Classifications

• • 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
  • G03C5/264—Supplying of photographic processing chemicals; Preparation or packaging thereof
  • G03C5/265—Supplying of photographic processing chemicals; Preparation or packaging thereof of powders, granulates, tablets

Definitions

• the invention relates to a solid developing composition in the form of powder, granules or tablets for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material.
• a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is usually processed using a black-and-white developer, a fixer, a color developer, a bleach, a bleach-fixer and a stabilizer to obtain an imagewise image.
• the components of the processing solutions used herein are packaged in plastic bottles for easy use and are in the form of concentrated solutions and are supplied as a processing solution kit to comsumers.
• the comsumers dilute the component solutions of the kit with water to prepare the processing solutions and use them as solutions for use (as starter solutions or replenisher solutions).
• mini-labs which process a photographic material using a small automatic processor
• the processing kit in concentrated solution form still requires much storage space. Further, the cost for transport is not low.
• the discarded plastic bottles increase year by year and should be recovered, however the recovering is difficult and therefore, development of a processing system in which waste plastics are reduced is demanded.
• Powder photographic processing agents are considered in order to reduce storage space, transport cost and the amount of the plastic waste.
• the powder agents produce loose powder when it is dissolved in water, and operators breathe in loose powder particles, resulting in health hazard.
• other photographic solutions may be contaminated with the components of the loose powder and there occurs the possibility of other trouble in developing process.
• Patent O.P.I Publication Nos. 2-109042/1990 and 2-109043/1990 disclose a technique of using a granular mixture of photographic processing agents.
• Patent O.P.I Publication Nos. 5-119454/1993, 5-113646/1993 and 5-107698/1993 disclose a photographic processing system using a solid developing processing agent and a solid developing processing agent used therein.
• the above Japanese Patent O.P.I Publication No. 2-109042/1990 discloses a color developing agent which is a mixture of a granular anti-oxidant, a granular developing agent and a granular alkali-providing agent.
• the above Japanese Patent O.P.I Publication No. 2-109043/1990 discloses a color developing agent which is a mixture of a granular anti-oxidant, a granular developing agent and a granular alkali-providing agent, each having an average particle size of 150 ⁇ m or more and 80% of the granule falling within the deviation range of not more than ⁇ 150 /1.m. It is disclosed that the above photographic developing agent has unlimited durability and excellent solubility.
• the photographic developing agent described in the above references has a considerable storage stability, although not unlimited durability, and excellent solubility in laboratory experiments.
• the agent having excellent storage stability and solubility can be sometimes obtained and sometimes not. Accordingly, there is a problem that the agent having stable properties cannot always be obtained.
• a first object of the invention is to provide a solid developing composition in the form of powder, granules or tablet for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material having a long storage stability.
• a second object of the invention is to provide a solid developing composition in the form of powder, granules or tablets for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material low in oxidation-coloration due to its hygroscopic property and high in commercial value. Another object will be apparent from the following description.
• the inventors have found the following by conducting experiments on a powder solid developing composition for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material.
• the moisture content is more than 15% by weight
• the contact reaction between the alkali agent and developing agent occurs due to the moisture and the developing agent is oxidized or unstable.
• the moisture content is less less than 0.1% by weight
• the difference between atmospheric humidity and humidity in the solid composition humidity gradient
• atmospheric moisture penetrates the surface of the composition.
• the developing agent on the surface of the composition is subjected to oxidation, resulting in coloration of the composition and the content reduction of the color developing agent. Further, the strength of the solid composition is weakened.
• the specific volume of the solid composition exceeds 2.0 cm 3 /g, the space in the composition is large and the composition absorbs more atmospheric moisture. It has been found, however, that the oxidation of the developing agent is promoted and the developing agent content of the composition is reduced. On the contrary, when the specific volume of the solid composition is less than 0.6 cm 3 /g, the coloration of the composition occurs during its storage although there is no problem as to moisture absorption.
• the inventors have made an extensive study on the above described experimental results and found that they can provide a solid developing composition having excellent storage stability and stable properties without an influence of atmospheric moisture during production, storage and usage by a solid developing composition for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, the composition comprising an alkali agent and a developing agent, wherein the composition has a specific volume of 0.6 to 2.0 cm 3 /g and a moisture content of 0.1 to 15% by weight and at least a part of the composition is in the form of granules.
• the moisture content of the solid composition of the invention may be 0.1 to 15% by weight. However, in view of the effects of the invention, the content is preferably 0.3 to 10% by weight, and most preferably 1 to 8% by weight.
• the specific volume of the fine particle solid developing composition may be 0.6 to 2.0 cm 3 /g. However, in view of the effects of the invention, the specific volume is preferably 0.8 to 1.5 cm 3 /g.
• the moisture content of the solid composition referred to herein is calculated from the weight reduced after the composition is heated at 105°C to the constant weight which is measured with an electronic moisture meter available on the market.
• the solid processing composition of the invention comprises at least one alkali agent and at least one developing agent, and it may be a simple mixture of solid material or a mixture of granules obtained by granulating several powdered solid materials in admixture.
• an alkali agent and a developing agent are preferable.
• at least one of them is preferably granules, since the effects of the invention are markedly displayed. It is more preferable that both agents are granules. This is because of another effect in which fine loose powder is reduced during storage as well as the above mentioned effects.
• any of the well-known methods such as a rolling granulation, an extrusion granulation, a compression granulation, a cracking granulation, a stirring granulation, a fluidized-layer granulation and water spray-drying granulation.
• the granules of the above described alkali agent and developing agent have an average particle diameter of preferably 150 to 1500 am, and more preferably 300 to 1000 ⁇ m.
• the average particle diameter in the invention refers to an weight average particle diameter.
• the weight average particle diameter of the invention refers to a particle diameter at 50% by weight in a cumulative residue distribution plot obtained by screening.
• the above described solid developing composition is compression-molded into tablets.
• the tablets exhibit the effect of the invention markedly and the effective prevention of powder occurrence due during their storage.
• the solid processing tablet is produced by well known compressors.
• the compressors for producing the tablets include a hydraulic press machine, a single tableting machine, a rotary tableting machine and a bricketing machine can be used.
• the solid processing tablet may be in any form, but is preferably in the cylindrical form in view of producibility or processability
• lubricants or other additives may be added for facilitating tableting or for other objects.
• the solid processing tablet of the invention has a compressive breaking strength of 20 to 80 kg.
• the compressive breaking strength herein refers to a value measured by means of Speed Checker produced by Okada Seiko Co., Ltd.
• the developing agent of the invention may be either a color developing agent or a black-and-white developing agent.
• the color developing agent is preferably a p-phenylene diamine type compound having a water-soluble group.
• the typical water-soluble groups include preferably -(CH 2 ) n -CH 2 0H, -(CH 2 ) m -NHS0 2 -(CH 2 ) n -CH 3 , -(CH 2 ) m -0-(CH 2 ) n -CH 3 , -(CH 2 CH 2 0) n C m H 2m+l (in which m and n are each an integer of not less than 0), -COOH group and -S03H group.
• the example of the color developing agent preferably used in the invention includes (C-1) through (C-16) and 4-amino-3-methyl-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)aniline on pages 26 to 31 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2-203169/1990 (Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 4-86741/1992).
• the above color developing agents are usually used in the form of hydrochloride, sulfate or p-toluenesulfonic acid salt.
• the black-and-white developing agent includes phenidone, hydroquinone, metol, 4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrszolidone, 4,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrszolidone and hydroquinone monosulfonic acid.
• the alkali agent of the invention is a compound giving pH 8 or more in its aqueous solution.
• the preferable example includes sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, disodium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium borate, potassium borate, sodium tetraborate (borax), potassium tetraborate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide.
• Sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium borate and trisodium phosphate are preferable in view of moisture prevention, and sodium carbonate is especislly preferable.
• the solid processing composition is in the form of powder, granules or tablets, and preferably in the form of granules or tablets in attaining the objects of the invention.
• the solid processing composition of the invention is granules
• the granules have an average particle diameter of 100 to 3000 am
• the composition containing the granules in an amount of not less than 50% by weight is preferable.
• the composition of the invention may contain solid powder of an average particle diameter of not more than 100 am.
• the standard deviation of the particle diameter distribution in the invention is preferably 1.1 to 4.0, more preferably 1.2 to 2.5 and still more preferably 1.3 to 2.0.
• the solid processing composition herein referred to comprises an alkali agent and a developing agent, and may contain other components as powder.
• the alkali agent and the developing agent both are especially preferably granules.
• Additives in the composition other than the alkali agent and the developing agent may be powder.
• the developing composition of the invention may optionally contain a chelating agent, a development accelerating agent, a development inhibitor (halides), a fluorescent brightening agent or a preservative usually used in the developer.
• a solid preservative is preferably used in combination in the solid developing composition of the invention, and granules of a mixture of a preservative and a developing agent are preferable.
• the preservarive includes a sulfite (sodium sulfite or potassium sulfite), a bisulfite (sodium bisulfite or potassium bisulfite), a metabisulfite (sodium metabisulfite or potassium metabisulfite) and a hydroxylamine derivative.
• the hydroxylamine derivative includes a compound represented by the following Formula (I) wherein R 1 and R 2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group or R 3 CO- wherein R 3 represents an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group or an amino group, provided that R 1 and R 2 may combine to form a nitrogen containing heterocyclic ring.
• R 1 and R 2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group or R 3 CO- wherein R 3 represents an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group or an amino group, provided that R 1 and R 2 may combine to form a nitrogen containing heterocyclic ring.
• the substituted alkyl group of R 1 and R 2 is preferably a substituted alkyl group having 1 to 3 cabon atoms, and may be the same or different.
• the substituent of the alkyl group includes a hydroxy group, a sulfo group, a phosphonic acid group, an alkoxy group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group.
• A-12 through A-20 and A-27 can be used in the form of an alkali metal salt (sodium, potassium or lithium salt).
• Fomula (I) The compounds represented by Fomula (I) are usually used in free amine or in the form of hydrochloric acid, sulfate, p-toluenesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid or acetic acid salt.
• the compounds represented by Fomula (I) are preferably solids in view of the objects of the invention.
• A-1, A-6, A-17, A-18 and A-25 are especially preferable, and the examples will be given below.
• a color developing composition in the form of granules was prepared according to the following procedures.
• Samples 1-2 through 1-17 were prepared in the same manner as in Sample 1-1 using granules (A) prepared in Procedure (1-1), granules (B) prepared in Procedure (1-2) and granules (D) prepared in Procedure (1-4). The specific volume and moisture content of Samples 1-2 through 1-17 are shown in Table 1.
• the specific volume and moisture content were measured through the following method.
• Samples were heated to the constant weight and the reduced weight was measured using an electronic moisture meter available on the market.
• the reduced weight corresponds to moisture content.
• Samples evaluated D in hygroscopic property or coloration are low in commercial value.
• the color developing composition having a specific volume and moisture content within the range of the invention enables to restrain its hygroscopic property on storage in an open system and its coloration on storage in a closed system.
• a color developing composition was prepared according to the following procedures.
• Granules (A), (B) and (D) prepared in Example were mixed to obtain Samples 2-3 and 2-4.
• Granules (D) was prepared to give the specific volume and moisture content shown in Table 2.
• Potassium carbonate powder was prepared in the same manner as in Procedure (2-1) to obtain powder (E).
• Potassium carbonate 3/2 hydrate powder was prepared in the same manner as in Procedure (2-1) to obtain powder (F).
• Powder (A) of 5980 g, 21200 g of granules (G) and 4180 g of granules (B) prepared in Procedure (1-2) were mixed.
• the resulting mixture were further mixed with powder (E) and powder (F) to give the specific volume and moisture content shown in Table 2 and have a potassium content of 270 mol.
• Hydroxylamine sulfate of 3500 g, 350 g of potassium bromide, 150 g of Tyron, 200 g of Pineflow, 5800 g of sodium sulfite and 2500 g of pentasodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate were individually pulverized and individually screened with a sieve having a 74 ⁇ m sieve mesh to obtain fine powders minus sieve.
• the resulting fine powders were mixed with powder (A), powder (E) and powder (F) to give the specific volume and moisture content shown in Table 2 and have a potassium content of 270 mol.
• Sample 2-7 was obtained.
• the color developing composition in which one of the alkali agent and the developing agent is in the form of granules is preferable and the color developing composition in which both alkali agent and developing agent are in the form of granules is more preferable.
• a mixture of Granules (A), (B) and (D) prepared in Example was pulverized in a speed-mill available on the market and sieved with screens having various meshes to obtain Samples 3-1 through 3-11.
• Granules (D) was prepared to give the specific volume and moisture content shown in Table 3.
• the color developing composition having a specific volume and moisture content within the range of the invention enables to restrain its hygroscopic property on storage in an open system and its coloration on storage in a closed system.
• the color developing composition having an average weight particle size of 150 to 1500 ⁇ m exhibits markedly the effects of the invention.
• Myristoyl-N-methyl-,8-alanine sodium salt was added in an amount of 0.5% by weight to each of Samples 1-1 through 1-17 of Example 1 and mixed for 10 minutes at 25°C and 50%RH using a mixer.
• the resulting mixture was tableted in an amount of 12 g per tablet gmaking use of a tableting machine in which Clean Press Correct 18K manufactured by Kikusui Mfg. Works was modified to obtain a tablet having a diameter of 30 mm.
• Tablets 4-1 through 4-17 were obtained.
• the specific volume and moisture content in Table 4 are those of Samples 1-1 through 1-17.
• Example 2 In the same manner as in Example 1 the hygroscopic property and coloration after storage were evaluated. Further, in a aluminium package were placed Samples 4-1 through 4-17, and tightly sealed and stored for 24 hours at room temperature. Thereafter, the compressive breaking strength (hardness) of the resulting Samples was measured by means of Speed checker produced by Okada Seiko Co., Ltd. The results are shown in Table 4.
• the color developing composition having a specific volume and moisture content within the range of the invention enables to greatly restrain its hygroscopic property on storage and its coloration on storage.
• a color developing composition was prepared according to the following procedures to obtain granules for color developer.
• Procedure (5-2) were pulverized 33000 g of potassium carbonate, 370 g of sodium sulfite, 3300g of pentasodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, 14000 g of sodium p-toluenesulfonate and 3400g of lithium hydroxide monohydrate.
• the resulting fine particles were mixed with 6000 g of mannitol and 5000 g of polyethyleneglycol #4000 and were granulated by adding 3500 ml of water thereto in the same manner as in Procedure (5-2). Thereafter, the granules were dried at 60 ° C and were classified in the same manner as in Procedure (5-1) to remove particles of larger and less size and to obtain granules (C').
• Samples 5-2 through 5-17 were prepared in the same manner as in Sample 5-1 using granules (A') prepared in Procedure (5-1), granules (B') prepared in Procedure (5-2) and granules (D') prepared in Procedure (5-4).
• the specific volume and moisture content of of Samples 5-2 through 5-17 were shown in Table 5.
• the color developing composition having a specific volume and moisture content within the range of the invention enables to restrain its hygroscopic property on storage in an open system and its coloration on storage in a closed system.
• Samples 6-1 through 6-17 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 using Samples 5-1 through 5-17 in Example 5.
• the specific volume and moisture content in Table 6 are those of Samples 5-1 through 5-17 (granules).
• Example 6 In the same manner as in Example 1 the hygroscopic property and coloration after storage were evaluated. Further, the compressive breaking strength (hardness) of the resulting Samples was measured in the same manner as in Example 4. The results are shown in Table 6.
• the color developing composition having a specific volume and moisture content within the range of the invention enables to greatly restrain its hygroscopic property on storage and its coloration on storage.
• Black-and-white developing composition in the form of granules was prepared through the following Procedures.
• Procedure (7-1) In the same manner as in Procedure (7-1) was pulverized the above composition Part B and mixed. The resulting mixture was granulated in the same manner as in Procedure (7-1), except that 4000 ml of water were added thereto. Thereafter, the granules were dried at 55 ° C for 4 hours and were classified in the same manner as in Procedure (1-1) to obtain granules (F).
• Samples 7-2 through 7-16 were prepared in the same manner as in Sample 7-1 using granules (E) prepared in Procedure (7-1) and granules (F) prepared in Procedure (7-3). The specific volume and moisture content of of Samples 7-2 through 7-16 are shown in Table 7.
• the black-and-white developing composition having a specific volume and moisture content within the range of the invention enables to restrain its hygroscopic property on storage in an open system and its coloration on storage in a closed system.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
• Silver Salt Photography Or Processing Solution Therefor (AREA)

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Citations (4)

• 1994
  • 1994-02-16 JP JP4203094A patent/JPH07248585A/ja active Pending
• 1995
  • 1995-01-18 EP EP19950100588 patent/EP0668536B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-01-18 DE DE1995615713 patent/DE69515713T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related

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