Patent Publication Number: US-6663301-B2

Title: Chemical delivery system for use with a photographic processor and method of operation

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to the following pending patent applications, some of which are filed concurrently herewith: U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,202 issued Nov. 26, 2002, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSOR AND METHOD OF OPERATION and U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,261 issued Feb. 11, 2003, entitled A PROCESSING SOLUTION DELIVERY SYSTEM HAVING A SUPPLY TUBE AND LEVEL DETECTION SENSOR UNIT FOR USE WITH A PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSOR. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a chemical or processing solution delivery system, which may be used in a photographic processor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Photographic processors come in a variety of shapes and sizes from large wholesale photographic processors to small micro-labs. As photographic processors become more and more technologically sophisticated, there is a continued need to make the photographic processor as user-friendly and as maintenance-free as possible. 
     Currently available photographic processors have one or more of the following shortcomings: (1) the film processing time is relatively high; (2) some photographic processor, because of their size, require a large amount of space; (3) some photographic processors may require an unacceptable amount of developing solution due to the design of the processing tank; and (4) some photographic processors generate an unacceptable amount of developing solution waste due to the design of the processing tank. 
     One component of photographic processors is a chemical or processing solution delivery system, which provides processing fluids for processing a roll of photographic film. Some conventional chemical delivery systems have one or more of the following shortcomings: (1) the chemical delivery time is unacceptably high due to (a) a processing fluid dilution step, (b) undesirably long heating times, (c) low volumetric flow into or out of the processing drum or reactor, or (d) a combination thereof; (2) some chemical delivery systems, because of their size, require a large amount of space; (3) some chemical delivery systems require an external water source to dilute the concentration of the chemicals used in the chemical delivery system; and (4) some chemical delivery systems require a drain for removal of the processing fluids from the processor. 
     What is needed in the art is a chemical delivery system, which (a) provides exceptional processing speed, and (b) does not require an external water source. What is also needed in the art is a chemical delivery system, which may be used in a variety of photographic processors, and is capable of minimizing (a) the amount of space needed for operation, and (b) the amount of waste generated during the photographic process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses some of the difficulties and problems discussed above by the discovery of a novel, chemical or processing solution delivery system for use in a photographic processor. The chemical delivery system provides numerous advantages over conventional chemical delivery systems including, but not limited to, (a) the ability to use “processing strength” chemicals, as oppose to concentrated chemicals, which must be diluted prior to use; (b) improved heating cycles due to a chemical heating chamber design; and (c) the ability to operate without an external water source for dilution of processing chemicals. 
     Further, the chemical delivery system of the present invention minimizes the amount of time needed to chemically process a roll of film. The chemical delivery system of the present invention is extremely user-friendly and requires very little maintenance. 
     The chemical delivery system of the present invention comprises one or more of the following components: a chemical storage reservoir, a heating assembly, and a chemical waste reservoir. One or more flow meters may be used, for example, (a) between the chemical storage reservoir and the heating assembly; or (b) between the heating chamber and a processor drum or reactor. A series of pumps and/or suction devices may be used in the chemical delivery system of the present invention to transfer a processing fluid from one location to another location within the system, for example, from a processor drum or reactor to a chemical waste reservoir. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a chemical delivery system, which may be used in a photographic processor. The present invention is further directed to a process of delivering chemicals to a photographic processor using the chemical delivery system. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is further described with reference to the appended figures, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of exemplary components in a chemical delivery system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary chemical storage reservoir used in the chemical delivery system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of an exemplary heating assembly for use in the chemical delivery system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the exemplary heating assembly of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of a heating chamber of the heating assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 displays a close-up view of an exemplary driving device for a stirring assembly used in the chemical delivery system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a control arrangement for the chemical delivery system of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8A-8C show a second embodiment of a heating chamber of the heating assembly in accordance with the present invention; and, 
     FIGS. 9A-9C show a third embodiment of a heating chamber of the heating assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a chemical delivery system which may be used with a photographic processor. The chemical delivery system of the present invention comprises one or more components for storing, transporting, and collecting processing fluids or solutions, such as processing fluids or solutions used in a photographic processor. The present invention is further directed to a method of delivering chemicals, fluids or solutions to a processor, such as a photographic processor drum or tank using the chemical delivery system described below. An exemplary chemical delivery system  10  is shown in FIG.  1 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary chemical delivery system  10  of the present invention comprises a chemical storage reservoir  11 , a heating assembly  13 , and a chemical waste reservoir  17 . The chemical delivery system  10  may also comprise one or more devices for moving a processing fluid from one location to another location within the photographic processor. As shown in FIG. 1, a pump  12  may be used to move processing fluid from chemical storage reservoir  11  to heating assembly  13 . An optional pump  14  may be used to move heated fluid from heating assembly  13  to a photographic processor  15  such as a drum or tank. Further, a suction device or pump  16  may be used to remove processing fluid from processor  15  and transport the fluid to chemical waste reservoir  17 . 
     It should be noted that other mechanisms may be used to move processing fluid from one location to another within the chemical delivery system of the present invention. For example, gravimetric force may be used to move processing fluid from heater assembly  13  to processor  15  and/or from processor  15  to chemical waste reservoir  17 . 
     Each of the components of the chemical delivery system of the present invention is described in detail below. 
     The chemical storage reservoir may comprise four or more separate containers for storing multiple processing fluids. Typically, at least one storage container houses a developing solution, at least one storage container houses a bleach solution, at least one storage container houses a fix solution, and at least one storage container houses a wash solution. Regardless of whether the processing fluid is a developing, bleach, fix, or wash solution, the processing fluid is present within the storage container at a “working strength” concentration. As used herein, the phrase “working strength” is used to describe a processing fluid concentration, which may be used directly from the storage container without dilution with an external fluid, such as water. 
     An exemplary chemical storage reservoir, which may be used in the chemical delivery system of the present invention, is shown in FIG.  2 . As shown in FIG. 2, chemical storage reservoir  11  comprises four chemical storage containers  110  through  113 . Chemical storage reservoir  11  can further comprise two additional chemical storage containers  114  and  115  positioned behind or next to containers  110  to  113 . Each container  110  through  115  has a container outlet  116  for introducing and/or removing chemicals from the container. 
     The size, shape configuration and number of containers within the chemical storage reservoir  11  may vary depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the desired capacity of the chemical delivery system, and the desired size of the photographic processor. Desirably, the chemical storage reservoir comprises at least four separate chemical storage containers housing a developing solution, a bleach solution, a fix solution, and a wash solution. During a given chemical processing method, a desired volume of each solution (i.e., developing, bleach, fix and wash) is used to process photographic film. 
     As discussed above, the configuration of the four or more containers in the chemical storage reservoir may be any desirable configuration for a particular volume of space. For example, if the available volume of space is cylindrical, the four or more separate storage containers may have a pie shape, so that the total number of storage containers, when assembled, resembles a cylindrical volume of space. 
     Each storage container of the chemical storage reservoir may be connected to other components of the chemical delivery system, such as the heating assembly (described below). Processing fluids from the storage containers may be directed to other components of the chemical delivery system via conventional plastic tubing or any other means. In each fluid pathway from a storage container, a flow meter may be used to monitor and control the amount of processing fluid exiting each storage container. Further, a pump, or any other means of moving processing fluid, may be used in each fluid pathway to move processing fluid from a storage container to another location within the chemical delivery system. Desirably, each storage container has a separate fluid pathway and a separate pump, for moving each processing fluid to the other components of the chemical delivery system. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, the chemical storage reservoir rests on a sliding tray, which enables easy removal of the chemical storage reservoir from within a closed space, such as from within a photographic processor, to an open area, such as outside a photographic processor. Such an assembly allows for easy access and ease of maintenance during periodical replacement of one or more storage containers. 
     The chemical delivery system of the present invention may further comprise a heating assembly, which comprises one or more heating chambers for heating processing fluids prior to introduction into a photographic processor drum or tank. An exemplary heating assembly is shown in FIGS. 3-6. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, heating assembly  13  comprises four separate heating chambers in the form of stainless steel tubes (shown in FIG. 4 as  130 ). Heating assembly  13  including chambers  130  can be enclosed in a casing  5000  which can be mounted on a stand  5001  for placement at a location adjacent to or in the vicinity of a photographic processor. As shown in FIG. 5, which shows a single heating chamber of heating assembly  13 , heating chamber  130  has a heating chamber inlet  131 , which receives processing fluid from a chemical storage container (for example, container  110  in FIG. 2) of the chemical storage reservoir  11  described above. Heating chamber  130  is connected to an outlet chamber  132  which is in turn connected to a heating chamber outlet valve  134 . As shown in FIG. 4, each heating chamber  130  is connected to a heating chamber outlet valve  134  for discharging heated fluid or solution from heating chamber  130  to an photographic processor. Each heating chamber  130  comprises a heating tube  133  positioned around an outer surface of heating chamber  130  for heating the chamber  130  and its contents. 
     With reference to FIG. 5, which shows one of heating chambers  130  as an example, a pump  3000  is used to pump solution from container  110  to heating chamber inlet  131 , via fluid lines  3002  and  3004 . All of the heating chambers  130  include a level detection sensor  700  positioned within chamber  130 . Level detection sensor  700  can be in the form of, for example, a metallic or stainless steel tube. The interior of all of the heating chambers  130  further include a stirrer  709  which includes a stirrer vanes  707 . Additionally, positioned within each chamber  130  is a temperature sensor or monitor (thermister)  710  which monitors the temperature of the fluid within chamber  130 . 
     Therefore, after processing fluid is pumped into heating chamber inlet  131  as described above, the fluid will enter into heating chamber  130  and rise within heating chamber  130 . At this point, heating tube  133  can be activated to heat the processing fluid within heating chamber  130 , and at the same time or shortly thereafter, stirrer  709  is rotated so as to mix the heated fluid within heating chamber  130 . 
     In a feature of the present invention, only an appropriate or predetermined amount of processing fluid which is to be supplied to the associated processor is pumped into heating chamber  130 . To achieve this feature, level detection sensors  700  in each of heating chambers  130  are positioned at an appropriate height for the specific processing fluid. For example, if more developing solution is required for a specific processing step than bleach solution, the level detection sensor  700  which is in the heating chamber  130  for the developing solution would be positioned at a higher level than the level detection sensor  700  that would be positioned in the heating chamber  130  for bleach solution. 
     Therefore, as processing solution or fluid fills heating chamber  130 , heating chamber  130  is heated by the activation of heating tube  133 , and at the same time, or shortly thereafter, the heated solution is stirred or mixed by way of stirrer  709 . When the processing solution reaches a height as defined by level detection sensor  700 , it is recognized that the appropriate amount of solution is now within heating chamber  130  for the specific processing to be performed. Essentially, the processing solution rising within heating chamber  130  contacts level detection sensor  700  which is connected to a central control circuit through a wire  4000  and thus completes a circuit. This would then provide a signal to a solenoid  715  also connected to the control circuit. At that point, solenoid  715  is activated so as to discharge the heated and stirred processing solution from heating chamber  130  via outlet chamber  132  and outlet valve  134 . Solenoid  715  could be a two-way solenoid which has a first position that permits fluid to enter fluid inlet  131  and proceed into heating chamber  130 , and a second position which closes inlet  131  while opening chamber  132  and chamber valve  134 , so as to permit the supply of heated and mixed processing solution to an associated processor. 
     Thus, with the system of the present invention, only the actual or predetermined amount of solution that will be used at the specific processing stage is heated. This is due to the fact that the level detection sensor  700  which is set at a level based on the type of solution to be supplied to the processor, will signal when enough solution is within chamber  130 . At that point, solenoid  715  opens chamber  132  and chamber valve  134  to deliver the heated and stirred solution to the associated processor. With the arrangement of the present invention, there is no need to heat a large amount of solution stored within, for example, a large storage container. 
     Chamber  130  further includes a temperature monitor or sensor  710  which monitors and controls the temperature of solution within heating chamber  130 . Therefore, the system could be designed to shut down if the temperature of the solution becomes too high. Further, temperature monitor  710  monitors and controls the heating of the processing solution so as to assure that the processing solution is delivered to the processor at the appropriate temperature. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, stirring mechanism  709  of the present invention comprises a rod  709   a  which extends above heating chamber  130 . The rod is connected to a sprocket  136  which when rotated, rotates stirring vanes  707 . In the arrangement of the present invention in which, for example, four heating chambers are utilized as shown in FIG. 4, sprockets  136  could be set up as shown in FIG.  6 . More specifically, FIG. 6 is a top view of a heating assembly which includes four heating chambers  130 . As shown in FIG. 6, stirring mechanism  709  may comprise multiple sprockets  136 ; multiple stirring rods  709   a,  (a portion which extends into heating chambers  130 ); a chain  138  which connects the sprockets  136  to one another, and a drive sprocket  139  which is driven by a motor not shown. 
     Heating tube  133  of heating chamber  130  is preferably heated using electricity, steam or any other conventional method of providing heat. Using temperature monitor  710  and level detecting sensor  700  it can be determined that the desired amount of processing fluid is in chamber  130 , and the processing fluid has reached the desired temperature. Thereafter, solenoid  715  can be actuated to open chamber  132  and chamber valve  134  and thus permit the heated and mixed processing fluid to exit from heating chamber  130 . 
     The number of heating chambers  130  in heating assembly  13  may vary depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the desired chemical processing time for processing a roll of film, the desire to heat one or more processing fluids simultaneously, and the available space for the heating assembly. Desirably, heating assembly  13  comprises at least four separate heating chambers  130  so that each processing fluid may be heated simultaneously, sequentially or in an overlapping manner. 
     Each heating chamber  130  may be heated independently from one another, or may be heated and controlled simultaneously with other heating chambers  130 . Desirably, each heating chamber is capable of accelerated heating of a given volume of processing fluid up to a known or acceptable temperature or temperatures which are appropriate to achieve the desired processing result. Heating rates and final temperatures may be controlled by a microprocessor or computer, wherein heating rates and final temperatures are programmed into the microprocessor or inputted by an operator for a particular type of film. 
     Each heating chamber of the heating assembly may feed into another component, such as a photographic processor tank or drum. Heated processing fluids from the heating assembly may be directed to other components of the chemical delivery system via conventional plastic tubing or any other means as described above. The fluid pathway from the heating chamber(s) may converge into a single pathway of tubing prior to reaching another component, such as such as a photographic processor, or may remain as separate fluid pathways to the other component. In each fluid pathway, a flow meter may be used to monitor and control the amount of heated processing fluid exiting each heating chamber. Desirably, each heating chamber has a separate fluid pathway, and optional flow meters and pumps for each fluid pathway to the other components of the chemical delivery system. 
     The chemical delivery system of the present invention may also comprise a chemical waste reservoir for collecting processing fluids after the fluid has gone through a processing cycle in an associated process. The chemical waste reservoir may have any size and shape, which is compatible with a given chemical delivery system and photographic processor. Desirably, the volume capacity of the chemical waste reservoir is substantially equal to or greater than the total volume capacity of the chemical storage reservoir. 
