Patent GB-689219-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for the chemical treatment and drying of cinematograph films and the like
IPC: G03D13/00
Filed: 1951-02-12
Abstract: 689,219. Kinematograph film processing apparatus. DEBRIE, A. V. L. C. Feb. 12, 1951 [March 3, 1950; March 3, 1950], No. 3420/51. Class 98 (ii). A machine for continuously treating kinematographic or like film in successive passages through chemical or washing liquids including a final washing liquid and a subsequent passage through heated air for drying, in which the film is passed through a series of hollow loops, each loop being interrupted at its upper part and being disposed so that the outlet for the film from each loop is opposite the inlet for the film to the next loop, film driving devices being disposed before the inlet of the first loop and between the outlet of each loop and the inlet of the next loop, characterized in that the loops through which the film and the treating and drying media are circulated each comprise a looped length of tube having a cross-section adapted to guide the film, the lengths of tube and the driving devices being so disposed as to guide the film along a helical path on the surface of cylinder with its axis horizontal. As shown in Fig. 1, a tank 1 has a closed top formed with a trough 2 (shown in longitudinal section). Tubes 15-24 of gapped circular form are mounted in the tank with their ends protruding through the walls of trough 2. The tank 1 is filled with water at the developing temperature, e.g. 86‹ F., which enters at 4 and overflows at 5. A kinematograph film to be treated is engaged on the back by rollers 9 and, at the edges, by bevelled rollers 11; rollers 9 and 11 being mounted on shafts 7, 8, respectively, which are geared together and driven by a motor through a pulley 12. The film, on leaving the first set of rollers, enters the first tube 15. On emerging therefrom it engages the next set of rollers and enters the next tube 16, and so on until it emerges from the last tube 24. The tubes have an elliptical or similar cross-section; the first is fed with developing liquid from a constantlevel device; the second 16 has perforations 31 through which water enters from tank 1 to rinse the film; tube 17 is fed with fixing liquid in the same way as tube 15 is fed with developer; and tubes 18, 19, like tube 16, are perforated at 31 to admit water for washing the film. Liquid carried away by the film drips into trough 2 and is drained away by an overflow 29. The film then passes to drying tubes 20-24, which are mounted in a part of trough 2 separated from the part in which tubes 15-19 are mounted by a partition 36. A part of each tube 20-24 is surrounded by a cylinder into which hot air (e.g. at 104 F.) is blown, the air passing through holes into the tube to dry the film, the air flow being chiefly in the direction of movement of the film. In a modification, Fig. 10, the tubes are mounted in a container 42 through which hot air is blown, the temperature of the air being maintained constant by a thermostat. The container is mounted on top of a tank 58 through which water is circulated, entering through jets in a tubular member 68. The water is heated by electric elements 66, 67 to a temperature which is controlled by a thermostat 72. Tanks 62, 63 are mounted on brackets in tank 58, and contain developer and fixer respectively. These liquids are pumped to the appropriate tubes and overflow into trough 2, The water in tank 58 leaves by way of a pipe 74 by which it is led to the washing tubes. The drying tubes are perforated to admit air from container 42.