Abstract: A coating and developing apparatus includes a process block which includes a unit block for coating-film formation which applies a resist, and a unit block for development which performs a developing process, and is separately provided with a coating-film-formation-unit-block transfer mechanism and a developing-process-unit-block transfer mechanism. After a substrate after exposure is transferred to a transfer stage from the interface-block transfer mechanism, the timing for the developing-process-unit-block transfer mechanism to receive the substrate is adjusted in such a way that the time from exposure of the substrate to transfer of the substrate to a heating unit becomes a preset time.

Abstract: A thermal development apparatus is provided with: a thermal development section for heating a photosensitive thermal developable recording material to elicit a latent image recorded on an image-forming layer on both faces of the photosensitive thermal developable recording material by a heating unit, a cassette holder section for holding a cassette that houses the photosensitive thermal developable recording material therein, a conveyor unit for taking the photosensitive thermal developable recording material out of the cassette held in the cassette holder section and conveying the photosensitive thermal developable recording material to the thermal development section, and a control unit for controlling at least one of a heating temperature and a conveyance speed in the heating unit in the thermal development section, wherein the control unit is provided with a moisture correction information of the photosensitive thermal developable recording material and the control unit suitably corrects and controls the

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block. The interface block includes a placement/bake unit. A substrate that has been subjected to exposure processing in the exposure device is subjected to cleaning and drying processing in a second cleaning/drying processing unit, and is then transported to a placement/heating unit. In the placement/heating unit, the substrate is subjected to post-exposure bake processing.

Abstract: A coating and developing system includes an auxiliary block, a resist film forming unit block and antireflection film forming unit blocks stacked up in layers to form a resist film and an antireflection film underlying the resist film and an antireflection film overlying the resist film in a small space. The coating and developing system can cope with either a case where antireflection films are formed or a case where no antireflection film is formed. Film forming unit blocks, namely, a TCT layer, a COT layer and a BCT layer, and developing unit blocks, namely, DEV layers, are stacked up in layers in a processing block S2. The TCT layer, the COT layer and the BCT layer are used selectively in the case where antireflection films are formed and the case where any antireflection film is not formed. The coating and developing system is controlled by a carrying program.

Abstract: A coating and developing system includes a resist film forming unit block and antireflection film forming unit blocks stacked up in layers to form a resist film and an antireflection film underlying the resist film and an antireflection film overlying the resist film in a small space. The coating and developing system is capable of coping with either of a case where antireflection films are formed and a case where any antireflection film is not formed and needs simple software. Film forming unit blocks, namely, a TCT layer B3, a COT layer B4 and a BCT layer B5, and developing unit blocks, namely, DEV layers B1 and B2, are stacked up in layers in a processing block S2. The TCT layer B3, the COT layer B4 and the BCT layer B5 are used selectively in the case where antireflection films are formed and the case where any antireflection film is not formed. The coating and developing system is controlled by a simple carrying program and simple software.

Abstract: A movable guide is switchable between a guide position for regulating a flexure of a cut paper, and a release position for allowing the flexure of the cut paper. The movable guide is disposed between an exposure feed-roller pair and a guiding/carrying roller pair, which is switchable between a nip state for nipping the cut paper and a release state for releasing the nip thereof. When an anterior end of the cut paper reaches the guiding/carrying roller pair during image recording, this roller pair is changed from the release state to the nip state. A speed of the cut paper carried by the guiding/carrying roller pair is reduced. After that, rotation of the guiding/carrying roller pair is accelerated to carry the cut paper.

Abstract: A photo-thermographic recording apparatus, comprises a film loading device capable of loading a sheet type photo-thermographic film, a conveyance device for conveying the photo-thermographic film from the film loading device, an exposing device for forming a latent image corresponding to an image signal onto the sheet type photo-thermographic film conveyed by the conveyance device, and a thermal developing device for visualizing the latent image formed onto the sheet type photo-thermographic film while heating the sheet type photo-thermographic, the thermal developing device including a heating device therein and a plurality of opposed rollers arranged opposite to the heating device so as to press the sheet type photo-thermographic film onto the thermal developing device, herein the plurality of opposed rollers is structured so that a foreign matter originating from an edge portion of the sheet type photo-thermographic film does not affect an image formed on the sheet type photo-thermographic film.

