Liquid applicator for a photographic printer

Claim 1

In a photographic film printer having a printing axis and having means for moving a first image bearing film and a second photosensitive film through respective first and second film paths, for coating the first and second surfaces of said first film with a liquid and for guiding said first and second films across said printing axis thereby exposing said image from said first film onto said second film, the improvement comprising: a liquid applicator means through which said first film path traverses, said liquid applicator means including a first liquid supply means and a second liquid supply means, a first roller means adjacent to said first film path and to said first liquid supply means wherein said first roller means rotaTes through at least a portion of said liquid in said first liquid supply means and wherein said first roller means transfers said liquid to said first surface of said first film and a second roller means adjacent to said first film path and to said second liquid supply means wherein said second roller means rotates through at least a portion of said liquid in said second liquid supply means and wherein said second roller means transfers said liquid to said second surface of said first film, and means for selectively varying the speed of rotation of said first and said second roller means whereby a preselectable quantity of liquid is applied to the surfaces of said film regardless of the speed of which said film passes through said liquid applicator means; a printing means adjacent to said liquid applicator means through which said printing axis traverses and through which said first and second film paths traverse, wherein said first and second film paths traverse said printing axis whereby said image on said first film is exposed onto said second film; and a drying means adjacent to said printing means through which said first film path traverses wherein said drying means dries said first film.