US3615421A - Novel photographic products and processes - Google Patents

Novel photographic products and processes Download PDF

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US3615421A
US3615421A US846441A US3615421DA US3615421A US 3615421 A US3615421 A US 3615421A US 846441 A US846441 A US 846441A US 3615421D A US3615421D A US 3615421DA US 3615421 A US3615421 A US 3615421A
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layer
silver halide
dye
halide emulsion
film unit
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Edwin H Land
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Polaroid Corp
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Polaroid Corp
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
    • G03C8/00—Diffusion transfer processes or agents therefor; Photosensitive materials for such processes
    • G03C8/42—Structural details
    • G03C8/44—Integral units, i.e. the image-forming section not being separated from the image-receiving section

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  • Ford ABSTRACT The application is directed, in general, to an integral negative/positive color diffusion transfer process film unit which includes, in order, an opaque layer, a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated dye transfer image-forming material, a layer comprising a visible lightreflecting agent in a concentration insufficient to prevent exposure of the silver halide emulsion by radiation incident on the layer, a polymeric layer dyeable by the dye transfer imageforming material, a transparent layer, and a rupturable container adapted to distribute retained processing composition between the dyeable layer and the silver halide emulsion layer, and to specified diffusion transfer color process employing such a film unit PAIENTEUum 26 Ian 3,815,421
  • the present invention relates to photography and, more particularly, to photographic products specifically adapted for employment in photographic diffusion transfer color processes.
  • the primary objects of the invention are to provide photographic products particularly adapted for employment in diffusion transfer color processes; to provide photographic products which comprise a photosensitive composite structure which contains a plurality of essential layers including a dimensionally stable opaque layer, a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having a dye image-forming material associated therewith which is soluble and diffusible in processing composition as a function of exposure of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer to incident actinic radiation, a layer permeable to processing composition diffusible dye image-forming material comprising a reflecting agent in a quantity insufficient to prevent exposure of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer by actinic radiation incident on the reflecting agent containing layer, a polymeric layer dyeable by the dye image-forming material, and a dimensionally stable transparent layer; to provide photographic diffusion transfer products comprising a film unit including a photosensitive laminate, of the last-identified type, in combination with a rupturable container retaining a processing composition and preferably containing dispersed therein an o
  • the invention accordingly comprises the product possessing the features, properties and the relation of components and the process involving the several steps and the relation and order of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photographic film body embodying the invention:
  • FIGS. 2, i and 6 are diagrammatic enlarged cross-sectional views of the film unit of FIG. 1, along section line 2-2, illustrating the association of elements during the three illustrated stages of the performance of a diffusion transfer process, for the production of a multicolor transfer image according to the invention, the thickness of the various materials being exaggerated, and wherein HO. 2 represents an exposure stage, FIG. 4! represents a processing stage and FIG. 6 represents a product of the process; and
  • FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 are diagrammatic, further enlarged crosssectional views of the film unit of FIGS. 2, d and 6, along section lines 3-3, 5-5 and '7--7, respectively, further illustrating, in detail, the arrangement of layers comprising the photosensitive laminate during the three illustrated stages of the transfer process.
  • a photosensitive element containing a dye developer that is, a dye which is a silver halide developing agent, and a silver halide emulsion may be exposed and wetted by a liquid processing composition, for example, by immersion, coating, spraying, flowing, etc., in the dark, and the exposed photosensitive element superposed prior to, during, or after wetting, on asheetlike support element which may be utilized as an image-receiving element.
  • the liquid processing composition is applied to the photosensitive element in a substantially uniform layer as the photosensitive element is brought into superposed relationship with the image-receiving layer.
  • the liquid processing composition positioned intermediate the photosensitive element and the image-receiving layer, permeates the emulsion to initiate development of the latent image contained therein.
  • the dye developer is immobilized or precipated in exposed areas as a consequence of the development of the latent image. This immobilization is apparently, at least in part, due to a change in the solubility characteristics of the dye developer upon oxidation and especially as regards its solubility in alkaline solutions. It may also be due in part to a tanning effect on the emulsion by oxidized developing agent, and in part to a localized exhaustion of alkali as a result of development.
  • the dye developer In unexposed and partially exposed areas of the emulsion, the dye developer is unreacted and diffusible and thus provides an imagewise distribution of unoxidized dye developer dissolved in the liquid processing composition, as a function of the point-to-point degree of exposure of the silver halide emulsion. At least part of this imagewise distribution of unoxidized dye developer is transferred, by inhibition, to a superposed image-receiving layer or element, said transfer substantially excluding oxidized dye developer.
  • the image-receiving element receives a depthwise diffusion, from the developed emulsion, of unoxidized dye developer without appreciably disturbing the imagewise distribution thereof to provide the reversed or positive color image of the developed image.
  • the image-receiving element may contain agents adapted to mordant or otherwise fix the diffused, unoxidized dye developer. If the color of the transferred dye developer is affected by changes in the pH of the image-receiving element, this pH may be adjusted in accordance with well-known techniques to provide a pH affording the desired color.
  • the desired positive image is revealed by stripping the image-receiving layer from the photosensitive element at the end of a suitable inhibition period.
  • the dye developers are compounds which contain, in the same molecule, both the chromophoric system of a dye and also a silver halide developing function.
  • a silver halide developing function is meant a grouping adapted to develop exposed silver halide.
  • a preferred silver halide development function is a hydroquinonyl group.
  • Other suitable developing functions include ortho-dihydroxyphenyl and orthoand para-amino substituted hydroxyphenyl groups.
  • the development function includes a benzenoid developing function, that is, an aromatic developing group which forms quinonoid or quinone substances when oxidized.
  • Multicolor images may be obtained using color image forming components such as, for example, the previously mentioned dye developers, in diffusion transfer processes by several techniques.
  • One such technique contemplates obtaining multicolor transfer images utilizing dye developers by employment of an integral multilayer photosensitive element, such as is disclosed in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 2,983,606, and particularly with reference to FIG. 9 of the patent's drawing, wherein at least two selectively sensitized photosensitive strata, superposed on a single support, are processed, simultaneously and without separation, with a single, common image-receiving layer.
  • a suitable arrangement of um carboxymethyl this type comprises a support carrying a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion stratum, a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion stratum and a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion stratum, said emulsions having associated therewith, respectively, for example, a cyan dye developer, a magenta dye developer and a yellow dye developer.
  • the dye developer may be utilized in the silver halide emulsion layer, for example, in the form of particles, or it may be employed as a layer behind the appropriate silver halide emulsion strata.
  • Each set of silver halide emulsion and associated dye developer strata are dis closed to be optionally separated from other sets by suitable interlayers, for example, by a layer of gelatin or polyvinyl alcohol.
  • suitable interlayers for example, by a layer of gelatin or polyvinyl alcohol.
