Eastman-kodak Company

Douglas O Hall

Bruce R Muller

David G Sherburne

Thomas W Glanville

Lee F Frank

Michael K Rogers

Michael J Poccia

Patrick M Bruton

Jan M Munson

A computed radiography (CR) reader comprising: an image plate loading and unloading station for receiving in a vertical orientation a CR cassette including a light tight cassette shell and an image plate supported by an extrusion closing off said shell, said image plate storing a latent radiographic image, a scanning station located below said loading and unloading station at which said image plate is scanned, and an image plate transport assembly for removing said image plate from said cassette shell and for vertically transporting said image plate past said scanning station while said image plate is being removed from said cassette.

CR reader with vertical scanning

CR reader with integrated control mechanism

A flexible web guiding apparatus including; a turnaround roller; a pinch roller positioned in driving engagement with said turnaround roller and defining a nip therebetween; and a web guide for accurately directing an end of the web into the nip defined by the turnaround roller and the pinch roller to cause the web to move between the pinch roller and the turnaround roller without stubbing against either roller. The accuracy of the web guide is achieved by wear plates that are affixed to the web guide and spaced apart to permit the web to move therebetween. The wear plates are maintained in friction contact with the turnaround roller for controllably maintaining the spacing between the web guide and the turnaround roller.

Wear plate positioned guide shoe

An apparatus for processing photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a processing chamber having an entrance and an exit for allowing a photosensitive material to travel through the processing chamber. A first supply means is provided for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a first fluid layer on one side of the photosensitive material and a first drain for removing processing fluid from the first fluid layer. A second supply means is provided for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a second fluid layer on the opposite side of the photosensitive material and a second drain for removing processing fluid from the second fluid layer. Means are provided for minimizing oxidation of the processing solution.

Apparatus for processing photosensitive material

An improvement in an apparatus for processing photosensitive materials. The apparatus includes a processing chamber through which the material can be advanced for processing the material. The processing chamber has an entrance at one end and an exit at the other end to allow the photosensitive material to travel through the chamber. The apparatus further includes a tank for holding a processing fluid. At least one nozzle assembly is provided for supplying processing fluid from the tank to the processing chamber. The nozzle assembly comprises an outer nozzle secured to the tank and an inner nozzle secured to the upper tank. The inner and outer nozzles are spaced apart a predetermined distance so as to form a discharge opening therebetween which is in fluid communication with the processing fluid in the tank so as to create a first fluid layer on one side of the photosensitive material passing through the processing chamber. The inner and outer nozzles have a configuration designed to maintain the predetermined distance between the inner and outer nozzles substantially constant along the length of the discharge opening.

In an apparatus for processing photosensitive material, the apparatus having, a narrow processing chamber formed by a pair of substantially planar guide plates spaced apart a predetermined distance. The processing chamber having an entrance and an exit for allowing the photosensitive material to travel through the processing chamber. A first fluid supply is provided for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a first fluid layer on one side of the photosensitive material, and a second fluid supply is provided for supplying processing fluid to the processing chamber to create a second fluid layer on the opposite side of the photosensitive material. A plurality of spaced raised projection are disposed on the surface of the guide plates. The projections extend in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the direction of travel of the photosensitive material and across substantially the entire width of the photosensitive material.

A pump circulates water from a wash-water chamber to a diverter valve where it can be directed either to a heat exchanger in a processing fluid chamber or directly back to the water chamber. The temperature of the processing fluid is detected by a sensor, and a microprocessor controls the diverter valve as a function of the temperature detected by the sensor in order to maintain the temperature of the processing fluid at a desired set point. The water temperature increases over a period of time, and may reach a level where the desired set point temperature cannot be maintained. If this occurs, the microprocessor opens a valve to a building water supply to add fresh, cool water to the water chamber.

Processor for photosensitive material

A processor for photosensitive material provides a processing solution to a processing chamber while the photosensitive material is advanced through the chamber. The processing solution is drained from the chamber and passes through a chute as it is returned to a sump for recirculation to the processing chamber. A laminar fluid flow wick located in the chute avoids air entrapment that would be caused by fluid freely flowing through the chute.

Processor with laminar fluid flow wick

Apparatus for processing photosensitive material includes upper and lower tanks for a processing solution. The tanks are connected together so that the solution can flow freely from the lower tank to the upper tank. The photosensitive material is advanced through a processing chamber between the tanks while the solution in the upper and lower tanks is provided to the chamber. A sump holds a supply of the processing solution, and a pump is coupled to the sump to draw the solution from the sump. The pump also is connected to the lower tank so that the processing solution is delivered to the lower tank, and from the lower tank some of the solution is furnished to the upper tank.

Factors affecting the quality of the development of a photosensitive material include the characteristics of a processing fluid flow in contact with the material. A uniform turbulent fluid flow is created in a photographic processing apparatus by utilizing the height of the fluid in a tank for retaining the processing fluid. The height of the fluid creates a fluid pressure which is utilized in determining the flowrate of the fluid in the processing apparatus. An uncomplicated, low friction fluid flow is also created which allows for a more efficient, lower cost photographic processing apparatus.

A photographic apparatus for processing light sensitve material includes a plurality of fluid suspension devices each having an upper applicator housing and a lower applicator housing situated to form an elongated fluid chamber. Processing fluid application means are located adjacent an entrance and exit of the upper and lower applicator housings for applying the fluid to both sides of the light sensitive material to create upper and lower fluid layers, thus suspending the film between the fluid layers as the film travels through the processor. Such suspension minimizes scratches or abrasions to the emulsion.

Apparatus for processing light sensitive material

A method of achieving an optimal balance of wrap angle, strike angle, and film driving force parameters in a roller transport film processor, and a film processor so constructed, are disclosed. Purposes are to optimize performance and to eliminate or attenuate pi line artifacts on processed film. The method includes the following steps: (a) determining empirically a relationship of strike angle as a function of wrap angle; (b) determining empirically a relationship of film driving force as a function of wrap angle; (c) preselecting a maximum allowable strike angle; (d) from the relationship of strike angle to wrap angle, determining a maximum allowable wrap angle corresponding to the maximum allowable strike angle; (e) preselecting a minimum practical wrap angle corresponding to a minimum practical film driving force; and (f) establishing horizontal centerline distances between rollers in the film processor to achieve a wrap angle between the maximum allowable wrap angle and the minimum practical wrap angle. By this method, functional ranges of wrap angle, strike angle, and film driving force parameters are defined. Within these ranges, a roller transport film processor is operable without resulting pi line artifacts.

X-ray film processor rack

A film guide shoe for a film processor is supported on the shafts of two pinch rollers which are biased into contact with a turnaround roller. The guide shoe moves with the pinch rollers as the filmstrip passes between each pinch roller and the turnaround roller.

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Canandaigua, NY, United States of America

Douglas O Hall