     Desirably, the chemical waste reservoir is positioned within or exterior to a photographic processor to allow for easy access to the chemical waste reservoir. Like the chemical storage waste reservoir described above, the chemical waste reservoir may rest on a sliding assembly, which enables the chemical waste reservoir to be moved from a position within a photographic processor to a position outside of a photographic processor. 
     The chemical delivery system of the present invention may be used in a variety of processing equipment, but has particular utility in a photographic processor. The chemical delivery system of the present invention may be used in a photographic processor capable of processing one or more types of film including, but are not limited to, APS film, 135 mm film. Desirably, the chemical delivery system of the present invention is used in combination with a photographic processor designed to process APS film, 135 mm film, or both APS and 135 mm film. One particularly desirable photographic processor for use with the chemical delivery system of the present invention is disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/027,382, entitled “PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSOR AND METHOD OF OPERATION” (Docket No. 83416). 
     The present invention is further directed to a process of delivering processing chemicals to a photographic processor tank or drum using the above-described chemical delivery system. In one embodiment of the present invention, the process comprises (a) transferring one or more processing fluids from a chemical storage reservoir comprising one or more chemical storage containers to a heating assembly comprising one or more heating chambers; (b) heating the one or more processing fluids to a first temperature in the one or more heating chambers; (c) transferring a first heated processing fluid from the one or more heating chambers to a photographic processor; and (d) transferring the first heated processing fluid from the photographic processor reactor to a chemical waste reservoir. 
     The process of the present invention may be used to deliver one or more processing fluids, such as solutions used in a photographic processor (i.e., developing, bleach, fix, and wash solutions), as well as other types of solutions in processing equipment. 
     The process of the present invention is capable of heating one or more processing fluids simultaneously or sequentially in an accelerated manner. 
     The process of the present invention with respect to supplying processing solution to the heating chamber and supplying the heated processing solution to a processor could be performed manually, in an automated process controlled by a central processing unit or a combination of the two. FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing an example process for controlling the supply of processing solution to a processor. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a computer or control processor (CPU  400 ) can be used to control a portion or all of the process. In the example of FIG. 7, a single storage tank  110  is shown, however, it is recognized that in the process of the present invention, a different storage tank for each chemical or processing solution could be used. CPU  400  provides a signal to storage tank  110  indicating that a first amount of processing solution is to be supplied to heating chamber  130 . As the processing solution is supplied to heating chamber  130 , level detection sensor  700  which is operationally associated with CPU  400 , detects when the processing solution reaches a predetermined height (volume) and, therefore, would signal that a predetermined volume or the first amount of processing solution which is to be supplied at the specific step of the process is in chamber  130 . Further, heating tube  133  also associated with CPU  400 , receives instructions to heat the processing solution in the chamber  130 , either after chamber  130  is filled, or as chamber  130  is filling. Additionally, solenoid  715  also operationally associated with CPU  400  is in a first position where processing solution is permitted to enter heating chamber  130  and prevented from exiting heating chamber  130 . Temperature monitor  710  operationally associated with CPU  400  monitors the temperature of the processing solution that is heated within heating chamber  130  to assure that the processing solution reaches the proper temperature, and also, to prevent the processing solution from being overheated. In the event that the processing solution is overheated, temperature monitor  710  can provide a signal to CPU  400  to shut down the process. Stirrer  709  also receives a signal from CPU  400  to actuate the stirrer, so as to mix the processing solution while it is being heated or after it is heated, and prior to the solution being delivered to an associated processor  150 . 
     After the processing solution reaches the predetermined level as confirmed by level detection sensor  700 , and after the desired temperature is reached as confirmed by temperature monitor  710 , CPU  400  controls solenoid  715  to open chamber  132  and chamber valve  134 , and permit the delivery of the heated and stirred processing solution to processor  150 . Thereafter, CPU  400  can control the process described above for the supply of the next processing solution from a further storage container or, can provide for a washing cycle if necessary. 
     Up to this point, a chemical supply system which utilizes a different tank for each processing solution used, and a different heating chamber which corresponds to the tank with an associated water pump has been described. In a second embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, only a single heating chamber is needed for all the solutions. More specifically, in the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8C, a single heating chamber  130   a  with an adjustable level detection sensor  700   a  is utilized. In the example, of FIGS. 8A-8C, heating chamber  130   a  includes four valve inlets  131   a - 131   d,  for the introduction of processing solution from each of the storage tanks  110 - 113 . More specifically, each of the inlets  131   a - 131   d  would be dedicated to a specific processing solution storage tank  110 - 113 . In the already described first embodiment of FIGS. 3-5, each of the heating chambers  130  included a level detection sensor  700  that is placed at a specific height within the heating chamber. Thus, if the first heating chamber is for developing solution, the level detection sensor would be set at a first height; while if the second heating chamber is for a bleach solution, the level detection sensor of the second heating chamber would be set at a second height that would be specific to the amount of bleach needed for the specific process, assuming that the amount of bleach solution needed for the process differs from the amount of developing solution. 
     In the second embodiment of FIG. 8, single heating chamber  130   a  includes level detection sensor  700   a  that is adjustable along an axis of the chamber to multiple positions. Sensor  700   a  of the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8C could be a threaded rod  700   a′  which is rotated by a motor  701  (FIG.  8 C). Therefore, actuation of motor  701  rotates threaded rod  700   a′  to move threaded rod  700   a′  in a direction along an axis of the rod. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the motor and threaded rod arrangement show in FIGS. 8A-8C, and it is recognized that any device, whether manual or automatic, can be used to linearly drive sensor  700   a.  Therefore, when a first processing solution is supplied to heating chamber  130   a  through first inlet valve  131   a,  level detection sensor  700   a  would be placed at a first position and the heating chamber would operate as described, for example, in FIG. 7, with respect to heating the processing solution, stirring the processing solution and monitoring the temperature of the processing solution. When the temperature of the processing solution as measured by temperature monitor  710  reaches a predetermined or desired value, and level detection sensor  700   a  senses that the predetermined amount of processing solution has been received within processing chamber  130   a,  the heated and mixed processing solution is supplied to the associated processor as described with reference to the first embodiment. 
     Thereafter, and based on the type of solution used, a wash cycle can be used to wash out the first solution prior to the introduction of the second solution; or based on the type of solution and the reactivity between the first and second solutions, a second solution is supplied via a second valve  131   b  into heating chamber  130   a.  When the second solution is supplied, level detection sensor  700   a  would be moved (by actuating motor  701 ) to a second position depending on the amount of second solution that is required for the processor (assuming that the amount of second solution varies from the amount of first solution). The same procedure as described above with respect to the first processing solution would thereafter be performed for the second solution. Further, the third and fourth processing solutions would be supplied via the third and fourth valves  131   c,    131   d,  and level detection sensor  700   a  would be positioned in third and fourth positions, in accordance with the amount of third and fourth processing solutions that are necessary for the process. Again, as described, each of the processing solutions would go through the stirring and heating steps as discussed above. 
     Therefore, in the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8C, a single heating chamber  130   a  is utilized. The single heating chamber includes an adjustable level detection sensor  700   a  which is movable along a direction which is parallel to an axis of chamber  130   a,  and can be positioned at multiple positions. Each of the positions corresponds to a predetermined amount of processing solution that is desired to be heated and supplied to an associated processor. Single heating chamber  130   a  includes at least two and preferably four inlets for supplying the processing solutions to the heating chamber. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8C, the processing solutions would thus be sequentially heated, stirred and supplied to the associated processor. On the other hand, in the first embodiment of FIG. 5, some of the steps such as the heating of processing solutions could take place simultaneously, since there are multiple heating chambers as opposed to the single heating chamber of FIGS. 8A-8C. Of course, the present invention can be practiced by utilizing a combination of the first embodiment of FIG.  5  and the second embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8C. For example, the present invention can utilize heating chambers  130  as illustrated in FIG. 5 to handle processing solutions that preferably should not be mixed in a single heating chamber, and utilize the heating chambers  130   a  as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, to handle processing solutions which are less reactive with each other, and thus could be introduced into the same heating chamber. 
     FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate a third embodiment of the chemical supply delivery system of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9A-9C, a heating chamber  130   b  includes a member  800  that is both a supply tube for supplying processing solution into the heating chamber  130   b  and a level detection sensor for detecting the level of processing solution in heating chamber  130   b.  Therefore, in the embodiment of FIGS. 9A-9C, heating chamber  130   b  includes a heating tube  133  and a temperature monitor  701  like the first and second embodiments. Heating chamber  130   b  of FIGS. 9A-9C, further includes a stirrer  709  as well as a mechanism for rotating the stirrer including sprocket  136  in the same manner as the first and second embodiment. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 9A-9C, rather than having a single valve (first embodiment) or separate valves (second embodiment) for the input of processing solution into the heating chamber, member  800  acts as both a level detection sensor and a supply tube. Therefore, heating chamber  130   b  does not include both an input valve or valves and a level detection sensor as in the first and second embodiments. Rather, heating chamber  130   b  includes member  800  which functions as both an input member for the introduction of solution into chamber  130   b  and as a level detection sensor. 
     During use of the embodiment of FIGS. 9A-9C, and utilizing one of storage tanks  110 - 113  as an example, solution is supplied via pump  3000  to a manifold  3001 . Manifold  3001  provides a path for the solution from pump  3000  to heating chamber  130   b.  More specifically, manifold  3001  can be a known manifold which includes four inputs for each of the four storage tanks  110 - 113 , and an output for supplying the solution to heating chamber  130   b.  The solution and preferably, a predetermined amount of processing solution is thereafter supplied to heating chamber  130   b  via member  800  which acts both as a supply tube and as a level detection sensor. More specifically shown as in FIGS. 9B and 9C, member  800  defines a tubular member which comprises an exterior in the form of a metallic or stainless steel threaded rod  800   a  which extends above heating chamber  130   b  (FIG.  9 C). A wire  4001  is attached to the top of threaded rod  800   a.  An interior of threaded rod  800   a  defines a plastic sleeve  801  which has a portion  801   a  that extends below threaded rod  800   a.  Therefore, as solution is introduced into heating chamber  130   b  through member  800 , it will travel within plastic sleeve  801  and will not contact the metallic threaded rod. This will prevent the occurrence of any false readings due to contact between threaded rod  800   a  and the solution. Since plastic sleeve  801  has a portion  801   a  that extends below threaded rod  800   a,  exiting solution will also not contact threaded rod  800   a  to prevent false readings. This is important since threaded rod  800   a  acts as a level detection sensor in the same manner as the level detection sensor of the first and second embodiments. That is, as processing solution fills heating chamber  130   b,  threaded rod  800   a  which acts as a level detection sensor will detect when a predetermined amount of solution is in heating chamber  130   b.  As the solution rises in heating chamber  130   b,  it will pass plastic portion  801   a  and contact threaded rod  800   a.  This completes a circuit via wire  4001  to signal that a predetermined amount of solution is in chamber  130   b.  Solenoid  715  just as in the first and second embodiments, is controlled to supply the heated processing solution to the processor. As in the first and second embodiments, prior to being supplied to the processor, the heated solution is preferably also stirred by using stirring mechanism  709 . Like the second embodiment, member  800  can also be adjustable so as to provide for distinct predetermined amounts of processing solution based on the type of solution being supplied to the heating chamber and the type of processing to be performed. Like the second embodiment, linear movement of member  800  could be achieved through the cooperation of threaded rod  800   a  and motor  701   a  (FIG.  9 C). 
     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.