US2909979A

US2909979A - Self-contained dark room

Info

Publication number: US2909979A
Application number: US702973A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward L Corrons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-12-16
Filing date: 1957-12-16
Publication date: 1959-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1976-10-27

Description

Oct. 27, 1959 Filed Dec. 16, 1957 E. L. CORRONS SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. E. L. CORRONS ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E. CORRONS SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16, 1957 ATTO RNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E. L. CORRONS 2,909,979

SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM Filed Dec. 16, 1957 e Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. E. L,CORR ONS ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E. L. coRRoNs 2,909,979

SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM Filed Dec. 16, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG- 8 mmvrox. F|G 9 E.L.CORRONS ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E. L. CORRONS SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 16, 1957 INVENTOR. E .L. CORRONS ATTO RNEY Oct. 27, 1959 E. L. CORRONS SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 16, 1957 FIG.

FIG. I5

FIG. l4

INVENTOR. E L. CORRONS FIG. \6

BY %4A. w/W

ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,909,979 SELF-CONTAINED DARK ROOM Edward L. Corrons, Wichita, Kans. Application December 16, 1957, Serial No. 702,973

4 Claims. (Cl. 95-91) This invention relates to photography. In a more specific aspect this invention relates to means to be used in photography. In still a more specific aspect this invention relates to a portable, self-contained dark room which is employed to develop photocomposition film or photographic paper. In yet a more specific aspect this invention relates to a portable, self-contained dark room designed for use with a photographic line composing machine in the printing arts, such dark room being employed to develop and fix the film from such a line composing machine to produce a negative or to develop and fix photographic paper.

Printing is one of our older arts. Many different processes are employed in producing printed publications. One of the most recent developed methods uses a composing machine to produce letters and figures by photographic methods, the negative film resulting being used in methods quite similar to lithography to produce the printed publication by so-called offset methods and means. Several machines are currently being used and are on the market, for example, the Fotosetter, a product of Intertype Corportion, Brooklyn, New York, and Linofilm, a product of the Linotyp Company, Brooklyn, New York. Both of these line composing machines are fairly Widely used in the printing industry today both by the job printer and by the publication printer, such as newspapers and magazines. These machines produce a strip of exposed film photographically sensitized with the desired letter or figure thereon. It is these machines and the film produced thereby with which my invention is particularly concerned. No means is known in the prior art to satisfactorily and conveniently process this exposed film to produce thenegative from which the further printing steps are accomplished in the usual lithographic procedure. The usual and typical dark room is and must necessarily be remotely located from a great deal of the photographic line composing machines in the usual and typical printing shop, newspaper publication building, or magazine publication establishment. It is the practice in the industry to replace the older linotype machines with the new photographic line composing machines in substantially the same building location. The line composing machine operator has no ready and simple way of checking the exposed film he is producing, and a great deal of time is lost in going to or having someone take to the usual dark room the exposed film to process same. With the new portable, self-contained dark room of my invention an operator or several operators can have a satisfactory dark room at the site of the photographic line composing machines, where such operators can conveniently develop the film in a minimum of time to check their composition and quality, as well as producing the negative for the further lithographic steps of printing wherein the film is used. The new self-contained and portable dark room of my invention is indeed a step forward in the printing art.

The new portable dark room of my invention for processing photocomposition film and photographic paper has a housing with an inlet for unprocessed film or paper and an outlet for the processed film or paper which I refer to as the negative. The housing has viewing means which are employed by the operator to watch the developing process while it is occurring within the dark room. Arm holes are provided in the housing so that the operator can work therein. Within the housing are means to hold the various processing fluids used in processing the exposed filmor paper, and these means are constructed to receive the film or paper during the processing operation. In operation the new dark room of my invention receives the unprocessed film or paper, processes same as a result of the efforts of the operator, and provides for passing out of the housing processed film or paper, referred to as the negative, so that the operator can use it or have it used to produce the means necessary to complete the lithographic printing process.

It is an object of my invention to provide new photographic processing means.

It is another object of my invention to provide new photographic processing means to be used in conjunction with photographic line composing machines in the printing arts. 9

Still another object of my invention is to provide new portable, self-contained dark room means.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide new dark room means which can be conveniently located at the site of photographic line composing machines, so that the exposed film therefrom can be processed to form the printing negative.

Still another object of my invention is to provide new simple and easily portable dark room means which is convenient to use, and which allows the photographic line composing operator to check his work and to produce the printing negative at the site of the machine after the film has been exposed.

Other objects and advantages of the new portable dark room means of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Drawings accompany and are a part of this disclosure. These drawings depict preferred specific embodiments of the new portable dark room of my invention for processing photocomposition film and photographic paper, and it is to be understood that such drawings are not to unduly limit the scope of my invention. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred specific embodiment of the new portable and self-contained dark room of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of same with the top of the housing removed and showing the means within the housing of the dark room.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of same with the front panel of the housing removed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view enlarged of a preferred specific embodiment of motor, eccentric and agitator blades preferably used in the dark room of Figs. 1 through 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a preferred specific embodiment of the viewer or eye piece in the top panel of the housing of the dark room.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional end view of the eye piece or viewer of Fig. 5 showing particularly the slidable mounting means therefor.

Fig. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation view of the dark room with able arm holes in the front panel of the housing of the dark room.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the preferred specific embodiment of powered roller operated means to pass film through the housing and out the outlet thereof.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view through a preferred specific embodiment of inlet means for the film cartridge into the housing of the dark room. Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view horizontally through a portion of the front panel of the housing showing preferred specific means for the slidable arm hole provision thereof.

Fig. 14 is a vertical cross sectional view through the front panel of the housing.

Fig. 15 is an inside elevation view partly cut away of the front panel member of the housing. V Fig. 16 is an enlarged cross sectional View through a film being processed showing preferred specific separation means between the containers for processing fluids within said housing and air conduit means preferably located relative to said film and separation means.

Following is a discussion and description of the new dark room means of my invention for processing photocomposition film and photographic paper made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are usedto indicate the same or similar parts or structure. The discussion and description is made with reference to preferred specific embodiments of the means of my invention, and it is to be understood that such is not to unduly limit the scope of my invention.

In the preferred specific embodiment of the portable self-contained dark room of my invention as shown in the drawings, there is a horizontally disposed elongated housing or box-like body having a top panel member 18,

end panel members

20 and 22, back panel member 24, bottom 26, and a front panel member 28. These housing or body panel members can conveniently be made of wood, or other suitable material such as plastic or metal. They can be suitably joined together, it being desirable that top panel 18 be hingedly mounted on the top edge of side panel 20 by hinge means 30. The housing or body is preferably mounted on bracket and wheel assemblies 32 which are suitably secured in bottom 26. This makes the housing or body more portable and easier to move aroundin use. The housing or body ispreferably constructed light-tight to provide the dark room chamber wherein the photocomposition film or photographic paper is processed to produce the negative.

* End panel member 22 has a revolving, preferably lighttight door 34 mounted therein, through which cartridges containing exposed film or paper are passed to an unloading tray or shelf 36 in the chamber of the housing or body. This shelf 36 conveniently mounts a timer 38 which is used in the developing and other processing operations, and I have found it preferred that the timer be operated to ring a bell 40 outside the housing or body, so that an operator can be put on notice that a set period of time has passed in any of the processing operations for the photocomposition film or photographic paper. The door structure 34 has a pair of revolving door members 42 set at approximate right angles and so that the door is always closed to the entrance of light into the cabinet. An overhang 44- on the outside of the revolving door 34 and fixed to the top frame thereof is preferably employed. The cartridge having the film or paper strip therein for processing is passed in through door 34 and up through overhang 44. It is preferred that shelf 36 have an upwardly projecting end 46. This easily catches the film cartridge when it is introduced into the housing. A spring loaded cartridge holding assembly is preferably mounted on the outside of edge 46. This preferably consists of fixed end holder 48 and spring loaded slidably mounted end'holder 50. These are moved apart to receive the film cartridge, and

4 upon retraction by spring 52 the bosses on

members

48 and 50 hold the cartridge.

This revolving door receiving and holding assembly for introducing film cartridges into the chamber of the body or the housing has proven satisfactory, and it is preferred as a convenience to provide an operating knob 54 with which to revolve the door members 42 of revolving door 34. The latch means 56 for top panel 18 is most preferably located at this inlet end of the housing or body, this being truefrom an operational standpoint.

In most instances it is desirable that a film or paper cutter 58 be mounted near the inlet into the housing so that the film or paper can be cut in the desired length of strip desired for processing. The cutter is preferably of the elongated blade type with the blade 60 pivoted at point 62 and pivoted thereabout by handle 64. This cutter assembly can be suitably mounted in the body or housing, or if desired the operator can keep a pair of shears in the chamber on shelf 36 with which to cut the film or the paper into the desired strip length.

Viewing means 66 is preferably slidably mounted in top panel- 18. The eye piece 68 of the viewing means 66 is suitably rigidly mounted in a sliding panel 70. This panel 70 is mounted for horizontal sliding in grooves or tracks formed by top panel 18 and members 72 fixed to the underneath side of top 18. This track mounting structure has proven satisfactory, movement being relatively easy and with the eye piece 68 remaining in desired position upon movement of same. The eye piece 68 is preferably of the well known self-acting kind upon exertion of pressure through the head of the operator with the eyes of the operator in place on the eye piece. When pressure is exerted, operating post 74 and the usual connecting operating assembly 75 (Fig. 7) operates shutters 76 to open same, allowing the operator of the dark room equipment to see through lenses 78 into the chamber of thehousing or body. Viewing means 66 and sliding panel 70 thereof is sized and constructed so that the dark room operator can conveniently move the eye piece 68 to the area or vicinity of the housing or body whereas the processing operation to be viewed is taking place.

In operation it is desired that the portable dark room of my invention have an interior chamber within the housing or body which is controlled as to temperature and humidity. This is conveniently accomplished by utilizinga typical and common window-type conditioner 80 mounted in the rear panel member 22 of the housing or body. Air from within the housing or body is withdrawn through louvered conduits 82; heat and moisture is removed from the air in conditioning means 80; and the cooled air is reintroduced into the housing or body through louvered conduits 84. The temperature within the housing can be used to control the air conditioner 80 automatically, so as to maintain a constant temperature within the body or housing. If desired, the housing or body can be insulated, and the air conditioning means has been found satisfactory to remove the heat of reaction given off in the processing operations of handling thephoto-composition film or photographic paper. In my desired specific embodiment, the chemical liquids used in processing operations are stored prior to use within tanks in the housing, so that these liquids will be at a relatively low temperature prior to their introduction into the processing means.

A front panel member 28 of the portable dark room of my invention is of particularly valuable and unique construction. It is built with arecessed lower and central portion to provide foot space for the operator who stands at the front of the dark room facing same. Front panel 28 above this recess has an elongated horizontal opening therein, preferably rectangular in shape. A rigid insert panel 92 is mounted inside the housing on the back of front panel 28, being held thereon by track providing members 94 secured to front panel 28 in any suitable manner. Stop means 96 mounted on front panel 28 in any suitable manner on the inside thereof properly positions insert panel 92 in vertical position. Panel member 92 preferably has felt or the like 98 along the edge thereof to make a light-tight fit between

panels

92 and 28. Likewise, bracket or track members 94 preferably have this felt 98 thereon to provide a light-tight fit.

A pair of slotted, cylindrical receiving members are oppositely mounted in mirror image relation and rigidly to panel insert 92, at the ends thereof. These are indicated as numeral 100 on the drawings. Through the slots 102 therein they receive the outer ends of flexible slidable panel members 104, and these flexible panel members are preferably made of relatively thin metal or stiff plastic material whichwill roll up in the manner of a tape measure, and the like. In use members 104 roll up within the fixed receiving cylinders 100. The other ends or inner ends of flexible sliding panels 104 are mounted in receiving cylinders 107 through slots 109 therein. These cylinders 107 are suitably attached together to move together by such as welding. The inner ends of flexible slidingpanels 104 roll up within cylinders 107 in the same manner as the outer ends of panels 104 in receiving cylinders 100. Receiving cylinders 107 move together and relative to insert panel 92 and the opening in front panel 28 of the housing. Track members 111 are suitably fixed to insert panel 92 above and below cylinders 107, and the cylinders are hung therefrom in slidable relation to track members 111 by hanger members 113 suitably fixed to the upper and lower ends of cylinders 107. These cylinders 107 are preferably track mounted to freely slide back and forth substantially the full length of the opening in front panel 28. Each of the flexible sliding panel members 104 has a preferably lighttight arm hole therein to receive the arms of the operator of the portable dark room. These arm holes are indicated by numeral 115. In the preferred specific embodiment shown in the drawings, a soft and pliable sponge rubber core 117 having a slit 119 therein is mounted to cover hole 121 in flexible sliding panels 104, such mounting preferably being on the inside thereof. A soft elastic and. gathered nylon sleeve member 123 is mounted over and around core 117, such rather tightly grasping the wrist and/or arm of the dark room operator after it has been inserted through the slit 119 in the core member. If desired, the slit 119 can be lined with a slick nylon or silk fabric to make insertion of the hand and arm easier. In operation the dark room operator inserts his arms through these openings 115 so that he can perform operations within the chamber inside the housing or body of the dark room. Either armcan be moved independent of the otherarm due to the sliding features of panels 104, and both arms can be moved in unison in either direction as a result of the unique mounting of center receiving members 107 in slidable relation to inse panel 92. e

To protect and provide for a perfect light-tight charnber, and to provide for information mounting space as to operation of the dark room, a small sliding panel 125 is slidably mounted in framing track 127 which is suitably attached to insert panel 92, preferably in an easily removable manner. This is desirable so that insert panel 92 can conveniently be removed as a unit from inside the housing or body with top panel 18 open. I have found it highly desirable to make the portable dark room of my invention in this manner to facilitate replacement of parts and repair, should such be necessary.

Preferably spring steel strip or tape 130 is mounted on receiving

cylinders

100 and 107 to force the flexible sliding panels 104 into light-tight contact with insert panel 92. The inner ends of spring holding member 130 are secured to cylinders 107, and eyes 132 on

cylinders

107, and 134 on cylinders 100 receive the spring loaded tape to position and guide same in use. In use as cylinders 107 are moved back and forth the inner portions of spring tape move relative to these eye guiding members. In this manner and by these means flexible sliding panels 104 are always maintained tight up against insert panel 92.

A plurality of processing trays or containers are suitably mounted and supported within the housing or body of the portable dark room. These most desirably are a developing tray 137, a short stopping tray 139, and a fixing tray 141. Down stream of these processing trays is preferably a wash tank for water 143 which'holds water during processing'operation and washes the film or paper prior to its exit from the portable dark room. The trays have outlets for draining same, with these outlets connected to sewer line 145, which passes out through the rear of the housing or body.

Valves

147, 149 and 151 control the drain lines from

trays

141, 139 and 137, respectively, the valve operators therefor being mounted in the front panel 28 of the housing. Water' Wash tank 143 has a drain line 153 therefor connected to the intake of a pump 155 preferably powered by an electric motor 157. The discharge of pump 157 is a line 159 passing out of the rear of the cabinet or housing and connected to the sewer line. Drain line. 153 from wash tank 143 has a valve 162 therein which is controlled by an operator mounted through front panel 28. On the drawings the operator is given the same numeral designation as the valve. A water inlet line 165 passes in through the back panel 24 of the housing, such passing water to wash tank 143 for washing the photocomposition film or photographic paper negative after same has been fixed in the processing operation.

