EP0107454A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improvements in or relating to the processing of radiation sensitive devices
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert NV
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Filing: 1983-10-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-10-14
Abstract
Abstract Changes occurring in the electrical conductivity of liquids used to process image-wise exposed radiation sensitive devices are used as a measure of the deterioration in effectiveness of the liquids. This deterioration is compensated for by varying the processing conditions, such as temperature, time, scrubbing action and processing liquid composition, in accordance with the change in conductivity.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie Edward Lawson
- 👤 Michael Ingham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:00
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/26; G03F7/30; G03F7/3042; G03F7/3071
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of processing a plurality of image-wise exposed radiation sensitive devices by contacting them in turn with a processing liquid characterised in that changes in the electrical conductivity of the processing liquid during the processing are monitored and in that the processing conditions are varied in dependence on the changes in electrical conductivity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of processing a plurality of image-wise exposed radiation sensitive devices by contacting them in turn with a processing liquid characterised in that changes in the electrical conductivity of the processing liquid during the processing are monitored and in that the processing conditions are varied in dependence on the changes in electrical conductivity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the processing liquid is a developer liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the processing liquid is a finisher/desensitiser liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the processing liquid includes a lithographically inert material which ionises in solution to increase the electrical conductivity.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive devices which apparatus comprises a container (1) (21) for processing liquid and a means (2,2a,3,3a) of moving the devices along a path (6) through the apparatus so that they are contacted by the processing liquid ; characterised in that it includes (i) a means (5) (28) for measuring the electrical conductivity of the processing liquid and for producing an output signal in dependence on said conductivity ; and (.ii) a means (4) (8) (24) (29) (40), of varying the processing conditions in dependence on said output signal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive devices which apparatus comprises a container (1) (21) for processing liquid and a means (2,2a,3,3a) of moving the devices along a path (6) through the apparatus so that they are contacted by the processing liquid ; characterised in that it includes (i) a means (5) (28) for measuring the electrical conductivity of the processing liquid and for producing an output signal in dependence on said conductivity ; and (.ii) a means (4) (8) (24) (29) (40), of varying the processing conditions in dependence on said output signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said means of varying the processing conditions includes a variable speed motor (4) (40) for driving the device moving means and controlled by said output signal so that the period of time for which the devices are in contact with the processing liquid is dependent on the conductivity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or 6 wherein said means of varying the processing conditions includes a variable speed motor (24) for driving a roller (23) (23a) for agitating processing liquid in contact with the devices, the variable speed motor (24) being controlled by said output signal so that the degree to which the processing liquid is agitated in contact with the devices is dependent on the conductivity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5,6 or 7 wherein said means of varying the processing conditions includes a heater/cooler unit (8) (29) immersed in the processing liquid and controlled by said output signal so that the temperature of the processing liquid is dependent on the conductivity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5,6,7 or 8 wherein said means of varying the processing conditions includes a reservoir (la) (21a) for storing further liquid and having a valve (lb) (21b) to enable the further liquid to be fed to the container (1) (21), the valve (Ib) (21b) being controlled by said output signal so that further liquid is added to the processing liquid in the container (1) (21) in dependence on the conductivity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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