Apparatus for processing photosensitive material

In an apparatus for processing photosensitive material, the apparatus having, a process chamber, said chamber having an entrance and an exit for allowing a 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 first drain comprises a first duct having an inlet and outlet, the inlet of the first duct being connected to the first drain and the outlet of the first duct being fluidly connected to a sump tank, the improvement comprising:

• means for minimizing oxidation of the processing solution, including a dam disposed below the bottom roller of said nip rollers.

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 processing chamber located between the upper tank and lower tanks, said processing chamber having an entrance and an exit for allowing the photosensitive material to travel through the chamber, first supply means 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 for removing processing fluid from the first fluid layer, second supply means 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 for removing processing fluid from the second fluid layer, a pair of nip rollers located adjacent the entrance and exit for removing the photosensitive material through the chamber;

• the improvement comprising:
• means located adjacent the nip rollers for minimizing oxidation of the processing solution and a first duct having an inlet and outlet, the inlet of the first duct being connected to the first drain and the outlet of the first duct being fluidly connected to a sump tank.

In an apparatus for processing photosensitive material, a narrow processing chamber having an entrance and an exit for allowing the photosensitive material to travel through the chamber, means for supplying a pair of nip rollers located adjacent the entrance and exit for moving the photosensitive material through the chamber;

• the improvement comprising:
• means located adjacent the nip rollers for minimizing oxidation of the processing solution and comprising a weir formed between the nip rollers and the entrance and/or exit of the processing chamber so as to prevent turbulent flow of processing solution adjacent thereto, said weir having first means for regulating overflow of processing solution out the weirs when no photosensitive material is passing through the nip rollers.

In an apparatus for processing photosensitive material, a narrow processing chamber having an entrance and an exit for allowing the photosensitive material to travel through the chamber, means for supplying a pair of nip rollers located adjacent the entrance and exit for moving the photosensitive material through the chamber;

• the improvement comprising:
• means located adjacent the nip rollers for minimizing oxidation of the processing solution and comprising a weir formed between the nip rollers and the entrance and/or exit of the processing chamber so as to prevent turbulent flow of processing solution adjacent thereto, said weir including a dam disposed below the bottom roller of said nip rollers.