05/200256

04/03/1973

11/18/1971

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134/57R

396/625, 396/612, 396/571

G03D3/06; G03D13/00; G03D13/04; G03D13/02; G03D3/06

95/89R,93,94R,14

Matthews, Samuel S.

Braun, Fred L.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 883,797, filed Dec. 10, 1969 now abandoned.

What is claimed is

1. An apparatus for automatically processing a latent photographic image base to develop images therein by applying rinse liquid from a source thereof and chemical processing liquids from a plurality of sources thereof to said image base in accordance with a given photographic process and energization of said apparatus by a source of voltage, said apparatus comprising:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said releasing means and said rinse gating means are each electrically connected to one of said single poles respectfully, and said chemical dispensing electrically means is coupled to said second pole of each of said switch means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rinse gating means and said chemical dispensing electrically means are connected to said single poles respectively, and said releasing means is electrically coupled to said second pole of each of said switch means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each chemical dispensing means and said releasing means are motor driven means having a control cam and stop switch in association therewith, said stop switch being in the motor circuit to control the operation thereof, said cam having switch activating regions thereon, said motors being impulse started by appropriate pulses from said decoder so as to move said cam into position where said switch activating region cooperates with said switch to continue operation of said motor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch means are double pole double throw relays.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a third switch means, said third switch means being coupled to the other pole of each of said switch means, and said third switch means providing circuit connection from said third operative means to said voltage source upon coupling of said terminals to said other poles.

7. An apparatus for processing a latent photographic image base by applying processing liquids thereto in accordance with a given developing process, said apparatus comprising: means for applying processing liquids to said image base including a drum configured to support said image base, means for rotating said drum for distributing liquids over said base, and a tray member located beneath said drum and adapted for retaining a liquid in contact with the lower portion thereof; means for releasing liquid from said tray member; a source of rinse liquid; means including rinse gating means for dispensing rinse liquid from said source thereof to said applying means; a plurality of reservoirs for containing chemical processing liquids; a plurality of conduits individually communicating each of said reservoirs with said tray member; chemical gating means for controlling dispensing of chemicals from each of said reservoirs including a gate coupled to each of said conduits respectively and operable to permit passage of a chemical from its associated reservoir, said chemical gating means including a rotary member having sequence-spaced gate-activating means respectively coupled to each of said gates, means for indexing said rotary member through a stepped series to sequentially open each reservoir-associated gate including a motor configured for rotation of said rotary member, switch means for energizing said motor, and a motor control cam having a plurality of switch activating regions coordinated with said sequence-spaced gate-activating means and configured to index said motor through a stepped series so as to actuate said reservoir associated gates in sequence; and programmed tape means for intermittently operating said rinse gating means, said means for releasing liquid from said tray member, and said motor in accordance with said given process.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said rotary member comprises a shaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, said gate-activating means comprises a plurality of laterally spaced gate actuating cams, each of said cams being in association with one of said reservoir-associated gates, and each of said gate-actuating cams being angularly displaced on said shaft with respect to one another so that upon rotation of said shaft said gate-actuating cams will sequentially actuate said reservoir-associated gates.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for releasing liquid from said tray member includes means for pivoting said tray member to dump the liquid retained therein.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for rotating said drum includes a motor coupled thereto for producing rotation thereof responsive to connection of said drum motor to a source of power, and said chemical gating means additionally includes electrical switch means mounted on its said rotary member and configured for interrupting said drum motor connection responsive to indexing of said rotary member through an additional step following dispensing of all of said plurality of chemicals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to photographic processing and more particularly to a process and an automated apparatus for color photographic processing.

Color print automated processing devices of the prior art generally require continuous strip type processing which are only suitable for high volume printing. Moreover, apparatus of this type are not only highly expensive, but also are not easily adaptable to a variation in the process. Adaptability is desirable for small volume photo operations and allows the processing of either film or prints.

It is an object of this invention to provide an automated processing apparatus for developing photographic prints or films.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automated processing apparatus for developing photographic color prints or films.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tape controlled processing apparatus for automatic processing of an individual color print or group of prints on a single sheet.

It is yet another object to present a novel process for processing a print or film.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, an apparatus for automatically processing a latent photographic image comprises in combination means for supporting at least one base carrying a latent image to be processed; means for applying processing chemicals and wash water to the emulsion surface of said base; a water source and a plurality of reservoir means containing processing chemicals; conduit means communicating said reservoir means with said means for applying said chemicals and water; gate means in association with said conduit means; means for opening and means for closing said gate means; and programmed tape in association with said operable means to sequentially open or sequentially or simultaneously close said gate means in accordance with a predetermined developing process.

In accordance with the invention, the method of processing a latent photographic image base comprises positioning the image base on a support member. Applying a developer solution to the emulsion surface of the image base. Applying additional processing chemicals to the emulsion surface in accordance with a controlled sequence by causing a tape means, programmed in accordance with said sequence, to emit a signal adapted to trigger means for removing said developer solution from said image base, and to emit another signal adapted to trigger a processing chemical dispensing means so as to dispense the first of said additional processing chemicals. The chemical dispensing means being adapted to individually dispense processing chemicals to said base. Causing the tape to emit another signal adapted to trigger means for removing the first of the additional chemicals, and causing the tape to emit further signals adapted to dispense and remove the remainder of the additional processing chemicals to complete the processing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a printing apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the tray dumping unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cam wheel used in tray dumping;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the chemical gating unit of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another preferred circuit arrangement of the processing units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the automated photo processor utilizes a tape control unit 10 which operates a processing unit 12. In the preferred embodiment, processing unit 12 is a drum type processing unit, such as a No. F11 Kodak Rapid Color Processor (Model 11). In employment of this unit an undeveloped print or film (not shown) is held in place by a net (not shown) on a drum 14. Processing chemicals deposited in an underlying open container or tray 16 are carried to the print or film by rotation of the drum 14. Normally a commercial unit such as this is designed for manual operation throughout the processing of a print or film. Thus, for use in the conventional process, although drum 14 is rotated electrically by a motor 18, other required operations, such as the insertion of the undeveloped print or film on drum 14, pouring of chemicals in tray 16, rinsing, tray-dumping and, most importantly, the precise timing required, are all controlled manually. The manual control of the process is additionally hampered because total darkness is required in about the first third of the operation. In the present invention, however, developing unit 12 is made a part of an automated apparatus.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are reservoir means 20 having conduit means 22 in communication with processing unit 12. Interposed between reservoir means 20 and processing unit 12 is an electrically controlled gating means 24. Taken together, reservoirs 20, conduits 22 and gating means 24 provide an electrically controlled chemical dispensing means. Tape control unit 10, electrically operates gate means 24. The entire apparatus is supported on a suitable stand 26.

More specifically, processing unit 12 has a thermostatically controlled water source 28 feeding water through hollow drum 14 so as to maintain the drum at constant temperature. In association with the drum is an electrically controlled wash water applicator 30. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, preferred applicator 30 includes a hollow tube 32 having a plurality of water exit ports (not shown) for flowing closely-spaced streams of wash water onto the rotating drum 14. A tube 34 supplies water of controlled temperature from a solenoid controlled water source 36 to hollow tube 32. Also, as part of processing unit 12, is tray 16 having in association therewith electrically controlled tray-dumping means 38. As shown in FIG. 3, tray-dumping means 38 includes a motor 40 and tray-positioning means 42 operatively associated with tray 16.

Reservoir means 20 is preferably a plurality of chemical containers of open top configuration such as open top boxes, bottles, funnels, etc. These are designed and positioned so as to gravity-feed the fixed amount of processing chemicals they contain in response to the sequence of the operation of the gating means 24 via conduit means 22. Conduit means 22 are preferably of a flexible tube or tube-like material.

Control unit 10, (schematically shown in FIG. 2 and described in detail infra), is designed to operate via electrical connections (not shown in FIG. 1) each of the various means or functions in programmed sequence. It includes a tape player 44 which provides properly timed and coded signals to decoder or signal response unit 54.

Referring to FIG. 2, drive motor 18 and thermostatically controlled water source 28 of processing unit 12, are directly controlled by a switch 46 which connects these elements to ac power source 48 of for example, 110 volts, 60 Hertz. Source 48 is also connected through a foot switch 50 or the like and relay 52 to tape player 44, decoder 54, chemical gate means 24, wash unit 30 and tray unit 38. Relay 52 is a conventional double pole double throw switch relay; e.g., Life Instrument Co., Model RRP 115 Volt A.C. DPDT.

In a preferred embodiment, tape player 44 is a commercially available multitrack dual head (sterophonic) magnetic tape player, e.g., Stereo-Magic Model TPH 501. Inasmuch as there are only two signal transmitting heads and since three major functions are to be intermittenly called into use by signals from the tape player 44, the decoder 54 must provide three different responses to signals from the dual heads. Decoder 54 uniquely accomplishes this end by providing individual responses, to the signal of each head and a third response, to simultaneous signals from each head.

More specifically, head output signal lines 56 and 58, with a common return line 59, are led into decoder 54. This provides a pair of channels into relays 60 and 62 respectively. Relay coils 61 and 63 are connected in common to return line 59 and to lines 56 and 58 respectively. Relays 60 and 62 are double pole, double thrownrelays, e.g., Lift Instrument Co., Relays Life RGP 180 MA A.C. DPDT. Relay 60, includes electromagnetically responsive switches 64 and 66; and relay 62 includes electromagnetically responsive switches 68 and 70. The switches of each relay are synchronously operable in response to its respective coil.

Switch 64 includes moveable switch arm 72, contact point 74 and contact point 76. In the unenergized state, arm 72 is in contact with contact point 74.

Switch 66 includes moveable switch arm 78, contact point 80 and contact point 82. In the unenergized state, arm 78 is likewise in contact with contact point 80. In this particular embodiment, contact point 80 will remain unused, but is included for purposes of illustration of a conventional double pole, double throw device.

Switch 68 includes moveable arm 84, contact point 86 and contact point 88. In the unenergized state, arm 84 is in contact with contact point 86.

Switch 70 includes moveable arm 90, contact point 92 and contact point 94. In the unenergized state, arm 90 is likewise in contact with contact point 92. While in this particular embodiment contact point 92 is also unused, it may be utilized in conjunction with contact point 80 to perform some separate function, when relays 60 and 62 are unenergized.

Decoder 54 is connected across ac source 48 by connection of arm 72 of switch 64 to the high voltage line 146 by line 98 and connection of switch arm 84 of switch 68 to ground line 100 by line 102. Contact point 74 of switch 64 is connected through line 104 to arm 90 of switch 70. Contact point 86 of switch 68 is connected through line 106 to arm 78 of switch 66.

Contact point 82 of switch 66 is connected through line 108 to one side of motor 40 of tray unit 38. A motor control microswitch 130, operatively associated with motor 40, is connected from line 108 to ground line 100. The other side of motor 40 is connected to high voltage line 146. Contact point 94 of switch 70 is connected through line 112 to relay 114 of wash unit 30. Relay 114 has its coil 140 connected on one side to line 112 and the otherside to ground 100. Relay 114 is a ratchet impulse relay which is designed to close its switch 138, that is, activate arm 142 and hold it in contact with its contact point 144 upon receiving an impulse. A further impulse releases arm 142 and opens its circuit. Arm 142 is connected to high voltage line 146. Point 144 is connected through solenoid valve 36 to ground line 100 such that activation of relay 144 controls the flow of water from wash unit 30. Relay 114 may be any suitable latching relay; e.g., Potter and Brumfield AP11A 120 Volt A.C. DPDT.

To provide the third function of the decoder circuit, contact point 76 of switch 64 is connected through line 116 to a first side of relay 118, which controls switch 121. Contact point 88 of switch 68 is connected through line 120 to the other side of relay 118. Relay 118 includes moveable arm 122 and contact point 124. Relay 118 can be of a commercially available type such as Life RRP 115 Volt A.C. DPDT. When relay 118 is in the unenergized state, moveable arm 122 is out of contact with contact point 124.

Moveable arm 122 of switch 121 is connected through line 126 to high voltage line 146, while contact point 124 is connected through line 128 to one terminal of motor 131 of chemical unit 24. The other terminal of motor 131 is connected to ground line 100, and a motor control microswitch 133 is connected from line 128 to line 146.

FIG. 3 illustrates tray unit 38 that controls the position of tray 16. Tray unit 38 includes motor 40, for example, an eight R.P.M. Fractional H.P. Geared Motor, the shaft of which (not shown) carries positioning cam 42. Mounted on motor 40 adjacent cam 42 is a microswitch 130. Cam 42 carries on its face tray-urging-arm 132 which extends from the cam to under one corner of tray 16. Cam 42, in this illustration, is a generally circular wheel having a pair of oppositely disposed indents 134 and 136 on the periphery thereof as shown in FIG. 4. In contact with the periphery of cam 42 is a spring-biased arm 138 extending from microswitch 130. Microswitch 130 is connected in the ground line of motor 40 and is designed such that it will open the circuit and stop the motor when arm 138 drops into either indent 134 or 136.

The motor is started in each instance by an impulse from decoder 54. This rotates cam 42, moving microswitch arm 138 out of one indent, thereby closing the microswitch 130 continuing operation of motor 40 until arm 138 falls into the other indent. Hence, the cam rotates 180° at each impulse from decoder 54. Tray-urging-arm 132 is so positioned on cam 42 with respect to indents 134 and 136, and the microswitch's cooperation therewith, that during one half turn of the cam said arm 132 urges tray 16 to dump position and during the other half turn permits the tray to return to its horizontal position.

Motor 40 of tray unit 38 and motor 131 of chemical gating unit 24 are both abrupt stopping motors, for example, "Brevel" six R.P.M. Gear Motors 30W, 115V, 60 Hertz with mechanical friction brake on motor, which is automatically applied when power is removed.

FIG. 5 illustrates chemical gating unit 24 which controls the dispensing of chemicals through flexible conduits 22 to tray 16. Gating unit 24 includes a housing 150 having motor 131, mounted on end wall 152 of housing 150. A shaft 154 extends from motor 131 through housing 150. A microswitch control cam 156, having microswitch 133 operatively associated therewith, is affixed to shaft 154 along with gating cams 158.

Conduits 22 extend from reservoirs 20 of FIG. 1 through housing 150 and beneath the gating cams 158 to a support bridge 159 which positions the conduit ends 161 just short of tray 16. Each conduit 22 carries a clamp 160, or other gating means, for example, an Aidco pinch clamp 127-B-16. Each clamp 160 is positioned adjacent gating cams 158, and between said cams and the base 162 of housing 150. Clamps 160 are normally closed, spring-biased clamps, such that each conduit 22 remains pinched off until said clamps 160 are released by pressure between gating cams 158 and base 162. Shaft 154 and cams 158 provide intercoupled sequence spaced gate activating means.

Cams 158 are positioned on the shaft at different angles, for example, each cam 158 is rotated less than 90° with respect to the preceeding cam. Hence, as shaft 154 is rotated through a complete revolution, starting from the position where all clamps are closed, clamps 160 are squeezed open in sequence so as to sequentially open conduits 22.

Cam 156 is of a construction similar to that shown in FIG. 4 except that the cam carries no urging arm and instead of merely two indents there are six indents 164, which are angularly displaced from each other in accordance with the respective displacement of cams 158. The indents of cam 156 provide sequence spaced activating regions which stop motor 131. These regions are coordinated with gating cams 158 so that upon each decoder pulse to motor 131, the unit us actuated in a stepped series to open each gate.

