Method and apparatus for photofinishing a photosensitive media and/or ordering of image products

• US 6,309,115 B1
• Filed: 11/30/1999
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: McIntyre, Dale F., Manico, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUTLEDGE, DELLA J
• Application Number:
  US09/451,997
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 396/604, 396/605, 396/609, 355/27-29
• US Class Current: 396/604
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/00 Apparatus for treating processed material
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 5/06 Applicator pads, rollers or strips

Abstract

A method and apparatus for developing a portion of a photosensitive media having an exposed undeveloped image thereon. The apparatus includes 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. A cleaning mechanism is provided for cleaning the photosensitive media and/or a donor web used to apply a processing solution to the photosensitive media. The cleaning mechanism may include a replaceable cleaning cartridge.

Claims

1. 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 said processing path for applying a coating of said processing solution on the portion of said photosensitive media that has been exposed;

a scanner for scanning said photosensitive media after development of said photosensitive media so as to obtain a digital record of said images; and

a cleaning mechanism for cleaning said photosensitive media, said cleaning mechanism is designed to selectively clean said photosensitive media.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cleaning mechanism comprises a cleaning web which moves along a cleaning path.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cleaning mechanism comprises a replaceable cleaning cartridge containing a cleaning web which moves along a cleaning path.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cleaning cartridge comprises a supply reel and take-up reel, said cleaning web extending between said supply reel and said take-up reel.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said take-up reel is connected to a drive motor when said cartridge is placed in said apparatus for moving said cleaning web in the forward direction along said cleaning path.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said supply reel is connected to a drive motor when said cartridge is placed in said apparatus for moving said cleaning web in the reverse direction along said cleaning path.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mechanism positioned along said processing path for applying a coating of said processing solution on the portion of said photosensitive media comprises a donor web on which said processing solution has been applied.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said cleaning mechanism is designed to selectively clean said donor web.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a digital printer for printing of at least one of said images.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said printer writes on a media that does not require wet processing.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said photosensitive media is photographic film provided in a thrust film cartridge.

12. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film provided in a film cartridge, said film having at least one latent image thereon, said method comprising the steps of:

moving said film out of said film cartridge along a processing path;

selectively cleaning said film;

applying a coating of a processing solution on said claim; and

;

scanning said film adjacent said film cartridge after development of said latent images on said film so as to obtain a digital record of said images as said film is being retracted back into said film cartridge.

13. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film according to claim 12 wherein said cleaning of said film occurs prior to developing of said film.

14. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film according to claim 12 wherein said cleaning of said film occurs after developing of said film as the film is be returned to said film cartridge.

15. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film according to claim 12 wherein said applying a coating of a processing solution on said film comprises using a donor web containing said processing solution.

16. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film according to claim 15 further comprising the step of selectively cleaning said donor web.

17. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film provided in a thrust film cartridge, said film having at least one latent image thereon, said method comprising the steps of:

thrusting said film out of said thrust film cartridge along a processing path;

selectively cleaning said film;

applying a coating of a processing solution on said film; and

;

scanning said film adjacent said thrust film cartridge after development of said latent images on said film so as to obtain a digital record of said images as said film is being retracted back into said thrust film cartridge.

18. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film according to claim 17 wherein said cleaning of said film occurs prior to developing of said film.

19. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film according to claim 17 wherein said cleaning of said film after developing of said film as the film is be returned to said thrust film cartridge.

20. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film according to claim 17 wherein said applying a coating of a processing solution on said film comprises using a donor web containing said processing solution.

21. A method for developing a strip of unprocessed film according to claim 17 further comprising the step of selectively cleaning said donor web.

22. 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 said first rotatable supply reel and said second rotatable take-up reel, said cleaning path having a first cleaning section and a second cleaning section for contacting said two different webs, said first and second cleaning sections being at different locations along said cleaning path.

23. A replaceable cartridge according to claim 22 wherein said two different webs comprise a strip of photosensitive media and a donor web for receiving a processing solution.

24. 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 said processing path for applying a coating of said processing solution on the portion of said photosensitive media that has been exposed;

a scanner for scanning said photosensitive media after development of said photosensitive media so as to obtain a digital record of said images; and

a cleaning mechanism for cleaning said donor web.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said cleaning mechanism can also clean said photosensitive media.

26. 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 said processing path for applying a coating of said processing solution on the portion of said photosensitive media that has been exposed;

a scanner for scanning said photosensitive media after development of said photosensitive media so as to obtain a digital record of said images; and

a cleaning mechanism for cleaning said photosensitive media, said cleaning mechanism comprises a replaceable cleaning cartridge containing a cleaning web which moves along a cleaning path.

27. 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;

mechanism positioned along said processing path for applying a coating of said processing solution on the portion of said photosensitive media that has been exposed, said mechanism comprises a donor web on which said processing solution has been applied.

28. 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, the media having an exposed portion and an unexposed portion;

a reservoir containing a processing solution;

a mechanism positioned along said processing path for applying a coating of said processing solution on the exposed portion of said photosensitive media;

while maintaining said media having said exposed portion and an unexposed portion intact.