Eastman-kodak Company

Edward C Glover

Anthony Earle

John R Fyson

Martyn S Glover

Peter D Marsden

Paul C Ward

James I Dunlop

Christopher B Rider

Nigel R Wildman

Leslie J Pummell

David J Young

Michael Ridgway

David A Skye

Nicholas John Taylor

Christopher M Graebe

Roger Baretll

Michael John Hanscombe

John Denis Piper

Geoffrey D Marshall

Marc J Gaudillere

The special effects filter for camera comprises a transparent support sliding on the camera body between at least two positions. The support is fitted with at least one zone capable of covering the lens and the viewfinder of the camera so that practically identical light transmission characteristics are respectively registered with the lens and the viewfinder.

Special effects filter for cameras

It is known to supply solution to a process and to collect effluent therefrom using `bag-in-box` arrangement each having a predetermined volume. However, if the process must be supplied with greater volumes of solution, the use of larger `bag-in-box` arrangements is limited by weight restrictions that an operator can handle. Described herein is a method of using a number of `bag-in-box` arrangements coupled together to provide a larger volume of replenisher solution to a process and to collect of effluent therefrom than would be the case if only a single `bag-in-box` arrangement is used. An automatic changeover system can be utilised which allows the process to be supplied with a greater volume of solution than that which corresponds to the legal weight limit without having to empty the supply `bag-in-box` arrangements into a large replenisher tank.

Supply and collection of solutions

Described herein is an alarm system for use with a `bag-in-box` arrangement (10) which is used to collect effluent from a processing apparatus (20). The alarm system comprises a chamber (50) located between the processing apparatus (20) and the `bag-in-box` arrangement (10) which includes a level sensor (52) which indicates that the `bag-in-box` arrangement (10) has been overfilled by a predetermined amount and is ready for changing.

Collection of process effluent

A collapsible camera comprising a body defined by a first panel, a second panel and rigid support means. The first and second panels are substantially planar and parallel when the camera body is in its collapsed condition and bowed away from each other when the camera body is erected. When the camera body is erected, the rigid support means act between the first and second panels to define and retain the spacing between the panels during normal usage of the camera. By including rigid support means, reliable focussing of an image on a film in the camera can be achieved.

Camera

Shutter mechanism with integral blade, spring, and trigger

An apparatus for supplying a liquid from a container which has an opening through which the liquid can be removed. The apparatus comprises a lid for the opening in the container, an aperture in the lid through which a tube projects for access to the interior of the container, a liquid-tight seal in the aperture through which the tube passes, with the tube being movable through the seal, at least one opening in the wall of the tube adjacent the end of the tube having access to the interior of the container, a closure arrangement at the end of the tube preventing the passage of liquid through the end of the tube into the container, and an arrangement for preventing the withdrawal of the end of the tube through the aperture in the lid. When the tube has been withdrawn through the seal until prevented from further withdrawal, said opening in the wall of the tube is closed by the seal.

Apparatus for supplying a liquid from a container

It is known to wash dispersion noodles in a `batchwise` fashion in which the noodles are retained in a kettle or kettle and water is sprayed onto the surface of the noodles. Agitation is achieved by bubbling air into the kettle from the bottom. Described herein is a method and apparatus for continuously washing dispersion noodles. The apparatus includes continuous pipe work in which the noodles are washed, the pipe work including at least one separating device (10) for separating the noodles from the water in which they have been washed. The device (10) comprises a housing (12) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16). A separating element (22) is located in the housing (12) between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) and is surrounded by a collection chamber (24), the element (22) comprising a tube of mesh material through which water passes into the collection chamber (24) and which is then drained off through drain (32). The housing (12) includes jets (28, 30) through which water, hot or cold, or steam can be introduced for cleaning the device (10). Water jets (34, 36) are provided in the outlet (16) for introducing clean water to the noodles.

Washing of dispersion noodles

Described herein is an arrangement which allows solution to be supplied to a process from a `bag-in-box` arrangement, used solution being returned to an emptied `bag-in-box` arrangement for disposal. The arrangement includes a process (40) having an inlet (46) and an outlet (48) which is connected to a valve arrangement (10) by way of the inlet (46) and outlet (48). Respective `bag-in-box` arrangements (62, 64) are connected to the valve arrangement (10) which determines whether the `bag-in-box` arrangement is connected to the inlet (46) or the outlet (48) by its position. The arrangement provides a system in which new `bag-in-box` arrangements containing fresh solution for the process (40) are connected to inlet (46) thereof regardless of their relative positioning. Using the valve arrangement (10), the number of connections and disconnections for the `bag-in-box` arrangements is halved.

Handling of solutions

A tapeless splicing system which allows the joining and separation of filmstrips without the use of tape. The system comprises forming an aperture (16, 26) in a leading end (12, 22) of a filmstrip (14, 20) and a tongue portion (28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36) in a trailing end (24) thereof. The tongue portion (28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36) of one filmstrip (20) is inserted through the aperture (16) of another filmstrip (12) by distortion as it is pushed through the aperture (16), the tongue portion (28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36) and the aperture (16) being sized and shaped to provide effective interlocking between the two filmstrips (14, 20).

Tapeless splicing system for photographic filmstrips

Described herein is a method of removing splicing tape (30) from two filmstrips (10, 20). Trailing edge (12) of filmstrip (10) has an aperture (14) formed therein over which at least a portion (32) of splicing tape (30) overlaps. At a splice removal station (40) comprising a pair of spaced apart support surfaces (42, 44) which defined a gap (46) therebetween, a gripper device (48) passes through aperture (14) to grip portion (32) of the splicing tape (30) and to detach it from trailing edge (12) of filmstrip (10). As gripper device (48) is pulled downwards through gap (46), splicing tape (30) is drawn over edge (50) on support surface (42) to detach it from leading edge (22) of filmstrip (20).

Removal of taped splices

It is known to use `bag-in-box` arrangements both for supplying photographic processing solutions to a photographic process and for collecting effluent therefrom. However, a supply `bag-in-box` arrangement may not be completely emptied and when it is transferred to collect effluent, and it may become full before the new supply `bag-in-box` arrangement has been emptied. This is a problem if there are no empty `bag-in-box` arrangement to replace the full one collecting effluent. Described herein is a `bag-in-box` arrangement (10) having a variable effective volume. The arrangement (10) comprises an outer box (12) in which is housed an inner bag (20). Connection to the process is achieved by means of connector (22). A spacer element (28) is located in the top of the outer box (12) which limits the effective volume thereof for transportation. The element (28) is removed when the `bag-in-box` arrangement (10) is connected to the process to supply solution thereto. Once the inner bag (20) is emptied, it is transferred to collect effluent from the process. The inner bag (20) can now expand in the outer box (12) to substantially fill it thereby providing a larger volume for collection of effluent. In this way, a supply `bag-in-box` arrangement will always be empty before an effluent `bag-in-box` arrangement becomes full.

Collecting containers

It is known to treat the effluent resulting from photographic processing apparatus. Such treatment takes the form of either neutralization where the effluent is mixed with a neutralizing solution prior to disposal, or evaporation where the effluent is heated to form a precipitate and a concentrated liquid portion prior to disposal. However, both these techniques have disadvantages they do not account for toxic particles which may be suspended in the solutions. Described herein is apparatus in which photographic effluent can be treated to provide harmless end products which can be disposed of directly. The apparatus comprises a mixing unit (10) in which the effluent (S1) is mixed with treatment chemicals (S2, S3, S4, P1, P2, P3) and is then passed to a separation unit (20) in which the treated effluent is separated into non-toxic liquid and solid phases. A computer (100) is used to control all stages of the treatment of the effluent.

Photographic effluent treatment apparatus

A cartridge for receiving a photographic processing chemical comprises a main body formed with an outlet by way of which the chemical may be introduced into or removed from the cartridge. The main body also has a connection for a venting arrangement which provides communication between the interior of the main body of the cartridge and atmosphere when the cartridge is in use. The connection for the venting arrangement is located adjacent, and faces in the same direction as, the outlet in the main body so that in a single 'plug-in' operation the cartridge can be located upon a processing apparatus to establish connections for the supply and return of the processing chemical and a connection with a venting arrangement provided on the processing apparatus.

Cartridge with supply arrangement and method for using the cartridge and

It is well known that photographic processing solutions need to be replenished periodically in photographic processing apparatus to maintain constant sensitometry for the material being processed. Described herein is a method and apparatus for effecting replenishment of a process, in particular, a photographic process, in which replenishing material for the process is coated on to at least one surface of the material to be treated in that process.

Replenishment of processes

A cartridge (1) for a processing chemical (3), such as a photographic developer or the like, comprises a main body (2) having an outlet (4, 5, 6, 7) by way of which the chemical may be introduced into and removed from the main body. The outlet is adapted for connection to a processing apparatus (8, 9, 10) to permit the chemical to be transferred between the apparatus and the cartridge. The main body of the cartridge incorporates a tube (6), one end of which is located externally of the main body. The tube extends through the interior of the main body so that its other end is disposed adjacent a region of the main body which is opposite that part of the main body where the outlet is formed. The cartridge is designed to be mounted on a processing apparatus with its outlet directed downwardly so that the tube stands substantially vertically. The processing chemical may be pumped out of the cartridge and back into the cartridge via the tube. In addition any air present in the cartridge may be pumped out of the cartridge via the same tube.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Edward C Glover