Abstract: A thermal developing equipment including a conveying unit for conveying a sheet-like photosensitive material and a heating unit for thermally treating a latent image formed on an image forming layer of the photosensitive material to be conveyed by the conveying unit, thereby visualizing it, wherein the heating unit is divided into plural regions which can be independently temperature controlled in the width direction of the photosensitive material perpendicular to the conveying direction of the photosensitive material; plural position detection sensors aligned along the width direction of the photosensitive material are provided in the upstream side of the heating unit; and a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the heating unit controls the temperature of each of the regions of the heating unit corresponding to an output of the position detection sensor.

Abstract: A wafer flow recipe is prepared. Based on this wafer flow recipe, there are estimated and calculated respectively a PCD time from a time point at which a process for coating a resist liquid on a substrate by a coating unit has been terminated to a time point at which a first heating process is started at a first heating unit, a PAD time from a time point at which the first heating process has been terminated at the first heating unit to a time point at which an exposure process is started, and a PED time from a time point at which the exposure has been terminated to a time point at which a second heating process is started at a second heating unit. Then, these estimated times are displayed.

Abstract: A photographic light-sensitive material having a support having a thickness of from 160 to 225 ?m is processed with an automatic developing apparatus, in which at least one of rollers of a developing part, a fixing part and a rinsing rack part of the automatic developing apparatus has a surface mainly containing a nonpolar polymer substance and having a center line surface roughness (Ra) of 20 ?m or less. By using the automatic developing apparatus, dusts generated in the apparatus can be easily removed with a cleaning film.

Abstract: A method for replenishing a development replenisher in an automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, wherein a value of an electric conductivity of a developer obtained by measuring an electric conductivity is compared with a reference value, and a development replenisher is replenished to the developer when the value of the developer is lower than the reference value, the method comprising: using a reference value of an electric conductivity optimal for a high resolution image as the reference value when developing a precursor having an exposed high resolution image in which an output datum of 50% area ratio is 210 lpi or more in terms of a peripheral length of an image area in an image unit that constitutes a gradation of a screen image: and changing the reference value to an ordinary reference value when developing a precursor not having a high resolution image.

Abstract: In this developing method and apparatus, a concentration measuring unit 222 picks part of developing fluid in a blending tank 186 to measure the resist concentration by an absorption photometry and feeds the detected resist concentration to a control unit 240. The control unit 240 controls respective valves 210, 212, 216 of a TMAH concentrate solution 200, a solvent pipe 204 and a drain pipe 208 in a manner that the developing fluid in the blending tank 186 has a TMAH concentration corresponding to a measured resist-concentration value to accomplish a constant developing rate, performing component control of the developing fluid. The developing fluid transferred from the blending tank 186 to a supply tank 188 is fed to a developer nozzle DN in a developing section 126 through a developer pipe 224 owing to the drive of a pump 228. Accordingly, even if the developing fluid is reused in the developing process in multiple times, it is possible to make sure of the uniformity in development.

Abstract: A washing bath in a photographic paper processor has plural washing chambers for washing photographic paper with washing water by passage of the photographic paper. Plural cell units are coupled with one another vertically by a modular structure. Each of the cell units has one of the washing chambers. A sealing medium of silicone rubber keeps a cell connection portion between the cell units in a liquid-tight state. A blade mechanism is secured to a panel constituting the cell units, allows the photographic paper to pass between the washing chambers, and blocks passage of the washing water. A transporting rack transports the photographic paper serially to pass the washing chambers. The cell connection portion includes a connection surface, disposed to extend horizontally, and separable for removal of the cell units in the vertical direction. The sealing medium is secured to one of two cell units being coupled.

Abstract: In a thermal development method for generating a image from a latent image recorded on an image formation layer of a photosensitive photothermographic recording material, by means of heating the photosensitive photothermographic recording material, a first surface, which is one surface of the photosensitive photothermographic recording material A, and a second surface, which is the remaining surface of the same, are heated; and a total amount of heat applied to the second surface is controlled so as to fall within a range of 100±30 when a total amount of heat applied to the first surface is taken as 100 in connection with the respective total amounts of heat which are applied to the image formation layer from the first and second surfaces and equal to and higher than the development reaction temperature.

