DE2003389A1 - Development device - Google Patents

Description

Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, New York State, United States of America

Developing device

The invention relates to an apparatus for developing sensitized material which contains latent images and unexposed background areas, with a conveyor that sensitized the Material is moved along a passage through a treatment zone in which it is developed the underground areas are heated to an inhibiting degree and with radiation of a predetermined wavelength is irradiated.

A variety of materials are known to those skilled in the art which carry an emulsion that sensitizes is, and which can be developed by means of suitable methods, for example by Exposure of the sensitized material to visualize the generated latent image. One of the best known and most widely used emulsions contains a silver halide component,

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which is typically arranged in a matrix of gelatin. The silver halide component usually lies in the form of crystals.

Methods for latensifying or developing a latent image are already known. With these well-known Process, a photographic silver halide emulsion is developed in a treatment zone in that the exposure

that
Tete emulsion first heat and / then the photographic material is exposed to radiation with a predetermined wavelength. It is believed that the heating of the photographic emulsion does not cause the latent image to develop, but rather serves to prevent and stabilize the development of the unexposed background area of the photographic emulsion. In a photolysis process, the latent image is developed by the irradiation, whereby the silver halide crystals disintegrate and produce a metallic silver deposit, whereby a visible image is created.

The known devices of the type mentioned at the beginning for carrying out the aforementioned methods point in the treatment zone separate components, one of which is heating and the other is irradiation of the sensitized Material causes. These known devices thus require separate facilities for the supply and the operation of the components serving as heating and the radiation source causing the latensification. In addition to these complex devices, the known devices also have the disadvantage that some of the ν> n of the radiation source emitted energy is wasted and wasted in the form of heat.

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It has recently been found that following development and photolysis by means of ultraviolet radiation the photolysis in ordinary office lighting, the value of which is approximately 12CX) Ix, to such a level Extent continues that the background of the exposed section becomes excessively dark.

In order to reduce the photolysis effect, which persists even after the development, it is proposed that the intensity the ultraviolet radiation source is significantly enlarged, thereby essentially reducing the uncomfortable To reduce the darkening of the underground surface. With the considerable increase in the emission of UV radiation heat is generated as a by-product, so to speak. This heat would have to be if this principle of increased energy output would be wasted in the known devices.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for Develop sensitized material which has latent images and unexposed background areas create, which is a particularly effective use of the in the treatment zone in the form of heat and radiation Enables available energy and which can be designed simply and appropriately as a result.

This object is, based on a device of the type mentioned, achieved according to the invention in that for A single source is provided for generating the thermal energy and the irradiation energy. This will initially a simple and expedient structure of the device can be achieved, since only the operation and the supply must be ensured from a single source. A major advantage, however, is that in the treatment zone The proportion of thermal energy emitted by the radiation source can be used to

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to inhibit exposed background area and thus a to essentially prevent prolonged photolysis even after development.

In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the passage guide has mutually facing guide surfaces which at least partially enclose the source, and that at least one of the guide surfaces has a low coefficient of friction. This is a particularly compact design and almost optimal use of energy possible. As a result of the low coefficient of friction can the sensitized material along the passage in a simple manner by means of a Lead conveyor, which has a drive roller and two cooperating with it, between them and the drive roller can each have a guide gap forming free-running rollers.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is provided that in the vicinity of the guide surface a measuring device is provided which determines the temperature of the sensitized material, and that one of these Measuring device controllable cooling device is provided for the sensitized material. This makes an accurate Control of the temperature required for the sensitized material possible, with v / elcher a stabilization of the unexposed background area is achievable.

The invention is described in the following description with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings explained in detail. Show it:

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Fig. 1 is a cross section through an apparatus for developing latent images according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a section along the lines 2-2 according to FIG. 1 and FIG

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the circuit

for a drive motor and a radiation source of the one shown in FIGS Device,

In Fig. 1, a developing device IO is shown, which has a housing 12 which is divided into a first chamber 14 and a second chamber 16. A sensitized one Material 25, for example a sheet of paper with a coating of a suitable emulsion, will be what later is to be explained in more detail, entered into the developing device 10 through an inlet opening 22 and in this longitudinally a pass-through guide 15 out. The sensitized material 25 has been exposed before its input into the developing device 10 from a radiation image, which becomes a latent image on the sensitized material 25 leads. On its way through the device along the pass-through guide 15 the latent image located on the material 25 is developed. After the development is finished, it becomes sensitized Material 25 led out of the processor through an outlet port 24. In the first chamber 14 is an insulating material 18 is arranged along those parts of the pass-through guide 15 in the area of which the sensitized Material 25 is to be heated. The whole purpose of the insulating material 18 is to thermiscaer a leak Energy to prevent. Since it is sometimes desirable to have the sensitized material 25 during a procedural step is cooled in the development cycle, the second chamber 16 is not filled with an insulating material,

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but provided with ventilation slots 20 through which a cooling medium, for example the developing device surrounding air, can circulate freely and thereby lead the thermal energy away from a heat sink 80.

The passage guide 15 of the developing device 10 is through the annular gap between an outer tubular part 26 and an inner one arranged concentrically therein tubular part 28 is formed. The outer tubular part

"26 has projections 30 and 32, which can be seen in FIG is essentially parallel to one another. Between these projections 30 and 32 is a guide part 34 arranged, which in turn has projections 36 and 38 which run parallel to one another. The leadership part 34 is arranged parallel to the projections 30 and 32 and together with them forms the inlet opening 22 and the outlet opening 24. FIG. 1 shows that the sensitized material 25 enters the developing device 10 is introduced through the inlet opening 22 and that it is by means of a drive, which will be explained, through the inlet opening 22 between the guide part 34 and the projection 30, along the passage guide 15, is transported between the stationary inner and outer tubular members 28 and 26, respectively, and that it eventually through the outlet opening 24 between the guide part 34 and the projection 32 is led out of the developing device.

The sensitized material 25 is in the developing device, which will be explained in much more detail later should, heated in successive process steps and then exposed to radiation with a certain wavelength. Since the inner tubular part 28 opposite the outer tubular part 26 cannot rotate, it is necessary

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This means that the sensitive material 25 slides between the two tubular cables 26 and 28 along the passage guide 15. The sensitized material 25 used, for example, in sheet form, generally has a material thickness in the order of magnitude of 0.075 mm to 0.13 mm. The manufacture and design of the two tubular parts 26 and 28 with an accuracy which ensures a uniform annular pole between these tubular parts 26 and 28 with such a small annular gap thickness would cause great difficulties. The required to be great dimensional accuracy is obviated in that a greater distance in the order of about 1.5 mm is provided between the two tubular parts 26 and 28 and that an elastic part in form of a layer 58 of an elastic material having a low Coefficient of friction, for example a fluorocarbon resin (Teflon), the layer thickness of which essentially corresponds to the distance between the two tubular parts, is attached to the inner surface of the outer tubular part 26. The layer 58 can have the shape

For example, felt, a blanket-like material, whose fibers are impregnated with the fluorocarbon resin and which press the sensitized material 2 resiliently against the outer surface of the inner tubular part 28, in order to achieve an effective heat transfer between the sensitized material 25 and the tubular part 28 ensure. In addition, it can be provided "that the outer surface of the inner tubular part 28 is also coated with a layer of the fluorocarbon resin {Teflon}, thereby further reducing the friction acting on the sensitized material 25"

The För <3ei- «inrichtur» ^ c by means of which the sensibil ^. ■; ^ e Material 25 can be moved along the sleeve guide 15, has a drive roller 44 ». by a motor 68 is driven. The rotational movement of the motor 68 becomes

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is transmitted to the drive pulley 44 via a pulley 72 directly coupled to the motor 68, a drive belt 74, and a pulley 70 connected to the drive pulley 44. In addition, the conveyor device has two idle rollers 46 and 48, which are arranged above and below the drive roller 44 (cf. FIG. 1), in order to ensure the input and removal of the sensitized material 25. The rollers 46 and 48 are against the

common drive roller 44 pressed, either by a counterweight

their own or / oaer, however, by means of two springs, not shown, which bring each of the idle rollers to resilient contact with the drive roller 44. Recesses 40 and 41, respectively, are provided in the projections 30 and 36, which allow the drive roller 44 and the roller 46 to be pressed against the sensitized material 25. Recesses 42 and 43 are provided in the projections 38 and 32 in a similar manner so that the drive roller 44 and the roller 48 can be pressed against the sensitized material 25.

The motor 68, the drive shaft 44 and the rollers 46 and 48 are connected to the housing 12 by a cover part 78 protected. When the developing device is operated, the drive roller 4 4 can be seen in a clockwise direction in FIG are driven by the motor 68 so that the material 25 can be fed into the device along the passage guide 15. In this case, the material 2 5 is moved to the right as seen in FIG. 1. Contact with roller 48 makes this sensitized material 25 at the end of the run-through promoted to the device. During this process, the material 25 is moved to the left as shown in FIG. 1.

The distance between the first guide gap, which is formed between the drive roller 44 and the roller 46 , and the second guide gap, which is between the

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Drive roller 44 and roller 48 is formed, is sensitized in view of the corresponding dimensions of the Materials 25 must be adhered to particularly precisely. It is particularly important to ensure that the length of the sensitized Material 25 is greater than the aforementioned distance between the first guide gap and the second Leadership gap. If this condition is met, then the sensitized material 25 can be continuously detected and through the Inlet opening 22, along the passage guide 15 and through the outlet opening 24 are moved. Will this condition however, not fulfilled and the distance between the first and the second guide gap is greater than the length of the sensitized material used, for example, in sheet form, then this sheet becomes the sensitized Material is conveyed into the developing device, but is retained in it because its leading end is not affected by the Drive roller 44 and the roller 48 can be detected. An output of the sensitized material 25 would therefore not be possible.

In order to develop the latent image disposed on the sensitized material 25, it is necessary that the sensitized material first exposed to thermal energy with a prescribed intensity and then from a Radiation with a predetermined wavelength is hit. These two procedural documents are used in the present processor accomplished by a single source 50 which emits radiation or energy. Fig. 2 can be taken be that this single source 50 is formed in one embodiment as a commercially available mercury lamp which is arranged concentrically to the outer and inner tubular part 26 and 28, respectively. A heat absorbing surface 60 can for example by blackening

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the inner surface of the inner tubular member 28 can be formed. The inner tubular part 28 can for example can also be made of a material such as aluminum which is anodized to provide the black heat absorbing surface 60 to form. This ensures that the radiation emanating from the single source 50 is converted into thermal energy so that the sensitized material 25 can be heated, which how has been explained above, pressed against the outer surface of the inner tubular part 23 by means of the layer 58 will. An opening 66 is provided within the inner tubular part 28 so that the sensitized Material 25 can be struck by the radiation from the single source 50. In particular, Fig. 1 can be seen that on the heat absorption surface 60 of the inner tubular part 28, diagonally opposite to the opening 66 a layer 64 is provided, which for focusing the radiation emitted by the single source 50 through the opening 66 forms a reflective surface.

Depending on the type of photographic emulsion coated on the sensitized material, it may be desirable be that the sensitized material 25 is cooled before it is exposed to radiation through the opening 66. In Fig. 1 it is shown that the heat sink 80 is arranged in the second chamber 16 and in particular in an opening 83 of the outer tubular part 26 is mounted in order to face the sensitized material 25 with a cooling surface 81. The heat sink 80 can also have several ribs 87, which are used to distribute the received Thermal energy are used when the cooling medium passes through the ventilation slots 20 and within the second chamber circulates.

In certain cases it may be desirable that the Intensity of the sensitized material 25

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ended radiation verfc'lltuisraäßig kept constant v; ith _t thereby photolysis to ensure the latent image. In a particular embodiment, approximately 130 watts of ultraviolet radiation can be directed through opening 66. A high proportion of the other, emitted from the single source 50 energy is absorbed by the inner tubular member 28th The single source 50 of the type described above may, for example, require a temperature on the order of about 315 ° C in order to operate effectively. In addition, however, it should be noted that the sensitized material 25 must not be heated above a certain value / if one wishes to prevent scorching or burning of the material. As a result, it is particularly desirable to provide suitable means for controlling the temperature of not only the single source 50 but also the sensitized material 25. In the illustrated embodiment, a fan 2-4 is provided, which causes the cooling medium to circulate through the inner tubular part 28. Fig. 2 Jonη can be seen in more detail that the fan 54, which can be driven by means of a motor 56, a suitable cooling medium, for example air, supplies the surface of the single source 50 and the inner surface of the inner tubular part 28 Temperature measuring device ^; 2 _f, for example, a commercially available thermistor is shown, which is also arranged on the heat absorption surface 60. Moreover, a second, not shown valves λ in the developing device 10 at the other E:; be provided & d of the tubular member to control the flow of air through diessi: to support ^ e. 11

Reference is made to e: \ £ Fix · -. ? _f in welc ^ ej: © ine electrical circuit shown i:; ■ · 7ut control of the

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BATH ORIGINAL

Motor 56 for the fan 54 is used as a function of the temperature measuring device described above in the form of the thermistor 62. The motor 56 for the fan is connected to a suitable alternating current source 124 via current conductors 126 and 128 and via an armature switch 84 which can be actuated between an open and a closed position by means of an armature coil 82. This armature coil 82 can in turn be actuated by means of a switching device which has a triac 86 connected in series with the alternating current source 124 and serving as a thyristor and a diac 88 connected to the gate of this triac and serving as a switching diode. A resistor 90 and a capacitor 92 are connected in series and in parallel with the triac 86 in order to prevent the pre-ignition of the triac 86 due to switch-on surges with short rise times which occur in parallel with the triac 86. _# The diac 88 is connected to the conductor 128 and to the midpoint between diodes 100 and 114 via a capacitor 94. These diodes 100 and 114 are connected to the conductor 126 via a resistor 96; the fourth of this resistance determines the potential at which the diac 88 and thus the triac 86 reach their conductive state. The diode 100 is connected to the collector of a transistor 98 and via a resistor 106 to the base of this transistor. In addition, the emitter of the transistor 98 is connected in series with the current conductor 128 via a resistor 102 and the thermistor 62. The diode 114 is similarly connected to the collector of a transistor 110 and via a resistor 112 to the base of this transistor 110. The respective bases of transistors 98 and 110 are connected to the collectors of transistors 104 and 108, respectively. 3 it can be seen that the respective base and the respective emitter of the transistors 104 and 108 are connected to one another. A Wic'arstand connects the connection point between the respective base

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

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of transistors 104 and 108 and the connection point between the respective emitters of transistors 98 and 110 with each other. The connection point between the respective bases of the transistors 104 and 108 is also connected to a switch 16 which can be actuated between a first and a second position. If the switch 76 is in its first position, the circuit according to FIG. 3 is set in such a way that it covers a low temperature range on the order of about 90.degree. C. to about 110.degree. The switch 76 is; considered more precisely, in its first position connected in series with the conductor 128 via an adjustable resistor 118 and a resistor 1.17. If the switch 76 is in its second position, the circuit according to FIG. 3 is set in such a way that it detects the high temperature range in the order of magnitude of approximately 255.degree. C. to 275.degree. In this second position, the switch 76 is connected in series with the current conductor 128 via an adjustable resistor 120 and a resistor 122. The resistors 118 and 120 are set in such a way that they determine extremely precisely at what point in time the motor 56 is switched on in order to cool the tubular parts 26 and 28 and thereby the sensitized material 25.

The operation of the circuit according to FIG. 3 thus depends, in brief, on the change in the resistance of the Thermistor 62 as a function of the temperature within the tubular part 28. Is in the early stages the temperature within the tubular part 28 when the developing device 10 is in operation is relatively low, i.e., it is essentially at room temperature, which is the impedance that the thermistor has with respect to the circuit according to FIG. 3, is relatively high. When a

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

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If a positive signal from the alternating current source 124 reaches the diodes 100 and 114 via the resistor 96, this signal is then blocked by the diode 114 and passed through the forward-biased diode 100 so that it can reach the base of the transistor 98 via the resistor 106 and makes it conductive. What is achieved hereby is that a positive signal is applied to the base of transistor 104 via resistor 116, which tries to put transistor 104 into a conductive state and to apply a more negative signal to the base of transistor 98. A state of equilibrium is achieved in which the transistor 98 is made partially conductive so that it only allows a relatively low current to pass. Thus, the impedance which is present between the connection point of the diode 100 and the resistor 96 and the current conductor 128 via the current path existing between the diode 100 and the transistor 98 is relatively high. This also creates a positive potential parallel to the resistor 96 and the capacitor 94, as a result of which the diac 88 and the triac 86 are ignited. If the triac 86 is in a conductive state, then a current flows through the armature coil 82, as a result of which the armature switch 84 is withdrawn and the motor 56 remains inoperative.

As soon as the temperature rises within the tubular member 28, the resistance of the thermistor decreases 62. This results in transistor 98 as soon as the positive signal is applied to diode 100 via resistor 96 is placed in a conductive state in a similar manner. In addition, there is a positive signal applied to the base of transistor 104, which tries to switch transistor 104 into its conductive state offset. However, if the thermistor 62 is increased

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Exposed to temperature »then this has a lower value Resistance on and a larger current can through the transistor 98, the resistor 102 and the thermistor 62 to the Conductor 128 flow. The potential which is applied to the base of transistor 104 via resistor 116, is reduced or more negative and tends to make transistor 104 less conductive. The transistor 98 is in turn fully turned on and the impedance between the junction of diode 100 and resistor 96 and ground is substantially reduced. If this condition occurs, then the potential, which is applied in parallel to the capacitor 94 on the diac 88, substantially lowered to the point at which the potential is no longer sufficient to ignite the diac 88. If the diac 88 is switched off, then the triac 86 is also switched to its non-conductive state, see above that no current can flow through the armature coil 82. The spring biased armature switch 84 is released, removing the circuit from the AC power source is closed via the motor 56. When the motor 56 is switched on, then the cooling medium is through the inner tubular part 28 guided so that the sensitized material 25 is cooled.

It should be noted in particular that the circuit according to FIG. 3 is constructed symmetrically. As a result, in With regard to the transistors 110 and 108, a similar process occurs as soon as the negative phase of the alternating signal coming from the alternating current source 124 is present at the connection point between the diodes 114 and 110. this leads to to the fact that the transistor 110, as soon as a high temperature reduces the impedance of the thermistor 62, is fully biased to dadw.rh the ignition of the diac 88 and the Triacs 86 to prevent using the \. curtis that the Kotor is switched on.

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In the foregoing description, an apparatus for developing latent images has been described in which a single energy source is used to stabilize the sensitized material through the application of thermal energy and furthermore to irradiate the sensitized material with radiation of a predetermined wavelength. All of this has led to the fact that the performance of the present developing device could be increased with the exclusion of a component usually built into the known devices.

Many materials are known to those of ordinary skill in the art which, once they have been sensitized, can be developed in the development apparatus described above. Also necessary for the development of such materials processes are known to those skilled generally known, so that a further explanation is unnecessary.

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

Claims (16)

Claims Device for developing sensitized material, which Has latent images and unexposed background areas, with a conveyor that sensitized the Material is moved along a passage through a treatment zone in which it is developed the underground areas are heated to an obstructive degree and irradiated with radiation of a predetermined wavelength, characterized in that a single source for generating the thermal energy and the irradiation energy (50) is provided. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the passage guide (15) has mutually facing guide surfaces (26, 28, 58) which the source (50) at least partially enclose, and that at least one of the guide surfaces has a low coefficient of friction owns. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide surface closest to the source (50) the lateral surface of a tubular part (28) which has an opening (66) through which the radiation emitted by the source can impinge on the sensitized material (25) and its inner surface the proportion of thermal radiation from the source is at least partially absorbed and the sensitized material to heat it. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that in the vicinity of the guide surface (26, 28) a measuring device: '62) is provided, which is the temperature 009833/1391 of the sensitized material (25) is determined, and that a cooling device (54, 80) controllable by this measuring device is provided for the sensitized material. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the cooling device has one in the vicinity of the guide surfaces (26, 28) arranged heat sink (80). 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the cooling device (80) in the direction of passage of the sensitized Material (25) is arranged in front of the opening (66) of the tubular part (28). 7. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that that the cooling device is a fan (54, 60) on v / e, which a cooling medium through the tubular Part (28) directs. 8. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that that a second, at least partially tubular part (26), the first tubular part (28) encloses and that the inner surface of the second tubular part is designed as a guide surface. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the second tubular part (26) has an opening (83), in which a cooling surface (81) of the heat sink (80) in the immediate vicinity of the sensitized material (25 can be charged. 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the two tubular parts (26, 28) in one Housing (12) are arranged, the ra at least a first 009833/1391 copy jf. - 19 - and a second K © 3S? ssr (14 or 16) that the first Kssr / ^ r (14) essentially with a is filled, and that the second chamber includes heat sinks (80) and an access ...-. (2oi, through which ambient air can circulate. 11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the first tubular part (28) is arranged stationary with respect to the second tubular part (26). 12. Device according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that that the outer running surface facing the outer surface of the tubular part (28) has a resiliently elastic part (58) which sensitizes the Holds material (25) at least partially in close contact with the jacket surface. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that a felt layer (58) coated with a material is provided as the resilient, elastic part, which has a low coefficient of friction. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized ,. characterized in that the the sensitized material (25) moving conveyor (44,46,48,68,70,72,74) a conveyor roller (44) and first and second free-running . de Bollen (46 or 4S), which roll with the conveyor -. ^ ' form a first or second guide gap, ^: through which the sensitized material is guided on its way through the passage guide (15). COPY 009833/1391 ORIGINAL INSPECTED 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that
the distance between the first and the second guide gap is less than the length of the sensitized material (25). 16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized
characterized in that a mercury vapor lamp is provided as the source (50). 009833/1391