EP0654710A1 - Appareil de traitement photographique - Google Patents

Appareil de traitement photographique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0654710A1
EP0654710A1 EP94203042A EP94203042A EP0654710A1 EP 0654710 A1 EP0654710 A1 EP 0654710A1 EP 94203042 A EP94203042 A EP 94203042A EP 94203042 A EP94203042 A EP 94203042A EP 0654710 A1 EP0654710 A1 EP 0654710A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
cap
bath
mouth
handle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94203042A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0654710B1 (fr
Inventor
Francois Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Joos
Patrick Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Van Den Bergen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Agfa Gevaert NV
Original Assignee
Agfa Gevaert NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Agfa Gevaert NV filed Critical Agfa Gevaert NV
Priority to EP94203042A priority Critical patent/EP0654710B1/fr
Publication of EP0654710A1 publication Critical patent/EP0654710A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0654710B1 publication Critical patent/EP0654710B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/02—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants
    • B67D7/0288—Container connection means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D3/00—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion
    • G03D3/02—Details of liquid circulation
    • G03D3/06—Liquid supply; Liquid circulation outside tanks

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus for processing photographic material, comprising a process bath connected to a storage container for process liquid.
  • the application is particularly relevant to storage containers for photo-chemical products for use with apparatus for processing photographic materials.
  • Photographic processing apparatus will typically comprise a developing section, a fixing section, a wash section and a drier.
  • the process liquids for the developing section and the fixer section are typically provided in containers having an opening closed by a screw threaded cap.
  • Such containers can be in the form of rigid moulded polyethylene containers, or collapsible containers consisting of a collapsible plastic cube insert within a corrugated board outer support.
  • the apparatus supply conduit from the container to the respective section of the apparatus are normally coupled to the container by means of a screw threaded coupling to which a supply conduit is attached. This makes coupling and uncoupling the container to the apparatus cumbersome since either the supply conduits become twisted, or the container has to be rotated during coupling. Furthermore such a cumbersome coupling system may lead to messy spills and wastage.
  • an apparatus for processing photographic material which comprises at least one process bath, the or each bath being filled with a liquid delivered to the bath from a storage container, the storage container being connected to the bath by a push-in/pull-out cap having a radially expandable and contractible resilient seal engagable with the mouth of said container and having a passageway connected by conduits to the respective process bath, said cap and conduits connected thereto being mounted on a support plate pivoted to a frame of the apparatus so that the cap can be raised and lowered into and out of the mouth of the container.
  • Connection caps having a radially expandable and contractible resilient seal engagable with the mouth of a holder are known, e.g. from US-A 4,759,462, WO-A 91 02684 and US-A 2 079 049. These caps do not constitute a handy system for connecting a container with fresh processing liquid, e.g. a jerrycan or a cubitainer with a contents of 20 l, to the supply conduit of a photographic processor, bearing in mind that suchlike container is usually at floor level and must be inserted completely into a corresponding opening of the apparatus which provides not always sufficient finger space for mounting and removing the cap.
  • a container with fresh processing liquid e.g. a jerrycan or a cubitainer with a contents of 20 l
  • the resilient seal is expanded to engage inner surfaces within the mouth of the container by axial compression of the seal.
  • the seal may be expanded and contracted through operation of a handle mounted on the cap body and having a cam surface thereon.
  • the apparatus comprises on the support plate an electrical switch which is operated by a portion of said handle when the handle is in the 'cap sealed' position.
  • the cap can have two fluid passageways therein communicating with a delivery conduit leading to a bath and with a return conduit from the bath, respectively.
  • a delivery pump for delivery of liquid from the container to the bath, and a return pump for discarging liquid from the bath to the container are mounted on said support plate and connected into said delivery and return conduit.
  • the apparatus can comprise a trolley onto which a new full container can be loaded, the arrangement of the trolley being such that the cap fits into the mouth of said loaded container as the trolley has been inserted in the apparatus and the support plate bearing said cap is pivoted downwardly.
  • the apparatus according to the invetntion is preferably for use with collapsible storage containers especially of photographic processing liquids.
  • FIG. 1 of the drawings there is illustrated in schematic form a process apparatus 10 for processing photographic material and in particular for producing off-press colour proofs for accessing the quality of colour separations and colour rendition in printing.
  • the photographic proof will in the course of its development pass through a liquid developer which develops the silver image, a liquid bleachfixer which removes silver from the proof, a wash to remove non hardened parts and a drier.
  • a proof will have to make four such passes to build up a full colour picture.
  • the process apparatus 10 has a housing 11 which encloses a development bath 12 and a fixing bath 13.
  • the development bath in particular, is as enclosed as possible to prevent oxidation of the liquid developer in the bath 12.
  • the process photo-chemical liquids are each supplied in a respective collapsible container 15.
  • Containers known as cubitainers which consist of a collapsible plastic cube inside a corrugated board outer are suitable.
  • the mouth 16 of each container is sealed by a cap 30 through which a supply conduit 17 and a return conduit 18 pass.
  • the process liquid is delivered to the respective bath 21 or 13 through the supply conduit 17 by means of a delivery pump 19 located in the supply conduit between the respective bath and container.
  • the delivery pump 19 has a motor 22 connected to a controller 21 which controls the operation of the pump.
  • a liquid level sensor 23 monitors the presence of liquid in each bath 12 or 13 and is connected to the controller 21 to cause the respective delivery pump 19 to supply the respective process liquid to the bath until the liquid level therein has reached a predetermined minimum level. This will automatically compensate for loss of process liquid caused by evaporation and carry over.
  • a discharge means in the form of an exit pump 25 is located in the return conduit 18 of each respective bath 12,13.
  • Each exit pump 25 is preferably a peristaltic type pump which gives a good shut off when the pump is inoperative.
  • the controller 21 causes each exit pump 25 to operate for a predetermined time period after predetermined time intervals so that used liquid from the baths 12, 13 is regularly removed and returned to the respective container 15. This removes process liquid which may degenerate due to both oxidation and use.
  • the time interval between operations of the exit pump, and/or the time period for which the pump is operational may be controlled by a timer control 27. However, said time intervals may also be based on the throughput (i.e. m2) of the processed material.
  • the mouth 16 of the container is hermetically sealed by the cap 30 which is shown in Figures 2 and 3.
  • each cap 30 comprises an annular cap body 31 which is shown located in an aperture 41 of a support plate 42.
  • a stepped piston 32 has a large diameter head 33 and a smaller diameter stem 34 which extends axially through the centre of the annular body 31 in which it is slidingly supported.
  • An annular elastomeric seal ring 35 is fitted around the portion of the stem 34 extending beyond the cap body 31 and is held in place by a retainer 36 fitted to the inner axial end of the stem 34 (that is inner with respect to the container).
  • a handle 37 is pivoted to the head 33 of the piston by a pin 38, the handle in use has a cam surface portion 39 in contact with the cap body 31 so that as the handle 37 is pivoted about the pin 38 from the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2 to the vertical position shown in fig. 3 the cam surface 39 acts against the cap body 31 to relatively displace piston 32 upwardly.
  • the two flat surface portions 44, 45 either side of the cam surface 39 provide a 'lock out' facility with the handle 37 in the horizontal and vertical positions respectively.
  • the handle 37 has an extension 43 thereon which is substantially normal to the handle and which in use can operate a warning device for alerting a user to a state of the cap, e.g. sealed or unsealed.
  • the piston stem 33 of the cap is inserted into the mouth 16 of the container 15 and the handle 37 is pivoted about the pin 38 to cause the seal to expand radially and engage the inner surfaces of the mouth 16 to hermetically seal the cap to the container and retain the cap in position.
  • the piston 32 has two liquid passageways 44 (one only shown in Fig. 3) therethrough for the connection of the container 15 to the supply and return conduits 17 and 18.
  • the frame 46 may optionally include a fixture plate 47 which fits over the neck of the container 15 to hold the container in position.
  • a switch 47 is also mounted on the support plate 42 and can be activated by the extension 43 of the handle so as to operate a warning device such as a light or buzzer to indicate to the user of the apparatus 10 the condition of the cap 30, i.e. open or sealed.
  • the delivery pump 19 and exit pump 25 may also be mounted on the plate 42 connected to the respective conduits 17, 18.
  • the pump 19, 25 may be connected to the respective baths 12,13 by flexible conduits 17, 18, allowing for pivoting of the support plate.
  • All connections may be of the leak proof snap-fit type.
  • Figures 6a - 6d show the steps of locating a new container 15 into a process apparatus 10.
  • the plate 42 is in a raised position with handle 27 of the cap 30 -in a horizontal condition.
  • the new full container 15 is loaded onto a wheeled trolley 50.
  • the trolley is pushed into the processor 10 and arranged so that its mouth 16 is positioned to receive the cap 30 when the plate 42 is pivoted downwards around the hinge 45.
  • the plate 42 is then pivoted downwards to place the cap 30 into the mouth 16 of the container (Fig. 6c) and is coupled to the container when the handle 27 is caused to move from the vertical to horizontal condition thereby expanding the sealing ring 35 to seal the cap to the container and hold the cap within the mouth 16.
  • the handle 27 is caused to move from the vertical to horizontal condition thereby expanding the sealing ring 35 to seal the cap to the container and hold the cap within the mouth 16.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Photographic Developing Apparatuses (AREA)
EP94203042A 1993-11-15 1994-10-20 Appareil de traitement photographique Expired - Lifetime EP0654710B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP94203042A EP0654710B1 (fr) 1993-11-15 1994-10-20 Appareil de traitement photographique

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP93203182 1993-11-15
EP93203182 1993-11-15
EP94203042A EP0654710B1 (fr) 1993-11-15 1994-10-20 Appareil de traitement photographique

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0654710A1 true EP0654710A1 (fr) 1995-05-24
EP0654710B1 EP0654710B1 (fr) 2001-03-28

Family

ID=26134059

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94203042A Expired - Lifetime EP0654710B1 (fr) 1993-11-15 1994-10-20 Appareil de traitement photographique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0654710B1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2333514A (en) * 1998-01-21 1999-07-28 Eastman Kodak Co Mounting arrangement for a liquid container

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2345357A1 (fr) * 1976-03-25 1977-10-21 Lexcellent Michel Bouchon mecanique a levier pour l'obturation de bouteilles diverses
DE3246127A1 (de) * 1982-12-13 1984-06-14 Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 7000 Stuttgart Geraet mit einrichtungen fuer die bevorratung, dosierung und zugabe von fluessigen wasch- und spuelmitteln
US4759462A (en) * 1987-11-16 1988-07-26 Neglio Thomas P Closure for a threaded opening
EP0440973A2 (fr) * 1990-02-07 1991-08-14 Agfa-Gevaert AG Dispositif de traitement de supports de couches photographiques avec une cuve de traitement
US5148208A (en) * 1990-07-20 1992-09-15 Anacomp, Inc. Disposable container for dispensing of photographic developing liquids

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69007793D1 (de) * 1989-08-23 1994-05-05 Gibson Chem Ltd Spendevorrichtung.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2345357A1 (fr) * 1976-03-25 1977-10-21 Lexcellent Michel Bouchon mecanique a levier pour l'obturation de bouteilles diverses
DE3246127A1 (de) * 1982-12-13 1984-06-14 Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 7000 Stuttgart Geraet mit einrichtungen fuer die bevorratung, dosierung und zugabe von fluessigen wasch- und spuelmitteln
US4759462A (en) * 1987-11-16 1988-07-26 Neglio Thomas P Closure for a threaded opening
EP0440973A2 (fr) * 1990-02-07 1991-08-14 Agfa-Gevaert AG Dispositif de traitement de supports de couches photographiques avec une cuve de traitement
US5148208A (en) * 1990-07-20 1992-09-15 Anacomp, Inc. Disposable container for dispensing of photographic developing liquids

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2333514A (en) * 1998-01-21 1999-07-28 Eastman Kodak Co Mounting arrangement for a liquid container
GB2333514B (en) * 1998-01-21 2002-04-24 Eastman Kodak Co Mounting arrangement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0654710B1 (fr) 2001-03-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0369722A1 (fr) Distributeur de produits liquides
US4144901A (en) Probe system for containers
US4699188A (en) Hygienic liquid dispensing system
JP3464232B2 (ja) 液体薬品用の容器、液体薬品ハンドリング装置及び方法
US5685351A (en) Filler adapter for a multichambered container
EP0823386B1 (fr) Appareil pour distribuer un liquide d'un conteneur
US3918605A (en) Combination container with disposable closure and linear assembly
US4274455A (en) Toner loading device
JPH0440244B2 (fr)
EP1598288B1 (fr) Procede d'adaptation du corps en forme de sac d'un contenant de liquide et contenant de liquide
CA2208808C (fr) Doublure interieure pour conteneur
US5794670A (en) Tank liner and method of installation
CS264256B2 (en) Device for liquid product delivering from a foldable reservoir
US3881527A (en) Bulb-operated pipet
US5960907A (en) Oil changing system
US3414165A (en) Protective container
US5568220A (en) Photographic processing apparatus with quick-coupling processing liquid storage container
US3158183A (en) Push button dropper
EP0654710A1 (fr) Appareil de traitement photographique
US4993579A (en) Bladder type container for toxic materials
US4171716A (en) Means for disposing spent chemical solutions from processor
US4629303A (en) Photographic processing apparatus
US7988793B2 (en) Washing system for dissolution vessels and the like
US2847249A (en) Liquid spraying device
JPH0321296A (ja) 液体分配装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19951124

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19980211

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20010328

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20010328

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20010328

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69426968

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20010503

EN Fr: translation not filed
NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: AGFA-GEVAERT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 746

Effective date: 20030120

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20050926

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20050926

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070501

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20061020

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061020