Method for processing light sensitive silver halide color photographic material

Abstract

 Disclosed is a method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material comprising processing the light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material, which comprises a support and silver halide emulsion layers which are respectively blue-sensitive, green-sensitive or red-sensitive and are provided on the support, the material has a DIR compound, and at least one of the blue-, green- and red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers have a single layer constitution, within a color developing time of 120 seconds. According to the present invention, a method for processing a light-sensitive color photographic material suitable for full color photographing can be conducted.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a method for processing a light-sensitive color photographic material suitable for full color photographing, particularly to a method for processing a negative-type light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material of which at least one color sensitive layer is a single layer.

[0002] Presently, color photography widely spread is the so-called nega-posi system in which photographing is practiced with a color negative film and color print is effected by enlarging onto a color paper. One of the reasons is that a color negative film has very broad exposure latitude, with very little probability of failure during photographing, and even users in general having no special knowledge can take color photographs without any particular concern.

[0003] "Having broad exposure latitude" refers to the fact that the gradation is good over wide exposure dose range from the shadow portion with little exposure dose to the high-light portion with much exposure dose in the so-called characteristic curve in which the exposure dose is taken on the axis of abscissa and the color formed density on the axis of ordinate.

[0004] If the gradation is inferior, color reproducibility, tone reproducibility will be deteriorated.

[0005] Color negative film, as different from color reversal film or color paper, is a light-sensitive material for which gradation is demanded to be strictly controlled over wider range of exposure dose, and for that reason, color negative films for photography commercially available at the present time are made to have an overlaid constitution comprising a plurality of emulsion layers of higher sensitivity layer containing greater grain sizes and lower sensitivity layer containing smaller grain sizes for the respective color sensitive layers to the light of blue color, green color and red color. Further, the so-called DIR compound for forming consequently a developing inhibitor through the reaction with the oxidized product of the developing agent is employed.

[0006] Such technique is inherent in color negative film, and particularly the DIR compound improves not only gradation but also sharpness, graininess, color reproducibility, and is essential in color negative film.

[0007] For such reasons that a color negative film has an overlaid constitution by use of a plurality of emulsion layers containing silver halide grains with different grain sizes as described above, and further that it further strictly controls gradation by use of a DIR compound, stability to processing conditions is inferior (because a color negative film is processed under various laboratories as compared with color reversal film, developing processing is conducted under processing conditions with great width of fluctuation. Therefore, a color negative film is particularly demanded to have high degree of stability to fluctu ation in processing conditions.), etc., it has drawbacks such that gradation is deteriorated, color reproducibility and tone reproducibility are deteriorated, etc.

[0008] Such drawbacks will become further greater in making developing processing more rapid as strongly demanded in this field of the art. Also, when developing processing is made more rapid, there will ensue the problems of lowering in the maximum color formation density, deterioration of sharpness, etc.

[0009] As the technique for improving such gradation stability, there has been known the method in which after chemical sensitization of the silver halide emulsion with equal mean grain size, sensitizing dyes are added to the respective emulsions with various molar ratios, and the emulsions are again mixed (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 244944/1985, etc.), but this remixed emulsion has the problem that adsorption equilibrium of the dyes between grains occurs undesirably during the stagnation period before coating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention has been accomplished in view of the task of the prior art as mentioned above, and its object is to provide a method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material which can obtain sufficient color formed density to give an image excellent in tone reproducibility, color reproducibility and also sharpness, even if developing processing is made more rapid.

[0011] In order to accomplish the above object, the method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to the present invention comprises processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photogra phic material, comprising a support and silver halide emulsion layers which are respectively blue-sensitive, green-sensitive or red-sensitive and are provided on the support, said material having a DIR compound, and at least one of said blue-, green- and red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers having a single layer constitution, within a color developing time of 120 seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] 

Fig. 1 is a graph showing the characteristic curves of the light-sensitive photographic material of the standard (broken line) and the subject to be evaluated (solid line).

Fig. 2 is a graph showing the point gamma of the light-sensitive photographic material of the standard (broken line) and the subject to be evaluated (solid line).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The DIR compound to be used in the light-sensitive material of the present invention is a compound which eliminates a developing inhibitor or a compound capable of releasing a developing inhibitor through the reaction with the oxidized product of the color developing agent.

[0014] The above-mentioned compound capable of releasing a developing inhibitor may be one which releases the developing inhibitor either imagewise or non-imagewise.

[0015] Imagewise release may be effected by, for example, the reaction with the oxidized product of the developing agent, while non-imagewise release by utilizing, for example, the TIME group as described below.

[0016] In the following, representative structural formulae are shown.

Formula (D-1)

A - (Y)m

wherein A represents a coupler residue, m represents 1 or 2, Y represents a group bonded to the coupling position of the coupler residue A and eliminatable through the reaction with the oxidized product of the color developing agent, which is a developing inhibitor group or a group capable of releasing a developing inhibitor.

[0017] In the formula (D-1), Y may be typically represented by the formulae (D-2) to (D-20) set forth below.

[0018] In the formulae (D-2) to (D-7), Rd₁ represents hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl, alkoxy, acylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, thiazolidinylideneamino, aryloxycarbonyl, acyloxy, carbamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyl, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl, nitro, amino, N-arylcarbamoyloxy, sulfamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyloxy, hydroxy, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkylthio, arylthio, aryl, heterocyclic, cyano, alkylsulfonyl or aryloxycarbonylamino group.

[0019] n represents 0, 1 or 2, and when n is 2, the respective Rd₁'s may be either the same or different. The total carbon atoms contained in n Rdi's may be 0 to 10.

[0020] On the other hand, the total number of the carbon atoms contained in Rd₁ in the formula (D-6) may be 0 to 15. In the above formula (D-6), X represents oxygen atom or sulfur atom.

[0021] In the formula (D-8), Rd₂ represents an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.

[0022] In the formula (D-9), Rd₃ represents hydrogen atom, or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group, Rd4 represents hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, alkanesulfonamide, cyano, heterocyclic, alkylthio or amino group.

[0023] When Rd₁, Rd₂, Rd₃ or Rd4 represents an alkyl group, the alkyl group may include those having substituents, and may be either straight or branched.

[0024] When Rd₁, Rd₂, Rd₃ or Rd₄ represents an aryl group, the aryl group may include those having substituents.

[0025] When Rd₁, Rd₂, Rd₃ or Rd₄ represents a heterocyclic group, the heterocyclic group may include those having substitu ents, preferably 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or fused rings containing at least one selected from nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom as the hetero atom, that may be selected from the groups of, for example, pyridyl, quinolyl, furyl, benzothiazolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, benzotriazolyl, imide, oxazine.

[0026] The carbon atoms contained in Rd₂ in the formula (D-8) may be 0 to 15.

[0027] In the above formula (D-9), the total carbon atoms contained in Rd₃ and Rd₄ may be 0 to 15.

wherein the TIME group is a group, bound to the coupling position of A and being cleavable through the reaction with the oxidized product of the color developing agent, which is a group cleaved successively after cleavage from the coupler and until finally can release the INHIBIT groups with adequate control; n is 1 to 3, and when it is 2 or 3, the respective TIME groups may be either the same or different. The INHIBIT group is a group which becomes a developing inhibitor by the above-mentioned release (e.g. the group represented by the above formulae (D-2) to (D-9)).

[0028] In the formula (D-10), the -TIME group may be typically represented by the formulae (D-11) to (D-19) set forth below.

[0029] In the formulae (D-11) to (D-15) and (D-18), Rd₅ represents hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, anilino, acylamino, ureido, cyano, nitro, sulfonamide, sulfamoyl, carbamoyl, aryl, carboxy, sulfo, hydroxy or alkanesulfonyl group. In the formulae (D-11) to (D-13), (D-15) and (D-18), Rds's may be mutually bonded together to form a fused ring. In the formulae (D-11), (D-14), (D-15) and (D-19), Rd₆ represents an alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic or aryl group. In the formulae (D-16) and (D- 17), Rd₇ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic or aryl group. Each of Rd_s and Rd₉ in the formulae (D-19) represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group (preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms), k in the formulae (D-11) and (D-15) to (D-18) represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2, 1 in the formulae (D-11) to (D-13). (D-15) and (D-18) represents an integer of 1 to 4, m in the formula (D-16) represents an integer of 1 or 2. When I and m are 2 or more, the respective Rds and Rd₇ may be either the same or different. n in the formula (D-19) represents an integer of 2 to 4, and Rd₈ and Rd_s in number of n may be each the same or different. B in the formulae (D-16) to (D-18) represents oxygen atom or

(Rd₆ represents the same meaning as already defined), and in the formula (D-16) may be either a single bond or a double bond, and m is 2 in the case of the single bond and m is 1 in the case of the double bond.

wherein T, represents a component which cleaves SR(̵T₂)̵_m-INHIBIT, SR a component which forms (̵T₂ )̵_mINHIBIT through the reaction with the oxidized product of the developing agent after formation of SR(̵T₂ )̵_mINHIBIT, T₂ a component which cleaves INHIBIT after formation of (̵T₂)̵_mINHIBIT, INHIBIT a developing inhibitor and I and m each 0 or 1.

[0030] The component represented by SR may be one which can form the component as mentioned above through the reaction with the oxidized product of the developing agent, and may include, for example, a coupler component which undergoes the coupling reaction with the oxidized product of the developing agent or a redox component which undergoes the redox reaction with the oxidized product of the developing agent.

[0031] As the coupler component, there may be included yellow couplers, magenta couplers, cyan couplers such as acylacetanilides, 5-pyrazolones, pyrazoloazoles, phenols, naphthols, acetophenones, indanones, carbamoylacetanilides, 2(5H)-imidazolones, 5-isoxazolones, uracils, homophthalimides, oxazolones, 2,5-thiadiazoline-1,1-dioxides, triazolothiadiazines, indoles, etc., and otherwise those which form various dyes or form no dye.

[0032] The (̵T₁ )̵-SR(̵T₂ )̵_m INHIBIT should be preferably bonded to the active site of the component A of the formula (D-1).

[0033] When SR is a coupler component, SR is bonded to (̵T₁ ( and (̵T₂)̵_mINHIBIT so as to function for the first time as the coupler after cleavage from (̵T₁ )̵.

[0034] For example, when the coupler component is a phenol or a naphthol and the oxygen atom of hydroxyl group is a 5-pyrazolone, the oxygen atom at the 5-position, or the nitrogen atom at the 2-position of the enantiomer, and also the oxygen atom of hydroxyl group of the enantiomer in acetophenones or indanones should be preferably bonded to SR (̵T₁ )̵, and (̵T₂)̵_m INHIBIT to the active site of the coupler.

[0035] In the case when SR is a redox component, its examples may include hydroquinones, catechols, pyrogallols, aminophenols (e.g. p-aminophenols, o-aminophenols), naphthalenediols (e.g. 1,2-naphthalenediols, 1,4-naphthalenediols, 2,6-naphthalenediols), or aminonaphthols (e.g. 1,2-aminonaphthols, 1,4-aminonaphthols, 2,6-aminonaphthols), etc.

[0036] In the case when SR is a redox component, SR is bonded to (T )̵ and (̵T₂)̵_mINHIBIT so as to function for the first time as the redox component after cleavage from (T2 )̵.

[0037] Examples of the group represented by T, and T₂ may include those represented by the formulae (D-11) to (D-19) as described above.

[0038] As the developing inhibitor represented by INHIBIT, for example, those represented by the formulae (D-2) to (D-9) as described above may be included.

[0039] Among the DIR compounds, preferable are those wherein Y is represented by the formula (D-2), (D-3), (D-8), (D-10) or (D-20), and among (D-10) and (D-20), those wherein INHIBIT is represented by the formula (D-2), (D-3), (D-6) (particularly when X of (D-6) is oxygen atom), or (D-8) are preferred.

[0040] As the coupler residue represented by A in the formula (D-1), yellow color image forming coupler residues, magenta color image forming coupler residues, cyan color image forming coupler residues and no color exhibiting coupler residues may be included.

[0041] As preferable DIR compounds to be used in the present invention, the compounds as shown below may be included, but these are not limitative of the invention.

Exemplary compounds

[0042] 

[0043] Specific examples of the DIR compounds which can be used in the present invention, including these are described in U.S. Patents 4,234,678, 3,227,554, 3,617,291, 3,958,993, 4,149,886, 3,933,500, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications Nos. 56837/1982 and 13239/1976, U.S. Patents 2,072,363 and 2,070,266, Research Disclosure No. 21228, December, 1981, etc.

[0044] The DIR compound should be preferably used in an amount of 0.0001 to 0.1 mole, particularly 0.001 to 0.05 mole, per mole of silver halide.

[0045] The place in which the DIR compound to be used in the present invention is added may be any place which can affect developing of the silver halide in the emulsion layer of single layer constitution, preferably in a silver halide emulsion layer, more preferably in an emulsion layer having a single layer constitution.

[0046] The constitution that the color sensitive layer is a single layer is also inclusive of the case when a plurality of emulsion layers which are the same in color sensitivity, being the same in the kind of the couplers contained in the emulsion layers, grain sizes of the silver halide grains, the halogen compositions and crystal habits, and also the ratio of the coupler to the silver halide, are arranged as continuous layers.

[0047] Here, "the same in color sensitivity" or "the same color sensitivity" may be the same in the point of, for example, blue sensitivity, green sensitivity, red sensitivity, and is not required to be totally the same in spectral sensitivity characteristics.

[0048] In the present invention, the blue-sensitive layer should be preferably a single layer, and further preferably, both the blue-sensitive layer and the green-sensitive layer should be single layers. Particularly, all of the blue-sensitive, green-sensitive and red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers should be preferably single layers, respectively.

[0049] When the same color sensitive layer has a single layer constitution, the number of the layers coated of the light-sensitive layer can be reduced as compared with the overlaid constitution of the prior art, whereby the film can be made thinner. Therefore, production efficiency, sharpness are improved, and graininess is also improved. The film thickness should be preferably 20 to 3 um, particularly 15 to 5 αm, after drying.

[0050] The exposure latitude is the width of light received at which the exposure effect with a significant difference can be exhibited, particularly the exposure region from the highlight to the deep shadow in the characteristic curve, and is determined by the method defined in "Shashin no Kagaku" (Chemistry of Photography), p. 393 (Shashin Kogyo Shuppansha, 1982).

[0051] More specifically, it is the difference in log H between the two points where the slope of the tangential line at the toe portion and the shoulder portion of the characteristic curve represented with log H as the axis of abscissa and the transmission density as the axis of ordinate becomes 0.2.

[0052] The light-sensitive material should be preferably one having an exposure latitude measured according to the method as described above of 3.0 or more, particularly 3.0 to 8.0.

[0053] As the means for making the exposure latitude of the silver halide emulsion layer which is a single layer wide, e.g. 3.0 or more, it is possible to use the method in which silver halide grains with different sensitivities are used as a mixture. Specifically, there may be included, for example, the method in which silver halide grains. with different grain sizes are used as a mixture, and the method in which the desensitizer is contained in at least a part of the silver halide grains.

[0054] For obtaining wide exposure latitude, there have been a method using two kinds of mono-emulsified grains which are different in mean grain size and respectively sensitized. In this instance, the grain group having a larger mean grain size should preferably be in the range of 0.2 to 2.0 µm and the grain group having a smaller mean grain size, 0.05 to 1.0 um, and the mean grain size of the latter group is smaller than that of the former group. Also, one or more of silver halide grains having an intermediate mean grain size may be combined.

[0055] Also, the mean grain size of the silver halide grains with the maximum mean grain size should be preferably 1.5 to 40 times as that of the silver halide grain with the minimum mean grain size.

[0056] For obtaining a broad exposure latitude, silver halide grains with different mean grain sizes can be also used as a mixture, but by using silver halide grains containing a desensitizer in place of the low sensitivity silver halide grains with small grain sizes, the mean grain size difference can be made smaller without changing the sensitivity of the silver halide grains, and further it becomes possible to use silver halide grains with equal mean grain size and different sensitivities.

[0057] Thus, by use of silver halide grains containing a desensitizer, the exposure latitude can be obtained even if the fluctuation coefficient of the grains as a whole may be made smaller.

[0058] Therefore, these silver halide grains with small fluctuation coefficient exposed to the same environment are preferably stabilized in photographic performances relative to changes with lapse of time and fluctuations in developing processing. Further, in aspect of production technique, it becomes also possible to sensitize chemically a mixed system of silver halide grains with different sensitivities in the same batch.

[0059] As the desensitizer, in addition to metal ions, various ones such as antifoggants, stabilizers, desensitizing dyes, etc. can be used.

[0060] In the present invention, the metal ion doping method is preferred. As the metal ion to be used for doping, there may be included the metal ions of the groups Ib, Ilb, Illa, lllb, Iνb, Va, VIII in the periodic table of elements. Preferable metal ions may include Au, Zn, Cd, TI, Sc, Y, Bi, Fe, Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pr, Sm and Yb. Particularly, Rh, Ru, Os and Ir are preferred. These metal ions can be used as, for example, halogeno complexes, etc., and the pH of the AgX system during doping should be preferably 5 or less.

[0061] The amount of these metal ions doped will differ variously depending on the kind of the metal ion, the grain size of the silver halide grains, the doping position of the metal ion, the desired sensitivity, etc., but may be preferably 10-¹⁷ to 10-² mole, further 10-¹² to 10-³ mole, particularly 10-⁹ to 10-⁴ mole, per mole of AgX.

[0062] Further, by selection of the kind of the metal ion, the doping position and the doping amount, various different qualities can be given to the silver halide grains.

[0063] With a doping amount of 10-² mole/AgX or less, no great influence will be scarcely given to the growth of the grains, and hence silver halide grains with small grain size distribution can be prepared under the same grain growth conditions, even by growth in the same batch.

[0064] After the silver halide grains with different doping conditions are adjusted in conditions to be provided for practical application, these can be also made up in the same batch by mixing at a predetermined ratio and subjected to chemical sensitization. The respective silver halide gains receive the sensitizing effects based on their qualities, whereby an emulsion having a broad exposure latitude depending on the sensitivity difference and the mixing ratio can be obtained.

[0065] As the above-mentioned antifoggants or stabilizers, there may be included azoles, (e.g. benzothiazolium salt, indazoles, triazoles, benztriazoles, benzimidazoles, etc.), heterocyclic mercapto compounds (e.g. mercaptotetrazoles, mercaptothiazoles, mercaptothiadiazoles, mercaptobenzthiazoles, mercaptobenzimidazoles, mercaptopyrimidines, etc.), azaindenes (e.g. tetraazaindenes, pentaazaindenes, etc.), decomposed products of nucleic acids (e.g. adenine, guanine, etc.), benzenethiosulfonates, thioketo compounds, and others.

[0066] As the desensitizing dyes, there may be included cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes, complex cyanine dyes, complex merocyanine dyes, holopolar cyanine dyes, hemicyanine dyes, styryl dyes and hemioxonol dyes, etc.

[0067] As the position where the desensitizer exists, it should be preferably mixed internally of the silver halide grains, and its distribution may be either uniform, localized at the central portion of grain or the intermediate positions, etc., or also gradually reduced from the central portion of grain toward outside in viewpoint of the storability of the light-sensitive material and the stability of the digestion stability of the coating liquid.

[0068] From the standpoint of production efficiency, the case where the desensitizer exists as localized at the central portion of grain is preferable, and by use of the system in which seed grains with small fluctuation coefficient are used, the steps of grain growth et seq can be proceeded in the same batch.

[0069] The light-sensitive material of the present invention should desirably have at least one color sensitive layer (e.g. blue-sensitive layer) containing AgX grains containing a desensitizer. Preferably, it is the case when the blue-sensitive layer contains AgX grains containing a desensitizer, more preferably when the blue-sensitive layer and the green-sensitive layer contain them, most preferably when all of the color sensitive layers contain them.

[0070] Also, the fluctuation coefficient defined by the ratio S/ r of the standard deviation of grain size (S) as the silver halide grains contained in the respective silver halide emulsion layers and the mean grain size ( r ) should be preferably 0.4 or less, more preferably 0.33 or less, further preferably 0.25 or less, particularly preferably 0.20 or less.

[0071] The mean grain size ( r ) is defined by the following formula when the number of grains with a grain size ri (in the case of a cubic silver halide grain, its length of one side, or in the case of a grain with other shape than cubic, the length of one side of the cube calculated to have the same volume) is ni:

[0072] The relationship of grain size distribution can be determined according to the method described in the essay of Tribel and Smith in "Empirical Relationship between Sensitometry Distribution and Grain Size Distribution in Photography", The Photographic Journal, vol. LXXIX (1949), p.p. 330 - 338.

[0073] As the silver halide emulsion to be used in the light-sensitive material of the present invention, any of conventional silver halide emulsions can be used, but a silver halide containing substantially iodine in the halogen composition (e.g. silver iodobromide, silver iodochlorobromide) may be preferable, particularly preferably silver iodobromide with respect to sensitivity. The amount of iodine may be preferably I mole % or more and 20 mole % or less, particularly 3.5 mole % or more 12 mole % or less.

[0074] A coreishell type silver halide emulsion to be used in the present invention preferably has a grain structure comprising two or more phases different in silver iodide content and comprises silver halide grains in which a phase containing a maximum silver iodide content (referred to as "core") is other than the outermost surface layer (referred to as "shell").

[0075] The content of silver iodide in an inner phase (core) having the maximum silver iodide content is preferably 6 to 40 mole %, more preferably 8 to 40 mole %, particularly preferably 10 to 40 mole %. The content of silver iodide in the outermost surface layer is preferably less than 6 mole %, more preferably 0 to 4.0 mole %.

[0076] A ratio of the shell portion in the core/shell type silver halide grains is preferably 10 to 80 %, more preferably 15 to 70 %, particularly preferably 20 to 60 % in terms of volume.

[0077] Also, a ratio of the core portion is preferably, in terms of volume, 10 to 80 %, more preferably 20 to 50 % based on the whole grains.

[0078] Difference of silver iodide content between the core portion having higher silver iodide content and the shell portion having less silver iodide content of the silver halide grains may be clear with sharp boundary or may be hazy where boundary is not clear and the content continuously changes. Also, those having an intermediate phase with silver iodide content between those of the core portion and the shell portion, between the core and the shell, may be preferably used.

[0079] In case of the core/shell type silver halide grains having the above intermediate phase, a volume of the intermediate phase is preferably 5 to 60 %, more preferably 20 to 55 % based on the whole grain. Differences of the silver iodide content between the shell and the intermediate phase, and between the intermediate phase and the core are each preferably 3 mole % or more and the difference of the silver iodide content between the shell and the core is preferably 6 mole % or more.

[0080] The core/shell type silver halide emulsion can be prepared according to the known methods as disclosed in Japanese Provisional Patent Publications No. 177535/1984, No. 138538/1985. No. 52238/1984, No. 143331/1985, No. 35726/1985 and No. 258536/1985.

[0081] For producing silver iodobromide or silver bromide, soluble silver salt and soluble halide are generally used, but as is clear from the examples mentioned below, iodide salts are preferably used in t!:e form of silver iodide fine crystals in viewpoint of preservability and processing stability of the light-sensitive material.

[0082] Also, silver iodobromide fine crystals having high Agl content are similarly and preferably used as the silver iodide fine crystals.

[0083] Distribution condition of the silver iodide in the above core/shell type silver halide grains can be determined by various physical measuring method and, for example, it can be examined by the measurement of luminescence at low temperature or X-ray diffraction method as described in Lecture Summary of Annual Meeting, Japanese Photographic Association, 1981.

[0084] The core/shell type silver halide grain may be any shape of normal crystal such as cubic, tetradecahedral and octahedral, or twinned crystal, or mixtures thereof, but preferably normal crystal grains.

[0085] Said emulsion can be chemically sensitized in conventional manner, and optically sensitized to a desired wavelength region by use of a sensitizing dye.

[0086] In the silver halide emulsion, antifoggants, stabilizers, etc. can be added. As the binder for said emulsion, gelatin can be advantageously used.

[0087] The emulsion layer and other hydrophilic colloid layers can be hardened, and also a plasticizer and a dispersion (latex) of a water-soluble or difficultly soluble synthetic polymer can be contained therein.

[0088] In the emulsion layer of a light-sensitive material for color photography, couplers are used.

[0089] Further, there can be used colored couplers having the effect of color correction, competitive couplers and compounds releasing photographically useful fragments such as developer, silver halide solvent, toning agents, film hardeners, antifoggants, chemical sensitizers, spectral sensitizers and desensitizers through the coupling with the oxidized product of the developing agent.

[0090] In the light-sensitive material, auxiliary layers such as filter layer, antihalation layer, anti-irradiation layer, etc. can be provided. In these layers and/or emulsion layers, a dye which flows out from the light-sensitive material or bleached during developing processing may be also contained.

[0091] In the light-sensitive material, formalin scavenger, fluorescent brightener, matte agent, lubricant, image stabilizer, surfactant, color fog preventive, developing accelerator, developing retarder, bleaching accelerator, etc. can be added.

[0092] For the support, papers laminated with polyethylene, etc., polyethylene terephthalate film, baryta film, cellulose triacetate, etc. can be used.

[0093] The light-sensitive material of the present invention is particularly useful as the negative-type light-sensitive material.

[0094] For obtaining a dye image by use of the light-sensitive material of the present invention, after exposure, color photographic processings generally known in the art can be performed.

[0095] In the present invention, after imagewise exposure of the light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material as described above, it is processed in the steps including color developing processing and desiliverization processing such as bleaching, fixing, etc., and during such processings, the time required for said color developing processing is within 120 seconds, preferably within the range from 20 to 120 seconds, more preferably from 40 to 100 seconds.

[0096] In the following, the developing agent to be used in the color developing solution according to the present invention is to be described.

[0097] In the color developing solution, preferably aromatic primary amine type developing agent is used, and various known ones used widely in color photographic processes may be included. These developers include aminophenol type and p-phenylene diamine type derivatives. These compounds are generally used in the forms of salts, such as hydrochlorides or sulfates, because they are more stable than free state.

[0098] Examples of aminophenol type developers may include o-aminophenol, p-aminophenol, 5-amino-2-oxy- toluene, 2-amino3-oxy-toluene, 2-oxy-3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-benzene, etc.

[0099] Preferable as p-phenylenediamine type developers are N,N -dialkyl-p-phenylenediamine type compounds, and the alkyl group and the phenylene group may be also substituted. Among them, examples of particularly useful compounds can include N,N'-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine hydrochloride, N-methyl-p-phenylenediamine hydrochloride, N,N'-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine hydrochloride, 2-amino-5-(N-ethyl-N-dodecylamino)-toluene, N-ethyl-N-β-methanesulfoneamidoethyl-3-methyl-4-aminoaniline sulfate, N-ethyl-N-p- hydroxyethylaminoaniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-N,N'-diethylaniline, 4-amino-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-ethyl-3-methylaniline-p-toluenesulfonate, etc.

[0100] As particularly useful aromatic primary amine color developers, various compounds disclosed on pages 79 to 86 in Japanese Patent Application No. 162885/1986 can be used. The above-mentioned aromatic primary amine color developing agent may be contained within the range preferably of 2 x 10-² or more, more preferably from 2.5 x 10-² to 2 x 10-¹ mole, particularly from 3 x 10-² to 1 x 10^-1 mole, per one liter of developing solution.

[0101] As preferable compounds to be used in color developing solutions, there are sulfites, hydroxylamine, developing inhibitors.

[0102] As sulfites, there are sodium sulfite, sodium hydrogen sulfite, potassium sulfite, potassium hydrogen sulfite, etc., which may be preferably used within the range from 0.1 to 40 g/liter, more preferably from 0.5 to 10 g/liter.

[0103] Hydroxylamine may be used as pair salt in hydrochlorides, sulfates, etc., preferably within the range from 0.1 to 40 g/liter, more preferably from 0.5 to 10 g/liter.

[0104] As the inhibitor, there are halides such as sodium bromide, potassium bromide, sodium iodide, potassium iodide, etc., and as the organic inhibitor, there may be included the compounds shown below, and the amount added may be within the range from 0.005 to 20 giliter, preferably from 0.01 to g/liter.

[0105] In the color developing solution, it is further preferable to use an organic inhibitor. As such organic inhibitor, those disclosed on pages 88 to 105 in Japanese Patent Application No. 162885/1986 can be used.

[0106] The color developing solution should preferably contain the compound of the following formula (IS).

In the formula (IS), Rs¹ represents -OH, -ORS⁴ or

Rs⁴ and Rs^s each represent an alkyl group, and the alkyl group represented by each of Rs⁴ and R_S⁵ include also those having substituents (e.g. hydroxyl group, aryl group such as phenyl group, etc.), and methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, benzyl, S-hydroxyethyl, dodecyl groups, etc. may be included.

[0107] Rs² and Rs³ each represent -H or

and Rs⁶ represents an alkyl or aryl group, and the alkyl group represented by Rs⁶ may include, for example, a long chain alkyl group such as undecyl group, etc.

[0108] Xs and Ys are each carbon atom and hydrogena atom for forming a 6-membered ring together with another group of atoms, and Zs represents -N = or -CH =.

[0109] Here, when Zs represents -N =, the compound represented by the formula (IS) is typically a citrazinic acid derivative, and when Z represents -CH =, the compound represented by the formula (IS) is typically a benzoic acid deivative, and the 6-membered ring as the whole compound may also include those having substituents such as halogen atoms, etc. Preferable as the Zs is -N=.

[0110] In the following, specific examples of the compounds represented by the formula (IS) are shown, but the present invention is not limited to these.

Exemplary compounds

[0111] 

[0112] The compound represented by the formula (IS) should be preferably used in an amount of, for example, 0.1 g to 50 g, more preferably 0.2 g to 20 g, per one liter of the color developing solution.

[0113] In the color developing solution to be used in the present invention, further various components conventionally added can be incorporated as desired, including, for example, alkali agents such as sodium hydoxide, sodium carbonate, etc., alkali metal thiocyanates, alkali metal halides, benzyl alcohol, water softeners and thickeners, and developing accelerators, etc.

[0114] As other additives than those mentioned above to be added in the above-mentioned developing solution, there are anti-staining agents, anti-sludge agents, preservatives, overlaying effect accelerators, chelating agents, etc.

[0115] In the present invention, the color developing solution should preferably used as pH 9 or higher, particularly at pH 9 to 13.

[0116] The processing temperature in the color developing step should be preferably 10 to 65 °C, more preferably 25 to 45 C.

[0117] The processing of the light-sensitive photographic material of the present invention is not particularly limited, but various processing methods are applicable. For example, as representative methods, there may be employed any of the method in which after color developing, bleaching-fixing processing is performed, and if necessary, further water washing or stabilizing processing substituting for water washing is performed; the method in which after color developing, bleaching and fixing are performed separately, and if necessary, further water washing or stabilizing processing substituting for water washing is performed; or the method in which pre-film hardening, neutralizaton, color developing, stopping-fixing, water washing (or stabilizing processing substituting for water washing), bleaching, fixing, water washing (or stabilizing processing substitu-ting for water washing), post-film hardening, water washing (or stabilizing processing substituting for water washing) are performed in the order mentioned; the method in which color developing, water washing (or stabilizing processing substituting for water washing), supplementing color developing, stopping, bleaching, fixing, water washing (or stabilizing processing substituting for water washing), stabilizing are performed in the order mentioned; the developing method in which after the developed silver formed by color developing is subjected to halogenation bleaching and then the amount of the dye formed is increased by performing again color developing, etc.

[0118] As the bleaching agent to be used in the bleaching solution or the bleach-fixer in the bleaching step, organic acids such as aminopolycarboxylic acid or oxalic acid, citric acid, etc. having metal ions such as iron, cobalt, copper, etc. coordinated have been generally known. And, representative examples of the above-mentioned aminopolycarboxylic acid may include the following:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid,

Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid,

Propylenediaminetetraacetic acid,

Nitrilotriacetic acid,

Iminodiacetic acid,

Glycol ether diaminetetraacetic acid,

Ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid,

Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate,

Pentadsodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, and

Sodium nitrilotriacetate.

[0119] The bleaching solution and the bleach-fixer can be used at pH 0.2 to 9.5, preferably 4.0 or higher, more preferably 5.0 or higher. The processing temperature may be used at 20 C to 80 C, desirably at 40 C or higher.

[0120] The bleaching solution can contain various additives together with the bleaching agent as mentioned above (preferably organic acid ferric complexes). As the additives, particularly alkali halides or ammonium halides, such as potassium bromide, sodium bromide, sodium chloride, ammonium bromide, potassium iodide, sodium iodide, ammonium iodide, etc. should be desirably contained. Also, those conventionally known to be added in bleaching solutions can be conveniently added, including pH buffering agents such as borates, oxalates, acetates, carbonates, phosphates, etc.; solubilizing agents such as triethanolamine, etc.; acetylacetone, phosphonocarboxylic acids, polyphosphoric acids, organic phosphonic acids, oxycarboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids, alkylamines, polyethylene oxides, etc.

[0121] For the bleach-fixer, there can be used bleach-fixers comprising compositions having halogen compounds such as potassium bromide added in small amounts, or bleach-fixers comprising compositions having halogen compounds such as potassium bromide or ammonium bromide added contrariwise in large amounts, and further special bleach-fixers comprising combinations of bleaching agents and large amounts of halogen compounds such as potassium bromide, etc.

[0122] As the halogen compounds as mentioned above, there can be also used, other than potassium bromide, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, lithium bromide, sodium bromide, ammoium bromide, potassium iodide, sodium iodide, ammonium iodide, etc.

[0123] As the silver halide fixer to be contained in the bleach-fixer, compounds which form water soluble complexes by the reaction with silver halides as used in conventional fixing processing are representative, for example, thiosulfates such as potassium thiosulfate, sodium thiosulfate, ammonium thiosulfate, thiocyanates such as potassium thiocyanate, sodium thiocyanate, ammonium thiocyanate, thiourea, thioether, and bromides and iodides of high concentrations, etc. These fixers can be used in amounts within the range which can dissolve 5 g/liter or more, preferably 50 g/liter or more, more preferably 70 g/liter or more.

[0124] In the bleach-fixer, similarly as in the case of bleaching solution, pH buffering agents comprising various kinds of salts such as boric acid, borax, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, acetic acid, sodium acetate, ammonium hydroxide, etc. can be contained singly or in a combination of two or more kinds. Further, various fluorescent brighteners, defoaming agents, surfactants or antifungal agents can be contained. Also, there can be contained conveniently preservatives such as hydroxylamine, hydrazine, sulfites, metabisulfites, bisulfuric acid adducts of aldehyde or ketone compounds, etc.; organic chelating agents such as acetylacetone, phosphonocarboxylic acid, polyphosphoric acid, organic phosphonic acid, oxycarboxylic acid, polycarboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid and aminopolycarboxylic acid, etc.; or stabilizers such as nitroalcohol, nitrates, etc.; solubilizing agents such as alkanolamine, etc.; anti-staining agents such as organic amines, etc.; other additives; organic solvents such as methanol, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, etc.

[0125] According to the processing method of the present invention, it is the most preferable processing system to perform bleaching or bleaching and fixing immediately after color developing, but bleaching or bleaching and fixing processing may be also performed after performing water washing or rinsing and stopping, etc. after color developing, and also a pre-bath containing a bleaching accelerator may be used as the processing liquor prior to bleaching or bleaching and fixing.

[0126] In the processing method of the light-sensitive silver halide photographic material of the present invention, the processing temperatures in various processing steps other than developing, for example, bleaching and fixing (or bleaching and fixing), and further water washing or stabilizing substituting for water washing, etc. which are performed, if necessary, should be preferably 20° C to 80 C, more preferably 40 C or higher.

[0127] In the present invention, it is preferable to perform stabilizing processing substituting for water washing as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications Nos. 14834/1983, 105145/1983, 134634_/1983, 18631/1983, and Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2709/1983 and 89288/1984.

Examples

[0128] The present invention is described in more detail by referring to Examples.

[0129] Prior to Examples, the silver halide emulsions to be used in Examples were prepared.

Preparation of mono-dispersed emulsion

[0130] Into a reaction vessel in which an aqueous gelatin had been thrown, while controlling the pAg and the pH in the reaction vessel and also controlling the addition time, were added at the same time an aqueous silver nitrate solution, an aqueous potassium iodide solution and an aqueous potassium bromide solution, and then precipitation and desalting were practiced by use of a pH coagulatable gelatin, followed by addition of gelatin to prepare a seed emulsion. The emulsion obtained is called NE-1.

[0131] Also, a seed emulsion was prepared in the same manner as described above except for adding K₃RhCI_G in the reaction vessel (NE-2). The emulsions and their contents are shown in Table 1.

[0132] In a reaction vessel in which the above seed emulsion and an aqueous gelatin had been added, while controlling the pAg and the pH in the reaction vessel, were added an aqueous ammoniacal silver nitrate solution, an aqueous potassium iodide solution and an aqueous potassium bromide solution in proportion to the surface area during the grain growth, followed by subsequent addition in place of the aqueous potassium bromide solution at an adequate grain size. After precipitation and desalting were practiced similarly as in the case of seed emulsion, gelatin was added to effect re-dispersion to give an emulsion of pAg 7.8 and pH 6.0.

[0133] Thus, silver iodobromide emulsions EM-1 to EM-3 with high iodine contents internally of grains were prepared.

[0134] The emulsions and their contents are shown in Table 2.

Example 1

Preparation of Sample No. 101 (Control)

[0135] On a cellulose acetate support applied with subbing working was prepared a multi-layer color light-sensitive material No. 101 with an overlaid constitution comprising the composition shown below.

[0136] The amounts coated are indicated in the amount represented in g/m² unit calculated on silver for silver halide and colloidal silver, the amount represented in gim² unit for the additive and gelatin, and further in moles per mole of silver within the same layer for sensitizing dye, coupler and DIR compound. The emulsion contained in each color sensitive emulsion layer was applied with optimum sensitization with sodium thiosulfate and chloroauric acid.

[0137] In the respective layers, other than the above components, surfactants were added as the coating aid.

Sensitizing dye I

[0138] 

Sensitizing dye II

[0139] 

Sensitizing dye III

[0140] 

Sensitizing dye IV

[0141] 

Sensitizing dye V

[0142] 

[0143] In the following description, the respective layers with the above compositions are referred to under the abbreviations indicated such as HC, IL-1, R-1, R-2, IL-2, G-1, G-2, YC, B-1, B-2, Pro-1 and Pro-2.

[0144] Next, Samples No. 102 to No. 105 were prepared.

[0145] Sample No. 102 was prepared in the same manner as Sample No. 101 except for omitting G-2 in Sample No. 101, changing the emulsion contained in G-1 to a mixture of equal moles of EM-1 and EM-2, increasing the amounts used of the emulsion, the gelatin and TCP contained in G-1 by 30 % (the amounts of the sensitizing dye, coupler and DIR compound of G-1 per mole of silver halide are the same as in Sample No. 01).

[0146] Sample No. 103 was prepared in the same manner as Sample No. 102 except for omitting B-2 in Sample No. 102, changing the emulsion contained in B-1 to a mixture of equal moles of EM-1 and EM-2, further increasing the amounts used of the emulsion, the gelatin and TCP contained in B-1 by 15 % (the amounts of the sensitizing dye and coupler of B-1 per mole of silver halide are the same as in Sample No. 102).

[0147] Sample No. 104 was prepared in the same manner as Sample No. 103 except for omitting R-2 in Sample No. 103, changing the emulsion contained in R-1 to a mixture of equal moles of EM-1 and EM-2, further increasing the amounts used of the emulsion, the gelatin and DOP contained in R-1 by 25 % (the amounts of the sensitizing dye, coupler and DIR compound of R-1 per mole of silver halide are the same as in Sample No. 103).

[0148] Sample No. 105 was prepared in the same manner as Sample No. 104 except for changing the emulsion contained in Sample No. 104 to EM-3.

[0149] The samples thus prepared and their contents are shown in Table 3.

[0150] The Samples Nos. 101 to 105 thus obtained were subjected to wedge exposure in conventional manner and processed according to the processing steps shown below. For the processed samples, gradation stability by processing, maximum density and sharpness (MTF value) were evaluated by performing sensitometry in conventional manner. Table 4 shows the results of the green-sensitive layers.

[0151] Gradation stability was evaluated as described below.

[0152] The evaluation method of gradation stability is to be described by use of drawings.

[0153] Fig. 1 shows the characteristic curve which is the standard (broken line) and the characteristic curve (solid line) to be evaluated. Fig. 2 shows the point gamma values of the respective exposure points from the exposure point which gives +0.1 to a density of the minimum density in Fig. 1 to the exposure point of ΔIogH = +3.0 (ΔIogH = 0.15 between the respective exposure points). From Fig. 2, the absolute values A-y of the difference of the point gamma values at the respective exposure points of the characteristic curve which is the standard and the characteristic curve to be evaluated are determined. Then, the gradation stability is represented by the mean value of A-y multiplied by 1000 (Δγ) and value of E of the standard deviation a of A-y multiplied by 1000. Thus, the difference in point gammas between the both characteristics is greater as the value of Δγis greater, and the gradation change is not uniform indicating poor gradation stability as the value of Σ is greater.

[0154] The above standard is in the case of processing for 195 seconds, and the subject to be evaluated is the case of processing for 60 to 150 seconds.

[0155] The respective processing liquor compositions are as shown below.

[0156] As is apparent from Table 4, it can be understood that in the present invention, gradation stability is good from the highlight portion to the shadow portion of the characteristic curve even the color developing processing is made rapid, gradation reproducibility is excellent, sufficient maximum density can be obtained, and also sharpness is excellent.

[0157] The samples according to the present invention (Nos. 102 to 105), although having little effect when processed by rapid processing for 150 seconds as compared with Control sample No. 101, is markedly improved in sharpness for a processing time of 120 seconds or shorter. This result was also unexpected to the present inventors.

[0158] When comparison is made among the samples according to the present invention (Nos. 102 to 105), when the processing time is 120 seconds or shorter, Sample Nos. 103 to 105 of which blue-sensitive layer and green-sensitive layer are made to have single layer constitutions are preferable with respect to gradation stability and sharpness, and further Sample Nos. 104 and 105 of which blue-sensitive layer, green-sensitive layer and red-sensitive layer are made to have single layer constitutions are preferable with respect to the above-mentioned points.

[0159] Since Sample No. 105 contains an emulsion doped with Rh ions internally of the grains, the grain size distributions of the silver halide grains of the respective color sensitive layers are narrow, and therefore it is particularly preferable with respect to gradation stability.

[0160] The emulsion contained in Sample No. 105 has preferably high production efficiency, because physical aging and chemical aging can be effected each once in preparation of the emulsion.

[0161] Also, the effects of the present invention could be recognized in the respective samples in which E-2. E-6 or E-10 were used in place of E-23 in G-1 of Sample 102, the respective samples in which E-2, E-17, E-19 or E-21 were employed in place of E-42 in R-1 of Sample No. 103, and in the respective samples obtained by replacing EM-3 in Sample 105 with the emulsion prepared by using, instead of NE-2, the seed emulsion prepared by adding RuCb, OsCb or Pb(N0₃)₂ in place of K₃RhCl₆.

[0162] Also, the effects of the present invention could be recognized when the exemplary compounds (15), (19), (21), (20), (10) or (6) were used in place of the exemplary compound (1) represented by the formula (IS) in the color developing solution. The samples used in the examples had the exposure latitude (Δlog H) of 3.0 or more.

Claims

1. A method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material comprising processing the light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material, comprising a support and silver halide emulsion layers which are respectively blue-sensitive, green-sensitive or red-sensitive and are provided on the support, said material having a DIR compound, and at least one of said blue-, green- and red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers having a single layer constitution, within a color developing time of 120 seconds.

2. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the DIR compound is contained in an amount of 0.0001 to 0.1 mol per mol of a silver halide in the material.

3. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 2, wherein the DIR compound is contained in an amount of 0.001 to 0.05 mol per mol of a silver halide in the material.

4. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the DIR compound is a compound represented by Formula (D-1):

A - (Y)m

wherein A represents a coupler residue, m represents 1 or 2, Y represents a group bonded to the coupling position of the coupler residue A and eliminatable through the reaction with the oxidized product of a color developing agent, which is a developing inhibitor group or a group capable of releasing a developing inhibitor.

5. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 4, wherein the group represented by Y is represented by Formulae (D-2) to (D-9) set forth below:

in Formulae (D-2) to (D-7), Rd, represents at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and an alkyl, alkoxy, acylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, thiazolidinylideneamino, aryloxycarbonyl, acyloxy, carbamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyl, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl, nitro, amino, N-arylcarbamoyloxy, sulfamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyloxy, hydroxy, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkylthio, arylthio, aryl, heterocyclic, cyano, alkylsulfonyl and aryloxycarbonylamino groups, n represents 0, 1 or 2, and when n is 2, the respective Rd₁'s may be either the same or different, the total carbon atoms contained in n Rdi's may be 0 to 10, the total number of the carbon atoms contained in Rd, in the formula (D-6) is 0 to 15;

in Formula (D-6), X represents oxygen atom or sulfur atom;

in Formula (D-8), Rd₂ represents at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an aryl group and a heterocyclic group;

in Formula (D-9), Rd₃ represents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom and an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and heterocyclic group, Rd4 represents at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, alkanesulfonamide, cyano, heterocyclic, alkylthio and amino group; when at least one of Rd₁, Rd₂, Rd₃ and Rd₄ represents an alkyl group, the alkyl group may include those having substituents, and may be either straight or branched; when at least one of Rd₁, Rd₂, Rd₃ and Rd₄ represents an aryl group, the aryl group may include those having substituents;

when at least one of Rdi, Rd₂, Rd₃ and Rd₄ represents a heterocyclic group, the heterocyclic group may include those having substituents;

the carbon atoms contained in Rd₂ in Formula (D-8) is 0 to 15; and

in Formula (D-9), the total carbon atoms contained in Rd₃ and Rd₄ is 0 to 15.

6. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 5, the group represented by Y in Formula (D-1) is represented by at least one of Formulae (D-2), (D-3) and (D-8).

7. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 4, wherein the coupler residue is at least one of yellow color image forming coupler residues, magenta color image forming coupler residues, cyan color image forming coupler residues and no color exhibiting coupler residues.

8. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 4, wherein the group represented by Y is a compound represented by Formula (D-10) set forth below:

-(TIME),; INHIBIT

wherein the TIME group is a group, bound to the coupling position of A and being cleavable through the reaction with the oxidized product of a color developing agent, which is a group cleaved successively after cleavage from the coupler and until finally can release the INHIBIT groups with adequate control; n is 1 to 3, and when it is 2 or 3, the respective TIME groups is either the same or different; and the INHIBIT group is a group which becomes a developing inhibitor by the release.

9. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 8, wherein the INHIBIT of Formula (D-10) is at least one group of Formulae (D-2), (D-3), (D-6) and (D-8).

10. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 9, wherein the X of the INHIBIT of Formula (D-10) is oxygen atom.

11. The mehtod for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 8, wherein the -TIME group of Fotmula (D-10) is represented by at least one of Formulae (D-11) to (D-19) set forth below:









in Formulae (D-11) to (D-15) and (D-18), Rd₅ represents at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, anilino, acylamino, ureido, cyano, nitro, sulfonamide, sulfamoyl, carbamoyl, aryl, carboxy, sulfo, hydroxy and alkanesulfonyl group; in Formulae (D-11) to (D-13), (D-15) and (D-18), Rd_s's may be mutually bonded together to form a fused ring; in Formulae (D-11), (D-14), (D-15) and (D-19), Rd₆ represents at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic and aryl group; in Formulae (D-16) and (D-17), Rd₇ represents at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom and an alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic and aryl group; each of Rdε and Rds in Formulae (D-19) represents at least one of hydrogen atom and an alkyl group, k in Formulae (D-11) and (D-15) to (D-18) represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2, I in the formulae (D-11) to (D-13), (D-15) and (D-18) represents an integer of 1 to 4, m in Formula (D-16) represents an integer of 1 or 2; when and m are 2 or more, the respective Rds and Rd₇ may be either the same or different; n in Formula (D-19) represents an integer of 2 to 4, and Rds and Rds in number of n may be each the same or different; B in Formulae (D-16) to (D-18) represents oxygen atom or

(Rd₆ represents the same meaning as already defined); and in Formula (D-16) may be either a single bond or a double bond, and m is in the case of the single bond and m is 1 in the case of the double bond.

12. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 4, wherein the group represented by Y of Formula (D-1) is a compound represented by Formula (D-20) set forth below:

wherein T, represents a component which cleaves SR (̵T₂)̵_mINHIBIT, SR represents a component which forms (̵T₂ )̵_mINHIBIT through the reaction with the oxidized product of a developing agent after formation of SR(̵T₂)̵_mINHIBIT, T₂ represents a component which cleaves INHIBIT after formation of (̵T₂)̵_m-INHIBIT, INHIBIT represents a developing inhibitor and and m are each 0 or 1.

13. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 12, wherein the component represented by SR is at least one selected from the group consisting of a coupler component which undergoes the coupling reaction with a oxidized product of a developing agent and a redox component which undergoes a redox reaction with a oxidized product of the developing agent.

14. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 13, wherein the coupler component represented by SR is at least one selected from the group consisting of acylacetanilides, 5-pyrazolones, pyrazoloazoles, phenols, naphthols, acetophenones, indanones, carbamoylacetanilides, 2(5H)-imidazolones, 5-isoxazolones, uracils, homophthal-imides, oxazolones, 2,5-thiadiazoiine-1,1-dioxides, triazolothiadiazines and indoles.

15. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 12, wherein, when the SR is a redox component, the group (̵T₁ )̵-SR(̵T₂)̵_mINHIBIT of formula (D-20) is bonded to the active site of the component A of Formula (D-1).

16. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 13, wherein the redox component represented by SR is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydroquinones, catechols, pyrogallols, aminophenols, naphthalenediols andaminonaphthols.

17. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 13, wherein, when SR is a redox component, the SR is bonded to (̵T₁ )̵and (̵T₂)̵_mINHIBIT so as to function for the first time as the redox component after cleavage from (̵T₁ )̵.

18. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the the DIR compound is added in a silver halide emulsion layer.

19. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the the DIR compound is added in at least one emulsion layer having a single layer constitution.

20. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the blue-sensitive layer is a single layer.

21. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 20, wherein the blue-sensitive layer and the green-sensitive layer is single layers.

22. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 21, wherein the all of the blue-sensitive, green-sensitive and red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers are single layers.

23. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the film thickness of the single layer is 20 to 3 µm, after drying.

24. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 23, wherein the film thickness of the single layer is 15 to 5 µm, after drying.

25. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the method for processing the light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material comprises at least color developing processing and desilverization processing after imagewise exposure of the material.

26. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the time for the color developing processing is within the range from 20 to 120 seconds.

27. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 26, wherein the time for the color developing processing is within the range from 40 to 100 seconds.

28. The method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer having the single layer constitution comprises silver halide grains containing a desensitizer and silver halide grains containing no desensitizer.

29. The light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material according to Claim 1, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer having the single layer constitution contains two or more groups of silver halide grains with different mean diameters.

Drawing