GB632823A - Improvements in or relating to processing apparatus for photographic light-sensitivepaper - Google Patents

Abstract

632,823. Photographic processing apparatus. KODAK, Ltd. May 23, 1947, No. 13967. Convention date, May 25, 1946. [Class 98 (ii)] Apparatus for processing photographic paper sheets comprises a rotatable drum having a moisture-carrying covering which dips into a tank for a processing solution, a wringer roller in frictional driving engagement with the drum covering to squeeze a meniscus of solution from the covering across the full width thereof, guide means located adjacent the wringer roller for introducing a sheet through the meniscus of solution and between the drum and wringer roller so that both surfaces of the sheet are evenly moistened and the sheet is smoothed against the covering to be conveyed thereby, and a scraper bar engaging the drum covering at a position spaced from said roller to strip the processed sheet from the drum. As shown, two processing units are connected in tandem, one for developing and the other for fixing, the parts being mounted between side plates 1. Drums 8, 20 dipping into a developer tank 10 and a fixer tank 22 respectively and each covered with muslin which is wound at least twice round the drum in a direction opposite to that of rotation, the damp muslin adhering to the drum without using fastenings, are driven at the same speed by a chain 37 engaging a sprocket 36 on the shaft 5 of the drum 20 and a chain 35 which drives sprockets 33, 34 on the drum shafts 3, 5. Wringer rollers 6, 24 on spindles 2, 4 are frictionally driven by the drums 8, 20 and each squeezes out from the drum covering a meniscus of liquid B extending across the width of the drum. A paper print to be processed is pushed up the guideway A until it is drawn forward by engagement with the drum and roller. The print is wetted on both sides, thus reducing its tendency to curl, by passing through the meniscus B and is flattened on to the drum 8 by the roller 6 where it remains until picked off by a scraper bar 15, pin-and-slot secured to a support 18, whose edge 19 is thinner than the print. It then is picked up by the fixer drum 20 and passes beneath the wringer roller 24 which seats it on the drum where it remains till it is peeled off by a scraper bar 29, when it falls into a tray 26 across which a drying blast of warm air is directed. To ensure proper feeding of the developed paper to the fixer drum, spring guiding fingers 51 carried by a rod 50 are provided. For ease of access the liquid tanks 10, 22 are mounted on a frame 12 hinged at 47, 42 by links 45 and bell-crank levers 40 carried on the sides 1 at 46, 41, one lever 40 having a snap latch 43 which when released allows the frame to move down to lie between the dotted line position of the levers 40 and links 45.