US2518034A

US2518034A - Photographic developing machine

Info

Publication number: US2518034A
Application number: US603310A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ludwig Anthony
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1945-07-05
Filing date: 1945-07-05
Publication date: 1950-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 1967-08-08

Description

Aug. 8, 1950 A. LUDWIG PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1945 1950 A. LUDWIG 2,518,034

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 b q fig i 13 x g g I 1 88 29 F gjo J mm w. W

iatented Aug. 8 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING MACHINE Anthony Ludwig, Washington, D. 0.

Application July 5, 1945, Serial No. 603,310

14 Claims.

This invention relates to photographic processing machines and particularly to those machines wherein a plurality of sensitized objects are progressively and simultaneously put through several steps to develop, treat, bleach, dye, fix, wash, dry or otherwise process sensitized material.

In developing machines, it is desirable to have provision for varying the time of treatment of the film during one step of the complete treatment while the time or time of other steps may be permitted to remain the same or be also relatively changed. This need is brought about by the desirability of using the same developing machine for entirely different processes or for example with developers of difierent speeds under varying conditions of the trade.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved photographic developing machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved photographic developing machine wherein the front and one side of the machine are clear of obstructions to permit full opportunity for inspection and operation of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improved photographic developing machine wherein the transfer mechanism is entirely supported at the far side of the machine, thus reducing this part of the construction to a minimum and thereby reducing costs of construction and maintenance to a minimum.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved photographic developing machine wherein independent feeding devices for moving the sensitized objects from one end of a tank to another end may be so adjusted as to vary the time in any one tank, independently of and without changing the time of treatment in another tank.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved photographic developing machine wherein sensitized objects are successively passed through tanks for treatment in the various steps of the process and wherein incremental movements are given the objects being treated, the length of the increments of movement between the point of deposit in one tank and the point where the object is to be lifted from the tank, may be varied without varying the time of treatment or the length of incremental movements in another tank.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved photographic developing machine wherein there are a plurality of 2 tanks for carrying out the various steps in the process and wherein a single mechanism is provided for moving the sensitized objects through the respective tanks, and separate adjustable means for independently determining the time the objects will remain in any particular tank.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved photographic developing machine wherein are a plurality of tanks having a delivery of liquid from one tank to the other.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved photographic developing machine wherein are a plurality of water or Washing tanks, one of the tanks having a water level higher than the water level of the other and having an overflow delivery from the higher level to the lower level and in a direction opposed to the progress of the sensitized objects through the machine.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved photographic machine wherein sensitized objects are successively passed through tanks for treatment in the various steps of the process and wherein incremental movements are given the objects being treated, the length of increments of movement between the point of deposit in one tank and the point where the object is to be lifted from the tank, may be varied without varying the time of treatment or the length of incremental movements in another tank and having an initial increment adjusting means and an independent but coacting means for giving additional readily settable and predetermined increments for increasing and decreasing the lengths thereof, at will, and returning to another setting, as desired.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the complete specification.

Referring to the drawing wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a side view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view.

Fig. 3 is a view of the developing machine from the rear with the dryer omitted.

Fig. 4 is a detail view from the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the feed-control de-' vice shown in the upper left corner of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a front to rear detail view of the feedcontrol device of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view of the structure shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 but shown in the posh tion as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the power mechanism of the machine.

Figs. 9 and 10 are cross sectional views on the lines 9-9 and Ill-l0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a side view of the feed control device which is particularly useful in control of the progress through the developer tank.

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged side view of the feed control device illustrated at the sides of tank 20 ,21! and 20 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a cross section on the lines I l-14 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a rear view of the machine, including the dryer frame.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the "transfer bar.

In the drawing and throughout the specification, similar reference characters refer to the same or similar parts.

"The numeral 2i! designates generally a row of tanks which in the illustrated embodiment is shown as for the usual and well-known method o'fdeveloping and fixing of sensitized objectssuch as film or dry plates. In Fig. 1, the developer tankisdesignated:as2ll and is the first tank into which the sensitized objects are placed. 'At the rearof this developer tank 20 is the acid or short stop tank 20 into which the sensitized objects are' placed-a'fter spending the predetermined time in the developer tank.

After leaving the tank 20 the sensitized objects are lowered into the hypo tank 20. This tank 20, in practice, performs the greater part'of'the fixation step, after which the sensitized object is'transferred to the tank 2i! which normally, having to do less fixing, contains a fresher hypo solution. Even though the solution in the tank 20 is nearly exhausted, the passage throughthe second and fresher hypo solution in tank 20, insures complete fixation.

Still further to the rear of the hypo tank 20 are two water'tanks 20 'and 20 These'tanks 20 and 20 have a water passage -connection therebetween and in the illustrated embodiment, this-*connection'takes the formof a cascade from the rear tank 2t to the adjacent forward tank 20 In order to provide a head .for the water flow from thetank 20 to the tank 20,the water level of the tank 20 is 'slightlyhigher than that of the tank 20 with an overflow spillway between the tanks.

"In carrying out this invention, there are provided two coordinated mechanisms which, as illustrated, are operated from the same source of power. These mechanisms'are '(1) means for transferring the'sensitized objects from .onetank to another and to thedryer,and (2) mechanism for feeding the sensitized objects along .from the position of deposit within any particular tank or on the dryer to a position where it maybe removed therefrom and redeposited in the next tank for the next step of the process. The feedobjects from one tank to another'will first be described and-for the'purpose of illustrationand example, the ordinary process of developing fixtion. In addition there is provided a roll clip 2 l.

These racks which are usually placed in a portable frame "adjacent the developer tank may be prepared in the daylight by removing the film roll from the envelop, placing the envelope or otheridentification means in the clip 2 I and the roll in the clip 2| to which the clip 21 corresponds. Witha'fram'e full 'of such racks, and in the developing room, the operator simply'removes the rolls irom the clips -2 I removes the film strip from the rolland secures-it ina vertical position atone end by the clip-2 I A weighted'clip'is secured'to 'thebottom of'the strip. In this way, the film strip always stays with its envelop 'an'dno norma'lopportunity for confusion is present.

"Whenthe operatoris readyto start-a film strip rack 2| *onits way through the developingma chine, it is placed upon the arms '22, which are supported by two standards 23 at the front'corners of the-developertank'fl Guides 22 guide-the racks'baek-tothes'tops 22 againstwhich a rack 2i must restin-"order to be picked up by'the transfer'mechanism' which will now bedescribed.

In order to have the-transfer mechanism operate efficiently, it-must'bewell supported. "However, at the same time, it is always most convenient not to have operating parts in position tointerfere withthe inspection at one side of the tanks. 'To provide for theseadvantages an'd'to reduce the amount o'f-mechanism, I provide support for'both sides of the transfer mechanism at one side of the "tanks.

Two columns '24, 25 are provided respectively at 'the front and rear of the developing machine and entire same-side'thereof. At the "top of these columns are sprocket wheels '26, 21 which support the upperportions of the

transfer chains

28 and 29. These chains are operatively connected together as'willbe presently described. The lower portions of these chains are supportedby other sprockets suitably mounted on the

columns

24, 25. 'These sprocketsand their drive'mechanism will "be later "described.

Secured to'the chains '28, 29, at corresponding points are the'ends of an inner supporting transfer rail30. As'the chains28, 29 operate in unison, the rail 30 being attached, is always maintained in a horizontal position as it is moved bodily by the

chains

28, 29. Extending upwardly from the rail30 are'two pairs of uprights 3|. Connecting the upper ends of each pair of uprights 3| are stabilizing strips 32. Passing on the inside of each of the stabilizing strips 32 and on the opposite side of theinner rail '30, is a slide bar '33; 'I'hese slide' bars 33 are secured at their 'upperends to the column-connecting member 33 and at their lower end's'to similarbars also supporte'dby the columns "Hand 25.

Extending transversely of the tanks and secured'to'the uprights -3| are cross frame members 33*whir3h are supported .from' the uprights "3 I by brackets 33. At'the outer ends of the transverse frame members 33 are bracket members 33 from which depending members 34 carry at their lower ends, the outer transfer rail 35. Diagonal braces 36 are provided between tops of the depending members 34 to the bottoms of adjacent depending members 34. Cross braces 34 are secured between adjacent inner members 33 to complete the truss construction.

Strap members 3'! connect the upper ends of theupright members 3| with the depending members 34. Together the parts 3|, 33 and 3'! with their

braces

34 and 36, provide a cantilever construction for supporting the outer rail 35, through the depending members 34.

It has been noted that the stabilizing strips 32 are on the outside of the respective slide bars 33 and the inner transfer bars 33 are on the inside of the same bars 33. From this construction, it is clear that with the weight of the cantilever construction overhanging the tanks, the strips 32 and the inner transfer bar 36 will always be against the slide bars 33. As wear plates and to reduce friction there is provided on each inner transfer bar 39, a strip 36 for e ach slide bar 33.

On the inner sides, adjacent the tank edges, of the inner and

outer rails

38, 35, are lifting brackets 38. These lifting brackets 38 are spaced apart such a distance that the ends of the rack bars 2| will just rest in the brackets 38 to permit the latter to raise the bars with the attached film strips. In this connection, it is to be noted that the brackets 38 are so spaced along the inner and

outer bars

30, 35, that when the

bars

30, 35 are on their upward movement, to be described, each pair of brackets 38 will be in position to lift one rack bar 2| which may be against the stops 22 to place its film strips in the front end of the developer tank. Also, the brackets 38 will be in positions to lift the racks 2| at the rearmost positions of the respective tanks, to deliver the film strips to the next tank for further processing.

The adjacent tank edges are provided with inverted trough members 39 having their edges at the tank edges to return dripping solution to the respective tanks as the film strips are lifted from one tank to the next. Adjacent the front of each of the sides of each tank is a ramp 46 in position to receive the rack bar 2| as the latter is deposited by the transfer brackets 38.

The purpose of this ramp construction is to advance the film rack a distance greater than the feeding mechanism, to be described, would normally advance the strips. This action provides sufficient space for the film strips of the next deposited rack to enter the tank without being interferred with by the front edge of the tank into which it is being lowered.

At the sides of the tank are main feeder bars 4| which are supported by links 42. These links 42 are pivotally connected to the bars 4| at 42*, the lower ends of the links 42 are pivotally mounted at 42 on crank wheels 43*. Secondary or auxiliary feeder bars 43 are mounted above the main feeder bars 4| and are supported above the latter by parallel links 44, which are pivoted at their respective ends to the main feeder bars and the secondary feeder bars. The last or rearmost auxiliary feeder bars 43 are of slightly different construction, the rear lifting edge 43* being higher than the lifting edge 43. These feeder bars 43 by their lifting edges 43 43 coact with the upper edges of the tanks 2ll and 20 respectively.

Brackets 45 limit the movement of the parallel links 44 in a forward direction and springs 45 are provided and have their ends secured to the links 6 44 and the feeder bars 4|. The brackets are mounted on the bars 4| and are provided with a contact button 45 against which the forward link 44 of each auxiliary feeder bar 43 rests when held in the forward position by the spring 45.

The crank disks 43 revolve in unison in the directions of the arrows and lift the main feeder. bars 4| and lower them by the coaction of the.

links 42. It is to be noted that by the relative positions of the parts, the bars 4| always have a tendency to be thrown to the right, as illustrated in Fig. 1, when they are being raised.

At the rear of each bar 4| and in contact with its end, is a cam 48, mounted on a shaft which rotates in unison with the crank disk 43 adjacent thereto. The shafts which support the cam 48 and the crank disk 43 carry sprocket wheels of the same size which are caused to rotate in unison by the chain 49.

A spring 53 is provided with one end secured to the tank casing and the other end to the main feeder bar 4|. This spring normally holds the bar 4| against the cam 48. It will be observed that the combined action of the crank disks 43 with the links 42 and the cam 48 will give the bar 4| a movement toward the right in Fig. 1, when the bar 4| is in its lower position and to the left when it is in its upper position.

Since the bars 4| carry the auxiliary bars 43, it follows that these

bars

43, 43 follow the same movement. The upper edges of the aux-- iliary bars 43, 43 are of a height such that when in the low position, they will be below the upper edges of their respective tanks and when in their upper positions these same upper edges of the

auxiliary bars

43, 43 will be above the upper edges of their corresponding respective tanks. In this manner when the racks 2| are in position on the tops of the respective tanks, they will be continually fed to the rear.

At the rear of the developing and washing tanks is a drying device which operates to dry the sensitized surfaces after the washing step. In the illustration, for the sake of clearness, the usual light trap box with its coacting curtains and the well-known infra-red lamps, for drying, have been omitted.

