US3487763A - Water conservation system for a photographic film processing device - Google Patents

Water conservation system for a photographic film processing device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3487763A
US3487763A US676817A US3487763DA US3487763A US 3487763 A US3487763 A US 3487763A US 676817 A US676817 A US 676817A US 3487763D A US3487763D A US 3487763DA US 3487763 A US3487763 A US 3487763A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
film
chamber
processing device
water
wash
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
US676817A
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English (en)
Inventor
Wallace L Pensgen
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.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
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 Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3487763A publication Critical patent/US3487763A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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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
    • G03D3/02—Details of liquid circulation
    • G03D3/06—Liquid supply; Liquid circulation outside tanks
    • G03D3/065—Liquid supply; Liquid circulation outside tanks replenishment or recovery apparatus
    • 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
    • G03D13/007—Processing control, e.g. test strip, timing devices

Definitions

  • a water conservation system for use me photographic film processing device is activated by a film sensing device which moves a valve in either of two positions. In the first position the valve supplies a minimum water flow to the wash chamber or cuts off the flow of Water entirely. In the second position the valve supplies a maximum flow of water in the wash chamber. The valve is moved to the second position when the film is sensed by the sensing device and is held in the second position fora predetermined time after the film is no longer sensed by the film sensing device to assure that the film is subjected to a maximum water flow while it is transported through the wash chamber.
  • the film sensing device has a chamber connected to the Water supply. A pump is also connected to the chamber. The chamber has openings therein across which. the film passes as it is transported through the photographic film .pr0cessing device.
  • This invention relates generally to photographic film processing, and more specifically to an improved photographic film processing device having means for conserving the water supply.
  • maximum wash water flow is supplied to the wash chamber continuously throughout the processing cycle.
  • Such cycle normally includes developing, fixing, washing and drying operations.
  • maximum wash water flow is provided during stand-by periods, particularly in those processing installations in which the Wash water is used to maintain the developer and fixer solutions at a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, it is evident that a considerable quantity of wash water is used in the aforementioned processing devices over and above that required to wash the processed film.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the Wasting of wash water that has occurred heretofore.
  • This invention includes withirl its scope'an improvet.
  • photographic processing device having a film material sensing mechanism for detecting the presence of a photographic film material in sheet or web form as it is transported through the processing device, and in response thereto actuating control mechanism to provide maximum water flow to the wash chamber, such maximum wash water flow being automatically reduced to a minimum water flow or cut otf entirely after the trailing end of the material leaves the wash chamber.
  • the solenoid When the trailing end of the material uncovers the openings in the chamber, the negative pressure is reduced and the switch is returned to its normal position; however, the solenoid is still energized for a predetermined period of time depending upon a resistance-capacitor setting of a timer to maintain maximum water flow until the material passes completely through the Wash chamber.
  • the time delay is electrically interconnected with a film speed potentiometer of a film drive motor control, and the two are calibrated so that as the trailing end of the material leaves the wash chamber, the solenoid is de-energized causing the valve to return by known means to its normal position reducing the flow of wash water to a minimum, or cutting it oit entirely.
  • One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved processing apparatus having a water conservation system for providing maximum wash water flow during at least a portion of the time that a film is being processed, and for cutting off the water flow entirely or reducing it to a minimum water flow during the remainder of the processing cycle and during stand-by periods.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a photographic processing device showing the developing, fixing, washing and drying chambers thereof;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view partially in perspective and partially in block diagram form showing a wash water conservation system for a processing device of the type disclosed in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an electrical wiring diagram for the processing device of FIG. 1.
  • this invention is embodied in a processing device 10 of known type having developing, fixing, washing and drying chambers 12, 14, 16 and 18 respectively.
  • the processing device has a photographic film material sensing mechanism comprising a film feed table 20 over which the film 22 in sheet or web form is transported into the processing device 10.
  • the film feed table 20 has a recess extending laterally thereof as shown dotte'd in FIG. 2 to form a chamber 24, and a plurality of small spaced openings 26 extend from the top of table 20into chamber 24.
  • chamber 24 is shown integral with table 20, it may be a separate unit secured to table 20 or to any other portion of the processing device 10 provided it is positioned so that film 22 is transported over it in passing to the wash chamber.
  • the film sensing mechanism may also be provided in other forms, not shown, such as opposed film transport rollers, one of which is movable relative to the other when a film is in troduced therebetween for operating a switch,
  • the switch may control the operation of other mechanisms such as a solenoid for controlling the wash water flow.
  • the film sensing mechanism of this invention has a conduit 28, one end of which is connected to the bottom of chamber 24, and the other end thereof connected to a pump 30 for drawing air through openings 26 and chamber 24.
  • the conduit 28 is provided with a negative pressure adjustment bleed valve 32 for controlling the amount of negative pressure developed in the conduit 28 and chamber 24.
  • a pressure actuated switch 34 of known type is connected to conduit 28, and may be adjusted so that it will be operated by a predetermined value of negative pressure generated by a film 22 covering one or more openings 26 in chamber 24.
  • the switch 34 is connected through a commercially available time delay relay mechanism referred to in the drawing as a timer 36 involving a resistance-capacitor network of known type for controlling a switch 38 (see FIG.
  • the solenoid 40 controls a valve 42 in a water supply conduit 44 for controlling the wash Water supplied to a plurality of spray rinse nozzles 46, only one of which is shown in FIG. 2, for directing wash Water against film 22.
  • the valve 42 is movable upon energization of solenoid 40 from a normal first position, in which a minimum water flow is achieved or the water flow is cut ofi entirely, to a second position for achieving maximum water flow.
  • switch 34 is in a first position A as seen in FIG. 3 supplying power to timer 36 and energizing a relay in the timer, not shown, which holds switch 38 in an open position.
  • switch 34 When switch 34 is operated by a predetermined amount of negative pressure, it is moved to a second position B causing a pilot lamp 45 to light up indicating that maximum water flow is being provided to the washing chamber, and de-energizing the timer relay causing switch 38 to close.
  • This provides power to solenoid 40 which is energized, moving valve 42 to its aforementioned second or maximum water flow position.
  • the film 22 uncovers openings 26, the negative pressure is reduced causing switch 34 to return to its normal first position A.
  • This resupplies power to timer 36; however, the timer relay will not be energized until a capacitor associated therewith, not shown, is charged up to a sufiicient voltage to energize the timer relay.
  • the time delay for energization of the timer relay is controlled by a variable time delay resistor 48, which is, in turn, coupled to a film speed potentiometer 50 of any suitable film drive motor control 52,
  • the film speed potentiometer 50 controls the speed at which the film is transported, normally by pairs of opposed rollers, through the processor 10, and this motor control may in combination with time delay resistor 48 automatically adjust the time delay to correspond to the speed of film transport.
  • said water supplying means being responsive to said film sensing means only when it senses said film for movement to its second position for supplyin said maximum water flow to said wash chamber;
  • said film sensing means comprises a chamber connected to said water supplying means, said chamber having openings therein across which the film passes as it is introduced into said processing device, and a pump connected to said chamber.
  • means for supplying water to said wash chamber for washing the film including a part movable between a normal first position in which a minimum water flow is supplied to said wash chamber or the Water flow is cut oif entirely, and a second position in which a maximum water flow is supplied to said wash chamber;
  • said water supplying means being responsive to said film sensing means only when it senses the film for movement of said part to said second position; and means for retaining said movable part of said water supplying means in said second position for a predetermined time after the film is sensed by said film sensing means to assure that the film is subjected to maximum water flow while transported through said wash chamber, said movable part then returning to its normal first position.
  • said film sensing means comprises a chamber operatively connected to said water supplying means, said chamber having openings therein across which the film passes as it is transported through the processing device, and a pump connected to said chamber.
  • said movable part of said Water supplying means comprises a valve, said water supplying means further comprising a solenoid for moving said valve to its second position when energized, and a switch responsive to a predetermined negative pressure for energizing said solenoid
  • said film sensing means comprises a chamber having openings therein across which the film is transported in the processing device, said chamber being connected to said switch, and a pump connected to said chamber for producing said predetermined negative pressure when the film covers said openings.
  • said movable part of said water supplying means comprises a valve
  • said water supplying means further comprising a solenoid for moving said valve to its second position i when energized
  • said retaining means comprises a time delay mechanism for retaining said solenoid energized for said predetermined time.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
US676817A 1967-10-20 1967-10-20 Water conservation system for a photographic film processing device Expired - Lifetime US3487763A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US67681667A 1967-10-20 1967-10-20
US67681767A 1967-10-20 1967-10-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3487763A true US3487763A (en) 1970-01-06

Family

ID=27101624

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US676817A Expired - Lifetime US3487763A (en) 1967-10-20 1967-10-20 Water conservation system for a photographic film processing device
US676816A Expired - Lifetime US3532047A (en) 1967-10-20 1967-10-20 Replenishment system for a processing device

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US676816A Expired - Lifetime US3532047A (en) 1967-10-20 1967-10-20 Replenishment system for a processing device

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (2) US3487763A (enExample)
BE (1) BE722364A (enExample)
CH (1) CH475581A (enExample)
DE (2) DE1803982A1 (enExample)
FR (2) FR1587122A (enExample)
GB (2) GB1238887A (enExample)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3597075A (en) * 1967-12-15 1971-08-03 Ricoh Kk Processing device for use with photocopying machine
US3763758A (en) * 1972-09-25 1973-10-09 Logetronics Inc Control unit for minimizing water and power consumption in automatic film processors
US3852793A (en) * 1973-01-31 1974-12-03 E Mcclintock Apparatus for conserving the use of water electricity, and the like in automatic film processors
US4222657A (en) * 1978-04-07 1980-09-16 Agfa-Gevaert, A.G. Continuous film-developing machine

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS613004Y2 (enExample) * 1975-01-13 1986-01-30
US4091403A (en) * 1975-09-29 1978-05-23 Magnagard Equipment Manufacturing Corporation Diazo film advancing module

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3157103A (en) * 1961-08-09 1964-11-17 Eastman Kodak Co Viscous solution processing device adapted for continuous operation
US3334566A (en) * 1965-02-02 1967-08-08 Visual Graphics Corp Photographic developing apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3157103A (en) * 1961-08-09 1964-11-17 Eastman Kodak Co Viscous solution processing device adapted for continuous operation
US3334566A (en) * 1965-02-02 1967-08-08 Visual Graphics Corp Photographic developing apparatus

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3597075A (en) * 1967-12-15 1971-08-03 Ricoh Kk Processing device for use with photocopying machine
US3763758A (en) * 1972-09-25 1973-10-09 Logetronics Inc Control unit for minimizing water and power consumption in automatic film processors
US3852793A (en) * 1973-01-31 1974-12-03 E Mcclintock Apparatus for conserving the use of water electricity, and the like in automatic film processors
US4222657A (en) * 1978-04-07 1980-09-16 Agfa-Gevaert, A.G. Continuous film-developing machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1803982A1 (de) 1969-05-29
GB1238887A (enExample) 1971-07-14
BE722364A (enExample) 1969-03-14
DE1803981A1 (de) 1970-02-19
GB1248939A (en) 1971-10-06
FR1587122A (enExample) 1970-03-13
FR1589343A (enExample) 1970-03-23
CH475581A (fr) 1969-07-15
US3532047A (en) 1970-10-06

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