Recirculating X-ray film processing apparatus

A recycling kit for attachment to a film processor having a processing tray including a supply port and a drainage port, said kit comprising:

• a container constructed to hold at least 12 gallons of fluid and having at least one filling port, at least one outflow port, and at least one return port;
• a pump constructed to be placed in fluid communication with said outflow port and including an intake for submersion in said fluid when said container is supplied with fluid;
• a connector for electrically connecting said pump with a power source;
• a first elongated conduit constructed to be connected between said outflow port and said supply port for supplying said processing tray with fluid;
• a second elongated conduit constructed to be connected between said drainage port and said inflow port for returning said fluid to said tank;
• and
• whereby said respective first and second conduits may be connected between said outflow port and said supply port and between said drainage port and said return port, fluid added to said tank through said filling port, and said pump actuated to continuously circulate fluid between said container and said tray.

A method for using a dedicated water supply with an X-ray processor comprising the steps of:

• providing a fluid supply tank having at least one outflow opening and at least one return opening;
• providing a pump disposed in fluid communication with said outflow opening and having an open ended intake tube for drawing fluid into said pump and forcing fluid out said outflow opening;
• providing a X-ray processor having a processing tray with an inlet port and a drainage port;
• connecting a first tubing between said outflow opening and said inlet port to provide fluid communication between said outflow opening and said port;
• connecting a second tubing between said drainage port and said return opening to provide fluid communication between said drainage port and said return opening;
• filling said tank with fluid to a predetermined level above said open end of said intake tube;
• and
• activating said puff to circulate said fluid.

A fluid recirculation tank apparatus for connection with an X-ray processor having a processor inlet and outlet and comprising:

• an upright tank for receiving a quantity of processing fluid from a water supply and including a tank outlet for connection with said inlet and a return for connection with said processor outlet;
• a pump motor on said tank and having a pump inlet to be submerged in said fluid and a discharge connected with said tank outlet;
• and
• a tank fill tube for connection with said water supply, whereby said tank outlet may be connected with said processor outlet and said discharge connected with said processor inlet so water in said tank may be circulated through said pump to said processor.

An X-ray processor fluid recirculation tank apparatus for use in connection with a fluid supply source comprising:

• an X-ray processor having a processing tray and including a fluid receiving port and a fluid exhaust port;
• an upright rectangular tank for receiving a quantity of processing fluid from said fluid supply source and including at least two fluid inlet ports, at least one fluid supply port, and at least one fluid return port;
• a fluid supply pipe having a main stem connected at one end to said fluid supply source and having at its opposing end a first branch and a second branch, said first branch including a primary fill pipe connected at its respective distal extremity to one of said fluid inlet ports and further including a shutoff valve for selectively introducing said fluid supply into said tank through said first branch, said second branch connected at its respective distal extremity to the other of said fluid inlet ports and further including a solenoid in fluid communication with said second branch;
• a programmable timer electrically connected to said solenoid for issuing open and close commands to said solenoid at predetermined times;
• a pump motor on said tank and having a pump inlet to be submerged in said fluid and a discharge connected with said tank fluid supply port;
• a supply conduit connecting said fluid supply port with said fluid receiving port to provide fluid communication therebetween;
• and
• a flow return conduit connecting said fluid return port with said fluid exhaust port to provide fluid communication therebetween, wherein said tank may be filled with a predetermined amount of fluid from said fluid supply source through said first branch by opening said shutoff valve, said motor activated to drive said pump to circulate said fluid out said fluid supply port to said processor and back through said fluid return port, and said timer may be programmed to selectively open and close said solenoid to incrementally add fresh fluid from said fluid supply through said second branch to maintain a substantially constant volume of fluid in said tank.