Device for automatic compensation of the level of chemical treatment baths, applicable in particular to developing machines

An apparatus, comprising:

• a vessel containing a supply of water;
• a first pipeline connecting said vessel to a manifold;
• an electronic monitoring and control unit;
• a main processing unit connected to said electronic monitoring and control unit for controlling said electronic monitoring and control unit;
• a plurality of baths containing respective solutions therein, each of said plurality of baths having a respective sensor for detecting a drop in the level of solution therein connected to said electronic monitoring and control unit for relaying a signal corresponding to the level of solution to said electronic monitoring and control unit, said plurality of baths comprising a final bath having a squeeze roller assembly that includes a plurality of squeeze rollers located above said final bath;
• a plurality of second pipelines each extending from said manifold to a respective one of said plurality of baths so as to be able to deliver water from said vessel to said baths;
• a single pump connected to said first pipeline and said manifold for pumping the water from said vessel to said manifold and said plurality of second pipelines, said single pump being operable by said electronic monitoring and control unit in response to signals from said plurality of sensors;
• a plurality of solenoid valves in respective ones of said plurality of second pipelines, said solenoid valves controlling the flow of water through said second pipelines and said solenoid valves being connected with and operated by said electronic monitoring and control unit in response to signals from said plurality of sensors;
• wherein said second pipelines comprise ends located above the level of the solution in the respective baths such that the distance separating the respective said ends from the levels of the respective solutions creates a separation in flow from said ends to said baths sufficient to prevent any reflux from said baths to said pipelines;
• and
• wherein one of said second pipelines comprises at least one tubular element having apertures therein positioned above and parallel with one of said squeeze rollers of said squeeze roller assembly and above the level of the solution of said final bath.