US3774521A

US3774521A - Photographic developing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3774521A
Application number: US00303053A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Beck
Original assignee: EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co
Current assignee: EIDP Inc
Priority date: 1969-12-19
Filing date: 1972-11-02
Publication date: 1973-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-27

Abstract

Developing apparatus for the rapid development of photographic silver halide elements, e.g., sheets or plates, having a series of spaced solution-applying plates having (1) a plurality of spaced slots of small cross-section for supplying photographic treating solutions to the surface of the applying plates and to a single surface of the photographic elements passed across the applying plates, and (2) a collection and storage tray for receiving excess solution flowing over the edges of the plates. Between the applying plates are pressure or squeegee rolls for removing expended solutions, drip pans for the solutions, cover plates extending over the applying plates and flexible sealing strips at the entrance and exit lips of the cover plates, which strips are adapted to press against the back surface of the photographic elements. Metering weirs control the rate at which treating solution is expended. The apparatus can have a selfthreading drying chamber adjacent the final solution applying plate.

Description

111111 60 ;.st tes Patent 5955 14 1 Nov. 27, 1973 PHOTOGRAPHVIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS r [75] Inventor: Robe rtH'aun Beck, Fair Haven,

NJ. i

[63] Continuation of $61. NO. 79,214,661. 8, 1970,

abandoned, Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 886,618, Dec. 19, 19 69, Pat hlo. 3,635,144.,

Primary Examiner-Richard'M. Sheer Attrney-WilkinE. Thomas, Jr,

. ABSTRACT Developing apparatus for the rapid development of photographic silver halide elements, e.g., sheets or plates, having a series of spacedsolution-applying plates having (1) a plurality of spaced slots of small cross-section for supplying'photographic treating solutions to the surface of the applying plates and to a single surface of the photographic elements passed across j 'theapplying plates', and (-2) a collection and storage tray for receiving excess solution flowing over the edges of the plates. Between the applying plates are pressure for squeegee rolls for removing expended solutions, drip pans for the solutions, cover platesextending over the applying plates and flexible sealing strips at the entrance and exit lips of the coverplates,

which strips are adapted to press against the back surface of the photographic elements. Metering weirs control the rate atwhich treating solution is expended. The apparatus can have a self-threading drying chamber adjacent the final solution applying plate. I

Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 52 u.s. c1. 95 8911, 95/94 R 151 1111. C1. G03d'1/02 [58 Field of $60 11 /819, 94

[56] I. 3 References i i UNITEDSTATES PATENTS g 3,060,829 10/1962 Leighton et a1.....--.....' 95/89R 3,067,758 12/1962 Hemh 95/94X 3,095,798 7/1963 1 611 95 94 3,115,079 12/1963 Saffian 95/89R 3,277,810 10/1966 Hersh. 95/94 3,344,729 4 10/1967 Kitrosser... 95/89R 3,405,626 10/1968 Fleisher e: a] 95/94 R 3,413,904 12/1968 Friedel 95/94 x r 3,545,364 12/1970 Reedy et 95/89R SPENT 232 NEW;

,SOLUTION PATENTEDuuv27 nan SHEET 10F 4 zESSw ATTORNEY PAIENTEDHUVZYIQIS A I 3.774.521

snmunF a I MAINSWITCH m DEVELOPER CIRCULATING PUMP TREATING SOLUTION m CIRCULATING PUMP A VENTI LATING FAN NEW DEVELOPER m SOLUTION PUMP U INVENTOR m ROBERT HAUN BECK ATTORNEY cation.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS cRoss REFERENCE To REEATEDAPFLICATIQN This application is a continuation of US. Patent ap plication Ser. No. 79,214 riled on, Oct. 8, 1970, now abandoned, and is a continuation-in-part of Assignees posed photographic films and papers. They differ widely in constructiorn'Many have developing, fixing, and-washing tanks.

Pask, US. Pat. No. 2,419,853,.Apr. 29, 1947, discloses such an apparatus for applying developing solution to a moving film, the solution-applying plate has a plurality of perforations tion to the film.

The fixed blocks over the film prevent observation fices located at the levelof said plate and in said path for receiving such photographic film, and'flexible sealing strips attached to said container at the entrance and exit orifices to prevent oxidation of the treating solution and to facilitate self-threading of the photographic element through the apparatus.

The sealing strip of the exit end of the tray may coact with a weir on the lip of the tray.

There may also be provided: tanks for the treating solution; means 'for recirculating the treating solution from the storage tray to the supplying slots; solutioncontrolling means, comprising metering w'eirs coacting with exit sealing strips to control the rate of removal of expanded, solution, solution level sensors (not shown) in the collection and storage t'ray;,and gravity or pump means foradding new solution. The solution received in the drip pans can, if desired, be recirculated to the for applying processing soluand ready access to the film during development and there are no sealingstrips and no slitsin the solution applying plate as 1 ;Wright, US. Pat. No. 3,027,821, Apr. 3, .1962, discloses a developing apparatus having a developer applying plate with a narrow central slit for feeding solution to the surfaceof the plate. I

Joggling means is required to maintain a smooth flow to the plates and there are no sealing strips as in the photographic apparatus of the present application. I Wright, U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,846, July 6, l965,.discloses sucy' an apparatus'h'aving inlet slots in the'soluin the apparatus of the present appli solution-applying plates. The transport and solutionremoving means may be pressure rollers disposed be tween each solution-applying unit through which the photographic element passesBeneath the rollers are drip'pans for receiving excess solution. As any treated elements pass from the final treating solution and pressure rollers, they can passinto aself-threading dryer through which heated airflows or is applied by means of a fie- RiEF'D scRmnoN OIF'THEDRAIWINGS" FIG. 1 is an elevation with tographic treating apparatu n r FIG. -2 is a elevation of a pair of solution-applying plates showing collection ancl storage trays, solution tion applying plate. There are 'no'sealing strips and there is no reservoir for maintaining a smooth flow of solution to the plates. v i

I SUMMARY OF lNvENTio The photographic treating apparatus of this invention comprises a series of spaced, separate, treating solution-applying units and means positioned between the solution-applying units for transporting a photographic element alonga path extending through the units and for removing excess treating solution from such photographic elements, eachsolution applying unit having:

l. solutione'applying means positioned below said path for applying treating solution to only the surface of such photographic element-adjacent said solutionapplying means, said solution-applying means consisting solely of a single'horizontal solution-applying plate,

with a plurality of spaced slots of small cross sections,

positioned below said path;

' 2. meansfor supplying treating solution to the upper surface of said plate with a force sufficient to support 1 the photographic'element over said plate and toallow the treating solution to be applied-t0 only the surface of such photographic element adjacent said plate; and

3. a sealed collection and storage container containing said plate and comprising a tray disposed beneath said plate for receiving excess treating solution flowing over the edges of said plate, and a cover disposed above said, plate, said container having entrance and exit oricuit for theapparatus.

tanks, pump, trays, and a recovery tank.

'ElG. 3 is a plan view of the upper sectionof a solution-applying plate with the reservoir supplying inlet in dashed outline. I v

FIG. 4'is an elevationof a portion of the cover plate ands'olution-applying plates and associated members.

FIG. ,5 is a section taken'along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a plan view of an air flotation dryer plate. FIG. 7 is an end elevation of the drying chamber with parts in section of the plenum chambers. FIG..8 is a schematic view of a suitable electrical cir- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used throughout the several figures, the apparatus has a horizontal frame 1, with end I rails 2, side rails 3, crossbars 4 and a suitable angle iron or lengthwise bracket Sand legs 6.

Disposed in collection and storage trays, which are supported, e.g., by the angle irons near their side edges, are solutiomapp'lying plates 7. These plates have an upper section 8 and a lower section 9. The upper sectionhas a plurality of spaced inclined slots 10 of small 'cross-section. The lower section of the plate 7. has

formed in its upper surface a reservoir 11 with'an inlet 15 which can'be centrally disposed.

The apparatus is provided with collection and storage trays-30 which have a suitable outlet to which is at- .tached outlet pipe 31. Solution passes from the outlet through pump 32 and pipe 33 v which is connected to inlet 15 in plate section 9.

A cover 21 (preferably transparent) for the solutionapplying unit has a slightly raised central portion, the

parts in section of the phoside edges 22 being flat (not shown) and resting on the surface edges of collection and storage tray 30. The cover has a deflecting entrance lip to direct passage of photographic film over the surface of plate section 8. The rear portion of the cover has a similar deflecting exit lip. Attached to the deflecting front and exit lips, respectively, are flexible sealing strips 25 and 25 These sealing strips extend across the entire width of the cover and seal theentrance and exit from the trays 30 to prevent deteriorationof the treating solution. The bottom parts of the sealing strips are free andin contact with the back surface of any photographic element W passing through the apparatus.

Metering weirs l2.are formed by ridged "plate'13 disposed on and fastened to the exit lip of the tray 30. The metering wier 12 area is determined by the geometry of the ridges 14. The weir area is calculated to allow the expenditure of a predetermined, amount of solution adhering to the surface of the treated photographic element. Solution is expended at a controlled ratedirectly proportional to the. surface area of treated photographic element;

Motor M2 activates a pump like 32 for circulating a treatingsolution.

Motor M3 corresponds to driving motor 59 of FIG. 1. I e

Motor M4 (not shown in FIG. 1 drives a blower for supplying hot air through entrance'duct 45.

Motor M5 drives a suitable ventilating fan (not shown) "for passing air over the processing machine.

Motor M6activates a pump for supplying new developer solution.

Motor M7 activates a pump for supplying new treat ing solution. v

Each of the motors are activated by closing the main switch shown in the wiring diagram, except M6. The main switch also controls the current for three heaters, one of which heats air that is introduced into dryer 41.

Motor M6 is controlled by the solution level sensor.

Additional heaters (not shown) for raising the tem perature of the developing solution and the bleaching Asolution supply tank 37 is incommunication with the collection and storage-tray via tube 34 and pump 35., A solution level sensor (not shown) in the collection and storage tray controls pump 35. When the solutionlevel falls below a predetermined level in the collection. and storage tray, the solution level sensor starts pump 35 and new solution is supplied to the tray 30 via tube 34. v 7

Between adjacent solution-applying plates are drip trays. 39 to whichthere are attached drain tubes 40 which transport solutionto a drain or receptacle 32.

At the end of the solution-applying section of the apparatus, there can be disposed a drier-41 having an upper plenum chamber 42 provided with exit duct43. Lower plenumchamber 44 is below the upper chamber and an air inlet duct 45 is disposed below chamber 44.

solution, respectively, are activated by current con-- trolled by thegmain switch. By inserting'suitable ther mostats in the developer and bleaching solution, their respective temperatures can be controlled.

The operation of the apparatus is obvious from the ing solution circulating pumps begin to circulate the solutions through the respective solution-applying plates.

developer solution) applying unit are transport rollers and 50 which contact the photographic film and propel it forward. These transport rollers have shafts 52 on which are fixed suitable sprocket 53 which are driven by chain 54 passing aroundsaid sprockets and around idler sprockets '55 and 56near the respective ends of the apparatus. The chain also meshes with driving sprockets 57 on reducing gear 58 of drive motor 59.

- The chain also meshes with and drives suitable sprocksolution, as shown in FIG. 2.

Simultaneously, air is supplied by means of a blowerto the dryer. Power is simultaneously supplied to the heaters for the processing solutions.

The drive motor 59 starts the transport rolls and idler sprockets to turn in synchronism. The ventilating fan is activated byits motor and removes heat from the'motors and the dryer.

Afterlstartup, when the solutions'and dryer are at a suitable temperature,- the photographic film or paper W can be introduced into the machine. If desired, electrical interlocks can be provided so as to delayoperation of the transport motor unitl'the temperatures are at the desired degree.

Various parts of the apparatus can be made of stainless steel or other non-corrosive metal alloy, or made of suitable resins or polymers, e.g., phenol formaldehyde resins, polyethylene, etc., that are resistant to heat and chemicals.

5 the solution-applying plates can be vacuum molded from acrylic resin or other plastic material or sheets,

and reinforced, if necessary, to provide the desired risolution-applying units and means positioned between the solution-applying .units for transporting a photographic element along a path extendingthrough the units and forremoving excess treating solution from such photographic elements, each solution applying unit having: I r

a. solution-applying means positioned below said .path for applying treating solution to only the sur- 5 face of such photographic element adjacent said solution-applying means, said. solution-applying means consisting solely of a single horizontal solution-applying plate, with a plurality of spaced slots of small cross sections, positioned below said path; means for supplying treating solution to the upper surface of said plate 'with a force sufficient to support the photographic element over said plate and to allow the treating solution to be applied to only the surface of such photographic element adjacent said plate; and I a sealed collection and storage container containing said plate and comprising a tray disposed beneath said plate for receiving excess treating solution flowing over the edges of said plate, and a cover disposed above said plate, said container having entrance and exity orifices located at the level of said plate and in said path for receiving such photographic film, and flexible sealing strips attached to said container at the entrance and exit orifices to prevent oxidation of the treating solution and to facilitate self-threading of the photographic element through the apparatus. '2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealing strip at the exit orifice coacts with a weir on the lip of the tray. l

- '3. An apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the cove'ris transparent. I v v 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 having a tank transport and solution-applying means comprise a plurality of pressure rollers between the solutionapplying units through which the element passes.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a drip pan disposed beneath the pressure rollers to receive excess solution.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 having a drying chamber adjacent the final solution-applyingunit.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said drying chamber has flotationdrier plates with a plurality of small orifices for drying air, such photographic elements being adapted to pass between the plates while being supported by the drying air.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating a photographic element which comprises a series of spaced, separate, treating solutionapplying units and means positioned between the solution-applying units for transporting a photographic element along a path extending through the units and for removing excess treating solution from such photographic elements, each solution applying unit having: a. solution-applying means positioned below said path for applying treating solution to only the surface of such photographic element adjacent said solution-applying means, said solution-applying means consisting solely of a single horizontal solution-applying plate, with a plurality of spaced slots of small cross sections, positioned below said path; b. means for supplying treating solution to the upper surface of said plate with a force sufficient to support the photographic element over said plate and to allow the treating solution to be applied to only the surface of such photographic element adjacent said plate; and c. a sealed collection and storage container containing said plate and comprising a tray disposed beneath said plate for receiving excess treating solution flowing over the edges of said plate, and a cover disposed above said plate, said container having entrance and exity orifices located at the level of said plate and in said path for receiving such photographic film, and flexible sealing strips attached to said container at the entrance and exit orifices to prevent oxidation of the treating solution and to facilitate selfthreading of the photographiC element through the apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealing strip at the exit orifice coacts with a weir on the lip of the tray.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is transparent.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 having a tank for treating solution.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slots pass through the plate at less than a 90* angle.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 which is provided with means for recirculating solution in the tray to the solution applying plate.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transport and solution-applying means comprise a plurality of pressure rollers between the solution-applying units through which the element passes.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 having a drying chamber adjacent the final solution-applying unit.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said drying chamber has flotation drier plates with a plurality of small orifices for drying air, such photographic elements being adapted to pass between the plates while being supported by the drying air.