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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
For use with developers and activators as a supplement, conditioner, or as
the basis of a formula to be used with photographic or radiographic
processes and materials, widely used in but not limited to the graphic
arts, printing, photography, radiography, publishing, medical, dental,
microform, science, journalism, and aerospace industries.
2. Descriptions of the Prior Art
All other prior art makes claims as preservatives to extend either storage
life or aging life, not usage life, and is almost always specifically
targeting or proportioned for use with either color, or B&W, using
different chemicals and compounds than those of this invention, and
employing either standard industry methods or different methods not
relative to those of this invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,042 issued Dec. 23, 1975 claims preservative benefits
through the use of salts, esters and amides of plicatic acid for the
extension of storage life only. Column 2 line 50 states "The preservatives
of the invention therefore achieve best results and are accordingly
preferably used in photographic negative processing or with photographic
stock solutions prior to their dilution for photographic paper
processing". Prior to their dilution|
U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,370 issued Dec. 22, 1970 claims quaternary ammonium
bisulfites, sulfites or pyrosulfites as developer preservatives. No claims
are made purporting the extension of usage life but instead claims the
promotion of preservative effects with all kinds of hardeners, alkalines
and alkaline buffer systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,826 issued Jan. 30, 1973 claims sulfite esters as
preservatives for B&W developing agents. This patent applies only to B&W
developers which does not encompass color, radiographic, graphic arts
materials such as lith, rapid access, hybrid chemistries, or the new
fourth generation chemistries.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,530 issued Dec. 14, 1971 photographic developer
solutions of high sulfite content and pH states usefulness in forming
multicolor images in color films and in forming colored radiographic
images. It also states that developer baths are stable over a long period
of time but is specifically related to color photography. Stability is
achieved in many ways. Stability does not mean repeatable usage life
extensions. More specifically it is touted for use with "rapid access
radiographic processes."
U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,439 issued Oct. 11, 1993 promotes a method of
replenishing solution with replenisher and is specifically geared towards
color developer replenishment. The use of two different replenishment
solutions of opposing pH's are used to avoid precipitate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,787 issued May. 8, 1990 photographic element containing
scavenger for oxidized developing agent uses hydrazide as the scavenger
and is for use in the prevention of fog and stain formation in developed
color images.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,298 issued Mar. 23, 1993 photographic developing
solution containing an ascorbic acid derivative. The developing properties
of ascorbic acid have been published since the turn of the century. This
invention promotes the lack of sulfite ions.
A Summary of the Claims That Have Been Made by Prior Art
Prior art promoted for use with fresh chemicals only as storage
preservative.
Prior art claimed for use with partially exhausted chemicals.
Oxidation and the associated testing does not gauge or approximate usage
capacity.
Most prior art specifically geared towards either color or B&W processes
only.
Different chemicals employed include hydrazide and ascorbic acid.
Prior art applications designed for use with other chemicals and processes.
Prior art designed for storage or aging preservative uses only.
Prior art applicable to developers prior to their dilution.
Prior art claims long term of stability which does not imply multiple usage
lives.
Prior art makes claims to the absence of sulfite ions.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF INVENTION
Repeatable regenerating activity exemplifying the usefulness and uniqueness
of this invention. This invention has consistently regenerated formulation
activity levels in excess of four times normal usage life. This represents
giant leap forward in the advancement of photographic technologies. And
this invention has the additional benefit of immediate assimilation.
Through the course of the history of photography, its' disciplines and
processes, chemists and both professional and amateur photographers have
experimented with an innumerable array of chemicals and mixtures and the
art has evolved to a state whereby many of the processes are common
knowledge to anyone skilled in the arts.
There are still however currently emerging trends leading towards the
reduction of the use of photographic chemicals in the interest of both
ecology and economy. Dry process films, direct-to-plate technologies,
ascorbic acid processing, and water based processing are some of the prime
examples.
The problem exists however that these technologies are still emerging and
have not found their way into current markets due to the high costs of
research and development and the initial expenditures required to
institute these technologies.
Furthermore, the market is inundated with the technology, equipment, and
process knowledge of traditional photographic and radiographic processes.
This fact is irrefutable and only lends itself to the conclusion that
these technologies already in place will not be easily, willingly, or
readily displaced.
Mankind has a tendency to rely on proven technology, and in commercial or
otherwise critical situations, rightfully so. Research and development and
the implementation and assimilation of these new technologies proves to be
too great a burden for the majority of the populace. Small business
comprising the bulk of the labor force cannot withstand the investments of
time and money to be able to incorporate these technologies acquire and
maintain "state of the art" status.
New technologies have not achieved the quality or cost effectiveness of
traditional processes and technologies slowing the assimilation of new
technologies.
My invention addresses reducing consumption of formulations, while
maintaining and even increasing quality, without requiring additional
capital expenditure(s) to utilize it. It works with nearly the entire
scope of photographic and radiographic formulations in use today.
Assimilation is instant. No additional training is required to use it and
little or no recalibration of systems is required to utilize it.
Photographic and radiographic chemicals and equipment maintain usefulness.
Advantages are repeatable regeneration, reducing consumption and therefore
manufacture, transportation, and disposal of developers and activators
promoting economy and ecology, producing finer grain, inducing and
stabilizing developer activity, maintaining cleaner processors, producing
more detail in the shadows, virtually eliminating algae buildup in wash
waters reducing the need for highly toxic antimicrobials, the reduction of
labor costs, the reduction of water usage, reducing base fog of films
promoting higher resolution, the reduction of development times,
conserving energy, allowing higher processing temperatures saving
processing time and money, and it lends itself to the formulation of
regenerable formulations.
This invention has the capacity to reduce the consumption of developers and
activators to less than 25% of current volumes. As printing is the fourth
large industry in the nation one can immediately see the potential
benefits.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A supplement or base for a formula and corresponding process facilitating
multiple developer usage lives and activator usage lives to be used with
existing or upcoming developers, activators or formulations to achieve
multiples of normal usage lives or to be used as the basis of new long
life developer or activator formulations. This invention can be used in
different formulations and in various strengths along with corresponding
methods of use to provide multiple usage lives for most developers and
activators without affecting the scope of the invention. It can also be
used as either a storage preservative, an aging preservative, or both
without affecting its usage life multiplying characteristics.
It can be used not only as developer or activator supplements or formula
base but it can also work with either new or partially used existing or
upcoming formulas.
Sulfites and their derivatives and a method of use which achieve multiple
usage lives of developers and activators through said properties of said
chemical(s).
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiment of this invention is as a multiple use basis for
formulations, conditioning existing formulations, and as a supplement for
formulations used in the formation of images by development of B&W, color,
rapid access, lith, hybrid, and next generation chemistries as used with
silver halide or silver chloride in gelatin layers widely utilized in
photography, and by the graphic arts industry encompassing but not limited
to printing, publishing, advertising; and radiography in, but not limited
to, the medical and dental professions.
DISCLOSURE
Sulfites and their derivatives and corresponding method to achieve multiple
usage lives of developers and activators. The method consisting of the
addition of said chemicals to either new or used preferably
both--developer or activator chemistries.
Sulfites and their derivatives in any solid or liquid form including
granules and liquids of various concentrations for use not only as a
storage or aging preservative but the additional improvement of repeatable
regeneration and restoration of activity levels of formulations after
partial exhaustion to like new condition with each successive application
with or without additional agents.
Sulfites and their derivatives as a formula base for conditioning
formulations for the purpose of assisting successive applications to
partially exhausted formulations.
Previously unattempted method of application differentiating itself from
other methods whereby sulfites or their derivatives with or without
additional agents are directly introduced into both fresh and partially
exhausted formulations either continuously or at successive intervals and
at application rates from 0.001 moles per liter to saturation thereby both
conditioning formulations for regeneration and repeatedly regenerating
formulations in an ongoing manner restoring activity levels to like new
condition both upon original application and successive applications.
EXPLANATION OF HOW THE INVENTION WORKS
My invention employs the inherent actions of one or more said chemicals.
These actions namely those of preservatives (anti-oxidants), scavengers
(free radical eliminators), antimicrobials, ion replenishers
(restructuring), silver solvents, and appropriate pH, to facilitate
repeatedly regenerating formulations.
