US3199431A

US3199431A - Photographic print basket

Info

Publication number: US3199431A
Application number: US263772A
Authority: US
Inventors: William G Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-03-08
Filing date: 1963-03-08
Publication date: 1965-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-10

Description

Aug. 10, 1965 w. G. HILL PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT BASKET Filed March 8, 1965 it... 12.55:! Winn w n J bar/6.221% M 44 WM United States Patent 0 3,199,431 PHQBTQGRAPHEC PRENT BASKET William (G. Hill, H163 Walnut dh, Des llaines, Ell. Filed Mar. s, was, Set. No. 263,772 '7 (Claims. c1. 95-ttltl) This invention relates generally to print baskets for use in processing photosensitive films and more particularly, relates to a novel construction for a print basket of the character described in which novel prefabricated insert means are utilized to provide the compartments of the print basket.

Print baskets of the general character with which the invention is concerned have been used in large-volume processing of photosensitive sheets such as would be the case in commercial photographic printing and developing business. The basket is provided with a plurality of individual compartments open at the upper ends thereof into each of which one or more photographic sheets can be inserted for immersion in the processing solutions used. Heretofore, the compartments have been formed by means of sheets of mesh material, such as, stainless steel or in accordance with more recent innovations, of plastic materials resistant to the processing solutions, and the baskets have been designed into more or less standard sizes and configuration for use with available processing equipment. It is very desirable to have available such print baskets which permit increased numbers of photographic sheets to be processed simultaneously without departing from such standard sizes and shapes and to avoid unduly expensive structures. One of the reasons for this is that the frame of the basket usually is made of stainless steel so as to be resistant to the chemical solutions encountered. These baskets are quite expensive, and hence, it is very desirable to achieve efficiency and advantageous use of increased number of compartments for the sheets without achieving a large, bulky and unnecessarily expensive print basket structure. Prior baskets also have been somewhat limited as to the number of compartments thereof because of the techniques employed in forming the compartments by means of individual sheets of mesh material and the manner of supporting said mesh sheets in the basket structure.

Accordingly, the major object of the invention is to provide a print basket of the character described which is characterized by a construction which will enable the foregoing as well as other advantages to be achieved, with substantial economy in the construction thereof as compared to heretofore available print baskets.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a print basket of the character described which enables an increased number of photographic sheets to be simultaneously processed than has heretofore been feasible without increasing the conventional sizes for such baskets.

Another object of this invention is to provide a print basket of the character described in which the walls of the compartments are formed by polymeric screening maintained under tension and suitably spaced apart to provide an increased number of such compartments without relying on complicated supported framework for the basket and Without departing from standardized sizes for such baskets.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a print basket of the character described in which the compartments for the photosensitive films are formed by means of at least one prefabricated insert unit, said insert unit comprising a pair of molded end bar members having polymeric mesh material supported therebetween in parallel, vertically arranged planes spaced apart to provide the walls of said compartments open at the upper ends thereof, the lateral ends of said walls being molded in said hlhhfil Patented Aug. ll), i965 ice end bars so as to be rigidly held in said spaced apart arrangement.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a novel prefabricated insert unit for use in making photographic print baskets of the character described, said insert unit comprising a pair of molded end bars having a single sheet of polymeric mesh material looped therebetween to form a plurality of parallel, vertically arranged walls defining a series of open-ended, separated compartments between said end bars for said photographic film.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insert unit of the character described having threaded socket inserts molded into the end bars thereof for mounting the insert unit in the basket with said Walls under tension and said unit is adapted to be employed in multiple number of like units to make baskets of different conventional sizes used in the photographic processing field.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the scope or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a print basket constructed in accordance with the invention and having three like insert units assembled therein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the insert units which together with like units are used to make the basket of PEG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1 and in the general direction indicated.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the basket along the line l4 of FIG. 1 and in the general direction indicated.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom perspective view of one insert unit embodying the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a print basket embodying the invention which is designated generally by the reference character Ill. The basket it is adapted to be manipulated by means of

handles

11, 11a for immersion in the various chemical solutions used in photographic film processing and developing procedures. The handles are pivotally attached to the upper end of the frame of the basket 19 by suitable fasteners 12.

The basket is comprised of a generally open, rectangular frame formed by top horizontally oriented cross members 13, and bottom horizontally oriented cross members 13a.

End plates

14, 14a of channel-shaped cross section are fitted between the

cross members

13, 13a at right angles thereto and are connected therewith by suitable means, such as spot welding or rivets, to form a rigid frame construction. The handles ill, 11a and

end plates

14, 14a and the cross members are formed of a suitable material, such as stainless steel, so as to be resistant to chemical solutions into which the basket is intended to be immersed.

The basket lib is illustrated as assembled with three identical prefabricated insert units, an individual insert unit being shown in FIG. 2 and identified generally by the reference character 17. It will be understood, that the print basket embodying the invention likewise could be formed of fewer or more than three sections 17, such as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the insert unit 17 is comprised of a plurality of mesh or screen walls 2]. of plastic or polymeric material to which have been permanently molded the end bars 22a and 22b. The mesh walls 21 are formed of a suitable material, such as vinylidene chloride resin. The end bars preferably are formed of a thermosetting plastic resin, such as epoxy resins, and have in addition to the mesh walls arranged therebetween, threaded screw sockets 23 rigidly secured therein and opening to an outside face 30 of each end bar. The type of epoxy resin composition used for the end bars 22a and 22b is selected from those epoxy resins which are chemically inert relative to the various chemical solutions used and also, which preferably can be cured satisfactorily at room temperatures.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the threaded socket inserts -3 are molded into faces 3% of the end bars at selected locations spaced along the length thereof. The end bars 22a and 22b are joined to the end plates 14 in face to face contact and coextensive in length therewith by means of screw fasteners, such as stainless steel screws 31. In the embodiment described and illustrated, all of the Walls 21 have been formed from a single sheet or web of mesh or screen plastic material. The single sheet or web is disposed between and drawn from one end bar 22a to the other end bar 225 in continuous loops 34 to form the individual compartments 33 for holding the sheets. The compartments are open at the top and bottom ends thereof. The loops 3d are firmly imbedded in the cured resin end bars 22a and 22b. This insures a secure coupling between the screen walls and the end bars which accounts for the excellent rigidity of the compartment walls when the insert 17 is installed.

The mesh or screen walls 21 of the insert are maintained quite taut between the end bars 22a and 2222 by means of the screws 31 which extend through suitable openings in the end plates aligned with said sockets 23 but which do not bottom prematurely in tie insert sockets. Thus, the screen walls 21 are maintained substantially parallel in their vertical arrangement and do not bow between their points of attachment to the end bars. This is accomplished notwithstanding the very flexible nature of the screen material used to form the walls 21 which appear to be stretched quite tautly by means of the end bars bearing against the end plates completely along the length thereof and secured thereto by the fasteners 31.

The bottom ends of the compartments have a cord 52, best shown in FIG. 5, laced along the end interstices of the screen walls 21. Although the cord has been shown somewhat angled relative to the vertical plane of the walls 21, the cord also may be at right angles to said walls. The cord 52 is intended to be somewhat loose as to prevent photographic film from creeping under the bottom edges of the screen walls. When a photographic sheet of film is inserted into a compartment, its weight is supported on the screen or perforated member ll on the bottom of the frame of the basket.

In actual practice, the preformed insert unit 17 can be in any desired size and assembled to make different sizes of baskets using multiple numbers thereof by varying the size of the basket frame.

The assembly of the basket with the required number of inserts 17 is a relatively simple procedure. The basket frame is fabricated first by interconnecting the various frame members thereof to form a rigid open framework. The end bars 22a and 22b are then attached to the

end plates

14 and 14a by inserting screws 31 through suitable openings in the end plates that line up with the threaded insert sockets 23 molded into the end bars. The screws are tightened completely to draw the bars into flush engagement with end plates, and hence pull the screen walls 21 taut. It should be noted that all of the screen walls of each section will be equally tight and hence, have the same high degree of rigidity. Obviously, the length of fit the screen walls 21 will be predetermined for each size of basket so that said walls will be taut when the insert 1!" is installed. Likewise, the size of the channel-shaped end plates 14, Ma will be so Jredeterrnined to accoznmodate the inserts 17 between the side legs 53 thereof as seen in FIG. 1.

it may be noted that prior to assembly of the basket it), the insert unis 217 can be storaged conveniently merely by rolling them into a compact, small volume size. Such a collapsible structure therefor reduces storage space required for them and contributes to saving in cost of operation.

it further should be noted that by molding the screen walls Zll into the end bars 22a and 225, the screen walls may be arranged in Closer spaced relationship one relative to the other so that more compartments 33 can be realized than heretofore possible without having the screen walls touch. Although in the embodiment shown, he insert 17 has the compartments thereof formed from a single sheet of screen material, it is contemplated that more than one sheet of material may be used with equal advantage. In either event, the loops are imbedded in the hardened epoxy resin of the end bars 22a and 2% which insures secure coupling between the walls and the end bars. This enables the screen Walls to be arranged close together and maintained taut in their spaced apart relationship when the end bars are threadedly fastened to the end plates 14. Thus, in a conventional size print basket, an increased number of compartments can be obtained as compared to heretofore conventional structures.

It is believed that the invention can be readily understood from the foregoing Without further description. While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the invention is more particularly pointed out in the claims apended hereto in language intended to be broadly construed commensurate with the progress in the arts and sciences contributed by the invention.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

It. A photographic print basket comprising, a substantially rectangular open framework, a pair of vertical end plates closing off opposed ends of said framework, a plurality of prefabricated insert units preformed as a unitary assembly removeably secured between said end plates, each insert unit comprising a pair of plastic end bars adapted to be secured to said end plates, mesh wall members molded in said end bars and extending between said end bars, means fastening said end bars to said end plates to place said mesh wall members under tension when said end bars are secured to said end plates, said Wall members forming compartments being open at the top for reception of photosensitive sheets, and means retaining said sheets within said compartments.

2. A print basket as claimed in claim 1 in which said mesh walls are provided by means of a single web of mesh material, bight portions of which are molded in said end bars.

3. A print basket as described in claim 1 in which each of said end bars have a plurality of socket inserts embedded therein and said end plates have openings therethrough each of which is aligned with one of said socket inserts, and screw means passing through said openings and threadedly received in said sockets for securing said end bars and end plates together and tensioning said wall members.

4. A print basket including a substantially rectangular open framework, a pair of vertical end plates closing off opposed ends of said framework, and a plurality of prefabricated insert units preformed as a unitary assembly removeably secured between said end plates, the improvement comprising each insert unit having a pair of plastic end bars adapted to be secured to said end plates, mesh wall members molded in said end bars and extending between said end bars, means fastening said end bars to said end plates to place said mesh wall members under tension when said end bars are secured to said end plates, said Wall members forming compartments being open at the top for reception of photosensitive sheets, and means retaining said sheets Within said compartments.

5. A unit as described in claim 4 in which said mesh Wall members are comprised of vinylidene chloride and said end bars are formed of an epoxy resin.

6. A unit as described in claim 4 and further inciuding socket members molded into said end bars for attachment to said end plates.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/54 Shapiro 95-98 6/59 Hixon et a1. 95100 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT BASKET COMPRISING, A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR OPEN FRAMEWORK, A PAIR OF VERTICAL END PLATES CLOSING OFF OPPOSED ENDS OF SAID FRAMEWORK, A PLURALITY OF PREFABRICATED INSERT UNITS PREFORMED AS A UNITARY ASSEMBLY REMOVEABLY SECURED BETWEEN SAID END PLATES, EACH INSERT UNIT COMPRISING A PAIR OF PLASTIC END BARS ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO SAID END PLATES, MESH WALL MEMBERS MOLDED IN SAID END BARS AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID END BARS, MEANS FASTENING SAID END BARS TO SAID END