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US 6,715,942 B1Granted
Photographic processing drum having a circular drying cylinder
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorRalph L. Piccinino, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A photographic processor includes a circular processing drum and a circular drying cylinder. A transfer arm is utilized to transfer processed photographic media from the circular processing drum to the circular drying cylinder. The circular drying cylinder includes an outer housing and a diffuser member having slots provided therein. The slots extend in a spaced manner from an entrance to an exit of the drying cylinder so as maximize the drying of film in the drying cylinder.
Claims17
A photographic processor comprising:
- a circular processing drum for processing photographic media;
- and
- a circular drying cylinder for drying the processed photographic material;
- wherein:
- said circular drying cylinder comprises an outer housing and a diffuser member provided within the outer housing, said diffuser member comprising a plurality of air slots which open toward a drying path for the processed photographic media;
- said outer housing comprises a supply opening through which drying air is introduced into a space defined between said outer housing and said diffuser member, said drying air introduced into said space passing through said air slots to a drying area within said diffuser member to dry the media in said drying path;
- and
- said circular drying cylinder is coaxial with respect to said processing drum.
5 more elements
A photographic processor comprising:
- a circular processing drum for processing photographic media;
- and
- a circular drying cylinder for drying the processed photographic material;
- wherein:
- said circular drying cylinder comprises an outer housing and a diffuser member provided within the outer housing, said diffuser member comprising a plurality of air slots which open toward a drying path for the processed photographic media;
- said outer housing comprises a supply opening through which drying air is introduced into a space defined between said outer housing and said diffuser member, said drying air introduced into said space passing through said air slots to a drying area within said diffuser member to dry the media in said drying path;
- a blower is associated with said supply opening for supplying air to said supply opening;
- and
- said outer housing comprises a first outlet which communicates with a second outlet in said diffuser member, and a tubular member is provided so as to extend between said first and second outlets for returning air from the drying area within said diffuser member to said blower.
6 more elements
A photographic processor comprising:
- a circular processing drum for processing photographic media;
- and
- a circular drains cylinder for drying the processed photographic material;
- wherein:
- said circular drying cylinder comprises an outer housing and a diffuser member provided within the outer housing, said diffuser member comprising a plurality of air slots which open toward a drying path for the processed photographic media;
- said outer housing comprises a supply opening through which drying air is introduced into a space defined between said outer housing and said diffuser member, said drying air introduced into said space passing through said air slots to a drying area within said diffuser member to dry the media in said drying path;
- and
- said drying path is provided within said diffuser member.
5 more elements
A photographic processor comprising:
- a circular processing drum for processing photographic media;
- and
- a circular drying cylinder for drying the processed photographic material;
- wherein:
- said circular drying cylinder comprises an outer housing and a diffuser member provided within the outer housing, said diffuser member comprising a plurality of air slots which open toward a drying path for the processed photographic media;
- and
- said outer housing comprises a supply opening through which drying air is introduced into a space defined between said outer housing and said diffuser member, said drying air introduced into said space passing through said air slots to a drying area within said diffuser member to dry the media in said drying path;
- said processor further comprising a transfer arm for transferring the processed photographic media from the processing drum to the drying cylinder.
5 more elements
A method of processing photographic media, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting photographic media into a circular processing drum;
- supplying and discharging processing solution into and from said circular processing drum to process said media;
- transferring the processed media from the circular processing drum to a circular drying cylinder, wherein said transferring step comprises inserting the media into a drying path provided within a circular diffuser member having a plurality of air slots;
- and
- supplying drying air to an outer housing which surrounds said diffuser member in a manner in which the supplied air passes through said air slots, enters said diffuser member and dries the media in said drying path.
2 more elements
A method of drying photographic media, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting processed photographic media into a circular drying cylinder, wherein said inserting step comprises inserting the media into a drying path provided within a circular diffuser member having a plurality of air slots;
- and
- supplying drying air to said diffuser member in a manner in which the supplied air passes through said air slots, enters said diffuser member and dries the media in said drying path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.