Napp Systems (usa), Inc.

Advanced Imaging Systems, Inc.

Eugene L Langlais

Robert W Hallman

Dominic B Rubic

Patrick G Warner

Ronald G Bohannon

An image-forming composite image member and subtractive photo process employing that composite, in which composite, a spectrally reflective light-blocking layer, a secondary thin optically functional layer and a subtractive photosensitive layer are carried on a base in an association, in which the reflective layer and the secondary layer cooperate after imagewise exposure and development to define an image member in which the secondary layer and reflector layer may provide a guide to orientation of the composite and may provide a unique polarity-reversing ability to display both a negative and a positive image. In a preferred form, the reflective and secondary layers provide superior uniform light-blocking with a minimum combined thickness, and also cooperate in the photo process during the development to insure rapid and complete clearing of areas with at most minimal mechanical action under portions of the photosensitive layer which are soluble after imagewise exposure and have been removed in development.

Image-forming composite with film

Bilayer photosensitive imaging articles comprising a substrate coated with an image layer and a resist layer are disclosed. The substrate may be transparent, translucent or opaque to give imaging articles useful in different applications. The image layer which should be from about 0.3-3.0 microns in thickness includes an organic film-forming vehicle from the group of copolymers of the formula: ##STR1## where P is styrene, ethylene or methyl vinyl ether; m is 1-3; n is 1,10; X is OH, OHN.sub.2, ONH.sub.4, OR, ONH.sub.3 R, ONH.sub.2 R.sub.2, ONHR.sub.3, ONH.sub.3 RNH.sub.2, ONa, OK, OLi; R is an alkyl group in the range C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 optionally including a functional group such as ketone, alcohol, esther, ether alcohol or aryl; m=1-3, n=1-10; and the molecular weight is between 1,000-150,000. The image layer may also include a coloring medium. The resist layer, which should be from about 0.5 to about 2.0 microns in thickness, comprises a material which, upon exposure to actinic radiation, changes solubility with respect to a developer in which the imager layer is also soluble. The resist layer may be negative-working or positive working. In an important embodiment of the invention, the chemical composition and physical parameters of imaging articles particularly suited to the production of half-tone images capable of subsequent etching are disclosed. These imaging articles exhibit unexpectedly excellent exposure and development latitude accompanied by outstanding etchability.

Bilayer photosensitive imaging article

A desensitizing solution and process for using the solution are disclosed to desensitize a diazo photosensitive printing plate after development. The solution comprises a water soluble desensitizing agent capable of reacting with any residual photosensitive diazo on the developed plate to render the diazo incapable of forming an oleophilic substance and a filming agent selected from water soluble aliphatic polyols have less than eight carbon units, the acid derived monoesters of these polyols, and the alkali metal salts of the monoesters.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Eugene L Langlais