US2835181A

US2835181A - Fluid circulating film handling reel and tank

Info

Publication number: US2835181A
Application number: US398015A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert R Seeley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-12-14
Filing date: 1953-12-14
Publication date: 1958-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 1975-05-20

Description

A. R. SEELEY May 20, 1958 FLUID CIRCULATING FILM HANDLING REEL AND TANK Filed Dec. 14, 1953 Illlla 51 HIM- n 5 INVENTOR. A4 8597 R. 555.45g BY United States Patent FLUID CIRCULATING FILM HANDLING REEL AND TANK This invention is concerned with a film developing tank and is more particularly concerned with a reel which directs or circulates fluids over the film handled thereby. It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved film developing reel which is of simple, practical construction and which is inexpensive of manufacture.

It is an object of this invention to provide a film handling reel of the character referred to which directs or circulates fluids over the film which is handled by the reel during the developing process. The reel that I have provided is particularly advantageous for use during the washing and/ or drying operations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fluid circulating film handling reel which is adapted to receive flow of fluid under pressure and to direct or circulate the fluid over the film handled by the reel without 1- forcing the reel from the container or tank which carries the reel.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a fluid circulating reel of the character referred to which evenly distributes fluid flow over the film which is handled by the reel so that there is no untouched or unwashed portions on the film.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a film handling reel of the character referred to which materially expedites film developing, washing, and dry ing. With the reel that I have provided the fluids to be used in processing the film are applied to the reel under pressure, preferably a low pressure, so that there is a substantial flow of fluid with the result that the time of treatment is materially reduced.

The reel of the present invention is adapted to be inserted into a suitable developing tank, and in the preferred form of the invention the reel is round in configuration and is insertable into a cylindrical tank. The reel may have ample clearance with the tank so that it is easily and readily inserted or removed from the tank.

The reel that I have provided is characterized by a tubular fluid handling hub which carries a flange fixed to one end thereof, and a movable flange which is slidably carried at the other end of the hub in spaced relationship with the fixed flange. Film directing means are provided on the inner faces of the flanges to guide the film onto the reel in spaced relationship. The film directing means involves spirally convoluted ribs which are suitably spaced to guide and hold the film in the desired spaced relationship.

Fluid directing means are provided in the flanges of the reel and are characterized by fluid handling ports which allow fluid to flow axially through the flanges of the reel and the film handled thereby. A fluid circulating means is provided which is adapted to receive the flow of fluids from the tubular hub and to direct the fluids laterally and radially to the ports in one of the flanges. The ports in the lowermost or fixed flange re- 2,835,181 Patented May 20, 1958 surfaces. The fluid flows from the reel through the ports in the movable flange and may then overflow from the developing tank which carries the reel.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a sectional view of a film developing tank carrying the reel that I have provided, the reel being shown in cross section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the lower portion of the reel as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the upper portion of the reel taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. l, and Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view taken as indicated by line 55 on Fig. 2. I

The reel Y that I have provided is adapted to be carried in an ordinary cylindrical film developing tank X. The tank X may have a simple flat circular bottom element and a vertically disposed cylindrical side wall 11. An annular groove 12 may be provided at the top of the wall 11, which groove is adapted to cooperate with a suitable lid in order to form a light seal.

The reel Y of the present invention is adapted to be carried in the cylindrical tank X and involves, generally, a vertically disposed central hub A, a flange B fixed to the lower end of the hub A, a flange C slidably carried by the hub A and opposed to the flange B, film directing means D and D carried by the flanges, fluid directingmeans 5 and E carried by the flanges and a fluid circulating means F adapted to receive the flow of fluid into the reel and direct it to the means E so that the fluid is circulated evenly over the film handled by the reel.

The hub A is an elongate tubular part concentric with the axis of the reel Y and is adapted to carry the flanges B and C. The hub A is vertically disposed in the tank X and is characterized by a simple tubular body 15. The body 15 has a cylindrical outer wall 16 and has a cylindrical inner wall 17 defining a fluid receiving passage which extends longitudinally through the body. The body 15 of the hub A terminates in fiat upper and lower ends l8 and 19, respectively, which are normal to the axis of the reel. As shown in the drawings, the axis of the reel is vertically disposed and the lower end 19 of the body 15 occurs near or adjacent to the bottom 10 of the tank X. The body 15 projects upwardly within the tank X within close proximity of the top of the tank where the inner wall 17 of the body terminates at the upper end 18 defining a fluid receiving opening. A key-way 20 extends longitudinally at one side of the body in the wall 16;

The flange B is a round disc-shaped part that projects radially from the lower end of the body 15 of the hub A in a plane coincidental with the plane of the face 19. The flange B is preferably integral with the hub A and is characterized by a flat element or plate having spaced parallel inner and

outer faces

27 and 28. The plate 25 is round and has a peripheral wall 26 which is concentric with the axis of the reel. An extension or outer wall. 29 projects downwardly or away from the lower end 19 of the hub, and an inner wall 30 projects downwardly. or away from the face 28 of the plate 25. The outer and inner walls 29 and'30 form a cylindrical rim part 31 which projects axially fromand away from the face 28. The rim 31 terminates in a shoulder 32 which is normal to the axis of the reel.

The flange C is a round disc-shaped part that projects radially from the body 15 of the hub A at the upper end thereof. The flange C is preferably slidably carried on the body and is characterized by a flat element or plate having a round peripheral wall 36 which is concen trio with the axis of the reel, and a central boss 37 which is slidably engaged over the body 15 of the hub. The boss 37 is a cylindrical part concentric with and carried by the body 15 and has a cylindrical bore 38 which is slidably engaged over the outer wall 16 of the body. The plate 35 is preferably integral with and is carried by the boss 37 to project radially therefrom, from the upper end of the boss. The plate 35 has an inner face 39 opposed to the inner face 27 of the flange B, and has an outer face 40, the faces 39 and 40 being parallel with each other.

An arcuate leaf spring is carried in the key-way 20 and is adapted to key the flanges B and C against relative rotation, and to hold the flanges C frictionally against movement axially of the hub A. The spring 45 frictionally engages the body 15 and has turned ends 46 which retain the spring on the boss 37 of the flange C. The lower end 46 of the spring 45 is engaged in a notch in the lower end of the boss 37 to prevent rotation of the spring with relation to the boss.

The film directing means D and D are alike, are carried by the flanges B and C, respectively, and are characterized by spirally convoluted ribs which act to guide the film onto the reel in spaced relationship. A rib 50 projects upwardly from the face 27 of the plate 25, while a rib 50 projects downwardly from the face 39 of the plate 35. The ribs 50 and 50' match or register with each other and progressively spiral outwardly from the center of the reel to the peripheries of the flanges B and C. The convolutions of the ribs are spaced from each other leaving a spiral film guiding channel. The ribs 5% and 5t) are maintained in register by means of the key 45 which operates in the key-way 20, as above described.

The fluid directing means E and E are alike, are carried by the flanges B and C, respectively, and are char acterized by a plurality of ports and 55 which extend through the

plates

25 and 35 of the flanges B and C, respectively. The ports 55 extend through the plate 25 of the flange B, while the ports 55 extend through the plate 35 of the flange C. The ports may be of any suitable shape and are preferably narrow, elongate slots which are located between the adjacent convolutions of the

ribs

50 and 50. As shown in the drawings, the

ports

55 and 55 may be arranged in groups or series that extend in radial rows from the center of the reel. It will be apparent that fluid is free to flow axially through the flanges B and C and axially of the film which is carried between the flanges of the reel.

The fluid circulating means F that I have provided is adapted to receive fluid, liquid or air, and to evenly distribute it or direct it axially through the flanges B and C of the reel, and axially through the film carried thereby. The means F is characterized by a manifold plate which is carried by the flange B at the lower portion of the reel. The plate 60 has inner and outer faces 61 and t 2 and is coextensive with the outer face 28 of the flange B. The

faces

28 and 61 of the flange B and plate tl are spaced apart and are parallel with each other defining a chamber 63 which is adapted to receive the flow of fluid from the lower end 19 of the hub A and direct it laterally and radially toward the periphery of the reel. The periphery of the plate 60 overlies the rim part 31 of the flange B and is provided with a recess 64 which receives the shoulder 32 of the rim.

One or more spacing lugs 65 may be provided to main tain proper spacing between the flange B and plate 60 of the means F. The lugs 65 may be formed integrally with the plate 60 to project upwardly therefrom and to engage the face 28 of the flange. It will be apparent that fluid entering the chamber 63 leaves the chamber through the ports 55 in the flange B to enter between 4 adjacent convolutions of the film handled by the reel. The fluid then progresses axially of the reel to discharge from the ports 55 in the flange C.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that l have provided a simple, inexpensive film handling reel which positively and evenly distributes or circulates fluids over the film handled thereby. With the reel of the present invention inserted in or carried by a suitable cylindrical tank X, it is merely necessary to connect a fluid carrying conduit or hose H to the upper end of the hub A. The hose H may supply fluid under suitable pressure to the fluid passage within hub A so that the fluid is conducted downwardly through the hub and into the chamber 63 formed by the fluid circulating means F that I have provided. The fluid is then directed outwardly and then upwardly through the ports 55 to act upon and treat the film which is handled by the reel. The fluid supplied to the reel and exhausted therefrom through the ports 55' may then be allowed to rise in the tank X and to overflow therefrom.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure from the upper end thereof, flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by the lower flange and having a flat bottom spaced from the flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange.

2. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure from the upper end thereof, flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by and spaced from the lower flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange.

3. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure from the upper end thereof, flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, the lower flange having a rim projecting axially therefrom, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by the rim and spaced downwardly from the lower flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange.

4. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure from the upper end thereof, a flange fixed to the lower end of the hub and projecting radially therefrom, a flange slidably carried at the upper end of the hub and projecting radially therefrom, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by the lower fixed flange and I having a flat bottom spaced from the flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange.

5. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure from the upper end thereof, a flange fixed to the lower end of the hub and projecting radially therefrom, a flange slidably carried at the upper end of the hub and projecting radially therefrom, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by and spaced from the lower fixed flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange.

6. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure from the upper end thereof and having an outer wall with a longitudinal key-way therein, a flange with an axially disposed rim and fixed to the lower end of the hub and projecting radially therefrom, a flange slidably carried on the outer wall of the hub and projecting radially therefrom with a part engaged in the keyway, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by the rim and spaced from the lower fixed flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange.

7. In combination, a film developing tank having a circular bottom and cylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reel including an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub adapted to receive fluid under pressure, flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, a plurality of fluid ports through the flanges and allowing fluid to flow axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by the lower flange and defining a chamber receiving fluid from the tubular hub and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange in a direction away from the bottom said reel being received within the side walls of the tank and engaged with the circular bottom thereof.

8. In combination, a film developing tank having a circular bottom and cylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reel including an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure, flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by the lower flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange in a direction away from the bottom said reel being received within the side walls of the tank and engaged with the circular bottom thereof.

9. In combination, a film developing tank having a circular bottom and cylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reel including an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure, flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by and spaced from the lower flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange in a direction away from the bottom said reel being received within the side walls of the tank and engaged with the circular bottom thereof.

10. In combination, a film developing tank having circular bottom and cylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reel including an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner Wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure, flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directly fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate coextensive with and spaced from the lower flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange in a direction away from the bottom said reel being received within the side walls of the tank and engaged with the circular bottom thereof.

11. In combination, a film developing tank having circular bottom and cylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reel including an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an inner wall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure, flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, the lower flange having a rim projecting axially therefrom, a plurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by the rim and spaced from the flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the port and vertically through the flange in a direction away from the bottom said reel being received within the side walls of the tank and engaged with the circular bottom thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,615,880 Lucas Feb. 1, 1927 1,807,901 Drew June 2, 1931 2,112,605 Pless Mar. 29, 1938 2,212,357 Vanderwalker Aug. 20, 1940 2,298,963 Naylor et a1. Oct. 13, 1942