GB934070A - Mechanism for advancing a series of articles step by step - Google Patents

Abstract

934,070. Photographic processing apparatus. ILFORD Ltd. March 29, 1962 [April 12, 1961], No. 13199/61. Class 98 (1). [Also in Group XXX] Sheets 10 of photographic film are advanced successively through tanks I-VII by the action of a transfer member 14 having vertical and horizontal components of motion due to its suspension from. continuously moving endless members 15. The sheets 10 are carried on rods 11 which rest on rails 19. Prior to processing the rods 11 carrying their associated sheets are placed in turn on an inclined delivery section 13 of the rails 19. When the transfer member (which comprises a pair of beams 14) is on its upward path of travel (Fig. 3), a pair of hooks 23 (one, only visible in Fig. 3) on respective plates 22 at the extreme left-hand ends of the beams 14, rise into engagement with leading rod 11 on the section 13. The remaining rods are held clear during this operation by the action of a plate 28. Further plates 22 engage respective rods 11 carrying sheets 10 in the tanks (e.g. tank I, Fig. 3) and cam each one from a pair of notches 21 in which it is resting, into the next forward pair of notches. The most forward pair of plates 22 corresponding to each tank are, however, formed with hooks 23, and these pick up the most forward rod 11, and its associated sheet is thereby lifted up until its lower end clears the top of the tank. As the beams 14 pass around the pulleys 18 carrying the endless chains 15, the rod 11 is traversed horizontally and is then lowered into the next successive tank. In a tank in which there is provision for only one sheet the corresponding hook 23 does not need an associated plate 22 (Tank II, Fig. 3). Where more than three sheets are accommodated in a tank, the fourth and fifth plates 22 need to be pivotally mounted at 24 so that they may be able to turn out of engagement with remaining rods 11 on the downward travel of the beams 14. The rods 11 are eventually and successively transferred to a delivery section 25 of the rails 19.