Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a photosensitive material is processed with a processing solution. Reliable liquid displacement in the vicinity of the surface of a photosensitive material, and uniform temperature adjustment can be performed. Also, damage or a transport deficiency, caused by a corner of the material coming into a through hole when a conveyance path of the photosensitive material is formed can be prevented. When pre-washing processing is carried out prior to development processing using a developer, processing unevenness in which an overcoat layer partially remains can be prevented. An operation of mounting and removing conveyance rollers disposed in a pair is facilitated and a proper nipping force can be imparted between a conveyance roller pair. Mounting of a replenisher case filled with a replenisher is facilitated and a replenisher is kept from remaining in piping or in a replenisher case.

Abstract: The invention relates to the application of a uniform film of a fluid to the surface of a flat workpiece as it is being conveyed through a workstation. The invention is specifically directed to the development of lithographic printing plates and comprises the application of the thin film of developer solution to each plate in a controlled manner using a wire-wound coating device and a unique manner of metering and feeding fresh fluid to the wire-wound device. Specifically, the fluid is gently fed onto the wire-wound device by simple volumetric displacement and overflow from the inside of a hollow tube onto the wire and the flow is controlled by sensing the beginning and end of each workpiece or plate. The hollow tube may be the wire-wound component or it may be a tube mounted above the wire-wound component. The spent developer is rinsed and sent to waste. According to the invention, only fresh developer solution is applied at a uniform film thickness, thereby achieving uniform image development.

Abstract: A printing plate processing apparatus provides a step in which a printing plate which has undergone image exposure is processed by being immersed in a developing solution, and the printing plate is delivered while the developing solution is being squeezed out from the printing plate by a conveying roller pair which is partially immersed in the developing solution. A stoppage time of the apparatus is measured, and the conveying roller pair is driven to rotate for an amount of time set in accordance with a measured result of the stoppage time when operation of the apparatus is started, thereby allowing the conveying rollers to be cleaned. A concentration of carbon dioxide in an environment in which the apparatus is installed is detected, and based on the detected result and the measured result of the apparatus stoppage time, the driving time of the conveying roller pair is set.

Abstract: The invention relates to the application of a uniform film of a fluid to the surface of a flat workpiece as it is being conveyed through a workstation. The invention is specifically directed to the development of lithographic printing plates and comprises the application of the thin film of developer solution to each plate in a controlled manner using a wire-wound coating device and a unique manner of metering and feeding fresh fluid to the wire-wound device. Specifically, the fluid is gently fed onto the wire-wound device by simple volumetric displacement and overflow from the inside of a hollow tube onto the wire and the flow is controlled by sensing the beginning and end of each workpiece or plate. The hollow tube may be the wire-wound component or it may be a tube mounted above the wire-wound component.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate processor having an immersion developing tank followed by a developer exit tank in which a printing plate driven through the immersion tank is subjected to a spray of clean developer wherein the exit tank is isolated from the developing tank and there is associated with the exit tank developer spray system a clean developer recirculating loop. The recirculating loop includes a holding tank, a pump and a filter and its elements are isolated, separate and distinct from the developing tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test material storage and feed device with a light-proof container, into which either chemical film test strips, or pre-exposed photographic paper sections can be inserted. The container has a delivery mouth for taking the test strips or paper sections out of the container. A connecting device can be provided on the delivery mouth of the container which can be placed against a corresponding feed opening of a printer or a film processor, or can be inserted at least partially into the feed opening.

Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because they include certain light absorbing dyes and desensitizers. Processing of such elements can be achieved using a processing kit and a two-stage process carried out in the same light- and fluid-tight processing apparatus. In the first stage, development is initiated with a developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent and a sulfite. After an appropriate time, a non-sulfite fixing agent is introduced into the processing apparatus or container to provide a combined developing/fixing composition, and development and fixing are carried out simultaneously. The processing method is carried out quickly, usually within about 90 seconds. The presence of sulfite and high pH in both stages decolorizes or deactivates the particulate dyes.

Abstract: A system for light-tight handling of a supply of media between a supply station, a workstation and a collecting station, comprises a media handling apparatus defined by a frame and a housing enclosing an internal confine. Within this confine are a supply station and a collecting station disposed at opposite ends of the frame. A positioning drive is suspended above the supply and collecting stations to move media between the supply, collecting and work stations. A lifting shoe is provided as part of the positioning drive and includes a flexible material handling sheet which assumes a first and a second given radius when respectively energized and reverse energized to engage the media supported in curved form. Also, supply and collecting cassettes are provided with a tambour coverings for respectively automatically uncovering and covering the supported media while still maintained in the light-tight confines of the housing.

Abstract: A cassette for daylight-loading a photographic sheet pack in a photographic processor, which sheet pack is of a type comprising a stack of rectangular photographic light-sensitive sheets wrapped in an oversized wrapper, which cassette comprises:a rectangular base (20) with a bottom wall and peripheral walls providing an interior space within which a sheet pack can fit, anda cassette lid (40) fitting on the base and comprising a rectangular (41) frame arranged for lighttightly fitting on the peripheral walls, and a sub-lid (42) lighttightly fitting on the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a dental x-ray film which is packaged in a light-proof envelope having two covering surfaces, in which a tear strip is formed on the covering surfaces at an edge common to the package and the covering surfaces are joined to one another so as to be easily pulled apart at their two edges running parallel to the edge with the tear strips, the apparatus having a developing tank with a developing frame underneath an entry slot in which the dental x-ray film is to be inserted.

Abstract: It is known to process photographic materials in sheet form in deep, narrow processing tanks. In these tanks, the material needs to be supported so that it can be removed from the tank once processing is complete. This may result in insufficient agitation of the processing solution over the surface of the material due to the presence of the support or restraint. Described herein is improved processing apparatus in which pairs of D-shaped rollers are located within respective ones of the processing tanks. When material is being processed, flat portions of each pair of D-shaped rollers are parallel to one another allowing clear access to the processing tanks. When processing is complete in a particular processing tank, rotation of each D-shaped roller of the pair associated with that tank about its respective axis brings the circular circumferential surfaces of each pair of rollers into contact to grip the material and direct it out of the processing tank.