US4013527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolytic oxidation of blix solution
Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1975-08-04
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Granted: 1977-03-22
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Expires: 1995-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A process for electrolyzing a bleach-fixed solution, or blix solution, used in processing color photographic materials, which contains originally an iron (III) chelate compound and a silver halide solvent in an electrolytic bath and separating the cathode compartment and the anode compartment of the electrolytic cell with a porous membrane and controlling the anode potential so that the silver halide solvent does not decompose. Embodiments include use of a carbon fiber as the anode and also controlling the cathode potential and the current densities of the cathode and the anode.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshio Idota
- 👤 Haruhiko Iwano
- 👤 Kazuo Shirasu
- 👤 Sachio Matsushita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:35
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C5/00; G03C5/26; G03C5/395; G03C5/3954
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A process for electrolyzing a used blix solution obtained in processing color photographic materials, said blix solution originally containing an iron (III) chelated bleaching agent and a silver halide solvent, comprising, providing an electrolytic cell having a cathode compartment and an anode compartment having a liquid flow path therebetween and separated by a porous membrane; feeding into said cathode compartment at a flow rate of 3 liters/hour or more said blix solution; applying to the cathode of said electrolytic cell a potential of from about -0.20 to about -0.7 volts and to the anode a potential of about -0.10 to 0.50 volts while passing said blix solution from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment and controlling the cathode potential, anode potential and the current densities of said anode and cathode so as not to decompose the silver halide solvent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A process for electrolyzing a used blix solution obtained in processing color photographic materials, said blix solution originally containing an iron (III) chelated bleaching agent and a silver halide solvent, comprising, providing an electrolytic cell having a cathode compartment and an anode compartment having a liquid flow path therebetween and separated by a porous membrane; feeding into said cathode compartment at a flow rate of 3 liters/hour or more said blix solution; applying to the cathode of said electrolytic cell a potential of from about -0.20 to about -0.7 volts and to the anode a potential of about -0.10 to 0.50 volts while passing said blix solution from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment and controlling the cathode potential, anode potential and the current densities of said anode and cathode so as not to decompose the silver halide solvent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the cathode is made of stainless steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the anode is made of carbon, lead oxide, platinum or gold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is made of a cellulose acetate film, a cellophane film, a copper ferrocyanide film, a bladder membrane, an intestinal wall membrane, an agar film, an asbestos plate, a clay plate, a sintered glass, glass wool, or a micro-porous synthetic polymer film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic cell is made of an electrically insulative material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the insulative material is glass, hard rubber, wood, or a synthetic resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein said anode is a carbon fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process according to claim 7, wherein the carbon fiber is in the form of a felt, a twill, a plain weave. fabric, or a string.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, a polysulfone, polypropylene, and a polyester.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic resin is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and a phenol-formaldehyde resin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the silver halide solvent is selected from the group consisting of a thiosulfate, a thiocyanate, a thiourea, a thioglycol, and a water-soluble organic diol containing sulfur and oxygen in the molecule.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the anode current density is about 0.7 A/dm 2 or less.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the cathode current density is about 0.01 A/dm 2 or higher.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the porous separator is a membrane which will allow elections and liquids to pass therethrough, but not large ions and molecules.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-21 | 1980-09-20 | 1981-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-21 | 1984-09-20 | 1985-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-21 | 1988-09-20 | 1989-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |