US3405627A - Film processor - Google Patents

Film processor Download PDF

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Publication number
US3405627A
US3405627A US480450A US48045065A US3405627A US 3405627 A US3405627 A US 3405627A US 480450 A US480450 A US 480450A US 48045065 A US48045065 A US 48045065A US 3405627 A US3405627 A US 3405627A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
film
fluid
processor
processing
applicators
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
US480450A
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English (en)
Inventor
Day Kenneth Howard
Sanford Lloyd Clifford
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.)
Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
Original Assignee
Itek 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 Itek Corp filed Critical Itek Corp
Priority to US480450A priority Critical patent/US3405627A/en
Priority to GB35434/66A priority patent/GB1158032A/en
Priority to SE11047/66A priority patent/SE333502B/xx
Priority to CH1178866A priority patent/CH451703A/fr
Priority to NL6611485A priority patent/NL6611485A/xx
Priority to BE685568D priority patent/BE685568A/xx
Priority to DE19661522872 priority patent/DE1522872A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3405627A publication Critical patent/US3405627A/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
    • G03D5/00—Liquid processing apparatus in which no immersion is effected; Washing apparatus in which no immersion is effected
    • G03D5/04—Liquid processing apparatus in which no immersion is effected; Washing apparatus in which no immersion is effected using liquid sprays

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rollerless film processor wherein a portion of the processing fluid emanating from a number of distributors on either side of the film is directed in a liquid wedge at an angle solely within spaced intervals along the film in such a manner as to both support and propel the film through a narrow film channel. Another quantity of the fiuid from the distributors impinges upon a bafiie structure which redirects the processing liquid in a path substantially perpendicular to the film plane.
  • the present invention relates to film processors and more particularly to film processors wherein the film does not contact guide means and film tension is sharply reduced.
  • Film processors almost universally comprise vertically oriented processing fluid containing tanks having a large plurality of upper and lower rollers over which vertically oriented film passes.
  • a typical conventional vertical loop processor requires 39 rollers, each of which provide a 180 reversal of vertically oriented film.
  • a high output processor of this type (eg, 100 f. p.rn.), may require up to two hundred and forty rollers. The greater the requisite film speed, the greater must be the number of loops to thereby maintain the film in contact with the various processing fluids for longer time periods.
  • the use of these prior art processors presents numerous problems and has numerous disadvantages.
  • FIGURE 1 discloses a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 discloses a fluid distributor utilized in the first embodiment.
  • FIGURE 3 discloses a second embodiment.
  • FIGURE 4 discloses a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURES 9 disclose additional embodiments of the present invention.
  • a continuous horizontal liquid bed of processing fluid having considerable length, is provided by passing the film through a plurality of tandernly coupled fluid applicators, each of which individually applies fluid to the film for the purpose of simultaneously processing, supporting and driving the film through the system.
  • the elongated beds, or tiers are coupled together at their terminal portions by direction changing or turnabout stations which may comprise a plurality of tandernly coupled fluid applicators, similar to the aforesaid applicators utilized in the horizontal tiers, for continuously changing the direction of the film while processing, propelling and supporting same.
  • At least some of the individual fluid applicators apply processing fluid in both the spray mode and direct contact mode, and since there are generally a considerable number of them in tandem, a high degree of development uniformity is attained due to the resulting averaging out of solution application nonuniformities.
  • Highly eflicient solution agitation provided by the processor of the present invention permits the use of either shorter film paths, or in the alternative, faster transport speeds or both. Since the high velocity processing fluid itself supports the film while processing, agitation is very high, thereby resulting in excellent development uniformity. As each bed, or tier, has considerable length, only a few direction reversing stations need be provided, in sharp contrast with the implementation of numerous rollers in the prior art processors mentioned hereinbefore.
  • the direction reversing stations may comprise a structure similar to the structure of the horizontal tiers, or beds, so that processing may be continued, if desired, as the film is turned about. Where the connected beds contain different fluids which must not be intermixed, the direction reversing stations may apply a drying gas, such as air, to the film which aids in removing residual fluid previously applied before a different fluid is applied in the next tier, or bed.
  • a drying gas such as air
  • the fluid applicators may readily be fabricated as wide as desired to accommodate film of any desired width or to simultaneously process a number of film strips having the same or various widths.
  • Each spray bar, or fluid distributor, associated with the applicators is separated from its neighboring spray bar by means of curved fluid directing baifles which define a narrow film guide conduit and which are generally shaped to form converging channels about the film guide conduit to aid in the application of processing fluids to the film, all in a manner to be discussed hereinbelow in further detail.
  • FIGURE 1 discloses a portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Individual fluid applicators 1 are positioned in tandem above and below a film plane having film 2 lying therein.
  • Each applicator comprises a distributor spray bar 3 and a baflle 4 associated therewith. If the fluid bed portion of FIGURE 1 represents a film developing station, liquid developer is applied to all of the spray bars 3.
  • a typical spray bar is disclosed in FIGURE 2.
  • a first row of orifices '7 is formed within spray bar 3 to produce a relatively light stream of developer which is sprayed at the lower surface of film 2, as shown, while a second row of orifices 8 causes a heavier stream of developer to be directed at the film.
  • the leading edge of the film may be initially introduced by hand; These streams propel the film through the liquid bed process and support the film to prevent mechanical contact between the film and guide structure.
  • the film is introduced into the second applicator to be treated in like maner. Since the fluid applicators are tandernly connected and the film is propelled by the fluid, it should now be apparent that the liquid bed processor of the present invention is entirely self-threading.
  • rows of orifices 7 which are shown in FIGURE 2 produce relatively light spray streams whereas rows 8 form the heavier direct contact streams which are further concentrated and applied to film 2 by means of bafiles 4.
  • a considerable amount of fluid will be continuously falling away from the tandernly connected applicators to a sump where the liquid is returned via pump 13 (not shown) connected to the spray bars lying along a first horizontal line above film 2 and along a second horizontal line below film 2 and parallel therewith.
  • Batfles 4 are so positioned about film 2 so that a narrow film guide conduit is defined as shown in the various figures.
  • a liquid wedge is produced at the converging sections of the baffles to support the film and propel it forward.
  • the upward force component of this Wedge will be made equal to the weight of fluid and film over the wedge, plus the downward force of the upper fluid wedge produced by the upper jets 9.
  • the fluid velocity of the forwardly oriented jets 9 is quite high thereby to apply suflicient force to propel the film through the bed and to agitate the liquid within the converging baflle portions to a very high degree, thereby to achieve the aforesaid uniformity and high rate of development. Since a considerable number of fluid applicators 1 are positioned in tandem, the effects of any nonuniformities in fluid application in particular applicators are canceled.
  • the liquid appli cators were spaced 2 inches apart along the film path and the deflectors were 4 inches wide.
  • the spray bars were 5 inches long with a inch outside diameter and a A inch inside diameter. Each spray bar had 100 spray holes of .030 inch diameter which were arranged in the parallel rows mentioned hereinbefore.
  • the baflles were stainless steel or plastic. Normal development of 50-132, 136 or 190 emulsions may be achieved with D/ 10 at F. at ft. per minute.
  • the emulsion side of film 2 may be either up or down since the system is symmetrical about the horizontal film plane.
  • FIGURES 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 Further configurations of fluid applicators which may be constructed in accordance with the present invention are shown in FIGURES 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9.
  • FIGURE 4 discloses a plurality of individual distributors above and below the film in positions similar to that shown in FIGURE 3 in conjunction with a like plurality of bafiles which converge in the direction of film travel.
  • the baffle structure shown in FIGURE 4 in cross section is a smooth, almost exponentially, shaped baflle.
  • FIGURES 5 and 6 disclose unitary or continuous corrugated sheets which function as a plurality of tandemly positioned baffles. It is quite possible that manufacturing costs may be reduced with the unitary corrugated sheet arrangement.
  • FIGURE 3 there is no separate light stream discussed hereinbefore but such may not be necessary for certain operations such as washing, etc.
  • the liquid applicator structure shown in FIGURE 9 has been designed to direct an extremely high velocity jet of processing fluid at spaced intervals above and below the film surfaces 2. Note that the liquid emanating from the inner orifice of the distributor is propelled therefrom in a spiral toward the exit orifice.
  • the latter orifice is formed by a pair of converging side walls. As the cross sectional area of the orifice formed by the baflle decreases, kinetic energy of the fluid increases, resulting in a jet of fluid of extremely high velocity.
  • a single liquid processing bed may be of any length since the film is continuously supported and propelled by each individual fluid applicator.
  • the arrangement of the unique processor of the present invention is such that film processing will be uniform across the width of the film, which may be as wide as desired.
  • FIGURE 7 discloses a terminal portion of an upper tier 16 and a terminal portion of a lower tier 17.
  • upper tier 16 could effect the application of liquid developer to the film travelling therethrough, where as lower tier 17 would eflfect the application of a fixing agent to the film travelling therethrough.
  • a film diverting or turna'bout module 18 causes a complete reversal in the direction of the film thereby to cause it to be applied to lower tier 17.
  • Module 18 may comprise a plurality of tandemly connected fluid applicators as previously shown and described so that the FIGURE 7 configuration is self-threading and incorporates the aforesaid advantages that accrue from the novel processor of the present invention.
  • air pump 19 could be attached to distributors 21 so that air would be the medium which supports, propels and drives the film travelling through diverting module 18. Moisture removed from the film, by virtue of the application of air in module 18, could be drained by drainpipe 22. Air squeege units 23 could also be provided as shown to further isolate the development liquid in upper tier 16 from the fixing liquid in lower tier 17 It should now be apparent that through the use of the novel configuration of FIGURE 7 very little tension, if any, would be induced in the film, unlike the aforesaid rollers of the prior art, while self-threading of the entire system is maintained thereby. Air pressures of 2 to 4 inches of water will yield satisfactory results.
  • FIGURE 7 discloses one terminal arrangement of a pair of horizontal liquid bed processors fabricated in accordance with the present invention. Obviously, numerous horizontal beds may be provided having diverting modules 18 connected at their terminal portions, thereby to provide for very long film processing paths which eliminate all of the aforesaid disadvantages of the prior art methods.
  • distributor pipe 27 supplies fluid to a single nozzle 26, centrally positioned as shown, to produce a fan of fluid.
  • a liquid film processing bed comprising:
  • said fluid distributors additionally comprise means for directing fluid streams upwardly and in a direction substantially normal to said horizontal line.
  • a film processor comprising a first plurality of fluid applicators spaced along a first line;
  • a second plurality of fluid applicators spaced along a second line which is substantially parallel with said first line and closely spaced thereto to form a film guide conduit containing a film plane substantially parallel with said first and second lines;
  • said fluid applicators comprising a plurality of fluid distributors having at least one orifice therein and bafiles associated therewith for directing fluid emerging from said orifices at said film solely within spaced intervals along the channel length and at an angle to support and propel the film through the film guide conduit.
  • baflles comprise a continuous corrugated sheet.
  • said fluid distributors comprise a spray bar having a plurality of orifices formed therein and extending transverse to the direction of film travel through said narrow film guide conduit.
  • baflles are shaped to form said channel about said narrow film guide conduit such that said channel converges in respect to the direction of travel of said film.
  • processing fluid is substantially incompressible so that said film is supported in said converging channels by virtue of fluid wedge action therein.
  • each of the applicator means comprising:
  • said means for applying fluid directly to the film comprises a plurality of fluid distributors wherein each of said distributors applies fluid directly at the film with a velocity suflicient to rid the film of processing fluid adhering thereto as a result of fluid applied by preceding distributors.
  • each of the applicator means further comprises:
  • said means for applying said jets at said second angle comprises bafile means for redirecting a portion of the fluid emerging from said jets applied at said first angle.
  • a film processor comprising:
  • a second plurality of fluid applicators spaced along a second line which is substantially parallel with said first line and closely spaced thereto to form a first narrow film guide conduit containing a first film plane substantially parallel with said first and second lines and having a film entrance and exit portion;
  • a fourth plurality of fluid applicators spaced along a fourth line which is substantially parallel with said third line and closely spaced thereto to form a second narrow film guide conduit containing a second film plane substantially parallel with said third and fourth lines and having entrance and exit portions;
  • diverting means for changing the direction of said film emerging from the exit portion of said first film plane and introducing the said film to the entrance portion of said second film plane so as to provide a dual module liquid bed processor.
  • a sixth plurality of fluid applicators spaced along a sixth line which is curved, said fifth and sixth lines being substantially parallel with one another and closely spaced together to form a third narrow film guide conduit.
  • baflles are shaped to form converging channels about said third narrow film guide conduit.
  • said fluid distributors comprise a spray bar having a plurality of orifices formed therein and extending transverse to the direction of film travel through said narrow film guide conduit.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)
US480450A 1965-08-17 1965-08-17 Film processor Expired - Lifetime US3405627A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US480450A US3405627A (en) 1965-08-17 1965-08-17 Film processor
GB35434/66A GB1158032A (en) 1965-08-17 1966-08-08 Photographic Film Processor
SE11047/66A SE333502B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1965-08-17 1966-08-15
CH1178866A CH451703A (fr) 1965-08-17 1966-08-16 Appareil de développement de pellicules photographiques sans contact avec un moyen de guidage
NL6611485A NL6611485A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1965-08-17 1966-08-16
BE685568D BE685568A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1965-08-17 1966-08-16
DE19661522872 DE1522872A1 (de) 1965-08-17 1966-08-16 Filmentwicklungsgeraet

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US480450A US3405627A (en) 1965-08-17 1965-08-17 Film processor

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3405627A true US3405627A (en) 1968-10-15

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US480450A Expired - Lifetime US3405627A (en) 1965-08-17 1965-08-17 Film processor

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3405627A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE685568A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH451703A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1522872A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1158032A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL6611485A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE333502B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3469563A (en) * 1966-10-12 1969-09-30 Dennison Mfg Co Apparatus for developing electrostatic images
US3491674A (en) * 1966-12-21 1970-01-27 Itek Corp Film processing apparatus
US3593642A (en) * 1967-05-16 1971-07-20 Ciba Ltd Strip handling apparatus
US3654896A (en) * 1965-08-21 1972-04-11 Kalle Ag Apparatus for developing electrostatic images
US3656733A (en) * 1969-10-30 1972-04-18 Bethlehem Steel Corp Heat treatment apparatus
US3732808A (en) * 1971-03-18 1973-05-15 Polychrome Corp Apparatus for developing offset printing plates
US3791345A (en) * 1972-05-09 1974-02-12 Itek Corp Liquid toner applicator
US3805409A (en) * 1970-10-12 1974-04-23 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Drying apparatus
JPS5039138A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1973-07-02 1975-04-11
US3941611A (en) * 1974-11-04 1976-03-02 Wean United, Inc. Apparatus for cooling strip like material
US4086607A (en) * 1973-12-20 1978-04-25 Durr - Dental Kg. X-ray film processor
US4144618A (en) * 1977-06-22 1979-03-20 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Material converger
US4229861A (en) * 1978-08-10 1980-10-28 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Material converger
US4989028A (en) * 1989-10-25 1991-01-29 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for processing light sensitive material
US5136323A (en) * 1990-12-28 1992-08-04 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for enhancing heat and mass transfer in a fluid medium
US5239327A (en) * 1990-12-28 1993-08-24 Eastman Kodak Company Processor for light sensitive material
US5289224A (en) * 1992-05-18 1994-02-22 Eastman Kodak Company Processing apparatus
US5302996A (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-04-12 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for processing photosensitive material
WO1996006381A1 (en) * 1994-08-18 1996-02-29 Picture Productions Limited Partnership Method and apparatus for processing photosensitive sheet material
US5832328A (en) * 1995-05-19 1998-11-03 Konica Corporation Automatic processing machine for a silver halide photograhic light-sensitive material

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2634221A (en) * 1948-07-13 1953-04-07 Du Pont Film washing process
US2779183A (en) * 1955-02-18 1957-01-29 Fornelli Domenico Apparatus for liquid treatment of a web of fabric
US3060594A (en) * 1958-07-19 1962-10-30 Meier-Windhorst August Apparatus for the drying of webs of material with a heated gaseous medium
GB939598A (en) * 1961-05-09 1963-10-16 Kelvin & Hughes Ltd Improvements relating to the processing of sheet film
US3192845A (en) * 1962-03-27 1965-07-06 Houston Schmidt Ltd Apparatus for transporting film strips on a fluid cushion

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2634221A (en) * 1948-07-13 1953-04-07 Du Pont Film washing process
US2779183A (en) * 1955-02-18 1957-01-29 Fornelli Domenico Apparatus for liquid treatment of a web of fabric
US3060594A (en) * 1958-07-19 1962-10-30 Meier-Windhorst August Apparatus for the drying of webs of material with a heated gaseous medium
GB939598A (en) * 1961-05-09 1963-10-16 Kelvin & Hughes Ltd Improvements relating to the processing of sheet film
US3192845A (en) * 1962-03-27 1965-07-06 Houston Schmidt Ltd Apparatus for transporting film strips on a fluid cushion

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3654896A (en) * 1965-08-21 1972-04-11 Kalle Ag Apparatus for developing electrostatic images
US3469563A (en) * 1966-10-12 1969-09-30 Dennison Mfg Co Apparatus for developing electrostatic images
US3491674A (en) * 1966-12-21 1970-01-27 Itek Corp Film processing apparatus
US3593642A (en) * 1967-05-16 1971-07-20 Ciba Ltd Strip handling apparatus
US3656733A (en) * 1969-10-30 1972-04-18 Bethlehem Steel Corp Heat treatment apparatus
US3805409A (en) * 1970-10-12 1974-04-23 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Drying apparatus
US3732808A (en) * 1971-03-18 1973-05-15 Polychrome Corp Apparatus for developing offset printing plates
US3791345A (en) * 1972-05-09 1974-02-12 Itek Corp Liquid toner applicator
JPS5039138A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1973-07-02 1975-04-11
US4086607A (en) * 1973-12-20 1978-04-25 Durr - Dental Kg. X-ray film processor
US3941611A (en) * 1974-11-04 1976-03-02 Wean United, Inc. Apparatus for cooling strip like material
US4144618A (en) * 1977-06-22 1979-03-20 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Material converger
US4229861A (en) * 1978-08-10 1980-10-28 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Material converger
US4989028A (en) * 1989-10-25 1991-01-29 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for processing light sensitive material
US5136323A (en) * 1990-12-28 1992-08-04 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for enhancing heat and mass transfer in a fluid medium
US5239327A (en) * 1990-12-28 1993-08-24 Eastman Kodak Company Processor for light sensitive material
US5315338A (en) * 1990-12-28 1994-05-24 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for enhancing heat and mass transfer in a fluid medium
US5289224A (en) * 1992-05-18 1994-02-22 Eastman Kodak Company Processing apparatus
US5302996A (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-04-12 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for processing photosensitive material
WO1996006381A1 (en) * 1994-08-18 1996-02-29 Picture Productions Limited Partnership Method and apparatus for processing photosensitive sheet material
US5502535A (en) * 1994-08-18 1996-03-26 Picture Productions Method and apparatus for processing photosensitive sheet material
US5832328A (en) * 1995-05-19 1998-11-03 Konica Corporation Automatic processing machine for a silver halide photograhic light-sensitive material

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1158032A (en) 1969-07-09
SE333502B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-03-15
BE685568A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1967-02-16
DE1522872A1 (de) 1969-10-30
CH451703A (fr) 1968-05-15
NL6611485A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1967-02-20

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