Antistatic stabilizer and final wash additive for photo developing

The present invention relates to photographic processing, and specifically discloses the use of ethyl bis (polyethoxy ethanol) alkyl ammonium ethyl sulfate as the effective ingredient in an anti-static additive for photographic processing. The effective ingredient is combined with isopropanol and water in the ratio of 8 oz./2 oz./118 oz. (per gallon) to provide the desired anti-static coating to the photographic negatives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to the development of photographs. More 
particularly, the field of the invention is that of anti-static stabilizer 
additives used during photo processing and finishing. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
During the processing of photographic negatives, most particularly during 
the drying process, the photographic negatives surfaces require a "static 
charge" sufficient to attract and hold dust, lint, and other airborne 
particles. Consequently, the negatives must be cleaned before printing, 
typically by a mechanism which wipes the negative. Unless the negatives 
are cleaned, the resulting photographs would be of poor quality, i.e., 
they would appear spotted or otherwise marked. 
However, the use of a mechanical wiper or other cleaning mechanism may 
damage the negatives and also produce photographs of poor quality. 
What is needed is an additive for the final wash which minimizes the static 
charge on the photographic negatives. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is an anti-static additive which virtually eliminates 
the electrostatic charge ("static electricity") which would otherwise 
build up on the photographic negatives during the drying process. More 
specifically, the cationic nature and composition of this complex formula 
is such as to attach itself to the film being processed in the form of a 
one (1) molecular thick shield of cationic ions, thereby preventing or 
neutralizing the electrostatic conditions causing photographic negatives 
to attract and adhere dust, lint, etc. In addition to the particular 
benefits to the photographic negative, the present invention also makes 
other surfaces with which it comes into contact, photo/mechanical 
processors, tanks, and related equipment, cleaner and slicker, thereby 
reducing water spotting on negatives and improving print quality even 
further.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
The preferred embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive 
or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following 
detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so 
that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. 
The present invention relates to an additive used in the final wash in the 
development of photographic negatives. The additive's effective ingredient 
is ethyl bis (polyethoxy ethanol) alkyl ammonium ethyl sulfate, commonly 
made available as VARIQUAT 66, from Sherex-Witco of Dublin, Ohio (VARIQUAT 
is a registered trademark of Sherex-Witco). The effective ingredient is 
combined with isopropanol and water in a proportion of less than 35% of 
the effective ingredient, less than 5% isopropanol, and the remainder 
water. Preferably, 8 ounces of the effective ingredient and 2 ounces of 
isopropanol are combined with 118 ounces of water to produce one gallon of 
BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM.. This composition is sold under the registered 
trademark BANSTATIC PLUS of New Ventures, Inc. located in Woodstock, Ga. 
BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. is an anti-static stabilizer and final wash additive 
that when mixed with process C-41 or E-6 stabilizer solutions, virtually 
eliminates static charge which builds up on film during the drying 
procedure. The Process C-41 is widely used to develop color negative film, 
and relates to a six step process: developer, bleach, fixer, wash, 
stabilizer, and dry. The Process E-6 is widely used to develop color slide 
film, and relates to a ten step process: first developer, first wash, 
reversal bath (to chemically reverse the image), color developer, 
pre-bleach, bleach, fixer, second wash, third (final) wash, and dry. 
BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. is used in the stabilizer step in the C-41 process, 
and in the third and final wash step in the E-6 process. 
Treatment of film with BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. places a microscopically thin 
shield on the film that repels static, dust, dirt and lint to 
significantly reduce remakes caused by these conditions. 
Add BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. to stabilizer replenisher or wash in accordance 
with the following table, and mix thoroughly for 5-10 minutes or until 
uniform. 
______________________________________ 
To this Volume of Add this Volume of 
Stabilizer or Final Wash 
BANSTATIC PLUS .RTM. 
______________________________________ 
1 Liter 5 ml/.17 ozs. 
10 Liters 50 ml/1.7 ozs. 
20 Liters 100 ml/3.4 ozs. 
1 Gallon 19 ml/.64 ozs. 
2.5 Gallons 47 ml/1.6 ozs. 
5 Gallons 95 ml/3.2 ozs. 
10 Gallons 190 ml/6.4 ozs. 
12.5 Gallons 237 ml/8 ozs. 
25 Gallons 473 ml/16 ozs. 
75 Gallons 1420 ml/48 ozs. 
100 Gallons 1893 ml/64 ozs. 
150 Gallons 2840 m/96 ozs. 
______________________________________ 
1 gal. = 3.785 L. 
1 oz. = 29.57 ml. 
The most effective way to begin using BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. is to treat all 
the film process stabilizer chemistry used in the lab at one time. The 
entire system (replenisher tanks, replenishment lines, and processor 
tanks) must be cleaned thoroughly to maximize the special qualities of 
BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM.. 
SYSTEM CLEANING AND PREATION 
1. Pump over current volume of stabilizer replenisher held in the storage 
tank to a mix tank. Do not discard. This stabilizer replenisher will be 
used to make the new improved solution Clean and rinse the replenisher 
storage tank thoroughly with warm water to eliminate any sediment or 
residue buildup. 
2. Clean and rinse chemical supply lines to film processors. This can be 
done by running warm water through these lines for 5-10 minutes or until 
clean. Let these lines then drain completely of rinsed water. 
3. Dump the stabilizer tank(s) in each film processor and clean thoroughly. 
This is where the most important work must be done! Use warm water and 
scrub tank walls to eliminate all residue in each tank. If algae or 
biological growth is suspected in the stabilizer system see 
ALGAE-BIOLOGICAL GROWTH below. 
4. Remove stabilizer chemical filters and clean system by filling tanks 
with warm water and running pumps (without filters) for 5-10 minutes or 
until clean. 
5. Rinse tanks again with warm water, let drain and close drain plug. 
Continued use of BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. will clean the entire system over a 
period of time. That is why it is strongly recommended that the entire 
system be cleaned (storage tanks, replenishment lines and processor tanks) 
before adding BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. to the stabilizer or final wash. 
REFILL AND SYSTEM START UP 
1. Using the stabilizer replenisher pumped over to the mix tank for 
temporary holding while cleaning the storage tank, the proper amount of 
BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. is added to make the new enhanced anti-static 
stabilizer replenisher (See table for proper mix volume). 
2. Refill stabilizer replenisher storage tank. 
3. Refill processor stabilizer tanks with proper volume of stabilizer 
replenisher and water to make a working tank solution (see chemical 
manufacturer instructions for making a working tank solution of 
stabilizer). 
4. Install new chemical filters in film processor and let pumps run for 15 
minutes before processing film. 
GRADUAL INTRODUCTION OF BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. 
The preferred way to begin using BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. is to introduce the 
special anti-static qualities slowly to the film process over a period of 
time. This is done by simply adding BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. to each new 
stabilizer replenisher mix. Once the working tank solution has turned over 
several times, BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. will attain it's full strength. This 
procedure is not recommended unless the system is already very clean. 
1. Dump the stabilizer tank in each film processor and clean thoroughly. 
2. Add BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. to the present stabilizer replenisher by pumping 
it over to a mix tank and adding the proper amount of BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. 
for that volume. Mix for 5-10 minutes or until uniform and refill 
stabilizer replenisher tank. Add 8 ounces (one bottle) of BANSTATIC 
PLUS.RTM. to every 12.5 gallons of stabilizer replenisher and mix 
thoroughly for 5-10 minutes or until uniform. Add 0.64 ozs. per gallon or 
5 ml per liter of BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. to stabilizer replenisher (See table 
for proper mix volume). 
3. Then add stabilizer replenisher with BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. to finish the 
working tank solution in the processor. 
Never add BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. directly to any processor or tank without 
proper mixing first. 
ALGAE-BIOLOGICAL GROWTH 
If algae (biological growth) is present or suspected in the stabilizer 
system, it is advisable to eliminate this growth before refilling the 
system. A household bleach, like Clorox, may be used to eliminate 
biological growth. Add 1 gallon of household bleach to every 100 gallons 
of water, or 10 ml of household bleach to every liter of water in the 
processor or tank and bring volume up to tank overflow with water. Let the 
water/bleach solution sit in the tank for 1-2 hours. 
Household bleach (Chlorine or Bromine) must not be mixed with Photo Bleach, 
Bleach-Fix, Fixer or any other chemical or cleaner. Mixing household 
bleach (Chlorine or Bromine) with any other chemical can result in 
dangerous vapors that can be hazardous. It is imperative that system 
operators be advised of this warning before attempting to use Chlorine or 
Bromine cleaning agents. 
To reduce dust, lint, dirt and water spotting, circulation and filtration 
of the solution in each film processor stabilizer tank is recommended. 
Filters should be changed weekly or more often, if needed. This will 
reduce the need to "dump" the stabilizer tank so often. 
Photo negatives processed with BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. may be retouched by 
appropriate chemical agents. BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM.changes the electrostatic 
charge on the negative by applying a microscopically thin shield of 
Cationic ions, and presents no obstacle to penetration by an aqueous agent 
(retouching colors), nor does BANSTATIC PLUS.RTM. affect the retouching 
colors' characteristics or behavior. 
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the 
present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of 
this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any 
variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general 
principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures 
from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in 
the art to which this invention pertains.