US4312585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treating graphic arts process photosensitive materials
Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1979-10-10
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Granted: 1982-01-26
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Expires: 1999-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for uniformly developing a graphic arts process photosensitive film by producing a uniform laminar flow of treating liquid over the surface of the film as it passes through a treatment bath. The film is conveyed vertically on a rack through the bath with a U-turn near the bottom. Treatment fluid is flowed horizontally below the U-turn. Discharge and withdrawal pipes in the treatment bath container and apertures in the rack positioned at disclosed preferred locations provide the desired flow pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Takatoshi Otsu
- 👤 Yasunobu Tanaka
- 👤 Osamu Fukushima
- 👤 Takeshi Mituhashi
- 👤 Tadatune Mizuno
- 👤 Toshiko Ogawa
- 👤 Kazuo Ichikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:46
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/02; G03D3/08; G03D3/13; G03D3/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for treating a graphic arts process photosensitive material comprising the steps of: introducing a treating liquid through an inlet in a first vertical side wall of a treating bath, removing said treating liquid through an outlet in said vertical side wall, whereby said treating liquid is circulated in said treating bath, conveying said photosensitive material vertically with a U-turn in said treating bath in which said treating liquid is circulated, said photosensitive material being conveyed with the photosensitive layer facing outwardly, flowing said treating liquid along the photosensitive layer surface of said photosensitive material in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said photosensitive material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for treating a graphic arts process photosensitive material comprising the steps of: introducing a treating liquid through an inlet in a first vertical side wall of a treating bath, removing said treating liquid through an outlet in said vertical side wall, whereby said treating liquid is circulated in said treating bath, conveying said photosensitive material vertically with a U-turn in said treating bath in which said treating liquid is circulated, said photosensitive material being conveyed with the photosensitive layer facing outwardly, flowing said treating liquid along the photosensitive layer surface of said photosensitive material in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said photosensitive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of flowing said treating liquid comprises: (a) flowing portions of said treating liquid from said first vertical side wall of said treating bath to an opposite vertical side wall thereof, between a bottom wall of said treating bath and said photosensitive material where said photosensitive material makes said U-turn, (b) flowing portions of said treating liquid upwardly along edges of said photosensitive material conveyed vertically, (c) flowing portions of said treating liquid from said first vertical side wall to said opposite side wall along the surface of said photosensitive material as it is conveyed vertically, and (d) flowing portions of said treating fluid downwardly along the edge of said photosensitive material as it is conveyed vertically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for treating a graphic arts process photosensitive material comprising: a container for holding a treating liquid, means for conveying said photosensitive material vertically with a U-turn in said treating bath, a space being provided between the bottom of said treating bath and a position at which photosensitive material makes said U-turn to permit said treating liquid to flow therein, a liquid discharging pipe at a first vertical side wall of said container adapted for discharging said treating liquid into a liquid pool formed in said space, and a liquid withdrawal pipe at said first vertical side wall of said container, said liquid discharging pipe and said liquid withdrawal pipe being vertically displaced from each other such that said treating liquid flows from said first vertical side wall of said treating bath to a second vertical side wall thereof, across said photosensitive material in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which said material is conveyed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for treating a graphic arts process photosensitive material comprising: a container for holding a treating liquid, means for conveying said photosensitive material vertically with a U-turn in said treating bath, a space being provided between the bottom of said treating bath and a position at which photosensitive material makes said U-turn to permit said treating liquid to flow therein, a liquid discharging pipe at a first vertical side wall of said container adapted for discharging said treating liquid into a liquid pool formed in said space, and a liquid withdrawal pipe at said first vertical side wall of said container, said liquid discharging pipe and said liquid withdrawal pipe being vertically displaced from each other such that said treating liquid flows from said first vertical side wall of said treating bath to a second vertical side wall thereof, across said photosensitive material in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which said material is conveyed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said liquid discharge pipe is /positioned at said space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said conveying means comprises a rack comprising a pair of side boards, a plurality of rollers supported on said side boards in which apertures are formed through which said treating liquid can flow, and at least one part of each of said apertures being positioned outside the vertical portion of the passage of said photosensitive material while confronting said vertical portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said conveying means comprises a rack comprising a pair of side boards, a plurality of rollers supported on said side boards, a plurality of apertures being formed in said side boards in such a manner that said apertures do not greatly overlap the positions of said rollers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rollers in said rack are arranged in three lines.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said rollers in said rack are arranged in three lines.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said treating liquid is removed from said treating bath at a height of approximately 55-75% of the height of said treating bath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said treating liquid is introduced to said treating bath at a height of approximately 10-30% of the height of said treating bath.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said liquid withdrawal pipe is positioned on said vertical side wall at approximately 55-75% of the height of said container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said liquid discharging pipe is positioned on said vertical side wall at approximately 10-30% of the height of said containers.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claims 5 or 6 wherein said liquid pool is formed between the bottom of said rack and the bottom of said container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the distance between the bottom of said rack and said bottom of said container is at least 40 mm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-25 | 1985-07-27 | 1986-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-25 | 1989-07-27 | 1990-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-25 | 1993-07-27 | 1994-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |