Improvements in or relating to Photographic Developing and like Apparatus.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Photographic Developing and like
Apparatus.
A communication from LÉON CANNIER and ALPHONSE LAFILLE, Professor, both
of Chateau de Magny, Suilly la Tour, Nièvre, in France.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an apparatus enabling exposed photographic plates to
be developed washed and fixed immediately after the exposure, in any place even
when no dark room is available.
This apparatus consists of a water-tight rectangular trough, the two larger
sides, i.e. top and bottom, of which are translucent. The plate to be developed,
say a negative, is placed in it on supports provided for that purpose and is isolated
from light by closing the top with a translucent red plate. Then the negative
is developed, the progress of it being observed through the translucent red cover.
After finishing development the developing bath is drawn off through a bent or
helical tube so as to prevent admission of light--and a washing or fixing solution
introduced, whereupon after the latter bath the plate may be removed from the
apparatus.
In the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 is a vertical section,
Fig. 2 horizontal section on the line X-X Fig. 1, and
Fig. 3 a plan of an apparatus constructed according to this invention.
A is the trough provided with a bent coiled or helical tube B provided with
a funnel for introducing liquids into the trough and with a discharge pipe C
also coiled or bent-having a cock, for emptying the trough.
1) is a red or non-actinic glass plate closing the transparent bottom and render-
ing it photographically perfectly light proof. E are projections on which the
plate to be developed is placed, shown at F (Fig. 1) in the trough in position.
The top of the trough forms a chamber G in which is placed the frame or
slide S containing the negative, and resting on a velvet or felt support H. A
cover I strengthened by a cross-stay J enables the cover to be secured to the
trough by tightening the nuts L on screws K secured at each side of the trough.
The upper edges of the three sides a b c of the trough are provided with grooves
for the reception of the cover the edges of which are correspondingly formed.
The frame is provided with cords or projections P passing under the bent edge
of the cover and enabling the shutter of the slide to be drawn out so as to allow.
the plate to fall into the bath.
A red glass plate M forming a light proof cover at the top for isolating the
negative from light during the operation, is then slidden in in grooves N formed
for that purpose.

page_text: The working of the apparatus is as follows:-
The developing solution is introduced into the trough and the frame applied
to the upper part and secured by tightening the nuts. The shutter of the frame
or slide is opened, and the exposed sensitive plate released, the red glass shutter M
is then drawn outwards whereupon the plate falls on to its supports E and the red
glass is pushed in so as to prevent any access of harmful light. The frame is
then withdrawn, whereupon development can be observed through the translucent
red glass. When the development is concluded, the liquid is discharged
through the draw off cock C and, the plate is then washed in pure water, and
afterwards treated with a solution of hyposulphite of soda, both being introduced
through the funnel B.
The red shutter may then be withdrawn and the fixed plate removed from the
apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what
manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:-
1. Apparatus for treating exposed photographic plates in ordinary day or
artificial light and enabling the operation to be watched through translucent sur-
faces, comprising a photographically light proof trough with a fixed translucent
bottom and with a movable translucent top plate the trough being constructed
to receive a frame or slide carrying the plate to be treated, said frame being
secured to the trough by a cover and bolts, and with means for releasing the plate
and allowing it to fall into the trough below.
2. In apparatus of the kind described, the use of bent, coiled or helical tubes
for the purpose of preventing the admission of light, and for the admission and
release of liquid, a funnel shaped end being provided on the one tube and a draw
off cock on the other.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete photo-
graphic developing and like apparatus substantially as described or illustrated
in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 10th day of November 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.