Automated color print processor

Claim 2

Apparatus for the development of an exposed photographic medium comprising a tray for successively receiving developing and other conditioning solutions for application to the exposed photographic medium, a supply conduit arranged for conveying the solutions to said tray and having an outlet end arranged at said tray, said conduit having inlet connections arranged at spaced positions therein for the introduction of the different liquid solutions in sequence, said conduit also including an inlet connection positioned at the extreme end of said conduit opposite to said outlet end for the introduction of water into said conduit and thereby into said tray, a separate liquid inlet control means at each inlet connection, automatic timing and control means operable to actuate said separate inlet control means for said inlet connections in sequence for introducing the different liquid solutions and water into said conduit from said inlet connections in timed sequence, said automatic timing and control means being operable to control the introduction of water into said conduit after the introduction of each liquid solution, means for tilting and thereby emptying said tray before each introduction and use of each liquid, said timing and control means being operable to initiate the operation of said tilting and emptying means for said tray before the introduction of each liquid, a rotatable drum associated with said tray and arranged to have the cylindrical surface thereof immersed in the liquid contained in said tray, a motor connected for rotating said drum, and means for holding an exposed photographic medium to be developed with the emulsion side facing the cylindrical surface of said drum above said tray so that liquids picked up by said cylindrical surface of said drum are carried to the photographic emulsion.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drum includes heating means positioned within the interior thereof for maintaining an elevated processing temperature.

Claim 4

Apparatus for the development of an exposed photographic medium comprising a tray for successively receiving developing and other conditioning solutions for application to the exposed photographic medium, a supply conduit arranged for conveying the solutions to said tray and having an outlet end arranged at said tray, said conduit having inlet connections arranged at spaced positions therein for the introduction of the different liquid solutions in sequence, said conduit also including an inlet connection positioned at the extreme end of said conduit opposite to said outlet end for the introduction of water into said conduit and thereby into said tray, a separate liquid inlet control means at each inlet connection, automatic timing and control means operable to actuate said separate inlet control means for said inlet connections in sequence for introducing the different liquid solutions and water into said conduit from said inlet connections in timed sequence, said automatic timing and control means being operable to control the introduction of water into said conduit after the introduction of each liquid solution, means for tilting and thereby emptying said tray before each introduction and use of each liquid, said timing and control means being operable to initiate the operation of said tilting and emptying means for said tray before the introduction of each liquid, said automatic timing and control means comprising a motor-operated multiple cam switch having an adjustable cam for each liquid to be controlled, said automatic timing and control means also including a solenoid valve for each conduit inlet operable to the open position in response to an associated cam-operated switch, said tilting and emptying means comprising an electromagnetic solenoid and said motor-operated cam switch including a cam switch element connected to control the operation of said tilTing and emptying means solenoid.

Claim 5

Apparatus for the development of an exposed photographic medium comprising a tray for successively receiving developing and other conditioning solutions for application to the exposed photographic medium, a supply conduit arranged for conveying the solutions to said tray and having an outlet end arranged at said tray, said conduit having inlet connections arranged at spaced positions therein for the introduction of the different liquid solutions in sequence, said conduit also including an inlet connection positioned at the extreme end of said conduit opposite to said outlet end for the introduction of water into said conduit and thereby into said tray, a separate liquid inlet control means at each inlet connection, automatic timing and control means operable to actuate said separate inlet control means for said inlet connections in sequence for introducing the different liquid solutions and water into said conduit from said inlet connections in timed sequence, said automatic timing and control means being operable to control the introduction of water into said conduit after the introduction of each liquid solution, means for tilting and thereby emptying said tray before each introduction and use of each liquid, said timing and control means being operable to initiate the operation of said tilting and emptying means for said tray before the introduction of each liquid, said automatic timing and control means comprising a motor-operated multiple cam switch having an adjustable cam for each liquid to be controlled, said automatic timing and control means also including a solenoid valve for each conduit inlet operable to the open position in response to an associated cam-operated switch, said tilting and emptying means comprising an electromagnetic solenoid and said motor-operated cam switch including a cam switch element connected to control the operation of said tilTing and emptying means solenoid.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said tilting and emptying means additionally comprises an operating shaft connected to said tilting and emptying means solenoid, a camming device connected for movement by the pulling of said shaft, an inclined plane associated with said camming device and providing for movement of said camming device up said inclined plane, the resultant upward movement of said camming device being conveyed to said tray for tilting and emptying said tray.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein separate reservoirs are provided for each of the liquids to be conveyed to said tray and wherein said solenoid valves are arranged as drain valves for said reservoirs to provide gravity flow of the liquids from said reservoirs through said conduit as said solenoid valves are opened.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the connections from said liquid reservoirs to said conduit inlet openings each include an adjustable metering orifice whereby the rate of flow of liquid may be adjusted to obtain the desired total volume of liquid during the period when the associated solenoid valve is open in the automatic cycle of operation controlled by said cam switch.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said apparatus is housed within a light-tight box and wherein said reservoirs are formed as integral compartments of said box.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein there are provided separate manually operable switches for initiating the operation of each of said solenoid valves for the purpose of draining and cleaning the solution from the associated reservoir.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein there is provided an interlock means operable during the operating cycle of said cam switch for disabling the circuits of said manually operable switches to thereby prevent manual operation of the solenoid valves during the cycle of operation of said timing and control means.