Photography – Fluid-treating apparatus – Single station and plural fluids
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2001-11-27
Rutledge, D. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Fluid-treating apparatus
Single station and plural fluids
C396S635000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322261
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an automated photographic developer, and more particularly to a photographic developer which automatically mixes processing fluids in small batches, on-demand, and also replenishes used processing fluids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Development of photographic film by the “wet” process exposes the film to a series of chemicals in either a continuous or batch process. In batch processing, film or paper is loaded into a single drum, and a sequence of chemicals is added and removed from the drum to effect development of the film. Proper development requires precise control of the concentration of the chemicals, temperature of the chemicals, and the time the film is exposed to the chemicals. Typically these chemicals are supplied in concentrated form as single or multiple concentrates and are diluted to the proper concentration for use in the developing process.
Each process of film development requires different concentrations. Making such a large array of chemicals ahead of time creates a problem in that the shelf-life of these chemicals is decreased once they are in diluted form. As a result, there is a reasonable chance that some chemicals may remain unused for a long period of time, exceed their shelf life, and thus be wasted. In addition, preparation of these chemicals by hand is undesirable as it exposes the operator to unnecessary potential contact with the chemicals.
It is therefore highly desirable to provide a device that is capable of mixing a diverse variety of chemicals on an as-needed basis. It is further desirable to provide an apparatus that performs this function automatically without the need for manual dilution and preparation of the chemicals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a film developing apparatus for developing photographic film by an automated batch process. The apparatus provides automated preparation of precise mixtures of the processing fluids at various stages of the batch process. These mixtures are made on-demand and pre-heated just before they are needed in the batch process. Additionally, the apparatus provides a method to reuse used processing fluids in future processing. In particular, the apparatus makes use of its mixing capability to combine a used processing fluid with a fresh concentrate to create a replenished processing fluid.
In general, an apparatus for batch processing film is provided. The apparatus includes at least one connector for connection with a source reservoir containing at least a first processing liquid including a processing chemical concentrate. Optionally, additional source reservoirs may be provided to contain, for example, water for use in the mixing of an original fresh fluid treatment mixture or an additional processing chemical concentrate for replenishing a used treatment mixture.
A mixing tank is provided for fluid communication with the source reservoir for receiving and mixing the processing liquid to provide a selected fluid treatment mixture. The processing liquid may be mixed with water to provide an original fresh treatment mixture for immediate use in the batch process. Alternatively, the processing liquid may be mixed with the used treatment mixture to provide a replenished mixture for immediate use in the batch process.
A valve is in fluid communication with the source reservoir and with the mixing tank to control the flow of processing liquid, such as a chemical concentrate for an original mixing procedure or a replenishing procedure or water for an original mixing procedure, from the source reservoir into the mixing tank. The valve also functions to control the flow of used fluid mixture from a discharge reservoir into the mixing tank for use in a replenishing procedure.
A processing drum is in fluid communication with the mixing tank for receiving the selected fluid mixture from the mixing tank. A film holder may be provided in the processing drum for holding a batch of film to be processed in position contained within the drum for processing in the selected fluid mixture in the drum. The film holder functions to hold a selected batch of film for batch processing rather than functioning to feed a continuous strip of film through the fluid treatment mixture.
A liquid detector may be in communication with the valve to enable the start of a liquid flow at the valve to be detected to enable the controller to control the pump to meter either a processing liquid from the source reservoir or the used treatment mixture from the discharge reservoir into the mixing tank. When the liquid detector is used in conjunction with a positive displacement pump, accurate quantities of processing liquid or used treatment fluid can be metered into the mixing tank. A flow sensor for sensing fluid flow at the valve may also be used in conjunction with the liquid detector to ensure precise metering of processing liquid or used treatment fluid into the mixing tank. Furthermore, a volume level sensor may be used in the mixing tank to sense the level of liquid in the tank so that correct amounts of liquid in the mixing tank can be confirmed or calculated.
More specifically, the apparatus may include several source and reuse reservoirs each containing a particular processing fluid, such as developer, bleach, fixer, or water. The reuse reservoirs specifically contain a used processing fluid in reserve for future reuse. A selector valve is connected to the source reservoir and reuse reservoirs. The selector valve connects the selected reservoir to a pump which pumps a processing fluid from the selected reservoir into the mixing tank. Additional reservoirs are optionally selected by the selector valve and pumped by the pump into the mixing tank. The mixing tank stirs the processing fluids and heats the processing fluids to a preselected temperature to create either an original treatment mixture or a replenished used mixture.
A second pump connects the mixing tank to the processing drum and pumps the fluid mixture from the mixing tank into the processing drum which contains film to be developed. Once processing with the current processing solutions is completed, the solutions are either discharged to a waste container or are discharged to one of the reuse reservoirs for later replenishment. The apparatus repeats this process creating further batches of processing fluid and further processing the film until the film development processes are complete.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 34188 (1993-03-01), Kuzyk et al.
patent: 4421399 (1983-12-01), Steube
patent: 4577950 (1986-03-01), Mackson
patent: 4586805 (1986-05-01), Bockemiihl-Simon et al.
patent: 5057858 (1991-10-01), Woog
patent: 5331364 (1994-07-01), Borden
patent: 5379086 (1995-01-01), Kuzyk
Dann Dorfman Herrell and Skillman, P.C.
Photo-Therm, L.P.
Rutledge D.
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