US3785269A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic film processor having switchable transport path
Assignee: AFP ACQUISITION Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-07
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1993-05-07
Abstract
Abstract An automatic film processor having a transport system for normally transporting sheets of film to be processed through a series of treatment stations in predetermined sequence, includes a movable guide element for altering the transport path to vary the sequence of processing steps for a selected sheet of film. The selected sheet can be provided with a distinctively colored leader, the presence of which is detected by a color-sensitive control system operative to alter the transport path, e.g., to divert the selected sheet of film away from the drier in the film processor and deliver it in wet condition to a catch tray.
Inventors
- 👤 M Morioka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/001; G03D13/003; G03D13/007; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An automatic film processor comprising a plurality of film treatment stations, transport means for normally transporting sheets of film to be processed along a predetermined path between and through said stations thereby to effect processing of each of said film sheets in a predetermined sequence of steps, said transport means including switchable means for selectively altering said transport path, and control means responsive to an indicium of predetermined character on a selected sheet of the film being processed for operating said switchable means to alter the transport path for said selected sheet of film thereby to vary the sequence of processing steps for said selected sheet of film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
An automatic film processor comprising a plurality of film treatment stations, transport means for normally transporting sheets of film to be processed along a predetermined path between and through said stations thereby to effect processing of each of said film sheets in a predetermined sequence of steps, said transport means including switchable means for selectively altering said transport path, and control means responsive to an indicium of predetermined character on a selected sheet of the film being processed for operating said switchable means to alter the transport path for said selected sheet of film thereby to vary the sequence of processing steps for said selected sheet of film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The processor of claim 1 wherein one of said treatment stations comprises a drier, said switchable means being located adjacent the entry of said drier for diverting said selected sheet of film away from said drier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
The processor of claim 2 wherein said switchable means includes a first pair of superposed drive rollers disposed adjacent the entry of said drier, a second pair of superposed drive rollers disposed adjacent a catch tray, a movable guide element upstream of both of said pairs of rollers and normally positioned in line with the nip of said first pair of rollers, said guide element being mounted for movement to a position in line with the nip of said second pair of rollers, and operator means responsive to said indicium of predetermined character for selectively moving said guide element to direct said selected sheet of film into said catch tray via said second pair of rollers instead of into said drier via said first pair of rollers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The processor of claim 3 wherein said indicium of predetermined character comprises a distinctively colored leader attached to said selected sheet of film, said control means comprising color sensing means for selectively generating a control signal in response to the presence of said colored leader, said operator means comprising a solenoid connected to said movable guide element, and means responsive to the generation of said control signal for energizing said solenoid to move said guide element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The processor of claim 4 wherein said guide element is mounted for pivotal movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The processor of claim 1 wherein said switchable means comprises a movable guide element normally disposed in line with said predetermined path, said control means being operable to move said guide element away from said predetermined path thereby to divert said selected sheet of film into an alternative transport path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The processor of claim 6 wherein said indicium of predetermined character comprises a distinctive leader attached to said selected sheet of film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The processor of claim 7 wherein said leader has a distinctive color, said control means including color sensing means disposed adjacent the upstream end of said movable guide element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
The processor of claim 8 wherein said distinctively colored leader is transparent to light, said color sensing means comprising a light source on one side of said normal transport path, color filter means disposed on the other side of said normal transport path, and photoelectric means selectively responsive to light projected thereon from said source via said colored leader and thence via said color filter means for generating a control signal, said control means including solenoid means responsive to said control signal for moving said guide element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
The processor of claim 9 wherein said color filter means comprises a pair of differently colored filters, optical means for directing light passing from said source across said transport patH through both of said filters in parallel, said photoelectric means comprising a pair of photoelectric sensors disposed adjacent said pair of filters respectively and responsive to light passing through said filters respectively for producing output signals, and circuit means coupled to the outputs of said pair of sensors for inhibiting the generation of said control signal when both of said sensors produce an output signal and for generating said control signal when only one of said sensors produces an output signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |