Image forming method and apparatus

Abstract

An image forming method and its apparatus are disclosed. The method comprises exposing a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material having a support and hydrophilic colloid layers provided on both sides of the support and developing the exposed material with a developing solution without immersing it in the developing solution. The apparatus comprises (a) a pair of rollers for transporting the material in a downward direction and (b) a pair of nozzles for feeding the developing solution to both sides of the material, the nozzles being provided above the rollers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of forming an image comprising exposing a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material having a support and hydrophilic colloid layers provided on both sides of the support and developing the exposed material with a developing solution containing water and hydroquinone or hydroquinone derivatives without immersing the exposed material in the developing solution, wherein the water content of the material is 5 to 40 g/m 2  at the time development is completed. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact angle of the material to the developing solution is not more than 20° at 25° C. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact angle of the material to the developing solution is in the range of 10° to 20° at 25° C. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the developing solution is in the range of 20° to 50° C. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the developing solution is in the range of 30° to 40° C. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1, wherein the development period is in the range of 5 to 60 seconds. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1, wherein the development period is in the range of 5 to 30 seconds. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydroquinone derivatives are chlorohydroquinone or methylhydroquinone. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 1, wherein the content of hydroquinone or hydroquinone derivatives in the developing solution is 1 to 35 g per liter of the solution. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 1, wherein the content of hydroquinone or hydroquinone derivatives in the developing solution is 5 to 30 g per liter of the solution. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface tension of the developing solution is not more than 45 dyn/cm at 30° C. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface tension of the developing solution is not more than 40 dyn/cm at 30° C. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 1, wherein the developing solution further contains at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of an anion, a cation and an amphoteric surfactant. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 13, wherein the surfactant content of the developing solution is 0.01 to 50 g/l. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 13, wherein the surfactant content of the developing solution is 0.05 to 30 g/l. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 1, wherein development is carried out by feeding the developing solution to the material transported in a downward direction.