Abstract: A heat developing apparatus comprising an image exposure portion in which a heat development recording material containing a heat development photosensitive material or a photosensitive heat-sensitive recording material is exposed to light to thereby form a latent image, and a heat developing portion in which heat is applied to said latent image to thereby develop said latent image, wherein: said image exposure portion is provided as a sub scanning type structure including a planar guide plate disposed on one side with respect to a carrying path of said heat development recording material, and two drive rollers disposed on other side with respect to said carrying path and having axes substantially parallel to said carrying path and crossing a carrying direction of said heat development recording material substantially perpendicularly; and a plurality of light-emitting elements are embedded in said guide plate so as to be arranged in a main scanning direction to form a light-emitting element array.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for replenishing a lithographic printing plate developer. The system includes a developer unit containing a seasoned developer and adapted to deliver the seasoned developer into a mixing unit, a replenisher unit containing a replenisher and adapted to deliver the replenisher into the mixing unit, and the mixing unit is in fluid communication with the developer unit and the replenisher unit and is adapted to hold a mixture of an equal volume of the replenisher and the seasoned developer. The mixture of an equal volume of the replenisher and the seasoned developer is then delivered to the developer unit.

Abstract: A system for supplying a processing solution to a printing device, such as a photographic processor or a printer, which includes a supply tank with processing solution or ink and a delivery system between the supply tank and a printing device. The delivery system has a retaining vessel with retained fluid, in the vessel, and a reference probe to signal a level probe when fluid reaches a predetermined level on receipt of a replenish signal from the controller for the printing device. The power supply actuates a three-way valve in order to flow a volume of the processing solution from the supply tank to the retaining vessel. A power supply receives the adjustable liquid level probe signal from the adjustable liquid level probe. Then switches the three-way valve to flow the retained fluid from the retaining vessel to the printer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing solution supply cartridge that utilizes a single developer solution holding area having interconnected compartments for a single-part developer concentrate. The holding area has interconnected compartments and includes valves that permit the cartridge to be utilized on an existing processor or processing machine. The design of the present invention assures a complete emptying of the cartridge by permitting the simultaneous replenishment of single-part developer through the valves into the processing machine.

Abstract: In a thermal development method for generating an image from a latent image recorded on an image formation layer of a photosensitive photothermographic recording material, by means of heating the photosensitive photothermographic recording material, a first surface, which is one surface of the photosensitive photothermographic recording material, and a second surface, which is the remaining surface of the same, are heated; and wherein a second total amount of heat applied to one surface of the first and second surfaces, the one surface having a larger contact area, is controlled so as to be a value of 80 or less when a first amount of heat applied to the other surface having a smaller contact area is taken as 100, wherein the first and second amounts of heat are total amounts of heat applied to the image formation layer from the first and second surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: In a thermal development method for generating a image from a latent image recorded on an image formation layer of a photosensitive photothermographic recording material, by means of heating the recording material, a first surface, which is one surface of the recording material, and a second surface, which is the remaining surface of the same, are heated; and wherein a second total amount of heat applied to one surface of the first and second surfaces, the one surface being on the side of one unit having a higher heat conductivity of first and second heating units, is controlled so as to be a value of 80 or less when a first amount of heat applied to the other surface is taken as 100, wherein the first and second amounts of heat are total amounts of heat applied to the image formation layer from the first and second surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: Operating speed of an image recording apparatus is optimized within the range in which throughput capacity is not decreased, and exposure processing can be performed so that uneven exposure is not generated in a photosensitive material. When operation causing the photosensitive material to be in a nip state or a nip released state is performed during scanning exposure of the photosensitive material with a light beam, assuming that a maximum value of ascent/descent speed is set to W when each roller comes into contact with the photosensitive material or separates from the photosensitive material, an exposure angle is set to ?, and exposure feeding linear speed is set to V, a drive controlling section sets the ascent/descent speed W to a value determined from an equation of W=V×0.004/tan ? and performs moving action.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an exposure department for exposing photographic paper conveyed at a first conveying speed, a development department for developing the photographic paper, conveyed at a second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed, after being exposed in the exposure department. In the image forming apparatus, the relationship between 1) the distance along the conveying direction from a reference area to a micro area being the target of exposure correction, both the reference area and the micro area being on the photographic paper, and 2) the difference in tone between images formed at the reference area and the micro area when the reference area and the micro area are exposed to the same amount of light in the exposure department, and the relationship between the exposure of the photographic paper and the tone of the image at the reference area are stored.

Abstract: A photographic paper processor includes plural liquid baths for containing liquid. The liquid baths have partition panels, and are adjacent to one another therewith. An opening formed in the partition panels has first and second inner surfaces opposed to one another. A submerged squeezing blade has a support end and a free end. The support end is secured to the first inner surface. The free end contacts the second inner surface, closes the opening in an openable manner, allows the photographic paper to pass through the opening, and blocks a flow of the liquid through the opening. The submerged squeezing blade is produced from metal having chemical resistance. Furthermore, a contact pressure changing cam increases a contact pressure of the free end on the second inner surface when the submerged squeezing blade closes the opening without passage of the photographic paper.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a master screen for a silk screen imaging process. Photo activated emulsion is applied to a printing screen and the emulsion is exposed according to a digitized pattern using a light emitting diode (LED) source. The LED source in one embodiment is an array of UV emitting devices which scans the printing screen in a line by line basis.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer product for processing of substrates in at least a part of a substrate processing system is provided. In an embodiment, the method includes obtaining, using a processing unit, at least one of a rate of processing and a time of processing of a plurality of substrate lots to be introduced into a part of the substrate processing system and determining, using the processing unit, an order of introduction of the plurality of substrate lots into the part of the substrate processing system to at least one of increase the rate of processing and decrease the time of processing of the plurality of substrate lots.

Abstract: A thermal processor for thermally developing an image in an imaging material. The thermal processor includes an oven and a plurality of rollers positioned to form a transport path and, through contact with the imaging material, configured to move the imaging material through the oven along the transport path. Each roller has an initial contact point and a final contact point with the imaging material as the imaging material moves along the transport path. A spacing between the rollers is varied such that a distance between a final contact point and an initial contact point of at least a first pair of rollers along the transport path is different from a distance between a final contact point and an initial contact point of at least a second pair of consecutive rollers along the transport path.

Abstract: A photographic processor and method for developing photographic images utilizes a frame and an exposure section that receives and expose print media to record an image on the print media. The exposure section includes a transport system that transports the print media to an exposing mechanism. After the exposing mechanism, the print media goes to a chemical development section contained that develops the exposed print media. A print media supply section secured to a shuttle system attached to the frame wherein the print media supply section provides print media from two or more magazines. The shuttle system sequentially moves one of the magazines to a position in line with the entry to the exposure section and then away from the entry. The shuttle system then moves other magazines from the position in line with the entry to the exposure section and then away from the entry.

Abstract: Dry air is jetted from jet holes of a guide plate toward a conveyor belt to levitate a photosensitive sheet and to press it against the conveyor belt. The photosensitive sheet is supported and carried by the conveyor belt. The dry air dries the photosensitive sheet. A projection amount h of a guide roller projecting from the guide plate is defined so as to satisfy an expression of h?H×(W?P)/W. H is a gap between the guide plate and the conveyor belt. P is a length from a center line of the carried photosensitive sheet to an outer edge of the guide roller. W is a length from the center line to a lateral end of the photosensitive sheet. Even if a curl occurs on the photosensitive sheet, an edge thereof is prevented from contacting with the guide plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing substrates according to a predetermined photolithography process includes a loading station in which the substrates are loaded, a coating station in which the substrates are coated with a photoresist material, an exposing station in which the photoresist coating is exposed to light through a mask having a predetermined pattern to produce a latent image of the mask on the photoresist coating, a developing station in which the latent image is developed, an unloading station in which the substrates are unloaded and a monitoring station for monitoring the substrates with respect to predetermined parameters of said photolithography process before reaching the unloading station.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing contaminants from a coated surface of a material comprises an inclined substantially planar surface up which the material is passed, an inlet for the introduction of wash solution at the upper part of the planar surface and pressure applying means for holding the material in full contact with the surface.

Abstract: A system is provided for adjusting a photo-exposure time of a manufacturing apparatus for semiconductor devices. The system for adjusting the photo-exposure time includes a photo-exposure unit whose photo-exposure time is adjustable according to one or more adjustment signals, a pre-exposure step influence prediction unit that obtains pre-exposure step processing information and extracts parameters that may influence a resulting pattern during photo-exposure, and provides this information as feed forward data, an inspection unit that checks processed steps during a certain period after photo-exposure and provides an inspection value as a feed back data, and a central processing unit that receives the feed forward and feedback data and, by means of a predetermined calculation method, generates the one or more adjustment signals, which are used to adjust the photo-exposure time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image-forming device that comprises a roller that includes a plurality of micromembers. The micromembers are preferably hook or loop-like members made of a compliant material such as plastic or rubber. The micromembers on the roller essentially define a compliant surface, which is self-correcting for unintentional media thickness variations within a print area. The roller is rotational such that when the roller contacts the media the rotational or spinning force is converted to a compressional force, which is sufficient to rupture the microcapsules in the media.

Abstract: A submerged processing device for a photosensitive material disposed at a partitioning wall which is provided within a processing tank main body and which is between processing chambers respectively storing a processing liquid, the submerged processing device includes: a housing at an interior of which is formed a processing space where the processing liquid is stored; a conveying path for conveying-in of the photosensitive material and which is formed in the housing so as to communicate with an interior of the processing space; a path for conveying-out of the photosensitive material and which is formed in the housing so as to communicate with the interior of the processing space; a processing liquid passage preventing mechanism disposed at the photosensitive material conveying path such that only the photosensitive material passes therethrough; and a processing liquid changing mechanism provided at the housing, for changing the processing liquid stored in the processing space.

Abstract: A method for processing a photographic image captured by an image capture system, includes the steps of: determining a maximum dark value for the image capture system representing the response of the system to no light exposure; generating an image processing path for processing the image prior to display on an output device, the image processing path having one or more image dependent image transforms, that upon processing the maximum dark value produces a processed maximum dark value that meets a predetermined criteria for darkness such that the “smokey black” problem is minimized; and applying the image processing path to the photographic image to produce a processed photographic image.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic material includes the steps of processing the photographic material in a processing solution, monitoring the concentration of a process-retarding by-product of the processing in the processing solution during operation of the method, reducing the concentration of the by-product in the processing solution by a first method and as the by-product concentration in the processing solution exceeds a predetermined level, activating simultaneous operation of a second method for a period of time to thereby ensure that the photographic material is always adequately processed. The invention enables rapid processing of film whilst maintaining low replenishment rates and low fixer solution temperature such that inadequately fixed film is avoided.

Abstract: A proximity correction tool receives an indication of a feature in a lithographic design. The proximity correction tool predicts a film edge placement for the feature in a resist film based at least in part on thermal proximity effects in the resist film.

Abstract: Automated unattended film processing kiosk permits a customer to drop off a film unit, e.g., OTUC, and come back later to pick up the finished prints. The customer swipes a credit or debit card through a card reader, and inserts the exposed film unit. Inside the enclosure a mini-lab processor automatically processes the film and extracts images from the film, as negatives or as digital images. A digital printer makes prints of the customer's images. The photographic prints are packaged and labeled, and provided with an optional optical disk. A carousel stores the packaged prints for the customers. At pick-up, the customer swipes a card through for identification. An unload mechanism transfers the customer's finished prints from the carousel to a delivery bin. Print correction for color, density, and contrast can be carried out remotely.

Abstract: A photographic paper processor includes plural serially arranged liquid baths, for sequentially processing a first photographic paper sheet of one type. The plural liquid baths are constituted by bath groups G1 and G2. The bath group G1 includes a color developing bath. The bath group G2 is positioned downstream from the bath group G1, and includes rinsing baths. First and second motors are operable individually, and rotate to transport the first paper sheet through respectively the bath groups G1 and G2 at a speed V1. A controller sets the bath group G1 at a speed V2 according to information of a second photographic paper sheet of a different type for processing next to the first paper sheet. Subsequently, the bath group G2 is set at the speed V2, to transport the second paper sheet through the plural liquid baths at the speed V2.

Abstract: A resist film is formed out of a resist material on a substrate, and then pre-baked. Next, the pre-baked resist film is exposed to extreme ultraviolet radiation through a photomask. Then, the exposed resist film is developed, thereby defining a resist pattern on the substrate. The pre-baking and exposing steps are carried out in a vacuum without subjecting the resist film to the air.

Abstract: Magazines containing a photographic paper roll are set to first and second magazine stands respectively. Each of the magazine stands is provided with a unit for positioning the magazine. After sliding the magazine in a width direction of the photographic paper, the magazine stand is positioned so as to make a multi-row pitch optimum in accordance with a width of the photographic paper. The magazine stand is provided with a cutter to cut the photographic paper in a print size. The photographic papers advanced from the first and second magazines are sent to passages and are gathered in multi rows at a passage concourse. Devices for arranging and rearranging the photographic paper are unnecessary so that a structure is simplified.

Abstract: A method for monitoring overlay alignment on a wafer that includes identifying a target machine, identifying a target process, identifying a plurality of critical layers, obtaining a plurality of overlay data from at least one of designated registration patterns on the wafer as baseline data, providing a plurality of reference overlay data, correlating the plurality of the reference overlay data with the baseline data to obtain overlay error, comparing the overlay error with specifications of the target machine, accepting the baseline data when the overlay error is within the specifications, and performing overlay alignment monitoring with the baseline data.

Abstract: A density adjustment method for adjusting a density of a diagnostic image, having the steps of; exposing an image; developing the latent image; measuring a density of the developed image; creating a lookup table for relating the diagnostic image data and amount of exposure so as to form a density specified by the diagnostic image data; and correcting at least one of an exposure condition and a development condition to ensure that the next film has the optimized density, based on the difference between the measured density of a partial area of the film, and a density for comparison; wherein, a density of a prescribed area in a test exposure image is used as the density for comparison; while the exposure amount is used for exposing the partial area of the film at the time of forming a diagnostic image.

Abstract: A system and method of backprinting image prints in which an order is received specifying one or more recipients and, for each specified recipient, a set of one or more images associated with that recipient. For each recipient specified by the order, the images associated with the recipient are separated into at least one printable unit of images, and, for each printable unit, each image in the printable unit is printed on a first side of an image print. Backprinting information is backprinted on the other side of one or more of the image prints. The backprinting information can be received from a user and backprinted onto one or images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic processor and a method of processing photographic material. The photographic processor is adapted to achieve a high speed processing of photographic material by utilizing the combination of a vacuum platen and a stacker arrangement that is adapted to hold the media for a time necessary to process and/or dry the media. The system permits media to be fed to a first vacuum platen where a first solution is applied. The platen transports the media to a first vertical stacker arrangement, which holds the media for a desired processing time for the first solution. The media can then be pushed through a stop solution, if needed, and onto a second vacuum platen where a second solution can be applied. The media is then delivered to second vertical stacker arrangement that is designed to assure the proper amount of processing time for the second solution.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus in which a photosensitive material is rewound into a magazine while maintaining a predetermined disposition. Prior to rewinding of the photosensitive material, a distance between concave portions of guide members which constitute a guide portion is set to be substantially equal to the photosensitive material width and a nipping state between a pair of pulling-out rollers is cancelled. Because the nipping state is cancelled, the photosensitive material can be displaced in a width direction. Therefore, the photosensitive material can be rewound into the magazine while maintaining the predetermined disposition, and any skew is corrected by the concave portions of the guide members.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for thermally controlling lithographic chemical processes is disclosed herein. The thermal control system includes a multi-zone thermal sensing unit containing a plurality of thermal sensor elements. These thermal elements are configured to detect the temperature of a plurality of pre-defined zones on the substrates. The system also includes a multi-zone thermal adjustment unit that contains a plurality of thermal coupler elements, which are configured to adjust the temperature of the pre-defined zones. The system further includes a thermal controller unit, operatively and communicatively coupled to the multi-zone thermal sensing unit and the multi-zone thermal adjustment unit.

Abstract: A digital film processing system and film processing solution cartridge are disclosed. The cartridge comprises a housing and a chamber for storing a film processing fluid. The processing solution may be contained within a flexible bladder within the chamber. The cartridge may also include an integral applicator for coating the processing solution onto undeveloped film. The cartridge is generally removeably attached to the film processing system, but may also be refillable.

Abstract: Photofinishers and photo finishing methods are provided. A laminate comprising a transparent medium disposed on at least one image on a photographic medium is produced using a laminator of a photofinisher. A texture is disposed in the transparent medium of the laminate using a texurizer of the photofinisher during a texturing mode of operation.

Abstract: An automatic x-ray film feed uses a timer and relay system to automatically develop a multiplicity of film slides one-by-one in an x-ray processor without requiring a user to manually advance the slides after each slides in developed. The timer activates a motor through a relay system and the film feed advances a single slide into the processor with a motor and roller assembly. After the film leaves the magazine, a trip switch is triggered, shutting off the motor and halting advancement of the next slide in the magazine. The timer than reactivates the motor based on a pre-selected interval set on the timer, facilitating movement of the next undeveloped film slide in the magazine.

Abstract: Mounting trays for storing therein sheet-shaped recording materials are used to record thereon images. A laser exposing unit forms a latent image of an image on the recording material in an exposure process by irradiating laser. A heat development unit performs a heat development process for the recording material on which the latent image has been formed. The mounting trays the laser exposing unit and the heat development unit are disposed along upper/lower directions of an image recording apparatus in this order of image processing operations for the recording material. A length of a transport path for a recording material is short within this image recording apparatus to shorten processing time.