  • a yellow dye developer of the appropriate spectral characteristics and present in a state capable of functioning as a yellow filter may be employed. In such instances, a separate yellow filter may be omitted.
  • the dye developers are preferably selected for their ability to provide colors that are useful in carrying out subtractive color photography, that is, the previously mentioned cyan, magenta and yellow.
  • the dye developers employed may be incorporated in the respective silver halide emulsion or, in the preferred embodiment, in a separate layer behind the respective silver halide emulsion.
  • the dye developer may, for example, be in a coating or layer behind the respective silver halide emulsion and such a layer of dye developer may be applied by use of a coating solution containing about 0.5 to 8 by weight, of the respective dye developer distributed in a film-forming natural, or synthetic, polymer, for example, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, and the like, adapted to be permeated by the chosen diffusion transfer fluid processing composition.
  • solution dyeable polymers such as nylon as, for example, N-methoxymethyl polyhexamethylene adipamide; partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate; polyvinyl alcohol with or without plasticizers; cellulose acetate with filler as, for example, one-half cellulose acetate and one-half oleic acid; gelatin; and other materials of a similar nature.
  • Preferred materials comprise polyvinyl alcohol or gelatin containing a dye mordant such as poly 4-vinylpyridine, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,061, issued Sept. 8, 1964.
  • the liquid processing composition referred to for effecting multicolor diffusion transfer processes comprises at least an aqueous solution of an alkaline material, for example, diethylamine, sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate and the like, and preferably possessing a pH in excess of 12, and most preferably includes a viscosity-increasing compound constituting a film-forming material of the type which, when the composition is spread and dried, forms a relatively firm and relatively stable film.
  • the preferred film-forming materials disclosed comprise high molecular weight polymers such as polymeric, water-soluble ethers which are inert to an alkaline solution such as, for example, a hydroxyethyl cellulose or sodicellulose.
  • film-forming materials or thickening agents whose ability to increase viscosity is substantially unaffected if left in solution for a long period of time are also disclosed to be capable of utilization.
  • the film-forming material is preferably contained in the processing composition in such suitable quantities as to impart to the composition a viscosity in excess of 100 cps. at a temperature of approximately 24 C. and preferably in the order of 100,000 cps. to 200,000 cps. at that temperature.
  • an image-receiving layer of the type disclosed in that patent need not be separated from its superposed contact with the photosensitive element, subsequent to transfer image formation, if the image-receiving element is transparent and a processing composition containing a substance rendering the processing composition layer opaque is spread between the image-receiving layer and the silver halide emulsion or emulsions.
  • the image-receiving element is maintained in contact with the photosensitive element, subsequent to dye developer transfer image formation, and includes the presence of an alkaline processing composition, necessarily having a pH at which dye developer, for example, in reduced form, diffuses to form the dye transfer image, intermediate the elements, the transfer image thus formed is unstable over an extended period of time.
  • the dye image instability is due, at least in part to the presence of what is, in general, a relatively high pH alkaline composition in intimate contact with the dye or dyes forming the image. This contact itself provides instability to the molecular structure of dye by, for example, catalyzing degradation and undesirable structural shifts effecting the spectral absorption characteristics of the image dye.
  • an alkaline composition possessing a pH at which the dye, for example, in reduced form, diffuses
  • an integral dynamic system wherein oxidized dye, immobilized in areas of the photosensitive element, as a function of its development, with the passage of time attempts to generate, in such areas, an equilibrium between oxidized and reduced dye.
  • the pH of the dynamic system is such that diffusion of the reduced form of the dye will occur, such reduced dye will, at least in part, transfer to the image-receiving layer and the resultant diffusion will imbalance the equilibrium, in such areas of the photosensitive element, in favor of additional formation of reduced dye.
  • the ultimate result is substantially the same overall image distortion as occurs when the image-receiving layer acts as a dye sink, with the exception that the dye is more extensively distributed throughout the film unit and the ultimate overall dyeing of the image-receiving layer itself is of lower saturation.
  • an integral photographic film unit particularly adapted for the production of a dye transfer image of unexpectedly improved stability and other properties, by a color diffusion transfer process will be constructed, for example, in accordance with aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,644, to include a photosensitive element comprising a laminate having, in sequence, as essential layers, a dimensionally stable opaque layer; a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith dye image-providing material which is soluble and diffusible, in alkali, at a first plli; an alkaline solution permeable polymeric layer dyeable by the dye image-providing material; a polymeric acid layer containing sufficient acidifying groups to effect reduction, subsequent to substantial transfer dye image formation, of a selected processing solution having the first pH to a second emulsion at which said dye image-providing material is insoluble and nondiffusible; and a dimensionally stable transparent layer.
  • a rupturable container retaining an aqueous alkaline processing composition having the first pH and containing an opacifying agent, in a quantity sufficient to mask the dye image-providing material, is fixedly positioned and extends transverse a leading edge of the laminate whereby to effect unidirectional discharge of the containers contents between the alkaline solution permeable and dyeable polymeric layer and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent thereto, upon application of compressive force to the container.
  • the dimensionally stable polymeric support layer next adjacent the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer or layers may be transparent, as disclosed in aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,415,646, and that in such instance the opacifying agent may be initially dispersed in the composite film unit intermediate the dyeablc polymeric layer and the silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent, as disclosed in aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,415,645.
  • Film units fabricated in accordance with the parameter set forth above specifically disclose the presence of the stated polymeric acid component to effect in situ process adjustment of the film unit's operational pH range.
  • the film units require the presence of a polymeric acid layer such as, for example, of the type set forth in US Pat. No. 3,362,819, which, most preferably, includes the presence of an inert timing or spacer layer intermediate the polymeric acid layer carried on a support and the imagereceiving layer.
  • a polymeric acid layer such as, for example, of the type set forth in US Pat. No. 3,362,819, which, most preferably, includes the presence of an inert timing or spacer layer intermediate the polymeric acid layer carried on a support and the imagereceiving layer.
  • the polymeric acid layer comprises polymers which contain acid groups, such as carboxylic acid and sulfonic acid groups, which are capable of forming salts with alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium etc., or with organic bases, particularly quaternary ammonium bases, such as tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide, or potentially acid-yielding groups, such as anhydride or lactones, or other groups which are capable of reacting with bases to cap ture and retain them.
  • the acid-reacting group is, of course, restrained from the acid polymer layer.
  • the acid polymer contains free carboxyl groups and the transfer processing composition employed contains a large concentration of sodium and/or potassium ions.
  • the acid polymers stated to be most useful are characterized by containing free carboxyl groups, being insoluble in water in the free acid form, and by forming water-soluble sodium and/or potassium salts.
  • dibasic acid half-ester derivatives of cellulose which derivatives contain free carboxyl groups, e.g., cellulose acetate hydrogen phthalate, cellulose acetate hydrogen glutarate, cellulose acetate hydrogen succinate, ethyl cellulose hydrogen succinate, ethyl cellulose acetate hydrogen succinate, cellulose acetate hydrogen succinate hydrogen phthalate; ether and ester derivatives or cellulose modified with sulfoanhydrides, e.g., with ortho sulfobenzoic anhydride; polystyrene sulfonic acid; carboxymethyl cellulose; polyvinyl hydrogen phthalate; polyvinyl acetate hydrogen phthalate; polyacrylic acid; acetals of polyvinyl alcohol with carboxy or sulfo substituted aldehydes, e.g., o-, m-, or p-benzaldehyde sulf
  • the pH of the: processing composition preferably is ofthe order of at least 12. to 14.
  • the acid polymer layer is disclosed to contain at least sufficient acid groups to effect a reduction in the pH of the image layer from a pH of about 12 to 14 to a pH of at least 1 l or lower at the end of the inhibition period, and preferably to a pH of about 5 to 8 within a short time after inhibition, thus requiring, of course, that the action of the polymeric acid be accurately so controlled as not to interfere with either development of the negative or image transfer of unoxidized dye developers.
  • the pH of the image layer must be kept at a functional transfer level, for example, 12 to 14 until the dye image has been formed after which the pH is reduced very rapidly to a pH below that at which dye transfer may be accomplished, for example, at least about 11 and preferably about pH 9 to 10.
  • Unoxidized dye developers containing hydroquinonyl developing radicals diffuse from the negative to the positive as the sodium or other alkali salt.
  • the diffusion rate of such dye image-forming components thus is at least partly a function of the alkali concentration, and it is necessary that the pH of the image layer remain on the order of, for example, 12 to 14 until transfer of the necessary quantity of dye has been accomplished.
  • the subsequent pl-l reduction in addition to its desirable effect upon image light stability, serves a highly valuable photographic function by substantially terminating further dye transfer.
  • the acid groups are disclosed to be so distributed in the acid polymer layer that the rate of their availability to the alkali is controllable, e.g., as a function of the rate of swelling of the polymer layer which rate in turn has a direct relationship to the diffusion rate of the alkali ions.
  • the desired distribution of the acid groups in the acid polymer layer may be effected by mixing the acid polymer with a polymer free of acid groups, or lower in concentration of acid groups, and compatible therewith, or by using only the acid polymer but selecting one having a relatively lower proportion of acid groups.
  • the layer containing the polymeric acid may contain a water-insoluble polymer, preferably a cellulose ester, which acts to control or modulate the rate at which the alkali salt of the polymer acid is formed.
  • a water-insoluble polymer preferably a cellulose ester
  • cellulose esters contemplated for use mention is made of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, etc.
  • the particular polymers and combinations of polymers employed in any given embodiment are, of course, selected so as to have adequate wet and dry strength and when necessary or desirable, suitable subcoats are employed to help the various polymeric layers adhere to each other during storage and use.
  • the inert spacer layer of the last-mentioned patent acts to time" control the pH reduction by the polymeric acid layer. This timing is disclosed to be a function of the rate at which the alkali diffuses through the inert spacer layer. It is there stated to have been found that the pH does not drop until the alkali has passed through the spacer layer, i.e., the pH is not reduced to any significant extent by the mere diffusion into the interlayer, but the pH drops quite rapidly once the alkali diffuses through the spacer layer.
  • an integral photographic film unit of simplified construction and particularly adapted for the production of dye transfer images of unexpectedly improved stability and other desirable properties by a color diffusion transfer process will be constructed to include a photosensitive element comprising a composite structure possessing, in sequence, as essential layers: a dimensionally stable opaque layer; a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a dye image-forming material which is soluble and diffusible in processing composition as a function of the point-to-point degree of exposure of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer to incident actinic radiation; a layer permeable to processing composition diffusible dye image-forming material which comprises a reflecting agent present in a concentration insufficient to prevent exposure of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer by actinic radiation incident on the reflecting agent containing layer; a polymeric layer dyeable by the dye image-forming material; and a dimensionally stable transparent layer.
  • a rupturable container retaining a processing composition is fixedly positioned and extends transverse a leading edge of the composite structure whereby to effect, upon application of compressive pressure, discharge of the processing composition intermediate the dyeable polymeric layer and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer and associated dye image-forming material next adjacent.
  • an opacifying agent is initially disposed in the processing composition retained by the rupturable container and the container is fixedly positioned and extends transverse the leading edge of the composite structure whereby to effect, upon application of compressive pressure, discharge of the processing composition intermediate opposed surfaces of the processing composition permeable reflecting agent containing layer and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer and associated dye imageforming material next adjacent and the opacifying agent is present in a concentration which, when taken together with the reflecting agent, is effective, upon distribution, to prevent exposure of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer in the presence of actinic radiation incident on the dimensionally stable transparent layer and to mask dye image-forming material associated with the silver halide emulsion layer and the reflecting agent is present in a concentration sufficient to mask distributed opacifying agent.
  • the preferred dye image-providing materials comprise dyes which are silver halide developing agents, as stated above, for purposes of simplicity and clarity, the present invention will be further described hereinafter in terms of such dyes, without limitation of the invention to the illustrative dyes denoted, and, in addition the photographic film unit structure will be detailed hereinafter employing the last-mentioned preferred structural embodiment, without limitation of the invention to the preferred structure denoted.
  • the film unit is specifically adapted to provide for the production of a multicolor dye transfer image and the photosensitive laminate comprises, in order of essential layers, the dimensionally stable opaque layer; at least two selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion strata each having dye image-providing materials of predetermined color associated therewith which are soluble and diffusible in alkaline processing composition as a function of the point-to-point degree of exposure of the respective associated silver halide emulsion strata; a polymeric layer permeable by alkaline processing composition solubilized dye image-providing materials which contains a reflecting agent in a quantity insufficient to prevent exposure of the selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion strata by actinic radiation incident on the layer; a polymeric layer dyeable by the dye image-providing material; and the dimensionally stable transparent layer.
  • the silver halide emulsions comprising the multicolor photosensitive laminate preferably possess predominant spectral sensitivity to separate regions of the spectrum and each has associated therewith a dye, which is a silver halide developing agent and is, most preferably, substantially soluble in the reduced form only at a first pH possessing, subsequent to processing, a spectral absorption range substantially complementary to the predominant sensitivity range of its associated emulsion.
  • each of the emulsion strata, and its associated dye is separated from the remaining emulsion strata, and their associated dye, by separate alkaline solution permeable polymeric interlayers.
  • the silver halide emulsion comprises photosensitive silver halide dispersed in gelatin and is about 0.6 6 microns in thickness; the dye itself is dispersed in an aqueous alkaline solution polymeric binder, preferably gelatin, as a separate layer about 1 to 7 microns in thickness; the alkaline solution permeable polymeric interlayers, preferably gelatin, are about 1 to 5 microns in thickness; the reflecting agent containing layer is about 0.05 to 0.25 micron in thickness; the dyeable polymeric layer is transparent and about 0.25 to 0.4 mil. in thickness; and each of the dimensionally stable opaque and transparent layers are alkaline solution impermeable, processing composition vapor permeable and about 2 to 6 mils. in thickness.
  • the relative dimensions recited above may be appropriately modified, in accordance with the desires of the operator, with respect to the specific product to be ultimately prepared.
  • the respective silver halide/dye developer units of the photosensitive element will be in the form of a tripack configuration which will ordinarily comprise a cyan dye developer/red-sensitive emulsion unit contiguous the dimensionally stable opaque layer, the yellow dye developer/blue-sensitive emulsion unit most distant from the opaque layer and the magenta dye developer/green-sensitive emulsion unit intermediate those units, recognizing that the relative order of such units may be varied in accordance with the desires of the operator.
  • FIGS. 1 through 7 of the drawings wherein there is illustrated a preferred film unit of the present invention and wherein like numbers, appearing in the various figures, refer to like components.
  • FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of the film unit, designated 10, and each of FIGS. 2 through 7 illustrate diagrammatic cross-sectional views of film unit 10, along the stated section lines 2-2, 3-3, 5--5, and 7-7, during the various depicted stages in the performance of a photographic diffusion transfer process as detailed hereinafter.
  • Film unit 10 comprises rupturable container ll, retaining, prior to processing, aqueous alkaline solution 12, and photosensitive laminate 13 including, in order, dimensionally stable opaque layer 14, preferably an actinic radiation-opaque flexible sheet material; cyan dye developer layer 115; red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer 1115; interlayer l7; magenta dye developer layer 113; green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer 19; interlayer 20; yellow dye developer layer 21; bluesensitive silver halide emulsion layer 22; auxiliary layer 23, which may contain an auxiliary silver halide developing agent; reflecting layer 25; image-receiving ,layer 2 11; and dimensionally stable transparentv layer 27, preferably an actinic radiation transmissive flexible sheet material.
  • cyan dye developer layer 115 red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer 1115; interlayer l7; magenta dye developer layer 113; green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer 19; interlayer 20; yellow dye developer layer 21
  • the structural integrity of laminate 113 may be maintained, at least in part, by the adhesive capacity exhibited between the various layers comprising the laminate at their opposed surfaces.
  • the adhesive capacity exhibited at an interface intermediate image-receiving layer 241 and the silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent thereto, for example, intermediate image-receiving layer 24 and auxiliary layer 23 as illustrated in F168. 2 through 7, should be less than that exhibited at the interface between the opposed surfaces of the remainder of the layers forming the laminate, in order to facilitate distribution of processing solution 12 intermediate the stated image-receiving layer 24 and the silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent thereto.
  • the laminates structural in tegrity may also be enhanced or provided, in whole or in part, by providing a binding member extending around, for example, the edges of laminate 13, and maintaining the layers comprising the laminate intact, except at the interface between layers 23 and 2 1 during distribution of alkaline solution 112 intermediate those layers.
  • the binding member may comprise a pressure-sensitive tape 23 securing and/or maintaining the layers of laminate 13 together at its respective edges. Tape 23 will also act to maintain processing solution 12 intermediate image-receiving layer 241 and the silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent thereto, upon application of compressive pressure to pod 11 and distribution of its contents intermediate the stated layers. Under such circumstances, binder tape 28 will act to prevent leakage of fluid processing composition from the film units laminate during and subsequent to photographic processing.
  • Rupturable container 11 may be of the type shown and described in any of US. Pats No. 2,543,181; 2,634,886; 3,653,732; 2,723,051; 3,056,492; 3,056,491; 3,152,515; and the like.
  • such containers will comprise a rectangular blank of fluidand air-impervious sheet material folded longitudinally upon itself to form two walls 29 which are sealed to one another along their longitudinal and end margins to form a cavity in which processing solution 12 is retained.
  • the longitudinal marginal seal 30 is made weaker than the end seals 31 so as to become unsealed in response to the hydraulic pressure generated within the fluid contents 12 of the container by the application of compressive pressure to walls 29 of the container.
  • container 111 is fixedly positioned and extends transverse a leading edge of photosensitive laminate i3 whereby to effect unidirectional discharge of the container's contents 12 between image-receiving layer 241 and the stated layer next adjacent thereto, upon application of compressive force to container 111.
  • container 11 as illustrated in F116. 2
  • container 11 is fixedly positioned and extends transverse a leading edge of laminate 13 with its longitudinal marginal seal 30 directed toward the interface between imagereceiving layer 241 and auxiliary layer 23.
  • container 11 is fixedly secured to laminate 13 by extension 32 of tape 23 extending over a portion of one wall 29 of the container, in combination with a separate retaining member such as illustrated retaining tape 33 extending over a portion of the other wall 29 of the container and a portion of laminate 13's surface generally equal in area to about that covered by tape 29.
  • extension flap 32 of tape 23 is preferably of such area and dimensions that upon, for example, manual separation of container 11 and tape 33, subsequent to distribution of processing composition 12, from the remainder of film unit 10, flap 32 may be folded over the edge iii of laminate 13, previously covered by tape 33, in order to facilitate maintenance of the laminate's structural integrity, for example, during the flexations inevitable in storage and use of the processed film unit, and to provide a suitable mask or frame, for viewing of the transfer image through the picture viewing area of transparent layer 27.
  • the fluid contents of the container comprise an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH and solvent concentration at which the dye developers are soluble and diffusible and contains an opacifying agent in a quantity sufficient, upon distribution, when taken together with the reflecting agent concentration of layer 25, is effective to prevent exposure of photosensitive silver halide emulsion layers 16, 19 and 22 by actinic radiation incident on dimensionally stable transparent layer 27 during processing in the presence of such radiation.
  • the film unit may be processed, subsequent to distribution of the composition, in the presence of such radiation, in view ofthe fact that the silver halide emulsion or emulsions or the laminate are appropriately protected by incident radiation, at one major surface by the opaque processing com position and at the remaining major surface by the dimensionally stable opaque layer. If the illustrated binder tapes are also opaque, edge leakage of actinic radiation incident on the emulsion or emulsions will also be prevented.
  • the selected reflecting agent should be one providing a background suitable for viewing the dye developer transfer image formed in the dyeable polymeric layer.
  • a reflecting agent be selected that will not interfere with the color integrity of the dye transfer image, as viewed by the observer, and, most preferably, an agent which is aesthetically pleasing to the viewer and does not provide a background noise signal degrading, or detracting from, the information content of the image.
  • Particularly desirable reflecting agents will be those providing a white background, for viewing the transfer image, and specifically those conventionally employed to provide background for reflection photographic prints and, especially those agents possessing the optical properties desired for reflection of incident radiation.
  • reflecting agents adapted for employment in the practice of the present invention, mention may be made of barium sulfate, zinc sulfide, titanium dioxide, barium stearate, silver flake, silicates, alumina, zirconium oxide, zirconium acetyl acetate, sodium zirconium sulfate, kaolin, mica, and the like.
  • a particularly preferred reflecting agent comprises titanium dioxide due to its highly effective reflection properties.
  • the titanium dioxide reflecting agent may readily be employed possessing an initial particle size distribution averaging within the range of about 0.2 to 0.3 micron in diameter
  • the titanium dioxide reflecting agent employed will possess a particle size distribution averaging less than about 0.2 micron in diameter, preferably less than about 0.1 micron and most preferably averaging less than about .05 micron in diameter as initially present preceding exposure of the film unit, which preferred materials, upon contact with aqueous alkaline processing composition, preferably aggregate to provide particles possessing a diameter in excess of about 0.2 micron in diameter and will be coated at a coverage of about 200 to 1,000 mgs./ft.
  • the reflecting agent will be present in a quantity insufficient to prevent exposure of the emulsion layers by actinic radiation incident on the dimensionally stable transparent layer of the film unit but in a concentration sufficient, subsequent to processing, to mask opacifying agent distributed in the processing composition and any residual dye developer present intermediate the image-receiving layer and the dimensionally stable opaque layer. It has been quite unexpectedly discovered that the preferred embodiment employing titanium dioxide initially present in a relatively small particle size provides unexpectedly efficient transit radiation through the reflecting layer during exposure which upon contact with an alkaline processing composition and aggregation of the titanium dioxide particles provides efficient light reflectivity and masking capacity subsequent to such aggregation.
  • the reflecting agent may be distributed within a processing composition permeable polymeric matrix such as gelatin and/or any other such polymeric matrixes as are specifically denoted throughout the specification as suitable for employment as a matrix binder.
  • Preferred opacifying agent or agents will possess the maximum opacifying capacity per unit weight, be photographically nondeleterious and substantially nondiffusible during and subsequent to distribution of the processing composition containing same.
  • a particularly preferred opacifying agent has been found to comprise carbon black due to its highly efficient absorption characteristics.
  • a processing composition particularly desired for employment in the practice of the present invention will contain carbon black in a concentration effective, e.g., about 3 to 9 grams of carbon black dispersed in I cc. of water, to prevent transmission, through the distributed stratum comprising the composition, of in excess of 95 percent of the actinic radiation incident on the stratum.
  • preferred agents are those which remain immobile within their respective compositions during and subsequent to photographic processing and particularly those which comprise insoluble and nondiffusible pigment dispersions within their respective processing solutions.
  • the unit In the performance of a diffusion transfer multicolor process employing film unit 10, the unit is exposed to radiation, actinic to photosensitive laminate l3, incident on the laminate's exposure surface 34, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • film unit 10 is processed by being passed through opposed suitably gapped rolls 35 in order to apply compressive pressure to frangible container 11 and to effect rupture of longitudinal seal 30 and distribution of alkaline processing composition 12, possessing an opacifying agent and a pH at which the cyan, magenta and yellow dye developers are soluble and diffusible as a function of the point-to-point degree of exposure of redsensitive silver halide emulsion layer 16, green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer 19 and blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer 22, respectively, intermediate reflecting agent containing layer 25 and auxiliary layer 23.
  • Alkaline processing solution 12 permeates emulsion layers l6, l9 and 22 to initiate development of the latent images contained in the respective emulsions.
  • the cyan, magenta and yellow dye developers, of layers l5, l8 and 21, are immobilized, as a function of the development of their respective associated silver halide emulsions, preferably substantially as a result of their conversion from the reduced form to their relatively insoluble and nondiffusible oxidized form, thereby providing imagewise distributions of mobile, soluble ad diffusible cyan, magenta and yellow dye developer, as a function of the pointto-point degree of their associated emulsions'exposure. At least part of the imagewise distributions of mobile cyan, magenta and yellow dye developer transfers, by diffusion, to dyeable polymeric layer 24 to provide a multicolor dye transfer image to that layer.
  • container 11 may be manually dissociated from the remainder of the film unit, as described above, to provide the product illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • Film unit similar to that shown in the drawings may be prepared, for example, by coating, in succession, on a gelatin subbed, 4 mil. opaque polyethylene terephthalate film base, the following layers;
  • a transparent 4 mil. polyethylene terephthalate film base may be coated, in succession, with the following illustrative layers:
  • the two components thus prepared may then be taped together in laminate form, at their respective edges, by means of a pressure-sensitive binding tape extending around, in contact with, and over the edges of the resultant laminate.
  • a rupturable container comprising an outer layer of lead foil and an inner liner or layer of polyvinyl chloride retaining an aqueous alkaline processing solution comprising:
  • the photosensitive laminates may then be exposed through step wedges to selectively filtered radiation incident to the transparent polyethylene terephthalate layer and initially processed, in the absence of actinic radiation, by passage of the exposed film unit through suitably gapped opposed rolls, to effect rupture of the container and distribution of its contents.
  • the multicolor dye transfer image formation may be viewed through the transparent polyethylene terephthalate film base and such image formation is found to be substantially completed and exhibiting the required color brilliance, hues, saturation, stability and isolation, within a period of approximately ninety seconds.
  • the pH and solvent concentration of the alkaline processing solution initially employed must be an alkaline pH at which the dye developers employed are soluble and diffusible.
  • the specific pH to be employed may be readily determined empirically for any dye developer, or group of dye developers, most particularly desirable dye developers are soluble at ph's above 9 and relatively insoluble at pH's below 9, in reduced form, and relatively insoluble at substantially any alkaline pH, in oxidized form, and the system can be readily balanced accordingly for such dye developers.
  • the processing composition in the preferred embodiment, will include the stated film-forming viscosity-increasing agent, or agents, to facilitate spreading of the composition and to provide maintenance of the spread composition as a structurally stable layer of the laminate, subsequent to distribution, it is not necessary that such agent be employed as a component of the composition.
  • a polymeric acid layer for example, of the type discussed above, may be additionally incorporated, as stated, in the film unit of the present invention, to provide reduction of the alkalinity of the processing solution from a pH at which the dyes are soluble to a pH at which the dyes are substantially nondiffusible, in order to advantageously further stabilize the dye transfer image.
  • the polymeric acid layer may be positioned intermediate the transparent support and image-receiving layer, and/or the opaque support and next adjacent emulsion/dye unit layer, and the film unit may also contain a polymeric spacer or barrier layer next adjacent the polymeric acid layer, opposite the respective support layer, as previously described.
  • the diffusion rate of alkali through a permeable inert polymeric spacer layer increases with increased processing temperature to the extent, for example, that at relatively high transfer processing temperatures, that is, transfer processing temperatures above approximately F., a premature decrease in the pH of the transfer processing composition occurs due, at least in part, to the rapid diffusion of alkali from the dye transfer environment and its subsequent neutralization upon contact with the polymeric acid layer.
  • transfer processing temperatures that is, transfer processing temperatures above approximately F.
  • the last-mentioned inert spacer layer was disclosed to provide an effective diffusion barrier timewise preventing effective traverse of the inert spacer layer by alkali having temperature depressed diffusion rates and to result in maintenance of the transfer processing environments high pH for such an extended time interval as to facilitate formation of transfer image stain and its resultant degradation of the positive transfer images color definition.
  • acetals of polyvinyl were stated to generally comprise saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chains of a molecular weight of at least 1000, preferably of about 1000 to 50,000, possessing a degree of acetalation within about 10 to 30 percent, 10 to 30 percent, 20 to 80 percent, and 10 to 40 percent, of the polyvinyl alcohols theoretical polymeric hydroxy groups, respectively, and including mixed acetals where desired.
  • a mixture of the polymers is to be employed, for example, a mixture of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and partial polyvinyl butyral.
  • multicolor transfer images may be provided over an extended processing temperature range which exhibit desired maximum and minimum dye transfer image densities; yellow, magenta an cyan dye saturation; red, green and blue hues; and color separation.
  • the dimensionally stable support layers referred to may comprise any of the various types of conventional opaque and transparent rigid or flexible materials possessing the requisite liquid impermeability and vapor transmissivity denoted above, and may comprise polymeric films of both synthetic types and those derived from naturally occurring products.
  • Particularly suitable materials include aqueous alkaline solution impermeable, water vapor permeable, flexible polymeric materials such as vapor permeable polymeric films derived from ethylene glycol terephthalic acid, vinyl chloride polymers; polyvinyl acetate; polyamides; polymethacrylic acid methyl and ethyl esters; cellulose derivatives such as cellulose, acetate, triacetate, nitrate, propionate, butyrate, acetatepropionate, or acetate-butyrate; alkaline solution impermeable, water vapor permeable papers; cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol; regenerated cellulose; and the like.
  • flexible polymeric materials such as vapor permeable polymeric films derived from ethylene glycol terephthalic acid, vinyl chloride polymers; polyvinyl acetate; polyamides; polymethacrylic acid methyl and ethyl esters; cellulose derivatives such as cellulose, acetate, triacetate, n
  • the liquid processing composition employed may contain an auxiliary or accelerating developing agent, such as p-methylaminophenol, 2,4 -diaminophenol, pbenzylaminophenyl, hydroquinone, toluhydroquinone, phenylhydroquinone, 4'-
  • auxiliary developing agents examples include l-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone in combination with pbenzylaminophenol and 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone in combination with 2,5-bis-ethylenimino-hydroquinone.
  • auxiliary developing agents may be employed in the liquid processing composition or they may be initially incorporated, at least in part, in any one or more of the silver halide emulsion strata, the strata containing the dye developers, the interlayers, the overcoat layer, the image-receiving layer, or in any other auxiliary layer, or layers, of the film unit.
  • the dye developer oxidized during development may be oxidized and immobilized as a result of a reaction, e.g., an energy-transfer reaction, with the oxidation product of an oxidized auxiliary developing agent, the latter developing agent being oxidized by the development of exposed silver halide.
  • a reaction e.g., an energy-transfer reaction
  • Such a reaction of oxidized developing agent with unoxidized dye developer would regenerate the auxiliary developing agent for further reaction with the exposed silver halide.
  • the relative proportions of the agents of the diffusion transfer processing composition may be altered to suit the requirements of the operator.
  • modify the herein described developing compositions by the substitution of preservatives, alkalies, etc., other than those specifically mentioned, provided that the pH of the composition is initially at the first pH and solvent concentration required.
  • components such as restrainers, accelerators, etc.
  • concentration of various components may be varied over a wide range and when desirable adaptable components may be disposed in the photosensitive element, prior to exposure, in a separate permeable layer of the photosensitive element and/or in the photosensitive emulsion.
  • nitrocarboxymethyl cellulose as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,992,104
  • an acylamidobenzene sulfo ester of a partial sulfobenzal of polyvinyl alcohol as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No 3,043,692
  • polymers of N-alkyl-aB-unsaturated carboxamides and copolymers of N-alkyl-aB-carboxamides with N-hydroxyalkyL aB-unsaturated carboxamides as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
  • the preparation of the dye developer dispersion may also be obtained by dissolving the dye in an appropriate solvent, or mixture of solvents, and the resultant solution distributed in the polymeric binder, with optional subsequent removal of the solvent, or solvents, employed, as, for example, by vaporization where the selected solvent, or solvents, possesses a sufficiently low boiling point or washing where the selected solvent, or solvents, possesses a sufficiently high differential solubility in the wash medium, for example, water, when measured against the solubility of the remaining composition components, and/or obtained by dissolving both the polymeric binder and dye in a common solvent.
  • dye image-providing materials Although the invention has been discussed in detail throughout employing dye developers, the preferred dye image-providing materials, it will be readily recognized that other, less preferred, dye image-providing materials may be substituted in replacement of the preferred dye developers in the practice of the invention.
  • dye image-forming materials such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,647,049, issued July 28, 1953; 2,661,293, issued Dec. 1, 1953; 2,698,244, issued Dec. 28, 1954; 2,698,798, issued Jan. 4, 1955; and 2,802,735, issued Aug.
  • color diffusion transfer processes which employ color coupling techniques comprising, at least in part, reacting one or more color developing agents and one or more color formers or couplers to provide a dye transfer image to a superposed image-receiving layer and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,774,668, issued Dec. 18, 1956, wherein color diffusion transfer processes are described which employ the imagewise differential transfer of complete dyes by the mechanisms therein described to provide a transfer dye image to a contiguous image-receiving layer.
  • the silver halide crystals may be prepared by reacting a water-soluble silver salt, such as silver nitrate, with at least one water-soluble halide, such as ammonium, potassium or sodium bromide, preferably together with a corresponding iodide, in an aqueous solution of a peptizing agent such as a colloidal gelatin solution; digesting the dispersion at an elevated temperature, to provide increased crystal growth; washing the resultant dispersion to remove undesirable reaction products and residual water-soluble salts by chilling the dispersion, noodiing the set dispersion, and washing the noodles with cold water, or alternately, employing any of the various flocc systems, or procedures, adapted to effect removal of undesired components, for example, the procedures describe in US.
  • a water-soluble silver salt such as silver nitrate
  • water-soluble halide such as ammonium, potassium or sodium bromide
  • a peptizing agent such as a colloidal gelatin solution
  • Optical sensitization of the emulsions silver halide crystals may be accomplished by contact of the emulsion composition with an effective concentration of the selected optical sensitizing dyes dissolved in an appropriate dispersing solvent such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, water, and the like; all according to the traditional procedures of the art, as described in Hammer, F.M., The Cyanine Dyes and Related Compounds.
