JPH10333306A - Photographic processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase processing efficiency without adversely influencing processing solution by heating or cooling the back side of film against the front side thereof. SOLUTION: The efficient flow of the processing solution is supplied into a processing channel 16 from a nozzle 46. When photosensitive material 20 passes through the channel 16, the material is locally heated. The device is provided with a heater 80, which has a 1st heat insulating block 82 made of material having low heat conductivity and includes a long roller 92 arranged in a circular cavity 94 formed in the heater 80. Only the small part of the roller 92 can be brought into contact with the back side 96 of the material 20. The roller 92 has an outside shell section 98 made of conductive material and heated by a proper electric wire connected to the section 98. After the material 20 is put in the processing solution without raising the temperature of the entire processing solution, its temperature is selectively raised or lowered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of photography, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for processing photosensitive material.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Processing of photosensitive materials involves a series of steps of exposing the photosensitive material to a variety of different processing solutions. Typically, in photographic processing equipment, the photosensitive material is exposed to a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, and a washing solution. Next, the photosensitive material is subjected to a drying operation before exiting the device. Maintaining the temperature of the processing solution within a predetermined parameter range during each step in which the photosensitive material is exposed to the processing solution, supplying a new solution to the surface of the photosensitive material, and allowing the processing solution to contact the photosensitive material. It is important that appropriate chemical reactions can take place between them. In prior art processing equipment, the temperature of the processing solution is maintained by using a heater that heats the processing solution to a predetermined temperature and uses a temperature controller to maintain the processing solution within an allowable range for the predetermined temperature. . It is also known in prior art processing equipment to use agitation of the processing solution adjacent to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material so that a fresh solution is supplied to the surface.
This can be done by using rollers, wiper blades or the impinging of the processing solution on the photosensitive material. Processing parameters can be varied to reduce the time required to process the photosensitive material.
Such parameters include the concentration and replenishment of the processing solution itself, the degree of agitation when applying the solution of photosensitive material, and the temperature of the solution.

Since most photographic processing measures need to be able to process light-sensitive materials from several different manufacturers successfully with great reliability and reproducible results, altering the components of the processing solution is not an option. Have difficulty. Changing the makeup of the processing solution can have a significant effect on the differently manufactured products contained therein.

For example, US Pat. No. 5,270,762,
As disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,355,190 and 5,398,094, large impingement
The use of agitation can reduce the time required by each processing solution, but to a lesser extent. This is because the required chemical reactions are limited by the rate of diffusion of the solution through the gelatin emulsion of the photosensitive material. As the agitation method used reaches a certain level of supplying fresh solution to the surface of the photosensitive material, further improvement in this area during agitation becomes difficult, if possible.

An effective way to reduce photographic processing time is to increase the temperature of the processing solution through which the photosensitive material passes. However, as the temperature is increased, the chemical reaction occurs at an accelerated rate. A problem with increasing the temperature of the solution is that the processing solution can oxidize and generally decompose at a much faster rate. Further, the higher the temperature, the higher the evaporation rate of the processing solution. Also, the higher the temperature used, the more care must be taken to prevent the operator from being burned or from being exposed to the vapors of chemicals that are likely to occur at higher temperatures. Further, the temperature difference experienced by the apparatus between when the processing apparatus is used and when it is not used increases the fatigue and cracking of the processing apparatus. All of the above factors increase the cost of operating the device.

In order to provide faster processing times, it is proposed in the prior art to preheat the photosensitive material before it enters the processing unit. This method has been found to slightly increase the use and efficiency of the solution and improve the processing time, but the heat applied by the preheated photosensitive material will increase the temperature of the processing solution as described above. On the other hand, there is a related problem. Another problem with preheating the photosensitive material is that all emulsion layers of the photosensitive material are at the same temperature. As the processing solution diffuses in the various emulsion layers, the increase in chemical reaction is similar for the surface layer as for the layer closest to the base.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to selectively raise or lower the temperature of a photosensitive material after it enters the processing solution without increasing the overall temperature of the processing solution. An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems experienced by the processing apparatus. This is achieved by applying heating or cooling directly to a very small area of the film in the area where the new processing solution spreads contact with the surface of the photosensitive material.

[0008] Local heating or cooling of the photosensitive material through the base creates a temperature gradient across the emulsion layer. The resulting temperature gradient exists in the emulsion layer. As a result, different reactions occur in the different emulsion layers initially exposed to the processing solution due to the different temperatures. The temperature gradient provided by the apparatus of the present invention gives the designer of the photosensitive material greater freedom to place the various light sensitive emulsions. Nowadays, emulsions that react more slowly to processing solutions are located closer to the surface of the photosensitive material and layers that react more quickly are located closer to the base. This arrangement does not always correspond to the optimal arrangement of the emulsion layers for light capture and image clarity in the layers and interactions being formed. The overall result will usually be to compromise on longer processing times, the need for higher concentration solutions, or inefficient use of processing solutions.

According to the present invention, there is provided a photographic processing apparatus and method for processing (eg, developing) a photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a processing tank containing a processing solution for processing the photosensitive material; a transfer mechanism for moving the photosensitive material within the processing solution; and heating and / or for providing a temperature distribution across the photosensitive material. It has a cooling mechanism.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings, in which like elements are numbered the same. FIG. 1 schematically shows an apparatus 10 configured according to the present invention. Apparatus 10 includes at least one processing section 11. In the embodiment shown, the processing section 11 comprises a processing tank 12 and a rack 14 disposed therein. In the preferred embodiment shown, the processing section 11 is a small volume, thin tank structure. Thus, the rack 14 and the tank 12 form a narrow processing channel 16 containing a processing solution 18 and the photosensitive material 20 is configured to be processed therethrough. The processing channel 16 sends the processing solution to the recirculation system 24 and the processing channel 1
6 includes a pair of outlets 22 so that they can be returned. In particular, the recirculation system 24 includes a conduit 28 that fluidly connects (i.e., allows fluid to flow) the outlet 22 of the processing channel 16 to a recirculation pump 30, which pump 30 connects the recirculation system 24. The processing solution 18 is recirculated through it. A conduit 32 is provided to direct the processing solution 18 from a recirculation pump 30 through a manifold 34. The manifold 34 includes reservoirs 36, 38,
40 is provided to introduce the replenishment solution contained in 40
The replenishment solution is supplied to the manifold 3 by a pump (not shown).
4 is introduced. Manifold 34 is fluidly connected to filter 42 by conduit 44. Filter 4
2 is connected to the inlet nozzle 46 by a conduit 48.
The inlet nozzle 46 is configured to supply the processing solution 18 to the upper surface 50 of the photosensitive material 20 on the emulsion side. A plurality of roller pairs 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 are provided and pass through the processing channel 16 to the photosensitive material 20.
Are transported and guided. It will be appreciated that any suitable means may be used to transport the photosensitive material 20 through the processing device, and that the photosensitive material may be in the form of a continuous web or sheet. A computer (not shown) is provided and the device 1
The operation of 0 is controlled, but this is performed in a conventional manner, so that a more detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 1, only one processing section containing a single processing solution for processing photosensitive material 20 is illustrated. Any desired number of processing sections 1
It will be appreciated that one may be provided and each processing section may include any desired processing solution. The processing section, as commonly done in the prior art,
Process the photosensitive material in order.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the processing tank 12 constructed according to the present invention. In particular, a nozzle 4 having a nozzle opening 62 having a thickness (or width) t
6 is shown. The nozzle 46 is connected to the wall 6 of the tank 12.
It is desirable to be arranged in a heat insulating jacket 63 provided in 4. The jacket 63 is made of a material with low thermal conductivity, such as polystyrene, polypropylene and polyethylene, to minimize the transfer of heat to the processing solution 18 therethrough. Alternatively, or in addition, a space (air gap) around nozzle 46
May be provided. The opening 62 is in the form of an elongated slot and extends at least along the width of the photosensitive material 20 passing therethrough. As previously described, a narrow processing channel 16 is provided such that the opening 62 is located very close to the surface 50 of the photosensitive material 20. For the purposes of the present invention, a narrow processing channel 1
6 has a thickness (or width) T of 100 times or less than the thickness of the photosensitive material. Preferably, when photographic paper is used, the processing channel 16 has a thickness T that is 50 times or less the thickness of the photosensitive material, and most preferably about 10 times or more the thickness of the photographic paper. It has the following thickness T: In photographic film processing equipment, most preferably the thickness T is about 18 times or less the thickness of the film.

An example of a processing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention for processing photographic paper having a thickness of about 0.008 inches has a processing channel 16 having a thickness T of about 0.080 inches, An example of a photographic film processing apparatus for processing a film having a thickness of about 0.0055 inches has a processing channel 16 having a thickness T of about 0.1 inches. However, it will be appreciated that the thickness of the channel 16 may be varied as appropriate.

To provide an efficient flow of processing solution from the nozzle 46 into the processing channel 16, the nozzle opening 62 desirably directs the processing solution to the processing channel based on the following relationship: 1 < F / A <40 where F is the flow rate (gallon /
) And A is the cross-sectional area (square inch) of the nozzle.

Providing a nozzle based on the relationship set forth above ensures that the processing solution is properly drained to the photosensitive material, thereby introducing a new processing solution to the surface of the photosensitive material. Collision force is given.

As described above, the present invention is configured to heat the photosensitive material 20 locally as it passes through the processing channel 16. In the particular embodiment shown, a heater 80 is provided, comprising a first insulating block 82 made of a material having a low thermal conductivity and having a substantially circular cavity 94 formed therein. And a long roller 92 disposed at The insulating material may be any desired small thermally conductive material, for example, polystyrene, polypropylene and polyethylene. Alternatively, or in addition, an air gap may be provided around heater 80. As can be seen, the cavity 94 fits closely to the external structural rollers 92 such that a slightly smaller distance D remains between them. Preferably, the distance D is sufficient so that the roller 92 can easily rotate there. As shown, only a small portion of the roller 92 can contact the back side 96 of the photosensitive material 20. Roller 92 is of a conductive type that allows heat to flow from roller 92 to back side 96 of photosensitive material 20. It will be appreciated that roller 92 may be heated in any desired manner. In the particular embodiment illustrated,
Roller 92 has an outer shell section 98 made of a suitable conductive material and is heated by a suitable electric wire (not shown) connected thereto. This shell structure minimizes the thermal shielding of the rollers 92, so that the temperature can be easily adjusted so that a suitable amount of heat transfer occurs between the photosensitive material 20 and the rollers 92. it can. As can be seen, the heater 80 is located directly in front of the inlet nozzle 46. This is done so that the photographic processing solution 18 pushes the photosensitive material 20 into close and continuous contact with the heat transfer roller 92. In addition, this provides a high degree of agitation and heat to just such areas where fresh processing solution is applied to the emulsion surface of photosensitive material 20.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the photosensitive material 20. In particular, the photosensitive material 20 comprises a support base 100 having an upper surface 95, on which an emulsion layer 102 is provided. As can be seen, the emulsion layer 102 comprises a plurality of separate layers 103, 104, 10
5, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 11
1, 112, 113 and 114. These layers provide color to the photosensitive material, control processing, and provide protection against ultraviolet light and physical abrasion. The operation and description of these layers is well known to those skilled in the art. A detailed description of the structure of these and similar types of photosensitive materials can be found in the Research Disclosure paper (S
eptember 1996, No. 389, Item 38957, Title: "Pho
tographic Silver Halide Emulsions, Preparations, A
ddenda, Systems and Processing ", Published by Kenneth Mas
on Publications, Limited, Dudley Annex, 12a North
Street, Emsworth, Hampshire P01O 7DQ, England), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In FIG. 4 (a), as indicated by line 120, for a processor constructed in accordance with the prior art where the photosensitive material experiences a substantially uniform temperature over the width W of the photosensitive material. 2 is a graph showing the chemical reactivity of the emulsion layer with respect to the distance from the surface of the emulsion layer 102. As can be seen, the chemical reactivity is greatest at the surface of the photosensitive material closest to the nozzle 46 and least at the layer 103 of the emulsion layer 102 adjacent to the support base 100. The range of variation in chemical reactivity is indicated by R1.

