Methods and materials for replenishment of developers for color photographic films

Claim 2

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein said first compartment containing said developing agent solution also contains sulfite in a diamine/sulfite mole ratio of about 1/0.08 to about 1/1.5.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein said first compartment containing said developing agent solution also contains sulfite in a phenylenediamine/sulfite mole ratio between about 1/0.15 to about 1/0.5 and said kit also contains additional sulfite so that the total diamine/sulfite mole ratio is at least about 1/1.6.

Claim 4

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein said developing agent solution in said first compartment also contains said benzyl alcohol and simple liquid glycol with a carbon/oxygen ratio of about 0.75 to about 1.5/1 and molecular weight of from about 62 to about 150 and wherein the water/benzyl alcohol weight ratio is from about 1/6 to about 5/1.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein said developing agent solution in said first compartment also contains said benzyl alcohol and at least one simple liquid glycol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol, and wherein the water/benzyl alcohol weight ratio is from about 1/6 to about 5/1.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein said developing agent is selected from the group consisting of 2-amino-5-diethylaminotoluene monohydrochloride; 4-amino-N-ethyl-N( Beta -methanesulfonamidoethyl)-m-toluidine sesquisulfate monohydrate; 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-( Beta -hydroxyethyl)-aniline sulfate; and 4-amino-3-( Beta -methylsulfonamidoethyl)-N, N-diethyl-aniline.

Claim 7

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein the developing agent is selected from the group consisting of 2-amino-5-diethylaminotoluene monohydrochloride; 4-amino-N-ethyl-N-( Beta -methanesulfonamidoethyl)-m-toluidine sesquisulfate/monohydrate; 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-( Beta -hydroxyethyl)-aniline sulfate; and 4-amino-3-( Beta -methylsulfonamidoethyl)-N,N-diethyl-aniline; and said developing agent solution in said first compartment contains: a''. benzyl alcohol in sufficient concentration so the water/benzyl alcohol weight ratio is from about 1/6 to about 5/1; b''. at least one simple liquid glycol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylEne glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol; and c''. sulfite in an amount so that the phenylenediamine/sulfite mole ratio is between about 1/0.15 to about 1/0.5.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein the developing agent is 4-amino-N-ethyl-N-( Beta -methanesulfonamido-ethyl)-m-toluidine and said developing agent solution in said first compartment contains: a''. benzyl alcohol in sufficient concentration so that the benzyl alcohol/water weight ratio is from about 1/6 to about 5/1; b''. ethylene glycol in sufficient concentration so that the benzyl alcohol/ethylene glycol weight ratio is between about 0.7/1 to about 1/1; and c''. sulfite in an amount so that the phenylenediamine/sulfite mole ratio is between about 1/0.15 to about 1/0.5.

Claim 9

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein said buffered solution in said second compartment has a pH in excess of about 10.75 when measured at 75* F. and comprises: a. water, b. hydroxide, c. boric acid-borate buffer, and d. alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium ions so that the potassium/sodium weight ratio is at least 5.4/1.0.

Claim 10

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein said buffered solution in said second compartment has a pH in excess of about 10.75 when measured at 75* F. and comprises: a. water, b. hydroxide, c. boric acid-borate buffer, d. alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium ions so that the potassium/sodium weight ratio is in excess of about 5.4/1.0. e. sulfite, and f. diaminopropanol tetraacetic acid.

Claim 11

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein said developing agent solution in said first compartment contains at least some sulfite and said buffered solution has a pH in excess of about 10.75 when measured at 75* F. and comprises: a. water, b. hydroxide, c. boric acid-borate buffer, and d. alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium ions so that the potassium/sodium weight ratio is in excess of about 5.4/1.0.

Claim 12

The invention according to claim 1 and wherein said developing agent solution in said first compartment contains at least some sulfite and benzyl alcohol, and said buffered solution has a pH in excess of about 10.75 when measured at 75* F. and comprises: a. water, b. hydroxide, c. boric acid-borate buffer, d. alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium ions so that the potassium/sodium weight ratio is at least 5.4/1.0, and e. sulfite.

Claim 13

A unitary concentrated liquid developer replenisher kit comprising an outside container having a plurality of separate compartments therein containing at least two separate solutions adapted to be combined to form developer replenisher, a first compartment containing water, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N-( Beta -methanesulfonamidoethyl)-m-toluidine sesquisulfate monohydrate, developing agent, and benzyl alcohol in a phenylenediamine/benzyl alcohol weight ratio of between about 1/1.5 and about 1/2, a second compartment containing a buffered aqueous solution having a pH in excess of about 10.75 when measured at 75* F. and sulfite, said first compartment containing said developing agent in aqueous solution having a pH less than about 4 and also containing: a''. benzyl alcohol in sufficient concentration so that the benzyl alcohol/water weight ratio is between about 1/6 to about 5/1; b''. ethylene glycol in sufficient concentration so that the benzyl alcohol/ethylene glycol weight ratio is between about 0.7/1 to about 1/1; and c''. sulfite in an amount so that the phenylenediamine/sulfite mole ratio is between about 1/0.15 to about 1/0.5; said buffered aqueous solution in said second compartment comprising: a. water, b. hydroxide, c. boric acid-borate buffer, and d. alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium ions in a potassium/sodium weight ratio of at least 5.4/1.0.

Claim 14

A concentrated buffered aqueous solution for preparing a developer replenisher to be used in solutions for processing silver halide color photographic film materials, said solution having a pH at least about 10.75 when measured at 75* F. and comprising: a. water, b. hydroxide, c. boric acid-borate buffer, and d. alkali metal cations selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium ions so that the potassium/sodium weight ratio is between about 5.4/1.0 and 10/1.

Claim 15

A concentrated buffered aqueous solution for preparing a developer replenisher to be used in processing silver halide color photographic film materials, said solution having a pH at least about 10.75 when measured at 75* F. and comprising: a. water, b. hydroxide, c. boric acid-borate buffer, d. alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium ions so that the potassium/sodium weight ratio is in excess of about 5.4/1.0, e. sulfite, and f. diaminopropanol tetraacetic acid.

Claim 16

A unitary concentrated liquid developer replenisher kit comprising an outside container having a plurality of separate compartments therein containing at least three separate solutions adapted to be combined to form developer replenisher; a first compartment containing water, p-phenylenediamine developing agent, and sulfite, and having a pH less than about 6; a second compartment containing a buffered aqueous solution having a pH in excess of about 10.5 when measured at 75* F., said buffered aqueous solution comprising: a. water, b. hydroxide, c. boric acid-borate buffer, and d. alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium ions in a potassium/sodium weight ratio of at least 2.5/1; a third compartment containing benzyl alcohol.