US4669847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic processor
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
•
Filing: 1985-01-22
•
Granted: 1987-06-02
•
Expires: 2005-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An automatic photographic processor having a filter provided in a circulating flow path of the processing liquid used in a developing tank. A control device calculates the total quantity of light-sensitive material processed by the liquid since the filter was last changed. The control device generates a warning signal when the total quantity reaches a predetermined value. An accoustical or optical warning device responsive to the warning signal indicates that the filter should be changed. A flowrate meter or pressure detection system in the circulating flow path checks the effectiveness of the filter and can also generate a warning signal for the warning device to indicate that the filter should be changed.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinichi Taniguchi
- 👤 Akiru Akashi
- 👤 Yasuo Ujii
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:33
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/13; G03D3/132; G03D3/02; G03D3/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/794; Y10T137/8122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An automatic processor for processing a photographic light-sensitive material, comprising: a developer tank, a circulating flow path for circulating processing liquid in said developer tank, a filter provided in said circulating flow path, control means for calculating total quantity of said light-sensitive material processed by said liquid after changing said filter, said control means generating a warning signal when said total quantity reaches a predetermined value, and warning means responsive to said signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An automatic processor for processing a photographic light-sensitive material, comprising: a developer tank, a circulating flow path for circulating processing liquid in said developer tank, a filter provided in said circulating flow path, control means for calculating total quantity of said light-sensitive material processed by said liquid after changing said filter, said control means generating a warning signal when said total quantity reaches a predetermined value, and warning means responsive to said signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The processor of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises means for sensing a leading edge and a trailing edge of said material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor of claim 2 wherein said control means further comprises means for sensing a width of said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The processor of claim 3 wherein said control means further comprises means for detecting a linear speed of said material while said material is processed by said liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The processor of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting said predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The processor of claim 1 wherein said filter is held by a holding means which is attachable to and detachable from said path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The automatic processor as claimed in claim 6, wherein said circulating flow path is connected to the bottom of said developer tank so that the processing liquid can be introduced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The processor of claim 6, further comprising a pair of valve means mounted on said path and on both sides of said holding means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The automatic processor as claimed in claim 8, wherein said filter is in the form of a hollow cylinder and the processing liquid is introduced into between said filter and said holding means and is then made flow through the hollow of said filter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The automatic processor as claimed in claim 8, wherein said circulating flow path is provided to the outside of the developer tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The automatic processor as claimed in claim 8, wherein said warning means comprises a displaying means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The processor of claim 8 further comprising temperature regulating means and heat exchange means, whereby the temperature of said lqiuid is kept constant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor of claim 1 further comprising detecting means for detecting a pressure of said lqiuid in said path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The processor of claim 13 wherein said control means generates a second warning signal when said pressure reaches a predetermined level, and said warning means is activated in response to said second signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The processor of claim 1 further comprising detecting means for detecting a flow rate of said liquid in said path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The processor of claim 15 wherein said control means generates a second warning signal when said flow rate reaches a predetermined level, and said warning means is activated in response to said second signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The automatic processor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said circulating flow path is connected to the bottom of said developer tank so that the processing liquid can be introduced.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The automatic processor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said circulating flow path is provided to the outside of said developer tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1062236A
Cited
US1438983A
Cited
US2880753A
Cited
US2936780A
Cited
US3115154A
Cited
SU815574A1
Cited
US4182567A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |