Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of processing silver halide color paper that ensures (a) promptness such that finished prints can be handed at shop to customers, (b) small installation area for mini-labs, (c) processing solution stability capable of withstanding slack seasons, (d) normal image quality, (e) small replenishment solution amount and (f) inhibition of tar generation and sulfuration phenomenon occurrence. This object can be attained by a concentrated processing composition for color paper which has a concentrated processing composition for bleach replenishment of 3.0 or less in pH containing 0.3 mol/L or more of EDTA.Fe(III) ammonium, 0.3 mol/L or more of a sulfinic acid compound of specified structure and 0.5 mol/L or more of ammonium bromide and a concentrated processing composition for fixative replenishment of 4.0 or more in pH containing 0.7 mol/L of ammonium thiosulfate and 0.

Abstract: A bundle for simultaneous refilling of chemicals for processing color photography silver halide materials in an automatic processing apparatus, wherein the bundle comprises at least one bottle with the refilling solution for a color developer and at least two bottles with refilling solutions for a bleach-fixing bath, characterized in that the bottle with the refilling solution for the color developer comprises more than 60 g of color developer substance per 1 L of bottle volume, is distinguished in that the capacity of the bundle is increased.

Abstract: A method of enabling reuse of photographic processing waste solutions with ease at low cost without discharging effluents in a substantial sense, and a photographic processing agent regenerated by such a method are provided, which is a method of reusing a photographic processing waste solution, in which a solidified matter is prepared from the photographic processing waste solution by a dry-solidification according to a thin film concentration method without removing ingredients accumulated during a processing, the solidified matter is formed into granules, and the granules is reused as a solid photographic processing agent: and a regenerated processing agent prepared by the aforesaid method.

Abstract: A photographic processing system, which contains: solidifying a photographic processing waste solution, to give a solidified matter thereof; and reusing part of the solidified matter as a solid processing agent.

Abstract: A developer liquid regenerating system is provided with a storage tank storing a TAAH (such as TMAH)- and photoresist-containing developer waste liquid, first separating means with NF membrane, connected to the waste liquid storage tank through conduits, a storage tank connected to the first separating means through a conduit, and second separating means with NF membrane, connected to the storage tank through conduits. The developer liquid regenerating system is also connected to a developing apparatus through a conduit connected to the storage tank, and to a developer liquid control/supply apparatus through a conduit connected to the storage tank.

Abstract: A method for preparing a bleach-fixing processing solution for a silver halide color photographic light sensitive material, the method comprising the step of:

Abstract: A method of processing photographic color papers is carried out using a photographic bleach-fixing composition in a bleach-fixing step that is carried out for less than 60 seconds. The bleach-fixing composition comprises certain aliphatic or aromatic sulfur-containing compounds that include a —N═C(SH)— group. The bleach-fixing composition can be prepared from a two-part bleach-fixing kit having two solutions that can be added directly to a processing chamber or premixed to form a replenisher solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a low-water-consumption method for processing an exposed color reversal photographic film. This method comprises the circulation of this exposed film in: i) a black and white development bath, ii) a first washing bath, iii) a reversal bath comprising at least a buffer agent liable to pass through a nanofiltration membrane and, in addition, the collection of waters leaving the said reversal bath, the circulation of these waters through a nanofiltration device to produce a permeate that is recycled in the said first washing bath, a water volume at least equivalent to that supplied by the said permeate being rejected via the overflow and the said buffer agent being chosen so as to keep the pH in the first washing bath between 5 and 7.

Abstract: A photographic processing system, which contains: solidifying a photographic processing waste solution, to give a solidified matter thereof; and reusing part of the solidified matter as a solid processing agent.

Abstract: A photographic processor for a silver halide photographic material is disclosed, comprising a means for supplying a replenisher or water in accordance with processing amount information, wherein the processor further comprises a correction means for correcting the replenisher- or water-supplying rate on the basis of measurement data of a specific gravity or a pH of the processing solution. A remote control system of the processor is also disclosed, which is connected to a host computer through communication network.

Abstract: An image forming method including a step of imagewise exposing a silver halide color photographic photosensitive material having, on a support, photographic constituent layers including at least one blue sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, at least one green sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, at least one red sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, and at least one non-photosensitive hydrophilic colloid layer, a color developing step, a bleach-fixing step and a rinsing step. At least one of the at least one red sensitive silver halide emulsion layer contains at least one compound represented by the following general formula (IA) and/or at least one coupler represented by the following general formulae (PTA-I) and (PTA-II).

Abstract: A concentrated blix solution composition, which can remarkably reduce the replenishing amount of the blix solution and/or remarkably reduce the blix time, comprises: 1) a concentrated composition part containing a bleaching agent; and 2) a concentrated composition part containing a fixing agent, wherein the part concentrated composition 1) satisfies all the following conditions: (1) pH is from 2.0 to 3.5, (2) a specific gravity is 1.130 or more, (3) the bleaching agent comprises an iron(III) complex salt of an aminopolycarboxylic acid, (4) a concentration of the bleaching agent is from 0.5 to 1.0 mole/L, and (5) a content of an aminopolycarboxylic acid having not been complexed is from 0.1 to 3% by mole based on the bleaching agent, and a processing process using the same.

Abstract: A cartridge that supplies fresh photographic processing solution or chemistry to a photoprocessing machine and recovers silver from spent processing solution. The cartridge is designed to integrate a solution supply system and a silver recovery system to facilitate the collection of silver from spent processing solution, form a less-regulated spent solution and reduce chemical exposures to operators of photoprocessing systems.

Abstract: A photographic processing composition, containing at least one compound of formula (I) or (II):

Abstract: This relates to a method of rendering a used photographic processing solution less corrosive to low carbon steel comprising:

Abstract: The present invention describes modified pigment products comprising a pigment having attached at least one photopolymerizable group and at least one ionic or ionizable group. Dispersions, black matrixes, and resin compositions comprising these modified pigment products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Photographic bleach-fixing solutions in a processing chamber can be directly replenished using a single-part photographic bleach-fixing “precursor” composition that comprises one or more iron-ligand complexes, one or more thiosulfates as the sole fixing agents, and optionally, a sulfite preservative. At least 50 mol % of the iron in the composition is in the form of Fe(II). Immediately prior to or during directly supplying the precursor composition to the processing chamber from an enclosed container, sufficient ferrous ions are converted to ferric ions to provide desired bleaching in the processing chamber.

Abstract: Stable, single-part photographic bleach-fixing “precursor” compositions comprise one or more iron-ligand complexes, one or more thiosulfates as the sole fixing agents, and optionally, a sulfite preservative. At least 50 mol % of the iron in the composition is in the form of Fe(II). This composition can be used directly in photoprocessing, or used as a regenerator when mixed with bleach-fixing overflow to provide a replenishing solution. Because the Fe(II) compounds are precursor bleaching agents, they must be oxidized to Fe(III) for active bleaching prior to or during the photographic processing operations.

Abstract: Stable, single-part photographic bleach-fixing “precursor” compositions comprise one or more iron-ligand complexes, one or more thiosulfates as the sole fixing agents, and optionally, a sulfite preservative. At least 50 mol % of the iron in the composition is in the form of Fe(II). This composition can be used directly in photoprocessing, or used as a regenerator when mixed with bleach-fixing overflow to provide a replenishing solution. Because the Fe(II) compounds are precursor bleaching agents, they must be oxidized to Fe(III) for active bleaching prior to or during the photographic processing operations.

Abstract: A cartridge that supplies fresh photographic processing solution or chemistry to a photoprocessing machine and recovers silver from spent processing solution. The cartridge is designed to integrate a solution supply system and a silver recovery system to facilitate the collection of silver from spent processing solution, form a less-regulated spent solution and reduce chemical exposures to operators of photoprocessing systems.

Abstract: A ferric-EDTA bleach regenerator composition can be mixed with bleach overflow to provide a bleach replenisher for reversal color silver halide photographic processes. The bleach regenerator composition has a critically controlled pH between about 6.0 and about 6.5, and comprises a total bromide ion concentration of at least about 210 g/l, and ferric ion in an amount of at least about 50 g/l. At least 50% of the bleach overflow and the bleach regenerator composition are mixed in at least a 1:1 volume ratio. After pH adjustment to from about 5.4 to about 5.6, the pH adjusted replenisher is supplied to the bleach tank for use in the process.

Abstract: Concentrated aqueous photographic fixing compositions include a photographic fixing agent and a compound represented by Structure I wherein R is carboxy or sulfo, m is an integer of from 0 to 7 and n is an integer of from 2 to 5. This compound is provided in a concentrated aqueous fixer additive composition. These compositions can be used to provide images in color photographic materials, and particularly in color reversal films, with reduced residual sensitizing dye stain.

Abstract: A method for separating metal ions absorbed on a resin includes: suspending or percolating a cationic exchange resin charged with a polar solvent containing an eluting agent or a mixture of eluting agents containing at least an organic or mineral ligand complexing the metal ions to be separated; circulating a direct electric current, whether constant or not, in the charged eluting solution forming an electrolyte so as to recuperate at least a metal by deposition; and finally optionally repeating the last step by setting up one or several cathode(s) made of another metal and by re-adjusting the cathode potential and the anode/cathode potential difference to new values, depending on the new type of metal to be recuperated. An installation for treating/recycling photographic bath waste includes an exchanger connected to a tank for waste bath to be treated, to a treated waste bath tank, to a regenerating solution tank and to an electrolysis vessel.

Abstract: A bleach or bleach/fixing solution for processing photographic silver halide materials which, relative to the silver halide content of the unprocessed material, exhibit prior to the bleaching step a content of silver arising from development of at least 65 mol %, in particular for processing color reversal materials, characterized in that the solution contains at least one iron complex of propylenediaminetetraacetic acid or of &bgr;-alaninediacetic acid or a mixture of these complexes and the total concentration of the stated iron complexes in the solution is at least 0.045 and at most 0.25 mol/l and a process for processing, in which such a solution is used, is characterized by a small introduced quantity of iron complexes, a low residual silver content, a low bleaching fog value, elevated resistance to precipitation and in that the bleach solution may be rejuvenated.

Abstract: A method to improve the functioning of a membrane of a nanofiltration device provided to filter a solution optimizes the retention rate of the membrane. In the method, the permeate and the retentate are circulated through the nanofiltration membrane for a time before starting to use the membrane. The method is applicable to the treatment of photographic baths.

Abstract: This invention concerns photographic processing, and specifically the decontamination of effluents from photographic processing. This invention consists in placing the effluents in contact with a heat-reversible polymer in the form of hydrogel particles, for a long enough time for the polymer to adsorb the contaminants from the effluent, in then removing the heat-reversible polymer from the effluent, and in then cooling the heat-reversible polymer to extract the contaminants from it. This invention is useful for the elimination of tars that are formed in photographic baths during processing.

Abstract: A method of replenishing a processing solution by adding the replenisher directly to the surface of the emulsion side of the material to be processed. This accelerates the processing of the material and maintains the sensitometry of the processing solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the treatment of photographic films. The film circulates in a series of processing baths, each of these baths comprising a washing area each comprising one or more tanks, the waste water from all the washing areas is recovered and treated in a single nanofiltration device, common to all the processing baths, the water hardness of the permeate from the nanofiltration device is adjusted, and the permeate is recycled to each of the washing areas of each of the processing baths.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an organic/inorganic developer composition comprising a regeneratable iron chelate, novel codevelopers of the phenidone type including one or more solubilizing groups that are not directly attached to the phenyl nucleus or to the pyrazolidino nucleus and optionally ascorbic acid. These compositions are particularly useful for the black-and-white development of films or photographic papers, in particular for the fast development of radiographic products.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of extracting halide ions contained in a photographic processing solution. The invention concerns a method for the selective extraction of halide ions using a separative membrane comprising a support covered with an active layer comprising an inorganic hydrogel material and an ion carrier, one of the faces of the support having been surface-modified. This method effectively regenerates photographic solutions.

Abstract: A method for processing a black-white silver halide photographic light-sensitive material by an automatic processor comprising the following steps,a step for preparing a processing solution by dissolving a solid processing composition or a condensed processing solution in a dissolving tank,a step for supplying said processing solution from said dissolving tank to a processing tank,a step for supplying part of said processing solution used for processing in said processing tank to said dissolving tank,wherein said black-white silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is processed with said processing solution in said processing tank and the flow of said processing solution from said processing tank to said dissolving tank is irreversible.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for decontaminating a used photographic processing bath.This method consists of putting the processing bath in contact with a heat-reversible hydrophilic polymer which becomes hydrophobic above a temperature lower than the temperature of the processing bath.The tars and other organic contaminants present in the used photographic processing bath can be removed by cooling the heat-reversible polymer below the temperature where it becomes hydrophilic.

Abstract: There is provided a method for removing silver from photoprocessing solutions containing hardening agents which comprises:a) adding a chelating agent to the photoprocessing solution in an amount sufficient to inhibit the precipitation of the high valent cations of the hardening agents;b) adding a base to adjust the pH of the photoprocessing solution to a value above 5.5; andc) adding a chemical precipitant for the silver contained in the photoprocessing solution;and optionally adding as a final component a flocculating agent which causes the precipitate to grow in size.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for the selective extraction of the halide ions from photographic baths. According to the invention, the solutions to be treated are subjected to a first nanofiltration step 2 in diafiltration mode, then to a second nanofiltration step 3 in concentration mode. The method makes it possible to prolong the activity of the fixing or bleaching/fixing baths during the processing of photographic products.

Abstract: A process for regenerating spent fixer solution which includes the steps of adding finely particulate zinc, such as zinc dust, to the solution to cause silver dissolved therein to precipitate and removing the precipitate from the solution hereby producing a regenerated fixer solution.

Abstract: A method for processing exposed silver-based photographic material comprises passing the exposed material through a bath of developer liquid and subsequently through a bath of fixer liquid. Silver from used fixer liquid is recovered by electrolysis. The fractional image exposure of exposed material to be processed in a coming period and the amount-of silver recovered by electrolysis in a preceding period are measured. The used fixer liquid is periodically regenerated by the addition of fresh fixer thereto. The quantity of fresh fixer to be added is calculated as a function of the measured fractional image exposure and as a function of the measured amount of recovered silver. The quality of the fixer is thereby maintained at an optimum level while keeping the quantity of fresh fixer which is used to a minimum.

Abstract: Silver halide photosensitive material after exposure is processed by developing it with a developer solution and then processing it with a processing solution having bleaching function and/or a processing solution having fixing function, while placing the developer solution and/or said processing solution having fixing function in contact with the other processing solution and/or an electrolyte solution through an anion exchange membrane, placing a cathode in the developer solution and/or the processing solution having fixing function and an anode in the other processing solution and/or the electrolyte solution, and conducting electricity therebetween.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic material comprises developing the photographic material by treatment with a developer (26), and fixing the developed photographic material by treatment with a fixer (32, 38) while reducing the level of silver ions in the fixer (38) by electrolysis. Between the developing and the fixing, the photographic material is treated with an intermediate treatment liquid (44) for a period of time less than the treatment time with the fixer (32, 38). The intermediate treatment liquid (44) contains used fixer (38). The efficiency of fixing is improved without the use of substantially greater liquid volumes and in particular without the use of further quantities of water.

Abstract: The processing of exposed colour photographic materials by at least the steps of colour developing and bleach-fixing, with electrolytic desilvering of the spent bleach fixative solution, results in better utilisation of the processing chemicals and in a reduced amount of liquid to be disposed of, when bleach-fixing is effected in 2 steps, wherein a pH of .gtoreq.7.4 is set in the 1st step and a pH of .ltoreq.7 is set in the 2nd step, the bleach fixative from the 1st step is electrolytically desilvered and acid for maintaining the pH is fed to the 2nd step.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for treating photographic baths containing organic contaminants and a device for implementing this method.The process for treating a photographic bath containing contaminants comprises the step of putting the photographic bath in contact with a photographically inert material, resistant to a high pH and having a lipophilic surface.This method affords an improvement in the processing of photographic products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fixing bath containing a biologically degradable complexing agent of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1-4 represents hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, hydroxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkoxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, carboxy-C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, dicarboxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, carboxy-hydroxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, hydroxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl-(oxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl).sub.n, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkoxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl-(oxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl).sub.n,M represents hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium or ammonium, andn represents 1, 2, 3 or 4,the iron(III) complex salt of which does not impede electrolytic desilverisation during the regeneration of spent fixing bath.

Abstract: A ferric-EDTA bleach regenerator composition can be made with bleach overflow to provide a bleach replenisher for reversal color silver halide photographic processes. The bleach regenerator composition has a critically controlled pH between about 6.0 and about 6.5, and comprises a total bromide ion concentration of at least about 210 g/l, and ferric ion in an amount of at least about 50 g/l. At least 50% of the bleach overflow and the bleach regenerator composition are mixed in at least a 1:1 volume ratio. After pH adjustment to from about 5.4 to about 5.6, the pH adjusted replenisher is supplied to the bleach tank for use in the process.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is by an automatic processor having a processing chamber with a small volume.

Abstract: A process for the processing of spent photographic baths from color processes, namely bleaching or fixing baths with a preponderant content of amonium-Fe-EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) as the sequestering agent, fixing baths with a preponderant content of thiosulphates, particularly ammonium thiosulphate and optionally sodium thiosulphate, and developing baths with a preponderant content of sulfate, particularly sodium sulfite is proposed, which is characterized in that, following the deposition of the silver contained in the baths, the multipart starting solution is adjusted to a pH of approximately 13.5 to 14 using NaOH and the Fe(OH).sub.3 obtained after Fe complex decomposition is separated, the remaining, first intermediate solution is adjusted to a pH of 10 by adding acid and the resulting ammonia is separated, the remaining, second intermediate solution is brought to a pH of approximately 0.

Abstract: In photographic processing apparatus, the processing solutions need to be replenished as they are used up. It is known to effect replenishment of chemicals in a paper processor by determining the amount of exposure given to the paper in the printing stage of such apparatus when copying an image on a filmstrip onto photographic paper, and using that information to calculate the amount of replenishment required to compensate exactly for the chemicals used up in processing that print. Described herein is a method of using data relating to the measured optical transmittance of an image on a filmstrip in the printing stage to control replenishment of the processing solutions in the film processing stage of the apparatus and also removal of image-dependent by-products produced in processing that filmstrip.

Abstract: A method of processing silver halide black-and-white photographic material in a processing machine which transports the material to be processed, through several processing tanks. The processing machine includes at least one tank with fixing ability and at least one tank which is either a wash or stabilizer tank. The wash or stabilizer tank furthest from the fixer tank(s) is replenished with wash or stabilizer solution. Outflow from the wash tank or stabilizer tank nearest the fixer tank(s) is passed to the nearest fixer tank together with a fixer replenishment solution to maintain the fixer's working composition. The total submersion time in the tank(s) having fixing ability is less than 25 seconds and the ratio of coated silver in the unprocessed photographic material (in g/m.sup.2) to the sum of the rates of addition to the fixer tank (in l/m.sup.2) of the wash outflow and fixer replenishment solution is greater than 10 g/l.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment method for treating effluents from a photographic development process, particularly a redox amplification (RX) development process, which is operated at an alkaline pH and is buffered with a phosphate buffer, said treatment method being characterized by the addition to the effluents of a Group II or Group III metal cation which forms an aqueous insoluble or substantially insoluble phosphate salt, thereby to precipitate phosphate salt from the effluent, and to reduce the pH of the effluent.

Abstract: A method for the electrolytic treatment of a bleach-fix bath by which an anode and a cathode that are submerged in the spent bleach-fix bath are supplied with an electric current whereby the silver dissolved in the spent bleach-fix bath as a silver complex salt is precipitated at the cathode, characterized in that the cathode is disengaged from the spent bleach-fix bath when no electric current is applied.

Abstract: A method of processing a black-and-white photographic silver halide material in which the material is passed though a processing machine having a number of processing tanks including a developing tank, a tank with fixing ability and one or more wash or stabiliser tanks wherein the rate of addition of wash or stabiliser solution to one or more of said wash or stabiliser tanks is a function of the concentration of silver or halide ions in one or more of the wash, stabiliser or fix tanks. No silver recovery means associated with the wash, fix or stabiliser bath is necessary.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for extracting the halide ions from fixing or bleaching/fixing photographic solutions containing mainly thiosulfate as the fixing agent, bringing the solutions into contact with a nanofiltration module including at least two membranes of different types.The method enables the activity of the fixing or bleaching/fixing baths to be extended during the processing of photographic products.