US5047795A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slotted processing apparatus and method
Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1989-11-28
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Granted: 1991-09-10
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Expires: 2009-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A system of substantially closed processing stations designed to disperse chemicals for uniformly coating or otherwise contacting an emulsion-coated or other surface or strip is disclosed. The system comprises one or more slotted stations through which developing chemicals are transmitted into shallow sinks. The chemicals uniformly contact the strip as it travels over the sinks and subsequently are removed from the strip along with by-products of the reaction by wipers or ribs and disposed through disposal slots in the stations. The ribs also agitate the chemicals and emulsion to assist uniform developing of the strip. Because the processing station is virtually sealed from the surrounding atmosphere, little degradation of the processing chemicals occurs even after extended periods of nonuse.
Inventors
- 👤 John B. Keable
- 👤 Steve Bostic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/001; G03D5/00; G03D5/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising: a. means for delivering a photographic processing chemical through an opening for contact with the emulsion; b. a sink having an edge at least partially defined by the opening and in which photographic processing chemical may puddle; and c. at least one rib positioned within the sink for agitating and removing at least a portion of the photographic processing chemical from the emulsion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising: a. means for delivering a photographic processing chemical through an opening for contact with the emulsion; b. a sink having an edge at least partially defined by the opening and in which photographic processing chemical may puddle; and c. at least one rib positioned within the sink for agitating and removing at least a portion of the photographic processing chemical from the emulsion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for drying the emulsion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the sink has a trailing edge at least partially defined by a slot, for draining photographic processing chemical from the sink and the emulsion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the delivering means comprises a cell comprising: a. means receiving a photographic processing chemical; and b. a groove communicating with the receiving means and the slit for transmitting photographic processing chemical from the receiving means through the slit to the sink.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the photographic processing chemical is metered so as to be delivered in low volume, for facilitating any movement of the emulsion relative to the sink.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the means for drying the emulsion comprises means selected from the group consisting of: a. means for exposing the emulsion to heated air; b. means for exposing the emulsion to infrared radiation; and c. means for exposing the emulsion to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising a cell positionable adjacent the emulsion, which cell comprises: a. a side defining an opening for receiving a photographic processing chemical; b. a surface comprising at least one sink, which sink comprises a leading edge at least partially defined by a slit and a trailing edge at least partially defined by a slot, which slit and slot extend at least partially through the cell; and c. at least one groove communicating with the opening and the slit, for transmitting photographic processing chemical through the slit to the sink for contact with the emulsion.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising a cell positionable adjacent the emulsion, which cell comprises: a. a side defining an opening for receiving a photographic processing chemical; b. a surface comprising at least one sink, which sink comprises a leading edge at least partially defined by a slit and a trailing edge at least partially defined by a slot, which slit and slot extend at least partially through the cell; and c. at least one groove communicating with the opening and the slit, for transmitting photographic processing chemical through the slit to the sink for contact with the emulsion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising means for agitating and removing at least a portion of the photographic processing chemical from the emulsion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising means, communicating with the slot, for draining photographic chemical from the sink and the emulsion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a reservoir for circulating heated fluid through the apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a plate positionable opposite the emulsion from the cell for substantially sealing the emulsion against the surface of the cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a belt positionable opposite the emulsion from the cell for substantially sealing the emulsion against the surface of the cell.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 in which the agitating and removing means comprises a wiper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 in which the agitating and removing means comprises at least one rib positioned within the sink.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
251 words
An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising: a. a first cell positionable adjacent the emulsion comprising: i. a side defining an opening for receiving a photographic processing chemical; ii. a rear edge; iii. a first surface comprising: A. a first sink, which sink comprises a leading edge at least partially defined by a first slit and a trailing edge at least partially defined by a slot; and B. a second sink, which sink comprises a leading edge at least partially defined by a second slit and a trailing edge defined by the rear edge of the cell, which first and second slits and slot extend at least partially through the cell; iv. a first groove communicating with the opening; and v. second and third grooves communicating with the first and second slits, respectively, and each communicating with the first groove for transmitting photographic processing chemical through the first and second slits to the first and second sinks; b. a second cell positionable adjacent the emulsion, comprising: i. a side defining an opening for receiving a photographic processing chemical; ii. a second surface comprising a third slit which extends at least partially through the cell to the second surface; and iii. a fourth groove communicating with the third slit and the opening for transmitting photographic processing chemical through the third slit; and c. means for guiding the emulsion adjacent the first and second sinks and third slit in contact with the photographic processing chemicals associated with the first and second cells.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
251 words
An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising: a. a first cell positionable adjacent the emulsion comprising: i. a side defining an opening for receiving a photographic processing chemical; ii. a rear edge; iii. a first surface comprising: A. a first sink, which sink comprises a leading edge at least partially defined by a first slit and a trailing edge at least partially defined by a slot; and B. a second sink, which sink comprises a leading edge at least partially defined by a second slit and a trailing edge defined by the rear edge of the cell, which first and second slits and slot extend at least partially through the cell; iv. a first groove communicating with the opening; and v. second and third grooves communicating with the first and second slits, respectively, and each communicating with the first groove for transmitting photographic processing chemical through the first and second slits to the first and second sinks; b. a second cell positionable adjacent the emulsion, comprising: i. a side defining an opening for receiving a photographic processing chemical; ii. a second surface comprising a third slit which extends at least partially through the cell to the second surface; and iii. a fourth groove communicating with the third slit and the opening for transmitting photographic processing chemical through the third slit; and c. means for guiding the emulsion adjacent the first and second sinks and third slit in contact with the photographic processing chemicals associated with the first and second cells.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising at least one wiper associated with each of the first and second slits of the first cell, for removing photographic processing chemical from the emulsion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising means for altering the direction of travel of the emulsion between the first and second cells.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 in which the guiding means comprises at least one endless belt associated with at least one pair of opposed, counter-rotating rollers through which the emulsion passes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising third through seventh cells comprising components substantially identical to the first cell and eighth through twelfth cells comprising components substantially identical to the second cell.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for processing a photographic emulsion comprising the steps of: a. passing the emulsion adjacent a sink having a leading edge at least partially defined by a first slit through which a photographic processing chemical may pass onto the emulsion; and b. agitating and removing at least a portion of the photographic processing chemical from the emulsion by contacting the emulsion with at least one rib positioned within the sink.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for processing a photographic emulsion comprising the steps of: a. passing the emulsion adjacent a sink having a leading edge at least partially defined by a first slit through which a photographic processing chemical may pass onto the emulsion; and b. agitating and removing at least a portion of the photographic processing chemical from the emulsion by contacting the emulsion with at least one rib positioned within the sink.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 20 further comprising the step of: c. passing the emulsion adjacent a cell having a second slit through which a photographic processing chemical may pass.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 20 further comprising the steps of: c. repeating step (a); and d. repeating step (b).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of: d. altering the direction of travel of the emulsion between the sink and cell.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 20 further comprising the steps of: c. prompting a patron to provide information relating to the patron's identity; d. recording the information provided on a memory means located within an unmanned apparatus; e. prompting the patron to deposit a light-resistent cartridge containing the photographic emulsion into the unmanned apparatus; and f. removing the photographic emulsion from the light-resistent storage container.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising: a. means for delivering a photographic processing chemical through an opening for contact with the emulsion; and b. a sink having a first edge at least partially defined by the opening and in which photographic processing chemical may puddle and a second edge at least partially defined by a slot, for draining photographic processing chemical from the sink and the emulsion.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising: a. means for delivering a photographic processing chemical through an opening for contact with the emulsion; and b. a sink having a first edge at least partially defined by the opening and in which photographic processing chemical may puddle and a second edge at least partially defined by a slot, for draining photographic processing chemical from the sink and the emulsion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 25 in which the delivering means comprises: a. means for receiving a photographic processing chemical; and b. a groove communicating with the receiving means and the slit for transmitting photographic processing chemical from the receiving means through the slit to the sink.
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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) | 1994-09-09 | 1995-03-11 | 1995-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-09 | 1999-03-11 | 1999-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-09 | 2003-03-11 | 2003-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |