Device for mixing solid photographic chemicals with water

Preparation device for mixing one or a plurality of solid chemical components with water to obtain a solution for the liquid processing of a photographic material, which comprises a tank, water supply means for filling said tank with water up to a predetermined level, powder supply means for feeding said one or a plurality of solid chemical components in powder form into the tank, and circulation means for blending the mixture in said tank, characterized in that said device further comprises:

• an open-topped sub-tank mounted in said tank and having a top which is at a level below said predetermined level in said tank,
• a chute for passing powder discharged from said powder supply means into said sub-tank,
• mixing means in said sub-tank for mixing said powder with liquid contained in said sub-tank, and
• control means for controlling the operation of said water supply, circulation and mixing means, so that the mixing of said powder with liquid in said sub-tank is started while the level of said liquid in said tank is below the top of the sub-tank, and said water supply means fills the tank such that the liquid in the tank overflows the sub-tank after mixing in said sub-tank has been completed, and the operation of the circulation means is continued at least until the liquid in the sub-tank has become mixed with the liquid in the tank.