FIG. 4 (b) is a graph similar to FIG. 4 (a) for an apparatus constructed according to the present invention. A heating roller is used to heat the back side of the support layer 100 of the photosensitive material 20. Emulsion layer 102
Is shown by line 122. The temperature of the emulsion layer is
As shown by line 115, the closer to heater 80, the higher. The region of the emulsion layer closest to the base 100 experiences the highest temperatures, but has the least chemical reactivity with the impinging processing solution. The change in chemical reactivity R2 is shown in FIG.
It is substantially smaller than the fluctuation range of R1 of the device of (a). Thus, the present invention provides a compensating (or offsetting) effect that the emulsion layer with the least reactivity experiences the highest temperature, thereby making the overall chemical reactivity of all emulsion layers more uniform. .

The foregoing provides the photosensitive material manufacturer with greater flexibility in designing and constructing the emulsion layers of the photosensitive material. Providing a slower-reactive layer adjacent to the top surface to improve processing efficiency, quality or having a particular aesthetic impact, instead of requiring a faster-reactive emulsion layer closer to the base When designing a desired emulsion layer, greater degrees of freedom can be more easily achieved.

FIG. 5 shows a partial view of a modified device similar to that of FIG. 2, but shows a modified heater 130 constructed in accordance with the present invention. In this figure, the same reference numbers are used to indicate parts and functions similar to those described above. Specifically, the heater 130 is embedded in the rack 14, and the surface 134 of the heater is substantially flat and substantially flush with the surface 136 of the rack 14. The heater 130 is mounted on the mounting body section 13
8, which are attached to the rack 14 and are made of insulating material. An outer engaging surface 142 within the body section 138;
Is disposed, which is flush with the surface 136 of the rack 14. Surface 142
As shown, it is designed to engage (or contact) the back surface 144 of the photosensitive material. Heating element 140
Are arranged substantially opposite the nozzle 46 and the nozzle 4
6 presses the photosensitive material 20 against the heating element 140, thereby promoting heat transfer from the heating element 140 to the photosensitive material 20. In this embodiment, the back surface 144 of the photosensitive material 20 slides relative to the front surface 142. Accordingly, the surface 142 is suitably formed as smoothly as possible to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the surface of the photosensitive material.

FIG. 6 shows a modified form of the apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein like reference numerals are used to indicate parts and functions similar to those described above. In this embodiment, a pair of cooling coils 160 are provided in the recirculation system 24 to cool the processing solution in the recirculation system 24 before reaching the pump 30. This is particularly important in the case of processing equipment of the small volume, thin tank type, where such equipment has minimal volume in both the processing channel and the recirculation system. This prevents the overall temperature of the processing solution from rising to an undesirable level. In the embodiment shown, a cross conduit 52 connects the two conduits 28. A valve 170 is provided in conduit 152, at which point another conduit 180 is provided that provides a fluid connection with section 155 of conduit 28 at a point after cooling coil 160. Valves 171 and 1
72 is provided after the cooling coil 160 in the conduit 28. When the valve 170 is closed and the valves 171 and 172 are opened, the processing solution is cooled by the cooling coil 160. Open valve 170 to open valves 171 and 1
When 72 is closed, no cooling of the processing solution is performed. By controlling the valves 170, 171 and 172, the cooling of the processing solution can be turned on / off as needed for proper operation of the processing equipment. Appropriate controllers and sensors are provided in the device to detect when processing solution cooling is required and to turn valves 170, 171 and 172 on and off, which are routinely used for such purposes. Computers and temperature sensors can be used. The adoption and operation of such devices is well known to those skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the processing tank is a low volume, thin tank. It will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to other types of structures. FIG. 7 illustrates a modified device 210 constructed according to the present invention,
The same reference numbers are used to indicate parts and functions similar to those described above. In this embodiment, the tank 12
Contains a processing solution, a general rack 212 is provided in the tank 12 for transferring and guiding the photosensitive material through the processing solution 18. A heater 80 and a nozzle 46 are provided in the tank 12 proximate a path of the photosensitive material 20 such that the nozzle 46 is proximate to apply a solution to the photosensitive material 20;
The heater 80 is arranged in front of the nozzle 46 and heats the photosensitive material 20 in this area.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another alternative device constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts and functions as described above. doing. This embodiment is the same as the embodiment of FIG. 7 except that a cooling coil 160 is provided for cooling the processing solution when the processing solution exits the tank 12.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
A heater 80 is provided on one side of the photosensitive material. If necessary, heater rollers 80 may be provided on both sides of the photosensitive material. For example, this is the case when emulsion layers are provided on both sides of the photosensitive material. In the above embodiment, it was shown that the development characteristics of the emulsion layer were controlled by supplying heat to the front side or back side of the photosensitive material. Alternatively, the film can be cooled to create different temperature gradients across the photosensitive film to impart further development characteristics to the film.

By adjusting the temperature difference between the front and back sides of the film, the color contrast balance can be corrected. The temperature difference between the front and back sides of the film is
It can also be used to correct films with different color imbalances. Experiments were performed using the system shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 to illustrate the effectiveness of the present invention. In particular, the system 220 includes a development block 222 having a holding section 224 that holds a strip of photosensitive material 226 against a supporting backside 228 so that the backside 228 can be heated or cooled as appropriate. The processing solution is supplied by a supply tube 232 to the front side 230 of the strip of photosensitive material. Tube 232 is
A processing solution is supplied along the width of the photosensitive material 226. Block 222 is positioned at an angle such that the processing solution flows down along the surface of photosensitive material 226 and is captured by holding section 234. Pump 236
Removes the solution from the holding section 234 and returns it to the supply tube 232. A thermostat 238 is provided to monitor the temperature of the circulating processing solution. The block section 222 is provided with passages through which the cooling or heating solution passes, thereby controlling the temperature of the surface 228. A color developing solution as shown in Table 1 below was prepared, and the system shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 was used in Kodak Gold.
k Gold) 100 film was used to develop. The processing solution was supplied to the film surface at a rate of 1 liter / minute by a pump, and was caused to flow down the front side of the film by gravity. Preferably, the device was set so that the surface 228 was positioned at an angle of about 70 °, but other angles could be employed.

[0027]

TABLE 1 Composition of developer Potassium carbonate (anhydrous) 37.5 g / l Sodium sulfite (anhydrous) 4.25 g / l Potassium iodide 1.2 mg / l Sodium bromide 1.3 g / l Hydroxylamine sulfate 2.0 g / L anti-calcium agent 6.5 ml / l color developer 4.5 g / l pH 10.00 The processing cycles shown in Table 2 below were used.

[0028]

[Table 2] Processing cycle Developing 195 seconds Bleaching 180 seconds Fixing 180 seconds Washing 180 seconds Bleaching is performed using Kodak C-41 Flexic Color.
olor) Bleach III, with Kodak C-4
1 fixing solution.

A control experiment was performed by heating the back and front of the film to a normal C-41 developer temperature of 37.8 ° C. The result is shown by a solid line in FIG. A second experiment was performed in which the back side of the film was heated to 55 ° C. and the developer was allowed to flow down to 30.5 ° C. on the front side of the film.
This data is shown by the broken line in FIG. Although the speed and contrast of red are fairly consistent with the desired effect, the blue (top) and green (middle) layers are less active compared to red (bottom), or the red layer is blue and It turns out that activity is high compared with green.

Next, while maintaining the back side of the film at 23 ° C., the developing solution was flowed down to the front side of the film and heated to 42 ° C. These results are shown by the broken lines in FIG. 12, and the control experiments when the back and front sides are at 37.8 ° C. are shown by the solid lines. Again, it can be seen that the speed and contrast of the red are fairly consistent with the control, while blue and green are much larger than the control. This is a desirable effect in this experiment and shows that by cooling the backside of the film and heating the front side, the layers above the bottom layer can be made larger.

It has been shown that heating or cooling the back side of the film to the front side can increase or decrease the relative activity of the upper and lower layers in a multi-layer film. The present invention provides a processing apparatus that increases processing efficiency without adversely affecting a processing solution. Although the invention has been described with particular reference to preferred embodiments,
It will be understood that variations and modifications are possible within the concept and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus configured according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 shows a state in which a processing solution is collided with a photosensitive material as it is heated by a heater according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the photosensitive material of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a very large enlargement of the photosensitive material processed by the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing that the temperature gradient and chemical reactivity of the emulsion layer are functions along the width.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a modified form of the heater for local heating of the photosensitive material passing therethrough;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a modified form of a processing section configured in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates another modified form of a rack and tank constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 5, of yet another modified form of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a film developing device that gives a temperature difference between the front side and the back side of the film.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the developing section taken along line AA of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the effect of the present invention on the emulsion layers of various colors when heat is applied to the back side of the photosensitive material, as compared with the case of ordinary processing.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the effect of the present invention on the emulsion layers of various colors when the back side of the photosensitive material is cooled, as compared with the case of ordinary processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

10,210 device, 11 processing section, 12 processing tank, 14,212 rack, 16 processing channel, 18 processing solution, 20 photosensitive material, 22 outlet,
24 ... recirculation system, 28,32,44,48,180 ...
Conduit, 30 recirculation pump, 34 manifold, 3
6, 38, 40 ... reservoir, 42 ... filter, 46 ...
Nozzle, 50, 134, 136, 142 ... surface, 52, 5
4, 56, 58, 60: roller pair, 62: nozzle opening, 64: wall, 63: heat insulating jacket, 80: heater, 82: first heat insulating block, 92: roller, 94 ...
Cavity, 95 ... Top surface, 100 ... Support base, 1
02 ... Emulsion layer, 103,104,105,106,107,
108,109,110,111,112,113,114 ...
Layers, 130 ... heater, 138 ... mounting body section, 140 ... heat conducting element, 142 ... outer engagement surface, 1
44 ... back surface, 160 ... cooling coil, 152 ... cross conduit, 170, 171, 172 ... valve, 222 ... development block, 224 ... holding section, 228 ... support back side surface,
226 photosensitive material 230 230 front side 232 supply tube 234 holding section 236 pump 2
38 ... Thermostat.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Peter Jay Twist UK, 16.9N, Buckinghamshire, Lee Common Missenden, Bellinger Road, Woodside

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A photographic processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive material, comprising: a processing tank containing a processing solution for processing the photosensitive material; a transfer mechanism for moving the photosensitive material in the processing solution; An apparatus comprising a heating and / or cooling mechanism for creating a temperature gradient across a material. 2. A method for processing a photosensitive material by passing a photosensitive material having an emulsion layer having a plurality of different photosensitive layers through a processing tank containing a processing solution, the method comprising: Moving the photosensitive material through the emulsion layer and subjecting the photosensitive material to local heating or cooling to form a temperature gradient across the emulsion layer.