US2666384A - Photographic copying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19. 1954 H. c. YuTzY ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 21, 1951 ynm N MEN z n E 0 www .aan .law A QA., W Y0 M o" Mw W@ H6 ,Y B \\\m,\ Nm um QN Jan. 19. 1954 H. c. YU-rzY ET AL PHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed De'G. 2l, 1951 HENRY C. Yl/TZY GUY .0. AYDLETT INVENTOR. @46.7%

Jaw 19- 1954 H. c. YuTzY ET AL PHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 2l, 1951 HENRY C. YUTZY .GUY D. AYDLETT INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEYS y Patented Jan. 19, 1954 'UNITED- sTAT-rss PATENT oFFlcs assigno'rs to Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 21, 1951, Serial No. 262,778

\ 18 Claims. Y 1

This invention relates to photographic reproduction and more particularly to a -photographic copying apparatus. Specifically, it relates to a .photographic processing and imagetransfer device whereby an exposed,sensitized photographic sheet may be processed ina suitable liquid and withdrawn in contact with a second sheet, which is non-sensitized,l to cause transfer of an image from the rst sheet to the second.

In United States Patent No. 2,596,756., granted May 13, 1952., Henry C. Yutzy andEdward C. Yackel describe a process wherein a film or paper support, coated with a substantially unhardened silver halide gelatin emulsion containing a pigment or dye and a tanning developing agent, is exposed to a suitablel two-toney subject, such as a line or half-tone subject, after which the sensitized film or paper is'processe'd by immersion in an Aalkaline solution. This processing results in thefdeveloping of the ex- ,posed image and the simultaneous hardening or -tanning of the gelatin in the exposedand del velcped areas. Thereafter, the excess fluid may -be squee'ge'ed from the .processedsheet which is then pressed, while still moist, into contact with a non-sensitized sheet of paper having an absorbent surface. After separation of the two sheets, it ywill be found that'a stratum of the 'unexposed and, therefore, unhardened areas of emulsion layer will have been transferred to the 'sheet of papera This'r process thus. produces a direct-positive image. Moreover, although the image is immediately discernible upon separation of the two sheets because of the pigment or dye in the transferred emulsion, this image will darken further upon exposure to lightr since the transferred emulsion also ycontains sensitized silver halide. This process is especiallyuseful since it permits making several reproductions from the exposure of a single sensitized sheet. This is possible because in the transfer of unhardened gelatin to the absorbent sheet only a stratum thereof is carried over; The processed sheet may be again wetted in the alkaline solution, squeegeed and pressed against a second absorbent sheet whereby a second stratum of theunhardened gelatin will be transferred. It is possible to repeat this a number of times before the unhardened gelatin is exhausted to the extent that no longer acceptable copies are obtainable;

Since the composition of the emulsion, as well as a number 'of modifications thereof, and the chemistry of lthis processare fully'dselosed in the above-noted patent and actually forl'nno part of the present invention, we have omitted such data in this specification. We refer to this process, however, in that the apparatus disclosed below, which comprises the present invention, 4is particularly adapted for use in this process and in such variations 'thereof as may occur to those skilled in this art. y

lThe apparatus embodying the present invention includes a number of unique features which particularly adapt it to its intended use. These features, while of apparent simplicity, provide effective means for carrying out the several steps of the process for which the apparatus is intended. One such feature is the relative positioning of the processing tank and the supportiiig means for the absorbent,,non-sensitized paper or image-receiving' sheet whereby the `latter is maintained above the liquid level, or out of contact with the body of processing solution, and yet is so positioned relative to the exposed sensitized sheet, which has been immersed in the processing solution, that, as both sheets are simultaneously withdrawn from the apparatus, a simple, mannelly-operable mechanism squeegees the excess solution from the processed sensitized sheet and immediately thereafter presses this processed sheet into intimate contact with the image-'receiving sheet.

The latter mechanism, t'oo, is a 'feature of the present invention since it not only accomplishes the above several steps of the process bymeans of a single manipulation thereof, but may also include such other valuable and novel elements as means for automatically controlling the pressure of `the squeegee upon the processedsheet and means for automatically providing that uniform pressure is applied across the width of the two superposed sheets as these are withdrawn from the apparatus, thereby insuring more uniformity in the intensity of the transferred image. Still another feature of one form of the invention is the mechanical arrangement by which the apparatus is adapted to handle sheets of two different lengths. y

t is, therefore, an object of the vpresent invention to `provide a new and improved photographic copying apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to .provide a new and improved processing and imagetransfer apparatus which Vis adaptedwfor the production of a plurality of copies from` the exposure of a single sensitized sheet.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the character described which includes manually-operable means, the operation of which both squeegees the excess liquid from the processed sensitized sheet and presses this sheet into contact with the image-receiving sheet as the two sheets are withdrawn from the apparatus.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the character described in which the pressure of the squeegee upon the processed sheet is automatically controlled.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the character described which is adapted to automatically maintain a uniform pressure across the width of the two superposed sheets as these are withdrawn from the apparatus.

It is a still further object to provide an apparatus of the character described which is readily adapted to handle sheets of two different sizes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following descrip tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and it will be understood that many changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown and de scribed without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims. We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact details shown and described as the preferred forms only have been shown by way of illustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the length of a processing and image-transfer apparatus which embodies the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar sectional view of one end of the same apparatus in which the pair of arms which mount the pressure roller and squeegee mechanism have been rotated into an operative position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the same apparatus, illustrating certain details of the rotatable sheet stop mechanism;

Fig, 4 is a plan view of another portion of the apparatus, illustrating the details of the releasable means for locking the pressure roller and squeegee in operative position;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4, showing this same releasable locking means;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the handle means for rotating the pair of arms which mount the pressure roller and the suueegee mechanism;

Fig. 'I is a vertical sectional View of one end of an apparatus, illustrating a modification of the means for pressing the two sheets into intimate contact; and

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional View of still another modified form of the invention.

The preferred form of the present invention, shown in Figs. 1 to 6, comprises the tank I0 in which the exposed sensitized sheet II is processed, the supporting tray I2 for the non-sensie tized or imagereceiving sheet I3, and the mecha nism I4, the manual operation of which functions to squeegee the excessliquid from the proc- 'essed sheet and to immediately thereafter'press this sheet into intimate contact with the nonsensitized sheet, as the two sheets are withdrawn from the apparatus. In addition, the preferred form includes a rotatable sheet stop mechanism l5, the function and operation of which will be later described.

The tank I0 is provided with a horizontal iiange 3| extending about three sides thereof. The supporting tray I2 has a similar flange 32.

This form of construction permits the tray I2 to be nested upon and readily secured to the tank I0, whereby the former in effect provides a closure or cover for the greater length of the tank, as will be apparent from Fig. 1. The tank itself is adapted to contain the processing liquid I6 into which the exposed sensitized sheet II is inserted through yan opening I1 above the liquid level at one end of the tank. The tank, too, is provided with a sloping surface I3, which not only facilitates the insertion of the sheet |I into the tank, but cooperates with the squeegee I9 and pressure roller 20, as will be hereinafter de scribed. Fin-like projections 2| depend from the bottom of the tray I2, extending lengthwise of the tank, to serve as guides for insuring that the sheet is immersed in the body of the processing liquid.. Several ribs 22, projecting upwardly from the bottom of tank I2 and also extending lengthwise thereof, are staggered laterally with respect to the fin-like projections 2|. They cod operate with the rotatable sheet stop 23 for a purpose which will become later apparent. The ribs 22 terminate short of the sloping surface I8 at the end of the tank and concave iins 24 constitute continuations of the ribs and together therewith and with the fin-like projections 2| comprise guide means for facilitating the insertion of the exposed sensitized sheet into the tank and below the liquid level.

It will be obvious that the length of copy which may be produced is determined by the length of the tank IIJ and the supporting tray I2, the sheets being normally inserted until the forward edges thereof abut against the end wall of the tank and of the supporting tray. There are occasions, however, when a sheet of shorter length would be adequate. For this purpose, there is provided the rotatable sheet stop mechanism I5,

Q. which is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. This mechanism includes the rotatable stops 23 and 25, the rst of which is mounted in the tank, the second in the sheet supporting tray. The stops are fixed to shafts 26 and 21 which are journalled, respectively, in the sides of the tank and the supporting tray. In order that the stops may be operated in unison, the shafts are interconnected through the linkage 28 which extends through the aligned apertures 33 in the flanges 3| and 32. A hand knob 29. connected to an extension of the shaft 23, permits the operator to rotate simultaneously the two stops 23 and 25 into either of the two positions shown in Fig. 1. When the stops occupy the position shown in dashed lines, they are ineffective as stops and the sheets may be inserted into the apparatus until the ends thereof abut the end walls of the tank and supporting tray. However, upon the stops being rotated into the full-line position of Fig. l, they are interposed in the path of the sheets and limit the length of sheet which may be inserted to something less than when they are rotated into the former'position. Thus, with a single adjustment the apparatus is adapted to handle sheets of either of two predetermined lengths, which will be an obvious advantage where the apparatus is intended for the reproduction of copy of different sizes. To insure that the exposed sensitized sheet does not ride under the stop `23 in tankA Itwhen this stop.- i's rotated into the full".- l'ine position of Fig. L, thexedgeof thestopiispr vided with a downwardly projecting shoulder SEI which is cut away at intervals` conforming to the spacing of the ribs 22 in the bottomV of` the tank, so that such out-away sections register with said ribs. The sections of the shoulder 3.0; projecting between-A the ribs preclude any possibility.l of the sheetl II passing under the stop 23 when this is rotated into the` sheet-engaging position.

The supporting tray I2 for the non-sensitized sheet I-3 is providedwith similar longitudinal ribs 34 on the bottom thereof and" they rotatable stop 25 has a shoulder 35 whichA cut'V away at intervals to cooperate with the ribs to. prevent the sheet I3 from passing under the stop when this isA rotated into sheet-engaging position. The rib and shoulder constructionl in the tray I2 is? essentially identical with that in the tank.,

The mechanism I4 includes a pair off' arms 36 which are xed to the ends of element 3l". adjacent portions of the element being journalled into the sides of' the apparatus. An arbor 38, the ends of which are. j'ournalled into the free ends of said pair of' arms, has fixed thereto the pressure roller 20. A second pair of' arms 40; somewhat shorter than the rst pair; hasI its ends rotatably mounted' upon the ends of arbor 38 with a friction fit thereon. Between the other ends of said pair of arms 40 is mounted a squeegee I9, which is preferably a rubber blade of' the type usedin windshield wipers. Rotation of the arms 36 from the inoperative position illustrated in Fig. 1 to the operativey position of Fig; 2 carries the roller 2I1 and squeegee I9: into engagement with the sloping surface I8. Handle means 42 are provided so that the arms 36 may be manually rotated. A feature of thisr invention is the construction of this handle means and the manner of connecting the same to'Y the arms 3S, whereby auruform pressure of the pressure roller transversely of theV sheets of paper being operated upon is assured. The element 3l', upon which the ends of the pair of arms 36 are fixed and which is itself journalled into the sides of the apparatus, includes the spindles 43, reduced extensions of which are journalled into the sides of the apparatus and serve further toy mount the arms 36 (note Fig. 6). A torsion spring 44 connects the spindles 43 by having its ends secured in slots in the spindles. At the midpoint of the torsion spring 44 there s t plug 45. The handle means 42 includes a pair of arms 46 which are fixed to the tube 41' and,

vwhen assembled, this tube encloses the element 3T to which it is secured by pinning it to the cylindrical plug 45, about which it snugly fits. On the other hand, the ends of the tube provide internal bearing surfaces which are freely rotatable upon the spindles 43.

In operation, depressing the handle means 42 rotates the complete mechanism I4 until the pressure roller 20 engages the sloping surface I8. Beyond this point, continued depressing motion of the handle will cease to move the roller further but does increase the and upon the spring 44, which force is transmitted individually through the arms 3B to the roller. Since the arms 36 are independently pivoted, except for the constraint offered by spring 44, it follows that the arms can rotate a few degrees with respect to each other to compensate for any lack of alignment or parallelism that may existA betweenY thei rollery and the. sloping surface. This arrangement: thus. assures that the roller will automatically provide a. substantially uniform pressureacross the width ofthe sheets as theyarewithdrawn from the apparatus in spite of any smalll lack ofV parallelism that may exist between the roller and' the inclined or sloping surface.

The handle means 412l are held in the depressed position by a detent 48 which engages an aperture 4!!k in one off the handley arms 46', as may be seen in Figs. t and 5. The detent 48 which is formed at the end` ofthe pinA 50 is normally urged into engagement with the aperture, when the army is thus depressed; by the action of the coil spring 5 I- which is wound about the pin 50 and which is compressed between the collar 52 and an apertured boss'- 54; which is. formed on an inner surface ofI the tank member and through which the: pin passes` 'To-release the handle it is only necessary to grasp. the pin by the knob 53 and to withdraw it against the action of the coil spring, whereby the latter is further compressed andthe detent withdrawn from the handle arm. It is. not necessary for the operator to grasp the pin 5.0. to.Y engage the detent in the arm aperture because. this.

scribed spring-pressed detent other mechanical will suggestA themselves to those substitutions isy contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention. As a matter of fact, no particular locking means need be empl'oyedI at all to hold the roller in engagement with the inclined or sloping surface; the operaother hand.

The mechanism I4 is normally held in the inoperative position, shown in Fig. l, by a simple spring (not shown). For example, a spring, woundv abouty one end of tube 4l', may have one end thereofV bearing against arm 46 and the other end against an inside surface of the tank to urge the whole rotatable assembly in a counterclcckwise direction into the inoperative position of Fig. 1. The sensitized sheet, having been suitably exposed to copy of a two-tone nature by the reflex method, is inserted, emulsion side up, through the opening I1 into tank i8. A nonsensitized sheet is threaded between the pressure roller 2B and squeegee i9 into the supporting tray I2 and to further facilitate this step the tray is provided with a projecting apron 55 which extends from the bottom of the supporting tray between the roller and squeegee to a position beyond the roller. Both sheets, which have been inserted as far as they will go, i. e. until they have contacted either the end walls of the tray and tank or the stops 25 and 2S, if these have been rotated into sheet-engaging position, will have the ends thereof protruding from the opening I'i', as illustrated in Fig. l. After suilcient time has elapsed for the processing of the ex" posed sheet, the handle means 42 are depressed to the position of Fig. 2 and the roller 25J will press the two sheets into intimate contact upon the sloping surface i8. As the operator grasps the ends of thesheets and begins to withdraw these from the apparatus, the roller 20 is caused to rotate and the arbor 3B on which the roller is fixed will similarly rotate. Since the arms Mi, which mount the squeegee I therebetween, are mounted upon the arbor by means of friction bearings, the rotation of the roller 20 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) will urge the arms lili to rotate in this same direction, thus causing the squeegee to almost immediately thereafter make contact with the sheet II. Moreover, the continued rotation of the roller will continue to maintain the squeegee in p-ressure contact with the processed sheet. Such an arrangement precludes the possibility of the squeegee being in eiiective because of its not having been properly aligned with the roller 20 in respect to the inclined surface with which both roller and squeegee must simultaneously cooperate as the pair of sheets is withdrawn from the apparatus. Since the squeegee arms 4G are independently mounted upon arbor 38, except for the restraint of the squeegee itself to which the free ends thereof are connected, the arms Ml can rotate a few degrees with respect to each other, which will thus compensate for any small lack of parallelism existing between the sdueegee and the inclined surface. After the two sheets have been withdrawn, they maybe readily stripped apart with the resultant transfer of unhardened gelatin (and a positive image) from sheet Il to sheet I3. Additional copies may be obtained by reinserting sheet II in the tank and again with drawing it in pressure contact with additional sheets, one at a time.

Although in the preferred form of the invention the pressure roller and squeegee are described and illustrated as bearing upon a plane sloping surface, when in their operative position, it will be apparent that a curved surface may be substituted ior the plane surface. If a curved surface is employed, the slope at each point of its operative surface should be inclined downwardly toward the tank itself to facilitate drainage of the liquid from sheet I I back into the tank. Still another modification, which is considered to fall within the scope of this invention, is the provision of a second pressure roller 5E which is rotatably mounted below the sloping surface 51 but projects through an opening 53 therein to be engaged by roller 20 when this is rotated into 'operative position by the depressing of the handle means 42. In this modification, illustrated in Fig. 7, the pressure upon the superposed sheets is obtained solely by their passage between the rollers 2i! and 56.

While in the preferred form of our invention the several sheets are processed and operated upon while these are in an essentially horizontal position, we also contemplate the application of the principles of our invention to a vertical tank, such asillustrated in Fig. 8. In this variation pressure is applied to the two sheets Il and I3 by drawing these between pressure rollers 59 and 5U. Roller 59 is rotatably secured to bracket til which is i'ixed to vertical tank 62. Roller S0 is rotatable on bracket 63 which is pivotally mounted upon bracket 5I to swing between operative and inoperative positions. In Fig. 8 the inoperative position of bracket 63 is indicated by dashed lines. Also upon brackets 63 and BI are the elements 54 and B5 which cooperate to function as means for removing excess liquid'y from sheet II as this is withdrawn from the tank. Element 6d is preferably a sdueegee of the rubberblade type described in connection with the preferred form of our apparatus and is iixed to movable bracket 63, while element 65comprises a relatively small roller, mounted upon bracket El, which is adapted to be engaged by squeegee 64 when bracket G3 is swung into operative position. Also rigidly secured to bracket 63 is the guide or supporting means 66 which maintains the image-receiving sheet I3 clear of the body of processing liquid B1 and which guides this sheet into the bight between rollers 59 and BIJ. The operation of the apparatus of Fig. 8 is relatively simple. With bracket 63 swung into the inoperative position shown in dashed lines in Fig. 8, the exposed sensitized sheet II is inserted vertically into tank 52. The image-receiving sheet I3 is fed into the guide means 66 and bracket B3 rotated to its illustrated full-line position. The length of sheet II relative to the depth of tank 62 is such, and the length of sheet I3 passed over guide B6 is such, that the ends of the two sheets project above the pressure rollers 59 and 60 `and provide means by which the superposed sheets may be grasped by the operator to draw these between the pressure rollers. Bracket 63 is preferably spring actuated to hold the rollers 59 and 6D in pressure contact. However, other mechanical arrangements may be utilized to bias the rollers either apart or together or into both of the two positions into which the operator may selectively swing the rotatable bracket 63. On the other hand, no biasing means at all may be employed and pressure between the rollers may be obtained from the force exerted by the hand of the operator. For the latter purpose and for ease of manipulation, the rotatable bracket 63 may be provided with some kind of handle, many forms of which will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It will be obvious that as the two sheets are withdrawn after the sensitized sheet II has been suitably processed in tank 62, squeegee 54 and roller 65 cooperate to remove excess huid from the processed sheet just prior to its being engaged by the image-receiving sheet I3 as the two sheets are rolled together under pressure. After withdrawal from the apparatus, the two sheets may be readily stripped apartwith the result that a stratum of the unhardened gelatin has been transferred from the sensitized to the image-receiving sheet. y

Although we have not described the Vuse of any temperature control means for use with the disclosed processing tanks, it will be apparent that any conventional heating element, thermostat, heat exchange means, etc. may be utilized in the described apparatus according to the requirements of the process. And while we have disclosed apparatus especially adapted for use in a particular photographic process, it should be understood that its use is not necessarily limited thereto.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that we have provided means for obtaining all the objects and advantages of this invention.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A processing and image-transfer apparatus comprising a processing fluid container having an opening through which an exposed sensitized sheet may be inserted and withdrawn, means adapted to support an image-receiving sheet externally of the body of processing fluid, an arm accessi arms pivotally connected to the apparatus and adapted to be rotated into operative and inoperative positions, a pressure roller and means including a squeegee secured to and positioned between said arms, means for supporting an imagereceiving sheet above the tank with the end of the sheet extending between the pressure roller and squeegee when said pair of arms is in inoperative position, said pressure roller and squeegee being adapted to be pressed against said sloping surface by rotation of the pair of arms into operative position whereby the processed sensitized sheet is squeegeed and the two sheets are thereafter brought into pressure contact as both sheets are simultaneously withdrawn from the apparatus, handle means for rotating said pair of arms, and a spring connection between each of said arms and said handle means for compensating for any lack of parallelism between the pressure roller and the sloping surface.

10. A processing and image-transfer device comprising a tank for containing a processing liquid, said tank having an opening above the liquid level through which an exposed sensitized sheet may be inserted, a pair of arms pivotally connected to the device and adapted to be rotated into operative and inoperative positions, a pressure roller and a squeegee secured to and positioned between said arms, means for supporting an image-receiving sheet above the liquid level with an end of the latter sheet extending between the pressure roller and squeegee when said pair of arms is in inoperative position, and means associated with said tank adapted to be engaged above the liquid level by said pressure roller and squeegee when said pair of arms is rotated into operative position and to be spaced from said pressure roller and squeegee when the pair of arms is rotated into inoperative position.

l1. A device according to claim l further including handle means for rotating said pair oi arms, and a resilient connection between each of said arms and the handle means.

12. A processing and image-transfer device comprising a tank for containing a processing liquid, said tank having an opening above the liquid level through which an exposed sensitized sheet may be inserted, a first pair of arms pivotally connected to the device and adapted to be rotated into operative and inoperative positions, an arbor, the ends of which are journalled in said arms, a pressure roller xed to said arbor, a second pair of arms, the ends of which are rotatably mounted upon said arbor `with a friction t, a squeegee secured to and positioned between the second pair of arms, means for supporting an image-receiving sheet above the liquid level with an end of the latter sheet extending between the pressure roller and the squeegee, and means on the tank adjacent to said opening adapted to be engaged above the liquid level by said pressure roller when the rst pair of arms is rotated into operative position, said latter means being adapted to be also engaged by the squeegee upon rotation of the pressure roller and the resulting rotation of said second pair of arms. e

13. A device according to claim l2 further including handle means for rotating said first pair of arms, and a torsion spring connection between each of said latter arms and the handle means.

14. A processing and image-transfer apparatus comprising a tank for containing a processing liquid, said tank having a sloping surface and an opening above the liquid level at one `end` thereof, a first pair of armspivotally connected to the apparatus and adapted to be rotated into operative and inoperative positions, an arbor, the ends of which are journalled in said arms, a pressure roller xed to said arbor, a second pair of arms, the ends of which are rotatably mounted upon said arbor with a friction fit, and a squeegee secured to and positioned between the second pair of arms, said pressure roller being adapted to engage the sloping surface of the tank above the liquid level when the iirst pair of arms is rotated into operative position, and said squeegee being adapted to also engage said sloping surface above the liquid level when the pressure roller is caused to be rotated.

l5. An apparatus according to claim 14 further including handle means for rotating said rst pair of arms, and a resilient connection between each of said latter arms and the handle means.

16. A processing and image-transfer apparatus comprising a tank for containing a processing liquid, said tank having an opening above the liquid level through which an exposed sensitized sheet may be inserted and withdrawn, an arm pivotally connected to the apparatus and adapted to be rotated between operative and inoperative positions, pressure means and a squeegee on said arm, means on the tank adjacent to said opening adapted to be contacted by said pressure means and squeegee when said arm is rotated into operative position and to be spaced therefrom when the arm is rotated into inoperative position, means for supporting an image-receiving sheet above the liquid level with an end of the latter sheet extending between the pressure means and the squeegee, means for engaging the end of both of said sheets to restrict the length of each sheet insertable in the apparatus, and mechanically interconnected means adapted to simultaneously vary the length of both sheets insertable in said apparatus a substantially equal amount.

17. An apparatus `according to claim 16 in which said mechanically interconnected means comprises a pair of rotatable stops, one of which is adapted to engage the sensitized sheet end in said tank, the other of which is adapted to engage the end of the image-receiving sheet on said supporting means therefor, and a linkage therebetween for simultaneously rotating both stops into or out of said sheet-engaging position.

18. A processing and image-transfer apparatus comprising a tank for containing a processing liquid, said tank having a sloping surface and an opening above the liquid level at one end thereof through which an exposed sensitized sheet may be inserted, a pair of arms pivotally connected to the apparatus and adapted to be rotated between operative and inoperative positions, a pressure roller and squeegee secured to and positioned between said arms, means for supporting an image-receiving sheet above the liquid level with an end of the latter sheet extending between the pressure roller and the squeegee, said pressure roller and squeegee being adapted to engage the sloping surface of the tank when said pair of arms is rotated into operative position and to be spaced from said sloping surface when the pair of arms is rotated into inoperative position, handle means for rotating said pair of arms, a pair of rotatable stops, one of which is adapted to engage the sensitized sheet end Vin said tank to restrict the length of sheet which may be in- References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 198,980 Hme Jan. 8, 1878 15 Name Date Jewell Deo. 3, 1889 Yawman June 3, 1902 Land July 26, 1949 Bornemann Jan. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France 1e Dec. 10, 1942 Switzerland Oct, 2, 1950

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