IL30148A - Apparatus for processing photographic material - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL The present invention relate* to a method and apparatus for processing photographlo materials, suoh as prints, films or transparencies and is particularly oonoerned with an apparatus for processing in a relatively inexpensive manner single black and white or oolour print, or email rune of a few suoh prints* Previously it has been necessary either to oarry out the necessary ohendoal reaotlone on photographic prints by placing them by hand in various dishes of treating solution, in dark room, by feeding them through an expensive semi-automatio drum-type treatment apparatus, or using a continuous automatio processing machine* For title reason, one off oolour prints tend to be extremely expensive* It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above disadvantages* According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing photographlo sheet or film material, the apparatus comprising chamber, a light-proof oontainer for the material releaeably mountable on said ohamber, a pump oomaunicating with said ohamber, a feed pipe oonneoted to the outlet of the pump, and extending substantially vertically upwardly with its open upper end located within the oontainer adjacent the upper interior surface of tho oontainer, a drain to the light-proof oontainer adapted to return liquid from the oontainer to the chamber for recirculation by the pump and means for selectively feeding ohemloale and rinsing water, at a controlled temperature, to said ohamber* While the apparatus; is particularly suitable for processing prints, by fozmlng the prooeeslng container suitably, the apparatus oan be used to prooess roll film, sheet film and transparencies and the container may be fitted with a lighting arrangement to oarxy out colour reversal in the container* the photographic material into the container in the dark room, and the container may then be brought into the light and fitted to the processing chamber, and the remainder of the processing effected in the light.

In order that the invention ma more readily be understood, the following description is given, merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; FIGURE 2 is a schematic part side elevation in section of this embodiment of apparatus; FIGURE 3 is a part section on the line III-III of Figure 2; FIGURE is a section through one form of container securable to the apparatus of Figures 1 to 3i FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the container of Figure ^ FIGURE 6 is a light source attachment for the container of Figures and 5» FIGURE 7 is a section through an alternative form of container; FIGURE 8 is a circuit diagram of the programming circuit of the apparatus; FIGURE is a circuit diagram of the heating apparatus; FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a further form of container; and FIGURE 11 is a solid hanger for use in the container of Figure 10.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the a plastics material, the tank containing ten vertically extending cylindrical vessels X. In order to fill the tank with water, the latter is provided with a cold water inlet pipe 1A and a hot water inlet pipe 1B. The tank is further provided with an overflow 1C. The flow of water through the pipes 1A and 1B is controlled by solenoid operated valves 2 and 3 respectively, and also by stop cocks 11 and 12 respectively.

At the lower end of the tank 1 are two electrical iamersion heaters and 5» one of these being a one kilowatt heater and the other a two kilowatt heater. Within the tank there are mounted, to extend to various depths, three electric probes 6, 7 and 8. Also mounted in the tank is an electrical agitator 9 and an electric contact thermometer 10. Extending downwardly from the bottom of each of the vessels X is a chemical supply pipe 100, each of these supply pipes including an electrically operated solenoid valve X1, X2... X9, X10. When one of these valves X1, X2... X9, X10 is open, it will supply liquid chemical from the associated vessel X to a chute 1**. Also extending into the top of chute Ik is a wash supply pipe 101 which is provided with an electrically operated solenoid valve 16. When this valve is open, water from the tank 1 flows to a distributor pipe 15 and to a conduit 30 to be described later. The distributor pipe 15 is generally U-shaped in plan, as can be seen from Figure 3i and is perforated at its lower edge so that the whole of the chute Ik is washed with water when the valve 16 is open.

As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3» the chute Ik disgorges into a processing housing 13, a baffle 17 being arranged to cause the solution of water to swirl around the cylindrical wall of the housing 13 in an anticlockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3· The bottom pump housing or sump l8 and liquid therein can flow firstly to a pump 102, secondly to a waste valve 20 and thirdly into a probe housing 19· process housing overflow 27» the upper end of which extends above the top of pump housing 18, opens downwardly into a common drain with a drain pipe 29» connected to drain valve 20.

Mounted within the probe housing 19 are a common probe 21 at the lower end of the probe housing, and three probes 22, 23 and 26 which extend to different levels within the housing.

Their height can be adjusted by grub screw clamps held by the cover 32 of housing 19· As can be seen from Figure 3» this cover 3 includes a three-legged slot 32A which has one leg extending between each adjacent pair of probes, to reduce any electrical leakage caused by condensation on the lid. At about its mid-height, the probe housing 19 includes a flushing pipe 31» which is connected by means (not shown) to the conduit 30 referred to earlier. Flushing pipe 31 extends around the interior of the probe housing 19 and is provided with apertures so that flushing water can flow down the inner walls of the probe housing 19 when valve 16 is open.

Liquid pumped by pump 102 flows upwardly through a feed pipe 2k which is concentrically arranged with respect to a drain tube 25» feed pipe 2k and drain tube 25 extending to just above the level of a processing deck 103. Drain tube 25 extends to the bottom of the processing housing 13 and is provided with a cut out portion 28 located at the angular position thereof opposite the processing housing overflow 27· Centering of the tube 2 in.tte tube is effected by a spider 2^A which carries, around feed tube 2^, a gasket kl.

Turning now to Figure k, there, ia illustrated a first form of processing container 33 which comprises a vertical cylindrical by a downwardly convergent annular wall 38 and a lower annular disc 39· concentric inner tube J>6 is centered in the containe 3^ by tho upper wall 37 of intermediate tube 34, and by three discs 35· Each of these discs In provided with diametrally opposite slots 35A , the slots 35Λ of the central disc 35 boing offset by 90° with respect to those of the upper and lower discs. Immediately above the annular wall 381 intermediate tube 3 is formed with drain slots 42. When tho container 33 is in daylight 1 light is precluded from entering the interior through the bottom of intermediate tube 34 by the positioning of the slots in discs 35 and the positioning of the slots 42. At its lower end, inner tube 36 is surrounded by a sleeve 40, which abuts the lower disc 35j and is of a diameter to fit snugly over feed pipe intermediate tube 34/ 24, theAoylMwh¾rottjr~OM»w- of container 33 engaging within drain tube 25.

At its upper end, container 33 is provided with a downwardly divergent peripheral rim 45 over which clip legs 44 of a container lid 3. Extending between the upper annular wall of lid 43 and an inner annular wall 43A is an annular gasket of compressible material. "The upper surface of the lid is provided with a pivoted lifting handle 53 and an annular groove 5 1 while a window 48 in the centre of the lid may be closed by a shutter 49, which pivots about a pin 50» and is constrained in its movement between a fully open position, when a locating pin 51 s at one end of a slot 52, and a fully closed position, when the. locating pin is at tho other end of such slot. (See Figure 5) · Mountable on top of the lid 3 is a light housing 5*+, the lower edge of which can engage in the groove 55· Housing 54 has a mounting for a photoflood lamp 60, the upper wall of the housing 54 including ventilation holes 58. Light is prevented from passing in or out through these ventilation holes by two discs 6 and 57» central tubular stem 59Δ may be positioned within the container 33 b slipping the stem 59A over tube 36 so that its lower end abuts the upper wall 37 of intermediate wall j . Reflector 59 is graded from black at the apex to white at the base, and this grading may be done with black rings painted on its surface, the rings being closer together at the apex and being spaced further apart nearer the base.

In Figure 7 there is illustrated a further form of container suitable for the treatment of roll film. This container 63 is substantially cylindrical and is provided with a removable lid 62. The lower wall of the container 63 has a central aperture in which is located a vertical annular weir 68. Mounted by means of a spider 70, within the annular weir 68, is a sleeve 69 similar to the sleeve O of the container of Figure , this sleeve 69 again being of a size to engage snugly over the upper end of feed tube 2 , while the lower end of annular weir 68 can engage within drain tube 25 when the housing 63 is lowered onto the processing deck 103.

Removably mounted within the container 63 is an assembly comprising a vertically extending feed tube 6l which is open at the top and bottom, and is surrounded by a bleed tube 66 open only at its bottom, this in turn being surrounded by an open bottomed syphon tube 6k. Immediately above the top wall of syphon tube 64, the bleed tube 66 is provided with bleed holes 65, while a "spiral" 67 extends outwardly from the side wall of syphon tube 6k. The spiral 67 consists of two horizontal walls provided with facing spiral ribs, and below the spiral is an annular block 71. If desired, the lid 62 may be provided with a movable shutter and detachable light source as previously described with reference to Figures k, 5 and 6, processing chemicals are loaded in solution into the containers X in tank 1 » The ,tank 1 is filled with water and is maintained aoourately at the desired , temperature by firstly adjusting tho flow through the cold and hot inlet valves 2 and 3 and also by use of the heaters h and 5 as desired. As will be described later, water is repeatedly drawn off from the tank 1 through water supply pipe 101 and this water has to be replenished and at the same time has to maintain the temperature in the tank at tho desired value, the circuit for effecting this control being illustrated in Figure ^ Current is taken from a transformer 101* and is rectified by a full wave rectifier 105 having a large smoothing capacitor 106 connected across its output terminals. The negative terminal of the rectifier is connected to the common probe 6 in tank 1 and the common probe 21 in probe housing 19· Contacts 7 and 8 in tank 1 arc connected to contact Γ&Λ of a relay R which is operated when the level of water in tank 1 is above probes 7 and 8 via a transistor R .

The thermometer 10 is of a standard construction and includes a control arrangement 107 which is such that if the temperature of tho water in the tank 1 falls below a predetermined value, l the heater is connected in the circuit,' and when the temperature rises to tho maximum desired value, the heater * is disconnected and an indicator light 108 shows that the water in tank 1 is of the desired temperature. Connected across the heater k and indicator light 108 . t are the coils of hot and cold water inlet valve 3 and 2 respectively, these being connected via the heavy duty contacts R5" and HB of a relay R5, which is operated by contact R^B when relay R't- is itself not operating. Relay 5 also includes a contact Rj'C which closes and opens the circuit to the motor of the stirrer 9· . uq, if move I TR* ceases to conduct and the contacts R k and R^B^pe* to the position illustrated in Figure 9· This «*te~energises relay R5t so that its contacts arc in tho position illustrated in the figure , and water is drawn into the tank 1 via valve 2 or valve 3» depending upon whether the temperature in tho tank sensed by thermometer 10 is above or below the desired value. At the same time tho stirtwr 9 is operated to stir the water in the tank 1.

When the water reaches the level of probe 8, transistor TR conducts so that relay R*t closes its contacts thus shutting off valvo 2 or valve 3 and stopping operation of the stiixtr 9. Since one contact A effectively connects probes 7 and 8, transistor TRk will conduct until such time as the level again drops below probe 7.

A separate control circuit to be described later opens the valves XI, X2... X9» XIO and valve 16, in turn, as prescribed by a preset programme, so that chemical solution or water falls through chute l*f into the processing housing 13. When the level in this housing is sufficiently high to control probe 23» current passes via transistor TR1 to operate relay R1, to close contact R1A which operates the .pump 102, and to close contact R1B which locks in the lowermost probe 22 in probe housing 19. When the level of, · liquid in housing 19 reaches probe 26, current is fed via amplifier transistor TR2 to operate a relay R2. When this is operated, ite slave relay R3 is actuated, this disconnecting the solenoid operated valves XI to XIO «π*«¾6. With the pump operating, the level within the probe housing 19 may well fall again as the liquid is forced up feed tube 2 into the container 33· In order to prevent the pump from running dr , transistor TR2 and therefore relays R2 and R3 will be disconnected if the level falls below probe 26 , thus allowing valves > processing housing '13· Turning now to the control circuit illustrated in Figure 8, thore are illustrated two identical circuits which are connected to the mains alternatively, depending upon the position 1 double pole double terminal! of the*selcctor switch SI. In order to save repetition, only one of these circuits need be described. Assuming therefore that the selector switch SI is in the uppermost position, the circuit on the left will be connected to the mains. When these circuits are completed through switch S2j the switch is in the process position.

When the circuits are broken the switch S2 is in the "flush" position for cleaning the machine after processing. The mains liyO is taken to one common connection of switch S1 , while the other common connection of S1 is taken to. he coil of waste solenoid valve 20 and the coil of a relay R7. If the selector S1 is switched to enorgiso relay Ro, the left-hand side of the circuit diagram would be the programme in the circuit, while if .the selector S1 was switched to the opposite direction to energise relay R9, the right-hand side of the circuit diagram would be operated.

Assuming ,that the switch has been selected to connect relay R8, relays R8 and RIO will icnergise together. Relay RIO will break the circuit through six microswitches M1 to M5 and Ml6 for controlling valves X1 to X5 and valvejl6, by opening contact RIOA; by opening contact RIOB it will also break the circuit to the pump speed control 109 through which current may be passed, via relay contacts 7A and R1A to the pump 102. At the same time relay R8 will close contacts PSA and R8B, which supply current to contact R10A , and will also have closed contact R8C which derives its current via contact RIOB.

The current for energising relay RIO flows via timer microswitches TM1, TM3, TM5 and process switch S2. energised and locks itself in the energised condition via-its own contacts R11A and R11C. At the same time current is fed via contact RUB to timer clock T1.

Microswitches M1 to 5 and Ml6 are controlled by cams on the timer: clocksTI to T3. The cams on the clocks may be cut to one half minute, and the first clock arranged to trigger the second clock, and the second clock arranged to trigger the third clock.

When timer clock T1 is energised as previously indicated, a cam carried thereby changes timer microswitch TM1 from the position A to position B, which firstly de-energises relays RIO and Rll and secondly supplies current to the timer T1 directly for four minutes. In the last few seconds of this operation, timer T1 trips microswitch TM2 from position C to position D which starts clock T2. Once clock T2 has started one of its cams · trips microswitch TM3 from position E to position F, and at the end of its predetermined time, clock T1 trips switch TM1 back to position A thus maintaining the flow of current to clock T2, and at the same time clock T1 trips switch TM2 back to position C. Similarly when clock T2 is nearly at the end of its cycle, it trips switch TM^ to start clock 3 which in turn moves switch TM5 to position K, so that when clock T2 finishes and trips TM3 back to position E, clock T3 receives its current via switches TM3 and TM5.

As indicated above, starting of clock T1 de-energises relay RIO so that current can flow through the microswitches Ml to M5 and MI6 and via the waste valve 20 and relay R7. As soon as one of the cams on one of the timers opens one of the microswitches to operate a valve X1 to 5, or valve l6, current is cut off from wast to the position illustrated in Figure 8, and as soon as the level in probe chamber 19 reaches probe 23, relay R1 operates to close contact R1A and start pump 102.

The microswitches M1 to M5, Ml6 and TM1 to TM5 continue to operate until the cycle is completed. At the completion of the cycle, all the microswitches are in the position illustrated in Figure 8 and relay RIO is again energised, breaking the circuit to the waste valve 20 and to the pump 102. Relays R8 and RIO remain energised until S1 is switched off. In order to flush the apparatus after a process has been completed, switch S2 is broken, which breaks the circuit to relay RIO, to allow current to flow through the valve microswitches to the waste valve 20 and relay R7. The circuit is then interrupted by a thirty second timer (not shown) between the microswitch M5 and Ml6, this timer energising the valve 16 and simultaneously breaking the circuit to the valve 20 and relay R7. This permits water to flow into the apparatus, and allows pump 102 to wash away any solutions left behind at the end of the previous process. Switch S2 is then switched back to the closed position, which again makes the circuit to relay RIO.

In use of the above described apparatus to treat a colour print, the print paper is fitted around the inner surface of the walls of the container 33 with its emulsion side innermost, while in a dark room, and the lid j is put in place. The print may be held in position by the annular wall ^3^· and by pins on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall or by means of a vertically extending elongate U-ooction spring clip, which is engaged between the adjacent edges of the print to tend to expand the print against the container wall.

Assuming that one does not wish to effect a colour reversal, the conical reflector 59 is omitted, and the shutter is closed, or container 33 is completely sealed from the light, and can be taken out of the dark room and placed on the machine, with the sleeve kO engaged over the feed pipe 2k.

Assuming now that the tank 1 is full of water at the correct temperature, and all of the vessels X are also filled with the correct chemicals, the selector switch is moved to the programme required, the neon 111 lighting up to indicate that this programme has been selected. As described previously, the microswitches are operated in turn, so that first of all valve 16 opens and water passes down through tube 101 and flows via distributor pipe 15 to wash completely the walls of chute Ik. When the water in chamber 19 has reached probe 231 relay R1 closes contacts R1A and R1B and the water continues to rise and overflows through tube 2?. with the relay contact R1A closed, motor 102 starts and pumps the water through feed pipe 2k and up through inner tube 36. The water impinges on the flat lower surface of the lid and runs radially upwardly and cascades down the emulsion face of the print and is collected by wall 38 to flow through the slot k2 and slots 35A , back down drain tube 25 into chamber 13 where it is recycled by the pump 102. The cam on one of the timers then releases the microswitch Ml6, so that the circuit is made through the solenoid of drain valve 20 which opens, and relay R7 is actuated, no that the pump 102 is switched off. The timer cams are spaced so as to give sufficient time for all of the water to drain from container 33 and from housing 13· The same operation is repeated, the valve X1 opening instead of valve 16. As before, when the chemical in chamber 19 has reached probe 231 relay R1 closes contacts R1A and R1B and the chemical continues to rise until it touches probe 26 , whereupon relay R2 operates this in turn operating relay R3, the contact 3 of which the liquid reaches probe 23 and recirculates the chemical. The length of the recirculating period of the pump 102 is determined by the appropriate cam on the timer to give the desired processing time for this chemical. Then, in turn, each of the chemicals is passed through, with water being circulated between each chemical, when necessary for washing purposes. As indicated previously, the water also passes via connections 30 and 3 to wash out the probe chamber 19. When the cycle of operations has finally been completed, the container 33 ma be removed and the print which has been completely treated can be removed from the container 33» When it is desired to produce a reversal process where a light source is required i.e. when it is desired to make colour prints direct from colour transparencies, the material is fitted within the container 33i in the dark room, to extend around the walls of the container and the conical reflector 59 is slipped into place on the central tube 36. When the lid k> has been placed on top and the shutter closed, the light housing 5^ s mounted on the lid to engage in the annular groove 55 and the shutter opened. A microswitch (not shown) on the controller then turns the lamp 60 on at and for the appropriate time. The graduated conical reflector 59 produces an even distribution of the light over the sensitised material of the transparency. 1 When it is desired to process roll film, the container of Figure 7 may be used. The removable assembly within the container 63 is removed and the film inserted into the spiral 67 in the dark room, the assembly fitted back into the container 63 and the lid placed on the top again in the dark room. The container 63 is then fitted onto the feed pipe 2 as previously discussed and the machine operated in the manner indicated earlier. When this form of container is used, and runs down the sides of the container 63. The level of the water within the container steadily rises and the film is thus treated on both faces. Air which is displaced, during rising of the liquid, is forced out through slots 65 and when the level of liquid reaches the top of the annular weir 68, it will be syphoned out down the innide of the weir and will be fed back to the processing housing 13 for recycling. Thus the level of liquid will not rise above the top of the spiral.

If it is desired to treat sheet or cut film, the container of Figure 10 is used, this .n..-a§iny ways being similar to the container of Figure 7· The container of Figure 10 has an outer wall 75 a*id includes a syphoning arrangement which is identical to that of Figure 7i the feed tube, slots and syphon housing being indicated by reference numerals 6lA, 65A and Sk is a block 76, which simply reduces the volume of the container 75» respectively. Also mounted within the container 7 nn- a. pair of mounting guides 771 only one of which is shown, the other being a mirror image. The mounting guides include facing vertical slots 78 and a smaller number of horizontal slots 79· The sheet film is slid down into the slots 78, the guides being so spaced that the sheets are slightly bowed so that they may be evenly spaced' without touching one another.

If it is desired to procese a number of roll films, each film may be wound onto a hanger as illustrated in Figure 11. The hanger includes an essentially solid body 80 with outwardly extending support bars 8l and channels in its outer surface. The film 82 is held in position on the body 80 by spring clips 83. The hanger is supported in tank 75 by engagement of the support rods 8l in grooves 79· By this means a number of films may be supported within the container and treated at one time. maintaining the vessels X full of their respective chemicals.

This may be achieved by supplying, for example, under the processing deck, ten sockets to receive bottles of the chemical solution, and a pump for each socket controlled by a level indicator in the associated vessel X.

The amount of each solution admitted during each of the processing cycles is dependent upon the size of the container placed on the apparatus and sleeve tubes may be provided to reduce the diameter of the feed pipe 2k in the processing housing to reduce the chemical in circuit for the smaller containers. Similarly the shape and size of the chute Ik may be varied to suit the number of valves and processes required, and the valves X1 to XIO and 16 may be staggered in a V-formation to permit an equal amount of each solution entering the housing 13 to compensate for the width of the chute l^ .

It will be appreciated that the invention provides a relatively inexpensive apparatus, which is capable of carrying out short runs using only small quantities of chemical and which is thus capable of printing at a much more economical rate than has hitherto been possible. An even and continuous agitation of the solutions is provided during the cycle by the solution flowing over the surface of the print and by the pumping action. Moreover, by the accurate control of the temperature of the chemicals, and the time of circulation of the chemicals through the processing container, an extremely accurate processing can be provided with results which have perfectly consistent colour balance. Furthermore large prints and murals can be produced in an apparatus which is relatively small.

Claims (3)

301^2 Claims :

1. · Apparatus for processing photographic sheet or film material, the apparatus comprising a ohamber* a light proof container for the material releasably mountable on said ohamber, a pump oommunioating with said chamber* a feed pipe connected to the outlet of the pmp9 and extending substantially vertically upwardly with its open upper end located within the container adjacent the upper interior ourfaoe of the oontainer, a drain to the light proof container adapted to return liquid from the oontainer to the chamber for recirculation by the pump and means for selectively feeding chemicals end rinsing water* at a controlled temperature* to said ohamber*

2. * Apparatus as claimed in olaim 1, wherein said drain inoludes an open-topped drain tube oommunioating with the ohamber interior and said feed pipe includes, an open-topped feed tube mounted within said drain tube* and oonneoted to the pump outlet* ,

3. * Apparatus as olalmed in olaim 2, wherein the light-proof oontainer inoludes a depending tube adapted to engage the drain tube, the depending tube oommunioating with the interior of the oontainer via light-trap, a seoond feed tube being carried by the depending tube and itself being adapted to engage the said open topped feed tube* . Apparatus as olalmed in olaim 3, wherein said container inoludes a removable lid and wherein a transverse wall is looated near the lower end of the oontainer* said depending tube being formed with slots immediately above said transverse wall and said light-trap inoludes a plurality of eilotted platee in the depending tube at a location below the transverse wall* > 5· Apparatus as claimed in Claim i and further comprising a housing containing a light source mountable on said lid| tho latter being provided with an oponable shutter, a conical reflector being mounted on said fcedf spe. 6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3» wherein said container has .mounted therewithin a closed-topped, open-bottomed syphon tube, surrounding and extending above the depending tube in spaced apart relation thereto, and wherein means is provided for mounting photographic shoot or film material exteriorly of Ί tho said syphon tube. r, 7· Apparatus as claimed in any one of tho preceding claims, wherein thp means for selectively feeding chemicals and controlled/ rinsing water, at atdaoifod temperature, include a tank, a plurality of vessels for chemicals arranged in said tank, means for feeding water to said tank, /outlet valve «meene associated with said tank for feeding water therefrom to said processing chamber, further outlet valvesηβααβ· for feeding chemicals from each of said vessels to said processing r chamber, means for maintaining tho temperature of the water in the tank controlled/ substantially at the /s eitfo* value and control means for selectively operating said valvea/waanH 1 - II o« Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said means for filling the tank include a hot water conduit, a cold water •conduit, valves controlling the flow of water through said hot and oold water conduits,, depth probes in said tank operatively associated with said valves, and a temperature sensitive device operatively associated with said valves, effective to control the flow of hot or cold water into said tank to maintain the level and tomperaturo of controlled^ tho water substantially at tho |Ae<*M»eA value. 301i*8/2 9· Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, and further heating/ comprising eleotrical'hee*¾i~means and a stirrer in said. tank. 10. Apparatus as claimed In Claim 7, 8 or 9» whoroin the control moans inolude cam actuated microswitches and wherein the outlet valves. arc solenoid operated, said microswitches being effecttbroto open and close said outlet valves. 11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the 'pi'eoeooiLwg1 chamber includes depth probes effective to close said . further outlet valves when the level of chemical in said ρνοοβββάηβ· chamber roaches a ;desired;;value. 12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said outlet valve wetmo t associated with said tank is connected to said ^go oooang chamber, firstly via a distributor pipe and a chute and secondly via a spray device positioned to spray water over said dopth probes in said ¾weoeooanq chamber. paid/ 13· Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein ^further outlet valveeiBeems are positioned to feed chemicals to said processing chamber via said chute. Ik. Apparatus for processing photographic sheet or film material,'«enroh« apparatus being constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, 8 and 9 ofMthe accompanying drawings. 15. Apparatus according to Claim Ik modified substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 7 of tho accompanying drawings. 16. Apparatus according to Claim I modified substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings. A ttorn ey for Applicants