Apparatus for processing light-sensitive material

Claim 2

A photosensitive material processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive material, the apparatus comprising: a main body; first conveyance means in connection with the main body for conveying the photosensitive material into the main body; second conveyance means in connection with the main body for conveying the photosensitive material out of the main body; developer enclosure means disposed in the main body, the developer means having a processing solution therein; wash enclosure means connected to the developer enclosure means for preventing the processing solution from oxidizing by air or hardening by evaporation; photosensitive material intake means in the developer enclosure means for feeding the photosensitive material into the developer enclosure means; photosensitive material discharge means located between the developer enclosure means and the wash enclosure means for discharging the photosensitive material from the developer enclosure means into the wash enclosure means, the photosensitive material intake and discharge means isolating the developer enclosure means from outside air to maintain the developer enclosure means in a hermetic condition and prevent the developing solution from leaking from the developer enclosure means during processing; and wash enclosure discharge means located in the wash enclosure means for discharging the photosensitive material from the wash enclosure means, the wash enclosure and photosensitive material discharge means isolating the wash enclosure means from outside air to keep the wash enclosure means in a hermetic condition.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising guide means disposed in the developer enclosure means for smoothly transporting the photosensitive material through the developer enclosure means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the guide means include apertures for directing jets of the processing solution toward the photosensitive material as the photosensitive material passes through the developer enclosure means.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the apertures have a size for maintaining a speed of the jets of processing solution of at least 1.5 cm/sec.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the apertures are present at least 20% of the guide means.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising circulating means in fluid communication with the developer enclosure means for circulating the processing solution.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processing solution in the developer enclosure means is a developing solution.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wash enclosure means includes cleaning means for cleaning the photosensitive material intake and discharge means.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the photosensitive material intake means and the photosensitive discharge means comprise a pair of rollers.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the photosensitive material intake means and the photosensitive discharge means comprise flexible valve devices.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wash discharge means comprises a pair of rollers.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wash discharge means comprises a flexible valve device.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising releasing means in communication with the developer enclosure means for releasing the hermetic condition of the developer enclosure means.

Claim 15

A photosensitive material processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive material, the apparatus comprising: a main body; first conveyance means connected with the main body for conveying the photosensitive material into the main body; second conveyance means connected with the main body for conveying the photosensitive material out of the main body; developer enclosure means in the main body, containing a processing solution; wash enclosure means connected to the developer enclosure means for preventing the processing solution from oxidizing or hardening; photosensitive material intake means in the developer enclosure means for feeding the photosensitive material into the developer enclosure means; photosensitive material discharge means located between the developer enclosure means and the wash enclosure means for discharging the photosensitive material from the developer enclosure means into the wash enclosure means, the photosensitive material intake and discharge means isolating the developer enclosure means from outside air to maintain the developer enclosure means in a hermetic condition and prevent the developing solution from leaking from the developer enclosure means during processing; cleaning means in the wash enclosure means for cleaning the photosensitive material intake and discharge means; and wash enclosure discharge means for discharging the photosensitive material from the wash enclosure means, the wash enclosure and photosensitive material discharge means isolating the wash enclosure means from outside air to maintain the wash enclosure means in a hermetic condition.

Claim 16

A photosensitive material processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive material, the apparatus comprising: a main body; first conveyance means connected with the main body for conveying the photosensitive material into the main body; second conveyance means connected with the main body for conveying the photosensitive material out of the main body; developer enclosure means in the main body, containing a processing solution; wash enclosure means connected to the developer enclosure means for preventing the processing solution from oxidizing or hardening; photosensitive material intake means in the developer enclosure means for feeding the photosensitive material into the developer enclosure means; photosensitive material discharge means located between the developer enclosure means and the wash enclosure means for discharging the photosensitive material from the developer enclosure means into the wash enclosure means, the photosensitive material intake and discharge means isolating the developer enclosure means from outside air to maintain the developer enclosure means in a hermetic condition and prevent the developing solution from leaking from the developer enclosure means during processing; cleaning means in the wash enclosure means for cleaning the photosensitive material intake and discharge means; and wash enclosure discharge means for discharging the photosensitive material from the wash enclosure means, the wash enclosure and photosensitive material discharge means isolating the wash enclosure means from outside air to maintain the wash enclosure means in a hermetic condition.