Apparatus for processing webs of photographic material

Abstract

Apparatus for wet treatment of webs of photographic material has a series of chambers each of which defines an upper and a lower horizontal path for the transport of webs therethrough and a discrete liquid collecting tank below each chamber. Each chamber has an upper section above the upper path, a median section between the two paths and a lower section below the lower path, and each section has an inlet which receives liquid from the tank through the medium of a pump and an upright pipe which latter can constitute a support for the respective chamber. The liquid which issues from the inlet of the median section of a chamber is divided into two streams which respectively contact the undersides and upper sides of webs in the upper and lower paths. The upper sides of webs in the upper path are contacted by liquid issuing from the inlet of the upper section, and the undersides of webs in the lower path are contacted by liquid issuing from the inlet of the lower section. Each chamber allows the liquid to escape therefrom by flowing in and counter to the direction of transport of the webs, and such liquid is intercepted by guide members which direct the intercepted liquid into vertical ducts serving to return the liquid into the tank. The ducts are adjacent to the sides of the upper and lower paths and prevent the descending liquid from contacting the surrounding atmosphere.