Patent Publication Number: US-6213656-B1

Title: Photographic processing apparatus having improved light-lock feature

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a developing apparatus for developing of a photosensitive media. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a typical prior art minilab, there is provided an entrance for feeding a photosensitive media to a processing path along which a photosensitive media is passed for printing and development. As is typical with minilabs, the device is designed to prevent unwanted exposure of the photosensitive media as it moves from the printing section to the processing section. With such processors, it is often necessary to provide an alternate feed slot for allowing control strips, which are used for monitoring printers and processors, to be located at a particular point in the processing path after printing. In the prior art, the alternate feed slot is required to have a relatively complex light-lock mechanism in order to avoid the entrance of stray light into the device, which can adversely affect the media passing through the processor. 
     Applicants have invented an improved light-lock mechanism for a photosensitive feed slot, which allows a photosensitive media, such as a control strip, to be easily passed into the processor to the processing path at the appropriate location, which requires little or no special devices and allows quick and easy entrance of a photosensitive media into the processing path. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for processing a photosensitive media, the apparatus having a processing path extending between the entrance and outlet for passing of a first photosensitive media through the apparatus, and a light-lock feed slot assembly for allowing a second photosensitive media to be fed into the processing path, the light-lock feed slot assembly comprising: 
     a conduit having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, each of the side walls having an interior surface forming an inlet port, an outlet port and a narrow feed channel between the inlet port and outlet port, the inlet port extending to the exterior of the apparatus and the conduit being positioned for directing of the photosensitive media to the processing path, the conduit having a curved configuration from the inlet port to the outlet port, each of the side walls having at least one projecting member which extends along the width of the channel, extending toward the opposed side wall, the projecting member having a configuration so as to substantially stop light from exiting the outlet port which originates from the entrance port such that there is substantially no light interference with the media passing through the processing path. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for processing a photosensitive media, the apparatus having a processing path for passing of a photosensitive media from the entrance to the outlet through the apparatus, and a light-lock feed slot assembly for allowing the photosensitive media to be fed into the processing path, the light-lock feed slot assembly comprising: 
     a conduit having an inlet port at one end and an outlet port at the other end, the conduit having a configuration which forms a substantially serpentine passageway between the entrance port and the outlet port such that stray light which may be adjacent the entrance port is prevented from reaching the outlet port. 
     The above and other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying detailed description thereof when considered in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a photofinishing apparatus made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating in greater detail an alternate feed slot assembly made in accordance with the present invention and having a package assembly mounted thereto; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the conduit of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a modified alternate feed slot assembly made in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top portion of the feed slot assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating a plug for closing entry to the alternate feed slot assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or in cooperation more directly with, the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It is understood that elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms well known to those skilled in the art. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a photofinishing apparatus  10  made in accordance with the present invention. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the photofinishing apparatus  10  comprises what is typically referred to as a minilab wherein images are first exposed onto a photosensitive media  11  in a printing section  12  and then passed through a processing section  14  where the images exposed on the media  11  are developed. The photosensitive media  11  travels along a processing path  15  starting at supply section  16  in printing section  12 . After passing through the processing section  14 , the photosensitive media  11  is then passed to a finishing station  18  wherein the photosensitive media  11  goes through a cutting operation and a sorting operation for sorting of individual prints. A supply of a photosensitive media  11  is provided at a supply section  16 , which in the particular embodiment illustrated the photosensitive media  11  comprises photographic paper provided in web form. Images are exposed on the media  11  at a print gate  19 . In the embodiment illustrated, images on film, such as photographic negative film, which has been previously developed, are optically exposed onto media  11 . The photosensitive media  11  travels along a processing path  15  through the printing section  12  and processing section  14 . After printing the image on media  11 , the media  11  passes onto the developer section  14  wherein the exposed photosensitive media  11  is developed by passing it through a plurality of processing tanks containing appropriate processing solutions. In particular, the photosensitive media  11  passes through a first development tank  24  wherein the latent images formed on the photosensitive media  11  are developed. The development tank contains an appropriate processing solution for developing of the images. After passing through the development tank, the photosensitive media  11  passes through tanks  26 , 28 , 30 , 32 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, tank  26  is a bleach fix tank containing a bleach fix processing solution and tanks  28 , 30 , 32  each contain a washing solution for washing of the photosensitive media as it passes there through. It is, of course, to be understood that any desired number of processing tanks may be provided containing any appropriate processing solution required or desired for processing of photosensitive media passing there through. 
     After passing through the processing tanks, the photosensitive media  11  passes through dryer  34  and then onto cutter  35  wherein individual images are cut from the web of photosensitive media  11  so as to form individual prints and then to sorter  36  where the individual prints are placed into appropriate sorting bins  38 , typically by customer order. 
     It is often necessary with photofinishing devices to send an undeveloped test strip  33  of a photosensitive media through the processors for determining the condition of a printer and/or of the processing section/processor. As is typically found in minilabs, an alternate feed slot assembly  40  is provided for allowing entry of the test strip at a midpoint of the processing path  13  such that the test strip  33  will pass through only the desired section of the processing section, typically at a point such that test strip  33  will pass through each of the processing tanks  24 , 26 , 28 , 30 , 32  and then through the dryer  34 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated an enlarged cross-sectional view of a light-lock feed slot assembly  40  made in accordance with the present invention. The light-lock feed slot assembly  40  is located in the printing section  12  and comprises a conduit  46  having a pair of substantially parallel side walls  48 ,  49  and end walls  51 , 53 , which form a narrow processing channel  54 . Locating the light-lock feed slot assembly  40  in the printing section  12 , as opposed to the processing section  14 , minimizes the possibility of adversely affecting the light tight condition of the processing section  14  and the photosensitive media passing there through. The channel  54  has a width W measured at the upper region of channel  54  in the range of about 4 mm to 8 mm. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the channel  54  has a width W of about 4 mm. However, the width W may be selected as desired and will vary with the thickness of the media passed through the conduit. In the embodiment illustrated the width W is such that a media having a thickness of about 0.33 mm will pass there through. The side walls  48 , 49  have respective interior surfaces  55 , 57 . The conduit  46  at one end is provided with an inlet port  56 , which allows access from the exterior of photofinishing apparatus  10  and at the other end to an outlet port  58  for directing of a photosensitive media  11  to the processing path  13 . The conduit  46  in the embodiment illustrated has a generally arcuate configuration from the inlet port  56  to outlet port  58  for allowing a test strip or other photosensitive material to be easily passed there through to the processing path. The arcuate configuration assists in minimizing light from traveling from inlet port  56  through conduit  46  to the outlet port  58 . The conduit configuration is such that the side walls  48 , 49  each follow a generally circular path having a radius R1 and R2, respectively. In the embodiment illustrated R1 is equal to R2. Preferably, the radius R1 and R2 are such that the outlet is displaced a horizontal distance from the inlet port a distance equal to or greater than the distance W and will allow the photosensitive media  11  to easily pass through channel  54 . In the embodiment illustrated the center of radius C1, C2 of radius R1 and R2, respectively, for each of side walls  48 , 49 , respectively, are spaced apart a small distance X so that the channel  54  becomes smaller as it approaches outlet port  58  so as to provide for a smaller width W1 at outlet port  58 . W1 is such that the media can easily pass there through without any substantial restriction in movement. In the embodiment illustrated, width W1 is about 1.5 mm. The offset centers C1, C2 provides greater control of the media leaving exit port  58  so that the media is properly directed to the processing path  15 . Applicants have found that a conduit having a curved arcuate path for the conduit  46  may not be sufficient to avoid the entrance of stray light which can adversely affect photosensitive material passing through the photofinishing apparatus  10 . Applicants have found that there should preferably be provided at least one projecting member  60  on each of the interior surfaces  55 , 57  of side walls  48 , 49 . Preferably, the projections  60  are such that they each extend from the wall into the conduit a distance D, at least a distance equal to or greater than half the distance W between the side walls so as to form a serpentine path through which the photosensitive media  11  passes. Preferably, the projection extends in the conduit a distance at least two-thirds of the distance W. This is done so that any light that may be entering the inlet port will be blocked by the providing of the projections  60 . Preferably, the exterior surface  61  of the projections  60  are relatively smooth so that any photosensitive material being passed through the conduit will not catch or be caught on any of the projections  60 . Additionally, the projections  60  are spaced along the length of interior surface  55 , 57  so that substantially all of the light that may be adjacent the inlet port  56  does not reach the outlet port  58 . Applicants have found, as illustrated in the particular embodiment, that a pair of projections  60  are provided on the interior surface  57  of wall  49 , whereas a single projection is provided on the interior surface  55  of wall  48  and is positioned between the two. Preferably, the projections  60  extend a distance D from the side wall, such that the remaining distance D1 from the opposing side wall is slightly greater than the thickness TM of the media  59  (test strip) going there through, preferably, D1 is not more than about four times the thickness TM of the media passing there through. It is to be understood that any desired numbers of projections  60  may be provided and actual dimension may be varied so long as no substantial light is allowed to enter apparatus  10  that will have an adverse affect on the photosensitive media passing there through. 
     In the particular embodiment illustrated, the inlet port  56  is designed such that conduit  46 , just prior to reaching the top  70  of the photofinishing apparatus  10 , has a flared-out section  72  provided for allowing easy insertion of the test strip into the channel  54 . A light-tight peripherally extending boot  71  is provided around the upper end of conduit  46  which engages a mounting bracket  75  secured to the top of apparatus  10 . The mounting bracket  75  is designed to receive a light-tight package assembly  76  comprising a package  77 , mounting collar  78  secured to the package  77  for allowing a photosensitive media  79  contained within the package  77  to be dispensed from the package  77 . The collar  78  is designed to provide a light-tight engagement with mounting bracket  75 . The mounting bracket  75  is preferably substantially flush with the top of the photofinishing apparatus  10 . When a package assembly  76  is not mounted to apparatus, the light-lock assembly still prevents the entry of light into the apparatus that will have a substantial affect on the undeveloped photosensitive media passing through the apparatus  10 . However, if desired, a plug (not shown), may be provided for mounting bracket  75  when no package assembly  76  is provided so as to prevent inadvertently having something go into conduit  46 , which could cause damage to the apparatus and/or media being passed there through. Preferably, the plug has a top surface which is substantially flush with the top surface of the apparatus  10 . 
     It is, of course, understood that any appropriate package may be provided for mating with the inlet port  56  for allowing transfer of the a test strip  59  or any other desired media to the alternate feed slot assembly  40 . 
     In order to more clearly understand the present invention, a brief description of the operation of apparatus  10  will now be discussed. 
     When it is desired to pass media onto the processing path  13 , a package assembly  76  is provided with a photosensitive media  59  therein, such as a test strip. The test strip  59  is passed through the inlet port  56  into conduit  46  to outlet port  58  and is fed directly to a pair of rollers  73 , 74 , wherein at least one of the rollers is a drive roller. The rollers  73 , 74  are used for advancing photosensitive media  11  through the processing path, which has been received from the printing section  12 . As can be seen, the outlet port  58  is positioned such that the media  11  passing through the conduit  46  will be fed directly to the nip of the rollers  73 , 74  for transporting through the test strip to the processing path  15 . The test strip passes through the processing section in the normal manner, except for cutting and sorting. The curved conduit  46  provides an additional benefit in that when properly positioned within the apparatus, the back side  80  can be used as a guide for the top surface of photosensitive media traveling along the processing path  15 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the light-lock feed slot assembly  40  is provided with a generally arcuate conduit  46  having internal projections. However, the present invention is not restricted to such embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a modified light-lock feed slot assembly  140  made in accordance with the present invention. The light-lock feed slot assembly  140  is similar to assembly  40 , like numerals indicating like parts and functions. In this embodiment, conduit  146  is provided with side walls  48 , 49 , which are configured so as to provide a generally serpentine configuration. In particular, the conduit  46  is shaped such that there is provided a first curved section  142 , a second curved section  143  and a third curved section  144 , each having a radius of curvature R3. In the preferred embodiment, each of the curved sections  142 ,  143 ,  144  have the same radius of curvature, however, the present invention is not limited to such. The radius of curvature R3 is such that the photosensitive media  11  may be easily passed there through, but is of sufficient curvature to prevent any substantial light from reaching outlet port  58 . In this regard, preferably the first curved section  142  is displaced horizontally with respect to the inlet port  56  a distance D2 equal to at least the thickness W of the passageway formed by the conduit. Preferably, the second curved section  143  is also displaced from the first curved section  142  a distance D2, which is equal to or greater than the thickness W of the passage formed by the conduit  46 . The third curved section  144  is displaced from the second curved section in the same manner. While in the preferred embodiment three curved sections  142 , 143 , 144  are provided, it is to be understood that any desired number of curved sections may be provided. Also, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the portion of the conduit  46  adjacent the outlet port  48  is configured so that the photosensitive media  11  will smoothly enter the processing path  15 . It can be seen that in this embodiment the light-lock assembly  140  directly provides a serpentine path, through which the media  11  passes which prevents stray light from entering the inlet port  56  from reaching the outlet port  58  such that the photosensitive media  11  passing there through will not be adversely affected. 
     Various other features may be provided as desired. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a media sensor  90  may be provided for sensing when a media passes by outlet port  58  so that the rollers  73 , 74  are activated for transporting of the media to processing path  15 . 
     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Parts List 
       10  photofinishing apparatus 
       11  photosensitive media 
       12  printing section 
       13  processing path 
       14  processing section 
       15  processing path 
       16  supply section 
       18  finishing station 
       19  print gate 
       20  Film 
       24  Development tank 
       26  Bleach fix tank 
       28 , 30 , 32  Washing tanks 
       33  Test strip 
       34  Dryer 
       35  Cutter 
       36  Sorter 
       38  Sorting bins 
       40  Feed slot assembly 
       46  Conduit 
       48 , 49  Side walls 
       51 , 53  End walls 
       50 , 52  Interior surface 
       54  Processing channel 
       55 , 57  Interior surfaces 
       56  Inlet port 
       58  Outlet port 
       59  Media (test strip) 
       60  Projecting member 
       61  Exterior surface 
       70  Top of apparatus 
       71  Boot 
       72  Flared-out section 
       73 , 74  Rollers 
       75  Mounting bracket 
       76  Package assembly 
       77  Package 
       78  Mounting collar 
       79  Photosensitive media 
       80  Back side 
       81  Plug 
       90  Media sensor 
       140  Feed slot assembly 
       142 , 143 , 144  Curved section 
       146  Conduit 
       160  Light-tight package 
       162  Outlet