US3672289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic film processing apparatus
Assignee: XATRON CORP
•
Filing: 1970-10-16
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-10-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for processing exposed film so as to develop, fix, wash and dry the film in a predetermined sequence and on a fully automatic basis. The exposed films are loaded into a carrier which is then set into the housing of the apparatus, and the films are successively dipped, or immersed, into a series of tanks within the housing by means of an elongated wand which supports the film carrier. The wand is carried on a laterally movable carriage, and a rotatable off-center cam is provided for causing the wand to move the film carrier vertically in and out of the aforesaid tanks. This dipping operation occurs at each of a plurality of predetermined lateral positions of the carriage. The tanks contain, for example, appropriate developing, rinsing and fixing solutions so as to carry out the film processing operations. The apparatus may be set to process a plurality of different types of film, each according to manufacturers'' recommendations, by setting a dial on the control panel of the apparatus. The various dial settings provide pre-set timing for the various operations by the circuitry employed.
Inventors
- 👤 James W Kelso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:01
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/007; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for processing photographic film including: a casing; a tubular member extending across said casing; a carriage slidable on said tubular member; an elOngated wand member pivotally mounted on said carriage and extending transversely of said tubular member; a lateral drive motor mounted in said casing; means coupled to said motor and to said carriage to cause said carriage to move along saId tubular member upon energization of said lateral drive motor; an energizing circuit for said lateral drive motor; permanent magnet means carried by said carriage; and a plurality of magnetically operated switches mounted in said tubular member and connected to the energizing circuit of said lateral drive motor for causing said motor to be de-energized as said carriage reaches successive positions along said tubular member as established by the positions of said magnetically operated switches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for processing photographic film including: a casing; a tubular member extending across said casing; a carriage slidable on said tubular member; an elOngated wand member pivotally mounted on said carriage and extending transversely of said tubular member; a lateral drive motor mounted in said casing; means coupled to said motor and to said carriage to cause said carriage to move along saId tubular member upon energization of said lateral drive motor; an energizing circuit for said lateral drive motor; permanent magnet means carried by said carriage; and a plurality of magnetically operated switches mounted in said tubular member and connected to the energizing circuit of said lateral drive motor for causing said motor to be de-energized as said carriage reaches successive positions along said tubular member as established by the positions of said magnetically operated switches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, in which said means comprises cord means extending as a loop between said carriage and said motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination defined in claim 1, and which includes an elongated eccentrically mounted rod extending across said casing in spaced parallel relationship with said tubular member and engaging one end of said elongated wand member so that rotation of said eccentric rod causes said wand member to move angularly with respect to said carriage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3, and which includes a second motor coupled to said elongated rod to cause said rod to rotate about an eccentric axis and to produce the aforesaid angular movement of said wand.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, and which includes a film carrier suspended at one end of said wand.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5, in which said film carrier includes vanes to produce rotation of said film carrier as said carrier is moved in and out of a liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, and which includes a plurality of tanks positioned in said casing in side-by-side relationship across said casing, said tanks being disposed under one end of said elongated wand.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7, and which includes a film carrier suspended at one end of said wand, and circuitry for causing said wand to dip said carrier a predetermined number of times into each of said tanks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus defined in claim 8, and which includes a manually adjustable switch for pre-setting the number of times said carrier is dipped in each of said tanks for any particular operation of the apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus defined in claim 6, in which said film carrier includes an upper bracket of annular configuration, a lower bracket of annular configuration, hub means interconnecting said brackets and holding said brackets in spaced and parallel relationship, said hub and at least one of said brackets having slots therein for supporting strips of film to be processed in radial vane-like positions in said carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination defined in claim 10, in which said brackets have radial vanes therein to produce the aforesaid rotation of said film carrier in one direction as it is moved into the aforesaid liquid and in the opposite direction as it is withdrawn from the liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination defined in claim 10, in which said hub means includes two telescoping members permitting said brackets to be releasably held in said spaced relationship, and manually operable latching means to lock and release the aforesaid brackets in said relationship.
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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) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |