Apparatus for processing photosensitive material

In an apparatus for processing photosensitive material, the apparatus having, a processing chamber through which a photosensitive material can be advanced for processing of the photosensitive material, said processing chamber having an entrance and an exit to allow the photosensitive material to travel through the processing chamber, first supply means for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a first fluid layer on one side of the photosensitive material, a first drain for removing processing fluid from the first fluid layer, second supply means for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a second fluid layer on the opposite side of the photosensitive material, a second drain for removing processing fluid from the second fluid layer;

• the improvement comprising:
• means for substantially equalizing the back pressure of the processing fluid at the first and second drains.

A photographic processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material, said apparatus comprising:

• at least one fluid suspension device for applying a processing fluid to a photosensitive material, said at least one fluid suspension device having a processing chamber through which a photosensitive material can be advanced for processing the photosensitive material, said processing chamber having an entrance and an exit to allow the photosensitive material to travel through the processing chamber, first supply means for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a first fluid layer on one side of the photosensitive material, a first drain for removing processing fluid from the first fluid layer, second supply means for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a second fluid layer on the opposite side of the photosensitive material, a second drain for removing processing fluid from the second fluid layer and means for substantially equalizing the back pressure of the processing fluid at the first and second drains.

In an apparatus for processing photosensitive material, the apparatus having an upper tank for retaining a processing fluid and a lower tank for retaining the processing fluid, a narrow processing chamber between the upper tank and lower tanks through which the material can be advanced for processing the photosensitive material, said processing chamber having an entrance at one end and an exit at the other end to allow the photosensitive material to travel through the chamber, first supply means at the entrance and exit for supplying processing fluid from the upper tank to the processing chamber to create a first fluid layer on one side of the photosensitive material, a first drain located between the entrance and exit for removing processing fluid from the first fluid layer, second supply means at the entrance and exit for supplying processing fluid from the lower tank to the processing chamber to create a second fluid layer on the opposite side of the photosensitive material, a second drain located between the entrance and exit for removing processing fluid from the second fluid layer;

• the improvement comprising:
• means for substantially equalizing the back pressure of the processing fluid at the first and second drains.