Concentrated color developer composition used for silver halide photographic material and processing method by use thereof

#The present invention relates to a concentrated color developer composition for use in silver halide photographic materials (hereinafter, also denoted simply as photographic materials) and a processing method by use thereof, and in particular, to a concentrated color developer composition exhibiting reduced degradation of ingredients during storage at relatively high temperature, reduced precipitation onto the processing bath during running and reduced staining of processed photographic materials, and a processing method of photographic materials by use thereof.

#Photographic color developer compositions are used for processing photographic material providing an intended image. In general, such a composition contains a color developing agent as a reducing agent, forming an intended dye upon reaction with a dye forming coupler.

#To replenish processing components which have been consumed in reaction or carried out by processed photographic material, color developer replenishing solution is supplied to color developing solution in a color developing tank. Such replenishment is designed so as to maintain uniform development and stability of the color developing agent. A color developer replenishing solution is usually prepared by mixing plural parts with water immediately before use thereof. In the photographic industry, reducing the number of such parts used for preparation of the replenishing solution has been desired to reduce troublesome handling. There has been disclosed a replenishing solution ready to use as such and a concentrated single part solution which was usable only by dilution with water, e.g., in JP-A 2001-100382 (hereinafter, the term, JP-A refers to Japanese Patent Application publication).

#Embodiments of the invention will be further described based on examples.

#A concentrated color developer composition was prepared in accordance with the following formula.

#Sodium sulfite, in an amount shown in Table 1 1 Potassium carbonate 80 g Sodium diethylenetriaminopentaacetate 10 g Potassium bromide 0.5 g Compound sshown in Table 1, in an amount of Table 1 CD-4, in an amount shown in Table 1 pH 10.30