Improved Photographic Plate Washer.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Photographic Plate Washer.
SAMUEL HENRY SMITH 102 The Parade, Leamington Spa Warwickshire
Pharmaceutical Chemist, 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:-
My invention consists in improved apparatus for washing photographic
negatives-my object being to secure in one apparatus amongst others, the
following principal advantages.
1st. The washing of photographic negatives of one or various sizes in an inclined
tank fitted with racks in which the plates are placed with the sensitized films
downwards.
ร
2nd. In so arranging the water supply pipe as that the incoming water shall
splay upon the bottom of the inclined tank and prevent the stripping of the film.
3rd. So mounting the syphon, that the whole of the hyposulphite solution, which
gravitates to the lowest corner of the tank shall be discharged.
The way and manner in which I attain these advantages will be readily understood
by reference to the drawing, in which :-
Fig. 1 is a side clevation and Fig. 2 a plan of the apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a part side elevational view shewing sink connecting with syphon.
In the drawing 1, is a tapering tank so inclined as that the water shall cover
several sizes of the photographic plates in general use; this tank is mounted upon
four legs 2. At the shallow end of the tank a pipe 3, is secured by soldering or
by any other suitable means, which reaches almost to the bottom so that the
incoming water may spread out or splay thereon; a flexible or other tube 5,
connects the tube 3, with the tap or other source of water supply.
Within the inclined tank are racks 6, in which the plates to be washed are placed,
the film being always towards the deepest end.
It will be seen that by arranging the racks suitably a variety of sizes of plates
as for instance,,plates may be washed in the same bath. At the deepest end
of the tank a small hole 4, is made which connects with the syphon 7.
If required a gutter or drain tube 8 (see Fig. 3) may be added so as to form
a sink or well beneath the base of the trough, opening into the syphon for the
purpose of collecting and discharging more perfectly the whole of the hyposulphite
solution.
The operation is as follows. The negatives 9, being placed according to size in
the rack with their sensitized surface towards the deeper end of the trough, the
water is turned on and rapidly washes out the hyposulphite which gravitates
towards the syphon, a sufficient depth of water accumulates at this point to prevent
the incoming fresh water creating more than surface disturbance, and as a
consequence the hyposulphite settles rapidly and is not again brought into contact
with the film.
The water rises slowly in the tank owing to the gradually increasing surface
until the bend of the syphon is covered, when it is speedily emptied, the diameter
of the syphon being relatively large compared with that of the inflow pipe.
The accumulated hyposulphite is discharged at the first flush; the bath is then
refilled with clean water.
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 -
1 In annaratus for washing photographic ulates the particular construction and

page_text: combination of parts operating in the way and manner and for effecting the
purposes described.
2. In apparatus for washing photographic plates, the combination and use of a
bath deeper at one end than the other, fitted with racks 6, for holding plates of
varying size and mounted upon legs 2 in an inclined position; the inflow pipe 3,
and the syphon 7, all as described and operating together for effecting the purposes
set forth.
3. In apparatus for washing photographic negatives the combination and use of
the gutter or drain tube 8, forming a sink or well and connected to the syphon in
way and manner, and for effecting the purposes set forth.
the
Dated December 1st 1891.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent.