U.S. patent number 3,760,705 [Application Number 05/168,648] was granted by the patent office on 1973-09-25 for film processing apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Filmamatic Corporation, formerly Kimball & Associates, Inc.. Invention is credited to William S. Miller.
United States Patent |
3,760,705 |
Miller |
September 25, 1973 |
FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS
Abstract
An automatic film sheet developing apparatus having a number of
processing compartments formed in a unitary housing and including a
like number of modular film-advancing roller assemblies each
slideably insertable into and removable from a corresponding one of
the compartments for propelling and guiding a sheet of film
sequentially through the compartments to accomplish development of
the film. A crossover roller assembly unit is disposed above the
processing compartment roller assemblies and guides the film from
one compartment to the next in the processing sequence. Apparatus
for powered rotation of the rollers is provided, including a motor
and gear train driven thereby. Substantially all of the roller
drive gear train is incorporated into and removable with the
individual roller assemblies and thus upon removal of the roller
assemblies the interior of the processing unit is free both of the
rollers and the associated drive mechanism. The individual rollers
are resiliently mounted in the modular assembly units to
accommodate film of varying thickness and to avoid jamming of the
film in the drive system. A calibrated pump supplies predetermined
quantities of developer solution and fixer solution to the
respective compartments in proportion to the linear movement of the
film advancing through the processor in order to maintain the
proper chemical balance in the respective solutions.
Inventors: |
Miller; William S. (Santa
Clara, CA) |
Assignee: |
Filmamatic Corporation, formerly
Kimball & Associates, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22612367 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/168,648 |
Filed: |
August 3, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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134693 |
Apr 16, 1971 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
396/622;
396/646 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03D
13/003 (20130101); G03D 3/065 (20130101); G03D
3/132 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G03D
3/06 (20060101); G03D 13/00 (20060101); G03D
3/13 (20060101); G03d 003/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;95/89,94 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Matthews; Samuel S.
Assistant Examiner: Sheer; Richard M.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending U.S.
Pat. application Ser. No. 134,693, filed Apr. 16, 1971, now
abandoned, and entitled FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for the automatic processing of X-ray film sheets,
comprising:
a unitary housing having formed therein developer, fixer, wash and
dryer compartments and further including a crossover compartment
disposed above said developer, fixer and wash compartments and
extending over the aggregate length thereof;
a plurality of processing-tank roller-assembly modules each module
being associated with a corresponding one of said compartments and
including a plurality of film transport drive rollers rotatably
mounted between a pair of spaced side plates, each of said drive
rollers having a gear affixed to one end thereof, each of said
modules being slidably insertable into and removable from a
corresponding one of said compartments;
a single crossover roller assembly module disposed within said
crossover compartment and being slidably insertable thereinto and
removable therefrom independent of said processing tank roller
assembly modules, said crossover roller assembly including a
plurality of film transport rollers rotatably mounted between a
pair of spaced side plates, said crossover roller assembly module
extending the length of said crossover compartment above said
developer, fixer, and wash compartments and being so positioned as
to direct film sheets from said developer to said fixer
compartments and thereafter from said fixer to said wash
compartments, each of said crossover rollers having a gear affixed
to one end thereof, said gears being positioned to mate with
corresponding ones of said gears on said film transport drive
rollers of said processing tank roller assembly modules; and
motor means disposed within said housing and including a drive
shaft having at least one drive gear mounted thereon for engagement
with only one corresponding gear of said crossover roller assembly
module, said roller gears together defining a continuous gear train
integral to said roller assembly modules and removable therewith
from said housing.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing is provided
with a cover at the top thereof having an inlet communicating with
said developer compartment and an outlet communicating with said
dryer compartment, whereby said film sheet enters and exits said
apparatus at the top.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said housing and said
cover are plastic.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising resilient
mounting means for attachment of said rollers to said roller
assembly modules, whereby said rollers are free to yieldably move
with respect to one another to accommodate film sheets of various
thickness.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said mounting means
comprises a sleeve of resilient material fixedly mounted with a
bore at each end of said roller, and an axial pin captured within
said sleeve at one end and rotatably journalled to said roller
assembly module at the other end.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising blower means
within said dryer compartment for directing a tangential blast of
air against each side of said film sheet as it moves through said
dryer compartment.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a supply of
developer solution; conduit means communicating with said supply of
developer solution and said developer compartment for conducting
developer solution into said compartment; pump means between said
supply of developer solution and said compartment for controlling
the flow of developer solution thereinto from said developer
supply; and switching means disposed in the path of travel of said
film to be activated thereby for controlling the operation of said
pump means whereby the flow of developer solution into said
developer compartment is commensurate with the linear travel of
said film through said apparatus.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: a supply of
fixer solution; and, conduit means communicating with said supply
of fixer solution and said fixer compartment for conducting fixer
solution thereinto from said fixer supply, said pump means being
disposed between said fixer supply and said fixer compartment for
controlling the flow of fixer solution thereinto from said fixer
supply, said switching means controlling the operation of said pump
means whereby the flow of fixer solution into said fixer
compartment is commensurate with the linear travel of said film
through said apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to photographic film
processing apparatus and is particularly directed to apparatus for
automatically developing sheet film using wet solutions. The
invention is particularly suitable for use as a table model X-ray
film developer in a small or medium sized medical or dental
office.
