Patent GB-746277-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for treating photographic roll film
IPC: G03D13/04
Filed: 1952-02-18
Abstract: 746,277. Photographic roll film processing apparatus. SNOW, D. R., SNOW, D., KENYON, H. A., KENYON, D. E., and LIVING- STONE, M. C. WELCHMAN-. May 18, 1953 [Feb. 18, 1952], No. 4255/52. Class 98 (2). The apparatus comprises a lightproof container having an upper film loading compartment with means for winding a film and an apron on to a carrier and a lower film processing compartment, the two compartments being divided from or put into communication with each other by means of a slidable panel, and means for transferring the loaded carrier from the upper to the lower compartment without exposing it to light. As shown, a light-tight box 10 having a hinged lid 11 with a rubber packing is divided into upper and lower compartments by a pair of plates 15a, 15b forming a closed guide, and the lower compartment is divided vertically by a wall 12 into left and right-hand sections 13a, 14a, each closed by a sliding door (Fig. 1, not shown), the two plates 15a, 15b being apertured over the right-hand section 14a in which an open processing tank 51 is placed and a slidable tray 16 being located between the plates. Spindles 18, 22 receive spools carrying a separating apron and a strip film to be processed, each spool being engaged by a spring brake, and these are led to a carrier 22 comprising a pair of spiders 27 which are loosely mounted on a hub 33 supported between a shallow stud on the tray 16 and a sleeve 44 secured to the lid and which are separated by spacers 29, 31, 32 adapted, in suitable combinations, to provide spider spacings of a common film and widely connected by axial keying pegs 39, 41, springs 37, 38 and nut 36 holding the spiders and spacers together. To load the carrier, the hub and spacers are rotated by a crank having a shaft with a key end engaging a cross-pin secured in the smallest spacer 29, the spiders being held stationary by a spring-urged hinge plate 49 and the two spider arms 28 nearest the apron and film spools being straight instead of cranked to permit access of apron and spool to the carrier body. The crank is then replaced by a bar 45 having a bayonet joint engaging the pin 34 whereby the loaded carrier is lifted clear of the stud on the tray. The left-hand section 13a is then opened and by means of a peg on the tray 16 extending through a slot in the plate 15b the tray is moved to the left to uncover the apertures in the plates and the section 13a is then reclosed. Alternatively the tray may be controlled from outside the container to avoid opening the section 13a. The carrier is then lowered into the tank 51 containing developer and moved therein by means of the bar 45. The carrier is then raised and the tray slid under it again while the developing tank is replaced by the next bath, the sequence being repeated to rinse, fix, and wash the film. The several tanks preferably form a nesting set which is stored in the section 13a. The tray 16 which collects the drainings may be removed for emptying through a spring-closed door at the left-hand end of the guide between the plates. Alternatively the tank 51 and the tray 16 may be arranged so as to be emptied without removal, while the lower compartment may be detachable from the film winding unit. The lid 11 may house a motor-driven fan and a heater adapted to direct an axial stream of warm air through a radial vent over the carrier which is rotated either by means of the crank or by gearing from the fan motor to dry the apron and film. The apron and film may then be rewound on to their spools by cranks secured to the spindles 18, 22. In a modification of the carrier, the spacers and the lower spider are axially keyed to the hub and the ends of the lower spider, which rotates, extend beyond those of the upper spider and are chamfered to assist lead-in of the film and apron. The pin 34 is secured only to the hub 33 and is held engaged by the bayonet joint on the member 45 by a rod manually movable within it against a spring. Several films may be wound and processed simultaneously by placing the film spools one above the other on the spindle 22, placing suitable apron spools on the spindle 18, and providing suitable separators on the carrier. In a modification the spindles for the apron and the film may be secured to a bar keyed to a post and having a clamping screw so as to be adjustable to films of different widths. By securing more than one such bar on the post, two or more films may be dealt with simultaneously. If a film with backing paper is to be processed it is preferably placed in a light-tight container and a strip of metal or plastic stuck or clipped on to the leading end of the backing paper is attached to an additional spool on a spindle geared to the carrier.