US3183819A - Processing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

May 18, 1965 R. A. GORDON PROCESSING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 30, 1962 FIG.1

INVENTOR. ROBERT A. aonocw BY @7104 ATTORNEY May 18, 1965 R. A. GORDON PROCESSING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 30, 1962 U T 1 T R M w M7 A w 2 l F May 18, 1965 R. A. GORDON PROCESSING MECHANISM Filed April 30, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3

INVENTOR.

ROBERT A.GORDON QMM 1J2; QM

ATTORNEY y 1965 R. A. GORDON 3,183,819

PROCESSING MECHANISM Filed April 30, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 HVVENTDR. ROBERTA.GORDON BY WMMM lfi 4/. M

ATTORNEY May 18, 1965 R. A. GORDON PROCESSING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 30, 1962 FIG.8

INVENTOR. ROBERTAGORDON way/M A R on m m m m E R R Ham mam E O M O W C W C S D mm m A V. Q Q m w x O m N MT R R M RE RM M M m E 04 H T 8 GM TRO EC .R/ m J.TI WT JW/ AH 0N M m0 T m s c s i FIG.9

A T TORNE Y United States Patent 3,183,819 PROCESSING MECHANISM Robert A. Gordon, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 30, 1962, Ser. No. 190,870 12 Claims. (Cl. 95-439) This invention relates generally to photographic processing, and more specifically to an improved processing device for exposed material of the type requiring a heated, humid atmosphere for the processing thereof.

Photographic materials of the type incorporating a silver halide developing agent and ingredients for silver halide development, and which require a hot, humid atmosphere for the processing thereof after exposure, are well known in the art. An example of such material is disclosed in the US. patent application, Serial No. 134,- 014, Stewart et al., filed on August 5, 1961, now abandoned. Applicants invention is directed to an improved processing device for processing material of this general type.

It is therefore one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an improved processing device that is of simple design and construction, thoroughly reliable and eificient in operation, and economical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved processing device having a heated, humid processing chamber through which the material is transported for processing. Another object of the invention is to provide a processing device for forming a heated humid atmosphere having a dew-point temperature above the temperature of the material being introduced into the processor so that, during processing, the atmosphere initially condenses on the material and then is later transformed into heated vapor upon further travel of the material into the processor.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved processing device having a processing chamber in which one surface thereof is maintained at a predetermined temperature, and the opposite surface thereof is maintained at a different temperature.

Objects and advantages other than those set forth above will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View showing a preferred embodiment of the processing device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the processing device shown in FIG. 1 with one of the side frames removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary right side-elevation view of the structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a section View taken along line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view in section of a steam generator;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section view of a switch taken along line 88 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic wiring diagram for the processing device.

3,183,819 Patented May 18, 1965 ice With reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the processing device 10 of this invention comprises a pair of spaced-apart side frame members 12, 14- as best seen in FIG. 3 for rotatably supponting a shaft 16 upon which a drum 18 is secured. The side frames 12, 14 are further rigidly secured to one another in spaced relation by a plurality of fixed shafts 20 which rotatably support guide rollers 22 for guiding a photographic material to the drum 24- as seen best in FIG. 2. A shaft 26 is rotatably journaled in side frames 12, 14 and supports a transport roller 28 secured thereto intermediate the frames. A driven sprocket 3t) (see FIG. 1) is secured to one end of shaft 26, and is driven by an endless chain 32 engaging a drive sprocket 34 mounted on the output shaft of a speed changer 36 which is driven by a series wound electric motor 38. The frames 12, 14 further have studs 4% (see FIGS. 2 and 5) secured thereto for pivotally supporting arms 42. The free ends of arms 42 co-operate to rotatably support the ends of a shaft 44 to which a friction roller as is secured. The side frames 12, 14 further have elongated slots 48 for slidably supporting the ends of a shaft 56 having a pair of cams 52 secured thereto in axial register with arms 42. The cams 52 are adapted, when shaft 5b is turned by a knob 54 (see FIG. 4) at one end thereof to engage arms 42 and lock friction roller 46 into peripheral engagement with transport roller 28; the rollers 46, 28 cooperating to transport the processed photographic material 24 out of processor 143. If desired, the operator can turn knob 54 and cams 5210 release arms 42, and then raise shaft along slots id permitting friction roller 46 to drop by gravity against a stop 56 as seen dotted in FIG. 2. The operator may then wind the processed photographic material 24 onto transport roller 28 which functions as a take-up roller.

The processing device 10 has a processing chamber 58, as seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprising (1) a portion of the periphery of drum 18 forming one side of chamber 53 (2) an arcuate metal shoe 60 encircling drum 18 in spaced relation thereto and forming the opaposite side of chamber 53, and rigidly secured to semicircular plates 62, an by brackets 66, the plates 62, 64

in turn being secured to respective side frames 12, 14

and (3) arcuate, resilient segments 68 (see FIG. 3) of a resilient material such as rubber bonded onto similarly shaped metal plates 70 having one edge thereof secured to each side of drum 18 and the opposite edge bearing against shoe 6b to seal off the sides of chamber 58. A pair of resilient flaps 72, each having one end secured to one of the ends of shoe 6t) and the opposite end bearing against the periphery of drum 18, as best seen in FIG. 2, provides a seal for the entrance and exit of chamber 58.

To facilitate threading the photographic material 24 through processing chamber 53, drum shaft 16 has a knob 74 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) secured to one end thereof by which drum 18 may be rotated, and a disk 76 secured to knob '74 having a peripheral notch '78 co-operating with a pivotal pawl 80, for releasably holding drum 18 in a stationary position for processing. The pawl 80 is of a well known type having a spring 82 for urging a lug 84 into engagement with the periphery of disk 76. The drum 18 further has an axially extending latch mechanism (see FIGS. 1 and 2) secured to its periphery comprising a latch plate 86 having pins 88 extending through openings in the drum periphery, and springs 90 encircling pins 88 and interposed between the inner periphery of drum 18 and washers 92 on pins 88 for urging latch plate 86 into engagement with the periphery of drum 18. The latch plate 86 is tangential with respect to the periphery of drum 18, and when drum 13 is moved to its stationary position, latch plate 85 engages fixed brackets 94 secured to each frame 12, 14 which cam latch plate 86 into an open position as seen in FIG. 2. To thread the material 24- through processing chamber 58, the operator initially pulls the material over guide rollers 22 and inserts the leading end thereof under latch plate 86. The pawl 30 is then retracted, and drum 18 is manually rotated in a clockwise direction by knob 74 (see FIG. 2) causing plate 86 to be released by brackets 94 which then latches the free end of the material 24 to the periphery of drum 18. It is obvious, then, that upon continued rotation of drum 13 in the clockwise direction, drum 18 will pull the material through processing chamber 58. After drum 18 has been rotated through one complete revolution, pawl 81 once again releasably locks drum 18 in a stationary position, and the operator can either wind the free end of material 24- onto transport roller 28, or feed it into the nip between transport and friction rollers 28, 46 respectively for transport therebetween as indicated earlier.

An insulating pad 96 (see FIG. 2) is placed over the outside of shoe 6!), and a similar pad 98 placed along the inner periphery of drum 18 to minimize heat loss from processing chamber 58.

The shoe ea is heated by any suitable means such as a heating resistance coil 11kt) (see FIGS. 2 and 9) disposed along the outer surface of shoe 60. A thermoswitch 102 associated with coil ltlil controls the temperature of shoe 6t), and the temperature may be varied by an adjustable temperature controller 104.

The periphery of drum 18 is heated by a similar heating resistance coil 1% disposed along the inner periphery of drum 18. A thermoswitch 108 associated with coil 106 controls the temperature of the drum periphery, and

the electrical leads from the coil 1% and thermoswitch 108 are secured to male switch members 119 secured to a rib 112 on the side of drum 18 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The female switch members 114 are mounted on a plate 116 secured to frame 12 as seen in FIG. 1, and have leads connected to an adjustable temperature controller 118 similar to controller 104 for varying the temperature of drum 18. The controllers 104, 118 are connected to some suitable power supply. Since the thermoswitches, heat-resistance coils and adjustable temperature controllers are well known, commercially available components, no attempts will be made to describe them in detail in this case.

With respect to the principle of operation of this processing device, as the photographic material 24 is drawn over the stationary, hot drum 18, it becomes heated and moisture is driven out. Some of the moisture comes out on the underside of the material 24 and acts as a sort of frictionless cushion between the material and drum 18, and any excess amount of moisture formed in this area is drained off by the plurality of angularly spaced, axially extending slots 120 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in the periphery of drum 18. This moisture, however, is retained in chamber 58. As a result of the heated drum .18 and shoe 60, the moisture is vaporized and a hot humid atmosphere is developed in processing chamber 58. As the cooler material 24 enters chamber 58, some of the heated vapor, the dew point temperature of which is above the temperature of the material 24, condenses on the surface of material 24 and penetrates the developer, causing it to become active. As the material moves along, continued contact with the hot drum 18 and radiant heat from the outer shoe 6d accelerates development. As the material 24 travels over drum 18, it loses a great deal of the moisture condensed on it at the beginning of the cycle. This moisture is then again available to condense on more material 24 as it enters the processing chamber 58. The higher vapor pressure at the hot end of chamber 53 forces the heated vapor back toward the cold end where the vapor condenses on the entering material 24.

The temperatures involved in the processing of a photographic material are critical in View of the fact that the cyclic process of vapor generation and condensation must be continuous within the confines of the sealed processing chamber 58. The temperatures involved will vary depending, among other things, on the type of photographic material 24 being processed and the processing speed. in any event, for best processing results it appears that a temperature dilierential must be maintained between drum 18 and shoe 69 such that the radiated heat from shoe 6% must not heat the emulsion of photographic material 24 faster than the conducted heat from drum 18. This gives the drum time to drive some of the moisture through the material 24. It has been noted that if this condition is not met, proper development of the image will not take place.

With respect to the design of processing chamber 58, it may conform to any shape that will facilitate heating the photographic material 24, conserving the vapor ex pelled from the material, and subsequently reusing this expelled moisture. Although the processing chamber 58 in the preferred embodiment is shown as circular, it may be non-circular and still function properly. It has been noted that the depth of chamber 53 between drum 13 and shoe 60 for best processing results should range between one-fourth inch and about three-fourths inch. It appears that if the chamber depth is less than one-fourth inch, the vapor generated within the cavity becomes overheated and is also greatly inhibited in its migration to the cool end of chamber 58 and slows down the processing speed. If the depth is greater than three-fourths inch, an excessive amount of photographic material 24 is necessary to supply chamber 53 with enough vapor to start the process, or auxiliary means must be provided for introducing additional moisture into chamber 58. In addition, the temperature requirements of the outer shoe 6% and drum 1% would have to increase as the depth increases.

In order to prevent the photographic material 24 from heating too fast as it enters processing chamber 58, and hence interfering with proper condensation of the heated vapor thereon, the portion of the periphery of drum 18 in register with the leading portion of processing chamber 58 is insulated by securing an insulating pad 122 thereto by any suitable means (see FIG. 2). It is also possible to accomplish this objective by not heating the portion of shoe 60 in register with the leading end of processing chamber 58, or by securing an insulating pad to the inside surface of that portion of shoe 6t It has been discovered that it normally takes a considerable length of photographic material 24 passing through processing chamber 58 to supply the chamber with sufiicient heated vapor to start the processing cycle. It is possible to eliminate this waste of paper, and to prepare the processing device 11% for immediate processing by introducing heated vapor or steam directly into processing chamber 58. This may be accomplished by any suitable type of steam generator 124 as shown in FIG. 7, essentially comprising a housing 126 having a heating element 128, a thermoswitch 1 30 to control the temperature of heating element i128, and a steam generating chamber 132 into which Water from a reservoir 134 may be introduced by any suitable means such as a valve 136. The steam generated in chamber 132 develops a vapor pressure forcing the vapor through a conduit 1 38 directly into processing chamber '58. This vapor may be introduced into the chamber 58 through a conduit (see FIG. 2) mounted at any point along chamber 58.

An alternative means may be provided to quickly generate the highly humid and heated atmosphere within chamber 5 8 by applying water to one of the surfaces of the incoming photographic material 24 prior to its entry into processing chamber 58. A device of this type is shown best in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, and comprises side frames 1142 for supporting -a roller 144 and a water applicator 146, both rotatably supported by frames 142. The water applicator \146 comprises a pair of plates 145, 147 secured together by suitable bolts 149, and further has a stub shaft 148 at one end to which a handle 1-50 is secured for moving the applicator (see FIG. 3) between an inoperative position and an operative position in engagement with one of the surfaces of photographic material 24 which is threaded between roller 1144 and applicator 146. The applicator 146 has a fitting 152 at its other end having an annular shoulder 154 at its opposite end adapted to ride on a cam 156 shown dotted in FIG. 3 for axially moving applicator 146 against the bias of a spring 158 encircling shaft 148 upon movement of handle 150 to its inoperative position. The end of fitting 152 further has a nozzle 160 at one end thereof co-operating with a check valve, not shown, at the outlet of a water tank 162. When the water applicator 146 is moved 'by handle 150 int-o its inoperative position, nozzle 160 is Withdrawn from the valve by virtue of cam 1'56 and ring 154, and when the handle 150 and applicator 146 are moved into the operative position, nozzle 160 is moved into engagement with the valve opening it to let the water pass from tank 162 through nozzle 160, fitting '152, and suitable passageways 164, 166, 168 and opening 170 inapplicator 146 to one of the surfaces of the photographic material '24.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be elfected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and .as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a processing device for an exposed, moisture laden web of photographic material of an initial temperature and incorporating a developing agent and ingredients for development, the combination comprising:

(A) an enclosed, elongated processing chamber having a restricted entrance and a restricted exit at opposite ends,

('B) means for transporting said web through said chamber,

(C) means for producing and maintaining a heated vapor of the moisture contained by said web within said chamber, said vapor having a dew point temperature above said initial temperature of said material, said means further including:

(a) first and second surfaces extending lengthwise of said chamber .on opposite sides of said web as it is transported through said chamber,

(D) means for heating one of said surfaces to a temperature sufiicient to drive the moisture from said web,

(E) means for heatin the other of said surfaces to a temperature sufiicient to vaporize said moisture driven from said web, and

(F) means associated with one of the first and second surfaces at said chamber entrance to prevent said initial temperature of said material from rising above said dew-point temperature.

2. In a processing device for a moisture laden web of photographic material of an initial temperature and incorporating :a developing agent and ingredients for development, the combination comprising:

(A) an enclosed, elongated processing chamber having a restricted entrance and a restricted exit at opposite ends,

(B) means for producing and maintaining a heated vapor in said chamber from the moisture in said web, said vapor having a dew point temperature i 6 above said initial temperature of said material, said means further including first and second heated surt'aces extending along the length of said chamber in spaced relation,

(C) means associated with one of said first and second heated surfaces at said chamber entrance to prevent said initial temperature of said material from rising above said dew-point temperature, and

(D) means for transporting said web of photographic material through said chamber in substantial engagement with one of said heated surfaces whereby said heated vapor in said chamber condenses on said web as it enters said chamber to initiate the processing of said web, said condensed vapor on said web and said moisture in said web :being transformed into heated vapor by the heat from said heated surfaces as said .web is transported through said chamber.

3. In a processing device for an exposed, moisture laden web of photographic material of an initial temperature incorporating a developing agent and ingredients for development, the combination comprising:

(A) a heated member,

(B) a heated shoe substantially parallel ber and spaced therefrom,

(C) first sealing means interconnecting thesides of said member to the sides of said shoe to form an open ended, substantially rectangular processing chamber,

(D) second sealing means at each end of said chamber for sealing the ends of said chamber,

(E) means for producing and maintaining a heated vapor in said chamber from the moisture in said web, said vapor having a dew-point temperature above said initial temperature of said material,

(F) means associated with said processing chamber for preventing said initial temperature of said material from rising above said dew-point temperature,

(G) means for transporting said web through said chamber substantially in engagement .with said member whereby said heated vapor in said chamber condenses on said web as it enters said chamber to process said web, said condensed vapor on said web and said moisture in said web being transformed into heated vapor as said Web is transported farther in said chamber.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein a temperature differential is provided between said member and said shoe so that the heat radiated from said shoe will not heat the emulsion of the photographic material faster than the conducted heat from said member which then drives moisture through said web.

5. 'Ilhe invention according to claim 3 wherein said member comprises a rotatable drum, said device further including means for releasably holding said drum in a normal stationary position.

6. The invention according to claim 5, and further including threading means for threading said web through said chamber upon rotation of said member from said stationary position through a single revolution.

7. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said preventing means comprises means at the entry end of said processing chamber to prevent the portion of said web entering said chamber fro-m heating up above the dew-point temperature of said vapor and thereby interfering with condensation of vapor thereon.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said means at the entry end of said processing chamber cornprises an insulator secured to one of said member and said shoe at the entry end of said processing chamber.

9. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said member has a plurality of axially extending, angularly spaced peripheral grooves.

10. The invention according to claim 3 and further including means for charging said processing chamber to said mem- Q with heated vapor so what said processing device is avail- References Cited by the Examiner able 01 i'mrnediafe PIOCESSiilg. I 11. The invention accordlng to claim 10 wherein sa1d S ing water to a surface of said web prior to its entry into 5 said processing chamber. FOREIGN PATENTS 12. The invention according to claim 10 wherein said 233,287 5/25 (heat Britain charging means comprises a source of heated vapor, and k means for conducting said heated vapor to said process- NORTON ANSHER P r 1mm) Examiner ing chamber. 10 D. B. LOWE, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A PROCESSING DEVICE FOR AN EXPOSED, MOISTURE LADEN WEB OF PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL OF AN INITIAL TEMPERATURE AND INCORPORATING A DEVELOPING AGENT AND INGREDIENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: (A) AN ENCLOSED, ELONGATED PROCESSING CHAMBER HAVING A RESTRICTED ENTRANCE AND A RESTRICTED EXIT AT OPPOSITE ENDS, (B) MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING SAID WEB THROUGH SAID CHAMBER, (C) MEANS FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING A HEATED VAPOR OF THE MOISTURE CONTAINED BY SAID WEB WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, SAID VAPOR HAVING A DEW POINT TEMPERATURE ABOVE SAID INITIAL TEMPERATURE OF SAID MATERIAL, SAID MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING: (A) FIRST AND SECOND SURFACES EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID CHAMBER ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID WEB AS IT IS TRANSPORTED THROUGH SAID CHAMBER, (D) MEANS FOR HEATING ONE OF SAID SURFACES TO A TEMPERATURE SUFFICIENT TO DRIVE THE MOISTURE FROM SAID WEB, (E) MEANS FOR HEATING THE OTHER OF SAID SURFACES TO A TEMPERATURE SUFFICIENT TO VAPORIZE SAID MOISTURE DRIVEN FROM SAID WEB, AND (F) MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF THE FIRST AND SECOND SURFACES AT SAID CHAMBER ENTRANCE TO PREVENT SAID INITIAL TEMPERATURE OF SAID MATERIAL FROM RISING ABOVE SAID DEW-POINT TEMPERATURE.

Images