Abstract:
The invention is directed to a processing vessel for processing photographic material, said vessel comprising a low volume processing and transport channel which does not contain any transport means, wherein the level of the processing liquid is held within the borders of the processing and transport channel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a processing vessel for processing photographic material. In particular, the present invention relates to the processing of photographic films and to a process for processing photographic films. In addition, the present invention relates to a storage cartridge or storage container for storing processing liquid for processing photographic material.  
           [0003]    2. Related Prior Art  
           [0004]    Known processors for processing photographic material usually have several problems. First, the processing liquid has to be heated to a particular temperature, and because of the large surface area of the heated processing liquid, a considerable amount of liquid is evaporated. This leads to a considerable loss of processing liquid and an unexpected alteration of the mixture or combination of the different processing liquids. Furthermore, the use of processing liquids is accompanied by the risk that the at least partially dangerous processing liquids can come into contact with an operator of the processor.  
           [0005]    To try to overcome these and further disadvantages, a processor with a narrow processing channel has been proposed. The processing channel generally has a U-shaped configuration with an entrance section, a processing section and an exit section, for processing the photographic material. A nozzle is usually arranged in the narrow processing channel for supplying the processing liquid to treat the photographic material. This prior art, however, has the shortcoming that the photographic material conveyed through the narrow processing channel can be damaged, and in particular there is a tendency for it to jam in the region of the supplying nozzle. Furthermore, while the processing channel is made narrower, pairs of transport rollers are nevertheless held under the level of the processing bath, so that the overall volume of the processing bath is still very large.  
           [0006]    According to EP 0 878 736 A1, another solution has been proposed, according to which the narrow processing channel is provided with a step for lifting the leading edge of the photographic material from the bottom surface of the processing channel. This measure should help to avoid jamming in the processing channel.  
           [0007]    However, this proposal is also not sufficient since, while the processing channel is narrow, all the pairs of transport rollers in the entrance section and the exit section of each of the channels still have to be covered by the processing liquid, as referred to in EP 0 880 072 A1.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, this prior art also only discloses a large volume processing vessel, wherein on the one hand the processing channel itself is narrow, while on the other hand the voluminous entrance and exit sections also have to be kept completely under the surface of the processing liquid, e.g. a developer solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution or a stabiliser solution. This is necessary due to the possibility that any dirt particles on the transport roller bath could otherwise damage the emulsion side of the photographic material, e.g. photosensitive print paper or photosensitive photographic film.  
           [0009]    A cartridge for photographic processing chemicals is known from EP 0 727 709 A1, said cartridge having for each of the processing liquids two separate tanks, one for the fresh processing liquid and one for the exhausted processing liquid. This cartridge can be connected to the system of a photographic processing apparatus via injection needles piercing some closure means provided at a kind of bottleneck provided for each of the tanks of the cartridge. This kind of cartridge needs a lot of space and it is a problem to withdraw all the fresh processing liquid from the respective tank and to refill the tank for the exhausted processing liquid, since during the supply and refill procedures and over pressures are caused which make the use of this type of cartridge more difficult.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing vessel for processing photographic material by means of a small volume processing channel, without the need for regularly covering the transport means for conveying the photographic material with the processing liquid or processing solution.  
           [0011]    In addition, it is an object of the invention, to keep the transport means clean and smooth without covering the transport means with the processing liquid.  
           [0012]    It is another object of the invention to provide a processing device which as far as possible avoids the evaporation of processing liquid.  
           [0013]    It is an object of the invention to provide a new device which is also able to deal with a low level work load, for instance only one film per week without the necessity of withdrawing the processing liquid or of recycling the processing liquid. It is a further object of the invention to modify the liquid part of the photo finishing process so that an operator is no longer confronted with the shortcomings of the wet chemistry portion, i.e., the wet chemistry part is loaded with as little processing liquid as possible, while the processing liquid is kept in a closed loop to avoid pollution of the environment.  
           [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge for processing liquid which is less space consuming.  
           [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a cartridge for processing liquid which can be manufactured less costly.  
           [0016]    It is another object of the invention to provide a new kind of cartridge for processing liquid which can be handled more easily and safely.  
           [0017]    In accordance with the invention, the above objects are at least partially solved by a processing vessel for processing photographic material, said processing vessel comprising a low volume processing and transport channel with an entrance and an exit portion for including a processing bath. Where photosensitive film has to be processed, a processing bath, preferably has a volume between 5 ml and 30 ml, and in particular a volume between 10 and 20 ml. This also depends on the type of processing chemistry which is applied. The above figs. are valid where C 41 type chemistry is used and where higher temperatures are used for the different processing baths. In accordance with the invention, the processing vessel also comprises a replenishment portion for supplying processing liquid to said processing bath, and a withdrawal portion for withdrawing processing liquid from the processing bath. The replenishment portion is located near the entrance portion and the withdrawal portion is located near the exit portion.  
           [0018]    Accordingly, the level of the processing bath can be held between the replenishment portion and the withdrawal portion and there is a stream of processing liquid, said stream being initiated at the replenishment portion and continuing through the processing and transport channel towards the withdrawal portion. The processing bath is defined by the area between the replenishment portion and the withdrawal portion.  
           [0019]    It is one aspect in accordance with the invention that transport means are assigned to the processing vessel in accordance with the invention, said transport means being provided at least either on the entrance or the exit portion, such that said transport means are essentially not in contact with the processing bath.  
           [0020]    According to another aspect of the invention, a storage container for storing a processing liquid for processing photographic material comprises at least one collapsible tank for a fresh processing liquid and at least one collapsible tank for an exhausted processing liquid. When fresh processing liquid is withdrawn from the respective tank, this tank collapses and the other collapsible tank is expanded since exhausted processing liquid is injected into this tank.  
           [0021]    Accordingly, this new type of storage container or storage cartridge does not need twice the space, which is necessary for including the unexhausted or fresh processing liquid and essentially the same amount of exhausted processing liquid. Since this new and inventive storage container or storage cartridge can be constructed smaller, it is simultaneously possible to manufacture this container or cartridge less expensively. And finally, since any pressure excesses or partial vacuums are used to collapse or to expand the respective tanks in a storage container, there are no problems with compensating for the pressure excesses and partial vacuums occurring in the different tanks.  
           [0022]    According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tanks are included in a mechanically stable and/or rigid container having a constant volume, in which said tanks are collapsible and/or expandable in relation to each other. This additional feature guarantees that the collapsible tanks can not be damaged and that the collapsible tanks cannot be expanded in any unexpected directions, such that they could be damaged by the surroundings. The collapsible tanks or soft tanks together mainly occupy the complete inner space of the stable and/or rigid container.  
           [0023]    The processing vessel according to one of the aspects of the present invention can be used as one of a sequence of consecutive processing vessels, each of said processing vessel having an entrance portion and an exit portion, and at least one of the processing vessels having a low volume processing and transport channel in between, said processing and transport channel(s) being connected to a processing liquid replenishment portion and a withdrawal portion, for replenishing and withdrawing said processing liquid, wherein the replenishing portion is arranged near the entrance portion of the processing and transport channel and the withdrawal portion is arranged near the exit portion of the processing and transport channel, so that the level of the processing liquid is held within the processing and transport channel.  
           [0024]    In accordance with to the present invention, it is therefore possible to accomplish a genuinely low volume process for processing, e.g. developing, bleaching, fixing and/or stabilising, a photographic material.  
           [0025]    This means that it is possible to realise a treatment for photographic material with very low amounts of vapour from evaporated processing liquids, and that the amount of processing liquid which circulates through the processor for photographic material can be kept very low so that the complete process seems to be a dry process or a nearly-by dry process. The low amount of processing liquid and the very small surface area of the corresponding processing bath allows the device in accordance with the present invention to be maintained over a long period of time without being used, and allows very small amounts of photographic material to be processed. For instance, it is possible to process one negative film per week and to maintain the processing liquid in the system of the device according to the invention and to use the same processing bath for hundreds of films just afterwards, and so on. The device in accordance with the invention allows such unequal cycles because the processing liquid only has a very small surface area in contact with the environment and which can react with the ambient air of the environment, such that the composition of the processing liquid can only be affected over very long time periods.  
           [0026]    A very low volume processing channel can be used in accordance with the invention because, particularly for undeveloped negative film, the photographic material is transported in the same direction as the processing liquid in a recycling arrangement where the processing liquid is heated such as to be kept at a particular processing temperature. In accordance with the invention a C41 type chemistry is used, for processing and in particular for developing undeveloped negative film, i.e. 135 film and APS film, and the processing temperature has to be raised to be within the range 45° C. to 50° C. at least for the developer bath. The developer bath needs to be kept at a set temperature within a tolerance of ±0.3° C. At about this temperature of 45 to 50° C., it is preferable to develop each area of a photosensitive film for 45 to 50 sec. Accordingly, the film will remain for the same time period in each of the different baths since all other processing and transport channels of the consecutive processing vessels have the same size. Of course, it is possible to use low volume processing and transport channels of different sizes and/or lengths or to use storages for the photographic material between consecutive channels, or processing vessels of different speeds or processing time periods should be necessary if other processing chemistries are to be used. It is also possible to use other processing temperatures and to adjust the remainder of the process to these deviations, keeping however the low volume processing and transport channels.  
           [0027]    Since the developer bath is the most critical bath for the photographic material whether, it is a photosensitive film or a photosensitive print paper, it is sufficient to control the temperature of the developer bath, and to control all other processing baths in depending on the temperature of the developer bath only.  
           [0028]    To be able to use a very low volume processing bath, it is advisable to keep any transport means, necessary for transporting the photographic film through the processing baths, out of the processing baths. Accordingly, in contrast to the prior art, the transport means, for instance several pairs of transport rollers, are kept dry during the process. Only the photographic material to be processed can convey processing liquid to the transport means, but only to a very small degree.  
           [0029]    The recirculation in accordance with the present invention also includes a recovery portion, in order to be able to withdraw exhausted processing liquid from the cycle. This exhausted liquid is filled into a recovery tank within a cartridge which can also include the fresh processing liquid which is supplied to each of the recirculation cycles to replace exhausted processing liquids.  
           [0030]    The processing liquid, and in particular the developer, is directed from the replenishment portion towards an emulsion side of the photographic material, such that the processing liquid has a very close direct contact with the side of the photographic material to be treated. Furthermore, since both the photographic material and the processing liquid are conveyed in the same direction, co-currently with each other, it is possible to avoid turbulences as much as possible, so that the processing reaction, in particular during the development reaction, can be kept equal over the complete surface of the sensitive emulsion side of the photographic material.  
           [0031]    For photosensitive film, it turns out that it is also very advantageous if the processing liquid in a stabiliser vessel, i.e. the processing liquid in the stabiliser bath, and all the liquids in the other vessels are also conveyed co-currently with respect to the film, for better and more equal processing efficiency.  
           [0032]    According to another aspect of the invention, the device for processing photographic material, e.g. undeveloped photosensitive film, comprises a sequence of consecutive processing vessels, each of said processing vessels having an entrance portion and an exit portion, and at least one of them having a low volume processing and transport channel in between, said processing and transport channel(s) being connected to a processing liquid replenishment portion and a withdrawal portion for replenishing and withdrawing said processing liquid, wherein transport means are assigned to the processing vessel having said low volume processing and transport channel, said transport means being arranged outside of the processing volume, so that there is no contact with the processing liquid, wherein cleaning means are arranged to clean the transport means. Since, according to this aspect of the invention the transport means, for instance pairs of rollers, are arranged outside of the processing volume and thus outside of the processing bath, processing bath ingredient can crystallise on the transport means and dirt particles can accumulate thereon, it is necessary to clean the transport means, because dirt and/or crystallised ingredients, of the processing liquid could otherwise damage the photographic material and in particular the emulsion side of the photographic material.  
           [0033]    Accordingly, cleaning means clean the transport means, in particular after the device has stood idle. In accordance with the invention, for instance, the cleaning means can supply only a few drops of distilled water or the like, to dissolve crystallised ingredients of the processing liquid and rinse away dirt particles so that the transport means are clean and cannot scratch the photosensitive film and, generally speaking, the photographic material to be processed. It is sufficient to supply only a few drops of cleaning liquid and to withdraw the used cleaning liquid either by sucking off the cleaning liquid or by evaporating the cleaning liquid. Of course, it is also possible to use a blade or the like to scrape any particles from the transport means.  
           [0034]    The cleaning of the transport means is particularly useful or necessary if, after a long period of time idle, photographic material has to be processed. Accordingly, sensor means should be provided near the entrance portion of a first processing vessel of the processing and transport channel, to activate the cleaning means. Accordingly, when photographic material approaches the processor in accordance with the invention, the cleaning means are activated and spray cleaning liquid onto the transport means, so that crystallised ingredients of the processing liquid can be dissolved and dirt can be rinsed from the surface of the transport means, in particular a pair of transport rollers.  
           [0035]    Instead of transport rollers it is also possible for instance to use transport webs, or in the case of photosensitive film, sprockets, engaging into the transport perforations along both sides of the photographic film.  
           [0036]    According to another aspect of the invention, a process for processing photographic material is proposed, wherein the photographic material is introduced into consecutive processing baths, comprising the steps that an exposed photographic material web enters a first processing bath included in a low volume processing and transport channel, and a developer solution in said first bath is conveyed in a direction co-current with the transport direction of the photographic material web.  
           [0037]    According to this aspect of the invention, it is advantageous to direct an emulsion side of the photographic material towards the developer solution being supplied to the bath. At least the developer solution should have a component of an incident angle which is directed towards the emulsion side of the photographic material.  
           [0038]    During the process, and in particular during the developing process, the respective processing liquid is circulated. Preferably, the processing liquid, and in particular the developer are heated to very close to a set temperature value.  
           [0039]    In according with the above-described invention, it is possible to provide a small dimensioned processor for photographic material, and in particular for photosensitive films like APS films and 135 films. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0040]    [0040]FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section through a small dimensioned film processor;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section through a module of a preferred embodiment of a film processor comparable to that in FIG. 1;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 3 shows a cross section through a recycle and recovery portion of the processor module in FIG. 2;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4 shows a replenishment portion of the processor module in FIG. 2;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through a transport means for transporting photographic material;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through a processing and transport channel;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 7 shows a cartridge for fresh and exhausted processing liquid, in an upper plain view;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 8 shows the cartridge in FIG. 7 in a cross sectional view;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 9 shows the cartridge in FIG. 7 in a longitudinal cross sectional view; and  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 10 shows a principal flow scheme for processing liquids which could be used in the embodiment according to FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0050]    In the figs., identical or comparable parts or items are referred to by means of the same reference numbers. A repeated description of parts can therefore be avoided to some extent.  
         [0051]    While the present invention is explained with respect to a processor for processing photosensitive film, the same principle can also be applied to processors for processing exposed but undeveloped photographic print paper.  
         [0052]    In FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of a device with features in accordance with the invention is referred to by the reference number  10 .  
         [0053]    The device  10  includes a film processor, and a film scanner  40  with a film storage  43 .  
         [0054]    The scanner  40  has a re-order entrance  44  which can be used to enter and scan already developed films. The scanner can of course be used for 135 films and APS films.  
         [0055]    The film processor  11  includes a load entrance  45  for supplying cartridges with exposed photosensitive films to be entered into the wet-part of the processor  11 . Of course, it is also possible to enter large rolls of films spliced together for processing. Accordingly, the entrance  45  can be a part of an entrance compartment  38  for different purposes, for instance for connecting film cartridges light tight to the wet part of the processor  11 , to be supplied to a secondary entrance  46  and processed in the wet part of the processor  11 .  
         [0056]    The film processor  11  includes several processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  which are arranged in a consecutive row. Between the consecutive processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  several transport means  20  are provided. In the present case, the transport means  20  are formed by means of pairs of transport rollers  20  which will be described in more detail with respect to a particular embodiment, later. The transport means  20  are driven by one or more electric motors  50 , and the driving force is transmitted to the transport means  20  through a gear arrangement  36 . It is also possible to use a gear arrangement between consecutive transport means  20 . On the other hand, it is also possible to use a belt drive or a chain drive. It is of particular importance to convey the film through the different vessels or channels without any significant slippage, not to damage the film or to put any strain on the film.  
         [0057]    The first processing vessel  12  is directed to the developing process. The second processing vessel  14  is directed to a bleaching process and the third processing vessel  16  relates to a fixing process. The last three processing vessels  18  are involved in a stabilising process. At the exit position of the wet-part, the film  42  is directed to a drier portion  41  where the developed film is dried, before being directed to the scanner  40 .  
         [0058]    The film processor  11  includes a heater arrangement  22 , and the processing liquid in the processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  is pumped through the heater arrangement  22  to be adjusted to a particular pre-set temperature.  
         [0059]    As can be seen, the transport means  20  are located outside of the vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  and accordingly, the transport means are kept dry and any liquid arriving at the transport means can only do so because the liquid adheres to the surface of the photosensitive film.  
         [0060]    In the present case, all of the processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  have a low volume processing and transport channel through which the films to be developed, bleached, fixed and stabilised are transported and in which they are processed. The level of the processing liquid in all the different channels, which will be described in detail later, is adjusted so that the liquid can be kept in the channels and so that the length of the processing and transportation channels remains the same so that the processing time can be kept constant.  
         [0061]    By means of a comparatively aggressive and reactive developer, for instance C41 type chemistry, it is possible to use a very low volume developer bath with about 10 to 20 ml of active volume in contact with the surface of the photosensitive film to be processed. The processing time in each of the different processing baths amounts—depending on the type of chemistry—to about 45 to 50 sec., which is an example for C41 type chemistry. Accordingly, if it is possible to provide sufficient time to the developing process, it is possible to construct all the processing and transport channels, i.e. the processing vessels, with very small dimensions. If a faster processing time is intended, the length of the processing and transport channels have to be increased. In general, the longitudinal cross-section of the channels have a U-shape, so that it is possible to concentrate a long channel in a very small volume. The shape and the particular features of each of the vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  will be described in more detail below.  
         [0062]    At the beginning of the consecutive row of processing vessels, there is a sensor means (not shown) which provides an electric control signal if a film web or a film strip is approaching the row of the vessels. If the sensor means detects an incoming film strip, the processing liquid in the processing and transport channels  13  is recycled, to warm up the processing liquid to the pre-set temperature value. Correspondingly, at the end of the row of consecutive processing vessels, there can also be provided a sensor means which detects the end of the last film introduced into the processor  11 , in which case the recycling and the heating of the processing liquid is stopped to save energy, to avoid evaporation of processing liquid, and so on.  
         [0063]    Since it is possible that a film processor is not used over a long period of time, it is necessary to clean and soften the transport means, e.g. pairs of transport rollers in the present case. Therefore, each of the pairs of transport rollers is provided with a cleaning means, for instance a kind of spraying apparatus, or a blade or the like, to clean the surface of the transport rollers, so that damaging or scratching of the emulsion side of the film strip can be avoided. Accordingly, after a particular pre-set time period has lapsed during which no processing has occurred, cleaning liquid can be dripped or sprayed onto the pairs of rollers, and the used cleaning liquid can be pumped off or evaporated. Since it is only necessary to supply a few drops of cleaning liquid, for instance distilled water, the used cleaning liquid can easily be evaporated.  
         [0064]    At the bottom of the processor  11 , a number of pumps are provided for the different processing liquids. These pumps  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  are replenishing fresh processing liquids are stored which can be recycled in the recycle cycles, where the processing liquids are adjusted to a particular processing temperature. A recovery tank, which will be shown later, is arranged, and exhausted processing liquid can be conveyed from the processing vessels, i.e. the processing and transporting channels, to the recovery tank. A tank  34  includes cleaning liquid, e.g. distilled water, to be supplied to the transport means  20  for cleaning purposes.  
         [0065]    As will be described in detail below also with reference to FIG. 10, the processing liquid in the processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  are conveyed in the same direction as the photosensitive film to be processed.  
         [0066]    The device  10  according to FIG. 1 can also be used by means of a process which can be described as follows: first, a film strip is entered through the entrance  46 . A sensor means (not shown) detects that a film strip is approaching the first pair of transport rollers  20  in front of the entrance portion of the first processing vessel  12 . If the device  11  is idle for a significant time period, a cleaning liquid is supplied to the first and also to other pairs of transport rollers  20 , and the transport rollers are cleaned so that the film strip and in particular the emulsion side of the film strip cannot be damaged by dirt, crystallised ingredients of the processing liquids, or the like. When an approaching film strip has been detected, recycling of the developer bath, and immediately or subsequents of all of the other baths, can be started in order to adjust the temperature of the developer baths and also of the other processing baths to the set processing temperatures. Exhausted processing liquid can be replaced and the exhausted processing liquid can be withdrawn into a recovery tank. The replacement processing liquid can be pumped by means of pumps  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  into the processing bath, i.e. into the recycle cycles and therefore into the processing and transport channels  64 .  
         [0067]    The pump means can be a low power and low volume type pump, for instance a peristaltic pump.  
         [0068]    In the processing and transport channels  64  of the six first processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  the processing liquids are conveyed in the same direction as the film itself. The processing liquids are conveyed starting from a location near the entrance portion, through which the film strip enters a respective processing and transport channel.  
         [0069]    Also in the last three processing channels of the last three processing vessels  18  the processing liquid is conveyed co-currently with respect to the film strip.  
         [0070]    One embodiment of a flow scheme which is in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 10.  
         [0071]    The consecutive row of processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  is connected to a variety of pump means  24 ,  25 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  on several tanks  110   a,    110   b,    110   c,    100   d  with fresh processing liquids and a tank  120 ′, all tanks being provided in a container  100 ′ for exhausted processing liquid.  
         [0072]    The pump blocks  28 ,  30 ,  32 .  34  are each comprised of a replenishment pump for fresh processing liquids and a withdrawal pump for exhausted processing liquid. Accordingly, all the pumps on the left-hand sides of the blocks  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are connected via connection pipes or tubes to the tank  120 ′ for exhausted processing liquid. All the pumps on the right-hand sides of the blocks  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are connected via pipes or the like to the tanks  110   a,    110   b,    110   c,    110   c  for fresh processing liquids. The tank  110   a  contains developer solution, the tank  110   b  bleacher solution, the tank  110   c  fixer solution and the tank  100   c  stabiliser solution. The container  110 ′ can be constructed like the container  100  shown in FIGS.  7  to  9 .  
         [0073]    The individual pumps of the pump block  24  are connected to withdrawal portions  74   a,    76 ,  78  in FIGS. 3 and 4 of all of the different processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  to recycle the processing liquid to be kept on moving for good processing efficiency and to be reheated in a heater block  22  to keep the processing liquid at a constant processing temperature. The pumps of the pump block  25  are used for pumping the processing liquid, a stabiliser solution in this case, from the third stabiliser vessel, the last processing vessel in this row, to the second, and from the second to the first stabiliser vessel  18 . Fresh stabiliser is only introduced into the third stabiliser vessel  18 , which then can also be exhausted in the two stabiliser vessels  18  arranged in front of two stabiliser vessels. This provides an extended processing channel, while the constructive features of the processing vessels can be kept the same for all of the processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 . Exhausted stabiliser solution is only withdrawn from the first of the three stabiliser vessels  18  (through withdrawal orifice  82 , FIG. 3) to be pumped into the tank  120 ′. The fresh processing liquids are supplied to the recycle cycles before the liquids are arriving in the processing vessels with the predetermined processing temperature(s).  
         [0074]    It is preferred to start and continue the recycling, replenishment and withdrawal operations in the vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  only when a film approaches a processing vessel and during the film is conveyed through its processing and transport channel ( 64  in FIG. 2). When the film has left the processing and transport channel of a processing vessel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , all pumps acting on the respective vessel can be deactivated. This saves processing liquid. The control of the activation and deactivation can be accomplished by a timer circuit of a known layout, taking into account the length of the film web which has to pass the corresponding processing and transport vessels. The length of the film web can be detected by the signal of a detector, e.g. a photoelectric detector, which detects the beginning and the end of a film web.  
         [0075]    The replenishment of fresh processing liquid can be controlled, e.g., on the basis of the amount of processed film web, the length of which can be counted continuously by means of above-referred detector (not shown).  
         [0076]    Now, with reference to FIG. 2, one processing vessel or processing unit shall be described in detail. In principle, each of the processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  can be constructed as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  can be formed modularly. This means that each of the processing vessels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  can be replaced by another unit of the same type and construction.  
         [0077]    Each of the processing units  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  is comprised of an upper portion  60  and a lower portion  62  and between these two portions  60 ,  62  a low volume processing and transport channel  64  is formed. Accordingly, the upper border plane of the channel  64  is formed by the bottom end of the portion  60  and the lower boarder plane of the channel  64  is formed by the upper part of the lower portion  62 .  
         [0078]    An entrance  78  is arranged in the film transport direction at the beginning of the channel  64 . The entrance is funnel-shaped to render the introduction of the film strip more easy. The pair of rollers  20  at the entrance  78  is provided with a cleaning means  67   a,    67 . Cleaning liquid, for instance drops of distilled water, can be supplied or sprayed onto the surface of the rollers via a pipe mouth  67   a.  The cleaning liquid then can be conveyed either by gravity or by rotation of the rollers, or both, towards the lower roller of the pair of rollers  20  in order to clean this roller as well. Afterwards, the exhausted cleaning liquid can drip into a collecting vessel  67 , to be withdrawn by a pump means or to be evaporated by a heater or the like.  
         [0079]    Another example of a cleaning means  69  is depicted in relation to the pair of transport rollers  20   a,    20   b  at the exit portion  77  of the processing unit  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  according to FIG. 2. While the pair of transport rollers  20   a,    20   b  located at an exit portion  76  of the processing units  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  is formed like the pair of rollers at the entrance portion  78 , the cleaning portion  69  is formed as a kind of blade in order to scrape dust, dirt or the like from the surface of one of the rollers. Of course, a corresponding blade  69  can also be mounted in relation to the roller  20   a.  The particular shape and function of a preferred embodiment of the rollers  20   a,    20   b  will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.  
         [0080]    Near the entrance portion  77 , a replenishment portion is provided through which it is possible to fill the processing and transport channel  64  with recycled and/or fresh processing liquid. The processing liquid arrives at the replenishment portion  68  through a pipe  72  which is connected to a recycle pipe arrangement and a replenishment pipe arrangement. The portion  68  will be described below with reference to FIG. 4.  
         [0081]    Near the exit portion  76 , a withdrawal portion  70  is provided which has the function of withdrawing the processing liquid to be recycled and reheated and, if necessary, refreshed. Furthermore, the withdrawal portion  70  includes a recovery portion through which exhausted processing liquid is withdrawn to be directed to a recovery tank ( 120 , FIG. 7) for disposal purposes. The withdrawal portion  70  will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.  
         [0082]    As shown in FIG. 6, the processing and transport channel  64  has, in cross section a disk-like shape. This shape is very narrow at the ends  64   a,    64   b  of the channel  64  which narrow ends  64   a,    64   b  are working as a guide for the film strip. Towards the middle of the channel  64 , the cross section becomes broader so that the processing liquid has free access to the surface of the film strip and in particular to the surface of the emulsion side of the film strip. Furthermore, the shape of the channel  64  depicted in FIG. 6 avoids that the emulsion side can contact the walls of the channel  64 , which could damage the film strip, e.g. scratch the emulsion side of the film strip.  
         [0083]    Of course, other cross sectional shapes of the channel  64  can also be used. In accordance with the invention, it has proved advantageous to use the end sections as guide means, while the region between these end sections  64   a,    64   b  issued for the process itself. Of course, if it is necessary in the case of APS films to fix a leader card to a film strip, the cross-section of the channel has to be modified, e.g. the narrow end sections  64   a,    64   b  extend more to the left and right, respectively.  
         [0084]    In FIG. 2, a tube-like shape  80  is machined into at least one of the portions  60 ,  62  of the processing vessel of the processing units  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 . A level sensor  82  is installed in the tube  80  and, if it senses that the level of the processing bath is too low, fresh processing liquid can be added to the recycling cycle and thus to the channel  64 .  
         [0085]    If the units  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  or the complete processor device according to FIG. 1, has been under maintenance or under repair or is being activated for the first time, it is of course also possible to use the level sensor  82  as a means for adjusting the level of the processing liquid for the first time. Of course, the level sensor can also be placed elsewhere, for instance in either the replenishment portion  68  or the withdrawal portion  70 .  
         [0086]    In FIG. 3, the withdrawal portion  70  is depicted together with the pair of transport rollers  20   a,    20   b  behind it. The withdrawal portion  70  is connected to a recycle pipe arrangement  74   a  and to a recovery pipe arrangement  74   b.  Processing liquid is withdrawn through an opening  78  and through a gathering portion  76 , to be reheated in the heater  22  according to FIG. 1. Afterwards, the reheated and, if necessary, refreshed processing liquid can be supplied to the processing and transport channel  64  through the replenishment portion  68 .  
         [0087]    Above the level of the opening  78  of the withdrawal portion, a recovery opening  82  is provided for withdrawing exhausted processing liquid through the pipe arrangement  74   b  which is connected to a disposal tank, in order to expel the exhausted processing liquid from the process.  
         [0088]    Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the pair of transport rollers  20   a,    20   b  is comprised of a transport roller  20   b  having a smooth and rigid surface and of a roller  20   a,  preferably a squeeze roller having a softer outer layer  23  which should help to transport the film without slipping and which should also help to restrict the pressure acting on the film. The film is transported through a nip  21  between the rollers  20   b,    20   a.    
         [0089]    According to FIG. 4, the replenishment portion  68  comprises a slit-like exit  84  through which the recycled processing liquid is directed towards the emulsion side of the photographic material to be processed. The processing liquid is supplied to the slit  84  through a conduit or pipe  72 . Of course, the slit  84  can be replaced by a row of small orifices or the like. The particular shape is not important while it is important to supply the processing liquid even and wall-balanced to each square unit of the emulsion side of the photographic film. The same applies to the orifices or openings  82  and  78 , while it is not important here to provide an even, well-balanced withdrawal of the processing liquids.  
         [0090]    With reference to FIG. 5, the construction as well as the driving arrangement of the roller pair shall be examined in more detail. The pair of rollers  20   a,    20   b  can be called a squeegee arrangement. According to this squeegee arrangement, the roller  20   a  includes a soft rubber layer  23  which is supported by an axis  20   c.  The surface of the soft rubber layer can be porous, which may also help to take care of the photographic material to be processed. The photographic material is transported through the nip region  21 . The surface as well as the material of the lower roller  20   b  is rigid but smooth. The two rollers are mechanically locked to each other by means of gears  25   a,    25   b,  the sprockets of which engage with each other, such that the rotation of the two both rollers is locked with respect to each other. Furthermore, all the other transport means, in particular pairs of transport roller, shown in FIG. 1 are also mechanically locked to each other by means of gears or other sensible means. In principle all the transport means  20 ,  20   a,    23   b  can be accomplished and work to same way.  
         [0091]    The two rollers  20   a,    20   b  are provided with additional support rims  20   d.  Spring means are provided (not depicted) which are slidingly held in the rims  20   d  so that a pressing force acting between the two rollers  20   a,    20   b  can on the one hand be provided and, on the other hand, can be restricted to the force of the closed-loop spring.  
         [0092]    [0092]FIG. 7 shows a cartridge  100  or container for fresh processing liquid and for exhausted processing liquid. The cartridge  100  comprises a rigid outer casing  106  and several collapsible containers  110 ,  120 . The collapsible containers  110 ,  120  can be connected through connection means  122  to the conduits or pipes to and/or from the different vessels and their processing and transport channels  64 .  
         [0093]    According to the example shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge  100  includes four collapsible tanks for fresh developer, bleacher, fixing liquid and stabiliser liquid. Furthermore, an additional collapsible tank  120  is covered by the rigid outer wall  106  of the cartridge  100 , said tank  120  being for the recovery of exhausted processing liquid.  
         [0094]    The connection of the different tanks to their respective recycling cycles and processing and transport channels can be accomplished through injection connections with injection needles, through bayonet or twist lock connections, screw connections or comparable means.  
         [0095]    It has to be taken into account that the cartridge  100  or container of the present invention enable a very limited space to be used for the fresh and the exhausted processing liquid, since when the fresh processing liquid is increasingly consumed, the collapsible tanks  110  collapse and, at the same time the recovery tank  120  is increasingly expanded into the free volume which was previously occupied by the collapsible containers  110 .  
         [0096]    One or all of the different tanks  110 ,  120  can be provided with a level sensor to sense the amount of processing liquid whether exhausted or not in the respective tanks. On the other hand, in order to be aware of the remainder or the rest of fresh processing liquid, it is also possible to provide a kind of renewal sensor means which, when the cartridge  100  is replaced, sends a control signal to an electronic circuit which then can calculate for how long the fresh processing liquid in the collapsible tanks  110  will be enough to guarantee an unaffected operation. This calculation can be done using different parameters like the length of the processed photographic material, the elapsed time after the last cartridge replacement, and so on.  
         [0097]    In FIGS. 8 and 9, the container according to FIG. 7 is shown in different cross sections. According to FIGS. 8 and 9, the connection between the collapsible tanks and the respective pipe systems is accomplished at the lower end of the container  100  by means of injections needles. The injection arrangements  124  penetrate through rubber plugs in the mouth areas  122  of the collapsible tanks  110 . The same connection arrangement is used with the recovery or overflow tank  120 .  
         [0098]    According to this aspect of the invention, the cartridge  100  only needs one space for the fresh processing liquid as well as for the exhausted processing liquid.