Abstract: A composition of matter including a mother solution; an organic ester; an additive agent and deionized water. The mother solution includes a rare earth compound or a metal compound, an organic acid, an organic amine, and deionized water. Also provided is a method of preparing the composition of matter. The method includes: 1) heating deionized water to a temperature of 50-60° C.; adding an organic acid to the deionized water, allowing to dissolve, followed by addition of a rare earth compound or a metal compound, 2-4 hours later, adding an organic amine, heating to a temperature of 70-80° C. and holding; cooling and filtering to yield a mother solution; 2) mixing the mother solution, deionized water, and a catalyst; vacuumizing a resulting mixture, heating the mixture to a temperature of 95-125° C. and holding, following by addition of a polymerization inhibitor and an organic ester; 2-4 hours later, cooling, standing, separating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of thinning a wafer. First, a wafer is provided. The wafer includes an active surface, a back surface and a side surface. The active surface is disposed opposite to the back surface. The side surface is disposed between the active surface and the back surface and encompasses the peripheral of the wafer. Next, a protective structure is formed on the wafer to at least completely cover the side surface. Last, a thinning process is performed upon the wafer from the back surface.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of processing silver halide color paper that ensures (a) promptness such that finished prints can be handed at shop to customers, (b) small installation area for mini-labs, (c) processing solution stability capable of withstanding slack seasons, (d) normal image quality, (e) small replenishment solution amount and (f) inhibition of tar generation and sulfuration phenomenon occurrence. This object can be attained by a concentrated processing composition for color paper which has a concentrated processing composition for bleach replenishment of 3.0 or less in pH containing 0.3 mol/L or more of EDTA.Fe(III) ammonium, 0.3 mol/L or more of a sulfinic acid compound of specified structure and 0.5 mol/L or more of ammonium bromide and a concentrated processing composition for fixative replenishment of 4.0 or more in pH containing 0.7 mol/L of ammonium thiosulfate and 0.

Abstract: Photographic silver halide materials containing an incorporated black-and-white developing agent can be quickly and simply processed using unique processing compositions and methods. In a “two-step” method, the exposed material is contacted with an alkaline activator solution followed by a fixing composition. In a “one-step” method, activation and fixing are combined using a single alkaline activator-fixing composition containing the fixing agent. None of the processing solutions include black-and-white developing agents. The photographic silver halide materials are preferably radiographic silver halide materials that have a reflective support and provide black-and-white images that can be viewed without a light box.

Abstract: A photographic processing composition, containing at least one compound of formula (I) or (II): A1-X-L-Y-A2??(I) wherein A1 and A2 each are a specific aryl or aromatic heterocyclic group; L is a specific arylene or divalent aromatic heterocyclic group; X and Y each are a specific divalent group; the compound of (I) contains at least two of —SO3M or —CO2M, but not contains —N?N— or —SH; M is a hydrogen, alkali or alkali earth metal, ammonium, or pyridinium; wherein A11 is a specific tri- or tetra-valent aromatic hydrocarbon or aromatic heterocyclic group; A12 is an aryl or aromatic heterocyclic group; X1 is a divalent group; M1 is a hydrogen, alkali or alkali earth metal, ammonium, or pyridinium; the molecule of (II) does not contain —N?N— or —SH; n is 3 or 4; r and s each are 0 to 10, (r+s) is 2 or more.

Abstract: Processing with adding either of the following compounds (a), (b) and (c) to a bleaching and fixing processing solution is performed. (a) at least one selected from a group having a structure represented by a general formula [I] as described below; (b) at least one of an aminopyridine-type compound with acid dissociation constant (pKa) thereof is in the range of 5.5 to 8.5; (c) at least one of a polyethyleneimines having a structure represented by the following general formula [II].

Abstract: A method of processing photographic color papers is carried out using a photographic bleach-fixing composition in a bleach-fixing step that is carried out for less than 60 seconds. The bleach-fixing composition comprises certain aliphatic or aromatic sulfur-containing compounds that include a —N?C(SH)— group. The bleach-fixing composition can be prepared from a two-part bleach-fixing kit having two solutions that can be added directly to a processing chamber or premixed to form a replenisher solution.

Abstract: In order to provide a granular solid processing agent capable of avoiding consolidation among its constituent granules even when the granules sustain some damage by vibrations during transportation or/and are placed under high humidity conditions, and thereby maintaining qualities in the solid processing agent, and a method of producing such a granular solid processing agent, disclosed are solid processing agents for silver halide photosensitive materials, which each have granules containing an organic acid whose ammonium salt has a critical relative humidity of at least 70% RH, particularly the solid processing agents for silver halide photosensitive materials whose granules are core-shell granules containing the organic acids in their individual shell layers.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide light-sensitive material employing an automatic processing machine is disclosed. A developer comprises compounds represented by the formula (1), and a fixer comprises thiosulfate salts, water-soluble aluminum salts, and at least one type of crystallization retarding agents and substantially comprises no boron compound. wherein Q represents —CH2CH2— or —CH2CH(J)—, wherein J represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. x+y+Z is between 2.8 and 3.2, and R represents the group described below. Staining of the water washing tank and processing unevenness caused by a decrease in the replenishment rate of a fixer, are minimized during photographic processing employing an automatic processing machine.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide color photographic material comprises the steps of color-developing an image-wise exposed silver halide color photographic material and subjecting the developed material to desilvering in a processing bath having a fixing function and containing a thiosulfate compound and the following compound or analogue thereof in a molar ratio of 1/0.05 to 1/0.30. In this process, the fixing speed is extremely high even when the replenishing rate is low and the processed photosensitive material has an excellent resistance to fading by light.

Abstract: A photographic processing composition, containing at least one compound of formula (I) or (II):

Abstract: Processing with adding either of the following compounds (a), (b) and (c) to a bleaching and fixing processing solution is performed.

Abstract: A process for removing stain in a photographic material is described which process comprises incorporation of at least one compound of the formula (I) 1

Abstract: A photographic fixing composition has reduced odor and improved storage stability. It comprises a thiosulfate fixing agent, sulfite ions, and a phthalic acid or salt thereof. This fixing composition can be used in various photographic processing protocols to provide color images from color photographic silver halide materials.

Abstract: A photographic processing composition for silver halide color photographic lightsensitive material, comprising at least one compound represented by the formula (I):

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide color photographic material comprises the steps of color-developing an image-wise exposed silver halide color photographic material and subjecting the developed material to desilvering in a processing bath having a fixing function and containing a thiosulfate compound and the following compound or analogue thereof in a molar ratio of 1/0.05 to 1/0.30. In this process, the fixing speed is extremely high even when the replenishing rate is low and the processed photosensitive material has an excellent resistance to fading by light.

Abstract: A method of producing a photographic image in an imagewise exposed photographic material comprising one or more silver halide emulsion layers comprises developing the material with a developer solution containing a silver halide developing agent, applying to the surface of the developed material a solution of a sulphite compound that reacts with oxidised developing agent and prevents further development, and applying to the surface of the developed material a solution of an oxidant that oxidises any remaining developing agent, wherein said sulphite compound is present in an amount sufficient to react with all the oxidised developing agent and said solutions of sulphite and oxidant are applied to the material by means other than immersion in a tank.

Abstract: A toner carrier which carries a toner in the form of thin film on its surface, comes close to or comes into contact with the image-forming body so as to supply the toner to the surface of the image-forming body, thereby forming a visible image on the surface of the image-forming body, said toner carrier being characterized in that its conductive elastic layer has a coating layer thereon which is made of a material containing a resin with a glass transition point lower than 10° C. and has a dynamic elastic modulus (E′) of 107-109.8 dyn/cm2 and a loss tangent (tan &dgr;) smaller than 0.7. A toner carrier in which the electrically conductive elastic layer is formed from an elastic material having a tear strength greater than 10 kg/cm measured according to JIS K6252.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overcoat for a photographic element that allows for appropriate diffusion of photographic processing solutions. The overcoat comprises 10 to 50% by weight of a enzyme-degradable biopolymer and 50 to 90% by weight of hydrophobic particles (by weight of dry laydown of the entire overcoat). An enzyme is applied to the element before, during, or after conventional photoprocessing. According to one embodiment of the invention, the photographic element can be exposed and processed using normal photofinishing equipment, with no modifications, to provide an imaged element together with a protective, water-resistant layer.

Abstract: A concentrated fixing solution which includes at least a thiosulfate, a water-soluble aluminum salt, and a compound having an absorbance of from 0.25 to 1.15 by a prescribed colorimetric method, and does not substantially contain a boron compound is disclosed. A method for processing a silver halide photographic material by using the concentrated fixing solution is also described.

Abstract: A method of producing a photographic image in an imagewise exposed photographic material comprising one or more silver halide emulsion layers comprises

Abstract: An aminopolycarboxylic acid compound represented by the following formula or analogous thereof: The aminopolycarboxylic acid compound of the present invention can be used as a chelating agent for various metals, which is excellent in the biodegradability and masking effect on metals.

Abstract: A concentrated fixing solution which includes at least a thiosulfate, a water-soluble aluminum salt, and a compound having an absorbance of from 0.25 to 1.15 by a prescribed colorimetric method, and does not substantially contain a boron compound is disclosed. A method for processing a silver halide photographic material by using the concentrated fixing solution is also described.

Abstract: A processing composition for a silver halide photographic material, which comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulae (I) and (II): 1

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide light-sensitive material employing an automatic processing machine is disclosed. A developer comprises compounds represented by the formula (1), and a fixer comprises thiosulfate salts, water-soluble aluminum salts, and at least one type of crystallization retarding agents and substantially comprises no boron compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging elements, including photographic elements and recording media, having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. More particularly, the present invention provides a processing-solution-permeable protective overcoat that is water resistant in the final processed product. The overcoat, before formation of the image, comprises hydrophobic polymeric particles in a gelatin matrix. Subsequent treatment of the overcoat, after formation of the image, to remove the gelatin, causes coalescence of the hydrophobic particles, resulting in the formation of a water-resistant continuous protective overcoat.

Abstract: Specific aromatic compounds having an extended planar &pgr; system are useful as spectral sensitizing dye stain reducing agents in photographic processing compositions and methods for providing color or black-and-white images in various photographic silver halide materials. These compounds are devoid of diaminostilbene fragments or fused triazole nuclei. They are particularly useful in fixing and bleaching compositions in the processing of color photographic silver halide materials, but can also be used in various other processing compositions.

Abstract: Color photographic silver halide materials, especially color photographic papers, are processed effectively with reduced iron retention after bleaching with a biodegradable bleaching composition. Bleaching is accomplished using an iron chelate of a biodegradable chelating ligand in the presence of a polyphosphonic acid. This bleaching step is followed by fixing using a fixing composition that includes a fixing agent and a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Specific aromatic compounds having an extended planar .pi. system are useful as spectral sensitizing dye stain reducing agents in photographic processing compositions and methods for providing color or black-and-white images in various photographic silver halide materials. These compounds are devoid of diaminostilbene fragments or fused triazole nuclei. They are particularly useful in fixing and bleaching compositions in the processing of color photographic silver halide materials, but can be used in various other processing compositions.

Abstract: Specific aromatic compounds having an extended planar .pi. system are useful as spectral sensitizing dye stain reducing agents in photographic processing compositions and methods for providing color or black-and-white images in various photographic silver halide materials. These compounds are devoid of diaminostilbene fragments or fused triazole nuclei. They are particularly useful in fixing and bleaching compositions in the processing of color photographic silver halide materials, but can also be used in various other processing compositions.

Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using black-and-white developing and fixing compositions having reduced photoprocessing activity. The entire process is fairly rapid and effective despite the lowered concentrations of photographic developing and fixing agents. The processing compositions are more environmentally friendly because the conventional hydroquinone is replaced with an ascorbic acid developing agent. In addition, the processing compositions are free of ammonium ions.

Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using a two-stage process in which black-and-white development is carried out in the first stage for up to 30 seconds, and such development continues along with fixing in the second stage for up to 60 seconds when a fixing composition is added. Both stages are carried out in the same processing container.

Abstract: Color photographic silver halide elements, such as color films, can be rapidly fixed using a fixing composition containing a thiosulfate fixing agent, and certain 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thiones. Each of the components is present in specific amounts to effect rapid and efficient desilvering. The composition also includes predominantly ammonium cations (at least 50 mol %). Besides effective and rapid silver removal (less than 60 seconds), the fixing composition also minimizes residual dye stain from sensitizing dye aggregates within the photographic elements.

Abstract: A method of processing an exposed black-and-white silver halide light-sensitive photographic material has been disclosed, said method comprising the steps of developing in a developer solution, followed by fixing in a fixer solution, comprising a hardening agent, preferably a compound providing aluminum ions, and wherein, in running equilibrium conditions, said fixer solution has a pH of at least 4.3, further adding to said fixer a fixer replenisher at a rate of from 0 ml/m.sup.2 up to 300 ml/m.sup.2 ; followed by rinsing and drying, wherein rinsing between developing and fixing is excluded and wherein an .alpha.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processing element which includes a silver halide solvent represented by a general formula (1) and which has a function of efficiently fixing undeveloped silver halide remaining in a photosensitive element after developing without any harmful influence, and an image-forming method using the processing element, the general formula (1) being ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent an aliphatic hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: Color photographic silver halide elements, such as color films, can be rapidly fixed using a fixing composition containing a mixture of thiosulfate and thiocyanate fixing agents in specific amounts and molar ratio. The composition also includes predominantly ammonium cations (at least 55 mol %). Besides effective and rapid silver removal (up to 60 seconds), the fixing composition also minimizes residual dye stain from sensitizing dye aggregates within the photographic elements.

Abstract: Color photographic silver halide elements, such as color films, can be rapidly fixed using a fixing composition containing a thiosulfate fixing agent, and certain aminoalkyl- and sulfur-substituted 1,2,4-triazoles. Each of the components is present in specific amounts to effect rapid and efficient desilvering. The composition also includes predominantly ammonium cations (at least 50 mol %). Besides effective and rapid silver removal (less than 60 seconds), the fixing composition also minimizes residual dye stain from sensitizing dye aggregates within the photographic elements.

Abstract: Color reversal photographic elements can be effectively processed to provide color positive images using biodegradable bleaching compositions when the following fixing compositions contain an uncomplexed aminodisuccinic acid additive. The presence of the additive in the fixing composition seems to reduce the retained iron from use of the biodegradable bleaching composition, thereby reducing yellow stain and other undesirable effects in the color images, and iron precipitates in the fixing bath.

Abstract: Concentrated and working strength photographic fixing compositions include a photographic fixing agent, a triazinylstilbene compound, and a water-soluble stabilizing compound that has a molecular weight of less than 200, from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least two amino or hydroxy functional groups. The triazinylstilbene is provided in a concentrated fixer additive composition in a mixture with the stabilizing compound. The fixing compositions also include predominantly ammonium ions, and can be used to provide images in color photographic materials, and particularly in color reversal films, with reduced residual sensitizing dye stain.

Abstract: Color photographic silver halide elements, such as color films, can be rapidly fixed using a fixing composition containing a thiosulfate fixing agent, and certain sulfur-substituted oxadiazoles (that is oxadiazolethiones). Each of the components is present in specific amounts to effect rapid and efficient desilvering. The composition also includes predominantly ammonium cations (at least 50 mol %). Besides effective and rapid silver removal (less than 60 seconds), the fixing composition also minimizes residual dye stain from sensitizing dye aggregates within the photographic elements.

Abstract: Color photographic silver halide elements, such as color films, can be rapidly fixed using a fixing composition containing a mixture of thiosulfate and thiocyanate fixing agents, and certain sulfur-containing 1,2,4-triazoles. Each of the components is present in specific amounts to effect rapid and efficient desilvering. The composition also includes predominantly ammonium cations (at least 50 mol %). Besides effective and rapid silver removal (up to 50 seconds), the fixing composition also minimizes residual dye stain from sensitizing dye aggregates within the photographic elements.

Abstract: A processing method using an automatic processor is disclosed. The automatic processor is defined in the specification in detail. The processing is carried out employing a fixer having a salt concentration of 0.8 to 1.9 mole/l at a fixer replenisher rate of not more than 260 ml/m.sup.2.

Abstract: A photographic fixer compositions comprising a silver halide solvent, an aluminum salt hardening agent, a buffering agent and ammonium ions in amount of at least 0.20 mol/l, wherein said fixer composition also contains at least an aminopolycarboxylic acid sequestering agent of formula (I-a) or (I-b) or a water-soluble salt thereof and d) at least a polyphosphonic acid sequestering agent of formula (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d') or (II-d"): ##STR1## wherein the substituents are defined in the specification. The present invention also provides a method of processing an exposed photographic silver halide element comprising the steps of developing by means of a developer comprising a silver halide developing agent and treating the developed element with a fixer composition, wherein the fixer composition is one described above.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is disclosed.

Abstract: A conditioning or bleach accelerating solution is prepared by diluting a concentrate up to 25 times. The concentrate contains a formaldehyde bisulfite precursor salt at from 200 to 600 g/l, sulfite ions at 0 to 200 g/l, a bleach accelerating agent at from 1.5 to 25 g/l, and a metal ion chelating agent present at up to 60 g/l. The concentrate is free of sodium ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an odorless fixing composition for fixing silver halide photographic media. The composition includes ammonium thiosulfate as a halide solubilizing agent and a non-volatile organic acid for pH buffering. Preferably, the acid is glycolic acid, succinic acid, or a derivative thereof. In addition, the present invention provides a method for fixing silver halide photographic media by exposing the developed media to the odorless fixer composition.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide color photographic photosensitive material comprises the steps of desilverizing a photosensitive silver halide material having at least one red-sensitive layer, green-sensitive layer and blue-sensitive layer respectively on one side of a transparent support and a magnetic recording layer containing magnetic grains on the other side after the color development and then washing it with water and/or stabilizing it, wherein a bath having fixing function used in the desilverization step contains the following compound or analogue thereof. ##STR1## This method does not impair the S/N ratio of the magnetically recorded information and excellent desilverization effect can be obtained.

Abstract: A fixing composition for processing a silver halide photographic material comprises a fixing agent, a sulfite stabilizer, an acid and a buffer. The composition has a pH greater than 5.4 and the buffer comprises at least 2.0 mol/l ammonium acetate.

Abstract: High silver chloride photographic materials can be processed with a process comprising two fixing steps, one before and another after a hydrogen peroxide bleaching step. The first fixing step utilizes a sulfite fixing agent.

Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be handled and processed in roomlight because they include certain light absorbing dyes and desensitizers. Processing is carried out by developing the exposed element using a developing composition having a pH of less than 10. The developed elements are fixed using a fixing composition having a pH of from 10 to 11.5, and comprising specific amounts of fixing agent and sulfite to solubilize silver halide and to bleach or decompose the light absorbing dyes. The processing method is carried out quickly, usually within 120 seconds.