  • an appropriate dispersing solvent such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, water, and the like
  • Additional optional additives such as coating aids, hardeners, viscosity-increasing agents, stabilizers, preservatives, and the like, for example, those set forth hereinafter, also may be incorporated in the emulsion formulation, according to the conventional procedures known in the photographic emulsion manufacturing art.
  • the photoresponsive material of the photographic emulsion will, as previously described, preferably comprise a crystal of silver, for example, one or more of the silver halides such as silver chloride, silver iodide, silver bromide, or mixed silver halides such as silver chlorobromide or silver iodobromide, of varying halide ratios and varying silver concentrations.
  • the silver halides such as silver chloride, silver iodide, silver bromide, or mixed silver halides such as silver chlorobromide or silver iodobromide, of varying halide ratios and varying silver concentrations.
  • the aforementioned gelatin may be, in whole or in part, replaced with some other colloidal material such as albumin; casein; or zein; or resins such as a cellulose derivative, as described in US. Pat. Nos. 2,322,085 and 2,327.808; polyacrylamides, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,541,474; vinyl polymers such as described in an extensive multiplicity of readily available US. and foreign patents.
  • the photosensitive component of the film unit may comprise at least two sets of selectively sensitized minute photosensitive elements arranged in the form of a photosensitive screen wherein each of the minute photosensitive elements has associated therewith, for example, an appropriate dye developer in or behind its respective silver halide emulsion portion.
  • a suitable photosensitive screen will comprise minute red-sensitized emulsion elements, minute green-sensitized emulsion elements and minute blue-sensitized emulsion elements arranged in side-by-side relationship in a screen pattern and having associated therewith, respectively, a cyan, a magenta and a yellow dye developer.
  • the present invention also includes the employment of a black dye developer and the use of a mixture of dye developers adapted to provide a black and white transfer image, for example, the employment of dye developers of the three subtractive colors in an appropriate mixture in which the quantities of the dye developers are proportioned such that the colors combine to provide black.
  • the expression positive image has been used, this expression should not be interpreted in a restrictive sense since it is used primarily for purposes of illustration, in that it defines the image produced on the imagecarrying layer as being reversed, in the positive-negative sense, with respect to the image in the photosensitive emulsion layers.
  • positive image assume that the photosensitive element is exposed to actinic light through a negative transparency. In this case, the latent image in the photosensitive emulsion layers will be a positive and the dye image produced on the image-carrying layer will be a negative.
  • the expression positive image is intended to cover such an image produced on the image-carrying layer.
  • the transfer image formed upon direct exposure of the film unit to a selected subject and processing will be a geometrically reversed image of the subject. Accordingly, to provide transfer image formation geometrically nonreversed, exposure of such film unit should be accomplished through an image reversing optical system such a camera possessing an image reversing optical system.
  • the film unit my also contain one or more subcoats or layers, which, in turn, may contain one or more additives such as plasticizers, intermediate essential layers for the purpose, for example, of improving adhesion, and that any one or more of the described layers may comprise a composite of two or more strata of the same, or different, components and which may be contiguous, or separated from, each other, for example, two or more neutralizing layers or the like, one of which may be disposed intermediate the cyan dye image-forming component retaining layer and the dimensionally stable opaque layer.
  • additives such as plasticizers, intermediate essential layers for the purpose, for example, of improving adhesion
  • any one or more of the described layers may comprise a composite of two or more strata of the same, or different, components and which may be contiguous, or separated from, each other, for example, two or more neutralizing layers or the like, one of which may be disposed intermediate the cyan dye image-forming component retaining layer and the dimensionally stable opaque layer.
  • a photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members and which comprises, in combinatron:
  • a photosensitive element comprising a composite structure containing, as essential layers, in sequence, a first dimensionally stable, liquid impermeable layer opaque to incident actinic radiation; a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a dye imageforming material which is processing composition soluble and diffusible, as a function of exposed incident actinic radiation and development of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer, a layer permeable to processing composition solubilized dye image-forming material comprising a visible light reflecting agent in a concentration insufficient to prevent exposure of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion by actinic radiation incident on the layer; a polymeric layer dyeable by said dye imageproviding material; a second dimensionally stable, liquid impermeable layer transparent to incident actinic radiation; and means securing said layers in substantially fixed relationship; and
  • a rupturable container retaining a processing composition fixedly positioned and extending transverse a leading edge of said photosensitive element to effect unidirectional discharge of said containers processing composition between said dyeable polymeric layer and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer 2.
  • a photographic film unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said container is fixedly positioned extending transverse a leading edge of said photosensitive element to effect unidirectional discharge of said containers processing composition between said layer containing said reflecting agent and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent thereto and said processing composition contains an opacifying agent in a quantity sufficient upon distribution between said layer containing said reflecting agent and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent thereto when taken together with said reflecting agent to prevent exposure of said silver halide emulsion layer in the presence of actinic radiation incident on said dimensionally stable transparent layer and to mask dye image-forming material associated with said silver halide emulsion layer 3.
  • a photographic film unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said reflecting agent is present in
  • a photographic film unit as defined in claim 4 wherein said photosensitive element comprises at least two selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layers each having a dye which is a silver halide developing agent of predetermined color associated therewith, each of said dyes soluble and diffusible in alkaline processing composition as a function of the point-to-point degree of exposure of the respective emulstion associated therewith.
  • each of said selectively sensitized photosensitive silver halide emulsions has predominant spectral sensitivity to separate regions of the spectrum and the dye associated with each of said silver halide emulsion layers possesses a spectral absorption range subsequent to processing substantially complementary to the predominant sensitivity range of its associated emulsion layer.
  • a photographic film unit as defined in claim 17 which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members and which comprises, in combination, a composite structure containing, as essential layers, in sequence, a dimensionally stable, liquid impermeable opaque layer; an alkaline solution permeable polymeric layer containing cyan dye; a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer; an alkaline solution permeable polymeric layer containing magenta dye; a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer; an alkaline solution permeable polymeric layer containing yellow dye; a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, of each said cyan, magenta and yellow dyes being silver halide developing agents and being soluble and diffusible, in an aqueous alkaline solution at a first pH; an alkaline solution permeable polymeric layer containing visible light reflecting material in a concentration insufficient to prevent exposure of said red-, greenand blue-sensitive silver halide emul
  • a rupturable container retaining an aqueous alkaline processing solution possessing said first pH and an opacifying agent in a quantity sufficient when taken together with said reflecting agent to prevent exposure of said red-, greenand blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers in the presence of actinic radiation incident on said dimensionally stable transparent layer and to mask said cyan, magenta and yellow dyes associated with said red-, greenand blue-sensitive sliver halide emulsion layers fixedly positioned and extending transverse a leading edge of said photosensitive element to effect unidirectional discharge of said container's processing solution between said polymeric reflecting agent containing layer and said bluesensitive silver halide emulsion layer upon application of compressive force to said container; and
  • said reflecting agent present in a quantity sufficient to mask distributed opacifying agent.
  • a process for forming transfer images in color which comprises, in combination, the steps of;
  • exposing a photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing the unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members and which includes, in combination, a composite photosensitive structure comprising a first dimensionally stable, liquid impermea ble layer opaque to incident actinic radiation; a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a dye image-forming material which is soluble and diffusible in processing composition as a function of exposure to incident actinic radiation and development of the silver halide emulsion layer; a layer permeable to processing composition solubilized dye image forming material comprising visible light reflecting agent in a concentration insuffieient to prevent exposure of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion by actinic radiation incident on the layer; a polymeric layer dyeable by said dye image-providing material; a second dimensionally stable, liquid impermeable layer transparent to incident actinic radiation; and means securing said layers in substantially fixed relationship; and
  • a rupturable container retaining a processing composition fixedly positioned and extending transverse a leading edge of said photosensitive element to effect unidirectional discharge of said containers processing composition between said dyeable polymeric layer and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer upon application of compressive force to said container;
  • a process as defined in claim 22 wherein said container is fixedly positioned extending transverse a leading edge of said composite photosensitive structure to effect unidirectional discharge of said containers processing composition between said layer containing said reflecting agent and photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent thereto and said processing composition contains an opacifying agent in a quantity sufficient upon distribution between said layer containing said reflecting agent and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer next adjacent thereto taken together with said reflecting agent to prevent exposure of said silver halide emulsion layer in the presence of actinic radiation incident on said dimensionally stable transparent layer and to mask dye image-forming material associated with said silver halide emulsion layer.
  • a process as defined in claim 22 including the step of separating said container from said composite structure subsequent to substantial transfer image formation.
  • exposing a photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passage through a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members and which includes, in combination, a composite structure comprising a first dimensionally stable layer opaque to incident actinic radiation; at least two selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layers, each of said silver halide emulsions having associated therewith a dye, which is a silver halide developing agent, of predetermined color, and is soluble and diffusible, in alkaline processing composition as a function of the point-to-point degree of exposure of the respective silver halide emulsion associated therewith; a layer permeable to processing composition diffusible dye comprising a reflecting agent in a concentration insufficient to prevent exposure of the photosensitive silver halide emul sions by actinic radiation incident on the layer; a polymeric layer dyeable by said dye; a second dimensionally stable layer transparent to incident actinic radiation; and means securing said layers in substantially fixed relationship; rupturable
  • each of said selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layers possess predominant spectral sensitivity to a separate region of the spectrum and the dye associated with.
  • each of said emulsion layers possesses a spectral absorption range subsequent to processing substantially complementary to the predominant sensitivity range of its associated emulsion.
  • said composite structure includes at least one polymeric acid layer positioned intermediate at least one of said dimensionally stable opaque layer and the next adjacent photosensitive silver halide layer, and said dimensionally stable transparent layer and the next 22,. adjacent dyeable polymeric layer and said polymeric acid layers containing sufficient acidifying groups to effect reduction of an alkaline processing solution possessing a first pH at which said dyes are substantially soluble and diffusible to a second pH at which said dyes are substantially nondiffusible and including the step of transferring, by diffusion, subsequent to substantial transfer image fonnation, a sufficient portion of the ions of said alkaline processing solution to said polymeric acid layers to thereby reduce the alkalinity of said solution from said first pH to said second pH.
  • a process of forming transfer images in color as defined in claim 37 which comprises, in combination, the steps of:
  • exposing a photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members and which includes, in combination, a photosensitive element comprising a laminate containing, as essential layers, in sequence, a dimensionally stable alkaline solution impermeable opaque layer; a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith cyan dye; a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith magenta dye; a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith yellow dye; each of said cyan, magenta and yellow dyes being silver halide developing agents and soluble and diffusible in aqueous alkaline solution at a first pH; an alkaline solution permeable layer comprising a visible light reflecting agent in a concentration insufiicient to prevent exposure of the red-, greenand bluesensitive silver halide emulsions by actinic radiation incident on the layer; an alkaline solution permeable transparent
  • a rupturable container retaining an aqueous alkaline processing solution possessing said first pH and an opacifying agent in a quantity sufficient when taken together with said reflecting agent to prevent exposure of said red-, greenand blue-sensitive silver halide emulsions in the presence of actinic radiation incident on said dimensionally stable transparent layer and to mask said cyan, magenta and yellow dyes associated with said red-, greenand blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers fixedly positioned and extending transverse a leading edge of said photosensitive element to effect unidirectional discharge of said containers processing solution between said reflecting agent containing layer and said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer upon application of compressive force to said container; and
  • said exposure effected by actinic radiation incident on said dimensionally stable transparent layer and said reflecting agent present in a quantity sufficient to mask said distributed opacifying agent;
  • a process as defined in claim 38 including the step of separating said container from said laminate subsequent to substantial image formation.

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  • Materials For Photolithography (AREA)
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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3751254A (en) * 1971-02-01 1973-08-07 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film unit
US3775127A (en) * 1971-02-01 1973-11-27 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film unit
US3993486A (en) * 1973-06-04 1976-11-23 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Diffusion transfer color photographic flim unit with composite of image-receiving element with light intercepting element
US4179538A (en) * 1976-09-10 1979-12-18 Eastman Kodak Company Process of eliminating cracking in the coating of TiO2 layers
US5342730A (en) * 1992-09-28 1994-08-30 Eastman Kodak Company Dye releasing couplers for color diffusion transfer elements with dye barrier layers

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1220474A (en) * 1967-03-10 1971-01-27 Polaroid Corp Photographic colour transfer materials and process

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3751254A (en) * 1971-02-01 1973-08-07 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film unit
US3775127A (en) * 1971-02-01 1973-11-27 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film unit
US3993486A (en) * 1973-06-04 1976-11-23 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Diffusion transfer color photographic flim unit with composite of image-receiving element with light intercepting element
US4179538A (en) * 1976-09-10 1979-12-18 Eastman Kodak Company Process of eliminating cracking in the coating of TiO2 layers
US5342730A (en) * 1992-09-28 1994-08-30 Eastman Kodak Company Dye releasing couplers for color diffusion transfer elements with dye barrier layers

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NL7011375A (fr) 1971-02-02
BE754194R (fr) 1971-02-01
GB1326034A (en) 1973-08-08
JPS4913575B1 (fr) 1974-04-01
DE2038260C3 (de) 1974-03-14
DE2038260A1 (de) 1971-02-18
NL173565B (nl) 1983-09-01
GB1326035A (en) 1973-08-08
IT940247B (it) 1973-02-10
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DE2064884A1 (de) 1971-11-11
JPS4911938B1 (fr) 1974-03-20

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