EP0694814A1 - Appareil et méthode de traitement de matériaux pour l'enregistrement d'images - Google Patents

Appareil et méthode de traitement de matériaux pour l'enregistrement d'images Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0694814A1
EP0694814A1 EP95401769A EP95401769A EP0694814A1 EP 0694814 A1 EP0694814 A1 EP 0694814A1 EP 95401769 A EP95401769 A EP 95401769A EP 95401769 A EP95401769 A EP 95401769A EP 0694814 A1 EP0694814 A1 EP 0694814A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluid
processing
reservoir
imaging material
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95401769A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Norman C/O M. M. & M. Co. Newman
Guglielmo C/O M. M. & M. Co. Izzi
Mark T. C/O 3M United Kingdom Plc Leonard
Basavaraj D. C/O Pic.Prod.Ltd.Part. Desai
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
3M Co
Original Assignee
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co filed Critical Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Publication of EP0694814A1 publication Critical patent/EP0694814A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D3/00—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion
    • G03D3/02—Details of liquid circulation
    • G03D3/06—Liquid supply; Liquid circulation outside tanks
    • G03D3/065—Liquid supply; Liquid circulation outside tanks replenishment or recovery apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D3/00—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion
    • G03D3/02—Details of liquid circulation
    • G03D3/06—Liquid supply; Liquid circulation outside tanks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the processing (i.e., development, bleaching, stabilizing, fixing, and/or washing) of silver halide photographic film, radiographic film, diffusion transfer imaging material, proofing plates and proofing materials, and other imaging materials.
  • an imaging material such as photographic film
  • an exposed imaging material is transported through a bath of processing fluid.
  • the term "exposed” is used in the art to mean that an imaging material, e.g., a photographic film, was struck by some form of image-forming (or exposing) radiation, such as light, x-ray, etc. Imaging materials are generally exposed between 30 to 70 per cent in normal use.
  • the uniformity and reproducibility of development is dependent on a number of factors including temperature, chemical activity and agitation of the developer solution. Automated processors controlling various aspects of these factors are commonly used for developing photographic elements. Processors use well-known technology to carefully control parameters of the development process. Temperature controls permitting limitations in temperature variations to ⁇ 0.5°C are routine. In addition, some degree of movement of the processing fluid (a.k.a. agitation) is important and various methods are available for creating this movement within the processing liquids. Among such available methods are roller movement and recirculation of the bath liquid. The chemical activity of the processing bath is maintained through an automated replenishment process.
  • the replenishment requirements and sustained capacity of a processing bath to develop film are determined by a number of factors including the silver content of the film, the degree to which the silver halide crystals are converted to image silver (i.e., the usage rate) and the formulation of the developer.
  • An overall requirement is to achieve a steady state in which the replenishment maintains the activity of the bath at a constant level to provide consistent and reproducible development results.
  • Under-replenishment i.e., insufficient replenishment, leads to deterioration of the processing bath with a decreased processing activity.
  • a result of under-development is insufficient image (low density), low contrast and eventually exhaustion where there is little or no development.
  • Over-replenishment can lead to a condition in which the activity of the bath becomes excessive and results in over-development, excess image (high density), high contrast and excessive fogging (Dmin) of the film.
  • the recommended practice to provide consistency has been to use a very large reservoir of reactants, which is wasteful with respect to the chemicals being used.
  • the developer in the processing bath also known as the working developer, may be derived from the replenisher.
  • the working developer in an automated processor includes reaction byproducts as well as a reduced level of reactants when compared to the replenisher. In a steady state situation, the developer and reaction products remain at a constant level, accumulating reaction products and depleting reactants during development, while replenishment supplies fresh reactants and dilutes the reaction byproducts. At a proper replenishment rate, the system maintains an approximately steady state balance providing consistent development for the photographic film.
  • replenisher solution for the development of a film in a replenisher would normally result in an over-developed image, as the replenisher solution is a stronger developing bath than the seasoned or working developer bath. It is, however, common in the art to prepare a working developer bath from a replenisher by either diluting the replenisher solution, adding some reaction products, e.g., bromide, running some exposed film through without replenishment, or some combination to suppress the excess activity of the replenisher and bring it to the level of the working developer.
  • reaction products e.g., bromide
  • Deep tank processors have a developer bath with a significant volume of liquid, e.g., 20 liters or more. These are generally called “deep tank processors". Deep tank processors have provided the highest throughput rate and have provided a buffering capacity for the developer bath which contributes to the consistency of the process.
  • Shallower tanks or reduced volume tanks have been made commercially available to address the disadvantages of the deep tank processors. However, they have not met with significant acceptance.
  • One of the primary reasons for lack of general acceptance is that low-volume processors traditionally have either not provided the output requirements (productivity for processing imaging material, i.e., throughput rate) or not provided the consistency of performance (development uniformity and consistency) that are provided by deep tank processors.
  • United States Patent No. 5,168,296 describes a processor tank with an interior chamber which is partitioned into a plurality of serially arranged development compartments.
  • This processor was specifically designed to develop 35 millimeter film and to use approximately one liter of developer. While this may be a reduction over other deep tank processors, this volume of processing fluid is still very large when considering the narrow film being processed therein.
  • this reference discloses replenishing directly into the most upstream chamber and directing fluid to flow in the same direction as the film. As a result, the concentration of the chemistry will be highest near the entrance of the processor and lowest near the exit of the processor. Plus, requiring a plurality of compartments results in a relatively complex processor to make and to maintain.
  • WO Patent No. 93-00612 defines an apparatus for photographic processing in a low-volume tank and teaches the importance of agitation. It states that in low-volume processors, the confines of the tank restrict adequate agitation and, therefore, access of fresh processing solution to the film surface. The patent defines means to assure the access of fresh processing solution to the film surface.
  • the chemistry is dispensed directly onto the film for processing.
  • Such imbibement processing requires that the chemistry be formulated so there are sufficient reactants in the volume imbibed to assure full development of the image.
  • This embodiment requires a minimum of two dispensings of the developer formulation. However, the material dispensed does not become part of the developer in a processing tank.
  • replenishment in which fresh chemistry is added at a rate commensurate with the quantity (area) of film processed, or more properly, the quantity of silver image that is developed.
  • the prescribed replenishment rate is usually about 450 milliliters of the replenisher fluid per square meter of film processed. This prescribed replenishment rate is based on the assumptions that the development process develops about 50% of the available silver (resulting from a normal exposure level), that the silver coating weight of the materials used is in the range of 3 to 4 grams per square meter of film processed, and that the processing fluid and the replenishment fluid are diluted as prescribed by the supplier for the particular processing and replenisher fluids.
  • This prescribed replenishment rate corresponds to 35 milliliters for a normally exposed 50% imaged, 10-inch by 12-inch film sheet or about 70 milliliters for a 100% or fully exposed, 10-inch by 12-inch film sheet.
  • the recommended replenishment rate is normally adjusted to compensate for the differences.
  • the data sheets for one company's products generally recommend 39 milliliters per square foot for 50% imaged silver halide photographic film (53 milliliters per square foot for 75% imaged film).
  • the 39 milliliters per square foot is equivalent to 420 milliliters per square meter.
  • Usage in some processors as low as 29 milliliters per square foot can be envisaged, which is equivalent to 312 milliliters per square meter.
  • One known, commercially available processing chemistry formulation achieves a reduction in the volume of replenishment chemistry used.
  • the volume reduction does not translate to an equivalent reduction in the material usage, i.e., the absolute amount of hydroquinone (HQ) used.
  • HQ hydroquinone
  • the concentration of the hydroquinone used in the processing bath is increased by 1.5 to 2 times that of a normal concentration (from 50 to 80, but nominally 65 grams HQ per liter to approximately and nominally 113.8 grams HQ per liter).
  • the usage of HQ is only reduced from 29.3 grams per square meter (at a 50% image) to about 14.3 grams HQ per square meter. This usage still results in a significant waste of HQ. (Approximately 1 gram of HQ is all that is used per square meter of film developed when the film includes 4 grams Ag/square meter of film developed, and the film is 50% imaged.)
  • the present invention addresses the problems associated with deep tank processors and known small volume processors.
  • the present invention is directed to an apparatus for processing an imaging material.
  • the apparatus includes a fluid recirculation loop which includes a processing cell having a chamber containing processing fluid and through which the imaging material can be transported.
  • the loop also includes a reservoir having a reservoir chamber containing processing fluid, the reservoir being connected to the chamber by a first fluid line.
  • the loop also includes a pump positioned between the reservoir and the processing cell, the pump being connected to the reservoir by a second fluid line and being connected to the processing cell by a third fluid line.
  • the apparatus also includes a replenisher tank containing replenisher fluid and being functionally coupled to the fluid recirculation loop for supplying replenisher fluid to the fluid recirculation loop.
  • an apparatus 10 can be used in the processing of an imaging material 12 or element, such as an exposed photographic film sheet coated on at least one side thereof with a photosensitive emulsion (e.g., silver halide photographic emulsion).
  • the apparatus 10 uses a small volume of processing chemicals.
  • Imaging material such as conventional photographic film, can be of various sizes and can be of various types, such as film used by individuals for personal use.
  • imaging material 12 processable with the apparatus 10 include graphic arts films (including high contrast films, such as EXCELERATETM film), radiographic films (e.g., 3M film and 3M TRIMAXTM film), silver halide-based diffusion transfer printing plates (e.g., ONYXTM plates), and photosensitive polymeric imaging materials including proofing plates and materials (e.g., MATCHPRINTTM and VIKINGTM plates and materials). (All of these brands of imaging material are made by 3M Company, St. Paul, Minnesota.) These imaging materials are usually exposed to some degree before being processed by the apparatus 12, although an unexposed material could be transported through the apparatus, for example, to season the processing fluid 24.
  • graphic arts films including high contrast films, such as EXCELERATETM film
  • radiographic films e.g., 3M film and 3M TRIMAXTM film
  • silver halide-based diffusion transfer printing plates e.g., ONYXTM plates
  • photosensitive polymeric imaging materials including proofing plates and materials (e.g., MATCHPRINTTM
  • sheet can refer to a material having a relatively short length, such as an 8-inch by 10-inch sheet, or to a material having a relatively long length, such as a material rolled up on a core.
  • processing processes, “processable,” and variations thereof are used to refer to the step of developing (and more generally to refer to the steps of fixing and washing) an imaging material.
  • processing processes, “processable,” and variations thereof are also used to encompass the step of activating (and more generally to refer to the steps of stabilizing and washing) other imaging materials.
  • the apparatus 10 can include a top plate 14 and a bottom plate 16 relatively aligned to provide a processing cell 18 or housing having a processing chamber 19 between the top plate 14 and the bottom plate 16. End plates (not shown) join the top and bottom plates 14, 16 to form the remainder of the exterior of the processing cell 18.
  • a material inlet port 20 and a material exit port 22 are shown as being defined by the construction of the top and bottom plates 14, 16. These ports 20, 22 communicate with the processing chamber 19 to allow the imaging material 12 to pass through the processing chamber 19.
  • the processing cell 18 is shown as being substantially flat and substantially horizontally oriented.
  • substantially flat it is meant that the walls of the top and bottom plates 14, 16 which form the processing chamber 19 are not disposed a significant distance from the imaging material 12.
  • One example of a “substantially flat” processing chamber 19 is shown in Figures 1-3 as being straight, while another example could be a curved chamber having, for example, an arcuate shape. The details of the shape of the chamber are not critical for this aspect of the invention.
  • Other examples of a substantially flat processing chambers are described in US 5,266,994; 5,043,756; 5,136,323; and 5,365,299.
  • the processing chamber 19 can contain the processing fluid 24 useful for processing the imaging material 12 passing through the chamber 19.
  • Some of the processing fluids which work with the apparatus 10 include graphic arts processing fluids (including EXCELERATETM developer fluid and rapid access fluids), radiographic processing fluids, and diffusion transfer developer or activator fluids (e.g., ONYXTM processing fluids and other diffusion transfer fluids).
  • the processing chamber 19 can include a mesh-like material (not shown) like that disclosed and shown in U. S. Patent No. 5,266,994 (Desai et al.). One function of the mesh-like material is to maintain the processing fluid 24 upwardly with capillary action.
  • the processing chamber 19 could also include a plastic component such as the blade disclosed and shown in U. S. Patent No. 5,266,994 (Desai et al.). This blade can hold the imaging material 12 down within the processing chamber 19.
  • One embodiment of the processing chamber 19, when designed to process a 10-inch by 12-inch (25.4-centimeter by 30.48-centimeter) sheet of imaging material 12 can have an chamber length (from the material inlet port 20 to the material exit port 22) of approximately 8 inches (approximately 20.3 centimeters).
  • the chamber width could be approximately 16 inches (approximately 40.6 centimeters).
  • the chamber height could range from approximately 0.10 to 0.3 inch (approximately 0.254 to 0.635 centimeter).
  • the chamber height is best shown in Figure 3 as being the distance from the inner surface of the bottom plate 16 to the inner surface of the top plate 14.
  • the volume of the processing chamber 19 within this embodiment would range from approximately 12.8 to 38.4 cubic inches (approximately 210 to 629 cubic centimeters).
  • the chamber height could, instead, be slightly less than the previously noted range. However, maintaining desired flow rates can be difficult when the chamber is significantly less than this range. Conversely, the chamber height could be greater than this range, for example, up to approximately 2 to 4 inches (approximately 5 to 10 centimeters), by the changing the shape of the bottom plate 16 to define a deeper trough. However, as the depth of that bottom plate trough increases, the benefits of a small volume processor are diminished.
  • the chamber height of the processing chamber 19 can be chosen such that the processing fluid 24 has a desired fluid thickness contacting the sensitized surface or surfaces of the imaging material 12.
  • a desired fluid thickness of processing fluid 24 should contact the sensitized surface of a "single-sided" imaging material, such as a printing plate (e.g., ONYXTM plates), or should contact both sensitized surfaces of a "two-sided” imaging material such as some radiographic films.
  • the desired thickness should be between a thickness which uniformly processes the imaging material 12 and a thickness which minimizes the total volume of the processing fluid 24 and allows for the benefits provided by a smaller volume of processing chemicals.
  • An example of a range of the desired thickness could be from 0.04 to 0.4 inch (approximately 0.1 to 1.0 centimeter). So, when the apparatus 10 is processing a particular "single-sided" imaging material (e.g., transported with the sensitized surface facing the top plate 14), the distance between the inner surface of the bottom plate 16 and the top surface of the processing fluid 23 should be at least equal to 0.04 inch plus the thickness of that particular "single-sided” imaging material 12. Or, when the apparatus 10 is processing a particular "double-sided imaging material 12, the distance between the inner surface of the bottom plate 16 and the top surface of the processing fluid 23 should be at least equal to 0.08 inch (two 0.04 inch fluid layers) plus the thickness of that particular "double-sided” imaging material 12. Furthermore, a greater fluid thickness than 1.0 centimeter would function, such as a thickness of 2.5 centimeters or more. But, as previously noted, as the thickness increases, the benefits of using a smaller volume of processing chemicals are diminished.
  • the volume of processing fluid 24 within the previously noted embodiment of the processing chamber 19 (approximately 8 inches long, 16 inches wide) would be approximately 5.12 cubic inches (approximately 84 milliliters). With a 0.4-inch fluid thickness, the volume of processing fluid 24 would be 51.2 cubic inches (approximately 840 milliliters).
  • Another embodiment of the processing chamber 19, when designed to process a wider imaging material 12, can have an interior length of approximately 16 inches (approximately 40.6 centimeters), an interior width of approximately 24 inches (approximately 61 centimeters), and an interior height (and fluid thickness range) similar to that previously described.
  • the processing chamber 19 can have dimensions which are different from those just noted, for example, to affect the throughput rate and/or the fluid volume within the processing chamber 19.
  • the size of the processing chamber 19 can be made smaller (e.g., 30-centimeter width) or larger to accommodate narrower or wider imaging materials, respectively, and imaging materials of various thickness.
  • the inner surfaces of the top and bottom plates 14, 16 could be irregularly shaped, rather than flat as shown.
  • the imaging material 12 is shown as traveling in a traveling direction (as shown by the arrow) and creates a traveling plane.
  • the processing fluid 24 is shown flowing substantially transversely across the imaging material 12 due to the orientation of the fluid inlet ports 26 and the fluid outlet ports 28.
  • Other embodiments are recognized which could result in a different flow arrangements than that shown.
  • the apparatus 10 can include a reservoir tank 38 (having, for example, a volume not significantly larger than the volume of the processing chamber 19), associated tubing or lines 40, a first pump 42, and a replenisher tank 44.
  • a second pump can be included to pump the replenisher fluid from the replenisher tank 44 to the fluid recirculation loop.
  • replenisher fluid depends on the imaging material 12 being processed.
  • the working developer is recirculated through this fluid recirculation loop (cell 18, reservoir 38, lines 40, and first pump 42).
  • fresh replenisher fluid can be added to the reservoir tank 38 from the replenisher tank 44 and the first pump 42 can be placed between the reservoir tank 38 and the processing chamber 19 for pumping the processing fluid 24 from the reservoir tank 38 to the chamber 19 from which it flows back to the reservoir tank 38.
  • the first pump 42 could instead be positioned upstream from the reservoir tank 38.
  • the fresh replenisher can be added to the chamber 19 or the associated lines 40 rather than to the reservoir tank 38.
  • Using the reservoir tank 38 provides advantageous mixing of the fresh replenisher fluid with the working processing fluid before it contacts the imaging material 12 in the processing chamber 19. Mixing can be particularly important when the replenisher and processing fluids are diluted to other than the prescribed dilutions. Similarly, because the reservoir tank 38 can be heated, the processing fluid temperature can be made more consistent through out the recirculation loop, and particularly within the processing chamber 19. Plus, because the reservoir tank 38 has a relatively small volume when compared to the large bath or deep tank processors, the processing fluid 24 can be quickly heated to the desired operating temperature (and quickly mixed to a desired homogeneity). Mixing can be accomplished by including one of many known mixing mechanisms, such as a magnetic mixing mechanism (not shown). And, temperature control can be accomplished by including one of many known means for controlling fluid temperature, such as the combination of a thermocouple, heating blanket or sleeve, and a programmable controller (not shown).
  • the reservoir tank 38 allows the processing chamber 19 to remain at a relatively consistent fluid level by compensating for normal fluid loss from the processing chamber 19 or even an unexpectedly large fluid loss.
  • the apparatus 10 could include means for monitoring and controlling the fluid volume in the processing chamber 19, such as a fluid level sensor and programmable controller (not shown) connected to the first pump 42. If an unexpected loss of fluid occurs, a momentarily increased flow of processing fluid from the reservoir 38 to the processing chamber 19 could be achieved by momentarily increasing the output of the first pump 42. In addition, this can be advantageous for minimizing the volume of air introduced into the fluid recirculation lines 40 and for preventing the first pump 42 from being starved.
  • the reservoir tank 38 can have a volume not significantly larger than the chamber volume, for example, ranging from, for example, 25% to 150% of the chamber volume.
  • the reservoir volume can be even larger than the chamber volume, for example, 150% to 200% of the processing chamber 19 (or more).
  • the apparatus 10 can be constructed such that the total volume of working developer (within the chamber 19, the reservoir 38, the associated lines 40, and the pump 42) can still be significantly less than the deep tank processors.
