US1305043A - Photogbaphic-film-developing tank - Google Patents

Description

R. F. WHITT.

PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM DEVELOPING TANK. APPLICATION FILED Nov.25.191a.

1,305,043. Pateted May 27, 1919.

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R. F. WHITT.

PHOTOGRAPHlc-HLM DEvELoPlNG TANK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25| 191B- 1,305,043. Patented May 27, 1919.

Y, 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ROBERT F. WHITT, OF BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA.

PHOTOGRAPHIC-FILM-DEVELOPING TANK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 27, 1919.

Application led November 25, 1918. Serial No. 264,033.

To all whom t may Concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT F. VVHITT, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Beckley, in the county of Raleigh and btate of Vest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic- Film-Developing Tanks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to developing fixing and washing tanks for photographic films, and one object is to provide convenient and efficient means for supporting a film strip or ribbon within the tank.

Another object is to devise means for supporting films or the like in the form of separate, detached sheets, whereby the tank may be employed for finishing pictures taken on film packs.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which,

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved developing tank, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of one end of the tank with cover removed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a supporting rack or frame which I employ;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the tank showing it as it appears when being used for handling the sheets of a film pack; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse section on an enlarged scale substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my improved tank comprises a box 1 preferably rectangular in shape and formed of any suitable material such as sheet metal. This boX is of a depth somewhat greater than the width of the films to be developed and is provided with a cover 2 having a marginal flange 3 which fits tightly down over the edge of the box so as to exclude light. In order to hold this cover securely in position, I provide a spring hook or catch 4 :at each end of the box adapted to engage suitable notches 5 formed on the ends of the cover.

Inside of the box is disposed a film supporting rack comprising a base plate 6 adapted to rest upon the bottom of the box, and a plurality of parallel vertical foraminous partitions 7 mounted upon and permanently secured to said base plate. The arrangement is such that the entire structure comprising the base plate 6 and partitions 7 is bodily removable from the box so as to permit of cleaning and inspection. As shown, the foraminous partitions 7 consist of wire netting surrounded by a suitable frame 8. As clearly shown in Fig. l, the film a when in the form of a continuous strip or ribbon is passed back and forth around the ends of alternate partitions, the partitions serving to hold the film in an upright position with the different portions out of contact with each other while permitting the solution to circulate readily so as to uniformly act upon all parts of the film. I have devised special means for handling the separate sheets of a film pack in my improved tank and such means are shown in Figs. 2-6 inclusive.

Referring to these figures, it will be seen that I have provided a supporting frame most clearly shown in Fig. 4 and comprising cross bars 9. between which extend a plurality of longitudinal rods 10. The cross bars 9 preferably have downturned ends 9 and are adapted to rest upon the upper edges of the partitions 7 adjacent each end, as clearly shown in the drawing. By reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the rods 10 are so located that each rod is disposed above the space between two partitions 7 Supported by the rods l0 and depending therefrom arc a plurality of sheet holding clasps 11, preferably provided at their upper ends with hooks l2 adapted to engage over the rods l0, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The separate sheets l) are suspended by these clasps in the space between the partitions 7 and are prevented by such partitions from excessive curling or from coming in contact with each other.

It will be obvious that while I have describedmy improved device as a developing tank, it can be employed with equal advantage for the washing and fixing of pictures, both films and prints.

Vhat I claim is n l. A photographic developing tank comprising a box, and a film supporting structure bodily removable from the box, said structure comprising a plate adapted to lie upon the bottom of the box, and a plurality of parallel upstanding foraminous partitions carried by said plate.

2. A photographic developing tank comprising a boX having therein a plurality of parallel upstanding partitions, a frame resting on the tops of said partitions,'andsheet engaging clasps supported by said frame.

3. A photographic developing tank corn-V prising aboX having therein a plurality of parallel upstanding partitions, a frame restv ing on the tops of said partitions, said frameV comprising a pair of cross bars and a plurality of longitudinal rods extending be- 10 tween the same, eaohof said rods being disposed above the spaeebetween tWo of said partitions, and. sheet engaging clasps supported by said rods and depending between said partitions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROBERT F. WHITT.

Copies'of this patent may Vbe obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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