Eastman-kodak Company

David G Sherburne

Douglas O Hall

Bruce R Muller

Ronald J Perry

Robert E Dickerson

Alan S Fitterman

Thomas W Glanville

Peter J Kelch

Jeffrey Charles Robertson

Franklin C Brayer

Dennis James O'Dea

William A Bergstresser

James T Samuels

Nathan J Romano

April M Seim

Jan M Munson

Patrick M Bruton

Michael G Howe

CR reader with integrated control mechanism

Apparatus for processing exposed photosensitive elements comprising: a cylindrical container having an open end and having a plurality of circumferentially disposed containment vessels for containing processing fluids; an index plate which is rotatably mounted on the container at the open end; a holder for holding an exposed photosensitive element; support structure for mounting the holder on the index plate for movement downwardly and upwardly; and a member on the index plate for manually rotating the plate to sequentially align the holder with the plurality of containment vessels so that at each vessel the holder is manually moved downwardly to submerge the photosensitive element in the processing fluid contained in the vessel and then moved upwardly to remove the element from the fluid.

Apparatus for processing exposed photosensitive elements

Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because they include certain light absorbing dyes and desensitizers. Processing of such elements can be achieved using a processing kit and a two-stage process carried out in the same light- and fluid-tight processing apparatus. In the first stage, development is initiated with a developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent and a sulfite. After an appropriate time, a non-sulfite fixing agent is introduced into the processing apparatus or container to provide a combined developing/fixing composition, and development and fixing are carried out simultaneously. The processing method is carried out quickly, usually within about 90 seconds. The presence of sulfite and high pH in both stages decolorizes or deactivates the particulate dyes. The processing kit includes the photographic element, a first vessel containing a developing composition, a second vessel containing a fixing composition, and a container for holding an exposed element. The first and second vessels have manually actuated dispensers for dispensing developing composition and fixing composition into the container for processing of the exposed element.

Manually actuated dispensers and kit for roomlight processing of

Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because they include certain light absorbing dyes and desensitizers. Processing of such elements can be achieved using a processing kit and a two-stage process carried out in the same light- and fluid-tight processing apparatus. In the first stage, development is initiated with a developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent and a sulfite. After an appropriate time, a non-sulfite fixing agent is introduced into the processing apparatus or container to provide a combined developing/fixing composition, and development and fixing are carried out simultaneously. The processing method is carried out quickly, usually within about 90 seconds. The presence of sulfite and high pH in both stages decolorizes or deactivates the particulate dyes. The processing kit includes the photographic element, a vessel containing a developing composition, a vessel containing fixing composition, and a light-tight, hand-held container for holding an exposed element as it is inserted into the first and second vessels to carry out processing.

Hand-held film developing device and kit for roomlight processing of

Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because they include certain light absorbing dyes and desensitizers. Processing of such elements can be achieved using a processing kit and a two-stage process carried out in the same light- and fluid-tight processing apparatus. In the first stage, development is initiated with a developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent and a sulfite. After an appropriate time, a non-sulfite fixing agent is introduced into the processing apparatus or container to provide a combined developing/fixing composition, and development and fixing are carried out simultaneously. The processing method is carried out quickly, usually within about 90 seconds. The presence of sulfite and high pH in both stages decolorizes or deactivates the particulate dyes. The processing kit includes the photographic element, a first vessel containing a developing composition, a second vessel containing fixing composition, and a hand-held container for holding one or more exposed photographic elements. The container has a manually actuated assembly for creating a vacuum within said container in order to draw developing and fixing compositions into said container to contact and develop the exposed photographic element.

Hand-held processing container with vacuum creating assembly and kit for

An apparatus for processing photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a processing chamber having an entrance and an exit for allowing a photosensitive material to travel through the processing chamber. A first supply means is provided for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a first fluid layer on one side of the photosensitive material and a first drain for removing processing fluid from the first fluid layer. A second supply means is provided for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a second fluid layer on the opposite side of the photosensitive material and a second drain for removing processing fluid from the second fluid layer. Means are provided for minimizing oxidation of the processing solution.

Apparatus for processing photosensitive material

An improvement in an apparatus for processing photosensitive materials. The apparatus includes a processing chamber through which the material can be advanced for processing the material. The processing chamber has an entrance at one end and an exit at the other end to allow the photosensitive material to travel through the chamber. The apparatus further includes a tank for holding a processing fluid. At least one nozzle assembly is provided for supplying processing fluid from the tank to the processing chamber. The nozzle assembly comprises an outer nozzle secured to the tank and an inner nozzle secured to the upper tank. The inner and outer nozzles are spaced apart a predetermined distance so as to form a discharge opening therebetween which is in fluid communication with the processing fluid in the tank so as to create a first fluid layer on one side of the photosensitive material passing through the processing chamber. The inner and outer nozzles have a configuration designed to maintain the predetermined distance between the inner and outer nozzles substantially constant along the length of the discharge opening.

An improvement in an apparatus for processing photosensitive materials having an upper and lower tanks for holding processing fluid. The tanks are coupled together so that processing fluid can flow freely from the lower tank to the upper tank. A processing chamber is provided between the upper and lower tanks through which the photosensitive material can be advanced for processing. The processing chamber has an entrance at one end and an exit at the other end which allows the photosensitive material to travel through the chamber. Processing fluid is supplied from the upper tank to the processing chamber to create a first layer on one side of the photosensitive material. A first drain is provided for removing processing fluid from the first layer. Processing fluid from the lower tank is supplied to the processing chamber to create a second fluid layer on the opposite side of the photosensitive material. A second drain is provided for removing processing fluid from the second fluid layer. The outlet of the drains are located at substantially the same level so that substantially equal fluid back pressure is applied at the first and second drains.

In an apparatus for processing photosensitive material, the apparatus having, a narrow processing chamber formed by a pair of substantially planar guide plates spaced apart a predetermined distance. The processing chamber having an entrance and an exit for allowing the photosensitive material to travel through the processing chamber. A first fluid supply is provided for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a first fluid layer on one side of the photosensitive material, and a second fluid supply is provided for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a second fluid layer on the opposite side of the photosensitive material. A plurality of spaced raised projection are disposed on the surface of the guide plates. The projections extend in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the direction of travel of the photosensitive material and across substantially the entire width of the photosensitive material.

A pump circulates water from a wash-water chamber to a diverter valve where it can be directed either to a heat exchanger in a processing fluid chamber or directly back to the water chamber. The temperature of the processing fluid is detected by a sensor, and a microprocessor controls the diverter valve as a function of the temperature detected by the sensor in order to maintain the temperature of the processing fluid at a desired set point. The water temperature increases over a period of time, and may reach a level where the desired set point temperature cannot be maintained. If this occurs, the microprocessor opens a valve to a building water supply to add fresh, cool water to the water chamber.

Processor for photosensitive material

A processor has switches that detect events during operation of the processor and provide signals to a microprocessor which controls operation of the processor. A replenishment system for a processing fluid includes a pump that provides replenishment fluid to a chamber. The processor control is changed to a calibration mode of operation and the switches are used to determine the volume of fluid provided by the pump during one cycle of operation of the replenishment system, and then, if necessary, to adjust the time the pump is operated to increase or decrease the volume of fluid delivered during one cycle of operation.

Method and apparatus for adjusting the volume of replenishment fluid

A system for distributing flexible sheet material by class into separate containers includes a large endless belt and a number of individual distribution roller assemblies each of which includes a smaller endless belt which opposes the larger endless belt at successive locations. The sheet material is transported vertically between the larger endless belt and the smaller endless belts of the individual roller assemblies. Distribution of the sheet material into one of the containers results when the roller assembly associated with that container is repositioned mechanically so that the smaller endless belt and the opposing portion of the larger endless belt are positioned horizontally at the entrance to the container.

Growing community of inventors

Ontario, NY, United States of America

David G Sherburne