Paper-processing control apparatus

Abstract

A web-handling system for use in the processing of photographic print paper during the developing process includes a plurality of rollers mounted in a developing tank, at least some of the rollers being movable to vary the length of the paper path through the tank. The paper path length is continuously monitored and the input and output speed of drive rollers that move the paper into and out of the tank is controlled so that the path length is of the proper value to maintain the paper within the tank for a predetermiend time regardless of the rate of input of paper to the tank. The movable rollers are mounted on a carriage that is supported by the paper web when the handling system is in dynamic operation. A monitoring sensor is positioned near the input to the tank to monitor the transverse position of the paper web with respect to the paper path defined by the rollers and a roller adjustment device is controlled by the sensor to adjust the web position to maintain alignment of the web with the paper path.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.