Patent GB-671822-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to apparatus for processing photographic film
IPC: G03D13/06
Filed: 1948-11-03
Abstract: 671,822. Photographic processing apparatus; storing films. KING, F. W. Sept. 27, 1949 [Nov. 3, 1948; Nov. 22, 1948; May 20, 1949], Nos. 28486/48, 30289/48 and 13495/49. Class 98 (ii). A flexible daylightloading apparatus for processing or measuring and temporarily storing photographic film, comprising a thin-walled tube of opaque flexible rubber or like material adapted to contain a film, means for closing the tube situated near each end thereof, and means for transporting the film into the tube from a holder arranged at one end thereof, is characterized in that at the other end there is provided a funnel with a zig-zag passage into the tube. A film is processed in such an apparatus by holding the tube vertically while processing fluids are introduced through the funnel and shaking the tube to prevent the film from sticking to it. As shown, an opaque flexible tube 1 as of rubber is provided at one end with a resilient lip 4 having a wire insert adapted to surround the film exit lips of a cassette and with a clamp 2, and is provided at the other end with a clamp 3 including a plate 6 curved in the direction of the length of the tube and a funnel-shaped mouth to which is attached a loop 7 by which it may be hung up. To feed the film from the cassette into the tube, a weight on the end of a thread 8 is passed through the tube with both clamps open and the clamp 3 is then partially closed to prevent light but not the thread or liquid passing it. The leader strip of the film is then passed round a roller 11 and secured to the cassette 14 by an adhesive strip 13, the roller being carried by a bridle 10 attached to the unweighted end of the thread. The cassette lips are then moved into engagement with the lip 4 and a cover 15 having a thickened rim 16 adapted to pass over the lip of the tube is applied to form a light-tight joint. If the length of film to be drawn into the tube is not greater than the tube length the ends of the bridle may be engaged directly in the film perforations. On holding the tube below the lip 4 the film is drawn into it by pulling on the thread 8, the length of film drawn in being indicated by the position of the roller 11 in the tube which is graduated in exposure frames. The clamp 2 is then closed holding the film stationary and sealing the tube, the film being cut off from the cassette which is removed. The tube is then inverted, filled with developer, the clamp 3 closed and the film wetted with developer by shaking the tube. When development is completed the clamp 3 is opened and the developer emptied away. Fixing is performed in a similar manner and the film is then washed by suspending the tube by its loop 7 from a water tap and adjusting the flow through it by the clamp 2. The washed film is withdrawn through the lip 4. While loading the tube 1 with film the film may be wound back into the cassette by removing a plug from a hole 18 in the cover 15 and inserting a winding key which engages the web 20 of the cassette spool. The tube 1 may be used to load cassettes from a large film storage container which is attached to the tube by a rubber strip having eyelets engaged by a U-shaped wire passing below the lip 4, the film being fed into the tube as described above, cut off from the container leaving a strip for attachment to the cassette spool and then wound back into the cassette. Roll films provided with backing paper may be introduced into the tube for processing by placing them in a cassette bonded thereto and having a lid 26 hinged at 28 and two exit slots 29, 31 for the backing paper and film respectively which are separated by a blade 35 and the film fed into the tube by pulling on the backing paper. The slot 31 is closed by a clamp 33 and the lower part of the slot is curved, so that together with the reduced width of the tube, the film is constrained to an arcuate crosssection.