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US4825251A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Imaging process involving hardening of imaging web border area photosensitive microcapsules and an apparatus useful therein

Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1988-07-14
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Granted: 1989-04-25
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Expires: 2008-07-14
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Abstract

Abstract The present invention provides an imaging process wherein the pressure application developer means is not contaminated during pressure development. The process involves an imaging web including a support having a layer on the surface thereof of photosensitive microcapsules including an internal phase of a photohardenable photosensitive composition and a color former. The imaging web is image-wise exposed to a first source of actinic radiation to form an image area; this exposure defines a border area in the web comprising the areas of the imaging web surrounding the image area. The image area of the imaging web is contacted with an opaque receiver sheet. The border area is then uniformly exposed to a second source of actinic radiation to harden the microcapsules in the border area. The entire surface of the imaging sheet is then subjected to a uniform rupturing force such that the microcapsules rupture and release the internal phase in accordance with the image-wise exposure to react with the developer material associated with the imaging sheet or the receiver sheet to produce an image.

Inventors

  • 👤 Erik K. Nelson
  • 👤 Michael E. Demarchi
  • 👤 David A. Boyer

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 20:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/002; G03B; G03B2227/00; G03B2227/32; G03B2227/325

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 90 words
An apparatus for exposing and developing an imaging web having an image area and a border area, said imaging web including a support having a layer on the surface thereof of photosensitive microcapsules including an internal phase of a photohardenable photosensitive composition and a color former, comprising: a source of actinic radiation for uniform exposure of said border area of said imaging web to harden said photosensitive microcapsules; means for preventing said source of actinic radiation from exposing said image area of said imaging web; and pressure application developer means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 90 words
An apparatus for exposing and developing an imaging web having an image area and a border area, said imaging web including a support having a layer on the surface thereof of photosensitive microcapsules including an internal phase of a photohardenable photosensitive composition and a color former, comprising: a source of actinic radiation for uniform exposure of said border area of said imaging web to harden said photosensitive microcapsules; means for preventing said source of actinic radiation from exposing said image area of said imaging web; and pressure application developer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said source of actinic radiation provides actinic radiation selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, visible light, X-ray, and ion beam irradiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said source of actinic radiation provides visible light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said source of actinic radiation from exposing said image area of said imaging web comprises a receiver sheet positioned in contact with said image area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure application developer means is a pair of pressure rollers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 62 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for preventing said source of actinic radiation from exposing said image area of said imaging web comprises a baffle having a U-shaped cross-section which is placed over said border area with its open end adjacent thereto and prevents said source of actinic radiation which is disposed within said baffle from exposing said image area.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 127 words
An apparatus for exposing and developing an imaging web, said imaging web including a support having a layer on the surface thereof of photosensitive microcapsules including an internal phase of a photohardenable photosensitive composition and a color former, comprising: a first source of actinic radiation for image-wise exposure of said photosensitive microcapsules of said imaging web such that an image area is formed, said exposure defining a border area in said web comprising the areas of said imaging web surrounding said image area; a second source of actinic radiation for uniform exposure of said border area of said imaging web to harden said microcapsules; means for preventing said second source of actinic radiation from exposing said image area of said imaging web; and pressure application developer means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 127 words
An apparatus for exposing and developing an imaging web, said imaging web including a support having a layer on the surface thereof of photosensitive microcapsules including an internal phase of a photohardenable photosensitive composition and a color former, comprising: a first source of actinic radiation for image-wise exposure of said photosensitive microcapsules of said imaging web such that an image area is formed, said exposure defining a border area in said web comprising the areas of said imaging web surrounding said image area; a second source of actinic radiation for uniform exposure of said border area of said imaging web to harden said microcapsules; means for preventing said second source of actinic radiation from exposing said image area of said imaging web; and pressure application developer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 34 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first and second sources of actinic radiation provide actinic radiation selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, visible light, X-ray, and ion beam irradiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first and second sources of actinic radiation provide visible light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 68 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for preventing said second source of actinic radiation from exposing said image area of said imaging web comprises a baffle having a U-shaped cross-section which is placed over said border area with its open end adjacent thereto and prevents said second source of actinic radiation which is disposed within said baffle from exposing said image area of said imaging web.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said pressure application developer means is a pair of pressure rollers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for preventing said second source of actinic radiation from exposing said image area of said imaging web comprises a receiver sheet positioned in contact with said image area.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2524941A Cited
US4073968A Cited
US4108548A Cited
US4457620A Cited
US4399209A Cited
US4440846A Cited
US4613742A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-04-24 1992-10-24 1993-04-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-04-24 1996-10-24 1997-04-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-04-24 2000-10-24 2001-04-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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