A Folding Developing Tray with Plate Lifting Frames in which all Handling of Photographic Plates is Entirely Avoided.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 12th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 4th May, 1888
'A Folding Developing Tray with Plate Lifting Frames in which
all Handling of Photographic Plates is Entirely Avoided.
WILLIAM TYLAR, 31 Yates Street Aston Road North, Birmingham Dealer in
Microscopic & Photographic apparatus and commission agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of sheets of a suitable pliable waterproof material, or
combination of materials, as Willesden paper, celluloid &c. &c., so scored or indented,
as to be readily folded into a tray, or trough, for the reception of fluids. This tray or
trough is held firmly in position by corner clips of metal of suitable form. Inside
each tray is a frame of waterproof material, vulcanite, metal or other suitable
substance. This frame has a central opening and projecting ends forming handles.
In use the plates are laid on this frame while in the solutions, and they are readily
lifted for examination by transmitted light or from one bath to another. To avoid
mistakes in using the wrong tray for the wrong chemical 1 legibly print names of
chemicals & formula for mixing them on each bath. The lifting frames & printing
can be applied to any tray in any material.
Dated this 9th day of September 1887

page_text: A Folding Developing Tray with Plate Lifting Frames in which
all Handling of Photographic Plates is Entirely Avoided.
I WILLIAM TYLAR of 31 Yates Street, Aston Birmingham Dealer in microscopic
and photographic apparatus, and commission agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a folding developing tray with plate lifting frames, in which
all handling of photographic plates during such process is entirely avoided, and
consists of a sheet of suitable pliable waterproof material, or combination of materials
As Willesden paper,"
," Celluloid &c., so scored or indented as to be readily folded into
a tray or trough for the reception of fluids.
66
This tray or trough is held firmly in position by corner clips of metal of a suitable
form. Inside each tray is a frame of waterproof material, vulcanite, metal or other
suitable substance; this frame has a central opening and projecting ends forming
handles. In use, the plates are laid on this frame while in the solutions, and they are
readily lifted for examination, or from one bath to another; to avoid mistakes in using
the wrong tray for the wrong chemical, I legibly print names of chemicals, and formula
for mixing them on each bath or tray. The lifting frames and printing can be applied
to any tray in any material.
Having now described the nature of my said invention I will proceed to explain it
more clearly and how it may be performed having reference to the accompanying
illustrative sheet of drawings upon which are figures and letters of reference. Similar
letters referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part.
Fig. 1, is a plan of a blank for forming a trough, tray, or bath, ready for folding.
Fig. 2 shews in enlarged detail, the scoring or indenting of the blank for folding.
Fig. shews in plan the tray when folded and clipped together.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the tray upon line A-B.
Figs. 5, 6, & 7, shew in detail the metal clip.
Figs. 8 & 9 represent in elevation and plan the lifting frame.
Figs. 10 & 11 represent in elevation and plan. the lifting frame with a modified form
of handles.
Fig. 12, shews the sectional detail of frames upon line C-D.
a, is a blank cut from suitable pliable waterproof material such as "Willesden'
paper, Celluloid &c.
"
Upon such blank I make line indentations or scores similar as seen at b, in enlarged
section in Fig. 2.
These indentations are made upon the blank where it is desirable that such blank
should be folded to form the tray, as for instance where indicated by dotted lines c.
At d I provide a clip, which when the blank a is folded into the form as seen at e,
Fig. 3, serves to clip or hold the corners together.
This clip consists of a metal plate bent as seen at d see Figs. 5, 6, & 7 and attached
to the sides of the tray by means of fastening plate f. This plate f being cut out with
prongs a

page_text: These prongs are then passed into the material with the clip d, between it and
the plate f, when their ends are turned down or rivetted as seen in Fig. 5. By reason
of the clip & being bent and formed at each end as shown, it will be seen that it cannot
get free from the plate f, and get lost. In Fig. 7, it will be readily seen how, when
the folded two corner parts of the blank come together as seen in Fig. 2, the clip
slides down with the bent part h, embracing the said two corners and holding them
firmly together.
I further proceed to construct a lifting frame i, for supporting (negative) plates,
while in the solution in such trays, or for lifting them therefrom for examination, or
by which they may be carried from one bath or tray to another &c.
This frame i, may be made of métal, vulcanite, or other suitable waterproof material,
and provided at each end with lifting handles. In some cases I may make these
handles of wire as seen at j Figs. 8 & 9, and provide upon the tray, hinges or joints k
for their reception. Handles made thus may be passed into their position, by first
passing one side into its hinge or joint, and then by reason of the springy character of
the wire, the other side may be sprung into its joint, as seen upon the right side of
Fig. 9.
Upon the left side of Fig. 9, the handle is shewn detached from its hinges. I may
if desired further form upon the handles projections 1, covered with india rubber &c.,
so that when lifting the frame out for inspection of the plate, the said plate would be
nipped or held between such projection and the frame, thus lessening the danger of
dropping or damaging the said plate.
Instead however of forming the handles with joints, I may provide a cheaper form
with the handles or lifting pieces j¹, formed in one piece with the frame, or attached
thereto, and bent up to suit requirement.
In Fig. 12, I have shewn a detail enlarged, of the section of the frame at (-D.
Upon the blank a, of the tray at m, I provide a flap or ledge, upon which is printed,
written or otherwise placed, instructions or formula necessary or convenient, when
using such trays, lessening the liability to make mistakes, or providing ready
instructions, particularly for amateurs.
This flap or ledge may be in one with the material forming the blank or may be
attached to the tray.
Although I have shown the way and method of carrying out my invention which
answers very satisfactorily, I do not limit myself to the precise details, or arrangement
shewn, as these may be modified without departing from the nature of my invention, but,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1st. The binding together of the corners of folded trays for photographic use, by
means of clips constructed and acting substantially as described and illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7.
2. The providing upon photographic trays, of a flap or ledge or other equivalent
surface, for the purpose of displaying matter of instruction or guidance in the use of
such apparatus.
3. The lifting frames constructed and acting substantially as described and illustrated
in Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12, and for the purposes set forth.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham,
Applicant's Agent.