Photography – Fluid-treating apparatus – Photographic medium or cartridge sensing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-23
2001-06-12
Rutledge, D. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Fluid-treating apparatus
Photographic medium or cartridge sensing
C396S604000, C396S612000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244761
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to photofinishing of photosensitive material, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for photofinishing a photosensitive material using an apparently dry development process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typical photofinishing of photosensitive media, such as film, comprises the development of the photosensitive media using wet processing system followed by printing of the image onto a second photosensitive media, which is also processed using a conventional wet process system. Conventional wet process comprises the passing of the film through a plurality of processing tanks, each tank containing a processed solution. Such conventional wet processing is relatively time-consuming, restricted to specific types of films, must be carefully monitored and maintained in order to ensure consistent high quality, special care must be taken in the using and disposal of the processing solutions.
There has also been suggested in the prior art the providing of a fully automated photofinishing device wherein a customer can walk up to the device, insert a film cartridge, and have the enclosed film processed. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,351, wherein a conventional wet processing system is utilized. As previously mentioned, this type of wet processing system requires careful maintenance of the chemistry in order to insure consistent high quality. Additionally, the wet processing is limited to typically one type chemistry used for processing of a particular type film. In addition, typical wet processing systems are not suitable for doing partial roll development.
There has also been suggested in the prior art a Bi-Mat development system whereby 35 mm instant color slide film is developed. An example of such a system is the PolaChrome CS 35 mm instant color slide film, which incorporates a black and white emulsion layer provided on a substrate and an additive color screen which is used to produce color images. Once the film has been exposed, it is placed in a device whereby a donor strip is coated with a processing solution, which is then caused to come in contact with the exposed film through use of a pair of laminating rollers. Since the emulsion is a black and white emulsion, only a single processing solution is applied. A problem with this system is that it sacrifices film speed, D-min density, an image quality in order to obtain visually acceptable slide image.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,016 discloses a system similar to the Bi-Mat system, which is relatively simple and low cost. While the system disclosed therein provides an improvement over the PolaChrome CS 35 mm system, it is not suitable for use with film having substantially different chemistry and is not designed for doing partial roll developing and printing.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for photofinishing a variety of different type photosensitive materials using a single, simple low-cost device. Additionally, the system allows for partial roll development and allows the providing of a large variety of different custom image products to be produced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided An apparatus for developing a strip of heat developable photosensitive media having image exposure area having an undeveloped exposed portion thereon, comprising:
a transport mechanism for moving the heat developable photosensitive media along a processing path; and
a mechanism positioned along the processing path for selectively applying heat on the undeveloped exposed portion of the strip of heat developable photosensitive media.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for developing a strip of photosensitive media provided in a film cartridge, the photosensitive media having a back side, a front side, an emulsion layer on the front side, and a heat activated developer, comprising the steps of:
a) moving the filmstrip along a film path;
b) applying heat so as to develop any exposed images present on the strip of film media;
c) scanning the strip of photosensitive media after the exposed images have been developed; and
d) cleaning the filmstrip prior to returned to the cartridge.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for developing a strip photosensitive media having image exposure area having an undeveloped exposed portion thereon, the media having a heat activated developer, comprising the steps of:
transporting the photosensitive media along a processing path;
determining the location of the undeveloped exposed portion of the image exposure area; and
applying heat so as to develop any exposed images present on the strip of film media;
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for developing a strip photosensitive media having image exposure area having an undeveloped exposed portion thereon, the media having a heat developable developer thereon, comprising the steps of:
moving the photosensitive media along a processing; and
selectively applying a heat only on the undeveloped exposed portion of the photosensitive.
These and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4021240 (1977-05-01), Cerquone et al.
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patent: 5031852 (1991-07-01), Dowling et al.
patent: 5113351 (1992-05-01), Bostic
patent: 5200777 (1993-04-01), Zander
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patent: 5627016 (1997-05-01), Manico
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Research Disclosure, vol. 170, Jun. 1978, item 17029; Research Disclosure, vol. 299, Mar. 1989, item 29963.
Manico Joseph A.
McIntyre Dale F.
Eastman Kodak Company
Pincelli Frank
Rutledge D.
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