Eastman-Kodak Company

Raymond G Hauss

Matthew DiPietro

Vincent B Dethier

Richard K Neace

William B Wilson

James R Louk

A processor for photographic film or paper has a tank for holding a processing solution. A filter is located within the tank, and solution is removed from the tank through the filter and returned to the tank. An improved replenishment system for the processing solution includes a storage container for holding a concentrated replenishment solution. A pump delivers to the core of the filter a quantity of the concentrated replenishment solution. Water is provided to the filter core through a pressure regulator, a control valve and a fixed orifice. A microprocessor controls the pump and the control valve so that predetermined quantities of replenishment solution and water are simultaneously provided to the filter.

Processor with automatic chemical dilution and mixing system

Processing apparatus for photographic film, particularly intraoral xray film, in which the various processing stations are positioned in a circle about a central rotatable column. The column has an external spiral groove in which rides a pin carried by, and extending into the bore of, a hub which fits around the column. Rotation of the column moves the hub up or down, depending upon the direction of rotation. The hub carries a plurality of arms equal in number to the number of stations, seven in the apparatus disclosed. Each arm has a magnet for attaching a novel film holder which is detachable at the unloading station. After loading a film holder with film to be processed, the holder is loaded into the machine through a spring-pressed loading door onto a loading platform which moves the film holder upwardly to engage it with one of the arms when the door is closed. Raising, rotation and lowering of the hub, arms and film holders is controlled by rotation of the column and proper arm positioning is assured by a novel escapement mechanism. The apparatus provides operation from loading to unloading with a minimum of human intervention, with high consistency of operation, and with treatment for equal time intervals in the developing, fixing, washing, liquid removal and spin drying stations.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Raymond G Hauss