Image formation by thermal transfer

US5395730A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Agfa-Gevaert NV · BE

Inventors

• Wolfgang Podszun · Neunburg vorm Wald, DE
• Herman Uytterhoeven · Bonheiden, BE
• Roland F. Beels · Aartselaar, BE
• Luc Leenders · Herentals, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 31, 1993
• Grant date: Mar 7, 1995
• Expiry date: Aug 31, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03F7/34
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is disclosed for the formation of an image comprising the steps of PA0 (1) image-wise exposing, in the presence of a photopolymerizable compound, a photosensitive element comprising a support and at least one photosensitive layer containing a silver halide sensitive to actinic radiation, an organic silver salt and a reducing agent, PA0 (2) heating said photosensitive layer while in contact with a receiving element and allowing non-photopolymerized compound in the non-exposed areas to transfer and penetrate in said receiving element, and, PA0 (3) separating said receiving element from said photosensitive element. The obtained image can be a useful visible image produced on at least one of the separated elements, or it can be a hydrophobic polymer image on a hydrophilic background formed in the finally separated-receiving element which is usable as a printing plate. In the former embodiment the receiving element comprises a support and a layer containing a pigment, e.g. carbon black. In the latter embodiment the receiving element must comprise a hydrophilic surface, e.g. a support coated with a hydrophilic layer, or a metal support having a hydrophilic surface. The photopoly…