1993-12-16
1995-02-28
Rutledge, D.
354329, 354331, 354339, G03D 308
Patent
active
053942159
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to photographic processing apparatus and is more particularly concerned with such apparatus used to process sheet material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been known for over 20 years to use high speed drum arrangements for processing photographic material. In such arrangements, the material to be processed is held stationary by a blanket whilst the drum rotates beneath it.
In other arrangements, the material being processed is usually clamped or clipped to the drum so that it rotates therewith and there is no relative motion between the material and the drum.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,537 discloses an arrangement for automatic winding and discharging of a sheet of material, the sheet of material being wound on to a drum prior to its discharge.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,872 discloses an ink jet printer in which a rotary support is used to support the material being printed. The material is clipped to the rotary support for its rotation relative to the ink jet printing head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In small processing machines, the rate at which material passes through the machine is low due to its size. This results in the access time being long because it is the sum of the actual processing time at each stage, plus the crossover times between each stage, and finally the time it takes for the whole sheet of material being processed to emerge from the machine.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparatus which increases the transport rate between each stage and the exiting speed of the material from the apparatus.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided photographic processing apparatus for processing photographic material, the apparatus comprising: and which is movable from a first position adjacent the surface of the drum where the material is constrained and transported around the drum, and a second position away from the surface of the drum where the material is free to leave the surface of the drum.
Advantageously, the transport means further includes a second movable roller which is movable from a first position adjacent the surface of the drum where the material is constrained and transported around the drum, and a second position away from the surface of the drum where the material is free to enter the apparatus and pass over the surface of the drum.
By this arrangement, the relative motion between the drum and the material being processed provides agitation of the material surface which assists the processing.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and which illustrates paper entering the apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and which illustrates paper being processed in the apparatus; and
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and which illustrates paper leaving the apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The apparatus shown in the Figures comprises a drum 10 which is surrounded by a guide 12. The guide 12 and the drum 10 define therebetween a processing tank 14 in which processing solution (not shown) is retained. A first pair of rollers 16, 18 are positioned to feed sheet material 20 into the processing tank 14. A second pair of rollers 22, 24 are positioned to feed sheet material out of the processing tank 14 after processing. A transport roller set 26 acts to guide the material 20 into and out of the processing tank 14. The roller set 26 comprises a roller 28 to which two other rollers 30 and 32 are pivotally connected. Roller 28 is free to rotate about its axis, and capable of slight movement in a radial direction away from and towards the surface of the drum 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, as material 20 is being fed into the tank 14, roller 30 is lifted so that the material 20 can be guided, by
REFERENCES:
patent: 4225872 (1980-09-01), Marinoff
patent: 4390176 (1983-06-01), Kato
patent: 4798375 (1989-01-01), Yamamoto
patent: 4838537 (1989-06-01), Matsuda et al.
Eastman Kodak Company
Pincelli Frank
Rutledge D.
LandOfFree
Photographic processing apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Photographic processing apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Photographic processing apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-851866