Electrostatic method for multicolor imaging from a single toner bath comprising double-encapsulated toner particles

Abstract

An electrostatic method is disclosed for providing multicolor imaging from a single toner bath. The toner bath is a blend of individual toners, each of which contains a color precursor different from the others. Also disclosed is a method for the double encapsulation of toner particles to produce toner particles characterized by multiple encapsulation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electrostatic imaging systems and, more particularly, to a method for Providing multicolor imaging from a single toner medium using microencapsulated toner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional multicolor electrostatic imaging systems utilize a separate toner bath to develop each desired color. This use of separate toner baths is relatively expensive from the standpoint of equipment complexity, cost, maintenance, and processing time expended. It also requires multiple mechanical registrations to produce the multicolor image--a requirement fraught with the potential for error.

As an alternative to the use of toners and electrostatic imaging, a recent development in the industry utilizes an imaging sheet of paper completely coated on one side with microencapsulated color precursors. A portion of the microcapsules on the sheet is selectively hardened by exposure to light. The microcapsules having the desired color precursor in the image areas have liquid cores which remain unhardened. These unhardened microcapsules are then ruptured to release liquid color precursor. The thus-released color precursor is contacted with a color developer to provide the color image, generally by transfer to a developer sheet via pressure contact of the imaging sheet with the developer sheet. Alternately, the color precursor-containing capsules are coated directly on a layer of developer material, which itself had previously been coated on a paper support.

By way of illustration, such a transfer imaging system containing microencapsulated color precursors is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,235, assigned to Mead Corporation. In a variation of this type of system, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,809, assigned to Mitsubishi Paper Company, discloses a recording sheet containing two different types of photo- and pressure-sensitive microcapsules--one set containing color precursors and the other set containing color developer. Upon rupture of unhardened microcapsules on the recording sheet after selective exposure of the recording sheet to light in imagewise registration with an image to be copied, a color image is formed on the recording sheet.

The color imaging systems illustrated by the above-cited patents possess a common disadvantage. Both systems utilize an imaging or developer sheet containing microcapsules across a full surface of the sheet. Since in many color imaging applications the desired color image rarely occupies the full sheet, and, indeed, often occupies less than half of the full sheet, there is a significant amount of waste attributable to the unused microcapsules and associated color precursor or developer contained on the non-imaged areas of the sheet. In addition, there is a substantial time and energy waste attributable to the need for photohardening the "unused" waste microcapsules using, for example, a scanning laser.

In view of the above, new systems for multicolor imaging utilizing microcapsules which do not result in such substantial waste of microcapsules and the associated colorant materials, plus wasted time and energy due to the need for photohardening of the waste microcapsules, would be highly desired by the color imaging community.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a color imaging method which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming a latent image on a photoreceptor substrate, in any of a variety of known manners, for example by depositing a charge on a photoconductor and imagewise discharging, or imagewise depositing a charge on a dielectric material, (b) electrostatically depositing a blended toner composition onto a charged or uncharged surface of said substrate to form a toned image which is a positive or reverse image as compared to said latent image, said blended toner composition comprising at least two different toners, each of said toners comprising a different color precursor contained in photo-sensitive double-encapsulated toner particles, (c) selectively photohardening or photosoftening at least a portion of said toner particles by imagewise exposure to appropriate wavelengths of radiation to provide harder toner particles and softer, rupturable toner particles, (d) transferring said harder toner particles and said rupturable toner particles to a copy surface, (e) rupturing at least a portion of said rupturable toner particles on said copy surface to release color precursor(s) from said rupturable toner particles, and (f) contacting said released color precursor(s) on said copy surface with a developer to form a color image on said copy surface, said double-encapsulated toner particles being fabricated by carrying out the steps of: (1) forming a first, inner microcapsule by encapsulating a solution of color precursor in a spreading oil; (2) encapsulating said first, inner microcapsule in a second, outer microcapsule and enclosing at least a radiation-sensitive composition in an annular region between an outside wall of said inner microcapsule and an inside wall of said outer microcapsule.

In another aspect, step (d) of the above method is effected before carrying out step (c). Carrying out step (e) before step (d) is also within the scope of this invention, as are other orders for the steps.

These and other aspects will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, it has now been surprisingly found that multicolor images can be formed using a single toner medium, and that double encapsulation is a particularly suitable form of encapsulation. The toner medium is a blend of 2, 3, 4, or more types of color-forming toner particles that are also photo-sensitive. The relative simplicity and economy of this technique is expected by the present inventors to make it of significant benefit to the color imaging systems community. Key advantages of this invention include the ability to: (a) utilize a single toner bath for multicolor imaging (b) selectively limit the use of toner on the imaging or developer sheet to areas on the sheet where an image is desired, and (c) avoid the need for multiple mechanical registrations for multicolor imaging.