In addition to its ability to be used as a storage preservative and an
aging preservative its most important use is as a multiple use supplement.
This is contrary to previous art which only claims use as either a storage
or aging preservative added during manufacturing.
Testing has shown that repeated regenerations in excess of four times
normal usage life is obtainable and duplicable with my formulations and
methods of use. This is accomplished by the systematic introduction of my
invention. Preferably beginning with a fresh formulation, this brings the
solution back to optimum capacity prior to first use. Then additional
supplementations to partially used chemistries with proportionate amounts
of this invention.
The recommended initial trial concentration is 1 oz/qt of a 15% solution in
water of my invention to formulations. This can range from 0.001 oz/qt to
maximum solubility.
The recommended starting trial interval time for the second application is
80% of the previous average life of the formulation in use prior to
supplementation, but can vary widely without affecting the scope of the
invention.
Some extreme examples of use include frequent periodic additions of as
little as 0.01 oz/qt of said solution or the addition of approximately 4
oz/qt at longer intervals.
Replenishment tanks require higher amounts (recommended starting point of 2
oz of this invention/qt. of formulation in replenishment tank) to act as
both an aging preservative for the formulation in the replenishment tank
and the additional amount to be used as a supplemental regenerating agent
for the partially used formulation it is replenishing.
Note
The developer or activator formulation will turn darker than ever from the
natural byproducts of the reaction. An effluent is released due to the
regeneration or restructuring activity and is a signature telltale sign it
is working. The developer while turning darker than ever will still
maintain useable activity levels which are renewable| You must test your
materials for proper development for your application and not rely on
developer coloration. When activity has fallen below useable levels due to
saturation after several regeneration cycles simply change chemicals as
usual.
SUMMARY
Sulfites and their derivatives have been used for many years as storage
preservatives and aging preservatives used against oxidation but have
never been exploited for the properties of repeatable regeneration. Nor
have they been used in these conjunctions to even remotely achieve these
results.
My invention has successfully accomplished what no other invention has
achieved. And it does this at a time of great need for ecological
transitions. Current markets are inundated with photographic technologies
and will not be easily displaced. The many incentives for its' use include
economy and ecology of global proportions, ease of use, quality results,
and near universal compatibility. And it has the potential of reducing the
consumption, and therefore the manufacture, transportation, and disposal
to less than 25% of current volumes.
EXAMPLE SCENARIO ONE
Applications include either:
a processor utilizing solution level type replenishment, or
a storage container used to store chemicals for open tray processing.
For 4.5 qts of developer which usually lasted a month before falling below
useable activity levels, add approximately 4.5 oz (1oz/qt) of this
invention to the fresh developer. Then as the supplemented developer
approaches the first month, add another 2.25 oz (1/2 oz/qt) of this
invention to the developing tank.
Repeat the addition of 2.25 oz of this invention to the tank at successive
intervals nearing the two, three, four etc. month marks. This method
currently utilizes repeatable renewal of the developer to achieve well
beyond four times normal usage life|
This is not replenishment. Replenishment utilizes the original developer or
a derivation thereof. This is multiple renewal and restructuring of a
compound through the actions listed above namely those of preservatives
(anti-oxidants), scavengers (free radical eliminators), antimicrobials,
ion replenishers (restructuring), silver solvents, buffers, and
appropriate pH, to facilitate multiple usage lives.
Day to day replenishment to account for evaporation and loss of developer
due to carryover into the next tank is accomplished using either full
working strength fresh developer or a developer replenisher solution.
EXAMPLE SCENARIO TWO
For a processor with automatic replenishment that forces overflow
replenishment by pumping fresh developer usually from a 5 gal holding tank
using the same 4.5 qt capacity tanks add 4.5 oz (1 oz/qt) of this
invention to the processor's developing tank and 40 oz (2 oz/qt) to the
holding tank. This not only acts as an aging preservative but the higher
quantity of this invention works to renew the chemical structure of the
developer in the tank as it is being replenished.
Then reduce the replenishment rate of the processor to approximately 25% of
the previous replenishment rate depending on how critical the application
is. For critical applications reduce the replenishment rate to 50% and
perform necessary testing.
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Description |
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