Low cost, up gradeable, deep-tank automated x-ray film processor
AssigneeFischer Industries, Inc.
InventorsPhilip J. O'Keefe, James J. Flanigan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A low cost, automated film processing system which can replace existing hand dipping development of films, but which is also later expandable in field, to accommodate additional features, should an upgrade to those features be desired. In the preferred embodiment, the design utilizes deep tanks, as defined in the specification, to enable the chemicals to be utilized over an extended period of time. The chemistry utilized in the processor operates at room temperature.
Claims33
A low cost x-ray film processor capable of upgrading, comprising:
- a first tank for containing a developer solution;
- a second tank for containing a fixer solution;
- a third tank for containing a cleaning solution, the developer and fixer solutions having a chemical composition capable of operation at room temperature;
- a plenum chamber;
- a plurality of rollers for advancing film through said first, second, and third tanks and through said plenum;
- a variable speed motor operably connected to drive the rollers, the speed of the motor being adjustable to compensate for at least the chemical decomposition of the fixer and developer solutions over time.
A low cost film processor comprising:
- a first tank for containing a developer solution;
- a second tank for containing a fixer solution;
- a third tank for containing a cleansing solution;
- the chemical composition of the fluids in said first and said second tanks having a chemistry acceptable for use at room temperature but capable of operating at a temperature of at least 120° F.;
- a plenum chamber;
- a film advance system mounted in connection with said tanks and said plenum chamber for advancing a film from an inlet to said first tank to an outlet of said processor;
- a motor operatively connected to said drive system;
- a switch for actuating said motor, the actuation of said motor enabling a user to feed film into said processor immediately with the fluids in said tanks at approximately room temperature.
A low cost film processor comprising:
- an enclosure, said enclosure having at least a top wall, a front wall, and at least one side wall, one of said top wall, side wall and front wall having an opening in it for feeding x-ray film to said processor and another of said top wall, side wall and front wall defining an exit for receiving developed film from said processor;
- a first tank for containing a developer solution mounted to said enclosure;
- a second tank for containing a fixer solution mounted in said enclosure;
- a third tank for containing wash water mounted in said enclosure;
- a plenum chamber mounted in said enclosure;
- a drive device including a plurality of racks operably connected to and between said, first, second, and third tanks and said dryer plenum for advancing film from said entry to said exit;
- and
- a drive motor operably connected to said drive device, activation of said drive motor enabling a user to insert film for processing and for processing a film immediately upon activation of said motor when the developer and fixer solutions are at approximately room temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.