New or Improved Process and Apparatus for the Simultaneous or Tentative Exposure and Development of Pictures Obtained by Photography.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 5th July, 1893-Accepted, 26th Aug., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Process and Apparatus for the Simultaneous or
Tentative Exposure and Development of Pictures Obtained by
Photography.
I EDWIN HENRY HARDY of Manor Grange Intake Road Sheffield in the
County of York Surveyor do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production
of photographic pictures upon sensitized films paper opals or material. The
process hitherto employed consists of placing a negative or positive transparency
to a light so that the picture of the same is transferred through a suitable lens
situated in a room protected from actinic light on to a sensitized opal film or
paper which is fixed to a screen board or easel in said room. The picture, by
these means being either the same size as or larger or smaller than the said
transparent positive and negative. In the ordinary process the amount of time
given for exposure is guessed and then the sensitized paper film or opal is
removed from the screen board or easel for development and should the exposure
be found insufficient it cannot be again exposed so that by this said ordinary
process a large number of pictures are wasted or spoiled. With my present
improved process and apparatus the picture from the transparent positive or
negative thrown by the lens on to the sensitized paper film or material may be
developed simultaneously with the exposure by which means the exact amount of
exposure required can be ascertained and the sensitized film paper opal or material
is not removed from the casel board or screen for development. Or the picture
may be exposed as many times as required that is to say an exposure may be made
and the cap placed on the lens when the developer may be applied without removing
the sensitized material and should it be found that more exposure was required the
cap of the lens could be again removed and the picture again exposed subsequent
to replacing the cap the developer can be again applied and this process can be
repeated until a satisfactory picture is obtained.
In carrying out my present invention I employ the following improved apparatus.
I construct a frame of wood metal or other suitable material in the centre part of
which I secure a plate of glass earthenware or other suitable substance perfectly
plane on its surface. The said frame is made with a projecting part or flange along
each side and the top and its lower end is in the form of a trough or receptacle
the bottom of which inclines preferably from one end to the other the lower end
thereof being arranged with an opening for the reception of a cork or tap.
The upper part of said frame has hooks or other suitable devices for securing or
hanging it to the wall board easel or screen. Where preferred the said frame
and plate may be made in one and of glass metal or carthenware or of other
material as will be well understood. The said plate and frame after being secured
in position to the wall board screen easel or other support employed has attached
to it the sensitized paper film opal plate or other material in a position to receive
the picture from the lens.
The developer or developing solution is placed in the trough formed at the
bottom of frame and is applied to the sensitized material preferably by means of a
flat wide camel hair brush Blanchard brush spray producer or small hose.
Where the plate within the frame is transparent the sensitized material may be
placed at the back or the frame may be turned round and the picture thrown on
the back of the plate in which arrangement it will be obvious that the developing

page_text: may the more easily be produced with the simultaneous exposure of the picture.
After the picture has been developed the frame and plate may be removed and the
apparatus can then be employed as a washing and fixing bath.
Dated this 31st day of August 1892.
H. F. BOUGHTON, M.I. Mech. E.,
16, Commercial Street, Sheffield, Agent.
COMIDDLE DI ECIFICATION.
New or Improved Process and Apparatus for the Simultaneous or
Tentative Exposure and Development of Pictures Obtained by
Photography.
I, EDWIN HENRY HARDY of Manor Grange, Intake Road, Sheffield, in the
County of York, Surveyor, 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 new or improved process and apparatus by means of
which enlargements reductions or copies may be made, on sensitive photographic
plates or films, from positives, negatives or any other object at rest.
The usual practice consists in employing a camera and lens by means of which
the image of, say, an illuminated negative is thrown upon a sensitive bromide of
silver plate or film fixed on an easelboard in a "dark" chamber or placed in a dark
slide, the duration of the exposure being either guessed, or, for inexperienced
workers, ascertained by previously exposing for different periods of time portions
of a separate piece of sensitive bromide paper, and developing the same, after
removing it from the easelboard. Then, using this as a guide, the larger plate or
film is exposed and developed accordingly. If the picture be unsatisfactory it
cannot be conveniently remedied; and the plate or paper is thereby wasted.
The foregoing method is quite satisfactory with a steady artificial light, a suitable
condenser, with negatives of similar density, and in experienced hands; but it
cannot be relied upon with solar light, which, though the cheapest illuminant, is
frequently avoided by reason of its variableness. Even with artificial light many
beginners, after a few unsuccessful attempts, give up the work in despair. The
object, therefore, of my present invention is to employ a means and an apparatus
by which the correct exposure can be given by inexperienced workers using either
daylight or artificial light.
With daylight no special enlarging camera is required to throw an image on the
easelboard, an ordinary landscape camera will do.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved easelboard and reservoir fixed in
position in adjustable supports,
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of easelboard and reservoir with an attachment for
holding plates as shown by dotted lines.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of said attachment,
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of said attachment.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through plane a-a of Fig. 1
showing easelboard and reservoir fixed in supports and resting upon a table H in
a "dark room.
53
Similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view.
The vertical supports e² are hinged at 8 to a bed and are held upright, when
required for use, by struts e. The caselboard e¹ and reservoir e are held within
supports by catches e¹ and may be secured at any desired height by thumb-
screws e. The easelboard e' has projecting ledges which direct the developing
solution into reservoir e which occupies a portion only of its lower side..

page_text: My improved process is as follows :—
"
The easelboard e being properly adjusted in its supports receives a properly
focussed image upon its plane, white, waterproof surface, from an illuminated
negative positive or other object at rest, by means of a lens B, in a non actinically
lighted or "dark" room C, in the usual way. The lens is then covered; and if
"bromide paper
or similar material is to be used for making a picture upon, it is
first soaked to fullest expansion in water, or in developing solution if preferred,
and is placed in optical contact with easelboard e. An exposure well under the
normal one is now given; the developer, preferably a solution of alkaline
hydrokinone with sulphite of soda, is poured into reservoir e and is gently spread
up and down the film by means of a flat camelhair brush f see Fig. 6, the easelboard
remaining vertical, and the film in situ throughout the operation. After the
lapse of a minute or two, if no image appears, the lens is again temporarily
uncovered and development is proceeded with, the caselboard and film being still in
their original position.
This tentative method of exposure and development is pursued until a satisfactory
picture results.
In some cases, with a weak light on the object copied from, and a small lens stop
it is possible to develop the image whilst the lens is uncovered, but this method is
not recommended.
It is obvious that by a slight modification in arrangement the apparatus may be
used with a vertical light in which case the easelboard will lie horizontally and the
reservoir be fixed vertically to it. In practice it is found that valuable experience
is gained from the tentative method of exposing and developing, with no waste of
material.
Where an enlargement upon opal or other plates is required, the plateholder S
Fig. 4 is used and is attached to the easelboard e¹ by a set screw and slot at Sa
Figures 1 and 3 and by two wooden pegs let into waterguides at S7 Figs. 1 and 3.
At S1 Figs. 1 and 3, a small wooden peg, fitting into an indent in the plateholder
Fig. 4, keeps the plateholder from shifting from side to side. The plateholder S,
Figs. 4 and 5 is shaped, bevelled at back on its vertical part and is fitted with a
sliding, removable, bevelled collar S2 and set screw. A second collar S³, Fig. 4,
may be added for small plates if required. The horizonal part of plateholder S has
a bevelled ledge S³, perforated to carry off the developing solution. When opal or
other plates are to be used the focus is obtained by means of a temporarily-
substituted piece of white cardboard or the like.
The easelboard el can be quickly disconnected from its supports to be washed.
The reservoir e³ may be fitted with a tap if required. The caselboard may be
made of any suitable material.
Having now described fully the nature of my said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I do not claim as my invention the use of a lens, nor
any originality in the method of supporting and adjusting the easelboard. I am
aware that developing trays for use in a horizontal position have been made with
receptacles for developing solution, but such receptacles have extended the entire
width of the tray, the object being to enable the developing solution to flood the
plate at one sweep. My present object is to confine the developer within the limits
covered by the width of the brush to be used, thereby preventing oxydation of the
developer, economizing the volume of developer and avoiding stained films. What
I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. The process of simultaneously or tentatively exposing and developing sensitive
photographic plates and films, substantially as described.
2. The combination of an easelboard, made or fitted with a waterguide or water-
guides, and a reservoir which occupies a portion of one side, substantially as
described, and used for the purpose specified.
3. A plateholder formed of a bevelled vertical part having a bevelled adjustable

page_text: removable collar, and a horizontal part made or fitted with a bevelled perforated
ledge, applied to and in combination with the apparatus as described and illustrated
at Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-third day of June 1893.
EDWIN HENRY HARDY.
H. F. Boughton, M.I. Mech. E.,
Sheffield, Agent.