Photographic film processing apparatus

Claim 1

Photographic apparatus for spreading a processing fluid in a layer between a pair of elements of a given width, at least one of such elements forming part of a film unit, said apparatus comprising: a first rotatably mounted elongated spreader roller having a first sheet-contacting facing surface at least equal in length to the given width of such pair of elements and including a relatively high friction, resiliently yieldable sheetcontacting facing surface; a second rotatably mounted elongated spreader roller having a second sheet-contacting facing surface, said second spreader roller being mounted with its said second sheet-contacting facing surface juxtaposed with respect to said first sheetcontacting facing surface; means for yieldably urging said spreader rollers towards one another; means for limiting the movement of said spreader rollers towards one another under the influence of said urging means to define a minimum gap between said first and second sheet-contacting facing surfaces facilitating the introduction therebetween of such pair of elements, said movement limiting means including a pair of annular collars provided with bearing surfaces mounted on one of said rollers and extending towards the other said roller, and supporting surfaces on said other roller to respectively engage said collar bearing surfaces, said bearing surfaces and said supporting surfaces comprising relatively low-friction, non-resilient surfaces tending to preserve their dimensional integrity, said annular collars being spaced apart a distance greater than such given width and respectively located adjacent opposite ends of said first sheet-contacting facing surface; and means for driving said first spreader roller to cause said movement limiting means to impart rotary motion to said second roller prior to the introduction of such pair of elements between said spreader rollers and to cause said relatively high friction, resiliently yieldable sheet-contacting facing surface to advance such pair of elements between said rollers intermediate said collars once such pair of elements have been brought into operative relationship therewith, said collars being rendered inoperative for purposes of defining the spacing between said sheet-contacting facing surfaces as such pair of elements are advanced between said rollers.