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US5337113A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Photosensitive material processing apparatus

Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1992-08-28
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Granted: 1994-08-09
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Expires: 2012-08-28
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Abstract

Abstract A photosensitive material processing apparatus which processes a photosensitive material by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while the photosensitive material is being conveyed. The photosensitive material processing apparatus is equipped with an integration device which integrates processed amounts of the photosensitive material. By detecting a discharging of the processing solution or detecting a changing of a filter, a processed amount integrated value of the integration device is reset automatically. The processing solution and the filter can be changed at appropriate times, and the performance of the photosensitive material processing apparatus can be maintained at optimal conditions.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yasuhiro Kagawa
  • 👤 Yohko Takegawa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 01:31
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/02; G03D3/06; G03D3/065; G03D13/00; G03D13/007

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim 120 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a processed amount integration device for integrating a processed amount of said photosensitive material; first notification means for indicating that a processed amount has been integrated by said processed amount integration device; discharging means for discharging said processing solution from said processing tank; first detecting means for detecting that said processing solution has been discharged from said processing tank by said discharging means; and first resetting means for resetting said processed amount integration device when discharge of said processing solution is detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 120 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a processed amount integration device for integrating a processed amount of said photosensitive material; first notification means for indicating that a processed amount has been integrated by said processed amount integration device; discharging means for discharging said processing solution from said processing tank; first detecting means for detecting that said processing solution has been discharged from said processing tank by said discharging means; and first resetting means for resetting said processed amount integration device when discharge of said processing solution is detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discharging means has a valve used for discharging said processing solution, and said first detecting means detects the discharging of said processing solution by detecting an opening and/or closing of the valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first detecting means detects the discharging of said processing solution based on a drop in a liquid level of said processing solution within said processing tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 54 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first detecting means is a pressure sensitive switch provided at a bottom portion of said processing tank and operates by a pressure of said processing solution within said processing tank, said first detecting means detecting the discharging of said processing solution by operation of said switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 64 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: second notification means for indicating that a second integrated processed amount has been integrated by said processed amount integration device; second detecting means for detecting that said filter has been changed; and second resetting means for resetting said processed amount integration device when change of said filter is detected by operation of said second detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 95 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a processed amount integration device for integrating a processed amount of said photosensitive material; notification means for indicating that a processed amount has been integrated by said integration device; detecting means for detecting that a filter which filters said processing solution has been changed; resetting means for resetting said integration device when change of said filter is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 95 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a processed amount integration device for integrating a processed amount of said photosensitive material; notification means for indicating that a processed amount has been integrated by said integration device; detecting means for detecting that a filter which filters said processing solution has been changed; resetting means for resetting said integration device when change of said filter is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said detecting means detects that said filter has been changed by detecting at least one of a removal and an installation of said filter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said photosensitive material comprises printing plates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 128 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a replenishing solution amount integration device for integrating an amount of replenishing solution replenished to said processing tank; first notification means for indicating that an amount of replenishing solution has been integrated by said replenishing solution amount integration device; discharging means for discharging said processing solution from said processing tank; first detecting means for detecting that said processing solution within said processing tank has been discharged by said discharging means; first resetting means for resetting said replenishing solution amount integration device when a discharging of said processing solution is detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 128 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a replenishing solution amount integration device for integrating an amount of replenishing solution replenished to said processing tank; first notification means for indicating that an amount of replenishing solution has been integrated by said replenishing solution amount integration device; discharging means for discharging said processing solution from said processing tank; first detecting means for detecting that said processing solution within said processing tank has been discharged by said discharging means; first resetting means for resetting said replenishing solution amount integration device when a discharging of said processing solution is detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 42 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said discharging means has a valve used for discharging said processing solution, said first detecting means detecting the discharging of said processing solution by detecting an opening and/or closing of the valve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 34 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first