GB1276382A - Photographic processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1276382 Photographic processing apparatus CORDELL ENG Inc 2 May 1969 22629/69 Heading G2A A photographic film 158 passes from a loading box 13 through the various stations of a processing and drying apparatus, and is taken up on a spool 166. The transporting means is such that the speed of the film tends to be increased as it passes through the apparatus. The film is conveyed by passing between sets of rollers 66-67, 68-69, &c., which are themselves driven from a motor 35 and sprocket 36 via a chain 37, which drives each pair of rollers through a sprocket and gear connection. To prevent looping, roller 66 is driven at the slowest speed, and roller 68 at a somewhat higher speed (by means of a slip clutch). Each pair of rollers, or selected pairs only, may be driven at a higher speed than preceding rollers, and the final pair 90, 91 is driven at the highest speed of all. The various processing baths form part of a single moulded tank. The developer bath has an upper section 31 and a lower section 53, divided by a plate 57. Developer solution is pumped into the lower section through an opening 52, and heated to a thermostatically controlled constant temperature, whence it passes through nozzles 58, 59 to the applicator chambers 64, 65. These have slots in their upper surfaces (196, 197) Fig.8 (not shown) through which the solution is expelled to impinge on the film passing just above them. Splash plates 92, 93 are provided above the film. Spent solution passes out of the bath through a pipe 94, and can be replenished with fresh solution and re-circulated. A similar arrangement is provided for the fixing bath 32 and wash bath 33. In the drier section the film passes through three chambers 147, 149, 151 receiving heated air from a blower 145. Each of these three chambers has a serrated interior face, with slits 153 through which the heated air can circulate over both sides of the film (see also Fig.4A, not shown). The loading box 13 may have different compartments to accommodate films of different widths, which are fed out through opening 163 to the processing section.