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: 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: It is known to treat the effluent resulting from photographic processing apparatus. Such treatment takes the form of either neutralization where the effluent is mixed with a neutralizing solution prior to disposal, or evaporation where the effluent is heated to form a precipitate and a concentrated liquid portion prior to disposal. However, both these techniques have disadvantages they do not account for toxic particles which may be suspended in the solutions. Described herein is apparatus in which photographic effluent can be treated to provide harmless end products which can be disposed of directly. The apparatus comprises a mixing unit (10) in which the effluent (S1) is mixed with treatment chemicals (S2, S3, S4, P1, P2, P3) and is then passed to a separation unit (20) in which the treated effluent is separated into non-toxic liquid and solid phases. A computer (100) is used to control all stages of the treatment of the effluent.

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: A photographic processing apparatus which incorporates a drum arrangement to form a low volume processing tank. The arrangement comprises a processing tank in which a central rotatable drum is mounted and a pair of rollers at the inlet and outlet of the processing tank convey the photographic material through the tank. A clearance, of less than 5 mm, is provided between the tank and the drum, which defines a low volume for the processing solution. The drum is rotated at a speed independent of the speed of the rollers. The processing apparatus may be used with unstable or single use chemistry.

Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus for processing photographic material including a drum rotatable about an axis and forming a drum-material interface with the material being processed, at least one reservoir for storing processing solution, and application means for applying processing solution to the surface of the drum for transmittal to the material being processed. The apparatus being characterized in that the surface of the drum has at least one spiral form thereon along its length to distribute processing solution at least along the length of the drum-material interface, each spiral having an axis which lies substantial coincident with the axis of the drum.

Abstract: A method of treating photographic effluent containing one or more metal ions with an oxidation number greater than one, comprising the addition of a water-soluble silicate to the effluent in an amount to render it glass-like and less permeable to water. Conveniently the effluent has been treated by the addition of calcium hydroxide and the silicate, preferably water-glass may then be added either to the treated effluent suspension and the mixture separated or to the pre-separated solid.

Abstract: It is known to apply processing solution to photographic material using a high speed moving surface. High speed rotating drums have been used to transfer processing solution from a reservoir to the material. Horizontal belts are also known. However, such arrangements require large volumes of processing solution in order to operate effectively. Described herein is a processor comprising a vertically mounted high speed belt which both transfers processing solution from a reservoir onto photographic paper being processed, and provides agitation at the paper surface. Two transport belts are provided, one on either side of the belt to assist in the transport of paper through the apparatus. An arrangement according to the invention has the advantages that only low volumes of processing solutions are required, good surface agitation is provided, and it can be fitted into conventional photographic processing apparatus.

Abstract: In known processing apparatus of the dip-and-dunk type, processing tanks are arranged in a predetermined order, and the material to be processed follows a predetermined sequence as a support on which the material is mounted is moved from the start to the end of the apparatus. Described herein is an improved photographic processing apparatus (100) comprising six processing tanks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) which are surrounded by a frame (7, 8, 9) carrying a carriage (14). The carriage (14) is moved along cross-member (9) which itself can be raised or lowered relative to upright elements (7, 8). Motors (10, 11) are operated by a controller (15) to control movement of the carriage (14) and the cross-member (9) using belts (12, 13) and hence the movement of material (16) through the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed photographic material in a processing solution which is unstable to the extent that it deteriorates without external reaction in which the photographic material is passed through a tank containing the solution characterized in that the solution is circulated through the tank at a rate of from 0.1 to 10 tank volumes per minute.

Abstract: In photographic processing apparatus in which continuous processing is carried out in a tank having a low volume, it is difficult to obtain sufficient agitation of the processing solution. This problem arises because processing solution adheres to the emulsion surface of the material being processed access of fresh processing solution to the emulsion surface is restricted in the narrow confines of the tank. Described herein is an arrangement in which the agitation of the solution is improved. The arrangement includes an element (16) which is positioned over a feed slot (18) through which processing solution enters the tank (10). The element (16) serves to keep the emulsion surface of the material being processed away from the tank wall and allows access of processing solution to the emulsion surface.

Abstract: When using unstable processing solutions, high recirculation and/or replenishment rates may be required. However, this may result in non-uniform processing of photographic material in processing apparatus using such solutions. Described herein is apparatus in which agitation members (17) are provided in the processing tank. The members (17) are fixed to a wall (11) of the tank at a location (18). The member (17) has a free end (25) which is positioned to lie against emulsion surface (26) of material (20) being processed (or against inner wall surface (19) if no material (20) is present). As material (20) is moved along path (13).

Abstract: A method for drying photographic materials from an initial moisture content to a desired final moisture content is provided. At least one side of a photographic material having an initial moisture content is heated, with a first heater stage, to achieve an intermediate moisture content in the material. The intermediate moisture content is less than the initial moisture content of the material and greater than the desired final moisture content. The intermediate moisture content of the material is measured and an output signal corresponding to the intermediate moisture content is provided to a control means. The material is then heated with a second heater stage to the desired final moisture content. The second stage heating is controlled using the output signal and the desired final moisture content.

Abstract: It is known to provide agitation of processing solutions in photographic processing apparatus using jets. Jets are also known for urging material between sets of rollers. However, such jets are not known to impart drive to material being processed as it passes through the apparatus. Described herein is an arrangement in which material (M) is transported through a narrow elongate tank (20) by means of processing solution which is directed into the tank (20) by means of high speed jets (24, 25). The jets (24, 25) have two functions, namely to drive the material (M) through the tank (20) and to supply processing solution to the tank (20) simultaneously. Such an arrangement has the advantage of providing high speed processing apparatus which occupies minimum space and has few moving parts.

Abstract: When using unstable processing solutions, high recirculation and/or replenishment rates may be required. However, when replenisher is added to a processing tank, a noticeable drop in the temperature of the processing solution may occur. Such a drop in temperature may lead to variable photographic sensitometry of the material being processed. Described herein is apparatus in which temperature control means (28) are provided to ensure that the temperature of the solution being added to the processing tank does not produce such a temperature drop.

Abstract: A low volume thin tank photographic development apparatus has a narrow passage which has a width which is adjustable by placing strips of chemically inert material at the edges of the passage. The strips may be wound on rollers, and the strips may be stepped so that they are of different dimensions, to accommodate different webs of photographic material being processed. The use of the strips ensures that the minimum quantity of photographic processing solution is used.