Perforated processing apparatus and method

• US 5,144,474 A
• Filed: 11/28/1989
• Issued: 09/01/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technology, Inc. (Sapiens International Corp. NV)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technology, Inc. (Sapiens International Corp. NV)
• Inventors: Keable, John B., Bostic, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): MATHEWS, ALAN A
• Application Number:
  US07/442,193
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 354/317, 354/319, 354/320, 354/321, 354/322, 354/324, 354/325, 134/64 P, 134/122 P
• US Class Current: 396/617
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/001 Counting; Classifying; Marking
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 5/006 Liquid supply by means of a split or a capillarity G03D5/04 takes precedence

Abstract

A substantially closed processing station designed to disperse chemicals for uniformly coating or otherwise contacting an emulsion-coated or other surface is disclosed. The station includes opposed chemical chambers, each of which is covered with a perforated film and, optionally, a screen-like material, between which materials the photographic film or other substrate passes. Distension of the upper perforated film ensures contact between the film (or the screen) and the photographic film moving through the station while minimizing the pressure on and resulting abrading of the substrate'"'"'s surface. Because the matched peripheries of the upper and lower chambers are closely fitted, the processing station is virtually sealed from the surrounding atmosphere and little degradation of the processing chemicals occurs even after extended periods of nonuse.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion on the first surface of a substrate having opposed first and second surfaces, comprising:

a. a distendable material positioned for contact with the emulsion when the material is distended;

b. means for distending the material by delivering a photographic processing chemical through the material to the emulsion; and

c. means, opposite the substrate from the distending means, for permitting the delivered photographic processing chemical to lubricate the second surface of the substrate.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the material is selected from the group comprising meshes and perforated polymer films.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the distending means comprises a first chamber for receiving and dispersing the photographic processing chemical, comprising:

a. a first cell having a periphery;

b. an inlet for receiving the photographic processing chemical within the cell; and

c. a lower surface comprising a first perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the first cell, for dispersing the chemical through the perforations.

4. An apparatus for processing a photographic emulsion comprising:

a. a distendable material positioned for contact with the emulsion when the material is distended;

b. means for distending the material by delivering a photographic processing chemical through the material to the emulsion, comprising;

i. a first cell having a periphery;

ii. an inlet for receiving the photographic processing chemical within the cell; and

iii. a lower surface comprising a first perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the first cell, for dispersing the chemical through the perforations; and

c. a chamber opposed to the distending means, comprising;

i. a second cell having a periphery; and

ii. an upper surface comprising a second perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the second cell.

5. An apparatus for dispersing fluid onto a photosensitive material comprising:

a. a first chamber positionable above the photosensitive material comprising;

i. a first cell having a periphery;

ii. an inlet for receiving within the cell fluid to be dispersed; and

iii. a lower surface comprising a perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the first cell, for dispersing fluid through the perforations;

b. a second chamber positionable below the photosensitive material comprising;

i. a second cell having a periphery, which periphery is closely proximate the periphery of the first cell when the first and second chambers are positioned above and below the photosensitive material, respectively, for at least partially insulating fluid from the surrounding environment; and

ii. an upper surface comprising a perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the second cell, for collecting dispersed fluid and allowing the fluid to pass into the second cell; and

c. a first foraminous material interposable between the lower surface of the first chamber and the photosensitive material, for dispersing fluid uniformly onto the photosensitive material.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a second foraminous material interposable between the upper surface of the second chamber and the photosensitive material, for collecting dispersed fluid and allowing the fluid to pass onto the upper surface of the second chamber.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 in which the second chamber further comprises an outlet for allowing fluid to exit the second chamber.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising means for conveying the photosensitive material to a position intermediate the first and second chambers.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 in which the conveying means comprises a pair of counter-rotating nip rollers.

10. An apparatus according to claim 5 in which the lower surface of the first chamber is polyester film.

11. An apparatus according to claim 5 in which the lower surface of the first chamber is fluorinated polymer film.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which one surface of the fluorinated polymer film is embossed with cross-hatching.

13. An apparatus for dispersing fluid onto a photosensitive material comprising:

a. a first chamber positionable above the photosensitive material comprising;

i. a first cell having a periphery;

ii. an inlet for receiving within the cell fluid to be dispersed; and

iii. a distendable lower surface comprising a perforated polyester sheet contacting the periphery of the first cell, for dispersing fluid through the perforations;

b. a first foraminous material interposable between the lower surface of the first chamber and the photosensitive material, for dispersing fluid uniformly onto the photosensitive material;

c. a second chamber positionable below the photosensitive material comprising;

i. a second cell having a periphery, which periphery is closely proximate the periphery of the first cell when the first and second chambers are positioned above and below the photosensitive material, respectively, for at least partially insulating fluid from the surrounding environment;

ii. an upper surface comprising a perforated polyester sheet contacting the periphery of the second cell, for allowing fluid to pass into the second cell; and

iii. an outlet for allowing fluid to exit the second cell;

d. a second foraminous material interposable between the upper surface of the second chamber and the photosensitive material, for collecting dispersed fluid and allowing the fluid to pass onto the upper surface of the second chamber; and

e. a pair of counter-rotating rollers for conveying the photosensitive material to a position intermediate the first and second chambers.

14. A method for processing photographic emulsion on the first surface of a flexible substrate having opposed first and second surfaces, comprising the steps of:

a. distending a material by charging it with a first photographic processing chemical;

b. contacting the emulsion with the distended material;

c. delivering the first photographic processing chemical to the emulsion; and

d. using the delivered first photographic processing chemical to lubricate the second surface of the substrate.

15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of moving the substrate relative to the material.

16. A method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of contacting the emulsion with a material charged with a second photographic processing chemical.

17. A method according to claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

a. prompting a patron to provide information relating to the patron'"'"'s identity;

b. recording the information provided on a memory means located within an unmanned apparatus;

c. prompting the patron to deposit a light-resistent cartridge containing the substrate into the unmanned apparatus and

d. removing the substrate form the light-resistent cartridge.

18. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of positioning ht substrate intermediate opposing first and second chambers having matched peripheries, the first chamber containing the distendable material, for virtually sealing the positioned substrate from the environment surrounding the chambers.

19. A method for dispersing fluid onto a photosensitive material comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the photosensitive material intermediate opposing first and second chambers having matched peripheries for virtually sealing the positioned photosensitive material form the environment surrounding the chambers;

b. introducing fluid into and thereby distending the first chamber; and

c. passing the fluid through a perforated section of the first chamber.

20. A method according to claim 19 in which the photosensitive material has opposed first and second surfaces, further comprising the steps of:

a. delivering the fluid to the first surface of the photosensitive material and

b. using the delivered fluid to lubricate the second surface of the photosensitive material.

21. A method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of passing the fluid through a porous material.

22. An apparatus for dispersing fluid onto a photosensitive material comprising:

a. a first chamber positionable above the photosensitive material comprising;

i. a first cell having a periphery;

ii. an inlet for receiving within the first cell fluid to be dispersed; and

iii. a distendable lower surface comprising a perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the first cell, for contacting the photosensitive material and dispersing fluid through the perforations; and

b. a second chamber positionable below the photosensitive material comprising;

i. a second cell having a periphery, which periphery is closely proximate the periphery of the first cell when the first and second chambers are positioned above and below the photosensitive material, respectively, for at least partially insulating fluid from the surrounding environment; and

ii. an upper surface comprising a perforated sheet contacting the periphery of the second cell, for collecting dispersed fluid and allowing the fluid to pass into the second cell.

23. A method for processing photographic emulsion on a flexible substrate comprising the steps of:

a. distending a material by charging it with a first photographic processing chemical;

b. contacting the emulsion with the distended material;

c. moving the substrate relative to the material and

d. contacting the emulsion with a material charged with a second photographic processing chemical having a composition different than the first photographic processing chemical.