Eastman-Kodak Company

Daniel M Pagano

David Lynn Patton

Ralph L Piccinino, Jr

Dale Frederick McIntyre

Edward Weissberger

Stephen H Miller

Kevin H Blakely

Robert P Cloutier

Brian W Keelan

Kevin J Klees

Thomas D Jensen

Joseph Anthony Manico

John Gasper

Richard B Wheeler

Stephen J Rowan

Jan A Chrisler

Scott M Fitzgerald

Anthony Earle

David C Smart

Jeffrey Charles Robertson

Lee R Estelle

Jeffrey L Hall

James D Gresko

Cynthia S Bell

Roger G Covington

Leslie R Wells

Daniel C Davis

Duane B Kirk

Frederick W Harvey

Mark D Fraser

Richard S Keirsbilck

Ronald W Grant, Jr

Christopher T Mattson

David B Kemp

Patricia A Dwyer

Robert E Marowski

Henry R Freidhoff

John J Breen

Richard W Bauer

Helen Swede

Todd C Brown

John C Cushman

Ralph D Sadler

The invention relates to a photographic processor and a method of processing photographic material. The photographic processor is adapted to achieve a high speed processing of photographic material by utilizing the combination of a vacuum platen and a stacker arrangement that is adapted to hold the media for a time necessary to process and/or dry the media. The system permits media to be fed to a first vacuum platen where a first solution is applied. The platen transports the media to a first vertical stacker arrangement, which holds the media for a desired processing time for the first solution. The media can then be pushed through a stop solution, if needed, and onto a second vacuum platen where a second solution can be applied. The media is then delivered to second vertical stacker arrangement that is designed to assure the proper amount of processing time for the second solution.

Photographic processing system having a vertical stacker arrangement

A photographic processor is in the form of an outside load drum processor. The outside load drum processor includes a circular member that includes a first wall, a second wall and a side-wall that connects the first wall to the second wall and extends around a perimeter of the circular member. A flexible shield member is wrapped around an outer surface of the side-wall so that a processing path for photographic material to be processed is defined between at least the outer surface of the side-wall and the inner surface of the flexible shield member. The circular drum member is rotated for processing of photographic film within the processing path.

Outside load drum processor

A dryer for drying photographic material and a transfer assembly for transferring processed photographic film from a processor to the dryer. The dryer comprises a path through which the photographic material extends wherein at least one slack loop is provided in the photographic material. An adjustable roller is provided along the path to adjust a size of the slack loop and an air supply arrangement is adapted to provide drying air to the slack loop.

Transfer assembly and a dryer operationally associated with the transfer assembly

A photographic processor and a dryer for drying photographic material. The dryer comprises a path through which the photographic material extends wherein at least one slack loop is provided in the photographic material. An adjustable roller is provided along the path to adjust a size of the slack loop and an air supply arrangement is adapted to provide drying air to the slack loop. The air supply arrangement supplies air to a frame member that has slots along at least one wall. A sliding member is provided within the frame member to open and close the slots in accordance with the size of the slack loop. This enables a supply of drying air directly on the media and further permits the automatic adjustment of the amount of air being supplied in accordance with the size of the slack loop or the length of the media being dried.

Slack loop dryer for drying photographic material

The present invention relates to a photographic processor and a method of processing photographic film which utilizes a circular processing drum and a disk positioned inside the drum. In the arrangement of the present invention, a tubular shaft has one end that is positioned at the central opening of the disk, and at least one processing solution delivery tube extends through the tubular shaft. The at least one processing solution delivery tube has a first end associated with a processing solution source and a second end which opens to a film path in the circular processing drum.

Photographic processing drum having a centrally located processing solution delivery system

A processor has a rotatable drum housed within an enclosure chamber. Processing solution is applied to the surface of the rotating drum and forms a film of solution around the periphery. The media to be processed is fed around the periphery of the rotating drum with its sensitized surface facing the drum.

Rotating processor

The present invention provides for a circular processing drum that defines a processing chamber therein. The circular processing drum includes a first media path for media of a first type which includes a first set of grooves in opposing walls of the processing drum, and a second media path which includes a further set of grooves in the opposing walls of the processing drum. The combination of the first and second media paths provides for a drum that is capable of processing multiple types of media while utilizing a minimum amount of space.

Dual groove photographic processing drum

A method and apparatus for making a shaped-spring assembly. The method and apparatus utilizes a spring forming apparatus which facilitates the forming of shaped springs without adversely effecting the characteristics of the spring, and a magazine arrangement which stores and loads shaped springs, while maintaining the shape of the springs. The magazine arrangement further permits the storage of a plurality of the shaped springs without fatiguing a leading edge of the spring. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to load empty shaped spring cavities at a select location, such as at a field site, and also have a steady supply of shaped springs available for quick replacement. The forming apparatus is designed so as to easily cooperate and/or be mounted onto the magazine arrangement so as to facilitate the transfer of shape springs which are shaped by the forming apparatus into the magazine arrangement.

Apparatus and method for making a shaped-spring assembly for use in a magnetic head-to-media backer device

A photographic processor and method of operation is disclosed. The processor includes a circular drum having first and second film processing paths, and a disk positioned inside the drum. The disk comprises a first set of disk teeth for engagement with perforations on a first type of film and a second set of disk teeth for engagement with perforations on a second type of film. The first and second set of disk teeth are positioned along a portion of an outer periphery of the disk. The processor also includes a circular dryer for drying the processed film. The dryer extends around an outer periphery of the drum.

Photographic processor having side by side processing paths and method of operation

A method and processor for processing photosensitive media. The processor includes a narrow processing channel for holding a processing solution, at least one delivery opening for delivering the processing solution to the narrow processing channel, an outlet for allowing processing solution to be withdrawn from the narrow processing channel, and a recirculation system for delivering and circulating a predetermined batch amount of the processing solution through the narrow processing channel from the outlet to the at least one narrow delivery opening for processing a predetermined amount of photosensitive media passing through the narrow processing solution. The batch amount of processing solution only when media is provided in the processing channel. The processor also included an emptying system for removing the processing solution from the narrow processing channel and the recirculation system when the photosensitive media is not being processed through the narrow processing channel.

Processing apparatus system

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 photographic processor having a circular processing drum is shown. The circular processing drum of the processor of the present invention includes a disk that is positioned inside the drum. In order to accommodate different types of film, the circular processing drum is adjustable to change the width and thereby, change a size of the film path within the circular processing drum.

Photographic processor having an adjustable drum

The present invention provides for a processor or processing arrangement which includes a replenishment system that meters or dispenses an amount of replenishment solution in direct relation to an amount of photosensitive media that passes through the processor or processing arrangement. The replenishment system includes a dispensing chamber and a cam roller that is operationally associated with a conveying roller. The cam roller engages a valve on the dispensing chamber. When the valve is moved to an open position in relation to a rotation of the cam roller, an amount of processing solution is metered out of the chamber in an amount related to the amount of rotation of the conveying roller.

Photographic processor having a roller cam replenishment system

A belt driven rack and tank processor includes a belt for driving photosensitive material through a relatively thin processing channel formed by the rack and tank of the processor. The belt travels around a core that displaces fluid within the apparatus so as to provide for a low volume processor. The processor further includes spring loaded engaging rollers which facilitate the conveyance of cut sheets through the processor.

Belt drive rack and tank photographic processing apparatus

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Honeoye Falls, NY, United States of America

Daniel M Pagano