US3698306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic processor
Assignee: AB Dick Co
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Filing: 1971-06-10
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1991-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A photographic processing unit in which an increased amount of processing time in one processing station of the unit is attained by recycling the photographic materials through that processing station. Recycling is achieved by providing a movable two position deflector at the exit of the processing station. The deflector is movable to a first position in which it deflects the photographic materials existing from that processing station back to the entrance for one or more further cycles through the processing station. After the photographic materials have been recycled a sufficient number of times to allow complete chemical treatment, the deflector is moved to a second position wherein it deflects the photographic materials to the next processing station of the unit wherein the same type of recycling may be utilized if so desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry N Fairbanks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/13; G03D3/132; G03D13/00; G03D13/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A relatively compact photographic processing station for performing a processing step on photographic materials at a relatively high speed and wherein the increase in processing speed is obtained by reducing the travel time during which the photographic materials are not actually being processed and comprising: a. a container means for containing a fluid processing agent; b. a photographic materials entrance means into said container means; c. a guide means for guiding photographic materials from said entrance means through said container means while the materials are exposed for processing to the fluid processing agent; d. a relatively high speed drive means for driving photographic materials from said entrance means through said guide means with the photographic materials being partially processed by the fluid processing agent during a first cycle through the processing station, whereby said relatively high speed drive means minimizes the time the photographic materials spend in the nonprocessing operations of entering into and exiting from the processing station; and e. means for completing the processing of the photographic materials including means for selectively directing the photographic materials which have passed through said guide means back to said entrance means for one or more subsequent passages through said guide means to recycle the photographic materials through the processing station for one or more times to complete the processing of the photographic materials by the fluid processing agent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
A relatively compact photographic processing station for performing a processing step on photographic materials at a relatively high speed and wherein the increase in processing speed is obtained by reducing the travel time during which the photographic materials are not actually being processed and comprising: a. a container means for containing a fluid processing agent; b. a photographic materials entrance means into said container means; c. a guide means for guiding photographic materials from said entrance means through said container means while the materials are exposed for processing to the fluid processing agent; d. a relatively high speed drive means for driving photographic materials from said entrance means through said guide means with the photographic materials being partially processed by the fluid processing agent during a first cycle through the processing station, whereby said relatively high speed drive means minimizes the time the photographic materials spend in the nonprocessing operations of entering into and exiting from the processing station; and e. means for completing the processing of the photographic materials including means for selectively directing the photographic materials which have passed through said guide means back to said entrance means for one or more subsequent passages through said guide means to recycle the photographic materials through the processing station for one or more times to complete the processing of the photographic materials by the fluid processing agent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively directing includes a movable steering means, and means for selectively positioning said steering means at a first position for steering photographic materials which have passed through said guide means back to said entrance means, or at a second position for steering photographic materials out of the photographic processing station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said steering means includes a V shaped deflector, and said means for selectively positioning includes means for selectively positioning said V shaped deflector at said first and second positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for selectively directing includes a first fixed deflector means positioned adjacent to said V shaped deflector for further deflecting the photographic materials back to said entrance means after an initial deflection of the photographic materials by said V shaped deflector when positioned at its first position, and a second fixed deflector means, positioned adjacent to said V shaped deflector, for further deflecting the photographic materials out of the processing station after an initial deflection of the photographic materials by said V shaped deflector when positioned at its second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and including a pair of exit rollers positioned at the exit end of said guide means, and wherein the point Of the V of said V shaped deflector is movably positioned adjacent to said pair of exit rollers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said entrance means includes a pair of entrance rollers, and said drive means includes a constant speed motor means for driving said entrance rollers and said exit rollers at a constant speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said photographic processing unit includes a master timer means for actuating said means for selectively positioning said V shaped deflector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said entrance means includes a pair of entrance rollers, and the station includes a pair of exit rollers positioned at the exit end of said guide means, and said high speed drive means includes a constant speed motor for driving said entrance rollers and said exit rollers at a constant speed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the station includes a master timer means for selectively activating said means for selectively directing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |