JPH03135552A - Photographic element for color diffusion transfer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To greatly restrain change of a developing solution with the lapse of time by heat treating the alkaline processing solution of the photographic element containing a 3-pyrazolidinone type developing agent so as to satisfy specified requirements before its use. CONSTITUTION:The color diffusion transfer photographic element comprises a silver halide emulsion layer formed on a support containing a nondiffusive redox compound capable of releasing a diffusive dye or its precursor as a result of imagewise exposure and processing with the alkaline processing solution in the presence of a silver halide developing agent, and the alkaline processing solution containing the 3-pyrazolidinone developing agent contained in a rupturable pod located inside the photographic element at a position suitable for diffusing this processing solution out of the ruptured pod throughout the photographic layer. This processing solution is heat treated under conditions excluding oxygen for a number of days represented by equation I, where X is the highest temperature at the time of heating usually kept at >= about 40 deg.C, thus permitting change of the performance of the processing solution with the lapse of time to be greatly suppressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a color diffusion transfer method, more specifically,
The present invention relates to color diffusion transfer processing solutions and photographic elements in combination with the processing solutions.

In photographic elements for color diffusion transfer using dye-releasing redox compounds (hereinafter referred to as rDRR compounds) capable of releasing diffusible dyes as a result of a redox reaction with the oxidized form of the developing agent resulting from development of silver halide, halogen It is known to add silver oxide developing agents into alkaline processing compositions. As a silver halide developing agent,
These include 3-pyrabridinones, aminophenols, phenylenediamines, and reductones. Among them, the most useful halogen compound developing agents are 3-pyrazolidinones because of their low staining (low Dmin contamination) and high reaction efficiency between the oxidant and the dye-releasing redox compound. However, alkaline processing compositions containing 3-pyrazolidinones as a silver halide developing agent are difficult to use over time (a processing solution is prepared, an instant photographic film containing this processing solution is placed on a store shelf, and then a purchaser buys it). (It is normal for a number of days to pass before the first shadow is produced after use.) The problem is that the performance changes with time, but there is no negative effect on photographic properties (the toe of the characteristic curve becomes sharper with time). There is a point. In response to changes in the performance of the processing liquid,
During development, the closer the silver halide emulsion layer is to the processing solution, the more likely it is to be affected, and therefore, especially in the case of multicolor color diffusion transfer photographs, the balance between each layer is lost over time, and ii! ii) There was a problem that the quality deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic element for color diffusion transfer using a developer in which changes over time (particularly changes in gradation) are significantly suppressed or eliminated.

The purpose of the above is to develop a non-diffusible redundant compound that, after exposure, releases a diffusible dye or its precursor as a result of treatment with an alkaline processing solution in the presence of a silver halide developing agent (this diffusible dye is transferred to the image-receiving layer). a) said alkaline processing solution comprises a 3-pyrazolidinone developer, and b) This processing solution (a) is stored in a container that can be ruptured by pressure (
C) The container of (1) is placed in the photographic element at a position suitable for diffusion of the processing liquid released from the container into the photographic layer (provided that the silver halide emulsion layer (position that does not interfere with exposure to light)
In a photographic element for color diffusion transfer incorporated in a photographic element for color diffusion transfer, this (al processing solution) is heat-treated in advance for a number of days T expressed by the following formula before its use under conditions substantially cut off from oxygen. This was achieved effectively by

In the above formula, the maximum temperature during heating, represented by X, means the maximum temperature applied during the heat treatment process. When heating at 40°C until the end of the process (or if the order of the applied temperatures is reversed), 40°C means the maximum temperature.

For heat treatment, the maximum temperature is approximately 50"C or higher for 1 day or more.
Heating for 20 days is preferred, most preferably 3 days at about 60°C.

In addition, since it is important to perform the heat treatment while substantially blocking oxygen, there is a preferred method suitable for this purpose! An example of this method is to fill a processing liquid storage container (a container that can be ruptured by pressure) with the processing liquid, seal it, and then heat it.

In this embodiment, the maximum temperature applied is preferably 80'C or less.

Development j! Among the 3-pyrazolidinones rn used as rn, preferred are 1-aryl-4-substituted 3-pyrazolidinones (the above-mentioned aryl 2. (also includes r11A aryl group), and particularly preferred are the following general formula(
tl).

(IT) 4 However, R1 and R2 each independently represent a water atom, a lower alkyl group (preferably a methyl group), or a lower alkyl group substituted with a hydroxy group (preferably a hydroxymethyl group), R,,R , and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a sulfonamide group, or an aromatic group;
(excluding hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl groups) are used to include their respective substituents. Both R3 and R1 are hydrogen atoms and R
It is preferred that 4 is a methyl group.

Examples of useful 3-pyrazolidinones in the present invention are:
It is a compound having the following definition in the above general formula.

/ Although the mechanism of the present invention is not clear, the following facts have become clear as a result of various studies.

1) In the absence of oxygen, at room temperature, the performance of the 3-pyrazolidinone-containing treatment solution gradually changes over several years, but eventually the change stops substantially completely. 2) This performance change has a strong temperature dependence; it changes significantly faster at high temperatures, and eventually becomes virtually unchanged as in the case at room temperature. The dependence of the change is significantly greater (more than 5 times for a 10°C change) compared to a normal response (twice for a 10°C change). Research has been reported on the deterioration of alkaline developers containing 3-pyrazolidinones.

However, in all reports, 3-pyrazolidinones are ultimately completely decomposed in alkaline solutions. For example, Ri, F.

A paper by Mason et al. (J. Phon. Sci.

According to Earthworks, 35 (1966), it is suggested that it completely decomposes after hydrolysis.

Also, Lee (W, E, Lee, Photo.

Sci, Eng, j3-120 (1964))
They investigated the hydrolysis of 3-pyrazolidinones in a system without oxygen and reported that they were eventually broken down into pieces as shown below.

Therefore, the knowledge that a developer with no change in performance can be obtained by leaving a solution of 3-virasolidinone in alkaline in an oxygen-free system at a certain temperature for a certain period of time has never been known. Rather, it was a completely unexpected and surprising fact that differed from conventional knowledge.

The present invention is based on the discovery and application of the phenomena 1) and 2) above.

The amount of 3-pyrazolidinone used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but - for boat fishing, it is used in an amount of about 1 g/1 or more (the upper limit is within the soluble limit of the compound). Preferably 5
~20g/j! It is.

As the alkalinity-donating substance in the alkaline treatment liquid used in the present invention, alkali metals and other metal oxides such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, rubidium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide, etc. are mainly used.

Furthermore, sodium carbonate or amines such as diethylamine can be used. The alkaline treatment liquid contains these alkalinity-donating substances and
It is preferable to set it to H.

The alkaline processing liquid used in the present invention preferably contains a thickener as shown below.

As the thickener, an ether inert to alkaline solutions, such as hydroquine ethyl cellulose or an alkali metal salt of carboxymethyl cellulose (eg, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), is included. Although the content depends on the type of thickener, degree of polymerization, etc., a concentration of 1 to 10 weight percent of the treatment liquid is usually advantageous. Preferably, the viscosity is achieved between about 100 and 250,000 cps. Therefore, in addition to the above-mentioned thickeners, Re5earch Disclosure magazine k15
162 (published November 1976), polysaccharide rubbers such as guar gums 4R, as described in
gums) and xanthans (Xar+Lhanes
), algins can also be used as thickeners.

The alkaline processing liquid used in the present invention can contain the following opacifying agents. Examples include carbon black, titanium dioxide, and other light-absorbing dyes, such as indicator dyes that change color depending on pH.

Furthermore, the photographic element of the present invention may contain various compounds as described below depending on the purpose, but it is preferable to add them to the alkaline processing solution.

Photographic elements of this invention can contain additives to increase transferred image density, such as the following: Aromatic alcohols such as benzyl alcohol, p-xylene-α, α'-diol, as known for example from US Pat. No. 3,846,129.

Furthermore, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic glycols or saturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic amino alcohols such as 1,4-cyclohexane dimetatool, l 6 -hexanediol,
3-amino-1-propatol, 2-amino-1-propatol, 5-amino-1-pentanol, 6-amino-
1-hexanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propatol, etc.

Photographic elements of the present invention are susceptible to put-down failures (pi+*ple-1ike def+) that occur substantially after development has been completed.
*U.S. Patent 3,942 to prevent
, No. 987, as follows. For example, alkali metal fluorides or oxalates, barium salts, etc.

Photographic elements of the invention may further include compounds such as those known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,497,917. For example, 5-methylbenzotriazole, 5,6-dichlorobenzotriazole, 6-nidrohenzimidazole, histidine and the like.

The alkaline processing liquid used in the present invention often uniformly disperses pigments such as carbon black and titanium dioxide. In this case, conventionally known dispersion aids and surfactants can be used. For example, alkali metal salts of compounds such as polyacrylic acid, naphthalene sulfonic acid, polymers of naphthalene sulfonic acid and formalin, and polystyrene sulfonic acid. Particularly useful carbon dispersions are Japanese Patent Application No. 56-150228 and No. 57-2.
It was prepared using the compound and method described in No. 00862.

In order to make the silver halide emulsion substantially harmless from various impurities in the alkaline processing solution, the following compounds may be included. That is, metal salts include, for example, silver nitrate, silver oxide, lead oxide, tin oxide, cadmium oxide, zinc nitrate, and mercury oxide.

The photosensitive silver halide emulsion used in the present invention includes silver chloride,
A hydrophilic colloidal dispersion of silver bromide, silver chlorobromide, silver iodobromide, silver chloroiodobromide, or a mixture thereof, and the halogen composition varies depending on the purpose of use and processing conditions of the photosensitive material. Although selected, silver bromide, silver iodobromide or silver chloroiodobromide having an iodide content of 1Qm*le% or less and a chloride content of 3Qmole% or less are particularly preferred.

In the present invention, either a negative type emulsion that forms a surface latent image or a direct reversal type emulsion can be used. The latter emulsion includes an internal latent image type emulsion and a pre-fogged direct reversal type emulsion.

Internal latent image type direct reversal silver halide emulsions can be advantageously used in the present invention; emulsions of this type include, for example, U.S. Pat.
No. 592,250, No. 3,206゜313, No. 3.4
No. 47,927, No. 3,761.276, and No. 3,
Examples include conversion type emulsions, core/shell type emulsions, and emulsions incorporating different metals, which are described in No. 935,014 and the like.

Nucleating agents for this type of emulsion are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,588.
982 and 2,563,785; hydrazines and hydrazones described in 3,227,552; British Patent No. 1.283.835;
Special Publication No. 4L-38164, U.S. Patent No. 4,115,12
No. 2, No. 3 734.738, No. 3,719.494
Quaternary salt compounds described in U.S. Pat. ; U.S. Patent 4,030°92
No. 5, No. 4.031,127, No. 4,245.037
Typical examples include thiourea-linked acylhydrazine compounds described in No. 4,255.511, No. 4266.013, and No. 4.276.364.

DRR compounds preferably used in the present invention are immobile under alkaline processing conditions and can generally be represented by the formula:

(Ba1last) - (Link) (Dye
) (III) In the formula (Ba11ast) is a ballast group for immobilizing the present compound under alkaline processing conditions, and (Dye) is a dye group or its precursor that can migrate in the photosensitive element at least under alkaline processing conditions. (Link) represents a redox cleavage group which has the property of being cleaved by oxidation accompanying development, or conversely, cleavage is suppressed.

Which DPI's are particularly preferred for use in the present invention? The compound is a negative type DRR compound, and specific examples thereof include JP-A-48-33826, JP-A-54-54021,
It is described in No. 5m-113624 and No. 56-71072. In response to silver halide development, a diffusible dye is released under alkaline conditions (Ba1li
Specific examples of st ) -(Link )- include the following groups.

General formula (IV) Other DRR compounds include JP-A-5311082
No. 8, No. 53-110827, No. 49-111628
No. 52-4819, No. 51-63618, No. 5
Examples include compounds having a positive redox core described in No. 4-130927 and No. 56-164342.

Particularly preferred among these is a compound containing a portion of the redox carrier represented by the formula (IV).

The dye released from the DRR compound may be a ready-made dye or it may also be a dye precursor that can be converted into a dye during photographic processing or additional processing steps, and the final image dye may be metal chelated. You don't have to. Typical dyes include azo dyes, azomethine dyes,
Examples include anthraquinone dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, and dyes with or without metal chelation. Among these, the cyan, magenta and yellow pigments of the ab-based pigments are particularly useful.

Specific examples of yellow DRR compounds are listed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 49-261
No. 8, U.S. Patent No. 3,309,199, Special Publication No. 57-1
No. 2140, JP-A-51-114930, JP-A No. 54-1
No. 11344, No. 56-16130, No. 56-710
No. 72, No. 54-79031, No. 53-64036, and No. 54-23527, U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,6
41 and same 4, 148.643; Re5search
Disclosure No. 17630 (1978) and Disclosure No. 16475 (1977).

Similarly, specific examples of magenta DRR compounds include U.S. Pat.
No. 2,380, No. 3,931゜144, No. 3,932
, No. 308, JP-A-50-115528, JP-A No. 52-1
No. 06727, No. 53-23628, No. 54-650
No. 34, No. 55-36804, No. 54-161332
No. 55-4028, No. 56-73057, No. 5
No. 6-71060, No. 55-134, No. 53-355
No. 33, U.S. Patent No. 4,207,104, U.S. Patent No. 4,287
, No. 292, No. 4,357,410, No. 4,357,
It is written in No. 412.

Furthermore, a specific example of the cyan DRR compound is
No. 8-32130, JP-A-52-8827, JP-A No. 49-
No. 126331, No. 51-109928, No. 54-9
No. 9431, No. 53-149328, No. 52-882
No. 7, No. 53-47823, No. 53-143323, No. 54-99431, No. 56-71061, No. 5
No. 3-64035, No. 54-121125, U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,891, U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,994, No. 4
, No. 147,544, No. 4,148,642, European Patent No. 53,037, No. 53.040; Re5
each Disclosure 17.630(1
No. 978), No. 16,475 (1975) and No. 1 of the same
6.475 (+977).

Furthermore, as a type of dye precursor, a DRR compound having a dye moiety that temporarily shifts light absorption in a photosensitive element can also be used in this patent; No. 55-53329, U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,287, U.S. Pat. No. 3,579,334, U.S. Pat.

The coating amount of the DRR compound is 1×10−“~1×1O−”
mole/rd, preferably 2XIO-'~2
XlO-'mole/rrf.

To reproduce natural colors by the subtractive color method, a photosensitive material is used that is composed of at least two combinations: an emulsion that has selective spectral sensitivity in a certain wavelength range and a DRR compound that has selective spectral absorption in the same wavelength range. Ru.

In particular, light-sensitive elements comprising a combination of a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion and a yellow DRR compound, a combination of a green-sensitive emulsion and a magenta DRR compound, and a combination of a red-sensitive emulsion and a cyan DRR compound are useful.

These combination units of an emulsion and a DRR compound may be coated in a layered manner in a face-to-face relationship in a light-sensitive material, or in the form of individual grains (DRR compound and silver halide grains are the same).
present in particles), mixed and applied as a single layer. Regarding the image receiving element (including at least a mordant layer), the neutralizing layer, the neutralization rate adjusting layer (timing N), the reflective layer, the light shielding layer, the cover sheet, etc. that can be used in the photographic element of the present invention, for example, 53-149328 can be applied.

Polymer mordants used in the mordant layer include polymers containing secondary and tertiary amino groups, polymers with nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moieties, and polymers containing these quaternary cation groups, with a molecular weight of 5,000 or more. Particularly preferably 1
0,000 or more.

Pressure-rupturable containers used in the present invention are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 653,732, No. 2,723.051, No. 3,0
56.491, 3゜056.492, 3.15
It is preferable to use those described in No. 2,515 and the like.

When the photographic element of the invention is in the form of a photographic film unit, that is, after imagewise exposure, photographic processing can be carried out by passing the film unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure members. In the case of a film unit composed of, for example, the following elements: l) at least one support, 2) a photosensitive element as described above, 3) an image receiving element as described above ((2) and ( 3) with a release layer disposed therebetween) and 4) a treatment element as described above.

The most recommended embodiment of the superimposed and integrated type for applying the present invention is disclosed in Helgie Patent No. 757,959.

According to this embodiment, an image receiving layer, a light reflecting layer that substantially blocks light (for example, a combination of a T i O layer and a carbon black layer) are provided on a transparent support, and one or more of the above-mentioned photosensitive layers are provided. The layers (photosensitive elements) are applied one after the other and are further superimposed face-to-face with a transparent cover sheet. A pressure rupturable container containing an alkaline processing solution containing an opacifying agent (e.g. carbon black) for blocking light is placed adjacent to the top layer (protective layer) of the photosensitive layer and the transparent cover sheet. . Such a film unit is exposed to light through a transparent cover sheet, and upon removal from the camera, the container is ruptured by a pusher member, and the processing composition (including the opacifying agent) is placed between the photosensitive layer and the cover sheet. Expand over one side. As a result, the photosensitive layer is shielded from light in the form of a sand inch, and development proceeds in a bright place.

It is recommended that a neutralization mechanism be incorporated into the film unit of this embodiment.

Among these, it is preferable to provide a neutralizing layer on the cover sheet (if desired, further provide a timing layer on the side where the processing liquid is spread).

Other useful laminated integrated configurations in which the photographic elements of the present invention can be used include U.S. Pat.
No. 3,647,487, No. 3,635.707, and German patent application (OLS) No. 2,426.980.

In another preferred embodiment, a multilayer image receiving element having an array of neutralizing layers, timing layers, and mordant layers on a support and one or more photosensitive layers (photosensitive elements) are sequentially coated on another support. The above-mentioned alkaline processing liquid is also applied between these two elements to be treated. At this time, the image-receiving element may be peeled off after the transfer, or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,645
As stated in the number, the support of the image-receiving layer is transparent,
Additionally, a reflective layer may be provided between the image-receiving layer and the photosensitive layer so that the image can be viewed as is without peeling off.

In the type where the image-receiving element is peeled off from the photosensitive element after being transferred,
It is also possible to omit the neutralization layer and timing layer.

Example 1 A photosensitive material was prepared by coating the following layers in the order listed on a transparent polyethylene terephthalate film support.

(1) Copoly [styrene-N-vinylhensyl N,
N,N-)lyhexylammonium chloride)3. Og
/ mordant layer containing 3.0 g/nr of gelatin.

(2) Titanium dioxide 20g/r, gelatin 2.0g/r
A light reflecting layer containing rl.

(3) A light shielding layer containing 3.0 g/rd of carbon black and 2,0 g/rd of gelatin.

(4) Cyan dye-releasing redox compound with the following structure (0
, 44g/rd), tricyclohexyl phosphate (
0.09g/n? ) and gelatin (0,8 g/m).

θCHzCHzOCH3 \ (5) Red-sensitive internal latent image type direct reversal silver bromide emulsion (silver amount 1,03g/a), 7' latin (1°2g/+d),
A layer containing a nucleating agent having the following structure (0.05 .mu./n()) and 2-sulfo-5-n-pentadecylhydroquinone sodium salt (0.degree. [3 g/rIf).

(6) Color mixing inhibitor-containing layer containing gelatin (0.8 g/l), 2.5-dipentadecylhydroquinone (1.0 g/l) and polymethyl methacrylate (1°0 g/rrf).

(7) Magenta dye-releasing redox compound of the following structure I (0.21 g/rrf), magenta dye-releasing redox compound of structure II (0.11 g/rrf), ) IJ cyclohexyl phosphate (0°08 g/rrf), and a layer containing gelatin (0.9 g/po).

Structural Formula 1 % Formula % (8) Green-induced internal latent image direct reversal silver bromide emulsion (silver content 0.82 g/rd), Zera F7 (Q.

9g/rrr), the same nucleating agent as layer (5) (0,03+a
g/rd) and 2-Surbo-5-n-bentatin hydroquinone sodium salt (0.08g/summer rf
).

(9) Same layer as (6).

0 ■ A yellow dye-releasing compound with the following structure (
0.53g/rrr), tri'y'y stohexylphosphate) (0.13g/rrr), and gelatin (0.13g/rrr),
A layer containing 1 g/a).

(11) Pre-malignant internal latent image type inverted silver bromide emulsion (silver amount 1.09 g/ri, gelatin (1°1 g/po), same nucleating agent as layer (5) (0, 04mg/a) and 2
- layer containing sulfo-5-n-pentadecylhydroquinone sodium salt (0,07 g/rTf).

Q: A layer containing gelatin (1.0 g/rd).

Sequentially the following layers (1') on a transparent polyester support:
A cover sheet coated with ~(3') was prepared.

(1') 80:20 of acrylic acid and butyl acrylate (
weight ratio) copolymer (22g/rr?) and 1.4-
Bis(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-butane(0,4
4g/bo).

(2') Acetylcellulose (100g of acetylcellulose is hydrolyzed to create 39.4g of acetyl groups) (3.8g/rrf) and 60:4° (weight ratio) of styrene and maleic anhydride. copolymer (molecular weight approximately 50,000) (0°2 g/n?) and 5-(β-cyanoethylthio)-1-phenyltetrazole (0,115
g/nf).

(3') Copolymer latex of vinylidene chloride, methyl acrylate, and acrylic acid in a ratio of 85:12:3 (weight ratio) (2.5 g/nf) and polymethyl methacrylate latex (particle size 1 to 3 μm) ( 0.05 g/po).

A film unit was prepared by overlapping the above-mentioned photosensitive material and the above-mentioned cover sheet.

Next, a treatment solution with the following formulation was prepared.

! -p-) True 4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-3-pyrazolidinone Methylhydroquinone 5-methylbenzotriazole Sodium sulfite (anhydrous) Carboxymethylcellulose/Na salt 43g Potassium hydroxide 56g Benzyl alcohol 1.5ml Carbon black 150g Water
After filling a rupturable container with the above-mentioned processing solution in an amount to make the total amount 1 kg (however, this container is cut off from oxygen, and during the processing of the film unit, a pressure applying member is used to apply pressure to it. is placed in such a position that the contents of the container are released between the photosensitive material and the cover sheet that make up the film unit when the film is added)
The whole container was heat-treated under the following conditions. Thereafter, this container was attached between the photosensitive material of the film unit and the cover sheet, respectively, so that 2g 0, Ig 3, 5g 0, and 2g were combined.

Treatment liquid A: Not heated (for comparison) Treatment liquid B: Heated at 45°C for 30 days (invention) Treatment liquid C
: Heating at 50°C for 15 days (〃) Treatment solution D: 60"C
The IA-D treated with heat () for 3 days was left at room temperature for 1 year and 8 months, and the treated solution A-D
The performance of the corresponding treatment solutions A', B', C', and D' (all for control) which were frozen and stored for 1 year and 8 months (it is thought that there is virtually no difference in performance between before and after freezing) were compared respectively.

For comparison, tungsten light at 2854° was converted to 4800°K through a Davis-Gibson filter, and was imagewise exposed through a continuous wedge from the transparent support side on the photosensitive layer side of the film unit (at this time, the maximum The exposure amount was 10 CMS) Il. A film unit with this exposure amount was passed through a pressure row and developed with the above processing solution at 25° C., and the photographic behavior was evaluated. The photographic behavior was evaluated here using the characteristic value ΔS. The characteristic value ΔS is the exposure amount corresponding to a transfer density (measurement of reflection density) of 0.5 in the characteristic curve of a sensitive material developed with processing solutions A to D, respectively, which was left at room temperature for 1 year and 8 months. (logarithmic representation) is 81, and the exposure amount (logarithmic representation) corresponding to a density of 0.5 is 32 in the characteristic curve of the sensitive material developed with the corresponding processing solutions A' to D' that have been stored frozen. In this case, the difference between S2 and sl is expressed in mm. (5ma+ corresponds to the logarithm of the exposure amount of 0.1).

The results are shown in Table 1. As is clear from the numerical values in Table 1, ΔS is significantly smaller when a treatment liquid that has been heat-treated for a certain period of time in accordance with the present invention is used, compared to one that is not heat-treated. It can be seen that there is very little change in the performance of the developer over time, and that this tendency is most noticeable especially in the blue-green layer closest to the developing position of the processing solution.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A non-diffusible redox compound capable of releasing a diffusible dye or its precursor as a result of treatment with an alkaline processing solution in the presence of a silver halide developing agent after exposure. A photographic element having at least one silver halide emulsion layer on a support, in combination with a silver halide emulsion layer (diffusing into the layer to form a transferred image therein), the photographic element further having the following requirements: a) alkalinity as described above; The processing solution contains a 3-pyrazolidinone developer; b) the processing solution in (a) is stored in a container that can be ruptured by pressure; and c) the container in (b) cannot be released from the container. in the photographic element at a location suitable for diffusion of processed processing solutions through the photographic layer (but
d) This processing solution (a) must be incorporated in the following manner under substantially oxygen-free conditions before use. It must be heat treated for more than the number of days T expressed by the formula, logT=log2+(60
-X)/(10)×log5 [wherein, X represents the maximum temperature during heating. However, X represents approximately 40°C or higher. ] A photographic element for color diffusion transfer characterized by the following.