Apparatus, system, and method for processing photothermographic elements
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsPaul C. Star, John A. Svendsen, Alfredo G. Viglienzoni, John J. Allen, Michael P. Juaire, Anderson L. Griffin, John O. Kirkwold, Steven W. Sorensen, Ralph E. Peterson
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Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method for processing photothermographic elements. The apparatus thermally develops a photothermographic element by heating the photothermographic element between a heated member, having a resilient layer, and a plurality of rollers. The apparatus can be a component of other apparatus and systems including those having the ability to expose the photothermographic element to form a latent image.
Claims43
A thermal processor, adapted to thermally develop an image in a photothermographic element, wherein said photothermographic element is transported at a transport rate, and wherein said thermal processor comprises:
- a moving heated member positioned to receive said photothermographic element and to heat said photothermographic element to at least a threshold development temperature for a dwell time to develop an image in said photothernographic element;
- and
- a plurality of rotatable guiding members positioned at guiding positions adjacent said heated member for guiding said photothermographic element against said heated member for guiding said photothermographic element against said heated member by applying a total biasing force to said photothermographic element of not greater than 200 grams per centimeter of width of said photothermographic element, said plurality of guiding members causing said photothermographic element to be continuously held against said heated member when said photothermographic element is between said plurality of guiding members and contacted by said plurality of guiding members;
- wherein said heated member is moveable and said guiding members are rotatable at rates which approximately match said transport rate of said photothermographic element;
- and
- wherein of said guiding members comprise a biasing means for providing a first biasing force, wherein the weight of said guiding member and the position of said guiding member relative to said heated member provide a second biasing force, said total biasing force includes said first biasing force and said second biasing force, and said biasing means being selectable to compensate for said second biasing force resulting from said position of said guiding member.
A thermal processor, adapted to thermally develop an image in a photothermographic element at a throughput rate, wherein said thermal processor comprises:
- a moving heated member positioned to receive said photothermographic element to heat said photothermographic element to at least a threshold development temperature, said heated member includes a resilient layer having a thickness and thermal conductivity for contacting said photothermographic element said resilient layer being sufficiently thick so that a foreign particle can be depressed into said resilient layer to reduce an image defect in said image due to insufficient heat transfer causable by said foreign particle, and said resilient layer being sufficiently thin and sufficiently thermally conductive so that said resilient layer delivers to said photothermographic element sufficient heat to thermally develop said photothermographic element sufficient heat to thermally develop said photothermographic element at said throughput rate;
- means for guiding said photothermographic element against said moving heated member wherein said guiding means comprises a plurality of rotatable guiding rollers;
- and
- a heater thermally connected to said heated member for heating said heated member.
A thermal processor, adapted to thermally develop an image in a photothermographic element at a throughput rate, wherein said photothermographic element is transported at a transport rate, and wherein said thermal processor comprises:
- a moving heated member positioned to receive said photothermographic element to heat said photothermographic element to at least a threshold development temperature, said heated member includes a resilient layer having a thickness and thermal conductivity for contacting said photothermographic element, said resilient layer being sufficiently thick so that a foreign particle can be depressed into said resilient layer to reduce an image defect in said image due to insufficient heat transfer causable by said foreign particle, and said resilient layer being sufficiently thin and sufficiently thermally conductive so that said resilient layer delivers to said photothermographic element sufficient heat to thermally develop said photothermographic element at said throughput rate;
- a heater thermally connected to said heated member for heating said heated member;
- and
- a plurality of rotatable guiding members positioned at guiding positions adjacent said heated member for guiding said photothermographic element against said heated member by applying a total biasing force to said photothermographic element of not greater than 200 grams per centimeter of width of said photothermographic element;
- wherein said heated member moves and said guiding members are rotatable at rates which approximately match said transport rate of said photothermographic element.
A thermal processor, adapted to thermally develop an image in a thermally developable element, wherein said thermal processor comprises:
- a moving heated member positioned to receive said element to heat and develop said element, said heated member comprises a resilient layer having a thickness and thermal conductivity for contacting said element, said resilient layer being sufficiently thick so that a foreign particle can be depressed into said resilient layer to reduce an image defect in said image due to insufficient heat transfer causable by said foreign particle, and said resilient layer being sufficiently thin and sufficiently thermally conductive so that said resilient layer delivers to said element sufficient heat to thermally develop said element;
- and
- a plurality of rotatable guiding members positioned at guiding positions adjacent said heated member for biasing said element against said heated member.
A thermal processor, adapted to thermally develop an image in a thermally developable element, wherein said thermal processor comprises:
- a moving heated member positioned to receive said element to heat and develop said element and having a polymeric, resilient, outer layer which contacts said thermally developable element;
- a plurality of rotatable guiding members positioned at guiding positions adjacent said heated member for biasing said element against said heated member, said plurality of guiding members being mechanically connected;
- and
- means for allowing the plurality of mechanically connected guiding members to be lifted from the heated member to allow an operator more direct access to heated member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.