GB1476378A - Web processing - Google Patents

Abstract

1476378 Liquid-treatment of films EASTMAN KODAK CO 2 July 1974 [2 July 1973] 29311/74 Heading G2X A film is photographically processed by passage in a helical path around an apertured or porous tube 20 from which processing liquid is outwardly forced to form a liquid cushion between the tube and the film. The tube may have a helical groove (38) Fig. 5 (not shown); containing a deflector rail (40) of T-shaped cross-section and the film may be outwardly supported by transport rollers (54) having tyres (58). The rollers may be replaced by an endless belt. Alternatively, the tube may have tapered pins either in a single longitudinal row together with a hold down plate (49) Fig. 7 (not shown), or in a spiral row over which is clamped a helical band (55) Fig. 9 (not shown). The tube may be mounted above a sump tank from which the liquid is recycled Figs. 2 and 14 (not shown). A resistance heating element may be mounted in the tube or sump tank. A "module" (Fig. 14) includes an outer housing having a cover with film inlet and outlet apertures. A plurality of tubes may be employed for multi-stage processing (e.g. developing, fixing, bleaching, stabilizing), the tubes being inclined to one another Figs. 1 and 10 (not shown) or having intermediate canted cross-over pulleys (67) Fig. 13 (not shown). The various tubes may be of different lengths (Fig. 10), corresponding to different processing times. Air jet film guides 61 may be employed between tubes.