Patent GB-818694-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to apparatus for processing photographic cut films
IPC: G03D13/00
Filed: 1957-07-08
Abstract: 818,694. Photographic processing. OPTISCHE INDUSTRIE DE OUDE DELFT N. V. July 8, 1957 [July 7, 1956], No. 21597/57. Class 98(2) Apparatus for processing photographic cut film comprises a number of film frames adapted to receive the films which are conveyed through a number of photographic baths arranged in sequence in a housing having at least one light-tight  compartment, a magazine for a stack of cut films to be processed, and means for removing the films one by one from the  magazine and inserting them into the I frames. As shown in Fig. 1, the housing 1 of the apparatus has a light-tight compartment 2 containing a developing tank 4, stop bath 5 and a first fixing tank 7 in which films in their frames are fixed until they are no longer light-sensitive and may, if necessary, be inspected. Fixing is completed in a tank 7 on the other side of a light-trap consisting of walls 9, 10, 11, and the films pass through a washing tank 12 and a drying tunnel 13 to a magazine 19, the empty frames passing to magazine 15. Film frames. As shown in Figs. 2, 3, the frame consists of a U-shaped metal rod 42 having extensions 48, 49. Attached to the rod is a pair of V-section strips 43, 44, closed at their lower ends by lips 45, 46. The film 47 is slightly bowed when in position in the frame. Film loading device. As shown in Figs. 4, 5, a film magazine 20, similar to that used in the camera, is detachably mounted on a wall 51 of the housing. A stack of exposed film 47 is spring-pressed against the edges 54, 55, and a slot 56 in the bottom of the magazine is just wide enough to allow one film to pass through. A carriage 61 is slidable past the magazine on bars 62. When the apparatus is started, a pair of conveyer chains 21 (see also Fig. 1) begin to move, and a frame is picked up from magazine 15 by hooks on the chains. The frame operates a switch 41 to energize an electric device (not shown) which rotates a segment 70 clockwise against spring action to the position shown in Fig. 4, in which it is held by a pawl 71. A projection 58 on one of the chains 21 engages segment 70 and pushes carriage 61 down until a stop 75 engages pawl 71 to permit segment 70 to return to its initial position, so that a finger 57 projecting from the carriage pushes one film out of the magazine 20. Springs hold the carriage in place by friction on the bars 62. Switch 41 also energizes an electromagnet which releases a pawl 84, allowing a double arm 80, pivoted at 81, to swing clockwise under spring action. The free end of arm 80 carries fixed prongs 87, 89 with a prong 88 pivotally mounted between them. As the arm 80 swings, an extension 91 of prong 88 strikes a stop 92 so that the prong is pivoted into the position shown at 88<SP>1</SP> in Fig. 4. Thus, when the film falls out of the magazine 20, it is received between prong 88 and prongs 87, 89. A projection on one of the chains 21 engages arm 80 to return it to its initial position, wherein it is held by a pawl 84; the film is now bowed by prongs 87, 88, 89 as shown in Fig. 5. The frame being lifted by the chains passes through light-tight flaps 22, 23, and its side strips 43, 44 embrace the edges of the bowed film, the lips 45, 46 push it out of engagement with the prongs, whereupon the film springs out to engage in the grooves in strips 43, 44. A projection 59 on a chain 21 engages a segment 78 which is pivoted to the carriage 61 and is held against rotation by a pawl 73, so that the carriage is moved into its uppermost position, where pawl 73 is lifted by the stop 75. The projection 57 is connected to the carriage by parallel pivoted links 64, 67. In the lower position of carriage 61, a stop 68 rocks the link 64 to retract projection 57, which is held in the retracted position by a click spring (not shown). In the upper position of the carriage, a stop 65, acting through link 64, returns the projection 57 to its extended position. Operation. As shown in Fig. 6, levers 94 are pivoted to the chains just below the hooks 95 which support the projections 48, 49 of the frame. The levers engage stops 97 and are tilted to throw the frame on to a pair of blocks 34. From this position the frame is picked up by a pair of double hooks 33 on a pair of chains 26 (Figs. 1, 7). As the hooks change direction and begin to move downwards, the frame moves from one end of each hook to the other, and is thus lowered into the developing tank 4. The projections of the frame are released from the hooks by plates 35, down which they slide on to a pair of lead screws 31, which move the frame through the tank. The frame is then transported by chains 27, 28, 29, from tank 4 to tank 5, thence to tank 6 and through light lock 9, 10, 11 to tank 7, being moved through the tanks by the same pair of lead screws. A chain 30 lifts the frame from tank 7 and deposits it, with the aid of guide plates 36, 37, on lead screws 32 in the lower compartment 3, which carry it through a washing tank 12, where it is sprayed with jets of water, and a drying tunnel 13, where it is subjected to jets of hot air. To ensure synchronism, all chains and lead screws may be driven by a single motor. Guides 39 tilt the frame during washing and drying. At the end of the drying tunnel 13, the frame slips off guides 39 and swings to strike a rod 14 with sufficient force to knock the film out of the frame. The film falls into the magazine 19, while the empty frame slides down the rails 16 which constitute the magazine 15. The magazine 19 preferably holds more frames than can be used at one time, so that a number of frames can be withdrawn for inspection after partial fixing without the machine stopping for lack of frames. A locking device is provided to prevent empty frames from passing through the machine.