US3633487A

US3633487A - Apparatus for processing photographic material

Info

Publication number: US3633487A
Application number: US845721A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert Reinhold Langkopf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-08-31
Filing date: 1969-07-29
Publication date: 1972-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-11
Also published as: DE1797228A1; GB1216150A

Abstract

Apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, in particular color films and color prints, of the kind comprising a tank containing mechanically rotated drums for holding the material and a plurality of metering containers for supplying processing liquids to the drums has its tank mounted in a swinging frame provided with a driving mechanism which enables the frame to be swung to tip the tank and empty the drums. Each of the drums has a filling funnel to which a number of flexible supply tubes lead, one from each of the metering containers so that the processing liquids can be supplied from the containers to the drums one after another automatically without disconnecting the supply tubes which flex when the tank is tipped.

Description

United States Patent Herbert Reinhold Langkopf Fuerstenwall 234, Dusseldorf, Germany [21] Appl. No. 845,721

[22] Filed July 29, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [32] Priority Aug. 31, 1968 [33] Germany [72] lnventor [5 4] APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRussell E. Adams, Jr.

Attorneys-Curt M. Avery, Arthur E. Wilfond, Herbert L.

Lerner and Daniel J. Tick ABSTRACT: Apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, in particular color films and color prints, of the kind comprising a tank containing mechanically rotated drums for holding the material and a plurality of metering containers for supplying processing liquids to the drums has its tank mounted in a swinging frame provided with a driving mechanism which enables the frame to be swung to tip the tank and empty the drums. Each of the drums has a filling funnel to which a number of flexible supply tubes lead, one from each of the metering containers so that the processing liquids can be supplied from the containers to the drums one after another automatically without disconnecting the supply tubes which flex when the tank is tipped.

PATENTEB JAN} 1 E172 SHEET 1 BF 4 FIG.

PATENTEU AN 1 72 SHEET 2 OF 4 FIG. 2

PATENIEU JAN? 2 m2 SHEET 4 0F 4 FIG. 5

FIG. 4

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL This invention relates to an apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, particularly color films and color prints, the apparatus comprising a tippable tank containing mechanically driven drums for accommodating the material.

It is known to develop such photographic material in a tank containing drums into which the different processing solutions are introduced. At the end of a processing period the solution is pumped away, and rinsing water, or a further processing solution, is introduced into the tank. For example German Pat. No. 1,1 12,405 describes a developing apparatus for sheets or strips of photographic emulsion coated material, consisting of a tank containing several rollers which are rotated about horizontal axes and support drums with closable filler openings, the drums being arranged to contain the photographic material. Each drum has a closable end and, after introducing the solution, is rotated in such a way that the photographic material is gradually immersed in the solution in the lower part of the drum.

In a further development of this apparatus each drum has an annular collar fitted into its end. The outlet of a filling funnel projects into one of these collar openings, and through the filling funnel the several solutions used for processing the photographic material are introduced into the drum one after the other. At the end of each processing period the solution is removed through the other collar opening by tipping the tank, the solution escaping through an outlet pipe.

However although this known developing apparatus has proved satisfactory in practice, its operation requires a series of manipulations by the operator, with the result that he cannot operate more than one tank, or at any rate a few tanks, at a time. Valves on the solution tank and on a rinsing water pipe have to be opened and closed by hand, and at the end of each processing period the solution has to be removed by tipping the tank over. In the development of color material up to six different solutions are used, one after the other, with the result that the operator is constantly occupied. Responding to the signal given by his timer he first has to open an inlet valve to admit solution, and then close the valve when sufficient solution has been introduced into the drum. Then he has to start the rotation of the drum, and finally at the end of the processing time he has to tip the tank over to remove the solution.

The object of the present invention is to provide a developing apparatus the operation of which involves no manipulation by the operator, apart from introducing the photographic material into the drum, and subsequently removing it.

To this end, according to this invention, in apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, comprising a tank containing mechanically rotated drums for holding the material, the tank is mounted in a swinging frame actuated by means of a mechanical drive for tipping the tank to empty the drums and filling openings for the drums are each connected through flexible supply tubes to a number of metering containers for holding processing solutions.

The metering containers are preferably situated above the tank, to ensure that the solutions drain out completely from the containers under gravity. The swinging frame preferably has its pivot axis situated above the horizontal center plane of the tank, so that when the tank is in its untipped position it does not require any additional supporting, the tank being in stable equilibrium.

Preferably the swinging frame is connected to a hydraulic ram which forms the mechanical drive and the frame rests against a buffer when the tank is in its untipped position.

Each metering container may be made of transparent material to facilitate rapid observation of the liquid level. The liquid level in each metering container is limited by an overflow pipe. To keep the flexible tubes leading to the filling openings as clean as possible, and to prevent contamination of the solution in the developing drum by the introduction of a different solution from another metering container, the bottom of each metering container is preferably extended downwards to form a sump which is arranged to be closed at the top by a plug surrounded by a sealing ring, the supply tubes being connected to the sump at a point above its bottom. Thus any liquid which leaks out of the metering container past the plug collects in the bottom of the sump and cannot enter the flexible tubes. After the solution has been supplied to the drums through the flexible tubes, it drains out of the tubes entirely, leaving no residue in the tubes, because the flexible tubes are everywhere either vertical or inclined. The sump can be equipped with a drain pipe for removing any solution which may leak into it from the metering container.

Each plug may be attached to the lower end of a pullrod the upper end of which is connected to a lifting magnet mounted above a cover of the container. This arrangement ensures that the lifting magnet cannot come into contact with the corrosive solution in the metering container.

Each pivot bearing of the swinging frame is preferably situated at the junction of two inclined frame members. This arrangement gives a particularly simple and yet stable construction. To facilitate cleaning of the metering containers, the flexible tubes and if necessary also the developing drums, the metering containers are all preferably connected to a common rinsing water supply pipe. This pipe may be connected to a reservoir tank provided with a pump and a heating element the delivery pipe from the pump forming a loop of inverted U- shape, the upper bend of the inverted U being situated above the maximum water level in the tank and having a venting connection. The venting connection prevents siphon action, so that as soon as the pump is stopped the water ceases to flow from the reservoir tank.

Several tanks may be mounted on a common swinging frame, provided that the processing times are the same for all these tanks.

To make the entire apparatus fully automatic in operation, the lifting magnets, the drive for the drums, the rinsing water pump and the hydraulic or pnuematic rams may all be controlled by a common controller. This starts and stops the individual operations according to a preset program. The operator therefore needs merely to introduce the photographic material into the drum then mount the drum in the tank and start the controller. During the processing no manipulations by the operator are necessary. Under these circumstances a single operator can easily attend to a large number of tanks.

An example of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation;

' FIG. 2 is a front elevation showing the metering containers;

FIG. 3 is a section to a larger scale through a metering container;

FIG. 4 is a detail showing a drum inlet; and,

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through a reservoir tank.

The apparatus comprises a frame 4 in which a developing tank 5 is mounted, the tank bottom resting on a swinging frame 6, which is supported by inclined members 7 and 8. A pivot bearing 9 for the swinging movement of the developing tank is situated at the junction between the members 7 and 8. The pivot bearing 9 is considerably above the imaginary horizontal center plane C of the developing tank 5, so that the tank is in stable equilibrium in its position of rest. The front end of the swinging frame 6 is connected to a piston rod 10,.of a hydraulic or pneumatic ram 11 which is itself pivotally connected to the main frame 4. The ram serves to tip the developing tank from its position of rest into an inclined position, for draining away the solution from the tank. In the return movement the tank 5 is brought to a stop by a buffer 12 mounted on the main frame 4.

The tank 5 is equipped with inlet funnels 13 which receive solutions through

flexible feed tubes

14 and 15 from metering containers 16 mounted above the developing tank. There is one metering container 16 for each of the processing solutions. A flexible feed tube l4, 15 connects each metering container to each one of a number of rotatable developing drums 2 in the tank 5. Mechanical means 3 in the form of a motor or belt transmission drive the drums. As shown in H0. 2, there are two

tubes

14 and 15 connecting each metering container to two developing drums.

As shown in H6. 3, each metering container 16 includes a measuring cylinder made of transparent material containing an overflow pipe 17, which determines the depth of liquid in the container. Solution is fed to the container from a reservoir through an inlet pipe 18. The bottom of each measuring cylinder extends downwards to form a sump 19, which is sealed at the top by a conical plug 22 surrounded by a sealing ring 21. Each

flexible feed tube

14 or 15 is connected at the top to the sump 23 at a location between the lower surface of the plug 22 and the bottom of the sump. The inlet of each

feed tube

14 or 15 is therefore at a distance above the bottom of the sump 19. Any small leakage of solution downwards from the measuring cylinder collects in the bottom of the sump and cannot flow into the

feed tubes

14 and 15. This leakage liquid can be removed from the sump 23 by draining it out through a drain pipe 24. The sump 23 is large enough to receive the solution lost from the measuring cylinder by leakage, this being a comparatively small amount of solution.

The conical plug 22 is connected to a vertical pull rod 25, the upper end of which is attached to an armature 26 of a lifting magnet 27 which is supported on a bridge 29 mounted on a cover 28 of the container 16. This arrangement ensures that the lifting magnet 27 is kept safely away from the corrosive solutions contained in the metering container 16. All the metering containers 16 are connected to a common water pipe 30. Water is supplied to each inlet funnel 13 through a water pipe 31 by a pump 32 connected to a rinsing water reservoir tank 33 shown in FIG. 5. The pipe 31 describes a loop in the form of an inverted U 34, the upper bend of which is above the liquid level in the reservoir tank, and has a venting connection 35.

The purpose of the reservoir tank is to provide a supply of water at a constant temperature. Water drawn directly from a circulation heater fluctuates in temperature, involving a risk of separating the emulsion layer from the photographic material.

Each metering container is connected by its inlet pipe 18 to a reservoir tank (not shown) containing a supply of processing solution. The metering container can be filled by a manual operation, or by means of an automatic device.

Once the operator has inserted the photograph material in the drums, he need perform no further manual operations concerned with the drums themselves. He therefore has plenty of time to open the valves for admitting solutions to the metering containers, and close the valves again when the containers are full. Each metering container has a capacity sufficient for filling a number of developing drums, in the present example two drums.

The reservoir tank 33 contains an electric heating element 36 controlled by a thermostat. The water inlet 37 to the reservoir tank is controlled by a float valve. Between processing operations rinsing water is supplied by the pump 32 for removing residual solution from the developing drums. The venting connection 35 has the effect that as soon as the pump stops the column of water in the

pipe

31, 34 is interrupted and the flow ceases. Alternatively if the reservoir tank 33 is positioned high enough above the tank 5, the pump and the loop 34 can be omitted.

To operate the apparatus described, the photographic material is first loaded into a drum in the tank and the drum is then closed and a controller is set in operation. The lifting magnet 27 is then energized by an automatically operated switch and lifts the conical plug 22 so admitting the first solution to the developing drum. The solution runs down from the metering container 16 through a flexible feed pipe 14 or into the filling funnel 13 and so reaches the developing drum. The drum is then set in movement by a controller and at the end of the specified processing period the controller stops the drum and actuates the ram ll, tipping the tank 5 clockwise, so that the spent solution drains out of the developing drums. As soon as the solution has drained away the movement of the piston rod 10 is reversed, the tank 5 returning to its position of rest, supported by the buffer 12. The rinsing water pump 32 is then started by the controller supplying the rinsing water through the pipe 31 to the inlet funnel 13, from where it reaches the developing drum. As soon as the photographic material has been rinsed the piston 10 is actuated again, to tip the tank 5 and also drain away the dirty rinsing water.

As soon as the tank has returned to its position of rest, after the rinsing operation, the next magnet is energized by the controller, allowing the next processing solution to run down into the developing drum. This process is repeated until the photographic material has received its last rinse. The only manual operations which the operator has to perform, apart from loading the drums and starting the controller, are the opening and closing of the valves on the inlet connections 18 to the metering containers 16. He has plenty of time to attend to this. lf desired these valves can be operated electrically.

I claim:

1. ln apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including at least one tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, said drum being fully closable and being adapted to receive therein photographic emulsion coated material, means defining a filling opening in said drum, an open inlet receptacle having a bottom discharge opening sealingly connected to said filling opening in said drum, a plurality of flexible supply tubes connecting said metering containers through said open inlet receptacle with said filling opening, and drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means mounting said metering containers above said tank.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means swingably mounting said frame includes pivot means having a pivot axis, said tank having a horizontal center plane when said tank is untipped and said pivot axis being situated above said horizontal center plane.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a fluid pressure ram, means pivotally connecting said ram to said frame, a stationary support, and means pivotally connecting said rarn to said stationary support and said apparatus further comprising buffer means for contacting said frame when said frame is in its untipped position.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an overflow pipe mounted to each of said metering containers and said metering containers being made of transparent material.

6. In apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including a tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum, means defining a filling opening in said drum, and a plurality of flexible supply tubes'communicating said metering containers with said filling opening, each of said metering containers including a bottom, said bottom including parts defining a sump, plug means arranged to close the top of said sump, a sealing ring surrounding said plug and said supply tube communicating with said sump above the lowermost point thereof.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a drain pipe communicating with said lowermost point of said sump.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a lifting magnet, a cover on said container, means mounting said lifting magnet above said cover and a pull rod connecting said plug to said lifting magnet whereby operation of said magnet lifts said plug to open said sump.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said frame includes two inclined frame members, means fixing said frame members together at a junction at the upper ends thereof, and wherein said means mounting said frame for swinging movements includes a pivot bearing and means mounting said pivot bearing at said junction.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, including a plurality of said tanks on said frame.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a water supply pipe and means communicating said water supply pipe with all said metering containers.

12. In apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including a tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum, means defining a filling opening in said drum, and a plurality of flexible supply tubes communicating said metering containers with said filling opening, a water supply pipe and means communicating said water supply pipe with all said metering containers, a reservoir tank for rinsing water, a heating element in said reservoir tank, a pump including a suction and discharge, means communicating said suction with said reservoir tank and means communicating said discharge with said water supply pipe, said last named means including an inverted U-shaped loop, said loop extending to above a maximum water level in said tank and venting means venting the top of said loop.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said drive means for swinging said frame includes a fluid pressure operated ram and means for actuating said ram, magnet means for controlling the supply of liquid from said metering containers and a common control system, said common control system controlling said means for rotating said drums, said pump, said fluid pressure operated ram and said magnet means.

Claims

1. In apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including at least one tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, said drum being fully closable and being adapted to receive therein photographic emulsion coated material, means defining a filling opening in said drum, an open inlet receptacle having a bottom discharge opening sealingly connected to said filling opening in said drum, a plurality of flexible supply tubes connecting said metering containers through said open inlEt receptacle with said filling opening, and drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a fluid pressure ram, means pivotally connecting said ram to said frame, a stationary support, and means pivotally connecting said ram to said stationary support and said apparatus further comprising buffer means for contacting said frame when said frame is in its untipped position.

6. In apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including a tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum, means defining a filling opening in said drum, and a plurality of flexible supply tubes communicating said metering containers with said filling opening, each of said metering containers including a bottom, said bottom including parts defining a sump, plug means arranged to close the top of said sump, a sealing ring surrounding said plug and said supply tube communicating with said sump above the lowermost point thereof.