Eastman-kodak Company

Daniel C Davis

Ralph L Piccinino, Jr

Kevin H Blakely

Raymond E Wess

Ronald W Grant, Jr

Carlos F Rezende

Daniel M Pagano

Kenneth D Corby

Jeffrey L Hall

Charles S Christ, Jr

Edgar Preston Gates

Walter D Foley

Richard R Horn

Faye Transvalidou

Robert E Marowski

Albert R Szembrot

Ronald W Grant

Michael R Gray

Mark M Kerns

Keith S Lundy

John C Cushman

Ralph D Sadler

A system for supplying a processing solution to a printing device, such as a photographic processor or a printer, which includes a supply tank with processing solution or ink and a delivery system between the supply tank and a printing device. The delivery system has a retaining vessel with retained fluid, in the vessel, and a reference probe to signal a level probe when fluid reaches a predetermined level on receipt of a replenish signal from the controller for the printing device. The power supply actuates a three-way valve in order to flow a volume of the processing solution from the supply tank to the retaining vessel. A power supply receives the adjustable liquid level probe signal from the adjustable liquid level probe. Then switches the three-way valve to flow the retained fluid from the retaining vessel to the printer.

Replenishment system for a print media processor

A chemical delivery system and method for use in a photographic processor is disclosed. The chemical delivery system includes a heating assembly that comprises a heating chamber and a level detection sensor. The heating chamber receives a predetermined amount of processing solution from a storage tank based on the level of the level detection sensor, heats the predetermined amount of processing solution and supplies the same to an associated photograph processor.

Chemical delivery system for use with a photographic processor and method of operation

A processing solution delivery system and method for a photographic processor includes a plurality of chambers that are adapted to hold a distinct processing solution therein. A manifold is fluidly connected to the chambers and includes an inclined solution passageway. The manifold provides a connection between the chambers and an associated processor. Provided in a spaced manner along the inclined solution passageway are manifold bores which introduce solution at different points along the inclined passageway. With the present invention, it is possible to introduce wash solution at the highest point of the inclined processing path at the end of a processing cycle so as to assure the removal of contaminants from previously supplied solutions. Further, it is possible to introduce a bleach or fixing solution at the lowermost point of the inclined path to effectively and uniformly quench a development reaction.

Processing solution delivery system for use with a photographic processor and method of operation

A chemical or processing solution delivery system and method for use in a photographic processor is disclosed. The system includes a heating chamber which is adapted to receive a predetermined amount of processing solution therein, and heat the processing solution prior to delivery of the solution to an associated processor. The heating chamber includes a member which functions as a supply tube for supplying solution to the chamber and a level detection sensor for detecting the level of solution in the chamber.

Processing solution delivery system having a supply tube and level detection sensor unit for use with a photographic processor

A photographic processor and method of operation is disclosed. The processor includes a circular drum and a disk positioned inside the drum. The disk comprises at least one set of teeth along an outer periphery thereof for engagement with perforations on film. The processor also includes a circular dryer for drying the processed film. The dryer extends around an outer periphery of the drum.

Photographic processor and method of operation

A processing apparatus, method and recirculation system utilizes a level sensing probe in a filter housing of the filter assembly. The level sensing probe is adapted to provide a signal to a controller arrangement that includes at least a level sensing circuit, a central processing unit and a solid state relay. The controller arrangement is adapted to shut off a heating element of the filter assembly whenever the solution in the filter housing as defined by the level sensing probe falls below an acceptable minimum level of processing solution. With the arrangement of the present invention, it is possible to maintain re-circulated and/or replenished processing solution in the filter housing at an acceptable minimum level, and whenever the solution falls below such a level the heating element is shut off so as to prevent the overheating of the components of the filter assembly.

Photographic processor having a filter housing with a level sensing probe

A delivery system and method for delivering a processing solution to a processing tank in a processor containing a processing solution. The delivery system is designed to provide a replenishment solution to the processing tank from a package having at least two separate containers. Each of the containers having a processing solution that is to be provided to the at least one processing tank. The delivery system substantially empties each of the at least two separate containers in the package in an accurate predetermined rate so that all of the at least two containers in the package will be substantially empty at the same time. The delivery system includes a mechanism for filling and emptying the predetermined amount of replenishment solution from the retaining vessel in response to the liquid level sensing system.

Photographic processor having an improved replenishment delivery system

A thermoelectric Peltier heat transfer device is used to treat a fluid, such as a photographic processing solution to reduce or prevent biogrowth. The device include both hot and cold sides that are in direct fluid flow communication so that the same fluid is treated on both sides of the device. The treated fluid is subjected to flash pasteurization on the hot side of the device, and immediately and rapidly cooled on the cold side without loss of volume. Thus, the same fluid is treated on both sides of the heat transfer device in a closed system before being returned to desired chemical, photographic or other processes.

Method and apparatus for pasteurizing fluids

A photographic processing method and apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor for developing an exposed photographic paper, a first entry point into the processor for transferring of the exposed photographic paper to the main processing path of the processor, and a second entry point into the processor to receive a photosensitive material of a second format different from the first format and leading the photosensitive material to the main processing path. An adapter is provided having a first end which is arranged to mate with a cassette in a light-tight manner having a second end which is connectable in a light-tight manner with the second entry point on the processor. The cassette contains a photosensitive material of a second format and the cassette may be fed directly into the processor via the adapter and the second entry point of the processor. A sensor is provided for monitoring the amount of photosensitive material passing through the second entry point and for controlling the amount of replenishment of processing chemicals to the processor in response to the amount of photosensitive material monitored.

Kit for use with a photographic processor

A drying apparatus and method utilizes the combination of radiant heat and air to quickly dry photosensitive material. The arrangement of the drying apparatus is such that radiant heat is first applied to photosensitive material at a radiant heat application section to substantially dry the photosensitive material without emulsion side contact and, thereafter, an air flow is directed onto both sides of the photosensitive material after it leaves the radiant heat application section. A plurality of air flow nozzles are used to direct the air onto the photosensitive material with the nozzles being oriented so as to direct air away from the radiant heat application section of the drying apparatus. This provides for an efficient and quick drying of photosensitive material in a compact unit.

Apparatus and method for drying photosensitive material using radiant

A drying apparatus and method utilizes radiant heat and forced air to provide for rapid drying of photosensitive material without emulsion side contact. The forced air is supplied through air passages formed between cover members that partially surround radiant heating bars, and is directed onto the photosensitive material where it impinges upon the photosensitive material. As the air passes through the air passages, it is heated by radiant heat from the heating bars. The heated air increases the drying effect of the drying apparatus and at the same time, impinges on the photosensitive material in a manner which assists in holding the photosensitive material firmly against, for example, drive rollers.

A method and apparatus for imprinting a sublimation transfer onto a generally cup-shaped or tubular structure. The apparatus includes a support structure for holding of the structure. A blower is provided for providing a flow of heating air to the interior surface of the structure. A control device is provided for directing the flow of heating air in a uniform manner about the interior surface of the structure.

Method and apparatus for transferring images onto a tubular structure

A method and apparatus for imprinting a sublimation transfer onto a generally cup-shaped structure. The apparatus comprises a support structure for holding the cup-shaped structure and a cover mounted to the apparatus for movement between an open position and a closed position. The cover when in the closed position forms a heating chamber wherein the cup-shaped structure is positioned for heating. A heating tower is provided on the support structure and has a shape such that the cup-shaped structure can be placed in the inverted position over the tower without touching the tower. The heating tower includes an electrical heating wire that is wrapped about a support structure and is capable of heating the cup-shaped structure.

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Rush, NY, United States of America

Daniel C Davis