The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 25, 1986
Filed:
Jul. 13, 1984
Richard G Mackson, Santa Monica, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
Computer controlled apparatus for processing exposed photographic film so as to develop, fix, wash and dry the film in a predetermined sequence and on a fully automatic basis. To operate the apparatus, exposed film is loaded onto racks, and the racks are transported by the apparatus so that the film may be successively immersed into a series of tanks which contain appropriate developing, rinsing and fixing solutions. The apparatus is controlled by a computer, or other appropriate control system or mechanism, so that it may process different types of film with the time of immersion for each film in the developing tank being established by the computer in correspondence with the film manufacturer's recommendations. The apparatus includes a first transporter which serves to move the racks from tank-to-tank, and which is activated at fixed time intervals by a timing mechanism (which also clocks the computer); and a second transporter which advances the racks within selected tanks and which is also activated at fixed time intervals under the control of the first transporter, the two transporters cooperating to establish different fixed immersion times of the film in selected tanks other than the developing tank, and for establishing computer controlled different immersion times for different film in the developing tank.