EP0709733A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for processing photosensitive film
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1995-10-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-10-26
Abstract
Abstract Described herein is a method and apparatus (10) for processing a filmstrip contained in a film cartridge. The apparatus (10) comprises an unloading/loading station (12), a film processing section (14) comprising a plurality of processing tanks (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84), each holding a processing solution, and a drying station (16) arranged in a housing (18). The filmstrip is loaded into a reel assembly in the unloading/loading station (12) for processing in each processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) of the processing section (14), the filmstrip having a trailing edge which is secured to the cartridge with only the exposed portion thereof being retained in the reel assembly. A film drive mechanism is used for moving the film out of or back into the film cartridge while the trailing edge is still attached to the cartridge. The apparatus further includes a transport mechanism for moving the reel assembly along the apparatus so that it can be located at each processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84).
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Michael C/O Eastman Kodak Company Pagano
- 👤 Richard Bruce c/o Eastman Kodak Company Wheeler
- 👤 Kevin John c/o Eastman Kodak Company Klees
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:18
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
Apparatus (10) for processing a filmstrip (48) contained in a film cartridge (39), the filmstrip (48) having a trailing end secured to the cartridge (39), the apparatus comprising:- at least one processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) for holding a processing solution (232) therein; a holding mechanism (32, 38, 40, 44) for holding and retaining a film cartridge (39) containing a filmstrip (48); a film drive mechanism (36, 50, 56) for moving the filmstrip (48) out of or back into the film cartridge (39) while the trailing end thereof remains attached to the cartridge (39); and a transport mechanism (86, 90, 92, 98, 100, 102, 104, 114, 116, 122, 124, 125, 128) for moving the holding mechanism (32, 38, 40, 44) along the apparatus (10) so that it can be located at a work station (31) located adjacent each processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism (32, 38, 40, 44) includes a reel assembly (40, 44) for receiving and holding a portion of the filmstrip (48) as it exits the film cartridge (39) positioned at the work station, the reel assembly (40, 44) capable of being positioned within each processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) so that the filmstrip (48) will be submersed within a processing solution contained therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reel assembly (40, 44) includes a pair of spaced edge guides (44) which are formed in a generally spiral pattern and spaced apart such that when the filmstrip (48) is received therein, the surface of the filmstrip (48) will not contact an adjacent convolution thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an agitation mechanism (130, 132, 150, 152, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162) for agitating the processing solution (232) contained in at least one processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) and causing the processing solution (232) to flow adjacent the filmstrip (48).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the agitation mechanism (130, 132, 150, 152, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162) comprises a propeller (132) positioned adjacent the reel assembly (40, 44) when it is positioned within the processing solution (232).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus (10) for processing a filmstrip (48) contained in a film cartridge (39), the apparatus comprising:- a plurality of processing tanks (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) for holding a processing solution (232) therein; a holding mechanism (32, 38, 40, 44) for holding and retaining a film cartridge (39) containing a filmstrip (48) wound about a spool mounted in the film cartridge (39); a transport mechanism (86, 90, 92, 98, 100, 102, 104, 114, 116, 122, 124, 125, 128) for moving the holding mechanism (32, 38, 40, 44) along the apparatus (10) so that the holding mechanism (32, 38, 40, 44) can be located at each processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84); and a film drive mechanism (36, 50, 56) for moving the filmstrip (48) out of or back into the film cartridge (39), the holding mechanism (32, 38, 40, 44) having a holding device (40, 44) for holding the filmstrip (48) in a predetermined stable position.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of processing a filmstrip (48) while it is still attached to a film cartridge (39), the filmstrip (48) having a trailing end connected to the film cartridge (39), the method comprising the steps of:- providing a film cartridge (39) having an filmstrip (48) which is at least partially exposed therein; providing at least one processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) containing a processing solution (232); providing a holding mechanism (32, 38) for holding a film cartridge (39); moving the portion of the filmstrip (48) that has been exposed out of the cartridge (39) into a holding device (40, 44) while the trailing end of the filmstrip (48) is still attached to the cartridge (39); providing a drive mechanism (86, 90, 92, 98, 100, 102, 104, 114, 116, 122, 124, 125, 128) for moving the holding mechanism (32, 38) so that it can be located at each processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84); transporting the film cartridge (39) through the apparatus (10) and at least one of the processing tanks (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84); maintaining the filmstrip (48) in a processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) for a predetermined period of time; and removing the filmstrip (48) from the processing solution (232).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
246 words
A method of processing a filmstrip (48) while it is still attached to a film cartridge (39), the method comprising the steps of:- providing a thrust film cartridge (39) having an exposed filmstrip (48) therein, the filmstrip (48) having a trailing end secured to the cartridge (39); providing a plurality of processing tanks (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84), each tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) containing a processing solution (232); providing a holding mechanism (32, 38) for holding a film cartridge (39); providing the holding mechanism (32, 38) with a reel assembly (40, 44) for receiving a filmstrip (48) thrust out of the film cartridge (39) in a predetermined position; providing a transporting mechanism (86, 90, 92, 98, 100, 102, 104, 114, 116, 122, 124, 125, 128) for moving the holding mechanism (32, 38) so that it can be located at each processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84); moving the filmstrip (48) out of the cartridge (39) into the reel assembly (40, 44); transporting the film cartridge (39) through the apparatus (10) and stopping adjacent to at least one of the processing tanks (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84); placing the reel assembly (40, 44) into the processing solution (232) contained in the adjacent processing tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84); maintaining the filmstrip (48) in the adjacent tank (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) for a predetermined period of time; and removing the filmstrip (48) from the processing solution (232).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of processing only the exposed portion of a film strip from a film cartridge (39) still having an unexposed portion, the method comprising the steps of:- thrusting the filmstrip (48) out of the cartridge (39) an amount so that the exposed portion is disposed out of the cartridge (39) and any remaining unexposed portion is substantially within the cartridge (39); subjecting the exposed portion of the filmstrip (48) to a photo developing process so as to develop the exposed portion; and rewinding the filmstrip (48) back into to the cartridge (39) so that the unexposed portion can be used.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the filmstrip (48) has an additional exposed but not developed portion, developing the additional portion by: thrusting the filmstrip (48) out of the cartridge (39) an amount so that the additional exposed portion is disposed out of the cartridge (39) and any remaining unexposed portion is substantially within the cartridge (39); subjecting the additional exposed portion of the filmstrip (48) to a photo developing process so as to develop the additional exposed portion; and rewinding the filmstrip (48) back into to the cartridge (39) so that any remaining unexposed portion can be used.
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