GB1463686A - Process and equipment for developing printing out material - Google Patents

Abstract

1463686 Developing apparatus for printing-out materials IRODAGEPIPARI ES FINOMMECHANIKAI VALLALAT 25 April 1974 [25 April 1973] 18206/74 Heading G2X In a process for developing printing-out materials the material is located in a developing chamber which is maintained at a higher temperature than the inlet temperature of the developing gas. This prevents condensation of the gas in the chamber. The apparatus comprises a tank 50 containing developing liquid e.g. ammonium hydroxide solution; a supply line including a liquid pump 20 which pumps liquid from the tank to a vaporizer 10 in which developing gas is educed from the liquid, the gas then flowing to a developing chamber 40. The chamber 40 and vaporizer 10 are provided with heaters (409) Fig. 2 (not shown) and 106, and with temperature control means 408 and 108 respectively, the controller 408 maintaining the chamber 40 at a higher temperature than that maintained by controller 108 in the vaporizer 10. The vaporizer is divided by a dish 102 Fig. 4 into which the liquid is pumped until it reaches the top of a spillway 105. The liquid then drops into the areas below the dish where it rises to the level determined by overflow 107 and is heated by heater 106. The ammonia vapour rises through bubble chimney 103 and is forced through the liquid in dish 102 by a bubble cap 104 to give ammonia rich developing gas which passes through outlet 110 to a three way valve 30. The valve is controlled by temperature controller 408 so that if the temperature of chamber 40 is not higher than that of the vaporizer 10 the gas is returned via line 830 to the tank 50. If chamber 40 is at the correct temperature the valve 30 passes the gas via line 820 and inlet 416 into chamber 40, through which the material is transported by rollers. The space around the rollers is enclosed by covers resiliently engaging the circumferential and end surfaces of the rollers.