Abstract: Photosensitive material is processed by passing the material through a chamber holding processing solution, the temperature of the solution being raised as the material passes through the chamber.

Abstract: Processing solution is delivered to a processing apparatus by means of a syringe type delivery system.. The container in which the solution is stored acts both as the storage container and as part of the metering system for delivering an accurate volume of solution.

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.

Abstract: A low volume processing apparatus having a narrow processing channel has the processing solution entering via passages located towards the inlet and outlet of the channel. The solution leaves the channel via a passage located in the middle thereof, the flow of solution pulling the film into a fixed position within the channel. The reversal of flow minimizes the amount of air entrained with the returning flow.

Abstract: Photosensitive material is processed by passing the material through a chamber holding processing solution, the temperature of the solution being raised as the material passes through the chamber.

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.

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.

Abstract: A low volume processing apparatus having a narrow processing channel has the processing solution entering via passages located towards the inlet and outlet of the channel. The solution leaves the channel via a passage located in the middle thereof, the flow of solution pulling the film into a fixed position within the channel. The reversal of flow minimizes the amount of air entrained with the returning flow.

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.

Abstract: A method of processing photosensitive material which passes through at least two processing solutions in which the material is rinsed after passing through a first solution and prior to passing through the second solution. The mixture of rinse solution and recovered first solution is returned to the process cycle to replenish the first solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing system and method for photographic material which is adapted to use sources of heat within the processing machine for photographic processing purposes. More specifically, in the system and method of the present invention, sources of heat such as electrical, electro-mechanical and mechanical components and dryers can be utilized to provide heat in a small scale processor which uses a low volume of processing solution. Therefore, the arrangement of the present invention is designed in such a manner that permits the efficient use of heat produced as a by-product of an operation of these components. Furthermore, the arrangement of the present invention includes heat supplying members such as heaters and/or heat storage members to assist in supplying heat to those areas of the processors where the heat can be used for processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing photographic material comprises a succession of processing regions formed by inclined planes extending between sets of rollers. As the material is driven up the planes with its emulsion side down, wash solution flows down beneath it. The length of each plane can be different so that the material is washed for different times in each region, achieving chemical equilibrium in the final region before passing on to the drying stage.

Abstract: Processing of photographic material is carried out by sensing the quantity of material passing through a processor and supplying replenishment solution in accordance therewith. The level of solution in the processing tanks is also sensed during processing, and a second solution is supplied in the event that the level falls below a predetermined value. The second solution is less concentrated than the normal replenishment solution, thereby to maintain the chemical activity of the tank closer to its required, seasoned state. Furthermore, by controlling the solution levels during processing, less replenishment solution need be added during normal replenishment, thus minimizing the amount of solutions needed.

Abstract: Photographic processing apparatus comprises a combination of a surface processing stage and a replenishable tank processing stage. This allows advantage to be taken of the low quantities of processing solution that are characteristic of surface processing and the total immersion that is characteristic of tank processing.

Abstract: Photographic material is processed in a sequence of stages by the application of solution to an upper surface thereof as the material is carried on endless belts beneath respective coated roller arrangements. Each roller arrangement is movably mounted in a slot so that the point along the stage at which the solution is applied to the photographic material can be varied, thereby to vary the time for which the material is subject to the processing treatment.

Abstract: Photographic processing apparatus feeds photographic material downwards between successive pairs of drive rollers. Processing solution is directed into the nips of the rollers. A nozzle at each end of the roller pairs directs compressed air into the nips so as to prevent the solution overflowing at the ends of the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing photographic material has a plurality of stages for carrying out different processing steps. At least one stage has a series of processing regions each defined by an inclined surface that extends between sets of rollers. The surfaces may be of different length to provide different residence times for the material. Processing solution flows down the surfaces whilst the photographic material is driven upwards in counter-current mode. All the stages may be uni-directionally inclined end-to-end, or they may be arranged in a U-shape so as to minimize cross-contamination between the stages.

Abstract: A clip for attaching an end of a web to a drive belt. The clip comprises an elongate mount for receiving an end of the web, and an attachment section for securing the clip to the belt. The attachment section comprises two spaced pairs of claws for gripping the drive belt such that the drive belt and the web are substantially parallel and a flexible support connecting the two spaced pairs of claws providing flexibility in the direction of travel, such that, in use, the flexible support can deform to conform to the path of the drive belt as the drive belt passes through a processing apparatus. The resulting clip is easy to use, reliable during use and easily removed from the drive belt at the end of a processing operation.

Abstract: It is known to supply solution to a process and to collect effluent therefrom using `bag-in-box` arrangement each having a predetermined volume. However, if the process must be supplied with greater volumes of solution, the use of larger `bag-in-box` arrangements is limited by weight restrictions that an operator can handle. Described herein is a method of using a number of `bag-in-box` arrangements coupled together to provide a larger volume of replenisher solution to a process and to collect of effluent therefrom than would be the case if only a single `bag-in-box` arrangement is used. An automatic changeover system can be utilised which allows the process to be supplied with a greater volume of solution than that which corresponds to the legal weight limit without having to empty the supply `bag-in-box` arrangements into a large replenisher tank.

Abstract: Exposed photographic film is washed in a multi-stage arrangement in which the film is guided through a container of solution and transferred from one stage to the next via air bubbles. The surface of solution that is exposed to the ambient atmosphere is minimized so that oxidation of the solution and the quantity needed is minimized.