Abstract: Apparatus for drying webs of light sensitive material comprises means defining a channel for receiving a web, a plurality of elongated spaced injection slits for applying drying fluid to opposite sides of the web, and a plurality of elongated spaced evacuation slits for evacuating drying fluid from opposite sides of the web. The injection and evacuation slits are substantially parallel and angularly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the web.

Abstract: A sheet of x-ray film in a film cassette is identified with patient data by first providing such data to a data carrier, such as an LCD unit, mounted on the cassette and facing away from the cassette. Then the film that is removed from the cassette in a light-tight environment and exposed to the patient data in the data carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a web with a fluid comprises means defining an elongated channel for receiving the web. The fluid is injected into the channel on opposite sides of the web at one or more injection sites. Fluid is evacuated from the channel on opposite sides of the web at one or more evacuation sites. Each injection site is located between two evacuation sites and spaced therefrom such that fluid will flow in opposite directions from the injection site to the adjacent evacuation sites with laminar flow and be evacuated from the channel when the boundary layer of the fluid reaches a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: An automatic film processor having control circuitry including a microprocessor and a plurality of electrically alterable programmable read-only memory (EAPROM) elements for respectively storing main operating program and language codes for control of the processor, has a non-volatile read-only memory (ROM) element containing a bootstrap program including instructions for reprogramming the main program and language ROMs, using addresses and code downloaded from a laptop computer using an RS232 interface. Initialization or reprogramming occurs without the necessity for physically removing or replacing the ROMs, and in response to flags set by software.

Abstract: A light lock is formed by a channel with spaced walls, with the channel being open at one side. A light absorbing material is positioned in the channel and has bristles projecting toward the opening. A flange projects through the opening toward the material but is spaced from the bristles. The channel can be formed on one portion of a magazine, cassette or the like, for light tight materials such as photographic film, and the flange can be formed on another portion of such a magazine or cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting photographic sheet material from one unit to another, such as from an X-ray film cassette unloading unit to a processing unit, comprising a housing located between and locked to said units in a novel manner, the housing containing a film transfer device attachable to a wall of the housing adjacent the unloading unit to receive film through an entry opening, and readily positionable to transfer film to either of two exit openings in an opposing wall of the housing to accommodate processing units of different types having entry openings located at different elevations, the locking device also cooperating in the positioning of the transfer device.

Abstract: A processor for photosensitive material provides a processing solution to a processing chamber while the photosensitive material is advanced through the chamber. The processing solution is drained from the chamber and passes through a chute as it is returned to a sump for recirculation to the processing chamber. A laminar fluid flow wick located in the chute avoids air entrapment that would be caused by fluid freely flowing through the chute.

Abstract: A polygon of a laser optical system is supported by a housing and requires precise alignment with respect to a base for proper operation of the optical system. A fixture has a base that is mounted for rotation about an axis. A plurality of adjustable pad assemblies are located between the base and the housing. Each pad assembly includes a mounting plate that is positioned on the base and a bushing that is secured to the housing. A compressible ring surrounds a surface on the plate that receives an adhesive. Pushers carried by the base engage the housing and urge the housing toward the base. The pushers are individually adjustable to control the position of the housing relative to the base about a plurality of axes. An optical instrument measures the angular position of the optical device on the housing and, when it is properly positioned, it is held until the adhesive cures to bond the mounting plate and bushing together.

Abstract: An adjustable pad assembly is used for aligning a polygon of a laser optical system that is supported by a housing and requires precise alignment with respect to a base for proper operation of the optical system. A plurality of the adjustable pad assemblies are located between the base and the housing. Each pad assembly includes a mounting plate that is positioned on the base of a fixture, and a bushing that is secured to the housing. A compressible ring surrounds a surface on the plate that receives an adhesive. The housing is adjusted relative to the base to align the polygon, and then held stationary until the adhesive cures to bond the mounting plate and bushing together.

Abstract: A diverter assembly has a pair of spaced idler rollers located in spaced relation, and a grooved diverter roller which contacts both of the idler rollers. A sheet is fed along an entrance path between the idler rollers and into engagement with the diverter roller. The diverter is rotated in a first direction to deflect a sheet into a first exit path or in a second direction to deflect the sheet into a second exit path.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a sheet from a container such as a sheet film from a cassette, by a suction device mounted for movement rectilinearly at an angle to the plane of the sheet.

Abstract: A registration mechanism registers sheets of different sizes so the sheets are properly positioned as they enter an imaging station adjacent the mechanism. A fixed urging guide at one side of a platen urges sheets of the largest size toward a registration guide at another side of the platen for aligning the sheet relative to the guide. Other urging guides move through slots in the platen between a raised position relative to the platen, wherein they are effective to urge smaller sheets toward the registration guide, and a lowered position at or below the platen surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in X-ray cassette unloading and loading apparatus, including novel detection of presence or absence of film in the cassette and the position thereof in the upper or lower cassette part, utilizing radiation, such as infra-red, to which the film is not sensitive. Radiation is directed into each cassette part after opening and the radiation reflected from the respective parts is compared. The radiation means, as well as means for holding the cassette parts in open position and air jet means for releasing film from the upper cassette portion, are all mounted on parallelly moving guide members which engage the lateral edges of the cassette to position it.

Abstract: An automatic film processor sets new reference developer chemical temperatures and film transport speeds in accordance with user input at a keypad and establishes a new delay time to provide constant fixed spacing along the transport path between trailing edge of one film sheet and leadfing edge of a next film sheet regardless of transport speed. "Wait" and "ready" lights are controlled to signal when a next sheet is to be fed. A microcomputer calculates the delay time and loads a counter. A buzzer signals countdown to zero.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing photosensitive material includes upper and lower tanks for a processing solution. The tanks are connected together so that the solution can flow freely from the lower tank to the upper tank. The photosensitive material is advanced through a processing chamber between the tanks while the solution in the upper and lower tanks is provided to the chamber. A sump holds a supply of the processing solution, and a pump is coupled to the sump to draw the solution from the sump. The pump also is connected to the lower tank so that the processing solution is delivered to the lower tank, and from the lower tank some of the solution is furnished to the upper tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and unloading x-ray film cassettes of various sizes, using an air jet to release a sheet of film from a pivotally open upper cassette part, the air jet nozzle being carried by a lever arrangement such that the nozzle is moved upwardly with the upper cassette part as the latter moves to its open position.

Abstract: A supply magazine receives a package having a stack of film sheets within a light-tight bag. When the magazine is closed, a the bag is driven from the magazine so that the sheets can be removed for exposure and development. The bag is removed at the rear end of the magazine and fed toward the front of the magazine so that it is accessible to the operator and to avoid having the bag fall into an associated printer/processor and out of the reach of the operator.

Abstract: An automatic film processor having control circuitry including a microprocessor and an electrically alterable programmable read-only memory (EAPROM) with a stored main program for control of the processor, has an auxiliary read-only memory (ROM) containing a bootstrap program including instructions for reprogramming the EAPROM using addresses and data from a disk drive or RS232 port. Reprogramming occurs in response to manual or automatic setting of a switch, without physically removing or replacing the EAPROM.

Abstract: A package has a light tight pouch that encloses a stack of rectangular sheets of film. The package can be loaded in either of two different kinds of equipment which have means for removing the pouch from the film stack so that the sheets can be fed seriatim from the stack. One kind of equipment requires the package to be oriented so that the pouch can be removed from a narrow side of the package while the second kind of equipment requires the package to be loaded therein so that the pouch can be removed from a long side of the stack of film. The pouch has flaps extending from one long side and one narrow side of the package, and the flaps are engageable by the pouch removing mechanism in the different kinds of equipment.

Abstract: Cassette centering device for an X-ray cassette loading and unloading device using two parallelly movable guides engageable with the side edges of the cassette, the guides being movable by a lever arrangement driven by a motor, the lever arrangement including a link having two telescoping parts and biasing means constituting force absorbing means for cushioning the engagement of the guides with the cassette and compensating for motor overdrive.