US3565165A

US3565165A - Apparatus for processing photographic sheet material and the like

Info

Publication number: US3565165A
Application number: US736148A
Authority: US
Inventors: James A Slavin
Original assignee: JAMES A SLAVIN
Current assignee: NOLTAC Corp A CORP OF NY; JAMES A SLAVIN
Priority date: 1968-06-11
Filing date: 1968-06-11
Publication date: 1971-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 1988-02-23
Also published as: DE6923313U; DE1929647A1

Abstract

An apparatus for processing photographic sheet material, such as photographic prints or film, particularly in connection with developing and printing operations. The apparatus includes a container for holding a body of water whose temperature is to be controlled, and supply and discharge conduit means both communicate with this container for respectively supplying water thereto and for discharging water therefrom. The supply conduit means is connected with any cold water. A heating means is located in the container for heating the water therein, and one of the conduit means carries a solenoid valve. A temperaturesensing means communicates with the interior of the container for sensing the temperature therein to open the solenoid valve to supply cold tap water when the temperature of the water in the container rises above a given value and for energizing the heating means when the temperature of the water in the container falls below a given value.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor James A. Slavin p 365 W. End Ave., New York, N.Y. 10024 [2: Appl. No. 736,148 [22] Filed June 11, 1968 [45 Patented Feb-23, 1971 [54] APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPIIIC SHEET MATERIAL AND TI IE LIKE 15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs. [52 0.8. 165/26,

165/48 [51] Int. fl F25!) 29/00 [50] Field of Search 165/26, 64, '1 48, 109

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1, 72,834 8/1930 Hopkins 165/26 2,623,449 12/1952 Losee 165/64 2,645,461 7/ 1953 Brown et al 165/26 7/1967 Wein Primary Examiner-Charles Sukalo Attorney-Nolte and N'olte ABSTRACT: An apparatus for processing photographic sheet material, such as photographic prints or film, particularly in connection with developing and printingoperations. The apparatus includes a container for holding a body of water whose temperature is to be controlled, and supply and discharge conduit means both communicate with this container for respectively supplying water thereto and for discharging water therefrom. The supply conduit means is connected with any cold water. A heating means is located in the container for heating the water therein, and one of the conduit means carries a solenoid valve. A temperature-sensing means communicates with the interior of the container for sensing the temperature therein to open the solenoid valve to supply cold tap water when the temperature of the water in the container rises above a given value and for energizing the heating means when the temperature of the water in the container falls below a given value.

PATENIEnrEazalsn Ell 565,165

- sum 3 or 3 INVENTOR z/A'MfS 4 .52440 ATTORNEYS 1 1. I BY 1. APPARATUS son rnocsssmo PrrorocRAPruc sassr MATERIAL AND THELIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION space for these operations. Further difficulties are encountered in the requirement of temperature control for the developing and printing solutions. This latter consideration is particularly critical in the processing of color film, prints, and slides. In this case the temperature must be maintained within half a degree of a required temperature, if successful results are to be achieved. However, in the processing of black and white film and prints it is also requiredto have exacttemperature control in order to achieve optimum results. I

, While there are known temperature" controls for water baths which surround the processing solutions, these known controls are not suitable for home use .or forv use in situations where only small space is available. Thus, it is known to provide a mixer connected to supplies of hot and cold water to cause a continuous flow of water at a regulated temperature ,intoa constantly overflowing container. In addition, there is known structure according to which cold water continuously flowing into a container is heated in a' controlled manner as it flows into the container. A third solution which has previously been used requires the heating and cooling of a refrigerating medium. All of these known structures incorporate the use of a thermostat as part of the control structure. ,7

The latter solutions to the problems are not satisfactory :because on the one hand they are all relatively expensive and on the other hand they are impractical for the home darkroom which usually is situated in a kitchen or bathroom and therefore must be set up for use and taken down when not used. The use of a mixer to provide a controlled mixture of cold and warm water is not suitablebecause it involves the permanent installation of a costly mixing apparatus, with the plumbing permanently provided with such'a construction. The heating of continuously flowing cold water is also expensive and requires a permanent installation. In addition, it has the disadvantage of no provision for cooling these solutions, if, as quite often happens, they become too warm, The third solution according to which a refrigerant is used, is also extremely expensive. The refrigeration equipment is heavy and cannot be moved about easily, if at all.

