Patent GB-231926-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to automatic apparatus for taking and finishing photographs
IPC: G03B17/53
Filed: 1923-12-31
Abstract: 231,926. Josepho, A. M. Dec. 31, 1923. Continuous apparatus for developing and like treatment ; drying apparatus. -Automatic apparatus comprises means to feed a sensitized strip step by step past a lens, means operated by the feeding means to work a shutter when the strip is stationary, means to effect a predetermined number of exposures, means to sever the exposed strip, and means to feed the severed portion through developing and finishing apparatus. These operations are effected automatically in sequence and may be started by coin-actuated mechanism. Provision is made for controlling the development, and for drying the film before delivery. The apparatus comprises switches and switch mechanisms for operating and controlling the different parts of the mechanism. After starting the machine by a coin in the shoot 6, Fig. 3, the driving motor 31 is temporarily started by a switch 23 and a permanent motor circuit is then completed by a knife switch 63 on an arm which is moved and held by a rotating cam until the predetermined exposures have been effected. The exposed strip is now in the channelled guide 70. Cutting the exposed film, and feeding it to the developing apparatus. The cutting is effected at the end of the return movement of the arm, which effects the circuiting of an electromagnet 103. The armature operates a crank rod 105, rotating thereby gears 106, 107, the latter of which moves a rack slide and knife 110. The cutting parts are returned by a spring controlled rack bar 112 one portion of which gears with the wheel 106. The severed film is fed to the developing machine on the return downward movement of the rack bar 112 which operates a pair of flattened feed rollers 117, 119, Fig. 31, through a pinion 115, and a ratchet pawl 123. This pawl 123 drives the wheel 122 and spindle 116 of one of the rollers 120 which is geared to the other spindle by gears 118, and movement of the rollers 117, 119 is prevented when the slide 112 moves upwards by a fixed pawl and a second ratchet wheel 122a on the spindle 116. The rollers 117, 119 are resiliently pressed on the film A by springs 121 and the flattened portions prevent the feed of the film until it has been severed, leaving the film normally with a clear path through the channel 70. Developing apparatus. This apparatus 125, Figs. 3 and 48, into which the film passes comprises a series of tanks 126 each of which has three sets of rollers 127 mounted on sliding panels at the sides of the tanks. An endless belt 130 for each tank passes over a driven roller 131 and over other fixed rollers 133, 134 and guides the film over the centre rollers, the film being guided from one tank to the next by curved plates 137. The number of rollers in each tank may be adjusted according to the desired treatment in the particular bath, alternate baths being washing baths. The rollers 131 are driven by an endless chain 155, Fig. 3, tensioned by rollers 158. This chain is driven from a motor driven shaft 165 which drives the shaft 157 by the chain 163. Drying apparatus. This comprises a compartment 139 having a central series of flanged rollers 140, Figs. 48 and 50, against which are pressed by springs 142 an outer series of hollow perforated rollers 141 which are mounted in slotted bearings. These outer rollers 141 are provided with heating coils 145 which are heated from the main current supply through contact strips 148 and leads 150. Fig. 3. A motor fan 152, supplies an upward current of air through the drying compartment 139. The film is turned round the bottom roller 140, Fig. 48, by a perforated guide 151 and is delivered from the drying compartment by the delivery slot 7. The centre rollers 140 are driven by chain gearing over sprockets 160, Fig. 50, on the rollers, the lower shaft 159, Fig. 3, of these rollers being belt driven from the shaft 157 which itself is driven from the motor driven shaft 165. Starting and stopping mechanism for the developing apparatus and switches therefor. The motor 168, Fig. 3, driving the apparatus is started after the exposed film is cut by the closing of a blade switch 184 which is normally held open by the upper end of the crank rod 105 on the armature 104. This puts the battery 99 into circuit 183 with an electromagnet 181, Figs. 3 and 35. The armature 182 slidably mounted on the shaft 174 withdraws a friction disc 178 from a second friction disc 175 secured to the shaft 174 which is thereupon rotated by a tensioned spring 176 and withdraws an arm 173, Fig. 38, from holding inoperative a spring blade switch 172. The rotation of the arm 173 is limited by the stop 177. The switch 172 thereupon closes the main circuit through the switch block 170, and completes parallel circuits 171, 150 through the motor 168 and through the heating coils and fan motor of the drying apparatus. The arm 173 is slowly rotated backwards from the stop 177 and finally, after the developed and dried film is delivered, it engages and opens the switch 172, thereby braking the main circuit and stopping the apparatus. It is rotated backwards by the friction disc 178 on the armature 182 which is released when the switch 184 is reopened after the cutting operation and is pressed by the spring 180 against the second friction disc 175 on the arm 173. The friction disc 178 is rotated bv a gear 186, Fig. 37, with which the disc shaft 179 is slidably keyed, and which is driven from the motor shaft 166, through gearing 167, 186'. The gearing 186<1> is adjusted according to the time required for developing. Also since the arm 173 is returned against the stop 177 each time the switch 184 is closed by the cutting mechanism a second film can be exposed at any time after the preceeding film is cut and will completely pass through the developing apparatus independently of the film in advance of it which will continue its passage independently of the subsequent exposure. Solution supply and draining arrangements and switches therefor. Supply tanks 187, Fig. 41, are provided with valves 188, which are opened each time the driving motor 168 is started and are closed when the motor stops. A common water supply pipe 190 for the washing tanks has valves 191. The valves are opened by connecting arms and rods 192, 193 connected by a cable 195 to a crank arm 196 carrying a ratchet wheel 197 which is prevented from rotation in one direction by a fixed pawl 204. It is rotated through half a revolution to open the valves by the armature 206 of the solenoid 207 by a spring returned cable 205 over a pulley wheel carrying a feed pawl 203. The first actuation and reciprocation of the armature is effected by a cable pulley 214, Figs. 3 and 43, frictionally driven by expanding shoes on the driving shaft of the motor 168. The rotation of the motor and pulley draws a pivoting spring contact arm 210 over one contact surface 211 on an inclined insulated block 212 thereby making and breaking the circuit 209 through the solenoid 207 and causing the reciprocation of the armature 206 to open the. valves. When the motor stops the spring 213 returns the contact arm 210 over the contact 211 causing the second reciprocation of the armature 206, Fig. 41, and a further rotation of the ratchet wheel 197, whereupon the valve rods 193 are returned by the spring 194 to close the valves. Overflow pipes 221 are fitted to the tanks in the apparatus 125 which connect with a drain pipe 217, and the tanks can be emptied at any time by valves 220 operated manually by the sliding rod 219.