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US 5,400,106 AGranted
Automatic tray processor
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsJohn H. Rosenburgh, Joseph A. Manico, David L. Patton, Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low volume photographic material processing apparatus that utilizes a narrow horizontal processing channel. The channel is formed by a repeating combination of squeegee pinch rollers and impingement slot nozzles. Photographic processing solution is introduced through the impingement slot nozzles and the squeegee pinch rollers are used to remove the processing solution from the photosensitive material and provide transport of the photosensitive material. Solution level control is achieved by drains positioned below the tops of the upturned sections.
Claims23
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, the apparatus comprising:
- a processing module comprising a container and at least one processing assembly placed in the container, the at least one processing assembly forming a processing channel through which a processing solution flows, the processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of processing solution available for the processing module and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in the processing channel;
- transport means for transporting the photosensitive material from the channel entrance through the channel to the channel exit;
- and
- means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume provided in the processing channel.
1 more element
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, the apparatus comprising:
- a processing module comprising a container having at least one processing assembly placed in said container and at least one transport assembly disposed adjacent said at least one processing assembly, said at least one processing assembly and said at least one transport assembly forming a substantially continuous channel through which a processing solution flows, said processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of processing solution available for the processing module and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel;
- at least one discharge opening is provided in said at least one transport assembly or said at least one processing assembly for introducing processing solution to said processing channel;
- at least one outlet for allowing processing solution to exit said processing channel and said module;
- and
- means for circulating the processing solution from said at least one outlet provided in said module directly to said at least one discharge opening.
2 more elements
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, said apparatus comprising:
- a processing module comprising a container having at least one processing assembly placed in said container, said at least one processing assembly forming a channel through which a processing solution flows, said channel having an entrance and an exit and at least one discharge opening is provided in said at least one processing assembly for introducing processing solution to said channel;
- transport means for transporting the photosensitive material from said channel entrance through said channel to the channel exit, said transport means being disposed adjacent said at least one processing assembly and forming a portion of said processing channel, said processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of processing solution available for the processing module and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel;
- and
- means for circulating the processing solution through the processing channel in said processing module.
1 more element
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, said apparatus comprising:
- a processing module comprising a container having at least one processing assembly placed in said container and at least one transport assembly disposed adjacent said at least one processing assembly, said at least one processing assembly and said at least one transport assembly forming a substantially continuous processing channel through which a processing solution flows, said processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of processing solution available for the processing module and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel;
- wherein at least one transport assembly is provided with at least one discharge opening for introducing processing solution through said channel;
- and
- means for circulating the processing solution through a processing channel in said module.
1 more element
An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, said apparatus comprising:
- a processing module comprising a container having at least one processing assembly placed in said container, said at least one processing assembly forming a substantially continuous channel through which a processing solution flows, said channel having an entrance and an exit, said at least one processing assembly having a discharge opening for delivering processing solution to said channel, said processing channel comprising at least 40% of the total volume of processing solution available for the processing module and having a thickness equal to or less than about 100 times the thickness of the photosensitive material to be processed in said processing channel;
- passages are provided in said module for removing processing solution from said processing channel;
- and
- means for circulating the processing solution directly from said passages provided in said processing module to said discharge opening.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.