GB2075372A

GB2075372A - Developing light-sensitive material

Info

Publication number: GB2075372A
Application number: GB8110090A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Eskofot AS
Current assignee: Eskofot AS
Priority date: 1980-05-07
Filing date: 1981-03-31
Publication date: 1981-11-18
Also published as: DK199780A; NL8102193A; JPS572036A; DK156099B; DE3114012A1; DK156099C

Abstract

A method of developing through dipping a sheet, a plate or a film (2) with an emulsion of a light-sensitive material into a bath (1) containing a developing liquid (6) wherein the sheet, the plate or the film is exposed to ultrasound from a transmitter (7). The frequency, amplitude or modulation of the ultrasound may be adjusted to compensate for developed liq. temp., concn. and wear, emulsion thickness and particle size, and film speed and density. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A method of developing The invention relates to a method of developing by dipping a sheet, a plate, or a film with an emulsion of a light-sensitive material into a bath containing a developing liquid.

When developing film the undesired emulsion on an exposed sheet or an exposed film is to be removed. Such an emulsion contains for instance one or more silver halides. It is known to rinse or brush the excess emulsion away in connection with the dipping thereof into the developing liquid.

The object of the invention is to provide a method of developing through dipping into developing liquid, whereby all the undesired emulsion is removed fasterthan by the previous methods.

The method according to the invention is characterised by the sheet or the film being exposed to ultrasound, while the sheet, the plate or the film is dipped into the developing liquid, whereby all the undesired emulsion is removed. By the ultrasound influence the developing liquid is furthermore stirred which implies that the developing is more uniform without therefore necessitating particular stirring means.

According to the invention the frequency, the amp litude and/or the modulation of the ultrasound may be adjusted to optimum values in response to the light-sensitive emulsion thickness andlorthe particle size, and in response to the temperature and concentration of the developing liquid as well as in response to the wear of said developing liquid, and finally in response to the conveying speed and the density degree. Through an appropriate adjustment of the frequency, the amplitude and the modulation of the ultrasound signal, a quick and careful developing is obtained.

The invention also deals with a device for carrying out the method. This device comprises a developing bath, conveying means for conveying the film, the sheet or the plate through the bath, as well as temperature regulators, and it is characterised by a plurality of ultrasound-transmitting means in connection with the developing bath. The frequency and the amplitude of the ultrasound-transmitting means may optionally be regulated or modulated either on the ultrasound transmitter or on the voltage supply thereof. As a result the ultrasound transmitter may be adjusted to transmit the frequencies most suitable for the emulsion thickness or particle size.

Should the temperature or concentration of the developing liquid be just too low or should the wear of said liquid be too comprehensive, this may be compensated for by increasing the amplitude of the ultrasound signal.

The dimensions of the developing bath, into which the ultrasound is transmitted, and the locating of the ultrasound transmitter and the conveying means may be adjusted or adjustable relative to the ultrasound frequency and the amplitude used, optionally once for all.

The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in whith Fig. 1 illustrates a developing bath with an associated ultrasound generator, and Fig. 2 illustrates a developing bath with several ultrasound generators.

Afilm, a plate or a sheet 2 with a light-sensitive emulsion is carried through the bath 1 containing a developing liquid 6, cf. Fig. 1. A conveying member comprising a plurality of guide rolls 3 carries the film, the plate or the sheet through the developing liquid. A voltage supply 4 supplies an ultrasound generator 5. The ultrasound transmitter7 of the generator is located in the middle of and in direct contact with the developing liquid 6. The ultrasound transmitter 7 may, however, also be located in the bottom, the cover or the sides of the developing bath. When the film or the sheet 2 with the light-sensitive emulsion has been located in the bath 1 containing the developing liquid 6, the ultrasound generator is connected, said generator being adjusted so as to transmit an ultrasound signal with an appropriate frequency, amplitude, and modulation.As a result, the particles of the developing liquid are put into motion, and the liquid particles move relative to the film, the plate or the sheet and relative to the light-sensitive emulsion. At the same time the film is put into motion by the ultrasound waves. This motion may, however, be stopped to a certain degree by means of the tightening of the guide rolls and the film, i.e. the tensile stress through which the conveying means influence the film. When the developing liquid rubs the light-sensitive emulsion, the undesired emulsion is removed and rinsed away with the developing liquid.

When the temperature or the concentration of the developing liquid is a little too low, or when the wear of the developing liquid is too comprehensive, the amplitude may advantageously be increased.

The mutual position of the developing bath, the ultrasound transmitter, and the guide rolls is such that the liquid is put into heavy motion about the film at the frequency/the frequencies used.

A supply channel for fresh developing liquid may optionally be located in such a manner that it opens together with the ultrasound transmitter, and a regeneration ofthe developing liquid may be controlled as stated in German patent application No.

2,931,817.

1. A method of developing by dipping a sheet, a plate or a film with an emulsion of a light-sensitive material into a bath containing a developing liquid, characterised by the sheet or the film being exposed to ultrasound, while the sheet, the plate or the film is dipped into the developing liquid.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the frequency and/or the amplitude of the ultrasound can be varied and/or modulated.

3. A method as calimed in calim 1 or 2, characterised by the frequency, the amplitude and/or the modulation of the ultrasound being adjusted to optimum values in response to the light-sensitive emulsion thickness and/orthe particle size.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised by the frequency, the amplitude, and/or the modulation of the ultrasound being adjusted to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A method of developing The invention relates to a method of developing by dipping a sheet, a plate, or a film with an emulsion of a light-sensitive material into a bath containing a developing liquid. When developing film the undesired emulsion on an exposed sheet or an exposed film is to be removed. Such an emulsion contains for instance one or more silver halides. It is known to rinse or brush the excess emulsion away in connection with the dipping thereof into the developing liquid. The object of the invention is to provide a method of developing through dipping into developing liquid, whereby all the undesired emulsion is removed fasterthan by the previous methods. The method according to the invention is characterised by the sheet or the film being exposed to ultrasound, while the sheet, the plate or the film is dipped into the developing liquid, whereby all the undesired emulsion is removed. By the ultrasound influence the developing liquid is furthermore stirred which implies that the developing is more uniform without therefore necessitating particular stirring means. According to the invention the frequency, the amp litude and/or the modulation of the ultrasound may be adjusted to optimum values in response to the light-sensitive emulsion thickness andlorthe particle size, and in response to the temperature and concentration of the developing liquid as well as in response to the wear of said developing liquid, and finally in response to the conveying speed and the density degree. Through an appropriate adjustment of the frequency, the amplitude and the modulation of the ultrasound signal, a quick and careful developing is obtained. The invention also deals with a device for carrying out the method. This device comprises a developing bath, conveying means for conveying the film, the sheet or the plate through the bath, as well as temperature regulators, and it is characterised by a plurality of ultrasound-transmitting means in connection with the developing bath. The frequency and the amplitude of the ultrasound-transmitting means may optionally be regulated or modulated either on the ultrasound transmitter or on the voltage supply thereof. As a result the ultrasound transmitter may be adjusted to transmit the frequencies most suitable for the emulsion thickness or particle size. Should the temperature or concentration of the developing liquid be just too low or should the wear of said liquid be too comprehensive, this may be compensated for by increasing the amplitude of the ultrasound signal. The dimensions of the developing bath, into which the ultrasound is transmitted, and the locating of the ultrasound transmitter and the conveying means may be adjusted or adjustable relative to the ultrasound frequency and the amplitude used, optionally once for all. The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in whith Fig. 1 illustrates a developing bath with an associated ultrasound generator, and Fig. 2 illustrates a developing bath with several ultrasound generators. Afilm, a plate or a sheet 2 with a light-sensitive emulsion is carried through the bath 1 containing a developing liquid 6, cf. Fig. 1. A conveying member comprising a plurality of guide rolls 3 carries the film, the plate or the sheet through the developing liquid. A voltage supply 4 supplies an ultrasound generator 5. The ultrasound transmitter7 of the generator is located in the middle of and in direct contact with the developing liquid 6. The ultrasound transmitter 7 may, however, also be located in the bottom, the cover or the sides of the developing bath. When the film or the sheet 2 with the light-sensitive emulsion has been located in the bath 1 containing the developing liquid 6, the ultrasound generator is connected, said generator being adjusted so as to transmit an ultrasound signal with an appropriate frequency, amplitude, and modulation.As a result, the particles of the developing liquid are put into motion, and the liquid particles move relative to the film, the plate or the sheet and relative to the light-sensitive emulsion. At the same time the film is put into motion by the ultrasound waves. This motion may, however, be stopped to a certain degree by means of the tightening of the guide rolls and the film, i.e. the tensile stress through which the conveying means influence the film. When the developing liquid rubs the light-sensitive emulsion, the undesired emulsion is removed and rinsed away with the developing liquid. When the temperature or the concentration of the developing liquid is a little too low, or when the wear of the developing liquid is too comprehensive, the amplitude may advantageously be increased. The mutual position of the developing bath, the ultrasound transmitter, and the guide rolls is such that the liquid is put into heavy motion about the film at the frequency/the frequencies used. A supply channel for fresh developing liquid may optionally be located in such a manner that it opens together with the ultrasound transmitter, and a regeneration ofthe developing liquid may be controlled as stated in German patent application No. 2,931,817. CLAIMS

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised by the frequency, the amplitude, and/or the modulation of the ultrasound being adjusted to optimum values in response to the temperature and the concentration of the developing liquid as well as in response to the wear of said developing liquid.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1,2,3 or4, characterised by the frequency, the amplitude, and/or the modulation of the ultrasound being adjusted to optimum values in response to the conveying speed and the density degree.

6. A device for carrying outthe method as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 5 and comprising a bath, film conveying means for conveying the film or the sheet through the developing bath, as well as temperature regulators, characterised by a plurality of ultrasound-transmitting means in connection with the developing bath.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the frequency and/or the amplitude of the transmitted ultrasound signal can be regulated and/or modulated.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or7, characterised by the dimensions of the developing bath, into which the ultrasound is transmitted, and the location of the ultrasound transmitter and the conveying means being adjusted or adjustable relative to the ultrasound frequency and amplitude used.

9. A method of developing substantially as described above and disclosed in the specification.

10. A device substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawing