US3705598A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic chemical mixer
Assignee: NAT RESEARCH AND CHEM CO
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Filing: 1970-12-04
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Granted: 1972-12-12
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Expires: 1990-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A demand responsive system for automatically mixing and replenishing liquid chemicals subject to degradation when mixed, including collapsible storage vessels for the unmixed chemicals, a small reservoir for storing and mixing chemicals, pump means to transfer chemicals from the separate storage vessels to the reservoir at rates higher than the demand rates, valve means within the reservoir for maintaining the reservoir level within selected limits, and means for connecting the reservoir with a chemical user. For photographic film processors, for example, the system functions on demand to periodically replenish a mixture of A and B type working solutions, while also supplying fixer and water if desired. This system supplies adequate amounts of the mixture on demand with a minimum of deterioration by premixing only an amount which may be needed for immediate use. The system is completely automatic and needs no operator control.
Inventors
- 👤 Manuel C Ray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:14
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/40; B01F23/49; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2514; Y10T137/2534; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/85978; Y10T137/86131; Y10T137/86163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer for use with a photographic film processor comprising: at least two chemical containers each storing a different chemical; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers; pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from said containers to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of fluid within the reservoir between specified limits; and means for diverting chemicals from said pumping means to containers external to said reservoir upon command.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer for use with a photographic film processor comprising: at least two chemical containers each storing a different chemical; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers; pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from said containers to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of fluid within the reservoir between specified limits; and means for diverting chemicals from said pumping means to containers external to said reservoir upon command.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer comprising: at least two chemical containers, each storing a different chemical; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers; and pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from at least two of said containers to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of fluid within the reservoir between specified limits, said pumping means including valve means opening to allow the passage of chemicals at a selected rate for a selected period of time only after said pump means has been activated for a short period of time to create a selected pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer comprising: at least two chemical containers, each storing a different chemical; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers; and pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from at least two of said containers to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of fluid within the reservoir between specified limits, said pumping means including valve means opening to allow the passage of chemicals at a selected rate for a selected period of time only after said pump means has been activated for a short period of time to create a selected pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer for use with a photographic film processor comprising: at least two chemical containers, each storing a different chemical, each of said containers including an outer structure defining a rigid volumetric container and a collapsible inner structure providing a liquid-tight seal; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers; and pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from said containers to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of fluid within the reservoir between specified limits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer for use with a photographic film processor comprising: at least two chemical containers, each storing a different chemical, each of said containers including an outer structure defining a rigid volumetric container and a collapsible inner structure providing a liquid-tight seal; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers; and pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from said containers to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of fluid within the reservoir between specified limits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer for use with a photographic film processor comprising: at least two chemical containers, each storing a different chemical; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers; pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from said containers to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of fluid within the reservoir Between specified limits; and means for detecting an empty condition in one of said containers and providing a signal in response to such an empty condition, said signal activating a means for warning a machine operator and means for inhibiting said pumping means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer for use with a photographic film processor comprising: at least two chemical containers, each storing a different chemical; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers; pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from said containers to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of fluid within the reservoir Between specified limits; and means for detecting an empty condition in one of said containers and providing a signal in response to such an empty condition, said signal activating a means for warning a machine operator and means for inhibiting said pumping means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer for use with a photographic film processor comprising: a storage container for Type A chemical solution; a storage container for Type B chemical solution; a storage container for working solution; means connecting the chemical mixer to a water supply; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers for Type A and Type B chemical solution; pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from said containers for Type A and Type B chemical solution to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of liquid within the reservoir between specified limits; means for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the film processor upon demand; means for transferring fluid from said storage container for working solution to the film processor upon demand; and means for providing water to the film processor upon demand.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
An automatic liquid chemical mixer for use with a photographic film processor comprising: a storage container for Type A chemical solution; a storage container for Type B chemical solution; a storage container for working solution; means connecting the chemical mixer to a water supply; a reservoir having a small capacity in relation to said containers for Type A and Type B chemical solution; pumping means responsive to the level in said reservoir for transferring chemicals from said containers for Type A and Type B chemical solution to the reservoir in selected proportions to maintain the quantity of liquid within the reservoir between specified limits; means for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the film processor upon demand; means for transferring fluid from said storage container for working solution to the film processor upon demand; and means for providing water to the film processor upon demand.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
For use with an automatic film processor, a chemical supply device comprising: a chemical supply system providing a Type A and Type B chemical mixer for given demand rates from a demand system, demand being independently intermittent or continuous comprising: a pair of collapsible containers for Type A and Type B chemicals respectively; a pair of pumps, each coupled to a different container, and each having a rate proportionately higher than a given demand rate; a closed reservoir coupled to the pair of pumps and including means coupling to the demand system, said reservoir drawing a substantially smaller capacity than said containers; and liquid level sensing means coupled to said reservoir and controlling said pair of pumps.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
For use with an automatic film processor, a chemical supply device comprising: a chemical supply system providing a Type A and Type B chemical mixer for given demand rates from a demand system, demand being independently intermittent or continuous comprising: a pair of collapsible containers for Type A and Type B chemicals respectively; a pair of pumps, each coupled to a different container, and each having a rate proportionately higher than a given demand rate; a closed reservoir coupled to the pair of pumps and including means coupling to the demand system, said reservoir drawing a substantially smaller capacity than said containers; and liquid level sensing means coupled to said reservoir and controlling said pair of pumps.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The chemical supply device of claim 6 further including solenoid valve means connected between the pumps and the reservoir and time delay means responsive to the level sensing means controlling the valve means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3345997A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-12 | 1976-06-12 | 1976-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-12 | 1980-06-12 | 1980-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-12 | 1984-06-12 | 1984-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |