Photography – Fluid-treating apparatus – Fluid application to one side only of photographic medium
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-30
2001-10-30
Rutledge, D. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Fluid-treating apparatus
Fluid application to one side only of photographic medium
C396S605000, C396S609000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309115
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 35mm 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 portion of a photosensitive media having an exposed undeveloped image thereon, comprising:
a transport mechanism for moving the photosensitive media along a processing path;
a reservoir containing a processing solution;
a mechanism positioned along the processing path for applying a coating of the processing solution on the portion of the photosensitive media that has been exposed;
a scanner for scanning the photosensitive media after development of the photosensitive media so as to obtain a digital record of the images; and
a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the film.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for developing a strip of unprocessed film provided in a film cartridge, the film having at least one latent image thereon, the method comprising the steps of:
moving the film out of the film cartridge along a processing path;
selectively cleaning the film;
applying a coating of a processing solution on the film; and;
scanning the film adjacent the film cartridge after development of the latent images on the film so as to obtain a digital record of the images as the film is being retracted back into the film cartridge.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for developing a strip of unprocessed film provided in a thrust film cartridge, the film having at least one latent image thereon, the method comprising the steps of:
thrusting the film out of the thrust film cartridge along a processing path;
selectively cleaning the film;
applying a coating of a processing solution on the film; and;
scanning the film adjacent the thrust film cartridge after development of the latent images on the film so as to obtain a digital record of the images as the film is being retracted back into the thrust film cartridge.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a replaceable cartridge for cleaning at least two separate different webs, comprising:
a. a first rotatable supply reel;
b. a second rotatable take-up reel;
c. a cleaning web extending along a cleaning path between the first rotatable supply reel and the second rotatable take-up reel, the cleaning path having a first cleaning section and a second cleaning section for contacting the two different webs, the first and second cleaning sections being at different locations along the cleaning path.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for developing a portion of a photosensitive media having an exposed undeveloped image thereon, comprising:
a transport mechanism for moving the photosensitive media along a processing path;
a reservoir containing a processing solution;
a donor web positioned along the processing path for applying a coating of the processing solution on the portion of the photosensitive media that has been exposed;
a scanner for scanning the photosensitive media after development of the photosensitive media so as to obtain a digital record of the images; and
a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the donor web.
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.
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Manico Joseph A.
McIntyre Dale F.
Eastman Kodak Company
Pincelli Frank
Rutledge D.
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