Patent · US Expired

Constrained film heat processor and method of developing digital film using conduction heat transfer

US5669032A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
4References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 27, 1995
Grant dateSep 16, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 27, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03D13/002
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus and method of developing a heat developing film includes a film support surface for supporting and constraining a film and heaters for developing the film supported on the film constraining surface. The film constraining surface may either be stationary or form part of a film transport. The film transport may either be a continuous film transport or a reciprocating film transport. The continuous film transport may be inclined or include an input pinch roller. In addition, the heaters may either be stationary, reciprocatable, or pivotable. The heat is applied by conduction and may include a profiled heater output to control uniformity of the temperature. The apparatus may be provided as a stand-alone unit or may be coupled, either externally to or within, a film exposure device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.