Patents by Inventor Anthony Earle

Anthony Earle has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20050249494
    Abstract: A photographic processor comprises a base member in which the material is located and two side channels for holding the processing solution. Spreading means spreads the solution from one channel to another and thus across the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Bruce Gowans, Peter Twist, Leslie Wells
  • Patent number: 6719465
    Abstract: A processor has a rotatable drum housed within an enclosure chamber. Processing solution is applied to the surface of the rotating drum and forms a film of solution around the periphery. The media to be processed is fed around the periphery of the rotating drum with its sensitized surface facing the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Leslie R. Wells, Daniel M. Pagano, Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6705780
    Abstract: A processor for processing photosensitive material has a rotatable outer drum and an inner sprocket wheel which is independently rotatable from the outer drum. Two sets of sprocket teeth and, are provided on the sprocket wheel to engage with the material to be processed and to positively drive the material into and out of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Leslie Wells
  • Patent number: 6592270
    Abstract: A solution delivery system for a processor holds and delivers the processing solutions at working temperature. The solutions are held in an airtight chamber in which they are heated to the correct temperature. The solution is then transferred to a holding chamber until released into the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony Earle
  • Patent number: 6572286
    Abstract: A photographic processing system has a first processing stage to process photographic material. A second processing stage is also provided to further process the photographic material. A storage device is provided between the first processing stage and the second processing stage to receive and store photographic material output from the first processing stage prior to output to the second processing stage. This enables the photographic material to be output from the first processing stage at a different rate than that at which it is input to the second processing stage. Accordingly, the first processing stage can be vacated for use by subsequent photographic material before processing in the second processing stage is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Leslie Wells
  • Patent number: 6554506
    Abstract: The method and apparatus supplies processing solution directly to the surface of a web of sensitized material by means of a movable applicator. The web and applicator are moved relative to each other to enable good mixing of the solution on the surface. The movable applicators can be moved in and out of contact with the material as required so that the process can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Twist, Anthony Earle
  • Publication number: 20030072573
    Abstract: The method and apparatus supplies processing solution directly to the surface of a web of sensitized material by means of a movable applicator. The web and applicator are moved relative to each other to enable good mixing of the solution on the surface. The movable applicators can be moved in and out of contact with the material as required so that the process can be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Peter J. Twist, Anthony Earle
  • Patent number: 6547459
    Abstract: A drum chamber in which photographic material is processed is provided with a section in which the walls overlap to form a narrow channel therebetween. The channel acts as the entrance to and exit from the chamber for the material being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, John F. Daehne
  • Publication number: 20030053807
    Abstract: A processor has a rotatable drum housed within an enclosure chamber. Processing solution is applied to the surface of the rotating drum and forms a film of solution around the periphery. The media to be processed is fed around the periphery of the rotating drum with its sensitised surface facing the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Leslie R. Wells, Daniel M. Pagano, Ralph L. Piccinino
  • Publication number: 20030035654
    Abstract: A processor for processing photosensitive material has a rotatable outer drum and an inner sprocket wheel which is independently rotatable from the outer drum. Two sets of sprocket teeth and, are provided on the sprocket wheel to engage with the material to be processed and to positively drive the material into and out of the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Leslie Wells
  • Patent number: 6517262
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing photographic material comprises a chamber adapted to hold the material therein, means for introducing solution into the chamber, means for removing the solution from the chamber, and a member located within the chamber and filling a central part thereof. A gap is defined between the inner wall of the chamber and the central member in which the material is held, thereby retaining the material around the inner circumference of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Twist, Anthony Earle
  • Patent number: 6517264
    Abstract: A processing drum is located within an enclosed chamber. The processing drum is rotated within the chamber, the chamber being provided with means to heat and circulate air throughout the interior thereof. At least one fin is provided around the outer periphery of the drum to aid heat conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Robert A. Arcus
  • Publication number: 20030021605
    Abstract: A processing drum is located within an enclosed chamber. The processing drum is rotated within the chamber, the chamber being provided with means to heat and circulate air throughout the interior thereof. At least one fin is provided around the outer periphery of the drum to aid heat conduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Robert A Arcus
  • Patent number: 6505979
    Abstract: A method of processing a photographic material in which the material is loaded into a rotatable chamber and a metered amount of solution is introduced into the chamber. The chamber is rotated and the solution is continuously swept along the surface of the material, forming a wave through which the material passes to enable uniform processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Twist, Anthony Earle, Nigel R. Wildman, Leslie R. Wells
  • Patent number: 6505978
    Abstract: A method of processing photographic material in which a reciprocable member is plunged into a tank containing a small volume of processing solution. The solution is rapidly displaced through the channels created between the tank wall and the plunger and across the surface of the photographic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Nigel R. Wildman
  • Publication number: 20030006249
    Abstract: A solution delivery system for a processor holds and delivers the processing solutions at working temperature. The solutions are held in an airtight chamber in which they are heated to the correct temperature. The solution is then transferred to a holding chamber until released into the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony Earle
  • Patent number: 6488421
    Abstract: A method of reducing the volume of a processing tank by only filtering processing solution when it is either drawn into the tank and circulation system or when it is returned to the supply container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Nigel R. Wildman
  • Publication number: 20020176715
    Abstract: A photographic processing system has a first processing stage to process photographic material. A second processing stage is also provided to further process the photographic material. A storage device is provided between the first processing stage and the second processing stage to receive and store photographic material output from the first processing stage prior to output to the second processing stage. This enables the photographic material to be output from the first processing stage at a different rate than that at which it is input to the second processing stage. Accordingly, the first processing stage can be vacated for use by subsequent photographic material before processing in the second processing stage is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Leslie Wells
  • Patent number: 6468721
    Abstract: The method and apparatus supplies processing solution directly to the surface of a web of sensitized material by means of a movable applicator. The web and applicator are moved relative to each other to enable good mixing of the solution on the surface. The movable applicators can be moved in and out of contact with the material as required so that the process can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Twist, Anthony Earle
  • Publication number: 20020127015
    Abstract: A drum chamber in which photographic material is processed is provided with a section in which the walls overlap to form a narrow channel therebetween. The channel acts as the entrance to and exit from the chamber for the material being processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, John F. Daehne