GB1057585A - Photographic processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,057,585. Photographic processing apparatus. EASTMAN KODAK CO. Feb. 10, 1964 [Feb. 12, 1963], No.5461/64. Heading G2A. Processing liquid is applied to a photographic sheet by holding the sheet against the periphery of a rotating drum which dips into a supply of the liquid. In the form shown, a drum 16 having a hollow shaft 18 is rotatably mounted at its ends on bearings 14, 15 in side frames 12, 13. The drum is motor-driven at any suitable speed. Its temperature is maintained at a suitable value by a circulatory water supply from a reservoir 27. The water is heated to a predetermined temperature which is maintained by a thermostat, and then pumped through a conduit 32 into the shaft 18 and thence through perforations 33 into the drum. Overflow from the drum returns to reservoir 27, during which it passes a thermostat connected to a gauge 36. A tray 43 for the processing liquid can pivot on a rod 38 from an operative position (shown in full lines in Fig. 2) to an inoperative position (shown in dotted lines), and can be held by detent means in either position. A blanket 44, of some such material as nylon net or cloth, has a weighting bar 46 at one end, which may be secured by a latch 47, the blanket lying round the drum. The sheet to be processed is wetted, to increase its surface tension, and then held against the surface of the drum by the blanket, the said surface tension being sufficient for the sheet to be held stationary by the blanket as the drum rotates. Developer solution is poured into the tray 43, only a small quantity being required since the tray is shaped to fit round the drum with only a small clearance. The developer solution in the tray can then be replaced by wash water and/or further processing solutions. The blanket may be provided with perforations, Fig. 6 (not shown), to allow the back of the sheet to be washed when processing is completed.