Method and apparatus for digitally printing and developing images onto photosensitive material

• US 5,739,896 A
• Filed: 02/03/1995
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Ference, Roy Bernard, Smith, Douglas Harold, Patton, David Lynn, Rosenburgh, John Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Fred L.
• Application Number:
  US08/383,283
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 355/27, 355/30, 354/297, 354/298, 354/299, 358/302
• US Class Current: 355/27
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/32 Projection printing apparatus, e.g. enlarger, copying camera
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 5/04 using liquid sprays liquid sprayers per se B05B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0607 Scanning a concave surface, e.g. with internal drum type scanners H04N1/0657 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0621 using a picture-bearing surface stationary in the main-scanning direction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0678 using a lead-screw or worm
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1911 Simultaneously or substantially simultaneously scanning picture elements on more than one main scanning line, e.g. scanning in swaths

Abstract

A method and apparatus for printing and processing a color image onto photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a digital color printer, such as an LED, for printing an image onto a photographic material and a low volume thin tank processing section for processing the photosensitive material that has passed through the digital printer.

Claims

1. A digital color printing and processing apparatus comprising:

a digital color printer for printing an image obtained from digital input signals onto a photosensitive material; and

a developing section for processing the photosensitive material that has been passed through said digital printer, said developing section having a low volume thin channel processor for processing the photosensitive material.

2. A digital printer and processing apparatus comprising:

a) a digital LED printer for printing an image obtained from digital input signals onto a photosensitive material; and

b) a developing section for processing said photosensitive material that has been passed through said digital printer, said developing section having a low volume thin channel processor for processing photosensitive material.

3. A digital color printing and processing apparatus for photosensitive materials comprising:

a) a digital printer having an LED printhead for printing of an image obtained from digital input signals onto a photosensitive material, and a generally cylindrical shoe having an inner surface for receiving the photosensitive material on its inner surface;

b) a supply of photosensitive material for feeding to the digital printer; and

c) a processor for processing the photosensitive material that has been printed by said digital LED printer, said processor being disposed directly below said printer and having at least one processing module for applying a processing solution to the photosensitive material, said at least one module comprising a container, at least one processing assembly placed in said container, and at least one transport assembly disposed adjacent said at least one processing assembly, said at least one processing assembly and said at least one transport assembly forming a substantially continuous processing channel through which a processing solution flows, said processing channel comprising of at least 40% of the total volume of the processing solution available for processing photosensitive material and having a thickness equal to or less that about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel, at least one discharge opening being provided in said at least one transport assembly for introducing processing solution to said processing channel, and means for circulating the processing solution from said small volume provided in said module directly to said at least one discharge opening.

4. A digital printing and processing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said supply of photosensitive material comprises a roll of photosensitive material.

5. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said at least one discharge opening has a configuration in accordance with the following relationship:

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">1≦

F/A≦

40

wherein;

F is the flow rate of the solution through the nozzle in gallons per minute; and

A is the cross-sectional area of the nozzle provided in square inches.

6. A digital color printing and processing apparatus for photosensitive material comprising:

a digital printer having an LED printhead for printing of an image obtained from digital input signals onto a photosensitive material, a generally cylindrical shoe having an inner surface for receiving a photosensitive material on its inner surface, a supply roll of photosensitive material for delivering the photosensitive material to said shoe;

a processor for processing the photosensitive material that has been printed by said digital printer, said processor having at least one processing module, said at least one processing module comprising a container and at least one processing assembly placed in said container, said container and said at least one processing assembly forming a processing channel through which a processing solution flows, said processing channel having an entrance and an exit, said at least one processing assembly having a discharge opening for delivering processing solution to said processing channel, the processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of the processing solution available for the processing section and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel, and means for circulating the processing solution through said processing section.

7. A digital color printing and processing apparatus comprising:

a digital color printer for printing an image obtained from digital input signals onto a photosensitive material;

a processing section for processing said photosensitive material that has been passed through said digital printer, said processing section having a low volume thin processing channel for processing the photosensitive material; and

self-determining means for determining operational effectiveness of at least one controllable operation.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said self-determining means comprises a densitometer and means for printing a calibration exposure onto the photosensitive material.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said at least one controllable operation is the rate and/or amount at which replenishment solution is being supplied to the processor.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said at least one controllable operation is the image signal being supplied to the printhead for printing the images onto the photosensitive material.

11. A method of printing and processing a color photosensitive material in a printing and processing apparatus having a digital printer for printing an image obtained from digital input signals onto the photosensitive material and a processor for processing photosensitive material, said processing section comprising a low volume thin chamber through which the photosensitive material is passed for processing, said printer having a continuous supply roll of photosensitive material for providing photosensitive material in said printing section for digital printing of an image thereon, comprising the steps of:

a) writing at least one image on said photosensitive material by said printer; and

b) processing said at least one image of said photosensitive material in said processing section.

12. A method of printing and processing a color photosensitive material in a printing and processing apparatus having a digital printer for printing an image obtained from digital input signals onto the photosensitive material and a processor for processing photosensitive material, said processing section comprising a low volume thin chamber through which the photosensitive material is passed for processing, said printer having a continuous supply roll of photosensitive material for providing photosensitive material in said printing section for digital printing of an image thereon, comprising the steps of:

a) writing a plurality of images on said photosensitive material by said printer; and

b) processing said photosensitive material in said processing section.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said plurality of images are provided in collage form.

14. A method according to claim 12 further comprising the steps that said plurality of images are efficiently oriented on said photosensitive material so as to make more efficient use of photosensitive material.

15. A method according to claim 12 further comprising the steps of adding text and/or graphic to the photosensitive material being printed.

16. A digital color printing and processing apparatus comprising:

a digital color printer for printing an image onto a photosensitive material; and

a developing section for processing the photosensitive material that has been passed through said digital printer, said developing section having a low volume thin channel processor for processing the photosensitive material, said processor having a recirculating system, and isolating means for isolating any heat generating portion of the recirculating system from the recirculating means.

17. A processor for processing a photosensitive material comprising:

at least one processing module for applying a processing solution to a photosensitive material, said at least one processing module comprising a container and at least one processing assembly placed in said container, said container and said at least one processing assembly forming a processing channel through which a processing solution flows, said processing channel having an entrance and an exit, said at least one processing assembly having a discharge opening for delivering processing solution to said processing channel, the processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of the processing solution available for the processing section and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel, means for circulating the processing solution through said processing section, said circulating means having at least one pump motor for circulating the processing solution, and means for isolating the pump motor from the remaining portion of said circulating means so as to minimize transfer of heat generated by said pump motor to said circulating system.

18. A processor according to claim 17 further comprising a dryer section for drying of said photosensitive material which has passed through said processing module, said isolating means comprising a duct in which said at least one pump motor is located, said duct being connected to a dryer section.

19. A processor according to claim 18 further comprising electrical control for controlling operation of said processor, said electrical control generating heat and being placed within a control box which is connected to said duct so that air can flow from said control box into said duct.

20. A processor according to claim 19 further comprising means for drawing fresh air into said control box or said duct.

21. A processor according to claim 20 wherein said means for drawing fresh air into said control box comprises openings.

22. A digital color printing and processing apparatus for photosensitive material comprising:

a digital printer having an LED printhead for printing of an image onto a photosensitive material, a generally cylindrical shoe having an inner surface for receiving a photosensitive material on its inner surface, a supply roll of photosensitive material for delivering the photosensitive material to said shoe;

a processor for processing the photosensitive material that has been printed by said digital printer, said processor having at least one processing module, said at least one processing module comprising a container and at least one processing assembly placed in said container, said container and said at least one processing assembly forming a processing channel through which a processing solution flows, said processing channel having an entrance and an exit, said at least one processing assembly having a discharge opening for delivering processing solution to said processing channel, the processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of the processing solution available for the processing section and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel, means for circulating the processing solution through said processing section, said circulating means having at least one pump motor for circulating said processing solution, and isolating means for isolating the pump motor from the remaining portion of said circulating means.

23. A processor for processing a photosensitive material comprising:

at least one processing module for applying a processing solution to a photosensitive material, said at least one processing module comprising a container and at least one processing assembly placed in said container, said container and said at least one processing assembly forming a processing channel through which a processing solution flows, said processing channel having an entrance and an exit, said at least one processing assembly having a discharge opening for delivering processing solution to said processing channel, the processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of the processing solution available for the processing section and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel, means for circulating the processing solution through said processing section, said circulating means having at least one pump motor for circulating the processing solution;

a dryer for drying the photosensitive material that has been processed by said at least one processing module, said dryer having a drying section through which the photosensitive material passes, including an entrance and an exit, a heating section having heating means for heating air, and a blower for delivering air to said heating section and to said drying section;

means for isolating the pump motor from the remaining portion of said circulating means so as to minimize transfer of heat generated by said pump motor to said circulating system, said isolating means comprising a duct which isolates the pump motor, said duct being in fluid communication with the inlet of said blower for delivering air to said heating section, said duct also being in direct communication with said drying section so that when said processor is in the standby mode, heated air in said duct will be directed to said drying section, said blower when in the operation state draws air into said heating section, into said drying section, to the upper portion of said duct and back to said blower motor.

24. A processor for processing a photosensitive material comprising:

a processor having at least one processing assembly forming a processing channel through which a processing solution flows, said processing channel having an entrance and an exit, said processing assembly having a discharge opening for delivering processing solution to said processing channel, the processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of the processing solution available for the processing section and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel, means for circulating the processing solution through said processing section, said circulating means having at least one pump motor for circulating the processing solution;

a dryer for drying the photosensitive material that has been processed by said at least one processing module, said dryer having a drying section through which the photosensitive material passes, including an entrance and an exit, a heating section having heating means for heating air, and a blower for delivering air to said heating section and to said drying section;

means for isolating the pump motor from the remaining portion of said circulating means so as to minimize transfer of heat generated by said pump motor to said circulating system, said isolating means comprising a duct which isolates the pump motor, said duct being in fluid communication with the inlet of said blower for delivering air to said heating section, said duct also being in direct communication with said drying section so that when said processor is in the standby mode, heated air in said duct will be directed to said drying section, said blower when in the operation state draws air into said heating section, into said drying section, to the upper portion of said duct and back to said blower motor.