US4769662A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of supplying replenishing solution in automatic developing machine
Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1987-04-09
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Granted: 1988-09-06
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Expires: 2007-04-09
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method of supplying replenishing solution in an automatic developing machine which processes exposed film by means of pump. A time required for the pump to operate is determined using a discharge rate of the pump and a total quantity of replenishing solution to be supplied which is determined in accordance with the amount of exposed film to be processed, and the pump is continuously operated accordingly in that operating time. In consequence, a small size pump can be employed, and the variations in pump discharge rate can be compensated for by controlling the operating time of the pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Takafumi Suzuki
- 👤 Yoichi Endo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/02; G03D3/06; G03D3/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution in an automatic developing machine which processes exposed film by means of a pump, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the discharge rate, Q O , of said pump; (b) determining the total quantity, Q, of replenishing solution to be supplied on the basis of the amount of exposed film to be processed; (c) determining the operating time, T O , required for said pump to supply the quantity of replenishing solution determined in step (b) using said discharge rate and said total quantity; and (d) continuously operating said pump in said operating time so as to supply the amount of replenishing solution determined in step (b).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution in an automatic developing machine which processes exposed film by means of a pump, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the discharge rate, Q O , of said pump; (b) determining the total quantity, Q, of replenishing solution to be supplied on the basis of the amount of exposed film to be processed; (c) determining the operating time, T O , required for said pump to supply the quantity of replenishing solution determined in step (b) using said discharge rate and said total quantity; and (d) continuously operating said pump in said operating time so as to supply the amount of replenishing solution determined in step (b).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining said discharge rate comprises measuring the quantity of solution discharged by said pump when said pump is operated for a given period of time and determining the discharge rate using the obtained quantity and time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 1, further including the step of selecting said pump to have a discharge rate such that the time required for the pump to supply the determined quantity of replenishing solution is longer than the time for which the exposed film is processed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 2, wherein the amount of the exposed film to be processed employed in said step of determining the total quantity of said replenishing solution is determined on the basis of the number of the exposed films and the size thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 4, wherein said step of continuously operating said pump comprises continuously operating said pump since the processing of said exposed film has started.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 5, further comprising the step (e) of stopping said determined pump when the quantity of replenishing solution which has been supplied becomes equal to said total quantity of replenishing solution, so as to stop the replenishement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining the total quantity of replenishing solution to be supplied comprises detemining said total quantity in accordance with the area of said exposed film.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution in an automatic developing machine which processes exposed film by means of a pump, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the discharge rate, Q O , of said pump; (b) determining the total quantity, Q, of replenishing solution to be supplied on the basis of the amount of exposed film to be processed; (c) determining the operating time, T O , required for said pump to supply the quantity of replenishing solution in step (b) using said discharge rate and said total quantity; (d) continuously operating said pump for said operating time so as to supply the amount of replenishing solution determined in step (b); and (e) stopping the operation of said pump upon confirmation of operation of said pump for said operating time.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution in an automatic developing machine which processes exposed film by means of a pump, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the discharge rate, Q O , of said pump; (b) determining the total quantity, Q, of replenishing solution to be supplied on the basis of the amount of exposed film to be processed; (c) determining the operating time, T O , required for said pump to supply the quantity of replenishing solution in step (b) using said discharge rate and said total quantity; (d) continuously operating said pump for said operating time so as to supply the amount of replenishing solution determined in step (b); and (e) stopping the operation of said pump upon confirmation of operation of said pump for said operating time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 8, wherein said step of determining said discharge rate comprises measuring the quantity of solution discharged by said pump when said pump has been operated for a given period of time and detemining the discharge rate using the obtained quantity and time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 8, further including the step of selecting said pump to have a discharge rate such that the time required for said pump to supply the determined quantity of replenishing solution is longer than the time for which the exposed film is processed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 9, wherein the amount of exposed film to be processed employed in said step of determining the total quantity of said replenishing solution is determined on the basis of the number of exposed films and the size thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 11, wherein said step of continuously operating said pump comprises continuously operating said pump since the processing of said exposed film has started.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 8, wherein said step of determining the total quantity of said replenishing solution comprises determining said total quantity of replenishing solution in accordance with the area of said exposed film.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution in an automatic developing machine which processes exposed film by means of a pump, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the discharge rate of said pump; (b) detecting the start of processing of said exposed film; (c) determining the amount of exposed film to be processed since the processing of said exposed film has started; (d) determining the total quantity of replenishing solution to be supplied in accordance with said amount of exposed film; (e) determining the operating time required for said pump to supply the quantity of replenishing solution determined in step (b) using said discharge rate and said total quantity; (f) continuously operating said pump in said operating time; and (g) stopping the operation of said pump upon confirmation of operation of said pump for said operating time.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution in an automatic developing machine which processes exposed film by means of a pump, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the discharge rate of said pump; (b) detecting the start of processing of said exposed film; (c) determining the amount of exposed film to be processed since the processing of said exposed film has started; (d) determining the total quantity of replenishing solution to be supplied in accordance with said amount of exposed film; (e) determining the operating time required for said pump to supply the quantity of replenishing solution determined in step (b) using said discharge rate and said total quantity; (f) continuously operating said pump in said operating time; and (g) stopping the operation of said pump upon confirmation of operation of said pump for said operating time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 14, wherein said step of determining said discharge rate comprises measuring the quantity of solution discharged by said pump when said pump has been operated for a given period of time and determining the discharge rate using the obtained quantity and time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 15, wherein the amount of exposed film to be processed employed in said step of determining the total quantity of said replenishing solution is determined on the basis of the number of exposed films and the size thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of supplying replenishing solution according to claim 16, wherein said step of continuously operating said pump comprises continuously operating said pump since the processing of said exposed film has started.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for supplying replenishing solution according to claim 14, wherein said step of determining the total quantity of said replenishing solution comprises determining said total quantity on the basis of the area of said exposed film.
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) | 1991-09-06 | 1992-03-07 | 1992-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-06 | 1996-03-07 | 1996-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-06 | 2000-03-07 | 2000-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |