Abstract:
The present 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 of the present invention permits media to be fed to a first vacuum platen where a first solution is applied. The platen is adapted transport 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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a photographic processing system which is adapted to achieve a high speed processing utilizing a stacker/drying arrangement.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Conventional photographic systems for processing photographic material generally process the media in processing tanks, wherein the media is conveyed through the tanks so as to be in contact with several distinct processing solutions in each tank. The conveyance of the media essentially utilizes conveying rollers which in most instances touch both the emulsion and non-emulsion side of the photographic media. Further, the utilization of conveying rollers in most instances does not insure that the photographic media is held flat during the processing cycle. These factors generally affect the subsequent processing of the photographic media. Conventional photographic systems are also set forth in an in-line relationship that includes a plurality of processing tanks and a dryer and takes up a large footprint.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention provides for a photographic processing system and method of processing photographic media which is adapted to provide for a high speed processing by utilizing the combination of a stacker/dryer arrangement and a vacuum platen. To achieve a high speed processing and maintain the required amount of developing time necessary for developing photographic media, the stacker/drying arrangement of the present invention is designed to provide enough dwell time for the media in the stacker arrangement to ensure adequate processing of the media.  
         [0004]     In the system and method of the present invention, media is fed, then exposed (digitally or optically), on a vacuum platen where developer is applied. The vacuum platen is adapted to deliver the media to a vertical stacker arrangement, which holds the media for the desired developing time. After the developing stage, the media is pushed through a stop solution (if needed) and onto a valve jet bleaching platen to receive the proper amount of bleach. The media is then delivered to another stacker arrangement for the proper amount of bleach time, and then is delivered to a wash station for the proper amount of washing. The media is then delivered back to the first stacker arrangement for final drying and delivery to the exit side of the processing machine.  
         [0005]     The present invention therefore relates to a photographic processor or processing machine that comprises a first solution application station adapted to apply a first solution onto photographic media to process the photographic media; a first vertical stacker arrangement adapted to receive the media from the first solution application station, wherein a travel time for the media in the first vertical stacker arrangement corresponds to a first solution processing time and a drying time for the photographic media; a second solution application station adapted to receive the media from the first vertical stacker arrangement and apply a second solution onto a photographic media; and a second vertical stacker arrangement adapted to receive the media from the second solution application station, wherein a travel time for the media in the second vertical stacker arrangement corresponds to a second solution processing time for the photographic media.  
         [0006]     The present invention further relates to a method of processing photographic media which comprises the steps of applying a first solution onto photographic media at a first solution application station to process the photographic media; conveying the media having the first solution thereon to a first vertical stacker arrangement which is adapted to receive the media from the first solution application station and transport the media in a first vertical direction to a second solution application station, wherein a travel time for the media in the first vertical stacker arrangement corresponds to a first solution processing time and a drying time for the photographic media; applying a second solution onto the photographic media at the second solution application station which is adapted to receive the media from the first vertical stacker arrangement and apply the second solution onto the photographic media to process the media; and conveying the media having the second solution thereon to a second vertical stacker arrangement which is adapted to receive the media from the second solution application station and transport the media in a second vertical direction, wherein a travel time for the media in the second vertical stacker arrangement corresponds to a second solution processing time for the photographic media. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a view of a photographic processor in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a view of a vacuum platen which makes up part of the photographic processor of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a view of a vacuum chamber and suction air path which makes up part of the vacuum platen of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numeral designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a photographic processor  100  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0011]     Photographic processor  100  of  FIG. 1  is adapted to process sheets of exposed photographic material. In photographic processor  100 , a sheet of exposed photographic material is first conveyed to a first solution application station  102 . First solution application station  102  includes a first solution supply member  17  which is adapted to supply a first processing solution onto the photographic media as the photographic media passes between first solution supply member  17  and a conveying path defined by a conveying member  9 . Conveying member  9  is preferably of a vacuum platen type as described in copending application Ser. No. 10/714,008 filed Nov. 14, 2003. With reference to the specifics of first solution application station  102 , reference is made to  FIG. 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , first solution application station  102  includes conveying member  9  which transports exposed photographic media in direction  7 . Conveying member  9  preferably comprises an endless belt  11  having a plurality of slots, holes or apertures  14  therein. Endless belt  11  is wrapped around a pair of rollers  15 , one of which is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . First solution application station  102  further includes processing solution supply member  17  as described above which has a plurality of discharge openings that face down onto a top surface  18  of belt  11 . Processing solution supply member  17  preferably receives processing solution from a known supply source and is adapted to discharge or spray the processing solution onto photographic media on surface  18  of conveying belt  11 , to permit a processing, such an impingement processing of the photographic media. Within the context of photographic processor  100  of the present invention, the preferred processing solution supplied by first solution application station  102  is a developing solution for developing exposed images on photographic media.  
         [0012]     Therefore, in order to process an exposed photographic media (preferably a photographic sheet) at first solution application station  102 , the sheet is supplied in the direction of arrow  7  onto conveying member  9 . The sheet is directed onto top surface  18  of endless belt  11  and passes between the discharge openings of processing solution supply member  17  and surface  18  of belt  11 . As the sheet passes between processing solution supply member  17  and top surface  18 , processing solution is sprayed and/or supplied onto the top surface of the photographic sheet to process or develop the exposed images on the sheet.  
         [0013]     Belt  11  of conveying member  9  includes slots  14  as described above. Therefore, as the solution is sprayed onto the photographic sheet, excess solution which drips off the sheet will fall through slots  14  into a vacuum chamber  20  located below top surface  18  of belt  11 . The interior of chamber  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Chamber  20  is preferably designed to receive excess solution which drips through slots  14  and appropriately drain the solution through a discharge line  22  to an appropriate drain site or to a site to be recycled.  
         [0014]     During processing at first solution application station  102 , it is preferable that the photographic sheet be held in a flat state. With the arrangement of the present invention, a vacuum source in the form of, for example, a vacuum pump  24  is adapted to apply a suction force through a suction path  26  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This arrangement provides the advantage of transporting photographic sheets emulsion side up in a manner in which the emulsion side is not contacted and the non-emulsion side contacts the top surface  18  of belt  11 . Further, the sheet is held flat during processing by the suction force applied by vacuum pump  24  through path  26  and slots  14 . Thus, the suction force can be applied while the solution is being supplied to the media or after the solution is supplied to the media.  
         [0015]     Photographic processing solution supplied from supply member  17  will leak down through slots  14  into chamber  20 . This raises the possibility of the solution entering suction path  26  and vacuum pump  24  which could adversely affect the operation of pump  24 . This is prevented by a wall  30  and a baffle  32  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Wall  30  generally divides vacuum chamber  20  into a first section  20   a  which is essentially located below belt  11 , and a second section  20   b  which is closer to vacuum pump  24  than first section  20   a . Baffle  32  is located generally above wall  30  and mounted on a wall of chamber  20 . The combination of wall  30  and baffle  32  serves the dual purpose of (1) permitting the application of suction force from vacuum pump  24  and path  26  through slots  14  to hold photographic sheets flat during processing; and (2) preventing any processing solution which falls into first part  20   a  of vacuum chamber  20  from reaching path  26  and vacuum pump  24 . Thus, the path of the suction air force is generally described by reference  40 , and as shown, the suction force travels over the top surface of wall  30 , between baffle  32  and wall  30 , and extends between vacuum pump  24  and chamber  20   a , to apply a suction force through slots  14  of belt  11 .  
         [0016]     Therefore, the combination of wall  30  and baffle  32  prevent processing solution from splashing throughout the processing system, maintains the solution within chamber  20   a  for drainage to drain  22 , and prevents solution from reaching suction path  26  and contacting vacuum pump  24 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 3 , baffle  32  preferably includes a generally flat or horizontal section  32   a  that extends above a top surface of wall  30  and an inclined section  32   b  which is inclined in a direction towards first part  20   a  of vacuum chamber  20 . This provides for the guidance of the suction force from vacuum pump  40  and in addition, helps maintain the processing solution within the confines of part  20   a  of chamber  20 .  
         [0017]     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , in photographic processor  100  of the present invention, the preferred solution to be applied at first solution application station  102  is a developer solution for developing a latent image on an exposed photographic media. After the developing solution is applied to the photographic sheet at first solution application station  102 , the sheet is transferred while being held flat to a first vertical stacker arrangement  104 . First vertical stacker arrangement  104  preferably comprises an endless belt like member  106  which includes or is attached to a plurality of spaced media platforms  108 . Therefore, after processing at first solution application station  102 , conveying member  9  conveys the photographic media onto a media platform  108  provided at location  108   a . Endless conveyor belt  106  can thereafter be actuated (i.e. rotated in direction  150 ) by way of, for example, a motor, so as to move media platform  108  provided at location  108   a  in a first vertical upward direction  110  as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 1 , so that the next media platform, for example, platform  108  at location  108   b , will be located in a receiving position to received media from conveying member  9 . In this way, multiple sheets can be provided in a serial manner onto individual media platforms  108  and transported in first vertical or upward direction  110 .  
         [0018]     In a feature of the present invention, the length of vertical stacker arrangement  104  or a dwell or travel time of the media on the different media platforms  108  of vertical stacker arrangement  104  can be controlled so as to provide for the proper drying time and proper developing time for the photographic media. That is, the number media platforms  108 , the distance that the individual media platforms will travel from a position where it receives the media from first solution application station  9  to a point where it transfers the media to the next station, or the time that the media spends within first vertical stacker arrangement  104  can be controlled so as to provide for a proper developing time and a proper drying time for the media while in first vertical stacker arrangement  104 . That is, a travel time for the media in first vertical stacker arrangement  104  corresponds to a proper developing time and/or proper drying time for the media. First vertical stacker arrangement  104  can be designed as an oven, such that media platforms  108  along with belt  106  are provided within an enclosure  104   a , and the space within enclosure  104   a  can be heated by forced heated air, radiant heat or any other type of heating source.  
         [0019]     Once media on media platform  108  at location  108   a  reaches a location or position identified by reference numeral  108   a ′, the media is determined to have been substantially and/or properly developed and dried. Thereafter, the media can be pushed by any well known type of pushing mechanism from media platform  108  at location  108   a ′ onto the next stage of the process. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the next stage is a stop bath  110  having a stop solution therein. It is noted that the stop bath  110  is optional, and that in the event that the dwell time within vertical stacker arrangement  104  is sufficient to stop developing, the stop bath would not be needed. If stop bath  110  is utilized, the media is transported from media platform  108  at location  108   a ′ onto stop bath  110  by a well known pusher mechanism, wherein the media comes into contact with stop solution for stopping the development of the media. Thereafter media is transported to a second solution application station  112 . Otherwise, the media can be directly transferred from stacker arrangement  104  to second solution application station  112 .  
         [0020]     Second solution application station  112  is identical to first solution application station  102  and therefore, for the specifics of second solution application station  112 , reference is made to  FIGS. 2 and 3  and the supporting discussion of  FIGS. 2 and 3  regarding first solution application station  102 . That is, second solution application  112  is identical to first solution application  102  in that it includes a second conveying member  9 , a second endless belt  11  having a plurality of slots, holes or apertures  14  therein, a second solution supply member  17 , a second chamber  20 , a second discharge line  22 , a second vacuum pump  24  and a second path  26 , all of which have been described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Second solution application station  112  further includes wall  30 , baffle  32  and the other elements described with respect to chamber  20  and path  26  previously described with reference to  FIG. 3 . A separate vacuum source could be used for second solution application station  112 , or the same vacuum source used for first solution application station  102  can be used for second solution application station  112 . Also, a single vacuum pump  24  could be used for both application stations  102 ,  112 .  
         [0021]     The difference between second solution application station  112  and first solution application station  102  is that the solution applied onto the media by second solution supply member  17  of second solution application station  112  is a bleaching solution. The applied bleaching solution serves to bleach the photographic media as it is conveyed and held flat along conveying member  9  of station  112 . It is noted that the particulars for the elements of first solution application  102  and second solution application station  112  are described in the above-noted copending application Ser. No. 10/714,008.  
         [0022]     After the application of the bleach solution at station  112 , the photographic media is thereafter transported to the next station which is a second vertical stacker arrangement  114 . Second vertical stacker arrangement  114  is adapted to transport the media in a second vertical direction, and more specifically in direction  118  as shown. Second vertical stacker arrangement  114  provides for a proper bleach dwell time for the media. Second vertical stacker arrangement  114  includes a plurality of spaced media receiving platforms  116  mounted on or attached to a conveyor belt  120  which is adapted to rotate each of the media receiving platforms  116  about belt  120 . Thus, during use, photographic media is transferred from second solution application station  112  onto media platform  116  at location  116   a  as shown, and thereafter, belt  120  is driven in a direction shown by arrow  600  by a known motor to move media platform  116  at location  116   a  in downward direction  118 ; this brings next media platform  116  at location  116   b  in alignment with second conveying member  9  of second solution application station  112 . In the same manner as first vertical stacker arrangement  104 , second vertical stacker arrangement  114  can be designed with respect to its dwell time, its length or its number of platforms so as to provide for the proper dwell time for the bleach on the photographic media. That is, a travel time for the media in second vertical stacker arrangement  114  corresponds to a proper bleach processing time for the media. Second vertical stacker arrangement  114  can be optionally enclosed by an enclosure or casing  250 .  
         [0023]     After platform  116  reaches location or position  116   c  as shown in  FIG. 1 , the photographic media can be pushed by a well-known pusher into a wash station  140 . Wash station  140  could be a known wash station having a plurality of wash and/or rinse tanks and conveying rollers which serially lead the photographic media through several washing or rinsing stations or tanks. Wash station  140  can further be of the counter current wash type wherein washing fluid is applied in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the media so as to assure that the photographic media is properly washed. After leaving wash station  140 , the media can be returned by way of a movement arm, a conveying belt or a roller back to an aligned receiving platform  108  at position  108   a  of first vertical stacker arrangement  104 , so as to perform a drying operation on the developed and washed media. This drying operation can be achieved by designing first vertical stacker arrangement  104  as an oven or as an enclosure with forced air or radiant heat as previously described. Thereafter, the media can be removed from processor  100  for further finishing operations.  
         [0024]     It is noted that first vertical stacker arrangement  104  includes a side  300   a  where platforms  108  are located so as to receive the media from first solution application station  102 . After each of platforms  108  reach a point where the media can be transported to either stop bath  110  or second solution application station  112 , belt  106  is effective to rotate each of platforms  108  in direction  150  so that the platforms are now on a side  300   b  of first vertical stacker arrangement  104 . At side  300   b , an optional spraying station (not shown) can be utilized to apply washing or rinsing solution onto each of platforms  108  at side  300   b . This is effective to remove any residual developer solution from platforms  108 . The same operation can be also achieved with respect to second vertical stacker arrangement  114 . That is, platforms  116  positioned on side  400  as shown in  FIG. 1  can be cleaned by a washing arrangement, such as a sprayer located in the vicinity of side  400 . This is effective to remove any residual bleach from each of platforms  116 .  
         [0025]     The present invention thus provides for a photographic processor which is capable of achieving a rapid processing while holding a sheet flat. The processor further enables a proper development time, drying time and bleaching time for the media. The processor of the present invention is compact as shown in  FIG. 1  in that each of vertical stacker arrangements  104 ,  114  can be located on opposing sides of second solution application station  112  and on opposing sides of washing station  140  in a parallel manner. This provides for a minimum footprint for the photographic processor. The photographic processor can be further enclosed in a single housing or each of the elements can be provided in separate housings.  
         [0026]     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.