Timing layers for color transfer assemblages containing positive-working redox dye-releasers and development accelerators

In a photographic assemblage comprising:

• (a) a photographic element comprising a support having thereon at least one negative-working photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a positive-working, redox dye-releaser;
• (b) a dye image-receiving layer;
• (c) an alkaline processing composition and means for discharging same within said assemblage;
• (d) a neutralizing layer for neutralizing said alkaline processing composition;
• (e) a first timing layer located between said neutralizing layer and said silver halide emulsion layer;
• and
• (f) a second timing layer located between said first timing layer and said neutralizing layer;
• said first and second timing layers being so located that said processing composition must first permeate said timing layers before contacting said neutralizing layer, said neutralizing layer being located on the side of said second timing layer which is farthest from said dye image-receiving layer, said assemblage containing a silver halide developing agent, the improvement wherein:
• (i) said first timing layer has a negative temperature coefficient and has a silver halide development accelerator located therein or in a layer intermediate said first and second timing layers;
• and
• (ii) said second timing layer has a penetration time by said alkaline processing composition that is greater than the penetration time of said first timing layer, so that said neutralizing layer will be permeated by said alkaline processing composition only after development of said silver halide emulsion has been substantially completed.

In an integral photographic assemblage comprising:

• (a) a photographic element comprising a transparent support having thereon the following layers in sequence:
• a dye image-receiving layer;
• an alkaline solution-permeable, light-reflective layer;
• an alkaline solution-permeable, opaque layer;
• a red-sensitive, negative-working, silver halide emulsion layer having a ballasted, positive-working, redox cyan dye-releaser associated therewith;
• a green-sensitive, negative-working, silver halide emulsion layer having a ballasted, positive-working, redox magenta dye-releaser associated therewith;
• and a blue-sensitive, negative-working, silver halide emulsion layer having a ballasted, positive-working, redox yellow dye-releaser associated therewith;
• (b) a transparent sheet superposed over said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and comprising a transparent support coated with, in sequence, a neutralizing layer, a second timing layer, and a first timing layer;
• and
• (c) a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition and an opacifying agent, said container being so positioned during processing of said assemblage that a compressive force applied to said container will effect a discharge of the container's contents between said transparent sheet and said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer;
• said assemblage containing a silver halide developing agent, the improvement wherein:
• (i) said first timing layer has a negative temperature coefficient and has a silver halide development accelerator located therein or in a layer intermediate said first and second timing layers;
• and
• (ii) said second timing layer has a penetration time by said alkaline processing composition that is greater than the penetration time of said first timing layer, so that said neutralizing layer will be permeated by said alkaline processing composition only after development of said silver halide emulsion has been substantially completed.

In a process for producing a photographic transfer image in color from an imagewise-exposed photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one negative-working photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a dye image-providing material comprising a positive-working redox dye-releaser, said process comprising treating said element with an alkaline processing composition in the presence of a silver halide developing agent to effect development of each of said exposed silver halide emulsion layers, said processing composition contacting said emulsion layer prior to contacting a neutralizing layer, whereby an imagewise distribution of dye image-providing material is formed as a function of development and at least a portion of it diffuses to a dye image-receiving layer to provide said transfer image, a first timing layer associated with said neutralizing layer being permeated by said alkaline processing composition after a predetermined time, said first timing layer being located between said neutralizing layer and said photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer, and a second timing layer associated with said neutralizing layer also being permeated by said alkaline processing composition after a predetermined time, said second timing layer being located between said first timing layer and said neutralizing layer, said first and second timing layers being so located that said processing composition must first permeate said timing layers before contacting said neutralizing layer, said neutralizing layer being located on the side of said second timing layer which is farthest from said dye image-receiving layer, whereby said alkaline processing composition is neutralized by means of said neutralizing layer associated with said timing layers after said predetermined times;

• the improvement which comprises:
• (i) releasing a silver halide development accelerator from said first timing layer having a negative temperature coefficient;
• and
• (ii) permeating said second timing layer by said alkaline processing composition after permeation of said first timing layer by said alkaline processing composition, so that said neutralizing layer will be permeated by said alkaline processing composition only after said silver halide development has been substantially completed.