Photographic material advancement adaptation unit for plant for continuous development of photographic material

• US 5,463,440 A
• Filed: 12/14/1993
• Issued: 10/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: G.P.E. Srl
• Original Assignee: G.P.E. Srl
• Inventors: Del Ben, Ivo, Panontin, Renzo
• Primary Examiner(s): Rutledge, D.
• Application Number:
  US08/166,039
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 354/297, 354/298, 354/319-324, 354/339, 354/340, 355/27-29, 364/468, 364/474.11, 364/526
• US Class Current: 396/568
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 13/003 Film feed or extraction in development apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 13/007 Processing control, e.g. test strip, timing devices

Abstract

On a plant for continuous development of photographic material, comprising a plurality of operative units (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) for the photographic material treatment, there are provided a first and a second autonomous and independent adaptation units (12, 15), which can be interposed removably among these operative units so as to compensate the different photographic material advancement speeds between the one and the other unit, by controlling suitably the photographic material advancement devices of each adaptation unit and the operative units adjacent thereto. Advantages of the invention system include that the dangers of damagings and/or breakages of the photographic material are avoided during the advancement thereof among the various plant operating units and adaptation units, while promoting a rational and reliable arrangement and operation of the same plant.

Claims

1. A photographic material advancement adaptation unit for a plant for continuous development of photographic material, said plant comprising

a plurality of operating units of a conventional type selected from the group consisting of developing machine, collecting storage means, quality-control table, cutting equipment, and combinations thereof, which operating units are combinable with each other in different manners, such that a photographic material is passable for treating of the photographic material through the plurality of operating units;

a plurality of adaptation units, wherein each of the plurality of adaptation units is disposed between two otherwise neighboring operating units of the plurality of operating units, said adaptation units comprising guide means shaped as rotating rollers for passing the photographic material and at least a driving band leader for entraining the photographic material therethrough, wherein the plurality of adaptation units includes a first adaptation unit and a second adaptation unit, wherein the first adaptation unit and the second adaptation unit are autonomous and separated as well as removably interposable between two operating units which are consecutive to each other and wherein the first adaptation unit and the second adaptation unit comprise temporary collecting means, shaped as stationary upper rollers and movable lower rollers, for winding the photographic material thereon, adapted to compensate for changes in advancement speed of the photographic material through the different plant units, by means of a succession of storing and dispensing of such photographic material between the first adaptation unit and the second adaptation unit;

at least a display unit of a conventional type connected to the plurality of operating units and to the plurality of adaptation units for aiding in controlling and inspecting operation of said operating units and of said adaptation units;

a plurality of powered means, wherein each of the powered means is associated with one of said operating units and said adaptation units to provide for advancing the photographic material;

a plurality of control means connected independently relative to each other, and wherein each one of the plurality of control means is connected to the plurality of operating units and connected to the plurality of adaptation units for controlling the operation of the respective operating units and of the respective adaptation units in accordance with preestablished operating cycles and depending on the operational state of the other operating units and adaptation units disposed directly adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of operating units and of the plurality of adaptation units;

first sensor means provided to said first adaptation unit and adapted to sense as coded information the quantity of photographic material which is provided from time to time within said temporary collecting means, wherein said first sensor means is controlled by said control means associated with the first adaptation unit in such a way as to influence a predetermined first powered means of the plurality of powered means of the operating unit preceding the first adaptation unit and a predetermined second powered means of the plurality of powered means of the operating unit following to the first adaptation unit in a way to change or stop a rotation of the powered means of the first adaptation unit depending on the photographic material being provided within the first adaptation unit;

second sensor means provided to said second adaptation unit adapted to sense as coded information the quantity of photographic material which is provided from time to time within said temporary collecting means, wherein said second sensor means is controlled by said control means associated with the second adaptation unit in such a way as to influence a predetermined third powered means of the plurality of powered means of the operating unit preceding the second adaptation unit and of a predetermined fourth powered means of the plurality of powered means of the operating unit following to the second adaptation unit in a way to change or stop a rotation of the powered means of the second adaptation unit depending on the photographic material being provided within the second adaptation unit.

2. The adaptation unit according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor means provided to said first adaptation unit is adapted to sense as coded information the quantity of photographic material, which is provided from time to time within said temporary collecting means, wherein said first sensor means is controlled by said control means associated with the first adaptation unit in such a way as to influence said powered means in a way to change and stop, respectively, a rotation of the powered means of the first adaptation unit depending on the photographic material being provided within the first adaptation unit;

second sensor means provided to said second adaptation unit is adapted to sense as coded information the quantity of photographic material which is provided from time to time within said temporary collecting means, wherein said second sensor means is controlled by said control means associated with the second adaptation unit in such a way as to influence said powered means of the first adaptation unit in a way to change and stop, respectively, a rotation of the powered means of the second adaptation unit depending on the photographic material being provided within the second adaptation unit.

3. The adaptation unit according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor means comprise a plurality of electronic, electric, electromechanical or similar sensors of a conventional type, connected operatively to said control means associated with the first adaptation unit and adapted to sense a presence of the photographic material or to sense an absence of the photographic material along a sliding path of the adaptation unit, up to an upper and a lower position of an end of section thereof, which sensing furnishes a signal, and wherein the signal is delivered through said display unit, and wherein the delivered signal alerts to conditions corresponding to anomalous operative conditions of said first adaptation unit.

4. The adaptation unit according to claim 3, wherein said first adaptation unit comprises a dispensing roller and wherein said second adaptation unit comprises a winding roller for a driving band leader, arranged removably and corresponding to the sliding path for the photographic material, to allow said driving band leader to pass from said dispensing roller to said winding roller and vice versa.

5. The adaptation unit according to claim 4, wherein said second adaptation unit comprises clutch means of a conventional type, to keep the photographic material leaving the second adaptation unit substantially steadily tensioned prior to an arrival of the photographic material in a subsequent operating unit, and final cutting means disposed between an outlet side of the second adaptation unit and said clutch means for cutting the photographic material at appropriate intervals.

6. The adaptation unit according to claim 5, wherein said cutting means comprise

a first rectilinear arm fixed to said second adaptation unit,

a second movable arm cooperating with said fixed first rectilinear arm and provided with at least a cutting element adapted to cut the photographic material,

a third rectilinear arm provided at a first end of the third rectilinear arm with at least an idle rotating roller for sliding and guiding the photographic material, in case of scarcity of photographic material within said second adaptation unit,

a fourth arm fixed with a first end of the fourth arm to said first arm, wherein said third arm is being articulated at its second end with the fourth arm and is Joined to said fourth arm by spring means adapted to keep said third arm and said fourth arm pushed relative toward each other, wherein the third arm is provided at the second end with first driving means engaging second driving means provided on said second movable arm, wherein said third arm is adapted to shift said second movable arm together with said cutting element, by means of said first driving means and said second driving means, from a first rest position, in which said cutting element does not affect the photographic material passing through a corresponding through hole of said cutting element, to a second operating position in which said cutting element affects the photographic material, by cutting it, in presence of a scarce quantity of photographic material within said second adaptation unit.

7. A photographic material advancement adaptation unit for a plant for continuous development of photographic material to be disposed between a first operating unit and a second operating unit, comprising

a first adaptation unit including first guide means shaped as rotating rollers for passing the photographic material and at least a driving band leader for entraining the photographic material therethrough;

a second adaptation unit including second guide means shaped as rotating rollers for passing the photographic material and at least a driving band leader for entraining the photographic material therethrough;

temporary collecting means shaped as stationary upper rollers and movable lower rollers, for winding the photographic material thereon, adapted to compensate the changes of advancement speed of the photographic material through different plant units, by means of a succession of storing and dispensing such photographic material between the first adaptation unit and the second adaptation unit;

at least a display unit of a conventional type connected to the adaptation unit for aiding in controlling and inspecting the operation of said adaptation unit;

a powered means, wherein the powered means is associated with said adaptation unit to provide for advancing the photographic material;

control means connected to the adaptation unit for controlling the operation of the adaptation unit in accordance with preestablished operating cycles and depending on the operational state of the first operating unit and of the second operating unit disposed directly adjacent to the adaptation unit;

first sensor means provided to said adaptation unit adapted to sense as coded information the quantity of photographic material which is provided from time to time within said temporary collecting means, wherein said first sensor means is controlled by said control means associated with the adaptation unit in such a way as to influence a first powered means of the first operating unit preceding the adaptation unit and a second powered means of the second operating unit following to the adaptation unit in a way to change or stop a rotation of the powered means of the adaptation unit depending on the photographic material being provided within the adaptation unit.

8. The adaptation unit according to claim 7, wherein the sensor means provided to said adaptation unit is adapted to sense as coded information the quantity of photographic material which is provided from time to time within said temporary collecting means, wherein said sensor means is controlled by said control means associated with the adaptation unit in such a way as to influence in a way to change and stop, respectively, a rotation of the powered means of the adaptation unit depending on the photographic material being provided within the adaptation unit.

9. The adaptation unit according to claim 7, wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of electronic, electric, electromechanical or similar sensors of a conventional type, connected operatively to said control means associated with the adaptation unit and adapted to sense a presence of the photographic material and to sense an absence of the photographic material along a sliding path of the adaptation unit, up to an upper and a lower position of an end of section thereof, which sensing furnishes a signal, and wherein the signal is delivered through said display unit, and wherein the delivered signal alerts to conditions corresponding to anomalous operative conditions of said adaptation unit.

10. The adaptation unit according to claim 9, wherein said adaptation unit comprises further a dispensing roller and wherein said second adaptation unit comprises a winding roller for a driving band leader, arranged removably and corresponding to the sliding path for the photographic material, to allow said driving band leader to pass from said dispensing roller to said winding roller and vice versa.

11. The adaptation unit according to claim 10, wherein said second adaptation unit comprises clutch means of a conventional type, to keep the photographic material leaving the adaptation unit substantially steadily tensioned prior to an arrival of the photographic material on a subsequent operating unit, and final cutting means disposed between an outlet side of the adaptation unit and said clutch means for cutting the photographic material at appropriate intervals.

12. The adaptation unit according to claim 11, wherein said cutting means comprise

a first rectilinear arm fixed to said first adaptation unit,

a second movable arm cooperating with said first fixed arm and provided with at least a cutting element adapted to cut the photographic material,

a third rectilinear arm provided at a first end of the third rectilinear arm with at least an idle rotating roller for sliding and guiding the photographic material, in case of scarcity of photographic material within said second adaptation unit,

a fourth arm fixed with a first end of the fourth arm to said first arm, wherein said third arm is articulated at its second end with the fourth arm and is joined to said fourth arm by spring means adapted to keep said third arm and said fourth arm pushed relative toward each other, wherein the third arm is provided at the second end with first driving means engaging second driving means provided on said second movable arm, wherein said third arm is adapted to shift said second movable arm together with said cutting element, by means of said first driving means and said second driving means, from a first rest position in which said cutting element does not affect the photographic material passing through a correspondent through hole of said cutting element, to a second operating position in which said cutting element affects the photographic material, by cutting it, in presence of a scarce quantity of photographic material within said second adaptation unit.

13. Photographic material advancement adaptation unit for a plant for continuous development of photographic material, comprising a plurality of operating units of a conventional type including a developing machine (6), collecting storage means (7, 9), a quality checking table (8), cutting equipment (10), which can be combined with each other in different manners, through which the photographic material is passed for the treatment thereof, as well as comprising at least a display unit (11) of a conventional type for aiding in controlling and inspecting the operation of said operating units (6;

7, 9;

8,

     10) and adaptation units (12,

     15), said operating units (6;

7, 9;

8,

     10) and said adaptation units (12,

     15) being provided with powered means (35;

56,

     64) to provide for the photographic material advancement and control means, such as a microprocessor, which are independent of each other, predisposed to control the operation of the respective units in accordance with preestablished operating cycles and depending on the operational state of the other operating units and adaptation units directly adjacent thereto, said adaptation units (12,

     15) comprising guide means (30, 31, 33, 35, 34;

51, 54,

     53) shaped as rotating rollers for passing the photographic material and at least a driving band leader for entraining the photographic material therethrough, and temporary collecting means (27, 29;

45,

     49) shaped as stationary upper rollers and movable lower rollers, for winding the photographic material thereon, adapted to compensate the changes of the photographic material advancement speed through the different plant units, by means of a succession of storages and dispensing of such photographic material between the first adaptation unit and the second adaptation unit, characterized by at least a first and a second adaptation unit (12,

     15), autonomous and separated as well as removably interposable between two operating units which are disposed consecutive to each other (6, 7;

9,

     10), said first and second adaptation units (12,

     15) being provided with sensor means (44;

82,

     83) adapted to sense as coded information the quantity of photographic material which is provided from time to time within said temporary collecting means (27, 29;

45,

     49), said sensor means (44;

82,

     83) being controlled by said control means in such a way as to influence said powered means respectively adjacent thereto, and in case also said powered means (35;

56,

     64) of the adaptation units (12,

     15), in a way to change or stop the rotation of the same powered means depending on the photographic material being provided within the respective adaptation unit.

14. Adaptation unit according to claim 13, characterized in that said sensor means (44;

82,

     83) comprise a plurality of electronic, electric, electromechanical or similar sensors of a conventional type, connected operatively to said control means and adapted to sense a presence of the photographic material or to sense an absence of the photographic material along its sliding path, up to an upper and a lower position of an end of section thereof, which sensing resulting in a signal wherein the signal is signalled through said display unit (11), and corresponding to anomalous operative conditions of said first and second adaptation units (12,

     15).

15. Adaptation unit according to claim 14, characterized in that said first and second adaptation units (12, 15) comprise respectively at least a dispensing roller (41) and a winding roller (78) for the driving band, arranged removably and corresponding to the sliding path for the photographic material, to allow said driving band to pass from the one to the other one of said dispensing roller (41) and said winding roller (78).

16. Adaptation unit according to claim 15, characterized in that said second adaptation unit (15) comprises a clutch means (63) of a conventional type, to keep the tension of the photographic material leaving the same unit substantially steady, before the photographic material arrives on a subsequent operating unit, as well as cutting means (66), disposed between the unit outlet side (79) and said clutch means (63), for cutting the photographic material at appropriate intervals.

17. Adaptation unit according to claim 16, characterized in that said cutting means (66) comprise a first rectilinear arm (67) fixed to said second adaptation unit (15), a second movable arm (69) cooperating with said first fixed arm (67) and provided with at least a cutting element (70) adapted to cut the photographic material as well as comprise a third rectilinear arm (74), provided at an end thereof with at least an idle rotating roller (77) for sliding and guiding the photographic material, in case of scarcity of photographic material within said second adaptation unit (15), said third arm (74) being articulated at its other end with a fourth arm (75) fixed to said first arm (67), and joined to said fourth arm (75) by spring means (76) adapted to keep said arms (74, 75) pushed the one toward the other one, as well as being provided at its other end with driving means (73) engaging correspondent driving means (72) provided on said second movable arm (69), said third arm (74) being adapted to shift said second movable arm (69) together with said cutting element (70), by means of said driving means (73, 72), from a first rest position in which said cutting element (70) does not affect the photographic material passing through a correspondent through hole (71) thereof, to a second operating position in which said cutting element (70) affects the photographic material, by cutting it, in presence of a scarce quantity of photographic material within said second adaptation unit (15).

18. A photographic material advancement adaptation units for a plant for continuous development of photographic material, said plant comprising a plurality of operating units of a conventional type including a developing machine, collecting storage means, a quality checking table, cutting equipment, which can be combined to each other in different manners, through which the photographic material is passed for the treatment thereof, said plant further comprising a display unit of a conventional type for aiding in controlling and inspecting the operation of said operating units and said adaptation units, control means, such as a microprocessor, which are independent of each other, predisposed to control the operation of respective units in accordance with preestablished operating cycles and depending on the operational state of other operating units and adaptation units directly adjacent thereto, said adaptation units comprising

a first adaptation unit and a second adaptation unit each comprising

a box-like envelope;

guide means disposed in the box-like envelope and shaped as rotating rollers for providing a sliding path of the photographic material;

temporary collecting means being in the sliding path of the photographic material and including a first stationary set of idle rotating rollers disposed parallel to each other and having horizontal axes of rotation and a second set of idle rotating rollers disposed parallel to each other and having horizontal axes of rotation for winding the photographic material thereon, adapted to compensate changes of photographic material advancement speed through different plant units, by means of a succession of storages and dispensing of such photographic material between two operating units which are disposed consecutive to each other wherein the first set of idle rotating rollers is disposed stationary in an upper side of the box-like envelope and wherein the second set of idle rotating rollers is disposed movably on the lower side of the box-like envelope from an upper position being closest to the first set of idle rotating rollers to a lower position being in a greatest distance between the first set of idle rotating rollers and the second set of idle rotating rollers;

adaptation unit powered means disposed at the box-like envelope for providing a correct feed advance of the photographic material;

sensor means housed inside the box-like envelope and disposed close and parallel to the photographic material and adapted to determine quantity of the photographic material as a result of vertical shifting of the second set of idle rotating rollers from the upper position of the second set of idle rotating rollers to the lower position of the second set of idle rotating set, said sensor means being controlled by said control means in such a way as to influence said powered means respectively adjacent thereto; and

a driving band leader for entraining the photographic material through the sliding path of the first adaptation unit, respective operating unit of the plant for continuous development of photographic material and of the second adaptation unit.

19. The photographic material advancement adaptation units for a plant for continuous development of photographic material according to claim 18, wherein the first adaptation unit further comprises a dispensing roller disposed at a position coinciding with a photographic material inlet side zone of the first adaptation unit and containing the driving band leader wound on the dispensing roller, and wherein the second adaptation unit further comprises a winding roller situated at a position coinciding with a photographic material outlet zone of the second adaptation unit to be wound onto the winding roller.