The toner composition useful in the method of the present invention is a toner blend. This blend contains at least two different types of toner particles in order to provide at least two (preferably at least three or four) different color precursors. As used herein, the term "toner particle" is intended to designate any of a variety of particle forms which can be used to contain or carry and isolate color precursors. Typical examples of particle forms are microcapsules, microsponges, softenable solid particles, and emulsion micelles. A "toner blend" or "blended toner" designates a mixture of different color-forming toner particles or toners which enables multicolor imaging using a single toner blend. If full-color imaging capability is desired, three or four (cyan, yellow, magenta, and optionally black) color precursors are typically utilized, each toner particle preferably containing one color precursor. Other color precursors (e.g., red, green, or blue) can be used as desired. Either a liquid or a dry toner blend can be used.

The method of the present invention provides the above-described advantageous result using a multi-step method of color imaging. In the first two steps, a latent image and then an uncolored, toned image are formed in typical electrostatic fashion on a support, typically a drum, web, or sheet. In the subsequent steps, the desired color is developed by taking advantage of the photosensitivity differences of the toner particles containing the individual color precursors. These photosensitivity differences are suitably produced by using a different photoinitiator for each separate color precursor employed in the toner blend.

In a typical electrostatic method, the latent image is formed by known means. First, a blanket positive or negative charge is typically applied to a surface photoreceptor substrate, suitably a photoconductive drum, web, or sheet, by means of a corona. Portions of the surface of the photoreceptor are then selectively discharged. This selective discharge is suitably effected using light (desirably using a laser light source). The surface of the selectively-discharged photoconductor contains a latent image on either the charged portions of the surface (for positive development) or on the uncharged portions of the surface (for reversal development). (An alternate method for forming the latent image typically uses an ion-generating cartridge or a charging head ("stylus") to deposit charges on a dielectric substrate, as is well-known in the art.) Once the latent image has been formed on the photoreceptor, a toner blend having a charge characteristic either opposite from (for positive development) or the same as (for reversal development) the charge on the selectively-discharged photoreceptor is then applied onto the surface of the photoreceptor. Typically, the toner blend is applied to the photoconductive surface from a liquid toner bath, or in the case of a dry toner by means of a magnetic brush. A variety of development methods is usable and known to practioners of the art. The photo-sensitive toned image on the photoreceptor is then selectively hardened (i.e., photopolymerized) (or in some embodiments softened, i.e., photodepolymerized) by exposure to radiation of a specified wavelength. This photopolymerization or photodepolymerization is carried out to cause only toner particles containing desired color precursors to be rupturable for releasing color precursors. For example, if a yellow image is desired, the toned image will be exposed to wavelengths of light which will cause the toner particles containing the cyan, magenta, and black color precursors to be hardened. Likewise if a green image is desired, the toned image will be exposed to wavelengths of light which cause the toner particles containing the magenta and black color precursors to selectively harden. All known colors can be likewise caused to form by exposure of toner particles to the appropriate wavelengths of light and then completing the imaging process. Additionally, the deliberate creation of partially hardened toner particles will give rise to intensity variations of the color produced.

The toned image, composed of both hardened (or harder) and rupturable (or softer) toner particles, is then transferred to a copy sheet by known procedures. For example, this transfer is suitably effected by passing the substrate to be printed, such as a copy sheet of paper or a transparent film, between the photoreceptor and a transfer corona, thereby causing the toner particles to transfer from the photoreceptor to the copy sheet.

Once on the copy sheet, the rupturable toner particles of those making up the toned image are ruptured, typically by radiation, heat, pressure or a combination of these procedures (preferably by pressure) to release the desired color precursors. These desired color precursors are then developed by contact with a developer.

The color precursors useful in the present invention are preferably oil soluble color formers which will produce a color upon reaction with a developer material in the presence of a carrier oil. Substantially any of the precursors conventionally used in carbonless paper can be used in the present invention. In general, these materials are colorless electron-donating type compounds. Representative examples of such color formers include substantially colorless compounds having in their partial skeleton a lactone, a lactam, a sultone, a spiropyran, an ester or an amido structure. Specifically, there are triaryl-methane compounds, bisphenylmethane compounds, xanthene compounds, thiazine compounds, spiropyran compounds and the like. Mixtures of the respective color precursors can be used if desired.

Some representative leuco dye color precursors which give yellow, cyan, and magenta images are shown below.

The color precursors used in the present invention must be non-absorbing with respect to the exposure radiations relied upon to cure the photosensitive encapsulate since the color precursors are either present in the encapsulate or the exposure radiation must pass through the color precursor to expose the encapsulate. Hence, colorless electron-donating type compounds are preferred for use in the present invention. Of course, a completely colorless color precursor is difficult to obtain and a small degree of coloration may be tolerated in the color precursor as long as it does not interfere with exposure.

Developer materials useful in the present invention include those conventionally employed in carbonless paper technology and are well known. Illustrative specific examples are clay minerals such as acid clay, active clay, attapulgite, etc.; organic acids such as tannic acid, gallic acid, propyl gallate, etc.; acid polymers such as phenol-formaldehyde resins, phenol actylene condensation resins, condensates between an organic carboxylic acid having at least one hydroxy group and formaldehyde, etc.; metal salts of aromatic carboxylic acids such as zinc salicylate, tin salicylate, zinc 2-hydroxy naphthoate, zinc 3,5 di-tert butyl salicylate; oil-soluble metal salts of Phenol-formaldehyde novolak resins (e.g., see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,672,935; 3,732,120; and 3,737,410) such as zinc-modified oil soluble phenol-formaldehyde resin and mixtures thereof.

The location of the developer is not narrowly critical and can vary over a wide range as long as the developer is separate from the color precursor until release of the color precursor. For example, the developer can be maintained on a separate developer sheet, or otherwise external to the toner particles. Alternately, the developer can be contained inside the toner particles in separate minimicrocapsules to maintain separation from the color precursor. In yet another alternative, the developer material may be coated on individual toner particles, giving rise to self-developing particles. In still another alternative, the developer may be located in an annular region of a doubly encapsulated toner particle.

The toner particles, comprising what is referred to herein as "a toner blend" or "blended toner", in one preferred embodiment typically have a shell and a core. The core preferably contains the color precursor and the photosensitive composition. The shell is generally positively or negatively charged and can be made of various materials known in the art. Typical shell materials include, for example, melamine resins, urethanes, or urea-formaldehyde. The average size of the particles is generally between about 0.1 and about 100 microns, preferably between 0.5 and 20 microns. For liquid toners, an average toner particle size is suitably between about 0.1 and about 10 microns whereas a particularly suitable particle size for dry toners is between about 1 and about 20 microns.

Typically, the core of the toner particles contains photohardenable, photosensitive composition(s). The viscosity of the core of the toner particles is increased substantially upon exposure to the appropriate wavelengths of radiation through mechanisms such as crosslinking or polymerization. When the toner particles are ruptured, the photosensitive composition which polymerized upon exposure to radiation will flow very little, if at all, while the unexposed or weakly exposed photosensitive composition can flow relatively freely. As a direct result, the chromogenic material (i.e., the color precursor) reacts with the developer according to the inverse of the degree of exposure to the appropriate wavelength of radiation to form the desired color in the desired image area.

In another preferred embodiment the microcapsular toner particle may itself comprise an inner capsule, comprising a shell and a core, and an outer capsule, comprising a shell and a core. In cases where there is incompatibility between certain components of the toner particle core, the components may be isolated in "compartments" within the same particle such that the separated contents do not interact until the toner particles are crushed during pressure development. For example, color-formers such as Copikem(R) XX and CoPikem Blue LS are known under certain circumstances to act as quenchers for photoinitiation of polymerization within microcapsular toner particles. A capsule-within-a-capsule morphology of the toner particles, whereby the smaller, inner capsule contains a solution of at least color-former dissolved in a spreading aid and the outer, larger capsule contains at least an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a photoinitiator, effectively isolates the photochemically active part of the particle from the color-developing part. A similar case where this morphology is useful is when an additive designed to facilitate photoinitiation (e.g., thiobenzoxazole) is sufficiently acidic to cause premature, unwanted development of the colorless leuco-dye. As before, the photochemical system and its attendant additives may be isolated from the color-forming compounds.

Materials useful for the capsule walls of these capsule-within-a-capsule toner particles are the same as those detailed above. Although the morphology of these toner particles may not always be as ideally visualized with one inner capsule contained within an outer capsule, the microcapsular toner particles are expected to perform as envisioned. For example, in another embodiment within the scope of the present invention, one or several inner capsules are contained within one larger, outer capsule.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the microcapsular toner particles may be prepared by an unconventional encapsulation method, for example a process that proceeds by gelation (via inonic crosslinks) of alginates or similar polymers. In such a process, the material to be encapsulated is emulsified in water, the emulsion is contacted with an aqueous solution of an alginate and finally the combined mixture is contacted, in the form of fine droplets, with an aqueous solution of a salt of a polyvalent cation (such as Cacl.sub.2).

As an alternative to the use of a photohardening photosensitive composition, the photosensitive composition can be a high-viscosity composition which undergoes a substantial decrease in viscosity upon exposure to actinic radiation of the appropriate wavelength. In that case, the chromogenic material located in or on the exposed toner particles, is therefore made accessible to the developer upon rupture of the particles.

The photosensitive composition includes a material which undergoes a change in viscosity upon exposure to light, either alone or in conjunction with a photoinitiator. The photosensitive composition may be photohardenable, such as a monomer, dimer, or oligomer which is polymerized to a higher-molecular-weight compound or it may be a polymer which is polymerized further, e.g., by crosslinking. Alternatively, it may be a composition which is depolymerized or otherwise made less viscous upon exposure to light. Suitable radiation-curable materials include materials curable by free radical-initiated, chain-propagated, addition polymerization or ionic polymerization.

Representative photosensitive compositions are ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds. These compounds contain at least one ethylenic group per molecule. Typically they are liquid at room temperature and can also double as a carrier oil for the chromogenic material in the toner core. A preferred group of radiation-curable materials is ethylenically unsaturated compounds having two or more ethylenic groups per molecule. Representative examples of these compounds include ethylenically unsaturated acid esters of polyhydric alcohols such as trimethylol propane triacrylate or trimethacrylate, acrylate prepolymers derived from the partial reaction of pentaerythritol with acrylic or methacrylic acid or acrylic or methacrylic acid esters; isocyanate modified acrylate, methacrylic and itaconic acid esters of polyhydric alcohols, etc.

Some typical examples of photosoftenable materials useful in other embodiments are photolysable compounds such as certain diazonium compounds, poly(3-oximino-2-butanone methacrylate) which undergoes main chain scission upon UV exposure, poly(4'-alkyl acylo-phenones), and certain resins having a quinone diazide residue.

Photoinitiators are optionally used in accordance with the method of the present invention to selectively photoharden or photosoften the toner particles as desired. The photoinitiator is typically responsive to a specific wavelength and/or amount of actinic radiation. These, alone or in conjunction with a sensitizer, are compounds which absorb the exposure radiation and generate a free radical with or without the aid of co-initiator. If a system which relies upon ionic polymerization is used, the photoinitiator may be the anion- or cation-generating type, depending on the nature of the polymerization. Suitable photoinitiators include alkoxy phenyl ketones, Michler's ketone, acylated oximinoketones, polycyclic quinones, benzophenones, substituted benzophenones, xanthones, thioxanthones, halogenated compounds such as chlorosulfonyl and chloromethyl polynuclear aromatic compounds, chlorosulfonyl and chloromethyl heterocyclic compounds, chlorosulfonyl and chloromethyl benzophenones and fluorenones, haloalkanes, halo-phenylacetophenones; photoreducible dye/reducing agent redox couples, photooxidizable dye/oxidizing agent redox couples, halogenated paraffins (e.g., brominated or chlorinated paraffin) and benzoin alkyl ethers.

If used, the amount of photoinitiator employed in the photosensitive composition to initiate polymerization (i.e., photoharden) or depolymerization (i.e., photosoften) of the photosensitive composition in the toner particles will depend upon the particular photosensitive composition selected, the particular photoinitiator selected, and the photohardening or photosoftening speed desired. The photoinitiator is preferably employed in an amount of between about 0.1 and about 30 (preferably between about 1 and about 10) weight percent based upon the total weight of the toner particles.

Other additives can be employed in the toner particles such as carrier oils, e.g., deodorized kerosene or alkylated biphenyls. Curing agents can also be used. These are free-radical generators such as thermal initiators, which upon reacting with the photosensitive composition cause it to polymerize or crosslink. After selectively exposing the composition to actinic radiation, and rupturing the particles in the presence of a developer material, the chromogenic material and the developer react to produce color in the form of an image, the curing agent then reacts with the released photosensitive composition and hardens it, thereby preventing image diffusion or degradation. In the case of certain curing agents, it may be desirable to heat the image to accelerate the cure. A curing agent is preferably selected which is relatively inactive at room temperature (for good shelf life) and which is readily activated by heating to temperatures in excess of room temperature.

A particularly useful class of thermal initiators reactive with ethylenically unsaturated compounds are organic peroxides. Suitable peroxides include diacyl peroxides, ketone peroxides, peroxydi-carbonates, alkyl peroxides, allyl hydroperoxides and sulfonyl peroxides. Also useful as thermal initiators are bisazides, perborates and diazo compounds.

The method of the present invention is expected to have commercial application in making full-color prints, transparencies and slides, as well as full-color computer-generated images and full-color xerographic copies.

The above-mentioned patents are specifically incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The following examples are intended to illustrate, but in no way limit the scope of, the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Proposed Example for Preparation of Magenta-color-forming, Photoactive Color Toner Particles by Double Encapsulation

(A) Inner capsule preparation: 6.4 g of polyvinyl alcohol is dissolved in 144 g of 80.degree. C. water with stirring. The clear solution is cooled to room temperature, and 4-6 drops of octanol (used here as a defoamer) is added. A second solution (the inner core solution) is prepared separately in 17 g of hexanediol diacrylate from the following:

7.5 mL Mondur MR (a product of Mobay)

3.8 g Copikem(R) XX (a product of Hilton-Davis)

17 g toluene

The mixture is heated gently until homogeneous. The aqueous and organic solutions are added to a Waring blendor controlled by a Variac, and emulsified at a Variac setting of 90 V for one minute. The Variac setting is lowered to 40 V and to the emulsion is added next 2.5 mL ethylene diamine dissolved in 7.5 mL of water. Stirring is continued at 50.degree. C. for 2 hours. The resulting spherical (inner) microcapsules are collected by spray-drying, using an inlet temperature of less than 170.degree. C., after dilution of the emulsion 1:1 with water and addition of 0.2 g silica as a drying aid. The product is collected as a pink, free-flowing powder.

(B) Outer capsule preparation by spray-encapsulation: A solution of 20 g Capsul (R) (a product of National Starch and Chemical) in 60 g water is prepared. A second solution (core solution for the outer capsule) is prepared from the following:

0.022 g rose bengal bis(dioctylammonium salt)

0.073 g dimedone

4.0 g hexanediol diacrylate

1.0 g of inner capsules prepared as in part (A) above.

The aqueous and organic solutions are emulsified for one minute in a Waring blendor controlled by a Variac at a setting of 90 V. The resulting emulsion is then spray-dried at an inlet temperature below 170.degree. C. to yield a pink powder. Crushing of this powder against an acidic receiver sheet gives magenta-colored regions where crushing occurs. The product particles are also able to be incorporated into a toner or toner blend for electrostatic, multicolor imaging. The particles are hardened by exposure to radiation in the range of 500 to 600 nm.

EXAMPLE 2

Proposed Example for Preparation of Blue-color-forming, Photoactive Color Toner Particles by Double Encapsulation

(A) Inner capsule preparation: 6.4 g of polyvinyl alcohol is dissolved in 144 g of 80.degree. C. water with stirring. The clear solution is cooled to room temperature, and 4-6 drops of octanol (used here as a defoamer) is added. A second solution (the inner core solution) is prepared separately in 17 g of hexanediol diacrylate from the following:

7.5 mL Mondur MR (a product of Mobay)

3.8 g Copikem(R) IX (a product of Hilton-Davis)

17 g toluene

The mixture is heated gently until homogeneous. The aqueous and organic solutions are added to a Waring blendor controlled by a Variac, and emulsified at a Variac setting of 90 V for one minute. The Variac setting is lowered to 40 V and to the emulsion is added next 2.5 mL ethylene diamine dissolved in 7.5 mL of water. Stirring is continued at 50.degree. C. for 2 hours. The resulting spherical (inner) microcapsules are collected by spray-drying, using an inlet temperature of less than 170.degree. C., after dilution of the emulsion 1:1 with water and addition of 0.2 g silica as a drying aid. The product is collected as a light blue, free-flowing powder.

(B) Outer capsule preparation by spray-encapsulation: A solution of 20 g Capsul (R) (a product of National Starch and Chemical) in 60 g water is prepared. A second solution (core solution for the outer capsule) is prepared from the following:

0.27 g Michler's ketone

4.0 g hexanediol diacrylate

1.0 g of inner capsules prepared as in part (A) above.

The aqueous and organic solutions are emulsified for one minute in a Waring blendor controlled by a Variac at a setting of 90 V. The resulting emulsion is then spray-dried at an inlet temperature below 170.degree. C. to yield a light blue powder. Crushing of this powder against an acidic receiver sheet gives blue-colored regions where crushing occurs. The product particles are also able to be incorporated into a toner or toner blend for electrostatic, multicolor imaging. The particles are hardened by exposure to radiation between 300 and 400 nm.

