Improvements in and relating to Means for the Development and Sensitizing of Photographic Plates, Papers, or the like, without the Necessity of the Dark Room.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 12th Apr., 1900-Accepted, 14th June, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Means for the Development and
Sensitizing of Photographic Plates, Papers, or the like, without
the Necessity of the Dark Room.
I, SAMUEL QUINCEY, Civil Engineer, of 567, Seven Sisters Road, South Totten-
ham, Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to an improved method of developing and fixing
photographic or other sensitized plates, films, papers or the like or may be used
for sensitising the same, the object being to enable the development or sensitizing
to be carried out by day or artificial light without the necessity of using the
ordinary dark room. The apparatus being extremely portable its various uses
may be employed either in the home or in the field.
For carrying out such purpose I employ a hollow rectangular or any other
suitable shaped case or box made of suitable material that will not be affected
by the chemicals employed in the various processes, such suitable material may
be ebonite, celluloid or the like. Part or the whole of the back of this case or box
is removed and a suitable piece of clear or colored non actinic glass or other
transparent or colored medium is inserted in the aperture thus formed and made
watertight. Below this are grooves cut in projections from the sides or ends of
the box to allow of one or more suitable colored pieces of glass to slide in to
decrease more or less the actinic light, or an opaque slide may be inserted when
using reflected light. The end of the said case has a loose fitting lid which when
in place is secured by suitable fastenings and made watertight by a matrix of
rubber or other compressible material or the parts coming in contact may be
ground to a true fit.
Inserted in this same lid is a suitable piece of clear or colored glass or other
substitute, the sides and top of the said case may also have glass or the like
inserted in a similar manner for the purpose of using reflected light. A small
bar or other suitable stop is fitted inside the case at the back to act as a rest
to support the plate or the like under treatment, the case being of such length
that when held in a vertical position the plate or the like resting on the bar or
stop is held clear of the active solution which falls to the bottom. In one con-
struction a hollow cone or pyramid is formned either as a loose attachment or
formed in one piece with the front side of the case or box, an opening being
provided in this same side coincident to the lower part of the above mentioned
one or pyramid and fitted with clear or suitable colored glass. In the upper
part of the cone a lens of suitable shape and focus is fixed or made adjustable
by a sliding tube, above this lens is a stop with a small hole, at the back of this
stop is fitted a suitable shutter operated by a spindle or other means for opening
or closing the same. The tube carrying the stop is fitted at its outer or eye
piece end with a shaped piece suitable for the curvature of the eyelids and
ushioned with any suitable soft compressible material so that when applied to
the eye light-tight-contact may be made thereby. In another construction I

page_text: mount the lens on a ball or other suitable joint to enable the same to be tilted
in any direction to cover a larger field of view or I mount the lens and its
attachments on a flexible light-tight bag to allow of its being carried over the
different parts of the object under treatment, but in a more modified form and
which I prefer, the lens with its mounting is carried on slides or turntables the
movements of which cover the greater part of the plate or the like under treat-
ment. At one or more of the sides or ends inlets and outlets are formed, con-
nected therewith is a tube bent at right angles, the short end of which being
revolvably connected with the said inlets and outlets the longer end being funnel
shaped or any other suitable light-tight connexion may be used for the purpose
of charging and discharging the solutions, a light trap is also fitted inside these
ways. A spring frame or clips is fitted in, either loose or fixed, within the case
or box for the purpose of supporting papers or the like under treatment.
also use a scavenger for the purpose of effectually spreading the solutions,
removing all dust, dirt and air bells. This scavenger consists of a rectangular
piece of ebonite or the like, furnished with a strip of soft rubber to come into
contact with the plate. At its middle is connected an ebonite or other suitable
rod this rod passing through a stuffing box (or other means to make it water-
tight) in the end or side of the case or box, a handle being formed on the outer
end of said rod enabling the scavenger to be drawn back-wards and forwards
over the face of the plate or the like. A cavity may be formed at the front or
side of the case to carry a ruby electric glow lamp or other suitable artificial
illuminant for the purposes of reflected light. The changing of the plates etc.
may be performed in the ordinary changing bag as well known.
Ι
Improvements in and relating to Means for the Development and
Sensitizing of Photographic Plates, Papers, or the like, without
the Necessity of the Dark Room.
I, SAMUEL QUINCEY, Electrical and Mechanical Engineer, late of 567, Seven
Sisters Road, South Tottenham, Middlesex, but now of 25, Montpelier Road,
Kentish Town, N.W., 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 has reference to improvements in means or apparatus suitable
for developing and fixing photographic or other sensitized plates, films, papers,
or the like (hereinafter called plates) and also for sensitizing the same, the
object being to enable the developing, fixing, or sensitizing (hereinafter referred
to simply as developing) to be carried out by day or artificial light without the
necessity of using the ordinary dark 100m.
For this purpose the invention consists in certain novel features of construction
and combination and arrangements of parts as hereinafter fully described and
then pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed.
Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying illustrative drawings show respectively in
side and front elevation, one construction of apparatus according to this invention.
Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2 shewing a modified construction. Figs. 4, 5
& show a further modified construction, Fig. 4 being a side elevation partly in
section on the line A, A of Fig. 6, Fig. 5 a side elevation with some of the parts

page_text: in a different position, and Fig. 6, a front elevation. Fig. 7 shows partly in
side elevation and partly in section on the line B B of Fig. 8, and Fig. 8 in
front elevation, a modified construction of lens carrier and eye piece. Fig. 9
shows partly in side elevation and partly in central vertical section a further
modified construction of the apparatus. Fig. 10 shows in side elevation another
construction of lens carrier.
Figs. 11 and 12 show respectively in front elevation and plan, a carrier suit-
able for holding films, papers and the like within the apparatus.
a is a box made of any suitable shape, preferably rectangular as shown, and
of any suitable material, such for example as ebonite, celluloid, or the like that
will not be effected by the chemicals employed in the various processes to be
carried out within the said box. Within an opening in the back of the box is
fitted, in a liquid tight manner, a piece of clear or coloured non-actinic glass
or other clear or coloured medium that may occupy any desired portion of the
back of the box. Secured to the back of the box are upper and lower transverse
guides e, to allow of one or more slides d of suitably coloured glass being slid in
position behind the piece b of glass for the purpose of decreasing, more or less,
the quantity of actinic light that can enter the box during the examination of
the plate under treatment therein. At other times a plate of opaque material
is slid into the guides c behind the glass plate or plates d to prevent the entrance
of any light therethrough into the box. When treating an opaque film or paper
in the box the opaque plate is maintained in place also during the examination
of the film or paper which is done by the aid of reflected light.
The upper end of the box is provided with a removable cover e which, when
in place, is secured by suitable fastenings and made liquid tight by a strip of
india rubber or other compressible material inserted between the box and cover.
Or, the parts of the box and cover that come into contact may be ground to a
true fit.
In Figs. 1 and 2, the cover is made of opaque material and is detachably
fixed in place by means of two hooks f carried by the end of a rod g mounted
length ways on the cover and engaging pins h on the sides of the box, a liquid
and light tight joint being made between the cover and the box by a strip i of
india rubber or like material. In Fig. the cover e of opaque material is pro-
vided with two projecting parts over and against which a stirrup shaped spring
holder pivoted to the sides of the box can be caused to bear when it is desired
to secure the cover in place and which can be readily turned to one side to per-
mit of removal of the cover. Instead of using a cover of opaque material it is
sometimes desirable to use a cover fitted with one or more pieces of clear or
coloured glass or an equivalent transparent non-actinic medium so that light
can be caused to impinge upon and be reflected from the surface of the plate
under treatment-within the box. Such a cover is shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6.
It consists of a cap like frame that is adapted to fit over the top of the box a
and is fitted with two pieces of glass the inner of which is smaller than the
outer and is surrounded by a strip i of jointing material. This cover may con-
veniently be held in place by the action of two pins o that are fixed eccentrically
to the side members of the stirrup-shaped spring holder used for fixing the
opaque cover in place and work in slots in two spring arms q attached to the
ends of the cover, the arrangement being such that upon placing the cover in
position and engaging the slotted ends of the spring arms with the pins o
when these are in a raised position and then turning the holder downward
into the position shown in Fig. 4 the pius o will pull down the cover and
Fecurely lock the same in place. The sides and front of the box may also have
pieces of glass or like equivalent non-actinic material fitted therein in a similar
manner for the purpose of using reflected light.
The box is fitted internally with means, such, for example, as a transverse
grooved bar fixed to the back of the box for supporting the plate m that is
under treatment in a vertical or inclined position, the supporting means being

page_text: so arranged and the box being of such length that when the latter is held in a
vertical position the plate resting on the support i will be held clear of the active
solution which then remains in the bottom of the box.
The front of the box a is formed with an opening fitted with a piece of clear
or suitably coloured transparent glass or equivalent medium over and around
which, is secured, preferably in a movable manner, a carrier of opaque material
provided at its free forward end with an eye piece fitted with a lens and a
shutter or equivalent means that normally closes, in a light tight manner, an
aperture in the eye piece through which, when uncovered, and the lens and the
piece of glass, the plate m under treatment can be readily examined for the
purpose of ascertaining the progress of the developing operation. In the con-
struction of apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the lens carrier is in the form
of a hollow cone of opaque material which may be formed in one piece with the
front of the box, or, as shown, be rotatably and detachably mounted on a short
tubular projection * thereon. The eye piece consists of a tube that is end-
ways adjustable in a tubular holder on the carrier and is provided with a lens
of suitable shape and focus and with an opaque stop or diaphragm X that is
arranged outside the lens and formed with an aperture that is normally closed
in a light tight manner by a suitable shutter z. The outer end of the eye piece u
is fitted with a piece of soft compressible material, for example, india rubber,
so shaped that when applied to the eye of the operator a light tight joint will be
formed between the two. In the construction shown in Fig. 9 the eye piece u
with lens is connected to a tubular carrier by a universal or swivelling joint
such as a ball and socket joint 1 that will enable the eye piece and lens to be
moved in any direction to cover a larger field of view. Or, the lens carrier
instead of being of rigid material may consist of a flexible light-tight bag
(see Fig. 10) that will allow of the eye piece u with lens being moved over the
different parts of the plate under treatment. Fig. 3 shows a further modified
arrangement wherein the eye piece with lens is mounted upon a slide 2 arranged
to slide in ways on a turntable 4 that is mounted to turn on the tubular pro-
jection upon the front side of the box and is formed with a slot 5 over which
the lens travels, the arrangement being such that by adjusting the position of
the slide and turntable, the eye-piece and lens can be brought over all parts of
the plate under treatment. This arrangement is specially suitable for apparatus
of large size. The shutter for controlling the aperture may be constructed
and arranged in various ways. In Figs. 1 and 2 it is made in the form of a
flap valve fixed to spindle 7 that is provided with a milled head 8 and with a
coiled spring 9 that normally holds the shutter in the closed position. In Fig. 3
the shutter is in the form of an oscillating slide carried by a lever 10 pivoted
at 11 and normally held in the mid and closed position by the two oppositely
arranged end portions of a bent flat metal spring 12 that is fixed at its central
portion 13 within the eye picce u. To prevent light entering the eye piece
through the slot therein in which the outer end of the shutter lever works, the
eye piece tube is surrounded by a ring of india rubber that covers the slot
and through which the said outer end of the shutter lever extends. In Figs. 4, 5
and 6, the shutter consists of a flat sheet metal slide arranged to work between
guides 14 and formed with a slit 15, which, by moving the slide by means of a
pusher 16 against the action of a spring 17, can be brought opposite the aper-
ture when it is desired to examine a plate within the box but which will be
automatically moved out of line with the aperture by the spring 17 when the
pusher 16 is released. The box a is provided with suitable means for inlet and
outlet of liquid. For this purpose there may be attached in a rotatable manner
to one side of the box. a bent pipe 19 that is provided with a funnel-shaped
upper end and can be turned into the upward position shown, when it is desired
to admit liquid to the box, and into a downward position when it is desired to
discharge the liquid contents of the box. 20 is a vent tube through which air
can escape from the box when admitting liquid thereto. The inner end of the

page_text: bent passage through this vent tube is directed towards the bottom of the box
in order to prevent light passing through the tube and impinging upon the plate
under treatment.
For the purpose of effectually spreading the solutions that are being used
over the plate under treatment and removing all dust, dirt, and air bubbles
therefrom, the box a is provided with a device herein called a scavenger. This
scavenger (Figs. 1 and 2) consists of a rectangular plate 21 of material such as
ebonite furnished with a strip 22 of soft india rubber or the like to come into
contact with the plate. At its middle portion the plate 21 is connected to an
ebonite or other suitable rod 22 that passes in a liquid tight manner through a
plug 23 of suitable material such as cork that is fitted into a bush 24 fixed in the
side of the box, a handle 25 being formed on the outer end of the said rod to per-
mit of the scavenger being readily drawn backwards and forwards
over the face of the plate.
To admit of the plate m under treat-
ment being readily examined by means of reflected light, an electric
or other lamp enclosed in a ruby glass or equivalent container may be
arranged within the apparatus so that light therefrom will fall upon the plate.
In Figs. 7 and 8 there is arranged within the conical lens carrier an electric
lamp 27 having a ruby glass receiver carried by a plug 28 of insulating material
that is inserted into a hole or socket in the carrier t. The plug 28 is provided
with a metal socket 29 that is connected to one terminal of the lamp 27 and is
adapted to receive a plug connected to oye pole of an electric generator the other
pole of which is in connection with the eye piece tube and shutter lever 10.
The plug is also provided with a pair of spring arms 30 that are connected to the
other terminal of the lamp and are located one on each side of the said shutter
lever 10. The arrangement is such that when the shutter lever is moved in
either direction to uncover the aperture, it will come into contact with one
of the spring arms 30 and complete the circuit of the lamp and cause the same
to glow, the circuit of the lamp being opened when the shutter with lever are
returned to their mid and closed position.
For supporting sensitized films and papers in a flat state within the box, there
is employed a holder, such as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, that can be readily
placed within and removed from the box a. It consists of a flat plate 31 provided
on its front side with a rectangular frame 32 arranged to form with the plate 31
guideways 33 adapted to receive and hold the edges of a sensitized film or plate.
The upper end of the holder, which is made of ebonite or like material, is of
flaring shape to facilitate the insertion of a film or paper.
The operation of inserting a plate within and removing it from the apparatus
may be effected within the ordinary changing bag as well understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box having
a removable cover, an internal plate support, a transparent front portion, and
a liquid inlet and outlet, and an eye piece arranged opposite said transparent
front portion and provided with a lens and a closing shutter.
2. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box
having a removable cover, an internal plate support, a transparent front portion,
and a liquid inlet and outlet, a movable carrier arranged opposite said trans-
parent front portion, and an eye-piece supported by said carrier and provided
with a lens, a transverse diaphragm with side aperture, and a shutter whereby
said apparatus can be opened and closed.
3. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box having
a removable cover, an internal plate support, a transparent front and a liquid
inlet and outlet, a rotary carrier mounted on the front of said box opposite said

page_text: transparent front portion, and an eye piece adjustably mounted on said carrier
and provided with a lens, a transverse diaphragm with sight aperture, and a
shutter whereby said aperture can be opened and closed.
4. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box having
a removable cover, an internal plate support, a liquid inlet and outlet, a trans-
parent lack portion of non-actinic material and a transparent front portion, a
lens carrier arranged over said transparent front portion, and an eye piece con-
nected to said carrier and provided with a lens, a sight aperture and means for
opening and closing said aperture.
5. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box having
a removable cover, an internal plate support, a liquid inlet and outlet, a trans-
parent back portion of non-actinic material and a transparent front portion,
guides attached to the back of said box and adapted to support one or more
detachable plates behind the transparent back portion of said box, a lens carrier
arranged over said transparent front portion, an eye-piece connected to said
carrier and provided with a lens, a sight aperture and means for opening and
closing said aperture.
6. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box having
a removable cover, an internal plate support, a transparent front portion, and a
liquid inlet and outlet, an eye piece arranged opposite said transparent front
portion, and provided with a lens and a closing shutter, and a seavenger device
arranged within said box and adapted to be moved over and bear against the
surface of the photographic plate supported therein.
7. Apparatus suitable for freating photographic plates comprising a box having
a removable cover, an internal plate support, a transparent front portion and a
liquid inlet and outlet an eye piece arranged opposite said transparent front por-
tion, and provided with a lens and a closing shutter, and a scavenger device
arranged within said box, and comprising a plate having a strip of soft material
at one edge, a rod secured to said plate and adapted to work through one side of
said box, and means for effecting a liquid tight joint between said rod and box,
substantially as described.
8. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box having
a removable cover, an internal plate support, a transparent front portion and a
liquid inlet and outlet, a carrier arranged opposite said transparent front por-
tion, an eye piece supported by said carrier and provided with a lens, a trans-
verse diaphragm with sight aperture, and a shutter whereby said aperture can
be opened and closed, and an illuminating device located within said carrier.
9. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box having
a removable cover, an internal plate support, a transparent front portion, and a
liquid inlet and outlet, a carrier arranged opposite said transparent front por-
tion, an eye piece supported by said carrier and provided with a lens, a trans-
verse diaphragm with sight aperture, and a shutter whereby said aperture can
be opened or closed, an electric lamp located within said carrier, and means for
opening and closing the circuit of said lamp.
10. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box
having a removable cover, an internal plate support, a transparent front portion
and a liquid inlet and outlet, and an eye piece arranged opposite said trans-
parent font portion and provided with a lens, a transverse plate or diaphragm
arranged at the outer side ot said lens and having a sight aperture therethrough,
a shutter adapted to move over said aperture and open and close the same, and
means for operating said shutter, substantially as described.
11. Apparatus suitable for treating photographic plates comprising a box
having a removable cover, an internal plate support, a transparent front portion.
a liquid inlet and outlet, and a transparent portion formed of non-actinic material
through which non actinic light can fall upon the front side of the plate within
said box, and an eye piece arranged opposite said transparent front portion and

page_text: provided with a lens, a diaphragm arranged at the outer side of said lens and
formed with a sight aperture, and a shutter adapted to open and close said
aperture, substantially as described.
12. Apparatus for treating photographic plates constructed arranged and
operating substantially as described and shown.