Microswitch 133 is connected between the high voltage side of motor 131 and line 146 and is designed such that it opens the circuit and shuts off motor 131 when its spring biased arm 166 drops into one of the indents.

Motor 131 is started in each instance by an impulse from decoder 54. This rotates cam 156, moving microswitch arm 166 out of one indent, thereby closing microswitch 133 and continuing operation of motor 131 until arm 166 falls into the next indent.

Microswitch 133 is positioned with respect to cam 156 so that arm 166 when in the first (start-stop indent) of the series of six indents will provide a shaft position such that none of gating cams 158 are depressing clamps 160 to an open position. With the shaft in this position, on receipt of an impulse from decoder 54 (line 128), motor 131 rotates cam 156, moving microswitch arm 166 out of the first indent, thereby closing microswitch 133, continuing operation of motor 131 until arm 166 falls into the next indent in the series. At this point, the first of gating cams 158 has been positioned so as to open the first of conduits 22. Further pulses will sequentially open the remaining gates in like-manner and the motor cycle is completed when microswitch arm 166 drops into the start-stop indent.

In a preferred embodiment, two additional cams 172, 174 with associated microswitches 176, 178 are also included in gating unit 24. Cams 172, 174 are affixed to shaft 154, while switches 176, 178 are mounted on housing 150, with switch arms 180, 182 spring biased against the perimeter of its cam.

Switch 176 is electrically connected in series with processing unit 12, and is adjusted so as to open when its switch arm 180 drops into indent 184 of cam 172. Cam 172 is adjusted such that indent 184 will angularly coincide with the sixth or processor-motor stop indent of gating cam 156. Hence, when the chemical gating unit 24 reaches the sixth indent of cam 156, microswitch 176 is operated by cam 174 to open the circuit to processor 12 to shut down motor 18.

Switch 178, on the other hand, is connected to a pilot light circuit 179 (see FIG. 2) and is made to only close when it drops into its indent 186. Cam 174 is adjusted such that its indent 186 angularly coincides with the first (start-stop) indent of cam 156. Hence, pilot light 179 is turned on once gating unit 24 moves the first gating indent into coincidence with its switch arm 166.

In the preferred embodiment, tape player 44 is also modified in regards to its tape sensing tab circuit (not shown). The tab circuit, which normally switches the tape head to a different track, is connected instead to a relay 190 as shown in FIG. 2, which is, in turn, connected to relay 52 and releases the same, once relay 190 is activated by the tape sensing tab circuit of player 44.

In a specific example, for purposes of illustration, the operation of the apparatus and process of the present invention will be described with reference to the use of Kodak Color Print Processing Kit CP-5 as described in Kodak publication KP 54692d Sept. 1967 for processing Kodak Ektacolor paper at 100° F.

A latent image is formed in a conventional manner on a sheet (not shown) of Kodak Ektacolor paper. At this time or prior thereto, temperature controlled water by means of solenoid 28 is introduced into the processor drum. By this means, in this example, the drum temperature will be held at 100° ± 1/2° F throughout the process. The wash water used in the process is maintained at the same temperature. Thereafter, switch 46 of FIG. 2 is manually closed to rotate the drum by motor 18.

In accordance with the above referenced process, the print is manually prewet in association with the net blanket supplied with the Kodak processor. In this step, the stop-fixer, bleach, formalin fixer and stabilizer are poured into their proper reservoir 20 of FIG. 1.

The developer solution is prepared in accordance with the above referenced Kodak process and manually poured into tray 16. Holding the print in place on the blanket assembly, the blanket is lowered to place the print face into contact with the drum 14 surface. For ease of operation, wash tube 32 may be pivoted so as to be temporarily turned out of the way so as to facilitate arrangement of the print on the drum. The wash tube is then returned to wash position. Simultaneously with the placing of the print on drum 14, switch 50 is depressed and the automatic processing sequence begins.

Switch 50 activates relay 52 and its switch 53 to start tape player 44. The tape (not shown) has been previously programmed in accordance with the indicated process, and is designed to apply signals to decoder 54 in proper order and time. The signals from the tape can conveniently to 60 Hertz electrical pulses previously recorded on the tape. For recording such signals, commercial tape recorders and players may be used. For supplying the signals to decoder 54, the amplified signals from the heads are connected to the illustrated output channels of the decoder.

After a proper time interval, in this case 2:24 minutes after tape start, decoder 54 receives a signal pulse from the tape by way of the first channel through lines 56, 59 which momentarily energized relay 60 thereby operating switches 64 and 66. Hence, arm 72 is brought into contact with point 76, and arm 78 is brought into contact with point 82. This triggers tray unit 38 to dump the developer. Only this function is accomplished because activation of switch 64, although it connects line 98 to line 116 and relay 118, can not complete a circuit loop through open contact point 88 so long as relay 62 is unenergized. Switch 66, however, connects one side of motor 40 (through line 108) to ground by means of line 106, switch 68, line 102 and line 100. This pulses motor 40, moving switch arm 138 out of one cam indent, so as to close its microswitch 130, which continues to operate motor 40 until tray-urging-arm 132 is rotated to its upper most position at which point arm 138 drops into the other cam indent. This holds tray 16 in a tilted or dump position.

Five seconds thereafter, or 2:30 minutes from tape start, decoder 54 then receives a signal through the second channel, lines 58, 59 which momentarily energizes relay 62 thereby activating switches 68, 70. This forces arm 84 into contact with point 88 and arm 90 into contact with point 94.

During this pulse, switch 68 connects ground line 100 to relay 118, however, no circuit loop is accomplished therein since the input terminal end of relay 118 is open at switch 64. On the other hand, switch 70 triggers latching impulse relay 114 of wash unit 30, inasmuch as line 112 at this time is connected to the high side of the line (line 146) through activated switch 70, line 104, inactivated switch 64 and line 98. Hence, temperature controlled water is dispensed through wash tube 32 and over the processor drum. The water is maintained at constant temperature by a thermostatic water mixing control (not shown) such as Leedal Model 4629 or 4630.

Two successive signals then occur on the first channel. The first of these signals pulses tray unit 38 (to permit tray 16 to return to horizontal position and allow it to fill with wash water), and the following signal again dumps tray 16.

Then, at 2:55 minutes after tape start, another signal is received on the second channel so as to again pulse wash unit 30. This steps latching relay 114 and shuts off the rinse water. A further signal is then received on the first channel which resets tray 16 to horizontal position.

Then pulse signals are received simultaneously on both channels at 2:58 minutes. This simultaneously energizes both relays 60 and 62 which, in turn, energize relay 118 so as to pulse chemical gating unit 24. This is accomplished by the simultaneous activation of switches 64, 66, 68 and 70. As can be seen from the diagram of FIG. 2, activation of switch 64, opens the power circuit to switch 70, while it connects the high voltage (line 146) to one side of the third relay 118, and activation of switch 68 opens the power circuit to switch 66, while it connects the ground (line 100) to the other side of relay 118. Reception of this first pulse to chemical gating unit 24 moves gating cam 156, lifting arm 166 out of the stop-start indent and causes the motor to run until arm 166 drops into the next indent. This depresses a first of the clamps 160 so as to gravity feed the stop-fixer through conduit 22 into tray 16. As noted in FIG. 5, conduit ends 161 are positioned just short of tray 16 so as to prevent any subsequent dripping of chemicals into tray 16.

This completes the "Developer" cycle of the tape unit, and once the stop-fixer is dispensed into tray 16, the above sequence of tape signals is repeated three times, as programmed, so as to process the print or film in bleach, formalin fixer and stabilizer, as can be seen from the accompanying schedule. Since the time of processing is different for some of the chemicals, the time between pulses may vary from one cycle to the next, however, the channel sequence of the pulses remains the same for this C-5 process. As previously indicated, the type signal (on both channels) for dispensing chemicals from reservoirs 22 is the same for all cycles and the particular chemical dispensed during a particular cycle of the signals is merely a function of the clamping cam order of chemical unit 24. In other words, the tape signals follow a repetitive sequence, however, a different chemical is dispensed in a particular sequence due to the built-in cam program of chemical unit 24.

After the four cycles of tape signals, the stabilizer is in the tray and being automatically applied to the print. Thereafter, a signal is received from the tape, on the first channel, to tilt tray 16 and dump the stabilizer.

Simultaneous signals are then received from both heads to again activate gating unit 24 and rotate its cam 156 to the sixth indent position. At this time switch arm 180 of microswitch 176 drops into its indent and shuts off processor 12. This completes the processing and indicates such to the operator. Next, tape player 44 proceeds until the intermediate tab of the tape contacts the tab sensing switch (not shown). This contacts operates relay 190 to open switch 53 which shuts off power to player 44.

The operator then removes the print. Subsequently the operator again energizes player 44. The tape, at this time continues from the intermediate tab to its final or stop-start tab. First a pair of simultaneous signals are received to actuate gating unit 24. This rotates gating cam 156 to its start-stop indent position, which turns on processor motor 18 and leaves all gates closed in anticipation of the next complete process. Also at this time cam 174 permits arm 182 to drop into its indent which closes switch 178 and activates pilot light 179. This signals that unit 24 is ready for chemical loading and the next start.

Next a signal is received on the second channel to begin dispensing rinse water from unit 30. Then at least two successive signals are received on the first channel to reset the tray to horizontal position, allowing it to fill with water, and then dumping it again. These signals can be repeated for more thorough cleaning. Next a signal is received on the second channel to shut off wash water from unit 30. The tray is reset to its horizontal position by a pulse from the first channel. Finally, the start-stop tab of the tape is reached which energizes relay 190 and shuts off tape player 44. After manually adding the proper chemicals, the automated unit is again ready for another complete processing cycle.

A typical tape schedule for the process of the example is given below:

TAPE SIGNAL SCHEDULE

Elapsed Time in Channels(2) Minutes Carrying & Seconds Signal Operation Developer Cycle 0 Simultaneously apply wet print with a blanket to drum 14 and manually depress foot switch 50; 2:24 1st tilt tray to dump developer; 2:30 2nd start wash 2:36 1st reset tray to horizontal to capture wash water; 2:42 1st tilt tray to dump wash water; 2:55 2nd stop wash water; 2:57 1st reset tray; and 2:58 1st and 2nd dispense stop fixer. Stop-Fixer Cycle 3:24 1st Tilt tray to dump stop fixer; 3:30 2nd start wash; 3:36 1st reset tray to capture wash water; 3:46 1st tilt tray to dump wash water; 3:55 2nd stop wash; 3:57 1st reset tray; and 3:58 1st and 2nd dispense bleach Bleach Cycle 4:54 1st Tilt tray to dump bleach; 5:00 2nd start wash; 5:06 1st reset tray to capture wash water; 5:16 1st tilt tray to dump wash water; 5:25 2nd stop wash; 5:27 1st reset tray; and 5:28 1st and 2nd dispense formalin fixer. Formalin Fixer Cycle 5:54 1st Tilt tray to dump fixer; 6:00 2nd start wash; 6:06 1st reset tray to capture wash water; 6:18 1st tilt tray to dump wash water; 6:25 2nd stop wash; 6:27 1st reset trays; and 6:28 1st and 2nd dispense stabilizer. 6:54 1st Tilt tray to dump stabilizer; 7:00 1st and 2nd shut off processor unit 10; and 7:02 1st tab stop shut off player 44. Apparatus Cleaning Cycle Restart Manually remove print for drying - operate switch 50 to start player 44; 0 1st and 2nd operate gating unit 30 to start position, where all gates are closed, pilot light is on and processor 12 is operating; 0:03 2nd start wash; 0:10 1st reset tray; 0:15 1st tilt tray; 0:20 1st reset tray; 0:30 1st tilt tray; 1:50 2nd stop wash; 1:54 1st reset tray; and 1:58 2nd tab stop shuts off player 44.

In the above schedule, the tape tone signals must be of sufficient duration so as to energize the proper relays and move the proper microswitch arm out of its cam indent. It must also, however, be sufficiently short so as to avoid driving any cam past its next indent, or to interfere with signals for a next operation. Pulses of one second duration are generally suitable in the above case.

In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, latching solenoid 114 and its switch 138 are eliminated, and line 112, from decoder 54 is connected directly to wash solenoid 36. In addition, connection of chemical gating unit 24 and tray unit 38 are interchanged such that line 128 is connected to motor 40 and line 108 is connected to motor 131.

This provides triggering of chemical gating unit 24 by a signal on channel 1, and control of tray unit 38 by signals on both channel 1 and 2 simultaneously.

In this embodiment, wash solenoid 30 is held open by a long time signal on channel 2 rather than the impulse previously used for latching. In other words, from the start of washing till the stop of washing a constant ac tone is received by decoder 54 on channel 2. This holds open solenoid 36. Of course, for tray rinsing (tray is reset to horizontal, allowed to fill and then dumped) which is designed to occur during the wash cycle, a signal is also provided on channel 1. This momentarily interrupts operation of wash unit 30 and triggers the tray unit 38 since signals are simultaneously on both channels. Once the signal on channel 1 is completed, e.g., after 1 second or less, the wash switches back on because the signal remains on channel 2.

Consequently, in this embodiment, the enclosed schedule is modified in that pulses on the first channel provide gating operation, a continuous pulse on channel 2 provides wash operation, and pulses on both channels serve to operate the tray unit 38.

Many different embodiments are possible of course. For example, an agitated or rocking tray processor or other type of processor may be utilized instead of the specific unit indicated above. The image base can also be supported on an inclinded plane and chemicals and wash water flowed down the image base. This would eliminate tray dumping, however, it necessitates the use of larger quantities of chemicals for each step. The cam arrangement of gating unit 24 and tray unit 38 may also take a variety of forms. In both units, stepping motors may be utilized instead of the motor-cam system shown.

A solenoid unit could also be employed for tray control in tray unit 38. Electrically operated valves in cooperation with a stepping relay or ring counter arrangement could be employed for gating unit 24. Additionally, various types of switching devices, e.g., solid state units, etc., could be employed in decoder 54 or in other portions of the circuit. Finally, since chemical unit 24 is only cycled once during each operation, its stop position could be employed for reset of the start switch instead of the intermediate tape tab.

Magnetic tape has been specified in the example inasmuch as it is readily programmed for the automatic process, it provides precise timing, and it can be easily modified to accommodate future process requirements. However, other tape controls, such as perforated tape with a lamp and photocell reader could be employed.

The dual track (dual head) readout can be used for both magnetic tape or punched tape. However, where three or more readout heads are economical such as in punched tape units, the three operations triggered by decoder 54 may each be separately triggered. Moreover, separate additional channels (additional heads) could be used for each of the four gates or for the stop processor function of gating unit 30, or the stop signal now derived from the tape tab.

As indicated above, the double pole double throw relay switches of the illustrated embodiment may be replaced by other switch means such as solid state switch devices or the like. For use in the preferred two channel circuit, the switch means of any one channel must operate concurrently. Hence where two or more switches are combined to replace one of the channel relays, they must be interconnected so as to operate with the channel signal.

Although the illustrated channel relays have been described with regard to their mechanical contact arm and its associated contact points, it should be understood that each channel switch is in essence a pair of terminals, each of which has at least one associated pole. For example DPDT relay 60 includes a first terminal (arm 72) coupled with a first pole 74 and adapted to break this connection and to couple with its second pole 76, and a second terminal (arm 78) adapted for coupling with a single pole 82 concurrent with operation of the first terminal upon reception of a signal on the first channel. For discrete devices, the first terminal could, of course, be included in two units commonly connected; each unit being adapted to alternately open and close a conductive path to poles 74 and 76, respectively.

Hence, many different embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited except as in the appended claims.