Abstract: An apparatus for accurately cutting a multi-view print from a sheet of print material is disclosed comprised of a lower body portion and a cutter blade residing in the lower body portion. The cutter blade has a cutting outline corresponding to the outline of the to be cut multi-view print. An upper body portion is rigidly positioned with respect to the lower body portion and has a first opening therethrough corresponding to the outline of the cutter blade and second openings that are defined by the upper body portion for receiving a user's fingers so as to enable the movement of a sheet of print material when positioned between the upper and the lower body portions whereby a lenticular or barrier type cover sheet, positioned in the first opening, permits viewing of the multi-view print to enable the guiding of the sheet of print material into accurate alignment with the cover sheet prior to cutting with the cutter blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning a previously developed photosensitive material. The method includes subjecting the photosensitive material to a liquid bath prior to scanning or printing the photosensitive material and the apparatus includes a second processing path for subjecting the previously developed photosensitive material to only some of the processing baths used for processing an undeveloped exposed photosensitive material.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing of a photographic material, the apparatus comprises a first processing tank containing a first processing solution; a second processing tank containing a second processing solution; and a heat exchange system having a heat exchange fluid, which is independent of the first and second solutions and a temperature of which is controlled independent of the first and second solutions, for cooling of the first processing solution contained in the first processing tank and heating of the processing solution contained in the second processing tank.

Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus and method for processing a photosensitive material. The apparatus comprises a processing tank containing a processing solution through which a photosensitive material is passed for processing. A transport system is provided for transporting of the photosensitive material through the processing solution contained with the tank. The transport system includes at least one transport roller which is partially submerged in the processing solution. The replenishment system includes a dispensing tube for dispensing the replenishment solution directly on the transport roller, such that the replenishment solution is on the roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a photosensitive material through at least one processing solution for processing of a photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a transport mechanism for providing moving of the photosensitive material through the processor. A heater is provided in the processing tank for localized heating of the photosensitive material passing through the processing solution.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing of photographic material, the apparatus comprises a first plurality of successive processing tanks, each containing a processing solution. The plurality of first tanks form a first processing path for a first photographic material. A second plurality of successive processing tanks, each containing a processing solution, form a second processing path for processing a second photographic material. The first and second plurality of tanks are disposed adjacent each other. A first transport system drives the first photographic material through the first processing path, and a second transport system drives the second photographic material through the second processing path. A single common drive drives both said first and second transport systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a photosensitive material. The apparatus has a narrow processing channel for containing a processing solution for processing a photographic material. The processing channel has an inlet and an outlet. An entrance fluid retention area is provided adjacent the inlet and an exit fluid retention area is provided adjacent the outlet. A fluid balancing channel is provided which extends between said entrance fluid retention area and said exit fluid retention area.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a photosensitive material. The apparatus comprises a narrow processing channel for containing a processing solution for processing of a photographic material passing through the processing channel. A discharge nozzle is provided in the processing channel for dispensing of processing solution against the photographic material as it passes through the processing channel. A step is provided in the processing channel for lifting the leading edge of the photosensitive material from the bottom surface of the processing channel such that the photosensitive material will pass easily by the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a photosensitive material. The apparatus includes at least one processing section and a replenishment system for delivering replenishment solution contained within a container to the processing section. The replenishment system including a single device for withdrawing replenishment solution from the container and for monitoring the level of the replenishment solution contained in the container. The container is made of a material that is electrically non-conductive. A pair of spaced electrically conductive members are provided within the container. One of the members has a passageway for allowing flow processing solution therethrough and one has a terminal end which extends below the other member within the container. An AC current is applied to the pair of spaced members and the AC current is monitored with a level sensing circuit.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic element comprising developing and desilvering the photographic element in a low volume thin tank processor wherein the processor operates at 15% or less of maximum production capacity.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed black and white silver halide photographic element comprising developing and desilvering the photographic element in a low volume thin tank processor wherein the processor operates at 15% or less of maximum production capacity.

Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus including recirculation of processing solution is provided with a variable loop additive control system comprising a treatment container in which additive solids, pastes or fluids are introduced and through which a controlled volume of processing solution is circulated from and back to the recirculating system loop. The secondary loop of the additive system allows control of the flow of processing solution through the treatment container so that the mixing of the additive into the processing solution may be controlled at a desired rate and the additive is not excessively utilized or dissipated. Various arrangements for connecting a secondary additive loop to the primary loop of a recirculating processing solution system are illustrated.

Abstract: A photosensitive material dryer apparatus including a drying chamber and a first drying application device wherein a photosensitive material having a photosensitive material conductivity drying profile is dried following a wet chemical process includes a sensor for electronically measuring and sensing the conductivity of the photosensitive material, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the drying application device for regulating the drying application device based on the sensed conductivity of the photosensitive material.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for testing agitation of a photographic processing solution in a processing tank for a photographic processing apparatus of the type having a nozzle and adapted in use to impinge the photographic processing solution onto a photographic emulsion includes the steps of charging the processing tank with a solution containing a silver solvent, processing the photographic emulsion, and testing the processed photographic emulsion for patterns of silver remaining in the photographic emulsion, wherein such patterns are indicative of nozzle obstructions and thereby agitation levels present in the processing tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing photosensitive material 10. The photosensitive material 10 is conveyed through a low volume process chamber 160 defining a transport path 150 that reverses direction. The tank section has a U-shaped cavity 380 with smooth inner walls 370 and 370'. The complimentary shaped rack section 100 with smooth outer walls 110 and 110' fits inside the U-shaped cavity 380 of the tank section 300 and is separated from the tank section 300 by a narrowly spaced distance. The inner walls 370 and 370' of the tank section 300 and the outer walls 110 and 110' of the rack section 100 form both the transport path 150 for transporting the photosensitive material 10 and the low volume process chamber 160 for processing the photosensitive material 10.

Abstract: A system and method are taught for transferring fluids between a container and an associated apparatus for using the fluid. Interface members (52, 68; 86, 88) on the container (80, 82) cooperate with sensor probe assemblies (54, 70; 90-108) and a controller (56) in the associated apparatus to indicate the status of the container as full or partially full of fresh liquid, emptied of fresh liquid, or full or partially full of effluent liquid. The likelihood of delivering the wrong liquid to the associated apparatus is minimized. The invention is particularly useful for delivery of liquid chemicals to a photographic processor apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a low volume photographic material processing apparatus employing a rack and a tank out of an existing larger volume photographic processing apparatus. The converted photographic processing apparatus will contain a smaller volume of the same photographic solution that was previously used in non-converted processing tanks.

Abstract: A method of processing an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic element comprising developing and desilvering the photographic element in a low volume thin tank processor wherein the processor operates at 15% or less of maximum production capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing photosensitive materials, which comprises: a tank through which a processing solution flows; a rack having integral means to facilitate its insertion and removal from the tank, the rack and the tank are relatively dimensioned so that a small volume for holding processing solution and photosensitive material is formed between the rack and the tank; means for circulating the processing solution through the small volume; and means coupled to the rack for moving the photosensitive material through the small volume.

Abstract: A low volume photographic material processing apparatus that utilizes a narrow horizontal processing channel. The channel is formed by a repeating combination of modular squeegee pinch rollers and modular impingement slot nozzles. Photographic processing solution is introduced through the impingement slot nozzles and the squeegee pinch rollers are used to remove the processing solution from the photosensitive material and provide transport of the photosensitive material. Solution level control is achieved by drains positioned below the tops of the upturned sections.