Film-processing tank

Claim 3

A tank assembly for processing continuous strip film comprising; an open-top tank having several parallel vertical partitions that divide the tank into hydraulically separate compartments, independently lockable and indepeNdently drivable film feed and takeup means positioned outside of and at opposite ends of said tank such that the compartments are in succession between the feed and takeup means, a fixed guide roller positioned in the tank at each end thereof and projecting above the respective end walls of the tank to guide film from the feed means into the tank and from the tank to the takeup means, a fixed guide roller positioned in the tank above each partition, opposing guide rails in each compartment along the sides of the tank, a movable guide roller for each compartment, each including an axially extending shaft for registration with the opposing guide rails, the guide rollers for the successive compartments from the feed means end of the tank to the takeup means end of the tank being of progressively less weight, releasable guide-roller-retaining means adjacent the bottom end of at least one of the opposing guide rails in each compartment for engaging the respective guide roller shaft, whereby when the movable guide rollers are temporarily fixed in positions higher than the fixed guide rollers, film may be stretched from the feed means to the takeup means between the movable guide rollers and the fixed guide rollers, the feed and takeup means fixed, the movable rollers released to rest upon the film and then the feed means released and driven until the movable guide rollers move downward to their respective retaining means in succession, at which time driving of the feed means may be terminated and driving of the takeup means begun.

Claim 4

A tank assembly for processing continuous strip film comprising; an open-top tank having several parallel vertical partitions that divide the tank into hydraulically separate compartments, independently lockable and indepeNdently drivable film feed and takeup means positioned outside of and at opposite ends of said tank such that the compartments are in succession between the feed and takeup means, a fixed guide roller positioned in the tank at each end thereof and projecting above the respective end walls of the tank to guide film from the feed means into the tank and from the tank to the takeup means, a fixed guide roller positioned in the tank above each partition, opposing guide rails in each compartment along the sides of the tank, a movable guide roller for each compartment, each including an axially extending shaft for registration with the opposing guide rails, the guide rollers for the successive compartments from the feed means end of the tank to the takeup means end of the tank being of progressively less weight, releasable guide-roller-retaining means adjacent the bottom end of at least one of the opposing guide rails in each compartment for engaging the respective guide roller shaft, whereby when the movable guide rollers are temporarily fixed in positions higher than the fixed guide rollers, film may be stretched from the feed means to the takeup means between the movable guide rollers and the fixed guide rollers, the feed and takeup means fixed, the movable rollers released to rest upon the film and then the feed means released and driven until the movable guide rollers move downward to their respective retaining means in succession, at which time driving of the feed means may be terminated and driving of the takeup means begun.