Low-cost roller-type photographic fluid spreading apparatus

Claim 2

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements; a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks including first means for rotatably mounting said pair of spreader elements therebetween in substantially parallel alignment and for establishing a predetermined minimum spacing between said spreader elements, both of said bearing blocks being structured to facilitate the displacement of at least one of said spreader elements away from the other of said spreader elements thereby increasing the spacing between said spreader elements a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing; second means for yieldably urging said one spreader element towards said other spreader element at least when the spacing between said spreader elements is increased a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing, said second means including a pair of spring elements, each of said spring elements being mounted on one of said bearing blocks; and a platform member including means for receiving each said bearing block and means for guiding each said spring element into its operative position with its respective said bearing block and said spreader elements during assembly of said apparatus.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said spring element comprises a substantially U-shaped spring element and wherein said guiding means includes means for urging the two legs of each said U-shaped spring element apart as it is brought into operative position with its respective said bearing block and said spreader elements during assembly of said apparatus.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each said spring urging means comprises a ramp.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising key means for releasably locking each said U-shaped spring element in its said operative position.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising complementary recess and detent means formed on each said spring element and another member of said apparatus to releasably lock each said U-shaped spring element in its said operative position.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said platform member comprises a single piece of molded material.

Claim 8

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements; a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks including first means for rotatably mounting said pair of spreader elements therebetween in substantially parallel alignment and for establishing a predetermined minimum spacing between said spreader elements, both of said bearing blocks being structured to facilitate the displacement of at least one of said spreader elements away from the other of said spreader elements thereby increasing the spacing between said spreader elements a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing; second means for yieldably urging said one spreader element toward said other spreader element at least when the spacing between said spreader elements is increased a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing, said second means including a pair of spring elements, each of said spring elements being mounted on one of said bearing blocks; and a platform member comprising means for guiding each said spring element into its operative position with its respective said bearing block and said spreader elements during assembly of said apparatus and for retaining each said spring element in its said operative position.

Claim 9

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements; a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks including first means for rotatably mounting said pair of spreader elements therebetween in substantially parallel alignment and for establishing a predetermined minimum spacing between said spreader elements, both of said bearing blocks being structured to facilitate the displacement of at least one of said spreader elements away from the other of said spreader elements thereby increasing the spacing between said spreader elements a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing; second means for yieldably urging said one spreader element toward said other spreader element at least when the spacing between said spreader elements is increased a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing, said second means including a pair of spring elements, each of said spring elements being mounted on one of said bearing blocks; and a platform member comprising means for guiding each said spring element into its operative position with its respective said bearing block and said spreader elements during assembly of said apparatus and for retaining each said spring element in its said operative position.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each said spring element is rectangular in cross-section and said guiding and retaining means comprises a guide track of complementary configuration to said cross-sectional configuration of each said spring element.

Claim 11

Photographic apparatus for spreading processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements; an edge control member; spring means connected to said edge control member; means for mounting said spreader elements for rotation about parallel axes of rotation and for displacement of at least one of said pair of spreader elements away from the other said spreader element; and means for resiliently urging said one spreader element toward said other spreader element, said mounting means comprising a platform member formed of a single piece of material and including means for guiding such sheet materials between said spreader elements, means for receiving and mounting said edge control member and said spring means with said edge control member disposed in juxtaposition with said sheet material guiding means and being resiliently urged thereagainst by said spring means and means for retaining said resiliently urging means in operative position with respect to said spreader elements.

Claim 12

Photographic apparatus for spreading processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements; an edge control member; spring means connected to said edge control member; means for mounting said spreader elements for rotation about parallel axes of rotation and for displacement of at least one of said pair of spreader elements away from the other said spreader element; and means for resiliently urging said one spreader element toward said other spreader element, said mounting means comprising a platform member formed of a single piece of material and including means for guiding such sheet materials between said spreader elements, means for receiving and mounting said edge control member and said spring means with said edge control member disposed in juxtaposition with said sheet material guiding means and being resiliently urged thereagainst by said spring means and means for retaining said resiliently urging means in operative position with respect to said spreader elements.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said resiliently urging means comprises at least one substantially U-shaped spring element.

Claim 14

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising means for rotatably mounting a pair of roller-type spreader elements in juxtaposition with at least one of such spreader elements mounted for a limited amount of displacement away from the other, means for resiliently urging such first spreader element towards the other, and a platform member formed of a single piece of material, said platform member including means to receive said mounting means and means to receive said resiliently urging means, said means for receiving said resiliently urging means including means for guiding said spreader element urging means into its operative position with such spreader elements during assembly of said apparatus.

Claim 15

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising means for rotatably mounting a pair of roller-type spreader elements in juxtaposition with at least one of such spreader elements mounted for a limited amount of displacement away from the other, means for resiliently urging such first spreader element towards the other, and a platform member formed of a single piece of material, said platform member including means to receive said mounting means and means to receive said resiliently urging means, said means for receiving said resiliently urging means including means for guiding said spreader element urging means into its operative position with such spreader elements during assembly of said apparatus.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said resiliently urging means comprises at least one substantially U-shaped spring element and said means for guiding said U-shaped spring element into its operative position with such spreader elements includes a ramp positioned to urge the two legs of said U-shaped spring element apart as it is brought into its operative position with such spreader elements.

Claim 17

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising means for rotatably mounting a pair of roller-type spreader elements in juxtaposition; and edge control bar; spring means; and a platform member formed of a single piece of material, said platform member including means for guiding such sheet materials towards such spreader elements, means for receiving said spreader element mounting means, means for receiving both said spring means and said edge control bar with said spring means resiliently urging said edge control bar towards said sheet material guiding meaNs to cooperate therewith to preclude such fluid escaping from between the longitudinal edges of such sheet materials in advance of such spreader elements as such sheet materials are advanced therebetween.

Claim 18

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising means for rotatably mounting a pair of roller-type spreader elements in juxtaposition; and edge control bar; spring means; and a platform member formed of a single piece of material, said platform member including means for guiding such sheet materials towards such spreader elements, means for receiving said spreader element mounting means, means for receiving both said spring means and said edge control bar with said spring means resiliently urging said edge control bar towards said sheet material guiding meaNs to cooperate therewith to preclude such fluid escaping from between the longitudinal edges of such sheet materials in advance of such spreader elements as such sheet materials are advanced therebetween.

Claim 19

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements; a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks including first means for rotatably mounting said pair of spreader elements lengthwise therebetween in substantially parallel alignment, both said bearing blocks being structured to facilitate the displacement of at least one of said spreader elements away from the other of said spreader elements; second means for yieldably urging said one spreader element towards said other spreader element at least when said one spreader element is displaced away from said other spreader element; and a platform member including means for receiving said bearing blocks thereon in the process of effecting a sliding motion between said bearing blocks and said platform member in a first direction with respect to said platform member and means for receiving said second means into operable position with respect to said bearing blocks and said spreader elements in a second direction with respect to said platform member differing from said first direction, said second means serving to releasably retain the assembly of said spreader elements, said bearing blocks, said platform member and said second means together at such time.

Claim 20

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements; a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks including first means for rotatably mounting said pair of spreader elements lengthwise therebetween in substantially parallel alignment, both said bearing blocks being structured to facilitate the displacement of at least one of said spreader elements away from the other of said spreader elements; second means for yieldably urging said one spreader element towards said other spreader element at least when said one spreader element is displaced away from said other spreader element; and a platform member including means for receiving said bearing blocks thereon in the process of effecting a sliding motion between said bearing blocks and said platform member in a first direction with respect to said platform member and means for receiving said second means into operable position with respect to said bearing blocks and said spreader elements in a second direction with respect to said platform member differing from said first direction, said second means serving to releasably retain the assembly of said spreader elements, said bearing blocks, said platform member and said second means together at such time.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said orientation of said first direction with respect to said second direction is on the order of 90*.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said second means comprises at least one substantially U-shaped spring element.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said second means and said bearing blocks comprise at least one recess and a complementary detent located to engage one another when said second means is in its said operative position with respect to said spreader elements and said bearing blocks.

Claim 24

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements; a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks including first means for rotatably mounting said pair of spreader elements therebetween in substantially parallel alignment and for establishing a predetermined minimum spacing between said spreader elements, both of said bearing blocks being structured to facilitate the displacement of at least one of said spreader elements away from the other said spreader element thereby increasing the spacing between said spreader elements a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing; a base plate; second means extending from said base plate for receiving said bearing blocks; a pair of substantially U-shaped spring elements; third means connected to said base plate for guiding each said U-shaped spring element into operative position with a respective said bearing block and said spreader elements during assmebly of said apparatus; and key means for releasably retaining said U-shaped spring elements in their operative positions.

Claim 25

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements; a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks including first means for rotatably mounting said pair of spreader elements therebetween in substantially parallel alignment and for establishing a predetermined minimum spacing between said spreader elements, both of said bearing blocks being structured to facilitate the displacement of at least one of said spreader elements away from the other said spreader element thereby increasing the spacing between said spreader elements a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing; a base plate; second means extending from said base plate for receiving said bearing blocks; a pair of substantially U-shaped spring elements; third means connected to said base plate for guiding each said U-shaped spring element into operative position with a respective said bearing block and said spreader elements during assmebly of said apparatus; and key means for releasably retaining said U-shaped spring elements in their operative positions.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said third means includes ramp means for spreading opposite ends of each said spring element apart as it is assemled into its said operative position.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 18 additionally including fourth means for guiding such sheet materials between said spreader elements as they are advanced through said apparatus and said base plate, said second means, said third means and said fourth means are formed of a single piece of molded material.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 20 additionally including an edge control bar, means formed integrally with said single piece of molded material for mounting said edge control bar thereon in juxtaposed relationship to said fourth means and means mounted on said single piece of molded materIal for resiliently urging said edge control bar towards said fourth means.

Claim 29

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements, each said spreader element having circular end portions of a given diameter; a pair of spring elements; and a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks for rotatably mounting said pair of spreader elements lengthwise therebetween in substantially parallel alignment, each said bearing block including a pair of spaced apart recesses, one of each said pair of recesses being circular in configuration to fixedly receive one said end portion of one said spreader element against translational motion while facilitating rotational movement thereof and the other of said recesses comprising an open ended elongated slot to receive one said end portion of said other spreader element to facilitate both rotational movement thereof and translational motion thereof with respect to said one end portion of said one spreader element disposed within said circular recess, said circular recess being spaced a predetermined distance from said elongated slot to establish a predetermined minimum spacing between said spreader elements, each said bearing block including means for suporting one end of one said spring element with the other end of said one spring element overlying the opened end of said elongated slot to be engaged by said other spreader element at least when said other spreader element is displaced away from said one spreader element a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing.

Claim 30

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials comprising: a pair of elongated spreader elements, each said spreader element having circular end portions of a given diameter; a pair of spring elements; and a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks for rotatably mounting said pair of spreader elements lengthwise therebetween in substantially parallel alignment, each said bearing block including a pair of spaced apart recesses, one of each said pair of recesses being circular in configuration to fixedly receive one said end portion of one said spreader element against translational motion while facilitating rotational movement thereof and the other of said recesses comprising an open ended elongated slot to receive one said end portion of said other spreader element to facilitate both rotational movement thereof and translational motion thereof with respect to said one end portion of said one spreader element disposed within said circular recess, said circular recess being spaced a predetermined distance from said elongated slot to establish a predetermined minimum spacing between said spreader elements, each said bearing block including means for suporting one end of one said spring element with the other end of said one spring element overlying the opened end of said elongated slot to be engaged by said other spreader element at least when said other spreader element is displaced away from said one spreader element a distance greater than said predetermined minimum spacing.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein each said spring element is generally U-shaped.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein complementary locking means are respectively formed on each said bearing block and said spring element supported thereon.