Abstract Improved photographic gel processes, apparatus, and compositions wherein the photographic materials are carried in a gel composition. The gel composition preferably comprises the reaction product of a solution of image forming materials and a gel former. Preferably the gel composition structure is heatreversible and flexible. In a preferred method of this invention, a photosensitive copy medium is exposed and contacted with a gel composition comprising a reaction product of a solution of image forming materials and a gel former. The gel composition is allowed to remain in contact with photosensitive material for a sufficient time to process the exposed photosensitive material. The gel composition is cooled during the processing in order to form a layer which is strippable from the photosensitive material. In one embodiment of this invention, the gel composition is in the liquid or viscous state when it is contacted with the photo sensitive layer. The gel composition also may be in the form of a tape, gel roller, or the like when it is brought into contact with the photosensitive layer. Another preferred embodiment of this invention is where the gel composition is heat reversible and therefore, can be heated after use to convert to a liquid or viscous state and can then be reused in the system which requires a liquid or viscous gel composition for the starting material. A gel composition comprising a solution of metal ions or physical developer is an especially preferred system.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the advance and guide means include a pair of parallel belt members, transverse members attached to said belt members, and means for attaching said layer of photosensitive materials between a pair of adjacent transverse members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
In an apparatus for processing photosensitive materials wherein the image forming materials are applied to a layer of photosensitive materials and removed after processing of the exposed photosensitive materials is complete, the combination comprising: A gel applicator station comprising means providing a source of gel having image forming materials dispersed throughout said gel and capable of forming a strippable surface when cooled to the setting temperature of said gel or below, means for heating said gel to maintain said gel in the liquid or viscous state, and means for applying a layer of said liquid or viscous gel to the surface of the layer of exposed photosensitive material; Means for sufficiently cooling said gel layer to form a strippable gel layer at least adjacent the surface of said layer of photosensitive materials; Stripping means for removing said gel layer from said layer of photosensitive material after said photosensitive material is processed, and Advancing and guiding means for moving along predetermined paths from said gel applicator station, said layer of photosensitive materIals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 3 and further comprising means for receiving the gel layer as it is removed from the processed layer of photosensitive material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 3 and further comprising means for treating the processed layer of photosensitive materials to prolong its life and means for drying said treated layer of photosensitive materials.