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Title:
A BIODEGRADABLE DEVELOPING SOLUTION AND METHOD OF USE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2004/001504
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The biodegradable developing solution useful in developing latent images formed in a photosensitive material. The developing solution includes a reducing agent having at least one compound selected from the group consisting of terpenoids, monoterpenes, biterpenes, triterpenes, tetraterpenes, sesquiterpenes, polyterpenes, and their enantiomers, a naturally occurring aromatic phenol and its enantiomers, and a synthesized aromatic phenol and its enantiomers, and a titrating solution capable of altering the pH of the reducing agent. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of Spearmint, Vanillin, Thymol, Borneol, Vanillin beta-D-glucoside, m-Cresol, (-)-Menthol, (+)-Neomenthol, Carvacrol, (+)-Carotol, (+)- (S)-Carvone, (-)-(R)-Carvone, d-Carvone, Caryophylline, (R)-(+)-Limonene, d-Limonene, (R)-Linalool, Ledol, and Farnesyl, and other terpenes and their enantiomers. In an alternate embodiment, the reducing agent is derived from plants in the Plant Lamiceae family.

Inventors:
IVERGLYNNE DIANNE (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2002/005653
Publication Date:
December 31, 2003
Filing Date:
May 15, 2002
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
IVERGLYNNE DIANNE (US)
International Classes:
G03C5/26; G03C5/30; (IPC1-7): G03C5/30
Foreign References:
US2073464A1937-03-09
US3549364A1970-12-22
US5076955A1991-12-31
US5286463A1994-02-15
US6087312A2000-07-11
US6150315A2000-11-21
EP0137616A11985-04-17
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Claims:
What is claimed is:
1. A biodegradable developing material, comprising: a reducing agent having at least one compound selected from the group consisting of terpenoids, monoterpenes, biterpenes, triterpenes, tetraterpenes, sesquiterpenes, polyterpenes, and their enantiomers, a naturally occurring aromatic phenol and its enantiomers, and a synthesized aromatic phenol and its enantiomers; and a titrating solution capable of altering the pH of the reducing agent.
2. The material of claim 1 wherein said reducing agent is an aqueous solution.
3. The material of claim 1 wherein said reducing agent is a solid capable of being , dissolved within a liquid.
4. The material of claim 3 wherein said liquid is water.
5. The material of claim 1 wherein said reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of Spearmint, Vanillin, Thymol, Borneol, Vanillin betaDglucoside, mCresol, ()Menthol, (+)Neomenthol, Carvacrol, (+)Carotol, (+) (S)Carvone, () (R)Carvone, dCarvone, Caryophylline, (R) (+)Limonene, dLimonene, (R)Linalool, Ledol, Farnesyl, and other terpenes and their enantiomers.
6. The material of claim 1 wherein said reducing agent is derived from at least one plant in the Plant Lamiceae family.
7. The material of claim 1 wherein said developing material has a pH of at least 7.1.
8. The material of claim 1 wherein said titrating solution is Potassium Hydroxide.
9. A method of manufacturing a biodegradable developing material, comprising : providing a terpenoidcontaining material ; adding said terpenoidcontaining material to water; boiling said water having said terpenoidcontaining material therein, thereby producing a solution ; cooling said solution ; and titrating said solution to a pH of at least 7. 1.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said terpenoidcontaining material includes compounds selected from the group consisting of terpenoids, monoterpenes, biterpenes, triterpenes, tetraterpenes, sesquiterpenes, polyterpenes, and their enantiomers.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein said terenpoidcontaining material is selected from the group consisting of Spearmint, Vanillin, Thymol, Borneol, Vanillin betaD glucoside, mCresol, ()Menthol, (+)Neomenthol, Carvacrol, (+)Carotol, (+) (S) Carvone, () (R)Carvone, dCarvone, Caryophylline, (R) (+)Limonene, dLimonene, (R)Linalool, Ledol, and Farnesyl, and other terpenes and their enantiomers.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein said terepenoidcontaining material is derived from at least one plant in the Plant Lamiceae family.
13. The method of claim 9 further comprising boiling said water having said terpenoidcontaining material for at least 1 minute.
14. A method of developing film, comprising: providing a biodegradable developing material of claim 1; mixing said developing material with water to form a solution ; boiling said solution ; cooling said solution ; titrating said solution ; immersing undeveloped film in said solution ; developing an image on said film ; stopping said developing with a stopping agent; fixing said image with a fixing agent; and washing said film.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said biodegradable developing material of claim includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of Spearmint, Vanillin, Thymol, Borneol,, Vanillin betaDglucoside, mCresol, ()Menthol, (+) Neomenthol, Carvacrol, (+)Carotol, (+) (S)Carvone, () (R)Carvone, dCarvone, Caryophylline, (R) (+)Limonene, dLimonene, (R)Linalool, Ledol, and Farnesyl, and other terpenes and their enantiomers.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein said biodegradable developing material of claim 1 is derived from at least one plant in the Plant Lamiceae family.
Description:
A BIODEGRADABLE DEVELOPING SOLUTION AND METHOD OF USE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No.

60/270,203, filed February 22,2001, naming DiAnne Iverglynne as inventor, and whose entire content is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Generally, the processing of silver halide photographic materials is performed by a multiple step sequence, Initially, a silver halide emulsion located on a film substrate is exposed to radiation which produces a latent image in the silver halide grains of the emulsion. Thereafter, the latent image is immersed in a developing solution which contains a reducing agent or developer. Typically, developers include hydroquinone-based compositions. Once the image is reproduced on an image substrate a stopping solution is applied to the print to arrest the developing process. A fixing agent may be added and the print may be washed to remove all residual chemical compounds.

[0003] While this process and the associated chemical compounds used to develop photographic images have proven successful in the past, several shortcomings have been identified. For example, it is important to maintain the pH of the developer composition within strict alkaline ranges during the developing process to ensure satisfactory operation of the composition. Typically, caustic alkaline (such as caustic soda or caustic potash) are used to maintain the pH level of the developer composition.

In addition, current hydroquinone-based developers often include sulfite-based components. As a result, developer compounds which include hydroquinone, sulfite and caustic alkaline have proven to be toxic to individuals and pose severe hazards to the environment. In response, various guidelines and regulations have been promulgated to protect the health and welfare of those persons exposed to these compounds and to protect the environment. More specifically, the handling and disposal of these materials is carefully regulated.

[0004] In light of the foregoing, there is currently a need for a less toxic and environmentally friendly photographic developer compound.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention solves the need for a biodegradable developing solution capable of effectively developing latent images formed in a photosensitive material or emulsion. More specifically, the present invention discloses a biodegradable developing solution and method of use. Further, the present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a biodegradable developing solution.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention discloses a biodegradable developing material, which comprises a reducing agent having at least one compound selected from the group consisting of terpenoids, such as monoterpenes, biterpenenes, triterpenes, tetraterpenes, sesquiterpenes, polyterpenes, and their enantiomers, a naturally occurring aromatic phenol, and a synthesized aromatic phenol, and a titrating solution capable of altering the pH of the reducing agent. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of Spearmint, Vanillin, Thymol, Borneol, Vanillin beta-D-glucoside, m-Cresols (t-Menthol, (t)-Neomenthol, Carvacrol, (+)-Carotol, (+)- (S)-Carvone, (-)- (R)-Carvone, d-Carvone, Caryophylline, (R)- (+)- Limonene, d-Limonene, (R)-Linalool, Ledol, Farnesyl, and other terpenes and their enantiomers. In an alternate embodiment, the reducing agent is derived from at least one plant in the Plant Lamiceae family.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a biodegradable developing material or reducing agent, and comprises providing a terpenoid-containing material, adding the terpenoid-containing material to water, boiling the water having the terpenoid-containing material therein, thereby producing a solution, cooling the solution, and titrating the solution to a pH of at least 7.1.

[0008] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the present invention discloses method of developing film, and comprises providing a biodegradable developing material or reducing agent, mixing the developing material with water to form a solution, boiling the solution, cooling the solution, titrating the solution, immersing undeveloped film in the solution, developing an image on the film, stopping the developing with a stopping agent, fixing the image with a fixing agent, and washing the film.

[0009] Other objects and further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0010] Disclosed herein is a detailed description of various illustrated embodiments of the present invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

[0011] The present invention discloses various compounds for developing a latent image formed in photosensitive photographic compounds or emulsions. While the various compounds and methods disclosed herein may be used with a plurality of imaging materials and emulsions, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is particularly well suited for use with various silver halide photographic materials, including, for example, Agl, AgCI, and AgBr-based materials.

[0012] The various compositions of the present invention are substantially biodegradable. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the term"substantially biodegradable"is a relative term, in that it is used to describe the compositions of the present invention relative to conventional imaging developers, which commonly include chemicals such as hydroquinone, various alkaline, and various sulfite-based compositions, which are substantially toxic and non-biodegradable. It should be understood that while most of the preferred components used in the preferred biodegradable composition according to the present invention are themselves substantially biodegradable and less toxic than currently available developing solutions, it is not required that all components used herein be biodegradable. Those skilled in the art will recognize that minor quantities of toxic and/or non-biodegradable components, including hydroquinone, various alkaline, and sulfite-based compositions may be added to the preferred compositions according to the present invention without materially altering the basic and novel characteristics of these compositions. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present method disclosed herein is directed to the development of silver halide-based material, although the method disclosed herein may be easily adapted for use with other materials.

