Patent GB-1098262-A (GB)
Title: Photo printing and photo processing device
IPC: G03B17/50
Filed: 1965-05-04
Abstract: 1,098,262. Photo-printing and processing apparatus. VISUAL GRAPHICS CORPORATION. May 4, 1965 [May 8, 1964], No.18764/65. Heading G2A. A self-contained photo-copying apparatus comprises generally a bed or base 51 having at one end a slidable copy holder 52, positioned by means of a scale 225, and at the other end a housing 58 within which is located a camera 53 and paper handling and developing stations 54, 55. The copy holder is illuminated by two lights 125, one on each side, mounted on segmented arms 126 pivoted to the copy holder at 127. The copy holder comprises a sheet of opal glass and a second sheet of clear glass. A layer of black velvet is inserted between them when the holder is illuminated from the front, as shown. The lights 125 can be swung round to illuminate the copy holder from behind, in which case the velvet is removed. During use, the lights are given a continuous up and down scanning movement, by mechanism described with reference to Figs. 16-19 (not shown), so that the copy receives even illumination without hot spots developing. The photo-sensitive sheet on which a copy is to be made is positioned on a glass sheet 91, Fig. 7 (not shown) and Fig. 6, in the focal plane of the camera. This is carried in a frame 92, to which a pressure platen 93 is hinged. The platen comprises a frosted composing screen 95, to which are bonded two transparent plastic bags 96, 97 which can be filled with air. The screen 95 can be seen through the bags during the focusing and orienting operation, after which the platen is opened, the photo-sensitive sheet placed on sheet 91, the platen closed again and the picture taken. The frame 92 can be manipulated Figs. 37-40 (not shown) into a reversed position, so that it can provide either a right-reading or a wrong-reading image. Fig. 10 and Figs. 11-15 (not shown) illustrate the construction and operation of a reproportioning device. This comprises two transparent sheets 109, 110 mounted in liquid-tight manner within a frame member 108, so that a tank-like enclosure is formed which is filled with a suitable liquid such as mineral oil. A mechanism is provided by means of which sheet 110 can be bowed to form a convex or concave surface, so that the arrangement acts as a cylindrical lens. A supply of light-sensitive sheets is stored within the handling station 54, preferably in a holder (222, Fig. 41, not shown) having a lid (221) which can be hinged open. The sheets are manipulated within station 54 by a remote handling device 68, illustrated in more detail by Figs. 3-5 (not shown). From a pistol-grip handle (72) a long tube (70) extends through a light-proof opening (73) into the interior of the apparatus, ending in a head 71 to which is secured a hollow dome (73) by means of a universal joint. A number of short open tubes (75) extend downwards from the dome. The dome is rotated by means of a bead chain (81), passing round pulleys (80, 82), with a shaft (83) fixed to the lower part (85) of the handle (72). Thus rotation of the handle part (85) transmits corresponding rotation to the dome (73). A vacuum pump can be connected, via a conduit (87), and under the control of a press button 89, to the interior of the long tube (70), and hence sheets can be lifted up, moved, and released again, by the short tubes (75), under vacuum action. A filter window 63 is provided for observation purposes, and can be covered by an opaque slide. An arrangement of resilient membranes (203, 203a, 203b, 203c, Fig. 32, not shown) may be substituted in the front panel 69 instead of the device 68, when manual handling is required. The copy holder 52 can be moved along the base 51, the lens diaphragm adjusted, and the lights switched on and off, by the control mechanism of Figs.28 and 29 (not shown). After exposure, the sheet is led into the developing station 55 (in more detail, Figs. 23-27, not shown). This comprises a sequence of processing tanks (147, 148, 149), each supplied by a liquid container such as (158). When the liquid is to be removed, the container (158) is swung downwards about a hinge (162), the liquid then draining out through a hose (161) and a pipe (163).