Uniform developing method of a film for use in an automatic developer

#This invention relates to a uniform developing method of a film for use in an automatic developer.

#In an automatic developer a film light-exposed is processed consecutively by passing it through developing, fixing and washing vessels. In this case, as the development proceeds, the activity of the developing solution in the developing vessel is lowered. Accordingly, when a long film is processed at a fixed speed in such an automatic developer, the finishes of the first and the last parts of the film are different, resulting in uneven reproduction pictures, which deteriorates the quality of the film finished.

#In the prior art, while the film is developed, the depression of the activity of the developing solution is prevented by supplementing the fresh developing solution little by little, thereby making the development of the film uniform.

#In order that the present invention may be better understood, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an essential part of an automatic developer for explaining the first embodiment of a method according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a deterioration curve of a developing solution shown in FIG. 1;

#Referring now to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 an essential part of an automatic developer which performs one embodiment of a method according to the present invention.

#A developing solution vessel 1 contains a developing solution 2. A pair of drive rollers 3 and 4 for moving a film 12 are driven by a motor 11 and are coupled each other by a coupling means 5 so as to be rotated synchronously. A pair of rollers 6 and 7 are the backing rollers of the drive rollers 3 and 4, and transfer rollers 8, 9 and 10 are positioned in the developing vessel 1.

#The film 12 is moved down through between the rollers 3 and 6 into the developing solution 2, while it is developed, is turned around the transfer rollers 8, 9 and 10, is come out of the developing solution 2, and then is passed through between the rollers 4 and 7. The film 12 developed is then transferred consecutively to fixing and washing vessels (not shown).