EP0085912B1 - Device for developing color photo-prints - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for developing color photographic images by the color diffusion process, the image-wise exposed image sheet is brought into contact with an aqueous alkaline working solution in a vessel according to the tilting method.

To carry out the color diffusion process, a light-sensitive element which contains color-imparting compounds and an image-receiving element in which the desired color image is produced by image-transferring diffusing dyes is usually used. For this purpose, it is necessary that there is firm contact between the light-sensitive element and the image-receiving element during the development time, so that the image-like distribution of diffusing dyes produced in the light-sensitive element as a result of the development can be transferred to the image-receiving element.

The contact can be made after development has started or it can have been made before development begins. The latter is the case, for example, if a material is used in which the light-sensitive element and the image-receiving element form an integral unit. Embodiments of the color diffusion method are known in which such an integral unit continues to exist even after the development process has ended; d. H. a separation of the photosensitive element from the image receiving element is not provided even after the color transfer.

According to DE-A No. 3045183, such an embodiment consists of a transparent layer support, light-sensitive elements, an opaque light-reflecting layer and an image-receiving layer, which together form a firm layer structure, into which an aqueous alkaline solution can penetrate from the side opposite the layer support .

For the production of colored copies, the imagewise exposure of the color photographic recording material is generally carried out in a dark room, e.g. B. in contact with a transparent colored template or using a conventional projection enlarger.

This is followed by simple processing, which essentially consists in bringing the exposed color photographic recording material into contact with an alkaline developer solution. This can be done, for example, by immersing the material in a suitable developer bath in the usual way or by applying a developer preparation in the form of a paste to the image-receiving layer of the color photographic material. Instead of liquid or viscous developer preparations, simple alkaline baths or pastes can also be used if the necessary developer substances, e.g. B. phenidone or its derivatives are embedded in one or more layers of the color photographic recording material, for example in the image receiving layer, the opaque light-reflecting layer or one or more layers of the light-sensitive element. Development with liquid developer baths can be carried out in trays or tanks.

The color photographic recording material according to DE-A No. 3045183 can be brought to light after an initial dark processing time of one to two minutes, so that the formation of the color transfer image in the image-receiving layer can be observed without the subsequent exposure having any appreciable influence on what is to be produced Color image exercises. Although the development of silver halide is not yet complete and silver halide which has been exposed to light is further developed, which manifests itself in the fact that the light-sensitive element which is visible through the transparent layer support becomes darker, but this has essentially no effect on the quality of the color image to be produced. It is thus possible to observe the formation of the color transfer image and, if desired, to interrupt the development process or the post-diffusion of the image dyes when a sufficient color density has been reached, for example by soaking the recording material or by immersing it in a weakly acidic interruption bath in the color photographic recording material The pH value is reduced to such an extent that the dye anions released up to that point are converted into the corresponding no longer diffusible dye acids and a stable image is obtained.

The use of strongly alkaline working solutions with a high pH value for the development of the imagewise exposed image sheets in the dark according to the described method can lead to considerable damage to the device and also to injuries to the processor by etching. In addition, handling caustic liquids in the dark is cumbersome.

Development vessels are known in which the material to be developed is introduced in the dark and the vessel is then closed. Through the inlet and outlet valve or openings, the various chemical solutions are brought into the vessel one after the other in the light and then released again after their reaction. After development, the vessel is opened and the developed material, such as photographic paper or film, is removed, watered and dried. These devices are very complicated in their structure and function and are not suitable for developing commercially available images using the color diffusion process.

From DE-A No. 522639 a pocket dark chamber is known, which consists of a rectangular part for receiving a photographic plate, the part being threaded and on bottles with developer solution, fixer solution and water can be screwed on. When the two parts are closed, a ball valve is opened so that the chemical solutions can access the photographic plate and react with it. The device is very complex and due to the risk of chemical burns when using alkaline working solutions not suitable for the development process described above using the color diffusion process.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for developing color photographic images by the color diffusion process, with which it is possible in a simple manner to develop the images as bright as possible and to avoid burns or damage by the aqueous alkaline working solution.

This object is achieved in a device of the aforementioned design according to the invention in that a cylindrical vessel for receiving the working solution is provided at the upper edge with a threaded sleeve and underneath with a protection against accidental contact, and a further cylindrical vessel in which the image to be developed is exposed imagewise Mono-sheet material is included, contains a holding device for the mono-sheet material and a thread core with which it can be screwed into the threaded sleeve of the vessel and can be sealed with this.

The developing device according to the invention is surprisingly simple to manufacture and to use. It offers sufficient protection against contact with the alkaline solution in the vessel and prevents the sheet to be developed from falling out when the vessel containing the sheet is tilted so that it can be screwed onto the vessel with the working solution.

The processing of the mono-sheet material is extremely simple with the device according to the invention. The mono sheet is exposed in the darkroom with a conventional color enlarger and placed in the vessel 2 and secured against falling out with a holding device.

The vessel 2 is screwed onto the vessel 1 and can then be brought into a light room. By tilting the vessel 1 upwards, the monosheet material is brought into contact with the working solution. Tempering or moving the working solution during the development time is not necessary for monosheet material according to DE-A No. 3045183. The development process is finished after just a minute and a half. The two vessels are tilted again so that the working solution runs back into their vessel.

The container with the monosheet material is unscrewed in the light, the remaining working solution is removed by watering and the monosheet material is removed and dried as usual. The working solution can be used for many successive developments of mono sheets.

In a very simple embodiment, the contact protection, which prevents reaching into the alkaline working solution, can be a perforated disk which has a multiplicity of holes which are, for example, smaller than five millimeters in diameter.

In a further developed embodiment of the device, the contact protection in the vessel with the working solution is a valve which can only be opened by screwing the other vessel onto the vessel with the working solution and otherwise tightly closes the vessel.

This embodiment has the considerable advantage that even if the vessel falls over, no alkali solution can escape and cause damage, which is particularly advantageous when handling the device in the dark.

The container with the working solution can be hermetically sealed when not in use with a closure part that has a threaded core and can thus serve as a storage container. This means that it is no longer necessary to fill the original storage bottle.

In a simple and inexpensive embodiment, the holding device for preventing the mono-sheet material from falling out can be a removable clamping ring. However, this requires that the light-sensitive material must be screwed onto the working solution vessel in the dark room in order to prevent unwanted exposure. An advantageous further development of the device is characterized in that the holding device consists of a removable labyrinth, which allows the working solution to enter and exit, but protects the interior of the vessel from light.

This further development shows the considerable advantage that the vessel with the working solution can always remain in the light room and only the vessel for the mono-sheet material in the dark room is provided with the imagewise exposed sheet and this is simultaneously held by the holding device and protected from exposure.

An advantageous embodiment of the device is characterized in that the inner wall of the vessel is provided with longitudinal ribs which reduce the adhesion of the mono-sheet material to the inner walls and facilitate the removal of the developed sheet.

An advantageous further development is characterized in that a removable annular or spiral insert with inward longitudinal ribs is provided, which is interrupted in such a way that the monosheet material can be inserted into the vessel with at least two turns without touching the image side to be developed.

This application makes it possible to develop longer formats of the mono-sheet material, such as strips, without giving the containers an unwieldy dimension. The imagewise exposed mono-sheet is simply inserted into the spiral-shaped insert and placed around its outer circumference and thus inserted into the vessel and secured with a holding device.

• Fig. ein Gefäss für die wässerig-alkalische Arbeitslösung im Schnitt
• Fig. 2 ein Gefäss für das Monoblattmaterial im Schnitt
• Fig. 3 ein Verschlussteil für das Gefäss nach Fig. 1
• Fig. 4 bis 6 Ventileinrichtungen für das Gefäss nach Fig. 1
• Fig. 7 ein Gefäss nach Fig. 2 mit einem Labyrintheinsatz
• Fig. 8 ein Gefäss nach Fig. 2 mit einem zusätzlichen Einsatz für grössere Blattformate im Längsschnitt
• Fig. 9 einen Querschnitt durch das Gefäss nach Fig. 8 entlang der Linie AA

In the following, embodiments of the Invention described in more detail with reference to drawings. Show it:

• Fig. A vessel for the aqueous alkaline working solution in section
• Fig. 2 is a vessel for the monosheet material in section
• 3 shows a closure part for the vessel according to FIG. 1
• 4 to 6 valve devices for the vessel of FIG. 1st
• 7 shows a vessel according to FIG. 2 with a labyrinth insert
• 8 shows a vessel according to FIG. 2 with an additional insert for larger sheet formats in longitudinal section
• FIG. 9 shows a cross section through the vessel according to FIG. 8 along the line AA

1 and 2 show the two essential parts of a device for developing photographic images using the color diffusion method. The vessel according to FIG. 1 is cylindrical and has a threaded sleeve 7 at its upper edge for receiving the vessel 2 according to FIG. 2. A rubber seal 6 is inserted below the thread to seal the two vessels 1, 2.

A contact protection 5 is inserted into the cylindrical inner part of the vessel 1, for example glued, screwed or pressed. The contact protection 5 prevents accidental reaching into the vessel 1, which is filled with the caustic aqueous-alkaline working solution 4. The threaded sleeve is attached to the vessel 1 in order to catch any alkaline solution that is still dripping when the vessels 1 and 2 are screwed apart.

The vessel 2 according to FIG. 2 serves to receive an imagewise exposed mono-sheet material 11 and is provided with a threaded core 9. In order to prevent the inserted monosheet material from falling out when the two vessels 1 and 2 are screwed together, a holding device 10 is inserted into the vessel after the monosheet material 11 has been inserted. In a simple embodiment, the holding device is a clamping ring which prevents it from falling out, but allows free flow through the openings provided in the working solution.

Fig. 3 shows a closure part 3 for closing the vessel 1 when it is not in use. The closure part 3 is provided with a thread core 9, has a rimmed edge 12 and / or a rib 13 for screwing the closure part 3 into the thread of the vessel 1.

In general, the device, even in this very simple and inexpensive embodiment, is reliable and allows error-free development of color photographic images in the manner described above. To improve the handling of the vessels 1 and 2, these can be provided with grooves or knurls on their outer circumference, in part or even over the entire circumference, which facilitate opening and closing. Since the device is partially used in dark rooms, the vessels 1, 2 can be provided with luminous marks, which make it easier to find the upper and lower vessels 1, 2 and also screw them together (not shown).

To prevent leakage of the aqueous alkaline working solution or direct contact with this solution, FIGS. 4 to 6 show a further development of the device, the vessel 1 being closed with valves 12 until the vessel 2 is on the vessel 1 is screwed on.

4 shows a valve 12 which consists of a valve plate 16 and a valve plate 14. A rubber spring 15 presses the valve plate 14 against the valve plate 16 in the idle state and hermetically seals the vessel 1. If the vessel 2 is screwed onto the vessel 1, the holding device 10 presses against the rubber spring and opens the valve 12, so that the working solution 4 can flow from vessel 1 to 2 and vice versa in both directions (see arrows). It is advantageous that the valve 12 is only opened if the holding device 10 for securing the monosheet material is inserted into the vessel 2 and the material to be developed is thus secured and cannot fall out.

Fig. 5 shows a valve 12, consisting of a valve plate 17 which is fixedly attached in the vessel 1 and has openings 13 which are closed in the rest position by a seal 21 on a valve plate 18. The closure is effected by a spring 20 which is arranged in a housing 19 and connects the housing to the valve plate 18. If the vessel 2 is now screwed onto the vessel 1, the outer edge of the vessel 2 presses the housing 19 downward against the spring 20 so that the working solution can flow back and forth between the vessels (see arrows). When the vessel 2 is unscrewed, the valve 12 closes again immediately.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows a further advantageous embodiment of a valve 12 for closing the vessel 1. The valve 12 consists of a valve plate 24 fixedly mounted in the vessel and a movable valve plate 23, which with its seal 27 is pressed against the valve plate 24 by rubber springs 25 and hermetically seals the vessel 1. If the vessel 2 is screwed onto the vessel 1, similar to FIG. 4, the holding device 10 presses against the rubber springs 25, presses them together and opens the valve 12 so that the working solution can flow through (see arrows).

The valve designs described differ in that the valve 12 according to FIG. 5 can also function without a holding device 10, while the valves 12 of FIGS. 4 and 6 work in cooperation with the holding device 10. The valve 12 of FIG. 4 is actuated by the center of the holding device 10 and is therefore more suitable for vessels 1, 2 with a smaller diameter. The valve 12 of FIG. 6 is actuated on the edge 26 of the holding device 10 and is particularly advantageous for vessels 1, 2 with a large diameter.

The valves 12 are screwed into the vessel 1 so that they can be removed to clean or empty the vessel. However, they can also be welded or glued in, a closure part according to FIG. 3 being used for emptying and rinsing the vessel 1, which has bores in order to drain off the working solution and to let in rinsing liquids (shown in dashed lines).

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the vessel 2, in which the holding device 10 is designed in a simple manner as a labyrinth. After the imagewise exposure of the mono-sheet material 11, it is placed in the vessel 2 and secured against falling out and against unwanted exposure by the labyrinth holding device 10.

The labyrinth-shaped holding device 10 consists of three or more circular plates 28, 29, 30, the bores or openings 31 of which are offset from one another in such a way that the liquid can flow through, but light cannot pass through. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the upper plate 28 has a central bore 31 and is fastened with webs 32 to the central plate 29, which has a smaller diameter than the first plate 28. On the smaller plate 29 there is again a plate with webs 32 30 attached, which has a central hole 31. One or two of the plates 28, 30 are provided with a device with which they are fastened in the vessel 2, for example with a thread, a plug or twist lock (bayonet lock) or a plate 28, 30 is designed and clamped as a clamping plate with the inner wall or in a groove located there. The labyrinth can also be formed by other arrangements of more or fewer plates. An embodiment is also conceivable, in which two plates with bores can be rotated relative to one another, so that the bores are concealed from one another in a first position of the plates and prevent access to the light and lie one above the other in a second position and give free access to the working solution. The plates can be rotated relative to one another when the vessel 2 is screwed into the vessel 1, a cam in the vessel 1 causing one of the plates to be rotated (not shown).

The labyrinth-like design of the holding device 10 has the advantage over the simple clamping ring that only the vessel 2 has to be taken into the dark room, the imagewise exposed monosheet material is inserted there and the vessel 2 is closed with the labyrinth-like holding device. The screwing of the vessel 2 onto the vessel 1, the development and the removal of the monosheet material can be carried out in the light room. The alkaline working solution always remains in the light room.

8 shows a section through a vessel 2 along the axis, into which an insert 33 is inserted and held with the clamping ring (10). The insert 33 consists of an annular disc 34, on which a partition 35 is mounted standing vertically, which is open on one side. The partition 35 serves as a spacer for the mono-sheet material 11, so that a greater length of the material 11 can be introduced into the vessel 2 without the surface of the material (11) touching.

As shown in FIG. 9, a cross section through the vessel 2 of FIG. 8, the monosheet material 11 is either inserted into the vessel 2 from above or the insert 33 is removed from the vessel, the monosheet material 11 tangentially along the partition 35 up to inserted the stop 36 formed and then placed around the insert 33 and pushed together with this into the vessel and secured by the holding device 10. The holding device 10 can be both a clamping ring or a labyrinth.

With the insert 33, it is possible to introduce and develop almost twice the length of a monosheet material 11 in the vessel 2. The insert 33 can also be designed as a spiral, so that the partition 35 makes several turns and can thus accommodate even greater lengths of the mono-sheet material 11 (not shown).

The inner walls of the vessel 2 and the inner sides of the insert 33 are advantageously grooved or provided with slightly inwardly projecting rounded webs 36 ′, which prevent intimate contact of the sheet material 11 with the inner surfaces of the vessel 2 and insert 33 and thus only a slight one cause linear arrangement.

The device is advantageously made of plastic, but can also be made of stainless steel.

The use of the device is not only limited to the development of color photographic images, but is also suitable in the same way for black and white images which are developed using the color diffusion method or also with a fixing developer.

Claims (8)

1. Device for developing colour-photographic images according to the dye diffusion process, in which the image-wise exposed mono-sheet material is brought into contact with an aqueous- alkaline working solution in a container by the overturning method, characterised in that a first cylindrical container (1) for receiving the working solution (4) is provided with a threaded sleeve (7) at its upper edge and with a contact shield (5) below the sleeve, and another cylindrical container (2), into which the image-wise exposed mono-sheet material (11) to be developed can be inserted, contains a holding device (10) for the mono-sheet material (11) and a threaded core (9) by means of which it can be screwed into the threaded sleeve (7) of the first container (1) and tightly sealed thereto.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the contact shield (5) is a perforated disc which prevents the working solution from being touched.

3. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the contact shield (5) in container (1) is a valve (12) which can only be opened by screwing container (2) on to container (1 ) and which otherwise tightly seals container (1).

4. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that a sealing element (3) is provided to seal container (1) when this container is not being used, which element is provided with a threaded core (9).

5. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the holding device (10) for preventing the mono-sheet material (11) from falling out is a removable clamping ring.

6. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the holding device (10) consists of a removable labyrinth (28,29,30) which allows the working solution (4) to flow in and out, but protects the inside of the container from light.

7. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the inside wall of container (2) is provided with longitudinal ribs (36) which reduce adhesion of the mono-sheet material (11) to the inside walls of container (2).

8. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that a removable annular or spiral insert (33) is provided with inwardly directed longitudinal ribs (36') and the periphery of the insert is interrupted so that the mono-sheet material (11) can be inserted into container (2) in at leasttwo windings without the image side to be developed touching itself.

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