FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to
a
process for the processing of a silver halide photographic material. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a process for the
processing of a silver halide photographic material
which provides improvements in photographic properties
and which provides improved ability to inhibit residual
coloration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With progress and development in the field of
electronics there has also arisen a demand for greater
rapidity in all fields and the field of silver halide
photographic processing is no exception.
In particular, the need for rapid processing has
greatly increased in the development processing of
sheet-shaped photographic materials such as photographic
materials for the graphic arts, X-ray photographic
materials, photographic materials for scanners,
photographic materials for CRT image recording and the
like.
Furthermore, rapid development processing has
the advantage that with more rapid development
processing, smaller tank capacities are required to
develop a unit quantity of photographic material in a
unit time, and hence a smaller automatic processor may be
employed. Rapid development processing is therefore of
great importance.
However, with the increase in the development
processing speed, more often a problem occurs in that
sensitizing dyes contained in silver halide photographic
materials do not elute during processing, leaving the
inside of the photographic materials discolored (so-called
residual coloration) or a problem occurs in that
sensitizing dyes are delayed in desorption from silver
halide grains, deteriorating photographic properties
(e.g., inhibition of development, fixation and bleach).
Various approaches for eliminating residual
coloration are known. For example, Research Disclosure,
No. 20733, vol. 207, July 1981, discloses a method which
comprises incorporating a water-soluble stilbene
compound or a nonionic surface active agent or a mixture
thereof into a developer, a method which comprises
processing a photographic element which has been
developed, bleached and fixed with an oxidizing agent to
destroy dyes, and a method which comprises using a
persulfate bath as a bleaching bath. However, these
methods are not sufficiently effective to eliminate much
residual coloration. Further, these methods do not
positively accelerate desorption and elution of
sensitizing dyes. These methods are not suitable
particularly for rapid processing.
Methods which comprise the use of an additive
for processing solutions as disclosed in JP-A-64-4739,
JP-A-64-15734, JP-A-1-9451, JP-A-1-35440, JP-A-1-21444,
JP-A-1-35441, and JP-A-1-159645 (the term "JP-A" as used
herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent
application") are effective. However, these methods do
not necessarily provide satisfactory results.
On the other hand, methods which comprise the
use of an additive for destroying the association of
sensitizing dyes as disclosed in U.S.
-A- 4,906,553 are excellent.
In particular, a method as disclosed in U.S.
-A- 4,906,553 is very effective. However,
these methods tend to have weaker effects on aged
processing solutions or processing solutions which have
been used for running processing.
US-A-3 137 574 describes a method for improving the silver
image stability of rapid-processed photographic prints which
includes treatment of said prints with a compound of formula
wherein X represents -CH=CH-, S, O, NH or -CR'=N-.
EP-A-0 413 314 which is state of the art under the provisions
of Art. 54(3) EPC describes a silver halide photographic
material having improved residual coloration and fixing
properties wherein the following compounds may be contained:
Therefore an object of the present invention is to
provide a process for rapid development processing.
A further object of the present invention
is to provide
a process for the processing
of a silver halide photographic material which overcomes the problem of residual
coloration which is caused by non-eluted sensitizing
dyes which may remain after rapid processing or the
problem of deterioration in the photographic properties.
Yet a still further object of the present
invention is to provide
a process for the
processing of a silver halide photographic material which has excellent preservability
and adaptability to running processing.
These and other objects of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed
description and examples.
These and other objects of the present invention
are accomplished with
a method for the processing of a silver halide
photographic material comprising processing a spectrally
sensitized silver halide photographic material with a
processing solution containing a compound represented by
the general formula (I) or (II) or a salt thereof;
wherein Z
1 represents a nonmetallic atom group required to
form an unsaturated ring; Y
1 represents an oxygen atom, a
sulfur atom or
in which R
11 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group;
R
1 represents an alkyl group substituted with an amino,
dialkylamino or sulfonamido group; and X
1 represents an
oxygen atom
wherein Z
2 represents a nonmetallic atom group required to
form an unsaturated ring; Y
2 represents an oxygen atom, a
sulfur atom or
in which R
12 has the same meaning as R
11; R
2 represents an
alkyl group substituted with an amino group, a
dialkylamino group or a sulfonamido group; X
2 represents
an oxygen atom, a methylene group or
in which R
22 has the same meaning as R
11; or a compound
represented by the general formula (III):
wherein Z represents a nonmetallic atom group required to
form an unsaturated ring; and R represents an alkyl group
substituted with a sulfo group, a dialkylamino group or a
phosphonic acid group, an aryl group, an acyl group, an
allyl group or an alkanesulfonyl group; compound (III) may
be in the form of tautomeric enol.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The compounds represented by the general
formulae (I), (II) and (III) are described further
hereinafter.
Preferred examples of the unsaturated rings
formed by Z1 or Z2 include monocyclic and polycyclic
unsaturated carbocyclic and heterocyclic rings such as a
benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, and a 5- or 6-membered
heterocyclic ring. These rings may contain substituents.
Specific examples of suitable substituents are the same as defined later for Z. Particularly preferred of these 5- or 6-membered
heterocyclic rings are a pyridine ring, a
pyrimidine ring, a pyrazine ring, a furan ring, a thiene
ring, a pyrrole ring, a triazine ring, an imidazole
ring, a quinazoline ring, a purine ring, a quinoline
ring, an acridine ring, an indole ring, a thiazole ring,
an oxazole ring, a selenazole ring, a furazalane ring,
and a heterocyclic ring in which these heterocyclic rings
are further condensed with a benzo condensed ring or a
naphtho condensed ring or to each other.
The alkyl group
represented by R11, R12 or R22 may contain
substituents. These groups (including a substituent) each preferably contains 10
or less carbon atoms. Preferred examples of such
substituents include an amino group, an ammonio group, a
hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a sulfo group, a
phosphonic acid, a sulfonyl group, a sulfonamido group,
an amide group, an acyl group, a cyano group, an
alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a ureide
group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylthio
group, an arylthio group, a nitrogen-containing
heterocyclic residue, an alkyl group, and an aryl group.
These substituents may be further substituted.
R1 and R2 represent an alkyl
group substituted by an amino group, a dialkylamino
group or a sulfonamido group.
Particularly preferred of these alkyl
groups is an alkyl group substituted by a dialkylamino
group.
Preferred examples of R11 and R12 include an
alkyl group substituted by a dialkylamino group, an
unsubstituted alkyl group, and an alkoxy group.
Preferred examples of R22 include a hydrogen atom.
Particularly preferred of the groups represented
by Y1 is a sulfur atom,
X1 is an oxygen atom.
Preferred of the groups represented by X2 is -O-
or -NH-.
Preferred of the unsaturated rings formed by Z
are a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, and a 5- or 6-membered
heterocyclic ring. Preferred examples of such
5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring include a pyridine
ring, a pyrimidine ring, a pyrazine ring, a furan ring,
a thiene ring, a pyrrole ring, a triazine ring, an
imidazole ring, a quinazoline ring, a purine ring, a
quinoline ring, an acridine ring, an indole ring, a
thiazole ring, an oxazole ring, a selenazole ring, a
furazalane ring, and a heterocyclic ring in which these
heterocyclic rings are condensed with a benzo condensed
ring or a naphtho condensed ring or to each other.
The rings represented by Z include those
containing substituents. Specific examples of suitable
substituents include a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group,
an aryloxy group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, an
ammonio group, a sulfo group, a phosphonic acid group, a
sulfonyl group, a ureide group, an acyl group, an
alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a carbamoyl group, a
sulfamoyl group, an acylamino group, a sulfonamido
group, an oxo group, a halogen group, a cyano group, a
nitro group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an
alkynyl group, and an aryl group. These groups may
contain substituents.
R represents an alkyl group
substituted with a sulfo group, a dialkylamino group or a phosphonic acid group
(preferably an alkyl group containing 4 or less carbon
atoms, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl), an aryl group
(preferably an aryl group containing a benzene nucleus,
e.g., phenyl), an acyl group (preferably an acyl group
containing 10 or less carbon atoms, e.g., acetyl,
benzoyl), an allyl group, or an alkanesulfonyl group
(preferably an alkanesulfonyl group containing 3 or less
carbon atoms, e.g., methanesulfonyl, ethanesulfonyl,
propanesulfonyl).
Examples of the aryl group, acyl
group, alkanesulfonyl group
represented by R include those containing substituents.
Examples of such substituents include a hydroxyl group,
an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a carboxyl group, an
amino group, an ammonio group (examples of amino groups
and ammonio groups include those containing
substituents; two or more such substituents may be
connected to each other to form a ring such as a
morpholino ring), a sulfo group, a phosphono group, a
sulfonyl group, a ureide group, an acyl group, an
alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a carbamoyl group, a
sulfamoyl group (examples of carbamoyl groups and
sulfamoyl groups include those containing substituents;
two or more such substituents may be connected to each
other to form a ring such as a morpholino ring), an
acylamino group, a sulfonamido group, an oxo group, a
halogen group, a cyano group, and a nitro group. If
possible, these substituents and functional groups may
be further substituted. Of the functional groups of
compounds of the general formula (III), a carboxyl
group, a sulfo group, and a phosphono group may be in
the form of salt with an alkali metal (e.g., sodium,
potassium) or monovalent positive atom (e.g., NH4 +). The
amino group may form a salt with various acids such as
hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid,
phosphoric acid, oxalic acid and acetic acid.
Particularly preferred examples of R include
an alkyl group substituted with
a dialkylamino group,
a sulfonic acid group, and a phosphonic acid group.
The compound represented by the general formula
(I), (II) or (III) preferably has a molecular weight of
600 or less, more preferably 500 or less. The compound
represented by the general formula (I), (II) or (III) is
preferably water-soluble. Such a compound is preferably
soluble in water in a proportion of 0.04 g or more,
particularly 0.08 g or more, per 100 cc of water at a
temperature of 20°C.
The compound represented by the general formula
(I) or (II) may be used in the form of a salt with an
inorganic or organic acid. Preferred examples of such
inorganic or organic acids include hydrochloric acid,
sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic
acid, perchloric acid, oxalic acid, p-toluenesulfonic
acid, methanesulfonic acid, and trifluoromethanesulfonic
acid.
The compound represented by the general formula
(III) may be in the form of tautomeric enol.
Specific examples of compounds used in the
present invention are set forth below.
The synthesis of the compounds represented by
the general formula (I) or (II) can be easily
accomplished by any suitable method as described in JP-B-54-18338,
Journal of Organic Chemistry, vol. 24, page
1478 (1959),
Journal of Chemical Society, page 442,
1957, and
Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry, vol. 22,
page 313 and page 1065, 1985, or by methods analogous
thereto. (The term "JP-B" as used herein means an
"examined Japanese patent publication".)
The synthesis of the compounds represented by
the general formula (III) can be accomplished in
accordance with any suitable method as described in JP-B-49-8852,
JP-B-49-11063, and JP-B-54-18338,
DE-C- 2,349,527, Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry,
vol. 14, page 1045, 1977, Journal of Organic Chemistry,
vol. 24, page 1478, 1973 and vol. 38, page 3084, 1973,
and Journal of Chemical Society, page 3311, 1949.
Examples of the synthesis of typical compounds
of the present invention are set forth below. Unless
otherwise indicated herein, all parts, percents, ratios
and the like are by weight
Synthesis of Compound I-(2)
76.5 g of 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole and 77.0 g of
urea were stirred over an oil bath at a temperature of
145°C for 4 hours. 40 ml of m-cresol was then added to
the reaction solution. The reaction solution was
further stirred for 2 hours. The reaction solution was
then poured into 1 ℓ of ice-water. The resulting
crystals were filtered off, and then washed with 1 ℓ of
water. The crystals were then dissolved in 800 ml of
ethanol and 100 ml of water under heating. 1 ℓ of water
was added to the solution so that the solution was
cooled. The resulting crystals were filtered off, and
then dried under reduced pressure to obtain 3-oxotriazolobenzothiazole
in the form of white crystals
(yield: 91%).
77.1 g of a 20% methanol solution of sodium
methylate was dissolved in 800 ml of isopropanol. 38.2
g of 3-oxotriazolobenzothiazole was added to the
solution. The reaction solution was then heated at
reflux for 10 minutes. After cooling, 37.2 g of
hydrochloride of dimethylaminopropyl chloride was added
to the reaction solution. The reaction solution was
further heated at reflux for 4 hours. The reaction
solution was poured into 800 ml of ice-water. The
reaction solution was then extracted with 1.5 ℓ of ethyl
acetate. The organic phase thus extracted was dried
with magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate was filtered
off, and the organic phase was concentrated under reduced
pressure. The residue was dissolved in 500 ml of
tetrahydrofuran. Hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled into
the solution under cooling with ice. The resulting
crystals were filtered off, washed with tetrahydrofuran,
and then dried under reduced pressure to obtain Compound
I-(2) (yield: 71%; m.p. 245°C).
Synthesis of Compound II-(2)
1.9 ml of a 28% methanol solution of sodium
methylate was added to 20 ml of an acetonitrile solution
of 1.38 g of diethylaminoethanol. The reaction solution
was heated at reflux for 2 hours. After cooling, 20 ml
of an acetonitrile solution of 2.5 g of 3-bromotriazolobenzothiazole
(obtained by the synthesis method
as described in JP-B-54-18338) was dropwise added to the
reaction solution. The reaction solution was further
heated at reflux for 5 hours. The reaction solution was
cooled, and the resulting crystals were filtered off,
washed with acetonitrile, and then dried to obtain
Compound II-(2) (yield: 73%; m.p. 282-285°C).
Synthesis of Compound III-6
164 g (1.0 mol) of 2-methylthiobenzoimidazole
was suspended in 1,500 cc of water. 1.65 g (0.005 mol)
of sodium tungstate dihydrate and 280 ml of 35% hydrogen
peroxide were added to the suspension. The reaction
solution was then stirred over a hot water bath at a
temperature of 50°C over 6 hours. The resulting
crystals were then filtered off to obtain 181 g of 2-methanesulfonylbenzoimidazole.
70 g (0.36 mol) of 2-methanesulfonylbenzoimidazole,
74 g (0.4 mol) of 1-chloro-2-diethylaminoethane
hydrochloride, and 119 ml of triethylamine were heated
at reflux in 700 ml of acetonitrile for 3 hours.
The resulting hydrochloride of triethylamine was
filtered off. The filtrate was concentrated under
reduced pressure. The solution was extracted with ethyl
acetate (1,000 cc × 2). The resulting ethyl acetate
phase was dried with magnesium sulfate, and then
concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 85.3 g of
1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-2-methanesulfonylbenzoimidazole.
85 g of 1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-2-methanesulfonylbenzoimidazole
thus obtained was then heated at reflux
in 200 ml of hydrazine monohydrate for 4 hours. The
reaction solution was extracted with ethyl acetate,
dried with sodium sulfate, and then dried under reduced
pressure to obtain a syrupy residue. Isopropanol was
added to the residue. 20 ml of hydrochloric acid was
added to the system to obtain 84 g of 1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-2-hydrazinobenzoimidazole
dihydrochloride in
crystal form. 84 g of 1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-2-hydrazinobenzoimidazole
dihydrochloride thus obtained
was suspended in acetonitrile. 19 ml of carbon
disulfide and 80 ml of triethylamine were added to the
suspension. The mixture was then stirred at a
temperature of 60°C to effect thorough dissolution. The
reaction solution was further stirred at a temperature
of 60°C for 2 hours, and then cooled with ice. The
resulting crystals were filtered off, and then suspended
in 500 ml of methanol. 20 ml of hydrochloric acid was
added to the suspension to effect thorough dissolution.
The reaction solution was again cooled with ice. The
resulting crystals were filtered off to obtain 40 g of
8-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-3-mercaptobenzoimidazotriazole
(III-(6)). (m.p. 258-260°C)
Elemental Analysis: |
Calculated % | C 54.58, | H 5.29, | N 17.14, | S 11.21 |
Found % | C 54.60, | H 5.25, | N 17.01, | S 11.30 |
The synthesis of other compounds can be
accomplished by suitable methods similar to the above
mentioned methods.
All aqueous solutions obtained from these
exemplified compounds in accordance with condition 1
exhibited a molecular extinction coefficient of at 624
nm. Furthermore, all these compounds have a molecular
weight of 600 or less.
The compounds of the general formula (I), (II)
or (III) used in the present invention serve to enable rapid
processing of a silver halide photographic material. In
particular, the present compounds serve to extremely
minimize the amount of sensitizing dye left in the
photographic material which has been processed.
In the
present invention, the compound of the general formula
(I), (II), or (III) is incorporated in the processing
solution.
The photographic processing of the present
invention, in the case of a black-and-white light-sensitive
material, comprises at least the steps of
developing, fixing, rinsing (or stabilizing) and drying
the silver halide photographic material which has been
exposed to light. In the case of a color photographic
material, the present photographic processing comprises
at least the steps of color-developing, bleaching,
fixing (bleach and fixation may be effected in the same
bath, i.e., a blix bath), rinsing (or stabilizing), and
drying the silver halide photographic material which has
been exposed to light.
The compound of the general formula (I), (II),
or (III) may be incorporated in any of a developer,
color developer, fixing solution, bleaching solution,
blix solution, rinsing solution, and prebath thereof.
In particular, the compound is preferably incorporated
in a developer, a color developer, a fixing solution, a
blix solution, a rinsing solution or a prebath thereof.
In other words, the processing solution used in the present
invention is a developer, a color developer, a fixing
solution, a bleaching solution, a blix solution or a
prebath thereof containing a compound represented by the
general formula (I), (II), or (III).
The amount of the compound of the general
formula (I), (II), or (III) to be incorporated in the
processing solution depends on the kind of processing
solution but is generally in the range of 5×10-5 to 10-1
mol/ℓ, preferably 10-4 to 5×102 mol/ℓ, particularly 3×10-2
to 10-2 mol/ℓ. If this amount falls below this range,
the effect of improving adaptability to rapid processing
cannot be obtained. On the contrary, if the amount
exceeds this range, precipitation in the processing
solution occurs or the manufacturing cost is increased.
The silver halide photographic material used in the
present invention exhibits pronounced effects when a
silver halide photographic material which has been
spectrally sensitized is processed rapidly, preferably
for 90 seconds or less, particularly 70 seconds or less.
When the silver halide photographic material used in
the present invention is a black-and-white photographic
material, it is most preferably developed with a
developer containing a combination of a dihydroxybenzene
and a 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone. Other p-aminophenol-based
developing agents may also be included, if
desired.
Examples of suitable dihydroxybenzene developing
agents include hydroquinone, chlorohydroquinone, bromohydroquinone,
isopropylhydroquinone, methylhydroquinone,
2,3-dichlorohydroquinone, 2,5-dichlorohydroquinone, 2,3-dibromohydroquinone,
and 2,5-dimethylhydroquinone.
Particularly preferred of these dihydroxybenzene developing
agents is hydroquinone.
Examples of p-aminophenol-based developing
agents include N-methyl-p-aminophenol, p-aminophenol, N-(β-hydroxyethyl)-p-aminophenol,
N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)glycine,
2-methyl-p-aminophenol, and p-benzylaminophenol.
Particularly preferred of these p-aminophenol-based
developing agents is N-methyl-p-aminophenol.
Examples of 3-pyrazolidone-based developing
agents include l-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone, 1-phenyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-pyrazolidone,
1-phenyl-4-methyl-4-hydroxymethyl-3-pyrazolidone,
1-phenyl-4,4-dihydroxymethyl-3-pyrazolidone,
1-phenyl-5-methyl-3-pyrazolidone, 1-p-aminophenyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-pyrazolidone,
1-p-tolyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-pyrazolidone,
and 1-p-tolyl-4-methyl-4-hydroxymethyl-3-pyrazolidone.
The developing agent is preferably used in an
amount of 0.01 to 1.2 mol/ℓ.
Examples of sulfite preservatives used in the
processing solution include sodium sulfite, potassium
sulfite, lithium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium
bisulfite, and potassium metabisulfite. The sulfites
are preferably used at 0.2 mol/ℓ or more, particularly
0.4 mol/ℓ. Furthermore, an upper limit of 2.5 mol/ℓ is
preferred.
The pH of the developer is preferably in the
range of 9 to 13, more preferably 10 to 12.
Examples of alkalis to be used to set the pH
include pH adjusters such as sodium hydroxide, potassium
hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium
triphosphate, and potassium triphosphate.
Buffers such as those described in JP-A-62-186259
(borates), those described in JP-A-60-93433
(e.g., saccharose, acetoxime, 5-sulfosalicylic acid),
phosphates, and carbonates may also be used.
Film hardeners may also be incorporated in the
above mentioned developer. Examples of film hardeners
preferably used are dialdehyde-based film hardeners or
bisulfite addition products thereof. Specific examples
of these film hardeners include glutaraldehyde, and
bisulfite addition products thereof.
Examples of additives which may be used in
addition to the above-mentioned constituents include
development inhibitors such as sodium bromide, potassium
bromide and potassium iodide; organic solvents such as
ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
dimethylformamide, methyl cellosolve, hexylene glycol,
ethanol and methanol; and antifoggants such as 1-phenyl-5-mercaptotetrazole,
sodium 2-mercaptobenzimidazole-5-sulfonate,
and other mercapto compounds, 5-nitroindazole
and other indazole-based compounds, and 5-methylbenzotriazole
and other benzotriazole-based
compounds. Other examples of additives which may be
used include development accelerators as described in
Research Disclosure, No. 17643, vol. 176, Section XXI
(December 1978). If desired, toners, surface active
agents, defoaming agents, water softeners, and amino
compounds as described in JP-A-56-106244 can also be
present.
Silver stain inhibitors such as the compounds as
described in JP-A-56-24347 can be incorporated in the
developer in the development processing.
The developer can comprise amino compounds such
as the alkanolamines described in EP-B-
0,136,582 and JP-A-56-106244.
In addition, the developer can also comprise
those compounds described in L.F.A. Mason, Photographic
Processing Chemistry, pp. 226-229, Focal Press, 1966,
US-A- 2,193,015 and US-A- 2,592,364, and JP-A-48-64933.
The fixing solution to be used in the present
invention is an aqueous solution containing a thiosulfate
as a fixing agent and a pH of 3.8 or more, more
preferably 4.2 to 7.0, and most preferably 4.5 to 5.5.
Examples of suitable fixing agents include
sodium thiosulfate, and ammonium thiosulfate. Particularly
preferred of these fixing agents is ammonium
thiosulfate from the standpoint of fixing speed. The
amount of fixing agent to be used can be appropriately
varied, but is generally in the range of about 0.1 mol/ℓ
to about 6 mol/ℓ.
The fixing solution can comprise a water-soluble
aluminum salt which serves as a film hardener. Examples
of such water-soluble aluminum salts include aluminum
chloride, aluminum sulfate, and potash alum.
The fixing solution can comprise tartaric acid,
citric acid, gluconic acid, and derivatives thereof,
alone or in combination. These compounds are effective
if present in a concentration of 0.005 mol or more,
particularly 0.01 to 0.03 mol, per 1 of fixing solution.
If desired, the fixing solution can comprise
preservatives (e.g., sulfite, bisulfite), pH buffers
(e.g., acetic acid, boric acid), pH adjusters (e.g.,
sulfuric acid), chelating agents capable of softening
water, and the compounds as described in JP-A-62-78551.
It is preferable to reduce the processing
hardening by reducing the percentage swelling of the
photographic material (preferably 150% to 50%) since
this facilitates faster processing. Thus, it is
preferable that there be no hardening during development
and also preferable that there be no hardening during
fixing, and the hardening reaction may also be reduced
by adopting a pH of 4.6 or more in the fixing solution.
In this way, it is possible to construct a replenishing
agent composed of a developing solution and a fixing
solution respectively in a single solution, which has
the advantage that a simple dilution with water is
sufficient for adjusting the replenishment solution.
The above-mentioned silver halide photographic
materials used in the present invention are processed with
washing water or a stabilizing solution after the
developing and fixing stages. The stabilizing solution
is the same as for the washing, the nomenclature being
all that is different.
The replenishment rate of the washing water or
stabilizing solution is preferably in the range of 2 ℓ
or less (including 0, which is to say a standing water
wash) per m2 of photographic material.
This not only makes it possible to effect a
saving of water in the processing but also reduces the
need for piping in an automatic processor.
A known approach for reducing the replenishment
rate is the multi-stage countercurrent system (for
example with 2 or 3 stages). If a multi-stage counter-current
system is applied in the present invention, even
more efficient washing can be attained, since, after the
material has been fixed, the photographic material
progressively contacts a gradually cleaner washing
solution, which is to say in the direction of the
processing solution which is not contaminated by the
fixing solution.
When the above-mentioned development processing
is carried out as a water-saving processing or as a
pipeless processing, it is preferable to have an
antimicrobial means in the washing water or stabilizing
solution.
Suitable antimicrobial means include use of the
ultraviolet irradiation method described in JP-A-60-263939,
the method using a magnetic field described in
JP-A-60-263940, the method in which water is purified
using an ion-exchange resin described in JP-A-61-131632,
and methods using antibacterial agents described in JP-A-62-115154,
JP-A-62-153952, JP-A-62-220951, and JP-A-62-209532.
Furthermore, it is possible to use antibacterial
agents, antifungal agents and surface active agents as
described in L.E. West, "Water Quality Criteria", Photo.
Sci. & Eng., vol. 9, No. 6 (1965), M.W. Beach, "Microbiological
Growths in Motion-Picture Processing", SMPTE
Journal, vol. 85, 1976, R.O. Deegan, "Photo Processing
Wash Water Biocides", J. Imaging Tech 10, No. 6 (1984),
and JP-A-57-8542, 57-58143, 58-105145, 57-132146, 58-18631,
57-97530, and 57-157244.
Furthermore, the washing bath and stabilizing
bath can comprise isothiazoline-based compounds as
described in R.T. Kreiman, J. Image. Tech. 10, (6), page
242, 1984, and Research Disclosure Nos. 20526, vol. 205,
May 1981, and 22845, vol. 228, April 1983, and compounds
as described in JP-A-62-209532 as microbiocides.
In addition, compounds such as those described
in Hiroshi Horiguchi, Bokin Bobai No Kagaku (The
Chemistry of Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents),
Mitsumoto Publishing (1982); and Japanese Antimicrobial
and Antifungal Society, Bokin Bobai Gijutsu Handbook
(Antimicrobial and Antifungal Technology Handbook),
Hakuhodo (1986) may also be included.
When the silver halide photographic material of
the present invention is stabilized in a stabilizing
solution or washed with a small amount of washing water,
it is preferable to provide a squeeze roller washing
tank as described in JP-A-63-18350.
Furthermore, it is preferable to adopt a
washing stage configuration such as that described in
JP-A-63-143548.
Moreover, part or all of the overflow from the
washing or stabilization bath, which is produced by
replenishing the washing or stabilization bath with
water which has undergone an antifungal stage in the
processing, can be used in a processing solution having
a fixing capability, which is the preceding processing
stage, as described in JP-A-60-235133.
When the silver halide photographic material used in
the present invention is a black-and-white material, and
when it is processed in an automatic processor including
at least the above developing, fixing and washing or
stabilizing and drying steps, it is preferable that the
steps from development to drying be completed within 90
seconds, which is to say that the time taken from when
the front edge of the photographic material is immersed
in the developing solution, as it passes through the
fixing and washing (or stabilization) stages and is
dried and until the front edge emerges from the drying
zone (the so-called dry to dry time) is 90 seconds or
less, and this is particularly preferably 70 seconds or
less. More preferably, this dry to dry time is 60
seconds or less.
In the present invention "the time taken in the
developing step" or the "developing time" refers to the
time from when the front end of the photographic
material being processed is immersed in the solution in
the developing tank in an automatic processor until it
is immersed in the fixing solution which follows, the
"fixing time" refers to the time from when it is
immersed in the solution in the fixing tank until it is
immersed in the washing tank solution (stabilizing
solution) which follows, and the "washing time" refers
to the time during which it is immersed in the washing
tank solution.
Furthermore, an automatic processor is normally
equipped with a drying zone through which a hot gas of
35°C to 100°C, and preferably 40°C to 80°C, is passed and the
"drying time" refers to the time spent in this drying
zone.
To achieve a rapid processing with a dry to dry
time of 90 seconds or less as discussed above, the
developing time is 30 seconds or less and preferably 25
seconds or less, and the developing temperature is
preferably in the range of 25°C to 50°C, more preferably
30°C to 40°C.
The fixing temperature and time in the present
invention are preferably in the range of about 20°C to
about 50°C and 6 seconds to 30 seconds, more preferably
30°C to 40°C and 6 seconds to 20 seconds, respectively.
The washing or stabilization temperature and
time are preferably in the range of 0 to 50°C and 6
seconds to 20 seconds, more preferably 15°C to 40°C and
6 seconds to 15 seconds, respectively.
In the present invention, the photographic
material which has been developed, fixed and washed or
stabilized is dried by pressing out the washing water,
for example, by passing it through squeeze rollers.
Drying is at about 40°C to about 100°C and the drying
time may be varied depending to the surrounding
conditions, but it is normally about 5 seconds to 30
seconds, more preferably 40°C to 80°C for about 5
seconds to 20 seconds.
In order to prevent development unevenness,
which is a characteristic feature of rapid processing,
when effecting a development processing from dry to dry
in 90 seconds or less using a photographic
material/processing system used in the present invention, it
is preferable to use rubber rollers as described in JP-A-63-151943
as the rollers at the developing tank
outlet, to adopt a discharge running rate of 10 m/min.
or more for the developing solution stirring within the
developing solution tank as described in JP-A-63-151944,
or to stir more strongly in the holding mechanism in the
development processing at least as described in JP-A-63-264758.
The circulation rate of the processing solution
is preferably in the range of 9 ℓ/min. or more.
Moreover, for rapid processing of the type achievable
with the present invention, it is particularly
preferable that the structure of the rollers in the
fixing solution tank results in a more rapid fixing rate
and involves facing rollers. By adopting a facing-roller
construction it is possible to reduce the number
of rollers and decrease the size of the processing tank.
Thus, it is possible to make the automatic processor
more compact.
There are no particular limitations on the
photographic material used in the present invention
and any common photographic material can be
employed. For example, the photographic material can be
a scanner material for printing or a photographic
material for laser printers in medical imaging, or a
direct X-ray material for medical purposes, an indirect
X-ray material for medical purposes, a CRT image-recording
material, a high-contrast material, a color
reversal material, a color printing paper and the like.
The production of the photographic material used in
the present invention can be carried out, for example,
by one or a combination of two or more of the following
methods.
(1) Using a silver halide containing a small
amount of or no iodide, which is to say, using silver
chloride, silver bromide, silver chlorobromide, silver
iodobromide, silver chloroiodobromide or the like with a
silver iodide content of 0 to 5 mol%. (2) Including a water-soluble iridium salt in
the silver halide emulsion. (3) Reducing the amount of coated silver in the
silver halide emulsion layers; for example, with 1 to 5
g/m2, preferably 1 to 4 g/m2, and more preferably 1 to 3
g/m2, on one side. (4) Reducing the average grain size of the
silver halide in the emulsion; for example, to 1.0 µm
or less and preferably 0.7 µm or less. (5) Using tabular grains as the silver halide
grains in the emulsion; for example, using those with
an aspect ratio of 4 or more and preferably of 5 or
more. (6) Achieving a percentage swelling of 200% or
less in the silver halide photographic material.
The silver halide grains in the photographic
emulsion may be the so-called regular grains having a
cubic, octahedral, tetradecahedral or other such regular
crystal form, or those having a spherical or other such
irregular crystal form, those having twin crystal
surfaces or other such crystal defects, or they may be
tabular grains or complex forms of these, with tabular grains being preferable.
The aspect ratio of the tabular grains is given
as the ratio between the average value of the diameters
of circles having the same surface area as the projected
surface area of each of the tabular grains and the
average value of the grain thickness of each of the
tabular grains. In the present invention, preferred
tabular grains have aspect ratio of 4 or more and under
20 and more preferably 5 or more and under 10.
Moreover, the grain thickness is preferably 0.3 µm or
less and particularly preferably 0.2 µm or less.
It is preferable that 80% by weight, and more
preferably 90% by weight or more, of all the grains be
tabular grains.
A monodisperse emulsion in which the silver
halide grain size has a narrow distribution or a
polydisperse emulsion which has a wide distribution may
be employed.
The preparation of the silver halide photographic
emulsion used in the present invention can be
accomplished by any suitable known method as described
in Research Disclosure, No. 17643, December 1978, pp.
22-23, "I. Emulsion Preparation and Types", and Research
Disclosure, No. 18716 (November 1979), page 648.
The preparation of the photographic emulsion to
be used in the present invention also can be
accomplished by any suitable method as described in
described in P. Glafkides, Chimie et Phisique Photographique,
Paul Montel, 1967, G.F. Duffin, Photographic
Emulsion Chemistry, Focal Press, 1966, and V.L. Zelikman
et al, Making and Coating Photographic Emulsion, Focal
Press, 1964.
In order to control the growth of the grains
during the formation of the silver halide grains used in
the present invention, it is possible to use, as silver
halide solvents, ammonia, potassium thiocyanate,
ammonium thiocyanate, the thioether compounds as
described in US-A- 3,271,157, US-A- 3,574,628,
US-A- 3,704,130, US-A- 4,297,439, and US-A- 4,276,374, the thione
compounds as described in JP-A-54-144319, JP-A-53-82408,
and JP-A-55-777737, and the amine compounds as described
in JP-A-54-100717.
In the present invention, water-soluble rhodium
salts and water-soluble iridium salts mentioned above
can be used. The one-sided mixing method, the
simultaneous mixing method, a combination thereof and
the like may all be used as the system for reacting
soluble silver salts and soluble halogen salts.
It is also possible to use methods in which the
grains are formed in the presence of an excess of silver
ions (the so-called reverse mixing method). One form of
the simultaneous mixing method is a method in which the pAg
is kept constant in the liquid phase in which the silver
halide is formed, in other words, the controlled double
jet method, and this method provides silver halide
grains with a regular grain form and a nearly uniform
grain size.
The silver halide emulsion to be used in the
present invention is preferably subjected to chemical
sensitization.
Chemical sensitization can be in the usual
manner and sulfur sensitization, reduction sensitization,
noble metal sensitization and combinations thereof
may be used for chemical sensitization.
More specifically, chemical sensitizers include
sulfur sensitizers such as allyl thiocarbamides, thioureas,
thiosulfates, thioethers and cystines; noble
metal sensitizers such as potassium chloroaurate, aurous
thiosulfate and potassium chloropalladate; and reducing
sensitizers such as tin chloride, phenyl hydrazine and
redactone.
The silver halide emulsion used in the present
invention can be spectrally sensitized with known
spectral sensitizing dyes as desired. Examples of
spectral sensitizing dyes which may be used include the
cyanine, merocyanine, rhodacyanine, styryl hemicyanine,
oxonol, benzylidene and holopolar sensitizing dyes as
described in F.M. Hamer, Heterocyclic Compounds - The
Cyanine Dyes and Related Compounds, John Wiley & Sons,
1964, and D.M. Sturmer, Heterocyclic Compounds - Special
Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons,
1977. Particularly preferred of these sensitizing dyes
are cyanine and merocyanine dyes, most preferably
benzoimidazolobenzoxazolocarbocyanine dyes.
Examples of sensitizing dyes which can be
preferably used in the present invention include cyanine
dyes and merocyanine dyes as described in JP-A-60-133442,
JP-A-61-75339, JP-A-62-6251, JP-A-59-212827, JP-A-50-122928,
and JP-A-59-1801553. Specific examples of
these sensitizing dyes include sensitizing dyes which
spectrally sensitize silver halides in the blue region,
green region, red region or infrared region of the
spectrum as described in JP-A-60-133442 (pp. 8-11), JP-A-61-75339
(pp. 5-7 and 24-25), JP-A-62-6251 (pp. 10-15),
JP-A-59-212827 (pp. 5-7), JP-A-50-122928 (pp. 7-9),
and JP-A-59-180553 (pp. 7-18).
These sensitizing dyes can be used alone or in
combination: Combinations of sensitizing dyes are often
used for the purpose of supersensitization in
particular. Dyes which do not themselves provide a
spectral sensitizing action and substances exhibiting a
supersensitizing effect, which are substances which
essentially do not absorb visible light, may be included
in the emulsion together with the sensitizing dyes. For
example, it is possible to use substituted aminostilbene
compounds which are nitrogen-containing heterocyclic
nuclei (for example those described in US-A-
2,933,390 and US-A- 3,635,721), aromatic organic acid
formaldehyde condensates (for example those described in
US-A- 3,743,510), cadmium salts and azaindene
compounds. The combinations described in US-A-
3,615,613, US-A- 3,615,641, US-A- 3,617,295, and US-A- 3,635,721 are
particularly effective.
The above mentioned sensitizing dyes are
incorporated in the silver halide photographic emulsion
in a proportion of 5×10-7 to 5×10-2 mol, preferably
1×10-6 to 1×10-3 mol, particularly 2×10-6 to 5×10-4 mol
per mol of silver halide.
The above described sensitizing dyes can be
directly dispersed into the emulsion layer. Furthermore,
these dyes may be first dissolved in a suitable
solvent such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methyl
cellosolve, acetone, water, pyridine and a mixture
thereof, and added to the emulsion in the form of a
solution. Further, ultrasonic waves can be used to
produce the solution. Further, the method of addition
of the above mentioned sensitizing dyes can be the
method in which the dye is dissolved in a volatile
organic solvent, the resulting solution is dispersed in
a hydrophilic colloid and this dispersion is added to
the emulsion as described in US-A- 3,469,987; the
method in which a water-insoluble dye is dispersed in a
water-soluble solvent without being dissolved and this
dispersion is added to the emulsion as described in JP-B-46-24185;
the method in which a water-insoluble dye
is mechanically crushed and dispersed in a water-based
solvent and this dispersion is added to the emulsion as
described in JP-B-61-45217; the method in which the dye
is dissolved in a surface active agent and the resulting
solution is added to the emulsion as described in
US-A- 3,822,135; the method in which the dye is
dissolved using a red-shifting compound and the
resulting solution is added to the emulsion as described
in JP-A-51-74624; and the method in which the dye is
dissolved in an acid containing virtually no water and
the resulting solution is added to the emulsion as
described in JP-A-50-80826. In addition, the methods as
described in US-A- 2,912,343, US-A- 3,342,605,
US-A- 2,996,287, and US-A- 3,429,835 can also be used for the
addition of the dye to the emulsion. Further, the above
sensitizing dyes may be dispersed uniformly in the
silver halide emulsion before it is coated onto an
appropriate support, and the dyes can also be dispersed
at any stage in the preparation of the silver halide
emulsion.
Other sensitizing dyes can be used in
combination with the above sensitizing dyes. For
example, the sensitizing dyes as described in
US-A- 3,703,377, US-A- 2,688,545, US-A- 3,397,060, US-A- 3,615,635,
US-A- 3,628,964, US-A- 3,416,927, US-A- 2,615,613, US-A- 3,615,632, US-A- 3,617,295,
and US-A- 3,635,721, GB-B- 1,242,588 and GB-B- 1,293,862,
JP-B-43-4936, JP-B-44-14030, JP-B-43-10773, and JP-B-43-4930
can be used.
In order to rapidly process the silver halide
photographic material, it is preferable to keep the
percentage swelling of the silver halide photographic
material at 200% or less.
It is preferable that the percentage swelling is
no lower than required since if it is too low, there is a
reduction in the rapidity of development, fixing,
washing and the like.
The preferred percentage swelling is between
200% and 30%, particularly between 150% and 50%.
Those skilled in the art can easily control the
percentage swelling to 200% or less, for example, by
increasing the amount of film hardener to be incorporated
in the photographic material.
The percentage swelling can be determined by (a)
incubating the photographic material for 3 days at 38°C
and 50% RH, (b) measuring the thickness of the
hydrophilic colloid layer, (c) immersing the
photographic material in distilled water at 21°C, and
(d) comparing the thickness of the hydrophilic colloid
layer with that measured in step (b).
Known film hardeners which can be used for the
photographic materials in the present invention include
aldehyde compounds, compounds having active halogens as
described in US-A- 3,288,775, compounds having a
reactive ethylenically unsaturated group as described in
US-A- 3,635,718, epoxy compounds as described in
US-A- 3,091,537, halocarboxaldehydes such as
mucochloric acid and other such organic compounds. Of
these, vinyl sulfone-based film hardeners are preferred.
Moreover, macromolecular film hardeners are also
preferred.
Polymers having an active vinyl group or a group
comprising a precursor thereof are preferred as
macromolecular film hardeners, and of these, particular
preference is given to polymers of the kind in which the
active vinyl group or the group constituting a precursor
thereof is joined to the main polymer chain via a long
spacer as described in JP-A-56-142524. The amount of
these film hardeners to be incorporated to achieve the
percentage swelling discussed above will vary depending
on the type of film hardener and the type of gelatin
used.
When the silver halide photographic material used in
the present invention is processed rapidly, it is
preferable to include an organic substance of a type
which flows out in the development processing stage from
the emulsion layers and/or other hydrophilic colloid
layers. When the substance which flows out is gelatin,
preference is given to the type of gelatin which is
unaffected by the gelatin crosslinking reaction of the
film hardener, acetylated gelatin and phthalated gelatin
and the like corresponding to this definition. For
example, it is preferable to use a gelatin with a low
molecular weight. Moreover, in addition to gelatin,
hydrophilic polymers such as polyacrylamide as described
in US-A- 3,271,158 or polyvinyl alcohol and the
like can be used to advantage as macromolecular
substances. Dextran and saccharose, pullulan and other
such saccharides are also advantageous. Of these,
polyacrylamide and dextran are preferred, and
polyacrylamide is a particularly preferred substance.
The average molecular weight of these substances is
preferably in the range of 20,000 or less, more
preferably 10,000 or less. In addition, it is also
possible to use stabilizers and antifoggants as
described in Research Disclosure, No. 17643, vol. 176,
Section VI (December 1978).
The silver halide photographic materials used in the
present invention can be put to use as silver halide
photographic materials capable of providing photographic
characteristics of high speed and ultrahigh contrast by
the use of a hydrazine derivative as described in
US-A- 4,224,401, US-A- 4,168,977, US-A- 4,166,742, US-A- 4,311,781,
US-A- 4,272,606, US-A- 4,221,857, and US-A- 4,243,739.
Further, the present invention can also be used
for silver halide color photographic materials. The use
of the present invention for silver halide color
photographic materials is discussed in detail below.
In the present invention, the first stage in the
processing of a color photographic material designates
the processing stage which is carried out initially, and
this normally corresponds to color development in the
processing of color negative films.
When the so-called wet processing time, which is
the time from when the photographic material is immersed
in the processing solution of the first stage until it
leaves the processing solution of the final stage, is 6
minutes or less, the present invention has a good
effect, and the effect is more pronounced when this time
is reduced to 5 minutes 30 seconds or less, which is
therefore preferred, 5 minutes or less being even more
preferred.
With a wet processing time of 6 minutes or less,
it is preferable for the fixing or bleach-fixing time to
be 2 minutes or less and, when this is reduced to 1
minute 30 seconds or less this is even more preferred
from the standpoint of the clarity of the effect.
Further, the present invention can be appropriately
used when the total replenishment amount for each of the
processing solutions is 2,500 ml or less and, preferably
2,000 ml or less, with 1,800 ml or less, per m2 of color
photographic material, being even more preferred.
Because the effects of the present invention
become more pronounced, preference is given to a
replenishment rate for the fixing solution or blix
solution of 1,200 ml or less, and more preferably 800 ml
or less, and even more preferably 600 ml or less.
Further, a replenishment rate for the color
developer of 700 ml or less is preferred, and 500 ml or
less is particularly preferred. Additionally, a
replenishment rate for the bleaching solution of 600 ml
or less is preferred, and 300 ml or less is further
preferred.
Further, when the present invention is applied
to color photographic materials, the effects are
pronounced with color photographic materials for picture
taking which use silver bromoiodide emulsions; In
particular, even more outstanding effects are exhibited
in color photographic materials in which the total
thickness of all of the photographic structural layers
excluding the support is 20 µm or less and the film-swelling
rate T1/2 for the binder for the photographic
emulsion layers is 10 seconds or less, more preferably
where the thickness of all of the photographic
structural layers is 18 µm or less and the film-swelling
rate T1/2 is 8 seconds or less.
"Photographic structural layers" refer to all of
the hydrophilic colloid layers contributing to image
formation on the same side of the support as that having
the silver halide emulsion layers. These layers
include, for example, antihalation layers (black
colloidal silver antihalation layers and the like),
underlayers, interlayers (simple interlayers or filter
layers, ultraviolet absorbing layers and the like),
protective layers and the like as well as the silver
halide emulsion layers.
The thickness of the photographic structural
layers is the total thickness of the above hydrophilic
colloid layers and may be measured with a micrometer.
The film swelling rate T1/2 of the binder for
the silver emulsion layers in the silver halide color
photographic material used in the present invention is 25
seconds or less. This is to say, gelatin is normally
used for the hydrophilic binder employed in the coating
of the silver halides of the silver halide color photographic
material, although macromolecular polymers can
also be used. In the present invention, the film
swelling rate T1/2 of the binder must be 25 seconds or
less. The swelling rate T1/2 of the binder can be
measured using known techniques in the art. For
example, it can be measured using a swellometer of the
type described in A. Green, Photographic Science and
Engineering, vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 124-129. T1/2 is
defined as the time taken to reach half the saturated
film thickness which is taken to be 90% of the maximum
swollen film thickness which is achieved upon processing
in a color developing solution at 30°C for 3 minutes and
15 seconds. Thus, the film swelling rate, taken as T1/2,
is the time required to reach half the film thickness
when the swollen film thickness is at a maximum.
The film swelling rate T1/2 can be adjusted by
adding a film hardener to the gelatin acting as the
binder.
Examples of film hardeners used either alone or
in combination include film hardeners of the aldehyde
type, azylidine type (for example those described in PB
Report 19921, US-A- 2,950,197, US-A- 2,964,404,
US-A- 2,983,611, and US-A- 3,271,175, JP-B-46-40898, and JP-A-50-91315),
isoxazolium type (for example those described in
US-A- 3,321,323), epoxy type (for example those
described in US-A- 3,047,394, DE-B-
1,085,663, GB-B- 1,033,518, and JP-B-48-35495),
vinylsulfone type (for example those described in PB
Report 19920, DE-B- 1,100,942, DE-B- 2,337,412,
DE-B- 2,545,722, DE-B- 2,635,518 and DE-B- 2,742,308, GB-B-
1,251,091, and US-A- 3,539,644 and US-A- 3,490,911),
acryloyl type (for example those described in
US-A- 3,640,720), carbodiimide type (for example those
described in US-A- 2,938,892, US-A- 4,043,818 and
US-A- 4,061,499, and JP-B-46-38715), triazine type (for
example those described in DE-B- 2,410,973
and DE-B- 2,553,915, US-A- 3,325,287, and JP-A-52-12722),
macromolecular type (for example those described
in GB-B- 822,061, US-A- 3,623,878,
US-A- 3,396,029 and US-A- 3,226,234, JP-B-47-18578, JP-B-47-18579,
and JP-B-47-48896), in addition to film hardeners of the
maleimide type, acetylene type, methanesulfonic acid
ester type and N-methylol type. By way of useful
combining techniques, it is possible to mention the
combinations described in DE-B- 2,447,587,
DE-B- 2,505,746, and DE-B- 2,514,245, US-A- 4,047,957,
US-A- 3,832,181, US-A- 3,840,181, and US-A- 3,840,370, JP-A-48-43319, JP-A-50-63062,
and JP-A-52-127329, and JP-B-48-32364.
Processing stages which can be used with the
present invention are set forth below.
1. Color development - bleach fixing - washing 2. Color development - bleaching - fixing - washing
- stabilization 3. Color development - bleaching - bleach fixing -
washing - stabilization 4. Color development - bleach fixing - stabilization 5. Color development - bleaching - fixing - stabilization 6. Color development - bleaching - bleach fixing -
stabilization 7. Color development - fixing - bleach fixing -
washing - stabilization 8. Black-and-white development - washing - color
development - reversal - conditioning -
bleaching - fixing - washing - stabilization
The details of these processing solutions are
given below.
The color developing agents to be used in the
color developing solution and color development
replenishing solution are primary aromatic amine
compounds including known compounds which are widely
used in various color photographic processes. However,
in the present invention, preferred color developing
agents are:
(1) 4-(N-ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylaniline
sulfate (2) 4-(N-ethyl-N-β-methanesulfonamidoethylamino)-2-methylaniline
sulfate (3) 4-(N-ethyl-N-β-methoxyethylamino)-2-methylaniline-p-toluenesulfonate (4) 4-(N,N-diethylamino)-2-methylaniline hydrochloride (5) 4-(N-ethyl-N-dodecylamino)-2-methylaniline
sulfate (6) N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine hydrochloride
and other N,N-dialkyl-p-phenylenediamine-based color
developing agents. These compounds are added to the
color developing solution in the range of 0.005 to 0.05
mol/ℓ, more preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.04
mol/ℓ, particularly preferably in the range of 0.015 to
0.03 mol/ℓ. Further, they are preferably added to the
color development replenishing solution so as to yield
an even higher concentration than the concentrations
given above. More specifically, the exact magnitude of
the concentration varies depending upon the amount of
replenishment selected, but in general they are added
within a range of 1.05 to 2.0 times greater, or more
often 1.2 to 1.8 times greater than the amount present
in the color developing solution (parent solution).
The above mentioned color developing agents may
be used alone, but may also be used in combination
depending on the intended results. Examples of
preferred combinations include (1) and (2), (1) and (3)
as well as (2) and (3) of the above color developing
agents.
In the present invention, the bromide ion
concentration in the color developer is preferably
within the range of 0.005 to 0.02 mol/ℓ. It is
preferable to keep the bromine compound content of the
replenishment solution at no more than 0.005 mol/ℓ.
Generally, the bromine compound content of the
replenishment solution ought to be reduced as the
replenishment rate is reduced. In the present invention
in particular, it is preferable for the replenishment
solution to contain no bromine compounds since this
provides the ability for a great reduction in the
replenishment amount.
Moreover, the above described bromine compounds
include potassium bromide, sodium bromide, lithium
bromide and hydrobromic acid.
The color developer and the color developer
replenisher may include preservatives, notably hydroxylamine,
diethylhydroxylamine and triethylanolamine, and
the compounds described in DE-A- (OLS)
2,622,950, the hydrazines described in JP-A-63-146041,
sulfites and hydrogen sulfites.
Further, various chelating agents may be
incorporated in the system for the purposes of water
softening and metal sequestering. In the present
invention it is particularly preferable to include at
least one type of compound represented by the following
general formulae (A) and/or (B):
wherein n represents an integer 1 or 2; R represents a
lower alkyl group; and the M's may be the same or different
and represent a hydrogen atom, alkali metal atom or
ammonium.
R is particularly preferably a methyl group or
an ethyl group, and M is preferably a hydrogen atom or a
sodium atom.
Specific examples of compounds represented by
general formulae (A) and (B) are set forth below.
In addition to the above compounds, the color
developer to be used in the present invention can
contain, either alone or in combination, pH buffers such
as alkali metal carbonates, borates, or phosphates;
antifoggants or development inhibitors such as iodine
compounds, benzimidazoles, benzothiazoles and mercapto
compounds; organic solvents such as diethylene glycol;
development accelerators such as benzyl alcohol, polyethylene
glycol, quaternary ammonium, amines and thiocyanates;
nucleating agents such as sodium borohydride;
auxiliary developers such as 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone;
viscosity enhancers; and various chelating agents, such
as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic
acid, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, iminodiacetic
acid hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid and the organic
phosphonates described in Research Disclosure, No. 18170
(May 1979) in addition to the compounds represented by
the general formulae (A) and (B).
In the present invention, the pH of the color
developer and its replenisher is normally 9 or more,
preferably 9.5 to 12, particularly preferably 9.5 to
11.0. In the above ranges, it is preferable to set the
replenisher pH at a value which is higher than the color
developer by about 0.05 to 0.5.
Further, the temperature of the color development
processing is 30 to 45°C and is preferably at a
high temperature in order to achieve a greater degree of
low-replenishment processing, and the development
processing is preferably carried out at 35°C to 45°C,
and particularly preferably at 38 to 42°C in the present
invention.
The present invention can be employed with both
an automatic processor and in manual processing, but it
is preferably employed with an automatic processor.
When processing with an automatic processor, one or a
plurality of color developer tanks can be used, and
lower replenishment can be achieved by the use of a
multi-stage sequential current replenishment system in
which a plurality of tanks are employed and sequential
flow into the subsequent tanks is achieved by replenishing
a first tank. Furthermore, it is preferable to
keep the area of contact between air and the developer
within the tank(s) as low as possible. More
specifically, the effects of the present invention are
further improved by the use of a shielding means such as
a floating lid, a seal using a high boiling liquid with
a lower density than the developer, or a tank structure
with a constricted opening as described in JP-A-63-216050.
Moreover, in order to compensate for concentration
due to evaporation of the developer, it is
preferable to replenish water in an amount corresponding
to the amount evaporated as a means of improving the
effects of the present invention. The replenished water
is preferably deionized water which has undergone an
ion-exchange treatment or deionized water which has
undergone a treatment such as reverse osmosis or
distillation.
The color developer and color developer replenisher
are prepared by progressively adding and
dissolving the above chemicals in a fixed amount of
water, and it is preferable to use deionized water
described above as the water for the preparation.
In the present invention, the photographic
material is processed in a bleaching solution or blix
solution after color development. Bleaching agents are
generally complex salts of chelating agents such as an
aminocarboxylic acid, a polycarboxylic acid, an aminopolycarboxylic
acid and ferric ion. Examples of
preferred chelating agents which are used as complex
salts with ferric ions include:
(1) Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (2) Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (3) Cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (4) 1,3-Diaminopropanetetraacetic acid (5) Nitrilotriacetic acid (6) Iminodiacetic acid (7) Glycol ether-diaminetetraacetic acid,
and (1), (2), (3) and (4) are particularly preferred
from the standpoint of ultimate performance and rapidity
of bleaching.
The ferric ion complexes may be used in the form
of complex salts or they may be used by forming ferric
ion complexes in solution using chelating agents such as
an aminopolycarboxylic acid, an aminopolyphosphoric acid
and a phosphonocarboxylic acid with ferric sulfate,
ferric chloride, ferric nitrate, ferric ammonium
sulfate and ferric phosphate. One type of
complex salt may be used or two or more types of complex
salt may be used when used in the form of a complex
salt. In such cases, the combined use of chelating
agents (1) and (4) is particularly preferred.
Furthermore, when forming a complex salt in solution
using a chelating agent and a ferric salt, one or
more types of ferric salt may be used. Moreover, one or
more types of chelating agent may be used. In addition,
in all these cases, the chelating agent may be used in
excess of the amount needed to form the ferric ion
complex. An aminopolycarboxylic acid iron complex is
preferred of the iron complexes, and the addition amount
for this complex is 0.1 to 1 mol/ℓ and preferably 0.2 to
0.4 mol/ℓ in the bleaching solution for a color
photographic material for picture taking such as a color
negative film, and is 0.05 to 0.5 mol/ℓ and preferably
0.1 to 0.3 mol/ℓ in the blix solution for this type of
material. Further, with bleaching solutions or blix
solutions for a color photographic material for prints
such as a color paper, the addition amount is 0.03 to
0.3 mol/ℓ and preferably 0.05 to 0.2 mol/ℓ.
Further, bleach accelerators can be incorporated
in the bleaching solution and blix solution as desired.
Specific preferred examples of useful bleach
accelerators are compounds having a mercapto group or a
disulfide group because they have a large accelerating
effect, and the compounds described in US-A-
3,893,858, DE-B- 1,290,812 and JP-A-5395630
are preferred.
In addition, the bleaching solution or blix
solution used in the present invention can contain
rehalogenating agents such as bromine compounds (for
example, potassium bromide, sodium bromide and ammonium
bromide), chlorine compounds (for example, potassium
chloride, sodium chloride and ammonium chloride) or
iodine compounds (for example, ammonium iodide). If
desired, it is possible to incorporate corrosion
inhibitors such as one or more types of inorganic acid
or organic acids with a pH buffering capability such as
boric acid, borax, sodium metaborate, acetic acid,
sodium acetate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate,
phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid, sodium phosphate,
citric acid, sodium citrate and tartaric acid and the
alkali metal or ammonium salts thereof, ammonium
nitrate and guanidine.
Moreover, the above mentioned bleaching solution
is normally used in a pH range of 3 to 7, preferably 3.5
to 6.5, particularly 4.0 to 6.0. Furthermore, for the
blix solution, the pH is 4 to 9, preferably 5 to 8,
particularly 5.5 to 7.5. When the pH is above this
range, bleaching imperfections tend to occur, and, when
it is below this range, color imperfections are tend to
occur in the cyan dye.
The fixing agents to be used in the fixing
solution used after the processing with the blix
solution or bleaching solution of the present invention
are known fixing agents. Examples include water-soluble
silver halide solvents such as thiosulfates, e.g.,
sodium thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate; thiocyanates,
e.g., sodium thiocyanates and ammonium thiocyanates;
and thioureas and thioether compounds, e.g.,
ethylenebisthioglycolic acid and 3,6-dithia-1,8-octanediol,
and these can be used either alone or in
admixture. Furthermore, it is also possible to use, for
example, special blix solutions comprising of a
combination of a fixing agent and a large amount of a
halogen compound such as potassium iodide as described
in JP-A-51-155354. The use of a thiosulfate, and in
particular ammonium thiosulfate is preferred in the
present invention.
The amount of fixing agent to be incorporated
per liter is preferably 0.5 to 3 mol, and more
particularly it is in the range of 1 to 2 mol for the
processing of color photographic materials for picture
taking, and is within the range of 0.5 to 1 mol for the
processing of color photographic materials for prints.
The pH for the fixing solution used in the present
invention is preferably 4 to 9 and particularly
preferably 5 to 8. The deterioration of the solution is
marked when it is below this, and conversely staining
tends to occur due to volatilization of ammonia from the
ammonium salt present in the solution when the pH is
higher than this.
The pH can be adjusted using hydrochloric acid,
sulfuric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, bicarbonate,
ammonia, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium
carbonate, potassium carbonate and the like as desired.
The blix solutions and fixing solutions to be
used in the present invention contain, as preservatives,
sulfites (such as sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite and
ammonium sulfite), bisulfites (such as ammonium
bisulfite, sodium bisulfite and potassium bisulfite),
metabisulfites (such as potassium metabisulfite, sodium
metabisulfite and ammonium metabisulfite) and other
sulfite ion-releasing compounds, benzenesulfinic acid,
para-toluenesulfinic acid and other aromatic sulfinic
acids and salts thereof. These compounds are preferably
incorporated in a concentration of about 0.02 to 0.50
mol/ℓ and more preferably 0.04 to 0.40 mol/ℓ.
Sulfites are normally used as preservatives.
Ascorbic acid and carbonyl bisulfite adducts of carbonyl
compounds and the like may also be used.
Moreover, buffers, fluorescent brightening
agents, chelating agents, antifungal agents and the like
may also be used as desired.
Washing, stabilization and other processing
stages are generally undertaken after the fixing stage
or blix stage, but it is also possible to use simplified
processing methods, for example, where washing alone is
undertaken or, conversely, where a stabilization
processing stage alone is undertaken essentially without
a washing stage.
The washing stage removes processing solution
constituents which have adhered to or been absorbed into
the color photographic material and the undesired
constituents in the color photographic material and so
has the effect of preserving the image stability and
good film properties after processing. On the other
hand, the stabilization stage is a stage in which the
image-storage properties are improved to a level which
cannot be attained by washing.
The washing stage may involve a single tank,
but more often it involves a multi-stage countercurrent
washing system with two or more tanks. The amount of
water to be used in the washing stage can be varied
depending on the type of color photographic material and
the intended results, and it can be calculated, for
example, using the method described in S.R. Goldwasser,
"Water Flow Rates in Immersion-Washing of Motion Picture
Film", The Journal of Motion Picture and Television
Engineering, vol. 64, pp. 248-253, May 1955.
Bacterial and fungal propagation will prove to
be a problem when economizing on the amount of washing
water, and it is preferable to use washing water in
which calcium and magnesium levels have been reduced as
described in JP-A-62-288838 as a countermeasure to this.
In addition, it is also possible to add bactericides and
antifungal agents (e.g., compounds as described in The
Journal of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents, vol. 11,
No. 5, pp. 207 to 223, and Hiroshi Horiguchi, Sakkin Bobai no Kagaku (Bactericidal and Antifungal
Chemistry)). Furthermore, it is also possible to add
chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid as water
softeners.
A water amount of 100 ml to 1,500 ml per m2 of
color photographic material is normally used when
economizing on the amount of washing water, and a range
of 200 ml to 800 ml is particularly preferred in that
this brings out the twin advantages of color image
stability and water-saving effect.
The pH in the washing stage is normally within
the range of 5 to 9. In addition, various compounds are
added to the stabilizing bath in order to stabilize the
image. For example, it is possible to add various
buffering agents to adjust the film pH after processing
(for example, the combined use of borates, metaborates,
borax, phosphates, carbonates, potassium hydroxide,
sodium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, monocarboxylic acids,
dicarboxylic acids, and polycarboxylic acids), and, in
the same way as they can be added to the washing water,
chelating agents, bactericides, formaldehyde and
formaldehyde-releasing compounds such as hexamethylenetetramine
as well as fluorescent brightening agents
depending on the application. It is also possible to
add various ammonium salts such as ammonium chloride,
ammonium sulfite, ammonium sulfate and ammonium
thiosulfate.
The pH of the stabilizing bath is normally 3 to
8, but a low pH range of 3 to 5 is particularly
preferred due to variations in the type of light-sensitive
material and its intended use.
The present invention can be applied to the
processing of various color photographic materials.
Typical examples of such color photographic materials
include color negative films for general use and cinema,
color reversal films for slides and television and the
like.
Various color couplers can be used in the
photographic material used in the present invention, and
specific examples of these color couplers are disclosed
in the patents described in the previously cited
Research Disclosure, No. 17643, VII-C to G. Couplers
which provide the three subtractive primary colors
(namely, yellow, magenta and cyan) during color
development are the most important of the color
couplers, and the following couplers and the couplers
described in the patents described in the previously
cited RD 17643, VII-C and D can be used and are
preferred in the present invention as specific examples
of nondiffusion 4-equivalent and 2-equivalent couplers.
Known yellow couplers of the oxygen atom leaving
type or known yellow couplers of the nitrogen atom
leaving type are typical examples of yellow couplers
which can be used. α-Pivaloylacetoanilide-based
couplers have outstanding fastness, particularly lightfastness
of the color-forming dye, while α-benzoylacetoanilide-based
couplers provide a high color density.
Hydrophobic 5-pyrazolone-based and pyrazoloazole-based
couplers with ballast groups are suitable as
magenta couplers which can be used in the present
invention. 5-Pyrazolone-based couplers in which the 3-position
has been substituted with an arylamino group or
an acylamino group are preferred from the standpoint of
the hue and color density of the color forming dye.
Cyan couplers which can be used in the present
invention include hydrophobic, nondiffusible naphtholic
and phenolic couplers. Typical examples include 2-equivalent
naphtholic couplers of the oxygen atom
leaving type and these are preferred. Further, couplers
able to form a cyan dye which is resistant to both
moisture and heat are used preferably. Typical examples
of these are described in US-A- 3,772,002 and
include phenolic cyan couplers with an ethyl or higher
alkyl group in the meta position of the phenol nucleus,
2,5-diacylamino-substituted phenolic couplers, phenolic
couplers with a phenylureido group in the 2-position and
an acylamino group in the 5-position or, as described in
EP-A- 161,626, 5-aminonaphtholic cyan
couplers and the like.
Graininess can be improved by the combined use
of a coupler in which the color forming dye has a
suitable degree of diffusibility. With respect to such
couplers, actual examples of magenta couplers are
described in, for example, US-A- 4,366,237, and
specific examples of yellow, magenta and cyan couplers
are described in, for example, EP-B- 96,570.
Dye-forming couplers and the special couplers
mentioned above may form dimers and higher polymers.
Typical examples of polymerized dye-forming couplers are
described in US-A- 3,451,820. Specific examples
of polymerized magenta couplers are described in
US-A- 4,367,282.
Couplers which release a photographically useful
group upon coupling can also be used for preference in
the present invention. The couplers in the patents
described in the previously cited RD 17643, Section VII-F
are useful as DIR couplers which release development
inhibitors.
Couplers which release nucleating agents in the
form of image or development accelerators or precursors
thereof during development can be used in the
photographic materials used in the present invention.
Specific examples of these compounds are described in
GB-B- 2,097,140 and GB-B- 2,131,188. In addition, it
is also possible to use couplers which release DIR redox
compounds as described in JP-A-60-185950 and couplers which
release color-restoring dyes after split-off as
described in EP-A- 173,302.
The couplers to be used in the present invention
can be incorporated into the photographic material using
various known dispersion methods. Examples of high
boiling organic solvents to be used in the oil-in-water
dispersion method are described in US-A-
2,322,027. Further, specific examples of the processes,
effects and impregnatable latexes used in the latex
dispersion method are described in US-A-
4,199,363, DE-A- (OLS) Nos. 2,541,274 and
DE-A- 2,541,230.
Specific examples of the present invention are
given below.
EXAMPLE 1
Emulsion Preparation
The double jet method was used for 1 minute,
with stirring, to add an aqueous solution of silver
nitrate (5 g as silver nitrate) and an aqueous solution
of potassium bromide containing 0.15 g of potassium
iodide to a vessel in which 30 g of gelatin and 6 g of
potassium bromide had been added to 1 ℓ of water and
which was maintained at 60°C. In addition, the double
jet method was used to add an aqueous solution of silver
nitrate (145 g as silver nitrate) and an aqueous
solution of potassium bromide containing 4.2 g of
potassium iodide. At this time, the addition flow rate
was accelerated so that the flow rate at the end of the
addition was 5 times that at the start of the addition.
At the end of the addition, the soluble salts were
removed by precipitation at 35°C and then the
temperature was increased to 40°C, 75 g of gelatin were
added and the pH was adjusted to 6.7. The resulting
emulsion comprised tabular grains with a projected
surface area diameter of 0.98 µm and an average
thickness of 0.138 µm and had a silver iodide content of
3 mol%. The emulsion was chemically sensitized by the
combined use of gold and sulfur sensitization.
Preparation of Photographic Material
An aqueous gelatin solution containing polyarylamide
with an average molecular weight of 8,000, sodium
polystyrenesulfonate, polymethylmethacrylate grains with
an average grain size of 3.0 µm, polyethylene oxide, and
a film hardener as well as gelatin acting as the surface
protective layer was used.
Anhydro-5,5'-dichloro-9-ethyl-3,3'-di(3-sulfopropyl)oxacarbocyanine
hydroxide sodium salt was added
as a sensitizing dye to the above emulsion in a
proportion of 500 ml/mol of Ag and potassium iodide was
added in a proportion of 200 mg/mol of Ag. Furthermore,
a photographic material was produced by preparing a
coating solution by adding 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazainddene
and 2,6-bis(hydroxyamino)-4-diethylamino-1,3,5-triazine
and nitron as stabilizers,
trimethylol propane as a dry antifoggant and adding
coating aids and film hardeners, coating the material
onto both sides of a polyethylene terephthalate support
simultaneously with the respective surface protective
layers and drying. The coated silver amount in this
photographic material was 2 g/m2 on each side. The
photographic material exhibited a percentage swelling of
120% as determined in accordance with the above
described definition.
The photographic material thus prepared was then
exposed to X-rays, and subjected to development
processing with the following developer, fixing solution
and washing solution.
Concentrated Developer |
Potassium Hydroxide | 60 g |
Sodium Sulfite | 100 g |
Potassium Sulfite | 125 g |
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid | 6 g |
Boric Acid | 25 g |
Hydroquinone | 87.5 g |
Diethylene Glycol | 28 g |
4-Hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone | 6.25 g |
5-Methylbenzotriazole | 0.15 g |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
pH | 11.0 |
Replenisher kit size | 5 ℓ |
Concentrated Fixing Solution |
Ammonium Thiosulfate | 560 g |
Sodium Sulfite | 60 g |
Disodium Ethylenedimainetetraacetate Dihydrate | 0.10 g |
Sodium Hydroxide | 24 g |
Compound used in the Present Invention (as set forth in Table 1 below) | 5 mmol |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
pH adjusted with acetic acid to | 5.10 |
Replenisher kit size | 5 ℓ |
Water Stock Tank Solution |
Disodium Ethylenedimainetetraacetate Dihydrate (antifungal agent) | 0.5 g/ℓ |
Automatic Processor |
Processed for 60 seconds on a dry-to-dry basis |
Developing Tank | 7.5 ℓ 35°C×11.5 sec. (facing rollers) |
Developing Tank | 7.5 ℓ 35°C×12.5 sec. (facing rollers) |
Washing Tank | 6 ℓ 20°C×7.5 sec. (facing rollers) |
Squeeze Roller Washing Tank | 200 ml |
Water Stock Tank | 25 ℓ |
Drying |
A heater was used to maintain a predetermined
temperature both in the developing tank and the fixing
tank, but cooling water was not used.
At the beginning of the development processing,
the processing tanks were filled with the following
processing solutions:
Developing Tank | 400 ml of the above mentioned concentrated developer, 600 ml of water, and 10 ml of an aqueous solution containing 1.8 g of acetic acid; pH adjusted to 10.50 |
Fixing Tank | 250 ml of the above mentioned concentrated fixing solution and 750 ml of water |
Washing Tank and cleaning tank | Same composition as that in the above mentioned stock tank solution |
Every time a quarter sheet (10 inch × 12 inch)
of the above mentioned light-sensitive material was
processed, replenishment was effected as follows.
Developing Tank | 20 ml of concentrated developer; stock tank water to make 30 ml |
Fixing Tank | 10 ml of concentrated fixing solution; part of overflow solution form the washing tank to make 30 ml |
Washing Tank | stock tank water from the squeeze roller cleaning tank (in the direction opposite to the running of the film) to make 60 ml |
In this manner, 50 quarter sheets of the light-sensitive
material were subjected to running processing
(percentage development per sheet: 40%) a day. During
this processing, whenever the developer, fixing solution
and washing water ran short, they were replenished.
When the light-sensitive material was developed,
the amount of developer to be circulated and stirred was
set at 20 ℓ/min. When the light-sensitive material was
not developed, it was set at 6 ℓ/min.
When the development work for the day was
finished, the rollers at the crossover between development
and fixation and between fixation and washing were
each cleaned with 80 ml of water intermittently and
automatically sprayed through 10 nozzles from the
washing water stock tank.
The dry-to-dry processing time was set at 60
seconds as described above.
Table 1 shows the residual color after processing
(the value obtained by measuring the transmitted
optical density of the non-image portion using a green
light).
Compound added to Fixing Solution | Residual Color after Processing (fresh properties) | Transmitted Optical Density after 50°C-5 days |
Control | 0.209 | 0.220 |
Compound A (comparative) | 0.147 | 0.191 |
Compound I-(2) (present invention) | 0.147 | 0.149 |
Compound I-(4) ( " ) | 0.149 | 0.149 |
Compound I-(12) ( " ) | 0.150 | 0.151 |
Compound II-(1) ( " ) | 0.151 | 0.153 |
Compound II-(5) ( " ) | 0.149 | 0.150 |
Compound II-(7) ( " ) | 0.148 | 0.149 |
Table 1 shows that all the fixing solutions
comprising the present compounds exhibit a small
residual color after processing.
It was found that the present fixing solution is
excellent in age stability as compared to the method
described in Japanese Patent Application No. 63-136717.
EXAMPLE 2
A photographic material was prepared in the same
manner as in Example 1, subjected to an X-ray exposure,
and then subjected to development with a developer
comprising 5 mmol/ℓ of a compound used in the present
invention, followed by fixation, and washing in the same
manner as in Example 1.
For residual color after processing, the
transmitted optical density of the non-image portion was
measured using green light. The results obtained are
set forth in Table 2 below.
Sample No. | Compound of the Invention Added | Residual Color after Processing |
1 | None | 0.210 |
2 | I-(2) | 0.148 |
3 | I-(4) | 0.150 |
4 | I-(12) | 0.149 |
5 | II-(5) | 0.149 |
6 | II-(7) | 0.151 |
Table 2 shows that photographic materials which
have been processed with developers comprising the
present compounds exhibit less residual color after
processing.
A photographic material comprising 200 ml/mol Ag
of a 10-3 mol methanol solution of Compound I-(2) in the
surface protective layer was processed with a developer
free of this compound. As a result, the photographic
material exhibited a residual color of 0.163 after
processing.
EXAMPLE 3
Photographic materials, Samples 301 to 307 were
prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that
various sensitizing dyes set forth below were
incorporated into the materials, and then the materials
were subjected to development in an automatic processor
in the same manner as in Example 1.
Sample No. | Sensitizing Dye (amount added mg/mol Ag) | Compound Added to the Photosensitive Material (5 mmol/ℓ) | (Residual Color Density when a Compound of the Invention was not Used) - (Residual Color Density when a Compound of the Invention was Used) |
301 | A(500) | I-(2) | 0.072 |
302 | B(500) | II-(7) | 0.074 |
303 | C(400) | II-(7) | 0.073 |
304 | D(500) | I-(2) | 0.073 |
306 | E(500) | II-(7) | 0.070 |
306 | F(500) | II-(7) | 0.074 |
307 | G(500) | II-(5) | 0.073 |
In all cases, less residual color was obtained
when a photographic material comprising a compound used in
the present invention was processed.
EXAMPLE 4
230 mg/l mol Ag of anhydro-5,5-dichloro-9-ethyl-3,3'-bis(3-sulfopropyl)oxacarbocyanine
hydroxide
sodium salt (sensitizing dye), 2.3 g/l mol Ag of a
hydrazine derivative (as shown below), and 300 mg/l mol
Ag of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: about
1,000) were added to a 0.3 µm cubic silver bromoiodide
emulsion containing 2.5 mol% of iodine and also then a
dispersion of 5-methylbenzotriazole, 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene
and polyethylene acrylate, and
sodium 2-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine was added. Furthermore,
1,3-divinylsulfonyl-2-propanol was added as a film
hardener in an amount adjusted so that the percentage
swelling was 120%.
A film was obtained by coating the coating
solution thus prepared onto a polyethylene terephthalate
film support together with a protective layer such that
the coated silver amount was 3.5 g/m
2 and the coated
gelatin amount (in both the emulsion layers and
protective layer) was 3.0 g/m
2.
These films were exposed through a sensitometric
optical wedge using a 150-line magenta contact screen
and then developed for 15 seconds at a temperature of
40°C in a developing solution with the following
composition, followed by fixing using fixing solution
GR-F1 made by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., comprising
Compound I-(2) in an amount of 6 mmol/ℓ, washed and
dried.
The dry-to-dry time in the automatic processor
used was set at 65 seconds.
Developer |
Sodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetate | 1.0 g |
Sodium Hydroxide | 9.0 g |
5-Sulfosalicylic Acid | 44.0 g |
Potassium Sulfite | 100.0 g |
5-Methylbenzotriazole | 0.5 g |
Potassium Bromide | 6.0 g |
N-Methyl-p-aminophenol Hemisulfate | 0.4 g |
Hydroquinone | 54.0 g |
Sodium p-Toluenesulfonate | 30.0 g |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
pH | 11.7 |
An identical aqueous solution to that used in
Example 1 was used for the washing water and 250 ml of
this solution was replenished per full size sheet (20
inch × 24 inch).
The residual color after processing was measured
in the same manner as in Example 1. The residual color
density was found to be less than in the photographic
material in which a compound of the present invention
had not been used by 0.061.
EXAMPLE 5
A cubic monodisperse emulsion with an average
grain size of 0.25 µm and an average silver iodide
content of 1 mol% was prepared by simultaneously adding,
over 60 minutes while maintaining the pAg at 7.8, an
aqueous solution of silver nitrate and an aqueous
solution of potassium iodide and potassium bromide to an
aqueous gelatin solution kept at 50°C, in the presence
of 4 × 10
-7 mol per mol Ag of potassium hexachloroiridate
(III). 5.6 × 10
-5 mol per mol Ag of the following
compound as a sensitizing dye:
was added to these silver bromoiodide emulsions
then, as stabilizers, 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene,
a dispersion of polyethylene acrylate,
polyethylene glycol, 1,3-vinylsulfonyl-2-propanol, 1-phenyl-5-mercaptotyetrazole,
1,4-bis[3-(4-acetylaminopyridinio)propionyloxy]-tetramethylene
dibromide, the same hydrazine derivative as in Example 4
(4.8 × 10
-3 mol per mol Ag) were added to the emulsions.
The pH on the film surface was adjusted to 5.5 with
ascorbic acid, and coating was carried out in a silver
amount of 3.4 g/m
2 on a polyethyleneterephthalate film
(the measurement of the film surface pH was in
accordance with the method described in JP-A-62-25745).
At the same time, a gelatin layer was coated onto the
emulsion layer to a coated gelatin amount of 1.0 g/m
2.
The resulting samples were exposed to light, developed,
and then the photographic properties were measured.
The developer formulation was as follows:
Developer |
Hydroquinone | 35.0 g |
N-Methyl-p-aminophenol Hemisulfate | 0.8 g |
Sodium Hydroxide | 13.0 g |
Potassium Triphosphate | 74.0 g |
Potassium Sulfite | 90.0 g |
Tetrasodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetate Dihydrate | 1.0 g |
Potassium Bromide | 4.0 g |
5-Methylbenzotriazole | 0.6 g |
3-Diethylamino-1,2-propanediol | 15.0 g |
Compound I-(2) | 2.0 g |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
pH | 11.65 |
The fixing solution formulation was as follows:
Ammonium Thiosulfate | | 150.0 g |
Sodium Sulfite | | 30.0 g |
Acetic Acid | | 30.0 g |
Water to make | | 1 ℓ |
pH adjusted with NaOH to | | 5.00 |
Development | 40°C | 15 sec. |
Fixing | 37°C | 16 sec. |
Washing | | 12 sec. |
Dry to dry | | 67 sec. |
Advantageously, the photographic properties
(density Dmax, sensitivity) in the above samples had
less residual color after processing (red density:
0.040).
EXAMPLE 6
A photographic material was prepared in the same
manner as in Example 5, exposed, and then subjected to
development in the same manner as in Example 5 except
that 2.0 g/ℓ of Compound II-(2) was added to the fixing
solution instead of the developer. The samples
exhibited a small residual color with a red density of
0.042.
EXAMPLE 7
A silver halide emulsion was prepared comprising
silver bromochloride (5 mol% silver bromide; average
grain diameter: 0.25 µm) containing 1 × 10-5 mol of Rh
per mol of silver.
500 mg/mol Ag of anhydro-5,5'-dichloro-9-ethyl-3,3'-di(3-sulfopropyl)oxacarbocyanine
hydroxide sodium
salt, as a sensitizing dye, was added to the above
emulsion. Furthermore, sodium 2-hydroxy-4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine
was added as a film hardener and
potassium polystyrene sulfonate was added as a viscosity
enhancer and then coating was carried out onto a
polyethylene terephthalate film at a coated silver
amount of 4 g/m2. A gelatin solution was coated onto
this emulsion layer as a protective layer in a gelatin
amount of 1.0 g/m2. Sodium p-dodecylbenzensulfonate was
used as a coating aid for this protective layer, and the
same compound as in the emulsion layer was used as a
viscosity enhancer.
A model P-607 printer available from Dai Nippon
Screen Co., Ltd. was used to expose the resulting
samples via an optical wedge and development processing
was carried out using the following developing solution
and fixing solution formulations.
Developer
Developer LD-8-35, available from Fuji Photo
Film Co., Ltd., 38°C-20 seconds
Fixing Solution
Solution obtained by adding 2.0 g/ℓ of Compound
I-(2) to fixing solution LF308, available from
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
Automatic Processor
FD-800RA, available from Fuji Photo Film Co.,
Ltd.
Compound Added to Fixing Solution | Residual Color after Processing (fresh properties) | Transmitted Optical Density after 50°C-5 days |
Control | 0.211 | 0.219 |
Compound A (comparative) | 0.159 | 0.189 |
Compound I-(2) (present invention) | 0.162 | 0.164 |
Compound I-(4) ( " ) | 0.159 | 0.160 |
Compound I-(12) ( " ) | 0.160 | 0.160 |
Compound II-(1) ( " ) | 0.163 | 0.164 |
Compound II-(7) ( " ) | 0.158 | 0.159 |
In all cases, less residual color was found when
the photographic material was processed with the fixing
solution comprising the compound used in the present
invention. The present photographic materials also
exhibited excellent age stability.
EXAMPLE 8
A sulfur-sensitized silver halide emulsion
comprising 93 mol% of silver bromide and 7 mol% of
silver iodide was prepared. The average diameter of the
silver halide grains present in the emulsion was 0.7 µm.
1 kg of this emulsion contained 0.52 mol of silver
halide.
1 kg portions of this emulsion were measured out
into pots, 32 mg of Sensitizing Dye SD was added for
each kilogram of emulsion and this was mixed with
stirring at a temperature of 40°C. A photographic
material was obtained by the sequential addition of 0.01
g per kilogram of emulsion of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene,
0.1 g per kilogram of emulsion
of sodium 1-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorotriazine, and 2 × 10
-4
mol per kilogram of emulsion of a compound used in the
present invention and 0.1 g per kilogram of emulsion of
sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and coating the material
onto a polyethylene terephthalate film base.
The film samples were subjected to an optical
wedge exposure using a sensitometer and a light source
with a color temperature of 2,854°K with a dark red
filter (SC-74) made by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
attached to the light source. After the exposure,
development was carried out for 3 minutes at a temperature
of 20°C using a developer with the following
composition, stopping was effected, and fixing was then
carried out using the following fixing solution after
which the samples were washed.
The residual color (transmitted optical density
in the non-image areas) after processing is set forth in
Table 5.
Developer |
Water | 500 ml |
N-Methyl-p-aminophenol | 2.2 g |
Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) | 96.0 g |
Hydroquinone | 8.8 g |
Sodium Carbonate (monohydrate) | 56.0 g |
Potassium Bromide | 5.0 g |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
Fixing Solution
Solution obtained by adding 2.0 g/ℓ of the compound
used in the present invention (set forth in Table 5
below) to fixing solution LF308, available from Fuji
Photo Film Co., Ltd.
Sample No. | Compound added | (Residual Color Density when a Compound of the Invention Was Not Used) - (Residual Color Density when a Compound of the Invention Was Used) |
801 | I-(2) | 0.060 |
802 | I-(4) | 0.061 |
803 | II-(7) | 0.063 |
In all cases, less residual color was obtained
when a photographic material was processed with the
fixing solution containing the compound used in the
present invention.
EXAMPLE 9
The double jet method was used to prepare a
cubic monodisperse silver bromochloride emulsion with an
average grain diameter of 0.3 µm (fluctuation coefficient:
0.13; silver iodide content: 0.1 mol%; silver
bromide content: 33 mol%).
After this emulsion had been desalted, it was
subjected to gold-sulfur sensitization. 6-Methyl-4-hydroxy-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene
was added to the
emulsion as a stabilizer. The emulsion was then
subjected to dye sensitization with a sensitizing dye as
set forth in Table 6 in an amount of 150 mg per mol of
silver halide present in the emulsion.
500 mg of potassium bromide, 100 mg of sodium p-dodecylbenzenesulfonate,
30 mg of 5-nitroindazole, 20 mg
of 5-methylbenzotriazole, 1.5 g of a styrene/maleic acid
copolymer and 15 g of a styrene/ butyl acrylate
copolymer latex (average grain diameter: 0.25 µm), each
per mol of silver halide, were added.
Furthermore, 1 × 10
-3 mol of a tetrazolium salt
compound with the following structural formula was added
for every mol of silver, and the material was then
coated onto a support which had been subbed as disclosed
in Example 1 of JP-A-59-19941 in a coated silver amount
of 4.0 g/m
2 and a gelatin amount of 2.1 g/m
2.
At this time, the sample was prepared by the
simultaneous multi-layer coating of a protective layer
containing 25 mg/m2 of formaldehyde as a film hardener
and 30 mg/m2 of sodium 1-decyl-2-(3-isopentyl)succinate-2-sulfonate
as an extender so that the gelatin amount
was 1.2 g/m2. These samples were processed for 30
seconds at a temperature of 28°C using a GR-27 automatic
processor made by Konica Corporation and under
developing conditions using the Konica Developer CMD-651K
and the Konica Fixer CGL-851 containing 2.0 g/ℓ of
each compound as set forth in Table 6.
Further, the coating of a backing layer with the
formulation shown below was also carried out.
Sensitizing Dye A:
1-(β-Hydroxyethyl)-3-phenyl-5-[(3-α-sulfopropyl-α-benzoxazolidene)ethylidene)thiohydantoin
Sensitizing Dye B:
Anhydro-5,5'-dichloro-9-ethyl-3,3'-di(3-sulfopropyl)oxacarbocyanine
hydroxide sodium salt
Sensitizing Dye C:
Potassium 4-[5-chloro-2-{2-[1-(5-hydroxy-3-oxapentyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-2-thiohydantoin-5-iridene]ethylidene}-3-benzoxazolinyl]butanesulfonate
Sample No. | Sensitizing Dye | Compound added | (Residual Color Density when a Compound of the Invention Was Not Used) - (Residual Color Density when a Compound of the Invention Was Used) |
901 | A | I-(2) | 0.051 |
902 | B | I-(2) | 0.053 |
903 | C | I-(4) | 0.053 |
904 | A | I-(4) | 0.049 |
905 | B | II-(7) | 0.048 |
906 | C | II-(7) | 0.050 |
In all cases, less residual color was found when
a photographic material was processed with the fixing
solution comprising the present compound.
EXAMPLE 10
A photographic material was prepared in the same
manner as in Example 9, exposed, and then subjected to
development in the same manner as in Example 9 except
that the compound used in the present invention was
added to the developer in stead of the fixing solution.
The results obtained are set forth in Table 7 below.
Sample No. | Sensitizing Dye | Compound added | (Residual Color Density when a Compound of the Invention Was Not Used) - (Residual Color Density when a Compound of the Invention Was Used) |
1001 | A | I-(2) | 0.055 |
1002 | B | I-(2) | 0.057 |
1003 | C | I-(4) | 0.056 |
1004 | A | I-(4) | 0.053 |
1005 | B | II-(7) | 0.053 |
1006 | C | II-(7) | 0.056 |
EXAMPLE 11
A multi-layer color photographic material,
Sample 1101 was prepared by multi-layer coating of the
various layers thereof with the compositions shown below
onto a subbed cellulose triacetate film support.
Composition of Light-Sensitive Layer
The figures corresponding to each of the
constituents denote the amounts coated given in units of
g/m2, while for the silver halides they denote the
coated amount calculated as silver. However, the
figures corresponding to the sensitizing dyes and the
compounds used in the present invention denote the molar
unit for the coated amount with respect to 1 mol of
silver halide in the same layer.
Sample 1101
First Layer: (Antihalation Layer) |
Black colloidal silver |
0.18 |
Gelatin |
0.48 |
Second Layer: (Interlayer) |
2,5-Di-t-pentadecylhydroquinone |
0.18 |
EX-1 |
0.07 |
EX-3 |
0.02 |
EX-12 |
0.002 |
U-1 |
0.06 |
U-2 |
0.08 |
U-3 |
0.10 |
HBS-1 |
0.10 |
HBS-2 |
0.02 |
Gelatin |
1.24 |
Third Layer: (First Red-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 6 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.6 µm; grain diameter fluctuation coefficient: 0.15) |
0.55 |
Sensitizing dye I |
6.9×10-5 |
Sensitizing dye II |
1.8×10-5 |
Sensitizing dye III |
3.1×10-4 |
Sensitizing dye IV |
4.0×10-5 |
EX-2 |
0.350 |
HBS-1 |
0.005 |
EX-10 |
0.020 |
Gelatin |
1.45 |
Fourth Layer: (Second Red-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Tabular silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 10 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.7 µm; average aspect ratio: 5.5; average thickness: 0.2 µm) |
1.0 |
Sensitizing Dye I |
5.1×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye II |
1.4×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye III |
2.3×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye IV |
3.0×10-5 |
EX-2 |
0.400 |
EX-3 |
0.050 |
EX-10 |
0.015 |
Gelatin |
1.50 |
Fifth Layer: (third Red-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 16 mol%; average grain diameter: 1.1 µm) |
1.60 |
Sensitizing Dye IX |
5.4×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye II |
1.4×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye III |
2.4×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye IV |
3.1×10-5 |
EX-3 |
0.240 |
EX-4 |
0.120 |
HBS-1 |
0.22 |
HBS-2 |
0.10 |
Gelatin |
2.00 |
Sixth Layer: (Interlayer) |
EX-5 |
0.040 |
HBS-1 |
0.020 |
EX-12 |
0.004 |
Gelatin |
1.00 |
Seventh Layer: (First Green-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Tabular silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 6 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.6 µm; average aspect ratio: 6.0; average thickness: 0.15 µm) |
0.40 |
Sensitizing Dye V |
3.0×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye VI |
1.0×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye VII |
3.8×10-4 |
EX-6 |
0.260 |
EX-1 |
0.021 |
EX-7 |
0.030 |
EX-8 |
0.025 |
HBS-1 |
0.100 |
HBS-4 |
0.010 |
Gelatin |
0.90 |
Eighth Layer: (Second Green-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 9 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.7 µm; grain diameter fluctuation coefficient: 0.18) |
0.80 |
Sensitizing Dye V |
2.1×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye VI |
7.0×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye VII |
2.6×10-4 |
EX-6 |
0.180 |
EX-8 |
0.010 |
EX-1 |
0.008 |
EX-7 |
0.012 |
HBS-1 |
0.160 |
HBS-4 |
0.008 |
Gelatin |
1.30 |
Ninth Layer: (Third Green-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 12 mol%; average grain diameter: 1.0 µm) |
1.2 |
Sensitizing Dye V |
3.5×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye VI |
8.0×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye VII |
3.0×10-4 |
EX-6 |
0.065 |
EX-11 |
0.030 |
EX-1 |
0.025 |
HBS-1 |
0.25 |
HBS-2 |
0.10 |
Gelatin |
2.00 |
Tenth Layer: (Yellow Filter Layer) |
Yellow Colloidal Silver |
0.05 |
EX-5 |
0.08 |
HBS-3 |
0.03 |
Gelatin |
1.10 |
Eleventh Layer: (First Blue-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Tabular silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 6 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.6 µm; average aspect ratio: 5.6; average thickness: 0.15 µm) |
0.24 |
Sensitizing Dye VIII |
3.5×10-4 |
EX-9 |
0.85 |
EX-8 |
0.12 |
HBS-1 |
0.28 |
Gelatin |
1.50 |
Twelfth Layer: (Second Blue-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 10 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.8 µm; grain diameter fluctuation coefficient: 0.16 µm) |
0.45 |
Sensitizing Dye VIII |
2.1×10-4 |
EX-9 |
0.20 |
EX-10 |
0.015 |
HBS-1 |
0.03 |
Gelatin |
0.55 |
Thirteenth Layer: (Third Blue-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 14 mol%; average grain diameter: 1.3 µm) |
0.77 |
Sensitizing Dye VIII |
2.2×10-4 |
EX-9 |
0.20 |
HBS-1 |
0.07 |
Gelatin |
0.85 |
Fourteenth Layer: (First Protective Layer) |
Silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 1 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.07 µm) |
0.5 |
U-4 |
0.11 |
U-5 |
0.17 |
HBS-1 |
0.90 |
Gelatin |
1.20 |
Fifteenth Layer: (Second Protective Layer) |
Polymethyl Acrylate Grains (diameter: about 1.5 µm) |
0.54 |
S-1 |
0.15 |
S-2 |
0.05 |
Gelatin |
0.90 |
As well as the above constituents, Gelatin
Hardener H-1 and a surface active agent were
incorporated into each layer.
Sample 1101 had a total photographic structural
layer thickness of 22 µm and a film swelling rate T1/2 of
12 seconds.
Following this, a change was made in the amount
of gelatin and the amount of film hardener in each layer
of Sample 1101 to prepare Sample 1102 with a thickness
of 19 µm and with T
1/2 of 9 seconds, and Sample 1103 with
a thickness of 17 µm and T
1/2 of 7 seconds.
- EX-11:
- Same as EX-1 except that R=H
- HBS-1:
- Tricresyl phosphate
- HBS-2:
- Dibutyl phthalate
- HBS-3:
- Bis(2-ethylexyl)phthalate
Samples 1101, 1102 and 1103 thus prepared were
cut into 35 mm widths and then subjected to a standard
exposure in a camera, 1 m2 of each was subjected to
mixed processing per day by means of the following
processing using an automatic processor and this was
continued for 10 days.
The transmitted magenta densities in the
unexposed areas of the processed samples were measured
at the beginning (fresh processing) and the end (running
processing) of the above processing using Model X Light
310 photographic densitometer. The value for (running
processing) - (fresh processing), which is to say the
change in the magenta density due to the running, was
determined.
Furthermore, the running processed samples were
stored for 1 week under conditions of a relative
humidity of 70% at a temperature of 60°C to evaluate the
changes in the transmitted magenta density over this
period.
The results obtained are set forth in Table 8.
Stage | Processing Time | Processing Temperature | Replenishment Rate | Tank Capacity |
Color Development | 2 min 00 sec | 38°C | 390 ml/m2 | 10 ℓ |
Bleaching | 45 sec | 38°C | 270 ml/m2 | 4 ℓ |
Blix | 1 min 30 sec | 38°C | 530 ml/m2 | 8 ℓ |
Washing (1) | 15 sec | 35°C | (countercurrent piping system in which water flows backward) | 4 ℓ |
Washing (2) | 15 sec | 35°C | 270 ml/m2 | 4 ℓ |
Stabilization | 15 sec | 38°C | 270 ml/m2 | 4 ℓ |
Drying | 1 min 15 sec | 55°C |
In the above, the wet processing time from the
time at which the photographic material is immersed in
the color developer until it emerges from the
stabilizing solution was 5 minutes. In addition, the
total amount of replenisher was 1,730 ml.
Color Developer |
| Running Solution | Replenisher |
| (g) | (g) |
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid | 1.0 | 1.1 |
1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphoric Acid | 3.0 | 3.2 |
Sodium Sulfite | 4.0 | 5.8 |
Potassium Carbonate | 30.0 | 37.0 |
Potassium Bromide | 1.4 | - |
Potassium Iodide | 1.5 mg | - |
Hydroxylamine Sulfate | 2.4 | 3.5 |
4-(N-Ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylaniline Sulfate | 4.5 | 7.2 |
Water (tap water) to make | 1.0 ℓ | 1.0 ℓ |
pH | 10.05 | 10.20 |
Blix Solution |
(The running solution and the replenisher were the same (units: g)) |
Ferric Ammonium Ethylenediaminetetraacetate Dihydrate | 80.0 |
Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetate | 5.0 |
Ammonium Sulfite | 15.0 |
Ammonium Thiosulfate (700 g/ℓ aq. soln.) | 300.0 ℓ |
Ammonia (27% aq. soln.) | 6.0 ml |
Water to make | 1.0 ℓ |
pH | 7.2 |
Washing Water
(The running solution and the replenisher were the same)
The following water quality was obtained by
passing tap water through a mixed bed column charged
with an H-type strongly acidic cation exchange resin
(Amberlite IR-120B, commercially available from Rohm and
Haas Company) and an OH-type anion exchange resin
(Amberlite IR-400, commercially available from Rhom and
Haas).
Calcium | 0.3 mg/ℓ |
Magnesium | 0.1 mg/ℓ |
pH | 6.5 |
Conductivity | 5.0 µs/cm |
Stabilizing Solution |
(The running solution and the replenisher were the same (units: g)) |
Formaldehyde (37% aq. soln.) | 1.0 ml |
Polyoxyethylene-p-monononyl Phenyl Ether (average degree of polymerization: 10) | 0.3 |
Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetate | 0.05 |
Water (tap water) to make | 1.0 ℓ |
pH | 5.0-8.0 |
No. | Sample No. | Additive | Change in Magenta Density due to Running | Change in Magenta Density after 1 Week at 60°C-70%RH |
Comp. Ex. 1 | 1101 | None | +0.07 | +0.13 |
" 2 | 1102 | " | +0.06 | +0.11 |
" 3 | 1103 | " | +0.06 | +0.10 |
Invention 4 | 1101 | I-(2) | +0.01 | +0.01 |
" 5 | 1102 | I-(4) | ±0 | +0.01 |
" 6 | 1103 | I-(2) | +0.02 | +0.02 |
" 7 | 1101 | I-(13) | +0.02 | +0.02 |
" 8 | 1102 | I-(16) | +0.01 | +0.01 |
" 9 | 1103 | II-(2) | ±0 | +0.01 |
" 10 | 1101 | II-(6) | +0.03 | +0.04 |
" 11 | 1102 | II-(8) | +0.02 | +0.02 |
As shown by the results in Table 8, it is
possible to control the increase in the magenta density
in the non-exposed area caused by running at a level at
which there is no practical impairment. Further, the
increase in the magenta density in the unexposed area
when stored at an elevated temperature or at a high
humidity can also be controlled at the same time. It is
also obvious that the above effects are improved by
reducing the thickness of the photographic structural
layers and accelerating the swelling rate T1/2.
EXAMPLE 12
A multi-layer color photographic material,
Sample 1201 was prepared by multi-layer coating of
various layers with the compositions shown below onto a
subbed cellulose triacetate film support.
Composition of Light-sensitive Layer
The figures corresponding to each of the
components denote coated amounts in g/m2, while for the
silver halides they denote the coated amount calculated
as silver. The figures corresponding to the sensitizing
dyes and the compounds used in the present invention
denote molar units for the coated amount with respect to
1 mol of silver halide in the same layer.
Sample 1201
First Layer: (Antihalation layer) |
Black Colloidal Silver |
0.2 |
Gelatin |
1.2 |
Ultraviolet Absorbent UV-1 |
0.05 |
Ultraviolet Absorbent UV-2 |
0.1 |
Ultraviolet Absorbent UV-3 |
0.1 |
Dispersing Oil OIL-1 |
0.02 |
Second Layer: (Interlayer) |
Fine silver bromide grains (average grain size: 0.07 µm) |
0.15 |
Gelatin |
1.2 |
Third Layer: (First Red-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 6 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.4 µm; grain diameter fluctuation coefficient: 0.15) |
1.42 |
Gelatin |
1.1 |
Sensitizing Dye A |
2.0×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye B |
1.0×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye C |
0.3×10-4 |
Cp-b |
0.35 |
Cp-c |
0.052 |
Cp-d |
0.047 |
D-1 |
0.023 |
D-2 |
0.035 |
HBS-1 |
0.10 |
HBS-2 |
0.10 |
Fourth Layer: (Interlayer) |
Gelatin |
1.0 |
Cp-b |
0.10 |
HBS-1 |
0.05 |
Fifth Layer: (Second Red-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse emulsion (silver iodide content: 6 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.5 µm; fluctuation coefficient: 15%) |
1.38 |
Gelatin |
1.2 |
Sensitizing Dye A |
1.5×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye B |
2.0×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye C |
0.5x10-4 |
Cp-b |
0.150 |
Cp-d |
0.027 |
D-1 |
0.005 |
D-2 |
0.010 |
HBS-1 |
0.050 |
HBS-2 |
0.060 |
Sixth Layer: (Third Red-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse emulsion (silver iodide content: 7 mol%; average grain diameter: 1.1 µm; fluctuation coefficient: 16%) |
2.08 |
Gelatin |
1.7 |
Cp-a |
0.060 |
Cp-c |
0.024 |
Cp-d |
0.038 |
D-1 |
0.006 |
HBS-1 |
0.012 |
Seventh Layer: (Interlayer) |
Gelatin |
1.2 |
Cpd-A |
0.05 |
HBS-2 |
0.05 |
Eigth Layer: (First Green-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 3 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.4 µm; fluctuation coefficient: 19%) |
0.64 |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 6 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.7 µm; fluctuation coefficient: 18%) |
1.12 |
Gelatin |
1.2 |
Sensitizing Dye D |
1×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye E |
4×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye F |
1×10-4 |
Cp-h |
0.20 |
Cp-f |
0.61 |
Cp-g |
0.084 |
Cp-k |
0.035 |
Cp-ℓ |
0.036 |
D-3 |
0.041 |
D-4 |
0.018 |
HBS-1 |
0.25 |
HBS-2 |
0.45 |
Ninth Layer: (Second Green-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 7 mol%; average grain diameter: 1.0 µm; grain diameter fluctuation coefficient: 18%) |
2.07 |
Gelatin |
1.7 |
Sensitizing Dye D |
1.5×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye E |
2.3×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye F |
1.5×10-4 |
Cp-f |
0.007 |
Cp-h |
0.012 |
Cp-g |
0.009 |
HBS-2 |
0.088 |
Tenth Layer: (Interlayer) |
Yellow Colloidal Silver |
0.06 |
Gelatin |
1.4 |
Cpd-A |
0.3 |
HBS-1 |
0.3 |
Eleventh Layer: (First Blue-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 6 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.4 µm; fluctuation coefficient: 20%) |
0.31 |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 5 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.9 µm; fluctuation coefficient: 17%) |
0.38 |
Gelatin |
2.0 |
Sensitizing Dye G |
1×10-4 |
Sensitizing Dye H |
1×10-4 |
Cp-i |
0.63 |
Cp-j |
0.57 |
D-1 |
0.020 |
D-4 |
0.015 |
HBS-1 |
0.05 |
Twelfth Layer: (Second Blue-sensitive Emulsion Layer) |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 8 mol%; average grain diameter: 1.3 µm; grain diameter fluctuation coefficient: 18%) |
0.77 |
Gelatin |
0.7 |
Sensitizing Dye G |
5×10-5 |
Sensitizing Dye H |
5×10-5 |
Cp-i |
0.10 |
Cp-j |
0.10 |
D-5 |
0.005 |
HBS-2 |
0.10 |
Thirteenth Layer: (Interlayer) |
Gelatin |
0.7 |
Cp-m |
0.1 |
UV-1 |
0.1 |
UV-2 |
0.1 |
UV-3 |
0.1 |
HBS-1 |
0.05 |
HBS-2 |
0.05 |
Fourteenth Layer: (Protective Layer) |
Monodisperse silver bromoiodide emulsion (silver iodide content: 4 mol%; average grain diameter: 0.05 µm; grain diameter fluctuation coefficient: 10%) |
0.1 |
Gelatin |
1.5 |
Polymethyl methacrylate grains (average diameter: 1.5 µm) |
0.1 |
S-1 |
0.2 |
S-2 |
0.2 |
In addition, Surface Active Agent K-1 and
Gelatin Hardener H-1 were also added.
The amount of gelatin and the amount of film
hardener in the above Sample 1201 was reduced overall
to prepare the following samples.
Sample No. | Thickness of Photographic Structural Layers | Film Swelling Rate T1/2 |
1201 | 24 µm | 12 sec |
1202 | 19 µm | 8 sec |
1203 | 16 µm | 6 sec |
The above samples were exposed in a camera.
These samples were each then subjected to mixed
processing at 1 m2 a day in the same manner as in Example
11, and this was continued for a total of 10 days.
The processing which was carried out was as is
shown below.
Processing and evaluation of the samples were
undertaken in the same manner as in Example 11.
Stage | Processing Time | Processing Temperature | Replenishment Rate | Tank Capacity |
Color Development | 1 min 30 sec | 37.8°C | 350 ml/m2 | 10 ℓ |
Bleaching | 30 sec | 37.8°C | 130 ml/m2 | 5 ℓ |
Fixing | 1 min 15 sec | 37.8°C | 500 ml/m2 | 10 ℓ |
Stabilization (1) | 15 sec | 35°C | (3-stage countercurrent system in which water flows backward) | 5 ℓ |
Stabilization (2) | 15 sec | 35°C | | 5 ℓ |
Stabilization (3) | 15 sec | 35°C | 350 ml/m2 | 5 ℓ |
Drying | 1 min | 55°C |
The replenishment rates are per m2.
In the above, the wet processing time was 4
minutes, and the total replenishment amount was 1,330
ml.
Color Developer |
| Running Solution | Replenisher |
| (g) | (g) |
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid | 5.0 | 6.0 |
Sodium Sulfite | 4.0 | 6.0 |
Potassium Carbonate | 30.0 | 37.0 |
Potassium Bromide | 1.3 | - |
Potassium Iodide | 1.2 mg | - |
Hydroxylamine Sulfate | 2.0 | 3.8 |
4-(N-Ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylaniline Sulfate | 4.7 | 7.5 |
Water (tap water) to make | 1.0 ℓ | 1.0 ℓ |
pH | 10.00 | 10.20 |
Bleaching Solution |
| Running Solution | Replenisher |
| (g) | (g) |
Ferric 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetate | 140 | 190 |
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid | 4.0 | 5.0 |
Ammonium Bromide | 160.0 | 220.0 |
Ammonium Nitrate | 30.0 | 50.0 |
Ammonia (27% aq. soln.) | 20.0 ml | 23.0 ml |
Acetic Acid (98% aq. soln.) | 80.0 ml | 120.0 ml |
Water to make | 1.0 ℓ | 1.0 ℓ |
pH | 4.3 | 4.0 |
Fixing Solution |
| Running Solution | Replenisher |
| (g) | (g) |
Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate | 0.5 | 0.7 |
Ammonium Sulfite | 15.0 | 25.0 |
Sodium Bisulfite | 5.0 | 10.0 |
Ammonium Thiosulfate (700 g/ℓ aq. soln.) | 270.0 ml | 320.0 ml |
Compound used in the Present Invention (set forth in Table 9) | 2.0 | 2.0 |
Water to make | 1.0 ℓ | 1.0 ℓ |
pH | 6.7 | 6.6 |
Stabilizing Solution |
(The running solution and the replenisher were the same (units: g)) |
Tap water | 1.0 ℓ |
Formaldehyde (37% aq. soln.) | 1.2 ml |
5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one | 6.0 mg |
2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one | 3.0 mg |
Surface Active Agent
[C10H21-O(CH2CH2O)10H] | 0.4 |
Ethylene Glycol | 1.0 |
The results obtained are set forth in Table 9
below.
No. | Sample No. | Additive | Change in Magenta Density due to Running | Change in Magenta Density after 1 Week at 60°C-70%RH |
Comp. Ex. 1 | 1201 | None | +0.08 | +0.14 |
" 2 | 1202 | " | +0.07 | +0.12 |
" 3 | 1203 | " | +0.07 | +0.11 |
Invention 4 | 1201 | I-(2) | +0.02 | +0.02 |
" 5 | 1202 | I-(4) | +0.01 | +0.01 |
" 6 | 1203 | I-(2) | +0.01 | +0.01 |
" 7 | 1201 | I-(13) | +0.02 | +0.03 |
" 8 | 1202 | I-(16) | +0.01 | +0.01 |
" 9 | 1203 | II-(2) | +0.02 | +0.02 |
" 10 | 1201 | II-(6) | +0.03 | +0.03 |
" 11 | 1202 | II-(8) | +0.02 | +0.03 |
As in Example 11, the present invention inhibits
an increase in the magenta density of the unexposed
areas and is effective in inhibiting an increase in the
cyan density in the unexposed areas during storage at an
elevated temperature and a high humidity.
EXAMPLE 13
A multi-layer color printing paper with the
following layer structures was prepared on a paper
support which had been laminated on both sides with
polyethylene. The coating solutions were prepared as
described below.
Preparation of the Coating Solution for the First Layer
27.2 cc of ethyl acetate and 8.2 g of a solvent
(Solv-3) were added to 19.1 g of a yellow coupler (ExY),
4.4 g of a color image stabilizer (Cpd-1) and 0.7 g of a
color image stabilizer (Cpd-7) to dissolve them. This
solution was emulsified and dispersed in 185 cc of a 10%
aqueous gelatin solution containing 8 cc of 10% sodium
dodecylbenzenesulfonate. Meanwhile, the following blue-sensitizing
dyes were added to a silver bromochloride
emulsion (cubic; a 3:7 mixture (silver molar ratio) of
grains with an average grain size of 0.88 µm and grains
with an average grain size of 0.70 µm; fluctuation
coefficients in the grain size distributions were 0.08
and 0.10, each emulsion containing 0.2 mol% of silver
bromide localized at the grain surface) respectively in
amounts of 2.0×10-4 moles per mol of silver halide in the
large-sized emulsion and respectively in amounts of
2.5×10-4 moles per mol of silver halide in the small-sized
emulsion, and after this sulfur sensitization was
carried out. The above emulsified dispersion and this
emulsion were mixed and dissolved to prepare a first
coating solution with the composition given below.
The coating solutions for the second layer to
the seventh layer were also prepared by methods similar
to that for the first layer coating solution. Sodium 1-oxy-3,5-dichloro-s-triazine
was used as a gelatin
hardener in each layer.
The following spectral sensitizing dyes were
incorporated into each layer.
The following compound was added to the red-sensitive
emulsion layer in an amount of 2.6×10
-3 mol per
mol of silver halide.
Further, 1-(5-methylureidophenyl)-5-mercaptotetrazole
was added to the blue-sensitive emulsion
layer, green-sensitive emulsion layer and red-sensitive
emulsion layer in amounts of 8.5×10-5 mol, 7.7×10-4 mol
and 2.5×10-4 mol per mol of silver halide, respectively.
The following dyes were added to the emulsion
layers to inhibit irradiation. and
Layer Structure
The composition of each layer is given below.
The figures represent coated amounts (g/m2). With the
silver halide emulsions, they represent the coated
amounts calculated in terms of silver.
Support
Polyethylene-laminated paper (containing a white
pigment (TiO
2) and a blue dye (ultramarine) in the
polyethylene on the first layer side)
First Layer: (Blue-sensitive Layer) |
Silver bromochloride emulsion as mentioned above | 0.30 |
Gelatin | 1.86 |
Yellow Coupler (ExY) | 0.82 |
Color Image Stabilizer (Cpd-1) | 0.19 |
Solvent (Solv-3) | 0.35 |
Dye Stabilizer (Cpd-7) | 0.06 |
Second Layer: (Color Stain-inhibiting Layer) |
Gelatin | 0.99 |
Color stain inhibitor (Cpd-5) | 0.08 |
Solvent (Solv-1) | 0.16 |
Solvent (Solv-4) | 0.08 |
Third Layer: (Green-sensitive Layer) |
Silver bromochloride emulsion (cubic; a 1:3 mixture (Ag molar ratio) of grains with an average grain size of 0.55 µm and grains with an average grain size of 0.39 µm; fluctuation coefficients in the grain size distribution were 0.10 and 0.08, each emulsion-contained 0.8 mol% of AgBr locally at the grain surface) | 0.12 |
Gelatin | 1.24 |
Magenta Coupler (ExM) | 0.20 |
Color Image Stabilizer (Cpd-2) | 0.03 |
Color Image Stabilizer (Cpd-3) | 0.15 |
Color Image Stabilizer (Cpd-4) | 0.02 |
Color Image Stabilizer (Cpd-9) | 0.02 |
Solvent (Solv-2) | 0.40 |
Fourth Layer: (Ultraviolet-absorbing Layer) |
Gelatin | 1.58 |
Ultraviolet absorbent (UV-1) | 0.47 |
Color stain inhibitor (Cpd-5) | 0.05 |
Solvent (Solv-5) | 0.24 |
Fifth Layer: (Red-sensitive Layer) |
Silver bromochloride emulsion (cubic; a 1:4 mixture (Ag molar ratio) of grains with an average grain size of 0.58 µm and grains with an average grain size of 0.45 µm; fluctuation coefficients in the grain size distribution were 0.09 and 0.11, each emulsion contained 0.6 mol% of AgBr locally at the grain surface) | 0.23 |
Gelatin | 1.34 |
Cyan Coupler (ExC) | 0.32 |
Color Image Stabilizer (Cpd-6) | 0.17 |
Color Image Stabilizer (Cpd-7) | 0.40 |
Color Image Stabilizer (Cpd-8) | 0.04 |
Solvent (Solv-6) | 0.15 |
Sixth Layer: (Ultraviolet-absorbing Layer) |
Gelatin | 0.53 |
Ultraviolet Absorbent (UV-1) | 0.16 |
Color Stain Inhibitor (Cpd-5) | 0.02 |
Solvent (Solve-5) | 0.08 |
Seventh Layer: (Protective Layer) |
Gelatin | 1.33 |
Acryl-modified Copolymer of Polyvinyl alcohol (degree of modification: 17%) | 0.17 |
Liquid Paraffin | 0.03 |
(Solv-3) Solvent O=P(O-C9H19(iso))3
Firstly, each of the samples was subjected to
continuous processing (running test) comprising the
following processing stages and a paper processing
machine until the color development tank capacity had
been replenished twice.
Processing Stage | Temperature | Time | Replenisher | Tank Capacity |
Color Development | 38°C | 20 sec. | 161 ml | 17 ℓ |
Blix | 35-38°C | 20 sec. | 215 ml | 17 ℓ |
Rinse (1) | 35-38°C | 7 sec. | - | 10 ℓ |
Rinse (2) | 35-38°C | 7 sec. | - | 10 ℓ |
Rinse (3) | 35-38°C | 6 sec. | 350 ml | 10 ℓ |
Drying | 70-80°C | 30 sec. |
(The rinse was effected in a 3-tank countercurrent
system in which water flows backward.)
The compositions of the processing solutions
used were as given below.
Color Developer |
| Running Solution | Replenisher |
| (g) | (g) |
Water | 800 ml | 800 ml |
Ethylenediamine-N,N,N,N-tetramethylene Phosphonate | 1.5 | 2.0 |
Potassium Bromide | 0.015 | - |
Triethanolamine | 8.0 | 12.0 |
Sodium Chloride | 1.4 | - |
Potassium Carbonate | 25 | 25 |
N-Ethyl-N-(β-methanesulfonamidoethyl)-3-methyl-4-aminoaniline Sulfate | 5.0 | 7.0 |
N,N-Bis(carboxymethyl)hydrazine | 5.5 | 7.0 |
Water to make | 1,0000 ml | 1,000 ml |
pH (25°C) | 10.05 | 10.45 |
Blix Solution |
(The tank solution and the replenisher were the same.) |
Water | 400 ml |
Compound I-(2) | 2.0 g |
Thiosulfate (70% aq. soln.) | 100 ml |
Sodium Sulfite | 17 g |
Ferric Ammonium Ethylenediaminetetraacetate | 55 g |
Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetate | 5 g |
Ammonium Bromide | 40 g |
Water to make | 1,000 ml |
pH (25°C) | 6.0 |
Rinse Solution
(The tank solution and the replenisher were the same.)
Ion-exchanged water (calcium and magnesium
concentrations: 3 ppm or less each)
Upon processing the photographic material
containing a compound as used in the present invention
produced as described above, the reflected density based
on the residual color from sensitizing dye in the
unexposed area was markedly improved and lower than a
photographic material which did not contain a compound
as used in the present invention by 0.049.
EXAMPLE 14
A 1 N aqueous solution of silver nitrate and an
aqueous solution containing 0.988 mol of potassium
bromide and 0.012 mol of potassium iodide were mixed in
the double jet process while the pAg of the system was
appropriately controlled to obtain a silver bromoiodide
emulsion. After washing with water and desalting, the
emulsion was then subjected to gold sensitization and
sulfur sensitization to obtain an optimum sensitization.
As a result, an emulsion of tetradecahedral silver
bromoiodide grains having an average grain diameter of
0.6 µm and containing (100) plane in a proportion of 86%
was obtained.
30 g of the silver bromoiodide emulsion thus
prepared was measured out in a pot. Sensitizing Dye (1)
and Surface Active Agent (2)-1 or (2)-2 were added to
the emulsion in amounts of 2.07×10-4 mol/mol Ag and 3.54
g/mol Ag, respectively. Furthermore, a 0.02% solution
of 5-mercapto-1-phenyltetrazole, a 2% solution of 2-hydroxy-4,6-dichlorotriazine
sodium salt, a 10% gelatin
gel, and water were added to the system in amounts such
that the amount of silver and gelatin in 120 g thereof
was 3.12 g and 5.4 g, respectively. Meanwhile, an
aqueous solution mainly composed of gelatin was
prepared. The aqueous gelatin solution and the above
emulsion were simultaneously coated on a polyethylene-laminated
paper with the emulsion kept in contact with
the support in amounts such that the coated amount of
the aqueous gelatin solution and the emulsion reached
1.5 g/m2 and 2.25 g/m2, calculated in terms of gelatin,
respectively, to prepare photographic materials.
These samples were exposed to light of 3,200 lux
at a color temperature of 2,854°K through an optical
wedge for 10-2 seconds and light from a xenon lamp
through an optical wedge for 10-6 seconds.
After eaxposure to light, these samples were
developed with a developer (replenishment rate: 0.39
ℓ/m
2 of light-sensitive material) and a fixing solution
having the following compositions for 15 seconds at a
temperature of 35°C, stopped, fixed (replenishment rate:
0.39 ℓ/m
2 of light-sensitive material) at a temperature
of 30°C for 12 seconds, and then washed with water to
obtain strips having black-and-white images.
Sensitizing Dye (2)-1 C14H29OSO3Na
Developer |
1-Phenyl-3-pyrazolidone | 0.4 g |
Sodium Sulfite | 67.0 g |
Hydroquinone | 23.0 g |
Potassium Hydroxide | 11.0 g |
Sodium Carbonate (monohydrate) | 11.0 g |
Potassium Bromide | 3.0 g |
5-Methylbenzotriazole | 133 mg |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
Fixing Solution |
Ammonium Thiosulfate | 170.0 g |
Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) | 15.0 g |
Boric Acid | 7.0 g |
Acetic Acid (glacial) | 15.0 ml |
Potassium Alum | 20.0 g |
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid | 0.1 g |
Tartaric Acid | 3.5 g |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
For the evaluation of residual color, the
absorption of the residual sensitizing dye at Xmax was
then measured on the unexposed portion thereof by means
of Type 607 Color Analyzer available from Hitachi, Ltd.
in a reflectmetric process.
Light-sensitive Material | Processing | Residual Color |
I Surface Active Agent (2)-1 | Fixing solution as mentioned above | 0.125 |
| Fixing solution as mentioned above + Compound I-(2) 1.5 g | 0.048 |
II Surface Active Agent (2)-2 | Fixing solution as mentioned above | 0.065 |
| Fixing solution as mentioned above + Compound I-(2) 1.5 g | 0.040 |
The residual color is preferably 0.09 or less as
represented by the figures in Table 10. If this value
exceeds this range, the results can be recognized as
residual color under a careful observation, and the
products thus obtained cannot be put into commercial
use. If this value exceeds 0.1, the results can be
recognized as remarkable residual color.
In the present method, remarkably little
residual color occurs.
EXAMPLE 16
A development processing kit (concentrated
solution) comprising Part (A), Part (B) and Part (C) was
prepared.
Part (A) (to be diluted to 10 ℓ of developer) |
Potassium Hydroxide | 291 g |
Potassium Sulfite | 442 g |
Sodium Hydrogencarbonate | 75 g |
Boric Acid | 10 g |
Diethylene Glycol | 120 g |
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid | 17 g |
5-Methylbenzotriazole | 0.6 g |
Hydroquinone | 300 g |
1-Phenyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-pyrazolidone | 20 g |
Water to make | 2.5 ℓ |
pH | 11.0 |
Part (B) (to be diluted to 10 ℓ of developer) |
Triethylene Glycol | 20 g |
5-Nitroindazole | 2.5 g |
Acetic Acid (glacial) | 3 g |
1-Phenyl-3-pyrazolidone | 15 g |
Water to make | 250 ml |
Part (C) (to be diluted to 10 ℓ of developer) |
Glutaraldehyde | 99 g |
Sodium Metabisulfite | 126 g |
Water to make | 250 ml |
A starter having the following composition was
prepared.
Starter |
Acetic Acid (glacial) | 270 g |
Potassium Bromide | 300 g |
Water to make | 1.5 ℓ |
Preparation of Developer
2.5 ℓ of Part (A), 250 ml of Part (B) and 250 ml
of Part (C) were sequentially added to and dissolved in
about 6 ℓ of water with stirring. Water was added to
the solution to make 10 ℓ.
The starter was then added to the solution in an
amount of 20 ml per ℓ of the solution.
A solution obtained by adding a compound used in
the present invention (set forth in Table 16) to Fuji F
(available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) was used as a
fixing solution.
Water containing 0.5 g/ℓ of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate
dihydrate (antifungal agent) was used as a
rinse solution.
A photographic material (unexposed) as prepared
in Example 1 was then subjected to the following
development in a roller conveyor type automatic
processor system.
Processing Stage | Temperature | Processing Time |
Development | 35°C | 12.5 sec. |
Fixing | 30°C | 10 sec. |
Rinse and Squeeze | 20°C | 12.5 sec. |
Drying | 50°C | 12.5 sec. |
The residual color (transmitted optical density
in the non-image portion) after processing is set forth
in Table 12.
Compound Added to Fixing Solution | Amount Added | Residual Color after Processing (Transmitted Optical Density) |
| (g/ℓ) |
(Control) | - | 0.209 |
(a) (Comparative Example) | 7.9 | 0.208 |
(b) ( " ) | 1.7 | 0.167 |
(c) ( " ) | 1.6 | 0.159 |
III-(6) ( " ) | 1.6 | 0.140 |
III-(9) ( " ) | 1.8 | 0.148 |
As shown in Table 12, whenever a photographic
material is processed with a fixing solution comprising
a compound used in the present invention, less residual
color after processing occurs.
EXAMPLE 17
A photographic material was exposed to X-ray in
the same manner as in Example 1, and then subjected to
development with the same developer, fixing solution and
rinse solution as used in Example 16.
For evaluation of residual color after
processing, the transmitted optical density of the non-image
portion of the photographic material was measured
using green light. The results obtained are set forth
in Table 13.
Compound Added to Fixing Solution | Added Amount | Residual Color after Processing (Transmitted Optical Density) |
| (g/ℓ) |
(Control) | - | 0.209 |
(a) (Comparative Example) | 7.9 | 0.207 |
(b) ( " ) | 1.7 | 0.165 |
(c) ( " ) | 1.6 | 0.159 |
III-(6) ( " ) | 1.6 | 0.138 |
III-(9) ( " ) | 1.8 | 0.147 |
As shown by the results in Table 13, when a
photographic material is processed with a fixing
solution comprising a compound as used in the present
invention, less residual color after processing occurs.
EXAMPLE 18
Photographic materials 1801 to 1807 were
prepared using the following sensitizing dyes in the
same manner as in Example 16, and then subjected to
development in an automatic processor in the same manner
as in Example 16.
Sample No. | Sensitizing Dye (Amount Added Ag/mol Ag) | Compound Added to Fixing Solution | (Residual Color Density When a Compound of the Invention Was Not Used) - (Residual Color Density When a Compound of the Invention Was Used) |
1802 | B(500) | III-(5) | 0.068 |
1803 | C(400) | III-(5) | 0.069 |
1805 | E(500) | III-(5) | 0.068 |
1806 | F(500) | III-(5) | 0.068 |
1807 | G(500) | III-(6) | 0.075 |
In all cases, when a photographic material was
processed with a fixing solution containing a compound
as used in the present invention, less residual color
occurs. (Note: Sensitizing Dyes A to G are as defined
in Example 3).
EXAMPLE 19
A photographic material was prepared in the same
manner as in Example 4, exposed to light, and then
subjected to development and fixing with a developer and
a fixing solution as used in Example 4 in the same
manner as in Example 4.
The same aqueous solution as used in Example 16
was used as a rinse solution. The replenishment rate
was 250 ml per full-size (20 inch × 24 inch) sheet. The
same sample was similarly developed, and then fixed with
a solution obtained by adding 1.6 g/ℓ of Compound III(6)
to GR-F1.
The residual color after processing was measured
in the same manner as in Example 16.
The results show that when a photographic
material was processed with a fixing solution comprising
a compound as used in the present invention, a small
residual color of 0.058 occurs.
EXAMPLE 21
A double jet process was conducted at a
temperature of 60°C with the pAg and pH values of the
system controlled to 8 and 2.0, respectively, to obtain
a monodisperse emulsion of cubic silver bromoiodide
having an average grain diameter of 0.20 µm and
containing a silver iodide content of 2.0 mol%. A part
of the emulsion was used as core on which the following
growth was effected. More specifically, an ammonia
solution of silver nitrate and a solution containing
potassium iodide and potassium bromide were added to a
solution containing these core grains and gelatin at a
temperature of 40°C with the pAg and pH of the system
controlled to 9.0, respectively, in a double jet process
to form a first coat layer containing 30 mol% of silver
iodide. Furthermore, an ammonia solution of silver
nitrate and a potassium bromide solution were added to
the system with the pAg and pH of the system controlled
to 9.0, respectively, in a double jet process to form a
second coat layer of pure silver bromide. Thus, a
monodisperse emulsion of cubic silver bromoiodide grains
having an average diameter of 0.57 µm was prepared (E-1).
The emulsion had an average silver iodide content
of 2.0 mol%.
To the Emulsion (E-1) were added the following
sensitizing dyes A and B in the following amounts. The
emulsion was then subjected to optimum gold-sulfur
sensitization with 8×10
-7 mol of a chloroaurate, 7×10
-6
mol of sodium thiosulfate, and 7×10
-4 mol of ammonium
thiocyanate. The emulsion thus sensitized was
stabilized with 2×10
-2 mol of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene.
The gelatin concentration of
the emulsion was adjusted so that the amount of gelatin
per side was 2.25 g/m
2.
The following additives were added to the
emulsion and the protective film solution. The
following film hardener was then added so that the
melting time was 20 minutes.
More specifically, 2×10
-4 mol of the compound as
used in the present invention (set forth in Table 21),
400 ml of t-butyl-catechol, 1.0 g of polyvinylpyrrolidone
(molecular weight: 10,000, 2.5 g of a styrene-maleic
anhydride copolymer, 10 g of trimethylol propane, 5 g of
diethylene glycol, 50 mg of nitrophenol-triphenylphosphonium
chloride, 4 g of ammonium 1,3-dihydroxybenzene-4-sulfonate,
15 mg of sodium 2-mercaptobenzimidazole-5-sulfonate,
7 mg of
and 10 mg of 1,1-dimethylol-1-bromo-1-nitromethane
were used as additives for the emulsion layer.
The above emulsion, the film hardener and the
additives as described subsequently were added to the
system so that the melting time was 20 minutes. Thus, a
protective layer having a gelatin content of 1.15 g/m2
per side was prepared. The above emulsion and the
protective layer thus prepared were simultaneously
coated in a multi-layer structure onto both sides of a
subbed polyester film support at a coating rate of 50
m/min. in such a manner that the silver halide emulsion
layer (viscosity: 11 cP; surface tension: 35 dyn/cm;
coat film thickness: 50 µm) and the protective layer
(viscosity: 11 cP; surface tension; 25 dyn/cm; coat film
thickness: 20 µm) were sequentially coated on the
support to obtain a photographic material, Sample 2101.
The photographic material had a silver content of 45
mg/cm2.
The following compounds were used as additives
for the protective layer.
7 mg of a matting agent comprising polymethyl
methacrylate grains having an average diameter of 5 µm and
7 mg of colloidal silica having an average grain
diameter of 0.013 µm were added to the
system.
The film hardener content of each layer was
adjusted so that the melting time thereof was 20 minutes
as determined by the following method.
Specifically, the melting time is defined as the
time between when a 1 cm × 2 cm piece of the sample is
immersed in a 1.5% sodium hydroxide solution kept at a
temperature of 50°C and when the emulsion layer begins
to be eluted.
Furthermore, sensitivity and fog were measured
in the following manner. Specifically, the sample was
clamped by two sheets of optical wedges having a mirror-symmetrical
arrangement of density gradient, and exposed
to light from a light source with a color temperature of
5,400°K from both sides thereof at the same exposure
level for 1/12.5 seconds.
Development was effected in accordance with the
following steps using a roller conveyor type automatic
processor which requires a total processing time of 45
seconds.
| Processing Temperature | Processing Time |
Insertion | - | 1.2 sec. |
Development + transfer | 35°C | 14.6 sec. |
Fixing + transfer | 33°C | 8.2 sec. |
Rinse + transfer | 25°C | 7.2 sec. |
Squeeze | 40°C | 5.7 sec. |
Drying | 45°C | 8.1 sec. |
Total | | 45.0 sec. |
The automatic processor used in this example had
the following characteristics:
In particular, a rubber roller was used. The
rubber roller in the transfer portion was made of
silicone rubber (hardness: 48), and that in the
processing solution was made of EPDM (hardness: 46), an
ethylene propylene rubbers. The rubber roller had a
maximum surface roughness Dmax of 4 µm. The development
portion was equipped with 6 such rubber rollers. There
were 84 such rubber rollers in total of these rollers,
51 were facing rollers. The ratio of number of facing
rollers to the total number of rollers was 51/84 (=
0.61). The developer replenishment rate was 20
cc/quarter. The fixing solution replenishment rate was
45 cc/quarter. The amount of washing water used was 1.5
ℓ/min. The air flow in the drying portion was 11
m2/min. The heater capacity was 3 KW (200 V).
The total processing time was 45 seconds as
mentioned above.
The following Developer-1 and Fixing solution-1
were used respectively as developer and fixing solution.
The exposure at base density + fog density + 1.0
was determined from the resulting characteristic curve.
Thus, the relative sensitivity was determined.
Composition of Developer and Fixing Solution |
Developer-1: |
Potassium Sulfite | 65.0 g |
Hydroquinone | 25.0 g |
1-Phenyl-3-pyrazolidone | 2.5 g |
Boric Acid | 10.0 g |
Sodium Hydroxide | 21.0 g |
Triethylene Glycol | 17.5 g |
6-Methylbenzotriazole | 0.06 g |
5-Nitroindazole | 0.14 g |
Glutaraldehyde Bisulfite | 15.0 g |
Acetic Acid (glacial) | 16.0 g |
Potassium Bromide | 4.0 g |
Triethylenetetraminehexaacetic Acid | 2.5 g |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
Fixing Solution-1 |
Ammonium Thiosulfate | 130.9 g |
Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) | 7.3 g |
Boric Acid | 7.0 g |
Acetic Acid (90 wt% aq. soln.) | 5.5 g |
Sodium Acetate Trihydrate | 25.8 g |
Aluminum Sulfate (octadecahydrate | 14.6 g |
Sulfuric Acid (50 wt% aq. soln.) | 6.77 g |
The residual coloration was then evaluated. The
transmitted optical density was measured in the non-image
area using green light
The photographic sensitivity was also determined
for each of the sadmples when using a conventional 90-second
processing by halving the line speed in the 45-second
automatic processor described above. The results
obtained are set forth in Table 15.
As shown in Table 15, the samples according to
the present invention have outstanding sensitivity,
fogging, residual coloring characteristics and the like,
and it can be seen that they are suitable for ultra-rapid
processing.
Further, in comparison with a conventional 90-second
processing, it can be seen that it is possible to
reduce the residual color and to halve the processing
time while maintaining a high photographic sensitivity
as compared with a conventional system. Thus, processing
performance can be doubled.
EXAMPLE 22
A photographic material was processed in the
same manner as in Example 7 except that the compounds to
be added to the fixing solution were altered as set
forth in Table 16 below.
Compound Added to Fixing Solution | Residual Color after Processing (Transmitted Optical Density) |
(Control) | 0.211 |
(a) (Comparative Example) | 0.209 |
(b) ( " ) | 0.200 |
(c) ( " ) | 0.158 |
III-(6) ( " ) | 0.141 |
III-(9) ( " ) | 0.143 |
EXAMPLE 23
The same photographic material as used in
Example 8 was exposed to light in the same manner as in
Example 8. The photographic material thus exposed was
then developed with a developer having the following
composition at a temperature of 20°C for 3 minutes,
stopped, fixed with the following fixing solution, and
rinsed.
The residual coloration after processing
(transmitted optical density in the non-image portion)
is set forth in Table 17.
Developer |
Water | 500 ml |
N-methyl-p-aminophenol | 2.2 g |
Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) | 96.0 g |
Hydroquinone | 8.8 g |
Sodium Carbonate (monohydrate) | 56.0 g |
Potassium Bromide | 5.0 g |
Compound III-(6) | 1.7 g |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
Fixing Solution
Fixing Solution LF308 (available from Fuji Photo
Film Co., Ltd.)
Sample No. | Compound Added to Developer | [Residual Color Density When a Compound of the Invention is not Used] - [Residual Color Density When a Compound of the Invention is Used] |
2303 | III-(6) | 0.065 |
In all cases, when the photographic material was
processed with the developer comprising a compound as
used in the present invention, less residual coloration
occurs.
EXAMPLE 24
A photographic material was processed in the
same manner as in Example 9 except that the compounds to
be added to the fixing solution were altered as set
forth in Table 18. The results obtained are set forth
in Table 18 below.
Sample No. | Sensitizing Dye | Compound Added to Fixing Solution | [Residual Color Density When a Compound of the Invention is not Used] - [Residual Color Density When a Compound of the Invention is Used] |
2405 | B | III-(9) | 0.045 |
2406 | C | III-(9) | 0.044 |
In all cases, when the photographic material was
processed with a developer containing a compound as used
in the present invention, less residual coloration
occurs.
EXAMPLE 25
Preparation of Emulsion
The double jet method was used for 1 minute,
with stirring, to add an aqueous solution of silver
nitrate (5 g as silver nitrate) and an aqueous solution
of potassium bromide containing 0.15 g of potassium
iodide to a vessel in which 30 g of gelatin and 6 g of
potassium bromide had been added to 1 ℓ of water and
which was maintained at 60°C. In addition, the double
jet method was used to add an aqueous solution of silver
nitrate (145 g as silver nitrate) and an aqueous
solution of potassium bromide containing 4.2 g of
potassium iodide. The addition flow rate was
accelerated so that the flow rate at the end of addition
was 5 times that at the start of addition. At the end
of the addition, the soluble salts were removed by
precipitation at 35°C and then the temperature was
raised to 40°C, 75 g of gelatin were added and the pH
was adjusted to 6.7. The resulting emulsion comprised
tabular grains with a projected surface area diameter of
0.98 µm and an average thickness of 0.138 µm and had a
silver iodide content of 3 mol%. The emulsion was
chemically sensitized by the combined use of gold and
sulfur sensitization.
Preparation of Photographic Material
An aqueous gelatin solution containing sodium
polystyrenesulfonate, fine polymethyl methacrylate
grains (average grain size: 3.0 µm), polyethylene oxide,
200 ml/mol Ag of a 10-3 mol methanol solution of the
compound as used in the present invention (set forth in
Table 19), and a film hardener as well as gelatin acting
as a surface protective layer. Anhydro-5,5'-dichloro-9-ethyl-3,3'-di(3-sulfopropyl)oxacarbocyanine
hydroxide
sodium salt, as a sensitizing dye, was added to the
above emulsion in a proportion of 500 ml/mol of Ag and
potassium iodide was added in a proportion of 200 mg/mol
of Ag. Furthermore, a photographic material was
produced by preparing a coating solution by adding 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene
and 2,6-bis(hydroxyamino)-4-diethylamino-1,3,5-triazine,
trimethylol
propane as a dry antifoggant and adding coating
aids and film hardeners, coating the material onto both
sides of a polyethylene terephthalate support simultaneously
with the respective surface protective layers
and drying the material. The coated silver amount in
this photographic material was 3.7 g/m2 on each side.
Processing Method
The developer and the fixing solution (1) used
had the following compositions:
Developer |
Diethylenetriaminepentaaceic Acid | 2 g |
1-Phenyl-3-pyrazolidone | 2 g |
Hydroquinone | 30 g |
5-Nitroindazole | 0.25 g |
5-Methylbenzotriazole | 0.02 g |
Potassium Bromide | 1 g |
Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) | 60 g |
Potassium Hydroxide | 30 g |
Potassium Carbonate | 5 g |
Boric Acid | 6 g |
Diethylene Glycol | 20 g |
Glutaraldehyde | 5 g |
Water to make | 1 ℓ |
pH | 10.50 |
Fixing Solution (I) |
Ammonium Thiosulfate | 175 g |
Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) | 20.0 g |
Boric Acid | 8.0 g |
Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate dihydrate | 0.1 g |
Aluminum Sulfate | 15.0 g |
Sulfuric Acid | 2.0 g |
Acetic Acid (glacial) | 22.0 g |
Compound III-(6) | 1.7 g |
Water to make | 1.0 ℓ |
pH | 4.20 |
Processing |
| Temperature | Time | Amount of Tank Solution | Replenishment Rate |
Development | 35°C | 13.7 sec. | 16.5 ℓ | 25 ml/quarter size (10 inch × 12 inch) |
Fixing | 30°C | 10.6 sec. | 13 ℓ | 60 ml or 30 ml |
Rinse | Tap water (10°C) (running water) | 6.2 sec. | 12 ℓ | 5 ℓ/min. |
Squeeze | | 4.9 sec. |
Drying | (55°C) | 10.2 sec. |
A solution obtained by adding to 1ℓ of the
above-mentioned replenisher 20 ml of an aqueous solution
(starter) containing 2 g of potassium bromide and 4 g of
acetic acid (90%) was used as a developer in the tank in
the automatic processor. Thereafter, every time the
photographic material was processed, the replenisher was
supplied at a predetermined rate. A solution having the
same composition as that of the replenisher was used as
a fixing solution.
The above-mentioned photographic material
samples were each processed in an amount of 500 quarter
sheets under the following conditions. The residual
coloration caused by sensitizing dyes in the processing
solution (on the 500th sheet) was as follows:
Compound Added to Fixing Solution | Upon Replenishment with 60 ml of Fixing Solution per Quarter Sheet | Upon Replenishment with 30 ml of Fixing solution per Quarter Sheet |
| Amount of I-ions in the Fixing Solution | Residual Color | Amount of I-ions in the Fixing Solution | Residual Color |
Control | 0.93 mmol/ℓ | Slightly pink residual color | 1.87 mmol/ℓ | Much pink residual color, cannot be used for diagnosis |
III-(6) | 0.92 mmol/ℓ | Absolutely no problem | 1.91 mmol/ℓ | Absolutely no problem |
EXAMPLE 26
The same procedures as described in Example 11
were repeated except that the bleaching solution did not
comprise a compound as used in the present invention and
the blix solution comprised the compound as set forth in
Table 20.
No. | Sample No. | Additive to Blix Solution | Change in Magenta Density due to Running | Change in Magenta Density after 1 Week at 60°C-70%RH |
Comp. Ex. 1 | 1101 | None | +0.07 | +0.13 |
" 2 | 1102 | " | +0.06 | +0.11 |
" 3 | 1103 | " | +0.06 | +0.10 |
Invention 8 | 1102 | III-(5) | +0.02 | +0.01 |
" 9 | 1103 | III-(6) | ±0 | ±0 |
" 10 | 1101 | III-(7) | +0.04 | +0.02 |
" 11 | 1102 | III-(8) | +0.02 | +0.01 |
" 12 | 1103 | III-(9) | +0.01 | +0.01 |
As shown in Table 20, it is possible to control
the increase in the magenta density in the non-exposed
area caused by running at a level at which there is no
practical impairment. Further, the increase in the
magenta density in the unexposed portion when stored at
an elevated temperature or at a high humidity can also
be controlled at the same time. It is also obvious that
the above effects are improved by reducing the thickness
of the photographic structural layers and accelerating
the swelling rate T1/2.
EXAMPLE 27
The same procedures as conducted in Example 12
was repeated except that the compounds as used in the
present invention to be added to the fixing solution
were altered as set forth in Table 21.
No. | Sample | Compound Added to Blix Solution | Change in Magenta Density due to Running | Change in Magenta Density after 1 Week at 60°C-70%RH |
Comp. Ex. 1 | 1201 | None | +0.08 | +0.14 |
" 2 | 1202 | " | +0.07 | +0.12 |
" 3 | 1203 | " | +0.06 | +0.09 |
Invention 8 | 1202 | III-(5) | +0.01 | +0.02 |
" 9 | 1203 | III-(6) | +0.01 | +0.02 |
" 10 | 1201 | III-(7) | +0.03 | +0.05 |
" 11 | 1202 | III-(8) | +0.01 | +0.02 |
" 12 | 1203 | III-(9) | +0.01 | +0.02 |
As in Example 26, the present invention inhibits
the increase in the magenta density of the unexposed
areas and is effective in inhibiting the increase in the
cyan density in the unexposed areas during storage at an
elevated temperature and a high humidity.
EXAMPLE 28
The same procedures as described in Example 13
were repeated except that the compounds as used in the
present invention to be incorporated in the blix
solution were replaced by III-(6) in an amount of 1.7
g/ℓ.
Upon processing the photographic material
containing a compound as used in the present invention
obtained as described above, the reflected density based
on the residual color from the sensitizing dye in the
unexposed area was markedly improved and was lower than
a photographic material which did not contain a compound
as used in the present invention by 0.055.