Patent US5869886A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4869996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for preparing negative images on a positive-type tonable photosensitive element
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1987-12-18
•
Granted: 1989-09-26
•
Expires: 2007-12-18
Abstract
Abstract An improved process for preparing negative images from a photohardenable tonable element, wherein the unexposed photohardenable tonable element is tacky in a preselected temperature range, T 1 -T 2 , in which temperature range the exposed photosensitive tonable element is nontacky but wherein the exposed element is retackifiable at elevated temperatures above T 2 . After imagewise exposure the unexposed areas have a colorless toning material applied to them at a temperature within the range T 1 -T 2 to make them nontacky at temperatures of at least up to T 3 , which is greater than T 2 . After heating to an elevated temperature above T 2 but less than T 3 the exposed areas have a contrasting toning material applied to them to give a negative or reverse image.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. McCartin
- 👤 Eugene L. Grubb
- 👤 Robert P. Held
- 👤 Howard Matrick
- 👤 Bohdan Rakoczy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:07
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F3/00; G03F3/10; G03F3/103; G03F7/00; G03F7/26; G03F7/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
In a process for preparing an image on a photosensitive element, comprising a photohardenable tonable layer on a support, comprising the steps of: (A) providing a photosensitive element wherein the unexposed photohardenable layer is tacky and tonable at temperatures in a preselected range, T 1 -T 2 , in which temperature range the exposed photohardenable layer is nontacky, and wherein said exposed photohardenable layer is retackifiable by heating to a temperature above T 2 ; (B) exposing said photohardenable layer imagewise to actinic radiation to produce imagewise tacky and complementary nontacky image areas; (C) applying at a temperature in the range, T 1 -T 2 , a first toning material which adheres selectively to the tacky image areas; and (D) removing said first toning material from the nontacky image areas; the improvement comprising: (a) applying in step (C) above a first toning material which renders the tacky image areas nontacky at least up to a temperature, T 3 , which is greater than T 2 ; (b) retackifying said exposed image areas by heating to a temperature which is greater than T 2 but less than T 3 ; (c) applying at a temperature in said range, T 2 -T 3 , a second, contrasting toning material which adheres selectively to the retrackified exposed image areas; and (d) removing said second toning material from the nontacky image areas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
In a process for preparing an image on a photosensitive element, comprising a photohardenable tonable layer on a support, comprising the steps of: (A) providing a photosensitive element wherein the unexposed photohardenable layer is tacky and tonable at temperatures in a preselected range, T 1 -T 2 , in which temperature range the exposed photohardenable layer is nontacky, and wherein said exposed photohardenable layer is retackifiable by heating to a temperature above T 2 ; (B) exposing said photohardenable layer imagewise to actinic radiation to produce imagewise tacky and complementary nontacky image areas; (C) applying at a temperature in the range, T 1 -T 2 , a first toning material which adheres selectively to the tacky image areas; and (D) removing said first toning material from the nontacky image areas; the improvement comprising: (a) applying in step (C) above a first toning material which renders the tacky image areas nontacky at least up to a temperature, T 3 , which is greater than T 2 ; (b) retackifying said exposed image areas by heating to a temperature which is greater than T 2 but less than T 3 ; (c) applying at a temperature in said range, T 2 -T 3 , a second, contrasting toning material which adheres selectively to the retrackified exposed image areas; and (d) removing said second toning material from the nontacky image areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1, the improvement further comprising providing a photohardenable layer which when fully exposed, is retackifiable by heating to a temperature no greater than about 240° F. (116° C.).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 2, the improvement further comprising providing a photohardenable layer which when fully exposed, is retackifiable by heating to a temperature no greater than about 200° F. (93° C.).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the photohardenable layer comprises an acrylate or methacrylate polymer or copolymer resin with a Tg of about 80° to 200° F. (26° to 93° C.).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the photohardenable layer comprises an acrylate or methacrylate polymer or copolymer resin with a Tg of about 86° to 122° F. (30° to 50° C.).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process according to claim 2, the improvement further comprising providing in step (A) a photohardenable layer which before exposure is tacky and tonable at temperatures above about 50° F. (10° C.), and when fully exposed is nontacky at temperatures of about 50° to 100° F. (10° to 38° C.), but is retackifiable by heating to a temperature of about 120° to 240° F. (49° to 116° C.).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein the fully exposed photohardenable layer is retackifiable by heating to a temperature of about 160° to 200° F. (71° to 93° C.).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process according to claim 2, the improvement further comprising providing in step (A) a photohardenable layer which before exposure is tacky and tonable at temperatures above about 120° F. (49° C.), and when fully exposed is nontacky at temperatures up to about 190° F. (81.8° C.), but is retackifiable by heating to a temperature of about 195° to 240° F. (90.5° to 116° C.).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1, the improvement further comprising applying in step (a) a first toning material which is colorless or unpigmented whereby a reverse or negative image is produced.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 2, the improvement further comprising applying in step (a) a first toning material which is colorless or unpigmented, whereby a reverse or negative image is produced.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 6, the improvement further comprising applying in step (a) a first toning material which is colorless or unpigmented whereby a reverse or negative image is produced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 8, the improvement further comprising applying in step (a) a first toning material which is colorless or unpigmented whereby a reverse or negative image is produced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 9, wherein the first, colorless or unpigmented toning material is a finely divided particulate material, and the second, contrasting toning material applied in step (c) is a toning film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 10, wherein the first, colorless or unpigmented toning material is a finely divided particulate material, and the second, contrasting toning material applied in step (c) is a toning film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 11, wherein the first, colorless or unpigmented toning material is a finely divided particulate material, and the second, contrasting toning material applied in step (c) is a toning film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 12, wherein the first, colorless or unpigmented toning material is a finely divided particulate material, and the second, contrasting toning material applied in step (c) is a toning film.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 13, wherein the first clear or unpigmented toning material comprises finely divided cellulose acetate particles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 14, wherein the first clear or unpigmented toning material comprises finely divided cellulose acetate particles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 9, wherein the first, colorless or unpigmented toning material is a fusible finely divided particulate material, which is fused prior to application of the second, contrasting toning material in step (c).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 10, wherein the first, colorless or unpigmented toning material is a fusible finely divided particulate material, which is fused prior to application of the second, contrasting toning material in step (c).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 10, wherein the first, colorless or unpigmented toning material is a fusible finely divided particulate material, which is fused prior to application of the second, contrasting toning material in step (c).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 19, wherein the fusible finely divided particulate material is a linear, low molecular weight polyethylene, having a means particle diameter of 0.5 to 15 micrometer, and a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to 3000.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 22, wherein the polyethylene has a molecular weight in the range of about 500 to 1200.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 20, wherein the fusible finely divided particulate material is a linear, low molecular weight polyethylene, having a mean particle diameter of 0.5 to 15 micrometer, and a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to 3000.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 24, wherein the polyethylene has a molecular weight in the range of about 500 to 1200.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 21, wherein the fusible finely divided particulate material is a linear, low molecular weight polyethylene, having a mean particule diameter of 0.5 to 15 micrometer, and a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to 3000.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 26, wherein the polyethylene has a molecular weight in the range of about 500 to 1200.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 9, wherein the first toning material is a colorless or unpigmented toning film, and the second contrasting toning material applied in step (c) is a toning film.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 10, wherein the first toning material is a colorless or unpigmented toning film, and the second, contrasting toning material applied in step (c) is a toning film.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 11, wherein the first toning material is a colorless or unpigmented toning film and the second, contrasting toning material applied in step (c) is a toning film.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 9, wherein the first toning material is a colorless or unpigmented toning film, and the second, contrasting toning material applied in step (c) is a finely divided particulate material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 10, wherein the first toning material is a colorless or unpigmented toning film, and the second, contrasting toning material applied in step (c) in a finely divided particulate material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 11, wherein the first toning material is a colorless or unpigmented toning film, and the second, contrasting toning material applied in step (c) is a finely divided particulate material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a process of preparing a multicolor image having at least two photoimaged, imagewise-colored elements sequentially laminated in register to a support, wherein each imagewise-colored photoimaged element has been exposed through a different color separation transparency and colored in a spectral region corresponding to the color separation used, the improvement wherein the photoimaged elements are prepared according to the process of claim 1.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a process of preparing a reverse multicolor image having at least two photoimaged, imagewise-colored elements sequentially laminated in register to a support, wherein each imagewise-colored photoimaged element has been exposed through a different color separation transparency and colored in a spectral region corresponding to the color separation used, the improvement wherein the photoimaged elements are prepared according to the process of claim 9.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a process of preparing a reverse multicolor image having at least two photoimaged, imagewise-colored elements sequentially laminated in register to a support, wherein each imagewise-colored photoimaged element has been exposed through a different color separation transparency and colored in a spectral region corresponding to the color separation used, the improvement wherein the photoimaged elements are prepared according to the process of claim 10.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a process of preparing a reverse muticolor image having at least two photoimaged, imagewise-colored elements sequentially laminated in register to a support, wherein each imagewise-colored photoimaged element has been exposed through a different color separation transparency and colored in a spectral region corresponding to the color separation used, the improvement wherein the photoimaged elements are prepared according to the process of claim 11.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a process of preparing a reverse multicolor image having at least two photoimaged, imagewise-colored elements sequentially laminated in register to a support, wherein each imagewise-colored photoimaged element has been exposed through a different color separation transparency and colored in a spectral region corresponding to the color separation used, the improvement wherein the photoimaged elements are prepared according to the process of claim 13.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a process of preparing a reverse multicolor image having at least two photoimaged, imagewise-colored elements sequentially laminated in register to a support, wherein each imagewise-colored photoimaged element has been exposed through a different color separation transparency and colored in a spectral region corresponding to the color separation used, the improvement wherein the photoimaged elements are prepared according to the process of claim 19.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a process of preparing a reverse multicolor image having at least two photoimaged, imagewise-colored elements sequentially laminated in register to a support, wherein each imagewise-colored photoimaged element has been exposed through a different color separation transparency and colored in a spectral region corresponding to the color separation used, the improvement wherein the photoimaged elements are prepared according to the process of claim 28.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a process of preparing a reverse multicolor image having at least two photoimaged, imagewise-colored elements sequentially laminated in register to a support, wherein each imagewise-colored photoimaged element has been exposed through a different color separation transparency and colored in a spectral region corresponding to the color separation used, the improvement wherein the photoimaged elements are prepared according to the process of claim 31.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3060024A
Cited
US3260612A
Cited
US3487764A
Cited
US3649268A
Cited
US4076536A
Cited
US4174216A
Cited
US4273842A
Cited
US4243741A
Cited
US4247619A
Cited
US4604340A
Cited
US4698293A
Cited
US4806451A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-25 | 1993-03-27 | 1993-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | 1997-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-25 | 2001-03-27 | 2001-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |