Abstract: Described herein is an improved valve arrangement for use in connecting reservoirs containing photographic processing solutions with photographic processing apparatus. The valve arrangement comprises a valve (20) and a probe (10, 18). The valve (20) comprises a body portion (22) secured to the reservoir. A guide block (30) is fixed to the body portion (22) and carries a cap portion (32, 34, 36) defining a chamber (38) therebetween. The guide block (30) houses a plunger (42, 50, 66) in a chamber (58), the plunger (42, 50, 66) being biased by a spring (46) to seal against an opening (60) in the body portion (22). The probe (10, 18) is used to engage the plunger (42, 50, 66) and push it away from the body portion (22) to provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the processing apparatus.

Abstract: Described herein is a buffer device for use with photographic processing apparatus which provides a buffer for solution being fed to or collected from the apparatus. The buffer device (18) comprises a flexible plastic concertina-shaped container (30) having a volume appropriate to the apparatus with which it is to be used. The container (30) is preferably constructed to be normally-closed and requires liquid pressure to open it. The container (30) is fixed at its upper end (38) and its lower end (40) is free to move downwardly when liquid enters it. An index member (32) is attached to the lower end (40) and this member (32) cooperates with a position sensor to indicate to an operator whether the container (30) is "not empty", "not full" or "full".

Abstract: It is known to process photographic materials in sheet form in deep, narrow processing tanks. In these tanks, the material needs to be supported so that it can be removed from the tank once processing is complete. This may result in insufficient agitation of the processing solution over the surface of the material due to the presence of the support or restraint. Described herein is improved processing apparatus in which pairs of D-shaped rollers are located within respective ones of the processing tanks. When material is being processed, flat portions of each pair of D-shaped rollers are parallel to one another allowing clear access to the processing tanks. When processing is complete in a particular processing tank, rotation of each D-shaped roller of the pair associated with that tank about its respective axis brings the circular circumferential surfaces of each pair of rollers into contact to grip the material and direct it out of the processing tank.

Abstract: A cartridge for receiving a photographic processing chemical comprises a main body formed with an outlet by way of which the chemical may be introduced into or removed from the cartridge. The main body also has a connection for a venting arrangement which provides communication between the interior of the main body of the cartridge and atmosphere when the cartridge is in use. The connection for the venting arrangement is located adjacent, and faces in the same direction as, the outlet in the main body so that in a single "plug-in" operation the cartridge can be located upon a processing apparatus to establish connections for the supply and return of the processing chemical and a connection with a venting arrangement provided on the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method for altering the pH of a photographic developing solution comprises altering the hydroxide ion concentration of the solution electrolytically. The method may be employed in photographic processing apparatus comprising a photographic development stage in which a photographic material to be processed is treated with a photographic developing solution wherein the apparatus comprises means for electrolytically altering the hydroxide ion concentration of the developing solution and means for controlling the operation of electrolytically altering the hydroxide ion concentration based on the change of hydroxide ion concentration in use.

Abstract: It is well known that photographic processing solutions need to be replenished periodically in photographic processing apparatus to maintain constant sensitometry for the material being processed. Described herein is a method and apparatus for effecting replenishment of a process, in particular, a photographic process, in which replenishing material for the process is coated on to at least one surface of the material to be treated in that process.

Abstract: A cartridge (1) for a processing chemical (3), such as a photographic developer or the like, comprises a main body (2) having an outlet (4, 5, 6, 7) by way of which the chemical may be introduced into and removed from the main body. The outlet is adapted for connection to a processing apparatus (8, 9, 10) to permit the chemical to be transferred between the apparatus and the cartridge. The main body of the cartridge incorporates a tube (6), one end of which is located externally of the main body. The tube extends through the interior of the main body so that its other end is disposed adjacent a region of the main body which is opposite that part of the main body where the outlet is formed. The cartridge is designed to be mounted on a processing apparatus with its outlet directed downwardly so that the tube stands substantially vertically. The processing chemical may be pumped out of the cartridge and back into the cartridge via the tube.

Abstract: Film cassettes normally include a spool on to which a film strip is wound. However, the film strip is normally fixed to the spool and needs to be severed therefrom prior to processing. A releasable attachment connects a film strip (50) to a spool (30). The spool (30) comprises an outer portion (32) and an inner portion (34) which is rotatable relative to the outer portion (32). The outer portion (32) has a slot (38) formed therein into which the film strip (50) is inserted. The inner portion (34) carries a tongue member (42) which engages an aperture (54) formed in the film strip (50) as the inner portion (34) is rotated relative to the outer portion (32) about an axis (36). The film strip (50) is released by rotating the inner portion (34) in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A method of releasably attaching a filmstrip to the spool of a film cassette. The method includes inserting the filmstrip into a slot until an aperture in the filmstrip engages with a protrusion located in the slot of the spool. Subsequent withdrawal of the filmstrip is achieved by further inserting the filmstrip into the slot to disengage the aperture and the protrusion, moving the filmstrip in a direction transverse to the direction of insertion into the slot to misalign the aperture and the protrusion and then withdrawing the filmstrip from the slot in a direction which is reverse to that of insertion.

Abstract: Film cassettes normally include a spool on to which a filmstrip is wound. However, the filmstrip is normally fixed to the spool and needs to be severed therefrom prior to processing. Herein is a spool for a film cassette in which a filmstrip can easily be attached to and detached from the spool. The spool comprises a body portion carrying a pair of flange members and having a slot formed therein, the slot having a pair of shoulders and a protrusion. A pair of pin members are also provided in the body portion. A filmstrip is inserted into slot under shoulders and over protrusion until an aperture therein engages with the protrusion to retain the filmstrip. Inwardly applied pressure to the pin members pushes the filmstrip upwardly so that the aperture clears the protrusion to allow the filmstrip to be detached from the spool.

Abstract: Film cassettes normally include a spool on to which a film strip is wound. However, the film strip is normally fixed to the spool and needs to be severed therefrom prior to processing. A releasable attachment connects a film strip to a spool. As film strip (40) is modified to include a cut-out portion (44) spaced from aperture (42) which engages a protrusion (20) in slot 18. The releasable attachment is provided by inserting the film strip (40) into the slot (18) until aperture (42) engages with protrusion (20). Subsequent withdrawal of the film strip (40) is achieved by further inserting the film strip (40) into the slot (18) to disengage the aperture (42) from the protrusion (20), and until the cut-out portion (44) clears shoulder portion (24) of the slot (18). At this point, the film strip (40) flips up out of slot (18) and as the film strip is removed in the direction of arrow `C`, shoulder portion (24) supports it so that aperture (42) and protrusion (20) cannot be re-engaged.

Abstract: It is well known to process photographic materials in web and sheet form by passing the material through a photographic processor which comprises a plurality of processing stages. The material being processed is substantially immersed in the solution in each of the processing stages which results in the use of large volumes of processing solutions. Described herein is a multi-tank processing bath which utilizes low volumes of processing solution and in which the rate of flow of processing solution through the multi-tank processing bath is matched with the transport speed of the material being processed so that the processing solution effectively travels with the portion of the material being processed which it encounters when first introduced into the processing bath. This means that the processing solution is fully exhausted by the time it reaches the end of the processing bath and can be discarded. This ensures that each part of the material being processed has new processing solution.

Abstract: A liquid transfer system particularly suited for transferring a processing chemical between a reservoir and a tank in a photographic processing apparatus, comprises a liquid reservoir having an outlet which is connectable to the tank in the processing apparatus. The reservoir is connected to a source of pressurized gas which forces liquid to be transferred from the reservoir to the tank. The outlet of the reservoir is provided with a valve arrangement which serves to close the reservoir outlet when the liquid level in the reservoir drops below a predetermined level and prevents pressurized gas from escaping from the reservoir.

Abstract: A cartridge of photographic processing chemical comprises a main body receiving the chemical, the main body having an outlet by way of which the chemical may be introduced into and removed from the main body. The outlet is provided with a closure in the form of a penetrable self-sealing cover incorporating a moisture-absorbing material. A photographic processing apparatus with which the cartridge is used has a supply system for supplying the chemical to a processing tank. The supply system includes a hollow intake needle which is insertable into the cartridge through the self-sealing cover. The cover automatically forms a seal around the needle. As the needle is withdrawn the moisture absorbing material absorbs any photographic processing chemical present on the needle of which may escape from the cartridge and the cover automatically closes up.

Abstract: In photographic processing apparatus, different processing solutions are normally contained in separate tanks, the material being processed as it passes from one tank to another through the required processing stages. This means that the apparatus needs to have a tank for each solution which is required for a particular process. Described herein is an arrangement in which more than one processing tank may be provided in a single container. The arrangement comprises tray which is divided into two portions by barrier means, each portion containing a different processing solution. The barrier means, includes an air bubble retained on the underside of a curved member which is maintained in a central position due to the liquid pressure on each side of the barrier means.

Abstract: A method of mixing two or more materials, at least one of which is supplied in packaged form comprises the steps of passing the packaged material to a processing unit while still in its packaging and then breaking open the packaging in the processing unit so that the material can escape therefrom. The materials can then be mixed in a mixing apparatus, with the broken down packaging subsequently being filtered from the mixed materials. In this way the material which is supplied in packaged form need not be handled directly. The filtered out packaging may be washed prior to disposal or recycling.

Abstract: Described herein is a portable film processing arrangement which is housed in a case-like receptacle comprising a base portion and a lid portion. Base portion 10 houses a plurality of processing units 30 which accommodate spiral holders onto which film to be processed can be wound automatically. Lid portion 14 houses a plurality of containers 18,19,20 which contain processing chemicals for processing the film. The chemicals are fed to the processing units 30 from the containers 18,19,20 as required by valves which are controlled by an on-board computer in a control section 45 located in the base portion 10 between the processing units 30.

Abstract: Described herein is a compact photographic processor which uses small volumes of processing solution to achieve effective processing without the need for process control. The processor comprises an applicator element (50) having a plurality of orifices formed along its length, a plurality of reservoirs (54, 56, 58) each containing processing solution, and a pressure system (60, 61, 62). The element (50) is connected to one side of the reservoirs (54, 56, 58) by means of a manifold (52), the other side of the reservoirs (54, 56, 58) being connected to the pressure system (60, 61, 62). The processing solutions may be dispensed from the element (50) as jets.

Abstract: It is well known to attach clips carrying photographic material to a belt for transport through processing apparatus. However, known clips have the disadvantage of distorting the belt to which they are attached which eventually leads to belt damage. Described herein is an improved belt/clip arrangement in which `Velcro` material is utilized to provide the releasable attachment. A belt (10) carries a plurality of patches (12) which comprise hook material. A clip (26) carries the corresponding loop material and is pressed firmly to the belt (10) so that at least two of the patches (12) are covered by the clip (26). The clip (26) can be detached from the belt (10) by positioning a wedge to pass between the clip (26) and the belt (10) or alternatively, the belt (10) may be passed over a tight radius to effect detachment.

Abstract: In known photographic apparatus, processing is achieved by passing the material to be processed from one processing stage to the next in a predetermined sequence. This necessitates that the processing stages are sequentially arranged in the apparatus. However, if the material being processed requires more than one identical processing step, for example, two or more wash processes, the processing stages need to be duplicated. Described herein is apparatus in which the processing stages need not be duplicated and in which the stages may be arranged accordingly. The apparatus comprises a rotating drum 10,(110) on which the material (16) to be processed is mounted, and a multi-tank container 12,(112) housing a plurality of compartments (120, 122, 124, 126, 128), each compartment containing one of the desired processing solutions (130, 132, 134, 136, 138).