US3828172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Replenishment controller for photographic processors
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1973-06-04
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1993-06-04
Abstract
Abstract Control of chemical replenishment in a photographic processor is provided based on a calculation of the amount of image silver in the processed photographic product. To accomplish such control, an accounting is maintained of (1) the silver entering the processor in the product and of (2) the silver removed from the product during the fixing step as determined by a sensing device. From a determination of the difference between the entering and the removed silver, a demand signal is established which is representative of the image silver fixed during processing. Dispensing of fresh processing chemicals is performed responsive to the demand signal, thus providing replenishment related to the amount of processed image silver.
Inventors
- 👤 E Schickler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:37
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/02; G03D3/06; G03D3/065; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A replenishment controller for use in a photographic processor which employs chemicals which are expended through processing silver sensitized product and includes a dispenser responsive to an actuating signal, for replenishing said chemical, said controller comprising: a. means for directly sensing the quantity of silver which is removed from the product and producing a signal representative of the quantity of silver so removed; b. means for producing a signal representing the silver in the product entering said processor; c. means for producing a signal representative of the image silver in the processed product determined by taking the difference between the entering silver signal and the removed silver signal; and d. means for actuating said dispenser to effect chemical replenishment in accordance with said signal representative of image silver signal in the processed product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A replenishment controller for use in a photographic processor which employs chemicals which are expended through processing silver sensitized product and includes a dispenser responsive to an actuating signal, for replenishing said chemical, said controller comprising: a. means for directly sensing the quantity of silver which is removed from the product and producing a signal representative of the quantity of silver so removed; b. means for producing a signal representing the silver in the product entering said processor; c. means for producing a signal representative of the image silver in the processed product determined by taking the difference between the entering silver signal and the removed silver signal; and d. means for actuating said dispenser to effect chemical replenishment in accordance with said signal representative of image silver signal in the processed product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for actuating said dispenser to effect chemical replenishment is rendered operative when said signal representative of image silver in the processed product exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A replenishment controller according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes means for establishing a demand reference signal and means for comparing said removed silver signal and said demand reference signal and actuating the replenishment dispenser upon detecting a predetermined relationship therebetween to effect chemical replenishment.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling replenishment of chemicals in a processor intended for silver sensitized photographic product which processor includes a chemical dispenser responsive to an actuating signal, said method comprising: a. maintaining an account of silver entering the processor in the product; b. maintaining directly an account of silver removed from the product; c. calculating the difference between the entering silver account and the removed silver account to produce a demand signal; and d. actuating said dispenser in accordance with said demand signal to thereby effect chemical replenishment.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling replenishment of chemicals in a processor intended for silver sensitized photographic product which processor includes a chemical dispenser responsive to an actuating signal, said method comprising: a. maintaining an account of silver entering the processor in the product; b. maintaining directly an account of silver removed from the product; c. calculating the difference between the entering silver account and the removed silver account to produce a demand signal; and d. actuating said dispenser in accordance with said demand signal to thereby effect chemical replenishment.
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) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |