US3740866A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film dryer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-14
•
Granted: 1973-06-26
•
Expires: 1991-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A photographic film drying apparatus which incorporates both air flow and centrifugal force to rapidly remove water from processed film. The film is placed in a rotatably mounted holder and subjected to circular air flow. The circular air flow evaporates the water and rotates the holder. Thereby, a centrifugal force is provided to aid in the water removal process. Filtered air may be used to minimize the deposition of foreign particles on the film, and the air may be heated to further increase the water evaporation rate.
Inventors
- 👤 H Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:42
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/02; G03D15/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A film drying apparatus comprising: a housing; means for inducing a circular air flow within said housing; a spiral film reel for mounting the film; means for supporting said film reel including an axle disposed within said housing, and means for securing said axle in a spaced relation to the side of said housing; and an open ended truncated cone, said cone including a hollow cylinder axially disposed within said cone for engaging said axle; a plurality of vanes within and attached to said cone for engaging the circular air flow, and means for mounting said film reel on said cone; whereby said circular air flow operably interacts with said film reel to effect rapid drying of the mounted film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A film drying apparatus comprising: a housing; means for inducing a circular air flow within said housing; a spiral film reel for mounting the film; means for supporting said film reel including an axle disposed within said housing, and means for securing said axle in a spaced relation to the side of said housing; and an open ended truncated cone, said cone including a hollow cylinder axially disposed within said cone for engaging said axle; a plurality of vanes within and attached to said cone for engaging the circular air flow, and means for mounting said film reel on said cone; whereby said circular air flow operably interacts with said film reel to effect rapid drying of the mounted film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said supporting means further comprises a base member rotatably cooperating with said axle, a plurality of further axles, each said further axle being attached to said base member, whereby a plurality of said reels may be mounted on said further axles and responsive to said circular air flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
a plurality of U-shaped members radially secured to said cylindrical member;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
a plurality of U-shaped members radially secured to said cylindrical member;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
a plurality of film holders, each said holder being adapted to mount a section of film, said film holders being positioned within said U-shaped members;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
a plurality of film holders, each said holder being adapted to mount a section of film, said film holders being positioned within said U-shaped members;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including plurality of open ended truncated cones, each comprising a hollow cylinder axially disposed within said cone for engaging one of said plurality of axles, a plurality of vanes within and attached to said cone for engaging the circular air flow, and means for mounting a reel on said cone, whereby each said cone aids in rotating its associated reel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
A film drying apparatus for drying developed negatives, said apparatus comprising: an open ended cylindrical housing; motive means for inducing a circular air flow through said housing; means for mounting the developed film in alignment with the major axis of said housing, said mounting means including a hollow shaft having a hub at each end and two substantially identical coincidentally oriented spirals having the inner end of each said spiral attached to one of said hubs and capable of supporting said film therebetween; means for rotatably supporting said mounting means within said circular air flow; whereby said film may be mounted intermediate said spirals with said circular air flow striking said aligned film at an angle and creating a force tending to rotate said mounting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
A film drying apparatus for drying developed negatives, said apparatus comprising: an open ended cylindrical housing; motive means for inducing a circular air flow through said housing; means for mounting the developed film in alignment with the major axis of said housing, said mounting means including a hollow shaft having a hub at each end and two substantially identical coincidentally oriented spirals having the inner end of each said spiral attached to one of said hubs and capable of supporting said film therebetween; means for rotatably supporting said mounting means within said circular air flow; whereby said film may be mounted intermediate said spirals with said circular air flow striking said aligned film at an angle and creating a force tending to rotate said mounting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
a retaining ring circumscribing said cylindrical member and engaging a portion of each of said film holders; whereby the sections of film are radially disposed about said cylindrical member; C. Means for rotatably supporting said mounting means within said circular air flow; whereby, said circular air flow, striking said aligned film at an angle, creates a force tending to rotate said mounting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
a retaining ring circumscribing said cylindrical member and engaging a portion of each of said film holders; whereby the sections of film are radially disposed about said cylindrical member; C. Means for rotatably supporting said mounting means within said circular air flow; whereby, said circular air flow, striking said aligned film at an angle, creates a force tending to rotate said mounting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A film drying apparatus for drying developed negatives, said apparatus comprising: A. an open ended cylindrical housing; B. motive means for inducing a circular air flow through said housing, means for mounting the developed film in alignment with the major axis of said housing, said mounting means including:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A film drying apparatus for drying developed negatives, said apparatus comprising: A. an open ended cylindrical housing; B. motive means for inducing a circular air flow through said housing, means for mounting the developed film in alignment with the major axis of said housing, said mounting means including:
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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |