Vertical film processing apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for photographically processing, in a solution, sets of disc-shaped film elements; each set including (1) a shaft which extends through an aperture in a central section of each element, and (2) generally circular end members of a diameter at least slightly larger than the diameter of the film elements; said apparatus comprising: a container having a processing chamber for receiving the solution, said chamber being adapted to receive a plurality of the sets in the solution with the shafts extending parallel to each other; means for rotatably supporting the sets in the solution with the end members of adjacent shafts in drive-transmitting engagement; and drive means for rotating one of the sets in the solution, rotation of the one set by said drive means causing rotation of the other sets through the engaged end members to thereby enhance the contact between the film elements and the solution.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1, further including means for introducing and removing a plurality of processing fluids into and from said chamber.

Claim 4

Apparatus for suspending in a processing solution sets of disc-shaped film elements; each set including (1) a shaft extending through an aperture in a central section of each element of the set to support the elements for rotation with the shaft, and (2) axially-spaced generally-circular members supported on the shaft for rotation with the shaft and having a diameter at least slightly larger than the diameter of the film elements; said apparatus comprising: a container having a processing chamber for receiving the processing solution and for receiving a plurality of the sets immersed in the solution; guide means for positioning the sets in the chamber one above another in the solution, and with the circular members of adjacent sets in drive-transmission engagement, such that rotation of the one shaft will rotate the other shafts; and drive means extending into said processing chamber for rotating one of the sets in the chamber.

Claim 5

Apparatus for suspending in a processing solution sets of disc-shaped film elements; each set including (1) a shaft extending through an aperture in a central section of each element of the set to support the elements for rotation with the shaft, and (2) axially-spaced generally-circular members supported on the shaft for rotation with the shaft and having a diameter at least slightly larger than the diameter of the film elements; said apparatus comprising: a container having a processing chamber for receiving the processing solution and for receiving a plurality of the sets immersed in the solution; guide means for positioning the sets in the chamber one above another in the solution, and with the circular members of adjacent sets in drive-transmission engagement, such that rotation of the one shaft will rotate the other shafts; and drive means extending into said processing chamber for rotating one of the sets in the chamber.

Claim 6

Apparatus for processing in a photographic processing solution film elements supported on a shaft; the film elements each having a generally disc-shaped configuration, a central aperture and a planar image surface spaced radially from such aperture; the shaft having a longitudinal axis and configured to support a plurality of the film elements with their image surfaces in spaced relation substantially normal to the axis, the shaft further supporting a pair of disc-shaped end members coupled to the shaft for rotation with the shaft; said apparatus comprising: means having a vertically elongate chamber for the processing solution, the chamber being adapted to receive a plurality of shafts and their supported film elements in vertically stacked relationship; drive means having an output drive member located in the lower portion of said processing chamber; and means in said processing chamber for directing at least one of the end members of a first inserted shaft into driving engagement with said output drive member, and for directing the end members of subsequently inserted shafts into driving engagement with the end members of previously inserted shafts.

Claim 7

Apparatus for processing in a photographic processing solution film elements supported on a shaft; the film elements each having a generally disc-shaped configuration, a central aperture and a planar image surface spaced radially from such aperture; the shaft having a longitudinal axis and configured to support a plurality of the film elements with their image surfaces in spaced relation substantially normal to the axis, the shaft further supporting a pair of disc-shaped end members coupled to the shaft for rotation with the shaft; said apparatus comprising: means having a vertically elongate chamber for the processing solution, the chamber being adapted to receive a plurality of shafts and their supported film elements in vertically stacked relationship; drive means having an output drive member located in the lower portion of said processing chamber; and means in said processing chamber for directing at least one of the end members of a first inserted shaft into driving engagement with said output drive member, and for directing the end members of subsequently inserted shafts into driving engagement with the end members of previously inserted shafts.

Claim 8

The invention defined in claim 4 further including: means for introducing and discharging a plurality of processing fluids into and from said chamber.

Claim 9

Apparatus for processing disc-shaped film elements mounted on film element holders, the film element holders each including a shaft extending through central sections of a plurality of the elements for retaining such elements substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, each holder further including a pair of disc-shaped end members of a diameter at least slightly larger than that of the film elements, said apparatus comprising: (a) means having a vertically elongate processing chamber for receiving the film holders one above another in said processing chamber; (b) drive means in the lower portion of said processing chamber; (c) guide means in said processing chamber for directing the end members of a first inserted film holder into driving engagement with said drive means and for directing the end members of each subsequently inserted film holder into driving engagement with the end members of a previously inserted film holder; and (d) means for selectively introducing a plurality of processing fluids into said chamber.

Claim 10

Apparatus for processing disc-shaped film elements mounted on film element holders, the film element holders each including a shaft extending through central sections of a plurality of the elements for retaining such elements substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, each holder further including a pair of disc-shaped end members of a diameter at least slightly larger than that of the film elements, said apparatus comprising: (a) means having a vertically elongate processing chamber for receiving the film holders one above another in said processing chamber; (b) drive means in the lower portion of said processing chamber; (c) guide means in said processing chamber for directing the end members of a first inserted film holder into driving engagement with said drive means and for directing the end members of each subsequently inserted film holder into driving engagement with the end members of a previously inserted film holder; and (d) means for selectively introducing a plurality of processing fluids into said chamber.

Claim 11

Apparatus for processing film elements of the type having a generally disc-shaped configuration, a central aperture and an annular image surface spaced radially from such aperture, said apparatus comprising: (a) film element unitizing means including (1) an elongate shaft for supporting a plurality of the film elements with their image surfaces in spaced relation and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and (2) a pair of disc-shaped end members having opposed faces extending parallel to the imaging surfaces and having a diameter at least slightly larger than the diameter of the film elements, the end members being affixed to opposite end portions of said shaft respectively, each of said end members having a guide portion extending centrally from a face surface thereof opposite said film elements and at least one of the end members having a peripheral drive surface; (b) means defining a vertical processing chamber for receiving a plurality of said film element unitizing means one above another; (c) drive means having an output drive member located in said processing chamber; and (d) guide means for directing the drive surface of a first inserted unitizing means into driving engagement with said output drive member and for directing the drive surface of subsequently inserted unitizing means into driving engagement with the drive surface of a previously inserted unitizing means.

Claim 12

Apparatus for processing film elements of the type having a generally disc-shaped configuration, a central aperture and an annular image surface spaced radially from such aperture, said apparatus comprising: (a) film element unitizing means including (1) an elongate shaft for supporting a plurality of the film elements with their image surfaces in spaced relation and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and (2) a pair of disc-shaped end members having opposed faces extending parallel to the imaging surfaces and having a diameter at least slightly larger than the diameter of the film elements, the end members being affixed to opposite end portions of said shaft respectively, each of said end members having a guide portion extending centrally from a face surface thereof opposite said film elements and at least one of the end members having a peripheral drive surface; (b) means defining a vertical processing chamber for receiving a plurality of said film element unitizing means one above another; (c) drive means having an output drive member located in said processing chamber; and (d) guide means for directing the drive surface of a first inserted unitizing means into driving engagement with said output drive member and for directing the drive surface of subsequently inserted unitizing means into driving engagement with the drive surface of a previously inserted unitizing means.

Claim 13

The invention defined in claim 7 further including: means for introducing and discharging a plurality of processing fluids into and from said chamber.