1993-05-21
1994-06-21
Rutledge, D.
354324, G03D 308
Patent
active
053232020
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to photographic processing apparatus and is more particularly concerned with processors in which a fluid drive is used to transport the material being processed. More particularly, the apparatus includes a low volume, thin-channelled processing tank provided with at least two jets at an angle which will cause discharged fluid to advance photographic paper through the channel.
It is known to use jets to provide agitation at the surface of a material being processed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,846 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,521 both disclose the use of such jets. However, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,846 the jets are used to supply fluid layers to the material being processed which act as liquid bearings to prevent damage occurring during processing. Agitation is also provided by the jets. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,521, the jets are only used to provide agitation.
Other systems are known which employ jets, for example, those systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,359,279, 3,688,677, 3,610,131, 3,344,729 and 3,516,345. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,279, the jets point in both directions and open out into an open tray. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,677 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,131, the jets are directed to operate in a direction which is opposite to the flow of material through the processor. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,345, the jets are directed to operate in a direction which is transverse to the direction of flow of the material through the processor, and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,729 the jets are directed at wall surfaces of the processing chamber and not at the material itself.
JP-A-2129635 discloses processing apparatus in which photosensitive material is fed from a supply reel into a slit-shaped spiral processing tank. Developing solution is pumped into the tank via two inlet nozzles or jets to transport the material being processed through the spiral tank.
It has also been known to use `slot` or `slit` nozzles to urge material between sets of rollers in small bench-top processing apparatus, but such nozzles have not been known to impart high speeds to the material on which they act.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement in which the processing solution is directed to drive the material being processed at high speed through the processor.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided photographic processing apparatus comprising a processing tank arranged to receive material to be processed and containing processing fluid, the processing tank having an inlet, an outlet and at least one pair of jets operable both to apply processing fluid to the material being processed and to drive the material through the processing tank, characterized in that an expansion box is provided at both the inlet and the outlet of the processing tank.
In this specification, processing fluid is a general term used to describe the fluid which acts upon the material being processed. Such a fluid developer solution, bleach, fix, bleach-fix, wash water or drying air.
By this arrangement, high speed processing apparatus can be provided which occupies minimum space and has few moving parts.
Advantageously, the processing tank substantially forms a loop. The loop may be mounted with its axis substantially horizontally or vertically within the apparatus.
Preferably, the jets are mounted at an angle between 30.degree. to 45.degree. to the direction of movement of the material being processed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a horizontally mounted processing tank constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a vertically mounted processing tank constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectioned views through a processing tank of either FIG. 1 or 2 in the region of their respective drive units, and
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Eastman Kodak Company
Rutledge D.
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