Abstract: A black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability and is more compatible with the environment when discarded. The composition includes one or more ascorbic acid developing agents and a preservative (such as a sulfite) and is essentially free of hydroquinone and similar developing agents. It comprises an &agr;-ketocarboxylic acid stabilizing agent at a molar ratio to the ascorbic acid developing agent of from about 0.05:1 to about 2.5:1, and at a molar ratio to the preservative of from about 0.05:1 to about 6.25:1.

Abstract: A two-part sepia toning kit can be used to provide desired stable, warm sepia toned images in black-and-white photographic positive or negative materials such as black-and-white photographic prints. One part of the kit includes a silver bleaching composition comprising a hexacyanoferrate as the bleaching agent and halide ions in a molar ratio of at least 2.25:1. The second part is a toning composition that includes a sulfur-containing toning agent.

Abstract: Color photographic films are processed using a final dye image stabilizing solution containing certain aromatic or heterocyclic aldehydes, acetals or hemiacetals, and a mixture of specific surfactants. One surfactant is a nonionic polyethoxylated, nonfluorinated compound, or an anionic non-fluorinated sulfate or sulfonate, and the second surfactant is a nonionic or anionic fluorinated compound. This processing solution provides processed films, with or without a magnetic backing layer, that are free of scum or other residues, non-tacky, and resistant to abrasion and fingerprinting. The stabilizing solution can be provided in concentrated form, particularly when a glycol is included.

Abstract: A photographic color developing composition includes a color developing agent and at least 0.005 g/l of an anti-tar agent. Such anti-tar agents include a fluoroalkylpolyethyleneoxy alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, a polyethylene glycol, a free acid of an organic phosphate ester or a salt thereof, or a polyethyleneoxide(20) sorbitan monooleate Inclusion of these agents has been found to significant reduce or elimination tar formation during the processing of color photographic materials, especially color motion picture films.

Abstract: Color photographic films are processed using a final dye image stabilizing solution containing certain aromatic or heterocyclic aldehydes, acetals or hemiacetals, and a mixture of specific surfactants. One surfactant is a nonionic polyethoxylated, nonfluorinated compound, or an anionic non-fluorinated sulfate or sulfonate, and the second surfactant is a nonionic or anionic fluorinated compound. This processing solution provides processed films, with or without a magnetic backing layer, that are free of scum or other residues, non-tacky, and resistant to abrasion and fingerprinting. The stabilizing solution can be provided in concentrated form, particularly when a glycol is included. The color films can be more rapidly processed, for example, within 60 seconds for the stabilizing step.

Abstract: Color photographic materials are processed using a final rinse solution containing a water-soluble or water-dispersible glycol, and a mixture of specific surfactants. One surfactant is a nonionic polyethoxylated, nonfluorinated compound, or an anionic non-fluorinated sulfate or sulfonate, and the second surfactant is a nonionic or anionic fluorinated compound. This solution provides processed materials, with or without a magnetic backing layer, that are free of scum or other residues, non-tacky, and resistant to abrasion and fingerprinting. The final rinse solution can be provided in concentrated form, particularly because the glycol is included.

Abstract: Color photographic films are processed using a final dye image stabilizing solution containing certain aromatic or heterocyclic aldehydes, acetals or hemiacetals, and a mixture of specific surfactants. One surfactant is a nonionic polyethoxylated, nonfluorinated compound, or an anionic non-fluorinated sulfate or sulfonate, and the second surfactant is a nonionic or anionic fluorinated compound. This processing solution provides processed films, with or without a magnetic backing layer, that are free of scum or other residues, non-tacky, and resistant to abrasion and fingerprinting. The stabilizing solution can be provided in concentrated form, particularly when a glycol is included.

Abstract: Color photographic materials are processed using a final rinse solution containing a water-soluble or water-dispersible glycol, and a mixture of specific surfactants. One surfactant is a nonionic polyethoxylated, nonfluorinated compound, or an anionic non-fluorinated sulfate or sulfonate, and the second surfactant is a nonionic or anionic fluorinated compound. This solution provides processed materials, with or without a magnetic backing layer, that are free of scum or other residues, non-tacky, and resistant to abrasion and fingerprinting. The final rinse solution can be provided in concentrated form, particularly because the glycol is included.

Abstract: Silver halide photographic color films can be effectively stabilized using a chemical stabilizing kit of two concentrated chemical solutions that are mixed and diluted at least 5:1 when used. Each concentrated chemical solution contains some of the necessary chemicals for the processing solution, but keeping them individually packaged prior to use prevents biocide instability and other problems when all of the chemical components are mixed in concentrated form. One concentrated chemical solution includes hexamethylenetetramine and an alcoholamine such as diethanolamine. The other concentrated chemical solution includes the biocide(s) and one or more surfactants.

Abstract: A processing composition includes a combination of two different mercapto-substituted anti-sludging agents. The first compound is a conventional mercapto-substituted compound, and the second compound is a mercapto thiadiazole glycerol propoxylate having the formula I: ##STR1## This processing composition can be used to provide black-and-white development of both color reversal and black-and-white photographic elements, and particularly in high contrast graphic arts films.

Abstract: Color reversal photographic films are processed using a reversal solution comprising stannous ion and a quaternary ammonium compound as the sole biocide, to reduce formation of biogrowth.

Abstract: Various photographic films, that have already been photographically processed, can be cleaned or washed using an aqueous wash solution comprising a phospholipid in an amount of at least 50 ppm, to remove dust, dirt, or oily fingerprints. This solution can be particularly useful for rewashing color motion picture films.

Abstract: A stabilizing bath that provides image stability and uniform drainage of excess fluid to prevent drying spots and that reduces or eliminates the formation of residue on the base side of color negative films is comprised of hexamethylenetetramine, a nonionic polyethoxylated surfactant, and an anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactant. The stabilizing bath is used as the final processing bath prior to drying. The nonionic surfactant provides uniform drainage of excess fluid and the anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactant functions to reduce or eliminate the formation of residue on the base side of color negative films.

Abstract: A photographic rinse composition has been developed which reduces jamming in the processing of photographic print materials and prevents biological growth on and leaching of materials from the print materials. This composition includes a vinyl pyrrolidone polymer, at least about 0.02 g/l of a biocide mixture comprising 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and at least about 0.02 g/l of an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant. Cupric ion can also be included to stabilize the biocide mixture.

Abstract: A stabilizing bath that provides image stability and uniform drainage of excess fluid to prevent drying spots and that reduces or eliminates the formation of residue on the base side of color negative films is comprised of hexamethylenetetramine, a nonionic polyethoxylated surfactant, and an anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactant. The stabilizing bath is used as the final processing bath prior to drying. The nonionic surfactant provides uniform drainage of excess fluid and the anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactant functions to reduce or eliminate the formation of residue on the base side of color negative films.

Abstract: A silver recovery element (10) for treating a photographic developer solution containing silver ions comprises a substrate (20) having thereon a hydrophilic colloid layer containing physical development nuclei. The invention also comprises a process for recovering silver from a photographic developer solution containing silver ions, such process comprising contacting the solution with the silver recovery element. The contacting is for a time sufficient to reduce the concentration of silver in the solution to a desired level. The recovery element and process for its use are useful in treating a seasoned photographic developer solution containing silver ions.

Abstract: An element and a process for recovering silver from a photographic developer solution containing silver ions. The silver recovery element (10) comprises a support (12) having a hydrophilic colloid layer (16) containing physical development nuclei on at least one of two opposing outer surfaces. Raised portions (20) space adjacent surfaces in the element's rolled-up configuration. The element can be contacted with the developer solution to recover silver from the solution.

Abstract: A process for treating a photographic developer solution containing silver ion comprises contacting the solution with a silver recovery element (10), which comprises a substrate (12) having thereon a hydrophilic colloid layer (16) containing physical development nickel. The contacting is carried out for a time sufficient to reduce the silver concentration in the developer solution to a desired level. The process is useful for treating a seasoned or unseasoned photographic developer solution containing silver ions.

Abstract: A fixing bath and a method of fixing wherein the bath contains an imidazole compound that facilitates the removal of thiosulfate from the film in addition to reducing the presence of stain in the resulting film.

Abstract: A color filter array for an area image sensor comprises a plurality of color filters formed on the sensor which selectively filter different colors of light. Each color filter includes a bottom semi-transparent partially reflected silver layer, a transparent, absorption free, dielectric layer formed on the bottom layer and having a thickness selected to correspond to wavelengths of light which are to pass into the image sensor, and a top semi-transparent partially reflected silver layer formed on the dielectric layer. The arrangement is that different colors of light selectively pass through the filter array into the corresponding potential wells of the area image sensor.