Abstract:
The present invention relates to a photographic processing system and a method of processing photographic media, wherein a conveying member having slots therein is provided on top of a vacuum chamber and is used to convey photographic media to be processed. A processing solution supply member applies processing solution onto the photographic media on the conveying member, and a vacuum air source is adapted to apply a vacuum suction force to the vacuum chamber to hold the sheet of photographic media flat either during the application of processing solution to the media or after the processing solution is applied to the media.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a photographic processing system in which a vacuum platen is adapted to convey and hold photographic media during the processing of the media. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Conventional photographic systems for processing photographic media 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. 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 assure that the photographic media is held flat during the processing cycle. These factors adversely affect the subsequent processing of the photographic media. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides for a photographic processing system and a method of processing photographic media which utilizes a vacuum platen that is adapted to hold photographic media (such as a sheet) flat during processing, and is further adapted to transport the sheet without touching the emulsion side of the photographic media. The system of the present invention further permits photographic chemicals or solutions to be sprayed or applied onto the photographic media at the same time that vacuum pressure for holding the sheet flat is applied, without allowing these photographic chemicals to enter or get into a vacuum pump. 
   The present invention therefore relates to a photographic processing system that comprises a conveying member adapted to transport photographic media to be processed, with the conveying member comprising a plurality of slots, and the conveying member being provided on top of a vacuum chamber; a processing solution supply member adapted to supply processing solution onto photographic media on the conveying member to process the photographic media; and a vacuum air source adapted to apply a vacuum suction force to the vacuum chamber. The suction force passes through slots on the conveying member to hold photographic media on the conveying member flat. 
   The present invention further relates to a method of processing photographic media which comprises the steps of placing exposed photographic media on a surface of a conveying member, with the surface of the conveying member having a plurality of slots therein; applying a vacuum suction force through the slots to hold the photographic media flat on the surface of the conveying member; and supplying a processing solution onto the photographic media while the photographic media is being held on the conveying member by the suction force. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view of a processing system including a vacuum platen in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a further view of the processing system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a view of a vacuum chamber and suction air path of the processing system of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a view of a further embodiment of the processing system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a photographic processing system  5  in accordance with the present invention. Photographic processing system  5  preferably makes up part of an overall photographic processing arrangement wherein a suitable transporting arrangement transports exposed photographic media in a direction represented by arrow  7  towards a conveying member  9 . 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 rollers  15  and  15 ′ as shown in FIG.  2 . 
   Processing system  5  further includes a processing solution supply member  17  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 solution 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 as an impingement processing) of the photographic media. Processing solutions utilized and supplied by solution supply member  17  are the solutions known in photographic processing to develop exposed images on photographic media, such as developer solution, bleach solution, fixed solution, etc.; or supply member  17  could be an ink cartridge adapted to apply a processing solution such as ink onto the media. 
   Therefore, in order to process and expose photographic media (preferably a photographic sheet) in accordance with the present invention, the sheet is supplied in the direction of arrow  7  onto processing system  5 . The sheet is directed onto top surface  18  of endless belt  11  and passes between the discharge opening 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. 
   In a feature of the present invention, 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 all 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. 
   In a further feature of the present invention, during processing of the photographic sheet, 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. 1-3 . 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 chamber  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. 
   With the arrangement of the present invention, 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 further feature of the invention which includes 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, with the arrangement of the present invention, 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 . 
   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  24  and in addition, helps maintain the processing solution within the confines of part  20   a  of chamber  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the processing solution can be applied in a vicinity of the entrance of processing system  5  such that the conveyance of the sheet from this point provides a dwell time that is sufficient to allow development of the image(s) on the sheet. As a further option, the processing solution can be supplied from an area in the vicinity of the center of conveying member  9  as shown in  FIG. 4  by locating solution supply member  17  in the vicinity of the center of conveying member  9 . In this situation, conveying member  9  can be extended downstream from supply member  17  to allow for a longer dwell time, or the length can remain unchanged from the previous embodiment with the sheet being held in one spot until the appropriate amount of development time has occurred. 
   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.