The drying apparatus comprises a frame 50 which is supported by the floor and has at its top a supporting rail 5| which is here illustrated as a tubular member which extends forward far enough to be in position to receive the racks 2| as they are delivered to the drying apparatus after being processed in the tank 20 Mounted to oscillate in the bottom of the frame 50 are shafts 52. These shafts carry at their ends, double crank plates 53. These crank plates are arranged in alignment and are connected by connecting rods 54 so that they move in unison. Forward of the crank plates 53 on one side of the frame is a pivoted operating lever which is pivoted at its lower end to a connecting rod 56 which latter is similar in construction to the rods 54 and has its lower end connected to the same pivot as the forward end of the forward rod 54 on the crank plate 53. From this it is clear that oscillation of the lever 55 will oscillate the crank plates 54. The upper end of the lever 55 is pivotally connected to a rod 56 the other end of which is connected to a crank plate 51 of the shaft I48 which drives the crank plate 43 at the rear of the tank 20 7? also mounted on: the shaft. 58 are. sprockets .it carrying the. chains 6B; which drive sprockets 6.12..

The: short shafts 62-. carry. the sprockets 6i and are pivots-11y mounted in. the. upper end of the. frame 5,6; Also. mounted on and to.- rotate. with each of the. short shafts 62 is a cam 63'. These camsfi 31 engage. swinging levers 64: which are. fulcrumed at. 555 on the frame 58, for a. purpose to be, presently described;

Pivotally connected to. each of thecrank plates 53; is the lower end of a lifting rod El. The upper ends of these lifting rods 61 are connected to. a. feeding bar 58 which is supported in the frame 50. in such. a way that it. may be: carried. by the lifting rods 61 asthe latter are moved up and down and may slide longitudinally in the; slots 59? at the top of the frame 59. See Fig. 6.

- the shaft 58. rotates, the rod 56*, lever 55' and rod 56 will cause oscillation of all of the crank plates 53-. Since the lifting rods 6'! are mounted on the plates 53 at about 90 from the pivots: 54, it. follows that the oscillation of the. plates: 53' will alternately raise and. lower the lifting rods 61?.

Secured: to and adjacent the top of the lever 64 is: a plate H which engages a small block 12 on-xthefeeding bar 68.

As the shaft 62 rotates, driving the cam 63, it follows: that thelatter, against the side of the swinging lever 54. will cause the latter to. oscillate and move the upper end of the lever against the block 1.2. This in turn moves the feeding bar 68. longitudinally. A spring 1 :3 connected at one end to-theframe 55 and at its other end to the feeding bar 68, tends to force the latter forwardly against the action of the cam 63".

From the above description, it is clear that theoam 63, the lever 6 the block 12 and the spring- 13., give the feeding bar 88' a longitudinal movement which is repeated and reversed with each revolution of the shaft 62. It is equally obvious-that the oscillation of the shafts 52 with their plates 53 will raise and lower the lifting rods 61 with a resultant raising and lowering of the feeding bars 68. The slots 59* in which the bars 63- are mounted, permit the vertical bodily movement of the bars 68.

From the combination of the two movements, it is. believed obvious that the bars 68 will move forwardly in their low positions below the level of the rail 51] and will then be raised so that the upper edges of the feeding bars 68 are above, the level of'the tops of; the, supporting rails i, and further when raised, the cam. 63 and lever 64 will move the bar 68' to the rear to move any racks 21; along toward, the rear before the feeding bar Bfli's, again lowered to an inoperative position.

In. the, description of the feeding means to move the racks along the tops of the. tanks and along the supporting rails 5.1 of the dryer, nothing has, thus far been described for varying the distance. moved in. each cycle of movement. of the.

feeding means. In order to. provide a construction. which will. meet the, conditions of developers of different speed and for different conditions. and processes, thereis. provided a means for each step, of the process for controlling the length of time. of treatment in, that. step. by varying the.- lengthof stepv of the; movement which thereby varies the. time of treatment. in that step.

To, take care of the varying time of processing in. the; various. steps, I have illustrated three. ofmanv different types-of devices, any one of, which may be used, depending upon the particular 8 problem i301 be met. and the accuracy of time desired.

For example, at. the. left. in. Fig. l and. in Figs. 5-,. 6a and is. a type which. I illustrate with the; dryer frame. The feeding bar (58 isprovided; an adjustable block 1'4. The plate. "ill which. supported on the frame. has angular lever pivotally mounted thereon as at 555 On one; end of: the lever as at. 15? is pivotally: mounted a roller 7.5. This. roller is in position toengage; the. block. i i. and stop it in its. forward movement under influence of the spring 1 3 and also. permit; it. to. be moved up. and down by the rods 52%. Mounted on the lever 15 is; a leaf spring: 15 which is: secured: in place. at one endby rivets 155?. At the outer; end is a knob. 15* which has; on: its end. a pin which. passes through a hole. in the. lever- 5 and is. of sufficient. length to enter one: of: many holes Hie of the plate. Fill. These holes 102; are arranged on the arc of a. circle about. 125 as. a. center. By pulling out on the. button 1 5. and swinging the lever the position of the end of movement of the feeding bar 68 is. determined; since the. block M: when it engages the roller 15 wilt arrest; the. movement. of the feeding bar- .68. And since moving the lower end of the lever ii. to the, right in Fig. 1,. movesthe. roller 15 to: the left and: thereby shortening the movement. of the; bar 68: in one cycle, such. movement of the lever it; slows. the progress. ofthe drying racks along; the. rails: 5&3, thereby-lengthening the drying proc ess. On the other hand, moving thelower end; of the lever toward the left and securing it. position by an opening w, lengthens the incres ment. of" movement of the racks 2.! and shortens: the time of travel to theirear end of the rails Referring now to. Figs. 1, 11 and 12, the seg ment: plate 80, is secured to. the side of the frame, as illustrated', in line with theend. of an. auxiliary feeding rail 4'3. The plate is. provided with guides as in which is a slide 82. This slide 82- moves alongthe guides. 81!- and is. provided with a slot 82?. A knob 83. is provided with a screw which. passesthrough the slotv 82 and engages; a threaded hole in the segment. plate 80 tightening the screw of the knob. 33, the slide: 32 is prevented from moving in. its guides 8|. Therearward face of the slide 32 is in position. to; be engaged by the end of the auxiliary feed bar .:3 An adjusting screw. 86 having a lock-nut issecured in. the end of the slide member 82. Five,- otally mounted: on the plate. 80. is a rock cam shaft- 8'6 to. which are. secured a cam 8'1 and an operat ing: handle 82". A locking pin 38 is secured to a spring 83' which spring is. secured in place screws 59 on the handle 88; A- releasing knob. is secured at the end. of the spring '89s and. is:- used tobend the spring 89- and withdraw the locking pin from locking engagement. with the holes: 80? in the. plate 80: when. a change in ad-- justment. is desired.

Asalready stated, if the knob. ii! .is pulled. out; bending the, spring 89;. the pin fit will disengage from the hole 8. Then if the operating handle is swungabout the axis. of? the shaft 86; the. cam 3;! will press on: the head: of the adjusting screw 8. 3. If: the. screw knob 83 is released, the; operating handle 88 may be swung to the desired: adjustment. In order to. secure the desired. close adjustment between those afforded by the op.en.-. ings: it the screw 8!; with itslock nut 8.5 is used. After any adjustment is: made, the screw knob 83 is, tightened.

In using either of the forms just described, the; operative has knowledg of which setting screw 91 is threaded in the slide 93. *knob screw 95 is loosened and the knurled head produce the results which he desires. He thus is able to, at once, change from any speed of advance to any other desired speed by a resetting of the control device.

n Fig. 1, Figs. 13 and 14 is illustrated a third -progress control device which is especially adapted for use where quick changes in speed progress *of the sensitized object through any particular -step of the process is not essential. In this form,

the plate 92 is secured to the side of the machine.

A slide 93 operates in guides 94 as the slide 82 .similar manner. A bearing 96 is provided on the plate 92 and in this bearing the knurl-headed screw 91 is mounted to turn. A pinned collar 98 holds the screw 91 in its bearing. The end of. the When the of the screw 91 is turned, the slide 93 is moved back and forth at will and is again locked in place by the knob screw 95. The end of the slide 93 is in position to be engaged by the end of the

auxiliary feeding bar

43 or 43 and to control the length of stroke of the auxiliary feeding bar.

The principle upon which all three of these control devices operate is the same. By limiting the movement of the auxiliary feeding bar or the feeding bar in the case of the dryer illustrated, the length of the increment of movement in the speed progress of the feeding bar and the racks -2I, moved thereby, is controlled. 1

The power driving mechanism which operates the transfer and feed mechanisms will now be described.

A'motor mu drives a belt IOI which in turn, drives a pulley I02. This pulley I02 is mounted .on a shaft I03 which drives a worm gear unit I04. The worm gear unit I04 has a short shaft I04 upon which is mounteda gear I05. The gear I05 meshes with a gear. I05 which is mounted .on the shaft I 01. Thisshaft I01 extends from one end of the machine to the other and connects the gearing which operates the

chains

28 and 29,,

which gearing will now be described.

As alreadydescribed, the

chains

28 and 29 are supported near the. tops of their respective towers or

columns

24 and 25, by the

sprockets

26 and 21.

These sprockets have outer faces substantially.

parallel with the faces of the columns or

towers

24 and 25.

, The lowerportions of the chains 28, .29 are, in the instant illustration, shown as supported by three sprockets-one driver and two idlers.

some cases obtained in that with the construction illustrated, more time is consumed between the time of deposit of a. rack andthe timeof, pick-up of the next rack, thus making it possible The bevel gear I I0, drives the sprocket HI,

over which the chain 28 runs and operates the transfer rails 30 as already described. In addia.

Byhaving such a construction instead of a single lower supporting sprocket an advantage is, in

tion to the sprocket wheel I I I, the lower portion of the chain 28 is supported by the idlers H8, H8, the latter being offset and at substantially the same height as the bevel gear H0 and the sprocket III. The idler sprockets H8, H8 are supported in the casing of the column in any suitable manner.

At the rear end of the machine, the bevel gear I09 drives the bevel-sprocket unit H1 having a sprocket H1 and bevel gear teeth Hi". This bevel-sprocket unit II1, the sleeve H8 and the spur ear H9 are bolted together by bolts I20 to form a drive unit journaled on the axle bearing I2I. The axle bearing I2I is secured to a plate I22 which is bolted b the bolts I23 to the housing 25 of the rear column. The chain 29 runs on sprocket II! and is driven thereby.

At the lower portion of the column housing 25, the chain 29 is supported by the driving sprocket H1 and the idler sprockets I24, I25 which are similar in construction and function to the idler gears H8 and H8.

The power transfer gearing connection from the column or towers 24, 25 to the feeding mechanism will now be described.

Beneath the spur gear II2 of the housing 24 is an idler gear I20 which is suitably mounted on the housing 24 and to mesh with the spur gear H2 and another spur gear I21. This gear I21 is mounted on one end of the shaft I28 which extends through the housing 24 to and across the front of the tank 20 and has a spur gear I29 in position to engage a similar spur gear I30 which is mounted on the shaft I3I.

A sprocket I32 is connected by a chain. I33 which drives a sprocket I34, This sprocket I34 is mounted On a shaft I35 which carries at its end the forward crank plates 43 already ably mounted within the housing 25, which'idler gear I40 meshes with the spur gear I 4|. The gear MI is mounted on a shaft I42 which carries a spur gear I43 located at the rear of the tank 20 e The spur gear I43 drives a similar spur gear I44 on the shaft I45, in the opposite direction. On the end of the shaft I45 is located the cam 48 already described. Also On the shaft I45 is the sprocket I46 which drives the chain 49 already described. The chain in turn drives the sprocket I41 on the shaft I48.

This shaft I48 carries at its outer ends the crank plates 43 for driving the rear lifting mechanism of the feeding rail. Also on the shaft I48 is the sprocket I49 which drives the dryer drive chain 59 already described.

Having described the construction and operation of the individual parts of the invention, the operation of the machine as a whole will now be described. I

In assembling the parts of the machine, the

, inner transfer rail 30 is attached to its

carriers

28 and 29 so that the rail is horizontal and in such a manner that both ends will travel together under the power operation of the connecting shaft I01.

efsiieeee The ranks are first filled with the appropriate- 'liquid or solution.

If 'th'e'tiine of treatment or any'particular sensitized surface by the "liquid of -aparticul'ar tank "is known, a test off the timing operating mech- 'anism of that tank may be made to determine if it .has the correct timing. This may he "done by operating the machine and putting the rack through the operation with no "sensitized *obj'ect attached. Phe time between deposit above the tank and the pick-up by the brackets "38 having heen found to be too slow ortoo fast, the devices illustrated "in Figs. 5, 6., "7, 1'1, 12, 13 and 14 'are "adjusted as already described. This is repeated "for all tanks 'or for the dryer Where necessary. In Steps of the process where it is necessary to make a quick change from one speed through "atank to another speed, one of the devices illustrated ineither Fig, 7 or 'Fig. 11 wouldhensed.

In *the actual operation of the machine, the rack '2! with the sensitized object attached, "is placed upon the arms 12, being guided into place against the steps 2-2, by the guides 22 These latter contact the two outer clips 2i to center the rack to be in position Tor the p'ick-up'by the brackets 38, of the "rails '31), 35. As the transfer assembly laces the "brackets "3'8 beneath the ends the rack 2 I, the latter is Iifted'high and then lowered to ermit the sensitized surface to en- I ter the first tank.

"The feeding rails of the "feeding mechanism now'causes the auxiliary rails re and ar to move therack 21 along thetolp'of the tank to its rear where it is again picked up by the brackets "38 appropriate to that-tank, and deposited above I the next tank or in the last step on the dryer rails '5! where it is fed along to the rear of the dryer frame where it will have been "dried and ready for removal.

While an embodiment of the invent-ion has heen illustrated and described "in detail in connection with one of the usual and Well known processes "for developing "film's, it is to be understood that the disclosure is merely illustrative and that the sensitized object mayhe on the surface of film, glass, paper, wood, china, or "any moving sensitized objects through the so-uti'ons of the tankssuccessively in 'a step-by siep movement, "selective means for -predeterin-inedlv ad- Testing the length of step in the step-'lo'y-step movem 'ent in one tank independently of the adjustrnent of the-length the step in thestep-bvstep movement of sensitized objects in another tank.

' A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks for successively treating sensitized ob'iects, comprising means for each tank "for progressively feeding -the sensitized objects step' by-step through the tanks when being treated, from one part or a tank to another part, and means for each tank for adjustably -dtermining the length of the step of the etepby-st'ep t2 movement of ololects in one tank "independently of the length of the step "or the stepby-ste movement of objects in another tank.

3. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks for successively "treating sensitized objects, comprising a mechanism ier moving sensitized objects 'be'in'g treated lay stephy-step movement through tanks from end to end successively, and adjustable means for changing the length of the step "of "the step-by-step movement through one tank independently of the step of the step-hy-step movement through "another tank.

4. A photographic developing machine having a plurality o'f tanks for treating solutions, romprising means for moving a sensitized oldiect, when being treated, from one tank to another, a mechanism for m'oving'the ohj'ect t' hroug'h a tank when being treated, by an "up, forward, and downward step-by-step movement from one er-id of a -respective tank to the other end "and means for adjustalily "predeterrnining -indiv' iizlually, the length oi the step, "and thereby the time of treatment in any tank relative to the time of treatment' in another tank.

5. photographic developing machine having a plurality-oi tanks Tor treating solutions, compri'si-ng means for moving sensitized oldiects "from one tank to another when being treated, a mechan'ism for moving aplurality-ofohjects when lacing "treated, by "a step-'hy-step movement through each tank, and means for 'ad'justably predetermining the length oi movement of -the step "in the step-by-step movement in "one tank independently -"of the 'lengh of step in another thereby predetermining the length of time or "treatment in any tank independently of the length of time oi treatment in another tank.

6. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks for treating solutions, comprising means for 'r'novirrg an 'oHiect when being treated, from one tank to another, means for each tank for moving the obiect when being treated, :by a step-by-step movement from one end of that tank to its other end and "ad'ius'talile means for, at will, changing "the length of step in the movement in one tank independently of and relative to the length of step in "the movement in another :tank.

'7. .A photograph c developing machine having a plurality of tanks 'for treating solutions, comprising means for each tank for progressively feeding a sensitized object when "being treated, from one part of the tank to another part, a common means adfi'acent the sides of the tanks for moving the progressive .ieedin'g means of the tanks, means for transferring the object being treated from one tank to another and adjustable means individual to its tank and including an object-moving means carried by the common progressive feeding means for predeterminedly varying the time of treatment in one tank relative to the time of treatment in another tank.

8. photographic developing machine having .a plurality of tanks for treating solutions, room- .prising means adjacent each tank for progressively feeding an cbject when :being treated, from one part of the tank to the opposite part, a common means :i or lifting the sensitized objects fleeing treated, successively, -from-one tank to the next tank when the 'obie'ct reaches a point ad- 'ja'cent the end of that tank, and means including an object-moving means on the progressive feeding means for varying the speed-of progress 13 through one tank without changing the speed of progress in the other tank.

9. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks for treating solutions, comprising means for progressively moving an object being treated from one tank to another, and means for causing movement through and adjustably predetermining the time of treatment in one tank without changing the time of treatment in another tank, said predetermining means including a step-by-step movement-causing means for each tank and a variable position stop for each movement-causing means to limit the length of each step in the step-by-step movement, thereby varying the speed of progress through that tank.

10. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks for treating solutions, comprising means for progressively moving objects from one tank to another when being treated, and from one end of one tank to its other end and including a bar movable in a non variable closed path and a plurality of feeding elements carried by the bar, each being individual to its tank, and having a variable path, and means for predeterminedly controllin the variable path of each of the feeding elements to cause its movement into and out of feeding position at variable times, to vary the speed of progress of the sensitized object through the tank, independently of the feeding of the other feeding element.

11. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks for treating solutions, comprising elongated members extending along the sides of the tanks, power means for giving elevational and longitudinal movement alternately to the elongated members in respective closed paths, feeding members for the respective tanks and movably supported on the elongated members and in position to move the objects when carried to their upper positions by the elongated members, and movement-controlling means for varying the time of effective operation of the feeding means, thereby controlling the speed of progress and movement of the sensitized members by the feeding means.

12. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks for treating solutions, comprising a pair of bars mounted at the sides of the tank and extending substantially the combined lengths thereof, means for bodily moving the bars in substantially vertical planes while maintaining their positions substantially horizontally, individual feeding members mounted for longitudinal movement on the bars and of substantially the lengths of their respective tanks, the upper portions being slightly higher than and parallel to the tank edges when in their upper positions, object carriers of a length to be moved by the feeding members when moved to their upper positions by the bars, means individual to each tank for independently varying the length of effective feeding movement of the feeding members and means for bodily lifting and moving the object carriers from one tank to another.

13. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks for treating solutions, comprising a pair of bars mounted at the sides of the tank and extending substantially the combined lengths thereof, means for bodily moving the bars in substantially vertical planes while maintaining their positions substantially horizontally, individual feeding members swingingly mounted on the bars and of substantially the lengths of their respective tanks, the upper portions being slightly higher than and parallel to the tank edges when in their upper positions, object carriers of a length to be moved by the feeding members when moved to their upper positions by the bars, means individual to each tank for independently varying the length of effective feeding movement of the feeding members and means for bodily lifting and moving the object carriers from one tank to another.

14. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks for treating solutions, comprising a pair of bars mounted at the sides of the tanks and extending substantially the combined lengths thereof, means for bodily moving the bars in substantially vertical planes while maintaining them in horizontal positions, individual feeding members mounted for longitudinal movement on the bars and of substantially the lengths of their respective tanks, the upper portions being slightly above and parallel to the tank edges when in their upper positions, object carriers of a length to extend to positions across the tanks and above the feeding members of the respective tanks, to be lifted by the feeding members and moved along the tops of the respective tanks, and means individual to each tank for varying the duration of effective movement of the feeding members to predetermine the speed of progress of the sensitized object through the tank.

ANTHONY LUDWIG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 18,991 Williams Nov. 7, 1933 720,708 Latta Feb. 17, 1903 721,839 Schwarz Mar. 3, 1903 1,061,667 Gerhard May 13, 1913 1,167,216 Rathsfeld Jan. 4, 1916 1,233,109 Nesbit July 10, 1917 1,525,363 Boyce Feb. 3, 1925 1,651,454 Hayes Dec. 6, 192'? 1,664,735 Capstaif Apr. 3, 1928 1,670,673 Williams May 22, 1928 1,832,296 Greene et a1 Nov. 1'7, 1931 1,842,890 Williams Jan. 26, 1932 1,863,689 Dye June 21, 1932 1,974,890 Long Sept. 25, 1934 1,985,554 Smith Dec. 25, 1934 2,004,410 I-Iouch et al. June 11, 1935 2,124,106 Dye July 19, 1938 2,155,511 Simjian Apr. 25, 1939 2,157,128 Hersberg May 9, 1939 2,194,345 Winans Mar. 19, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 354,823 Germany June 15, 1922 284,769 Great Britain Feb. 3, 1928 328,725 Great Britain May 8, 1930 694,863 France Sept. 22, 1930 371,089 Great Britain Apr. 21, 1932 557,956 Germany Sept. 3, 19,32