Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of development is disclosed, wherein printing plate precursors capable of being exposed with an infrared laser can be developed over a prolonged period without causing image defects, etc. The method comprises conducting the development of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor using an automatic developing apparatus having a substantially closed developing tank in which a developing solution is introduced and a conveying means for conveying the plate precursor disposed within the developing tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container 1 for receiving and distributing liquids, which are employed in the development of photographic images. The container 1 comprises a liquid duct 2, which extending from a point in the vicinity of the floor of the container, extends to a connection member 3, arranged in the top region of the container, for receiving a connection means.

Abstract: Photographic sheet material is processed using a processing cell through which the sheet material passes. Process liquid is fed from a collapsible storage container to the cell and returned from the cell to the container. The returning liquid is caused to enter the container as a jet stream. A cap assembly for the container comprises a body releasably connected to an upwardly facing mouth of the container. Inlet and outlet passages pass through the body and the inlet passage opening into the container is provided with a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the outlet passage to enable the jet stream to be achieved. Mixing of the returning process liquid in the container in a simple and economical manner is possible without compromising the ability of the container to collapse.

Abstract: A photograph developing apparatus includes a main processing tank and a sub-tank which is connected to the main processing tank. The sub-tank is provided with a filter, a sensor, and the like in order to filter processing solution and feed the filtered processing solution back to the main processing tank. The sub-tank has a lid for covering the top of the sub-tank. The lid has an evaporation prevention block which is extended to a point below the surface of the processing solution. Cavity portions are formed in the evaporation prevention block at least at positions corresponding to the filter and the sensor. Alternatively, evaporation of the processing solution is suppressed through employment of an evaporation prevention block which floats on the surface of the processing solution. In this case as well, cavity portions are formed in the block at least at positions corresponding to the filter and the sensor.

Abstract: A light-sensitive material processing apparatus comprises a circulating path through which processing solution in a processing tank is circulated; a pump for circulating the processing solution through the circulating path; and an oxidation promoting section provided to at least one of a part of the processing tank and a part of the circulating path, the oxidation promoting section having a depth shallower than that of the processing tank and a upper portion open to atmosphere, wherein a flow speed of the processing solution at the oxidation promoting section is not slower than 1.times.10.sup.3 mm/min.

Abstract: An automatic photographic developing apparatus for photosensitive materials includes a number of processing baths which are filled with processing solutions of different types for processing silver halide coated photosensitive materials. A same number of solution tanks communicated with the respective processing baths are provided for supplying the processing solutions, produced by dissolving solid agents, to the respective processing baths. Each of the solution tanks is protected with an openable cover and is provided with a guide along which the respective solid agents can be loaded into the respective solution tanks for dissolution as the solid agents run down by their own weight. The guide is pivotably mounted for movement between a guiding position and a non-guiding position and is urged by a return spring so that the guide can automatically return to the guiding position.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include two half shells that can be operably joined together, in whose walls pouches are provided. Two elements, approximately formed as ladders, each include first transport rollers, the two ladderlike elements being configured for insertion in the joined together half-shells. The first transport rollers are disposed on the respective ladderlike elements in such a way that upon insertion of the ladderlike elements into the joined together half-shells, the transport rollers fit into the pouches of the walls of the respective half shells. Exemplary embodiments also include a central element which, after the insertion of the two ladderlike elements, can be placed between the two ladderlike elements to maintain the two ladderlike elements in position and which, together with the respective ladderlike elements and the respective walls of the half-shells, defines a conduit for photographic material to be developed.

Abstract: It is known to supply processing chemicals for photographic processing apparatus in chemical supply cartridges. These cartridges may include ion-exchange resins for cleaning wash solutions therein before they are delivered to the processing apparatus. However, efficient use of such resins is not always made. Described herein is a method and apparatus which improves the efficiency of use of ion-exchange resins in the wash solution compartment of a chemical supply cartridge.

Abstract: A water replenishing device is disclosed which makes it possible to supply the necessary volume of water in response to a decrease in the processing solution in the processing tank due to evaporation. A water supply guide member is attached to an upper part of a processing solution tank. A discharge opening is formed at one end of the water supply guide member. Water supplied from a water replenishing pipe is fed to the water supply guide member and then it is supplied into the processing solution tank. When the processing solution level in the processing solution tank reaches an overflow opening, the excess water supplied to the water supply guide member is discharged outside the processing solution tank through the discharge opening.

Abstract: An automatic developing machine for developing photosensitive material while feeding the photosensitive material through a feed path through which developing solution is circulated. The feed path has a narrow, slit-shaped section. The feed path is defined between a pair of opposed wall members, one of which can be disassembled from the other. The members planted with fiber are detachably fitted on guide surfaces of the wall members which face an emulsion surface of the photosensitive material.

Abstract: A processing liquid cartridge storage apparatus in an automatic development processing system for automatically developing photosensitive materials includes a processing liquid cartridge(s) filled with at least two or more separately stored, different processing liquids and detachably loaded onto a cartridge bed plate installed in the automatic development processing system. The processing liquid cartridge is equipped with outlet nozzles extending from its processing liquid chambers an arranged to fit into corresponding apertures provided in the cartridge bed plate. A slide plate is slidably mounted beneath the cartridge bed plate and has at least two connected hole pairs provided therein at equal intervals.

Abstract: A liquid processing and sorting system for sequential chemical processes such as electroplating. Several trays are mounted in a stacked relationship in a housing, at least all but the lowest tray being individually movable between a use position and a storage position. Each tray is configured to hold a livid and includes a drain tube extending from a lower position of the tray and extending out of the housing through a slot running parallel to the line of tray movement so that each tray can be drained in either the use or storage position. The movable trays preferably slide along edge rails extending under tray edges parallel to the line of movement. The lowermost tray can be either fixed in the use position or may be movable as are the other trays. Preferably, an automatic system, such as hydraulic cylinders controlled by a switch, is provided to move a selected movable tray between the use and storage position as desired.

Abstract: A cartridge for receiving a photographic processing chemical comprises a main body formed with an outlet by way of which the chemical may be introduced into or removed from the cartridge. The main body also has a connection for a venting arrangement which provides communication between the interior of the main body of the cartridge and atmosphere when the cartridge is in use. The connection for the venting arrangement is located adjacent, and faces in the same direction as, the outlet in the main body so that in a single "plug-in" operation the cartridge can be located upon a processing apparatus to establish connections for the supply and return of the processing chemical and a connection with a venting arrangement provided on the processing apparatus.

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: A cartridge (1) for a processing chemical (3), such as a photographic developer or the like, comprises a main body (2) having an outlet (4, 5, 6, 7) by way of which the chemical may be introduced into and removed from the main body. The outlet is adapted for connection to a processing apparatus (8, 9, 10) to permit the chemical to be transferred between the apparatus and the cartridge. The main body of the cartridge incorporates a tube (6), one end of which is located externally of the main body. The tube extends through the interior of the main body so that its other end is disposed adjacent a region of the main body which is opposite that part of the main body where the outlet is formed. The cartridge is designed to be mounted on a processing apparatus with its outlet directed downwardly so that the tube stands substantially vertically. The processing chemical may be pumped out of the cartridge and back into the cartridge via the tube.

Abstract: A photosensitive material processing machine for processing a photosensitive material with a processing solution. The machine includes: a processing rack for forming a conveyance path of the photosensitive material in the processing solution; a conveyance roller, which is disposed in the processing rack, for conveying the photosensitive material; a sheet-shaped guide member for slidablly supporting the photosensitive material, in which the guide member is disposed in the processing rack so that the surface faces to the circumferential surface of the conveyance roller; a guide support member, which is disposed at the upper portion or the bottom portion of the processing rack, for supporting the guide member; and a driving means for driving the conveyance roller. In such the machine, the photosensitive material is conveyed by the conveyance roller as the photosensitive material being nipped between the conveyance roller and the guide member.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.