US3377938A

US3377938A - Short run film developer system

Info

Publication number: US3377938A
Application number: US600616A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerome A Patterson
Original assignee: Jerome A. Patterson
Current assignee: JEROME A PATTERSON
Priority date: 1966-12-09
Filing date: 1966-12-09
Publication date: 1968-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1985-04-16

Description

Ap 1968 J. A. PATTERSON 3,377,938

SHORT RUN FILM DEVELOPER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 9, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN'IOR JEROME A. PATTERSON ATTORNEYS April 16, 1968 J. A. PATTERSON SHORT RUN FILM DEVELOPER SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 9, 1966 F/GI 2 73 INVENTOR JEROME A. PATTERSON FIG 3 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,377,938 SHORT RUN FILM DEVELOPER SYSTEM Jerome A. Patterson, 80 Matthews St., Binghamton, N.Y. 13905 Filed Dec. 9, 1966, Ser. No. 600,616 1 Claim. (CI. 95-89) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A short run developer system of the type usable by the low volume, small business microfilm photographer. The developer system is contained within a sealed lighttight developer chamber having a film takeup device and a fluid applicator including a spray nozzle and a mixing manifold for sequentially applying fixing, washing, and developing solutions to the film being developed. The various treating solutions are contained in storage tanks that communicates with the mixing manifold via a series of independent valves which are sequentially opened and closed by a similar series of cams.

Background of the invention Field of the inventi0n.Photography: dark cabinets, roll film.

The significant prior art is as follows-(1) Tondreau (2,651,245) showing the use of spraying in a short developer system; (2) Mandel (2,287,742); (3) Mader (2,888,272); (4) Corrons (2,909,979).

Most commercialy available short run systems are extremely complex and expensive. See, for example, Tondreau.

Summary of the invention According to the present invention a light-tight developing chamber with film take-up device and light-sealed exposed film inlet port includes an interiorly supported spray nozzle. Exterior developer, water and fix tanks communicate with the spray nozzle via independently valved separate conduits and a manifold. An electric motor may be employed to actuate cams for sequential operation of the valves so that the desired amounts of developer, water and fix are admitted through the manifold to the spray nozzle. Spraying pressure is achieved by an external pressure source connected to the developer, water and fix tanks.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic View showing a leading edge of exposed film supported in said light-tight developer chamber opposite the spray nozzle.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation showing the fixer tank, cams and manifold exteriorly supported with respect to the light-tight developing chamber, and

FIG. 3 is a front elevation showing the pressure source communicating with individual fix, water and developer tanks.

In FIG. 1 light-tight developer chamber is illustrated as including a light-sealed exposed film inlet port 12 and supporting a film take-up reel and indicator 14. A stainless steel film engaging leader 16 may be secured to takeup reel. Exposed film 18 engaged by leader 16 is drawn from exteriorly supported microfilm camera 26 (shown in phantom) past spray nozzle 22 which communicates with manifold 26 by means of conduit 24.

The individual fix tank 34, water tank 36 and developer tank 38 are pressurized by compressed gas or other suitable pressure source 64 such as a throw-away refillable flask, having control valve 66 and pressure regulator and gauge 68 mounted in conduit 70.

Individual feed conduits

72, 74 and 76 lead from conduit 70 into the individual tanks. Liquid outlet conduits 40, 42 and 44 communicate with manifold 26 respectively via

valves

28, 30 and 32 and

manifold feed conduits

46, 48 and 50. A series of valve-actuating

cams

56, 58 and 60 are coaxially supported upon drive shaft 54 of electric motor 52 or other suitable power source. The light-tight developing chamber may include a drain tube 62. Also, the

tanks

34, 36 and 38 which may be throw away bottles may be positioned adjacent a thermostatically controlled heat source 73 so as to maintain these liquids at the optimum temperature.

During operation, from 1 to 24 frames of the conventional 100 foot reel of microfilm may be developed. The exposed section of film 18 is transported through inlet 12 and into the light-tight developing chamber. Indicator 15 will notify the operator when the maximum amount of film which can be processed at any one time has entered the developing chamber. The operator will then actuate the

multi-purpose valves

23, 30 and 32 by activating electric motor 52. As motor 52 causes

cams

56, 58 and 60 to rotate, developer, wash, fix and final wash are sprayed through nozzle 22 and onto film 18. The operator will then unlock the lid secured to chamber by means of hinge 76 and cut the developed film. Then the stainless steel spray loaded wire or leader 16 connected to the take-up device Will be reconnected to the end of the unprocessed film remaining in the chamber. Since daylight loading cameras will be used, the operator will be required to sponge off the dye back material from the film. After a few minutes of air drying, the rim is ready for cutting and filing. In order to eliminate the problems of cost, noise, space and maintenance of a motor and air compressor, a throw-away or refillable fiask of compressed air will be used to force liquids from the individual developer, fix and water tanks to the spray head. Water will be supplied from any clean local source.

As a result, there may be processed small batches of frames meeting good commercial specifications for the developing of film. This processing can be accomplished in a low cost device without harmful eifects to the camera by a relatively unskilled operator. Also, a minimum of maintenance is required.

I claim:

1. A short run developer system comprising:

(a) a light-tight developer chamber including an outlet drain and having a light-sealed exposed film inlet port;

(b) a film take-up device rotatably mounted in said chamber and secured to the leading edge of exposed film, so as to draw said exposed film from an exteriorly mounted camera through said inlet port and into said developer chamber and including an ex teriorly positioned film take-up indicator;

(c) a film spray nozzle supported in said chamber opposite said exposed film and having an interior mixing manifold;

(d) sources of fixer, water and developer communicating with said mixing manifold via independent valve means; and

(e) a power-driven cam means engaging said valve means, so as to admit sequentially to said manifold and said nozzle the desired amounts of fixer, water and developer;

(f) a pressure source communicating with said fixer, water and developer sources, so as to urge these liquids through said manifold and nozzle; and

(g) a thermostatically controlled heat source supported 2,651,245 9/ 1953 Tondreau. adjacent said fixer, water and developer sources, so 2,825,272 3/1958 Mader. as to maintain appropriate temperature. 2,909,979 10/ 1959 Corrons.

3,000,288 9/1961 Winnek 95-89 References Cited 5 3,087,405 4/ 1963, Sachs et al. 9594 I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,391 5/1963 Sizgler 9589 XR 2,287,742 6/1942 Mandel. 3,299,790 1/1967 Dreffenbach 9589 2,401,185 5/1946 Pratt 61 a1 9594 JOHN M HORAN P E 2,614,472 10/1952 Luboshez 95-94 "f f' 2,631,511 3/1953 T tfl 95.439 19 FRED L. BRAUN, Asslstwnt Exammer.