US2933032A

US2933032A - Photographic film and paper processing machine

Info

Publication number: US2933032A
Application number: US641976A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward L E Pardee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-02-25
Filing date: 1957-02-25
Publication date: 1960-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 1977-04-19

Description

E. L. E. PARDEE PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM AND PAPER PROCESSING MACHINE I. M 5 r A a 5 2w. 3 L 0 r F m 1 1 E w W 0 30 L 00 9 -7155 all/ w 4 r w 6 a mum .4 "4% m 1 W a f j April 19, 1960 Filed Feb. 2s, 1957 ATTORNEY with white light.

Uni S e PM PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM AND PAPER PROCESSING MACHINE Edward L. E. Pardee, St. Paul, Minn. Application February 25, 1957, Serial No. 641,976

6 Claims. c1. 9s--s9 This invention relates to an improvement in photographic film and paper processing machine and deals particularly with a machine of the type described which is completely automatic.

Silver halide types of photographic materials, whether designed for the reproduction of color or simply black and white, are processed by subjecting them to the action of a series of chemical solutions, under controlled conditions. In the processing of color positive or so called reversal materials, the sequence of operations includes a light exposure in which the whole image area is flooded Generally speaking, the variables which must be controlled are, chemical composition of the solutions, time of treatment in each solution, temperature of the solutions, agitation of each solution, and secondary light exposures.

' Various devices have been previously produced which comprise semi-automatic devices for use in such processes. For example, machines have been produced for agitating the solutions either mechanically or through the .use of a gas bubble system. Timing devices have been produced which signal the dark room operator when the materials being processed should be transferred from one from one open top tank of solution to another by means of an endless belt or chain passing over properly spaced pulleys or sprockets.

An object of the present invention lies in the provision of an apparatus which is unlike any of the previous equipment with which I am familiar in that it is an automatic batch processor as distinguished from a continuous processor and in that each batch of film is completely handled by a robot device which travels from one solution tank to another carrying with it not only the batch of film being processed but also the agitating mechanism used for stirring the various solutions during processing. .A series of these robots can work side by side independently of each other, each moving from one tank to the next as required and each processing a batch of film or other photographic material so effectively and efficiently that their combined output might even be greater than that of a continuous machine. Furthermore, one such robot or carriage may follow another as long as they are spaced far enough apart so that there can be no interference between the successive robots or carriages during the treating operation.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a photographic processing apparatus including a series of open topped tanks which are themselves preferably 2,933,032 Patented Apr. 19, 1960 2 immersed in one or more larger temperature controlled tanks. The open topped tanks are aligned in preferred form and a track is supported above the level of the tanks on which the robots or carriages are supported. During the travel of each carriage from one end of the track to the other, the film supported by the carriage passes through the various necessary stages to completely proc ess the film.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that each carriage supports pairs of standard film hangers or other suitable frames on which the film to be processed is supported. Each carriage also includes an agitator and a means of operating the agitator so that the solution in each tank is agitated at the time the film is supported therein. The carriage also includes means for lowering the film into each tank for a predetermined period of time as determined by a program timing device. Each carriage also includes means for moving itself from one stage to another into position above the treating tanks. The program timer may also be arranged so that the treating time in one tank may be substantially different from the treating time in another tank. Means are also provided whereby the treatment in certain of the tanks may be eliminated and so that the film passes through only the necessary steps to fully process it depending upon the type of film being processed. In other words, in the processing of black and white film, the apparatus may be arranged to treat the film in only selected tanks and to skip others required for the more complicated processing of color film.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the film being processed may in itself be moved in the tank independently of the agitating means and at a rate of speed which is entirely independent of the rate of movement of the agitator so as to break up any rhythm which might result from the regular movement of the agitator in the solution and thereby cause irregularity in the treating process.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure l is a diagrammatic front elevational view of one of the robots or carriages showing the general arrangement of parts therein.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing a part of the operating mechanism.

Figure 3 is a plan view extending diagrammatically on a horizontal plane through a portion of the robot shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing in side elevation a series of treating tanks, the robot supporting track, and a series of robots mounted thereupon.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring diagram showing a typical method of operation of the apparatus.

In view of the fact that the details of construction may vary considerably, the structure is shown diagrammatically in the drawings. However, the structure is believed sufficiently clear to be readily understood by anyone skilled in the art.

In Figure 4 of the drawings a tank structure A is illustrated which includes a series of open topped treating

tanks

10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Eight tanks have been shown for the purpose of illustration, it being understood that additional tanks could also be employed or that this number may be increased or reduced to suit individual needs.

The tanks 10 through 17 are preferably enclosed in an outer tank 19 which preferably is filled with a liquid smaller tanks by suitable partition walls or the like and each section may be maintained at a different treating temperature if necessary. As such tanks and the control thereof are well known in the art, no details of the arrangement are illustrated.

jA track 20 is supported above the level of the tanks to extend over the tanks and in a direction parallel thereto. The track D is designed to support a series of robots orcarriages which are illustrated in general by the letter B. Each track 20 may support one ora series of such robots B, care being taken to maintain these carriages in sufliciently spaced relation so that the operation of one cannot interfere with the operation of the other. Each robot B includes a mechanism housing 21 and a film supporting structure 22 which is suspended from the mechanism housing 21, the construction of which will be described in detail. V The mechanism housing 21 is shown as including side panels such as 23, front and rear wall panels such as .24, and a'bottom panel such as 25. A horizontal support ing plate 26' is supported by the rear panel 24 and includes a pair of vertical spaced guide plates 27 and 29 which extend on opposite sides of the track 213. Rollers 30 or other suitable means are rotatably supported by the plates 27 and 29 and rest upon the upper surface of the track 27, these rollers acting as a support for the carriage or robot B. The track 20 extends through suitable openings in the front and rear panels 24 so that the carriage .may move longitudinally of the track.

- As is indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings, the track 20 is in the form of an inverted gear ,rack having gear teeth 31. A shaft 32 is supportedby the guide plates 27 and 29 and by a parallel supporting plate 33 and a pinion 34 is mounted upon the shaft 32 in engagement with the rack teeth 31. A sprocket 35 rotates with the pinion 34 and is connected to. a cooperable sprocket 36 on the motor shaft 37 by a suitable chain 39. The shaft 37 comprises the driven shaft of a motor 4%) which preferably includes a gear reduction unit so as to slow the speed .of operation of the driven shaft 37 to a speed practical for moving the carriage along the track. When the motor 40 is energized,its movement will be transmitted from the driven shaft 37 through the chain 39 to the shaft 32, rotating the sprocket 34 and moving the carriage B along the track. Suitable means are provided which will be later described to control the circuit to the motor 40 .and

to interrupt the circuit at predeterminedpositions along veyor chain '72 supported by a pair of vertically spaced ing tongue 44 which is connected to the upper end of a central shaft 45. v

I As is indicated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the rod 45 extends through the offset projecting end 44 of the cross head 43 and is provided at its upper end with a bearing nut 46. A slightly bowed agitator blade 47 is centrally connected at 49 to the lower end of the rod .45 and moves vertically in unison therewith. A cross head 50 is secured to the rod 45 by any suitable means. Nuts 51 are shown clamping the cross head 50in place to prevent it from rotation relative to the shaft 45.. The

.cross head 50 is provided with a pair of apertures 52 extending therethrough for accommodation of vertically extending rods or shafts 53. The rods 53 are connected at their lower ends to a bracket member such as 54 which forms the top of the film supporting hanger or frame 22.

The details of the film hanger or film supporting frames are not illustrated in the drawings, each such frame being to support strips of film or sheets of film. The shaft 45 which supports the agitator 47 extends through the bracket 54 and the individual film supporting hangers 54 are arranged on opposite sides of the agitator 47.

The rods 53 are connected at their upper ends by a connecting bracket 55 through which the upper ends of the rods 53 extend and nuts 56 on the rods 53 overlie the connecting member 55 to hold the upper ends of the rods in properly spaced relationship. The connecting member 55 is centrally notched as indicated at 57 to per thQ'CI'OSS head 59' is raised, the connectingmember 55 supporting the film hanger arms 53 will also be raised.

- As is diagrammaticallyillustrated inFigure 1 of the drawings, the cross head 59 is connected by a link 61 to an endless conveyor chain 62 supported by a pair of vertically spaced

sprockets

63 and 64. The upper sprocket 631s merely an idler sprocket supported by a partition .member 65 projecting from the rear wall 24 ,of the carriage while the lower sprocket 64 is mounted upon the driven shaft 66 of a motor 67. The motor 67 normally is provided with an integral gear reduction unit so as to slow the speedof rotation of the driven shaft 66 'to a speed which is practical for operation. When the motor 67 is energized, the driven shaft 66 moves the conveyor chain 62. Movement of the chain 62 acts through the link 61 to raise the cross head 59. This in. turn acts through engagement with the connecting member 55 to elevate the hanger supporting arms 55 and the film hanger 22. This upward movement of the hanger 22 continues until the link 61 reaches the top of the con veyor chain'fiight. At this point of the operation a limit switch is actuated which stops the rotation of the transfer motor 67 and sets into motion the travel motor 40 in a manner which will be described more in detail in combination with the wiring diagram.

Guide rods 69 are anchored at their lower ends to the hanger bracket 54 and these guide rods extend through upper ends 70 which may rest upon the bottom panel 25 andlimit downward movement of the film hanger element 21. These guide rods 69 may slide upwardly with the hanger unit when this unit is moved upwardly.

The cross head 43 is connected by a link 71 to a consprockets 73 and 74. The sprocket 73 is merely an idler sprocket supported by the frame partition member 75 projecting forwardly from the rear panel 24. The bottom sprocket 74 is mounted upon a motor shaft 76 which is driven by an agitator motor 77. This motor 77,

similarly to the previous motors described, includesa gear-reduction to limit the speed of rotation of the driven shaft 76.

. It will be noted that due to the fact that the connecting member 55 and the cross head 59 are so shaped not to interfere with the movement of the cross head 43, the cross head 43 may be moved upwardly and downwardly by the link "71 upon movernent of the chain 72. Thus, during operation of the agitator motor 77,'the agitator bar 47 is slowly raised and lowered a distance approximately equal to'the height of the film supporting frames 54 so as to agitate the treating liquid between the two .frameszlt should also be noted, however, that while the-agitator may function independently of the operation of the devices used for raising and lowering the hanger shaft 53, the agitator will be elevated at the same time the .film supporting frames 54 are raised even though indicated in general by the numeral 54 and being designed 75 the agitator motor 77 may continue to operate. This is accomplished by engagement of the bracket 54 with the cross head 50 or the nut 51 holding the cross head in place, this engagement preventing the agitator bar from moving to a position lower than the frames 54. Engagement of the bracket 54 with the cross head 50 acts to raise the agitator supporting arm or shaft 45, the upper end of this shaft merely sliding through the projecting end 44 of the cross head 43.

A means is also provided for raising and lowering the film supporting frames in the various tanks of the tank assembly A. This raising and lowering action is not designed to withdraw the frames 54 from below the level of the treating liquid in the various tanks and the vertical reciprocation of the frame may be constant or intermittent. The mechanism for accomplishing this result includes an inverted generally U-shaped bracket 80 having horizontal fingers 81 which are spaced to straddle the cross head 59 but which engage beneath the connecting member 55 connecting the upper ends of the hanger supporting rods 53. This bracket 80 is connected by a link 78 to a crank 82 or to a point eccentric from the center of a disc 83 driven at a slow rate of speed by a motor 84. Upon rotation of the motor 84, the disc 83 rotates slowly and acts through the link 81 to raise and lower the bracket 80. The fingers 81 of this bracket engage beneath the connecting member 55 and raise and lower the frame elements 54 at a speed which is out of normal timed relation to the vertical movement of the agitator shaft 45.

' From the foregoing description, it should be clear that when the carriage or robot B is mounted upon the horizontal track 20, a series of operations may take place in timed relation. For example, the carriage B, if not already positioned over the first tank of the series, may be moved into the proper position by the travel motor 40 which when energized rotates the pinion 34 engaging the under side of the supporting rack. When the carriage is in proper position over the tank 10, or any subsequent tank, the travel motor 40 may cease operation and the transfer motor may be energized, lowering the cross head 59 and permitting the connecting member 55 supporting the hanger supporting rods 53 to move to its lowermost position.

While in lowered position, the hanger may be slowly raised and lowered by operation of the frame agitator motor 84 which acts through the bracket 80 to raise and lower the connecting member 55 within fixed limits. Simultaneously, the agitator motor 77 may be energized to operate the endless chain 72 which raises and lowers the agitator shaft or arm 45 supporting the agitator bar 47. The agitator motor 77 and frame agitator motor 84 may operate either continuously or intermittently as is preferred, as the operation thereof will not affect the raising or lowering of the film frames or the movement of the carriage.

The manner in which the various elements of the apparatus function for their intended purposes is shown diagrammatically in Figure 5 of the drawings. This view shows a circuit including a pair of

line wires

85 and 86 connected to a suitable source of current, the line wire 86 connected by a conductor 87 to one terminal of a first timer motor 89'. This conductor is also connected by a conductor 90 to one terminal of the transfer motor 67. A conductor 91 connects the line wire 86 to one terminal of a second time delay or timer motor 92. The line wire 86 is also connected by a conductor 93 to one terminal of the travel motor 40. The line wire 86 is also connected by a conductor 94 to one terminal of the agitator motor 77 and by a conductor 95 to one terminal of the frame agitating motor 84. The line wire is also connected to one terminal of a third timer motor 96.

The line wire 85 is connected to a control switch 97 and a conductor 99 leads from the line wire 85 to the other terminal of the timer motor 89 causing constant rotation thereof when the apparatus is in operation. A timer motor 89 rotates a cam 100 at a rate of perhaps one rotation per minute. The motor 89 also acts through a suitable gear reduction 101 to rotate a program timer disc 102 at a rate of perhaps one revolution in minutes.

The cam is engageable with a normally open switch 103 and acts to close this switch for a time of perhaps five seconds of each minute. The program timer disc 102 is provided with notches such as 104 in suitably spaced relation about its periphery, the disc 102 actuating a switch 105 for a short period of time each time one of the notches 104 reaches a predetermined position of the cycle. Obviously, in actual practice, a different type of structure may be provided, it being the purpose of the arrangement to close a normally open switch at predetermined timed intervals.

A conductor 106 is connected to the line wire 85 and extends to one terminal of a push button switch 107, the other terminal of which is connected by a conductor 109 to a terminal 110 of the switch 105. A conductor 111 branches from the conductor 109 and extends to one terminal of the relay coil 112 of a relay 113, the other terminal of which is connected to the line wire 86 by the conductor 114. Thus, when the push button 107 is depressed, a circuit is closed to the relay coil 112 moving to switch

blades

115 and 116 from one extreme position to the other.

The

switch blades

115 and 116 are connected by a conductor 117 to the line wire 85. The switch blade 115 in unenergized position of the relay 113 engages a contact 119 connected by a conductor 120 to a terminal of the timer motor 96, the other terminal of which is con nected to the line wire 86 to complete the circuit. Thus, when the relay 113 is unenergized, a circuit is completed to the timer motor 96. The line wire 85 is connected to one fixed terminal 121 of a selector switch 122, the blade of which is connected by a conductor 123 to one terminal of the agitator motor 77, the other terminal of which is connected to the line wire 86 to complete the circuit. The conductor 123 also connects the frame agitator motor 84 in parallel with the motor 77 so that when the switch blade 122 is in the position illustrated in Figure 5, the agitator motor 77 and frame agitator motor 84 operate continuously.

One terminal of the switch 103 which is controlled by the cam 100 is connected by a conductor 124 to the line wire 85 and the other terminal of this switch 103 is connected by a conductor 125 leading to the second terminal 126 of the selector switch 122. Thus, when the selector switch 122 is in contact with the switch terminal 126, a circuit is closed during a dwell period of perhaps five seconds during each minute from the line wire 85 through conductor 124 and switch 103 to the conductor 125 leading through the switch 122 and conductor 123 to the agitator motor 77 and frame agitator motor 84. Thus, when the switch 122 is in contact with the terminal 126, the

motors

77 and 84 are intermittently operated for a selected period of each minute.

When the relay coil 112 is energized, a circuit is closed from the line wire 85 through the conductor 1'17 and relay switch blade 116 to the normally open terminal 127 leading to a low limit switch 129 and conductor 130 to the relay coil 112. Thus, when the low limit switch 129 is closed, a holding circuit is provided for the relay coil 112 to keep the relay 113 energized.

The switch blade 115 engages the switch terminal 130 when the relay 113 is energized closing a circuit from the line wire 85 through conductor 117, switch blade 1'15, terminal 130, conductor 131, the upper limit switch 132, and

conductors

133 and 134 to the timer motor 92, the other terminal of which is connected to the line wire 861 The time delay motor 92 actuates a cam 135 which ac wages for motor 67, the other terminal of which is connected to the line wire 86. Thus, it will beseen that when the relay coil 112 is energized, a circuit is closed through the normally closed relay switch 143 to the transfer motor 67 to actuate the same.

A circuit is also provided to the relay coil 139 through a conductor 145 and travel limit switch 146 to the line wire 85. The travel limit switch 146 also controls the circuit through conductor 147 to the second terminal of the travel motor 40. Thus, when the switch 146 is closed, the travel motor 40, is energized.

The timer motor 96 controls the operation of a cam 149 which in turn controls a switch 150. The switch 150 is connected between conductor 120 and a conductor 151 leading to the second terminals of the agitator motor 77 and the frame agitator motor 84. The circuit through the cam actuated switch 150 is designed to provide a closed circuit to the two agitator motors 77 and -84 fior alperiod of perhaps one to60 seconds each time'the plate holders are first lowered into a tank of solution. Having now described the circuit, the operation will be described.

When the push button 107 isclosed, a circuit is momentarily closed to the relay coil 112 thus energizing I this coil. The cycle normally starts when the frame hangers are in lowered position and in this position the lower limit switch 129 is in circuit breaking position. However, when the relay coil 112 is actuated, a circuit is closed from the line wire 85 through the conductor 117, switch blade 11'5, terminal 130, conductor 131, conductor 141, relay switch 143 and conductor 144 to the transfer motor 67, the other terminal of which is permanently connected to the other side of the line. As a result, the transfer'motor 67 starts into operation and moves the conveyor chain 62. This conveyor chain 62 acts through the link 61 to raise the cross head 59 up wardlyl Upward movement of the cross head '59 causes this cross head to engage the connecting member 55 connecting theupper ends of the film hanger rods 53 moving these rods and the film hanger upwardly. The cross head 59 does not always immediately engage and lift the hanger rods 53 as these hanger rods may be slightly elevated at the time upward movement or" the cross head 59 is initiated by the reciprocating bracket 80. However, the cross head 59 may move directly through the bracket 80 and pick up the connecting member 55 regardless of its position at the time upward movement of the cross head '59 is started.

Incidentally, up ward movement of the hanger arms 53 causes the hanger bracket 54 to engage the guide or crosshead 50 on the agitator shaft 45 also withdrawing the agitator 47 from the tank in unison with the film hangers.

'As the cross head 59 starts its upward movement, the lower limit switch 129 is closed, closing a holding switch circuit from line wire 85 through conductor 117, switch blade 116', terminal 127, lower limit switch 129 and conductor 130 to the relay coil 112, the other terminal of which is connected to the other side of the line. Thus, in starting the, cycle, thepush button 107 is held depressed until the cross head moves out of engagement with the lower limit switch 129.

The movement ,of thetransfer motor 67 continues until the cross head 59' engages the upper limit switch 132 ,acting to close this switch. When the upper limit Switch 132 is'closed, a circuit is. closed from theline wire 85 throughconductor 117fswitch blade 11 5, terminal 130,, conductor 131, upper limit switch 132, conductor 1353, time delay. switch 136, conductor 137 to the relay coil139, the other terminal of which is connected to the other line wire. Energization of the coil 139 acts to break the only circuit to the transfer motor and simultaneously closes a circuit through

conductors

145 and 147 to the travel motor 40 which is actually connected in parallel to the relay coil 139. At this point of the operation, the travel limit switch 146 is opened by some means spaced longitudinally of the track 20 such as by one of the projections 152 on the track. However, the time delay switch 136 closes the circuit to the travel motor 40' for a time sufficient for the carriage to move past the projection 152 at which time the travel limit switch 146 closes, maintaining the circuit to the relay coil 139 and to the travel motor 40. This operation continues until the travel limit switch 146 is against broken or opened by the next projection 152. When open, the travel motor 40 will stop operation and the relay coil 139 will be deenergized thus, reclosing the circuit through the switch arm 143 to the transfer motor.

t closes (which will occur each minute due tothe fact that the switch 105 remains'clo'sed for at least this period of time) a circuit is closed from line wirethrough conductor 124, switch 103, switch and conductor 111 to the relay coil 112 thus starting the next cycle of opera: tion. This action will operate sequentially to raise the film hangeramove the carriage to its next position, and lower the film hangers to complete the cycle.

It will be noted that the agitator motors either operate continuously or intermittently. This is'permissible as the movement of the reciprocating bracket 80 and of the vertically reciprocating cross head 43 do not affect the operation of the remainder of the structure. When the agitator. rod is raised withthe hangers, the rod merely slides through the projection 44 of the cross head 43. It will also be noted that each time the relay 112 is deenergized, a circuit is closed from the line wire 85 through conductor 117, switch arm 115, terminal 119, conductor to the timer motor 96 which acts to maintain a circuit to the agitator motors for a timed period which may be adjusted by the earn 149. Thus, each time the film hangers become immersed in a tank, the agitator motors operate continuously for a timed period even though the selector switch 122'is in position for intermittent operation as controlled by the cam 100.

It will be seen that by changing the position of the projections 152, or removing certain of these projections, the carriages may be made to skip certain individual steps. It will also be noted that in the particular arrangement illustrated, one of the tanks, such as 13, is provided with a source of white light indicated in general by the.

numeral 153 which is located between the film hangers in lowered position thereof. Such a light is used to provide a secondary exposure to the film at a particular part of the'sequence of operations, The agitator 47 will not understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A film processing unit for use in combination with a series of spaced tanks and including a track, a carriage movably supported on said track and suspended therefrom, a film support vertically movably supported by said carriage, means on said carriage for raising and lowering said film support, agitating means mounted on said carriage and movable independently of said film support in lowered position of said film support, and means on said carriage for moving said carriage along said track, and means on said carriage and including cooperable means spaced longitudinally of said track for sequentially moving said carriage into position over one of said tanks of said series, lowering said film support into said one tank, holding said film support immersed in said tank for a predeteremined time period, raising said film support, and moving said carriage over another tank of said series to initiate a similar cycle of operation, and means for reciprocating said film support independently of said agitating means while immersed in any said tank.

2. A film processing unit for use in combination With a series of spaced tanks and including a track, a carriage movably supported on said track and suspended therefrom, a film support vertically movably supported by said carriage, means on said carriage for raising and lowering said film support, agitating means mounted on said carriage and movable independently of said film support in lowered position of said film support, and means on said carriage for moving said carriage along said track, and means on said carriage and including cooperable means spaced longitudinally of said track for sequentially moving said carriage into position over one of said tanks of said series, lowering said film support into said one tank, holding said film support immersed in said tank for a predetermined time period, raising said film support, and moving said carriage over another tank of said series to initiate a similar cycle of operation, and means for reciprocating said film support while immersed in any said tank in independently timed relation to said agitating means.

3. A film processing unit for use in combination with a series of spaced tanks and including a track, a carriage movably supported on said track and suspended therefrom, a film support vertically movably supported by said carriage, means on said carriage for raising and lowering said film support, agitating means mounted on said carriage and movable independently of said film support in lowered position of said film support, and means on said carriage for moving said carriage along said track, means spaced longitudinally of said track and means on said carriage cooperable therewith for simultaneously stopping operation of said means for moving said carriage along said track and initiating operation of said means for raising and lowering said film support for lowering said film support into said tank, means on said carriage interrupting the operation of said means for raising and lowering said film support when said film support is in lowered position, means on said carriage operable after a predetermined time interval to activate said means for raising and lowering said film support to raise said film support, and means on said carriage for simultaneously interrupting movement of said means for raising and lowering said film support when said film support is in raised position and actuating said means for moving said carriage to initiate a new cycle of operation, and means for periodically operating said agitating means independently of said film support when said film support is in lowered position.

4. A film processing unit for use in combination with a series of spaced tanks and including a track, a carriage movably supported on said track and suspended therefrom, a film support vertically movably supported by said carriage, means on said carriage for raising and lowering said film support, agitating means mounted on said carriage and movable independently of said film support in lowered position of said film support, and means on said carriage for moving said carriage along said track, means spaced longitudinally of said track and means on said carriage cooperable therewith for simultaneously stopping operation of said means for moving said carriage along said track and initiating operation of said means for raising and lowering said film support for lowering said film support into said tank, means on said carriage interrupting the operation of said means for raising and lowering said film support when said film support is in lowered position, means on said carriage operable after a predetermined time interval to activate said means for raising and lowering said film support to raise said film support, and means on said carriage for simultaneously interrupting movement of said means for raising and lowering said film support when said film support is in raised position and actuating said means for moving said carriage to initiate a new cycle of operation, said film support including a pair of spaced parallel film supporting means, and in which said agitator means is positioned between said spaced film supporting means.

5. A film processing unit including a series of film treating tanks, a track supported parallel to said tanks, and a self-contained film handling device removably mounted on said tracks, said device comprising a carriage, a film carrier slidably supported by said carriage for movement into and out of said tanks, means on said carriage for moving said carriage along said track, means on said carriage for raising and lowering said film carrier, means on said carriage arresting movement of said carrier along said track and initiating the lowering movement of said carrier, means on said carrier operable for arresting lowering movement of said carrier into said tanks for a predetermined period of time, means on said carrier for initiating the raising of said carrier from said tanks, means on said carrier for arresting the raising of said carrier and initiating further movement of said carriage along said track, said film carrier and all of said means forming a part of said self contained film handling device, and including a vertically movable agitator and means on said carriage for vertically reciprocating the same in lowered position of said film carrier.

6. The structure of claim 5 and including means on said film carrier engaging said agitator upon upward movement of said film carrier, elevating said agitator out of said tanks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,254,300 Baker Jan. 22, 1918 1,670,673 Williams May 22, 1928 2,155,511 Simijian Apr. 25, 1939 2,157,128 Hershberg May 9, 1939 2,337,989 Grant Dec. 28, 1943 2,542,830 Newton et a1. Feb. 20, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 312,030 Great Britain Feb. 17, 1930 909,223 France Dec. 10, 1945 720,277 Great Britain Dec. 15, 1954