ES357651A1 - Camera-processor - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for exposing and processing electro-photographic and photographic films comprises an exposure station 22, a processing station 24 adjacent the station 22, a feeding device for advancing the film frame by frame from the station 22 to the station 24, and means for supplying at least one fluid to the chamber 24 to contact the sensitized side of the film. As applied to electro-photographic film 20, unwound from a spool 26 by rollers 72, 74,- a corotron 107 is positioned adjacent the film 20 held against an aperture 114 by a vacuum member 98 within a back plate 88 which seals the film from the processing chamber 24 during exposure. The back plate 88 is actuated about a pivot 140 by a gearbox 120. A lens and shutter assembly 40 is provided at station 22. Focusing by a knob 102 may be checked by insertion of a ground glass screen in place of a slidable pressure platen 56. The processing station 24 has a chamber 116 co-operating with a flow plate 146. Inlet and outlet conduits (159, 160 ) Fig. 3 (not shown) are connected to the chamber 116 for the supply and removal of processing fluid. In the case of a photo-electrosolographic film (as described in Specification No.1, 152, 365), in which charged particles migrate to a conductive substrate in the pattern of light struck areas, a liquid developer, e.g., trichloroethane dissolves a soluble layer to permit such migration to form a negative of the original. Alternatively, a vapour, e.g., trichloroethylene may be used to soften this layer: Rollers 32, 34 withdraw the film frame by frame from the station 24 before passage over a heated roller 150 and prior to rewinding on a spool 36. In the case of a silver halide film , a developer solution, e.g. hydroquinone phenidone is fed to the processing station 24, followed by a fixing solution, e.g. sodium or ammonium thiocynate, and then a rinsing solution. The supply and withdrawal of solutions may be controlled by valves (V1 to V7) Fig. 12 (not shown).