Photographic developer effluent transfer station and drain wash
AssigneeAcademy, Ltd.
InventorCurtis Rhodes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for transferring effluent from photograph development systems, especially highly automated, high-volume developer systems. A silver-recovery system discharges an iron-rich solution into a tank. Developer fluid and fixer solution is mixed with the iron-rich solution in the tank to buffer its pH. A float in the tank activates a switch located outside the tank to actuate a pump for evacuating the mixed effluent from the tank for disposal. Water may be mixed under pressure with the pumped effluent to reduce clogging in effluent drainage lines due to precipitate and other and build-ups from effluent.
Claims13
An apparatus for transferring effluent from a system, the system discharging a waste solution and a by-product solution, said apparatus comprising:
- a tank comprising a sample port to permit sampling of the effluent;
- an inlet for introducing the waste solution into said tank;
- a canister discharge inlet for introducing the by-product solution into said tank for mixing with the waste solution, the mixture comprising an effluent, the fluid level of which rises and falls within said tank;
- a pump for evacuating the effluent from said tank to a drain line;
- a control switch outside said tank and in communication with said pump;
- a float within said tank, floatable upon the effluent at the fluid level, in operative connection with said control switch;
- said float signaling said control switch and starting said pump to begin evacuating the effluent when the fluid level rises to a first predetermined level in said tank;
- said float signaling said control switch to stop said pump when the fluid level falls to a second predetermined level in said tank;
- and
- an anti-clogging system for flushing said drain line and keeping said drain line clear of residue build-up and clogging.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.