Vinyl polymer binder for laser ablative imaging

Claim 2

An ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a colorant layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a polymeric binder, said colorant layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein said polymeric binder comprises a vinyl polymer having recurring units of the following formula: ##STR6## wherein: R 1 and R 2 each independently represents a ketal group; an acetal group; a thioketal group; a thioacetal group; or an unsaturated group containing a double or triple bond between any two atoms, one of which is the atom of attachment to the polymer chain; or R 1 and R 2 , as defined above, may be joined together to form a ring, wherein at least one of said colorant and said infrared-absorbing material is a pigment.

Claim 3

The element of claim 1 wherein said R 1 and R 2 each independently represents --C(═X)R 3 where X is O, S, NR, or N + (R) 2 ; R 3 is R, OR, O - M + , OCOOR, SR, NHCOR, NHCON(R) 2 , N(R) 2 , N + (R) 3 , or (N) 3 ; M + is an alkali or ammonium moiety; and R is hydrogen, halogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group; or X and R 3 may be joined together to form a ring.

Claim 4

The element of claim 1 wherein said vinyl polymer is a poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate).

Claim 5

The element of claim 3 wherein said poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) is poly(methyl cyanoacrylate) or poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate).

Claim 6

The element of claim 1 wherein said vinyl polymer is present at a concentration of from about 0.1 to about 5 g/m 2 .

Claim 7

The element of claim 1 wherein a barrier layer is present between said support and said colorant layer.

Claim 8

The element of claim 1 wherein said infrared-absorbing material is a dye which is contained in said colorant layer.

Claim 9

The element of claim 1 wherein said support is transparent.

Claim 10

The element of claim 1 wherein said colorant is a dye.

Claim 11

The element of claim 1 wherein said colorant is a pigment which also functions as said infrared-absorbing material.

Claim 12

A single sheet process of forming a single color, ablation image in the absence of a receiving element comprising imagewise-heating by means of a laser, an ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a colorant layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a polymeric binder, said colorant layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, said laser exposure taking place through the side of said support having thereon said colorant layer, and removing the ablated colorant to obtain said image in said ablative recording element, wherein said polymeric binder comprises a vinyl polymer having recurring units of the following formula: ##STR7## wherein: R 1 and R 2 each independently represents a ketal group; an acetal group; a thioketal group; a thioacetal group; or an unsaturated group containing a double or triple bond between any two atoms, one of which is the atom of attachment to the polymer chain; or R 1 and R 2 , as defined above, may be joined together to form a ring.

Claim 13

A single sheet process of forming a single color, ablation image in the absence of a receiving element comprising imagewise-heating by means of a laser, an ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a colorant layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a polymeric binder, said colorant layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, said laser exposure taking place through the side of said support having thereon said colorant layer, and removing the ablated colorant to obtain said image in said ablative recording element, wherein said polymeric binder comprises a vinyl polymer having recurring units of the following formula: ##STR7## wherein: R 1 and R 2 each independently represents a ketal group; an acetal group; a thioketal group; a thioacetal group; or an unsaturated group containing a double or triple bond between any two atoms, one of which is the atom of attachment to the polymer chain; or R 1 and R 2 , as defined above, may be joined together to form a ring.

Claim 14

The process of claim 11 wherein said R 1 and R 2 each independently represents --C(═X)R 3 where X is O, S, NR, or N + (R) 2 ; R 3 is R, OR, O - M + , OCOOR, SR, NHCOR, NHCON(R) 2 , N(R) 2 , N+(R) 3 , or (N) 3 ; M + is an alkali or ammonium moiety; and R is hydrogen, halogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group; or X and R 3 may be joined together to form a ring.

Claim 15

The process of claim 11 wherein said vinyl polymer is a poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate).

Claim 16

The process of claim 13 wherein said poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) is poly(methyl cyanoacrylate) or poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate).

Claim 17

The process of claim 11 wherein said vinyl binder is present at a concentration of from about 0.1 to about 5 g/m 2 .

Claim 18

The process of claim 11 wherein a barrier layer is present between said support and said colorant layer.

Claim 19

The process of claim 11 wherein said infrared-absorbing material is a dye which is contained in said colorant layer.

Claim 20

The process of claim 11 wherein said support is transparent.

Claim 21

The process of claim 11 wherein said colorant is a dye.

Claim 22

The process of claim 11 wherein said colorant is a pigment which also functions as said infrared-absorbing material.