Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on one side of a support a photosensitive layer comprising a silver halide emulsion and an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei in water permeable relationship with said emulsion layer and on the other side of the support at least one backing layer comprising gelatin and a dye and/or a dye precursor characterized in that said dye or dye precursor is such that after treatment of said imaging element in an alkaline solution with a pH of 10.9 for 20 s at a temperature of 30.degree. C. the backing layer has a reflection spectrum when treated for 20 s at 20.degree. C. in a neutralizing solution with a pH of 7.5 that is visually different from the reflection spectrum when treated for 20 s at 20.degree. C. in a neutralizing solution with a pH of 8.5.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide photographic element having a support on the bottom and a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer on the top, comprising:directing a ray of infrared light in a direction so as to fall on the top side of the element;detecting the presence or absence of infrared light reflected from the top of the element whereby the presence or absence of the element can be determined; andusing the detection of the reflected infrared light to control a processing step.The invention also provides a device capable of performing the method as described.

Abstract: Black-and-white silver halide photographic materials are processed with the use of a processor which requires no silver recovery means, no water supply and no drain. The photographic material is transported through a series of processing tanks including a developer tank, one or more fixer tanks, and one or more wash or stabilizer tanks. Replenishment of the fixing solution is controlled so that the rate of replenishment of the fixer tank is a function of the level of one or more chemicals in the last tank through which the material is transported.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material by an automatic processor is disclosed. The processing method comprises the steps of (1) developing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material with a developer being in a developing tank of said automatic processor while replenishing a developer replenisher in a rate of from 50 ml to 330 ml per square meter of the light-sensitive material processed and (2) fixing said developed silver halide photographic light-sensitive material with a fixer being in a fixing tank of said automatic processor while replenishing a fixer replenisher in a rate of from 50 ml to 330 ml per square meter of the light-sensitive material. The light-sensitive material comprises a support and at least one silver halide emulsion layer provided on a surface of a support which is a stretched film composed of a styrene copolymer having a syndiotactic structure or a composition containing said styrene copolymer.

Abstract: In a method of monitoring washing water used in a developing process of a photosensitive material, a reference conductivity of the washing water is first calculated in accordance with a equation and based on the conductivity of a processing solution in a bleaching/fixing tank and the conductivity of fresh water for replenishing the washing tank. The conductivity of the washing water in the washing tank is compared with the reference conductivity to determine the degree of contamination of the washing water. Since the conductivity of the processing solution may vary due to evaporation thereof or the like, the reference conductivity is updated at periodic intervals. Accordingly, the degree of contamination can always be determined based on a proper reference conductivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a photosensitive material. The apparatus having at least one processing tank containing a processing solution for processing the photosensitive material, a replenishment system for replenishing the processing solution comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts each having independent usage rates, means for measuring the distribution of transmittance of the photosensitive material being processed by the at least one processing tank, and means for independently supplying the first and second parts to the at least one processing tank in accordance with the distribution of the transmittance of the photosensitive material being processed, the ratio of the volume of the first part to the volume of the second part to be delivered to the tank being at least 10 to 1.

Abstract: A method for processing silver halide color photographic light-sensitive materials is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the bleaching of an exposed photographic material utilizes a peroxide bleach solution to remove metallic silver from the exposed photographic material. The silver from the photographic material passes into the bleach solution such that at least part of the excess silver over that required to catalyze the bleaching action is removed from the bleach solution by forming an insoluble silver compound, for example, by the addition of a halide. The invention provides an apparatus for use in the bleaching method.

Abstract: A method of imagewise exposing and processing a photographic silver halide color material in a machine containing a number of non-replenished processing tanks or processing tanks that are supplied from a non-replenished source,the method comprising increasing the exposure time automatically by a predetermined factor related to the area of photographic material already processed and the volume of the non-replenished processing solution.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed photographic silver halide material in a machine containing a number of non-replenished processing tanks or processing tanks that are supplied from a non-replenished source, the method wherein the silver halide comprises at least 95% by weight silver chloride and processing in each tank is carried out with sufficient agitation to avoid the need for replenishment.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed photographic silver halide color material in a machine containing a number of processing tanks or processing tanks which are supplied from a non-replenished source, the method comprising increasing the temperature of at least one of the tanks automatically by a predetermined amount related to the area of photographic material already processed and optionally, the time of treatment in said at least one processing tank is increased by a predetermined factor related to the area of photographic material already processed and the volume of the non-replenished processing solution.

Abstract: A recycling method for photographic processing waste liquid is disclosed. The photographic processing waste liquid is subjected to evaporative concentration under a reduced pressure of not higher than 700 mmHg and at a temperature of not higher than 90.degree. C. The resulting distillate is used as a solvent for photographic processing agents or as an evaporation compensator for processing tanks of an automatic processing machine.

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 is disclosed in converting silver halide to silver by use of a developer containing two compounds which can be titrated in a single potentiometric titration with silver nitrate and based on the titration an additional quantity of the two compounds are added to depleted developer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for processing a black-and-white light-sensitive silver halide photographic material containing at least one kind of a tetrazolium compound or a hydrazine compound with a developing solution containing a polyhydroxybenzene type developing agent, wherein the developing solution is a developing solution prepared by using a solid processing agent, a solid processing agent for a black-and-white light-sensitive silver halide photographic material containing a tetrazolium compound or a hydrazine compound comprising a polyhydroxybenzene type developing agent and a solid processing agent for a black-and-white light-sensitive silver halide photographic material containing a tetrazolium compound or a hydrazine compound comprising a thiosulfate fixing agent and water in an amount of 300% or less based on an amount of the thiosulfate fixing agent.

Abstract: In photographic processing apparatus, by-products are produced due to the chemical reactions which occur during the processing of photographic materials. It is known to remove some of these by-products in accordance with the area of photographic material processed and a knowledge of the average level of production of the by-products. This leads to inaccuracies in maintaining a fixed level of the by-products in the processing solutions. Described herein is a method of controlling a subsystem which removes by-products from the processing solutions by using data relating to the exposure given to a photographic material in the printing stage of the processing apparatus to calculate the amount of by-products produced so that they can be exactly removed from the processing solutions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the rate of replenishment of chemical solutions in a photographic processing apparatus used for copying a photographic negative having a transmittance onto photographic material includes a number of steps and an apparatus for carrying out those steps. First, light is exposed onto the photographic negative to form a latent image of the photographic negative on the photographic material. Next, the latent image formed on the photographic material is developed by placing the photographic material in chemical solutions. The photographic material reacts with the chemical solutions to form an amount of dyes on the developed photographic material. The exposure given to the photographic material is measured and then the amount of dyes on the developed photographic material is obtained from the measured exposure.

Abstract: A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material for use in preparing a color proof image from a halftone image information is provided, comprising a support having thereon blue-sensitive, green-sensitive and red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers, in which at least one of the silver halide emulsion layers comprises silver halide grains having a silver chloride content of not less than 80 mol % and of which the reflection densities, when unprocessed, at wavelengths of 450, 550 and 700 nm each are not less than 0.8.

Abstract: A method for processing an exposed silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is provided, comprisingdeveloping the photographic material with a developer,fixing the photographic material with a fixer,stabilizing the photographic material with a stabilizer, andreplenishing at least one of the developer, the fixer and the stabilizer by supplying a processing composition,wherein the processing composition is a solid composition, meeting the following requirement,2.ltoreq.S/R.ltoreq.70wherein S is a dissolving time (in minutes) of a unit by weight of the solid composition supplied and R is an amount (in m.sup.2) of the photographic material processed per unit weight of the solid composition supplied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling electrolytic silver recovery for two film processing machines which enables the fixing baths to be connected with a silver recovery unit according to their level of silver concentration. According to the invention, the silver concentration in a fixing bath having a liquid connection with the silver recovery unit and in an unconnected fixing bath is continually calculated by electronic means and a control signal is generated when the difference in silver concentration between the connected and the unconnected fixing baths reaches a pre-definable level, said control signal causing actuators to connect the silver recovery unit with the fixing bath having the higher concentration of silver. When the silver concentration reaches a pre-definable level an electrolysing current in the silver recovery unit is switched on and remains switched on until the silver concentration falls below the pre-defined level.

Abstract: A method of processing silver halide photographic material comprises the steps of passing a belt for conveying an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic material through the processing tanks, carrying the silver halide photographic material on the belt and processing the silver halide photographic material conveyed by the belt in the processing tanks while replenishing the tanks with constant amounts of replenishing solutions respectively, wherein the method comprises detecting a level of developing solution in development tank and supplying the development tank with an additional fresh developing tank solution or overflow solution from the development tank when said level of developing solution in the tank falls to a predetermined level. This method makes it possible to reduce an amount of the processing solution waste to be drained from the processing machine.

Abstract: A method for developing light-sensitive silver halide photographic materials, in a compact automatic developing machine, comprising transporting the light-sensitive silver halide photographic materials to a processing tank which contains a processing solution for processing an exposed light-sensitive silver halide photographic material. The processing tank includes a processing portion, and a receiving portion for receiving a solid processing agent. A solid processing agent is supplied to the receiving portion of the processing tank based on information on the amount of processing of the light-sensitive silver halide photographic materials. The solid processing agent is preferably in the form of tablets which contain all components necessary to process the light-sensitive silver halide photographic material. The processing solution is circulated between the processing portion and the receiving portion at a flow rate of not less than 0.5 times the processing tank volume per minute.

Abstract: In a method of processing a photosensitive material in a processing solution, a solid component and water are fed separately. A working solution is prepared by dissolving the solid component in the water. Thereafter; the photosensitive material is processed by being brought in contact with the working solution.

Abstract: An image forming method for silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is disclosed. The method is excellent in stability and rapidness of processing. And in the photographic color image formed by the method, staine formation due to storage is inhibited in unimaged area of the picture. The method is comprises steps of developing an imagewise exposed silver halide color photographic material with a color developer, bleaching with a bleaching solution, immediately after the developing step, and treating, after the bleaching step, with a solution having fixing capability. The bleaching solution contains a ferric complex salt of a compound represented by the following formula A, and the solution having fixing capability contains at least one of thiocyanate and an iodide in a total amount of not less than 0.5 mol per liter of the solution, ##STR1## wherein A, through A.sub.4 are each a --CH.sub.2 OH group, a --COOM group or a --PO.sub.3 M.sup.1 M.sub.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material and which has a solid agent replenisher, is provided with a water producing device to recover water from the air or from used processing solution. The apparatus also is provided with a water replenisher which delivers recovered water to a processing tank to replenish the water in the processing solution contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process using rinsing water, characterized in that alkali is added to said rinsing water before washing at most 20 m.sup.2 of said exposed and developed imaging element and/or before being in use for more than 24 hours in such an amount that a pH in said washing water between 10.5 and 13 is obtained.

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 treating a seasoned fixing solution comprising desilvering a fixing solution containing a chelating compound represented by Formula IMOOC(CH.sub.2)m(X)p((CH.sub.2).sub.n COOM).sub.q (I)where X is N, or C--OH;n and m are independently 0, 1, or 2;if X is N then p is 0 or 1 and q is 1 or 2;if X is C-OH then p is 0, 1 or 2 and q is 1 or 2; andM is a cationic counterion; andfurther containing a carryover amount of a bleaching agent which is a complex of ferric ion and a tridentate or a tetradentate ligand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electrolytic silver recovery system for a photographic processor, the control being effected in response to the surface area of the photosensitive material moved through the processing solutions. The apparatus determines the amount of silver deposited in the fixing bath of the processor from the width, length and density of the photosensitive material and used as an electrical signal for controlling the electrolytic current of the silver recovery system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process using rinsing water, characterized in that said rinsing water before washing at most 20 m.sup.2 of said exposed and developed imaging element and/or before being in use for more than 24 hours is brought in contact with (i) a metal of the group IB or IIB or VIII of the periodic table or (ii) with an alloy containing at least one of said metals or (iii) with a salt containing an ion of at least one of said metals.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed photographic silver halide material in a system which includes circulation and replenishment of the processing solution employed in at least one processing step characterized in that said processing step takes place in a processing tank divided into at least two parts separated by a barrier which reduces the mixing of the solutions in the neighboring parts and in that each part is separately recirculated and replenished to maintain a different concentration of a processing bath component in the first or earlier part than the second or later part.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for processing a silver halide photographic light sensitive material comprising the steps ofdeveloping the light sensitive material with a developing solution,treating the light sensitive material with a fixing capacity-having solution, and thentreating the light sensitive material with a processing solution (S), wherein part of or the whole of overflow from a tank containing the processing solution (S) is allowed to flow into a tank containing the fixing capability-having solution, and wherein solid processing chemicals are added to the fixing capacity-having solution or the overflow from the tank containing the processing solution (S).

Abstract: A method of color processing in which an imagewise exposed color photographic silver halide material is processed by a procedure which comprises treating it with a color developer solution and then with a developer/amplifier solution containing a color developing agent and hydrogen peroxide in which said solutions are replenished so that the overflow from the developer/amplifier solution is treated to remove hydrogen peroxide and used to form the sole replenisher for the color developer solution while the overflow from said color developer solution is disposed of as the net overflow of the two processing solutions.

Abstract: A processing method for silver halide color photographic material and a bleaching solution used in the processing are disclosed. Sufficient desilvering in a short time and prevention of bleaching fogging can be obtained by the process. The process is applicable for silver-rich high-sensitivity color light-sensitive material. The bleaching solution comprises a of a ferric complex salts of compounds represented by the following Formula A or B in an amount of at least 0.01 mol per liter of the bleaching solution and a buffer agent capable of adjusting pH value to 3 to 7; and pH value of the bleaching solution is held within the range of from 3 to 7; ##STR1## wherein A.sub.1 through A.sub.4 are each --CH.sub.2 OH, --COOM, or --PO.sub.3 M.sub.1 M.sub.2 ; M, M.sub.1 and M.sub.3 are each a hydrogen atom, a sodium atom, a potassium atom or an ammonium group; X is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group having three to six carbon atoms; B.sub.1 and B.sub.

Abstract: A compact automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials with improved operability which makes it easy to reduce the replenishing rate and which offers stable photographic performance, comprises at least one processing tank for containing a processing solution for processing an exposed silver halide photographic light-sensitive material. A solid processing agent is stocked and supplied to the processing tank, information on the amount of processing of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials is detected, and the supply of the solid processing agent is controlled according to the detected information on the amount of processing of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material. The solid processing agent is preferably in the form of tablets which contain all components necessary to process the light-sensitive silver halide photographic material.

Abstract: A method for processing photographic silver halide materials with aqueous processing baths which are replenishedduring processing, in which at least one chemical substance in the form of a plurality of solid bodies of geometrically defined shape and of the same size and composition is added to replenish at least one processing bath, is distinguished by a low consumption of chemicals and by a minimal accumulation of overflow for subsequent disposal.

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: Silver is recovered from a mixture of seasoned photoprocessing solutions by contacting the solutions with a mercapto-s-triazine or water-soluble salt thereof, the mercapto-s-triazine having the formula ##STR1## wherein: R is hydrogen, --NH.sub.4, --OH, alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, cyclohexyl, oxazinyl, phenoxy, --NR'.sub.2 or SR";whereinR' is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, cyclohexyl, naphthyl or benzyl;and whereinR" is alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, cyclohexyl, naphthyl or benzyl;m is an integer from 1 to 3; andn is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2.Using these compounds, silver ion complexes with the compound of formula I and the complex can be allowed to settle and separated from the solutions to decrease silver ion concentration in the solutions. The mixture of solutions includes a seasoned stabilizer solution and other seasoned solutions, including bleach, bleach-fix, and developer.

Abstract: It is known to replenish processing solutions in photographic processing apparatus in accordance with the throughput of material being processed. However, in low usage apparatus, there is no allowance for other losses which may occur, for example due to evaporation and/or oxidation. Described herein is a method of replenishing such processing solutions which allows for losses due to evaporation and/or oxidation. The method comprises determining a relationship between loss rates due to evaporation and/or oxidation, and water evaporation rate from the apparatus. It has been found that the relationship is substantially linear.

Abstract: A method of forming a dye image in a photographic silver halide element containing a dye-providing compound and having in a layer thereof an imagewise distribution of catalytic silver which comprises the step of treating the material with a redox amplifying solution comprising a reducing agent and a redox amplification oxidant characterized in that the redox amplification oxidant is removed from the solution after use and the so-treated solution is re-used after the addition of fresh redox amplification oxidant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processing method for silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material in which a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is processed with a processing solution capable of fixation and then a part or all of the overflow from stabilizer is allowed to enter in the processing solution capable of fixing wherein said silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material contains a coupler represented by Formula 2eq-1 and said stabilizer contains substantially no formaldehyde but contains a compound represented by Formula I or Formula II: ##STR1##R.sub.1 --O--(R.sub.2 --O).sub.m --X.sub.1 (Formula I) ##STR2## The total amount of silver coated in said silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is not less than 3 g and not more than 10 g per m.sup.

Abstract: A method of continuously processing an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic material using an automatic processor which has a color development bath, comprising the steps of a) developing with a color developer containing an organic preservative, and b) adding to the color developer during the continuous processing (i) a replenisher for the color developer containing a development agent and other components for the development in an amount of from 20 ml to 600 ml per m.sup.2 of the photographic material processed, and (ii) a water solution in an amount of from 0.1 to 1.2 times the amount of the developer which has evaporated from the bath at a frequency of about once per week or more often.

Abstract: A method of recovering silver from used photographic fixer solutions characterized in that the solution contains an alkali metal sulphite as the sole silver halide solvent.

Abstract: The invention is accomplished by providing an iodide ion absorbing method and article. The article is a composite article comprising a surfactant, an iodide absorbing medium, and a polymer that is permeable to iodide ion overlaying the iodide absorbing medium. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the polymer is an ionic polymer and the surfactant is an ionic surfactant with a charge opposite to that of the polymer. The surfactant can be incorporated in the absorbing medium, in the polymer, or it can overlay the polymer. In a preferred form of the invention, a substrate is coated with the iodide absorbing medium, a layer of an ionic polymer is overlaid on the absorbing medium, and a layer incorporating an ionic surfactant is overlaid onto the polymer. The ionic surfactant also may be placed in a layer between the polymer and the absorbing medium. A preferred absorbing medium is silver bromide.

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 method of processing photographic materials in which development is followed by at least one further chemical treatment preceded and followed by washing and in which the liquid of the washing which follows this chemical treatment is removed in particular from the region of entry of material into this following washing bath and supplied to the material in the region of the preceding washing, preferably the material discharge region of the preceding washing, is distinguished by exceptionally low loss of chemicals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in which water for preventing the concentration of processing solution in a processing tank from being increased due to evaporation and a replenisher for avoiding a lowering of the effectiveness of the processing solution are added to the processing tank of a photographic processing apparatus. Before the processing tank is replenished with a replenisher, the processing tank is replenished with water by an amount corresponding to the amount of water evaporated therefrom until the liquid surface level reaches the original liquid surface level i.e. replacing evaporated water, and then, the processing tank is replenished with replenisher. Thereafter, the processing solution is discharged by an amount equal to the amount of replenisher added in order to return the liquid surface level to the original liquid surface level. Thus, the performance of the processing solution can be restored while the concentration of the processing solution is kept constant.

Abstract: Silver sulfide is reversed in a process for regenerating a dissolved silver-containing spent bleach fixer solution. The process is particularly suited for treating the bleach fixer solution in a manner which enables recycling of the solution giving rise to considerable reduction in cost of bleach fixer solution and reduced environmental pollution. The process comprises introducing a hydrosulfide reagent into the bleach fixer solution, which contains silver, to precipitate silver sulfide while maintaining pH and thiosulfate levels in the bleach fixer to allow for reuse. The precipitate is isolated from the bleach fixer solution to remove silver thereby and hence enable recycling of the bleach fixer solution. It is preferred to adjust the pH and sulfite levels following silver removal to complete the regeneration process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material having at least one silver halide emulsion layer containing silver iodide with a processing solution having fixing ability after developing the light-sensitive material. The object of the present invention is to speed up the fixing process in the foregoing method and to reduce the amount of waste liquor from the fixing process. The present invention is characterized in that the processing with the processing solution having fixing ability is performed while the processing solution is brought into contact with an anion-exchange resin and that 20 to 2,000 l of the processing solution per liter of the anion-exchange resin is brought into contact with the resin.

Abstract: A method for storing and reusing a photographic processing solution, and in particular an overflow developing solution, comprises contacting a processing solution which has been removed from a processing bath, in a storage vessel, with an effective amount of a preservative so as to prevent any substantial degradation in activity of the processing solution during a storage period. The solution then exits the storage vessel and is preferably reintroduced into the processing bath from which it was removed after treatment to increase the activity thereof, e.g., regeneration and/or removal of deleterious by products.