Automatic line traverse and dip film processor

Claim 2

A film processing apparatus, comprising: a rack having a plurality of means for holding a corresponding plurality of separate chemical film processing solution containers; means mounting said rack for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis; drive means for pivoting said rack about said axis; a plurality of containers mounted in said rack; dark box means cooperating with said rack and light enclosing only some of said containers and being mounted for rocking movement with said rack; and means for moving film from a container within said box means, through said box means and to a container outside of said box means.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, including a vibrator mounted on said box means; a cantilevered stationarily mounted arm extending adjacent said vibrator; and roller means mounted on the terminal end of said cantilevered arm in engagement with said vibrator.

Claim 4

The film processing apparatus of claim 1, including a stationary water bath tank below said rack for containing water; and means mounting said containers on said rack so that said containers extend directly into such water in said tank for oscillating movement within such water as said rack pivots for improving heat transfer between such water within the tank and the containers.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of said containers is a water wash container and has a bottom inlet and an outlet pipe extending transversely beyond said water bath tank to a free terminal end directing overflow away from and out of liquid communication with said water bath tank; and further including flexible conduit means extending in part through the water in said tank and conducting water under pressure through said inlet.

Claim 6

A film processing apparatus, comprising: a rack having a plurality of means for holding a corresponding plurality of separate chemical film processing solution containers; means mounting said rack for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis; drive means for pivoting said rack about said axis said mounting means including pins respectively extending horizontally outwardly from each end of said rack in axial alignment with each other, and a bearing block having spring means mounting therein said pin to resiliently form the pivotal mounting for said rack; and said spring means including three coil springs mounted with central axes each intersecting the center line of the respective pins and forming angles with respect to adjacent spring center lines of 90* .

Claim 7

A film processing apparatus, comprising: a rack having a plurality of means for holding a corresponding plurality of separate chemical film processing solution containers; means mounting said rack for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis; drive means for pivoting said rack about said axis said mounting means including pins respectively extending horizontally outwardly from each end of said rack in axial alignment with each other, and a bearing block having spring means mounting therein said pin to resiliently form the pivotal mounting for said rack; and said spring means including three coil springs mounted with central axes each intersecting the center line of the respective pins and forming angles with respect to adjacent spring center lines of 90* .

Claim 8

A photographic film developing apparatus, comprising: a substantially light impervious developing box having an exit end; two doors hinged at their outer edges to the exit end of said box for moving between a closed position sealing said exit end and an open position, the inner edges of said doors sealingly engaging each other in the closed position; stationary door support members mounted respectively adjacent each of said doors in their open position; mechanical means for supporting film within said box and for moving film from within said box, against said doors to thereby move said doors from their closed position to their open position, and outside of said box; means adjacent said box to normally hold said doors in their closed position and release said doors in response to said mechanical means moving against said door; and magnetic latch means between said doors and respective ones of said stationary support members for holding said doors in their open position.

Claim 9

A photographic film developing apparatus, comprising: a substantially light impervious developing box having an exit end; two doors hinged at their outer edges to the exit end of said box for moving between a closed position sealing said exit end and an open position, the inner edges of said doors sealingly engaging each other in the closed position; stationary door support members mounted respectively adjacent each of said doors in their open position; mechanical means for supporting film within said box and for moving film from within said box, against said doors to thereby move said doors from their closed position to their open position, and outside of said box; means adjacent said box to normally hold said doors in their closed position and release said doors in response to said mechanical means moving against said door; and magnetic latch means between said doors and respective ones of said stationary support members for holding said doors in their open position.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said mechanical means includes a slot extending through one wall of said box and running perpendicualr to said doors in their closed position; a support arm extending through said slot for holding film at one end and for attachment at its opposite end to a driving mechanism; and resilient sealing means within said slot for sealing the opening of said slot and allowing passage longitudinally of said support arm.

Claim 11

The film developing apparatus of claim 6, further including: means for holding at least one liquid chemical bath within said box; said mechanical means further moving the film from within said means for holding at least one liquid chemical bath to a position removed from said means for holding at least one liquid chemical bath and in said box; means for holding a processing fluid bath outside of said box and separate from said means for holding a liquid chemical within said box; and said mechanical means further moving the film from its position outside of said box downwardly into said means for holding a processing fluid bath.

Claim 12

The photographic film developing apparatus of claim 8, wherein said doors extend in a single vertical plane in their closed position; said mechanical means including a horizontal slot extending through the top wall of said box perpendicular to and intersecting the vertical plane of said doors in their closed position aligned with the sealingly engaging edges of said doors, drive means outside of said box and having a translating power path parallel to said slot, and an arm extending through said slot for carrying film at one end and connected at its opposite end to said drive means; and resilient means within said slot for light sealing said slot while allowing longitudinal movement of said arm within said slot.

Claim 13

A film processing apparatus, comprising: a sealed light impervious processing box having a hole in its lower portion; a water bath tank freely in light communication with the outside light environment of said box and spaced below said box; means for holding a photographic film processing chemical within said box, including an opaque fluid container increasing in horizontal cross section from its bottom toward its top and having means light sealingly engaging the edges of said hole to allow the bottom portion of said container to extend directly into said water bath tank for preventing light from the vicinity of said water tank to pass into said box through said hole.

Claim 14

A film processing apparatus, comprising: a sealed light impervious processing box having a hole in its lower portion; a water bath tank freely in light communication with the outside light environment of said box and spaced below said box; means for holding a photographic film processing chemical within said box, including an opaque fluid container increasing in horizontal cross section from its bottom toward its top and having means light sealingly engaging the edges of said hole to allow the bottom portion of said container to extend directly into said water bath tank for preventing light from the vicinity of said water tank to pass into said box through said hole.

Claim 15

The film processing apparatus of claim 10, including: power means for supporting photographic film and moving the photographic film from within said opaque fluid container to a position removed from said opaque fluid container and in said box, and then to a position outside of said box; said box including at least one hinged door having a closed position wherein it is light sealed around its periphery and an open position permitting passage of the photographic film as it is moved by said power means; means normally holding said door in its closed position and releasing said door in cooperation with said power means for movement of said door to said open position with passage of the film from the inside to the outside of said box; means for holding a processing fluid outsIde of said box and separate from said container; and said drive means further moving the photographic film from its position outside of said box downwardly into said means for holding a processing fluid.

Claim 16

The film processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein said door extends in a vertical plane in its closed position; said power means includes a horizontal slot extending through the top wall of said box perpendicular to and intersecting said door in its closed position, drive means outside of said box and having a translating power path parallel to said slot, and an arm extending through said slot for carrying film at one end and connected at its opposite end to said drive means; and resilient means within said slot for light sealing said slot while allowing longitudinal movement of said arm within said slot.

Claim 17

A film processing apparatus, comprising: means for mounting a plurality of containers carrying different processing fluids, along a predetermined generally horizontal path; a stationarily mounted toothed rack extending generally parallel to and above said path; a highly flexible elongated support member having means at its lower end for carrying film to be processed by fluid within said containers; a carriage mounted for movement parallel with said rack and path; means mounted on said carriage for guiding said support member along a substantial portion of its length for only vertical movement; an electric motor mounted on said carriage; an eccentric crank drivingly connected to said electric motor; a crank arm drivingly connected between said crank and the upper end of said support member above said guide means; and means for moving said carriage generally parallel to said path, including a gear rotatably mounted on said carriage in toothed engagement with said rack and an electric motor drivingly connected to said gear.

Claim 18

A film processing apparatus, comprising: means for mounting a plurality of containers carrying different processing fluids, along a predetermined generally horizontal path; a stationarily mounted toothed rack extending generally parallel to and above said path; a highly flexible elongated support member having means at its lower end for carrying film to be processed by fluid within said containers; a carriage mounted for movement parallel with said rack and path; means mounted on said carriage for guiding said support member along a substantial portion of its length for only vertical movement; an electric motor mounted on said carriage; an eccentric crank drivingly connected to said electric motor; a crank arm drivingly connected between said crank and the upper end of said support member above said guide means; and means for moving said carriage generally parallel to said path, including a gear rotatably mounted on said carriage in toothed engagement with said rack and an electric motor drivingly connected to said gear.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 13, including a support rail extending generally parallel to said path and said rack; and said carriage having bearing means in supporting engagement with said support rail transversely spaced from said rack for supporting a portion of the carriage weight; and said rack facing upwardly to supportingly receive said gear and support the remaining portion of the carriage weight.