Pako Corporation

Robert E Beer

Robert W Lundstrom

Conrad V Anderson

Kenneth M Kaufmann

A processor for processing undeveloped photographic film discs mounted on a spindle assembly has a conveyor to intermittently convey the spindle assembly from a first end to a second end of the processor along a generally horizontal conveyor path. The spindle assembly is conveyed to a plurality of processing stations along the conveyor path, with each processing station having a processing tank. During processing, the processing tanks move between an upward process position and a downward dump and transport position. A fluid dispenser at each processing station dispenses processing fluid to the processing tank at that processing station when a spindle assembly is positioned at that processing station. A spindle sensor at the first end of the processor provides a signal indicative of the presence of the spindle assembly in the processor. The operations of the conveyor, processing tank movement and fluid dispensers are controlled by a control apparatus as a function of the spindle sensor signal.

Control apparatus for film disc processor

A photoprocessor for photosensitive webs includes a plurality of tanks containing photoprocessing solution and a dryer. The web is transported through the tank by a plurality of opposed spaced pairs of oppositely oriented driven tapered rollers. The transport speed of the web through the tank is determined by a pair of opposed cylindrical rollers at the exit of the last tank. The cylindrical rollers are driven at a tangential velocity which is approximately equal to the tangential velocity at the centers of the tapered rollers. A loader at the inlet end of the processor includes driven and idler rollers which are normally out of engagement and which are brought into engagement to drive the web into the processor for a selected time period when the web is first sensed at the inlet end of the processor.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Robert E Beer