Conventional automatic film processing apparatus of the
roller-transport type employing wet solutions are rather cumbersome
and complex and do not lend themselves to a sufficiently compact
construction for use as a portable or table-top unit or in small
confined areas. In addition, due to the mechanical complexity of
such apparatus, maintenance and repair require substantial amounts
of time, as does preventive maintenance cleaning required with such
devices on a regular periodic basis. Also, if a film sheet becomes
jammed or otherwise entangled within the machine, it is often
necessary to disassemble substantially the entire roller transport
mechanism to remove the film.
Furthermore, earlier film processing apparatus of this type utilize
transport rollers that have a tendency to gain and do not have
sufficient room for expansion to accommodate film of varying
thicknesses. Also, replenishment of the developer and fixer
solutions was not adapted to automatically compensate for
processing of film of varying length.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An automatic film sheet processor having developer, fixer, wash and
dryer compartments formed in a unitary housing with a slideably
insertable and removable film transport roller assembly unit
disposed within each of the processing compartments. The individual
roller assembly units each include a plurality of film-advancing
rollers extending transversely across the housing and supported
between a pair of spaced side plates. A drive gear is mounted to
the rollers at one end thereof in fixed relation.
A crossover roller assembly of similar construction is disposed
above the developer, fixer, wash and dryer roller assemblies and
serves to reverse the direction of travel of the film and guide it
from one compartment to the next in the processing sequence.
Certain of the gears of the crossover roller assembly mesh with
corresponding gears on each of the processing compartment roller
assemblies. Together these gears form a continuous gear train which
transmits rotary motion to all of the rollers from a single power
source such as a motor.
Because each of the roller assemblies is slideably removable from
the processor housing and because the roller drive gear train is an
integral part of the respective roller assemblies, upon removal of
the assemblies from the housing substantially all of the roller
drive mechanism is detached therefrom, along with the rollers
themselves. This modularity of the drive system facilitates
maintenance and repair of the various mechanical parts and
preventive-maintenance cleaning of the processor interior. In
addition, the individual rollers are resiliently mounted to the
supporting side plates to accommodate film of varying thickness and
to reduce the jamming of film between the rollers.
A calibrated pump supplies predetermined quantities of developer
solution and fixer solution to the respective compartments per unit
of linear movement of the film being processed as it advances
through the apparatus in order to maintain the proper chemical
balance in the respective solutions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the apparatus embodying the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along line
2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation view partially in section of a
roller and gears employed in the apparatus of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of the present
invention with the side of the housing removed and taken along line
4--4 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of the developer section
of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation view of the fixer section of
the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevation view of the wash section of
the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation view of the cross-over roller
section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary axial section view of a roller employed in
the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevation view of the dryer section of
the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the electrical, water,
replenishment and drain system employed in the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 is the apparatus 10 of the present
invention for processing film which comprises a unitary housing 11
made of suitable material, such as plastic, fiberglass or the like.
Supported by the housing 11 is a cover 12 made of suitable
material, such as plastic, fiberglass or the like. The cover 12 is
formed with an inlet 13 through which film to be processed is
inserted. Confronting, depending angularly disposed walls 14 and 15
form a substantially V-shaped, transversely disposed surface to
guide film to entrance into the apparatus 10 for processing.
The housing 11 includes a developer section 20 in which film F to
be processed is initially subjected to a conventional developer
solution. From the developer section, the film F to be processed is
advanced through a fixer section 25 to be treated with a
conventional fixer solution. After leaving the fixer section 25,
the film F to be processed is washed by water in a wash section 30.
The processed film F then advances through a dryer section 35,
which serves to dry the processed film prior to discharge through
an outlet 40 found in the cover.
Thus it is seen that the film enters the processor at the top
surface thereof through inlet 13 in cover 12 and is discharged at
the top surface of the apparatus through outlet 40 also formed in
cover 12. This arrangement makes introduction of the film into the
apparatus and retrieval therefrom after processing especially
convenient and eliminates stooping by the operator.
Below the developer section 20 and the fixer section 25 is located
means for automatically supplying quantities of developer solution
and fixer solution in accordance with the linear amount of film
advanced through the apparatus 10 to maintain the proper chemical
balance in the respective solutions. Above the developer section
20, the fixer section 25 and the wash section 30 is located a
crossover roller guide assembly 50 for reversing the direction of
travel of the film F for passage through the various processing
steps.
The crossover roller assembly is modular in construction and
includes a pair of transversely spaced confronting side plates 51,
only one being shown, that are removably mounted in the housing 11
at the upper portion thereof and extend above the developer section
20, the fixer section 25 and the wash section 30. The side plates
51 are made of suitable material, such as acrylic. Film F to be
processed is fed through the inlet 13. Below the inlet 13 are a
pair of rollers 52 and 53 that extend transversely across the
housing 11 and are supported by the side plates 51. Thus, film F to
be processed is fed into the inlet 13 and advances between the
rollers 52 and 53. The rollers 52 and 53 rotate clockwise and
counterclockwise, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 to
advance the film F into the developer section 20. The side plates
51 together with the attached gears and rollers are slideably
insertable into and removable from the housing as an integral
unit.
As shown in FIG. 2, the developer section 20 comprises a developer
solution tank 60, which is made of suitable material, such as
stainless steel, and is mounted in the housing 11 below the inlet
13 and the rollers 52 and 53. The unitary housing interior is
formed into compartments which define the sections 20, 25 and 30
and which hold the tanks containing the different processing
solutions. The developer solution contained in the tank 60 is well
known in the film processing art.
The developer compartment roller assembly module has the following
construction. Inboard of the developer tank 60 are transversely
spaced, removable side plates 61 (only one being shown in FIGS. 4
and 5), which are disposed in the tank 60. The plates 61 are
respectively one-piece units that are made of suitable material
such as acrylic.
Below the rollers 52 and 53 and extending transversely between the
plates 61 to be supported for rotation thereby are vertically
spaced rollers 63-64, and 65-66. Roller 63 is a rubber pacing
roller for inhibiting the film against slippage. The rollers 63-66
are disposed in the developer tank 60. As viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5,
the rollers 63 and 65 rotate clockwise and the rollers 64 and 66
rotate counterclockwise to advance the film F into the developer
tank 60 therebetween. The drive for the rollers 63-66 will be
described hereinafter.
Between the roller 53 and the roller 64 is a drive gear 67, which
is supported by the side plate 61 for rotation. A drive gear 68 is
disposed transversely between the roller 64 and the roller 66 and
is likewise supported by the side plate 61 for rotation as shown in
FIG. 3.
All the rollers mentioned herein are driven positively for
rotation. Toward this end, each of the rollers herein have a
suitable gear fixed to one end thereof for meshing with adjacent
gears fixed to other rollers or adjacent drive gears as in FIG. 3.
For purposes of convenience each gear will be identified herein by
the same reference numeral as the roller to which it is fixed with
a suffix "a."
Another drive gear 69 is disposed below the roller 66, which is
similar to gear 68 and is also supported by the plate 61 for
rotation. Gears 67, 68 and 69 are driven in a manner to be
described hereinafter, and mesh with cooperating gears mounted on
rollers 53, 64 and 66.
For turning the direction of travel of the film F within the
developer tank 60, a roller 70 of greater diameter than the other
rollers in the developer tank 60 has the film F trained therearound
so as to reverse the direction of travel of the film F from a
downwardly direction to an upwardly direction through the developer
tank 60. The roller 70 extends transversely across the housing 11
and is journalled for rotation by the side plates 61. In a manner
to be described hereinafter, the roller 70 is rotated
counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5. Confronting the
direction reversing roller 70 are rollers 71-73, which are spaced
90.degree. apart. The rollers 71-73 extend transversely across the
housing 11 and are journalled for rotation within the developer
tank 60 by the side plates 61. The film F in its direction
reversing action advances between the roller 70 and the rollers
71-73.
Sets of paddle rollers 75 and 76 are adjacent the rollers 72 and 73
and are disposed transversely across the housing 11. The plates 61
journal the sets of paddle rollers 75 and 76 for rotation. Suitable
means on the rollers 75 and 76 serve to stir the developer solution
in the tank 60.
Above the rollers 70 and 73 are pairs of rollers 80-81, 82-83, and
84-85, which are journalled for rotation by the side plates 61 and
extend transversely therebetween. The rollers 80, 82 and 84 rotate
counterclockwise and the rollers 81, 83 and 85 rotate clockwise as
viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5 to advance the film F upwardly through the
developer tank 60. After the film F advances beyond the rollers 84
and 85, the developer cycle is completed. Thus, the film F has
advanced through the developer tank 60 and has a loop configuration
as it advances therethrough. Arcuate guides 86 and 87 guide the
movement of the film F while trained around the roller 70. The side
plates 61 together with the attached gears and rollers are
slideably insertable into and removable from the developer
compartment 20 as an integral unit.
Mounted on the plates 51 for rotation is a direction reversing
roller 90 (FIGS. 4 and 8), which is similar to the roller 70. The
roller 90 is disposed above the developer section 20 and the fixer
section 25 and extends transversely across the housing 11. Trained
around the roller 90 is the film F, whereby rotation of the roller
90 reverses of the direction of travel of the film F to direct the
same toward the fixer section 25. Confronting the roller 90 are
transversely disposed rollers 91-93, which are supported by the
plates 51 for rotation and are spaced apart substantially
90.degree.. The film F advances between the roller 90 and the
rollers 91-93. The roller 90 rotates clockwise and the rollers
91-93 rotate counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 8. Rotation
is imparted to the rollers 90-93 in a manner to be described
hereinafter.
For maintaining the rollers 90-93 wet with developer solution in
order to keep the film F wet with developer solution, a wetting
roller 96 is journalled by the plates 51 for rotation, and has
peripheral contact with the peripheries of the roller 90. The
roller 96 is partially disposed within the developer tank 60 and,
hence, is always wet with developer solution. A drive gear 94 is
supported by the plates 51 for rotation and meshes with gear 90a
for imparting rotation to roller 90 in a manner similar to that
shown in FIG. 3. Arcuate guides 97-99 are supported by the plates
51 and guide the film F while trained around the roller 90.
Downstream of the developer tank 60 within the housing 11 and below
the rollers 90-93 is disposed a fixer tank 100. The fixer tank 100
is located in the fixer section 25 and is made of suitable
material, such as plastic or fiberglass. Suitable fixer solution is
contained in the fixer tank 100 of the type well known in the art.
Inboard of the fixer tank 100 are disposed removable, transversely
spaced side plates 101 (only one shown in FIGS. 4 and 6). The side
plates 101 are made of suitable material, such as acrylic, and are
of one-piece construction, respectively.
Journalled by the side plates 101 for rotation and transversely
disposed within the fixer tank 100 are pairs of rollers 103-104 and
105-106. The rollers 103-106 extend transversely between the plates
101 and are disposed below the direction reversing roller 90. The
rollers 103 and 105 rotate in the clockwise direction and the
rollers 104 and 106 rotate in the counterclockwise direction to
advance the film F downwardly into the fixer tank 100. Drive means
to be described hereinafter rotate the rollers 103-106.
Between the roller 90 and the rollers 103 and 104 is a pair of
drive rollers 107 and 108, whose gears mesh with gears on the
rollers 104 and 124. The film F advances from the roller 90 between
the drive rollers 107-108 into the fixer tank 100 to be advanced
downwardly between the rollers 103-104 and rollers 105-106. Between
the rollers 104-106 is located a drive gear 110, which is supported
by the side plates 101 for rotation. The gear 108a meshes with the
gear 107a and the gears of the rollers 104 and 124. The gear 107a
also meshes with the gear of the roller 90.
For reversing the direction of travel of the film F within the
fixer tank 100 is a direction reversing roller 115, which extends
transversely between the plates 101. The reversing roller 115 is
journalled for rotation by the side plates 101. Confronting the
reversing roller 115 are transversely extending rollers 116-118.
The rollers 116-118 are spaced substantially 90.degree. apart and
are rotated in a manner to be described hereinafter. The roller 115
rotates counterclockwise and the rollers 116-118 rotate clockwise
as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 6 to advance the film F therebetween
upwardly within the fixer tank 100. A drive gear 111 meshes with
the gears of rollers 106 and 115 in a manner similar to that shown
in FIG. 3. A set of circulating pump paddle rollers 119 is
journalled by the plates 101 for rotation for stirring and
agitating the solution within the fixer tank 100. The set of
rollers 119 mesh with the gear of the roller 118, whereby the
roller 118 imparts rotation to the set of paddle rollers 119.
Above the roller 115 are disposed transversely extending pairs of
rollers 120-121, 122-123 and 124-125. The rollers 120-125 are
journalled for rotation by the side plates 101, and are driven in a
manner to be described hereinafter. The rollers 120, 122 and 124
rotate in a counterclockwise direction and the rollers 121, 123 and
125 are driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 6.
The film F is advanced upwardly within the fixer tank 100 by the
rollers 120-125. Arcuate guides 128 and 129 guide the film F while
trained around the roller 115. As the film F advances beyond the
rollers 124-125, the fixer step is completed. The side plates 101
together with the gears and rollers journalled thereto are
slideably insertable and removable from the fixer compartment 25 as
an integral unit.
For reversing the direction of travel of the film F from the fixer
section 25 into the wash section 30, a direction reversing roller
130 is journalled for rotation by the plates 51. The roller 130
extends transversely therebetween and is disposed above the fixer
section 25 and the wash section 30. Confronting the roller 130 are
rollers 131-133, which are spaced substantially 90.degree. apart.
The rollers 131-133 are transversely disposed and are supported for
rotation by the plates 51. Drive means to be described hereinafter
rotate the roller 130 clockwise and the rollers 131-133
counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 8 to reverse the
direction of travel of the film F therebetween and advance the film
F from the fixer section 25 into the wash section 30. Arcuate
guides similar to guides 97-99 guide the movement of the film F
while trained around the roller 130.
A drive gear 134 is supported by the side plates 51 for rotation
between the roller 130 and the roller 125. The film F is trained
around the roller 130 between the rollers 131-133 for reversing the
direction of travel thereof.
Downstream of the fixer section 25 and within the housing 11 is
disposed a wash tank 140 which is the reamining portion of the
housing 11--i.e., formed by housing 11 and the exterior surface of
the downstream wall of fixer tank 100. Inboard of the wash tank
portion of the housing 11 are disposed removable transversely
spaced side plates 141 (FIGS. 4 and 7). The side plates 141 are
disposed in the housing 11 and are made of suitable material, such
as acrylic, and are respectively of a unitary construction.
Below the direction reversing roller 130 are pairs of rollers
143-144 and 145-146, which are supported for rotation by the side
plates 141 within the wash tank. The rollers 143-146 extend
transversely across the housing 11 and advance the film F from the
roller 130 downwardly into the wash tank. The film F advances
between the rollers 143-144 and 145-146. Drive means to be
described hereinafter rotate the rollers 143 and 145 clockwise and
the rollers 144 and 146 counterclockwise.
Above the rollers 143-144 and below the roller 130 are transversely
disposed drive rollers 150 and 151 to guide the film F from the
roller 130 to the rollers 143 and 144. Rollers 150 and 151 are
supported by the side plates 141. The gear 151a meshes with the
gear 150a and the gear on roller 144. The gear 150a also meshes
with the gear on roller 130. A drive gear 153 is disposed between
the rollers 144 and 146 to mesh with the gears thereof (similar to
FIG. 3), and is supported by the side plates 141.
In order to reverse the direction of travel of the film F within
the wash tank, a direction reversing roller 155 is disposed
transversely of the housing 11 and is journalled for rotation
within the wash tank 140 by the side plates 141. Confronting the
direction reversing roller 155 are rollers 156-158. The rollers
156-158 extend transversely across the housing 11 and are supported
for rotation by the side plates 141. Drive means to be described
hereinafter rotate the roller 155 counterclockwise and the rollers
156-158 clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 7 to advance the film F
therebetween upwardly through the wash tank. The film F is trained
around the roller 155 to reverse the direction of travel thereof.
Guide plates 148 similar to guide plates 86-87 and 128-129 guide
the film F while trained around the roller 155.
Between the roller 155 and the roller 146 is a transversely
disposed gear 159, which is supported by the side plates 141 for
rotation and is similar to the drive gear in FIG. 3. The gear 159
meshes with the gears of the rollers 155 and 146. The rollers
156-158 guide the film F in its reversing movement around the
roller 155. Above the rollers 155 and 158 are located pairs of
rollers 160-161 and 162-163. The rollers 160-163 are supported for
rotation by the side plates 141 and extend transversely across the
housing 11. The rollers 160 and 162 are rotated counterclockwise
and the rollers 161 and 163 are rotated clockwise by drive means to
be described hereinafter for advancing the film F therebetween
upwardly within the wash tank 140.
A gear 164 supported by the plate 141 meshes with the gears of
roller 144 and a squeegee roller 135. The gear 164 is supported for
rotation by the side plate 141 in a manner similar to that shown in
FIG. 3. Beyond the gear 164 in the direction of travel of the film
F are disposed the squeegee roller 135 and a squeegee roller 136.
The squeegee rollers 135 and 136 extend transversely across the
housing 11 and are supported by the side plates 141 for rotation.
The squeegee rollers serve to remove the wash solution from the
film F as it advances therebeyond and are made of suitable rubber
material to remove the wash solution from the film F. The squeegee
rollers also serve to guide the film F to advance out of the wash
tank at an angular turn toward the dryer section 35. Suitable
arcuate guides 147 guide the movement of the film F toward the
dryer section 35. The side plates 141 together with the gears and
rollers journalled thereto are slideably insertable and removable
from the wash compartment 30 as an integral unit.
A rotatable drive motor 137 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is fixed to a lower
wall of the housing 11. A sprocket 138 (FIG. 2) is fixed to the
drive shaft of the motor 137 for rotation therewith. Trained around
the sprocket 138 is a suitable endless chain 139 (FIG. 2), which is
also trained around a driven sprocket 165. The driven sprocket 165
is fixed to a drive shaft 166 to impart rotation thereto. The drive
shaft 166 is mounted on the side wall of the housing 11 by suitable
brackets which are adjacent the side of the rollers on which the
gears are fixed.
Fixed to the drive shaft 166 for rotation therewith is a concentric
worm gear 167. The worm gear 167 meshes with a gear 168 (FIGS. 4
and 8) to impart rotation thereto. The gear 168 is fixed to a shaft
169 that is supported for rotation by the side plates 51 to impart
rotation thereto. Also fixed to the drive shaft 169 is a gear
169'(FIG.8). The gear 168 meshes with the gears 135a and 151a to
impart rotation thereto. The gears 135a and 151a mesh with their
adjacent gears to impart rotation thereto. Each gear within the
wash section 30 will mesh with its adjacent gears with the result
that all the rollers in the wash section 30 will rotate
simultaneously.
The gear 150a also meshes with the gear 130a, which in turn meshes
with gears 131a-133a and 134. The gear 134 meshes with the gear
125a to impart rotation thereto, which, in turn, meshes with the
gear 124a. Each gear within the fixer section 25 will mesh with its
adjacent gear or gears to impart rotation thereto. As a consequence
thereof, all the rollers in the fixer section 25 rotate
simultaneously. The gear 107a of the fixer section 25 meshes with
the gear 90a to impart rotation thereto. Thereupon, the gear 90a
rotates the gears 91a-93a and 94. The gear 94 meshes with the gear
85a to rotate the same. The gear 85a rotates the gear 84a. All the
gears in the developer section 20 impart rotation to its adjacent
gear or gears with the result all the rollers in the developer
section 20 rotate simultaneously. The gear 67 meshes with the gear
53a to rotate the same, which, in turn, rotates the gear 52a for
rotating the roller 52.
The dryer section 35 (FIGS. 4 and 10) is downstream of the wash
section 30 and comprises substantially right angular side plates
170 spaced transversely in the housing 11 (only one being shown).
As the film F advances beyond the squeegee rollers 135 and 136, it
advances between transversely disposed, longitudinally spaced pairs
of rollers 172-173, 174-175, 176-177, 178-179, and 180-181 and
182-183. The points of tangential contact between the rollers of
each pair 172-173, 174-175, 176-177, 178-179, 180-181 and 182-183
are in a horizontal plane. Each of the rollers 172-183 have gears
fixed thereto in the manner of FIG. 3, which are identified by the
reference numeral of the roller to which it is fixed with the
suffix "a."
For imparting drive continuity between pairs of rollers 172-173 and
174-175, a drive gear 184 is disposed in meshing relation with the
gears of the rollers 173 and 175 for rotating these rollers in a
clockwise direction and rollers 172 and 174 in a counterclockwise
direction as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 10. Similarly, to maintain drive
continuity between pairs of rollers 174-175 and 176-177, a drive
gear 185 is disposed in meshing relation with the gears of the
rollers 175 and 177 for rotating these rollers in the clockwise
direction and rollers 174 and 176 in the counterclockwise direction
as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 10. Further, drive continuity is
maintained between the rollers 176-177 and the rollers 178-179 by a
drive gear 186 meshing with the gears of the rollers 177 and 179 to
rotate the same.
Fixed to the drive shaft 166 for rotation therewith is a concentric
worm gear 190 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Meshing with the worm gear 190 is a
gear 191 (FIG. 4), which is supported by a transverse shaft 192
extending across the housing 11 and journalled for rotation by the
side plates 170. Fixed to the shaft 192 for rotation therewith is a
gear 193. The gear 193 meshes with the gear 178a to rotate the
roller 178. In turn, the gear 178a meshes with the gear 179a to
rotate the roller 179. In turn, the gear 179a meshes with the gear
186. Thereupon, the gear 186 meshes with the gear 177a for rotating
the roller 177. This procedure continues upstream up to gear 172a
so that each gear meshes with its adjacent gear, so that the
rollers 172-179, and gears 184-186 rotate simultaneously.
Continuing downstream, a gear 195 meshes with the roller gear 179a
and is driven thereby. The gear 195 also meshes with the gear 196a
of the roller 196 to rotate the same. Thereupon, the gear 197
rotates through gear 196a . It is apparent the rollers 181 and 180
will rotate. A drive gear 198 meshes with the gear 181a of the
roller 181 and is driven thereby and meshes with the gear 183a to
drive roller 183 and, in turn, roller 182. A roller 199 maintains
tension on the drive roller 196.
As the film F advances beyond the rollers 182-183, it follows a
curved path between the following pairs of rollers 200-201,
202-203, 204-205, 206-207, 208-209, and 210-211. After the film F
advances beyond the rollers 210-211, it is discharged through the
outlet 40 (FIGS. 1 and 4) fully developed. For aiding the turning
movement of the film F over an upward arcuate path through the
dryer section 35 for discharge through the outlet 40 in the top
cover 12, idler rollers 212, 213 and 214 are disposed transversely
across the housing 11. The idler roller 212 is disposed between the
rollers 183 and 201; the idler roller 213 is located between the
rollers 207 and 209; and the idler roller 214 is disposed between
the rollers 209 and 211.
The rollers 200-211 have respective gears fixed thereto, which are
identified by the reference numeral of the roller to which they are
affixed with a suffix "a." Supported by the side plate 170 (in a
manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3) for rotation are gears 215
and 216 which are fixed to shafts extending across the housing 11.
The gear 215 meshes with the gear 182a of the roller 182 to be
rotated thereby. In turn, the gear 215 meshes with the gears 200a
and 202a for imparting rotation to the rollers 200 and 202. A drive
gear 217 rotates the gear 216 in response to the rotation of the
gear 215 and also rotates gear 204a which in turn rotates gear
205a. In turn, the gear 216 meshes with the gears 206a, 208a and
210a to impart rotation to the rollers 206, 208 and 210. Each gear
200a - 211a of the rollers 200-211 in the dryer section 35 will
mesh with adjacent gears or gear to impart rotation to its adjacent
rollers or drive gears.
All of the rollers of the dryer section 35 are supported by the
side plates 170 for rotation and extend transversely across the
housing 11. The rollers 172, 174, 176, 178, 199, 180, 182, 200,
202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 rotate in the counterclockwise direction
as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 10. The rollers 173, 175, 177, 179, 196,
181, 183, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, and 211 rotate in the clockwise
direction as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 10. The side plates 170 together
with the gears and rollers journalled thereto are slideably
insertable into and removable from dryer compartment 35 as an
integral unit.
Mounted on the housing 11 above the rollers 174 and 176 is a
well-known dryer blower 218 (FIG. 4) for developing film. Another
well-known lower 219 is mounted in the housing 11 below the rollers
173 and 175, which is also conventional for film developing. The
blowers 218 and 219 direct a tangential blast of air on opposite
exposed surfaces of the film F as it advances through the dryer
section 35. The blowers 218 and 219 also include electrical heating
elements mounted on the air discharge side of the blowers and the
temperature of the air blast in the dryer section 35 is maintained
in the vicinity of 120.degree. - 150.degree. F. In addition, the
film advancing rollers also generate heat and transfer heat to the
film as part of the film drying process.
The film advancing rollers of the present invention are
self-adjusting or floating to obviate the jamming of film
therebetween. Toward this end, a typical roller, such as roller 52
(FIG. 9), will be described. The roller 52 comprises a cylindrical
body 220 of suitable plastic material. A bore 221 is formed at one
end in which is fixed tubular cushion sleeve 222 of yieldable or
resilient material, such as rubber. A pin 223 is fixed with the
rubber sleeve 222 and is supported by the end plate 51 for
rotation. On the opposite side of the body 220 is formed a bore
224, in which is fixed a tubular cushion sleeve 225 of yieldable or
resilient material, such as rubber. A pin 226 is fixed within the
cushion sleeve 225 and is supported by the plate 51 for rotation.
The gear 52a is fixed to the pin 226 for fixed rotation therewith.
The rollers in the developer section 20, the fixer section 25, the
wash section 30, the dryer section 35 and the crossover section 50
that contact the film F for advancing the same are similarly
constructed.
A supply of developer solution is maintained in a suitable
container 230 (FIGS. 1 and 11) externally of the housing 11.
Suitable tubing 231 communicates with the developer supply
container 230 and the developer side of a developer-fixer
replenishing pump 232 (FIGS. 2 and 11). The developer-fixer
replenishing pump 232 is a well-known dual bellows pump
manufactured by Gorman-Rupp Industries, of Beltville, Ohio.
Conduits 233 communicate with the developer side of the pump 232
and the developer tank 60. In a like manner, a supply of fixer
solution is maintained in a suitable container 235 externally of
the housing 11. Suitable tubing 236 communicates with the fixer
supply container 235 and the fixer side of the pump 232. Conduits
237 communicate with the fixer side of the pump 232 and the fixer
tank 100.
A supply of water from suitable taps are supplied to the housing 11
for the wash tank portion thereof and for circulation about the
developer tank 60 and the fixer tank 100. The supply of hot and
cold water is fed to a conventional thermostatic control valve 250
(FIGS. 2 and 11). A solenoid-operated control valve 253 is opened
to enable the flow of water from the thermostatic mixing valve 250
into the housing 11 when the apparatus 10 is turned on.
Thermostatic control valve 250 which is responsive to the
temperature of the developer in the developer tank 60, maintains
the temperature of the water advancing to the wash tank portion of
the housing 11 at a prescribed temperature range. The system just
described is similar to like arrangements employed for conventional
washing machines.
The water is admitted into the developer side of the housing 11
through a conduit 260 adjacent the developer tank 60. The water is
circulated as a wash solution into the wash portion of the housing
11 or into the wash section 30. The temperature around the
developer tank 60 is maintained by the water therearound at a
temperature in the range of 70.degree. - 100.degree. F., depending
on the desired chemistry or film being developed. Temperature about
the fixer tank 100 does not appear to be critical.
An overflow drain system is provided for the water in the housing
11. Toward this end, a drain pipe 261 (FIG. 11) is disposed in the
housing 11 with a suitable opening 262 at a preselected desired
height. When water in the housing 11 exceeds the predetermined
height, the excess water passes into the opening 262 through the
drain pipe 261 and into a drain external to the housing 11. The
water advancing beyond the solenoid valve 253 continues through
conduit 260, which has its discharge outlet 263 adjacent the
developer tank 60 for supplying water into the housing 11. The
discharge outlet 263 of the conduit 260 is preferably at least one
inch above the preselected height for the water in the housing 11.
This arrangement obviates the need for a vacuum breaker in the
apparatus 10.
Overflow arrangements are also provided for the fixer solution and
the developer solution. For this purpose, a suitable drain pipe,
not shown, is disposed in the fixer tank 100 with an opening at a
preselected height thereof. Excess fixing solution advances through
the opening and is drained off through a suitable pipe not shown.
The excess fixer solution is channeled to a silver reclamation unit
for recovering silver deposited by the film into the fixer
solution. A drain pipe 266 shown in FIG. 11 is disposed in the
developer tank 60 with an opening at a predetermined height. Excess
developer solution passes through the opening and is drained off
through the pipes 266 and 261. The outlet of the drain pipe 261
communicates with a pipe, not shown, for draining off to a suitable
drain external to the housing 11.
According to the present invention, the replenisher pump 232 is
arranged to pump a fresh supply of developer solution into the
developer tank 60 and to pump a fresh supply of fixer solution into
the fixer tank 100 in accordance with the advancement of the
quantity of film through the apparatus 10 to maintain the proper
level of chemical balance of the developer solution and fixer
solution, respectively. The supply of the respective solutions is
determined by the linear distance travelled by the film advancing
through the apparatus 10.
Toward this end, an electrical switch 270 (FIGS. 2, 4, 10 and 11)
is mounted in the dryer section 35 in the path of travel of the
film F advancing adjacent the pairs of rollers 180-181. The
actuation of the switch 270 by the advancing film in the dryer
section 35 operates the pump 232 to replenish the supply of both
fixer solution and developer solution.
* * * * *