detecting means detects the discharging of said processing solution based on a drop in a liquid level of said processing solution within said processing tank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 53 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first detecting means is a switch provided at a bottom portion of said processing tank and sensing based on a pressure of said processing solution within said processing tank, said first detecting means detecting the discharging of said processing solution by operation of said switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 76 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: second notification means for indicating that a second integrated amount of replenishing solution has been integrated by said replenishing solution amount integration device; second detecting means for detecting that said filter has been changed; and second resetting means for resetting said added value of replenishing solution amounts for said filter when a changing of said filter is detected by operation of said second detecting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 13 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said photosensitive material comprises printing plates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 107 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a replenishing solution amount integration device for integrating amounts of replenishing solution replenished to said processing tank; notification means for indicating that an integration value of replenishing solution has been integrated by said replenishing solution amount integration device; detecting means for detecting that a filter which filters said processing solution has been changed; resetting means for resetting said integration device when a changing of said filter is detected by operation of said detecting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 107 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a replenishing solution amount integration device for integrating amounts of replenishing solution replenished to said processing tank; notification means for indicating that an integration value of replenishing solution has been integrated by said replenishing solution amount integration device; detecting means for detecting that a filter which filters said processing solution has been changed; resetting means for resetting said integration device when a changing of said filter is detected by operation of said detecting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 31 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said detecting means detects that said filter has been changed by detecting at least one of a removal and an installation of said filter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 139 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a processed amount integration device for integrating processed amounts of said photosensitive material; first notification means for indicating that a processed amount integrated value has been integrated so that a filter should be changed; measuring means for measuring a flow rate of said processing solution through said filter; flow rate drop detecting means for detecting a drop in said flow rate; second notification means for indicating, based on results of detection by said flow rate drop detecting means, that said filter should be changed; filter change detecting means for detecting that said filter has been changed; and resetting means for resetting said processed amount integration device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 139 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a processed amount integration device for integrating processed amounts of said photosensitive material; first notification means for indicating that a processed amount integrated value has been integrated so that a filter should be changed; measuring means for measuring a flow rate of said processing solution through said filter; flow rate drop detecting means for detecting a drop in said flow rate; second notification means for indicating, based on results of detection by said flow rate drop detecting means, that said filter should be changed; filter change detecting means for detecting that said filter has been changed; and resetting means for resetting said processed amount integration device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 36 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said filter change detecting means detects that said filter has been changed by detecting at least one of a removal and an installation of said filter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 160 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a replenishing solution amount integration device for integrating an amount of replenishing solution replenished to said processing tank; first notification means for indicating that an integrated value of replenishing solution amount has been integrated so that a filter should be changed; measuring means for measuring a flow rate of said processing solution through said filter; flow rate drop detecting means for detecting a drop in said flow rate; second notification means for indicating, based on results of detection by said flow rate drop detecting means, that said filter should be changed; filter change detecting means for detecting that said filter has been changed; and resetting means for resetting said integration device when a changing of said filter is detected by operation of said filter change detecting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 160 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material upon which an image is exposed, by a processing solution stored in a processing tank, while said photosensitive material is being conveyed, comprising: a replenishing solution amount integration device for integrating an amount of replenishing solution replenished to said processing tank; first notification means for indicating that an integrated value of replenishing solution amount has been integrated so that a filter should be changed; measuring means for measuring a flow rate of said processing solution through said filter; flow rate drop detecting means for detecting a drop in said flow rate; second notification means for indicating, based on results of detection by said flow rate drop detecting means, that said filter should be changed; filter change detecting means for detecting that said filter has been changed; and resetting means for resetting said integration device when a changing of said filter is detected by operation of said filter change detecting means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 36 words
A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said filter change detecting means detects that said filter has been changed by detecting at least one of a removal and an installation of said filter.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4182567A Cited
US4669847A Cited
US5055870A Cited
US5023643A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-08-08 1998-02-07 1998-08-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-08-08 2002-02-07 2002-08-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-08-08 2006-02-07 2006-08-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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