Abstract: A thermoelectric Peltier heat transfer device is used to treat a fluid, such as a photographic processing solution to reduce or prevent biogrowth. The device include both hot and cold sides that are in direct fluid flow communication so that the same fluid is treated on both sides of the device. The treated fluid is subjected to flash pasteurization on the hot side of the device, and immediately and rapidly cooled on the cold side without loss of volume. Thus, the same fluid is treated on both sides of the heat transfer device in a closed system before being returned to desired chemical, photographic or other processes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing water onto the surface of a substrate passed through the apparatus. The apparatus has a housing that defines an internal atmosphere confined in at least partial isolation from the ambient atmosphere. The housing has a moisture saturation portion, a deposition portion, and a passageway. The moisture saturation portion has a water supply and a vapor reservoir. The water supply contains a quantity of water. The vapor reservoir holds a volume of the interior atmosphere in thermal and phase equilibrium with the water in the water supply. The deposition portion has a plenum wall surrounding a central chamber. The plenum wall is substantially insulated from ambient temperature variations and has a pair of opposed substrate gaps. The gaps define a path for the substrate through the chamber. The passageway communicates with the vapor reservoir and the chamber. A primary heater is disposed to heat the water in the water supply.

Abstract: A method for processing a photographic material can be carried out by surface application. A device for processing a silver halide photographic material comprises a means for measuring the surface temperature of the material. This device affords more efficient and more reproducible processing.

Abstract: The inventive dispenser mechanism uniformly develops a photosensitive layer on a substrate. The mechanism uses a developer head that moves in a substantially linear relative motion with respect to the substrate and dispenses a developer at a controlled rate. Contact of the developer material with the photosensitive layer commences a chemical reaction of developing. The mechanism also uses a rinse head that has the same motion as the developer head and travels at the same velocity. The rinse head dispenses a rinse material at a controlled rate. Contact of the rinse material with the developer material on the photosensitive layer retards the chemical reaction of developing. The rinse head waits for a predetermined dwell period after the developer head has dispensed the developer material before dispensing the rinse material. The mechanism may also use a suction head that has the same motion and velocity and removes loose material on a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, the apparatus having plural processes of at least a developing process, a bleaching process and a fixing process, comprises a supplying device to supply a processing solution to a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material in at least one process of the plural processes, whereby a point of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is supplied with the processing solution during a supplying time, wherein the point of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is processed during a processing time in the process and the supplying time is not longer than 70% of the processing time; and a heater to heat the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material in such a manner that a surface temperature of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material when the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is supplied with the processing solution by the supplying device is 40.degree.

Abstract: In an automatic film developer, measurements are taken of internal temperature parameters during a warm up phase. Based on measured temperature values a time for completing the warm up phase is calculated. The calculated time for warm up is displayed so that it can be read by an operator. When the calculated time for warm up completion has elapsed, an indication is displayed that the film developer is operational. During the warm up phase, film is not allowed to advance through the automatic film developer. When the calculated time for warm up completion has elapsed, advance of film through the film developer is automatically started.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing radiation-sensitive, exposed printing forms into printing plates is disclosed. The apparatus has a developer pan in which a developer bath 2 is situated. The individual printing form runs through the developing station of this apparatus in a running-through plane. On both sides of the running-through plane there are a first pair of transport rollers, two brushing rollers with their counter-rollers and a second pair of transport rollers at the end of the developing station. Arranged between the first pair of transport rollers and the first brushing roller with its counter-roller, on the underside of the running-through plane, are guide rollers. A closed vessel, filled with developing solution, is connected via a developer circuit and a pump to the developer bath. In the vessel there are a temperature sensor and a measuring electrode for the electric conductivity of the developing solution.

Abstract: A development assisting apparatus is provided which can give a finish of uniform quality and in a short time, irrespective of changes in temperature due to regional temperature differences or changes with the seasons. A case side clamping face 6 is provided on a front face of a case body 2, and an openable lid 3 with a lid side clamping face 16 provided on an inner face thereof, is hinged so as to be openable relative to the case side clamping face 6. A heating device 7 is provided on the case body 2, and in this case the case side clamping face 6 rather than the lid side clamping face 16 is heated so that an instant camera film 1 pressed and held between the clamping faces 6, 16 is kept warm. Due to the film 1 being kept warm by the heating and heat retention, then uniform development without irregularities is possible.

Abstract: A development processing apparatus in which a photosensitive material is processed in processing solutions, and thereafter, the photosensitive material which has been processed in the processing solutions is subjected to drying processing by a dry air from a drying machine built in the development processing apparatus, comprising: a re-drying section which delivers the dry air from the drying machine to the outer side of the development processing apparatus; and photosensitive material holding means in which, in order to dry again the photosensitive material which has been subjected to drying processing by the dry air from the re-drying section, the photosensitive material which has been subjected to drying processing is held such that the surface of the photosensitive material which has been subjected to drying processing is substantially parallel to the direction of the dry air delivered from the re-drying section.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing of a photographic material, the apparatus comprises a first processing tank containing a first processing solution; a second processing tank containing a second processing solution; and a heat exchange system having a heat exchange fluid, which is independent of the first and second solutions and a temperature of which is controlled independent of the first and second solutions, for cooling of the first processing solution contained in the first processing tank and heating of the processing solution contained in the second processing tank.

Abstract: A development processing apparatus includes: a plurality of stock tanks which stores a plurality of types of processing solutions; a small-volume single processing tank including an entrance/exit port for a film which enables the entering/exiting of the film, the processing tank accommodating the film via the entrance/exit port for a film and developing the film in the plurality of types of processing solutions; processing solution supply which supplies the plurality of types of processing solutions from the plurality of stock tanks to the processing tank in a predetermined order; a sensor which measures the temperature of the processing solution within the processing tank; a heater which is disposed at the stock tanks or the processing solution supply and heats the processing solution; and control which is connected to the processing solution supply and the heater and controls the processing solution supply such that the last processing solution supplied to the processing tank is filled within the processing

Abstract: An automatic film processor is provided for developing high resolution, large sheet-format film in such a manner that fluid flow across the film will be uniform during all phases of film production, in order to avoid gradients, ridge lines and streaking sometimes associated with development of high resolution film. The film processor facilitates the uniform application of chemistry to the film by rapidly applying film-developing chemistry to the film, agitating and washing the chemistry over the film and quickly removing the chemistry from the film.

Abstract: Photographic processing apparatus in which both exposing and processing stages of a photographic process are combined to form a single unit or linked so that a continuous web of photographic film or paper is used in both units at the same time is known. However, due to differences in speed of the exposing and processing stages, there is a need to store a "buffer" length of the material being processed between the two stages. Described herein is a method of varying the speed of the processing stage of photographic processing apparatus to compensate for changes in the capacity of a processor while maintaining a constant path length. This achieved by changing its activity of one of the steps in the processing stage, for instance, by changing the temperature of the development step. This is feasible without unacceptable time delays or energy or chemical consumption associated with changing the solution activity by the use of low volume tanks with low capacity.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for supplying an image-forming solution, and a method for heating control.

Abstract: A photosensitive material processing device having a processing tank in which is stored a processing solution for processing photosensitive materials. The processing tank is formed such that, given that a tank volume is V milliliters and a path length is L centimeters, a value V/L is less than or equal to 25. A circulating path which circulates the processing solution within the processing tank is provided. A cast heater which heats the processing solution in the circulating path to a predetermined temperature is provided on the circulating path. Accordingly, because the processing tank is long and thin, stores a small amount of processing solution, and has a value V/L of less than or equal to 25, the cast heater heats the processing solution to the predetermined temperature in a short time and stably maintains the predetermined temperature. The photosensitive material processing device is advantageous in terms of cost and environmental preservation.

Abstract: A process for the development of photographic materials comprises developing the materials in a bath of developer processing solution and subjecting the used developer solution to a water recovery step comprising distillation or reverse osmosis and using the recovered water to prepare a photographic processing solution or as a compensator for evaporation loss and wherein said used developer solution passed to the water recovery step is free of contaminants such as ammonia or sulphur dioxide present in bleaching and fixing agents. Preferably the used developer solution is subjected to the water recovery without the addition of other photographic processing liquids. The recovered water may be used to prepare developer solution or developer replenisher solution and recycled to the developer processing bath.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a plurality of easily removable processing units including at least a heating unit for heating a substrate and a cooling unit for cooling the substrate, and an outer frame having a plurality of compartments. Each compartment has an opening through which a processing unit may be inserted or removed. The plurality of compartments are arranged vertically. Each compartment has a plurality of first joint members connected to utility lines including those of an electrical system, a control system, and a fluid system. The electrical, control, and fluid systems are necessary for operating the processing units. Each processing unit has a plurality of second joint members connected to the first joint members.

Abstract: A development processing apparatus in which a photosensitive material is processed in processing solutions, and thereafter, the photosensitive material which has been processed in the processing solutions is subjected to drying processing by a dry air from a drying machine built in the development processing apparatus, comprising: a re-drying section which delivers the dry air from the drying machine to the outer side of the development processing apparatus; and photosensitive material holding means in which, in order to dry again the photosensitive material which has been subjected to drying processing by the dry air from the re-drying section, the photosensitive material which has been subjected to drying processing is held such that the surface of the photosensitive material which has been subjected to drying processing is substantially parallel to the direction of the dry air delivered from the re-drying section.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for developing radiation-sensitive, exposed printing forms into printing plates is disclosed. The apparatus has a developer pan that contains a developer bath. Individual printing form runs through the developing station of this apparatus in a running-through plane. On each side of the running-through plane there is are a first pair of transport rollers, two brushing rollers with counter-rollers and a second pair of transport rollers at the end of the developing station. Guide rollers are arranged between the first pair of transport rollers and the first brushing roller with its counter-roller, on the underside of the running-through plane. A closed vessel, filled with developing solution, is connected via a developer circuit and a pump to the developer bath. The vessel contains a temperature sensor and a measuring electrode for the electric conductivity of the developing solution.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use in a photographic processing apparatus. The filter assembly comprising a housing having an internal chamber, a chamber inlet for allowing a processing solution to flow into the internal chamber, a chamber outlet for allowing processing solution to flow out of the internal chamber, an air bleed passage having a first connecting end in fluid communication with the receiving section and an outlet connecting end in fluid communication with the chamber outlet, the first connecting end being located with respect to the receiving section so that trapped air will be removed from the receiving section.

Abstract: A developing machine having a high durability at a high temperature even in the presence of a high concentration of the developing agent is provided. The developing machine has means for keeping the temperature of a color developer having a concentration of an aromatic primary amine developing agent of 0.15 to 0.50 mol/l in the range of 40.degree. to 50.degree. C., and the material for at least one of the developing tanks and the racks is a resin selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, polymethylpentene resin, polyether ether ketone resin, polyalkylene terephthalate resin, polyether imide resin, polyether sulfone resin and polysulfone resin.

Abstract: An apparatus (14) for developing an exposed proof (16) provided with a visible light absorbing composition such as color particles or pigments includes a transport means (22-28, 36) for transporting the proof (16) along a treatment liquid dispenser unit (30, 32) and a take-off device (44, 38, 40) for removing detached composition from the proof (16). A tempering device (48) is provided for keeping the treatment liquid, which in the dispenser unit (30, 32) is applied onto the proof (16), at the optimum temperature for the developing process. The tempering device (48) comprises at least one Peltier element (52) which has at least one of its two tempering faces thermally connected with treatment liquid. The Peltier element (52) is adapted to receive a reversible supply voltage whose amount and polarity can be controlled. Depending on the polarity of the supply voltage, the Peltier element (52) operates either as a heating element or a cooling element.

Abstract: A heat treatment device for a printing form in which the contact of the printing form with a heating plate can be made more complete to achieve heat development reproducing complete images. The device comprises a heating means for surface heating the photosensitive planographic printing form having a metal support and continuous belt for covering the whole printing form to hold it between a continuous belt and the heating means and heating the printing form while transferring it along the continuous belt. The heat treatment device further comprises at least one tension roller for increasing the pressure on the continuous belt at a central portion of the printing form to laterally distribute the pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a silver halide photographic material, having on one side of a support a hydrophobic polymer layer as the outermost layer and on the side opposite an emulsion layer, by means of an automatic developing apparatus. The apparatus has a drying operation part which is equipped with two or more hot rollers arranged so that the silver halide photographic material may be wrapped partly around each of the hot rollers in turn and the contact between the rollers and the material may alternate between the front surface and the back surface of the photographic material, whereby the moisture in the photographic material evaporates from the surface areas when they are not in contact with the hot rollers. This method results in improvements in the drying characteristics of the photographic material and the transportation characteristics of the automatic developing apparatus.

Abstract: A resist developing apparatus has a plurality of developing solution containers each provided with a temperature regulator, a mixture tank connected to the plurality of developing solution containers, a flow control valve connected between the mixture tank and each developing solution container, a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of developing solution in the mixture tank, and a control system for controlling the flow control valve in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detector. As the development progresses, the temperature of the developing solution is lowered to stop the development. Thereafter, the developing solution is supplanted by rinsing solution.