Patent GB-685474-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to methods and apparatus for processing cinematograph films and similar photographic films
IPC: G03D3/06
Filed: 1950-03-31
Abstract: 685,474. Photographic processing apparatus. OVTCHINNIKOFF, A. T. March 31, 1950 [March 31, 1949], No. 8190/50. Class 98 (ii). Apparatus for processing kinematograph films comprises a tank having a shell with a cylindrical inner surface adapted to receive one or several coaxially arranged rolls, each formed by a length of film and a spacing strip wound together on a core, said shell being carried by a partition dividing the tank into two parts each containing an end of the shell, and means for closing the tank in a light- and fluid-tight manner, inlet and outlet means for treating fluid being provided in communication, respectively, with the two parts of the tank, and means being provided for producing a forced flow of fluid into the inlet means and through the roll or rolls out of the outlet means. As shown, a film to be developed is wound on to a core with a stainless steel spacing strip having bosses formed therein, one or more turns of said spacing strip covering the outermost turn of film, said outer turns of the spacing strip being free of bosses and if desired of rubber instead of stainless steel. Four such coils are then loaded into a light-tight magazine comprising a cylindrical body 9 having an internal flange 14, on which the coils are supported by the outer film-free turns of the spacing strip, and a rabbet 15 into which fits a disc 10 forming the bottom of the magazine. A sleeve 16 secured to said bottom extends through the aperture in each core, and a lid 8 carries a similar sleeve 7, on which the cores are located and which fits round the sleeve 16. A recess 12 is provided for locating the lid on the body 9, and the magazine is latched closed against the action of a spring 47 between the lid and a recess 48 in the uppermost core by a lever 17 pivoted on the lid engaging in a recess in the protruding free end of the sleeve 16. The closed loaded magazine is placed in a tank 22 having a partition 27 dividing the tank into upper and lower compartments 43, 42, said partition being apertured to receive the magazine and to provide ports 37, 38, 39, 41 for passage of processing liquid to and from the tank. The tank is rotatably mounted in bearings carried by external standards, Figs. 5, 6 (not shown), by means of extensions 54, 55 of the tank through which pass blind tubes 33, 34 having outlets 35, 36, respectively, so that by inverting the tank each of the tubes may alternately be connected with the two compartments. The magazine when first placed in the tank is located by a bolt 24 in the tank passing through the inner sleeve 16 of the magazine, the overhanging rim of its lid seating on the sealing gasket 44 in the flanged rim 45 of the tank. On releasing the magazine latch 17 the body of the magazine moves downwardly until the flange 13 on the body engages the top of the partition 27, the body being latched in this position by a manually releasable catch on the partition, Fig. 3a (not shown), engaging in a recess 21 in the body, while the bottom 10 descends and opens the lower end of the magazine. A nut 46 is tightened on the threaded end 25 of the bolt to render the tank liquid-tight. By the appropriate positioning of a slidable multiple aperture cock, Figs. 5, 7, 8 (not shown), developer is first drawn through the tank by a suction pump into a receiver, and, by rotating the tank to invert it, the connections are reversed by a two-way rotary cock, Fig. 6 (not shown), to pass the developer again through the tank. The slidable cock is then successively moved to cause the contents of a water or stop bath to pass once through the tank and then to pass fixer through the tank, the tank being inverted to obtain a second passage of the fixer, followed by passage of washing water through the tank. The tank being upright, the lid 8 is then removed and air sucked through the tank across the turns of the film to assist drying. If desired, the processing liquids may be forced through the tank by increased air pressure instead of suction, or preferably the suction may be aided by applying pressure to the space above the surface of the liquid in the supplying container into which the supply pipe dips.