US3342376A

US3342376A - Liquid handling device

Info

Publication number: US3342376A
Application number: US509980A
Authority: US
Inventors: Smith Eric Thomas
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 1964-11-27
Filing date: 1965-11-26
Publication date: 1967-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-19
Also published as: GB1132067A

Description

Sept. 19, 1967 E. T. SMITH 3,342,376

LIQUID HANDLING DEVICE Filed Nov. 26, 1965 FIG' I ERIC T- SM/TH INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,342,376 LIQUID HANDLING DEVICE Eric Thomas Smith, Pinner, England, assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 509,980 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Nov. 27, 1964, 48,441/ 64 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-64) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A solution handling apparatus for simultaneously supplying solution from a container to a tray and to a solution depth maintaining reservoir for the tray. A predetermined solution level is maintained in the tray as long as solution remains in the reservoir.

This invention relates generally to solution handling devices and more particularly to an improved apparatus for supplying solution to and from a working station such as a tray.

It is generally old in the photographic document copying art to provide a machine having an apparatus or device for supplying a processing solution to and from a Working station such as a tray. In such a machine, an exposed matrix is normally inserted therein for a predetermined time and then removed as a processed sheet. Every time a matrix is removed from the tray, a small amount of processing solution is removed with it causing the level of the solution in the tray to recede. In this connection, it is also well known to provide means in such a machine for maintaining the depth of solution therein at a fixed value. However, none of such devices that applicant is aware of provide means for simultaneously supplying solution to a tray, and to a solution depth maintaining means for the tray. I

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved solution supplying apparatus for a processing machine or the like.

Another object of the invention is to-provide an improved solution supplying apparatus for a processing machine of the type having a tray, a solution depth-maintaining means for the tray, and a container of solution movable between supply and receive conditions, in which the relative amounts of solution supplied to the tray and depthmaintaining means are controlled at least in part by means responsive to the supply and receive conditions of the solution container.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved solution supplying apparatus for a processing machine or the like that is of simple design and construction, thoroughly reliable and eflicient in operation, and economical to manufacture.

To attain these objects, the present invention includes within its scope an apparatus for simultaneously supplying solution from a container to a tray, and to a solution depth-maintaining means for the tray. The depth of solution initially supplied to the tray is not more than a predetermined depth, and the solution is maintained at the predetermined depth by the maintaining means as long as solution remains therein. The container is movable between a supply condition, during which it supplies solution to the tray and depth maintaining means, and a receive condition, during which it receives solution from the tray and depth regulating means. Valve means may be connected to the tray and be movable between flow-restricting and open positions in response to movement of the container between its supply and receive conditions respectively. The valve means controls the relative volumes 3,342,376 Patented Sept. 19, 1967 of solution supplied respectively to the tray and to the depth-maintaining means so that the solution directly supplied to the tray will not be of more than a predetermined depth.

The aforementioned supply and receive conditions of the collapsible container depend upon the relation of the container to the tray and regulating means. Thus, if the container is disposed below the tray, it may be placed in the supply condition by squeezing it by some suitable mechanism to cause the solution to flow from it. With this arrangement, it is placed in the receive condition when the squeezing pressure is removed. Alternatively, if the container is inverted, it may be placed in the supply condition by moving it to a position above the tray and depth-maintaining means so that the solution flows therein under the influence of gravity. In this case the container is placed in the receive condition by returning it to a position beneath the tray.

Objects and advantages other than those set forth above will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view partially in section of an improved solution supplying apparatus of this invention showing the solution container in its receive condition; and

FIG. 2 is a segmental view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the solution container in its supply condition.

Referring to the drawing, a tray 2 is disclosed of the type used in a photographic processing machine for receiving a solution 3 such as a processing solution. Maintaining means are provided for maintaining the depth of the solution in tray 2. at a predetermined value while the tray is being used and solution removed therefrom. The maintaining means comprises an enclosed reservoir 4 mounted above tray 2, and having a supply tube 6 through which solution from reservoir 4 may pass into tray 2. The reservoir 4 further slidably supports a cylindrical air tube 8 which in conjunction with supply tube 6 maintains the depth of solution 3 at the level of the end of air tube 8 in the same manner as the well-known chicken feeder. The depth of solution 3 in tray 2 may be varied by raising or lowering air tube 8 with respect to tray 2.

The solution supplying means for the device comprises a flexible, collapsible container 10 having an outlet 12 connected to the reservoir and tray by means of a generally Y-shaped conduit system 14. The leg of the conduit system 14 connected to the mouth 14' of tray 2 comprises a cylindrical flexible tube 16 forming part of a valve. One side of tube 16 is backed up by a rigid abutment 18 secured to tray 2, and the opposite side of tube 16 is engaged by one end 19 of a lever 20 pivotal about a pivot 22 at its other end. A reciprocally movable plate 24 is mounted below container 10, and is movable in the direction of the arrows as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 by any means, not shown, toward container 10 for moving it into its supply condition in which it is compressed expelling solution 3 therefrom into tray 2. and reservoir 4. During such movement, pivotal lever 20 is responsive to the pressure exerted against container 10 for gradually constricting tube 16 for progressively reducing the amount of solution supplied to the tray 2 by way of tube 1-6. The rate of compression of container 10, the cross-sectional areas of valve tube 16 when constricted, and of a reservoir inlet conduit 26 and supply tube 6 are all chosen so that upon movement of container 10 to its supply condition as seen in FIG. 2, the solution depth in tray 2 will be quickly brought to the level at which it is to be controlled, namely even with the end of air tube 8.

The level of solution in tray 2 is automatically maintained in a known manner by the supply and

air tubes

6, 8 respectively until the supply of solution in reservoir 4 is exhausted. It is desired to return solution 3 from tray 2, and any solution remaining in reservoir 4 to container 10, the compression means acting on plate 24 is rendered inoperative, opening valve tube 16 so that solution 3 can return through

tubes

16, 26 into container 10.

In an alternative construction, not shown, the flexible tube 16 may be replaced by a rigid tube, and the tube constricting mechanism of the valve comprising lever 20, and supports 18, 22 may be eliminated, and a rigid supporting means substituted for lever 20. The cross-sectional area of the small tube, in this case, should be selected in relation to the cross-sectional area of supply tube 6 so that immediately after full compression of container 10, the solution level in tray 2 will be substantially at, but not above, that at which it is to be controlled.

In another alternative construction, not shown, the flexible mouth 12 of container is made long enough to allow container 10 to be raised to a level above reservoir 4, so that solution 3 flows from container 10 under gravity. The means described above for squeezing container 10 are eliminated, and constricting lever 20 for valve tube 16 may be moved by any suitable means, not shown, linked to the means provided for raising container 10.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the sphere and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for supplying solution to a tray, the combination comprising:

7 a reservoir positioned above said tray;

said reservoir defining an opening providing fluid communication with said tray;

means cooperating with said opening for maintaining a predetermined depth of solution in said tray so long as solution is present in said reservoir; and

means for simultaneously supplying solution to said tray and reservoir whereby said tray is filled to said predetermined depth and maintained at said depth by said maintaining means.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said opening is provided by a tube having one end connected 4 t to said reservoir, and its free end positioned above said tray. 1

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said solution-supplying means comprises a container for solution, and conduit means connecting said container to said tray and reservoir.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said container is movable between a first condition in which it supplies solution to said reservoir and tray, and a second condition in which it receives solution from said reservoir and tray, and said conduit means comprises a first conduit interconnecting said container and said tray, a second conduit interconnecting said container and said reservoir, and valve means associated with said first conduit and responsive to said container upon movement thereof to its first condition for controlling the relative amounts of solution entering said reservoir and said tray.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said container is flexible, said solution-supplying means further comprises a first pressure member for moving said container between its first and second conditions, said first conduit is flexible, and said valve means comprises an abutment member for said first conduit, and a second pressure member interposed between said container and said first conduit and cooperating with said abutment member to constrict said first conduit upon movement of said container to its first position.

6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said container is mounted below said tray, said first pressure member is positioned'below said container and movable into engagement therewith, and said second pressure member is positioned above said container.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said second pressure member comprises a pivotal lever having a portion thereof movable into engagement with said first flexible conduit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,932,070 10/1933 Grant et a1. 22256 X 2,699,886 1/1955 James 222457 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, Examiner.

Claims

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING SOLUTION TO A TRAY, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A RESERVOIR POSITIONED ABOVE SAID TRAY; SAID RESERVOIR DEFINING AN OPENING PROVIDING FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID TRAY; MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID OPENING FOR MAINTAINING A PREDETERMINED DEPTH OF SOLUTION IN SAID TRAY SO LONG AS SOLUTION IS PRESENT IN SAID RESERVOIR; AND MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY SUPPLYING SOLUTION TO SAID TRAY AND RESERVOIR WHEREBY SAID TRAY IS FILLED TO SAID PREDETERMINED DEPTH AND MAINTAINED AT SAID DEPTH BY SAID MAINTAINING MEANS.