US5311235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Driving mechanism for a photographic processing apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1992-03-02
•
Granted: 1994-05-10
•
Expires: 2012-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is to be pumped; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from the tank, the rack and the tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between the rack and the tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to the rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to the tank, wherein the second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; means for driving the second plurality of rollers; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between the driving means and the second plurality of rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr.
- 👤 David L. Patton
- 👤 Roger E. Bartell
- 👤 Anthony Earle
- 👤 John H. Rosenburgh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:01
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/13; G03D3/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is pumped; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a plurality of sprockets which are each individually linked to one of said second plurality of rollers; a chain linked to each of said sprockets to drive each of said second plurality of rollers; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said sprockets, said chain and said second plurality of rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is pumped; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a plurality of sprockets which are each individually linked to one of said second plurality of rollers; a chain linked to each of said sprockets to drive each of said second plurality of rollers; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said sprockets, said chain and said second plurality of rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 1, further including a drive engager positioned in the vicinity of said chain so that said chain will positively engage said sprocket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 1, further including a drive separator displacing said chain so that portions of said chain will not interfere with portions of said sprocket.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is to be pumped; a rack having internal means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a plurality of pulleys which are each individually coupled to one of said second plurality of rollers; and a timing belt coupled to said second plurality of rollers to drive each of said second plurality of rollers; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said pulleys, said timing belt and said second plurality for rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is to be pumped; a rack having internal means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a plurality of pulleys which are each individually coupled to one of said second plurality of rollers; and a timing belt coupled to said second plurality of rollers to drive each of said second plurality of rollers; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said pulleys, said timing belt and said second plurality for rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 4, further including a drive engager positioned in the vicinity of said belt so that said chain will positively engage said pulley.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 4, further including a drive separator displacing said belt so that portions of said belt will not interfere with portions of said pulley.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is to be pumped; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a plurality of pulleys which are each individually coupled to one of said second plurality of rollers; a belt coupled to said second plurality of rollers to drive each of said second plurality of rollers; means for driving said second plurality of rollers; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said pulleys, said belt and said second plurality of rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is to be pumped; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a plurality of pulleys which are each individually coupled to one of said second plurality of rollers; a belt coupled to said second plurality of rollers to drive each of said second plurality of rollers; means for driving said second plurality of rollers; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said pulleys, said belt and said second plurality of rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 7, further including a drive engager positioned in the vicinity of said belt so that said chain will positively engage said pulley.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 7, further including a drive separator displacing said belt so that portions of said belt will not interfere with portions of said pulley.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is to be pumped; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a plurality of interconnecting gears which are each individually coupled to one of said second plurality of rollers, wherein each of said gears cascades power to the next gear so that each one of said second plurality of rollers move; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said gears and said second plurality of rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is to be pumped; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a plurality of interconnecting gears which are each individually coupled to one of said second plurality of rollers, wherein each of said gears cascades power to the next gear so that each one of said second plurality of rollers move; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said gears and said second plurality of rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is to be pumped; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a first plurality of bevel gears each individually connected to each of said second plurality of rollers; a second plurality of bevel gears engaging said first plurality of bevel gears; a shaft connected to each of said second bevel gears so that rotation of said shaft causes said second plurality of rollers to rotate; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said first plurality of bevel gears, said second plurality of bevel gears, said shaft and said second plurality of rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution is to be pumped; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from said tank, said rack and said tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between said rack and said tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; a first plurality of rollers for moving the photosensitive material into or out of the small volume; a second plurality of rollers connected to said rack; a third plurality of rollers connected to said tank, wherein said second and third plurality of rollers move the photosensitive material through the small volume; a first plurality of bevel gears each individually connected to each of said second plurality of rollers; a second plurality of bevel gears engaging said first plurality of bevel gears; a shaft connected to each of said second bevel gears so that rotation of said shaft causes said second plurality of rollers to rotate; and means for preventing processing solution from flowing between said first plurality of bevel gears, said second plurality of bevel gears, said shaft and said second plurality of rollers to reduce the space that would otherwise be filled by the processing solution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 11, wherein said preventing means comprises: a fluid displacement plate having cut out areas which contain said driving means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3261278A
Cited
US3598037A
Cited
US3989176A
Cited
US4130825A
Cited
US4156569A
Cited
US4230404A
Cited
US4422748A
Cited
DE3242810A1
Cited
US4440485A
Cited
US4613222A
Cited
US4708453A
Cited
EP0222583A2
Cited
US4745423A
Cited
US4763152A
Cited
US4887116A
Cited
US4775873A
Cited
US4937607A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-09 | 1997-11-08 | 1998-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-09 | 2001-11-08 | 2002-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-09 | 2005-11-08 | 2006-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |