Patent US2787122A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3641906A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3641906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developing apparatus
Assignee: FLUOROWARE OF CALIFORNIA Inc
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Filing: 1970-03-18
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Granted: 1972-02-15
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Expires: 1990-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A photographic developing apparatus having a series of processing stations through which a tray carrying photographic slides is transported by a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism comprises at least one pair of crank arms which are rotatably mounted at one end thereof intermediate the processing stations, members journaled at the other ends of the arms for engaging the supporting rod of the tray, and a motor for rotating the crank arms through a complete revolution. A timer control device is provided for sequentially operating the transfer mechanism to thereby transport a tray from one processing station to another after a predetermined processing time has elapsed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F Orr
- 👤 Joseph H Wyers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:46
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A developing apparatus for processing photographic slides and the like, comprising a series of processing stations spaced along a processing line, a carrier rod having means thereon for supporting said photographic slides therefrom, holding sockets at opposite sides of each station to support the carrier rod and slides during processing of the slides at the station, a series of transfer devices each positioned intermediate adjacent stations for transporting the carrier rod and slides from one station to the next station, each said transfer device comprising a pair of crank arm means rotatably mounted at one end thereof at opposite sides of the stations, means journaled at the other end of said crank arm means for supporting engagement with said carrier rod and spaced to intercept the carrier rod held on the sockets upon rotation of the crank arm means, and means connected with the crank arm means to rotate them through a complete revolution so that the journaled means on said crank arm means engage a carrier rod and transport the carrier rod from one station to an adjacent station, where a successive crank arm means engages and transports the carrier rod to a further station upon rotation of said successive crank arm means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A developing apparatus for processing photographic slides and the like, comprising a series of processing stations spaced along a processing line, a carrier rod having means thereon for supporting said photographic slides therefrom, holding sockets at opposite sides of each station to support the carrier rod and slides during processing of the slides at the station, a series of transfer devices each positioned intermediate adjacent stations for transporting the carrier rod and slides from one station to the next station, each said transfer device comprising a pair of crank arm means rotatably mounted at one end thereof at opposite sides of the stations, means journaled at the other end of said crank arm means for supporting engagement with said carrier rod and spaced to intercept the carrier rod held on the sockets upon rotation of the crank arm means, and means connected with the crank arm means to rotate them through a complete revolution so that the journaled means on said crank arm means engage a carrier rod and transport the carrier rod from one station to an adjacent station, where a successive crank arm means engages and transports the carrier rod to a further station upon rotation of said successive crank arm means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said journaled means comprises a cradle, the axis of revolution of said crank arms being in a plane elevated above a carrier rod when supported on the holding sockets such that the rod is intercepted by the cradles to raise the trays through an arc of approximately 180* and from one station to the next.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the crank arm means are rotatably mounted outboard of said holding sockets such that the journaled means intercept the ends of a carrier rod and wherein the crank arm meAns are interconnected by a shaft bridging the processing line intermediate the stations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein rotation of said crank arm means is responsive to a timer control at each station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the holding sockets have converging supporting surfaces to center the rods medially of the baths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the journaled means comprise cradles having converging surfaces to center the carrier rod thereon and precisely position the rod for proper placement at the next station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of tanks are arranged in a line and spaced apart a like distance in such line, said means for supporting the slides from each rod comprising a tray fitting in the tanks, said transfer means picking up a tray in one tank and moving the tray to the next tank for immersion in the liquid in that tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein timing means are provided for timing the period of tray immersion in a tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
192 words
A developing apparatus for processing photographic slides and the like wherein the slides are carried in trays suspended from a carrier rod comprising spaced frame members extending longitudinally along a processing line, a series of bath stations disposed equidistantly along said line with the baths confined in tanks supported between the longitudinal frame members, holding sockets positioned on the said frame members medially of each bath station for supporting a carrier rod during the processing of the slides at that station, and transfer devices for transporting the carrier rods and included trays between adjacent baths and having a shaft journaled in bearings supported by the frame members intermediate the holding sockets, crank arms carried by the shaft outboard of the said frame members, cradles journaled in low-friction bearings at the distal ends of the crank arms and positioned to inscribe a path intercepting the ends of a carrier rod held at an adjacent holding socket, said cradles having a carrying recess defined by three converging faces which act to center and align said carrier rod during transport and wherein said recess is spaced below the point of attachment of the low-friction bearing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
192 words
A developing apparatus for processing photographic slides and the like wherein the slides are carried in trays suspended from a carrier rod comprising spaced frame members extending longitudinally along a processing line, a series of bath stations disposed equidistantly along said line with the baths confined in tanks supported between the longitudinal frame members, holding sockets positioned on the said frame members medially of each bath station for supporting a carrier rod during the processing of the slides at that station, and transfer devices for transporting the carrier rods and included trays between adjacent baths and having a shaft journaled in bearings supported by the frame members intermediate the holding sockets, crank arms carried by the shaft outboard of the said frame members, cradles journaled in low-friction bearings at the distal ends of the crank arms and positioned to inscribe a path intercepting the ends of a carrier rod held at an adjacent holding socket, said cradles having a carrying recess defined by three converging faces which act to center and align said carrier rod during transport and wherein said recess is spaced below the point of attachment of the low-friction bearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
186 words
A developing apparatus for processing photographic slides and the like wherein the slides are carried in trays suspended from a carrier rod and comprising a series of processing stations spaced along a processing line, holding sockets positioned transversely of each station to support the carrier rod during processing of the slides at the station, a series of transfer devices each positioned intermediate adjacent stations for transporting the carrier rod from one station to the next including cradles engageable with the ends of said carrier rod, a pair of crank arms, said cradles being journaled at the distal ends of the crank arms and spaced to intercept the carrier rod held on the sockets, means for oscillating the crank arms to transport the carrier rod and included tray from one station to the next station, and an electric motor coupled to said transfer mechanism to orbit said crank arms, said motor being responsive to a timer control at the preceding station, the timer control is actuated upon the carrier rod arriving at the preceding station and is determinative of the duration of processing at said last-mentioned station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
186 words
A developing apparatus for processing photographic slides and the like wherein the slides are carried in trays suspended from a carrier rod and comprising a series of processing stations spaced along a processing line, holding sockets positioned transversely of each station to support the carrier rod during processing of the slides at the station, a series of transfer devices each positioned intermediate adjacent stations for transporting the carrier rod from one station to the next including cradles engageable with the ends of said carrier rod, a pair of crank arms, said cradles being journaled at the distal ends of the crank arms and spaced to intercept the carrier rod held on the sockets, means for oscillating the crank arms to transport the carrier rod and included tray from one station to the next station, and an electric motor coupled to said transfer mechanism to orbit said crank arms, said motor being responsive to a timer control at the preceding station, the timer control is actuated upon the carrier rod arriving at the preceding station and is determinative of the duration of processing at said last-mentioned station.
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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) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |