A New or Improved Apparatus for the Mechanical Treatment of Photographically Prepared Surfaces during the Developing and Finishing Processes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 20th July, 1899-Accepted, 26th Aug., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus for the Mechanical Treatment of
Photographically Prepared Surfaces during the Developing and
Finishing Processes.
I, WILLIAM FITZGERALD CRAWFORD, of Weymouth Lodge, Walton on Thames,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A device for holding a number of photographically sensitized plates films
or papers, during the processes of developing and finishing, namely, for develop-
ing fixing and washing plates and films, during the process of making negatives;
and also for toning fixing and washing photographic positives and prints, so that
they can be immersed in succession, and without handling, in the fluids necessary
for the above processes.
The apparatus consists essentially of a bath to contain the different fluids in
succession as required, and in connection therewith, a suitable spindle, to which
by a convenient arrangement, the plates films or papers, can be fixed during
the processes aforesaid, in a position, conveniently radial, so that by mere
rotation of the spindle, the plates films or papers, can be immersed as required,
in the fluid, contained in the bath.
Dated this Third day of January 1899.
A New or Improved Apparatus for the Mechanical Treatment of
Photographically Prepared Surfaces during the Developing and
Finishing Processes.
I, WILLIAM FITZGERALD CRAWFORD, of 160, Westbourne Terrace, Paddington,
in the County of London, Gentleman, formerly residing at Weymouth Lodge,
Walton-on-Thames, 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:-
My invention relates to an improved apparatus for developing, washing and
fixing sensitized photographic films, and plates, and for developing, toning, fixing
and washing prints.
The object of my invention is to provide a simple and easily operated device
for effectively developing, fixing, washing, toning or otherwise freating sensi-
tized films and the like. It consists essentially of a pair of discs mounted upon

page_text: a horizontal axis, and having their inner surface grooved radially in such a
manner that the grooves of each disc are exactly opposite the grooves of the
other disc, and are thus capable of receiving one or more photographic plates
or carriers in or upon which the films, plates, prints or the like can be disposed.
This apparatus is suitably supported over a trough of convenient shape, and so
that practically the lower half of the discs is immersed in the liquid contained
in the said trough. Means are provided for rotating the said discs, and for the
supply of liquid, and also arranged for the easy removal of the discs with their
contents from one trough to another where required. This apparatus consequently
forms a very effective and simple device for developing, fixing, rinsing or washing
plates or films or for toning, fixing and washing prints.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Figure illustrates in section, and
-
Figure 2 in plan view a carrier for the said plates, films or prints.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate sections of the discs.
Figures 6 and 7 shew a section and elevation respectively of the radial sector
or carrier.
Figure 8 shews an isometric projection of the developing, toning, fixing and
washing apparatus.
Figure 9 shews a separate washing trough to be used in conjunction with
Figure 8 for automatically washing plates, films and prints after developing,
toning, fixing and the like.
Figure 10 shews a view of the same apparatus with combined water motor
for washing large plates, prints, or films, which may be used to develop, tone or
fix in the manner of Figure 8 by removing the bands f.
In the drawing of Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, A indicates the trough internally
half circular of a slightly greater diameter than the discs. B the discs, C the
shaft or horizontal axis, D the milled buttons (only one shewn) for revolving
the apparatus by hand. In place of milled buttons ordinary handles may be
employed. F the film or plate carrier G the radial sector. The discs B con-
nected by the shaft C are shewn in Figure 8 as supported in bearings in the
edges of the trough A.
Each disc B has at least one peripheral groove k in which is located an elastic
ring 7. This ring is of a diameter slightly smaller than that of the discs, so
that it will remain turned over towards the inside or towards the outside of the
groove according to the position in which it is placed by the operator, and more-
over the ring can be turned over partly in one direction and partly in the other.
The discs B are radially grooved as shown in Figure 8. The grooves of each
disc are arranged exactly opposite the corresponding grooves of the other side
and the photographic plates and carriers F Figure 1 and 2 and radial sectors G
Figs. 6 and 7 are arranged to slide in these grooves.
The apparatus shewn in Figure 8 is intended to be revolved by hand by
turning the milled buttoms D) and in this manner an effective developing, toning,
fixing or washing of the plates, films, prints or the like can be obtained.
The radial sectors Figures 6 and 7 may be used to produce sectional chambers
between the dises by placing them with the tops all facing in one direction to
accomodate plates, films, or prints during the processes of developing, fixing,
toning or washing. The sectors may consist of pieces of perforated zinc or other
suitable metal bent into the form shewn in section in Figure 6.
The carrier shewn in Figure 1 is preferably of a double form, as shewn, and
may be used either for the largest size the machine can take, or smaller plates,
films or prints which are inserted therein sideways within wider or narrower
curved edges as shewn in the drawings.
In Figure 9 A¹ indicates a trough constructed of tin or other suitable metal
similar in shape and construction to A. Figure 8, with lugs or brackets m to
support the spindle by its smaller bearings u shewn on the milled buttons D
during the process of automatic washing of plates, films or prints, which operation

