US3581058A - Apparatus for processing photographic materials - Google Patents

Apparatus for processing photographic materials Download PDF

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Publication number
US3581058A
US3581058A US698832A US3581058DA US3581058A US 3581058 A US3581058 A US 3581058A US 698832 A US698832 A US 698832A US 3581058D A US3581058D A US 3581058DA US 3581058 A US3581058 A US 3581058A
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United States
Prior art keywords
photographic processing
temperature
liquid
drum
processing
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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
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US698832A
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English (en)
Inventor
Paul Romano
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Eastman Kodak Co
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Eastman Kodak Co
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Publication date
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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
    • G03D13/00—Processing apparatus or accessories therefor, not covered by groups G11B3/00 - G11B11/00
    • G03D13/02—Containers; Holding-devices
    • G03D13/04—Trays; Dishes; Tanks ; Drums
    • G03D13/046—Drums; Films convolutely fixed on the side of the drum
    • 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
    • G03D13/006—Temperature control of the developer

Definitions

  • Husser ABSTRACT An apparatus for processing photographic liquid including a processing drum which utilizes and discharges successively receiyed unit charges of photographic processing liquid, a container for storing a unit charge of the liquid to be received by the drum, a heating element for heating the container and a fluid pressure temperature sensor in thermal communication with the heating element and the drum for regulating the temperature of the liquid in the container in inverse proportion to the ambient temperature surrounding the drum.
  • the present invention relates to an improved method for processing photographic materials and to apparatus for use with photographic processors for carrying out the improved method. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved method of photographic processing which includes tempering the processing liquid in a unique manner prior to the photographic processing operation and to apparatus for tempering such liquids in accordance with the improved method.
  • Processing apparatus for photographic materials can be grouped broadly in two general classes.
  • This type of apparatus usually has one or more processing chambers which contain relatively large quantities of processing liquid and into which photographic materials are cyclically inserted and removed.
  • the large quantity of liquid is often thermostatically controlled to a predetermined temperature which achieves optimum results for the processing operation.
  • the optimum temperatures of a photographic processing liquid bath are dependent on the particular chemistry of the photographic materials to be developed'and processing liquid used.
  • photographic processing apparatus In the other general classification of photographic processing apparatus are the types which are intended to accommodate small quantities of photographic materials.
  • the photographic material is placed in a processing chamber and a unit charge of treating liquid, i.e., a quantity sufficient to process the material then in the apparatus, is introduced into and discharged form the container.
  • a unit charge of treating liquid i.e., a quantity sufficient to process the material then in the apparatus.
  • Successive unit charges of different liquids can, of course,'be introduced to treat the same sheet.
  • control of the temperature at which the processing operation is conducted has heretofore been less precise then with the first general class of apparatus because of the change in temperature of a unit charge of processing liquid during the processing operation.
  • This temperature change occurs because the processor body absorbs heat from the liquid during the processing operation and transfers heat to the generally cooler air surrounding the processor. Since the ambient temperatures surrounding the processor vary, a constant heat loss factor cannot be determined for the processors.
  • SUMMARY OF INVENTION lt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for processing photographic materials.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use with a photographic processor to facilitate control of temperature at which the processing operation is conducted.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of processing photographic materials whereby improved control of the processing liquid temperature during processing and hence in improved processing resultare achieved.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of processing photographic materials in apparatus of the type adapted to receive unit charges of processing liquid in a processing chamber.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of processing whereby the temperature of the processing operation can be controlled and optimum results obtained, regardless of changes in ambient temperature conditions around the processing apparatus.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for use with a photographic processor to regulate the temperature of processing liquid to be introduced in response to changes of the ambient temperature surrounding the processor.
  • Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved method of processing photographic materials in a processor adapted to receive successive unit charges of processing liquid whereby a unit charge of liquid is tempered to a predetermined temperature before introduction into the processing apparatus, which predetermined temperature is regulated in response to temperature conditions surrounding the processing apparatus and to provide an apparatus for automatically controlling this tempering operation.
  • temper and tempering refer to conditioning liquids to a specific temperature such as can be effected by the selective transfer of heat to and from the liquid.
  • one mode of the present invention comprises temperinga unit charge of the processing liquid to be used to a predetermined temperature above the temperature at which the chemistry of the photographic paper and liquid produces optimum results.
  • This predetermined temperature is an amount above the optimum temperature such that, with the heat loss and temperature drop which occur during processing, the average temperature during the processing operation is substantially the same as the optimum temperature desired for the chemistry of the processing operation.
  • the predetermined temperature must be varied in accordance with changes in the ambient temperature around the processing apparatus because a different liquid-ambient temperature gradient causes different heat loss and would result in a different average-processing-operation temperature.
  • the predetermined temperature'at which the liquid is introduced is regulated in a predetennined inverse proportion to ambient temperature around'the processor.
  • the unit charges of processing liquids to be introduced into a processor and a two-probe thermostat which senses the liquid temperature and ambient temperatrue.
  • the thermostat is calibrated to energize the heat transfer means when the processing liquid drops below a temperature (i.e., its desired introduction temperature) which will result in the optimum average-processing-operation temperature for present ambient temperature conditions.
  • the heating means are deenergized.
  • means are provided for varying the predetermined liquid introduction temperature for a given ambient temperature so as to facilitate processing of photographic materials having chemistry requiring a different average-processing-operation temperature.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a processing apparatus of the type with which the method and apparatus of this invention are adapted foruse and showing one embodiment of the tempering apparatus of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the control and heating means of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a graph showing the controlled relation between the temperature of liquid to be introduced and ambient temperature around the processor provided in accordance with the present invention for one desired average-processingoperation temperature.
  • FIG. 1 a photographic processing apparatus 1, with which the tempering control unit 2 of the present invention can be used, is seen.
  • This tempering control unit can be used with the processor to effect the novel method of the present invention.
  • the processing apparatus 1 is disclosed in detail in a U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 698,833 entitled, Photographic Processor Having Movement Responsive Rotation Control and filed on Jan. l8, 1968 in the name of Einar W. Jensen.
  • this apparatus comprises a processing drum 3 which is adapted. to sequentially receive and use unit charges of processing liquid.
  • the processing drum 3 receives liquid in a vertical position and is rotated on a tiltable frame 4 when moved to the horizontal position shown in FIG. 1.
  • the processing operation occurs during rotation of the drum 3, and after a predetermined time the frame 4 is tilted back to a vertical orientation.- Rotation of the drum 3 then ceases and the used charge of processing liquid is drained from the bottom of the drum while the next unit charge of liquid is introduced through the top of the processor.
  • the different unit charges are'maintained separate by a novel reservoir in the drum 3, not shown.
  • the tempering unit 2 is adapted to condition the temperature of unit charges of processing liquids in accordance with the present invention of introduction into the processor shown; however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the method and apparatus of the present invention are useful with any unit charge type of processing apparatus.
  • the particular processing apparatus disclosed herein should not, therefore, be construed as in any way limiting the scope of the present invention.
  • the tempering unit 2 comprises a large reservoir in which one or more unit charge containers 21 of processing liquid can be supported in heat transfer relation with a tempering liquid, e.g., water, in the reservoir 20.
  • a tempering liquid e.g., water
  • the tempering liquid in the reservoir is selectively heated by coils 22 which are located in the reservoir 20 beneath the containers 21.
  • a thermostat 30 shown schematically within the dotted lines in FIG. 2 is located, in part, within a control box 31 of the tempering unit 2, shown in FIG. 1, and has sensing probes 32 and 33 extending from the control box 31.
  • the probe 32 extends into the reservoir 20 so as to be in sensing contact with the tempering liquid therein. If desired this probe can, of course, be located so as to contact the treating liquids directly.
  • Probe 33 extends through a wall'of the processor housing as shown in FIG. 1 so as'to be close to the external surface of the processing drum 3.
  • the sensing probes 32 and 33 are connected by capillary tubes 34 and 35 respectively to a junction 36 and that a single capillary tube 37 connects the junction 36 with a main thermostat housing 38 which is located inside control box 31.
  • the sensing probes 32 and 33 are of the type which exert fluid pressure that is directly proportional to the temperature condition sensed.
  • the capillary tube 37 transmits combined fluid forces from capillaries 34 and 35 to the diaphragm 39 which is located inside housing 38.
  • Switch contact 40 is pivotally mounted in the thermostat 30 and electrically connected to terminal 41 of housing 38.
  • the contact 40 is also connected to the opposite side of diaphragm 39 from the inlet of capillary 37 by plunger 52 as shown in FIG. 2.
  • Spring 42 urges diaphragm 39 against the fluid pressure exerted through capillary 37.
  • Switch contact 44 comprises a circular conductive member which is movable towards and away from contact 40 by means of a threaded nut 46 which extends outside the thermostat housing 38 and control box 31 and is connected to calibrating knob 47.
  • the switch contact 44 remains in electrical contact with terminal 48 of the thermostat housing 38 during movement of calibrating knob 47.
  • the thermostat 30 is connected in the electrical circuit from source 50 to heating coils 22 at terminals 4l'and 48.
  • An off-on switch 49 is also provided in this circuit.
  • Probes 32 and 33 respectively sense the existing processing liquid and ambient temperature conditions and exert fluid forces proportional thereto. If the combined force exerted in diaphragm 39 is large enough to open switch 40-44, no heat is supplied to the tempering liquid. This condition occurs when the treating liquid temperature is high enough, considering the ambient temperature around the processor, to produce the proper ,average-processing-operation temperature during processing.
  • a photographic sheet was then inserted in the processing drum 3.
  • the drum 3 was placed on the frame 4 and oriented to a vertical position.
  • the paper was first subjected to a tempered water wash in the manner described.
  • developer liquid tempered above the desired average-processing-operation temperature in accordance with the graph in FIG. 3 was introduced into the processor an the processor moved to the horizontal position and rotated for 2 k minutes.
  • the sheet was thereafter successively treated in a similar manner with unit charges of different treating liquids and washes.
  • the results obtained by using the present method of tempering preintroduction temperature of the developer liquid yielded processed photographic prings far superior to prints processed without the controlled pretempering of the present invention.
  • said heating means comprises:
  • said regulating means further comprises:

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)
US698832A 1968-01-18 1968-01-18 Apparatus for processing photographic materials Expired - Lifetime US3581058A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US69883268A 1968-01-18 1968-01-18

Publications (1)

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US3581058A true US3581058A (en) 1971-05-25

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US (1) US3581058A (enExample)
DE (2) DE1902159A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2000374A1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1232967A (enExample)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4473740A (en) * 1979-04-03 1984-09-25 Ti Creda Manufacturing Limited Dual temperature responsive control for air outlet of electric heater with heat storage capacity
US4716277A (en) * 1984-11-29 1987-12-29 E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc Und Fischer Electric hotplate
US5418593A (en) * 1992-12-18 1995-05-23 Eastman Kodak Company Hollow rotary drum processor

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1319047A (en) * 1919-10-21 Gttstaf daten
US1785426A (en) * 1928-07-16 1930-12-16 Fred I Raymond Method of heating
US2428642A (en) * 1946-04-27 1947-10-07 Gen Electric Temperature control system
US2611850A (en) * 1948-04-30 1952-09-23 Diamond H Switches Ltd Thermostatic control system for ovens
US3150827A (en) * 1961-10-24 1964-09-29 York Shipley Inc Apparatus for use in hot water heating systems

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1319047A (en) * 1919-10-21 Gttstaf daten
US1785426A (en) * 1928-07-16 1930-12-16 Fred I Raymond Method of heating
US2428642A (en) * 1946-04-27 1947-10-07 Gen Electric Temperature control system
US2611850A (en) * 1948-04-30 1952-09-23 Diamond H Switches Ltd Thermostatic control system for ovens
US3150827A (en) * 1961-10-24 1964-09-29 York Shipley Inc Apparatus for use in hot water heating systems

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4473740A (en) * 1979-04-03 1984-09-25 Ti Creda Manufacturing Limited Dual temperature responsive control for air outlet of electric heater with heat storage capacity
US4716277A (en) * 1984-11-29 1987-12-29 E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc Und Fischer Electric hotplate
US5418593A (en) * 1992-12-18 1995-05-23 Eastman Kodak Company Hollow rotary drum processor

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Publication number Publication date
DE1902159A1 (de) 1969-08-21
DE6901640U (de) 1971-01-07
GB1232967A (enExample) 1971-05-26
FR2000374A1 (enExample) 1969-09-05

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