Thermal imaging process providing color versatility

(19)

(11)

EP 1 092 554 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	23.04.2003 Bulletin 2003/17

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	18.04.2001 Bulletin 2001/16

(21)	Application number: 00309066.9

(22)	Date of filing: 16.10.2000

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: B41M 5/34, B41M 5/38, B41M 7/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

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Priority:

15.10.1999 US 159880 P

(71)	Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
	Wilmington Delaware 19898 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Blanchet-Fincher, Graciela Beatriz Greenville, Delaware 19807 (US) Moore, Michael F. Wilmington, Delaware 19808 (US)

(74)	Representative: Towler, Philip Dean
	Frank B. Dehn & Co., European Patent Attorneys, 179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)

(54)	Thermal imaging process providing color versatility

(57) A processes for laser thermal imaging and imaged laserable assemblages A method for forming an image comprising the steps of:

(1) forming a first coating solution of a first colorant and a second coating solution of a second colorant;
(2) providing a first base element having a first coatable surface;
(3) forming a first imageable element by applying an amount of the first coating solution to the coatable surface to form a first thermally imageable layer thereon, the first thermally imageable layer having a first thermal sensitivity;
(4) forming a first laserable assemblage including the first imageable element and a receiver element having an image receiving layer which is in contact with the first imageable element;
(5) first imagewise exposing to laser radiation the first laserable assemblage, whereby the exposed areas of the first thermally imageable layer are transferred to the receiver element to form a first imaged receiver element;
(6) providing a second base element having a second coatable surface;
(7) forming a second imageable element by applying an amount of the second coating solution to the coatable surface to form a second thermally imageable layer thereon, the second thermally imageable layer having a second thermal sensitivity;
(8) forming a second laserable assemblage including the second imageable element and the first imaged receiver element, the first image of which is adjacent to the second imageable element;
(9) imagewise exposing to laser radiation, at substantially the same laser fluence as the first imagewise exposing, the second laserable assemblage, whereby the exposed areas of the second thermally imageable layer are transferred to the first imaged receiver element to form a second imaged receiver; and
(10) separating at least the second imageable element from the second imaged receiver to produce an imaged receiver having a revealed image.

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