Apparatus for processing photographic material

Claim 2

In apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including at least one tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, said drum being fully closable and being adapted to receive therein photographic emulsion coated material, means defining a filling opening in said drum, an open inlet receptacle having a bottom discharge opening sealingly connected to said filling opening in said drum, a plurality of flexible supply tubes connecting said metering containers through said open inlEt receptacle with said filling opening, and drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means mounting said metering containers above said tank.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means swingably mounting said frame includes pivot means having a pivot axis, said tank having a horizontal center plane when said tank is untipped and said pivot axis being situated above said horizontal center plane.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a fluid pressure ram, means pivotally connecting said ram to said frame, a stationary support, and means pivotally connecting said ram to said stationary support and said apparatus further comprising buffer means for contacting said frame when said frame is in its untipped position.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an overflow pipe mounted to each of said metering containers and said metering containers being made of transparent material.

Claim 7

In apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including a tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum, means defining a filling opening in said drum, and a plurality of flexible supply tubes communicating said metering containers with said filling opening, each of said metering containers including a bottom, said bottom including parts defining a sump, plug means arranged to close the top of said sump, a sealing ring surrounding said plug and said supply tube communicating with said sump above the lowermost point thereof.

Claim 8

In apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including a tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum, means defining a filling opening in said drum, and a plurality of flexible supply tubes communicating said metering containers with said filling opening, each of said metering containers including a bottom, said bottom including parts defining a sump, plug means arranged to close the top of said sump, a sealing ring surrounding said plug and said supply tube communicating with said sump above the lowermost point thereof.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a drain pipe communicating with said lowermost point of said sump.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a lifting magnet, a cover on said container, means mounting said lifting magnet above said cover and a pull rod connecting said plug to said lifting magnet whereby operation of said magnet lifts said plug to open said sump.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said frame includes two inclined frame members, means fixing said frame members together at a junction at the upper ends thereof, and wherein said means mounting said frame for swinging movements includes a pivot bearing and means mounting said pivot bearing at said junction.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, including a plurality of said tanks on said frame.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a water supply pipe and means communicating said water supply pipe with all said metering containers.

Claim 14

In apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including a tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum, means defining a filling opening in said drum, and a plurality of flexible supply tubes communicating said metering containers with said filling opening, a water supply pipe and means communicating said water supply pipe with all said metering containers, a reservoir tank for rinsing water, a heating element in said reservoir tank, a pump including a suction and discharge, means communicating said suction with said reservoir tank and means communicating said discharge with said water supply pipe, said last named means including an inverted U-shaped loop, said loop extending to above a maximum water level in said tank and venting means venting the top of said loop.

Claim 15

In apparatus for processing photographic emulsion coated material, the apparatus including a tank, at least one drum in said tank, mechanical means for rotating said drum within said tank and metering containers for supplying processing solutions to said drum, the improvement comprising a frame, means mounting said frame for swinging movement, means mounting said tank on said frame, drive means for swinging said frame to tip said tank and empty solution from said drum, means defining a filling opening in said drum, and a plurality of flexible supply tubes communicating said metering containers with said filling opening, a water supply pipe and means communicating said water supply pipe with all said metering containers, a reservoir tank for rinsing water, a heating element in said reservoir tank, a pump including a suction and discharge, means communicating said suction with said reservoir tank and means communicating said discharge with said water supply pipe, said last named means including an inverted U-shaped loop, said loop extending to above a maximum water level in said tank and venting means venting the top of said loop.

Claim 16

Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said drive means for swinging said frame includes a fluid pressure operated ram and means for actuating said ram, magnet means for controlling the supply of liquid from said metering containers and a common control system, said common control system controlling said means for rotating said drums, said pump, said fluid pressure operated ram and said magnet means.