Abstract: A method for achieving a pre-selected gloss in an electrographic image printing system, by choosing the appropriate combination of fusing speed and fusing temperature.As a result of the above, the homogeneity in gloss and color of one image and the homogeneity of different images, compared to each other, can be improved significantly.

Abstract: A fusing station (25) of an electrographic apparatus fixes in a single pass a duplex resinous powder color image (8, 18) to a support material in sheet-form (9) as the sheet is moved over a predetermined path (7). The station comprises two heated fixing rollers (1, 11), rotating in contact with each other, driving means to rotate the fixing rollers, pressing means for applying a meshing force between the fixing rollers, heating sources (4, 14) which have substantially identical characteristics. Both fixing rollers comprise a heat conducting core (3, 13) and a resilient covering (2, 12) which by the pressure between both rollers forms a heating nip. A symmetrical fixing operation on both sides of the sheet is provided. Hereto, the fixing rollers have a substantially identical construction, are positioned symmetrically to the path of the sheet and rotate synchronously to the advancement of the sheet.

Abstract: A fusing station of an electrographic apparatus fixes in a single pass a duplex resinous powder color image to a support material as the support material is moved over a predetermined path through the fusing station. The fusing station employs a symmetrical fixing operation on both sides of the support material. The fusing station applies hot air to both sides of the support material in substantially equal flows. The hot air is heated by heating sources with substantially identical operational characteristics such that the flows of hot air are heated to substantially equal temperatures on both sides of the support material.

Abstract: A heat and pressure fusing device (10) for fixing toner images to a receptor support, the device having a fixing (12) and a pressure (13) roller rotating in contact with each other, wherein the fixing roller has a diameter larger than 70 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for bringing a thermographic imaging element (11) to a desired temperature by means of thermal contact with a heating body (10, 30) which is at least filled with an accessory material in a first phase (15) and with said accessory material in a second phase (16) comprise pressure setting means (17, 18) for setting a desired pressure, energy means (19) for exchanging thermal energy with said heating body, detection means for detecting a phase or a phase transition of said accessory material, and relocation means for bringing said imaging element into contact with said heating body.

Abstract: An apparatus for the wet processing of photographic sheet material comprises at least one treatment vessel (12, 12', 12") having upper and lower openings (17, 18), one of the openings (17) constituting a sheet material inlet and the other of the openings (18) constituting a sheet material outlet, the inlet and outlet defining there-between a substantially vertical sheet material path (20) through the vessel. The vessel comprises a rotatable roller (28) biased towards a reaction surface (30) to define a roller nip (36) there-between through which the sheet material path extends and associated with sealing means (38) to retain treatment liquid (24) in the vessel (12). The apparatus is characterised in that the roller (28) comprises a core (32) carrying a covering (34) of elastomeric material, the ratio (.phi./L) of the maximum diameter (.phi.) of the elastomeric material covering to the length (L) thereof being at least 0.012.

Abstract: Device for initiating the delamination of two sheets laminated together and arranged for forming a practicable image in one of the sheets, wherein the sheets are laminated with the leading edge of one sheet extending beyond the leading edge of the other sheet, and means are provided for positioning the laminate and clamping same in one particular position while leaving the leading edges of the laminate free, for bending off the free leading edges on a well-specified corner thereby initiating the delamination, for scraping one sheet from the other sheet, and for clamping the scraped-off sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing of photographic sheet material having upstream and downstream drying chambers (101, 102). A heater (106) heats air entering the downstream chamber (102) to a downstream drying temperature. A fan (108) recirculates drying air from the downstream chamber (102) through the heater (106) while taking in fresh air through an inlet (116). A heater (110) heats air entering the upstream chamber (101) to a temperature higher than the downstream drying temperature. A fan (112) recirculates air from the upstream chamber (101) through the heater (110) while taking in air from the downstream chamber (102). Optimum drying of the sheet material is thereby achieved without risk of dimensional instability.

Abstract: An ion-exchange resin holder (18) to recover silver from photographic rinsing water with a perforate inlet (37) and outlet (29) resin restrainer between which a mass (38) of ion-exchange resin is restrained in the holder and a liquid restrainer (32) near the inlet for deflecting part of the incoming water towards the bottom end, and for allowing another part of said incoming water to pass undeflectedly towards the outlet opening.

Abstract: Silver is recovered from the rinse water from a photographic film processing unit by means of a silver recovery device in which the rinse water is passed through at least one bed of ion exchange resin particles maintained in fluidized condition by the water flow. A plurality of such beds are preferably connected in series with rinse water being recirculated until fresh rinse water causes overflow to the next bed and finally to a collection vessel. Fluidization is interrupted periodically to create quiescent periods which aid in removal from the resin particles of accumulated gelatin from the processed film.

Abstract: An electrolytic silver recovery system for recovering silver from photographic fixing solutions, by means of an electrolytic cell (28) having an anode (52) and a cathode (53), and circulation pumps (29a, 29b) for removing solution from the cell and returning it to the cell, which device comprises a hydrocyclone (56) located in the liquid path (55) from the cell to the suction side of the pumps and connected at its outlet directly to the suction side of the pumps. The suction pressure of the circulating pump maintains a low pressure differential of less than about 0.6 bar between the inlet and outlet of the hydrocyclone which establishes the liquid flow through the hydrocyclone.