GB1232928A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,232,928. Raising and discharging liquids. E.L. SACHS and E. MEZYNSKI. April 22, 1969 [April 25, 1968], No.20384/69. Heading F1R. [Also in Divisions G2-3] In a liquid transfer system, e.g. a system for transferring a processing liquid or liquids between a reservoir or reservoirs and a film developing container, a reservoir 14 is connected to a container 12 by a pair of conduits 44 and 64, the conduit 64 having a smaller cross-sectional area than the conduit 44 and having an open end 70 adjacent the floor of the container. A valve 62 minimizes fluid-flow through the conduit 44 after a predetermined quantity of liquid has been transferred from the reservoir 14 to the container 12. A compressor 18 subjects the reservoir 14 to super-atmospheric or sub-atmospheric pressure through a duct 76 under the control of three-way valves 82, 84 operated by solenoids controlled by a timing circuit 90. When the valves 82, 84 are operated to connect the high-pressure side 72 of the compressor 18 to the duct 76 and the low-pressure side 74 to atmosphere through vent 80, a predetermined quantity of liquid is transferred from the reservoir 14 to the container 12 through the conduit 44 and the ball valve 62 substantially closes the outlet orifice 56 permitting a small quantity of air to flow to the container to agitate the liquid therein. A flap check valve 68 prevents the passage of air through the conduit 64. A spring-biased check valve 92 in an air conduit 91 to the container 12 is arranged to open when the pressure applied to the reservoir 14 is excessive. After apredetermined time set by the timing circuit 90 the valves 82, 84 are operated to connect the low-pressure side of the compressor 18 to the duct 76 and the highpressure side to the vent 78. Liquid is drawn from the container 12 into the reservoir 14 through the conduits 44, 64 until the ball valve closes the orifice 62, whereafter the container is emptied through the conduit 64. Liquid from a similar reservoir 16 or reservoirs may be transferred to the container 12 under the control of the timing circuit 90. The container 12 and reservoir 14 may be fabricated from stainless steel, glass or polystyrene and the container is provided with a light proof cover 26 and a light light proof vent 28. In a second embodiment, Fig.2 (not shown), the reservoir (102) has upper and lower apertures (122, 124) controlled by respective ball valves (118, 120) maintained in the upper and lower portions of the reservoir by a central perforated screen (116). The reservoir (102) has a thermostatically controlled heater (138). The developing container (100) has rinse water supply and overflow pipes (140, 144) and a water reservoir with two conduits connected to the container is provided A chemical solution or solutions e.g. hypoeliminators, short-stop, hardener and wetting agents, may be added to the rinse water from a reservoir (150) or reservoirs connected by a duct (154), with a control valve (156), to the compressor (136). The operation of the system is controlled by a timing circuit (160).