CH618526A5 - Apparatus for processing photographic film - Google Patents

Abstract

It is composed of elongate vertical vessels (14) having a common side wall. Each vessel (14) contains a specific processing fluid. The film (46) to be developed is attached to a carriage which includes a magnetic element. The carriage feeds the film (46) from the opening (57) in the vicinity of the first vessel (14a) towards the exit (59) of the final vessel (14g). In order to do this, an endless chain, which includes magnets, is placed in the vicinity of the common wall, but on the outside. Thus, at the start of the development, the carriage feeding the film (46) is guided by the magnets located on the outside, into the vessels (14) in a pre-established sequence. This apparatus reduces to a minimum the processing time, the waste and oxidation of the processing fluids and is suitable for black-and-white and colour films and for films of varied lengths and widths. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates generally to a photographic film processing apparatus using the magnetic attraction 60 for guiding the film in a series of vertical elongated tanks mounted in a housing, these tanks containing processing fluids.

Hitherto, for the development of black and white films and color films, the film is treated in a dark room in which it is passed from one treatment solution to another. The processing solutions are contained in large tanks. After this treatment, the film is washed and dried.

Each phase of this type of film development is done by hand, the processing takes a long time. Since the apparatus may require adjustments and changes made in the darkroom, this also requires additional time. In addition, the open tanks at the top allow exposure to excessive oxidation of sensitive treatment agents, resulting in additional expense for their replacement.

Recently appeared a photographic film developing apparatus using a spirally wound tube, each coil of which contains a selected processing fluid. A carriage on which a magnetic element is mounted crosses the spiral tube by pulling the film. This carriage is guided in the turns of the tube by means of a magnetic bar with vertical reciprocating movement which is magnetically sensitive to the magnetic element of the carriage. In addition, the carriage can be guided in the tube by a magnet fixed to a conveyor belt placed against the inner circumference of the turns of the tube. The invention described here is similar in some aspects to these development devices, but offers absolutely new additional advantages.

Thus the invention provides a photographic film processing apparatus, as defined in claim 1.

The invention minimizes the waste and oxidation of sensitive treatment fluids and is suitable for black and white films and color films of various lengths and widths such as roll film from 8 to 70 mm and flat film from 10 X 12.5 cm. The device is easy to clean and maintain and works efficiently with much reduced processing time. The apparatus further eliminates the processing of films by hand and the inadvertent processing of films with the wrong processing agent or the mixture of different processing agents.

In addition, the tanks containing the different treatment agents can be automatically reloaded according to the film format and the temperature of the tanks is regulated by circulation pumps and heat exchangers.

Films can be treated without the film rubbing against the walls. The film dragging can be eliminated by the use of drive rollers and idle rollers acting jointly with the carriage when the film passes through the various tanks.

The film attached to the carriage can thread itself into the tanks, which eliminates the need to stick a primer to one end of the film before processing.

The length of the film path in each tank can be adjusted, so that a correction can be made for an overexposed or underexposed film.

The apparatus preferably comprises a closed casing provided with an inlet port and an outlet port. In this housing are mounted vertical tanks open at the top and contiguous made to contain selected treatment agents. The two terminal tanks are contiguous respectively to the inlet port and the outlet port of the housing. A magnetic carriage on which a loosening clamp is mounted is used to guide the film by dragging it when it passes through the inlet orifice. The film dragging carriage is guided magnetically in the tanks by a magnet fixed to an endless chain mounted on chain wheels driven by a motor.

In the accompanying drawings given by way of example: FIG. 1 is a side view of the casing of the photographic film processing apparatus;

Figure 2 is a top view of the housing;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the housing along line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical section of the housing along line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section of the housing along line 5-5 of Figure 2;

3

618,526

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section showing the carriage, the treatment when they circulate and are reloaded in the film, the clamp and part of the endless chain with the tank magnet 14.

mounted on it; A control panel 54 is shown mounted in FIG. 7 is a front view of the casing; rear part 36 of the casing 12. Near the take-up reel 38 is FIG. 8 is a rear view of the casing; s is an outlet ramp 53 which receives the carriages 44 exiting Figure 9 is a side view of the housing; of the outlet.

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the tank divider and Figure 3 is a section of the apparatus 10 along the line idler roll mounted in the tank; 3-3 of figure 1. We see on this section the lower part 56

Figure 11 is a section of the drive roller mounted on the tanks 14 with a section of tank dividers 58 mounted to the upper chain wheel; io middle of each tank 14.

Figure 12 is a vertical section of the housing showing the lower idler wheels 19 attached to the outside of the tanks of the same length with adjustable dividers mounted side portion 16 of the tanks 14 are placed near the part therein. lower of the tank dividers 58. We also see on this section

In FIG. 1, the film processing apparatus, a top view of the temperature control boxes 60 that 10 includes a closed casing 12 containing tanks is used to control the temperature of the treatment agents,

elongated vertical contiguous 14 shown in Figures 2, 3 Figure 4 is a cross section of the apparatus 10

and 4. Each tank 14 is made to contain various types along line 4-4 of FIG. 2. This section shows one of the treatment agents. Idler chain wheels 18 continuous piece of film 46 supplied by the supply reel 30,

and lower idler chain wheels 19 are mounted on a through an inlet orifice 57, rising and falling in the lateral part 16 of the tanks 14. An endless chain 20 is 20 the tanks 14, passing through an outlet orifice 59 and received by mounting on the wheels 18 and 19. A motor not shown on the take-up reel 38.

drawings is connected to a drive wheel 22 which drives the chain 20 Each of the tank dividers 58 is mounted in the center of a

at constant speed on the wheels 18 and 19. Magnets 24 are bowl 14. Crazy rollers 64 are mounted on a fixed part, so as to be able to turn, to the endless chain 20. These lower ends 62 of bowl dividers 58 By adjusting the magnets 24 are placed against the lateral part 16 of the tanks 14 2s length of the dividers 58, we can vary the distance between and are magnetically sensitive to a carriage shown on the idler rollers 64 and the motor rollers 42. adjusting the figure 2. dividers 58 and the lower idlers 19, we can increase

It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the upper chain wheels 18 or reduce the duration of exposure of the film 46 to agents and the lower chain wheels 19 are placed in different treatments in any tank 14. As indicated in more positions according to the length of the tanks 14. The endless chain 20 30 high, the drive rollers 42 are driven by the wheels with

winds against the side part 16 of the tanks 14 starting from the upper chain 18. The idler rollers 64 are not connected at the top of these tanks, going down along them, passing to the lower chain wheels 19, but are contiguous with them so around the lower chain wheels 19, going up along helping the carriage 44 to guide the film 46 in the lower part of the tanks 14 and passing around the upper chain wheels of the tanks 14.

18. Thanks to this sinuous path of the endless chain 20, the magnets. In FIG. 4, the tanks 14 comprise a first tank

24 guide the carriage inside the tanks 14 and along them. 14a intended to contain a developer. The next tank 14b is

An inlet ramp casing 26 is fixed to a front part intended to contain a bleaching agent. The tank 14c is intended for

28 of the casing 12. A supply coil 30 is mounted on a container for a rinsing solution. The tank 14d contains an articulated part 32 of the ramp casing 26. A casing 34 of fixer. The tank 14e contains a washing solution. The outlet ramp tank is fixed to a rear part 36 of the casing 12. A- '»14f contains a stabilizer. The last tank is the termi-

take-up reel 38 intended to receive the developed film which has 14 g which is used for drying the film 46.

out of the device 10 is mounted on the ramp housing of, ,,. ,, _ ,,,,

tank outlet 14 described above reveal a method of

SO Lecarter 12 is completely closed with the exception of the ori-development of the film 46, it is understood that other types of inlet and outlet orifice shown in FIG. 4. 45 ^ agents and development processes could also be In Figure 1, one side of the housing 12 has been cut to show the Tbien utlhseisfec a more or less large number of tanks 14. endless chain 20 and the chain wheels 18 and 19 fixed to the tank walls 14 are of Afferentes lengths. As indicated in 16 of the tanks 14 connection with FIG. 12, the tanks 14 can be all of the

Figure 2 is a top view of the apparatus 10, lengthwise for simplicity of manufacture and from which the top of the casing 12 is removed in order to show the part so mterc angea 11 e. -, lri • t,

upper open 40 of the tanks 14. Motor rollers 42 The flange, 5fest ™; tPcalarede}. aPParei110 sTan, placed above each tank 14 and between these tanks are fixed 5 "5. de'anflf [e 2 "°" v, fsurcette flföre "" view of <ote r .j, + 'ac * • * of the chain 20, of the upper canvas wheel 18, of the idler wheel on the walls of the casing 12 and fixed, in order to be able to turn, to. ™ „- _i upper chain wheels 18. lower 19 and 1 magnet 24 fixed to chain 20. Near

We can see on this view a carriage 44 fixed to a film 46 when it 55 the magnet 24 and has 1 container inside the tank 14 is the carriage 44

„„,. ~ -,. „Screening the film 46. By magnetic attraction between the carriage 44

begins to pass on a motorized roller 42. We also see „. . ..., v,, „.. z1 ...,,

r AA. - „„ „„ „Ao two and 1 magnet 24 fixed to the endless chain 20, the film was guided in another carriage 44 placed on an entry ramp 48. In this,. ,, ..; ,,,

position, the carriage 44 is ready to introduce a new film 46 descending into the tank 14, passing over the idler roller 64 and developing in the apparatus 10. We see in broken lines the ™ tantv, erfs er ° uleau motteur 42 ^ used to alder the chano hinged part 32 of the inlet ramp casing 26 and the coil ". 44 to guide the film 46 as it enters the next adjoining delivery tank 30 spaced apart by pivoting from the front of this casing. ',,. .. _,.

In this position, different formats and lengths of film La fl8ure 6uest u "e vue aSrandle du, charl0t 44 / C * chanot can be introduced into the apparatus 10 without having to count a base 66 ^ contains a metallic element use the supply coil 30. f "slble magnetically or a magnetic element. An arm

65 68 integral with the base 66 s extends towards 1 outside of it

An opposite side portion 50 of the housing 12 is shown below. This arm 68 is placed transversely to the length of the tank with filters 52 with treatment agents mounted on it. These 14 and comprises around its annular surface filter parts 52 used to separate the foreign particles from the grooved agents 70 intended to receive a clamp 72.

618 526 4

The clamp 72 comprises a first end portion 74 FIG. 11 is a section of a portion of the wall 82 of it serving to clamp the film 46. A second end portion 76 tank 14 and the upper wheel 18. The drive roller 42

includes a semi-circular ring for securing the comprises an axis 96 which passes through the wall 82 of the tank 14, The clamp 72 to the grooved portion 70 of the arm 68. Depending on the format and upper chain wheel 18 is fixed to the axis 96 and rotates the length of the film 46, it is possible to subject the grooved parts to 5 motor roller 42 when it is driven by the endless chain

70 of the carriage 44 a single clamp 72 or more. 20. The upper chain wheels 18 as well as the wheels with

The base 66 of the carriage 44 has a flat surface 78 lower chains 19 are placed against the walls of the tanks 14

provided ". with small buttons 80 projecting outwardly. These buttons by a casing of wheels 98 which are united to the surface of the walls of the tones 1 slide against an internal surface 82 of the tank 14 and tanks 14.

* reduce friction when the carriage 44 slides against the interior 1 »Figure 12 is a vertical section of the apparatus 10 and is laughing at the tank 14. similar to Figure 4. In this Figure 12, the tanks 14 have

The magnet 24 is enclosed in a housing 84. This housing all the same length. To fix the duration of exposure of comprises a clickable cover 86 which can be replaced after 46 with the treatment agent in a tank, wear is adjusted by friction against the walls of the tanks 14. The divider housing 58 of this tank . In this figure, part of the

84 has an arm 88 making with it, which is pinned, 15 dividers 58 and the idler roller 64 are shown in line so as to be able to turn, to a chain link 90. This broken link. We thus want to show the possibility of adjusting the chain is fixed to the endless chain 20. The arm 88 and the link the device 10 by overexposing or under-exposing the film 46 to one of the chain 90 act together so to allow the magnet special treatment agent in one of the tanks 14. We set

24 to turn outwards when the chain 20 is engaged the length of travel of the film 46 in the tanks 14 by removing with the upper wheels 18 and the lower wheels 19. Thus, the divider 5 8 and the idler roller 64 and by putting a divider 5 8

the carriage 44 has a free space when, dragging the film 46, longer or shorter. For small adjustments of the length of it is guided around the idler rollers 64 and the drive motor rollers, one can simply raise or lower the divider 5 8

42. in the tank 14 and adjust the lower chain wheel 19 close to

„, ,,, so that it is close to the new position of the idler roller

Figure 7 is a front view of 1 apparatus 10 showing the, 5 ^

front part 28 of the casing 12. To this front part 28 is fixed the 'T jj <> -i m t,,

r, „,„, _ 1, ... The device 10 is started on the input ramp casing table 26. In this view, the supply coil „, c. X, ,,. t ..,,

f. . ^ ^. '. ,, command 54. The film 46 to be treated can be mounted on the reel

30 has been moved apart by pivoting on the hinged part 32 of,. ,., .I1 (,

x - o / r,. . ,., _ debitrice 30 or I manually insert it into the device 10. On the front of the inlet ramp housing 26. A carriage 44 is ..,,,,. .// „,,

, y ,,, .i. attaches one end of the film 46 to the carriage 44 by means of a representative mounted on the entry ramp 48 and in position for. .. „. . ,,. . ,. . ,. , „

./. ,,. , „... *, ^ ^ so pmce 72. The carriage 44 is inserted into the ramp casing re re m i red on ice en ree. input 26. The base 66 of the carriage 44 is introduced into the ramp

Figure 8 is a last view of 1 device 10 showing entry 4g The carriage 44 is e down on the ra 4g the rear part 36 of the housing 12 We see in this view the magnetic rattractbn table of the magnet 24 chain,

54 adjacent to the outlet ramp housing 34. On La without | in 2Q at the Ue are {ixed the magnets 24

also sees on the exit ramp 59 a carriage 44 with the „begins to displace, acer lo lo is of the tank 14. The film developed 46 hanging from it. magnets 24 guided crossing Entrance port 57. At this

Figure 9 is a view of the opposite side of the apparatus 10 moment the magnet 24 attracts the magnetic element of the carriage 44 to

showing the lateral part 50 of the casing 12. We see in this view through the wall of the tank 14 and drives in the casing 12 the filters 52 mounted on the casing as well as the boxes 60 of carriage 44 trailing the film 46. The carriage 44, guided by 1 temperature regulation magnet, the circulation pumps 92 (4 24, then passes over a drive roller 44 and enters the tank of treatment agents and the heat exchangers 94. The terminal 14a. The carriage 44 dragging the film 46 descends into the pumps 92 serving to continuously circulate the tank agents 14a and crosses the idler roller 64 fixed to the divider 58. The treatment in the tanks 14 and to reload them. the film 46 then rise from the opposite side of the

heat exchangers 94 are used, together with the tank boxes 14a and the divider 58, after which the carriage passes over a regulating 60, to regulate the temperature of the agents for the motorized roller treatment 45 placed above the top of the part open the tank 14a. The drive roller 42 is placed between the tanks

14a and 14b. The drive roller 42 helps the carriage 44 to guide the

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the tank divider 58 film 46 to make it enter the next tank 14b and prevents on which is mounted, so as to be able to turn, the roller for the film 46 to drag when it passes through the tanks 14. The cart 44

64. This divider 58 is mounted so as to be able to slide in the 50 and the film 46 descend and then go back up into the vats vats 14. It will be noted that the idler roller 64 and the divider 58 are adjacent 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f and finally reach the two of concave shape, so that a minimum tank surface 14g or they are dried and exit through the outlet orifice 59.

touches the film 46. A section is seen near the divider 58 The carriage 44 is pushed downwards by transverse magnetic attraction of part of the film 46. It can be seen that only the edges on the ramp 53 where the developed film 46 is removed carriage 44

outside of the film 46 touch the divider 58. 55 and wound on the take-up reel 38.

VS

5 sheets of drawings

Claims (7)

618,526 2 1. Photographic film processing apparatus comprising a carriage comprising a magnetic element, juxtaposed tanks, comprising a lower part and an open upper part and containing a processing fluid, the carriage being sized to pass through the tanks, a gripping means releasable mounted on the carriage and intended to clamp one end of a piece of film dragged by the carriage, and magnetic guide means placed against the outer surface of the tanks and magnetically sensitive to the metallic element of the carriage, these guide means guiding the carriage in the tanks, thereby subjecting the film in a determined order to the action of a succession of treatment fluids, characterized in that the tanks are elongated vertically and have a common flat side wall, the magnetic element of the carriage 15 being arranged to move by sliding in contact with the inner surface of the common flat wall, and in that the guide means comprise an endless chain mounted on chain wheels in the vicinity of the common flat wall of the tanks, at least one like being carried by the chain to allow it to move by sliding in contact with the external surface of the common wall of the tanks and to allow the carriage to be guided by the elongated tanks. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by rollers placed above the open upper part and 2s in the lower part of the tanks, these rollers being in contact with the film and helping to guide the carriage in the elongated tanks. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the rollers comprise idler rollers placed in the lower part of the tanks and motor rollers placed above .10 above the upper part of the tanks and between them. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that dividers are placed in the tanks, the idler rollers being fixed at the lower end of these dividers, these dividers being placed in the tanks so that the carriage is guided so 35 to descend on one side of the dividers and to ascend on the other side. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the dividers are adjustable in the direction of the length of the tanks so as to adjust the distance between the drive rollers and the idle rollers for the purpose of adjusting the exposure time of the film 40 to the processing fluids in each tank. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the carriage comprises a base and an elongated arm fixed to this base and extending towards the outside thereof, the magnetic element being mounted in this base, this base being arranged in the vicinity of an interior side of the common flat wall of the tank and being magnetically sensitive to the magnet fixed to the endless chain arranged in the vicinity of the exterior side of the common flat wall of the tank and against it, this arm being transverse to the length of the tank. 50 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the releasable gripping means is a clamp whose one end is fixed to the arm of the carriage and the other end fixed to one end of the film. 55