Method of and apparatus for the development of light sensitive diazotype materials

Claim 1

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING LIGHT-SENSITIVE DIAZOTYPE MATERIAL COMPRISING A DEVELOPING CHAMBER, VARIABLE SPEED MEANS FOR FEEDING EXPOSED DIAZOTYPE MATERIAL THROUGH A DEVELOPING ZONE IN THE CHAMBER, A VAPORIZER, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING TO THE VAPORIZER, AT A RATE DEPENDENT UPON THE RATE OF FEED OF SAID MATERIAL, FLUID ADAPTED WHEN HEATED TO PRODUCE A DEVELOPING ATMOSPHERE CONSTITUTED BY A MIXTURE OF AMMONIA GAS AND WATER VAPOR FOR CONVEYANCE TO SAID DEVELOPING ZONE, AN ELECTRICAL HEATER IN THE VAPORIZER AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO VARIATIONS IN THE RATE OF SUPPLY OF FLUID TO THE VAPORIZER FOR MAINTAINING SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT RELATIVE PROPORTIONS OF AMMONIA GAS AND WATER VAPOR IN THE DEVELOPING ATMOSPHERE BY VARYING THE INPUT OF HEAT TO SAID HEATER TO MAINTAIN A PREDETERMINED CONTROL TEMPERATURE IN THE VAPORIZER AND THEREBY CONTROL THE EVAPORATION BOTH OF AMMONIA GAS AND OF WATER VAPOR FROM SAID VAPORIZER, SAID RESPONSIVE MEANS BEING A THERMOSTAT FOR CONTROLLING THE INPUT OF CURRENT TO SAID HEATER TO MAINTAIN A PREDETERMINED CONTROL TEMPERATURE IN THE VAPORIZER IRRESPECTIVE OF VARIATION IN THE RATE OF SUPPLY OF FLUID TO THE VAPORIZER.