US4091404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for developing photosensitive material
Assignee: Hoechst AG
•
Filing: 1976-01-22
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Granted: 1978-05-23
•
Expires: 1996-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for developing photosensitive material which comprises passing the material into a bath of circulating developer fluid at a relatively static portion thereof and discharging the material from the bath below the surface of the fluid through a nip between two squeeze rollers. The fluid is prevented from escaping from the bath at the discharge end due to the cooperation between a sealing lip on the lower guide plate of the bath and the nip formed by the squeeze rollers.
Inventors
- 👤 Eberhard Schornig
- 👤 Gerhard Naumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:25
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for the liquid development of electrophotographic reproduction material, comprising a bath of developer liquid delimited by side walls, a bottom of a slightly curved support, a sealing lip, and a pair of squeeze rollers positioned near a lower end of said support, which support is adapted to guide said reproduction material in said developer liquid, a circulation system of circulating said developer liquid including a spraying pipe arranged above the open upper surface of said developer liquid, said spraying pipe being positioned near said squeeze rollers and partially screened by a baffle against said slightly curved support, and said developer liquid being dammed up by said pair of squeeze rollers to a height such that a sealing nip between said pair of squeeze rollers is completely submerged under said upper surface of the developer liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for the liquid development of electrophotographic reproduction material, comprising a bath of developer liquid delimited by side walls, a bottom of a slightly curved support, a sealing lip, and a pair of squeeze rollers positioned near a lower end of said support, which support is adapted to guide said reproduction material in said developer liquid, a circulation system of circulating said developer liquid including a spraying pipe arranged above the open upper surface of said developer liquid, said spraying pipe being positioned near said squeeze rollers and partially screened by a baffle against said slightly curved support, and said developer liquid being dammed up by said pair of squeeze rollers to a height such that a sealing nip between said pair of squeeze rollers is completely submerged under said upper surface of the developer liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said baffle is of angular shape and is so mounted that one side of the angle screens said spraying pipe from a pair of feed roller, whereas the other side of the angle screens said spraying pipe from said slightly curved support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the surfaces of an upper feed roller and an upper squeeze roller have an average depth of roughening between 5 and 20μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including a wiper in contact with said upper feed roller and said upper squeeze roller for cleaning the roller surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support together with said side walls forms a tray for said liquid bath, and including overflow means near said side walls of said tray, upper edges of which overflow means are above said nip between said squeeze rollers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-22 | 1981-11-21 | 1982-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-22 | 1985-11-21 | 1986-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-22 | 1989-11-21 | 1990-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |