Photographic developer and printer

A horizontally elongated film developer tank having a receiving end provided with a receiving opening therein;

• film transport means extending through said opening;
• said film transport means having an adhesive tape extending through said opening and said developer tank;
• said adhesive tape disposed adhesively to grip marginal edge portions of film beyond the image area thereof and to pull said film through said tank;
• first tape guide rollers arranged in an up and down serpentine path in said developer tank;
• said developer tank having a plurality of sump portions in which some of said rollers are disposed;
• said tape drive means engaging said tape and disposed to pull said tape through said developer tank;
• a switch disposed at said receiving end of said film transport means;
• said switch engageable by film and adapted to energize said film transport means for pulling said tape through said developer tank;
• a pair of nip rollers at said receiving end of said film transport means;
• pressure means operable by said switch for forcing said nip rollers together for squeezing said tape onto the marginal edge of said film as said tape and said film are pulled into said developer tank;
• said developer tank being provided with a drain communicating with all of said sump portions;
• a drain valve communicating with said drain;
• each sump portion being downwardly sloped to said drain;
• fluid communication means interconnecting said sump portions to equalize said fluid contents therein;
• developer delivery and metering means disposed to conduct fresh fluid into said sump portions for each load of film carried thereinto by said film transport means;
• means for activating said drain valve and said delivery and metering means in rapid sequence for draining used developer from said sump portions and charging said sump portions with fresh developer after each batch of film has been pulled through said developer tank.