Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein and at least one laser absorber/sensitizer, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein and at least one laser absorber/sensitizer, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 1, said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising an organic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 2, said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising a metal phthalocyanine, dithiolene or anthraquinone compound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 2, said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising a polythiophene, polyaniline, polyacetylene, polyphenylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polypyrrole, or derivative or mixture thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 1, said composite ablation-transfer imaging medium comprising a plurality of intermediate dynamic release layers (ii).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 1, said support substrate (i) of said imaging medium comprising glass, a polyester, a polycarbonate, a polyurethane, a polyolefin, a polyamide, a polysulfone, a polystyrene or a cellulosic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 1, said support substrate (i) of said imaging medium comprising a filled and/or coated opaque polyester, aluminum or silicon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 1, said composite ablative-transfer imaging medium comprising an anti-reflection layer on the face surface of said support substrate (i) opposite the ablative carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of at least one laser-ablative binder and at least one laser absorber/sensitizer, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of at least one laser-ablative binder and at least one laser absorber/sensitizer, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 85, said at least one laser absorber/sensitizer comprising at least one near infrared absorber/sensitizer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 10, said at least one laser-ablative binder being decomposable by acid catalysis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 11, said essentially coextensive carrier topcoat (iii) further comprising at least one hydrogen atom donor for promoting acid formation for said catalyzed decomposition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 10, said support substrate (i) of said imaging medium being transparent to near infrared laser irradiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 10, said support substrate (i) of said imaging medium being opaque to near infrared laser irradiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 9, said at least one laser absorber/sensitizer consisting essentially of at least one non-black body visible absorber/sensitizer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 15, said at least one non-black body absorber/sensitizer comprising a cyanine or phthalocyanine dye, a metal dithiolene, a methylene blue salt, a di- or triarylmethane cation salt, a Wurster's blue salt or an onium salt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 11, said at least one laser-ablative binder being adopted for acid catalyzed decomposition at a temperature of less than about 200° C. as measured under equilibrium conditions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 11, said at least one laser-ablative binder being adopted for acid catalyzed decomposition at a temperature of less than about 100° C. as measured under equilibrium conditions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 17, said at least one laser-ablative binder comprising a nitrocellulose, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyester, polyorthoester or polyacetal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 12, said at least one hydrogen atom donor comprising an alcohol, thiol, phenol, amine or hydrocarbon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 9, said at least one laser absorber/sensitizer being capable of initiating acid formation upon photo-excitation thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 9, said at least one laser absorber/sensitizer being substantially colorless in the visible spectral region.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 17, said at least one laser-ablative binder comprising a nitrocellulose.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 17, said at least one laser-ablative binder comprising a polycarbonate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 17, said at least one laser-ablative binder comprising a polyurethane.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 17, said at least one laser-ablative binder comprising a polyester.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 9, said at least one laser absorber/sensitizer comprising a black body absorber/sensitizer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 9, said at least one laser-ablative binder comprising a polycarbonate, polysulfone, styrene/acrylonitrile polymer, polystyrene, cellulosic ether or ester, polyacetal, polymethacrylate, polyvinylidene chloride, α-chloroacrylonitrile, maleic acid polymer, or copolymers and derivatives thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
94 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising a low melting thin metal film and absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
94 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising a low melting thin metal film and absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 29, said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising a metal of Groups Ib, IIb, IIIa, IVa, IVb, Va, Vb, VIa, VIb, VIIb or VIII of the Periodic Table.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The composite ablation,-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 30, said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising an alloy of such metals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 30, said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising an alloy of such metals with an element of Groups Ia, IIa or IIIb of the Periodic Table.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composite ablation,-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 30, said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising Al, Bi, Sn, In or Zn.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 33, said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising an alloy of such metals.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
97 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising a metal, metal oxide or metal sulfide thin film and absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
97 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising a metal, metal oxide or metal sulfide thin film and absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 35, said thin film changing physical state upon imagewise exposure to laser radiation.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium as defined by claim 35, said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising a metal oxide or sulfide of Al, Bi, Sn, In, Zn, Ti, Cr, Mo, W, Co, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zr or Te.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
95 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising Ge or a sensitized liquid crystal material and absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the image ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
95 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) comprising Ge or a sensitized liquid crystal material and absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the image ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
117 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material and at least one laser-ablative binder contained therein and further including at least one laser absorber/sensitizer in an amount sufficient to effect the rapid partial decomposition of said at least one laser-ablative binder, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
117 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material and at least one laser-ablative binder contained therein and further including at least one laser absorber/sensitizer in an amount sufficient to effect the rapid partial decomposition of said at least one laser-ablative binder, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
98 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith an a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises a yellow, magenta or cyan dye or pigment, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
98 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith an a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises a yellow, magenta or cyan dye or pigment, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
114 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein that is at least highly absorbing in the spectral region of 350 nm to 450 nm and which comprises curcumin, an azo derivative, an oxadiazole derivative, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
114 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein that is at least highly absorbing in the spectral region of 350 nm to 450 nm and which comprises curcumin, an azo derivative, an oxadiazole derivative, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
97 words
A composite alation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a non-ablation contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises a fluorescent oxazole, oxadiazole, coumarin or carbostyryl derivative, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
97 words
A composite alation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a non-ablation contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises a fluorescent oxazole, oxadiazole, coumarin or carbostyryl derivative, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
92 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises magnetic particles, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
92 words
The composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises magnetic particles, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
91 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises a fluorescent material, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
91 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises a fluorescent material, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
92 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises an electrically conducting material, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
92 words
A composite ablation-transfer imaging medium, which comprises a support substrate (i), at least one intermediate dynamic release layer (ii) essentially coextensive therewith and a non-laser radiation-reflecting, laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) also essentially coextensive therewith, said laser radiation-ablative carrier topcoat (iii) including an imaging amount of a contrast imaging material contained therein which comprises an electrically conducting material, and said at least one dynamic release layer (ii) absorbing but not reflecting such laser radiation at a rate sufficient to effect the imagewise ablation mass transfer of at least said carrier topcoat (iii).