page_text: is performed by the impact of the washing water on the plates or carriers
causing the whole to revolve. H is a sliding regulator to govern the exit of
the washing water.
In Figure 10, A indicates the trough as in Figure 8. B the discs, C the shaft.
The ends of the shaft C enter slots e in the side of the trough so arranged that
the shaft is merely kept in place, and the discs are entirely supported by being
suspended by the driving bands f from the pulleys 7 on the horizontal shaft h
of the motor i.
The periphery of each disc in this figure has a second groove for the cord f,
Figures 5 and 10.
The apparatus Figure 10 is intended to be operated automatically by the water
employed in washing the larger sizes of the plates, films or prints.
The motor i which may be a paddle wheel turbine or other convenient form
of motor receives the water from a jet or otherwise and is set in motion thereby
and as the discs, shaft and contents are suspended by the endless bands f from
the axle h of the said motor, the apparatus is revolved in accordance with the
revolving of said motor, and the washing of the plates, films or prints is effected
automatically. The plates, films or prints are kept in position by the perforated
radial sectors shewn in Figure 6 and 7 or may be attached to the carriers F or
in the case of plates may be slid into the grooves without carriers or supports.
My device is operated as follows:-
For ordinary developing fixing and toning processes and for slight washing
or rinsing, make use of the apparatus shewn in Figure 8. Having placed a
sufficient quantity of developing solution in the trough A, and inserted the plates
in the radial grooves of the discs B, I then turn the rubber strips or rings /
inwards, which immediately and effectively prevents any of the plates from
slipping out as the discs revolve. I then cause the discs and contents to revolve
in the trough until the plates are fully developed. The discs are now lifted
out of the trough and placed in the washing trough A¹, (Fig. 9), and automati-
cally washed for a sufficient time. A (Figure 8) is emptied of developer washed
and charged with sufficient fixing solution, whereupon the discs are immersed
and revolved in it until fixation is completed. The discs are finally removed
and placed in trough A¹, Figure 9, where they revolve by the impact of the water
on the plates or carriers from a tap or other orifice, until they are completely
washed.
The manipulation of films and prints is substantially the same as for plates,
but the films and prints are first inserted in the carriers, Figure 1 and 2, or they
may be placed in the sectorial chambers formed by placing the radial sectors Ġ
in position.
The apparatus shewn in Figure 10 is designed for plates, films or prints of a
larger size than half plate, and is driven automatically by a constant flow of
liquid which after revolving the motor falls on the perforated radial sectors,
plates or carriers, Figures 6 and 7, which are placed in the grooves of the discs
as described percolates through them and falls into the trough, and escapes
therefrom by a syphon or suitable orifice.
Various detail modifications of the invention may obviously be made: thus a
carrier device for plates can be attached to the horizontal shaft and the plates
be inserted therein from the side, or the discs may be grooved tangentially
instead of radially. Or the discs can be placed vertically above one another,
and arranged to revolve in a circular vessel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. An improved apparatus for treating with liquids sensitized surfaces com-
prising a pair of discs mounted on a revoluble horizontal shaft and having radial
and corresponding grooves on their inner sides, a trough in which the said discs

page_text: are immersed substantially to one half their diameter, and means for holding
films, plates or the like in the said radial grooves, substantially as described.
2. In combination with an apparatus such as set forth in Claim 1, rubber bands
fitting in peripheral grooves in the revolving discs of the apparatus, said bands
serving to retain in place films, plates or other objects inserted in the grooves
on the inner sides of said discs, substantially as described.
3. In combination with the apparatus substantially as set forth in Claim 1,
the carriers F, and the radial sectors G, substantially as and for the purposes
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
4. The improved apparatus for developing, washing and fixing sensitized photo-
graphic films or plates and for developing, toning, fixing, and washing prints,
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 20th day of July 1899
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.