrate, a photothermographic emulsion layer, an organic solvent soluble barrier layer, a second photothermographic emulsion layer and a polymeric cover layer, wherein each of the photothermographic layers comprise a reducible silver source, photosensitive silver halide, a reducing agent for silver ion and solvent soluble binder, and further wherein each photothermographic layer is sensitized to a portion of the spectrum at least 60 nm different from the other photothermographic layer, and each photothermographic layer contains a leuco dye which when oxidized forms a feasible dye having a maximum absorbance at least 60 nm different from that of the dye formed in the at least one other photosensitive layer, and the barrier layer is between said photothermographic layers and is impermeable to the solvent contained in the second photothermographic layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 135 words
A color photothermographic imageable article comprising a substrate, a photothermographic emulsion layer, an organic solvent soluble barrier layer, a second photothermographic emulsion layer and a polymeric cover layer, wherein each of the photothermographic layers comprise a reducible silver source, photosensitive silver halide, a reducing agent for silver ion and solvent soluble binder, and further wherein each photothermographic layer is sensitized to a portion of the spectrum at least 60 nm different from the other photothermographic layer, and each photothermographic layer contains a leuco dye which when oxidized forms a feasible dye having a maximum absorbance at least 60 nm different from that of the dye formed in the at least one other photosensitive layer, and the barrier layer is between said photothermographic layers and is impermeable to the solvent contained in the second photothermographic layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said barrier layer comprises an acrylic polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The article of claim 2 wherein said barrier layer comprises a methylmethacrylate polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 140 words
The article of claim 1 wherein a third photothermographic emulsion layer is present in said article, said third photothermographic emulsion layer comprising a reducible silver source, photosensitive silver halide, a reducing agent for silver ion and solvent soluble binder, and where said third photothermographic layer is sensitized to a portion of the spectrum which is at least 150 nm different from at least one of said first two photothermographic layers, and is no nearer than at least 60 nm to either of said two photothermographic layers and contains a leuco dye which, when oxidized, forms a dye having a maximum absorbance which is at least 60 nm different from both of the dyes formed in said first two photothermographic layers and at least 150 nm different from at leaast one of said dyes formed in said first two photothermographic layers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
The article of claim 4 wherein a second organic solvent soluble barrier layer is present in said article between said third photothermographic layer and the nearest one of the two first photothermographic layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The article of claim 5 wherein said second barrier layer is an acrylic polymeric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 15 words
The article of claim 6 wherein said second barrier layer comprises a methylmethacrylic polymeric material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the binder for at least one of said photothermographic layers comprises polyvinyl butyral.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
The article of claim 2 wherein the binder for said first and second photothermographic layers comprises polyvinyl butyral.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The article of claim 4 wherein the binder for at least one of said photothermographic layers comprises polyvinyl butyral.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The article of claim 4 wherein the binder for at least two of said photothermographic layers comprises polyvinyl butyral.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 17 words
The article of claim 1 wherein at least one of the photothermographic layers further comprises a toner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 17 words
The article of claim 4 wherein at least one of the photothermographic layers further comprises a toner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 30 words
The article of claim 13 wherein said toner comprises phthalizine in combination with an acid selected from the group consisting of (a) phthalic acid and (b) derivatives of phthalic acid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 32 words
The article of claim 5 wherein the second organic solvent soluble barrier layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of maleic anhydride copolymers, polyvinylidene chloride polymers or copolymers, and polyvinylpyrrolidone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 48 words
The article of claim 5 wherein the six layer construction of a three color producing matrix-shall comprise a first barrier which is impermeable to toluene or acetone and the second barrier which is impermeable to at least one of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alsochol or butyl alcohol.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4021240A Cited
US4283477A Cited
US4368247A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-07-17 1988-01-16 1988-07-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-07-17 1992-01-16 1992-07-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-07-17 1996-01-16 1996-07-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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