Film processor effluent handling system
AssigneePhogenix Imaging, LLC
InventorsMichael H. Davis, Marland Chow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for handling effluent from a film processor. A transportable holding tank is attached to the film processor using quick-disconnect fittings, and accepts effluent discharged from the film processor by gravity. The holding tank is uncoupled from the film processor and coupled to a receiving station with quick-disconnect fittings similar to those on the film processor. The effluent is pumped into the receiving station. The system is designed to minimize exposure to film processing chemicals, and handles parallel segregated streams of silver-bearing and non silver-bearing effluent.
Claims42
A film processor effluent handling system comprising:
- (a) a holding tank;
- (b) a first fitting connected to the holding tank;
- (c) an effluent reservoir in the film processor, the effluent reservoir having a second fitting mating to the first fitting;
- and
- (d) a receiving station having a third fitting mating with the first fitting.
A film processor effluent handling system comprising:
- (a) a holding tank having a first recess;
- (b) a first fitting disposed in the first recess and connected to the holding tank;
- (c) an effluent reservoir in the film processor, the effluent reservoir having a second fitting mating to the first fitting;
- and
- (d) a receiving station having a third fitting mating with the first fitting.
A film processor effluent handling system comprising:
- (a) a holding tank;
- (b) a first fitting connected to the holding tank;
- (c) an effluent reservoir in the film processor, the effluent reservoir having a second fitting mating to the first fitting;
- and disposed with respect to the second fitting so that the effluent flows out of the second fitting by gravity;
- and
- (d) a receiving station having a third fitting mating with the first fitting, the receiving station comprises a pump connected to the first fitting, pumping effluent out of the holding tank into the receiving station.
A film processor effluent handling system comprising:
- (a) a holding tank;
- (b) a first self-sealing, quick disconnect fitting connected to the holding tank;
- (c) an effluent reservoir in the film processor, the effluent reservoir having a second self sealing, quick disconnect fitting mating to the first self-sealing, quick disconnect fitting;
- and
- (d) a receiving station having a third, self-sealing quick disconnect fitting mating with the first fitting.
A film processor effluent handling system comprising:
- (a) a holding tank;
- (b) a first fitting connected to the holding tank;
- (c) an effluent reservoir in the film processor, the effluent reservoir having a second fitting mating to the first fitting;
- and
- (d) a receiving station having a third fitting mating with the first fitting;
- and
- (e) a control element operably connected with a plurality of fitting release elements, the control element selected to actuate the fitting release elements simultaneously.
An effluent handling system comprising:
- (a) a first vessel having a projection defining a first recess;
- (b) a first fitting disposed in the first recess;
- (c) a second vessel having a second recess;
- and
- (d) a second fitting disposed in the second recess, the second fitting aligned with the first fitting and removably coupled thereto;
- the projection and the second recess defining the alignment of the first and second fittings.
A method of handling effluent from a film processor, comprising the steps of:
- (a) engaging a projection of a holding tank with a recess in the film processor to align a film processor quick-disconnect fitting and a holding tank quick-disconnect fitting;
- (b) coupling the quick-disconnect fittings to establish a fluid connection between the film processor and the holding tank;
- (c) draining the film processor effluent into the holding tank;
- and
- (d) uncoupling the quick-disconnect fittings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.