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US3922701A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for processing photographic films

Assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
•
Filing: 1974-07-22
•
Granted: 1975-11-25
•
Expires: 1994-07-22
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Abstract

Abstract A processing apparatus for photographic material wherein a first vessel for a supply of developing solution is followed by a second vessel for a fixing bath and the latter is followed by a third vessel for a rinse bath which, in turn, is followed by a dryer. The duct for evacuation of spent gaseous fluid from the dryer contains a heat exchanger whose coil conveys a stream of fresh water which is heated in the coil prior to entering a single additional heat exchanger in the first vessel whose coil conveys a stream of fresh water which is heated in the coil prior to entering a single additional heat exchanger in the first vessel or two additional series-connected heat exchangers which are connected in series and are respectively installed in the first and second vessels. Alternatively, the coil of the heat exchanger in the duct can discharge heated water directly into the third vessel; the apparatus then employs a pump which draws water from the third vessel and causes it to flow through a single additional heat exchanger in the first vessel or through two series-connected additional heat exchangers which are connected in series and are respectively mounted in the first and second vessels.

Inventors

  • 👤 Erwin Geyken
  • 👤 Gerhard Schwarzmaier
  • 👤 Peter Dawidowitsch

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 12:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/006; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/13; G03D3/132

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 108 words
In a processing apparatus for exposed films or analogous sheet - or web-like carriers of photosensitive material, a combination comprising a series of vessels each containing a supply of a processing liquid; a dryer; means for circulating in said dryer a heated gaseous fluid; means for transporting carriers of photosensitive material through successive vessels and thereupon through said dryeR; a source of unheated liquid; and a heat exchanger connectable with said source and installed in said dryer so that unheated liquid which is supplied by said source is heated in said heat exchanger, said heat exchanger having an outlet which discharges heated liquid into one of said vessels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 108 words
In a processing apparatus for exposed films or analogous sheet - or web-like carriers of photosensitive material, a combination comprising a series of vessels each containing a supply of a processing liquid; a dryer; means for circulating in said dryer a heated gaseous fluid; means for transporting carriers of photosensitive material through successive vessels and thereupon through said dryeR; a source of unheated liquid; and a heat exchanger connectable with said source and installed in said dryer so that unheated liquid which is supplied by said source is heated in said heat exchanger, said heat exchanger having an outlet which discharges heated liquid into one of said vessels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 40 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional heat exchanger which is installed in a first vessel and means for circulating through said additional heat exchanger liquid which is being withdrawn from a second vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said second vessel is said one vessel and said additional heat exchanger has an outlet which discharges liquid back into said one vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 68 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said series includes a first, a second and a third vessel, said outlet of said heat exchanger being arranged to discharge heated liquid into said third vessel and further comprising an additional heat exchanger in one of said first and second vessels and means for conveying through said additional heat exchanger liquid which is being withdrawn from said third vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said additional heat exchanger has an outlet which discharges liquid into said third vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said additional heat exchanger is installed in said first vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 96 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said series includes a first, a second and a third vessel, said outlet of said heat exchanger being arranged to discharge heated liquid into said third vessel and further comprising first and second additional heat exchangers connected in series with each other and respectively installed in said first and second vessels, and means for supplying to one of said additional heat exchangers liquid which is being withdrawn from said third vessel, the other of said additional heat exchangers having an outlet with discharges liquid into said third vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said one additional heat exchanger is installed in said first vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 21 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for circulating the liquid in at least one of said vessels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the liquid in said one vessel is a rinse bath.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2621571A Cited
US2910838A Cited
US2965013A Cited
US3133490A Cited
US3349689A Cited
US3613547A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-11-24 1979-05-26 1979-11-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-11-24 1983-05-26 1983-11-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-11-24 1987-05-26 1987-11-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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