Eastman-kodak Company

Martyn S Glover

Edward C Glover

John R Fyson

Peter D Marsden

David M Henson

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

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

Treatment of photographic effluent

Processing Waste solidification

A method for increasing the filtration rate of a precipitate produced from a photographic effluent includes treating the effluent with hydrogen peroxide and an alkaline earth metal salt to form a precipitate and adding to the precipitate a diatomaceous earth filtering aid and then filtering the precipitate.

Filtration technique

Photographic processing apparatus

A method for drying photographic materials from an initial moisture content to a desired final moisture content is provided. At least one side of a photographic material having an initial moisture content is heated, with a first heater stage, to achieve an intermediate moisture content in the material. The intermediate moisture content is less than the initial moisture content of the material and greater than the desired final moisture content. The intermediate moisture content of the material is measured and an output signal corresponding to the intermediate moisture content is provided to a control means. The material is then heated with a second heater stage to the desired final moisture content. The second stage heating is controlled using the output signal and the desired final moisture content.

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Herts, United Kingdom

Martyn S Glover