Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Photographic Plates, Films, and Papers, and such like Articles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Photographic Plates, Films,
and Papers, and such like Articles.
I, FREDERICK ILES, of 100 Highgate Street, Birmingham, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of a hub or pulley, capable of being rotated at a high
speed by any convenient means, attached to which are radial arms, preferably of a
flat form so as to produce air currents when revolved; the said radial arms carry
moveable pins or projections extending above the edge or surface of the said radial
arms and so formed that they can be adjusted or locked thereon, by means of
screws, cotters, wedges or other suitable arrangement, at any or certain positions
required; and to obtain greater security the radial arms may be notched, slotted,
or recessed so that portions of the moveable pins can engage therein. In place of
the radial arms, a plate or disc attached to the aforesaid hub or pulley, may be
used, having perforations or slots into which the retaining or moveable pins can be
fixed.
The moveable pins may be, in part, covered with rubber to prevent vibration,
and injury to the articles required to be dried.
When other than flat radial arms are employed, fans or wings may be attached
to the radial arms, or to the moveable pins, for the purpose of creating air
currents; and where plates or discs are used, portions of these may be bent at
angles for a similar purpose.
The articles to be dried are placed within the area bounded by the moveable
pins, which retain them in position during the necessary rotation, the superfluous
moisture being driven off by centrifugal force and is collected by a pan or vessel
within which the above described apparatus revolves; and a further portion of
the moisture is dissipated by the aerial currents produced during rotation.
In cases where a specific size of article is required to be dried, the retaining
pins or portions of the apparatus may be permanently fixed to the radial arms,
plate, or disc.
Dated this 19th day of February 1894.
Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Photographic Plates, Films,
and Papers, and such like Articles..
I, FREDERICK ILES, of Unity Works, Highgate Street, in the City of
Birmingham, Manufacturer 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 improvements in means or apparatus for the drying of
photographic plates, films and papers, and such like articles, and consists essentially
in the employment of a whirling table or support, whereby the articles or materials
are dried partly by centrifugal action, and partly by air currents, and during the

page_text: said process of drying, the articles or materials are kept down to their bearings or
rests by atmospheric pressure directed upon the top thereof.
Thus, in one form of my invention, I employ a horizontal and rotating carrier,
consisting of a number of radial vane-like arms, mounted upon a vertical axis, and
driven at a great velocity within a surrounding open-topped vessel or pan.
The radial arms are fitted with adjustable rests and stops, upon and between
which, when placed at given distances, a plate, film or a pile of papers to be dried
is placed, and is kept from rising therefrom by the atmospheric pressure created by
the air currents.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing represents, in top side plan, an apparatus
for the drying of photographic plates, films and other articles, constructed,
arranged and provided with improvements in accordance with one form of my
invention.
Figure 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the same, showing the
disposition of the parts, and the vane-like construction of the carrier arms for
creating the necessary air currents for absorbing or taking up moisture from
articles being dried.
Figure 3 represents a top side plan of the carrier arms separately.
Figure 4 is a section of the said arms upon the dotted lines a-x Figure 3,
showing the detachable post which takes upon the rotating pivot, having a pulley
groove formed within it, and its lower part working within the base framing.
Figure 5 represents a portion of the notched or gapped arms, and also a side
elevation of one of the adjustable distance stops or rests.
Figure 6 shows a section of the adjustable stops or rests upon the dotted line A
Figure 5, showing the notched or bifurcated character of the stalks of the rests.
a are radial and vane-like arms, each consisting of a broad strip of metal, with its
faces disposed vertically, and carried by an attachable and detachable post or
pillar a', having its lower end split at a², so as to take and spring over the upper
part 6', of the collared upper end of a vertical spindle or axis b, with the lower or
stalk end 63, working within a bearing hole.c³, of a bed c, preferable carried by
feet c'. This axis b, which has a pulley groove b³, formed around it, for taking the
drive cord d, is kept down to its bearing by a hook-ended pin c³, engaging within a
groove and upon a collar 6, of the spindle or axis b.
The driving cord, which is preferably crossed at the spindle end, so as to increase
the grip of the same, passes around a driving pulley e, having a bearing bush e¹,
taking over an upright pivot, pin or centre e³, carried by the bed c.
The vane-like radial arms a, are fitted with longitudinally adjustable and
combined stops and rests f, and have formed within their top edges, gaps or
notches a, each for receiving the upper and crossing part f', of the branches of the
lower member ƒ³, of the said rests, which take over, and are adjustable upon, the
radial arms. By loosening the screw nuts f³, taking upon the screwed ends f*,
the said combined rests and stops may be adjusted and then locked within one or
other of the gaps, so as to make the upper parts f, and rests fo, be disposed in
certain positions, and at given distances apart.
Surrounding the whirling arm support is a fixed pan g, resting upon the bed c, or
upon a supplementary lift of it.
Instead of the combined rests and stops being adjustable only by the unscrewing
of the nut f³, a coiled or other spring h, may be placed between the nuts, and the
underside edge a', of each radial arm a, as represented in Figure 7. is the
outward stop
soft material.
and the rest, composed preferably of india rubber or some other
By rotating the handle e³, of the pulley e, a high speed is communicated to the
spindle b, through the band d, and through it to the carrier a, between the rests f³,
and stops f, of which, a plate, paper or other article or material to be dried or
partly dried is placed, so that by rotating the carrier arms a, at a high speed,
moisture upon or within the articles or materials to be dried or partially dried is
dispersed or extricated.

page_text: Instead of employing radial arms made vane-like or from strips of metal, I may
employ perforated plates, carriers or other reticulated, barred or open surface,
either with or without adjustable stops, and when no stops are employed, I may
provide their equivalent in the form of raised or shallow tray-like edgings or
flanges.
When the carriers are made from reticulated and flat plates, then the same, or
their under surfaces, are provided with vanes or air-current producers.
As a further form of affixing the combined stops and rests in adjusted positions
upon plain arms, I employ a saddle stem f³, having between the members at the
lower end, a lever k, having a cam end, and jointed at k³, so that by turning the
lever away from or towards the underside of the arm a, the stem is either released
from or clamped to the said arın, as represented in Figure 8.
Instead of the arms being fixed and carrying adjustable stops, the stops may
be fixed and the arms adjusted, and instead of the carrier being driven by band
gear, it may be driven by wheel gearing, and instead of the pulley e, being
driven by a handle, it may be driven by electro-motive or other power.
Or the rests and stops may be clamped directly upon the plain edges or sides of
the arms, instead of being secured within notches.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. Drying or desiccating photographic plates, films, papers and such like
articles and materials, by combined centrifugal action and air currents, produced
by the means and in the way substantially as described and set forth.
Secondly. An apparatus or means for the drying or desiccation of photographic
plates, films, papers and such like articles and materials, consisting of vaned
carrier arms, plates, or equivalents, rotated through the medium of band or other
gearing, substantially as described and set forth.
Thirdly. In apparatus or means for the drying or desiccation of photographic
plates and the like, the combination with the carrier arms, or the radial carrier
arms, of adjustable stops, with or without rests, substantially as and for the purpose
as described and set forth.
Fourthly. In apparatus or means for the drying or desiccation of photographic
plates and the like, the general construction, arrangement and combination of the
parts, substantially as, and for the purpose as, described and set forth.
Dated the 19th dev of November 1891
FREDERICK ILES,
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.