I Thus, the situation is that the amateur photographer, who wishes to carry out operations of the above type in the home,

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION It is accordingly a primary object of the iirvention to provide an apparatus which will avoid all of the above drawbacks.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which can be used in extremely cramped quarters without any difficulty. 1

The objects of the present invention include the provision of a collapsible apparatus which canbe very efiiciently laid out to achieve a comfortable working area in cramped quarters.

In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a structure of the above type capable of achieving an extremely efficient temperature control with a construction which is far simpler and far less expensive than structures heretofore used for this purpose.

Also, it is an object of the invention to conservewater.

In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a structure of .this type which, when collapsed into its position of .nonuse, can easily be stored away in an extremely small space.

, In accordance with the invention, temperature control is achieved by way of a container for containing a body of water whose temperature is to be controlled, this container communicating through a supply conduit means with a cold water tap such as'that available in any household at any sink or tub. A

discharge conduit means also communicates with the contemperature-sensing means is op'eratively connected on the as well as the professional photographer, who operates on a relatively small scale, do not have available an apparatus which will make it possible to carry out the developing and printing operations. In the cramped quarters used by many space available for the efficient arrangement of the trays, tanks, wash basins, enlargers, etc. In addition, there isthe problem of where to store the equipment when it is not used. As is well known, many apartmentshave extremely small kitchens and bathrooms, so that exceedingly difficult problems are encountered in connection with developing and printing operations under such conditions.

It is apparent that problems arise because of excessive use of water in photographic processing as well as in other nonphotographic processes where temperature controls are applied. In this respect theinvention-is applicable to save water in photographic processing as well as in other similar processes.

photographers, amateur as well as professional, there is little one hand with the solenoid valve and on the other hand with the electric heater for energizing-the latter when the water falls below a giveri temperature and for opening the valve when the water temperature rises above a given value.

When'the valve is'connected to a discharge conduit, the interior of the container communicates directly with the cold 'water tap through the supply conduit, so'that upon opening of the valve water will discharge from the container permitting fresh cold water to enter into the container. This latter type of construction is particularly suitable for use with a washing tank which will receive water from the discharge conduit each BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ISRAWINGS The inventionis illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings which form part of this application and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus according to the invention shown in. its position of use;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the structure of FIGS. 1 and 2 in its collapsed condition;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the structure of FIG. 1 taken along Iine-4-4 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation of the structure of FIG. 1 taken along line 5-5 ,of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation of the structure of FIG. 1 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation of a closed container of the invention and is taken along line-7-7 of FIG. 6 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary illustration of part of the supply con.- duit means;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the conduit and container connections;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the electrical structure; and

FIG. 1 l is a wiring diagram.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the collapsible apparatus of the invention, shown in its collapsed condition'in FIG. 3, includes a pair of rectangular or

square sections

22 and 24 and an extension 26. The

sections

22 and 24 have adjoining

sides

28 and 30 interconnected by a hinge 32 (FIGS. 5 and 6), so that the section 24 may be placed in the position of FIG. 3 overlaying the section 22 or it may be placed in the position of FIG. 1 where the

sections

22 and 24 are located beside each other. The extension 26 is hinged to a side 34 of the section 22, as by a hinge assembly 36 (FIG 4), and thus the extension 26 when not used can be swung to overlie the section 22 before the section 24 is turned into its position overlying the section 22.

It will be noted particularly from FIG. 3 that the left region of the section 22, as viewed in FIG. 3, is suitably recessed to accommodate the extension 26 in such away that the upper surface of the latter, in its collapsed position, is flush with the remaining upper surface of the section 22 so as to be situated between

sections

22 and 24 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. The structure can be maintained in its collapsed position shown in FIG. 3 through any releasable lock structure, and any suitable handles may be provided to carry the collapsed structure about.

The section 22 has a wall 38 which extends horizontally when the structure is in its position of use, with an endless sidewall depending from the wall 38 and having the

portions

28 and 34 referred to above. In the same way the section 24 has a horizontal wall 40 situated beside the wall 38 at the same elevation as the latter when the structure is in it is position of use. Also, the extension 26 will extend horizontally when in its position of use.

The extension 26 as well as the

walls

38 and 40 of the

sections

22 and 24 are provided at their undersides with suitable fittings 42 in the form of internally threaded rings, for example, for receiving the top threaded ends of removable legs 44 which thus can be provided to support the structure, in its position of use, at a desired elevation which may be approximately waist-high, for example. These fittings may be arranged, as shown at the lower right corner of section 24 of FIG. 1, at certain locations in close proximity to each other so that the location of the removable legs can be selected in accordance with the characteristics of the area where the structure is set up. A similar series of fittings 42 are shown at the lower left portion of the section 22 in FIG. 1. The legs are removed and situated in any suitable holder to be stored beside the collapsed structure shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, however, the legs may be stored aside the walls of the apparatus beneath the walls 38, 40via clips as indicated for instance in FIGS. 4 and 5 only.

On the extension 26 it is possible to situate an enlarger 44, as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 2. Tile section 24 can removably carry in a hollow tube 46, having a closed bottom and an open top, a standard which may support a safe-light, for example. The underside of the extension 26 is adapted to removably receive a holder 48 in the form of a suitable drawer structure or the like to contain printing paper or other lightsensitive sheet material. This holder 48 is'provided at its top edge with the L-shaped extensions 50, shown in FIG. 4, so that these extensions can be slipped into correspondingly shaped grooves formed in the extension 26 in the manner shown in FIG. 4. In this way the printing paper, for example, is readily available at the region of the enlarger to be exposed thereby.

It will be noted that the

sections

22 and 24 are respectively provided with endless peripheral lips or flanges 52 and 54, shown in FIG. 5, so that in this way liquid droplets or the like on the

walls

38 and 40 will be retained and will not drop to the floor, for example. Also any objects on these walls will be retained thereon. I

The wall 40 has, as shown at the upper right portion of FIG. I, a considerable free working area for the convenience of the operator. Next to this working area there is a tray-receiving region where the wall, 40 is formed with a pair of

openings

56 and 58 for receiving a pair of trays. v

The wall 38 is also formed, in line with the

openings

56 and 58, with a pair of tray-receiving openings 60 and 62. In addi- I tion, the wall 38 has permanently connected thereto, as by being formed integrally therewith, a washing tank 64.

The processing trays to be mounted in the

openings

56, 58, 60 and 62 are not illustrated, except in FIG. 4 where a processing tray 66 is indicated in dot-dash lines situated within the opening 60. These processing trays are well known in the art. They have at their upper peripheries outwardly directed flanges adapted to extend beyond the tray-receiving openings onto the top surface of the

walls

38 and 40 so as to rest on and be carried thereby.

The wall 38 fixedly carries, as shown particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, a container 68 which may be formed integrally with the wall 38 and which has an endless sidewall 70 situated beyond the pair of openings 60 and 62, so that the bottom wall of the container 68 extends beneath the wall 38 and beyond the openings 60 and 62 thereof. In this way trays mounted within the openings 60 and 62 will extend into the interior of the container 68, as is particularly apparent from FIG. 4.

The wall 40 integrally carries the container 72 which has with respect to the wall 40 the same relationship that the container 68 has with respect to the wall 38. Thus, the

openings

56 and 58 are situated over the bottom wall of the container 72 with the sidewall of the latter being situated beyond the

openings

56 and 58.

The top wall 38 is formed with a plurality of slots 74 distributed about each of the openings 60 and 62, and the top wall 40 is formed with a plurality of slots 76 distributed about the

openings

56 and 58, in a manner which is particularly apparent from FIG. 1. These

slots

74 and 76 of the

walls

38 and 40, respectively, may have upwardly directed lips extending upwardly from the upper surfaces of the

walls

38 and 40, as is particularly apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5. It is to be noted that the

slots

74 and 76 are respectively situated over the bottom walls of the

containers

68 and 72.

All of the walls of the

sections

22 and 24, and the containers carried thereby, may be made of any suitable metal or plastic. The exterior surfaces of the

containers

68 and 72 may be provided with insulation 78, as is fragmentarily illustrated in FIG. 5

A pair of electric heating elements 80, in the form of well known immersion heaters, are respectively situated in the

containers

68 and 72. FIG. 5 shows the heating means 80 which is situated within the container 68.

Also, the sidewall 70 of the container 68 carries at its exterior a motor which drives a shaft extending through the wall 70 into the interior thereof, and this shaft carries in the interior of the container 68 a rotary impeller or agitator 82 in the form of a suitable screw blade or the like. Upon rotation of the agitator 82, by the motor carried by the sidewall 70 at the exterior of container 68, liquid within the container 68 will be circulated and agitated to promote maintenance of a constant temperature in this liquid. The bottom wall of the container 68 is provided with a drain opening 84 communicating with an outlet tube 86 which can be opened and closed whenever desired by a manually operable valve 88. In the same way the container 72 is provided with a rotary impeller or agitator and also has a drain opening which can be opened and closed. The wiring for connecting each of the immersion heaters 80 into an electrical circuit can extend in any known way fluid-tightly through the sidewall of the container such as through the sidewall 70 of the container 68 shown in FIG. 5. The same connection will be provided for the container 72.

valve 100.

vided for the container 72.

This temperature-sensing means is adjustable in a well known manner so that it can be set to respond to an upper temperature for bringing about cooling of the water within the container 68, in a manner described in greater detail below,

and to a lower temperature for bringing about heating of this water, also in a manner described in greater detail below.

The container 68 is formed with an inlet opening 92 through which liquid enters into the container 68, this opening being situated at the lower right region of the container 68, as viewed in FIG. 5, and the container 68 has a discharge or overflow opening 94 situated at the region of the upper edge of the wall 70, as is indicated in FIG. 4. In the same way the container 72 is provided with inlet and outlet openings;

The washing tank 64 is provided at the upper surface of its bottom wall with curved ribs 96 to enhance the circulation and agitation of water therein. Tank 64 is also provided with a drain opening 98 capable of being An additional container 102 is fixed to the underside of the wall 38 by any suitable screws or the like. Container 102 forms a reservoir for liquid which is deliveredito washing'tank 64. As is indicated in FIG. 7, the container 102 is provided at its lower interior portion with a heating means in the form of an immersion heater 104 which can be electrically energized.

As may be seen from FIG. 8, the connector 122, which connects the conduit 120 to the

branches

124, 126 and 128, includes a relatively large tubular portion 138 having a branch 140 connected by a suitable fitting with the branch 124, while a pair of smaller-diameter portions 142 respectively communicate throughsuitable fittings with

branches

126 and 128. It will be noted that as a result of this arrangement the interior of the container 102 is maintained at the full pressure of the conduit 120 which is connected with the fully-open cold-water tap, while the smaller diameter branches 142 will provide a lesser pressure in the

branches

126 and 128 respectively. If desired, suitable throttling devices, in the form of transverse apertured plates or the like, may be situated in the path of liquid flow in the

branches

126 and 128 to further reduce the pressure and provide a gentle supply of water to the

containers

68 and 72 when the solenoid valves I32 and 134 open, respectively.

As is schematically indicated in FIG. 10, all of the electrical structure is connected electrically with a common bus bar 144 situated at any suitable location and connected to a source of current through a cord 148 terminating in a pronged plug to be received in any wall outlet. The rotary impellers or agitaopened and closed by a Adjacent its top end container 102 carries a temperature sensing means 106 in the form of a suitable thermostat or thermocouple. Adjacent its top 'end, at its wall which is directed toward the tank64, container 102 is provided with an outlet opening 108 communicating with conduit 130 through solenoid 136. Container 102 is provided with a drain 109 capable of being opened and closed by valve 109. The inlet opening for water which enters the container 102 is not visible in FIG. 7 but is shown in FIG. 6 where the inlet opening 110 is indicated at the lower right part of the container 102. Elements 112 indicate in FIG. 6 locations where electrical conductors tainers described above. Thus, the upper outlet or overflow openings of the

containers

68 and 72 communicate with a pair of discharge conduit means 116 whichextend to any suitable drain or the like, and in thesame way an upper outlet opening 118 (FIG. 4) of the washing tank 64 communicates with a discharge conduit 118 leading to any suitable drain.

The supply conduit means includes a conduit 120 shbwn schematically in FIG. 9, this conduit 120 being adapted to be connected in any known way to a cold water tap. Through a connecting assembly 122, shown in detail in FIG. 8, the supply conduit 120 communicates with

branches

124, 126 and 128 of the supply conduit means. The branch 124 communicates with the inlet 110 of the container102, and this container 102 communicates at an upper region with a discharge conduit means 130 leading to a lower inlet of the tank 64, as shown also in FIG. 6. The

branches

126 and 128 of the conduit means respectively lead to the lower inlet openings of the

containers

68 and 72. The

branches

126 and 128 are provided with

solenoid valves

132 and 134, respectively, while the discharge conduit means 130 is provided with a solenoid valve 136, operable for opening and closing the conduit means 130.

tors 82 for the

containers

68 and 72 are directly connected to the source of current so that they continuously operate as long as the structure is turned on. The manner in which the immersion heaters 80, thermostats 90, and

solenoid valves

132 and 134 are connected to the bus bar is schematically indicated in FIG. 10. Also, FIG. 10 shows how the agitator 114, immersion heater 104, thermostat 106 and solenoid valve 136 associated with the container 102 are connected into the circuit. The safe light assembly in supporting tube 46 is also connected into the circuit through the common bus barl44 in the manner shown in FIG, 10. An additional receptacle 150 can be connected to the bus bar, as shown in FIG. 10, so that structures such as the enlarger, a timer, or the like, can also be connected into the circuit.

As is schematically indicated in the wiring diagram of FIG. 11, the entire stru'cturecan be turned on and off by way of a master switch 152. This will result in the continuous operation of the agitators 82 shown in FIG. 11. As is also shown in the wiring diagram of FIG. 11, when either of the adjustable thermostats 90, which may as previously noted be adjustable, senses a temperature below a given value the immersion heaters will respectively be connected into the circuit, while when these thermostats sense a temperature rise above agiven value, the

solenoid valves

132 and 134 will be connected into the circuit to open the supply conduit means and deliver additional cold liquid to the

containers

68 and 72.

The electrical interconnection of the components associated with the container 102 are different, however. It will be noted from FIG. 11 that the adjustable thermostat 106 when sensing a temperature below a given temperature energizes the immersion heater 104 and the'impeller or agitator 114 so that in this case the liquid in the container 102 is always heated and agitated until a given temperature is reached.

' When this latter temperature is sensed by the thermostat 106 it will open the circuits of the heating means 104 and agitator 1 14 and will close the circuit of the solenoid valve 136 so as to open the discharge conduit and enable water to be supplied into the washing tank 64. When the thermostat 106 senses that the temperature has fallen below a given value it will again return to the position shown in FIG. 11 where the valve 136 closes and the impeller I14 and heater 104 operate. Thus, at the closed container 102 the impeller does not operate when liquid is supplied to the washing tank, while when liquid is not supplied to the washing tank 64 the impeller operates and the heater 104 is energized.

TI-Ie manner in which the above-described structure operates is believed to be clear. The operator will set the structure up from the collapsed position of FIG. 3 into the operating position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and if desired any suitable removable brace assemblies 154 can be provided between the

sections

22 and 24 to maintain them rigidly in their setup condition. The drain openings of the

containers

68, 72 and 64 will be closed and the supply conduit means 120 will be connected to a cold water tap. Now the operator will manually close switches 156 indicated in FIG. 11, which bypass the thermostat-actuated switches of the solenoid valves, so that by manually closing the switches 156 the solenoid valves can all be opened and maintained manually open until the several containers are all filled with cold water from the tap. Of course, the master switch 152 has previously been closed in order to have the entire structure turned on. Now the operator can place the several trays into the tray-receiving openings and locate suitable solutions in these trays. The filling of the

containers

68 and 72 as well as the container 102 and the tank 64 is continued until liquid overflows through the

discharge conduits

116 and 118.

It is to be noted that in the water in

containers

68 and 72 there is an extremely faithful reproduction of the conditions encountered at the solutions in the trays. The reason for this is that on the one hand the

several slots

74 and 76 expose the top surfaces of the bodies of water within the

container

68 and 72 to the same ambient atmosphere as that to which the chemicals in the trays are exposed, and also when the light-sensitive sheet material is situated in these trays this material is customarily agitated so the the treating liquid in the trays is agitated while the water in the

containers

68 and 72 is also agitated. Therefore, the water in the

containers

68 and 72 will respond to the same temperature influences as the treating solutions themselves, and the fluctuations in the temperature of these solutions will match to an extremely close degree fluctuations in the temperature of the water in the

containers

68 and 72. This water is continuously agitated as long as the apparatus is turned on.

When the thermostats 90 sense that the temperature has fallen below a given value, the immersion heaters 80 are energized to raise the temperature of the water and thus raise the temperature of the treating solutions. On the other hand, when the temperature of the treating solutions and thus of the water in the

containers

68 and 72 rises above a given value the thermostats 90 will automatically open the

valves

132 and 134 so as to introduce cold water directly from the tap into the

containers

68 and 72. Excess water simply overflows through the outlet openings and discharge conduit means 116. In this way it is possible to maintain, through this exceedingly simple structure, a temperature for the treating solutions which does not fluctuate more than one-half a degree from the required temperature.

In the washing tank 64, however, since the interior of the container 102 is constantly in communication with and at the full pressure of the cold water tap, there will be a surge of liquid from the container 102 into the tank 64 whenever the solenoid valve 136 of the discharge conduit means 130 opens. When the valve 136 is closed the heater 104 is energized and the impeller 114 operates, so that the cold water which reaches the lower region of the container 102 becomes heated and rises to engage the temperature-sensing means 106 at the upper part of the container 102. When this temperaturesensing means senses that a predetermined temperature has been reached, the heating means 104 and agitating means 114 become unenergized and the solenoid valve 136 opens.

The result is that the cold water enters into the lower region of the container 102 and pushes the warmer water out of the latter into the tank 64 through the discharge conduit means 130. This rush of liquid into the washing tank 64 will continue until the cold water reaches the thermostat 106 to permit the latter to sense the lower temperature and thus close the valve 136 and again energize the heater 104 and operate the impeller 114. In this way the liquid in the reservoir or container 102 is heated and then discharged to the tank 64 after a new batch of cold water is received, so that there is a periodic discharge of warm water at the required temperature from the container 102 to the washing tank. The excess water of course flows out of the latter through the discharge conduit 118. This periodic supply to the tank 64 maintains in the latter water sufiiciently fresh and changing frequently enough to carry out the required washing actions, while the ribs 96 contribute to the agitation of the washing liquid.

It will be noted with the above-described structure of the invention there is an economy with respect to the consumption of water inasmuch as there is no continuous overflow. At the

containers

68 and 72 the amount of water consumed will only be that amount which will enter into the tanks from time to time in order to keep the temperature of the water below a given value, while with the washing tank 64 the periodic supply of liquid provides a far more economical use of the washing water than is the case where there is a continuous inlet and overflow of the washing liquid.

When it is desired to take the apparatus back down again to its compact, collapsed condition shown in FIG. 3, the master switch is opened, the drain valves are opened, the braces 154 are removed, and the enlarger 44 is removed. The safe light assembly in tube 46 can also be removed. The legs can be removed, and after the extension 26 is folded onto the section 22, section 24 can be folded over the extension 26 and the section 22 so that the parts again will have the position indicated in FIG. 3. The various units can be accommodated in a most convenient manner. A suitable holder may be provided for the legs. The holder 48 for the paper, which is situated beneath the extension 26 when the latter is used, can easily be accommodated in the interior of the washing tank 64. If the enlarger 44 is small enough it can be placed in one of the

containers

68 or 72, and of course the safe light assembly can be located also in one of the

containers

68 or 72. In this way an exceedingly compact assembly is provided. All that the operator need do with respect to plumbing is to disconnect the supply conduit means from the cold water tap, and the structure can easily be stored away in an extremely small space.

While the

sections

22 and 24 can have any desired size, in an actual construction the

walls

38 and 40 thereof each are 30inches long and 27inches wide while the endless depending sidewalls of the

sections

22 and 24 each have a width in the vertical direction of approximately 7 inches. Therefore, when the structure has the collapsed condition shown in FIG. 3 it will have the configuration of a portable case which is 30 X27 X14 inches.

As was indicated above, the thermostats can be set to maintain the water temperature to within one-half a degree of a desired temperature. Moreover, it is equally as preferable that the thermostats may be situated at the exterior of the containers with only a temperature-sensing element thereof situated in the interior of the containers.

It is also clear that all of the necessary plumbing and electrical circuitry are included in the collapsible structure itself, so that permanent modifications in plumbing or electrical systems need not be provided for the structure of the invention. Also the legs may be adjustable to locate the structure at any desired height and in almost any restricted area. Thus, the relatively inexpensive structure of the invention can be used by amateur and professional photographers to achieve results which heretofore could be achieved only by far more expensive structures.

It can be appreciated that the invention may also be applicable in uses other than the photographic arts where excessive water consumption and temperature controls are factors.

I claim:

1. For use in the processing of photographic sheet and roll material and the like, a first container for holding a body of water whose temperature is to be controlled, a first electric heating means in said first container for heating water therein, first supply conduit means communicating with said first container and adapted to be connected with a cold-water tap for supplying cold water to said container, a first discharge conduit means communicating with said first container for discharging water therefrom, a first solenoid valve means operatively connected with one of said conduit means for opening and closing the latter to introduce cold water into said first container when said valve means is open and to terminate the flow of cold water into said first container when said valve means is closed, and first temperature-sensing means communicating with the water in the interior of the container for sensing the temperature of water therein, said first temperature-sensing means being operatively connected with said first heating means and with said valve means for automatically energizing said first heating means when the temperature of the water falls below a given value and for automatically opening said first valve means to introduce cold tap water into said container when the temperature of the water therein rises above a given value, and a second container, a second supply conduit means in parallel with said first supply conduit means connecting said cold water tap to said second container whereby the latter is in constant communication with said cold water tap, a second heating means for heating the water in said second container, a second temperature-sensing means mounted adjacent to the top of said second container, a washing tank, a pipe connecting said second container and washing tank, a second solenoid valve means in said pipe whereby when said valve is closed said second heating means heats the water in said second container until said second temperaturesensing means opens said second solenoid valve to admit heated water to said washing tank.

2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said first valve means is operatively connected with said first supply conduit means, while said discharge conduit means is in the form of an overflow conduit through which excess liquid can discharge from said first container.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second valve means is carried by said pipe to prevent How of water out of said second container when said second valve means is closed.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein a washing tank receives water through said pipe whenever said second valve means opens, said tank being periodically supplied with water from said second container in response to temperature fluctuations of the water in said second container.

5. The combination of claim 4 and wherein said second supply conduit means communicates with a lower portion of said container while said pipe communicates with an upper portion thereof, said second heating means being located at a lower portion of said second container and said second temperature-sensing means being located at an upper portion of said second container, so that cold water flowing into said 7. The combination of claim 2 and wherein said first container has bottom and sidewalls and a top wall extending only over part of said bottom wall and defining an opening for supporting a tray which extends into the water in said t'ust container.

8. The combination of claim 7. and wherein said top wall is formed beyond said opening thereof with additional openings providing access of the ambient atmosphere to water in said first container so that the water in said first container will be subjected to the same influence as water in the tray.

9. The combination of claim 1 and wherein a collapsible support means carries said containers.

10. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said collapsible support means includes an extension for supporting an em larger.

11. The combination of claim 10. and wherein said collapsible support means includes a pair of sections adapted to be collapsed into overlying relationship with respect to each other with said extension situation therebetween, one of said containers being carried by at least one of said sections, and said support means when in an operating position having said sections located beside each other and said extension extending beyond said one of said sections.

12. The combination of claim 11 and wherein said sections when in their operating position provide a working area convenient to said container and said extension where said enlar er is located.

3. The combinatron of claim 12 and wherein when said support means is in its collapsed condition, after removal of the legs from the underside of said sections.

14. The combination of claim 1 further comprising an electrical circuit and wherein said first temperature-sensing means is a thermostat and wherein said first valve means is a solenoid valve operatively connected to said thermostat whereby when said thermostat senses a temperature rise above a predeterintroduce cold water into said container.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,565,165 Dated February 23, 1971 l n fl TAMFS A smvm It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In claim 13, line 3, after "said sections" insert said sections in overlying relation with said extension therebetween occupy an area less than half the area occupied by said sections and said extension when said support means is in its operating position Signed and sealed this 16th day of May 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLE.TCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM P0-1050 (10-69) uscoMM-oc 60376 1 0,5, GOVIMIIENT PRINTING OFFICE I96. 0-"

Claims

2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said first valve means is operatively connected with said first supply conduit means, while said discharge conduit means is in the form of an overflow conduit through which excess liquid can discharge from said first container.
3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second valve means is carried by said pipe to prevent flow of water out of said second container when said second valve means is closed.
4. The combination of claim 3 wherein a washing tank receives water through said pipe whenever said second valve means opens, said tank being periodically supplied with water from said second container in response to temperature fluctuations of the water in said second container.
5. The combination of claim 4 and wherein said second supply conduit means communicates with a lower portion of said container while said pipe communicates with an upper portion thereof, said second heating means being located at a lower portion of said second container and said second temperature-sensing means being located at an upper portion of said second container, so that cold water flowing into said second container pushes warm water out of the latter.
6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein an agitator means communicates with the interior of said second container for agitating the water therein.
7. The combination of claim 2 and wherein said first container has bottom and sidewalls and a top wall extending only over part of said bottom wall and defining an opening for supporting a tray which extends into the water in said first container.
8. The combination of claim 7 and wherein said top wall is formed beyond said opening thereof with additional openings providing access of the ambient atmosphere to water in said first container so that the water in said first container will be subjected to the same influence as water in the tray.
9. The combination of claim 1 and wherein a collapsible support means carries said containers.
10. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said collapsible support means includes an extension for supporting an enlarger.
11. The combination of claim 10 and wherein said collapsible support means includes a pair of sections adapted to be collapsed into overlying relationship with respect to each other with said extension situation therebetween, one of said containers being carried by at least one of said sections, and said support means when in an operating position having said sections located beside each other and said extension extending beyond said one of said sections.
12. The combination of claim 11 and wherein said sections when in their operating position provide a working area convenient to said container and said extension where said enlarger is located.
13. The combination of claim 12 and wherein when said support means is in its collapsed condition, after removal of the legs from the underside of said sections.
14. The combination of claim 1 further comprising an electrical circuit and wherein said first temperature-sensing means is a thermostat and wherein said first valve means is a solenoid valve operatively connected to said thermostat whereby when said thermostat senses a temperature rise above a predetermined value said solenoid valve is connected into said circuit in order to open said solenoid valve to thereby introduce cold water into said container.
15. The combination of claim 1 further comprising an electrical circuit and wherein said first temperature-sensing means is a thermocouple and wherein said first valve means is a solenoid valve operatively connected to said thermocouple whereby when said thermocouple senses a temperature rise above a predetermined value said solenoid valve is connected into said circuit in order to open said solenoid valve to thereby introduce cold water into said container.