Coating apparatus having a removable coating module for applying a protective coating to photosensitive material
US5875370A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03C11/08
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a coating apparatus having a removable coating module for applying a protective coating to at least one surface of a photosensitive material. The coating apparatus can be a stand-alone unit and can be added to an existing or new photographic processor. The coating product can be a solution having a predetermined viscosity which is applied to at least one surface of the photosensitive material prior to drying in a manner that allows the solution to be uniformly applied to the at least one surface at a specific layer thickness. The viscous solution after drying functions as a protective coating which can protect the processed photosensitive material against scratches and moisture. The removable coating module facilitates maintenance and cleaning after the viscous solution has been consumed. The apparatus includes a control mechanism which controls the thickness, uniformity and laydown amount of the applied viscous solution so as to insure that a uniform coating that provides protection to the entire surface of the photosensitive material is provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.