Abstract: The present invention relates to a photographic processing system and a method of processing photographic media, wherein a conveying member having slots therein is provided on top of a vacuum chamber and is used to convey photographic media to be processed. A processing solution supply member applies processing solution onto the photographic media on the conveying member, and a vacuum air source is adapted to apply a vacuum suction force to the vacuum chamber to hold the sheet of photographic media flat either during the application of processing solution to the media or after the processing solution is applied to the media.

Abstract: A photographic film developing apparatus maintains a photographic film, a developer solution and a second processing solution at a specific temperature while performing film development operation by directly applying the individual solutions to an emulsion side of the photographic film. After the developer solution and the second processing solution have been applied from respective processing solution application heads to the emulsion side of the photographic film, the quantity of each solution on the emulsion side is adjusted to form a layer of a specified thickness. While transfer belts advance each successive portion of the photographic film up to a processing solution wipe-out device, heaters provided close to the transfer belts heat the individual solutions applied to the photographic film through the transfer belts to maintain the solutions at the specific temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting single sheets through a device for exposing or printing the single sheets, with a drum and means that press the single sheets against the drum, with a processing station having a processing gap, with the single sheets being exposed or printed in the processing station, includes means that limit the processing gap. According to the invention, a belt unit is provided that presses the single sheets against the drum, with the belt unit having a plurality of parallel extending continuous belts that are mutually decoupled in their movement and can be driven exclusively directly or indirectly through coupling with the drum surface.

Abstract: A compact and energy efficient apparatus for processing and drying an elongated strip of photographic film having a succession of film processing tanks containing selected processing liquids; drive system which advances the film strip endwise through the tanks to selected depths in liquids corresponding to required exposure times of the film to the different liquids while reducing the tank to tank contamination caused by the transport of treatment of liquids from tank to tank, and a heater system which reuses the waste heat generated by the mechanical and electrical components of the apparatus to dry the film strip as it emerges from the successive processing tanks.

Abstract: A photographic light-sensitive material conveying apparatus for conveying a photographic light-sensitive material in a dryer chamber has a hollow guide member fixedly mounted in the dryer chamber for shifting the conveying direction of the photographic light-sensitive material. An air suction duct is connected to the inner space of the guide member. A plurality of perforations are formed in the guide member for communication between the inner space of the guide member and the interior of the dryer chamber. A conveyor belt has air permeability and is provided over the guide member for conveying the photographic light-sensitive material, wherein the conveyor belt can slidingly run on and along the outer side of the guide member.

Abstract: A changing device for changing a conveyance direction of a photosensitive material without causing it to move in a zigzag manner is provided. The changing device includes an endless belt in contact with a lower part of the outer surface of a turn roller. A tubular elastic member is fitted in the middle of the turn roller with respect to its widthwise direction. A photosensitive material fed between the turn roller and the belt by the rotation of the turn roller and movement of the belt is conveyed in a circumferential direction of the turn roller while being tightly held between the belt 12 and the elastic member 16. The photosensitive material can have its conveyance direction changed without being caused to move in a zigzag manner by the elastic member in substantially even contact therewith over the entire width thereof.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for photosensitive material is provided with a mesh belt for conveying a developed photosensitive material to a drier section to dry it. The mesh belt has a belt having a thickness of thread within the range of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm. The mesh size of the mesh belt does not exceed 5 mm. The ratio of the open area of the mesh to the total area of the mesh belt is within the range of 20% to 60%.

Abstract: A high capacity, low volume processor is described in which the benefits associated with low volumes are obtained. The processor comprises an inner tank (50) which holds a volume of processing solution which is substantially less than that of an outer tank (40) in which it is placed. A rack insert (60) is provided inside the inner tank (50) to define a processing channel (62) therebetween. The inner tank (50) and rack insert (60) can be retro-fitted to existing processing tanks.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a photographic photosensitive material in an automatic developing apparatus has a direction-changing transporting section. The direction-changing transporting section includes a rotating center roller, at least three auxiliary rollers disposed around the center roller, and a transporting belt which is looped around the at least three rollers to travel while contacting a substantially lower half of the center roller. The direction-changing transporting section is used, for example, in a section for processing a photographic photosensitive material in solutions. The transporting belt has a guide protrusion along each side edge thereof, and the auxiliary rollers have a smaller-diameter portion at each end portion thereof for engaging with each of the guide protrusions. Thus, a stable force is obtained for transporting the photographic photosensitive material. By employing the structure described above, high-quality photographs are provided.