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 photographic processing machine having at least two processing tanks for holding different processing solutions and a removable container (100) containing working strength processing solutions and a washing-stabilizing solution in separate sub-containers (10-50) therein from which the processing tanks are fed, wherein the last sub-container that feeds the washing-stabilizing tank comprises electrodes (70 and 80) and, in that when the resistance falls to a predetermined value, an indicator means is activated signalling the necessity for changing the processing solution container.

Abstract: A method of photographic color processing which comprises a bleach step wherein the bleach solution comprises hydrogen peroxide, or a compound which releases hydrogen peroxide, and halide ions and which has a pH in the range of 5 to 11 and bleach solutions therefore.

Abstract: A cartridge of photographic processing chemical comprises a main body receiving the chemical, the main body having an outlet by way of which the chemical may be introduced into and removed from the main body. The outlet is provided with a closure in the form of a penetrable self-sealing cover incorporating a moisture-absorbing material. A photographic processing apparatus with which the cartridge is used has a supply system for supplying the chemical to a processing tank. The supply system includes a hollow intake needle which is insertable into the cartridge through the self-sealing cover. The cover automatically forms a seal around the needle. As the needle is withdrawn the moisture absorbing material absorbs any photographic processing chemical present on the needle of which may escape from the cartridge and the cover automatically closes up.

Abstract: A photographic processing machine having at least two processing tanks for holding different processing solutions and a removable container (100) containing working strength processing solutions and a washing-stabilizing solution in separate sub-containers therein from which the processing tanks are fed, wherein the last sub-container that feeds the washing-stabilizing tank comprises an ion-exchange resin, an indicator means capable of undergoing a color change when, the ion-exchange resin is exhausted.

Abstract: In conventional photographic processes, material being processed follows a predetermined sequence of steps, for example, developer, bleach, first wash, fixer, second wash, and stabilizer. This requires the provision of at least two wash tanks as the film is traditionally processed by following a fixed path through the processor. This makes the processor bulky as the wash tanks need to be repeated. Described herein is a process in which more than one wash step can be accommodated using a single wash tank.

Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus which incorporates a drum arrangement to form a low volume processing tank. The arrangement comprises a processing tank in which a central rotatable drum is mounted and a pair of rollers at the inlet and outlet of the processing tank convey the photographic material through the tank. A clearance, of less than 5 mm, is provided between the tank and the drum, which defines a low volume for the processing solution. The drum is rotated at a speed independent of the speed of the rollers. The processing apparatus may be used with unstable or single use chemistry.

Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus for processing photographic material including a drum rotatable about an axis and forming a drum-material interface with the material being processed, at least one reservoir for storing processing solution, and application means for applying processing solution to the surface of the drum for transmittal to the material being processed. The apparatus being characterized in that the surface of the drum has at least one spiral form thereon along its length to distribute processing solution at least along the length of the drum-material interface, each spiral having an axis which lies substantial coincident with the axis of the drum.

Abstract: A method of treating photographic effluent containing one or more metal ions with an oxidation number greater than one, comprising the addition of a water-soluble silicate to the effluent in an amount to render it glass-like and less permeable to water. Conveniently the effluent has been treated by the addition of calcium hydroxide and the silicate, preferably water-glass may then be added either to the treated effluent suspension and the mixture separated or to the pre-separated solid.

Abstract: A method of making a photographic color print using a photographic color material containing low levels of silver halide characterized in that,(a) after image formation and washing and/or stop bath treatment and(b) before non-uniform exposure to adventitious light,the print is uniformly exposed to a light source so that undeveloped silver halide is caused to print out uniformly. Such a uniform density is much more acceptable than a non-uniform density caused by uneven light in normal conditions.

Abstract: A method for increasing the filtration rate of a precipitate produced from a photographic effluent includes treating the effluent with hydrogen peroxide and an alkaline earth metal salt to form a precipitate and adding to the precipitate a diatomaceous earth filtering aid and then filtering the precipitate.

Abstract: A method of treating chemical liquid effluent to render it more environmentally acceptable, comprising the addition of hydrogen peroxide, or a compound capable of liberating hydrogen peroxide, to the effluent to react with and break down a sequestering agent. The reaction rate may be enhanced by the addition of a small amount of a compound including a transition metal ion, especially the nitrate or sulphate of iron or manganese.

Abstract: It is well known to use a transport belt to transport material being processed through photographic processing apparatus. In some arrangements, water is used to hold photographic material against the belt using surface tension. However, other means are needed to apply processing solution to the sensitized surface of the material being processed. Described herein is an arrangement in which the transport belt (10) is used to both transport the material (32,34) through the apparatus and to apply processing solution (18) to the sensitized surface.

Abstract: A rotary drum processor (10) having a closed interior which is partly filled with liquid. An electrical immersion heating element (19) is mounted within the drum (10) so that it is always immersed in the liquid. Electrical power is supplied to the heating element (19) through a rotary transformer (24) outside the drum.

Abstract: It is known to oscillate hollow processing drums to increase the agitation of the processing within the drum. However, these drums require a relatively large amount of processing solution to operate effectively, and are therefore unsuitable for unstable and/or single use processing chemistry. Described herein is a drum arrangement in which a drum oscillates within a generally u-shaped vessel, a processing tank being defined between the drum and the vessel. Photographic material is driven through the tank by a pair of drive rollers situated at the inlet to the tank. The drum is oscillated through an angle between 5.degree. and 90.degree. for effective processing.

Abstract: A method of fixing a photographic element with a fixing solution containing less than 20% ammonium thiosulphate wherein the photographic element has incorporated therein a fix accelerator precursor which is a silver salt of an amino thiol having a solubility of less than 1 g/l (as silver ion) when held for 23.degree. C. for 5 minutes in a colour developer solution at pH 10 having a sulphite concentration of 4.25 g/l and a bromide concentration of 1.2 g/l.

Abstract: A method of treating chemical liquid, and in particular photographic effluent, to render it more environmentally acceptable, by the addition to an alkaline solution of a salt of a Group III or transition metal to complex with and precipitate out a sequestering agent. Preferred salts are the sulphate, halide, oxychloride or nitrate of aluminium.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus are well known for dispensing material from a package. Described herein is apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of material (10, 10') stored in vessels (12) carried by a continuous web (14). The apparatus comprises a roller (18) over which the web (14) moves. A stop bar (20) is positioned above the roller (20) so that as the web (14) passes over the roller (18), the vessels (12) engage the bar (20) and are separated from the web (14) thereby releasing the material (10').

Abstract: The invention provides a bleach fix agent comprising a dilute solution of an alkaline metal or ammonium thiosulphite or a mixture thereof and iron (III) EDTA together with a soluble sulphite. The invention is characterized in that the soluble sulphite is present in an excess of the amount required for stabilization whereby the sulphite can be sacrificially destroyed by oxidizing agents in use thereby to neutralize the oxidizing effects upon the thiosulphate. The invention is particularly suitable for "RX" processes and results in the possibility of eliminating the stop-bath without allowing staining of the photographic material to occur.

Abstract: A method for treating photographic effluent to remove harmful pollutants and which reduces silver and iron ion concentrations in the effluent to no more than about 2 ppm is disclosed. The method includes an oxidation step to convert reducing sulfur compounds to oxidized products; a heavy metal ion precipitation step; a step of adding a developing agent absorbent and a sequestering agent absorbent; and a step of separating a produced solid phase from a liquid phase. The separated Liquid phase is environmentally acceptable.