Photography – Fluid-treating apparatus – Dark cabinet
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-16
2001-04-10
Rutledge, D. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Fluid-treating apparatus
Dark cabinet
C396S603000, C396S612000, C396S620000, C396S636000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213656
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a developing apparatus for developing of a photosensitive media.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a typical prior art minilab, there is provided an entrance for feeding a photosensitive media to a processing path along which a photosensitive media is passed for printing and development. As is typical with minilabs, the device is designed to prevent unwanted exposure of the photosensitive media as it moves from the printing section to the processing section. With such processors, it is often necessary to provide an alternate feed slot for allowing control strips, which are used for monitoring printers and processors, to be located at a particular point in the processing path after printing. In the prior art, the alternate feed slot is required to have a relatively complex light-lock mechanism in order to avoid the entrance of stray light into the device, which can adversely affect the media passing through the processor.
Applicants have invented an improved light-lock mechanism for a photosensitive feed slot, which allows a photosensitive media, such as a control strip, to be easily passed into the processor to the processing path at the appropriate location, which requires little or no special devices and allows quick and easy entrance of a photosensitive media into the processing path.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for processing a photosensitive media, the apparatus having a processing path extending between the entrance and outlet for passing of a first photosensitive media through the apparatus, and a light-lock feed slot assembly for allowing a second photosensitive media to be fed into the processing path, the light-lock feed slot assembly comprising:
a conduit having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, each of the side walls having an interior surface forming an inlet port, an outlet port and a narrow feed channel between the inlet port and outlet port, the inlet port extending to the exterior of the apparatus and the conduit being positioned for directing of the photosensitive media to the processing path, the conduit having a curved configuration from the inlet port to the outlet port, each of the side walls having at least one projecting member which extends along the width of the channel, extending toward the opposed side wall, the projecting member having a configuration so as to substantially stop light from exiting the outlet port which originates from the entrance port such that there is substantially no light interference with the media passing through the processing path.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for processing a photosensitive media, the apparatus having a processing path for passing of a photosensitive media from the entrance to the outlet through the apparatus, and a light-lock feed slot assembly for allowing the photosensitive media to be fed into the processing path, the light-lock feed slot assembly comprising:
a conduit having an inlet port at one end and an outlet port at the other end, the conduit having a configuration which forms a substantially serpentine passageway between the entrance port and the outlet port such that stray light which may be adjacent the entrance port is prevented from reaching the outlet port.
The above and other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying detailed description thereof when considered in conjunction with the following drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3408141 (1968-10-01), Grant, Jr.
patent: 4067034 (1978-01-01), Kwiatkowski
patent: 4116400 (1978-09-01), Jones et al.
patent: 5448326 (1995-09-01), Pummell et al.
patent: 5864728 (1999-01-01), Earle et al.
Blakely Kevin H.
Herman Timothy W.
Piccinino, Jr. Ralph L.
Eastman Kodak Company
Pincelli Frank
Rutledge D.
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