A storage tank 168 for developer, a tank 170 for shortstop, and a tank 172 for fixing chemical are suitably and conveniently mounted on the rear panel 24 of the housing or body. Preferably these tanks have lids hingedly mounted thereon. They normally carry a supply of the chemical liquids used in the developing, etc., processes, and are preferably stored in the housing prior to use to be at the proper temperature for use. Lines 174, 176 and 178 with hand operated valves therein are preferably provided to convey developer, shortstop and fix, respectively, from storage tanks or

containers

168, 170 and 172, respectively, to

trays

137, 139 and 141, respectively. Also, on this back panel 24 of the housing or body is preferably mounted a filtered light means 180, preferably constructed to provide any type of safe light desired in using the portable dark room. Interchangeable filters are desirably employed. 7 In operating the new portable, self-contained dark room of my invention to process photocomposition film or photographic paper, it is desirable that the developer chemical in tank or tray 137, the shortstop chemical in 139 and the fixed chemical in 141 be agitated or in motion, it being possible, of course, to stop such agitation when desired. For this I preferably provide agitation or stirring means 185. Such is bent shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings. A mounting bar 187 is suitably mounted within the body'or housing of the dark room to reciprocate therein in operation. Suitably mounted collars 189 receive bar or pipe 187 therethrough. The motor 191 mounted and connected to operate pitman 193 is itself suitably mounted and supported in the housing or the body of the dark room. The outer end of pitman193 is pivotally connected to the end of reciprocating bar or pipe 187, so that upon operation of

motor

191, 187 moves back and forth. Stirrer arm members 195 are pivotally connected to brackets 197 which are in turn fixed to operator 187 to move therewith in operation. These are desirably pivotally connected as shown in Fig. 4, so that they can be swung up and back out of the way, as shown in Fig. 4 (dotted lines). An adjustable stirrer 201 is pivotally mounted in the same manner on operator 187, this stirrer 201 being designed for the deep water wash tank 143.

Stirrers

195 and 201 also serve to hold the film strip 260 immersed in processing

trays

137, 139 and 141 and wash tank 143 during operation by holding down the film passed under the stirrers. Switch means (not shown) can be conveniently mounted within or without the dark room to control motor 191 and the operation of the stirrers.

At the outlet of the housing or body of the dark room and within same is preferably mounted the roller type automatic feed assembly for the dark room best shown in Fig. 11. It has a plurality of upper rollers 200, which are swaging rollers mounted between

plates

204 and 206 which are in turn suitably attached to the end panel 20 of the dark room. Lower rollers 208 mounted between plates, 204 and 206 are powered rollers being turned by motor 210 through belt 212 and pulleys 214 mounted on the axles of the rollers 208. It has been found desirable that motor 210 be controlled so that it can be turned on and off from without the dark room. Switch or control means 215 is suitably mounted within the housing or body, such switch 215 being lever operated by operator 217 projecting through front panel 28 of the housing in recess 90 thereof. Operator 217 is preferably designed as shown in the drawings so that the operator of the dark room can operate same with his knee while standing up to the dark room. In the usual functioning of the apparatus, the arms of the operator will be within the housing or body projecting thereinto through arm holes 115 in sliding and flexible panels 104.

Rollers

200 and 208 are preferably made of a relatively soft, rubber-like material, which will grasp the film strip sufficiently to pass same between the rollers and out outlet chute 220 mounted in the end panel 20 of the housing. Also, these rollers preferably function to squeeze the film free of any water adhered thereto as a result of passing the film through the water in wash tank 143 during processing operation. In processing operation the operator while viewing the inside of the chamber through viewer 66 moves the film strip being processed a sufficient amount for it to be properly positioned in the various developing trays or tanks. Prior to automatic operation, the film strip is moved by hand by the operator through the developing tanks or trays and under the stirrers or

agitators

195 and 201 until thefirst portion of the film is ready for insertion between

rollers

200 and 208 after leaving wash tank 143. Between tanks or

trays

137 and 139, 139 and 141, and 141 and 143, I prefer to mount on the dividers thereof a rubber-like cap 225. These caps 225 carry the film or paper strip during process operation and serve to raise or elevate the film or paper strip between the trays or tanks. As a result, I have found that the processing chemical or water on the film or paper strip will then run off to fall back into the particular tray or tank from which the film has come. However, to prevent any carryover, I preferably provide an air supply through header conduit 227 having air delivery conduit extensions 229 positioned just to the side of rubber dividers 225 between the trays or tanks. 'A plurality of these air delivery conduits 231 are mounted in spaced relation above the rollers 200. These air delivery conduits 229 and 231 have slots 223 in their underneath side through which the air escapes. The air is directed at the top surface of the film strip just ahead of the dividers 225 and the final upper rollers 200, so that any liquid on the film will be forced back into the tank from which the film came.

As a precautionary measure, I have found it desirable to provide a sliding panel 240 within the housing of the portable dark room, such panel 240 being slidable, mounted in channel track members 242 attached to end

panel members

20 and 22 in vertical position. Lever assembly 244 having foot pedal 246 thereon outside of front panel 28 in the recess 90 thereof operates sliding panel 240. This panel is moved into elevated position when the operator desires to withdraw his arms from arm hole openings 115. Thus, the chamber is protected from damaging light entering into the area or vicinity of the processing trays or tanks wherein film or photographic paper may be in an important processing stage.

If desired, drying means 250 can be mounted on the outlet end panel 20'of the portable dark room. This drying means is shown schematically in the drawings. It can'consist of common electrical or steam heated drying equipment for processed photographic film or paper. If drying means 250 is used, an outlet 252 therefrom is preferable, the finished and dried film discharging onto shelf 254 for further use in the printing process.

In operation of the new portable dark room of my invention, the photocomposition film or photographic paper from the photographic line composing machine is introduced into the housing or body of the dark room through door means 34 in its usual and common cartridge. The operator of the dark room with his arms therein through arm holes opens the cartridge and removes the film, or starts the removal of the film. The cutter 60 can be utilized to cut the film strip to'desired length, if necessary or preferable. In the usual photographic processes, the strip of film to be processed-is passed through tanks or

trays

137, 139, 141, and 143, remaining therein the desired or necessary time for the operations of developing, shortstopping, fixing, and washing, respectively, to take place. When necessary, fresh processing chemicals are introduced into the processing trays or tanks, after the used chemicals have been discharged to the sewer, through line 145. In the operation the film 260 (Fig. 16) passes from under stirrer 195 and out of the processing tray over the divider 225 in elevated position with air from line 229 blowing thereon to remove the processing liquid from the film prior to its introduction into the next developing tank or tray. With safe light on, the operator through viewing means 66 can witness and regulate the processing steps within the chamber of the housing or the body of the portable dark room. Of course, the apparatus of my invention can be used to develop any exposed photographic film or paper, of any length or size which will fit the particular size of tray, etc., of the particular machines built to my invention. I have found that in operation one can easily position the film strip 260 being processed, and adjust it in passage through the processing trays or tank so that the film remains a sufficient time in the wash tank 143 to completely wash same of the processing chemicals. In doing this, I have found it desirable that the film itself pass underneath stirrer arm 201 and up and out of tank 143 to be engaged by

rollers

200 and 208. A suitably mounted chute 265 under the roller assembly carries wash water back into tank 143.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, various modifications of this invention can be made, or followed, in the light of this disclosure and discussion without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure or from the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A portable, self-contained darkroom for a strip of photocomposition film and photographic paper, comprising: an elongated, horizontally disposed housing providing a light-tight chamber, said housing having revolving, light-tight door means constructed in one end operable to upon operation pass a cartridge having a strip of said film or photographic paper therein into said chamber While maintaining same light-tight, a hingedly mounted top with a horizontally slidable viewer opertably mounted therein, outlet means constructed in the other end of said housing operable to pass therethrough said film or photographic paper in processed condition, and a front with a lower recess centrally located to provide foot space for an operator, an elongated, horizontal opening above said recess, and a rigid panel removably mounted in said housing on the upper portion of said front, said 9 panel having a pair of horizontally slidable and flexible sections covering said opening in said front, and a selfsealing arm hole in each of said sections; air conditioning means mounted in the back of said housing operatable to air condition said chamber and remove heat therefrom; and mounted inside said housing a plurality of trays placed end to end, said trays adapted to hold photographic processing chemicals, a wash tank for developed and fixed film or photographic paper, said trays having dividing means therebetween constructed to support a strip of film or photographic paper during processing in elevated position between said trays, powered roller means constructed and operatable to receive and pass said strip of film or paper through said trays and tank and out said outlet means in said housing, air conduit means having discharge means at the outlets of said trays and tank to deliver air in contact with the upper surface of said film or paper to remove liquid from same, and powered stirrer means having elongated armspositionable substantially.

horizontal in said trays and wash tank and constructed and operatable to agitate liquids in said trays and tank during the processing of said film strip or paper and to maintain said film strip thereunder immersed in said liquids. p

2. A portable, self-contained darkroom for processing a strip of photocomposition film and photographic paper, comprising: a box-like body providing a light-tight chamber, light-tight inlet means constructed in one end portion of said body operable to pass a strip of said film or photographic paper into said body, a slidable viewer operatably mounted in the top of said body, outlet means constructed in the other end portion of said body operable to pass therethrough said film or photographic paper in processed condition, and a front, said front having an opening therein and slidable flexible sections covering said opening, and a light-tight arm hole in each of said sections; means mounted in said body operatable to remove heat from said chamber; and mounted inside said body a plurality of trays adapted to hold photographic processing chemicals, a wash tank for developed and fixed film or photographic paper, said trays having means therebetween constructed to support a strip of film or photographic paper during processing in elevated position between said trays, means constructed and operatable to receive and pass said strip of film or paper through said trays and tank and out said outlet means in said body, air conduit means constructed to discharge air in contact with the upper surface of said film or paper to remove liquid from same at the outlets of said trays and tank, and powered stirrer means having arms constructed and operatable to agitate liquids in said trays and tank during the processing of said film or paper and positionable therein substantially horizontal,

3. A portable darkroom for a strip of photocomposition film and photographic paper, comprising, a housing providing a light-tight chamber, means mounted in one end of said housing to pass said film or paper into said chamber, viewing means mounted in the top of said housing, outlet means mounted in the other end of said housing constructed to pass therethrough processed film or paper, means slidably mounted in a side of said housing and having arm holes therein, and mounted inside said housing a plurality of trays placed end to end, said trays adapted to hold photographic processing chemicals, a wash tank for developed or fixed film or photographic paper, said trays having dividing means therebetween constructed to support a strip of film or photographic paper during processing in elevated position between said trays, means constructed and operatable to receive and pass said strip of film or paper through said trays and tank and out said outlet means in said housing, and means constructed and operatable to agitate said liquids in said trays and tank during the processing of said film or paper and to maintain said film immersed in processing liquids in said trays and tank.

4. A portable darkroom for processing a strip of photocomposition film and photographic paper, comprising, a housing providing a light-tight chamber, light-tight inlet means constructed in one end of said housing operable to pass said strip of said film or composition paper thereinto, viewing means mounted in said housing, lighttight outlet means constructed in the other end of said housing operable to pass therethrough said film or photographic paper in processed condition, and slidably mounted means in the front of said housing, said lastnamed means having light-tight arm holes therein, and mounted inside said housing means to hold photographic processing liquids and to receive said strip of film or photographic paper doing processing of same, means constructed andoperable to pass said strip of film or paper through said means to hold said processing liquids and out of said outlet means in said other end of said housing, and means constructed and operable to agitate said processing liquids in said means to hold same during processing of said film or paper and to maintain said strip of film immersed in said liquids during processing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS