Abstract: A low cost, automated film processing system which can replace existing hand dipping development of films, but which is also later expandable in field, to accommodate additional features, should an upgrade to those features be desired. In the preferred embodiment, the design utilizes deep tanks, as defined in the specification, to enable the chemicals to be utilized over an extended period of time. The chemistry utilized in the processor operates at room temperature.

Abstract: A low cost, automated film processing system which can replace existing hand dipping development of films, but which is also later expandable in field, to accommodate additional features, should an upgrade to those features be desired. In the preferred embodiment, the design utilizes deep tanks, as defined in the specification, to enable the chemicals to be utilized over an extended period of time. The chemistry utilized in the processor operates at room temperature.

Abstract: An improved drying chamber, which in the preferred embodiment is employed with an x-ray film processor, includes an infrared heater source. Preferably the infrared source is positioned to dry respective first and second sides of a material requiring drying, for example x-ray film. The infrared source includes a control circuit for driving the infrared source. The frequency at which the infrared source operates is chosen so as to cause fluid particles being dried to resonate, permitting a more efficient heating cycle.

Abstract: A combined, temperature-controlled chemical recirculation and replenishment system including a first conduit defining a recirculation loop conducted between the drain and the inlet of a reactant tank. A pump recirculates reactant chemical through the first conduit, and a controllable heater is connected to the first conduit for heating the reactant chemical. The heat sensor is connected to the heater for sensing the temperature and outputting the temperature signal to a controller. A second conduit is connected between a replenishment tank and the pump. A controllable valve is connected in the second conduit. A controller is connected both to the heater and to the controllable valve. The controller receives the temperature signal from the sensor and is responsive to that temperature signal to activate the heater to maintain the reactant at the optimum temperature.

Abstract: The front-filling system consists of a pair of fill buckets located on the front of the processor housing. The fill buckets are connected to the internal solution tanks by fill tubes such that fluid in the fill buckets will be delivered to the solution tanks as solution is added during filling or replenishment. The fill buckets are provided with movable lids, to minimize evaporation and accumulation of debris, and the fill buckets are physically separated to prevent cross-contamination during the filling process. The fill buckets, or portions thereof, may be made of transparent material to aid in observing solution levels and solution condition. The fill buckets are positioned and sized to allow for easy filling and replenishment, and for easy observation of solution levels and solution condition without removal of top lids or top housings. The fill buckets each have front over-flow sluices, to eliminate any possibility of overflow within the interior solution tanks.

Abstract: A switching system consists of a pressure sensitive floor pad containing internal, sealed electrical contacts, and solid-state electronic timer and associated circuitry. The floor pad is positioned so that an operator must step on the pad in order to feed film into a film processor apparatus. When an operator steps on the pad, an electric circuit is completed, which causes the film processor apparatus to automatically switch from a "stand-by" mode to a "run" mode, without requiring an operator to remember to activate any switch and without any need for film-sensing devices. After the operator steps back off the floor pad (after having fed one or more films into the apparatus), the electronic timing circuit continues the operation of the processing cycle for a time period sufficient to insure that any film inserted is fully processed.

Abstract: A film processor is provided with a top-drop film system which, in the perferred embodiment includes a slot in the top housing cover of the processor, an inclined-plane film guide directly beneath the slot, and a pair of opposing rollers positioned at the bottom edge of the film guide. The top-drop slot allows films to be dropped into the processor, rather than hand-positioning and hand-feeding each film. The specific roller locations and film guide angle allows films to be fed into the processor automatically and consistantly without "snapping" or over-bending, and without need for operator presence or attention. The inclined-plane film guide is designed for easy removal for cleaning. The guide is mounted in precise-angle slots to maintain angle consistency. The extra width of the top-drop slot allows panoramic films to be processed in a sideways configuration, thereby increasing processing speed by 30% over comparable prior art devices.

Abstract: The rack of the invention consists of a hard plastic extrusion having a bowed profile. The bow shape creates a basin that better retains the solution on the rack. The rack is comprised of three sections where the middle section is bowed slightly more than the outer sections to enhance the rack's ability to retain liquid. Enlarged slots are formed in the rack through which the liquid solution is pumped and a plurality of apertures have been added to the middle section of the rack to facilitate the flow of solution through the rack.

Abstract: The front, back and bottom walls of the tanks containing the solutions are constructed of rollers which are arranged in abutting rolling contact so as to form a liquid-tight seal with one another. The rollers are constructed of relatively soft rubber such that film can be passed between adjacent rollers in the side walls directly into the solution.

Abstract: A cast aluminum body has a plurality of stainless steel conduits and an electrical heating element cast therein. Water is circulated through one of the conduits, and the fluid to be heated is circulated in the remaining conduits. The electrical heating element heats the aluminum casting in response to a signal created by a heat sensor located in the fluid to be heated. As the temperature of the aluminum casting rises, the heat will be transferred from the aluminum to the conduits and then to the fluid passing through the conduits. In this regard, the casting of the conduits in the aluminum body results in a very intimate contact between the cast aluminum and stainless conduits which provides very efficient heat transfer. When the fluid to be heated attains the desired temperature, the sensor deenergizes the heating element.

Abstract: A rotary vane type air lock for feeding granular abrasive materials into a pressurized chamber having means to prevent the abrasive material from coming between ends of the vanes and the air lock housing. A baffle prevents impingement of the material on the vane ends just before they reach an edge of the inlet opening. A thin sheet of high velocity air directed across the vane ends blasts off any material clinging to the end before the vane end comes into pressure sealing relationship with the housing.

Abstract: A slat link for endless conveyor belts for heavy materials handling has a central transverse reinforcing beam and slat link covers surrounding the transverse reinforcing beam which converge to either side of the beam at a point intermediate the vertical distance between the top and bottom portions of the beam. Material loaded on top of the conveyor slat links contacts the higher portion of the slat link at the portion of the slat link where the beam is located, the beam acting to distribute the shock from the material loaded thereon along its links and to transmit such shock loadings to the conveyor support structure which absorbs the shock.