Eastman-kodak Company

Edgar Preston Gates

David George Foster

John H Rosenburgh

David Lynn Patton

Sheridan E Vincent

Jerel R Carli

Ralph L Piccinino, Jr

Daniel C Davis

Mark M Kerns

Keith S Lundy

Frank S Warzeski

John H Hilton

John Howard Rosenburg

Michael R Gray

A photographic processing method and apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor for developing an exposed photographic paper, a first entry point into the processor for transferring of the exposed photographic paper to the main processing path of the processor, and a second entry point into the processor to receive a photosensitive material of a second format different from the first format and leading the photosensitive material to the main processing path. An adapter is provided having a first end which is arranged to mate with a cassette in a light-tight manner having a second end which is connectable in a light-tight manner with the second entry point on the processor. The cassette contains a photosensitive material of a second format and the cassette may be fed directly into the processor via the adapter and the second entry point of the processor. A sensor is provided for monitoring the amount of photosensitive material passing through the second entry point and for controlling the amount of replenishment of processing chemicals to the processor in response to the amount of photosensitive material monitored.

Kit for use with a photographic processor

A modular photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material. The processor comprising a modular processing section containing at least one removable processing tank for holding a processing solution therein, the removable processing tank having an outlet port and an inlet port, and a modular recirculation system having a first end and a second end. The first end being connected to the inlet port by a first fluid connection and the second end being connected to the outlet port by a second fluid connection. The recirculation system including at least one replaceable fluid processing component which is connected to the recirculation system by a fluid connection, and the replaceable tank and/or component being configured such that they may be easily stacked together to minimize space and provide stability when stacked.

Photographic processor and method of operation

A modular photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material. The processor comprising a modular processing section containing at least one removable processing tank for holding a processing solution therein, the at least removable processing tank having an outlet port and an inlet port, and a modular recirculation system having a first end and a second end. The first end being connected to the inlet port by a first fluid connection and the second end being connected to the outlet port by a second fluid connection. The recirculation system including at least one replaceable fluid processing component which is connected to the recirculation system by a fluid connection. Controls are provide for designating operation of the apparatus for a preselected processing chemicals designed for a particular photosensitive material for preventing operation of the apparatus when the photosensitive material being processed is not compatible with processing solution contained with the at least one processing tank. Override controls are also provided for overriding the preventing of operation of the apparatus.

A modular photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material and a diverting assembly for use therewith. The processor comprising a processing section containing at least one removable processing tank for holding a processing solution therein, said removable processing tank having an outlet port and an inlet port, and a modular recirculation system having a first end and a second end. The first end being connected to said inlet port by a first fluid connection and said second end being connected to said outlet port by a second fluid connection The processing section having at least two distinct photosensitive processing paths, one path designed to process photosensitive material according to a first processing chemicals and said second path designed to process photosensitive material having a second processing chemicals. The at least one processing tank having two fluid containing section each capable of containing a different processing solution. The diverting assembly control which processing tank the photosensitive materials will pass through.

A modular photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material comprising a plurality of replaceable modular processing sections. The processor is made to be adjustable in size such that it can accommodate any desired number of replaceable processing stations.

A photographic processor comprising a processing section having at least one removable processing tank containing a processing solution therein. The processing tank has an access opening, an outlet port and an inlet port. A recirculation system is also provided having a first inlet end and a second outlet end. The first inlet end is connected to the outlet port of the removable processing tank by a first substantially dripless valve connection, and the second outlet end is connected to the inlet port of the at least one removable processing tank by a second substantially dripless valve connection. A cover is provided for mating with the access opening of the at least one removable processing tank such that the processing tank can be moved without spilling the processing solution contained therein through the access opening.

A photographic processor comprising a processing section having a first predetermined location designed to receive a first removable processing tank containing a first predetermined type processing solution designated for the first predetermined location. The processor further includes a second predetermined location designed to receive a second removable processing tank containing a second type processing solution designated for the second location. The first type processing solution being different from the second type processing solution. The first and second removable processing tanks each having an access opening, an outlet port and an inlet port. The processor also includes a recirculation system connected to the inlet port and the outlet port of each of the removable processing tanks for recirculating the processing solution contained therein. The tank has a configuration which prevents placement of the removable processing tank containing a particular processing solution at a location designated to receive a tank containing a different type processing solution.

A modular photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material. The processor comprising a modular processing section containing at least one removable processing tank for holding a processing solution therein. The one removable processing tank having an outlet port and an inlet port. The processor also includes a modular recirculation system having a first inlet end and a second outlet end. The second outlet end being connected to the inlet port by a first quick disconnect dripless fluid valve assembly and the first inlet end being connected to the outlet port by a second quick disconnect dripless fluid valve assembly. Various fluid processing components may be connected to the apparatus by at least one quick disconnect dripless fluid valve assembly for quick and easy repair or replacement of that component. The modular processor allows the quick and easy customizing or conversion of the processor to any desired processing chemistry

A photographic processor and/or system having a processing section containing at least one removable processing tank for containing a processing solution therein. The processing tank has an access opening, an outlet port and an inlet port. A recirculation system is connected to the inlet port and the outlet port of the removable processing tank for recirculating the processing solution through the tank. Identification means is provided on the removable tank for identifying the particular photographic chemical contained therein or the particular type removable processing tank. A lid may be provided for preventing spilling of the processing solution during removal, transporting and improved storage life of the processing solution.

A method of processing an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic element comprising developing and desilvering the photographic element in a low volume thin tank processor wherein the processor operates at 15% or less of maximum production capacity.

Method for processing silver halide color photographic elements using

A method of processing an imagewise exposed black and white silver halide photographic element comprising developing and desilvering the photographic element in a low volume thin tank processor wherein the processor operates at 15% or less of maximum production capacity.

Method of processing black and white photographic elements using

A processor including means for processing a photosensitive material to render latent images of photographed subjects on the photosensitive material visible, means for automatically reading a visible test indicia on the photosensitive material to determine predetermined characteristics of the test indicia and means for determining whether or not the characteristics of the visible test indicia are within a predetermined range. Also included are means for automatically creating a latent image of the test indicia on the photosensitive material. The processing means are adapted to process the photosensitive material to render the latent image of the test indicia visible. Further included are means for adjusting the processing means, if the characteristics of the visible test indicia are not within the predetermined range, to control one or more processing parameters of the processing means.

Growing community of inventors

Honeoye, NY, United States of America

Edgar Preston Gates