US750665A

US750665A - lesperance

Info

Publication number: US750665A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1904-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 1921-01-26

Description

No. 750,665. PATENTED JAN. ze, 1904.

J. LESPEEANGE. DAYLPGHT PLATE DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

Witnesses.:

Attorneys TN: onms versus oo, pnoraumo., wAsmNoToN, n.1;

No. 750,665. PATENTED JAN. 26, 1904.

e J. LESPEANCE. EAYLIGHT PLATE DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

' I Inventor Jafi syyfrfmm Witnesses: C?

Attorneys No. 750,665. PATENTEE JAN. 25, 190A.

l J. LESPEEANGE. DAYLIGET PLATE DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903. N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Witnesses: Inventor j, By

Attorneys No. rv750,665.

UNITED STATES Patented January 26, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

DAYLIGHT PLATE-DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 750,665, dated January 26, 1904.

. Application filed June l, 1903. `Serial No. 159,517. (No model.)

To all whom it may concer/t:

Be it known that l, JosErH LESPERANCE, M. D., a subject of the King' of Great Britain, residing in the city and district of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VDaylight Plate-Developing Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates -to the art of photography, and concerns itself especially with apparatus intended to be used for developing photographic plates without the use of a dark room. Apparatus to effect a similar purpose with photographic films has already been produced; but such apparatus is not adapted for developing' plates. Y

rlhe object of this invention is to provide simple apparatus which will enable the developing process to be carried on effectively and speedily and without danger of admitting light to the plates or negatives as they are developing.

1n its general construction the invention comprises a box in which the plate-hold ers are intended to be placed, the opening through which the plate-holders are inserted being thereai-iter closedl by a suitable cover adapted to prevent the daylight passing into the interior of the box. 1n the lower portion of the said box developing-cups are placed, and arrangement is made for allowing the plates to descend from the platcholders into these cups in order that they may be developed. ihese developing-cups are-in communication with a receptacle which is adapted to beheld in ones hand. rlhis receptacle is connected by means of a light hose with the aforesaid de Yelopingcups. The hand-receptacle or hand-cup is intended to receive the developing ageutor developer and when held elevated of course affords means for filling the aforesaid developing-cups with the develope-r. After the plates have been treated for a sufficient length of time the hand-cup is depressed, which of course has the effect of draining the developing-cups. The developer is then poured out ofthe hand-cup, and it is replaced by water which affords means for washing the plates, the hand-cup being manipulated in the same manner as before in order to fill or empty the developing-cups. After the washing-water is poured oli' the hand-cup affords means for treating the plates with a fixing-bath.

rl`he invention consists in the construction and combination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter, and definitely set forth in the claims.

ln the drawings, which fully illustrate my invention, Figure 1 represents the same in perspective. Fig'. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the developing-box. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. t is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on the line 4; 4 of Fig. Q, this view being' upon an enlarged scale, as will appear. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the apparatus. Fig. 6 is a perspective showing a portion or section of a cover for excluding light from the developing-box. Fig. 7 is a perspective of another section of the cover. Fig. 8 is a perspective of one of the developing-cups, the same being' broken away near its lower portion, as will appear, to disclose its construction upon its interior. Fig. 9 is a bottoni plan of the base upon which the developing-box rests. Fig. 10 is a perspective of one of the hooks which are instrumental in bringing about the descent of the plates into the developing-cups. Fig. 1l is apcrspective of one of the partitions which are used to separate the plate-holders within the developing-box. Fig. l2 is a perspective showing a modified form which is especially adapted for developing only two plates at once. This view represents only the lower portion of the developing-box, as will appear. Fig. i3 a longitudinal vertical section through the base shown in Fig. 12 and contiguous parts. Fig. let is a perspective shrnving a cushion which is adapted to break the fall of the plates in this moi iiied form when they descend into the developing-cup.

Throughout the drawings and specification the same numerals of reference denote like parts.

Referring more particularly to the parts, l

lOO

represents the preferred form of the developing-box shown in Fig'. 1. This box or easing is of substantially rectangular form, as shown, preferably made of sheet metal, and provided on its forward side, preferably substantially midway of its height, with a horizontal extension or housing' 2. The interior of this housing' 2 is in communication with the interior of the developing-box 1, as shown, and above this housing the said box 1 is perfectly open, being' closed at this part by a face-plate or cover 4. In like manner the said housing' 2 is open above and closed by a removable plate or cover 5. The outer extremity of the housing' 2 is also open, but closed by a removable head 6. lt should be understood that the plate 4, the cover 5, and the head 6 are made removable for the purpose of facilitating the insertion of the plate-holders 7 in the upper portion of the developing-box 1, and it should be observed that these parts are constructed with a special view to excluding' light from the interior of the developingbox or the housing' 2.

The construction of the face-plate 4 is most clearly shown in Fig. 7, in which view it is represented in such a manner as to show its inner side. Upony its inner -side this plate has attached thereto a flange 8, which is disposed so as to constitute three sides of the rectangle, and it should be understood that this plate is adapted to be applied to the developing-box in the manner indicated in Fig. 1, so that the portion 9 of the flange 8 rests upon the top 10 of the box, while the remainingportions of the flange lie adjacent to the outer faces of the sides of the box, as will be readily understood.

The construction of the cover 5 aforesaid is most-clearly shown in Fig'. 6, as indicated. 1t consists of a plate 11 of rectangular form to correspond with the housing 2, having depending' flanges 12 near its opposite edges, as shown, and upon its inner edge 13 the plate 11 is provided with a pair of oppositely-disposed recesses or openings 14, which are adjacent to the flanges 12, as shown. -At the rear edges of these recesses 14 a vertical iang'e 15 is attached, which extends transversely of the plate from edge to edge of the same, as shown. This cover 5 is adapted. to be applied to the housing 2 in the manner indicated, with the iiange 12 lying' just outside of the upper edges of theside walls 16 of the housing' and with the edge 13 projecting beyond the faceplate 4. yhen applied in this manner the forward edges of the sides of the box are received by the recessesV 14, as'will be readily understood. From this arrang'ementthe light is effectually excluded.

The head 6 comprises a rectangularly-disposed I'iange 17, which projects into the extremity of the housing- 2, as shown, in this manner excluding' the light at this point.

lt should be understood that the developing-box 1, constituting the preferred form, is adapted for developing six plates simultaneously. To this end it is formed in its upper portion into three smaller compartments 18 by means of two vertical partitions 19. One of these partitions is shown most clearly in Fig. 11. The upper edges of these partitions are provided, respectively, with longitudinal grooves 20, which extend from front to back of the partitions, as indicated, and these grooves are adapted to receive fins or flanges 21, which project downwardly from the under side of the top 10 of the developing-box and extend from front to rear of the same, as will be readily understood. At opposite points the said partitions 19 and the inner sides of the side walls of the box are provided with substantially horizontal grooves 22, which are adapted to receive the beads 23, which are usually formed upon plate-holders.

The developing-box 1 is removably received by a base 24, which base is provided with a recess 25, conforming to the shape of the lower portion of the box, as shown. This base is supported upon suitable legs 26, consisting' of rectang'ularly-formed heavy wires, as shown. Except for this base 24 it should appear that the box 1 is bottomless. Frein this arrangement it is possible to insert three developingcups 26, which are disposed, respectively, beneath the compartments 18. The construction of these cups is most clearly shown in Fig. 8. 1t should appear that they are of substantially .rectangular forni, narrow, and of` expanded width at their central portions, so that they present oppositely-disposed flat faces27 at this part and inclined faces28 near their edges. As indicated, these cups are open above and are formed with contracted necks v29, whereby oppositely-disposed shoulders 30 are formed extending' from front to back of the cups. Certain of these shoulders ali'ord means for supporting the aforesaid partitions 19, the lower edges of the said partitions resting upon the same, as shown in Fig'. 3. fln the upper portion of each cup 26 there is provided a parting-wire 31, which is disposed centrally within the cup, as shown, and presents the appearance of a bluntly-pointed V, as viewed in Fig'. 2. These wires are for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. Near the bot- -tom each developing-cup 26 is .also .provided with a false bottom 32 of lig'ht';-\vi1'e` mesh, the purpose of which is to break `the -fall of the plates as they descendinto the cupsr inorder to prevent their beingl .accidently broken in falling. Each of the ldeveloping-cups.is provided at its bottomwith a. short tubular spout 33, which projects downwardly from the same, as shown. The three .spouts pass through three openings 34, which are formed in the bottom of the base 24 to receive the same, as will be readilyunderstood, and beneath the base 24 there are attached, respeci tively, to these spouts'lhose. 'l`hese hose lOO Ahousing 2 aforesaid.

attach to a hand-receptacle or hand-cup 86, which is formed with three compartments 37, with which the said hose respectively connect. The purpose and the manner of operating this hand-cup 36 in conjunction with the developing-box will be described more fully hereinafter.

The holders 7 may be of common form vslightly altered in order to enable the plates to fall from the same into the developingcups 26. VIt should be understood that these holders are :adapted to 'be slid 'into the compartments 18 sidewise, so that they come into position directly over thezcups 26, being retainedl thereabove by reason of the beads 23 aforesaid andthe grooves 22. It should be understood. that in order to insert the holders in this manner they areheld in such amanner that the hand'les38 of their shutters 39 would draw in ar vertical direction.` As indicated most clearly in Fig.V 2, the portion of these holders lying opposite to th'e vhandles38 comprise movable heads'40, which are adapted to slide longitudinally in the direction of Vthe These sliding headsv are preferably of substantially the form shown in Fig. 2. They have attached thereto pivoted eyes 41, which afford means for attaching hooks '42, which hooks are formed upon the extremities of certain pull-rods '43, the said pull-rods being' mounted in the aforesaid head 6,l suitabl'e'washers 44 being provided through which the saule a're guided vin ord er to exclude light at`these'points. 'L Beyond thcwashers 44 the `pull-rods",43 may terminate in knobs to facilitate.i their 4being grasped by on'es finigers; '-One of thesey pull-rods 43 is clearly illustrated in Fig.' 10,`A where it should appear:

p that the, 'same is provided near the hook 42 with' a resilient tongue or spring 46, which'coioperates with the vhook 42, as will be readily understood. f-

'Tn Fig. V12 alporti'on of a developing-'box ofvmodilied form is illustrated. This form is intended to be used where the device is constructed generally Iof wood. This modilied form is constructedfwith a view to developing only'two plates at Ithe" saine time.'` Thev construction in thisinstance comprises a Acasing 47` mad-e of" wood, to which'is attached a housing 48, having the same functions as the housing 2 aforesaid. f This' casing-*47 is 'formed without anybottomand is adapted toreceive snugly within the same' a cup 49, which is also without 'abottom and provided with` a laterally-projecting flange 50. l `:Under fiange 50 there is placedv a gasket' I51, preferably of rubber, and beneath this gasket there is a plate 52, which constitutes a bottom forlthe cup and for the developing-box. The sket 51 and i plate 52 are clamped' in placefhby 'means of small vclamps Ithe'lower portions 54 of which are adaptedl to rest'upontable or similar support, so as to constitute legs or feet for the The form of the gasket 51` developing-box.

is most clearly shown in Fig.4 14. It consists of a rectangular base of substantially the form of the outline of the flange 5() aforesaid, and it is provided with an elongated longitudinallydisposed opening 55, Vwhich opening alines itself when the gasket'is in position just beneath the cup 49. 1t should appear, however, that when arranged in this way the edges 56 at the extremities of the opening 55 lie well under the cup. 1n this way these edges afford means for breaking theffall of the plate 57 as it drops into thecup'from above, it appearing that the corners of" the plate at its lower edge would strike upon the rubber gasket at this part, in this manner cushioning the fall of the plate, asl 4will be readily understood. The plate 52 is provided with 'a tubular vspout 58, which projects downwardly from the same and to which isattached a light hose 59, which hose is in connection with a handcup 60, which hand-cup has the same functions -as the'hand-cupf36 aforesaid', but is simpler in construction,"` comprising, asit does,

only one compartment'6`1.

' Tt should be understood that the preferred form of 'the'developing-box shown in Fig. 1 'enables 'six platesor negatives to be developed simultaneously.''f` f i The mode. of `operating the preferred form wouldbe substantially as follows: The faceplate 4 andthef cover 5 having been removed, the plate-holders 7, which would be of special form or of common form, with certain alterations as described, would be introduced into the outer-portion of the developing-box, so as vto be received,respectively, bythe three compartments 18. '.ln'fthis way they would be brought into position directly above the three developing-cups26. It should be understood that tlre'plate-holders are introduced into the developing-boxperfectly intact and just as thej'ffaie taken' from the camera, their shutters not havingbeen disturbed in any way. After the plate-holders have been placed withinthe developing-box in the manner described the hooks L42 within the housing2 are hooked,

,respectively/, into the eyes 41, which eyes are attached to the sliding heads 40, which close thc lower portion of the holders when they are disposed 'inthe 'manner described. 5 of the housing is then placed'l in position, and the head 6, together with the plate 4, are adjuste'dinto proper relation with the saine in such a manner as to exclude the entrancev of light atL the joints or points'of connection". The pull-rods 48 are no'w drawn outwardly, `in this manner withdrawing the sliding heads 40, soA that the plates within the plate-holders fall by their own gravity into the developing-cups 26.",` lt will be remembered that that side which is called the film"'"side of a photographic plate is disposed'toward the outer side of the plate-holder, and from this fact it follows that when the plates descend into the cups in the manner described their film sides The cover IOO will be located toward the outer sides of the cups, which respectively receive them. The reason for making the sides of the cups of the peculiar' form shown should now be apparent, for it should be understood that from the fact that these cups are of expanded width at their middle portions any possibility of the film of the plates coming into contact with the sides of the cup is prevented. rlhe plates may bear upon the sides of the developing-cups only along their vertical edges. The function of the wires 31,'whieh may very properly be called -dividingwires, is to prevent any possibility of the rear sides of the plates com-v ing intocontact in such amanneras to adhere together, 'it being understood that from the location of these wires one plate from the holdeitliereabove would descend at one sidev of the wire, While the other plate from the same vholder would descend at the opposite side of the wire. The jar or shock which might be incident to the falling of the plates in the manner described is muchv relieved by the presence of the false bottoms 32 wi thin the cups, which were described as constructed of lightwire, so as to constitute screws or guards. The dividing-wires 31,1it should be stated, are preferably` made of very light -material of high iexibility, so that while they efhciently perform jtheir functions they at the same time may be-readilydeflected by the plates if they move laterally.- AttentionA is called to the form of these dividing-wires, theeXtremities of which being elevated to a point near the mouths of the cups operate to insurethe plates lpassing properly into the cups, while at the same time the body of each wire is depressed, so that its middle lies substantially opposite the central portion of the plates when lying within the cup. After the plates have been safely deposited in the developing-cups 26 the process of developing them. is beg'un by means of the hand-cup 36 having the three compartments 37, which compartments, it will beiremembered, communicate, respectiv-ely, with the three developing-cups 26'.v If six plates are being' developed simultaneously, the three compartments 37 would be filled or substantially filledgwith the developing-agent or developer, the' saidf compartments being filled while the'- hand-cup was held in adepressedposition-that is, below the level-of the developing-cups 26. A Now when the handcup is elevated into some such position as that indicated in Fig. l the developer will iiow from the same into the developing-cups 26 and action upon the plates will begin. 'Inl order to promote a uniform actionr ofthe developer upon the plates, the hand-cup 36 would be periodically moved to a depressed'position and immediately elevated again,'n this way causing the developer to flow and reflow into the developing-cups, as will be readily understood, the effect produced being' substantially the same as that of tilting or agitating a developing-tray.

When the plates have been subjected to this treatment for a sufheient length of time, the developer would be poured out of the apparatus by means of the hand-cup, and the handeup would be thereafter filled with water and manipulated as before, so` as to subject the plates to a washing or rinsing action. rlhis would be followed by a similar operation, the hand-cup having been filled with a fixing' solution, and after sufficient time had elapsed to insure the proper fixing' of the negatives the operation would cease, and the plates could then be removedfrom the developing-box by removing the base 24 from the same, as shown, and withdrawing the developing-cups vertically downward, as will be readily understood, by reason of the fact that the developing-box is bottomless. Where it is desired to develop the contents of one plate-holder, only one of the compartments 37 of the hand-cup 36 would be brought into use, and the economical advantage of providing 1 separate developingcups will now be apparent, as otherwise a large quantity of developerwould be necessary in order to bring the level within the cup to the necessary height, though only one plate was being developed Iwithin thev cup. Such an arrangement as this is also advantageous, as it operates to facilitate the rapid filling or draining of the cup. rlhe arrangement of the hand-cup 36 in compartments is considered advantageous, cooperating, as it does, with the arrangement ofthe developing-cups.

rlhe mode of operation of the modified form shown in Fig. l2 is substantially the same as that just described in connection with the preferred form shown in Fig. l. Any suitable arrangement may be made for introducing the plate-holders and providing' for the lightproofness of the developing-box. lith this form of the apparatus, however, the plates would of course be removedby detaching the clamps 53 in order to enable the bottom plate 52 to be removed, togetherwith the gasket 51, in this way enabling the plates tobe slipped out, as will be readily understood. l Wv ith this form of the device, it will be remembered, the mannerof cushioning vthe fall of the plates is different, as they are received when they fall upon the rubber gasket instead of upon the light wire screens.

lt should appear from the arrangementdescribed that a very compact and serviceable apparatus is produced admirably adapted for its purposes, it being'. possible to carry on the developing' process in a bright light without danger of ythe plates. becoming' light-struck during the operation.

The manner of employing the hand-cup 36 in conjunction with the. developing-box is considered an advantageous feature, since it dispenses with any necessity for providing lilling-spouts or drain-cocks iny connection with the developing-cups and affords means at the same time for bringing about a desirable agi- IOO tation ofthe developing fluid with a view to promoting the uniformity of action of the baths upon the plates.`

v While I have shown in the accompanying drawings the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise form shown, for man?,T of the details may be changed in form or position without affecting the operativeness or utility of my invention, and I therefore reserve the right to make all such modiiications as are included within the scope of the following claims or of mechanical equivalents to the structures set forth.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

l. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a plate-holder, a cup, means for opening communication between the interior of said plate-holder and said cup, whereby plates contained in said plate-holder may pass into said cup, and a member adapted to separate said plate within said cup.

2. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a plate-holder, a cup disposed therebelow, means for opening communication between the interior of said plate-holder and said cup, whereby plates contained in said plate-holder may descend into said cup, and a member dividing' said cup, and adapted to lie between said plates within said cup.

3. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a plate-holder, a developing-cup disposed in connection therewith, means for opening communication between the interior of said plate-holder and said cup, whereby the plates within said plate-holder may pass into said cup, and a dividing-wire lying within said cup and adapted to separate said plates when received thereby, said dividing-wire affording means for guiding said plates into said cup.

4. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing, a plurality of developing-cups received in the lower portion thereof, means for receiving a plurality of plateholders above said cups within said casing, means for passing the plates from said plateholder into said cups, and means for controlling the flow of a developing agent to said cup.

5. In apparatus of the class described, in

' combination, a casing, a plurality of developing-cups disposed in the lower portion of said casing", a plurality of compartments formed in the upper portion of said casing' and communicating respectively with said cups, said compartments being adapted to receive plateholders, means for passing the plates from said plate-holders into said cups, and means for controlling the iiow of a developing' fluid into said cups.

6. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing, a plurality of developing-cups disposed in thelower portion thereof, aplurality of partitions dividing' the upper portion of said casing, said partitions being received between the said cups and forming' compartments adapted to receive plate-holders, means for opening communication from the plate-holders into said cups, and means for controlling the iow of a developing fluid into said cups.

7. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing', a plurality of developing-cups received in the lower portion thereof, said developing-cups being open above, a plurality of partitions dividing' the upper portion of said casing' into compartments, said partitions being received between the upper edges of said cups, said compartments being adapted to receive plate-holders disposed above said cups, means for opening' communication from said plate-holders into said cups, and means for controlling the iiow of a developing` Huid to said cups.

8. In apparatus of the class deseribed,rin combination, a easing', developing -cups received in the lower portion of said easing' and having' oppositely-disposed shoulders at the upper portion thereof, a partition dividing the upper portion of said casing into compartments, the lower edg'e whereofl rests upon said shoulders, plate-holders adapted to be received by said compartments, means for opening communication from said plate-holders into the said developing-cups, and means for controlling' the flow of a developing' iiuid into said cups.

9. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing, a developing-cup received in the lower portion of said casing', a plate-holder adapted to be received in the upper portion of said casing, said plate-holder and said casing' having, the one a recess, and the other a projection received thereby, said recess and said projection being adapted to support said plate-holder, and means for opening' communication between the interior of said plate-holder and said cup.

10. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing, a plurality of developing-cups received in the lower portion thereof, a plurality of partitions'dividing the upper portion of said casing into compartments, plate-holders adapted to be received by said compartments, there being an interlocking' connection between said plate-holders and the wall of said compartments operating' to support said plate-holders, and means for opening communication from said plate-holders into said cups.

11. In appararus of the class described, in combination, a developing-cup adapted to receive a plate to be developed, a base adapted to support said developing-cup, and having' an opening therethrough, a second cup adapted to be held in ones hand, a hose attached to said second cup and communicating with the interior of said developing-cup through said opening'.

IOO

12. In apparatus of the class described, .in combination, a developing-cup, means for supporting' the same with its bottom in an elevated position, a spout communicating with the interior of said cup, a second cup adapted to receive a developing' fluid, and a fiexible tubular connection between said spout and said second cup.

13. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing, a developing-cup received in the lower portion thereof, a base adapted. to support said casing' and said cup, a spout projecting' downwardly below said base and communicating with the interior of said developing-cup, a hand-cup, and a flexible tubular connection between said hand-cup and said spout.

14. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a bottomless casing, a base supporting the same, a removable developing-cup mounted in the lower portion of said casing, and having a spout projecting downwardlyT therefrom, there being' an opening' through said base through which said spout passes, a hand-cup adapted to contain a developing' liuid, and a flexible tubular connection between said hand-cup and said spout.

15. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a bottomless casing, a plurality of developing-cups disposed in the lower portion thereof and having' downwardly-projecting spouts, a base adapted to support said casing' and said developing-cups, a hand-cup, and tubular connections leading from said handcup to said spouts.

16. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a bottomless easing', a plurality of developing-cups received in the lower portion thereof, a base adapted to receive said casing, a hand-cup having' compartments therein and adapted to receive a developingfiuid, and flexible tubular members connecting' said compartments respectively with said developingcups.

17. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing, a developing-cup contained therein, a plate-holder within said casing and connecting with said cup, pull-'rods adapted to open communication between said plate-holder and said cup, and a housing' for said pull-rods, said casing' and said housing being' adapted to exclude lig'ht from the interior thereof.

18. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing having an opening' through a vertical wall thereof, a plate-holder adapted to be introduced into said" casing' through said opening, a removable cover for said opening, said casing having a lateral extension below said opening, a removable cover for said lateral extension, said covers having edges overlapping with said casing, a developing-cup in the lower portion of said casing, and adapted to receive a plate from said plateholder, a removable member adapted to open communication between the interior of said plate-holder and said cup, and means for advancing said removable member into said lateral extension.

19. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing having an opening' through a vertical wall thereof, and having a lateral extension adjacent to said opening', a removable cover for said opening' and a removable cover for said extension, plate-holders adapted to bel introduced into said casing through said opening, developing-cups carried within said casing' beneath said plateholders, sliding' heads carried by said plateholders, and adapted to open con'nnunication between the same and said cups, and pull-rods carried within said extension and connecting' with said sliding' heads, said covers affording' means for excluding the light from the interior of said casing.

20. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a easing, plate-holders adapted to be introduced into said casing', developingcups carried within said casing, and connecting' with said plate-holders, sliding members carried by said plate-holders and adapted to open communication between the interior thereof and said cups, said casing having a lateral extension opposite to said sliding members, and means for advancing said sliding members into said extension, said extension being' adapted to exclude light from the interior of said casing.

21. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing, plate-holders adapted to be introduced therein, developing-cups in conjunction with said plate-holders, removable heads adapted to open communication between the interior of said plate-holders and said cups, said casing' having' a lateral extension opposite the said removable heads, a removable cover for said extension, and means for advancing' said removable heads into said extension, said cover being' adapted to exclude light from the interior of said casing'.

22. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing, a plate-holder adaptedv to be introduced into said casing, a developing-cup in connection with said plate-holder, a sliding' head carried by said plate-holder,

IOO

IIO

and adapted to open communication between the interior of said plate-holder and said cup, said casing' having' a lateral extension opposite to said sliding head, a removable cover for said extension, a member carried in said, extension and adapted to withdraw said sliding' head, and a removable connection between said member and said sliding head.

23. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing, a plate-holder adapted to be introduced into tbe same, a developing'- cup, a sliding' head carried by said plate-holder and adapted to open con'mninication between the interior thereof and said cup, said casing having a lateral extension opposite to said sliding head, a pull-rod carried in said eXtension, a removable cover for said extension, and a hook-and-eye connection between said pull-rod and said sliding head.

24. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a developing-casing adapted to receive plate-holders, said casing having a lateral extension, a removable cover for said eX- tension, a removable cover for said casing adjacent to said extension, said covers having overlapping edges adapted to exclude the light from the interior of said casing, and members carried in said extension and adapted to open said plate-holders.

Q5. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a developing-casing adapted to receive plate-holders, and having alateral eX- tension, a removable cover for said casing, a removable cover for said extension, said removable covers having abutting edges, means whereby said edges may exclude the light, members carried within said extension and projecting through the wall thereof, said members being adapted to open said plate-holders, and developing-cups adapted to receive the plates from said plate-holders.

26. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a developing-casing, comprising, in combination, a body adapted to receive plate-holders and having a lateral extension, said lateral extension having a removable head, members mounted in said head and adapted to open said plate-holders, and developing-cups adapted to receive the plates from said plate-holders.

27. In apparatus of thc class described, in combination, a casing adapted to receive plateholders, said casing having an opening in the vertical wall thereof and a substantially horizontal extension below said opening, a removable cover for said extension, the inner edge whereof projects beyond the edges of said casing, said cover having' an upwardly-projecting flange near the inner edge thereof, a removable cover for said opening, the edge whereof abuts said iange, members carried within said extension and projecting through the wall thereof, said members being adapted to open said plate-holders.

28. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a casing having a substantially horizontal extension and an opening in the vertical wall thereof above said extension, said casing being adapted to receive plateholders, the lower edges whereof are in substantial alinement with said extension, a removable 'cover for said opening, a removable cover for said extension, a removable head for said extension, and members mounted in said head and adapted to open said plateholders.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JosEPH LESPRANCE.

Vitnesses:

T. lI/IYNARD, M. MCALEER.