Apparatus for photographic film processing cross-reference to a related

Abstract

A photographic film processor includes an upstanding processing rack which is immersed in a processing liquid tank. The rack has oppositely spaced pairs of mating vertical rack panels, each pair defining a vertical belt path and at least one vertical film process channel. An endless timing belt extends over a drive sprocket at the top of the processing rack, over an idler sprocket at the bottom of the rack, and along the vertical belt paths defined by the respective opposite pairs of vertical rack panels. The timing belt has inner teeth for engagement with the sprockets and outer teeth for engagement with a flexible film leader card to which at least one exposed filmstrip is secured. Rotation of the drive sprocket advances the timing belt continuously along the vertical belt paths to pull the exposed filmstrip along the vertical film process channels. A processing liquid is pumped into a central vertical cavity between the opposite pairs of vertical rack panels and is constrained for positive flow through numerous inlet openings in each inner rack panel at either side of the central cavity. The processing liquid is directed against the emulsion side of successive sections of the filmstrip being pulled along the vertical process channels, and out of corresponding outlet openings in each outer rack panel proximate the walls of the processing tank. Then, the used liquid flows downwardly between each outer rack panel and the tank walls to drain through an outlet port at the tank bottom.