US3554107A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic film processor
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1967-04-24
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1987-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A photographic film processor utilizing viscous monobath techniques. The film is fed into the processor and a controlled layer of viscous processing agent is deposited on the film by an applicator. Both the thickness and temperature of the viscous layer applied to the film are controlled. The film is then routed through a torturous path in the processor for a sufficient amount of time to enable processing to occur. The viscous processing agent is then wiped off the film by a plurality of obliquely positioned blades adjacent to the film path. The film then runs through a dryer into a viewing station and then onto a takeup reel. The diameter of the film on the takeup reel is monitored and controls the flow of the viscous processing agent from its storage reservoir to the applicator.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph V Mccarthy
- 👤 Francois R Gruber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/02; G03D13/04; G03D13/06; G03D5/00; G03D5/006; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S101/00; Y10S101/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A photographic film processor comprising: a. means for conveying film through the processor; b. reservoir means for storing a supply of viscous processing agent; c. means for dispensing a layer of said viscous processing agent of a predetermined thickness onto the film to enable processing of the films, and d. monitoring means responsive to the amount of film that has been processed to control delivery of said processing agent from said reservoir means to said dispensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A photographic film processor comprising: a. means for conveying film through the processor; b. reservoir means for storing a supply of viscous processing agent; c. means for dispensing a layer of said viscous processing agent of a predetermined thickness onto the film to enable processing of the films, and d. monitoring means responsive to the amount of film that has been processed to control delivery of said processing agent from said reservoir means to said dispensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reservoir means includes an aerosol container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reservoir means includes an aerosol container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reservoir means includes a collapsible container which expels said viscous processing agent as it collapses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said collapsible container and said dispensing means are selectively disposable to facilitate cleaning and processing agent replenishment of the processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said processor includes a takeup reel to wind the film on after it has been processed and said monitoring means monitors the diameter of film wound upon said takeup reel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said reservoir means includes a collapsible container which expels said viscous processing agent as it collapses, and said monitoring means includes a linkage means which monitors the diameter of film wound on said takeup reel and exerts a force on said collapsible container to control the expulsion of viscous processing agent from said collapsible container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
Photographic film processing apparatus comprising: a. means for conveying film through the apparatus; b. reservoir means for storing a supply of viscous processing agent; c. means for dispensing a layer of said viscous processing agent of a predetermined thickness onto a selected portion of the film to enable processing of the film; and d. wiping means, including at least one blade disposed at an oblique angle relative to the path of the conveyed film, for removing said processing agent from the film after film processing has occurred.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
Photographic film processing apparatus comprising: a. means for conveying film through the apparatus; b. reservoir means for storing a supply of viscous processing agent; c. means for dispensing a layer of said viscous processing agent of a predetermined thickness onto a selected portion of the film to enable processing of the film; and d. wiping means, including at least one blade disposed at an oblique angle relative to the path of the conveyed film, for removing said processing agent from the film after film processing has occurred.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said wiping means includes a plurality of blades disposed successively along the path of the conveyed film, each blade being disposed at an oblique angle relative to the path of the conveyed film to enable the successive removal of said viscous processing agent from the film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
AppaRatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said dispensing means includes a doctor blade disposed across the width of the film to control the thickness of processing agent dispensed on the film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said dispensing means includes a dispensing member having an elongated slotted exit passage to discharge the processing agent onto the film, the slotted exit passage being disposed across the width of the film and in front of said doctor blade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said reservoir means includes a collapsible container which expels said viscous processing agent as it collapses.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said collapsible container and said dispensing means are selectively disposable to facilitate cleaning and processing agent replenishment of the processor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said processor includes: a takeup reel to wind the film on after it has been processed; and said dispensing means includes means for sensing the diameter of film wound upon said takeup reel and for controlling the delivery of viscous processing agent from said collapsible container in accordance with the sensed diameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said sensing means includes a linkage means which senses the diameter of the film wound on said takeup reel and exerts a force on said collapsible container to control the expulsion of viscous processing agent from said collapsible container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said dispensing means includes a metering rod disposed across the width of the film to control the thickness of viscous processing agent deposited on the film.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said metering rod has a wire helically wrapped around it, thereby providing a fluted lateral profile to the dispensed processing agent while minimizing the likelihood of entrapment of particulate matter between said metering rod and the film.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said helically wrapped wire is connected to an electric source to provide a heater means for regulating the density of the developed film image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said dispensing means includes a heater means for regulating the density of the developed film image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a processor for photographic film including film advancing means and means for dispensing a viscous processing agent onto the advancing film, the improvement comprising metering means for controlling the volume of said viscous agent dispensed onto said advancing film, said metering means including a rod member transverse to the axis of said film, said rod member being helically wrapped with a wire to control the thickness of the dispensed processing agent while providing a fluted later lateral profile to the dispensed processing agent thereby minimizing the likelihood likelihood of entrapment of particulate matter between said rod member and the advancing film which could scratch the film emulsion, said rod member further having a heating means for regulating the density of the developed film image, said heating means including electric means for passing an electric current through said wire to generate heat, and thereby control the density of the processed film.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a processor for photographic film including film advancing means and means for dispensing a viscous processing agent onto the advancing film, the improvement comprising metering means for controlling the volume of said viscous agent dispensed onto said advancing film, said metering means including a rod member transverse to the axis of said film, said rod member being helically wrapped with a wire to control the thickness of the dispensed processing agent while providing a fluted later lateral profile to the dispensed processing agent thereby minimizing the likelihood likelihood of entrapment of particulate matter between said rod member and the advancing film which could scratch the film emulsion, said rod member further having a heating means for regulating the density of the developed film image, said heating means including electric means for passing an electric current through said wire to generate heat, and thereby control the density of the processed film.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
Photographic film processing apparatus comprising: a. means for conveying film through said apparatus; b. means for dispensing a viscous monobath onto said film; c. means for controlling the thickness of the monobath layer on said film, said thickness control means including:
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
Photographic film processing apparatus comprising: a. means for conveying film through said apparatus; b. means for dispensing a viscous monobath onto said film; c. means for controlling the thickness of the monobath layer on said film, said thickness control means including:
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |