Abstract: Provided is a radiation image detector, including: a substrate; a continued radiation conversion layer configured to convert radiation into visible light; an optical image detector on the substrate and between the radiation conversion layer and the substrate, wherein the optical image detector comprises an array of photosensitive pixels; a light-shielding structure located on a side of the plurality of photosensitive pixels facing away from the substrate, wherein the light-shielding structure has a plurality of openings to allow the visible light to reach the photosensitive pixels; and a light-collecting structure located between the radiation conversion layer and the light-shielding structure and comprising a plurality of convex lenses, wherein each convex lens has its optical axis perpendicular to the light-shielding structure and passing through one of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A printing device having a heating apparatus arranged to heat an image substrate, a temperature sensor associated with the image substrate, and a processor communicatively coupled to the heating apparatus. During a simulation mode of the printing device, the processor determines the heating power of the heating apparatus, predicts a temperature of the image substrate based on the heating power, compares the predicted temperature to a measured temperature of the image substrate by the temperature sensor, determines a calibration offset when the measured temperature deviates from the predicted temperature, and selectively generates a control signal for use in calibrating the temperature sensor based on the calibration offset.

Abstract: An adjustment method of a printing apparatus capable of properly drying a medium is provided. An adjustment method of a printing apparatus is provided and the adjustment method includes printing on a medium a plurality of patches having different amounts of liquid discharged from a printing unit, and adjusting a heating temperature of a drying unit configured to heat the medium by referring to correspondence data indicating a correspondence relationship between the heating temperature of the drying unit and an amount of evaporation of the liquid caused by the drying unit, based on a dry condition of the patch that have been subjected to drying by the drying unit.

Abstract: A method for processing a plurality of substrates after forming a photosensitive film on each substrate includes carrying each substrate into a placement buffer including a plurality of supporters by a first transport mechanism; taking out each substrate from the placement buffer to an interface by a second transport mechanism; carrying each substrate into the exposure device; carrying each substrate out of the exposure device into the placement buffer by the second transport mechanism; taking out each substrate from the placement buffer to the processing section by the first transport mechanism; performing development processing on each substrate; making each substrate stand by at the placement buffer based on timing at which the exposure device can accept each substrate; and making each substrate stand by at the placement buffer based on timing at which the developing device can accept each substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing apparatus wherein, even if a trouble occurs, it is bound to continue a process for the substrate without stopping the substrate processing apparatus entirely. The substrate processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes first and second substrate conveying devices configured to convey wafers, and first and second processing blocks provided on the right and left sides of the substrate conveying device and having processing unit arrays each configured to perform the same process. Processing unit arrays on one side and processing unit arrays on the other side are respectively connected to a processing liquid supply system commonly provided with them. And, when any one of substrate conveying devices, processing liquid supply systems has a problem, the process for the wafer can be performed in the processing unit array to which the substrate conveying device and the processing liquid supply system under normal operation belong.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a duct, a fan, a guide duct, and a filter. Air flows through the duct from an intake port in a front face of an apparatus body toward a first exhaust port in a rear face. The fan is provided in the duct and takes in the air via the intake port and exhausts the air via the first exhaust port. The guide duct is provided at the rear face, covers the first exhaust port and a second exhaust port via which exhaust air containing an odorous component produced inside the apparatus body is exhausted from the rear face, and guides the exhaust air from the first and second exhaust ports upward in a vertical direction. The filter is provided in the guide duct downstream from the first and second exhaust ports in the vertical direction and removes the odorous component from the exhaust air.

Abstract: A thermal processor for use in developing an image in an imaging material which is transported along a transport path through the thermal processor. The thermal processor includes a preheat assembly for preheating the thermally processable material to the threshold temperature. The preheat assembly includes a heated member having a major surface facing the thermally processable material. A dwell assembly is provided for thermal development of the image in the thermally processable material. Means are provided for moving the thermally processable material along the transport path through the preheat assembly and the dwell assembly including a roller assembly which contacts the thermally processable material. The roller assembly includes rollers positioned between the heated member and the thermally processable material.

Abstract: A developing apparatus has a substrate holder to hold a substrate, a heater which is provided in a substrate holder, and heats a substrate on a substrate holder for processing a resist film by PEB, a cooler to cool a substrate on a substrate holder, a developing solution nozzle to supply a developing solution to a substrate on a substrate holder, and a controller to control a heater, a cooler and a developing nozzle.

