US3728954A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic processing apparatus
Assignee: AFP Imaging Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-03
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A photographic processing apparatus is provided which comprises a transport system for conveying photographic material successively through a developing zone, a fixing zone, a washing zone and a drying zone with no deleterious contact to the materials being transported or conveyed. The transporting system comprises a series of oppositely offset rollers which are designed to achieve the desired conveyance with minimum change of direction. The novel washing zone comprises a plurality of angled opposed water jets which are preceded and followed by opposed drying rollers. For ease and convenience of operation, the device is designed so that the developed dried film is delivered toward the feeding station at the front thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 T Everett
- 👤 J Charipar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:33
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/13; G03D3/132; G03D13/00; G03D13/003; G03D15/00; G03D15/02; G03D15/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for the processing of photographic material having opposite surfaces which comprises a developing zone, a fixing zone, a washing zone and a drying zone; means for continuously conveying photographic material through said zones in a path of minimum curvature; a plurality of means for successively supplying excessive liquid to both surfaces of such photographic material in said washing zone, said plurality of means comprising a plurality of spaced pairs of oppOsed circular tubular chambers, each pair of opposed chambers having one chamber on opposite sides of said path, each of said chambers having one flattened side, said chambers being so disposed that the outer surfaces of said flattened sides oppose each other, said flattened sides having orifices extending therethrough, said opposed chambers being arranged with said opposed surfaces converging toward said path in the direction of approach of such photographic material along said path; a plurality of means positioned between such opposed tubular chambers for successively removing excessive liquid from both surfaces of such photographic material so that substantially liquid free surfaces are exposed to each succeeding pair of opposed tubular chambers; a pair of heating means, one on each side of said path, for uniformly heating and circulating heated air simultaneously to both surfaces of such photographic material in said drying zone; and means in said drying zone for changing the direction of such photographic material 180* while both surfaces of such material is being dried.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for the processing of photographic material having opposite surfaces which comprises a developing zone, a fixing zone, a washing zone and a drying zone; means for continuously conveying photographic material through said zones in a path of minimum curvature; a plurality of means for successively supplying excessive liquid to both surfaces of such photographic material in said washing zone, said plurality of means comprising a plurality of spaced pairs of oppOsed circular tubular chambers, each pair of opposed chambers having one chamber on opposite sides of said path, each of said chambers having one flattened side, said chambers being so disposed that the outer surfaces of said flattened sides oppose each other, said flattened sides having orifices extending therethrough, said opposed chambers being arranged with said opposed surfaces converging toward said path in the direction of approach of such photographic material along said path; a plurality of means positioned between such opposed tubular chambers for successively removing excessive liquid from both surfaces of such photographic material so that substantially liquid free surfaces are exposed to each succeeding pair of opposed tubular chambers; a pair of heating means, one on each side of said path, for uniformly heating and circulating heated air simultaneously to both surfaces of such photographic material in said drying zone; and means in said drying zone for changing the direction of such photographic material 180* while both surfaces of such material is being dried.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the orifices in the opposed faces of said opposed chambers are positioned such that liquid passing therethrough converges at the surface of such photographic material passing between said opposed faces.
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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) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |