Patent US3822723A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3822723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for controlling addition of replenishment solution to a photographic processor
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-10
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1993-05-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling make-up and addition of replenishment solution to a photographic processor, having one or more reservoirs and metering pumps for selecting make-up solution concentrates, and electronic controls for determining the volume of replenishment solution. Replenishment can be accomplished taking into consideration all of the operating variables such as film size, replenishment rate, and percent exposure, as well as the cumulative effect of any additions and aerial oxidation of the solution while not in use.
Inventors
- 👤 J Crowell
- 👤 A Bull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:48
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/02; G03D3/06; G03D3/065; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86405; Y10T137/86421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An apparatus for controlling replenishment solution to a photographic processor comprising: 1. at least one reservoir for solution concentrates, 2. at least one metering means associated with said reservoir for transferring a portion of said solution concentrate from said reservoir to said processor, and 3. means for controlling said metering means comprising: a. a first variable signal generator including: means to generate a first variable electrical signal; at least one means to independently vary said first electrical signal; means to apply said first electrical signal to control said metering means, and means to cumulatively store said first electrical signal, thereby forming an accumulated first electrical signal; b. a second signal generator to periodically generate a second, preset, electrical signal; c. means to compare said second electrical signal with the accumulated first electrical signal, and d. means to apply the output of said means to compare said second and accumulated first electrical signals to control said metering means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
An apparatus for controlling replenishment solution to a photographic processor comprising: 1. at least one reservoir for solution concentrates, 2. at least one metering means associated with said reservoir for transferring a portion of said solution concentrate from said reservoir to said processor, and 3. means for controlling said metering means comprising: a. a first variable signal generator including: means to generate a first variable electrical signal; at least one means to independently vary said first electrical signal; means to apply said first electrical signal to control said metering means, and means to cumulatively store said first electrical signal, thereby forming an accumulated first electrical signal; b. a second signal generator to periodically generate a second, preset, electrical signal; c. means to compare said second electrical signal with the accumulated first electrical signal, and d. means to apply the output of said means to compare said second and accumulated first electrical signals to control said metering means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
at least one metering means associated with said reservoir for transferring a portion of said solution concentrate from said reservoir to said processor, and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
at least one metering means associated with said reservoir for transferring a portion of said solution concentrate from said reservoir to said processor, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least two reservoirs and at least two metering means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least three reservoirs and at least three metering means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
means for controlling said metering means comprising: a. a first variable signal generator including: means to generate a first variable electrical signal; at least one means to independently vary said first electrical signal; means to apply said first electrical signal to control said metering means, and means to cumulatively store said first electrical signal, thereby forming an accumulated first electrical signal; b. a second signal generator to periodically generate a second, preset, electrical signal; c. means to compare said second electrical signal with the accumulated first electrical signal, and d. means to apply the output of said means to compare said second and accumulated first electrical signals to control said metering means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
means for controlling said metering means comprising: a. a first variable signal generator including: means to generate a first variable electrical signal; at least one means to independently vary said first electrical signal; means to apply said first electrical signal to control said metering means, and means to cumulatively store said first electrical signal, thereby forming an accumulated first electrical signal; b. a second signal generator to periodically generate a second, preset, electrical signal; c. means to compare said second electrical signal with the accumulated first electrical signal, and d. means to apply the output of said means to compare said second and accumulated first electrical signals to control said metering means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first variable signal generator comprises a pre-set counter for activating said metering means, said pre-set counter having means for selecting the set number of received pulses during which it will activate said metering means, and a time base generator, connected to said pre-set counter, for generating a periodic signal, said time base generator having means for varying the period of the signal it generates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the difference of said second and accumulated first electrical signal is applied to select which of two solution reservoirs is connected to one of said metering means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first variable signal generator comprises a pre-set counter for activating said metering means, said pre-set counter having means for selecting the set number of received pulses during which it will activate said metering means, a time base generator for generating a periodic signal, said time base generator having means for varying the period of the signal it generates, and a time base modulator, connected between said pre-set counter and said base generator, for modulating the period of the signal generated by said time base generator and generating a pulsed signal, having a frequency equivalent to the modulated signal, said time base modulator having means for varying the modulation applied to the signal generated by said time base generator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the difference of said second and accumulated first electrical signal is applied to select which of two solution reservoirs is connected to one of said metering means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said linear time base modulator comprises a voltage comparator, having a reference input voltage to compare with the output of said time base ramp generator, which will generate a signal when the output voltage of the time base ramp generator is greater than the reference input voltage, and a multivibrator to convert the signal generated by said voltage comparator to a square wave pulse.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein there are at least four reservoirs including a water reservoir, connected to a first metering means, a first reservoir for solution concentrates, connected to a second metering means, said second and third reservoirs being connected to a single metering means through a three-waY valve so that either said second or said third reservoir can be connected to said third metering means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second signal generator comprises a repeat cycle timer and a switch combination to generate an adjustable duration electrical pulse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means to cumulatively store the first electrical signal comprises a resettable switching timer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising means to operate said resettable switching timer include means to operate said resettable switching timer for a preset time, said resettable switching timer being connected to both said second signal generator and said preset counter so that said resettable switching timer will operate for a length of time equal to the preset time minus the time that has operated due to the first electrical signal and will generate an electrical signal corresponding to the difference between the duration of the second electrical signal and the accumulated first electrical signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for controlling replenishment solution to a photographic processor comprising, in combination a. at least one reservoir for solution concentrates; b. at least one metering means associated with said reservoir for transferring a portion of solution concentrate from said reservoir to said processor; and c. means for controlling said metering means comprising a pre-set counter for activating said metering means, said pre-set counter having means for selecting the set number of received pulses during which it will activate said metering means, a time base generator for generating a periodic signal, said time base generator having means for varying the period of the signal it generates, and a time base modulator, connected between said pre-set counter and said time base generator, for modulating the period of the signal generated by said time base generator and generating a pulsed signal having a frequency equivalent to the modulated signal, said time base modulator having means for varying the modulation applied to the signal generated by said time base generator.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for controlling replenishment solution to a photographic processor comprising, in combination a. at least one reservoir for solution concentrates; b. at least one metering means associated with said reservoir for transferring a portion of solution concentrate from said reservoir to said processor; and c. means for controlling said metering means comprising a pre-set counter for activating said metering means, said pre-set counter having means for selecting the set number of received pulses during which it will activate said metering means, a time base generator for generating a periodic signal, said time base generator having means for varying the period of the signal it generates, and a time base modulator, connected between said pre-set counter and said time base generator, for modulating the period of the signal generated by said time base generator and generating a pulsed signal having a frequency equivalent to the modulated signal, said time base modulator having means for varying the modulation applied to the signal generated by said time base generator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said linear time base modulator comprises a voltage comparator, having a reference input voltage to compare with the output of said time base ramp generator, which will generate a signal when the output voltage of the time base ramp generator is greater than the reference input voltage, and a multivibrator to convert the signal generated by said voltage comparator to a square wave pulse.
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) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |