Patent ID: 9682585
Date: 2017-06-20
CPC Classifications: B08B,B41J,B41L,B41M,E04C,E04F,G03F,Y10T

Claim:
1. A film washout device for use with an external pressurized fluid source and a photosensitive material, the film washout device comprising: a housing having a rinsing chamber, a drain in fluid communication with the rinsing chamber, and a housing outlet in fluid communication with the drain, such that fluid flows out of the rinsing chamber, through the drain, and through the housing outlet to exit the housing; a drum rotatably coupled to the housing and configured to be engageable with the photosensitive material for washout thereof; a first fluid flowpath having a first inlet and a first outlet, the first inlet being fluidly connectable to the external pressurized fluid source to receive pressurized fluid therefrom, the first fluid flowpath being adapted to maintain pressure of the pressurized fluid above atmospheric pressure as the fluid flows from the first inlet to the first outlet; a booster pump operatively coupled to the housing and including a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly connected to the first outlet to receive fluid from the first fluid flowpath, the pump being configured to elevate the pressure of the fluid exiting the pump via the pump outlet; a control unit in operative communication with the booster pump and drum to control fluid flow through the booster pump and rotation of the drum; and a plurality of nozzles coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the pump to receive fluid therefrom, the plurality of nozzles being configured to direct fluid into the rinsing chamber for washout of the photosensitive material; the device defining a serial flowpath from the first inlet to the housing outlet wherein fluid flows sequentially through the first fluid flowpath, the booster pump, the nozzles, the drain and then exits the housing through the housing outlet, without recirculating within the device.