  • Recirculation rate is commonly referred to in terms of turnovers per unit time.
  • the term “turnover” means the ratio of the volume of processing fluid 24 replaced to the volume of the processing fluid 24 contained within the processing chamber 19 and the remainder of the recirculation loop (reservoir 38, associated lines 40, pump 42).
  • the recirculation rate of the processing fluid 24 should maintain a minimum flow of 0.2 turnovers of the processing liquid every minute (turnover rate) in a direction which is substantially transverse to the movement of the imaging material 12 through the processing chamber 19. More preferably, the recirculation rate is greater than 0.4 turnovers/minute and, most preferably, greater than 0.6 turnovers/minute.
  • An example of the range of the recirculation rate for a working processing fluid volume (within the loop) of approximately 500 milliliters is from approximately 100 to 1000 milliliters of processing fluid per minute, or more specifically from approximately 150 to 750 milliliters of processing fluid per minute.
  • the recirculation flow rate could be from approximately 60 to 600 milliliters per minute.
  • the recirculation flow rate could be from approximately 160 to 1600 milliliters per minute.
  • Recirculating at a turnover rate less than 0.2 turnovers per minute can lead to a deterioration of the development uniformity. Recirculating much beyond a turnover rate of 2 turnovers per minute can result in the loss of processing fluid through the material inlet and outlet ports 20, 22.
  • the apparatus 10 minimizes the replenisher liquid added to the recirculating flow of processing chemistry.
  • the R/C ratio of replenisher fluid added per square meter of imaging material surface area processed (R) to the volume of processing fluid within the recirculating processing chemistry loop per square meter of imaging material surface area (C) is preferably greater than 0.12 (or 12%), more preferably greater than 0.15 (or 15%), even more preferably greater than 0.20 (or 20%), and most preferably greater than 0.25 (or 25%).
  • the apparatus 10 adds an actual volume of replenishment fluid which is significantly less than commercial processors.
  • the volume of the recirculating processing composition within the apparatus 10 is much smaller than the total volume in a large bath processor that the apparatus 10 still uses significantly less processing fluid per unit of film than the large bath processor. Therefore, the apparatus 10 involves a relatively high R/C ratio is relatively high and allows for a reduced volumetric replenishment rate.
  • a preferred volumetric replenishment rate of the apparatus 10 can be expressed as an average value and as being the addition of less than 100 milliliters of replenisher into the recirculating loop per square meter of silver halide imaging material developed.
  • a more preferred rate would be less than 85 milliliters per square meter of silver halide imaging material developed, an even more preferred rate would be less than 75 milliliters per square meter of silver halide imaging material developed, and an even more preferred rate would be less than 65 milliliters per square meter of silver halide imaging material developed.
  • a high-contrast, hybrid-type, silver halide-based graphic arts material (EXCELERATETM) with its corresponding chemistry was used for this experiment.
  • Film sheets were exposed using sensitometric exposures and 50% dot exposures and these were interspaced with sheets of fully exposed film sheets. Normal usage exposures of such graphic arts films usually use about one-half of the silver to form the image. Fully exposing the film and converting substantially all the silver in the film sheet to image is equivalent to consuming twice the developer per sheet of film and simulating a larger quantity of processed film.
  • the number of sheets of the fully exposed film used between sensitometrically and 50% dot exposed film sets corresponded to an area of between 1 to 2 square meters and equivalent to 2 to 4 square meters of normally exposed film.
  • Several experimental series were run at different replenishment rates. These rates was based on the area of film processed and on prescribed dilutions of the replenisher fluid (approximately one part water, one part concentrated replenisher fluid) and the processing fluid (approximately one part water, one part concentrated processing fluid).
  • the replenisher fluid was added automatically at the set rate on a per sheet basis.
  • the process was run in a series of sets which were normally an 8-hour day of operation. Different sets within a replenishment level were not necessarily run on consecutive days. Normally, the starting point for the process was the processing chemistry left from the previous set's operation, which may or may not have been at the same level.
  • This higher concentration also allows for an even greater percentage reduction in the volume of processing fluid 24 discarded to sustain the activity of the process (because the volume of processing fluid imbided by a given imaging material is virtually constant).
  • the dilution, the replenishment rate, the fluid temperature, and other processing conditions can be adjusted to an extent to optimize the processing of particular imaging materials with particular processing fluids.
  • Tables 1-4 show the sensitometric speed performance for various development series under the conditions of reduced replenishment rate.
  • the process was shown to be sustainable; i.e., consistent sensitometric performance was maintained, even under the conditions of the significantly reduced replenishment rate.
  • Replenishment rate could be reduced to less than 90 milliliters per square meter for 100% exposed film equivalent to less than 45 milliliters per square meter for normally exposed film.
  • replenishment rate could be reduced to less than 70 milliliters per square meter for 100% exposed film equivalent to less than 35 milliliters per square meter for normally exposed film. This corresponds to more than a 90% reduction in developer usage with concomitant sustainability of the process.
  • At about 50 milliliters per square meter for fully exposed film or 25 milliliters per square meter for normally exposed film there was a continued deterioration in sensitometric performance and the process could not be sustained at such low replenishment for this film.
  • the apparatus 10 can provide similar benefits to photosensitive polymeric imaging materials, such as proofing materials and proofing plates. By reducing the consumption of processing fluid 24 per square meter of imaging material processed and maintain uniform development, less processing fluid 24 is wasted.
  • the apparatus 10 can be particularly applicable to the processing of thin photographic film.
  • photographic silver halide media e.g., color photographic, radiographic, graphics art media
  • the film base is at least 0.02 mm and no thicker than 0.07 mm, more preferably equal to or less than 0.06 mm, and most preferably between 0.025 mm and 0.055 mm.
  • the total thickness of the layers on the base may be as low as 8 micrometers for some photographic constructions, and for the most complex constructions such as color photographic media which can have as many as 16 or 20 layers, the total thickness of the layers may be 160 micrometers.
  • the total thickness of the photographic media, therefore, including the base and both the emulsion layer and the auxiliary layers may be as thick as 0.12 mm and still be considered a thin photographic element (as long as it is on 0.76 mm base or less) within the practice of the present invention. Replenishment rates lower than those just noted with respect to the EXCELERATETM example are expected with imaging material having a thinner emulsion layer.
  • the apparatus 10 could further include a second processing cell (not shown) and a third processing cell (not show) similar to and positioned adjacent to the processing cell 18.
  • the processing cell 18 could contain with developer fluid, the second processing cell could contain a fixer fluid, and the third processing cell could contain a wash fluid.
  • the processing cell 18 could contain with an activator fluid, the second processing cell could contain a stabilizer fluid, and the third processing cell could contain a wash fluid. With some activatible imaging materials, only two cells may be necessary. Other similar arrangements would also benefit by the use of the apparatus 10 and previously described methods of using the apparatus 10.
EP95401769A 1994-07-27 1995-07-26 Appareil et méthode de traitement de matériaux pour l'enregistrement d'images Withdrawn EP0694814A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US28146994A 1994-07-27 1994-07-27
US48792395A 1995-07-11 1995-07-11
US281469 1995-07-11
US487923 1995-07-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0694814A1 true EP0694814A1 (fr) 1996-01-31

Family

ID=26960911

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95401769A Withdrawn EP0694814A1 (fr) 1994-07-27 1995-07-26 Appareil et méthode de traitement de matériaux pour l'enregistrement d'images

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0694814A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH08171187A (fr)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0410322A2 (fr) 1989-07-28 1991-01-30 Konica Corporation Procédé de développement
US5043756A (en) 1988-08-31 1991-08-27 Konica Corporation Automatic developing apparatus for a photosensitive material
WO1992007301A1 (fr) * 1990-10-19 1992-04-30 Kodak Limited Appareil de traitement photographique
US5136323A (en) 1990-12-28 1992-08-04 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for enhancing heat and mass transfer in a fluid medium
US5168296A (en) 1988-04-20 1992-12-01 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for processing photosensitive material
WO1993000612A1 (fr) 1991-06-29 1993-01-07 Kodak Limited Appareil de traitement photographique
EP0530889A1 (fr) * 1991-08-21 1993-03-10 Kodak Limited Méthode pour régénérer des solutions révélatrices photographiques
US5266994A (en) 1991-04-03 1993-11-30 Visicon, Inc. Method and apparatus for the processing of a photosensitive sheet material employing a minimum of liquid processing fluid
US5365299A (en) 1993-01-05 1994-11-15 Picture Productions Limited Partnership System and apparatus for the processing of a photosensitive sheet material and an associated method

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5168296A (en) 1988-04-20 1992-12-01 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for processing photosensitive material
US5043756A (en) 1988-08-31 1991-08-27 Konica Corporation Automatic developing apparatus for a photosensitive material
EP0410322A2 (fr) 1989-07-28 1991-01-30 Konica Corporation Procédé de développement
WO1992007301A1 (fr) * 1990-10-19 1992-04-30 Kodak Limited Appareil de traitement photographique
US5136323A (en) 1990-12-28 1992-08-04 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for enhancing heat and mass transfer in a fluid medium
US5266994A (en) 1991-04-03 1993-11-30 Visicon, Inc. Method and apparatus for the processing of a photosensitive sheet material employing a minimum of liquid processing fluid
WO1993000612A1 (fr) 1991-06-29 1993-01-07 Kodak Limited Appareil de traitement photographique
EP0530889A1 (fr) * 1991-08-21 1993-03-10 Kodak Limited Méthode pour régénérer des solutions révélatrices photographiques
US5365299A (en) 1993-01-05 1994-11-15 Picture Productions Limited Partnership System and apparatus for the processing of a photosensitive sheet material and an associated method

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 4, no. 82 (P - 015) 13 June 1980 (1980-06-13) *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH08171187A (ja) 1996-07-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR950007340B1 (ko) 사진 처리용 장치 및 방법
US4245034A (en) Method and apparatus for regenerating photographic processing solution
US4980714A (en) Photosensitive material processing apparatus
US5319410A (en) Photographic processing apparatus
US5168296A (en) Method and apparatus for processing photosensitive material
EP0546136B1 (fr) Appareil de traitement photographique
WO1992001244A1 (fr) Dispositif de traitement photographique pour materiaux photosensibles a base d'halogenure d'argent
US6063253A (en) Apparatus and method for electroplating a metal onto a substrate
EP0694814A1 (fr) Appareil et méthode de traitement de matériaux pour l'enregistrement d'images
US5689752A (en) Processing apparatus, method, and system for photosensitive materials
EP0530889A1 (fr) Méthode pour régénérer des solutions révélatrices photographiques
US5620834A (en) Method of processing photographic silver halide materials
JPH0214692B2 (fr)
JPH09230566A (ja) 写真処理方法および装置
JP2696759B2 (ja) 補充制御方法
JP2741549B2 (ja) 感光材料処理装置
US5780189A (en) Apparatus and method for controlling the chemical activity of processing solution in a photographic processing apparatus
US5698381A (en) Processing system for the development of photographic materials
JP2704683B2 (ja) 処理液供給ユニットおよび感光材料処理装置
EP0784230A1 (fr) Appareil photographique de traitement
EP1203987A1 (fr) Traitement de matériau photographique
JP2942672B2 (ja) 補充液の補充方法及び補充装置
JP2714970B2 (ja) 感光材料の処理方法
JPH02271354A (ja) 一体型プリンター・プロセッサー
EP1014181A2 (fr) Améliorations concernant des procédés photographiques

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE DK FR GB IT

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: LT;LV;SI

RAX Requested extension states of the european patent have changed

Free format text: LT;LV;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19960722

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19990201