1994-04-23
1996-02-13
Rutledge, D.
354320, 354324, G03D 1700
Patent
active
054915309
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the processing of photographic film. The invention particularly relates to a processing unit for processing photographic film which is portable.
There are several different ways in which the processing of photographic film can be achieved. A common way is to send the film to a processing laboratory where typically it will be processed in a large processing unit. On a smaller scale a photographic film can be wound on to elements such as spiral reels and processed in a small light tight tank. The chemicals used in the processing have to be mixed, raised to the correct temperature and the whole process operated with a timer and thermometer.
Also small processors are available, but again these need the chemicals to be mixed and they require connection to a water supply and have to be operated in a dark room for the loading of a film. Usually they also require a mains type electrical supply.
In a typical portable machine each film for processing is loaded onto a spiral in the dark usually in a dark room. Chemicals are supplied to the machine from external containers and typically the chemicals will be supplied as concentrates which are diluted to the correct concentration. As a rinse is used after every stage to overcome contamination the machines require connection to a water supply. This can make the process time consuming and large volumes of effluent have to be discharged. Finally the film requires removal for a drying step.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is concerned with a portable processing unit which attempts to alleviate some of these disadvantages.
According to the present invention there is provided a film processing unit comprising means for receiving a cassette containing undeveloped film, means for removing said film from said cassette and winding said film onto a spiral type holder located in a processing chamber, said loading means, said removal means and said processing chamber being housed in light tight conditions, receptacle means for containing processing fluid, means coupling the receptacle means to the processing chamber, valve means for selectively permitting flow of processing fluids between said receptacle means and said processing chamber, the arrangement being such that processing fluids can be dispensed from said receptacle to said processing chamber to perform a processing operation on said film and after said operation said fluid can be returned to its respective receptacle means or otherwise discharged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described now by way of example only, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable processing unit in accordance with the present invention, and
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the processing unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings the processing unit is in the form of a case like container having a base section (10) and a lid section (14) connected to the base by hinges (15). The base section (10) and the lid section (14) each define volumes within which are located elements which make up a self-contained photographic film processing unit. The case includes catches (16) for securing the lid to the base and a handle (17) for carrying the case.
The lid section (14) houses three containers (18, 19, 20) each provided to accommodate chemicals used in the developing process. Each container (18) can include a heating element (22) which when energised acts to heat the solution contained in it to a desired temperature. Also each container is connected at its lower end to a conduit (23) which extends from the lid section to a pump (24) disposed in the base section. The pump is coupled by a first valve (25) and a three-way valve (26) to a processing unit (30). As can be seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings four such processing units are located in the base section. The processing units (30) are arranged in spaced apart pairs, one adjacent each side wall of the base
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Earle Anthony
Glover Edward C. T. S.
Graebe Christopher M.
Skye David A.
Taylor Nicholas J.
Eastman Kodak Company
Pincelli Frank
Rutledge D.
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