[0013] In the present invention, a developing compound generally comprising a terpenoid-based reducing agent is disclosed herein. Exemplary terpenoid-based reducing agents may include terpenoids, monoterpenes, biterpenes, triterpenes, tetraterpenes, sesquiterpenes, polyterpenes, and their enantiomers, or naturally occurring or synthesized aromatic phenols. More specifically, the terpenoid-based reducing agent of the present invention must have an electron-donating group, such as a hydroxyl group, capable of donating an electron to the silver halide emulsion or other photographic material. An exemplary terpenoid-based developing solution of the present invention may be prepared using Spearmint (Mentha spicata), although those skilled in the art will appreciate that other compounds generally having a terpenoid-like structure may be used. For example, alternate materials include, without limitation, Vanillin, Thymol, Borneol, Vanillin beta-D-glucoside, m-Cresol, (-)-Menthol, (+) - Neomenthol, Carvacrol, (+)-Carotol, (+)- (S)-Carvone, (-)- (R)-Carvone, d-Carvone, Caryophylline, (R)- (+)-Limonene, d-Limonene, (R)-Linalool, Ledol, Farnesyl, and other terpenes and their enantiomers, or terpenoids found in the Plant Lamiceae family, including, for example, mint and thyme, which exhibit the requisite electron-donating group.

Example 1 [0014] A method of preparing the aforementioned reducing agent is disclosed herein. Approximately 70g of Spearmint may be added to about 500 ml. of water.

Thereafter, the water and Spearmint may be boiled for at least one minute, thereby extracting the terpenoids from the Spearmint. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternate methods of extracting the terpenoids may be used. The solution is then cooled to a temperature of between 75 and 120 degrees and titrated to a pH of at least 7.1 with Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), which is a common titration compound used in the photographic field. Once the pH of the solution is at least 7.1, the solution may be cooled to a developing temperature of about 60° F to 90° F. Thereafter, the photographic film or other imaging material may be submersed in the solution. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the solution of the present invention may be easily prepared and is substantially biodegradable. Further, the developing compound may comprise a plurality of terpenoids. For example, the developing compound may include 2 parts Spearmint, to one part Thymol by weight.

Example 2 [0015] An alternate method of preparing the aforementioned reducing solution is disclosed herein. Approximately 300 ml. of Vanillin may be added to about 600 ml. of water. Thereafter, the water and Vanillin may be mixed and boiled for at least one minute, thereby extracting the terpenoids from the Vanillin. The solution is then cooled to a temperature of between 75 and 150 degrees and titrated to a pH of at least 9.31 with Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), which is a common titration compound used in the photographic field. Once the pH of the solution is at least 9.31, the solution may be cooled to a developing temperature of about 60° F to 90° F. Thereafter, the photographic film or other imaging material may be submersed in the solution. In one embodiment, approximately 60g of baking soda was used to titrate the solution to a pH of 7.38. Like the previous example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the solution of the present invention may be easily prepared and is substantially biodegradable.

[0016] The present invention further discloses a method of developing photographic film or other imaging material using the developing solution of the present invention. To develop film using the present invention, the film is bathed in the developing solution of the present invention for at least 1 minute, thereby producing images on the film. For example, the film was immersed in the Spearmint-based developer disclosed above for a period of at least 5 minutes. The film within the developer solution may be periodically agitated to promote effective developing as desired. Thereafter, the film is exposed to commercially available stopping agents, such as acetic acid, and fixed using commercially available fixing agents such as Sodium Thio-sulfate. Finally, the film may be washed using water to remove all residual materials. In addition, the film may be washed with water between the various steps if desired. In addition, the present method of developing film disclosed above may be easily adapted to develop prints using the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the film developed using the developing solution and method disclosed herein exhibits a normal density range of between 1.5 and 3.0, which is comparable with commercially available developing solutions. For example, experiments using negatives developed with the aforementioned Spearmint developer exhibited a normal density of 2.72. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the negatives developed using the developing solution and method disclosed herein exhibit a tonal range density of approximately 1.5 to 2.5 across the entire spectral range.

[0017] In closing it is understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above exemplary ranges for various specific compounds which may be employed with success in the developer composition of the present invention may vary somewhat taking into account differences such as molecular weight in related derivatives of such compounds and pH of the developing solution. Such modifications of the above ranges are well within the ability of one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as described in the present invention.