Perforated processing apparatus and method

An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising:

• a. a distendable material positioned for contact with the emulsion when the material is distended;
• b. means for distending the material by delivering a photographic processing chemical through the material to the emulsion, comprising:
• i. a first cell having a periphery;
• ii. an inlet for receiving the photographic processing chemical within the cell;
• and
• iii. a lower surface comprising a first perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the first cell, for dispersing the chemical through the perforations;
• and
• c. a chamber opposed to the distending means, comprising:
• i. a second cell having a periphery;
• and
• ii. an upper surface comprising a second perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the second cell.

An apparatus for dispersing fluid onto a photosensitive material comprising:

• a. a first chamber positionable above the photosensitive material comprising:
• i. a first cell having a periphery;
• ii. an inlet for receiving within the cell fluid to be dispersed;
• and
• iii. a lower surface comprising a perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the first cell, for dispersing fluid through the perforations;
• b. a second chamber positionable below the photosensitive material comprising:
• i. a second cell having a periphery, which periphery is closely proximate the periphery of the first cell when the first and second chambers are positioned above and below the photosensitive material, respectively, for at least partially insulating fluid from the surrounding environment;
• and
• ii. an upper surface comprising a perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the second cell, for collecting dispersed fluid and allowing the fluid to pass into the second cell;
• and
• c. a first foraminous material interposable between the lower surface of the first chamber and the photosensitive material, for dispersing fluid uniformly onto the photosensitive material.

An apparatus for dispersing fluid onto a photosensitive material comprising:

• a. a first chamber positionable above the photosensitive material comprising:
• i. a first cell having a periphery;
• ii. an inlet for receiving within the cell fluid to be dispersed;
• and
• iii. a distendable lower surface comprising a perforated polyester sheet contacting the periphery of the first cell, for dispersing fluid through the perforations;
• b. a first foraminous material interposable between the lower surface of the first chamber and the photosensitive material, for dispersing fluid uniformly onto the photosensitive material;
• c. a second chamber positionable below the photosensitive material comprising:
• i. a second cell having a periphery, which periphery is closely proximate the periphery of the first cell when the first and second chambers are positioned above and below the photosensitive material, respectively, for at least partially insulating fluid from the surrounding environment;
• ii. an upper surface comprising a perforated polyester sheet contacting the periphery of the second cell, for allowing fluid to pass into the second cell;
• and
• iii. an outlet for allowing fluid to exit the second cell;
• d. a second foraminous material interposable between the upper surface of the second chamber and the photosensitive material, for collecting dispersed fluid and allowing the fluid to pass onto the upper surface of the second chamber;
• and
• e. a pair of counter-rotating rollers for conveying the photosensitive material to a position intermediate the first and second chambers.

A method for processing photographic emulsion on the first surface of a flexible substrate having opposed first and second surfaces, comprising the steps of:

• a. distending a material by charging it with a first photographic processing chemical;
• b. contacting the emulsion with the distended material;
• c. delivering the first photographic processing chemical to the emulsion;
• and
• d. using the delivered first photographic processing chemical to lubricate the second surface of the substrate.

A method for dispersing fluid onto a photosensitive material comprising the steps of:

• a. positioning the photosensitive material intermediate opposing first and second chambers having matched peripheries for virtually sealing the positioned photosensitive material form the environment surrounding the chambers;
• b. introducing fluid into and thereby distending the first chamber;
• and
• c. passing the fluid through a perforated section of the first chamber.

An apparatus for dispersing fluid onto a photosensitive material comprising:

• a. a first chamber positionable above the photosensitive material comprising:
• i. a first cell having a periphery;
• ii. an inlet for receiving within the first cell fluid to be dispersed;
• and
• iii. a distendable lower surface comprising a perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the first cell, for contacting the photosensitive material and dispersing fluid through the perforations;
• and
• b. a second chamber positionable below the photosensitive material comprising:
• i. a second cell having a periphery, which periphery is closely proximate the periphery of the first cell when the first and second chambers are positioned above and below the photosensitive material, respectively, for at least partially insulating fluid from the surrounding environment;
• and
• ii. an upper surface comprising a perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the second cell, for collecting dispersed fluid and allowing the fluid to pass into the second cell.

A method for processing photographic emulsion on a flexible substrate comprising the steps of:

• a. distending a material by charging it with a first photographic processing chemical;
• b. contacting the emulsion with the distended material;
• c. moving the substrate relative to the material and
• d. contacting the emulsion with a material charged with a second photographic processing chemical having a composition different than the first photographic processing chemical.