Thermal transfer imaging system based on the heat transfer of a reducing agent for reducing a silver source to metallic silver
US5547809A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03C1/4989
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a printing process using a donor element and a receiving element. The donor element comprises on a support a donor layer comprising a binder and a thermotransferable strong reducing agent capable of reducing a silver source to metallic silver upon heating. The donor element is image-wise heated while being in contact with an image receiving material comprising a thermoreducible silver source and a weak reducing agent, only being capable of reducing a silver source to metallic silver in the presence of metallic silver formed by said strong reducing agent. Image density is increased and stability of the reductor donor element can be improved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.