APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THERMALLY PROCESSING AN IMAGING MATERIAL EMPLOYING MEANS FOR BENDING THE IMAGING MATERIAL DURING THERMAL PROCESSING

摘要

A thermal processor and method for using the same which is particularly useful for developing a sheet of imaging material, such as photothermographic film. The thermal processor including means for heating the imaging material which include a plurality of heated surfaces within the thermal processor. The thermal processor also includes means for transporting the imaging material through the thermal processor and means for bending the imaging material a plurality of times to have a plurality of curvatures and for positioning the imaging material adjacent to the plurality of heated surfaces when the imaging material is heated by the heating means.