US3301158A - Apparatus for processing photographic materials - Google Patents

Apparatus for processing photographic materials Download PDF

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Publication number
US3301158A
US3301158A US338727A US33872764A US3301158A US 3301158 A US3301158 A US 3301158A US 338727 A US338727 A US 338727A US 33872764 A US33872764 A US 33872764A US 3301158 A US3301158 A US 3301158A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tray
film
sheet
processing
cassette
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US338727A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jr Stanley J Klem
Heinz F Nitka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GAF Chemicals Corp
Original Assignee
General Aniline and Film Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Aniline and Film Corp filed Critical General Aniline and Film Corp
Priority to US338727A priority Critical patent/US3301158A/en
Priority to IL22768A priority patent/IL22768A/en
Priority to CH74265A priority patent/CH433011A/de
Priority to FI0111/65A priority patent/FI42919B/fi
Priority to DEG42590A priority patent/DE1290813B/de
Priority to ES0308310A priority patent/ES308310A1/es
Priority to NL6500730A priority patent/NL6500730A/xx
Priority to DK30465AA priority patent/DK112697B/da
Priority to AT46665A priority patent/AT272076B/de
Priority to GB2456/65A priority patent/GB1059711A/en
Priority to FR2534A priority patent/FR1421131A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3301158A publication Critical patent/US3301158A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D3/00—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion
    • G03D3/08—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion having progressive mechanical movement of exposed material
    • G03D3/13—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion having progressive mechanical movement of exposed material for long films or prints in the shape of strips, e.g. fed by roller assembly
    • G03D3/132—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion having progressive mechanical movement of exposed material for long films or prints in the shape of strips, e.g. fed by roller assembly fed by roller assembly
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D13/00—Processing apparatus or accessories therefor, not covered by groups G11B3/00 - G11B11/00
    • G03D13/003—Film feed or extraction in development apparatus

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus for processing photographic materials and, particularly, to the handling and processing, including development, of sheet films for radiographic purposes.
  • the invention also relates to an improved method for effecting such processing of photographic sheet materials.
  • the general object of the present invention is to provide a novel, compact apparatus for rapidly and automatically processing, i.e., developing and fixing, exposed photographic sheet material, particularly radiographs.
  • the operative features of the apparatus include the automatic removal from a holder, such as a cassette, of a film sheet, followed by developing, fixing, and delivery of the processed material.
  • a particular feature of the invention is that the apparatus is suitable for use in an illuminated environment and hence does not ⁇ require a darkroom. It will deliver a developed and fixed, semi-dried radiograph of a quality acceptable for evaluati-on and storage after wash.
  • Another and more specific object of this invention is to devise an apparatus which will automatically keep continuous control of the film sheet throughout developing and fixing, assuring its proper immersion in appropriate processing solutions for the required time.
  • FIG. l is a simplified vertical sectional view of the apparatus, showing the principal component elements and their coactive assembly;
  • FIG. 2 is a to-p view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with certain parts omitted, showing, in particular, the roller assemblies, the film guides, and the drive mechanism;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view on a larger scale of the intermediate transport mechanism which constitutes an important aspect of the apparatus.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View in detail of one of the solution trays and the intermediate transport unit.
  • the processing apparatus includes a pair of side frames 12, 12 which serve to support most of the component elements.
  • a housing 1 partly cut away, in which is enclosed a motor driving the sprocket 3 which engages a drive chain 4.
  • the latter passes in turn, in the direction indicated
  • the latter include the infeed rollers 5 and 6, supported in the side frames 12, 12 by their respective shafts 105 and 106.
  • a jack shaft 107 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is mounted below the roller 6 and carries a sprocket 8 which is driven by the drive chain 4.
  • a gear 109 on the shaft 106 meshes with gear 110 secured to the jack shaft 107 which drives the roller 6.
  • shaft 106 carries a gear 111 which meshes with a simlar gear 112 on drive shaft 105.
  • This arrangement insures positive driving of both feed rollers 5 and 6.
  • An auxiliary guide roller 113 is mounted above roller 5 and in front of roller 6 so as to insure guiding of the film between the main feed rollers which convey the film into the first processing bath.
  • the film indicated at 50 at the left of FIG. 1, is introduced into the machine by a special cassette 22 which forms the subject matter of U.S. patent application of D. W. S-ames for Radiographic Film Cassette, Serial No. 340,059, filed January 24, 1964.
  • This cassette upon insertion into the infeed portion of the processing apparatus, automatically expells a carrier member, thereby placing a marginal portion of the film 50 within reach of a pair of extracting rollers 14 and 15.
  • These are mounted on shafts 114 and 115, respectively, the latter being driven by a sprocket 116 which engages the main drive chain 4.
  • a film sheet extracted by the above rollers from the cassette 22 is passed ⁇ between the front -feed rollers 5 and 6. From here it is guided downwardly and enters the developer solution 20 contained in the tray or tank 16.
  • the film guide member 17 in the form of a grill which includes a plurality of transverse rods 53 and a series of curved rods 118 which extend generally in the direction of the film feed.
  • the inturned upper ends of the rods 53 At either end of the tray 16, that is, in a position to overlie the edges Vof the advancing film sheet, are the inturned upper ends of the rods 53. These ends are secured to the rods 118 and are so arranged as to contact -only the edges of the film sheet. They overlie the film edges so as to insure that the film will ride through the bath and will not curl up and lift out of the developer solution. This construction is shown best in FIG. 4. The ends of the rods 118 are turned down so as to rest on the bottom of the tray 16.
  • a heater 18 This may be a fiat flexible electrical heating unit which lies close to the bottom of the tray and conforms to the shape thereof. This type of heater insures quick response and maintains uniform temperature of the solution.
  • This transport mechanism consists of a unit structure which can be easily removed by simply lifting it out of the frame.
  • the unit comprises a large main lower roller 8 which is positioned between a pair of coaxially positioned idler rollers 7 and 9. Around rollers 7 and 9 is stretched a flexible belt 25.
  • Roller 8 is mounted on a transverse shaft which carries a sprocket 129 engaged by the drive chain 4.
  • an idler sprocket 130 is mounted on the side frame 12 to insure it-s driving engagement with the sprocket 129 attached to the shaft 128.
  • the belt 25 engages a portion of the circumference of the roller V8 and is driven by frictional engagement. It is cornposed of an impervious resilient material such as rubber, which may be suitably reinforced.
  • the intermediate transport unit consisting of the belt 25 and rollers 7 and 9, overlies the drive roller 8 for a substantial part of its periphery. This contact area extends at least through an arc of 60, and preferably 90 of the circumference, of roller 8. The result is that the belt 25 envelops the film as it emerges from the tray 16 and seals it from exposure to ambient air. Thereby it reduces the tendency of the film to oxidize due to the presence of developer liquid on the film in t-he oxygen environment of the atmosphere. It also squeezes from the film most of the developer liquid, returning the latter to the developer tray.
  • a film guide arrangement 7' substantially identical with the unit 17 in tray 16, is provided in the adjacent tray 16'. Also an electrical heater 18 of the fiat, flexible type similar to unit 18 is mounted beneath the tray 16 to raise the temperature thereof.
  • a pair of outfeed rollers 10 and 11. are mounted on shafts 154 and 155, respectively, which are journaled in the side frames 12, 12. These shafts are driven in the same general manner as the infeed rollers and 6.
  • the drive chain 4 engages fa sprocket 150 on a jack shaft- 151 which also carries a spur gear 152. The latter meshes with the spur gear 153 ymounted on the shaft 154 which supports the outfeed roller 10.
  • Spur gears 156, 157 are provided on shafts 154 and 155 to insure the positive driving of both outfeed rollers.
  • Roller 1l is immersed in the xing solution 21 approximately one-eighth of an inch to insure the continual moistening of the outfeed rollers to prevent a build-up of salts Idue to oxidization and evaporation of the liquid.
  • the processing operation is as follows:
  • the film emerges from the developer solution, it is then sandwiched between the large center transport roller 8 and the belt 25 and is conveyed to the next succeeding solution tray.
  • the belt transport serves also to squeegee olf the excess liquid and return it to the tray land, as pointed out above, prevents oxidation of the film.
  • the apparatus is provided with an anti-splash overall cover 54. This cover keeps the containers in the proper receptacles and prevents splashing during the processing cycle.
  • Processing apparatus for photographic sheet film, particularly X-ray film, contained in a cassette comprising, in combination, a plurality of adjacent trays containing processing solutions arranged in sequential order of the processing steps, an infeed portion for said apparta- -tus accommodating a cassette, means operable in response to insertion of said cassette for extracting the film sheet therefrom, tirst transport means for passing said sheet into the rst processing tray, intermediate transport means for passing said sheet from one tray into the next succeeding tray, said intermediate transport means being so constructed as to envelop the lm sheet upon emergence from the first tray and 4during passage thereof into the second tray, and outfeed transport means for passing said. sheet from the last tray into a delivery portion of said. apparatus.
  • said intermediate transport means comprise, a driven roller located between adjacent trays, a pair of idler rollers coaxially arranged therewith at each side thereof, an endless resilient impervious belt passing over said idler rollers and engaging a portion of the circumference of said driven roller, said belt and said rollers extending substantially the entire width of the film sheet whereby the latter, being conveyed between coengaging surfaces of said driven roller and said belt and being enveloped by said belt, is sealed from exposure to ambient air.
  • Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including guide means in said trays comprising a plurality of spaced rods arranged in the direction of travel of said sheet, said rods being curved downwardly intermediate the sides of the tray at which the sheet enters and leaves the tray, said guide means comprising also rods transverse to the movement of said sheet and having ends turned upward and inward for engaging the edge of the sheet during its travel through the tray.
  • Processing apparatus for photographic sheet lm, particularly X-ray film, contained in a cassette comprising, in combination, a plurality of adjacent trays containing processing solutions arranged in sequential order of the processing steps, an infeed portion for said apparatus including a support slidably 'accommodating a cassette, actuating means afxed to said support and operable in response to insertion of said cassette for extracting the film sheet therefrom, transport means for passing said sheet into the first processing tray and subsequently into adjacent trays, and outfeed transport means for passing said sheet from t-he last tray into a delivery portion of said apparatus.
  • actuating means comprises, a bar affixed to said support and adapted to engage said cassette upon insertion thereof into the infeed portion of the apparatus.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)
  • Photographic Developing Apparatuses (AREA)
US338727A 1964-01-20 1964-01-20 Apparatus for processing photographic materials Expired - Lifetime US3301158A (en)

Priority Applications (11)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US338727A US3301158A (en) 1964-01-20 1964-01-20 Apparatus for processing photographic materials
IL22768A IL22768A (en) 1964-01-20 1965-01-12 Apparatus for processing sheets of exposed photographic film
FI0111/65A FI42919B (da) 1964-01-20 1965-01-19
DEG42590A DE1290813B (de) 1964-01-20 1965-01-19 Einrichtung zum Behandeln von in Kassetten untergebrachten, belichteten, blattfoermigen fotografischen Filmen
ES0308310A ES308310A1 (es) 1964-01-20 1965-01-19 Un aparato de tratamiento para peliculas fotograficas.
CH74265A CH433011A (de) 1964-01-20 1965-01-19 Apparat zur Behandlung von in einer Kassette enthaltenem photographischem Blattfilm, insbesondere Röntgenfilm
NL6500730A NL6500730A (da) 1964-01-20 1965-01-20
DK30465AA DK112697B (da) 1964-01-20 1965-01-20 Apparat til brug ved fremkaldelse og fiksering af fotografiske materialer.
AT46665A AT272076B (de) 1964-01-20 1965-01-20 Entwicklungs- und Fixiervorrichtung für photographisches Material
GB2456/65A GB1059711A (en) 1964-01-20 1965-01-20 Apparatus for processing photographic materials
FR2534A FR1421131A (fr) 1964-01-20 1965-01-20 Dispositif pour le traitement de matériaux photographiques

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US338727A US3301158A (en) 1964-01-20 1964-01-20 Apparatus for processing photographic materials

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3301158A true US3301158A (en) 1967-01-31

Family

ID=23325914

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US338727A Expired - Lifetime US3301158A (en) 1964-01-20 1964-01-20 Apparatus for processing photographic materials

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US3301158A (da)
AT (1) AT272076B (da)
CH (1) CH433011A (da)
DE (1) DE1290813B (da)
DK (1) DK112697B (da)
ES (1) ES308310A1 (da)
FI (1) FI42919B (da)
FR (1) FR1421131A (da)
GB (1) GB1059711A (da)
IL (1) IL22768A (da)
NL (1) NL6500730A (da)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3689063A (en) * 1971-04-19 1972-09-05 Productron Inc Film sheet advancement apparatus
DE2611022A1 (de) * 1975-10-20 1977-05-26 Durst Ag Vorrichtung zur nassbehandlung fotografischer schichttraeger

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2500845A (en) * 1946-05-08 1950-03-14 John W Mccausland Stamp guide for mailing machines
DE807454C (de) * 1948-10-02 1951-06-28 Agfa Camera Werk Muenchen Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Einfuehren und Behandeln von Filmen verschiedener Laenge bei Tageslicht in einer Entwicklungs- und Trockenmaschine
FR1107701A (fr) * 1954-06-25 1956-01-04 Tire Plan Machine à développer les épreuves photographiques
GB768621A (en) * 1954-04-23 1957-02-20 Kodak Ltd Improvements in or relating to photographic processing apparatus
CH339495A (de) * 1956-03-22 1959-06-30 Ernst Maeder Peter Automatisches Entwicklungsgerät für Filmstreifen
DE1128292B (de) * 1959-11-30 1962-04-19 Wilhelm Ritzerfeld Behandlungsgeraet fuer Druckformfolien
US3033351A (en) * 1958-06-19 1962-05-08 Dutch Emery Device for treating a sheet such as a sheet of light-sensitive material

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE547489C (de) * 1930-09-25 1932-03-23 Siemens & Halske Akt Ges Einrichtung zum Bewegen der Badfluessigkeit bei Entwicklungsvorrichtungen fuer Filme und Papier
DE1106595B (de) * 1959-07-03 1961-05-10 Gevaert Photo Prod Nv Kassette
DE1868572U (de) * 1962-09-12 1963-03-07 Wilhelm Hostert & Soehne Transportvorrichtung fuer schichttraeger bei entwicklungsmaschinen.

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2500845A (en) * 1946-05-08 1950-03-14 John W Mccausland Stamp guide for mailing machines
DE807454C (de) * 1948-10-02 1951-06-28 Agfa Camera Werk Muenchen Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Einfuehren und Behandeln von Filmen verschiedener Laenge bei Tageslicht in einer Entwicklungs- und Trockenmaschine
GB768621A (en) * 1954-04-23 1957-02-20 Kodak Ltd Improvements in or relating to photographic processing apparatus
FR1107701A (fr) * 1954-06-25 1956-01-04 Tire Plan Machine à développer les épreuves photographiques
CH339495A (de) * 1956-03-22 1959-06-30 Ernst Maeder Peter Automatisches Entwicklungsgerät für Filmstreifen
US3033351A (en) * 1958-06-19 1962-05-08 Dutch Emery Device for treating a sheet such as a sheet of light-sensitive material
DE1128292B (de) * 1959-11-30 1962-04-19 Wilhelm Ritzerfeld Behandlungsgeraet fuer Druckformfolien

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3689063A (en) * 1971-04-19 1972-09-05 Productron Inc Film sheet advancement apparatus
DE2611022A1 (de) * 1975-10-20 1977-05-26 Durst Ag Vorrichtung zur nassbehandlung fotografischer schichttraeger

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1421131A (fr) 1965-12-10
IL22768A (en) 1969-02-27
FI42919B (da) 1970-08-03
CH433011A (de) 1967-03-31
GB1059711A (en) 1967-02-22
AT272076B (de) 1969-06-25
ES308310A1 (es) 1965-05-01
DK112697B (da) 1969-01-06
NL6500730A (da) 1965-07-21
DE1290813B (de) 1969-03-13

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