Photographic processing apparatus

Described herein is a high capacity, low volume processor for processing photographic material in web form. The processor is self-threading and is capable of being linked directly to a high-speed printer. The processor can be replenished by direct replenishment of concentrates without external chemical mixing. "Fluid drive" is preferably used to provide both transport of the web through the processing tanks and to provide agitation at the surface of the web.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to a 
photographic processing apparatus and is more particularly, although not 
exclusively, concerned with a photographic processing apparatus having 
relatively high throughput. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Photographic processors are well-known in which single strands or webs of 
photographic paper are processed. Multiple strand processors are also 
known. An example of a single strand processor is the Gretag "Syntra" 
processor. Such processors are often linked to printers to form high-speed 
printer/processor units in which a continuous web of photographic paper is 
used in both stages of the unit at the same time. These units allow a 
streamlined printing and processing operation. These processors are not 
normally self-threading and a "leader" is attached to the leading end of 
the photographic paper to be processed, on start-up, to pull it through 
the initial part of the unit, the photographic paper being in web form. 
However, the output of printers can vary due to the type of work being 
printed, and when processing of the photographic paper stops, a further 
"leader" may be attached to the end of the paper web and remains in the 
apparatus until it is next required for processing. At this point, more 
photographic paper for processing can be attached to the free end of the 
"leader". This is often inconvenient and labor intensive, especially when 
there are unscheduled stops in the processing of the photographic paper. 
In order to allow for situations when printing stops temporarily, means are 
provided to store an accumulated length of paper between the printer and 
processor. A "buffer" length of paper is employed to allow the output rate 
from the printer to be temporarily different to that of the processor. 
Usually the "buffer" length is produced by a magazine of rollers 
(sometimes called an "elevator") whose spacing can be varied to vary the 
total path length. Such magazines are complex and expensive to manufacture 
and require maintenance. 
However, when the printing rate slows for a long period, for instance, when 
a series of reprints are required, which necessitates the printer 
searching for the correct negative rather than printing each negative in a 
roll, the "buffer" length would need to be excessively long or the paper 
processing would need to be frequently interrupted. 
Processors which employ "elevator" magazines are known as variable speed 
processors and allow the output rate of the processor to vary so that 
variations in printer output can be matched within predetermined limits. 
The Agfa "VSP" processor is an example of a variable speed processor in 
which a variation in path length is used to achieve a variable throughput. 
The linear speed of the web of photographic paper is adjusted according to 
the changing path length so that process times are kept constant. 
However, in variable speed processors, it is difficult to achieve low 
volumes of processing solution and maintain optimum processing results. 
Copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/762,224, filed Dec. 9, 1996, 
entitled IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APATUS, 
by Garth B. Evans and Anthony Earle (Attorney Docket No. 72447/F-P), 
discloses a method of varying the transport speed of the paper web through 
the apparatus and compensating with changes in processing solution 
activity. This allows the time required for processing to be varied and 
hence the linear speed of the paper web can be varied to allow for 
variations in output. 
Multiple strand processors, on the other hand, are more usually of the 
"leader belt" type and are the most common type of high capacity processor 
in current use. In multiple strand processors, a strong plastic belt is 
permanently threaded through the processor. Paper webs which are to be 
processed are attached to the belt by means of clips. These processors are 
not normally directly linked to printers, chiefly because they can 
accommodate several webs at one time for processing and are supplied with 
webs from several printers. 
Low solution replenishment rates are desirable since they minimize 
inefficiencies in chemical use and reduce the chemical effluent and 
volumes of effluent. Methods of addition of replenishment chemicals 
directly to processing solutions are well known which allow components of 
a solution to be kept separate from one other until mixing occurs in the 
solution in the processing tank. This avoids a chemical mixing operation 
for replenishment solutions and allows volumes of replenishment solutions 
to be minimized. The residence times of tank solutions is however 
increased as replenishment rates are reduced thus making low volumes of 
solution within a tank more valuable. 
Low volume processing tanks are known in which, in order to reduce costs 
and minimize volumes, the number of drive rollers is minimized. In such a 
processing tank, any position on the paper web passes a roller during 
processing infrequently, perhaps only once during each process step. It is 
desirable to provide high solution agitation during process steps to 
facilitate the interchange between the processed material and the 
solutions. Contact with rollers is useful in providing agitation. 
However, in high capacity photographic processors, it is desirable to 
minimize the number of moving parts which require maintenance. In these 
processors which have few rollers, it is therefore desirable to provide 
agitation by other means. This can be provided by the use of slot nozzles 
built into the walls of the thin tanks through which the processing 
solutions are recirculated at high rates using pumps of sufficiently large 
capacity to provide the necessary flow rates. This recirculation also 
ensures that the volume of solutions is fully mixed and has uniform 
concentrations of components but the flow rates needed to ensure good 
mixing are lower than that needed to provide impingement agitation. 
The delivery of liquid to these slot nozzles is typically provided by tubes 
or channels which allow uniform flow of solution along the length of the 
nozzles. These arrangements add volume to the volume of the solution in 
the tank and thus increase the effective tank volume and solution 
residence times. They also add to manufacturing cost. 
EP-B-0 588 557 describes "fluid-drive" processors in which the frequency of 
rollers can be reduced by using fluid flow to impart a driving force on 
the material being transported through a narrow channel. In "fluid-drive" 
processors, a thin channel is provided through which both the web and 
processing solution pass. By providing a relative speed between the paper 
web and processing solution, good agitation can be provided. "Fluid-drive" 
processors are self-threading. 
Low volumes of processing solution are not only desirable for developer, 
bleach or bleach-fix solutions, but also in wash or stabilizer stages as 
low residence times reduce opportunities for growth of bacteria, etc. 
However, it is common current practice to use large volumes of wash water 
to overcome effects of bio-growth since a large volume throughput lowers 
residence time. This consumes large volumes of water which has either to 
be treated with expensive equipment and chemicals in order to allow its 
re-use or it is wasted. Large energy losses also result. 
Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
Tanks having low volumes of processing solution, with their associated 
benefits, for example, low replenishment rates, direct replenishment of 
concentrates to the tank solutions, minimal effluent, minimal energy use, 
and minimal water usage are currently not available to the users of 
current high-capacity processors. While low tank volumes may be attainable 
for multi-strand, "leader belt" processors on their own, it is not 
practical to link such processors to printers. 
Moreover, such processors tend to carry over greater volumes of processing 
solutions from one tank to the next in the direction of transportation of 
the web because both the "leader belts" and the web carry solution with 
them. This problem is greater at high web speeds. 
Although large versions of self-threading processors could be used for 
combined printer/processor units as described above to avoid the need for 
the processor to be of the variable speed type, as the web can be cut when 
the output of the printer falls keeping the output capacity of the 
processor constant, such arrangements would be relatively expensive due to 
the provision of frequent drive rollers and/or additional agitation. 
Moreover, slot nozzles or other agitation devices may be needed to effect 
interchange between the web and the processing solution. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved 
high capacity processor which can be used in a printer/processor 
arrangement. Such a processor is self-threading, has low volumes of 
processing solution within the tank and can be manufactured at low cost. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a processor which 
allows the printing rate to change without the need for a long "buffer" 
length. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a processor 
which has the benefits of low solution volumes and "fluid drive" transport 
and which can be linked directly to one or more high-speed printers, thus 
simplifying the work flow. This avoids the need for inconvenient 
re-threading of the web if processing has to be halted, or the expensive 
complexities of variable speed drive processors mentioned above. 
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided 
photographic a processing apparatus for processing at least one continuous 
web of photographic material having at least one photosensitive surface, 
the apparatus comprising a plurality of processing stages and having a 
transport speed of at least 5 m/min, each processing stage comprising at 
least one processing tank, characterized in that the effective tank 
thickness T.sub.T is less than 25 mm and in that the apparatus is 
self-threading and is directly linked to at least one printer. 
By the term "effective tank thickness" is meant the ratio of the volume of 
the processing solution, as hereinafter defined, of a processing stage, to 
the product of the maximum width of photographic material processed and 
the path length taken by the photographic material through the processing 
solution within the tank. 
Advantageous Effect of the Invention 
By "tank volume" or "processing solution volume" is meant the volume of the 
solution within the processing tank/channel together with that of the 
associated recirculation system, which includes, for example, pipework, 
valves, pumps, filter housings, etc. 
By this arrangement, the benefits of processing apparatus having low 
volumes of processing solution can be obtained while maintaining the 
advantages of self-threading processors. 
In particular, the use of tanks having low volumes of processing solution 
allows low wash solution volumes added according to the area of material 
processed to be used without causing the solution residence times (defined 
below) to be so long as to encourage bio-growth. It is preferred that the 
wash water or stabilizing solutions are added to the last tank in a series 
of tanks connected together so that there is counter-current flow of the 
wash water or stabilizing solution from the last tank to the first. (The 
terms "last" and "first" refer respectively to the order in which the 
material being processed encounters these tanks.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
This invention provides a processor for webs of photographic material, 
typically color negative paper, in which the transport speeds are in 
excess of 5 m/min (15 ft/min), and wherein at least one processing stage 
is of the low volume thin tank type wherein the effective tank thickness 
T.sub.T is equal to or less than 25 mm. It is preferred that the effective 
tank thickness T.sub.T is less than 11 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, and 
in particular less than 3 mm. Moreover, the transport mechanism of the 
processor allows it to be self-threading and, therefore, capable of being 
linked directly to the output of one or more printers. The width of the 
processing channel within the tank is chosen so that either a single, wide 
strand or web of material, or more than one strand or web can be processed 
at the same time. 
Optionally, the flow of processing solution through at least one of the 
processing tanks can be utilized to impart a driving force to transport 
the web material through that particular tank. In this case, a number of 
rollers are provided outside the processing tank for controlling the speed 
of the web. 
While a processor is continuously being used, the residence time of the 
solutions therein is a function of processing time, processing tank 
dimensions, and the fraction of the paper path occupied by paper. The 
solution residence time can therefore be expressed as follows: 
##EQU1## 
wherein: 
T.sub.T is the "effective tank thickness", as previously defined; 
T.sub.P is the process time (path length for a given process time is not 
important since as path length increases volume increases but so does the 
rate of addition of replenishment solutions per unit time); 
R.sub.R is the replenishment rate per area of material processed; and 
W.sub.O is the average fraction of the maximum width of material that can 
be processed which is occupied by the material being processed. 
In order to maintain processing solutions fresh, it is desirable to reduce 
the effective tank thickness so that the solution residence time. Low 
residence times are also desirable since they offer the opportunity to 
allow a reduction in replenisher components of the processing solution 
which are needed to stabilize the chemical content of the solutions 
against aging effects. These aging effects could be due to atmospheric 
interactions such as oxidation or acidification or because of the use of 
solution formulations which use chemically unstable compounds or mixtures. 
An example of the former is atmospheric oxidation. An example of the 
latter is the use of bleach/fix solutions in which the fixing component 
can be oxidized by the bleaching component. 
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a combined printer/processor unit 
100 in accordance with the present invention. The unit 100 comprises a 
self-threading processor 110 connected to two printers 120,122 via 
respective buffer devices 124,126. Webs 128,130 are shown passing from a 
respective one of the printers 120,122, through a respective one of the 
buffer devices 124,126, through the processor 110 and onto a further 
processing stage, for example, a cutting stage (not shown). 
The processor 110 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2, and comprises four 
processing stages 112,114,116,118. Stage 112 is a developing stage, stage 
114, a bleach-fixing stage, stage 116, a washing or stabilizing stage, and 
stage 118 is a drying stage. Each stage 112,114,116,118 of the processor 
110 may comprise one or more processing tanks which are connected to one 
another in series, that is, the web being processed (not shown) passes 
through each tank in the processing stage and then onto the next 
processing stage. Alternatively or additionally, the processing tanks in 
each processing stage 112,114,116,118 are connected in parallel so that 
two or more webs of material may be processed simultaneously. 
It is preferred that, where appropriate, each processing tank of the 
processing stages 112,114,116,118 comprises a "fluid drive" processing 
tank as described in European patent EP-B-0 558 557. 
In FIG. 3, an elongate, narrow, low volume processing tank 10 is shown. 
This tank was constructed for the purpose of demonstrating that fluid 
drive was possible. In practice, this arrangement can be used but only if 
mounted such that it is totally submerged in processing fluid contained in 
a vessel. 
The tank 10 has the configuration of an almost closed loop, the loop having 
openings 11,12 which permit the entry and exit respectively of material to 
be processed. The tank 10 is submerged in a vessel (not shown) with its 
axis substantially vertical. Two jets 13,14 (only jet 13 can be seen in 
FIG. 3) are positioned one either side of the tank 10, each jet being 
connected via pipework 15,16 to a supply of processing solution (not 
shown). Material to be processed, shown by dotted lines and labeled M, is 
directed through the tank 10 in the direction of arrow 17. 
In FIG. 4, a similar but more practical arrangement is shown. In this case, 
processing tank 20 is formed into a spiral, as shown, having a loop 
portion 21 and two portions 22,23 adjoining portion 21. The axis for the 
loop portion 21 is mounted to be substantially horizontal. As before, two 
jets 24,25 are positioned one either side of the tank 20, and are 
connected to a supply of processing solution (not shown). Rollers 26,27 
and 28,29, respectively, guide material M into and out of the tank 20. 
Material M enters the tank 20 in the direction shown by arrow "X". 
Although rollers 26,27 and 28,29 are shown in FIG. 4, it is important to 
note that they do not impart any substantial drive to the material M as it 
passes through the processing tank 20. However, the rollers 26,27,28,29 
are metering rollers in that they provide control for the material M as it 
passes through the tank 20. 
FIG. 5 shows jets 30,31 which are positioned at an angle of 30.degree. to 
the processing tank 10 (FIG. 3) or 20 (FIG. 4). The direction of movement 
of the material being processed is indicated by arrow 32. 
FIG. 6 shows jets 40,41 which are positioned at an angle of 45.degree. to 
the processing tank 10 (FIG. 3) or 20 (FIG. 4). The direction of movement 
of the material being processed is indicated by arrow 42. 
FIG. 7 illustrates an expansion box 50 which is used to relieve the 
build-up of pressure in the processing tank 20 at the respective inlets 
and outlets. The box 50 comprises a chamber 51 having an inlet member 52 
and an outlet member 53 through which the material being processed enters 
and leaves the box respectively. The inlet and outlet members 52,53 may be 
reversed, that is, the inlet member may be 53 and the outlet member be 52. 
The inlet and outlet members 52,53 may form part of the processing tank 
(not shown). Alternatively, these members 52,53 may comprise guides which 
direct the material into and out of the box 50. 
A connection 54 is made to the recirculation system of the processing tank 
(not shown) to recirculate fluid which has expanded into the chamber 51. A 
vent hole 58 is provided in box 50 to allow air to be pushed out of the 
chamber 51 as fluid enters the chamber from the tank. 
When the box 50 is being used at the inlet side of a processing tank, 
material being processed enters the box 50 through member 53 and out 
through member 52. Fluid in member 52 is displaced due to the entry of the 
material into that member and the back pressure generated by the drive 
jets associated with that tank (not shown), and the fluid moves in the 
direction indicated by arrow 55, into the box 50, and out into the chamber 
51 in the direction indicated by arrow 56. The fluid then flows into the 
connection 54. 
When the box 50 is used at the outlet side of a processing tank, material 
being processed enters the box 50 through member 52 and out through member 
53. Fluid in member 52 is displaced due to flow from the tank. As before, 
the fluid moves in the direction indicated by arrow 55, into the box 50, 
and out into the chamber 51 in the direction indicated by arrow 56. The 
fluid then flows into the connection 54 as described above. 
This arrangement prevents the escape of processing fluid, for example, a 
liquid, out of the expansion box through the member 53 whether it is being 
used as an inlet or an outlet device. Processing solutions may attain a 
level 57 within the chamber 51 which may lie between the maximum and 
minimum levels as indicated by levels "A" and "B" as shown. 
In FIG. 8, an arrangement is shown in which an expansion box 60,61 is 
provided at each end of a vertically mounted processing tank 62. Box 60 
provides an inlet to the tank 62. A guide 63 directs material, in the 
direction shown by arrow 64, into the tank 62 for processing. Similarly, 
box 61 provides an outlet to the tank 62 with a guide 65 directing the 
material, in the direction of arrow 66, out of the tank 62 and to the next 
processing stage where appropriate. Both boxes 60,61 are provided with 
respective connections 67, 68 to the recirculation system (not shown), 
which in turn is connected to jets 70,71. 
It is to be noted that the jets 30,31 of FIG. 5 and the jets 40,41 of FIG. 
6 correspond to the jets 13,14 and 24,25 of FIGS. 3 and 4. 
Although FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate jets being positioned at an angle of 
30.degree. or 45.degree. to the direction of motion of the material being 
processed, other angles between these two values can also be used. 
The pressure of processing solution supply supplied to the jets is 
approximately 0.21 MPa (30 psi). This produces linear speeds in the region 
of 1.5 ms .sup.-1 (300 ft/min .sup.-1) with jets having a diameter of 
approximately 9.5 mm (0.375 in). Naturally, other pressure values and jet 
diameters may be useful, and other linear speeds may be attainable. 
It will readily be appreciated that, although only single "fluid drive" 
processing tanks are described with reference to FIGS. 3-8, several such 
processing tanks can be connected together in series to define a 
processing stage, the material to be processed passing through each of the 
processing tanks. In such arrangements, the width of the processing tank 
is chosen in accordance with the number of webs to be processed. 
In addition, it may be desirable to have each web passing through a 
separate processing tank or set of processing tanks connected together in 
series. In this case, each processing stage may comprise two or more 
processing tanks connected together in parallel, the webs passing through 
rollers 26, FIG. 4, into separate processing tanks 20, and then out 
through rollers 28 and onto the next processing stage. Naturally, several 
processing tanks may still be connected in series for each "parallel" 
processing path. 
It is to be noted that although, loops and spirals have been described for 
the configuration of the processing tanks, other configurations are also 
possible. 
The present invention can be used in combination with direct replenishment 
techniques, replenishment with solids, redox amplification development 
processes, and multi-stage, counter-current washing. It can also be used 
to process color papers using substantially pure chloride emulsions and 
pyrazolone and PT couplers. 
Surface texturing of the tank walls is optionally provided to produce 
additional turbulence or agitation as the paper web and accompanying 
processing solution move past the tank walls. 
It is to be understood that various other changes and modifications may be 
made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The 
present invention being limited by the following claims. 
Parts list: 
10 . . . processing tank 
11,12 . . . openings 
13,14 . . . jets 
15,16 . . . pipework 
17 . . . arrow 
20 . . . processing tank 
21 . . . loop portion 
22,23 . . . portions 
24,25 . . . jets 
26,27,28,29 . . . rollers 
30,31 . . . jets 
32 . . . arrow 
40,41 . . . jets 
50 . . . expansion box 
51 . . . chamber 
52 . . . inlet member 
53 . . . outlet member 
54 . . . connection 
55,56 . . . arrow 
57 . . . level 
58 . . . vent hole 
60,61 . . . expansion box 
62 . . . processing tank 
63,65 . . . guide 
64,66 . . . arrow 
67,68 . . . connections 
70,71 . . . jets 
100 . . . printer/processor unit 
110 . . . self-threading processor 
112,114,116,118 . . . processing stages 
120,122 . . . printers 
124,126 . . . buffer devices 
128,130 . . . webs