JP2003107662A - Image forming method and image information generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a high-sensitivity color image with low Dmin and high Dmax which can be digitally processed and has little processing irregularity by easy and rapid processing by using color negative film used widely at present. SOLUTION: In this image forming method in which silver halide color photographic sensitive material and a processing member are superposed under the existence of a water medium for forming an image while they are consecutively carried, whereby heat development is performed, relation among the time (Sa: second) to absorb the water medium for forming the image of the photographic sensitive material, the time (Sb: second) to absorb the water medium for forming the image of the processing member and carrying speed (V: cm/second) satisfies following usual expressions (1) and (2). The usual expression (1) is 1 <=Sa×V<=600 and the usual expression (2) is 1<=Sb×V<=600.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method and an image information forming method by heat development using a processing member of a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and an aqueous medium for image formation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a light-sensitive material or a light-sensitive material) is used as a material which provides a high quality image at a low cost while being convenient. It has been used in Japan and has made a great contribution to the development of industry and culture, making it an indispensable material.

This silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is
For example, in the case of a color negative film, a color development process is usually performed after exposure, and Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) dye images are formed together with the formation of a silver image. In the subsequent bleaching process, the silver image is bleached into silver halide, and in the fixing process, the silver halide becomes a soluble silver complex and is removed from the photosensitive material. After that, a stabilizing treatment is performed for the purpose of washing out and fixing the fixing agent in the light-sensitive material.

However, in the case of the color negative film processing (for example, the process C-41) which is most widely used at present as described above, many processing steps are required, resulting in problems such as long processing time and large size of the apparatus. was there. In addition, water is required to prepare the processing solution, and the dissolution work is difficult. It is dangerous to handle a solution having a high pH. Management of fatigue of the processing solution after development processing is complicated. There were problems such as being unfavorable.

Conventionally, in a large-scale laboratory, the above-mentioned problems were rarely noticed, but in recent years, as the number of in-store processing called a mini-lab has increased in order to improve the convenience of color film processing, it is not a specialist. There has been a long-awaited advent of a photo processing system that is simple, safe, environmentally friendly, small, and capable of short-time processing, which allows even part-time workers to work. On the other hand, in order to further enhance the convenience of color film processing, there is a growing demand for introducing processing systems to places where development processing equipment has not been installed in the past, such as convenience stores, and is replacing existing systems. There has been a demand for the development of a photographic system that is simpler, safer to work with, has no waste liquid, is environmentally friendly, and is compact and capable of processing in a short time.

[0006] Various attempts have hitherto been made to meet these demands. For example, JP-A-9-325463 and JP-A-10-62938 disclose a method of forming an image by heating a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material in the presence of water in combination with a processing agent. ing. According to these methods, it is certainly possible to easily process a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, but the light-sensitive material used here is a specific one containing a color developing agent, and a normal color negative It was not possible to process the film.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-184055 and 11-65054 disclose a technique of forming a dye image by applying a developing solution containing a color developing agent to a photosensitive material by a method such as coating or spraying. It is disclosed. These image forming methods have the advantage of being able to process a normal color negative film, but it was hard to say that the performance such as color development during development and processing unevenness reached the commercial level applicable to various color negative films. .

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-166449 discloses a developing device having a donor web positioned along a processing path for applying a cleaning mechanism and a coating of a processing solution to a thrust film cartridge. There is disclosed a method of developing an existing film. According to this processing method, only some kinds of commercial color negative photosensitive materials can be developed, and there is a problem in compatibility with various photosensitive materials.
Further, the disclosed donor web has problems such as contamination of the processing liquid in the developing device and uneven development, and processing conditions are not disclosed.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-161236, the swelling speed of an image receiving material of a diffusion transfer light-sensitive material is defined as 0.
2 to 1.5 times, JP-A-9-325463 discloses an example in which a developing agent-containing sensitive material is treated with a processing member having a higher degree of swelling in water than the sensitive material. Are all about the processing of the dedicated light-sensitive material, the effect on the general-purpose color negative film according to the present invention,
No mention is made of the relationship between the absorption time and the transport speed, which is a necessary requirement of the present invention.

Furthermore, today's so-called "digitalization era"
In, the image information can be stored as a signal by optically reading the image information from the film on which an image has been formed by performing development processing after shooting, converting it into an electrical signal and performing digitization processing. Further, it is beginning to be processed by a computer or the like to obtain a dye image by soft copy or hard copy. For this image formation, not only silver halide photographic film (color negative film) but also image input (photographing) by a so-called digital camera using a solid-state image sensor has been generally performed.
However, particularly low-priced digital cameras have low pixel density and a narrow dynamic range, so high-quality images cannot be obtained, and the price is orders of magnitude more expensive than ordinary lens-equipped film (disposable cameras). is there. On the other hand, the method of reading image information after a simple development process on a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material has various problems as described above in the development process and is not satisfactory.

[0011]

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to use not only a special silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material but also a color negative film which is widely used at present.
It is to obtain an image that can be digitally processed, has less processing unevenness, and has low Dmin, high Dmax, and high sensitivity by a simple and quick process.

[0012]

It has been found that the above problems of the present invention can be solved by the following constitution.

1) An image of a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material in an image forming method in which a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and a processing member are continuously conveyed and overlaid in the presence of an aqueous medium for image formation to perform heat development. The relationship between the formation aqueous medium absorption time (Sa: seconds), the image formation aqueous medium absorption time (Sb: seconds) of the processing member, and the transport speed (V: cm / sec) is represented by the general formulas (1) and (2). An image forming method, characterized in that:

2) In the image forming method in which a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is continuously conveyed, an aqueous medium for image formation is applied by a spray method or a coating method through a gas phase to perform heat development, the silver halide color is used. Aqueous medium absorption time (Sa: seconds) and transport speed (V:
cm / sec) satisfies the general formula (3).

3) The image forming method as described in 1) or 2) above, wherein the heat development is 43 ° C. or higher and 95 ° C. or lower.

4) The image forming method described in any one of 1) to 3) above, wherein the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material has an ISO sensitivity of 800 or more.

5) The viscosity of the image forming aqueous medium is 25 ° C.
2. The image forming method according to any one of 1) to 4) above, wherein the image forming method is 10.1 mPa · s or more and 15000 mPa · s or less.

6) The image forming method as described in any one of 1) to 5) above, wherein the image forming aqueous medium contains a color developing agent.

7) A digital image information producing method, characterized in that the image produced by the image forming method described in any one of 1) to 6) above is converted into an electric signal after being read by an image sensor.

8) The method for producing digital image information as described in 7) above, wherein the reading with the image sensor is performed while leaving silver halide and developed silver, or all or part of developed silver.

The present invention will be described in detail below. The image forming method of the present invention includes: 1. After applying the aqueous medium for image formation to the continuously conveyed processing members, the color negative photosensitive materials which are also continuously conveyed are overlapped and heated and developed. 2. After applying an aqueous medium for image formation to the continuously conveyed color negative photosensitive material, heat development is performed by superimposing it on a processing member which is also continuously conveyed. The method is roughly classified into three methods of applying a water-based medium for image formation to a color negative photosensitive material that is continuously conveyed and then performing heat development,
In either case, an image-like silver image or color-developing dye image is formed in the color negative photosensitive material.

The silver halide color photographic light-sensitive materials targeted by the image forming method of the present invention are all kinds of color negative light-sensitive materials which are mainly commercialized, and special light-sensitive materials such as light-sensitive materials containing a developing agent are incorporated. It does not cover only materials.

The outline of the image forming method of the present invention will be further described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming method mainly according to claim 1, which is an example of performing thermal development using a processing member and an image forming aqueous medium. The plurality of transport rollers 50 are
A transport path for continuously transporting the photosensitive material F and the processing member 301 is formed. The photosensitive material F is transferred to the processing member 30 from the film feeding unit 400 through the film leading-out unit 401.
1 is conveyed to the bonding section 404. Further, the image forming aqueous medium is supplied by the processing liquid cartridge onto the processing member 301 supplied from the processing member supply roll 300. Then, the processing member 301 and the photosensitive material F are superposed on each other in the bonding section 404, so that the developer is supplied to the photosensitive material F. Further, the superposed photosensitive material F and the processing member 301 are conveyed to a drum belt type thermal developing machine 303 and subjected to thermal development under uniform temperature control. The aqueous medium for image formation by the processing liquid cartridge 107 may be applied to the processing member as shown in FIG. 1 or may be applied to the photosensitive material F. Although the image forming aqueous medium is applied to the processing member in FIG. 1, the image forming aqueous medium may be applied to the photosensitive material, although not shown.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an image forming method according to the second aspect of the present invention, which is an example in which an aqueous medium for image formation is applied to a light-sensitive material to perform heat development. The photosensitive material F, after having its leading end pulled out, is conveyed by the conveying roller 50 to the first heating unit 51, is given an aqueous medium for image formation by the treatment liquid cartridge 107, and is further supplied with the second heating unit 52.
Is heated and developed at a predetermined temperature. Further, the fixing sheet 205 pulled out from the fixing sheet supply roll 206 is superposed on the fixing sheet 205, and a fixing process is performed during heating of the third heating unit 208.

The carrying speed in the present invention means a moving linear speed (cm / sec) when the photosensitive material and / or the processing member as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is continuously carried in a web form. Although the transport speed may be changed depending on the process portion in the moving route, the transport speed of the present invention means all the transport speed values including the change in this case.

The absorption time of the image forming aqueous medium according to the present invention is defined as follows. A photosensitive material, a processing member, and an aqueous medium for image formation are treated at 25 ° C and 55% relative humidity under 48%.
Leave for hours. Next, the aqueous medium for image formation was applied to the light-sensitive material and the processing member respectively, and after sufficient time necessary for swelling was given, the aqueous medium for image formation remaining without being absorbed on the surface was scraped off. , The mass of the image forming aqueous medium per unit area of the photosensitive material and the processing member (g /
m ² ) is measured. This mass measurement value is defined as the maximum absorption amount of the image forming aqueous medium of the photosensitive material and the processing member. This operation is performed by changing the time from application of the aqueous medium for image formation to scraping, and the time for giving an absorption amount of 1/2 times the maximum absorption amount is determined by absorbing the aqueous medium for image formation of the photosensitive material and the processing member. Defined as time. The absorption value measured by the above mass measurement method is, for example, Photo. Sci. Eng. 16
Vol. 449 (1972) has the same meaning as the value of the film thickness measurement value using the swelling meter, and it is possible to convert from mass to volume by using the specific gravity of the aqueous medium for image formation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method in which a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and a processing member are continuously conveyed and superposed by heat development in the presence of an image forming aqueous medium. The image forming aqueous medium absorption time of the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is Sa (second), the image forming aqueous medium absorption time of the processing member is Sb (second), and the conveying speed is V (c).
m / sec), Sa, Sb, and V satisfy the following general formulas (1) and (2).

General formula (1) 1 ≦ Sa · V ≦ 600 General formula (2) 1 ≦ Sb · V ≦ 600 Further, claim 2 of the present invention provides an image while continuously conveying a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material. An image forming method in which a water-based forming medium is applied by a spraying method or a coating method through a gas phase to perform heat development, wherein an absorption time of the aqueous medium for forming a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is Sa (seconds). When the transport speed is V (cm / sec), Sa and V satisfy the following general formula (3).

General formula (3) 1 ≦ Sa · V ≦ 600 The maximum absorption amount and absorption time of the aqueous medium for image formation of the light-sensitive material or the processing member are determined by the amount of the hydrophilic binder and the hardness of the hydrophilic binder. It also depends on the additive composition of the protective layer and the type and amount of the inorganic salt coexisting in the binder. Further, it also largely changes depending on the pH of the image forming aqueous medium, the composition of the contained compound, and the salt concentration. In particular, commercial color negative light-sensitive materials have different maximum absorption amounts and absorption time measurement values depending on the light-sensitive material manufacturing maker and product type, but the development processing is performed so as to satisfy the relationship of claim 1 or claim 2 of the present invention. By doing so, stable development results can be obtained with little processing unevenness.

The value of Sa.V or Sb.V of the present invention is 1
If the value is smaller than the above value, the transport speed V is lowered and the development processing time is delayed, and if the value of Sa · V or Sb · V exceeds 600, excess image formation is caused by delay of absorption time of the photosensitive material or the processing member. There is a problem that the aqueous medium contaminates the transportation route. The preferred range is 10 ≦ Sa · V ≦ 4
0 and 10 ≦ Sb · V ≦ 40.

The processing member according to the present invention will be described. The processing member refers to a sheet-shaped member used for performing color development processing by bonding together in the presence of a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and an aqueous medium for image formation, and is used in conventional light-sensitive materials. It refers to a sheet-shaped processing member in which a binder layer containing a specific compound as necessary is provided on a support made of such a material.

As the support of the processing member, those used as supports of conventional photosensitive materials can be used. For example, polyolefin films such as polyethylene, polystyrene films, polycarbonate films, cellulose derivatives such as cellulose triacetate. Film, polyester film such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate,
Polyester film with a substituent such as a polar group introduced,
Examples thereof include films such as polyimide obtained by reaction of pyromellitic acid or its anhydride with diamine.

When it is assumed that the image is read after the color development processing as described later, without substantially removing silver and a silver compound from the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and without further peeling the processing member. The optical density of the support used in the treatment member of the present invention for visible light is desirably as low as possible.

The binder coated on the processing member includes
The same materials as those generally used in light-sensitive materials can be used, but hydrophilic ones are preferable. An example of this is Research Disclosure (below, R
(Abbreviated as D) and those described on pages (71) to (75) of JP-A No. 64-13546, and a hydrophilic binder which is transparent or translucent when applied is preferable,
The transparent one is particularly preferable.

Specifically, for example, proteins such as gelatin and gelatin derivatives, or cellulose derivatives, natural compounds such as starch, gum arabic, dextran, pullulan, polysaccharides such as carrageenan, polyvinyl alcohol,
Examples thereof include synthetic polymer compounds such as polyvinylpyrrolidone and acrylamide polymers. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,96
No. 0,681, superabsorbent polymers described in JP-A-62-245260, i.e. -COOM or -SO ₃
A homopolymer of a vinyl monomer having M (M is a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal) or a copolymer of these vinyl monomers with each other or with another vinyl monomer (for example, sodium methacrylate, ammonium methacrylate, potassium acrylate) is also used. To be done. These binders can be used in combination of two or more kinds. When used in combination, a combination of gelatin and another binder is preferred. Further, the gelatin may be selected from lime-processed gelatin, acid-processed gelatin, so-called demineralized gelatin having a reduced content of calcium and the like according to various purposes, and it is also preferable to use them in combination.

The aqueous medium for image formation of the present invention may contain at least one color developing agent and / or a precursor of a color developing agent.

The color developing agent refers to a compound capable of forming a dye image by reacting with a coupler by reducing silver halide having a latent image and becoming an oxidant by itself. Specific examples of the color-developing agent are described in JP-A-4-87641, pages 26 to 31 (C
-1) to (C-16), JP-A-61-289350, 2
(1) to (8) described on pages 9 to 31 and (1) described on pages 5 to 9 of JP-A-3-246543.
To (62), exemplary compounds (C-1) and (C-3) described in JP-A-4-86741, JP-A-61-28
Exemplified Compound (2) described in JP-A-9350, and Exemplified Compound (1) described in JP-A-3-246543, and general formulas I to V of JP-A-2001-154325.
P-phenylenediamine-based developing agents such as the compounds described in JP-A-2001-154325.
To V, sulfonamide phenol type color developing agents, sulfonamide aniline type color developing agents, hydrazine type color developing agents and the like can be mentioned. Also, JP-A-5-241305 and 11-167185.
No. 11-358973 of the general formula (1)-
The p-phenylenediamine color developing agent precursor described in (6) can also be used.

Of these, in order to efficiently achieve the object of the present invention, it is preferable to use a p-phenylenediamine type color developing agent, and a compound having a hydrophilic group such as a hydroxyl group or a sulfonyl group is particularly preferable. It can be preferably used.
The p-phenylenediamine-based color developing agent preferably used in the present invention is, for example, the compounds described in JP-A No. 11-223910, (C-1) to (C-12).

Examples of the pH adjusting agent in the image forming aqueous medium include alkaline agents such as potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, potassium phosphate, potassium hydrogen carbonate and sodium hydroxide. As a PH buffer, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, trisodium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium borate, potassium borate, tetraborate. Sodium acid (borate), potassium tetraborate, sodium o-hydroxybenzoate (sodium salicylate), potassium o-hydroxybenzoate, sodium 5-sulfo-2-hydroxybenzoate (sodium 5-sulfosalicylate),
Examples thereof include potassium 5-sulfo-2-hydroxybenzoate (potassium 5-sulfosalicylate).

Among these, it is preferable to use carbonate or phosphate. Further, as a base or base precursor system described later, a poorly water-soluble metal compound and a complex forming compound may be used. In the present invention, the pH of the image forming aqueous medium added at the start of the developing step is 25 ° C.
It is preferably in the range of 8.0 to 11.0, and more preferably in the range of pH 9.5 to 10.4.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming aqueous medium is 10.1 mPa · s to 15,000 mP at 25 ° C.
It is characterized by having a viscosity of a · s. 10.1 mP
If the viscosity is less than a · s, the retention stability of the applied aqueous medium for image formation will be insufficient, which will cause uneven processing.
When the viscosity is more than 00 mPa · s, the viscosity is high, so that the stability of the applied amount to the photosensitive material or the processing member is insufficient, and the apparatus becomes complicated. As a method of adjusting the viscosity, for example, by including a water-soluble polymer in the processing liquid in the range that does not affect the development processing performance, or to control the salt concentration in the range that does not affect the processing performance,
Examples thereof include a method of adding a hydrophilic solvent other than water to an extent that does not affect the treatment performance, but the method is not particularly limited thereto.

The water-soluble polymer usable in the present invention includes, for example, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, polyvinyl pyridinium halides, vinyl polymers such as various modified polyvinyl alcohols and their derivatives, polyacrylamide, polydimethylacrylamide, polydimethylaminoacrylate. Polymers containing acrylic groups, such as polysodium acrylate, acrylic acid methacrylic acid copolymer salt, polymethacrylic acid sodium salt, vinyl acrylate vinyl alcohol copolymer salt, starch, oxidized starch, carboxyl starch, dialdehyde starch, cationization starch,
Natural polymer materials such as dextrin, sodium alginate, gum arabic, casein, pullulan, dextran, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose or their derivatives, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyvinyl ether, polyglycerin, alkyl vinyl ether maleate Copolymer, maleic acid-N
Examples thereof include vinylpyrrole copolymers, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, and synthetic polymers such as polyethyleneimine.

In order to efficiently achieve the object of the present invention, the total amount of the color-developing agent or the color-developing agent precursor applied from the aqueous medium for image formation, the photosensitive material or the processing member is 3.0 mmol / m 2. ^{2 to} 50.0 mmol / m ²
Is preferred. If it is less than this range, a sufficient color developing density cannot be obtained, and if it is more than this range, fog is generated or it is necessary to dissolve a high concentration of the color developing agent in the image forming aqueous medium, so that the image forming aqueous medium is stable in storage. It is not preferable because the property deteriorates.

The image forming aqueous medium provided in the present invention may be composed of only one kind of liquid, or may be a mixture of two or more kinds of partial liquids. When two or more kinds of partial liquids are mixed, the mixing may be performed on the surface of the photosensitive material or the processing member, or may be applied to the photosensitive material or the processing member immediately after mixing. It is desirable that the aqueous medium for image formation is composed of only one kind of liquid from the viewpoints of simplification of the structure of the processing apparatus and uniformity of processing.

In order to efficiently achieve the object of the present invention, a base precursor can be used as the alkali source. Here, the base precursor refers to a compound that releases an alkali by a reaction, and is, for example, JP-A-56-137.
45, the base generator described in 57-132332,
British Patent No. 998,949, US Patent No. 3,220,
No. 846, No. 3,523, 795, JP-A-50-22.
No. 625, No. 59-168440, and No. 59-1684.
No. 41, No. 59-180537, No. 60-23744.
No. 3, No. 61-32844, No. 61-36643,
61-52639, 61-51139, 61
-51140, 61-52638, 61-53
No. 631, No. 61-53634, No. 61-53635.
No. 61-53636, 61-53637, 61-53638, 61-53639, 61-
53640, 61-55644, 61-556.
45, 61-55646, 61-2199950.
No. 61-251840, which release or form a base component by heating, European Patent Publication No. 2
10,660, U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,445 and the like, which are poorly water-soluble basic metal compounds, and a complex formation reaction between metal ions constituting the basic metal compounds and water to release alkali. The combination of the compounds can be mentioned.

In the present invention, a combination of a basic metal compound which is poorly soluble in water as a base precursor, and a compound which causes a complex formation reaction to release an alkali using water as a medium and a metal ion constituting the basic metal compound is used. Is particularly preferred.

The above-mentioned "basic metal compound sparingly soluble in water (hereinafter, also referred to as sparingly soluble metal compound)" and "a compound capable of forming a complex with a metal ion constituting the basic metal compound and water as a medium to release alkali. (Hereinafter, also referred to as a complex forming compound) "is defined as a base precursor.

Examples of the complex forming compound for a metal ion which constitutes a basic metal compound which is poorly soluble in water include, for example, aminocarboxylic acids or salts thereof such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, aminophosphonic acids or the like. Salts, pyridylcarboxylic acids such as 2-picolinic acid, pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and 5-ethyl-2-picolinic acid, or salts thereof, iminodiacetic acids such as benzyliminodiacetic acid, α-picolinyliminodiacetic acid or salts thereof, etc. Can be used. The complexing compound is
It is preferably used in the form of a salt neutralized with an organic base such as guanidine or an alkali metal such as potassium.

Examples of the basic metal compound which is sparingly soluble in water include metal oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, phosphates, silicates, nitrates and aluminas having a solubility in water at 20 ° C. of 0.5 or less. Examples thereof include acid salts, and it is particularly preferable to use a metal compound represented by the following general formula (M).

In the general formula (M) Z _g X _h , Z represents a metal other than an alkali metal, X represents an oxide ion, a hydroxide ion, a carbonate ion, a phosphate ion,
Represents silicate ion, nitrate ion or aluminate ion. g and h each represent an integer such that the valences of Z and X are balanced. The metal compound represented by the general formula (M) may have water of crystallization and may form a double salt.

In the general formula (M), Z is Z
n ²⁺ , Co ²⁺ , Ni ²⁺ , Fe ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Cu ²⁺ , Hg
^Examples thereof include metal ions such as ²⁺ , Zr ²⁺ , Ba ²⁺ , Sr ²⁺ and Ca ²⁺ . Preferred is Zn ²⁺ ion. X
Examples thereof include oxide ion, hydroxide ion, phosphate ion and carbonate ion.

Specific examples of the compound include Zn (OH)
₂ , ZnO, Co (OH) ₂ , CoO, Ni (OH) ₂ ,
Cu (OH) ₂ , Fe (OH) ₂ , Mn (OH) ₂ , Ba
CO ₃ , SrCO ₃ , CaCO ₃ , basic zinc carbonate, basic cobalt carbonate, basic nickel carbonate, basic bismuth carbonate and the like can be mentioned. Among them, when dispersed in a dispersion medium containing water, Those that are not colored are preferred.

As a method of introducing the base precursor, at least one kind of the base precursor is contained in the aqueous medium for image formation. When the combination of the complex-forming compound and the sparingly soluble metal compound is supplied from the image forming aqueous medium, the image forming aqueous medium is separated into two or more partial liquids as described above, and each of the partial liquids is complexed. A method of separately introducing the forming compound and the sparingly soluble metal compound is preferable.

In order to more efficiently achieve the object of the present invention, the aqueous medium for image formation contains a complex-forming compound,
The processing member and / or the light-sensitive material may contain a poorly soluble metal compound, or the aqueous medium for image formation may contain a poorly soluble metal compound and the processing member may contain a complex-forming compound. Is effective. in this case,
For example, when the processing member contains a poorly soluble metal compound and the image forming aqueous medium contains a complex forming compound,
It is desirable that the processing member contains substantially no complex-forming compound and the image-forming aqueous medium contains substantially no sparingly soluble metal compound. Further, a constitution in which the light-sensitive material contains a hardly soluble metal compound, the processing member contains a complex-forming compound, and the aqueous medium for image formation does not contain a base precursor can also be used in the present invention.

In order to efficiently achieve the object of the present invention, when gelatin is used in the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and the processing member, the total amount of gelatin used and Regarding the relationship of the amount of the complex-forming compound, and further the relationship of the ratio of the complex-forming compound and the amount of the sparingly soluble metal compound, the amount of gelatin contained in the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is a (g / m ² ), The amount of gelatin contained in the processing member was b (g / m ² ), and the amount of the complex-forming compound contained in the processing member or provided by the aqueous medium for image formation was c (g / m ² ). If 1 ≤
It is preferable that the relationship of c / (a + b) ≦ 10 is satisfied. Further, the amount of the hardly soluble metal compound contained in the processing member or provided by the image forming aqueous medium is d (g).
/ M ² ), it is preferable that 0.1 ≦ d / c ≦ 6.

Since the carboxyl group and amino group in gelatin have a pH buffering ability in the neutral pH region, in order to secure a sufficient alkali amount, the amount of gelatin and the amount of the complex forming compound, and further the amount of the complex forming compound are It is important to define the amount of sparingly soluble metal compound. On the other hand, the complex-forming compound has an inhibitory effect on silver halide to some extent depending on the kind of the compound. This suppressing action is not a serious problem for a silver halide emulsion having a high developability such as used in an ornamental silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material. However, the main object of the present invention is to
It has a considerable effect on a silver halide emulsion having a high silver iodide content and a relatively low developability, which is used as a photographic light-sensitive material such as a color negative film. From this viewpoint as well, it is important to define the above quantitative ratio.

For the image forming aqueous medium of the present invention, for example, the antifoggant, stabilizer, preservative, solubilizing agent, chelating agent and the like described in JP-A No. 11-223910 can be used. When bromide ions are attached as an antifoggant, addition of 0.1 mol / L or more is preferable.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material contains substantially no color-developing agent and color-developing agent precursor, and further, the processing member substantially contains color-developing agent and color-developing agent. It is preferable not to contain the active ingredient precursor. Since the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and the processing member do not substantially contain the color developing agent and the color developing agent precursor, the storability of the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and the processing member is improved and is always stable. A dye image can be obtained.

The aqueous medium for image formation of the present invention may be applied to a processing member and then overlaid with a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, or may be applied over a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and then overlaid with a processing member. May be processed together,
In order to achieve the object of the invention more efficiently, it is effective to apply an aqueous medium for image formation to a processing member and then superimpose it on a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material.

The aqueous medium for image formation used in the present invention is used as a coating aid when the aqueous medium is applied to the light-sensitive material or the processing member, and when the binder is applied to the processing member. As the above, it is preferable to add a surfactant. The surfactant to be used is not particularly limited, and surfactants, coating aids and the like which are generally used in the preparation of a light-sensitive material can be used.

As a method for applying the aqueous medium for image formation of the present invention, a spray method through a gas phase or a coating method can be adopted. As the spray method, a method of flying droplets by utilizing vibration of a piezoelectric element (for example, a piezo type inkjet head), or a method of flying droplets by using a thermal head utilizing bumping, air pressure or liquid A spray method in which a liquid is sprayed by pressure can be used.

The term "coating method" as used in the present invention means that a fixed amount of an image forming aqueous medium is supplied to the surface of a photosensitive material or a processing member by a so-called coating method, and a tank filled with the image forming aqueous medium. It does not include a method in which the photosensitive material is dipped in and the components are permeated into the photosensitive material by diffusion from the bulk liquid.

As the processing liquid supply means by the coating method,
There is a method of applying the liquid through a member such as a roller or a method of directly supplying the liquid such as curtain coating. In particular,
Air doctor coater, blade coater, rod coater, knife coater, squeeze coater, impregnation coater, reverse roller coater, transfer roller coater, curtain coater, double roller coater, slide hopper coating, gravure coater, kiss roll coater, bead coater, cast coater , A spray coater, a calendar coater, an extrusion coater and the like. Particularly preferable methods include a squeeze coater, a gravure coater, an impregnation coater, a bead coater, and a blade coater.

In order to efficiently achieve the object of the present invention,
It is preferable to carry out heat development processing to shorten the processing time.
As a condition for the heat development treatment, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, the heat development temperature is 43 ° C. or higher and 95 ° C. or lower. At a developing temperature below 43 ° C,
The development time is delayed, and at a development temperature above 95 ° C,
Although it is possible to shorten the development time, it is difficult to suppress the increase in the minimum color density and adjust the color balance, which causes a problem in matching with various photosensitive materials. A more preferable developing temperature range is 50 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower.

As the heating means for heating the sensitive material, there are a conduction heating means such as a heating drum and a thermal belt for heating by conduction and heating by conduction, a convection heating means for heating by convection such as a dryer, infrared rays or high frequencies. Radiation heating means for heating by radiation such as electromagnetic waves. And
In the case of the conduction heating means, it is preferable that the heat source to be heated comes into contact with the back surface side of the processing member in order to prevent adverse effects on the back surface of the photosensitive material to be processed.

In the present invention, the development stopping process may or may not be performed after the color developing process step is completed by the above-mentioned image forming method. The development stop treatment is, for example, a treatment of applying an acid to the light-sensitive material after the development treatment, a treatment of applying a development inhibitor to the light-sensitive material, a treatment of applying a compound that deactivates a color developing agent to the light-sensitive material, and developed silver. It refers to a process of applying a compound capable of being oxidized to a light-sensitive material.

In order to simplify the processing, it is advantageous not to carry out the development stopping processing. Specifically, after the color development reaction is accelerated under the heat development condition, after sufficient image density is obtained, It is effective to transfer the light-sensitive material to a low temperature condition such as room temperature so as to reduce the progress of the color development reaction to a level at which there is no actual harm.

In order to efficiently achieve the object of the present invention, it is effective to read the image formed on the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material with a scanner and convert it into an electric signal based on the above-mentioned image forming method. is there.

The scanner is a device for optically scanning the developed photosensitive material and converting the optical density of reflection or transmission into image information. When scanning, it is common and recommended to move the optical part of the scanner in a direction different from the moving direction of the photosensitive material to scan the required area of the photosensitive material. Only the optical part of the scanner may be moved, or only the photosensitive material may be moved to fix the optical part of the scanner.
Alternatively, a combination of these may be used.

When the image information of the developed photosensitive member is read, the light amount of the reflected light or the transmitted light is radiated over the entire surface or slit-scanned by irradiating the light in the wavelength region capable of absorbing at least three dyes. The measuring method is preferred. In this case, it is preferable to use diffused light because it is possible to remove information such as the matting agent and scratches on the film, as compared with the case of using parallel light. Further, it is preferable to use a semiconductor image sensor (for example, an area CCD or a CCD line sensor) for the light receiving section.

In order to more efficiently achieve the object of the present invention, it is possible to remove silver and a silver compound from the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material which has been subjected to color development processing based on the above-mentioned image forming method. That is, it is possible to read the formed image without performing so-called bleaching processing and fixing processing,
This is effective for simplifying the processing and promptly obtaining image information. Further, it is also effective to read the image information as it is without peeling off the silver halide from the photographic light-sensitive material after the processing member used in the color development processing is completed.

The silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material used in the present invention has a color-developing method with a coupler, a color-developing method with a leuco dye, a color filter layer and a silver halide layer. Any method such as a method of obtaining a color image without developing can be used. In particular, a method in which color development is performed with a coupler to develop a color is preferably used.

The silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention comprises a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion capable of recording red, green and blue light. It is preferred to have layers.

In the present invention, the silver halide emulsion described in RD308119 can be used.

[0075]

[Table 1]

In the present invention, the silver halide emulsion is
Those that have been physically aged, chemically aged and spectrally sensitized are used. The additives used in such a process are Research Disclosure No. 17643, No. 18716
And No. 308119 (Respectively RD1764
3, RD18716 and RD308119).

[0077]

[Table 2]

Known photographic additives that can be used in the present invention are also described in the following RD.

[0079]

[Table 3]

Various couplers can be added to the present invention, and specific examples thereof are described in RD below.

[0081]

[Table 4]

The additive used in the present invention is RD308.
It can be added by the dispersion method described in 119XIV.

In the present invention, the above-mentioned RD17643 is used.
28, RD18716, pages 647-648 and RD3.
The supports described in 08IX XIX can be used.

The light-sensitive material of the present invention includes the above-mentioned RD3081.
An auxiliary layer such as a filter layer or an intermediate layer described in Section 19VII-K can be provided.

The light-sensitive material of the present invention is the same as the above RD30811.
Various layer configurations such as the forward layer, the reverse layer, and the unit configuration described in Item 9VII-K can be adopted.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a light-sensitive material having an ISO sensitivity of 800 or more is developed by the image forming method of the present invention. The ISO sensitivity of the present invention means the American
an National Standard (ANSI)
PH 2.27 (1988) "ISO speed determination of color negative film used for still photography". Although the ISO sensitivity has different values depending on the development processing conditions, in the present invention, the ISO sensitivity value obtained by performing the development processing by using the designated recipe of the C41 process (Eastman Kodak Company, USA) or its prescription is used.

When the light-sensitive material of the present invention is used in the form of a roll, it is preferable that it be housed in a cartridge. The most common cartridge is the current 135 format or IX-240 format cartridge. Other cartridges proposed in the following patent documents can also be used. That is, the actual exploitation 58-67
329, JP-A-58-181035, 58-18.
No. 2634, No. 58-195236, U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,479, JP-A No. 1-231045, Japanese Patent Application Nos. 63-183344, 2-170156, and Japanese Patent Application No. 1-21862. Kaihei 2-205843, 2
-257271, No. 2-199451, No. 2-20
1441, No. 2-214853, No. 2-21144
3, No. 2-264248, No. 3-37646, No. 3-37645, No. 2-124564, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,846,418, No. 4,848,693, No. 4,832. The cartridge technology disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 275, etc. can be referred to.

Next, a film cartridge which can be loaded with a light-sensitive material will be described. The main material of the cartridge used in the present invention may be metal or synthetic plastic. Preferred plastic materials are polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyphenyl ether and the like. Furthermore, the cartridge may contain various antistatic agents, and carbon black, metal oxide particles, nonions, anions, cations and betaine-based surfactants or polymers can be preferably used. These antistatic patrones are disclosed in JP-A-1-125537.
No. 1-312538. Especially 25
The resistance at 25 ° C. and 25% RH is preferably 10 ¹² Ω or less. Usually, a plastic patrone is manufactured by using a plastic in which carbon black, a pigment and the like are kneaded in order to impart a light shielding property. The size of the Patrone is currently 135
You can leave the size as it is, or you can reduce the size of the camera by changing the diameter of the current 135 size 25 mm cartridge to 22 mm.
The following is also effective. The volume of the cartridge case is preferably 30 cm ³ or less, and more preferably 25 cm ³ or less. The mass of the plastic used for the cartridge and the cartridge case is preferably 5 to 15 g.

Further, a patrone that rotates the spool to feed the film may be used. Further, the structure may be such that the tip of the film is housed in the cartridge body and the tip of the film is fed to the outside from the port of the cartridge by rotating the spool shaft in the film feeding direction. These are US Pat. Nos. 4,834,306 and 5,226,61.
No. 3 is disclosed.

The light-sensitive material of the present invention can be used by loading it in a film unit with a lens which is generally commercially available. The light-sensitive material of the present invention is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-1584.
27, JP-A-11-352564, JP-A-2000-
The film unit with a lens described in No. 19607 can be loaded and used preferably.

[0091]

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be described more specifically by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

Example 1 [Preparation of Photosensitive Material Sample 101] Sample 101 was prepared by sequentially coating the following materials on a cellulose triacetate film.
The numerical value corresponding to each component indicates the coating amount expressed in g / m ² . In addition, silver halide and colloidal silver are shown by numerical values converted into metallic silver. Further, regarding the sensitizing dye, the addition amount is shown in mol unit with respect to 1 mol of silver halide in the same layer.

Sample 101 First Layer (Antihalation Layer) Black Colloidal Silver 0.20 UV-1 0.30 CM-1 0.040 OIL-1 0.167 Gelatin 1.33 Second Layer (Intermediate Layer) CM- 1 0.10 OIL-1 0.06 Gelatin 0.67 Third layer (low sensitivity red color sensitive layer) Silver iodobromide a 0.298 Silver iodobromide b 0.160 SD-1 2.4 × 10 ^-5 SD-2 9.6x10 ^-5 SD-3 2.0x10 ^-4 SD-4 8.9x10 ^-5 SD-5 9.2x10 ^-5 C-1 0.56 CC- 1 0.046 OIL-2 0.35 AS-2 0.001 Gelatin 1.35 4th layer (medium-sensitive red color-sensitive layer) Silver iodobromide c 0.314 Silver iodobromide d 0.157 SD- ^{1 2.5 × 10 -5 SD-2} 5.6 × 10 -5 SD-3 1.2 × 10 -4 SD-4 2.0 × 10 -4 SD-5 2 ^{2 × 10 -4 C-1 0.36} CC-1 0.052 DI-1 0.022 OIL-2 0.22 AS-2 0.001 Gelatin 0.82 Fifth Layer (high sensitivity red-sensitive layer ) Silver iodobromide c 0.094 Silver iodobromide e 0.856 SD-1 3.6 × 10 ⁻⁵ SD-4 2.5 × 10 ⁻⁴ SD-5 2.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ C-2 0.17 C-3 0.088 CC-1 0.041 DI-4 0.012 OIL-2 0.16 AS-2 0.002 gelatin 1.30 6th layer (intermediate layer) OIL-1 0.20 AS-1 0.16 Gelatin 0.89 7th layer (low-sensitivity green color-sensitive layer) Silver iodobromide a 0.19 Silver iodobromide d 0.19 SD-6 1.2 × 10 ^-4 SD- ^{7 1.1 × 10 -4 M-1} 0.26 CM-1 0.070 OIL-1 0.35 DI-2 0.007 gelatin 1.10 8th layer ( Sensitivity green-sensitive layer) Silver iodobromide c 0.41 Silver iodobromide d 0.19 SD-6 7.5 × 10 -5 SD-7 4.1 × 10 -4 SD-8 3.0 × 10 ^-4 SD-9 6.0 x 10 ^-5 SD-10 3.9 x 10 ^-5 M-1 0.05 M-4 0.11 CM-1 0.024 CM-2 0.028 DI-3 0.001 DI-2 0.010 OIL-1 0.22 AS-2 0.001 Gelatin 0.80 9th layer (high-sensitivity green color-sensitive layer) Silver iodobromide a 0.028 Silver iodobromide e 0.49 SD-6 5.5 × 10 ⁻⁶ SD-7 5.2 × 10 ⁻⁵ SD-8 4.3 × 10 ⁻⁴ SD-10 2.6 × 10 ⁻⁵ SD-11 1.3 × ^{10 -4 M-1 0.068 CM-} 2 0.015 DI-3 0.029 OIL-1 0.14 OIL-3 0.13 AS-2 0.001 gelatin 1.00 10th layer (Ye -Filter layer) Yellow colloidal silver 0.06 OIL-1 0.18 AS-1 0.14 Gelatin 0.90 11th layer (low-sensitivity blue color-sensitive layer) Silver iodobromide d 0.11 Silver iodobromide a 0.15 silver iodobromide h 0.11 SD-12 1.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ SD-13 2.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ SD-14 1.6 × 10 ⁻⁴ SD-15 1.3 × 10 ^{− 4} Y-1 0.71 DI-3 0.016 AS-2 0.001 OIL-1 0.22 Gelatin 1.38 12th layer (high-sensitivity blue color-sensitive layer) Silver iodobromide h 0.31 Iodine Silver bromide i 0.56 SD-12 7.5 × 10 ⁻⁵ SD-15 4.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ Y-1 0.26 DI-4 0.054 AS-2 0.001 OIL-1 0. 13 Gelatin 1.06 Thirteenth layer (first protective layer) Silver iodobromide j 0.20 UV-1 0.11 UV-2 0.055 OIL-3 0.20 Gelatin 1.00 14th layer (2nd protective layer) PM-1 0.10 PM-2 0.018 WAX-1 0.020 SU-1 0.002 SU-2 0.002 Gelatin 0.55 The characteristics of the above silver iodobromide are shown below (the average particle size is the length of one side of a cube having the same volume).

Emulsion No. Average grain size Average AgI amount Diameter / thickness ratio Variation coefficient (%) Silver iodobromide a 0.27 2.0 1.0 1.0 15 Silver iodobromide b 0.42 4.0 1.0 1.0 17 Silver iodobromide c 0.56 3.8 4.5 25 Silver iodobromide d 0.38 8.0 1.0 15 Silver iodobromide e 0.87 3.8 5.0 21 Silver iodobromide f 0.30 1. 9 6.4 25 Silver iodobromide g 0.44 3.5 5.5 5.5 25 Silver iodobromide h 0.60 7.7 3.0 18 Silver iodobromide i 1.00 7.6 4.0 15 Silver iodobromide j 0.05 2.0 1.0 30 To each emulsion other than the above emulsion j, the above-mentioned sensitizing dye was added and ripened, and then trifurylphosphine selenide, sodium thiosulfate, and gold chloride were added. An acid and potassium thiocyanate were added, and chemical sensitization was performed according to a conventional method so that the fog and the sensitivity relationship were optimized.

In addition to the above composition, a coating aid SU-
3, dispersion aid SU-4, viscosity modifier V-1, stabilizer ST
-1, ST-2, two types of polyvinylpyrrolidone (AF-1, AF-2) having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 and a weight average molecular weight of 100,000, inhibitors AF-3, AF
-4, AF-5, hardeners H-1, H-2 and preservatives As
e-1 was added. The structures of the compounds used in the above samples are shown below.

[0096]

[Chemical 1]

[0097]

[Chemical 2]

[0098]

[Chemical 3]

[0099]

[Chemical 4]

[0100]

[Chemical 5]

[0101]

[Chemical 6]

[0102]

[Chemical 7]

[0103]

[Chemical 8]

[0104]

[Chemical 9]

[0105]

[Chemical 10]

[0106]

[Chemical 11]

Sample 101 produced as described above
Was exposed to white light at 1000 lux for 1/100 second through an optical wedge.

Next, a processing member and an aqueous medium for image formation were prepared. [Preparation of treated member 1] Under-coated transparent PEN with a thickness of 85 μm
A 20% aqueous solution of gelatin was adjusted to pH 6.5 on the support, a zinc oxide dispersion having an average particle size of 200 nm was added, and the mixture was stirred well. This solution was cast on a PEN support so that the amount of zinc oxide would be 4.5 g / m ² , then left at 23 ° C. and 50% RH for 10 hours, and then 40 ° C. and 80% RH. It was aged for 14 hours. A gelatin film containing zinc oxide having a thickness of 10 μm was formed on the PEN support. The amount of gelatin applied was 12 g / m ² .

[Preparation of aqueous medium 1 for image formation] Carboxymethyl cellulose 3.5 g Adenine 0.5 g Sodium sulfite 0.33 g 2-Methyl-4- (N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) -amino) a Niline sulfate (hereinafter abbreviated as CD-1) 2.63 g Sodium picolinate 14.0 g TORITON X-200 (manufactured by UNION CARBIDE) 0.55 g Water 60 g After dissolving the above mixture, 30% sodium hydroxide solution Was adjusted to a pH of 10.0 at 25 ° C., and water was further added to adjust the liquid volume to 100 ml. When the viscosity of the image forming aqueous medium 1 was measured after the preparation, it was 2
It was 500 mPa · s.

[Processing Step A] On the coated surface of the processing member 1,
130% of the image forming aqueous medium 1 using a blade coater
Sample 10 which was exposed to light after applying an amount of g / m ^2.
Superimpose it on the emulsion side of 1 and use a heat drum
Thermal development was carried out at 60 ° C. for 60 seconds. After the processing, the sample 101 and the processing member 1 were peeled off, and a black wedge-shaped image was obtained on the sample 101.

The measurement of Sa, Sb and V was carried out based on the method described in "Means for solving problems" in the text.

[Evaluation Method] With respect to the treated sample obtained in the above treatment step, the transmission density for green light was measured using a densitometer manufactured by X-rite. After performing the baseline density correction (subtracting the density of the unprocessed light-sensitive material), the maximum density (Dmax ), The minimum density (Dmin), and the relative sensitivity (the value of the reciprocal of the exposure amount corresponding to the density 0.30 higher than the minimum density is obtained, and the sensitivity of Process No. 1-1 is shown as 100, and the relative sensitivity is calculated). Then, the sensory evaluation of the processing unevenness was performed. The evaluation was performed visually according to the following criteria.

◯: No processing unevenness Δ: Some processing unevenness appears ×: Processing unevenness is severe Further, the following processing members 2 to 3 and the image forming aqueous medium 2 to
6 was newly manufactured and the same evaluation was performed.

[Production of Treatment Member 2] Treatment member 2 was produced in exactly the same manner except that zinc oxide was removed from treatment member 1.

[Preparation of Processing Member 3] Nylon non-woven fabric Ertus N05050 (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation) was cut into a continuous web to obtain Processing Member 3.

[Preparation of Aqueous Medium 2 for Image Formation] The amount of the carboxymethyl cellulose is adjusted to a viscosity of 1500 m.
An image forming aqueous medium 2 was prepared in the same manner as the image forming aqueous medium 1 except that the setting was Pa · s.

[Preparation of Aqueous Medium 3 for Image Formation] The amount of the carboxymethyl cellulose is adjusted so that the viscosity is 7 mPa · s.
An image forming aqueous medium 3 was prepared in the same manner as the image forming aqueous medium 1 except that the setting was set to s.

[Preparation of Aqueous Medium 4 for Image Formation] The amount of the carboxymethyl cellulose is adjusted so that the viscosity is 100 mP.
An image-forming aqueous medium 4 was prepared in the same manner as the image-forming aqueous medium 1 except that it was set to a.s.

[Preparation of Aqueous Medium 5 for Image Formation] The amount of carboxymethyl cellulose is adjusted so that the viscosity is 7 mPa · s.
The image forming aqueous medium 5 was prepared in the same manner as the image forming aqueous medium 1 except that s was set to s, picolinic acid was removed, and 0.03 mol of potassium carbonate was added.

[Preparation of Aqueous Medium 6 for Image Formation] The amount of the carboxymethyl cellulose is adjusted to a viscosity of 1500 m.
An aqueous medium 6 for image formation was prepared in the same manner as the aqueous medium 1 for image formation except that it was set to Pa · s, picolinic acid was removed, and 0.03 mol of potassium carbonate was added.

[0121]

[Table 5]

From Table 5, it can be seen that when the image forming method according to the present invention is used, low Dmin, high Dmax, high sensitivity, and further an effect of reducing processing unevenness can be obtained.

Example 2 The following aqueous media 7-11 for image formation were prepared. Example 1
The following processing step B was performed on the light-sensitive material sample 101 manufactured in 1. and the same evaluation as in Example 1 was performed.

[Image Forming Aqueous Medium 7] Adenine and picolinic acid were removed from the image forming aqueous medium 1, 0.04 mol of potassium carbonate was added, the pH was changed to 10.4, and the amount of carboxymethyl cellulose was changed to obtain a viscosity 8 mPa · s
Except that the adjustment was made to
Was produced.

[Image-forming aqueous medium 8] An image-forming aqueous medium 8 was prepared in exactly the same manner as in the image-forming aqueous medium 7, except that the viscosity was adjusted to 100 mPa · s by changing the amount of carboxymethyl cellulose.

[Image forming aqueous medium 9] An image forming aqueous medium 9 was prepared in exactly the same manner as in the image forming aqueous medium 7, except that the viscosity was adjusted to 1500 mPa · s by changing the amount of carboxymethyl cellulose.

[Aqueous medium for image formation 10] Adenine and picolinic acid were removed from the aqueous medium for image formation 1, 0.1 mol of sodium bromide and 0.04 mol of trisodium phosphate were added to adjust the pH to 12.4. Further, an aqueous medium 10 for image formation was prepared in exactly the same manner except that the viscosity was adjusted to 1.5 mPa · s by changing the amount of carboxymethyl cellulose.

[Image-forming aqueous medium 11] An image-forming aqueous medium 11 was prepared in exactly the same manner as in the image-forming aqueous medium 10, except that the viscosity was adjusted to 1000 mPa · s by changing the amount of carboxymethyl cellulose.

[Processing Step B] Image Formation on Sample 101
180g / m for water medium using blade coater ²of
After applying the amount, develop for 90 seconds in a constant temperature layer of 44 ° C.
Then, a black wedge-shaped image was obtained on the sample 101.

The measurement of Sa and V was carried out based on the method described in "Means for solving problems" in the text.

[0131]

[Table 6]

When the image forming method according to the present invention is used,
It can be seen that low Dmin, high Dmax, high sensitivity, and further the effect of reducing processing unevenness can be obtained.

Example 3 The light-sensitive material sample 101 manufactured in Example 1 was used as a standard 135 size and APS size, 12 sheets were photographed and 24
The film was cut into single shots and 36 shots, and stored in a 135 film cartridge and an APS cartridge, and a test pattern was shot using a camera to obtain an exposed negative film.

Processing No. 1 of the first embodiment. 1-7 and Example 2
Process No. According to 2-9, the exposed negative film was developed. The obtained color-developed negative film is used as a halogen light source device LA manufactured by Hayashi Clock Industry Co., Ltd.
-150UX (180W) was used, and a red decomposition filter (gelatin filter No. W26 manufactured by Kodak Co., Ltd.), a green decomposition filter (No. W99) and a blue decomposition filter (No. W98) were arranged between the light source and the sample. , 20
Using a monochrome CCD camera of 48 × 2048 pixels (KX4 manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company), R, G and B resolution negative images were obtained.

The RGB image data obtained in this manner was used for L plate size (89 mm × 127 mm), 2 L plate size (127 m) by using Konica Digital Minilab QD-21.
m × 178 mm) Konica color paper, type QA
It was output as a color print on A7. This sample is referred to as output sample A1 and sample A2.

On the other hand, color negative processing process C-41
The exposed negative film was processed according to (Eastman Kodak Company) to obtain a color developed negative film. For this color developed negative film,
In the same manner as above, R, G, B decomposition negative images were obtained, and L version, 2L was obtained using Konica Digital Minilab QD-21.
It was output as a plate-sized color print. Let this sample be output samples B1 and B2.

When the sample A1 and the sample B1 were compared, no significant difference was found in the image quality of the two. Compared with sample A2 and sample B2, sample A2
The image quality was poor, but it was within the acceptable range.

As described above, a digital image obtained by converting the image formed by the image forming method of the present invention into an electric signal after being read by the image sensor of the monochrome CCD camera is obtained from the color negative processing system C-41. The image was the same as the image obtained in the same manner.

Further, after the development processing in the processing steps A and B,
1. When the same evaluation is performed without peeling the photosensitive material and the processing member, 2. After peeling the photosensitive material and the processing member,
When the fixing process of C-41 is performed, 3. When the bleaching and fixing process of C-41 was performed after peeling the light-sensitive material and the processing member, the same evaluation result was obtained, and the same image quality evaluation result as described above was obtained.

As described above, even when the reading by the image sensor of the monochrome CCD camera is performed with all or part of the silver halide and / or the developed silver left,
It was found that the same effect can be obtained.

In addition, the treatment described in Example 2 was carried out in the liquid application device described in US Pat. No. 5,698,382 with three kinds of application liquids, and the application width was changed according to the size difference and the number of photographed images. As a result of changing the coating length and performing the same processing as above, the same image quality evaluation result as above was obtained without contaminating the development processing system.

Sample 101 used in Examples 1, 2 and 3
When the same evaluation was performed by replacing the commercially available Konica Centuria 800 (manufactured by Konica Corporation), it was found that the effect of the present invention was further improved by about 20% with respect to the effect obtained by the sample 101. , It was found to be effective for high sensitivity materials. Further, a light-sensitive material is used as a light-sensitive material.
The same evaluation was carried out in place of the photosensitive material containing a developing agent described in No. 25, and it was found that the present invention is effective even in a processing system in which an aqueous medium for image formation contains substantially no color developing agent. It was

[0143]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, by a simple and quick processing, there is little processing unevenness, and digital processing is possible, and a low Dm
It was possible to obtain a color image with high in, high Dmax, and high sensitivity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming method in which a photosensitive material is subjected to thermal development using a processing member and an image forming aqueous medium.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming method in which a photosensitive material is subjected to thermal development using an image forming aqueous medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

F photosensitive material 1 development process 2 fixing process 4 winding cartridge 5 personal computer 6 printer 7 CRT monitor 30 film scanner 50 transport rollers 51 First heating unit 52 Second heating unit 107 treatment liquid cartridge 205 fixing sheet 206 Fixing sheet supply roll 207 Laminating roller 208 Third heating unit 300 Processing member supply roll 301 Processing member 303 heat processor 304 endless belt 400 film loading unit 401 Film leading edge unit 404 Laminating part 500 cooling unit 501 fans 502 exhaust duct 600 Transport speed adjustment unit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H016 BK00                 2H112 AA03 AA05 AA11 BA17 BA23                       BC18

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image of a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, comprising an image forming method in which a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and a processing member are continuously conveyed and overlaid in the presence of an aqueous medium for image formation to perform heat development. The following general formulas (1) and (2) show the relationship between the formation aqueous medium absorption time (Sa: seconds), the image formation aqueous medium absorption time (Sb: seconds) of the processing member, and the transport speed (V: cm / sec). An image forming method, characterized in that: General formula (1) 1 ≦ Sa · V ≦ 600 General formula (2) 1 ≦ Sb · V ≦ 600 2. An image forming method in which a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is continuously conveyed and an aqueous medium for image formation is applied by a spray method or a coating method through a gas phase to perform heat development, wherein the silver halide color is silver halide color. Absorption time (Sa: seconds) and transport speed (V: c) of the aqueous medium for image formation of the photographic light-sensitive material
m / sec) satisfies the following general formula (3). General formula (3) 1 ≦ Sa · V ≦ 600 3. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the heat development is 43 ° C. or higher and 95 ° C. or lower. 4. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material has an ISO sensitivity of 800 or more. 5. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the aqueous medium for image formation is 10.1 mPa · s or more and 15000 mPa · s or less at 25 ° C. Method. 6. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous medium for image formation contains a color developing agent. 7. A digital image information creating method, comprising: converting an image created by the image forming method according to claim 1 into an electric signal after being read by an image sensor. 8. The method for producing digital image information according to claim 7, wherein the reading by the image sensor is performed while leaving silver halide and developed silver, or all or part of developed silver.