GB2301542A

GB2301542A - Regeneration filter cartridges

Info

Publication number: GB2301542A
Application number: GB9611125A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John E Kaufman; Joseph Anthony Manico; David Lynn Patton; John Howard Rosenburgh; Jerel Raymond Carli
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 1995-05-31
Filing date: 1996-05-29
Publication date: 1996-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-29
Also published as: GB9611125D0; DE19620276A1; GB2301542B; JPH08323114A

Description

-I- REGENERATION FILTER CARTRIDGES 2301542

Field of the Invention

A filter for use in a photographic processor which filters particulate matter out of a processing solution while also regenerating the processing solution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A problem with current photographic processors especially minilabs and microlabs is they use excessive amounts of wash water or stabilizer. The reason for this is that unwanted chemicals are carried over from the previous tank by the sensitized goods or are washed out of the sensitized goods by the was or stabilizer. These unwanted chemicals contaminate the wash/stabilizer tanks and eventually reach levels that cause the level of residual contaminants in the sensitized goods materials to be deleterious to post processing image stability. When these contaminants are left in the sensitized materials they cause premature fading of the dyes, formation of unwanted dyes, and general degrading of the quality of the photographic images. To prevent this from happening, water or stabilizer must be constantly added (replenished) to the tanks to reduce the concentration of the contaminants carried out with the photosensitive material. Another approach is to use multiple wash/stabilizer tanks. The result is the more additional tanks used, the lower the concentration of contaminants in the last tank thus resulting in less contaminants being carried with photosensitive material. Even with multiple tanks, fresh water or stabilizer must be added.

If these contaminants could be removed from the wash/stabilizer tank, less fresh water or stabilizer would have to be added. This has been done is -2in large photofinishing equipment by using regeneration systems. These systems add extra cost in the forms of extensive maintenance and service, and the purchase expensive equipment. Also these systems increase the volume of solution, and take up much space. Further they require an amount of time to react with the chemicals they are intended to remove. Additionally these large systems are not suitable for small photofinishing equipment found in dispersed minilabs and microlabs. What is needed is a method or device that can allow the regenera tion materials to come into contact with the processing solution while it is being recirculated through the processor. A prime location for these regeneration materials is in the filter housing.

SDMKhRY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a filter regeneration cartridge for use in a photofinishing processor. The cartridge comprising:

a housing having a chamber and an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber; a filter body disposed within the chamber, the body having a filtering section for filtering particulate matter from fluid flowing through the housing and a retaining section for retaining a regeneration material for regenerating fluid passing through the retaining section, the filtering section and the retaining section being disposed such that the fluid being treated passes serially therethrough.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a filter body for use in a photofinishing processor. The body has a filtering section mzde of a filter material. The body is shaped so as to have an internal chamber and an outlet for allowing fluid to leave the internal chamber. The body is provided with a retaining section is -3for retaining a regeneration material for regenerating f1uid passing through the retaining section. The filtering section and retaining section are disposed such that the fluid being treated passes serially therethrough.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a filter body for use in a photofinishing processor. The body includes an internal chamber, an outlet for allowing fluid to leave the internal chamber and a filtering section for filtering particulate matter and for regenerating fluid passing through the filtering section. The filtering section comprising filtering material and regeneration material integrally combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a photographic processing system of an apparatus made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged partially cut away drawing of the filter housing and filter body of the apparatus of figure 1 showing the space for the regeneration material, and the flow pattern of the photographic processing solution through the filter housing; Figure 3 is a partially cut away drawing of the filter body of Figure 2 showing the space for the regeneration material created by segmenting the filter into an upper and a lower component with the regeneration material disposed with the body; Figure 4 is an exploded partially cut away drawing of the filter body with a space for the regeneration material created by segmenting the filter into inner and outer components with the regeneration material being disposed between the inner and outer filter components; Figure 5 is a schematic drawing of a multi tank wash/stabilizer section of a photographic processor also made in accordance with the present invention with three separate filter regeneration filter cartridge each containing a different regeneration material; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified filter partially broken away made in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures I and 2 there is illustrated a schematic drawing of the photographic processing solution recirculation 12 and replenishment system 14 of an apparatus 10 of the present invention. The recirculation system 12 comprises a tank 20 which holds the photographic processing solution 22 and a rack 24 which transports the sensitized material 26 through the tank 20 via entry roller pair 28, turnaround roller pair 30, exit roller pair 32 and sensitized goods track 34. Solution 22 is recirculated through the tank 20 by means of recirculation pump 36 and conduit sections 38,39,40,41 in the direction indicated by the arrows 44. The tank 20 is connected to recirculation pump 36 via tank outlet 46 and conduit 41. The recirculation pump 36 is connected to filter cartridge 47 via conduit 38. The filter cartridge 47 includes having inlet port 50. The filter cartridge 47 in.turn is connected to heat exchanger 52 via filter housing outlet port 54 and conduit 39. The heat exchanger 52 is connected to the tank 20 via conduit 40 and tank inlet port 25. Overflow conduit 56 is connected to tank 20 via overflow port 58 completing the recirculation system 12. Control and logic unit 60 is connected to heat exchanger 52 via wire 62 and to temperature sensor 64 via wire 66. Metering pumps 68,69,70 are respectively connected to the recirculation system 12 via conduit 72 and conduit 38. The photographic processing replenishment chemicals used to replenish the photographic processing solutions are introduced via metering pumps 68,69,70 which are driven by motor 74 and connecting linkage 76. Pumps 68,69,70 are used to provide the correct amount of chemicals into the recirculation system 12, when photosensitive material sensor 78 senses photosensitive material 26 entering the tank 20. Sensor 78 transmits a signal to motor 74 via wire 80 logic and control unit 61 and wire 82, respectively. While logic and control units 60,61 are illustrated as two separate units, they are preferably a single unit and have been as two units for the sake of clarity in the drawings. Motor 74 drives pumps 68,69,70 via connecting linkage 76 introducing the correct amount of photographic processing replenishment chemicals into conduit 72 and conduit 38. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the photographic processing solution flows in the direction indicated by the arrows 84 into cartridge 47 via conduit 38 and filter housing inlet port 50. The filter cartridge 47 includes a housing comprising a filter housing top 86 and a filter housing lower section 88 removable secured to housing top 86. The filter housing top 86 directs the solution 22 into an outer chamber 91 between the filter housing lower section 88 and a filter body 90 disposed within the cartridge 47. The solution 22 then passes through the filter body 90 and into a retaining section 92 provided in body 90 which contains a regeneration material 94. The fluid the flows into an internal chamber 96 formed in filter body 90. The filter cartridge 47 is secured to apparatus 10 in any desired manner. Preferably, as in the present invention, the cartridge 47 is threadly secured to apparatus 10 so that the housing 48 can be -6easily secured or removed from apparatus 10. Also the size and shape of cartridge 47 is such that the cartridge 47 can be easily substituted for conventional filter units currently being used. In the particular 5 embodiment illustrated, filter housing section 88 is threadly secured to housing top 86. The removable lower filter housing section 88 also allows easy access to the filter body 90 placed therein for replacement of the body 90 as required. The body 90 includes an exit port 98 which is in fluid communication with the exit port 54 of cartridge 47 so as to allow processing solution to exit cartridge 47. Filter body 90, which is disposed adjacent the filter housing bottom 89, removes particulate solid contaminants and debris that may be present in the photographic processing solution 22. The regeneration material 94 contained in the retaining section 92 in the filter body 90 is designed to remove unwanted chemical contaminants that are dissolved in the photographic processing solution 22 as the photographic processing solution 22 flows through the filter housing 48.

Referring to Figure 3 there is illustrated a partially cut away exploded drawing of filter body 90 showing filter bottom component 104 and mating lid 106.

The bottom component 104 has a generally cylindrical shell configuration having inner wall section 107 and outer wall section 109 which forms retaining section 92 therebetween and a bottom section Ill which rests on the filter housing bottom 89. Lid 106 has a downwardly extending annular projection 112 designed to mate with the opening 114 of retaining section 92 and provide a sealing relationship so as to prevent treated processing solution from escaping from chamber 96. The lid 106 is preferably made of a material which does not allow processing fluid to pass therethrough.

The body 90 comprises a filtering section 100 which allows processing solution to flow from outer chamber 91 between the housing 48 and filter body 90 through filtering section 100 into internal chamber 96.

The body 90 in filtering section 100 mzy be made of any filtering material desired so as to remove the desired particulate matter so long as it is compatible with the processing solution 22. Preferably the filtering section 100 of filter body 90 is made of a material having a porosity equal to or less than about 80 microns. In the embodiment illustrated the filter body 90 is made of cellulose. Also as illustrated, the bottom component 104 is integrally formed of a single material. Since bottom section 111 is disposed adjacent bottom 89, all of the processing fluid will pass serially through the particulate filter section and the regeneration material.

The regeneration material 94 treats the processing solution 22 such that unwanted chemical contaminates are removed from the processing solution 22 so that the effectiveness and/or life of the processing solution is improved. Preferably the regeneration material 94 is an ion exchange resin. The resin can be a mixed bed resin or of a single type resin. In the embodiment illustrated the regeneration material 94 is a mixed bed resin comprising a strong acid and strong base. In particular, regeneration material 94 comprises polystyrene sulfonic acid mixed with quaternary arnmonium salt. A suitable regeneration material is sold by Rohm Haas under the trade mark AMBERLITE.

Referring to Figure 4, there is illustrated a partially cut-away exploded drawing of one method of constructing a filter body 90 made in accordance with the present invention. In the particular embodiment illustrated, an annular outer shell filter component is provided made of an appropriate filter material. A cylindrical shell 122 made of a regeneration material is provided for placement adjacent the inner surface 124 of annular outer shell filter component 120. A generally annular inner shell filter component 126, also node of an appropriate filter material, is disposed against the inner surface 128 of shell 122. Retaining section 92 for the regeneration material 94 is created by segmenting the filter body 90 into inner filter component 126 and outer filter component 120 with the regeneration material 94 being a solid segment fitting between the inner and outer filter components 126,120, respectively.

Figure 5 is a schematic drawing of a multi tank wash/stabilizer section 200 of a photographic processor such as a Noritsu 1201 processor. Three separate filter regeneration cartridges 210,220,230 each containing a different regeneration material are connected to wash/stabilizer tanks 212,222,232, and recirculation pumps 214,224,234, respectively, via conduits 240,241,242,243,244,245,246,247,248, respectively. Replenishment solution is metered into the last wash/stabilizer tank 232 via conduit 250 and replenishment pump 252 driven by motor 254 and connecting linkage 256. The flow of solution through tanks 212,222,232 in multi-tank wash/stabilizer section is in the direction shown by the arrow 260. The flow of the replenishment solution is in a counter current direction, that is in a direction opposite the travel of the photosensitive material 26 show by arrow 262. Replenishment solution enters tank 232 and overflows into tank 222, the wash/stabilizer solution from tank 222 overflows into tank 212, and the overflow from tank 212 exits the processor via overflow conduit 264. The wash/stabilizer solution in tank 212 is recirculated through tank 212 and filter housing 210 -9via pump 214 and conduits 240,241,241, respectively. The wash/stabilizer solution in tank 222 is recirculated through tank 222 and filter housing 220 via pump 224 and conduit 243,244,245, respectively. The wash/stabilizer solution in tank 232 is recirculated through tank 232 and filter housing 230 via pump 234 and conduit 246,247,248, respectively. The wash/stabilizer in each of the tanks 212,222,232 passes through the regeneration material in each of the filter housings 210,220,230. The filter housings 210,220,230 can each contain a different type of regeneration material.

Referring to Figure 6 there is illustrated a modified filter body 390 made in accordance with the present invention. The body 390 provides the same function as filter body 90 and is placed in the filter housing 48 in a similar manner, like numerals representing like parts. In this embodiment the body 390 is an integrally formed structure comprising of a sintered polymer. In particular, the sintered polymer provides filtering of the particulate matter and for regeneration of the processing solution. Therefore, the sintered polymer is formed so as to provide the desired porosity and is made of a material or materials for removing the undesired chemical component or components.

As the filter body 90 becomes used, or no longer becomes useful in filtering particulate matter and for regenerating the processing solution, the used filter body (or entire the cartridge) is replaced with a fresh filter body (or filter cartridge.) Additional a processor that uses an existing particulate filter cartridge can be easily converted to also regenerate the processing solution.

While a filter cartridge and/or body made in accordance with the present invention can be used for -10any desired processing solution, the present invention is best suited for use in the rinsing portion of a photographic processor, and most preferably for use with minilab and microlabs type processor extending the life of rinsing solution and minimizing the effluent that must be disposed of.

The present invention provides a filter cartridge for filtering out particulate matter from a photographic processing solution while at the same time regenerating the processing solution. The cartridge is relatively inexpensive and easy to install and/or replace.

It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention being limited by the claims.

- 1 1 -

Claims

1. A filter body for use in a photofinishing processor, said body having a filtering section being made of a filter material and having an internal chamber, an outlet for allowing fluid to leave said internal chamber, and a retaining section for retaining a regeneration material for regenerating fluid passing through said retaining section, said filtering section and said retaining section being disposed such that the fluid being treated passes through said filtering material and regeneration material.

2. A filter body for use in a photofinishing processor, said body having an internal chamber and an outlet for allowing fluid to leave said internal chamber, said body having a filtering section for filtering particulate matter and for regenerating fluid passing through said filtering section, said filtering section comprising filtering material and regeneration material integrally combined.

3. A filter regeneration cartridge for use in a photofinishing processor, comprising: a housing having an internal chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with said chamber and an outlet; a filter body disposed within said chamber, said body having a filtering section made of a filter material for filtering particulate matter from fluid flowing through said housing and a retaining section for retaining a regeneration material for regenerating fluid passing through said retaining section, a internal chamber is provide which is in fluid communication with said outlet, said filtering section -12and said retaining section being disposed such that the fluid being treated passes through said regeneration material and filtering material in to said internal chamber.

4. A filter body according to claims or 3 wherein said filtering material and said regeneration material comprises a single material

5. A filter body according to claims 1, 2,or 3 wherein said filtering material and said regeneration material comprises a sintered polymer.

1, 2,

6. A filter body according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said filter material has a porosity less than or equal to about 80 microns.

7. A filter body according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said regeneration material comprises an ion exchange resin.

8. A filter body according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said filter material comprises a cellulose material.

9. A filter body according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said regeneration material comprises a mixed bed resin.

10. A filter body according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said regeneration material comprises polystyrene sulfonic acid mixed with quaternary ammonium salt.

11. A filter body according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said regeneration material comprises strong acid and strong base.

12. A filter regeneration cartridge according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said filtering material and said regeneration material comprises a single material.