EP0562401B1 - Processing of photographic materials - Google Patents

Processing of photographic materials Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0562401B1
EP0562401B1 EP93104153A EP93104153A EP0562401B1 EP 0562401 B1 EP0562401 B1 EP 0562401B1 EP 93104153 A EP93104153 A EP 93104153A EP 93104153 A EP93104153 A EP 93104153A EP 0562401 B1 EP0562401 B1 EP 0562401B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
bath
processing
immersed
process according
tank
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0562401A1 (en
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Wilfried Hehn
Viktor Dipl.-Ing. Osegowitsch
Ubbo Dr. Wernicke
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Agfa Gevaert AG
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Agfa Gevaert AG
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
    • G03C5/00—Photographic processes or agents therefor; Regeneration of such processing agents
    • G03C5/26—Processes using silver-salt-containing photosensitive materials or agents therefor

Definitions

  • Photographic silver halide materials are typically processed in a multi-step process after imagewise exposure, at the end of which is a dry negative or positive color or black and white image.
  • the individual process steps - e.g. Developing, bleaching, fixing, watering, stabilizing - are usually carried out by immersing the material in a specific working solution for a predetermined time. With continuous operation and high-speed development machines, this means that the tanks for the individual process steps become very large and also very heavy due to the processing solution located therein.
  • a tank which is approximately Can take 70 m of photographic material. This is usually achieved by moving the material in loops over deflection rollers located in the tank, with some of the rollers being near the tank bottom and some of the rollers being just below the bath level, so that the material remains in the dwell time Tank is constantly in the solution.
  • the processing solution is continuously supplemented (regeneration) by adding a concentrate of the chemicals that are consumed in the respective processing.
  • This concentrate is usually supplied alone or together with water in an amount that leads to an overflow.
  • the overflow is necessary in many processing variants in order to discharge unwanted chemicals that arise during processing.
  • the overflow can be discarded or processed (rejuvenation). In both cases, the effort required increases with the amount of overflow. If the overflow is discarded, there is also a loss of valuable chemicals. As a result, the tendency of photographic processing tends to result in the smallest possible overflows and the lowest possible regeneration rates.
  • the residence time of the photographic material in the treatment tank is divided into several sections, the material alternately immersing and not immersing in the treatment bath in the treatment tank and the time in which the Immersing material in the bath, is a maximum of 50% of the total residence time in the processing stage concerned.
  • the dwell time in one processing stage is the time from the first immersion of the material in the treatment bath of this processing stage until the first immersion in the treatment bath of the next processing stage. In the last processing stage, the time ends at the first deflection roller after leaving the bath.
  • the measure according to the invention can be achieved in a simple manner by lowering the level of the processing solution in the tank (see FIG. 1).
  • processing solution After each immersion, 50 to 100 ml / m 2 of processing solution usually adhere to the photographic material. In a preferred embodiment of the method, this amount is reduced to 20 to 30 ml / m 2 , in particular on the deflection roller located above the bath level, by wiping or squeezing.
  • the material is immersed in the bath at least twice; preferably the material is immersed in the bath 2 to 20 times, in particular 3 to 12 times.
  • the time in which the material is immersed in the bath is preferably at most 40%, in particular at most 20%, of the total residence time in the processing stage in question.
  • the processing baths can be all known photographic processing baths, for example development, bleaching, fixing, bleach-fixing, reversing, conditioning, washing and stabilizing baths.
  • Each individual processing stage can include one or more tanks. If several tanks are used, particularly for watering, the treatment bath in these tanks can be run in countercurrent.
  • the process is suitable for all photographic materials that are processed in a continuous process, e.g. Color negative, color reversal and black and white films and papers.
  • tank volumes 10 to 1000 l.
  • the volumes of the processing solutions can be reduced to 1/5 to 1/100 of the tank volume.
  • the method according to the invention has the advantage that the systems in use can be converted with little effort and can be used further with the method according to the invention. It is only necessary to ensure that the liquid level can be reduced.
  • the effect of the volume reduction can be further increased by minor structural changes, namely by fitting shells around the lower deflection rollers which contain the processing liquid (see FIG. 1).
  • Fig. 1 shows the cross section through a processing tank.
  • Fig. 2 shows the cross section through a seven-stage watering cascade according to the invention.
  • Fig. 3 shows a squeezing station with fresh water supply for the irrigation.
  • the processing tank (1) contains upper (2) and lower deflection rollers (3), through which the photographic material (4) is continuously transported.
  • processing solution is filled in according to liquid level (5).
  • the liquid level is lowered to level (6), for example.
  • the amount of liquid can be further reduced by installing the shells (7) enveloping the lower deflection rollers (3).
  • the 7 washing tanks (8) also contain upper (2) and lower deflection rollers (3), via which the photographic material (4), the direction of which is indicated by an arrow, is continuously transported.
  • the level of the water in the tanks (8) is marked with (9).
  • the water is conducted in countercurrent to the material (4), added at (10) and removed at (11).
  • Squeezing stations are shown with (12), which are shown in more detail in FIG. 3.
  • Fig. 3 (2) again mean an upper and (3) a lower pulley.
  • the liquid level is marked with (8).
  • (13) and (14) are squeeze rollers over which the material (4), the layer side of which is identified by (15), is guided.
  • Treatment liquid in particular wash water, is added at the point indicated by the arrow (16).
  • a liquid meniscus forms at the point (17) between the material (4) and the squeeze roller (14).
  • the liquid is distributed over the entire width of the material by the distributor roller (18).
  • a commercially available photo paper is exposed with a gray step wedge and processed as follows: Color developer 94 CD 45 sec 35 ° C Bleach-fix bath 94 BX 45 sec 35 ° C Watering 4 x 22.5 sec Drying 90 sec
  • the material is immersed in processing bath 1 and 2 for 43 seconds each.
  • the transport from one bath to the next takes two seconds. See Table 1 for results.
  • the interval is structured as follows:
  • Example 2 The procedure is as in Example 1, but after the development, the residence time in the bleach-fixing bath is subdivided analogously to Example 3. See table for result.
  • a commercially available color negative film of 100 ASA sensitivity was exposed imagewise with a gray step wedge and developed according to the type in process C 41 / AP 70.
  • Example 5 The procedure is as in Example 5, but the bleaching time is divided into 5 equal and one extended interval: in each of the 6 intervals, the material is in the bath for 14 seconds and above the bath for 14 seconds. In the last interval, the material is in the bathroom for 14 seconds. Transfer to the next bathroom takes 18 seconds. When leaving the bath, the liquid is wiped off on the surface.
  • Example 6 The procedure is as in Example 6, but 8 identical intervals are formed, the material in each case being 10 seconds in the bath and 15 seconds above the bath. When leaving the bath, the liquid is wiped off on the surface.
  • Example 5 The procedure is as in Example 5, but after developing and bleaching according to the type, the fixing is divided into 10 equal intervals, the material being immersed in the bath for 5 seconds and outside the bath for 15 seconds is. When leaving the bath, the liquid is wiped off on the surface.
  • a commercially available photo paper was exposed with a gray step wedge, developed and fixed to bleach.
  • the material was then watered in a 4-way countercurrent cascade with a tank capacity of approximately 150 l water per tank.
  • Fresh water was added in an amount of 2 l / m 2 of material in the 4th stage. The material only emerged from the wash water during the transfer from one tank to the next.
  • the residence time in the wash water was over 90% of the total residence time in the washing step.
  • Example 9 The procedure was as in Example 9, but a 7-fold countercurrent cascade according to FIG. 2 with a tank content of about 10 liters of water / per tank used for irrigation.
  • the fresh water supply in the 7th tank was (a) 50 ml / m 2 , (b) 100 ml / m 2 and (c) 200 ml / m 2 .
  • the residence time of the material in the wash water was approximately 30% of the total residence time in the wash stage. At the end of each of the 7 washing stages, the adhering water was reduced to 25 ml / m 2 by stripping.
  • the total residence times and water temperatures in Examples 9 and 10 were the same.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Silver Salt Photography Or Processing Solution Therefor (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)

Description

Fotografische Silberhalogenidmaterialien werden nach bildmäßiger Belichtung üblicherweise in einem mehrstufigen Verfahren verarbeitet, an dessen Ende ein trockenes negatives oder positives Farb- oder Schwarzweißbild steht.Photographic silver halide materials are typically processed in a multi-step process after imagewise exposure, at the end of which is a dry negative or positive color or black and white image.

Die einzelnen Verfahrensschritte - z.B. Entwickeln, Bleichen, Fixieren, Wässern, Stabilisieren - werden dabei üblicherweise durch Eintauchen des Materials in eine spezifische Arbeitslösung für eine vorgegebene Zeit durchgeführt. Bei kontinuierlicher Arbeitsweise und schnellaufenden Entwicklungsmaschinen führt dies dazu, daß die Tanks für die einzelnen Verfahrensschritte sehr groß werden und durch die darin befindliche Verarbeitungslösung auch sehr schwer.The individual process steps - e.g. Developing, bleaching, fixing, watering, stabilizing - are usually carried out by immersing the material in a specific working solution for a predetermined time. With continuous operation and high-speed development machines, this means that the tanks for the individual process steps become very large and also very heavy due to the processing solution located therein.

Zum Beispiel wird bei einer durch die Standardrezeptur zur Entwicklung von Colornegativfilm vorgeschriebenen Entwicklungszeit von 195 Sekunden bei einer Transportgeschwindigkeit von 20 m/min ein Tank benötigt, der etwa 70 m Fotomaterial aufnehmen kann. Dies wird üblicherweise dadurch erreicht, daß das Material in Schleifen über im Tank befindliche Umlenkrollen bewegt wird, wobei ein Teil der Rollen sich in der Nähe des Tankbodens und ein Teil der Rollen sich knapp unterhalb des Badniveaus befindet, so daß das Material während der Verweilzeit im Tank sich ständig in der Lösung befindet.For example, with a development time of 195 seconds prescribed by the standard recipe for developing color negative film at a transport speed of 20 m / min, a tank is required which is approximately Can take 70 m of photographic material. This is usually achieved by moving the material in loops over deflection rollers located in the tank, with some of the rollers being near the tank bottom and some of the rollers being just below the bath level, so that the material remains in the dwell time Tank is constantly in the solution.

Im kontinuierlichen Betrieb wird die Verarbeitungslösung ständig ergänzt (Regenerierung), indem ein Konzentrat der Chemikalien zugeführt wird, die bei der jeweiligen Verarbeitung verbraucht werden. Dieses Konzentrat wird allein oder zusammen mit Wasser meist in einer Menge zugeführt, die zu einem Überlauf führt. Der Überlauf ist bei vielen Verarbeitungsvarianten erforderlich, um bei der Verarbeitung entstehende unerwünschte Chemikalien auszuschleusen.In continuous operation, the processing solution is continuously supplemented (regeneration) by adding a concentrate of the chemicals that are consumed in the respective processing. This concentrate is usually supplied alone or together with water in an amount that leads to an overflow. The overflow is necessary in many processing variants in order to discharge unwanted chemicals that arise during processing.

Der Überlauf kann verworfen oder aufgearbeitet werden (Rejuvenierung). In beiden Fällen steigt der dazu erforderliche Aufwand mit der Menge des Überlaufs. Wird der Überlauf verworfen, resultiert zusätzlich ein Verlust an wertvollen Chemikalien. Die Tendenz der fotografischen Verarbeitung geht infolgedessen zu möglichst geringen Überläufen und zu möglichst geringen Regenerierquoten.The overflow can be discarded or processed (rejuvenation). In both cases, the effort required increases with the amount of overflow. If the overflow is discarded, there is also a loss of valuable chemicals. As a result, the tendency of photographic processing tends to result in the smallest possible overflows and the lowest possible regeneration rates.

Die geringen Regenerierquoten stellen erhebliche Anforderungen an die Stabilitat der Lösungen. Es wäre somit von Vorteil, geringere Badmengen bei gleicher Behandlungszeit und Maschinengeschwindigkeit einzusetzen, wobei allerdings die Qualität der erzeugten fotografischen Bilder sich nicht verschlechtern darf.The low regeneration rates place considerable demands on the stability of the solutions. It would therefore be advantageous to use smaller amounts of bath with the same treatment time and machine speed, although the quality of the photographic images produced must not deteriorate.

Es wurde nun überraschend gefunden, daß sich diese Aufgabe dadurch lösen läßt, daß die Verweilzeit des fotografischen Materials im Behandlungstank in mehrere Abschnitte unterteilt wird, wobei das Material alternierend in das im Behandlungstank befindliche Behandlungsbad eintaucht und nicht eintaucht und wobei die Zeit, in der das Material in das Bad eintaucht, maximal 50 % der Gesamtverweilzeit in der betreffenden Verarbeitungsstufe beträgt. Die Verweilzeit in einer Verarbeitungsstufe ist die Zeit vom ersten Eintauchen des Materials in das Behandlungsbad dieser Verarbeitungsstufe bis zum ersten Eintauchen in das Behandlungsbad der nächsten Verarbeitungsstufe. Bei der letzten Verarbeitungsstufe endet die Zeit an der ersten Umlenkrolle nach Verlassen des Bades.It has now surprisingly been found that this object can be achieved in that the residence time of the photographic material in the treatment tank is divided into several sections, the material alternately immersing and not immersing in the treatment bath in the treatment tank and the time in which the Immersing material in the bath, is a maximum of 50% of the total residence time in the processing stage concerned. The dwell time in one processing stage is the time from the first immersion of the material in the treatment bath of this processing stage until the first immersion in the treatment bath of the next processing stage. In the last processing stage, the time ends at the first deflection roller after leaving the bath.

Technisch kann die erfindungsgemäße Maßnahme in einfacher Weise dadurch erreicht werden, daß das Niveau der Verarbeitungslösung im Tank abgesenkt wird (siehe Fig. 1).Technically, the measure according to the invention can be achieved in a simple manner by lowering the level of the processing solution in the tank (see FIG. 1).

Damit wird die Menge an erforderlicher Verarbeitungslösung erheblich verringert. Bei gleicher auf das fotografische Material bezogener Regenerierquote wird die Regenerierung der Verarbeitungslösung erheblich verbessert, ohne daß eine größere Menge an Uberlauf zu entsorgen oder rejuvenieren wäre.This significantly reduces the amount of processing solution required. With the same regeneration rate based on the photographic material, the regeneration of the processing solution is considerably improved without a large amount of overflow having to be disposed of or rejuvenated.

Nach jedem Eintauchen haften dem fotografischen Material üblicherweise 50 bis 100 ml/m2 an Verarbeitungslösung an. In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Verfahrens wird diese Menge, insbesondere an der über dem Badniveau befindlichen Umlenkrolle durch Abstreifen oder Abquetschen, auf 20 bis 30 ml/m2 verringert.After each immersion, 50 to 100 ml / m 2 of processing solution usually adhere to the photographic material. In a preferred embodiment of the method, this amount is reduced to 20 to 30 ml / m 2 , in particular on the deflection roller located above the bath level, by wiping or squeezing.

Erfindungsgemäß taucht das Material wenigstens zweimal in das Bad ein; vorzugsweise taucht das Material 2 bis 20-mal, insbesondere 3 bis 12-mal, in das Bad ein. Die Zeit, in der das Material in das Bad eintaucht, beträgt vorzugsweise höchstens 40 %, insbesondere höchstens 20 % der Gesamtverweilzeit in der betreffenden Verarbeitungsstufe.According to the invention, the material is immersed in the bath at least twice; preferably the material is immersed in the bath 2 to 20 times, in particular 3 to 12 times. The time in which the material is immersed in the bath is preferably at most 40%, in particular at most 20%, of the total residence time in the processing stage in question.

Bei den Verarbeitungsbädern kann es sich um alle bekannten fotografischen Verarbeitungsbäder handeln, beispielsweise um Entwicklungs-, Bleich-, Fixier-, Bleich- fixier-, Umkehr-, Conditionier-, Wässerungs- und Stabilisierbäder. Jede einzelne Verarbeitungsstufe kann einen oder mehrere Tanks umfassen. Werden mehrere Tanks, insbesondere bei der Wässerung, verwendet, kann das Behandlungsbad in diesen Tanks im Gegenstrom geführt werden.The processing baths can be all known photographic processing baths, for example development, bleaching, fixing, bleach-fixing, reversing, conditioning, washing and stabilizing baths. Each individual processing stage can include one or more tanks. If several tanks are used, particularly for watering, the treatment bath in these tanks can be run in countercurrent.

Das Verfahren eignet sich für alle fotografischen Materialien, die in einem kontinuierlichen Verfahren verarbeitet werden, z.B. Colornegativ-, Colorumkehr- und Schwarz-weiß-Filme und -Papiere.The process is suitable for all photographic materials that are processed in a continuous process, e.g. Color negative, color reversal and black and white films and papers.

Übliche Entwicklungsmaschinen haben je nach Größe Tank-volumina von 10 bis 1000 l. Durch das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren lassen sich die Volumina der Verarbeitungslösungen auf 1/5 bis 1/100 des Tankvolumens reduzieren.Depending on the size, conventional development machines have tank volumes of 10 to 1000 l. With the method according to the invention, the volumes of the processing solutions can be reduced to 1/5 to 1/100 of the tank volume.

Dadurch vermindert sich das Gewicht der Gesamtanlage erheblich.This significantly reduces the weight of the entire system.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren hat den Vorteil, daß die in Gebrauch befindlichen Anlagen mit nur geringem Aufwand umgerüstet und mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren weiterbenutzt werden können. Es ist lediglich dafür Sorge zu tragen, daß das Flüssigkeitsniveau gesenkt werden kann.The method according to the invention has the advantage that the systems in use can be converted with little effort and can be used further with the method according to the invention. It is only necessary to ensure that the liquid level can be reduced.

Durch geringe bauliche Änderungen läßt sich der Effekt der Volumenreduzierung noch weiter treiben, indem nämlich um die unteren Umlenkrollen Schalen angebracht werden, die die Verarbeitungsflüssigkeit enthalten (s. Fig. 1).The effect of the volume reduction can be further increased by minor structural changes, namely by fitting shells around the lower deflection rollers which contain the processing liquid (see FIG. 1).

Fig. 1 zeigt den Querschnitt durch einen Verarbeitungstank.Fig. 1 shows the cross section through a processing tank.

Fig. 2 zeigt den Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße siebenstufige Wässerungskaskade.Fig. 2 shows the cross section through a seven-stage watering cascade according to the invention.

Fig. 3 zeigt eine Abquetschstation mit Frischwasserzulauf für die Wässerung.Fig. 3 shows a squeezing station with fresh water supply for the irrigation.

In Fig. 1 enthält der Verarbeitungstank (1) obere (2) und untere Umlenkrollen (3), über die das fotografische Material (4) kontinuierlich transportiert wird. In der konventionellen Verfahrensführung wird Verarbeitungslösung entspechend Flüssigkeitsniveau (5) eingefüllt. Erfindungsgemäß wird das Flüssigkeitsniveau beispielsweise auf das Niveau (6) abgesenkt. Die Flüssigkeitsmenge kann durch Einbau der die unteren Umlenkrollen (3) umhüllenden Schalen (7) weiter verringert werden.In Fig. 1, the processing tank (1) contains upper (2) and lower deflection rollers (3), through which the photographic material (4) is continuously transported. In the conventional process, processing solution is filled in according to liquid level (5). According to the invention, the liquid level is lowered to level (6), for example. The amount of liquid can be further reduced by installing the shells (7) enveloping the lower deflection rollers (3).

In Fig. 2 enthalten die 7 Wässerungstanks (8) ebenfalls obere (2) und untere Umlenkrollen (3), über die das fotografische Material (4), dessen Laufrichtung durch einen Pfeil angegeben ist, kontinuierlich transportiert wird. Das Niveau des Wassers in den Tanks (8) ist mit (9) gekennzeichnet. In der gezeigten Vorrichtung wird das Wasser im Gegenstrom zum Material (4) geführt, bei (10) zugegeben und bei (11) entfernt. Mit (12) sind Abquetschstationen dargestellt, die in Fig. 3 näher gezeigt werden.In Fig. 2, the 7 washing tanks (8) also contain upper (2) and lower deflection rollers (3), via which the photographic material (4), the direction of which is indicated by an arrow, is continuously transported. The level of the water in the tanks (8) is marked with (9). In the device shown, the water is conducted in countercurrent to the material (4), added at (10) and removed at (11). Squeezing stations are shown with (12), which are shown in more detail in FIG. 3.

In Fig. 3 bedeuten (2) wiederum eine obere und (3) eine untere Umlenkrolle. Das Flüssigkeitsniveau wird mit (8) gekennzeichnet. (13) und (14) sind Abquetschwalzen, über die das Material (4), dessen Schichtseite mit (15) gekennzeichnet ist, geführt wird. Behandlungsflüssigkeit, insbesondere Waschwasser, wird an der durch den Pfeil (16) gekennzeichneten Stelle zugegeben. Zwischen Material (4) und Abquetschwalze (14) bildet sich an der Stelle (17) ein Flüssigkeitsmeniskus. Durch die Verteilerwalze (18) wird die Flüssigkeit über die ganze Breite des Materials verteilt.In Fig. 3 (2) again mean an upper and (3) a lower pulley. The liquid level is marked with (8). (13) and (14) are squeeze rollers over which the material (4), the layer side of which is identified by (15), is guided. Treatment liquid, in particular wash water, is added at the point indicated by the arrow (16). A liquid meniscus forms at the point (17) between the material (4) and the squeeze roller (14). The liquid is distributed over the entire width of the material by the distributor roller (18).

Beispiel 1 (Vergleich) Example 1 (comparison)

Ein handelsübliches Fotopapier wird mit einem Grau-Stufenkeil belichtet und wie folgt verarbeitet: Colorentwickler 94 CD 45 sek 35°C Bleichfixierbad 94 BX 45 sek 35°C Wässerung 4 x 22,5 sek Trocknung 90 sek A commercially available photo paper is exposed with a gray step wedge and processed as follows: Color developer 94 CD 45 sec 35 ° C Bleach-fix bath 94 BX 45 sec 35 ° C Watering 4 x 22.5 sec Drying 90 sec

Dabei taucht das Material jeweils 43 sek in das Verarbeitungsbad 1 beziehungsweise 2 ein. Zwei Sekunden dauert der Transport von einem Bad in das nächste. Ergebnisse siehe Tabelle 1.The material is immersed in processing bath 1 and 2 for 43 seconds each. The transport from one bath to the next takes two seconds. See Table 1 for results.

Beispiel 2 (Erfindung) Example 2 (Invention)

Es wird wie im Beispiel 1 verfahren, jedoch wird die Entwicklungszeit wie folgt in 5 gleiche Intervalle unterteilt:The procedure is as in Example 1, but the development time is divided into 5 equal intervals as follows:

Eintauchen in die Lösung: 4 sek. Umlenkung über die obere Rolle unter Entfernen der oberflächlich anhaftenden Lösung: 5 sek. Ergebnis siehe Tabelle 1.Immerse in the solution: 4 sec. Redirection over the upper roller while removing the solution adhering to the surface: 5 sec. For the result, see Table 1.

Beispiel 3 (Erfindung) Example 3 (Invention)

Es wird wie im Beispiel 1 verfahren, jedoch wird die Entwicklung in 6 Intervalle zu 7 Sekunden unterteilt.The procedure is as in Example 1, but the development is divided into 6 intervals of 7 seconds.

Das Intervall ist wie folgt strukturiert:The interval is structured as follows:

Eintauchen in die Entwicklungslösung: 1 sek. Oberflächliches Entfernen der Entwicklungslösung: 1 sek. Weitere Zeitspanne bis zum erneuten Eintauchen: 5 sek.Immersion in the development solution: 1 sec. Superficial removal of the developing solution: 1 sec. Further period of time until immersion again: 5 sec.

Beim 6. Intervall beträgt die Zeitspanne bis zum Eintauchen in das nächste Verarbeitungsbad 8 sek. Dann wird normal weiterverarbeitet. Ergebnis siehe Tabelle 1.At the 6th interval, the time until immersion in the next processing bath is 8 seconds. Then it is processed normally. For the result, see Table 1.

Nach jedem Abstreifen haften dem Material noch 25 ml Flüssigkeit/m2 an.After each stripping, 25 ml of liquid / m 2 are still attached to the material.

Beispiel 4 (Erfindung) Example 4 (Invention)

Es wird wie im Beispiel 1 verfahren, jedoch wird nach der Entwicklung die Verweilzeit im Bleichfixierbad analog Beispiel 3 unterteilt. Ergebnis siehe Tabelle.The procedure is as in Example 1, but after the development, the residence time in the bleach-fixing bath is subdivided analogously to Example 3. See table for result.

Beispiel 5 (Vergleich) Example 5 (comparison)

Ein handelsüblicher Colornegativfilm von 100 ASA Empfindlichkeit wurde bildmäßig mit einem Grau-Stufenkeil belichtet und typgemäß im Prozeß C 41/AP 70 entwickelt. Entwickler 70 CD 3 min 15 sek 37,8°C Bleichbad 70 BL 3 min 15 sek 37,8°C Wässerung 3 min 15 sek Fixierbad 70 FX 3 min 15 sek 37,8°C Wässerung 3 min 15 sek Trocknung Ergebnis siehe Tabelle 2.A commercially available color negative film of 100 ASA sensitivity was exposed imagewise with a gray step wedge and developed according to the type in process C 41 / AP 70. Developer 70 CD 3 min 15 sec 37.8 ° C Bleaching bath 70 BL 3 min 15 sec 37.8 ° C Watering 3 min 15 sec Fixer bath 70 FX 3 min 15 sec 37.8 ° C Watering 3 min 15 sec Drying See table 2 for the result.

Beispiel 6 (Erfindung) Example 6 (Invention)

Es wird wie im Beispiel 5 verfahren, jedoch wird die Bleichzeit in 5 gleiche und ein verlängertes Intervall unterteilt: In jedem der 6 Intervalle befindet sich das Material 14 sek im Bad und 14 sek oberhalb des Bades. Im letzten Intervall befindet sich das Material 14 sek im Bad. Die Überstellung ins nächste Bad dauert 18 sek. Jeweils beim Verlassen des Bades wird die Flüssigkeit oberflächlich abgestreift.The procedure is as in Example 5, but the bleaching time is divided into 5 equal and one extended interval: in each of the 6 intervals, the material is in the bath for 14 seconds and above the bath for 14 seconds. In the last interval, the material is in the bathroom for 14 seconds. Transfer to the next bathroom takes 18 seconds. When leaving the bath, the liquid is wiped off on the surface.

Nach jedem Abstreifen haften dem Material noch 25 ml Flüssigkeit/m2 an.After each stripping, 25 ml of liquid / m 2 are still attached to the material.

Anschließend wurde wie im Beispiel 5 weiterverarbeitet. Ergebnis siehe Tabelle 2.Processing was then continued as in Example 5. See table 2 for the result.

Beispiel 7 (Erfindung) Example 7 (Invention)

Es wird wie im Beispiel 6 verfahren, jedoch werden 8 gleiche Intervalle gebildet, wobei das Material jeweils 10 sek im Bad und 15 sek oberhalb des Bades ist. Jeweils beim Verlassen des Bades wird die Flüssigkeit oberflächlich abgestreift.The procedure is as in Example 6, but 8 identical intervals are formed, the material in each case being 10 seconds in the bath and 15 seconds above the bath. When leaving the bath, the liquid is wiped off on the surface.

Ergebnis siehe Tabelle 2.See table 2 for the result.

Beispiel 8 (Erfindung) Example 8 (Invention)

Es wird wie im Beispiel 5 verfahren, jedoch wird nach typgemäßem Entwickeln und Bleichen das Fixieren in 10 gleiche Intervalle geteilt, wobei das Material jeweils 5 sek im Bad eintaucht und 15 sek außerhalb des Bades ist. Jeweils beim Verlassen des Bades wird die Flüssigkeit oberflächlich abgestreift.The procedure is as in Example 5, but after developing and bleaching according to the type, the fixing is divided into 10 equal intervals, the material being immersed in the bath for 5 seconds and outside the bath for 15 seconds is. When leaving the bath, the liquid is wiped off on the surface.

Antrag der Fixierlosung 5 sek.
Oberflächliche Entfernung und Warten 15 sek.
Ergebnis siehe Tabelle 2.

Figure imgb0001
Tabelle 2 Beisp. Schleier Gamma 1 Gamma 2 5 71 53 15 63 63 56 66 66 59 6 72 52 16 65 63 55 68 67 58 7 71 54 15 62 61 56 66 68 60 8 70 52 14 13 65 58 67 65 60 Application of the fixing solution 5 sec.
Superficial removal and waiting 15 sec.
See table 2 for the result.
Figure imgb0001
 Table 2 Ex. veil Gamma 1 Gamma 2 5 71 53 15 63 63 56 66 66 59 6 72 52 16 65 63 55 68 67 58 7 71 54 15 62 61 56 66 68 60 8th 70 52 14 13 65 58 67 65 60

In keinem der Beispiele 1 bis 8 wurde nach dem Bleichen und Fixieren bzw. nach dem Bleichfixieren Restsilber oder Leucocyanbildung beobachtet. Die gemessenen sensitometrischen Ergebnisse zeigen, daß mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren typgemäße Ergebnisse erzielt werden, die Einsparung an Verarbeitungsbädern demnach keinen Nachteil der Bildqualität mit sich bringt.In none of Examples 1 to 8, residual silver or leucocyan formation was observed after bleaching and fixing or after bleach-fixing. The measured sensitometric results show that the method according to the invention achieves type-specific results, so the saving on processing baths does not entail any disadvantage of the image quality.

Beispiel 9 (Vergleich) Example 9 (comparison)

Ein handelsübliches Fotopapier wurde mit einen Grau-stufenkeil belichtet, entwickelt und bleichfixiert. Danach wurde das Material in einer 4-fach Gegenstrom-Kaskade mit einem Tankinhalt von etwa 150 l Wasser pro Tank gewässert. Frischwasser wurde in einer Menge von 2 l/m2 Material in der 4. Stufe zugegeben. Das Material tauchte nur während der Überleitung von einem in den nächsten Tank aus dem Waschwasser auf. Die Verweilzeit im Waschwasser betrug über 90 % der Gesamtverweilzeit in der Wässerungsstufe.A commercially available photo paper was exposed with a gray step wedge, developed and fixed to bleach. The material was then watered in a 4-way countercurrent cascade with a tank capacity of approximately 150 l water per tank. Fresh water was added in an amount of 2 l / m 2 of material in the 4th stage. The material only emerged from the wash water during the transfer from one tank to the next. The residence time in the wash water was over 90% of the total residence time in the washing step.

Das Material wurde anschließend getrocknet. Es wurde die Differenz der Gelbminimaldichte vor und nach Tropenlagerung als Kriterium für die Qualität der Auswässerung unerwünschten Chemikalien bestimmt (ΔDmingb). Das Ergebnis ist in Tabelle 3 angegeben.The material was then dried. The difference in the yellow minimum density before and after storage in the tropics was determined as a criterion for the quality of the outwashing of unwanted chemicals (ΔD min gb). The result is shown in Table 3.

Beispiel 10 (erfindungsgemäß Example 10

Es wurde wie in Beispiel 9 verfahren, jedoch wurde eine 7-fach Gegenstromkaskade gemäß Fig. 2 mit einem Tankinhalt von etwa 10 l Wasser/pro Tank zur Wässerung verwendet. Die Frischwasserzufuhr im 7. Tank betrug (a) 50 ml/m2, (b) 100 ml/m2 und (c) 200 ml/m2. Die Verweilzeit des Materials im Waschwasser war etwa 30 % der Gesamtverweilzeit in der Waschstufe. Am Ende jeder der 7 Waschstufen wurde durch Abstreifen das anhaftende Wasser auf 25 ml/m2 reduziert. Die Gesamtverweilzeiten und Wassertemperaturen in den Beispielen 9 und 10 waren gleich.The procedure was as in Example 9, but a 7-fold countercurrent cascade according to FIG. 2 with a tank content of about 10 liters of water / per tank used for irrigation. The fresh water supply in the 7th tank was (a) 50 ml / m 2 , (b) 100 ml / m 2 and (c) 200 ml / m 2 . The residence time of the material in the wash water was approximately 30% of the total residence time in the wash stage. At the end of each of the 7 washing stages, the adhering water was reduced to 25 ml / m 2 by stripping. The total residence times and water temperatures in Examples 9 and 10 were the same.

Trocknung und Bestimmung von ΔDmin gb erfolgten gemäß Beispiel 9. Tabelle 3 Beispiel ΔDmingb 9 36 10a 37 10b 34 10c 33 Drying and determination of ΔD min gb were carried out according to Example 9. Table 3 example ΔD min gb 9 36 10a 37 10b 34 10c 33

Mit der erfindungsgemäßen Wässerung wird bei wesentlich geringeren Tankinhalten an Waschwasser und wesentlich geringerer Frischwasserzufuhr ein vergleichbares oder geringfügig besseres Ergebnis hinsichtlich der Auswässerung erzielt als nach der herkömmlichen Wässerung.With the watering according to the invention, a comparable or slightly better result with regard to the watering out is achieved with substantially lower tank contents of washing water and a substantially lower fresh water supply than after the conventional watering.

Claims (7)

  1. Process for processing a photographic silver halide material in which the material resides for a predetermined time in at least one processing tank, characterised in that the residence time of the photographic material in the treatment tank is subdivided into two or more sections, wherein the material is alternately immersed and not immersed in the treatment bath present in the treatment tank and wherein the time for which the material is immersed in the bath amounts to at most 50% of the total residence time in the particular processing stage.
  2. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the material is immersed in the bath at least twice.
  3. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the material is immersed in the bath 2 to 20 times.
  4. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the time for which the material is immersed in the bath amounts to at most 40%, preferably at most 20% of the total residence time in the particular processing stage.
  5. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the liquid adhering to the material on each occasion that it emerges from the bath is reduced to 20 to 30 ml/m2.
  6. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the treatment bath is a development, bleaching, fixing, bleach/fixing, reversal, conditioning, rinsing or stabilising bath.
  7. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the treatment bath is a multi-stage, countercurrently operated rinsing bath.
EP93104153A 1992-03-26 1993-03-15 Processing of photographic materials Expired - Lifetime EP0562401B1 (en)

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DE4209806A DE4209806A1 (en) 1992-03-26 1992-03-26 Processing of photographic materials

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EP0562401B1 true EP0562401B1 (en) 1997-12-10

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DE2615932A1 (en) * 1976-04-10 1977-10-20 Edmund Klein Continuous development tank for small runs - uses min. reagent quantity with partly immersed film drive elements along container length

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