Device for developing of photo material

In a device for developing of photo material in a treatment container (11) a plurality of supply containers (20) for different treatment liquids (22) are provided which are controlled with gas pressure by a gas line (57) connected thereto. In this case the treatment liquid (22) is fed through an associated feed pipe (56) into a collection line (34). This is defined by a distributor valve (70) in accordance with a control program. In order to develop reliable and simple devices, the flow paths (56,34,42) of the treatment liquid (22) from the different supply containers (22) to the treatment container (11) should be free of valves and the distributor valve should only be admitted by the gas, whereby the controlled outlet of the distributor valve is relieved from the gas pressure (58) at the end of an operating phase. A sensor (59) reacts on the flow of the treatment liquid and actuates a timer which after a certain time period again switches the distributor valve.

The invention is directed to a device for developing of photo material in a 
treatment container. For storing the different treatment liquids a number 
of closed supply containers and provided which, on the one hand, are 
provided with a gas line and, on the other hand with a feed pipe for the 
treatment liquid, because in this manner the development process of photo 
material may be automated for the amateur photographer, in contrast to the 
expensive devices which operate with feeding pumps (DE AS No. 11 06 178). 
At times the gas line is connected to a gas supply source and thereby 
builds up a gas pressure within the container which drives the treatment 
liquid from this supply container through the feed pipe. The feed pipes 
which come from the various supply containers, as well as an additional 
valve controlled rinse water line are connected to the treatment container 
through a collection line, whereby the photomaterial is contained in the 
treatment container for developing. A control program determines the 
sequence of the consecutive operating phases in which a given treatment 
liquid is fed from one of the supply containers into the treatment 
container, which is performed by a distributor valve which is switched by 
a step motor in accordance with a control program. 
In the known device of this type (DE-AS No. 13 03 749), the distribution 
valve does not only control the gas to the right supply container, but 
also the treatment liquid from the controlled supply container into the 
collection line. For this purpose, the distributor valve has a very 
complicated structure which is subjected to breakdowns. In addition to an 
inlet for the gas supply line which is connected to the gas supply source 
in accordance with the control program, and which is connnected to one of 
the outlets at one of the supply containers which support the gas lines, 
the distributor valve contains a plurality of further inlets for 
connecting the feed pipes which come from each of the supply containers 
and which in accordance with the control program are coupled to a joint 
outlet, so as to guide the corresponding treatment liquid to the 
collection line. Even if rinsing with water is performed between the 
operating steps with different treatment liquids, the danger of 
contamination of the treatment liquid by previous liquid residues exists 
since in particular the sealing means in the distributor valve will fail, 
after a longer operating period. The supply line for the gas may be closed 
by the control program through a closing valve, however the gas lines and 
thereby the feed pipe remain under pressure at their connecting locations 
on the distributor valve, whereby minute leaks could already cause grave 
mutual contaminations of the treatment liquids. 
Finally, in the known device a closing valve is required at the end of the 
collection line which in accordance with the program permits the flow of 
the desired quantity of treatment liquid into the treatment container. The 
treatment liquids used for the developing process are aggressive which 
requires high quality material for the closing valve and the 
aforementioned distributor valve. Furthermore, the treatment liquids form 
crusts which impair the actuation of the valves and impair the seals. In 
order to reduce interferences on the valves, they must be precisely made, 
which renders the known devices very expensive and not affordable for a 
photo amateur. 
It is therefore an object of the invention to develop an economical and 
breakdown free device of the type mentioned in the preamble of the claim 1 
which permits a completely automatic rapid change of the different 
treatment liquids without the danger of liquid loss or contaminations. 
This object of the invention is obtained in that the flow paths for the 
different treatment liquids which extend from one of the supply containers 
to the treatment container are free of valves and have a defined flow 
resistance, that the distributor valve is admitted by gas only through one 
inlet for the gas supply source, like a compressed air pump, as well as 
through outlets for the gas lines of the different supply containers. At 
the end of one operating phase before a reverse switching of the 
distributor valve to a different outlet, the previously controlled outlet 
of the gas distributor valve being relieved from the gas pressure. A 
sensor is provided in the collection line which reacts on the flow of the 
treatment liquid, and that the sensor activates a timer at the beginning 
of each operating phase which, after an adjusted time period, switches the 
step motor of the distributor valve in accordance with the control 
program. 
In the invention a valve is eliminated which may come into contact with the 
treatment liquid, whereby a structural part is saved which would be 
susceptible to trouble. The distributor valve coacts with gases only, like 
compressed air, so that impurities cannot occur. An uncontrollable leakage 
of the treatment liquids from a feed pipe is safely avoided, because at 
the end of an operating phase, before the distributor valve is reversed, 
the outlet of the distributor valve which was previously controlled is 
relieved from the gas pressure. This renders the gas line free of pressure 
and the column in the feed pipe which extends to the treatment liquid can 
flow back into its supply container and would be available for a further 
use again. This safely eliminates an undesired flow back of treatment 
liquid into the collection line. This is particularly true when the 
connecting pieces of the different feed pipes, which extend into the 
collection line, are deflected and form an end shank extending into the 
direction of gravity, so that the treatment liquid can flow back from the 
deflected location into the associated supply container, in this case. 
The relieve of the gas pressure at the outlet of the distribution valve for 
the aforementioned purpose can be performed in two ways, each of which 
have their advantages. It is particularly effective to establish a gas 
vacuum pressure for a short time at the inlet of the distributor valve at 
the end of an operating phase which is carried out in that the inlet is 
reversed from a pressure source of the gas to a suction source, for 
example. Thereby, it suffices to perform a reverse control from the 
pressure end to a suction end of an air pump, whereby the use of a two way 
valve at the inlet of the distributor valve is sufficient. The vacuum at 
the inlet is self-propagating as a relieve of the gas pressure to the 
given controlled outlet of the distributor valve. Due to the vacuum a 
suction is exerted on the associated liquid column in the feed pipe, 
whereby this liquid is quickly returned. Due to the gas which is pulled, 
any eventual retained droplets in the feed pipe are also pulled along, so 
that an uncontrollable afterflow of liquid is not to be feared. 
A simpler method for relieving the gas pressure at the end of an operating 
phase consists of that the controlled outlet of the distributor valve is 
connected for a short time with the atmosphere, whereby the gas pressure 
collapses. Thereby, it is particularly important that supply containers 
are used which are pneumatically deformable in themselves, due to the 
exerted gas pressure. For this purpose, simple plastic bottles are 
suitable. Such plastic bottles are voluminously blown up by the gas 
pressure in the operating phase. When the gas pressure collapses due to 
the connection with the atmosphere, the liquid column which now flows back 
into the associated supply container obviously has an inertia effect which 
due to the incompressibility of the liquid has a desire to flow beyond the 
pressure balance and thereby surprisingly exerting a suction effect which 
takes care of the aforementioned closing of the feed pipe, thus safely 
eliminating undesired afterflow of the treatment liquid. In this case, 
even a suction source may be eliminated. 
Although no valves are used in the area of the liquid flow, an exact 
dosaging of the treatment liquid flowing from the collection line into the 
treatment container is obtained. The mentioned sensor in the collection 
line reacts at the start of the flow and activates a timer which after the 
adjusted time period causes the step motor for a further switching of the 
distributor valve. Because the flow resistances in the flow paths of the 
different treatment liquids are definitely designed which in short feed 
pipes is achieved by adding of resistor means, for example. The same 
quantities flow at the same time periods. Thereby, by means of a timer one 
obtains an exact dosaging of the fed through quantities of the given 
required treatment liquid, in a simple manner. 
A very simple connection of the outlet of the distributor valve with the 
atmosphere at the end of an operating phase is obtained by lifting the 
rotational movable part of the distributor valve from its stationary part 
for a short time. It is advantageous to use a plate for the rotationally 
movable part as well as for the stationary part of the distributor valve 
which is made easily rotatable by intermediary balls. The balls are 
engaged in the oppositely directed front faces of the two plates in 
recesses which determine the given rotating position of the distributor 
valve in the given operating phase and thereby align the bores which serve 
for transferring the pressure medium from the inlet to the chosen outlet 
of the distributor valve. In addition, the balls fullfill a third task in 
that they generate the desired axial stroke between the two plates, while 
in the intermediary positions which are present in the given operating 
phases the balls move out of their recesses in the rotational movable 
plate and axially shift the plate against a spring load. During this 
lifting a sealing ring at the connection piece of the inlet bore for the 
pressure medium lifts from the stationary plate, thus lifting the 
prviously controlled outlet against the atmosphere. Due to this lifting, 
the sealing ring at the connecting piece at the inlet bore is protected 
which provides a long lifespan to the seal. It is particularly simple to 
provide a connecting piece freely rotatable in the inlet bore of the one 
plate, for example, rotationally movable plate for the supply line coming 
from a compressed air pump, for example, however this presents an 
expensive and trouble prone axial feeding of the compressed air. In the 
other plate, for example, the stationary plate counter bores are provided 
which form the outlets for the different gas lines which are in alignment 
with the rotationally movable connecting piece.

The processor 10 shown in FIG. 1 permits an automatic development of photo 
material which is placed into the inside of a drum 11. During operation, 
the drum 11 is driveable along arrow 88. The required motors and pumps are 
mounted in a control housing 18 of processor 10 which circulates a 
tempering bath which is maintained at a defined temperature. The tempering 
bath is contained in a lower receptacle 12 of processor 10 and is fed by 
the pumps into an upper conduit 15 where drum 11 is located. The tempering 
bath flows from the conduit through an overflow 16 back into receptacle 
12. The motors and pumps, as well as the temperature of the tempering bath 
are adjustable by different handles 19 on control housing 18. 
The receptacle 12 is covered to the outside with a suitable profiled cover 
13 and has a series of openings 14 in which a plurality of supply 
containers 20 are mounted with different treatment liquids which immerse 
into the tempering bath. Bottles made out of plastic material are used as 
supply containers 20 which are deformable in themselves and which are 
usually provided with screw caps for transporting the liquid. These screw 
caps are removed in the device for being used as supply containers 20 and 
are provided with particular connections, as is best shown in FIG. 5. 
The connections consist of an insert 24 which is mounted in the opening of 
the container neck 25 and is mounted by a screw cap 23 at the neck 25 of 
container 20. A feed pipe 26 is extended through insert 24 at which a feed 
pipe 56 for the treatment liquid 22 in container 20 is provided. 
Furthermore, the end of supply line 28 of a gas line is guided through 
insert 24 through which, in the subject case, compressed air is fed into 
the inside of the container above the liquid level 21. The supply 
containers 20 are retained in a desired immersion depth in the tempering 
bath of receptacle 12 by means of suitable supports which engage shoulders 
29 of container 20, as can be seen in FIG. 5. 
The essential structural units of the inventive device 30 are shown in 
FIGS. 2 to 4. The device is mounted on a housing portion 32 which may be 
mounted in the free space 31 adjacent to drum 11 as can be seen in FIG. 1, 
and which is movable by means of running rollers 97 on side portions of 
conduit 15 of processor 10. The device 30 is provided with a connection 
element 33 which is connected to the inside of the drum 11 by a suitable 
coupling. In the subject case, this is carried out by a lid 40 which is 
detachable from drum 11 which is provided with a sealed central insert 37 
which does not rotate during the drum rotation 88. The insert 37 is 
provided with a socket 36 wherein the end 35 of the connecting element 33 
is plugged in and is maintained in a liquid tight manner by the two halves 
92,93 of a magnetic coupling, for example. 
The insert 37 is provided with a plurality of openings one of which is a 
vent opening which leads from the inner space of the tank to the outside 
and which in the coupling position extends into a vent channel 41 of 
connecting element 33, as can be seen from the end view of FIG. 2. 
Furthermore, the insert 34 is provided with a supply conduit 42 and a 
discharge conduit 43 for the treatment liquids which on the inside of the 
drum extends with a lifting pipe 46 to the bottom of the drum. In the 
coupling position these supply and discharge conduits are connected by 
means of seals 38,39 with openings 44,45 in the connecting element, 
whereby the opening 44 is associated with a collecting line 34 and opening 
45 is associated with a discharge conduit 50 in connection element 33. The 
mentioned venting channel 41 could be closed at times by shut off 
elements, now shown, whereby an excess or vacuum pressure may be obtained 
within the drum for determined control operations. A plug in connection is 
provided for a rotational resistant positioning of the plug end 35 of 
connecting element 33 in the socket 36 of the drum side of the insert 37, 
which in this case consists of a mandrel 47, on the one hand, and a 
mandrel receiver 48, on the other hand. 
As can be seen from FIG. 4, the collection line 34 extends concentric in 
the connection element 33 and is provided at its free end with a line 52 
for the rinse water which is closable by a valve 49. The rinse water flows 
through the collection line 34 in longitudinal firection and flows through 
the connected supply channel 42 into the inside of the drum for watering 
the photo material. With respect to the flow direction in the collection 
line 34 indicated by arrow 54 connecting cannulas 55 for the already 
mentioned feed pipes 56 of the different supply containers 20 discharge in 
an acute angle laterally into the collection line 34. Advantageously, the 
connecting cannulas 55 are disposed in a vertical plane, so as to at least 
provide one component to be effective in the direction of gravity. The 
flow of a defined treatment liquid 22 is obtained when, as shown in FIG. 
5, compressed air is fed into the inside of the container through the 
mentioned gas line 57 and is active on the liquid level 21, as shown by 
the arrows 58 in FIG. 5. Thereby, the treatment liquid 22 is pushed 
upwardly in feed pipe 26 and is fed through the feed pipe 56 and the 
associated connected cannula 55 into the collection line 34. The treatment 
liquid 22 does not flow through any valve in this flow path 26,56. The 
flow resistance in this flow path 26,56 has a defined dimension which may 
be kept at the desired value by installations. The time period of the 
liquid flow defines the quantity of the treatment liquid 22, because the 
active pressure 58 and the flow resistance in the supply containers are 
constant. Thus, this quantity is defined by the time period in which a 
pressure 58 is exerted within the container. This is automatically 
controlled by a distributor valve 70, whereby the drawings show to 
exemplified embodiments namely, FIGS. 2 and 3, on the one hand and in 
FIGS. 8a to 10, on the other hand. 
The mode or operation and the basic structure of the distributor valve 70 
will be explained in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. The distributor valve 
70 is admitted by gas only whereby in the subject case compressed air 58 
is used which is fed from a pump through a supply line 79 and, in 
accordance with FIG. 3, through a reverse switch 62 and a connecting line 
64 to the only inlet 78 of the distributor valve 70. The distributor valve 
70 consists of a stationary part 75 and a rotationally movable part 76 
which is driven by a step motor 72, for example, by means of a pinion 85 
and a circumferential gear 84. In the subject case, the compressed air 
inlet 78 is disposed centrally in the stationary part 75 and discharges 
into an axial inlet opening 83. The rotational movable part 76 is provided 
with a rotational chamber 86 which connects the inlet opening 83, in 
dependency from the given rotating position of the rotational movable part 
76, with an outlet 71 and an associated outlet opening 81. The different 
outlets 71 are mounted on a circle in the stationary part 75 coaxially 
with respect to the inlet opening 83 and serve to connect the individual 
gas lines 57 which lead to the different supply containers 20. 
The compressed air pressure consumption for driving out the treatment 
liquid 22 in a supply container is not measured because different liquid 
quantities would result due to the deformations of the flexible supply 
containers in light of the prevailing inner pressure and the different 
height of the liquid level 21 in supply container 20. The time period of 
the mentioned flow 54 in the collection line 34 in front of drum 11 is 
measured, which is scanned by a sensor 59 indicated in FIG. 4. The sensor 
59 reacts to a flow of the liquid. It can consist of an electrical 
resistor, for example, a grounded conductor which reacts to the presence 
of liquid. One could also use optical devices, for example, a light bar 
which is formed on both sides of the collecting line 34 between a light 
transmitter and a light receiver. As an optical sensor one could also use 
the refraction of a light beam in the flowing liquid. In FIGS. 6a to 7, a 
mechanical active sensor is shown which at a later time will be explained 
in detail with respect to its mode of operation and its structure. The 
sensor 59 is in its rest position as long as no liquid is present in the 
collection line 34. In this case, it is reported to an electronic control 
device through electrical connections, not shown, on sensor 59 that no 
treatment liquid flows to the drum. 
When the distributor valve 70 is so adjusted through a control program of 
the control device that a determined supply container 20 is supplied with 
compressed air 58 and thereby the corresponding treatment liquid 22 flows 
into the collectin line 34 through its associated feed pipe 56 and its 
connecting cannula 55, the sensor 59 reports to the control device the 
start of the liquid flow. Thereby, a timer is actuated in the control 
device which is adjusted for a defined time period. When this time period 
is expired, a switch pulse is triggered in this control device which 
interrupts the supply of compressed air 58 to this supply container 20, 
whereby the flow of the given treatment liquid 22, which is indicated by 
arrows 87 in FIGS. 4 and 5, ends in feed pipe 56. Advantageously, the 
corresponding supply container 20 is also relieved from the pressure 58 
prevailing therein which is simply carried out in that the associated 
outlet 71 is connected with the atmosphere for a short time. Thereby, the 
compressed air flows back, as indicated by the arrows 99 in FIG. 5, 
through the associated gas line 57. This can be carried out by a reverse 
switching of the distributor valve 70 when the adjusted time in the 
associated timer is expired, which is initiated by the mentioned 
electronic control device. Thereby, a control pulse is fed to the step 
motor 72 which moves the rotationally movable part 76 of the distributor 
valve 70 through the mentioned drive connection 84,85. Thereby, not only 
the supply of the air pressure 58 is interrupted, but also the pressure 58 
within the bottle is reduced in accordance with the arrows 99 in FIG. 5. 
For this purpose FIGS. 8a to 10 shows a particularly simple and reliable 
embodiment which will be described in more detail at a later time. 
When the supply containers 20 are flexible, for example, made out of 
plastic material which are somewhat blown up by the inner compressed 
pressure 58, a surprising suction effect is obtained during the mentioned 
return flow 99 of the compressed air from the supply container. Due to the 
return flow of the treatment liquid in accordance with the return flow 
arrow 65, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the feed pipe 56 which had been 
active, inertia forces are obviously active which generate a suction 
effect on the inside of the container 20. Thereby, any liquid residues 66 
are pulled along in the feed pipes 56. Thereby, the feed pipe 56 is safely 
emtied and an uncontrolled afterflow of these liquid residues 66 are 
eliminated during a later different operating phase of the device. 
For this purpose, a particular suction phase at the end of each operating 
phase is provided which is triggered by the mentioned timer by a control 
pulse in the embodiment of FIG. 3. The embodiment of FIG. 3 is 
particularly suitable for particularly rigid supply containers 20 which 
are not deformable on account of the alternating inner pressure 58. For 
this purpose, the reverse switch 62 is used which is designed as a two way 
valve. In addition to the already mentioned supply line 79, the reverse 
switch 62 also supports a suction line 90 which leads to an air suction 
source. The given switch position of the reverse switch 62 is activated by 
a slide 51, or the like. In the drawn out switch position of the slide 51, 
as shown in FIG. 3, the supply line 79 is connected with the inlet line 78 
of the distributor valve 70 through the connection line 64, which is the 
reason that the mentioned operating phase of the device is present, 
whereby the corresponding treatment liquid 22 is driven out of the 
associated supply container 20 and is fed into the drum 11, in accordance 
with the flow arrow 87 of FIGS. 4 and 5. At the end of the operating 
phase, which is defined by the adjustment of the effective time period of 
the mentioned timer, slide 51 of the reverse switch 62 is transferred into 
the other switch position indicated by the dash -dot lines in FIG. 3, 
whereby at this point the suction line 90 is connected with the inlet 78 
of the distribution valve 70 through connection line 64. If need be, slide 
51 could remain in an intermediate position, whereby the supply line 79 
for the compressed air, as well as the suction line 90 are shut off, thus 
creating a connection of the inlet 78 from the distributor valve 70 with 
the atmosphere, for example. If the slide 51 is in the dash-dot switch 
position of actuating arrow 27 of FIG. 3, which is actuated by the control 
device, the suction 99, as can be seen from FIG. 5, is active through the 
gas line 57 on the inside of the previously active container 22. Thereby, 
the associated feed pipe 56 is thoroughly rinsed from the remaining 
mentioned liquid residues 66. 
Further rotated by the step motor 72, the rotationally movable part 76 of 
the distributor valve 70 remains at first in an ineffective intermediary 
position wherein none of the outlets 71 are supplied with compressed air. 
Now, the development process of the photo material can take place within 
the drum by the mentioned rotation 88 of drum 11. The associated time 
period is determined by the mentioned control program and is controlled by 
the control devices. After the treatment process for the photo material 
with the corresponding treatment liquid, the drum 11 is emptied. This may 
be done, for example, by tilting the drum 11, whereby the liquid runs out 
of the drum by itself. In the exemplified embodiment of FIG. 2, a pump 60 
is provided for this purpose which is driven by a motor 63. Thereby, the 
corresponding treatment liquid is suctioned off in the connecting element 
33 by the lifting pipe 46, the discharge conduit 43 and the discharge 
conduit 50 connected thereto and can, if need be, collected in a separate 
container, not shown, for regeneration purposes. 
During such an intermediary position of the distributor valve 70, the 
rinsing process may also take place within the drum. For this purpose, the 
shut off valve 49, shown in FIG. 4, is opened by the control device in 
accordance with a chosen program, whereby water runs from the rinse water 
line 52 into the collection line 34 and is fed from there through the 
supply channel 42 into the inside of the drum. After the rinsing process, 
the water is removed from drum 11 in the already aforementioned manner, 
either by gravity in that the drum is tilted, or by pumping it out with 
pump 60, the lifting pipe 46, the discharge channel 43 and the discharge 
channel 50. 
Thereafter the device 30 is ready to introduce the next treatment liquid 
22. This is programmed in the control program. The step motor 42 brings 
the rotationally movable part 76 of the distributor valve 70 into a 
rotating position, whereby the inlet 78 is connected with a defined outlet 
71 of the distributor valve 70 through its radial chamber 86. Thereby, 
compressed air 59 again flows into the associated supply container 20 and 
drives the desired treatment liquid 22 in flow direction 87 through the 
associated feed pipe 56. Thereby, the process is repeated. It is to be 
understood that in a structure in accordance with FIG. 3, the reverse 
switch 62 has been again reversed to the supply line 79 for compressed air 
58. 
As already repeatedly mentioned, the FIGS. 6a to 7 show a different 
embodiment of the sensor which has been extremely successful. For a 
clearer understanding the same structural units are provided with the same 
numeral references as used in the aforgoing exemplified embodiment, even 
if the structure is differently designed therefrom. This exemplified 
embodiment is particularly suitable for a tilt movable drum to facilitate 
emptying. The outpouring of the tank contents by means of tilting through 
the opening of the tank is in this case also used for introducing the 
fresh treatment liquids. Therefore, the collection line 34, shown in FIGS. 
6a to 7, discharges into this drum opening. Here, the collection line 34 
is formed by a pipe 53 and does not require a connection element 33 of 
exemplified embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4 with different openings. Therefore, 
pipe 53 may have a cross section which is comparable to the cross section 
of connecting element 33. For the purpose of a good run off for the liquid 
pipe 53 is disposed with a slight incline with respect to the drum axis, 
whereby the liquid can run into the drum by means of gravity. At the 
beginning of the collection line 34, pipe 53 is provided with an end plate 
61 which is provided with connecting pieces 17 for the different feed 
pipes 56, as well as for the rinse water line 52. The connecting pieces 
form an angled line path which reaches its highest position at a deflected 
point 66 and extends from there with an end shank 67 in a downward gravity 
direction. This is advantageous in that with respect to this deflected 
point 66, the liquid quantuties behind this point always flow through the 
end shank 67 into collection line 34 and from there into the inside of the 
drum, while the liquid residues in front of this deflected angle flow back 
in the feed pipe 56 and to the associated supply container 20, in 
accordance with the mentioned return flow arrow 65, after the completion 
of the operating phase, as has been already extensively explained. 
The end piece 68 of pipe 53 together with the end plate 61 and the 
different connecting pieces 17, as well as a radial flap 69 are 
advantageously made from one piece of plastic material. The inner front 
face end piece 68 is shown in FIG. 7. The inner face of end plate 61 forms 
an abutment face 73 for a flap 74 associated with this sensor 59. In the 
subject case, the abutment face 73 extends slightly inclined with respect 
to the longitudinal direction of the collection line 34. As can be seen 
from FIG. 7, the different connecting pieces 65 with openings discharge 
into the abutment face 73, that is, the opening of the connecting piece 
for the rinse water line 52 is disposed at about the center of the pipe 
and is surrounded by a circle of openings which belong to the connecting 
pieces 17 of the different feed pipes 56. 
In this case, the sensor 59 comprises an S-shaped offset two arm lever 89 
which extends through a slot 82 in the mentioned radial flap 69 and is 
provided with a pivot axis 77. The lever 89 is introduced into the 
collection line 34 through an upper disposed slot 34 in the end piece 68 
of pipe 53 and the mentioned flap 74 is mounted on the inner arm end. On 
account of the weight of flap 74, the lever 89 has a tendency to engage 
the abutment face 73 together with the flap which may be enhanced by a 
return spring if need be. Such a rest position is shown in FIG. 6a. The 
outwardly directed free arm 95 at this point is at a position with the 
mentioned radial flap 69 crossing a light bar. A light transmitter 96 and 
a light receiver 98 are disposed at each side of the movement path of this 
lever arm 95 which is defined by slot 82, as can be seen from FIG. 7. 
When liquid flows through the feed pipes 56 in the direction of the 
collection pipe 34, the liquid engages flap 74 and moves 128 lever 89 
around its pivot axis 77. This establishes the operating position of the 
sensor, in accordance with FIG. 6b. The free arm 95 is pivoted out of the 
way and releases the light bar, whereby the light can move without any 
interference from the transmitter 96 to the receiver 98. This takes place 
as soon as the treatment liquid starts flowing into the collection pipe 
34. The released light bar 96,98 activates a timer which is adjusted to a 
defined time period. After the time period has expired, as already 
mentioned before, a control pulse is fed to the step motor of the 
distributor valve 70. 
A particular simple and reliable structure of the distributor valve is 
shown in FIGS. 8a to 10, whereby the same structural elements are provided 
with the same reference numerals as used heretofore in the description. 
The stationary and rotationally movable part 75,76 consist in this case of 
a plate each which are connected with each other by an axial bolt 100 and 
are pushed against each other by a pressure spring 102 which supports on 
an disk 101 at the end of the axial bolt. 
In the subject case, the compressed air inlet 78 is disposed in the 
rotationally movable plate 76 and consists of an inlet bore disposed in a 
radial distance to the rotational axis 103 of the two plates 75,76, 
whereby a connecting piece 104 for the supply line 79 is disposed in the 
inlet bore. The connecting piece 104 is rotatably 127 mounted in the inlet 
bore 78, so that during the rotational movement 105 of plate 76, the 
connecting piece 104 can completely rotate and does not twist supply line 
79, as can be seen from FIG. 9. The stationary plate 75 is mounted in the 
device by a flange 106 and is provided with a plurality of bores which are 
disposed on a circle 107 in conformity with inlet bore 78 and which have 
outlets 71 for connecting the different gas lines 57. FIG. 10 shows a plan 
view of the stationary plate 75 on the upper front face 80 of which the 
outlet opening 81 of the mentioned outlets 71 are provided on the dash-dot 
indicated circle 107. Between the two plates 75 and 76, bulbs 108 are 
provided for bearing purposes which are disposed at the sides of the 
stationary plate 75 in deep recesses 109 and on the opposite lower front 
face 110 of the rotationally movable plate 76 in flat recesses 111. 
Between these two front faces 80,110 of the two plates 75,76, a small slot 
112 is maintained on account of the support by the intermediary positioned 
balls 108, as already shown in the initial position of FIG. 8a. 
This slot 112 is gas tight bridged by a sealing ring 113 which is rigidly 
mounted on the connecting piece 104 which is disposed at the inlet side 
and encompasses the discharge opening thereof. In the inclined position of 
FIG. 8a, the sealing ring 113 is in adjustment with the defined outlet 71 
of a gas line 57 and supplies the associated supply containers 20 with air 
pressure, as already described before. In this case, the sealing ring 113 
is compressed between the two front faces 80,110 of the two plates 75,76. 
For stabilizing the rotationally movable plate 76, the plate is provided 
with support rings 114 of a corresponding height in addition to the 
sealing ring 113 which together provide a slot 112 of even height. The 
initial position of FIG. 8a is always present during an operating phase of 
the device where on account of the rotating portion of the rotationally 
movable plate 76 a defined outlet 71 is controlled. 
This rotational portion is at first retained in that the three balls 108 
are engaged in associated recesses 111, the disposition of which is shown 
in dotted lines in the plan view of FIG. 9. While only three deep recesses 
109 are provided for mounting the balls in the stationary plate 75, a 
plurality of flat recesses 111 are provided in the stationary plate in a 
defined angular position corresponding to the number of outlet openings 
81. The balls 108 and their recesses 111 together with the mentioned 
pressure spring 102 acts as a kind of a locking connection. However, the 
decisive retention of the rotating position of the rotationally moveable 
plate 76 is defined by a rotating member 120 which is mounted on a drive 
shaft 115 of the step motor 72. The motor 72 is mounted on an offset plate 
extension 118 by means of screws 119, or the like. The circular-like 
circumference of the rotationally movable plate 76 is provided with two 
types of recesses 116,117 which are disposed in an alternating manner with 
respect to each other and have to fulfill different functions with respect 
to each other. In the initial position of FIG. 8a and 9, a rear piece 121 
of the rotating member 120 engages in one of recesses 116, thus fixing the 
rotating position of plate 76. This is the reason why this recess is 
called a rest recess 116. When the step motor 72 is driven for executing a 
switch step, the rear piece 121 which is provided with a rotating profile 
rolls off from the rest recess 116 which is defined by a corresponding 
circular profile untill a radially offset switch finger 122 of the 
rotating member 120 reaches the next recess 117 during the rotation 123 
indicated in FIG. 9, and pulls the rotationally mounted plate 76 in its 
rotational direction 105 by an angular magnitude 124, as can be seen from 
FIG. 9. In light of this transport, the recess 117 can be designated as a 
transport recess. After rotation around this angular magnitude 124, the 
following rest recess 116 comes to rest in the area of the rotating member 
120 which is the reason that its rear end 121 engage therewith, so that 
this new rotation position of the rotationally movable plate 76 can be 
fixed. As can be seen, the recesses 116,117 cooperate with rotating member 
120, like a so-called "Maltese cross drive". 
FIG. 8b shows the reverse control phase of the distributor valve 70, 
whereby the switch finger 122 engages into a transport recess 117, thus 
moving the rotationally movable plate 76 forward. Thereby, ball 108 
disengages from the flat recess 111 of the rotationally movable plate 76, 
as can be seen in FIGS. 8a and 9. The balls rolls in front of the lower 
front face 110 of the rotationally movable plate 76, whereby plate 76 is 
lifted against the action of a pressure spring 102, in accordance with the 
stroke arrows 125 shown in FIG. 8b. The hitherto narrow slot 112 between 
the plate front faces 110,80 in the initial position of FIG. 8a is 
enlarged to a wide gap 112' shown in FIG. 8b. During this lifting 125 of 
the rotationally movable plate 76, the sealing ring 113 which serves to 
seal the compressed air is naturally also lifted, whereby the previous 
controlled outlet 71 is vented. Thereby, the aforementioned reduction of 
pressure is obtained in the associated gas line 57 and in the supply 
bottle 20, as indicated by the arrows 99 in conjunction with FIG. 5 which 
effects an immediate backflow 65 of the treatment liquid from the 
associated feed pipe 56. The further flow of the liquid treatment medium 
is immediately interrupted and it does not matter whether the compressed 
air pump which is connected to the supply line 79 is switched off, or 
whether a shut off valve is closed at the compressed air source. 
The lifting 125 of plate 76 during its rotation 105 also protects the 
sealing ring 113, as well as the support rings 114. The balls 108 generate 
a roller bearing for plate 76 which therefore can be easily adjusted. 
After each switching step of step motor 72 by the angular dimension 124, as 
shown in FIG. 9, the step motor 72 can be switched off. This is determined 
by a control program which follows in its individual phases the desired 
process of the development process inside of drum 11 of FIG. 1. After the 
rotational movement 105 by the angular magnitude 124, as shown in FIG. 9, 
plate 76 has been moved by only half a switching position wherein the 
supply line 79 is not yet in alignment with the next outlet opening 81. 
Therefore, the supply line 79 is positioned between two outlet openings 81 
and cannot become effective. Since the recess 11 on the lower front face 
110 of plate 76 are not aligned with balls 108, the lifted 125 condition 
shown in FIG. 8b remains. At this point, the treatment liquid can be 
active on the photo material for the desired time period inside of drum 
11. Thereafter, the liquid is pumped out. If need be, rinsing with water 
can take place. Only when all this had been performed, the step motor 72 
will be actuated again for a short time, whereby its rotating member 120 
moves the plate 76 by a further angular dimension 124 which moves the 
plate 76 around the lateral angle 126 with respect to the initial position 
of FIG. 9. At this point the supply line 79 is in alignment with the next 
outlet opening 81 of the stationary plate 75. The ball 108 is now also in 
alignment with the next recess 111 on the lower side 110 of the plate and 
engages therein. Thereby, plate 76 is again pushed downwardly by the 
spring force and then the sealing ring 113 is pressed between the front 
faces 80,110 of the two plates, thus sealing the transfer between the 
plates 75,76. Now, compressed air can flow to the next controlled outlet 
71 when the control program wants to transfer the associated treatment 
liquid 22 of the controlled supply container 20 into the inside of the 
drum. Thereby, the already mentioned process is repeated. If the transfer 
of the treatment liquid is not desired, the compressed air pump will not 
be switched on or the shut off valve between the compressed air source and 
the supply line 79 is not opened, so that the step motor 72 can perform 
the further switching into the next position. 
It is to be understood that instead of compressed air any other given gases 
may be used as a pressure medium, for example, nitrogen which would come 
from a given source, for example, a gas bottle.