JP2000503139A - Slot applicator for processing solution - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for applying a liquid (29) to a photosensitive element (13), comprising the steps of disposing an upwardly facing slot (5) in an application head 1); ) Into the slot (5) along the length of the slot (5), and continuously moving the downward photosensitive element (29) on the slot (5), Contacting the element (13) with the liquid (29) in the slot (5), and the liquid (29) being contained in or on the photosensitive element (13); Removing the photosensitive element (13) from the slot (5), wherein the amount of liquid (29) supplied to the slot (5) is controlled by the amount of liquid (29) carried away from the slot (5). Device (1) and method wherein the excess liquid (29) is less than or equal to the amount of (29) and is collected from said slot (5).

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a coating method and an apparatus used for an image forming technique. The invention particularly relates to an apparatus and method for applying an active chemical to an exposed photosensitive medium, particularly a developer and activator, and fixing the chemical to the exposed silver halide imaging medium. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional processing of silver halide photosensitive materials has been and is commonly performed using tanks containing the required processing solutions. The media is transported through the processing solution via suitable devices of rollers and guides. The rotational movement of the rollers, together with the impeller and recirculation pump in the tank, helps to stir and uniformly process the media. Although the tanking method is mainly used commercially, this method has several significant drawbacks. Tank handling equipment is susceptible to oxidation by its nature and shortens the life of some chemicals. Further, tank processing equipment is generally bulky to achieve the required processing time at an acceptable transport speed. Taken together, these drawbacks require frequent replenishment for consistent results. As laser imaging products have evolved, work environments have shifted from high-capacity darkroom-based machines that can handle a wide range of silver halide media, to relatively small ones that can work under white light in environments such as offices. Is probably moving to a dedicated machine. Many examples of application methods using slot or slit-like devices are known. One example of the slot type is commonly used for precision coating of photographic emulsions for single and multilayer applications. However, this means that the width of the gap is about 0. A 5 mm precision slot that operates by feeding the solution to the moving web at the same speed as the solution is pumped. Another slit applicator was developed by Fairchild for the U.S. Navy (PS & E, Volume 5, 1961). This applicator was equipped with a 70 mm applicator head through which the film to be processed passed. The viscous solution was supplied to and stored in a slotted undercut, which applied the solution onto the emulsion as the film was withdrawn. U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,630 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,580 describe another group of coaters, described as slot coaters, which operate on the principle of requiring the film to pass through a narrow slit. In a typical arrangement of this applicator, a narrow slit is filled with a solution and the solution is transferred to the film as it passes through the slit. Some configurations are claimed to promote uniformity of application and improve agitation. All coaters in this group are based on the film passing through an orifice rather than above the slit. Another variation of these coaters is described in U.S. Patent No.A 5043756, which uses a double-walled U-shaped tank with a small internal volume and through which the film is processed. Is performed. EP A 525 886 describes an applicator with a slit orifice consisting of a plurality of flow channels. The applicator has an integral manifold for distributing the solution evenly into a narrow channel and then placing the solution on a receiving film. In fact, the feeding is effected by a plurality of individual streams flowing down each channel, which coalesce to form a continuous layer on the film. There is no provision for collecting the effluent. GB 821031 discloses a device for applying a liquid to the surface of a material, comprising a processing head having a trough or dent with inlet and outlet openings for the processing liquid and a short edge from the edge of the trough or dent. Means for maintaining the material at a distance, a reservoir of the processing liquid, and a liquid in the reservoir as air is drawn into the trough or dent through the space between the trough or dent and the material. Means for applying suction to the trough or dent via the outlet opening such that the tub is absorbed into the trough or dent. The air layer formed by the suction is indispensable for generating a turbulent flow in the processing head for effective processing. GB 2209228 describes a system for developing exposed silver halide films. In this system, the film moves on a conveyor with the emulsion side facing up, and the viscous developer is placed on a moving film with a series of openings near one end of the container and conveyor. The film is applied by gravity from the feeder, and near the other end is equipped with a blade for removing excess spent developer, and the squeegee roll is used to clean the used film before cleaning and fixing the developed film. The agent is squeezed from the film. The developer is applied through a narrow slit at the bottom of the container, which slit is perpendicular to the direction of film movement. The uniformity of the developing layer is achieved on the moving film by the roof part, and the space is filled with the developer by adjusting the developer supply speed and the distance between the roof part and the conveyor. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new method of processing exposed photosensitive media in the form of films, papers, printing plates and the like, based on silver halide, for images. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of applying a liquid to a photosensitive element, comprising the steps of: equipping an application head with a slot upwardly; and supplying a solution into the slot uniformly along the length of the slot. Moving the photosensitive element downwardly over the slot and contacting the element with the solution in the slot; and photosensitive with the liquid contained in or on the photosensitive element. Removing the element from the slot, wherein the amount of solution supplied to the slot is greater than the amount of solution carried away from said slot, and excess solution is collected from the slot. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an apparatus for applying a solution to a photosensitive element, comprising a housing, an upwardly facing slot in the housing, and a housing for supplying liquid from the reservoir to the slot uniformly along the length of the slot. Means for transporting the photosensitive medium to the slot and arranging the photosensitive medium in contact with the solution in the slot, and means in the housing for removing excess solution from the slot. provide. An insert may also be located in the slot, the insert having a rounded surface facing the photosensitive element that contacts the solution in the slot. The means for removing the solution from the slot can return the removed solution to a reservoir or a separate collection device and is preferably switched between these modes. The processing steps are performed by transporting the photosensitive medium across the application head, a key component of the application head being a slot. The processing solution is pumped to a slot in the coating head and discharged from the slot. In normal operation, the design aspect and the pumping speed of the processing solution into the slot will result in a bead in which the solution is continuously and continuously replenished (replenished) uniformly along the entire length of the slot. The solution removed from this bead is absorbed by the medium and used to process the photosensitive element. The apparatus is suitable for all stages of conventional silver halide processing, such as activated development, development, fixing, bleaching and stabilization. Cleaning steps can be performed in this way, but are not very efficient. Processing using the apparatus described in the present invention includes reducing exposure of chemicals to the atmosphere, using small amounts of processing solution, efficiently agitating the solution at the solution application location in the slot, and reducing the unit cost of the processing apparatus. There are many advantages over conventional tank processing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric vertical sectional view of a slot coater. FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the slot coating device and the reservoir according to the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The apparatus of the present invention can be used to process any photographic material with a liquid chemical in the developing, fixing, washing, activating and blocking steps. Solutions such as developer, fixer, wash water and activator can be applied to the photosensitive layer at one or more appropriate stages of processing via one or more applicator heads. The applicator heads work in conjunction with appropriate transport rolls that guide the film along the heads and follow the appropriate path to bring the film into close contact with the top surface of each head. The transport system can also pass the film at a constant speed over each application head and thus throughout the process. Limited and controlled application of the solution is performed in each head, and each head applies a thin coating of the solution on the photosensitive layer. A separate applicator head can be equipped to apply each of the various solutions required for the various stages of processing the film. Accordingly, the apparatus comprises a series of applicator heads spaced apart by a distance sufficient to allow the relevant portion of the film to reach the next applicator head after each stage of the processing cycle is completed. . The required spacing depends on the speed at which the film is transported through the device, and the spacing and transport speed can be adjusted to suit different situations. When two or more applicator heads in series are used in the same stage of a processing cycle such as development, the throughput can be increased. Alternatively, using one or more applicator heads according to the present invention, only a portion of the processing cycle, such as development only, or development and fusing, is performed, while other cycle portions are traditionally processed, such as bath processing and spraying. It can be done by means. Due to the simplicity of the system, the method can be applied to many different sized media, such as 200 mm or less in width. Conventional liquid mechanisms and design considerations can be applied to the device to distribute the liquid evenly over the surface of the medium and to evenly replenish the medium in the area of liquid application. For example, if the slot is wider at the edge than at the center, the liquid can flow uniformly to the edge of the medium in the application location or area. Alternatively or additionally, the use of a manifold can provide a uniform supply of liquid along the entire length of the slot. Preferably, the liquid, such as the activator solution, is pumped somewhat more than the medium actually absorbs or absorbs. With some pumping, there is always enough liquid in the application area to meet the demands of the system. Excess solution can be collected in the drain and recycled to the reservoir, and the overflow or excess liquid in the drain is sent to the reservoir. This spill is minimally soiled by contact with the media, but is detected when soiling is excessive and at any point in time, or when the formulation in the reservoir is not in proper chemical equilibrium. The overflow solution is pumped out of the reservoir for individual replenishment, washing or disposal. It is preferable to take certain measures to promote good and uniform contact between the film and the coating solution. The film should move in an arcuate or convex path toward the slot coater so as to maintain pressure against the slot or the surface of the housing defining the slot. The predetermined pressure is maintained by applying the front edge or plane of the film to the front surface of the slot while maintaining a convex profile. This helps to bring the media into effective contact with the application area of the slot. Equipping the housing surface in front of the slot with slip paint allows the film to move smoothly and eliminate wear. Films of polytetrafluoroethylene and other slip materials serve this purpose. Further, when the slot insert is disposed in the slot, the flow of the liquid in the application area can be appropriately adjusted. The insert may be a bar or a semi-cylindrical bar with a rounded end facing upwards, towards a slot or facing into a slot. The insert can include an absorbent or carrier material to carry or maintain the liquid at the application location, such as gauze, reticulated foam, mesh, and the like. The method of the present invention is used in applying an activator or "enhanced" activator solution to a silver halide imaging medium, such as the diffusion transfer imaging media described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,062,041 and 4,784,933. Particularly suitable for: These activator solutions are relatively high pH solutions (pH 9. 0-12. 5 or more), in the case of enhanced activators, the activator solution further includes some developer. The method and apparatus have also been found to be useful for the application of other active solutions, not just active agents. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly useful for activator systems. This is because the activator only needs to contact the image forming medium for a very short time as compared to the developing solution or other active solutions. The applicator of the present invention is also very useful for applying a fixing solution. The system has been used where the fixer solution is applied in a linear array after the activator has been applied. Conventional processing units generally have a series of rolls that turn the film about 90 ° and 180 ° toward various tanks or applicators. In the case of linear processing, as in the present invention, the film does not need to rotate more than 90 ° as before, between any two solution applications, especially between the activator and fixer applications, This angle is preferably 50 ° or less, more preferably 40 ° or less, and most preferably less than 20 °. Diffusion transfer systems (activator development systems are well known) and graphic arts media (especially greater than 75% AgCl, preferably 80%) are particularly useful silver halide systems in the method and apparatus of the present invention. % AgCl, most preferably 90% to 100% with a silver chloride component such as AgCl). The method and apparatus of the present invention have the further advantage of reducing the amount of solution that needs to be used to process a fixed amount of media. The solution can be easily heated just prior to application, and heating can be done only in the amount needed for feeding. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the heated solution is the volume absorbed by the medium and a modest overflow back to the reservoir. In conventional tank or tank processing equipment, the relatively high working temperature causes significant energy costs since the total volume of the processing solution must be continuously maintained at the working temperature. Furthermore, photographic processing solutions (especially developer solutions) are known to degrade rapidly when kept at high temperatures for extended periods of time. In the apparatus of the present invention, a very small amount of the solution is heated at any one time, and a fixed amount of the solution is kept hot for a very short time, for example a few seconds. Therefore, the energy costs caused by heating the solution are low and the risk of promoting decomposition of the processing solution is minimal. Therefore, the processing can be performed at a temperature higher than the temperature which can be normally used by using the conventional apparatus, so that the processing amount can be increased. Since the liquid to be applied is relatively small, the possibility of excessive softening of the gelatin layer due to the heat content of the coating solution is less than in the case of a hot immersion bath. Also, if a cooling device such as a Peltier element is used as a means of returning the overflow or excess to the reservoir, the heated liquid will not return to the reservoir. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a basic slot applicator 1 with a frame (or housing) 3 having an upwardly facing slot 5. The film (or photosensitive element) 13 to be treated with the solution (arrow 29) is fed by a nip roll 15 and a guide roll 17 to the advancing surface 9 of the frame 3 in front of the slot 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the film is arcuate as it approaches the advance surface 9 and describes a convex path towards the device 1. The solution (or liquid) 29 enters the slot coater 1 via the duct 33 and exits the slot coater via the duct 31. The materials used for the construction must be inert to all the solutions used and have sufficient mechanical strength to maintain the integrity of the assembly. In the assembled form, the structure can be divided into three parts: solution supply, application and solution discharge. The solution 29 is supplied to one side of the head 1 and is uniformly pushed up to the slot 5 along the length of the slot 5, the coating is performed in the slot 5, and the excess solution is discharged from the facing surface. The head 1 of the coater is provided with two ducts 23, 25 or nozzles (not shown) in the lower half of the body 1 for the inflow and outflow of the solution. The solution 29 supplied to the inflow side via the pump 21 is pushed into the slot 5 after entering a manifold (not shown). The slot 5 itself has a gap of about 1 to 15 mm (for example, 5 mm), and this value is preferably 3 to 10 mm, and has a length corresponding to the entire width of the coater. It can be applied to films with dimensions below the corresponding maximum width. Below the slot 5 in FIG. 2 is a semicircular bar insert 7 whose width is approximately equal to the width of the slot 5. The solution 29 supplied from the manifold (not shown) follows the contour of the insert 7 and is fed thereon. In another embodiment of the invention, the semicircular bar 7 is replaced by a circular bar, not shown. This circular bar is also housed in the slot, the slot being wide enough to accommodate the circular bar and deep enough to accommodate the circular bar below so as to form a profile similar to that of the semi-circular bar insert 7. Having Since the insert 7 and the slot 5 are similar, the solution fills this gap, forming a longitudinal bead (not shown) in the liquid. The gap between the bar insert and the edge of the slot 5 can be adjusted depending on the viscosity and flow rate of the solution to form the desired bead in the slot. The bar 7 can be adjusted by changing the height of two adjusting screws (not shown), one at each end, where the bottom of the bar is located. The general operating range of the gap width is 0. 1-2. 0 mm. At the rear edge 35 of the slot 5 between the rear part of the top plate 11 and the insert 7 there is a gap 37 allowing the solution 31 to be drained into a narrow trough where small volumes of solution (not shown) can be collected. . The solution is discharged from this trough via outlet nozzle 25 by the action of lifting or gravity. This spent solution 31 can be returned to the feedstock reservoir 19 or sent to a waste treatment device (not shown). Film drive systems use a suitable set of rolls, such as rubberized, of the type used in conventional processing systems. These rolls are arranged on each side of the coating head 1 which feeds or winds the film 13 onto the head. In addition to the roll 15, several suitable fixed guides (not shown) are required to form a precise supply path to or from the head. Each slot requires a minimum of two pairs of drive pinch rolls 15, but in the case of a multiple slot system (not shown), one pair of rolls between slots can be shared by both applicators. The length of the path between each roll must be slightly less than the minimum length of the film to be processed so that the take-up roll can grab before the feed pair leaves. The film 13 is supplied with the photosensitive layer facing down so that the photosensitive layer (not shown) contacts the solution in the slot 5. In one embodiment, the roll first guides the lower surface of the film (generally the surface to be treated, ie, the photosensitive surface) down and bends the film media so that the film media is compressed. Next, the film is turned again by the rolls, this time the lower surface of the film is compressed, and when reaching the front edge 9 of the application head, the sheet is pulled by a slight force (elastic recovery force) to the upper surface of the head. Is guided to be pressed against. The outlet side of the head can be very similar in configuration to the inlet side, but requires an additional roll to press the film onto the head towards the rear edge. The path that the film follows as it passes over the coating head is essentially horizontal, with the surface treated by the processing solution facing downwards, although some errors in both directions are acceptable. However, as the application leads themselves tilt from the horizontal, the risk of processing solution leakage is likely to increase. The action of the beads that occur in the slots creates a thin layer of solution between the head and the film. Capillary action returns some solution to the front edge, and the drag action of the moving film also creates a thin layer behind the slot. The various stages of the bonding effect result in a film coated with a thin layer of the solution. This layer remains on the surface until it is removed by the squeegee action of a pair of rolls or discharged in a subsequent process. The feed rate of the solution to the slot is an important parameter and is directly related to the speed of film transport on the head for optimum coating performance. Proper processing of the film requires a certain minimum amount of solution, the amount that the gelatin absorbs and the layer that is carried away on the film surface. The solution feed rate associated with the film transport speed must at least meet this minimum requirement. For best results it is necessary to supply a little more than the minimum required. The supplied excess solution flows into a drain and is recycled. Typical feed rates range from 10 to 50 cc per 100 mm slot at a film transport speed of 3 to 6 mm / sec. Lifting may begin shortly before reaching the leading edge of the film and end when the trailing edge exits the slot area. This feature helps reduce atmospheric oxidation because the solution does not come into contact with the surrounding air when the pump is not running. The timing of pump utilization can be achieved by placing a suitable film detector just before the coating head, which predicts the proper start-up time of the slot with the solution before the film arrives. . Temperature is an important parameter in photographic processing and must be tightly controlled for consistent results. Slot applicators have significant advantages in this regard over conventional tank processing equipment where the solution can rise to a predetermined temperature in the head body. This means that the solution is optionally heated just before it is applied to the photographic film. Thus, the life of the chemical is greatly extended. That is, in a large tank of the developer and the activator kept at a high temperature, the effect of rapid oxidation occurs. An electrical heating element (not shown) can be placed in the area of the supply manifold to apply thermal energy, such elements being controlled by a temperature detector near the slot. Alternatively, using a heat exchanger, the heated solution (such as water) can be totally separated from the photographic solution and pumped through the head body. The thermal energy released by the water heats the head body and consequently the photographic solution. In the latter embodiment, it is advantageous to make a substantial portion of the head body from a good heat conductor, such as metal or some ceramic, which promotes the heat transfer process, forms a thermal mass, and stabilizes some temperature fluctuations Help to make. In the case of a high-temperature treatment exceeding 35 ° C., in order to obtain advantages, the solution is partially heated to a medium temperature where the oxidation rate by the atmosphere is low, and then the solution is heated to a desired temperature in the head body by the means described above. . In another embodiment, the circular insert is coated with a mesh material to completely cover the outer surface that contacts the processing solution. With this coating, the bar diameter actually increases and needs to be readjusted to restore the original slot clearance, but nevertheless, the highest point of the insert is below the level of the operating film surface. is there. The effect of the mesh is to carry the solution along the width of the gap and help distribute the solution evenly on the film during the coating process. The large surface area of the net has the property of attracting water and helps stabilize the beads formed. Reticulated materials are compatible with the solutions used, and stainless steel, polyester and nylon are good examples, but these are not the only suitable candidates. The size of the mesh may affect the effect of adding the mesh material. Optimum mesh is in the range of 20 to 200 meshes per inch. Operating as a complete system with at least one slot coater is required for each chemical processing step of the process. If a stage requires additional processing, it can be done with two or three slot coaters arranged in series. It is also contemplated to use a slot coater in a system that uses conventional bath processing, replacing one or more processing steps with a slot coater. Industrial Applicability 5-17. A suitable transport system was provided to guide the film over the slot at a constant speed adjustable to 0 mm / sec. The pump used to supply and drain the