Processing of photographic material

Claim 2

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the means to rotate the carrier comprises a plurality of parallel, spaced horizontal roller shafts adapted to have the carrier removably rotatable thereon.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the oscillatory means comprises cam means circumferentially positioned on the outer surface of the carrier for intermittent engagement with the roller shafts whereby the carrier rocks in a vertical plane about a fulcrum located on the longitudinal axis thereof, the carrier being adapted to retain the liquid therein.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the rotational and oscillatory means are constructed and arranged to produce, in operation, a wave form in the liquid travelling back and forth the length of the carrier.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the cam means comprises a pair of raised cam shoulders juxtaposed one with the other on the carrier, one shoulder located adjacent each end of the carrier, and each of the shoulders partially circumscribing the carrier.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the carrier is positioned in a tank constructed and arranged to hold cooling liquid in contact externally with the carrier.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the rotating means comprises a rocker tray carrying a pair of spaced risers contoured to oscillate the carrier rolling therealong.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the rocker tray carries a slot located between the risers, a ring being positioned on the drum to engage the slot and thereby guide the drum rolling along the risers.

Claim 9

Apparatus for processing photographic material in sheet or roll form comprising: a cylindrical drum adapted to hold the photographic material arcuately therein, the drum being closed at each end to hold liquid at least in the lower portion thereof when disposed substantially horizontal with respect to its longitudinal axis; a plurality of roller shafts located to rest the drum removably thereon in substantially horizontal position with respect to its longitudinal axis; drive means to rotate at least one of the roller shafts; and cam means on the drum constructed and arranged whereby the drum, when resting on the roller shafts and rotated thereby, is oscillated about a fulcrum centrally located in the drum on its longitudinal axis to produce a wave form, in liquid held therein, travelling back and forth substantially the length of the drum.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the roller shafts are located in a tank adapted to hold liquid for externally cooling the drum, and outflow means in the tank for controlliNg the maximum level of liquid retainable therein.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the drum is closed at each end by an end cap, at least one end cap being removable and at least one end cap having an opening centrally located therein for the introduction of liquid into the drum when closed.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the cam means comprises a pair of juxtaposed cam shoulders circumferentially disposed on the drum one on each side of the fulcrum.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including a hollow cylindrical mount adapted to retain the photographic material arcuately therein and changeable into the drum.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which the mount is an open mesh web of form retaining material.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the web comprises woven glass fibers coated and impregnated with polyfluorethylene.

Claim 16

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which the mount is segmented in a plane passing through its longitudinal axis.

Claim 17

Apparatus for processing photographic material in sheet or roll form comprising: a cylindrical drum adapted to hold the photographic material arcuately therein; means at each end of the drum for retaining liquid at least in the bottom portion of the drum when the drum is substantially horizontally disposed with respect to its longitudinal axis; a tray adapted to support the carrier in a horizontal disposition; rocker means on the underside of the tray; and risers mounted on the tray, and adapted to rock the drum in a non-horizontal plane about a fulcrum located centrally on said longitudinal axis when the tray is rocked to roll the drum therealong.

Claim 18

Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 in which the risers are mounted on the upper side of the tray and support the drum thereon.

Claim 19

Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in which the drum carries a circumscribing ring centrally located thereon and adapted to register with a slot on the upper side of the tray located between the risers, the ring and slot being adapted to guide the drum rolling along the risers.

Claim 20

A carrier for use with apparatus for processing photographic sheet material, comprising: a cylindrical drum adapted to hold the photographic material arcuately therein; means at each end of the drum for retaining liquid in the bottom portion of the drum when the drum is substantially horizontally disposed with respect to its longitudinal axis; cam means circumferentially disposed on the outer surface of the drum and adapted, when the carrier is horizontally disposed and rotated about its longitudinal axis, to rock the drum in a vertical plane about a fulcrum located centrally on said longitudinal axis.

Claim 21

A carrier as claimed in claim 21 in which the cam means comprises a pair of juxtaposed cam shoulders circumferentially disposed on the drum one on each side of the fulcrum.

Claim 22

A carrier as claimed in claim 21 including a cylindrical mount adapted to retain the photographic material arcuately therein and chargeable into the drum.

Claim 23

Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which the means for retaining liquid in the bottom portion of the drum comprises a pair of end caps and the cam means comprises a pair of juxtaposed cam shoulders circumferentially disposed one on each of said end caps.

Claim 24

A mount for use in processing photographic sheet material in a movable cylindrical carrier, comprising a form retaining cylindrical member concentrically disposable within the carrier and slidably removable therefrom and adapted to receive and hold the sheet material arcuately within the member, the cylindrical member being an open mesh web woven of glass fibers coated and impregnated with polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 25

A mount for use in processing photographic sheet material in a movable cylindrical carrier, comprising a form retaining cylindrical member, the member being of sheet form and segmented in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis thereof, positioning pins being Located on the inner surface of each segment.

Claim 26

A mount as claimed in claim 25 including positioning pins removably mountable on the web.

Claim 27

A mount as claimed in claim 26 in which at least the inner surface of each segment carries raised portions thereon.