US3593640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic processing apparatus with spray means
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-10-22
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1988-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A photographic processing apparatus with a plurality of filmprocessing compartments which lie one behind another and have aligned lateral openings which form a straight transport path in a vertical plane. Each of these compartments is provided with its own transport mechanism and spray device. This spray device has two banks of nozzles which spray film-processing liquids on the film or plate suspended by the transport mechanism; the latter consists of a bar to which the film is clamped and which is pulled along a horizontal guide by a respective endless conveyor and is picked up by the next conveyor. Doors are provided between the compartments to prevent passage of film-processing liquids or light therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Gall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D5/00; G03D5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for processing photographic material, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially closed and independent respective film-processing compartments lying one behind another and formed with respective lateral openings defining a substantially straight transport path through said compartments and permitting passage of the material therealong; transport means for conveying said material along said path through said openings and including a substantially straight guide extending along said path and through said openings; and respective spray means alongside said path in said compartments for wetting the material with appropriate respective filmprocessing liquids, said transport means comprising respective transport mechanisms in each of said compartments, each including a bar fitting and slidable in said guide, means for attaching said material to the underside of said bar, said bar being of a length such that it is fully receivable in one of said compartments when fitted in said guide, said bar being formed with an upwardly open notch, said notch being engageable by said transport mechanism for advancing same.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for processing photographic material, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially closed and independent respective film-processing compartments lying one behind another and formed with respective lateral openings defining a substantially straight transport path through said compartments and permitting passage of the material therealong; transport means for conveying said material along said path through said openings and including a substantially straight guide extending along said path and through said openings; and respective spray means alongside said path in said compartments for wetting the material with appropriate respective filmprocessing liquids, said transport means comprising respective transport mechanisms in each of said compartments, each including a bar fitting and slidable in said guide, means for attaching said material to the underside of said bar, said bar being of a length such that it is fully receivable in one of said compartments when fitted in said guide, said bar being formed with an upwardly open notch, said notch being engageable by said transport mechanism for advancing same.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for processing photographic material, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially closed and independent respective film-processing compartments lying one behind another and formed with respective lateral openings defining a substantially straight transport path through said compartments and permitting passage of the material therealong; transport means for conveying said material along said path through said openings and including a substantially straight guide extending along said path and through said openings; and respective spray means alongside said path in said compartments for wetting the material with appropriate respective film-processing liquids, said transport means comprising respective transport mechanisms in each of said compartments, each including a bar fitting and slidable in said guide, means for attaching said material to the underside of said bar, said bar being of a length such that it is fully receivable in one of said compartments when fitted in said guide, said transport mechanisms each further comprising a motor and an endless chain driven by said motor, said chain being provided with at least one engaging formation for entraining said bar.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for processing photographic material, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially closed and independent respective film-processing compartments lying one behind another and formed with respective lateral openings defining a substantially straight transport path through said compartments and permitting passage of the material therealong; transport means for conveying said material along said path through said openings and including a substantially straight guide extending along said path and through said openings; and respective spray means alongside said path in said compartments for wetting the material with appropriate respective film-processing liquids, said transport means comprising respective transport mechanisms in each of said compartments, each including a bar fitting and slidable in said guide, means for attaching said material to the underside of said bar, said bar being of a length such that it is fully receivable in one of said compartments when fitted in said guide, said transport mechanisms each further comprising a motor and an endless chain driven by said motor, said chain being provided with at least one engaging formation for entraining said bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, further comprising electric means for switching said transport means and said spray means on and off according to a predetermined work program, each of said compartments being divided into a respective upper and a lower mutually sealed chamber, said electric means being located in said upper chamber of said compartments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said bar is formed with a leading-end projection and said apparatus further comprises a door covering each of said openings, said projection serving to push open one of said doors as it is advanced along said guide by said transport means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 whereiN said motors are electric motors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said mechanisms are further provided with switch means for turning the respective motor on and off.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said switch means comprises at least one actuating formation on said chain and at least one switch fixed relative to said chain and engageable by said actuating formation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7, further comprising means for displacing said formations on said chain along said chain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 further comprising a door covering each of said openings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus defined in claim 9, further comprising spring means urging said door closed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said spray means comprises a plurality of respective spray arrangements in said compartments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said spray arrangements each comprise a pump, a reservoir for storing one of said liquids, nozzle means for spraying said one of said liquids on said material, and conduit means connecting said reservoir to said pump and said pump to said nozzle means, said reservoir being generally below said nozzle means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said nozzle means comprises two banks of nozzles, said banks being mounted on opposite sides of said path with said nozzles directed toward said path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said banks are limitedly displaceable transverse to said path and up and down in said compartment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said reservoir is provided with cooling means for said liquid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein said cooling means is a cooling coil in said reservoir.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for processing photographic material, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially closed and independent respective film-processing compartments lying one behind another and formed with respective lateral openings defining a substantially straight transport path through said compartments and permitting passage of the material therealong; transport means for conveying said material along said path through said openings; respective spray means alongside said path in said compartments for wetting the material with appropriate respective film-processing liquids; a flap biased into a closed position blocking each of said openings; and means cooperating with said transport means for opening each flap ahead of and in the cadence of advance of said material to pass the same between said compartments.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for processing photographic material, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially closed and independent respective film-processing compartments lying one behind another and formed with respective lateral openings defining a substantially straight transport path through said compartments and permitting passage of the material therealong; transport means for conveying said material along said path through said openings; respective spray means alongside said path in said compartments for wetting the material with appropriate respective film-processing liquids; a flap biased into a closed position blocking each of said openings; and means cooperating with said transport means for opening each flap ahead of and in the cadence of advance of said material to pass the same between said compartments.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus defined in claim 17 wherein said material is a succession of sheets and said transport means includes a plurality of bars displaceable along said path and carrying said sheets, said bars being arrayed one behind another along said path and being formed with means cooperating with said flaps for opening same.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus defined in claim 18, further comprising a guide extending along said path through at least each pair of adjacent compartments for constraining said bars.
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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) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |