Eastman-kodak Company

Nigel R Wildman

Anthony Earle

Peter J Twist

Allan Francis Sowinski

Richard P Szajewski

Eric R Schmittou

Robert A Arcus

John R Fyson

Edward C Glover

Gareth B Evans

Leslie R Wells

Charles S Christ, Jr

Roy King

Andrew D Grimsey

Richard N Vernon

Marc J Gaudillere

A method of processing a print order in which the entire order is delivered simultaneously. An exposed sheet carrying all the latent images of the order is developed in a single processing space.

Photographic processing system

A processing apparatus is provided which can be easily transported to whatever location is required. The apparatus has no open tanks of processing solution, the possibility of spillage of the solutions being therefore eliminated.

Transportable processor

Method of developing a color negative element intended for scanning

A method of processing a silver halide photographic material comprises passing the material through a processing solution repeatedly at a temperature suitable for processing, the material spending the major part of the processing time out of the liquid, wherein said processing solution has a viscosity from 0.7 to 5 cP at the processing temperature.

Processing photographic material

The present invention relates to a processing system and method for processing photographic material. The processing system and method of the invention is adapted to recover water from humid air for reuse in the processor, as well as convert a liquid waste processing solution into a dry waste for disposal. In the system and method of the present invention, heated air is circulated through the processor and comes into contact with a cold surface to condense the heated air. The water resulting from this contacting of the heated air with the cold surface can be collected and recycled back to the processor for reuse in the processor. Further, waste solution can be absorbed by a matting material appropriately placed in the processor which evaporates the waste solution to a solid waste for subsequent disposal.

Method and system for processing photographic material which includes water recovery from humid air for re-use in the processing

A method of processing photographic material in which a reciprocable member is plunged into a tank containing a small volume of processing solution. The solution is rapidly displaced through the channels created between the tank wall and the plunger and across the surface of the photographic material.

A method of processing a photographic material in which the material is loaded into a rotatable chamber and a metered amount of solution is introduced into the chamber. The chamber is rotated and the solution is continuously swept along the surface of the material, forming a wave through which the material passes to enable uniform processing.

A method of reducing the volume of a processing tank by only filtering processing solution when it is either drawn into the tank and circulation system or when it is returned to the supply container.

Photosensitive material is processed by passing the material through a chamber holding processing solution, the temperature of the solution being raised as the material passes through the chamber.

A low volume processing apparatus having a narrow processing channel has the processing solution entering via passages located towards the inlet and outlet of the channel. The solution leaves the channel via a passage located in the middle thereof, the flow of solution pulling the film into a fixed position within the channel. The reversal of flow minimizes the amount of air entrained with the returning flow.

The present invention relates to a method and system for reusing a washing solution within a processor for processing photographic material. In the method and system of the present invention, sequential washing stages are applied to the processor. During one of the wash stages, and preferably a wash stage subsequent to an initial a first wash stage (a second wash stage), a volume of washing solution which is greater than the washing solution applied in the first wash stage is applied. The washing solution applied in the second or subsequent wash stage is subject to a chemical treatment such as an ion exchange, and is thereafter, recycled back to the processor for reuse in processing photographic material and/or cleaning the components of the processor.

System and method for processing photographic material which includes wash water recovery

An apparatus can be used to process photographic silver halide materials in an &ldquo;almost dry&rdquo; format. This apparatus includes means for supplying the photographic material as well as photochemical delivery articles and means for providing the chemicals for photochemical reaction and image formation. The apparatus can also include heating means for speeding up the reaction, scanning means and solution applicators at various stations. The delivery articles can be laminated or other wise contacted with the imaged photographic materials on the silver halide emulsion side allowing photochemicals to diffuse into and out of the materials for the desired chemical reactions. Multiple delivery articles can be used in sequence to provide the desired sequence of photochemical reactions.

Apparatus for providing a photochemical reaction

Image formation in photosensitive materials can be simplified by photoprocessing the imagewise exposed materials using photochemical delivery articles that consist essential of nonporous substrate and a hydrogel that contains the one or more photochemicals needed for image formation. The delivery articles can be laminated or other wise contacted with the imaged photographic materials on the silver halide emulsion side allowing photochemicals to diffuse into and out of the materials for the desired chemical reactions. Multiple delivery articles can be used in sequence to provide the desired sequence of photochemical reactions.

Photochemical delivery article and method of use

A method of processing photosensitive material which passes through at least two processing solutions in which the material is rinsed after passing through a first solution and prior to passing through the second solution. The mixture of rinse solution and recovered first solution is returned to the process cycle to replenish the first solution.

Growing community of inventors

Watford, United Kingdom

Nigel R Wildman