THERMAL PROCESSOR EMPLOYING A TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION SYSTEM

• Main Authors: WIENS CURT A, MCDANIEL DAVID J, SCUFSA JOHN R
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.04.2011
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USINGWAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FORPROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR,STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; PHOTOGRAPHY; PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHYSICS

A thermal processor for use in developing an image in an imaging material which is transported along a transport path through the thermal processor. The thermal processor includes a preheat assembly for preheating the thermally processable material to the threshold temperature. The preheat assembly includes a heated member having a major surface facing the thermally processable material. A dwell assembly is provided for thermal development of the image in the thermally processable material. Means are provided for moving the thermally processable material along the transport path through the preheat assembly and the dwell assembly including a roller assembly which contacts the thermally processable material. The roller assembly includes rollers positioned between the heated member and the thermally processable material. Means are provided for reducing optical density loss in the thermally processable material, including means for selectively changing the temperature of the heated member as the thermally processable material moves along the transport path.