Method and apparatus for developing for diazo type copying machines

Claim 2

A diazo type copying machine in which diazo type photosensitive sheets are exposed to form thereon a latent image of an original and the latent image is developed to render it visible, wherein the improvement is in a developing device comprising conveyor means including movable endless belt means for conveying exposed diazo type photosensitive sheets over a developing run, said endless belt means including material capable of retaining developing liquid, means for applying developing liquid to a portion of the endless belt means which is away from said developing run and means for heating the endless belt means over at least a portion of said developing run to evaporate thereby developing liquid retained by the endless belt means and to expose the diazo type photosensitive sheets conveyed by the conveyor means to developing liquid vapors, and including screen means disposed between the outer periphery of the endless belt means and sheets conveyed adjacent said endless belt means.

Claim 3

A copying machine as in claim 1 wherein said screen means comprise a vapor permeable endless belt rotating with the conveyor means endless belt means over said developing run and made of material which is substantially nonwettable by said developing liquid.

Claim 4

A diazo type copying machine in which diazo type photosensitive sheets are exposed to form thereon a latent image of an original and the latent image is developed to render it visible, wherein the improvement is in a developing device comprising conveyor means including movable endless belt means for conveying exposed diazo type photosensitive sheets over a developing run, said conveyor means including material capable of retaining developing liquid, means for applying developing liquid to a portion of the endless belt means which is away from said developing run and means for heating the conveyor means over at least a portion of said developing run to evaporate thereby developing liquid retained by the conveyor means and to expose the diazo type photosensitive sheet conveyed by the conveyor means to developing liquid vapors, wherein said endless belt means comprises a caterpiller belt with projections facing the diazo type photosensitive sheets conveyed thereby and wherein the developing liquid applying means comprise means for applying developing liquid only to the wells between said projections but not to the projections themselves.

Claim 5

A diazo type copying machine in which diazo type photosensitive sheets are exposed to form thereon a latent image of an original and the latent image is developed to render it visible, wherein the improvement is in a developing device comprising conveyor means including movable endless belt means for conveying exposed diazo type photosensitive sheets over a developing run, said conveyor means including material capable of retaining developing liquid, means for applying developing liquid to a portion of the endless belt means which is away from said developing run and means for heating the conveyor means over at least a portion of said developing run to evaporate thereby developing liquid retained by the conveyor means and to expose the diazo type photosensitive sheet conveyed by the conveyor means to developing liquid vapors, wherein said endless belt means comprises a caterpiller belt with projections facing the diazo type photosensitive sheets conveyed thereby and wherein the developing liquid applying means comprise means for applying developing liquid only to the wells between said projections but not to the projections themselves.

Claim 6

A copying machine as in claim 3 wherein said developing liquid applying means comprise a developing liquid container, developing liquid applying gear partly immersed in said container and adapted to rotate in synchronism with the motion of the endless belt, said gear having gear teeth contacting in sequence the wells between projections in the endless belt to apply developing liquid thereto.

Claim 7

A diazo type copying machine in which diazo type photosensitive sheets are exposed to form thereon a latent image of an original and the latent image is developed to render it visible, wherein the improvement is in a developing device comprising conveyor means including movable endless belt means for conveying exposed diazo type photosensitive sheets over a developing run, said movable endless belt means including material capable of retaining developing liquid, means for applying developing liquid to a portion of the endless belt means which is away from said developing run and means for heating the conveyor means over at least a portion of said developing run to evaporate thereby developing liquid retained by the conveyor means and to expose the diazo type photosensitive sheets conveyed by the conveyor means to developing liquid vapors, wherein said endless belt means comprises a caterpillar belt with projections facing the diazo type photosensitive sheets conveyed thereby and wherein the developing liquid applying means comprise means for applying developing liquid to the entire outer periphery of a portion of the caterpillar belt and means positioned before said developing run or removing developing liquid applied to said projections of the caterpillar belt.

Claim 8

A diazo type copying machine in which diazo type photosensitive sheets are exposed to form thereon a latent image of an original and the latent image is developed to render it visible, wherein the improvement is in a developing device comprising conveyor means including movable endless belt means for conveying exposed diazo type photosensitive sheets over a developing run, said movable endless belt means including material capable of retaining developing liquid, means for applying developing liquid to a portion of the endless belt means which is away from said developing run and means for heating the conveyor means over at least a portion of said developing run to evaporate thereby developing liquid retained by the conveyor means and to expose the diazo type photosensitive sheets conveyed by the conveyor means to developing liquid vapors, wherein said endless belt means comprises a caterpillar belt with projections facing the diazo type photosensitive sheets conveyed thereby and wherein the developing liquid applying means comprise means for applying developing liquid to the entire outer periphery of a portion of the caterpillar belt and means positioned before said developing run or removing developing liquid applied to said projections of the caterpillar belt.