US4552826A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming composite image as in add-on non-silver microfiche
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1983-10-13
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Granted: 1985-11-12
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Expires: 2003-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A microform article useful for producing composite images has an image-forming layer separate from a photosensitive layer and allows for the subsequent addition, when needed, just prior to imaging, of a second photosensitive, resist layer for an add-on image. The unique construction and method therefor provide a positive or negative first image, with the possibility of either positive or negative additional images, the images not necessarily being in the same phase.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard S. Fisch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:58
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of forming a composite image in an imaging material having first and second layered structures, said method comprising: a. providing a first layer structure comprising: 1. a flexible support, 2. a vapor-deposited metal layer having a conductivity in the range of 0.28 to 1.20 ohms/cm 2 and a thickness in the range of 10 to 800 Å on at least one surface of said support, and 3. a non-silver-containing positive- or negative-acting photosensitive, photoresist layer overlying said metal layer, b. imagewise exposing said photosensitive photoresist layer, in a discrete area, to radiant energy, c. developing said first layered structure in a developer sequence to provide a positive or negative image of metal and photoresist, said metal image being of archival quality, said image being protected by photoresist material, d. washing said imaged first layered structure with solvent to remove remaining imagewise exposed areas of negative-acting photoresist material or imagewise unexposed areas of positive-acting photoresist material, e. providing a second layered structure comprising in sequence: 1. a non-silver-containing positive- or negative-acting photosensitive, photoresist layer, 2. a stripping layer, and 3. a flexible support, f. laminating said second photosensitive layered structure to said first imaged layered structure, said first imaged layer and said second photosensitive photoresist layer being adjacent to each other, g. stripping said flexible support from said photosensitive photoresist layer of said second layered structure, h. imagewise exposing said second photosensitive, photoresist layer, in a discrete area, to radiant energy, and i. developing said second photosensitive photoresist layer in a developer solution to provide a composite positive or negative image of metal and photoresist, said metal image being of archival quality, said metal image being protected by photoresist material, wherein said metal image of step c. and step i. are in the same layer, said photosensitive, unexposed areas of negative-acting photoresist layers and said imagewise exposed areas of positive-acting photoresist layers and said metal layer being soluble in said developer solutions and at least one of said developer solutions has a pH of at least 12.5.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of forming a composite image in an imaging material having first and second layered structures, said method comprising: a. providing a first layer structure comprising: 1. a flexible support, 2. a vapor-deposited metal layer having a conductivity in the range of 0.28 to 1.20 ohms/cm 2 and a thickness in the range of 10 to 800 Å on at least one surface of said support, and 3. a non-silver-containing positive- or negative-acting photosensitive, photoresist layer overlying said metal layer, b. imagewise exposing said photosensitive photoresist layer, in a discrete area, to radiant energy, c. developing said first layered structure in a developer sequence to provide a positive or negative image of metal and photoresist, said metal image being of archival quality, said image being protected by photoresist material, d. washing said imaged first layered structure with solvent to remove remaining imagewise exposed areas of negative-acting photoresist material or imagewise unexposed areas of positive-acting photoresist material, e. providing a second layered structure comprising in sequence: 1. a non-silver-containing positive- or negative-acting photosensitive, photoresist layer, 2. a stripping layer, and 3. a flexible support, f. laminating said second photosensitive layered structure to said first imaged layered structure, said first imaged layer and said second photosensitive photoresist layer being adjacent to each other, g. stripping said flexible support from said photosensitive photoresist layer of said second layered structure, h. imagewise exposing said second photosensitive, photoresist layer, in a discrete area, to radiant energy, and i. developing said second photosensitive photoresist layer in a developer solution to provide a composite positive or negative image of metal and photoresist, said metal image being of archival quality, said metal image being protected by photoresist material, wherein said metal image of step c. and step i. are in the same layer, said photosensitive, unexposed areas of negative-acting photoresist layers and said imagewise exposed areas of positive-acting photoresist layers and said metal layer being soluble in said developer solutions and at least one of said developer solutions has a pH of at least 12.5.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said support is selected from polyester, polyethylene, polyester coated paper, polyester coated filled paper, polystyrene, polypropylene, and cellulose acetates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said vapor-deposited metal layer has a thickness in the range of 50 to 350 Å.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said vapor-deposited metal layer has a thickness in the range of 150 to 350 Å.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said vapor-deposited metal layer is selected from metals, metal alloys, metal salts, metal compounds, and metalloids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein said metal layer is aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said positive- or negative-acting photosensitive, resist layers of said first and second layered structures comprise materials selected from diazonium salts or resins, ethylenically-unsaturated photopolymerizable systems, and acrylic and methacrylic polymerizable systems.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said radiant energy is selected from electromagnetic radiation and particle beam energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said developer solution further comprises at least one of a chelating agent and an oxidizing agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said developer solution comprises a solvent selected from water, water/alkali solution, water/alcohol, and organic solvents.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said stripping layer comprises a material selected from copolymers of maleic anhydride with styrene, ethylene, or polyvinyl ether, polyvinylpyrrolidone or copolymers thereof, poly(vinyl alcohol), and boehmite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said polymer of maleic anhydride is selected from hydrolyzed or lower alkyl (C 1 to C 5 )-esterified forms of poly(methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said first or second imaged layer is washed with solvent selected from low molecular weight alcohols and ketones to remove said resist layer from said image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising, in said first layered structure, a priming or protective layer between said vapor-deposited metal layer and said photosensitive, photoresist layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said protective layer further comprises a dye or pigment.
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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) | 1988-11-11 | 1989-05-13 | 1989-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-11 | 1993-05-13 | 1993-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-11 | 1997-05-13 | 1997-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |