Abstract: A film processing fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus is disclosed having means for flushing residual chemicals from surfaces of the apparatus. The apparatus has a reservoir for mixing chemicals and a structure for delivering water under pressure to the reservoir. The apparatus also includes several bottles each containing film processing chemical components. The bottles each have a mouth which is sealed with a piercable septum. A stationary template is provided for stationarily engaging and supporting the inverted bottles so that fluid from them drains into the reservoir. Movable piercers are provided for piercing the septa. The piercers are tubular. An elongated nozzle is fitted into each piercer core for delivering water under pressure to the inside of the reservoir and to the piercer surfaces. The nozzles are equipped with defusers to deliver the water in a divergent spray. The nozzles are held stationary, while the piercers are mounted for relative longitudinal movement with respect to the nozzles.

Abstract: A warning system for a fluid mixing system provides for automatically mixing precise concentrations of photographic processing chemistry to be used in an X-ray film processor. The system produces a fresh batch of mixed solution whenever a previous batch has been reduced to a predetermined minimum volume. The warning system includes a first sensing means responsive to the presence or absence of a predetermined quantity of a first fluid contained within a fluid supply as well as a second sensing means responsive to the level of fluid in a reservoir. The warning system also includes first and second indicators to indicate an absence of fluid in the fluid supply and a predetermined low level of mixed fluid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid mixing system and method is disclosed for automatically mixing precise concentrations of photographic processing chemistry to be used in an X-ray film processor. The system produces a fresh batch of mixed solution whenever a previous batch has been reduced to a predetermined minimum volume. A pair of substantially identically constructed mixing units are provided to produce both developer and fixer solutions for film processing. Each unit has: a chemical supply structure for supplying chemicals from containerized supplied; a storage and mixing tank structure which underlies the chemical supply structure and defines a reservoir for mixing the chemistry with water; a water input valve for selectively introducing water under pressure into the tank structure; control apparatus for conditionally controlling operation of the water valve; and a chemical release assembly which is coupled to and actuated by the water valve.

Abstract: The containerized fluid supply includes one or more bottles housed in a container for supplying prepackaged quantities of constituent chemicals of fixer and developer solutions. Each bottle includes a septum sealed over its mouth, which septum is pierceable to release the bottle contents. In order to prevent improper mixing of chemicals, the various bottles can be fitted within a given container only in one way and a particular container can be used with only a particular mixer.

Abstract: A fluid mixing system and method is disclosed for automatically mixing precise concentrations of photographic processing chemistry to be used in an X-ray film processor. The system produces a fresh batch of mixed solution whenever a previous batch has been reduced to a predetermined minimum volume. A pair of substantially identically constructed mixing units are provided to produce both developer and fixer solutions for film processing. Each unit has: a chemical supply structure for supplying chemicals from containerized supplied; a storage and mixing tank structure which underlies the chemical supply structure and defines a reservoir for mixing the chemistry with water; a water input valve for selectively introducing water under pressure into the tank structure; control apparatus for conditionally controlling operation of the water valve; and a chemical release assembly which is coupled to and actuated by the water valve.