Patent GB-190926117-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Automatic Apparatus for Exposing, Developing and Fixing Photographic Films.
Inventor: BEIDLER GEORGE CHASE
IPC: G03B17/53
Filed: 1909-11-11
Granted: 1910-11-10
Abstract: 26,117. Beidler, G. C. Nov. 11. Automatic apparatus.-Relates to apparatus for exposing, developing, and fixing films. The film is drawn from the store spool through the exposure chamber by feed-rollers, which are intermittently actuated and perforate the exposed section of the film on each revolution. The film is then severed by the pull from delivery rollers, which pass it on to a belt or conveyer by which it is taken through the developing-bath. From the developing-bath the film is delivered to a fixing-bath, means being provided to spread the film out, to spray it with the fixing-solution, and to immerse it in the bath. The drum in the developing tank nearly fills the tank, so that only a small quantity of developer is used. The drum is also automatically stopped when a section of film is in the tank, thereby automatically stopping the feed - rollers and other mechanism, until re-started by hand. The spool chamber B, Fig. 1, and cover hood a<5> are connected to the sides of the case A and pivot on the base a<1> so as to swing rearwards and allow access to the interior. The developing-tank E, Fig. 4, is within the lower part of the case A; and the fixing - bath a<4> projects into the case through the opening a<2>, and is supported on brackets a<3> on the case. The film is drawn from the spool B' over an idle roller A<4>, through the exposure chamber A<5>, and between the feeding- rollers Z, z, Fig. 4. A serrated blade Z<2> on the roller Z perforates the band at each revolution, and the film is finally severed by the pull of the delivery rollers z<1>, z<2>, which deliver it to the conveyer consisting of a chain S<1> and belt S<2>. The chain S<1> is geared over rollers on the shafts F, G, K<1> and passes round the drum O in the developing-tank. The belt passes round the drum and over rollers on the shafts S, F, N'. The shaft F is driven from the motor 30, Fig. 1, and in turn drives the shaft G by a chain M extending over the two shafts. The rollers z<1>, z<2> are geared from the shaft G; and the shaft y of the roller Z is in turn driven from the roller z<1>. The feed - roller Z is loose on the shaft y and carries a spring pawl w, which engages the ratchet - wheel Y on the shaft y. The motor driving-shaft 20, Figs. 1 and 9, is an extension of the shaft F, and is driven from the worm 28 and pinion 26. This pinion is mounted loosely on the sleeve 22, which is secured on the shaft 20, and drives the friction clutch 31, which in turn drives the sleeve 22, being slidably mounted by the bolt-and-slot connexion 33, 24, and pressed in contact with the friction surface of the pinion by the spring 34. This spring is adjusted by the bolt 35 screwing on the sleeve 22. The developing-tank E is mounted in brackets H, Fig. 2, and is fitted with a discharge pipe I. A draining-pan K is also fixed below the tank, and is supported on the shafts K'. The drum O in the developing - tank ismounted on the frame N, and is rotated from the shaft G through gearing S, R, Q, P. The periphery of the other end of the drum opposite the pinion P is recessed at O<1>, Fig. 4, to form a shoulder T. which is engaged by a lever U slidably mounted on a stud V. Normally, the lever is pulled down by a spring v. When the shoulder T engages the lever U, the drum is stopped and the lever is raised, thereby opening a switch 36 and cutting out the motor, from the motor circuit, which is shown by the connexions 39, 37, 43, 42, and 41. To start the mechanism, the lever U is released from the drum by a handlever W, Fig. 1, which carries an arm bearing against the stud W<2> on the lever. Alternatively, a flexible connexion 57, 61, 61<a> from the front of the camera is divided to act on the arm W. On the drum re-starting, an adjacent recessed part O<2> comes under the arm of a lever X, which is pulled down by the spring x. The pawl w is thereby released from the arm X, engages the ratchet-wheel Y, and connects up the feed-rollers Z, z to feed a length of film determined by the periphery of the feed - roller Z. The lever X is raised by the periphery of the drum, and catches the pawl w on its revolution, thereby stopping the feed-rollers. The roller Z perforates the film on each revolution; and the previously exposed and perforated section is now pulled by the rollers z, z<1>, which sever the film and pass it on to the conveyer band S<2>. When the film is in the developing-tank, the shoulder T engages the lever U, which stops the drum and cuts-out the motor. On re-starting, a fresh length of film is fed forward, and the developed film is carried by the belt, to which, being wet, it adheres until the belt turns the roller N', when the film separates, owing to the abruptness of the turn, and is fed into the fixing-bath a<4>. When it is required to operate the developing-mechanism without rotating the feeding- drum Z, and thus making fresh exposures, the arm X is kept elevated by the cam Z<1>, which can be separately turned by hand. To tighten or adjust the belt S<2>, the shaft F is movable in a slot in the case. The arrangement in connexion with the fixing-bath comprises mechanism for spreading the film out, for spraying them, and for submerging them in the bath. For spreading the film, two pivoting arms 75, Figs. 4 and 6, are fitted with cranks 78 and a connecting-arm 80, so as to be turned in opposite directions when actuated by the thrust-rod 81. The rod 81 is actuated from a cam 84<a> on the pinion 85 driven from a pinion on the stub shaft 20. The cam and adjustable connexion 82 is arranged to spread the arms when the film is being delivered from the belt; and a coiled spring 79 on one of the pivots of the spreaders automatically returns the arms to idle position. For spraying the film, a pump 62, Fig. 1, is worked from the motor shaft 29, and pumps liquid from the tank to the spray pipe 65, Figs. 2 and 4, which discharges approximately horizontally at the surface of the liquid in the tank a<4>, the action tending to submerge the film. Alternatively, a hand pump may be used, and combined with a hand - operated spreading- mechanism, as above described. The mechanism for submerging the films consists of a framework 89, Figs. 2 and 4, mounted on arms 90, which are coiled round the shaft 93 journaled in the casing, to provide for a yielding action of the frame and to absorb any vibration. The frame is actuated from the stud 95 on the lever U, so that, whenever this lever is raised by the drum. the frame is lowered to submerge the prints in the tank, and the frame is automatically raised by the spring 97 acting on the arm 96.