Patent US3873988A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3873988A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for processing photographic sheet material
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
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Filing: 1974-01-15
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-01-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for simultaneous treatment of two series of successive sheets of photographic material has a frame for two rows of developing, fixing and rinsing chambers and a dryer behind each rinsing chamber. Each chamber of one row is located above a corresponding chamber of the other row and the frame supports discrete pumps for developing, fixing and rinsing liquids whereby each pump supplies liquid to a chamber of each row. The dryers receive heated air from a common blower and the dried sheets are caused to accumulate in a common container. Each chamber is disposed between two pairs of advancing rolls which transport the sheets of the respective series through successive chambers and the corresponding dryer. A tank is disposed below each chamber and the liquid which overflows from an upper tank enters the respective lower tank which is connected with the inlet of the corresponding pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef Pfeifer
- 👤 Helmut Schausberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D5/00; G03D5/04; G03D15/00; G03D15/02; G03D15/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In an apparatus for processing photographic sheet material, a combination comprising a support; a plurality of processing units disposed in said support at different levels and each comprising discrete advancing means operable to advance a series of sheets along a separate path and at least one processing device arranged to subject the sheets in the respective path to the action of a liquid, said units including an upper unit and a lower unit; a common source of liquid for said one device of each of said units, said source including a pump; a first tank which is disposed below and collects liquid issuing from the one processing device forming part of said upper unit; a second tank which is disposed below and collects fluid issuing from the one processing device forming part of said lower unit; and means for connecting one of said tanks with said pump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an apparatus for processing photographic sheet material, a combination comprising a support; a plurality of processing units disposed in said support at different levels and each comprising discrete advancing means operable to advance a series of sheets along a separate path and at least one processing device arranged to subject the sheets in the respective path to the action of a liquid, said units including an upper unit and a lower unit; a common source of liquid for said one device of each of said units, said source including a pump; a first tank which is disposed below and collects liquid issuing from the one processing device forming part of said upper unit; a second tank which is disposed below and collects fluid issuing from the one processing device forming part of said lower unit; and means for connecting one of said tanks with said pump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the number of said units is two.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a common collecting container for sheets leaving said separate paths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said source is located in said support at a level below said devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for guiding sheets into the respective paths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said paths are substantially horizontal and said advancing means comprise pairs of advancing rolls disposed in front of and behind each of said devices, as considered in the direction of transport of sheets along the respective paths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A Combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing devices are disposed directly one above the other and are removable from said support one after the other by moving said devices upwardly and starting with the processing device at the uppermost level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said units further comprises a dryer and further comprising a common source of heated gaseous fluid for said dryers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said units comprises a plurality of first processing devices, including said one device, wherein the sheets are contacted by liquid and a second processing device wherein the sheets are contacted by a gas, said source including a plurality of discrete groups each arranged to supply liquid to a single first processing device of each of said units and a blower arranged to supply gas to all of said second processing devices, said pump forming part of one of said groups.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said first devices of each of said units include at least one chamber wherein the sheets are contacted by a developing liquid, a chamber wherein the sheets are contacted by a fixing liquid subsequent to treatment with developing liquid, and at least one chamber wherein the sheets are contacted by a rinsing liquid subsequent to treatment with fixing liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein each of said second devices is a dryer and said dryers are located past said chambers for rinsing liquid, as considered in the direction of transport of sheets along the respective paths.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an apparatus for processing photographic sheet material, a combination comprising a support; a plurality of processing units disposed in said support at different levels and each comprising discrete advancing means operable to advance a series of sheets along a separate path and at least one processing device arranged to subject the sheets in the respective path to the action of a liquid, said units including an upper unit and a lower unit and each of said units further including a tank disposed below and arranged to collect liquid issuing from the respective device; a common source of liquid for said one device of each of said units; and means for conveying liquid from the tank of said upper unit into the tank of said lower unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an apparatus for processing photographic sheet material, a combination comprising a support; a plurality of processing units disposed in said support at different levels and each comprising discrete advancing means operable to advance a series of sheets along a separate path and at least one processing device arranged to subject the sheets in the respective path to the action of a liquid, said units including an upper unit and a lower unit and each of said units further including a tank disposed below and arranged to collect liquid issuing from the respective device; a common source of liquid for said one device of each of said units; and means for conveying liquid from the tank of said upper unit into the tank of said lower unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said one device of said upper unit is located directly above said one device of said lower unit, and said liquid conveying means is located without the outline of said one device in said lower unit.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |