Abstract: It is known to use the leading edge of a film strip to guide the strip through processing apparatus. However, this leading edge may be damaged as the film is loaded into and unloaded out of a camera. Described herein is a film unloading device in which a curved guillotine blade (240) is used to provide a newly cut leading edge by which a film strip can be guided through processing apparatus. The guillotine blade (240) is reciprocated between a rest and an operative position by a motor which operates in one direction only. The blade (240) is mounted on a rotating drum (250) by means of a crank pin (258), the drum being rotated through 180.degree., in the direction indicated by arrow 252, to move the blade (240) from its rest to its operative position and then through a further 180.degree. to move the blade (240) back to its rest position.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing a web-like item such as a photographic film comprises a plurality of processing stations (2,3,4,5) and means (16,17,18,19) for conveying the web-like item through the apparatus along a predetermined path between the processing stations (2,3,4,5). Opposed regions of the apparatus define channels (13,14) which receive opposed longitudinal edges of the web-like item, the channels (13,14) defining the predetermined path. At least part (30) of each channel is defined by elements (27) releasably mounted upon the apparatus, the releasable mounting of the elements (27) on the apparatus permitting ready removal of the elements (27) and replacement by different elements (27) in order to vary the predetermined path along which the web-like item is conveyed as it passes through the apparatus.

Abstract: A photographic film processor comprises six juxtaposed processing tanks, a rack mechanism in each tank operable to circulate the film within processing solution in the respective tank for a certain time. A switch mechanism operable to direct the film from being circulated at the end of that certain time and to direct it to a transfer mechanism by which it is passed to the rack mechanism of the next tank for circulation in that tank. The penultimate tank is a washing tank and there is a transfer mechanism for transferring the film from that washing tank to a dryer which is the last processing station. The film is driven for circulation within and for transfer from one to the next of the six tanks by a first motor which drives a common shaft. A clutch couples or decouples the common shaft to a shorter coaxial shaft by which the film is circulated within the washing tank.

Abstract: In some types of processing apparatus, there is a minimum length of film strip which can be processed. To overcome this problem, several film strips may be spliced together to provide the desired length and/or a leader attached to the leading edge of the film strip to guide it through the apparatus for processing. Described herein is a loading device which removes the need for splicing and attachment of leaders to the film strip prior to processing. The device allows a film to be automatically removed from its cassette and loaded into processing apparatus and comprises a housing in which a cassette unloading station (12), a film delivery station (14) connected to processing apparatus, a storage station (16), a film length measuring station (18), a direct film loading station (22), and a cutting station (24) are arranged. Pairs of transport rollers (26, 28) and (30, 32) are provided to transport the film through the device.

Abstract: It is well-known to use grooves to guide photographic material through processing apparatus. However, there is a tendency for debris to accumulate in the bottom of the grooves. Furthermore, the machining operation needed to form such grooves is complicated in particular where bends and changes in direction are required. Described herein is a guiding arrangement in which pairs of parallel plates (20, 22, 24, 26) are used to define a gap (30) through which material (40) is transported. The arrangement comprises an upper plate pair (20, 22) which is arranged to be offset with respect to a lower plate pair (24, 26), the plates in each pair being parallel to one another.

Abstract: A disposable filter including a flexible casing and at least one filter element. The flexible casing and filter elements are expendable from a substantially flat form for use and are collapsible to a substantially flat form after use for disposable.

Abstract: In some types of processing apparatus, there is a minimum length of film strip which can be processed. To overcome this problem, several film strips may be spliced together to provide the desired length and/or a leader attached to the leading edge of the film strip to guide it through the apparatus for processing. Described herein is a loading device (10) for photographic processing apparatus which allows a length of film (102) to be unloaded from its cassette (100) in a film unloading station, its length checked at a film length checking station (18), and passed to a storage station (16) prior to being directed to the processing apparatus. Any length of film not exceeding the minimum length requirement for the processing apparatus can be removed from the storage station thereby avoiding film jams because the film is too short to pass from one transport station to another in the processing apparatus.

Abstract: In photographic processing, the chemistry needs to be replenished periodically in order to produce optimum results. Known replenishment systems utilize replenishers in liquid form which are dispensed according to volume. These systems require the use of a pump which is both accurate and relatively inexpensive. Described herein is a replenishment system which uses a weighing system with a series of intermediate containers to dispense replenishment materials. The system comprises a weighing device which has three intermediate containers supported on it. Each container is connected to its associated processing stage by a pipeline. Flow of replenisher materials from each container is controlled by respective valves which are interfaced with a computer. The computer is also interfaced with the weighing device and monitors the decrement in weight of the intermediate containers so that the exact amount of replenisher materials can be added.

Abstract: Described herein is a film extraction unit for use in a loading device for photographic processing apparatus. The unit comprises an unloading station (12) into which a film cassette (100) is positioned with the film leader extending therefrom to lie between rollers (26, 28). Roller (26) is a pinch roller which engages with drive roller (28) to transport the film out of its cassette. Drive roller (28) is driven by a motor via a clutch arrangement so that once all the film (102) has been extracted from the cassette (100), the clutch will slip allowing the motor to continue to rotate whilst the drive roller (28) becomes stationary, thereby preventing damage to the film (102).

Abstract: The critical time in photographic processing apparatus is the time from when the first part of photographic material enters the apparatus to when the last part leaves the apparatus. During this time there are periods of time in which no processing takes place, for example, as the material is passed from one stage to the next. Described herein is a processing unit which minimizes the periods of time during which no processing is taking place. The unit comprises a processing tank (6) having processing solution (4) retained therein. Material (S) is fed into the tank (6) along a path (2), and around a looped path (8) until reaches a point (10) at which the material (S) can be deflected out of the tank (6), along path (14) and into a further processing tank (16), or can be deflected along path (12) so that further processing can take place in tank (6) prior to being passed on to the next stage.