WO1981003074A1 - Film photographique susceptible d'etre traite par un liquide de faible viscosite - Google Patents

Film photographique susceptible d'etre traite par un liquide de faible viscosite Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1981003074A1
WO1981003074A1 PCT/US1981/000514 US8100514W WO8103074A1 WO 1981003074 A1 WO1981003074 A1 WO 1981003074A1 US 8100514 W US8100514 W US 8100514W WO 8103074 A1 WO8103074 A1 WO 8103074A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
film unit
space
barrier
sheets
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1981/000514
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
R Columbus
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Priority to DE19813144401 priority Critical patent/DE3144401A1/de
Publication of WO1981003074A1 publication Critical patent/WO1981003074A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
    • G03C8/00—Diffusion transfer processes or agents therefor; Photosensitive materials for such processes
    • G03C8/42—Structural details

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to photographic film units that are adapted to be processed by distributing a low viscosity liquid between two layers of the unit.
  • Conventional film units which are immediately processable typically include a first sheet having an imaging portion and a second sheet coupled to the first sheet to establish a space for receiving a processing liquid.
  • the processing liquid is supplied in a containment pouch (commonly called a "pod") disposed at one end of the film unit.
  • Processing is initiated by progressively advancing the film unit between a pair of pressure rollers which ruptures the pouch, expels its liquid contents between the sheets and drives the liquid across the imaging portion.
  • a spacer separates the sheets and controls the quantity of the distributed liquid that is available to the imaging portion for processing.
  • the processing liquid should completely cover the imaging portion to a predetermined uniform depth. Moreover, such coverage should be obtainable regardless of the orientation of the film unit relative to horizontal, over a wide range of temperatures and without reliance on particular skills of the user.
  • liquid directing means configured to resist flow of a low viscosity liquid in a direction away from the access means while permitting spread of the liquid in a direction transverse to that direction, the resistance being sufficient to reduce curvature of the wavefront flowing outwardly from the access means and to distribute the processing liquid over said imaging portion in a continuous layer.
  • the liquid directing means comprise barriers to flow in the form of spaced parallel ridges which extend in the transverse direction and are positioned to be contacted by the liquid flowing between the layers. When the liquid flowing in the predetermined direction contacts a ridge, it tends to move along the ridge before it crosses the ridge. In this manner, as the liquid moves from ridge-to-ridge, a relatively square wavefront is maintained.
  • the liquid directing means comprise stripes that have different degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity and that extend in the transverse direction on the surface of one or both of the layers. Alternate stripes retard liquid flow in the predetermined direction to enhance the flow along the stripes in the transverse direction.
  • the flow controlling means has particular utility in a film unit that has an access means in the form of a small aperture for introducing the processing liquid into the space between the sheets and an opposed venting port for releasing air as it is displaced from the space by the liquid.
  • the liquid directing means assists in directing the liquid from the aperture into a wavefront that extends across the full width of the film unit and th ⁇ n advances in a relatively square wavefront along the length of the film unit.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a film unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with portions broken away.
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged cut-away view of a first end portion of th ⁇ film unit illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is an enlarged cut-away view of a second end portion of the film unit illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the film unit illustrated in Fig. 1 depicting an example of a pattern of flow of the liquid as it progresses from one end of the film unit to the other.
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a film unit in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a. portion of the film unit illustrated in Fig. 5.
  • Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the film unit, corresponding to the enlarged cut-away view of Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the film unit.
  • a preferred embodiment of a film unit in accordance with the present invention is depicted comprising a photosensitive sheet 12 and a cover sheet 14 that are coupled together in closely-spaced superposed relationship by a spacer 16 and mask 18.
  • the film unit is adpated to be exposed to a scene and processed by a liquid to form a photographic print representing the scene.
  • the liquid is introduced into the space between the sheets and is distributed there to initiate the processing of the film unit and to bring about the formation of the print.
  • the photosensitive sheet 12 includes a support 20 and layers 22 of photosensitive emulsions that are suitable for recording a latent image.
  • the latent image is developed in a manner that brings about the release of an imagewise distribution of dyes that migrate by diffusion transfer to an image-receiving layer 24. There the dyes are immobilized for viewing as the final print.
  • the photosensitive layers are exposable from one face of the film unit, through the cover sheet 14, which is made transparent for that purpose, while the print is viewable from the other face, through support 20, which is also transparent. Further details of the processing chemistry are not considered necessary to the present disclosure.
  • the mask 18 is secured to the photosensitive sheet around the perimeter thereof to create a border frame surrounding imaging area 24.
  • the latent image is formed in the emulsion layers within this imaging area.
  • the liquid outside of the imaging area is blocked by the mask to create a distinct white border surrounding the final picture.
  • Th ⁇ spacer 16 extends substantially entirely around the perimeter of the film unit, and is secured to the maks on one side and to the cover sheet on the other side to space the photosensitive and cover sheets apart by a predetermined amount.
  • the above-mentioned parts comprise a layered structure in which two of the layers are spaced apart for receiving the processing liquid therebetween. This space is substantially entirely closed by the sheets, the mask, and the spacer, to prevent the escape of the liquid once it has been introduced between the layers.
  • Liquid delivery means in the form of an access port 28 is provided in a border region at one end of the film unit for introducing the processing liquid into the space between the sheets.
  • a venting port 32 is provided in the border area at the end opposite the access port for releasing air that is displaced from between the sheets by the liquid.
  • the access port is a relatively small aperture extending through the cover sheet.
  • the aperture is small enough that any gravitationally induced hydraulic head will be insignificant, and the processing liquid can be introduced in a manner that is substantially uneffected by the orientation of the film unit. At the same time, however, the aperture is large enough to permit sufficient liquid flow to quickly fill the space between the sheets when coupled to an outside source of the processing liquid.
  • the venting port can be smaller, so long as it is large enough to release the displaced air.
  • a pocket 38 is located in the spacer 16b adjacent each venting port to trap liquid before it reaches the vents.
  • other more elaborate schemes could be employed to trap the liquid.
  • the film unit is intended to contain the introduced liquid without leaking, it is not airtight and need not stand up to liquid pressures other than those that may be used to induce liquid flow.
  • the processing liquid is a low viscosity solution having handling characteristics much like water, for example, with a viscosity in the range of 0 to 250 cps.. It is constituted like presently available commercial processing liquids, but without a thickener.
  • the liquid is introduced through the access port, from which it spreads outwardly to fill the space between the two sheets. Such spreading can be achieved solely by capillary action, but in the preferred embodiment, it is augmented by introducing the liquid under slight pressure, such as 0 to 3 psi. In addition to spreading the liquid more quickly, within several seconds for a typical film unit, the pressure differential provides some assistance in maintaining the spacing between the sheets in the imaging area so flexible sheets can be employed without collapsing against each other.
  • the sheets can be backed on one or both sides by flat surfaces in the camra or film container.
  • the sheets can be drawn to such surfaces by vacuum, for example, or pushed against the surfaces by the internal pressure of the processing liquid.
  • spreading means are provided in the space between the sheets for controlling the flow of the liquid as it moves from the access port across the imaging area to the venting ports. Th ⁇ flow is controlled by liquid directing means that present a greater resistance to the flow of the liquid in a predertermined direction compared to a direction transverse to the predetermined direction without completely blocking the flow of liquid at any point.
  • the predetermined direction is longitudinally along the film unit from the end of the film unit that contains the access port to the end that contains the venting ports.
  • the transverse direction is across the film unit.
  • the directing means comprise two series of ridges 42 and 44 extending transversely of the film unit at its opposite ends in the border regions.
  • the ridges are disposed between the access port and the imaging area. At the trailing end the ridges are between the imaging area and the venting ports.
  • the ridge acts temporarily as a barrier to liquid flow in the longitudinal direction, inhibiting flow across the ridge. Instead, at least some of the liquid is diverted to flow along the ridge, or transversely of the film unit, until the space on the upstream side of the ridge is entirely filled. The liquid then spills past the ridge and proceeds to the next barrier ridge where the process is repeated. It is entirely possible that some liquid may move over a ridge before the space upstream of the ridge is entirely filled.
  • Fig. 4 depicts the wavefront at various stages in its progress along the film unit.
  • the set of ridges 42 at the first end of the film unit enhance the wavefront between the access port and the imaging area. From there, the wavefront proceeds across the imaging area to the second set of ridges 42 at the second end. At the second end, any deterioration of the wavefront that may have occurred in the imaging area is corrected to ensure that the trailing end of the imaging area will be adequately covered, and to smooth the wavefront so it will reach all of venting ports at approximately the same time.
  • the ridges Numerous techniques are available for forming the ridges, including grooving the sheets between the locations desired for the ridges.
  • the sheets In a film unit having overall dimensions of 3 inches by 4-1/22 inches (7.62 by 11.43 centimeters), for example, the sheets might be spaced apart by 1 to 5 mils (25 to 125 microns), and have ridges that are .28 to 4 mils (7 to 100 microns) high with a pitch of approximately 1 mil (25 microns) .
  • the ridges may extend into the space between the sheets, they do not entirely block fluid flow and do not deplete more than an insignificant amount of the processing liquid from the imaging portion.
  • the ridges have been located only in border areas where they will not degrade the exposure or viewing of the imaging area. It should be understood, however, that the ridges could extend entirely across the imaging area. In some applications, the ridges may not be considered objectionable in the imaging area, either because they are relatively small or because in a particular film format, the imaging area is both exposed and viewed from the face of the film unit opposite the ridges.
  • the directing means comprise parallel stripes of different degrees of hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity extending transversely of the film unit in the imaging area.
  • Stripes 52, 54, 56 and 58, etc. are more hydrophobic than the surfaces between the stripes, to present greater resistance to liquid flow in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction.
  • the resistance differential is the result of an increase in the resistance to flow in the predetermined direction, a decrease in the resistance to flow in the transverse direction, or both. It can be accomplished by suitable surface treatments, that roughen the surface, for example, so it has a differ ⁇ nt texture in striped patterns.
  • striped coatings of materials are applied to one or both of the sheets to change the interaction between the liquids employed and the film unit surfaces.
  • Fig. 7 depicts another embodiment which is similar in many respects to the film unit illustrated in Fig. 1, except that only a single ridge 162 is provided and the ridge extends somewhat further, approximately, one third of the way, into the space between the sheets. Th ⁇ ridge 162 extends transversely across most or all of the width of the film unit in the border area adjacent access port 128. As in the embodiment according to Figs. 1-4, the liquid will flow radially outwardly from th ⁇ access port until the wavefront engages the ridge 62.
  • the ridge acts as a barrier presenting a resistance to further longitudinal flow while the liquid continues to move transversely along the ridge to fill the space between the sheets upstream of the ridge and to establish a wavefront that extends across the entire width of the imaging area.
  • the liquid spills over the ridge and proceeds across the imaging area.
  • the recesses are approximately .4 mils (10 microns) deep and 1.6 mils (40 microns) across.
  • a film unit in accordance with the present invention provides significant advantages not available from the teaching of the prior art.
  • Liquid spread is controlled in a film unit by directing the liquid in desired directions without significantly depleting liquid from the area occupied by the directing means.
  • Liquid applied to the film unit at a point source is quickly redistributed to extend across the full width of the film unit for enhanced coverage of the imaging portion.
  • Low viscosity liquids are employed, while minimizing gravitational effects on the liquid flow, so the distribution of the liquid is relatively insensitive to the orientation of the film unit.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Silver Salt Photography Or Processing Solution Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

Un film susceptible d'etre traite par un liquide de traitement photographique de faible viscosite comprend une petite ouverture (28) au travers de laquelle le liquide est introduit dans un espace entre des feuilles (12, 14) du film. Pour reduire la courbure de l'onde frontale du liquide au fur et a mesure qu'elle avance en s'eloignant de l'ouverture (28), des moyens de direction (42, 44) resistent a cet ecoulement tout en permettant un ecoulement dans un sens transversal.
PCT/US1981/000514 1980-04-24 1981-04-21 Film photographique susceptible d'etre traite par un liquide de faible viscosite WO1981003074A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19813144401 DE3144401A1 (de) 1980-04-24 1981-04-21 Photographic film unit processable by low viscosity liquid

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14323080A 1980-04-24 1980-04-24
US143230 1980-04-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1981003074A1 true WO1981003074A1 (fr) 1981-10-29

Family

ID=22503163

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1981/000514 WO1981003074A1 (fr) 1980-04-24 1981-04-21 Film photographique susceptible d'etre traite par un liquide de faible viscosite

Country Status (2)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS57500575A (fr)
WO (1) WO1981003074A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3138459A (en) * 1959-12-09 1964-06-23 Polaroid Corp Photographic product and a process of additive color photography
US3221942A (en) * 1963-07-25 1965-12-07 Polaroid Corp Collapsible fluid container
US3342600A (en) * 1963-07-25 1967-09-19 Polaroid Corp Photographic film unit
US3352674A (en) * 1964-01-20 1967-11-14 Eastman Kodak Co Process and product for image transfer photography
US3672272A (en) * 1970-06-04 1972-06-27 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film unit

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3138459A (en) * 1959-12-09 1964-06-23 Polaroid Corp Photographic product and a process of additive color photography
US3221942A (en) * 1963-07-25 1965-12-07 Polaroid Corp Collapsible fluid container
US3342600A (en) * 1963-07-25 1967-09-19 Polaroid Corp Photographic film unit
US3352674A (en) * 1964-01-20 1967-11-14 Eastman Kodak Co Process and product for image transfer photography
US3672272A (en) * 1970-06-04 1972-06-27 Eastman Kodak Co Photographic film unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS57500575A (fr) 1982-04-01

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