Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing photosensitive material combines thin channel technology with nozzles, and an inclined processing path. Processing solution can be introduced into the inclined processing path so as to cause the solution to flow along the inclined processing path in a direction which is opposite to a direction of travel of the photosensitive material in the inclined processing path. With the arrangement of the present invention, photosensitive material can be processed in the first processing path by way of the nozzle spray arrangement and can be subjected to further processing along the inclined processing path.

Abstract: A rack for use in a low volume thin tank of a photosensitive web processing apparatus. The rack comprises a plurality of fluid circulation ports in a face of the rack for applying fluid to a photosensitive web during processing. The fluid circulation ports are arranged, in use, to discharge fluid into and withdraw fluid from the tank in which the rack is situated. The rack has a textured surface structure over which the fluid passes in use to provide agitation of the fluid in the tank. Improved processing of the photosensitive web can result, thereby also reducing the time taken to process the web. Additionally, the rack may be modular in construction, thereby facilitating the installation of the rack into the tank of the processing apparatus.

Abstract: An exposed photographic film is processed by being passed from a first tank into a second tank containing processing solution through an air bubble. The solution is supplied to the second tank and is arranged to flow into the first tank, such that the film is processed in a counter-current mode.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing photosensitive material combines thin channel technology with nozzles, and an inclined processing path. Processing solution can be introduced into the inclined processing path so as to cause the solution to flow along the inclined processing path in a direction which is opposite to a direction of travel of the photosensitive material in the inclined processing path. With the arrangement of the present invention, photosensitive material can be processed in the first processing path by way of the nozzle spray arrangement and can be subjected to further processing along the inclined processing path.

Abstract: A clip for use in a photographic processing apparatus which comprises at least one leader belt to which the material is attached for transportation along a processing path in the apparatus, the material being attached by means of a clip, the clip comprising a body portion to which the material is attached, and a clamp portion which is attached to the belt, characterized in that the clamp portion of the clip includes a recess formed therein for accommodating the belt in a substantially flat position.

Abstract: Described herein is a clip arrangement for use in processing apparatus which have at least one continuous leader belt running therethrough for driving photographic material to be processed through the apparatus, the clip arrangement connecting the material to the leader belt. The clip arrangement comprises an adhesive element which secures the material to the belt.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include two half shells that can be operably joined together, in whose walls pouches are provided. Two elements, approximately formed as ladders, each include first transport rollers, the two ladderlike elements being configured for insertion in the joined together half-shells. The first transport rollers are disposed on the respective ladderlike elements in such a way that upon insertion of the ladderlike elements into the joined together half-shells, the transport rollers fit into the pouches of the walls of the respective half shells. Exemplary embodiments also include a central element which, after the insertion of the two ladderlike elements, can be placed between the two ladderlike elements to maintain the two ladderlike elements in position and which, together with the respective ladderlike elements and the respective walls of the half-shells, defines a conduit for photographic material to be developed.

Abstract: Minilab paper processors are known for giving an exposure to photographic paper, processing the exposed paper and then drying the paper to produce photographic prints corresponding to negative filmstrips. Such processors have a second entry slot to the processing stage thereof through which a test strip can be introduced for processing. Described herein is an adapter for utilizing the second entry slot to supply paper for processing in the processor which has been exposed in apparatus other than that processor. The adapter comprises an elongate portion, which engages with the second entry slot of the processor section, a central slot, and a recess, lined with velvet plush material to ensure that the connection is light-tight, for receiving a cassette containing a roll of previously exposed photographic paper. One end of the cassette has an elongate protrusion having a slot formed therein and through which the paper can pass.

Abstract: Described herein is a high capacity, low volume processor for processing photographic material in web form. The processor is self-threading and is capable of being linked directly to a high-speed printer. The processor can be replenished by direct replenishment of concentrates without external chemical mixing. "Fluid drive" is preferably used to provide both transport of the web through the processing tanks and to provide agitation at the surface of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a liquid from a container which has an opening through which the liquid can be removed. The apparatus comprises a lid for the opening in the container, an aperture in the lid through which a tube projects for access to the interior of the container, a liquid-tight seal in the aperture through which the tube passes, with the tube being movable through the seal, at least one opening in the wall of the tube adjacent the end of the tube having access to the interior of the container, a closure arrangement at the end of the tube preventing the passage of liquid through the end of the tube into the container, and an arrangement for preventing the withdrawal of the end of the tube through the aperture in the lid. When the tube has been withdrawn through the seal until prevented from further withdrawal, said opening in the wall of the tube is closed by the seal.

Abstract: A photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material. The processor comprising at least one processing section having a generally U-shaped processing channel for holding a processing solution through which the photosensitive material passes. A belt is provided for transporting of the photosensitive material through the generally U-shaped processing channel. The generally U-shaped channel comprises a first generally straight section in which the photosensitive material enters the processing channel, a second generally straight section through which the photosensitive material exits the U-shaped processing channel, and a turn-around section connecting the first and second sections. The turn-around section has a radius of curvature of a predetermined value. The first and second straight sections having a cross-sectional thickness T, and the turn-around section has a cross-sectional thickness TR greater than the cross-sectional thickness T.

Abstract: Photographic processing apparatus in which both exposing and processing stages of a photographic process are combined to form a single unit or linked so that a continuous web of photographic film or paper is used in both units at the same time is known. However, due to differences in speed of the exposing and processing stages, there is a need to store a "buffer" length of the material being processed between the two stages. Described herein is a method of varying the speed of the processing stage of photographic processing apparatus to compensate for changes in the capacity of a processor while maintaining a constant path length. This achieved by changing its activity of one of the steps in the processing stage, for instance, by changing the temperature of the development step. This is feasible without unacceptable time delays or energy or chemical consumption associated with changing the solution activity by the use of low volume tanks with low capacity.

Abstract: Described herein is a countercurrent multi-tank washing stage (10) for photographic processing apparatus which comprises a first washing tank (500), a last washing tank (100) and at least one intermediate washing tank (200, 300, 400), each washing tank having a recirculation system (102, 202, 302, 402, 502) associated therewith. The first washing tank (500) is positioned upstream from the last washing tank (100). Each of the last washing tank (100) and the intermediate washing tanks (200, 300, 400) is fluidly connected to the recirculation system of an adjacent upstream washing tank (200, 300, 400, 500). Level sensors (112, 114, 212, 214, 312, 314, 412, 414, 512) are provided in each of the washing tanks (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) to control an operating level (116, 216, 316, 416, 516) of washing solution in each of the tanks (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) and a fill level (118, 218, 318, 418) in the last and intermediate tanks (100, 200, 300, 400).

Abstract: A high capacity, low volume processor is described in which the benefits associated with low volumes are obtained. The processor comprises an inner tank (50) which holds a volume of processing solution which is substantially less than that of an outer tank (40) in which it is placed. A rack insert (60) is provided inside the inner tank (50) to define a processing channel (62) therebetween. The inner tank (50) and rack insert (60) can be retro-fitted to existing processing tanks.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved variable speed processor (10) in which the path length for material to be processed can be varied in a processing tank whilst maintaining a substantially constant volume of processing solution in that tank. The processor (10) comprises a plurality of processing tanks (12,14,16) in which a respective movable rack member (42,44,46) is located, each rack member (42,44,46) extending through bottom wall (52,54,56) of its associated tank (12,14,16). The path length is determined by the relative position of roller (32,34,36) mounted on rack member (42,44,46) with respect to a fixed location in the processing tank (12,14,16). For path lengths shorter than the maximum for a particular processing tank, the rack member (42,44,46) acts as a spacer in the tank (12,14,16) to maintain the volume of processing solution at a substantially constant level.

Abstract: Described herein is processing apparatus in which processing solution can be applied in precise quantities to the sensitive surface of a photographic material. The apparatus includes at least one processing stage in which an endless belt is utilized to support the material and to guide it through the processing stage. Applicator devices are positioned above the surface of the belt for applying processing solution to the material. The applicator device can include an upper roller and two lower rollers confined in a cage, with the upper roller forcing the lower rollers apart inside the cage. A metering means is positioned to allow processing solution to flow onto the upper roller and then down onto lower rollers, with the lower rollers (44, 46) applying processing solution to the material.

Abstract: Described herein is an arrangement which allows solution to be supplied to a process from a `bag-in-box` arrangement, used solution being returned to an emptied `bag-in-box` arrangement for disposal. The arrangement includes a process (40) having an inlet (46) and an outlet (48) which is connected to a valve arrangement (10) by way of the inlet (46) and outlet (48). Respective `bag-in-box` arrangements (62, 64) are connected to the valve arrangement (10) which determines whether the `bag-in-box` arrangement is connected to the inlet (46) or the outlet (48) by its position. The arrangement provides a system in which new `bag-in-box` arrangements containing fresh solution for the process (40) are connected to inlet (46) thereof regardless of their relative positioning. Using the valve arrangement (10), the number of connections and disconnections for the `bag-in-box` arrangements is halved.

Abstract: A tapeless splicing system which allows the joining and separation of filmstrips without the use of tape. The system comprises forming an aperture (16, 26) in a leading end (12, 22) of a filmstrip (14, 20) and a tongue portion (28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36) in a trailing end (24) thereof. The tongue portion (28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36) of one filmstrip (20) is inserted through the aperture (16) of another filmstrip (12) by distortion as it is pushed through the aperture (16), the tongue portion (28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36) and the aperture (16) being sized and shaped to provide effective interlocking between the two filmstrips (14, 20).

Abstract: Described herein is apparatus for applying processing solution to a photographic material using a spray bar. The spray bar can be used to meter processing solution and/or air onto the material being processed, to agitate and/or mix processing solutions on the material using air jets, to air knife the material to remove processing solutions therefrom, and to dry the material.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of removing splicing tape (30) from two filmstrips (10, 20). Trailing edge (12) of filmstrip (10) has an aperture (14) formed therein over which at least a portion (32) of splicing tape (30) overlaps. At a splice removal station (40) comprising a pair of spaced apart support surfaces (42, 44) which defined a gap (46) therebetween, a gripper device (48) passes through aperture (14) to grip portion (32) of the splicing tape (30) and to detach it from trailing edge (12) of filmstrip (10). As gripper device (48) is pulled downwards through gap (46), splicing tape (30) is drawn over edge (50) on support surface (42) to detach it from leading edge (22) of filmstrip (20).