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: In semiconductor processing, the critical dimensions of structures formed on a wafer are controlled by first developing photoresist on top of a film layer on a wafer using a developer tool, the photoresist development being a function of developer tool process variables including temperature and length of time of development. After developing the photoresist, one or more etching steps are performed on the film layer on the wafer using an etch tool. After the one or more etching steps are performed, critical dimensions of structures at a plurality of locations on the wafer are measured using an optical metrology tool. After the critical dimensions are measured, one or more of the developer tool process variables are adjusted based on the critical dimensions of structures measured at the plurality of locations on the wafer.

Abstract: A thermal processor includes an oven for thermally developing an imaging media which produces gaseous contaminants during development. The gaseous contaminants includes odorous portions and condensable portions which have a condensation temperature. A contaminant removal cartridge has a housing configured to couple to the oven, a heat exchanger, and a filter module. The heat exchanger receives from the oven at least a first air flow at a first temperature, wherein the first temperature is above the condensation temperature, and including gaseous contaminants. The heat exchanger cools the first air flow to a desired filtering temperature, which is below the condensation temperature, to condense and collect the condensable portion of the gaseous contaminants and form a filtering air flow. The filter module receives the filtering air flow, to collect the remaining condensed contaminants, and to absorb the odorous portion of the gaseous contaminants to form an exhaust air flow.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The photosensitive element includes a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied upon heating. Heating the layer causes one or more organic compounds in the layer to form a vapor. Oxidation of the vapor forms carbon dioxide and water vapor and reduces the need to manage waste streams containing the organic compounds.

Abstract: The heat developing apparatus heats and conveys a film with a heat developing photosensitive material coated on one side of a supporting substrate and makes a latent image formed on the film visible, which includes a first zone composed of stationary guides 51b and 52b having a heater and opposing rollers 51a and 52a for pressing the film against the stationary guides and a second zone 53 composed of a stationary guide 53b having a heater and another guide 53a forming a predetermined guide gap with the stationary guide, wherein the guide gap of the second zone is 3 mm or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat developing method and a heat developing apparatus for stabilizing density and making image quality stable when executing a heat developing process by a rapid process of 10 seconds or less. The heat developing method is a method for heating a film with a heat developing photosensitive material coated on one side of a support base thereof for a heating time of 10 seconds or less and then cooling it, which opens the face side of the film with the heat developing photosensitive material coated, heats it from the support base side, and cools it from the supports base side by opening the side of the film where the heat developing photosensitive material is coated.

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: The present invention provides an image forming method using an image recording apparatus that includes a laser irradiating means for laser scanning of a photothermographic material that has a support and includes on at least one surface thereof a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder, and a conveying means for guiding the photothermographic material in a sub-scanning direction to a thermal development unit, wherein the reducing agent is a specific bisphenol compound. The invention also provides another image forming method including carrying out thermal development, with an interval time equal to or less than 12 seconds, of the photothermographic material.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming method including providing a photothermographic material having image forming layers containing at least a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent, and a binder on both surfaces of a support, imagewise exposing the photothermographic material with a fluorescent intensifying screen, and thermally developing the photothermographic material in a thermal developing apparatus having a heating section, wherein the heating section has at least two heating means and a difference between a sensitivity when the photothermographic material is developed at 25° C. and relative humidity of 75% and a sensitivity when the photothermographic material is developed at 25° C. and relative humidity of 20% is 0.20 or less. An image forming method similar to that described above in which the photothermographic material has an antistatic layer is also provided.

Abstract: A heat development apparatus for heat developing a heat-developable recording material from one surface side by a heating unit, while transporting the heat-developable recording material by a transportation unit, the apparatus comprising: a transportation path from a beginning end to a terminal end of a heating region in which the heat developing is made by the heating unit, the transportation path being formed in an annular path having a substantially equal length with a transportation length of the heat-developable recording material, so that the beginning end and the terminal end of the heating region are arranged in proximity with each other.

Abstract: A thermal development apparatus for thermally developing a thermal developable recording material in a thermal development section, the thermal developable recording material having a latent image formed in advance, wherein the thermal development section has: a heating member made of a porous body having a gas permeability, the heating member having a heating surface that is disposed so as to face a surface of the thermal developable recording material; and an air feed unit for feeding heated air to the thermal developable recording material through the heating member.

Abstract: A photosensitive material processing device for processing a photosensitive material with a processing liquid while conveying the photosensitive material by a roller pair. A driving device for providing a rotation drive to the roller pair. A drive controlling device that gradually raises voltage of the electric power at the time of starting the rotation drive of the roller pair.

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: An image forming method using a photothermographic material a photosensitive silver halide, a reducing agent, a binder and a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, wherein: the photothermographic material is discharged from a thermal developing device within 35 seconds after heating for thermal development is ceased.

Abstract: A heat developing method having the steps of: initially making the overall surface of a heat developing photosensitive material or a photosensitive and thermosensitive recording material (hereinafter called a “heat developing recording material”) to a predetermined temperature not lower than a glass transition temperature and not higher than heat development start temperature; and performing heat development.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for organic electroluminescent display panels comprises a developing unit for supplying a developing solution to be uniformly dispensed to the surface of an organic electroluminescent display panel by immersing the organic electroluminescent display panel into the developing solution or spreading the developing solution over the organic electroluminescent display panel, a cleaning unit having at least a bath connected to the end of the developing unit for spraying a recycled cleaning liquid or cleaning liquid over the organic electroluminescent display panel, a drying unit having at least an airflow driers, and a transporting unit for transporting the electroluminescent display panel; wherein the organic electroluminescent display panel is transported at a constant speed by the transporting unit of the developing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-sensitive recording material having a support and a heat-sensitive recording layer, which contains a diazonium salt compound and a coupler compound that reacts with the diazonium salt to develop a color, wherein the recording material contains an oxonol dye.

Abstract: A method of density correction in a heat developing apparatus of which photothermographic recording material is thermally developed by light or heat application, comprising the steps of outputting a density correcting chart for setting density correcting conditions, measuring the image densities of the density correcting chart with a densitometer using a monochromatic light source, and correcting density correcting conditions for image recording in the heat developing apparatus based on the measured densities, wherein the density correcting conditions are corrected by using only the densities of low to middle density areas out of the densities of low to high density areas as measured with the built-in densitometer and corrected based on the density correcting chart.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for locating an unexposed region of film. The method includes the step of illuminating film with a light source while the film has developing chemical applied thereto, the film comprising at least two edges along an x direction perpendicular to a y direction parallel to a surface of the film. The method also includes the step of identifying an unexposed region of the film as a region containing ones of a first plurality of columns of the film, the columns disposed generally in the y direction and captured using at least one sensor operable to capture light reflected from the film, and wherein a representative value for each of the ones of first plurality of columns exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A thermal development apparatus includes a heating drum and rollers. The heating drum with a smooth layer having an arc shaped portion of an outer circumferential surface heats and carries photothermographic imaging material being in contact with the arc-shaped portion, and opposed rollers arranged in line along a carrying path of the material presses the material to the outer circumferential surface of the arc-shaped portion. When R (mm) denotes radius of arc-shaped portion, r (mm) denotes radius of opposed rollers, &agr; (degree) denotes angle between lines respectively connecting center of arc-shaped portion and centers of two opposed rollers adjacent to each other, P (mm) denotes pitch of opposed rollers, and &bgr; (degree) denotes contact angle of material to opposed roller, P=2&pgr;R&agr;/360, 2r+3≧P>2r, and &bgr;≦60 are satisfied.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal development having a receiver for receiving an imagewise exposed thermal film, an accumulator for gathering the film, a drive for advancing the film from the receiver to the accumulator, a heater located between the receiver and the accumulator for developing the film, a compound image scanner for scanning the film after it has been thermally developed, the scanner having a first light source and a first sensor placed for forming a first electronic record of the image formed on the developed film by reflection, a second light source and a second sensor placed for forming a second electronic record of the image by an opposing reflection, and a third sensor and a third light source placed for forming a third electronic record of the image formed by transmission, and a lighttight container for the receiver and the heater.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming method using an image recording apparatus that includes a laser irradiating means for laser scanning of a photothermographic material that has a support and includes on at least one surface thereof a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder, and a conveying means for guiding the photothermographic material in a sub-scanning direction to a thermal development unit, wherein the reducing agent is a specific bisphenol compound. The invention also provides another image forming method including carrying out thermal development, with an interval time equal to or less than 12 seconds, of the photothermographic material.

Abstract: A transfer device in which a material which transmits a laser beam LB is employed as an upper mold, and a photothermal conversion layer is formed thereon. A transfer film, at which a transfer material layer is formed, and a workpiece are superposed and pressured between the upper mold and a lower mold. During this pressuring, the laser beam is irradiated in accordance with a pattern of an organic electroluminescent light-emitting layer that is to be formed on the workpiece. Thus, the photothermal conversion layer is heated and the transfer material layer is softened. As a result, the transfer material layer is cleaved and detached from a temporary support, and a component in the transfer material layer that is to form the organic electroluminescent light-emitting layer is transferred to the workpiece. Accordingly, efficient transfer processing is enabled when a transfer material is transferred to a transfer object by a thermal imaging process.

Abstract: An image forming device which automatically manages temperature and humidity for stably processing a photosensitive material. A temperature sensor and a humidity sensor sense changes in temperature and humidity within a heat developing section of the image forming device. A temperature regulator computes an optimal temperature and heating time in accordance with results of sensing, and controls a heating section and conveying of the photosensitive material.

Abstract: A thermal development apparatus for developing a thermal development film, having a heating section, which has at least a partially cylindrical surface for transporting and heating the film; plural parallel pressing rollers for pressing the film onto the cylindrical surface;

Abstract: In the processing of thermal films, following processing, negatives are scanned and the resulting image files are digitally manipulated to render a desired output. Since it is desirable to return thermally processed films to a control location for silver recovery, the negatives are not returned to the consumer. In the method and apparatus of the present invention, after processing and scanning, the film or negative can be rendered unscannable by heating it to a temperature that develops the entire film to its maximum density and destroys the images on the film. As a further option, the film can be physically destroyed by use of for example, a shredder or illuminator downstream of the scanner.

Abstract: In a heat developing apparatus having a heat applying member to thermally developing a photothermographic element by bringing the heat applying member into contact with the photothermographic element conveyed at a predetermined processing speed, and a guide surface to guide the element to a developing section, or a guide surface to guide the element from the developing section to the downstream portion in the developing section covered by a housing, at least either one of the guide surfaces is structured by a material having a low heat conductivity such as, for example, a heat insulating material.

Abstract: A method of density correction in a heat developing apparatus of which photothermographic recording material is thermally developed by light or heat application, comprising the steps of outputting a density correcting chart for setting density correcting conditions, measuring the image densities of the density correcting chart with a densitometer using a monochromatic light source, and correcting density correcting conditions for image recording in the heat developing apparatus based on the measured densities, wherein the density correcting conditions are corrected by using only the densities of low to middle density areas out of the densities of low to high density areas as measured with the built-in densitometer and corrected based on the density correcting chart.

Abstract: A photothermographic material comprising a support and having thereon an image forming layer containing an organic silver salt, light-sensitive silver halide grains, binder and a reducing agent, wherein the reducing agent comprises: a reducing agent A containing at least a bisphenol derivative represented by following Formula (A-1); and a reducing agent B containing at least a bisphenol derivative not represented by the Formula (A-1), and the amount of reducing agent A is 5 to 45 weight % of the total weight of the reducing agent A and reducing agent B.

Abstract: A heat developing method having the steps of: initially making the overall surface of a heat developing photosensitive material or a photosensitive and thermosensitive recording material (hereinafter called a “heat developing recording material” )to a predetermined temperature not lower than a glass transition temperature and not higher than heat development start temperature; and performing heat development.

Abstract: There is described a thermal development apparatus, which makes it possible to prevent generation of density variations caused by changes of the processing temperature during the thermal developing operation when the thermal developing photosensitive material is continuously processed, without increasing the cost of the apparatus so much. The thermal development apparatus includes a thermal developing processor to apply a thermal development processing to the thermal developing photosensitive material, a detector to detect the thermal developing photosensitive material to be conveyed into the thermal developing processor and a controller to control the thermal developing processor in a feed forward controlling mode based on a processing condition of the thermal developing processor. The processing condition is established in advance, corresponding to a load of processing the thermal developing photosensitive material detected in advance by the detector.

Abstract: In a developing method for performing developing treatment of a substrate by supplying a developing solution onto a resist film formed on a surface of the substrate, the present invention controls a zeta potential of the surface of the substrate at a predetermined potential in the same polarity as that of a zeta potential of insoluble substances floating in the developing solution, thereby preventing or reducing the adhesion of the insoluble substances to the resist film and the substrate. This remedies the occurrence of development defects. The adhesion of the insoluble substances to the resist film and the substrate can also be prevented or inhibited by supplying an acid liquid to a liquid on the substrate, or controlling a pH value of the liquid on the substrate to control an absolute value of the zeta potential of the insoluble substances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing identification (ID) cards using a photosensitive imaging system employing microcapsules is described. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, ID cards are produced by translating an image containing identifying indicia into a latent image on an appropriate photosensitive donor sheet, pressure developing the latent image, forming a full color print of the image on a developer sheet, laminating an ID card substrate in registration with the image to the developer sheet and die cutting the laminated article to produce an ID card. Self-contained imaging systems can also be used to produce identification cards. The image preferably includes unique information useful in identifying the card holder such as a photograph, fingerprint, signature, description, name, etc. The identifying indicia may be combined with non-variable information including background printing, card issuer data, logos, security features, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal developing photographic element comprising a radiant energy absorbing material incorporated into said photothermal film.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus for processing a resist pattern imaged on a substrate, notably a thermal lithographic printing plate, comprises a chemical development section, and a preheat oven upstream of the chemical development section. The preheat oven is controllable to provide for substantially uniform heating of the imaged lithographic plate (or other imaged resist pattern on the substrate) as the plate progresses through the apparatus. If desired a plate baking oven may be provided downstream of the chemical development section.

Abstract: A method for thermally processing a sheet of a thermographic material provides good flatness and dimensional stability together with a high optical homogeneity. The method incorporates the steps of supplying a sheet of thermographic material m (1) to a thermal processor (10) having a processing chamber (12), heating the processing chamber to a predetermined processing temperature, and transporting the sheet of thermographic material through the processing chamber in a sinuous way (4). This transporting is carried out by a first drivable belt (21), a second drivable belt (22) and backing means (27).

Abstract: A processing method of a photothermographic material is disclosed comprising subjecting the photothermographic material to heat development by the use of a thermal processing apparatus, wherein the photothermographic material comprises a support, organic silver salt particles, light sensitive silver halide grains, a reducing agent and a contrast-increasing agent; and after having been subjected to heat development, the photothermographic material exhibits a distortion of not more than 0.03 degree. A thermal processing apparatus for the photothermographic material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image-recording device that improves processing speed for image-recording that is carried out using a light and heat sensitive recording material. At the same time as irradiation of the light and heat sensitive recording material with light by a light source for fixing, a heating device heats the light and heat sensitive recording material. Because photo-fixing/photo-decolorization is carried out while the light and heat sensitive recording material is heated, viscosity of the system decreases, and dispersibility of active radicals increases. Due to this activation of radicals, a photopolymerization reaction and a photo-decolorization reaction accelerate, so that efficiencies of fixing and decolorizing increase.

Abstract: Certain types of lithographic printing plates are activated by preheating while certain other types are post heated to harden the coating. A platen having a large mass compared to the mass of a printing plate is heated and maintained in the exact temperature range to which the printing plate is to be heated. A printing plate is brought into heat exchange contact with the platen for the period of time required to heat the printing plate to the temperature of the platen. The printing plate may be heated while resting in a fixed position on the platen or while the printing plate is carried over the platen by a continuous thin metal conveyor belt in intimate contact with both the platen and printing plate.

Abstract: An image-recording apparatus including a casing section that encases a light and heat sensitive recording material therein; an optical recording section that exposes to light a light and heat sensitive recording material fed from the casing section, and thereby records a latent image thereon; a thermal developing section that develops the latent image with heat; a moisture content-controlling section that controls moisture content of the light and heat sensitive recording material after exposure and before development; and an optical fixing section that fixes the developed image by irradiating it with light. The image-recording apparatus can be a completely dry system that is capable of forming good print images without producing waste materials such as image transfer sheets. By controlling moisture content of the recording material, problems such as mottling of images can be prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing thermal film includes a process sequence that involves a pre-process of a portion of a thermal film to determine optimal conditions for a subsequent process for developing images on the film. In a first feature of the invention, the thermal film undergoes a pre-process for determining the requirements of the subsequent full process of the thermal film. During the pre-process, a portion of the film, preferably before or after an area in which images are captured is used as a process test area. Thereafter, processing during a subsequent processing as well as scanning conditions can be modified based on the optimum processing characteristics determined during the pre-process. In a second feature of the invention, the process sequence can include a pre-process of the entire film and an infrared scanning of the entire film to determine optimal processing conditions for the second process for developing the image.

Abstract: Desclosed is a heat-developable image-recording material including a support on which are formed at least one image-forming layer and at least one protecting layer formed on top of said image-forming layer, the heat-developable image-recording material being developed by use of a heat development apparatus comprising a roller coming into a driving contact with a surface of the material on the side having the image-forming layer, the apparatus comprising a smooth surface coming into a sliding contact for transport with a surface of the material opposite to the surface on the side having the image-forming layer, wherein at the temperature where the development is carried out, the ratio is 1.