solution was a peristaltic pump connected to a slot coater via poly (vinyl chloride) tubing, and a separate circuit was used to supply and drain the solution. The flow rate for the slot was adjusted from the pump and set at a rate that produced a continuous bead along the width of the slot. Prior to treatment, the feed line was primed by pumping until solution was present in the slot, eliminating bubbles from the tubing. After priming, the coater can now contain the film material. Although the operation of the pump can be adjusted manually, such a system is theoretically suitable for full automation with the appropriate sensors to detect the position of the film relative to the slot. The sheet of photographic film to be processed was sent to a first set of pinch rolls and to the lower slot. Shortly before the film reached the slot, the feed pump was activated and shortly thereafter the discharge pump was activated. The two pumps continued to run until the trailing edge of the film exited the slot area, after which both pumps were turned off. The same procedure was used regardless of the stage of the processing cycle performed. Due to the short processing time required, this slot coater is particularly suitable for activation processes in which high pH solutions are used to initiate development from the layer applied beneath the emulsion carrying the developer. A small amount of activator at high pH, evenly applied, is sufficient to initiate development and process to an appropriate image density. Photographic emulsions with a high chloride and low bromide composition have particularly short processing times (less than 5 sec) and can be completely processed by passing over a slot at a speed of ~ 10 mm / sec and a feed rate of 50 cc / min. Can be processed to density. In this example, the activator was not recycled and only the fresh solution was fed into the slot. Fixing and washing were performed by a conventional bath treatment. The test was repeated on 10 individual sheets of the exposed film with the following results: Speed point measured at Sp-1 0.1 + dmin Sp-2 Speed point measured at 0.2 + dmin Sp-3 Speed point measured at 1.0 + dmin TH-1 Point 0.07 + dmin and comparison (gradient) between points 0.17 + dmin TH-2 point Contrast between 0.17 + dmin and 0.37 + dmin TH-3 Contrast between 0.50 + dmin and 2.50 + dmin Con-1 Contrast between 0.1 + dmin and 2.5 + dmin (gradient) Con-2 Between 1.6 and 4.0 absolute density Contrasts (gradients) These sensitometric data are very comparable to the data obtained from bath processing. In the case of an emulsion containing a large amount of bromide, the processing time is increased to reduce the development speed. A typical emulsion used in the laser scanning example has a bromide content of 35%. To use these emulsions coated with a developer with an underlayer and also to fully develop them using a high pH activator treatment, at an activator pumping rate of 50 mls / min, 4 mm / We need a slow speed of sec. Development Processing In this example, a conventional film (a DRC-V development solution commercially available from Imation Corp. of Oakdale, Minn., Which was part of the 3M Company of St. Paul, Minn.) Was exposed to a conventional film ( (DRC-P film commercially available from Imation Corp., Oakdale, Minn., Which was part of the 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.). Due to the long processing time required, a film transport speed of 5 mm / sec was used at a developer supply rate of 50 mls / min. At 25 ° C., a single pass formed a D-max of about 1.5. This is in contrast to the standard 4.5 when processed in the conventional way. If the film is passed twice over the head, the value is 3.7, still insufficient development. Upon heating the developer to 38 ° C., a single pass formed a D-max of about 4.0. When the developer was concentrated without diluting 1 + 4 with water, the concentration became about 2.8 in one pass and 4.42 in two passes. The temperature was 35 ° C. in both cases. The results show that a relatively concentrated developer solution flowing at the correct temperature (35 ° C.) can achieve near standard performance by passing twice over the head. This corresponds to one pass through two heads in series.

[Procedure of Amendment] Article 184-8, Paragraph 1 of the Patent Act [Submission Date] March 13, 1998 (1998.3.13) [Correction contents]                             The scope of the claims   1． A method of applying a liquid 29 to a photosensitive element, comprising:   A housing 3 having an upper plate 11 defining a substantially upward slot 5 in the dispensing head 1 Comprising:   A step of supplying the liquid 29 uniformly into the slot 5 along the length of the slot 5; And   A substantially forward-facing photosensitive element 13 is continuously moved on the slot 5, Contacting the element 13 with the liquid 29 in the slot 5;   With the liquid 29 contained in or on the photosensitive element 13 Removing the photosensitive element 13 from the slot 5; The amount of the liquid 29 supplied to the slot 5 is based on the amount of the liquid 29 carried away from the slot 5. Collecting excess liquid 29 from said slot 5. .   2． The liquid 29 is an activator liquid for silver halide development, and the photosensitive element 1 3 is a silver halide photosensitive element having a silver halide emulsion on a support The emulsion is exposed when the photosensitive element 13 contacts the liquid 29 in the slot 5. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is arranged between the support and the slot (5).   3． There is an insert 7 in the slot 5 and the liquid 29 is on the insert 7 The method of claim 1, wherein the moving is performed.   Four. The insert 7 has a rounded surface facing the photosensitive element 13. The method of claim 3.   Five. The photosensitive element 13 is bent to bring the element 13 into contact with the coating head 1. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is rigid.   6． The amount of the liquid 29 supplied to the slot 5 depends on whether the element 13 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the liquid 5 carried away when leaving 5 is not more than twice.   7． The amount of the liquid 29 supplied to the slot 5 depends on the amount of the element 13 carried away. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the amount of liquid 29 is less than 120%.   8. An apparatus 1 for applying a liquid to a photosensitive element,   The coating device comprises a housing 3 having an upper plate 11 defining a substantially upward slot 5. 1 and   A liquid 29 supplied to the slot 5 uniformly along the length of the slot 5; Means in the housing 3;   The photosensitive element 13 is conveyed to the slot 5, and the liquid 29 in the slot 5 is The photosensitive element 13 is arranged to be in contact with the photosensitive element 13 or in the photosensitive element 13. With the liquid 29 contained on the photosensitive element 13, the photosensitive element 13 is removed from the slot 5. Transport means for transporting away;   Means in said housing 3 for removing excess liquid 29 from said slot 5. Device 1.   9． Further comprising an insert 7 disposed in the slot 5; Has a rounded surface facing the photosensitive element 13 that contacts the liquid 29 in the slot 5 9. The device 1 according to claim 8, wherein the device 1 has a surface.   Ten. Said means for removing liquid 29 comprises a reservoir 19 for delivering removed liquid 29;   Heating means for heating the liquid 29 before the liquid 29 reaches the slot 5 When,   Cooling means for cooling the excess liquid 29 removed from the slot 5; 9. The device 1 according to claim 8, further comprising:

Claims (1)

[Claims]   1． A method of applying a liquid 29 to a photosensitive element, comprising:   The coating head 1 has a slot 5 that is substantially upward, and is uniform along the width of the slot. Supplying a liquid 29 into the slot 5;   A substantially downwardly directed photosensitive element 13 is continuously moved over said slot 5 and said element 1 Bringing 3 into contact with the liquid 29 in the slot 5;   With the liquid 29 contained in or on the photosensitive element 13 Removing the photosensitive element 13 from the slot 5; The amount of the liquid 29 supplied to the slot 5 is based on the amount of the liquid 29 carried away from the slot 5. Collecting excess liquid 29 from said slot 5. .   2． The liquid 29 is an activator liquid for silver halide, and the photosensitive element 13 A silver halide photosensitive element comprising a silver halide emulsion on a support, The emulsion is exposed when the photosensitive element 13 contacts the liquid 29 in the slot 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is disposed between the support and the slot 5.   3． An insert 7 is present in the slot 5 and the liquid 29 The method of claim 1, wherein the method moves on.   Four. The insert 7 has a rounded surface facing the photosensitive element 13. The method of claim 3.   Five. The photosensitive element 13 is bent to bring the element 13 into contact with the coating head 1. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is rigid.   6． The amount of the liquid 29 supplied to the slot 5 depends on whether the element 13 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the liquid 5 carried away when leaving 5 is not more than twice.   7． The amount of the liquid 29 supplied to the slot 5 depends on the amount of the element 13 carried away. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the amount of liquid 29 is less than 120%.   8． An apparatus 1 for applying a liquid to a photosensitive element,   A housing 3 defining a substantially upward slot 5;   A liquid 29 supplied to the slot 5 uniformly along the length of the slot 5; Means in the housing 3;   The photosensitive element 13 is conveyed to the slot 5, and the liquid 29 in the slot 5 is The photosensitive element 13 is arranged to be in contact with the photosensitive element 13 or in the photosensitive element 13. With the liquid 29 contained on the photosensitive element 13, the photosensitive element 13 is removed from the slot 5. Transport means for transporting away;   Means in said housing 3 for removing excess liquid 29 from said slot 5. Equipment.   9． Further comprising an insert 7 disposed in the slot 5; Has a rounded surface facing the photosensitive element 13 that contacts the liquid 29 in the slot 5 9. The device 1 according to claim 8, wherein the device 1 has a surface.   Ten. Said means for removing liquid 29 comprises a reservoir 19 for delivering removed liquid 29;   Heating means for heating the liquid 29 before the liquid 29 reaches the slot 5 When,   Cooling means for cooling the excess liquid 29 removed from the slot 5; 9. The device 1 according to claim 8, further comprising: