Glossable developer sheet with reduced tack

Claim 2

A developer sheet having reduced tack and a controlled gloss finish comprising a support having a layer on a surface of said support comprising a mixture of a finely divided thermoplastic developer material and a non-reactive, non-scattering thermoplastic pigment, said developer material being capable of reacting with a color precursor to produce a visible image, said pigment being capable of reducing the tack of said layer, said layer forming an essentially transparent film upon the application of heat and/or pressure.

Claim 3

The developer sheet of claim 1 wherein said developer material is a phenolic resin.

Claim 4

The developer sheet of claim 2 wherein said developer material is a phenol-formaldehyde resin.

Claim 5

The developer sheet of claim 3 wherein said developer material has a particle size of about 0.5 to 25 microns.

Claim 6

The developer sheet of claim 4 wherein said developer material has a melting point less than about 200° C.

Claim 7

The developer sheet of claim 1 wherein said pigment comprise wax particles or a thermoplastic latex.

Claim 8

The developer sheet of claim 5 wherein said pigment has a particle size of about 0.5 to 25 microns.

Claim 9

The developer sheet of claim 7 wherein said pigment has a melting point less than about 200° C.

Claim 10

The developer sheet of claim 8 wherein said pigment is present in an amount of about 0.1 to 1.0 parts by weight per 1 part by weight developer material.

Claim 11

A microencapsulated imaging system comprising an imaging sheet including a support having a layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface thereof, said microcapsules containing a photohardenable or photosoftenable photosensitive composition in the internal phase and having a color precursor associated therewith; and a developer sheet having reduced tack comprising a support having a layer on a surface of said support comprising a mixture of a finely divided thermoplastic developer material and a non-reactive, non-scattering pigment, said developer material being capable of reacting with a color precursor to produce a visible image, said pigment being capable of reducing the tack of said developer layer, and said layer forming an essentially transparent film upon the application of heat and/or pressure.

Claim 12

A microencapsulated imaging system comprising an imaging sheet including a support having a layer of photosensitive microcapsules on the surface thereof, said microcapsules containing a photohardenable or photosoftenable photosensitive composition in the internal phase and having a color precursor associated therewith; and a developer sheet having reduced tack comprising a support having a layer on a surface of said support comprising a mixture of a finely divided thermoplastic developer material and a non-reactive, non-scattering pigment, said developer material being capable of reacting with a color precursor to produce a visible image, said pigment being capable of reducing the tack of said developer layer, and said layer forming an essentially transparent film upon the application of heat and/or pressure.

Claim 13

The imaging system of claim 10 wherein said developer material is a phenolic resin.

Claim 14

The imaging system of claim 11 wherein said developer material is a phenol-formaldehyde resin.

Claim 15

The imaging system of claim 12 wherein said developer material has a particle size of about 0.5 to 25 microns.

Claim 16

The imaging system of claim 13 wherein said developer material has a melting point less than about 200° C.

Claim 17

The imaging system of claim 10 wherein said pigment is a thermoplastic polymer.

Claim 18

The imaging system of claim 10 wherein said pigment comprises wax particles.

Claim 19

The imaging system of claim 15 wherein said pigment has a particle size of about 0.5 to 25 microns.

Claim 20

The imaging system of claim 17 wherein said pigment has a melting point less than about 200° C.

Claim 21

The imaging system of claim 18 wherein said pigment is present in an amount of about 0.1 to 1.0 parts per 1 part developer material.

Claim 22

A process for forming images which comprises image-wise exposing to actinic radiation an imaging sheet including a support having a layer of microcapsules on a surface thereof, said microcapsules including a photohardenable or photosoftenable photosensitive composition in the internal phase and having a color precursor material associated therewith; subjecting said imaging sheet to a uniform rupturing force such that said microcapsules rupture and release said internal phase in accordance with said image-wise exposure; contacting said imaging sheet with a developer sheet having reduced tack comprising a support having a layer on a surface of said support comprising a mixture of a finely divided thermoplastic developer material and a non-reactive, non-scattering pigment, said developer material being capable of reacting with said color precursor to produce a visible image, said pigment reducing the tack of said developer layer, and said layer forming an essentially transparent film upon the application of heat and/or pressure, said contacting being conducted at the same time or immediately after subjecting said imaging sheet to said rupturing force such that said internal phase migrates to said developer material; and fusing said layer to form an essentially transparent film.

Claim 23

A process for forming images which comprises image-wise exposing to actinic radiation an imaging sheet including a support having a layer of microcapsules on a surface thereof, said microcapsules including a photohardenable or photosoftenable photosensitive composition in the internal phase and having a color precursor material associated therewith; subjecting said imaging sheet to a uniform rupturing force such that said microcapsules rupture and release said internal phase in accordance with said image-wise exposure; contacting said imaging sheet with a developer sheet having reduced tack comprising a support having a layer on a surface of said support comprising a mixture of a finely divided thermoplastic developer material and a non-reactive, non-scattering pigment, said developer material being capable of reacting with said color precursor to produce a visible image, said pigment reducing the tack of said developer layer, and said layer forming an essentially transparent film upon the application of heat and/or pressure, said contacting being conducted at the same time or immediately after subjecting said imaging sheet to said rupturing force such that said internal phase migrates to said developer material; and fusing said layer to form an essentially transparent film.