Eastman-kodak Company

Andrew Green

Paul C Ward

Gerd Hoitz

Gerhard Ueffinger

Vicki Ann Barbur

Peter J Twist

Richard A Sharman

Peter Thomas Fry

Gerhard Uffinger

Clare Elizabeth Scriven

Susan Carter

Arthur E Saunders

Described herein is a method for reject analysis for use in any process where rejects occur. The method comprises using the application of multivariate statistical process control techniques, and allows the rejects from a process to be controlled in a simple and effective manner by deriving the T statistic for a series of variables or classification categories that impact reject performance characteristics. The calculated T value is compared with a standard value for the particular system. If the value exceeds the critical value , it suggests that there has been a significant change in the typical reject rate compared with the expected situation and therefore appropriate action can be taken to identify the cause of the change and procedures can be put in place to correct the problems, that is, to return the reject rate to the expected position.

Reject analysis

Described herein is an arrangement for correcting the contrast of X-ray images to reveal details which are not otherwise visible. The arrangement comprises a conventional illumination box (10) for illuminating an X-ray (12), a camera arrangement (14) for viewing the illuminated X-ray film (12), the camera arrangement (14) including a camera unit (18) having a lens (20) mounted in a light tight box (16), a processing unit (22), and display means (24, 28) for displaying an image with the corrected contrast. The contrast is corrected using the characteristic curve of the processed film material on which the X-ray image is recorded in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU1## where E is the exposure,

Method for improving the contrast in photographic film materials

Process verification in photographic processes

A plurality of different materials which are required for use in a process and which are to be kept separate up to a predetermined stage in the process are supplied with each different material being encapsulated within a plurality of discrete shells, the shells serving to keep the different materials separate from each other. The shells for the different materials are distinguishable from each other so as to permit subsequent sorting of the shells into batches of shells all containing the same material.

Kit for supplying photoprocessing chemicals

Sensitometers are used for monitoring photographic and radiographic processes, and then making it possible to control these processes. However, although it is relatively straightforward to obtain control strips for individual sensitometers, it is often difficult to compare the results of control strips which have been exposed using different sensitometers. Described herein is a method for calibrating or cross-referencing sensitometers. The method comprises exposing a first control strip to a step wedge in the first sensitometer, and a second control strip-to a step wedge in the second sensitometer, the first and second control strips being formed on the same photographic material. The material is then processed and the characteristics of the material is determined using the known exposures given to the material by the second sensitometer and the density values obtained corresponding to those exposures. Once these characteristics are known, it is then possible to calculate the exposure given at each-step on the first control strip using the following equation:

Calibration of sensitometers

Material supply

A method of controlling photographic processing apparatus when processing a given photographic material using the characteristic curve for that material, the characteristic curve being determined from a control strip of the photographic material, the control strip being produced exposing the control strip to a step wedge, and processing the exposed strip in the processing apparatus to be controlled, the characteristic curve being determined by measuring density values from the processed control strip in relation to the exposure applied to the strip in the step wedge, and plotting these density in relation to the exposure, characterized in that the characteristic curve is defined by:

Process control for photographic processing apparatus

A method and apparatus for controlling an electrolytic silver recovery system for a photographic processor, the control being effected in response to the surface area of the photosensitive material moved through the processing solutions. The apparatus determines the amount of silver deposited in the fixing bath of the processor from the width, length and density of the photosensitive material and used as an electrical signal for controlling the electrolytic current of the silver recovery system.

Method and apparatus for controlling an automatic silver recovery system

A scanner for photographic processors wherein density and surface area determinations of the photosensitive materials can be exactly and reliably determined within a large density range. Optoelectronic sensor elements are arranged in the scanner which are formed of a transmitted light operated IR transmitter/receiver arrangement and of an IR reflective sensor arrangement located in rows and alternating across the width of the scanner.

Scanner for photographic processor

Process and device for the feeding of fluid additives and, in particular, of replenishers to a photographic processing fluid. Fluid additives are supplied to the processing fluid contained in a photographic processing tank by a feeding duct. The feeding duct is filled with processing fluid before different fluid additives are introduced into the feeding duct. The volume of the fluid additive supplied is measured by a flow meter which is arranged in an area of the feeding duct which during the measuring operation carries only processing fluid and not the fluid additive being fed into the feeding duct.

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Harrow, United Kingdom

Andrew Green