Improvements in Photographic Print and Plate Washers.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 24th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Photographic Print and Plate Washers.
We JOHN MURRELL TIMMIS, of 3 Brook Street, Birmingham, Manufacturer,
and WALTER HARRY SMITH, of 111 Guildford Street, Aston, near Birmingham,
Foreman of Works, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in washing apparatus for photographic
prints or plates, and has reference more particularly to the circular type of such
washers.
It consists as follows:-A circular vessel is provided of suitable diameter and
depth, and more or less of a (vertical) cylindrical shape, but preferably increasing
somewhat in diameter from the bottom upwards. We now provide what is usually
termed a false bottom, that is, at a given height from the real bottom of the vessel
is placed a secondary bottom, which may be removable or fixed. This bottom is
further perforated throughout its surface with small holes. Into the false chamber
(that is, between the two bottoms) we introduce the inlet or water supply pipe,
which is carried partly around the circumference of the said interior, having its
exit at or near its end.
Again. At the top of the vessel we further provide a perforated upstanding rim
of any suitable or desirable depth, which serves as a means of discharge. Upon
the exterior of this rim, and below it we may in some cases provide an all round
gutter or channel into which the overflow may pass, and by which it may be
conveyed to any given point, and thence carried off by pipe or otherwise.
We
We may also if desirable attach to or carry upon the exterior of the vessel, a
syphon pipe having connection with the interior of the false chamber, so that from
time to time, when desired any sediment &c. may be drained therefrom.
The action of this our invention may now therefore be described thus :-
:-The
water entering the chamber by means of the circular pipe, excites a circular
current which passes thence into the vessel proper through the perforated bottom.
Its passing through this perforated bottom however destroys or breaks up all
violent action, so that the current is gentle and harmless to the prints or plates
which may be placed in the vessel. As the water reaches the top, it is carried off
by the all round perforated rim; the essential feature of which is, that inasmuch
as the said rim is thoroughly perforated all round with small holes, the discharge
is uniform all round, and consequently the tendency to draw the prints to the side
is obviated, and particularly so that they are not drawn to any particular place.
It will of course be readily seen that a plate rack may be suspended within the
vessel so that negatives may be similarly washed when required.
Dated this 24th day of January 1894.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicants' Agent.

page_text: CUMI LEID
Improvements in Photographic Print and Plate Washers.
We JOHN MURRELL TIMMIS, of 3 Brook Street, Birmingham, Manufacturer,
and WALTER HARRY SMITH, of 111 Guildford Street, Aston, near Birmingham,
Foreman of Works, 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 washing apparatus for photographic
prints or plates, and has reference more particularly to the circular type of such
washers.
In order to more particularly describe this our invention, we have appended
hereunto an illustrative sheet of drawings upon which are figures and numbers of
reference, similar numbers referring throughout the several views to the same
thing or part, and in which :-
Fig. 1, is a general external view of our invention.
Fig. 2, is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 3, is a sectional elevation of the said invention.
Fig. 4, is an enlarged detailed sectional view upon line A-B (Fig. 2) showing
the inclined inlet.
A circular vessel 6, is provided of suitable diameter and depth, and more or
less of a (vertical) cylindrical shape, but preferably increasing somewhat in
diameter from the bottom upwards. We now provide what is usually termed a
false bottom 7, that is, at a given height from the real bottom 8, of the vessel, the
said false or secondary bottom 7, is placed, which may be removable or fixed,
generally the latter. This bottom is further perforated throughout its surface
with small holes 9 and 10. The holes 9, are pierced clean through, while in those
marked 10 the metal is slitted and the tongue part 11, is pushed downwards
forming an incline. Into the false chamber 12, (that is, between the two bottoms)
we introduce the inlet or water supply pipe 13, which is carried partly around the
circumference of the said interior, as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2, having its outlet
at or near its end.
Again. At the top of the vessel we further provide a perforated upstanding
rim 14, of any suitable or desirable depth, which serves as a means of discharge.
Upon the exterior of this rim, and below it, we may in some cases provide an all
round gutter or channel into which the overflow may pass, and by which it may be
conveyed to any given point, and thence carried off by pipe or otherwise. Usually
however this is not required.
We may also if desirable attach to or carry upon the exterior of the vessel, a
syphon pipe 15, having connection with the interior, so that from time to time,
when desired any sediment &c. may be drained therefrom.
The action of this our invention may now therefore be described thus:-The
water entering the chamber 12, by means of the circular inlet pipe 13, excites a
strong circular current which passes thence into the vessel proper through the
perforated bottom 7. Its passing through this perforated bottom however destroys
or breaks up all violent action. As before described, the water in the chamber 12,
moves in a horizontal circular direction, and with some degree of force, hence the
perforations 9, being flat or in line with the direction of flow, permits only a steady
quantity to pass therethrough, or in other words it is checked in its horizontal
motion, and assumes a quiet vertical direction of flow, while on the other hand
the water passing through the inclined openings 10, continues to exert a large
portion of its horizontal force but meeting the upward flow from the perforations 9,
it causes a mixing agitation which thoroughly washes the prints or plates which
may be placed in the vessel but yet is gentle and harmless.
As the water reaches the top, it is carried off by the all round perforated rim 13,

page_text: the essential feature of which is, that inasmuch as the said rim is thoroughly
perforated all round with small holes, the discharge is uniform all round, and
consequently the tendency to draw the prints to the side is obviated, and particularly
so that they are not drawn to any particular place.
It will of course be readily seen that a plate rack may be suspended within the
vessel so that negatives may be similarly washed when required.
We are aware that syphons have been used in connection with apparatus for
similar purposes and therefore we do not make any claim for the syphon arrangement
shown and described, but :-
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In photographic washing apparatus, the combination with the vessel 6, of the
inlet chamber 12, having the inlet or supply pipe 13, leading thereinto and the
outlet perforations 9 & 10, substantially as described and shown.
2. In photographic washing apparatus such as that herein described and shown,
the combination of the two kinds of perforations 9 & 10, substantially as described
and shown, and for the purposes specified..
3. In photographic apparatus the combination with the vessel 6, having its inlet
supply at or near its bottom, of the perforated outlet rim 14, substantially as
described and shown.
4. The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting our improved
photographic washing apparatus, substantially as herein described and shown upon
the drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1894.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicants' Agent.