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of the Toner Blend and Electrostatic Photoselective Formation of a Multicolored Image

A liquid blended toner was prepared by combining 2.0 g of the dry, blue-color-forming toner powder prepared as in Example 2, 2.0 g of the dry, magenta-color-forming toner powder prepared as in Example 1, and 196 g of a liquid hydrocarbon having a low dielectric contant, ISOPAR G.sup.(R) (a product of Exxon Chemical Company). This mixture was first stirred in a beaker and then transferred to a jar and shaken.

A charged latent image was formed on a sheet of dielectric paper (a product of Versatec Inc.) by means of a steel piece, 11/2 inches wide by 3 inches long, which was connected to a DC power supply set at 750 volts. The paper was laid on a flat aluminum ground plate and the steel piece, which was connected to the positive lead from the power supply, was held in contact with the paper surface for 60 seconds with the power on. The paper was then dipped into the liquid blended toner. Upon removal of the paper, a non-colored toned image was visible which exactly corresponded in area and location to the place of contact by the charged, steel piece. The toned image on the sheet was allowed to dry at room temperature.

Color-imagewise exposure of the non-colored, toned image was carried out in the following manner (see TABLE I below). The area upon which the toner had been deposited was covered by a contact mask (Mask A) which was subdivided into four areas with Areas 1 and 4 being opaque and Areas 2 and 3 being transparent. The mask was then covered with a glass, band-pass filter (Filter A) (Model No. 51800, a product of Oriel Corporation) which only passed light having wavelengths between 225 and 400 nm (UV). The toned image area was then irradiated through Filter A and Mask A with a mercury lamp. Thus, Areas 2 and 3 were exposed to light of 225-400 nm and Areas 1 and 4 were not. Filter A and Mask A were then removed and the toned image area was then covered by a mask (Mask B). Mask B had four areas corresponding to Areas 1-4 of Mask A except that in Mask B, Areas 1 and 3 were opaque and Areas 2 and 4 were transparent. This mask was then covered with a glass, long-pass filter (Filter B) (Model No. 51482, a product of Oriel Corporation) which only passed light with wave lengths greater than 420 nm. The toned image area was then irradiated through Filter B and Mask B with the same mercury lamp as before. Thus, Areas 2 and 4 were exposed to light of wavelengths greater than 420 nm and Areas 1 and 3 were not. Filter B and Mask B were then removed.

In the areas exposed to the UV light (225-400 nm through Filter A), the blue-color-forming toner particles were hardened because they contained a photoinitiator sensitive to the UV light. In the areas exposed to the light of wavelength greater than 420 nm, the magenta-color-forming toner particles were hardened because they contained a photoinitiator sensitive to blue light.

The toned image area was then placed in contact with a developer sheet (20 #, white, NCR paper (.TM.) supplied by Appleton Papers, Inc.) and pressure was then applied to rupture the toner particles that had not been hardened. This resulted in an image that had purple (subtractive combination of blue and magenta), white, magenta, and blue areas. The purple color was produced in Area 1, which was not irradiated in either exposure. Thus, neither type of toner particle was hardened. The white region was produced in Area 2 which was irradiated by both exposures, thus hardening both types of toner particles. The magenta color was produced in Area 3, which was irradiated during only the first exposure, thus causing only the blue-color-forming toner particles to be hardened. The blue color was produced in Area 4, which was irradiated during only the second exposure, thus causing only the magenta-color-forming toner particles to be hardened.

The results in terms of the color produced for each of the various areas of the image are summarized in TABLE I below:

TABLE I______________________________________ First Second Exposure Exposure Color- Color Mask Filter A Mask Filter B Former Pro-Area A nm B nm Hardened duced______________________________________1 opaque -- opaque -- none purple2 trans- 300-400 trans- 420 both white parent parent3 trans- 300-400 opaque -- blue ma- parent genta4 opaque -- trans- 420 magenta blue parent______________________________________

Note that the resulting colors included purple, magenta, and blue, as well as a portion of the image having the white coloration of the paper.

EXAMPLE 4

Proposed Example for Multicolor Imaging Using a Toner Blend containing Microencapsulated Precursors for Three Different Colors

In an analogous manner as described above, multicolor images are formed using a single toner bath comprised of a mixture of three different encapsulated toners, each containing either a cyan, magenta or yellow dye precursor. All three toners are co-deposited from a toner blend during the electrostatic imaging. Each color-producing toner in the blend contains a specific photoinitiator (or photoinitiator-sensitizer system) sensitive to a given wavelength distinct from the other (generally two or more) photoinitiator(s) contained in the other color toner particles in the blend. Three or more different lasers, each with a wavelength corresponding to that causing reaction of one of the photoinitiators are then used to selectively harden toner particles within the toned image. The toned and exposed image is then developed as described in the preceding examples to provide a multicolor image. Thus, for example, in a given region laser irradiation producing photohardening of the cyan-producing toner particles only would yield the color red in the final image by the release of yellow and magenta, while yellow would be produced by a region in which both the cyan-producing toner particles and the magenta-producing toner particles were hardened by the appropriate laser exposures. A lamp and filters could also be used in place of the lasers if desired. Imaging could also occur by transmitted or reflected light. A toner producing black could also be included in the toner blend and utilized in the same manner if desired.

EXAMPLE 5

Proposed Example for Preparation of Photoactive, Microcapsular Toner Particles by Alginate Gelation with Polyvalent Cations

A core solution is prepared consisting of:

0.022 g rose bengal bis(dioctylammonium salt)

0.073 g dimedone

4.0 g hexanediol diacrylate

0.25 g Copikem XX

This organic solution is added to an aqueous solution of hydrolyzed 1:1 ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymer (1.0 g in 20 mL of water), and the mixture is emulsified in a variac-controlled Waring blendor at a variac setting of 90 V for one minute. The variac setting is lowered to 40 V, and to this emulsion is added a 2% aqueous solution of Keltone alginate (a product of Kelco Division of Merck, San Diego, Calif.). Using a peristaltic pump to force the emulsion through the atomizer nozzle of a Buchi labscale spray-dryer and 30 psi nitrogen to Provide atomizing force, atomized emulsion is contacted with a rapidly stirred solution of 1.3% CaCl.sub.2 Rapid gelation of the surface of the emulsion droplets occurs on contact with the CaCl.sub.2 solution, forming a shell of calcium-crosslinked alginate around a core of liquid photosensitive, color-forming composition. Pressure-rupture of the microcapsules thus formed against an acidic receiver sheet yields colored regions where particles are deposited. Exposure of the thus-deposited toner particles to light between 500 nm and 600 nm hardens the cores of the particles via photopolymerization so that they give no color on crushing.

EXAMPLE 6

Preparation and Testing of Dry, Photoactive, Microcapsular Toner Particles

A dry toner powder was prepared consisting of a mixture of microcapsules containing yellow or cyan dye precursor. The yellow-producing particles contained CAMPHORQUINONE/NUVOPOL(.RTM.) (a product of Aceto Chemical) and the cyan-producing particles contained Michler's ketone as the photoswitch. The dry toner powder was prepared by mixing aqueous suspensions containing an equal amount of cyan-producing particles and yellow-producing particles. To the resulting mixture was added 0.1% of ZELEC UN, a product of DuPont. The mixture was then spray-dried to form a free-flowing toner Powder.

A latent image was created on a film substrate using a VERSATEC(.RTM.) (a product of VERSATEC, INC.) printer/plotter. The imaged film was then placed into a beaker, and the toner powder was cascaded over the film to develop the image. Some sections of the latent image were developed during removal of excess powder by means of an air stream directed at the film.

Another section of the developed image was exposed to filtered light (100 W LAMP) to selectively harden the yellow-producing particles in order to produce a cyan-colored image. The exposure time was 77 seconds. The color-developed sheet, after pressure rupture of unhardened particles, showed that the masked area remained green, and the area exposed to the filtered light was cyan, thus indicating a hardening of the yellow-producing particles.

Claims

1. A color imaging method which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming a latent image on a photoconductive or dielectric substrate,

(b) electrostatically depositing a blended toner composition onto a charged or uncharged surface of said substrate to form a toned image which is a positive or reverse image as compared to said latent image, said blended toner composition comprising at least two different toners, each of said toners comprising a color precursor contained in photo-sensitive double-encapsulated toner particles,

(c) selectively photohardening or photosoftening at least a portion of said toner particles by imagewise exposure to appropriate wavelengths of radiation to provide harder toner particles and softer, rupturable toner particles,

(d) transferring said harder toner particles and said rupturable toner particles to a copy surface,

(e) rupturing at least a portion of said toner particles on said copy surface to release color precursor(s) from said rupturable toner particles, and

(f) contacting said released color precursor(s) on said copy surface with a developer to form a color image on said copy surface,

said double-encapsulated toner particles being fabricated by carrying out the steps of:

(1) forming a first, inner microcapsule by encapsulating a solution of color precursor in a spreading oil; (2) encapsulating said first, inner microcapsule in a second, outer microcapsule and enclosing at least a radiation-sensitive composition in an annular region between an outside wall of said inner microcapsule and an inside wall of said outer microcapsule.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said blended toner composition comprises at least three types of toner particles, each of said types containing a different color precursor, and each of said types additionally containing a radiation-sensitive composition.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein each of said types of toner particles contains a different color precursor selected from the group consisting of cyan, yellow, magenta, and optionally additionally black.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition is a photohardenable or photosoftenable material.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition is photohardenable and consists essentially of a photoinitiator and a polymerizable or crosslinkable material.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition is photosoftenable and consists essentially of a depolymerizable material.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition additionally contains a photoinitiator.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said blended toner composition is comprised of particle forms selected from the group consisting of microcapsules, microsponges, softenable solid particles, emulsion micelles, and combinations thereof.

9. A color imaging method which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming a latent image on a photoconductive or dielectric substrate,

(b) electrostatically depositing a blended toner composition onto a charged or uncharged surface of said substrate to form a toned image which is a positive or reverse image as compared to said latent image, said blended toner composition comprising at least two different toners, each of said toners comprising a color precursor contained in photo-sensitive double-encapsulated toner particles,

(c) selectively photohardening or photosoftening at least a portion of said toner particles by imagewise exposure to appropriate wavelengths of radiation to provide harder toner particles and softer, rupturable toner particles,

(d) rupturing at least a portion of said toner particles on said substrate to release color precursor(s) from said rupturable toner particles,

(e) transferring said released color precursor to a copy surface, and

(f) contacting said released color precursor(s) on said copy surface with a developer to form a color image on said copy surface, said double-encapsulated toner particles being fabricated by carrying out the steps of: (1) forming a first, inner microcapsule by encapsulating a solution of color precursor in a spreading oil; (2) encapsulating said first, inner microcapsule in a second, outer microcapsule and enclosing at least a radiation-sensitive composition in an annular region between an outside wall of said inner microcapsule and an inside wall of said outer microcapsule.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said blended toner composition comprises at least three types of toner particles, each of said types containing a different color precursor, and each of said types additionally containing a radiation-sensitive composition.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein each of said types of toner particles contains a different color precursor selected from the group consisting of cyan, yellow, magenta, and optionally additionally black.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition is a photohardenable or photosoftenable material.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition is photohardenable and consists essentially of a photoinitiator and a polymerizable or crosslinkable material.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition is photosoftenable and consists essentially of a depolymerizable material.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition additionally contains a photoinitiator.

16. A color imaging method which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming a latent image on a photoconductive or dielectric substrate,

(b) electrostatically depositing a blended toner composition onto a charged or uncharged surface of said substrate to form a toned image which is a positive or reverse image as compared to said latent image, said blended toner composition comprising at least two different toners, each of said toners comprising a color precursor contained in photo-sensitive double-encapsulated toner particles,

(c) transferring said toned image to a copy surface,

(d) selectively photohardening or photosoftening at least a portion of said toner particles by imagewise exposure to appropriate wavelengths of radiation to provide harder toner particles and softer, rupturable toner particles,

(e) rupturing at least a portion of said toner particles on said copy surface to release color precursor(s) from said rupturable toner particles, and

(f) contacting said released color precursor(s) on said copy surface with a developer to form a color image on said copy surface,

said double-encapsulated toner particles being fabricated by carrying out the steps of: (1) forming a first, inner microcapsule by encapsulating a solution of color precursor in a spreading oil; (2) encapsulating said first, inner microcapsule in a second, outer microcapsule and enclosing at least a radiation-sensitive composition in an annular region between an outside wall of said inner microcapsule and an inside wall of said outer microcapsule.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said blended toner composition comprises at least three types of toner Particles, each of said types containing a different color precursor, and each of said types additionally containing a radiation-sensitive composition.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein each of said types of toner particles contains a different color precursor selected from the group consisting of cyan, yellow, magenta, and optionally additionally black.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition is a photohardenable or photosoftenable material.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition is photohardenable and consists essentially of a photoinitiator and a polymerizable or crosslinkable material.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition is photosoftenable and consists essentially of a depolymerizable material.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said radiation-sensitive composition additionally contains a photoinitiator.